Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)
 
On February 19, 1945 more than 70,000 American Marines from 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Divisions landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima.  Awaiting them were 22,000 Japanese soldiers ready to die.  Among the Americans were the boys of Easy Company.  Six of those soldiers would leave an image on the pages of history that has become a symbol of American heroism and courage.
 
The picture of the famous raising of the American flag on top of Mt. Suribachi has appeared hundreds of times in magazines, newspapers, and history books.  However, the story behind the picture had an interesting twist and an important lesson.  The flag that was in Joe Rosenthal’s famous picture was nothing more than a replacement.  The original flag was removed and preserved for safekeeping and these six soldiers raised a second flag.  Furthermore, their climb to the top of Mt.  Suribachi was without resistance from the enemy.   When the picture was first printed in newspapers in America it was embellished with fanciful stories of how they reached the top of Mt Suribachi in the midst of a fiery battle.  Such was far from the truth.  While all six soldiers were indeed heroes as were all the men who fought in the war, the raising of that flag on Suirbachi was nothing out of the ordinary. The three soldiers who returned home deemed themselves ordinary men with a job to do.
 
In the scripture above Paul, the great soldier of the cross, views himself in the same way.  He was an ordinary man with a job to do.   “Who is Paul…but ministers by whom you believed?”  Paul said, we had a mission and we fulfilled it, but it is God who gives the increase and deserves the honor!   We too must remember our humble task.  We are just ministers, just servants.  Our mission is to hide behind the cross.  It is to teach Christ crucified and give the glory to God!
 
By George Slover
 

You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18)

We are very familiar with the Bible phrase: “love you neighbor as yourself”.  It is repeated many times in Old and New Testaments.  It is called the “royal law” (James 2:8), and the fulfillment of the law. (Galatians 5:14)  But, consider its setting in the above text.

First, there are times when love involves correction.  In fact there are times when a failure to correct may be a failure to love.  You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.  By withholding such rebuke I may become a partaker with my neighbor in sin.  Instead of nursing resentment, I must try to win my brother back to the path of truth.  (Galatians 6:1)  Such correction is a manifestation of love.  (Galatians 6:1,2; James 5:19,20)

Second, there are times when forbearance is needed.  When my correction is motivated by jealousy, malice, or revenge, it becomes unloving as well.  These may be signs of hatred in my heart.  Thus, with correction I must check my motives lest I incite bitterness.  I must be careful to correct the wrong and not some peculiar personality trait that “gets under my skin”.  Patience must be exercised to allow the one being restored to sort through his thoughts and make the necessary changes.

If I will remember the love and patience God has for me, I will rise to the noble height where love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

By George Slover

And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” (Daniel 5:23)

It is amazing how often history repeats itself. We humans are stubborn and have a hard time learning from the past. Surely someone had told Belshazzar of the demise of the Nebuchadnezzar, his predecessor. (Daniel 4:28-33) Surely stories had circulated about the deliverance of three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:26.,27) 

For nearly 70 years the Babylonians had witnessed the impact of Daniel, this godly Hebrew. When troublesome times came, who did they turn to? None of the Chaldean soothsayers or astrologers had the answer. But Daniel, with with the Spirit of God was able to provide answers.

 Belshazzar, the Babylonian ruler called for a great feast of wine and revelry. They defied the god of Daniel by taking the articles of the house of God and praising the idols of men. Suddenly their party was rattled by words that appeared on the wall: “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. Mene:God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; Tekel:You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres:Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26,27) Belshazzar had failed to use his life to glorify the very God who had given him a breath.

It is the duty of every human to glorify God, regardless of social, or economic status. Even the most powerful rulers cannot escape this responsibility. This obligation primarily stems from man's complete dependence on his Creator and Provider.

Those who fail in this matter are regarded as rebels. When one fails, he defiles his maker by fashioning his own god and worshiping it. This is the unfortunate dilemma of every human who is accountable to God. (Romans 3:23)

Belshazzar was not an exception. God made him ruler over the Babylonian empire. Like all humans, he was accountable to the one who made him and blessed him. He was tried and found wanting. One day all of mankind will face God in a final judgment. Sadly, many will follow the path of this Babylonian ruler. Where will you be on that day?

Belshazzar lost his kingdom in one night. Sadly, he will be among those on the final day who will be sentenced to eternal destruction. What would God say about your life? Are you using it to God's glory?

By George Slover

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”  (Hebrews 12:12,13)

Prior to these verses the author compares the disciples life to a race. The life of a Christian is a test of endurance. Jesus (vs. 2,3) is our example of endurance and patience. Like the Lord, his disciples can anticipate those who resist their their goal to finish the race. God allows these disciplines to sharpen the character of his people. (see vs 3 through 11)

The word "therefore" (vs. 12) connects our verses to these previous thoughts. The “hands that hang down” and the “feeble knees” refer to those who are weary of healthy action. Though their hearts are sincere, they were still suffering from lameness. In context with this letter, these weary souls may be those who were wavering between Christianity and Judaism. They were in danger of completely falling out of the race.

Because of this condition, he exhorts the disciples to “strengthen the hands that hang down and the feeble knees.” This may be accomplished by trusting in prayer to God (James 5:16), recalling God's former mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3,4), and contemplating the prize God offers at the end of the race. (Philippians 3:13,14)

The author then adds “make straight paths for your feet”. (vs. 13) It is so easy for the feeble to veer off course. Isaiah speaks of a highway of holiness for the people of God to follow. (Isaiah 35:8)  The Bible tells us there is only one right way to serve God. To go any other way leads to destruction. (Proverbs 14:12)

It seems the author is urging his audience to personal, self-recovery. So many worldly hindrances may weaken us in our walk with God. Let us take heart, find strength in God, focus on the path, and persevere to the finish line.

By George Slover

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35:5,6)

The marvelous imagery presented here not only represents a time of national joy, but also foreshadows the healing and grace of the Messiah. The reader must also recognize the marvelous work of Christ, as Isaiah vividly depicts the transforming influence of the gospel of Christ. 

John, the Baptist had heard from prison about the activity of Jesus and inquired, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”  (Matthew 11:2)  On this occasion Jesus claimed to be the fulfillment of this prophecy. “Jesus answered and said to them, “ Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  (Matthew 11:4,5)

The work of Christ is depicted here in marvelous pictures. During his earthly ministry he was moved with compassion toward the lame and the blind. His healing work and marvelous signs not only prove his claim to be God’s Son, but was a glimpse of his great work of healing and saving souls.

Christ also has power over sin, which is man's greatest ailment. The power of Christ is able to make those who are crippled and blind by worldly ambitions, and transform them into fruit bearing souls for God.

The overall tone of these thoughts are within the context of a hymn of joy. “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing.” (Isaiah 35:1,2)  The accomplishments of Christ is like a refreshing stream in a wasteland that is full of heartache, disappointment, pain, and guilt. The friendship of Christ is a source of joy and peace – like streams in the desert.

Recognizing these words as messianic in scope, they describe the transforming effect of Christ on those who receive him. When the gospel of Christ is allowed to work in the lives of men, it's effect is wonderful.

By George Slover