Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! “(Psalms 119:11)

The above verse is a truly practical one.  The best defense against sin is reading and meditating on God’s word.  I would venture to say that almost all of my readers would agree with this.  So, why is it so difficult to get folks to devote some time each day to daily reading, meditation, and prayer?  Maybe, it is because we fail to see the seriousness of the battle!

If you were deserted in a wilderness, but you had a manual that listed essential rules of survival, would you read it?  Absolutely!  Reality:  You are in the middle of a wilderness. You are in a battle for the survival of your soul!  Reality:  God’s word is your survival manual!

Unfortunately, we view the discipline of daily Bible reading with the same enthusiasm of a child who is told to brush his teeth!  “We ought to do that”, but we are not fully committed!  In modern times such apathy is inexcusable.  Use that MP3 player to download gospel singing, gospel preaching, or the text of Scripture.  Remove the CD with secular music from your player, and insert one with gospel music.  Take time to pray!  Your spiritual survival may depend upon it!

Time with God each day is not just about knowledge.  It is about your eternal destiny.  It is about connecting with God!

George Slover

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:3,4)

The message in this context is specifically addressing women; however, there are some principles that would apply to all disciples. True disciples give greater care to adorning the soul, than to the physical body.

Society has always placed a great emphasis on how we look on the outside. Much of the way men and women dress, whether too much or too few clothes, is driven by a desire to impress other humans. In the world, what is on the outside counts far more than what is on the inside.

Peter’s statement here is a common figure of speech known as a Hebraism. (See John 6:27 as another example) Peter is not forbidding the use a bodily adornment, but is asserting it’s utter worthlessness in comparison to what is on the inside.

God primarily looks at the heart. It is the hidden man of the heart that must be formed into the likeness of Christ. It is on the inside where the word of God does it’s work, transforming one into something very beautiful.

A truly transformed the heart manifests itself by a meek and quiet spirit. Those who have a gentle spirit control of their emotions. They do not quickly flash into anger. They remain calm and peaceful. They are not motivated by self-assertion or constant fault-finding.

Peter says this gentle spirit is “precious”. The word used here is also found in Mark 14:3 of the precious ointment used by Mary to anoint the Lord. Paul also uses the same word to discourage the use of costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9) But the proper adorning of the soul is of great value in God’s eyes.

When most of our time in energy is devoted to outward adorning, the inward work of God stands still. Instead of growing more heavenly minded we become more earthly minded. If we intend to please God, we must be working on cultivating the spirit and purity of Christ.

By George Slover

“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.  (Isaiah 42:3)
 
This great passage is found in the midst of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies.  “My servant” (vs.1) is God’s servant, the Messiah.  We know this prophecy had a specific reference to Jesus from an account found in Matthew’s gospel (Mt.12:15-21).
Isaiah, in very vivid terms, speaks of the nature of the Messiah’s ministry.  He tells us that it would be 1) universal in scope ministering to the Gentiles, 2) based upon truth, and 3) without much fanfare.  These promises were certain and sure because the God who “created the heavens” foretold these things.
 
In anticipation of the Messiah, one would look forward to the gentle nature of his ministry.  He would come ministering to the weak and the outcasts.  The figures found in verse 3 are proof of this.  The “bruised reed” and the “smoking flax” represent the kind of people toward whom God is patient.

The reed grew in river marshes and was used for making writing instruments.  They were so plentiful that a broken reed was considered worthless.  The flax was used as a wick in a lamp.  When it gave off more smoke than light it was snuffed out and thrown away.  Those two pictures represent those to whom Jesus ministers!  He will mend the reed and fan the flax – hoping for a flame!  He is so tender and so patient with us.  God isn’t finished! 

When counseling a weak brother, remember the exhortation of Paul – “support the weak”.  (I Thess.5:14)  When we are down on ourselves we must remember the patience of Jesus!  He still cares and is still “working’ on us”.
  
By George Slover  

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Modern corporations and organizations often use mission statements to motivate its team members.  The New Testament is full of such statements for disciples of Christ.  The verses above contain thoughts that should inspire us.   Paul states that this is his “calling”. (vs. 14)  It is a “heavenly calling”.

Paul’s mission statement is marked by strong “purpose words”: “I press on” (vs.12); and “this one thing I do”. (vs.13). A magnifying glass, when used to focus the rays of the sun on a flammable object, is potent.  Such a concentration of power is able to start a forest fire!  Here Paul with, one specific, single goal in his mind, is pressing on, hastening to run the race.  He is determined to remove all of the distractions, and to aim all his energy toward the goal.

What is Paul’s goal?  In verse 14 he calls it the “mark”.  We might think of the “mark” as a target or moral end.  In verse 12 he tells us his target is complete maturity in Christ.  A previous verse (vs.10) spells out the specific goals: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”.  In summary, Paul’s mission was to grow in Christ-likeness.  It is the mark of perfect holiness.  Everything else in life must be subservient to this goal.  Every step must bring us closer to Christ in character and fellowship.

Just how does Paul plan to reach his goal?  First, he must forget the past.  Past attainments can give one a false sense of security.  Past regrets can discourage one from persevering. Thus, one must not look back, but forge on.  Second, he must reach forward.  It is like an athlete stretching toward the goal with all of his energy.  Any growth in holiness and self-denial will require such persistence.

Paul’s heavenly calling is our calling as well.  His mission must be our mission.  Print out this verse and post it on the refrigerator door.  God is calling us to heavenly things.  In the end, our pursuit of such attainments will make life worth living and God will give us the crown.

By George Slover

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed." (Luke 1:1-3

One of my greatest challenges as scribe and preacher is to help the story of Jesus come to life in the hearts of the readers.  It was for this very purpose that Luke recorded his account of the incredible life of Jesus.

At the close of the 19th-century skepticism swept over the British Isles.   Among the skeptics was a brilliant young scholar by the name of William Ramsay.  He was an agnostic, who wanted to disprove the accuracy of the Bible.

Sir William Ramsay went to Asia Minor as an archaeologist to disprove Luke’s accuracy.  His conclusions are recorded in Josh McDowell’s book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, pg. 74:  “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense…In short, this author should be placed along with the very greatest historians.”  Ramsay’s discoveries changed him from skeptic to believer.

The purpose of Luke’s gospel is both literary and spiritual.  From the literary viewpoint, Luke sets the life of Jesus within the context of institutions, customs, geography, and historical characters of the time.  From the spiritual viewpoint, he plainly presents the person of Jesus Christ as the perfect man and Divine Savior of the world.  Jesus really was God in the flesh!

As one reads through Luke’s gospel he must be impressed with the powerful life of Jesus.  Luke wants the reader to grasp the authority and graciousness of the master teacher.  He presents Jesus as a God who wishes to extend his help, mercy, and love to mankind.  The thrilling account of those who witnessed Jesus after his death and resurrection reminds the reader of how much Christ offers.

Have you been moved by Jesus lately?  Take time to read the gospel of Luke.  It could be a spiritually life-changing experience!

By George Slover