By: Mike Riley

Almost everything this writer possesses is old (including myself): an old car (11 years), old clothes (5-10 years), old appliances (10-20 years), old furniture (10-20 years), old television (18 years), old computer (7 years), and old dog (15 years).

However, when we are “in Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27), “everything is made new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV).

 When we are “in Christ,” old values are rejected, old standards are repudiated, and old lusts are crucified (Romans 6:6; cf. Gal. 2:20). “In Christ” is where “all spiritual blessings” reside (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).

“Out of Christ,“ there is nothing but death (Romans 6:23), remorse (Luke 23:39-41), hopelessness (2 Corinthians 7:10 AMP; 1 Thessalonians 4:13), and condemnation (Luke 23:40).

 Dear reader, do you want something in life that is permanently “new?“ Do you want a “new” life? You can have that “new” life if you are “in Christ.”

How do we get “into Christ?“ There’s only one way to get “into Christ,” and that is to be baptized “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27). We are baptized “into Christ” when we are baptized “into His death” (Romans 6:3).

When we are raised from the watery grave of baptism, we begin our Christian Walk “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). We become a “new creation” where “everything is made new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV).

Please consider the above statements, considering the inspired Scriptures (Acts 17:11), and then take action to acquire this “new” life.

Acts: 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so”.

English Standard Version. ESV®

Mike Riley

During the holiday season, many people are depressed and despondent over many things that have either happened in their past or over things that are presently happening to them. Unfortunately, many Christians find themselves in the same boat.

In Psychology Today, Ray B. Williams, Co-Founder of Success IQ University and President of Ray Williams Associates, Inc., offers some practical suggestions on how to deal with depression during this time of year.

Additionally, what can we do as Christians to help alleviate any mental stress or depression that we might have during this time of year?

We can:

 “Cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

“Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Repeat to ourselves, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Remember that the Lord will never leave or forsake us (Genesis 28:15; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

 Remember that the Lord will provide our every “need” (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:19; cf. Psalm 23:1).

Remember that God “cares” for each one of us (1 Peter 5:7).

Prioritize each day, taking one day at a time, for we’re not assured of tomorrow (Matthew 6:33-34; James 4:13-15; cf. Proverbs 27:1).

 Set our mind on “things above” (things spiritual) – not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

Keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the Author, and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Get involved in helping others in need (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35; cf. 1 John 3:17-18).

By making application of the above suggestions, we can rise above any thoughts of depression or anxiety that we might have and look forward to a rewarding and productive New Year.

Mike Riley

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.

He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.”

The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not a great artist, but your son would have wanted you to have this. The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at how the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.” The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works of art he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.

“We will start the bidding with the picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was complete silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?” Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came back from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”

A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now let’s get on with the collection!” The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took “the son” gets everything!”

Brethren and friends, God gave His son almost 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (Romans 5:5-11). Much like the auctioneer, His message today is the same as it was when His Son died, “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the “Son” gets everything (John 3:16-17).

By: Kevin Cauley

Winter is coming soon, and with it, colder temperatures. Several years ago, we had a cold winter that got down to less than zero degrees Fahrenheit. Science tells us that the coldest temperature possible is absolute zero, equivalent to negative 459 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, atomic motion virtually stops. You might say that it is as frozen as it will get. Thinking about such things reminds me of several things that we ought to avoid as Christians.

The covetous person is a cold, cold person. The man who has his wealth yet refuses to use that wealth for the benefit of other than his own personal interests is, for all intents and purposes, at absolute zero. His pocketbook is frozen because it’s stuck to the ice chunk he calls a heart. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness….”

 The stubborn person is a cold, cold person. Here is a man who knows what is right and how to do right yet refuses to do it. Regarding doing that which is right, he is at absolute zero, frozen, stuck in that which is wrong.

Second Chronicles 30:8 states: “Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD….”

Finally, the selfish person is a cold, cold person. Here is one who never has time or concern for anyone else. Regarding others, he is at absolute zero. Phil.2:4 states, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Where does our heart stand? Are we at absolute zero because we are covetous, stubborn, or selfish? I hope not. Instead, we need to be pliable and plastic so that the Lord may mold and shape us to His will. You can’t bend something that is at absolute zero, only break it.

God bless you, and I love you.