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Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.’ James 1:12
This beatitude comes from Jesus' brother. He had experienced it and taught it! James knew it was worth "hanging in" and "hanging on" when his faith was under attack. He affirmed God loves us and He has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know God longs to bless us with life! After all, that's why He sent Jesus. (John 10:10) In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:16-17
Do you find it easy to replace service to those in need with religious rituals? I know I do! Dear Hearts, God wants us to not get so caught up in talking about Him and celebrating His deeds, that we forget we're suppose to care for others like He does. Whether it is Jesus defining His ministry in Luke 4:18-19 or James talking about the kind of piety which pleases God (Jas. 1:26-27), we must realize true faith is treating others as God would. God does and instructs us to live in the same way. In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! Like Comment Share An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21
Jesus first had to become the sins of the people before He could save us from those sins, 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 4:10. His own people rejected Him before His forgiveness could be received. Jesus' gift of salvation was incredibly costly to Him. It is a reminder of two great truths: God loves us incredibly and salvation is a precious gift. In Jesus we know and experience both truths! 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 I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.’ Isaiah 44:3
A wisp of breeze stirs swirls of dust over the barren land. When the downpour finally comes, the "thirsty land" swallows voluminous amounts of water as the rain runs off the wet surface and finds its way into the deep cracks of the drought. The ground swells, the grass comes back to life, and life is replenished. In a barren spiritual wasteland, God's Holy Spirit pours out His blessing, brings times of refreshment, and replenishes our thirsty hearts! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2
What do we do to welcome new neighbors into our neighborhood or apartment complex? How warmly do we personally welcome visitors at our church or in our Bible study group? When was the last time we invited someone new in our congregation over for dinner or included them in a gathering of your Christian friends? While some have the gift of hospitality, all of us need to be warm and open to folks we don't know that join us for Christian worship and fellowship. Why not make a commitment to meet and welcome one new person at church each week. In a cold impersonal world, we can make a huge difference in the lives of those seeking the shelter and grace of Jesus and His people. In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.” 1 John 2:3
When we seek righteousness in our own lives, and when we seek the companionship of those who do likewise, we reap the spiritual rewards which God intends for us to enjoy. When we behave ourselves as godly people, we honor God! When we live righteously and according to God’s commandments, He blesses us in ways which we cannot fully understand! As we fulfill our responsibilities today, hold fast to that which is good, and let’s associate ourselves with believers who behave themselves in like fashion. When we do, our good works will serve as a powerful example for others and as a worthy offering to our Heavenly Father! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! "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! “Which of you by worrying can add one whit to his stature?” Matthew 5:27
Worry is a complete waste of energy. It solves nothing. That’s why Jesus said, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” In essence, He was saying, “You go to bed tonight and fret and fuss because you’re not five feet eleven inches , you’re only five feet nine inches. But when you wake up in the morning, you’re still going to be five feet nine inches.” Worry will never make you stretch. And it won’t resolve that anxiety on your mind either. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10
Most of us have experienced how changing circumstances of life have an influence on us and those we love. One moment we experience joy, the next we are in despair. Regardless of these events in our life, we have the assurance of God’s love for us. However despondent we may be, let us never lose sight that Jesus loves us with an eternal and perfect love! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.
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Pastor Derrick RichardsonPastor of Community Abundant Life Church Archives
January 2025
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Community Abundant Life Church
1701 NW 7th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (405) 557-7822 Pastor Derrick Richardson |
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“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7
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