The Covenant Church

Feelings are the soil in which thoughts and ideas grow in. — Arlan Sanchez

What you are willing to expose your ears and eyes to will take root in you—the seedbed—and it will grow (Psalm 42:9-10). Remember, feelings are the soil in which thoughts and ideas grow. Pastor Arlan discusses in our series “What Makes Your Bread Rise” how things influence, and the permission you grant fear or desperation to rise. See link in profile.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8a

Happy Labor Day!

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Be watchful of the leaven that can impact the memory causing you to forget the faithfulness of God. — Arlan Sanchez

Leaven is the agent of transformational change— negative or positive, according to Matthew 16:16. Pastor Arlan and Yaritza dig deep on the topic of influence, the Parable of the Trees and our newest series - What Makes Your Bread Rise? Go to profile for link.

“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

Our hearts are desperate for a king, so we will make an idol of nearly everything; the abundance of possessions, the security of comfort, and the assumption of God’s favor for our self-righteousness are the most common.

What makes your bread rise?

“…Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all of the dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

What causes your bread to rise? Jesus’ warning about leaven (Matt. 16:6) addresses the influences that can change your mind. It raises the question: is it worth your privilege? Pastor Arlan reminds us that leaven can bring negative and positive transformational change. See link in profile.

“Jesus’ followers went across the lake, but they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus said to them, “Be careful! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6

Leaven is the agent of transformational change. — Arlan Sanchez

“And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.”’ Matthew 16:5-7 NASB

The Spirit of the living God is speaking in our era. As oracles of God, a prayer life and a pure life must go together so that God can trust your container. Pastor Arlan concludes our series The Spirit-Filled Life addressing the seeing and hearing that comes with understanding. Link in profile.

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15

There are fading and fallen kingdoms happening right now in our era. However, while systems and precedence fail, God’s kingdom will reign forever and ever.

“The Kingdom of this world now belongs to our Lord, and to his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” Rev 11:15

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬

Remember, record, and rehearse, those are the oracle depths of God in us. Pastor Arlan concludes our series on “The Spirit-Filled Life” by challenging us to intimately know God, as our actions reflect the depth of these experiences. See profile for link to sermon.

Deep things: A life traveled with God teaches you wisdom from Scripture, communion, relationships and self-awareness. There’s a deeper oracle to the story God’s put in you.

“But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬

We pray for our leadership, our people and our country.

Know God and be intimate about it. — Arlan Sanchez

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him.” Ephesians 1:17

You live out what you live on. — Arlan Sanchez

When information becomes formation, it changes your life. Pastor Arlan and Yaritza discuss the spirit-filled life and its wisdom. Link in profile.

“Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them...” Hosea 14:9a

When information becomes formation, it changes your life. — Arlan Sanchez

The ingredients of a spirit-filled life: Remember the miracles, record them, and rehearse them. — Arlan Sanchez

Intimacy with God would never have any secrets, and it can be hindered because He knows everything about us. Pastor Arlan continues our series The Spirit-Filled Life by surveying Jesus’ leadership (John 17) and Daniel’s latter years (Daniel 5). God wants us to grow in truth and holiness; the Holy Spirit is the source. Link to message in profile.

“But I will send you the Comforter—the Holy Spirit, the source of all truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.” John 15:26

Our intimacy must be authentic or the force of God can never be experienced. — Arlan Sanchez

God is calling people who can untie knotty and difficult problems. Pastor Arlan emphasizes the importance of living a spiritual life, where doing the right thing is part of how we interact. Following Jesus means being shaped into a unique person and experiencing the transforming power of Jesus through living a spiritual life.

“Because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, clarify riddles, and solve knotty problems were found in this same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” Daniel 5:12 NASB

God wants us to grow in truth and holiness. — Arlan Sanchez

Happy Father’s Day! We celebrate our loving dads, grandfathers, and step-in father figures today. Thank you for how you care and love, shape and form, and guide and lead in our homes, church and communities.

“And you know how he has cared for you again and again here in the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child!” Deuteronomy 1:31

His Truth: “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
John‬ ‭14‬:‭17‬

Start remembering, recording, and rehearsing all the miracles you’ve experienced. Remember, you have journeyed with the Spirit of God and the council of the familiar Spirit will begin to show up. Pastor Arlan challenges us to allow a righteous awareness to reenter into the atmosphere where God’s people are called. See link in profile.

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The leadership of Jesus introduces you to the voice of the Holy Spirit. — Arlan Sanchez

Welcome the leadership of Jesus. — Arlan Sanchez

Remember and honor.