Saturday, January 25, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:19–21
In the early 1900s, Radio Corporation of America was one of the largest companies in the world. Their electronics business was booming, especially after World War I and the start of the “Roaring Twenties.” In October of 1929, RCA was trading for $58.50 on the New York Stock Exchange. But the Great Depression came, and by 1932 the company had lost more than 95 percent of its value with the stock trading at just $2.50 per share. There were many who thought they had wealth and security because of their RCA stock, but it proved to be fleeting.
No matter how secure any earthly investment may seem to be, it is temporal. While it is important for us to be good stewards of the resources God entrusts to us, and we should make wise plans for the future, nothing should outweigh eternity in our hearts and minds. The things that we put into God’s work are treasures that are prepared for us to receive. Paul wrote, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
The things into which we pour our time, money, and energy are the things that matter most to us. If we only have earthly investments, it speaks loudly that we do not have Heaven in our hearts. Knowing that we will spend eternity there, we should be far more interested in treasure that lasts than in worldly possessions.
Today's Growth Principle:
If we invest our lives in the things of Heaven, we cannot lose the rewards laid up there.
Prayer for Revival
Sunday, January 26, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”
Psalm 85:4–8
England in the late 1700s was in turmoil. The loss of the American colonies had greatly impacted the empire, not just in the new world, but in the old as well. In addition to the political and military upheaval, economic woes roiled society. From his pulpit in London, John Newton saw the great need of spiritual renewal above all else. He wrote to a friend, “A revival is wanted here with us as it is with you, and some of us are praying and also singing for a revival. The song we are singing will be found on the reverse side of my letter.”
Saviour, visit Thy plantation,
Send, oh send, a gracious rain;
All will come to desolation
Unless Thou dost bless again.
Break the tempter’s fatal power,
Turn the stony hearts to flesh,
And begin this very hour
To revive Thy work afresh.
Lord, Thy help is greatly needed:
Help can only come from Thee.
Everywhere we look, there are signs of the spiritual decay and decline of our society. This evil is not limited to the world, but has infected much of the church as well. There is a need for revival, but it cannot be produced by any human means or effort. It is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s children that we should be earnestly praying to see become a reality.
Today's Growth Principle:
Nothing is more needed in our society than a genuine revival, and only God’s power can bring it about.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”
Psalm 85:4–8
England in the late 1700s was in turmoil. The loss of the American colonies had greatly impacted the empire, not just in the new world, but in the old as well. In addition to the political and military upheaval, economic woes roiled society. From his pulpit in London, John Newton saw the great need of spiritual renewal above all else. He wrote to a friend, “A revival is wanted here with us as it is with you, and some of us are praying and also singing for a revival. The song we are singing will be found on the reverse side of my letter.”
Saviour, visit Thy plantation,
Send, oh send, a gracious rain;
All will come to desolation
Unless Thou dost bless again.
Break the tempter’s fatal power,
Turn the stony hearts to flesh,
And begin this very hour
To revive Thy work afresh.
Lord, Thy help is greatly needed:
Help can only come from Thee.
Everywhere we look, there are signs of the spiritual decay and decline of our society. This evil is not limited to the world, but has infected much of the church as well. There is a need for revival, but it cannot be produced by any human means or effort. It is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s children that we should be earnestly praying to see become a reality.
Today's Growth Principle:
Nothing is more needed in our society than a genuine revival, and only God’s power can bring it about.
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