Missed Service

 

Photo by Rodhullandemu 2020

I rolled over lazily in bed, slightly disoriented by light streaming through the window, but I felt certain I had time for a quick morning snooze. But then a small voice inside nudged me to look at the clock. Oh no! It was already ninety minutes later than when I needed to get up to prepare for church. At this point I would be so late I wondered if it was even worth attempting to get there.

But then a great wave of peace rolled over me and I breathed a deep sigh of relief as I realized it was only Saturday – a day I could sleep in guilt-free!

I didn’t think much more about it until one of our morning’s devotionals was about the writer’s grandmother, who always laid her clothes out Saturday night so that she would be prepared for church on Sunday morning. Even on the Saturday night that the Lord took her home, her husband discovered the outfit she intended to wear on the Lord’s Day, neatly cleaned, pressed and ready on a hanger.

The author of the devotional compared her grandmother’s preparation to Jesus’ parable about the wise virgins who kept their lamps trimmed and filled with oil, so that they would be ready when the Bridegroom came to take them to the wedding feast. In contrast, the foolish virgins failed to be vigilant, let their oil run dry, and had to go out to buy more, completely missing the Bridegroom’s return and being forever shut out of the wedding feast (Matthew 25:1-13).

As we don’t know the day or the hour our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is returning (Matthew 24:36) to Rapture His church to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), we need to be ready to meet Him by trusting in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). Those who have not done this before His return will be left behind during the Great Tribulation, and those who have rejected the Gospel before the Lord’s return are unlikely to then accept Christ, as God will send them a strong delusion allowing them to believe Satan’s lies (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

But even for those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we need to be ready for His imminent return. At the judgment seat of Christ, we will all give account to Him for what we have done with the time, talent and treasure He entrusted to us since we were saved (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

We will receive rewards for acts of service done with the right motive of pleasing and honoring Him. But we will lose rewards for good works done to bolster our pride or earn praise from others, and for missed opportunities when God opened the door for us to grow His kingdom, but we failed to walk through the open door.

Do we give Jesus Christ the pre-eminence in our lives? He deserves to be first (Colossians 1:18) as the One Who created us for His specific purpose He determined before the beginning of time (Ephesians 2:10), Who sustains us (Colossians 1:17), and Who redeemed us from sin, death and hell (Job 19:25). Or do we take Him for granted, giving Him our second best, our leftovers, and our lowest priority?

Shortly after I was saved, a fiery preacher visited our church and gave a powerful sermon on the importance of serving Christ. I still remember him saying “It is not a small thing to sing in the choir, or to be an usher or greeter, or even to faithfully attend every service!” The empty choir seat, the absence of someone meeting a visitor with a warm smile, and sparse attendance speak volumes about the apathy of the church, as in the End Times church of Laodicea, and the need for revival (Revelation 3:14-22).

There are many valid reasons why born-again Christians miss church on occasion, such as health or family emergencies, being out of town, or having to work. Many are out for extended periods because of physical limitations or serving as full-time caregivers. Many avoid church in times of discouragement, grief, or failure, thinking they will be a burden to others, when these are the times they most need to be uplifted by the body of Christ.

But how many miss services to catch up on their sleep, housekeeping, at-home work, or even recreation? How many don’t go because they think it’s inconvenient or they’d rather be doing something else? How many let the devil convince them that they can just as effectively worship in their own home or out in nature, and that they won’t be missed and that it doesn’t matter?

But it does matter, not only to the individual believer missing opportunities for service, spiritual growth and encouragement, to the congregation seeking fellowship and worship with the body of Christ, and to the pastor with a burden on his heart to feed the flock and reach souls for Christ, but to God Himself. He designed each of His children with unique gifts and talents to fit perfectly as a member in the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-9).

Just as our physical body functions poorly or not at all if we are missing a limb, nerve, or vital organ, the church suffers when individual members are absent. Imagine if the pastor didn’t show up! But each of us has a vital role, and not just the deacons, leaders, teachers, worship leaders, musicians, ushers and singers. What if no one is there to stock the rest rooms or turn on the lights?

There have been times, such as during the Covid pandemic, that many churches prudently turned to online services to protect the health of their members and community. Yet when the pandemic was over, many who had gotten used to missing church no longer missed it. They initially grew content to watch Sunday services online, never returned to church, and then stopped watching altogether, disobeying the Lord’s command to not forsake corporate, in-person worship, especially as His return draws nearer.

Not coincidentally, our Pastor’s Sunday morning message on the day after I slept in on Saturday was about faithfulness. Praise God for His faithfulness to us, for every good gift comes from Him; without Him we can do nothing; and with Him all things are possible. In thankfulness and obedience to Him, we too must be faithful, reliable, and dependable in our service.

As the apostle Paul urges us, may we be stedfast, unmoveable, and ever abounding in our work for the Lord! (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord (Romans 12:11). May we be like the wise virgins, always prepared for Jesus Christ’s imminent return, knowing that He will reward us for our faithfulness!  May we hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

Laurie Collett

Copyright 2025

To God Be the Glory!

 

What an amazing blessing to serve at Fowler Ave. Baptist Church where Pastor Theron Chewning and His wife Elaine are models of faith, faithfulness, and Godly service! This Sunday, our church will celebrate 62 years of their leadership. Through their vision, Holy Spirit inspiration, and God's grace, the church has not only survived in times when others have closed their doors, but thrived. Praise God for their commitment to preaching and teaching God's Word, supporting worldwide missions, reaching and blessing our local community, leading souls to Him, and mentoring, encouraging and uplifting believers.

Not surprisingly, our Pastor's favorite hymn is Fanny Crosby's classic, "To God Be the Glory." This is his theme in his ministry, always praising, blessing, thanking and honoring God for allowing him and his flock to serve Him faithfully. He embodies his favorite saying that "Every day is a gift" and that we are blessed with "one more day in Paradise!"

Despite his lifetime of good works to honor and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, our Pastor has never lost sight of the fundamental doctrine that we are not saved by works, but saved by grace through faith, and saved for the purpose of doing good works during the time God has so graciously allotted to us (Ephesians 3:8-9). 

Thinking of our Pastor and his legacy of unwavering faith and faithful service led me to repost the following article from the archives, originally titled "Ask Not What You Can Do For God." 

Praise God that we don’t have to do anything to be accepted as His adopted children, because our salvation is not based on our works, but on His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). It’s true that once we are born again, we want to keep from sin and to do good works to further His kingdom, not because we have to, but because we want to! Our good works don’t get us saved, but they flow from us once we are saved because we love Him for taking us in despite our being so unlovable. Good works are the living proof of our faith (James 2:14-26).

But the amazing thing is that God loves us even while we are sinners (Romans 5:8). And that no matter what we do, He couldn’t love us any more or any less (1 John 4:8-10;19). Even though we were God’s enemies, He adopts us as His sons (Ephesians 1:5) once we turn from our sins and trust Jesus as our Savior. He doesn’t adopt us because of anything we can give Him, because He is completely self-sufficient and needs nothing, and because all that we have He gave us in the first place (James 1:17).

He adopts us because it is His will that all should be saved and come to repentance, and our coming to Him as children gives Him great pleasure because He loves us infinitely. Parents seeking to adopt a child don’t ask whether the child can pay rent, or if he can afford to pay for his own education, or if he will work in the parents’ business. It’s not about what the child can do for them; it’s about what they can do for the child because of the great love they want to share.

It’s the same way with Our Heavenly Father – we can’t earn His love or work our way to being adopted by Him – we can only trust in His infinite love and accept His gift of amazing grace. We are accepted by God because we trust in Jesus, His Son, and His perfect sacrifice on the cross to pay for all our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to give us eternal life, all of which is reason to praise Him! (Ephesians 1:6-8).

God’s mercy is to redeem us through the blood of Jesus, forgiving our sins that deserve eternal punishment in hell. Because of His grace, He gives us what we don’t deserve – eternal, abundant life with Him beginning at the moment of our salvation and continuing through Heaven and the Millennial Kingdom throughout eternity. We can trust His wisdom to give us what we need, not necessarily what we think we want. He created us for His pleasure, and nothing pleases Him more than to see us fulfilling His perfect will for our life.

Ephesians 1: 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

God’s grace is to give us the inheritance worthy of His children, namely all His blessings including eternal life with Him in Heaven. He saved us for a purpose – which is to praise and glorify Him in all we do. So, ask not what you can do for God, but know through His Holy Word what He will do for you. And then, rest assured that as His child, you will want to spend your earthly days doing His will, praising, and glorifying Him! 

Laurie Collett

Copyright 2011

Expanded, edited and reposted from the archives

Remembering “Baba” – A Proverbs 31 Grandmother

 

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we honor our own mother and are remembered by our children, but we should also give thanks for all the women in our lives who have inspired, encouraged, supported and loved us. For me, that includes all of you ladies, and especially Baba, my grandmother!

Marya, my mother's mother, was born in a small village near Kiev, Ukraine. As a young girl and teen she was said to be the best folk dancer in her village! Judging from the lavishly decorated, traditional tea towels, aprons and blouses she made and my mother still had decades later, she was also a talented and creative artist. As a special treat on rainy days in childhood, I was allowed to open the steamer trunk containing these linens, their once bright red and purple embroidery faded to maroon and tan, yet still rich in their intricate designs.

When she was 16, Marya fell in love and emigrated to Canada with her husband, a mining engineer, leaving her family and country and following him with the faithfulness of Ruth (1:16-17). They had a hard life in blustery Nova Scotia, and although she gave birth to 10 children, including three sets of twins, my mother was the only one who survived past infancy. The others died from pneumonia or other infections, as antibiotics were not yet available.

Her husband died suddenly when he was 35, probably from a brain aneurysm, two weeks after telling her that he would die soon because he had seen Jesus. Yet she was faithful to God through it all, praying to Jesus, drawing strength from her faith in Him, and serving Him even in the trials (1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1; Galatians 6:9). 

Although she had never learned to read, write, or speak much English, Marya and my mother moved to New York City shortly thereafter. Marya worked very hard in a bakery in the lower East Side, and became an active and loyal member in the sisterhood of the local Russian Orthodox church. Although she made hardly any money, she scrimped and saved to fund the purchase of a beautiful, full wall mural of Ruth gleaning in Boaz' field (Ruth 2:8) for her church. Her humble home was always open for hospitality, and she was always ready to give generously to those in need (Luke 6:38; Philippians 4: 16; Mark 9: 41; Matthew 6).

When my mother married, she moved to a small town in Pennsylvania where my dad worked. Seven years later, when I was born, my parents invited my grandmother to come live with her in the new house they were building so she could help raise me. Imagine their surprise when they went to pick her up at the train station and she was carrying an unassuming satchel containing $10,000 in small bills -- nearly a fortune in those days -- to help with the down payment on the house!

While awaiting my arrival, she cooked, cleaned, and made a huge pair of down-filled pillows for my parents, complete with crocheted-trim linen pillowcases!

When I learned to speak, I called her “Baba,” the Ukrainian pet term for grandmother, or old woman (“babushka”). She did so much more than help to raise me -- she was a great role model of faith and prayer. One of my earliest memories is seeing and hearing her pray out loud in her bedroom, where she kept a framed picture of the Last Supper by a portrait of her husband, and singing the Russian version of “Come, Thou Almighty King.”

One winter vacation in the then-small town of Hollywood, FL, when I was six, Baba spotted a couple of vacant lots in the middle of nowhere and insisted she wanted to buy them "to pay for Laurie's education." Despite the concerned, well-meant advice of my parents, she went ahead and purchased these lots for a song. Ultimately, when Hollywood became a busy and popular tourist destination, proceeds of those lots paid in full for my medical school education!

While leaving me this inheritance, she left me far more -- her shining example of faith and love that can't be measured by worldly standards of education, income and position. Not to mention my penchant for dance and for real estate! When, as a 14-year-old, I helped to care for her in the end stages of stroke and Alzheimer's, she inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in neurology and in dementia research.

Marya was a true Proverbs 31 woman who blessed her children, her husband, and all those in her household, community, and sphere of influence (v. 12). She was virtuous (v. 10), faithful (v. 11), hard-working (v. 13-16, v. 27), morally and physically strong (v. 17), generous and charitable (v. 20), She had a realistic opinion about herself (v. 18), provided for her family through her hard work and planning (v. 21, 24), and enhanced the reputation of her husband (v. 23). She was kind, speaking the truth in love (v. 26).

How can we become a Proverbs 31 woman, whose family and community recognize that the blessings she gives them are priceless? (v.10, 28, 29). Not by relying on our social skills or our physical charms, but by fearing the Lord – by putting His will for our life ahead of all else (v.30).

May we respect, honor (Exodus 20:12) and cherish our mothers, grandmothers and sisters, by blood or in Christ, while they are yet with us, and may we learn from their Godly legacy of faith, sacrificial love, and service (Proverbs 22: 6; 29: 15; 1 Timothy 5: 5). May they inspire us to give such an example and leave such a legacy for those following us! 

© 2013 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Triplets of Christ-Mind: Be Faithful Even in Danger, for God Is Faithful

As we have seen in previous posts, fulfillment in our Christian walk requires knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Knowledge refers to having learned God’s Word, or at least having an intellectual appreciation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 1:1,14,18) Who came to earth in human form to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice to reconcile sinful man to Holy God (2 Corinthians 5:18). He rose again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) to give all who trust in Him everlasting life (John 3:16).

Wisdom moves us from head knowledge to heart knowledge, as we realize His awesome power, justice and holiness and fear the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), knowing that we are sinners deserving eternal punishment in hell (Romans 6:23). But then, as we are born again (John 3:3-8), we experience relief that He paid the debt we could not (Philippians 4:7), and joy in our salvation (Psalm 35:9).

Too many Christians stop there, and do not gain understanding by applying God’s Word to their lives. But for those who show understanding by keeping His commandments (John 14:15), telling others about Him, and serving Him (Matthew 28:19-20), what happens when it becomes inconvenient, unpopular, or even dangerous to do so?

For a Godly answer to this question, we need look no further than Daniel, who, as we have seen before, exemplifies the triplets of Christ-mind. King Darius, who had taken the Chaldean kingdom from Belshazzar as Daniel had prophesied (Daniel 5:30-31), set up a brain trust led by Daniel as the chief of three presidents commanding 120 princes (Daniel 6:1-3).

The number 120 is interesting as it is 3 (God’s perfect number representing the Trinity) times 40, which generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or waiting on the Lord. For example, Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days in the desert (Luke 4:2); Moses lived forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert (Exodus 24:18, 34:1-28) before God led him to set His people free; and Elijah traveled for 40 days to Mount Horeb to hear God’s plan for his future (1 Kings 19:8-19).

Given the nature of human politics, it is not surprising that the other presidents and 120 princes resented Daniel’s power over them, despite his excellent spirit, and that they plotted against him. They looked hard for “occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; because “he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him (Daniel 6:3-4).

They realized that the only way they could prove him disloyal to the kingdom was to make Daniel choose between his loyalty to the king and his obedience to God (Daniel 6:5). Extending their scheme to involve the king, presidents, governors, and the princes, counselors and captains, they convinced the king to issue a decree that anyone who prayed to any god or man other than the king for 30 days would be thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6:6-7).

Upon hearing the decree, did Daniel cave to political pressure, tremble in fear for his life, or defiantly rebel against the king? No, he just continued worshipping God as he had always done. He awaited confirmation that the decree was signed; he returned home; and he opened his windows toward Jerusalem. As was his habit three times a day, he kneeled, prayed, and gave thanks to God (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel’s enemies found him doing this, appeared before the king, and confronted him with how Daniel had broken the law by worshipping God three times a day. The king regretted his decision, desperately wanted to save Daniel, and worked all day trying to find an escape clause, but his officials would not hear of it (Daniel 6:11-15).

To avoid losing face, King Darius commanded them to capture Daniel, and he had him thrown into the lions’ den, but he spoke these words to him: Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. Amazing that a pagan king could utter such words of faith, hope, and encouragement! To make Daniel’s situation even more difficult, they found a large rock, set it across the den’s opening, and sealed the den shut (Daniel 6:16-17). This is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ rising from the dead after three days in the sealed tomb.

All night, as the king wondered about Daniel’s fate, he fasted, refrained from listening to music, and stayed awake. Early in the morning he arose, hurried to the lions’ den, and cried out to Daniel. He called him servant of the living God, proclaimed that Daniel served God continuously, and asked if God was able to deliver Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:18-20).

Daniel greeted the king reverently, and answered that God had sent his angel, who shut the lions’ mouths, and that they did not harm him. He explained that he was innocent before God and before the king, for he had done him no wrong. The king rejoiced for Daniel’s safety, commanded that he be released, and found him unharmed, “because he believed in his God” (Daniel 6:21-23).

Once again Scripture shows us salvation through faith, by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-10), with the proof of faith (in man’s eyes, for God knows our hearts regardless of our works) being obedience (James 2:14-26). Daniel was innocent not because he had never sinned (Romans 3:23), but because he trusted God, was faithful to obey Him no matter what consequences he might face, and was therefore righteous before God (Romans 4:6-22).

Those who had accused Daniel did not fare well, for the king commanded the capture and casting into the lions’ den of these men, their children and their wives. Just in case any scoffers might be wondering if these were emasculated lions who lacked the strength to attack Daniel, Scripture tells us that the lions broke all the bones of Daniel’s enemies before they even reached the bottom of the den! (Daniel 6:24).

God rewarded Daniel for His faithfulness by sparing His life, allowing him to prosper under the reign of King Darius, and even ensuring his long-term position under the next king, Cyrus the Persian. Even more amazing, God worked through this trial (Romans 8:28) in Daniel’s life to show His mighty power to King Darius, who in turn proclaimed it worldwide! To all people, nations, and languages throughout the earth, the king wrote, offered them peace, and issued a decree about the God of Daniel, the living God, Who is forever faithful (Daniel 6:25-26;28).

The king’s decree was for men throughout the kingdom to fear, respect, and recognize God for His indestructible kingdom, His eternal reign, and His mercy. The God Who delivered Daniel is a God Who delivers and rescues those who trust Him, as He performs miracles in heaven, in earth, and toward His people (Daniel 6:26-27).

May we have the understanding, faithfulness, and courage to follow Daniel’s example by trusting God’s Word and obeying Him, even when it is unpopular, politically incorrect, or life-threatening to do so. God will reward us richly by giving us abundant life, using us for His glory, and rewarding us in our eternal life with Him!

© 2016 Laurie Collett