Our Need For Community
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
God did not create us to live in isolation. Maybe you have estranged family members who you have lost contact with, and you haven't talked with them in years. You have gone on with your life living with the isolation of a family member. It is hard and very difficult. The pain of loneliness never goes away.
The sad story is that God created us to live in the context of community within families and friends. God never called us to be Lone Rangers. Do you remember the Lone Ranger? Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
God always wants us to live in community. God does His greatest work in community. Our COVID experience has created a lot of loneliness and a disconnect in families and communities. We have disconnected from our workplaces, and we like that. The reality is that there is something about being connected with people that is very powerful.
Some people have decided that they love doing church disconnected, and that the online experience isn’t so bad. You don't have to get dressed, put on makeup, or even leave your house. You can do church and hear the Word preached or watch a Bible study online. You can put it on pause or skip it all together. Many people think that is how life is.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We were made to live in community. Without community, we are left with loneliness, and that is a sad thing.
Maybe, that is where you are today. Maybe you are fighting battles within on why you have drifted. Maybe, you are still here physically, but emotionally or spiritually you are disconnected from where you used to be. You find yourself isolated without purpose and a sense of value.
If that’s you, trust that there is hope for you, friend! There are plenty of people who once knew what it was like to be alone who have since been found. They have learned how to join God in bringing hope to other people. God sometimes allows us to experience pain, isolation, and purposelessness in our lives, so we will realize what God has for our lives. Don’t miss out on how He wants to bless you through the community He’s placed in your life.
God did not create us to live in isolation. Maybe you have estranged family members who you have lost contact with, and you haven't talked with them in years. You have gone on with your life living with the isolation of a family member. It is hard and very difficult. The pain of loneliness never goes away.
The sad story is that God created us to live in the context of community within families and friends. God never called us to be Lone Rangers. Do you remember the Lone Ranger? Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
God always wants us to live in community. God does His greatest work in community. Our COVID experience has created a lot of loneliness and a disconnect in families and communities. We have disconnected from our workplaces, and we like that. The reality is that there is something about being connected with people that is very powerful.
Some people have decided that they love doing church disconnected, and that the online experience isn’t so bad. You don't have to get dressed, put on makeup, or even leave your house. You can do church and hear the Word preached or watch a Bible study online. You can put it on pause or skip it all together. Many people think that is how life is.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We were made to live in community. Without community, we are left with loneliness, and that is a sad thing.
Maybe, that is where you are today. Maybe you are fighting battles within on why you have drifted. Maybe, you are still here physically, but emotionally or spiritually you are disconnected from where you used to be. You find yourself isolated without purpose and a sense of value.
If that’s you, trust that there is hope for you, friend! There are plenty of people who once knew what it was like to be alone who have since been found. They have learned how to join God in bringing hope to other people. God sometimes allows us to experience pain, isolation, and purposelessness in our lives, so we will realize what God has for our lives. Don’t miss out on how He wants to bless you through the community He’s placed in your life.
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January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
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March
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2 Comments
There are people disconnected and not by choice. Jesus loves and helps them by carrying their burdens while God's will unfolds in their life. There are people who preach being connected to their community but, are disconnected. They are dead in sin. And still further there are people who choose to be disconnected. Their pain is the greatest and God's mercy and grace for their salvation is only a moment away. No one knows what God's intentions are for anyone's connectedness or community involvement. His will for you is guided by the Holy Spirit and your relationship with Jesus assures that you are blessed with good people in your life when you need them or they need you.
The Lord has placed on my heart to pray for those around me, our neighbors and family members, to purposely reach out to them and meet them where they are in life. Sometimes, it's just a friendly greeting with our neighbors or a phone call or text to encourage a family member or friend or share a message like these from Pastor Dobbs to let them know we are thinking about them. And, we can always pray! If we ask the Lord, He will show us how to love our neighbor as ourselves and what that looks like . When we pour ourselves out, we are filled. ðŸ™