"Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. (Ezekiel 14:22)

Imagine looking in the “help wanted” section of your local newspaper and finding an opening that read: “needed, a watchman sent to the exiles of Judah.”  In this job description you are told that your audience will be a stubborn people who will refuse to apply the message.  Your mission will include predictions of a heathen nation that will totally destroy their cities and homes.  Many of them would be exiled to a faraway land.  Would you take the job?

These prophecies of doom would have been discouraging.  Ezekiel must have contemplated the futility of preaching to those who would not listen.  The faithful ones would have been frightened with the prospect of losing their homes and shrines of religious tradition.  Therefore, God gave them a glimpse of the future to incite comfort.

There is consolation in knowing God is just.  The Judge of all the earth will do right. (Genesis 18:25)  God has a righteous object in all of his actions.  A God-fearing remnant would be spared, and the wicked would be ultimately punished.

There is consolation in knowing that God is merciful.  The ultimate effect of the coming judgment would be to purge Israel of evil.  A child cannot always see the end results of the discipline of his parents, but hopefully one day they will look back with appreciation for the good character they have developed.  The disciplines of God are designed to make us into a special people!

If God’s ways seem hidden, wait patiently for one day you will see it has all been good.

by George Slover

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22)

Just before his death, Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem.  His purpose was to expose its religious leaders, and to warn Jerusalem of impending judgment.  A fruitless fig tree represented the pitiful condition of Judiasm.  Miraculously, Jesus cursed the tree and used it to teach the apostles an important lesson about faith and prayer.

The focus of effective prayer is God.  There can be no prayer without faith in a personal God.  The atheist cannot pray.  He has no god to pray to.  The infinite “it”, the god of the pantheist, is unsusceptible to prayer.  The god of the deist is so far removed he does not care.  The Christian can pray believing in a personal God who intelligently listens to his petitions.  He prays to a God who is able to keep His pledge to do whatever He wishes.  

The Apostles were still weak in faith.  Thus, the Lord’s lesson: “have faith in God”; “do not doubt”.  Doubt destroys the strength of prayer, but with faith “all things are possible”.  Absolute trust in the power and good will of God is a prerequisite to effectual prayer.

Effective prayer must also be backed by an active faith.  This faith is reflected in the life of the petitioner.  He must not ask with improper motives (Js. 4:3) He must strive to live according to God’s will.  When you pray what is your real motive?  Is it for personal gain or comfort or that God is glorified?  It is the prayer of a righteous man that avails much.

Prayer that includes these elements can move a mountain.  Remember the Lord’s promises before you pray.  Trust in them and pray with perseverance.  Your challenges may seem like a deep rooted mountain.  Pray in faith, believing in God’s power and love.  With God “all things are possible”.

By George Slover

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus". (Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV)

As an Apostle and servant of Christ, Paul also served as a model for evangelism.  Paul was a suffering saint and prisoner of the Lord.  All of his strivings were motivated by man’s greatest cause – the cause of Christ.  In his life’s work, Paul can be a model for us. 

The subject of his preaching is Christ.  Paul says: “we proclaim Him”!  His message did not consist of vain philosophy or religious tradition (Colossians 2:8).  Thus, our mission is to uphold Christ – to proclaim his death, burial, and resurrection, to draw portraits of His life, to herald His grace, and to clearly spell out His demands.

The scope of his preaching is all mankind.  Paul says, “We admonish every man”.  C.S. Lewis stated: “There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, marry, snub, and exploit- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”  What a sobering thought.  No one is safe without Jesus!  All men are accountable to God.  Thus, our mission is to generously scatter the seed.

The method of Paul’s preaching is practical instruction – “warning and teaching”.  The goal must be to convict the sinner of his guilt (Romans 3:23), and encourage them by the offers of the gospel.  The terms of pardon are "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Acts 20:21) This also includes submission to God in baptism.  (Acts 2:28)

The goal of gospel preaching is to “present every man perfect in Christ”.  The work of the preacher is to mold lives and develop character.  Redeeming the sinner of guilt and saving the eternal soul are important, but the work is not finished with conversion.  It only begins there.  In fact the eternal goals will not be realized unless one grows on toward perfection in Christ.

It was to this work Paul devoted all of his energy.  It is to this same ministry Christians are also called.  There is not a more important endeavor.

By George Slover 


 

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts.”  (Colossians 4:7,8)

Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians by noting the one who will deliver the letter to them. Just as was his custom, he also includes greetings to various friends and helpers.

These personal references help to authenticate the genuineness and authority of the letter. At the same time we also learn of the characteristics and the special relationships Paul sustained with those who serve the Lord with him.

Tychicus first appears in Acts 20:4. He was of the province of Asia, of which Ephesus was capital. He apparently accompanied Paul on his voyage to Jerusalem in A.D. 58. He is most of all noted as a “beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord”.

A disciple’s primary strength and consolation comes through Christ. Being attached to him provides energy to persevere in our walk with God. However, an important avenue through which Christ provides such energy is through the fellowship of other disciples.

To accomplish his purpose, God calls each disciple to find their niche in ministry. Men and women from various walks of life and social rank are united by common calling to serve each other. With this in mind each disciple must recognize their individual talent. With loyalty and humility they must zealously work for the mutual edification of their fellows.

Tychicus was what every disciple should be - a blessing by reason of his fidelity and servant’s heart.  The world is full of those who need the consolation of Christ. Dear reader where do you stand?     

By George Slover       

At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. (Numbers 9:18)
 
According to God’s providence, Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt.  Moses, their fearless leader, was leading them toward the Promised Land.  An assurance of God’s presence was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that appeared above the tabernacle.  When the cloud lifted each tribe, according to God’s orders, would set out to march.  When the cloud rested they would make camp according to God’s instruction.  The journey of Israel is a parable of the life of the Christian as he travels from the bondage of sin, through this world, toward the heavenly home.
 
First, observe that it was God who clearly determined their route.   At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp.  The mapping out of our lives is God’s job and not ours.  This may require abandoning the plans we have made, or the plans friends and relatives have made for our lives.  We must yield to God!
 
Second, note the path is clearly marked.  God gave Israel a clear, visible sign of his intentions.  Today, God provides a simple pattern to follow that is revealed in the New Testament.  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:2-3).  He left us a blueprint for our daily lives, and gave the local church a pattern to follow in our collective work.  Like Israel, we must respect and follow our Lord’s marching orders.
 
Third, when Israel failed to follow their guide the result (Numbers 14:44, 45) was disastrous. We must never presume to follow our notions rather than the Lord’s commands.  Our greatest need is redemption from sin.  This salvation is only possible by the work of Jesus.  However, Jesus will present us blameless before God only if we continue in the faith.  (Colossians 1:22,23) God will approve of no life unless it is ordered by the gospel.  
 
Is not our life like a journey across a wilderness with the Promised Land as our goal?  Along the way do not forget to give glory to God, acknowledge his ruling hand, and commit your way to Him for the time to come.
 
By George Slover