The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD." “ (Proverbs 29:25-26)
 
During my Freshman year at Texas A&M I learned a valuable lesson.  It seems that our class had stolen our Commanding Officer’'s footlocker.  After several weeks of hazing, we finally decided to give it back to him.  A specific evening and place were designated for returning our prize to our Senior commander.  On that evening we all met in the country with the footlocker full of ice and beer.  To celebrate our truce our C.O. proposed a toast.  He demanded that all of us would have a beer in our hands to be a part of this toast.  I timidly held that beer can in my hand, but never took a sip.  When it was convenient I poured the beer on the ground.  Hypocritically, I had given in to peer pressure.
 
Jesus, our savior, was the perfect example of the kind of life we are to live. When the critics observed his life they rightly state:"“Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth."”(Mark 12:14)  Jesus was not intimidated by the critics nor swayed by public opinion.
 
Joshua and Caleb refused to ride the tide of popular opinion.  They would not listen to the ten other spies or to the complaints of Israel.  Against the majority view they stated:  "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)  These two faithful spies were the only ones allowed to enter Canaan.
 
The child of God is to live for an audience of one.  God alone is our judge.  All things are to be measured by His standards!  He alone is to direct our life and we are to seek his approval.
 
By George Slover

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.”" (Proverbs 23:29-30)
 
Ever since I can remember we’'ve been engaged in a war on drugs.  For many years drug abuse has truly been a problem in our society especially among young folks.  I wonder if we are really winning.
 
America’'s most dangerous and debilitating drug is alcohol.  Alcohol is not just a threat because of its evil effects, but also because its wide social acceptance.  The industry spends millions of dollars to convince America of alcohol’'s so-called wonderful benefits .  Hypocritically, we warn our children of its dangers while in their presence we freely partake.  We send a family member to detoxify, and as soon as they are through we put a “"Bud Light"” in their face.
 
One of alcohol'’s greatest dangers is its ability to give the user a powerful sense of control.  The more they drink, the greater sense of “control” they experience.  This image is depicted in vs. 34,35 of the above passage:  "“Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’" (Proverbs 23:34-35)  The drunk sees himself as the captain of the ship when in reality he is "out of it"!
 
Alcohol is so much a part of our culture it is difficult for the non-drinker to gain social acceptance.  Anyone who does not drink must be strong enough to find those who accept him or her.  This is much easier for adults, than for teenagers.  The strong need for social acceptance makes the temptation for alcohol even more pressing!
 
Alcohol is a drug that has no place in the life of Christian.  It is sinful both in excess and in moderate social use.  See I Peter 4:3.  Anyone professing to imitate the purity of Jesus will abstain!  
 
By George Slover

But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)
 
The key word is “care”.   The Greek word merimnao is most often used in the negative sense.  It means to be anxious, or to be filled with anxiety, or worry.  
 
We often think of this word in the context Jesus’ personal ministry.  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.”"(Matthew 6:25)   Here Jesus exhorts us to not worry.  Instead of anxious care, God wants us to pray and place our burdens on Him.  (Philippians 4:6; I Peter 5:6,7)  Jesus says, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30)  In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warns of how such “cares” can choke out the word and destroy the desired fruit (Luke 8:14) 
 
But, in the verse above we are commanded to have that anxious care for others.  Here, God says don'’t be divided, but be totally focused upon the needs and cares of your brother.  If he has occasion to rejoice, don’'t envy him, but rejoice with him.  If he suffers, don'’t belittle, but cry with him.  The word “care” also carries with it the idea of being torn away or distracted.  The Corinthians were exhorted to get their minds distracted from their selfish ambitions and have diligent concern for one another.
 
 Corinth was not the only place where such an attitude is needed.  Local churches, communities, even the world needs people with this trait.  Such folks are hard to find.  The few that have such devotion are precious indeed!  “"For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus”." (Philippians 2:20-21)
 
By George Slover

"Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!  (Ezekiel 18:30-32) 

In the context of this passage Ezekiel has clearly stated the dilemma: – “the soul that sins, it shall die” (vs. 20).  The soul that sins will die or be spiritually separated from God.   However, God “has no pleasure in the one who dies”.   Thus, he clearly states the solution – “repent”!    Some have said that repentance is a change of mind that brings about a change of action. That’s a good definition, but consider from this passage some other essentials to repentance.

A necessary prerequisite to repentance is for one to “consider”.  “Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die”. (vs.28)  God wants the sinner to contemplate the seriousness of the transgression.  It is a like parent telling a child “go to your room and think about what you’ve just done”.  Those words came to me when I was a boy.   I had thrown a rock and hit another child in the eye.  I was forced to face the victim (bloody face and all) and contemplate what I had done.  It taught me a valuable lesson.  The transgressor must think about the wickedness he has committed and recognize the consequences.   Hopefully, such introspection will lead to the godly sorrow that produces repentance.  (II Cor 7:10) 

Next, the sinner must “"get a new heart and a new spirit”". (vs. 31)  The heart is where his sins are conceived. (Lk.6:45)  Thus, God wants him to reprogram his mind.  (Rom. 12:2)  A good or bad heart produces a good or bad person.  It is impossible for one to change their lives without changing their hearts. Put away evil thoughts and think on things that are pure!

Finally, God exhorts the sinner to “"cast away from you all your sins”". (vs.31)  Literally, the word “cast” means to fling the garment!  It pictures one who repudiates the deed done and is ready to shove it away!  He is ready to cease from his ungodliness and to start living a godly and holy life.
  
So my brother, is there sin in your life?  If so, then repent!  God does not want you to die, but to live!

By George Slover

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him. (Proverbs 27:14)
 
The above proverb could have easily been my sentiments when I was a teenage boy!  The sound of mom or dad waking me up early in the morning was a curse!  Unfortunately, it may have been the signs of a more serious attitude of– laziness!  Actually, it is not a sin to sleep late, but it is a sin to be lazy.  Paul says in Colossians 3:22-24:  "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:22-24)  Whatever the job, God wants us to give our all!
 
But, what is of even greater concern is spiritual apathy.  The New Testament repeatedly reminds us of the need of spiritual diligence!  "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".(2 Peter 1:10-11)   The Christian must develop a good work ethic in his spiritual life!  He must 
”pull out all of the stops” to win the battle over sin and selfishness.  He must make it his daily goal to exercise godliness.  He is to be a reflection of his Heavenly Father in character.  He must keep his eyes focused on the Master!
 
There is no room for the slouch.  So, my brother “give diligence to make your call and election sure!” 

By George Slover