Today’s lesson – Isaiah’s Prophecy

Isaiah was a prophet, one who spoke and led the people of Israel. He foretold the coming of the Messiah. 400 years before Jesus was born Isaiah told the Israelites of His birth. That gave them something to anticipate. But the timing also gave them some time to forget.

Today’s lesson – Josiah, the kid king

Today we talked about Josiah. Josiah was made king when he was only 8! But he was surrounded by good people to raise him in the correct ways. So much so that that when he was old enough to begin making important decisions, he decided to rebuild the temple.

Today’s lesson – Nehemiah

Today we talked about Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a common man, the cupbearer to the king. He heard of how Jerusalem was being picked on, or destroyed, and the walls had been torn down. It made him extremely sad to hear that his hometown was being destroyed and he wanted to rebuild the walls.

Today’s lesson – Esther

Today we talked about Esther. Esther was just a girl when she was adopted by Mordecai. Mordecai always wanted the best for Esther and raised her to follow the Lord. When the king called for a new queen, Esther was chosen! But it was unknown to the king that she was a Jew, a follower of the Lord. Esther was being placed as queen by God to make some big changes in the king’s life and in the kingdom.

Today’s lesson – Daniel 6

Daniel was well known around Babylon as an honest man and a man of integrity. Daniel was known for these things because he stood out above the rest, and that was because of his faith in the Lord. As you drive around, can you see anybody driving well?

In the September newsletter, we read that one way to stay resilient is by learning lessons in life through our walk with God.

Another way to learn resilience is to know how to Release Tension. Daily worries about family, work and finances can build up and fester inside. To alleviate tension, some people may take a walk or work out at the gym.

Today’s lesson – Daniel 3

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought to Babylon as prisoners of war. They were chosen because they were strong men that would serve Babylon well. They served God well and He saved them from the fiery furnace. The three men eventually went on to be missionaries to other nations, sent by the king.

Today’s lesson – Jonah 1-4

Discuss listening and recognizing. Disobedience is something that God does not take lightly. When He told Jonah to go to Nineveh and Jonah went the other way, God directed Jonah back to Nineveh by way of whale.

Today’s lesson – Job

God was strong in Job’s life. Job was chosen by God to be sifted like wheat. God exposed Job to Satan. Satan was looking for something to do and God offered up Job because He knew that Job would be strong, rely on God, and not forsake God. God tested Job’s faith.

Recently, I fell apart. I was melting in a very cold way and I couldn’t get a grip on my emotions.

Has that ever happened to you?? You’re going about your day and SMACK. Out of nowhere you begin to melt. You need to run. You need to leave your comfortable chair and just get away. You don’t want anyone to see you lose it. But where do you go when you have so much to do?

Today’s lesson – 1 Samuel 1-3

Discuss listening and recognizing. There are a lot of sounds we recognize without seeing what made them. We even have game shows based on that idea, like “Name That Tune” and “Beat Shazam.” Talk about some sounds you hear while on the road, like railroad crossing bells, horns, etc. Samuel wasn’t familiar with God’s voice when God called to him in his dream.

Today’s lesson – Exodus 19:1-20:17

Discuss preparation. God told Moses to prepare the Israelites to meet Him. God gave Moses a set of instructions for the Israelites to follow. God told them to change their clothes, take a bath, and not do bad things. These instructions seemed pretty basic, but there were thousands of Israelites! Not an easy task in three days.

Today’s lesson – Genesis 18:1-19

Discuss recognizing things from a distance. We notice things from a distance when we are familiar with them. When driving home we know when we’re close because we notice the familiar objects around us, or maybe we can even see our house from a distance. Talk about how we recognize things like these because we’re so familiar with them.

Today’s lesson – Genesis 4:1-16

Discuss the differences between cars — your car vs. the car next to you. Talk about the color, the size, the ability of speed, etc. Have your child point out differences. As they point out differences, discuss the differences between Cain and Abel, like how they did different things (one was a shepherd and the other a farmer). God loved both equally and desired that they each do their best.

Today’s lesson: Genesis 3

Discuss driving and making mistakes. Talk with the family about driving rules and that they are in place to protect us and everyone else. Pick out a rule like stopping at a red light and how the traffic lights are designed to allow everybody a chance to go through the intersection. Discuss what might happen if you broke the rule.

Today’s lesson: Genesis 2:4-25

Have the family look at people that are passing by in cars and walking on the sidewalk, or neighbors in your neighborhood. Ask them if they think God made those people too. Discuss with them that God made each and every one of us! And He loves us all!

Continuing with our theme RESILIENT based on the article by Jen Uscher, the second point she makes is that we need to learn lessons.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Today’s lesson: Genesis 1-2:2

Have the family look out their windows and pick out a couple of things they see. After they choose something ask if it’s something God created? Talk with them about the difference between what is manmade and God-made.

Dear Quail Family,

Our hearts are breaking as we witness the many calamities that our world is going through right now. Close to home however we feel deep sorrow for the many victims of the NorCal fires. At this writing it sees hundreds have lost homes and entire communities have been decimated. We all feel like we should do something! What should we do?

Dear Quail Family,

What a year it has been! When I glance back to last June, I see that it was a time when we were deep in the heart of dealing with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. It brought changes to our individual lives, as well as our Kingdom ministry. In fact, a year ago almost to the day (as I write this) we began our first “live stream” services with people actually in the Sanctuary after months of purely remote worship. Since then, each week we have seen increasing participation in our “in-person” worship, Sunday Bible classes for all ages, and our youth and children’s activities.

Download the July/August Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Church League schedule here.

We are looking forward to a great service of Thanksgiving on “Thanksgiving Eve,” Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30pm. As usual, we will sing songs of praise and hear a message of encouragement. The service will be live in- person in the Sanctuary and on-line on YouTube. However, we will not be able to do our “testimony time” of sharing as usual. Instead, I invite you to send a one minute video testimony in to our Media Director, John Welsh, and he will compile these brief videos into a montage of thanks.

This week’s lesson: The Ten Commandments

The Israelites and Moses were traveling in the desert towards the Promised Land. The Israelites grumbled at Moses and the Lord about lack of food and water.

This week’s lesson: The Golden Calf

The Israelites were waiting for Moses to come back down from Mt. Sinai after his meeting with God. They had just been wandering through the desert after escaping from Egypt, and God invited them to the foot of Mt. Sinai to witness His presence and to wait for Him to chat with Moses.

Dear Quail,
This will be my last Friday “Brief Update” for the foreseeable future. Instead, starting this Sunday and continuing on, we will be sending out our new Sunday bulletin on Sunday mornings. This will allow those of you who are continuing to worship from home to get the same bulletin that we will once again be publishing in hard copy for those who attend in person.

The restarted bulletin will contain the same program information and ongoing announcements that we always have had, as well as the sermon outline and the prayer page. For those who are on campus and worshipping “in-person,” you will have the option of a hard copy to pick up and take with you.

Dear Quail,

Have you failed at something lately? Have you disappointed yourself or someone else? The fact is that it happens to all of us from time to time. But how will God use that event that you consider to be a failure? Listen to these words from the Apostle Paul:

This week’s lesson: Jacob Wrestles God

Jacob was on his way to meet his brother. He and his brother were at odds since Jacob stole Esau’s blessing AND Esau’s birthright. So, on Jacob’s way he met a man and wrestled him. When the man realized that Jacob wouldn’t relent, he blessed Jacob.

This week’s lesson: Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

The Tower of Babel was a building project meant for selfish goals. The text is filled with “ourselves,” highlighting the point that the people were working for themselves and not for God. They wanted to build a tower that reached the sky!

Dear Quail,

At one point in his ministry, the prophet Jeremiah was told to go down to the potter’s house and there he would be instructed by the Lord. This is what happened…

Dear Quail,

In Psalm 46:10 we read, “Be still and know that I am God…”

Be still! Most of us do not do “stillness” very well. Sometimes it takes all of our strength and concentration to simply sit still.

We have two great options for our children and families on Sundays.

9:45 AM - Family gathering for all families with worship, activities and lesson time. Come and join in the family fun!

Jr. High Ministry Update

Hello, QLBC Jr. High families and students.

We wanted to give you an update on the current happenings with the Jr. High Ministry.

Dear Quail,

One author tells about the time he was skiing in Colorado and he saw a young man with a vest on with the words “Blind Skier” on the front and back. Seeing that he wondered how anyone could ski down the mountain when they were blind, and the answer came right behind the young skier.

Gathering together and connecting around God’s Word is available! There are several Zoom Bible Studies throughout the week: Embrace, Pathfinders, Axis, Deaf Ministry, Fuertes y Valientes, The Power of Knowing God, Red Sea Rules, and a study on Job. The Discipleship Commission is planning and looking forward to launching Rooted!

Dear Quail,

This Sunday (9/27), in our live, in-person, outdoor “Concert of Prayer and Praise,” we kick-off a 21 day period where QLBC, along with many other churches in S.J. County, make a commitment to prayer and fasting for God to move in our county and nation.

Global Focus
It is difficult being missional during a pandemic but the efforts of Global Focus continue. Global Focus recently sent Tanji Brown Fields off to Honduras to work with orphan children at Rancho Ebenezer under the agency World Gospel Outreach. Pray for Tanji as she navigates this new season in her life as a missionary.

Quail’s Media & Technical Arts team is continuing to support our fellowship’s various efforts during these Covid-19 times. The most obvious effort is the Sunday morning live stream out to the courtyard here on campus, and online. We continue to tweak and evolve this effort to make is as meaningful and impactful as possible.

It’s been an action-packed 6 months for the Young Adult Ministry. It seems like things have changed almost monthly, even though it feels more like weekly. We have had to traverse these health guidelines, which have impacted how we operate our worship service “Refresh.” Refresh is our Wednesday night worship service, which generally meets in “theAttic” on Wednesday nights.

Our custodial and maintenance crew has been working hard to make the church ready when County officials give us approval to meet inside. They have been deep cleaning carpets, sanitizing restrooms, and even grinding concrete to remove trip hazards. With extra help this summer from young adults hired to repaint exterior columns and railings of the Activity Center and Education building.

Care Ministry—our health ministry team has been very active on Sunday mornings ensuring the health and safety of our Quail family. They set up two health stations each week in the plaza area taking temperatures and making (free) masks and sanitizer available. We have also teamed up with the Outreach team to reach out to our local hospital staffs.

Dear Quail,
You probably have noticed by now there are nearby churches that have decided to open their doors for indoor, in person, worship even though the civil authorities in San Joaquin County still have us on the “widespread” list which precludes such activity. Some within the Christian community are saying “enough is enough, this is dragging on too long!”

Dear Quail,
In Habakkuk 2:3, we read “…Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” NIV

God is a God of order. Everything He does, He does by appointment. An appointment is simply an event that has been set up in advance. God has appointments set up for you, a scheduled time for bringing to pass two specific things in your life, His promises and His plans. You can count on the fact that the appointment is coming.

Dear Quail, About mid-way through the story of Joseph in Genesis after years of betrayal, abandonment and abuse, Joseph is promoted to assist the Pharaoh and prepare the nation for the coming famine. That is fantastic, but it is not the only blessing that came his way! He also marries and that marriage produces two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Genesis 41:52, “The name of the second child he called Ephraim, ‘for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’” ESV

The name Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew word for “fruitful.”

Hi there,

Here we are right in the middle of the dog days of summer. The kids are back in school, which means that Bible study is just around the corner! 2020 is very different than what we are accustomed too by far. Many of us are still following the “Shelter in Place” order due to being in the vulnerable group. But we will not allow this pandemic to keep us from learning God’s Word.

This fall, we will study the book of Job by Lisa Harper. We can relate with Job can’t we? We are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic! It seems like everything we have known has been taken away from us, our ability to do what we want, when we want, and how we want. Our lives have been turned upside down and it’s just not fair! How are you handling your suffering? Have you succumb to your human nature or are you like your servant Job?

In this 7-session study, we will discover the redemptive fact of Job’s suffering, to view pain as a way to strengthen our faith, point others to the gospel, and trust in the Lord. Because His providence will never take you to a place where His grace will not sustain you.

Dear Quail,

By now you are no doubt familiar with the British poster that says, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Those words are presented over a graphic of the crown of King George VI. We even have all sorts of variations of that poster. I have seen, “Keep Calm and Go Shopping,” “Keep Calm and Look Busy,” “Keep Calm and Call Batman,” and on our Quail restrooms as a response to the Coronavirus, “Keep Calm and Wash your Hands.”

Dear Quail, I am sure that you, like I, have spent time in the various “waiting rooms” of life. For instance, let’s imagine the doctor’s office waiting room. You give your name to the nurse and she checks your insurance. You take a seat and wait to be called.

Dear Quail,

You are not alone!

For many the “aloneness” of these days is getting more than troubling, it is downright painful. If that is you, now is the time to hear and believe that no matter how empty our house feels, you are not alone.

David said it this way…

Dear Quail,

In a recent edition of the newsletter published by Church Extension Fund, Mark Etting wrote an article entitled “A Silver Lining.” Since I think it probable that many of you do not get that publication and I thought that his ideas were helpful, today I will share some of that article with you. He writes…

Dear Quail,
To stay positive in the Pandemic, engage in “tenacious prayer.”

In his book The Table of Inwardness, Calvin Miller writes of the day when, as a boy, he found in his attic an old fashioned wooden box labeled “danger - dynamite!” His young mind was filled with the explosive possibilities of the treasure he had discovered, a box full of dynamite! However, when he opened it, it was filled with everyday junk.

Dear Quail,

“Don’t be afraid” in some form or another is one of the most often repeated commands in Scripture. It makes sense once you begin to imagine all the scary stuff that is around us.

But the Bible is full of the stories of people that show remarkable courage. Many of them are remembered in Hebrews, Chapter 11.

Abraham showed courage in his leaving of Haran and going to land that God would show him. (Heb. 11:8)