San Diego County Christadelphians

Upcoming Community Presentation: February 24th @7:30pm (PST) Curious to hear a bit more about the hope and belief that so many Christadelphians share? Want to broaden your perspective on the events of last year, this year, and life as it goes on? Tune in online with the Simi Hills ecclesia and invite your friends!

Today’s Exhortation Highlights: Calling Blindly from the Roadside 2/14/2021 Mark 10 > Jesus and Blind Bartimaeus... ~Setting: Jesus is slowly making his way to Jerusalem where he knows he is going to die. ~Bartimaeus first hears of Jesus as he enters Jericho (Luke 18:35-36), but is unable to reach him until he is leaving Jericho (Mark 10:46). Bartimaeus is physically & socially side-lined due to his blindness stuck by the roadside. ~Have you ever felt this way in your life? In the past year? It is so much easier to focus on what we don’t have, but Bartimaeus takes a chance and uses what he does have (his hearing) to reach for what he wanted. ~And what he had was enough! vs. 47 > Jesus, Son of David ~How clearly he was able to see Jesus for who he was because of his circumstances! One of the only people in the Bible to use this title. Jesus had plenty on his mind during this time in his life, and yet, he stops. Call him. ~Rather than silence Bartimaeus’ cries, Jesus requires his followers to call out to him. ~How often do we follow this example with those who cry out for help around us? ~Or do we ignore them? Actively try to quiet them down so they don’t make us uncomfortable? Sometimes in our lives we will find ourselves in Bartimaeus’ shoes, and other times we will meet people like Bartimaeus on our roadsides. In each circumstance, what are you going do?

ATTENTION: Anyone interested in attending the Idyllwild (family) Bible School this July as long as it is safe to do so, please register by *February 21st* to show interest! No payment is required at this time. See post below for details.

Today’s Exhortation Highlights: An Unusual Delivery 2/7/2021 A look at Exodus 4 > *Why* did all of these events occur as they did, and *why* did God choose the method of delivery that He did?... ~Snake fights? (vs. 3) ~Leperous magic tricks? (vs. 6) ~Rehearsed family speech...followed by plagues of blood & death? (vs. 9) ~Pre-game huddle with the captive Israelites? (vs. 29) There is a little extra insight in Acts 7:20-36 from Stephen, but a lot is left to piece together. God does not do anything for nothing, and there are many layered messages in the one He sent with Moses & Aaron. ~God knew the hearts of all the people involved in these events (I Kings 8:39). Delivery method aside, the delivery guy himself was a bit of a strange choice and it took a lot of time & effort to get him in delivery mode and then keep him there! ~Exodus 6:12 & 30 *Funny Thought: Why did Pharaoh’s wise men think it was a good idea to produce *more* plagues (blood, frogs, etc) to prove their validity? Who wants *more* frogs?? ~It would’ve been so much more helpful to have the power to make *less* frogs... God doesn’t invest His time in pointless ventures, and He doesn’t waste His power on the wrong people. God invested in Moses, and He has begun an investment in you. He has the time, the patience, and the plan do you?

Reminder: The 2nd Monday of every month is Ladies’ Night OUT, and the 4th Monday of every month is Ladies’ Night IN! All are welcome near or far!

Today’s Exhortation Highlights: Got to be Perfect 10/25/2020 What does perfection mean to you? What kind of feelings does it stir up? ... We see the pressures of it in: School/academics Our jobs Sports Our personal lives Social media Is the perfection that the world demands, the same kind that Jesus asks of us? ~Both promise a kind of immortality for this pursuit; but which kind do we want? Can we be perfect in God’s eyes today (pre-resurrection)? Well consider... ~Let steadfastness have its work, that you may be perfect and complete (James 1:4) ~Be ye therefore perfect (Matthew 5:48) People in the Bible described as perfect: Noah (Genesis 6:9) Abram (Genesis 17:1) David (I Kings 15:3) Asa (I Kings 15:14) Hezekiah (II Kings 20:3) Jesus asks us to shift our mindset from inward to outward, and follow him in becoming perfect in His Father’s eyes. Achieving perfection in the Now is not about completing a series of righteous tasks or never sinning. It is about acknowledging exactly where we fall short, and giving up free will for God’s will. So that God, as our Maker, can look at us and say I can work with this. They’re perfect.

Today’s Exhortation Highlights: Believe All Things 10/18/2020 The Gospel of John is all about Belief... ~Believe occurs over 100 times in the book of John! The Mission Statement of John: ~These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ...that by believing you may have life in his name. ~John 20:31 (ESV) Lessons Reinforced in the Story of Lazarus (Ch 11): Jesus leaving & coming again (vs 6-7) The Resurrection of the dead (vs 11) Redeeming faith fo Thomas who Doubted (vs 16) Building belief in wavering disciples (vs 45) Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ~Mary ~Unfulfilled expectations is one of the leading factors of poor mental health! God we had a deal! ~Have you been in this place before? ~Jesus didn’t delay to ignore Mary’s prayers. He delayed because he had work to do and he knew everything would be okay in the end. Belief must weather time and hardship. It must survive frustration and not knowing what comes next. But hold tight to belief, and lift up your head, because your Redeemer will come soon!

Today’s (Virtual) Exhortation Highlights: Christ-like Communication 10/11/2020 We need to produce healthy productive communication that is:... Verbal Nonverbal Written Verbal > Once it’s out it’s impossible to put back in! ~Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) ~Words can have real, long-lasting, and absolutely devastating consequences. ~Do you choose the words that come out of your mouth as carefully as you choose what you put in your mouth? Nonverbal > Actions do speak louder than words! ~He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet (John 13:5) ~Roughly 93% of our communication is nonverbal. ~Body posture, gestures, tone of voice ~Are you intentional with what your nonverbal communications are? Written > Don’t be so quick to hit post! ~An edict written one the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked (Esther 8:8) ~Setting something in writing gives it power and makes it binding. ~It also gives it a *much* wider audience typically than those privy to our verbal & nonverbal communication. ~Are the words in your post or email true? Helpful? Necessary? Kind? Communication is such an important part of the life that God has given to us! So how’s your prayer life going? And your efforts to maintain your relationships? If you’re struggling with one of these ways to communicate, that’s why God gave you three ways to do it!

Today’s (Virtual) Exhortation Highlights: Only Believe 10/4/2020 Comparison between Jairus (Mark 5) and Naaman (II Kings 5)... Devastating uncertainty faced Blind faith required Gentle mercy shown Faith & Life restored Lessons to Learn from Naaman & Jairus: Keep friends around who will tell you the hard things you need to hear. Sometimes you ask God a big prayer and He responds with a small step. Don’t get so lost in your own importance that you are incapable of letting others help you. In both cases, their initial answer from God was not what they were looking for, but ultimately everything they needed. Which lesson do you need to practice this week?

Not too late to join if you’re interested! Head over to www.sdbible.com for the Zoom link and say hi!

In keeping with all county and state guidelines for health & safety, our ecclesia has reserved a shaded area of the local park which we are permitted to use for our Sunday school classes. In order to uphold these guidelines and continue meeting in this way please note: Visitors are welcome but please let us know in advance if your children are planning to attend. Picnic tables are provided but you may want to consider bringing your own chair -especially if you are concerned about maintaining proper distancing. Masks must be worn upon arrival to the park, though they may not be required in class when distancing can be maintained. Check out www.sdbible.com/families for more details on each class topic for the year!

Today’s (Virtual) Exhortation Highlights: Meditate on It 9/27/2020 Biblical Meditation > taking time to hear the Still Small Voice of God ... ~Reference Elijah in I Kings 19:12 ~Occurs 20x in the Bible Find a Quiet... Place Time Mind Some of those who meditated: ~Moses ~Joshua ~David ~Jesus Why are we instructed to meditate on God’s Word and not just study it? ~In studying we get Knowledge. ~In meditating we get Understanding. ~In this understanding we can find Peace. Make some time this week to quiet your mind and fill it with a little more of God’s Word. Let it work change in your thoughts and actions as the week goes on.

Today’s Exhortation Highlights: Zacchaeus and His Tree 9/20/2020 Luke 19:1-10 > Chief Tax Collector ... ~Direct Tax (Poll Tax, Property Tax) ~Indirect Tax (Duty on goods, slaves) Contradiction in his character ~To be a successful tax collector you have to be blunt, confrontational, even aggressive... ~So where did this version who hides in the crowd, climbs a tree, and hurried to accommodate Christ come from? There is nothing dignified about a grown man running and climbing a tree. Period. Jesus didn’t care if Zacchaeus’ method of coming to meet him was silly. Or clumsy. Or even hesitant. ~Jesus says I must stay at your house today. Just look at how loving and genuinely happy Jesus was towards Zacchaeus. If Zacchaeus can meet Jesus meaningfully in a tree, we can expect Jesus to meet us absolutely anywhere we ask him to. So just ask.

The San Diego ecclesia is meeting together this morning at a local park (following all local & state safety guidelines) for the first time since March. And it is a beautiful morning. Our current plan is to meet in this way once a month, and to meet virtually on Zoom during the other weeks. PLEASE NOTE: Our park reservation has specific restrictions on capacity so while we always welcome visitors, non-members please reach out on our fb page or www.sdbible.com to let us know you would like to attend.

San Diego’s youth group is hosting the Fall Conference this year! Check out this promo video and then head over to the events page to RSVP!