CURRENT RADIO SERIES Salvation Once for All   CURRENT TV SERIES All In

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established” —Proverbs 24:3 Now, every person wants to live in close connection with others. God made us this way when He created us. He created us with a capacity to share the life of others, the desires, the dreams of others. Adam did not live alone, but He created the woman and established the first home, the first family, and from the family a community, and from the community a city, and then God blessed a nation and nations. We are living together as people in relationships. Gary Smalley says that, “Life is relationships, the rest is just details.” Americans, today, feel more isolated than previous generations. There’s been a significant drop in number of close relationships that we share; close friends, people with whom we can discuss important matters and issues in life. Did you know that social isolation is as big a risk factor for premature death as smoking? The fact is well-connected people live longer and healthier lives. That’s another good reason to be in church every Sunday. You want to live an abundant life and even a longer life? Then stay churched, stay connected with others. God has established the home and the church and the government and all of these are indispensable to a healthy and happy life.   GOD CREATED US FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS AND WITH HIM The Treasures of the Heart Thursday, February 14, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:43–45 In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, we see red hearts popping up all over. They are used as decorations, placed in advertisements, and made out of chocolate in all sizes. This is a time when people are talking and thinking about love more than usual. The physical heart is just a muscle that pumps blood through our bodies, but the spiritual heart—the inward thoughts, emotions and, desires that we have—does far more. It determines the entire course of our lives. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus said that what comes out in our lives, the way we act toward others and speak to them, is determined by what is on the inside. The things that we care about and love most, that which we treasure, is not revealed in what we say matters but in what we do. And while the things that are on the inside may be covered up for a while, eventually they will be seen by the entire world. The best way, indeed the only way, to maintain a good testimony is to maintain a good heart. What do you value most? What do you really love? Is God and what He commands at the top of your agenda on a daily basis? What does your heart treasure? Today's Growth Principle:  If you want a life characterized by good actions, you must first have a good heart.