Something happened recently that rocked our world. My husband received a call from a former student at the preaching school which my husband directed for over six years. He informed him that one of his classmates, Nick, had died suddenly that night of a massive heart attack. My husband talked with Nick frequently, especially sharing sermon ideas. In fact, they had just spoken the day before. Nick was in his forties and he and his wife still had children at home.

I began to ponder some very heavy thoughts. If today was my last day, what would I want to accomplish? I quickly came up with these things:

If today was my last day, I would say, “I love you,” more, especially to to family, but not restricted to family. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (1 John 3:11).

If today was my last day, I would praise God and thank Him for my wonderful husband, our children, my special extended family, our caring shepherds. our encouraging deacons and church family. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

If today was my last day, I would tell all of them how important they have been in my life. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).

If today was my last day, I would use every moment wisely. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15).

If today was my last day, I would count my blessings, even the hardships I have experienced, because they led to growth, strength, and patience. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2).

If today was my last day, I would forgive those who have trespassed against me, if I had not already done so. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew  6:15).

If today was my last day, I would ask others to forgive me.  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).

If today was my last day, I would pray and sing praises. Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:15-16). Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him (Psalm 68:4).

If today was my last day, I would take advantage of opportunities to encourage and serve my brothers and sisters in Christ. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:25-28).

If today was my last day, I would finish what I started. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.(Matt. 14:28). Paul said, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Finally, if today was my last day, I would ask God to grant me mercy and grace abundantly, not because I deserve it, but because I need it. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-17).

Our dear friend Nick was an exceptional guy, a Christian man to be admired for sure. We will miss him, but I thank God that his untimely death brought to mind some very important considerations about my own life.

One question yet remains. If today was your last day, what would you do?

Today’s Verse: Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming (Matthew 25:13).

By Teresa Hampton

Audios are available at http://christianwomanaudiodevotionals.abiblecommentary.com/index.html

Have you ever felt empty? Or have you ever felt like something was missing?

Several years ago I wrote a Bible-marking article on the idea of “being filled.” It was an encouraging study because it was a reminder of the good things our hearts can be filled with as we seek the Lord and live for Him.

Here are just a few examples:

• Joy-Acts 13:52; 2 Tim. 1:4
• The Holy Spirit- Acts 13:52; Eph. 5:18
• Peace and goodness and knowledge- Rom. 15:13-14
• Comfort- 2 Cor. 7:4
• The fullness of God- Eph. 3:19
• The fruit of righteousness- Phil. 1:11
• Spiritual wisdom and understanding- Col. 1:9

We can still sometimes struggle, though, even as children of God. That’s why it’s so important to spend time with God’s people. Being with brothers and sisters in Christ helps us fill our spiritual tanks back up when we’re feeling empty. When I’m with God’s people, I can SEE joy and goodness and righteousness. When I’m low on peace or comfort or understanding, I can lean into theirs for awhile. And I know others will need the same from me from time to time, too.

“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

(Acts 13:52)

Kathy Pollard

Psalm 34:17 NKJV “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

Each February, our nation eagerly awaits a football battle of gigantic proportion. Perhaps you, too, were a Super Bowl spectator who consumed massive amounts of junk food and transformed into a couch-referee and half-time-show critique. What’s interesting is that regardless of the score, when the game clock runs out each year, the outcome remains the same. One team celebrates. The other leaves brokenhearted.

If you think about it, the losing team’s loss was not due to incompetence. They trained diligently. Their players consumed the proper nutrition. Their coaches analyzed every single play. But while the winning team’s victory is celebrated with confetti and trophies, loud cheers, and hugs all around, the losing team departs the field with tears, heads hung low, and fans too stunned to speak.

Watching this, I am reminded of the sweet taste of victory and the sting of defeat. One person’s win creates another’s unfortunate loss. But gratefully, losing does have a positive side. Losses can fill us with the determination to try harder. Losses give us a greater appreciation for victory.

If you love to win, here is a bit of advice: choose to be on God’s team. He has proven Himself the great victor. He defeated the mighty army of Egypt with a torrent of water, brought down the thick walls of Jericho with a marching squad, and defeated death as He breathed life back into His precious Son.

So, friend, we must prepare for battles ahead by choosing to be on God’s team. This way, when we grapple with self-doubt and anxiety, our God will fight for us as He reminds us, “You are enough. You were lovingly created in My image.” When we suffer self-inflicted wounds from our wrongdoing, God will offer sweet redemption so that we never need surrender to our sin. And when we oppose Satan for the preservation of our families, our mighty God will triumph over all his evil.

Friend, I am putting my name on God’s roster, and I hope you will join me. Prepare for sweet victory!

Father God, we praise You for the ways you fight for us.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Like David. my Lord was a king, a potentate.

With scepter in his right hand and dainties on his plate.

He should have worn a golden crown—A robe without the jest:

But he was stripped and wounded, while giving me His best.

Like Aaron, he was holy. a turban crown was His.

He laid that down beside the throne—poured out eternal bliss

To come to earth to rent the veil and enter there for me

But tearing was contingent on the suffering on that tree.

He poured out wealth and majesty. He poured out the right to reign.

He poured out equality with God that I could access gain.

He poured out honor, left His place beside the throne of God

To sit by old Judean wells and dusty paths to trod.

He traded allelujas for mocking cries and shame.

He gave up all authority, inherent in His name.

He left the perfect garden for dark Gethsemane

Came down from Zion’s eternal mount, to bleed on Calvary.

His crown should have been golden, with holiness engraved

But piercing wooden thorns he wore, my sin-stained soul to save.

With tissue torn, exposed and rent, and cross on bleeding back

He made His way to Golgotha. While armies were in tact…

And stood at heaven’s ready, to rescue heaven’s prize.

They nailed him there and shouted blatant mockery and lies.

Choosing human weakness, succumbing to the death

Bruised by men He formed from dust, he breathed his final breath.

And in that time of tearing veil, of darkness in midday

Of dead men walking through the town and shaking earth’s display.

They took the crown, now bloody, cast it to the ground.

And wrapped him in a rich man’s cloth and laid his body down.

His body resting in the tomb. The  purchase is complete.

The kingdom price is paid by blood. So wonderfully sweet

Is my redemption. If I had a thousand tongues to sing

And if I had a thousand crowns that I could humbly bring…

And alabaster boxes to brims with fragrance filled,

The blessing of anointing Him would not the sweetness yield

To honor nail-pierced hands and feet emerging from the grave.

The King of Kings laid down the crown, my wretched soul to save.

Cindy Colley

Bless all the athletes from all over the world

who will be trying to do their best

while corresponding as individuals or on teams

to be better than the rest.

As they compete from day to day

let them show sportsmanship too-

showing kindness and compassion for others

In all they say  and do.

Whether they win or lose in their competition, let them show civility and grace

to their fellow competitors

with a smile upon their face.

Let them celebrate each and every win

as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream

with one big wonderful celebration

where their joy will reign supreme.

Heb 12:1 – Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Debora Robbins/emh

Psalm 95:3-4 “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hands are the depths of the earth; and the mountain peaks belong to Him”. NIV

We saved our money and purchased five airline tickets for our family’s dream vacation. We would fly to Las Vegas, rent a vehicle, and drive to the Grand Canyon. With two teenage sons and a pre-teen daughter in tow, cross country trekking was quite an exasperating adventure, and I reminisced the days of travelling with younger children, wondering if this were any easier. Incredibly, the disagreements had not changed over time for they still argued over who was touching who, where we would stop to eat, and whose turn it was to sit in the middle.

But this was the trip of a lifetime and nothing, not even grouchy, hard-to-please teenagers would ruin it.

The big day finally arrived: the day we would stand on the spot that graced the cover of every middle-school geography textbook in existence.

So rising before sunrise, we loaded the car with the essentials: a cooler of sandwiches and waters, chips, binoculars, and wet wipes. Our not-so-eager troops crammed into the back seat and the long trip proved blissfully quiet, because no one can marathon-sleep like a teenager!

Our crew was still snoozing as we parked and announced with much pomp and circumstance, “We are here!” Three grumpy offspring emerged from the vehicle, stretching and yawning as we made our way to the place of dreams and there we gazed upon THE GRAND CANYON! Its grandeur and beauty took my breath and the five of us stood in speechless awe for about 20 seconds beholding God’s indescribable creation. It was our oldest who broke the silence.

“Hmm,” he said. “It’s just a big hole in the ground! Can we go now?”

My husband and I came close to losing our sanity as we realized how vastly our expectations had exceeded our reality. The magnificence of God’s canyon proved second to the anticipation of the swimming pool back at the hotel.

But do I ever treat God’s grandeur this way? Am I too rushed to cherish the work of His hands?  Is my sight clouded by the man-made obstacles surrounding me? The beauty of His world is breathtaking, yet I am often blind to it as I anticipate the next thing on my list. So today, dear friend, slow down and allow your eyes and hearts to behold His majesty.

Father God, for the beauty of the Earth, we give thanks.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

“The Bible doesn’t teach ‘once saved, always saved,’ but neither does it teach ‘once saved, never sure.’”

Neal made this statement last Sunday when teaching a Bible class on Hebrews chapter ten. He pointed out the three “let us” statements in the text that show us how to have this confidence: draw near (v. 22), hold fast (v. 23), and encourage others (v. 24). Neal summed it up with this statement:

“To keep from falling away, stay close to God and to one another.”

It was such a beautiful study. I noticed a great contrast in verses 38 and 39. There are those who “shrink back” and those who “live by faith.” Starting at verse 22, we can see the difference between the two.

Shrinking back involves:

• “sinning deliberately”- v. 26
• “fearful expectation”- v. 27
• “punishment”- v. 29
• “outraged the Spirit”- v. 29
• “trampled underfoot the Son of God”- v. 29
• “vengeance/ judgment”- v. 30
• “fearful”- v. 31

Living by faith involves:

• “full assurance”- v. 22
• “clean and pure”- v. 22
• “without wavering”- v. 23
• “compassion/ joy in struggles”- v. 32-34
• “confidence”- v. 35
• “great reward”- v. 35
• “endurance”- v. 36
• “preserve our souls”- v. 39

The “living by faith” life is the one I want! But sometimes I get caught up in my own sinful struggles or fears or doubts. I’m thankful that God knows His creation and put something in place for that. He gave me you. You play a role in the confidence of my salvation. You encourage me.

Perhaps you wrestle with never feeling good enough. You’d love to say with confidence, “I’m saved!,” but niggling doubts hold you back. You have drawn near to God. You are staying faithful, even through trials. But the ever-present fear is still there, keeping you from fully embracing hope. Well, remember the the third “let us” because it’s just as essential as the first two. “Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” The surest way to get over being unsure is to encourage others. The Hebrews writer said that’s one of the reasons we meet together (v. 25). Before you show up for worship, think about specific ways you can “stir up” other Christians. Anytime you’re with your church family, be eager to greet them, listen to them, shoulder their burdens, praise their efforts, and rejoice in their presence. You’ll be contributing to their confidence in their salvation and, in turn, strengthening your own.

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”

(Hebrews 10:35)

By Kathy Pollard

The title of this week’s reason to love the church comes straight from Tim Lewis, a gospel preacher in Oklahoma City. He gave me permission to share what he posted:

“I’m sitting at a coffee shop reviewing my lesson, ‘You Can Love the Church,’ and I thought of something that isn’t in my notes. I love the church because the church loved me. There are many people who have been hurt by the church, but I’m not one of those people. My life in the church has been one blessing after another. As I write these words, I am reminded of all the people who have contributed to my faith, invested in me, mentored me, forgave me, accepted me, and believed in me. Some of my greatest mentors have already finished the race. I miss them. I look forward to seeing them again, in eternity. But for the rest of my life, I want to do my best to love and accept others, the way so many people have loved, accepted, and encouraged me.”

I love that!

“My life in the church has been one blessing after another.” Mine, too. Encouragement, comfort, fellowship, friendship, mentorship, family, spiritual growth, spiritual challenges and refinement, and lots of beautiful moments to carry me all the way to forever.

Next time you’re with a group of Christians, maybe out to eat or in your home or in a small Bible study setting, ask everyone to answer the question, “How has the church loved you?” It will surely be a heart-warming time of encouragement!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:34-35)

By Kathy Pollard