One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God.” (Joshua 23:10,11)

Joshua, the great leader of Israel, is addressing the nation. The mission has been accomplished, and Canaan has been conquered. Before retiring, Joshua delivers his final charge to the nation. It is full of encouragement, warnings about the future, and reminders of the past.

God has already delivered the enemy into their hands, and he will continue to do so. Even today God's people have adversaries, but victory is assured. Even when it looks like the odds are against us, God is at our side fighting for us. He strengthens us through prayer and directs us with his marvelous word.

Connected with this promise, is an admonition: “take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God”.  A perfect love of God involves a  strong relationship with him. It is manifested in our delight of his law, our implicit trust, our yielding obedience, and our longing for his presence.

Why would Israel need such a reminder? Simple. Israel's past was not always pretty. Through the wilderness wanderings, there was a yearning to go back to Egypt. Throughout their journey, there were times when Israel lapsed licentiousness and idolatry. It is still easy for God’s people to look back and be tempted by their past sinful life. Thus, we need to “take heed”!

In addition to the past influences, there are current challenges. There are times when God’s demands seem unreasonable and painful. We live in a world where our peers are self-serving. These temptations may blind us from the heavenly vision.

But scripture encourages us to devise a plan and press on. Too much is at stake if we fail. God could withdraw his help, and we could miss the home God has prepared for us. Thus, we must frequently meditate on God's wonderful character and the blessings that he offers.

God is still calling his people to be a holy people, separated from the world.  He promises them victory over the enemy and finally a marvelous inheritance. Therefore, we must “take heed”.

By George Slover  

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

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
 
The above passage is one of my favorites.  One can imagine a general instructing his soldiers to “be strong and win!”  Paul, the soldier, is saying: “God gave you the tools.  Now stand up and win the battle!”  The fact is the child of God is engaged in a daily battle for his soul!  Here are some strategies that will help us win!
 
First, we must recognize the enemy.  Peter says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)  Satan is that prowling lion.  In modern times some tend to deny the existence of the devil.  However, if I believe in a personal God, then I must also believe in a personal devil.  Jesus identified Satan as the “father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).  Satan is the enemy and he wants to control your life.
 
Second, we must recognize our need for help.  Paul, commands us to “be strong in the Lord.”  God provides the tools necessary for victory.  Further, James says, “But He gives more grace". Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble".Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”(James 4:6-7)  Humble yourselves before God and accept whatever he demands to help you win.
 
Third, we must resist the assault.  This requires sacrifice and commitment.  Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address refers to those soldiers who gave their “last full measure of devotion”.  This is what God expects of us.  We need to pull out all of the stops, to walk away, to call out Scripture, and pray.  James promises good results! (James 4:7)
 
So, brother, you can win the battle.  Ultimately, you will win the war!
 
by George Slover, Jr.
 

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)
 
On February 19, 1945, more than 70,000 American Marines from 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Divisions landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima.  Awaiting them were 22,000 Japanese soldiers ready to die.  Among the Americans were the boys of Easy Company.  Six of those soldiers would leave an image on the pages of history that became a symbol of American heroism and courage.
 
The picture of the famous raising of the American flag on top of Mt. Suribachi has appeared hundreds of times in magazines, newspapers, and history books.  However, the story behind the picture had an interesting twist and an important lesson.  The flag that was in Joe Rosenthal’s famous picture was nothing more than a replacement.  The original flag was removed and preserved for safekeeping and these six soldiers raised another flag. Furthermore, their climb to the top of Mt. Suribachi was without resistance from the enemy.   When the picture was first printed in newspapers in America it was embellished with fanciful stories of how they reached the top of Mt Suribachi in the midst of a fiery battle.  Such was far from the truth.  While all six soldiers were indeed heroes as were all the men who fought in the war, the raising of that flag on Suribachi was nothing out of the ordinary. The three soldiers who returned home deemed themselves ordinary men with a job to do.
 
In the scripture above Paul, the great soldier of the cross, views himself in the same way.  He was an ordinary man with a job to do.   “Who is Paul…but ministers by whom you believed?”  Paul said,"we had a mission and we fulfilled it, but it is God who gives the increase and deserves the honor"!   We too must remember our humble task.  We are just ministers, just servants.  Our mission is to hide behind the cross.  It is to teach Christ crucified and give the glory to God!
 
By George Slover

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

God's people have a mission. As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are to make the world a better place to live. Each disciple, through their righteous character, must impact those acquaintances on which they have influence. 

Salt preserves that on which it is sprinkled. This figure represents a society that is trending toward corruption. The disciple’s calling is to counteract that corruption. God's people by pursuing holiness and purity can surely make the world, nation, city, and neighborhood, a better place to live. The presence of good men and women in the world tends to keep it sound and healthy.  However, if salt loses its flavor, thus blending in with society, disciples fail to extend their leavening influence for good. 

Light banishes the darkness and shows the way to security and peace. Ultimately, Jesus is the “true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world”. (John 1:9) But, like the Lord, Jesus’ disciples must also show the way to God through their righteous character.

Like a city on a hill, God’s people are called to boldly live for God. Their lives must reflect God's moral excellence. While most of the world will not care, Christians are not to be ashamed of their confession. Their light streams out by means of good works appointed by God. (Ephesians 2:10) Through these good works they can lead others out of the entrapment of darkness.

True disciples, by shining their lights, must not draw attention to themselves. Christians desire, through their good works, to draw the world to the true Light, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their wish is to cause others to glorify God.  

One cannot calculate the immense influence a few good men and women have in preserving the mass of society. Dear reader, if you're tempted to conceal your faith in order to avoid persecution, listen to Jesus: “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)

George Slover