Let me begin this week with a personal invitation for you to come and be a part of a special evening of gospel music this Sunday evening at our CBM sanctuary/studio beginning at 6pm. We are pleased to welcome Sister Tammy Jones Robinette for a wonderful evening of gospel music and fellowship. That’s this Sunday, August 11, at 6pm.
LIVING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
With every passing day it seems I hear more bad news about the economy. I suspect you see the same headlines. It appears we may face severe fallout from unwise decisions made across the economy by banks, corporations, and millions of individuals. The balance of 2024 and most of 2025 does not bode well for the general economy.
However, it is reassuring to understand our personal needs are met by our heavenly Father (Cf. Matthew 6:19-34). Furthermore, the spiritual minded believer rests in the arms of contentment (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:6-8). Quite frankly, much of the stress in the U.S. economy is the result of too many people attempting to live beyond their means.
With that said, we all live in the same nation and whether we are believers or unbelievers none can escape the realities that touch us all. After all, inflation does not care what your spiritual state is. It simply demands we all pay more for the things we need.
In an economy that might go from bad to worse what are we to do? Where is the believer to look for hope? There are several things to say about this, but the short answer is to remain faithful to God. Set your mind on obedience to God. Remember, your prosperity (experiencing a consistent supply that meets your needs and enables you to abound to good works—2 Corinthians 9:6-8) is in the hands of God.
There is a very edifying account of God’s faithfulness recorded for us in Genesis chapter twenty-six. Read verses one through six and then connect verse twelve to these verses. Take note that Isaac sowed during a time of famine and reaped the same year a hundredfold!
I call attention to this passage to assure you of God’s faithfulness even in times of famine. Isaac obeyed God and stayed where the Lord put him. He trusted God instead of heading for Egypt. Naturally speaking it seemed wise to leave the place of famine and find a place of provision with less difficulties to face. In this case the Lord did not want Isaac to move. He promised the land to Isaac as he did to Abraham. Thus, the Lord told Isaac in essence obey me and I will be with you.
Verse twelve gives us the result of Isaac’s obedience. He sowed and with the Lord’s favor reaped a hundredfold in the same year! Obviously, our circumstances are different from those facing Isaac. However, when we face our day of economic distress what are we to do? Shall we abandon everything God has taught us in his word, or shall we continue to obey God and trust him to provide for us even in times of difficulty?
Living in God’s economy does not mean we are immune from all the fallout thrust our direction by an unwise world. But it does mean we can expect God’s favor right in the middle of it all! I trust you see the point.
So, what if the stock market crashes, excessive debt causes ripples of famine across our land, and WWIII breaks out? Will the Lord be with his people? Will he prove faithful to those who obey him? Will he meet our needs? Will he enable us to abound to every good work? Yes! He will prove faithful!
AMERICANISM
I came across an interesting documentary on America’s Muslim city. You need to see this. This piece was created after the barbaric invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023. It is hard for freedom loving Americans to watch what is going on in our nation. In that regard, the spread of Islam in America should be at the top of the list. The religion of Islam cannot support a free America.
Here is a summary of what is in this documentary: What happens when Muslims take over an American city? Pro-Hamas parades, animal sacrifice, burqas, a ban on LGBT flags, Arabic signs, male and female entrances to Mosques, restrictions on music lessons in schools, the call to prayer blasting over loudspeakers; Strolling the streets of Hamtramck, Michigan, one can hardly recognize that this was once a mighty American industrial centre. A new GB News documentary with US Correspondent Steven Edginton goes to America's only Muslim city to investigate how Islam has changed the town.
The tiny city is known as ‘the world in two square miles’ due to its hugely diverse population. Bosnians, Poles, Bangladeshis, African Americans, French, Germans, and Yemenis are among the many nationalities who populate or once populated the town.
Until a few decades ago Hamtramck was dominated by Poles; one resident told us it was typical to solely speak Polish, read local Polish newspapers, go to Polish banks and go to one of three Polish churches. Just one such church remains now. A flurry of Mosques have taken their place.
Conservative Yemeni Muslims have flooded into Hamtramck in recent years. In 2021 Hamtramck made history when it became the first American city to elect a full Muslim council and mayor. After 100 years of continuous Polish mayors and politicians, not one remains in local government.
Here is the link to the documentary entitled, “We Confronted Zealous Imams in America’s Muslim City.”
ISRAEL
Israel continues to face the threat of a heavy, regional war. The nation is persecuted relentlessly by many in the world (in fact this condition is part of the Lord’s discipline of his people with the time of Jacob’s greatest trouble yet to come). Yet, through it all (even with Israel in a state of national unbelief in her Messiah) the Lord is gracious. He has allowed Israel to be a blessing to the Mideast in numerous ways since her rebirth as a nation in 1948.
Until recently I did not know how Israel’s water surplus is transforming the Middle East. Perhaps you were aware of this. I simply did not know about this extraordinary story. Here is a report from TBN Israel entitled, “How Israel’s Water Surplus is Transforming the Mideast.” Wow! What a blessing.
PASTOR TO PARENT
Good news for Ohio parents! Here is a news release from CCV of Ohio:
COLUMBUS–Earlier today (Tuesday, August 6th) Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook issued a ruling in favor of the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act and Save Women's Sports Act, known as House Bill 68 (HB68). After months of being blocked, the bill is now in effect.
The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer:
"Today, Ohio is a safer state for women and children. The ACLU's lawsuit has been exposed as absurd and nonsensical, and now our girls won't be forced to compete against boys in athletics, and children's hospitals can no longer perform dangerous and sterilizing procedures on kids.
Attorney General Dave Yost has been a strong advocate for the law and Ohio children, and because of his office's expertise and excellence, our kids have been protected."
You can watch the behind-the-scenes story of passing HB68 in a documentary video that debuted at our 2024 Cincinnati Celebration Gala with Riley Gaines and Chloe Cole. The video is available to watch on YouTube.
Praise the Lord! For now, girl sports in Ohio are protected. As well, all our young people are protected from dangerous hospital procedures related to transgender confusion. Keep praying for our state representatives. They are working hard to push back the far left wokeness threatening our families. Thankfully, our people are standing with them and good is being done.
CREATION CONNECTION
One of the great stumbling blocks to an acceptance of the Biblical doctrine of special creation is the pagan concepts of “millions of years” and “billions of years,” or what is sometimes referred to as “deep time.”
Most are quite uninformed on this subject and quickly accept the concept as a scientifically proved truth. Not so!
The concept of “deep time” is an essential element of the “faith” system of naturalism (the belief that the universe, planet earth, mankind, etc. can be explained strictly by natural processes; naturalism attempts to explain everything without God; those who embrace this belief system reject the supernatural altogether).
Thus, of necessity long periods of time must be a part of their myth to grant evolution, driven by impersonal chance, opportunity to work its miracles (I apologize to our secular friends as they are probably offended by the word miracle since it has a hint of supernaturalism in it!).
And how do they conclude the universe and the earth are so old? Well, they use various dating methods on existing materials to suggest such things are “millions of years” old. However, there is a huge problem here. ALL THE DATING METHODS ARE FULL OF ASSUMPTIONS! Thus, all the dates generated by these methods are nothing more than bad, educated guesses. And of course, they can manipulate those dates as needed to accommodate the mythical idea of evolution over time.
Here are some important articles to help you understand this most serious problem with the secular worldview. No Christian should accept the faulty “science” that leaves the door of deep time open to unbelievers. Without the concept of deep time there is no possibility of evolution. Thus, the war over the concept.
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/radiometric-dating/
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/
https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/old-earth/deep-time-and-churchs-compromise-historical-background/
https://answersingenesis.org/reviews/books/deep-time-christian-worldview/
PASTOR APPROVED – DANIEL LIVE!
Some of you know about the wonderful productions of the Sight and Sound theater based in Pennsylvania. Sight & Sound® began nearly 50 years ago in rural Pennsylvania when a dairy farmer went from producing milk to producing live entertainment with a purpose. Now with two state-of-the-art theater locations, an online streaming platform, and a film studio, Sight & Sound brings powerful stories from the pages of Scripture and history to life on stage and screen.
My wife and I saw the production of Noah some years ago presented by Sight and Sound. The production was incredible. Anything they produce is worth watching and now their latest production on Daniel is coming to movie theaters for a limited time as described in their news release below:
DANIEL — Live!
For the first time ever, Sight & Sound is broadcasting LIVE into movie theaters nationwide! Join us as the brand-new original production, DANIEL, goes from the big stage to the big screen in this special movie theater event — August 30th, with additional showtimes through September 2nd.
Here is a link to the official trailer:
https://www.sight-sound.tv/daniel-live/videos/official-trailer-daniel-live
To secure a ticket to the event in Sandusky, Ohio, visit this link: https://www.danielevent.com/tickets/
I have secured a spot for my wife and I on Friday, August 30th, at the Cinemark in Sandusky. We are looking forward to this wonderful presentation and I can certainly recommend it for your family as well.
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
GROWING IN CHRIST
In short order every believer should understand themselves to be disciples of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we learn to observe all things the Lord has commanded us (Matthew 28:20). In essence personal discipleship is learning to obey our Lord. He is our Savior, and we follow him. Thus, we are to observe all he has commanded as we learn to walk in his Spirit.
Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Discipleship is the process of learning the Master’s doctrine and practice from his word. The goal of discipleship is to shape the learner in such a way he becomes like his Master.
Thus, to be a mature disciple one must know his Bible and obey it. Are you pursuing faithful discipleship? Be careful. It is easy to neglect serving Christ. Our Lord is calling us to deny self and take up the cross and follow him. A good question to ask from time to time is this: “What kind of disciple am I?”
I encourage you to serve the Lord. Give yourself to the cause of Christ. Dying to self and living to Christ gives life its greatest meaning and produces the greatest sense of satisfaction one can know. As Jesus said, “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Amen.
VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR SERMON NOTES AND MORE
The sermon notes from my last message on “The Ministry of John the Baptist Part Four” based on Luke 3:10-20 are available on my site for free download as usual. Also, all the other message notes in my current verse-by-verse series through the gospel of Luke are available on my site.
In addition, if you would like to view the sermon based on this it is available on my site.
THE LAST WORD
Always feel welcome to share feedback with me at [email protected] and your prayers are appreciated. May the Lord bless you is my prayer
Pastor Rusty Yost
P.S. You can access past issues of Discerning the Times by visiting the blog page on my website. Once on the blog page simply scroll down the page and past issues become visible. Tell others to check this information out. For the most part, the content in these past blogs remains relevant today.
LIVING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
With every passing day it seems I hear more bad news about the economy. I suspect you see the same headlines. It appears we may face severe fallout from unwise decisions made across the economy by banks, corporations, and millions of individuals. The balance of 2024 and most of 2025 does not bode well for the general economy.
However, it is reassuring to understand our personal needs are met by our heavenly Father (Cf. Matthew 6:19-34). Furthermore, the spiritual minded believer rests in the arms of contentment (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:6-8). Quite frankly, much of the stress in the U.S. economy is the result of too many people attempting to live beyond their means.
With that said, we all live in the same nation and whether we are believers or unbelievers none can escape the realities that touch us all. After all, inflation does not care what your spiritual state is. It simply demands we all pay more for the things we need.
In an economy that might go from bad to worse what are we to do? Where is the believer to look for hope? There are several things to say about this, but the short answer is to remain faithful to God. Set your mind on obedience to God. Remember, your prosperity (experiencing a consistent supply that meets your needs and enables you to abound to good works—2 Corinthians 9:6-8) is in the hands of God.
There is a very edifying account of God’s faithfulness recorded for us in Genesis chapter twenty-six. Read verses one through six and then connect verse twelve to these verses. Take note that Isaac sowed during a time of famine and reaped the same year a hundredfold!
I call attention to this passage to assure you of God’s faithfulness even in times of famine. Isaac obeyed God and stayed where the Lord put him. He trusted God instead of heading for Egypt. Naturally speaking it seemed wise to leave the place of famine and find a place of provision with less difficulties to face. In this case the Lord did not want Isaac to move. He promised the land to Isaac as he did to Abraham. Thus, the Lord told Isaac in essence obey me and I will be with you.
Verse twelve gives us the result of Isaac’s obedience. He sowed and with the Lord’s favor reaped a hundredfold in the same year! Obviously, our circumstances are different from those facing Isaac. However, when we face our day of economic distress what are we to do? Shall we abandon everything God has taught us in his word, or shall we continue to obey God and trust him to provide for us even in times of difficulty?
Living in God’s economy does not mean we are immune from all the fallout thrust our direction by an unwise world. But it does mean we can expect God’s favor right in the middle of it all! I trust you see the point.
So, what if the stock market crashes, excessive debt causes ripples of famine across our land, and WWIII breaks out? Will the Lord be with his people? Will he prove faithful to those who obey him? Will he meet our needs? Will he enable us to abound to every good work? Yes! He will prove faithful!
AMERICANISM
I came across an interesting documentary on America’s Muslim city. You need to see this. This piece was created after the barbaric invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023. It is hard for freedom loving Americans to watch what is going on in our nation. In that regard, the spread of Islam in America should be at the top of the list. The religion of Islam cannot support a free America.
Here is a summary of what is in this documentary: What happens when Muslims take over an American city? Pro-Hamas parades, animal sacrifice, burqas, a ban on LGBT flags, Arabic signs, male and female entrances to Mosques, restrictions on music lessons in schools, the call to prayer blasting over loudspeakers; Strolling the streets of Hamtramck, Michigan, one can hardly recognize that this was once a mighty American industrial centre. A new GB News documentary with US Correspondent Steven Edginton goes to America's only Muslim city to investigate how Islam has changed the town.
The tiny city is known as ‘the world in two square miles’ due to its hugely diverse population. Bosnians, Poles, Bangladeshis, African Americans, French, Germans, and Yemenis are among the many nationalities who populate or once populated the town.
Until a few decades ago Hamtramck was dominated by Poles; one resident told us it was typical to solely speak Polish, read local Polish newspapers, go to Polish banks and go to one of three Polish churches. Just one such church remains now. A flurry of Mosques have taken their place.
Conservative Yemeni Muslims have flooded into Hamtramck in recent years. In 2021 Hamtramck made history when it became the first American city to elect a full Muslim council and mayor. After 100 years of continuous Polish mayors and politicians, not one remains in local government.
Here is the link to the documentary entitled, “We Confronted Zealous Imams in America’s Muslim City.”
ISRAEL
Israel continues to face the threat of a heavy, regional war. The nation is persecuted relentlessly by many in the world (in fact this condition is part of the Lord’s discipline of his people with the time of Jacob’s greatest trouble yet to come). Yet, through it all (even with Israel in a state of national unbelief in her Messiah) the Lord is gracious. He has allowed Israel to be a blessing to the Mideast in numerous ways since her rebirth as a nation in 1948.
Until recently I did not know how Israel’s water surplus is transforming the Middle East. Perhaps you were aware of this. I simply did not know about this extraordinary story. Here is a report from TBN Israel entitled, “How Israel’s Water Surplus is Transforming the Mideast.” Wow! What a blessing.
PASTOR TO PARENT
Good news for Ohio parents! Here is a news release from CCV of Ohio:
COLUMBUS–Earlier today (Tuesday, August 6th) Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook issued a ruling in favor of the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act and Save Women's Sports Act, known as House Bill 68 (HB68). After months of being blocked, the bill is now in effect.
The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer:
"Today, Ohio is a safer state for women and children. The ACLU's lawsuit has been exposed as absurd and nonsensical, and now our girls won't be forced to compete against boys in athletics, and children's hospitals can no longer perform dangerous and sterilizing procedures on kids.
Attorney General Dave Yost has been a strong advocate for the law and Ohio children, and because of his office's expertise and excellence, our kids have been protected."
You can watch the behind-the-scenes story of passing HB68 in a documentary video that debuted at our 2024 Cincinnati Celebration Gala with Riley Gaines and Chloe Cole. The video is available to watch on YouTube.
Praise the Lord! For now, girl sports in Ohio are protected. As well, all our young people are protected from dangerous hospital procedures related to transgender confusion. Keep praying for our state representatives. They are working hard to push back the far left wokeness threatening our families. Thankfully, our people are standing with them and good is being done.
CREATION CONNECTION
One of the great stumbling blocks to an acceptance of the Biblical doctrine of special creation is the pagan concepts of “millions of years” and “billions of years,” or what is sometimes referred to as “deep time.”
Most are quite uninformed on this subject and quickly accept the concept as a scientifically proved truth. Not so!
The concept of “deep time” is an essential element of the “faith” system of naturalism (the belief that the universe, planet earth, mankind, etc. can be explained strictly by natural processes; naturalism attempts to explain everything without God; those who embrace this belief system reject the supernatural altogether).
Thus, of necessity long periods of time must be a part of their myth to grant evolution, driven by impersonal chance, opportunity to work its miracles (I apologize to our secular friends as they are probably offended by the word miracle since it has a hint of supernaturalism in it!).
And how do they conclude the universe and the earth are so old? Well, they use various dating methods on existing materials to suggest such things are “millions of years” old. However, there is a huge problem here. ALL THE DATING METHODS ARE FULL OF ASSUMPTIONS! Thus, all the dates generated by these methods are nothing more than bad, educated guesses. And of course, they can manipulate those dates as needed to accommodate the mythical idea of evolution over time.
Here are some important articles to help you understand this most serious problem with the secular worldview. No Christian should accept the faulty “science” that leaves the door of deep time open to unbelievers. Without the concept of deep time there is no possibility of evolution. Thus, the war over the concept.
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/radiometric-dating/
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/
https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/old-earth/deep-time-and-churchs-compromise-historical-background/
https://answersingenesis.org/reviews/books/deep-time-christian-worldview/
PASTOR APPROVED – DANIEL LIVE!
Some of you know about the wonderful productions of the Sight and Sound theater based in Pennsylvania. Sight & Sound® began nearly 50 years ago in rural Pennsylvania when a dairy farmer went from producing milk to producing live entertainment with a purpose. Now with two state-of-the-art theater locations, an online streaming platform, and a film studio, Sight & Sound brings powerful stories from the pages of Scripture and history to life on stage and screen.
My wife and I saw the production of Noah some years ago presented by Sight and Sound. The production was incredible. Anything they produce is worth watching and now their latest production on Daniel is coming to movie theaters for a limited time as described in their news release below:
DANIEL — Live!
For the first time ever, Sight & Sound is broadcasting LIVE into movie theaters nationwide! Join us as the brand-new original production, DANIEL, goes from the big stage to the big screen in this special movie theater event — August 30th, with additional showtimes through September 2nd.
Here is a link to the official trailer:
https://www.sight-sound.tv/daniel-live/videos/official-trailer-daniel-live
To secure a ticket to the event in Sandusky, Ohio, visit this link: https://www.danielevent.com/tickets/
I have secured a spot for my wife and I on Friday, August 30th, at the Cinemark in Sandusky. We are looking forward to this wonderful presentation and I can certainly recommend it for your family as well.
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
GROWING IN CHRIST
In short order every believer should understand themselves to be disciples of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we learn to observe all things the Lord has commanded us (Matthew 28:20). In essence personal discipleship is learning to obey our Lord. He is our Savior, and we follow him. Thus, we are to observe all he has commanded as we learn to walk in his Spirit.
Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Discipleship is the process of learning the Master’s doctrine and practice from his word. The goal of discipleship is to shape the learner in such a way he becomes like his Master.
Thus, to be a mature disciple one must know his Bible and obey it. Are you pursuing faithful discipleship? Be careful. It is easy to neglect serving Christ. Our Lord is calling us to deny self and take up the cross and follow him. A good question to ask from time to time is this: “What kind of disciple am I?”
I encourage you to serve the Lord. Give yourself to the cause of Christ. Dying to self and living to Christ gives life its greatest meaning and produces the greatest sense of satisfaction one can know. As Jesus said, “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Amen.
VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR SERMON NOTES AND MORE
The sermon notes from my last message on “The Ministry of John the Baptist Part Four” based on Luke 3:10-20 are available on my site for free download as usual. Also, all the other message notes in my current verse-by-verse series through the gospel of Luke are available on my site.
In addition, if you would like to view the sermon based on this it is available on my site.
THE LAST WORD
Always feel welcome to share feedback with me at [email protected] and your prayers are appreciated. May the Lord bless you is my prayer
Pastor Rusty Yost
P.S. You can access past issues of Discerning the Times by visiting the blog page on my website. Once on the blog page simply scroll down the page and past issues become visible. Tell others to check this information out. For the most part, the content in these past blogs remains relevant today.
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