- 2013 -
May It Be Blessed of God

A new Year Blessing from Rev. Michael; Cochran

Dear Church Editors

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

While our world may be losing its position of God's blessings, we who are God's own people may continue to live in His abundant blessings in the midst of the world's depravity and deprivation!

Only let us remember that the experience of God's blessings is not due merely to the fact that we claim to be His children, although it does begin with being born again - -
- - the reality we experience is the result of our obedience to our Heavenly Father through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ!

• Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Being blessed does not mean being free from problems - - it means that our Lord will bring us through whatever problems may confront us!

• PSALMS 107

Being blessed does not mean having everything our sensuous, carnal selves desire - - it means being content in whatever state of reality we may experience!

• Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Being blessed does not mean that we are free from oppression and persecution - - it means that we are being refined and purified, ever more fit for the Masters purposes!

• In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Being blessed does not mean that our coffers are filled with silver and gold - - it means that come what may we know ... we know that God is our provider come what may!

• And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Being blessed is not a life filled with all we can ever imagine - - being blessed is a life filled with the presence of God ... God, Who has chosen to be our Abba, our Heavenly Father by way of faith in Christ Jesus our Lord!

• For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father.''
  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
  and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Indeed! May 2013 be a year filled with God's blessings upon you!

Rev. Michael W. Cochran

www.mikecochran.org

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