A Man Greatly Loved

CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Source of Our Strength   CURRENT TV SERIES At the Cross

“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” —Daniel 10:11 God Himself witnessed to the love of Daniel and of His love for Daniel.  This is one of the reasons that many Bible commentators and scholars agree that Daniel is to be compared with John, who was beloved of Jesus. Just as John was given great visions and revelations of the coming kingdom of Christ because of his nearness to Christ and his heart and his love for Christ, so was Daniel in the Old Testament a man beloved of God.  And because of his nearness to the Lord, God was able to speak to him and through him and give his revelation. Why would Daniel or any person be considered by God a man beloved?  Wouldn’t you like that ascription assigned to you?  A man or a woman beloved of God.  From his youth, Daniel followed the Lord God.  Even though he was deported as an exile to Babylon, Daniel was faithful.  Daniel purposed in his heart from his earliest days.  Taught by his family and even though far away from home as a young man, he maintained his loyalty and his faithfulness to the Lord. Did you know the very best time to begin serving the Lord and to be loyal to Christ is at the very beginning of your life in the youth of your life?  Don’t waste your years doing something else: serving yourself or serving the devil. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” and God will bless you for it.   LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  DANIEL DID AND GOD LOVED HIM FOR IT.

The Importance of Sanctification

Thursday, March 21, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.”

Romans 15:15–17

A brilliant scholar, Henry Martyn, was headed toward a lucrative legal career when he heard a man named Charles Simeon tell about what William Carey was doing as a missionary in India. He immediately changed course and began training to go to India himself. Martyn set sail for India in 1805. He died just seven years later, at the age of 31. But in that brief period of ministry, Martyn translated the New Testament into three different languages, and had a powerful impact on both India and Iran. Martyn’s priority was revealed when he said, “Let me be taught that the first great business on Earth is the sanctification of my own soul.”

The purpose of God for our lives is for us to be sanctified—to become more like the image of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. This is not done through our determination, resolve, will power, or strength, but by the Holy Spirit as we yield our lives to His control and are filled with Him. No matter how hard we try or how diligently we work, the process of sanctification is beyond human power to achieve. “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). Only as we are being sanctified will our lives bring honor and glory to God as he intends.

Today's Growth Principle: 

If we are not becoming more like Jesus, we are failing as Christians no matter what else we may do.