Category: Christian Living

#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

#30-Learning from Each Other

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

We just finished our week of VBS and I was struck by how much I learned during those few short evenings of togetherness. First, allow me to share some things that happened, and then I’ll get to what I learned.

My role was kitchen helper. Every night we ended up with more helpers than we expected. Sally Ware and Dana Simpson were there early every night, but soon sweet faces like Kim Eubanks, Joyce Johnson, Neata Wiley, Diane Boyles, Terrie Hudson, Alice Humphrey, Kelli Nicks, Heather Paschal, Rosa Raby, and more would jump in to help serve and clean.

One night I had a few responsibilities to take care of, but when I showed up, Russell and Dana Simpson were there and had already taken care of all of them.

Every time we were short something and mentioned it, someone nearby would volunteer to go get it. For example, I said I didn’t think we had enough bottled water to get through the next night. Stephen Pitcock heard and said, “I’ll pick some up!” The next night we saw that he not only picked them up, he went ahead and put them in the large cooler for us.

Greg Neville was the VBS coordinator. Every night he helped us by moving the heavy coolers, refilling any foods we were serving, clearing out trash, and basically just jumping in wherever there was a need (like assembling opened faced S’mores).

Diane Boyles brought some fresh cut fruit one night. I told her later that I didn’t get to try any of her sliced peaches but they looked good. The next evening she brought me two juicy, ripe peaches and said, “These are for you.”

Chris Young taught the adult class one night. His text was Acts 7 and he brought out points about Stephen’s sermon that I hadn’t considered. For instance, remember when God told Moses to deliver His people and one of excuses Moses gave was that he was “not eloquent of speech” but was “slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exod. 4:10-12)? Well, in Stephen’s sermon he referred to Moses as “mighty in his words and deeds” (Ac. 7:22). I’d never noticed that before!

What did I learn?

  • Many hands make light work, yes, but they also make the work more fun!
  • I need to be better about looking for ways to help others instead of just focusing on my little role. Many of the thoughtful gestures made all week were by folks who had their own VBS responsibilities to take care of.
  • Good leadership looks like rolling your sleeves up and working alongside everyone else.
  • There are needs everywhere and everyone can fill those needs. People just saw a need and took care of it, instead of looking around to find someone else to take care of it.
  • Small gestures lead to big joy. When I thanked Diane for the peaches she said, “It’s not much.” I said, “Yes, it is!” And I meant it. Of course I love peaches, but the very fact that she thought of me warmed my heart and made me smile.
  • No matter how old you are, you can learn something new at VBS!

I know many of you won’t know any of the names that I mentioned, but I do. They’re real people making a real difference. They’re my Family and I thank God for the blessing of learning from them!

The amazing thing to me is that this is just a small glimpse of VBS from MY perspective. Who knows what all was collectively shared and learned this week from everyone else’s?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.”

(Ecc. 4:9)

#29- God’s Rich Blessings

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

Neal preached a lesson recently called “Seeing God’s Rich Blessings in the Church I Love.” It was beautiful, and I’m going to share his points here for this week’s reason to love the church. He shared one major theme blessing from each epistle in the New Testament, for a total of 21 blessings! If you like to write in your Bible, you could list each of these blessings under the epistle titles.

  • Romans- being right with God (1:14-17)
  • 1 Corinthians- unity (1:10-13)
  • 2 Corinthians- comfort (1:3-7)
  • Galatians- freedom (5:1-13)
  • Ephesians- the love of God (3:14-21)
  • Philippians- joy (2:1-4)
  • Colossians- hope (1:25-27)
  • 1 Thessalonians- prayer (3:9-13)
  • 2 Thessalonians- endurance (1:1-2)
  • 1 Timothy- pattern (3:15)
  • 2 Timothy- boldness (1:7-18)
  • Titus- grace (2:11-14)
  • Philemon- providence (v. 15)
  • Hebrews- covenant (8:6-7)
  • James- wisdom (3:17)
  • 1 Peter- resurrection (4:1)
  • 2 Peter- knowledge (1:1-8)
  • 1 John- brotherly love (4:7-21)
  • 2 John- truth, as a command (v. 1-4)
  • 3 John- truth, the examples (v. 1-15)
  • Jude- divine power (v. 24-25)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

(Eph. 1:3)

Image cred: Carl Pollard




#28- Large Gravy Bowls

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

My husband and I recently attended the memorial service of a beloved Christian woman named Ruth Waddell. It was obvious by the attendance and by the words spoken that she touched the lives of many, many people. One of her sons brought a large stoneware bowl and explained that his mother served gravy in that bowl every single morning. And sometimes she filled that bowl with pinto beans for lunch or dinner. We heard wonderful stories of how Ruth fed, nourished, and loved countless people with her home and her heart during her 83 years of life. It was so inspiring, and it was a reminder of how much of an impact can be made through the simple, consistent act of hospitality.

I ran across a verse that sounds like it was written about Ruth:

“…and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work” (1 Tim. 5:10).

Something special happens when we’re in each other’s homes. Relationships are built, souls are strengthened, friendships are forged, and yes, bellies are fed. Ruth probably had no idea that her daily offerings were making such a difference, first for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but also for her church family and her community. I’m sure I’m not the only one in attendance who was touched by her example and convicted to follow it!

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

(Matthew 25:35)

Ruth’s large gravy bowl!

#27- Gospel Preachers

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

I’ve always had a soft spot for gospel preachers. I grew up watching my dad preach and saw that he loved (most) every minute of it. My family met, worked with, and loved many wonderful people because of his efforts. I married a preacher who immensely enjoys what he does, and I hope our now-grown sons look back with the same positive impressions.

As it is with any profession, there are preachers who don’t represent the job well. Their motives can be less than pure, or their messages can come across as self-righteous or arrogant or showy or apathetic. However, I truly believe that most gospel preachers simply love the Lord and desire share His Word to the best of their ability and with all their heart!

Every time we gather as a church for worship, we hear the saving Truth because of someone’s diligent study and courage. I’m thankful for that!

My wise sister, Kristy Woodall (also married to a preacher), said:

“If you love your preacher: pray for him, encourage him, be his friend. But if you don’t like your preacher: pray for him, encourage him, be his friend.”

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

(Romans 10:14-15)

My favorite preacher

52 Reasons to Love the Church

#26- T.E.A.M.

“You can do what I can’t do.  I can do what you can’t do.  Together we can do great things.”

I ran across this quote recently and thought how perfectly it describes the Lord’s church. As I consider my own church family, I can think of individuals who excel in teaching. They’re ready and willing and always do a wonderful job. I can think of others who are great at organizing. They’re usually around when any kind of event is coming up. I can think of women who are quick to volunteer to make food for those who need it. I think of members who always invite folks to worship, those who regularly set up Bible studies, and those who lift others up with their gift of encouragement.

A friend of mine recently said, “I can’t do it all!” I found it interesting that she wasn’t saying it by way of excuse, but rather out of frustration. I got the sense that she wished she could do it all. That way she wouldn’t have to say ‘no’ to anyone or any need. She was right. Not only is it true that she can’t do it all, but she shouldn’t try to.

Here’s how the Bible explains it:

  • “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:4-7).
  • “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body” (1 Cor. 12:17-19).
  • “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:11-16).

We all bring different gifts, strengths, and talents to the table, which means…

Together Everyone Accomplishes More!

At Bible camp, Erin Eubank had the girls form teams to put their memory verses together.


52 Reasons to Love the Church

#25- Wholeheartedness

By Kathy Pollard

I just spent a week at Big Reedy Christian camp and, as you might imagine, experienced many things that could’ve inspired this week’s reason to love the church. There was lots of beautiful singing, kids bonding, Bible learning, hands helping, and good, clean fun. But a statement made in the kitchen has stuck with me the most. On the last morning, Dana Simpson was making her famous homemade cinnamon rolls (for the entire camp!) and I was helping her roll out the dough. When it came time to spread brown sugar and cinnamon over the dough, I asked, “About how much do you use?” She replied, “Just measure with your heart.”

When it comes to our Christian walk, following our hearts can be a dangerous thing, as the heart can be “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). Living by what seems right to us can “lead to death” (Prov. 14:12). But Dana’s answer made me smile, and not just because she gave me permission to sprinkle brown sugar with wild abandon! All week long I’d watched her live out that very concept. Campers and adults alike came to her with their questions. They wanted her advice or suggestions, and it didn’t matter if it was kitchen stuff, or camp stuff, or life stuff.

I learned a lot from Dana myself as I watched her interact with everyone all week long. I believe that people are drawn to her for more than just her experience and knowledge. They know she really cares. How does she know when a counselor needs a pick-me-up by way of an extra biscuit? How does she know how much of an attaboy to give a camper who’s still causing problems but whose growth is evident? How does she know when a more stern reply is in order? She measures with her heart. And she can do that because her heart is engaged. She pays attention. She sees a need and meets it, but in a way that seems just for that person specifically.

Obviously the secret to Dana’s famous cinnamon rolls is the fact that she measures with her heart. And anyone who knows her knows she uses the same principle with people.

The church is filled with people like Dana who live and love wholeheartedly! Who do you know who doles out whatever is needed with their heart?

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.”

(1 Peter 1:22)

Dana and her famous cinnamon rolls!