With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
 
What an encouraging verse!  What a great message of comfort from this godly king.  Hezekiah, the king of Judah, spoke these words.  He was ruling a nation that was surrounded by empires far superior to his in numbers and might.  When the Assyrian army marched up to the gates of Jerusalem it did not look so well for Judah.  However, Hezekiah reminds them that God was on their side.
 
Have you ever felt surrounded by the enemy?  Have you been in situations where you were the only one that stood for what was right?  Have “friends” belittled your integrity or moral purity?  Have they questioned your devotion and desire to worship?  Ever have someone ridicule your “pie in the sky” faith?  Has anyone ever called you a legalist or troublemaker, because you expressed your voice for righteousness?  Or have you faced in your family or personal life so-called “insurmountable” challenges?  Perhaps the above verse can encourage you!
 
Other godly men and women have faced similar difficulties and won!  David, victorious over the giant Goliath, said, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”  (1 Samuel 17:45)  Jonathan, Israel’'s warrior, attacked a garrison of Philistines and won!  This godly warrior understood that: “nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." 
(1 Samuel 14:6)
  
God did indeed deliver Judah in taking 185,000 Assyrians in one night!  And, God will stand with us as well in the battles of life.  Remember:  “God and one man makes a majority”!
 
By George Slover

You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)
 
Let’'s be honest about the above passage and what God has to say about the sin of sexual immorality.  Let’'s be honest with ourselves and the temptations we face with regard to this sin.
 
Here are some facts about the sin:  
Fact #1 – the act of fornication is sinful (Colossians 3:5,6)
Fact #2 – certain actions leading to fornication may be sinful.  The Bible calls this unchaste handling of males and females “lasciviousness”. (Galatians 5:16-19)
Fact #3 – certain thoughts leading to fornication may be sinful.  (Matthew 5:27,28)
 
Here are some facts about ourselves:
Fact #1  - we are sexual creatures.  God made us that way.  (I Corinthians 5:1,2)
Fact $2 – we were not made for sexual immorality ( I Corinthians 6:13)
Fact #3 – no man is above temptation (I Corinthians 10:12)
 
Thus, the conclusion to the above is that we all need a plan for winning.  Jesus said, “"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' (Mark 9:47-48)
 
Here are some common sense boundaries for winning:
1)   plan ahead – choose to win
2)   avoid situations that are risky
3)   know your weaknesses
4)   find support from others that may help you
5)   avoid friendships that encourage promiscuity
6)   avoid entertainment that produces immoral thoughts
7)   never be with another of the opposite sex alone
8)   see the value of the above choices and do not compromise them!
 
Determine to win and God will richly bless you!
 
By George Slover
 

 

Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
 
Since much of Solomon’'s writing is directed young men, the above passage seems appropriate.  It reminds me of words often spoken to that argumentative teenager who needs to hush and listen to the voice of wisdom.  Solomon says,  “God has authority here!  Hush and listen to God!”
 
But, does not the verse apply to all of us?  Do we not at times struggle with God?  Are there not times when we need to be put in our place and reminded that God is in heaven?  So, hush and listen to God!  Actually, this spirit of listening begins with the spirit of humility!
 
Like the teenager, we need to remember our place.  No matter how many accomplishments we have to our credit, God created this universe.  No matter how many war stories we can tell, God is stronger.  Since we cannot brag in His presence, we should learn to listen!
 
When one fully understands his position before God, he will be abundantly blessed.  True humility before God will lead to wisdom (Prov.11:2), guidance (Ps. 25:9), honor (Prov. 22:4), exaltation (Mt. 23:12), grace (Js. 4:6), and forgiveness (Lk. 18:9-14).
 
So, instead of compromising spiritually, recognize that God'’s way is superior in every phase of your life!  Yield to Him, and you will be richly blessed!
 
By George Slover

 

And if your hand makes you sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched- 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched'."  (Mark 9:43,44)
 
In the above passage Jesus gives us a glimpse of the horrors of eternal punishment.  Our finite minds cannot fathom how horrible will be this place of unending, unquenchable fire, but to help us to understand its gravity he provides a figurative description.  
 
In his description of hell he uses the following unusual phrase -  "where their worm does not die".  What is the meaning of this phrase?    Historians tell us that these words allude to the Valley of Hinom just outside Jerusalem.  In Jesus' day this valley had become a garbage dump,a place of human waste, where maggots ate upon the dead carcasses.  But, here the description is of a place where the maggot never dies, but continually preys upon the carcass.  This is Jesus' way of helping us view the eternal agony of souls in hell.
 
In Erik Larson's book, Isaac's Storm, he relates the true story of Isaac Cline, a meteorologist who lived during the hurricane of 1900 that took thousands of lives.  Mr. Larson not only provides a vivid description of the storm, but of its aftermath.  He tells of survivors searching among the dead for loved ones, of row after row of the dead, and of the stench of decomposing bodies.  It is hard for me to imagine how horrible it must have been.  It is equally difficult for me to grasp the horrors of eternal hell.
 
But, Jesus wants us to see how awful it will be and lovingly instructs us as to how we can avoid it.  So my brother, heed his warning and live today for Jesus!
 
George Slover

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24)
 
Although the above request was most likely in jest, it is nonetheless an interesting one.  How often does anyone really desire straight-talk?  In our day of soft diplomacy the desire for reality is rare.  Most of  our speech, especially in religious circles, is couched in diplomatic terms.   We call a "used car" a "pre-owned car", and we call "sin" something besides what it is - sin!
 
Politicians and celebrities try their best to cover up the blemishes.  They try to remove the warts, birthmarks, and wrinkles.  They try to cover up the lies and false promises.  Remember President Clinton’'s: "“It all depends upon what is is?”"  Vanity dies a hard death.
 
Perhaps that is why so many, however, are drawn to the message of the Bible.  There is no other book that tells it more like it is!  Jesus skipped the diplomacy for the sake of truth!  He called adultery, adultery and not an affair.  He called wine a mocker and homosexuality an abomination.  He condemned laziness and lying.  He made no excuses!
 
About the only time most  folks want plain talk is when they go to the doctor.  If it is a life threatening disease and causes much pain, they are ready for the cure no matter what!  Man’'s greatest threat is sin!  Jesus, the physician, will tell you what the problem is and offer a solution.
 
So, open your life to the scrutiny of God'’s word.  Acknowledge the transgression.  Make the commitment to do whatever God asks to remove it from your life.
 
By George Slover