CityLine Women – Volume 26 / Issue 1

CityLine Bible Church   -   April 10, 2024

Hello, CityLine Women!

I pray that you and your families enjoyed a blessed Easter season. Thanks to all of you who joined us for our Women’s Conference in February for a sweet time of connection and conviction about our hearts’ longings and how to shift our priorities from here to Heaven.

We hope that you will be able to gather with us again at church this Sunday for Well Night at 7 p.m. as we draw closer to the Lord and one another. All women are welcome—please invite a friend!

Please mark your calendars for our Women’s Boat Cruise on June 4. We will meet for pizza and a devotional at 6 p.m., then disembark to see the city from the Chicago River from 7-9 p.m. Registration will open in May, so be sure to reserve your spot. This will be a beautiful way to enjoy an early summer evening with our sisters.

Looking ahead, in October, we’ll be hosting our first CityLine Women’s Mission Trip to Guatemala. The application deadline is June 1. We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer if this endeavor is on your heart. Should you have any questions, please e-mail job@cityline.church.

As we enter this spring season of new beginnings, I pray that Maribel’s devotional will refresh and encourage you.

 Grace and peace,

Susan Zachariah

CityLine Women’s Interim Ministry Coordinator

WE ARE NOT ALONE; WE ARE IN GOOD COMPANY!

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

–Hebrews 13:5

Have you ever felt alone, isolated, misunderstood, discouraged, fearful and desperately desiring the closeness of someone who can bring the kind of comfort and assurance that somehow all will be OK, that you do not have to face your trials alone? At times it may feel as though a hope for a better future seems bleak, and your soul yearns for something more than the present circumstance. You gasp for air as anxiety races through your mind, causing a desperate plea within your soul for anyone to come to your rescue. So then, you internalize and isolate to protect yourself.

In most cases, the anxiety comes from fear and lack of trust in the Lord to provide for our every need, to protect us from being victimized, and to be present in our circumstances. Deut 31:6-8 exhorts us to, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” In moments of despair, God will always provide, protect, and be present. We only need to seek Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27).

In my own experience, facing traumatic moments in early adolescence caused me extreme grief, despair, and hopelessness. God was faithful to meet me where I was–mentally, emotionally, and spiritually deprived. God provided a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). God sent me three beautiful sisters in Christ who prayed me through my most difficult moments. These three faithful, beloved followers of Christ were knitted to me in my heart, as a beautiful quilt just like David and Jonathan, and constantly reminded me of Christ’s love and faithfulness in my current season of life. Being in good company, I felt the love of Christ through them and no longer felt alone in this lonely and daunting journey. 1 Sam 18:1, “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 

Although there were moments when I experienced depression, anxiety, and grief, God protected me from myself by constantly reminding me through scripture that He is near to the brokenhearted, (Ps 34:18); He would protect me from the evil one, (2 Thess 3:3); and that I did not need to fear because He would strengthen me in my time of need Isaiah 41:10). God surrounded me with saints who were constantly praying for my mental well-being and would send me uplifting scriptures, especially when I was unable to read and meditate on the Word for myself and pray. This, again, was a sweet reminder that God is faithful, merciful, and mindful of His children. He protects us from ourselves, from sinful people, and from the evil one.

God is present in every circumstance. We will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts (Jer 29:13). Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Elizabeth Smith in God Never Changes… But My Family Always Does, states, “God is always present. “It means that all of God is everywhere at once. As the indivisible Being, God does not have one part here and another part there, for He has no parts.” Smith also says, “Knowing God is everywhere, at all times and very present brings both a security to our lives…”

Smith also writes about the early and middle adolescence years, in which the hearts are more susceptible to identity crises. Without the gift of salvation and the sealing of the Holy Spirit, we are vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy and believe in the lie that our identity needs to compare with others. Understanding our identity is in Christ will prevent the many attacks of the enemy, and the peace of God will guard our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus (paraphrased vs Phil 4:7). We ought to be made aware that we can only extinguish the darts of the enemy by having a relationship with God. We will experience the sweet benefits and anointing power of being united with the Holy Spirit and the Might of God’s hand at work in our lives and we can without a doubt feel the love and presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ providing, protecting, and being present in our life journey.

Where do you find yourself in this season of your life? Have circumstances led you to feel alone and isolated? Who do you turn to when faced with insecurities, despair, fear, and hopelessness? Do you have a knitted relationship with Christ and others in your circle of friends?

Take this moment to reflect, pray, and ask God to provide, protect, and be your ever-present help!

Let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

– Hebrews 13:1-6

PRAYER

Father, we come before you asking for your provision, protection, and presence in our daily lives. We know that we can not do anything without your leading and guidance and we know that your Word says, we are not alone and you will not forsake us. Teach us to depend on your Holy Spirit to be our strength and shield; our ever-present help in time of need. We need you Lord in these dark and lonely moments when all feels hopeless and we are desperately seeking refuge to find peace, hope, and joy once again. Your Word reminds us that we will find you when we seek you with all of our hearts and that you are mindful of your children. We know that we are in good company with you; when we have a genuine relationship with you. We pray all these things in your mighty name, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Maribel Rivera

ABOUT THE WRITER

Maribel (Mari) has been serving the Lord in various capacities for the past 27 years. Mari and her husband Edward (Eddie) are practically empty nesters of five children: Edward Julian married to Ana (IT security), and Iliana married to Jon (advocate, physical therapist and entrepreneurs); Nathan, a Moody student and operations assistant at CityLine; Alani, engaged to Christian, living in Wis.; and the youngest, college-bound Aaliyah, whom you may know as the baker at CityLine. Mari enjoys being creative in all aspects of decor and decorating for special events, hosting, writing, exercising, walking her three Shih Tzus, helping and encouraging others, and baking alongside her daughter.

 

CONNECT AT CITYLINE

Study:

Join a Women’s Community Group today and enjoy Bible study, fellowship, accountability and fun! Questions about women’s community groups? E-mail natasha@fongs.org.

Serve:

  • If you feel led to pour into the next generation, Children’s Ministry needs you!
  • Likewise, CityLine Women’s Ministry is always looking for more helping hands. E-mail susan@cityline.church.
  • Not sure where your talents belong? E-mail susan@cityline.church. We have a place for your gifts!
  • Caris is a local organization that offers counseling and assistance for women facing unplanned pregnancies. If you are interested in volunteering for this valuable community resource, e-mail volunteer@caris.org.

Socialize: