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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. --2 Corinthians 5:​17​ Did you know that each and every one of us will give an account of our lives to a holy God one day? It’s true. That’s why it’s worth thinking about the kind of life you’re leading. Accountability and judgment play a vital role in every aspect of life. Every employee is evaluated on their job performance. Sports teams are judged on their ability and performance. The leaders of our government are held accountable by the people who elected them. And the same is true for you as a Christian!  If you’re a believer, you’ve been given new life in Christ. Which means that you will be evaluated and rewarded according to what you’ve done with that life the God has given you.  Does this mean you could lose your salvation as a result of what you do or don’t do after you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Absolutely not. Because that was settled at the cross.  What it does mean, however, is what you do with the life God’s given you on earth will have repercussions for eternity in heaven. So let me ask you today, what are you doing with your life for Jesus? Are you just living for the pleasures of the day or are you living for Him? What are you doing with the spiritual gifts Christ has put in your heart by the Holy Spirit? Are you serving Christ with those gifts? What about the talents that God has uniquely given to you? Are you using those to bring Him glory and extend His kingdom… or are you letting them go to waste? Today, ask God to help you honestly evaluate how well you’re utilizing the life He has given you. If you can say that you’re living for His glory, praise God. But if you’re not, it’s my prayer that you will begin… today… to use your unique set of gifts and talents to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. WHAT YOU DO THIS LIFE WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS IN HEAVEN. Rejected Warnings Friday, September 13, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:18–20 God had made it clear to the people of Israel that He intended for them to be different than other nations. One of the ways in which that distinction was shown was that Israel was to have no king. But in the latter years of the prophet Samuel’s life, the people insisted on having him select a king to rule over them. Samuel warned the people about all the things that would happen if they had a king—many of them consequences they would not like. Yet despite his words of caution, they insisted on having their own way. Many times in the years that followed under the reign of weak or evil kings the people suffered, just as God had warned them through His prophet. There are times when we genuinely do not know what the best course of action is, and at these times, we should pray for God’s direction. But there are many times in our lives when we already have God’s clear direction through the instructions in His Word, but we simply do not want to follow it. When we do this, we set ourselves up for destructive consequences. Proverbs 5:11–13 describes the person who rejects God’s Word and then later wishes he hadn’t: “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!” Today's Growth Principle:  God’s warnings are given for a reason, and we should heed them!

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Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” --John 14:6 At one point or another, every person has to come to grips with the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” And today I want to help you answer that question in your own heart and life. It’s true that the miracles of Jesus identify Him as God. They give Him credibility that He was who He said He was. But Jesus didn’t perform them as publicity stunts. He performed them to show you and me something about who He was and what His supernatural power can accomplish in our lives. Maybe today, you can relate to the disappointment of the couple in the Bible who ran out of wine at the wedding in Canaan (John 2:1-12). By turning water into wine, Jesus was saying to them… and He’s saying to you today, “I am the answer for life’s disappointments… I can turn your disappointments into joy.” Or perhaps today you’re in need… like the thousands of people Jesus fed with two fish and five loaves of bread (John 6:1-15). In feeding them, Jesus showed them… and He’s showing you today… that He is the answer to your needs and your desires.  And lastly, maybe today you’re going through a dark time of life… and you’d admit that you’re fearful of what the future holds. If so, think about when Jesus walked on the water in the middle of the night (John 6:16-21). By doing this, Jesus showed Peter… just like He shows you and me… that He is the answer in the dark times of life. The point of the miracles of Jesus Christ for you is this: Whatever you’re going through today, He is your answer… just as we see in today’s verse. It’s my prayer that you will look to Jesus as the answer to whatever you are facing today!  His power to change your life and answer prayers is a miracle you can experience this very day. JESUS PERFORMED MIRACLES THEN AND HE DOES SO NOW. “Itching Ears” Thursday, September 12, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2–4 We live in a consumer-oriented world. New products are tested extensively before being brought to market. Even before getting to the contents, the packaging is offered in different sizes, shapes, colors, and writing to see what people will like the best. Opinion polling has become widespread, as people are asked to give their view on a variety of topics. Focus groups and demographic samples are used to try to figure out what people are thinking and what they will respond to positively. While that has a legitimate role in marketing, it does not when it comes to determining the truth. God is not interested in our opinions. He is not taking a poll to see if we like what He had to say. Yet many churches seem to have a “customer” focus in their approach. They tailor every aspect of the service to be attractive. The problem is that we often prefer to be told comforting lies rather than the hard truth. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:31). It is no surprise that some churches have grown to an enormous size, because they cater to what people want to hear. There is a real danger when we seek out what makes us feel good rather than what makes us live better. Again and again people refused to follow Jesus when He told them the cost of doing so. We must be willing to be corrected by His Word to please Him. Today's Growth Principle:  Truth never changes, whether we are willing to listen to it or not.

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On September 11, 2001, our country watched in shock as the worst terrorist attack in the history of the United States unfolded horrendously before our eyes. Islamic terrorists hijacked four passenger jets and aimed them at buildings that represented the power and might of America—the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. The surreal images of planes slamming into buildings, of people desperately fleeing for their lives, of thick smoke and dust rising from the depths of the collapsed towers to the highest points of the once majestic buildings are forever etched in our minds. People struggled with the age-old questions: Why does God allow so much evil in the world? If God is truly in charge, then why do terrible things happen to good people? The truth is that nobody is immune from pain and suffering. People who love God and follow His commandments will experience suffering in their lives at some point. In fact, the Bible tells us that God often brings trials to His people to strengthen their faith. The horror and pain of 9-11 will always be with us—a stark reminder that we live in a fallen world marked by sin, by hatred, by violence. But God didn’t create a world filled with suffering and evil. He gave us a perfect world, a paradise. Genesis 1:31 tells us, “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” God created us to love and serve Him, and to love one another as we love ourselves. But He also gave us a free will to love or not to love, because loving is a choice. And in our flesh, we took the freedoms that God gave us and turned away from Him. The Bible tells us that sin and evil do not come from God, but from Satan, and they entered this world when Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden. Satan still whispers smooth lies into our ears: God doesn’t give you all you need and deserve, he says. God is holding back on you. He doesn’t care. He just wants to bury you in religious rules and regulations, Satan says. Do this, don’t do that! God wants to steal your joy. However, we know that God has not lost the battle to Satan. The Scriptures tells us in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” No matter what our problems are, or what temptations we face in life, God is with us. He strengthens us. And according to Matthew 25:41, God will banish all evil “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” God will come and take us home. What about the here and now? Where is God when life has beaten you down, when the bills are due and your wallet is empty? Where is He when the doctor says, “I have some bad news”? Actually, He is standing right next to you, strengthening you and protecting you from the traps and the lies of the Evil One. In John 16:33, Jesus gives us this promise, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” That’s a wonderful word, isn’t it? Peace! Daily life can be overwhelming, a non-stop marathon from the moment you wake up in the morning until you finally drift off to sleep at night. There’s barely a moment to pause, to pray, and to worship Our Lord and Savior before the demands of life return. You must examine your heart. Will you be angry at God because you never did anything to deserve life’s trials? Or will you hear the voice of God who spoke these words to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  What an incredible promise! Listen to the voice of God in the midst of your suffering, in the deepest darkest times, and allow Him to lead you to a more intimate relationship with Him. The Perfect Word of God Wednesday, September 11, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7–11 Every part of the Christian life depends on the Word of God. We are to read it, study it, hear it, memorize it, and meditate on it. Attacks against the Bible are not new. In the Garden of Eden, Satan questioned whether God had really said and meant what He said. Throughout history, skeptics and critics have attempted to undermine the Bible. Yet it remains perfect. It is not the product of man, but of the Holy Spirit working through those He inspired to record God’s Word to us. Charles Spurgeon said of the Bible, “If I did not believe in the infallibility of this book, I would rather be without it. If I am to judge the book, it is no judge of me. If I am to sift it, and lay this aside and only accept that, according to my own judgment, then I have no guidance whatever, unless I have conceit enough to trust my own heart. The new theory denies infallibility to the words of God, but practically imputes it to the judgments of men. At least, this is all the infallibility which they can get at. I protest that I will rather risk my soul with a guide inspired from heaven, than with the differing leaders who arise from the earth at the call of ‘modern thought.’” Today's Growth Principle:  To know God and live rightly, we must hold the Bible above the opinions and judgments of man.

Conquering Love

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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” --Mark 10:27 Are you facing an impossible situation in your life right now? Maybe your relationship with your spouse or child seems like it’s damaged beyond repair. Or perhaps you feel like your financial situation will never recover. Or maybe you’re questioning whether your health will ever be the same as it once was. Whatever you may be going through today, let me assure you of this: God delights in using impossible situations like yours to display His power and glory.  Today… if you’re in a dead-end, nowhere-to-run, hopeless, impossible, helpless situation… you’re a prime candidate for the power of God to move in your life. Don’t say, “My life, my home, my family, my future is impossible,” because as Jesus says in today’s verse, “All things are possible with God.” Remember the man who Jesus healed at the pool in Bethesda? He had been paralyzed for 38 years! Nothing anyone had done in all that time had helped this poor, crippled man. Can you imagine the feelings of despair and hopelessness that this man must have struggled with all that time?  Yet in Jesus’ divine and perfect plan, He chose to do something powerful and wonderful in this man’s life. And He can do the same in yours!  In the midst of hopeless situations, there’s nothing that would please the evil one more than for you to throw up your hands in despair… for you to say, “That’s it, I quit!” But remember what Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” No matter what you may be going through today, please don’t grow weary. Please don’t give up. Wait on the Lord… and remember that all things… even the most hopeless things… are possible with God! DO NOT DESPAIR, YOU’RE A PRIME CANDIDATE TO EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF GOD

Conquering Love

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37–39

I read about a missionary to Zimbabwe who was trying to pass out copies of the New Testament in the local language. One man was very resistant to receiving it, finally telling the missionary that if he did take it, he would use the pages of Scripture to wrap his tobacco to smoke. The missionary said, “At least read each page before you burn it.” Fifteen years passed, and that same man came up to the missionary at a conference. He had not only been saved, but was now a full time evangelist. He explained, “I smoked through Matthew. I smoked through Mark. I smoked through Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn’t smoke any more!”

The love of God never falters. Human relationships, even the closest relationships, may be broken. David wrote, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Psalm 27:10). It is hard for us to comprehend unfailing love, because it is not natural. We cannot look around us and see examples of it in people, or even in ourselves. All of us are limited, but God is not. He is eternal, and because of His nature never surrenders His love. “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). It is in that unfailing love that we can confidently face every challenge.

Today's Growth Principle: 

God’s love to us, expressed through the gift of His Son, never fails.

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So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” --John 4:35 You know, it’s funny. Human nature really hasn’t changed much since Jesus walked the earth 2,000 plus years ago. Back then, people wanted a sign… a miracle… from Jesus. They wanted something tangible, something they could see, to believe in Him. And today, people are the same way! So many men and women say they would believe in Christ if only He would show Himself physically… if only He would come through miraculously in their lives. But when Jesus said, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe,” He was saying, “Don’t wait for a sign to believe and trust in Me. Don’t wait on some miracle. Don’t demand that I perform for you in order for you to believe in Me.” You may be struggling to trust Christ today in your life. While I don’t know what you may be facing, I want to challenge you to trust Him even if you can’t see Him in your circumstances right now. Jesus had no confidence in the kind of faith that demands sight. Because faith that demands sight is not real faith! It’s just doubt expecting evidence! I know it’s hard to come to grips with this fact, but oftentimes, you just can’t figure God out. There will be times when you cannot see in the dark. There will be times when you just have to keep clinging, singing, and bringing your heart to God by faith. And this may be that kind of time in your life. Trust me, I know it’s hard. But Jesus wants to get you to that place in your life where it’s not about the miracle… but all about Him. Where you are willing to trust Him, regardless of the outcome.  So, if you find yourself in a place today where you need a miracle, look to Jesus. As the writer of Hebrews says, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:2-3). It’s my prayer that this encourages you to trust Jesus today, no matter what you face. Because He is fully trustworthy! TRUST CHRIST TODAY… EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SEE HIM IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. The Debt We Owe Monday, September 09, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” Romans 1:13–15 Most people are very familiar with debt, having borrowed money for a house, a car, or an education. In these cases, we know who we agreed to pay back. They will send statements each month until the original loan has been repaid. If the payments are not made, steps will be taken to collect what is owed. While the Bible contains many warnings about the dangers of borrowing money, it also tells us about another debt that we owe—to share the gospel with others. Financial debts require an agreement. The borrower signs a note or declaration that the money is owed and that it will be repaid. Unlike those, the gospel debt comes to us not by a contract, but by a gift. Based on the gracious love of God for us and having become recipients of the incredible gift of salvation, we owe it to others to share the good news of the gospel with them as well. This is not the kind of debt where we pay someone back; it is the kind of debt where our plenty obligates us to share it with those who have nothing. To not share the gospel with the lost around us would be like eating a steak dinner in front of starving people. We simply owe it to others to tell them about Christ. The response of others to the gospel is not our responsibility, but sharing the gospel with them is. Paul recognized that his debt extended even to those living in faraway nations. As Christians, we have what they most need, and the only hope they have for eternity. Our debt to them must be paid in full if we are to obey God. Today's Growth Principle:  We are God’s plan for reaching the lost, and we must not fail to tell them how they can be saved.

Children of God

Sunday, September 08, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Romans 8:15–17

Most children in our society grow up learning to talk from their parents. So it’s no surprise that for many the first word is either “Mama” or “Dada.” It is an early expression of a relationship that will grow and develop over the years. In its simplicity, though it conveys great meaning. It speaks of love and trust and kinship. It is this two-syllable Dada that is similar to the Hebrew Abba that we are allowed to use in addressing God because He has made us His children through salvation. “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” (1 John 3:1).

We would never think of walking into a stranger’s house at mealtime and sitting down at the table, expecting to be served a meal. We have no relationship with them and no reason to expect them to respond to us. But when we come to God, we are walking into the presence of our Father. And while He is a high and holy God to be worshiped and feared, He is also our Abba who loves us deeply. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said that prayer for our needs to be met was like sitting down at the dinner table and saying, “Pappy, please pass the biscuits.” We do not treat God flippantly or casually, but we do have the right to boldly enter His presence on the basis of our adoption into His family.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Never lose sight of the amazing love your Father in Heaven has for you.

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