Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
 
Since much of Solomon’'s writing is directed young men, the above passage seems appropriate.  It reminds me of words often spoken to that argumentative teenager who needs to hush and listen to the voice of wisdom.  Solomon says,  “God has authority here!  Hush and listen to God!”
 
But, does not the verse apply to all of us?  Do we not at times struggle with God?  Are there not times when we need to be put in our place and reminded that God is in heaven?  So, hush and listen to God!  Actually, this spirit of listening begins with the spirit of humility!
 
Like the teenager, we need to remember our place.  No matter how many accomplishments we have to our credit, God created this universe.  No matter how many war stories we can tell, God is stronger.  Since we cannot brag in His presence, we should learn to listen!
 
When one fully understands his position before God, he will be abundantly blessed.  True humility before God will lead to wisdom (Prov.11:2), guidance (Ps. 25:9), honor (Prov. 22:4), exaltation (Mt. 23:12), grace (Js. 4:6), and forgiveness (Lk. 18:9-14).
 
So, instead of compromising spiritually, recognize that God'’s way is superior in every phase of your life!  Yield to Him, and you will be richly blessed!
 
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

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24)
 
Although the above request was most likely in jest, it is nonetheless an interesting one.  How often does anyone really desire straight-talk?  In our day of soft diplomacy the desire for reality is rare.  Most of  our speech, especially in religious circles, is couched in diplomatic terms.   We call a "used car" a "pre-owned car", and we call "sin" something besides what it is - sin!
 
Politicians and celebrities try their best to cover up the blemishes.  They try to remove the warts, birthmarks, and wrinkles.  They try to cover up the lies and false promises.  Remember President Clinton’'s: "“It all depends upon what is is?”"  Vanity dies a hard death.
 
Perhaps that is why so many, however, are drawn to the message of the Bible.  There is no other book that tells it more like it is!  Jesus skipped the diplomacy for the sake of truth!  He called adultery, adultery and not an affair.  He called wine a mocker and homosexuality an abomination.  He condemned laziness and lying.  He made no excuses!
 
About the only time most  folks want plain talk is when they go to the doctor.  If it is a life threatening disease and causes much pain, they are ready for the cure no matter what!  Man’'s greatest threat is sin!  Jesus, the physician, will tell you what the problem is and offer a solution.
 
So, open your life to the scrutiny of God'’s word.  Acknowledge the transgression.  Make the commitment to do whatever God asks to remove it from your life.
 
By George Slover

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:"”  (Hebrews 10:35-36)
 
During my boyhood days we spent many hours on a lake enjoying the outdoors with boating, camping, swimming, and water skiing.  I remember my father patiently teaching someone how to water-ski.  The slack would come out of the rope and suddenly Dad’'s student would pop up on those skis only to quickly fall.  This process would be repeated a number of times until the novice was able to get his balance on those skis.  Finally, because of my father’'s patience and the student’'s perseverance, the mission was accomplished and the student was able to enjoy his ride.
 
Like water skiing, being successful as a Christian takes many hours of work and perseverance.  We are like the boxer who gets knocked down, but keeps getting up.  It involves doing God’'s will even when we don’t feel like it.  It is being satisfied with the rewards that don’'t come instantly, but in the next life.  It means not giving up our connection with other Christians.  It may be working and earning a paycheck even when we are not wild about the job.  It includes resolving conflicts with others, and accepting help from others to do the right thing.
 
The message is clear.  It is never God’'s will for us to run from a problem, but to press on so that we can go to the next level.  The message is clear:  Perseverance under pressure pleases God!
 
George Slover 

Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.” (Mark 3:4-5)
 
The occasion was the Sabbath, and on this particular Sabbath, Jesus had encountered a man with a withered hand.  Jesus commanded the man to stand in the midst of the crowd.  The critics began to question,  “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”  The response of Jesus to the critics is revealed in the verses above.
 
In this story Jesus displays an attitude of anger and grief.  Such grief is not directed toward those involved, but toward the sin itself.  Jesus was grieved by their hypocrisy and hardness of heart.  Instead of accepting the impetus behind the miracle (i.e. proof that He is the Son of God), their prejudiced minds found reason to criticize.  The very “blessing of God” was in their midst, but they turned the blessing into a curse!  Jesus was sick and tired of this heinous attitude!
 
Do you ever feel like Jesus?  Are you sick and tired of this world and its lawlessness?  Do you get tired of reading and hearing about violence and immorality?  Are you fed up with dishonest businessmen and politicians?  Have you had it with delinquent parents and torn marriages?   Are you weary of selfish brethren?  Does it grieve you to hear of another false doctrine?  Why does the world make life so difficult when the will of God is so simple and easy to accomplish?
 
If you have such feelings, then congratulations!  You may be in the elite remnant!  You could be God’'s child!  You share the same feelings as the Christ, the Son of God!
 
by George Slover