Moment With The Master

Moment With The Master

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Stewards of Grace

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

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)

There is an urgency in Peter’s exhortation because the end is near. (vs.7) In light of this event, he urges the disciples to active service.

First, God calls everyone to get involved. Though these saints are deemed to be of a low state in the world (1 Peter 1:2; 2:11), God elevated them to a special work. Every Christian has a gift. Each disciple has a ministry. By walking in the Spirit, they must reflect the Divine graces of God: faith, hope, and love. All have a gift from God.

Second, there are a variety of gifts. The word "manifold "means variegated or many colored. While there is one body, it has many members. “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?” (1 Corinthians 12:17) So, like our human body, various members of the body of Christ serve in various ways. Every member has an important function. When every member is focused on mutual help, the body functions to its full capacity.

Third, Peter reminds us that we are stewards of God’s grace. Thus, none of the things over which we have control belong to us, but belong to God. The joy, comfort, hope, and peace of God we're not given for self- absorption, but to lead us to serve others. Divine blessings mean Divine obligations.

Fourth, we are instructed to minister to one another. The local church does not have a single minister, but a plurality of ministers. Everyone has a gift, and everyone has a ministry. It is through mutual service that we can be strengthened in God. 

Surely, if we would more fully appreciate how richly God has blessed us, if we could really grasp the length of eternity, we would be motivated to greater diligence as ministers of the manifold grace of God.    

By George Slover     
 

Sons of God

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10

The crucifixion of Christ, the Savior is a fundamental foundation of Christianity. It was fitting or necessary for one, like him, who was sinless to die to accomplish God’s mission of redemption. By God’s grace, Jesus, his son tasted death for this purpose. 

By the offering of his son, God brought many sons to glory. Jesus is the “son of God”. Those redeemed by him are “sons of God”. What a marvelous blessing for us to be able to call the Creator of heaven and earth "our Father”. (Matthew 6:9)

If God is our father, then Jesus is our older brother. Jesus, the Savior is not ashamed to call those who have received his forgiveness his brethren. (vs.11) The idea of a brother represents a fellowship of love, and family. How wonderful to think this familial relationship was made possible by the death of God’s own son.

The New Testament describes this blessed state with various terms. Those who are God’s sons are “adopted”. (Ephesians 1:5) Though not belonging to God, nor deserving, God willingly claims the sinner as his own. As God's son they become heirs of God's marvelous promises. “Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:7)

Finally, the text says it was “fitting for God to bring many sons to glory”. This salvation originates with God and glorifies him. God so identified with man, so fixed his eyes on him, that he could not leave a man in his lost state, but desired to call them his sons!

God is calling you from your helpless state of sin to this an exalted position. Will you receive him?

By George Slover

 

Be Careful What You Say

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.”"  (Prov. 17:19)

The Scriptures say a lot about loving your brother, about making sure that he comes first in your preferences, that he is accorded the kind of respect and honor he deserves, even when you disagree with him.  It is true that we may need to correct the wrong done by my brother, but such is not a license for me to fuel my ego or bolster my reputation.  Before criticizing carefully examine your motives.  It’s people who are important, not your own satisfaction.

Allow me to suggest three points to consider before you open your mouth.  First, before you say something about someone, be sure its true.  It is dangerous to repeat unverified information.  Second, before you say something about someone, examine the reason for saying it.  Abraham Lincoln once said, “"Don’t criticize before you know you can help”."  Third, before you say something about someone, remember how Jesus said, “Do unto to others as you would that they should do unto you.”  If you don’t want your name slandered, don’t be guilty of slandering others.

The tongue is hard to control.  It requires tremendous concentration.  However, if we fail to tame the tongue it can kindle all kinds of fires.

George Slover

Consolation of Israel

Tuesday, March 14, 2017
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Luke 2:25)

The word “parakalesis” means comfort or encouragement.  Here the word is included in a title to describe the long-awaited Messiah, the comfort of Israel.

For forty days, a woman was considered unclean after the birth of a child.  Having completed the days of purification, Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to Jerusalem to dedicate him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice for Mary.

There was a man whose name was Simeon who received Jesus and his parents at the temple. The scripture states that he was waiting for the “consolation of Israel”. God promised he would not die until he saw the Messiah.

The Jews believed they were God's chosen people. They believed they were destined to be relieved of the oppression of other nations. They longed for their champion warrior to arrive from heaven and to lead them to world prominence.

However, there was a minority of Jews who may have viewed the mission of the Messiah differently.  Simeon may have been among the few. He knew by special communication from God that he would see the Messiah, and having witnessed the promised King, he was ready with joy to die.

The comfort that Jesus brought was far different from what the Jews sought. New Testament writers also speak of a consolation connected to Christ; of a comfort in times of affliction (2 Corinthians 1:5-7), of a consolation connected to God’s immutable counsel (Hebrews 6:17-20), of an everlasting consolation (2 Thessalonians 2:16).

In the same context, Simeon also summarizes the work of the Messiah (vs. 34). Christ would cause some to fall and some to rise. One thing for certain with Jesus man must make a decision. With Christ, there is no neutrality. Fortunately, those who choose Christ can be filled with satisfying joy and comfort.

By George Slover, Jr.
 

By George Slover    |    Visit www.smcofc.org or www.ibiblestudy.net

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Suffering to Glory

Tuesday, March 07, 2017

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” ( 2 Corinthians 4:17)

This passage reminds me of a sister in Christ I knew about 30 years ago. My frequent visits were used to cheer a grieving, pessimistic heart. I'm sure the dreaded disease Parkinson’s did not help her outlook. It was my hope that the words above would lighten the burden as they have for so many others. 

The affliction mentioned here specifically refers to those of Paul because of his work as an apostle. The suffering of Paul would appear to be anything but light. (Corinthians 11:24-28) The same is true of the suffering of so many Believers. Yet, Paul says they are “light”. How is that possible? They are "light" because, in comparison to eternity, they last only for a moment.

The author then says that such afflictions can produce beneficial results. To encourage his reader, Paul uses a strong expression: working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”. These trials not only lead to glory, but to an exceeding weight of glory. 

While we are still in this mortal body, these afflictions can also be used to mold character. Such adversity can be used to wean us from this the world. It can help us to purify our hearts and break the cycle of sin. It can help us to look to God for consolation and help us to think of heaven.

In this verse and other passages, the state of the righteous is described as "glory". Romans 2:7,10) The true glory of man is the condition in which God created him before he fell. (Romans 3:23) The believer awaits a marvelous and renewed condition in eternity. (1 John 3:2) 

While in the midst of sorrow and affliction, we must remember that with God, decay and death have no power over us. We can use those afflictions to mold our character and to hope and anticipate the final revelation of God's glory.

By George Slover 


 

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