'And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.' But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? "Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.'" (Judges 2:2-3)   The text above reveals the failures of Israel to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan.  There are other passages that reveal the same. (Judges 1:21-34)  It was God’s will to completely destroy the Canaanites because of their false religions and gross immorality. (Dt. 7:1-5)  However, Israel failed and was soon found compromising with the inhabitants of the land. Judges 2:13,14 says, “They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.” (Judges 2:13-14) These immoral nations truly became a snare to Israel!   Just as Israel was to be a holy people (Dt.7:6), so are God’s people today to be sanctified.  Like Israel we live in a land in which our neighbors bow before false Gods.  Thus, it is tempting for us to compromise and make a covenant with the ungodly.   Such areas of compromise can have an ill affect upon our spiritual lives – “I’ve quit drinking, but I still go to the bar.”  or “I don’t dance, but I still go to the dance hall”. “I don’t smoke, but I still visit the tobacco shop every day.”  I don’t sleep with my girlfriend, but I spend the night in her apartment.”  “You, see I’ve change my life and I’m living clean morally, but I still hang around the crowd who is worldly”.  Such compromises will surely lead me back into the sins I’ve supposedly renounced!   See Judges 2:17 - Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.”   It is time for some of us to clean out the closet and crush those images of pleasure we have hidden away and come clean of the crowd that tempts us to compromise our faith!  God wants all of our heart!   By George Slover

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

This admonition reflects the very spirit of Jesus, the one who came to seek and save the lost.  The gentle care of Jesus is seen throughout his ministry.  Now Paul enjoins the “spiritual’ of the churches of Galatia to imitate this spirit.

The word “restore” (katartizein) literally means to mend the net.  William Barclay (New Testament Words) observes that in classical Greek it meant to adjust, put in order, or to restore.  It was used of setting a dislocated limb, or restoring a person to their rightful mind, or of fully equipping someone for a given purpose, or of mending torn clothes.

In this context the spiritual are instructed to mend the soul of one overtaken in sin.  They are instructed to help the fallen brother “put the pieces back together”. They are to help them get back on the right course, and to equip them with the tools necessary to win the next battle.  Here are some essentials that necessary to accomplish the task.

Be Truthful.  It is our goal to bring the fallen back to a right state of mind.  Jesus forthrightly instructed the woman taken (John 8:11) in adultery: “go and sin no more”. That one should sin and not be sorry for it would not be for their own good. Accountability, prayer, and strategies for avoiding another fall are tools that will definitely help.  Hopefully, the fallen will develop a desire to be delivered.

Be Available.  Assisting those overtaken in sin can be taxing, even after the sin is acknowledged.  Old habits are not easily broken.  Developing habits that are productive do not come easy.  We are instructed to “bear one another’s burden”. (Galatians 6:2)  As Christians we are to form a network through which we can assist each other against the temptations to sin. 

Be Approachable.  It would be easy for those who are spiritual to feel superior.  Paul says: “considering yourself lest you also be tempted”.  There is a delicate balance between acknowledging the sin and a reckless, harsh treatment of the sinner.  We must remember our goal is not to ostracize, but to heal.  Humility rather than humiliation will better insure our success.

By George Slover
 

Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord."  (Nehemiah 3:5)
 
The local church is made of volunteers for the Lord.  Its success depends upon a team of workers willing to sacrifice their time and resources for its cause.  It is true that the local church needs excellent leaders, but much of its success is determined by what happens at the grass root level.
 
During the days of Nehemiah the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem against incredible odds.  These walls had been burned and destroyed during the Babylonian captivity.  In the midst of their enemies, this wonderful group of volunteers had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6)  In 52 days they finished the project! (Nehemiah 6:15)
 
Nehemiah, being a great leader, delegated the work according to families, giving each family a section of the wall for them to repair.  Among the laborers were those who gladly accepted their assignment and those who were slackers.  The verse quoted above presents a discouraging picture.  There were some who considered themselves too good to do the work. 
 
However, in vs. 30 we find a very encouraging example.  The scripture says:  “After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.”(Nehemiah 3:30)  Meshullam is making repairs only in front of his dwelling.  It was all that was required of him.  Meshullam is doing the best that he can do!   Our best is all that God requires of us– nothing more.
 
Right now local churches are in need of volunteers.  God’s people are in need of a support group of truth-loving people – a shoulder on which to lean, someone to help us stay focused on godliness.  The world is full of those who are like sheep without a shepherd.  The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.  God calls for those who will use their talents to serve him and others.
 
So, where do you stand?  Are you among the ones too good to get involved?  Surely, you are among those who are willing to use your resources to the service of God.
 
By George Slover   
 

A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:2)
 
Just who is this man of whom Isaiah speaks?  It must be messianic for there is only one man who can fully provide all that is mentioned in this verse.  There was never but one man, Jesus Christ, who could be to all others what is predicated here.  Consider the wonderful qualities of Jesus here mentioned.
 
Jesus wants to be our hiding place from the wind and a cover from the tempest.  When the winds of affliction blow, we can hide in Jesus.  In times of natural grief, or when the enemy threatens, he offers to be our shelter.  He enlightens our mind, can change our spirit, and can be our confidant.  We can lean upon Him and trust in Him.  
 
Jesus wants to be our river of water in a dry place. A river gives refreshment.  It is a source of life in a desert land.  In the wilderness of life, any refreshment that we enjoy comes from Christ.  He is a "fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)  
 
Jesus wants to be our “shadow of a great rock in a weary land”.  This is an Eastern picture of shade.  The “weary land” is a picture of pilgrims passing through the scorching heat and blinding sun of life.  God’s people have a rock that follows them and provides shade at any time.  Its shadow of the cross offers forgiveness.  Its shadow of brethren provides sympathy.  Its shadow of hope provides comfort.  
 
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee!”
 
By George Slover



 

"And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." (Colossians 4:17)

Personal references in Paul’s letters are valuable in many ways.  They help us to form a vivid idea of the circumstances of the apostle’s work.  They remind us that our work as Christians is not about institutions, and theories, but about human beings in a relationship with God and others.  This passage contains a warning addressed to Archippus. 

Not much is known about this disciple.  We suppose that he is a member of Philemon’s household.  We know that he was given a work to accomplish in either Colosse or Laodicea.  The task given to this disciple is not specified.  Whatever his work, he is exhorted to complete it! 

In God’s kingdom everyone has a niche.  All are expected to bear fruit to God.  Everyone must do their share. (Ephesians 4:16)  God wants us to discover our ministry and to complete the work!

Have you known those who joyfully labor in God’s kingdom without complaint?  Just give them a task and they will gladly get the job done.  These faithful ministers vary in talent; however, they share a common commitment to the job at hand.

May I indulge you by listing just a few such ministers who have made an impact on my life?  There was Ruth Domestead, a Bible class teacher, who taught me how to find the books of the Bible.  There was another such teacher who made the journeys of Paul real by her enthusiastic description.  Bennie Enner gave me the courage to “make a talk” on a Wednesday night.  Eugene Sykes inspired me with his singing.

My grandfather taught me the value of daily Bible reading.  My father taught a group of boys how to lead singing.  My mom showed me the joy of hospitality.  My mother-in-law showed me how to appreciate God’s creation.  My step-father’s ministry was to welcome visitors at the church house door.

All of these individuals are deceased, but their works follow them.  I am thankful God brought them into my life.  I am also glad that each received their ministry and fulfilled it.

By George Slover