Growing Spiritual Community in Europe

regional review
Mar 102011

Submitted by Tamela Johnston

Americans are blessed beyond measure, there is no doubt about that! Yet even those living the proverbial American dream can find themselves discontent with their lives.  Some believe the individualism Americans tend to value so highly might be keeping us from experiencing the contentment that can be provided by being part of a strong spiritual community. . . . the kind of community the early church enjoyed.

Acts 4:32 – ….. and the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Living in Europe for several years now has given me a unique perspective of the military community here. There are some obstacles to overcome while living an ocean away from family and friends. There are often language barriers.  Deployment is a continual struggle. And don’t forget limited choices for shopping and schools!  But because of our unique circumstances and the “obstacles” listed above, we are forced to rely on one another!  I believe this creates good soil for growing spiritual community.

One of the reasons I love PWOC is because the women involved understand the uniqueness of the military community overseas and take advantage of it to shine the light of God’s glory to others.  In my experience, the women in PWOC come the closest to living with one heart and soul as the early church did.  What gives PWOC the ability to nurture spiritual community?  We strive to provide a safe place to belong and be accepted for who we are–baggage and all.  Here we can trust that there will be no gossip or breach of confidentiality.  I’m learning that spiritual community grows best when we are willing to be vulnerable enough to show our brokenness to one another without fear of judgment.  Then we can begin to look for Christ in one another and encourage the passion only He can give to know and follow Him.  I am personally overwhelmed when someone believes the best about me even when they know me well!  This is what I have experienced in PWOC, and it has caused me to grow closer to the One who knows me better than anyone and yet died for me. . . . . overwhelming love!

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  - John 15: 13

Living in spiritual community is living interdependent, not independent. I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow in spiritual community here in Europe with my PWOC sisters.

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The Europe update is posted the second Thursday of every month. For comments email europepresident@pwoc.org

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Prayer Points for July 11th-17th

Prayer Points
Jul 092010

Many of us enjoyed summer kickoff this week. Let’s pray together that this would be a time of building up and being encouraged by God’s Word of grace. We pray that each sister would know her inheritance in Christ.

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Acts 20:32 (NIV)

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Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow

Devotions
Apr 052010

Submitted by Laura Miller, Yokoto AB, Japan

Isaiah 45:8
You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.

Song of Solomon 2:12a
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,

Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow was the theme of the Yokota PWOC conference held on March 19-20. The theme and decorations were planned around the season and colors of the Sakura Tree. Sakura means Japanese flowering cherry (cherry blossom) and it is a beautiful season to observe in Japan and Washington D.C. too. The Sakura tree has the appearance of a dead tree during the winter months and in late March it springs to life (blooms) with delicate white or pink blossoms. The tree branches become loaded with these lovely blossoms; but within a week, they begin to float to the ground, dropping their seeds upon the soil, and the branches are replaced with light green leaves. As the tree grows, the branches develop more leaves that take in sunlight and by summer the tree is filled with dark green leaves that reveal a mature tree with abundant life. Under the tree the roots are taking in nutrients from the soil and water that nourishes the tree and makes it flourish above.

As I reflect upon the cycle of a Sakura tree; I compare it to the life of a Christian. Do your branches appear dead? What is the condition of the soil of your heart? A fertile heart is created my allowing the Holy Spirit to plow deep into the heart to reveal sin and strongholds that leads to confession and repentance; turning away from sin. God places His seed, Jesus–the Word of God, into the soil of our hearts and causes salvation to spring up and righteousness to bloom and grow. May our hearts be fertile ground and the seeds planted through daily devotions, weekly Bible studies, monthly programs, and PWOC conferences be brought to germination by the power of the Holy Spirit. God desires to create a woman full of the Holy Spirit; a beautiful flowering tree that appears on earth that offers up a sweet fragrance unto Him. His plan is for us to drop or sow seeds of His Word and bear fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:8). Are your branches bearing fruit? Abide in Him (John 15). Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and sharing the gospel? Hearts that are cultivated and watered with prayer and the Word of God will result in transformed lives and mature women in Christ. Allow the Son to shine upon you and bask in His presence in prayer. Sink your roots deep into His Word so that you may bloom and grow and flourish; even under adversity (winter).

Adversity creates an environment that can destroy a tree, such as a wind storm or freeze. Adversity can actually make you stronger if you remain firmly planted and rooted deep in Christ and trust Him to get you through the struggle. You will not be uprooted or die and can withstand the harsh winter months and burst forth with fruit in due season of time.

This morning as I drove my children to school, I noticed the Sakura trees that line the streets of my neighborhood are laden with flower buds. Yokota AB will soon be filled with shades of pink and white. I hope as we witness the cycle of the Sakura blossom or any other flowering tree or plant this spring; from the budding of the flower, to the blossom floating down to the ground, then see the development of the leaves as they grow and multiply into a mature tree, that it will remind us that is what God wants to do within our hearts.

I would also like to remind you that it was upon a tree that Jesus died and gave His life for you and me. Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow as you celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may Jesus be resurrected in you!

Acts 13:29
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

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Spiritual Renewal

Devotions
Sep 142009

A close family member had died. During the three days it took to travel home, God prepared me to enter the world of deep loss, pain and suffering. For different reasons, I knew I would need what Stephen had in Acts 7:55-60.

As Stephen is about to be executed, we are told that he, “full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this they covered their ears, and yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him…While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed…Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

What happened here? First, Stephen prayed by looking at up at Jesus. Second, the Holy Spirit made what Stephen knew in his mind a reality to his heart. At the very moment the earthly court was condemning him, he realized that the heavenly court was commending him. He experienced fullness from what Jesus made possible for him through His work on earth, the cross, death etc. This is an experience of the gospel. At that exact moment, Stephen got an extremely vivid, powerful sight of what he already knew intellectually—that in Christ we are beautiful in God’s sight and free from condemnation (Col 1:23).

The Spirit took that intellectual concept and electrified his entire soul, mind, heart and imagination. Finally, Stephen was able to exhibit the new humanity that God is creating. He had courage. He forgave his oppressors. He faced his accusers not just with boldness, but with a calmness and joy. That is spiritual renewal. It is not simply an emotional experience—it is a heart changing and therefore life-and-practice shaping work of the Holy Spirit.

What circumstances are surrounding you? Do you face them with the fullness Stephen had – no matter how little or big they seem? What Jesus did for you is for right now. Pray for courage to let the Holy Spirit show you where you specifically need renewal and for that prayerful dependence to increasingly characterize your life.

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