Union Grove of Whitehall

05/28/2026

02/05/2026

Ladies, Plan on spending Saturday, March 7 at our Ladies Retreat. It's a perfect time to bring a friend and hear how to bring God's Peace into your life. There is no charge. Breakfast and Lunch are provided. We are currently taking reservations.

01/05/2026

John 14
27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
This chapter of scripture begins with Jesus telling us, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Near the end, He tells us precisely the same thing: “Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” Why all this talk about troubled hearts? The human heart is an odd thing. We can be going along peacefully, minding our own business, and then a strange thought or impression can come over us, reducing us to fear. If we’re not worried about something that might happen, we begin worrying about something that might not happen the way we want it to happen. Many of us are what is called a “worry wart.” Jesus tells us these things because, as humans, we have a built-in propensity to worry.
Years ago, my wife and I used to watch a television preacher as we dressed to go to church. I specifically remember hearing him say that worry has no place in the heart of a believer. Most of what we worry about happening never really happens. He said, “If you can change your circumstances, then work to do so. But if you cannot, then stop worrying about it and leave it to God to work out.” This was great advice. In college, I used to worry about an upcoming test. I learned that the best way not worry about it was to get down at my desk and master the material. When I first began speaking to groups, I would worry about not choosing the right subject or not having the right thing to say about it. I learned that preparing a good teaching is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Whatever you’re doing, stop worrying and give your task your best effort, and leave the rest up to God. I told my kids, “Work as it all depends on you, all the while knowing it really all depends on God.” He blesses our efforts.
I recently bought e-bikes for my bride and me. There are many different kinds of these bikes, but most do absolutely nothing on their own. You must exert some pressure on the pedals for the electric motor to engage and provide assistance. The Holy Spirit similarly empowers our lives. Think things through and choose the course that you desire to take. Make absolutely sure that it’s the direction in which God desires for you to travel. You might have to spend a good deal of time in prayer and reading God’s word to set out in the right direction. But, once you’ve decided on a course, START PEDALING. As you make your efforts, the power and wind of the Holy Spirit will come along behind you and give you the extra boost you need to get up those hills and navigate your way through rocky roads you can’t do on your own. If you do this, you will find your heart is less troubled. Reader, Jesus will give you a peace unlike the peace the world offers. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” That’s excellent advice. Now take it! Faber McMullen, Contributing Author to the House Visual Study Bible (c) 2026

12/29/2025

Matthew 11

WHAT IS HIS YOKE?
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
These are some of the sweetest words spoken by Jesus. There is relief promised to those among us who experience hardship and suffering. It seems that at any given time, 80% of people are going through some terrible trial, or have a friend or loved one who is going through a difficult circumstance. The other 20 percent just haven’t gotten that phone call or diagnosis that will change their lives. Jesus promises relief. Before I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, I felt the numbers were the exact opposite. It seemed like everybody was doing alright, but twenty percent were going through terrible trials. Most of us are in great need of relief as we face a terrific challenge. Jesus promises that there is a way to “find rest for our souls.” It has to do with somehow taking on His yoke.
So, what is this business about taking His yoke upon us? Years ago, I met an Irishman in the county courthouse where I live. He was looking to buy land. He and a friend eventually bought a horse farm right near where I live. He was a world-renowned horse trainer and driver. When he offered to teach me to drive a horse, I jumped at the chance. I had always had a latent desire to learn this skill. Much to my surprise, he started my lessons with a pair of horses. I thought that seemed strange because surely it would be easier to drive one than two. He explained that, in fact, it was the other way around. When you drive a pair, as long as one of them is a well-seasoned, trained animal, things get much easier. The trained horse is there ensuring that the lesser-trained animal stays steady, helpful, and calm. Jesus is like that stronger, trained horse in our lives when we find ourselves in the midst of troubles.
Likewise, when driving two horses or two oxen, there is always one in the pair that does most of the pulling. The other one gets pulled along with the stronger unless the driver is tending a whip and pushing the “weaker (or lazier)” one on. Jesus is the one who is trained in the yoke that does the heavy pulling. He tells us to get into harness with Him and to learn from Him. When we bear these burdens alone, they are too heavy. But, if we put ourselves in harness and in the yoke with Him, our burdens become easier, and it is much lighter than it could ever be pulling it on our own. Are you trying to carry things all by yourself? If so, cry out for Jesus. Get in the harness with Him and try to do your part, all the while knowing that He is there pulling, guiding, and bearing that which you can’t bear alone. Do this, and He promises, “I will give you rest.” by Faber McMullen, Contributing Author to the House Visual Study Bible (c) 2025

12/14/2025

Can my people answer these questions?https://youtube.com/shorts/wp8h22roOdk?si=47B7RnDzcGukVXw5

12/13/2025

He was a spiritual ancestor of modern-day Baptists.

Jan Hus was burned at the stake in 1415 for preaching that:
• The Bible is the final authority (not popes or councils)
• Salvation is by grace through faith alone (not indulgences or works)
• All believers are priests (no need for a special clerical class to mediate)
Before dying he said:
“You are now burning a goose [“Hus” means goose in Czech], but in 100 years God will raise up a swan you will not be able to burn or silence.”
Exactly 102 years later (1517), Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation with the same core teachings.
Hus’s prophecy showed God was not finished correcting errors and restoring biblical truth.
The movement that began with his death exploded a century later and changed Christianity forever.

12/12/2025

“Modern man, having rejected God, finds himself in an absurd position: he believes he is nothing but the product of chance, yet he demands meaning, value, and purpose in a meaningless universe.” Francis Schaeffer