Faithful Love Endures

Faithful Love Endures

“The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8

In our study in Mark this week, we’ve been encouraged to choose a verse to commit to memory. It could be any verse of our choosing—from Mark 3:1-4:34—or consider Philippians 1:6 or Psalm 138:8.

I found the combination of Philippians 1:6 and Psalm 138:8 to be incredibly comforting in a week that began with a devastating plane crash, and continued at a rapid-fire pace of preparation for CCEA’s tour to Israel—all overshadowed by sorrow over the impending loss of a most precious “fur baby.” Frankly, I’m not enough to face the onslaught of the enemy’s forces, but—Praise God—my Savior is. I choose to stand with Jesus, my shield and refuge, my Deliverer.

Do you need these promises—these reassurances—today? Do you need to remember—to believe—that Almighty God, the One who spoke the Universe into existence, cares about you and what you are going through? Dear Sister, be encouraged in the faithful love that endures forever.

“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you (us), will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Psalm 138:7-8a, Philippians 1:6

Please pray for those going through tough times, especially our Yorba Linda neighbors who are reeling from the plane crash in their quiet neighborhood. Also, please pray for our sisters and brothers who are joining Amir this Friday to “Behold Israel.”

Amir closes his messages with the Aaronic blessing.

“Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, ‘The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:23-26

by Marilyn Allison

How to Live Out Sisterhood When You Live in the 'Mommyhood'

How to Live Out Sisterhood When You Live in the 'Mommyhood'

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” 1 Peter 3:8

I have one big brother; and he is all brother. When we were kiddos, his love language was messing with me. I believed his Every. Single. Word. Stuff, like-

At the age of 12, I’d be sent to live on an Indian Reservation to make bead necklaces for the rest of my life--because I was a girl.

And…

Dr. Pepper was called “Dr. Pepper” because you were supposed to pour red crushed peppers in before you drank up.

I’m relieved my parents forgot to send me away, and eventually, I traded sucking red crushed peppers through stubborn straws for my beloved non-fat, with-whip, mochas.

My whole life I’ve had the 'fun' of knowing what it means to have a brother, but not a sister. Last week my daughter received a letter with the precious words crayoned,

“Ciana, you can call me Sister”.

I read it over and over. All the feel-goods sprinkled over my spirit. My cousin’s daughter had written them. She’s adopted from Uganda and understands more than most—love makes a family.

And God is that love. We enter a loving relationship with God; strike down genetic laws; and become sisters with other believers. But it doesn’t always feel that way.

If someone at church has referred to me as ‘sister’, I’ve figured they forgot my name. Honestly, there are times when hearing it from random ladies makes me roll my eyes. Why can it feel so patronizing?

When it’s stripped down, we may be sisters in God’s family, but we often struggle to treat one another that way. It's not on purpose. We're busy. We're tired. We're overwhelmed keeping precious little humans alive. We forget to really pray when we say we will.

When someone in a family struggles, it affects the whole household. If something is lost, all grubby fingers dig under the couch cushions to find it. If one kiddo hurls their body into the mini-van late, all the kiddos run like hyenas to get to class on time.

If you’re in a healthy family, your lives are intertwined. But if you don’t live under the same roof, this gets tough.

I think of the letters between Ciana and Milla. At such a young age, they're making an effort to keep their lives intertwined. And that’s the key…they're intentional.

True sisterhood speaks these words:

When you struggle, my spirit will wrestle in prayer for you.
When you’re lost in an area of life, I’ll search God’s word for answers with you.
When you feel you’ll never make it to the finish line, I’ll carry your heavy diaper bag.

But how can we authenticate our spoken words of sisterhood when life is so....much?

Here are three things I’ve found to be practical, powerful & completely do-able:

1. Fast together.

When a friend lays out a deep concern over coffee, I offer to fast with them for a week over the issue. Fasting doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can simply mean going without something you enjoy and replacing it with specific prayer. I typically choose to stop eating sugar. The struggle is so for real. Every time I'm all cravy, I stop right there and pray for whatever unique trial my friend is dealing with.

2. Pray at the same time everyday together.

Most likely, you don’t see your friend every day. So set an alarm on your phone to remind you both to stop what you’re doing and pray. I had a friend who was struggling with her husband when he came home from work. We set our phones to alert us to pray thirty minutes before he got home. When we were done praying, we would simply text, “Amen,” to each other.

3. Dedicate a prayer journal to your friend.

I love to do this! I buy thin journal packs at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods, sharpie a friend's name on the cover, and fill it up with prayers over their life. Some fill up faster than others and I don’t do it every day. Sometimes I’ll take a quick picture of the cover and text it to my friend saying, ‘You were just covered in prayer.” I imagine when I go home to Jesus; my children will find them and deliver them to my living friends.

I’m praying these practical tips spur your relationships to a deeper level. It’s not easy when you’re in the jungle of ‘Adulting’. But that’s why it’s so important, isn’t it? We all need to know someone is genuinely in the thick with us. We all want someone to take the time to say, "Friend, you can call me Sister."

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

by Jenna Masters



How Do You Say, “Thank You?”

How Do You Say, “Thank You?”

“And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and immediately they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.” Mark 1:29-31

Let me give you a little background setting for this account in the life of Jesus. The location of Capernaum on the Galilee was prolific with fish. Seven springs emptied into the Sea nearby, bringing warmer water. As a result, algae grew and provided perfect feeding grounds for fishermen to develop lucrative trade.

The first four disciples Jesus called to be with him were just such men. Brothers Simon and Andrew, and brothers James and John, also known as the sons of Zebedee, who Jesus later called the “Sons of Thunder.”

According to tradition, the home of Simon and Andrew actually belonged to Simon’s mother-in-law. It’s thought the brothers had worked for her fisherman husband and Simon had married the daughter, though it wasn’t mentioned whether this was before or after the death of the father.

On the Sabbath morning, the five men went to the nearby synagogue where Jesus spent the day teaching and, notably, delivering the demon-possessed man. Then they went to Simon and Andrew’s home, presumably for the evening meal.

As soon as they entered the home they told Jesus Simon’s mother-in-law was ill. If we just look at the English words, we don’t get the impact of what is happening here. She had a raging fever.

We mothers remember the despair we felt when our wee one awoke in the night—or after a nap—with blazing cheeks and 104 degree fever. By the time we’ve grown to adulthood, we feel like we’re dying with a temperature of 101. Our body’s temperature regulator has matured so our temperatures don’t spike as high as our baby’s, but the discomfort is still extreme.

The scripture tells us Jesus went right to her bedside, took her by the hand and lifted—or raised— her up. The Greek word is egeiro—to arouse from the sleep of death, or recall the dead to life. Did you think, like I did, that she was just having a sick day? She was dying. This was Huge.

Jesus helped her sit up and all symptoms left her. When we are sick and our fever breaks, it takes time for us to feel better, even more time for us to get our strength back. She was 100% whole immediately. Don’t miss it. This is radical healing—a miracle. With God everything is possible (Matthew 19:26)

We don’t always see a response from the healed person, but in this case we do. What does Simon’s mother-in-law do? She shows love and gratitude by preparing a meal for them. Now, she’s been sick for some time. Her daughter has most likely been caring for her. And it’s the end of the Sabbath. Fresh bread would not have been baked, no meat roasted, nor side dishes prepared. She said ‘thank you’ in the way she knew how. She prepared the meal for them—from scratch.

Moments after her release from near-death, she expended herself in ministering to the needs of her tired, hungry healer. He who came to serve, was himself served.

Her story convicted me about my response when Jesus does something in my life; when he answers my prayers, delivers me in some way or just lets me know he’s listening. How quickly do I praise him? Thank him? How quickly do I minister to him?

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Chronicles 16:34

by Marilyn Allison

Vulnerable

Vulnerable

“The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days.” Mark 1:12-13a

”Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.” Matthew 4:1-2

Have you experienced a time of testing—maybe currently going through a test—where you thought it would never end? Life would always be this way—or worse? That you wouldn’t survive? Did you cry out to God, “I’m Done!”

Years ago I did just that. My world was up-ended. Everything I thought would be good in my life was in jeopardy. This was the first really big test where none of my own efforts to change things had any affect. I was depressed…done…vulnerable. I crawled into bed that night and wept into my pillow.

“If you don’t change my circumstances, God, I don’t want to wake up tomorrow!”

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

When I awoke in the morning, nothing had changed. Nothing. Except…the Lord had given me the longest, deepest, uninterrupted sleep that night. In doing so, I had the strength to hold onto him for one more day…and another day…and another day.

Immediately after Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tested for forty days and nights. I imagine him being physically strong at the beginning of that period of testing, easier to fight the spiritual battle. By the fortieth day of fasting, he became hungry. His physical body was dying. He was at his weakest. The enemy hit him with the big test. With his physical, mortal strength exhausted, would he change the terms of the test? Would he circumvent God’s plan for salvation of the world he had created?

At his weakest, Jesus stood firm against the lies of the devil. He answered each suggestion with the truth of God’s Word. The enemy tested him at every level—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Having passed the test, the enemy left him alone for awhile and Jesus began his ministry to teach mankind to know God and then to offer himself—the perfect sacrifice.

We can stand firm when we are vulnerable because Jesus stood firm and accomplished God’s purpose for his life, death and resurrection. His is the victory. And his strength is in us. The Holy Spirit—the Paraclete—the helper—bears the weight of our difficulties and bids us come.

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

He won’t abandon us. In the time of his testing, scripture says “angels took care of him” (Mark 1:13.) The Holy Spirit cares for us through our times of testing. As God accomplishes the purpose for each test in our lives, faith grows and rest will come.

“When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1:24

by Marilyn Allison



Crossroads

Crossroads

“This is what the Lord says “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient path, ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

Choices. Some are easier than others and I have to admit my own pride and impulsiveness have led me places I had no business going. Without God's saving grace I’d still be wandering around not even aware that I was lost.

God makes it simple for us. Simple. Not always easy.

But, fear not. When you follow the ancient path there are many places to stop and rest—to pray and even break down—safe in the arms of your Savior.

Jesus will never lead you astray.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

Oh how I love knowing that no matter where I go or what happens in my life, God is with me. Leading me. Guiding me. Sometimes, even carrying me.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

What’s going on in your life right now? Is there a fork in the road and you’re not sure which way to go?

Follow Jesus.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27

by Eve Montano