IS IT WORTH IT?

And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. Ruth 1:14

The most powerful tool a buyer possesses is not a bottomless pocketbook – it’s the ability to say “No!”. Why? Because every salesman wants to make that sale. He throws in every incentive or discount for one reason – so that you don’t walk away without purchasing that product.

Too many people view God like this. As long as God offers me a good enough deal, I’ll buy into His ways. But the moment I don’t like what He is offering, I’ll walk away. Consider Orpah. She was willing to put up with the Israelite religion by being married to Chilion, and she was willing to stay with Naomi for moral support. But when there was a cost attached to her commitment to Israel’s God, she quit. The cost of no husband (vs. 11) and giving up her culture, family, and religion was too great. The sad reality about her choice was that she thought that by staying in Moab she would lose nothing, but when she did she gained nothing and lost everything that mattered. After her decision, she completely disappears from the pages of Scripture, never to be mentioned again.

Jesus has called us to follow Him. Consider what it might cost: your life (2 Timothy 3:12), your money (Matthew 19:16-22), or your comforts (Matthew 8:19-22). But consider the reward. “There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more at this time and in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30).

Philip Moeller

THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST'S BRIDE

When Jesus left this sinful earth,

When the Lord went back to heaven,

He left a group of highest worth,

A faithful church without leaven.

Still from heaven He reigns supreme as head,

From the vault upon high, He rules with might,

Over a troop of workers, far from dead,

Above the active, who serve in the light.

They look to the One among the living,

Seeking the Risen One - Eraser of sin.

Worship His name with praise and thanksgiving.

Lift the Mighty One with shouts of great din.

Of the chosen, He calls them one by one.

The ecclesia come to His great grace,

Until the trump of God and all is done,

The dead first - then us - we all see His face.

So as we stand before His judgment seat,

Before the Bema - but not in trouble,

Gold, silver, precious stones whate'er is meet,

Tried by fire, be it wood, hay or stubble.

A wondrous crown given at Judgment Seat,

For good works done instead of our leisure,

Our crowns gladly lay at our Savior's feet,

The Pearl of Great Price, our true treasure.

The church, He cleanses with His holy word.

His pure bride receives her white linen gown,

Obedient and true to His two-edged sword.

The virgins pure have the best seats in town.

Heaven's opened, and behold, a white horse

The Rider - wondrous - called Faithful and True,

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus - of course,

And an army of saints, like me and you.

Woe to the men who choose not to believe.

Jesus treads the wine press of His fierce wrath.

All the seals, trumpets and bowls, they receive.

Sorrows upon sorrows - it's a blood bath.

So my friend, the choice is really quite clear.

Armageddon is nothing you want near.

Repent, do not delay, choose God to fear.

His precious blood, you must learn to count dear.

Russ Simpson

GOD’S CARE AND CONTROL

Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

One example of God’s care and control is the life of King Jehoshaphat. He did some knuckleheaded things and yet God overruled and cared for him. He allied himself with Ahab in 2 Chronicles 18 and was suckered into helping Ahab against Ramoth-Gilead (v. 2). Even though the prophet Micaiah warned Jehoshaphat not to go into battle, he not only went, but listened to Ahab and wore his royal robes into battle! Oi vey! Nevertheless, God delivered him and sent him a prophet to basically say, “Don’t ever do that again!” Read 2 Chronicles 19 for “the rest of the story.”

How about you, friend? Have you ever done foolish things and yet God watched over you and cared for you? If so, then you can identify with this story:

​There was a boy who wanted to go to the birthday party of his friend when a snow storm was raging. He pleaded with his dad, and because they lived in the city, his argument was that it wasn’t that far. He could walk the few blocks to his friend’s house. Finally, his father agreed to let him go. As he was making his way there, he began to wonder if he should have gone since the wind and snow were nearly blinding. When he reached his friend’s house, he looked back to see just how much the snow was piling up. He noticed the figure of a person standing about one hundred feet away and realized that this man was…his dad. Do you remember what Jesus said?  “Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” 

Ike Graham

IT COULD BE TODAY!

Then we who are alive and remain will be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 a concern arose over whether deceased believers would miss out on all the blessings of Jesus’ coming.  The Apostle Paul assured them that these departed saints would actually be first in line to meet the Savior, miraculously resurrected from their graves.  All of this occurs after the Captain of our salvation descends from heaven with a loud commanding shout (vs. 16) perhaps ordering them like Lazarus to “Come forth!” (John 11:43) followed immediately by all living and true believers in Christ.  Oh, yes, there is also the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God resounding along with “the shout that will take us out!”  Trumpets blared to declare war, announce special events/weddings, gather people for a journey or announce the arrival of a special person.  All these factors are in this trumpet call.  Who is more special than Jesus our Savior, Lord, King and heavenly Bridegroom?!

If all this is not astounding enough, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep/die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.” This is NOT Christian science fiction BUT solid biblical truth!

Are YOU ready for the Rapture?  The only way to be sure is to cry out to the Savior today repenting/turning from your sins and trusting Jesus alone for salvation (John 14:6).  Then live righteously each day watching, waiting and telling everyone you know to be ready for Him.  You do not want to be left behind, believe me!  Perhaps today!

Bob Kulp

CULTURAL MARXIS

For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28b

Karl Marx was a dark and troubled soul who passionately hated God and was frequently incapacitated by a debilitating bipolar condition. On other occasions, however, he managed to labor with furious intensity, forging an all-embracing worldview that destroyed millions of lives, and continues to engender international chaos.

The center of Marxian thought is the “US vs. THEM” dialectic—the conflict between “oppressors” and the “oppressed,” which originally centered upon economic relationships. Today, postmodern neo-Marxists broadly apply this power-dynamic to every aspect of life (i.e., “Critical Theory”), and embrace the following concepts:

1. The dialectic applies to many areas, including race (“CRT”), sexual orientation (“Queer Theory”), and gender (“Feminist Theory”).

2. Human virtue corresponds to the levels of oppression that people experience, providing the basis for social categorization (“intersectionality”). Straight white Christian men are “oppressors”—regardless of their personal history or conduct.

3. Oppressors maintain their control by establishing social biases and norms (e.g., Christians “oppress” homosexuals  Bible teaching).

4. The only sources of authoritative knowledge are the personal testimonials of the “oppressed.” Other sources (e.g., the Bible, facts, logic) mean nothing—these serve as “tools of oppression.”

5. Ethics. The “liberation” of the oppressed is the highest good; whatever promotes that outcome is ethically permissible.

Many Americans embrace this worldview, while politicians coddle its most extreme advocates. Communication is difficult; resistance to Biblical authority and reasonable discussion is firmly baked into the ideology. PRAY for the supernaturally effective power of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44)!

Marxist dialectical-theory ignores the possibility of Christ-centered reconciliation. ALL MEN are CREATED in God’s Image (Gen. 1:27), FALLEN (Rom. 3:9-12), but POTENTIALLY SAVABLE in Jesus (John 3:16). In the Prince of Peace, genuine spiritual unity is achievable (Gal. 3:26-29)!

Terry L. Reese  

LIFE’S DETOURS

…Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction

Mark 1:45

Larry and Benita wanted to be missionaries to Venezuela.  They knew that it was God's will to go and make disciples of all nations.  As they prepared to go as missionaries, the day of their departure drew near.  Before they left as Benita and her mother were traveling in their car, there was a crash.  It was a head-on collision.  Benita's neck was broken and she was confined to a wheel chair. Why would God allow this to happen when they were doing the will of God?  As a result, they despaired and did not go to Venezuela. 

Moses had doubts about the will of God because things didn't go as he planned back in Exodus chapter 2.  The people of Israel didn't want to follow him and Pharoah saw his chance to get rid of Moses.  So, Moses fled to the desert of Midian where God sent 4 teachers to give Moses his postgraduate degree in Humility.  They were obscurity, solitude, time and discomfort.  God ground Moses down to the point where he was able to hear the word of God.

Is that where you are today?  Listen to Psalm 119:67, 68, 71, 75.  

“Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.  I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” Is God putting you in a situation that is tough so that you will bow the knee to Him and say, "OK Lord!  I'm ready to listen!  What would you have me do?”

Ike Graham

COMMITTED

Do not press me to forsake you in turning back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Ruth 1:16

Jesus said, “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33). This seems backwards to our way of thinking. How can losing result in gaining?

For Ruth, the answer was simple. She carefully weighed all her options. She could stay in Moab and enjoy the little it had to offer or she could go with the bitter Naomi and lose her Moabite citizenship, her homeland, her culture, her pagan religion, her family, and potentially any future. But there was also more to this decision. If she stayed in Moab it would mean that she was turning her back on the true God with Whom she had so recently fallen in love. To her that was unthinkable.

So she emphatically declared to Naomi that she would stay with her. Verse 14 says that she “clung” to Naomi. This strong word is used in Genesis 2 to describe the joining of a man and woman in marriage. She was so insistent on this decision that she emphatically commands Naomi to stop trying to persuade her differently. The decision had been made and nothing was going to change it. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she seals her declaration with an oath inviting God’s curse if she left Naomi. (v. 17)

Ruth’s decision yielded long-term results. Because she placed her life in the center of God’s will, God was able to work through her to accomplish His will for the whole nation of Israel. When you do things God’s way, you always gain.

Philip Moeller

CHOICES, COMPROMISES AND CONSEQUENCES

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of Yahweh his God, as David his father had done. 

2 Kings 16:2

Ahaz was one of the bad kings of Judah. There are good examples and bad examples in our world, and he was a bad example. His choices and compromises led to consequences which affected him personally and the nation corporately. He chose to reject God and follow the kings of Israel which crippled his conscience. However, God sends the prophet Isaiah to him (Isaiah 7) and he turns away from God’s call to repentance because of God’s great compassion. 

It reminds me of the account in Tedd Tripp’s book, Shepherding a Child’s Heart. A boy was seen by the usher, when the offering plate was being passed, taking money out of the plate. The usher told the boy’s dad, and the boy’s dad asked to meet Tedd after the worship time. The dad said, “Give the money back.” The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a $1.00 bill and gave it to Tedd. Tedd, very compassionately and calmly, explained to the boy that this is why Jesus came. He came to die for the sins of people like you and like me. As he explained the Gospel to this boy, the boy bowed his head, reached into his pocket and pulled out a $20.00 bill. The mercy of God was displayed. 

Friend, are you making bad choices, compromising and suffering the consequences? God is reaching out to you. Confess your sin. Repent of your sin and turn to God in submission and obedience. God will have mercy and show grace.

Ike Graham

THE SIN THAT GETS US ALL!

Good and upright is Yahweh; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.  May He lead the humble in justice and may He teach the humble His way. 

Psalm 25:8-9

In my daily Bible reading recently, I have been running into the words “pride” and “proud”.  It is clear from the Bible that God is totally against all sinful human pride.  The dictionary defines “pride” as “an undue sense of one’s superiority equated with such words as arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, vainglory and vanity.”  C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianitydescribes pride as “a spiritual cancer that eats up the very possibility of love, contentment or even common sense.”  PrIde is at the root of ALL sin.  It’s choosing “I” over God or anyone else. 

Just how seriously does God view pride?  Here are a few of the many verses that tell us.

-       Psalm 31:23 “Yahweh guards the faithful, but repays fully the one who acts in lofty pride.”

-       Proverbs 6:16-17 “There are six things which Yahweh hates, even seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty/proud eyes…”

-       Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh.”

-       Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”

-       Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s lofty pride will bring him low, but a lowly spirit will take hold of glory.”

-       Daniel 4:37 “All His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”  Read Nebuchadnezzar’s story in Daniel 4!

-       1 Peter 5:5 “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Pride can be forgiven and even conquered with God’s help.  Someone has said, “Swallow your pride, it’s non-fattening.”  It’s also the right thing to do!

Bob Kulp

SEPARATE

Come out from their midst and be separate.

2 Corinthians 6:17a

As Durnbaugh observes (Brethren Encyclopedia, vol.2, p.1163), Brethrenism has traditionally frowned upon its members associating with Freemasonry. Very early (1804), Annual Meeting sternly denied church membership to Masons. While modernity has downgraded the standards of various Brethren bodies, the fact remains that the giants of our heritage spoke with unanimity upon this matter. Dr. McClain himself penned a well-known treatise entitled Freemasonry and Christianity. But why did our fathers feel this way about a society that accurately boasts of so many prominent, upstanding Americans?

I refrain from judging subjective motives; men join the Lodge for various reasons.  And yes, some genuine Christians are found within the Lodges. But our question is: “SHOULD a Christian be a Mason?”

Here are sufficient reasons why Freemasonry and Christianity are incompatible:

1) Masonry’s own classic interpreters define it as a religion (demanding faith in a Supreme Being). Masonic Christians are thus unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) with unbelievers (Muslims, Hindus).

2) The “god” that Masons invoke is therefore an ill-defined deity that “stands behind” the gods of all the world’s religions (Ex. 20:3).

3) The Masonic Apron symbolizes the purity of life and conduct that allegedly establishes a basis for salvation. Likewise, Masonic Funeral Services extend salvation-hope through good works (Eph. 2:8-9).

4) Masonry demands horrid—and frivolous—blood oaths (Matt. 5:33-37).

5) Masonry offers “light” while ignoring JESUS—the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12)!!! As Christians, we have light (1 Thess. 5:4-5).

6) As “furniture,” the Bible only symbolizes Divine authority (foreign Lodges similarly employ the Koran or Vedas).

7) Freemasonry’s message is hidden, but Christianity’s Gospel is open (Mark16:15)!

8) Some of its ritual is pagan and blasphemous (Deut.12:30).

9) Masonry affirms the false Universal Fatherhood of God doctrine (Jn. 8:42-44).

Terry L. Reese

GODLY EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW

Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.

Brothers, pray for us.  1 Thessalonians 5:24-25

I have always appreciated the ministry of Dr. John Whitcomb.  Even though he was very busy, he took the time to pray for and encourage many of us pastors in the CGBCI.  I was one who received such calls – he would want to know how I was doing, how the church was doing and if I had any prayer requests.  One time I asked him to pray for our youngest daughter and every time he saw me after that, he always asked me about her.  He was a faithful prayer warrior and good example for all of us to follow.  Here are some things we can learn from him.

Dr. Whitcomb loved God’s Word and continued studying, learning from it until the day the Lord called him home.  I have been told that 2 Timothy 2:2 was his life verse.  "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  He trained thousands of individuals for ministry who then went on to teach others.  I was one of those men.

He also loved science and the modern creationist movement, and authored The Genesis Flood.  Jeremiah 32:17 was one of his favorite creation verses.  "Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You.”   In his later years, Psalm 71:9, 18 reflected his desire to continue proclaiming God's might to future generations: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails… And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your might to all who are to come.”  May we, too, be faithful in our study of God’s Word and in our prayers for each other!

Bob Kulp

TURNING POINT

And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth 1:22b

Poor Captain Von Trapp. He had hired countless nannies to care for his motherless children to no avail. They had all either quit or been fired. Then a nun showed up who seemed to be a good fit. But even she disappoints by unexpectedly leaving.

If you’ve watched the movie “The Sound of Music” you know what happens next. As the children dejectedly stand around, they begin to sing. Part way through the song their entire countenance changes when the nun, Maria, bursts on the scene. The viewer has observed a key turning point in the musical.

In the book of Ruth, the turning point comes at the end of chapter 1. Up to this point, it has all been discouraging. A man has left his homeland of Israel, sojourned much longer than he anticipated, and then died. His two sons had married Moabite women but likewise died without any children. Naomi had persuaded one of her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab before she and Ruth moved to Israel. That’s when it all begins to change. The city of bread is now experiencing the bountiful blessings of a barley harvest. What had before been a famine is now overflowing with food.

What was it that allowed this sudden change in the narrative? There seem to be two factors. First, Naomi was once again in the right place – Israel. If we expect God to bless, we need to be doing things that please Him. Second, Naomi had a true friend to encourage her – Ruth. Ruth had gently but forcefully corrected Naomi’s wrong attitude about God by assuring her that Israel’s God is worth following. Now, with a right heart attitude the groundwork has been laid for God to work.

Philip Moeller

BUILDING HONOR

For those who honor Me I will honor,

and those who despise Me will be cursed. 1 Samuel 2:30

God essentially told King Solomon in 1 Kings 9:4-5, “If you honor Me, then I will honor you.” The word “honor” is used more than 134 times in the Bible. In our culture, we use synonyms like respect, integrity, honesty, recognition, value, esteem, etc. Many people and organizations have a “code of honor.” The military has a code of honor; some families have a code of honor; even pirates and criminals have a code of honor. Seems like an oxymoron, right? What does that mean? It means that each of these groups have a standard by which they hold each other accountable. It means to be entrusted to behave honorably and honestly without supervision. Journalist Walter Lippmann said: “He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.” When you live up to the standard, then you are worthy of honor. Ephesians 4:1 says, “…walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called;” Worthy, honorably, living up to what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

The Christian’s code of honor would include:

•​Humility…………………………………………Matthew 5:3

•​Contrition…………………………………..……Matthew 5:4

•​Meekness……………………………………...…Matthew 5:5

•​Hungering and thirsting for righteousness……...Matthew 5:6 

•​Merciful………………………….………………Matthew 5:7

•​Purified in heart……………………………...…..Matthew 5:8

•​Peacemakers……………………………….…….Matthew 5:9

•​Suffering for Jesus……………………..……Matthew 5:10-11 

So, how do you evaluate your thinking about yourself? Do you look at the standard, the code of honor, in the word of God and say to yourself, “Am I doing that? Am I so concerned about my relatives’ salvation that I am praying earnestly for that person and asking God to give me the opportunity to tell them of Christ? Am I ready, prepared for the opportunity when it arises? As a father, do I provoke my children to anger? As a wife, do I love my husband as Titus 2:4 demands?”

Ike Graham

MOTHER’S DAY

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Have you ever wondered how this holiday originated?  About 150 years ago Anna Jarvis organized a day to raise awareness of the poor health conditions in her community.  Since she thought that mothers were in favor of this, she called it “Mother’s Work Day”.  After she passed away, her namesake Anna wanted to honor her mom’s achievements including fulfilling her desire to someday create a special day just for mothers.  Anna worked diligently to push for this goal, talking to presidents and other leaders.  In 1914 Congress passed a bill signed by President Woodrow Wilson recognizing the second Sunday of May as the national holiday for mothers.  Ironically Anna began to loathe Mother’s Day because of its emphasis on expensive gifts and fancy flowers when she simply wanted it to be a day to tell moms how much they were loved and appreciated, just a day to honor Mom!  

There should be no argument that mothers should be honored, thanked and appreciated every day for all they do and for all the love they share.  When full-time mom, Peggy Campolo was asked, “And what is it that YOU do?” she replied,  “I am socializing two homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they may be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation.  And what is it that YOU do?”

Proverbs 31:10-31 is King Lemuel’s and actually God’s evaluation of the importance of the work and faith of mothers and women everywhere.  Anna Jarvis would truly appreciate the response given in verses 28-29 by their children and husbands, “Her children rise up and bless her; as for her husband he also praises her, saying, ‘Many daughters have done excellently BUT you have gone above them all.’”  Happy Mother’s Day!

Bob Kulp

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;

and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.

This is the inheritance of the slaves of Yahweh,

and their righteousness is from Me, declares Yahweh.    

Isaiah 54:18

​My wife once worked with a nursing assistant who was taking care of a certain patient in a hospital when a man came into the room with a gun, trying to shoot the patient. The nursing assistant stood face to face with the gunman and told him to leave. But the gunman put the pistol against her chest and pulled the trigger two or three times; each time the gun misfired!

​When telling her story in court, she was challenged as to how this strange incident could have happened. “Jesus protected me,” was her answer.

​Whether by words or weapons, the world’s attacks on God’s people will eventually be beaten down or proven useless by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the nation of Israel itself, once thought to have been annihilated by the mighty power of Rome, was resurrected to eternal life by the Word of God!

Davy L. Troxel

MYTH MAKER

…the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving

2 Corinthians 4:4

A 1989 treatise, After the Ball (Kirk & Madsen), proposed that the marginalized LGBTQ+ community would best be served by employing the proven mass marketing techniques and brainwashing strategies associated with advertising agencies, PR firms, and political propaganda-machines entailing levels of indoctrination…

1) Desensitizing. The public must be “softened-up” through constant media-exposure, thus becoming accustomed to homosexuality. The “gay” must perpetually appear before the public—but not in the weird, objectionable form of the drag queen, “artsy” bohemian, or “leather-stud.” Rather, he must re-materialize as a beloved sibling-type or endearing co-worker. Persistent positive exposure will eradicate the perception of the homosexual as an alien presence, and soon the public will become disinterested in the issue—viewing sexual preference simply as a matter of “personal taste.”

2) “Jamming” the opposition. The traditional, conservative Christian is assigned the media role of mean-spirited village idiot. Conversely, the “normal” and sympathetic homosexual acquires martyr-status.

3) Conversion. New societal norms coercively demand cultural acceptance and empathetical approval of the “gay” lifestyle and its ideology (“convert!”)—or face the Siberian Exile of “cancellation!”  

How have they done? In but several years, the Movement has radically redesigned the ages-old institution of matrimony and achieved monumental success in recasting the sodomite, as illustrated by society’s evolving nomenclature. First, it was called “Sodomy”—a sinful (potentially criminal) BEHAVIOR. Then (late 1800’s) it became “Homosexuality”—an abnormal CONDITION (potentially triggering sympathy?). Now, it’s called “Gay” (a legitimate, natural IDENTITY).

Granting due credit to LGBTQ’s human agencies for their fiendish stratagems, the REAL Mastermind behind this success is spiritual in nature (Eph.6:12). The targeted theater of Satanic battlefield-activity is the MIND (Eph.4:17-18, Rom.1:28, 8:5-8, 2Cor.4:3-4)!

Terry L. Reese

A GREAT MAN

Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a mighty man of excellence, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Ruth 2:1

Who are some of your favorite Bible characters? Is it Abraham, or Moses, or maybe Peter? Would Boaz be on that list? He would certainly make my list.

When the reader is introduced to him, his first quality mentioned is that he was a kinsman of Elimelech. This places him in the tribe and family line for the promised king of Israel. It also allows him to marry Ruth and through that provide for Naomi. Because he did, he proves that he was a man of compassion.

Next, he is described as a man of excellence. While this Hebrew expression often refers to possessing a large bank account, it is also the language of a mighty warrior (2 Samuel 17:8), and more significantly someone of great spiritual wealth (Proverbs 31:10). When Boaz first speaks, his words confirm this interpretation. His greeting of “May Yahweh bless you” goes well beyond the typical Hebrew greeting of “Shalom” to purposely recognize Yahweh’s involvement in giving peace. Even Boaz’ name suggests something about him. It means “in him is strength”. It is possible that he had such a lasting impact on his family that his great-great-grandson, Solomon, names a pillar in the temple after him (1 Kings 7:21).

Now, consider further how different his character must have been when compared with his contemporaries. The book of Judges is full of examples of godlessness. And yet, Boaz shows us that Godly living in the midst of godlessness is possible.

Make today a day in which you will be characterized with such spiritual wealth.

Philip Moeller

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. 

Psalm 16:11

The first part of this verse is so great. God is making known to you right now the path of life; a life of value on this present earth and the path to eternal life. Don’t get sidetracked. Don’t take the wrong fork in the road because look where it leads!

“Fullness of joy;” a joy that never ends. Pleasures evermore. How many times have you experienced something magnificent and said to yourself, “I wish this moment could last forever!”? That time is coming and will not end! Are you ready?

An unknown author once said, "As a boy, I thought of heaven as a city with domes, spires, and beautiful streets, inhabited by angels. By-and-by my little brother died, and I thought of heaven much as before, but with one inhabitant that I knew. Then another died, and then some of my acquaintances, so in time I began to think of heaven as containing several people that I knew. But it was not until one of my own little children died that I began to think I had treasure in heaven myself. Afterward another went, and yet another. By that time, I had so many acquaintances and children in heaven that I no more thought of it as a city merely with streets of gold but as a place full of inhabitants. Now, there are so many loved ones there, I sometimes think there are far more people who love me in heaven than on earth."

Is this true of you? I think more and more about my brothers and sisters in Christ who are with Jesus. My family members also. I also am reminded of the fact that I will have an immortal, imperishable body to enjoy the fullness of joy in the presence of God.

Ike Graham

I’LL TAKE CARE OF THE BRETHREN

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will make you mighty, surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

One of the great servants of the Lord in past history was Henry Allen “Harry” Ironside (1876-1951).  He served the Lord for many years with the Plymouth Brethren.  In 1930 the 53-year-old Brethren evangelist, who had never before held a pastorate was called to be the pastor of the Moody Bible Church in Chicago.  The story is told that for months Ironside prayed about this.  Finally he accepted. 

He was then invited to attend the Brethren Conference in the East to share his decision.  He entered the room where the Brethren leaders were seated and was greeted by silence.  He asked them if they wished to pray or read Scripture.  All were silent.  Finally he said, “I know what you want, and I’ll tell you. It was this way: I prayed over the call to the church, and the Lord said to me, ‘Feed My Lambs.’ But I answered, ‘Lord, what about the Brethren?’  Then I prayed again, and the Lord seemed to say, ‘Feed My sheep.’ Again I asked, ‘But Lord, what about the Brethren?’  So I prayed again, and finally the Lord said to me, ‘Feed My sheep.  I’ll take care of the Brethren!’”

As a pastor in the CGBCI this was an encouragement to me, and I trust to each of you as well.  Many of the churches in our fellowship are small.  But despite our smallness God continues to use us not just here in America but across the seas in Myanmar, the African continent and India.  God is not finished with us yet.  He still has work for us to do.  How will you serve Him today?

Bob Kulp

ARE YOU GETTING THE MESSAGE?

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.     1 Corinthians. 10:1-5

Twenty-five men crowded into a small room hoping to get one available telegraph job. One could hear the Morse code in the background as they waited to be interviewed. While waiting, one man told of his ability to decipher quicker than anyone else. Still another spoke of his 25 years of experience. A third man mentioned that he did not have the skills that the others had, but he was related to the station master so he was sure to get the job. Suddenly, a man stood, walked to the door, turned the knob and went in. Soon he came out and announced that he had been hired. That whole time the morse code was inviting them to come in. They were not paying attention.              

Something like that happened to Israel. God led them out of Egypt having vanquished the country without a fight they saw the cloud of God's presence by day, the pillar of fire at night. Crossing the Red Sea in safety, that same Red Sea destroyed Egypt’s mighty chariot army. When the food ran out, God gave them miracle manna. When the water ran out, they drank from the rock which pointed to Christ. When Moses was on the mountain, the people fell into idolatry. Later having to circumnavigate the land of Edom, the people became rebellious against Moses and God (Num. 21:5-9). They even bemoaned having ever left Egypt. God sent a fiery serpent plague among them, and the only cure was to look at the serpent on the pole, a type of Christ (Jn. 3:14-16).

Paul's point in reciting this was to remind the Corinthians that missing the message from God and falling into idolatry has happened to many people who should know better. We likewise are cut from the same cloth. Can we be so close to the things of God and still miss their import? God is faithful and provides a way of escape if we pay attention (1 Cor. 10:13).  God still speaks to those who listen. 

Russ Simpson