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

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