Anguish This is a tragic story about a father with a physical disability. He fought hard to raise his only daughter, who grew up to be a beautiful, smart, and healthy college student. On her graduation day, she was chosen to give a touching thank-you speech on behalf of the students. She spoke beautifully about…

Does He care? (Key Texts: Exodus 17:7; Psalm 56:8; Isaiah 49:15; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 2:6) Our word for this session is the Hebrew shāmaʿ. This word means much more than just “to hear.” For God, to hear is to listen and to act. When the people of Israel cried out in slavery, the Bible says…

(Key Texts: Isaiah 53:3–5; Genesis 3:16; John 19:30; Ephesians 2:6) Our word for this session is the Hebrew chēbel. This one word means both “cord” and “the pain of giving birth.” The Bible uses this same word for anguish and even death. This shows us that the language of the womb and the language of…

(Key Texts: Galatians 4:19; Genesis 3:16; John 16:21; Ephesians 2:6) The key word for today is the Greek term ōdinō, meaning “to suffer labor pains.” The Apostle Paul used this powerful term when he confessed to the Galatians: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed…

(Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians 2:6; Galatians 6:18) Let’s begin by looking at a powerful Greek word: sympaschō, which means “to suffer together with.” The Apostle Paul used this word to remind us that when we suffer for Christ, we are never alone. It’s a deep fellowship—a shared experience with Christ Himself and with…

A Steady Foundation A mother’s faith acts as a steady foundation, a rock in the midst of life’s storms. It’s the silent prayer for a sick child, the patient teaching of kindness, and the gentle forgiveness offered after a mistake. This constant, unwavering belief provides a sense of security and stability for her children, anchoring…

In our ministry, we have the privilege of meeting many expectant mothers and hearing their personal stories. We see that pregnancy is a journey filled with both immense joy and significant challenges. There are physical changes, like swollen feet and a growing belly, as well as nights of tossing and turning, and new diets to…

Perisseuō (περισσεύω), which means to “abound,” to “overflow,” or to be “more than enough.” Paul writes, “Where sin increased, grace abounded (hyperperisseusen) all the more” (Romans 5:20). A vessel of God is never meant to hoard; it’s designed to spill over. Rivers of living water Jesus promised, “Whoever believes in me, out of his heart…

Katharizō (καθαρίζω), which means to “cleanse,” “purify,” or “make free from defilement.” Jesus used it when He said, “Blessed are the pure (katharoi) in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). A vessel may be positioned under a stream, but if it’s full of dirt, whatever it receives will be ruined. Noble instrument Paul…

Tithēmi (τίθημι), which means to “place,” “set,” or “put in position.” Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and then puts (tithēsin) it under a bowl; instead he sets it on its stand, so that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 11:33). Position matters—both for a light and for a vessel. Seeking fortune…