Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

The apostles, Peter and John, were put in custody because they had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ. The number of disciples grew rapidly during the early days of the church. (Acts 5:4). Thus, the rulers of Judaism questioned the apostles: "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) The answer of Peter and John rang loud and clear: "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead." (Acts 4:10)

The courage and resolve of Peter and John gets the attention of the enemy. There was something very different about these two. It was not their remarkable intellect that got their attention. It was the boldness of the apostles that was worthy of note. It was Peter and John standing fearless before the Sanhedrin. There was nothing apologetic about their demeanor. They stood fast as those courageously speaking for God.

Their witness for Christ demonstrates a great change had taken place in their lives. Fishermen, Jews, once filled with fear, now boldly and eloquently proclaiming a doctrine the enemy hates. They were passionately devoted to proclaiming the kingdom of God that men might be saved from sin. Even the enemy was impressed with their character. If we are attaining to heights in our spiritual growth, our daily behavior will manifest the spirit of Christ.

Their witness testified of the new and guiding principle in their lives. This is the principle of love- love for God and love for lost souls. Peters words ring loud and clear: "We ought to obey God rather than men". (Acts 5:29) Their passion for souls is recorded in Acts 5:42: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.(Acts 5:42)

We should always keep in mind that we are being watched, some times by friends, and some times by the enemy. Others will "take note" of us. If we easily fit into the world, something is wrong with our conduct. Let us be faithful at our post; speaking boldly for him. Let others observe and say: "they have been with Jesus."(Acts 4:13)

by George Slover

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”  ( II Peter 3:9,10)
 
Here Peter speaks of the certainty of the day of the Lord, when all men will be judged and the earth destroyed.    Certain scoffers had ridiculed the idea of such a day.  (vs.4)  They reasoned that since all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation, no such catastrophic event would happen.  Thus, Peter wishes to remind his readers two forgotten facts.!

Fact #1 - God once destroyed this world with a flood.  He  is keeping this present world for another day of judgment. (vs.7)   Such judgment will be comprehensive.  Not  only will man be judged, but also the fundamental elements or building blocks of this world will “melt” or be unloosed or untied.  

Fact #2 - Some had forgotten that God is not bound by time (vs.8).  The very reason this world still stands is because of God’s patience.  He is giving us one more day to get right with Him.  But, mark it down, that day will come and the Lord will keep his promise.  (vs.10)

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? “  (vs.11)  Today, may be your last day!  Are you ready to meet God? 

by 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 goal for the prize of the upward call God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13,14) 

Notice that here Paul (vs 14) speaks of the “goal”.  The context clearly identifies the “goal” (vs 7-10).  It is to live as Jesus lived and to walk as he walked.  The goal of emulating the life and character of Jesus is a lifelong process.  It is not attained over night and requires tremendous effort.  In the context Paul provide important helps for getting us closer to the goal.  Consider some of them.

First, do not procrastinate.  We must “reach forward”.   To procrastinate may ultimately result in such stagnation that will cause us to ultimately fall back into old habits. So, we are urged to put the past behind us, to reach forward, and to press on. 

Second, to get closer to the long-term goal, we must focus on the short tem attainments.  We must be patient and take it one day and one step at a time.  It involves a daily mental focus on the immediate task at hand and not getting frustrated when we are not where we want to be.  Spiritual growth comes in small steps.

So don’t delay, but “press on”!  Don’t get discouraged, but persevere!  At the end God promises a wonderful crown!

by George Slover

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”  (Psalms 27:4)  Here the Psalmist suggests a focus and a single mind.  “One thing” implies the steadfast eye and a single purpose.  This resolve influences everything else.  It suggests that there is no other pursuit that will compare with this one thing!   This goal is loftier than the pursuit of gold and silver!  (Matthew 6:19,20) Next, this great prize will not be found without effort.  It must be sought!  The Psalmist states that he is willing to make the sacrifice to find it.  God commands, “seek my face”!  The Psalmist answers, “Your face Lord I will seek”. (vs.8) Furthermore, the poet implores, “Teach me, your way, Oh Lord”.  The writer is willing to make diligent effort to find his prize.    Next, the Psalmist’s seeks 1) to “dwell in the house of the Lord”, 2)  “to behold his beauty”, and 3) “to inquire in his temple”.   Here he expresses his desire:  1) to worship God, 2) to see all that about God that is awesome and gracious, and 3) to know his will.  The three may also be summarized as “fellowship”.  This sweet communion with God is the Psalmist’s single pursuit.   As a favorite hymn states “I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy, you alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye.” Finally, he has assurance that his pursuit will result in God’s protection in troubling times, “for he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret place of his tabernacle.”   In verse 10, “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.”  When his world falls apart he knows that God will be his helper.  Therefore, he exhorts us to “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.”  By George Slover

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”  (Matthew 5:29)

Here Jesus requires radical surgery: a step necessary to remove the habit of sin from our lives.

I am told that when one has heart surgery, the surgeon must break or cut the sternum or breast bone.  This radical intrusion is the only way to access the heart and thus solve the problem.  When one has a toothache it may need to be extracted.   One might mask the problem with pain killer, but the source remains until the diseased tooth is rooted out.

Sin also brings pain.  The Psalmist said of sin:  “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;  my vitality was turned into the drought of summer.”  (Psalm 32:3,4)   One may mask the pain by avoiding the reality, but each time he comes down off his “high” he once again must face the consequences.  The problem will never be fixed until he confesses his sin and accepts the uncomfortable steps necessary for its removal.

Though the task of removing sin is difficult, its rewards are well worth it.  Jesus says:  “it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Matthew  5:29)  This painful process will bring peace in this life and ultimate joy in the life to come.

By George Slover