10 Things Women Should Know Before Tying the Knot

Oct 27, 2014 |Christel Humfrey

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You may be surprised what real marriage is like.

For many people the beauty of Christian marriage is as clear as swamp water. Conflicting messages come from all directions, and it is hard to discern the truth. Hollywood preaches that marriage wrecks romance, and fairy tales proclaim "happily ever after." Too often marriages around us are defined by heartache and dysfunction, and we are left to wonder what a healthy one looks like.
When I married the man of my dreams on that cloudy day in May, I was half blind to the value of this precious covenant. Eleven years later, I am still learning how to be married, but God's Word has cleared the fog for me in many respects.
Christian marriage is neither happily-ever-after nor dysfunctional monotony. It is much more intriguing.
You may be surprised what real marriage is like. Here are 10 things I think every woman should know before getting married.
1. Your husband does not define you. Christ does.
Few earthly experiences compare to the pleasure of new love. The person you love most in the world loves you back. You feel loved. Cherished. Worthy. But when infatuation fades, so does our confidence, because we measured our worth by a man's admiration.
As strange as it sounds, in these moments of weakness we need good theology. How else will we know why we have worth apart from our spouse?
When we look to Christ for salvation, He changes us. In Him, we become righteous, beloved children, co-heirs of grace and completely forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 4:5-6). These spiritual realities change who we are at the core of our being. They transform us in a way that a man's love never could.
Of all the things to get wrong in marriage, this isn't one of them. Know who you are in Christ, and let His love define you.
2. You are not enough to fulfill your spouse.
You may feel like all you need is each other, but the truth is, you are not enough. If you try to be his everything, you will fail. It's like a child trying to solve world poverty with the coins in her piggy bank. She doesn't have the resources. In Christ a man finds everything he needs (2 Peter 1:3). Entrust your husband to Him, and he will be in good hands. Ironically, this frees you to love him better.
3. A good wife doesn't fit a cookie-cutter pattern.
Back in Genesis we learn that a woman is to "help" her husband. How you help him will be different from other marriages. There is no one-size-fits-all template for this role because every husband is different.
A wise wife studies her husband to know his particular likes and enjoyments. She knows his weaknesses and how to help him to be better. She knows how to encourage him, when to confront him, and how to let him know he is loved and respected. While other women can be helpful in giving you ideas, let your husband be central in shaping your supportive role in marriage. After all, he is the one you are called to help.
4. Marriage veterans know how to fight well.
Marriage may be one of God's greatest gifts for sanctification. Two sinners bound together shouldn't be surprised if they rub each other the wrong way. Marital strife is an opportunity to expose sin and rub off the rough edges.
In times of disagreement a wise wife will be slow to speak. Once something is said, it can never be unsaid, and sinful words ignite a fire (James 3:6).
There is plenty of opportunity to forgive and to seek forgiveness in marriage. Don't be surprised or defeated by sin. God's grace is greater than all of it (Romans 5:20).
5. It's more blessed to give than to receive.
Some people say marriage is about "give and take," but marriage is never truly 50/50. Even if it were, none of us see clearly in this regard. Tit-for-tat does not work in marriage; it only builds resentment. Instead, give generously just like Jesus "who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
6. A husband who points you to Christ is worth his weight in gold.
True love is not unearthed in moments of pre-marital bliss, but in long expressions of committed love, forgiveness and faithfulness. If you find someone that loves you like Christ loves the church — sacrificially, tenderly, covenantally — you have found a good thing.
In Ephesians 5, the apostle Paul uses the words "nourish" and "cherish" to describe the husband's covenantal care and leadership.
A man may cause your heart to flutter faster than bumble bee wings, but can you follow his leadership? Will he nourish, care for and provide for you? Does he exemplify Christ's love for the church?
Muscles and mystery only go so far, but a godly man is a treasure.
7. Married sex is not an ultimate experience nor a monotonous chore.
A common sentiment in our culture is that marriage wrecks sex lives. That everything slides downhill from honeymoon bliss and lands squarely in the land of monotony or divorce. Others anticipate instant bliss and immediate gratification. The truth is not so simple.
Within the God-defined limits and exclusivity of this union, there is great freedom to enjoy and less pressure to perform. Sex does not start on a high note and slowly descend. It begins in the middle and plays a melody both low and high, forever changing, growing and developing. Despite what season you are in, married sex is always special because in some respect it reflects the intimacy between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32).
8. Your own personal holiness is the greatest gift you can give your spouse.
A beautiful body may cause an initial attraction, but a body alone is not enough. You are a whole person, made in God's image. Your soul is made for communion with Him. When you marry a man you become one in body and soul, so your spiritual health will greatly affect him.
9. He wants your friendship.
Your husband wants more than a housekeeper. He wants a friend, an ally, someone to turn to in times of trouble. Someone who can resonate with his deepest longings and partner with him in life. You are his helper and lover, but also his "companion" (Malachi 2:14). Don't underestimate the value of friendship if you want to see your marriage flourish.
10. Marriage is more than a piece of paper.
Your married life should testify to something much greater than yourself. Marriage is a shadow of a spiritual reality — namely, Christ's love for His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:22-32). Your union with your husband should make you marvel at your union with Christ. And as much as we are made for our spouse from eternity past, we are ultimately made for a love not of this earth.
So the next time you wonder what a healthy marriage looks like, forget about fairy tales and Hollywood. Look to Christ, and remember His love for the church. Real marriage is not simple. It is a tangible living picture of a spiritual reality. A story of forgiveness and steadfast love. A living picture of Christ's love for the church. And though we reflect it imperfectly, it is nonetheless beautiful.

Copyright 2014 Christel Humfrey. All rights reserved.

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6 days till the National Day of Prayer: Pray For Our Military and their Families And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.   2nd Chronicles 32:6-8 (ESV) As you can clearly see in this passage, Hezekiah is offering his army a battle cry of encouragement. His men were tired, have walked and worked tirelessly for their king and for their land. He encourages them to continue in strength and courage and to cast away the fear of men. He reminds them that the Lord is with them, to help them and fight with them. The Assyrian army may have countless men, but that means nothing against the might of the Lord. From this battle cry, Hezekiah raises his people back up, fills them with confidence in God, and gives them hope. If you notice, Hezekiah could have been making plans of preparation, making plans of attack, but instead he leads by relying on the strength of God. When in war or serving a post, it can sometimes be easy to lose faith, feel drained, and simply get discouraged. That is why encouragement and prayer for our men and women in the military is so crucial. Just like the warriors in Hezekiah’s army, our men and women serving our nation also face pain, loneliness, and feelings of being under-appreciated by our nation. Remind our troops that the Lord is with them, to help them, and to fight with them. Let them know that they are appreciated, loved, and prayed for by you today.  Pray for our military and its leaders. Pray this day that God will grant our service men and women and their families courage, protection, and strength. PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES TODAY Ordering Our Priorities by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41–42 The story is told that one day a man went into the bookstore owned by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. After looking around, he identified a book he wished to purchase, but when the clerk told him the book cost one dollar, he objected. “That price is too high. Ask your boss if he will lower it.” The clerk went to get Franklin, who after hearing the man’s request said, “The book costs one dollar and a quarter.” The man protested that he had been told one dollar and asked again for the price. Franklin replied, “A dollar and a half.” The man asked why the price kept increasing. Franklin said, “Do you not see that you are wasting my time? The price of the book was one dollar. But because you are wasting my time, the price of the book has to go up.” None of us has enough time to do everything that could be done or that we would like to do. Many times we are faced with a choice between two good things, only able to do one of them. The key to making good decisions and spending our lives wisely is to order our priorities so that the best of our time, energy, and resources are devoted to the things that truly matter. The noted management guru Peter Drucker pointed out that most people are so busy trying to do things right that they fail to stop and consider whether they are doing the right things. We must work to remain in control of our schedules, keeping our focus on doing what will matter for eternity rather than frittering away our lives on the temporal. Today’s Growth Principle:  A major part of wise living consists of spending our time and resources on the things that really matter.

Belief and Unbelief

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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.   Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Chuck Klosterman, pop culture expert and author says this about media and entertainment: “Pundits are always blaming TV for making people stupid, movies for desensitizing the world to violence, and rock music for making kids take drugs and kill themselves. These things should be the least of our worries. The main problem with mass media is that it makes it impossible to fall in love with any acumen of normalcy. There is no 'normal,’ because everybody is being twisted by the same sources simultaneously.” It’s a tragedy in today’s world that there’s no sense of this “normal.” Hollywood and Big Media celebrate the degradation of our society; they lift up and publicize the abnormal and sinful.  They celebrate the most morally compromised and confused among us. The enemy has risen up and negatively influenced each and every aspect of America, especially Hollywood and those whom we have trusted to report facts, arguably the most influential aspect of today’s culture. If we were to truly pray and then act upon Philippians 4:8, there would be no more twisting and perverting the news and entertainment that gets broadcast and shown all over the country. We need to pray for those in these industries.  We need to pray they will focus their efforts on things that are true, things that honor God and his creation, things that are just and fair, things that are pure, things that are lovely and commendable, things that are excellent, and things that are worthy of praise to God the Father. Those that are in in these industries and struggle daily to be pure and devoted to our Lord’s commandments deserve our prayers.  Pray for their courage and integrity this day.  Pray that God will bless them with gifts to shine in this ever-darkening world. Pray His light will shine through them. PRAY FOR THE MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES TODAY Weighed down and Burdened by Dr. Paul Chappell “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” Luke 10:38–40 In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom told the story of asking her father about something he didn’t think she was old enough to understand. She wrote: “He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case off the floor and set it on the floor. ‘Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?’ he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning. ‘It’s too heavy,’ I said. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It’s the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger, you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you.’” Many times the burdens that we carry are self-imposed. We find ourselves weighed down, not because of the duties and obligations we have, but because we have taken on things we should not. A prime example of this kind of burden is worry. But whatever the source of our burdens, we are invited to lay them down at Jesus’ feet and stop carrying the weight. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:29). Today’s Growth Principle:  Do not allow yourself to be encumbered by burdens you were never meant to carry.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Belief and Unbelief   CURRENT TV SERIES LifeWorks

…And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?   --Micah 6:8 A person who’s serious about prayer is also serious about his walk with the Lord. This verse in Micah reminds us that as we walk with God, we must walk humbly. Why? Because the Bible makes it clear that God resists the proud and the arrogant. This often happens in our lives when things are going well. It’s very easy to begin to think more highly of ourselves during these times than we ought. But instead of being filled with our own self-worth, we need to be full of our God-worth! What’s important in life isn’t who we are in ourselves, but who we are in God. As a believer, where would you be today without the Lord Jesus Christ in your life? A major part of walking humbly with God is being honest and sincere in all areas of life as well. And this includes our prayer lives. You know, Jesus hated hypocrisy in prayer more than anything. He talked about those who just said words and whose hearts were far from God. In the reality of an experience with God, we can’t fake it anymore! Friend, I pray that you will walk humbly with the Lord today!  Showing Mercy by Dr. Paul Chappell “And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:35–37 Ira Sankey, D. L. Moody’s great song leader, told the story of a British actress who was saved in a most unusual way. As she walked down the street one day, she heard a group singing in preparation for a Bible study. The song stuck in her mind and her heart, and she finally went and got a hymn book that had the song in it and sang it over and over until she had learned it by heart. In just a few days she had given her heart to Christ. She no longer had any desire for her former profession, but at the urging of the theater manager, she agreed to take the stage one more time. But rather than singing one of the popular songs of the day, she began singing the hymn that had been instrumental in drawing her to Jesus: “Depth of mercy can there be, Mercy still reserved for me?” Every one of us who are saved have been the recipients of God’s mercy. In turn, He commands us to show mercy toward others—but often that is a very difficult command to keep. Even as we rejoice in our own escape from God’s wrath, we tend to want to see others get what is coming to them. But James warns us, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:13). The merciful heart rests on the foundation of undeserved forgiveness. Today’s Growth Principle:  We did not receive the mercy of God solely for ourselves, but so that we could share it with others.

My Beloved Son (and Daughter)

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He Gave Himself

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
Luke 10:33–34
There is an ancient Persian legend about a great ruler who loved to disguise himself and wander among his people unrecognized. One night, dressed as a beggar, Shah Abbas met a poor workman who invited him to share his meager food. As they talked, the shah was impressed with the man’s attitude and character. Night after night he returned to meet with the worker, until at least he determined to reveal himself. When he told the man that he was the ruler of the entire land, he expected a request for wealth or promotion. But the poor worker replied, “You have left your palace and glory to sit with me in the dark and share my poverty. You have given me your presence, and even you can give nothing more precious.”
Salvation is freely offered to all who believe, but it was certainly not free for Jesus. Like the Good Samaritan in the parable, Jesus gave up what was rightly His in order to rescue and deliver us. While Jesus hung on the cross, the Pharisees mocked Him saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:42). Though they were intending to deride and mock Jesus, they unknowingly expressed a profound truth. Jesus faced the choice of saving Himself or saving us—He could not do both. And He chose to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Only the gift of the Saviour made it possible for us to receive salvation.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Jesus owed us nothing, yet in mercy and love He gave Himself to be the ransom for our sins.

My Beloved Son (and Daughter)

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 26, 2016

And all of us...are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another....
—2 Corinthians 3:18
We all make mistakes every day of our lives. But if we love God and want to do what is right, He keeps working with us and loving us into wholeness. We don't have to feel rejected in the meantime. God sees the end from the beginning. He knows where we are now and is fully aware of every one of our faults, but He also knows where we can be if He keeps loving us and encouraging us to go forward. God changes us from one degree of glory to another, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, but He also keeps loving, accepting, and approving of us while we are making the journey.
The Scripture tells us that a voice came from heaven two different times and said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Why was this necessary? I believe that Jesus needed to hear these words, and I believe we need to hear the same expression of love and affirmation. Knowing that God is on our side gives us confidence. Jesus received God's encouragement, and we need to do the same. Don't concentrate on everything that is wrong with you. That will distract you from proper fellowship with God. Thank God for your strengths and turn your weaknesses over to Him.
When God finished all of His creation, including man, He looked at it and said, "It is good!" God intends to work in and through you, so relax and believe that God approves of you!
Love Yourself Today: Say out loud, "I am God's beloved child. He approves of me and will finish the good work He started!"

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If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.   2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) The passage above, one so close to my heart, encapsulates the reason to pray, how to pray, and what to pray. Notice, the verse is directed to "my people;" God, our Heavenly Father, surely listens to the cries of His children. Our Lord then asks us to humble ourselves before him. He is our sovereign; we are his servants. Almighty God then commands us to pray, seek Him, and repent from our sinful selves.  Then, there is the wonderful promise, that if we do those things, then we will be forgiven and He will heal our land. Absent the Civil War, I know of no other time when our nation needs more healing than now. Our beloved nation is hurting and deeply wounded.  The institutions that are the foundation of our society are under attack.  Over the next seven days, I urge you to continue with these devotions and pray with me for these institutions­—families, educators, media and entertainment, the military, businesses and workers, churches, and our government. However, before healing and restoration can occur, it must start with those of us who call ourselves by His name. We must humble ourselves.  We must pray and seek His will, not our own.  We must turn from our wicked ways.  We must end complacency in our churches.  Then and only then can this great nation experience the spiritual awakening which it so desperately needs. Refusing to Help by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:30–32 In March of 1964, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was attacked on her way home from work in New York City. Though many people saw or heard at least part of the attack (various news reports and investigations put the number between thirty-six and forty-nine), no one intervened, and only a few people called the police. The attack was carried out over the space of half an hour, and it is quite likely that Genovese’s death could have been prevented if only someone had been willing to intervene. But no one was willing to do what it took to save her life. One of the bystanders even admitted to a reporter, “I didn’t want to get involved.” All around us there are people who are facing far worse than physical death. The lost have no hope of salvation unless someone loves and cares for them enough to reach out to them with the gospel. Yet too often, like the priest and the Levite in the parable Jesus told, those who should be the first to help find reasons not to do so. We are not told what motivated those two men to cross to the other side of the road. Perhaps they feared for their safety, or perhaps they simply didn’t want to get their hands dirty. But whatever the case, they failed to step up and answer the challenge of helping someone in desperate need. Today’s Growth Principle:  If those of us who are saved do not do our part to reach them, the lost have no hope for eternity.

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How to Make Things Right with God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?”
Luke 10:29
The man whose question sparked perhaps the most famous of all of Jesus’ parables—the story of the Good Samaritan—was not asking out of a sincere desire to know the truth. Instead, the Bible reveals that his motive was to make himself look better. So often we yield to the temptation to think that we can handle things without God just fine on our own, unlike some others. I read a story about a children’s Sunday school teacher who taught her pupils from the parable of the Pharisee and the publican praying in the Temple. When she finished her lesson she called on one of her students to pray. The little boy said, “God, thank You that I’m not like that Pharisee!”
If we set out to justify ourselves, we can always find some reason that will show why what we have done is not as bad as others, or some excuse that will rationalize away or explain our behavior. But God doesn’t grade on a curve. He does not compare us to what others are doing, but rather to the perfect standard of His Son. And He is not deceived by our attempts to make ourselves look better. He sees us as we really are, and He will not accept any attempt to avoid responsibility on our part.
The only hope we have is to abandon our efforts to justify ourselves and instead rest on the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is sufficient for everything that we lack, and because of grace we have already received God’s stamp of approval: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). When in our pride and self confidence we attempt to make things right with God, we always fail.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Since God sees through all our excuses, we should humbly confess our sins rather than justifying ourselves.

 

The Written Word

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 24, 2016

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
—Psalm 119:105
The Bible is written as a personal letter to you. God speaks to you, ministers to your needs, and directs you in the way you should go in His written Word. He tells you what you should do and how you should live.
It is a mistake to think we can hear clearly from God without spending time in the Word. Knowing the written Word protects you from deception. Listening for God's voice without being dedicated to spending time in the Word on a regular basis opens you up to hearing voices that are not from God. There may be times when God speaks something to you that is outside a specific chapter and verse of the Bible, but it will always be in agreement with His Word.
Tonight, spend time reading a portion of God's personal letter to you and allow Him to speak to your heart. God’s Word is one of the most precious gifts we have. Treasure it.

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But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."-Matthew 19:26 As a Christian, your lifeline to God is prayer. It’s how you grow more intimate with God and develop a deeper and more personal relationship with Him. But prayer is also how you face the enemy of your soul head-on with courage and hope! God tells us to not be afraid of Satan and his forces. Because as a Christian, you have authority in Jesus Christ who has conquered all the spiritual forces of darkness. When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again, He won the victory. And He wants you and me to live in that victory! How? It starts with prayer… passionate, even presumptuous prayer… to a God who you know can overcome anything. So often we forget to pray boldly, thinking that God can’t do what we are asking. But that is far from the truth, as today’s verse tells us. Now, it’s important to remember that doesn’t mean we have a blank check to ask God to do anything and everything we want Him to do. There is a powerful connection to God’s Word and prayer. Scripture will guide you and teach you what things you should pray for. And God will always come through in His response based on what His Word says. Let me put it this way: There is nothing that lies outside the reach of prayer except that which may lie outside the will of God. If you are facing a battle with the enemy today, know that God is fighting for you… and your victory is sure in Jesus Christ. You best weapon is prayer. Claim the promises God has for you in His Word, accept the victory, and live a life that exemplifies the power of our great God!

Dealing with Sin

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”
Luke 10:25–28
In 1944, during a massive storm, the SS Richard Montgomery, a ship loaded with thousands of tons of aerial fragmentation bombs, broke up and sank not far from the English coast. Despite the danger posed by the unexploded ordinance, the decision was made to leave it in place for fear of setting off a massive explosion. It would be more dangerous to try to remove the bombs than it was to leave them in place. For more than seventy years, the wreckage of that ship has been home to a lethal danger.
Every human being is born with a lethal danger within—a sin nature that we inherit passed down from Adam. But we are not just sinners by nature. We are also sinners by choice. When presented with the opportunity to do right or wrong, our inclination is toward the evil rather than the good. And because of the punishment for sin that God has decreed, our sin problem requires a solution. We cannot just hope it sinks out of sight under the water and stays there.
Sin must be dealt with, but we have no way to do that. The very best that we can do falls short of the perfection God demands. There has never been anyone apart from Jesus Christ who has completely and perfectly obeyed the law of God. Only by accepting His sacrifice on our behalf can we have salvation.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

There is no hope for us to deal with sin, unless we accept the provision God has made for salvation.

Be Positive

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A Blessing Ignored?

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
Luke 10:23–24
For much of history in many parts of the world, the Word of God was only available on a limited basis. Even today there are groups of people who do not have the Bible available in their own language. Yet in our nation with the Scriptures in bookstores, online, on mobile devices, and easy to find, far too many Christians ignore the blessing of the Bible, rarely reading and heeding what it says. King George V of England once wrote, “It is my confident hope that my subjects will never cease to cherish their noble inheritance in the English Bible, which is the first of national treasures. Its spiritual significance is the most valuable thing the world affords.”
The wisdom of God that is meant to guide and direct our lives is found in the pages of the Bible. King Artaxerxes told Ezra, “And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not” (Ezra 7:25). When we open that blessed Book, we hold in our hands what God has revealed.
It is sad not to have a copy of the Bible, but it is tragic to have the very Word of God and ignore it. If we do not know what God has decreed, or if we are not willing to do as He says, there is no possibility that we will walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

It is tragic for God’s children not to fill their hearts and minds with His Word to guide their daily lives.

Be Positive

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 22, 2016

We have thought of Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple.
—Psalm 48:9
Positive minds—minds full of faith and hope—produce positive lives. Negative minds—minds full of fear and doubt—produce negative lives. In Matthew 8:13, Jesus tells us that it will be done for us as we have believed. This doesn’t mean that you and I can get anything we want by just thinking about it. God has a perfect plan for each of us, and we can’t control Him with our thoughts and words, but if we want His plan, we should think and speak in agreement with His will and plan for us.
I encourage you to think positively about your life and be thankful for the good things God is doing and going to do. Practice staying positive in every situation that arises; even if you’re going through a difficult situation, stand in faith, believing God will bring good out of it as He has promised in His Word.
Prayer of Thanks: Father, help me to keep my thoughts and my words focused on You. I thank You that You have good things in store for my life. I trust You today.

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Hidden from the Wise

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”
Luke 10:21–22
On his twenty-fifth birthday, Ford Porter prayed that God would do something special in his life, giving him a ministry that would bring people to Jesus. In 1933, Porter wrote a tract called “God’s Simple Plan of Salvation” that has been used around the world in many languages. To date, over half a billion of these tracts have been printed, all with the message that God’s plan of salvation is by grace through faith without anything else.
No one gets saved on the strength of their intellect or reasoning. No one gets saved on the basis of their merit or worth. Everyone who comes to God for salvation must come in simple faith, believing the promises of our Heavenly Father just as a child believes the promises of his earthly father. There is no other way of salvation, and those who insist on doing it according to their own wisdom find the only true door to Heaven hidden from their sight.
Those of us who have received the gift of eternal life have also received the command to take the good news to others. When we lay aside our self-reliance and rely instead on the power of God, our witnessing becomes effective in revealing the truth to those who need to receive it. God has devised both the plan for our salvation and the plan for people to hear it, and we must follow it.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Having received the gift of salvation through God’s grace, we have the privilege of sharing it with others.

Decide to Believe

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 21, 2016

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
—James 1:2-4
Too often people stare at me with a blank look when I urge them to decide to believe. It’s as if I’m asking them to do something they can’t do. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God (see Romans 10:17), but it also involves a decision.
We enter into a relationship with God through believing in Jesus Christ, but that’s only the beginning.
Believing doesn’t end there. As I understand the realm of the Spirit, if we follow the Lord, we live with a growing faith. That means we learn to believe for bigger things. We learn to trust God for things we would never have thought of in our earliest Christian days.
When we become Christians, the Bible says we are adopted into the family of God: . . . but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in . . . which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! (Romans 8:15b).
That’s the beginning. That’s also where too many Christians stop. The Spirit keeps reaching for your hands so He can pull you forward. That’s when you must decide to believe—or you resist and stay exactly where you are in your Christian experience.
Read the verse at the beginning of this topic. It says your faith will be tested, but you must hold onto it and move forward. The testing may come when the devil attempts to make you doubt the promises God has given you.
There is never a stopping place in your spiritual growth—God wants to take you onward. But you have to make the choice to believe. Sometimes that takes courage, but that’s how the Christian life functions. We grow by taking steps of faith.
When God speaks to your heart—to your inner being—you need to learn to say without hesitation, “Let it be so, Lord.” You have to learn to agree with whatever the Spirit of God says or wants.
Instead, many tend to resist. They don’t say no. Satan is too subtle to nudge them to do that. He puts questions in their minds, urging them to ask, “How can that be?” They start asking God to help them understand. If your boss wants you to do a task, you can ask, “Why?” or ask for an ¬explanation.
But that is not how the Holy Spirit works. You say, “Lord, if You’ll help me understand, I will believe and obey.” God says, “Just obey. If I want you to understand, I’ll make it clear to you.” God doesn’t have to explain anything to us.
It frequently happens that believers know something down deep in their hearts—in their inner beings—but their minds fight against it. They may consider themselves unworthy. They may ask, “Who am I that You would use me to change lives?” They waste a lot of energy by telling God why they can’t do what He wants them to do. God already knows everything that is wrong with us or ever will be wrong with us, and He is willing to work through us anyway. God requires availability not ability.
God asks you to do something quite simple: Believe. That’s all. If God speaks, you need to learn to say, “Even though I don’t understand, I’ll do it.” One of the best examples I can think of in Scripture is the story of Ananias of Damascus. God told him that Saul (later called Paul) was blind and in a particular house. He was to go and lay hands on him, and God would heal him (see Acts 9:10-19).
Ananias was afraid. Saul was the great persecutor of Christians, but God told him to go because the blinded man was a chosen vessel. Despite his fear and inability to understand why God would choose a great persecutor to be a chosen vessel, Ananias went and prayed for Saul, and the future apostle was healed.
That’s how God wants us to behave. He wants us to choose to believe Him even if what He’s asking us to do doesn’t compute in our thoughts.
Holy Spirit of God, help me always to believe Your promises, even when I don’t understand Your purpose. I want to learn to trust You more, as I move forward in faith to accomplish what You have for me to do. Help me always to be obedient, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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…I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.   --Nehemiah 1:4 Faithful, everyday prayer is absolutely critical for Christians. It’s our communication with the One and only God that helps us learn His will for us. Unfortunately, though, prayer is a last resort, even for many believers! Prayer is not a magic trick. It’s communication with God that should go hand in hand with our actions to honor Him. Prayer is not a substitute for work but a preparation for work! Prayer focuses our attention and demands our discipline. Prayers do not need to be great public spectacles because it’s our personal and private prayers that truly move God and make a difference. Prayer is surrender to the Lord’s will. It’s not trying to pull God into our plans, but rather it’s putting our plans in line with His will.  It’s in prayer that we experience God and are exposed to His greatness. It’s in prayer that we make ourselves available to God. I challenge you today to spend some time alone with God in prayer…making yourself available to Him! The National Day of Prayer is on May 5, 2016, prepare your heart to intercede for our nation. PRAYER FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION AND IT DEMANDS OUR DISCIPLINE.     Why Rejoice? by Dr. Paul Chappell “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17–20 When His disciples rejoiced at the victories they had seen in their work, Jesus pointed out to them that they were rejoicing in the wrong thing. The great reason we have for joy in our lives is not found in this world but in the next. Because of the gift of salvation we have received, we have the hope of eternal life that can never be taken away. Matthew Henry said, “Joy and peace as believers arises chiefly from our hopes. What is laid out upon us is but little, compared with what is laid up for us (in glory); therefore the more hope we have the more joy and peace we have.” Victories in this world are good, but at best they are only temporary. Each sick person Jesus or the disciples healed still eventually died. But each person who heard and received the gospel received eternal life that could never be taken away. The main reason for our rejoicing should not be the short-term blessings we receive in this world. We should be thankful and give God praise when we see Him at work in our lives, but we must maintain our focus on the great gift of salvation. Any temporal blessing we receive has a limited impact on our lives. But our names are written in Heaven forever, and our eternal destiny has already been sealed by God. Today’s Growth Principle:  One of the biggest reasons for a lack of joy is a focus on this world rather than on eternity.