The Connection Corner

Find New Life in Jesus

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,though he die, yet shall he live.”

John 11:25

THE HEART ❤️ OF THE ARTIST:

Have you ever thought about the fact that the primary way that God chose to reveal Himself to us is through story? I think God chose to do this because He knows us best.

One of my favorite stories comes from the dramatic scene in John where Jesus finds Himself at the tomb of His best friend, Lazarus. By the time Jesus got there, Lazarus had been dead for four days.

In Jewish tradition, the soul would hover over the body for three days, but on the fourth, there would be no more hope for any reversal of the loss. This little cultural detail sets up the story to show Jesus faced with an impossible situation.

Surrounded by weeping family and friends, Jesus calls out…'”Lazarus, come out! Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This is our story! Apart from Jesus, you and I are without hope, without life, and without promise. No matter how far gone we think we are, we can all still hear the powerful and authoritative voice of Jesus calling out to us.

“(insert your name here), come out! Take off the grave clothes and be free!”

Because, just like Lazarus, He has called us back to life!

– Phil Wickham –

January 16, 2025/by Linda Meyers

Listening to God’s Voice

Daily Devotional, Lisa Williams

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Psalms 32:8

She was cruising down the highway, windows cracked, radio humming. On the way back from Texas, her plan was simple: follow the semi-trucks.

This was her favorite trick for long road trips—it kept her pace steady and her brain on autopilot. As she drove, a strange thought popped into her head.

“Get over.”

She squinted at the road ahead. “Why? I’m good here.”

But the thought did not let up. It came again, louder: “Get over.”

“Nope.” She gripped the wheel tighter, muttering, “Not happening.”

But the thought was unrelenting, tapping louder and louder until it practically shouted: “GET OVER!” She sighed dramatically and gave in, flicking her blinker and sliding into the next lane.

Not thirty seconds later, a deafening BANG shattered the calm. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror. The semi’s tire had exploded, and jagged pieces of rubber were spinning straight toward the spot she had just left.

Her hands trembled as the wave of realization washed over her.

“Thank you, Lord,” she whispered through the tears. That push to move over had saved her.

God’s whispers are not always convenient. Sometimes they interrupt, annoy, or feel like they make no sense. But, friend, trust them. Trust Him. His love sees dangers we cannot, and His guidance always leads us to safety—even when we do not understand why at first.

January 15, 2025/by Lisa Williams

Growth Through Struggles

Andy Youso, Daily Devotional

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

Public speaking terrifies most people, but not my five-year-old daughter. At her class recital, she was thrilled to step up to the microphone and recite her poem in front of parents, teachers, and classmates.

She began beautifully, reciting the first part with ease. She paused before continuing, but the audience assumed she had finished and began clapping. With all the confidence of a kindergartner, she declared, “I’m not done yet.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and so did I, but then her expression shifted. Tears welled up in her eyes.

My wife and I froze, unsure of what to do. Should we step in and comfort her? My heart ached as I watched her crumble under the weight of the moment. I wanted to rush in, to hold her, to fix it all. But something held me back.

Her teacher gently stepped in, putting an arm around her shoulder and walking her back to her seat. She wiped her tears, and after a few deep breaths, she was herself again.

That moment really tugged at my heart. But I realized something: she was safe, and this was not something I needed to fix.

Life is filled with hard and uncomfortable moments like these. I was reminded of how God allows us to walk through life’s tough moments, not because He is distant but because He knows growth often follows struggle.

I am learning how sometimes the best thing I can do for my kids, family members, and friends is to take a step back when the moment calls for it. You can always trust that God can use the struggles to grow something beautiful in time.

January 14, 2025/by Andy Youso