Touching Base

I love this time of year. Spring is on the horizon. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday. And Easter is right around the corner. I love this season because it is ripe with opportunities to introduce people to Jesus. Between now and Easter we are focusing on a relationship with Jesus. Then we are going to focus on some of the essential elements of Christianity. We are attempting to be extremely user friendly in terms of those who are far from God, seek God, and maybe even skeptical about Jesus. Let me encourage you to bring a friend. Have a spiritual conversation with a friend. I know this. The Holy Spirit of God is at work. He is working your life. He is working in our church. He is working in the life of your friend. Enjoy the season. Embrace the season. Take advantage of God working during this season.

Upcoming Events:

March 11^th – Time Change – Spring Forward

March 11^th – Women’s Ministry Spring Cleaning

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

March 25^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting

March 30^th -  EPIC Camp

April 6^th – Good Friday Service 7:00 PM

April 8^th – Easter Sunday – Two Services 9:00 & 10:45 AM

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

April 28^th – Men’s Ministry Service Project

May 19^th – Women’s Ministry Event

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

I am still fired up about last Sunday! What a great day at Venice Church. What a great day for 14 people who solidified their commitment to Jesus. What a great day for their friends and family who were there to support them. And…big props to the Venice Church family for your amazing support for them as they stepped out and walked forward to be baptized. There is nothing better than seeing lives changed. We praise God for His amazing work in our lives and in our church.

So…check this out. For the next 6 weeks we are going to really hit some fundamentals of the faith. If you have a friend or loved one who has not crossed the line and accepted Jesus…maybe they are a bit skeptical…these next six weeks are for them. Invite somebody to come with you to a service. There will be no surprises. Just cranking worship music and a solid message. We begin on Sunday with Jesus’ basic invitation to follow. I can’t wait to see you on Sunday.

Upcoming Events:

March 4^th – Communion

March 11^th – Time Change – Spring Forward

March 11^th – Women’s Ministry Spring Cleaning

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

March 30^th -  EPIC Camp

April 6^th – Good Friday Service 7:00 PM

April 8^th – Easter Sunday – Two Services 9:00 & 10:45 AM

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

May 19^th – Women’s Ministry Event

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

I hope and pray that our series in Revelation has been encouraging and life changing for you. It certainly has been for me. We are going to wrap it up this Sunday when we see the last church, the church at Laodicea. Their problem was complacency. We are going to talk about what it means to identify with Christ and the church.

We are going to focus primarily on baptism and then we are going to baptize. If you have signed up to be baptized or you want to be baptized on Sunday here is what you need to know. We will baptize toward the end of the service after the message. It is not necessary, but if you would like you can bring a bathing suit to wear under the “scrubs” that we provide. We will provide you with a towel. If you have any questions, please hit me at pastorcraig@venicechurch.com.

It will be a great time of commitment and celebration and identification with Christ. I know that you don’t want to miss it. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Upcoming Events:

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

February 25^th – Men’s & Women’s Ministry Brunch with Special Guest: Kerry Pomarolli

February 26^th – Baptism

March 11^th – Time Change – Spring Forward

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

April 6^th – Good Friday Service 7:00 PM

April 8^th – Easter Sunday – Two Services 9:00 & 10:45 AM

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

I was really heartbroken to hear of the passing of Whitney Houston. There is something about her passing that is really hitting me in the gut. I heard her Pastor interviewed this week and he talked about her faith in Jesus Christ and how she never lost her faith in Jesus and how she would come back to her home church in New Jersey and sing on Easter Sunday. I think all of that is great. And…I hope and I pray that she had a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and is in Heaven today.

Here is what is so gut wrenching to me. If you give your life to Jesus Christ it does not make you immune to the allure and trappings of the world and the Devil and the subsequent consequences that will result and follow. If you make poor choices you will surely reap the destruction that sin always brings with it. If you choose to use and abuse alcohol and drugs you are going to experience all of the garbage that comes with it. If you choose to be in relationships that are not founded on Jesus Christ and encourage you and inspire you in your walk with Christ you are going to live with the abuse and drama and heartache that come with that dysfunction.

Just because you and I belong to Jesus and He is our Savior does not make us immune to the world, the Devil and the consequences of sin. If we come to church on Sunday, but live in sin all week we should not believe for a minute that we will escape the heartache, torment, and destruction that sin will bring into our lives.

Just like all of the people in all of the churches in Revelation, Jesus wants us to live in victory. That is what He wanted for Whitney. You cannot…you cannot live in victory if you mess around with sin and its trappings. If you want to live with victory and overcome you have to make good choices.

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21) Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne." Revelation 3:20-21

Upcoming Events:

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

February 25^th – Men’s & Women’s Ministry Brunch with Special Guest: Kerry Pomarolli

February 26^th - Baptism

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Because of Ephesians 2 today is a great day.

Before Christ we were…

Dead because of our disobedience and sin.

Living in sin, obeying the devil.

Following the passionate desires of our sinful nature.

Subject to God’s anger.

But God…

Is rich in mercy and loves us so much.

Even though we were dead because of our sins, gave us life.

Raised Christ from the dead.

Raised us from the dead with Christ.

Saved us by His grace when we believed.

Gave us the free gift of salvation.

Made us new in Christ Jesus so that we can do good works.

It’s a great day!

Upcoming Events:

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

February 25^th – Men’s & Women’s Ministry Brunch with Special Guest: Kerry Pomarolli

February 26^th - Baptism

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Victory: a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war. Life is a battlefield for every Christ follower that walks on this planet. If any of us thought anything different when we signed up to follow Jesus we were sorely mistaken. Following Jesus is one fight, one battle after another and that may sound a bit intimidating or depressing, but there is very good news. Jesus Christ has already emerged victorious. His desire for us is that we would live in victory each and every day. He has overcome sin, Satan, death, and the grave to ensure that we can live in victory.

At the end of every message that Jesus sends to the seven churches of Revelation He encourages them to live in victory. He promises blessings and rewards for those who live in victory. When we were sinners, separated and dead, Jesus saved us. Now we live forgiven, connected, and alive in Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Victory can be ours if we will stick close to Jesus. Victory is within our grasp when we live according to His Word. It is a fight. You can win if you are in Christ!

Upcoming Events:

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

February 25^th – Men’s & Women’s Ministry Brunch

February 26^th - Baptism

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

June 3^rd – Mark & Judy Reynolds – Water For Life Worldwide

Listen to messages online at venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

It was a great day at Venice Church on Sunday. We had a record high attendance for a non-holiday Sunday. Thank you for inviting your friends and family! And…the news gets better. 6 people gave their life to Jesus on Sunday and I had the privilege of baptizing one young lady on Sunday evening as her small group cheered her on. What a great, great day.

I am looking forward to another great day this Sunday. We are going to continue looking at the seven churches in Revelation. The next two churches that we will study struggled with sexual immorality in the church. So…for the next two Sundays we are going to talk about Sex In the Church. I know that you don’t want to miss it. Don’t forget that our Annual Business Meeting follows the morning service.

Upcoming Events:

January 29^th – Annual Business Meeting (following the morning service)

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

March 18^th – Rockstars Singing

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

Listen to messages online @ venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

I recently heard a pastor say that he wasn't going to fight it anymore. When somebody asks him why he  is so focused on the number of people that attend his church he is just going to cop to it. He is going to say, "Yep! We are all about the numbers. We are all about the number of people who have turned to Jesus Christ to save their soul and salvage their life."

This Sunday is all about the numbers at Venice Church. It is all about getting as many lost people as we possibly can to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pray for a big number of lost people to hear the message on Sunday and give their life to Jesus. Every number represents a soul that will exist in eternity in Heaven or in Hell. Let's help some get into Heaven this Sunday.

It was great to worship with all of you yesterday at Venice Church. Thank you for coming to worship with passion and excitement in the New Year. I look forward to doing it again on Sunday. We are going to continue our study in Revelation. We are going to see what Jesus said to the church at Ephesus. If you want to get some prep in for the message read about the church in Acts chapter 19.

This week Amy and I are on our Annual Pastor’s Conference/Cruise to Baja. It is a wonderful time for us to get away with other pastors and their wives and be refreshed and encouraged and hopefully be an encouragement to others. The office will be unmanned for the better part of the week. We will be back Friday morning. Please pray for safe travels for all of us.

Upcoming Events:

January 15^th – Men’s Ministry

January 29^th – Annual Business Meeting (following the morning service)

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

Listen to messages online @ venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Happy New Year!

2011 went out with a bang and…we had a great year here at Venice Church. God blessed us in so many amazing ways. I am anticipating God working and moving and leading in the New Year. I believe that it will be another great year for our church.

So…2012 is here and it should be a great year…unless you are a Mayan…then…maybe not so much! Without a doubt there will be more end of the world talk this year and so I have decided to begin the year talking about the book of Revelation. I have never been more excited about a series of messages than I am this one. It will probably not be what you think, but you do not want to miss it. You will definitely want to bring somebody with you to a service.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday when we get rolling.

Upcoming Events:

January 8^th – New Message Series: REVELATION

January 15^th – Men’s Ministry

January 29^th – Annual Business Meeting @ 6:00 PM

February 19^th – Ben & Raelene Walker – Missionaries to New Zealand

April 15^th – 40 Days In the Word

Listen to messages online @ venicechurch.com or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230