Author: janicevance

By Justin Morton

Sometimes we can walk into people’s lives at just the right moment. Do you recall the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5)? Naaman was a mighty warrior who was highly regarded by his master because he was a successful military leader. However, despite his great military success, Naaman had one big problem: he was a leper. As the leprosy progressed, it had the potential to completely change Naaman’s life.

But, at just the right moment in time, a young servant girl who served Naaman’s wife, shared some news that led to his healing. She told her master about the prophet Elisha and his ability to perform miracles (2 Kings 5:2-3). Now consider that this young girl could have kept quiet and let Naaman continue to suffer. She could have decided Naaman was a lost cause who wouldn’t believe her since she was just a servant. Although she had several options, she chose to do the right thing. The young girl made a decision to share news with Naaman that eventually led to his healing.

Like Naaman, many people find themselves in the midst of a major problem. They are infected with a life altering disease known as sin (Rom. 3:23). If not treated properly, this disease will ultimately kill them for all of eternity (Rom. 6:23).

Friends, we have a choice. Will we share the lifesaving news we have been entrusted with or will we choose to keep quiet? I am certain there is a Naaman in your life who needs you to step out of your comfort zone and share the good news of Jesus with him or her. Why wait? Work up the courage to share the amazing, lifesaving news of the gospel sometime this week.

A few weeks ago, many of us met before Sunday evening services to stuff envelopes with a letter, a book titled “Reasons to Believe”, written by Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons, and a bookmark with a link to the World Video Bible School website which encourages the study of God’s word.  We mailed out 681 of these packages to our neighbors in the Walter Hill Community. 

Thanks to all of you who were able to meet to help in this effort.  Our intent was to remind those in our community that through the struggles the pandemic has caused and the effect it has had on the economy, one thing remains constant, that is God.  We also wanted to encourage the study of His word.  We are reminded of the parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.  Our hope is that the seeds we have sown will be as those which fell on the good ground, that they will bear much fruit.  How fortunate we are to be able to assemble each Lord’s Day to worship God who loves us.  Let us all remember the Great Commission given by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20 and be sure we are doing our part to teach others about Jesus. 

by Justin Morton

For some of us, a new season is beginning! It’s not quite fall just yet, but many of our Walter Hall family have entered into a new season of our lives. This summer some of our members have gotten married, had children, moved to new homes, started new jobs, and our students, educators and support staff are headed back to school; maybe some of you are beginning a new season as empty-nesters. Even if you haven’t made a major life change over the last few months, consider that the upcoming weeks present all of us with an exciting opportunity.

New seasons and stages often cause us to make changes, to look for ways to do things differently than we did in the past. Perhaps some of our students want to make better grades or to forge stronger friendships. Maybe some of our adults want to improve job performance or to commit to budgeting. Whether we are going to school or work or beginning a new stage in our home lives, let’s desire to make tomorrow a new beginning of letting our lights shine brightly for Jesus.

Jesus said, “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 5:16). Making good grades and increasing work performance are good things; however, living our lives for Jesus in a way that others want to know more about Him is even better. I pray this season of your life is a blessing and you accomplish all of your goals. But most importantly, I pray in the coming weeks you will shine your light for Jesus! 

Jesus Christ Our Priority

As summer winds down and we begin to prepare for another school year, I’d like for us to reflect on our priorities. Greg McKeown in his book “Essentialism” points out the word “priority” was introduced into the English language in the 1400s and was singular. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the word was used in its plural form, “priorities.” Today, the word priority is used to describe what is most important in our life, but we typically talk about our multiple priorities. We attempt to make many things of upmost importance. It feels like many of our priorities conflict with one another, competing for our time, energy, and resources.

Perhaps, we would do better if instead of thinking about all of our many priorities, we just focused on our priority, Jesus Christ! When we focus on Christ as the one and only priority in our life all other things fall into place as they should. Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21 shows what having Christ as the priority looks like, ^“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

We now stand at the door of a new school year, routines will be changing, new activities will begin, and our schedules will be full. However, let us not lose sight of our priority. Let us keep Christ number one and not let anything become even close to as important in our hearts. When we have opportunities to meet with our brothers and sisters to study God’s Word, let’s take advantage of the opportunities. It’s hard to say Jesus is the priority in our life when we allow other “priorities” to get in the way of spending time in His Word with the church He died to create.

            Occasionally, I loosely borrow the quote from Amos 7:14 that “I am not a prophet nor a son of a prophet.” Then I’ll go on and make a prediction about who’s going to win a sports event or do something else in the future. I’ve also talked to people who’ve endured horrible tragedies. Most all have stated that it’s best we don’t know what the future holds – and I wholeheartedly agree! There are just some things we can’t prepare for even if we know about them beforehand.

            However, there are several things we do know await each of us. Jesus is coming again (Acts 1:9-11). All of us are assured of death unless Christ comes while we’re still alive (Hebrews 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). There will be a resurrection of the dead when Christ returns – some to eternal life and some to eternal condemnation (John 5:25-29). Many passages warn us of the judgment to come (Hebrews 9:27; Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; and Matthew 25:31-46). No one will escape the final judgment (Romans 14:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10). There are only two possible destinations for eternity – one for the saved and one for the condemned (Mark 16:16). Each of us is making a choice each moment of our lives as to where we will spend eternity. When we consider the horrors of hell and the place God has prepared for the devil and his angels, all of us should be like the apostle Paul – continually trying to persuade men to choose Christ as their Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:41; 2 Corinthians 5:11).

            Our Creator is a loving God, but He is also a righteous God – demanding justice: For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:30-31; NKJV).

Justin Morton

This week my family and I are back in Knoxville for a prior commitment. For the last 11 years, I have had the privilege of directing the last week of Teenage Christian Camp in Knoxville. I love church camp and always enjoy spending the week with amazing young people and staff members who want to learn and grow in their walks with God.

We certainly miss being with you all but look forward to spending the weekend with you at our Gospel Meeting! Make sure you’ve marked your calendars for this coming Friday, July 22^nd – Sunday, July 24^th as our brother Brad Harrub comes to speak with us. He will be covering a wide variety of topics over these three days. Please make plans to be here for these lessons, and be sure to invite some friends and neighbors to join you.

In the Gospel of John we see Andrew issue his own invitation. After spending some time with Jesus and realizing who He is, Andrew goes and finds his brother and tells him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41-42). Andrew had learned enough about Jesus that he wanted to share this discovery with his brother, so he went and brought him to Jesus. Here’s what’s interesting about this: the brother he brought to Jesus was a man by the name of Simon, better known as Peter.

Inviting someone to hear the Gospel of Jesus proclaimed may not seem like that big of a deal. However, you never know what a simple invitation will do. You just might invite someone whose life will be transformed and who will go on to do great things in service to God.

It has been a busy summer at Walter Hill and it is not over yet.  Walter Hill has hosted MYM for the teens, VBS was a great event, youth camp at Mt. Joy was a success, and a Walter Hill group has just returned from a mission trip to Honduras.

Still to come is our gospel meeting with Brad Harrub beginning Friday, July 22, going through Sunday, July 24.  Please be making plans to be at Walter Hill those three days.

Bible classes are in full swing for the summer and if you are not currently attending a Bible class on Sunday evening or Wednesday evening, this is a great time to get in that habit.

Justin is getting settled in and is delivering great messages from God’s Word.  With Justin, Paul, Chris, Janice, and Steve, we are indeed blessed with a wonderful group of ministers and support staff.

The Old Testament man, Job, when all was going well for him, praised and worshipped God.  When Satan took his children and his farm and afflicted him with sores all over his body, Job praised and worshipped God.

For the most part, we have been richly blessed with the things of this life.  We have housing, clothing, and food to eat.  We occasionally sing a song, called, “Count Your Blessings”.  A line in the chorus is “Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”

I hope we are all taking time to count our blessings, even when life does not seem to be going too well.  Regardless of our status in life, whether rich or less fortunate, in good health or poor health, we have much reason to be thankful to God who provides all good things in our lives.  May God be praised!

Summer is in full swing, and the roads are full of families traveling to their favorite destinations. The months of planning for that long-anticipated vacation have finally arrived. There is no doubt about it, summer is a wonderful time for families. We are able to make many memories and share countless moments that will last a lifetime.  

As our summer months fill up with travel, I would like to remind all of us of one thing that should always be a constant on our calendars. No matter how busy we get or where we are traveling, let’s be sure to make the Lord and His church our top priority. The Hebrew writer said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

Sadly, too many people allow the Lord and His church to be placed on the back burner during this time of year. They become so focused on their activities and vacations that they choose to skip meeting together on the Lord’s Day to worship with the saints. Let’s show our children what’s most important to us. Friends, it doesn’t matter the season, Jesus and His church should always be our top priority (Matt. 6:33).

The summer is a wonderful time of year. So many good things take place, memories we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. However, as we travel during this busy season, may we never forget our love, loyalty and commitment to Jesus. Gathering with believers in other cities can be a great blessing and encouragement. Let’s not vacation from the Lord and His church.

            Fifty years ago, if you’d said to me, “Let’s do lunch,” I’d have asked you what you meant. Today I would respond, “Let me know when.” We have attached a new meaning to the action verb “do” and we understand it. Interestingly, the Bible tells us many things to do – actions to take – and many act as if the meaning has changed although it hasn’t. Bible commands under the New Testament are as valid today as when they were set forth in the first century. For example, the actions of believing and being baptized are still conditions for salvation (Mark 16:16).

            We know we are saved by God’s grace through faith – and “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But don’t omit the next verse: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Titus 3:1-8 affirm that those who have been saved by God’s grace should be careful to maintain good works.) We must be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22)!

            What are these good works that we were created anew to do? Jesus gave a good list in the judgment scene recorded in Matthew 25:31-46 – providing for the needs of our fellowman. He adds another good work to the list in the next chapter with the woman anointing His head with oil (Matthew 26:6-13). We might conclude that giving glory to the Son of God or worship is a good work – and it is something we’re commanded to do!

            “Good works” surely encompasses anything our Lord commands or expects us to do as His redeemed. And it surely includes our treatment of one another (James 2:14-17). May we always do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12). But, more importantly, may we do like the wise man and do what Jesus taught (Matthew 7:24-27)!

A Walter Hill Welcome

As our family has been transitioning to Murfreesboro over the last few weeks, Paul’s commendation to the churches at Galatia has been on my mind. He said, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).

The members of Walter Hill have not grown weary of doing good. Many of you have taken opportunities to live this verse out, going above and beyond in demonstrating the principles Paul outlines. Despite the difficulties that come with any move, you have made our family feel so welcome and at home. To those who have opened up their home to us and those who have taken us out for a meal, thank you. To those who have sent cards of welcome, messages of encouragement and offers to help with our boys or our housing, thank you. To the individual or family who anonymously paid for our lunch a couple weeks ago, thank you. To each of you who have repeated your names for us (please keep doing that!) and reminded us of what you do or how you are related, thank you.

I want you to know how grateful the Morton family is for our Walter Hill Welcome! You all have helped to make this transition as smooth as it can be. We look forward to working with all of you for the glory of God.