How To Stay Faithful                                         June 29, 2025

One of the great things I have been allowed to do the last several months is to teach our middle school and high school students on Sunday mornings.  Once the PEARLS exam was finished, I now work with the High School students.  Both groups are awesome, encouraging, and inspiring because of who they are.

We are going back and digging a little deeper in each lesson of the workbook we used to prepare for the PEARLS exam because of the richness of each lesson.  Last Sunday morning, we talked about the Serpent’s lie in Genesis 3 along with the many names and identifiers of Satan found throughout Scripture.

In that conversation, we talked about what we are up against in Satan and the world’s challenges.  I shared with them that my goal is to give them something they can leave with after each class and get them over the mountains they are facing.  That’s my goal now.  Having a strong foundation in Christ and a growing faith will not allow us to just coast through each and every day, but seeking to follow Jesus will allow our path to be bearable!

What are some ways to stay faithful?

1. Seek God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34).  We might say “pursue” all that God would have us to through our daily walk.  In doing so, we can understand the righteousness of our Lord.

2. Strive to remain sanctified (holy) (I Thessalonians 4:3).  Satan is seeking to drag us down in the ugliness and filth the world has to offer.

3. Give thanks! (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).  If we can have an attitude of gratitude, we will be too busy to complain.  May we maintain the perspective of remembering all the blessings we have in Christ.

4. We know that knowledge is “power” (Colossians 1:9-12).  God’s Word equips us with power to battle Satan and fill our mind with Christ!

5. Embrace security (Ephesians 5:15-21).  Understanding the Will of the Lord shields us from the whims of Satan.  May we use our time wisely!

No doubt that many of us are tired of being pursued by Satan (I Peter 5:8) and fighting through the “winds” of each day.  If we will seek to look to Christ for rest, we will find it.  Matthew 11:28-30 directs us to the words of Jesus.  We may feel weighted down, but Jesus says, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

No matter where you find yourself today, God is calling you to remain faithful through Scriptures and obey the Good News.  Building our faith is not about perfection, but perseverance.  II Thessalonians 3:3 teaches us that having a strong relationship with our Lord will allow us to be not only protected from the storms of life, but a promise to keep us safe from evil to get us home one day.  This passage says, But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”  Let’s stay faithful!             

By Allen Jones (Adapted)

Breathe!                                                              June 22, 2025

We take thousands of breaths each day without even noticing.  Yet behind each breath lies an intricate and miraculous process.  Our brain sends signals to the diaphragm, which contracts and allows air to fill our lungs.  Oxygen enters the bloodstream, nourishes our cells, and keeps us alive.  All of this happens in seconds – without our conscious effort.

Scientists still don’t fully understand the precise mechanisms behind breathing.  Why does the body know exactly how much oxygen we need?  Why does the heart and brain work together in such perfect harmony?  The truth is, we know so little about the very process that keeps us alive.  And yet, God knows.  He designed it all.

If we don’t even understand how a single breath is sustained, how can we expect to understand God’s greater work in our lives?  We make plans, assume outcomes, and try to control our circumstances – but God’s ways are not our ways.  His perspective reaches far beyond what we can see or understand.

There are moments when we feel like nothing is working out, when our efforts seem wasted and doors seem closed.  We pray and seek answers, but things don’t unfold the way we expect.  But just as our bodies breathe without our control, God is working behind the scenes, aligning things according to His will – even when we don’t see it.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).  The breath we take, the life we live – it all depends on Him.  He holds everything together.  We may not understand how, but we can trust that He does.

When we feel discouraged or confused, remember: the One who gives us breath is in control.  Even when we don’t understand, He knows what He is doing.

By Robert Kargbo (Middleton, WI)

Families Need Godly Fathers                                               June 15, 2025

Statistics Canada reports that 12.8 percent of Canadian children live in fatherless households. In the United States it is reported that 18.4 million children, or 1 in 4 children, live without a father at home.  Children raised in fatherless homes are at enormous risk throughout their lifetime.  The impact of a fatherless home has far reaching effects on these children being that 1 in 4 children will experience 4 times greater risk of poverty, and be more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems.  The Communio Nationwide Study on Faith and Relationships reveals that the collapse in marriage and the resulting decline in resident fatherhood may offer the best explanation for the decline of Christianity in the United States. 

God designed the family to have fathers present, and not just simply present but fully engaged in their families.  I have to admit that I find the statistics above discouraging and there were probably times in my children’s lives where I was not as engaged as I should have been.  Fully engaged Christian fathers have a key impact on the development, well-being and outcome of their children.  I want to encourage you today by highlighting some of the key truths about the responsibilities of fathers found in scripture:

Fathers are to be a model or example of God’s character.  The fathers role reflects the nature of God the Father, i.e. fathers are to be loving, just, patient, merciful etc.  In the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32 the father is seen as patient, forgiving and merciful.  Psalm 103:13 states “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”

Fathers must be the spiritual leader of the home.  Fathers must lead their families spiritually by setting a godly example, helping his family understand God’s truth and providing discipline when necessary.  In Ephesians 6:4 Paul provides this instruction to fathers “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  God instructs Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Fathers must be a disciplinarian and teacher of their children.  Teaching and discipline go hand in hand and fathers must learn to lovingly teach and discipline.  Proverbs 19:18 teaches us “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”  Proverbs 22:6 states “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  The Hebrew writer in Hebrews 12:7-11 illustrates the value of loving discipline and how this helps lead to righteousness.

Fathers must be providers and protectors.  The Bible teaches us that being a provider and protector are essential characteristics for the Godly man.  1 Timothy 5:8 states “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  Proverbs 14:26 teaches us that our fear of the Lord not only blesses us but blesses our family as well by providing them a spiritual refuge, “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”

This may seem overwhelming, however fathers can do this by leading prayerful Godly lives and showing by example how God expects his children to live.  Fathers can regularly teach God’s word by incorporating it into the daily lives of their families.  Fathers need to be engaged in their children’s lives by being present and giving quality time and attention to their children.  Fathers must provide a stable home that protects their children from the evil influences of this world and instead provides them with the necessities of life and allows them to have hearts focused on God.  A fathers heart must reflect the heart of God. My grandchildren have helped me to learn this.  They have taught me that I need to have a heart that is quick to forgive, is patient when angry, is generous with affection, disciplines with love and is faithful with promises made.

Kevin Pickles

What Jesus Thought of Children                                              June 8, 2025

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drown in the depths of the sea.'” (Matthew 18:1-6)

Children brought Jesus much joy because of the kind of heart they had.  They were innocent, and often displayed a sweetness and consideration for others that Jesus had not seen in many adults that He had taught.  Instead those adults often displayed an arrogance and selfishness in their interactions with others, especially Him.  No wonder Jesus enjoyed having children in His presence.

Such humility and gentleness are two characteristics of those who are the greatest in the kingdom of God.  If one wants to be great in God’s kingdom then be like a child and have their kind of heart.

This past week, while Andrew & Stephanie Russell were watching television, Andrew noticed that his daughter, June, was writing something.  He asked her what it was and she replied, “It was about her and God.”  After reading it, he was deeply touched.  I was as well after he let me read it.

So please enjoy what Jesus saw in children as you read June’s letter about God below.  In so doing you’ll know exactly what Jesus thought about children.

June About God

Once upon a time there was a person named God.

He made you and me and the earth.

He is so special, you need Him.

You should thank Him.

You are to pray every day.

His Son Jesus is precious which means that He is good.

Bless God every day by praying and thanking Him.

God is your Father.

Brian Thompson

Going to A Funeral?                                           June 1, 2025

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.  Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy.  The mind of the wise is in the house of the mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4).

How many trips have we had to make to a cemetery or funeral chapel?  Are they more than we would like to count?  As we get older, it seems we go more often.  Admittedly, birthday parties are more fun.  Invitations to occasions of laughter and joy are more readily accepted than to a period of sober reflection at a funeral service.  But Solomon’s wisdom says that it is better for us to go to the house of mourning than to the house of pleasure.  Why is this?  Was Solomon preoccupied with morbidity, or did he learn something in his quest for wisdom we need to know also?  With every funeral we attend, we learn something.  Take a moment and consider the lessons learned in the “school” of mourning.

We are moving closer and closer to eternity.  Time is rapidly fleeting by us all.  Each day brings us closer to our own eternal destinies.  This world is not all there is.  As the old song says, “We are going down the valley, one by one.”  We are forced to face the real issues of life.  No one can really avoid this lesson in the house of mourning.  At death, do possessions really matter?  Is wealth, fame, power, or control important when they have all been laid down in the end?  A party can help us escape reality; funerals make us face it.

We learn to make good use of our time.  Minutes, hours, days, months, years – these are the ways we measure life on earth.  Time is precious.  We are never ready to lose those whom we love no matter how long they have been with us.  Life is a loan from God, and it must be repaid.  When life is gone, it is gone.  To paraphrase Paul, “Make the most of your time” (Ephesians 5:16).

We realize that others hurt, too.  We often become so absorbed in our own problems, sufferings, and hurts that we forget there are other hurting people in this world.  A party atmosphere deceives us into thinking everyone is having fun!  In the house of mourning, we see others who hurt.  It makes us serious about helping where we can, when we can.

We teach our children about death at funerals.  It is surprising how many teenagers have never attended a funeral.  Their parents shield them from it and then when death comes to someone close to them, they are totally unfamiliar with it.  We prepare our children to live, but we should also prepare them to die.  It may not be a walk in the park, but a funeral is good for young people, too.

Funerals are cultural events where some great life and death lessons can be observed.  A funeral itself is not an essential event, but dealing with a death is most certainly necessary.  Let’s not shy away from the house of mourning.  It’s good for us.    By Mark White (Adapted)

What Are You Looking For In Life?                                          May 25, 2025

“Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.  My wisdom also stood by me.  And all that my eyes desired I did not refuse them.  I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.  Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11)

For many readers the book of Ecclesiastes seems very depressing and negative.  Yet that should not be the case for our life if God is included in it.  Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, was given an amazing degree of wisdom from God because he had asked for the wisdom to lead His people with a discerning heart so that he could judge His people on matters between good and evil.  He wanted the wisdom to rule God’s people wisely (I Kings 3:3-15; II Chronicles 1:7-12).  So it pleased God to grant him that wisdom but He gave him much more.

In II Chronicles 1:11-12 God gave Solomon riches, wealth and honor, such as none of the kings before him had possessed, nor those kings who would come after him.  Even the Queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions which he answered wisely.  She was so impressed by his answers and his wealth that she was breathless in his presence.  She even stated that half of his great wisdom had not been told her (II Chronicles 9:1-12).

Without being in Solomon’s presence it is hard to imagine what our reaction would be in witnessing his great wealth and wisdom.  I’m sure we would all be awe struck and speechless.  It was clear, without any doubt, that God had blessed Solomon’s life beyond words.  But what can happen when one lives consistently in such an environment?  If we’re not careful, it can open a door and provide an opportunity for Satan to enter.

Solomon was a great king but he made many mistakes while living in that greatness.  For a time in his life he didn’t deny himself of anything he wanted and that careless path didn’t bring him the satisfaction that he thought it would.  Even when he sought pleasure in every form imaginable he was not happy.  His attempts only brought unhappiness and all seemed so futile (Ecclesiastes 2:1-8). 

What was missing in Solomon’s life that was more important that all the wealth and pleasures he experienced?  It was God’s presence and approval in all that he did in life.  Without God in his life nothing was really meaningful nor did the things he choose provide him with lasting joy.  The best way to experience such happiness in life is, “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

What are you looking for that is more satisfying than having God in your life?

Brian Thompson

Water                                                      May 18, 2025

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of many waters.” (Psalms 18:16)

Water is one of the most powerful forces on earth.  It sustains life, cleanses, and shapes the world.  But it can also bring destruction – storms rage, floods rise, and oceans swallow ships whole.

Scripture often uses water as a symbol of both danger and deliverance.  When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, God parted the waters to save them.  When Jonah ran from God, he was swallowed by the depths until repentance brought him back to dry land.  When Peter walked on water toward Jesus, doubt nearly drowned him – until Christ reached out His hand.

Have we ever felt like we were drowning in life?  Fear, shame, and regret can rise so high that we struggle to stay afloat.  But Psalms 18:16 reminds us that God is not distant from our struggles.  He reaches into our deepest waters, pulls us up, and sets our feet on solid ground.

Water is also a symbol of renewal.  Through baptism, we are buried with Christ and raised into new life.  The very element that can destroy also brings salvation.  When Noah and his family were saved from a world of sin, they passed through water into a new beginning.

Who is praying for us?  Perhaps our parents have whispered our names before God since we were born.  Maybe a friend or someone we don’t know has lifted us up in prayer.  These prayers are spiritual lifelines, unseen currents that carry us toward the shore.

If we feel overwhelmed today, remember this: the same God who pulled Peter from the sea, who split the Red Sea, and who washes us clean in baptism, is reaching for us now.  His hands are strong.  His mercy is deep.  His love will not fail.

By Robert Kargbo, Middleton, WI

Working Together: It Takes All of Us                          May 4, 2025

In Mark 2:3-12 a paralyzed man needed help to come to Jesus.  Fortunately, he had friends willing to help.  His friend picked up the mat on which he was lying and carried him to the house where Jesus was.  Not just one or two men could have done the job.  It took all four, each carrying his corner of the mat.

But wait!  The story gets even more intriguing as we find that so many people were in the house that the men couldn’t get their stricken friend inside.  They lifted their friend, mat and all, onto the roof, made a hole, and lowered him into the room where Jesus was (Mark 2:4).

Jesus was impressed with the men’s faith and said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:5).  The man immediately arose, took up his mat as Jesus directed him, and went out from the presence of them all.  Then they glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this before” (Mark 2:11-12).

Friend, do you know that there are many in any given community who will never find the truth or hear the words of Jesus about salvation without our help?  If any one of those friends had dropped his corner of the mat, the paralyzed man couldn’t have reached Jesus.

As a Christian, have you dropped your corner?  Or are you carrying it to the best of your ability to serve the Lord?

Every member is needed to shoulder the responsibility for helping the Lord’s work to progress.  We need Bible School teachers.  We need parents who set faithful examples for their children.  We need men who dependably serve in leading prayers and songs.  We need men who aspire to serve as elders and deacons.

Let us all carry our corner!

–Richard Dent (via Old Paths) adapted

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Working Together to Share the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Dealing With People                                             April 27, 2025

Human interaction is part of life.  At work, at school, in the marketplace, and online, it simply does not stop.  With so many types of contact and personalities, to boot, it is not uncommon for us to start losing patience with one another.  Letting our frustrations get the better of us, we pop off rude statements and lash out at things we might not normally be bothered by.

Author John Maxwell offers four suggestions in dealing with people that are helpful in sustaining good relationships and reputation with people around us.

1.  Total Picture – Do not jump to conclusions before the problem has been laid out before you.  That’s a common occurrence for most of us.  We tend to get angry because we assume too much about a person’s intentions and situation.  Before jumping on people in frustration, we need to ask questions, listen, ask more questions, and listen some more.  James 1:19 reminds us to “be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

2.  Timing – Knowing when to act is just as important as taking the right action.  It can be equally important to know when not to act.  This means slowing ourselves down and making sure we think about our words before they come out of our mouths.  Learn to yourself questions like “Am I ready to confront?” and “Is the other person ready to listen?”  If the answer to either of these is “no,” then it may be best to save the confrontation for another time.

3.  Tone – It is not just a matter of what and when you speak, but how you speak.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Haven’t you found that to be true?  People often respond more to our attitudes and actions than to our words.  Many petty conflicts occur because people use the wrong tone of voice.  The next time someone says something to you in anger, respond with gentleness and kindness.  In response, the other person is likely to tone down, if not soften, his attitude.

4.  Temperature – Maxwell writes, “As tempers flare, people are prone to dropping bombs when using a slingshot will do” (1b).  This is important to realize because the size of a problem changes based on the heat applied to it.  Generally speaking, if our reaction is more heated than the action, the problem usually gets worse.  If our reaction is less intense than the action, the problem usually decreases.  Consider implementing what Maxwell calls the “Reprimand Rule: Take thirty seconds to share feelings – and then it’s over.”  Anytime we let a little thing create a big reaction (longer than 30 seconds), then we’re bombs instead of slingshots.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow once observed, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”  In the long run, that is a terrible way to treat people.  As Christians, we need to employ more judicious treatment of others.  There is enough frustration and anger in this world that we do not need to add to it.  May God empower us to deal with

people the way He wants us to and increase our influence over them.

(Mount Carmel church of Christ – Copied)