You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” (2 Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV)
 
Three illustrations given to Timothy to describe his work as an evangelist are three pictures that describe all Christians to some degree.  They are: soldier, athlete and farmer.  
 
The Christian is a soldier enlisted in God’s army.  His enlistment is not for a short term of three or four years, but for life!  His duty is to avoid being absorbed in the temporary affairs of this world, and to focus upon pleasing Jesus Christ, his Commander in Chief.  Satan is the enemy (Ephesians 6: 12), God is our ally (Ephesians 6:10), and the battle is real.  The Christian must be willing to suffer the hardships necessary to win.  
 
The Christian is called upon to strive for the masteries, which means to contend in the games.  Like any dedicated athlete, he wants to win and will do everything possible to succeed.  
(I Corinthians 9:24-27) To finish strong, he must first train and exercise.  Unfortunately, the only exercise some Christians engage in is jumping to conclusions, running down friends, and side-stepping responsibility.  Next, he must strive lawfully, forgetting the gimmicks of man.  God gave us sixty-six books, and each one of them is important!  So, the Christian must know the rules and he must run the race! 
 
Finally, the Christian is a farmer. Before the husbandman can enjoy the fruit of his labor, he must engage in hard work.  Facing uncertain conditions, and unwilling soil, he tills, plants, and waters.  If he works diligently, he will have joy in this world, and chiefly in the world to come.  
 
Soldier, athlete, and farmer - these three should describe your life to some degree.  
 
By: George Slover

“And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)
 
In the context of the above verse Paul lists several common human experiences.  “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)  All of these are perfectly legitimate activities, but like all encounters in this life they are temporary.  Thus, Paul places greater emphasis upon our eternal relationship with Christ.  
 
So, it is not wrong to be lawfully married, and devoted to your mate. There are occasions to cry or laugh that are perfectly legitimate.  It is not a sin to have physical possessions, or even to enjoy the wonders of the physical world.  However, the time and devotion given to each of these must be tempered by the greater priority- our devotion to Christ.  We must never get distracted from this central reality: our relation to the Lord.  Everything must be evaluated by our love for Christ.  There must be no other standard or interest!
 
What distracts you from serving the Master?  May God help us to have a single eye and a united heart.  May all of our feelings, tasks, and relationships be woven by a single strand of commitment to Christ. 
 
By George Slover

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” (Psalms 40:1-2)
 
This Psalm of David is describing some kind of deliverance from a peril.  We shall assume he is speaking of being rescued from spiritual distress.  Perhaps he is talking about an overwhelming temptation.  With this in mind, follow the progression of thought through the Psalm.
 
First, there is the “horrible pit” and “miry clay”.  This figuratively illustrates the wretchedness of one deep in the mire of sin and guilt, and the precipitating results as the guilt weighs heavily upon him.  The transgressor is swallowed up in despair.
 
Second, such distress leads to prayer. (vs.1)  There is a “cry” for God’s help.  The help seems delayed.  “I waited patiently, but waited long”.
 
Third, the prayer is answered. (vs.2)  “He inclined to me and heard my cry”.  “He set me on a rock.”  A sinner who is truly penitent will change his ways and be placed on solid ground.  Our rock is the Rock of Ages.  
 
Fourth, his salvation leads to a new song. “He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” (vs. 3) As stated by a well known hymn:  “He took my burdens all away up to a brighter day.  He gave me song, a wonderful song.”  The sinner rejoices in his new life and relationship!
 
Fifth, the penitent’s gratitude for God is expressed in two ways – 1) a full surrender of his will and life (vs. 6-8), and 2) a proclamation of God’s mercy to others. (vs.9, 10)  
 
There is nothing like experiencing the changed life accomplished by the gospel!  He who was at first in the pit, then on his knees, then on a rock, will have power to stand in the market place proclaiming the good news!
 
By George Slover

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
 

The Sermon on the Mount revealed in Matthew, chapters five through 7 has been called the Magna Charta of Christianity.  In these chapters Jesus describes the essential character and conduct of those in his kingdom.  Surely such marvelous principles must have been devised in the mind of God!  Who would deny that if man would abide by it teachings that our world would be more peaceful? 
 
Consider a quick summary of this great discourse.  Jesus taught that true contentment is not found in what you posses or where you live, but in your character. (Mt.5:1-12)   He says “don’t get angry with your brother without a cause” for such is as bad as murder. (Mt.5:21-26)  He teaches us not to have evil thoughts (Mt.5:27-30) and when you get married stay married (Mt.5:31,32).  He instructs us to be trustworthy (Mt.5:33-37), not retaliate with evil for evil (Mt.5:38-42), and to love our enemies. (Mt.5:44-48)
  
In chapter 6 he teaches us to not be religious hypocrites (Mt.6:1-18) and to focus on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones. (Mt.6:19-34)  In chapter 7 we are told to be careful how we judge others (Mt.7:1-5) and “whatever you would that men would do to you, do you even so to them.” (Mt.7:12)  Finally, he states that if you will follow these principles your life can have a solid foundation that is able weather the storms.  (Mt.7:24-27) 

I challenge anyone to find a better set of rules to by which to live! The secret to a fulfilled life is following heaven’s code of conduct.

By George Slover
 

He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." (Mark 9:19)
 
The occasion of the words mentioned above was sometime during the third year of the Lord’s earthly ministry.  A father’s son was possessed with a demon causing him to behave violently.  Though the Lord had given his apostles the authority to cast out demons, because of their lack of faith they had failed in healing this boy.
 
Fortunately, Satan has no power today to possess a person as he did during the time of miracles.  However, there is still an important lesson for modern disciples.  Our faithlessness mirrors the faithless activity of these early disciples.
 
While we do not live the age of demon possession, Satan is still exerting much influence in our world.  Personal lives, homes, communities, and local churches have been affected by his power to deceive and entice.   We ought to be able to help that poor “demon possessed” friend, but it could be said of us as well – “they could not”.  The disciples could not and we cannot.
 
In our unbelieving generation churches have tried every gimmick in the book to gain the numbers.  Those churches on the left have tried the allurement of the social gospel – “win ‘em with coffee and donuts, fun and games for the family, etc.”  Other churches who would oppose such tactics have pushed such gimmicks as – “you’ll really like our singing, or our preacher, or our Bible classes”.  All of the above mentioned methods are carnal.  We forget about the One who has the power to solve our problems. 
 
“Bring them to me”, Jesus said.  Our job is not about the latest religious gadget, but about winning others to Christ.  He is the only one who can bring them into a right relationship with God.
 
George Slover