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Tuesday November 12, 2024

 

Community Is . . . Support

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. . . . “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.”

—  Ruth 1:21

 

Melanie’s family returned broken after a move to another state. The purpose of their move away had not worked out, and they had suddenly found themselves without a place to live and searching for a place to belong. With their independence gone and their pride bruised, they came back and opened themselves up to being helped by their local church. A family took them in and let them live in their house until they figured out what to do next.

 

There are times in our lives when we need to learn that community is there to support us in difficult times. We tend to think that we can do everything on our own, so sometimes we fail to see that the people God has put in place around us are there to support and lift us up when we can’t support ourselves.

 

Naomi and her family had left Bethlehem looking for a better life in Moab. But when she returned, she said that all she had was taken away from her. Of course, God was still providing for her; she just couldn’t see it. In her bitterness and despair, she needed a community of support to come around her and fill her up again—and her community did just that.

 

In the difficult times of our lives, let’s remember that community is around us to strengthen us, build us up, and support us in everything we are going through.


Father, provide us with a community of support and with the humble spirit to accept that support when we need it. Amen.

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TOP THREE THINGS TO KNOW FOR THIS WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11, 2024.

 

  • 1) We give thanks and prayers to our Veterans.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for all those who have served us in the military, putting their lives in danger so that we can live in freedom. We ask you to give strength and protection to those who continue to serve. Be with them in all dangers and grant their families peace in knowing that You are with all those who trust in You. Grant to our veterans peace and healing. Be with them in their times of stress and pain. Heal their bodies and ease their minds. Lead them to cast their burdens on Jesus, who has forgiven the sins of all. Through Your Word, grant faith to all who do not yet know their Savior and give to them the joy and peace in knowing and believing that their sins are forgiven by Your grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

In His name we pray. Amen.

 

Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, November 23 from 10am-2pm

in Fellowship Hall.

 

  • 2) There are Advent Devotional booklets on the table in the Narthex, pick up a copy for your use.

 

  • 3) The Speedway Community Thanksgiving Service will be Sunday, November 24 at 4pm at Speedway Christian Church. A freewill cash donation will be accepted to support the local Storehouse Food Pantry!

 

 

Pastor Doug

 

God be with you till we meet again