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 he 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 incited to greater diligence as ministers of the manifold grace of God.    

By George Slover                     
 

So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8) 

The rise of David's popularity in Israel, caused insane jealousy in King Saul. With these words ringing in his ears, “‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’” (1 Samuel 18:10), Saul zealously pursued the capture of David. Unlike Saul, David inquired of God in moments of distress. This time God's answer was: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

Having been delivered from the Philistine army, David’s army set out to return to Ziglag. Instead of being welcomed by their families, they found the city burned, and their families taken captive. David surely deemed the situation hopeless. He even senses a mutiny among his own troops.

However David's trust was not in man, but in God. With all hope lost, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God”.  Such faith is often exemplified in times of despair. Paul would later record: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)

Next, David sought counsel from Abiathar, the priest. David sought an answer from this trusted confidant and spokesman for God.  God delivered his counsel: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 

There are times in our own lives when we come to the spiritual valleys. Either the sin in our lives or circumstances beyond our control prompt a spiritual low. In such distress, we must find strength in God, and pursue, overtake, and recover.

God wants you to confront the nagging persistent sin in your life head-on.  He longs for you to mend the fences of broken relationships – with a neighbor, a brother, or your mate. He beseeches you to rise above the trials that weigh you down. God is saying “with my help you can do this”!  “Pursue, overtake, and recover.”        

By George Slover

 

when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (2 Timothy 2:5

The tone of Paul’s second letter to Timothy is urgent. Paul knows he is about to die. Timothy's charge at Ephesus will have its own challenges. Enemies of Christ will seek to unravel this young evangelist. Paul wants to remind Timothy of the tools that will aid him in standing fast.

A reminder of former victories can help us to survive the dark times. The lessons of faith of Timothy's childhood and past conquests would provide a strong foundation for future challenges. So, while the clouds of persecution and false teaching surround him, Paul calls upon Timothy to remember the past.

There is no greater need for the Christian during perilous times than a strong faith. Fortunately, Timothy's faith is already worthy of commendation. Timothy's faith is “unfeigned”, thus genuine or real. He has already proven himself to be true in the midst of conflict. He trusts in the risen Christ, thus he is willing to suffer any loss.

Timothy's faith first dwelt in his grandmother and mother. Here we see the advantage of children instructed by godly parents. The tremendous influence of godly mothers is witnessed in other leaders like Moses. (Hebrews 11:23-27)  Timothy had been taught the Scriptures from childhood. (2 Timothy 3:15)  Hopefully, those important lessons learned under the influence of Lois and Eunice will serve him well when his conviction wants to waver under the burdens.

Thus, in times of weakness when fatigue leads to burn out, perhaps we can draw upon the strength from the past. When the pain of persecution threatens us to compromise, let us remember our roots, and lean upon God's unchanging word.

By George Slover
 

And if your hand makes you sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched- 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched'."  (Mark 9:43,44)
 
In the above passage Jesus gives us a glimpse of the horrors of eternal punishment.  Our finite minds cannot fathom how horrible will be this place of unending, unquenchable fire, but to help us to understand its gravity he provides a figurative description.  
 
In his description of hell he uses the following unusual phrase -  "where their worm does not die".  What is the meaning of this phrase?    Historians tell us that these words allude to the Valley of Hinom just outside Jerusalem.  In Jesus' day this valley had become a garbage dump,a place of human waste, where maggots ate upon the dead carcasses.  But, here the description is of a place where the maggot never dies, but continually preys upon the carcass.  This is Jesus' way of helping us view the eternal agony of souls in hell.
 
In Erik Larson's book, Isaac's Storm, he relates the true story of Isaac Cline, a meteorologist who lived during the hurricane of 1900 that took thousands of lives.  Mr. Larson not only provides a vivid description of the storm, but of its aftermath.  He tells of survivors searching among the dead for loved ones, of row after row of the dead, and of the stench of decomposing bodies.  It is hard for me to imagine how horrible it must have been.  It is equally difficult for me to grasp the horrors of eternal hell.
 
But, Jesus wants us to see how awful it will be and lovingly instructs us as to how we can avoid it.  So my brother, heed his warning and live today for Jesus!
 
George Slover