“And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)
 
In the context of the above verse Paul lists several common human experiences.  “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)  All of these are perfectly legitimate activities, but like all encounters in this life they are temporary.  Thus, Paul places greater emphasis upon our eternal relationship with Christ.  
 
So, it is not wrong to be lawfully married, and devoted to your mate. There are occasions to cry or laugh that are perfectly legitimate.  It is not a sin to have physical possessions, or even to enjoy the wonders of the physical world.  However, the time and devotion given to each of these must be tempered by the greater priority- our devotion to Christ.  We must never get distracted from this central reality: our relation to the Lord.  Everything must be evaluated by our love for Christ.  There must be no other standard or interest!
 
What distracts you from serving the Master?  May God help us to have a single eye and a united heart.  May all of our feelings, tasks, and relationships be woven by a single strand of commitment to Christ. 
 
By George Slover

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” (Psalms 40:1-2)
 
This Psalm of David is describing some kind of deliverance from a peril.  We shall assume he is speaking of being rescued from spiritual distress.  Perhaps he is talking about an overwhelming temptation.  With this in mind, follow the progression of thought through the Psalm.
 
First, there is the “horrible pit” and “miry clay”.  This figuratively illustrates the wretchedness of one deep in the mire of sin and guilt, and the precipitating results as the guilt weighs heavily upon him.  The transgressor is swallowed up in despair.
 
Second, such distress leads to prayer. (vs.1)  There is a “cry” for God’s help.  The help seems delayed.  “I waited patiently, but waited long”.
 
Third, the prayer is answered. (vs.2)  “He inclined to me and heard my cry”.  “He set me on a rock.”  A sinner who is truly penitent will change his ways and be placed on solid ground.  Our rock is the Rock of Ages.  
 
Fourth, his salvation leads to a new song. “He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” (vs. 3) As stated by a well known hymn:  “He took my burdens all away up to a brighter day.  He gave me song, a wonderful song.”  The sinner rejoices in his new life and relationship!
 
Fifth, the penitent’s gratitude for God is expressed in two ways – 1) a full surrender of his will and life (vs. 6-8), and 2) a proclamation of God’s mercy to others. (vs.9, 10)  
 
There is nothing like experiencing the changed life accomplished by the gospel!  He who was at first in the pit, then on his knees, then on a rock, will have power to stand in the market place proclaiming the good news!
 
By George Slover

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
 

The Sermon on the Mount revealed in Matthew, chapters five through 7 has been called the Magna Charta of Christianity.  In these chapters Jesus describes the essential character and conduct of those in his kingdom.  Surely such marvelous principles must have been devised in the mind of God!  Who would deny that if man would abide by it teachings that our world would be more peaceful? 
 
Consider a quick summary of this great discourse.  Jesus taught that true contentment is not found in what you posses or where you live, but in your character. (Mt.5:1-12)   He says “don’t get angry with your brother without a cause” for such is as bad as murder. (Mt.5:21-26)  He teaches us not to have evil thoughts (Mt.5:27-30) and when you get married stay married (Mt.5:31,32).  He instructs us to be trustworthy (Mt.5:33-37), not retaliate with evil for evil (Mt.5:38-42), and to love our enemies. (Mt.5:44-48)
  
In chapter 6 he teaches us to not be religious hypocrites (Mt.6:1-18) and to focus on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones. (Mt.6:19-34)  In chapter 7 we are told to be careful how we judge others (Mt.7:1-5) and “whatever you would that men would do to you, do you even so to them.” (Mt.7:12)  Finally, he states that if you will follow these principles your life can have a solid foundation that is able weather the storms.  (Mt.7:24-27) 

I challenge anyone to find a better set of rules to by which to live! The secret to a fulfilled life is following heaven’s code of conduct.

By George Slover
 

He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." (Mark 9:19)
 
The occasion of the words mentioned above was sometime during the third year of the Lord’s earthly ministry.  A father’s son was possessed with a demon causing him to behave violently.  Though the Lord had given his apostles the authority to cast out demons, because of their lack of faith they had failed in healing this boy.
 
Fortunately, Satan has no power today to possess a person as he did during the time of miracles.  However, there is still an important lesson for modern disciples.  Our faithlessness mirrors the faithless activity of these early disciples.
 
While we do not live the age of demon possession, Satan is still exerting much influence in our world.  Personal lives, homes, communities, and local churches have been affected by his power to deceive and entice.   We ought to be able to help that poor “demon possessed” friend, but it could be said of us as well – “they could not”.  The disciples could not and we cannot.
 
In our unbelieving generation churches have tried every gimmick in the book to gain the numbers.  Those churches on the left have tried the allurement of the social gospel – “win ‘em with coffee and donuts, fun and games for the family, etc.”  Other churches who would oppose such tactics have pushed such gimmicks as – “you’ll really like our singing, or our preacher, or our Bible classes”.  All of the above mentioned methods are carnal.  We forget about the One who has the power to solve our problems. 
 
“Bring them to me”, Jesus said.  Our job is not about the latest religious gadget, but about winning others to Christ.  He is the only one who can bring them into a right relationship with God.
 
George Slover

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
 
Pete Dawkins was born March 8, 1938 in Royal Oak, Michigan.  Dawkins was stricken with polio as a child.  At the age of eleven he developed scoliosis, a debilitating back condition.
 
Due to his health Dawkins was told he would never play sports.  However, Pete Dawkins’ love for the game of football motivated him to persevere.  Thus, he entered into an experimental training program that included aggressive physiotherapy.  A regimen of weight lifting was considered to be a cure for curvature of the spine.
 
Six years later the 180 pound Dawkins, a quarterback for Michigan Prep School, pursued a career of football at West Point.  In 1956 Pete Dawkins joined the Army football team.  After a few varsity practices coach Earl Blaik gave Dawkins two choices 1) quit the team, or 2) become a scrub.  Coach Blaik made it clear that Pete Dawkins would never play a game of football for Army.  Dawkins chose to be a scrub.  His brutal job was to return punts, or become tackling practice for a team of hungry cadets.  In 1958, against all of the odds, Pete Dawkins won college football’s most coveted award – the Heisman Trophy.
 
The secret to Dawkins’ success was an exercise he’d learned during his early years with scoliosis.  Each night after taps, when the lights were out, this determined cadet would lift weights on his room floor.  This was an exercise prohibited by college coaches.  It was believed that lifting weights would be harmful to a player’s agility.
 
In 1958 this one-time scrub unleashed his 220 pound body to reap the fruit of years of hard work.  Dawkins likes to say,  “Sometimes the things you think are the most awful disappointments turn out to be the most important opportunities you ever had.”  
 
The Christian’s life is full of setbacks and challenges, but we must give all we’ve got.  We must run hard for the finish line.  One day God will award the victory crown!
 
George Slover