Bulletin Articles - 2026

“The Principle Of Specifics”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​31 May 2026
In the Old Testament, God revealed to Moses the colors blue, purple, and scarlet as His chosen colors for articles in the temple and for Aaron's attire (Exodus 28:1-12). He also specified blue for the loops (Exodus 26:4), for Aaron’s robe that covered the ephod, and for the lace that bound the breastplate (Exodus 28:31; 37).Why the color blue was more pleasing to God than any other color, I do not know. However, I do know that it was His choice to make because it was His temple. I also know that He meant what He said about the pattern for the temple, and that Moses built it according to the pattern God showed Him. To please God, Moses had no choice but to build exactly as God specified. God did not specify how the materials were to be dyed or from what source the dye would come – those were options for Moses and the artisans. Those options were expedients by which His commands for the temple construction could be obeyed.In this revealed pattern, there’s a lesson to be learned about the principle of specifics. When God specifies what He wants, man must comply with the exactness God requires (Genesis 6:13-22). Moses could not have obeyed God by saying, “Well, God didn’t say not to use green or gray or black, so those colors will be all right.” The only authority with which Moses was to act upon was that which God had specifically stated. The only way he knew what pleased God was by what God had revealed to him – those were the limits of his options.Today, Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18). Even in the 21st century, it is essential that men practice only those things that have heaven’s approval. When we question others and ourselves about the authority for religious practices and beliefs, there is no ulterior motive. Rather, such a question stems from a desire to do only those things that please Him.Let each present the scriptural evidence of Jesus’ approval, and let each be convinced by the evidence. Furthermore, when we question someone about the authority for a practice, such questioning does not imply that the practice must be mentioned specifically to be authorized. Some things are essential or permitted, which expedite the performance of general commands. But one can never claim authority for a practice based upon the fact that he deems it an expedient when there is no command or statement that it is to expedite. In its legitimate meaning, an expedient facilitates the execution of a God-given responsibility.To illustrate the above point, God commanded singing as the kind of music by which He wishes to be praised (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15). Whatever is essential to the performance of that responsibility in worship is either essential or permitted for use when it does not add to or change the command.Songbooks contain only the written melody and words. A pitch pipe provides only a starting frequency for singing together. A song leader directs only the singing. All of which expedite the performance of worship to God in the way God has approved, and none of which alters the command to “sing.”On the other hand, instrumental music is not singing, and it does not fulfill the command to “sing.” It is a different kind of music and a different act of worship than that which God has commanded. To those who practice it, we ask, “Where is the authority for your religious practice?” Give us a New Testament passage that, in some form or fashion, authorizes the practice. If you are really interested in pleasing God, then present the evidence from inspired Scripture or cease an unauthorized practice.

“Do The Right Thing”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​24 May 2026
To say that it is sometimes hard to do the right thing when it isn’t popular seems elementary to us. Talking about doing what is right, even when it isn’t popular, is usually reserved for conversations parents have with their kids going into their teenage and college years. This is for good reason, because as we all know, that specific season of life is a very difficult season to navigate for a young person. Having passed through that season of life just about a decade ago, I can confirm that it isn’t easy. But as grown, mature adults, we also need to be reminded that as Christians, we are called to do what is right, even when it isn’t popular. Perhaps this looks different now than it did in our younger years, but we are still faced with choices every day. Maybe these are social pressures, maybe they are personal, but we have choices, nonetheless.Consider the examples we have of Noah and Daniel. In a world that was full of wickedness and evil, Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:80) Despite the behavior of the world going on around him, Noah “did according to all that God commanded him.” (Gensis 6:22). Despite knowing full well that a written decree was signed condemning any person who “petitioned any god” to be cast into a den of lions, Daniel went “in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God” (Daniel 6:10). Jesus Christ, Himself, is perhaps our greatest example of doing what is right even when it isn’t popular. Even when He was rejected, mocked, and crucified, He continued to do the will of the Father. 1st Peter 2:21 says that “Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps”.The pressures may be different as we grow older, but the requirement to do what is right does not. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)

“Being Diligent”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​17 May 2026
"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:11).The Hebrew writer's point is that staying in a saved state isn't as easy as many people think. He does not use the word "diligent" lightly. The Hebrew writer intends for his readers to make a hard effort. We could say, "Give it all you have." As New Testament Christians, we have a duty not only to teach this to others but also to heed it ourselves.It stands to reason that with this kind of a load upon us, we ought to have some help. Brethren, we have it! "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). God's word is living, it is not a dead letter. It has a life probably beyond our ability to fully understand. "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever…" (1 Peter 1:24, 25).God's word is powerful. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). The word of God has the power to change people's lives. Does it not stand to reason that we should spend as much time in it as possible?The word of God is sharp. Just how sharp is it? It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, joints, and marrow. That is a physical example of a spiritual point. We should remember Acts 2:37, "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" These people were cut to the heart by the word of God. Paul instructs us to take "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" with us in Ephesians 6:17. Why do you suppose that is? Because it is the only thing that will fight off Satan (Matthew 4).The word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Someone once said, "The word of God will turn the inside of a sinner out, and let him see all that is in his heart."We have an example of following this: it isn't a mere man, for men are flawed. It is Jesus Christ Himself. He didn’t just tell us how to live; He showed us how to live in the very "rest" the Hebrew writer refers to. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

“Freedom”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​10 May 2026
Living in the United States of America, freedom is a concept that we are all familiar with. Freedom is the foundation on which our nation was established. It is what many of our finest citizens have bled and died for. It is what allows us to gather on the Lord’s day without the government harassing or prosecuting us for it. Freedom is so prevalent to us that we often take it for granted. Sadly, this is not so for a large number of Christians around the world. Many people in foreign countries who profess to follow Christ are jailed, beaten, or killed for doing so. This year, we will be celebrating our 250th anniversary as a country, and we should be proud of that.In addition to, and more importantly, we should be mindful of the freedom that we have in Christ. The freedom that we have in Christ frees us from sin, death, and condemnation, Romans 8:1-2. Jesus said in John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Thank God for the Son, Jesus Christ. For the sacrifice that He made on our behalf so that we can have that freedom. Imagine the fear and suffering of knowing that you have absolutely zero chance of escaping eternal punishment at the end of your life. In Christ, we do not have that fear. In Christ, we have all the freedom and all the spiritual blessings that we need, Ephesians 1:3.Paul says in Galatians 5:1 to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” Paul is articulating here that Christians need to hold our ground in the freedom that Christ has given to us. The imagery is that of a military context and holding a line and refusing to retreat or surrender. Do not go back to living by the law of Moses, do not go back to living a life of sin, but actively stand fast in the faith we were given when we were buried with Christ in baptism!Worldy freedom is good, but Godly freedom is great. Godly freedom cannot be taken away by men, bound by borders, or legislated against. Be proud to be an American but be even prouder to be a Christian.

“How To Know The Will Of God”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​3 May 2026
Someone once asked, “A man is reading his Bible, wanting to know what God’s will is. In what way is this man to know God’s will?”Some teaching methods Jesus used in communicating His will to man included example, necessary inference, statement, and command. For example, when He wanted to teach about humility, He set an example of how it could be demonstrated (John 13:1-17). He used necessary inference when teaching important truths about Himself (Matthew 22:41-46). When talking about entering the kingdom, our Lord made a simple statement (John 3:3-5). And when giving the Great Commission to the Apostles, He gave commands (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).In like manner, the inspired writers of the New Testament urged the following of examples (Acts 20:35; Philippians 3:17); taught by necessary inference about the priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:11-17); made a statement about what baptism does for us (Galatians 3:27); and gave commands regarding disciplinary action (2 Thessalonians 3:6) and baptism (Acts 10:48).Through examples, necessary inferences, statements, and commands, God communicates His will to us in the same way we communicate our will to others. Therefore, understanding God’s revelation and establishing authority for religious practices should pose no difficulty for a man who truly desires to know and do the Father’s will (Acts 8:26-39).

“Spiritual Passion”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​26 Apr 2026
Have we ever considered why our spiritual passion fades so easily? After we were baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-28), we spent hours thinking about Him, studying His Word, and telling others how much He meant to us. Then it happened. Our busy schedules slowly dampened our passion. Our longing to be like Jesus and our study of His Word became an occasional glance. Surely the object of our affection hadn’t changed that much!The church at Ephesus struggled to maintain its spiritual passion. Through the writer John, Jesus wanted to help them restore and sustain their love and zeal for Him. Although He commended this church for their work, Jesus saw that they had abandoned their first love — HimRevelation 2:4“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”The Ephesians had lost their spiritual passion for Jesus. Their work for the Lord had grown cold and mechanical. What happened? Had the brethren at Ephesus allowed the stealthy culprit of the world and busyness to enter their hearts? (2 Timothy 4:10). Whatever it was, something had stolen the affection once reserved for the Lord.Let’s ask ourselves, “Have we allowed anything to steal our spiritual passion?” If so, that passion can be restored and sustained when we consistently remember our Lord’s amazing love shown at Calvary.John 15:13“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”Let’s repent of our sinful, unloving attitudes and, out of a passionate love for Jesus and His cause, “do the first works” — not in quantity but in quality — in the same spirit with which we first loved the Lord when we first became obedient to His will.Romans 6:17“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.”

“Build On The Rock”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​19 Apr 2026
Luke 6:46-49 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”Jesus desires action from us, and that is clear from this section of scripture. Jesus desires action from us because He loves us. He compares a person who does the things He said to one who builds his house on a proper foundation. The floods rose, and the water beat against the house, but the house remained firm. This desire for us doesn’t come in the sense of “do it or else” but in the sense that Jesus loves us and wants us to succeed. Jesus knows that if we have Him as our foundation, the metaphorical storms of life will beat against us, but we will remain firm. This is the very foundation of love. Jesus does not want our house to fall, and so he gives us a comprehensive plan to keep that from happening. “If you love me, you will keep My commandments” – John 14:15.Individuals, families, the church, and everything in between all remain firm with Christ as their foundation. Without Him, the storms of life will knock our house down. One thing Jesus made clear is that those storms are coming, regardless of how well your foundation is. The difference is, how will we come out of it? How can I, as an individual, build my foundation firm in Christ? How can I then translate that to building my family’s foundation or helping others? Firmly founded individuals can lead others, which ultimately benefits the church.

“The Value of a Good Reputation”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​12 Apr 2026
Solomon said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). We all have a reputation, and everyone has an opinion of us. It is true that we cannot control what people think, but we can shape the impression we give them through our actions. Scripture urges us to recognize the value of a good reputation.We should recognize that our reputation will be based more on what we do than on what we say. 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 well-behaved 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 it applies to the development of our reputation. People may listen to our words, but our actions speak for themselves.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 (Philippians 2:15). Boldness (Proverbs 28:1). Devoutness (Acts 22:12). God-fearing (Acts 10:2). Faithful Follower (John 10:27). Humility (1 Peter 5:5). Liberality (2 Corinthians 9:13). Love (Colossians 1:4). Mercy (Matthew 5:7). Zeal (Titus 2:14).Can these qualities be seen in you? Are you known for godly qualities like these, or is your life defined by something altogether different? Learn to value a good reputation.

“God Had Us In Mind”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​5 Apr 2026
During the days of the law of Moses, God had present-day Christians in mind. We know that the law was specifically addressed to the nation of Israel and served several purposes. Some of which were to set the nation of Israel apart, to expose sin, and to show our complete need for a savior. It created a bond between Israel and God, showing they would be the people to physically bring the Messiah to earth. The law was the shadow of the Messiah who was to come, and the tutor to bridge the gap before the Messiah and the gospel system of faith came (Exodus 19:5-6, Romans 3:20, Hebrews 10:1, Galatians 3:24). It is true that the law was meant for Israel, and is no longer binding to Christians, but God had us in mind when He was establishing it.Consider the requirements for the burnt offerings found in Leviticus 1:1-9. A burnt offering of the herd was to be a male without blemish that was freely offered, its blood was shed, and it was accepted as an atonement for one’s sins. It is reasonable to believe that at that time, they didn’t fully understand that these very specific requirements were a direct reflection of what Jesus Christ would be for the entire world. In fact, Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:10-12 that even the prophets and angels didn’t completely understand or see the full picture that we can see thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.How beautiful it is to know that God, who exists outside of time, knew that you and I would be able to reflect on the events of the Old Testament so that we could grasp the full picture of our salvation from a bird’s eye view. None of the people we read about in the Old Testament got to see the full picture during their lifetimes, but we do.

“Give Patience A Chance”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​29 Mar 2026
In today’s “modern” culture, we see people wanting to get things done very quickly. While our ancestors took many months — even years — to cross the country, we can now drive across it in just a few days and fly across in only a few hours. Foods that once took hours to prepare can now be cooked in just a few minutes, thanks to microwave ovens.Sometimes we hear church members criticize their leaders for being slow to make changes or take action. However, when it comes to decisions about the church's spiritual direction, slowness is not necessarily a bad thing.From our perspective, God acts quite slowly on important matters. For instance, He waited thousands of years to send Jesus into the world, doing so only “when the fullness of the time had come” (Galatians 4:4). To some people, God seems slow about ending the world, but there is a reason and purpose for His apparent slowness, and mankind benefits from it (2 Peter 3:8, 9).God ordained elders to lead and guide each local congregation (Acts 20:28). With age and experience, we generally learn to be more patient in drawing conclusions, waiting until we have all the evidence. In contrast, when we are younger, we tend to be impatient and in a hurry — to the point that we don’t always “think” before we act or speak.We need to remember the hasty decision made by young King Rehoboam to reject the wise advice of his older counselors for that of his young companions, which resulted in a divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 10). The wise man, Solomon, reminds us in Proverbs 29:20:“Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”Although progress in church leadership and congregational change may seem slow at times, looking back will almost always reveal it as a blessing rather than a curse. Give patience a chance!

“Not On Sunday Night”

  • ​Gus Nichols
  • ​22 Mar 2026
I love the church that Jesus bought and know that it is right. I go every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night. I love to sing the songs of God; such worship must be right. This I do on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night. I love to hear the gospel too; it gives me pure delight. I hear it every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night. May God bless our preacher, too, and give him power and might. And put a sinner in my place next Sunday night. I’d go through mud, even snow, do anything that’s right. Let all the others be on hand to worship God aright, but I just want my easy chair and comforts Sunday night. I know I really need more strength to keep me in the fight. For help, I came on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night. True, the church can save the world if its pure light shines bright. I help it shine on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night. Yes, all of us must surely die; I hope I’ll be doing right. So may I die on Sunday morn, and not on Sunday night.

“If It Matters To You”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​15 Mar 2026
As I enter the middle years of my life, one thing that I have learned is that life is very busy. If this is my own doing, or just the standard in American living these days, I don’t know. One thing I do know is that if we try to “find the time” for something we know needs to be done, we’ll never find it. If something matters to us, we won’t try to find the time; we will make the time to do it. The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived by accident or only when you can find the time. The Christian life is meant to be lived on purpose, with direction and intention. It is meant to be woven into every aspect of our lives.Paul said in Ephesians 5:15-16 to “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” There isn’t any reason why we can’t make the time every day to read our Bibles. Even if it is just a chapter a day, we can make the time to read and reflect on one chapter. We have no excuse as to why we can’t keep our spirits healthy and functional as God would have us to do. After all, God has provided us with everything we need to do that. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”We know what James said about a person’s lifespan: “… It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Most of us can look back and wonder where the last 10,20, 50, or 60 years went. They vanished away, just like a vapor, as James put it. Nothing can be done about what did or did not happen in those past years, but we can live the rest of our lives with purpose. This is true not only of studying and teaching the Bible, but in living out those Godly principles we read about. We can make the time to love and cherish our families, to treat others the way we wish to be treated, and to take care of our health and our bodies. God expects us to be good stewards of the time we are blessed with.Luke 12:42-44 “And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.”

“Is The Church of Christ A Social Club?”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​8 Mar 2026
Some Christians treat the church like a country club. Webster defines the term as follows: “A private club where people go for social events and to play golf, tennis, etc.” When they find a decision they dislike, these “country club Christians" begin threatening the elders, deacons, or preachers. It’s not about what is doctrinally right or wrong but about personal preferences and opinions. They may threaten to leave their membership or even quit attending altogether. When this becomes someone’s view of the church, something is seriously wrong. Here are four reasons why the church is not a country club.1. Our weekly offering on the Lord’s day is not a payment for club dues (1 Corinthians 16:1- 2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Jesus paid the price so you could become a member of His church (Acts 20:28). We do not own the church; it is made up of those who have obeyed the gospel and are therefore “in Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Jesus is the only way we can be adopted into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5-6). We belong to Him (Romans 6:11-13, 22-23).2. According to Wikipedia, “Country clubs are founded upon the concept of private membership and exclusion of the general public.” Alleged Christians who ostracize visitors (and even other Christians) because of race, gender, income level (or any other reason) do not know true, New Testament Christianity. Everyone is invited to accept God’s gracious offer to be saved and be added by the Lord to His church(2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 2:38, 47; 10:34-35).3. This is neither a social gathering nor a recreational spot. The church is not meant to serve as a babysitter or entertainer for youth groups. There's nothing wrong with youth groups having fellowship, but the church's purpose goes beyond that. The Lord’s church should act as a light in your community and around the world. Being a “light" isn’t just about having a positive effect; it’s about reflecting Jesus’s light that leads to salvation (Matthew 5:14- 16; John 3:19-21; 14:6). The church exists to do the Lord’s will. Paul told the church in Ephesus: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).4. Many of our brothers and sisters across the United States are blessed with excellent facilities – to God be the glory! How wonderful it is to have an inviting, welcoming place where we can gather together in a comfortable environment to worship and study God’s Word. But let’s remember this: assembly buildings – and other congregational possessions are to be used with stewardship in mind, for God’s glory (Colossians 3:17; Revelation 4:11). May we never misuse these blessings or treat these things as though they are inherently sacred. They are tools for God’s holy people to use in His holy service.

“The Sun and the Son”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​1 Mar 2026
The sun is the primary source of energy for life on Earth. The Earth could not sustain life as we know it without it. The sun’s absence would leave Earth a frozen, dark, and lifeless planet. According to scienceinsights.org, “the loss of sunlight would immediately halt photosynthesis, initiating a collapse of the global food web. Primary producers, including phytoplankton and terrestrial plants, would begin to die off within days to weeks. This loss of the base energy source would affect every ecosystem.” The energy that the sun produces drives things like photosynthesis, ocean currents, and weather patterns that sustain ecosystems. In addition to the energy it produces, the sun also helps regulate human health and circadian rhythms. It enables vitamin D synthesis, which is essential for our bone health and immune systems. All that to say, the sun sustains physical life.Likewise, The Son sustains our spiritual lives. Scripture says in John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” Jesus describes Himself as the “light of the world”, using the imagery of the sun and all its life-sustaining features. Choosing to follow Jesus is like living in a world where life and beauty all exist. A world where the sun is bright and life-sustaining. A world where you have “the light of life”. Choosing not to follow Jesus is like trying to live in a world with no sun. A world with nothing to sustain its life. Without the sun and The Son, there is no life and there is no hope.Referring to the Day of The Lord, scripture says in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” Through Jesus Christ, we are sons of light and sons of the day. We do not have to fear any situation where there is no source to sustain our lives.Thank you, God, for the sun, and The Son.

“Where Do My Loyalties Lie?”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​22 Feb 2026
Loyalty is an honorable trait for one to possess. However, for the Christian, misplaced loyalty can be a distraction while serving the Lord. Here are a few examples:1. Family – God wants us to be loyal to our earthly family. He warns us in 1 Timothy 5:8 that if we neglect caring for our family, we are worse than an unbeliever. On the other hand, are there times when we place “making memories” with family over our service to the Lord? Jesus said when we do, we are not worthy of Him. (Matthew. 10:37) Where do my loyalties lie?2. Sports – From kids’ games to the professionals, Americans love their sports. Many are very loyal to their favorite teams, never missing a game. Fans will sit in the rain, the blazing sun, spend 12 hours at the ballpark, or watch a game for 3 hours. But how many of us begin to squirm during a 20-minute sermon or struggle to read the Bible for a few minutes? If we love the things in the world, then the love of the Father is not in us. (1 John 2:15) Where do my loyalties lie?3. Jobs – For most of us, our jobs consume a majority of our lives, claiming 40-60 waking hours per week. For some, their occupation becomes an obsession, and the desire to “get ahead” robs them of loyalty to God and family. Late hours and voluntarily working on Saturday and Sunday are the norm. However, for the godly person, work is required to survive, and anything above that is only vanity. (Ecclesiastes. 1:14) Where do my loyalties lie?4. Hobbies – Our pastimes satisfy our desire for pleasure and relaxation. Hunting, fishing, woodworking, crafts, golf, music, and travel headline an endless list of hobbies we enjoy. But when we place our loyalty on our enjoyment over our dedication to the Lord, we sin and need to repent. For example, neglecting worship for our hobbies is idolatry and must be avoided. (1 Corinthians 10:14) Where do my loyalties lie?God warned Judah, “… For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away” (Hosea 6:4). Let us all do a “self-check” to see where our loyalties truly lie.

“Dealing With Stress”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​15 Feb 2026
Push, produce, succeed, get ahead, get the job done — that pretty much defines the fast-paced world we live in today. The burden of continually producing creates stress, whether through self-motivation to get the job done or pressure from others to perform.And along with stress come irritability, hypercriticism, angry words, and even biting and devouring our family members and fellow Christians (Galatians 5:13-15) — each link of the chain seems to feed on the others and compound the problem. There is, little calmness and serenity in our lives — little time just to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.How can stress be avoided or, if it cannot be avoided, how can it be dealt with successfully?Some degree of stress is unavoidable in life — it can be diminished or increased depending on our desires and expectations. Someone said that happiness comes from either increasing our ability to provide the things we want or diminishing our wants — the latter is usually easier and produces greater satisfaction. The Lord addressed this problem when He said: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25). The Lord then explains what is truly important: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).We can relieve some of our stress by shouldering our own responsibilities (Galatians 6:5). When we accept responsibility, we also ease the stress on those around us. Nothing irritates us more than having to do someone else’s job. On the other hand, when we see someone weak and struggling, we are instructed to help him carry his load (Galatians 6:2).There is no better “stress management” than doing the best we can, then praying and trusting in God, casting our cares on Him: “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). That’s how to live successfully in a stressful world.

“Christian Priorities”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​8 Feb 2026
In modern society, people seem to be increasingly involved in all things to do with politics. This has spanned far beyond which party is running for a political office and into the social aspects of everyday life. It seems like the country is more divided than ever over every single issue. It is true that Christians are not immune to this, because we live and work in the same society as everyone else. Sometimes, sadly, it seems that Christians become too involved in the daily political happenings of society, and we lose where our true focus should be. Sometimes we spend too much time trying to argue with people over why they are wrong politically, at least according to the way we see things. We spend too much time arguing over who’s going to win mid-term elections, or who is going to sing at the Super Bowl halftime show, than we do sharing the gospel.Politics and social issues have their place, and certainly, as Christians, we can be involved in those things, but our one and only focus should be to reflect Jesus Christ in everything we do. If we are spending more time arguing about politics than we are sharing the gospel, perhaps we need to figure out a way to solve that problem. We need to be careful of being so defensive with these things that we create hate and division between people. Let’s never forget that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that has the power to salvation for all people, and that is what needs to be our primary purpose behind all that we do.Consider the following verses:Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Hebrews 12:14-15 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

“Where Can We Go, But To The Lord?”

  • ​Caleb Westbrook
  • ​25 Jan 2026
Paul’s epistles are at times difficult to understand and can cut straight to the heart of many issues. Throughout the first several chapters of Romans, he is trying to explain to the Christians of Rome that the Law of Moses served a primary purpose: to expose sin and show people that they needed a Savior. Afterall, if people don’t know that they are lost and in need of a Savior, who would believe the Savior when He showed up to save them? In Romans 7: 12-13, he says, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.”In the specific context of Romans chapter 7, Paul mentions that, while under the Law of Moses, no matter how much he wished he could have his sins permanently remitted, it was simply not possible. Paul also makes it clear that humanity, in and of itself, can do nothing to save itself either by the Law or any other means. Romans 7:17-18 says, “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” Paul has the will and the desire to have his sins permanently remitted, but under the Law of Moses, there was no means for that to happen. The Law was a constant reminder that humanity was lost in sin and in need of a Savior. Hebrews 10:1-4 “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”Paul pointed out the problem and gave a solution. Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” It’s the same answer he gave in Romans 1:6 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” It is the same as Peter stated in John 6:68-69 “But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.Thank You, God, for Your Son, Jesus Christ.

“Are We Happy?”

  • ​David Westbrook
  • ​18 Jan 2026
Happiness can be very difficult to describe for many. Though we desire happiness for ourselves, some search the world over but still cannot find it. Why is it that the multitudes do not find peace, tranquility, and happiness? Could it be that they are seeking in all the wrong places, such as riches, fame, and popularity? Each time these are obtained, they are found to be empty of lasting happiness and real joy in life. We need to recognize that these are outward things, while we need to realize that God’s formula for happiness comes from within our hearts. God does have a place by which all can find happiness, but He promises it from His perspective and not from our own.The keys to true happiness can be found in the thoroughly furnished Scriptures given by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). We receive happiness and peace in life by being sure our actions are in harmony with God’s Word.God has assured us that if we seek in the right way, we will find happiness. This happiness will not be in the form of money, cars, or homes. The happiness that God provides is found when we bring ourselves into harmony with His word. Let us all follow His word as it guides us through life and leads us to a home in Heaven with our Creator.