Understanding The Book of Revelation Part10

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And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. --Hebrews 11:6 More often than not, I think we all have tendency to make things in life more complicated than they really are. And this includes knowing God’s will. Because knowing God’s will isn’t a formula you have to figure out… nor is it a mystery that He’s trying to keep you from solving. Knowing God’s will in your life stems from your relationship with Him, your obedience to Him, your willingness to follow Him, and your faith to trust Him. Today, let’s break each of those down one by one. First of all, think about the relationship principle. When you’re connected to Jesus Christ… when His Spirit is living in you… you discover His will for your life as you walk with Him each day. You see the path He has for you when you take the time to read the Scriptures… when you speak with Him regularly through prayer… and when you intentionally listen for the still, small voice that says, “This is the way, walk in it.” Because when Christ rules your life, He will lead you! Then, think about the obedience principle. Many people aren’t happy to hear it, but God won’t take you one step further than the measure of your obedience to Him. For some of us that means getting back in the center of God’s will as we know it, and then letting God lead us the rest of the way! Third, there’s the willingness principle. So much of knowing and doing the will of God is just being willing to say, “Lord, I’m available. Lord, I’m accessible. Lord, I am willing.”Now, you may say, “Well, I’m not there yet.” But are you willing to be willing? Last, there’s the faith principle. I’ve discovered in my own life the will of God requires faith.  As today’s verse says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” And Christian, God will do amazing things in your life if you are willing to act in faith and trust in Him! Knowing God’s will isn’t a formula you have to figure out… nor is it a mystery that He’s trying to keep you from solving. Patience in Hard Times by Dr. Paul Chappell “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:16–19 One of the most important traits of the Christian life is patience. We live in a “hurry up” world. It takes too long to cook a meal, so we have microwaves. It takes too long to go to the bank, so we make deposits with our phones. It takes too long to develop a skill, so we have apps to help us along. Yet nothing of lasting value can ever be accomplished unless we are willing to invest the time, diligence, and effort to achieve it—and the lack of patience is one of the greatest enemies of doing things that matter. Patience is most put to the test when we encounter difficulties and tests that seem to have no end. That is when we have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate our faith in action, as we faithfully work and wait to see what God will do. George Matheson said: “To run with patience is a very difficult thing. Running is apt to suggest the absence of patience, the eagerness to reach the goal. We commonly associate patience with lying down. There is a patience which I believe to be harder—the patience that can run. To lie down in the time of grief, to be quiet under the stroke of adverse fortune, implies a great strength; but I know of something that implies a strength greater still: It is the power to work under a stroke; to have a great weight at your heart and still to run; to have a deep anguish in your spirit and still perform the daily task. It is a Christ-like thing!” Today’s Growth Principle:  Be willing to patiently wait on God, even when you do not understand what He is doing.

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“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”   Matthew 5:14 I think you’d agree with me when I say that our way of life is under unbelievable attack today.  One of the biggest reasons for this is that the Western world is becoming increasingly secular and humanistic. And as we watch the news and see so much turmoil and unrest in the streets of some of the largest cities around the globe, we see firsthand the cold hard truth that life apart from God will always devolve into chaos. The problem is that too many Christians today are playing it safe. They’re standing in the shadows and keeping their mouths shut rather than courageously standing for Christ. And of all times, of all places, of all people, now is the time for men and women of faith to stand boldly. I truly believe that our world today is not beyond hope. But as a believer in Christ, you must firmly declare that any real hope is only found in Jesus Christ. You must get past the world’s way of thinking that to claim truth is “narrow-minded” or “intolerant.” If you had a magic pill that could cure any disease, would you bury it in your backyard? Jesus is the only answer for the world’s ills. So stand firmly for Jesus and allow His light to shine through you and give hope to a world searching for hope! While the world spins in chaos, remember that the only hope is Jesus and allow His light to shine through you!

A Settled Heart

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
Luke 21:14–15
The great issues of life are all determined in the heart. When our hearts are right, our outward attitude and conduct will be as well. When our hearts are wrong, it will come through. Jesus warned His disciples of the need to have their hearts settled before the days of trouble came. Many times we fail to pass a test or resist a temptation because we have not previously settled our hearts regarding a matter. The time to choose to do right is before the challenge comes, not when we are facing it.
Daniel was ripped away from his home and family as a young boy and taken hundreds of miles away from home. He was placed into a carefully designed program meant to take his devotion away from his nation and his God and turn him into a loyal subject of the Babylonian Empire. They changed his name, his clothing, his schooling, and even tried to change his diet. Their program had a great success rate, but it did not work on him, because Daniel’s heart was settled. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).
When we are put to the test, what we love most is revealed. Most of the other Hebrew young men who were taken to Babylon apparently went along with the program of their captors, but Daniel and three of his friends did not. They loved the God of their fathers more than they loved comfort or success or even life itself.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If your heart is fixed on God, nothing will be able to deter you from following Him faithfully.

The Wrath of God

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Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!   --Psalm 139:23-24 As believers in Christ, you and I need to deal diligently with our character… which involves having a proper attitude about sin. So what should that attitude be? For one, as believers we should be sensitive toward the sin in our lives. It’s like getting something in your eye and not resting until you get it out! You should be so sensitive to the sin in your life that you can’t rest until you get it out. Now, believe me, I’ve heard all kinds of excuses over the years from people as to why they let sin remain in their lives. And some people do take some steps to remove the sin from their lives. But I want to ask you today, are you doing everything you can to remove sin from your life? Are you using every resource God makes available to you in order to kill sin and grow in Christ-likeness? Maybe it means disconnecting the internet at home. Maybe it means getting rid of your cable television. Maybe it even means admitting your sin to a close circle of fellow believers you trust so they can help hold you accountable. I don’t know what it specifically means for you, but I do know this: You and I are crazy if we don’t take advantage of any chance to eliminate anything that pulls us away from Christ! Today, to help you become more sensitive to the sin in your life, I encourage you to take some time to think and pray through today’s verses. May God bless you as you strive to become more like Him today! As a believer in Christ, you should be sensitive toward the sin in your life. An Opportunity to Witness by Dr. Paul Chappell “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” Luke 21:12–13 When Mary came to the throne of England in 1553, her greatest desire was to see the nation returned to her Catholic faith. She launched a wave of persecution against those who would not profess allegiance to Rome. Hundreds were killed, leaving her with the name “Bloody Mary.” Two of the victims martyred by Queen Mary were Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer. Both had preached fearlessly under the reign of Henry, but Mary regarded them as heretics. After a brief show trial, they were condemned to be burned at the stake. As the watching crowd stood by, the two men went to their fate. The executioners used green wood which would burn slowly to prolong the suffering of the condemned men. As he waited for death Latimer called out, “Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.” None of us enjoy enduring hardship or suffering, but God regards these tests as both necessary and valuable: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7). In addition to strengthening our character, trials present us with an opportunity to show to all around us that faith is real. Our faith is not just meant for the church and home, but for the hospital, the unemployment line, and the cemetery. Whatever hardships we may face, even the threat of persecution and death, let us be found faithful. Today’s Growth Principle:  Every difficult circumstance of life is an opportunity to demonstrate that our faith is real. The Wrath of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LN4wKqbktU

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part9

I Quote =)

I care because I love

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Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” --John 4:16-18 Being intolerant of sin is one of the most practical ways to really love someone… as Jesus shows us many times in the Scripture. Now, does that mean that we should be intolerant of sinners? Absolutely not! Christ frequently interacted with the worst “sinners” of His day. But He didn’t just interact with those who were caught in the grip of sin. He loved them enough to tell them that they were heading down a dead-end road. But we live in a culture where anyone who stands for truth is seen as intolerant. People are expected to be tolerant of everything and everyone except those who are willing to stand for what is right! The fact is, what this world needs… what the church needs… and what your sphere of influence needs is a Christian who will say, “You know, I’m going to take a stand for the truth of God’s Word. I’m going to buck the system of this world and in love, I’m going to call right, right and I’m going to call wrong, wrong.” You know, it doesn’t take a thousand people to start a revival. It only takes a few! It only takes a few who will be willing to be used by God to start that fire. So let me ask you… are you willing to be used by God? Are you willing to take a stand for what’s right… even if it comes at great personal cost to you? God is looking for a few good men and women… a remnant… who are willing to pay the price for Him. It’s my prayer that you will be one of those brave men or women who takes a stand for God’s truth in the face of our godless culture! Being intolerant of sin is one of the most practical ways to really love someone. Fearless Living in Fearful Times by Dr. Paul Chappell “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” Luke 21:9–11 The message of Jesus to His disciples (and to us) regarding the future was not that everything was going to be fine and that there would be no problems to worry about. Instead He said that there would be wars, natural disasters, and all kinds of trouble. Yet despite that grim prospect, He commanded them not to be gripped by fear. Many times we view fear as caused by our circumstances; but in truth, fear is found in our heart, not in what we see around us. Peter learned this lesson well. When Herod began to persecute the church to stop the spread of the new religion, he first killed James, and then he arrested Peter, intending to kill him as well. The church stayed up all night praying the night before Peter was to be executed. But as for Peter, he went to sleep! In fact he was sleeping so soundly that when the angel came to rescue him, he had to give Peter a good whack to wake him up. “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands” (Acts 12:7). Our confidence and lack of fear is not found in the knowledge that nothing will ever go wrong, but in the faith that God is in control. Whether He delivers us by a miracle or welcomes us to Heaven, He makes no mistakes. Today’s Growth Principle:  Life is filled with difficulty and trouble, but our circumstances can never cause us to fear unless we allow it.

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part8

I Quote =)

If I don’t care,

who cares?

Happy =)

Guarding against Deception

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”
Luke 21:7–8
In December of 1985, thousands of people living in and around Washington DC received exciting news in the mail from a company called Flagship International Sports Television. They were told that they had been selected to receive free tickets to the upcoming Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals football game. All they had to do was show up at the Washington Convention Center where after a free brunch they would not only receive their tickets but also be entered into a drawing for free tickets to that year’s Super Bowl as well. Roughly one hundred people responded to the offer, but when they arrived at the convention center they were arrested by U.S. Marshals and Washington D.C. police officers. The notices had been sent to criminals with outstanding warrants whom the police had been unable to find.
Satan has been using deception against God’s children and lost people alike ever since the Garden of Eden. He does it because it works. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). He presents offers that look tempting on the surface but conceal death and destruction within. As Dr. John R. Rice used to say, “All Satan’s apples have worms.” God gives us the duty and responsibility to be alert to what is going on around us so that we are not deceived and led into sin.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

God wants His children to be wise and discerning so that they are not ensnared by deception.

Cooperate with God's Plan

by Joyce Meyer - posted September 25, 2016

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
- Jeremiah 29:11
God has a plan for every person and His Word clearly says it is a good plan. But Satan starts his dirty work early in your life, attempting to pervert and destroy God’s good plan. He arranges for all kinds of disappointing, discouraging, hurtful, and frightening events to take place. And often he does a lot of damage.
But no matter how much you have been hurt, God can restore you. If you experienced a bad beginning, do not despair. God is in the business of repair, and His repairs are better than new. However, this restoration will not happen automatically. You must believe the Word of God and fully cooperate with Him during the restoration process. Look to Jesus, the One who loves you unconditionally. He is the Author and Finisher of everything in you and your life.

Quote of the day =)

Healthtips =)

Love thy Word =)

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part7

The Seven Seals

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The End Result of Disobedience

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Luke 21:5–6
Charles Spurgeon told of a man who came to him and said that he had been a Christian for forty years, but had never been baptized. Spurgeon said, “I felt grieved that he had so long been disobedient to a known duty, and I proposed to him that he should be baptized at once. It was in a village, and he said that there were no conveniences. I offered to go with him to the brook, and baptize him, but he said, ‘No; he that believeth shall not make haste.’ Here was one who had willfully disobeyed his Lord, for as many years as the Israelites in the wilderness, upon a matter so easy of performance; and yet, after confessing his fault he was not willing to amend it, but perverted a passage of Scripture to excuse him in further delay.”
When we do what God says, we receive the reward of obedience. When we choose instead to go our own way, we receive the penalty of disobedience. In almost every case the problem is not one of knowledge, but of will. It is usually not that we do not know what we should do, but that for one reason or another we do not want to do what God says. Instead we choose to go our own way. Both the Bible and history are filled with examples of the tragic results of persistent disobedience to God. It always leads to destruction. God is not impressed with our rationalizations and excuses for failing to do what He says. He does not grade on a curve. Nothing less than full and complete obedience is what He deserves and what He demands.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

God’s law cannot be flouted and disobeyed without serious consequences.

The Seven Seals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv5SrJHP4HI

Don’t Settle Now Because It Will Matter Someday

September 22, 2016 By Joy T Mendoza 6 Comments

After declaring to a group of friends that I hardly get sick, I was hit with a strange virus that left me physically weak and mentally impaired. It was two days of fever where my body crashed and I had no will to rise from my bed except to relieve myself in the bathroom. It was followed by a stomach bug that gave me abdominal pain and diarrhea. And then my entire body was peppered by a rash that turned itchy on the 6th day. The itching kept me up for two nights.
So for 7 days I found myself perpetually exhausted, sneaking in naps throughout the day to regain my strength. I still do not know what I got which was passed on to two of my kids and one of our household helps. But it was a week of forced stillness for me.
When you can’t do much but lie in bed it certainly makes you think about your life. Because I had to slow down and literally do nothing, it nearly drove me crazy with boredom. I couldn’t even think straight. It hurt my eyes and my head to do brain work. So there I was, bed-ridden like I haven’t been in years.
The good news in all of this was how Edric came to my rescue. He came home early from work during my sickness to be by my side. He had food brought to the room to encourage me to eat. And then he relieved me of certain responsibilities to alleviate my stress. Although he had many commitments this past week, he never complained or made me feel like an inconvenience for being sick.
As much as I hated being helpless and dependent while I recovered from my viral attack, I enjoyed his affections. In an age when the independent and self-reliant woman is celebrated, I am not going to pretend that I don’t like being rescued by my man. I love it!!! In fact it matters to me more today than it did in our dating stage. 
It matters more now because Edric has had years of repeated exposure to all my flaws and imperfections. Sometimes you wonder if this sort of reality will have a radioactive effect on your relationship. You wonder if your husband is going to grow tired of you or if his affections will dissipate because he’s seen all the ugliness. 
And yet, Edric remains committed to my well-being. Last night, he even facilitated a discussion with our household help on my behalf. (This isn’t something that normally falls under the list of things he likes to do.)
One of our helps is leaving us to go back home to her province so he assembled all of them for closure. Everyone got to air their concerns and voice out their problems with one another. In the meantime, I was upstairs resting, unaware that this meeting was transpiring.
As he replayed the conversation with our household help to me, he emphasized, “I told the girls to ‘take care of you because I love you very very much.'” He even had tears in his eyes as he said this. He’s a masculine guy but when it comes to declarations of love, he can actually get sappy. 
I am not awesome or interesting enough to captivate Edric’s affections forever. However, he remains committed to me just like he promised on our wedding day. Have there been occasions when he hasn’t felt loving feelings towards me? Yes, of course. Yet somehow this commitment to love me has been like a gravitational force that keeps him from falling out of orbit. At the core of this love is no doubt his love for the Lord. Like I said, it’s not me that keeps his love.
The longer I am married and the more couples Edric and I encounter through counseling and our social circles, the more I appreciate the gift of having a husband who has kept his promise to me, to the Lord. For richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, till death do us part… 
I knew Edric was a wonderful man when I married him. But he’s version 15.0 now, fifteen years later, and still upgrading every year. 
Young ladies ask me about their relationships with guys via Facebook or through email, and I tell them, “Don’t settle.” Don’t settle for a guy who doesn’t love the Lord with all his heart. From this side of the fence, that’s what counts. 
This sincere love for God has got to be hard wired into a man’s person for him to be a good husband. It’s the one aspect of his person that will determine his motivation to improve and change for the better, and to keep his promise to you. I wish all women would get this and realize how significant a truth it is. 
Furthermore, you will know if a guy really loves God by the way he thinks and acts, by his habits and the people he surrounds himself with, the way he uses his time, treasure, and talents, his dreams and ambitions, and by the fruit of his life. There are many “posers” out there who can put on a show of godliness just to win the heart of a woman so be discerning, ladies. A man who loves God is worth saving your heart for! In the meantime, be the kind of woman a godly man will look for…
To all of us… “May the Lord direct your (our) hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:5‬

Love me or hate me, but this is meg =)

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part6

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Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.   --Ephesians 3:20-21 Jesus is in the business of opening doors for faithful Christians. Even in the most impossible of circumstances. Today, you may feel how the Israelites felt when they were trapped against the Red Sea… with the Egyptian army behind them, and the mountains on either side of them. Talk about an impossible situation! But what did God do? With a brush of His hand, He parted the waters and paved a highway right through the Red Sea… allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh’s army. He opened a door for them… and God can do the same thing for you! “But wait, Pastor,” you say, “You don’t know how far in debt I am.” Or, “You don’t know how badly I’ve messed up my marriage.” And you know what? I don’t know. But what I do know is that the size of your God will determine the size of the way He blesses and delivers you from whatever Red Sea you may be facing today. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Do you really believe this? Maybe you’ve been waiting for God to part the waters in your life for a while now… and you’re starting to lose patience. If so, stay faithful. Keep your eyes on Christ. As I’ve said before, if you’re a child of God, He’s got His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He won’t let you give you more than you can bear! It’s my prayer that whatever your situation, no matter what you may be facing today, you will faithfully look to God and trust Him to open that door for you! Jesus is in the business of opening doors for faithful Christians. A Small Gift with a Big Impact by Dr. Paul Chappell “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1–4 Dr. George Truett told of a church meeting where he had been asked to assist with a fund raising campaign for a church that had been struggling financially because the people would not give. He said, “It was the slowest and most reluctant giving I have ever encountered.” When he finished his exhortation and the pledges were taken, they had less than half the money needed. Dr. Truett said that an elderly couple in the back then volunteered to sell their house to make up the difference—they had been offered exactly the amount remaining that needed to be raised for it the day before. But in less than five minutes, the previously stingy congregation rallied to pledge the entire amount so the couple could keep their home. The sacrifice of that couple motivated them to give. When we realize that all we have belongs to God, it is impossible to justify refusing to give. Sometimes we make the excuse that we do not give because of our lack. But in reality, even small gifts have a big impact. The British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke said, “No man ever made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” The Lord after all does not need our money. We are not helping Him when we give. He is far more concerned about the condition of our heart than the size of our offering. Today’s Growth Principle:  The measure of our generosity is not found in the amount of the gift, but in the sacrifice of the gift.

The Law of Compound Interest =)

I home =)

It takes a good husband to build a home.

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Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. --Revelation 3:2-3 Would you describe your faith as supernatural… or superficial? This is a question every child of God needs to ask themselves from time to time. And today, if you’d admit that your faith is more superficial than supernatural, I want to tell you what Jesus told the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:2-3. First of all, Jesus says to wake up. Come face to face with your sin problem. Admit the diagnosis of the Spirit of God upon your life… and wake up! Second, Jesus says to “strengthen what remains” of your faith. This means to start reading your Bible again. Start praying again. Start meeting together with other believers again. Strengthen what remains of your faith. Then, Jesus says to look back. Remember that moment you met Christ… how excited you were about your faith! And then remember again what the Lord Jesus did for you… how He cleansed you from your sin and saved your soul from hell. Remember the grace of God in your life! Look back. But not only do you need to look back and remember, you need to hold on. In other words, keep on keeping on! Obey God’s Word! Keep His commandments! Consistently strive to apply the Scripture to your daily life.  Finally, Jesus says to repent. That means to let go of the past, to do an about face, to turn around, and come back to Him. If you realize that your faith is more fluff than substance, just admit it to God! Agree with Him that you’ve been a hypocrite… that you’ve been a phony. If you’re like most people, there are few things that irk you more than someone who’s a hypocrite. And you know what? Jesus feels the same way! Which is why I pray you will come clean today if you realize your faith is in fact… more superficial than supernatural. If you realize that your faith is more fluff than substance, just admit it! The Snare of Approval by Dr. Paul Chappell “Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” Luke 20:45–47 One of the clearest pictures of the lengths to which people will go in order to gain approval from others—and the consequences—is found in the history of the early church. The book of Acts records the story of the wonderful generosity of Barnabas, who sold his land and gave the money to the apostles to meet the needs of the poor of the church. His example of compassion and giving rightly earned him great appreciation. A man named Ananias along with his wife Sapphira decided that they too wanted the praise Barnabas got, but they were not willing to match his generosity. When they sold their property, Ananias brought part of the money, but presented it to Peter as if they were giving everything to God. They wanted the credit for great sacrifice without actually making the full sacrifice. Peter was alerted to the scheme and confronted Ananias. He did not condemn the failure to give everything, but rather the deception. He said, “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). Both Ananias and Sapphira perished because they were more interested in gaining the praise of men than they were seeking the approval of God. Whenever our great desire is to be thought well of by others, we are on the path to trouble. Seeking praise leads us to cut corners and lower our standards, and frequently lures us into sin. Today’s Growth Principle:  Only God’s approval is lasting and meaningful and worthy of our pursuit.

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part5

Understanding The Book of Revelation Part4

Understa

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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.   --Revelation 3:20 Today, I’d like to give you a test so you can evaluate where you are spiritually. Question number one is, is prayer a passion in your life? If you’re really fired up for the Lord, prayer will not be drudgery… it won’t be a duty. It will be an ongoing, exciting conversation you have with God day by day. Question number two is, do you love the Word of God? I believe if your heart is hot towards God, you’ll look forward to meeting Him in the Scriptures. You’ll look forward to hearing the Word of God preached. And you’ll carve out time every day to read the Bible. Question number three is, do you hate the sin in your life? Do you hate the things that God hates? When your heart is hot for God, you will weep at those things that make God weep… and you will rejoice over those things that cause God to rejoice. Question number four is, do you long for the return of Christ? In the heart of every Christian who is passionately pursuing Christ is a longing for His return… there’s a longing to see Him face to face. So are you excited about seeing Him? Or would you be ashamed if He returned today? The fifth and final question is, do you obey Christ? Is it your heart’s desire to please God in every single area in your life? In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” So let me ask you: What’s your spiritual temperature? Are you hot… cold… or lukewarm? Today… if you know that your heart is cold or lukewarm… it’s my prayer—and my challenge—to you to answer that knocking at the door of your heart. Open up that door… let Jesus in… and enjoy the personal relationship He’s provided for you through His death and resurrection! What’s your spiritual temperature? Are you hot… cold… or lukewarm? The Son of David by Dr. Paul Chappell “And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?” Luke 20:41–44 The promise that God made to David concerning the future of his family was given without qualification or limitation: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12–13). While some of that promise was fulfilled through Solomon, the unending rule could only be fulfilled by Jesus. When Jesus came the first time, He was recognized by a number of the Jewish people as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. But many others rejected Him, despite His ability to trace His ancestry on both His mother’s side as well as on Joseph’s side (though of course He was not related to Joseph because of the virgin birth). The future ruler of Israel had to be the Son of David, and Jesus is. None of the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah were unfulfilled in the birth, life, ministry, death, or resurrection of Jesus. Yet there remain many prophecies for the future, including the physical reign of Jesus Christ on Earth. The New Testament points out the fulfillment of prophecy, many times, not only to validate the office and work of Jesus, but to give us faith and confidence for the future. The same God who promised an heir to David, and delivered, has given us certain and unshakable promises we can trust. Today’s Growth Principle:  Because of God’s faithful promises regarding the first coming of Christ, we can have full confidence in His second coming.