Be The Light
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Below are resources to help with spiritual growth and maturity, ways to give back to others in need including the homeless, families and singles dealing with food insecurity and girls and women in crisis pregnancies. We’ve also included a list of local political groups to consider joining to safeguard freedom and our Christian values.
Podcasts for spiritual growth and maturity:
Truth for Life with Alistair Begg (USA)
Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch (Billy Graham’s granddaughter) (USA)
Cooper Stuff with John Cooper (USA)
Grace to You with Dr. John MacArthur (USA)
Pod of the Gaps with Aaron Edwards, Andy Bannister and Michael Ots (UK)
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey (USA)
Mama Bear Apologetics with Hillary Morgan Ferrer and Amy Davison (USA)
Books for spiritual growth and maturity:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God by Donna Jones
Awake & Alive to Truth by John Cooper
The Gospel According to Jesus by Dr. John MacArthur
Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
Why God Allows Evil by Daniel Parks
Another Gospel by Alisa Childers
Relational Growth Groups:
Mariners Church Irvine and Laguna Hills
5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine
25205 La Paz Rd, Laguna Hills
marinerschurch.org
Learn how to relate better in all of your relationships and the reality that emotional maturity and spiritual healing are inseparable. Also learn 8 practical skills to love others well as mature followers of Jesus.
Volunteer at the OC Rescue Mission and/or a local church food pantry:
Check websites for volunteer opportunities
Orange County Rescue Mission
1 Hope Drive, Tustin
rescuemission.org
Crossline Church Food Pantry
23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills
crosslinechurch.com
Mariners Church Food Pantry & Thrift Store
5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine
marinerschurch.org
First Presbyterian Church of Orange Food Pantry
191 North Orange Street, Orange
Firstpresorange.org
Vineyard Church Mobile Food Pantry
5340 E. La Palma Ave, Anaheim
vineyardanaheim.com
First Lutheran Church
215 N. Lemon Street, Fullerton
flcfullerton.com
Rose Drive Friends Church Food Pantry
4221 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda
Rdf.org
Pro-Life groups that help pregnant women and girls in crisis:
Check websites for volunteer opportunities
Pregnancy Resource Center Medical Clinic
416 Avenida de la Estrella, San Clemente
Volunteer opportunities and Walk for Life events
prcmedicalclinic.com
Nightlight Christian Adoptions
1528 Brookhollow Drive, #100, Santa Ana
For mothers seeking families to adopt babies and families seeking to adopt and support life!
nightlight.org
Birthright Pregnancy Helpline
24-hour helpline for women and girls in crisis pregnancies
(800) 550-4900
birthright.org
Adoption and foster care resources:
Check websites for volunteer opportunities
Olive Crest Adoption, Foster Care and Residential Living for Aged Out Teens
2130 E. 4th Street, Suite 200, Santa Ana
olivecrest.org and @OliveCrest on Facebook
Adoption, Kinship & Foster Care Support Groups
Saddleback Church saddlebackchurch.com
Join other adoptive, kinship, and foster parents for support, training, and encouragement to learn how to better relate to children and help bring healing. Meetings are held throughout the month at four Saddleback campuses including Anaheim, Lake Forest, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
Political groups to consider joining to help safeguard Christian values and freedom:
Check websites for volunteer opportunities
Orange County Young Republicans
Monthly meetings in Newport Beach plus precinct walks before national elections
ocyr.org and @oc_yr on Instagram
Orange County Federation of Republican Women
Monthly meetings in cities throughout Orange County including Brea, Garden Grove, Seal Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and more! cfrw.org/region-8
The Lincoln Club of Orange County
Monthly meetings and events (membership required)
Lincolnclub.org and @lincoln_club_oc on Instagram
We don’t list Democratic groups because although some individual candidates may uphold Christian values, the Democratic platform as a whole endorses abortion and other values contrary to God’s word.
Verses that support life!
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – King David (Psalm 139:13-16)
You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and knit me together with bones and sinews.
You have granted me life and steadfast love. (Job 10:11-12)
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. (Psalm 127:3-4)
Before I formed you in your mother’s body I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart to serve me. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)
He (Jesus) will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:15)