Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, November 10, 2024

Gratitude Makes Room Today, Pastor Michael is talking about gratitude. Today’s core idea is, “Gratitude for what you have now makes room for what God wants to give next.”  We are in James, Chapter 1 today, James being the half-brother of Jesus.   Central to our reading today is the fact that all good comes from God.  Even knowing that we are human and when life is going good, we feel grateful; when life is negative, it’s harder to feel grateful. But, remember: gratitude is not a feeling but a choice.  Think of something you need a blessing on and think about this: then ask the hard question: are you fully grateful for what you have in that area?  Are you using the things in that area for the glory of God? Gratitude prepares your heart for blessings from God.  (CSB Study Bible Notes) James 1: 18 - Word of truth refers to the gospel, by which new birth comes. First fruits refers to the best that the harvest produces. God gives good gifts that yield wondrous fruit, not temptation that leads to death through wayward desires. Today’s verses can be found in James 1: 16-18. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.