COMMUNITY
A couple of weeks ago we had a week of "Gratitude". This week, I am going to walk us through "Community".
So many of our Brothers and Sisters are living through situations that they did not see coming. So many of us are enduring challenges, loss, hurts... and doing so alone.
Many of us have threads snagging our souls, and the Holiday Season often pulls those snags into full tears.
Let me remind us... YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
There is a community that surrounds you. There is a community that cares for you. There is a community that loves you.
And a Savior that never leaves you.
This week, let us all be reminded to be present with one another. Let us make time and make room for one another.
"Community".
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MONDAY
"so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another." - Romans 12:5 NRSV
A community of believers living in occupied lands, in a system built to punish, supported by a government of evil and corrupt officials.
The way of life for the Christians under Roman Rule was hard. Some had to worship in secret. The plague of the politics of that day weaponized isolation against the people.
Today we live under a different plague. And isolation is still its strongest weapon.
Sisters and Brothers, as today's scripture says, we may be individuals, but we are all part of one body of Christ.
Let us face these times and all that is happening with one another. The body has a lot of machinery that makes it work. We are part of each other. We work together, we live together, we love together.
You are a member of me. I am a member of you.
We are not alone.
Be Blessed, Beloved
- Rev. Damon
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TUESDAY
“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25
Many of us love the first half of this verse; we get to PROVOKE people. Provoking is fun… especially when we are “right”. However, Sisters and Brothers, there is a second half… “not neglecting to meet together.”
What does that mean? As we are in a community with one another, there will be moments when the words we speak, can be provoking, agitational.
Those words can be right, and come from a place of love because we want to move each other to be love.
But there is a catch, the provoking to love we do is not to be so provocative that we separate, but inspire us to continue to meet together.
The habit of the stubborn, the habit of the lazy, the habit of those who do not want to admit their mistakes, the habit of the jealous and envious are to stop meeting.
Those based in habit-based in love are to encourage one another. Let us encourage each other and remind each other that the DAY is coming.
The Day is coming when peace will be perfect. The Day is coming when all will be forgiving. The Day is coming when joy will replace all tears. The DAY IS COMING!
Until that DAY comes, let's be right there with each other, provoking you to love… with love… from love.
Be Blessed, Beloved.
- Rev. Damon
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WEDNESDAY
“And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Not wanting to be left out, just like the Old Testament, the New Testament has some “Do’s” and “Don’ts” as well.
As we journeying with each other, we have a “Do” from the New Testament.
In whatever community we find ourselves in, be it family, friends, groupings, etc., we are to “encourage the fainthearted, help the weak”. And let's face it, that is ALL OF US.
To journey with each other, we must be in a relationship with one another. True authentic encouragement and help comes from being in relationship.
We must listen when we ask, “how are you?” We must shut-up and pay attention to those we are in community with. We must be compassionate, authentic and loving.
Why? Because we all are going through some really tough times right now. We may not know each other’s pressure points, or how our people may react to the pressures they are going through.
Therefore, we must be patient with all of them, with the faint-hearted and the weak.
Just as in Thessalonia, the times are hard. And sometimes, it is hard to see Jesus in these times.
Disappointments, despair, loneliness, anxiety, and fear is abounding and stalking members of our communities.
Let us be patient and kind, and remember to love our community as Jesus loves us.
Be Blessed, Beloved.
- Rev. Damon
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THANKSGIVING
“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, “ - Acts 2:46
“They broke bread at home”. It’s Thanksgiving. A day meant to remember everything that we are thankful for and to share our thanks with others.
Brothers and Sisters, today, remember those who are at home. Break bread with them. Find a way to make a phone call, send a text, use the virtual meet apps, and break bread with another.
Let us spend more time together, physically or virtually, and break bread in the home.
Enjoy the day!
Be Blessed, Beloved.
Rev. Damon
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FRIDAY
"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." - 1 Peter 4:10 NRSV
We are in a season that reminds us to give "thanks", and this week we are talking "community".
Our community, our family, our friends need us... and we need them.
We all have received grace from God, let us live our thanks to God by sharing our grace with others.
The Grace we have received is our testimony. Our testimony can help others through this season, perhaps even through this day.
Let us use our gifts, no matter what they are, and share how much we all have to be thankful for.
Jesus is still here. Jesus is still blessing us. Jesus is still loving us.
Let us use our gifts to share with our community how much we have to be Thankful for during this Thanksgiving!
Be Blessed, Beloved!!!
- Rev. Damon