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

Keeping Our Heart Forever Grateful                         October 12, 2025

This weekend we celebrate the holiday Thanksgiving.  We have set aside this day to gather with family and friends to give thanks for our blessings.  Throughout the Bible, we see “Thanksgiving” for blessings as a theme.  In the Old Testament, God’s people praised Him for the wonderful things that He had done for them.  Israel had a history of giving thanks to God for the mercy and deliverance that He showed them.  Even in the New Testament, we read, “…then He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up into heaven, He gave thanks and broke them” (Luke 9:16).  At the Last Supper, Jesus took the bread and gave thanks and offered it to His followers (I Corinthians 11:24).  Jesus offers us a wonderful example of giving thanks to God.

This weekend let us consider some thoughts about Thanksgiving.

Motive.  When we give thanks to God, our only motive should be one of pure gratitude.  Thanksgiving is giving thanks and nothing more.  Of all the types of prayers that we offer, a prayer of thanksgiving is the least likely to be polluted or corrupted with selfish thoughts.  It is the least likely to contain subconscious appeals to manipulate God.  The prayer should be about God’s blessings toward us and our appreciation for those blessings.

Knowledgeable.  Being grateful requires us to look back into our past and acknowledge those blessings for which we are thankful.  Whether those blessings are in our recent past or many years ago, remember they are from God.  Unfortunately, in our culture, people are infatuated with the future and the result is that giving thanks is sometimes neglected.  Giving thanks to God is about looking backward and expressing our gratitude for the good things that have come our way.

Comprehensive.  During this holiday, we thank God for our meal.  While this is good and proper, there is so much more we should include in our prayers.  We are so blessed with our families, friends, homes, jobs, freedoms, and hundreds of other things.  Giving God thanks should be a theme that runs throughout our lives.  We should give thanks in the good times as well as in the bad times.  The pilgrims lives close enough to the soil to know how dependent they were on God’s blessings.  Even in the bitter winters with scarce food, they learned to thank God for all that they had.  They were eager to thank Him during their times of abundance, as well.

During this Thanksgiving holiday, take time to consider the many blessings that you enjoy.  Be grateful for these wonderful benefits and thank God for them.

May God continue to bless us and keep us safe throughout the coming days.  Give thanks always to our Father above for the bountiful blessings. 

Written by Larry Schneider (Adapted, topic changed from “Thanksgiving”)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Living Up to Your Name                                 October 5, 2025

In 1 Kings chapter 1 and 2 we learn about a man named Adonijah.  According to biblehub.com the name Adonijah is derived from two Hebrew words, Adonai meaning “Lord” and Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God in Hebrew.  Putting these together the name Adonijah means “my Lord is Yahweh” or “Yahweh is my Lord.”  When we read the Old Testament there are many examples of people who lived up to the meaning of their names.  When we look at Adonijah’s life it seems that he didn’t live up to his name.  Examining Adonijah’s life can help us reflect on several questions that we can use to assess how we are doing in living up to the name we carry, the name Christian.

Are we seeking God’s will or our own will?  Adonijah wanted the throne, however God had decided Solomon was to have the throne.  His desire for the throne and its associated power blinded him to God’s will.  Seeking our own will ahead of God’s will can lead to destruction.  Proverbs 3:5-6 shows us we should be trusting in God and allowing Him to lead us in His way.  Trusting and acknowledging God with every decision aligns our will with His and leads us down the path He has prepared for us.

Do we recognize God’s authority or do we allow pride to rule our lives?  Solomon showed mercy to Adonijah when he first attempted to take the throne, 1 Kings 1:52-53.  Adonijah didn’t recognize Solomon’s authority and allowed his pride to make what looked like a second attempt to take the throne, 1 Kings 2:22.   James 4:6 teaches us that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  Pride breeds arrogance which can lead to destruction.  Therefore, we need to demonstrate humility and reliance on God.

Do we demonstrate obedience and recognize the second chance God has given us?  Solomon demonstrated mercy to Adonihah and gave him a second chance, however Adonijah didn’t take advantage of the mercy afforded to him.  God has been merciful to us, through Christ he has provided reconciliation and restoration.  Although He has been merciful to us, His mercy requires a response of repentance, changed behaviour and obedience.  On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the people and as a result of this they were “pierced their heart” and they asked “brothers what shall we do?”  Peter responded and told them to repent of their sins, turn to God and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sin (Acts 2:37-38).  As believers it is necessary for us to know and obey His word (James 1:22; Luke 11:28).

Before we act do we think about the consequences of our actions?  I don’t know the entire rationale of Adonijah’s decision to want to marry Abishag, however, this was seen by Solomon as an attempt by Adonijah to take the throne.  Adonijah’s action revealed the true nature of his heart and had significant consequences, as it resulted in his death.  All of our actions and decisions, whether big or small, have consequences.  Consequences can be positive or like in Adonijah’s case negative.  Each one of us has an accountability towards God, which means recognizing His sovereignty over our lives, understanding that He sees everything we do, and that our actions will be evaluated in light of His truth (Romans 14:12).  We also have an accountability toward each other.  Our actions can have consequences not just in our own lives, but also in the lives of others.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 teaches us to encourage and build each other up.

Adonijah’s life serves as a warning for us, a warning about pride, ambition, and resisting God’s plan.  When we examine Adonijah’s life, he didn’t demonstrate that he recognized Yahweh as his Lord.  For those who carry the name Christian my prayer for you, myself, and my family is that we seek God’s will ahead of our own, that we recognize and obey His authority in our lives, that our actions demonstrate that we recognize His sovereignty and that we build each other up and encourage each other.  If you are not a Christian my prayer for you is that you will search God’s word, be obedient to His plan for you and accept the redeeming grace of the second chance He offers all of us.

Kevin Pickles

Do You Think I Am Going to Hell?                     September 28, 2025

I remember a scene from a funny movie in which a sleepy man was driving at night.  He fell asleep at the wheel, veered onto an exit ramp, and was driving into oncoming traffic.  He came to when the driver of another car, travelling in the correct lane, honked his horn and hollered across to him, “You are going the wrong way!”  The sleepy driver’s response was, “How do you know where I am going?!”

The man driving in the correct lane was concerned because he knew that the wayward car was travelling into danger.  He saw the facts, made a judgment, and intervened as best as he could to save someone’s life.  Not sensing the danger, the other driver dismissed his warning and continued driving the wrong way.

Sometimes, when one is feeling challenged about his religious beliefs, he will ask, “Do you think I am going to Hell?”  Like the sleep driver in the movie, he is offended to learn that someone has “judged” him and determined that he is lacking.  One’s faith is a very personal matter.  For some people, suggesting that their faith is insufficient is crossing a line.  They may counter by asking the accusing question: “Do you think I am going to Hell?”

I would respond to this question by directing the individual to the Bible.  First, the Bible teaches that man will spend eternity in one of two possible places: Heaven or Hell.  If one is not going to Heaven, that only leaves one other option.  Second, the Bible tells us who will go to each place.  The saved will go to Heaven, while the lost will go to Hell.  Third, the Bible tells us what we have to do to be saved.  If one dies without having done what the Bible says he must do in order to be saved, what logical conclusion are we to come to?

One might say, “Isn’t this between God and the individual?”  In a way, “Yes.” but in another way, “No.”  Those who are saved are given the responsibility to take the gospel to the lost.  This cannot be done without making a judgment and determining who is lost.

Jesus recognized the fact that certain individuals were lost and were “going to Hell.”  At the home of Zacchaeus, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10).  Jesus commissioned His apostles to take the gospel to those who were lost and destined for Hell (Mark 16:15-16).  His apostles shared this conviction.  In Acts 2:40, Peter exhorted his listeners to “be saved from this perverse generation.”  Did Peter think they were going to Hell?  Yes, he did.  The apostle Paul wrote, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20).

Regardless of what you or I think, the Bible teaches that unless one submits to the will of God he is lost and destined for Hell.  If I did not love you, I would not be concerned about your soul.  If you have sincerely obeyed the gospel, then I can have hope for the eternal state of your soul.  If you have not obeyed the gospel, or have since become unfaithful to the Lord, then I cannot have hope for you.

Do I think you are going to Hell?  If you have not obeyed the gospel, or are not a faithful Christian, I know that “you are going the wrong way!”  However, I also know that you can “turn around” and do what is right.  I plead with you to consider the state of your eternal soul and, if need be, obey the gospel.  Please let us know if we can help you with this important decision.   (By Heath Rogers)