Community Methodist Church Riverside

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

BONFIRE IS SATURDAY, 5/30, AT 7:30 P.M.
--> this is a correction to what was previously posted. AT COMMUNITY.

05/29/2026

The Struggle of Obedience

Scripture:
"If you love me, keep my commands." — John 14:15

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." — James 1:22

Obedience sounds simple until God asks us to do something that stretches us, challenges us, or goes against what we naturally want to do. Most believers don't struggle with knowing what God says nearly as much as they struggle with actually doing it.

Jesus connects love and obedience in John 14:15. He doesn't say, "If you love Me, feel a certain way," but rather, "If you love Me, keep My commands." Obedience is one of the clearest expressions of our love for Christ.

Yet obedience is often difficult. Sometimes God asks us to forgive when we'd rather hold onto hurt. Sometimes He calls us to trust when we'd rather control. Sometimes He asks us to wait when we'd rather move ahead. Obedience can feel uncomfortable because it requires surrender.

James warns us against being hearers only. It's possible to attend church, read the Bible, listen to sermons, and agree with God's Word without allowing it to change our actions. Knowledge alone doesn't transform us. Transformation happens when we put God's Word into practice.

The good news is that God never asks for perfect obedience. He asks for willing hearts. When we stumble, His grace meets us. When we struggle, His Spirit strengthens us. Obedience is not about earning God's love; it is our response to the love He has already shown us.

Every act of obedience, no matter how small, is an opportunity to trust God more deeply. As we choose obedience day by day, our faith grows, our character is shaped, and our relationship with Christ becomes stronger.

I challenge you to ask yourself...

1. Is there an area of my life where I know what God is asking me to do but have been hesitant to obey?
2. What fear, doubt, or desire might be standing in the way of obedience?
3. What is one step of obedience I can take today?

Let's pray

Lord, thank You for loving me even when obedience is difficult. Help me not to be someone who only hears Your Word, but someone who lives it out. Give me the courage to trust You when Your commands challenge me and the humility to follow where You lead. Strengthen me through Your Spirit and help my obedience reflect my love for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings
Shelley 💛

05/28/2026

THURSDAY ENCOURAGEMENT – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV

This was originally a reflection back in 2020 when our country was undergoing difficult situations with violent protests. However, I find that it is also applicable for those times when we are currently waiting for an answer, change, or miracle in our situations and the nation/world.

God is telling that the solution to hard times is a three-fold action.
• First, we must devote ourselves to prayer. Why? Prayer is powerful. It is direct communication with the One who is in control and has the situation under His control. It is the invitation that God desires for Him to manifest Himself. However, we cannot say one prayer and consider ourselves devoted. We must be consistent and persistent. Our prayers must also cover everyone, including those involved in the situation (could be doctors, employers, family members, friends, neighbors, etc.) and even those with whom we disagree. We should also include ourselves for our strength and peace in the midst. We want to usher in the presence of God and seek His plan for our lives, our nation and this world.

• The second and third parts of our direction from God are the difficult ones for most people. Most of us do not like to wait and sitting on the sidelines doesn't work well for some either. But how can we pray for God to step into our situation and then get in His way with our own actions? It's understandable to want to do something, sometimes anything, to make a difference. But, we need to “take to our seats before we take to the streets” (literally and figuratively with our social media) and discern what God wants us to do and how. This requires discipline and patience. Timing is everything in a strategic battle and we are in a mighty war against Satan. Our Commander on High knows exactly when we should move and when we should wait. He is the good Shepherd and the ultimate Healer. His power is limitless and His ways are amazing to behold. Let's not get ahead ourselves or Him. Instead, let's get behind His plan, wait for His signal and direction and watch it come to reality. We already know who will be victorious. Be safe, be prayerful, be blessed and be a blessing.

Cheryl French

05/27/2026

WEDNESDAY WISDOM - GOD IS FAITHFUL

Since Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross, we are invited into an intimate relationship with Him. We love to read the word of God and see how to more fully embrace our relationship with Him. Our Father God is an awesome God. His promises are yes and amen.

1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Biblically, faithful is defined as being completely reliable, steadfast, and unwavering in your loyalty and duty.

Ephesians 3:17
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lords’ holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

We are faithful to God when we trust fully in Him. Often, we pray to have eyes to see Him, ears to hear Him and the desire to surrender completely to Him.

Sunday, we heard about the outreach team sharing food and prayer with others. We desire to know the love of God and to share it freely. The more we “know” God, the more we impact the lives of others.

What a gift it is to be called a “child of God.” The faithfulness of God is equipping, encouraging and empowering us.

Hope Restored facilitators,
Pat & Charlotte

05/24/2026

FOR WHAT ARE WE TO LIVE & DIE❓️
--> God is Holy, Holy, Holy GOD❗️
Memorial Day Sunday Service.
Community Methodist Church Riverside
5/24/2026

05/23/2026

THE SUNDAY Before MEMORIAL DAY.
--> A Service at 10:30 a.m.

05/23/2026

Preparing to be the hands and feet of Jesus with our friends from The Point Church. A special thank you to Hope Church for supplying the food for today.