"And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse." (Ezekiel 3:11)

I am impressed with the number of times in Ezekiel that the prophet uses the term “Sovereign Lord” (NIV) or “Lord God” (NKJV).  The Hebrew is “Adonai Jehovah”. These are the highest names given to God and used here to represent the truthfulness and fullness of the prophet’s message.  God is speaking to a hard-hearted people, to Hebrew exiles from Judah to Babylon.

A Sovereign is one who has supreme power and undisputed rule.  His word is absolute and in the case of God is unchanging.  In this setting God is revealing his truth to Ezekiel.  The prophet’s job, regardless of how it is received, is to preach to the captives.  Consider some lessons here.

First, God’s word is unchanging and does not depend upon human acceptance. Second, God’s word will be accepted by some and rejected by others.  Third, our responsibility is to teach God’s truth regardless of the reception.  

God has the right to speak and act as he wishes.  This is His role by reason of His position as Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.  Our job is to seek his approval and to be loyal to his righteous cause.

By George Slover
 

Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.”And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." (Acts 9:13-14)
 
The initial reaction of Ananias to God’s instructions to preach the gospel to Saul of Tarsus was not favorable.  One can imagine the fear that must have been in the mind of Ananias when he faithfully fulfilled his duty in preaching to Saul, the religious zealot.
 
Saul of Tarsus had been one of the most avid opponents of Christianity.  Luke records his activity in Acts 8:1-3.  Saul was a most unlikely candidate for the gospel.  In 2005 I came close to sharing the feelings of Ananias.
 
The Hatfield Community School is located in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, W.I.  Every year Christians from various states would converge on this area to conduct a Vacation Bible School.  It was my privilege to work with these Christians in this endeavor.  While some conducted the Bible classes, others went door-to-door searching for prospects for the gospel.
 
On our second day out my brother, L.J., and I knocked on a door and two men came to the door.  Both had knives in their hands and both made a display of their weapons.  L.J. said, “Would you like to study the Bible?”  They looked rather stunned by the request and promptly put away their weapons.  “No”, they said.  L.J. replied, “You mean you don’t want to know how to go to heaven?”  There was a long pause of silence after which they sheepishly declined his invitation.
 
Although our appeal wasn’t accepted, it reminds me that many of the First Century converts were also unlikely candidates for the gospel. The gospel changed the lives of religious zealots, murderers, prostitutes, homosexuals, and the devoutly religious.
 
The gospel is for all men.  It has the power to redeem anyone who will receive it.  As workers for the Lord our job is to offer the invitation.
 
By George Slover

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:11-12)
 
The above passage is among many bold claims made by the apostles of Christ – i.e. “our message comes from God and not from man”.    Other such claims are found in John’s writings:  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place.”  (Revelation 1:1)  Peter makes a similar claim:  “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)  These are bold claims!
 
However, the apostles, through the power of God, offered evidence to back up those claims.  “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)  Surely such signs were done in the presence of their enemies.  Had they not been convincing, the apostles would have lost all creditability!
 
In addition to the signs they performed, the apostles readily abandoned long held beliefs and practices of their former religion.  These men, before preaching Christ, followed institutions that had been in vogue for more than 1500 years – i.e. animal sacrifices, Sabbath keeping, and many other traditions of Moses’ law. Not only did the New Testament writers abandon such treasured beliefs, but so did thousands of other Jews!
 
What compelled them to make such a dramatic shift?  Instead of animal sacrifices they honored Jesus as the Lamb of God.  Instead of Sabbath keeping, they assembled on the First day of the week.  And instead of following a physical king, they honored Jesus as the spiritual ruler of their hearts!
 
Such compelling evidence gives one every reason to believe, and no reason to doubt the validity of the New Testament and its authors!  Christ is risen indeed!  Christ is Lord!
 
By George Slover

because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD. (2 Chronicles 34:27)
 
King Josiah was a great man.  He ruled the nation of Judah several hundred years before the time of Christ.  He inherited the throne at the young age of eight.  This remarkable character, at age sixteen, sought the God of his father David.  (II Chronicles 34:3)  Instead of following the footsteps of a wicked father and grandfather, he devoted himself to pleasing Jehovah God.
 
At age twenty-six Josiah commissioned his leaders to repair the temple.  In the process of this work a copy of the book of the law of Moses was found, (II Chronicles 34:14, 18) and it was read before the king.  Josiah, when he heard these words, tore his clothes (II Chronicles 34:19) and commanded the high priest to inquire of the Lord concerning the meaning of the message.  Jehovah’s answer was a promise to destroy Judah for her wickedness, but to preserve Josiah because of his tender heart.
 
“Tenderness of heart” means to be soft, yielding, and easily touched.  The condition of King Josiah’s heart is manifested by his willingness to hear God’s word.  Josiah believes it, acknowledging it to be a message from God.  He reverently fears it as he allows it to sink into his soul.  He does not resist it or try to drown it out.  With urgency he makes full inquiry into its import.  He diligently guides himself by its commands.  Without quibble he calls all others to enter into a covenant with God.
 
We must not neglect the simple, faithful example of Josiah as the way to receive God’s will!  Give to God your tender heart!
 
By George Slover  

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” (2 Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV)
 
Three illustrations given to Timothy to describe his work as an evangelist are three pictures that describe all Christians to some degree.  They are: soldier, athlete and farmer.  
 
The Christian is a soldier enlisted in God’s army.  His enlistment is not for a short term of three or four years, but for life!  His duty is to avoid being absorbed in the temporary affairs of this world, and to focus upon pleasing Jesus Christ, his Commander in Chief.  Satan is the enemy (Ephesians 6: 12), God is our ally (Ephesians 6:10), and the battle is real.  The Christian must be willing to suffer the hardships necessary to win.  
 
The Christian is called upon to strive for the masteries, which means to contend in the games.  Like any dedicated athlete, he wants to win and will do everything possible to succeed.  
(I Corinthians 9:24-27) To finish strong, he must first train and exercise.  Unfortunately, the only exercise some Christians engage in is jumping to conclusions, running down friends, and side-stepping responsibility.  Next, he must strive lawfully, forgetting the gimmicks of man.  God gave us sixty-six books, and each one of them is important!  So, the Christian must know the rules and he must run the race! 
 
Finally, the Christian is a farmer. Before the husbandman can enjoy the fruit of his labor, he must engage in hard work.  Facing uncertain conditions, and unwilling soil, he tills, plants, and waters.  If he works diligently, he will have joy in this world, and chiefly in the world to come.  
 
Soldier, athlete, and farmer - these three should describe your life to some degree.  
 
By: George Slover