Consider the Ravens

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And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” -- Mark 11:15-17 The verses above describe one event in Jesus’ life that lets us know just how He feels about those who worship Him improperly. Jesus displayed His power that day to show us how He values genuine worship. When God looks at your life, does He see genuine worship or does He see a counterfeit? Does He see something real or is it phony? The bottom line is that each of us was made to worship God. And until we realize the true purpose in life, which is to worship Him and enjoy Him forever, we’ll always be floundering. We’ll always be frustrated because worship is the central purpose of life! It is impossible to be a productive, positive Christian without participating in meaningful, genuine worship! And I’m not just talking about corporate worship. Worship is something more than what we do, worship is a lifestyle. It is an attitude that we carry with us day by day. It is an activity and an attitude that reveals the inner heart and recognizes the value we place on God in our lives. That’s what worship is! So today, let me challenge you to make your life a life of worship…an exclamation of the glory of our God!   IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE A FULFILLED CHRISTIAN WITHOUT GENUINELY WORSHIPPING GOD.

Consider the Ravens

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?”

Luke 12:22–24

Louisa Stead lost her husband when he drowned trying to save another swimmer as the family was enjoying a picnic at the beach. Left alone with a young daughter and no way to support herself in those days before government programs were available, Louisa began to pray. More than once an anonymous friend left food, money, and clothing on her porch when things were especially desperate. Out of that painful tragedy came one of the most beautiful hymns ever written:

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Most of us have, thankfully, never faced a challenge quite as severe as Louisa Stead did. But all of us have needs, burdens, heartaches, and struggles. In every one of those cases, we have an unfailing source of support—if we avail ourselves of it through faith. When Jesus was reminding the disciples not to worry about the future, He used the example of ravens. Ravens are not anyone’s favorite bird. They are scavengers who do not care about the freshness or delicacy of what they eat. They do not soar majestically like eagles or sing beautiful songs like robins or cardinals. Yet God still cares for these “ugly” birds. And He cares for us. He will never forsake you as His child.

Today's Growth Principle: 

If we look with spiritual perception, we see reminders of God’s faithfulness all around us.