Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."’” (Luke 2:10-11)
 
This was the great declaration concerning the birth of Jesus.  Note some of the features of this announcement.
 
First, they proclaimed “good tidings of great joy”.  They proclaimed Jesus, the one who is the very secret to peace and joy.  It is an inner joy and peace that one can have even when the storm rages.  It is the peace of knowing that I can be forgiven and the conscience freed of the guilt of sin.
 
Second, the declaration was made for the benefit of “all people”. This Savior is for all men, those of every nation.  “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
(Revelation 22:17)  No matter the nationality or social status, Jesus loves them all.  With all the flaws and blemishes, He still cares for them.
 
Third, they told of the humility of the Messiah.  He was born of humble circumstances – born in a manger, to a common peasant woman, a carpenter’s son.  His life even takes on greater meaning when it is given in pain and when God bring Him back to life again!  Paul says, "Christ was “delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”" (Romans 4:25)
 
Fourth, they declared that he who was born was the  “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  An angel declared to Joseph, “"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)  He is the Christ, the anointed one of God.  He is Lord and he wants to be your Lord and your Savior.
 
The magnitude and meaning of this simple story is personalized by Paul’s words, “"O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!"” (Romans 7:24-25)   We must thankful that Christ was born, for through Him life has meaning and joy!
 
By George Slover   

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

The apostle has spoken clearly of the coming of the Lord. Christ will return at an unannounced time. Some will say “peace and safety“ and be unprepared. Thus, we are exhorted to be vigilant.

Such watchfulness is of no avail without the proper armor. The people of God are engaged in a war. The believer, like any good soldier, must engage in the hardships of the battle with the necessary character and armor to win.

Both the breastplate and the helmet are defensive weapons. One of them protects the heart and the other protects the head. Paul connects these two pieces of armor with the fundamental characteristics of faith, love, and hope. 

Faith is the principal part of our spiritual armor. Trusting the Lord will give us the courage to fight. It is by faith that we resist the devil, overcome difficulties, and overcome the world. (1 John 5:4,5) The soul that trusts Christ is fixed and steadfast. His spiritual heart is protected.

Paul also uses the breastplate to characterize love. The Bible says we are to love God with all of our heart. It is a longing for fellowship with him, and the desire to please him because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Such love preserves us from the selfishness through which evil can enter our hearts. It is the bond of perfection that knits us together and enables us to survive an evil world.

The hope of salvation sustains us with the courage to endure the trials. It is that motivator that keeps us moving closer to God.  The hope of salvation will guard our minds from the idle dreams and worldly ambitions that can distract us from what is truly important.

These three vital traits prepare the soldier of Christ to engage in the battle. One day Christ will return.  Through faith, love, and hope, the soldier of Christ will be ready.  

By George Slover 

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1)

The words above came to Abram when he was 90 years- “old walk and be perfect”. It was 15 year before that Abram left Haran. His faith has been severely tested through numerous challenges. Then comes the word of the Lord: I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”

To walk with someone is a Hebrew figure which implies friendship and a journey. It entails accountability, security, and intimacy. Here are a few specifics involved in walking with God.

When one walks with God, God and his truth is a constant reference point. To walk with God is to acknowledge his sovereignty. It means that we must subject our will to God‘s will and to strive to do all that God would have us to do.

God is the ultimate model of moral excellence. When we choose to walk with God, we must be determined to resemble him. This means our life will no longer model the ways of the world. We must be devoted to a divine character rather than a human one.

To walk with God is to love him and rejoice in his presence, to feel attracted to him, to value his favor more than anything else. Thus, we will trust his every decision for our life, and bask in his fellowship.

When we choose to walk with God, we must submit our proud heart to his ways. We must set God before us, striving to live a life of hallowed communion and to make His glory the very object of our life.

How humbling and refreshing to think that the Creator of heaven and earth invites us into such a relationship. How liberating to walk with he who loves and gives us an identity no longer based on race or career or family. All that God affirms, we affirm, all that he detests we detest. Dear reader, let God have his way with you.

By George Slover


 

By George Slover    |    Visit www.smcofc.org or www.ibiblestudy.net

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13) The apostles, Peter and John, were put in custody because they had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ. The number of disciples grew rapidly during the early days of the church. (Acts 5:4). Thus, the rulers of Judaism questioned the apostles: "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) The answer of Peter and John rang loud and clear: "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead." (Acts 4:10) The courage and resolve of Peter and John has the attention of the enemy. There was something very different about these two. It was not their remarkable intellect that got their attention. It was the boldness of the apostles that was worthy of note. Peter and John were standing courageously before the Sanhedrin. There was nothing apologetic about their demeanor. They stood fast as those courageously speaking for God. Their witness for Christ demonstrates a great change had taken place in their lives. Fishermen, Jews, once filled with fear, now bold and eloquently proclaiming a doctrine the enemy hates. They were passionately devoted to proclaiming the kingdom of God that men might be saved from sin. Even the enemy was impressed with their character. If we are attaining to heights in our spiritual growth, our daily behavior will manifest the spirit of Christ. Their witness testified of the new and guiding principle in their lives. This is the principle of love- love for God and love for lost souls. Peter’s words ring loud and clear: "We ought to obey God rather than men". (Acts 5:29) Their passion for souls is recorded in Acts 5:42: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42) We should always keep in mind that we are being watched, some times by friends, and some times by the enemy. Others will "take note" of us. If we easily fit into the world, something is wrong with our conduct. Let us be faithful at our post; speaking boldly for him. Let others observe and say: "they have been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

By George Slover    |    Visit www.smc