Homelessness

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Homelessness

July 20, 2022 • Mayor Bill Wells

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More than half of America’s homeless live in California.

It is NOT primarily because of the weather as the second state is New York (which does not have good weather).The reason is because of California policy which encourages homelessness.

Homelessness is a problem that non-government entities can help solve, but government policy creates it.

The Government in California is decriminalizing crime.

Therefore, they have reclassified many crimes from violent crime to lesser crimes with lesser penalties. Therefore, the incentive to commit crime is increased because the consequences are far less.

Homelessness has been decriminalized and even encouraged and rewarded with government policy.

Much of this has occured because of the number of prisoners released.Two prisons in California have been closed recently.

Many District Attorneys now refuse to enforce the laws applied to homelessness (e.g., vagrancy laws, panhandling, buying and selling of drugs, public intoxication, etc.)

7/11 owners recently came to Mayor Wells’ office as their stores were being ripped off every day with impunity.

In California, you can steal up to $950 every day without being arrested. This is true!

The police can only give this person a ticket.Therefore, some can steal almost $365,000 a year with only tickets (if law enforcement even gives them a ticket.)When criminals learn this - and they do - they game the system and it brings disorder to society.

Homeless people who enter the hospital more often than not test positive for drugs. Therefore, the root of homelessness must be addressed and it is largely tied to criminal law and policy that encourages drug use.

It is NOT compassionate to leave people homeless in streets. And this is exactly what government is doing by creating policy that encourages homelessness.

Related Biblical principles to consider:

Ecclesiastes 8:11 (Delay of justice encourages evil)Matthew 25:35-36 (Compassion to the hurting)Genesis 1:27 (All people are created in God’s image with intrinsic worth)Proverbs 19:17 (God will reward those that are kind to the poor)Matthew 22:39 (Love our neighbor as ourselves)Mark 14:7 (Homelessness will continue to be a problem because of sinfulness (exploited, sinfulness, circumstances))Luke 14:13-14 (God will bless those who care for the outcast and the poor)2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 (If you will not work, you will not eat)James 1:5 (Discernment and wisdom is needed to address this issue)

State of the Church

July 20, 2022 • Jim Garlow • Psalm 33:12

“Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12) To the extent a nation follows God’s Biblical Principles, we reduce human suffering. To the extent we defy God’s Biblical Principles, we increase human suffering. Therefore, a government that seeks to bless the people of the Nation will always apply Biblical Principles. This does not violate the Constitution because the Constitution only bars government establishments of religion (e.g., a requirement that citizens must be a member of a certain religion.) ➤ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1piacalbeiyja4rxdatsvxqpjzbb3kclm/view?usp=sharing

Sharing Your Faith in a Hostile Culture

July 20, 2022 • Barry Meguiar • Isaiah 43:10, James 1:6, Romans 8:28

In 1960, 70% of our population went to church. In 2020, it was 20%. Biblical worldview: Only 50% of pastors believe itOnly 20% of churchgoers believe it The people in our Nation are mainly blind. They don’t see the evil. 90% are lost. Therefore, they are blind. We have the hope! 70% of Americans are living in fear. The number is higher among Christians. Really? Why? It should not be when we live in faith. We should trust the Lord with our whole hearts. James 1:6 applies when we don’t do this because we are double-minded; we want to have faith, yet we give in to fear. This leads to unanswered prayer according to James 1:6. Over 80% of non-christians know a Christian they trust. Therefore, each can change our neighbor and it will change the world. Only 1% of us are sharing our faith. 90% are lost. 10% know God, and only 1% of 10% (0.1%) are sharing our faith. This is unbiblical disobedience to God. It is also selfish because we deprive the lost of the only true hope. Live for God’s purpose - Romans 8:28. We are all good, because we live for His purposes and He is good! How do we share our faith? Just love people and then follow the Holy Spirit to know what to say. It is that simple. Isaiah 43:10 - “Thus saith the Lord, I appoint you as My witness … so that you may know that I am God!” The joy of the Lord is our strength! Related Biblical principles to consider: Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)Acts 1:7-8 (To the ends of the earth)Ephesians 5:11 (Expose evil)Colossians 2:20-23 (Be aware of false ideologies)Colossians 4:6 (Be gracious, seasoned with salt)James 1:19 (Be quick to listen, slow to speak)1 Peter 3:15 (Be prepared)2 Corinthians 4:4Proverbs 3:5John 4:35Luke 12:12 ➤ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-v9idfb-wtlr1jbjfm0hezfjzka_oekj/view?usp=sharing

The Real Case for Marriage

July 20, 2022 • Jim Garlow • Genesis 1:27, Genesis 1:27–28, Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:21–23, Genesis 2:24

Marriage was NOT an example from earth that God used to explain the relationship between Christ and the Church. It is the reverse. Marriage is a Heavenly principle that God allows us to understand on earth between a husband and a wife. Related Biblical principles to consider: John 10:30 (God as Father)Isaiah 66:13 (God, like a Mother)Ephesians 5:31-32 (Marriage of Christ and the Church)Revelation 19:6-9 (Marriage Feast of the Lamb)Genesis 1:27 (God created male and female only)Genesis 1:27-28 (Male and female together to multiply)Genesis 2:18,21-23 (God created woman)Genesis 2:24 (God defined marriage)Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus defines marriage) ➤ https://drive.google.com/file/d/17tnci1pdfdrna94dsibbkulpowzkloqc/view?usp=sharing