“He judges in favor of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free and…lifts those who have fallen.” Psalm 146:7-8
It’s true that we’ll always have troubles, can we imagine what we would miss out on if we never experienced pain or challenges? No we can’t. Because our trials, although difficult, teach us what’s really important in life and how to console others suffering similar circumstances. Our afflictions confirm God is real, because through them, His profoundly deep, healing comfort transforms our soul. If we never face an impossible situation, how could we ever see God’s glory or experience the power of His presence? We couldn’t. Thank God that even our troubles have a wonderful purpose when we see them through His 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! “You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” Psalm 34:2 NKJV
Discouraged people don’t need critics as they hurt enough already. They don’t need more guilt or piled-on distress; they need encouragement. In a word, they need a refuge; a place to hide and heal. A willing, caring, available someone. A confidant. A comrade at arms. The One called “my Strength…my Rock…my Fortress.” We know Him today by another name, Jesus! In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! “Some boast in chariots, and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” Psalm 20:7
The Israelites faced many enemies who were better equipped and better trained than they were. Several times God purposely had them fight an opponent who far outnumbered them. His purpose was to remind His children that they didn’t win the battle; He had won it for them. When the odds are not in our favor, and it looks like there is no way we can win the battle, consider the children of Israel. Outnumbered, with primitive weapons, they called on God to save them. Boast in God, not in our own abilities, and watch God win our battles for us! 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 everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure.” Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB
Most of us have more blessings than we can count, yet we often lose sight of them and still find reasons to complain about the minor frustrations of everyday life. To do so is not only wrong, it is also a serious roadblock on the path to spiritual abundance. Each day make it a practice to count your blessings, not your hardships. It’s the best way to live. “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way; O when wilt thy come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:2
King David knew what it was like to be a poor shepherd boy and a wealthy king. He experienced having nothing and having everything, to be lowly and unnoticed and to have the respect and love of a nation. There was one thing which defined the worth of life to David, a healthy relationship with God. No matter how we define “the good life”, it’s always better with God. As David discovered, possessions and power will fail to satisfy our soul, but God will never fail! God can fill us with more joy and purpose than anything we can imagine! Follow God to the best life, for the best life! Live in Your God-given Blessings Today! “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and width, height and depth, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19
As Christians, we can and should continue to grow in the love and knowledge of our Savior as long as we live. When we cease to grow, either spiritually or emotionally, we do ourselves a disservice. The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime. If we study His Word obey His commandments, and live in the center of His will, we will be healthy, growing Christians. When we live according to the principles contained in His Word, we embark on a journey of spiritual maturity that results in life abundant and life eternal. Life is a series of decisions which can bring us closer to God. In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 61:1
During the rainy season, a cactus stores water inside its limbs to use in times of drought. Many birds and animals are drawn to the safety of a cactus, and there are several types of birds which sit directly on the cactus and drink the water stored there. Jesus described Himself as the Living Water. He said that if we drink from Him, we would never thirst again. Coming to the well during the desert times will refresh us and give us strength to refresh others. Let’s water ourselves daily, spending time in God’s presence, and find springs of abundance overflowing into all areas of our life. Letting this abundance flow over into the lives of others. In His Love, Do All You Can, While You Can, As Long As You Can, To All You Can….Have a Beautifully Blessed Day! “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
Church worship on Sunday is not the goal of our life here on earth! As important as church worship and personal praise are, they are only part of our goal. We are here to glorify God with both our lips and our lives, with our hearts and our hands! With the world around us caught up in Satan's traps, God wants us to hear His call to us in our church and private worship and respond by saying, "Here am I. Use me!" Then He wants us to enter the world redemptively, making a difference in our "public worship" of ministry. It’s not about Us….It’s ALL about GOD! Help someone along the way today!! “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 HCSB
The Christian faith is founded upon promises that are contained in a unique book, the Bible. The Bible is a roadmap for life here on earth and life eternal. As Christians, we are called upon to study its meaning, to trust its promises, to follow its commandments, and to share its Good News. God’s Word is a transforming, one-of-a-kind treasure, and must be treated that way. God has made promises to you, and He intends to keep them. So take God at His Word; trust His promises and share them with your family, your friends and the world. “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. |
Pastor Derrick RichardsonPastor of Community Abundant Life Church Archives
September 2023
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