NEXT MEETING
November 24 Fellowship Meal 7 p.m. (EST)
8 p.m. (EST) Worship Service
New Life Christian Church
407 E. Central Ave. Bradfordsville, KY 40009
Our Speaker: The Diggles Family (Lexington)

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Jamestown Christian for hosting our September meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to David Smith for being our speaker. There were 63 men present from 18 congregations.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NONIMEES
Director, Wally Devore-Glenview Christian

2026 SCHEDULE
January 26 –
February 23 – Columbia Christian
March 23 –
April 27 –
May 25 –
June 22 –
July 27 – Rolling Fork Christian
August 24 –
September 28 –
October 26 – Egypt Christian
November 23 –

If your congregation has a favorite month to host MFC meetings, please reach out to our Secretary, Mike Vaught at mcv1788@gmail.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Why do you think God desires for us to live a life of Gratitude? Do you think it’s just because He wishes to hear “Thank You” from us? Or could it be much deeper than that? Even the secular world acknowledges the power that gratitude has in one’s life. Just go to a bookstore and see how many books are available on positive thinking. Studies have proven that grateful people are more positive, mentally healthy, and emotionally balanced.

What's the Power of Gratitude?
Gratitude anchors us in the here and now. All too often we look back and find ourselves saying “back then was so good, man we really didn’t know how good we had it.” But does God want us living in the past OR the NOW? According to Ecclesiastes 7:10 “Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.”
On the flip side of that how often are we living for tomorrow rather than today? How often do you find yourself saying things like “When all this is over things will be better.” OR “Where will we go, what will we do, who will we see?” Paul reminds us to be thankful now, in all things. Not in some future happening. He says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude Re-orients Us Spiritually.
Think about the Garden of Eden. Think of all that Adam and Eve had there. They had fellowship with God, meaningful work to do, and bountiful harvests. But Satan was also there. And when we lose our focus on the good things in our lives, the here and now things, that we need to be grateful for then Satan is right there to step in and move our focus from Christ to the things of this world. A lack of gratitude will allow you to be deceived. Heed James 1:16-17 “Do not be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Gratitude Imparts Peace.
Gratitude reminds us that we don’t need just one more thing in order to be thankful. Simply by recognizing God’s presence in our lives we are given a peace beyond all understanding. As said in Philippians 4:6-7“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude Fosters Contentment.
Through contentment we are guarded against envy. As said in 1 Timothy 6:6-8“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Gratitude helps us realize we have been given so much more than we could ever deserve. Not just in material possessions, but in the free gift of eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Gratitude Builds Our Faith
Reminding ourselves that God is faithful 100% of the time helps us to face any difficulties that come our way. That’s why God commanded in Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Giving thanks to God for all he has done and will do in our lives only helps to strengthen our faith in Him. Being thankful keeps our minds and hearts on how wonderful He is to us and how very much He loves us.

Gratitude Invites Joy.
How can we have true joy in our lives? Not only by having an attitude of gratitude, but by actually practicing acts of gratitude. So, tell people when they bless you, talk about your blessings with others, and most importantly pause to pray and name God’s blessings in your life. Be like the exiles on their way to the Promised Land. Even before they arrived, they were filled with joy and gratitude. God’s Word tells us in Psalm 126:1-3 “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Gratitude is Our Testimony.
Perhaps the most important thing we can say about gratitude is that it glorifies God. Therefore, the best way we can bring glory to our Creator is simply to give Him thanks. Thanking Him at all times, in all circumstances, for all His blessings and to all who will listen. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:15 “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

IN SUMMARY:
I ask again, “Why do you think God desires for us to live a life of Gratitude?” I believe living a life of gratitude glorifies God in a way that even our words cannot. When others see us being grateful and having joy in our lives, no matter our circumstances, they get a true representation of a real relationship with Christ. They get to see how walking with the Lord changes one’s life.
So, as this holiday season arrives and we sit around our Thanksgiving tables let’s strive to be truly grateful for all he has given us. Take a moment to fully reflect and open your hearts to offer a mind and heart full of absolute gratitude for His Love, His Grace and His Mercy.
Then let’s carry that into next month. While looking towards Christmas let’s be truly thankful that our God loves us so much that he sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, to that little town of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. All so that you and I may be forgiven of our sins and able to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
May each of you have a Grateful & Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas!!

NEXT MEETING
September 22, 2025 7 p.m. (EDT)
Jamestown Christian Church
65 S Main Jamestown, KY 42629
Speaker: David Smith

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Science Hill Christian for hosting our August meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Darrell Cone for being our speaker. There were 72 men present from 22 congregations.

CURRENT 2025 SCHEDULE
October 27—Burkesville Christian
November 24—New Life Christian-Bradfordsville

ANNOUNCEMENT
Please make note of our new website. The Builder will also be published here each month https://kymenforchrist.org.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
Please pray for all the families affected by the school shootings in Minneapolis and Colorado. Let’s also remember the Charlie Kirk family, who lost their husband, father, and son this month. Continue to pray for our country to prevail against all this senseless violence.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Keeping our faith during such violent times can be hard, but we are called to be a people of Hope, Joy and Fearlessness. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

IN SUMMARY:
I pray we don’t allow satan to hinder us in continuing to fight the good fight. That we remain steadfast in making Christ known to a lost and suffering world; so that together we may stand against such evil attacks. May we be a living example of how we do NOT have to live in fear but through Christ, we find Hope in the knowledge that the battle has already been won!