GOD IS TRUE
September 30
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” John 14:6
The Japanese have a proverb: 嘘も方便. One translation is “lying is also a dialect.” I have noticed that this is widely practiced in the U.S. For me, this is quite a change from my earlier years when my dad, as an unbeliever, used to say: “A man’s word is his bond.” And people would seal deals with a handshake. Now, when I watch the news or even read an article, I’m not sure if they are being honest or not. I’m not sure if the facts are being twisted or completely distorted. In such a world, what a great blessing it is to know Jesus Christ, the source and embodiment of truth!
A common definition of truth is: that which conforms to reality. There is no such thing as “your truth” and “my truth.” Truth must conform to objective facts. How can a person be “fact checked” if there is no objective truth? Truth is not limited to the material world of what I can see, taste or touch. There are metaphysical realities as well. This is why we need the Bible. In the Bible, God reveals truth to us that we cannot know or find on our own.
To know the God of truth, therefore, is a great, great blessing! He always speaks the truth and does not lie (Titus 1:2). The sum of all His words are true (Psalm 119:160). The fact that He alone possesses absolute truth gives us the grid which we need to evaluate all statements and propositions which come our way. In other words, the Bible gives us discernment. How are you faring in this world of chaos and lies? Are you able to discern the truth?
Ike Graham
EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU JESUS?
September 29
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us. Ephesians 5:1-2
The story is told of some salesmen rushing through an airport to barely catch their plane. In the process, one accidentally knocked over a table loaded with apples. All kept going except one compassionate man who ended up missing his flight when he returned to help retrieve the apples. He found a blind 16 year old girl crying, groping for the apples while uncaring crowds passed by. The salesman kindly knelt down to pick up the errant and bruised fruit and rearranged it on her table. He gave her $ 40 to make up for her losses and said, “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly!” As he walked away, she cried out, “Mister, are you Jesus?” Wow! Has anyone ever mistaken you for Jesus?
As born again Christians in Jesus Christ, we bear His name. Furthermore the Father’s purpose in saving us is that we might be conformed into Jesus’ image and likeness (Romans 8:28-29). Just how will we and others know that we are actually making progress on this goal?
We will love others like Jesus (John 13:34-35). We will live holy lives (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15; Psalm 97:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:22). We will humbly serve God and others (Matthew 20:25-28). We will exhibit Christ-like character (Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 12:19). We will seek out the lost (Luke 19:10).
Don’t ever quit or get discouraged as you seek to be like Jesus! If He has begun His good work of salvation in your life, He WILL complete it when we get to glory (Philippians 1:6). That’s His promise! Maybe even today someone will say to you, “Mister/Madam, are you Jesus?”
Bob Kulp
SECURITY
September 28
I have set Yahweh continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Almost everyone today has a smart phone that is constantly before them. We keep our phones at our right hand, ready to be used whenever we have a need. We can buy an app that enables us to keep track of the location of every family member. Some of us even have the security system in our homes connected to our phones. I’m thankful for the many different tools that God has blessed us with in this day and age.
But with great tools, it can be easy to forget, or at least overlook the fact that Yahweh is always with us. He truly is at our right hand at all times. His battery never runs out. He never gets lost or broken. And He is the only constant source of true security we can have. Sometimes He orchestrates for us to go through trials and difficulties when it seems as if He has abandoned us. There are times when our physical security is compromised and trouble comes our way. But even in the midst of the adversity, He has promised to continue to be with us; strengthening us each step of the way. When we set Him before us, while we are going through the crisis, He promises to provide us a peace and comfort that only He can give, so that we are not shaken.
May Yahweh continue to strength us to trust in Him, as we receive the stamina we desperately need to walk the path He has prepared for us. May you experience the security of not being shaken today, as you continue to set Yahweh before you.
Joshua Steiner
BELIEVE GOD’S MESSAGE
September 27
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
Christians of every generation are surrounded by the culture in which they are living. With this comes a temptation to conform to doing things the world’s way. But when it comes to the work of God and the sharing of His message, we must resist the influence of the thinking around us. There is only one message that saves and it is that which is presented in the Bible.
We all want to see more people saved. Certainly, we love our family and friends enough to desire that they, too, would receive Christ. How can we see that they have every opportunity? Perhaps we have common interests with them. Or maybe we know they are going through some trial which God may be using to draw them to Himself in His providence.
We each have a testimony where we remember the circumstances in which God saved us. We know where we were and what we were doing. Maybe we even know the day. But do we know what it was that actually saved us? Do we realize the message which we accepted and came to believe? And do we trust that that same message God can use to save others?
Salvation comes “by grace...through faith” (Eph. 2:8). God works in us as He calls us to Himself such that we come to believe upon Jesus. We know the essential Gospel about what Jesus did for us from the Word of God. At some point a person must hear that message in order to know and believe it.
Remember that when you were saved. It was made possible because someone shared the Gospel with you. Nothing else is able to bring us to God. Share that message with others as God gives opportunity.
Matt Foreman
JESUS AND MUHAMMAD
September 26
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6
In 1998 when I worked for Smith Dairy, we had a customer in Beirut, Lebanon. That customer sent his plant manager to Orrville, Ohio for training. His name was Hassan. On one occasion, I took Hassan to the UHT plant in Richmond, IN. During that 3-hour ride, we discussed Islam and the Bible. I was quite surprised when Hassan told me that he also is looking forward to Jesus’ return and His reign on the earth!
However, unlike Jesus, Muhammed never claimed divine status and actually disagreed with the writings of the New Testament. "Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger: many were the messengers that passed away before him ..." (The Quran, Sura 5:75). What a contrast to the Bible! Many times, Jesus proclaimed that He is God the Son. He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He declared that He was with the Father from eternity past before anything was created in John 17:5. And the apostle John, one eyewitness, declared in 1 John 4:14 that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
Contrast this to Muhammed who wrote: “God sent me.” One said: “What did He send you with?” He said: “I have been sent to join ties of relationship, to break the idols, and to proclaim the unity of God so nothing is associated with Him (in worship).” When Muhammad heard from God (supposedly through an angel) he cowered, was uncertain, and wanted to commit suicide (Quran 74:1-5). Muhammad saved his own life many times and had others killed.
But Jesus, think about it, laid down His life to save sinners. He proved it by rising from death, ascending back to heaven and is coming again! Are you ready to meet Him?
Ike Graham
GET RICH QUICK … COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
September 25
Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1
We are so blessed to live in a nation that has recognized the need to be thankful to Almighty God and has designated a whole day for such! However, the Bible constantly reminds us that thanksgiving to God is much more than a DAY but rather a DAILY lifestyle, practice, habit and attitude of gratitude. “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20).
As believers we are exhorted to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Being thankful for our family, friends, provisions and the ways we see God answering our prayers is very important. But there is nothing greater to be thankful for than to have assurance that one’s sins are forgiven, that he is born again and headed for heaven! This gift is given to all those who humbly pray like the tax collector in Jesus’ parable, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” He was justified in God’s sight unlike the self righteous Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector” (Luke 18:9-14). How do you pray? Are you thankful for eternal life today?
I encourage us all to sit down and just jot down everything you are thankful to God for. We have prayer lists; let’s also have thank lists! As D.L. Moody said, “We can’t remember them all, but don’t forget them all either!” God bless you as you get rich quick counting your blessings!
Bob Kulp
GIVE ME THAT ONE BACK
September 24
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world,
and death through sin, and so death spread to all men,
because all sinned. Romans 5:12
The only sport I ever got into was archery, and I really took it seriously. By the time I was in college, I had the best of equipment, and I could pop a balloon from 50 yards. I joined an archery league, and we would travel to schools promoting the sport, shooting out candles and breaking poker chips. Once, we even took on the Fort Wayne police pistol team in a target shoot!
I can’t forget that moment when I won my first tournament. The rule was that you had to shoot a 275 out of 300 before you could wear the black outfit that we used as our uniform. One arrow after another I loaded onto the bow: load, raise, draw, aim, hold your breath, release. Then that awful moment of silence as you wait for the arrow to snap the paper target as it hit. Sometimes I could tell right away that it was not going to be a bullseye, and I thought, “Oh, no, I want that one back, quickly before it hits!” Sure enough, it missed the mark. You do that, too. You and I do it every day.
Romans 5:12 uses the word “sin” or “sinned” three times, and the word in Greek is hamartia, which means “to miss the mark”. Like you say the wrong thing, you let a chance to witness slip by, you get too busy to pray, you get the scripture reference wrong, you ignore a saint who needs a boost, etc., and the minute it’s out, you feel it: “Oh, no, I want that one back, quickly.” But like with the arrow, it’s too late: it’s already on the record. You’ve missed the mark. God’s target will tell the score someday.
Don’t quit. Just knock the next arrow and try again. And try to improve. You won’t hit 300 in this world, but you can always do better than last week.
Davy L. Troxel
YOU SAVONAROLA, YOU!!!
September 23
Blessed are you when people insult you… Matt. 5:11
Back in the early 80’s before becoming a Christian, I remember hearing the name Savonarola various times—always in a negative context. In an interview, the celebrated writer James Michener criticized Jerry Falwell, stating that he was WORSE than an Ayatollah—he was a Savonarola! Around the same time, while sitting in a college class, I also remember Savonarola being defined as the worst vandal in human history—a proto-fascist cultural barbarian who stood for destroying priceless works of Renaissance art.
It wasn’t until after my conversion that I heard the name mentioned in a positive context—within the historical section of Halley’s Bible Handbook—which was startling!
So, who was this man? Savonarola (1452-98) was a friar of Florentine, Italy who was noted for his rigorous moralism and fiery denunciation of the worldly culture of his day. In his open-air preaching he continually railed against the corruption, greed, and heresies of the Roman Catholic Church—and called to account the decadent Medici rulers of Florence. But even as the “establishment” loathed him, he was equally beloved by the common people! Unsurprisingly, he was arrested, tortured and hanged, with his body burned in Florence’s main square.
As a pre-Luther, proto-Reformer, he taught salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone (Eph.2:8-9) and affirmed that the Bible alone should be the Christian’s final authority (2Tim.3:16-17)! Denouncing salvation by good works, Savonarola was a forerunner of the Reformation (as Luther later acknowledged).
It is worth noting that the same sort of sophisticated “elites” that persecuted this man in his lifetime persist in vilifying his name! But this is exactly the treatment that Jesus said that we should expect. (Matt.5:10-12, John 15:18-21). Rejoice—and BE a Savonarola!
Terry L. Reese
GOD IS JUST
September 22
The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4
Recently, in our area, a semi-truck driver was tried for crashing into a bus load of high school students with the result that 1 teacher, 2 chaperones and 3 students died. The verdict in the case was that the truck driver was found guilty of 6 misdemeanor counts of vehicular homicide, but not guilty of aggravated or reckless vehicular homicide. Those related to the people who died were outraged. They believed that justice was not served. One parent stated, “It’s in God’s hands.”
In a world of injustice, mistrials, wrong sentencing, etc., unless a person believes in the perfect justice of God they may live many years in bitterness and misery. When the preincarnate Lord Jesus told Abraham in Genesis 18 that Sodom and Gomorrah would be judged, Abraham, knowing Lot was there, finished his discussion with the Lord by saying, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice?” Our God is the perfect Judge. He weighs motives, attitudes, and actions. He makes no mistake in the sentence which He issues. Those who find themselves in the lake of fire will know that their sentence is deserved.
I have to remind myself that apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ and His mercy to me, I would find myself in the lake of fire. So, when I sing, “Rock of Ages,” like Augustus Toplady, from my heart I say:
Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know,
These for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling.
Is this true of you also?
Ike Graham
NIGHT AND DAY
September 21
The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12
Verse 11 talked about being nearer to our salvation than when we believed. In light of that, the concept of “night” here symbolizes our time in this dark sinful world. That time in this dark world is far spent or about over. The “day is at hand” means that we are about to enter into the eternal day of heaven. Knowing that, we should have a response, a reaction, a course of action. What should that be? Paul says “let us” do two things. By the way, “let us” is not allowing us, it is actually requiring us to do these things. First, we are required to “lay aside the deeds of darkness.” Stop living like the sinful world around us. You know what that means. Paul is writing to the Romans under the general assumption that they are living like the world around them. He just as well could have written this to the modern church. Secondly, we must “put on the armor of light.” You can find the Christian’s armor described in Ephesians 6, but to put it simply here, “We must live in a Christ-like way, because we are about to enter day, and for how we lived, what will we say?” What one dark worldly thing in your life are you going to “lay aside” in obedience to Christ, and what will you replace that with that would be what Christ wants you to do? Do it for the Lord, because we are about to enter His eternal glorious day.
Tom Johnson
THE GREATEST INVITATION EVER
September 20
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. John 6:37
The most amazing invitation ever is the Creator of the universe urging us as sinful human beings to COME to Him and be saved, forgiven and part of His forever heavenly family. It is the message that pervades the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Let’s look at some of these invitations.
“COME now and let us reason together,” says Yahweh. “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) “COME to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” (Matthew 11:28-30) “If anyone is thirsty, let him COME to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38) “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘COME!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘COME!’ And let the one who is thirsty COME. Let the one who wishes receive the water of life without cost.” (Revelation 22:17) The Lord reminds us that we have limited time to respond to His call as He declared for the third time in this same chapter, “Yes, I am COMING quickly.” To which we should be able to say “COME, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)!
If you said “Yes!” to every invitation you received, you would probably go crazy and broke! If you say “No!” to God’s gracious invitation of forgiveness and eternal life, you will be sorry for all eternity! COME to Him today! You will never regret it!
Bob Kulp
MENIAL TASKS?
September 19
And all the women whose heart stirred with wisdom spun the goats’ hair. Exodus 35:26
Yahweh has delivered the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt and is leading them to the Promised Land. He has given the people the 10 Commandments and many other instructions, which they will need as they seek to live out the covenant He has made with them (Exodus 19). Part of those instructions included specific directions about the Tabernacle Yahweh wanted the Israelites to construct in order to worship Him.
Exodus 35 is another reminder of the truth that when God calls us to do something, He equips us to do all that He asks. God was working in the hearts of many of the men and women (Exodus 35:21) providing them the desire to donate the materials that were needed in order to construct the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings. God was also working in the hearts of specific men and women, whom He gave the wisdom and ability to manufacture the materials needed and to then assemble them.
It can be easy to look at the task of spinning goats’ hair as a menial task; similar to the task of washing dishes, doing laundry, and keeping a house clean. But God was overseeing all of those details, and was stirring hearts to carry out the many tasks that needed to be accomplished, not just to build a tabernacle, but to build a home. As Jamie Finn wrote: “I am convinced that every word I speak, every dish I scrub, every diaper I change, every spill I clean that’s done out of love for my Savior, is divinely transformed from a mother’s chore to a daughter’s worship.”
Joshua Steiner
SHOULD I BE REBAPTIZED?
September18
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” Acts 19:3
I wasn’t raised Brethren—I am Brethren by choice. Obviously, there are enormous advantages to being raised Brethren, experiencing nurture in solid teaching—but the Lord can providentially make use of those church backgrounds that are “less-than-perfect” unto His glory!
In terms of my church experience as a kid, my family was affiliated with a Campbellite Church (e.g., Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Non-instrumental Church of Christ). We were irregular in our attendance (of which I am thankful, given the church’s heretical inclinations), but I was baptized when I was around twelve, because of the strong Campbellite emphasis in this regard.
After I was eventually saved in my 20’s, I drifted into Somerset GBC, where I was rebaptized by Trine Immersion. The problems with the Campbellite baptism were multiple, as enumerated below.
1) Wrong intent: The Campbellites believe in baptismal remission. For them, baptism IS your salvation! This is why the Baptist Church threw out their founder, Alexander Campbell, for heresy.
2) Wrong form: Campbellites exclusively practice a Baptist-style single immersion.
3) Wrong authority: The Campbellite Church is not a Bible-believing church. It is a sectarian borderline-cultic society that teaches extreme legalism and Pelagianism (an ancient heresy that denies Original Sin and the Holy Spirit’s role in conversion).
4) Wrong candidate: I was not saved when I was baptized by the Campbellites. Instead, I was a lost person who knew nothing of the Biblical Plan of Salvation or the grace of God in Jesus Christ—and was thus being baptized in order to be saved!
Should YOU be rebaptized, like myself and the people in Acts 19:1-7? Well, if ANY one of the four points enumerated above apply, then the answer is “YES!”
Terry L. Reese
GODLY WISDOM
September17
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; Ignorant fools despise wisdom and discipline. Prov. 1:7
The book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom. In it there is much for us to learn and apply. Through these sayings which present general rules for life and circumstances, we find help and guidance in how we deal with things.
Much of the book was written by Solomon who was the wisest man who ever lived besides our Lord Jesus. Do you remember how he grew in wisdom? In 1 Kings 3 God gave the king an opportunity to ask Him of anything. He requested the best thing possible; wisdom. And because he did, God commended him and granted even more than he had asked for.
Different than worldly wisdom is the wisdom of God we find in the Scriptures. We open the Bible knowing that our omniscient (all knowing) God has revealed His Truth to us. We submit ourselves to Him in fear every time we open the Bible with the character of God in mind.
A proper understanding of God leads to a healthy fear of Him. This comes first with the understanding that God will one day judge. We can also fear God in the sense that we respect Him enough to be submissive to Him in all things in life. To know God leads to genuine wisdom. If we are lacking wisdom, we can ask for it from God (James 1:5-8).
How long has it been since you have spent some time in Proverbs? Perhaps this month you should read a new chapter each day and ask the Lord to give you the help you need for that day.
Matt Foreman
GOD IS ETERNAL
September 16
Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God. Psalm 90:2
Time is a relationship between things in a finite, changing universe. According to Hebrews 1:2; 11:3, time began when God created the universe (ages). God also created the sun, moon and stars to measure the change (changing universe) in terms of revolutions around the sun (years). Consequently, God is infinite in His relationship to the duration of time. We call this eternal. Because this is true, God is also the ruler of our existence in time (Job 14:5) and the existence of human rulers in time (Dan. 4:17). It is certainly a mindboggling concept to finite humans.
God alone is eternal. The Bible plainly asserts that God had no beginning, and that He will never end, or die. He alone possesses eternality in the dual sense (1 Timothy 1:17). We will live forever, but we had a beginning. Personally, I find this very comforting. My God is eternal and immutable. He doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6) and He is eternal. It reminds me of the young pastor’s visit to an elderly saint. Brother Junkins was about 87 years of age. Pastor White went to see him and as he walked into the room this very godly Christian said, “Pastor, I’m dying. For years I have been feasting on the promises of God, but this morning, when I awakened, I could not remember a single one of the promises. What shall I do?” Pastor White replied, “Brother Junkins, do you think that God will forget His promises?” A sweet smile came over the face of the old saint as he looked up at his pastor. “Praise God!” he said. “That’s wonderful! He will remember then, won’t He?” Then, the pastor started repeating some of the promises of God to him. But in a few minutes, Brother Junkins waved his hand and said, “I’m tired, I will just fall asleep and trust Him to remember His promises to me.”
Ike Graham
THE 4 R’S
September 15
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory with great joy. Jude 1:24
In Jude 1:17-25, the half-brother of Jesus exhorts us as believers to master four essential “R’s” in order to make a difference for Christ in these perilous yet opportunity-filled days. We must master REMEMBERING (vv. 17-19) that we are living in the last days before Christ returns for His church. Secondly, we must master REMAINING (vv. 20-21) or continuing in God’s love, Word and will by constantly building ourselves up in His Word (vs. 20a), praying in cooperation with the Holy Spirit (vs. 20b) and expectantly watching for Jesus’ return (vs. 21b).
The third “R” we need to master is RESCUING (vv. 22-23). Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). This is the message we need to share everywhere as spiritual rescuers. Jude’s fourth “R” is RESTING (vv. 24-25). The resting here is trusting, relying and depending on the power and promises of God in regards to our salvation. When God gives eternal life, it is just that – eternal not temporary! We can never save ourselves or keep ourselves saved, BUT God can and will if we believe and trust Him, allowing us to rest with assurance in our awesome all-wise Savior!
Jude begins his letter by challenging us as believers to “contend earnestly” or defend the faith of God’s Word in these days of spiritual deception and apostasy. He closes by giving us the “4 R’s” of how to do it. Can God count on YOU to make a difference for Him today? I trust that He can!
Bob Kulp
TWO DEPARTURES
September 14
Let your light shine before men… Matt. 5:16a
This July (2025), within a two-week period, we saw the passing of two well-known clergymen: John MacArthur and Jimmy Swaggart. A study in contrasts is instructive.
Regarding Dr. MacArthur: What great joy it is when a saint enters the Lord’s Presence, having died “full” (Gen. 25:8) and leaving behind an example of having finished the race well (2Tim.4:7)! We thank God for the life of Dr. John MacArthur—an uncompromising fundamentalist, firm Calvinist, master of expository preaching, prolific author, and pastor of the Grace Community Church. Dr. MacArthur had a godly walk and was known as a warm and kindly man—but yet, as a stalwart defender of TRUTH, he was forceful and unyielding, which generated much controversy and created a slew of enemies—the mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ (John 17:14)! Through it all, he stood strong and unapologetic in his convictions. He bequeaths to the Body of Christ the great legacies of the MacArthur Study Bible and the Master’s Theological Seminary. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he inherits the great reward that is reserved unto the faithful steward: “Well done, good and faithful slave” (Matt. 25:21)!
On the other hand, Jimmy Swaggart, perhaps the biggest televangelist of the ‘80’s, was a man who made a shipwreck of his faith (1Tim.1:19) and disqualified himself through his persistent sexual immorality (1Cor.9:27). Spurning the discipline of his denomination and rejecting accountability, his “legacy” was bringing enormous embarrassment to the entire Body of Christ. Suitably, his final public act was to tearfully receive his son Donnie’s false prophecy that he would live to be 100 (he expired at 90).
Beloved, will your light shine so that God will be glorified through your works (Matt. 5:16)?
Terry L. Reese
YOUR SPECIAL STONE
September 13
To him who overcomes . . . I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. Revelation 2:17b
I was two years old when I was adopted. When I came to my new home, I only had the clothes I was wearing and my teddy bear. My mother kept that teddy bear for me, and I still have it. It’s raggedy, dusty, missing its button eyes, and half the stuffings are gone. It doesn’t mean anything to my wife or my daughters, but it’s the only thing that came across the line with me from foster homes to a permanent family home. For me, it is a reminder that someone actually took me in and gave me a home. So it is special to me. Our verse talks about a special stone. This white stone is a special reward that the overcomer will receive as a reward when we all get to heaven. You may think, “Wow, I get a rock, how exciting.” But, it actually is exciting. The Greek word translated as “stone” is found only here in the New Testament. A different Greek word is used everywhere else. This was a small smooth stone used in court hearings. The white stone was cast for a verdict of innocent and a black one was cast for guilty. Christ is giving the overcomer a verdict of innocent because they were washed by the blood of Christ. But, then this special stone has a special name on it that only you know. That special name has meaning that only you understand. So, it will be special and meaningful to you. What name do you suppose will be on your stone?
Tom Johnson
PURPOSE OF LIFE
September 12
Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made. Isaiah 43:7
Ask 10 different people what the purpose of life is, and you will probably get 10 different answers. The answers may include: ‘to continue to evolve,’ ‘to become as educated as possible,’ ‘to chase your dreams,’ ‘to realize one’s potential and ideals,’ ‘to become a moral person,’ ‘to align oneself with nature,’ ‘to pursue happiness,’ ‘to attain tranquility,’ or ‘to care for mother earth’. And someone might tell you there is no meaning to life at all. But what does God say?
As believers we have been created for God’s glory. This is a purpose outside of ourselves and our desires. A purpose that will fill the Christian with hope and meaning in all of life. The incredible truth is, as we seek to live our lives to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:23), we will discover a contentment and fulfillment that unbelievers can only dream about. Why? Because we will be living out the design and reason we have been created.
Making any other path or goal the purpose of life, is like trying to use a hammer to turn a screw or a needle to hit a ball. But that is not what those tools were created to do. Not only will you be unproductive in accomplishing your mission, the tools will probably be damaged in the process. Let’s follow what our Designer has made us to do, as God goes on to say, “You are My witnesses, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He” (Isaiah 43:10).
Joshua Steiner
A BROKEN FUEL TANK STRAP
September 11
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.29 Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers; Romans 8:28-29
While we were serving in the Central African Republic, we made a get-acquainted trip to the Chad. At that time rebel activity made it unwise for us to go to Chad. The mission allowed us to use the oldest, most decrepit pick-up truck for the trip. As we entered one village in which there was a Grace Brethren Church, one of the straps holding up the auxiliary fuel tank broke. One end of the tank was lying in the road.
It took me a couple of hours lying in the dirt to syphon the gasoline from that full tank into basins normally used for carrying water from the source to the village. (Gasoline is not my favorite flavor!) I removed the empty tank and put it into the bed of the truck. By then the church had prepared a meal for us. After the fellowship it was getting dark enough that we stayed the night.
We continued in the morning to the next village with a Grace Brethren Church. The pastor told us several times that he was thankful that we had not arrived the previous day. When we asked why, he told us that a group of rebels with guns had sat there all day waiting for a truck to come along. They were tired of walking. None appeared, so in the morning they started off on foot.
When we got back to the town which had been our starting point in Chad, the church members and the government officials were wondering where we were. Our announced plan had been to return the previous day.
It was a frustrating experience for us Americans to be thrown off schedule. It was not a pleasant job to work under the truck in the dirt and the hot weather. I had wondered why the Lord had allowed (caused) the delay. Do we really believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28)? We do not always understand the things we experience, but the sovereign Father Who loves us has it all under control.
Les Vnasdale