THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.” Exodus 6:1

In 1832, Abraham Lincoln bought an interest in a general store with William Berry. After a year or so of trying to make a go of it, they found themselves more in debt. Business was all gone, and Berry asked, "How much longer can we keep this going?" Lincoln answered, "It looks as if our business has just about winked out." Then Lincoln continued, "You know, I wouldn't mind so much if I could just do what I want to do. I want to study law. I wouldn't mind so much if we could sell everything we've got and pay all our bills and have just enough left over to buy one book, Blackstone's Commentary on English Law, but I guess I can't."

That day, a strange-looking wagon was coming up the road. The driver angled it up close to the store porch, then looked at Lincoln and said, "I'm trying to move my family out west, and I'm out of money. I've got a good barrel here that I could sell for fifty cents." Abraham Lincoln's eyes went along the wagon and came to the wife looking at him pleadingly, face thin and emaciated. Lincoln ran his hand into his pocket and took out, according to him, "the last fifty cents I had" and said, "I reckon I could use a good barrel." Berry kept chiding Lincoln about it. Late in the evening Lincoln walked out and looked down into the barrel. He saw something in the bottom of it, papers that he hadn't noticed before. His long arms went down into the barrel and, as he fumbled around, he hit something solid. He pulled out a book and stood petrified.  It was Blackstone's Commentary on English Law.

Lincoln later wrote, "I stood there holding the book and looking up toward the heavens. There came a deep impression on me that God had something for me to do, and He was showing me now that I had to get ready for it. Why else would this happen?"

It was as if God said to Abraham Lincoln, “Now you will see what I will do.” Read Ephesians 5:17 and understand God’s will for you.

Ike Graham

THE WOOD WIDE WEB

Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.  

Psalm 96:12

Did you know that trees can “communicate” with one another? I recently read an article in Answers Magazine titled “Talking Trees—Secrets of Plant Communication” by Tom Hennigan, which explains this fascinating process. When an animal eats a tree’s leaves, the tree can release a gas called ethylene that nearby trees “detect.” In response, those trees produce defensive chemicals that make their leaves taste unappealing. Oak and beech trees can even send electrical signals when insects attack, prompting surrounding trees to alter the taste of their leaves and drive the insects away.

Trees can also connect through their root systems, sharing resources with damaged neighbors. This remarkable network has been called the “wood wide web.” What a marvelous Creator we have!

We humans often pride ourselves on our “cutting-edge” communication technology, yet our wise Creator was far ahead of us. God designed communication as essential for the survival of plants—organisms we might not even consider “living” in the same way as animals or people. If communication is so important for plants, how much more vital is it for redeemed humans, created in the image of God?

We are blessed with the privilege of sharing our joys and burdens with fellow believers, allowing them to pray with and for us. This kind of communication—with one another and with the Lord—takes time and effort. Yet, like the trees, it protects us from the enemy and strengthens those who are hurting, whether physically or spiritually. If your church has a scheduled time of prayer, make it a priority to be there.

Ethan Kallberg

THE LORD OF LIFE

I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life;

No one comes to the Father, but through Me.  

John 14:6

In 1985, on our way home from Africa, we stopped to visit missionary friends in Switzerland. We planned to stay one week, so we bought seven-day passes on the Swiss railroad and looked forward to seeing that beautiful country. On the fourth day Ruth became sick. Our hostess believed she had the flu that had been spreading through their community. For the next three days Ruth was unable to go sightseeing, so Steve, Sheri, and I went without her.

When it was time to leave, we boarded the train in Bern to catch our flight in Zurich. During the trip Ruth developed severe abdominal pain and became terribly nauseated. By the time we reached the Zurich airport she was in great distress. Later, while waiting in Brussels, Ruth lay on the floor because of her misery. Airport staff called an ambulance, and she was taken to the clinic. The doctor suspected appendicitis but gave medication for pain and nausea so we could continue home. The airline rearranged our seats so Ruth could lie across a row of five seats, where she slept most of the way to New York.

Ruth spent two weeks in our local hospital. Her white blood cell count rose and fell regularly, puzzling the experts. They said it should remain high if her appendix had ruptured. Eventually she was sent to the Cleveland Clinic, where her main doctor specialized in infectious diseases. He spent many hours at her bedside asking questions and teaching his interns, “Listen to the patient. She will tell us what is wrong.”

Tests revealed two masses in her abdomen—either abscesses or tumors. With no clear answers, exploratory surgery was the only option. The masses were abscesses which the Great Physician had formed to contain the poison from a ruptured appendix. The doctors told us it had ruptured on the train in Switzerland—four weeks before surgery. Medically, there was no way she should have lived that long.

Our Lord Jesus truly is the Life—spiritually and physically. We praise Him that He sustained her life.

Les Vnasdale

BLAMING GOD

Why do you call me Naomi? Yahweh has answered against me, and the Almighty has brought calamity against me? Ruth 1:21b

You’ve heard the question before – “If God is so good, why did He bring this problem into my life?” It’s a question of doubt. Pain has a way of magnifying the present and minimizing the truth.

It’s the same question that Naomi asks. She believed that the problems in her life were a direct result of Yahweh's dealings against her. Three times she asserts this (vs. 13 “against me”; vs. 20 “has dealt very bitterly with me”; vs. 21 “has afflicted me”). She was failing to recognize God’s goodness in the midst of trials. Instead of trusting God, she turned bitter. Instead of dwelling on truth like “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71) she had allowed lies to fill her mind. Instead of choosing to be “pleasant,” i.e. Naomi, she chose to be “bitter”, i.e. Mara. Instead of choosing to see God’s provision for her in the form of her daughter-in-law, Ruth, she declared that she came back “empty” (vs. 21). Blinded to God’s goodness, she returns to the land of Israel bitter and hardened against God.

But this is where we begin to see God’s grace. Naomi may be done with God, but God is not done with Naomi. What does this mean for me? First, I need to guard my heart from bitterness toward God regardless of what trials I may be experiencing. Hebrews 12:15 says “Seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” Second, I need to be continually reminded of God’s grace. Every trial I encounter is His way of helping me grow (James 1:2-4).

Philip Moeller

LET GO!

There is an appointed time for everything...A time to keep and a time to throw away. Eccl. 3:1,6.

We Americans can have a hard time letting go of things. I enjoy watching American Pickers. Often they run into incredible hoarders. They have junk everywhere. Homes and barns can be stacked to the ceilings. The clutter can be unhealthful harboring insects and critters. The stench can be overwhelming. These people can be killing themselves, because they simply cannot bear to part with their stuff.

The rich young ruler was sensing a problem blocking closeness to God, but he was blind to what it was (Matt. 19:16-26). Our Lord pointed out to him that his wealth was causing him to stumble at putting God first. Now not every rich person has their wealth elevated above God, but for this young man and many others it is a pervasive problem. There were no stacks of junk, no insects, mice and smells. In fact most people wouldn't see he had a problem. For someone else it might be more obvious like drugs, alcohol, pornography. People can get in over their heads very quickly.   

When I was 17, our youth group was at a pool party. I and several young fellows were sporting over a ball. We would hang on to the ball, and the other five would try to take it away. It was great fun until we drifted into the deep end. Five young men held me down. I struggled mightily. Air started escaping from my mouth. My life flashed before my eyes. I said a prayer to God, then in my mind I heard, "Let go of the ball!" In a flash I was saved. Perhaps you find yourself in over your head. Let go of it and reach out to the Savior.   

Russ Simpson  

LEADERS AND LOSERS

If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house,

 we will serve Yahweh. Joshua 24:15

• A leader knows what to fight for and what to compromise on. A loser compromises on what he should not and fights for what isn't worth fighting for. 

• A leader goes through a problem; a loser goes around it.

• A leader says, “I’m good, but not as good as I ought to be”. A loser says, “Well, I’m not as bad as a lot of other people.”

• A leader looks up to where he is going. A loser looks down at those who’ve not yet achieved the position he has. 

One great contrast between a leader and a loser is found in the biblical account of Athaliah and Jehoida (2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21). A leader makes commitments; a loser makes promises. Leaders have dreams; losers have schemes. Leaderssay, “I must do something”; losers say, “Something must be done.” Leaders are a part of the team; losers are apart from the team.

Jehoida was committed to the Lord no matter what the personal cost. He was an example of Psalm 15:4c following in the path of King David. “He swears to his own hurt and does not change.” This is easy to say but think about the danger in which he lived. Notice the connection between 2 Chron. 22:12 and the next chapter, verse 1. How did he strengthen himself? The context tells us that the captains of hundreds joined with him. That will strengthen you! But how did he know that they would join with him? He didn’t. It took prayer. It took risk. It took putting his life on the line. Dear friend, are you a leader? 

Ike Graham 

LET’S PRAY LIKE DANIEL

So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your slave and to his supplications, and for Your sake… O Lord, listen!  O Lord, forgive!  O Lord, give heed and take action!  For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay.  Daniel 9:17, 19

The aged, exiled prophet Daniel had seen and done it all in his 65+ years in Babylon (read Daniel chapters 1-6).  While reading in the Book of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:1-2), Daniel learns that the Israelites’ 70 year captivity in Babylon is almost over (Jeremiah 25:8-11; 29:10).  Within a year or two, Cyrus the Great of Persia would be motivated by God Himself to release the Jewish captives to their homeland to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1).  How does Daniel respond to all this?  He gets down on his knees and prays one of the most impassioned prayers found in the Bible (Daniel 9:3-15). 

As we observe Daniel’s prayer, we note several characteristics of powerful prayer that we do well to emulate.  First of all it is TOP PRIORITY and FREQUENT (vs. 3a).  It is also FERVENT and SELF-SACRIFICING (vs. 3b).  Daniel put on sackcloth and threw ashes on his head as he mourned over Israel’s situation.  Daniel demonstrates that powerful prayer is CENTERED and FOCUSED ON GOD HIMSELF. 

Now we come to the crux of Daniel’s prayer (vv. 5-15) as he humbly CONFESSES to God.  Read this prayer and notice Daniel’s personal involvement and intensity.  He refuses to be the Pharisee praying, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people…”  Instead he prays like the tax collector humbly beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:9-14).  Daniel closes his prayer pleading that God’s will be done for His glory and honor (vv. 16-19).

I challenge you to study Daniel’s prayer, and pray fervently for yourself, your family, your church, your mission fields, your nation and your world!

Bob Kulp

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICE-Y

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, 

Whose word I praise, in God I trust;

I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?    

Psalm 56:3-4

​I was on the upper floor of an old hardware store when the lights went out. Since the weather was bad, I blamed it on that and waited for them to come back on again. Soon, I heard the door close and lock. I felt my way to the stairs, looked down at the nightlight on the cash register, and realized that everyone had left, and I was locked in alone! I could unlock the door and make a run for it, or I could be honest and call for help. I picked up the phone and dialed 911, hoping they would pity a stupid person. “I am locked in a hardware store and need help to get out!” I said. 

​“Oh, don’t worry,” said the officer, “someone will be there real soon!”

​I must have tripped an alarm coming downstairs because I had no sooner hung up the phone when I turned around and looked out the door to see a 9mm Glock pointing back at me. I just smiled and waved and said that I had gotten locked in. The officer said that the manager was on the way.

​When they all got inside I explained my case and showed the few items that I had picked out. The Lord had sent just the right officer because he recognized me as being the chaplain with the sheriff’s department! After jokingly pulling out some handcuffs, I was let go to steep in my embarrassment. But had I not trusted the Lord to be honest, I would not be writing this right now.

Davy L. Troxel

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