Ephesians 3:20a NKJV “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

I was recently asked to describe a friend using only three nouns. Now recalling middle school English class (which for me is a stretch), a noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. So, I retrieved pen and paper and began my list. After numerous scribbles and mark-overs, I settled on, “Worker,” “Confidante,” and “Friend.” As I stared at the three, I was disappointed, for they stopped far short of telling her story. She was more than just any “Worker.” She was not your ordinary “Confidante.” And the word, “Friend” was far too vague.

So, I made an editorial decision to break the rules and add in adjectives to better describe the nouns I had chosen. “Worker” transformed into “Dedicated Worker.” “Confidante” became, “Trustworthy Confidant.” And “Friend” was rewritten as “Faithful Friend.” Now the description more accurately represented her.

In scripture, the Holy Spirit also found it necessary to use descriptive words, so he filled the Gospel writers with adjectives and adverbs. Notice the verse above from Ephesians. Yes, God’s desire is to fulfill our needs, but it doesn’t stop there. Our God responds exceedingly and abundantly above anything we can ask or even think about asking. Those two underlined words were necessary for us to better grasp God’s amazing power and His desire to bless us.

This thought led me to a quick search. Prepare to be amazed at the underlined words the Holy Spirit used in describing God.

Psalm 62:7-8 tells us God is our “mighty rock.”

Ephesians 2:4 wows us with “His great love with which He loved us.”

Friend, I suppose I broke the rules when I added to the nouns describing my friend. But, I was simply following the example of the Holy Spirit who, long before me, made the editorial decision to use adjectives and adverbs in describing our mighty, everlasting, merciful, gracious, righteous, faithful, and great God.

Thank you, Father, for the many ways You are our God.   

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the lord, which He will accomplish for you today. . . The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Against all odds, Israel departed bondage in Egypt. But freedom seemed short-lived as they stood wedged between the massive Egyptian army and the even more massive waters of the Red Sea. Without a doubt, Israel faced a big problem that yielded only tragic foreseeable outcomes: be killed or return to slavery.

Israel cried loud and clear the big-ness of their problem. (And without a doubt, it was a big problem!) But Moses saw the bigger solution. So, as Israel shook with fear, Moses calmly declared,

“Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. . . The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Allow me to paraphrase Moses’ instruction to Israel in a bit more everyday lingo:

“Don’t tell me how big your problem is before you tell me how big your God is!”

You know the rest of the story. Israel’s Big God rolled those mighty waters up into walls of protection allowing Israel to cross to safety and began their new life. The walls of water protecting Israel were the very same walls of water God used to defeat their enemy.

Oh, dear friend, we serve that same BIG GOD. So today as we face our chaos, we must remember. . .

Our Big God raised up the dead. So, when all feels hopeless, He can raise up a new spirit within us.

Our Big God turned water into wine. He can turn our sorrow into joy and our tears into blessings.

Our Big God healed the sick, so we should never doubt He can heal whatever heartbreak we are living.

Our Big God formed man from dust and breathed into him life and He desires to breathe new life into our worn-out existence.

So sweet friend, when you find yourself in the midst of chaos, you are welcome to tell me all about your big problems, but first, you must tell me about your BIG GOD!

Father God, we praise You for Your Big-ness!

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

What if there were no resurrection?

This very question is asked and answered in 1 Corinthians 15. If there were no resurrection:

• “our preaching is in vain” (v. 14)
• “your faith is in vain” (v. 14)
• “we are misrepresenting God” (v. 15)
• “your faith is futile” (v. 17)
• “you are still in your sins” (v. 17)
• “those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (v. 18)
• “we are of all people most to be pitied” (v. 19)

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (v. 20)!

And because of that, we will be raised, too, in glory (v. 43), in power (v. 43), and in victory (v. 57). Because He lives, we have comfort in what lies ahead and an “imperishable” (v. 42), “spiritual body” (v. 44) to look forward to.

But the resurrection of Christ blesses us NOW, too. The book of Ephesians is filled with reassuring promises for those who are in Christ (His church). By my count, there are more than 20! For example, because He lives:

• We enjoy every spiritual blessing (1:3).
• We have redemption and forgiveness (1:7).
• We have an inheritance (1:11).
• We have His power (1:19).
• We have been made alive (2:5).
• We have been saved through faith (2:8).
• We live with purpose (2:10).
• We are members of the household of God (2:19).
• We have boldness and confident access (3:11-12).
• We have strength through His Spirit (3:16).

“These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:19-20).

It seems like each one of these would be enough on its own. But our Christ “blesses and blesses again” as the old hymn says. An awareness of this will help us live gratefully and faithfully here until we are raised with Him there (1 Cor. 15:58)!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pet. 1:3)

By Kathy Pollard

I’m sure some of you are veterans. If you are, you served somewhere either in the United States or on foreign soil. Some of you saw combat flying a plane, driving a tanker, driving a jeep, cooking for the troops, or maybe you were a foot soldier. Some of you were wounded, and most certainly all of you live with the memories of what you heard and saw. Wherever you served, whatever position you held, you were a soldier.

Do you believe in America? Of course, you believe in America and that for which it stands. If you didn’t, you would not have risk your life. You believe in the constitution and our Bill of Rights. Those documents are the foundation of our country. You proudly proclaim your allegiance to our country, because you fought for our freedom.

For most of you who have not been in the military, you believe just as strongly in our country. Most of you have and will defend the principles on which it was founded. You, too, are proud Americans.

I am a soldier, a soldier of Christ. My battles are a different kind. I fight the good fight because I believe in the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the apostles and early Christians we read about in the Bible.

Some say that there is no proof that the Bible is real, or that the testimony of the apostles and early Christians offers no prove of the truth of the Bible. However, the testimony of the apostles and early Christians is proof that the Bible is true.

When the twelve disciples were first chosen, they did not know that this man they agreed to follow was the true, promised Messiah. After Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water to wine, John says they believed on Him (John 2:11). Jesus’ own earthly brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). Later, James, his earthly brother, became a Christian and served in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-29). The writer of the book of Jude was also likely the earthly brother of Jesus. Saul, later called Paul, persecuted the Christians in the first century; but after being taught by Ananias in Acts 9, was baptized and began to preach in defense of the truth.

These are not the only men that suffered for the cause of Christ. The book of Revelation was a warning of the persecution that was to come. A long list of historians testify to the fact that John, the apostle, wrote this book. The persecutions of the Christians have been documented. Let’s look at just one of these historians as proof of what transpired.

The writings of Josephus are important for background sources for early Christians. He provides some details on many events that took place. One of these was the stoning of James, the earthly brother of Jesus. Caesar, the emperor, appointed a new procurator over Judea. He was a Sadducee, a religious sect of the Jews. The Sadducees were rigid in judging those accused of various crimes. The new procurator assembled the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jews, and brought James before them, along with some others. He formed an accusation against them and delivered them to be stoned. (worldhistory.org).

Josephus also records the demise of John the Baptizer. John preached against the adultery of Herod and Herodias. Herodias was not happy with John, and she desperately wanted to get rid of him. Her daughter danced at the king’s birthday party and was granted almost anything her heart desired. On advice of her mother, she asked for John’s head on a silver platter.

Josephus also writes about the apostle Paul. He identified with the Pharisees, another sect of the Jews, during his lifetime. Josephus and his father were most likely in the area Paul was when this apostle was arrested and later killed. (FromtheDesk.org).

Nero was the Roman Emperor known for his persecution of the Christians. One of the key factors in the spread of Christianity was the work of the apostles. Paul, especially, traveled throughout the Mediterranean area. His message was one of hope and salvation. This was different than the worship of idols the people were used to.

Christianity was seen as a threat to the established order. It did not recognize the authority of the emperor over God, and it rejected the idol worship. It also promoted equality among all believers. Nero wanted to assert his power and authority.

After a destructive fire in Rome that may have been caused by Nero, the emperor wanted to blame the Christians. Those who refused to renounce their faith were subjected to horrific persecutions and death. They were fed to animals, torn apart, and even tarred and hung in Nero’s garden where he set them on fire and used them as human torches to light his garden at night.

“Despite the severity of Nero’s persecution, Christianity continued to grow and spread throughout the Roman empire in the centuries that followed.” Nero’s persecution of Christians failed to eliminate Christianity.

We know that all of the apostles, with the exception of John, suffered persecution. Many others also suffered at the hands of the Roman rulers. James, the apostle, was beheaded by Herod (Acts 12:1-2). James, the brother of Jesus, was stoned. John the Baptizer was beheaded for preaching against adultery (Matthew 14). Stephen, a preacher in the early church, was stoned because there were those that disputed his teaching of the truth (Acts 6:8 through 7:1-60). His message was clear. He accused them of their ungodly actions, and they killed him for his beliefs.

Why would these men be willing to die? They died because they believed in Jesus Christ. They believed that He came to earth, lived, died, was buried, and rose again. They believed that He returned to the Father where He sits at His right hand. Stephen told the people that he could see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man was standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). His revelation caused the mob to rush on him and stone him to death.

The testimony of these and others, whether in words or actions, is proof that the Bible is true. Even in the face of death, Christians have for centuries been willing to die for the cause of Christ.

We are fortunate that we are not asked to die if we profess our faith in God and Jesus Christ, His Son. That could still happen. That is why many of you sacrificed so much for our country. You would not have done this had you not known that you were fighting for truth and for freedom. So, it was and is with Christians. The heroes of Scripture stood for the truth and are proof that the Bible is true.

Sandra Oliver

What if there were no resurrection?

This very question is asked and answered in 1 Corinthians 15. If there were no resurrection:

• “our preaching is in vain” (v. 14)
• “your faith is in vain” (v. 14)
• “we are misrepresenting God” (v. 15)
• “your faith is futile” (v. 17)
• “you are still in your sins” (v. 17)
• “those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (v. 18)
• “we are of all people most to be pitied” (v. 19)

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (v. 20)!

And because of that, we will be raised, too, in glory (v. 43), in power (v. 43), and in victory (v. 57). Because He lives, we have comfort in what lies ahead and an “imperishable” (v. 42), “spiritual body” (v. 44) to look forward to.

But the resurrection of Christ blesses us NOW, too. The book of Ephesians is filled with reassuring promises for those who are in Christ (His church). By my count, there are more than 20! For example, because He lives:

• We enjoy every spiritual blessing (1:3).
• We have redemption and forgiveness (1:7).
• We have an inheritance (1:11).
• We have His power (1:19).
• We have been made alive (2:5).
• We have been saved through faith (2:8).
• We live with purpose (2:10).
• We are members of the household of God (2:19).
• We have boldness and confident access (3:11-12).
• We have strength through His Spirit (3:16).

“These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:19-20).

It seems like each one of these would be enough on its own. But our Christ “blesses and blesses again” as the old hymn says. An awareness of this will help us live gratefully and faithfully here until we are raised with Him there (1 Cor. 15:58)!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

(1 Pet. 1:3)

By Kathy Pollard

Isaiah 41:4 – “Who controlled the lives of everyone from the beginning? I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished.”

While hiking the ridge, I stopped to admire a hillside carpeted in a glorious array of white, lacy flowers. My husband chuckled prior to announcing, “I’m pretty sure that’s the weed you’ve been pulling from our flower beds.”

What! I never could have guessed the small and insignificant weeds I forbade in my yard would have bloomed into this beautiful bridal veil display. Absolutely nothing in my yard looked stunning. My flower bed (that cost me good money) featured crunchy brown plants despite my constant coddling.

Reflecting on the beauty of the hillside, I considered my rationale for pulling those weeds. It dawned on me, the flowers I purchased were chosen by me, planted by me, watered by me, and pruned by me. Not so that weed. How dare it grow in my yard, on my watch, and without my permission! I had every right to pluck it. Right?

I’ve told myself it isn’t my fault I’m a control freak. My life, perhaps like yours, has been spent directing others. As a mother, a grandmother, an older sister, a teacher, not to mention an overseer of a guinea pig, goldfish, hamster, turtle, cat, and dog, the director’s chair is mine and my expectations require everyone following my script.

But Isaiah 41:4 reminds us it is God alone who has, since the beginning of time, been in control. God was in control when Adam and Eve came to life in His garden. He was the God orchestrating the parting of the mighty sea. God was in control of the host of angels singing at the birth of His son. And God controlled the earth that shook the prison doors open for Paul.

Friend, our great God always has been and will continue to be in control. So today is the day we vacate the director’s chair. Our Heavenly Father desires for us to relinquish control and bloom into a glorious and beautiful life with Him.

Father God, may we ever delight in the fact that you have been in control from the beginning and will be till the end of time.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

John 4:3-4 NKJV “He (Jesus) left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.”

Days of travel had left Jesus exhausted, so as the Savior rested by the well, His disciples went in search of food. In the heat of the day, the well sat deserted and forgotten, but Jesus waited patiently for her arrival. He knew she would come. He needed to see her for she desperately needed Him.

The woman for whom Jesus waited also felt exhaustion as the sun beamed down. But the task of drawing water lay before her. So, placing one pot on her head and one in her arms, she headed to the well, unaware her life was about to change forever.

From a distance, she could make out the outline of a stranger. Her deserted spot was no longer hers alone. Just perhaps, whoever sat at the well at this ungodly hour was an outcast also.

However, as His form came into focus, she realized He was Jewish. Never could she have imagined this Jew, who sat at her well, would be anxious to speak with her. She was a Samaritan. She was forbidden territory.

But speak, He did, and her heart cringed as His words divulged every shameful detail of her sad existence.

“How is it, Sir, that you reveal these darkest parts of my life?” she surely asked. “Do you also see the deepest secrets buried deep within me?”

She braced for His scorn, but none came. Instead, His words offered hope. His voice filled with respect. His gestures displayed compassion. And as she stood at her old familiar well, she realized she was standing at a new place – a place called grace. Little did she know, His grace was about to change who she was and who she would forever be. She had met the Messiah and oh, how sweet, was this deep well of grace.

Father God, bring us to your well of grace.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

God has a box? Oh yes! If one looks closely at the dimensions of the ark that God instructed Noah to build, it would likely reassemble a box—a very large box. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”  But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. Did God ask Noah to build a rectangular box? Yes!

         God’s plan to save Noah and his family was simple. It is possible that there had never been rain on the earth up to this time, because it was watered with a mist at the creation and there is no record of a change until the rains of flood. Yet, Noah believed God and moved in faith to build the structure that would provide salvation for his family, himself, and a sampling of all the creatures on earth. While God’s plan was simple, the building and collection of provisions may have taken 100 years to accomplish (Genesis 5:32; 7:6).

I find it intriguing, however, that there were several things God did not tell Noah to put on or in the boat that are standard on water vessels—a sail, a rudder, and an anchor. You see, these things were not needed to guide God’s box or stabilize it, because God was in control. He was the rudder and sail that guided them where they would go, and He was their anchor providing the stability they might need.

There are many similarities between the salvation of Noah’s day and the salvation we have in Christ Jesus. God’s plan for today is to redeem or save all mankind spiritually through the church, the plan which he had in mind before the creation of the world (1 Peter 1:20). God suffered long with the human race and waited until the days of righteous Noah, who would build the ark, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. Baptism, which  corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (verses 20-21). Peter assures us that God’s long suffering continues. He is patiently waiting today so as many as possible can hear and obey Jesus before he comes to judge the world (2 Peter 3:9).

In the church we have no need for a sail or rudder. God’s word is both! Peter explained how the prophecy of the gospel of Christ did not come from the mind of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). That same word guides us today so we may obey Him and lead a life well pleasing to our Savior.

As God’s children in His church, Jesus is our anchor of the soul, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf (Hebrews 6:18-20).

God’s spiritual box definitely exists today. It is the church! Just as the ark was the only hope of salvation for Noah and his family, Jesus and His church is mankind’s only conduit for salvation today! He said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn:14:6).

I’m so very thankful that I was baptized into Christ and added to the church (Acts 2:41). I have the most blessed of all Saviors who has provided the rudder and sail to guide me through the storms of life, realizing that God is greater than anything threatening (illness, cancer, and even death). Finally, He has given me an anchor of hope that keeps my focus on the fact that He is in control, so whom or what shall I fear???? Are you safely in God’s box, the church He built with His own blood (Ephesians 2:19-22)?

Today’s Verses: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1). The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6).

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

I feel certain that when Boaz and Ruth formed their family, they had no idea of the amazing things that would happen throughout the history of the Bible. They had one son, Obed. The sum of his life is recorded in the last verse of the book of Ruth. “And Obed begat Jesse”; that is all we know.

The story of Jesse isn’t much different. As the grandson of a Moabitess and an Israelite, he held no special status. He was an ordinary man, living an ordinary life. There is no mention of a Mrs. Jesse, but there is recorded that he had eight sons.
Only four of his sons are named; the eldest is Eliab, and the next two, Abinadab and Shammah. David was the youngest.

We do see Jesse as an obedient servant of God. When God sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to the home of Jesse, we find him ready to accept the prophet’s invitation to a sacrifice to God. After the sacrifice, Samuel asked Jesse to have his sons pass before him, but Scripture does not indicate that Jesse knew this was for the purpose of selecting a king.

As each son passed before Samuel, he was rejected as the chosen one. Samuel asked Jesse to bring David in from the field, and God revealed that he was the future king of Israel.

Later, when King Saul was suffering from an evil spirit, someone in Saul’s inner circle suggested that a harpist be brought in to calm the king. The search began, and David was chosen to come to the palace to play for the king. When Saul’s messengers revealed the need of the king, Scripture says that Jesse took a donkey and placed on it bread, wine, and a kid and sent them to King Saul.

David was so successful in calming Saul that the king sent word to Jesse that he wanted David to stay with him. We don’t know how long he stayed or how often he went home; but we do know David continued to care for his father’s sheep.

The three oldest sons fought in the army of King Saul. Younger brother David was sent to the battle to take gifts to their captain and supplies for his brothers. We know the rest of the story. David faced the Philistine giant, Goliath, and killed him.

The only descriptive term we find about Jesse is found in First Samuel 17:12. It says, “ Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.” His younger days with his sons are not mentioned. Nothing distinctive is shared about his life, yet there are some things we can know.

We know that he had sheep, because David was sent to Bethlehem to tend his father’s sheep (verse 15). We know that David was an obedient son, following his father’s instructions to check on his brothers and deliver supplies. That act of kindness shows Jesse’s generous spirit in sending food to Saul’s army and previously to King Saul.

I think Jesse represents a significant number of people who are just ordinary people, serving God and doing what they can. He serves as an example to us that great things can happen to ordinary people. Much of the good passed along may never be known by the giver. Boaz and Ruth did not know that they would be in the lineage of an Almighty King, Jesus our Savior. Jesse did not know that the Son of God would be born through the descendants of his youngest son.

Jesse lived his life, serving where and when he could. But notice—he never refused to serve. He did not refuse Samuel when he ordered David home from the field. He did not refuse when Saul sent for him to serve him in his palace. He did not refuse to support his sons’ service in Saul’s army.

The words of the psalmist in Psalm 100 give us some beautiful insights about our relationship with God. Be joyful in our verbal responses. Serve the Lord with a happy spirit. Know and acknowledge that the Lord is God. Live like we belong to God. Be a thankful people, and bless the name of our Lord. Acknowledge His mercy and His faithfulness as long as we live.

Sandra Oliver

Judges 2:7 &10 “And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel…and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

As I walked through the park, I found myself intrigued over a conversation between two pregnant women discussing their birthing plans. I resisted the urge to inquire about a “birthing plan,” fearing I might expose myself as an eavesdropper.

My thoughts were taken back to the excitement my husband and I felt when we discovered we would be parents. But a birthing plan? I could not recall one. We showed up in the maternity ward, that baby popped out when he was good and ready, then we took him home. I left the hospital with my beautiful newborn in arms thinking, “If this nurse only knew I had no clue what to do with this baby when I got home, she should never allow me to leave with him.”

We gratefully found the plan in Deuteronomy 6. It went something like this: Parents must fill themselves so full of God’s love and truth that the stories of Him would constantly overflow into our children – when we walked together, sat together, and even as we lay down at night.

What could happen if we failed to follow this plan? We could suffer the same catastrophe the children of Israel suffered long ago. You see, Israel had witnessed God’s incredible miracles, yet they neglected to tell their children those stories. So, an entire generation grew up without any knowledge of God.

Since the children were never taught God’s stories, consider what principles they missed:

Their children were blind to the power of God because they never heard the story of creation.

The story of the Tower of Babel was never shared, so children were unaware God hates pride.

The children never heard of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, so there was no concept of the importance of trust and obedience.

The story of Lot’s wife went untaught, so children were unaware of the consequences of sin.

The children did not know the story of Joseph, so forgiveness was irrelevant.

Their children were never told of brave Rahab, so the Father’s loving redemption was lost.

What happened next was inevitable: “There arose a generation who knew not the Lord.”  The trail of blame lead right back to parents who failed at the most important task God placed in their hands.

Friends, our children grow up quickly and there will come a day when opportunities for training them will diminish. We must be diligent, for if we fail to teach our children who God is, the world is ready to teach them that God is not!

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane