as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Here Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his genuine concern for them. His sincerity was demonstrated by his refusal to use flattery to gain their approval.  Paul’s only motive was to win them to the Lord!  

In verse 12 Paul likens himself to a father with his children.  Being a father of two, I know exactly how Paul felt.  The three verbs Paul uses (exhort, comfort, and charge) vividly describe the action of a godly father.  Let us look at these three verbs.

To “exhort” (Greek word parakaleo) means to come to the side of as a helper.  Fathers, your children need more than just punitive discipline.  They need you to be like a coach standing on the sideline and urging them to finish strong. They need your listening ear in late night talks. 

“Comfort” is not used here in the sense that we use the word today.  The word means to persuade.  There is a tone of urgency in the gospel message.  Paul might say, “I beseech you”.  In the heart of every godly father is an anxious longing to know that his children are walking with courage, integrity, and decency in the holiness of God.

To “charge” is to urge.  This is a word of discipline – a robust, masculine word.  Fatherhood is not for sissies!  However, it involves more than commanding and certainly not nagging.  It is constantly coaching, gently pushing the child in the right direction

Life can be cruel.  The world has a strong pull.  The choices children make will be grave!  Fathers, your children need your support.  God entrusted you with precious children.  Your job is to mold them into God honoring adults.

George Slover

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3-4)

Evil men (vs.2) were determined to destroy the faith of first century saints.  Apparently, the church at Thessalonica was not spared from this persecution.  That same “evil one” is determined to place obstacles in our way to keep us from finishing with God.

However, Paul left us with words of encouragement: “God is faithful”!  Paul was anticipating victory for these early disciples. God would “guard them” from evil if they would cooperate with him.  For this same reason you must expect the victories.

What can God do for you?  He supplies you with all the tools necessary to overcome sin (I Cor.10:13), and to mature to reflect the life of Jesus (Col. 1:28) in character and work.  God is faithful to provide local churches the motivation to be a loving and caring family rather than showing bitterness and jealousy that is commonly found in such fellowships.  God’s love and magnificence should be the focal point of every assembly.  His faithful word spells out a clear path for every sermon and Bible class.  And, finally, God does care about you and His grace is sufficient to help you get through the difficult times.

The Lord is faithful.  He will be true to every one of his promises, and not allow one of them to fail.  You are “complete in Him” and “strong in the power of His might”.  God’s people are established upon a rock.  The streams and winds of adversity may beat against them, but they can stand!

The Lord has high expectations of you.  As he promised the Thessalonians, God will be your helper.  Your victory song should be:  “I will do the things God has commanded me”!  God wants you to win!

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. “(2 Thessalonians 3:5)

By George Slover

 

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8)
 
Joshua, this great leader, has a challenging task ahead of him.  He must hold together 1 million people, and successfully lead an invasion of a foreign land.  Just what do you think would be the secret of his success?  Some would suggest that this great General must have charisma, and be a great strategist to fulfill his mission!  However, Joshua was told that the real key to victory was to think deeply and continually on God’s word!
 
Do such promises seem strange to you?  Most folks don’t believe that God is really going to help us prosper just because we think about what he says in Scripture.  In fact, most folks don’t have time to spend in God’s word!  When Joshua and Israel march into the land of Canaan, Jericho is the first city to conquer.  Asking your army to march around the walls of the city and blow trumpets is the kind of strategy to drive most generals crazy!  It was not because of the size of the army or the speed of the chariots that caused Israel to conquer Canaan.  It was because they obeyed God!
 
All of the great leaders of Israel spent time with God in his word.  Moses had his tent of meeting:  “"This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. "And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.” (Exodus 29:42-43)  There was Ezra’s resolve:  “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)  Finally, the blessed Psalmist:  “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3)
 
Now is the time to stop soaking up the world and start soaking up God’s word.  It will soften your heart and strengthen your soul.
 
By George Slover
 

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22)

Just before his death, Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem.  His purpose was to expose its religious leaders, and to warn Jerusalem of impending judgment.  A fruitless fig tree represented the pitiful condition of Judiasm.  Miraculously, Jesus cursed the tree and used it to teach the apostles an important lesson about faith and prayer.

The focus of effective prayer is God.  There can be no prayer without faith in a personal God.  The atheist cannot pray.  He has no god to pray to.  The infinite “it”, the god of the pantheist, is unsusceptible to prayer.  The god of the deist is so far removed he does not care.  The Christian can pray believing in a personal God who intelligently listens to his petitions.  He prays to a God who is able to keep His pledge to do whatever He wishes.  

The Apostles were still weak in faith.  Thus, the Lord’s lesson: “have faith in God”; “do not doubt”.  Doubt destroys the strength of prayer, but with faith “all things are possible”.  Absolute trust in the power and good will of God is a prerequisite to effectual prayer.

Effective prayer must also be backed by an active faith.  This faith is reflected in the life of the petitioner.  He must not ask with improper motives. (Js. 4:3) He must strive to live according to God’s will.  When you pray what is your real motive?  Is it for personal gain or comfort or that God is glorified?  It is the prayer of a righteous man that avails much.

Prayer that includes these elements can move a mountain.  Remember the Lord’s promises before you pray.  Trust in them and pray with perseverance.  Your challenges may seem like a deep rooted mountain.  Pray in faith, believing in God’s power and love.  With God “all things are possible”.

By George Slover
 

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) The story of Esther’s courage is a classic that has encouraged the saints both young and old.  King Ahasuerus established a decree that on day 13 of month 12 all Jews would be exterminated.  Queen Esther, a lovely Jewish girl, was the only hope of the Jews.  Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, pleads with Esther to make supplication for her people before the king.  Esther reminds her cousin that approaching the king without invitation would likely result in her death.  Mordecai’s reply (printed above) is a classic. By these words Mordecai is encouraging Esther to cease the moment!  She must take advantage of the opportunity.  Esther was the instrument that could be used by God to redeem her people.  In dramatic fashion Esther accepts her possible plight:  “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16)  It has occurred to me that most opportunities for doing good are not this dramatic.  Much of life is quite ordinary.  These occasions to make a difference are in every relationship: family, neighbor, nation, and church, and almost everyday we live. We often search for significance by the momentous and dramatic.  Occasionally, a sermon or song service will prompt an emotional thrill!  We rejoice emotionally when one decides to obey Christ in baptism.  Unfortunately, some love the drama of a “church fight”.  However, most of life is not that way. In our work most days are just ordinary.  Life is the same old routine!  It can be quite boring!  However, this does not mean that such times are not significant.  Every day we live still belongs to God.  It is God’s day and God’s time.  Even the “small” things can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Dear brethren, never under-estimate the value of your life or the power of your influence.  Even the quiet moments count for God’s service.  By George Slover