Homeward Bound

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“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord.” —Psalm 84:1-2 Deb and I and our family have lived in multiple houses through the years, but we’ve moved our home from house to house. Home is where the people you love live. I tell Deb all the time, “Honey, if you leave me, I’m going with you.” Because she is home, and we are at home together. We all have a homing instinct, a desire for home and heaven. God put it in us, this desire to be with God, to know God and to be with Him! Home, I pray, is a great place for you. I understand home does not necessarily have great connotations for some. But for so many of us home is place of belonging, it’s a place of comfort and safety. We should have our faces set and our attention and our focus on that day when we stand before the Lord. Because heaven is not just a destination, heaven is a motivation to live our lives for Him! I hope you’re enjoying the journey by passionately, earnestly, expectantly seeking God in your life by faithfully following Him, and that every day of your life you will enjoy Him and enjoy His presence. He has given us grace; He has given us glory every step of the way. And when we see Him, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it all! When Christ comes for us and we look into His face, we will celebrate forever this journey home.   GOD HAS GIVEN US A LONGING FOR OUR ETERNAL HOME. Discouraging Words Wednesday, February 27, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31–33 In 1871 a doctor named Brewster Higley moved from Indiana to Smith County, Kansas, to claim land under the Homestead Act. He built a small cabin and began to improve the land as was required under the law. Dr. Higley enjoyed living there, and the next year published a poem called “My Western Home” in a small local paper. Soon a friend wrote music to go with the poem, and the song we know as “Home on the Range” was born. In 1947 Kansas adopted it as their official state song. One of the things Dr. Higley apparently liked about living in Kansas was the positive attitudes of those around him. He described that in his poem when he wrote, “Where seldom is heard a discouraging word.” The words that we hear from (and speak to) others have a profound influence on our thoughts and actions. Negative, critical, and discouraging people have a negative impact on our lives. The ten spies who brought back a bad report from their visit to the Promised Land took away the confidence of the Israelites, and they refused to cross the Jordan to fight. We need to make sure we are helping people do right rather than holding them back by our words. Today's Growth Principle:  Given the enormous power of our words, we should choose them with care to encourage and build up others.

Brother Jake Explains

Making the Most of Every Day

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“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” —Psalm 118:24 Time is passing. I don’t know about you, but because of the rush of our days, it seems like it’s moving faster than ever before. And here’s the thing about playing the game of life: you can’t call time out! You can’t really drop out. Someone said life is like a coin; you can spend it however you wish, but you can spend it only once. It’s true. There are no do-overs for your days. Once you live your day, it’s done. There are no mulligan’s in life, just days. When you only have one life to live, every day matters! Every day! And it’s not just about counting your days but making your days count.  Life is so daily. And you can have a good day and add up enough good days in your life that you have a great life. How do we do that? How do we make our time meaningful? Embrace each day as a gift from God. Welcome this day! Why? Because “This is the day the Lord has made.” He is the dawn breaker and day maker. The Ancient of Days is the maker of our days. These are a gift from God! And with each day come the promises and the provisions and the possibilities of a life well lived, when we live in His plan and His purpose for each one of us.   GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY! Powerless Religion Tuesday, February 26, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1–5 There have been many times throughout history when churches have faced serious challenges. Often the problem is that compromises made by Christians hoping to be accepted by the world have impacted the teaching of the truth, and though the church buildings may still be there, they are no longer accomplishing anything for God. Sometimes those not closely involved may not even realize the change that has taken place. The church at Sardis was like that. “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). When we abandon the truth and waver in our stand on the Word of God, we abandon our ability to impact the world for Christ. A. W. Tozer wrote, “Religion today is not transforming the people—it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society—it is descending to society's own level and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smiling accepting its surrender.” The power of godliness does not diminish when the world around us declines. In fact, it increases as the contrast becomes clearer. That means it is vital that we hold to the truth, no matter what compromises and choices others may make. Rituals and traditions of religion do not change the world. Only godly living and teaching can do that. Today's Growth Principle:  The more we become like the world, the less power we will have to reach and influence them.

A House Built Upon the Lord

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“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1 Many of you are familiar with Fixer Upper and shows like it on HGTV. You know Chip and Joanna, and of course, they are a couple… a man and a woman of faith as well, and you know what happens. There’s an old house. It’s a bad house; it’s falling down. And yet this couple has enough money to buy this house, and Chip and Joanna come along and they give them a new blueprint and a plan and some ideas. They begin to work their magic on this old house that’s falling down. And by the time they’re done, it’s brand new! It is unbelievably beautiful. Well, did you know that God is making lives brand new? He’s the ultimate Fixer Upper, and He is building and rebuilding our homes every day. Every home needs an architect and a blueprint and a builder; and God is all three and more! He is the one who is the foundation of our home. It is futile, it is vain, it is empty to try to build your life and certainly your home apart from the Lord our God! Whatever you’re building, whether you’re building your life, you’re building your family, you’re building your business, you’re building your career, you’re building your education… whatever you are building, unless the Lord builds it, it is in vain. It’s not going to work!   BUILD YOUR HOME ON THE WORD OF GOD AND THE WISDOM THAT HE GIVES!

Walk, Don't Walk

Monday, February 25, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22–25

In nearly any town of any size in America, if you go to the heart of town and stand at an intersection of two major streets, in addition to traffic lights to guide the cars, there will be signs for the pedestrians as well. The “Walk, Don't Walk” lights are meant to inform everyone of when it is safe to cross the street. In recent years audio signals and commands have been added to the lights so that even those who cannot see can still determine whether they should go forward or wait. Most people obey those signs without question, especially in large cities. The reason is that they understand the purpose and value of the signs—and what could happen if they disobey. If they walk when the sign says “Don't Walk” they will be in danger. If they remain still when the sign says “Walk” they will never get anywhere.

But when it comes to the Christian life, too many take the commands and prohibitions of Scripture far less seriously than they do street signs. People who avoid crossing a street with a “Don't Walk” sign flashing think nothing of ignoring the warnings of the Bible so that they can go ahead and indulge their fleshly appetites. There is a constant warfare between the flesh and the Spirit, and we must yield to God's control to be victorious. Andrew Murray wrote, “May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”

Today's Growth Principle: 

When we walk in the Spirit, we will live in accordance with the principles and precepts of Scripture.

The Basis of Confidence

Saturday, February 23, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

1 John 5:11–13

Dr. R. A. Torrey told the story of a young man who had been raised in a Christian home but turned away from the faith. He had convinced himself that he could never be truly saved, and became suicidal, certain that he was doomed to Hell. In desperation, his parents put him on a train for Chicago to talk with R. A. Torrey, and sent a guard with him to ensure he would not try to kill himself on the way. When he reached Torrey’s office, he declared the impossibility of his ever being saved. Torrey simply quoted the promise of Jesus: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”(John 6:37).

Every time the young man described something he had done or failed to do, Torrey quoted the verse again. Finally Torrey asked if he at least believed Jesus would never lie and he said that he did. Torrey then said simply, “Come to Him.” The young man knelt and prayed, then enrolled in the Bible Institute and became a powerful and effective preacher. Our faith and confidence does not come from our wisdom, or our feelings, or from our performance. Rather it is based completely on the faithfulness of the God who made the promises on which we rely. There is nothing too hard for Him, and when we act in faith as He commands, He never fails to do all that He has said.

Today's Growth Principle: 

We can have complete confidence in God to do all that He has promised.

Opportunities Gone Forever

Sunday, February 24, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

Jeremiah 8:18–20

After a lengthy and successful business career, Harvey MacKay began writing books to share his insights and experiences with others. His first best-seller, How to Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, established him as one of the most read authors of his time. Most of his books are filled with practical wisdom and sound advice. MacKay wrote, “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”

There are some things that we can go back and fix if we fail to get them right the first time. But there are other opportunities that must be grasped in the moment, or they will never return. There are many differences between people, in ability, intelligence, talent, and more. But every one of us gets the same 86,400 seconds every day. What we do with them determines whether our lives will have a meaningful impact or will be wasted.

Those who seize the opportunities before them and maximize the value of their time will accomplish the most even if they are not the most gifted people. The realization of the fleeting nature of time should encourage us to use it as wisely and diligently as we can. Longfellow wrote, “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained through sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward through the night.”

Today's Growth Principle: 

Do not waste the precious moments God has given to you this day—they will never return.

Numbering Our Days

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” --Psalm 37:7 When I was a little guy my mother used to cook in a thing called a pressure cooker. It would literally heat from the pressure within. And she would cook beans particularly in there. Every now and then this thing would start whistling and rattling, and suddenly there was an explosion! I would hear my mother scream, and I’d walk in and there were green beans all over the ceiling because that thing just finally blew up. That’s what can happen to us when we worry and fret. Strife and stress is a way of life for so many people today including Christians. Yes, Christians fight this battle over stress as well. The thing is, it doesn’t accomplish anything in your life. It will rob you of peace and joy and happiness and laughter. It will take away relationships. It can rob you of your health and even your sleep. And you know what? It’s all futile and foolish. Even Jesus said that. Jesus talked a lot about dealing with worries and anxieties. He said, [Luke 12:25] “Which one of you can add to your life by worrying about it?” He said it is unprofitable for any of us to worry about anything. You can’t change things simply by worrying about them. God is good, God is gracious, God is great! And there’s nothing in your life that He can’t handle! So you trust Him, knowing that even when you fail and fall, He’s got you in the palm of His hand; He holds you.   GET THE STRIFE OUT OF YOUR LIFE BY TRUSTING IN HIM!

Numbering Our Days

Friday, February 22, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Psalm 90:10–12

Despite his enormous talent for writing and his skill as a political leader, George Gordon Byron was better known both during his life and after for his careless living, profligate spending, and rampant immorality. He was famously described as being “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” Numerous debts and scandals eventually forced him to leave England, and he spent the rest of his life far from his home. In a poem composed not long before his death, at just thirty-six years of age, Lord Byron wrote:

My days are in the yellow leaf;
  The flowers and fruits of love are gone;

The worm, the canker, and the grief
  Are mine alone!

The wasting of any life is a tragedy. The wasting of the life of a believer who has been called and gifted by God to work for His Kingdom in this world is even worse. Every one of us has been given gifts and talents that are meant to be used, not buried in the ground. When we number our days, we realize that we have only a limited time to do what God has placed before us. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). The reality is that none of us know what tomorrow holds. Whatever we are going to do needs to be motivated by the knowledge that there is a number to our days.

Today's Growth Principle: 

The best way to not waste your life is to not waste this very day you have been given.

Brother Jake Explains

Brother Jake Explains

Believe and be blessed

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“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” —Psalm 103:2 So often we are defeated by the things we say to ourselves. Our anxious thoughts, our sinful thoughts, thoughts that do not honor God, or thoughts that impact us negatively. You know Satan’s lies are toxic and poisonous, and can influence us physically, emotionally, relationally in our homes, our families, socially in our lives, in our careers. So often we are thinking so negatively! But when you read this psalm there’s not a negative word here. There’s no criticism here, there’s no crying here, but simply praise to God! We need to get rid of all of that toxicity in our thought life, and begin to think the thoughts that are in His word. And not only think them, but to profess them! Remember, if you come up against a mountain that stands between you and seemingly the blessing of God, Jesus said, [Mark 11:23] “Say to the mountain, ‘Be removed’, and the mountain will be removed into the sea.” Some of us are always talking about our mountain! Stop talking about your mountain, and start talking to your mountain in the name of Jesus! They will become mole hills in the sight of a mighty God! And therefore, like the psalmist, believe and be blessed, and say so!   CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND YOU WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIVE. It’s Not the World’s Fault Thursday, February 21, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:14–16 It is no secret that the society in which we live is becoming increasingly wicked. All kinds of sin and perversion that were once hidden in shame are now publicly embraced, and those who speak for the truth are regarded as bigots. Yet it is possible for us to use the condition and practices of the world around us as an excuse for lowering our standards and compromising the truth. The Bible teaches us that even in “a crooked and perverse nation” it is still possible for God’s people to do what is right. We are meant to be lights in the darkness, and the reality is that the greater the darkness is, the brighter any light will shine. But we must be responsible and do what is necessary for our light to continue to shine. No matter how hopeless the situation around us seems to be, no matter how deeply or how far the world goes into sin, we have a responsibility to do what is right and let our lights shine in the world. The ancient city of Sodom is a powerful example of this truth. Though they were greatly evil, they were not past hope. Jesus said, “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:23). But Lot failed to influence those around him, and the city was destroyed for the lack of even ten righteous people. Today's Growth Principle:  The growing darkness around us makes it imperative that our lights shine more brightly.

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“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” —Psalm 107:1 The mark of a believer is thanksgiving and gratitude. We have grateful hearts because of what Christ has done for us. We enter into the presence of God with thanksgiving and praise. The people of Israel would often bring sacrifices to celebrate great events. They would celebrate in particular their redemption, whether for crossing the Red Sea or their trip through the desert to the land of Promise. They would celebrate with massive festivals. Much like the American tradition of Thanksgiving in which we celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation. The nation of Israel would celebrate with feasts and festivals, and they would bring sacrifices offered to God in thanksgiving. We all have sinned against God and rebelled against a holy God. And yet God has loved us, He has saved us, He has brought us into His family, and now we belong to Him. It’s no wonder we say, “Thank you, Lord,” and bring these sacrifices of praise to God! When you think about what Christ has done for you, you can’t help but thank Him. When you think of the goodness of God and remember and reflect upon it, you cannot help but offer these sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. Not just because of the way you feel, but because of what you know!   GIVE THANKS NOT BECAUSE ALL THINGS ARE GOOD, BUT BECAUSE GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD! Seizing the Moment Wednesday, February 20, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13–14 In 23 BC the Roman poet Horace published his influential Odes. Among all his poems filling three volumes, perhaps the most famous line is, “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero,” which translates as, “Seize the day and put little trust in the future.” The world around us has taken this philosophy of not waiting and hoping for the future but acting in the present and turned it into an excuse for self-gratification. The YOLO (you only live once) mentality often leads to foolish or sinful conduct. That is not the proper way to live in the present. The Christian is to seize the day because we do not know and cannot presume on the future. The only day that we know for certain we have to serve God and love others is today. James reminds us: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). We must not let what is before us today slip away because we do not know if there will ever be another opportunity to carry out what is before us. When we face a “such a time as this” moment, we must act or it will forever be lost. Someone said, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity.” We are gifted each day with twenty-four hours, and how we use those hours determines the impact of our lives. Today's Growth Principle:  Do not let today’s opportunities pass you by while you are focused on tomorrow.

Brother Jake Explains

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“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” —Psalm 80:3 Our Judeo-Christian values, biblical values in particular are under attack in our nation. We know that, especially when it comes to Christians who boldly share their faith in the marketplace, or in the schoolyard or locker room or corporate office. There’s increasing resistance to that. If you are so bold to say that Jesus is [John 14:6] “the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by Him,” expect that faith to be under attack. There’s growing toleration of immorality in America. Many even in the so-called Christian Left support gay marriage, and sinful lifestyles that the Bible directly condemns. The reason is there are many false prophets that have gone out into the world, who [Isaiah 5:20] “call evil good”, as Isaiah said, “and good evil.” There’s a lack of biblical authority, starting in our pulpit and many of our Christian universities, therefore, there is a biblical illiteracy. There is a famine in the land for the Word of God! Our nation has been drifting away from God and we are one generation away from paganism unless we turn to God! America is becoming Rome and the barbarians are at the gate! This is spiritual warfare, and spiritual warfare is fought on our knees as we pray and seek God! We’re at the crossroads! Now is the time. If we don’t act quickly and wisely, we will see the end of the nation that we love in no time. But we have, in my view, an opportunity. God has given us space for repentance, and an opportunity for God’s people to stand and serve and make a difference in our world. That’s religious freedom.   EVERY CHRISTIAN IN AMERICA SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR OUR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW! What Makes the Difference? Tuesday, February 19, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35–38 There was no shortage of religious leaders in the time of Christ. Even small villages had a synagogue where a rabbi would teach the people each Sabbath day. These were learned men, experts in the smallest details of the law that Moses had recorded at God’s direction. They devoted themselves to study and learning. But they were not making an impact on those around them. After Jesus completed a ministry trip through Galilee, He was brokenhearted over the spiritual condition of the people. The thing that made the difference between Jesus and those religious leaders was His compassion for the lost. For Jesus it was not enough to see the condition of the people—His compassion moved Him into action. Despite the enormity of the need, there was a great shortage of workers actually doing something about it. So Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for more helpers to join in the harvest. The measure of our compassion for those around us is not how eloquently we talk about them but how diligently we work to reach them. If we would truly be like Jesus, then we must have hearts filled with compassion. That is what changes us from being technical experts with knowledge into people who genuinely care and get involved in the lives of others. As Jude reminds us: “And of some have compassion, making a difference” (Jude 1:22). Today's Growth Principle:  It is impossible to truly have compassion for others without responding to help them.