What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. (Ecclesiastes 1:3-8)
 
In the passage above Solomon observes the endless, boring cycles of life.  Under the sun there is nothing new; all is vain and empty. Such is the view of the one who pursues everything in life except what really counts.
 
This picture is all too familiar in modern America.   The straight life of the homemaker is a mindless day of dirty dishes, waxing floors, changing dirty diapers, and planning meals for an ungrateful family.  The life of the workingman is forty- hour weeks, two-week vacations for kids, cleaning out garages, mowing a lawn, income tax forms, and bills, bills, bills.  Life seems ordinary and pointless.  
 
Several years ago our family worked together on a family paper route.  From that experience I learned a valuable lesson that made my task much easier. There was an older couple that would express so much appreciation to me for having their paper on the porch on those cold winter days.  There was much more to my laborious task than the paycheck at the end of the month.  It was the joy of serving God and others! Even though it was a simple task, it was the reward of making a difference in someone’s life and the peace that comes from being their servant.  God takes the ordinary and pointless out of life and gives every job a reason.
 
Paul says: “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.”(Col. 3:24) Notice the focal point of this passage: “you serve the Lord Christ”.  Each day I must be reminded that no matter what the work – “I serve the Lord Christ”.  This is true of the homemaker, the workingman, or the student.  It is true of the physician and the paperboy.  Whatever the job –“I serve the Lord!”  He is the reason to live!  He is to be the focal point of all of my plans.  Without Him life is empty and monotonous!
 
By George Slover

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  (1 Peter 4:10)

For 10 years of my young life, it was my privilege to perform with a band. Precision marching, concert, and jazz were all a part of my experience. At each venue the success of the performance depended on the help of each member doing their part well.The body of Christ, and its success may be compared with the success of a band.

I remember occasions during a band performance when the cymbal player had only one note in the whole piece. But without that note, the concert was not complete. In the Lords church each member is given a gift from God.  These talents are given to individual Christians for the good of the whole church. Every member of Christ’s body is a steward of the gifts given to them. This means that each member is expected to nurture and, and use that gift.

The success of the performance also depended on each bandsmen playing in tune. God has given the body of Christ parameters. If one speaks it must be according to the oracles of God. (Vs. 11)  If it is the gift of ministering, it must be according to one’s ability. (Vs. 11) Flutes don’t sound like drums. A trumpet is not a clarinet. So each member of the body must be content with the gift they have. They must use that gift according to God’s directions so that harmony will prevail and God will be pleased.

Members of the body may serve in various ways, but in the context of love the end result is beautiful. (Vs. 8) A service rendered out of genuine care for others will produce the richest music. The disciples Peter was addressing were “pilgrims of the Dispersion”. (1:1) They were experiencing fiery trials. (1:7)  But, through compassion, shoulder to shoulder, they could lift the spirits and bolster the courage of one another.

Sometimes our work in the Lord goes unnoticed and receives very little appreciation. Our self-love may repulse us from the task at hand, but Peter has an antidote for that. The apostle instructs us to render our service with a view to God. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11) 

The body of Christ is designed for mutual service. No one is wholly the giver or the receiver. Everyone has a gift, and everyone has a need. Dear brother, find your gift. Take directions from God. And use the gift that you have with passion. When each member of the body is doing their part in love, the results will be like a tune played with perfect precision, and God will be honored.

By George Slover 

He has shown you, Oh man, what is good;  And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”  (Micah 6:8)

Many people ask the question:  What does God expect from me?  Consider some simple answers.
 
1) He expects us to keep all of his commandments!  (Matthew 28:20)  

2) He expects us to do what he wants at all times. (John 8:28,29)  Are you trying to follow the Lord’s example?  

3) He expects us to please Him instead to pleasing ourselves.  Paul said, “…Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me…?  Are you unselfishly yielding to the will of God?  

4) He expects us to please Him instead of men.  Again Paul says,  “Do I seek to please men?  For if I seek to please men, In should not be the servant of Christ.”  (Galatians 1:10)

God has the right to tell us what to do because 1) he is God , and we are human, 2) he is the Creator, and we are the created, 3) He is Lord of All! 

Devote this day and this week to pleasing God!

By George Slover

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.  But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  (Isaiah 40:30,31)

Prior to chapter 40 Isaiah has spoken primarily of judgment.  He has mixed words of doom (Isa.10:1-3) with words of promise (Isa. 10:20,21).  He has spoken of better days ahead- the time of the Messiah and his kingdom. (Isa. 2:1-4)  Now Isaiah speaks primarily to the remnant with words of comfort. (Isa.40:1)  The conclusion of chapter 40 is some of the most encouraging language in the Old Testament.  Consider some important points from these verses.
 
First, he humbles us and reminds us of our need for him.  The young soldier may be able to use his physical strength to win in times of physical war, but such will not be so in this battle.  He will meet with disappointment and heartache.  He will face times of faint heartedness, fear, and temptation.  Questions will arise to challenge his faith.  It will seem as if God has abandoned him.  We will need the armor God provides to win this battle (Eph. 6:10-17)

Second, we must know of the power that God gives to the weak.  (Isa.40:29)  God is there to help!  He can provide resistance in the hour of temptation, endurance for the trials, steadfastness for the faint hearted.  God’s help is constantly available for he “neither faints nor is weary.” (Isa.40:28)   There is no God like Him! 

Third, such power is available only to those who “wait on the Lord”.  It is available to all, but can only be accessed by those who desire such.  To “wait upon the Lord” appears eight times in Isaiah.  We must wait upon him in prayer and in meditation of his word.

Fourth, a triple experience is promised to those who pursue Jehovah.  First, we will mount up “with wings like eagles”.  (Isa. 40:31)  As we soar higher and higher, we will be surprised at how the worries of this world harassed us. Second, we “shall run and not be weary”.  We will feel “young” again.  Third, we “shall walk and not faint”.    We will have hills to climb, rivers to ford, and daily chores to attend to.  But, God is there to help us!  The end result is awesome! 

So, “saints lift you voices, tho dark your days!  Lift up your spirits, sing out his praise!  Upward the calling, brighter the light!  Soaring like eagles on wings of flight!”

By George Slover  

“I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.  Now fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth…”  (Josh. 24:13,14)

Prior to verse 13 Joshua reviews the history of Israel.  God is reminding them of all he has done – “I gave, I brought, I delivered” you.  Such a reminder is given to prepare them for the challenges of vs. 14,15.  Israel must make a choice, either to serve Jehovah (the giver of all these things) or to serve false gods.  The one choice is to show gratitude to God who gave them the land; the other choice is to squander the wealth! 

How does Israel avoid this tragedy? First, they must put away the false gods.  God is a jealous god.  They must be devoted to him alone.  Second, they must avoid the haughty spirit.  Israel must not pride themselves in their wealth and forget from whence the riches came.  They must remember Jehovah and be grateful.  Thus, Joshua reminds them of how God drove out the enemy (vs.10) and gave them this rich land!  Would they forget, and thus squander the wealth?

God has also richly blessed us.  He has given us a Savior and a means of redemption.  He has given us a reason to live and a victorious way to die.  He has blessed us with God’s family, the greatest family on earth.  We must not squander the wealth. 

What will you do, my brother with these great blessings?  First, you must put away the false gods.  (I Jn. 5:21)  God wants single minded devotion.  Second, you must humble yourself before God and remember from whence the blessings come.  (Jam. 4:10)

God has given us great opportunities.  If they are wasted we will regret it eternally.

 By George Slover