Happy New Year! Is it for you? I hope it is. Not just another year, ho hum… oh, well… oh, me.  Naw, c’mon! Let’s make it a dandy, ok! On purpose. Leaving nothing to chance, but being willing to receive the chance happenings as though they are only ours; only ours to enjoy or to endure. Let’s talk about this kind of things.

Remembering, as we go, the perfect admonitions of our Apostle Paul, found pronounced in Romans through Philemon, but filtered through the wisdom of God found throughout all 66 books of the King James Bible. 

(And if it be that till now you haven’t found the reason to use the KJB as your source for truth, consider following this suggestion for the next 25 times you look something up in Scripture: read first the KJB, then as many other versions as you possess, then once again, after you’ve read all the other versions, then re-read the KJB. I don’t care what passage or single verse you’ve looked up, do this; then tell me, which version did you easily understand in the context of those you read. I want to know because I want to compare with you, those versions and the KJB.)

So, in the wisdom of God, we find a foundational truth: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”- Prof.3:5,6. Notice: “he shall direct thy paths. He shall. Not maybe, not hopefully, not “if” anything — He shall!  (I hope that is a foremost thought in all your plans for the year —I mean, He said that, right?) So trust the Lord with all things. For the whole year.

Prov.16:3 says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (a simple yet broad brush approach — do you trust the Lord?)

Coming forward to Paul, and our Scripture for this day and time is a wonderful, but often misunderstood verse: Phil.4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Do not misread this: it doesn’t say “who” it says “which”—it’s meaning then is more past/perfect: he’s acknowledging the Prov. passages, Paul is saying “it strengthens me to know that I’ll have nothing come my way of which I cannot get through.” He’s full of knowing Christ is the provider, he’s adding that the knowledge of that fact gives me strength to not be ill-affected by whatever. Or, another way to understand is this: you need not beg Christ to provide, you already know He will, so just go do it! Get on with it! If you know that your trust is in Christ’s Calvary work and the Lord God raising him from the dead, therefore He has saved you; it will make your new year easy to bear!!

You, of course, will not be engaging in the same things as me. No two lives are the same, though you might live together, you might share the same office or build  on the same job sight, even in marriage; no two lives live out their days the same. So, as I talk with people about the Lord and His word, or talk with them about improving the water they drink, or argue with them that Indiana is better at some things than Alabama (ahem) I have no doubts which things I will excel in and which I might not: what is about the concerns of the Lord in the lives of those I meet I know will come under the watch-care and the strengthening of the Lord Himself. My new year will not be difficult then, even if it might be frustrating or sad or heartache laden—whatever comes my way I’m buoyed to a level above by the Scriptural promise of my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

So, come on, write down your goals or intentions for this new year and check them off as they come by. Make it as happy as the suggestion intends:

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

thanks for reading, The Elder

A little while back, after about 10 years of going to a small town South of here twice per month to teach a Bible class, our meeting room was cancelled on us. There was about 12-14 of us when everyone was there, so most of the time 9 or 10. Great bunch of folks who love the Lord and love His word enough to put up with me as a teacher. But, not having a place to meet, some of us began to try to find another suitable place to which we could all get. We didn’t have much luck, everyone’s rentable meeting room space think they are a major destination point and have many $$ requirements too much for a small group. Since I had not begun this group, rather had just been asked to teach it, I hesitated to “take over the search”—so to speak.

Today, one of the group reminded me how long it had been and is very interested in re-starting the class: as am I! I have now set a time and will search out a place to meet and I’ll do this as I have done for the past 45+ years. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand…” our apostle wrote. For  what, then, are we waiting? I will get after it and because of scheduled stuff in the next 4-6 weeks, we’ll set the first renewed meeting for the 2nd Sunday in October. Then till the end of the year we should be able to meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays each of the 3 months; 2026, we will take care of later.

You say, “Where?” I say, pray the Lord leads us to exactly what we need. You say, “Will that work?” I say, it has worked out many times having been left in the hands of the Lord. 

Do I believe I will find a place to have this? Yes, if it is the Lord’s will for me to go there, a place will become available. Will I hunt for one? Yes, because there is already a group there. If there was no group, I would hunt for a place if I was asked to — that part has already occurred for this group. I’ll keep you informed and trust the Lord will make His will known to us.

Time to do the Lord’s will for studying His word is what I have. But, as our title puts it, where did it go? Whether I have an October class to teach will occur if I have the time to do it. Whether in a new location for the above mentioned group or not, if I have time to do it, I will teach God’s word to all who will listen. Time is what I have and all I have. If you, my friends, understand this premise even a little bit, pray with me for these things that 1.) I don’t get in the way; and 2.) that it will bring glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

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I’m having fun watching the Chicago Cubs this summer even though, as usual, some days I want to scream at them! Most days this year they’ve played really great baseball in a big struggle with the Brewers to lead with NL Central. This week, due to rainouts earlier, a series wound up being 5 games in four days, Monday through Thursday. Milwaukee won the first game, but the Cubs have won 3 in a row (last Wednesday night game was a thrill to watch.) But, the 5game series ended on Thursday with the Cubs second loss and they go forward to only play other teams for the rest of the season. C’mon Cubbies!! I hope they get into the playoffs at a good peak in performance and do well there—-a World Series in 2025?

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In a few days, exactly the 26th of August, we’ll be starting a bible class here in our town at 8AM. some business friends and I have talked about this for several years, off and on, so we’ve set the date and pray for the Lord’s leadership daily. 

Over the last 49 years I have started 8 or 10 bible classes which for a variety of reasons were short-lived, even a couple where no one came. One bible class when I first started had only two attendees—both teenagers, both still believers to this day. We met for 6 months, then my family moved and that was that. Another was in a home where so much opposition came from a family member that the host said they didn’t want to continue, yet one man was saved there!  Etc.  Every class has taught me more than I have ever taught others. If others have valued from the class it was the Lord’s word which taught them.

Of the number of bible classes and pastoring I have done in the same 49 years, some have been for as much as 27yrs, some as few as 3-4 years; some as few as 3 persons regularly, some as many as 80-85 regularly. But all those which I put in the category of successful would have been brought to that by the Hand of the Lord. Not because I was anything other than the guy doing most of the talking. None of this brief recollection should imply I believed I did a good job, but for sure I believe I did what the Lord wanted me to do. If I look for biblical “calling” (as churches might refer to clergymen as being), I see how our Apostle Paul was called and informed of the Lord as to what he would be doing. I did not have that kind of calling. Late in his ministry, Paul told Titus to “appoint bishops and elders.” The Lord never instructed me to do that. On the other hand, our apostle Paul said, “If any man desire the office of a bishop, let him be…” thus and so. 

As age began to beset me, I never believed I should choose my successor or replacement. I have no biblical reason to do so. Contrariwise, I have thoroughly searched the examples of men who did try to appoint one and in every case, the following pastor caused problems, or the congregation revolted or the church fell prey to an interloping offense…or in some other way destroyed the “successful work” of the originating pastor or bible teacher.

It was easy for me to see and I still contend: the ministry is of the Lord and is in the hands of the one who has it, he becomes aged, and he leaves it. New ministries are welcome to begin, but as the Lord leads; not as a departing elder dictates.

ergo: I’m not leaving just yet, but if I do, find yourself another man of God who will teach the Bible according to 2 Tim. 2:15 and 2 Cor. 9:8.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Aug.22, 2025

SOMETHING FUNNY, ONCE / Time on our hands

We elderly often get blamed, even laughed at because we start conversation by saying, “One time when I…” and the tittering begins, often by those who believe their voices are not being heard. But us old guys, we don’t care! We’re gonna tell our story anyway! So, by gosh we do. We don’t even care if they’ve heard it 304 times in the last 5 years, we’ll tell it again and again and again!

I might be exaggerating a little. Perhaps I am the prime example of the verse of Scripture that says, “…all men are liars.” Well, not prime, but since the verse says “all men” I’m pretty sure it means what it says. My father would sometimes (not often) get into a joking mood and love to cause even just a little rise or laughter or embarrassment, maybe. Once, we were standing in a Sears, Roebuck in Indianapolis and Momma was trying to buy something while me and one brother were standing near a mannequin, a male mannequin. Daddy started talking to the mannequin, we laughed at him. He said,…to the mannequin, “These guys think I’m bein’ foolish. Do you think I’m foolish? If you do, nod your head.” The mannequin never even twitched. He looked back at us and said, “See, that dummy thinks I’m smart!”—-was that a lie, you might ask? Well, it was a fabrication, of sorts, right? Foolish jesting? Or just entertaining a couple of boys who wish they didn’t have to stand there waiting on Mom, maybe.

Memory stories, those short happenings we witness, whether very funny or deeply serious with poignant after affects are part of our lives and, for me at least, enjoyable to remember and jot down while freshly floating through the memory river-(banks.)

But! It is August 1 and I have procrastinated enough about the rest of what I wanted to say in this blog—The importance of the rest of this year! We’re going to do another September Adventure, only this time without a rented RV. Turns out that was a one time only event….as of right now, ya never know, next time we’ll haul a car behind an RV, hire a driver, then spend longer and go further ……. Naw! what am I thinking! O course that last September journey to (finish) seeing all 50 states was completed. 

We have, however, picked out some places we’ve never seen,  things and people we want to see. That’s a plan being formed and a reason to go to Indiana for the ELVIN & LENORA LOCKHART FAMILY REUNION in late September. Sooo, we’ll extend our trip to include 4 or 5 of those special things. More reporting afterward and, as they say on WKRP, “film at 11!”

October brings us to a really great time and place for a bible conference in Chattanooga, Grace Bible Church, and I believe it is the 45th! That’s a truly blessed weekend and has become a reunion for old and new friends, filled with great Bible teachings and fellowship. Hope YOU are planning on being there, October 3,4,5th. 

In November a pleasure trip (elongated weekend) to Texas for the marriage of some dear friends, one of which I’ve been friends with since 1986, nigh on to 40 years—(hmm, he must be getting old.)

This will cause me to miss the Pensacola Bible conference for the first time, I believe. But, ya know, sometimes people actually schedule their events and don’t ask my permission. A slip up on their part, but hey, ya just can’t control some people’s schedule, ya know?

December brings us back to Texas again — this time for a new Corpus Christi Bible Conference! — first weekend, but as yet I don’t have the location. It’ll be great to visit there again. When we went to Texas in 1986, I drove to CC for a weekly bible class constantly for 13 years. The faithfulness of that class shall ring through eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have much to be thankful for in the memories from that class.

What else might come our way in the remaining months of 2025, we shall leave in the hands of God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit which teaches us His word and will. I know this about that: if you are saved, having put your eternal life into the Hands of the One who bought you with His blood—knowing “..how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the scriptures..” —that makes you in the same church as us. There’s only one valid church in God’s perfect will for us. It’s called the “Church, which is His body” several times in Paul’s epistles. 

You know, getting saved gives us eternal life, but there does come a judgment before the specific eternal inheritance is meted out. the Lord looks at our works in His name. He refers to these as either containing “Gold, Silver or Precious Stones” or conversely, “wood, hay, and stubble.” then he uses fire as the judgment trial. Obviously, the latter 3 are going to burn up leaving nothing but worthless ashes. Likewise, obviously the first three will go through the fire and come out more glorious than before! And that will determine our reward.

Our task then, is to understand God’s will for us and tend to it while we are here, leading to the day which will “tell all” and we go into glory with whatever our time spent with the Lord while here has produced. the “reward of the inheritance” should not be our goal; pleasing the Lord should be our goal. So, His instructions for us are in one plain but often obscured verse: read it in your KJB—2 Timothy 2:15. Let me know if I can be helpful in any way.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

July 1, 2025–the second half

Well, the Big Day has arrived, past, and executed flawlessly! Of course, I’m referring to our 3 children’s year long plan of putting together a 65th Anniversary party for my wife and I which occurred last Saturday, June 28, 2025. Our actual wedding date was earlier in the week on Tuesday. So that night, we went to a most exclusive restaurant on top of one of our nearby mountains (Monteagle, TN) and had a sumptuous dinner. Then, home to anticipate the upcoming party time!

The event was a great party! We were so filled with surprise at the higher than anticipated attendance, the fun we all had fellowshipping together; 30 or so relatives, about 50 or so bible study and grace believers from churches, and more than expected townspeople and several visitors from pretty far away—what a wonderful group of friends and loved ones! We came home so filled with that kind of love, mmm.

But the highlight of the afternoon was in the program which involved the two of us being seated in front of all 3 of our children speaking individually about us and presenting to each of us mock-academy awards. The said so many wondrous things about us to all those people that now we might have to really try to live up to that! How we gonna do that?? Truly, we felt not just honored by them, but challenged a bit, we will notice ourselves a little more to each other, towards the 3 of them, and others, especially toward our grandchildren, then others which may be in our paths. We accept that challenge, but with some trepidation, yet calmed by our dependence on the word of God for guidance. We are so very thankful and blessed. (I know our blessings as stated in Eph.1:3 are heavenly blessings, not necessarily noticeable here on earth, but we cannot escape the feeling of being blessed overwhelmingly.)

Now on to other things. The continuing Wednesday evening online bible study which you can find on FaceBook simply by my name — Jerry Lockhart, or on Youtube channel, Brother Jerry Lockhart, is about to start another segment. The first took most of the first 6 months of the year, the next will take a while, also. One hour (almost) each week to define the purpose and the practice of “rightly dividing the word of truth” as we are instructed to do by Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (the world we live in) in 2 Tim.2:15 in order to “shun” the incorrect habits of religions which refuse the simple truths of the Word. For the record, I believe the entire King James Bible contains the words which God has inspired authors and translators to preserve as His words for us today. English speaking people have carried these words into hundreds of foreign land and translated them from KJB to native tongues. Did the Lord know they would do this? Of course. Was He able to see to it they would be understandable to those peoples and lands? Yes. The King James Bible is the word of God.

Every version which has come out since 1881 has either changed words, has missing words, or whole missing verses, or all 3 of those error-ridden things because those doing the translating wanted to be able to copyright their efforts (which they all did) and to do so, those three erroneous workings have to be in the narrative. If you doubt what I’m saying, do yourself a favor, lay as many versions as you can beside the KJB, start in Matthew 1 and compare the words and verses. Be honest with yourself and with the Lord and He will show you the truth.

At any rate, that’s what the bible class is doing for the upcoming months and what we always use to show God’s spoken and written will for all mankind. His will starts “God our Saviour, Who would have all men be saved and to come unto the knowledge of His will”—1 Tim.2: 3,4. As you probably know the salvation part is very simple: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”—Acts16:31. Because the good news says, “…how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the Scriptures.”—1 Cor.15: 3,4.

Have a continued good day and week and Independence Day celebration!

Aaaah, the “holidays” are upon us again. Perhaps the purest and most serious of all holidays is THANKSGIVING. You know, the reason for all of us being here (and I do mean all) is about survival of the forefathers. Wherefore they gave thanks collectively. Therefore it’s about soberly remembering who and what we are; how and why we’re here; then, on to deciding the discernment of and the importance of things in this life because we must live it! Some things I write here may not come across to you as having a clear understanding or awareness of our heritage compared to our present situation, but perhaps the Spirit of the Lord will help us see things we need to see on this holiday in order to better serve Him. 

Of course, not everyone will think about serving the Lord while serving ourselves to turkey & dressing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, then a pecan, custard and pumpkin, maybe blueberry pies, and —-does it seem to you the desserts are a longer list than the real food? Uh, I was just trying to get across my preferences, I guess. But the thankfulness seems to begin with the food (as we learned in the loose history depictions of both school and churches of our past…the pilgrims and the native Americans ate together? Well, so they say.)

But, to the more serious thoughts: Phi.4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway…” Have you thought recently about the difficulty in being able to do this? ,,”alway?”  “alway?” Without the s on the end of this word, it has a more continual implication—like saying “through whatever, no matter how long or how bad things are.”—Rejoice!. That can be a tall order. So, we must remember all the words of the verse, most importantly the “in the Lord” part. The Lord knows the kind of world we live in, He is not asking us to look at what goes on around us or the sicknesses we go through and just be giddy and delirious all the time. But, when we think about Christ, our Redeemer, Christ our Savior, Christ who will come for us at His appointed time! Thinking on Him should make us rejoice, no matter what else is going on in our lives, or even to those we love.

Paul wrote in Gal.6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Glorying in the cross is easy to be entreated down deep in our hearts because we believe what He did, what He does, and in what He will do. Amen? What about unto those who do not believe (or trust) in what Christ did, do not know what He does, and therefore are not waiting in anticipation for what He is going to do? In what do they glory? In what do they rejoice? I suspect practically all who read this has close family members somewhere on the chart of belief/unbelief; some who totally do not believe, and some who can’t get it all taken in or settle it “down deep,” as the Lord said. Now, back to our rejoicing where those loved ones are what do we seem like? Know-it-alls? Do we seem self-righteous to them? Does it seem to you they cringe a little when you talk to them?

In the midst of our rejoicing in Christ, we must take note of what we sound like, yea, even what we look like to them. Why you might ask?  Because our job is to be an ambassador for Christ. Take a moment to re-read 2 Cor.5:14-21KJB before reading any further.

For several years our family, while sitting around the Thanksgiving table have spoken candidly of the things we’ve been blessed with in the year thus far. Each of us can say whatever “blessing” we’re remembering has been special, or most endearing, or most important. Sometimes it’s new, sometimes it’s an old wound cured, or a new friend, a new place to live, even a new possession or new job. Whatever comes across as a blessing we heretofore didn’t have. We’ve had some years where this took only a few minutes, we’ve had years where one thing or another lead to long table conversations. But, (and I say this hopefully) always it is to our betterment that we all hear each other. It builds the family camaraderie. Even that is a blessing from the Lord—He invented families.

What this discussion here on these short pages is about is this: remember it is a Thanksgiving Day, not an evangelical call, nor a guilt trip on anyone’s thankfulness about anything. Think of yourself (in the Ambassadorship position) as a guest who would never insult or cause to belittle any person present but see them all as the host or hostess and yourself as a guest—even if you are in your own home! Sound radical? It isn’t at all. It’s just practicing the call to be what the Lord wants us to use for our rejoicing! 

More on the holidays coming soon.

Thanks for reading, the Elder