I’ve learned a few things in the past couple of years. One of them is that I can do a much better job of being content.

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:10,11).

In 2024, I want to stop complaining,

…about how my house is too big to clean. I may wake up one day and find that every corner and every nook is filled with someone else’s things. I needed the big.

…about how busy I am. I may wake up one day and find that my responsibilities have doubled. I just thought I was way busy.

…about how expensive groceries are. I may wake up one day and find that I need more groceries, weekly,  than I have needed in the past twenty years. I had no idea of how much I could have been spending.

…about how we cannot seem to get to make the visits to the shut-ins or the nursing home. I may wake up and find that the visit is no longer optional. She is your husband’s mother and he is the only care-taker.

…about how hard it is to plan a family gathering. I may wake up one day and find that there are more complications than I ever dreamed even possible.

…about excessive laundry. I may wake up one day and find my laundry has tripled.

…about how dangerous the world is becoming. I may wake up one day and know that bombing is occurring just outside the door of my brother and sister’s house across the pond.

Life simply teaches me gratitude every day. This little list could go on and on. Perhaps this little list sounds ironically like complaining in itself. But it’s not complaining. It’s just reflecting to say that whatever it is that you find grievous or burdensome in your world today is a challenge for your heart. Let your heart wander to what life would be like if you didn’t have the big challenge of your life right now; whatever that current challenge is.

If my house wasn’t packed right now, my grandchildren would not be nearby.

If my responsibilities were not overwhelming right now, my opportunities for influence would not be maximized.

If I was not buying groceries in bulk right now, I would not be feeding children who are growing into servants for Him.

If my mother-in-law were not requiring multiple visits weekly, my grandchildren might not be learning the joys of service in an up-close and personal way.

If we were not working hard with schedules to arrange family gatherings, we might not have the blessed privilege of family support and fellowship in the tough challenges.          

If the world were always peaceful and serene, our longing for heaven would not be so fervent and real.

The real lesson is, if things today seem more bleak than yesterday, I must always know in my heart that I’m in a good place. I am in His bundle of the living (I Samuel 25). He is going to work things out for me because I love him (Romans 8:28). He knows the end of every story and He knows just how to test and mold and fit me for heaven. Whatever tomorrow holds may not be as  comfortable as today is, even considering the challenges of today. After all, Joseph thought he was in bad shape in the pit, but he didn’t yet know about the gypsies and the servanthood and the betrayal and the prison and the neglectful butler.

But in the world of His children, the last day, the day of death, as grim as that may be, is the best day. The last day is the best day. Because, the big victory is won on the last day. The house will be the perfect size. The jobs will all be done. The needs will all be met. The family gathering will all be arranged and the sicknesses will all be healed.

There’s really not a space for murmuring in my world. He has already delivered me, in advance, from every seemingly hopeless situation. Death and all its attendant sorrows has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Cindy Colley

1. Because Jesus Does

Hiram Kemp preached a sermon yesterday entitled, “Ways to Glorify God in 2024.” One of the main points was “Love the Local Church.” I appreciated so much his emphasis on recognizing our need for each other. (You can listen here, starting at 1:32:08.) It also gave me an idea. A few years ago I spent a year sharing “52 Ways to Grow Closer to Christ.” I’d like to do that again, only this time focusing on His church. Surely our relationship with Christ deepens when we grow our love for the people He died for.

Reason #1 to love the church: Because Jesus does.

A quick read of Ephesians 5:25-32 leaves no doubt about how Christ feels about the church. In this one short paragraph we learn that He:

• “loved the church” (v. 25)
• “gave Himself up for her” (v. 25)
• “sanctifies her” (v. 26)
• “cleanses her” (v. 26)
• “presents the church to Himself in splendor” so she can be “holy and without blemish” (v. 27)
• “nourishes and cherishes” the church (v. 29)

Why? “Because we are members of His body” (v. 30).

I want to love what Jesus loves, and He loves the church. His agape love for her motivated His feelings about her, His estimation of her, and His actions toward her. He sacrificed Himself for her because He wants what’s best for her.

As we begin a brand new year wearing the name of Christ, let’s love the church as He does. Not in some broad, nebulous way, but in a very personal, specific way. How can we love our own church families more? What are some selfish interests we need to put aside so we can serve sacrificially? How can we prove by our words and deeds that we want what’s best for the church? When we prioritize Christ by showing this kind of love for His church, the world will take notice.

By Kathy Pollard

Philippians 4:13 NKJV “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

The gifts are unwrapped. The recycle bin overflows. And on the floor lies a curling ribbon trail from the Christmas tree to the trash cans outside. So, what next? New Year’s, of course. Time to belt out “Auld Lang Syne,” iron out our resolutions, swallow a few black-eyed-peas, and welcome in hope for wonderful things ahead.

As you look for the coming year, consider a nine-year-old girl from Farragut, Tennessee named Leilani. This small powerhouse loved politics and discovered a loophole in the age restrictions for local candidates. So, without hesitation (and with resounding confidence, I might add) she ran for public office.

Little Leilani spent the summer campaigning door-to-door and confidently announced her platform as “dinosaurs and gardens.” She proposed putting dinosaurs, along with gardens, in all the town parks, because Leilani surmised, “What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs?” Leilani’s excitement was contagious as she carried out her lemonade and cookie campaign. Although the child lost to a more qualified candidate, she gained national notoriety for her optimism.

Jesus cherished the unwavering faith, optimism, and can-do attitude of children. But sadly, these qualities were often lacking in His own disciples. I wonder, does He see those traits in us?

What if we approached our faith-walk like Leilani approached her campaign? How rapidly might the Kingdom grow if we, as Christians, were eager to speak of our faith? What if we were so excited to share the Good News that it spread through our church family and community to pack our pews on Sunday? Suppose we made every effort to be present in Bible class and worship each time the doors opened? Would our children, spouse, and friends witness incredible joy in our lives?

As we launch a year of new beginnings, let us rediscover the enthusiasm of our childhood. Let us resolve to step out of our comfort zone with that Leilani-can-do attitude and attempt new ways to grow the kingdom of God. Let us live each moment through the filter of Philippians 4:13, confident that through Christ, we can make this New Year the best one yet.

Father God, may we enter this new year with a renewed spirit of faith, optimism, and positive thinking.

Blessings for the New Year,

Rita Cochrane

Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon hit her first home run ever against Central Washington. It was not only her first, but her last. It was a grand slam, and runners one and two headed around the bases. Sara running behind them, pulled a ligament in her knee and was unable to run. Her teammates could not help her, or she would have been out. Her coaches could not help her. It looked like a sad ending to a remarkable game. Not so! Two players from the opposing team picked her up and carried her to second base, third base, and then home as they gently lowered her enough for her to touch each base. Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace then humbly walked from home plate back to the pitcher’s mound, where the rest of their team stood.

Opportunities to serve are everywhere, even on a softball field. The challenge is taking advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves.

Mallory and Liz did exactly what Paul said to do in Philippians 2. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”  Later Paul says, “he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” Jesus took the form of a servant, and He asks us to do the same.

Scripture gives us some common attributes of a servant. The first is that a servant is humble. Paul’s statement in Philippians 2 shows the humble attitude of putting others before ourselves. Jesus showed His disciples the ultimate humility when He washed their feet, something left for only “servants” to do.

Second, one must be prepared to be a servant. Paul told Timothy that to be a good servant of Jesus one must train for godliness because it is of value in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come (First Timothy 4:6-8).

Third, to be a good servant one must persevere. Persevere means to keep doing what you are doing, even if there is no success. Even if your service doesn’t bring about the results you might hope, keep doing what God wants you to do. Keep serving.

Fourth, is to be a servant to anyone who might need help. Paul said he had made himself a servant to everyone. His purpose was to win them to Christ, First Corinthians 9:19-23.

Fifth, we can expect to suffer. We risk getting our feelings hurt, being rejected, even being betrayed. Do as Paul told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (Second Timothy 2:15).

Jesus told His disciples in John 13 that He had washed their feet as an example, “that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

I think we can add a sixth attribute to this list. Serve even when those being served do not know you or do not know who performed a service for them. Try this. Do something for someone, and do not let them know who did it. Tell no one. Watch what happens. We can do so much for the Lord if we don’t feel the need to receive credit for what we do.

Start the New Year with a determination to serve. Others will be blessed, and you will you will be blessed also.

Sandra Oliver

Through my recent studies of God’s Word, I’ve come to a fuller understanding of how God views marriage. Unfortunately, I think the church has failed to understand this concept, at least during my lifetime. Churches are filled with divorce, cohabitation and unlawful marriages. Yet, many, including some elderships, believe this is okay. However, does God believe it is okay? “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV).

God created marriage in the very beginning. Now, here is what many miss; from the beginning, marriage was a foreshadow of God’s relationship with man. Adam was put to sleep, his side was opened, and he woke up with a bride (Genesis 2:21-25; 3:12). Sound familiar? Maybe not. Think about how Jesus went to sleep, had His side opened up, and then he woke up to obtain a bride – His church.

The world tells us that marriage should be happy and perfect. God tells us marriage should be holy and complete us in our service to Him. People are so concerned with being happy that they honestly believe it is a commandment from God! If this were the case, the church never would have grown. Think about all that Paul endured for the bride of Christ. He was abused to the point of death and was then later put to death. I don’t think I would be “happy” according to worldly standards going through those difficulties. Based on extra-biblical church history, all but one apostle was murdered for Christ’s bride. This is a beautiful and perfect example of the love we need in our marriages.

While Christians have gotten wrapped up in this idea of being happy, we have neglected what makes our marriages holy. This has created unions between believers and unbelievers wherein they frequently are “unequally yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This more often than not causes the believer to abandon the faith for a happy marriage. Further, the pseudo, manmade doctrine of happy marriage has also been the catalyst for many unbiblical divorces. We hear, “God wouldn’t want me to remain married because I’m not happy” or “My spouse doesn’t meet my needs.”

The church also faces the plague of cohabitation. Some churches ignore or fail to address couples who shack up while they decide if they would be good fits in marriage. Usually, the only discipline the church does in these cases is not hosting a shower, but plenty of individuals still give lots of gifts and blessings for these individuals who have never repented of their sins. Lastly, we have unlawful remarriages. Some churches don’t expect a confession of sin for unlawful divorces and also have no issue with subsequent new marriages. Nevertheless, the words of Jesus Christ remain. “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Contrary to contentions otherwise, the apostle Paul did not alter or dismiss our Lord’s directive. “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

If the church actually saw marriage as God does, these would not be issues. The problem is, one learns more about how God views marriage primarily through the lens of the Old Testament, but Christians today refuse to learn from these books because “We are not under the old law.” God unites Himself in marriage with those He has called to be His chosen people. God fully understands what it means to be cheated on. His people were constantly committing spiritual adultery against Him by practicing idolatry.

“Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord. Then the Lord said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord. “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” (Jeremiah 3:8-14)

This is why many believe God allows the innocent party to remain when a spouse is unfaithful. God knows and understands that feeling.

Our marriages need to mirror what Christ set forward for us. Husbands are to love their wives to the point that they would die for them (Ephesians 5:25). They should be willing to sacrifice for their wives. Wives should be willing to submit to the will of “their own husbands” (Ephesians 5:24). Even when we do not want to submit, just the same as when Jesus submitted to the will of the Father in the Garden, wives need to submit to their husbands (Colossians 3:18). We must deny ourselves and follow the authority of the husbands we chose (Titus 2:5). This is where many argue that we can leave our husbands if they are unfaithful to God or are not Christians. This is contrary to God’s Word. According to Peter, we are to continue to live our lives pleasing to God and in this set the example for our husbands. This is how we bring them to a faithful relationship with Christ (1 Peter 3:1-6).

Elderships need to ensure that husbands, as wells as teenage and adult men generally – who may become husbands in the future – hear in the classroom and from the pulpit the biblical responsibility – what God expects – of husbands. Likewise, wives, as well as teenage and adult women – who may become wives in the future – need to hear in the classroom and from the pulpit the biblical responsibility – what God expects – of wives. If elders become aware of troubled marriages within the local congregation, they ought to express their concern and offer to convey biblical and helpful teachings about marriage openly for all and privately as needed. “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. …Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

We must stop seeing marriage through the eyes of our culture and see it through the eyes of God! Persons in marriages that are not pleasing to God are lost. Anyone failing to repent of sins, including divorces for unbiblical reasons, remain lost in sin. Church, we need to do better! God has called us to do so.

Jenny Choate

Psalm 31:14-15A “But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand.” NKJV

It seems unavoidable, this thing called stress! We accept it as an inevitable part of life. Volumes of books, numerous podcasts, and a plethora of expert opinions offer solutions for our physical, mental, and emotional strain, many of them coming at great cost.

And so, the quest to transform ourselves from an “I’ll bite your head off” creature into an “I love you with the love of the Lord” human begins. Good news is the secret can be found in David’s psalms.

Despite his kingly wealth and power, David resided on Struggle Street. He was a hunted fugitive. His adultery with Bathsheba resulted in many deaths, including his own child’s. A vicious rape occurred within his household. A son led a rebellion against him. In fact, his entire reign was marked by violence. Surely, David penned Psalm 31 with a trembling hand. He documented his cry for physical relief as his bones wasted away (vs. 10), mental relief from fear on every side (vs. 13), and emotional relief of his incessant grief (vs. 10). David’s low-points are undeniable, but his title, “a man after God’s own heart” was well earned, for in distress, David reaffirmed his relationship with God as he wrote;

“But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord . . . My times are in your hand” (Psalm 31:14-15).

Truth is, we too will find ourselves on struggle street, facing challenges at every turn. Perhaps spiteful co-workers will cast accusations our way. A divisive marriage may hurl spiteful words as daggers. Anxiety can mount right alongside bills that mount faster than can be paid. Like David, we may feel cut off from before God’s eyes. But take a deep cleansing breath and bask in the goodness of verse 24 where lies David’s secret: “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord,” And friend, never doubt this same loving Father will strengthen our hearts and provide us hope today.

Father God, may we discover relief from the struggles in our lives as we place our hope in You.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Psalm 30:5B “Weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

With Christmas in the past, I can now celebrate surviving the season without tears. You see, a few Christmases back, our world was thrown into the unthinkable. As my mother lay dying in one hospital, we anxiously awaited the birth of our precious grandson in the hospital right next door. Traveling back and forth from death bed to birthing room rendered my husband and me numb, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Following the excitement of holding our perfect baby for the first time, Mike and I stopped at a fast-food restaurant to quickly celebrate our anniversary with a burger and fries, then returned to mother’s bedside to face the inevitable together.

I reflect on these memories each Christmas. With a broken heart, I weep the loss of a beloved mother. Then quickly my tears turn to laughter as we gather to celebrate our grandson’s birthday, God’s precious gift of new life.

The struggle of sad tears/happy tears is not mine alone. Many in scripture faced adversities only to discover abundant blessings on the other side of heartache. Job endured great loss of family and wealth, but in the end prospered in excess. Ruth lost her husband and said goodbye to her family but was blessed with a godly husband and the glory of becoming a piece of the lineage of Jesus Christ. And Esther, the orphaned child, became a crowned Queen and saved her nation. These and many more were forced to endure the unthinkable in order to enjoy the unimaginable.

So, as you welcome in this new year with black eyed peas and a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, remember to brace for the storms of life. They will come. But remember, dear friend,on the other side of heartbreak will come the glorious sunrise of a new day and the beautiful gifts of a loving Father.

Blessings for the New Year,

Rita Cochrane

Last Sunday evening was our monthly singing night. We have an abundance of song leaders, and what a blessing that is to our worship service. We sometimes learn new songs, but we also sing a lot of old favorites.

Two things happened last Sunday night that warmed my heart. My teenage great nephew directed the first songs and then organized the rest of the service. He isn’t yet sixteen, but he did a masterful job of organizing and keeping things moving.

The second thing was the little four-year-old boy that led a song. He walked proudly to the podium, and his daddy held him up to the microphone. He looked out at the congregation and began the song, “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World.” He sang every word of two verses of the song. When he was done, he hurried back to his mother with the biggest smile on his face you can imagine.

Now why would these two things touch me? The first was because of what I see in so many teenagers today. There is so much disrespect for adults, for authority, and even for God. This young man participates in other areas of worship—prayer, Bible reading, and as a regular song leader. He and his brother are both active in church activities, Lads to Leaders, service projects, and are willing to do whatever they are asked to do. That is encouraging to see young men that take such an interest in the Lord and His church.

The second is because I am so encouraged by this little four-year-old boy learning to lead at such an early age. I am encouraged by parents that want their child to learn to do what many grown men won’t do.

It takes courage to serve God. It takes courage to do what is right. It takes thought and determination to worship God in the way He has instructed. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, they talked about worship. She spoke of the Jews worshiping in Jerusalem and her people worshiping in the mountains. Jesus told her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Worship should be special. Worship is to show respect and honor to God. It is not about me. It is not about my wants or needs. It is about obedience to God’s Word.

My prayer is that this teen and this four-year-old continue to grow in the knowledge of the Word, and that they will continue to serve our Lord God in a way that will be pleasing to Him.

Sandra Oliver

Most of us have excused ourselves from doing good things by saying, “I don’t have time.” Such a statement may be an actual reason. However, there are times when it becomes just an excuse.

Making a cake or pie takes from one to two hours. Baking cookies takes the same, depending on the complexity of the recipe. Putting together a delicious dinner for the family, if well planned, takes an hour or so. Playing a video game exhausts at least forty-five minutes. Watching a college football game takes at least two and a half hours. A basketball game will require nearly two hours. Andy Griffith, local news, national news and Wheel of Fortune all last thirty minutes. Few of us would miss watching our favorite team or program. We purposefully block out that time for a few moments of relaxation and personal pleasure. Is it really a matter of not having time or a matter of priorities? It may be just an excuse.

Philemon, for instance, can be read in less than two minutes. Titus takes less than five. Reading both letters to Timothy takes about twenty-five minutes. James can be read in twelve minutes, 1 and 2 Thessalonians in sixteen and Galatians in nineteen. Peter’s epistles can be finished in twenty-five minutes and John’s in fifteen. Matthew takes about two hours, but can easily be divided into four thirty minute segments.

The average reader can read the entire New Testament in under fifteen hours. Those who devote just thirty minutes per day to reading their Bible can read it once per month. Devoting the same thirty minutes per day to reading the Old Testament will see the project completed in less than four months.

When we neglect to read and meditate on God’s word we are simply robbing ourselves of great riches. “The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72). That treasure should be stored in our hearts, so that we can be pleasing to our Father. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

The Psalmist says the blessed man is the one whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1). The beauty of God’s message is that it is able to make us see ourselves as we really are in our very core. “For the word of God is  living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Will you join me in committing to read the Bible daily? Reserve at least thirty minutes a day for God’s word. I think all of us will become better acquainted with our Father and learn more about pleasing him in the process.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV). When we stand before the great Judge, what will he say about the stewardship of our time?

Today’s Verse:   Instructions to every new Israelite king: Deuteronomy 17:18-20 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one  before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.”

Audios available at http://christianwomanaudiodevotionals.abiblecommentary.com

by Teresa Hampton