The book of Proverbs applies to your life today.

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My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. --Proverbs 3:1-2 There are all kinds of money managers, advisors, and counselors in our world today. There are attorneys, financial planners, bankers, stock brokers, venture capitalists, and CPAs who offer sound financial advice. And there’s much to be gained from listening to the counsel of these professionals. But what if I could introduce you to one of the wisest and wealthiest men who has ever lived to give you counsel about your finances? This man is Solomon. And his counsel is known as the Old Testament book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. It’s a series of short sentences that are long in meaning. And every one of them applies to your life today—including your financial life. Over the next week, we’re going to taking a look at the book of Proverbs to see what God’s Word says about money. I’m confident your outlook on your finances will be altered and challenged by this important series of devotionals! The book of Proverbs applies to your life today. Your Work and God’s Work by Dr. Paul Chappell “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13 If you visit a typical playground, you will find several standard slides, swings, monkey bars, perhaps a merry-go-round, and often you will find a seesaw. Most of the equipment can be played by one child alone, but the seesaw requires two, or there simply isn’t much fun to be had. It is the balancing back and forth by both parties, making the seesaw go up and down, that provides the enjoyment. Without both parties actively involved, the board simply sits there. In a way, the seesaw is a picture of the participation God calls us to in our spiritual growth. Although it is God who works in us, He also calls us to participate with Him in what He is doing. We must have God’s help and power, or we have nothing. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Yet at the same time, if we do not actively participate in what God is doing, no progress will take place. We are commanded to “work out” the salvation we received by God’s grace. Receiving salvation has nothing to do with any work or effort on our part. But deliverance from the power and penalty of sin is not the end of God’s plan for us—it is only the beginning. Our destiny in Heaven is secure, but God’s plan for us until then is that we are conformed to the image of Christ. While this is a process that only happens by God’s grace, we are to obey God’s instructions and cooperate with His grace in transforming us. He provides the power and the ability, but we must apply them in action.   Today’s Growth Principle:  We must never forget our responsibility to do our part in becoming more like Jesus Christ.

A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season….                                              --Psalm 1:3 As believers, we’re to be productive in our Christian lives. The fruit mentioned above is the fruit of the Spirit, or Christ-like character. It’s what Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-23 when he says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Remember in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cursed a fig tree that produced nothing but leaves. He cursed it because it bore no fruit. And God is inspecting our lives for spiritual fruit. I want to challenge you to be a reproducer...a reproducing believer in Christ. Because a healthy body reproduces! And a healthy Christian will reproduce spiritual fruit: the fruit of character and the fruit of bringing people to Christ. A true man or woman of God reproduces spiritual fruit.

The Path to Victory

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Corinthian 9:24–27

The famous football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, was known almost as much for his quotable sayings as for his victories on the field. One of his most powerful remarks was often used in coaching clinics and seminars. Bryant said, “It is not the will to win that makes the difference. Everyone has that. It is the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” He was pointing out the truth that while everyone prefers good results, most people are not willing to pay the price of achieving those results. They will take them if they happen to come, but they will not expend the effort and make the sacrifices to rise above the normal.
If we are going to be successful in the race of life, then we must be disciplined. Paul recognized that this was not a one-time event but a lifelong process that had to continue in order for him to remain in the race. There are many who have served Christ for a number of years only to fall by the wayside later in life. These failures happen because individuals decide to stray from the path of victory. Perhaps they have grown tired of the discipline required to continue to do right—of denying their selfish interests and appetites. But the loss of self control is the first step on the road to destruction.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Unless we are willing to discipline ourselves, we will never be true victorious champions for Christ.

A true man or woman of God is full of the Holy Spirit.

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water….                                              --Psalm 1:3 Yesterday we noted one of the benefits of situating ourselves near the waters of Jesus Christ, stability. Today we’ll look at another benefit: vitality. A true man or woman of God is energized. And it’s more than just standing up on your own two feet. It’s being energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I believe “by streams of waters” speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. For Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And so the man or woman of God is to be full of the Holy Spirit. I know there are times in my life when I’m exhausted, both mentally and physically. And it’s in these times that I’ve experienced renewed energy and vitality from the Holy Spirit to continue the work or task that God has called me to do. And He can do the same for you! If you find yourself weary today, it’s my prayer that you will invite God’s Spirit to revitalize you inside and out…and that you will experience the vitality that only He can bring! A true man or woman of God is full of the Holy Spirit. A Praying Mother by Dr. Paul Chappell “And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:25–28 The noted pastor T. DeWitt Talmage had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home, and that was due to his grandmother’s praying. When Talmage’s father was a teenager, he planned to go to a party with his brother and sister. Their mother told them that she would be praying for them while they were gone, and when they returned at two in the morning, they found her on her knees beside her bed pouring out her heart to God. The next morning, the parents woke up to find all three of the children weeping and asking God for salvation. Talmage wrote, “David [Talmage’s father] had a sweetheart living down the lane, and rising from his knees, he went right down to her home and told her the wonderful news about himself and his brother and sister being saved, urging her to give her heart to God. In the prayer there they had together she, too, was added to the host of the redeemed.” Years later, Talmage’s mother gathered a group of women from their church, and all of them agreed together to pray for the salvation of their children—and every one of them became Christians. Not everyone can sing. Not everyone can teach. But everyone can pray. And there are few things that have the power to shape a child’s life—and the generations to come—like a praying mother.   Today’s Growth Principle:  If we want our children to be saved and serve God with their lives, we must pray diligently for them.

A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity

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He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.                                              --Psalm 1:3 A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity. “Its leaf does not wither” speaks to consistency. It means you won’t burn out! Your leaves will not dry up…your fruit will not wither…you will be forever green. There's nothing more pleasant and powerful than a strong, stable, solid man or woman of God….someone who lives the life they profess. Then in the verse above we see that all the man or woman of God does prospers or matures. This means there will be maturity in your family life…in your business life…in your social life…in your personal life…and in your witnessing life. As you look at your life today, does it exhibit the qualities of stability, vitality, productivity, consistency, and maturity? It is my prayer that God will help you continue to grow in each of these important areas of life! A true man or woman of God exhibits consistency and maturity.

Purifying Hope

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
1 John 3:1–3

One of the most important truths of Scripture is that the Lord is going to return. We are not told when this event will take place, but it is just as certain as the first coming of Jesus. And this reality is meant to make a difference in the way that we live. In his sermon “The Second Coming,” D. L. Moody said, “The devil does not want us to see this truth, for nothing would wake up the church so much. The moment a man realizes that Jesus Christ is coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this world loses its hold upon him. Gas stocks and water stocks and stocks in banks and railroads are of very much less consequence to him then.”
There are many Christians who are living with greater concern for the things of this world than the next. As a result, they do not keep themselves ready to see the Lord at any moment. If He were to return today, many would be ashamed to face Him because of what they were doing when He appeared. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that we will not be given advance notice to have time to prepare. Jesus warned, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). The expectation of Christ’s return will help us live pure lives.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If you do not love the Lord’s appearing, your life for Him will not be what it can and should be.

Confession

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A Soft Pillow for a Tired Heart

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Romans 8:28–30

Evangelist R. A. Torrey said, “Romans 8:28 is a soft pillow for a tired heart.” He was pointing out that when things go wrong, we can find rest in the wonderful truth that God still has a plan for our lives and has promised to make every pain, hardship, and loss work together for good. Nothing takes God by surprise, and nothing undermines His power to bring about His purposes in the lives of those who love Him. While God certainly is not the cause of evil, He is able to use even the most difficult and demanding circumstances of life to work out His ultimate plan—that we become like His Son Jesus Christ.
The great hymn writer Fanny Crosby lost her sight when she was just six weeks old because of a doctor’s error in treating her. Years later she said, “I have heard that this physician never ceased expressing his regret at the occurrence, and that it was one of the sorrows of his life. But if I could meet him now, I would say, ‘Thank you, thank you’—over and over again—‘for making me blind’…although it may have been a blunder on the physician’s part, it was no mistake of God’s.”
The trials of life are meant to accomplish a purpose. God is constantly working on us, molding us into people who are more and more like Jesus. Often that process requires difficulty. The challenge for us is to not lose sight of the end while we are in the midst of the struggle. God never fails, and He will continue to work until His purpose is achieved.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When you remember God is in control, you can face whatever comes with faith and joy.

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Confidence in God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”
Job 19:25–27

Because of the time when he lived, Job had few of the resources that are available to us for spiritual growth and development. There was no Bible for him to read. He did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit as a guide. There was no church for fellowship, teaching, and encouragement. There were no Bible schools or online courses to deepen his understanding of what God said. Yet despite his lack of even the most basic tools that we often take for granted, Job had an overwhelming confidence in God.
This was true even in the most severe trial of his life. After Job had lost his possessions and his children, after his health was destroyed, and after his friends accused him of harboring all sorts of evil in his life, Job trusted God. He did not understand why these things had happened to him (and, as far as we can see in the Bible record, he never received an explanation on earth), but he knew that God could be counted on no matter what.
When the three Hebrew children faced death because they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, he asked them to reconsider. They refused because they trusted God whether He spared their lives or not. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17–18).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Our faith in God is not based on circumstances or outcomes, but on His eternal promises to us.

Speak Excellent Things

by Joyce Meyer - posted May 20, 2017

Hear, for I will speak excellent and princely things; and the opening of my lips shall be for right things.
—Proverbs 8:6

In this Scripture, Solomon made a decision about how he would talk, and we should do the same thing. Just as we can direct our thoughts, we can also direct our words with God’s help. We should choose to speak excellent things.
Our words affect us and the people around us. They also affect what God is able to do for us. You cannot have a negative mouth and a positive life. In 1 Peter 3:10, the apostle Peter teaches us that if we want to enjoy life and see good days—even in the midst of trials—we must keep our tongues free from evil. What kind of life do you want? Do you want an excellent life? If so, then you must be excellent in your choice of words. Change your words, and you will change your life!

Power Thought: I choose to speak of worthy, important, noble, and excellent things.