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.
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.
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.
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