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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Power of Spiritual Engagement   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. --1 Samuel 18:8-9 After we experience victory, we need to be prepared to face opposition. It’s just a fact of life. You and I need to accept that envy is going to raise its ugly head. For example, after David defeated Goliath, King Saul was jealous of David. His interpretation was that David’s victory equaled his loss. And as the women danced and sang in the streets celebrating David’s accomplishment, emotions of envy and jealousy rose in Saul’s heart. As a result, God’s Spirit departed from Saul’s life and he grew increasingly disturbed and frustrated under the hand of discipline from the Lord. Haven’t you seen this happen? Maybe it’s even happened to you personally. You receive a blessing from God, or experience a success in some aspect of your life, and before you know it, you’re confronted with opposition, anger, or jealousy. It’s the enemy’s way. Don’t let the opposition keep you from praising God. If you are determined to love God and live for him, you will meet this kind of opposition, sometimes even within the camp of God. Maintain the victory! Give God the glory and he will take care of the opposition.   Being Bold for Jesus by Dr. Paul Chappell “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:” Luke 12:6–8 The story goes that a young man who had been converted under John Wesley’s preaching was so excited to be saved that he began attempting to preach on the streets, telling those who passed by about Jesus. He had little training or education, and was not a greatly gifted speaker. After listening for a few moments, a man interrupted his message and said, “Young man, you cannot preach; you ought to be ashamed of yourself!” Immediately he responded, “So I am, but I am not ashamed of my Lord!” One of the most effective tools of Satan to hinder our witness is the fear of embarrassment. Often when we have an opportunity to speak to someone about the gospel, or to pray in public, or to say something when others deride Christians in our presence we remain silent. We allow the possibility that we might be made fun of or mocked to keep us from speaking. But the more we love God and the more we know of His Word and walk in the power of His Spirit, the more bold we will be. “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32). The further our society goes from the truth of God, the less welcoming they become to those who speak that truth. But we must not allow the scorn or criticism of others to keep us from boldly declaring what God has said.   Today’s Growth Principle:  Never stay silent when the Spirit of God prompts you to speak, no matter who is listening or watching. DON’T LET OPPOSITION KEEP YOU FROM PRAISING GOD!

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Power of Prayer   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:11 Can you imagine what our lives would be like if each of us worked fully to the glory of God? Imagine what the church would be like if we witnessed, prayed for people, gave of ourselves, and didn’t care who got the credit—as long as God received all the glory! Wow, what a thought! It’s a good goal, isn’t it? All glory should go to God, but let me remind you of something. As we give all the glory to God, we are allowed to encourage one another. In fact, the Scripture tells us to do just that. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, to “encourage one another and build one another up.” And Romans 13:7 admonishes us to give “honor to whom honor is owed.” You see, you and I are to spur one another along to do good works. We all need a good pat on the back at times. We need encouragement and we need to encourage others. So let’s make sure that our motive is God’s glory—not personal victories, not personal accolades, not the applause of men, but the glory of God. Spend time before God asking him to keep your heart and motives pure.   WE NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS.

The Priority of Pleasing God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him.”
John 8:28–30

Back in the late 1800s, rail travel revolutionized the way people moved across vast distances of the country, and also how they traveled to work. I read about a new ticket collector who had been hired for work at a commuter station near New York City. His predecessor in the job had known many of the regular customers, and had gotten in the habit of allowing them to board without showing their tickets. The new agent insisted on seeing every ticket, and this irritated several passengers. After a few days one of them said to him, “You’re not at all popular with the traveling public.” He responded by pointing toward the station master’s office. “I don’t mind that,” he said. “It’s the man in there with whom I want to be popular.”
There are many times when we allow the concerns and opinions of others to become more important to us than what God thinks. While we should not be rude or careless regarding what others think or feel, ultimately the only judgment of our lives that really matters is the one that He will render. We must remember that we are not going to answer to God for others, but for our own actions, thoughts, and motives. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Even if no one else is doing what is right, we can still follow God’s path if we care about His opinion most.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If our primary purpose is pleasing God, we will not be deterred by criticism or disapproval from others.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Here I Am Send Me   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” --1 Samuel 18:18 As the years go by, one of the best things that can be said about us is that our victories and successes haven’t changed us. You and I should remain humble and grateful before the Lord. We see this kind of humility in David after he defeated Goliath and experienced many other successes. He was still a man of the people. When Saul offered David his oldest daughter Merab, David replied, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” You see, David knew who he was and where he came from in spite of having become the most famous person in all of Israel. Success didn’t change him. He didn’t feel he deserved any special treatment. Today many people are fixated on what they deserve. Well, each of us should be eternally grateful that we haven’t gotten what we deserved! We deserved death, but God gave us eternal life! That should fill our hearts with gratitude, but there’s more. As we give him glory, God causes us to move from victory to victory! As victories come, let’s hold these words in our hearts, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory…” (Psalm 115:1).   AS WE GIVE HIM GLORY, GOD CAUSES US TO MOVE FROM VICTORY TO VICTORY!

Where the Anchor Is Found

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”
Hebrews 6:17–19

There is an old story about a young naval officer being examined before assignment to his first command. The grizzled veteran asked what the prospective captain would do if he saw a storm approaching from the south. “Throw out an anchor at the stern,” the reply came. The next question brought a storm from the north. “Throw out an anchor at the bow,” the young officer said. The veteran continued bringing up potential storms, and the answer to every one was another anchor. Finally the exasperated old-timer asked, “Where are you getting all those anchors?” “From the same place you’re getting all the storms, Sir,” the young man replied.
Life is filled with storms that come at us from every direction. There are days when it feels like its just one challenge and difficulty after another. But on every one of those days and for every one of those storms, we have an anchor that never fails. Just as there are many different kinds of trials and temptations, God’s grace has many facets that allow us to win the victory in every situation. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). No one ever went wrong by trusting what God has promised. We falter and sink when we take our eyes off of Him and rely on our own strength.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Those who trust the unfailing promises of God for strength have an anchor that will hold through the storms.

Believe the impossible

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES God's Future for Your Family   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

“…That all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” --1 Samuel 17:47 One of the most serious dangers that you and I face after a victory is failing to give God glory. In fact, this is the easiest and surest way to lose your next victory. For example, the young shepherd David easily could have taken credit for killing Goliath, couldn’t he? After all, both the Philistine and Israelite armies witnessed the event. But David didn’t take the credit because he had his priorities right. He said, “The battle is the Lord’s.” And let me tell you, if you’ve given the battle to God, then the victory is also his! In contrast, let’s think about when the children of Israel did battle with Jericho. They marched around the city’s walls and when they shouted, the walls came tumbling down. Now, the Scripture says God specifically told them not to take any spoils from the victory. Well, that didn’t stop a man named Achan. He took some of the spoils and hid it under his tent. As a result, in their next battle with a little place called Ai, the Israelites were horribly defeated. You see, when we take the credit or the spoils of battle for ourselves, we set ourselves up for defeat! Always give God the glory. The battle, the victory, and the spoils belong to him!   ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD! Missing the Point by Dr. Paul Chappell “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:1–3 Queen Victoria had nine children and forty-two grandchildren, so besides the responsibilities she had as monarch of England, there were many family duties as well. The story goes that there was one grandson about whom she was particularly concerned. He was notably loose with his money, constantly asking for advances and gifts to allow him to keep spending. As his birthday was approaching, he wrote the queen a letter hinting that a cash gift would be most appreciated. She responded not with a gift but with a letter filled with advice regarding the importance of self control and the dangers of extravagance. After a little while he wrote back, thanking her for the letter—and telling her he had sold it to a collector for five pounds! The Bible often speaks of the importance and value of seeking counsel from others. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). However we must realize that there is no value in the advice unless we put it into practice and do as we are counseled. There are times when we are reluctant to follow good advice we receive because it is simply not what we want to hear. Yet it is even more foolish to ignore good counsel than not to seek it in the first place. We need to do right regardless of whether it is easiest.   Today’s Growth Principle:  There is no benefit gained from receiving good advice unless we also follow it.

Best Playoffs =)

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Running with Jesus   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. --1 Samuel 18:4 Did you know that with every victory there is danger? As a matter of fact, it is possible to be defeated by our victories. It’s absolutely true. Our blessings can become a curse if we don’t know how to handle them. Fortunately, 1 Samuel offers an amazing example of how you and I should handle our success. The Scripture says that after David defeated Goliath, Saul, the king of Israel, made the young champion part of his household. Now notice this. As Saul’s son, Jonathan was destined to become king of Israel. But when David was made king, rather than being envious or jealous of David’s newfound fame and power, Jonathan supported David and celebrated his victory! Jonathan doesn’t show a hint of jealousy or resentment. He surrenders himself to God’s will and rejoices in the victory of David as if it is his own.  Is this how you would have responded in this situation? I know it would be hard, but that’s why this is an important lesson. We’re not in this battle alone. We need to celebrate the victories of others, especially in the body of Christ. And as we do, God will continue to grant us victory. Be willing to put yourself aside and rejoice in the victories we have together in Jesus Christ.   WE NEED TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES OF OTHERS!

The Value of Faithfulness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.”
Genesis 39:21–23

Think about the various people you have worked with over the years. How many of them would you trust with your life if you knew you would not be checking up on them to make sure they took care of things on your behalf? That is exactly what the keeper of Pharaoh’s prison did with Joseph. The jailer was responsible to keep the prisoners, and if any of them escaped, his own life would be forfeited as penalty. Yet, he placed that responsibility, and thus his own life, in the hands of a young foreign prisoner named Joseph.
Why would the jailer take such a drastic step? Because he recognized in Joseph a faithfulness to God that led to a faithfulness in accepting responsibilities. Matthew Henry wrote, “Faithfulness in a servant lies in the ready, punctual, and thorough execution of his master’s orders; keeping his secrets and counsels, dispatching his affairs, and managing with frugality, and to as much just advantage for his master as he is able; looking well to his trusts, and preventing, as far as he can, all spoil, or loss, or damage.” In a society where excuses run rampant and people routinely break commitments, God still rewards and honors those who fulfill their duties. This is not a secondary trait, but a necessity with Him. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Faithfulness to human responsibilities starts with being faithful to God in all things.

Psalm 1:2-3

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The Right Attitude toward Work

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?”
Proverbs 6:6–9

Many people will work hard and get the job done if they know the boss is watching, but otherwise do the minimum to get by. Some people will work hard consistently for more money or prestige or to advance their careers. But as Christians, we are to work hard at whatever job we have because we are servants of God. Our duty to be a good reflection of His character and nature should impact the way we perform any task we are assigned.
There is a constant temptation to grumble and complain about work, but it is one we should resist. Work is not a curse. Adam was given assignments from God before the Fall that he carried out. When sin entered into the world, work became more difficult, but work itself is a blessing. Besides profitably filling our time, work gives us an opportunity to glorify God: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24).
Christians should not be lazy or indifferent as they go about their jobs. They should work hard, keep a positive attitude, be respectful, and be diligent. There are few places in life that are more revealing of the state of our heart than the way we approach our work. A Christian who is not diligent in his labor will not be an effective witness of the gospel.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Realizing that work is a gift from God and that He is our ultimate boss will change our attitude toward our job.

Red Cliff II 2009 eng subs

Comfort in Distress

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.”
2 Samuel 22:4–7

The Lord blessed David in so many ways, but that blessing did not mean that the shepherd boy who was anointed to be king over Israel had an easy life. David spent much of his life on fields of battle. There were many days when he did not know whether he would even survive until sundown. There were many nights where he slept in caves while hiding from those who wanted him dead. Throughout all of his dark days, David continued to trust in God. He knew that the hard times he endured did not mean that God had forsaken him. Others used David’s troubles to claim that God had abandoned him. “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah” (Psalm 3:2). Yet David’s faith remained steadfast.
God did not promise His children a painless and easy way through life. But every trial and every difficulty has a purpose as part of His plan. He does not always cause our troubles to disappear, but He always comforts those who flee to Him for help. And it is often the very things that bring us the most grief and turmoil that God is using to shape our lives. Charles Spurgeon said, “Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation.”
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Trust God just as much when you are struggling with difficulty as you do when you are rejoicing in peace. ​

Why the Bible is enough?

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Without a Doubt   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

And he [God] said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” --Genesis 32:27-28 Today’s verse reveals something very important about the work of God in your life and mine. Think about this with me. Why did the Lord ask Jacob his name? Don’t you think he knew Jacob’s name? Sure he did. But he wanted Jacob to understand something about himself. You see the name Jacob means “trickster.” And Jacob had certainly lived up to his name. So when he told God his name, he was confessing who he really was. To answer, “I am Jacob,” was to confess to God, “I’m a liar and I’m a cheater.” And do you know what God did next? He blessed Jacob! God gave him a new identity and a new name, Israel! No longer would Jacob be a conniving manipulator. He became the progenitor of the twelve tribes of Israel. And his faith found a place of honor in the book of Hebrews “Hall of Faith.” Listen! Regardless of your past and what you’ve done, God can give you a fresh start. Confess your sin and surrender to his love and authority. Let this be the day you claim your true identity in Christ.   GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU A NEW START AND A NEW IDENTITY.

Walking Wisely Before the Eyes of the World

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:”
1 Peter 2:12–15

Many years ago, Dr. Bill Rice traveled and preached as an evangelist before founding a ministry geared to reaching deaf people with the gospel. He told the story that once he was riding a city bus through the town where he was holding a revival. When he paid his fare, the driver gave him back too much change. He pointed it out, returning the extra money. The driver responded, “I knew I gave you too much. I heard you preach last night and wanted to see if you were for real.”
Every day we are being watched by those around us. Most of the time we are not even aware of who is looking. But our testimony—for good or for bad—has a powerful impact. In fact as the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” When our lives match what our words say, there is a confirmation that shows people we are for real. The fact that there are hypocrites in the church is a poor excuse for people not going to church, but it is also a tragedy for our failings in daily life to be used by Satan to keep others away from the gospel.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Make sure that what you live from day to day aligns with what you declare your beliefs to be.

True reliance on God

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Far More   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. --Genesis 32:25 Are you struggling with God? I mean, are you really wrestling with him over who’s in control of your life? Well, you wouldn’t be the first. We find in Scripture that Jacob wrestled with God both spiritually and physically. And when God wounded Jacob in that wrestling experience, by taking his hip out of joint, Jacob learned life’s most important lesson. That injury served as a painful reminder of when he finally came to the end of himself…to the end of his self-reliance, of his conniving, and of the capitulation of his faith. But more than that, Jacob came to the place where he discovered what you and I…and every Christ follower…needs to know. It’s in our weakness that we are made strong! You see, the blessing of God can only come when we are broken! God wants to get the “Jacob” out of each of us. And he will often use painful experiences to do it. Thankfully, we can also choose to have a broken and contrite spirit before God, but the fact is that most of us go through the broken experiences to learn this lesson. If God has broken you, throw yourself on his mercy. Let this be the end of yourself and the beginning of complete reliance on him.   IT’S IN OUR WEAKNESS THAT WE’RE MADE STRONG! Guard Your Tongue by Dr. Paul Chappell “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Psalm 141:3–5 I came across this thought-provoking statement recently, “Among my most prized possessions are the words that I have never spoken.” The impact of our words goes much further than most people realize, and often we say things carelessly or thoughtlessly without considering the effect they will have on those who hear them. Many people have been wounded by casually spoken words that did not have that intention. And tragically there are even some cases where words are used to deliberately and purposefully hurt and wound others. The power of words places an enormous responsibility on us to guard carefully what we say both to and about others. Most of us can remember either words of praise that encouraged us to keep going and do better or words of criticism that made us feel hopeless and want to give up—even though those words were spoken many years, even decades ago. As we reflect on the power words have had in our lives, we should also consider the impact our words will have on those who hear them. David wrote, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). The more care and consideration we give to our words before speaking, the more likely we are to say things that are helpful and uplifting. We must never forget that God is measuring every word that we utter.   Today’s Growth Principle:  Think before you speak so that you use the incredible power of words to accomplish good things.

Pachelbel - Canon In D Piano

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Far More   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” --Genesis 32:30 In the story of Jacob, in the Old Testament, you and I meet a man who reached a point of complete spiritual crisis. Jacob had some serious flaws in his faith. He wasn’t a spiritual follower of God. He clearly had heard about God his whole life, but he didn’t know God personally. In fact, Jacob spent most of his days trying to use God, rather than being used by God. His faith was superficial and shallow. Actually, Jacob sounds like many of the people who attend church these days. But God wanted more from Jacob, and he wants more from us, too. God called Jacob to be a great man of faith. But he couldn’t be that person without giving his all to God. So God physically wrestled the struggle out of him and won Jacob’s complete reliance.    Maybe you’re at a point of spiritual crisis right now. Maybe you’re struggling with your faith and trying to hold onto God and your old life. If so, you need to listen. The only way to win with God is to surrender. Let this be the day you meet God face to face. Surrender to him and let him unleash within you the person you born to be!   THE ONLY WAY TO WIN WITH GOD IS TO SURRENDER.

Staying Within the Rules

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“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 Corinthians 9:25–27

The most anticipated match up heading into the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988 was the 100 meter dash competition between American Carl Lewis, who had won the event in 1984, and Canadian Ben Johnson. The two athletes easily qualified into the final race, putting them side by side when the starter’s gun sounded. Johnson led throughout the race, crossing the finish line with a new world record. In his post-victory press conference, Johnson said, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you.” The problem was that Johnson had cheated, and when the mandatory drug test after the event came back positive for steroid use, the gold medal was taken away from Johnson and awarded to Lewis, who had finished second on the track.
There are times when, in the name of expediency or getting results, people are tempted to cut corners and do things they know are not right. Even when these actions are motivated by good intentions, they are always wrong. As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. put it, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.” God’s principles and commandments are unchanging, and He does not excuse our violation of them no matter what our motive may be. No amount of work for God and no results justify disobedience to His Word. He will not reward those who excuse taking shortcuts and sin in the name of doing good things for Him.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

To win the race and gain the prize, we must stay within the limits and boundaries God has set for us.