"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Do we sometimes look at the mess our world is in and wonder why Jesus Christ doesn't just come back and end the horrific things? Why doesn't He put a stop to senseless wars, child abuse, murders and all the other things which make life so dangerous? He could. He could come at any moment. He's not slow in returning as some might think. God, in His incredible love and patience, doesn't want anyone to miss out on salvation. All people have the freedom to choose Him or not. He's hoping all will say yes to His will and yes to His ways. But they can't say yes if they haven't heard. We are to share the story of salvation every chance we get. Tell the story so others may come into the arc of safety and know that Jesus Christ is Lord! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Through the years this passage has come to be known as The Great Commission and is often used at mission conferences to try to motivate people to take up missionary service. It certainly leaves no doubt as to what is important to Jesus. The command is plain, He wants all nations to know Him and follow Him. Jesus Christ wants all nations to be taught to obey God. These verses leave no doubt as to how we should be spending our time. The assurance at the end is wonderful - God is with us! We never have to feel we're working alone. In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! Joy cannot be pursued. It comes from within. It is a state of being. It does not depend on circumstances, but triumphs over circumstances. It produces a gentleness of spirit and a magnetic personality.
"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 12:26
Fortunately, we don't get to choose our family. We're born into a family and they are with all their little quirks and oddities. But we do get to choose our friends. We have to be careful about the people we spend time with. We must make sure our friends share our values and their influence will be positive. Friends can stretch and challenge us to grow; but they shouldn't pull us away from our faith; or lead us down a path which leads to dishonesty. Choose friends who will encourage and help us to glorify God! Thank you Father God for your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Best Friend! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God... for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." II Timothy 1:6-7
Timothy was a young man, inexperienced, and naturally timid. Paul knew pastoring a church would be difficult; and Timothy would experience spiritual, social, political, and religious opposition. He reminds Timothy he has everything needed to fulfill his calling - not by nature, but as a gift from God! We are sometimes nervous when we think of teaching, or writing or witnessing to others. Will we get it right? Will it be well-received? Will we honor God in our efforts? God doesn't call us to serve Him in our own strength; and He doesn't motivate us out of fear when we fail. He reminds us His Spirit is in us. He gives us power, not to change people, but to love them. If we show Christ's self-sacrificing love to all we come into contact with, He will be the One to change them. Wondrously, they will be saved from sin and death and into eternal life! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! |
Pastor Derrick RichardsonPastor of Community Abundant Life Church Archives
April 2024
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