A NOTE FROM STACY

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

I recently attended a city-wide summit where Barna Group was there to share findings on the state of our city.  I was pleasantly surprised by some of the findings, as far as how people in Omaha view the church.  However, I was shocked by the fact that Omaha ranks higher than the national average in anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, burn out and fear.  In some of those areas it isn’t just by a little bit… it is by 10-15% that we are higher.  Why is that?  That’s the million-dollar question that we, as church leaders, had to try to solve.  As you can imagine, the 90 minutes we were given to try to solve it wasn’t enough.  BUT… The great thing that we have in our relationship with Jesus is hope.  That’s one thing that people in Omaha said they like about the church.  We offer hope.  Even those without a faith system agreed.  Hope is an amazing thing.  It turns seemingly impossible situations into something that is tolerable.

There are times you may feel unloved, unnoticed, unheard.  But God sees you.  He loves you.  God’s thoughts about us are valuable.  Regardless of how you feel about yourself or your life, remember that God sees you, loves you and values you.  God created community for us to support each other through tough times.  He created us to walk with each other and support each other during hard times.  It can bring your comfort and support when you need it most. 

More importantly, God is always there for us and won’t let us fall.  He is with us forever, and with God, there is help and hope no matter what we are going through.  Maybe you’ve felt like you’re stuck, lost, desperate for anything to help you.  In those sad, difficult times, you are not broken, not abandoned.  Because the truth is, God is always there.  Even when you feel like no one else is.  He offers HOPE.

Jesus came to bring light to the darkest places and deepest pains in our lives.  When we turn to Him and follow Him, we have access to that light, and that light gives us hope.  Where ever there is darkness, there is always light. 

God gives us many tools to help us overcome trials.  We have community with others, prayer and scripture.  You can always turn to God’s Word to be reminded of what’s true.  When we are reminded of God’s truth about ourselves, about God and about the hope you have in Him, you can get through anything.

Do you know someone who needs that hope?  Invite them to know the love and hope we can only find in Jesus.

7 – Absalom Rebels

Conflict came in David’s family as a result of his sin with Bathsheba. His son Absalom committed murder and led an army of his own supporters against David to gain the throne. God protected David and gave him victory over Absalom.

2 Samuel 14-18

14 – Praises to God

God alone is worthy of our praise. We can praise and thank him for who he is and for the great things he has done. We can also cry out to him when we are sad, afraid, or discouraged, and he hears us.

Psalm 3, 43, 117, 136, 150

21 – Sit Together Sunday

28 – Solomon Asks for Wisdom

King David chose his son Solomon to be king after him and told him to obey God’s laws. When God offered to give Solomon whatever he asked for, Solomon asked for understanding to rule his people. God granted his request, making Solomon wiser than anyone before or after him.

1 Kings 1-4