Kathy Pollard.

Matthew 26:33 “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

The disciples had risked everything to follow Jesus, so when the Savior revealed they would all betray Him, their world was rocked. Then, a devoted Peter was singled out by Jesus and informed he would deny His Lord three times. Peter’s shock and hurt were evident as he adamantly denied the allegations with a pledge of, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

What an endearing, yet often overlooked denial. Peter denied he would deny! And very soon he got the chance to prove his loyalty by drawing his sword to protect Jesus from the Romans. Surely this brave act provided Peter a sense of exoneration from his Savior’s accusation.

But before the adrenaline of his heroic sword-fight wore off, Peter indeed deserted Jesus. Oh, how Peter’s heart must have longed to again be the brave sword-slinger. But for now, Peter hid in the shadows, emerging only to deny Jesus three times, just as foretold. When the rooster crowed, Peter sobbed, for he realized the man to whom Jesus had promised the keys to the kingdom was now unworthy of receiving the keys to the toolshed.

It must have been excruciating for Peter to deal with the guilt, shame, and regret of his actions. Did he agonize over his feet that were one moment being washed by Jesus and the next moment running away from Him? Perhaps he wept recalling his tongue bravely uttering allegiance to Jesus and in the next moment, fearfully denying Him.

Jesus could have harbored resentment and deemed Peter useless for His eternal purpose. But fast-forward to a resurrected Christ who instructed Mary Magdalene to go announce His return to life. Inconceivably, Christ specifically asked that Peter, despite his disloyalty, be told. Did you catch that? Christ offered redemptive love. In the Savior’s eyes, Peter was not a traitor but a redeemed child of God.

It was the amazing grace of Jesus that restored Peter to the man who had once declared, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

So, on the day of Pentecost, a mighty believer stood in front of the masses and boldly proclaimed Christ. That man was Peter; no longer afraid, no longer in the shadows, no longer a denier.

I see my life written throughout this story. Often in moments of weakness, the intentions of my heart do not match the actions of my life. I may be wholly dedicated to Christ, yet in a blink, my actions deny Him. Sisters, if this sounds familiar, do not overlook the most beautiful piece of this story: the redeeming love of a Father who desires to restore us to Him even if we fail.

Father God, we ask for strength to remain faithful even if all others forsake You and we praise You for redeeming love.

Rita Cochrane

There is a short parable in Matthew 7 about the wise man and the foolish man. The lesson is simple. If we hear the words of Jesus and do what He says, we will be like the wise man that had a rock foundation. If we hear the words of Jesus and do not obey Him, we will be like the foolish man who built his house on sand. Sand does not make a strong foundation. When the rain came and the wind blew, the wise man’s house stood; but the foolish man’s house fell.

The question for the Christian is, upon what foundation should I build my life? What should be the basis for everything I believe and do? What will withstand the trials, hardships, and temptations that will inevitably come along in my life on this earth?

My husband and I recently had a conversation about why people are afraid to die. Even those who are Christians become concerned over dying. I think it is often more about the suffering we must endure before we die, or the leaving of loved ones, or the fear of the unknown that creates this fear in humans. I actually think there is another element to a fear of dying. It is a fear that we have not done enough to warrant our entry into heaven. Many people feel that “doing” is the yard stick, so to speak, that God uses to measure our worthiness of getting into heaven. What we need to understand is that doing good deeds is not the ticket that will get us into heaven.

One of the rules of Bible study is to look at the context of the passage you are studying. Such is the case with this short parable in Matthew 7. We need to remember that this is the last of a three-chapter sermon Jesus delivered. In that sermon, Jesus lays out the plan for building our house on the rock.

In chapter 5:

• He speaks about those who will be blessed for having the right attitude.
• He moves on to our example using salt and light.
• He emphasizes the Law and how He has come to fulfill the Law.
• Next He addresses our treatment of ill feelings toward our brother.
• He condemns lust, explains the only reason for divorce, the taking of oaths, and turning the other cheek.
• Next He tells us how to treat our enemies.

In chapter 6:

• Jesus talks about, not just helping the needy, but not elevating ourselves when we do good.
• He teaches about prayer and fasting.
• He condemns our physical desires for earthly possessions and the need to lay up treasures in heaven.
• He admonishes us to be dependent on God supplying our needs.

In chapter 7:

• Jesus shows us the judgment we will receive for judging the motives of our brother.
• He addresses the way in which we should ask things from God.
• He tells us to treat others as we want to be treated.
• He warns of false prophets and how we can identify them.

The next few verses lead us into the parable of the wise and foolish men. The teaching here is about standing in judgment and professing our good works. The key is verse 21. The person that will enter the kingdom is the one who does the will of the Father. The doing is not just good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds. It is doing the commandments God has laid out for us. It is acting when the opportunity presents itself. It is learning what to do to become a child of God, doing it, and living faithfully until death. When we do that, we can say what Paul said. “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:6-8).

 Sandra Oliver

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

2022 was stirring much chaos throughout.

The tree was lit brightly and gifts covered the floor;

Wrapped parcels of masks, sanitizer, and toilet paper galore.

The children were nestled on computers around the room,

With mom in the kitchen, and dad conferencing on zoom.

When up on the T.V. came the news in a flash;

“Quarantine! No big gatherings, or we’ll see a backlash.”

So, this season, prepare for no Christmas Caroling,

No ornament swaps, and no big friend-gatherings.

Sadly, many opportunities for fellowship won’t take place,

But dear Sisters, remember, we must never lose faith.

Finding peace in the midst of panic, all Christians take ease,

God is still on His throne, no need to fret, please.

Rest assured, our Heavenly Father will keep us in His care,

His love encircles us as we bow our heads in prayer.

So, may our Father above bless this coming year,

And may our days ahead be filled with good cheer.

For in His Word He exclaims, He has shone a Bright Light!

So, Merry 2023 to all, and to all, a Christ-filled life.

Rita Cochrane

She was 19. She had been in and out of the hospital her whole life, but she finally lost the battle. At her funeral, there were pictures of her, and trophies, and ribbons, showing the triumphs of her short life. But her greatest triumph was her faith. Kristin was a fine Christian lady.

I have known Kristin for about 12 years. Her mother is one of my best friends. But I have a hard time remembering what Kristin looks like, because I didn’t see her very often. Now that she is gone, I know that I will remember less and less of what she looked like. But her mom won’t.

Her mom will never forget that girl, because she was with her every day. And, as the years go by, and as memory fades, her mom only has to pull out those pictures and look at that sweet girl, and all the memories will come flooding back. When her brother’s children come to Grandma’s house, she will pull out that family album and say, “This is your aunt Kristin!” Their children will turn to those pictures and say, “This is our great aunt Kristin.” And her memory will stay alive for generations because of those pictures her loving mother took throughout her lifetime.

Jesus was buried. He rose again and lives at the right hand of God. Twelve men shared his life on earth. They saw his face every day for three years. They knew when he was sad, or happy, or mad. They saw his tears; they saw his grief; they saw his love; they saw God in him. And, eventually, their lives reflected what they saw in their Master’s face.

But I have never seen Jesus. All the pictures of him are just an artist’s renderings. No one can pull out a Polaroid of Jesus and say, “This is Jesus.” Yet, there is a picture album that he left for us so that we can remember what he looks like. The face of love, the face of kindness, the face of our Brother.

Matthew says, “See, this is Jesus.” And he shows us one picture. Mark paints another picture, as does John. Luke gives us a whole history of his life and times and the beginnings of his earthly genealogy, which started in Acts 2:38 when, in one day, his family jumped in number by three thousand.

Kristin is now just a picture in a book to most people. But her mother will carry her sweet reflection in her heart for as long as she lives. And Jesus, also in his way, is just a picture in a book to most people. But those of us who love him carry his sweet reflection in our hearts.

God give us the desire to show the picture of our Brother to all we meet and reflect in our lives what we see in the Master’s face.

Barbara Ann Oliver

Ruth 1:22 “So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”

Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, stepped out of Moab as broken women. Following the death of their husbands and both of Naomi’s sons, they saw no option other than journey to Bethlehem, Naomi’s homeland, and start over. Moab was the only life Ruth had ever known; there lived her people, her culture, and the gods of her youth. With her first step towards Bethlehem, she relinquished it all.

The journey proved challenging, for Naomi carried a heavy baggage of bitterness. Not only was Ruth’s mother-in-law convinced of God’s abandonment, she was certain the hand of God had gone out against her. But just when all seemed hopeless, scripture offers the smallest glimpse of God’s providence – so small, it almost goes unnoticed.

“Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”

It is easy to overlook the magnitude of this under-statement, but if you know the rest of their story, it was the barley harvest that led Ruth to a wealthy man of God who became her husband. In God’s ultimate plan, their son provided Naomi with a precious grandson who would find a coveted place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. So, consider God’s perfect timing, and consider, who, but a great God, can piece lives back together using a simple grain?

Sisters, the end of their story provides us valuable insight into what Naomi did not foresee:

God never left her. God led her.

Have we ever felt like Naomi, abandoned by God? When we struggle to feel God’s presence, do we trust His faithfulness? When life gets hard, are we assured He has not left us but is leading us?

Like these women, our paths can become burdensome, delivering us to an unwelcomed destination. We may discover ourselves frightened by an uncertain future that robs us of our calm. We might struggle to feel the presence of our loving Father in the midst of our chaos. But never doubt dear Sisters, we can trust He will not leave us. On the contrary, He will lead us.

Father God, help us trust in your faithfulness and see difficulties as part of our journey leading us to your glory.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

They cower over me, standing tall

And on my knees, I begin to fall

A perfect place to find true peace

Begging God my giants to defeat

Like a lost sheep, crying in fear

My God, my God, are you there

Reach out LORD, touch my soul

To be again, complete and whole

My legs are weary, can’t go alone

At night I weep and cry and moan

My broken heart; it’s much to bear

God Almighty, do you truly care

How long must I weep in sorrow

Are these giants here tomorrow

I beg, I plead, down on my knees

Take my burdens, let them cease

Fill me up with the strength to fight

To slay these giants with your might

I know you’ll always fight by my side

As long as I always with, you abide

Indeed no giants no matter the size

Can keep me from winning my prize

I’ll keep running the Christian race

Despite the giants I continue to face

Thank you, Father, you are my Rock

For with you, my giants will be struck!

John 15:4-5:  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.  5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.

Deb Hibbard

There is nothing in this world that carries greater value than human life. When there is some tragedy, like an airplane crash, a fire, a shooting, a tornado, an earthquake, or a war, the devastation is first measured by the loss of life. The relationships we share with those who have been taken from us cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Such tragedies are emotional events that carry immediate and long-term effects.

Human life is precious. It is a gift from God. In life, we see the presence of God. How do we know this? God tells us in His Word. God is pro-life. After all, He created us. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created man in His own image. He repeats those same words in Genesis 9:6.

THE VALUE OF THE ORIGN OF LIFE

 Just when does life begin? Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, says that when life begins is up to whoever is running your state government. Whether they are right or wrong, whether you agree or not, it is a matter of state law. Some states say cardiac activity detectable by ultrasound is the beginning of life. Others say it begins at fertilization. Others say it is somewhere in between.

Some people say life begins when you begin to breathe, and they use Genesis 2:7; “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” This Scripture proves that God breathed life into Adam, but God created Adam full grown. He did not come from the womb. Of course, He breathed life into him.

Consider Job 31 verse 15. Job says that God made him in the womb and fashioned us in the womb. David, in his praise for God in Psalm 139, says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” He says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Jeremiah proclaims of the Father, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…” (Jeremiah 1:5). Isaiah declares that the Lord said he formed Isaiah from the womb to be his servant (Isaiah 49:5).

Does God value life in the womb? No matter what the state governments say, no matter what the Supreme Court says, the Bible says “yes” He does. He says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).

In whose hands is our eternal destiny, the government or God’s? God has given us the answer to the question that continues to plague our world.

 GOD’S VALUE OF LIFE

 Do you ever ask yourself, “Does God care about me? Do I matter? Am I of any value?” Once again, we need only to look to God’s Word for the answer. “…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…” (Isaiah 43:4). Paul speaks of individuals as treasures in jars of clay (Second Corinthians 4:7).

Not only do some challenge the beginning of life, but they also challenge life after birth. There is much discussion about the right of one man to take the life of another. Some struggle with wanting to end their own life. For those without God, the case for ending life, for whatever reason, is of no consequence.

Two passages of Scripture come to mind immediately. The first is found in First Corinthians 3:16-17. Here, Paul says that we are the temple of God. The Spirit of God dwells in man; and, if one destroys the temple, God will destroy him. He also says that the temple of God is holy.

The second passage is found in First Peter 2:5. Peter says that we are living stones living in a spiritual house. His plan for us is that we be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

There is reference in these two passages to the temple and the priesthood. These had been vitally important to the Jews, but Paul and Peter were speaking, not of the physical temple and priests, but about our bodies and the collective body, the church.

Under the old law, God commanded that anyone who sacrificed their son or daughter in idol worship was an abomination to the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:10). Later, King Manasseh actually caused his children to walk through fire and burned them alive in sacrifice to a man-made idol. Many Old Testament Scriptures attest to God’s warnings concerning ending someone’s life. When we end a life, we are playing God. Only God has that right.

LET’S DRAW SOME CONCLUSIONS

 Many questions man had for years are answered in Scripture, and man sought the answer from other sources, only to have to admit that the answers were right there all along in God’s Word. One of those questions was about the importance of blood in the body. As far back as ancient Egypt, man believed that bloodletting was a treatment for many illnesses. Hippocrates believed good health required the practice of bloodletting. Marie-Antoinette was a patient of bloodletting, and George Washington’s life was cut short because he was drained of five to seven pints of blood in less than sixteen hours. Blood was thrown away, because the doctors thought it was of no value. Had they read Leviticus 17:14, they would have known the answer. “For the life of every creature is its blood; its blood is its life.”

The same can be said of the preciousness of life. One only has to read the Bible to know that God values life and that God is pro-life. Paul says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

If you want to know more about the preciousness of your life, join us this Sunday as we study from God’s Word. You will hear what God says, not what man says.

Sandra Oliver

“But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart” (Psalm 35:13 NKJV). Often in Scripture, we read of those who were clothed in sackcloth, humbling themselves before God so that their prayers would be heard. The city of Nineveh not only clothed the people in sackcloth but also the animals to show their contrite hearts (Jonah 3:8).

If David’s prayer in Psalm 35:1-28 were for Absalom and the traitors who conspired with him to remove David from the throne, then it has heavy implications. If it were for King Saul or some other enemy, we can only imagine its depth of meaning.

David contrasted the enemy’s conduct with his own. He talked of his past life and about the acts of kindness that he had shown in times of trouble, as more deeply marking the evils of his enemies’ conduct now. David begged the Lord to plead his cause and to fight against them that fight him. He said, ‘Stand for me! Confuse the enemy! Blow them away like chaff! (Psalm 35:2-5). He even begged the Lord to make their way dark and slippery; David pleaded that his enemies would fall into their own pit that they had dug to snare him (Psalm 35:6-8). David had given up on saving their souls though he apparently had tried many times in the past. These were men (or women) who were bound to David by the bands and ties of physical life – people he knew well.

David was brought low because of the false witnesses who laid things to his charge beyond that he never dreamed. Yet, those same people had been the object of his fasting and prayers in other days. When they had been in distress, he had put on sackcloth and afflicted his soul for their sakes. He had humbled himself before God to beg for their health or for their position before the Almighty. Surely in times past he had prayed for Absalom as he watched the turn of his character or as he had witnessed his misconduct. More than anything, he would have wanted his own son to be righteous before God, but now with the insurrection, he realized there was no hope for his soul or for the souls of the ones with him. David knew that Absalom and his companions hated him without a cause.

David’s final thoughts regarding the actions of his enemies as they contrasted with his own actions were that the Lord would clothe them with shame and dishonor because they had returned evil for his good. Our own hearts need to be humble to the point we would be willing to clothe ourselves in sackcloth to pray for our enemies, even if they do not respond well. They will be clothed in shame if they spurn our efforts at peace.

Will our clothing be sackcloth or shame (Job 8:22; Psalm 109:29; 132:18)? Will we humble ourselves before the Almighty, or will we proudly go our thankless way and return evil for the good others do for us?

Questions

1. Define sackcloth and tell why it was worn.
2. Sackcloth has always carried with it the idea of one of the Christian virtues. With what virtue should we be clothed (1 Peter 5:5)?
3. How serious is the sin of ingratitude (Romans 1:21)?
4. Under the Law of Moses, men were commanded to give an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Is it right today to take vengeance or to pray for the destruction of our enemies (Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:19)?
5. How many good deeds had David done for King Saul?
6. How did Saul react?
7. What good had David done for his son Absalom?
8. How did Absalom respond?
9. What is the higher law for Christians today (Luke 6:35)?
10. King Ahab was one of the worst kings in the history of Israel. Why did God postpone His judgment against Ahab and give him another chance to live after he had determined to destroy him and his descendants (1 Kings 21:21-29)?

    Beth JohnsonChennai Teacher Training School

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