Author: janicevance

by Justin Morton

Every day of our lives we are involved in many different things. Most of the time, we probably consider the majority of what we do to be rather small, at least in the grand scheme of life. We wake up, get ready, go to work or run our errands and involve ourselves in various other activities. Eventually we come home, spend time with our family and read or watch TV before we wind down and go to bed. We do all this only to get up and do it all over the very next day, Lord willing.

In 2 Kings 5, we read about Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army. This man had a pretty serious problem; he was a leper. Leprosy involved various forms of skin disease, with the worst kind of leprosy bringing about an unwanted life and fate. We can only imagine the thoughts and fears Naaman must have felt. Perhaps with very little hope, he woke up day after day to the reality of his life. Until one day, everything changed.

A little girl, who was captured from Israel during one of the Syrian raids, told her master, Naaman’s wife, about a prophet in Israel who could cure his leprosy if only Naaman were with him. Eventually, Naaman found himself at the door of Elisha’s house where he was told what he needed to do in order to be cured of his leprosy (2 Kgs. 5:9-10). Although he wanted to ignore Elisha’s words at first (2 Kgs. 5:11-12), he eventually followed through by dipping in the river Jordan seven times. His flesh became like that of a little child (2 Kings 5:13-14).

Naaman’s health and life were restored all because a little girl did something rather minor. She simply shared what she knew about the prophet of God. While she may have considered her actions to be small, what the servant girl did was actually really big. She shared certain news that saved Naaman’s life.

It’s easy for us to consider the things we do throughout our day as minor or of very little importance. Yet those very small things can sometimes make a huge difference. As we go about our daily lives, may we look for those seemingly small windows of opportunity where we can say a good word for Jesus. You never know, those small actions might end up making a really big difference eternally.

The first day of Fall is Saturday, September 23.  It’s hard to believe the Summer is almost over and before long we will feel the crisp air of Autumn and will be able to enjoy all the things associated with the season.   Football, firepits, hayrides, and holidays are things that come to mind.   My hope is that you will take the opportunity to enjoy the season.  Often, we get so wrapped up in our “busyness”, that we miss the opportunities and blessings that God has given us.

The Fall is also a great time to fellowship with each other.   Today, we have several that are at the Fall Camping Trip, and several of our ladies are at the Transform Ladies’ Conference.   Our annual Gospel Singing is November 10^th, so please make plans to attend that evening.   It is always a special blessing to spend an evening with brothers and sisters in singing praise to God.   The Fall season is full of youth events as well, so please keep a close watch on the bulletin and News and Notes to stay updated on activities.

The Fall also reminds us of the Harvest.   Jesus says in Luke 10:2  “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV).    As we look forward to the change in seasons, let’s remember that our mission is to make disciples.   We are all commanded to be laborers in the Lord’s harvest and bring the Gospel of Christ to those that are lost.  

by Justin Morton

Growing up, my friends and I would sometimes play the “What if?” game. Maybe you’ve played this before with friends or family. During the “What if?” game you ask each other different questions about how you would react or choose or respond if you were in various situations. Playing “What if?” was always fun because some of the questions we asked were very intriguing.

One of the most interesting questions I was ever asked was, “What if today were your last day to live; how would you spend your time?” That question made me stop and think for a moment before I gave my answer. Perhaps like some of you, I answered with, “I would spend the whole day with my loved ones doing our favorite things together.”

Looking back, this was not a bad answer. In fact, I would probably say something similar now. But here’s what I want you to consider for just a moment. Why does it take a silly kids’ game to make us stop and think about how we would spend our time if we knew it was limited?

Honestly it shouldn’t take a game question to make us reflect on this idea. We clearly know at some point our life on earth will end. Death is an appointment we must keep (Heb. 9:27). James even tells us our life is but a mist that only appears for a little time (Jam. 4:14). That’s why it is so important we make the best use of our time every day for things that really matter (Eph. 5:16).

Our congregation has experienced 3 funerals in the last 14 days. Friends, today could be our last day to live, so we’d better make it count. Let’s not waste what little time we have on things that will not matter in the end. Instead let’s demonstrate our love for others in our lives. Let’s show our family, friends and neighbors how people who love Jesus really live. We will change our lives and theirs. I challenge you: live today, and every day as if it were your last day… because it just might be.

            There’s an interesting account in 1 Samuel 14 where Saul and his 600-man army in Gibeah are facing a more numerous Philistine army on the far side of a valley to the north. The Philistines have posted a lookout on a rocky crag named Bozez (“shining”). Jonathan decides to take action against the lookout post with his armorbearer – subject to the Lord’s approval. These two brave Israelites scaled the rocky cliff and slew twenty Philistines – throwing the entire Philistine contingent into a panic.

            When Saul heard all the noise from the Philistine camp, he directed his ephod-bearing priest Ahijah (Eli’s great-grandson) to bring the ark of God before them so the priest could seek the Lord’s guidance before it. (You may recall Eli’s sons foolishly took the ark into battle against the Philistines at Ebenezer where it was captured. Subsequently, Eli died upon receiving news of this great loss. See 1 Samuel 4:4-18.) The ark had been in safekeeping at Kirjath Jearim since its return by the Philistines and we would think the Israelites would have learned their lesson not to bring the ark near the battlefield.

            But what I want us to notice is in verse 19. In the middle of seeking the Lord’s guidance, Saul interrupts the priest (“Withdraw your hand from the ephod”) and decides to go into battle on his own. Yes, he had correctly assessed the panic of the Philistines and seized the opportunity to enter the battle fray – but shouldn’t he have waited to hear from the Lord? This seems like such an insignificant incident – especially since the Lord saved Israel that day anyway (verse 23). However, failure to completely follow the Lord is why Saul lost the kingdom to David (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

            Is it possible for us to do the same thing as Saul and fail to wait for God’s answers to our prayers? Is it possible for us to assess the noises of the world and lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)? I know we live in a fast-paced world and want immediate answers to everything, but sometimes we need to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Unlike Saul, we need to be patient and give God time to answer!  

by Justin Morton

This weekend my family and I are in Pigeon Forge for the annual Polishing the Pulpit (PTP) conference. If you are unfamiliar with PTP, it’s an event held every August in east Tennessee by members of the Lord’s church. Over the course of the week, around 5,000 other Christians will gather for Bible classes on various topics, Bible studies and worship. Our family really enjoys attending PTP and believe it is one of the best events available each year to members of the Lord’s body.

The apostle Paul, in writing to the Christians in Rome, said, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). According to this passage, our faith is developed by us hearing the word of God.

As disciples of Jesus, we need to be open to listening and hearing what He has to say to us through His word. You and I are very blessed and privileged. We have so many different means of “hearing” the Word of Christ on a daily basis. We can hear the Word while in our Bible classes, during sermons that are preached, while riding down the road in our cars or exercising at the gym. We can hear the Word while waiting for appointments or during events like PTP and Gospel meetings.

Friends, the more we listen to, read and study from the Word, the more our faith will develop and grow. We have plenty of access to the Word. The question is, “Are you taking advantage of hearing the Word of God and growing your faith?”

Today will be the last day of our Gospel Meeting with our Brother Willie Franklin.  What a blessing it has been to hear him preach God’s word.  Hopefully, the sermons he has brought us Friday evening and Saturday evening have been encouraging and thought provoking for each of us.  We look forward to the sermons he has prepared for us today and worshiping together with him.  We wish him safe travels as he returns to his home.  Hopefully, the seeds he has sown among us will produce much fruit for the Lord’s Church here at Walter Hill. 

What does “Gospel Meeting” really mean?  Years ago, and still today, some religious organizations call them “Revivals”. 

One definition or purpose of a gospel meeting I found was “to give those who live in our area a special opportunity to hear the original gospel of Christ proclaimed by an able preacher of the gospel”.  We are fortunate to live where we can hear the Gospel preached by so many able preachers not only during gospel meetings but each Lord’s Day.  There are many people around the world where this isn’t possible.  We should be expressing our gratitude to God for this luxury every day.   We are blessed here at Walter Hill with men such as Justin, Paul and Chris who love God and love to preach His word.  Please continue to pray for these men and let them know how much you appreciate them and their work as Gospel Preachers. 

by Justin Morton

Do you perceive Walter Hill to be a friendly congregation? I have no doubts most all of us would affirm Walter Hill to be a welcoming church, however, how would our first-time visitors answer that question? The truth is most churches perceive themselves to be friendly because the members are friendly to one another. But visitors might not feel the same way. Paul told the church at Rome to pursue hospitality (Romans 12:13). While we all understand the value of hospitality, many congregations of the Lord’s people are not as warm and welcoming as they perceive themselves to be.

I am currently reading a book by Thom Rainer called Becoming a Welcoming Church. In this book, Rainer points out that most church members never look at their facilities, parking, seating or friendliness through the perspective of a visitor. Over time members have forgotten what it’s like to be a first time guest because they have established relationships and routine—these are definitely important factors for our members! But what about our guests?

Each week we are having more visitors attend Walter Hill. Let’s consider a few ideas that might help to make our guests feel welcome at Walter Hill (Matthew 7:12):

1.  Introduce yourself to someone if you do not recognize him or her. Smile and say hello!

2.  Ask guests to sit with you, so they are not sitting alone.

3.  Scoot to the middle of the row, so there are open seats on the end.

4.  Move closer to the front of the auditorium so visitors are not the ones who have to walk up front for a seat.

 5.  Park on the back side of the building to allow visitors the closer parking spots.

Let’s all make sure our current visitors feel that same welcome we felt when we first came to Walter Hill.

Recognizing our Intern

Youth ministry is something I love dearly.  This summer has been especially rewarding, as Walter Hill has had our first full-time intern. Donavon Hamlett has served our young people and our youth ministry well. In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells the Philippians to think on whatever is excellent, commendable, and worthy of praise. This summer and the work Donavon has done certainly fits this type of thinking.

Donavon’s been such an asset to our ministry, and I hope we have been an asset to him as well. His job as youth intern is to learn as much as possible about youth ministry, while also developing relationships with the students, setting an example for them to follow, and mentoring them in their faith, through teaching and event planning.

I believe Donavon has learned a lot about youth ministry, gaining a lot of valuable experience. Essentially, anything we have planned Donavon has been a part of it, from finalizing this year’s camp schedule, to planning next year’s camp, to evaluating and publishing our fall schedule. Donavon has played a huge part in 2 major projects this summer. He has put together an updated youth song book, which includes the sheet music. He has also been instrumental in getting our Walter Hill Youth app up and running. We are very excited to have this new way of sharing important information!

Donavon has also been teaching throughout the summer.  He taught on creation and the fall during VBS. Then he taught 1 and 2 Peter throughout the summer on Sunday nights. Donavon has done a great job teaching our teens the Word of God, and as the summer has progressed, he’s grown a lot as a teacher. I know the teens have greatly appreciated Donavon’s service. Some have even considered one day serving in a similar capacity. We all should be proud and thankful for Donavon.

 Many people are given nicknames because of their physical appearance (“Red” from their red hair) or something they did (e.g., “Wrong Way Corrigan”) or their birth status (“Junior”). Perhaps you remember an apostle who had a good nickname and then was given an unflattering moniker. Three times John’s gospel refers to Thomas the Twin (or Didymus which is a transliteration of the Greek word for “twin”). See John 11:16; 20:24; and John 21:2.

 In reality, Thomas could have been given a different nickname in John 11:16 when he suggested they go with Jesus to Bethany and die with Him. Surely his courage was noticeable to his fellow disciples and “Daring Thomas” would have been a suitable nickname.

 But the nickname this apostle has been stuck with is “Doubting Thomas” – a phrase that is often applied to anyone who refuses to believe without direct personal experience. When Jesus appeared to His disciples at evening on the day of His resurrection, Thomas was not there (John 20:24). When the other disciples told Thomas of the Lord’s appearance, he doubted the event and refused to believe unless he could actually see and physically touch the nail prints in His hands and the place where the spear pierced His side. One brief statement by this apostle earned him an uncomplimentary nickname!

A week later, when Jesus again appeared to His disciples on the first day of the week, Thomas was flabbergasted when he saw Jesus. As Jesus offered Thomas physical proof of His resurrection, Thomas made a wonderful acknowledgment of His Savior when he said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)! Thomas, perhaps more than the other disciples, recognized the oneness of the Father and Son. Yet that could not undo the mistake of the previous week.

Is it possible we have earned a nickname related to our faith? How will we be remembered? Will it be for one mistake or for our total contribution to the kingdom? We all need reminding of the children’s song – Be careful little feet where you go…etc.!

by Justin Morton

Our lives are filled with a lot of chaos and noise. So many different things in our world are vying for our attention. With every new day, more and more voices are screaming for Christians to conform to the evils of the world. If we are not careful, we can allow those voices to drown out the voice of our chief shepherd (I Pet. 5:4).

Just imagine if your child or grandchild was standing in the back of the auditorium, and you were standing in the front. As long as it was just you and the child in the auditorium, you would easily hear his or her voice calling for you. However, imagine trying to hear your child’s voice if the auditorium was full of talking people. Due to the many voices in the room, your child’s words would be drowned out. You would not hear them clearly because of all the other voices competing for your attention. 

As disciples of Christ, we must be careful not to allow all the “other voices” in our world to drown out the most important voice of all. These other voices want to saturate our mind with false truths and messages that go against God’s will for our lives. They believe if they speak loudly enough, it will drown out the truths of God’s Word in our lives.

Friends, we must be on guard and not allow the voices of others to drown out the voice of God. No matter what other voices may say, God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17) and it’s that truth that will set us free (Jn. 8:32). May you and I listen closely and not allow the voices of others to drown out the voice of God.