​Airport Road

Church of Christ 

Volume 51      Sept. 15, 2024       Number 35                                                                                                                                                  FROM YOUR MINISTER: As part of my morning devotionals, I often get still and meditate on a verse from God’s word. Actually, I have printed three pages of Bible passages using the word “wait”! As I slowly breathe, I silently repeat a verse over and over. I am quietly waiting. One of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31. “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” In being still and waiting and reflecting, there is spiritual strength and energy. Thank You, Lord!

QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:  Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. – John Ortberg                   

  It is in the course of our feeble and very imperfect waiting that God Himself, by His hidden power, strengthens us and works out in us the patience of the great saints, the patience of Christ Himself.      – Andrew Murray                                                                  Blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord's people have always been a waiting people. - Charles Spurgeon

THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all  comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

FAMILY NEWS:   The church will host a buffet dinner at San Marcos Grill on East Winnie Lane following Bruce’s final sermon next Sunday. See Kathy Fosnaugh as she needs a headcount.                             

We rejoice that, although evacuated, Susan Biegler’s and Steve and Linda Beach’s homes have been safe from the Davis Creek fire, and the Beaches are with family in Washington state.               

WAIT?                                                             But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. — Romans 8:25

Thought

I'm not good at waiting. I don't like waiting for Christmas. I don't like waiting in line to check out or check in somewhere. I don't like waiting for someone who is late. I don't like waiting for a surprise. I don't like to wait for.... well, you get the idea, I don't like to wait. But my hope in the Lord gives me patience beyond my human tendency. As much as the Lord has blessed me, I'm fully confident that I can't even begin to imagine the good things Jesus has in store for me when he comes again! So, while I wait, I try to stay busy, busy loving my Father in heaven and busy sharing his grace with others.

Prayer

Thank you, dear Father, for the patience I possess as I await Jesus' coming. This patience is beyond my normal inclination, and I recognize it as a gift from your indwelling Spirit. Bless my efforts at leading others to know Jesus and to find salvation in him. Bless my faith so that it will be strong and endure my waiting. Please bless my life, not with worldly goods but with godly patience and compassionate character, so I can be a light to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
                              ~Phil Ware, heartlight.org

PRAYERTIME: Teach me Lord, to wait right down on my knees. ~Stuart Hamblen, 1953 Let us continue to pray concerning the Davis Creek fire, all the first responders, and those who have lost homes and possessions. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as the congregation moves forward following Bruce’s retirement.  Bailey Griffin  continues to go through medical testing and appreciates your prayers and concerns. Sue Biegler requests prayers for her son Mark Tuthill in Southern California as he cares for his aging father. Let us be in daily prayer for our nation during times such as these. We also pray for the difficulties and struggles of people throughout the world.   Keep praying for Pete and Lori Mendez through his cancer and her Parkinson’s disease. Please be praying for Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Evelyn Hadnot’s mother in the Philippines (continued health issues), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), and Al and Susan Sheehan (on waiting list for assisted living). Please be  praying for persecuted Christians around the world and for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin   2 Chronicles 33:13 When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST Please be praying for Sister Diana Buffaloe of the Gardnerville congregation who has had a severe stroke and is in Renown hospital.