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Join us each Saturday for our weekly gathering.

Sabbath School: 9:45 – 10:45 am

Church Service: 11:00 am

Lead Pastor Simon Liversidge 805.498.2300

“Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16

I love this story! Here’s the background; the king of Aram was at war with Israel and God was thwarting all their plans but telling Elisha what the king was up to. Elisha, in turn, told the king of Israel who in turn set up a counter offensive and stifled the Arameans. They thought there was a traitor in their midst but discovered that it was the prophet of God so they set out to get him. The Reader’s Digest version of the story is that the Arameans surrounded the town where Elisha was and in the morning when his helper got up and saw the enemy, “with chariots and strong forces,” ready to attack; he despaired, “Oh no, what are we going to do?” Elisha came out and recited my verse for today. The servant saw the horde of Arameans; the prophet saw the host of angels. The helper saw the chariots of men; Elisha saw the chariots of fire. The servant looked out at the enemy; the prophet looked up at the solution.

It’s kind of a fun story so if you have a few minutes I would encourage you to read it. God struck the enemy blind, Elisha led them into the city where they were surrounded by the Israelite army, God removed the blindness and they saw that they were in BIG trouble, Israel wanted to destroy them, Elisha said, “feed them and let them go,” AND the story ends with this: “Aram stopped warring against Israel.” God’s solution to war just might be kindness!!

Have a great day being kind, and knowing where to look for your strength,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” - Rabbi Tarfo