Day 25 - No Higher Calling

Pull-out Testing

Make your calling count

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But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. --1 Corinthians 9:27 Did you know that the apostle Paul lived with a deep concern? You could even call it a fear. It’s true. As a devoted soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul feared that he might do something that would keep him out of the great spiritual battle he had been called to fight. Well, you and I might look at Paul and think that sounds crazy coming from this great man of God. But that’s how seriously Paul took being a servant of Jesus, and it’s how seriously he took fighting the good fight of faith. In fact, Paul chose to discipline his own body and keep it under control rather than allow it to dictate his life and jeopardize his place in the battle. And with fierce determination, Paul threw himself into the heat of battle without reservation. He let nothing stand in his way when it came to pleasing the Lord and sharing the Gospel. So let me ask you something. How important is your calling to you? Is it everything? You might not be called to preach the Gospel like Paul, but you are called to share Christ Jesus with your world. If you belong to him, then make your calling count. Let nothing stand in your way of doing what he has called you to do.   HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR CALLING TO YOU?

Even the Philistines Knew Better

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.”
1 Samuel 6:6–8

Because of the wickedness of the sons of Eli and the old priest’s failure to stop them, God gave the Philistines victory over the Israelites in battle. They captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the temples of their gods as part of the spoils of war. God destroyed the idols, making the stone statues bow down before the Ark. And He brought great diseases to the Philistine cities. They quickly realized what was going on and determined to return the Ark to Israel. They remembered the story of God’s judgment on the Egyptians when they would not let the Israelites go in the days of Moses, and did not want to experience His judgment any longer.
Too often we cling to our sin, hardening our hearts against the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit and reproving words of the Bible. We love our sin and do not want to let it go. As a result we suffer the punishment God brings on His children. He loves us too much to allow us to continue in sin. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:8).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Rather than hardening our hearts, we should quickly repent when God chastises us for our sin.

My Heart

My heart is getting well now.
The surgery was over as my heart was in the ICU for days.
I decided to build invisible walls around me.
A defense mechanism protecting my heart from damaging it further.
Silence enveloped me.
The pain in my heart was truly excruciating.
No medication can suffice its bleeding.
Totally crushed.
As I picked up the broken pieces, I felt the warm inside.
My heart was burning like a flame as I see thorns that pinching on top.
Believing the flame will melt the thorns sooner, I decided to ask my Father.
"How's my heart Lord?"
He replied, "You need to take some rest my princess. I am glad you've been awake. Your heart was deeply wounded. I let you sleep for days while doing the surgery. I took away the thorns so easily but the wound needs some time to mend. You will be fine in 40 days."
As we talked, my Father let me understand that my feeling was normal. That my heart was healthy and so strong.
He continued, "My child when you love and get hurt, love more. When you love more and get hurt, love even more. Love even more until it hurts no more."

written by Meg
to be continued

Day 24 - Then came the morning

Christ is calling

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I have fought the good fight… --2 Timothy 4:7 You and I don’t have to look far these days to see that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. And like the other generations of Christ-followers before us, you and I are called to fight as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul understood this battle well. In fact, when he was facing his martyrdom, Paul looked back on his life and said, “I have fought the good fight.” Now, few people could speak with such confidence, but Paul could. He had the battle scars to prove his faithfulness. In the course of battle, Paul was pummeled with stones. He was shipwrecked and left to die in the deep. He was beaten with rods, and imprisoned multiple times. And yet, through it all, Paul fought on and never turned back. But today there are shocking numbers of people claiming to be Christ-followers who are AWOL in this battle. These people seem to take the battle for granted. They act as though it’s someone else’s job to fight. So let me ask you something, “Are you in the fight?” We aren’t tourists in this world, but soldiers fighting against the forces of darkness! And Christ is calling you to get in the battle! Take your place and endure like the good soldier you’re called to be. Live in such a way that you can say, “I fought the good fight!”   CHRIST IS CALLING YOU TO GET IN THE BATTLE!

It’s Not About Us

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
1 Corinthians 2:1–4

In 1973, after decades of preaching the gospel, Dr. Lee Roberson woke up one morning unable to speak above a whisper. He had to cancel all of his meetings, and for an entire year he was unable to preach in his church. He traveled all over the country to see various specialists, but none of them could help. Finally a local surgeon operated, and after a few week’s recovery, Dr. Roberson was preaching again, which he continued until he was almost ninety-seven years old.
Looking back later, he remarked how greatly God had blessed the church during the year when he could only sit silently on the platform while someone else filled the pulpit. He said it was one of the most blessed years of ministry he had ever known. Attendance, offerings, and conversions increased. Dr. Roberson said, “That just showed this preacher something. It didn’t depend so much on what I was doing. It depended on the working of the power of God through our lives.”
Too many times we rely on our talent and efforts rather than depending on God. The results of our labor for the Lord are not on our shoulders. If we want God’s power and blessing, we must abandon self-reliance. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We must rely on God’s strength rather than ours if we hope to accomplish anything lasting for Him.

Day 23 - Worthy the Lamb

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The Priority of Service

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
Galatians 5:13–15

I read a story written by a doctor in which he described having to give a man a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It was his last appointment of the day, and after the patient left, the doctor prepared to go home. When he reached the parking lot, he saw an elderly man with the hood of his car raised. As he got closer the doctor realized someone was on the ground underneath the car working on the engine. In a moment he realized it was his patient. When the car started and the elderly man drove away, the doctor asked what the patient had been doing. “Helping out,” the answer came. “My cancer didn’t say I couldn’t help someone who needed it.”
There are always excuses we can find to avoid serving and helping others. There are always other priorities to which we could devote our time and attention. But if we are to live as Jesus lived and follow in His footsteps, then we must be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to serve. Again and again Jesus gave up time and strength for the sake of others. Though He was God, healing others took a toll on Jesus—a toll He thought worth paying. “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30). If we see others as Jesus did, as precious people with great needs, we will be more willing to humble ourselves and serve them.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We have no higher calling than to be humble servants of others just as Jesus was.

Day 22 - Jesus paid it all

I Quote

 

“God’s chosen people in the Bible were once sinners too. NOT perfect, but human. NOT fictitious people but real one. NOT God, NOT also aiming to become one of the gods. Chosen people are NOT deceiving people. They would die for what they believe is true. They will NOT die for what they know is a lie.”

                                           Meg, 28 January 2018

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Chosen People and God’s Promises

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7:6–8

We often speak of the Israelites as God’s chosen people because that is the way that He referred to them. Long before there was a nation at all, God called Abraham to leave his home and country and journey to a new land. It would be hundreds of years before Israel could truly be called a nation, but God was faithful to keep that promise. When He chooses a people, He follows through with His promises to them.
But the nation of Israel is not the only chosen people referred to in Scripture. The New Testament uses the same language to describe Christians. We are not a random group, but rather a specific and identified body of followers of Jesus Christ. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Like the Israelites, there is much we have been promised that we have not yet received. But every promise of God is faithful and true, and we can count on it coming to pass, no matter how long it may take.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Remember the promises God has made in His Word, and confidently believe that He will fulfill them.

Day 21 - Let the peace of God reign

Father of life draw me closer
Lord, my heart is set on you
Let me run the race of time
With you life unfolding mine
And let the peace of God
Let it reign

Oh Holy Spirit you're my comfort
Strengthen me hold my head up high
And I stand upon your truth
Bringing glory unto you
And let the peace of God
Let it reign

Oh Lord I hunger for more of you
Rise up within me let me know your truth
Oh Holy Spirit, saturate my soul
And let the life of God
Fill me now
Let your healing power
Breathe life and make me whole
And the peace of God
Let it reign

What happened after Jesus Crucifixion?

Stretch-out Arms

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… “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” --James 4:6 The single biggest obstacle between people and God is pride. So you and I must be diligent to always remain humble before the Lord – intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Intellectual pride is when people trust what they know, rather than living by faith. But Jesus told us to come to him like little children. It’s his desire that we be teachable, transparent, and open with him and with others. Social pride is when people want to feel important and try to surround themselves with the “in” crowd. But think about who Jesus’ friends were. They were sinners… people who were rejected by the religious system of their day. Spiritual pride is when people think they can somehow earn salvation. But they can’t! Instead, grace demands that we humble ourselves before the Lord. Today’s verse says it so clearly: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Please don’t let pride or any of its subtle forms keep you from knowing and following Jesus!   WE MUST BE DILIGENT TO ALWAYS REMAIN HUMBLE BEFORE THE LORD –INTELLECTUALLY, SOCIALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY. Angels by Jack Graham Walk through Scripture,  to reveal the truth about angels and what they offer us. Focusing on practical application, Dr. Graham separates fact from fiction and demonstrates that the main role of angels isn't to draw attention to themselves, but to point us toward Christ.

Stretched Out Arms

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:”
Jeremiah 32:17–19

The first and most visible evidence of the power of God that any of us experience is His creation. Despite the efforts of scientists and educators to convince people otherwise, there is proof of God everywhere we look in our world. The precise distance of the earth from the sun and the precise angle of the earth’s tilt on its axis are both required for life to exist. Change either by a tiny amount, and we would either burn up or freeze and there would be no life. Yet we are told to believe that it is all a matter of random chance over the passing of billions of years. How foolish! Jeremiah described creation as the result of God’s “stretched out arm.”
Recently as I was thinking on this passage from Jeremiah, I was reminded of another place where God’s arms were stretched out—in the death of Jesus on the cross. The nails could not have held the Son of God. A single word from the lips of the One who created everything by speaking it into existence would have freed Him. Yet that word never came. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The amazing love God has for us is measured by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

I Quote

“The more I dig deeper to my common sense (logical reasoning), the more I realize that an ocean of intelligence is a wasted expertise if not mastered by a drop of wisdom from the Word (The Bible).”

     Meg, 26 January 2018

Conclusion of a Tested Theory: Jesus Resurrection

Day 20 - Worthy is the Lamb

A place to belong

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So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. --Acts 2:41 When you come to know Christ, one of the things God wants is for you to make a commitment to a local church. Now, many people choose a church like they choose a restaurant, partaking of whatever is being offered. But if you haven’t done so already, I urge you to make a real commitment and to anchor yourself in particular to a local church. This is the pattern that the first followers of Christ practiced. You see, church isn’t just some place you go or something you do. Church is a place to believe… a place to belong… a place to become more like Christ Jesus! Can you see the difference? At church we gain new perspective on life and on worship. We open God’s Word together and receive wisdom and instruction for our lives. And together we develop godly character. When you’re around people who are living lives of faith and commitment in his church, you’ll get inspired to live that way, too. So get where God can bless you and where he can bless others through you. Make a commitment to a local church.   CHURCH IS A PLACE TO BELIEVE… A PLACE TO BELONG… A PLACE TO BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST JESUS!

How to Overcome Fear

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.”
Deuteronomy 7:17–19

Winston Churchill was famous for his ability as a public speaker to grab an audience and inspire them. One of his most famous addresses was given at the boarding school he had attended as a boy, Harrow School, which had been badly damaged by German bombers during the Blitz on London. Churchill knew that he was speaking to a nation facing a powerful foe as well as to the young boys seated before him. At the conclusion of his address, Churchill said, “This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
The Christian life is a battle, not a pleasure cruise. And in those battles, we often face powerful foes. The temptation we face is to focus on our enemies rather than on God, and when we give in to that temptation, we will find our hearts filled with fear. This is what happened to the Israelites when they heard the report from the ten spies about the giants in the land. Despite what Joshua and Caleb said, they refused to trust God. Fear, and the disobedience that followed because of it kept Israel in the wilderness for forty years, without the victory God would have given.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If you recognize God’s power available to you, you will not be overcome by fears of any foe.

Day 19 - Shout to the Lord

I Quote

“How can I close the gap between the present (Earth) and the future (Heaven) if I cannot link between the realities of the past (The Bible) and another Testament of Christ? If it’s not true means it’s a lie; and a lie means deception. Reality check.. truth hurts but deception hurts even more. ”

Meg, 25 January 2018

Archeology proves the Bible

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We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. --Romans 6:4 There are many ways that you and I can express our faith. But one of the most significant ways is through baptism. Interestingly, the word baptism in the New Testament wasn’t a religious word originally. It was used to describe the act of immersing or submerging something in water, like when someone submerged clothing in water while washing them. So when we think of baptism today, this is just how we should think. When Jesus was baptized, he was submerged and then brought back up out of the water. And throughout the New Testament, when a person became identified with Christ, there were baptized. They didn’t raise a hand or join a church. So let me ask you today, have you been baptized and publicly identified with the Lord Jesus Christ? Embrace what Jesus has done for you and follow him in the symbolic act of baptism, letting others know that your past has been buried and you’ve been raised to walk in newness of life!   HAVE YOU BEEN BAPTIZED AND PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

Why the Law Lacks Power

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:2–4

So many people all around the world think that if they can do enough good things or follow the moral law laid out in the Bible or other religious teachings that will make them acceptable in God’s sight. The reality, however, is that no amount of doing good or following laws, no matter how sincere or diligent can remove the stain of sin that each of us carry from the moment of our birth.
Charles Spurgeon highlighted the reason for the law’s inability when he said, “The law, as originally given to Adam, a perfect man, had he carried it out, would have glorified God, and would have produced in him a perfect life. But we are not in the same position towards God as Adam was, and we are not free from the taint of evil as he was. We have fallen.”
The same principle that applies to our salvation applies to our Christian life as well. There is no way that we can walk in the Christian life as God commands in our own strength. Even after salvation and the new nature, we lack the ability to overcome sin. It is only as we walk in the Spirit, obeying the Word and receiving His power that we can live in victory. This is not an option—it is a requirement. But if we work to obey God by following the law in our strength we are doomed to failure.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Rather than seeking to overcome sin in our strength, we must rely on God’s Spirit for victory.

Day 18 - Oceans will part

Is the Bible corrupted?

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“… Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” --Luke 12:8-9 When you and I look at the New Testament, we see that every person who came to Christ came openly and publicly. There were no secret disciples – each person who followed Christ took up his or her cross and followed Jesus openly. In fact, public confession of the Lord Jesus is one of those “things that belong to salvation,” (Hebrews 6:9). Confessing Christ simply goes hand in hand with salvation. Now, in Jesus’ time, when you saw a man carrying a cross, you could be quite certain he was on his way to a public execution. In this same sense, when Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow, he’s not only bidding us to die to ourselves, but also to live openly for him! So while salvation is intensely personal, it’s never private; it’s always public! Have you made a public confession of your faith in Christ Jesus? In black and white, today’s verse says that if we want Jesus to acknowledge us before God, we must acknowledge him before men. This is more than walking down a church aisle and shaking hands with a pastor. If Jesus lives within you, use your God-given breath to tell your world about him!   WHILE SALVATION IS INTENSELY PERSONAL, IT’S NEVER PRIVATE; IT’S ALWAYS PUBLIC

Rest in the Yoke

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

In Bible times, the fields were often worked and loads carried by oxen. To distribute the weight of the farm equipment or wagons, wooden yokes were made to fit over the shoulders of a team of two oxen. If you ever see an old wooden yoke you will find it quite large. And if you try to pick one up, you will find that it is very heavy. And if a yoke were not made properly, it would greatly irritate the animal wearing it so that they would find it nearly impossible to work.
Jesus did not promise His followers that they would be freed from wearing a yoke. God has service for Him that each of us is to carry out—if not there would be no reason not to take us to Heaven immediately upon our salvation. Rather Jesus promised that when we came to Him we would find that His yoke rests easy upon us, and we will not be burdened by His service.
Many people “burn out” after they have served God for a period of time. Where once they were faithful to do His work, now they find it burdensome and have laid it aside. What is the problem? Though there are many reasons, one of biggest is that too many Christians try to work for God in their own strength. Jesus said that we are to learn of Him, which speaks to a growing and deepening relationship. When we work in His strength, we will not find the burdens more than we can bear. Instead we will find rest, even while we labor and wear the yoke.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Rather than complaining about what our service for God requires, we should rejoice in the privilege.

Day 17 - The best is yet to come

Jews Beliefs

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… Yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. --Hebrews 6:9 Do you realize that there are things that come with salvation? That’s exactly what today’s verse says. There are things that “belong to” or accompany our salvation, things that help you and me grow into maturity. And these are things are worth acknowledging with praise and gratitude to God. In fact, it would take eternity for us to express all that Christ has given us in salvation, but let’s take a moment to think about a few of these things. For instance, with our salvation comes new life… a newfound significance. God has given each of us a meaningful purpose and extraordinary plan for our lives. Also, with our salvation comes his unconditional love and forgiveness through the grace of our Heavenly Father. And through our salvation in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit who provides for every aspect of our lives. It is the Spirit who strengthens and enables us to overcome destructive habits, who comforts us in our hurts, and who empowers us to witness to others about Jesus! Can you see the things that have accompanied your salvation? You have been given so much, it’s immeasurable. And still, the best is yet to come. With your salvation, comes everlasting life… eternity with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Never doubt his great love for you… he has revealed it in the “things that belong to salvation!”   YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH, IT’S IMMEASURABLE! AND EVEN SO, THE BEST IS YET TO COME! Angels by Jack Graham Walk through Scripture,  to reveal the truth about angels and what they offer us. Focusing on practical application, Dr. Graham separates fact from fiction and demonstrates that the main role of angels isn't to draw attention to themselves, but to point us toward Christ.

The Value of Dependability

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
Genesis 18:17–19

I read about a man who was preparing to leave for an important business trip when he realized that one of his suits was badly in need of cleaning. Remembering that there was a cleaners with a huge “One Hour Dry Cleaning” sign, he drove across town to drop off his suit. As he filled out his ticket, he told the clerk, “I’ll come back in an hour on my way to the airport to pick this up.” “Oh no,” she said, “It won’t be ready until next Thursday.” Somewhat taken back he pointed out the sign hanging over the door. “That’s just the name of the business,” she responded. “We don’t do dry cleaning in an hour!”
Though it is true that our character is even more important than our reputation, it is still important that we maintain our testimony. It should never be truly said of a child of God that he or she cannot be counted on to do what is right. Others should learn from their interactions with us that we live up to our “advertising” in terms of our lives matching what we say we believe.
The best way to develop a reputation for dependability is to simply do what we say we will do—over and over and over again. Each of us should desire to have the reputation of Abraham, as God described him as a person who could be trusted to do what was right.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Each day you either enhance or detract from your reputation as someone who can be relied on.