Source: Fear not, for I have redeemed you…
Author: Arw27
Hi,
My name is Alan and I have been in ministry, for many years. I started out at Grace Community Church in their sports ministries, in Softball, Basketball and Semi Pro Baseball team, where I coached, led devotions, and shared my testimony on the baseball team with other teams we played. After leaving Grace, My wife Kathy and I were at Simi Valley Community Church, where we were lay pastors, and also got involved in Parenting classes called Growing Kids God's Way. The church ended up splitting and were part of the original people that helped start Cornerstone Community Church with Francis Chan and Ron Wilson. During that time, we continued in parenting classes, couples bible studies, and small groups. I became a non staff Pastor/Elder some years back and did it till I stepped down on December 31st, 2019. Nothing bad, just felt that the Lord was calling me to do something else, after 25 years at Cornerstone. Presently, I joined a band with our Homeless Ministry (PADS) and we just started a group on Friday nights, that ministers to professing believers who are going through some type of recovery. My desire, is that there will be some type of home/small church that I will lead, based on what the Lord seems to be calling me to. It is a really big step of faith, at 65 years old.
A couple other things to note. I was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and left there when I was 20 years old. My passion was baseball, and my desire, was to play professionally. I gave my life to Jesus when I was a young teenager, but lack of a consistent fellowship and some family problems led me away. I also, started letting baseball be my God.
I moved to California when I was 20, and works for an offshore drilling company for about 2 and 1/2 years and then went back to school and Cal State University where I met my wonderful wife in Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU). We were married in 1980 and Lord willing, look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary in August. We have 3 daughters that all live close by, until my middle daughter just moved to Tennessee.
My Career, had been since I got out of college, with a degree in finance, a combination of IT, consulting, Executive Vice President, RE Broker and Loan Broker, and a short time as a VP Senior Financial Analyst with Bank of America.
Well, I hope that gives you a little glimpse into my life, and where I think the Lord is leading. Please feel free to write.
God Bless
Alan
What are we waiting for? His Mercy and Grace are waiting for us. He says, come to the Altar and you will not be disappointed!
Prayer……….
The most fitting response to a powerful sermon is not…
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name!
Man cannot live by BREAD alone!
Key Scripture Reference
The phrase “man cannot live on bread alone” is found in the Bible, specifically in the book of Matthew. This verse emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment alongside physical sustenance.
Matthew 4:4
TRANSLATIONVERSE TEXTNew International Version”Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”English Standard Version”But he answered, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”New Living Translation”But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”King James Version”But he answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'”
Context of the Verse
This verse is part of the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. After fasting for 40 days, Jesus was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. His response highlights that spiritual sustenance is as vital as physical food.
Related Verses
- Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled you, and let you hunger and fed you with manna… that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
- John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'”
This teaching underscores the belief that spiritual fulfillment is essential for life.
We are not alone. What a tremendous inheritance we have! Angels who minister to us, who have trusted in Jesus. ☝️🙏😀
A quick overview of Daniel 1 – 12
Every word of God proves true…
Source: Every word of God proves true…
True Lasting Faith
This was written by a Pastor friend of mine and I thought you might enjoy it.
EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH – Sept. 2025
Southview Bible Church * 135 Bennett Ave. * Council Bluffs, IA. 51503
Phone: (712) 322-5743 E-mail: pastor@southviewbible.org * Web Site: www.southviewbible.org
FAITH TESTED AND TRUE
TRUE faith NEVER fails! In the end, it ALWAYS proves true! Yes, as people of faith, we often fail in our walk of faith. As James says, “we all stumble in many things.” (Ja. 3:2) However, human weakness does not nullify true faith. As Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt. 26:41) Every believer knows this reality!
When Peter denied the Lord three times, did he lose his faith? Absolutely NOT! Jesus said to Peter prior to his fall, “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Lk. 22:31). Yes, Peter failed miserably in his faith walk, but his faith did NOT fail. One look from Jesus, and Peter went out and wept bitterly (Lk. 22:61-62). He HATED his sin because he really did believe in Jesus!
Abraham is the premier example of saving faith in all the Bible (Gen. 15:6). Abraham’s walk of faith was characterized by occasional stumbles. He repeatedly was deceptive about Sarah being his wife (cf. Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-18). He heeded his wife’s counsel and bore an “illegitimate” child through Hagar (Gen. 16). Abraham stumbled at times in his faith journey, but he never lost his faith. And God used everything he went through to build his faith and to make him stronger. We learn through failures, and our faith is actually strengthened. This is the nature of having a true faith. God, who has begun a good work in us, will complete it (Phil. 1:6).
By the time Abraham was an old man, he had grown strong in his faith, being convinced that God would fulfill His promise of a son through Sarah (Rom. 4:19-22). And then, as the promised son, Isaac, came of age, a major TEST was presented to Abraham (cf. Gen. 22).
Hebrews 11:17–19 (NKJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”
19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
The faith of Abraham was TESTED and proven TRUE! This is true for every true believer. In the end, they have a FAITH that proves true! At core, every true believer has an enduring faith. This is true through thick and thin, through failure and weakness. We are God’s “workmanship” and through it all He is shaping us into the people of faith He wants us to be (cf. Eph. 2:10).
Peter brings out that trials in the life of the believer serve TWO purposes. They serve to PROVE the reality of our faith, and they serve to REFINE our faith.
1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV)
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
A true faith when TESTED is FOUND. Hard times are TESTING times, but they serve to PROVE the genuineness of our faith. Yes, in our human weakness, we often falter and fail, but if we have true faith, God uses these things to further REFINE our sincere faith. Even in failure, genuine faith is demonstrated in how the true believer responds. We hate our failures. We learn from them. We go on even stronger because of them. GENUINE faith is tested and found TRUE!
Thot: True faith has an abiding reality that when TESTED proves TRUE!
Earnestly Contending, Pastor Dwight J. Oswald
Living Waters 