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

The unassuming Evening Primrose has a place in the garden, if only as a trap crop. The small blooms are somewhat pretty, and the flowers have a lovely, mild taste. The oils from the seeds are medicinal and have been used for decades in folk medicine.

Here is the bigger claim to fame, though. Japanese beetles are attracted to its leaves, which they find even tastier than our roses and peach trees.

Satan has a few trap crops in his garden of lies. He lures the unsuspecting into a dark place by some very enticing schemes.

Here’s one: “Caring.” One of the flashiest of virtue signals in Satan’s arsenal of spiritual weapons is the falsehood known as “caring more” — allegedly than you, or Christians in general. Professing “compassion” for those in flagrant and willful sin is supposed to be alluring enough to shame us into smiling upon evil, in the guise of “caring” about those caught up in evil practices.

The lie is then compounded by another whopper: “Christians are just self-righteous and are happy in their belief that others who are different are lost.” Non-believers just don’t get it; we DO care enough to tell the truth so our loved ones are NOT lost eternally. Their “caring” facade is revealed to be false.

Another effective trap is “Fun.” Anything in that category has to be good, right? Wrong. While Solomon did tell us to enjoy life, he reminded us that we will answer to the Creator (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Meanwhile, Satan and his henchmen shout, “You do you!” And, “Whatever floats your boat.” Sure, Satan wants us to “find ourselves,” because in this search, we are not generally searching for God or His will.

Then there is the age-old favorite — the pursuit of money. Money isn’t a bad thing. We all wish, many times rightly so, that we had more of it (Ecclesiastes 10:19). But all too often the trap is set; the LOVE OF money, which is the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). To respect the way economies work and to trade our hours and hard work for money is commendable, up to a point. However, too many are snared by the trap of pursuing riches to the detriment of all else.

Notice, if you will, that none of the above “trap crops” are bad in and of themselves. Those Japanese beetles would probably get nice and fat and healthy chowing down on my Evening Primroses. But morning comes and they’re still groggy from the cool of the night air, and I come along with a jar full of sudsy water, flicking the shiny irridescent little monsters into the foam, where they cannot escape. I put the jar lid on, give it a few shakes, and the destructive bugs are dead, never to devour another rosebud again.

When we are lured in by the devil’s traps, we don’t stay in the safety of a productive, pleasant life. The fake compassion convinces us that all sin is OK, and we leave God. The fun and frivolity that was so harmless at first takes over our lives and we neglect what’s important. The money that we deemed so important has made us bitter to the ones we love when our financial hopes are not met.

My garden is not safe for the destructive insects. I’ll lure them in and then happily dispatch them. Satan will do that to us as well if we take the bait.

“Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, NASB).

by Christine Berglund

I can think of many older women (aside from my own family members) who made an impact on me. One of the most interesting was a woman named Eloise Ousley in Manchester, GA. When her husband would leave town, she’d invite my sister and me for a sleepover. Her kitchen table would be piled high with lots of wonderful treats for the three of us to enjoy during movie marathons. I didn’t think much of it at the time (except that it was fun), but now I realize how remarkable that was. We weren’t related, we hadn’t known each other long, and we weren’t peers. She was probably 50 or more years older than us. She just took an interest and wanted to do something special.

There’ve been women who made the Bible come alive in Bible classes. Women who took an interest in mentoring teen girls. Women who weren’t afraid to share their knowledge and skills with me when I was a newlywed. And women who’ve shown me living pictures of contentment, a quiet spirit, joyful service, and a Christ-centered marriage. And you know what? I’m STILL learning from them and I’m so thankful!

God designed it that way. He instructed the older women to teach the younger (Titus 2:3-5). He wants us to view older women as a valuable resource for wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. They are a precious, essential element for a healthy, growing church!

I know what you’re thinking. You ain’t no spring chicken. You’re right. I’m more of an autumn chicken. I’m not sure what season of chicken you’re supposed to be before you officially become the “older woman,” but I acknowledge I probably hit that category years ago. That means it’s my turn. And maybe it’s your turn, too. Now we get to create special memories for young people. And we get to try our best to be examples of light and faith and womanhood. Let’s prayerfully and humbly take up the torch!

“Older women…are to teach what is good, and so train the younger women…”

(Titus 2:3-4)

The most fun news of 2024! I’m a grandmother of six now. One more sweet Colley baby is being formed by our Creator and  Glenn and I are praising and praying for this little one daily. Our baby’s Father hears our pleas to heaven and for heaven, ultimately, for all six of our little grandchildren and for their parents. We are in awe at the profound blessing we have already have been given, but we anticipate cradling this sweet bundle in our arms next March. It will feel really good to have a baby’s tiny fingers around my thumb again. And it will be the norm for all of me to be wrapped around a tiny baby’s finger. (And, as I rock this baby next March, I will rock on back, in my mind,  a few decades, to a nursery in Pulaski, Tennessee, where I rocked his/her daddy in the middle of lots of nights, and it will feel amazingly sweet!..way sweeter than it felt in my twenties–the decade of sleepless nights!)

If you know me at all, you know I’m over the moon. There are some very special children in my life. Ezra, Colleyanna, Maggie, Eliza Jane, Ellis  and sweet baby Colley are at the heart of this group. But some of you who are reading are my “daughters” in a precious spiritual way and your children are mine, too. That’s a big blessing of being in the big family of God.

Layla, Henry, Sasha, Elizabeth and Mel are specifically  in my prayers tonight because of physical struggles. If I try to imagine prayers without the names and plights of babies, I’m hard pressed. I’m so thankful Jesus made it so clear about how much He cares for our little ones.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.  Mark 10:13-16

I pray I will, in all ways, always, do all I can, as time goes by, to put THE good news down deep in the heart of this little one who is OUR good news! I know his/her parents will do just that.  God is so, so good! Just when you think you’ve had a little more than you can patiently take of some grief or problem, God says “See! I am doing a new thing!”

I’m so thankful for the original and ultimate  “new thing” of Isaiah 43:19 that also began with a tiny baby in Judea, and is the answer to all my griefs and problems! I can’t wait for heaven where all the tears are wiped away, all the evil is overcome and “all the things” that burdened are in the distant past of  a world that’ll then be ashes…a melted planet (2 Peter 3:10).  In the meantime, though, there’s a lot happening on the pre-burned-up planet that’s key to getting the people I love to that new place around the throne!

I love you fiercely to eternity, already, sweet baby C-3!

Cindy Colley

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