The Opposite of Love is not Hate

The Opposite of Love is not Hate
by Meg

I appreciate the law of nature as it goes, in every action there is an opposite and equal reaction (Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion). How’s that possible in dealing with the subject - Love? Is it true that Hate is the opposite of Love?

Knowing what it feels, how it feels enable me to validate the unspoken words that my heart wants to recognize.

Lately, I went to visit Cupid (Latin Cupīdō, meaning "desire"). He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus and the war god Mars. He is also known in Latin as Amor ("Love"). As I try to examine his bow and arrow, then I realized how it works. When Love strikes, it happens like a lightning. Bang! Boom! It collides. Out of billions of people in the world, chances are whether you will be hit or not. How’s the intensity, will it differs if you will be hit instantly or gradually? One thing I know is for sure, if you don’t feel it, then you don’t have it.

It all began if you recognize it. There is a piece of invisible wood (an arrow) that strikes into your heart. Piercing deep within you. It’s like there’s an intangible matter that occupies a space in your heart. You cannot see it but you can feel it. No one force you to have it there, it suddenly sits and rests without you knowing it grows. Like a sturdy tree from a tiny seed. You may want to pull it out but it will take you a great effort to remove it. More so, it may cause you to bleed.

Once it was acknowledged, that seed, that tree will bear fruit. That’s the law of nature. A child is a fruit of love, full of love, not an accident. It is the union, a by-product of two people chose to ‘make love’. When two individuals are full of love, they share a common kind of love, an overflowing love that is mutual and beneficial. It suddenly happen, as the 3^rd law of motion strongly prevails. The man brings to a woman a seed to bear in a fertile land. As it grows, the woman felt something from nothing. If a child is a fruit of their love, that kind of fruit is something you want to take care of. Nourish and love. No wonder there such a thing called perfect love. A perfect love that drives out fear. A fear that is selfless. A fear called pain that can conquer death to life. Because there is love, a fruit of love, there is pain. No love, no pain. More love, more pain if it’s lost.

The gift of love is amazing. A miracle. Unfathomable. Unstoppable. No one knows when it strikes. Because a man and a woman is just but a human, it feels. Recognizing that something will help you to determine whether the gift of love is there. Some people know it once it’s gone simply because they fail to recognize it. Others appreciate it and chances are, it will momentarily stay. This is what they called unrequited love that defies the 3^rd law of motion. Though it is far from perfect (love); for me it is unselfish. Why? Because, it allows the person to be happy without asking something in return. It makes him or her happy seeing other person’s happiness even if he or she is not part of it.  That’s selfless. For him or her, there is no effort to pull it out (the gift of love) because in due time, it will go.

Reflecting love, isn’t it true that no more pain, no more love? I believe so. If people are no longer affected by any external circumstances that cause him or her pain, it means that love transcends only into but memories. Memories that will make the person smile and grateful ever. No hate but pure love because in those moment of his own life or her life, it makes him or her happy. =)

The Holy Spirit has the power

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And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” --Genesis 41:38 A life of significance is marked by a overriding sense of direction, and it’s also marked by a new dynamic. As we see in today’s verse, Pharaoh noticed that there was a different spirit in Joseph. In fact, everyone noticed it! This man—Joseph—had a different spirit about him because the Spirit of God was living in him…giving him a different, high-energy spirit about life. Have you ever noticed that successful people typically have very high energy levels? Rather than being slow or lazy or just trudging through life, they are motivated, trekking purposefully through life. People who have high emotional and spiritual energy levels often have a physical response that is positive. They are generally healthier. And they live at a God-directed pace…not a frantic, hurried, or stressed out pace. Which makes me wonder, does this kind of person describe you today? Are you worn out, stressed out, and put out? If so, ask the Holy Spirit living in you to revitalize your heart and mind today. You may work long hours and you may get weary. But that hard work can be done with joy and purpose and enthusiasm when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit Who lives in you!  A life of significance is marked by this kind of dynamic. And I pray you will know it today! The Holy Spirit has the power to give you a new dynamic life of true significance.

The Right Kind of Sorry

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
2 Corinthians 7:8–10

Pete Rose was one of baseball’s greatest stars, amassing more hits than anyone who had ever played the game. Rose became the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. But in 1989, he was banned from baseball for life for betting on games. Though Rose denied the allegations for fifteen years, he eventually admitted in an autobiography that he had indeed placed bets on baseball games. Though he has asked to be reinstated to baseball, the ban remains in place. In 2006, stores began selling baseballs which read, “I’m sorry I bet on baseball.” They were signed by Pete Rose and sold for around $300 each. It’s hard to see monetizing wrongdoing as an expression of genuine sorrow.
As Christians, God calls us to a repentance that is far more than merely saying we are sorry, while still planning to continue in sin. True repentance is far more than just feeling bad about what we have done. It leads to a change in how we live. It is impossible to hold onto God with one hand while we hold onto our sin with the other.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When we sin, God calls us to have the genuine sorrow that leads to forsaking that sin.

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And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. --Genesis 12:2-3 On this special day when we remember all the brave men and women who have given their lives to ensure the freedom that you and I enjoy, I’d like to talk briefly about how we as Christians are to respond to the blessings God has bestowed upon our country. This response can be summarized in the acrostic of the word patriot: P stands for pray.  We’re to pray for our nation, our leaders, and for those whose minds and hearts are blinded and seduced by the god of this age. A stands for accept.  You and I are to accept the responsibilities of citizenship, which includes paying taxes and voting. T stands for the word treat.  Each of us is to treat our freedom with care because it was bought with a price. R stands for resist.  Resist the temptation to trade spiritual values for material values.  Remember that God is interested in your character more than your money! I stands for identify.  We’re to identify places where we can make a positive difference in our community. O stands for overcome.  You and I should overcome acts of evil with acts of grace, kindness, and goodness. T stands for thank.  We need to thank God regularly for our salvation and for the privilege of living life in this God-blessed nation. It is my prayer that the Lord would help you become a patriot for the Lord Jesus Christ today! Thank God for the privilege of living in this God-blessed nation

A Value of Remembrance

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

On Memorial Day in 1913, a small group of aged survivors from both the Union and Confederate armies met in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the decisive battle of the Civil War. The main speaker, Representative James Heflin of Alabama, acknowledged the deep divisions that had once torn the nation apart and celebrated the reunited America. Heflin said, “As a token of the spirit of fraternal love now permeating the hearts of our people, I bring you a floral offering from the garden of Dixie, one for the grave of the soldier in blue and the other for the grave of the soldier in gray. The sublime valor of the heroes of both armies is the priceless heritage of all.”
As Christians, we have an amazing heritage left to us by the men and women who have followed Jesus before us. Their lives and their stories are meant to be an encouragement and inspiration as we face the battles and challenges of our days. We must never forget the lessons of the past, because if we do, those who come after us will not have the vital tool of godly example and influence. “And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel” (Joshua 24:31).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The example of Christians of the past should inspire us to more closely follow Christ day after day.

Quote of the day =)

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Being Found Righteous

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Philippians 3:7–9

The Scottish pastor Robert Murray McCheyne greatly influenced the world during his brief life and ministry. Though he had less than eight full years of service to the Lord, he made them count. His devotion to godly living was his most notable characteristic. McCheyne challenged others to live holy lives. In a letter to a newly ordained missionary named Dan Edwards, McCheyne wrote, “In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
God has no perfect people to work with, but He does call us to be holy if we are to be useful in His service: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). It is impossible to love God as we should without hating sin as He does. There needs to be a commitment to holy living—what Paul described as being found having the righteousness of God. Though we will never be sinless until we see the Lord, those who witness our lives should be able to readily discern our commitment to righteousness and holy living.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we wish God to use us for His work, we must prepare ourselves by separating from sin.

Help!

by Joyce Meyer - posted May 28, 2017

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
—Isaiah 41:13

No matter how well we may think we run our lives, the truth is that we need help with everything. We need all kinds of help in our everyday lives. Often, realizing how much help we need takes a long time. We like to believe we can do whatever needs to be done independently and without assistance.
However, the Lord sent us a Divine Helper; therefore, we must need help. Jesus Himself continually intercedes for us as He sits at the right hand of God (see Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34), and that tells us that we continually need God's intervention in our lives. We are actually very needy and totally unable to handle life properly on our own.
Although we may seem to manage ourselves and our lives well for awhile, sooner or later something happens and things begin to fall apart if we are living in our own strength instead of receiving divine help.
Many times, we do fine until trouble comes. It may come in the form of a broken marriage, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or something else that is important to us. But eventually, we all reach a point where we have to recognize our neediness.
If we want to live life the way God intended—filled with righteousness, peace, and joy (see Romans 14:17), we have to admit that we need help and we have to receive it from the Holy Spirit, the One God sent to help us.

Stop Trying and Start Trusting

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Watching for Wolves

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”
Acts 20:29–31

For ranchers in the western United States, predators, such as coyotes and wolves, pose a danger to flocks and herds. Often these predators will pick out the weakest animals in the herd and devour them. Over the years, ranchers have discovered that one effective means of protecting their animals is using guard llamas. Llamas are sociable animals, and they will bond with sheep or goats readily. Once they feel they are part of a herd, they will do everything possible to protect it. When a predator slinks around the edges of a herd, the llamas will see them and walk toward them. Since the predators depend on stealth and surprise, they usually leave. If not, the hooves of the llamas quickly convince them to seek easier prey.
The church and its members are a constant target for Satan. Like a predator stalking a herd, he is continually looking for an opportunity to strike. Every individual Christian has the duty to be on guard against these attacks. We are not only accountable for ourselves, but for others as well. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Rather, it is meant to be lived in fellowship and mutual reinforcement of the truth. Hebrews 10:25 admonishes us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” As we watch and warn, we are protecting both our own lives and the lives of those around us, guarding the flock of God.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Each of us has a responsibility to guard others against the attacks of the enemy.

Stop Trying and Start Trusting

by Joyce Meyer - posted May 27, 2017

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
—Philippians 2:13

Most of us desire the good life God has planned for us, but we recognize areas in our lives that need to be changed. Many times you set out to make those changes, yet in spite of your best efforts, you seem powerless to make it happen.
Trying to bring about change through your own strength and plans will always result in frustration. God is waiting for you to stop trying to change and start trusting Him to change you.
If you need to make changes in your thoughts, attitudes, and behavior, understand that you can't do it by yourself. Spend time with God and ask for His help—after all, if He can't do it, it can't be done. But He can . . . and He will!

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The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.                                              --Proverbs 10:22 Money is a gift from God. But many people have a poor relationship with it—including many Christians. Believers should have different attitudes about money than the culture at large. Because the Bible tells us there are things more important than money. For example, Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches….” Proverbs also tells us that wisdom (3:13-18), character (23:23), intelligence (20:15), and human relationships (15:17) are more important than money. Even Jesus concluded in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” In commercial office buildings, there are firewalls that protect the structure and its inhabitants from fire. When you’re online, there are firewalls that protect your computer from viruses. And in order to protect your family from the dangers of money, you need to build a financial firewall around your life. You do this by earning your money honestly, managing your money wisely, and giving your money generously. As a believer, you should have a different attitude about money.

Getting Ready to Run

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end. If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”
Jeremiah 12:4–5

Up until his retirement from the Lakers, Kobe Bryant was one of the top players in basketball. He won numerous NBA titles, was one of the highest scoring players in the history of the game, and was known for his intensity on the court. Though Bryant was very talented, his success did not rely primarily on talent, but on work. During the off season each year, he would run for two hours, lift weights for two hours, and practice his basketball skills for two hours—six days a week. During the season, he had a personal rule that he would not leave practice until he had hit at least four hundred shots. It is little surprise that his basketball career was so successful.
The Christian life is not lived successfully by gifts and talents. Instead, it requires intense discipline and dedication. The active opposition of Satan requires that we develop our spiritual muscles by using them again and again. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). If we do not discipline ourselves before the battles begin, we will not know how to respond when we face the most severe tests. Every day we must grow in grace and build our faith—using that faith to overcome the enemy.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The challenges we will face in the future require that we develop our spiritual skills today.

The book of Proverbs applies to your life today.

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My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. --Proverbs 3:1-2 There are all kinds of money managers, advisors, and counselors in our world today. There are attorneys, financial planners, bankers, stock brokers, venture capitalists, and CPAs who offer sound financial advice. And there’s much to be gained from listening to the counsel of these professionals. But what if I could introduce you to one of the wisest and wealthiest men who has ever lived to give you counsel about your finances? This man is Solomon. And his counsel is known as the Old Testament book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. It’s a series of short sentences that are long in meaning. And every one of them applies to your life today—including your financial life. Over the next week, we’re going to taking a look at the book of Proverbs to see what God’s Word says about money. I’m confident your outlook on your finances will be altered and challenged by this important series of devotionals! The book of Proverbs applies to your life today. Your Work and God’s Work by Dr. Paul Chappell “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13 If you visit a typical playground, you will find several standard slides, swings, monkey bars, perhaps a merry-go-round, and often you will find a seesaw. Most of the equipment can be played by one child alone, but the seesaw requires two, or there simply isn’t much fun to be had. It is the balancing back and forth by both parties, making the seesaw go up and down, that provides the enjoyment. Without both parties actively involved, the board simply sits there. In a way, the seesaw is a picture of the participation God calls us to in our spiritual growth. Although it is God who works in us, He also calls us to participate with Him in what He is doing. We must have God’s help and power, or we have nothing. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Yet at the same time, if we do not actively participate in what God is doing, no progress will take place. We are commanded to “work out” the salvation we received by God’s grace. Receiving salvation has nothing to do with any work or effort on our part. But deliverance from the power and penalty of sin is not the end of God’s plan for us—it is only the beginning. Our destiny in Heaven is secure, but God’s plan for us until then is that we are conformed to the image of Christ. While this is a process that only happens by God’s grace, we are to obey God’s instructions and cooperate with His grace in transforming us. He provides the power and the ability, but we must apply them in action.   Today’s Growth Principle:  We must never forget our responsibility to do our part in becoming more like Jesus Christ.

A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season….                                              --Psalm 1:3 As believers, we’re to be productive in our Christian lives. The fruit mentioned above is the fruit of the Spirit, or Christ-like character. It’s what Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-23 when he says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Remember in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cursed a fig tree that produced nothing but leaves. He cursed it because it bore no fruit. And God is inspecting our lives for spiritual fruit. I want to challenge you to be a reproducer...a reproducing believer in Christ. Because a healthy body reproduces! And a healthy Christian will reproduce spiritual fruit: the fruit of character and the fruit of bringing people to Christ. A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

The Path to Victory

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Corinthian 9:24–27

The famous football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, was known almost as much for his quotable sayings as for his victories on the field. One of his most powerful remarks was often used in coaching clinics and seminars. Bryant said, “It is not the will to win that makes the difference. Everyone has that. It is the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” He was pointing out the truth that while everyone prefers good results, most people are not willing to pay the price of achieving those results. They will take them if they happen to come, but they will not expend the effort and make the sacrifices to rise above the normal.
If we are going to be successful in the race of life, then we must be disciplined. Paul recognized that this was not a one-time event but a lifelong process that had to continue in order for him to remain in the race. There are many who have served Christ for a number of years only to fall by the wayside later in life. These failures happen because individuals decide to stray from the path of victory. Perhaps they have grown tired of the discipline required to continue to do right—of denying their selfish interests and appetites. But the loss of self control is the first step on the road to destruction.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Unless we are willing to discipline ourselves, we will never be true victorious champions for Christ.

A true man or woman of God is full of the Holy Spirit.

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water….                                              --Psalm 1:3 Yesterday we noted one of the benefits of situating ourselves near the waters of Jesus Christ, stability. Today we’ll look at another benefit: vitality. A true man or woman of God is energized. And it’s more than just standing up on your own two feet. It’s being energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I believe “by streams of waters” speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. For Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And so the man or woman of God is to be full of the Holy Spirit. I know there are times in my life when I’m exhausted, both mentally and physically. And it’s in these times that I’ve experienced renewed energy and vitality from the Holy Spirit to continue the work or task that God has called me to do. And He can do the same for you! If you find yourself weary today, it’s my prayer that you will invite God’s Spirit to revitalize you inside and out…and that you will experience the vitality that only He can bring! A true man or woman of God is full of the Holy Spirit. A Praying Mother by Dr. Paul Chappell “And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:25–28 The noted pastor T. DeWitt Talmage had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home, and that was due to his grandmother’s praying. When Talmage’s father was a teenager, he planned to go to a party with his brother and sister. Their mother told them that she would be praying for them while they were gone, and when they returned at two in the morning, they found her on her knees beside her bed pouring out her heart to God. The next morning, the parents woke up to find all three of the children weeping and asking God for salvation. Talmage wrote, “David [Talmage’s father] had a sweetheart living down the lane, and rising from his knees, he went right down to her home and told her the wonderful news about himself and his brother and sister being saved, urging her to give her heart to God. In the prayer there they had together she, too, was added to the host of the redeemed.” Years later, Talmage’s mother gathered a group of women from their church, and all of them agreed together to pray for the salvation of their children—and every one of them became Christians. Not everyone can sing. Not everyone can teach. But everyone can pray. And there are few things that have the power to shape a child’s life—and the generations to come—like a praying mother.   Today’s Growth Principle:  If we want our children to be saved and serve God with their lives, we must pray diligently for them.

A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.                                              --Psalm 1:3 A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity. “Its leaf does not wither” speaks to consistency. It means you won’t burn out! Your leaves will not dry up…your fruit will not wither…you will be forever green. There's nothing more pleasant and powerful than a strong, stable, solid man or woman of God….someone who lives the life they profess. Then in the verse above we see that all the man or woman of God does prospers or matures. This means there will be maturity in your family life…in your business life…in your social life…in your personal life…and in your witnessing life. As you look at your life today, does it exhibit the qualities of stability, vitality, productivity, consistency, and maturity? It is my prayer that God will help you continue to grow in each of these important areas of life! A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity.

Purifying Hope

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
1 John 3:1–3

One of the most important truths of Scripture is that the Lord is going to return. We are not told when this event will take place, but it is just as certain as the first coming of Jesus. And this reality is meant to make a difference in the way that we live. In his sermon “The Second Coming,” D. L. Moody said, “The devil does not want us to see this truth, for nothing would wake up the church so much. The moment a man realizes that Jesus Christ is coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this world loses its hold upon him. Gas stocks and water stocks and stocks in banks and railroads are of very much less consequence to him then.”
There are many Christians who are living with greater concern for the things of this world than the next. As a result, they do not keep themselves ready to see the Lord at any moment. If He were to return today, many would be ashamed to face Him because of what they were doing when He appeared. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that we will not be given advance notice to have time to prepare. Jesus warned, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). The expectation of Christ’s return will help us live pure lives.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If you do not love the Lord’s appearing, your life for Him will not be what it can and should be.

Confession

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A Soft Pillow for a Tired Heart

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Romans 8:28–30

Evangelist R. A. Torrey said, “Romans 8:28 is a soft pillow for a tired heart.” He was pointing out that when things go wrong, we can find rest in the wonderful truth that God still has a plan for our lives and has promised to make every pain, hardship, and loss work together for good. Nothing takes God by surprise, and nothing undermines His power to bring about His purposes in the lives of those who love Him. While God certainly is not the cause of evil, He is able to use even the most difficult and demanding circumstances of life to work out His ultimate plan—that we become like His Son Jesus Christ.
The great hymn writer Fanny Crosby lost her sight when she was just six weeks old because of a doctor’s error in treating her. Years later she said, “I have heard that this physician never ceased expressing his regret at the occurrence, and that it was one of the sorrows of his life. But if I could meet him now, I would say, ‘Thank you, thank you’—over and over again—‘for making me blind’…although it may have been a blunder on the physician’s part, it was no mistake of God’s.”
The trials of life are meant to accomplish a purpose. God is constantly working on us, molding us into people who are more and more like Jesus. Often that process requires difficulty. The challenge for us is to not lose sight of the end while we are in the midst of the struggle. God never fails, and He will continue to work until His purpose is achieved.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When you remember God is in control, you can face whatever comes with faith and joy.

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Confidence in God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”
Job 19:25–27

Because of the time when he lived, Job had few of the resources that are available to us for spiritual growth and development. There was no Bible for him to read. He did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit as a guide. There was no church for fellowship, teaching, and encouragement. There were no Bible schools or online courses to deepen his understanding of what God said. Yet despite his lack of even the most basic tools that we often take for granted, Job had an overwhelming confidence in God.
This was true even in the most severe trial of his life. After Job had lost his possessions and his children, after his health was destroyed, and after his friends accused him of harboring all sorts of evil in his life, Job trusted God. He did not understand why these things had happened to him (and, as far as we can see in the Bible record, he never received an explanation on earth), but he knew that God could be counted on no matter what.
When the three Hebrew children faced death because they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, he asked them to reconsider. They refused because they trusted God whether He spared their lives or not. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17–18).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Our faith in God is not based on circumstances or outcomes, but on His eternal promises to us.

Speak Excellent Things

by Joyce Meyer - posted May 20, 2017

Hear, for I will speak excellent and princely things; and the opening of my lips shall be for right things.
—Proverbs 8:6

In this Scripture, Solomon made a decision about how he would talk, and we should do the same thing. Just as we can direct our thoughts, we can also direct our words with God’s help. We should choose to speak excellent things.
Our words affect us and the people around us. They also affect what God is able to do for us. You cannot have a negative mouth and a positive life. In 1 Peter 3:10, the apostle Peter teaches us that if we want to enjoy life and see good days—even in the midst of trials—we must keep our tongues free from evil. What kind of life do you want? Do you want an excellent life? If so, then you must be excellent in your choice of words. Change your words, and you will change your life!

Power Thought: I choose to speak of worthy, important, noble, and excellent things.