"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by...” (Psalms 57:1)

At a recent worship service several of our men were asked to read a favorite scripture or lead a favorite song, and then relate the story behind the scripture or song.  Seventeen men led us in a service that lasted for an hour and forty-five minutes.

As each man spoke it occurred to me that each chosen passage pointed to a personal experience in the life of that person.  One of them spoke of losing his father and grandfather within a few short months, another of his little brother’s struggles with type-1 diabetes, another of when he realized the true meaning of a Bible passage that he misapplied for many years; and the list goes on and on. With each selection, there was a personal connection between God and the individual.

A few days ago I started reading Lee Strobel's, “The Case for Faith”.  Our worship service reminded me of an observation made in that book: "God didn't let Job suffer because he lacked love, but because he did love, in order to bring Job to the point of encountering God face-to-face, which is humanity’s supreme happiness.  Job's suffering hollowed out a big space for him so that God and joy could fill it.”

Skeptics point to pain and suffering to question the existence of God. Intellectually there are valid answers to their disputes, but when one's world is turned upside down it is not reason that comforts, but the reality of God.

And so on a Sunday afternoon, I got to know my brothers in Christ a little better. Indeed, we do live in a broken world.  However, the God who skeptics deny strengthens relationships, increases faith, and provides meaning and purpose for living like no other. 

By George Slover

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 
(2 Timothy 3:12)

An entitlement is a guarantee of access to something based on established rights or legislation. Often our feeling of entitlement is expressed in the form of rights. How this sense is expressed depends on one's political or moral perspective.

The generation born between 1982 to 2004, often called Millennials, tend to delay adulthood, and live with their parents for longer periods than previous generations. Some Millennials also tend to believe it is their right to have everything given to them.

However, Millennials are not the only ones to have this mentality.  The US government’s tax-funded entitlement programs have perpetuated a sense of dueness rather than a sense of pride and hard work.

Before this turns into a political rant, let’s bring the lesson to a spiritual application. I have observed even Christians who are politically opposed to many of the above-mentioned government programs, who have a strong work ethic, still expressing the entitlement mentality.

Just what has God promised his people? I realize we who live in the USA are richly blessed with liberties like no other society. Our freedom has provided unprecedented prosperity. But did God guarantee such prosperity or even physical happiness to his people?  

In your marriage, God did not promise the right of self-gratification. Instead, he demands commitment, self-denial, and self-sacrifice of both the husband and the wife.  (Ephesians 5:22-33) Yet, I have known of couples breaking their marriage vows because “its not working out” and “after-all God wants us to be happy”.

When tragedy strikes some disciples want to blame God for their problems. But God never promised “heaven on earth”. Instead, he allows human beings to be subject to the pain and futility of a sin-broken world. (Romans 8:21-22)

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus did not promise to make us rich. The “things” he promised were food, drink, and clothing. So where do we get the idea that we are entitled to be rich?

Just what did God promise his people? “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) True disciples have always been among the outcast of the world who rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus.

By George Slover

And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. (Luke 19:47-48)

A parallel passage to the above is recorded in John 12:17-19.  Both John and Luke report events close to the time of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  These were the last few days of Jesus.  The controversy surrounding him was increasing.

The reaction to his powerful teaching and work was varied.  Many “hung on his every word” and others wanted to destroy him.  The pure and simple truth of Jesus usually gets one response or the other.  There is no neutrality with Christ!

At least four features of Christ’s message prompts the above reaction.  First, Christ’s message is personal.  To call one a “sinner” will cause one to seek a solution, but cause another to “take it personally”.  Second, the height of his message must be considered.  Jesus points to an everlasting heaven which is attractive to some, but to others, it is mundane and boring. Third,Jesus’ message is sustained by his remarkable character.  Some are angered or intimidated by his purity of life, but others are drawn to his stability and graciousness.  Fourth, the message of Christ is truthful.  Jesus did not indulge in hair-splitting arguments and vague generalities.  The message was real and backed by abundant evidence.

Today, the word of Christ is received in the same way - either joyfully or with hatred.  His precepts flow on like a mighty river in the midst of those who seek to discredit. Some reject them and others accept them finding hope and consolation.

By George Slover

that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." (1 Corinthians 1:31)

The word glory literally means to boast. The prideful teachers at Corinth prompted Paul to dwell on this word in both of his letters to them. God is the only true object in which one can boast. 

The mark of a true disciple is humility. He realizes that the blessings Paul had previously enumerated, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are not due to his own merit. Humility is an absolute prerequisite to fellowship with God. A good test of one's salvation is whether one boasts in himself or ascribes it to the glory of God.

True disciples do not boast in themselves. They do not pride themselves in their own positions and power. It is easy to think highly of self and denigrate others. Although Christians are highly favored by God, we must never forget where the grace comes from. Though we are called to be zealous of good works, we must not gloat in our own accomplishments. Though we are called to be holy we have no right to boast in our own virtues.

True disciples glory in God. They are grateful to God for everything they have both spiritual and physical. They are indebted to God for his indescribable mercy. They are thankful for God's wise counsel, comfort, and strength. True disciples are glad God has given them the incredible opportunity to be his servants.

Only God can clothe a man with righteousness, separate him for service, and redeem him from sin. It is our job to humble ourselves and exalt him from whom all blessings come.

By George Slover

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

The book of James begins with encouragement regarding various trials and temptations. For one to be blessed, they must patiently endure the trials and resist the temptation. They must look into the perfect law of liberty and keep it. (Vs. 25)

What is the source of our temptations? Such solicitations come from one’s own desires and not from God, for he does not tempt us with evil. Sadly, when one allows those desires to conceive, it can lead to sin and death.

Instead of tempting man with evil, God is the giver of good and perfect gifts. He is the father of lights. In God there is no darkness, but only what is pure and righteous. Every blessing from God is good.

While God bestows many blessings, James singles out the best of all of Gods gifts - “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth”. Of all of God’s activities, his supreme object is to re-create life through his truth so that men should belong to him!

This marvelous gift was not offered because we deserve it. Nor is the gift bestowed by impulse, but according to the good pleasure of God‘s will. It is God‘s nature to love and bestow such gifts of grace to undeserving creatures.

The word of truth is the instrument God uses to accomplish this goal. The doctrine of grace is contained in scripture. Only through God‘s word can one be convicted of sin and be led to trust in Christ for forgiveness and renewal.

Those who receive the gift God offers become the “first fruits of his creatures”. The first fruits are a token or pledge of a greater harvest. In the Old Testament, the first fruits were deemed special and consecrated to God. It carries the idea of excellence. God so loved us that “he chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession”. (James 1:18) (NLT)

Beloved disciples, remember each day who you are – that according to God’s pleasure you are his prized possession.

By George Slover