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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   --John 8:12 When I was a boy growing up in Ft. Worth, Texas, I remember seeing a homeless man on the street around Christmas one year. It was apparent that the man was blind, and he held a sign that read, “The sun is shining, but I cannot see.” And you know, there really are a lot of people like that poor man in the world today. There’s a Light to be seen…but so many people are blind to it. All of us know what it’s like to be in a pitch-dark room where you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Where you have vision…but you can’t see. Where there is sight…but no light. Maybe you feel like your life is filled with darkness today…and the light of reason, the light of logic, the light of conscience have all failed you. If so, remember you have light through Jesus Christ…the One who is “the light of the world.” So focus on Him! As the old hymn says, O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. If you are weary and troubled, look up to Jesus today!

Going God’s Way

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:13–14

Perhaps you have seen an artistic depiction of the teaching of Jesus on the broad way and the narrow way. Often artists will portray a wide, well-paved road leading through the middle of a valley while far off on the side there is a narrow winding path leading up the mountainside. That is a gripping image, but the reality is that sometimes the “narrow way” runs directly next to the “broad way,” only going the opposite direction. To use another analogy, sometimes God’s children must follow Him by “swimming upstream” against the current of the world.
It reminds me of the joke about an elderly man who was driving home when his cell phone rang. His wife said, “Herman, I just heard on the news that there’s a car going the wrong direction on the freeway Please be careful!”
“It’s not just one car,” said Herman. “There are hundreds of them!” If we are committed to following God, then the world will view us as going in the wrong direction. The world’s children and God’s children should not agree, because we do not have a common goal.
Many Christians wrongly think that if they will just tone down the message of the gospel to make it less offensive, they will have a greater impact on the world. But we must be committed to pleasing God, not to making friends of the world. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The only way we can follow God is by ignoring the call of the world to walk in men’s wisdom.

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The Power of God’s Love

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
John 12:30–33

I read a wonderful story about a missionary to Zimbabwe who was trying diligently to witness to a man who had no interest in the gospel. When the man continued to refuse to listen to the message, the missionary offered to give him a New Testament. The uninterested man replied that he would just use the pages to roll his cigarettes and smoke them. The missionary said, “Well at least promise to read the pages before you smoke them!” The man agreed.
Fifteen years passed before the two men met again, and this time it was at a preaching conference. The once lost man who had declared his intention to smoke the pages of the Bible was now an effective evangelist. In his message, he gave his testimony and told the story of being given a New Testament. “I smoked Matthew and I smoked Mark and I smoked Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn’t smoke anymore. My life was changed from that moment.”
The power of the message God has given us to take to the world is not found in our ability, our personality, or our charisma. It is found in the story of the crucifixion, for the cross is the measure of God’s amazing love for the world. When we substitute that message with anything else, we are weakening the power of our witness to the lost. Paul reminded the Corinthians of his ministry in their city this way: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If our lives and our message show God’s love to the world, He will draw the lost to salvation.

God Is in the Details

by Joyce Meyer - posted January 29, 2017

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.
—John 14:16

The Lord cares about every tiny detail of your life. People who don't believe this truth have a difficult time experiencing real intimacy with Him. You can and should talk to Him about everything. Nothing is too big and nothing is too small. He will help you put in your contact lens or drive in snow. He said, “I am with you always” (see Matthew 28:20 NIV), and He is always ready to help, strengthen, encourage, or comfort you.
The Holy Spirit is called “The Helper.” He is also referred to as “The Standby.” I love that He is standing by me at all times, waiting to assist me with whatever I need. But He is a gentleman and won't push His way into our lives. We open the door for Him to work simply by asking, which is prayer.
God is love, and when we dwell in His love, enjoying and being aware of it, we dwell in God. To dwell means, “to live and remain in.” “Dwelling” is not an occasional visit, but a permanent, fixed situation. I don’t say, “I visit my house.” I say, “I live in my house.” God wants us to say the same about Him and His love for us. His love is where we live. God is with us at all times, watching over us, keeping us safe, overseeing every detail of our lives. And the Holy Spirit is standing by to help you!

Love God Today: Whatever you need today—a parking place, help navigating a tough situation at work—know that God cares about the little things and the details of your life, and He wants you to depend on Him.

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Guidance from the Word of God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
2 Peter 1:3–4

Though most of us now take it for granted, the ability to get directions from a GPS system in our cars or on our phones has revolutionized travel. Not that long ago, it was common to see a traveler on the side of the road with a large map, trying to determine the right path to take. Now, not only can we be given turn-by-turn directions, but many systems will even reroute you around a traffic jam or accident, finding a faster route to your destination. These GPS systems are able to do that because they have a massive amount of information available to them, which they use to provide guidance.
God knows far more than any man or program. The Bible contains all of the guidance that we need to live as victorious Christians in a manner that is pleasing to God. Though it does not give us specific roads to drive on, it does tell us what our goal and destination should be, and how to get there. The obstacles, challenges, and decisions we face will not derail those who are following the leading of the Holy Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). The problem comes in when we think that we know better, or want to go our own way rather than following the instructions. If I turn right every time the GPS tells me to turn left, I will soon find myself far off course.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we take seriously what God tells us in His Word, it will never lead us astray from His will.

Keep Pressing On

by Joyce Meyer - posted January 28, 2017

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
—Philippians 3:13-14

Our relationships with God are progressive and we all move from one level to another. No one ever “masters” communication with God because there is no limit to the depth of relationship we can have with Him; it just keeps growing, keeps going deeper, keeps getting stronger. Our ability to hear His voice develops and improves over time. Over time and with practice, we get better at sharing our hearts with God and we become more skilled and experienced at hearing His voice and understanding what He is saying to us. We never become certified experts in prayer and we never stop learning to communicate with God; our experiences just keep getting richer and better.
God has so much for you, and though you may not have arrived at your final destination, you can thank God you are on the pathway that will take you there. As long as you are making progress, it really doesn't matter if you are crawling, walking, or running. Just keep pressing on!

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.   --Philippians 1:27 Character is something you can’t fake or manufacture on the spot. We can try to cover up and act like someone we really aren’t, but it doesn’t work.  In fact, Jesus called the fake and pious masks that people wear hypocrisy. I’ve been a pastor for over 45 years, and I’ve met many people who claimed to be righteous men and women of character. But the truth always comes out sooner or later, because life has a way of revealing what we really are on the inside. That’s why if you’re a person of solid Christian character, your life will ring true. Have you ever wondered what happens to people who seem to have this very sudden fall from grace as they get caught up in sinful and immoral behavior? The truth is that the fall was probably not all that sudden. Instead, it was probably the culmination of a long line of small compromises that were made in secret before the problem ever became public knowledge. That’s why personal character is such a big issue. One small compromise can lead to another, which in turn leads to another, and so on. Eventually, these small lapses in character turn into a full-fledged scandal. Our lives are to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ attractive to others, and one of the best ways to do that is to exhibit true Christ-like character. This means we need to pay attention to how we live each day, since character is not something you can pick up quickly when you need it; it’s a way of life you develop and keep. Commit to be a person of solid Christ-like character!

Free from Condemnation

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”
Romans 8:1–3

One of the rights we enjoy as citizens of the United States that not everyone in the world has is a legal protection against being tried twice for the same crime. The prohibition against “double jeopardy” is found in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. The principle, which apparently dates back to ancient Roman law, holds that once having been acquitted of a criminal charge, a person can never again face punishment for it.
When we accept the salvation from sin Christ offers to us through grace, it changes our legal standing. No longer are we in jeopardy because of our sin. Though Satan still accuses us to God, the righteousness of Christ which is applied to our account is all that God sees. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
Many Christians are held back from being as fruitful and productive for God as they should be because of guilt over something they did or failed to do in the past. While there may be ongoing repercussions and consequences from past sins, there is no more guilt. We can never be judged for sins that are covered by the blood of Jesus. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Our standing as children of God does not only insure us eternity in Heaven but also freedom from condemnation.

Unity of Mind

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

In every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. --Philippians 1:18 Do you remember those old Gatorade commercials that ask, “Is it in you?” That’s a great question for us to ask ourselves when it comes to our character and our faith…is it in us? The reason Christ-like character needs to be in us is that what is inside us will come out when we are under pressure or facing opposition. It’s at times like these when others see who we really are. If we are going to lead someone else to Christ, or be a positive example, we have to be people of integrity and credibility. Nobody wants to follow someone they don’t trust or who is not completely believable. Your message must be livable if it is to be believable. It’s important to remember that we are either bringing credit or discredit to the holy name of Christ by the things we do and say each day. If the people around you know that you are a Christian, then what you do and say is a representation to them of Jesus. That’s challenging to think about, but if Christ is in you, you have everything you need to be a positive example. After all, the best argument for Christ is a faithful follower of Him! There’s really nothing mysterious about being a good example of the Christian faith.  Just let your walk match your talk.  Make your personal witness for Christ believable and trustworthy, so others will be willing to follow the example you set. The best argument for Christianity is a faithful follower of Christ. Unity of Mind by Dr. Paul Chappell “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” 2 Corinthians 13:11–14 Professional athletes have all kinds of support—nutritional, financial, and medical, as well as trainers for every aspect of their on and off field lives. Recently, the Houston Astros hired their former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg to their minor league staff as a “mindset coach.” His assignment to make sure that coaches, staff, and players throughout the organization are all on the same page. The fact that a massive organization dedicated to winning baseball games thinks this is an important investment, highlights the importance of the way we think. The work of God is greatly hindered by unnecessary divisions among God’s people. While there are certainly times when we must take a stand and even break with someone over a doctrinal issue, we should never be eager for divisions. In pleading with two members of the church at Philippi to work together, Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). There are as many different opinions and ideas as there are people, but if each one of us puts what God thinks (which we find in the pages of His Word) ahead of what we think, we will find it easy to be in harmony with each other. This was one of the most important characteristics of the early church in Jerusalem. Over and over in Acts we read statements like this one: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).   Today’s Growth Principle:  When we think as God thinks, it will be easy for us to be unified with other Christians.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. --Philippians 1:27 Character is something you can’t fake or manufacture on the spot. We can try to cover up and act like someone we really aren’t, but it doesn’t work.  In fact, Jesus called the fake and pious masks that people wear hypocrisy. I’ve been a pastor for over 45 years, and I’ve met many people who claimed to be righteous men and women of character. But the truth always comes out sooner or later, because life has a way of revealing what we really are on the inside. That’s why if you’re a person of solid Christian character, your life will ring true. Have you ever wondered what happens to people who seem to have this very sudden fall from grace as they get caught up in sinful and immoral behavior? The truth is that the fall was probably not all that sudden. Instead, it was probably the culmination of a long line of small compromises that were made in secret before the problem ever became public knowledge. That’s why personal character is such a big issue. One small compromise can lead to another, which in turn leads to another, and so on. Eventually, these small lapses in character turn into a full-fledged scandal. Our lives are to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ attractive to others, and one of the best ways to do that is to exhibit true Christ-like character. This means we need to pay attention to how we live each day, since character is not something you can pick up quickly when you need it; it’s a way of life you develop and keep. Commit to be a person of solid Christ-like character! Keeping the End in Sight by Dr. Paul Chappell “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57–58 The Christian life is not meant to be a life of ease where nothing ever goes wrong. It is a life of work, labor, sacrifice, and effort. We constantly face challenges and are tempted to indulge in discouragement and complaining. There are days when we may wonder, like Elijah, if we are the only ones left who are being faithful. There are days when we may feel, like Gideon, that we have been given an impossible task. There are days when we weep like Hannah when it seems our greatest desires will never be realized. But on every day, regardless of our circumstances, we should be faithful in our service. And God calls us to be abounding—overflowing—not just doing the bare minimum required to get by. Many times we are tempted to complain and gripe about the obstacles we face. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Christ does not say, ‘Murmur at your cross.’ That is the very reverse of taking it up. As long as a man is alive, and out of hell, he cannot have any cause to complain. Be he where he may,—be he placed in the most abject position conceivable,—the man is better off than he deserves to be. Let not a single murmur, then, ever escape our lips.” When we complain, we reveal a lack of faith in the rewards that God has promised. The writer of Hebrews, after listing many great men and women of faith concludes, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). The fact that we may never in this life receive rewards does not mean God will fail to see our work bear fruit.   Today’s Growth Principle:  The knowledge that God sees and rewards our faithful service keeps us going strong for Him

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.   --Jude 1:3 As we share the Gospel with the people around us and take it to the ends of the earth, we need to be aware that there are people out there who seek to distort or dilute the pure message of Christ. Any belief system or teaching that does either one of these things is a false system that we can’t trust. Many people want to add works or rules to the Gospel; that is, they distort it to fit their own ideas of what it takes to be saved. Others try to water down the Gospel by removing or downplaying the need for confession and repentance. The problem is that when unbelievers hear multiple versions of the Gospel, they don’t usually know which one to believe. Or even worse, they just simply choose the one that sounds the best! There will always be those who try to make the Gospel less…or more…than it is. The challenge for us as believers is to make absolutely sure that we are clear when we present the truth of Christ. That means being truthful with people about their sin and need of a Savior. Beware of the teaching, even in some so-called Christian circles, which says that everything will be fine if you just try to do your best, because God loves you no matter what and will accept your best efforts. That’s not the Gospel! Nor is it the Gospel that somehow we can work our way to heaven. It’s only when people come to realize their desperate need for Christ that they are truly coming to grips with the message of Jesus Christ.  And it’s only when people realize God’s grace covers their sin that they can fully appreciate the Gospel message. The Bible calls us to stand firm for the truth. Don’t stand for a distorted or diluted Gospel. Be clear in presenting the truth of God’s saving grace for the sin of mankind. Faithful Ministry by Dr. Paul Chappell “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:12–14 One of the great privileges of my life was spending some time with Dr. Lee Roberson in his later years. When Dr. Roberson gave his life to God, he meant it! As a young man, he turned down a lucrative recording contract to preach the gospel. Then after more than fifty years of ministry as a pastor, he became an evangelist, traveling across the country well into his nineties, reaching the lost and challenging Christians to be active in their service for Christ. He was greatly talented, but the most important characteristic of his life was that Dr. Roberson was faithful in using his talents for God. The importance of faithful, diligent, consistent service for the Lord cannot be overstated. The greatest need of our day is not more talent, but more faithfulness. The world measures success by how much is accomplished in things that can be measured. God measures success by how much is accomplished in things that truly matter. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). God needs nothing from us. His abilities and resources are not improved by the contributions that we can offer. He graciously allows us to be part of His work despite our inability to do anything at all for Him apart from His power. What He wants from us is consistent, dedicated, devoted, faithful service. Whatever gifts and talents God has given you will mean nothing if you are not faithful to use them for Him. As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “The greatest ability is dependability.”   Today’s Growth Principle:  Acceptable service to God is not measured by talent and ability, but by faithfulness.

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More of Jesus

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:27–30

The world is filled with people trying to get to the top. There are endless courses, seminars, and books written about gaining attention, moving up the ranks and becoming famous. We look up to people who have succeeded in their fields, and often treat them as worthy of more respect than others because of their accomplishments. While there is certainly nothing wrong with succeeding through diligence, hard work, and character, receiving the praise and acclaim of men should never be our goal.
For a brief time, John the Baptist was the best known and most famous preacher of his generation. Huge crowds flocked to hear him, and many responded to his message which called for repentance and belief in the coming Messiah. But when Jesus began His ministry, most of those who once followed John began following the Lord. John could have responded by being angry at his diminished stature in the public eye, but instead he rejoiced.
That is because John understood what is truly important in life. F. B. Meyer wrote, “The only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ.” God’s purpose is not that we be glorified, but that our lives glorify Him. “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not…” (Jeremiah 45:5).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we seek God’s glory rather than our own, we will be protected from the snare of pride.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health. --3 John 1:2 When was the last time you thanked God for your health? It’s probably been a while, because most of us take our health for granted. One interesting thing to me about physical health is the powerful impact that our minds can have on the way we feel. By that I mean if we are always entertaining thoughts about how sick we are, or if we’re afraid of how sick we might become, the chances are we’re going to be sick. Now please don’t misunderstand. I’m not making light of real illnesses. I’m just saying that the way we think and the attitude we take toward life has a tremendous influence on how we feel. When I was in seminary, I ran an impromptu field test where four or five of us went up to another student who was perfectly healthy and told him, “Boy, you look sick,” just to see how it would affect him. Sure enough, before the day was over he went home sick! My point is simply this. Live with a healthy attitude. Don’t worry about whether you might catch the latest “in” disease. Just thank God for the strength He gives you each day. Thank God today for the strength He gives you to follow and serve Him.

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God Will Take Care of You

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Romans 8:35–37

The Great Depression hit J. C. Penney’s businesses hard. Though a man of deep faith and convictions and very honest, Penney was overextended, and the crushing financial pressure took a toll on his health. He had to be hospitalized, and nothing the doctors tried seemed to help. At one point, thinking he was about to die, Penney wrote farewell letters to his wife and children. He later said, “I was broken nervously and physically, filled with despair, unable to see even a ray of hope. I had nothing to live for. I felt I hadn’t a friend left in the world.”
The next morning Penney heard singing from the hospital chapel and went to the service. The song was “God Will Take Care of You.” Penney sat through the music and the preaching, and left a changed man. He wrote, “Suddenly something happened. I can’t explain it. I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm, brilliant sunlight.” That reminder of God’s care in “the most dramatic and glorious twenty minutes of my life” stayed with Penney until his death many years later at age ninety-five.
God loves and cares for us just as much and just as wonderfully when things are going well as He does when things are going poorly. He never abandons or forsakes us, so we can always rely on Him. There is no power that can take away or hinder God’s love for us. We can rest in His love.

Today’s Growth Principle

God’s love for you is eternal and unfailing—rejoice and rest in that great love today.

Be a Blessing

by Joyce Meyer - posted January 22, 2017

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
—Galatians 6:10

Our daughter Sandra shared that she was dreading seeing a certain individual because in the past that person had not been very pleasant to her. As she struggled with negative thoughts about the upcoming encounter, God spoke to her heart and said, You don't need to be concerned about how others treat you; your concern should be how you treat them. This message had a strong impact on Sandra's life as well as on mine. How true it is.
We are so concerned about how we are being treated that we have little or no concern for how we treat others. We are afraid of being taken advantage of, especially if our experience with someone has been painful in the past. The fear and dread we feel probably makes us supersensitive to everything that is said or done. We may even misinterpret things and see them in a negative way because of our expectations.
What we fear does come upon us, according to God's Word (see Job 3:25). I agree that it is difficult not to be concerned that others will treat us badly if they have done so in the past. That is why it is so important not to think about it at all.
We are to deposit ourselves with God and trust Him to take care of us (see 1 Peter 4:19). He is our vindicator (see Job 19:25), and as long as we behave properly toward others, including our enemies, God will bring a reward into our lives. The Bible says we are to be "mindful" to be a blessing (see Galatians 6:10). That means that we are to have our minds full of ways we can help others. When our minds are filled with ways to be a blessing, we have no time to dwell on our personal problems. It gives God an opportunity to work on them for us.

Asean Beauty =)

Enjoy Your Everyday Life

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Enjoy Your Everyday Life

by Joyce Meyer - posted January 21, 2017

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] part. Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God [to him].
—Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

I want you to notice the words allotted part and appointed lot in the above passage. What King Solomon is basically communicating here is this message: enjoy your life. Take your “appointed lot” in life and enjoy it. In other words, embrace the life—the personality, the strengths and weaknesses, the family, the resources, the opportunities, the physical qualities, the abilities, the gifts, and the uniqueness—God has given you.
The only life you can enjoy is your own. That statement may seem so obvious that it’s unnecessary, but think about it. One of the primary reasons many people do not enjoy their lives is because they are not happy with the lives they have. When I speak to them about enjoying their lives, the first thought they often have is, I would enjoy my life if I had your life, Joyce! Instead of embracing the realities of their lives, these people spend their time thinking, I wish I looked like So-and-So. I wish I had So-and-So’s job. I wish I were married. I wish my marriage weren’t so difficult. I wish I had children. I wish my children would grow up. I wish I had a new house. I wish I didn’t have such a big house to clean. I wish I had a big ministry . . .
The truth of the matter is, the first step to enjoying our everyday lives is to be grateful for the lives we’ve been given. We must not allow jealousy to cause us to be absent from our own lives because we want what someone else has. You have to take what you have and decide you are going to do the best you can with it. What are you doing with what you have been given?
Trust in Him: God is asking you to be faithful with your life, not with someone else’s. Trust that God knew what He was doing when He gave your life to you.

Our Unchanging God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Malachi 3:5–6

For decades, ships traveling through the treacherous waters off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada relied on the Church Point Lighthouse as a landmark to make their way safely to port. Even after GPS and other tracking technology came into use, the lighthouse still stood as a visual marker for those traversing the seas. But in 2014, a massive spring storm with winds nearing hurricane force swept the 140-year-old wooden structure completely off its foundation and destroyed it. What once had been a certain landmark for travelers disappeared overnight.
The world around us is filled with change and uncertainty. Companies come and go, governments are replaced, and economic upheaval is the order of the day. It seems that nothing is sure, settled, or absolute—and many people seem to like it better that way. Yet through every alteration in our circumstances and surroundings, God remains unchanging and faithful. Because of His nature, we can count on Him to be consistent and reliable in every struggle. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
This year’s science textbook may be completely different from the one published just a few years ago because of new discoveries. This year’s history book may have been altered by archaeological findings. This year’s balance statement may be different because of new legal requirements. But the Bible is still the same, reliable, true rock because it is God’s revelation.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we plant our feet on the sure foundation of the Word and character of God, we will never be shaken.

Lovely =)

Acknowledge God

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Acknowledge God

by Joyce Meyer - posted January 20, 2017

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
—Proverbs 3:6

It is so easy to start making a plan instead of waiting on God to give us His plan. Sometimes we are so entrenched in our own plans that we don’t even sense the leading of the Holy Spirit. But the proverb says to acknowledge God in all our ways, and that means to care about what He thinks and submit our plans to Him for approval.
Having a plan is not a bad thing, but we can simply say to God each day, “Lord, I have a plan for today, but I acknowledge You in it. And if You don’t approve of any part of it, then I am willing to change and do what You want.” If you truly care about what God desires, He will direct you in the way you should go if any changes need to be made to your plans.

Power Thought: I acknowledge God in all my plans, and He always guides me.

Facing an Uncertain Future with Confidence

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 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 20:22–24

The difference between people who live by faith and those who walk by sight is not explained by their circumstances. The faithful face the same challenges, obstacles, and reverses that everyone else faces. It is part of living in a fallen world. The difference is that they continue to trust God, no matter what. Even after Job had lost everything to an attack from Satan that he did not deserve and did not understand, Job trusted in God. He said, “Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” (Job 13:14–15).
When Paul said, “None of these things move me” he was saying that the circumstances of life carried no weight with him. Paul did not base his future on what was happening, but on the one who had called him to the work. Notice the focus of Paul’s heart. He did not love his own life, but instead loved God above all else. As a result, he was willing to face and endure hardship. I’m sure Paul would have preferred to skip the shipwrecks, the beatings, the imprisonments, and the stonings. But he was willing to allow God to direct his steps, wherever it took him, and whatever consequences followed. That is what faith in action during uncertain times looks like.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If God is our greatest love, then our faith in Him can survive any test.

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Stores of the Bible   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. --1 Timothy 4:8 I see people all the time outside jogging, running, and biking down the street. That’s great, because it’s important for us to take care of our bodies.  I just wonder sometimes if these people care as much about staying in good spiritual shape as they do about staying in good physical shape. For the Christian, it’s not an either/or situation. As we have discussed over the last few days, the Bible urges us to stay in top shape both physically and spiritually. It’s a matter of having balance in life. We make an effort to work out and stay in shape so that we can live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. The same should be true spiritually. Having strong, healthy bodies prepares us to deal with the physical world we live in. In much the same way, strengthening our spirits through regular times of prayer, Bible study, worship, and service to the Lord will prepare us for the spiritual atmosphere of heaven, where we will worship and serve the Lord forever! Just as athletes do, we must practice to be ready for the big game, which in our case is heaven! We’re practicing for the big event, so let’s give the Lord our best today—whether it’s in our prayer life, the study of His Word, or our service.  Practice hard every day, and you’ll be prepared and in shape when the time comes to enter heaven. Don’t neglect your daily spiritual workout! Make time for your spiritual workout every day!

Believing the Impossible

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.”
John 11:20–23

Outside of the disciples, Jesus had no closer friends on earth than Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. They welcomed Him into their home near Jerusalem, providing Jesus a place to rest and eat during His busy times of ministry in that city. When Lazarus took sick, Mary and Martha immediately rushed a message to Jesus, asking for His help. Yet the Lord delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and all hope was lost.
At some level, however, in Martha’s heart, there was a faith that even reached beyond the grave. Even as she expressed her disappointment that Jesus had not come to heal her brother, she expressed faith that Jesus would do the will of God. As you read this passage, you see Martha’s faith rise and fall somewhat throughout it. But she trusted that God wanted what was best for her and her family, and that He could deal with any problem she faced. In the end, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and God was glorified.
Too many Christians miss out on what God could and would do for them because they lack the faith to ask. James wrote, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2). Why do we not pray as we should? While there are many reasons for prayer failure, the greatest is a lack of faith in God. No matter what we may say out loud, in our hearts we do not believe that God is willing or able to help.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If our faith is limited by what seems possible to us, we will never see God work in miraculous ways.