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

UNNATURAL

…it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22b

 We can neither underestimate the civilizational crisis that was unleashed with Obama-Era Supreme Court rulings on “Gay Marriage” that successfully transformed sodomite pseudo-marriages into “settled law,” nor can we tranquilly acclimate ourselves to the normalization of something that God has pronounced dishonorable, unnatural, and indecent (Rom. 1:26-27)—an abomination before Him (Lev.18:22) that bars inheritance of the Kingdom of God (1Cor. 6:9-10).

Popular culture stands Biblical morality on its head (Isa. 5:20) and then demands conformity. But it doesn’t matter that Obama, in his unending quest to bring about “change,” commanded the White House to be lit “Rainbow” in celebration of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that overturned same-sex marriage restrictions nationwide. And it doesn’t matter that a monolithic social consensus brands faithful Bible believers as “haters” or “homophobes.”

And it doesn’t matter that within the church, progressive-evangelicalism increasingly diminishes the inherent sinfulness of a homosexual inclination (e.g., the Revoice conference), promoting the concept of a “Gay-Christian” identity. It doesn’t matter that megachurch superstar Andy Stanley lauded two individuals who are “married” to other men as exemplar “Christ-followers” at his Unconditional conference and had them lead educational sessions on the proper Christian response to homosexuality at home and in the church. It doesn’t matter that the Emergent Church’s cool Grampy, Brian McLaren, has solemnly pontificated that the Bible’s moral instruction on homosexuality is “unclear” (despite the clarity of the above-referenced texts)—leading to his inevitable counsel that evangelicals should stop offending people and cease from discussing the issue.

The inducement to loll in idle acceptance and cultural compromise is indeed weighty: consequences must always attend social non-conformity (John 17:14). Often it seems pointless, hazardous, and futile to swim “against current.” But ultimately, only one thing matters: GOD HAS SPOKEN!

Terry L. Reese

PROVIDENCE

And so it happened that she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:3b

Some might call it coincidence. We call it providence. After Robert Robinson was converted under the preaching of George Whitefield he felt called to preach. Trials would soon attack him and he found himself wandering from the Lord. He began traveling the world seeking for answers. On one journey he met a spiritually minded young woman. She asked him, “What do you think of this hymn I have been reading?” and then quoted “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee; Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above.” Robert immediately broke down confessing that he was the author of those words. Coincidence? I don’t think so!

Ruth found herself with nothing. The only thing she had was a love for Naomi and Naomi’s God. Armed with this conviction, she went out to work. From her perspective it was like a blind shot in the dark, but from God’s perspective, it was exactly how He had planned it.

Is that how you view the events in your life? Do you live with an awareness that God is orchestrating everything to accomplish His will? What this means is that nothing that occurs in your life is left to chance. Years later Ruth’s grandson, David, would write, “The footsteps of a man are established by Yahweh, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

Philip Moeller

BUILDING HOLINESS

Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and do My judgments and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will establish My word with you which I spoke to David your father. 1 Kings 6:13

King Solomon was chosen by God to build the worship center of Israel, the temple. In so doing, he was not just building a material structure but also centralizing the worship of Israel which was not simply outward. A surface reading of 1 Kings 6:13 might give you the idea that holiness comes by obedience. Many, many people think that holiness means keeping rules. That is not holiness; that is one fruit of holiness. Consequently, God says to Solomon in verse 13 that He will manifest His presence in the nation of Israel on one condition: verse 12. You keep My commandments. Keeping of God’s commandments is the demonstration that His holiness is in us. Sometimes, Israel is told to obey because they believe and sometimes, they are told to believe in order to obey (Deut. 6:1, 5; Josh. 1:5, 8; Isa. 1:18-19). What follows, then, is growth in holiness. We also call it sanctification. It is the spiritual growth into the image of Jesus. It is becoming more and more like God. The more that we grow spiritually, the more that we become like Jesus.

Holiness is a state of being, a process, and a goal. It begins with receiving the holiness of God when a person is born again; that is, they receive Jesus Christ as Savior and the Holy Spirit indwells that person permanently. That’s why Hebrews 12:14 reads, “Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” It culminates when we enter the presence of God. At that point, sin is eradicated and holiness dominates forever as 1 Thessalonians 5:23 states: the God of peace Himself will sanctify us completely, or entirely. Where are you in the building of holiness into your life? Ask your pastor how you are progressing.

Ike Graham

BABY TEETH

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:11

Children understand a simple truth: baby teeth are temporary. When adult teeth come in, no one tries to put the baby teeth back. They served their purpose, but something better replaced them. Scripture uses a similar idea to help us understand Christ’s priesthood.

In the Old Testament, priests from the tribe of Levi represented the people before God. Through sacrifices, they pointed worshipers toward forgiveness and reminded them of God’s justice and mercy. Yet Hebrews 7 teaches that this priesthood was never meant to be final. If it had truly made people perfect, there would have been no need for another priest. But Psalm 110 foretold that the Messiah would come as a priest in a different order — the order of Melchizedek — revealing that a greater plan was unfolding.

The Levitical system carefully regulated how people approached God. It was purposeful and important, but incomplete. Like a wooden frame used to support a stone arch during construction, it prepared the way for something lasting. Once the arch stands, the frame is removed because it is no longer needed. In the same way, Jesus fulfills what the old priesthood anticipated. Through His indestructible life, He becomes our eternal priest and the true way into God’s presence.

Jesus did not qualify as priest by ancestry or physical requirements. He came from the tribe of Judah and serves forever because of who He is — the sinless Son of God. The law could guide and instruct, but it could never make hearts perfect. Christ brings a better hope, giving believers confident access to the Father.

Because Jesus is our perfect and eternal priest, we no longer rely on temporary systems. We rest in His finished work. Today, draw near to God with confidence, thankful that through Christ we have forgiveness, hope, and a lasting relationship with the One who welcomes us into His presence.

Ethan Kallberg

TURNING BOMBSHELLS INTO BLESSINGS, PART 2

I hoped earnestly for Yahweh; and He inclined to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a high rock, He established my steps. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in Yahweh.

Psalm 40:1-3

​Before that dark day in October (see part 1), a saint in my current church had called me concerning meeting me to get some counselling. Little did I know that this would be my bridge to my next place of service! I met her at her place of business, and the following week our family was in her church, reeling from the blow of what had happened. That church had an interim pastor at the time, and the lady that had contacted me said, “I wish that we could afford to hire you as a full-time pastor!”

​I had begun to explore other possibilities, all of which the Lord answered “no” to, and decided that until a church came open, I would make this church our place of worship. The congregation was warm and kind to us at a time when we needed a source of spiritual strength and healing. The Lord moved mightily, and in two months I candidated for the position of pastor and received a unanimous call. I now have served here twenty-five years come December. In that time, the Lord has blessed in countless ways and has also done many things to fulfill His promise in Galatians 6:7-8 concerning those who caused the problem. Some of them even came to me and asked forgiveness. Looking back, I can see my Lord’s hand in the plan for my life, and I envy those in the Bible who were gifted with prophecy and could see God’s will as clearly in the future as I do in the past. I’ll never have that ability, but I’m much stronger in my ability to trust Him for the blessings after going through such a bombshell as this. Glory to God!

Davy L. Troxel

TURNING BOMBSHELLS INTO BLESSINGS, PART 1

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has magnified himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my close companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet counsel together (as we) walked in the house of God in the throng.     

Psalm 55:12-14

​Some of the strangest events of my life have happened to me in October. Perhaps the strangest was the day that I met with the lead pastor of our church in 2001 and heard him say that I would be leaving because “I did not fit” anymore. There was no sin involved, no logical explanation, no vote by the church. He had called a secret meeting of the elders (which I heard later lasted until midnight) and just decided that “I did not fit”. To say that I was shocked and devastated is a great understatement. On top of it all, he asked me to lie and sign a letter saying that it was my own idea to leave!

​I could hardly walk back to the parsonage and face my wife. There were many questions that I would have liked to ask in that meeting, but it was all I could do to hold myself together, being a sensitive person (something that the other pastor belittled me about later).

​Rather than fight the issue and split the church, I felt God’s leading to just go. How could I ever minister to people who didn’t think that I “fit” anyway? And as the Lord would have it, the next week H.B. London (the “pastor’s pastor” at Focus on the Family) spoke at a nearby church. He said that one in three pastors will be removed from their church sometime in their career, and it will be because of seven people or less (there were seven on our elder board). Jesus sent great peace through prayer, church friends, and other pastors, along with my family, and, as always, the Lord had a plan to turn a bombshell into a blessing. [See part 2 of this story in tomorrow’s devotional.] But anyone who ever trusted in people and then regretted it knows how hard it is to recuperate from the pain of Judas’ kiss. Praise Jesus that His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 136).

Davy L. Troxel

TEMPORARY TRIUMPHS AND FAILURES

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and put him to death; but there was no sword in David’s hand. 

1 Samuel 17:50

One year in high school I played on the school chess team against other area schools. A team consisted of 6 boards/players ranked from 1 to 6, and in a match players ranked the same played each other. Wins and ties scored points and the team with the most points was the winner. We had a team coming up that was particularly strong, so our advisor decided our best chance of winning was to sacrifice a board by moving our sixth board (me) up to play their first board. Thus everyone else moved up and had a better chance of winning. During the match the advisors walked around evaluating the progress of the games and agreed that I would lose. However, I had a strong end game and won, and our team earned enough points to win the match! It was a sweet win for both the team and me personally. But victory can be short lived, and I finished the season back at sixth board.

  David had a life of tremendous triumphs, like his defeat of Goliath. But that was only temporary as he also had failures after that, like his adultery with Bathsheba. But that, too, was only temporary. Why? Because he did not make excuses but repented and continued to serve God. Though forgiven there were still consequences, but David loved and trusted God.

  Dear Christian—do not let your triumphs swell you with pride and turn you away from putting God first. Do not let your failures keep you from repentance, accepting God’s forgiveness, and continuing to serve Him.

Jeffrey Eno

WOKE, OR AWAKENED?

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for Yahweh sustains me. Psalm 3:5

In our day of “Wokeness,” King David was awakened by God to his adversaries (vs. 1-2), his Advocate (vs. 3-4), his advantage (vs. 5-6), and the Almighty (vs. 7-8). Being stunned by Absalom’s rebellion and running for his life did not prevent David from remembering who is really in control. As it was for David, so it is for us; namely, God is a shield around us. The word means to “cover over and shield from danger.” Like a hen shields her chicks under her wings and her body, so God covers and protects us. Psalm 91:4 reads: “He will cover you with his pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91 was probably written by Moses so David would have known this Psalm.

David was awakened to the great truths of God through his hardships over Amnon and Absalom. Absalom was, in today’s vernacular, “woke.” We see the outcome in these chapters. But what about you, friend? Are you “Woke” and buying into the nonsense being thrown all over social media and promoted even by corporations; or, are you awakened to the truth of God and you are resting in Jesus Christ for true salvation?

As David had a rude awakening to the rebellion and insurrection of his own son, you and I need to be awakened to what is going on in our country; not woke. Like David, we need to recognize the situation and pushback not by political strategies, but by prayer to start with as we see David do that very thing in this Psalm. Take time to pray right now.

Ike Graham

THE BIG “IF”!

If… My people, who are called by My name

humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn

from their evil ways, then I will listen from heaven.

 I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Many people live their lives on the basis of a big “if”.  For example: “if I can get up on Sunday morning, then I’ll go to church” or “If I find the perfect job, then I’ll be happy.”  Such people must live very “iffy” lives!  As we approach our National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7, what would God tell us today? 

King Solomon was given the greatest blank check ever when God told him, “Ask what I should give to you?”  With great humility Solomon requested an understanding heart to wisely lead God’s people (1 Kings 3:3-15).  After building the temple and a 15 day dedication service, God again visits Solomon at night to warn of upcoming national crises.  Since God is all about redemption, He gives the national “Big If” solution in 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

Just who are God’s people?  The Old Testament clearly states that the descendants of Abraham are God’s chosen nation and people.  We all are deeply indebted to them for bringing us the Bible and the Savior.   Obviously this “Big If” promise is for Israel.  But it also presents a proven formula for spiritual revival and renewal for those who will follow it even today in the USA.   The question is will we humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn, repent of our sins?  If so, God will hear us, forgive us and heal us spiritually.  It all starts with humility.  James 4:6 says “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Will you be part of America’s solution and say yes to God’s “Big If” for revival? 

Bob Kulp

FROM PLACE TO PLACE

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Galatians. 5:9

Historical cinema-analysis serves as a barometer that gauges the evolution of American culture, tracking shifts in what the public deems to be “acceptable.” Briefly compare the public’s reaction to two glossy and popular “soap opera-ish” productions from the late 1950’s, dealing with “adult” themes: Peyton Place (1957) and A Summer Place (1959).

Peyton Place was a sanitized, toned-down version of an infamous “trash” novel that scandalized the public, dealing with such topics as adultery, incest, abortion, rape, and small-town hypocrisy. While the film version created notable controversy, it appears relatively tame by today’s standards (sometimes even moralistic in tone) and occasionally even rises to a thoughtful analysis of post-war changes to American suburbia. Further, the original novel’s more controversial aspects are deliberately and subtly understated.

Two years later, however, a MUCH more brazen and audacious film appeared: A Summer Place. Despite the gorgeous theme song, the film—featuring the open idealization and romanticization of marital infidelity and premarital sex—remains as jarring to Biblically-derived sensibilities as it did in 1959. Devoid of any serious moral and intellectual value, there is no degree of subtlety whatsoever in either the film’s dialogue, or its overall presentation of the subject matter. And yet, the film’s release—only two years after the uproar over Peyton Place—was attended by almost ZERO levels of controversy. Indeed, it proved “endearing” to the overall public!

Our Moral: If left unattended, sin GROWS and PERMEATES, like leaven. It HARDENS the heart and DE-SENSITIZES the conscience (Heb.3:13). Like a bad odor, its stench gradually loses its initial impact, achieving a miserable “normalcy.” It creates a slippery slope, lowering even an entire society’s moral expectations.

Sin requires but one response: total, immediate rejection (Matt.5:29-30)!!!

Terry L. Reese 

A RECIPIENT OF GRACE

Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, though I am a foreigner? Ruth 2:10b

In 1996 as our family was being evacuated from the Central African Republic, we found ourselves having to wait on the French military base of Bouar while flights were being arranged for our return to the USA. In order to pass time, our mom had my siblings and I run laps around the army barracks. On one lap, a French soldier called us over and gave each of us an apple. Since it had been several years since we had even seen an apple, this was a memorable gift!

That apple was an undeserved gift. We had done nothing to earn it. We had no prior rights to any claims to the apples. Another way of saying it is that it was grace – an undeserved gift.

When Ruth first meets Boaz, she begins to realize that she is a recipient of grace. From her perspective, she had no right to expect Boaz’ kindness. She was a foreigner. She didn’t own the land. She hadn’t planted the barley. She owned nothing. But still Boaz permitted her to glean in his fields and had even instructed the other reapers to not harm her and allow her to use their water jars. That’s grace.

Because of Christ, you too, are a recipient of grace. Paul wrote, “And you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience… even when we were dead in our transgression, [God] made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:1-2, 5)

Philip Moeller

LEAVING A GODLY LEGACY

Better is a good name than good oil, and better is the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1

King David’s life was riddled with lies, adultery and murder. Yet, he is called “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). Does that mean his good deeds outweighed his bad deeds? No, not at all. Like all humans, David, too, was a sinner; prone to sin and struggling with that monster inside. But, as Titus 3:3-6 reads: “For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and affection of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” So it was with David. The grace of God changed his heart by the Holy Spirit and enlightened him to write: “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17). David’s sensitive heart toward God, his repentance and reconciliation with God continued to enable him to be an instrument of God wherein God says, “he’s a man after My own heart.” Is that you? Do you have a heart in tune with God no matter what comes? That kind of life leaves a godly legacy and is a good name. 

Friend, I don’t know what you have experienced in your life. Maybe broken relationships, criminal acts, outright denial of God/Jesus like Peter, etc. I do know that Jesus saves. Jesus sanctifies. He can transform messed up lives into trophies of God’s grace and mercy.

Ike Graham