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“A Prophet’s Whisper, A Savior’s Shout” by Neville Buchanan

Malachi. The last whisper of the Old Testament. The prophet’s final plea before centuries of silence. But oh, what a whisper it is!

It begins with a reminder of God’s enduring love. “I have loved you,” says the LORD (Malachi 1:2). Even when we forget, He remembers. Even when we falter, He remains faithful.

But love isn’t just warm fuzzies. Sometimes, it’s a wake-up call. “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor?” (Malachi 1:6). God’s looking for more than lip service. He’s after heart service.

As we journey through Malachi’s message, the stakes get higher. “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like
fullers’ soap” (Malachi 3:2). God is not interested in surface cleaning. He’s after deep cleansing, soul-scrubbing transformation.

And just when we think it’s all about judgment, Malachi reminds us of God’s mercy. “Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:7). It’s never too late to come home.

But here’s where it gets really good. Malachi points to the messenger who will herald the coming of the One who can change us. “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me” (Malachi 3:1). A promise of John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah.

And then, the grand finale. “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). Do you see it? The whisper becomes a shout. The promise becomes a Person. Jesus, the Son of Righteousness, rises over the horizon of history.

Friend, Malachi’s message isn’t just about cleaning up our act. It’s about transformation through Christ. Are you ready for that change? It begins with baptism, where we die to our old selves and rise anew. As Paul wrote, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death” (Romans 6:3), and in these waters, we are “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). The prophet’s whisper has become the Savior’s invitation. Will you answer it today?

“Thirsty” by Neville Buchanan

It had been a while since I had any water to drink. I was in a war zone with thirty fellow soldiers. Our lips were cracked, tongues swollen, and our throats were parched. My thirst was so intense that every waking and sleeping moment was occupied by dreams of doing nothing other than drinking water. If you have ever been really thirsty you will never ever forget that feeling.

Living in Judea, the Psalm writer knew what it was like to be thirsty. And so, he writes: Psalm 42:1–2 (ESV) — 1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

The Psalm writer is suffering physically and emotionally. Instead of being in the presence of living water washing over his parched soul he is tasting his own “tears” while his enemies taunt him saying “Where is your God” (Psalm 42:3)?

Are you suffering physically or emotionally today? Then pray this prayer with me … Most Holy God, I thirst for you, I need Your Living Water.

John 4:10 (ESV) — 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.

“Handling Interruptions” by Neville Buchanan

“It has been a long VBS week – and it is only Wednesday.” With this thought, many left the Summit building – ready for a good night of revitalizing sleep. However, at 12:55 a.m. someone accidentally called my cell. Apparently, I answered the phone. I even announced who the caller was – but I have no recollection. I continued to sleep like a baby, even waking up wonderfully refreshed. Unfortunately, Douwene woke up with that hairstyle that speaks volumes.

As a young child, Samuel was taught a valuable lesson – don’t get involved in God’s work if you cannot handle interruptions. In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel is asleep “near where the ark of God was”. Then it happened…

1 Samuel 3:4 (ESV) — 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”

Young Samuel thought it was Eli calling. But Eli told him to go back to sleep. Then it happened again…

1 Samuel 3:6 (ESV) — 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”

Only after being awoken the 3rd time did the aged Eli figure it out.

1 Samuel 3:8–9 (ESV) — 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

While writing this article the same number has called 4 times. “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in this year’s VBS. Enjoy your well-deserved rest.  And in the words of our M.C., Steve Proctor, “Don’t use Laura’s name for at least a week”.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 3:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

 

“A Solid Foundation” by Paul Watts

Life has a way of humbling us.  Our routines can be turned upside down by an unexpected event that can shake us to our core.  Whether it be a sudden serious illness, loss of employment, or death of a loved one, we continually are reminded how fragile our lives can be.

While we cannot prevent the unexpected, we can be prepared for it.  Our best defense is a solid foundation built on God’s Word.  Matthew 7:24-27 records the words of Jesus explaining how if we obey his commands, then we will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain, floods, and winds beat on that house but it did not fall.  Jesus goes on to say that if we disobey his commands, then we will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  The house fell when the same storms came.

Build your foundation on the rock that is Jesus so you can be better prepared to weather the storms of life.

 

What is Truth by Neville Buchanan

Yesterday I had committed to teaching our Summit Auditorium class on the topic of Truth. However, I failed to show up – due to the flu. Ouch! I had become a living example of what truth is not.

The Greek word for truth is made up of two words: Not and hidden. So, truth is that which is not hidden.

Throughout time, the devil has worked hard at clouding the clarity of truth. If this were not so, we would have one church, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Eph.4:4-6).

Today, through many different philosophies, the truth is under a massive attack. The post-modernistic thought attacks all ideas of scientifically verifiable fact. Secular thought claims truth is in the temporal realm only. They claim truth is a matter of perception. And that consensus determines the truth. Through relativism in situational ethics truth can be “moldable”.  And then through the centuries truth has been attacked by tradition.

As Pilot asked Jesus what is truth he had no idea who he was talking to (John 18:38). You see, Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). It does not matter what the crowd says (Exo.23:2) or our tradition (Mark 7:13) or even our interpretation of a text (2 Pt.1:20). Jesus’ Bible will always be the truth.

Friend, will you not consider reading the entire Bible through in 2018?