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)

Resurrection and the First Day of the Week April 20, 2025
One of the greatest reasons we gather on the first day of the week is in honor of our resurrected Lord. We gather to take the Lord’s Supper, which does commemorate His death, but it is more than that. He was raised again, and this gives meaning to His death that could not otherwise be seen. Death could not have the final word, God defeated it through Christ. The first day gathering is not arbitrary, but full of meaning for a number of reasons. Here we wish to focus briefly on why the resurrection is front and center.

The Day of Christ’s Resurrection was the first day of the week. “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1). This fact alone should make us think of the importance of this day as the Lord’s Day. This is one of the reasons we meet on this day to celebrate His death and resurrection. Jesus didn’t just die, and if that’s all that happened, we have no traction for our faith. Paul indicates this in I Corinthians 15:12-19. The first day of the week was the day that victory was declared, the devil was defeated, and God’s people arose from the dust of the slavery of sin and death.

In Psalms 2, the anointed king of Yahweh is brought forth as a response to those who wanted to cast off God’s fetters: “He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’” (Vs 7). Paul quotes this and applies it to the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 13:32-33: “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He has raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’” The resurrection was God’s proclamation of victory, of Christ’s kingship over all (I Peter 3:18-21). He “was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,” and “declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:3-4). This proclamation was made on the first day of the week when our Lord arose. This day, then, should remind us of the power of God, which is that “strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:19-21). Though we remember His death, we also cannot think of His death without knowing that death wasn’t all there was. We do this “until He comes,” which tells us that He is alive, raised, and coming again.

As a pointer to the resurrection, the Feast of First Fruits is connected. Here is something else about the timing of the resurrection that contains great significance. Due to the time of the year and the connection to the Passover, then later Pentecost, the day of the resurrection of Jesus was connected to the Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9ff; another was Pentecost, Numbers 28:26, also filled with meaning). The “sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest” was to be waved before the Lord the day after the Passover Sabbath. This was to be done when they entered the land and they begin to reap the first fruits of the harvest, which would demonstrate their reliance on God who brought them into the land and show their thankfulness.

Paul references this in speaking about the resurrection Christ: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (I Corinthians 15:20). Paul also said that Christ our Passover has been sacrificed (I Corinthians 5:7). Notice the typology appealed to here based on the timing of the events – Christ is sacrificed as our Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and raised up as first fruits to God. This leads to the harvest on Pentecost. That first harvest was an indicator of a greater harvest yet to come (the Feast of Weeks). In our case, Christ as our first fruits is the guarantee of the greater harvest of God’s people who would also be raised from the dead. This is the argument Paul is making in I Corinthians 15. Because Christ was raised, we will be raised.
When we gather on the first day of the week, we ought to think of Christ’s death and resurrection, and we ought to think of the first fruits harvest. Consequently, we are offering up to God our sacrifice of praise, showing our faith that we, too, will follow in the resurrection of our Lord.

By Doy Moyer

A Family With Favor April 13, 2025

When we read the early chapters of Acts, one striking aspect is the quality of the early family of God. They not only spent time together but also had “favor with all the people” (Acts 2:47). They were well-respected by the community for their actions and attitudes.

This raises an important question for us: Are we well-respected by our community? I do not believe the answer lies in trying to please as many people as possible. Peter clearly teaches that “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If our primary goal becomes pleasing others in hopes of attracting them to our church or faith, we risk compromising the truth and obeying man instead of God. Peter and the Apostles certainly did not compromise their beliefs to meet the expectations or demands of non-believers. However, the example in Acts shows us that there is power in being a people who are well-respected. They worshipped together, fellowshipped, supported one another, and were overall glad and generous (Acts 2:44–47).

Are we perhaps ashamed to share about our church or faith because of our reputation? Do people see us as honest and kind? Are we known for crude jokes? Do we stand up for what is right or for going along with the majority? Do they see us as hard-working or lazy? Would people look favorably upon the church because of us? This is one reason elders “must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (1 Tim 3:7). While not everyone will respect the truth, there is a general expectation that the way we carry ourselves should reflect Christ and his church.

Are we living as a family that is respected by our community? If not, perhaps we have work to do individually and collectively to shine the light of Christ into the dark corners of the world rather than hiding there ourselves.

Spencer Clark

“I’m Bored!”                                                              April 6, 2025

“You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’  And you sneer at it” (Malachi 1:13a).  So said the Lord to the priests of Israel concerning their worship.  They didn’t specifically say they were bored, but it’s rather obvious!  Boredom occurs when one is uninterested, and Israel’s priests had virtually no interest in faithful worship.

Today folks may be more bold in declaring that worship is boring.  Could that be because faithfully doing God’s will just doesn’t appeal to them?  In many cases, yes – and in such cases repentance is the only cure.

But boredom may also result from repeatedly doing the same things.  Sing; pray; observe the Lord’s Supper; sermon; contribution.  The repetition can become boring, but it doesn’t have to!  Self-discipline can keep us focused on why we’re doing what we’re doing what we’re doing, thus preventing boredom.

Others complain that worship is boring because it isn’t “fun.”  That’s a loaded word.  Should worship involve joy and praise?  Of course!  But “fun’?  Where in Scripture do we find anything about worship being “fun”?  Even children must learn that not everything is fun.  We’ll never out-entertain Hollywood, nor should we try!  That’s not the purpose of worship.

Those leading in worship should strive to prevent boredom.  Whether it’s preaching, singing, praying, serving communion, reading Scripture, or whatever, let’s make it clear that we’re glad to be helping God’s people honor Him.  An enthusiastic, positive attitude is contagious and will go a long way toward eliminating boredom.

Joe Slater

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“Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” (Psalms 147:1)

“But about midnight Paul & Silas (after being beaten with rods) were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” (Acts 16:23-25)

Be Equipped Like Bezalel and Oholiab                        March 30, 2025

Exodus 31:1-5 states “Then the Lord said to Moses,  ‘Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!'”

Bezalel was chosen by God to help build the Tabernacle and all its associated items to allow the Israelites to worship God.  He gave Bezalel an assistant Oholiab as well as other craftsmen to help construct these items.  Bezalel was chosen by God, filled with the Spirit of God and given great wisdom, ability and expertise and was called a master craftsman.  God provided them with the skills and abilities necessary to be master craftsmen.  God had very important work for Bezalel and his contemporaries to do and God fully equipped them to do so.

Like Bezalel, God has chosen us to do great work.  God chose Bezalel for a specific purpose to complete  God has also chosen us and has a purpose for our lives  (Ephesians 1:4; 1Peter 2:9). God gave Bezalel a great work to do; God has also given us a great work to do.  In Matthew 28:19-20 we read, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

God did not simply give Bezalel this important work to do, but also ensured he was fully equipped to do this work.  God filled him with His Spirit, provided him helpers and gave them the necessary skills and abilities.  God has also given us the ability to be fully equipped.  He equips us by:

• Giving us His Spirit through faith.  John 16:13 states, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
• Giving us His word. II Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
• Giving us the ability to pray.  James 5:13-16 tells us, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
• Giving us skills and abilities. 1 Peter 4:10 reveals, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
• Giving us Godly men.  In Ephesians 4:11-13 we read, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”

Like Bezalel and Oholiab our heavenly Father has given us the opportunity to do important work in His Kingdom.  God ensured that Bezalel and Oholiab were fully equipped to do their work and were successful in accomplishing it.  If we are going to be successful in completing the work He has given us we, too, must strive to be fully equipped for that work.  Are we allowing God to fully equip us?  Do we allow the Spirit to guide us in all things?  Do we spend time in God’s word, understanding His instructions and will for us?  Do we spend time in fervent prayer?  Do we exercise the talents God has given us?  God has put Godly men in our lives who have a responsibility to help equip us.  Are we allowing them to do this? 

Kevin Pickles, Owen Sound

Earning the Right to be Heard                                   March 23. 2025

Truth is truth no matter who speaks it.  But the fact remains that people are far more inclined to give truth a fair hearing when the one speaking has earned the right to be heard.  Having exhorted the young preacher Timothy to “be an example to the believers” (I Timothy 4:12), Paul further instructed him to “take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (4:16).  Timothy needed to earn the right to be heard.

Everything Peter said in his first letter about enduring persecutions and trials would be correct even if he had lived the most sheltered and pampered life imaginable.  But the truth is that Peter had earned the right to be heard.  When it came to enduring persecutions and trials, he could say. “Been there, done that!”

Earning the right to be heard applies to congregations as well as to individual Christians.  Brother Rob Whittaker, in his lessons on personal evangelism, teaches how to make the local congregation attractive to the community.  Rather than just talk about loving everyone, what if we showed that love by sending a card to a sick neighbour to let them know we’re praying for them?  What if I sent one today, you send one tomorrow, and another sent one the next day?  What if you a casserole by the house when the neighbour got home from the hospital?  We ought to be doing these things anyway, but think about the impact they would have on a lost soul?

What if we practiced hospitality instead of just talking about it?  What if a visitor to our services couldn’t get out the door without being invited to lunch?  Wouldn’t it be worth the inconvenience and expense to take a first step toward presenting the gospel?

If we expect people to hear and obey the gospel, we must earn the right to be heard!

By Joe Slater