The Benediction

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
- Revelation 19:10

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

When John, as an old man, received the Revelation of Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos, he was overwhelmed by the glory of what he saw. At one point, he fell at an angel’s feet to worship, but the angel quickly corrected him: “Don’t do that! Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” In that moment, John was reminded, and we are invited to remember, that even the most extraordinary revelations and heavenly visions point back to one Person: Jesus Christ.

That brief exchange reveals an important truth: every genuine prophetic word reflects the heart of Jesus. Prophecy isn’t simply about predicting the future or sharing spiritual insights; it’s about revealing who Jesus is and what He’s doing among His people and in the world.

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one unified story of God’s plan to redeem and restore humanity through His Son. The prophets looked forward to His coming, the apostles testified to His resurrection, and the Holy Spirit continues to reveal Him today. Every genuine prophetic voice, regardless of the time or place, ultimately finds its meaning in Him.

The angel’s words remind us that the essence of true revelation is seeing and knowing Jesus Himself. Without Him, prophecy becomes hollow and noisy. With Him, it brings life, conviction, and hope. 

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of prophecy, works to make Jesus known (John 15:26). Whether through Scripture, a prophetic message, or a quiet word of encouragement, His goal remains the same: to draw hearts closer to Christ. He doesn’t point to personalities or movements; He points to King Jesus.

That truth anchors us in a world full of voices claiming to speak on God's behalf. We can discern what we hear by asking a simple question: Does this reveal Jesus? If it magnifies Him, reflects His character, and aligns with His Word, then it carries the true spirit of prophecy. But if it exalts people, stirs up fear, or departs from the gospel, it’s something else entirely.

At its core, prophecy invites us to deepen our relationship with Jesus. It’s not just about sharing information, it’s about transformation. When God speaks, He doesn’t merely predict; He calls us to repentance, trust, and fellowship with Him.

One of the most powerful prophetic messages we can all share is our personal testimony of Christ: what He has done in our lives, how He has transformed us, and how His grace continues to shape us each day.  As the apostle Paul wrote, “You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31).

The same Holy Spirit who once inspired the prophets now lives within us. We’re invited to join the same prophetic flow that the angel spoke to John about in Revelation, the revealing of Jesus Christ through our words and lives, so that others might see Him more clearly and come to know the One to whom all heaven points.

Many Blessings, BW

So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
- Ruth 1:22

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

Every season of life we experience offers a gift from God. It's often said that autumn is the best season because it looks as beautiful as it feels. Autumn arrives with its own special charm: crisp air, colorful leaves, and a sense of both harvest and change. The cooler temperatures and changing colors remind us that life moves in seasons, where endings and new beginnings frequently occur. In Scripture, the harvest holds deep spiritual significance, and one of the clearest examples is found in the Book of Ruth.

Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the start of the barley harvest—a detail full of meaning. In the Bible, harvest often symbolizes God’s provision and the fulfillment of His promises. For Naomi, who had returned home feeling hollow and bitter after years of loss, the harvest marked a turning point. It was during this season that God’s faithfulness began to restore the loss and brokenness in Naomi’s life.

For Ruth, a Moabite outsider, the harvest signified the beginning of belonging and redemption. The timing of their arrival in Bethlehem was not accidental; it was a divine appointment, a reminder that there are times of refreshing and renewal from the presence of the Lord, even when everything seems lost.

As Ruth gleaned in Boaz's fields, God’s compassionate heart was revealed. The law of Israel provided for the poor and foreigners during the harvest (Leviticus 19:9–10). What could have been a time of despair turned into a season of abundance thanks to God’s wisdom and kindness. Autumn’s lesson is clear: when we trust Him, God provides not just enough, but more than enough.

Autumn reminds us that every season in life serves a purpose. Naomi and Ruth faced famine, grief, and displacement, but their arrival in Bethlehem marked a major change. Just as autumn leaves burst with color before falling, periods of loss can prepare us for new beginnings. Ruth’s faithfulness in the fields led to her marriage with Boaz, a union that placed her in the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

This season encourages us to reflect on the harvests in our own lives. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Like farmers waiting patiently for crops to ripen, we are called to persevere, trusting God’s perfect timing. The effort of faith, whether in relationships, work, or spiritual growth, produces fruit in its season.

This autumn, remember Ruth gleaning in the fields of Bethlehem. What began as a time of loss and emptiness ultimately became a testament to God’s redemptive power and compassion. Autumn, with its cooler air, colorful leaves, and bountiful harvests, whispers that God is always at work, transforming emptiness into fullness and weaving stories of hope and renewal into our lives.

Many Blessings, BW

Ask! What shall I give you?
- 1 Kings 3:5

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and extended an extraordinary invitation. Solomon’s reply showed genuine humility and wisdom. Instead of asking for riches, long life, or victory over enemies, Solomon asked for an understanding heart—literally, a hearing heart—to lead God’s people and to discern between good and evil.

Why did Solomon ask for this? He explains in verse 7, “I do not know how to go out or come in.” This was a common Hebrew phrase that expressed leadership—how to act wisely in all areas of life, both public and private, especially when dealing with others. Solomon understood he was stepping into a role that greatly exceeded his abilities. He was now king over a vast people, and he felt the weight and gravity of that responsibility.

The phrase "going out and coming in" appears several times in the Old Testament Scripture and carries deep significance. It relates to managing life’s routines, battles, and spiritual direction properly.

We see this in Numbers 27:15–17, when Moses, near the end of his life, asks God to appoint a successor. His one request? That God would set a man over the congregation “who may go out before them and go in before them… that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Moses isn’t just talking about movement; he’s talking about leadership. A good leader knows when and how to lead people forward and when to bring them back in safety, rest, and worship.

Moses later reflects in Deuteronomy 31:1–2, “I am no longer able to go out and come in,” acknowledging his transition out of leadership. In his older age, he understood it was time for someone else to assume that responsibility.

Joshua 14:11 records eighty-year-old Caleb’s bold declaration that his strength for “going out and coming in” had not diminished. This phrase once more indicates confidence, power, and leadership, even in older age.

It wasn’t just about kings or warriors, though. In Deuteronomy 28:6, God promises, “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” This is covenant language. It’s about God's presence in every part of life, whether we’re stepping into daily responsibilities or returning home. His blessing covers both.

Jesus reiterates this promise in John 10:9 when He says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” In Christ, we find security, guidance, and provision. We are not left to wander. He is both the gate and the Shepherd, ensuring we find pasture wherever we go.

So, when Solomon asked for a heart that would hear, it wasn’t just for personal insight; it was to lead well, live wisely, and walk in step with God. He understood that without God’s wisdom, he couldn’t properly “go out or come in.” His request shows that leadership, maturity, and a fulfilling life all start with humility and a listening heart. May we, like Solomon, ask for hearts that hear so that we, too, may be blessed as we go out and come in under the care of our Good Shepherd.

Many Blessings, BW

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
-Romans 12:15 (NIV)

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
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God didn’t call us to run from people’s pain; He called us to move toward it. That’s something I’ve come to understand more clearly the longer I’ve served in God’s Kingdom. Being there for others isn’t about offering quick fixes or standing at a safe distance to give advice. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up when it’s hard, and sitting in the tension, grief, and long nights when no one has the answers. And this isn’t just for people in vocational ministry. It’s for anyone who loves like Jesus: friends, parents, neighbors, for all of us who find ourselves walking alongside someone who is hurting. 
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Over the years, I’ve started to think of ministry as being like being a sergeant in the army. He’s not giving orders from a safe place; he’s in the trenches with his people. Same dirt. Same danger. Same exhaustion. He doesn’t pretend to be immune to fear or pain. He chooses to stay close and keep going. That’s what it looks like to love people through their pain: you don’t back away, you lean in. You don’t have to fix it; you have to be willing to show up.
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God invites us into the sorrow of others, not because we have the answers, but because His presence is needed there, and often He shows up through us. As a friend, it might look like sitting quietly with someone who’s grieving. As a parent, it might mean holding space for a child wrestling with fear or failure. As a neighbor, it could mean offering a simple meal or a listening ear. You’re not solving everything; you’re simply holding their pain with love and trusting God to work in the unseen.
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Romans 12:15 isn’t just good advice—it’s a way of life. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” This means entering someone else’s story with authenticity. Sometimes that looks like a shared tear, a silent prayer, or just staying on the line during a hard phone call. You don’t need perfect words, just a heart that’s willing to be present.
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And by God’s grace, you might witness healing: a burden lifted, a heart softened, a flicker of hope returning. But even when the breakthrough doesn’t come right away, your purpose remains the same: be available, love genuinely, and trust that your presence matters. It is not easy. Loving like this costs something. It stretches us. It requires a strength that doesn’t come from us. And it still places us on holy ground.
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Jesus, our Shepherd, didn’t avoid our pain. He entered it fully. He carried it, redeemed it, and made a way through it. Whether you’re comforting a friend late at night, praying over your child, or bringing a warm meal to someone in a hard season, remember this: you’re not alone. Your presence, anchored in Christ, carries His light into some of the darkest places. You don’t have to be strong. You need to show up. God’s love and power will do the rest.
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Many Blessings, BW

Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.
-Matthew 9:36

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

One of my earliest and most unforgettable shepherding experiences was with a twelve- year-old girl fighting a brain tumor. After her surgery, she ended up in the ICU. I would slip away two or three times a week during my lunch breaks to pray for her. I felt filled with the Holy Spirit’s pleasure and presence each time I returned to work. It was as if I were doing what I was created to do.

She eventually moved to a rehab center, and one evening, some friends and I visited her. We brought guitars and filled her room with prayers and worship. Soon, curious and desperate faces peeked in, drawn by the music. Some asked us to pray and sing for their sick children. Looking back, it still pulls on my heartstrings to think about those desperate families and suffering children, but knowing Jesus was with us, touching lives in ways we could never have imagined, brings comfort.

Later, when the Lord called me to pastor our church, a friend asked, “How will you help those people?” I had a mental list of plans for those first few months, but when I opened my mouth, something unexpected came out: “I’m going to help them draw closer to God, to know Him and His ways—and He’ll take care of them.” That wasn’t my plan—it was God’s. And all these years later, the Holy Spirit keeps reminding me: it’s still His plan.

When Jesus saw the crowds, His heart broke for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He turned to His disciples and said, “The harvest is plentiful, but there are not enough workers. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the fields!” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus longs for us to have shepherds—those willing to walk alongside us through life’s challenges and heartaches.

One of the more inspiring pastoral stories in the Bible is Peter’s restoration after denying Jesus three times. As part of that restoration, Jesus entrusted him with caring for His lambs and sheep (John 21:15-17). Peter’s story shows us that even when we’ve messed up, if our heart is still in step with the Shepherd, God can use us in ways that go far beyond what we can see.

I’ve learned the hard way to be cautious, because the enemy will attempt to hinder biblical shepherding, such as by chasing every new “wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), following trendy church movements, and imitating or comparing yourself to others. To guard against the enemy’s strategy, remain rooted in Him, listen to His voice, and care for the sheep He entrusted to you with His steadfast, faithful love. Proverbs captures this essence well: “Know your flock well and keep a close watch on your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).

True shepherding isn’t about our strength, love, or wisdom; it’s about relying on Him. When we lean into the Good Shepherd, He equips us to reflect His care, patience, and hope. The girl in the ICU, the desperate families in the rehab center, and the people down through the years and congregations have taught me that shepherding is ultimately about leading people to know God, encounter His presence, and walk in His ways. And when we do that, He takes care of everything else.

Many Blessings, BW

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
- Luke 18:8

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

As a young believer, I often heard the term “remnant church.” I envisioned it as a community I longed to be part of—something distinct from the churches I knew, which often felt monotonous or lacking in vitality. To me, the remnant church represented a place where the presence, truth, and power of the Holy Spirit were unmistakably real.

Over the years, I’ve heard the term less and less. But as I reflect on the state of the church today, my focus isn’t so much on what we are, but on what we’re called to become—a people wholly devoted to God, grounded in His Word, and anchored in His presence and power, regardless of which direction others may take.

The concept of a remnant is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In Genesis 6–9, Noah and his family remained faithful while the world turned away. They weren’t perfect, but they followed God when no one else would. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah thought he was the only one left faithful to God, but the Lord revealed there were still 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal.

Time after time, Israel itself became a remnant. In Judges 6–8, God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to just 300 men, and through them delivered Israel from the vast Midianite forces. After the Babylonian exile, books such as Ezra and Nehemiah recount the story of a small group that returned to rebuild Jerusalem. Isaiah 10:20-22 speaks of a “remnant of Israel” returning to the Lord—a theme echoed in Romans 11:5, where Paul describes early believers as a “remnant chosen by grace.

In every case, the remnant is marked by faithfulness. It consists of those who stay true to God’s Word—choosing obedience over comfort, loyalty over popularity, and truth over trend—even in the face of political, cultural, or personal pressures. Scripture doesn’t tie the idea of the remnant church to a denomination, movement, or tradition. It points to a faithful community centered on God’s calling, rooted in His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. This remnant stands firm amid opposition and cultural drift, unmoved by shifting styles, trends, or spiritual fads (John 6:22-71). In the end, it’s not about a label—it’s about a heart wholly surrendered to Him.

Looking back, I realize my desire for a remnant church wasn’t about seeking something exclusive or different for its own sake. It stemmed from a deep longing for something real—a faith rooted in truth, alive in the Spirit, and wholly committed to Christ. That longing has never left.

While the shape of the church continues to change, the call to be part of God’s faithful remnant remains unchanged. Whether in revival, renewal, or decline, God has always preserved a people who remain steadfast in Him. The real question isn’t whether a remnant church exists—it’s whether we’re willing to be part of it.

Many Blessings, BW