Koinonia
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NASB)

The question was asked. Who has had the greatest spiritual impact on my life? I thought of how my mom models compassionate-boldness. I thought of how my dad lives servant-leadership. The way my father-in-law demonstrates “working through your stuff” biblically, and how my mother-in-law comforts like Jesus. The circle kept expanding to my sisters and close friends. And then, I thought of my church family… Those who vulnerably shared their own faith journey as they walked beside me on mine. It made me realize how insanely blessed I am, but it also presented quite the challenge. How in the world was I supposed to pick one?

But maybe that’s the point. How beautiful that the fellowship of Believers is a diversity of individuals - - bound by our imperfection but redeemed by our Savior. And how incredible that we come together to fill different spiritual needs at different seasons of life. Small group leaders who mentored me in high school. Individuals I seek now for Godly wisdom. Sermons or books the Holy Spirit uses to speak to my soul. Encouragement from my church family.

The greatest spiritual impact has been a quilt of many beautiful voices, each with different gifts and strengths in different seasons of life. And the common denominator was that each chose to use those gifts to love God through actively loving others.

The greatest spiritual impact on my life can be summed up by the Greek word “koinonia.” It’s often associated with Christian fellowship or the community of Believers: the Church. It’s used throughout Scripture, but I was drawn to its definition. It goes beyond fellowship and “being together.”  It includes words like “contribution… participation… and sharing.” [1] Half the time koinonia is used to communicate our relationship with God, but the other half describes examples of the early Church and how they supported each other.

How amazing is our God that He uses imperfect people to come together and contribute to other Believers’ lives, participate in each other’s joys and sorrows and share our gifts for the glory of God.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Take time to look at Acts 2:42-47. What do you notice about how the early Church focused on impacting others spiritually?

2.    Take time to make a list of who has impacted you spiritually. Find a way to tell those people this week.

FURTHER READING:
Acts 2; 1 John 1:6-7

Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband - Andrew, her daughter - Sloane, and her dog -  Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.

[1] Bible Study Tools: Koinonia entry

Love in the Midst of Suffering
by Sarah Walker

“My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

The accident changed everything. Even though I was only 7 years old, I distinctly remember attending prayer vigils for my grandpa. He had fallen 30 feet head first to the asphalt below after a semi-truck collided with his bucket truck. Miraculously, he survived and lived for an additional 16 years. Every day after the accident was filled with pain, challenges and obstacles; but these never caused him to lose his faith.

Fast forward over a decade later from the accident. I was on break from school visiting my grandparents when my grandpa brought out one of his daily diaries from years ago, so he could read to me what he wrote on the day I was born. It was an expression of love and care that has remained with me ever since. He wanted to show me how valuable I was to him, and he demonstrated it in such a way that I could both hear and receive. Despite all his challenges, he went out of his way to show me how much I meant to both him and my grandma and how loved I was.

All the more, how meaningful is it that God went out of his way to show us how much He loved us by sending Jesus to pay for our sins. What love and selflessness! Yet, all too often, we as humans are unable to hear or receive His love. We think we must earn it. And so, God uses us to be shadows of His love to one another - - as he used my grandpa for me. Once we have a grasp of God’s love for us, for other believers and all mankind… We may actively reflect his love to those around us.

We don’t have to be smart, healthy or “have it all together.” After his accident, my grandpa was none of these. Due to his head injury, he was permanently reduced to the mental capacity of a third grader. By the world’s standards, he certainly did not appear to be the best person for God to use. But God uses the simple to confound the wise and the weak to best the strong. [1] May we be willing stewards of God’s love, letting the light of His love shine to those around us, even if only in “simple” ways.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Who has shown God’s love to you?

2.    How can you demonstrate God’s love to someone else?

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:11

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer and are expecting to welcome their third child in January.

[1] 1 Corinthians 1:27

Waiting
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

I was able to finish the school year, clean my classroom and finish report cards without having gone into labor. Now…We waited. She could come at any moment in the next four days before I was scheduled to be induced.

Waiting isn’t exclusive to the final days of pregnancy. In seasons of waiting, sometimes it’s for an answer or next step. And sometimes the answer takes a few days or many years. In Scripture, Hannah waited years for a child, and the disciples waited for days for the Holy Spirit to come. In my life, some have waited for a job change or for a relationship to be reconciled. Yes, waiting is a part of life. But regardless of the length or circumstance, I’ve recently been reminded of some unchanging truths:

·         God is constant in the waiting. Despite the circumstance, despite the answer after the waiting, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” [1] His power, His grace and His love do not change despite the outcome of our waiting.

·         God is in control in the waiting. He has preordained it according to His timing and His will. Our waiting is often because God has orchestrated it for “…such a time as this.” [2] Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that “…we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” His plan may not be our own, but it is for our good.

·         God uses waiting to develop patience and grow us. “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” [3] All Believers are waiting for Jesus to return. Patience is a byproduct of this waiting, and He uses our time of waiting to draw ourselves, and others, closer to Him.

Today and every day, may we be faithful in the seasons of waiting… however long and whatever the circumstance.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Reflect on your own season(s) of waiting. Or take time to read Philippians 3:20 and meditate on how all Believers are awaiting Jesus’ return.

2.    Using any of the verses listed, spend time today in Scripture.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 27:13-14; Lamentations 3:25; Micah 7:7

Lexi Ellis is currently an adoring mom to her first child. She is busy with all the things that motherhood brings as well as building a new home. She continues to write for Fresh Start amidst the many changes.

[1] Hebrews 13:8

[2] Esther 4:14b

[3] James 5:7-8

What is His Name?
By Peggy Kleckner

“He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth - - the LORD God Almighty is His name.”
Amos 4:13 (NIV)

"Oh what is his name?" How often have we uttered that phrase followed by "you know the one that did such and such or played so and so in that movie." We say what we know about a person to help describe them, so that someone will fill in the name that is lost on the tip of our tongue. Imagine the conversation: " You know the One who forms the mountains and creates the wind." "The One who turns dawn to darkness." Would your friend's face become clouded over? Who doesn't know God?

Truthfully, there are days I remember His name, but I forget what I should know about Him! When I am being overwhelmed by the "stuff" of life, when life isn't looking "fair," when it looks like the darkness is winning...those are the times I struggle. Does He care? Where is He? Does He really have a plan for me? One morning, God used the dawn. It came quietly, no great noise. Gradually, it overcame the darkness. Suddenly I could see out the window, where before all was black and my vision was of no use. In my thoughts, I dared to question further, "What about when the darkness returns?" But then I recalled that the darkness does not overtake the light, the light leaves. Darkness is powerless when we hold on to the light...our hope.

God is sovereign. He orchestrates our lives. Look for Him in all of your situations. If you are in darkness, look up, reach out and grab the hand that knows the way. Open His Word and allow Him again to remind you of who He is and all that He is capable of. Stand fast; our Creator-Redeemer lives.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you have a harder time recognizing God in the darkness or in the light?
2. What have you learned about Him in both places?

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 1:3-5; Exodus 10:21-23; Exodus 20:20-21 

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

Greater Love
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God…”
1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Vesta Burgess was a mother. She gave birth to eight children and loved them each deeply. The seventh child was born severely physically and mentally disabled. This child never talked, never crawled, never walked. Each day of this child’s 14 years, Vesta fed her, cleaned her, spoke to her, and prayed for her. While many only saw this child as a burden, and in fact, pushed Vesta to institutionalize her daughter, Vesta saw only a gift from God that she was to nurture. What great love!

Mr. McKay was an elderly man who believed in helping impoverished students to achieve their college dreams. A man of means, he would allow young men to live in his home near campus rent-free in exchange for household chores. Even upon his death, his will stipulated that first his assets were to be used to help any students currently living with him to obtain student housing for the balance of the school year. What great love!

Mike’s* wife is leaving him. Oh, she’s still in the house, but she has been diagnosed with dementia. Daily he sees changes in the woman he loves. Her physical prognosis is good, but her mind is wasting away. He is determined to care for her, despite the emotional and financial challenges facing them for many years to come. What great love!

Jesus commanded us to love sacrificially. We may not have to face dying in the place of someone else, as He did for us, but each of us is charged to lay down our lives…put others first…make another person’s needs a priority. You may not have a loved one that needs physical care. You may not be able to spend a lot of money. Sacrificial love doesn’t have to be extreme. It can be listening, encouraging, or lending a hand.

By the way, my father was the last student who stayed with Mr. McKay. Without the free room, Dad could not have gone to college. Vesta Burgess was my grandmother and I was blessed to have been loved by her, too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of a way today to show someone a little love beyond what you might normally do. And then do it! Some ideas: sending a note, giving a caretaker or young mom a break, or calling a friend with whom you’ve lost touch.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 5:8; John 15:12-13

*Name changed for privacy

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative and serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader.

The Next Step

by Becci Terrill

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

Whoosh!

In a split second, my feet went out from under me, and I lay motionless on the ground. As I gathered my thoughts, I realized that my right foot was not where it ought to be - -  tucked neatly under my body. Instead, it had gone a different direction. I reached down, picked it up and placed it back where I thought it should be, then lay still in the snow.

What now?

After an ambulance ride and emergency room visit, I lay at home with my ankle set and bandaged, facing surgery and months of recovery. This was not part of “the plan.” This was not “supposed” to happen. I had prayed about being in that place at that time. God had directed. I had followed. I was supposed to be speaking the next morning, sharing with a group of women what God had given to me for them. Surely He wanted me to finish the work He had called me to do?

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps,”   read the verse written in a card from a friend (Proverbs 16:9).  Does that mean this step too, Lord?

As I lay with elevated foot, the Holy Spirit reminded me what God’s Word said…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Isaiah 29:11)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes for them.”  (Romans 8:28)

God’s Word is constant and true in every situation - - even the unexpected “steps” that take us down a new path to a new destination. Does this mean that we shouldn’t make plans?

It certainly does not; however, it does  mean that our “expected destination” may be different than the destination God has planned. Scripture is filled with examples of this happening in the lives of those who loved God.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”  

Yes, even the unexpected ones.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Has there been a time when God re-directed your steps? How did He use this re-direction for good?
2. What “next step” are you considering? Have you taken it to the Lord?

FURTHER READING:

Read the stories of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-47), Esther, Ruth and Daniel in the Old Testament (the last three are found in books by the same name). See how God took seemingly “bad” circumstances and worked them out for good.

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Oakwood Church.

Aware
By Lexi Cole Ellis

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)

I have a confession. I unequivocally love my car’s AC. It’s slightly ridiculous how happy having air conditioning in my car makes me - - probably because the last two cars I drove did not have it. Yes, having the windows down worked great and owning any vehicle that reliably gets you from point A to point B is a privilege and blessing. But I now find myself aware of the benefits of AC and often find myself thinking: Really, this is the best.

Once we’ve experienced the better, we are aware of it… even with something as stupid as air conditioning. So in such a more massive and life-changing way, when we are aware of God’s gift of grace, we are drawn towards continual thanksgiving.

In the verse above, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. Believers were diverse and needed to live counter-culturally to the sinful, social norms of the city. The above verse calls all Believers to be aware of God’s ever-expanding grace, and how it causes thanksgiving. Before this verse, Paul reminds them (and us) that we are to be aware of what life was like before knowing Him.

Because there are so many that do not have a personal relationship with God, Paul writes about the importance of not veiling the Gospel, being a light to a dark world and choosing perseverance in trials. And then his following words show the necessity of awareness: “…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” When we are aware of how great His gift is to us, it then causes overflowing thanksgiving. [1]

understand air conditioning in my car is a silly thing to adore. In the grand scheme of things, it’s so unnecessary. But there are moments that I’m aware of it because I’ve known what life was like without it. How much more so then should we, as Believers, pause and reflect on what God has done in our lives - - meditate on how His grace has impacted us - - and turn to overflowing gratitude.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    How can you make prayer a priority this week and focus on sharing your gratitude with God?

2.    One way we stay aware of God’s gift is to share our story of our life before and after salvation. Take time this week to write down how God has saved you, or share it with someone close to you.

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 4:1-15; Psalm 9:1; Colossians 3:16-17

Lexi Ellis is currently an adoring mom to her first child. She is busy with all the things that motherhood brings as well as building a new home. She continues to write for Fresh Start amidst the many changes.

[1] 2 Corinthians 4:2-15

Hail

By Peggy Kleckner

“I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD.”

Haggai 2:17 (NIV)

We once experienced hail in our area. To many, it was an inconvenience, an oddity. It lasted only a short period of time. Maybe it kept them indoors; maybe they had to run for cover while they were at the State Fair; maybe they watched from a front room window. Did it bring to anyone’s heart the thought of God? His sovereignty?

What about those with gardens? Did they see the work of their hands demolished in a few short minutes? The work of their hands - - breaking up the soil, planting, weeding, watering, pruning etc. - - all perhaps brought to ruin in a few short minutes. Were they just beginning to harvest the fruit of their labor? Did it seem unfair or even cruel? Were they angry, seeing God as unjust?

Let’s broaden our view. What about the droughts, the mudslides, the hurricanes? Are these also not under the sovereign hand of God? Are not all of these things troubling our world today, impacting all of us?

Who then is seeking God? The verse above says that God Himself struck their work and then it says sadly, “yet you did not turn to me.” God is not cruel; He is compassionate. If the fruit of our own work brings contentment without God, it isn’t true contentment. We have been seduced by a lie, blinded by the enemy. Our days will end without Him and we will have lost the greater for a meager handful.

It is His compassion that demolishes the work of our hands in order to help us seek the greater, a relationship with Him. A relationship built on truth, not lies.

We are implored to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” Seek Him first. Acknowledge that He is God, acknowledge our need for the saving grace of His Son, Jesus. Without Jesus, there can be no restored relationship with God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. None of us is God. We all need Jesus. It is the recognition of our neediness that draws us back to God.

Is it God’s intent to demolish? No, it is His intent to bless. Haggai 2:19 (NIV) says this: “Is there any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on, I will bless you.”

Come, let us return to the LORD.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Where in your life are you experiencing famine, drought or hail?

2.  Instead of trying harder are you willing to seek God?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 30:15-18; Psalm 103; John 12:44-46

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

Empty Baskets
By Elin Henderson

“And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.” 
John 6:11 (NKJV)

This is such a familiar story to so many of us, the feeding of the 5,000 (plus). Far beyond being a simple story, it is such a beautiful picture of our relationship with our Savior and our need to go to Him for our own needs and the needs of others. The disciples were given a task beyond their capabilities. To feed a crowd of 5,000 plus is no small job! They brought their meager provisions before the Master realizing the insufficiency of them and He supplied above and beyond that which they could ask or think. It was the hands and feet of the disciples that got the bread to the needy people. Jesus was there as the provider.

Now, perhaps I am taking some spiritual and scriptural license here, but I wonder how the disciples carried the food to the people! Obviously, 12 men could not carry enough bread and fish to feed over 5,000 hungry people. Because baskets are mentioned, I am going to assume they used those. They took what they could, went to as many people as they could and then did what? When the supply they had ran out and their baskets were empty, did they try to start fabricating more bread and fish on their own? No, I’m imagining they went back to the Master for more provisions! They knew where the source was!

Many times our Master gives us the provision to reach out to a hungry and needy world around us. Our sufficiency just isn’t enough! We can’t come up with a plan, let alone the provision to meet the need. He gives us all we need, equips and provides for us, and asks us to be His hands and feet to go and meet the needs of others. But, like the Israelites in the wilderness gathering just enough manna for that day (any more would have just gone bad), our Master gives us just what we need for that day and asks us to come to Him when that runs out. Like the disciples, may we take our empty baskets to the Master and ask Him to fill them and equip us for reaching out to the lost world in which we live and work. And, when our manna runs out, may we immediately return to the source, stock up and set out again!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What task has the Lord laid on your heart? In what ways has He asked you to be His hands and feet? Where are you going for the provision for that task?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:29

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias. 

Selfless Love

By Susan Klein

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:12 (NIV)

It’s a couple weeks after a little girl’s birthday, and her mother stumbles across a gift she’s forgotten in the bottom of a closet. She purchased the adorable swimming suit months ago, knowing as soon as she saw it that it screamed her daughter’s name! Dilemma…Give it to her anyway? Save it for next summer? She already received two other swimming suits as gifts, though not quite as special as this one.

Her younger daughter was about to have a birthday. Hmm…They are approximately the same size. She would love it, too. But it was intended for the first daughter. And then an idea developed.

Desiring to teach her daughter about selfless love, this thoughtful mom brought out the forgotten suit, explained what had happened and then bravely asked if she would consider gifting it to her younger sister for her birthday. While most five year olds might have protested, (rightfully) cried, or even refused, this sweet girl only looked at her mom incredulously for the slightest millisecond and then selflessly agreed.

Had this gift not been so perfect for the first daughter, giving away the suit that screamed her name might not have seemed such a huge request. How often does our loving, heavenly Father lavish wonderful gifts on us that He might actually intend for us to give away? Do we respond so graciously?

A young couple receives an unexpected bonus just before Christmas. They dream of the things they might do with it. Then God shows them some dear people who have fallen on hard times. Dilemma…Do they keep the bonus? Do they share some of it? Do they give it all away? They know it isn’t really theirs to keep. It belongs to the Giver.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” [1] Our heavenly Father sets the example for us of selfless love. Having nothing to gain, He showers us with gifts. It is solely for our blessing. And sometimes, He does it so we have the wonderful opportunity to bless someone else.

The little girl…She had a huge smile on her face as she watched her sister open the treasured gift that was originally meant for her. The young couple…They gave the whole bonus to the family, not knowing that it was the exact amount needed for the family’s mortgage payment.

Each, in their selfless acts of love, was the recipient of an even greater gift!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How might God be calling you to selflessly love on someone?

2. How will you respond?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 2:1-18

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

[1] James 1:17

Danger in Safety

By Brita Crouse

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

I am learning that sometimes in life, it feels easier to “play it safe” than to take risks. However, as our verse above tells us, as Christians, we should have a very different mindset about how to live. As easy as it seems to live comfortably, we are called to follow Christ, which doesn’t necessarily mean living in safety.

The book Crazy Love  addresses this idea of “safe living” with these words:

“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.” [1]

The Bible gives us numerous examples of Christ-followers who lived for Christ, not for comfort. David hid in caves as he was pursued by Saul because of his appointment as ruler over Israel. Moses led an exodus while warding off Egyptians, fielding complaints, and acting as mediator between God and His people. Paul was imprisoned for doing the Lord’s work and Peter was crucified for being a follower of Jesus. These people, by any standard, were not living comfortably, but they were being obedient to Christ.

My brother has been on a two-month journey working as an intern with orphanages in Latvia. He has many excuses and reasons not do to this, (namely, it’s far away and the unstable political climate in Eastern Europe), but in faith, he has chosen to be obedient. My parents have received many questions and concerns about his safety also, but they have taken on the attitude of, “Who are we as parents to tell him to disobey his Father?”

We have all sorts of things that lull us into feeling secure, like seatbelts and helmets and financial stability. It is very important to be wise, but there is danger in “playing it safe.” It is when we feel comfortable that we forget our true purpose in this life: to be a follower of Christ.

Let us not exclusively and excessively concern ourselves with safety, but rather leave the protecting to God. Instead, let us pray that we, as well as others, would be used by God to further His kingdom. Let’s take a risk and practice obedience.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Listen to “The Cost” by Rend Collective Experiment. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2TxahqbSbU)
2. Is there a situation in your life where God is calling you out of comfort?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 28:18b, 19; Joshua 1:9

Brita recently moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where she works as an Elementary School Counselor. She and her family have attended Oakwood for 20 years.

[1] Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Elgin, IL: David C. Cook, 2008), 133.  

Harmless
By Sarah Walker

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

The well-attested conclusion about my current condition is that it is harmless. Regardless, it’s not very fun. And it has meant I have had to seriously scale back on the number of things I can accomplish in one day. I’ve also had to heavily rely on help from my husband and kids. My body is currently making me feel like something negative is going on - - when exactly the opposite is true.

This being my third pregnancy, the frequent companions of nausea and fatigue are not new to me. And I know from experience that this season will eventually pass, resulting in getting to meet a new life. The side effects may outwardly appear to be negative, but the greater reality is that this new baby is healthy and thriving.

Sometimes, this is how our life situations are. There are many fellow believers who suffer in various forms. Some might even suffer from a physical condition that could ultimately end in death. This does not appear to be “harmless suffering.”

But take a step back and view things from God’s perspective. For those who follow Jesus Christ, death is not the end! Death is not where our story ceases. Jesus has conquered death, and so we can rest assured in our final victory over death where we will live forever with Jesus. The trials and sufferings we face here on this earth, no matter how great, are indeed harmless in the light of eternity.

It doesn’t mean it won’t come with sadness or grief or great pain. But perhaps, like my early pregnancy experience, our sufferings will eventually pass, and we will one day see fruit from our times of hardship that we never would have been able to see had we not walked on that path in the first place.

No matter how difficult your situation may seem, when you are a follow of Jesus, your soul is secure and nothing can separate you from His love…not even suffering or death. In fact, the trials you face could one day point to the fact that “new life” was then growing inside of you during that time - - even when your body and your emotions told you exactly the opposite.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Apply this eternal perspective to whatever hardships you are facing today.

FURTHER READING:
Luke 12:4; Philippians 1:20-23; James 1:2

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer and are expecting to welcome their third child in January.

Communication is Key

By Stephanie LaCasse

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

It is 4:27am. Why am I awake? I couldn’t fall back to sleep despite being tired. My mind began to wander, and I started to think about my relationship with God - - my lack of closeness with the King. I started to think about what I know about prayer and becoming close to God. I know that when I am not in the Word and praying, my relationship with God suffers.

I recently took a class through my city called The Citizen Police Academy. It was a ten-week class that focused on what the police do, and the different abilities they have which included the inner workings of their specific tasks. It was incredibly interesting. Through this class I met a man named Phil. He was an older gentleman who was very kind to me. We sat next to each other after week 2 and became friends. While the class was going on, and since it has ended, we have been in communication via email as friends. My regular communication with Phil has kept our relationship going.

It is the same way with prayer. If I am not communicating with my God (like emailing with my friend), we lose touch and drift. THAT is when I feel the lack of closeness with my King. Though He is always there, I am not. A friend in college put it this way: “When we are not communicating with God, it is us who lose out. Not God.” We are missing the deep relationship we can have with God by not communicating with Him.

God has shown over and over again in his Word that we must come to Him… just as we are. Come to Him no matter if it’s small stuff or big stuff. He wants it all. He wants the mess. He wants the desire to pick us up like the small children that we are, dust off our knees and show us that we are loved as we are.

If you find yourself lying in bed and wide awake, talk to the King of the Universe. Delight in spending time with Him. He cares about the big things and, YES, even the small trivial stuff. As a result, your relationship will grow and become stronger. You will notice and so will others around you.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Is there something pressing on your heart that you need to be bringing to the King of Kings?
2. Encourage others to go to the King when they come to you. While friendships are important, relationship with the King is invaluable.

FURTHER READING:

1 Timothy 2:1; Luke 18:1; 1 Chronicles 16:11

Stephanie is a mom of three young sons, works at a law firm, and is wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army.