Staying on Course

CURRENT RADIO SERIES At the Cross   CURRENT TV SERIES At the Cross

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” --Luke 23:34 As we all know, words are powerful…especially dying words. And as we near Easter Sunday, it’s important each of us remembers the words of Jesus right before His earthly life ended. Some of the last words Jesus uttered while hanging from the cross were words of forgiveness. Today I want to ask you, if Christ could pray a prayer of forgiveness for those who were putting Him to death, can you pray a prayer of forgiveness for those in your life who mistreat you? Despite what you may be going through today, can you look past your own “junk” and extend forgiveness to others? Jesus’ dying words on the cross are a powerful example of how you and I ought to treat those who mistreat us. Are you willing to follow His perfect example in every area of your life today? Will you extend forgiveness to those who don’t deserve it? I challenge you to pick up your cross today…and live out the life of forgiveness Christ has given you!   CAN YOU FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE AND FORGIVE THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU?

Staying on Course

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

1 Corinthians 9:25–27

At the IAAF World Indoor Championship held in England in 2018, the third qualifying race in the 400-meter event had five entrants. The top two finishers were to advance to the next round of competition. After one runner was disqualified for a false start, the remaining four began their dash around the track. Because the track is oval, the runners start at staggered distances, each in a separate lane in which they must stay until they reach a certain distance. All four of the competitors were disqualified for running out of their lanes too early, leaving no one to go on to the next race.

There are guidelines and markers laid down for us in the Bible that are meant to be followed. They are not suggestions, but requirements. Because the “lanes” are clearly established for us, we have no excuse for wavering uncertainly through life. We are not left to grope through the darkness. God lights the way for those who are committed to following Him. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Paul recognized the danger that even after years of ministry, if he did not keep to a certain course, he would fall. There are no exceptions to the commands of God. He does not give permission to sin because of past service to Him. We must stay on the certain course all the days of our lives.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Determine now to stay faithful to the Lord and His Word through your entire life’s race.