What is an effective leader?

CURRENT RADIO SERIES All In the Family   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.        --Joshua 1:7 Joshua was one of the great leaders of the Bible even though he wasn’t a prophet, a priest, or a preacher! Joshua can be described as an assistant to Moses. He was just a guy who worked hard and had risen to some prominence in his day and time. Joshua was just a man… but he was a man whom God raised up! As we look at his life, there are some steps that Joshua took that insured his success… steps that made him a very effective leader. They’re the same steps you can take as a follower of Christ to ensure you’rean effective leader in your sphere of influence as well. Step number one is to serve faithfully. We see this trait over and over again in the life of Joshua. He was a man of who kept the commandments. Real leaders understand that opportunity swings on the hinges of faithful devotion to duty. Step number two is to proceed confidently and courageously. You accomplish this by living what Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Step number three to being an effective leader is to plan wisely. Too often we have an idea… we have a dream… and we just go at it arms flailing, rather than taking time to plan. But there’s a beautiful balance here. There’s the divine side of praying and then there’s the human side of planning. There is agonizing and then there is organizing. This is why Joshua was such a great leader. He was not only faithful, he not only proceeded with confidence and trust in the Lord, he planned effectively. These same steps…when applied to your life as a Christian…will help you become the effective leader God intends for you to be!   BECOME THE EFFECTIVE LEADER GOD WANTS YOU TO BE BY PRAYING FERVENTLY, PROCEEDING CONFIDENTLY, AND PLANNING WISELY Does the Devil Know about You? Thursday, May 30, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Acts 19:13–16 Paul’s preaching made a powerful impact as he traveled across the Roman Empire preaching the gospel. Few cities were touched more than Ephesus, where Paul spent three years establishing what would become one of the most important and effective churches of the first century. Paul’s impact, however, also inspired envy. In Ephesus the seven sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva decided to mimic Paul’s actions and tried to cast a demon out of a man who was possessed. It did not go the way they planned. Instead of leaving, the demon took control of the man and chased all seven of them down the street in defeat and shame. There was no reason for the devil to be afraid of people like that—they had no power. It was very different with Paul. When he commanded demons to leave in Jesus’ name, they went. Our lives should be so filled with the Spirit of God, and we should walk in His power to such an extent that the devil is fully aware of our impact. The great missionary C. T. Studd said, “I pray that when I die, all of Hell will rejoice that I am out of the fight.” Not for any kind of pride, but for our effectiveness in the kingdom of God, our names should be known even in Hell. Today's Growth Principle:  We should be doing enough for God to upset His enemies and make sure they know who we are.

You are not everyone's cup of tea

Divine Protection

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Life Together   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. --Philippians 4:6 To pray successfully, we must pray with conviction. What does it mean to pray with conviction? In Nehemiah 1:5-6, Nehemiah prays, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant….” In these verses, Nehemiah is praying with conviction because he knows that his God is in control. When it seemed like everything was out of control in Jerusalem, Nehemiah knew that God was still on His throne. Nehemiah knew that the Lord would answer his prayer because He was a great and awesome God. Because He was a wonderful God. Because He was a faithful God. Because He was a God who could meet all of Nehemiah’s needs! And in just the same way, God can handle any problem in your life. Do you believe that today? God is bigger… God is greater… than any situation or crisis in your life. And the first thing Nehemiah did is the first thing that you ought to do when you have a problem, a crisis, or a need: You need to turn it over to God. You need to give it to God, not as your last chance, but as your first choice! When you know that God is above all and that He has everything under control… and when you know that your place is surrendered under the lordship of Christ, then you can find your place and know your prayers will be answered!   TRUST THAT GOD CAN HANDLE ANY PROBLEM IN YOUR LIFE

Divine Protection

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.”

Psalm 91:9–13

Late in his life, Dr. James M. Gray who followed R. A. Torrey as the head of Moody Bible Institute suffered a serious health crisis. His doctors suggested a voyage at sea so that the clean air and relaxation would promote his recovery. Gray planned his trip, but just before he was to sail, his sickness worsened again, and he was not able to go. Just a few days later he read in the papers that the ship on which he had planned to sail had sunk after hitting a reef and everyone on board had drowned.

Many times we are not even aware of the things God does to deliver us from danger. He closes doors and redirects our path in such a way that we are spared great sorrow and heartache. Yet because we do not see it, we are often not grateful—sometimes even feeling that God is not doing anything in our lives. Even worse we sometimes become angry at the very things God uses to protect us. When Balaam foolishly went against God’s command not to go to Moab, three times his donkey stopped to keep Balaam from being killed by an angel that only the donkey could see. Each time Balaam beat the donkey, and even said he wanted to kill the very animal that was keeping him alive. We do not need to see what God is doing to trust that it is there.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Gratitude for God’s unseen protection and provision should be a regular part of our daily lives.

Col. 3:16

You Can Change the World

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Life Together   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. --Matthew 7:7 God has called you not to just make a living, but to make a life. God has called you not to just take up space in this world, but to make our world a better place in which to live! Yes, God wants you to make a difference! Now, the people God uses to make a difference in this world are people who are vulnerable to Him, who are dependent on Him, and who are available to Him. If you desire and seek a courageous faith… and if you ask God to give you a compassionate heart… then anything is possible. I’m telling you, you can change the world! I believe it’s time to make an impact on this generation and the coming generations for Christ. It’s time for us to fulfill our calling before He comes again. It’s time for God’s Church to rise up and shake off the past and shake the world for Christ. It’s time for God to do a new thing… a brand new thing in the hearts of His people! And that means you! Someone put it this way: “A zealous man in religion is preeminently a man of one thing. It is not enough to say he is earnest, hardy, uncompromising, thoroughgoing, wholehearted, firm in spirit. He only sees one thing. He cares for one thing. He lives for one thing. He is swallowed up in one thing. And that one thing is to please God.” Let that be the passion and the prayer of our hearts and of our lives! God is looking for men and women who have a heart for Him… men and women who want to take their lives to the next level, who want to live beyond all limits! That’s my prayer for you… and me… today. That we will want to move out of the maze of mediocrity in our lives and live for something bigger than ourselves. That we will move out of our comfort zones and into the life God has called us to live!   MOVE OUT OF THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY IN YOUR LIFE!

Choosing Your Ruler

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:12–14

The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in England were marked by frequent wars over religious disputes. After Henry VIII established the Church of England, there was a struggle between Catholics and the new church for control of the government. The issue was thought to be settled by the late 1600s, but when the Catholic James II was placed on the throne after the death of his brother, the people feared a renewed conflict. To prevent that, the “Glorious Revolution” as it came to be known installed the Dutch king William of Orange on England’s throne as King William III. Along with his wife Mary, William ensured that Catholic control of England would not return. In our day, here in the United States, we have the opportunity to elect representative leaders on a regular basis. In so doing, we are choosing those who will lead us on local, state, and national levels.

There is a similar principle at work in our spiritual lives. No one has the option of being an independent ruler of his own life. Everyone serves something. Some people allow sin to rule over them, obeying what Satan wants rather than what God says. Some people allow God to rule over them, denying the lusts and desires that once motivated their actions. We still have a sin nature after we are saved, but sin no longer has the power to compel us to do evil. The only way we can return to its grasp is if we choose for sin to rule over us again.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Everyone is ruled by something—it is your choice whether your ruler is God or sin.

Repost: The Qualities of a Godly Husband

Salt + Pepper: The Qualities of a Godly Husband: by: Bob Deffinbaugh (an excerpt from the Qualities of a Godly Mate) Initially it seemed that Proverbs had little to say to the wom...

Honor in the Sacrifice

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Life Together   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

For many in America, Memorial Day marks the start of summer – three months of sun-drenched days, warm evenings, barbecues in the backyard, and vacations at the beach. But largely lost in all that is the true meaning of Memorial Day – the willingness of men and women to answer the nation’s call, knowing the risks they face, willing to give their lives to protect and defend the country they love. What an extraordinarily selfless thing to do! Jesus spoke of such a sacrifice in John 15:12–13: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Following the Civil War, in remembrance of those they had lost, people from both the North and South decorated graves with flags and flowers on what came to be known as “Decoration Day.” We call it Memorial Day now, to remember all of the men and women lost in all the wars this country has fought – nearly 1.2 million people. Their sacrifices have guaranteed the religious and civil freedoms that we enjoy, but in today’s culture, often take for granted. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, commonly called the Iwo Jima Memorial, in Washington D.C.  I was reminded once again of the sacrifices made by “a few good men.” The fight for that small island in the Pacific caused 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 who were killed. It’s hard to fathom what those brave Marines had to hold onto in the darkest moments of battle if they didn’t have their brothers at their side. We are no different. The battles are different, for sure, but still, they are battles. We are battling illnesses, the loss of loved ones, addictions. We are battling an enemy who has come to kill, steal and destroy. But we are not fighting alone. We must fight in the Lord because the battle is the Lord’s. We must always remember that Jesus has defeated the darkness. We dare not fight without the armor needed to defeat the enemy if we’re going to win this battle. And we can never leave behind our fellow believers in the struggle. We are to always support and encourage them. Likewise, as Christians, let us not forget these brave men and women who fought and sometimes died for us. We must have a heart for them, a burden for them. The Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due, and these American heroes deserve our honor and thanks. And as believers, let us never take for granted the greatest sacrifice ever made – the death on the Cross by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Their Brethren Who Have Served in the Field” Monday, May 27, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!” Psalm 144:1–3 Long before George Washington was a political leader, he served in uniform, fighting in the French and Indian War a decade before becoming commander in chief during the Revolutionary War. He led the small American army against a much larger British force through great hardship, including the winter spent at Valley Forge. Washington never forgot the courage of those men who sacrificed so much. In 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris recognizing America as an independent nation just a few weeks away, Washington sent a letter to the governors of what had been the colonies. It was a prayer recognizing God’s hand in all that had come before. Washington wrote (original spelling and capitalization): “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.” Today's Growth Principle:  Both political and spiritual freedom only come through great sacrifice made on our behalf that deserve our thanks.

A God We Can Count On

Sunday, May 26, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”

Hebrews 13:7–9

In 1936, the professional football team known as the Rams took the field for the first time. They played in Cleveland for ten years before moving to Los Angeles for the 1946 season. After almost fifty years on the West Coast, they moved to St. Louis in 1995. They lasted there for twenty-one years before moving back to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. Someone suggested that fans of the team should only buy jerseys and hats that just say “Rams” without the city on it—because they’ll probably move again in a few more years.

In truth there is nothing human that is 100 percent dependable. No government, business, or institution is guaranteed to last. Many people know what it is like to be abandoned or betrayed or let down by someone they counted on. And even those people who are faithful and consistent can be taken from life at any moment. The one thing—the only one—we can always count on is God because He never changes.

David lived a life filled with huge swings. He went from winning great victories to literally running for his life. Leaders treated him unfairly, friends joined rebellions against his throne, and even some of his own family members turned against him. No wonder David wrote, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance”(Psalm 42:5).

Today's Growth Principle: 

Even when everything around us seems to be unstable and changing, we can trust our unchanging God.

Sin Never Stays Hidden

Saturday, May 25, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

Joshua 7:19–21

In January of 2017, a bank executive in upstate New York made international news. After being arrested and charged with drunk driving, Joseph Talbot realized that his mugshot would be printed in the paper. He went from store to store in his hometown, buying up every copy of The Times of Wayne County he could find. By the time he gave up the effort, he had purchased nearly one thousand copies of the paper for $1.25 each. His efforts were in vain, and in fact, his plan was reported all around the world.

Every time we try to cover up sin we fail. No matter how effective we are at concealing things from others, we can never hide anything from God. Even if we bury them under the floor of our tents where no one would ever look, God sees. He has placed the law of sowing and reaping into effect, and sin always carries destruction with it—unless we repent. If we depend on our ability to keep the news of what we have done from spreading, we will not receive the forgiveness and restoration that we need. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Today's Growth Principle: 

Our efforts to conceal sin never work in the long run, and usually make things even worse.

God’s Plan Requires Change

Friday, May 24, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:1–2

It is a normal part of human nature to resist change. We see it in families, in churches, in businesses, in politics—all across the board new ideas tend to be met with at least skepticism if not outright rejection. I read about a man who said his doctor had told him to cut red meat out of his diet, and as a result, he had stopped putting ketchup on his hamburgers! This resistance to change is not all bad, as not all change is good. Since the truth never changes, there are things that must not change. But there are some changes that are an integral part of God’s plan for our lives.

He did not save us for us to stay as we were. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). If nothing is changing, if we are not becoming more and more like Jesus, something is wrong. God’s plan is for us to be transformed in His image. Only as we allow Him to change us will we become what He wills for us to be.

The problem often comes when we are reluctant to make a change that we know is necessary for godly living. We easily get attached to our sins and want to hold them fast. We find holiness to be confining, keeping us from pleasures we should not enjoy. Instead we must be willing participants in God’s lifelong program to change us to be like Him.

Today's Growth Principle: 

If there is anything we refuse to transform to be more like Jesus, we are living in rebellion.

Quote of the day =)

Believing in the God who is always there

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Life Together   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 I remember when I was in one of my first pastorates in the little town of Hobart, Oklahoma. There was an accident outside of that little farming community. And it turned out that three boys were drunk and crashed their car. They were all from Oklahoma City and they’d come out there just to drive the roads and tear things up. So the sheriff decided to throw all three of them in jail because they hadn’t been injured very badly in the accident. They called the fathers of these boys in Oklahoma City, and two of the boys’ fathers came to get their sons. But the other one said, “I’m not coming to get him. I’m tired of fooling with the mistakes of this boy and he can sit there all year long, but I’m not coming to get him.” Well, the boy heard that his father wasn’t coming to help him. And the next day, they found him hanging by his own belt in that jail cell in Hobart. His father had left him. And he was so heartbroken and in despair that he took his own life. God will never leave you. No matter how many times you mess up or walk away from Him, He’ll always be there, ready to welcome you home. So if you think that you’ve messed up too badly to come back to God, remember that He will never leave or forsake you!   YOU’VE NEVER FALLEN TOO FAR FOR GOD TO FORGIVE YOU. SO NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE DONE IN LIFE, YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO HIM. The Danger of Over-Confidence Thursday, May 23, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.” 1 Kings 20:10–11 Most corporate CEOs are fairly anonymous to the general population, but not Todd Davis. The cofounder of LifeLock, the company that provides identity theft prevention services became very well known during the company’s aggressive advertising campaign. Davis publicized his own Social Security number, basically daring anyone to steal his identity. Many of the commercials featured shocked people warning him of the danger that his stunt posed. Davis declared his trust in his company, but it proved to be misplaced. A number of people succeeded in opening various accounts using Davis’s information and identity. He was confident, but he was wrong. The world tells us to believe in ourselves, but God tells us to believe in Him. The world says that we can be anything we want to be, but God says we can do all things through His strength. Rather than becoming self-confident, God wants us to be completely dependent upon Him so that He gets all the glory. “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me” (Judges 7:2). Building confidence in ourselves does not make us stronger, but more vulnerable to attack and temptation. Paul warns, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). While we should be not fearful or discouraged, it is vital that we remember our strength and ultimate victory are all God’s doing and not our own. Confidence in Him is never misplaced or disappointed. Today's Growth Principle:  When we place our confidence in ourselves rather than God, we are headed for trouble.

Trusting in God’s saving grip on you

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Life Together   CURRENT TV SERIES All In: The Family

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” John 10:27-29 Of all the things I remember about my father, I remember his strong hands the most. You see, my father was in the lumber business and he had rough and calloused hands. But they were also strong hands and I remember the peace and security that my father’s hands would always bring just when I needed it the most. I miss those strong hands. But today, you and I have a promise from the Word of God that tells us that we are in the Father’s hands and that nothing can snatch us out of those hands because you and I are loved perfectly by our Father. Our salvation, then, doesn’t come and go. It exists because God says it does! Yet, so many Christians today worry themselves with doing just enough good to stay in the Father’s hands. But let me tell you that your salvation is not dependent upon how you act! It’s fully dependent on God’s saving power. As a believer in Christ, you are loved absolutely, unconditionally, and perfectly. God will never change His mind about that. And because of that, there’s nothing to fear when it comes to your salvation because God will never let you go!   AS A BELIEVER IN CHRIST, YOU ARE FIRMLY IN GOD’S GRIP AND HE WILL NEVER LET YOU GO! Understanding Temptation Wednesday, May 22, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!” Proverbs 5:8–13 Solomon spent a great deal of time, it is the focus of much of the book of Proverbs, instructing his son on how to avoid temptation. He described some of the different forms it takes, and how it works. But he didn’t stop there. He went on to lay out the consequences of sin—past the immediate pleasure to the pain that inevitably follows. Someone said, “Mice die in mouse traps because they do not understand why the cheese is free.” Every Christian has a consistent and dedicated foe who is working day after day to destroy our lives. We know this is true. Many of us who grew up in church remember singing about resisting Satan so he will flee. In the Bible we see time and again what happens when someone believes the devil’s lie and yields to temptation. And yet despite that knowledge, we still too often fall for the very same schemes that we know lead to destruction. The lure of temptation is that it offers us something we want. It does not take a great deal of persuading to interest young children in ice cream. They typically have a very different response to broccoli. Our own desires are the hook on which the lure of temptation is dangled before us. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14). Today's Growth Principle:  When Satan offers you “free” cheese, turn it down—it is always bait in a trap.