FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

{Isaiah 41:10, NIV}

With Us and for Us . . .

I came across this passage in Isaiah, where God says He is with us and for us. He is our God. And He will strengthen us. Help us. And uphold us.

For twenty-five years now, I’ve known these words to be true.

When we seek Him with all of our heart, we find Him, and when He’s with us, He’s also for us, and Fear has no place in us.

I can’t say that I’ve never had a moment of fear since. But I can say that Fear must flee in God’s holy presence. God doesn’t promise to make our lives easy and carefree, but He does promise to be with us every single step of the way.

He is with us, friends. You can count on it. He will never leave us, and never forsake us. He will love us through whatever circumstance we face.

And then one day, we will see Him face to face . . . and spend eternity in the light of His presence.
by Denise J. Hughes

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS

Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Darlene Atkinson

Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - in rehabilitation
Irene Buonarigo - at home now!

Bill & Muriel Beers

Hugh & Lily Boyd

Janet Hellman

LaReign Hodges

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength

Walter Rohm

Mike Sassi

Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Missions Update: OpenDoors - Pray with the Persecuted

WHAT IS PERSECUTION, AND HOW MANY CHRISTIANS EXPERIENCE IT?

Christian persecution is any hostility experienced from the world as a result of one's identification as a Christian. Beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, discrimination in education and employment, and even death are just a few examples of the persecution they experience on a daily basis.

According to The Pew Research Center, over 75% of the world's population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions (and many of these people are Christians). Also, according to the United States Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ.

HOW WAS OPEN DOORS USA STARTED?



The year was 1955. A young Dutchman was burdened with the desire to reach out to Christians in Eastern Europe, where Christianity was becoming more and more illegal. He took his first trip to visit Christians in Poland, and was amazed at what he saw: Entire underground churches with only one Bible to share!

Brother Andrew knew he had to do something. Two years later, he arrived at the same border in a VW Bug filled with Bibles. He knew that if he was caught with the Bibles, he would be arrested, so he prayed: "Lord- In Your Word, You made blind men see. Now, I am praying that you would make seeing eyes blind." And God answered his prayer!

Brother Andrew was able to deliver Bibles and training materials to Christians in Eastern Europe, allowing Christians to freely read God's Word in those countries.

Today, Open Doors - the ministry started by Brother Andrew- has expanded to strengthen persecuted Christians in over 60 countries!

WHY DOES OPEN DOORS FOCUS ON PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS?

When Open Doors was started by Brother Andrew in 1955, he felt a calling from God to minister to fellow Christians who were persecuted for their faith. As a result, Open Doors has specialized in helping Christians who are persecuted for their faith. However, we work with persecuted Christians to reach out to non-Christians, even their persecutors, so that they can reach them with the message of Christ.

STATEMENT OF FAITH/ CORE VALUES

We are part of the Body of Christ; a people to people people
We are persecuted church driven
We are people of the Bible
We are people of prayer
We live and work by faith
We are devoted to Jesus Christ and His commission
We are motivated solely for the glory of God