For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:9.10)

When Paul visited Corinth, he preached the simple gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It was the acceptance of this message by which he and his audience had been saved.

Such a remarkable story as the resurrection of Christ needed witnesses. Among these witnesses was Paul: “one born out of due time”. (vs.8) He was chosen to be Christ’s special instrument to preach to the Gentiles. The previous life before his conversion, coupled with those who tried to discredit his apostleship, prompted Paul to engage in the practice of humble assertion.

The life of Paul was certainly marked by courage. He did not shirk his duty to God regardless of the threat. When his apostleship was in question, he boldly defended it. He did this knowing his powerful testimony could lead others to the Savior.

Paul’s boldness was coupled with diligence: “I labored more abundantly than they all”. Truly devoted disciples are hard workers – giving their all for the cause of Christ. They’ve made great sacrifices, untouched by circumstances, good or bad to minister to others the soul-saving message of Jesus. Others profess to believe, but either does very little, or shout to the world the great sacrifices they made for the Lord.

However, Paul describes his ministry with words of humility: “by the grace of God I am what I am”. He found shame in having persecuted the church. If each disciple would candidly look at their own life they would also say: “by the grace of God I am what I am“.

Few Bible authors are given more to paradox than Paul. He was eager to boldly defend the cause of Christ and the authority of his apostleship that bolstered the message. He claimed pre-eminence in the labor that involved long journeys and many hardships. Yet he was quick to add that the fruit of his labors was due to the grace of God.

Truly great disciples will see things as they are. As they grow in the Lord, God‘s power seems greater and greater, and their accomplishments seem less and less. They zealously labor in the Lord, but give all the glory to Christ who is all and all.

By George Slover 

If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 58:13-14)

The Sabbath was given to Israel as a day of rest, and to remind them of how God made the heavens and the earth in six days, but rested on the seventh day.  The Lord stated:  "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)  How wise of God to provide a special time for bodily rest and spiritual reflection.

Unfortunately, the Jews, in various ways abused the Sabbath law.   The more worldly Jews kept its observance to a minimum.   As long as they were keeping its ceremonies, they felt justified in pursuing secular occupations and peddling merchandise.  (Nehemiah 13:15,16)  On the other hand the legalists criticized Jesus for even healing on the Sabbath.  (Mark 3:1-6)

In our text, God is pleading with Israel to approach the Sabbath with the right attitude.   God is exhorting them to turn from their own pleasures and find delight and satisfaction in its observance.   While Christians are not commanded to keep the Sabbath, there are still important lessons that we may apply to our service to God. 

They were to treat the Sabbath with reverence and respect.   The Sabbath law was given to them by God, and it was wrong and disrespectful for them to observe it according to their own pleasures.   Do you think God is pleased when churches direct the worship service to please the carnal man rather than God?  Certainly not! 

They were to find delight in the Sabbath law.   “Do not seek your own pleasure but find delight in doing the Lord’s will”.  Rejoicing in God's work should be an oasis in the wilderness of life - a foretaste of heaven, a real satisfaction to the soul. 

God is pleased when our work and worship is focused on him.  We must rejoice in work than that is not ours but God's.

By George Slover

"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

Much of Jesus’ ministry was near the sea of Galilee.  Luke tells us that Jesus was near the city of Bethsaida on the east side of the sea.  A great multitude followed Jesus because of the signs he performed.

Thus, Jesus tested Philip: "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5)  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." (John 6:7) Then, Andrew adds, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)  Does Andrew see some potential here or is he thinking the situation is hopeless?   

The Barley loaves were not large commercial loaves of bread.  They would be just enough to make a fish “sandwich”.  The fishes were salted and dried and used for relish.   It was common food for a common little boy.  The food may have been for his lunch.  However, Jesus does something spectacular with this small amount.

How many times have we contemplated our own inadequacy?  Who are we among so many?  The world seems so intimidating, and we are so small.  What can we do? 

There are many tools God places at our disposal to contribute to our spiritual success.  The most useful one is a book that seems so common and ordinary. That book is the Bible. Its message has radically changed lives for more than 2000 years.   

This great faith building book is at your disposal right now.  The same message that influenced an Ethiopian, a Jewish zealot, and a jailer can also give you joy and hope.  Study it, practice, preach it,  and you will be blessed!

By George Slover

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

There are times when a church or an individual is in need of spiritual renewal. The Jews of this era busied themselves with rebuilding the Temple, restoring the law, and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.   There is a good comparison of the activities of the Jews with rebuilding spiritual lives in our time.

Chapter 9 records a public confession of Israel. This confession was accompanied by a covenant with God.  Israel's history of departure demonstrated their propensity to wickedness.   They had lost their right to the land because of their sin.  Hopefully, this covenant would safeguard against future departures.   Their resolve: we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

A temple has tremendous significance in Bible parlance.  Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s temple, and Herod’s temple represented the presence of God among the people.  The New Testament takes the word to a deeper spiritual meaning.  Those redeemed by Christ are a “holy temple in the Lord”. (Ephesians 2:21)  Their body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit”. (I Corinthians 6:19)  Because they are God’s house, they enjoy the great blessing of His presence.  

Just like Israel, Christians are tempted with worldliness and unbelief.  Thus, they are in need of a revival.  Our times of renewal must include the resolve to give diligence to caring for our spiritual house.  We must separate ourselves from the world’s entanglements, and fill the house with activities of heaven.

How are the walls of your spiritual life?  Bring your offerings to the storeroom,  join in with the singers of Israel, and do not neglect the house of our God.  (Nehemiah 10:39)

By George Slover


 

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know what makes them stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18,19)

A contrast is drawn in these verses between the way of the just and the way of the wicked. The way of the just is a beautiful picture of likening light to the light at dawn that grows in intensity. The way of the wicked is like groping in darkness.

The image given here is of the sun making its first appearance on the horizon, but increasing in its intensity as it rises. Light is used as an image of moral goodness. Divine traits such as purity, integrity, righteousness, and love would describe those individuals who possess the character of light. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

The gradual rising of the sun is an illustration of the moral progress of those walk in the light . The light just grows brighter and brighter. Such an individual begins with many imperfections, however with every victory over sin they move closer to the light of  perfection.

The way of sin is dark in its origin, course, and end.  The path of sin is chosen because of ignorance and deception. It’s allurement incites one to miss read, and misunderstand it’s end. Sin promises pleasure which at first it delivers, but it’s end is tragic. Sin distorts the vision, confuses the perception, and ultimately leads to folly.

A pursuit of this dark course leads to greater darkness. The seared conscience blinds one from the way of truth.  One’s corrupt conduct may plunge them into multiplied transgressions. Before long, the seared conscience and corrupt lifestyle leads to total desertion of God.

Thus, we have the perfect contrast – the path of the just which is connected to light, and the path of the wicked which is connected to darkness. Following this contrast we find these words. “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)

By George Slover