Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

May 18, 2025

 

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14, ESV)

The song says, "I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, Lord plant my feet on higher ground." Christian living is an upward journey—not in the sense of a daily uphill climb, but in the pursuit of living above the crowd and striving for something greater than the ordinary.

It is incredibly easy to get swept up in negativity. How often do we hear sincere words of encouragement compared to the constant stream of complaints? We seldom recognize people for the good they do, yet grievances seem to dominate our conversations. Complaining has almost become a national pastime— we gripe about the way the country is run. We lament political decisions and criticize leadership at every level. While there is certainly a place for constructive discussion, unchecked negativity can become a habit that pulls us down, making it harder to see the good in the world.

As Christians, we are called to rise above such attitudes. This does not mean ignoring reality, failing to discern right from wrong, or settling for mediocrity. It means taking meaningful action to uplift rather than tear down. Instead of dwelling in cynicism, we must work toward solutions. When we see a need or an opportunity to improve a situation, we should be willing to step in and gently bring things to a higher level. Living above the crowd means striving to see the world through a different lens—one of faith, hope, and love.

But how do we accomplish this? It begins with engagement—true, personal involvement in the life and work of the church. There are countless ways to contribute, whether big or small. We can greet others warmly at the doors before and after service, teach a Bible class, help prepare for a potluck, decorate a classroom, participate in a church workday, visit a friend, uplift and encourage the youth, pray for the sick, and ask someone, “how can I help.” Each of these acts, however simple, reflects the spirit of service and brings us closer to the example Christ set for us. Every year, the church holds numerous events, but they don’t organize themselves—someone has to step forward. Instead of letting things happen passively, we can actively shape them into meaningful experiences. If we want a successful church picnic, we can plan for it and show up wholeheartedly. If we wish to touch lives in our community, we must step beyond the church walls and engage with others intentionally. The possibilities are endless, but they require commitment and action.

Ultimately, life is filled with opportunities—some are challenges that test us, and others are invitations to grow. But the choice is ours: will we see life as a series of discouragements, or will we embrace each moment as a chance to rise higher? Let us choose to press onward, seeking new heights every day, and pray as we go that God will plant our feet on higher ground.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV)

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

2020 Mission Trip to Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Day 1 & 2 | 10/12/20 | 10/13/20 | 10/14/20 10/16/20 | 10/17/20 | 10/18/20 | 10/18/20 10/19/20 | 10/20/20| 10/21/20 | 10/23/20  | 10/25/20 | Summary Report

 

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Just a Nickel

 

Candy manufacturer Clarence Crane wanted a “summer candy” that could withstand heat better than chocolate. So, he came up with what was called the “Life Saver” due to its shape resembling that of a traditional ring-style life preserver.

But he did not have much luck selling it. So he sold the rights to Edward John Noble for $2,900. Noble tweaked the packaging but what really made the candy take off was his marketing approach. Noble would install Life Savers displays next to the cash registers. He’d encouraged the owners to always give customers a nickel in their change. With the slogan “Still only 5 cents” staring at them there and a nickel in their hand customers couldn’t resist.

It’s hard to resist the easy.

That is what Satan does. He makes sin easy. It’s just “fill in the blank”. It is only a little lie. It is just a bit of immorality. It won’t be but a second. And many can’t resist.

That is why we need to make it easy to do right. Set ourselves up to do the things we want to do. If I want to read my Bible every day, set it in a place where I’ll be and see it. If I want to not miss church, I need to clear away anything else in my schedule before it can draw me away.

Paul wrote to the Romans in chapter 16:19 “…I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” Let us remember that with Satan it is never only that and with us, we are being smart in making sure we are doing what is good.

—Barry Haynes
Hope Church of Christ
Hope, AR