Moment With The Master - Moment With The Master ‹ San Marcos church of Christ

Gather the Outcast

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

"In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever. (Micah 4:6-7)

“In that day” seems to identify the marvelous promises mentioned here to the Gospel age. Remarkably these prophecies also describe the pathetic state of those who received God's blessings. “The lame” and “the outcast” represent an afflicted people. For centuries the Jews had suffered at the hands of various nations and her own unfaithful shepherds. However, the Christ would relieve the afflicted of all nations.

The ministry of Jesus offers a clue as to who would receive his blessings. "He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives.” (Luke 4:18) Among the recipients were a social outcast that had five husbands, a tax collector, and a harlot that rejoiced in the grace of God.

Human monarchs have promised to take up the calls of the downtrodden and have failed because they fail to serve the greatest needs of the human soul. But Jesus, the King reaches the very heart of human need. He lifts them from the dregs of sin and makes them a part of his remnant.

The “remnant” includes Jews and Gentiles who trust in Jesus (Romans 9:27-33). They are citizens of Christ heavenly kingdom, a holy nation, God's people (1 Peter 2:9-10). And they have been chosen to bear fruit for God (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord reigns over his people in Zion. When he is enthroned in one's heart something very special happens. There is no one like him. He heels our woes and gives us a special place with God.

Thankfully God's kingdom has come! Those of all nations have entered and found righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Spiritual Warfare

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

The soldiers of Christ are at war. It is not merely a physical, nor intellectual conflict. It is a spiritual battle. It is an engagement against every force of evil, and eternal souls are at stake. The goal of the Lord's army is to win hearts to Christ.

The soldier of Christ does not win souls by force or coercion. He does not carry on the conflict by trickery or slight of hand. He does not rely on human philosophy or eloquence. The death burial and resurrection of Christ is the focal point of his message.

His weapons are mighty because they are instruments from God. The gospel which Paul taught was not the product of man, but of God. It is by the power of God's gospel that the soldier will obtain the victory.

The strongholds of Satan include error, superstition, selfishness, bigotry, malice, and hatred; and they are powerful. But the sword of God is able to demolish them all. The gospel can unseat Satan's sophistry from the heart. Truth will win. Everything that exalts itself against God will be defeated.

Having removed all of Satan's vices, God moves is to occupy the heart. The goal of Christ is to rule all of our ambitions and preferences. He wants to rule our lives every second of every day of our life. With his power, God is able.

This battle is the greatest of all conflicts. It is not physical, nor merely mental. It is a spiritual battle in which God's honor is not to be compromised, and our eternal destiny is at stake. We must pick up the armor and fight!

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Yearning for God

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. “ (Psalms 42:1,2)

This is one of the most touching and beautiful of all of the Psalms. A favorite hymn has been written with the first verse of the Psalm.

The imagery is of a young stag crying for water in a hot country in time of drought.  The Psalmist compares himself to this deer.  He is in a dry and thirsty land panting for God.  “My soul thirsts for God, the living God.” (vs. 2)  Jehovah God is the only living God, and the sole source of spiritual life.  All other gods are imposters.

The Psalmist acknowledges that only the living God can satisfy the cravings of the human spirit.  Worldly men thirst for riches, honor, and power.  Yet, these never satisfy.  Some may suppress such cravings until they are no longer felt.  But, such numbness is not to be confused with satisfaction.  If I go on a hunger strike, I am told the time comes when I will no longer desire the food.  Yet, for all of that I will still be a starving man.  Thus, man may absolve himself from God, but deep down his need for God remains.

The longer I live in this old world the more I appreciate the value of fellowship with God.  Only Jehovah satisfies, only God is the source of genuine joy!  So sing it my brother!  “I want you more than gold or silver.  Only you can satisfy.  You alone are the real joy giver and apple of my eye”.

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Christ, the Healer

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

"When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

The context of these words were prompted when Jesus passed by the office of Matthew, a tax collector. The occupation of Matthew represented a form of oppression to the Jews. However, Jesus realizing the value of one soul, and potential of an honest heart called Matthew to follow him.

Thus, we find our Lord feasting at Matthew’s house, with several of Matthew’s companions- all of them scoundrels. Jesus did eat and drink with those of notoriously bad character. This conduct of our Lord was scandalous to the religious people of the day. Would one who follows Jesus’ example receive a similar reaction by the religious elite of our times?

The Pharisees were offended even though curiously drawn to Jesus. They were often galled by his “bad conduct”. Though he was a great teacher, he still had broken many of their sacred traditions. Thus, they complained about Jesus and his disciples.

The first of two lessons are taught by Jesus in verse 12. The Lord compared himself to a healing physician. The disease is sin. Like any good doctor, the Lord sought to bring a cure. He does not associate with such religious misfits for the carnal pleasure, but for the purpose of healing. The Pharisees, who deemed themselves righteous, saw no need for a cure.

Then in verse 13 he adds these words: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” “Mercy” is an expression of God's willingness to appease his wrath upon the sinner. The Lord instructs the Pharisees emulate his character. God does not except our formal observances when mercy is excluded. Because God has so pitied us, we should also pity others who also need the help of this great healer.

By inviting the Lord to his house Matthew went from despised and hated to the friend of the greatest of all companions -the Savior of the world. If Jesus passed by today would you invite him to your house? Are you willing to obey the call of Christ and be healed?

By George Slover

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

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Posted in Moment With The Master

Christ, the Healer

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

"When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

The context of these words were prompted when Jesus passed by the office of Matthew, a tax collector. The occupation of Matthew represented a form of oppression to the Jews. However, Jesus realizing the value of one soul, and potential of an honest heart called Matthew to follow him.

Thus, we find our Lord feasting at Matthew’s house, with several of Matthew’s companions- all of them scoundrels. Jesus did eat and drink with those of notoriously bad character. This conduct of our Lord was scandalous to the religious people of the day. Would one who follows Jesus’ example receive a similar reaction by the religious elite of our times?

The Pharisees were offended even though curiously drawn to Jesus. They were often galled by his “bad conduct”. Though he was a great teacher, he still had broken many of their sacred traditions. Thus, they complained about Jesus and his disciples.

The first of two lessons are taught by Jesus in verse 12. The Lord compared himself to a healing physician. The disease is sin. Like any good doctor, the Lord sought to bring a cure. He does not associate with such religious misfits for the carnal pleasure, but for the purpose of healing. The Pharisees, who deemed themselves righteous, saw no need for a cure.

Then in verse 13 he adds these words: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” “Mercy” is an expression of God's willingness to appease his wrath upon the sinner. The Lord instructs the Pharisees emulate his character. God does not except our formal observances when mercy is excluded. Because God has so pitied us, we should also pity others who also need the help of this great healer.

By inviting the Lord to his house Matthew went from despised and hated to the friend of the greatest of all companions -the Savior of the world. If Jesus passed by today would you invite him to your house? Are you willing to obey the call of Christ and be healed?

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master