Quote of the day

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Relentless Faith   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

The LORD appeared to him from far away.  I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. --Jeremiah 31:3 Did you know that the most incredible love known to man can be yours?  It’s the unconditional, unchanging love of God! The problem with most of us isn’t that we don’t love God enough.  It’s that we don’t let God love usenough. If we could only understand how much God loves us, we could be set free from disappointment in ourselves… and from the slavery of sin and rebellion. God who is omnipotent and all-powerful loves you!  His love is unconditional and unchanging.  In Jeremiah 31:3, our verse for today, He said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”      If you ever doubt that God loves you, just look at the cross and remember His love.  Jesus defines and demonstrated the love of God.  Calvary is the heart of God beating for you.  He loved you enough to step out of heaven and offer His sacrificial blood. Did you know that the precious blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse… to wipe away sin… and to conquer death and hell?  The blood gives power for freedom and the power to love others. And not only can the blood place God’s love in us, but it can also share God’s love through us.  Have you experienced that love?  You can.  Just say this prayer: Lord, I know that I am a sinner and separated from Your love.  I believe that You provided a way for me to experience Your unchanging, unending love through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I believe in and I accept your love today.  If you prayed that prayer of faith, you have just accepted God’s unending love.  Congratulations!   SHARE THE UNCHANGING, UNENDING LOVE YOU HAVE FOUND WITH SOMEONE ELSE TODAY!

Present or Future?

Thursday, June 20, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?”

2 Kings 20:17–19

Hezekiah was mostly a good king, but after God miraculously healed him and gave him an extra fifteen years to live, he made some serious mistakes. Hezekiah was not grateful as he should have been, but instead became proud. After he displayed his treasures for emissaries from Babylon, Isaiah came to announce God’s judgment. Yet unbelievably, Hezekiah did not seem at all concerned to learn that the lives of his children would be altered forever as God gave victory to Babylon. As long as he had peace for himself, he didn’t care about the future.

Satan has used a short-sighted focus on the present many times to lure God’s children away from obedience. He shows us the immediate pleasure of sin, but conceals the long-term suffering. He shows us the temporary benefit while hiding the lasting damage. Our lives are not just about the years we spend on this earth. They should be about the future and about eternity. Every day we are having an impact on others for either good or bad. Making sure our focus is where it should be is a vital step toward doing right in any situation. And we cannot maintain that focus unless we maintain our appreciation for that which is lasting. Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “Never sacrifice the future on the altar of the immediate.”

Today's Growth Principle: 

We are not meant to live for ourselves alone, but for those who will follow us in following Christ.

The rose that grew from concrete

Called to a Godly Life

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Going the Distance   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. --1 Peter 1:8 What’s your definition of a holy life?  You might be surprised to find out that God is not only holy; God is happy! And when we talk about living a holy life, we are talking about living a life full of energy, life, power, and joy. As our verse for today says, we have “joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory”! That’s a joy that’s so incredible you can’t even express it!  It is because of salvation through Christ. So when I talk about holiness, I’m not talking about being pious or religious. Rather, pure holiness is a beautiful expression of the very character of God.  We are separated unto God that we might live positive, joyful, exuberant lives… as well as disciplined and dedicated lives. The upward call of every Christian is to live with a purity of heart and a purity of life that comes from the soul and is unpolluted because the presence of God is there. You and I have been called to live a godly life… no exceptions.  And it all begins with our minds.  According to Proverbs 23:7, “As [a man] calculates in his soul, so is he.”  Have you ever thought about how so many of our spiritual struggles begin when we allow our minds to wander aimlessly? Today, I want to encourage you to make sure your thinking is controlled by the grace of God.  Exercise self-discipline.  Second, eliminate anything that weakens your mind or distorts your thinking or your judgment.  Third, stay focused on the purposes and plan of God.  And fourth, continually put your future hope in God. These four things will help you keep your mind focused on what is good, true, and right! KEEP YOUR MIND FOCUSED ON THE JOY OF GOD…AND THE HOPE OF YOUR SALVATION TODAY!

 

Prayers God Will Hear

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.”

Nehemiah 1:5–6

When Nehemiah got the news of the dangerous conditions in the undefended city of Jerusalem, he wanted to do something about the problem. There were many human obstacles in the way of him being given permission to leave his post and rebuild a conquered capital, but Nehemiah knew how those could be overcome. Before he did anything publicly, he devoted time to prayer and fasting. He knew God’s power was the only thing that could accomplish the task. And at the beginning of his prayer, Nehemiah focused on making sure things were right between him and God as He confessed his sins, and those of his nation.

There is enormous power and unlimited resources available to us through prayer, but when our relationship with God is not what it should be, that power is cut off. God told Israel through the prophet Isaiah: “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15). We should keep short accounts with God—promptly confessing sins rather than allowing them to linger. Before we ask God for what we need, we should ensure that our fellowship with Him is clear. We have no reason to expect answered prayers from God if we harbor sin in our hearts.

Today's Growth Principle: 

When we accept God’s invitation to come to Him in prayer, we should also accept His invitation for a close personal relationship with Him, unhindered by unconfessed sin.

Are You Struggling Today?

View in a browser

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Going the Distance   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. --1 Peter 5:10 Are you struggling today? God never tells us that we won’t experience grief or sorrow in this life.  There will be tears.  And, to be honest, sometimes life will just suck the air right out of you. But we must remember that trials do have a purpose.  Trials can fortify us.  They can prove us, test us, and prepare us. As today’s verse says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” The fact is, if you’re a Christian, you’re in a spiritual battle.  Which means you have a very real enemy.  And trials prepare you for this battle and make you stronger.  In fact, you may be going through a spiritual boot camp of sorts today, which is preparing you for the battle ahead! Think about it this way.  When gold is made, all the impurities must be removed.  The same process of refining takes place in our lives before genuine gold can come forth. Whatever you may be facing today, keep in mind that God is forming your character, bringing out the gold in you.  Everything has a reason.  You may not see it… you may not understand it… but God is working in your life. Remember that no matter what you may be going through, you can build your life on the certainty and confident expectation that God is in the midst of it.  Rejoice because He is working in your life and your future!   THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE TRIALS IN YOUR PAST.  WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?  HOW DID THEY PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT WAS AHEAD? An Unwanted Blessing Tuesday, June 18, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10–12 The repressive Communist government of Romania did everything they could to silence Richard Wurmbrand after their takeover of the country following World War II. He was arrested and imprisoned, but not even prison bars could stop him from proclaiming the truth of the gospel. In his autobiography, Tortured for Christ, Wurmbrand wrote, “It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.” Wurmbrand’s perspective could only come through his confidence in God’s promises and the Holy Spirit’s work of grace in his life. Though Jesus promised a blessing for those who are persecuted for their faith, that is a blessing most of us are willing to miss out on receiving. As a result, there are times when we are tempted to be silent with the gospel or avoid taking a stand for Christ when we think it would not be well received. The temptation to take the easy way out is not new. Peter faced it as he warmed himself by the fire outside where Jesus was being tried (John 18:25). But as our society does more to promote evil, our firm stand for the truth must never waver. While none of us would be excited to have to suffer serious persecution, beatings, or worse, as many Christians in the world today do, we should be so committed to following Jesus that if that becomes the choice we face, we will make the right decision. Today's Growth Principle:  Fear of what others may say or do should never stop us from doing what is right.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Going the Distance   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

Your future is in His hands. 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 God thanks for keeping your future in His hands! Proper Priorities Monday, June 17, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:8–10 Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made news when he auctioned off NBA championship rings, signed basketballs, and other memorabilia and raised nearly $3 million for his Skyhook Foundation to promote education for children. Abdul-Jabbar wrote, “Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future. That’s a history that has no price.” The basketball star is not a Christian, but practices Islam. Yet even without Christ’s promises regarding investing in eternity, he understands that there are some things which are more important than others. We do not all have the same physical talents, spiritual gifts, or financial means. However, we do all have the same number of hours in a day. The question is how we will invest that most precious resource God has entrusted to us. Will we spend our lives on things that matter both for this world and the next, or will we waste our lives on things that have no real value or meaning? One day God will judge everything that we have done to see what value it holds. “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”(1 Corinthians 3:15). Today's Growth Principle:  Make sure you are using your time and resources for things that have real and lasting value.

A Legacy of Faith

Sunday, June 16, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:6–9

John Paton’s decision to leave Scotland and go to the New Hebrides Islands as a missionary was not made lightly. The inhabitants of most of the islands were cannibals, and several Europeans had already been killed there. But Paton believed he had a responsibility to go and take them the gospel. His faith was greatly influenced by his father who went alone to pray three times each day and had family prayers twice each day.

Many years later Paton wrote about the day he left for the mission field. “My dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way. His counsel and tears and heavenly conversation on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been but yesterday; and tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then, whenever memory steals me away to the scene. His tears fell fast when our eyes met each other in looks for which all speech was vain! He grasped my hand firmly for a minute in silence, and then solemnly said: ‘God bless you, my son! Your father’s God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!’”

Parents and especially fathers have a great obligation from God to teach their children to love and obey Him. There is nothing more important we can do for the future than to pass on our faith to the next generation.

Today's Growth Principle: 

If God is not real to us, our children will find it hard to truly believe and trust in Him.