Volume 4, Issue 2, May 1999

EBI Closes on Building

On May 3, 1999, EBI closed on the building we have been leasing for nearly two years. It was necessary to take out a short term mortgage with the previous owner so the print shop, shipping room and warehouse area could be constructed. This will allow us to move these operations and then sell our old building. Final construction plans have been submitted to the contractor. Construction is expected to begin by the end of May. If all goes according to plan, we would like to be moving by late August. Praise the Lord!

Several church groups have expressed interest in hands-on participation in this project. Due to the time-frame, we felt that the actual construction should be done with contracted labor. However, we surely could use help in moving the hundreds of boxes of books, as well as the small equipment. Call us if you are interested.

Next winter we would like to seal and paint the outside of the building. It has had 18 years of hot Florida sun beating down on it, so it is in need of a “face lift”. If there is a group (or two) that would like to tackle this project, or help us with the purchase of the paint, let us know. Remember, this is a two-story block building, and there will be a lot of ladder or scaffolding work.

Building Fund Swells

Since the last issue, the building fund has grown to over $122,000. This leaves less than $38,000 to be raised. We are praying that it will all be in before the end of summer. Praise the Lord, and keep praying!

New Accounting System

This month will also see the installation of new accounting software. The final decision on this software was made after considerable discussion and prayer. Once the software decision was made, a new computer was needed to act as a network server. The primary driving force behind making this move now was to make our system Y2K compliant. However, everyone involved with the current system recognized years ago that we needed a more flexible system to keep up with our growth. This system will do that and a whole lot more, plus it will be a real benefit to our customers. Pray all will go well with this transition.

Once all of this is in place, several staff members will be able to access the system at the same time. Any customer ordering by phone will benefit from much better information on availability of a publication, since everyone will be able to directly access inventory. It will also allow us to immediately calculate the total cost of the order.

There will be other communication benefits, too. Anyone ordering through our website or by e-mail will be instantly recognized by the system. In addition, everyone at EBI will be able to have his own e-mail address. It will also assist shipping with printing labels and determining shipping costs.

Website Online

Anyone with access to the web and a customer number can now order directly from the site. This allows us to keep information up to date and available to our customers at all times. It allows us to notify everyone of any new publications available or any special pricing. All of these things took up to six months or more in the past. If you have not visited it yet, the address is at the bottom of the page. Pray that someone new will find our site and be led to our publications.

TEE Book Testing

With The Doctrine of Christ TEE book ready for testing, we have asked several missionaries who use our materials to help us. This testing involves having students work through the book with the supervision of an experienced teacher. That teacher then reports back to us any constructive criticisms and suggestions for improvement. In the past, this was done by the author, who was already working on a Spanish-speaking field. Since this book was a collaboration of Ed Schwartz and Marv Stephens, both working in the States, a new way to test the books was needed. If this effort is successful, we will be following in a few months with The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Continued Needs

There are still several small items that we need. Someone may feel led to supply one of these.
1. Office chair — $200
2. Sealing tape machine — $150
3. Bulletin board — $50
4. Large file cabinet (print shop) — $300
5. Awning for front door — $300
6. String trimmer for weeds — $125

Inspirational Outline

An outline on a study of the topic The Fear of God is provided for your use on the reverse side. It can be used either as a personal Bible study or as a teaching or preaching tool. May God be glorified with its use.

The Fear of God

Introduction:

A starting point – Proverbs 1:7; 9:10
A matter of choice – Proverbs 1:29
A matter of study – Proverbs 2:1-6; 15:33

Prerequisites
1. Faith – Psalm 34:8-10; Hebrews 11:6
2. Commitment – Joshua 24:14; I Samuel 12:24; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Definition
1. What it is not – a sudden alarm! Four examples:
  1. I Samuel 11:7 (dread) [II Chronicles 14:14; Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21]
  2. Exodus 23:27 (terror)
  3. Deuteronomy 29:66,67 (be afraid)
  4. Proverbs 29:25 (trembling)
2. What is it?
  1. Hebrew = to fear or revere (yare)
  2. It is to be learned. Psalm 34:11; 32:8
    1. By experience – Deuteronomy 14:23
    2. By teaching – Deuteronomy 31:12,13
      - (1) From teachers (Deuteronomy 31:12,13)
      - (2) From parents (Deuteronomy 4:10)
      - (3) From reading (Deuteronomy 17:19)
  3. It is a command of God. Deuteronomy 8:6 (Leviticus 19:32)
  4. It has many aspects.
    1. We are to tremble at His presence. Psalm 119:120 (Psalm 96:9; Jeremiah 5:22) [This is the fear or reverence for God where we realize who he is and what He can do. See Numbers 20:10-12, Ezra 9:6, and I Chronicles 13:9-12]
    2. We are to obey His voice. Deuteronomy 13:4; 6:1,2,24; 5:29; Psalms 128:1 (See Exodus 1:17-21 for an example.) [Fearing God is being concerned about Him, and about what He wants.]
    3. We are to reverence His name. Malachi 2:5; 3:16; 1:14 (See Leviticus 25:10-16 for an example.) [Fearing God is to use His name only with the highest respect.]
    4. We are to walk in His will. II Chronicles 6:31 (Proverbs 14:2; Deuteronomy 10:12; 13:4) [To fear God is to put His will before my will.]
    5. We are to serve Him. Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:12,20 (I Samuel 12:14,24) [Fearing God will mean that we will seek to do that which pleases Him.]
    6. We are to agree with His viewpoint. Proverbs 3:7; 8:13; 23:17 [To fear God means we are to align our thought with His thoughts regarding the world and sin, not the opposite.]
    7. We are to accept His instruction. Proverbs 15:33 [Fearing God means we will not argue with His word.]
    8. We are to be content in His place. Proverbs 19:23; 14:26 (See the book of Jonah for an example of one who struggled with these last three items.) [To fear God we need to be satisfied with the location and with the conditions in which He places us.]
    9. We are to depend on His presence. Deuteronomy 10:20; 13:4 (Deuteronomy 30:20) [Fearing God will mean we will lean on Him, not on our strength.]
    10. We are to respect other believers. Leviticus 25:17,36,43 (II Chronicles 19:4-10) [To fear God we must have the proper attitude toward those of like precious faith.]
3. What are its benefits?
  1. An evident lifestyle – Proverbs 14:2, 28:14; 14:26; 19:23; Psalms 22:23; 34:1-3
  2. An abundant, blessed life – Proverbs 22:4; Psalm 15:4; 34:9,10; 112;1; 128:1-4
  3. An understanding of God’s word – Proverbs 2:1-5; Psalm 25:12-14; Jeremiah 33:3
  4. A prolonged life – Proverbs 10:27; 14:27; Psalm 33:18,19; 34:7
  5. An attitude of worship – Psalm 5:7 (Psalm 96:6)
  6. A maturing spiritual life – II Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 2:12,13; Proverbs 16:6 (I Peter 3:2,15; II Timothy 2:15)
  7. A submissive spirit – Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3
  8. A multiplied church – Acts 9:31
Biblical examples
1. Abraham – Genesis 22:12
2. Joseph – Genesis 39:7-9; 42:6-20
3. Noah – Hebrews 11:7
4. Midwives – Exodus 1:15-21
5. Hananiah – Nehemiah 7:2
6. Job – 1:1,8,9; 28:28
7. Virtuous woman – Proverbs 31:30
8. Christ – Hebrews 5:7; Isaiah 11:1,2
9. Future Israel – Jeremiah 32:37-40