Dear Church Family –
The news this week has been dominated by death and destruction.
Hurricane Helene cut a swath over 500 miles long from Florida to the Appalachians leaving over a 160 dead, millions out of power, houses swept away, and roads collapsed.
In Israel, Iran fired more than 200 missiles at Israel, and Israeli forces have gone into Lebanon on a limited ground war operation.
We should pray for and grieve with those who are suffering. “Weep with those who weep,” Romans 12:15.
But what keeps us from despair? Where do we find peace and comfort in such a tumultuous world?
Knowing that God has salted the earth with caring people.
Knowing that God will use suffering in our lives. “Suffering is never for nothing,” said Elisabeth Elliott.
Knowing that God is with us through the storm.
Knowing that Jesus is coming back to make things right.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
The political scene creates a lot of noise and heat, but the real work of the world is done by individual Christians who love their neighbor as themselves (Galatians 5:14), and who love in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).
Here’s a couple of trusted ways to give online to help with hurricane relief: samaritanspurse.org or wng.org/sos.
Thank you for your love and care for Israel, for fellow Americans in Helene’s path, for your church family, and for your neighbors. “Most of the good in the world is done by ordinary people with ordinary gifts but an extraordinary commitment to using those gifts.” (Fred Smith)
With hope in Christ and His Word – Pastor Tim
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