1 John 1:1-4 " We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw Him with out own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is the word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen Him. And now, we testify and proclaim to you that He is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then He was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy." I was reminded here that our experiences with Jesus are meant to be shared. It is not just my testimony of coming to Christ that God wants to use, it is all of my experiences; the answered prayers, every time He meets me where I am at, my failures and His forgiveness, the peace He gives in my circumstances, the ways He draws me close... These are beautiful and personal, but they are also meant to be shared so that others may be drawn to Him. These experiences also draw us together as a church, as a community, as brothers and sisters. I do not share His work in my life, well, hardly at all. I feel it, see it, praise Him for it, and then... I kind of keep it to myself most of the time. What experience have you had recently with Christ that really should be shared? Feel free to start with us ;)

Psalm 44 is a communal lament. The key is to note how these people approached God in their suffering. Give it a read, and come back.... I'll wait.... The first 8 verses are the anchor example. The psalm is all about their suffering, and their confusion because they are faithful believers, yet are suffering greatly. They openly ask God why He has not taken notice. But... the first 8 verses are their acknowledgment of the work He has done. It is so important that we do not forget the work God has done. This is our anchor in times of difficulty. God has already shown us who He is, and we must not lose sight of that. God invites our open laments, our cries, our questions about what He is doing or not doing. It is not a lack of faith to question what God is doing.... but it is a whole different thing to question who God is. God is unchanging. He is the same God who rescued you yesterday, and today is no different. When in suffering and trials, look back at what He has already done. The Israelites are told over and over again in the OT to Remember. We must do the same. Make a list. Sit and recall all that you can in your life where you can see God's hand, providence, sovereignty, positioning, rescue, intervention, mercy, deliverance, etc. Keep this list where you can see it. Do not forget- let the list be your monument. God bless you, sisters!

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