“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
 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."(Ephesians 2:10)
 
There are some who have the wonderful talent of writing poetry.  The words just seem to flow  easily from the heart to the pen.  The poet can paint a wonderful portrait in words.  They can stir such emotion as loneliness, strength, excellence, perseverance, sorrow, anger, or admiration.  Did you know that God is a poet?  His product is written on tablets of the human heart. (II Corinthians 3:2,3)  
 
In the above passage the word “workmanship” is translated from the Greek word poieema.  It is obviously the word we transliterate “poetry”.  Paul says God’s people are his poetry.  Anyone who walks by the works God has appointed in Christ manifests a life written by that hand of God!
 
The meter of this poem is guided by such themes as love, (Ephesians 5:2) and light (Ephesians 5:8).  Each verse and line should include traits of honesty (Ephesians 4:25), hard work (Ephesians 4:28), purity (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4), and kindness (Ephesians 4:32).
 
Christianity is not a way of doing special things.  It is a special way of doing everything.  The Lord puts significance into the simplicity of life.  We are His workmanship.  We are His poetry.
 
By George Slover

Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart." (Psalms 40:7-8)
 
The above expression is also repeated in Hebrews 10:7, 9.  The Hebrew writer applies these prophetic words to the sacrifice of Jesus.  These words not only describe the Lord’s willingness to be sacrificed for the redemption of man, but also describe every phase of his earthly existence!
 
The will of God was the chief thought of his heart.  At the tender age of twelve Jesus’ desire was to please God.   When Joseph and Mary found him in the temple in the midst of the teachers, his answer to them was, “"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49)  The heart of the Messiah was revealed (Matthew 3:15) at his baptism, at his temptation (Matthew 4:4), and on and on.  His daily, hourly work was to do the will of the Father.  (John 5:19)  
 
The will of God was the supreme joy of his heart.  It was because of his generous offering that man is given the opportunity of sanctification and salvation.  Because of his sinless life he perfectly filled up the plan of God for human redemption.  Without one charge  of guilt against him, he suffered a criminal’s death.  This he did joyfully (Hebrews 12:2) knowing what it would accomplish.
 
As his disciples we are called to follow his steps. (I Peter 2:2)  The will of God must be our consuming passion.  No matter what we may suffer, we must do it joyfully knowing that our reward is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:11, 12)
 
George Slover
 

Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’" (Luke 7:48-50)
 
The words above – “your sins are forgiven” are the sweetest words God could ever utter and man could ever hear.  The knowledge of being forgiven is truly a blessing.  But there is another important lesson we learn from this great story – it is a revelation of the character of the one that spoke those words!
 
During Jesus’ second year of public ministry he was invited to the home of Simon, a Pharisee.  The exact reason for this invitation is not revealed.  Perhaps Simon saw potential in Jesus or perhaps he was just curious.  After the guest arrived an uninvited visitor comes into the room.  This woman, rightly identified as a sinner, throws herself at Jesus’ feet.  She anoints his feet with a precious ointment and wipes them with her tears and her hair.  Simon and his other guest are scandalized by her presence.  Every eye in that room was focused on her, but the eyes of Jesus.  Jesus appreciative of this woman’s devotion and disappointed in the attitude of Simon is instead looking at Simon!
 
One can only imagine how Simon must have felt when Jesus gave that piercing look and said, “Simon, I have something to say to you”.  The important lesson here about gratefulness is illustrated by both a parable as well as the conduct of the woman.  However, the pure motive of Jesus is also revealed.
 
Jesus is the only one in this setting that seems perfectly comfortable.  He, unlike Simon and friends, has no agenda except to redeem man from sin.  He has perfect love and appreciation for the woman’s undivided devotion.  He has genuine concern for Simon and his hypocrisy.  How many times in Jesus’ ministry did he touch a heart by saying, “your sins are forgiven, go sin no more”?  How many times did convict the sinner with piercing words?  
 
So what about my life?  He is to be my example!  Have I so distorted the image so that I can pursue my selfish ambitions?  Jesus did not just die so that I could be forgiven!  He gave me the challenge of a higher life!  He wants me to be pure in heart just like him!
 
By George Slover, Jr. 

"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)
 
 Biblically, marriage is a relationship between a man and woman wherein they become one another’s by means of a covenant and the consummation of the covenant.  Let us look at various features of this definition.
 
First, marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.  In Genesis 2:18-24, God saw that it was not good for the man to be alone, thus he made a companion suitable for the man.  In so doing, God instituted one of the most wonderful and intimate of relationships.  Since God made marriage he has the right to rule this relationship.
 
Second, in marriage the man and the woman become one another’s or one flesh.  In marriage, the man and the woman share physical and emotional intimacy together.
 
However, this intimacy is not to be shared casually, but to be based upon a covenant or agreement between the two to be loyal to their mate for life.  According to Malachi 2:14:  Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.” (Malachi 2:14)  Notice the passage says that God is the witness of this covenant (Matthew19:6) and does not view it lightly.  He does not approve of those who violate this agreement:  To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. (Proverbs 2:16-17) (See also Romans 7:1-3)  Nor, does he approve of casual intimacy whether it is a one-nightstand or a twelve-year romance.  Paul says, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”(1 Corinthians 7:1-2)  A couple must first make a formal agreement to each other before God, and also seek to make such an agreement honorable in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17)
 
Finally, there is the consummation of the covenant.  In Genesis 24:67:  “Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her.” (Genesis 24:67)  The only honorable way to express this intimacy is in the context of marriage.  (Hebrews 13:4)  All other expressions of this intimacy are sinful.
 
Our society is in great need of understanding these things and then applying.  The downfall of a nation begins with its failure to respect Gods laws of marriage.
 
George Slover