Moment With The Master

Moment With The Master

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Shout It Out!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
"I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; "I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 
(Psalm 40:9,10)

David is singing the praises of God. He is extolling the righteousness of God to the congregation. He is shouting the good news. But what prompts this outburst of praise? 

When the song begins we find David in the middle of a horrible pit and miry clay. This describes one who is deep down in the middle of depression. He is sinking in despair. There seems to be no rest, nor way of escape.

There was a cry to God for help. David waits patiently for God's answer of mercy. There is a delay in God’s reply. The wait is long! But finally, God lifts him from the sinking pit and sets him high up on a rock.

The Psalmist’s first response is a surrender of will, heart, and life to God. God wanted more than sacrifice and offering. There must be ears (vs. 6) that are tuned to God, and a heart (vs. 8) that the delights in his will. Without this all else is vain.

Along with the consecrated life is a proclamation of God's loving-kindness, righteousness, and faithfulness. Gratitude prompts a strong desire to declare God's goodness. Such declarations are made by both the spoken word, and a godly life.

Will you join the Psalmist in shouting the good news to a lost world? A contemplation of the depth of your own sin, the completeness of your restoration, and the wonders of redemption should bring forth praise to God. 

By George Slover
 

By

Majestic Messiah

Tuesday, May 09, 2017

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the focal point of the apostles preaching.  His first advent, of which the apostles were witnesses, is the object of the Christian’s faith. Christ’s second advent is the object of the Christian’s hope. A foundation of such faith and hope are those who testified of the marvelous revelation of Jesus.

The Christian’s faith is not based on fables.  There were many strange stories circulating among both the Jews and the Gentiles.  (Matthew 13:22) But the story of Jesus is not a myth. It is history- real history.  The story of Jesus is an incredible one.  The apostles were witnesses of those things Jesus did and taught. 

The Christian’s faith is based on eyewitnesses.  The apostles were eyewitnesses of his Majesty.  The word “eyewitness” alludes to the careful scrutiny of those who testified.  There was no deception or imagination.  They truly witnessed his majesty!  Peter, James, and John saw in Jesus the glory of God on the holy Mountain

The Christian’s faith is based on the testimony of the Father.  On the mountain of transfiguration, the apostles not only saw the glory of God, but heard a voice from heaven.  The Father said: “this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)  Only the Father could make such an announcement.   He was well pleased with his son!  Instead of Moses or Elijah, man must now listen to Him.  Regardless of what man may think of Jesus, he is still honored by the Father.   It would behoove us to heed the Father and listen to his son. 

Human nature is such that it would be easy to doubt the incredible story of Jesus. However, when one fully examines the evidence and accepts its reality with trust, love, and hope, he is constrained to make Jesus his Lord and is motivated by the promise of the Lord’s victorious return. (II Peter 3:10-14)

By George Slover

 

What Are They Among So Many

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

Much of Jesus’ ministry was near the sea of Galilee.  Luke tells us that Jesus was near the city of Bethsaida on the east side of the sea.  A great multitude followed Jesus because of the signs he performed.

Thus, Jesus tested Philip: "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5)  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." (John 6:7) Then, Andrew adds, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)  Does Andrew see some potential here or is he thinking the situation is hopeless?   

The Barley loaves were not large commercial loaves of bread.  They would be just enough to make a fish “sandwich”.  The fishes were salted and dried, and used for relish.   It was common food for a common little boy.  The food may have been for his lunch.  However, Jesus does something spectacular with this small amount.

How many times have we contemplated our own inadequacy?  Who are we among so many?  The world seems so intimidating, and we are so small.  What can we do? 

There are many tools God places at our disposal to contribute to our spiritual success.  The most useful one is a book that seems so common and ordinary. That book is the Bible. Its message has radically changed lives for more than 2000 years.   

This great faith building book is at your disposal right now.  The same message that influenced an Ethiopian, a Jewish zealot, and a jailer can also give you joy and hope.  Study it, practice, preach it,  and you will be blessed!

By George Slover

 

Giving It All to God

Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Moment with the Master Edited by George Slover

 

"Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." (Exodus 10:26)

During the time when God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, Moses made numerous requests of Pharaoh to allow Israel to go into the wilderness to worship God. Each of Pharaoh’s replies always included a compromise.  After the ninth plague, Pharaoh calls for Moses:  "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you." (Exodus 10:24)

Moses’ reply was unambiguous: “the entire nation, with its flock and her herds will depart into the wilderness to worship Jehovah.”  Moses was not inclined to restrain from God's wishes: "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. "Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. (Exodus 10:25-26)

Does it not seem strange that Pharaoh wants to counsel Moses?  Which of these two truly has a grasp of God's will?  Pharaoh tried several times to persuade Moses to compromise but failed.  Perhaps this last request, “leave your cattle behind”, was the craftiest, for it might seem more palatable to Moses. Pharaoh’s display of jealousy and rage is often how ungodly men react when the godly take a stand. 

Moses wisely refuses Pharaoh’s counsel.  Godly living cannot be guided by the compromises of the world. It is wise to suspect and carefully examine any advice given by men.  It is never right to give up even what may seem to be the smallest of God's commandments.

God wants a full surrender of our heart and life to his will.  Worldly pleasures, possessions, and friendships must be sacrificed for God’s cause.  All we own – our possessions and our lives belong to him.  For God, it must be all or nothing!

By George Slover

Restoring God's House

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

There are times when a church or an individual is in need of spiritual renewal. The Jews of this era busied themselves with rebuilding the Temple, restoring the law, and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.   There is a good comparison of the activities of the Jews with rebuilding spiritual lives in our time.

Chapter 9 records a public confession of Israel. This confession was accompanied by a covenant with God.  Israel's history of departure demonstrated their propensity to wickedness.   They had lost their right to the land because of their sin.  Hopefully, this covenant would safeguard against future departures.   Their resolve: we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

A temple has tremendous significance in Bible parlance.  Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s temple, and Herod’s temple represented the presence of God among the people.  The New Testament takes the word to a deeper spiritual meaning.  Those redeemed by Christ are a “holy temple in the Lord”. (Ephesians 2:21)  Their body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit”. (I Corinthians 6:19)  Because they are God’s house, they enjoy the great blessing of His presence.  

Just like Israel, Christians are tempted with worldliness and unbelief.  Thus, they are in need of a revival.  Our times of renewal must include the resolve to give diligence to caring for our spiritual house.  We must separate ourselves from the world’s entanglements, and fill the house with activities of heaven.

How are the walls of your spiritual life?  Bring your offerings to the storeroom,  join in with the singers of Israel, and do not neglect the house of our God.  (Nehemiah 10:39)

By George Slover

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