Faith Life Magazine - August 2018

Volume 2 ISSUE 8 | AUGUST 2018

Take Jesus on
Vacation!
Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone
who asks you for the reason of the hope you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
F
or most Americans August is the busiest vacation
month of the year, and I hope you have enjoyed one
yourself or are planning to do so. Although life is
busy and time stops for no one, God has given us freely
all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). Remember, wherever
we are and whatever we are doing, we are God’s representatives.
Whether in a taxi or Uber vehicle, a restaurant,
sitting at an airport or a resort pool, fishing on a
dock, or even on the ninth hole of a golf course, it is
important for each one of us to remember that.
Now if for some reason you are not planning a vacation,
the Lord still wants to use you. He doesn’t want
to use us only for people who “live way over there,” but
also for people nearby. It may be a stranger, your new
neighbor, your friend, your boss or your co-worker. You
know, people in your life right where God has you.
You may ask, “How do I start the conversation?” I’m so
glad you asked! Look for any opening where you can
segue into the gospel by asking them a question like,
“Do you go to church?” Or, if you know they are from
another county, you might ask them what that country’s
main religion is. Once they tell you, ask them what
they think about Christianity or Christ. Their answer
will open the door to your next question or statement
about the Lord, the Bible, eternal life or God’s payment
for sin. Of course, before anything, you may want to say
a quick prayer asking God for wisdom.
Trust the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance what
you have learned or read, and take your time. Don’t be
afraid to ask questions. Their answers will reveal to you
what they believe. Yes, it means you have to read and
study your Bible a little more, but surely you can give
them the simple gospel, how God sent his only Son to
die for the sins of the world. Let them know what Jesus
said, “If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to
be, you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
If they are Muslim, remind them that Muhammad and
Jesus can’t both be right. Remind them that Muhammad
didn’t die for anyone, nor did he rise from the dead; Jesus
did, and more than 500 witnesses saw him alive. Remind
them that without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) You can do this!
Remember what Peter said, “Always be prepared to give
an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason of the
hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
(1 Peter 3:15)
I will continue doing my best in teaching and preaching
God’s Word “in season and out of season.” So let’s take
the gospel to the whole world, even if you don’t leave
the Bay Area this year. You are the salt and the light.
In closing – pray, study, and share!
I love you,
Pastor Gary.
CHURCH IN THE PARK 2018
DETAILS:
When: SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 11 AM
Where: SAN LEANDRO MARINA, AT THE MALLARD PICNIC AREA
14001 MONARCH BAY DRIVE, SAN LEANDRO
BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND SOME FOOD TO SHARE • BBQ CONTEST
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE BY LISA DAGGS — DOVE AWARD NOMINEE FOR 2017 ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
WORSHIP • THE WORD • FELLOWSHIP
2
Faith Fellowship | 577 Manor Blvd. | San Leandro | 94579 | 510-357-5723 | faith-fellowship.us

He Is Not My President!
1 Peter 2:13-17
ROCHELLE’S CORNER
The media is erupting with stories of elected officials
calling for violence against fellow citizens. Protesters
are storming federal buildings demanding government
agencies be abolished, with screams of outrage and
accusations against the President. Civil servants are chased
from restaurants while others are harassed at their homes.
Ordinary citizens are attacked for wearing “Make America
Great Again” (MAGA) paraphernalia.
People are fighting
in the streets. The nation
is being set ablaze with
mayhem, each day brings a
new crisis. With civility abandoned,
vile, vulgar, and vicious
attacks are applauded.
What we see unfolding is
mobocracy. There is no respect
for law and order, no
regard for authority; free
speech has been re-branded
as hate, racism and bigotry. Mobocracy is easily remembered
as the white sheet riders, also known as the
KKK (Klan). The Klan wears white sheets; Antifa wears
black hoods. The grand wizards decide who, what, when
and where to attack; Antifa follows the marching orders
of their organizers. The Klan fosters violence, anger and
hate; Antifa thrives on violence, anger and hate. I urge
you to look objectively and understand what is happening
around you. Disengage your emotions and engage
your mind.
Who is fueling this rebellion? It is the god of this world;
the prince of the power of the air; the one who transforms
himself into an angel of light. A master deceiver,
murderer and liar from the beginning. In the very first
cosmic rebellion, Lucifer attempted to overthrow the
government of God. He waged a rebellion and lost the
war (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Revelation 12:7-
9). The battle we see is both spiritual and natural. According
to Ephesians 6:10-18, we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities,
against rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. The spiritual battle
happening in the unseen realm is being played out in
the streets of our nation.
Romans 13 tells us government is established by God
Look objectively and understand
what is happening around you.
Disengage your emotions and
engage your mind.
and that rebellion against what God institutes brings
judgment. Satan knows this very well. He wants God to
judge this nation and bring it to destruction. The devil’s
sole objective is to steal, kill and destroy. Authorities
are not a threat to those who do good, but to those who
do evil. As servants of God, the authorities execute judgment
on those who do evil. The Bible commands us to
submit to authority, as it
states in 1 Peter 2:13-17:
“Be subject to every human
institution for the
Lord’s sake, whether to a
king as supreme or to governors
as those he commissions
to punish wrongdoers
and praise those
who do good. For God
wants you to silence the
ignorance of foolish people
by doing good. Live as
free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil,
but as God’s servants. Honor all people, love the family
of believers, fear God, honor the king [President].” When
government disregards the law of God, people have a
right to oppose such injustice. However, when a government
enforces the law of the land for the protection
and good of the nation, we have no justifiable reason to
rebel, even if we disagree. Disobedience to God opens
the door for Satan to gain a foothold.
In 64 A.D., Nero persecuted Christians viciously. Christians
were torn to pieces by dogs and wild beasts, crucified,
set on fire and burned as torches to illuminate
the night. Nero was cruel, vicious, evil and wicked. But it
was during the reign of Nero that Paul instructed the
Church to pray for those in authority (Timothy 2:1-3).
I have heard Christians say they would never pray for
the President or his administration. Some have cursed
him, while others have called him a demon, or worse.
This is rebellion against God, not the President. God is
the one who sets up kings and removes them. Obedience
to God demands that we pray for those in authority.
The Judeo-Christian faith in America is the only
thing standing between liberty and tyranny. So whom
will you follow? Will you follow God, or will you follow
the spirit of Antifa?
3

Redeemed by Love and Grace
BY JASMINE PICOS
After waking up in the emergency room to see the
police standing in front of me, still drunk from a
heavy day and night of drinking and having no
idea how I had got there, finally, I knew something had
to change. Although I’d had hundreds of wake-up calls,
this was different. Due to the circumstances that resulted
in me being taken to the ER, there was a possibility
that I had been raped. I was at rock bottom; frightened,
filled with shame, guilt and condemnation. Yet Jesus
came “to bind up (the wounds of) the brokenhearted, to
proclaim release (from confinement and condemnation)
to the (physical and spiritual) captives and freedom to
prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
I grew up in a broken, dysfunctional home surrounded
by anger and abuse. My parents divorced when I was
two, leaving my mother to raise my sister and me. But
because my mother was imprisoned in a cycle of
abusive, codependent relationships, my grandparents
took on the parenting role. Both my grandfather and
uncle were physically, mentally and verbally abusive.
Once, I talked back to my grandmother in front of my
uncle; he responded by beating me and spitting on me.
Then there was the time my grandfather whipped me
terribly because my sister and I laughed at him.
Rejection and abuse led me to believe there must be
something very wrong with me; I am a nobody; my
feelings don’t matter; I am unloved. This left me
feeling very angry and full of self-loathing. In what
seemed to be the “natural progression of things,”
struggling with fear, shame, insecurity, and loneliness,
alcohol addiction ensued.
In middle school I was rejected by my best friend because
I was hanging out with girls she didn’t like, which negatively
effected by ability to nurture any type of relationship.
I hated going to school for fear of being seen as an
outcast and labeled as a loser. I remember hiding in the
bathroom during lunch time to avoid being seen alone.
In high school, starving for male approval and love, I
met my first boyfriend at 15 and he became my god.
Still filled with fear and insecurity, before our first date, I
snuck into my grandfather’s garage and drank shots
alone for the first time. It was love at first shot!
Then my heart was broken when boyfriend left me
year and a half later. Completely unequipped to handle
our break-up, I attempted suicide by consuming more
than 20 pills. I thank God, the devil was not victorious!
As the alcohol abuse
progressed, my life
spiraled out of control.
Alcohol was my master;
I felt powerless
and hopeless. I began
blacking out every time
I drank and often
placed myself in
dangerous situations
around men. I was
going from one relationship
to another, but
men and alcohol never
filled the void. Blackouts
were a normal
part of life for 16 years Jasmine Picos.
until my second DUI in
2013. Although the
blackouts stopped, New Year’s resolutions, AA meetings,
and Christian counseling failed in my attempts to put
the bottle down. I knew if I continued, in another five
years I would be dead. I desperately needed a miracle.
Seeing people tattooed with crosses, I wondered what
they had that I didn’t. What was I missing? To me, Jesus
was just as absent as my father was. I was angry and
blamed Jesus for all of the hell in my life.
But God never left me. After hitting my rock bottom, he
used my Christian friend Chris, whom I had known in the
fifth grade and had had no contact with for 18 years.
Chris had been searching for me for nine years. After
finding me in April 2014, he shared his “miracle” experience.
One day in 2005, Chris felt an overwhelming
divine love penetrate his soul. That same day he saw a
vision of me in the fifth grade and for two weeks felt
compelled to return to San Mateo, our home town, and
find me. God’s love would not let Chris give up mentoring
me, even after a year without repentance. My heart
was hardened and I was so prideful. I doubted Jesus’
ability to help me stop drinking. And of course, I needed
to clean up my life first. Right?
Finally, one day sober and three months pregnant, I
cried out to the Lord, pouring out my heart – I wanted
to leave this lifestyle. I asked Him to make Himself
real to me and forgive me for all my sins. For the first
(REDEEMED, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7)
4

Not Worthless
BY TIFFANY PADILLA
Have you ever felt worthless, full of shame and
undeserving of God’s love? That was the way
I felt every day.
Three of my brothers and I grew up with my mom, while
my oldest brother lived with my father. We lived in a
low-income apartment; food stamps, expired canned
food, hand-me-downs, shoplifting and stealing were our
reality. Being a single mom from another country with
little English and desperate to make fast money to take
care of us, my mom’s solution was men and gambling.
Random men were in and out of our apartment, and not
surprisingly, at the age of six my purity was taken by one
those men. This abuse continued for six years with
various men, including a family member. I never shared
what was happening to me with anyone because I was
told by many of these men that if I did say anything, my
family would be in danger.
As the result of the sexual abuse, the lack of love I had
received from my father, and feeling my mom chose
gambling and men over my brothers and me, I concluded
that I was made to be used and that no man would
ever consider me worthy to be a wife or a mother. So
when I reached my teenage years, I was promiscuous;
that was how love was defined.
I should also tell you that my older brother had courageously
stepped up and tried to care for us. It was an
enormous responsibility that left him turning to drugs
and is now mentally disabled. As a result, when I was 16
years old, my family was forced to split up and I became
homeless. Living in a shed behind my old elementary
school, I picked up a few random jobs and dropped out
of school at 17 to care for myself and eventually be
able to take care of my family.
Although at that time I didn’t know God, I truly believe
that He was the one who gave me the strength to
persevere and not surrender to that life. Eventually I
started working for a nutrition company which provided
the income I needed. In 2015, I was given an opportunity
to speak on the topic of disease prevention at a small
church in San Jose. It left me curious about “church” and
what it was all about. Why were these people so happy?
I continued to attend and serve, and in so doing, I began
to learn how valuable and loved I am. As a result, I
decided to end the very unhealthy relationship I was in.
On Sunday, September 6, 2015, I surrendered my life to
the Lord and was baptized!
The Padilla family.
I was focused on my relationship with the Lord and
grateful to be single and not dependent on a man for
emotional security. What seemed to be “out of nowhere,”
an amazing man of God began to pursue me. I did not
want to go back to my old habits, but because of his
persistence, I gave him a chance. He was transparent,
vulnerable, intentional about what he wanted and loved
the Lord more than anyone I’d ever known. Our dates
consisted of Bible studies, church, outreach, time outdoors
with God’s creation, and eventually family outings
with his two handsome sons. No one in my life had ever
treated me as God’s precious daughter.
I was still burdened with feelings of incredible shame
and worthlessness because of my past, and it was hindering
my relationship with God and with this amazing
man of God. But this amazing man of God persisted and
wanted to marry me. I was overwhelmed. How could I
possibly be a wife, a mother, oversee a youth ministry?
And if he really knew me, he would leave like everyone
else in my life had. I told him to marry someone “holy,”
not me.
Then God opened my eyes to this scripture and it all
became clear:
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior
(NOT WORTHLESS, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)
5

NOT WORTHLESS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5)
Monday
Celebrate Recovery – A Christcentered
Recovery Program. The
proven, groundbreaking 12-step program
designed for freedom from addictive,
compulsive and dysfunctional
behaviors. “A safe place to share, and
a turning point in your life.” Celebrate
Recovery meets every Monday at
7pm in the Main Sanctuary.
appeared, He saved us, not
because of righteous things we
had done, but because of His
mercy. He saved us through the
washing of rebirth and renewal
by the Holy Spirit, whom He
poured out on us generously
through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified
by His grace, we might become
heirs having the hope of
eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 NIV)
I am saved because of God’s
mercy, not because of my good
deeds or works.
blessings. I am moving forward
– not looking back – the past is
the past. I’m learning and
growing each day.
God has given our family visions
and goals, and we are excited to
become greater.
Please pray that I will continue
to humbly serve the Lord and His
people for the rest of my life
with integrity.
Often times we want restoration
rather than transformation. We
want God to simply tweak our
Tuesday
Women’s Morning Bible Study – All
ladies are welcome to join us at
the Ladies’ Tuesday Morning Bible
Study every week at 9:45am.
Prayer starts prior to study at
9:15am. We welcome you to join us!
Wednesday
Family Bible Study – New Format!
1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights.
Prayer from 5-6pm, food served
from 5:45-6:45. Worship begins
promptly at 7; and at 7:15 we begin
studying God’s word. At 8pm we will
stop, have offering and announcements,
and then all who would like
to stay and worship or have prayer
may do so. Hope to see you there!
Friday
Momentum Young Adults – ages 18
to 39, married or single, meet every
1st and 3rd Friday at 7pm in the
Youth Building for a time of fellowship
and service.
Saturday
Women’s Exercise Class – Women of
Worth Women’s Ministry Exercise
Class is every Saturday, 8:30 to
9:30am, located in the FaithKidz
Building.
We are called to shine.
And as we shine, we shine
for His Glory.
I decided to tell my boyfriend
everything about my past and
the mistakes I was currently
making. Calmly he inquired
whether I had asked God for
forgiveness and had I changed?
I said “YES!” He responded that
the past didn’t matter and that
he still loved me. After dating
for ten months, he asked me
once again for my hand in
marriage. I accepted his proposal
and we were married one
month later.
I quickly became a wife, with the
bonus mom to two beautiful
boys, and together with my
husband, Pastor Hector “Fuego”
Padilla, we oversee the youth
ministry here at Faith Fellowship.
Today I’m 26 years old, five
months pregnant , and on August
21st will be celebrating two
years of marriage. Never could I
have imagined I would be living
this life today. Of course, there
are many challenges, but I
choose to focus on all of God’s
lives and instantly transform us
into a new and improved
version of the person we
already know; nothing too
dramatic. Yet we serve a God
who is all about transformation:
turning caterpillars into butterflies,
making the new unrecognizable
to the old. God tells us
to not stop in the plains, but go
all the way to the mountains,
the land of the unknown. We are
not to settle for simply “living
the good life.” We are called to
shine. And as we shine, we shine
for His glory. We are called to
make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of
the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. And whatever platform
God has given you to share the
gospel, do not hesitate! Share
your personal testimony. There
are so many people out there
who feel worthless, hopeless,
lost and frightened.
When you let Him, God will
show up for you.
6

(REDEEMED, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4)
time in my life I had peace, joy and hope!
In August of 2016, one year and five months after being born
again, surrendering my life to the Lord, I was baptized and He
miraculously delivered me!
Although the demon vanished, the road to victory isn’t always
beautiful. After two relapses that were crushing in spirit, God
delivered me again. All I had to do was worship Him!
During one of his sermons, Pastor Gary once said that the greatest
decision you will ever make in your life is whether to accept
or reject Jesus. He then asked, “Are you willing to give Him your
life to become the person you were created to be, healthy and
whole? Or will you reject Him and continue living in bondage to
yours sins, following the broad path that leads to destruction?”
He said that healing is a choice, and to surrender our lives to the
Lord. Today is the day for healing and salvation!
Poetry Corner
(We are introducing this new section into the magazine. All are welcome
to contribute. Space is limited until we expand the section.)
A Butterfly, by Dorothy Beardslee
A but’rfly came into my car one busy summer day.
What was it doing in my car? I shoo’d it out, away!
Then I realized it was a gift, I should have let it stay.
For God had sent it there to me to brighten up my day.
So many times we miss the touch God sends to help us through.
Lord Jesus, help my heart to see the love gifts sent from You.
Each month we want to help broaden your ability to expand your
vocabulary. We call it WORD WEALTH! This month’s words are:
sequester: verb; 1.to remove or withdraw into solitude or retirement;
seclude. 2. to remove or separate; banish; exile. 3. to keep
apart from others; segregate or isolate. synonyms: separate, cut
off, cloister, draw back, withdraw. Origin: 1350–1400; Middle
English sequestren < Latin sequestrāre to put in hands of a trustee,
derivative of sequester ‘trustee, depositary.’
ubiquitous: adjective; 1. existing or being everywhere, especially
at the same time; omnipresent: ubiquitous fog; ubiquitous little
ants. synonyms: omnipresent, everywhere, pervasive, all-over
Origin: First recorded in 1830–40; ubiquit(y) + -ous.
Church in the Park
Sunday, August 12, 11am. Held annually
at the San Leandro Marina, see
details under Pastor Gary’s message
on page 2. It’s a great time to invite
your friends and family who would
not typically attend church. A powerful
service, with an abundance of worship,
fellowship and food.
Don’t miss it this year!
Women’s Health
Workshop
August 25, 10am-12pm
Expecting the Change – Understanding
and successfully navigating
menopause. Free event.
Annual Golf Tournament
Saturday, August 25. 9am Shotgun
$95/player includes golf, cart,
range balls, lunch.
Entry deadline 8/20, sign up today:
faith-fellowship.us/golf or call
510-357-5723 ext. 113
Women of Worth
Women’s Retreat
Fill My Cup – September 21-23,
Friday dinner 5:30 pm at Faith
Fellowship, Saturday event at
Nature Bridge at Golden Gate,
Sausalito. Full retreat: $120,
Friday only: $10. Sign up at
faith-fellowship.us/retreat.
Psalm 23:5
Faith Life Magazine
Property of Faith Fellowship
San Leandro, CA, USA
All Rights Reserved
7

Faith Fellowship Foursquare Church
577 Manor Blvd. | San Leandro | 94579
510-357-5723
faith-fellowship.us