"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11,12)

In the two letters to the Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are several prayers recorded in these two books. A study of those prayers will reveal the spiritual emphasis of Paul‘s thanksgivings and petitions, and an acknowledgment of God‘s presence in their daily lives. He prays they will walk in a manner worthy of God.  

Paul first recognizes the reality of their calling. They have been called by the gospel into a relationship with God. It is a high, holy, and heavenly calling. It is no light matter. This calling comes with serious obligations. The people of God have been called to be true to their vocation. 

The saints are called to please God through goodness and faith. They are called God‘s workmanship created for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)  They are to be zealous of good deeds. (Titus 2:14) Paul prays that God will complete the work he has begun through his spirit cooperating with the holy desires of the saints.

In his first letter, Paul remembers their faith. He prays that God will fulfill this work of faith. James says that such a faith manifests itself by works. (James 2:24)  A working faith is an active energy that will lead one to more earnest prayer and a closer walk with God.

The ultimate end of this process is the glory of God. It is to that end that Paul prays “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him“. Christ has a name that is above all names and is worthy of glory. Christ is honored through holy character and conduct. One day the Saints will be glorified in him and reign with him forever.

Dear brother, remember your calling is from God. Seek the strength and power that comes from him. Put it into action and let the glory of Christ be your one great aim.

By George Slover

Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh”. (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

Students and authors would readily testify to the truth of this statement from God’s word.  Study is wearisome.  And there are a lot of books in the world.

However, there is one book, which towers above all others.  Instead of bringing weariness, this book brings rest and refreshment to those who will study it!  This “Book of books” is the Bible, a unique collection of sixty-six specific books bound under one cover to make one book.

The Bible is unique because it alone claims to have been written by Almighty God, using authors as his penmen.  ( II Timothy 3:16,17)  The word “inspired” in this text literally means to be God-breathed!  The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind.  Its message is summarized by one verse:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.  (John 3:16)

Because the Bible has been written by God, it can do what no other book will ever be able to do for us. Its sacred writings are able to “make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”.  (II Timothy 3:15)  Peter speaks of his Christian readers as “having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever”. (I Peter 1:23)  The Bible is a living and life-giving book.  When it is believed and obeyed, new life results!

How precious is the Bible to you?  May your experience be as Jeremiah’s when he wrote of God’s word:  “Your words were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart”.  ( Jeremiah 15:16)

George Slover

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! “(Psalms 119:11)

The above verse is a truly practical one.  The best defense against sin is reading and meditating on God’s word.  I would venture to say that almost all of my readers would agree with this.  So, why is it so difficult to get folks to devote some time each day to daily reading, meditation, and prayer?  Maybe, it is because we fail to see the seriousness of the battle!

If you were deserted in a wilderness, but you had a manual that listed essential rules of survival, would you read it?  Absolutely!  Reality:  You are in the middle of a wilderness. You are in a battle for the survival of your soul!  Reality:  God’s word is your survival manual!

Unfortunately, we view the discipline of daily Bible reading with the same enthusiasm of a child who is told to brush his teeth!  “We ought to do that”, but we are not fully committed!  In modern times such apathy is inexcusable.  Use that MP3 player to download gospel singing, gospel preaching, or the text of Scripture.  Remove the CD with secular music from your player, and insert one with gospel music.  Take time to pray!  Your spiritual survival may depend upon it!

Time with God each day is not just about knowledge.  It is about your eternal destiny.  It is about connecting with God!

George Slover

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:3,4)

The message in this context is specifically addressing women; however, there are some principles that would apply to all disciples. True disciples give greater care to adorning the soul, than to the physical body.

Society has always placed a great emphasis on how we look on the outside. Much of the way men and women dress, whether too much or too few clothes, is driven by a desire to impress other humans. In the world, what is on the outside counts far more than what is on the inside.

Peter’s statement here is a common figure of speech known as a Hebraism. (See John 6:27 as another example) Peter is not forbidding the use a bodily adornment, but is asserting it’s utter worthlessness in comparison to what is on the inside.

God primarily looks at the heart. It is the hidden man of the heart that must be formed into the likeness of Christ. It is on the inside where the word of God does it’s work, transforming one into something very beautiful.

A truly transformed the heart manifests itself by a meek and quiet spirit. Those who have a gentle spirit control of their emotions. They do not quickly flash into anger. They remain calm and peaceful. They are not motivated by self-assertion or constant fault-finding.

Peter says this gentle spirit is “precious”. The word used here is also found in Mark 14:3 of the precious ointment used by Mary to anoint the Lord. Paul also uses the same word to discourage the use of costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9) But the proper adorning of the soul is of great value in God’s eyes.

When most of our time in energy is devoted to outward adorning, the inward work of God stands still. Instead of growing more heavenly minded we become more earthly minded. If we intend to please God, we must be working on cultivating the spirit and purity of Christ.

By George Slover

“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.  (Isaiah 42:3)
 
This great passage is found in the midst of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies.  “My servant” (vs.1) is God’s servant, the Messiah.  We know this prophecy had a specific reference to Jesus from an account found in Matthew’s gospel (Mt.12:15-21).
Isaiah, in very vivid terms, speaks of the nature of the Messiah’s ministry.  He tells us that it would be 1) universal in scope ministering to the Gentiles, 2) based upon truth, and 3) without much fanfare.  These promises were certain and sure because the God who “created the heavens” foretold these things.
 
In anticipation of the Messiah, one would look forward to the gentle nature of his ministry.  He would come ministering to the weak and the outcasts.  The figures found in verse 3 are proof of this.  The “bruised reed” and the “smoking flax” represent the kind of people toward whom God is patient.

The reed grew in river marshes and was used for making writing instruments.  They were so plentiful that a broken reed was considered worthless.  The flax was used as a wick in a lamp.  When it gave off more smoke than light it was snuffed out and thrown away.  Those two pictures represent those to whom Jesus ministers!  He will mend the reed and fan the flax – hoping for a flame!  He is so tender and so patient with us.  God isn’t finished! 

When counseling a weak brother, remember the exhortation of Paul – “support the weak”.  (I Thess.5:14)  When we are down on ourselves we must remember the patience of Jesus!  He still cares and is still “working’ on us”.
  
By George Slover