Keep Moving Forward

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12–14

One of the most famous of Aesop’s fables is “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The boastful rabbit is challenged to a race by a turtle. He gleefully accepts, certain of victory. When the race begins, the rabbit hurries off, soon leaving the turtle far behind. Rather than completing the race, he decides to take a nap. It is only when he awakens that the rabbit realizes the turtle is almost to the finish line. He races to catch up, but loses the contest.

All of us are tempted at times to rest on our laurels. While we certainly should be thankful for past victories and accomplishments, it is far more important for us to be focused on the future. God has greater things ahead for us, but if we have decided to coast because of what we have already done, we will miss them. Many people have missed opportunities to glorify God and live up to their calling because they decided they had already done enough.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Living on the past is one of the faults of old churches. We, for instance, as a church, may begin to congratulate ourselves upon the great things God has done by us, for we shall be sure to put it in that pretty shape, although we shall probably mean the great things we have done ourselves. After praising ourselves thus we shall gain no further blessing, but shall decline by little and little.”

Today's Growth Principle: 

Nothing that we have accomplished so far in life means that we need not keep moving forward.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

He who did not spare His own Son but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? --Romans 8:32 What does the word freedom bring to your mind? Maybe you imagine the celebrations of the Fourth of July, or see images of soldiers in battle. Possibly you think of the American flag. Or you might think about your freedom to worship and exercise your faith. But there is a greater freedom for you than even our national freedom. It is the freedom of your soul and mine, bought and paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. He gave the ultimate price for your freedom, He poured out His blood so you can be free! Think about this, if God would not even spare His only Son, don’t you know He will freely give you all things in Him? Our Scripture verse today says, “He who did not spare His own Son but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” You can be free from addictions, from sin, and from death. You can experience liberty, joy, victory, and peace. All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ as your deliverer today. If you never have, Ask God to forgive you of your sins today.

Giving God Our Best

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For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 8:38 In the game of life, you can sometimes be your own worst enemy. And your conscience can attack you. Do you feel badly about your past? Are you haunted by the ghost of guilt? Sometimes, do you just feel like a loser? It’s pretty easy to get down on yourself when you focus on your own failures, frustrations, and inadequacies. But if you spend your life looking at past defeats and mistakes, you won’t be able to live today. When you are constantly looking at instant replay, you can’t enjoy the victory that you can have in Jesus Christ for today and tomorrow. Of course, the devil loves to bring up your past and dig up dirt on you. He wants to put a wedge of separation between you and God. But your conscience doesn’t have to keep you down. If you have asked for God’s cleansing grace, trust in His forgiveness. Trust in His faithfulness. Focus on Him. Get past the past and move on for Christ! As a Christian, you have the righteousness of Jesus Christ. When Christ died on the cross for you, He took your sin, your faults, your failure, and your defeat. Instead, He gave you His righteousness, His perfection, and His victory. Nothing in your past can change that. And most importantly, nothing in your past or present can separate you from the love of God. Put your past in the past!

Giving God Our Best

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.”

Malachi 1:6–8

The expression “close enough for government work” has been around for more than one hundred years. Originally it meant something that was almost perfect, able to meet rigorous standards and ready to be tested and put into use. But in the 1960s it became a condemnation instead. Now it refers to something that is not done as well as it could or should be done. Regardless of what human standards we may reach or fall short of, God does not accept less than our very best.

The instructions given under the law for which animals were acceptable for sacrifice were clear. “And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God”(Deuteronomy 15:21).  But by the time of Malachi, the people were giving God anything that was defective, while keeping the best for themselves. God called this “evil” and He has not changed His mind. When God gave to us, He sent the very best that He had—Himself, Jesus. Our salvation was purchased by a perfect Lamb. “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:19).

Today's Growth Principle: 

God deserves nothing less than the very best that we can offer to Him.

Living in Forgiveness

Sunday, January 27, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”

Genesis 45:3–5

When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and made Jacob believe his favorite son had been killed by a wild animal, they committed a great evil. Yet when they were finally reunited with Joseph, though he had the power to inflict any punishment he wished on them, he forgave them. Joseph was willing to forgive because he recognized God had been at work. The problem was that his brothers had a hard time accepting that they had been forgiven.

Seventeen years passed before Jacob died. When they returned to Egypt after burying Jacob in the Promised Land, they feared that Joseph had just been biding his time. “And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him”(Genesis 50:15). They had been forgiven, but they were still living with guilt and shame for what they had done.

Often we do that, both with God and with others. We realize the seriousness of our offenses, and genuinely repent and seek forgiveness. But when we receive it, we do not live as if we have been forgiven. There will be consequences for past actions, but the guilt has been removed. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

Today's Growth Principle: 

Do not allow guilt over things you have confessed and sought forgiveness for continue to weigh you down.

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No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. --Romans 8:37 As a Christian, is it wrong to want to succeed? Is it wrong to be competitive? Not at all! As a believer, God can take your drive to succeed, your passion for success, and your competitive edge and refocus it for His glory. Our Scripture verse says “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God wants us to live in super, abundant victory. We are in this race of life to win. Paul puts it this way in Corinthians, “Therefore, run to win.” Don’t just finish, win! Now there are accusers and opponents that try to keep Christians from winning. The devil is our adversary. He is called the accuser of the brother in the Bible. The devil is constantly trying to discourage us, defeat us, and defame our testimony. But I want to warn you against focusing on the devil today. Don’t let the devil distract you from the victory you have in Jesus Christ. Don’t be on the defense in life. Play offense. And run to win! When you know Jesus, He will take your drive to succeed, your passion for success, and your competitive edge and refocus it for His glory.

Something that Lasts

Saturday, January 26, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

Hebrews 10:32–34

The Great Pyramid in Giza has been standing for more than four thousand years. Built to serve as the mausoleum of a pharaoh named Khufu, this massive structure was, for most of its existence, the tallest man-made building on Earth. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it is the only one that has largely survived intact. It was not built with an eye toward ease, convenience or cost—it was built with an eye toward permanence.

Every day we are faced with choices between the temporal and the eternal. There are only so many hours in each day and so much money in the budget. The question we face is how we will choose to invest our resources. Wise Christians understand that the greatest and most important investment we can make is an investment in the things of God. Paul noted this truth when he wrote to thank the church at Philippi for their financial support he said, “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:17).

It is easy to only care about ROI, return on investment, for our earthly treasures. But we should be far more concerned with what we are accomplishing that will last. Is the way we spend our time, money, and abilities building up treasure in Heaven? If not, a major change needs to be made. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Today's Growth Principle: 

Do not spend your life focused only on things that will soon pass away.

Don’t Grow Accustomed to Sin

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”

John 2:14–16

Because we live in a world that is increasingly turning its back on God, we are constantly surrounded by a sea of wickedness. And because that wickedness is being praised and promoted, it is easy for us to adopt a casual attitude toward sin. We would not do those things ourselves, but we are lulled into thinking sin is really not that bad. It is. In the time of Christ it had become common practice for the Temple to be filled with commerce rather than worship. That grieved Jesus greatly, and He physically reacted by driving the sellers out with a whip.

In the days of the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, the Israelites found a similar response from their leader to the accepted practice of intermarriage with the heathen nations around them. “And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves” (Nehemiah 13:25).

Of course we should love sinners, but we must still hate sin. Our reaction should be driven by what God thinks rather than by how it may seem to us. Matthew Henry said, “If we would be angry and not sin, we must be angry at nothing but sin; and we should be more jealous for the glory of God than for any interest or reputation of our own.”

Today’s Growth Principle: 

It does not take long to move from acceptance and toleration of sin to participation in it.

Friday, January 25, 2019

The Power of Forgiveness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

2 Corinthians 2:8–11

John Selwyn was born in New Zealand in 1844. After going to England for his education, he set out for the Melanesian Islands as a missionary. The inhabitants of Norfolk Island were not open to the gospel and often were harsh in their treatment of foreigners. One day as Selwyn was talking to a teenage boy, the boy became angry and struck him in the face. Selwyn said nothing in response, and walked away. After a few years, Selwyn’s health failed, forcing him to return to England. Many years passed, and another missionary was summoned to talk to a dying man who wished to be saved before he met God. When the missionary asked his name, he replied, “Call me John Selwyn, because he taught me what Christ was like when I struck him.”

The choice to forgive is more than just a matter of obedience to God and following the example of Jesus. It is vital both to our own physical and spiritual health, and it is vital to our relationships with others. The things that we hold close and refuse to let go keep us trapped far more than they trap the person who did them. Forgiveness does not mean the offense did not happen or that we deserved what happened or that there are no consequences to the offender. Forgiveness means that we have released it into God’s hands, and we trust Him to deal with the offender as He sees best.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Those who refuse to forgive will never escape the bondage of the past.

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But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.     --Matthew 6:6 If obligations and a busy schedule have exhausted the energy in your spiritual tank, maybe you need to refuel! Whether you spend your day rushing to meetings, escorting children to school functions and sports events, or ministering to others, life can be exhausting! So if you feel drained of energy and strength, I want to share how you can be empowered. The Spirit of God can energize you through your prayer life. And when you worship God in the Spirit, you’ll be invigorated. Personally, when I’m physically tired and begin to worship God, my spirit becomes energized, revived, and revitalized. The same thing can happen to you! I believe one of the secrets to empowering prayer is committing to private prayer time. Jesus says in Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.”        Private prayer is that time alone with God when you and I draw near to Him through the Spirit to know Him, to talk with Him. And every Christian who wants to be refueled with the power of prayer must find a place to pray privately. Do you have a secret place? Do you have a quiet time dedicated to the Lord? Matthew 6:6 continues, “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” When we join God in the secret place, His Spirit fills the space and we can truly converse and commune with God. That’s prayer that empowers you for living!                                                                                                                                                Get alone with God today to refuel your spirit!

Thursday, January 24, 2019

You Are Not Alone

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room….Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”

1 Kings 19:16, 18

After the great victory on Mount Carmel, where God answered his prayer and sent fire from Heaven to burn not only the sacrifice, but even the stones of the altar, Elijah could have rejoiced in God’s power and gone on to his next assignment. Instead, he fled alone into the desert, fearing Jezebel’s threat to take his life. When God confronted him, the depressed prophet complained that he alone had remained faithful to God. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away”(1 Kings 19:10). God’s response to him, in the verses above, was that he was, in reality, not alone. There were seven thousand people in Israel who had not turned from God to worship Baal.

In a society where believing what God says in the Bible and speaking it out loud can end a career, and where evil and wickedness is not just tolerated but aggressively promoted, it is tempting to think that we are alone. But in truth, there are many faithful Christians all around the world who have not abandoned what is right for what is convenient. We are not alone. Even if it were true that there was no one else doing right, we would still not be alone, for God never leaves or forsakes us. Even in Elijah’s moment of despair, far away from everything he knew, God was there.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Our faith is not based on the actions of others, but the character of God.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. --Romans 8:26 If I were to title this devotion, I would call it “The Problems with Prayer.” As believers, you and I know that we are commanded and called to prayer. Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we should pray “at all times in the Spirit.” But because of our flesh, there are several “problems” that stand in the way of effective and empowering prayer… problems that the Holy Spirit can help us overcome if we but ask. First, we lack concern. As humans, lethargy and even laziness battle our desire to pray. We don’t feel the need or urgency to pray. The flesh really doesn’t want to pray. But the Spirit gives us the concern and prompts us to pray. Second, we perceive distance between God and ourselves. Many people don’t pray because they feel like they’re either talking to themselves or to someone who is absent. They cannot sense the presence of God in prayer. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. We have access by the Holy Spirit to the Father. According to Galatians 4:6, “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!” We have the Spirit of God living within us to make God real and to make God ever present. The Holy Spirit helps us connect with God the Father.                                                                                                                                                The Holy Spirit will help you overcome the “problems with prayer” if you will but ask.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Be Kind

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:29–32

Everett Dirksen represented the state of Illinois first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate from 1932 until his death in 1969. Though he was a gifted speaker, Dirksen was best known for his ability to form close friendships that allowed him to work across the divisions that often appear in politics. One of the secrets to his success was the help he provided to others. Dirksen famously said that when there was a controversial issue up for a vote that did not have a direct bearing on his constituents or his principles, he would figure out which side was going to win and then vote for the other side. Dirksen said, “My friend, the winners never remember and the losers never forget.”

Acts of kindness should not be rare, particularly within the body of Christ, but in too many cases callousness and even cruelty are more commonly displayed instead. There is no shortage of people who could use a kind and encouraging word. There are plenty of people struggling to make it from one day to the next, who wonder if anyone cares for them. There are many who echo the lament of David: “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). It takes very little to be kind, but kindness has a powerful impact.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Touching someone’s life in kindness is one of the most important things you can do today.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. --Psalm 39:7 How can you be confident in your future? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have a hope that is grounded in God. And there is nothing stronger, truer, surer, more reliable, more just, or more powerful than Him! So how is this confident hope made real in your own life? Hope is made real through the Scriptures. If you want to increase your hope, study the Scriptures. “In his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5). God, who cannot lie, has given us a guarantee, a sure promise in His Word. The revelation of His word is that you and I have a future and a hope. Hope is also made real by the resurrection. Because Jesus Christ lives, we shall live also. Because He conquered sin, the grave, death, and hell, we are conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37). And hope is made real by faith. Faith and hope are inseparably linked. Faith is the root, hope is the fruit. Faith produces hope! “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5).                                                                                                                                                Make your hope real by building your life upon the word of God.

Monday, January 21, 2019

The Key to All the Rest

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

Mark 12:28–30

Though locks have been around since ancient times, with examples being found in archaeological excavations in Nineveh, among other cities, the modern secure lock as we know it today got its start in the early 1800s. Disturbed by theft of naval property, the British announced a contest for someone to create a lock that would withstand the attempts of burglars to open it. Jeremiah Chubb presented his lock to the government in 1818, and after three months effort, a trained lock-picker could not open it. Chubb received a prize of £100 for his invention and went into business making locks and safes. Chubb’s lock could only be opened with the proper key.

The key to living as God commands is found in our love. If He is first in our hearts and minds, obedience to the rest of what He tells us to do will come easily. But if we love anything or anyone more than we love Him, the door to obedience will not be unlocked. Being a good Christian is not a matter of keeping a list of rules. Judas did such a good job looking good outwardly, even though he was a thief and a traitor inwardly, that the other disciples trusted him to keep the money for the whole group, not suspecting that he was stealing from them the whole time. Growing in our walk with God is a matter of the heart. If we do not love God above all, we are missing the master key.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Unless we love God as we should, we cannot expect to live as we should.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. --Psalm 130:7 What is hope? What does it mean for your life right now? Hope is far more than positive thinking, wishful thinking or human optimism. The Bible describes our hope as a living hope, a hope to live by. The hope you and I have in Jesus Christ is the hope of heaven, but it is not just for the next life. It is hope for the NOW life. Biblical hope is a confidence based upon promises that are guaranteed by God. You and I can have hope right now:   That God answers prayer. “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14).   For a new beginning. No matter how you and I fail in this life, there’s always hope for another chance. There is hope for your home, for your marriage, and for your life.   That God will turn your suffering into victory. No matter what the circumstance or situation, God has a plan for your benefit.   Over the fear of death. With Jesus Christ there is hope that we will never die. Hope is not flimsy or futile. Hope is strong. And hope can build strength and confidence in your life!                                                                                                                                                Biblical hope is a confidence based upon promises that are guaranteed by God.