Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold
FBCLA  -  8/3/2021
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)  …. (James 5:13-16) 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
            Prayer is a way of life and the act of expressing our faith, petitions, and love for God and each other. Prayer is more than asking God for help, or figuring out a solution to a problem. Prayer is the way we tap into the Holy Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, counsel, patience, urgency, guidance, strength, clarity, inspiration, hope, assurance, calm, and peace.  God increases our faith, hope, and love through prayer.  Within the Early Church of the Book of Acts, prayer was instrumental to the Word and Work of God that helped people come to faith, proclaim Jesus, and be vessels to work and witness to the Kingdom of God. When people were in prison, the Church prayed. When people were in trouble, they prayed. When people were sick, the Church prayed.  When they were discouraged, they prayed through singing and praise. When opportunity allowed, they prayed directly with people and applied oil as a sign of faith in God’s healing power.  When people confessed their sins, they forgave them. When people needed God’s grace, they were quick to be gracious. Healing was at the core of the ministry of the Early Church, and it came as God granted His mercy in powerful and effective ways.
         The key for the Church today is like that of the Early Church, we need to be filled and led by God’s Holy Spirit in praise, prayer, and proclamation of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. We are called to develop and sustain “Circles of Support”, that is, friendships, partnerships, small groups, fellowship, and support with prayer as a uniting and strengthening element at the core.
         Pray boldly and patiently for God’s new work in this world, in the Church and in your life.

• Pastor Scott Arnold   

9/8/2021
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(I Corinthians 13:13)
     What is the legacy of Jesus Christ? What is the legacy of people who are disciples of Jesus? What is the legacy that you and I leave as Christians?  What is the legacy of the Church?  Paul wrote to the church in Corinth reflecting upon what will last, what is of ultimacy, what is of greatest spiritual value, what is our legacy as Christians. Paul’s conclusion, speaking from his own journey of transformation from being a persecutor of Christians to becoming a practitioner of following and serving Christ and His Church, was that “Faith, Hope, and Love” are the essence of the legacy that endures.  Of these, it is the love of God that fills us, transforms us, guides us, and helps us to endure and triumph. The Greek word for “love” that Paul uses here is “Agape”, which connotes love that is unconditional, unselfish, giving, serving, and enduring.
            Upon the upcoming “Homecoming Sunday”, September 19th, we will be celebrating the life and ministry of First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.  The greatest legacy of the church is not the history itself, nor the impressive building, but the ministries that have shared and nurtured God’s love.  Knowledge has developed over time, but the constant thread that has woven the Church community together has been God’s love. People have been honored, celebrated for their service and faithfulness, and their love has been the witness of God’s presence.  Christian community is formed and developed on the foundation of Jesus Christ through faith, hope, and love.
             Today, there are reasons to be concerned about the future of the church, as has been true in the past through various trials and troubles in our world.  Our hope and faith are founded upon the truth of God’s enduring, revealing, and redeeming love. Our story is not finished, our journey continues, because of God’s promises and God’s plan of fulfilling His redemptive purposes in love.  The COVID pandemic continues to be challenging, and attendance in churches around the world has diminished. Still, God’s love is calling us, undergirding our faith and hope. May we grow in patience and kindness. May we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, trusting that in love God will lift us up.
           The Soul Fruit of love will endure, and the message of Jesus, His very Word shall never fade or cease to persuade people to open their hearts to the love of God, and the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit.  In the words of a great hymn:  “Love lifted me, love lifted me. When nothing else could help. Love lifted me.”
          In Christ’s Love,   Pastor Scott Arnold

There is a nice hymn written by William Gaither called:  “Little is much when God is in it”.
The lyrics go like this: 
In the harvest field now ripened.. There's a work for all to do
Hark! the Master's voice is calling.. To the harvest calling you
Does the place you're called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it.. For He'll not forsake His own.
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame
There's a crown, and you can win it
If you go in Jesus' name
And when the conflict has ended
And our race on earth is run
He will say, if you've been faithful
"Welcome home, My child—well done!"
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame
There's a crown, and you can win it
If you go... If you go... If you go in Jesus' name
            My friends, our church is going through a time of pruning before we will grow. The pandemic is only part of the story of why we are a few gathered when we worship.  We can’t make excuses for how “the world has changed, and people are just not interested anymore”.  In fact, there are churches that are reaching out effectively and faithfully with God’s word and are growing disciples. The growth of large “mega” churches was a phenomenon of the past several decades, but the church growth experts at Fuller Seminary are noticing the new paradigm for church growth is not toward large “event” centered approaches, but instead smaller intimate community-based churches with a diversity of age and ethnicity.  This is one of the rationales for why we began the “Fellowship Circles” after our worship time, for an opportunity to nurture discipleship, sharing, learning and community.
             The temptation for many Christians is to simply try to repeat the glory days of the past, a time when the culture gave space for church life, supported church affiliation, and people could engage in civil discourse in religion.  I too recall in my growing up years how the church was vibrant in the large Presbyterian Church in Michigan my family was active in. This kind of nostalgic tendency, however, can become a kind of escapism, and a denial of our current contemporary culture that is different.  What will it take for us be real and relevant to our times, to people who need Jesus revealed in a way they can believe and become disciples? 
              The hymn “Little is much…” reminds us that we have work to do in the harvest fields. Jesus is calling us to serve together.  The problem is often that not enough people step forward to join the work. My friends, we may be small, but if we all do our part, we can grow as a church, reach people in our community, and welcome and disciple those who come to our fellowship.
      Jesus fed a multitude of thousands with a few fish and loaves.  David brought down Goliath with a few small stones.  Moses brought Egypt down with one staff held up in prayer.  Jesus brought the world to God’s throne of grace through calling 12 ordinary disciples.  A widow gave her offering of a few mites at the temple, and God blessed it more than the fanfare offering of the boastful rich. 
Luke 16:10 – “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”  
Jesus calls for us to be faithful in the days we are given.  Looking back is no way to plow forward and plant seeds for the future.  Let’s be faithful with whatever God has given us, even in what are “lean times”.   LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT.

• Pastor Scott T. Arnold

VOLUNTEER NEEDS at FBCLA:
1: People to welcome people and make guests feel at home.
2. People to help with children’s ministries in a rotation of teaching / assisting.
3. People to help usher in worship.
4. People to serve God in music ministry on the praise team
5. People to help with the finances of the church.
6. People to help serve on the church council.
7. People to help disciple and mentor new Christians and members.
8. People to help pray for others and provide intercession.
9. People to help prepare and serve food in hospitality.
10. People to read scripture and say prayers in worship.
11. People who will participate, lead, and support Bible Studies/Fellowship Circles.
12. People who will prepare communion, make phone call visits, and follow up (Deacons).
 
(THIS IS JUST A STARTING LIST…. PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO BE CREATIVE).

Justice, Mercy, and Accountability.
Reflection. 4/21/2021
Pastor Scott T. Arnold  - First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!  (Amos 5:21-24 NIV)
       What is God’s view on the injustices and violence of mankind? The prophet Amos spoke up boldly as an outsider, as one who was not part of the Jerusalem temple tribe, as one often excluded and profiled ethnically. Amos told them that God was not impressed with their religious activities so long as there was injustice, racism, violence, oppression, and hypocrisy.  In fact, their religious activity was so displeasing to God that it was like a “stench”. All the burnt offerings that smelled so good to man were awful to God, because God is not impressed with show or superficial observances.  God cares about what is in our heart, the fragrance of the soul. God will not listen to all their beautiful music. The harps may sound beautiful to the human ear, but they are discordant to God’s awareness and displeasing. If we knew all that God knew, we too would find such assemblies of worship and praise “odorous” or “noisy”.  Perhaps the very hypocrisy of Christians (sometimes even us!) can be a hindrance to people who do not believe in God or find the church’s hypocrisy unacceptable and unpalatable.
      The antidote to hypocrisy and sin is seeking God’s justice and righteousness.  The prophet Amos longed for God’s justice to “roll on like a river”, and God’s righteousness to be like the waterfall that extends the mercy of God “like a never-failing stream.”  After the trial of Derek Chauvin of his killing of George Floyd by way of his abuse of authority as a police officer, we are reminded of this passage. We are reminded that justice takes time and intentional steps to move toward peace with God and one another. Racism is not just a social issue, it is a spiritual issue, a problem of the soul of humanity. We need justice to cleanse our sins and keep us accountable. We need the righteousness of God to guide us on the path of peace and reconciliation.  God is never-failing, where man has consistently failed. Still, God calls us, strengthens our frailty, helps us to overcome fear, and speaks through the prophets into our day.  We discover that religious activity is shallow and full of stench if it does not move in the path of reconciliation and peace, to exist in Godly peace with our neighbor.  This means that we are to treat our neighbors with love and respect, that we are to work on keeping our hearts moving in the direction of God’s call to justice and righteousness. Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and He calls us to this path of perseverance in the way of truth and grace.  Courage is required, grace ministers healing hope.
      In Christ,
Pastor Scott T. Arnold

Constancy in Prayer
Reflection by Pastor Scott T. Arnold
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.  4/14/2021
Acts 1:14  “They all joined together constantly in prayer,  along with the women  and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” 
                God is the original and primary constant. From God we are created and have our being, made in the image of God, and called into covenant with God and one another. Prayer is the vital two-way communion and dialogue between God and us, and our spiritual link with one another. Prayer is central to awareness of God, self-discovery, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, peace, and love. Faith is the opening activity of our souls that increases our heart to pray, discover, believe, and understand God’s presence and power. The early Christians gathered by our Lord in the upper room of Jerusalem, after his resurrection and ascension to heaven, “joined together constantly in prayer”. They were united in a fellowship of knowing Jesus, each in their own way. They shared the experience of Christ’s life, passion, death and resurrection. Still, each had a unique story of how Jesus had changed them, revealed God’s grace and truth into their lives. Prayer became the “constant”, the unifying element that brought their diverse personalities into focus upon the ministry of Jesus and God’s Spirit.
                The group praying was composed of the men disciples of Jesus and the women disciples of Jesus. The Lord had called people from a diversity of backgrounds, women and men who discovered that they were joined together in prayer.  God had called them to be family, to be brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. The record of those gathered in prayer even included Jesus’ own family, Mary, and the brothers of Jesus (who by this time were also witnesses of His resurrection). 
                What did this constancy of prayer, which Jesus had called them to, result in? There was a moving of readiness, a coming together in this fertile time of waiting. From their trust and dependency upon God to reveal their next steps, to fill them with the Holy Spirit, a community formed that would bless the world. We learn that the process of being constant in prayer is rewarded by God’s grace outpoured. God’s truth and reality fills us with an experience and dwelling that becomes immanent and transformative.  
              For us, this matter of being “constant in prayer” is vital in being the Body of Christ. We are “joined together” through prayer.  The diversity of people in the Church then, and now, is a beautiful and fragile thing.  May we learn to grow together as the Body of Christ, in prayer and service daily.
              May we pray for God’s wisdom and strength, vision, and sustenance.  “Give us this day, our daily bread…”  “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”.  Amen.
   Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold

Beyond Human Control – The Resurrection.
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.  3/31/2021
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.  (Matthew 27:57-66)
      The resurrection was out of the control of man for it was God’s plan and promise through Jesus.  For Joseph of Arimathea, as a disciple of Jesus, it is said that he asked for permission to bury the body of Jesus in his own tomb. Pilate consented, but the next day the Pharisees went to Pilate with a concern. They feared “fake news”. They wanted to make sure no fraudulent “resurrection” could be claimed. Their plan to Pilate involved watching over the tomb with soldiers who would seal the tomb, watch it for days by guard, and prevent any mischief.   You could say, they did not believe in the resurrection, but they did believe in a deceptive removal of the body and false claims that could follow.
     Now it should be noted that there are people who say that Jesus fainted and did not die on the cross (the teachings of Islam claim this).  However, the response of the Roman and Jewish authorities gives clear indication that there was no evidence to say Jesus had not died. This was verified by the Roman soldiers and those whose life depended on making sure. The Pharisees also knew that Jesus had died. The disciples, including Joseph of Arimathea, knew that Jesus had died. This was beyond doubt. The question of Jesus and the promised Resurrection lingered as a mystery.
     In going to the tomb, a day later, these Roman guards would inspect the tomb, seal it, and guard it 24/7.  The authorities believed they could control the outcome.  Mankind often makes this assumption. Yet, after three days in the tomb, early in the morning Jesus Christ rose triumphant from the grave.  God was in control. Christ’s resurrection power was beyond human control. Today, His power to save us from sin and death is available to all who would believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Christ is a risen and living Savior.  To believe in Him is within our human control, this element of faith, the free choice to receive the gift of God’s love and saving grace. That is up to you, and you may receive the gift of eternal life through the power of Jesus forgiveness on the cross and the new life given through His resurrection.
     This Easter, we rejoice for the hope we have of eternal life in Jesus Christ. The COVID 19 virus can not separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  For Holy Thursday, April 1st, we will meet in the Dining Hall at 7pm to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and have a time to remember loved ones who have recently passed away.
       This Easter we will be resuming in person indoor worship in our main sanctuary at 10:00a.m. (with COVID protocols).  Some of our friends from the Koinonia Church will join us. We will continue to broadcast live through Facebook, and post videos afterwards.
      May the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ leap within your heart.
      Christ is Risen.  He has Risen indeed!

• Pastor. Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold  

Repentance, Hope, and Baptism.
A Reflection by Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
Pastor, First Baptist Church of Los Angeles, 1/12/2021
 
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17.
       Why did Jesus begin His ministry with similar words as John the Baptist?  “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.”  One key difference is that John stated, “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. While it sounds essentially the same, and Jesus continued the message of repentance, the meaning of Jesus is that of arrival, that of “coming”.  John prepared the way, Jesus was the “way”.  John the Baptist could baptize people outwardly, Jesus the Savior could baptize people inwardly by the Holy Spirit. John could preach prophetically for people to repent of their sins, Jesus came to forgive our sins and save us. Jesus came as John said, “Behold, the lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).  There are many things that come to pass, and while there is good news of God’s Kingdom that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior, there is also the bad news of human depravity and evil. We are living in a time when the message of Jesus and John the Baptist is relevant “Repent”. 
      The recent evil uprising that was fomented by Donald Trump and various ill-minded people who were deluded and deceived in various ways, revealed that they were blinded by their own assumptions and the evil narratives they had ingested in their hearts and minds. It is obvious that such heinous actions of sedition and insurrection in our democratic society were evil, so repentance is necessary for such people. What has become more evident, and where repentance is also needed, is the complicity of support that many people have given Trump and the false narratives he and others have espoused. Sadly, there are many people of the Christian faith, many Evangelicals and church leaders, who have aligned themselves with this leader and his intoxicating malignant cancerous influence.  Repentance is needed if there is to be reconciliation and healing in our land, society, and faith communities.  We pray that honest repentance and reconciliation may occur between people in our nation and world.  Confession is the first step, contrition follows, and in the completion of repentance (turning) through new actions of humility and compassion that are to then bear the fruit of righteousness. We are not as near the Kingdom of heaven as we sometimes think, and for this reason we are to repent, turn to Jesus our Savior, and ask for God’s truth and grace to prevail. 
    In prayer, may we continue to pray for God’s grace to help us during both the pandemic of COVID 19 and the pandemic of sin in our world.  We need Jesus more than ever.  Jesus is at hand in that He has come and will come to anyone who confesses their sin and opens their heart and soul to Him to forgive and save.  Jesus has also promised that He would come again, and that there will be a time of reckoning at the Harvest, where He will sift the grain from the chaff, and through the baptism of fire, there will be a judgment.  The kingdom of heaven is not an abstract concept, it is God’s promise for this broken and weary world, the message that we are to prepare the way in our hearts and minds for God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  May we be careful not to be deceived.  May we repent and come to a right relationship with God and one another. 
   Pastor Scott Arnold  

New Beginnings
1/19/2021
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles
3 Does God pervert justice?  Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4 When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
5 But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, 6 if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state.
7 Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.

• Bildad the Shuhite in Job 8:3-7.

   
  New beginnings are possible, especially when people seek the justice and mercy of God.  If we earnestly ask God, “plead with the Almighty”, and seek purity and righteousness, God will restore and renew us.  Prosperity, according to the wise consult of Job, is not a matter of effort or intent alone, it involves honesty, integrity, and humility. While Bildad was right, he was also bent on blaming Job for a lack of humility. Of course, we can understand that Job was dealing with much loss and grief, and the brokenness he experienced would eventually be healed by the restorative work of God’s love and restoration.  It would take prayer, time, and patience.
    In many respects, that is where we are today. We are in a pandemic, a time of heartache and loss, a time of disparity, polarity, and immorality.  Even people who proclaim faith in Jesus have been deceived by political leaders and have succumbed to personality cults and conspiracy traps. We need a new beginning in so many ways. Churches need new beginnings. Individuals are reviewing their life priorities. Families are re-evaluating ways to become healthier and more supportive.
     We need new beginnings, and for such a time as we have been going through, what will your new beginning look like?  What will the church’s new beginning look like?  What will our city’s new beginning look like?  What will our country’s new beginning look like?  Will we learn from the past and the penalty of sin’s consequences, as Bildad suggests to Job?  Will we turn from sin and start anew?  Humility is the beginning of wisdom, the predecessor to hope and newness.  Change is possible if we confess our need for the Lord, and how we must learn ways to work together in love. 
     New beginnings are what God calls us to in Jesus Christ.  Come, let us turn to Jesus and find new life, new hope, new joy, and renewed love.

• Pastor Scott Arnold

Christmas Traditions, PEACE, and What Does not Change
12/9/2020 Reflections. Pastor Scott Arnold
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles
6 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
      When the angel chorus announced the birth of Jesus to the humble shepherds, the word was “Peace”, “Shalom” in Hebrew. This word is timeless and means several things all at once. “Shalom” is a greeting and a proclamation. “Shalom” is also a state of being and way of living. “Shalom” is also a belief in the Sovereign reign of God and a hope in the Kingdom of God that is at work and shall come to fruition upon the earth. “Shalom” is a rich word, a hope, a promise, a lasting work, and presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
     Amid a global pandemic, people are contending with matters of peace, and Christians are asking themselves “How are we to celebrate Christmas?” “What traditions must we part from this year in order to stay safe and be mindful of the greater good for our world and our neighbors?”  Just this last 5 days, 1 million more Americans have tested positive for Corona Virus, and this makes the total infected since last Spring at 15 million. The rapid increase of infection is cause for pause, and reason to adjust our ways of celebrating the Christmas season.
    First, this will affect our gatherings. Families must seriously consider if and how they will gather. Travel will be restricted. Traditions will be put on hold, adjusted, or changed.  Worshipping in person, even outdoors, must be put on hold considering the broader matter of public welfare and witness. The lockdown is not simply an inconvenience, it is a respectful necessity.  Second, we must consider how we can celebrate the Christmas Season in ways that focus on Christ, His presence, to simplify and modify our previous norms so that we devote our hearts in prayer and join the angels in celebrating “peace”. The “favor” of God is upon those who open their souls to the humble “child born in Bethlehem and lying in a manger”.  The rooms in the Inn are full, or as one might say “social distancing” has become a reality we are called to live with. Third, our gift giving is to be thoughtful and simplified as well. The needs of our world are calling us to consider how we can give to help people and families at risk. A recent survey showed that 29% of families with children in the U.S. are having serious food shortages and insecurity. How can we share and help this Christmas? With this, I encourage you to give as God leads.  First Baptist Church also is helping several families with food cards for local grocery stores, so please give to the Christmas toy and help offering. Give to the Salvation Army, local food distribution programs. Let us know if you need help as well, or know someone we can help.
    Traditions can be adjusted or postponed. The one tradition that will not change is the Gospel message proclaimed by the angels.  This message of “Shalom”, “Peace”, “hope”, “grace” is what may abide and rest firmly in our souls and get us through this challenging Christmas season of 2020.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Living Hope and the working of God’s Spirit of Joy
Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold,
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.  12-2-2020
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.  3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.  (Isaiah 9:1-4 NIV)
     I have heard many people struggle with the COVID pandemic on many levels. There are those who contend with feelings of shock and distrust, who would wish or deny this virus out of their consciences or lives. After over 250,000 people have died from COVID in America, and with levels rising again after the Thanksgiving holiday, we cannot let our guard down. There are those who have become paranoid and paralyzed to the point of non-functioning, this has led to feelings of frustration, helplessness, anger, and states of depression. Even for those who have a balance that is filled with respect and restraint, while operating with careful steps, there is a general distress that we have all been affected by in same way or another. People look for blame to displace their frustrations or perhaps become distressed as they lose sight of the hope that we have before us. In fact, as an answer to prayer, the signs of hope include several vaccines and new means of helping people in treatment through anti-bodies and anti-viral medications.  What God has given us are tools for understanding genetics, with this knowledge we can now create “messenger RNA” that will train our bodies to create a targeted immune response.  This response will not affect our essential genetic structure, but will be a temporary “coach” to point the way for our bodies to respond.  The “gloom and distress” that we have gone through with COVID 19 will someday be in the past, but the greater issue of sin is still the source of gloom. 
       God’s message to Israel and to the nations of the world was that their gloom and distress would some day be addressed by the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God. The prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-4 teaches us that God “humbles” the land and its peoples through the trials of this life.  Humility is the prelude to honor, the honor that would come to the shores of the Sea of Galilee by the feet of One who came to bring Good News. The light of Jesus brought joy to the world. God’s harvest was ripe as Jesus walked the earth, and God’s Kingdom harvest has been ongoing since. Peace and joy have been proclaimed in the Gospel of God’s Kingdom in Jesus, and we are called to REJOICE as we wage peace and shatter the yoke, and carry the burdens and break the rod of the oppressor, as we trust in Jesus and serve in His name and trust His Sovereign authority.
     Just last week I had an experience in which I was called upon to call out and say “STOP” to a security officer in our neighborhood who had tackled a black man who was assumed to have stolen something from a store.  This black man had been profiled as a thief by a passing by driver, who assumed he had walked out without paying. He honked at the man, then chased him by car to this covered parking lot. My dog and I had just walked out of our apartment building and I heard a faint cry “stop, I can’t breathe”.  I went directly across the quiet Saturday morning street and saw a man with his knee upon this black man’s chest (later I found out about the assumption of stealing from the store, which turned out not to be the truth at all). At the time I didn’t know why this man was being detained and held, but what mattered was that his life was in jeopardy. When I walked in to the carport and up the struggle I saw the security officer of the garage put his hands to the throat of this 30 some year old black man and at this I yelled all the more and insisted he stop. “STOP, STOP, You’re killing him. It’s not worth it. STOP.” At this the guard released his grip and the man began to talk and soon he was up and standing and took his bag. I continued to watch and the driver who chased and the security guard of the parking lot decided to let him go as the police would soon come. I spoke to the young black man saying “God have mercy on you”.  He replied “God have mercy on them”.  I stopped to consider the fact that while I did not at the time know what had precipitated this, I did need to step up and intervene. I was not nervous or rattled, but instead was grateful to God and filled with clarity of being in the right place and time to help. Sometimes when you don't know the whole story, one can still step in and prevent a greater evil and injustice from occurring.
My friends, life matters, “Black Lives Matter”, that is why God sent His Son Jesus. Our Savior gives us hope and joy, for all these trials and troubles are preparing us for something far greater than what we see and experience now.  Blessings here at Christmas.  
    Pastor Scott Arnold

Thanksgiving and the “Chains” of COVID
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold    11/17/2020
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.          (Philippians 1:3-7)
                This year, there will be more remembering than regathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More of us will be separated, more of us will be scattered, not gathering in groups, families, like we did before this virus changed our world. There will be some small gatherings, virtual meetings, video calls, and virtually attended meals. However, this will be a year of more remembering than regathering in person. We don’t like it, and yet we must listen to the Science and go beyond emotions and sacrifice for one another. The Apostle Paul talked about the “chains” of defending and confirming the Gospel.  We must accept our “chains” of inconvenience and isolation during COVID-19.  How can we proceed with our Thanksgiving celebrations?  Paul gives us some clues, FOUR reasons to give thanks.
                1. We are to thank God. (v.3) and remember others (we can pray and reach out in some way).
               2. We are to pray with joy (v.4-5) because we are partners in the Gospel of God’s Kingdom.
               3. We are to be confident (v.6) because God will finish His good work in us until Jesus comes.
               4. We are to be encouraged in our hearts (v.7) because we can trust God’s grace.
Each of us are adjusting this year, and are dealing with disappointment, frustration, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, loss of friends, loss of independence, and a concern for the future. Yet with all this, with the CHAINS we must temporarily bear, we must trust that God will set us free, God will deliver us, God will teach us many things through this pandemic. God is loving and just, sovereign, and powerful. We are called to express and share our thanksgiving, to help others in new and creative ways.  We are called to gather in creative ways, and to keep on “remembering”, because this will help us deal with our struggles, pain, or loss.  God is with us, let us not forget or grow so weary as to stop giving thanks.
Marilyn and I are thankful for God’s protection, God’s provision, God’s all sufficient grace in health, family, friendship, church family. These are difficult times, we truly miss many people we would like to be closer to here in Thanksgiving, but we are called to accept our situation with faith in God’s help to lead us to bear our chains or crosses.  We pray for loved ones who have died this past year, and remember those who have died or lost loved ones due to COVID-19. Times like these teach us deeper reliance upon God and draw us closer to the heart of our loving God.  “Give thanks with a grateful heart because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son”.

• Pastor Scott Arnold  

Hope calls us to have Patience.
Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold   11/3/2020
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
    (Romans 5:1-5)
    As I reflect today on Election Day, 2020, the key word that I have heard many people use is “patience”. The need for this Fruit of the Spirit is great, and the source for patience ultimately comes from God’s Holy Spirit. However, without prayer and faith, people are not very well tapped into the well of the Spirit.  Instead, the voices chant: “we want what we want when we want it”.  We hear and see people acting indecently and disrespectfully because their hope is misplaced, or their patience is not rooted in God’s Spirit of peace.
The fact is, at the root of recognizing that we need patience, there needs to be a sense of hoping for something better than what we already have. Hope in the presence of God leads us to belief, trust, discover, and experience transformation. Hope is what will help us to persevere and wait upon the strength, provision, and love of God to work in our lives and to work in this world. This election season and the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched our patience. The good news for those who place their hope in God, their hope that is rooted in the peace of God received through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, is that this hope will be answered.  People of faith discover the grace and glory of God while sojourning through the patient journey of seeking that leads to finding God along the way. 
   Paul described this process of growth through patient hope by saying that we have access to God’s grace that will help us to withstand difficulties and disappointments. The hope is not in ourselves, but in the grace and glory of God that transforms our struggle into something powerful for our character and faith development. “ but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.”  The faith journey will involve suffering, yet by our faith, hope and love; it will produce inner strength and deeper resolve that is founded upon the sure hope God gives us. The things we used to hope for are replaced by the refined and clarified hope that God reveals and imparts to us.
    Much of what we once hoped for in our immaturity is replaced by what God teaches us to place our hope in through trust and obedience to wait upon Him and put His Kingdom first.
If anything, one would hope that Christians could once again learn not to place too much hope upon any one political leader, or any one political party. For indeed, the greater and lasting hope is in being disciples of Jesus Christ, citizens of God’s Heavenly Kingdom.  When we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, then all the important things shall come into fruition.
   As I write this, I do not know the results of the election. I do know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for my sins and rose again triumphant. I do know that Jesus secured my election into the Kingdom of Heaven by patiently taking my sins upon himself, choosing to die for me, and faithfully defeating the powers of sin and death.  He chose you and me, will we choose to believe in Him and patiently pick up our cross daily and follow Him?
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

“God listens and responds” (Psalm 5)
Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold.  9/8/2020
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
1 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help, my King and my God,
for to you I pray.  3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:1-3)

     Fires surround us in the worst dry season of California’s history.  Global warming is not a looming concern of the future, it is a present reality that is impacting us now. We cry out to God for help. We pray for relief. A pandemic of the Corona Virus has spread throughout the world, and we lament the loss of hundreds of thousands of people and the loss of jobs and economic means and security. We cry out to God for help. We wait expectantly for God’s help and answer. Racial injustice and the brutality of people abusing power has wrought disparity. Black lives have been targeted through racial profiling, and cry of people is upon streets and public places. Mass incarceration has devastated entire households and communities, and the need for rehabilitation has been replaced by a prison industrial complex that perpetuates a system that is not restorative. The prayers and requests of people in lament go up to God, we cry for help and wait expectantly. The words of Psalm 5 take on contemporary application and meaning.
    David had learned throughout his life, from being a shepherd boy to being a king; from being a victorious warrior to being a prisoner of war; from being a man of God’s own heart, to being a man who had fallen to sin and fleshly temptation, that God is both just and merciful.  God does not give up on us, but will hear our cry for help and will answer our requests in time.
    In our time, the convergence of global, national, state, and personal issues has escalated to a frightening crescendo. If not to God our creator/redeemer will we turn, then to who? While it is true that we must be responsible stewards of this earth and recognize our responsibilities to address all the issues that we are facing, it is also true that God has a redemptive plan that involves our acceptance, response, and action. The actions that we take in these times and our near future must arise out of our prayers. We pray for God’s help as we seek to help others. We pray for God’s wisdom and discernment as we show compassion and provide relief for others. What will this mean? We will be stretched in both prayer and service.
    In Psalm 5, David ends the prayer with hope.  May our hope be both internally received and externally evident through our compassionate actions.                  -  Pastor Scott T. Arnold
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.       (Psalm 5:11-12)

The Blessing of Reading the Book of Revelation
Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold, FBC of LA  9/14/2020
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)
        I have sometimes wondered if I would live long enough to see the Apocalypse. It’s not that I wanted to or looked forward to the tribulation events spoken of through the Old Testament prophets and the Revelation to John. However, in recent times, with the escalation of environmental concerns, political strife, racial hatred, social chaos, spiritual deception, technological manipulations, abuse of artificial intelligence, loss of privacy, totalitarian leanings, lawless leaders, diseases, pandemics, pollution, fires, hurricanes, wars, homelessness, joblessness, a deficit of love, a deficiency of compassion, the potential for annihilation of humanity and so much more; it is all a bit too apocalyptic.
       I rarely jump into a study on Revelation, although I did remember a time after “911” when I taught an adult Sunday School a study on this. Fast forward 19 years, and here we are again wondering “How long until the rapture?” “When will Jesus come and what will it be like?” “What are the signs of the times and are we seeing some or many of them now?”  Beginning last Sunday night, I recorded the first of a series of Bible Studies on “The Book of Revelation”.  These will be on our Facebook and YouTube channels/pages.  Please pray that God gives me the wisdom to listen to the Text, and be faithful to what it meant to John’s hearers in the Early Church as well as to faithfully interpret it’s meaning within history, our times and the future. My goal is to let the Scripture text speak for itself, and to come alongside in openness, awe, reflection, and respect. May God’s Holy Spirit lead in understanding and application within scholarship and contemporary application.
     This study will not preclude the continued sermon series on Hebrews 11-12, which continues to examine the “Xtreme Faith” of God’s people.  Furthermore, I will continue to lead the study of the Psalms on Wednesday mornings at 11:00am.  The Zoom call at 2:00pm will focus on the Psalm Study. The Zoom call at 7:00pm on Wednesdays will allow for discussion on either the sermon series or the Revelation study.  In these days it is essential that we feed on the Word of God for spiritual strength.
     Please feel welcome to contact me if you just want to talk.  810-348-1382. At this difficult time of history, it is essential that we encourage one another.  Worship has begun at 9:00am on Sundays outdoors in our church interior courtyard (1st floor above lower level).  
     Getting back to prophecy related to Jesus return, consider the message to Daniel that spoke of one who would come “like a son of man”:
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13)
This compares to John’s message in Revelation 1:7-8: 7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.  8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  (Rev 1:7-8)

The Body of Christ – Our Hope.
9-21-2020
                Belonging is essential to being human and being part of the Body of Christ, the Church community. Membership has often been formalized, but it is rooted in the teaching of the Apostle Paul who gave the image of the church as “A body with many parts.”
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  (I Corinthians 12:12-14)
         We are the Body of Christ, in our diversity and in our unity.  The unity is that we are made in the image of God and baptized by the Spirit of God within our souls when we have faith to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the gift of God’s grace that forgives us our sins and gives us each new life born of God’s Holy  Spirit within our souls.  We enter the covenant of God by faith in Jesus, who then indwells our hearts and leads us as Lord and Savior. No matter our ethnicity, our social condition, we are all given “one Spirit to drink” as Paul says. The living water of God’s truth and grace.
          The Church is, therefore, the “body” of believers who have all been “baptized” within and have expressed this baptism outwardly through a testimony of faith and obedience (confession, communion, baptism by water, and the use of spiritual gifts). Fellowship exists because God has ordained our unity through His Son Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us and shared through us as community.  The Church was developed by Jesus, and why we long for renewed fellowship and community sharing during this COVID 19 pandemic.  We are called to faithful, patient, and persistent steps of precaution.  God is calling us to a deeper faith and hope. Lately, in the series of messages about “Extreme Faith in Hebrews 11” we continue to learn of the ways the ancients acquired deeper faith amid adversity. We learn from Hebrews 12:1-2 that God is with us in this journey of life. 
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
         Our hope is rooted in the perfect love of God in Jesus Christ, who forgave us on the cross, leads us from day to day as the Good Shepherd, and redeems us by God’s plan of saving grace for His eternal Kingdom.  There are hindrances that we must throw off, and sin can easily entangle us if we allow it to. Instead, may we overcome by growing, caring, and serving together.  Focusing our eyes on Jesus, is the key to persevering, overcoming, and finishing the race.  We look to Jesus, for true hope is found in none other. 
    Pastor Scott Arnold

"Digging a Hole" Psalm 7

Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold
9.29.2020
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out, falls into the pit they have made.
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.
17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;  I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:15-17)
      Recently, I began a series of Bible Studies on Wednesday mornings (Facebook and Zoom) on the Psalms. The message of the Psalms is as relevant today as ever. We look around our world and note that there are despotic and maneuvering world leaders who value power as an end game. There are those who support the philosophy that the “end justifies the means”, so they negate their words of promise and ethical considerations. In our current election process, the disturbing pattern of leaders abusing power, or allowing for corrupting outside international influences, is disturbing.  The words of David, as he considered how King Saul in his day, had allowed his mental instability to corrupt himself and his royal advisers, is a parallel. David reflects with the wisdom and perspective that God gives him, while he is hiding from those who want to kill him for no good reason, “Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out, falls into the pit they have made.  The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.”
     Today, there will be a presidential debate. One candidate has dug a deep hole for himself, financially, ethically, and morally. (You can evaluate this for yourself).  While neither candidate is perfect, there is a substantial difference in perspective, values, and experience of service. While neither candidate should be viewed as a “savior”, there is still a need for people to discern, evaluate all the issues critically, and seek to cast a thoughtful and reasoned ballot.
     May we pray for our world, nation, state, and city.  May we pray for God’s grace and healing.
     Pastor Scott Arnold

Reflection on God’s Discipline and Love  - The Teacup.
Pastor Scott T. Arnold – FBCLA 
10-6-2020
      “Endurance and Refinement”
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  (Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV)
       Carolyn Burnett was a retired elementary teacher in the First Baptist Church of Battle Creek, MI, where I served as pastor.  Each week she wrote one or two Haiku poems from my sermons, what a treasure when she handed me a volume of her poems upon my departure as pastor! Once, when the church was going through some hardships, she shared a story with me. 
     “Once there was a potter who made a beautiful ceramic teacup, fashioned carefully upon the wheel. He put the teacup in the furnace to harden the soft clay.  The little teacup cried, “It’s too hot in here, take me out.” After a while, the potter took the teacup out and then painted it carefully and put it back in the kiln to fire it some more. The teacup cried again, “Take me out of here this is too hot.” Again, the potter painted another two layers and colors and final finish. Each time the teacup cried out.  Finally, the potter held his finished teacup and exclaimed: “Through my hands and through the fire, this teacup is the most beautiful and useful thing I have made.” The teacup was filled with joy and was tempered to handle the hot delicious tea.”  
    My friends, we are going through the trials and refinement of life in preparation for God’s Kingdom that is emerging and coming. The Corona Virus pandemic will reveal people’s hearts and willingness to be humble and learn or be stubborn to not learn from discipline.  God wants to teach us faith and reliance upon Him, and discipline in becoming Holy children, refined, and set apart, transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.  In these days, may we trust in the wisdom and power of God, and not in our own strength or limited knowledge.  The writer of Hebrews gave the early believers this instruction:
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.  (Hebrews 12:12-13 NIV)
Pastor Scott T. Arnold

Learning from the Historic Witness of the Early Church
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle....While they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are “in the flesh”, but do not live “according to the flesh”. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws. They love everyone, and by everyone they are persecuted. They are unknown, yet they are condemned; they are put to death, yet they are brought to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich; they are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor; they are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless; they are insulted, yet they offer respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life....Those who hate them are unable to give a reason for their hostility…”  -  130   A.D. by Justin Martyr - Mathetes) as an apologetic to his Roman teacher.  Letter to Diognetus (the teacher who also taught Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius)
         The lessons of faith that we learn from people of faith from the past are essential to living our faith vibrantly as disciples of Jesus today. I have learned this once more since we have been studying Hebrews 11-12 together in the sermon series since August.  Here in this letter, Justin Martyr gave this apologetic to his teacher from Rome (who had even trained one of the emperors – Marcus Aurelius).  Justin speaks of the faithful and positive witness these “cursed” people of the Christian faith practiced.  In fact, the witness of these “Christians” (little Christs) changed his life. As evident in this letter, Christians live for a higher principal of God’s sovereignty and moral conscience. True Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by the ordinary measures of nationalism, culture, language or political affiliation, but through their character, morality, love for others, love for God, and ability to bless when being persecuted.  This is important for us as Baptist Christians because we subscribe to the importance of a Christian faith that is set free from politics to love others.  Historic Baptist Christians have emphasized a faith that is autonomous from political loyalty and favoritism, while it is still free to speak prophetically to political principalities in deed and word.  Martyr wrote:  "They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign… They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws". 
       When our focus is on the Kingdom of God, a Heavenly perspective, it helps us avoid the trappings, divisiveness, and dangers of giving ultimate allegiance to “Caesar”.  As Jesus instructed: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s”.  Our Lord teaches us to be good citizens by rendering our taxes and giving respect to earthly proceedings such as laws, civil discourse, and elections.  However, Jesus then clarified that our devotion, ultimate priority, worship, and the consecrated use of abilities for eternal purposeful service, are to be rendered unto God.  The tension of living with both types of rendering, temporal and eternal, is not easy. There may be those who become excited about bringing in the Kingdom of God by exalting a personality, a president, or a king.  This is idolatrous and preempts the ultimate Lordship and coming of Jesus in time to reign on the earth.  Then there are those who avoid any responsibility in public affairs and earthly citizenship, and this is an avoidance of good stewardship. All of this leads me to simple say:  “VOTE!”  It is a rendering that has implications within our world that God wants us to be responsible stewards of.  Secondly, I would say “RENDER UNTO GOD what is God’s”.  Be careful not to be so swept up in political discourse that you begin to judge others falsely or harshly.  Be careful not to simply go with others in their rendering such that you do not pray and think through issues and consider the character of political candidates.  Ultimately, for disciples of Jesus Christ, we are “foreigners” whose ultimate citizenship in Heaven should lead us to lives that transcend politics, law, injustice, and hate.  In fact, we are to be the “light” of Christ to the world, a “City/town built on a hill that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)  If we desire true change in our world, may we be like the early Christians whose love and faithful witness transformed the pagan world they lived in. Thank you, Justin Martyr, for your witness.
                 -  In Christ’s love,   Pastor Scott Arnold

Dodger Baseball and The Christian Faith
Reflection by Pastor Scott Arnold
10-21-2020
                Ever since I was a boy, I have loved the game of baseball. I would play with my brothers and friends in the backyard and park. I would pitch balls of socks into the corner of my room having marked out the strike zone. I would bicycle through town to the field where I would join others in practicing and playing in organized little league games. The baseball cards I collected were all for fun and enjoyment of knowing who the players were and what their statistics and stories were. At one point, I had cards of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Honus Wagner, Mel Ott, Ty Cobb, and other players which were old and turned out to be rare. Little did I know how valuable they would become, and little did my mother when she was busy cleaning while I was in college. What is money after all when you have faith, love, and family?
                Yesterday’s first game of the world series was a joy to watch.  Marilyn and I are fans of Mookie Betts, as we had watched him play while we were in Boston. Now here we are in LA, and so is Mookie. This player stole 2 bases and swept through home plate to score and then homered to the opposite field in game one. The thing about Mookie is that he is soft spoken and considerate of others, while he lets his game and actions speak for themselves. He genuinely enjoys what he does and his joy in infectious. He picked up his daughter after the Dodgers won the National League championship in game seven and gave her complete attention. He is a man of faith and a humble example of Christian character.
                Now, here in LA we all hope that the Dodgers will go all the way to win the World Series. Even if they do not, of course, what matters Is how they play the game and the kind of character they can live out in the process. Having a positive witness and providing a positive example of honor is far more important than the outcome. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said:
                13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:13-14)
             We are to learn from the past, and step into the future God will lead us to. Our goal is to please God, not people. Our prize is not human acclaim, but the heavenward calling of God and to hear our Lord and Savior say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Our treasure is not earthly trophies, but the salvation in which we and others of faith shall receive the crown of eternal life.
                May we not grow weary in doing good. During this election year with so much contention, may we learn the lessons of good sportsmanship that baseball teaches. May we aim for “HOME” and help others reach “Heaven” by coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
  - Pastor Scott Arnold

“..For the Common Good”
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott Arnold    10/27/2020
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (I Corinthians 12:4-7)
                The wonder and beauty of God’s creation is filled with so many examples of diversity with unity.  Likewise, there is unity with diversity.  What is the difference of placing one word in front of another? Perhaps the difference is where you begin, or how you look at life. If one begins with God, then one sees a creator who made a creation that holds together while being intricate, diverse, and multifaceted. If one begins with creation, then one sees many different things and begins to observe how they fit together and relate to one another.  In either direction of view, there is a commonality, a unity, that one may discover. Astronauts orbiting around the earth on the space station will see our unity while pondering the fragile wonder of a planet marbled with oceans, land, ice, and clouds. The lines that demarcate boundaries between nations are invisible and less important than caring for life and one another on this good planet that God has given us. A scientist looking under a microscope at the intricacies of cellular structure and micro-organisms will make connections of interactions, relationships, chemistry, structure, causality, and effect.  An astronomer looking through a telescope can study the vast reaches of space and watch the stars, galaxies, nebula, asteroids, and planets to see how these giant objects interact also in causality and effect. 
Theologians like Paul have considered human life as a creation of God for both body and Spirit, that there is a marvelous and mysterious connection of both in the human condition for individuals and community.  Regarding the Church, the Family of God, Paul wrote that there are different kinds of gifts, service, and ways that the Spirit of God works in people. However, this diversity has at its core a unity, “the same God is at work”.  Furthermore, the reason God is at work through His Spirit in people is that “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  The ultimate objective of God’s plan and purposes is for the “common good”.
Now there are many ways to apply this theology of stewardship, that wants us to seek what is for the “Common Good”.  One cannot dismiss any aspect of life, and relationship, if one adopts this value of stewardship the Apostle Paul identifies. Paul is not being a socialist, he is not being political, He is being true to the nature of life and the commandments of God.  The astronauts, astronomers, microbiologists, chemists, and physicists have all realized how much life fits together and how concerning this age of global warming and pandemic spread is to our existence. Even more, the Theologian and people of faith desire to see faith realized within people so that God’s Holy Spirit will be distributed within individuals for new life and transformation.  Come Lord Jesus.
What will we do with our lives?  How will we be good stewards, faithful to our God and respectful and encouraging with one another?  We live in a fragile time, when our decisions do matter, and our voice, actions, and votes are a vital part of our responsibilities.  Pray and act upon the belief that to be a good steward as a child of God is to see our unity and diversity as a precious and sacred matter, and to seek the righteousness, grace, and truth of God.