Jesus the Baby and Jesus the Adult                                        December 21, 2025

            Everything we know from the Scriptures indicates either spring or autumn as the time when Jesus was born.  Nevertheless, much of the world has set aside December 25 as the date of His birth.  Rather than launch into a rant excoriating people for their misunderstanding, I recommend that we take advantage of a season when most of our neighbors are at least in a positive frame of mind about Jesus.  Understanding who He is, what He did, and what He requires of us outweighs any concerns about the date about His birth.

            Who can help but love a newborn baby?  He’s tiny and sweet and innocent and helpless.  Everyone with a heart loves baby Jesus in the manger.  As a baby, He makes no demands on us.  We don’t even have to hear Him cry when He’s hungry, or when He needs changing.  In our minds we picture Him lying there quietly – no muss, no fuss.

            Jesus the grown-up is an entirely different matter.  Multitudes who practically swoon over Jesus the baby are not so keen on Jesus the adult.  After all, the grown man Jesus says things that are politically incorrect and makes demands that many find offensive.  “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).  Even some religious folks find that statement arrogant and presumptuous.  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  This flies in the face modern notions of tolerance and inclusiveness.

            “If you do not believe that I am He (the Christ), you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).  “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).  “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:9).  Not only follow Me, but “deny (yourself), take up (your) cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).  Worldly minds find these outrageous!

            We must help our neighbors to understand that this is the same Jesus Who was born in Bethlehem and lay in that manger.  He really is the Son of God, and He has every right to say what He says and require our whole-hearted trust and obedience.  In due time we can correct the errors commonly associated with His birth (no, He wasn’t born in December, nor did the wise men visit the manger, nor did the shepherds follow a star).  But let’s get first things first.

By Joe Slater                              

God Loves …                                                                  December 14, 2025

          “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …” (I John 3:16).  Wow.  The gift of the ages!  We had sold ourselves to Satan through sin, and He bought us back, not with gold or silver, but with the blood of His only Son (I Peter 1:18-19).

          Agape love cannot be expressed without some type of sacrifice.  Time, money, things, patience … all are sacrifices that express love.  Notice that “God so loved the world that He Gave …” (John 3:16).

          Love gives.  Love gives not to get, but to bless, not to attain, but to sustain, not to acquire, but to inspire.  Love, above all, gives!  You give love to that newborn, not because he or she can make a housing payment or do the dishes.  You love because that little princess is your child.  Eventually, if maturing properly, that child will give back … not to get college tuition, but to express the same love that has been modeled by the parents.

          And so it is with God’s children.  As we mature, we begin to recognize what God has done for us, both in daily provision and eternal salvation.  We see the love of the Father and the Son conspire to bring Jesus to the cross, then bring Him from an empty tomb.

          We see the love of Paul as he imitates Christ (I Corinthians 11:1) in evangelistic zeal that is not quenched by stripes of the whip or storms of the sea.  He loves Jesus too much to shut up and he loves the lost too much to stand still.  He goes from city to city in spite of stonings and beatings and imprisonments (II Corinthians 11).  His words reach pauper and prince, Gentile and Jew.

          Why did He give His life in such sacrificial service?  Love …the real reason true givers give!  I am elated that I have not been called to be beaten, stoned and shipwrecked.  But I have been called to give.

          There is an interesting and sublime reality expressed by Jesus in John 15:10-11, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

          Did you catch it?  Jesus abides in the Father’s love because He keeps the Father’s commandments.  And if we do the same, we shall have “joy … made full.”  One of those commandments often ignored is giving … yes, the Sunday morning contribution to give as you have been prospered as well as any time when the need to give arrives.  For more about giving read I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:1-15 and I Timothy 6:17-19.

          There are some types of love that I may not be able to fully explain.  I know God loves the world … the whole sinful lot of us.  But in II Corinthians 9:7 He ups the ante, “God loves a cheerful giver.”  Yes, He loves all, but in some special way He points out the “cheerful giver.”  Perhaps we are never more like Jesus than when we sacrifice willingly and cheerfully.  Pray about it!                   Ray Wallace (Adapted)

Do Not Read This Article!                                          December 7, 2025

            The HOP Shops Food Marts and Truck Plazas in northern Kentucky is a popular destination for visitors.  Specifically, their restrooms!  Select locations feature a button on the bathroom wall with a “Do Not Push This Button” sign.  Those who push it are bathed in bright colorful lights reflected in a mirror ball with upbeat disco music playing over the PA system.  The “Home of the Famous Disco Bathrooms,” HOP shops boast online of their status as “America’s Cleanest Restrooms” (hopshops.com).  Their attraction is built on the proven strategy that the best way to get some people to do something is to order them NOT to do something.

            It is significant that the New Testament closes with a dire warning to not twist and transfigure God’s inspired word (Revelation 22:18-19).  It is a huge “Do Not Push This Button” sign that is ignored by many professing Christians in a multi-denominated religious world.

            Biblical Christianity is under siege in a modern world that rejects God’s truth for human desires.  This is the very thing Paul warned about in II Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires … they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth.”  Jude recognized our need to possess, proclaim and preserve the one, only and forever “common salvation” (Jude 3) presented in God’s inspired word.  That is the truth God wants us to preach and practice.

By David Bragg (via Bulletin Gold)

*******************************************************************

“Every flower that has ever bloomed had to go through a lot of dirt to get there.”

By Jon Rowe (via Facebook)

Facing Death With Faith                                           November 30, 2025

Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for people to die once – and after this, judgment.”  Those are sobering words.  Death is not a possibility; it is a certainty.  The question is not if we will die, but how we will face it.

Death Is Certain

From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, death entered the world.  God told Adam, “You are dust, and you will return to dust” (Genesis 3:19).  That single sentence explains every funeral we attend.  The Bible reminds us that death is an appointment we will all keep (Hebrews 9:27).  Accepting this reality leads us to wisdom: “teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalms 90:12).

Death Is A Separation

Scripture defines death as the separation of body and spirit.  Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “The dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”  James 2:26 explains, “The body without the spirit is dead.”  Death is not annihilation.  The body goes back to the dust, but the soul continues.  For the faithful, this separation means being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8).

Death Is Not the End

Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).  Both men died, but their story did not end at the grave.  Eternity had just begun.  That is why Paul could write, For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  And that is why we rejoice with the words of I Corinthians 15: “Death has been swallowed up in victory … thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

The Promise of Christ

In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.”  That is the promise we cling to.  Death is inevitable, but it is not the end.  For those in Christ, death is the doorway into eternal life.

By Matthew Allen

Things For Christians to Consider Before Criticizing the Church (Part Three)            November 23, 2025

(Continuation from last week’s article)

No One Will Listen Before Long

Maybe most of the criticism levied against the church is rightfully deserved, but if that is all we are known for we will eventually be tuned out.  This is true in many areas of life.  The boss that only sees what employees do wrong soon loses respect.  The coach that only points out mistakes as he breaks down film soon loses the ears of those he is coaching.

Maybe the congregation where you are a member is not perfect (welcome to the club), but if the only time you speak up is when you speak against something, people will not listen after a while.

Timothy was encouraged not to be quarrelsome.  He should contend for the faith without constantly being contentious (II Timothy 2:24-26).  If we want to be heard and actually make a difference when we speak out against blind spots in the church we should not make it our hobby horse.

There Will Always Be Problems

The church is perfect on the divine side but the human side will always have problems (I John 1:8, 10).  This does not mean we should throw up our hands and cease our efforts to be all we can be, that would not please God (Philippians 3:13-14).  However, we must realize that the church will always have weaknesses as long as human beings are involved and live in a fallen world.

Jesus thought enough of the church to give His life for her, we should have a high view of her as well.  Someone may get the impression that we are not happy to be Christians if all we ever do is criticize the body of people we willingly aligned with.  There are things to be corrected – there always will be – but there is much to praise God about while the church is shining her light in all the world.

The church is criticized by outsiders and enemies enough, we should not add to it with unnecessary criticism.  It may be cool and trendy to find all the fault with God’s people and plaster it everywhere, but it is not what God wants.

We should be careful not to bash the body of Christ before unbelievers, not to appear self-righteous, surrender our balance, and lose our audience.  The church is not perfect but her husband is and that’s enough.                                                By Hiram Kemp

Things For Christians to Consider Before Criticizing the Church (Part Two) November 16, 2025

(Continuation from last week’s article)

We Appear Self-Righteous

To assume that we have found all the blemishes in the church and can fix all of her perceived problems in this generation is to put too much confidence in ourselves.  Knowledge truly does puff us up (I Corinthians 8:1).  As we see areas of fault or blind spots we need to point those out, but it would be nice to focus more on what the church is doing right.

Though Paul had much to correct the Corinthians about, he was sure to acknowledge their areas of obedience and faithfulness (I Corinthians 1:3-7; 11:2).  It is arrogant to assume that everyone has viewed countless Bible passages wrong for centuries until our “enlightened” age has come along (see Job 12:2).

Most criticism comes from a heart that wants to see the church be all that she can be and this commendable.  However, too much criticism will discourage people from doing anything at all lest they fall under the same condemnation as those before them.

The Pharisees became experts in how every Jew was wrong about the law and they eventually became stagnate in their obedience (Matthew 23:1-4).

It Betrays Balance

Paul told Timothy to reprove and rebuke, but also to encourage (II Timothy 4:2).  So many are doing their best to follow the New Testament and live pleasing to God and when all they hear is that they need more doctrine or devotion, or the church is too silent in the cause of social injustice, they will think they never do anything right.  God’s commands are not a burden and we can please Him.  Christians need to hear this message (I John 5:3).

As Christians, we need encouragement daily or else sin will harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:12-13).  Yes, Paul, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others challenged and rebuked God’s people for their error but this was always after they had been encouraged, uplifted, and given countless chances to make corrections (II Corinthians 12:3).

Paul often used the sandwich method in his writing.  He would begin a letter with praise for a faithful church, rebuke or make recommendations in the middle, and then end the letter with praise in the expectation that what he has said will be done.

We could learn a lot from this.  Jesus challenges the churches in the book of Revelation, but he is sure to point out the good in each congregation and encourage them to overcome.  This is how it should be done today.  We talk a lot about balance but we all struggle to show it.

(This article will continue next week.  See you then!)                                 By Hiram Kemp

Things For Christians to Consider Before Criticizing the Church            November 9, 2025

I know it’s popular in our time to voice our grievances about everything that we do not like.  We all have become increasingly critical of one another and everything.  This hypercritical attitude has made its way into the church  and how we view the body of Christ.

Every generation seems to have developed a smug intellectual spirit that assumes it knows more or understands things better that those who went before.  This cannot always be true though.

Some say that we need more doctrine, and we need to stick to the old paths.  Others say that we are too heavy on doctrine and do not care enough about people and loving our neighbor.  Still, others say that we are not speaking out enough in the social arena and against social discrimination of various sorts.

While there is merit in these claims, we should be careful that we do not become overly critical of another man’s bride (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25).  The church can always improve, but there are a few reasons why we should be slow to criticize her as often as we sometimes do.

Outsiders Are Looking

Paul told the Corinthians they needed to be careful not to bring their civil disagreements before the unbelievers (I Corinthians 6).  The Corinthians enjoyed an exalted state in Christ and had no business arguing like lunatics before non-Christians.  While the circumstances may be different, the principle is the same.

When we argue about how bad we are doing in practicing New Testament Christianity before unbelievers, they may reason that we are all crazy and confused and will likely want nothing to do with us.

When God was going to destroy the Israelites for disobedience, Moses appealed to the reputation of God before the Egyptians and Canaanites as a reason why he should refrain (Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:15-20).

Paul continually encouraged Christians not to do things that would have the Lord’s name spoken against (I Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:3-5).  While criticism can be constructive, we should never forget it can also be destructive, and it can hurt our influence with those we want to convert.

(This article will continue in a series over the next two weeks.  We hope you will keep this week’s article in hand to pick it up again next week.  See you then!)   

By Hiram Kemp

Dealing With People                                         November 2, 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 learn 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 mean slowing ourselves down and making sure we think about our words before they come out of our mouths.  Learn to ask 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.”  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.

Copied (Mt. Carmel church of Christ)

When Concern Turns Into Worry                               October 26, 2025

The Lord makes it clear that His followers should not worry (Matt.6:25). They are told this demonstrates a lack of faith.  As Jesus put it, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Vs 30)

That being said, we can read many times in the word of God about people who have things weighing on their minds.  For example, was it not worry when the apostle Paul said that he had a deep, daily concern for the church (II Cor.11:28)?  Was Martha just concerned that her sister was not helping prepare food for Jesus, when she asked the Lord to tell Mary to help her (Luke 10:41)?  How do we know if these are just minor concerns or the sort of worries Jesus spoke about?  To answer this we must dig a bit deeper.

A certain Greek word comes up repeatedly when warnings are given about worry, anxiety, etc.  This Greek word is used in Matthew 6:25 (where Jesus said not to worry) and also in Luke 10 to tell Martha she was “careful” and troubled about many things.  This same Greek word is also used to instruct the brethren to not to be “anxious” for anything in Philippians 4:6.

More than we like to admit, we easily fall victim to worry and stop walking by faith.  As previously discussed, Paul warned Christians to not be anxious.  He then told the brethren to pray with supplication and thanksgiving as a way to avoid anxiety.

But what about Paul being concerned for the churches on a daily basis – how is that any different?  We must first recognize that Paul’s daily concern is depicted via a different Greek word.  When read contextually, we see that the apostle was stating that he regularly had a care for the brethren on his mind.  The definition of the Greek word we translate as “care” here includes the idea of distraction.  The point is that Paul was distracted with care for the brethren but not debilitated by it.  Martha, for example, was also distracted in Luke 10.  However, she was anxious and this is what Jesus found issue with.

Being concerned about something does not mean we have stopped working for the Lord.  Allowing concern to turn into a bad habit or to stop caring for the Lord, however, is wrong. People who allow things to eat them up inside are not turning to God for help and comfort.  Consider the following situations:

Two people will soon undergo serious surgeries.  One person is very concerned. She goes to God in prayer and leaves her concerns with the Lord.  She understands it is out of her hands.  She is mindful of her example with others and exhibits strong faith.  She does not seek their pity and tries to stay positive.

The other person soon undergoing surgery is a Christian but becomes very preoccupied with the situation.  He does not think of God and fails to pray.  His worry causes him to focus on negative possibilities.  He expects others to try and encourage him but always ends conversations with a pessimistic outlook.

So what solution can we offer to someone who is a “worrier?”  The answer is simple – do what you can and walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7).  When a problem comes up, do what you can to fix it.  When it is out of your hands, accept the situation and trust in the Lord.  If I am concerned someone is upset with me, I will go to them and clear it up.  If I am worried someone is upset with me, I may avoid them and stop letting my light shine.  Let’s make sure we know the difference between concern and worry.    by Chuck Bartlett

Complacency Is Not Christ-like                                                   October 19, 2025

Simple Psychology defines The Bystander Effect as a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when others are present.  The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely any one of them is to help.

In 1964, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was attacked outside her apartment in New York.  Dozens of neighbors reportedly heard her cries, but most assumed someone else would call the police.  Because everyone waited, no one acted, and she died before help came.  When everyone waits for someone else, nothing gets done.  Complacency can have devastating consequences.

Spiritually, the same is true.  When we wait for someone else to step, needs go unmet, and opportunities to show Christ’s love are missed.

Complacency is not Christ-like – following Jesus means stepping up when there is a need.

The Biblical Foundation

Christ is our model

• Philippians 2:5-8: Jesus didn’t wait for someone else; He stepped forward to save us.
• John 13:14-15: Jesus didn’t wait for someone else to serve; He set the example.

Examples of stepping up

• Numbers 14:6-9: Joshua and Caleb stood in faith while others shrank back.
• Nehemiah 2:17-18:  Nehemiah stepped up to lead instead of waiting for someone else.

Warning against complacency

• James 4:17:  Knowing but not acting is sin.  Don’t be like neighbors that heard Kitty Genovese’s cries but ultimately did nothing.  See the bigger picture and don’t be blinded by complacency.
• Luke 10:33-34  The Samaritan acted while others passed by.  What would have been considered the least likely to help was the right help.  Be like the Good Samaritan.  Take action when others turn a blind eye.

Application for Us

• In the church:  Don’t wait for someone else to greet, teach, or serve.  Be the one to volunteer as soon as you identify a need.
• In daily life:  Take initiative with neighbors, co-workers, and family.  We are image bearers of Christ.  Reflect the correct image of Christ to others through our actions.
• Key thought: Christ-like living means moving toward needs in love, not assuming someone else will act.  Assume if you don’t help, nobody else will.

Encouragement & Call to Action

• I Corinthians 12:26:  When we don’t act, the whole body of Christ suffers.
• Call:  Don’t wait for someone else.  Be the one who steps forward.
• Hope:  God equips us to act; small steps make a big difference.

Christ didn’t wait for someone else – He went to the cross for us.  Let’s follow His example, like Joshua, Caleb, Nehemiah, and the Good Samaritan.  Let’s step us when there’s a need.  Don’t let Christianity just become a title for yourself.  Live out your faith boldly.  A dormant faith pleases none other than Satan.

By Ian Fleischman