Bulletin Articles - 2023

Happy is the Man Who Invests in His Children

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​19 Mar 2023
Three times in the first two verses of Psalm 27, the word "vain" is used. It is vain when a person tries to build a house upon anything but the word of God - because that house, sooner or later will be destroyed (-: 1). It is vain when men emphasize "homeland security" without God on their side, because sooner or later, that city/nation will be destroyed (-: 1). It is vain for men to get up early and stay up late worrying how to make their possessions more secure and more abundant. However, by contrast, a godly person may rest easy because God gives him rest (-: 2). Verses 3-6 cause one to look at the reason for that rest in an unlikely place: children. The Palmist says that godly children are the greatest investment of the home and nation because:If I am training my children to be godly, they are heritage from God (-: 4). Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). God through Moses commanded that the children of Israel observe all the law and "fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments…" so that the person may preserve, "you and your son and grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged" (Deuteronomy 6:2). A lasting heritage and legacy is made if the investment is in teaching children diligently to bring their strength under control of the Lord.If I am training my children to be godly, they are a reward from God (-: 4). People often want to know, "what's in it for me?" The Psalmist says, "the fruit of the womb" and not the "fruit of the loom" is the reward. Consider how many people work overtime and weekends and take extra shifts so that they can provide a "better life" for their children than the life the parents had. Yet, a person with that mindset is throwing away their rich reward now for something far less valuable! How many people say on their death bed, "I wish I'd spent more time at work?" Children are a God - given reward when a person invests the riches and time in training them to be godly (Matthew 6:19-21).If I am training my children to be godly, they are like skillfully shot arrows (-: 4). This emphasizes the importance of parents being spiritually-minded people first. When parents seek after righteousness themselves and then train their children to do so, they will be like warriors firing skillful shots at their target and hitting that target every time. However, "if you aim for nothing, you will be sure to hit it." Paul wrote to Timothy, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you shall save both yourself and those who hear" (1 Timothy 4:16). The same principle is true for parents training children.If I am training my children to be godly, they will later be able to help in the battles of life (-: 5). It is the plan of God that as a parent grows older and watches his or her "full quiver" grow, the godly children will bring their parents joy through honor and help (Matthew 15: 3-6; 1 Timothy 5:3-8). John the Apostle said of his "spiritual children," "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John :4). There is no shame in a household which has taken the time to invest in its spiritual future, because when difficulties come, the children will be morally and righteously prepared to deal with their enemies. Happy is the man who sees his children as his most valuable investment!

Withholding

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​12 Mar 2023
Tax season is upon us! (Yikes!). Brother Keven W. Rhodes wrote the following article. He makes some great points, so I thought I would share it with you.Unless you are self-employed, you probably understand all too well the concept of withholding. I remember the first time I received a check when I was sacking groceries. It was one of the great rites of passage into the real world to realize that the amount of the check did not equal the number of hours worked multiplied by a rate per hour. O course, they were withholding a percentage for the IRS and the notorious FICA. As any taxpayer knows, you do not receive the full amount of your income; a portion of it is held back to give to the government. As such, you will never receive it; it is already dedicated for another’s purpose.Although we might not appreciate the comparison, we are often much like the government when it comes to withholding. A Christian’s time, energies, and priorities rightfully belong to God (Colossians 4:5; Matthew 6:33). Paul told the Corinthians, “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19); “you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 7:23). Jesus Christ paid the price for us (1 Peter 1:18, 19), but we want to withhold ourselves – or at least a portion thereof – from Him. We want to reserve a certain part of ourselves – of our obedience and of our character – from the will of God. We congratulate ourselves on our faithfulness according to how much we have given God, when we ought to keep in mind how much He has given us.Abraham had shown himself faithful in many ways and for many years before God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. But it was only after Abraham had lifted his hand and was prepared to strike that the Lord said, “… Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (Genesis 22:12). In our relationship with God, faithfulness is determined not just by what we give of ourselves to God ((2 Corinthians 8:5) but also by what we refuse to give to Him (Matthew 19:12-22).

The Sound of Sneezing

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​5 Mar 2023
The sound one makes when sneezing is natural, and involuntary. Correct? The answer is not exactly. The sound one makes seems to be in large part a learned behavior. Achoo is common in English speaking countries. Atchim in Portuguese; Atchaum in French; Hatshi in German; Apchki in Russian; Hopsu in Greek and Turkish; Achee in Hindi; Hat xi in Vietnamese; Eichi in Korean; Hakshon or hakashun in Japanese; Ha-ching in the Philippines (Don Lewis, The Surprising Story Behind the Sound of Sneezing, nowiknow.com Emma Tracy, Why Deaf People Sneeze Silently, bbc.com).Moreover, the sound made by deaf people is noticeable different. “British deaf people, particularly users of sign language, don’t think to add the English word ‘achoo’ to this most natural of actions” (Emma Tracy, bbs.com). “To me, deaf sneezes sound more like this:A heavy breath is taken, then a sharper, faster sound of air releasing as the sneeze occurs. There is none of this ‘aahhh’ added as they breath in. And none of that ‘choo’ malarkey as said sneeze is released” (Charlie Swinbourne, Do Hearing People Fake Their Sneezes? We Need to Know, limpingchicken.com).People want to conform to the norm. They are influenced by those around them. Charlie Swinbourne suggests, “As they sense a sneeze coming, the hearing person’s brain sends out an alert saying: “Emergency! You are about to sneeze in public. Make this sound normal”Personally, I could care less how people sound (or don’t sound) when they sneeze. However, I do care about spiritual influences. Who is influencing us? “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverb 13:20). “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverb 27:17). “Do not be deceived; evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33).How much time are we spending with the best of all examples, Jesus? Spending time with Jesus changed Peter and John. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). It will change us as well. We all “… beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory… “(2 Corinthians 3:18). We become like that which dominates our thoughts and affections. Like Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘Great Stone Face’ which shaped the life of the one who spent his days looking at the craggy representation of all that was held to be good and pure, so also does the believer gradually take on the family resemblance to his or her Lord as they spend their time contemplating the glory of God. By continuing to behold the Lord we are continually being transformed into His image. Let us be ever “looking into Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).

My Eyes Bring Suffering to My Soul

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​26 Feb 2023
There are many reasons why people weep. Some because of calamity, others because they have been done wrong, some because they are happy, and some because people have been good to them and they don’t feel they deserve it. Jeremiah, as we all know, is known as the weeping prophet. I can assure you it was not because people liked him. "My enemies without cause hunted me down like a bird. They silenced my life in the pit and threw stones at me. The waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” (Lamentations 3:52-54). Jeremiah wept because he was grieved to his soul over the lost Southern tribes who were going into Babylonian captivity. "My eyes overflow with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. My eyes flow and do not cease, without interruption, till the Lord from heaven looks down and sees. My eyes bring suffering to my soul because of all the daughters of my city" (Lamentations 3:48-51). In the same sense, do we grieve and weep for the lost of our own nation?When we see the multitudes around us like lost sheep without a shepherd, does it bring a tear to our eyes? Is there any compassion? Has it even crossed our mind? It certainly moved the Lord! "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:35, 36). The Apostle Paul had the same compassion for his people, "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh" (Romans 9:1-3).We must always strive to have a tender heart. We must never allow ourselves to become so callused we can no longer shed a tear. Compassion and tenderheartedness are a way of life for the New Testament Christian. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). We are supposed to have one mind in Jesus Christ, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous" (1 Peter 3:8). But how can we have one mind without compassion? Whether we shed tears of joy or tears of sorrow, let us weep together for the good of all. "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Dealing With Uncertain Times

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​19 Feb 2023
All of us would agree that these are uncertain times we are living in. It is only natural that we would worry about the things that are happening in this world beyond our control. However, all of us have an understanding of Scripture. We know we must find a way to have peace of mind regardless.What comes to your mind when you read this verse:“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Hopefully, what comes to mind is the word “focus.” Stay focused on the goal, what we are living for. Our goal is to get to heaven and if we are focused on that end, the uncertainties of this world will have no place to roost.In the great scheme of things, hasn’t God always taken care of us? “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). It is safe to say that God will always be there for us providing we, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”(Matthew 6:33).Along with being focused on the goal, we should think about being deeply rooted in Christ.“For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8) Being rooted means trusting in God right down to our very core. Brothers and sisters, that’s the attitude that climbs every mountain in its path. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6, 7).

The Only Title That Matters

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​12 Feb 2023
Titles are a huge part of our day to day lives. At work we lift up titles like Manager, Director or CEO. In our home life we are husbands, wives, sister, brother etc. With our government we have presidents, governor's and other leaders. In the church we have elders, deacons and Bible class teachers. All of us have probably been guilty of esteeming a particular title over another individual person at one point or another in our lives. Understandably, as we must respect those who have a rule over us (Heb. 13:17).Jesus said "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13). In the book of Acts it reads, "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10‭-‬12). ‬‬These are two powerful scriptures that direct us towards what ultimately matters. Being a follower of Christ. Striving to do things in a Christian manner and abstaining from sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1‭-‬2). This gives me comfort, knowing that if we walk in Christ and pursue the ultimate title, we will see life everlasting.‬‬Chapter 4 of the book of Philippians states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). As you go through your day are you following the example of Jesus to find your fulfilment? Or are you looking to find comfort in worldly titles?

Don’t Blame The Messenger

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​5 Feb 2023
Beginning in Luke 4:16 we read of Jesus going to His hometown of Nazareth. It was the Sabbath Day and as was His custom He went to the synagogue to read and teach. On this day He chose to read from the prophet Isaiah which just happened to be a messianic passage about Himself. After reading He sat back down and everyone was watching Him. Then He said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He then proceeded to teach that they would reject Him just as the Jews had rejected the prophets of old. This angered the crowd so much that they proceeded to throw Him out of town, carried Him up a hill so that they could throw Him off a cliff. Jesus easily escapes to continue His ministry.There are times when elders, teachers and preachers must present biblical teaching that can be convicting to some individuals. These difficult admonitions must be presented with the correct attitude of humility and love (Ephesians. 4:15). All too often the recipient of God’s warning becomes angry at the messenger, accusing them of being condescending and breaks fellowship with the teacher or in some cases leaves the church altogether. We all should realize that “all have sinned” (Romans. 3:23) and God corrects those that He loves. (Hebrews. 12:6) Becoming angry at the one delivering the message serves no other purpose than to divide the church and give Satan the victory. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”(1 John 4:7)

Preparing The Heart

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​29 Jan 2023
There are myriads of fascinating stories in the Old Testament and one of them concerns King Jehoshaphat. His story in mostly found in 2 Chronicles. He was one of the relatively good kings of the divided kingdom who made an unwise alliance with King Ahab of Israel.After the battle of Ramoth-Gilead in which Ahab was killed, Jehoshaphat was chastised by the prophet Jehu in 2 Chron 19. Yet good was found in the king because he had "prepared his heart to seek God". 2 Chron 19:3. The idea of "heart preparation" is an important prerequisite in our search for God and it embodies several aspects worth noting.First, Jehoshaphat was humble in that he recognized a higher power that himself 2 Chron 17:3-4. Even though he was king and had "riches and honor in abundance" 2 Chron 17:5, 2 Chron 18:1, he still had humility before God. We must also recognize that higher power. James 4:6,Secondly, the King recognized false teachers 2 Chron 18:5-8. He did not accept at face value Ahab's false prophets. We must also recognize false teachers who deliver a false message contrary to God's word. 2 Tim 4:3-4.Thirdly, Jehoshaphat acted upon his beliefs 2 Chron 19: 4-11. We must be active in demonstrating our faith. James 1: 22-25. Remember, the difference between the wise man and the foolish man was not the extent of their knowledge, but rather the action they took with the knowledge they had Matt 7: 24- 27.

Do I Ever Need to Stop Studying?

  • ​Cody Westbrook
  • ​22 Jan 2023
Bible study is a topic which cannot be overemphasized because the blessings found in a deeper knowledge of God’s Word are innumerable (cf. Col. 1:9-11; 2 Pet. 1:3; etc.). Yet the temptation may arise for a person to think he or she has reached a point in life in which no more study is needed. Is that true? Does a person ever reach the top of the “Biblical Mountain?” Do I ever need to stop studying God’s Word? To ask such a question is akin to asking…Do I ever need to stop eating? We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). Peter wrote to mature Christians when he said, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). Regardless of age, every Christian should desire the nourishment of God’s Word just as a baby desires to be fed.Do I ever progress beyond the need to be reminded? Peter said, “Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you” (2 Pet. 1:13). The context of that statement (2 Pet. 1:12-15) identifies Peter’s desire to write, reminding the brethren of what they already knew so that they would have a constant source of reminder after his death. Obviously, Peter did not believe that a person ever reaches the point of no longer needing to be reminded.Should I ever cease to take pleasure in the works of God? The Psalmist wrote, “The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them” (Ps. 111:2). When we search the scripture, we find an endless list of the great works of God. Whether it is the Genesis account of creation, the parting of the Red Sea, or raising of the dead, the Bible gives us great detail of the amazing power and wisdom of God seen in His work throughout human history. Do we ever reach a time in which we should no longer find joy in reading about our God’s great work?Am I ever capable of resisting temptation all on my own? David wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). Jesus knew that scripture is one of our most powerful weapons against temptation. When tempted in the wilderness, three times He quoted scripture to defeat the Devil’s advance. Am I stronger than Jesus? Can I overcome temptation in a way in which He was unable?

The value of a Good Reputation

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​15 Jan 2023
Solomon said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Pro. 22:1). We all have a reputation of some kind and everyone has an opinion of us. It is true that we cannot control what people think, but we can control the impression we give them by the way we act. Scripture implores us to recognize the value of a good reputation.We should recognize that our reputation will not be based as much on what we say as what we do. Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.” Just because a child says they are wellbehaved does not make it true. Children often say unrealistic things. Words and appearances can be deceiving but behavior is always revealing. That is the point of the proverb and that point applies to the development of our reputation. People may listen to our words, but our actions tell all.What defines a good reputation? For what and by what should we be known? While this may not be an exhaustive list, consider the following biblical qualities as building blocks of a godly reputation.Blamelessness (Phil. 2:15). Boldness (Pro. 28:1). Devoutness (Acts 22:12). God-fearing (Acts 10:2). Faithful Follower (John 10:27). Humility (1 Pet. 5:5). Liberality (2 Cor. 9:13). Love (Col. 1:4). Mercy (Matt. 5:7). Zeal (Titus 2:14).Can these qualities be seen in you? Are you known by godly qualities like these, or is your life defined by something altogether different? Learn to see the value of a good reputation.

Being Shallow About God

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​8 Jan 2023
In what is referred to as the model prayer, Jesus states something very interesting, “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). There is no doubt that our prayer life should be to this end. However, we should strive to keep Paul’s words in mind if expect our prayers to have any weight. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).Wisdom must be applied in this. God will absolutely provide a way of escape,(that’s His part) bur He expects us to have a proper understanding of His will, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (That’s our part). A lot of people are praying these days who have no idea of what the will of God is, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Let’s understand and live by the will of God. Being shallow and superstitious about God will in now way lead us to our ultimate destination, Heaven!

No More Sad Violin

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​1 Jan 2023
Our dealings with everyday life are all based on perception. Usually, when things are good, we thank God for them. When things are bad, we ask for God’s help, “Holy Father, please get us through this with the least amount of pain.” We certainly need to thank God everyday for the good things in life, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). With that stated, I also believe that many of us would do well to rethink our perception of bad times. With many, when the slightest little thing goes south the violins begin to play. And oh, what a pity party it is!A clear statement is made by Jesus in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus makes no bones about where peace is to be found, “in Me.” He also makes no bones about our lives on this earth, “in the world you will have tribulation.” Tribulation means, “grievous trouble, severe trial or suffering” But what many in the church are defining as tribulation does not in any way fit that definition. Yet, the violins continue to play.If we are falling apart over the little things in life, how will we do when real tribulation comes? Let’s put the violins away and save the pity party for another day, when it is needed. Let’s learn and grow from the little troubles in life, so we can help ourselves and others when the big trials come (and they will come). The Lord has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). I leave you with the words of James. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).