Category: From Our President

by Cody Carden

Have you ever wished you could be in two places at once? Or able to multitask on a massive scale? Sometimes, I wish I could be at the ice cream shop and the gym at the same time; however, I can’t.

God’s whereabouts are often questioned by many.

“Where is God?” This is the question of the seeker, the skeptic, the guilty, and the hurt.

Some want the truth; others want closure. Some want comfort; others want the release of shame. There is a never-ending cycle in the so-called “search for God” in modern culture and throughout years past. Some are genuine, and others just want what they can gain from God.

As a child of God, occasionally, I even wonder where God is. I go through my day in what feels like constant prayer, but sometimes it seems as if the phone line has been cut. It can cause streams of doubt in my mind, wondering what I’ve done wrong. God, why do you seem so far away?

There are a couple of verses in Hebrews that always assure me of God’s presence:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” – Hebrews 13:5-6

God’s promise should be enough to stop my worrying! He’s already told me that He will never forsake me and that He will be my strength. Even when I feel like God is far away or out of reach, I have to remember that His timing is always perfect.

We live in such a “microwave culture” that says, “I want it, and I want it now!” This leaves us questioning where God is all the time, forgetting His timing. I like to think of life with God like the game of tetherball. He is the pole in the center that never moves, life is the game itself, and we are the ball that gets tossed around in all different directions. At least, emotionally, that’s what it feels like. Sometimes we are close to the pole, and other times we are not. This doesn’t change the fact that the pole is always there. If the pole wasn’t there, you couldn’t even play the game!

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Psalm 37:3-4

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10

He cares for you. His timing is perfect. He’s always there. Never forget that.

Cody Carden is completing a missions internship with John O’Malley this summer. If this was an encouragement to you, please click here to let him know.

The Lord allowed Bro. John O’Malley and intern Bro. Cody Carden to lead a team of 20 to Scotland for our annual See the Harvest Missions trips.

See the Harvest is a partnership with World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions and Ambassador Baptist College. The goal for these trips is to allow young and old alike to See, Learn, and Do missions. Over the past three years, a total of 41 people gave their time and efforts to See the Harvest. Some of these people have attended multiple trips.

The Scotland trip was the fourth See the Harvest trip. It was our first international trip and with the largest attendance by far. Our past trips have included Utah in 2020 with Missionary Nathan Kirkman and Boston in 2021 and 2022 with WWNTBM Missionary Nick Stelzig.

The See the Harvest trip to Scotland was originally planned for 2021, but it was delayed due to Covid. Our team joined missionaries, Jody and Ginger Hodnett, in letterboxing towns in Scotland. Mrs. Ginger is the daughter of our missionaries to India, Ron and Loretta Jones.

Our team left for Scotland on Monday, June 12th, from multiple states. Most of the team arrived in Scotland on Tuesday, June 13th. Three of our members were delayed due to canceled or delayed flights. On Wednesday, June 14th, the whole team was safely together in Scotland.  They lodged in the town of Sanquhar, which was a central location to the other towns. A good testimony was left with the people of Sanquhar. One of the vendors who provided lunch commented how our arrival had aided the economy of their little town.

The team hit the ground running, and over the ten days they were in Scotland, they letterboxed the homes in ten towns. The ten towns include: Sanquhar, Kirkconnel, Kilmarnock, Thornhill, Dumfries, Kilmaurs, Stewawrton, Gretna Green, Annan, and Locharbriggs. Over the ten-day trip, the team passed out over 38,000 tracts, and each member walked an estimated fifty miles. The Hodnetts believe this effort advanced their ministry work by twenty years.

Though the team was met with adversity from some of the people, hot weather conditions, physical hindrances, and jet lag, they persevered and finished the task. The Lord blessed in many ways. Several people reached out to Bro. Jody Hodnett with interest in starting a Bible study.  Bro. Jody continues to see fruit from their labors in Scotland.

Time was also given to site seeing and fun activities. They saw some beautiful Scottish scenery, including rolling hills and castle ruins. They visited the grave of John Knox and the museum of David Livingston. They picnicked and hiked and enjoyed the fellowship. The team bonded through the victories and the challenges of the trip. Many now have a greater burden for missions and have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

We praise the Lord for His direction and provision for this trip. We look forward to many more, should the Lord allow. Please visit SeeTheHarvest.com and sign up on our mailing list to be informed of future trips. Please also share this opportunity with others who may be interested.

If you would like to read testimonies from team members, please visit SeeTheHarvest.com/testimonials.

 

Bro. O’Malley and Bro. Cody at the David Livingston Memorial

Our hosts, missionaries Jody and Ginger Hodnett

Missionary to England, Amanda Baker, joined our team.

Beautiful Scottish scenery.

The team in Sanquhar, Scotland.

 

by John O’Malley

I am learning about living with a high view of God.

Considering this idea, I began an indefinite series for my monthly articles for Headquarter Happenings. This series began when I read what John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

To write this series, I took the sense from John the Baptist’s word ‘must’ as it is necessary. I must make room for God in every area of my living.

When I write of making room for God, I equate this with holding a high view of God. When I decrease, I am making room for Him. I make room for His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.

How do we get to the place where we hold a high view of God? I think we must begin with John the Baptist’s parents. John the Baptist’s mother walked with the Lord. Zacharias, John’s father, prophesied:

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. Luke 1:76–80

God embedded in Zacharias’ prophecy the four truths for living with a high view of God. A high view of God means we:

• • • Point to Him – prepare his ways
    • Speak of Him – give knowledge of salvation
    • Shine for Him – give light to the world
    • Guide people to Him – guide our feet

John knew Christ had to increase; it was John’s philosophy. I am here to point to Jesus. I am here to speak of Jesus. I am here to shine for Jesus. I am here to guide people to Jesus.

The influence of our living will set the context of how our children, spouses, and ministries will see Jesus.

Do the people around you see you have a high view of God?

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

by Cody Carden

Sometimes, it seems like I am at a place in life where everything is constantly changing. Within a four-year span, I will have graduated high school, been through a family tragedy, married off my sister, and soon to graduate from college. These are just a few recent major events, but if I stop to think of more, there are plenty. Everything seems so temporary at times. The unknown future is so vast yet imminent.

I can remember being so overwhelmed at times and just wanting to have a mental breakdown. That would be so easy, wouldn’t it? Sit in silence and weep over the constantly moving parts in your life and let the uncertainty and doubt overtake you.

It was in these moments I clung to Psalm 46.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.” – Psalm 46:1-5

When things that are planned and thought through ahead of time change, or things that you thought you had control over suddenly become out of reach and above you, know that God is in control. The comfort of knowing God is unchanging and always present is priceless. No matter the circumstance, God’s unchanging character needs to be the source of our strength; He needs to be our place of rest, our place of recovery, and our place of replenishment. He gives the peace that passes all understanding, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart or constantly changing.

This is a simple truth and testimony, but life-changing.

Cody Carden is completing a missions internship with John O’Malley this summer. If this was an encouragement to you, please click here to let him know.

by Cody Carden

Have you ever run a marathon? Well, whether you have or have not, from what I have been told, running a marathon requires a mindset of every step counting. That finish line is seemingly impossible to reach, and at any given moment, you might feel like you could just collapse, but you still only get to the end by taking one step at a time. In Matthew 14, Peter took a few steps of his own that mark great significance and symbolism for us today.

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” – Matthew 14:24-32

The first step Peter took was a step of faith. Peter had enough faith in Jesus’ power to take that first step out of the boat. While Peter had already seen Jesus perform miracles, it still took him a whole sentence before stepping out. Sometimes in our life, it is hard to take that first step of faith. There is an obstacle in your path, and there is seemingly no way around it except to take a risk larger than you expected. It is so easy to get caught up in the “I’ll just stay in the boat” mentality. It is easy to stay where it is safe and where you know you will at least be around familiar faces and/or circumstances. However, like Peter, we do not immediately think of how God has protected us thus far. Regardless, Peter still got out of the boat and took that first step.

Secondly, Peter took the step of trust. This step comes only after the first step of faith and with no lightheartedness. He had his eyes fixed on Jesus until his circumstances became unbearable. We may know that God has the power and the authority to intervene in any situation that may come up, but that does not exempt us from being broken people. Interestingly enough, when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started sinking into the sea, there was no indication of how far away he was from Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus was immediately there to stretch out his hand and catch him with no hindrances or delays but immediately. He is there for us just the same, but sometimes it is hard to put this concept into practice. Understanding that after I take a risk, though blinded by uncertainty, I can still put total trust in God to lead me as far as He wants.

There is no need to waste time, for the Lord has already revealed Himself to us. A pastor once told me, “It takes more of you to find more of God,” meaning that each step we take from the boat will lead us closer to Christ. So let this be an encouragement to make every step count.

Cody Carden is completing a missions internship with John O’Malley this summer. If this was an encouragement to you, please click here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

The call of John 3:30 is a call to make room for Him. He is an all-powerful, everywhere-present, and all-knowing God.

“How much space does God take up?”

I found this: God will fill as much space as we yield to Him. How much room can He take up?

• • • He will fill as much space as I make for Him.
    • He will fill as much space as I yield.
    • He will sit on the throne of my life when I get off of the throne of my life.
    • He will rule my spirit when I yield my responses, reactions, and thoughts.

Have you made room for an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God? In John 3:30, “must” means “it is necessary.” Therefore, it is necessary to make room for Christ.

These words were the last of his words recorded before John asked questions in prison, shortly before he was beheaded. John drifted from fame and popularity as the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, arrived on the scene. Jesus, the Dayspring from on High, is the Sunrise on the Horizon of God.

John the Baptist’s life was about Jesus, not himself. What if your life was only about Jesus? What if the message of your life was about Jesus?

John the Baptist was not sad; his very calling was this moment. Jesus was here. John would now step aside. John the Baptist identified himself as the friend of the Bride. John said Jesus is the Bridegroom. The sunset of my ministry begins today. I will be in obscurity; He will come to Light.

When we read, “He must increase, and I must decrease,” we see the divine “musts” in our life. God intended our lives to be less and less of ourselves and for Him to grow more and more in our life.

• • • I must make room for His Person.
    • I must make room for His Presence.
    • I must make room for His Promises.
    • I must make room for His Power.
    • I must make room for His Plans.
    • I must make room for His Priorities.
    • I must make room for His Purpose.

Have you made room for Him in your life? How much room does He have? Have you moved into the closet of your life and let Him have the whole house? Who sits on the throne of your life?

You see the mission of God of reaching the Lost, sending missionaries, and giving to missions; all of it stems from what John spoke. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

When I make room for Him, I am saying, “He is everything; I am nothing.”

• • • I want the spotlight on Him; I am the shadows.
    • I want His presence more than anyone else’s presence.
    • I will only have confidence in His promises.
    • I will depend solely on His power, not my power.
    • I will submit to His plans, not make my plans.
    • I will follow His purpose, not my purpose.
    • I will live out His purpose, not my purpose.

I do not want a life where all I got was what I did in my power, bought with my money, relied on my intellect to obtain, or gained in my effort.

How about you?

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

Sermons

This year’s Family Week theme focused on Hope. God reminds us in Scripture of our hope in Him, in the Gospel, in the Faith, and in His return. The men who preached during the week explored various facets of hope. Click on the name below to hear the specific message.

Groaning in Hope: Danny Whetstone
The Psalmist’s Hope: Gene Krachenfels
Jeremiah’s Hope: Barry Goodman
Don’t Lose Hope in God’s Unseen Plan: Jeremy Lockhart
The Scripture’s Hope: David Fulp
The Call of Hope: Dalton Heath
The Gospel’s Hope: Tim Daniel
The Finisher’s Hope: Chad Estep
The Door of Hope: John O’Malley

Testimonies

An important aspect of Family Fellowship Week is the fellowship. The week provides an opportunity to share the blessings and burdens of others within our World Wide family. Our theme this year was Hope. Men and ladies shared testimonies of how they never lost hope when facing a challenging season, a hardship, a trial, or a setback in their ministry. Click on the name below to hear a specific testimony.  Note: Some cannot be widely published due to the sensitive location of their ministries.

Fred Daniel, Jr.
Elwood Hurst
Edgar Feghaly
Adrian Hendricks
Colton Lee
Barbara O’Malley
Josh Wagar and Sarah Wagar
Tim Stalcup

Click here to view all recordings from Family Fellowship Week.

Quotable Quotes

Paul had hope, mingled with faith, that what he faced was nothing compared to what he would see. – Danny Whetstone

Courage is fear holding on one minute longer. – George Patton

It is not what we want that gets us in trouble, but what we insist on having beyond the will of God. – unknown

There is always hope in the wilderness because our older Brother (Jesus Christ) has been there before us. – Fred Daniel, Jr.

True hope fixes the heart on thoughts of God instead of on self, failures, dreams, and misery. – Barry Goodman

God already knows how many storms you will face, and what He calls you to He will carry you through. – Elwood Hurst

When you can’t seem to find God, don’t lose hope in His unseen plan. – Jeremy Lockhart

God’s methods are men. – Eric Franks

It is in the ordinary that God shows Himself faithful. – Adrian Hendricks

God sees down the road where today will fit into His plan for you. – Colton Lee

The devil doesn’t mind taking time with you because he knows that over time he can wear you down. – Frank Camp

It is always too soon to quit! – unknown

Christ renews our hope daily, but it is up to us to choose to walk in that hope. – Josh Wagar

Allow Christ to work in you. Even when it seems He isn’t, He is. – Tim Daniel

Photos

Click here to view photos from the week! If you have photos to share, you may do so by uploading to https://wwntbm.com/upload, or by sharing on social media with the hashtag #WWNTBM23.

by John O’Malley

Do you hold space for God in your life?

If so, how much room or space do you allow God?

Does He only have room on your days of public worship or ministry?

How much room does He have on the other days of the week when you are less needy?

Do you only give Him space in the hour of your greatest need?

Do you take up the room you do not allow Him on the days when you have less demand, and your work is more perfunctory?

How much room do you have for God?

January is our church’s annual missions Sunday for the Faith Promise giving year. Our church’s theme, More of Him and Less of Me, led me to speak from John 3:30. I see John’s testimony of him making room for God’s presence, plan, and power.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

I read this verse and began a quest to understand how much room I make for God.

John the Baptist’s life was only about Jesus. In other words, John made room for Jesus.

I asked myself, “Who reigns every moment of the day on the throne of my life?” I think I reign on the little stuff, then I “let” God sit on the throne of my life to allow Him to reign on the big stuff. Unfortunately, this is not a good plan.

Thus far today, who reigned on the throne of your life, and who made all the decisions today? Who reacted today, you or God? Whom did your spouse see on the throne of your life?

I want to evict myself from the throne of my life permanently.

How about you?

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

by John O’Malley

“And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house” (Ruth 2:7).

The servant shared with Boaz:

• • • Ruth’s devotion to the harvest.
    • Ruth’s desire to harvest.
    • Ruth’s determination in the harvest.
    • Ruth’s dedication to the harvest.

The servant was impressed with her declarations to him and her duty to his boss. At the end of his testimony of Ruth’s demeanor, he mentioned an interesting point for the believer to ponder.

The servant set over the reapers said Ruth had “continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.” Notice with me his last eight words: “that she tarried a little in the house.” It is apparent that Ruth was a good harvester for Boaz. The servant pointed out to Boaz that Ruth had tarried only a “little” in the house.

The servant set over the reapers had a place where all in his charge could come and seek refreshment and rest. Service in the field requires rest and refreshing. After a period of work, the reapers would come to the house and gather for fellowship. The resting house was also a place of rejoicing when the harvest was completed.

The thought of a house in which to rest from our labors brings two concerns to mind in light of this present generation. The first concern is that of God’s laborers ignoring times of needed rest. Many times, in the service of our Eternal Boaz, we pride ourselves in our work and brag that we never take a break or a time to rest. Ruth was a diligent worker, both in her reaping and her resting.

The second concern is one that is far too common among twenty-first-century believers. This is the danger of all rest and no labor. Many today have made a ministry of staying in the house and never going to the fields.

It is clear that it could be said of those like this, “They have tarried too long and labored too little for our Eternal Boaz.” You can always spot those in this way; they are the spiritual hogs of the church. They linger long at the trough and do little but grunt if they cannot feed their bellies.

It should be overwhelmingly apparent that the believer working in the field should make regular trips to the house of God. We should go to the house of our Eternal Boaz for rest from the noonday sun after we have labored for Him.

We should get to the house of our Eternal Boaz; it is there we will meet other harvesters, and we can fellowship over our labors. We should get to the house of our Eternal Boaz and listen to His words of encouragement for our needed refreshment. We should get to the house of our Eternal Boaz for times of rejoicing over the harvest.

Temporary rest is vital; full-time rest is for when we leave this earth for the eternal house of our Boaz. “Let us therefore labor to enter into that rest” (Hebrews 4:11).

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

by John O’Malley

While preparing a message from Malachi’s book, the Lord illuminated Malachi 2:17. “Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?”

I pondered; the Omnipotent God said our words wearied Him.

How? How is it, He who bears every care, He who wipes tears and records them, He who watches sparrows, and He who knows the hairs of our head (my head included) said the words of His people wearied Him?

I never considered I could weary God. Do you weary God?

Scripture teaches God wearies with five things. He wearies with:

• • • • our wrongdoing
      • our spiritless worship
      • our sin-filled hearts
      • our resistance to His Spirit
      • our silly objections

I do not want to weary Him. Do you?

1. God wearies with our iniquities. (Iniquities are when I do wrong according to God’s righteousness.)
“Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.” Isaiah 43:24

2. God wearies with our formal Godless worship.
“Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.” Isaiah 1:14

3. God wearies with our sin-filled hearts and ignorance of God’s way.
“Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:” Psalm 95:10

4. God wearies with our resistance to his Spirit.
“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” Isaiah 63:10

5. God wearies with our silly whining, objections, and rebellions.
“Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” Malachi 2:17

Did you weary God yesterday? Are you wearying Him today? Last Sunday, did you bring spiritless and lifeless worship? Did you use silly words whining about why God had not moved in a matter critical to you?

Let us seek His word and ways. Let us evict a spiritless form of worship from our lives. When His Spirit leads, follow. When the heathen prosper, don’t whine; remember, God is always working out His plan.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley