Dear Northside
As we have gone through the book of Ruth, we have seen God at work in the background leading and guiding. Last Sunday we saw that this gives us encouragement when we are discouraged or in a place of emptiness. But we also saw that when we come through those times of emptiness, God gives us a testimony to encourage others.
This month the Bible App from YouVersion is doing a Global Bible Month. If you do not have this App on your phone, we would encourage you to get it. If you do not know how to get it, contact the church office and we can assist you. If you have the App, I hope you are joining in the Global Bible Month.
Today’s devotion is on “Encouragement That Builds”, which builds on nicely from some of the themes from Ruth.
Have you ever regretted not taking the time to speak life or truth over someone? Maybe they were going through a hard time, and you weren’t sure what to say, but you felt like you could have—and should have—said something.
When Paul, the author of 1 Thessalonians, is writing to the church in Thessalonika, he gives them some practical advice…
Paul tells the church to continue to encourage one another and keep building each other up. This was something they were already doing, but Paul felt it necessary to remind them to keep doing this.
Encouragement can change someone’s attitude. It can lift someone out of a dark place. It can remind them of what’s true when the truth feels foggy. Speaking life and truth over someone can give them the hope and determination they need to push through a hard season.
Maybe you can remember a time when someone encouraged you during a challenging season of life, and the difference it made for you. Paul is encouraging us to do that for others.
The Church is meant to be a place of encouragement. We should never leave any encouragement unspoken, but should generously lift each other up.
Spend some time today thinking about someone in your life who you can encourage. It might be someone who’s going through a hard time, or someone who simply needs to be reminded that others care about them. Never let encouragement go unspoken. Take a moment to speak life.
If you are in need of some encouragement, please let us know, as sometimes we are not aware of your situation.
We are 2 weeks away from the start of our Advent series. Please watch out for the program and join us for as many events as you are able. And invite as many friends as possible and family to come along with you. This is one way you can tell people about Jesus. I have downloaded an Advent Devotion for families. If you would like an electronic copy, please let me know and I can send it to you.
Please do not forget the Church Ordinary General Meeting next Sunday after the service. I know it is on the same day as the Prayer Breakfast, but I could not change this. I have made sure this does not happen in 2026. Please make every effort to attend as we look back over this year as well as start looking forward to next year. We will also have short reports from a ministry and a mission.
God bless, Pastor Gary