Grow Up

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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;             his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;             great is your faithfulness. --Lamentations 3:22-23 Have you ever noticed in the Christian life that there’s always the next step of dedication? We always strive to love more, to learn more, and to grow beyond what we’ve been. The Christian life is a series of new beginnings. The most exciting part about being a believer in Jesus Christ is the next chapter, the next day, and the next open door that we have. And when it comes to the next step of our growth, we must be aware of the peril of the plateau… of becoming stagnant and still, rather than moving forward for the cause of Christ. Perhaps as you look at your own life today, you would have to say you’ve plateaued spiritually. Maybe you’ve become sort of laissez faire in your spiritual life and you need to take the next step by renewing your commitment to Jesus Christ.  In the Christian life, it’s never too late for a new beginning. So whether you’ve been in a holding pattern for days, months or even years, start new and afresh this day. Remember God’s faithfulness in your life, recommit yourself to growing in His grace, and experience a whole new fullness of life! WHEN YOU FEEL SPIRITUALLY STAGNANT, RECOMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD’S PURPOSES, REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS, AND EXPERIENCE HIS MERCIES ANEW EVERY DAY! Grow Up Saturday, February 29, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:13–15 All of us start life as babies. But unlike the animals (at least many of them) who can walk within minutes of birth, we take months and months to learn to walk. If you have ever seen a child take those first few halting steps, you know how excited the parents get. But in reality that walking is not very impressive. It is only praised as the beginning of a process. If you see a person who falls down every few steps and wobbles from side to side, you think something is wrong. Our spiritual life is much the same way. The Bible uses the metaphor of babies for new Christians. And just as we expect children to grow, develop, and mature, God expects us to lay aside immaturity and grow up. He does not want us to remain spiritual infants, unable to process real food and unable to walk in His ways. Yet there are still Christians who have been saved for many years but have not matured. One of the best evidences of spiritual maturity is stability. Grown up Christians are not easily swayed with new ideas and doctrines. They do not insist on having their own way. Someone said, “An immature Christian is hard to please and easy to offend.” The more time we spend with God in prayer and in His Word, the stronger our spiritual lives grow. Today's Growth Principle: We cannot do what God has for us to do if we refuse to lay aside spiritual childhood and grow up.

Judging Ourselves Instead of Others

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A dishonest man spreads strife,             and a whisperer separates close friends. --Proverbs 16:28 It’s an unfortunate reality today that gossip has become an acceptable sin for many Christians, social media playing no small part. But I think I’ve found a good way to stop the rumor -mongering that’s so prevalent. When someone says something to you that’s gossip, simply ask, “Can I quote you on that?” Because if you can’t write it down and sign your name to it, you shouldn’t be saying it. On the other hand, if it’s real and valid, you ought to be able to sign your name to it! Now, I know some people enjoy writing anonymous letters, emails, or social media posts, many of which I’ve received or have been about me or others. But I think it is one of the most cowardly things a person can do. That’s why anonymous letters that I receive go right in the trash.  But if someone writes a criticism about me and signs his name, then I pray about it and ask God to show me the truth in the accusation. If I’m wrong, I want to know it! But the criticism should be from someone who’s willing to sign his name. Things shared in secret rarely have redeeming or purposeful value. In fact, I’d say they are most often sinful. So if you have a valid criticism against others, stand up and share it with them. Sign your name to it, and let it be their decision whether or not to receive it. Then you have a clear conscience, knowing you’re not guilty of gossip. KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAR BY BEING FORWARD WITH YOUR CRITICISMS AND AVOIDING HARMFUL GOSSIP AND ANONYMOUS SLANDER. Judging Ourselves Instead of Others Friday, February 28, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Romans 14:10–13 Most of us find it easier to judge those around us than to look in the mirror and honestly assess our own failings and shortcomings. That part of our nature is why there are so many admonitions in the Bible against judging other people. When we are focused on other people, we cannot be focused on the Lord as we should. It is not our place to evaluate someone else’s service to God, but rather to make sure our own is right. The lure of comparing ourselves to others can derail us in two ways. We can find things we think are superior about our lives and service, and thus give in to pride. Or we can find things we think are inferior about our lives and service, and thus give in to self-pity. Both of those are wrong. God does not measure us against what others do, but against what we do with what He has given to us. Our responsibility is not to keep everyone else in line. We should be helpful and encouraging, but the only person we should be judging is ourselves. When we do that, it offers us protection. Paul wrote, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31). Today's Growth Principle: Focusing on our own service to God rather than others protects us from temptation and danger.

Life is short. So what?

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“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” --Joshua 24:15 You may remember an advertising campaign back in the 1990s by a popular running shoe with the tagline, “Life is short; play hard.” I remember thinking, when I first saw those commercials that most people probably want to live that way. Life is short; play hard! Have a blast while you last! But I have a better theme I think everyone should follow: Life is short; think hard. Think hard because once you get to the end of your life, all your excuses will break down. That’s why we must all break down today and say, “Lord Jesus, you are my only hope and it’s You or nothing!” As you and I face the end of our ropes and the endless eternity that is before us, we must trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. While the world will say we need to live it up today because it’s all over once we die, the truth is that the decisions we make today will have eternal ramifications. Yes, our life on earth is short. But our life in eternity will last forever. So choose today whom you will serve, because the choices you make today will impact where you will spend eternity. Life is short, so think hard about serving Jesus, the only One who can give you eternal life with God! LIFE IS SHORT, BUT THINK HARD AND CHOOSE TO SERVE JESUS, THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE! “He Is Profitable” Thursday, February 27, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:9–11 Working with Paul was anything but easy. He and his companions faced the hardship and danger of travel in the ancient world, persecution from those both secular and religious who opposed the gospel, and the opposition of Satan himself. Shipwreck and beatings as well as stoning and imprisonment were part of the package. So it is perhaps not that surprising that when Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary trip, Mark quit in the middle. When Barnabas wanted to give Mark a second chance, Paul didn’t think it wise. The disgreement broke up their partnership. “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:39–40). Yet at the end of his life, in his final letter to Timothy, Paul recognized that Mark had indeed changed. He asked Timothy to bring Mark to Rome because he would be useful in Paul’s ministry there. God does not throw us away when we fail. We may do things that have lasting consequences that impact our service, but we can still be profitable to Him. We should not give up because we have fallen short. Oswald Sanders said, “Most Bible characters met with failure and survived. Even when the failure was immense, those who [rebounded] refused to lie in the dust and bemoan their tragedy. In fact, their failure and repentance led to a greater conception of God’s grace. They came to know the God of the second chance, and sometimes the third and fourth.” Today's Growth Principle: Rather than living with guilt and regret about past failures, we should strive to be profitable servants of God.

When Heaven Rejoices

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For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. --Hebrews 4:12 I was reading awhile back a book written by Dr. John MacArthur entitled The Sufficiency of Christ. In it, he tells about a friend of his who collects antique Bibles from all over the world and all ages in church history. One day, Dr. MacArthur’s friend showed him a Bible known as a martyr’s Bible that dated from the 1600s when Bloody Mary ruled England and there was tremendous persecution against Bible-believing Christians. Dr. MacArthur was recounting that he saw its pages and binding stained with human blood. He opened it up and saw what looked like water stains, as if someone had wept on the Word of God.  He said, “As I looked through that Bible and realized what a treasure that was to the individual who gave his life for Christ and the Word of God, my heart was broken because so many of us have copies of the Scripture, we have so many of them we don’t know what to do with them.”  The Word of God is a perfect treasure for us. But do we consider it a precious treasure? We live in a time and place where it’s so easy to get a copy of the Word of God. And often, it is taken for granted. So thank God today that you have access to the priceless treasure of His Word! THANK GOD THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE INVALUABLE TREASURE OF HIS WORD! When Heaven Rejoices Wednesday, February 26, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:8–10 There are events that attract huge audiences because people think they are important. It is estimated that more than 3.5 billion people watched the last two Summer Olympic Games. An average Super Bowl is viewed by about 100 million people in America alone in addition to broadcasts around the world. Although these competitions and other events are viewed as important by our world, God is not impressed. Heaven yawns at the world’s pursuits recognizing that they are fleeting at best. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17). By contrast, Heaven gets excited about people getting saved, because that is eternal. We don’t know exactly what the rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner turning to God looks like, but Jesus illustrated the rejoicing there by talking about a big celebration to celebrate a significant event. The eternal matters. And when we touch eternity, Heaven rejoices. This knowledge should dictate how we spend our time, talents, and our energy. Our focus is not meant to be on this life and the things that matter only on earth. Paul wrote, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When we spend our lives on what matters to God, we not only touch the lives of others here, but spark joy in Heaven. There is no greater achievement we can accomplish. Today's Growth Principle: Spend today on things that will make Heaven rejoice.

How to Conquer Fear

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“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” --John 16:33 I once heard a story about an auction they were having in hell. God said, “Satan, you need to reduce your arsenal.” So they were auctioning off some of the weapons of the enemy. And the one auctioned off at the highest price was the tool of discouragement because it is such a powerful weapon against us. We all get discouraged from time to time. And discouragement can range from the moody blues all the way to clinical, and even severe, depression. Even some of the greatest saints of all time have been discouraged… biblical heroes such as Moses, Elijah, Jonah, David, and Peter. Discouragement can come in all kinds of phases. One is that of listlessness – that feeling of just “blah.” And if that’s not dealt with, it moves to sadness, and eventually to helplessness as the chains of discouragement grow stronger and stronger in our lives. But in Christ, you can overcome discouragement. As the Lord Jesus tells us in today’s passage, the peace that can overcome discouragement is found only in Him. Yes, there will be trouble in this world, but we can have victory because Christ has overcome. So whenever you feel discouraged, lean on Jesus, who has overcome so that you can have abundant life! WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT HITS, TRUST IN JESUS BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD! How to Conquer Fear Monday, February 24, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Deuteronomy 20:2–4 Though God had promised to give the land of Israel to the Jewish people, He did not hand it to them. They were required to go into the land and fight to defeat the occupants. In preparing them for those battles, Moses gave the instruction above regarding how they were to fight. War has never been a laughing matter. There is great danger and threat to health and even life. Yet in the face of that reality, God told the people not to be afraid. God was not telling them that there was nothing to fear. Instead, He was telling them that He would fight for them. Victory over fear does not come from not having anything to fear, but from faith in God. David was in the hands of the Philistines, whose champion Goliath he had killed as a young man and whose soldiers he had defeated over and over when he wrote, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3). It is tempting to think that when things settle down and get easier we will be able to trust God more. But faith is a requirement for victory when things aren’t going well. If we allow our emotions to be dictated by our assessment of the enemies we face, fear is certain to result. But if our focus is on God and we are trusting in Him, we recognize that there is nothing of which we need to be afraid. Today's Growth Principle: The only remedy for the snare of fear is a strong and confident faith in God.

Not Defeated Unless You Quit

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“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” --Daniel 3:17-18 It seems like every week – maybe even every day – I run into people who are facing very difficult times in their lives. I visit with men and women in hospitals, those who've lost loved ones, those with heartaches and family problems. But I've found there is a glorious difference in the believer who has a “but if not” belief. A "but if not" belief is a relentless trust in God, like that of the young Hebrew men in today's passage who had a steadfast belief that God could deliver them. Yet even if God did not, they still remain faithful and true to Him, knowing He is their ultimate deliverer. You can’t defeat a man or a woman who has that kind of faith! You know why? Because their ultimate hope is not in worldly deliverance, but in the ultimate deliverance that Christ will bring when He comes to rule, and sin and death are no more. A "but if not" Christian stands boldly in the face of any circumstance. So commit yourself to trusting in God's ultimate deliverance, no matter what you may be experiencing today. On that day, He will proclaim final justice and conquer your pain and sorrow forever! BE A "BUT IF NOT" CHRISTIAN BY TRUSTING WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN GOD'S PROMISED DELIVERANCE, NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE! Not Defeated Unless You Quit Saturday, February 22, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7–10 Paul knew a lot about trouble. Most of his ministry was marked by opposition and persecution, and eventually he was martyred for his faith. Yet despite all that he endured, Paul remained undefeated—not because nothing went wrong, but because nothing could make him quit. Paul said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). The devil does not have the power to stop us. But he does have great skill in convincing us to stop ourselves. He whispers in our ears that we are failures and that we should give up. He is lying. The great basketball player Michael Jordan said, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s precisely why I succeed.” If we give up because we are troubled, perplexed, persecuted, or cast down, we will not win the victory in the battle God has placed before us. Trouble is not a sign of His displeasure. Instead it is often a measure of how effective we have been in our work. Do not let setbacks stop your service to God. Today's Growth Principle: The only way to win victories for God is to remain in the battle.

How to find your purpose in life

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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. --2 Corinthians 5:20 I saw a news story not long ago about some of the poverty in many portions of our nation. The reporter went into some of the roughest areas of some American cities to see how many of these people, who had absolutely nothing at all, lived their lives. And as they were interviewing some of these people, my heart was so heavy. None of them, it seemed, had any purpose in life. They asked one young man, "What are your dreams?" And he said, "I don’t know, just stay here." As I heard those words, I was struck by how many Christians live their spiritual lives just that way. They go to church on Sunday, maybe read their Bibles, but never reach for anything more. As believers, God calls us to have a purpose. It's not just to go to church; it's to make a real impact for His name. We have been given a mission as ministers of reconciliation. And because of that, our work is never done until we go home to be with the Lord or He returns. In Christ, you're an ambassador of the Kingdom. Live your life to tell others of His goodness, and make an impact for eternity! BE AN AMBASSADOR OF GOD'S KINGDOM BY LIVING A LIFE OF IMPACT AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD'S PURPOSES! What We Owe God Friday, February 21, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:18–21 In their resentment at the way so many people received the message of Jesus and followed Him, the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians—groups that often opposed each other bitterly—joined together to try to trap Jesus in a contradiction that would destroy His standing with the people. One of the tricks they tried was to ask Jesus whether they should be paying taxes to their Roman rulers. Many of the Jewish people deeply resented Roman rule, so if Jesus commended paying the tax, they would reject Him. On the other hand if He opposed paying the tax, they would denounce Him to the Roman government as a troublemaker. Jesus saw through their scheme and answered with the well-known command to render to Caesar the things that belong to him. But in the same breath, Jesus also commands us to render to God what is rightfully His. Though God gives us salvation freely, there are things which we owe Him. “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?” (Malachi 1:6). In truth, everything that we call our own belongs to God. We are just stewards caring for the possessions of another. And any act of obedience or sacrifice that He calls on us to make is nothing more than what we owe to Him. Today's Growth Principle: We owe a great deal to God, and we must be faithful to render to Him what is due.

Abundant Mercy

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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. --Ephesians 2:10 One of the former presidents of Princeton University once said, referring to the time when he personally received Christ, "Since that glorious day, every day of my life has been a 'P.S.' to say 'Thank You, Lord, for what You have accomplished in my life!'" What a wonderful way to look at our works, as our P.S. to God's already-written letter of salvation in our lives. Now the word workmanship in today's passage is the Greek word poiema. We get our word poem from that same word. We are God’s poem... God’s masterpiece! And God has a blueprint for the masterpiece of every believer for the works He has laid out for him or her. Through the lives of believers, God wants the world to know that He’s a God of love, grace, and power. And the watching world will know that, as they see His blueprints behind every single good work we do. In Christ, you are God's workmanship. So live each and every day with confidence that He has uniquely formed you to do His will on earth. And as you live out those good works, the world will take notice of your Savior! IN CHRIST, YOU ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP CREATED TO DO GOOD WORKS. SO LIVE A LIFE OF FAITH AND LET THE WORLD SEE YOU AS A MASTERPIECE OF THE SAVIOR! Abundant Mercy Thursday, February 20, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Deuteronomy 4:29–31 Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses spent time with them reviewing what God had already done and rehearsing His commands for the future. Moses clearly warned them of the high consequences of disobedience. God would not then and will not now allow His people to sin without being chastened. Of course with His perfect knowledge, God was already well aware that the Israelites would not keep their commitment to Him. And in that knowledge, God also instructed Moses to provide words of hope—so that when the chastening did come, the people would remember that they could still return to God and He would receive them. There are times in our lives when we endure difficulty because of the actions of others or simply as a byproduct of living in a fallen world. And there are times when what we are going through is a direct result of our disobedience to God. Even in those moments when we “have it coming” we are not abandoned or alone. God does not chasten us out of a desire to inflict pain, but rather from a loving Father’s concern to change our hearts. When we turn back to God and cry out to Him for forgiveness, we will not be turned away. God does not hold our sins against us, having freely forgiven us through the blood of Jesus Christ. Today's Growth Principle: God’s mercy provides us a way back to His heart when we have gone astray from Him.

Empty Success

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And Jesus said to him... "All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" --Mark 9:23-24 If you were to make a very honest assessment, you'd have to admit that everyone experiences doubt at some point. But there are two kinds of doubters: sincere doubters and insincere doubters. An insincere doubter doubts and doesn’t want to believe. But a sincere doubter is someone who, even though he doubts, wants to know the truth. God tells the sincere doubter to ask for faith. And if you seek Him, you'll find Him. If you come with your honest questions, God will respond and meet you at the point of your need. In other words, if you're going to doubt, doubt the right way! In our postmodern world of cynicism and unending skepticism, we must remember to keep our minds open enough for truth, yet not so open that we can't recongize truth when we see it. Doubt can be healthy. But if you're going to doubt, doubt the right way. Be ready to accept God's answer for your doubts when He reveals it to you. And above all else, remember that God is greater than your doubt and will always lead you to the truth DEAL WITH DOUBT IN YOUR LIFE BY ASKING GOD FOR FAITH AND EXPECTING A BIG ANSWER! Empty Success Wednesday, February 19, 2020 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:19–21 Though he had appeared in several films as a child because of his high-profile father, when he tried acting as an adult, there was little interest. He had a part in a short-lived television series, and a few bit parts in movies, but he wanted more. At the start of 1969, he wrote: “I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.” Starting in 1970, Lee did achieve fame, becoming a huge movie star, and was lauded as one of the greatest martial artists in the world. After several hit movies, Lee launched his own production company and was working in Hong Kong on a new film when he suddenly collapsed and died in July of 1973 at just thirty-two years of age. The plans that we make must include God, or they will not succeed. Even if we climb to the very top of the ladder of success in the world, the best that we can accomplish is fleeting. Only in God is there true meaning and success in life. Only in God is there real security and peace. Only in God is there a certain hope for the future and for eternity. Today's Growth Principle: Anyone who lives without God at the center of their plans is doomed to failure.

Saved by the Blood

Side Effects
Sunday, February 16, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.”

Psalm 9:1–5

Scripture repeatedly commands us to praise God and give thanks to Him for all that He has done for us. It is only right and fitting that we do so as recipients of His outpoured grace. But in addition to reaping the blessings of obedience, there are “side effects” to being grateful. Dr. Giacomo Bono of Cal State University conducted a survey of seven hundred young people. A number of questions were asked to assess their attitudes and emotional state. The more grateful the teens in the study were, the better off they were. In fact, the study found that the most grateful were 15 percent more likely to have a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives and 15 percent less likely to report symptoms of being depressed.

There is a reason behind everything God has commanded us to do. He is the Creator, and He knows what will bring Him the most glory and us the most happiness in life. God does not issue His commands to deprive us of good things, but to protect us from bad ones, and we violate those commands to our own detriment. “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Ever since the Garden of Eden mankind has been looking for ways to throw off the yoke of God's commands. And ever since the Garden of Eden, we have been paying the price.

Today's Growth Principle:
There are always benefits to obeying God's commands, even beyond those we immediately recognize.

Saved by the Blood
Saturday, February 15, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”

1 Peter 1:18–20

Peter wrote his two letters to Christians who were facing serious threats. The local authorities had targeted the early church in Jerusalem for opposition, but as Christianity spread further and further, the Roman Empire stepped in and raised the persecution to a new level. Those who first read the words of Peter’s epistle needed a great deal of hope and encouragement. To provide that help, Peter reminds us of the price that was paid for our salvation. The world might tell Christians, both then and now, that they are of no value, but God says differently, and that is reflected in the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for us.

We are infinitely valuable to God. Though He cares about all of His creation, even the smallest parts, He is focused on His children in a deep and meaningful way. Jesus said, “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7). The devil tempts us to equate the hard times we experience with a lack of care and love on God’s part. But that is never true. And when we are tempted to forget, we need to remind ourselves of the love that took Jesus to the cross to pay the enormous price for our salvation. Thomas Watson wrote, “It cost more to redeem us than to create us. In creation there was but ‘speaking the word.’ In redeeming us, there was ‘shedding the blood.’”

Today's Growth Principle:
No matter what difficulties we face, we are precious to God and He cares for our needs.

Will I know my loved ones in heaven?

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For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

--1 Corinthians 13:12

I’m often asked, “Pastor, will I know my loved ones n heaven?” And my answer is always the same, “certainly, we will know one another in heaven! Do you think you’ll have less sense in heaven than you have here on earth? We know one another here; and there we will know fully and be fully known!

D.L. Moody, the great evangelist, was once quoted as saying, “One day they’re going to put in my obituary that D. L. Moody is dead.” He said, “Don’t you believe it, for I will be more alive than ever before!”

As Christians, when you and I die and enter our eternal home, we’ll become more alive at that point than at any point during our time on earth. That’s what today’s passage is talking about, seeing each other clearly face-to-face what we now only see dimly!

The Scripture promises you and I that in this world, there will be trouble (John 16:33). Yet because Jesus has overcome the world, we cling to the hope of a better life to come. So as you go about your life, take heart that an abundant life is to come if you’re in Christ. And if you haven’t placed your faith in Him, trust Him as your way to heaven and discover what it really means to live fully!

HEAVEN WILL BE THE PLACE WHERE YOU’LL DISCOVER WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO FULLY LIVE AND FULLY LOVE. SO TAKE HEART THAT A BETTER LIFE IS YET TO COME!

No Profit
Friday, February 14, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:1–3

If a job were advertised that required long hours, regular serious sacrifice, and the risk of great danger, there would probably still be some people who would respond to take on the challenge. However if the ad pointed out that there was no pay associated with the job, the number of responses would drop to zero. No one is interested in spending their lives in a way that is completely without result or recompense. Though some are willing to work for things other than money, everyone wants to profit from their labor in some way.

When it comes to our service to God, although He commands our obedience, He also offers rewards to those who faithfully serve Him. Yet it is possible for us to do all of the right things—to make great sacrifices, accomplish great victories, and demonstrate significant human achievement—and yet receive nothing in return. John wrote, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John 1:8).

Though we may deceive others, God always sees our hearts. He not only knows what we do, but why we do it. And to be acceptable in His sight and produce profit to our account, it must have the right motives. Without the proper love, even the greatest and most overwhelming human achievements produce nothing of lasting value or profit.

Today's Growth Principle:
Only when what we do is motivated by our love for God will we receive the promised reward.

Someone to Care

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Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out!

--Acts 3:19

Repent!

I meet so many people today who are scared of that word. In fact, they’re so scared of it that they avoid using it altogether! Yet, very few actually understand what that little word means.

You may be surprised to learn the word repent in the Greek New Testament simply means to turn around. It was a military term that described a soldier marching in one direction and then doing an about-face. And when it’s used in a spiritual sense, it means to change your mind.

So really, repent is a perfect description of what happens when you come to Christ. You no longer reject Christ, but now you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. You do a spiritual about-face, which in turn changes everything.

And not only do you change your mind about Christ, but you change your mind about sin as well as you discover what it really means to honor God. You realize that it’s no longer about performance. It’s about a heart attitude that confesses Christ and seeks to honor Him in every aspect of life!

So should you be afraid of the word repent? No! Instead, embrace the idea of doing a spiritual about-face, turning to Christ and away from sin in your life!

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE WORD REPENT. INSTEAD, EMBRACE THE SPIRITUAL REALITY THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN TO CHRIST AND AWAY FROM SIN IN YOUR LIFE!

Someone to Care
Thursday, February 13, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.”

Philippians 2:19–22

Dr. H. A. Ironside related a story from a pastor who was sitting in his office, working to prepare a sermon. He heard the door creak, but didn’t look up until he heard a cry of pain. He found that his young daughter had caught her fingers in the door. He called for her mother to quickly come and look after her. After her mother freed her and asked how bad it was, the child replied, “It hurts, but the worst is that Daddy didn’t even say ‘Oh!’” Ironside concluded, “How we like someone who says, ‘Oh!’ someone who sighs for us, weeps with us, feels with us in our troubles; and you remember what is said of our Lord, ‘In all their affliction he was afflicted.’”

Our world is more connected today than ever before, yet despite all the technology at our fingertips, many people still face a prevailing sense of loneliness and isolation. They wonder if anyone cares about their hurts or their hearts. Most of us have felt that way at one time or another. In truth, Christians should be known by our care and concern for each other. We should have that source of comfort. But whether or not we find human comfort, we are also called to be a source of comfort. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Today's Growth Principle:
We may not always have someone who cares for us, but we can always be that person who cares for others.

That I Might Save Some

That I Might Save Some
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

1 Corinthians 9:20–22

When Thomas Guthrie was a young pastor in Edinburgh, Scotland, he became greatly burdened for the large number of children forced to live on the streets. In the 1800s there were no government programs to help address the need. So Guthrie established a “Ragged School” to reach the young boys and girls and teach them. From 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 at night the children received a basic education and Bible instruction along with food and clothing. The school and others like it touched the lives of thousands. Guthrie later wrote, “I have the satisfaction when I lay my head upon my pillow of always finding one part of it soft, and that is that God has made me an instrument in his hands by saving many a poor creature from a life of misery and crime.”

It is not enough just to observe the needs of the people we see and meet. To live as Jesus did, to live as He commands, and to make an impact for eternity, we must care enough to do something about it. Paul was willing to make enormous sacrifices, giving up things to which he had a right for the sake of reaching other people. His passion for sharing the gospel cost him a great deal, but Paul thought it was worth it.

Today's Growth Principle:
The urgent needs of the lost world around us should produce in us an intense focus on sharing the gospel.

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He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. --Revelation 21:4 Years and years ago in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, there was a wonderful pastor of the Baptist Tabernacle named Lynn Broaden. Pastor Broaden went to see a man who was an usher in his church and was dying of cancer. And as he was describing the glories of heaven and telling that man of the wonderful beauties of that place, tears began to trickle down that man’s face. So the pastor took out his handkerchief from his pocket and he wiped the tears from the man’s eyes. And then the pastor said, “The next one to wipe those tears from your eyes will be the Lord Jesus.” There will come a day when Jesus will take away the tears. There will be no more crying. There will be no more death. Everything that has gone wrong since Adam sinned so long ago will be made right as the curse of sin is reversed and real life is restored to this fallen world. Yet until that day, cling to the blessed hope that you have in Christ. Remember that while suffering here is real and is painful, it is temporary. And one day, when you enter eternity, you’ll know what it means to experience perfect and lasting joy. What a day that will be! SUFFERING HERE ON EARTH IS VERY REAL AND IS VERY PAINFUL. BUT IN CHRIST, YOU HAVE THE HOPE THAT IT’S TEMPORARY. SO AS YOU SUFFER, REMEMBER THE PROMISE YOU HAVE OF THE ETERNAL JOY TO COME!