Next Steps

This devotional was originally published on February 17, 2017.

A few years ago, I had a conversation with a guy about running. My heart and mind have always loved the idea of a good run, but my body, even at my peak times of fitness, has always rebelled. Literally, running has always made me sick. My favorite trainer can testify. Anyway, I was expressing this to a person I consider to be beyond wise, and his response illustrated why I know I trust his word. He asked if I knew what the best form of exercise was. I waited for the magic answer, and he simply stated, “the one you are doing.” This is quite profound and can translate to many areas of life, including the idea of community.

God commands us to love him and love others. It’s nearly impossible to follow either of these instructions from a distance, to be obedient without having a relationship with God and with others. Growing relationships brings about community. By definition, community is:

1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, or
2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
— Mark 12:30–31

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
— Hebrews 10:23–25

The disciples were an amazing example of true community. They did life together, and Jesus was always in their midst. He used everyday occurrences and resources to bring them together and experience his presence.

Think about where they were, or even what Jesus used to provide for their needs as he taught them. They saw how Jesus met needs with very few resources. What he had was truly all he needed.

• It was at a wedding where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. (John 2:1–11)
• They were in a boat, just traveling to the other side of the water when, out of nowhere, a storm caused the sea to rage. Jesus spoke, and all was calm. (Mark 4:35–41)
• From a young boy, the disciples received five loaves of bread and two fish, which they delivered to Jesus. From his hands, they were able to disperse food to thousands with food to spare. (John 6:1–14)

Sometimes the crowds were great in number, but the disciples always seemed to have that front-row encounter that would allow them to grow collectively by what they had taken in.

As I reflect on the most meaningful groups of people I have been a part of, I am continually reminded of our life experiences together. Times when Scripture became our present day, and the things we studied, discussed and prayed about were embedded in our doing life together with Jesus in our midst. It’s also good to keep in mind that God can use anything to draw people together, even if it doesn’t make sense from another’s perspective, even if the group changes, even if people in the group are at different stages in their relationships with him. Jesus was with the disciples 24/7, and among them were doubters, including one who would deny and another who would betray. As in all things, God has a plan and purpose. He simply wants our trust and obedience.

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.
— Matthew 18:20

This devotional was originally published on January 6, 2017.

When I first started attending c|Life four and a half years ago, I heard almost every Sunday about the importance of living in community with others, but I never allowed myself to truly experience what that meant until September of 2015. At that time, my wife and I began leading a discussion group for the Explore God series. Since then, we have created new, deep and meaningful relationships with other believers. We truly didn’t know what we were missing out on by not being in fellowship with other believers. We still look forward to every Thursday night, when we gather with 12 other people to eat, fellowship and discuss what God is doing in our lives each and every day.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe same upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.
— Acts 2:42-46

As we dive into this “New Year, New Me” in 2017, I would urge you to take a good look at how much time you are spending in fellowship with other believers. It’s very easy to think that you don’t need to be filled with biblical community — I was at that point in my life not too long ago. Here at c|Life, we believe that life is done in circles instead of rows, and you are truly missing out if you don’t give yourself the opportunity to discuss the glory and power of Jesus outside of your alone time with him.

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
— Matthew 18:20

Let’s not let another year go by, allowing ourselves to have a list of failed resolutions. Take the leap of getting into community with other believers and enjoy the wonderful benefits of building each other up day by day.

This devotional was originally published on September 3, 2018.

Making friends throughout school was one of the easiest things to do. You ended up becoming friends with people in your class or people you were in extra-curricular activities with. It didn’t really seem so easy at the time, but then you get married and move across Texas, which we all know is really far. This is what happened to me. My husband Joe and I relocated when he accepted a job with the Dallas Fire Department. I didn’t have a job, was far from my family, and I didn’t have friends close by. The “peace and quiet” at home simply became “the quiet”. I longed for purpose and for friendships in a way that I hadn’t ever experienced before. I needed something and someone.

The problem is that, throughout school, friends sort of come our way. We are placed in situations where we sit by the same people over and over for at least a semester, so we are more likely to strike up conversation. We also find ourselves on teams with other people for sports and such, so we easily find common ground with them.

As believers, we need to understand that we have the opportunity to connect deeply with other believers because we have deep common ground. Actually, we have the most miraculous common ground: we have all received the miracle of life. Not the life given to us that began at conception, which truly is amazing and a miracle. I’m talking about the miracle of being dead in sin and completely separated from God, and now found, made new, and alive in Christ! This is a common ground we need to celebrate and capitalize on!

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all being influenced daily. We are being influenced to wear, eat, drink and say certain things. Some people pride themselves on being an outcast and individual, when really they are just mimicking the behavior of another outcast. Proverbs 27:17 says that, “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” And proverbs 13:20 says, “A companion of fools suffers harm.” These are just two specific verses that speak into the fact that who you choose as your friends is incredibly important. One of the problems with friendships is that we tend to just fall into the same patterns we did while in school. We let friends come our way. For the stay-at-home mom, this would create obvious difficulty. For those of you who work with others who don’t live a life surrendered to the one true God, you can find yourself acting in a way that is contrary to the life you have been given in Christ.

So here it is: I give all of you permission to make friends. Because Scripture tells us we need iron to sharpen us! And this doesn’t just happen on Sundays.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
— Hebrews 10:23–25

Sometimes life gets too hard, so “hold[ing] fast the confession of our hope without wavering” can be nearly impossible without a solid community of believers around us. Sometimes we need truth spoken over us: “let us consider how to stir up one another… encouraging one another…”, from someone who is in the mess with us or at least really close to the trial. Church is a great place to meet those friends who can stir you up and encourage you to hold fast to the hope you have in the Lord. But it is really hard to make friends on a Sunday. So here’s what I encourage you to do: find a community group or, even better, start a community group! This will allow you the opportunity to invite people into your life that you would like to get to know more. This will also allow you to take ownership of your faith and find community when it isn’t always just given to us.

Growing Faith

Read Hebrews 11:1 and Mark 11:22–24.

When we understand how God has called us to live in the world, it can feel overwhelming, and sometimes it may feel impossible.

He tells us to love a world that will sometimes hate us. He tells us that even under the darkest of circumstances, we should never stop telling people of the salvation they have in him. He tells us to go to the world with this message of hope and do impossible things so that they know that we belong to him.

It’s daunting, and it is also impossible without faith. Faith means we are sure of the things we hope for and certain of what we don’t see. It means we believe the impossible is possible.

In Mark, Jesus tells us that if we believe we can cast mountains into the ocean, then we will be able to cast mountains into the ocean.

I read that, and I am full of hope because when we are committed to the mission God has given us, he will also give us everything we need to accomplish it. He will move any mountains that stand in our way! Today let’s pray for faith.

Prayer:

Father, you told us to ask and that you would give us whatever we needed. Help us to believe in those moments we are called to impossible things. Help us lean in and trust you when we deal with difficult dark situations. Help us to believe that you will provide when we are called. Father, in so many ways, we do believe, but today we are asking that you help us in our unbelief. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

A Heart for Evangelism

Read John 17:24–26

At the end of Jesus’ prayer in the garden, he prays that we would be with him where he is. This incredible phrase sums up so clearly what Christ is trying to accomplish. Through his death, burial and resurrection, Christ takes away the very thing that is keeping us separated from God. He makes a way where there was no way.

Jesus wants us to be committed to that work too. He wants us to tell as many people as possible of the hope and salvation available to them through Christ. He wants us to love the world like he loves the world.

So many of us make the excuse that we are not gifted in that area, as if not feeling equipped exempts us from the great commission. It does not. He tells us in Matthew to go into all the world making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do what is right (Matthew 28:19). He does not offer any exclusions or fine print. He calls all believers to be committed to that work. Today we are praying that God would help us get rid of all the excuses and never tire of telling people about Christ, even when it’s hard, even when we don’t want to.

Prayer:

Father, we are so blessed to know Christ as a savior. We rejoice in salvation and the awesome hope we have in heaven. We know that the world is full of billions of people who don’t have that hope. Will you give us a heart for the lost? Will you help us to rejoice when a new believer professes your name? Help us care about the lost the way you care about the lost. Change our hearts in this area so that we can be committed to your will and your work. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.