NEXT MEETING
September 28, 2026
7 p.m. (EST)
Freedom Christian Church
123 Freedom Church Rd. Jamestown KY 42629
SPEAKER: Doug Piatt, Exec. Pastor at Jessamine Christian in Nicholasville

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Mt. Moriah Christian Church for hosting our August meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Darrell Cone for being our speaker. There were 68 men present from 20 congregations.

HOSTS NEEDED
2027 is fast approaching! If your congregation has a favorite month to host MFC meetings, please reach out to our Secretary, Mike Vaught at mcv1788@gmail.com. Never too soon to get your month booked!

2026 SCHEDULE
October 26 - Egypt Christian Church
Nov. 23 – Burkesville First Christian

NEWSLETTER OPTION
The Builder is also available each month on our website at https://kymenforchrist.org. You may also check the website for any weather alerts, notices or cancellations.

Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in only 52 Days. Typically we think of this as Nehemiah’s most worthwhile achievement. However, is it the only worthwhile lesson from his life to be learned?

NEHEMIAH PRAYED FIRST.
Nehemiah went straight to God. His actions demonstrate the importance of seeking God’s guidance before taking action (Nehemiah 1:4-11). In doing so, we learn that prayer is essential to aligning our hearts with God’s will.

Nehemiah 1:4
4 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

NEHEMIAH’S COMPASSION FUELED HIS ACTION.
Nehemiah”s compassion for his people drives him to take action. His empathy for their suffering reminds us that genuine compassion should lead us to act.

Nehemiah 1:5-6
5 Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

NEHEMIAH STRESSED ACCOUNTABILITY.
Nehemiah held himself and others accountable, ensuring that everyone remained focused.

Nehemiah 1:7-9
7 “We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

NEHEMIAH STRESSED GRATITUDE.
Nehemiah led the people in celebration of gratitude and worship after rebuilding the walls. Teaching them, and us, to acknowledge God’s hand in our successes and to celebrate with a thankful heart.

Nehemiah 1:10-11
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.–

IN SUMMARY
Going to God in prayer and seeking His guidance in all things should be our first step. Nehemiah and his example can encourage us to face our own challenges with determination and reliance on God. Knowing He is always only seeking what is best for each of us. May we all seek to obtain power through prayer, compassion to fuel action, boldness, perseverance, accountability and gratitude just as Nehemiah.

FAMOUS QUOTES:
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” – Martin Luther

“Past boldness is no assurance of future boldness. Boldness demands continual reliance on God’s spirit.” – Andy Stanley

NEXT MEETING
August 24, 2026
7 p.m. (EST)
Mt. Moriah Christian Church
8545 KY-1247 Stanford, KY 40484
SPEAKER: Darrell Cone, Retired Minister

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Rolling Fork Christian Church for hosting our July meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Jesse Martin for being our speaker. There were 69 men present from 21 congregations.

HOSTS NEEDED
2027 is fast approaching! If your congregation has a favorite month to host MFC meetings, please reach out to our Secretary, Mike Vaught at mcv1788@gmail.com. Never too soon to get your month booked!

2026 SCHEDULE
September 28 – Freedom Christian Church
October 26 - Egypt Christian Church
Nov. 23 – Burkesville Church of Christ

NEWSLETTER OPTION
The Builder is also available each month on our website at https://kymenforchrist.org. You may also check the website for any weather alerts, notices or cancellations.

As our students return to school let’s pray each of them recognize God’s Sovereignty over ALL so that they may give all fears and apprehensions to Him as they face new challenges. Pray instead they feel courage, peace and confidence in Him. And as adults, may we live lives that point to this very thing.

DO WE TRUST IN GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY?
The Bible emphasizes that God has a plan for each person, one that is designed for welfare, hope, and a future, not harm as spoken in Jeremiah 29:11.

Trusting in God means acknowledging that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

DO WE HAVE FAITH OVER UNDERSTANDING?
Do we understand the importance of surrendering personal control and relying on God’s guidance, even when circumstances aren’t always clear? Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us as believers to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”.

DO WE EXHIBIT COMMITMENT AND PATIENCE?
Psalm 37:5 encourages us to commit our way to the Lord and trust that He will act on our behalf. Trusting God often requires patience, as His timing and methods may differ from our expectations. The story of Joseph in Genesis illustrates this: despite betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, Joseph’s faith in God’s plan ultimately led to the salvation of his family.

DO WE EXHIBIT PEACE AMID UNCERTAINTY?
Fully trusting God’s plan brings inner peace and resilience. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches that by “presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving, we can experience His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds.” This reassures us that God is present and active in every situation.

IN SUMMARY
Trusting in God’s plan calls for faith, surrender, and reliance on His wisdom. It assures each of us that even in uncertainty, God’s purposes are for our ultimate good, providing hope, guidance, and peace throughout life’s challenges. By embracing this trust, we can navigate life with courage, patience, and confidence in God’s perfect plan.

FAMOUS QUOTES:
“When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.” – Charles Spurgeon

“The greatness of the man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” – William Booth

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Campbellsville Christian Church for hosting our June meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Terry Shelly for being our speaker. There were 71 men present from 19 congregations.

HOSTS NEEDED
2027 is fast approaching! If your congregation has a favorite month to host MFC meetings, please reach out to our Secretary, Mike Vaught at mcv1788@gmail.com. Never too soon to get your month booked!

2026 SCHEDULE
August 24 – Mt. Moriah Christian Church
September 28 – Freedom Christian Church
October 26 - Egypt Christian Church
Nov. 23 – Russell Cave Church of Christ

NEWSLETTER OPTION
The Builder is also available each month on our website at https://kymenforchrist.org. You may also check the website for any weather alerts, notices or cancellations.

A STORY OF TWO FREEDOMS
Imagine a man who has spent years in a prison cell. One day, the warden opens the door and says, “You’re free to go.” He steps outside, breathes the fresh air, and feels the sun on his face. But deep inside, he still feels chained — chained by guilt, fear, and shame.

On the Fourth of July, we celebrate a freedom that is political and national — the liberty to live without tyranny. But the Bible reminds us there is another freedom, deeper and eternal, that no government can give and no enemy can take away.

John 8:36
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

The Freedom We Celebrate as a Nation

Historical Freedom:
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, marking the birth of a nation built on liberty.

Cost of Freedom:
Brave men and women sacrificed their lives so we could worship freely, speak openly, and live without oppression.

Blessing of Freedom:
As Christians in America, we have the privilege to gather without fear — something many believers around the world cannot do.

The Freedom We Receive in Christ

Freedom from Sin: Romans 6:22
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Freedom from Fear: 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Freedom to Live for God: Mark 12:30-31
30 Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.

Living as Free People

Use Freedom Responsibly: Galatians 5:13
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Be a Light in the World: Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Stand Firm in Truth: 1 Corinthians 16:13
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

IN CLOSING
As July has us thinking about the freedoms we enjoy by living in this great country of ours, let us remember that true freedom is not just the absence of chains – it is the presence of Christ in our hearts. Political freedom may be lost in a moment, but the freedom Jesus gives lasts forever.

FAMOUS QUOTES:
“The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.” – Billy Graham

“Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.” – Martin Luther

“How can we hope to retain our freedom through the generations if we fail to teach our young that our liberty springs from an abiding faith in our Creator?“ – Jonathan Falwell

IN REMEMBRANCE
Please continue to remember the grieving families of Brother Terry L. White, former Minister of Columbia Christian, and Herbert David "Herbie" Goff, former Minister of New Life Christian in Bradfordville.

NEXT MEETING
June 22, 2026
7 p.m. (EST)
Campbellsville Christian Church
302 Lebanon Ave. Campbellsville, KY 42718
SPEAKER: Terry Shelly, Minister of Burkesville Christian Church

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to Moreland Christian Church for hosting our April meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Fred Mitchell for being our speaker. There were 73 men present from 19 congregations.

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

2026 SCHEDULE
July 27 - Rolling Fork Christian Church
August 24 – Mt. Moriah Christian Church
September 28 – Freedom Christian Church
October 26 - Egypt Christian Church
Nov. 23 – Russell Cave Church of Christ

NEWSLETTER OPTION
The Builder is also available each month on our website at https://kymenforchrist.org. You may also check the website for any weather alerts, notices or cancellations.

DO WE TRUST IN GOD’S PROVISION?
I imagine we could all try a little harder.

From the beginning God provided humanity’s needs.

Genesis 2:8-9
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In the wilderness He sustained the Israelites.

Exodus 16:4
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

Jesus assured that He would meet both physical and spiritual hunger.

John 6:35
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Paul declared Jesus promised provisions for all areas of our lives.

Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

FAMOUS QUOTES:
“God’s heart, not mine, is the measure of His giving; not my capacity to receive, but His capacity to give.” – C.H. Spurgeon

“The size of a challenge should never be measured by what we have to offer. It will never be enough. Furthermore, provision is God's responsibility, not ours. We are merely called to commit what we have - even if it's no more than a sack lunch.”
— Charles R. Swindoll

NEXT MEETING
May 18, 2026
7 p.m. (EST)
Moreland Christian Church
KY HWY 2141 Hustonville, KY 40437
SPEAKER: Fred Mitchell – Minister, Russell Cave

WORD OF APPRECIATION
Thank you to First Christian Church Elizabethtown for hosting our April meeting and a big ‘Thank You’ to Will Warren for being our speaker. There were 84 men present from 23 congregations.

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

2026 SCHEDULE
June 22 - Campbellsville Christian Church
July 27 - Rolling Fork Christian
August 24 - OPEN
September 28 – Freedom Christian
October 26 - Egypt Christian
November 23 – OPEN
December – DISMISSED

NEWSLETTER OPTION
The Builder is also available each month on our website at https://kymenforchrist.org. You may also check the website for any weather alerts, notices or cancellations.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment more than I? 26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Do you agree with Solomon?
King Solomon, considered to be the wisest and richest King, had every possession on this earth given to him or available to him; yet was able to put all those things in perspective. Are we able to do the same?

At this point in Solomon’s life, he would have been receiving the equivalent today of around 3 billion dollars per year in gold alone. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, along with numerous sons and daughters. By all accounts, there was no one more successful than Solomon then nor has ever been since. However, did you catch what he said in verse 26, “this is all vanity.”

Solomon had learned one of the most important lessons any of us could learn. The things of this world are all temporary, and thus the pleasure and comfort they bring us is also temporary. All that truly matters in this life is who do you serve? Is your treasure here or in Heaven?

So, I ask each of us today, who do we serve? Are we striving and toiling for the things of this world like money, houses, cars, and success which will all fade and be gone, or passed on to someone else? Or, are we content with where we are and what we have because we know we serve a God who provides all our needs?

Let’s heed Solomon’s warning and not get caught up in what the world calls success and happiness. Instead let’s look upon the One who clothes us, feeds us, takes care of us and be content with what He has provided so that we are not, as Solomon says, chasing the wind.

Remember what really matters. Christ and Christ Alone.