When I Learn of Your Condition                               March 2, 2025

“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.  For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” (Philippians 2:19-20)

Jesus had such an impact on Paul’s heart.  So much so that whenever someone saw Paul they saw Christ at work in his life.  Because of the great results that come from living a Christ-like life it is no wonder then that Paul appeals to all Christians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).  This imitation was evident as every part of his conduct and speech reflected the very nature of Christ.  Should not this imitation be the desire and goal of every Christian today – to let the world see Christ in us?

In our text above we see one aspect of Christ at work in Paul as witnessed in his genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the church at Philippi.  Throughout his many letters to the early church Paul reveals his love and concern for each congregation.  In those letters he wanted to know of the degree of their faith and of the love they had for one another.  It mattered to him if their hope in Christ was remaining steadfast and secure and that they were sharing their hope of the gospel with others.  Whenever there was disunity he wanted it to be addressed and corrected quickly lest Satan used it for his advantage (I Corinthians 1:10-17).  Whenever there was immorality creeping into the church that also needed to be addressed as soon as possible (I Corinthians 5:1-13).  False teachers were not avoided but confronted publicly lest the brotherhood be persuaded by their “persuasive words of wisdom” (I Corinthians 2:1-5; I Timothy 1:18-20). 

Paul longed to meet with his brethren wherever they met.  They meant everything to him as he did to them.  After facing much opposition to his teachings as well as heated debate and persecution (Acts 25:1-27; 26:1-32; II Timothy 4:14-15) Paul couldn’t wait to be with those of like common faith.   It was a special gathering, a meaningful one whenever he was permitted to feast on that spiritual fellowship table with his brothers & sisters in Christ (Romans 1:8-15). 

Paul’s hope in sending Timothy to the brethren at Philippi was to be encouraged from knowing that their spiritual condition was just what it needed to be – that they were remaining faithful to the cause of Christ and were in no way influenced by Satan’s deceptions and schemes (II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11).

Like Paul, Timothy had a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s church in Philippi.  I am challenged by that concern.  How about you?  Do we share in it for the Lord’s church today?  Is our concern as sincere and genuine as theirs was?  How are we expressing that concern and is it limited only to our local congregation and not for the universal church throughout the world?  Do we pray for the church?  Do we cry for her and try to encourage her in whatever way we can?  Are we concerned over her spiritual condition?         Brian Thompson

If You Love Me, YOU WILL Keep My Commandments    February 23, 2025

According to the dictionary the word “if,” when used as a conjunction, can mean the following: provided that, presuming that, supposing that, assuming that, or as long as, given that, or in the event that.

Substituting “if” with its meaning  we have the following: Provided that you love me, Presuming that you love me, Supposing that you love me, Assuming that you love me, As long as you love me, Given that you love me, or In the event that you love me.

It’s pretty clear what Jesus is saying when He mentions the word “if,” isn’t it?  Having a sincere, genuine, appreciative love for Christ and for all that He has done, is doing and promises to do for us is the motivating factor behind our desire to keep all His commandments.  He is our loving Master; we are His loving servants, bound to Him for eternity.  We are no longer our own for we have been bought (purchased) with a price (the blood of Jesus shed on the cross); therefore we are to glorify God in our body (I Corinthians 6:20).

No preacher, elder or member of the church should have to continually try and convince members of the church to keep God’s commandments unless, of course, these members  are babes in Christ (new converts).  Either we love God enough to do His commandments or we don’t.  John the  Apostles states it plainly, “We love because He first loved us” (I John.4:19).  He also states that if we love Jesus enough to keep His commandments then we truly have come to know Him (I John.2:3).  It is pretty clear what Jesus meant when He states that we’ll be known to be His people by the fruits we produce.  Here Jesus clearly warns any of His people who claim to know Him that He doesn’t know them when they fail to do (accomplish) the will of His Father (Matthew 7:15-27).

Now here’s the difficulty.  God’s commandments are not always easy to keep.  For example, we are to love and forgive those in the church that we don’t like or find difficult to get along with.  We are to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us.  When we know that our brother has something against us we are to take the initiative to go to him as soon as possible and especially before we worship God with the hope of reconciliation.  Do we keep these commandments?

The Christian life, the abundant life,  is about coming to know God fully by engulfing ourselves in His will and His word.  It is letting go of the world’s influence and desires and embracing ourselves with the love of God.  Our life in Christ is all about the Lord.  Every decision we make should be centered around Him.  He’s our number one priority in all matters of our life.  Only when this attitude is put into action will one experience a meaningful and purposeful life. (Brian)

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you;

Abide in My love.”

(John.15:9)

The Preciousness of Humility                         February 16, 2025

Few Christians traits are as sweet and loving as humility.  True humility, not feigned, grows our spirit beyond the world’s focus on competition and allows true friendship to flourish among those who seek to lift up others rather than beat them at some silly social game of supposed superiority.

Humility takes the focus off of self and allows us to see the importance of others.  Humility is a vital part of close friendship, because without it we get stuck in a pitiful game of oneupmanship that never develops into the closeness for which our hearts yearn.

By its very definition, competition is a challenge to win a struggle or contest.  It demands a winner and a loser in every case, from grade school to the Olympics.  Competition in sports is a very good thing, likewise in business.  Proper competition creates better athletes and better products.  We even have national spelling bee contests which create better spellers!  From backyard badminton to a pickup game of basketball to scrabble at the kitchen table, good natured gamesman ship can be a great thing.  But competition in relationships never is.  Most of us can recall petty personal competitions from junior high, “She is my best friend!”, “No, she’s my best friend!”  Some of that is to be expected as kids grow into young adults, but growing into adulthood should include leaving behind the petty pride that feels a need to be “better than you.”

God’s goal should become our goal.  In Philippians 2:1-3, we see His goal for our relationships: “Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

O, how that would change the world, and develop close friendships and heal broken spirits!  God’s plan always leads to more closeness to Him and to one another.

By Ray Wallace

Be a Barnabas                                                    `February 9, 2025

In our Sunday School class we’re studying the beginning of the church in Acts.  We read in Acts 2:42-45 how the early church continued steadfast in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  All who believed had everything in common and sold their possessions and goods and divided it among themselves as anyone had need.  In Acts 4 we learn that one of these believers was Joses.  Joses sold a field and brought the money to the apostles.  The apostles nicknamed him Barnabas which meant “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).  Barnabas went on to be a great help to the apostle Paul by encouraging the disciples to accept him after his great persecution of the church (Acts 9:26-27).

According to Strong’s the word encouragement is derived from the Greek verb paraklésis which primarily refers to the act of calling someone to one’s side for the purpose of offering comfort, encouragement, or exhortation. It encompasses a range of meanings from consolation in times of distress to encouragement and exhortation in the context of moral and spiritual guidance.  Encouragement is an important element of the Christian’s walk.  It’s important that the Christian both receive and give encouragement.

God showed great encouragement to Joshua by telling him to be strong and courageous, and that He would never fail or abandon him, and would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:1-9).  God doesn’t speak to us directly today as He did to Joshua, however, He did promise us the Holy Spirit.  Jesus reiterated this promise in John 14:16-17 and John 16:7.  The KJV refers to the promised Holy Spirit as the comforter.  This word comes from the Greek word paraklétos which speaks to the role of guiding, comforting, encouraging and advocating.  God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us, encourage us and remind us of His truth and presence.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:2 Paul reminds us that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  He also states that we are destined to obtain salvation through Christ.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 teaches us to encourage each other and build each other up so as to help others be prepared and remain steadfast in their relationship with God.  Hebrews 10:24-25 states “and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  This verse again reiterates the importance of mutual encouragement.  It’s interesting that the writer ties meeting together with encouragement.  If we refuse to meet together it is difficult to give and receive encouragement. 

Encouragement can be very powerful and have a tremendous impact on others and ourselves.  We should take every opportunity to be an encourager every day.  We can do this by using kind, uplifting and loving words; by taking actions based on kindness, grace and unconditional love; by sharing scripture and in meeting together.  God has given us the Holy Spirit to encourage us.  Thus we can rely on His Spirit to be the encouragers God expects us to be.  In encouraging one another it will help

the church grow and help ensure we remain steadfast in our relationship with God and finish the race we have been called to run and receive the crown of righteousness.                 By Kevin Pickles

The Little Things                                                              February 2, 2025

   People often seem prone to wanting big things out of life.  If we are going to accomplish anything, we want it to be big, fancy, and impressive.  Culturally, we tend to think in terms of big names, sports and movie stars, or heroic action.  Famous people get our attention.  Consequently, we might not think as much about the little things.  These tend to get lost in the mix, go unnoticed, or downplayed in importance.  The big things are what matter, we think, but are we missing something?

   We might recall Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria and a mighty man of valor (II Kings 5).  Sadly, for him, he was a leper.  After a young girl from Israel was captured, she suggested a prophet in Israel who could heal him.  Naaman finally went to see Elisha, who told him to go wash seven times in the Jordan River.  Naaman was angry about this, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.”  He thought the rivers from which he came were better, and he left in a rage.  His servant, however, came to him and said, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it?  Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”  Naaman finally went to the Jordan, did what he was told, and was healed.

   That mindset of Naaman is not uncommon.  We look for pomp and show sometimes, some great things to happen, and look down on the little things.  What we may not realize, however, is that the little things are far more important than what we might know.  It takes humility on our part to recognize this and be responsible for those little things that may not be seen as much.  Consider the principles we see in some example passages:

   1. The parable of the talents demonstrates that one who is faithful with a little will be faithful with more (Matthew 25:14-30).  Both the five talent and two talent men were commended for what they received and did.  They were told, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.”  The one talent man, however, hid his talent and did nothing to add to it.  When the master returned, the man gave the talent back, saying, “Here, you have what is yours.”  His attitude was one of trying to do just enough to get by.  It didn’t work, and he was rebuked: “You wicked and slothful servant!”  If we are not faithful in the little things, we cannot expect to be rewarded with the bigger and greater things.

   2. Luke records Jesus teaching this lesson after telling the parable of the dishonest manager: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much , and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12).  The principle shows that the little things matter because it speaks to the issue of trust.  If one cannot be trusted with the little things, why should that one be trusted with bigger things?  Faithfulness should not depend on how big the prize is or how little the job is.  If we are faithful at all, we will be faithful over all for which we are responsible.

   We must not measure a task by how big or little it is.  Rather, we must see to it that we are faithful over any task with which we have been entrusted.  We need not sound trumpets before us, parade our work about to get the credit, or fret when others don’t see us acting.  After all, “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).  Our emphasis is not to do some great thing, but rather to glorify God in any way that opportunity affords.

   Paying attention to the big things and ignoring the little things will turn us into hypocrites, for we will give the impression that we care when our works are seen.  Yet if we care only that we are noticed, then when we are tasked with something not impressive, we may be willing to pass it by or do less than our best.  Our attitude becomes, “Here you have what is yours,” and the Lord will all us wicked and lazy.  Pay attention, then, to the little things and be dedicated to giving your best no matter the size of the task or the greatness of the reward.  Our goal is to be faithful to whatever we have and thereby glorify God.  He, then, will exalt the humble in HIs time and in His way.                                   By Don Moyer

How Is the Gospel For Everyone?                           January 26, 2025

Our Lord made it perfectly clear that salvation is for everyone, since Christ’s death was for the whole world (John 3:16).  Let’s take a closer look at this to understand that there is absolutely no favoritism when it comes to the gospel message.  The fact that it is to be taught to everyone (Mark 16:15) is proof of this.  Yet, let’s see additional evidence to this.

Your financial status doesn’t matter.  When it comes to the grace of our Lord, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor.  Unfortunately, people think those who are financially ser are favored by God.  Jesus said that the rain falls on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45).  The message of the cross has nothing to do with money, and the sooner people understand this, the better off they’ll be.  Keep in mind, preaching the gospel to everyone means everyone!

Your standing with men doesn’t matter.  It was the apostle Paul who said that, “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (I Corinthians 1:26).  Notice the text said not many.  This implies some do respond to the calling of the gospel.  It’s vital that all realize that our Father in heaven doesn’t care about your status in society.  After all, the Lord isn’t looking for those who seek the approval of men.  To receive the lifesaving message means to put the Lord first (Galatians 1:10).

Your education level doesn’t matter.  In the Corinthian text we mentioned in our last point, in the same chapter the apostle stated, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (I Corinthians 1:23).  To think you are required to have a high level of education to know the truth is false.  In truth, many who reject the gospel are those who are very “smart” in man’s eyes.  Remember that there are many intelligent people who fail to see the plain and simple gospel message.

Your sinful past doesn’t matter.  For some, there is the idea that the gospel favors those who have lived a good, moral life.  To think the gospel message isn’t for those who have lived a rough life, couldn’t be any more wrong.  The fact is, everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23).  No one is more deserving of the death of Jesus than anyone else.  The power of the gospel will change the life of anyone that will turn to and follow the Lord.  It even happened to one who considered himself the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15).

Your age doesn’t matter.  Other than being a child that doesn’t have the capacity to understand right and wrong, there is no age limit.  The point here is that someone might be thinking that they have lived too long in sin, that there is no place for them in God’s family.  Again, that is just not true.  Christ’s parable about the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), dealt with this issue.  Sometimes people don’t hear the gospel until they are older.  Even though at their conversion they regret their past, they are welcomed into God’s family.  That’s what the gospel does.

Your race doesn’t matter.  There is nothing in the gospel message that favors a certain race.  If someone thinks so, you can be sure they don’t understand the message of the cross (Romans 1:16).  It matters not the color of your skin.  Let’s not create barriers that are just not there.      By Chuck Bartlett

They Keep Watch Over Your Souls                   January 19, 2025

“Obey your leaders, and subject to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this will be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

Obey Your Leaders.  We live in a world that does not like to be told anything by anyone.  Such thinking leads only to trouble and conflict and it is especially dangerous when it creeps into the minds of Christians.  As members of the Lord’s church we are told to obey the Godly instruction of the leaders of the church.  In the text above  I believe it is referring to the Godly leadership of the elders.  We are to obey their instruction and guidance.  If we reject them we reject God who has placed them in charge of His church by their meeting the elder’s qualifications listed in I Timothy 3:1-7.

Be Subject to Them.  This implies one’s willingness to be guided, controlled or ruled by something or someone.  The head of the church is Christ, not me nor you.  Since it is His church then His design for leadership needs to be obeyed and followed.  If one refuses to subject to His leadership then they are, in fact, disobeying Him.

Elders Keep Watch Over Your Souls.  Shepherds protect the flock from anything that will harm them.  In the church they keep watch over every sheep within the flock.  Their presence is to make sure the members are safe from danger and they will do anything to protect them from harm and from getting lost.  They are watching you.

They Will Give An Account About You to God.  God will enable elders to remember the details of their leadership and your response to their leadership.  That account will either be joyful or with grief and disappointment.

An Elder’s Account About You Will Either Be Profitable or Unprofitable For You.  No one will want to stand before God and learn that their life as a sheep in the Lord’s church brought grief to the shepherds of that flock.  It will not be a good time for that individual.

Take Advantage of Being Under A Godly Eldership.  Do whatever you can to support the choices the elders make for the church.  When they say it’s time to meet for Bible study then be there.  To wilfully neglect doing this simply says that you’re unwilling to subject to them and that would be unprofitable for you before God.

Brian Thompson

No Deposit, No Return                                       January 12, 2025

If I gave you the phrase, “No deposit, no return,” some of us would immediately connect with that phrase while others would not.  This phrase has its history in the bottling industry.  Before plastic bottles and plastic containers became part of our lives, glass bottles were considered very valuable.  Bottlers & grocery stores encouraged consumers to return the bottles when they were finished with the product and they would be given a small amount of money for what they returned.

When I worked at a grocery store while in high school and college, customers were given ten cents for every bottle that was returned.  That may not seem like a lot of money, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s you could save money on your soft drink purchases.  If you returned 8 bottles which were considered a carton, you would be paid $.80 which would cause your new purchase of a carton of 8 of your favorite soft drink to be $.80 less.  Instead of paying the full amount of $3.00, you now would pay $2.20.  All you had to do was keep up with your glass bottles and return them to receive the benefit.  Returning the bottles was your deposit or contribution and you would be rewarded!  Instead of saying, “No deposit, no return,” you could then say, “Make a deposit, get a return.”

You see the spiritual application.  In Galatians 6:7, Paul reminds us that God is not mocked – whatever we sow, we will reap.  If we invest in good deeds, kindness, and faithfulness, we will reap a harvest of God’s blessings.  But, it is more than that.  This verse says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”  Paul’s reference to “reaping” is a reference to the blessings of eternal life (rather than to temporal blessings) that the believer will “reap” as the result of “sowing” his life to the Spirit.

If we invest in sin, we lose our life.  If we redeem the time as God would have us to, we avoid the trappings of the world.  Ephesians 5:16-18 says, “redeeming the time (making the most of your time), because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (being lead into evil behavior); but be filled with the Spirit.”  We know wine controls the mind, ruins judgment and a sense of propriety, leading to debauchery, in contrast with this, being “filled with the Spirit” leads to self-control along with other fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness” (Galatians 5:22-23).  Making a deposit in our relationship with Christ does not ensure a perfect life, but a fulfilled one which leads to an eternal one!  How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.

Consider the “deposits” you’ve been making lately.  Are you sowing to the flesh and investing in the world?  When we have our sins washed away through baptism, we understand forgiveness.  When we walk with Christ, we understand restoration.  Investing, making a deposit and giving our time to our relationship with Christ is not motivated by instant & earthly gratification, but rather a desire for an eternal destination.  What returns are you getting on your investments?

By Allen Jones (Adapted)

Taking Inventory                                     January 5, 2025

Some states and some locations within states collect inventory tax.  At year’s end a store or other business might deliberately deplete its inventory to avoid some of the tax burden.  Taking inventory can also help a business see where it has done well and what areas need improvement.

I recommend taking a different kind of inventory.  No government entity will tax these things, but we can take a candid look at progress on which we can build as well as weak areas we can strengthen.

God has our complete inventory every day; He knows us better than we know ourselves!  King David marveled that God knew his very thoughts: “You understand my though from afar off” (Psalms 139:2).  Not only that, but God knew David’s every word: “For there is not a word on my tongue but, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether” (139:4).  Taking inventory of our thoughts and words will indicate the condition of our heart, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), and “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts” (15:19).

David also knew the ever-present, all-powerful God was worthy of his worship.  “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14).  What do you find when you inventory your worship habits?

David valued God’s word: “How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God!” (139:17).  How valuable is the Bible to you?  Does its value show in your reading and study?

Finally, David pleaded, “Search me, O God, and know my heart … and see if there is any wicked way in me” (139:23-24).  We wish our inventory of sin would find none.  Realistically, though, let’s ask: Are they the same sins we found a year ago?  Five years ago? Ten?  Are we striving against sin, or marking time, or just floating along with the current?

It’s time to take inventory!

                                                                   By Joe Slater

New Year’s Resolutions December 29, 2024

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws” (Psalm 119:30).

The term “resolution” (as we often think of it) basically means “firm determination to take a course of action.” With each new year people all around the nation make their new year’s resolutions. With some it is to quit smoking; with others its to go on a diet or to get more exercise (etc.). Though intentions are usually very good, for many it seems that their determination loses steam in just a short while.

The same kind of frustration can be seen in our spiritual lives. It’s not good enough to just talk the talk, we must also walk the walk. There is little good in making noble plans if we will not put those plans into action and see them through.

God (our most perfect example) says of Himself, “…Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

Let me encourage you to follow God’s example. And let us not only resolve to do the Lord’s will, let us actually do it.
Aaron Veyon, Fredericktown Church of Christ, Fredericktown, OH