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Pride and Humility

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”
Luke 10:15–16
Though both George Whitefield and John Wesley were greatly used in the revival known as the Great Awakening, they had significant theological differences on many points. As the story goes, when Wesley went to the memorial service for George Whitefield after the evangelist’s death, he was confronted by a lady who agreed with Whitefield and asked, “Mr. Wesley, do you think you shall see Mr. Whitefield in Heaven?” Wesley replied, “No.” Thinking that he was referring to their disagreements, the lady said, “I was afraid you would say that.” Then Wesley explained, “George Whitefield will be so near the throne of God, that men like me will never catch a glimpse of him.”
How easily we yield to the temptation of pride. How quickly we forget that God hates pride with a holy fury. It is not by accident that on the list of sins that God hates, pride takes first place. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look...” (Proverbs 6:16–17). It is part of our sinful nature to want to be exalted, but God will not tolerate pride in our hearts.
If you travel to Israel today, you can visit the ruins of the once thriving and prosperous city of Capernaum. Just as Jesus prophesied, the city that exalted itself and refused to listen to Him was brought low. The same holds true for every individual who chooses the path of pride over the way of humility—destruction always follows. The judgment of God is nothing to be trifled with. Instead we should view pride as God does and stamp out every appearance that it makes in our lives.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Only as we humble ourselves do we receive the grace of God for victory in our daily lives.

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Blessed be the God and  Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.   --1 Peter 1:3-4 In these troubling times, have you ever wondered if we can really be hopeful about the future?  I want to assure you that it is possible to live with hope, despite what may be going on around us. Because while hope is ultimately about the future, it’s also about the present.  And that’s because we have a living hope. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have hope.  It’s because He lives that hope can reside in your heart if you’re a Christian. And because of that, there is no need to fear the future!  If you are a child of God, you are chosen and called by Him.  You’re not an accident, an afterthought, or a mistake.  You have been in the heart and mind of God forever, and He has already been planning and preparing your future. In fact, God knows the end from the beginning… and everything else in your life.  That’s comforting when we face tough times and when we’re tempted to give up.  It’s encouraging to know that we are never, ever without hope! So today, if you’re tempted to give up on your marriage, don’t!  If you’re thinking about giving up on your kids, don’t!  If you want to give up on your dreams… or even life itself… don’t! Remember that you have a living hope that is working in your past, your present, and your future.  And as the Scripture teaches us in Romans chapter 5, that hope does not disappoint! Today, give G​ od thanks for keeping your future in his hands!

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No Need for Repentance?

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.”
Luke 10:13–14
The little towns around the Sea of Galilee saw most of the miracles that Jesus performed during His life and ministry. Multitudes of sick people were healed, thousands were fed from one little boy’s lunch, demons were cast out, and blind people received their sight. There was certainly no shortage of miraculous evidence to support the claim that Jesus made to be the Son of God and to highlight the importance of His message of repentance and faith. Yet many of those who saw the greatest evidence refused to believe the message because they thought that they were fine the way they were and had no need for repentance.
The gap between the way we view ourselves and the way God views us is vast. The pride in our heart convinces us that we are really not that bad (there is always someone we can find who is worse to make us feel better about our own failings), and thus there is no need to turn to God for help. Yet our self-righteousness is both built on a false foundation and is an offense to a completely holy God. He knows all that we conceal from those around us, and even from ourselves.
This phenomenon is not limited to the world. Many times Christians have an exalted view of themselves. We see this highlighted in the warning given to the church at Laodicea. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

When we see ourselves as God sees us, pride flees, and we recognize our need for His grace.

Break Free from Other People’s Expectations

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 18, 2016

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
—Hebrews 13:8
Studies show that 10 percent of people will never like you. This means we won't have a perfect record with everyone and we should celebrate who we are. A person who knows how to do this does not allow the moods of other people to alter theirs.
A story is told of a Quaker man who knew how to live independently as the valued person God had created Him to be. One night as he was walking down the street with a friend he stopped at a newsstand to purchase an evening paper. The storekeeper was very sour, rude, and unfriendly. The Quaker man treated him with respect and was quite kind in his dealing with him. He paid for his paper, and he and his friend continued to walk down the street. The friend said to the Quaker, "How could you be so cordial to him with the terrible way he was treating you?" The Quaker man replied, "Oh, he is always that way; why should I let him determine how I am going to act?"
This is one of the amazing traits we see in Jesus. He was the same all the time. He changed people; they did not change Him.
When an unhappy person is unsuccessful in making you unhappy, they begin to respect and admire you. They see your Christianity is something real, and they may be interested in hearing what you have to say.
Even people who seek to control you will disrespect you if you allow them to do it. I encourage you to be your own person. Do what God expects you to do and don't live under the tyranny of other people's expectations.
Trust in Him: Don't let others determine who you are or what you do. Don't put your trust in the opinions of people. Stay confident in who God's called you to be!

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Carrying God’s Kingdom to the World

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.”
Luke 10:10–12
In 1942, Dr. Charles Weigel was in a revival meeting in California. He spent the afternoon between services visiting a large rose garden. He said that when he got to church that evening, people remarked on the smell of the roses that he carried with him when he left the garden. He had not gone to the rose garden for that purpose, but spending time there had an effect on his life, and on others as well. Weigel wrote his song, “A Garden of Roses Is Jesus” after that experience.
When Jesus sent seventy of His followers out in teams to preach the gospel, they were to say that God’s kingdom was coming to the towns and villages that they visited. That kingdom was not an earthly kingdom to have its power displayed by armies and military might, but by simple men who had believed and followed Jesus, and as a result were like Him.
The world today is in desperate need of seeing Christians who bear the mark of those who have been influenced by their time spent with Jesus. This is how the disciples turned the world upside down, and the power of His presence is no less in our day. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Everyone with whom we come in contact should be able to tell that they have met a follower of Jesus Christ.

Help Hurting People

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 17, 2016

He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.
—Proverbs 14:21
Helping the poor and those who are less fortunate than we are is not only a nice thing to do, but according to the Bible, it is our responsibility. God cares deeply for the poor and needy and seems to have a special place in His heart for the widow and the orphan because they are alone and unable to meet all their needs. God gives us hearts of compassion, but when needs arise we can’t close our hearts—we need to open our hearts and our hands wide to help the poor.
When we give to the poor, the Bible says that we lend to the Lord. Anything we give to help hurting people, God will always return many times over. Not only will He meet our needs, but our joy will increase as a result of giving in love. I urge you to share what you have with those who are less fortunate than you are.
Power Thought: I am always merciful and generous to the poor.

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Practicing Contentment

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”
Luke 10:7–9
Though she lost her eyesight as an infant, Fanny Crosby used the gifts and abilities she had rather than spending her life wishing for what she lacked. She wrote her first poem at the age of eight:
O what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be;
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind,
I cannot, and I won’t.
Fanny went on to write the words to more than eight thousand hymns, as well as numerous other secular and patriotic songs. She gave away large sums of money to rescue missions and missionary causes, and devoted her life to helping and encouraging others.
The secret of contentment is not found in our possessions or our comfort, but in our attitude. There are many with vast wealth who are not content, and many with very little wealth who are. Contentment only comes from within. If we are constantly grasping for more and better things, we are declaring we do not trust God to care for us. From a prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11–12).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Contentment springs from a faith that God will never fail to give us everything we truly need.

Be Blessed

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 16, 2016

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
—Proverbs 31:28-29
A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband…(Proverbs 12:4). She enjoys the praise of her children and husband. They rise up to call her blessed. Her husband says that many daughters have been virtuous and noble but that she exceeds them all. In other words, he says that she is the best wife anyone could ever have. He applauds and celebrates her strength of character and goodness.
One year my birthday happened to be during one of our conferences, and my husband, Dave, stood up and read Proverbs 31 to me in front of a room filled with people. Then my children one by one rose up to say kind and edifying things to me. There is no better feeling than to spend years raising your children, and then have them tell you that they honor you, love you, and don’t believe they could have had a better mother. Or to have your husband say you are the best wife in the world. Those comments certainly were confidence boosters for me.
Lord, whether anyone ever gives me these commendations, I want to live my life in a way that brings joy and blessing to others. Build strength into my character. Amen.

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Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… the one who leads, with zeal….                                                                                                             --Romans 12:6, 8 Whether you spend your days in an office, at home raising children, or serving in a ministry position, you will probably find that you’re involved in some form of leadership. That’s why today I’d like to encourage you with four great leadership qualities from the life of Nehemiah that you can apply to your situation:   Nehemiah was a man of integrity who was respected. The people saw in him a man they could believe and follow, and they were inspired to action. Nehemiah maintained strong interpersonal relationships. He took a personal interest in knowing each person and what they were doing. Every individual was important to him.  Nehemiah knew how to encourage people. He noted the hard workers and affirmed them, giving honor where it was due. Nehemiah never said a word about what he did. He was the kind of man who was willing to let others take the credit and to share the victory with others. These are simple yet important qualities that set great leaders apart. In whatever situation you find yourself today, consider how you can adopt some of Nehemiah’s valuable leadership qualities. YOU HAVE INFLUENCE! SO BE DILIGENT TO LEAD OTHERS IN A WAY THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD.  Believing God’s Provision by Dr. Paul Chappell “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.” Luke 10:3–6 David Brainerd often endured great hardship in his efforts to take the gospel to the American Indians. In his diary, he recounted one mission trip during which an intense storm forced him to seek shelter inside the hollowed out remains of a large tree. As the storm raged outside, Brainerd sat inside praying for the lost. After a while, he began to be hungry, but it was too dangerous to go out to look for something to eat. Soon a squirrel came and deposited several nuts near where Brainerd sat. Brainerd wrote that as he ate the nuts, he realized that God had sent the squirrel just as He sent the ravens to feed Elijah. The Lord’s promises to provide for our needs are repeated over and over in Scripture. There is no shortage of resources on His part. He is just as able to meet our needs as He was to work in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul. There is nothing we face that will challenge God in the slightest. He never has to call for backup or dig down deep into His reserves to provide anything that we need. In addition to having everything at His disposal, God is characterized by His overwhelming love for us. He wants us to have good things to enjoy in our lives. Yet despite these truths, too often we focus on making it on our own, hoping to handle things ourselves without resorting to His help. It is foolish and tragic for Christians to live like orphans. Today’s Growth Principle:  If we truly believe the promises of God, it will change the way we approach every part of our lives.

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Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach”… So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to do this good work.   --Nehemiah 2:17-18 As a servant of Jesus Christ, you have a purpose for living. And you can make a difference in your community, church, and world… especially when you work in partnership with others. When Nehemiah began rebuilding the wall, he knew he couldn’t do it alone, so he enlisted the help of others. All kinds of people were involved… priests, politicians, perfumers, clothiers, tradesmen, bachelors, women… there was a role for everyone. Yet in the midst of this great movement of service to the Lord, there were still those who chose not to be involved. Nehemiah 3:5 says certain nobles from Tekoa “would not stoop to serve their Lord.” It was forever recorded in God’s Word that when there was a job to be done for him, these people were absent. Imagine that! Never let it be said of you that when there was something great to do for God and his Kingdom, you weren’t involved. Some believers have the idea that when we come to Christ by grace through faith, we don’t need to serve and work hard. But Nehemiah and the believers of his day realized the charge to work hard and accomplished the impossible for God’s glory. I want to challenge you today: Do you have a place on the wall? Are you participating in building God’s Kingdom? There is a ministry for every person in the fellowship of the Lord—and every place is important. Ask the Lord how he wants to use you! AS LONG AS WE HAVE LIFE AND BREATH, WE’RE TO SERVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! Praying for the Harvest by Dr. Paul Chappell “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Luke 10:1–2 In 1792, largely because of the efforts of William Carey, churches in England united together and formed the Particular Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Heathen and appointed Carey and John Thomas to go to India as their first missionaries. In a tearful prayer service as they prepared to leave, those who remained behind promised to pray. Andrew Fuller later described their parting with the analogy of miners going deep underground secured by those on the surface holding fast to strong ropes. Fuller said, “Before [Carey] went, we engaged that while he lived we should never let go the rope.” There are many good and necessary things that are part of reaching the lost, but the thing Jesus said should come first is our prayers. In a day when more missionaries are coming home than going out and many are leaving full time ministry, we need to be more faithful than ever to pray that God will provide the workers to bring in the harvest. Often we focus on programs, training, and materials, and all of those have their proper place. But sometimes we fail to see the needs of workers for the harvest met because we have failed to pray. The need for workers is certainly not limited to foreign missions. There are many places in the United States that lack a clear gospel witness. It should break our hearts and drive us to our knees to think of the harvest lacking workers. And while we pray, we should ask God to make us part of the solution. Today’s Growth Principle:  Before the white fields of harvest can be reached, we must be faithful to pray.

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“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”   --Exodus 20:17 The first nine commandments have to do with actions. But the Tenth Commandment, “You shall not covet,” has to do with your attitude. The first nine have to do with deeds, but the tenth has to do with desires. Think about it this way. Most of the sins we commit are outward and visible. It’s pretty easy to spot stealing when you see it, and if you’re the subject of a lie, you see it up-front. But the sin of covetousness is inward and invisible. Others can’t see it. You can’t see it. Only God can see it. That’s why the apostle Paul spoke in 1 Thessalonians of the cloak of covetousness. It’s a cover-up for a lot of other sins like selfishness, greed, cheating, and on and on and on. Right now, our nation and really our world are paying a high price for our collective covetousness and greed. Its symptoms, to name just a few, are things like excessive credit card debt, bank failures, and corporate scandals. We are paying a price for the ungodly way we have handled our possessions! And it’s not just Wall Street who’s to blame. We need to look in our own hearts too! Because if we think we’ll be happier by having more stuff or better stuff… if we buy the lie that our identity is found in the car we drive or the clothes we wear or the street we live on… we will always be disappointed. I mean, think about it. How many times have you experienced the “new” wearing off on something you bought? We all have. Things… while they might bring temporary satisfaction or pleasure… ultimately don’t satisfy! The only thing that will ever really satisfy the hunger in your heart is an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  So today, let me remind you again of all you’ve been given as a child of God. You have forgiveness of sins. You have a new identity in Christ. You have the Word of God. And you have the Spirit of God living in you! Remind yourself today of these truths to combat the temptation to covet. As a follower of Christ, you have far more than you deserve… and you have everything you will ever need! THE ONLY THING THAT WILL EVER REALLY SATISFY THE HUNGER IN YOUR HEART IS AN INTIMATE, GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST Giving Up Everything for Jesus by Dr. Paul Chappell “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59–62 Though he was saved as a teenager, Charles Studd did little for the Lord until he went to hear D. L. Moody preach. The evangelist’s fervor for the lost stirred something within his heart and he became a fervent soul winner. After surrendering to go to the mission field, Studd gave away his massive inheritance, much of it to George Müller’s orphanage, and spent the rest of his life as a missionary in China, India, and Africa. C. T. Studd said, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” There is no way we can fully comprehend the sacrifices Jesus Christ made for our salvation. Leaving Heaven filled with the praises of angels and laying aside His glory to take on the limited body of a man, Jesus valued our redemption more than His privileges. He took our sins upon Himself and endured the separation from His Father on the cross, which was far worse than the physical suffering He experienced. Having done all that, He freely offers salvation to all who believe without any qualifications or merit. How could we possibly think any demand He makes of us is too great? Given what we deserve, we should already be suffering the torments of Hell; instead, we have eternal life. He deserves our complete and total surrender. Today’s Growth Principle:  Those who are not willing to give up what they hold most dear are not prepared to follow Jesus.