IN CONCLUSION

The end of the matter, all that has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the end of the matter for all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13

 I’ve heard it many times: “Getting old isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Your hands tremble, “the watchmen of the house tremble” (v. 3). You walk bent over, “mighty men stoop” (v. 3). Your teeth fall out, “the grinding ones stand idle because they are few” (v. 3). You get cataracts, “those who look through windows grow dim” (v. 3). Others have difficulty understanding what you are trying to mumble, “the door on the street are shut as the grinding mill is low” (v. 4). You can’t sleep, “one will arise at the sound of the bird” (v. 4). I could keep going, but you get the picture.

Solomon writes this description because he had observed aging in others and most likely was experiencing it for himself. Aging has a way of sobering us to the brevity of life. So having considered everything, what is the only thing that Solomon concludes is important? It is being in a right relationship with God – fearing and obeying God. Nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter who you are, how much you have earned, or what you have accomplished. All that matters is your relationship with God. Does your life demonstrate a reverential fear of Him? Remember, “For God will bring every work to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (v. 14)

Philip Moeller

DEALING WITH DIFFICULTY

Now all these things happened to them as examples,

and they were written for our admonition,

upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

1 Corinthians 10:11

In May 1998, when I was standing on the plateaus of Normandy in France, our guide was explaining that when the allies landed and drove the Germans back, people ran to nearby towns proclaiming, “You’re liberated!  You’re liberated!”  To which the people of the town said, “Liberated from what?”  They didn’t even know that the Germans had occupied France!

Christians in America today may not be taking to heart that our country is being occupied by the forces of evil and that the spiritual darkness around us is deepening.  Just as it happened to Israel after the death of Joseph, so it is happening to us. There is a lesson for us in Exodus 1-2. 

Israel’s shift into slavery was another Satanic strategy to destroy or cripple the people of God. He meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.  Most of the nation forgot God’s promises and became bitter and disillusioned, but there has always been a remnant according to grace.  There was a remnant of people who believed God’s promises and waited to take Joseph’s bones out of Egypt with them.  Four of those people were Shiphrah, Puah, Amram and Jochabed.  Through 400 years of slavery (Gen. 15:13), they learned that hard times don’t erase God’s promises, that harsh treatment doesn’t escape God’s notice and that heavy tests don’t eclipse God’s concern. Read Hebrews 11:23.

When hard times come your way, is your faith in God shaken? Consider Psalm 112. When personal tragedy strikes you, how do you respond? Do you truly take to heart Romans 8:28? When you experience harsh treatment, do you have an unwavering confidence in the presence and care of God? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28-31.

 Ike Graham

SEVEN TIMES?SEVEN TIMES?

My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your hearts. Matthew 18:35

I would like to consider myself a patient person, but if the truth were known I probably get irritated with people much too quickly. The disciple Peter, in an effort to quantify forgiveness, asked if the threshold for his patience was granting forgiveness seven times. He probably assumed that this was exceptionally gracious of him and so was no doubt shocked at Jesus’ answer. “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (v. 22) Jesus then proceeds to further correct Peter’s thinking by means of illustration. A slave who owes an infinite debt is forgiven it all by the king. However, instead of showing that same kind of forgiveness, the slave throws his fellow slave in prison for a much smaller debt that he owed him. In response to this unmerciful act, the king sentences the first slave to torturers until the debt is repaid.

Don’t miss the point of what Jesus is saying. Because of what Jesus did on the cross for you, you have been forgiven a debt that you could never repay. Now in response to that you are to grant forgiveness to those around you. “Graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:13) Has your spouse said something hurtful to you today? Forgive. Did that family member offend you again? Forgive. Did your coworker, boss, or neighbor do that thing again that really irritates you? Forgive again and again. Seven times is not enough.

Philip Moeller

WHAT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT!

And without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Hebrews 11:6a

We cannot reach heaven WITHOUT Jesus Christ.  “You were at that time WITHOUT Christ … having NO hope and WITHOUT God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13).  We cannot be saved or forgiven WITHOUT Jesus’ shed blood.  Our sin is never forgiven with silver or gold, but only with the “precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  Thus for Jesus to be able to die for us He had to be WITHOUT sin.  Even as the sacrificial animals had to be perfect specimens, our Savior was “tempted in all things like we are, yet WITHOUT sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  Jesus’ sacrifice will never count for us WITHOUT personal faith and trust in Him.  It only benefits “whoever believes in Him” so that he/she “shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  True salvation can never be evidenced WITHOUTworks.  James declares “faith WITHOUT works is useless” (James 2:20, 26).  Our works can never justify or make/declare us righteous (Romans 3:24, 28) says Paul.  Yet James also says, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). 

The believer’s testimony cannot be effective WITHOUT holiness.  “Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification WITHOUT which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).  Will unbelievers be drawn to Christ if we live sinful lives?  Finally, true believers will not be WITHOUT God the Father’s correction (Hebrew 12:5-7). If you can sin as a professing believer and never experience God’s correcting hand, you’d better check your “spiritual birth certificate” and examine whether or not you are really in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)!

God bless you as you seek to please and follow Him!

Bob Kulp

WHEN GOD SAYS, “NO.”

So Nathan said to the king,

“Go, do all that is in your heart,

for Yahweh is with you.”

2 Samuel 7:3

In 2 Samuel 7, King David indicates to the prophet, Nathan, that he wants to build a temple for God. Nathan says, in essence, “Do it! God is with you.” But God says to Nathan, in summary, “No” (2 Samuel 7:4-13). The astounding thing is that God gives David something far greater than the opportunity to build a temple. He gives David a dynasty. When you have a heart for God, then God has your heart (Psalm 37:4). Does God have your heart?

When God reveals to David what He is going to do, David is overwhelmed with gratitude and pours out his heart in humility. Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29. David says in verse 18, “Who am I?” Have you heard that song, “Who am I?” The lyrics go like this:

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt? Who am I that the bright and morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever-wandering heart? (It’s) not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done; (It’s) not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are. I am a flower quickly fading; here today and gone tomorrow; a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind. Still, You hear me when I’m calling; Lord, You catch me when I’m falling, and You’ve told me who I am; I am Yours, I am Yours.”

Do you belong to the Lord? Are you His? Then, like King David, when God says, “No,” He has a better way and a greater purpose. With God, attitude is just as important as achievement. Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-2 to see David’s attitude about God’s “No” answer and what he did. You can do the same!

Ike Graham

AN ATTACHED GARAGE

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

​​​​​​​​​Psalm 73:25

​No matter what house you live in, there is something that you would change about it. In our case, my wife and I would like to have an attached two-car garage, instead of a single, detached one. Such a thing does not detract from our happiness here, or make us want to move. But it is one of a hundred reminders that everything is not perfect in this world. Health problems keep us aware of our mortality, financial limitations remind us of having to live on a limited income, and the clock ringing the hour of the day signals our confinement to a twenty-four-hour day.

​Someday, of course, none of these restrictions will exist. Meanwhile, they help us to understand Bible verses like Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect to want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

​“Compromise” is a nasty word when it comes to Bible doctrine. But it is indispensable as we plow our way through the fields in this world. Perfection has to wait on providence; here we go around a rock here or there, or bypass a mud puddle occasionally, as we sow God’s seed, still doing the best we can. All of these obstacles are reminders of the effects that sin has had on the universe, while at the same time being a much-needed drink of the glorious hope that awaits us when we can stop “learning to be content” and enjoy the glory of perfection.

​​​Davy L. Troxel

RUNNING A RACE

Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24b

It has become a tradition at our church to end Vacation Bible School with a massive obstacle course. One of the men in our church used to work for Tough Mudder and so has gained a lot of experience in creating difficult but obtainable challenges for the kids to complete. Every child gets a chance to run the course at least once. It’s fun to see their eager excitement as they wait for their turn. Each imagines he can go faster than the previous person. However, it doesn’t take long for that excitement to diminish. Usually by the time they make it to the far end of the yard they are breathing heavily and soaked with water from being sprayed with a garden hose. But because they are determined, every child has so far completed the course.

In the same way, each one of us is running a race. Sure, it may not involve crawling on your stomach or crossing a balance beam, but it does require a total commitment on your part. Sadly I have observed that many have eagerly started this race but when the challenges of life are encountered, a superficiality to their commitment is exposed and they quit. I have seen others remain faithful to the end. For them God has promised the reward of an imperishable wreath. Which will describe you? Will you give up or will you remain faithful to the end?

Philip Moeller

NO TRYOUTS FOR HEAVEN

He who believes in the Son has eternal life.  John 3:36a

A popular TV show for 51 years now is Wheel of Fortune.  Are you successful at guessing the puzzle solutions?  Do you think you have what it takes to get on the show?  In 2012 my wife and I decided on a whim to go to the Wheel tryouts in Washington, PA.  We filled out cards and placed them in a barrel.  Chosen names were announced one by one.  My name was almost the last to be called!  Next was an interview.  I was asked what I did for a living and for fun.  I quickly replied, “I have fun preaching!  In fact, I told this to my congregation just this morning.  You are in a room with three monkeys.  One is holding a banana, one a pen and the other a book.  Which is the smartest in the room?”  The interviewer said, “The one with the book!”  To which I answered, “YOU are in a room with three monkeys…”  The crowd roared!  After numerous tests, I failed the last one and went home with a 2 inch pencil saying, “I tried out for Wheel of Fortune”! 

Where is the spiritual lesson in all of this? God is NOT holding tryouts for heaven but is graciously giving homes in heaven to all who repent of their sins and own ways to get there (Isaiah 53:6) and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone (John 1:12; 3:16; 3:36).  He is the one and only way to get there (John 14:6).  Eternal life, forgiveness of sin, adoption into God’s family and heaven are His free and gracious gifts (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9) offered to us all.

While I ultimately failed the Wheel of Fortune tryout, I have humbly received God’s gift of eternal life.  How about you?  Quit trying to earn it and simply receive it today.  You’ll be glad you did!

Bob Kulp

WHEN I BRING IT ON MYSELF

Nathan then said to David, “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:7

You probably know the context of this verse (above). David has committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah. After some time has passed, God sends the prophet Nathan to confront David over his sin (2 Samuel 12). How did David fall into this sin? First, he was successful and comfortable (2 Samuel 11:1). Secondly, he allows the fact that we have an enemy greater than men to fade from his mind. Then, notice 2 Samuel 11:2-4. In those verses are the ongoing method of Satan in tempting us to sin. David saw Bathsheba, he wanted Bathsheba and he took Bathsheba. In the same way, Eve saw the fruit, she wanted the fruit and she took the fruit. This same pattern occurs with Achan in Joshua 7:20-21. James 1:13-15 also spells out this pattern.

Does God forgive David? Yes (2 Samuel 12:13). However, forgiveness does not erase the consequences of sin. If I go to a bar and get drunk, and while I’m there, I get into a fight and lose my arm, will God forgive me? Yes (1 John 1:9). But He will not restore my arm. That is a consequence of my own foolishness and sin. Someone has written: “If you don’t want the fruits (consequences) of sin, then stay out of the devil’s orchard.” One Puritan wrote: “If your conscience is not moved because of your sin, then consider this: conscience, which should have curbed sin on earth, will become the whip that lashes the soul in hell. Conscience will make the person in hell acutely aware that he/she deliberately, freely, and gladly chose the lifestyle that led him/her to hell.”

For us as believers, let us not take sin lightly nor the temptations which lead us into it. Too many times, we suffer the consequences of sin because we brought it on ourselves. Let’s take Jesus’s instructions seriously…”and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Ike Graham

SEE NO EVIL

As for you, you meant evil against me,

but God meant it for good in order to do

what has happened on this day,

to keep many people alive. 

Genesis 50:20

I have been fired from two teaching jobs. The first was a public school. Two years of favorable evaluations changed when the department had to let one teacher go due to cutbacks. I was next to last in seniority and the good friend of the department head was last. But that was a good thing as it moved our family to Ohio and led us to discover and join a Grace Brethren Church.

The next was a Christian school. 13 years of favorable evaluations changed when I was being considered for an associate pastor position at our church. I was found guilty of disloyalty to the school. Though I was eventually not offered the church position my contract with the school was not renewed. But that was a good thing as I got a teaching position at a vocational school with a 50% raise. That allowed us to make needed repairs to our house after 13 years of austerity budgets so that, after five years, we were able to sell the house and use the equity to begin church planting in Newark.

In each case, those in charge did evil, but God always used it for good. At Newark GBC there were salvations, baptisms, and people who grew in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During his life Joseph surely wondered why evil was happening to him, but he did not abandon his faith in God. Neither can we when others do wrong to us. God will likewise use it for good. Do not lose faith in Him!

Jeffrey Eno

A REAL TREASURE

But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Job 28:12

Several years ago I accidentally dropped a little screw which fell down a crack along the wall of my garage. The crack was too small for my hand so I grabbed some needle nose pliers and tried to pull it out. Even though I could still see the screw, the needle nose pliers were not long enough. My next thought was to tie a magnet to a string and drop it down the hole. Thankfully this worked and the screw was soon safely back in my hand.

Isn’t it interesting the extent that people will go to either to find or to retrieve an item? Miners will spend years digging deep into the heart of the earth in order to extract coal or some other precious metal. When someone loses his keys he will stop all his other projects and look until the keys are restored. Why do we do this? We do it because we see value in the object for which we are looking.

Job reminds us that the thing that is most valuable is wisdom. “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom” (Job 28:28). Paul reminds us that true wisdom is found in Jesus. “Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossian 2:3). What treasures are you looking for today? 

Philip Moeller

WHEN GOD OPPOSES YOUR WAY

Then they came to the threshing floor of Nacon. And Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. And David became angry because of Yahweh’s breaking out against Uzzah; and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. So David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How can the ark of Yahweh come to me?” And David was unwilling to move the ark of Yahweh into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  2 Samuel 6:6-10

Why would God be so harsh on Uzzah? After all, he was just trying to steady the cart so that nothing bad happened to the ark of the covenant. One lesson from this event is: Good intentions do not equal obedience to God. God had specifically told Israel that if they touched the holy objects when moving them that they would die (Num. 4:15). Consequently, I am amazed that David was angry at God, but not at Uzzah! Bad directions based on good intentions can equal disaster, and that is what happened. We also see in 2 Samuel 6:11 that the ark ended up in the house of Obed-edom for 3 months. So, the intended result of moving the ark in order to honor God and receive His blessing was short-circuited by presumption and wrong orders. There is important truth for us here. The means do not justify the end. If I do something that God has told me not to do and rationalize by thinking that it will end up good, then I am not exercising faith, but presumption as David did.

Now, let’s give David credit because repentance can bring blessing. Read the account in 1 Chronicles 15:1-15. David repented of his sin and did an about-face. After this event, God comes to David in 2 Samuel 7 and makes what we call the Davidic Covenant with David; namely, that he would always have a descendant to sit on his throne. As you know, this turned out to be none other than our Lord Jesus Christ as Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:32-33.

Ike Graham

IT’S TIME FOR YOUR LOVE CHECK-GOD'S MIGHTY WAYS

So it came about on the third day, when it was morning that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that the people trembled. Exodus 19:16 see also Exodus 20:18

How awesome God is! Great lightning and thunder storms can cause us to tremble. We realize how great God is and how insignificant we are. God was using these things to move the people's hearts at Mount Sinai as He gave the 10 Commandments.

In 1991 at Camp Albryoca, I saw a dramatic effect upon the campers. It had rained all week preventing our nightly camp fire, and here it was Friday night. So we decided to simulate a camp fire in the athletic building called Weigle Hall. This 40×100 foot metal building had a cement floor. The campers brought their sleeping bags and sat on them in a large circle. In the center we put a pile of wood and our flashlights among the wood. We turned off the lights. It was a nice look. We sang our favorite camp fire songs with great enthusiasm. Shortly after I started to speak it started to rain pounding the metal roof. It was like preaching inside a snare drum. I attempted to speak loudly to fill the great space and overcome the pounding rain. Then the lightning and thunder started! It was exhausting to preach loud enough. I stopped for a moment. In my mind I said to God, "Lord I can't do this!" Something in my mind assured me to "Preach through the storm." So I cranked it up and gave everything that I had. I was like God's trumpet growing louder and louder. When I gave the invitation, 90 young people came forward. I didn't know what to do with them all. Quickly I stationed the counselors in the four corners and also in between. The youngsters formed lines 9 deep to talk to the counselors. God was moving in His mighty ways. 

Russ Simpson

IT’S TIME FOR YOUR LOVE CHECK-MRS. BROWN ISN’T HOME

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God,  an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  2 Corinthians 5:1

​A nursing home stood next door to my church in New Albany, Indiana, and once each month I held a Bible study there for the residents. One of the regular attenders was a nice lady named Mrs. Brown. My youngest son was four at the time, and he would come with us to the Bible studies. Mrs. Brown always had candy for him, which may have been more incentive to go than to hear his Dad talk.

​After Mrs. Brown got so she couldn’t come anymore, my son would still go down the hall to visit her and get candy. At the Bible study one day he went down the hall and knocked on her door, but she did not answer. He came back to us and said, “Mrs. Brown isn’t home.” We learned that she had passed into the presence of her Lord. “Mrs. Brown is home,” my wife and I both thought together.

​How clearly children speak, often without knowing the importance of their words.

Davy L. Troxel

IT’S TIME FOR YOUR LOVE CHECK-UP!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you…  John 13:34

A great love check-up is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Do you have a love that….

1.     IS PATIENT, responding without retaliation, resentment and anger?

2.     IS KIND, gracious and considerate, not rough, harsh and abusive toward others?

3.     NOT JEALOUS, stewing over another’s gains or victories?

4.     DOES NOT BRAG, vaunting your rightness, goodness, intelligence, power over others?

5.     IS NOT PUFFED UP with arrogant inflated attitudes of yourself?

6.     DOES NOT ACT UNCOMINGLY, indecently, shamefully and senselessly toward others?

7.     DOES NOT SEEK YOUR OWN wants exclusively without first considering the welfare of others?

8.     IS NOT PROVOKED easily, becoming resentful, and angry?

9.     DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED against you with no desire to forgive?

10.  DOES NOT REJOICE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, applauding the sins, failures and losses of others?

11.  REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH or the joys, gains and successes of others even if it’s not you?

12.  BEARS/COVERS ALL THINGS, protecting others from criticism, scorn and misunderstanding?

13.  BELIEVES ALL THINGS, thinking the best of others?

14.  HOPES ALL THINGS, being positive and optimistic even when nothing is going right?

15.  ENDURES ALL THINGS without giving up on others?

16.  NEVER FAILS even when your situation seems hopeless?

That is one rigorous love check-up - a love that we can never muster up on our own apart from God!  This is agapelove which sacrifices itself to seek the other’s highest good, giving of itself 100% regardless of the response.  May we love others like God loves us!   

Bob Kulp

DEALING WITH CONSEQUENCES

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence
and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13

Mark Twain said, “The man that sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which will never grow dim or doubtful.” Every choice has consequences. While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences.

King David had to deal with the consequences of his sin after the Lord forgave him. How did King David deal with the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba? Psalm 51 lays out his prayer of repentance and his commitment to the Lord. Notice what David writes in verse 13: “Then, I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.” David determined to obey God and warn others even while enduring the consequences of his sin. Is that your approach to the consequences of your sin?

This is part of what made David a man after God’s own heart. A young man by the name of Jason was drinking alcohol and street racing with friends in 1991. But his actions resulted in a crash which killed his 15-year-old brother. He was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 6 years in the State Prison. When he was released, he had a choice to make and one upon which he had deliberated for years. He could be depressed and stew about what he had done; or, he could do what was right and benefit others. He chose the latter. What will you do about the consequences of your sin?

Ike Graham

JUSTICE

Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech,

which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers.  

Judges 9:56

Judges 9 is a rather dark chapter. It describes the rise and fall of the opportunistic villain, Abimelech. By means of nepotism he persuades the city of Shechem to submit to him. He then uses his new found power and wealth to murder his seventy brothers. Only his youngest half-brother, Jotham, escapes and pronounces a prophetic parable against Abimelech. In fulfillment of that prophecy 3 years later the relationship between Abimelech and Shechem falls apart. Shechem sets an ambush against Abimelech provoking Abimelech to attack and burn Shechem. In his vengeful arrogance, Abimelech also attacks Thebez but is injured by a certain woman dropping an upper millstone on his head. To hide his shame he asks a young man to finish him off with a sword.

The author of Judges summarizes Abimelech’s life by noting that his wickedness was repaid to him. Because he had no regard for his father or for the lives of his brothers, his own life ended in tragedy. Paul warned us in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Abimelech consistently sowed wickedness. He should have known that wickedness would come back to him. Let’s make sure that we don’t sow wickedness like Abimelech did. Instead make sure that what you sow today will lead to the fruitful harvest of righteousness.

Philip Moeller

IT’S A SNOW EMERGENCY!

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven…so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth.

Isaiah 55:10a, 11a

I often wonder why God allows it to snow on Sunday making it hard for His people to meet together.   On one of those occasions God helped me formulate a snow emergency message from a paper I wrote years ago at Grace Seminary.  What does snow teach us about God?

Snow reminds us of God’s infinite POWER.  He alone is in charge of the weather.  “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth!’ (Job 37:6) and guess what, it does!   Oh, that we would obey God as quickly and joyfully as the snow!  Also consider the way God uses the snow to stop us in our tracks with all our knowledge and technology, reminding us that He is in control (Job 38:22).  Next the snow reminds us of God’s total PRAISE-WORTHINESS.  Psalm 148:8 states that the snow draws glory and praise to God.  The snow also reminds us of God’s wise PURPOSES and PLANS.  How often do we tell God that He should stop it from raining or snowing because we have had enough?  Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us that all rain and snow is sent by God with a distinct purpose.  Finally, the snow reminds us of God’s thorough PURIFYING of our sin.  No man-made cleaning product is available to cleanse our sinful hearts.  God informs us that even though “your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).  In David’s prayer of confession following his adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, David pleads with God “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7b). 

Snow - look to God with thanks remembering what He says about His snow.

Bob Kulp

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Thus Saul died for his unfaithfulness, which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of Yahweh. Therefore, He put him to death and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.  1 Chron. 10:13-14

If you could interview King Saul while still here on this earth, what would he say to you? I think that he might say, “I have played the fool! I committed serious sin against God and against His people. I strayed away from God and refused to repent. Don’t become as I am!” The example of King Saul provides important instruction to us and raises some important questions for us to consider.

1.       Do I choose fatalism or faith?

Saul went his own way. He chose a path of disobedience. J. Sidlow Baxter wrote: “When a person plays the fool, he neglects godly friends and godly counsel. When a person plays the fool, he tries to persuade himself that he is doing the will of God when down deep in his heart, he knows otherwise. When a person plays the fool, he turns from God, the God that he has grieved, and looks for something else.”

2.       Do I choose cowardice or courage?

In 1 Samuel 15:24, Saul said, “I have sinned; I have indeed trespassed against the command of Yahweh and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice” (compare Proverbs 29:25). Do you stand strong in the face of opposition?

3.       Do I choose love of self, or love for others?

4.       Do I choose fear or forgiveness?

There is light at the end of the tunnel when a person responds to God like David and not like Saul. Each day, we are faced with these kinds of choices. Which will you choose today?

Ike Graham

CALLED

It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1

As a young teen I often thought that I would like to be a pastor. I was following the Academic program in high school, preparing to attend college. In my senior year I was attracted to a young lady named Ruth and my future changed. We dated for three years and four months as she finished high school and a year of business college. I had no desire to go away to study and be far from her. We got married, bought a house and became parents of two children. The desire to become a pastor had never left my heart. It was fifteen years after graduating from high school that I was accepted by Grace Seminary under an exception to the policy that an undergraduate degree was required, unless the man was at least 30 years old. I had a wife and two children to provide for! How would I do it? The Lord taught me some great things during those fifteen years. One lesson was that He could provide material needs. In January of 1976 I was thrown from my home-delivery milk truck as it skidded and tipped over on an icy road. I was trapped under the truck for an hour and a half. I was there for half an hour till a customer drove down that dead-end road and spotted the wreckage. During those 30 minutes I spent time talking to my Savior. I confessed sin. I prayed for my family - if I died, who would care for them? I prayed for rescue. I was hurting terribly. A fractured skull was the most serious injury. I was off work for 18 weeks that year. We had more disposable income during that time than we had when I was working 50-60 hours per week. That experience made me realize that God could provide our needs if I were to pursue a theological education. I finished in three years, went on to serve the Lord in Africa, and continue to serve as a pastor. God had much to teach me as I attended the “school of hard knocks,” but He never let me forget that He was calling me.

Les Vnasdale