by Chris Elrod

  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower.  It’s a simple task that can make a real difference.  The kind of difference Christ has called us to make!  Ephesians 2:10 describes our purpose as Christians, it says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.  The type of work that makes a difference in people’s lives.  Galatians 6:10 tells us to do good to everyone as we have the opportunity, but to especially do good to those in “the household of faith.” 

  I believe we all want to do good, and we all want to make a difference.  The problem is with that word “opportunity.”  Our opportunities feel too limited.  We are all super busy.  We work all day.  There are a million and one things to do around the house.  Not to mention we are exhausted.  By the time we get home, all we feel like doing is putting our feet up and trying to relax.  Saturdays are the one day we can finally do what we want to do.  And those come too rarely and end too quickly.

  We can absolutely make excuses.  We can absolutely justify ourselves and rightly declare we have no time. Or we can rise above the excuses and make time for those who could use a visit.  I sometimes think about what it would be like to be in their shoes, rarely leaving the house and often alone.  I know if I were in that position, I would want people to come and visit me.  I know I would love having people come see me.  I know I would be so excited to talk with people and be so encouraged by their visit.  Put yourself in their shoes and then meditate on the golden rule.  “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12.  If you would want people to visit you, then it seems you should visit others.

  Making a visit might not change the political landscape, lead to a baptism, or result in world peace, but it will certainly put a smile on a brother or sister’s face.  It will brighten their day or even their week and be a huge source of encouragement to them.  Visiting those who are shut-in is a meaningful and impactful way to make a difference in someone’s life.  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower this week and in the weeks to come.

  James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

by Justin Morton

Have you ever found yourself focusing on what you lack rather than appreciating all that you have?  This attitude is not unique to our time.  It has been a struggle even for God’s people all the way back when the Israelites were in the wilderness.  Just three days after the children of Israel miraculously crossed the Red Sea and praised God for their success, their gratitude faded and the complaints began (Exodus 15:22-27).  This pattern is repeated throughout their time in the wilderness.

In Numbers 11, the Jews once again expressed their complaints.  After suffering severe consequences, we read: “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving.  And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at’” (Numbers 11:4-6).

Despite God’s miraculous provision of manna each morning (Exodus 16:4, 35), the Israelites longed for something different.  Their discontentment overshadowed the blessings they received, and they quickly forgot how God had provided for them.  Every step of the way, God had been faithful.  And yet, the Israelites were not appreciative of what God was doing and instead longed for something different. 

The Israelites journey reminds us how easy it is to overlook the blessings we have and become dissatisfied, even though we are surrounded by evidence of God’s care and provision each day.  We can look around at all the things we do not have or all the ways our lives could be better, and we take for granted the blessings God has rained down on us.  When we take our blessings for granted, we risk missing the evidence of God’s care and provision that surrounds us.

God has blessed us immensely (James 1:16-17).  Instead of complaining, let’s worship and praise God for His blessings (Psalm 107: 1, 8, 15, 21, 31).  The more time we spend focusing on what we lack, the less time we have to be grateful for what we possess.

The story of the Israelites teaches us that gratitude is a choice.  By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have, we can develop a spirit of gratitude and avoid the pitfalls of complaining.  Let us always choose gratitude over grumbling. 

by Justin Morton

You have plenty of them and so do I.  No, I’m not talking about struggles; I am talking about opinions.  Many years ago I heard a saying that has stuck with me ever since: “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has a couple and they usually stink.”  I am not sure where I first heard this, but that statement is something I have never forgotten.  In today’s world, people’s opinions are everywhere and how we respond to them matters more than ever.

With the technology we have available at our fingertips, anyone can share their thoughts for the whole world to read.  Sometimes we may agree with what we read or hear from others.  Other times, we do not.  But regardless of our agreement, everyone has the right to their opinion.

The real challenge is how we respond to the thoughts and opinions of others.  Too often we allow the opinions of others to get under our skin, affect our mood, and cause us to feel the need to respond.  And then, with fingers typing faster than we can think or with words coming out of our mouth before we can process what we are saying, we say things that can hurt, demean and cause great harm to those who read or hear our reply.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher standard.  The apostle Paul reminds us to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness…” (2 Timothy 2:23-25).  Did you notice what Paul said?  The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone.  This seems to be a forgotten quality for some servants of God today.

We must never forget our purpose as followers of Jesus.  We want to make other followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).  Sometimes we hear or read someone’s opinion, and we lose our cool and get involved in “foolish” controversies.  Brethren, this can be quite destructive when it comes to winning souls.  As Christians, we represent Jesus and should never respond in a way that could harm His great and holy name.

The wise man said that a fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).  I don’t want to be considered a fool, do you?  Friends, the next time you are tempted to jump into an argument, whether that be in public or behind a keyboard, pause and remember you represent the King of Kings.  Others are watching to see how we respond.  Let us all strive to be known not for quarrels but for our wise responses in a world of opinions. 

Salt and Light Between Sundays

In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus tells the audience during the Sermon on the Mount – and by extension us – that they are salt and light.  What does that mean?  The light portion of that illustration is a fairly easy concept to grasp – perhaps because light is visible, and the difference between darkness and light in a room is immediately apparent.  But what does Jesus mean when He tells us we are salt?

Because salt dissolves in liquids or blends into food, we do not really notice it unless we intentionally look for it.  Yet we know whether it is present or absent based on the outcome.  From that perspective, light represents things that are easily visible and noticeable – our actions that others can clearly see.  Salt, then, would represent influences that are not easily noticed by others but that nonetheless have a real impact – particularly what we allow into our minds, shaping our thinking, attitudes, and perspective.

Salt is a preservative – it prevents things from decaying.  In a similar way, what we choose to allow into our minds can help preserve our spiritual health.  Over time, that inward influence will translate into outward action – ideally into the kind of light others can see.  As Jesus says, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

These thoughts call to mind Between Sundays, a book written by a member of the church, Steve Miller, which focuses on how we live as Christians in our daily lives, outside the walls of the church building.  That book calls to my mind Jesus’ teaching about being salt and light.  The light our lives shine into the world is closely connected to what we choose to take into our minds.

Resolve daily to be the light.  One way to begin is by carefully considering what we allow into our minds each day.  Ultimately, that should help us be the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden rather than salt that has lost its usefulness and is trampled underfoot (paraphrasing Matthew 5:13–14).  Tangible ways we reflect that light include how we speak, the diligence with which we approach work, school, or other tasks, and in how we handle conflict.  But those are outputs.  Let’s not neglect the salt – or input – side:  filtering what we allow into our minds through the lens of Scripture – taking in those things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

by Justin Morton

It has been really neat watching our kids collect the Apologetics Press Bible trading cards.  These cards have inspired our Walter Hill kids, some as young as 2-3 years old, to bring their Bibles, take sermon notes, and participate in church activities.  You never know when a teacher or shepherd is going to hand you a card for something they see the kids do.  Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it is a joy to witness.

HOW TO USE THE CARDS AT HOME

Parents, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity that you have to use this resource for family Bible time.  Each card features facts, scripture references, and a main application point.  These are perfect for sparking meaningful discussion and learning together.  Why not set aside 10 minutes after dinner to review a card together and discuss its application point?

EARNING MORE CARDS

Kids can earn additional trading cards by memorizing certain Bible facts and memory verses.  Memorization pages can be found in the main lobby.  Students can choose to memorize as many facts and verses as they want for their age group.  The individuals to recite your facts to are listed on the age-specific pages.  Students can find these volunteers before or after Bible class or service to recite their memory work.  We appreciate all of our volunteers for helping us with this.

TRADING CARD PARTY

On February 1st, we will be having a trading party!  We will start after our morning services, probably around 10:30AM and wrap up around 11:15AM.  We will have some tables set up down the hallway so the kids can pull out their cards and make trades with one another and enjoy fellowship with friends.  This will also be an opportunity for kids to earn additional cards by answering questions about general Bible knowledge.  These questions will have different difficulty levels: easy (1 card), moderate (2 cards) or difficult (3-5 cards).  We are looking forward to this event in a couple of weeks!

APPRECIATION

As I watch the excitement each week, I am thankful we have shepherds who are very supportive of this effort.  We want to thank them for their willingness to make this possible by supplying these Bible trading cards.  Their support helps our young people, and even our families, grow in faith and knowledge.  Don’t forget the elders have cards to trade as well!

We invite all of our families to join in the fun and learning.  Whether your child is just starting out or already has a good collection of cards, let’s make the most of this opportunity to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word.

By:  Johnny O. Trail

     While I was a student at MTSU, I was a political science major.  I aspired to become a lawyer at the time, and I participated in the collegiate mock trial tournaments that were held in our region of the country.  I enjoyed participating in mock trial and won an award from the MTSU chapter of the organization.

     I really enjoyed cross examining the witnesses that were provided by the opposing counsel.  Carefully worded leading questions would help provide the testimony that I felt was most beneficial to my team’s position.  Participating in cross examinations and the overall mock trial experience was highly educational.

     There is another type of “cross examination” that humankind needs to be engaged in regularly.  That “cross examination” is done considering the cross that carried the weight of our Savior suspended between heaven and earth.  Our sins separated us from God, and some type of restitution had to be made for the redemption of humankind.  Jesus came to serve humanity by giving His life’s blood for our transgressions.  Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in realizing that the only possible atonement for our sins was offered by Jesus at Calvary.  There was no other way that God could secure our salvation other than through the death of His Son. Through obedience to the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-4), His blood washes away our sins.  Revelation 1:5 says, “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in understanding the horrible nature of sin and the cost for our redemption.  The agonizing death Jesus endured at the cross informs us of how terrible sin truly is.  Matthew 27:26-31 says, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.  And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand.  And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”  We may see nothing wrong with our transgressions of God’s law, but the death of Jesus says otherwise.   Jesus was tortured, spat upon, ridiculed, and murdered for our sins.  The terrible cost exacted upon Him should tell us how dreadful our transgressions are.

     Our “cross examination” should convict us of the love of God and the great lengths Jesus was willing to go to for our salvation.  Only a loving God, would create beings in His spiritual image that would later need the redemption provided through His only begotten Son at Calvary.  1 Peter 1:18-23 says, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 

     Our “cross examination” should result in our loving obedience to the commandments of God regarding salvation.  If Jesus found it necessary to be compliant unto death to secure the souls of those who were His disciples, we should at the very least be obedient too.  Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” 

     With all these things in mind, we need to “cross examine” ourselves when we are partaking of the Lord’s Supper.     1 Corinthians 11:26-28 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.  Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”  This self-examination does not mean that we have obtained sinless perfection (I John 1:8-10), but it does mean that we understand our lost and undone condition without the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God at Calvary.

     In essence, we are called upon to examine ourselves regularly to keep ourselves holy and pure in Jesus Christ.          1 Peter 1:13-16 says, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”  A regular “cross examination” will help us be sensitive to sin and express continual love for a Savior who died on a cross where I should have been nailed.  

by Chris Elrod

Belong to Christ, grow in Christlikeness, lead others to Christ.  This is what our youth ministry at Walter Hill is all about.  This is what we challenge our youth to focus on.  As we enter a new year, it’s a helpful place for us to begin to reflect and evaluate how we need to move forward into a new year!

Belonging to Christ is all about giving your life to Him.  Galatians 3:26-37 explains that through faith we become children of God when we are baptized into Christ.  This is when Christ takes ownership of us.  Do you belong to Christ?  Have you given your life to Him?  This is the first and most important step.  Belonging to Christ means we have been added to His church (Acts 2:41) and that our soul is saved!  If you have not given your life to Christ and been added to His church, I hope you will!  If you do belong to Christ, I hope you will work to connect to with your church family.  Seek belonging among your brothers and sisters by introducing yourself to new members or saying hello to someone you might not know well.

Growing in Christlikeness is really our personal purpose as those who belong to Christ.  Romans 8:29 explains that God planned for His people to be conformed to Christ.  We are to be conformed to our Savior rather than the world (Romans 12:2).  In 2025 could people tell you were a Christian by observing your actions and hearing your words?  In Galatians 2:20 Paul says he’s been crucified with Christ it is no longer him who lives but Christ who lives in Him.  In other words, his life was controlled by Christ!  How do you need to grow more like Christ in 2026?

Leading others to Christ is the mission we have been given by Christ Himself.  In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations, while promising to be with us.  Jesus is with us and has given us His Word to use in revealing Him to the lost.  We all have people in our lives who need to know Jesus.  Let’s step up to the mission Jesus has given us.  Let’s invite people to our assemblies so they can experience the love of God’s children and learn the value of belonging to Him.  Let’s open our Bibles and show people scripture so they can learn what they must do to be saved.  Let’s be unsatisfied with the lost being lost.  Remembering that we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthains 5:20).

May we all belong to Christ, so we can grow in Christ, and then lead others to Christ, who will likewise find their belonging in Christ, experience growth in Christ, and lead others to Christ.  May the Lord continue to bless us in 2026.

by Justin Morton

It seems like only a few days ago we were celebrating the start of 2025, and now here we are only a few days away from the New Year.  The past year was a good year for us as a congregation.  We were able to see both physical and spiritual growth.  But, as great as it was, we should not put everything in neutral and just coast along off of our previous successes.  We should celebrate our successes and use them as a launching point for this New Year.

The leadership at Walter Hill believes the best is yet to come.  We believe we still have much to accomplish in this community.  This year has the potential to be the best year we have ever experienced as a congregation and that is exciting.

In order for this to be our best year yet, we need every single member of our Walter Hill family involved.  It has been said, “Nothing good happens by accident.”  If we want to experience good things as a congregation, we all must be a part of the plan and play important roles.  So, what can you do, you ask?

1.  SEEK.  Look for ways you can bless others (Galatians 6:10).  Use these opportunities as a means to show others that the people at the Walter Hill church of Christ are striving to follow Jesus.  Then, invite those people to come and see (John 1:45-46).  Bringing people to Jesus is what it is all about.

2.  ENGAGE.  Do not just sit on the sidelines.  Find ways for you and your family to actively be involved in the work (1 Peter 4:8-11).  There are plenty of opportunities available.  This year, make it a point to find an area where you can help serve for God’s glory.

3.  GIVE.  Challenge your family to sacrifice something this year so you can give just a little more for the work being accomplished (2 Corinthians 8:2-5; 9:6-8).  Our giving could be the difference between people learning about the gift of Jesus and not learning.

4.  PRAY.  Spend time praying for God’s continual blessing upon us as we strive to be a light in this community and the world around us (James 5:16).  Above all, we want to honor and glorify God in all that we say and do!

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “ The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”  Why should we settle for what we HAVE DONE, when we can accomplish SO MUCH MORE for the GLORY OF GOD?  Let’s all believe and pray that the best is yet to come.

The Hope We Have in Christ

Hope is a powerful thing.  It strengthens the discouraged, steadies the weary, and gives courage to those overwhelmed by life.  As Christians, our hope is not based on circumstances, emotions, or the changing world around us—it is rooted in Jesus Christ.

His birth reminds us that God keeps His promises.   From the prophets of old to the star over Bethlehem, God’s plan to redeem mankind was not forgotten.  Jesus entered the world not just to live among us, but to bring light into darkness and offer salvation to all who would seek Him.  His birth was the beginning of our hope.

His death reminds us of God’s incredible love.  Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself, bearing the weight of our sins so we could be reconciled to God.  Through His blood, we are forgiven, cleansed, and made new.  His death wasn’t defeat—it was victory over sin.

His resurrection assures us that death is not the end.  The empty tomb is the foundation of Christian hope.  Because He rose, we have confidence that life continues beyond the grave.  We know that God has prepared a place for those who follow Christ, and one day, every tear will be wiped away.

In Christ, we find a hope the world cannot give—a hope that sustains us today and prepares us for eternity.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

May we hold tightly to this hope and share it with others.