Month: August 2024

#35- Being Filled

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

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)

“My cup overflows” (Psa. 23:5)

#34- Confidence in My Salvation

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

“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)

#33- Because the Church Loved Me

52 Reasons to Love the Church

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)

#32- It Will Stand Forever

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

No matter how old you are, you’ve probably experienced a good bit of change. Leadership, lifestyle, law, and the latest thing seem to shift with the tides. Surely it affects our choices. Who can we trust? What should we invest in? Where do we stand? Perhaps our convictions become half-hearted as the skepticism creeps in. After all, what sounds good this year is often retracted next year.

Thank God for the kingdom He built and all the reasons we can put our complete faith in it!

  • The church cannot be overtaken or destroyed (Dan. 2:44).
  • The leadership hasn’t changed (Col. 1:18).
  • The foundation is sure (1 Cor. 3:11).
  • The church was planned by God (Eph. 3:8-11).

What a contrast to the fickle, transient empires of man! The Lord’s church was in the mind of God from the beginning and built by Christ on the foundation of Christ. We can invest our whole heart into the church because the church will last forever.

I can’t help but think that people all around us are craving that kind of surety and security. Let’s show them our confidence in Christ! Let’s tell them about the kingdom that invites them in as beloved citizens (Eph. 2:19).

“My kingdom is not of this world…”

(John 8:36)

Image credit: Bible Study Tools