Finish Strong
Secure or Sinking?
We are just three short months away from the closing of 2020. What events this year stand out most in your mind? As the world changes around us, one thing I know for sure is that for the Christian, our peace and security is never shaken by circumstances because we rest in God’s promises. As we strive forward as sojourners in this world, my hope for you as my sisters in Christ is to be upheld by the word of God. My prayer is that while everyone and everything tosses to and fro (Ephesians 4:14), we would prove to be immovable in our faith because it is founded on the Rock (Matthew 7:25).
Sisters, as you think back to the situations you’ve faced, whether on a personal or global level these past several months, can you say with confidence that you were steadfast in your faith? Can you say that you never doubted God’s goodness toward you or for his promises to come true? If your answer is yes, then I encourage you to not grow weary in doing good and to press on toward the prize in Christ Jesus! I’d also like to exhort you to extend grace to your fellow sisters and help others to do the same!
And if your heart has grown heavy during this season, you are not alone. Many of us have found ourselves sinking with the cultural tide. The Lord sees you and there’s help for your soul. Notice the benefits of delighting in God’s word in Psalm 19:7-11,
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
The Word and Women’s Discipleship
What a privilege it is to know God and the truth about him in his word! There are countless Christians around the world who do not have the same opportunity. I am thankful to God everyday for giving me the gift of membership in a local church that understands Jesus when he says in John 8:31, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” Women’s Discipleship is committed to this same vision. As an extension of Cities Church’s primary discipleship structures (which are Life Groups and Community Groups), the Women’s Discipleship ministry helps enrich the lives of members in various settings, such as one-on-ones, leadership trainings, and monthly gatherings. Everything we do is put forth in love, steeped in prayer, encompassed by the serious study of God’s word, and filled with the joy of serving the body of Christ. At Cities, we are blessed to have a sisterhood with like-minded women who are filled with the Spirit of God and united under one purpose - to know Jesus and make him known, because Jesus is real. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” With the Lord’s help, together that’s just what we’ll do!
Cities Church Women’s Discipleship exists to help all women follow all of Christ for all of life. That means we value God’s word above all riches and worldly pursuits. It means we trust, and as hard as it may be, embrace the wisdom and counsel the word of God teaches us in every season of our lives. It means we reject the counterfeit “wisdom” the world offers us. By putting aside our ever-changing emotions and corrupt cultural conditioning, as women, we can set our eyes on what is true and constant - God and his ways. Humbled in heart we plead along with the psalmist from Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” In this ministry, we want to be God-fearing women because that’s where wisdom truly begins. We want to live side by side, helping one another to see the gospel transform each of us more into the image of Christ (Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Discipleship is important at Cities because it is a vital part of every Christian’s life. This is not a new trend but has sustained the saints from the start. So I encourage you to take hold of all the avenues of discipleship that Cities Church has to offer, including the discipleship opportunities that are happening among women.
Standing Strong Together
God’s people need the nourishment of God’s word to flourish, which is precisely the reason why his word has remained our primary focus. On October 11th we launched our second Bible Reading Plan for Women’s Discipleship. The goal is to read 1-2 chapters of the New Testament together each day for sixty days to finish the year 2020 strong in the Lord. Each month we will expound more on what we are reading during our Women’s Gathering. You can also check back on our website at www.citieschurch.com/women to find more resources to go along with the Bible Reading Plan like Level Three Discussion Questions for Life Group and Personal Bible Study Reflection Questions.
At the heart of this ministry to women is the Bible. By reading it our eyes are opened (Psalm 119:18) to the most beautiful story of redemption, the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ! If we seek to have a relationship with God we will most surely set apart time devoted to soak in the truth that only God’s word can offer us. What better opportunity than to read alongside your sisters who are on the same journey of faith in Jesus as you are at Cities Church! If you’re new or mature in your walk with Christ, you are invited to link arms with your sisters in the pursuit of a lifetime of knowing God. Let’s finish 2020 strong as women marked by reverence in our great God and his unfailing word!
As I close I want to share with you a prayer from Paul to the Colossians. I’ve continued to pray this since January 2019 for the women of our church. Would you pray this with me and consider being a part of the community of discipleship that is happening among your sisters at Cities?
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
With Joy in Him,
Erica Foster
Discipleship Coordinator for Women