Moment With The Master

Displaying 471 - 475 of 533

Page 1 2 3 … 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 … 105 106 107

The Living Word

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Peter 2:2)

How are God’s people to live in the world without living like the world? How are they to lead holy lives? (I Peter 1:15, 16) An important aspect of holy living is spiritual growth! Living the sanctified life comes in progressive stages that take one from childhood to maturity.

So, how is one going to mature as God wishes? Peter offers two keys to spiritual growth: 1) lay aside any sins that may hinder the process, and 2) desire the sincere milk of the word. It is the later that I want to focus on.

Peter tells us that the word of God is necessary for spiritual growth. God’s word, the spiritual seed, is the basis for holy living! By obeying this truth, souls have been purified, and they’ve been born into the kingdom of God. Christian growth depends upon the proper use of God’s word.

The word of God is food for the soul like milk is for infants. It can provide the spiritual nourishment essential to the process of maturing. It contains all of the necessary nutrients. God’s word is a source of spiritual life. It is an “incorruptible seed that lives and abides forever”. It has the power to create and sustain a relationship with God when planted in an honest heart.

Therefore, our spiritual growth depends upon our desire for God’s word. The imagery here is like a baby longing for nourishment. Like it or not, we must use our intellect to receive it and digest it. Like a baby crying for mother’s milk, we are to crave the milk of the word. This would include daily reading, meditation, and application.

Experiencing God’s word in our life is sweet to taste: if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:3) Peter does not imply doubt here, but supposes that they have tasted, and urges them on the ground of the first taste, to long for more.

God has not given us a hope that can never be realized. He also gives us his word which moves us to conversion and then, if we crave it, sets up shop within us and goes to work preparing us for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Giving it All to God

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." (Exodus 10:26)

During the time when God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, Moses made numerous requests of Pharaoh to allow Israel to go into the wilderness to worship God. Each of Pharaoh’s replies always included a compromise. After the ninth plague Pharaoh calls for Moses: "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you." (Exodus 10:24)

Moses’ reply was unambiguous: “the entire nation, with its flock and her herds will depart into the wilderness to worship Jehovah.” Moses was not inclined to restrain from God's wishes: "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. "Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. (Exodus 10:25-26)

Does it not seem strange that Pharaoh wants to counsel Moses? Which of these two truly has a grasp of God's will? Pharaoh tried several times to persuade Moses to compromise, but failed. Perhaps this last request, “leave your cattle behind”, was the craftiest, for it might seem more palatable to Moses. Pharaoh’s display of jealousy and rage is often how ungodly men react when the godly take a stand.

Moses wisely refuses Pharaoh’s counsel. Godly living cannot be guided by the compromises of the world. It is wise to suspect and carefully examine any advice given by men. It is never right to give up even what may seem to be the smallest of God's commandments.

God wants a full surrender of our heart and life to his will. Worldly pleasures, possessions, and friendships must be sacrificed for God’s cause. All we own – our possessions and our lives belong to him. For God it must be all or nothing!

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

The Word of Life

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—" (1 John 1:2)

The introduction to John’s first letter stirs the imagination. The potential and the possibilities of God living in the flesh and living among men thrills the soul. John, in simple language, sets before his readers this profound truth.

A key word in this context is “life”. (vs. 1,2) The focus of the letter and of John’s ministry is the “word of life”. (vs. 1) The gospel is personified. It is more than mere commands. It is about a person! That person is Jesus and he is God in the flesh! (John 1:14).

John says the “Word of Life” was from the beginning. God has no beginning and no end. He was before all creation; indeed he is the Creator of all things!
(John 1:3) The “Word of Life” existed intimately with the Father before time began. He is timeless in existence.

However, this “life was manifested” i.e. he entered the realm of time in human form. He moved from the realm of the invisible to the visible. The life was manifested through the earthly ministry of Jesus, and gloriously exhibited by his death and resurrection. It is difficult for the finite mind to conceive of such a thing! Yet, to entertain the possibilities engenders hope!

To add to the excitement John makes a bold claim. We saw him. We gazed upon him. We touched him! They beheld his glory (John 1:14), heard his voice, and witnessed his mighty works as he stilled the sea and raised the dead. They saw him die on a cross. They touched his body of flesh and bones after his resurrection. (Luke 24:39) It was more than a quick glance. It was a steadfast gaze in which John tried to fully discover this mystery. He is qualified to testify of this marvelous life.

John does not keep this marvelous story to himself. He makes a declaration so that others can enjoy the same fellowship and joy. No other relationship can compare with the communion of man with God. This fellowship involves enjoying the compassion, strength, and sympathy of a heavenly Father. It means God has forgiven the sinner! The contemplation of such possibility brings joy!

We owe a debt of gratitude to the apostles who took great pains and gave their lives to make their testimony known to the world that we might believe and have life in God.

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Imitators of God

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1,2)

At the end of chapter 4, we are urged to have the forgiving spirit of Christ. Now at the beginning of chapter 5, we are commanded to imitate the Father's love.

Just as a child tries to walk in the shoes of their human father, God's children are to be like the heavenly Father. But how is that possible? One can never attain to the remarkable wisdom and power of God! While this is true, we are still expected to emulate the purity, forbearance, and forgiving spirit of God.

The operative word is love, which Paul says is the fulfillment of the law. (Galatians 5:14) This love promotes the proper motive in every human relationship. It is best manifested in deeds, not just words. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

God provided us with a picture of such love. We are instructed to walk in love as Christ has loved us. Here is one who offered himself for us. There is no better example than Jesus! “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Such love is manifested in God’s children through unselfish deeds. This means that every action toward others is motivated by a genuine care for their souls. It calls for one to have an approachable, caring spirit, and to sacrifice one's life as an offering for the well-being of others.

God received the sacrifice of Christ as a sweet smelling aroma. This means his sacrifice was well pleasing to God. When one generously offers their life to the Lord’s cause, they too offer a sweet smelling sacrifice to God. (Philippians 4:18)

We are to be filled with Divine thoughts and warmed by Divine love. The more one appreciates God's love toward them, the more surely one would desire to capture the loving spirit of the Father.

By George Slover

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

Posted in Moment With The Master

Christ, the Life

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Jesus said to him, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

The above statement was prompted by Thomas’ inquiry: “how can we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) Christ is not just the way or the truth, but he is the life.

This amazing concept of life is visualized in pictures in Scripture. Something very miraculous happens when a child is born and the creator gives life to that new human being. Jesus uses that same picture to describe how one is spiritually born into the family of God. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Paul also illustrates this life giving principle: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Contrary to a popular biological theory, science proves that life always comes from life. This scientific fact is called biogenesis. The Hebrew writer states: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” (Hebrews 1:1,2) The seasons come and go. The spring sunshine warms the earth from the chill of winter. The fall breeze returns to cool the earth from the scorching heat of summer. Man depends upon this marvelous order for his very sustenance. It is Jesus, the creator who makes these things happen.

This same Jesus offers more than just the provisions of a physical world. Man was made in the image of God. He has a greater need than just these physical needs. Man needs spiritual direction, spiritual purpose, and a means of spiritual reconciliation with God. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.(John10:10)

Before long, man's purpose on earth is fulfilled, the body returns to the dust, but the spirit of man continues. Jesus the giver of life carries the believer to the Father. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  (John 11:25)

What a marvelous thought that Christ the creator and sustainer of the physical world also offers spiritual life for those who are spiritually dead! How precious is this Savior! Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.  (Romans 13:11)

By George Slover

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

view email in browser | Unsubscribe george_slover@yahoo.com | Update your profile | Forward to a friend

Posted in Moment With The Master

Displaying 471 - 475 of 533

Page 1 2 3 … 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 … 105 106 107