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.