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Facing Giants with Faith: A Message from Pastor Johnny Sandoval Jr.

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Praise the Lord, everyone! Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a blessing to share this message with you on this wonderful Saturday, January 18. I pray this message brings encouragement to your heart as we reflect on God’s Word and His power in our lives. Recently, I had the joy of spending time with my dear friend Bishop King and his wife in Pismo Beach. We shared a wonderful dinner, celebrated our anniversaries, and spent time in prayer and a brief Bible study. Moments like these remind me of the importance of fellowship and the strength we gain from coming together in God’s presence. Overcoming Giants in Our Lives Today, I want to talk about "Giant Slayers." Every one of us faces giants in life—challenges that seem insurmountable, trials that test our faith, and struggles that threaten to pull us down. As Christians, we must remain vigilant and prepared because the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But here’s the good news: God gives us...

A Message from Pastor Johnny Sandoval Jr. : Together in Faith During Difficult Times

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 Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, It is with a heavy heart that I share some unfortunate news with our beloved church family. Yesterday, January 17, 2025, at 5:44 PM, an individual caused damage to one of the beautiful stained glass windows in our sanctuary by throwing a metal object. This window has been a cherished part of our church—a reflection of God’s light and love and a piece of the rich history of Christ the Rock New Life Center Ministries. While the damage to this treasured symbol is disheartening, I am reminded that the strength of our church is not found in the building or its adornments, but in the people who gather within it. The true sanctuary is the love, faith, and unity we share as a body of believers. A Call to Unity and Prayer As we navigate this challenging moment, let us come together in prayer: Pray for the individual who caused this damage, that they may come to know the peace and grace of God. Pray for our church family, that we remain strong a...

Praise the Lord, Everyone! Starting 2025 with Faith and Gratitude

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Hallelujah! God is good! We’ve been blessed to step into a new year— 2025 —by God’s grace. From 2024 to now, the Lord has carried us through, and we give thanks for His goodness and mercy. As we journey into this new year, let’s continue to pray for His guidance, strength, and blessings. Weekly Bible Studies Our first Bible study of the year took place on January 8th, and we are excited to continue studying and sharing the Word. Join us for our next session on Wednesday, January 15th, at 6:30 PM at Christ the Rock New Life Center Ministries. Let’s come together to grow in faith and fellowship. A Message of Hope from Deuteronomy 6:4 In the book of Deuteronomy 6:4 , we are reminded: "Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is the only God." Our God is: Elohim : The all-powerful Creator El Olam : The eternal, everlasting God El Roi : The God who sees us Immanuel : God with us We serve a God who is powerful, everlasting, and ever-present. No matter the trials we face, God...

The Time of the Seasons: A Year-End Reflection

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Praise the Lord! As we approach the end of another year, we lift our voices in gratitude for God’s faithfulness. On this Sunday, December 29, 2024, we reflect on His many blessings and look ahead to the promise of a new year. While this year isn’t quite over, it’s important to pause and give thanks for the ways God has worked in our lives—through our families, children, and grandchildren. Hallelujah! As we prepare to enter 2025, we are reminded that every moment and every season of our lives is designed by God for a purpose. The Bible tells us in Genesis 8:22 , “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.” These words are a powerful reminder that seasons—both physical and spiritual—have existed since the beginning of time, and they continue to shape our lives today. The Purpose of Seasons in Our Lives God created the seasons of life not just to mark time, but to shape us into the people He intends us to be. Each seaso...

Taking a Stand Against the Wiles of the Devil

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  Greetings in Jesus' Name! Praise the Lord, everyone! As we approach this Thanksgiving season, may the Lord bless you with joy, love, and gratitude. Thanksgiving is a special time for us to gather with family and friends, filling our hearts with gratitude and our bellies with a feast! But let us also take a moment to remember those who may feel lonely or are going through difficult times. Let us pray for them and invite them to share in the blessings of this season. If you know someone who may be alone, take the opportunity to reach out, offer kindness, and be a light in their lives. At Christ the Rock New Life Center Ministries , we believe in the power of fellowship and prayer. This Thanksgiving, our Senior Center will host a special dinner event to bring people together and ensure no one is left feeling isolated. Let’s keep praying for those who may be struggling and extend our love to those in need. Taking a Stand Against the Wiles of the Devil This week, I’d like to share a m...

Building Our Faith on a Strong Foundation

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Greetings and blessings to everyone. This is Pastor Sandoval from Christ the Rock New Life Center Ministries. Today, as we celebrate Veterans Day, let us honor and thank all veterans who have selflessly served our country. Their courage and dedication remind us of the importance of building a strong foundation in our lives—just as they have stood strong for us, we are called to stand strong in our faith. Building on the Rock In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus teaches that a strong foundation is essential for weathering life’s storms. He says, "They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it." A house built on rock stands firm, while one built without a solid foundation will collapse. This teaching illustrates the importance of grounding our lives in God’s word and living out His teachings. A firm foundation in faith enables us to withstand life’s challenges, whether they come ...

Building Your Life on the Rock: A Call to Stand Firm in Faith

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Praise the Lord, everyone! What a wonderful opportunity we have today to come together and reflect on God's word. It’s a beautiful day here in Salinas, California—sunny, though a little chilly—but the glory of God warms our hearts! I want to greet everyone joining us today, whether you’re here live or watching later. May this message uplift and encourage you. Today, we’re going to dive right into the lesson, and I pray it will be a blessing to all of you. The topic for today is "A House Upon the Rock." This message is drawn from Matthew 7:24, where Jesus says: "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." The Importance of Building on a Firm Foundation Jesus is that rock! He is the foundation upon which we must build our lives. We see this echoed throughout Scripture. In Isaiah 28:16-17, God speaks of a precious cornerstone, a tested stone laid in Zion—a foundation we ca...