WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONAL
APRIL 22, 2021
"Holding Fast" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 1:7-9 --- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Critics of the truth and the Word of God are nothing new. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, Satan worked to undermine Eve's reliance on what God had said. In our day we have no problem finding what Paul referred to as “gainsayers.” There are plenty of people willing to speak against the truth. They describe it as old fashioned, out of step with modern understandings and sensibilities. They call it narrow and even bigoted. They say that they refuse to be bound by ancient writings and beliefs.
In the face of these attacks, the most important thing that we can do is to hold fast to the truth ourselves.
We must never let the doubting and criticism of those around us plant the seeds of doubt in our own hearts and minds. We must maintain our allegiance to the truth, never wavering in our belief that what God has said is true and right and trustworthy. What David wrote three thousand years ago is still true today: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).
The best thing we can do to strengthen our faith in what God has said is to be people of the Bible. In our personal lives and in corporate settings, we need to be readying, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. The more determined our culture becomes to undermine it, the more tightly we must hold on to the truth we have received.
Today's Growth Principle: In a day when truth is under attack, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to what we have been taught.
(As time goes on, I hear of more, and more pastors who waver from preaching sound doctrine and move to more of an entertainment ministry.)
"Holding Fast" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 1:7-9 --- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Critics of the truth and the Word of God are nothing new. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, Satan worked to undermine Eve's reliance on what God had said. In our day we have no problem finding what Paul referred to as “gainsayers.” There are plenty of people willing to speak against the truth. They describe it as old fashioned, out of step with modern understandings and sensibilities. They call it narrow and even bigoted. They say that they refuse to be bound by ancient writings and beliefs.
In the face of these attacks, the most important thing that we can do is to hold fast to the truth ourselves.
We must never let the doubting and criticism of those around us plant the seeds of doubt in our own hearts and minds. We must maintain our allegiance to the truth, never wavering in our belief that what God has said is true and right and trustworthy. What David wrote three thousand years ago is still true today: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).
The best thing we can do to strengthen our faith in what God has said is to be people of the Bible. In our personal lives and in corporate settings, we need to be readying, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. The more determined our culture becomes to undermine it, the more tightly we must hold on to the truth we have received.
Today's Growth Principle: In a day when truth is under attack, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to what we have been taught.
(As time goes on, I hear of more, and more pastors who waver from preaching sound doctrine and move to more of an entertainment ministry.)
APRIL 21, 2021
The Stage is Set
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Do you believe this passage of Scripture? Do you really believe that God is able to do way more than you even know to ask or could ever imagine? When we truly believe that there is no limit to what God can accomplish, it changes the way we approach Him. Instead of tentatively asking Him, we will boldly petition Him…not with arrogance or entitlement, but with humility and thanksgiving.
When we are in seasons of uncertainty or waiting, it can be hard to remember the truth about God.
Unanswered prayers can bring discouragement and even doubt. But time can be the best trainer, teaching us to wait with eager expectation and hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. In fact, the more desperate the circumstance, the greater the potential for God’s glory to be seen when He does answer.
So instead of allowing difficulty to draw us into worrying, we must learn to view it as a stage that is being perfectly set for the display of God’s glory. Have you ever been to a Broadway show? As the audience fills the theatre, the set stage is visible, but it is dark and empty. You can see the pieces and props, but they have no meaning until that spotlight shines and the stage comes to life as the story unfolds.
Our lives are no different. The stage is being set. A heartbreak here, a struggle there…they all serve to create the backdrop for God’s glory. You can know that one day the spotlight will shine and all those pieces will be used to tell an incredible story of God’s grace and faithfulness.
Dear Lord, I want to believe more than anything that you are going to blow my expectations for my life out of the water. I want to trust that you are setting the stage to put your grace and faithfulness on display in my life. Give me the boldness and the faith to believe those things, and to look expectantly at what you have in store. In Jesus' name, amen.
The Stage is Set
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Do you believe this passage of Scripture? Do you really believe that God is able to do way more than you even know to ask or could ever imagine? When we truly believe that there is no limit to what God can accomplish, it changes the way we approach Him. Instead of tentatively asking Him, we will boldly petition Him…not with arrogance or entitlement, but with humility and thanksgiving.
When we are in seasons of uncertainty or waiting, it can be hard to remember the truth about God.
Unanswered prayers can bring discouragement and even doubt. But time can be the best trainer, teaching us to wait with eager expectation and hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. In fact, the more desperate the circumstance, the greater the potential for God’s glory to be seen when He does answer.
So instead of allowing difficulty to draw us into worrying, we must learn to view it as a stage that is being perfectly set for the display of God’s glory. Have you ever been to a Broadway show? As the audience fills the theatre, the set stage is visible, but it is dark and empty. You can see the pieces and props, but they have no meaning until that spotlight shines and the stage comes to life as the story unfolds.
Our lives are no different. The stage is being set. A heartbreak here, a struggle there…they all serve to create the backdrop for God’s glory. You can know that one day the spotlight will shine and all those pieces will be used to tell an incredible story of God’s grace and faithfulness.
Dear Lord, I want to believe more than anything that you are going to blow my expectations for my life out of the water. I want to trust that you are setting the stage to put your grace and faithfulness on display in my life. Give me the boldness and the faith to believe those things, and to look expectantly at what you have in store. In Jesus' name, amen.
APRIL 20, 2021
Evidence of Jesus
Revelation 1:18 --- I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore
Certain laws of evidence hold in the establishment of any historic event. Documentation of the event in question must be made by reliable contemporary witnesses. There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived, or that Alexander the Great died at the age of 33. It is strange that historians will accept thousands of facts for which they can produce only shreds of evidence.
But in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they cast a skeptical eye and hold intellectual doubts. The trouble with many people is that they do not want to believe. They are so completely prejudiced that they cannot accept the glorious fact of the resurrection of Christ on Bible testimony alone.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I know You are alive—for You live in the hearts of all those who love You!
Evidence of Jesus
Revelation 1:18 --- I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore
Certain laws of evidence hold in the establishment of any historic event. Documentation of the event in question must be made by reliable contemporary witnesses. There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived, or that Alexander the Great died at the age of 33. It is strange that historians will accept thousands of facts for which they can produce only shreds of evidence.
But in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they cast a skeptical eye and hold intellectual doubts. The trouble with many people is that they do not want to believe. They are so completely prejudiced that they cannot accept the glorious fact of the resurrection of Christ on Bible testimony alone.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I know You are alive—for You live in the hearts of all those who love You!
APRIL 19, 2021
A Confused Mind
A close friend of mine received a summons for jury duty in a robbery trial. For two days, 12 citizens listened to the prosecuting attorney as he presented evidence to indicate that the accused had broken into a home and stolen many items. My friend was ready to convict him.
On the third day, the defense attorney presented the other side of the picture. The more my friend listened, the more confused she became. What had seemed very obvious at first now seemed ambiguous and contradictory.
Although the jury did convict the man, my friend said she struggled over making the right decision. Each attorney, when he was speaking, had seemed to be the most convincing.
Many Christians live much the same way day today. They have become what James calls double minded.
They’re sure of one thing until something else happens, and then they flip-flop to the opposite opinion.
In their double mindedness, they flit from one opinion to the other. They’re sure they know what to do, and then they switch again. The moment they feel sure they have made the decision they plan to stick with, they begin to wonder if it was the correct one. They continually doubt and question their reasoning.
This kind of behavior is not the same as being open-minded. To be open-minded means we’re willing to hear all sides of an issue—like jurors should be at a trial. But eventually we have to sort through the evidence or the circumstances in life and say, “This is what I’m going to do.”
That sounds good, but too many people have trouble being decisive. “What if I make a mistake?” they ask. “What If I choose the wrong thing?” Those are legitimate questions, but they are not meant to paralyze God’s people and prevent them from acting. Too often, these are tools that Satan uses to distract and prevent Christians from taking action.
God’s Spirit is always available to free you from natural reasoning that leaves you confused. Ask of the One who gives wisdom liberally, and He will free you of being indecisive and double minded.
Prayer Starter: God, thank You for always showing me the way and helping me make decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
A Confused Mind
A close friend of mine received a summons for jury duty in a robbery trial. For two days, 12 citizens listened to the prosecuting attorney as he presented evidence to indicate that the accused had broken into a home and stolen many items. My friend was ready to convict him.
On the third day, the defense attorney presented the other side of the picture. The more my friend listened, the more confused she became. What had seemed very obvious at first now seemed ambiguous and contradictory.
Although the jury did convict the man, my friend said she struggled over making the right decision. Each attorney, when he was speaking, had seemed to be the most convincing.
Many Christians live much the same way day today. They have become what James calls double minded.
They’re sure of one thing until something else happens, and then they flip-flop to the opposite opinion.
In their double mindedness, they flit from one opinion to the other. They’re sure they know what to do, and then they switch again. The moment they feel sure they have made the decision they plan to stick with, they begin to wonder if it was the correct one. They continually doubt and question their reasoning.
This kind of behavior is not the same as being open-minded. To be open-minded means we’re willing to hear all sides of an issue—like jurors should be at a trial. But eventually we have to sort through the evidence or the circumstances in life and say, “This is what I’m going to do.”
That sounds good, but too many people have trouble being decisive. “What if I make a mistake?” they ask. “What If I choose the wrong thing?” Those are legitimate questions, but they are not meant to paralyze God’s people and prevent them from acting. Too often, these are tools that Satan uses to distract and prevent Christians from taking action.
God’s Spirit is always available to free you from natural reasoning that leaves you confused. Ask of the One who gives wisdom liberally, and He will free you of being indecisive and double minded.
Prayer Starter: God, thank You for always showing me the way and helping me make decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
APRIL 18, 2021
Seeking Safety
Here’s a hard question: If we know and believe worshipping idols cannot satisfy us, why do we still struggle to choose loving God over being devoted to the things of this world?
Perhaps one of the reasons we turn away from the Lord is because He requires authenticity and righteousness that our idols don’t. When we construct our idols, we can control them—ultimately, that puts us in charge. But we cannot control God.
In Psalm 135, we read that idols “have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them” (Psalm 135:16-18).
An idol—which doesn’t issue commands, hold us accountable, or hear if we’re being untruthful—can in many ways feel safer than the Lord. But we have to ask another difficult question: Is false security worth it?
Think about it
• How can idolatry provide a false sense of safety? By contrast, how does God give you real safety (though it may not always feel easy or comfortable)?
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 13-14
Seeking Safety
Here’s a hard question: If we know and believe worshipping idols cannot satisfy us, why do we still struggle to choose loving God over being devoted to the things of this world?
Perhaps one of the reasons we turn away from the Lord is because He requires authenticity and righteousness that our idols don’t. When we construct our idols, we can control them—ultimately, that puts us in charge. But we cannot control God.
In Psalm 135, we read that idols “have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them” (Psalm 135:16-18).
An idol—which doesn’t issue commands, hold us accountable, or hear if we’re being untruthful—can in many ways feel safer than the Lord. But we have to ask another difficult question: Is false security worth it?
Think about it
• How can idolatry provide a false sense of safety? By contrast, how does God give you real safety (though it may not always feel easy or comfortable)?
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 13-14
APRIL 17, 2021
The Worst Kind of Lying --- Dr. Paul Chappell
1 John 1:10 --- If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
One of the most damaging and destructive forms of lying is to falsely claim that something is true when it is not. That is why the legal penalty for perjury is so severe. According to the United States Code, perjury is committed when a person “Having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true.”
When a charge of falsehood is brought against someone, the character and record of both parties must be considered. Someone who has habitually shaded the truth and uttered falsehood does not receive the benefit of the doubt. Yet as foolish as it is, there are people who try to claim that it is God who is lying while they are telling the truth. Though they would probably never make such a declaration in public, that is what they are really saying when they claim that they have reached the point where they no longer sin.
The Pharisees of Jesus' day boasted of their devotion to keeping the whole law. They were outwardly compliant with every part of the law, yet Jesus exposed their inward deceit. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). We must not succumb to the prideful temptation to think that we have arrived and moved past sinning in our lives. We must not put what others think of us above what God sees. And we must not call God a liar.
Today's Growth Principle: A proper understanding of God's righteousness encourages us to humbly admit our sin and enjoy restored fellowship
The Worst Kind of Lying --- Dr. Paul Chappell
1 John 1:10 --- If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
One of the most damaging and destructive forms of lying is to falsely claim that something is true when it is not. That is why the legal penalty for perjury is so severe. According to the United States Code, perjury is committed when a person “Having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true.”
When a charge of falsehood is brought against someone, the character and record of both parties must be considered. Someone who has habitually shaded the truth and uttered falsehood does not receive the benefit of the doubt. Yet as foolish as it is, there are people who try to claim that it is God who is lying while they are telling the truth. Though they would probably never make such a declaration in public, that is what they are really saying when they claim that they have reached the point where they no longer sin.
The Pharisees of Jesus' day boasted of their devotion to keeping the whole law. They were outwardly compliant with every part of the law, yet Jesus exposed their inward deceit. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). We must not succumb to the prideful temptation to think that we have arrived and moved past sinning in our lives. We must not put what others think of us above what God sees. And we must not call God a liar.
Today's Growth Principle: A proper understanding of God's righteousness encourages us to humbly admit our sin and enjoy restored fellowship
APRIL 16, 1934
Humility and Honor
Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you... (Matthew 6:4)
Yesterday we talked about the first step to curing hypocrisy. Today, I want us to look at two other steps we can take to break down the barrier of hypocrisy that is keeping so many from the faith.
First, we must be humble in our public life. Pharisees had a reputation of not just being great teachers or prophets or practitioners, but great prayers and they knew how to put on a show. They would stretch out their hands with their palms upward, with their head bowed, and they would give the speech of a lifetime, as loud as they could, standing on the most crowded street corner, so people could hear them, and see them, and brag on how close they must be to God.
I want to confess something. Nothing irritates me more than people who pray long prayers in public, because I know what they are doing most of the time. They are catching up on their prayer life at our expense. It was Charles Spurgeon who said, “Let your public prayers be brief. Let your private prayers be as long as you want.” This advice is what we should all take to heart if we want to be humble in our public life.
Finally, we must be honorable with our personal life. We want to do everything we can to be a stepping-stone to Jesus, not a stumbling block. There is something we must remember that Jesus repeats three times in this passage. He says it in verse 4, verse 6, and verse 18. Here is the firewall that will guard against hypocrisy. “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you...” (Matthew 6:4, 6,18).
The single most important part of your life is the part that God sees when no one else is looking. I love the way someone put it, “The theology that matters is not the theology we profess, but the theology we practice.”
The only honor we should be seeking is God’s honor. The only glory we should be seeking is God’s glory. The only praise we should ever worry about is God’s praise. In order to achieve that you can’t be a phony. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Make up your mind on what you truly believe, not just what you say you believe and then behave what you believe. Be what you need to be in private, then you will be who you need to be in public.
Dear Lord, I want nothing more than to be humble and honorable not only in your sight, but in the sight of those who are curious about you. Please help me to grow in humility and to live with the goal of honoring you in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Humility and Honor
Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you... (Matthew 6:4)
Yesterday we talked about the first step to curing hypocrisy. Today, I want us to look at two other steps we can take to break down the barrier of hypocrisy that is keeping so many from the faith.
First, we must be humble in our public life. Pharisees had a reputation of not just being great teachers or prophets or practitioners, but great prayers and they knew how to put on a show. They would stretch out their hands with their palms upward, with their head bowed, and they would give the speech of a lifetime, as loud as they could, standing on the most crowded street corner, so people could hear them, and see them, and brag on how close they must be to God.
I want to confess something. Nothing irritates me more than people who pray long prayers in public, because I know what they are doing most of the time. They are catching up on their prayer life at our expense. It was Charles Spurgeon who said, “Let your public prayers be brief. Let your private prayers be as long as you want.” This advice is what we should all take to heart if we want to be humble in our public life.
Finally, we must be honorable with our personal life. We want to do everything we can to be a stepping-stone to Jesus, not a stumbling block. There is something we must remember that Jesus repeats three times in this passage. He says it in verse 4, verse 6, and verse 18. Here is the firewall that will guard against hypocrisy. “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you...” (Matthew 6:4, 6,18).
The single most important part of your life is the part that God sees when no one else is looking. I love the way someone put it, “The theology that matters is not the theology we profess, but the theology we practice.”
The only honor we should be seeking is God’s honor. The only glory we should be seeking is God’s glory. The only praise we should ever worry about is God’s praise. In order to achieve that you can’t be a phony. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Make up your mind on what you truly believe, not just what you say you believe and then behave what you believe. Be what you need to be in private, then you will be who you need to be in public.
Dear Lord, I want nothing more than to be humble and honorable not only in your sight, but in the sight of those who are curious about you. Please help me to grow in humility and to live with the goal of honoring you in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
APRIL 15, 2021
Glory in the Cross
Galatians 6:14 (TLB) --- As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What glory is there in the cross? It was an instrument of torture and shame. Why did Paul glory in it? He gloried in it because the most selfless act ever performed by men or angels took place upon it. He saw-emanating from that rough, unartistic beam upon which the Son of God had been crucified—the radiant hope of the world, the end of the believer’s bondage to sin, and the love of God shed abroad in the hearts of men. A lone man dying on a cross did more to restore man’s lost harmony with God, his fellowman, and himself, than the combined genius and power of earth’s mighty. With my finite limitations, I cannot fully comprehend the mystery of Christ’s atonement. I only know that all who come to the cross in simple, trusting faith lose all their guilty stains and find peace with God.
Prayer for the day --- Like the Apostle Paul, Father, help me to glory in the cross of Jesus and more fully understand the tremendous meaning it has for me as a believer and for all who would come to its foot and kneel.
Glory in the Cross
Galatians 6:14 (TLB) --- As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What glory is there in the cross? It was an instrument of torture and shame. Why did Paul glory in it? He gloried in it because the most selfless act ever performed by men or angels took place upon it. He saw-emanating from that rough, unartistic beam upon which the Son of God had been crucified—the radiant hope of the world, the end of the believer’s bondage to sin, and the love of God shed abroad in the hearts of men. A lone man dying on a cross did more to restore man’s lost harmony with God, his fellowman, and himself, than the combined genius and power of earth’s mighty. With my finite limitations, I cannot fully comprehend the mystery of Christ’s atonement. I only know that all who come to the cross in simple, trusting faith lose all their guilty stains and find peace with God.
Prayer for the day --- Like the Apostle Paul, Father, help me to glory in the cross of Jesus and more fully understand the tremendous meaning it has for me as a believer and for all who would come to its foot and kneel.
APRIL 14, 2021
Be Kind
Our woman in Proverbs 31 knows the importance of words. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. The law of kindness is in her tongue. Speaking kindly to other people is a tremendous attribute and one that certainly enhances a godly woman. She knows that anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad (see Proverbs 12:25). We all need kindness, and I believe we will reap what we sow. Proverbs 18:20–21 says that we will have to be satisfied with the consequences of our words and that the power of life and death are in the tongue. It goes on to say that we will eat the fruit of our words for life or death.
Not only do we have the capability of speaking life or death to other people, we have the same ability in our own lives. We can speak words that build confidence in ourselves and others or we can speak words that destroy confidence. Be especially careful about self-talk. This is the conversation that you have with yourself inside yourself. Be sure what you are saying is something you want to live with.
Prayer Starter: Lord, make my heart to be kind and compassionate, so that it overflows in kind words to others. May my words have the power of life in them, to build up others and encourage them. Amen.
Be Kind
Our woman in Proverbs 31 knows the importance of words. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. The law of kindness is in her tongue. Speaking kindly to other people is a tremendous attribute and one that certainly enhances a godly woman. She knows that anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad (see Proverbs 12:25). We all need kindness, and I believe we will reap what we sow. Proverbs 18:20–21 says that we will have to be satisfied with the consequences of our words and that the power of life and death are in the tongue. It goes on to say that we will eat the fruit of our words for life or death.
Not only do we have the capability of speaking life or death to other people, we have the same ability in our own lives. We can speak words that build confidence in ourselves and others or we can speak words that destroy confidence. Be especially careful about self-talk. This is the conversation that you have with yourself inside yourself. Be sure what you are saying is something you want to live with.
Prayer Starter: Lord, make my heart to be kind and compassionate, so that it overflows in kind words to others. May my words have the power of life in them, to build up others and encourage them. Amen.
APRIL 13, 2021
Consequences of Ignoring God
2 Chronicles 33:1-20
People all around us are disregarding God’s offer of salvation through faith in His Son. If we look at their lives, it may not seem that they’re facing any divine judgment, but we must remember that repercussions don’t always follow immediately. Ignoring the Lord is rebellion and idolatry in His eyes, and unless the offender turns to Him in humble repentance and faith, consequences will come.
King Manasseh of Judah stands as an example of what can happen when someone ignores God. Despite the example of his godly father Hezekiah, Manasseh abandoned the Lord and led his people into idolatry. He was deaf to God’s voice and carried on with this evil for quite a while. But in time God finally got his attention through a painful situation involving the Assyrian military. Humbled, Manasseh repented and began obeying the Lord instead of ignoring Him.
Are you sensitive to God’s voice, or does He have to bring hardship and suffering into your life to get your attention? Disregarding Him is a serious matter, but God is merciful and responds to the cries of a truly repentant heart.
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 1-2
Consequences of Ignoring God
2 Chronicles 33:1-20
People all around us are disregarding God’s offer of salvation through faith in His Son. If we look at their lives, it may not seem that they’re facing any divine judgment, but we must remember that repercussions don’t always follow immediately. Ignoring the Lord is rebellion and idolatry in His eyes, and unless the offender turns to Him in humble repentance and faith, consequences will come.
King Manasseh of Judah stands as an example of what can happen when someone ignores God. Despite the example of his godly father Hezekiah, Manasseh abandoned the Lord and led his people into idolatry. He was deaf to God’s voice and carried on with this evil for quite a while. But in time God finally got his attention through a painful situation involving the Assyrian military. Humbled, Manasseh repented and began obeying the Lord instead of ignoring Him.
Are you sensitive to God’s voice, or does He have to bring hardship and suffering into your life to get your attention? Disregarding Him is a serious matter, but God is merciful and responds to the cries of a truly repentant heart.
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 1-2
APRIL 12, 2021
Unbridled
“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Psalm 32:9
One of the greatest joys of the Christian life is that we can always be growing. There will never come a time when we know all there is to know about God. He is a limitless treasure of grace whose mercies are new each and every morning. His ways are unsearchable and His power unfathomable. Every day is a gift, ready to be unwrapped…another opportunity to go deeper in our relationship with Christ.
The hunger of a new Christian is palpable. They are so passionate about their faith and full of questions. It is wonderful! But do you know what else I find inspiring? I love being around older Christians who are just as hungry to know God more. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” As believers we never have to outgrow our hunger; and as long as we hunger, God promises to fill us with more of Himself.
Let me ask you a question. If you are a believer, have you lost your zeal for Christ…your hunger to grow deeper in your faith? I hope not! There are some practical ways to both renew that desire, and to keep it burning each and every day. For example, read a Christian biography. That may sound daunting, but you can find these biographies in all styles, lengths, and even reading levels. You will be challenged and inspired by the trials and victories of those who have gone before you. If you are not in a small-group Bible study, join one. The opportunities for friendship and growth are endless in a good, Bible-centered small group. And finally, make sure you are serving in your Church Family. Serving others brings joy, deeper connections, friendships, and accountability.
God’s desire is that His children grow in understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. He wants us to come to Him willingly, rather than being controlled like a horse with bit and bridle. A teachable spirit, along with an eagerness to grow and learn, is building blocks of deeper faith. And when we come, He will always fill us with more. So let’s seek to live life unbridled, willingly returning for more and more of our Savior.
Dear Lord, I don't want to be unbridled. Instead I want to follow your lead through the minefields of life so that I do not misstep or get hurt. Please give me a submissive heart that is totally surrendered to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Unbridled
“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Psalm 32:9
One of the greatest joys of the Christian life is that we can always be growing. There will never come a time when we know all there is to know about God. He is a limitless treasure of grace whose mercies are new each and every morning. His ways are unsearchable and His power unfathomable. Every day is a gift, ready to be unwrapped…another opportunity to go deeper in our relationship with Christ.
The hunger of a new Christian is palpable. They are so passionate about their faith and full of questions. It is wonderful! But do you know what else I find inspiring? I love being around older Christians who are just as hungry to know God more. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” As believers we never have to outgrow our hunger; and as long as we hunger, God promises to fill us with more of Himself.
Let me ask you a question. If you are a believer, have you lost your zeal for Christ…your hunger to grow deeper in your faith? I hope not! There are some practical ways to both renew that desire, and to keep it burning each and every day. For example, read a Christian biography. That may sound daunting, but you can find these biographies in all styles, lengths, and even reading levels. You will be challenged and inspired by the trials and victories of those who have gone before you. If you are not in a small-group Bible study, join one. The opportunities for friendship and growth are endless in a good, Bible-centered small group. And finally, make sure you are serving in your Church Family. Serving others brings joy, deeper connections, friendships, and accountability.
God’s desire is that His children grow in understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. He wants us to come to Him willingly, rather than being controlled like a horse with bit and bridle. A teachable spirit, along with an eagerness to grow and learn, is building blocks of deeper faith. And when we come, He will always fill us with more. So let’s seek to live life unbridled, willingly returning for more and more of our Savior.
Dear Lord, I don't want to be unbridled. Instead I want to follow your lead through the minefields of life so that I do not misstep or get hurt. Please give me a submissive heart that is totally surrendered to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
APRIL 11, 2021
When the Going Gets Tough --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Exodus 14:12-14 --- Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
For years as they labored as slaves in Egypt, the children of Israel cried out to God for deliverance. They despaired when Pharaoh gave the command for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. They had no freedom or ability to control their own lives. When Moses came, many of them rejoiced that the ancient promises of God to His people were being remembered and fulfilled. After ten plagues devastated the land of Egypt, and Pharaoh finally agreed to let them go, they went out loaded down with treasure, heading for the land promised to their people by God.
Yet they did not find that trip to be what they expected. When they were confronted by the Red Sea, with Pharaoh's army pursuing them, they despaired. They did not recall the power of God they had seen displayed time and time again, even extending to protecting them from the plagues that ravaged their Egyptian neighbors. They did not recall the way the different plagues had explicitly revealed the weakness of the various gods worshiped by the Egyptians.
Instead they despaired. They told Moses they wished he had left them as slaves. When God did not immediately remove every obstacle from their path, their faith vanished. All of us are going to experience times when things don't go as we wish. In those moments, we must remember that God is in control, and doing what He knows is best.
Today's Growth Principle: Hard times are not evidence that God has abandoned us; they are an opportunity to see His power on display.
When the Going Gets Tough --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Exodus 14:12-14 --- Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
For years as they labored as slaves in Egypt, the children of Israel cried out to God for deliverance. They despaired when Pharaoh gave the command for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. They had no freedom or ability to control their own lives. When Moses came, many of them rejoiced that the ancient promises of God to His people were being remembered and fulfilled. After ten plagues devastated the land of Egypt, and Pharaoh finally agreed to let them go, they went out loaded down with treasure, heading for the land promised to their people by God.
Yet they did not find that trip to be what they expected. When they were confronted by the Red Sea, with Pharaoh's army pursuing them, they despaired. They did not recall the power of God they had seen displayed time and time again, even extending to protecting them from the plagues that ravaged their Egyptian neighbors. They did not recall the way the different plagues had explicitly revealed the weakness of the various gods worshiped by the Egyptians.
Instead they despaired. They told Moses they wished he had left them as slaves. When God did not immediately remove every obstacle from their path, their faith vanished. All of us are going to experience times when things don't go as we wish. In those moments, we must remember that God is in control, and doing what He knows is best.
Today's Growth Principle: Hard times are not evidence that God has abandoned us; they are an opportunity to see His power on display.
APRIL 10, 2021
God Is Sovereign
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. (Psalm 73:1)
Yesterday, we talked about how if you’re going to acknowledge that there is good in the midst of evil, you have to bring God into the picture. But even when you introduce God, that doesn’t solve the problem; it actually exposes the problem. You see something bothered Asaph that also bothers us. It goes back to the very first thing Asaph says about God. “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1).
He goes on to say that God is “the Sovereign Lord.” God is all good and God is all-powerful. He knows that God could forbid trouble from ever coming to any of us if He chose to. If God is sovereign, that means nothing happens to us unless God either causes it or God allows it. He keeps bad things happening from us.
He does it all throughout Scripture. He kept the lions from eating Daniel. He kept the fire from burning Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He kept the giant, Goliath, from killing David. So, we know He can do it, but He doesn’t always do it. And that’s the dilemma we must wrestle with.
What we have to remember is that God wants to use even the bad things in our lives to mature us and grow us, to force us to look to Him, to place our trust in Him. Some of us will do that in good health, and some of us will do that battling illness. Some of us will do that having a lot, some of us will do that having a little.
The point is God is going to get every one of us to the same destination, but He is not going to get all of us there the same way. At the end of the day, everything will be put together in such a way and used in such a way it will be for our ultimate good and for His eternal glory.
Dear Lord, thank you that you are sovereign over everything and everyone. I pray that you would give me the faith to trust your sovereignty and your will, even when it doesn’t make sense and even when it differs from what those around me are going through. For I know you are worthy of my complete trust. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God Is Sovereign
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. (Psalm 73:1)
Yesterday, we talked about how if you’re going to acknowledge that there is good in the midst of evil, you have to bring God into the picture. But even when you introduce God, that doesn’t solve the problem; it actually exposes the problem. You see something bothered Asaph that also bothers us. It goes back to the very first thing Asaph says about God. “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1).
He goes on to say that God is “the Sovereign Lord.” God is all good and God is all-powerful. He knows that God could forbid trouble from ever coming to any of us if He chose to. If God is sovereign, that means nothing happens to us unless God either causes it or God allows it. He keeps bad things happening from us.
He does it all throughout Scripture. He kept the lions from eating Daniel. He kept the fire from burning Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He kept the giant, Goliath, from killing David. So, we know He can do it, but He doesn’t always do it. And that’s the dilemma we must wrestle with.
What we have to remember is that God wants to use even the bad things in our lives to mature us and grow us, to force us to look to Him, to place our trust in Him. Some of us will do that in good health, and some of us will do that battling illness. Some of us will do that having a lot, some of us will do that having a little.
The point is God is going to get every one of us to the same destination, but He is not going to get all of us there the same way. At the end of the day, everything will be put together in such a way and used in such a way it will be for our ultimate good and for His eternal glory.
Dear Lord, thank you that you are sovereign over everything and everyone. I pray that you would give me the faith to trust your sovereignty and your will, even when it doesn’t make sense and even when it differs from what those around me are going through. For I know you are worthy of my complete trust. In Jesus’ name, amen.
APRIL 9, 2021
What Makes Christianity Different?
Luke 24:6 --- He is not here, but is risen.
Something distinguishes Christianity from all the religions of the world. Not only does it carry the truth of the redemption, by the death of our Savior for our sins on the cross, but it carries the fact that Christ rose again. Only the Christian faith claims that its Leader died and rose again and is alive at this moment. Many gravestones carry the inscription, “Here lies . . . ,” but on Christ’s tomb are emblazoned the words, “He is not here.” Christianity has no shrines to visit, no dusty remains to venerate, no tombs at which to worship. Many good men have lived, and still live, in the memory of those who knew them, but there is only one Man who conquered death—Jesus Christ—and He will live forever.
Prayer for the day --- The account of Your resurrection never ceases to bring me joy, Lord Jesus.
What Makes Christianity Different?
Luke 24:6 --- He is not here, but is risen.
Something distinguishes Christianity from all the religions of the world. Not only does it carry the truth of the redemption, by the death of our Savior for our sins on the cross, but it carries the fact that Christ rose again. Only the Christian faith claims that its Leader died and rose again and is alive at this moment. Many gravestones carry the inscription, “Here lies . . . ,” but on Christ’s tomb are emblazoned the words, “He is not here.” Christianity has no shrines to visit, no dusty remains to venerate, no tombs at which to worship. Many good men have lived, and still live, in the memory of those who knew them, but there is only one Man who conquered death—Jesus Christ—and He will live forever.
Prayer for the day --- The account of Your resurrection never ceases to bring me joy, Lord Jesus.
APRIL 8, 2021
Faith Beats Fear
"I will not fear," is the only acceptable attitude we can have toward fear. That does not mean that you and I will never feel fear, but it does mean that we will not allow it to rule our decisions and actions.
The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear is not from God; it is the devil's tool to keep us from enjoying our lives and making progress. Fear causes us to run, retreat, or shrink back. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:38 that we are to live by faith and not draw back in fear—and if we do draw back in fear, God's soul has no delight in us. That does not mean God does not love us; it simply means He is disappointed because He wants us to experience all of the good things He has in His plan for us. We can receive from God only by faith.
We should strive to do everything with a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in God and a belief that His promises are true. Faith will cause you to go forward, to try new things, and to be aggressive. Unless we make a firm decision to "fear not," we will never be free from the power of it. "Do it afraid" means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do any way.
I encourage you to be firm in your resolve to do whatever you need to do, even if you have to "do it afraid!" Trust in Him Choose to walk in faith, trusting God's promises. Remember to "fear not," and when you do feel fear, "do it afraid."
Prayer Starter: Lord God, help me not to allow fear to rule my life, but when I do feel fear, give me the courage to do it afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Faith Beats Fear
"I will not fear," is the only acceptable attitude we can have toward fear. That does not mean that you and I will never feel fear, but it does mean that we will not allow it to rule our decisions and actions.
The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear is not from God; it is the devil's tool to keep us from enjoying our lives and making progress. Fear causes us to run, retreat, or shrink back. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:38 that we are to live by faith and not draw back in fear—and if we do draw back in fear, God's soul has no delight in us. That does not mean God does not love us; it simply means He is disappointed because He wants us to experience all of the good things He has in His plan for us. We can receive from God only by faith.
We should strive to do everything with a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in God and a belief that His promises are true. Faith will cause you to go forward, to try new things, and to be aggressive. Unless we make a firm decision to "fear not," we will never be free from the power of it. "Do it afraid" means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do any way.
I encourage you to be firm in your resolve to do whatever you need to do, even if you have to "do it afraid!" Trust in Him Choose to walk in faith, trusting God's promises. Remember to "fear not," and when you do feel fear, "do it afraid."
Prayer Starter: Lord God, help me not to allow fear to rule my life, but when I do feel fear, give me the courage to do it afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.
APRIL 7, 2021
Pursuing God
Psalm 63:1-8
If I were to ask whether you’d like a deeper relationship with God, you would probably say yes. But are you willing to do what is necessary to achieve it? Many Christians today are trying to find a shortcut to a closer relationship with the Father. But intimacy takes times and effort; knowing God better is a lifelong pursuit.
Here’s how we discover the depths of His character through His Word:
Meditation involves reading a Bible passage several times and thoughtfully considering what it says about God. Today’s psalm, for example, encourages us to ponder the Lord’s power, glory, and lovingkindness.
Study allows us to draw from several Bible passages to gain a greater understanding of the Lord. We benefit by considering the context and writing style of the verses and then asking ourselves what they reveal about God.
Prayer is our response to meditation and study of the Word. What we discover about God overflows into praise, gratitude, and petitions that align with His will.
We can’t cut corners if we want to walk closely with the Lord. But the rewards of a deep relationship with Him are worth the wait and effort—only through intimacy with Him will we know true satisfaction and joy.
Pursuing God
Psalm 63:1-8
If I were to ask whether you’d like a deeper relationship with God, you would probably say yes. But are you willing to do what is necessary to achieve it? Many Christians today are trying to find a shortcut to a closer relationship with the Father. But intimacy takes times and effort; knowing God better is a lifelong pursuit.
Here’s how we discover the depths of His character through His Word:
Meditation involves reading a Bible passage several times and thoughtfully considering what it says about God. Today’s psalm, for example, encourages us to ponder the Lord’s power, glory, and lovingkindness.
Study allows us to draw from several Bible passages to gain a greater understanding of the Lord. We benefit by considering the context and writing style of the verses and then asking ourselves what they reveal about God.
Prayer is our response to meditation and study of the Word. What we discover about God overflows into praise, gratitude, and petitions that align with His will.
We can’t cut corners if we want to walk closely with the Lord. But the rewards of a deep relationship with Him are worth the wait and effort—only through intimacy with Him will we know true satisfaction and joy.
APRIL 6, 2021
"Escaping the Corruption" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Peter 1:2-4 --- Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In the early days of Christianity, a new teaching arose that called people to isolate themselves from society.
The monastic movement established centers where men and women could withdraw from the concern of daily life and focus solely on religious matters. One of the driving forces behind this idea was that by no longer being exposed to daily temptations as part of the regular world, a person could live a more holy life.
That is not the way things worked out in practice. Each person who entered a monastery took with him all of the sinful desires and habits they started with. We cannot overcome sin by escaping from the world. We can only overcome sin through the power we find in the precious promises of the Bible.
God has not called us to leave the world behind and isolate ourselves from it. Instead He calls us to go out into the world and live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. He calls us to walk in holiness despite the defilement we see in the world around us. His grace teaches us to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12). When Jesus sent the twelve disciples out to begin preaching, He warned them of the dangers they would face. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Yet in spite of the danger, Jesus sent them anyway, and today He is still sending out men and women into the world to take a stand for Him.
Today's Growth Principle: God has not called us to run away from the world, but to overcome it in His power.
"Escaping the Corruption" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Peter 1:2-4 --- Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In the early days of Christianity, a new teaching arose that called people to isolate themselves from society.
The monastic movement established centers where men and women could withdraw from the concern of daily life and focus solely on religious matters. One of the driving forces behind this idea was that by no longer being exposed to daily temptations as part of the regular world, a person could live a more holy life.
That is not the way things worked out in practice. Each person who entered a monastery took with him all of the sinful desires and habits they started with. We cannot overcome sin by escaping from the world. We can only overcome sin through the power we find in the precious promises of the Bible.
God has not called us to leave the world behind and isolate ourselves from it. Instead He calls us to go out into the world and live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. He calls us to walk in holiness despite the defilement we see in the world around us. His grace teaches us to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12). When Jesus sent the twelve disciples out to begin preaching, He warned them of the dangers they would face. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Yet in spite of the danger, Jesus sent them anyway, and today He is still sending out men and women into the world to take a stand for Him.
Today's Growth Principle: God has not called us to run away from the world, but to overcome it in His power.
APRIL 5, 2021
Worthy of Trust
“’God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ---1 Corinthians 1:9
“But you promised!”
How many times as parents have we heard those words? And let’s face it…kids’ memories tend to be much sharper than ours when it comes to what we say. They can be deeply disappointed if we forget, change our mind, or just have something come up that keeps us from doing what “we promised” to do. The truth is that all children need to know they can trust the adults closest to them to do what they say they will. This is why kids crave promise keeping.
Isn’t it wonderful that God never forgets what He said? He keeps His promises all of the time. He never changes His mind, mis-speaks, or carelessly gives His Word. If He says He will do it, He will. Period. This is why we say that God is faithful. That word, faithful, means “worthy of trust.” God has proven Himself to be worthy of our trust.
God’s faithfulness is foundational to our faith as Christians. In his letter to the believers in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” He identifies God as the One who called us into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul is reminding God’s people that if they could trust God’s faithfulness in salvation, they can trust His faithfulness in everything else. As believers we know God keeps His Word because He has kept it in saving us. What other proof could we need?
We, like children, crave promise keeping. Often times we seek to satisfy this craving through relationships with people, or by believing the subtle promises that Satan whispers in our ear. The truth, however, is that God is the only One who is always faithful. Even the best people make mistakes. And the smooth-talking tongue of Satan surely cannot be trusted. But God can – all of the time and in every situation. He has proven that to us in His Son, Jesus.
Dear Lord, thank you that I can trust you with my life in eternity. I pray that you would give me the same faith to trust you with my life and my circumstances right now, for you are always faithful and worthy of trust. In Jesus' name, amen.
Worthy of Trust
“’God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ---1 Corinthians 1:9
“But you promised!”
How many times as parents have we heard those words? And let’s face it…kids’ memories tend to be much sharper than ours when it comes to what we say. They can be deeply disappointed if we forget, change our mind, or just have something come up that keeps us from doing what “we promised” to do. The truth is that all children need to know they can trust the adults closest to them to do what they say they will. This is why kids crave promise keeping.
Isn’t it wonderful that God never forgets what He said? He keeps His promises all of the time. He never changes His mind, mis-speaks, or carelessly gives His Word. If He says He will do it, He will. Period. This is why we say that God is faithful. That word, faithful, means “worthy of trust.” God has proven Himself to be worthy of our trust.
God’s faithfulness is foundational to our faith as Christians. In his letter to the believers in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” He identifies God as the One who called us into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul is reminding God’s people that if they could trust God’s faithfulness in salvation, they can trust His faithfulness in everything else. As believers we know God keeps His Word because He has kept it in saving us. What other proof could we need?
We, like children, crave promise keeping. Often times we seek to satisfy this craving through relationships with people, or by believing the subtle promises that Satan whispers in our ear. The truth, however, is that God is the only One who is always faithful. Even the best people make mistakes. And the smooth-talking tongue of Satan surely cannot be trusted. But God can – all of the time and in every situation. He has proven that to us in His Son, Jesus.
Dear Lord, thank you that I can trust you with my life in eternity. I pray that you would give me the same faith to trust you with my life and my circumstances right now, for you are always faithful and worthy of trust. In Jesus' name, amen.
APRIL 4, 2021
Our Empty Spaces
We may not relate to the idols people worshipped long ago. But in modern life, potential idols are everywhere—and on the surface, they sometimes appear good and praiseworthy.
Take health, for example. Is regular exercise an effort to be a good steward of the body God has provided, or do we turn to it for a sense of identity or worth? And what about finances—do we save money to wisely prepare for the future and fund kingdom work, or do we cling to financial security out of fear?
Whether we see such things as good or problematic, whatever we allow to take God’s place in our heart will never ultimately give us what we truly desire. They may satisfy for a time but in the long run will fail (Gal. 4:8-9).
There is only one way to be freed from the idols we’ve constructed: We must repent and then receive God’s love and forgiveness. But it takes humility and a willingness to let His Holy Spirit fill those empty spaces that have been left behind.
Think about it
How do you spend your time? Pay attention to your choices this week. What tasks, interests, or habits do you turn to for comfort or affirmation? Where does your faith come into the picture?
Our Empty Spaces
We may not relate to the idols people worshipped long ago. But in modern life, potential idols are everywhere—and on the surface, they sometimes appear good and praiseworthy.
Take health, for example. Is regular exercise an effort to be a good steward of the body God has provided, or do we turn to it for a sense of identity or worth? And what about finances—do we save money to wisely prepare for the future and fund kingdom work, or do we cling to financial security out of fear?
Whether we see such things as good or problematic, whatever we allow to take God’s place in our heart will never ultimately give us what we truly desire. They may satisfy for a time but in the long run will fail (Gal. 4:8-9).
There is only one way to be freed from the idols we’ve constructed: We must repent and then receive God’s love and forgiveness. But it takes humility and a willingness to let His Holy Spirit fill those empty spaces that have been left behind.
Think about it
How do you spend your time? Pay attention to your choices this week. What tasks, interests, or habits do you turn to for comfort or affirmation? Where does your faith come into the picture?
APRIL 3, 2021
Waiting on GOD --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 1:4-5 --- And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
In His last meeting with the disciples before returning to Heaven, Jesus gave them a final series of instructions to follow. The first step was one that many of us still struggle with today: to return to Jerusalem and wait. Soon the Holy Spirit would come on them and give power for effective ministry, but until then, there was nothing they could do. The same is true today, and unless we are empowered by God, all of our labor and effort will be in vain. Yet for many people, waiting on God poses a real challenge. To overcome that challenge, we need to understand that God's timing is more important than ours and that He does not regard our time waiting on Him to be wasted.
Of course waiting on God must not become an excuse for laziness, but it is a vital part of our Christian walk.
G. Campbell Morgan said, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
When John Milton went blind, it was a devastating blow to the gifted writer. But as he reflected on his new condition, he realized that God knew all about his circumstances, and still had a plan for his life. Milton wrote, “God doth not need either man’s work or his own gifts...They also serve who only stand and wait.”
God is never in a hurry and God is never late. We must bend our schedules and timetables to His if we are to serve Him well.
Today's Growth Principle: We must never rush forward when God has called us to wait for Him to work before we do our part.
Waiting on GOD --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 1:4-5 --- And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
In His last meeting with the disciples before returning to Heaven, Jesus gave them a final series of instructions to follow. The first step was one that many of us still struggle with today: to return to Jerusalem and wait. Soon the Holy Spirit would come on them and give power for effective ministry, but until then, there was nothing they could do. The same is true today, and unless we are empowered by God, all of our labor and effort will be in vain. Yet for many people, waiting on God poses a real challenge. To overcome that challenge, we need to understand that God's timing is more important than ours and that He does not regard our time waiting on Him to be wasted.
Of course waiting on God must not become an excuse for laziness, but it is a vital part of our Christian walk.
G. Campbell Morgan said, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
When John Milton went blind, it was a devastating blow to the gifted writer. But as he reflected on his new condition, he realized that God knew all about his circumstances, and still had a plan for his life. Milton wrote, “God doth not need either man’s work or his own gifts...They also serve who only stand and wait.”
God is never in a hurry and God is never late. We must bend our schedules and timetables to His if we are to serve Him well.
Today's Growth Principle: We must never rush forward when God has called us to wait for Him to work before we do our part.
APRIL 2, 2021
Overcoming Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of expecting temptation. So today, let’s continue our conversation on temptation and understand that after we expect temptation, we should detect temptation and then reject temptation.
Jesus shows us how to detect temptation before it happens, because all temptation basically boils down to three things. Satan tempted Jesus in three different ways, and it is these same three ways he tempts us. He tempts us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Therefore, we have to be ready to face any and all of these types of temptations if we’re going to keep from sinning.
In order to be ready, we must prepare ourselves spiritually so we can detect temptation. That means spending time in the Word, spending time in prayer, and spending time in community with other believers.
When we do these things, we learn how to better detect temptation when it arises, and as a result, learn how to withstand it.
Remember, temptation is powerless against truth. Temptation is always based on a lie. Here is the lie.
Temptation will tell you that sin feels good, and it does, but then temptation will also tell you can get away with it, but you can’t. Every time you are tempted one of two things is going to happen. You will either submit to what your eyes see and your ears hear and your heart feels or you will follow the truth of God’s
Word you know in your mind. Here is the key. If your gun isn’t filled with the bullets of God’s Word, if your sheath doesn’t hold the sword of God’s Word, you have no hope to defeat temptation.
Let me ask you a simple question, “If Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would not face the devil and temptation without a profound knowledge of the Bible in His mind and filling His heart, how are you going to try to do it any other way?” The best preventive medicine you will ever take against temptation is to read God’s Word and heed God’s Word. Listen carefully. For every temptation the devil brings into your life there is a word from God that counteracts it. Jesus didn’t argue with the devil. He didn’t negotiate or debate with the devil. He didn’t use any magic formulas or magic words. He simply used God’s Word.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your word and for the weapon it is to fight against temptation. Remind me of your truth when I’m tempted to believe the lies of the enemy so that I might overcome any temptation that comes my way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Overcoming Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of expecting temptation. So today, let’s continue our conversation on temptation and understand that after we expect temptation, we should detect temptation and then reject temptation.
Jesus shows us how to detect temptation before it happens, because all temptation basically boils down to three things. Satan tempted Jesus in three different ways, and it is these same three ways he tempts us. He tempts us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Therefore, we have to be ready to face any and all of these types of temptations if we’re going to keep from sinning.
In order to be ready, we must prepare ourselves spiritually so we can detect temptation. That means spending time in the Word, spending time in prayer, and spending time in community with other believers.
When we do these things, we learn how to better detect temptation when it arises, and as a result, learn how to withstand it.
Remember, temptation is powerless against truth. Temptation is always based on a lie. Here is the lie.
Temptation will tell you that sin feels good, and it does, but then temptation will also tell you can get away with it, but you can’t. Every time you are tempted one of two things is going to happen. You will either submit to what your eyes see and your ears hear and your heart feels or you will follow the truth of God’s
Word you know in your mind. Here is the key. If your gun isn’t filled with the bullets of God’s Word, if your sheath doesn’t hold the sword of God’s Word, you have no hope to defeat temptation.
Let me ask you a simple question, “If Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would not face the devil and temptation without a profound knowledge of the Bible in His mind and filling His heart, how are you going to try to do it any other way?” The best preventive medicine you will ever take against temptation is to read God’s Word and heed God’s Word. Listen carefully. For every temptation the devil brings into your life there is a word from God that counteracts it. Jesus didn’t argue with the devil. He didn’t negotiate or debate with the devil. He didn’t use any magic formulas or magic words. He simply used God’s Word.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your word and for the weapon it is to fight against temptation. Remind me of your truth when I’m tempted to believe the lies of the enemy so that I might overcome any temptation that comes my way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
APRIL 1, 2021
You’re Never Too Old to Grow in Your Thinking
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a leading brain scientist/learning specialist and committed Christian, notes in her teaching on the brain: “The Word and science believe that the mind and the brain are one.” The way you think is voluntary—you can control your thoughts. I want you to give your brain a new job and begin to teach your mind to work for you instead of against you. One important way to do this is to make the intentional decision that you will begin to think positively. I realize your brain won’t be able to fulfill the new role completely overnight. You may be asking it to undergo a radical transformation, and that will take time. So, give it a little grace, but determine that with your diligence and God’s help, your brain will go to work for you instead of against you and become a powerful, positive force in your life.
I like what Dr. Leaf says—that the human brain takes “18 years to grow and a lifetime to mature.” Don’t miss this point. Although every other organ in the body is fully formed when a person is born, and simply gets bigger as the body gets bigger, the brain actually takes a full eighteen years to be fully formed. After that, it continues to mature until the day a person dies. This means, no matter how old you are, your brain is still maturing. This is great news because it means you do not have to be stuck in any old or wrong thought patterns. Your brain is still maturing, so you can still mature in your thinking. Trust in Him What comes to mind immediately when I ask: in what way(s) is your mind working against you? Remember, it takes a lifetime for your brain to mature. Trust that it’s never too late to change your mind!
Prayer Starter: Father God, I want my brain to begin working for me rather than against me. Help me as I give my brain this new job to start thinking in more positive ways! In the name of Jesus, amen!
You’re Never Too Old to Grow in Your Thinking
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a leading brain scientist/learning specialist and committed Christian, notes in her teaching on the brain: “The Word and science believe that the mind and the brain are one.” The way you think is voluntary—you can control your thoughts. I want you to give your brain a new job and begin to teach your mind to work for you instead of against you. One important way to do this is to make the intentional decision that you will begin to think positively. I realize your brain won’t be able to fulfill the new role completely overnight. You may be asking it to undergo a radical transformation, and that will take time. So, give it a little grace, but determine that with your diligence and God’s help, your brain will go to work for you instead of against you and become a powerful, positive force in your life.
I like what Dr. Leaf says—that the human brain takes “18 years to grow and a lifetime to mature.” Don’t miss this point. Although every other organ in the body is fully formed when a person is born, and simply gets bigger as the body gets bigger, the brain actually takes a full eighteen years to be fully formed. After that, it continues to mature until the day a person dies. This means, no matter how old you are, your brain is still maturing. This is great news because it means you do not have to be stuck in any old or wrong thought patterns. Your brain is still maturing, so you can still mature in your thinking. Trust in Him What comes to mind immediately when I ask: in what way(s) is your mind working against you? Remember, it takes a lifetime for your brain to mature. Trust that it’s never too late to change your mind!
Prayer Starter: Father God, I want my brain to begin working for me rather than against me. Help me as I give my brain this new job to start thinking in more positive ways! In the name of Jesus, amen!
MARCH 30, 2021
God’s Will and Prayer
Nehemiah 1
Certain aspects of God are beyond our full understanding, and one of them is how He uses our prayers to work out His will. Although He is the sovereign, omnipotent, all-knowing God who needs no one’s help, He has chosen to allow us to participate in the achievement of His divine plans through our prayers.
Nehemiah was moved to pray after hearing about the hardships of the Jews who’d returned to Jerusalem following Babylonian captivity. At the time, he was doing his job as the cupbearer to the King of Persia. But the Lord quickly answered Nehemiah’s prayer by paving the way and providing the resources that would allow him to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem.
Although we may not see answers as dramatic and obvious when we pray, the Lord still wants us to present our needs and believe that He’ll respond in a way that furthers His will for our life. There will be times when we can’t perceive any change, but that doesn’t mean God is not working everything for our good. And remember, even when we don’t pray as we should, the Holy Spirit helps our weakness by interceding for us according to God’s will (Rom. 8:26-28).
God’s Will and Prayer
Nehemiah 1
Certain aspects of God are beyond our full understanding, and one of them is how He uses our prayers to work out His will. Although He is the sovereign, omnipotent, all-knowing God who needs no one’s help, He has chosen to allow us to participate in the achievement of His divine plans through our prayers.
Nehemiah was moved to pray after hearing about the hardships of the Jews who’d returned to Jerusalem following Babylonian captivity. At the time, he was doing his job as the cupbearer to the King of Persia. But the Lord quickly answered Nehemiah’s prayer by paving the way and providing the resources that would allow him to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem.
Although we may not see answers as dramatic and obvious when we pray, the Lord still wants us to present our needs and believe that He’ll respond in a way that furthers His will for our life. There will be times when we can’t perceive any change, but that doesn’t mean God is not working everything for our good. And remember, even when we don’t pray as we should, the Holy Spirit helps our weakness by interceding for us according to God’s will (Rom. 8:26-28).
MARCH 29, 2021
"Holding Fast" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 1:7-9 --- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Critics of the truth and the Word of God are nothing new. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, Satan worked to undermine Eve's reliance on what God had said. In our day we have no problem finding what Paul referred to as “gainsayers.” There are plenty of people willing to speak against the truth. They describe it as old fashioned, out of step with modern understandings and sensibilities. They call it narrow and even bigoted. They say that they refuse to be bound by ancient writings and beliefs.
In the face of these attacks, the most important thing that we can do is to hold fast to the truth ourselves.
We must never let the doubting and criticism of those around us plant the seeds of doubt in our own hearts and minds. We must maintain our allegiance to the truth, never wavering in our belief that what God has said is true and right and trustworthy. What David wrote three thousand years ago is still true today: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).
The best thing we can do to strengthen our faith in what God has said is to be people of the Bible. In our personal lives and in corporate settings, we need to be readying, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. The more determined our culture becomes to undermine it, the more tightly we must hold on to the truth we have received.
Today's Growth Principle: In a day when truth is under attack, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to what we have been taught.
"Holding Fast" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 1:7-9 --- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Critics of the truth and the Word of God are nothing new. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, Satan worked to undermine Eve's reliance on what God had said. In our day we have no problem finding what Paul referred to as “gainsayers.” There are plenty of people willing to speak against the truth. They describe it as old fashioned, out of step with modern understandings and sensibilities. They call it narrow and even bigoted. They say that they refuse to be bound by ancient writings and beliefs.
In the face of these attacks, the most important thing that we can do is to hold fast to the truth ourselves.
We must never let the doubting and criticism of those around us plant the seeds of doubt in our own hearts and minds. We must maintain our allegiance to the truth, never wavering in our belief that what God has said is true and right and trustworthy. What David wrote three thousand years ago is still true today: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).
The best thing we can do to strengthen our faith in what God has said is to be people of the Bible. In our personal lives and in corporate settings, we need to be readying, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. The more determined our culture becomes to undermine it, the more tightly we must hold on to the truth we have received.
Today's Growth Principle: In a day when truth is under attack, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to what we have been taught.
MARCH 28, 2021
Trust God For Today
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:28-34)
Worry is something we all struggle with. Never have I ever met a person who never worried about anything.
There’s plenty for us to worry about – our family, our friends, our job, our money, our time…the list keeps going. But over and over in Scripture we are reminded we have nothing to worry about, because the One who knows all and sees all has everything under control.
As Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, He gives us a beautiful illustration of how the birds of the air and the flowers of the field never have to worry because He takes care of them. And in the same way, we shouldn’t worry either because the Lord is going to take care of us.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a flower break into a sweat. I’ve never seen a flower pacing a flower bed. If you look outside, whether it is tulips, or roses, or lilies, look at these flowers as God’s way of reminding you, “Just as I feed the birds and just as I cloth the flowers, I will feed you and I will cloth you. I will give you the things in life that you need, because surely you understand you are far more valuable than the birds of the air and the flowers of the land.”
So whatever you are worried about today, turn to God. Realize that God is taking care of you. Realize that God’s got your back. Realize that God can handle whatever you are worried about. He’ll handle everything today and He’ll handle everything tomorrow.
Trust God For Today
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:28-34)
Worry is something we all struggle with. Never have I ever met a person who never worried about anything.
There’s plenty for us to worry about – our family, our friends, our job, our money, our time…the list keeps going. But over and over in Scripture we are reminded we have nothing to worry about, because the One who knows all and sees all has everything under control.
As Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, He gives us a beautiful illustration of how the birds of the air and the flowers of the field never have to worry because He takes care of them. And in the same way, we shouldn’t worry either because the Lord is going to take care of us.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a flower break into a sweat. I’ve never seen a flower pacing a flower bed. If you look outside, whether it is tulips, or roses, or lilies, look at these flowers as God’s way of reminding you, “Just as I feed the birds and just as I cloth the flowers, I will feed you and I will cloth you. I will give you the things in life that you need, because surely you understand you are far more valuable than the birds of the air and the flowers of the land.”
So whatever you are worried about today, turn to God. Realize that God is taking care of you. Realize that God’s got your back. Realize that God can handle whatever you are worried about. He’ll handle everything today and He’ll handle everything tomorrow.
MARCH 27, 2021
Faith That Works
Many of us have been taught that faith is the pinnacle of all Christian virtues, that developing strong faith should be at the top of our spiritual to-do lists. Faith is definitely vital to a strong, fruitful life as a believer—without it, we can’t please God (see Hebrews 11:6). But as important as faith is, 1 Corinthians 13:2 says that we can have enough faith to move mountains, but amount to nothing if we don't have love.
"Faith works by love." In other words, love provides the energy for our faith. Knowing God's love for us as individuals and learning to allow His love to flow through us to others is the power behind our faith. Just like a car needs gasoline in order to move, our faith needs the fuel of love to take us where we need to go.
Many people think faith alone is enough, but consider this: How can we place our faith in God unless we’re convinced that He loves us? The assurance of His love empowers us to trust Him and place all our confidence and expectation in Him. Similarly, our personal love walk enables us to receive from God what we ask and believe for when we pray (see 1 John 3:18–23).
Prayer Starter: Father, show me where and how I can grow in showing Your love to those around me. Thank You for loving me so much, and for giving me the ability to love people the way You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Faith That Works
Many of us have been taught that faith is the pinnacle of all Christian virtues, that developing strong faith should be at the top of our spiritual to-do lists. Faith is definitely vital to a strong, fruitful life as a believer—without it, we can’t please God (see Hebrews 11:6). But as important as faith is, 1 Corinthians 13:2 says that we can have enough faith to move mountains, but amount to nothing if we don't have love.
"Faith works by love." In other words, love provides the energy for our faith. Knowing God's love for us as individuals and learning to allow His love to flow through us to others is the power behind our faith. Just like a car needs gasoline in order to move, our faith needs the fuel of love to take us where we need to go.
Many people think faith alone is enough, but consider this: How can we place our faith in God unless we’re convinced that He loves us? The assurance of His love empowers us to trust Him and place all our confidence and expectation in Him. Similarly, our personal love walk enables us to receive from God what we ask and believe for when we pray (see 1 John 3:18–23).
Prayer Starter: Father, show me where and how I can grow in showing Your love to those around me. Thank You for loving me so much, and for giving me the ability to love people the way You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 26, 2021
When Human Strength Fails
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul says that God provides us an escape route whenever we are tempted. But what happens when we refuse to take the help and instead implement our own ideas? Eventually, our human strength fails, and we give in to temptation. So it was with King David. He’d experienced the Lord’s rescue countless times, but he still allowed temptation to fill his mind and dictate his actions. And it came with consequences.
In today’s passage, we see that David took some time off and stayed at the palace, which probably appeared harmless enough—one of the perks of being king. And requesting Bathsheba’s presence must have seemed like a pathway to pleasure. But these choices led to the murder of Bathsheba’s husband and set in motion a cover-up. Ultimately, the Lord demanded an accounting.
Like David, we may consider the company we keep, places we go, and choices we make as relatively harmless. But later, after we’ve succumbed to temptation, we’re filled with regret.
Fortunately, that is not the end of the story for the king or for us. David’s heartfelt repentance was accepted by God, and if we confess, ours will be, too (1 John 1:9). Ask the Lord today for discernment to recognize the temptations in front of you and the strength to take His way of escape.
Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 10-12
When Human Strength Fails
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul says that God provides us an escape route whenever we are tempted. But what happens when we refuse to take the help and instead implement our own ideas? Eventually, our human strength fails, and we give in to temptation. So it was with King David. He’d experienced the Lord’s rescue countless times, but he still allowed temptation to fill his mind and dictate his actions. And it came with consequences.
In today’s passage, we see that David took some time off and stayed at the palace, which probably appeared harmless enough—one of the perks of being king. And requesting Bathsheba’s presence must have seemed like a pathway to pleasure. But these choices led to the murder of Bathsheba’s husband and set in motion a cover-up. Ultimately, the Lord demanded an accounting.
Like David, we may consider the company we keep, places we go, and choices we make as relatively harmless. But later, after we’ve succumbed to temptation, we’re filled with regret.
Fortunately, that is not the end of the story for the king or for us. David’s heartfelt repentance was accepted by God, and if we confess, ours will be, too (1 John 1:9). Ask the Lord today for discernment to recognize the temptations in front of you and the strength to take His way of escape.
Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 10-12
MARCH 25, 2021
Thank God For Yesterday
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
There is a difference between worry and concern. You should be concerned about your children getting a good education, coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and concerned about the relationships they have and the friends that they make. If those things don’t concern you, you are a bad parent. You should be concerned about saving money for a rainy day and planning for retirement. Otherwise, you are foolish.
There are certain things every day that call for legitimate concern. There is a difference between being care-free and care-less. But worry is a different matter and in the greatest sermon ever preached in the history of this planet, by the greatest preacher who ever lived, Jesus Christ, He took this issue of worry head on. He addressed it with the greatest advice any counselor could ever give. Over the next couple of days, we’re going to take a look at what Jesus has to say about worry and how we can overcome the temptation to worry in the circumstances we face each day.
The first thing we need to do if we want to fight the temptation to worry is to thank God for yesterday. One of the best things you can do when you are worried about something is take a trip down memory lane and just remember how God has always come through for you in the past. Your life is like two bookends. From the moment, you are conceived to the moment you die, God was there, God is there, and God will always be there taking care of you.
If you are like me you can look back at so many times in your life and see how God intervened on your behalf, how God provided for a need, or how God protected you from harm. So, remember how God has performed in the past, because there is no reason He won’t perform like that in the present or in the future.
So, if you feel like you’ve got an Egyptian Army behind you and a Red Sea before you and you are worried, the first thing I would say to you is to thank God for yesterday. Remember how God has been faithful in the past and realize He will be faithful in the present and faithful in the future.
Dear Father, thank you for your never-ending faithfulness in my life so far. Thank you for you have come through in all of my yesterdays. Please help me to remember your faithfulness when I’m tempted to worry about the future, trusting that you have everything already figured out. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thank God For Yesterday
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
There is a difference between worry and concern. You should be concerned about your children getting a good education, coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and concerned about the relationships they have and the friends that they make. If those things don’t concern you, you are a bad parent. You should be concerned about saving money for a rainy day and planning for retirement. Otherwise, you are foolish.
There are certain things every day that call for legitimate concern. There is a difference between being care-free and care-less. But worry is a different matter and in the greatest sermon ever preached in the history of this planet, by the greatest preacher who ever lived, Jesus Christ, He took this issue of worry head on. He addressed it with the greatest advice any counselor could ever give. Over the next couple of days, we’re going to take a look at what Jesus has to say about worry and how we can overcome the temptation to worry in the circumstances we face each day.
The first thing we need to do if we want to fight the temptation to worry is to thank God for yesterday. One of the best things you can do when you are worried about something is take a trip down memory lane and just remember how God has always come through for you in the past. Your life is like two bookends. From the moment, you are conceived to the moment you die, God was there, God is there, and God will always be there taking care of you.
If you are like me you can look back at so many times in your life and see how God intervened on your behalf, how God provided for a need, or how God protected you from harm. So, remember how God has performed in the past, because there is no reason He won’t perform like that in the present or in the future.
So, if you feel like you’ve got an Egyptian Army behind you and a Red Sea before you and you are worried, the first thing I would say to you is to thank God for yesterday. Remember how God has been faithful in the past and realize He will be faithful in the present and faithful in the future.
Dear Father, thank you for your never-ending faithfulness in my life so far. Thank you for you have come through in all of my yesterdays. Please help me to remember your faithfulness when I’m tempted to worry about the future, trusting that you have everything already figured out. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 24, 2021
Dying to Live
“Then Jesus said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23
Self-denial. This is what Christ demands. And more importantly, it is what He deserves. Jesus isn’t asking His followers to hate themselves; he is asking them to adore Him. Just as the old hymn says:
“Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.”
The choice to deny self is born out of adoration and gratitude, not obligation. It is the response of a heart that is ever-conscience of Christ’s sacrifice, and always thankful for His grace.
To deny yourself means to disregard your own interests for the sake of Christ and His glory. Following Jesus is not easy. There are times when He leads us to places that we do not want to go. He leads to places that are unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and even undesirable. I mean this both literally and figuratively. Loving our enemies is not comfortable. Forgiveness is not always easy. Putting others needs ahead of our own desires is tough. All of these are examples of how Jesus asks us to deny ourselves.
But, when we hold these acts of self-denial up to the cross…they don’t seem so hard, do they? When we choose to consider Christ’s sacrifice, we realize that He has the right to ask for whatever He desires from our lives. After all, we wouldn’t even have life if it weren’t for Him…physically or spiritually.
And as if what He has already given us isn’t enough, He continues to lavish His grace upon us. Whatever He asks us to give up He will replace with His abundant life. What we find is that the more we sacrifice, the more He gives. In God’s kingdom, death to self is the only way to truly live.
Dear Lord, I want to obey you from a heart full of gratitude, not out of a sense of obligation. Help me to remember to be grateful and thankful each day for all you've done for me, and to live my life in obedience as an overflow of that thankfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.
Dying to Live
“Then Jesus said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23
Self-denial. This is what Christ demands. And more importantly, it is what He deserves. Jesus isn’t asking His followers to hate themselves; he is asking them to adore Him. Just as the old hymn says:
“Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.”
The choice to deny self is born out of adoration and gratitude, not obligation. It is the response of a heart that is ever-conscience of Christ’s sacrifice, and always thankful for His grace.
To deny yourself means to disregard your own interests for the sake of Christ and His glory. Following Jesus is not easy. There are times when He leads us to places that we do not want to go. He leads to places that are unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and even undesirable. I mean this both literally and figuratively. Loving our enemies is not comfortable. Forgiveness is not always easy. Putting others needs ahead of our own desires is tough. All of these are examples of how Jesus asks us to deny ourselves.
But, when we hold these acts of self-denial up to the cross…they don’t seem so hard, do they? When we choose to consider Christ’s sacrifice, we realize that He has the right to ask for whatever He desires from our lives. After all, we wouldn’t even have life if it weren’t for Him…physically or spiritually.
And as if what He has already given us isn’t enough, He continues to lavish His grace upon us. Whatever He asks us to give up He will replace with His abundant life. What we find is that the more we sacrifice, the more He gives. In God’s kingdom, death to self is the only way to truly live.
Dear Lord, I want to obey you from a heart full of gratitude, not out of a sense of obligation. Help me to remember to be grateful and thankful each day for all you've done for me, and to live my life in obedience as an overflow of that thankfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.
MARCH 23, 2021
"I Kept Back Nothing" ---Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 20-19-21 --- Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1770, George Whitefield made his seventh voyage from England to America to once again preach in the colonies. Though he was just fifty-five years old, Whitefield had been in declining health for some time. His voice no longer had the strength to preach to thousands of people at once as he had during the Great Awakening in the 1740s. But there were still many who wanted to hear him. When word spread that he was near Boston, the crowd that gathered in Newburyport was so large that Whitefield addressed them in a field near the church while standing on a barrel.
After the service ended, a number of people gathered at the parsonage where Whitefield was staying, hoping to hear him speak. Though it was late and he was tired, Whitefield placed a lighted candle by the window of his room and told them he would speak “until the candle went out.” He finished his message and went to bed, and sometime later that night his candle did go out, and he entered into the presence of the Lord.
While we certainly should take care of our health and be wise in our choices of how we invest our lives, we should never fall into the trap of holding back from serving God because there will be a cost associated with it. Instead, just as Jesus did, we should gladly the pay the cost of fulfilling the will of God, no matter what that requires. We should end our lives here on earth able to say that we kept back nothing that would have furthered the kingdom of God.
Today's Growth Principle: No matter what sacrifices it may require, service to God is always worth it both in this world and the next.
"I Kept Back Nothing" ---Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 20-19-21 --- Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1770, George Whitefield made his seventh voyage from England to America to once again preach in the colonies. Though he was just fifty-five years old, Whitefield had been in declining health for some time. His voice no longer had the strength to preach to thousands of people at once as he had during the Great Awakening in the 1740s. But there were still many who wanted to hear him. When word spread that he was near Boston, the crowd that gathered in Newburyport was so large that Whitefield addressed them in a field near the church while standing on a barrel.
After the service ended, a number of people gathered at the parsonage where Whitefield was staying, hoping to hear him speak. Though it was late and he was tired, Whitefield placed a lighted candle by the window of his room and told them he would speak “until the candle went out.” He finished his message and went to bed, and sometime later that night his candle did go out, and he entered into the presence of the Lord.
While we certainly should take care of our health and be wise in our choices of how we invest our lives, we should never fall into the trap of holding back from serving God because there will be a cost associated with it. Instead, just as Jesus did, we should gladly the pay the cost of fulfilling the will of God, no matter what that requires. We should end our lives here on earth able to say that we kept back nothing that would have furthered the kingdom of God.
Today's Growth Principle: No matter what sacrifices it may require, service to God is always worth it both in this world and the next.
MARCH 22, 2021
Pro-Grace
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
If I asked you to describe a Christian, what would you say? Would you use words like love, compassion, and grace? Or, would you instead describe a person who is anti-something? Unfortunately, many people outside the Church view Christians as the latter instead of the former.
While Jesus was not primarily known for what He was against, many Christians today are. Jesus was known for serving people who had needs, feeding people who were hungry, healing people who were sick, and even raising people who were dead. Today, however, His followers are often known most widely for what they stand against. Christians are anti-abortion, anti-pre marital sex, or anti-getting drunk.
While we should stand on the truth of God’s Word and speak out against all sin, being anti-sin should not necessarily define us. Jesus was most definitely anti-sin. No one in the history of the world was more against sin than Jesus. But His voice of grace shouted louder than His voice of condemnation. He used His knowledge of God’s truth to encourage people to drop their rocks of judgment and show mercy. He didn’t do this to condone sin, but rather to show the fullness of God’s love. God hates sin…but He loves redemption more.
How would you describe yourself? Is your Christianity more about being for salvation or being against sin?
You see, it is impossible to be for Biblical salvation and not be against sin. But it is possible to have an attitude of condemnation towards sinners without being for their salvation. We must choose to keep our eyes on Christ, so that we can be pro-grace while still holding firmly to the truth of His Word.
Dear Father, thank for today's reminder that I should always strive to be acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Please help me to use Micah 6:8 as a marker for how I live my life each day. In Jesus' name, amen.
Pro-Grace
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
If I asked you to describe a Christian, what would you say? Would you use words like love, compassion, and grace? Or, would you instead describe a person who is anti-something? Unfortunately, many people outside the Church view Christians as the latter instead of the former.
While Jesus was not primarily known for what He was against, many Christians today are. Jesus was known for serving people who had needs, feeding people who were hungry, healing people who were sick, and even raising people who were dead. Today, however, His followers are often known most widely for what they stand against. Christians are anti-abortion, anti-pre marital sex, or anti-getting drunk.
While we should stand on the truth of God’s Word and speak out against all sin, being anti-sin should not necessarily define us. Jesus was most definitely anti-sin. No one in the history of the world was more against sin than Jesus. But His voice of grace shouted louder than His voice of condemnation. He used His knowledge of God’s truth to encourage people to drop their rocks of judgment and show mercy. He didn’t do this to condone sin, but rather to show the fullness of God’s love. God hates sin…but He loves redemption more.
How would you describe yourself? Is your Christianity more about being for salvation or being against sin?
You see, it is impossible to be for Biblical salvation and not be against sin. But it is possible to have an attitude of condemnation towards sinners without being for their salvation. We must choose to keep our eyes on Christ, so that we can be pro-grace while still holding firmly to the truth of His Word.
Dear Father, thank for today's reminder that I should always strive to be acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Please help me to use Micah 6:8 as a marker for how I live my life each day. In Jesus' name, amen.
MARCH 21, 2021
A Godly Detachment
When you think of being detached, what comes to mind? For some, the idea is inherently selfish, as it suggests standing off at a great distance or perhaps building walls—ignoring everyone else’s thoughts, feelings, and tangible needs. But this isn’t the detachment the Lord calls us to practice. He wants us to be free of sinful passions—to live in the world without becoming like it.
That is, God wants us to be a part of the world that He made and loves immensely (Acts 17:24; John 3:16; John 17:15-16). But we should take care not to find our purpose and identity in the systems by which the world operates (Rom. 12:2). We can do this only by being detached in a godly way—not indifferent but free from the control of worldly thinking. And not removed from the lives of others but growing in love.
Think about it
• Is there something in your life that takes priority over loving God with your whole heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unhealthy attachments in your life. Remember, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). Approach Him without fear, asking for help in letting go of whatever holds you back.
A Godly Detachment
When you think of being detached, what comes to mind? For some, the idea is inherently selfish, as it suggests standing off at a great distance or perhaps building walls—ignoring everyone else’s thoughts, feelings, and tangible needs. But this isn’t the detachment the Lord calls us to practice. He wants us to be free of sinful passions—to live in the world without becoming like it.
That is, God wants us to be a part of the world that He made and loves immensely (Acts 17:24; John 3:16; John 17:15-16). But we should take care not to find our purpose and identity in the systems by which the world operates (Rom. 12:2). We can do this only by being detached in a godly way—not indifferent but free from the control of worldly thinking. And not removed from the lives of others but growing in love.
Think about it
• Is there something in your life that takes priority over loving God with your whole heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unhealthy attachments in your life. Remember, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). Approach Him without fear, asking for help in letting go of whatever holds you back.
MARCH 20, 2021
Humility
Humility = in ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth
In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (AMPC) the apostle Paul wrote, But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am.... If we don’t realize that we are what we are by the grace of God, then we’ll think more highly of ourselves than we should.
Proud people compare themselves to others and feel superior if they’re able to do something others can’t do. As Christians, we need to judge ourselves soberly (see Romans 12:3), knowing that without God, we can’t do anything of value and whatever we are able to accomplish is only by His grace.
God gives us a measure of His own faith and ability to do whatever He assigns us in life—it never happens by our own efforts. When we really know this, we’re able to live a humble life.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to always remember that my strength only comes from You. Thank You for enabling me to do all that You’ve called me to do, and for giving me the grace I need to keep a humble attitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Humility
Humility = in ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth
In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (AMPC) the apostle Paul wrote, But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am.... If we don’t realize that we are what we are by the grace of God, then we’ll think more highly of ourselves than we should.
Proud people compare themselves to others and feel superior if they’re able to do something others can’t do. As Christians, we need to judge ourselves soberly (see Romans 12:3), knowing that without God, we can’t do anything of value and whatever we are able to accomplish is only by His grace.
God gives us a measure of His own faith and ability to do whatever He assigns us in life—it never happens by our own efforts. When we really know this, we’re able to live a humble life.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to always remember that my strength only comes from You. Thank You for enabling me to do all that You’ve called me to do, and for giving me the grace I need to keep a humble attitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 19, 2021
A Story to Share --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Psalm 44:1-3 --- We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
One of the great pleasures of being a grandparent is getting to tell a new generation about the wonderful things God has done in our lives. I remember telling my children some of these same stories when they were little. Now we are doing what we can to strengthen and encourage the faith of the next generation.
But something else is important as well—I don't want to just tell them stories from many years ago. I want to be able to tell them and show them what God is doing right now. God has always been faithful through the years, and we must not forget all that He has done for us. But we must also not be content to rest on the past.
God is not through with any of us. The fact that we are still alive and here on earth means that He still has things for us to do. There are new battles to be fought and new foes to be defeated. There are lost people to reach and Christians to encourage. There are new challenges that require new prayers to see new provision.
The God who parted the Red Sea, gave David victory over Goliath, and made the sun stand still for Joshua is the God we love and serve. The God who answered the prayers of Hannah and Esther and Nehemiah hears when we call out to Him. We need new stories of God at work in our lives to share with those who come after us.
Today's Growth Principle: As long as we live, we should be looking for the work God has for us to do and putting ourselves wholly into it.
A Story to Share --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Psalm 44:1-3 --- We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
One of the great pleasures of being a grandparent is getting to tell a new generation about the wonderful things God has done in our lives. I remember telling my children some of these same stories when they were little. Now we are doing what we can to strengthen and encourage the faith of the next generation.
But something else is important as well—I don't want to just tell them stories from many years ago. I want to be able to tell them and show them what God is doing right now. God has always been faithful through the years, and we must not forget all that He has done for us. But we must also not be content to rest on the past.
God is not through with any of us. The fact that we are still alive and here on earth means that He still has things for us to do. There are new battles to be fought and new foes to be defeated. There are lost people to reach and Christians to encourage. There are new challenges that require new prayers to see new provision.
The God who parted the Red Sea, gave David victory over Goliath, and made the sun stand still for Joshua is the God we love and serve. The God who answered the prayers of Hannah and Esther and Nehemiah hears when we call out to Him. We need new stories of God at work in our lives to share with those who come after us.
Today's Growth Principle: As long as we live, we should be looking for the work God has for us to do and putting ourselves wholly into it.
MARCH 18, 2021
Every Spiritual Blessing
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:2-3)
So many people spend their entire lives trying to acquire and stack up the tangible blessings this life on earth has to offer. But as believers and followers of Jesus, we must understand that the greatest blessings in life are not material, because one day either you will lose them, or you will leave them. The greatest blessings in life are spiritual and we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing that can be found in Jesus.
In other words, you don’t need what you already have, and in Jesus you already have all that you need. You have all the love that you need. You have all the joy that you need. You have all of the peace that you need.
You have all the goodness that you need.
We think our problem is we don’t have what we need. But the real problem is we don’t realize that we have it and we can get it anytime we want it. Too often, we ask for something that we already have. We don’t need as much as we think we need, because whatever we need, we already have. Once you realize what you have in Jesus, you will quit asking for God’s blessings and you will start accepting and applying God’s blessings.
How many times have you ever asked God for more patience? You already have all the patience you need.
He has given it to you. How many times have you asked God for peace in your heart? You already have peace; He has given it to you. Whatever you need, trust that in Jesus, it is yours.
Dear Father, thank you for each spiritual blessing you have given to me. I pray that you would help me not to get distracted by material things, but instead to pursue only what has eternal significance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Every Spiritual Blessing
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:2-3)
So many people spend their entire lives trying to acquire and stack up the tangible blessings this life on earth has to offer. But as believers and followers of Jesus, we must understand that the greatest blessings in life are not material, because one day either you will lose them, or you will leave them. The greatest blessings in life are spiritual and we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing that can be found in Jesus.
In other words, you don’t need what you already have, and in Jesus you already have all that you need. You have all the love that you need. You have all the joy that you need. You have all of the peace that you need.
You have all the goodness that you need.
We think our problem is we don’t have what we need. But the real problem is we don’t realize that we have it and we can get it anytime we want it. Too often, we ask for something that we already have. We don’t need as much as we think we need, because whatever we need, we already have. Once you realize what you have in Jesus, you will quit asking for God’s blessings and you will start accepting and applying God’s blessings.
How many times have you ever asked God for more patience? You already have all the patience you need.
He has given it to you. How many times have you asked God for peace in your heart? You already have peace; He has given it to you. Whatever you need, trust that in Jesus, it is yours.
Dear Father, thank you for each spiritual blessing you have given to me. I pray that you would help me not to get distracted by material things, but instead to pursue only what has eternal significance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 17, 2021
Jesus Is Coming
But don't forget this, dear friends. . . . He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.
2 Peter 3:8,9 (TLB)Many people are asking, “Where is history heading?” A careful student of the Bible will be led to see that God controls the clock of destiny. Amid the world’s confusion, God’s omnipotent hand moves, working out His unchanging plan and purpose. Jesus Christ is coming to earth again. It is Christ who is in control, and He will determine the outcome. George Whitefield, the great English evangelist, said, “I am daily waiting for the coming of the Son of God.” But he did not sit down and do nothing. He burned out his life in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
Prayer for the day --- Father, deliver me from slothfulness, keep me quickened to deliver Your message of salvation to everyone who will listen, until that day I die or You return again.
Jesus Is Coming
But don't forget this, dear friends. . . . He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.
2 Peter 3:8,9 (TLB)Many people are asking, “Where is history heading?” A careful student of the Bible will be led to see that God controls the clock of destiny. Amid the world’s confusion, God’s omnipotent hand moves, working out His unchanging plan and purpose. Jesus Christ is coming to earth again. It is Christ who is in control, and He will determine the outcome. George Whitefield, the great English evangelist, said, “I am daily waiting for the coming of the Son of God.” But he did not sit down and do nothing. He burned out his life in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
Prayer for the day --- Father, deliver me from slothfulness, keep me quickened to deliver Your message of salvation to everyone who will listen, until that day I die or You return again.
MARCH 16, 2021
When Someone Fails
Paul’s words remind me of a saying I used to hear often: “Don’t do as I do—do as I say.” The people who say this expect others to live according to rules that they themselves aren’t willing to follow, which is often frustrating to those around them.
This is something many Christians are dealing with today. When they see church leaders or those in authority doing things they know aren’t right, they think, Well, if they’re such great Christians and they can do that . . . it must be okay. This attitude can either lead them to do the same things or even turn away from God altogether.
We need to remember that God has called us to be responsible for our actions. God holds us accountable for every thought, word and action—but our responsibility doesn’t stop with our own lives. We’re also responsible to help lift up others when they fall.
Paul explained this in detail in Galatians 6:1-3, where he laid down three important principles that the enemy doesn’t want us to grasp. First, when we become aware that another believer has fallen into sin, we’re to do whatever we can to help that person get back up.
If any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
- Galatians 6:1-3 AMPC
Even the best of us fail at times, but it’s important to know that the word overtaken doesn’t mean a deliberate, intentional sin. The original meaning is like when someone is walking down an icy sidewalk, and slips and falls. That’s how the Christian life works—everyone slips unintentionally sometimes.
Knowing that, what should be our attitude when see someone else slip? We should offer to help, of course. If someone slips on the ice, don’t you naturally rush over to help that person get up? That’s a basic expression of Christ’s love in us, but the enemy wants to make sure that you don’t reach out or help. He might even whisper something like this, “Just don’t look in her direction. Ignore her. You’re not obligated to help her get up. Why, you don’t even know her.” If we listen to these thoughts long enough, it becomes easier and easier to ignore people in need of help.
The Greek word translated restores was once a medical term used by a surgeon to describe medical procedures like removing a growth from a body or setting a broken arm. The goal is not to see that the person gets punished, but that the person gets healed.
The second point Paul made is that when we find out someone has fallen, instead of pointing fingers and looking down on them, we should look at ourselves. The enemy could’ve tempted us to do the same thing or something else just as bad, or even worse. We all experience temptation and slip ourselves at times, so we need to look with compassion on those who fall and remind ourselves, “Without the grace of God, I would be there.”
The third thing we need to do is to refuse to hold on to pride in our own achievements. If we think we’re more spiritual than someone else, we’re deceiving ourselves. Proverbs 16:18 gives this warning: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” We shouldn’t spend our time comparing our achievements with others’, but instead ask ourselves, Have I really done all that I could have done? When we compare ourselves with the standards Jesus sets for us, we have no reason to be conceited or prideful, but instead we can be humble and thankful that God is at work in our lives.
Prayer Starter: Father, please remind me to help those who have fallen and to see them with compassion, not pride or judgment. Show me how I can help, and give me the strength to come alongside people when they need it. Thank You for Your grace and for lovingly guiding my steps. In Jesus’ name, amen.
When Someone Fails
Paul’s words remind me of a saying I used to hear often: “Don’t do as I do—do as I say.” The people who say this expect others to live according to rules that they themselves aren’t willing to follow, which is often frustrating to those around them.
This is something many Christians are dealing with today. When they see church leaders or those in authority doing things they know aren’t right, they think, Well, if they’re such great Christians and they can do that . . . it must be okay. This attitude can either lead them to do the same things or even turn away from God altogether.
We need to remember that God has called us to be responsible for our actions. God holds us accountable for every thought, word and action—but our responsibility doesn’t stop with our own lives. We’re also responsible to help lift up others when they fall.
Paul explained this in detail in Galatians 6:1-3, where he laid down three important principles that the enemy doesn’t want us to grasp. First, when we become aware that another believer has fallen into sin, we’re to do whatever we can to help that person get back up.
If any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
- Galatians 6:1-3 AMPC
Even the best of us fail at times, but it’s important to know that the word overtaken doesn’t mean a deliberate, intentional sin. The original meaning is like when someone is walking down an icy sidewalk, and slips and falls. That’s how the Christian life works—everyone slips unintentionally sometimes.
Knowing that, what should be our attitude when see someone else slip? We should offer to help, of course. If someone slips on the ice, don’t you naturally rush over to help that person get up? That’s a basic expression of Christ’s love in us, but the enemy wants to make sure that you don’t reach out or help. He might even whisper something like this, “Just don’t look in her direction. Ignore her. You’re not obligated to help her get up. Why, you don’t even know her.” If we listen to these thoughts long enough, it becomes easier and easier to ignore people in need of help.
The Greek word translated restores was once a medical term used by a surgeon to describe medical procedures like removing a growth from a body or setting a broken arm. The goal is not to see that the person gets punished, but that the person gets healed.
The second point Paul made is that when we find out someone has fallen, instead of pointing fingers and looking down on them, we should look at ourselves. The enemy could’ve tempted us to do the same thing or something else just as bad, or even worse. We all experience temptation and slip ourselves at times, so we need to look with compassion on those who fall and remind ourselves, “Without the grace of God, I would be there.”
The third thing we need to do is to refuse to hold on to pride in our own achievements. If we think we’re more spiritual than someone else, we’re deceiving ourselves. Proverbs 16:18 gives this warning: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” We shouldn’t spend our time comparing our achievements with others’, but instead ask ourselves, Have I really done all that I could have done? When we compare ourselves with the standards Jesus sets for us, we have no reason to be conceited or prideful, but instead we can be humble and thankful that God is at work in our lives.
Prayer Starter: Father, please remind me to help those who have fallen and to see them with compassion, not pride or judgment. Show me how I can help, and give me the strength to come alongside people when they need it. Thank You for Your grace and for lovingly guiding my steps. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 15, 2021
The Holy Spirit: An Absolute
Luke 24:36-49
Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior--He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater.
Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God's Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2, Gen. 1:26). Today, He has the critical role of helping and counseling all believers.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn't something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege--by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey.
Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings.
The Holy Spirit: An Absolute
Luke 24:36-49
Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior--He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater.
Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God's Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2, Gen. 1:26). Today, He has the critical role of helping and counseling all believers.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn't something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege--by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey.
Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings.
MARCH 14, 2021
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the
Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the
Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
MARCH 13, 2021
Free Of Sin Debt
“1 John 2:2 --- And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
Defining grace is no easy task. It’s one of those concepts that is so deep and beautiful it is impossible to fully express with words. Like trying to capture the vastness of the Grand Canyon in a photograph, words just don’t do grace justice. Even Jesus talked about grace mainly through stories, or parables.
Author Philip Yancey shared this story to try and explain grace: “I remember once getting stuck in Los Angeles traffic and arriving 58 minutes late at the Hertz rental desk. I walked up in kind of a bad mood, put the keys down and asked, ‘How much do I owe?’ The woman says, ‘Nothing, you’re all clear.’ I reminded her I was late and she smiled, ‘Yes, but there’s a one-hour grace period.’ So I asked, ‘Oh really, what is grace?’ And she said, ‘I don’t know. I guess what it means is that even though you’re supposed to pay, you don’t have to.”
That is a good beginning to the definition of grace. I would take it a step further to add that even though we are supposed to pay, we couldn’t pay; and we do not have to under God’s grace. But our sin debt was not written off. It was still paid – just not by us. God sent His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for our sin. That word, propitiation, is daunting. In the Greek language, it simply means “appeasement or satisfaction.”
Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied, or appeased, God’s righteous wrath towards our sin. That debt was owed; and it had to be paid. Salvation is God’s gift, purchased by the blood of His Son. There is a Christian hymn with these lyrics:
I had a debt I could not pay,
He paid the debt He did not owe,
I needed someone,
To wash my sins away.
And now I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace,” all day long,
Christ Jesus paid the debt,
That I could never pay.
As Christ followers who have been redeemed by His grace, we must never forget that Someone else paid our debt. Jesus took our place, so that in Him we might live debt free.
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking my place and paying my debt on the cross. I pray that you would give me the opportunity this week to share this truth of your salvation with someone who needs to know the grace of God. In Jesus' name, amen.
Free Of Sin Debt
“1 John 2:2 --- And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
Defining grace is no easy task. It’s one of those concepts that is so deep and beautiful it is impossible to fully express with words. Like trying to capture the vastness of the Grand Canyon in a photograph, words just don’t do grace justice. Even Jesus talked about grace mainly through stories, or parables.
Author Philip Yancey shared this story to try and explain grace: “I remember once getting stuck in Los Angeles traffic and arriving 58 minutes late at the Hertz rental desk. I walked up in kind of a bad mood, put the keys down and asked, ‘How much do I owe?’ The woman says, ‘Nothing, you’re all clear.’ I reminded her I was late and she smiled, ‘Yes, but there’s a one-hour grace period.’ So I asked, ‘Oh really, what is grace?’ And she said, ‘I don’t know. I guess what it means is that even though you’re supposed to pay, you don’t have to.”
That is a good beginning to the definition of grace. I would take it a step further to add that even though we are supposed to pay, we couldn’t pay; and we do not have to under God’s grace. But our sin debt was not written off. It was still paid – just not by us. God sent His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for our sin. That word, propitiation, is daunting. In the Greek language, it simply means “appeasement or satisfaction.”
Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied, or appeased, God’s righteous wrath towards our sin. That debt was owed; and it had to be paid. Salvation is God’s gift, purchased by the blood of His Son. There is a Christian hymn with these lyrics:
I had a debt I could not pay,
He paid the debt He did not owe,
I needed someone,
To wash my sins away.
And now I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace,” all day long,
Christ Jesus paid the debt,
That I could never pay.
As Christ followers who have been redeemed by His grace, we must never forget that Someone else paid our debt. Jesus took our place, so that in Him we might live debt free.
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking my place and paying my debt on the cross. I pray that you would give me the opportunity this week to share this truth of your salvation with someone who needs to know the grace of God. In Jesus' name, amen.
MARCH 12, 2021
Growing as a Christian
1 Corinthians 3:1 (TLB) --- Dear brothers, I have been talking to you as though you were still just babies in the Christian life . . .
Some people have received Christ but have never reached spiritual maturity. They have been in church all their lives, and yet they have never become mature Christians. They are still considered “spiritual children” and “babes in Christ.” They know little Scripture. They have little desire to pray, and bear few of the marks of a Christian in their daily living. To say, “I will resolve to do better, I will muster all my will power and revise my way of living,” is noble, but futile. A corpse could as well say, “I will-through sheer effort-rise out of this coffin and be a living man again.” You need a power outside yourself. You cannot get over the habits and chains that are binding you. You need outside help. You need Christ.
The Bible tells of a bridge of faith which reaches from the valley of despair to the high hills of glorious hope in Christ. It tells where we are, but beyond that-it tells where we may be in Christ. Now, of course, you will not be completely mature until you are in the presence of Christ, but you should be growing every day as a Christian.
Prayer for the day Lord, work through me this day, that I might be maturing as a Christian and come to know You better, that I might know Your perfect will for me.
Growing as a Christian
1 Corinthians 3:1 (TLB) --- Dear brothers, I have been talking to you as though you were still just babies in the Christian life . . .
Some people have received Christ but have never reached spiritual maturity. They have been in church all their lives, and yet they have never become mature Christians. They are still considered “spiritual children” and “babes in Christ.” They know little Scripture. They have little desire to pray, and bear few of the marks of a Christian in their daily living. To say, “I will resolve to do better, I will muster all my will power and revise my way of living,” is noble, but futile. A corpse could as well say, “I will-through sheer effort-rise out of this coffin and be a living man again.” You need a power outside yourself. You cannot get over the habits and chains that are binding you. You need outside help. You need Christ.
The Bible tells of a bridge of faith which reaches from the valley of despair to the high hills of glorious hope in Christ. It tells where we are, but beyond that-it tells where we may be in Christ. Now, of course, you will not be completely mature until you are in the presence of Christ, but you should be growing every day as a Christian.
Prayer for the day Lord, work through me this day, that I might be maturing as a Christian and come to know You better, that I might know Your perfect will for me.
MARCH 11, 2021
No Looking Back
Part of the beauty of what happens when God heals your soul is that He offers you a fresh start—a whole new beginning. But embracing the new life He has for you will be very difficult if you’re still holding on to the past. Think of it like this: If you’re walking through the grocery store with your hands full of oranges and someone tries to give you several apples to carry, you can’t hold them. In order to take the apples, you have to put down the oranges. In the same way, you have to let go of the past to pick up the new beginning God offers you.
Part of freeing yourself from the load of your past means refusing to look back and not replaying certain scenarios in your mind. Refusing to look back means resisting regret, turning away from past relationships that aren’t good for you, and letting go of mistakes and feelings like guilt and shame. Paul writes in Philippians 3:13 that he forgets what lies behind and strains “forward to what lies ahead.” It’s interesting that Paul says he strains forward. This tells us that moving ahead requires effort, which isn’t always easy.
Letting go of the past can be hard to do, but it’s much better than remaining stuck in it.
When God asks us to let go of the past and look toward a better future, He also gives us the grace to do it.
We need to be very careful about thinking or saying that what He asks of us is too hard. Nothing is too difficult for Him (see Jeremiah 32:17), and His Spirit in us empowers us to do everything He’s called us to do (see 1 Corinthians 3:16).
In Genesis 19, a man named Lot and his family lived in a city so filled with sin and perversion that God destroyed it completely. But before He did, God sent angels to warn Lot ahead of time, telling him to get out of the city with his wife and daughters. When the angels took them by the hand and led them away, they said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop . . .(Genesis 19:17 ESV). But Lot’s wife looked back anyway—and turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19:26). Her decision to look back not only kept her from escaping, but robbed her of the better life she could have had—it cost her everything.
I want to encourage you to keep looking ahead and keep moving forward, so you can enjoy the beautiful life God has waiting for you!
Prayer Starter: Father, please show me where I’m stuck in the past, and give me the grace to let go of any unhealthy ties I may be holding onto. Thank You for the gift of a new beginning. In Jesus’ name, amen.
No Looking Back
Part of the beauty of what happens when God heals your soul is that He offers you a fresh start—a whole new beginning. But embracing the new life He has for you will be very difficult if you’re still holding on to the past. Think of it like this: If you’re walking through the grocery store with your hands full of oranges and someone tries to give you several apples to carry, you can’t hold them. In order to take the apples, you have to put down the oranges. In the same way, you have to let go of the past to pick up the new beginning God offers you.
Part of freeing yourself from the load of your past means refusing to look back and not replaying certain scenarios in your mind. Refusing to look back means resisting regret, turning away from past relationships that aren’t good for you, and letting go of mistakes and feelings like guilt and shame. Paul writes in Philippians 3:13 that he forgets what lies behind and strains “forward to what lies ahead.” It’s interesting that Paul says he strains forward. This tells us that moving ahead requires effort, which isn’t always easy.
Letting go of the past can be hard to do, but it’s much better than remaining stuck in it.
When God asks us to let go of the past and look toward a better future, He also gives us the grace to do it.
We need to be very careful about thinking or saying that what He asks of us is too hard. Nothing is too difficult for Him (see Jeremiah 32:17), and His Spirit in us empowers us to do everything He’s called us to do (see 1 Corinthians 3:16).
In Genesis 19, a man named Lot and his family lived in a city so filled with sin and perversion that God destroyed it completely. But before He did, God sent angels to warn Lot ahead of time, telling him to get out of the city with his wife and daughters. When the angels took them by the hand and led them away, they said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop . . .(Genesis 19:17 ESV). But Lot’s wife looked back anyway—and turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19:26). Her decision to look back not only kept her from escaping, but robbed her of the better life she could have had—it cost her everything.
I want to encourage you to keep looking ahead and keep moving forward, so you can enjoy the beautiful life God has waiting for you!
Prayer Starter: Father, please show me where I’m stuck in the past, and give me the grace to let go of any unhealthy ties I may be holding onto. Thank You for the gift of a new beginning. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 10, 2021
Guarding Against Doubt
Do you doubt your salvation? Today’s passage says quite plainly that Jesus is “able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him,” since He’s always interceding for them in heaven (Heb. 7:25). Knowing this, let’s take a moment to understand what leads us to doubt—and then let’s counter each of those falsehoods with truth from God’s Word.
Sin makes us feel estranged from God, but His Word says that if we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Legalism says salvation is maintained by obedience to manmade rules. Salvation, however, isn’t begun or sustained by works (Gal. 3:1-5).
Feelings can make us question whether we are saved, but they aren’t a reliable gauge of truth. Regardless of any doubts we sense in our heart, Scripture promises that Jesus will complete the good work He began in us (Phil. 1:6).
Satan is an accuser, who constantly reminds us of our sin and shame. But Paul assures us that no one can bring a charge against God’s elect (Rom. 8:33-34).
Don’t let negative influences undermine your confidence in Christ’s ability to save and keep you forever. When doubts come, cling to these truths and boldly proclaim what the Bible says.
Guarding Against Doubt
Do you doubt your salvation? Today’s passage says quite plainly that Jesus is “able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him,” since He’s always interceding for them in heaven (Heb. 7:25). Knowing this, let’s take a moment to understand what leads us to doubt—and then let’s counter each of those falsehoods with truth from God’s Word.
Sin makes us feel estranged from God, but His Word says that if we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Legalism says salvation is maintained by obedience to manmade rules. Salvation, however, isn’t begun or sustained by works (Gal. 3:1-5).
Feelings can make us question whether we are saved, but they aren’t a reliable gauge of truth. Regardless of any doubts we sense in our heart, Scripture promises that Jesus will complete the good work He began in us (Phil. 1:6).
Satan is an accuser, who constantly reminds us of our sin and shame. But Paul assures us that no one can bring a charge against God’s elect (Rom. 8:33-34).
Don’t let negative influences undermine your confidence in Christ’s ability to save and keep you forever. When doubts come, cling to these truths and boldly proclaim what the Bible says.
MARCH 9, 2021
"Jesus Only" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Mark 9:5-8 --- And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
Helen Lemmel was born into the home of a pastor in England, and moved with her family to the United States when she was a teenager. Her beautiful singing voice made a name for her, yet despite many secular job offers she insisted on using her talent for God. She taught music at Moody Bible Institute and led women's singing groups for Billy Sunday revivals. Later in her life, she contracted a disease and lost her eyesight. Tragically ,her husband left her, leaving her to fend for herself. She began writing poems and hymns, including these words:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
There are always other things on which we can focus, but whether those things are good or bad, they must not be allowed to take the central place of Jesus in our hearts and minds. He alone is worthy of our unlimited love and devotion. While many of us have been blessed to have good and godly examples to follow in our lives, we should be focused on Jesus. While many of us have been blessed with financial resources and possessions beyond what most of the world can imagine, we should be focused on Jesus.
Even when Moses and Elijah were present on the Mount of Transfiguration, God told the disciples that they should focus on listening to Jesus.
Today's Growth Principle: If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, nothing of this world will be able to draw us away from Him.
"Jesus Only" --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Mark 9:5-8 --- And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
Helen Lemmel was born into the home of a pastor in England, and moved with her family to the United States when she was a teenager. Her beautiful singing voice made a name for her, yet despite many secular job offers she insisted on using her talent for God. She taught music at Moody Bible Institute and led women's singing groups for Billy Sunday revivals. Later in her life, she contracted a disease and lost her eyesight. Tragically ,her husband left her, leaving her to fend for herself. She began writing poems and hymns, including these words:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
There are always other things on which we can focus, but whether those things are good or bad, they must not be allowed to take the central place of Jesus in our hearts and minds. He alone is worthy of our unlimited love and devotion. While many of us have been blessed to have good and godly examples to follow in our lives, we should be focused on Jesus. While many of us have been blessed with financial resources and possessions beyond what most of the world can imagine, we should be focused on Jesus.
Even when Moses and Elijah were present on the Mount of Transfiguration, God told the disciples that they should focus on listening to Jesus.
Today's Growth Principle: If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, nothing of this world will be able to draw us away from Him.
MARCH 8, 2021
Isaiah 14:12-15 --- How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
The very beginning of Satan's rebellion against God was driven by pride. He wanted the praise and glory and position that only belong to God. Yet rather than getting him the promotion he coveted, pride drove Satan's fall from the heights of Heaven to the depths of Hell. Pride has been a sin from the beginning, and it is still one of the most prominent and prevalent sins in our world today. And if we allow it in our lives, it will produce the same destruction that it did with the devil at the beginning.
God freely invites us to come to Him. But we must come in humility. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). The temptation of pride is so appealing, and too often we may fail to recognize it for the threat that it is. We listen to the voices of praise and flattery, and begin to believe them. We look at the accomplishments God has allowed us to achieve and think they are our victories rather than His. Humility is not attractive to us in the way that pride is. It requires us to put others ahead of ourselves. It requires us to give God credit rather than claiming it for our own. But humility is essential, and it is attractive to God. We cannot be filled with God's Spirit if we are full of ourselves.
Today's Growth Principle: To fulfill God's purposes for our lives, we must humble ourselves.
Isaiah 14:12-15 --- How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
The very beginning of Satan's rebellion against God was driven by pride. He wanted the praise and glory and position that only belong to God. Yet rather than getting him the promotion he coveted, pride drove Satan's fall from the heights of Heaven to the depths of Hell. Pride has been a sin from the beginning, and it is still one of the most prominent and prevalent sins in our world today. And if we allow it in our lives, it will produce the same destruction that it did with the devil at the beginning.
God freely invites us to come to Him. But we must come in humility. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). The temptation of pride is so appealing, and too often we may fail to recognize it for the threat that it is. We listen to the voices of praise and flattery, and begin to believe them. We look at the accomplishments God has allowed us to achieve and think they are our victories rather than His. Humility is not attractive to us in the way that pride is. It requires us to put others ahead of ourselves. It requires us to give God credit rather than claiming it for our own. But humility is essential, and it is attractive to God. We cannot be filled with God's Spirit if we are full of ourselves.
Today's Growth Principle: To fulfill God's purposes for our lives, we must humble ourselves.
MARCH 7, 2021
Passions and Patience
When young children want something they can’t have immediately, it often becomes their unrelenting focus. They persistently ask for new toys, experiences, or additional treats, perhaps even throwing a tantrum when their request is denied. If we’re honest, there are times we behave like that with God.
During the early days of the church, the word passion referred to these persistent, uncontrolled desires of the flesh that draw us away from God. When Paul wrote to the Galatians, this is exactly what he wanted them to remember—that to belong to Jesus means that these passions have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20; Gal. 5:24).
We deal with harmful desires by taking slow, measured steps away from them and toward the Lord. It’s only as we relinquish our passions and retrain our focus that we’ll realize our fulfillment comes from Christ alone. But remember, you don’t have to get there all at once. It takes patience to surrender your passions and actively seek the Lord.
Think about it
• Throughout the day, notice what things you’re attached to by asking, What holds my attention most of the time? Consider writing them down or discussing them with a trusted friend.
Passions and Patience
When young children want something they can’t have immediately, it often becomes their unrelenting focus. They persistently ask for new toys, experiences, or additional treats, perhaps even throwing a tantrum when their request is denied. If we’re honest, there are times we behave like that with God.
During the early days of the church, the word passion referred to these persistent, uncontrolled desires of the flesh that draw us away from God. When Paul wrote to the Galatians, this is exactly what he wanted them to remember—that to belong to Jesus means that these passions have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20; Gal. 5:24).
We deal with harmful desires by taking slow, measured steps away from them and toward the Lord. It’s only as we relinquish our passions and retrain our focus that we’ll realize our fulfillment comes from Christ alone. But remember, you don’t have to get there all at once. It takes patience to surrender your passions and actively seek the Lord.
Think about it
• Throughout the day, notice what things you’re attached to by asking, What holds my attention most of the time? Consider writing them down or discussing them with a trusted friend.
MARCH 6, 2021
Fighting with Faith
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Romans 6:6-7
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." - Gertrude Jekyll
Throughout the New Testament, God’s ways are likened to those of a gardener. And in the garden of God, whatever dies produces fruit (John 12:24, John 15:2). Also found throughout the New Testament is the truth that believers have died with Christ and received new life in Him (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3). The “old self,” or “flesh,” has been crucified with Christ. But what does that mean?
Obviously believers have not literally stopped breathing, died, and been physically resurrected. The “old self” is the person who used to rebel against God. It is the “me” who used to trust my own strength, feelings, and wisdom instead of God’s. It is the old me who did nothing out of faith…even “good things.”
Therefore, that person never pleased God because it is impossible to do so without faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Romans 6:6-7 says that this death has freed us from sin. And yet, we still sin…often even struggling with the same sin over and over. So how do we live this life of freedom? We must go to war with sin. But the key to victory is not legalism; it is faith. So how do we fight sin with faith?
Out of all the armor that God gives us to fight Satan (Ephesians 6:10-17), only one piece is used for killing – the Sword of the Spirit. And when it comes to fighting sin, killing is the goal every time. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. So how does faith fit in? Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Word of God reminds us of what is true. When we are tempted to sin, God’s Word cuts through the lie that a temporary pleasure can fulfill us or bring lasting happiness. The Word beckons us to trust God and His promise of lasting joy.
Dear Lord, I know the only way I'm going to be able to fight against sin and temptation is with your Word and your truth. Help me to run to you by spending time in your Word each day so that I'm equipped for battle. In Jesus' name, amen.
Fighting with Faith
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Romans 6:6-7
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." - Gertrude Jekyll
Throughout the New Testament, God’s ways are likened to those of a gardener. And in the garden of God, whatever dies produces fruit (John 12:24, John 15:2). Also found throughout the New Testament is the truth that believers have died with Christ and received new life in Him (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3). The “old self,” or “flesh,” has been crucified with Christ. But what does that mean?
Obviously believers have not literally stopped breathing, died, and been physically resurrected. The “old self” is the person who used to rebel against God. It is the “me” who used to trust my own strength, feelings, and wisdom instead of God’s. It is the old me who did nothing out of faith…even “good things.”
Therefore, that person never pleased God because it is impossible to do so without faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Romans 6:6-7 says that this death has freed us from sin. And yet, we still sin…often even struggling with the same sin over and over. So how do we live this life of freedom? We must go to war with sin. But the key to victory is not legalism; it is faith. So how do we fight sin with faith?
Out of all the armor that God gives us to fight Satan (Ephesians 6:10-17), only one piece is used for killing – the Sword of the Spirit. And when it comes to fighting sin, killing is the goal every time. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. So how does faith fit in? Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Word of God reminds us of what is true. When we are tempted to sin, God’s Word cuts through the lie that a temporary pleasure can fulfill us or bring lasting happiness. The Word beckons us to trust God and His promise of lasting joy.
Dear Lord, I know the only way I'm going to be able to fight against sin and temptation is with your Word and your truth. Help me to run to you by spending time in your Word each day so that I'm equipped for battle. In Jesus' name, amen.
MARCH 5, 2021
Honest Prayers
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? (Habakkuk 1:2)
In the book of Habakkuk, we see that the prophet Habakkuk realizes his people are in deep trouble. They disregarded God’s word. They disobeyed God’s law. He has been praying for God to do something, but instead of his prayer becoming a solution, it had become a problem. He had been praying to God for a long time. Week after week, month after month, year after year, he had been crying out to God. His frustration was now at Code Red. In fact, this is what makes Habakkuk a different kind of prophet from every other prophet in the Old Testament.
Normally, a prophet confronts his people, but Habakkuk confronts God. He is contending with God. He is more upset with God’s indifference than he is with his people’s iniquity. It is almost as if he basically says to God, “I know you aren’t dead, but are you deaf?”
Have you ever had the experience of praying about something and praying about it hard and long? Praying about it with all the faith that you could muster? Thinking it was a no-brainer for God to hear you and to answer you and to do what you wanted, and you got no response? Then, you know exactly what Habakkuk was going through.
So follow Habakkuk’s example if you are frustrated with God, and tell Him what’s bothering you. Because guess what? He knows you are anyway. Are you questioning God? Go ahead and question him. He knows what you are asking any way. God can handle your questions, your frustrations, and your doubts, and He wants the opportunity to do so when you contend with Him.
Dear Father, thank you for this reminder that you know what’s on my heart even before I tell you. Give me the faith and the boldness to continue coming to you in prayer, even when I’m left waiting. Help me not to doubt that you hear me, but rather be confident that you’re listening and working in ways I can’t see. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Honest Prayers
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? (Habakkuk 1:2)
In the book of Habakkuk, we see that the prophet Habakkuk realizes his people are in deep trouble. They disregarded God’s word. They disobeyed God’s law. He has been praying for God to do something, but instead of his prayer becoming a solution, it had become a problem. He had been praying to God for a long time. Week after week, month after month, year after year, he had been crying out to God. His frustration was now at Code Red. In fact, this is what makes Habakkuk a different kind of prophet from every other prophet in the Old Testament.
Normally, a prophet confronts his people, but Habakkuk confronts God. He is contending with God. He is more upset with God’s indifference than he is with his people’s iniquity. It is almost as if he basically says to God, “I know you aren’t dead, but are you deaf?”
Have you ever had the experience of praying about something and praying about it hard and long? Praying about it with all the faith that you could muster? Thinking it was a no-brainer for God to hear you and to answer you and to do what you wanted, and you got no response? Then, you know exactly what Habakkuk was going through.
So follow Habakkuk’s example if you are frustrated with God, and tell Him what’s bothering you. Because guess what? He knows you are anyway. Are you questioning God? Go ahead and question him. He knows what you are asking any way. God can handle your questions, your frustrations, and your doubts, and He wants the opportunity to do so when you contend with Him.
Dear Father, thank you for this reminder that you know what’s on my heart even before I tell you. Give me the faith and the boldness to continue coming to you in prayer, even when I’m left waiting. Help me not to doubt that you hear me, but rather be confident that you’re listening and working in ways I can’t see. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 4, 2021
Rejoice and Be Glad
Countless serious things are going on in this world, and we do need to be aware and prepared for them.
But at the same time, because of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can learn to relax and take things as they come without getting nervous and upset about them.
Thankfully, with God’s help, we can learn how to enjoy the abundant life He’s provided for us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Twice in Philippians 4: 4–7, the apostle Paul tells us to rejoice, and he urges us not to worry or have any anxiety about anything, but to pray and give thanks to God in everything—not only after every difficulty is over. In spite of all the troubling things going on around us, our attitude can be, “This is the day the Lord has made, so I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
I want to encourage you to take some time today to thank God and give Him the things you’re worried about. As you do, it’ll become easier and easier to breathe, rest and enjoy life.
Prayer Starter: Father, no matter what goes on around me today, thank You that I can still rest, knowing You’re taking care of me. Please help me remember to rejoice, even in harder situations. Thank You for giving me joy that’s not found in my circumstances, so no one can take it away. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Rejoice and Be Glad
Countless serious things are going on in this world, and we do need to be aware and prepared for them.
But at the same time, because of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can learn to relax and take things as they come without getting nervous and upset about them.
Thankfully, with God’s help, we can learn how to enjoy the abundant life He’s provided for us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Twice in Philippians 4: 4–7, the apostle Paul tells us to rejoice, and he urges us not to worry or have any anxiety about anything, but to pray and give thanks to God in everything—not only after every difficulty is over. In spite of all the troubling things going on around us, our attitude can be, “This is the day the Lord has made, so I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
I want to encourage you to take some time today to thank God and give Him the things you’re worried about. As you do, it’ll become easier and easier to breathe, rest and enjoy life.
Prayer Starter: Father, no matter what goes on around me today, thank You that I can still rest, knowing You’re taking care of me. Please help me remember to rejoice, even in harder situations. Thank You for giving me joy that’s not found in my circumstances, so no one can take it away. In Jesus’ name, amen.
MARCH 3, 2021
The Struggle With Jealousy
1 Samuel 18:5-16
Jealousy is an emotion of displeasure over someone else’s good fortune. Constantly comparing ourselves to others leads to discontent, resentment, and bitterness. If these negative emotions remain unchecked, they can poison our relationships. What’s more, they can eventually flare into suspicion, anger, and hostility.
This is what happened to King Saul. His jealousy caused him to distrust David, who had served him faithfully. Saul’s suspicious attitude led to hostility and irrational behavior—so much so that he hurled a spear at David while the young man was playing music (1 Samuel 18:10-12). Instead of being grateful for David’s loyalty and steadfast service, the king repaid him with animosity and death threats. As a result, David was eventually forced to flee and hide in the wilderness (1 Samuel 23:15-26).
Jealousy is not something to be excused or rationalized. Ask the Lord to examine your heart and show you if any of these symptoms of jealousy are present in your life. If they are, confess them as sin and ask Him to uproot them from your heart. Then focus on God’s faithfulness instead of comparing yourself with others.
The Struggle With Jealousy
1 Samuel 18:5-16
Jealousy is an emotion of displeasure over someone else’s good fortune. Constantly comparing ourselves to others leads to discontent, resentment, and bitterness. If these negative emotions remain unchecked, they can poison our relationships. What’s more, they can eventually flare into suspicion, anger, and hostility.
This is what happened to King Saul. His jealousy caused him to distrust David, who had served him faithfully. Saul’s suspicious attitude led to hostility and irrational behavior—so much so that he hurled a spear at David while the young man was playing music (1 Samuel 18:10-12). Instead of being grateful for David’s loyalty and steadfast service, the king repaid him with animosity and death threats. As a result, David was eventually forced to flee and hide in the wilderness (1 Samuel 23:15-26).
Jealousy is not something to be excused or rationalized. Ask the Lord to examine your heart and show you if any of these symptoms of jealousy are present in your life. If they are, confess them as sin and ask Him to uproot them from your heart. Then focus on God’s faithfulness instead of comparing yourself with others.
MARCH 2, 2021
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
MARCH 1, 2021
Life Lessons
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
British missionary, A. Wetherell Johnson, was serving in China until 1950, when Mao Tse-tung’s communist regime forced missionaries to leave. She loved China deeply. With a torn heart she moved to the United States. Five ladies in San Bernardino, California, asked her to teach a Bible study. Here are her words, “My heart fell! What had I come to? In China there are millions who have not even heard His name. Am I to give more to those who already have so much?” Reluctantly she promised to pray about leading the study. She did say yes, but told them she would not spoon-feed them the Bible. She prepared lesson questions to help them learn to dig deeper into God’s Word themselves. This small group eventually became Bible Study Fellowship, which has grown to over 1,000 classes with more than 200,000 members in 38 nations across six continents!
Dashed hopes are often the breeding ground for God to do great things in our lives. It doesn’t matter how much education or money one has. We all gain trust in God lesson by lesson, truth by truth. Each time we choose to trust Him, He gives us reason to trust Him more. Each step of faith illuminates the next, until eventually we learn that His direction is always best, even when we may not understand it or even like it.
When we choose to trust God with our whole heart, we unlock the abundance of His grace and wisdom in our lives. It is wonderfully freeing to realize that we don’t have to have all of the answers. All we need is a willingness to follow. This willingness requires complete surrender. It means letting go of controlling the situations and outcomes in our lives. It means letting go of trying to control others’ perceptions of us. This trust comes with a promise…He will direct the paths of our lives.
Dear Lord, how grateful I am that you are in complete control of my life so I don't have to worry. Help me to surrender to your guidance and your will when I'm tempted to control things in my own strength. In Jesus' name, amen.
Life Lessons
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
British missionary, A. Wetherell Johnson, was serving in China until 1950, when Mao Tse-tung’s communist regime forced missionaries to leave. She loved China deeply. With a torn heart she moved to the United States. Five ladies in San Bernardino, California, asked her to teach a Bible study. Here are her words, “My heart fell! What had I come to? In China there are millions who have not even heard His name. Am I to give more to those who already have so much?” Reluctantly she promised to pray about leading the study. She did say yes, but told them she would not spoon-feed them the Bible. She prepared lesson questions to help them learn to dig deeper into God’s Word themselves. This small group eventually became Bible Study Fellowship, which has grown to over 1,000 classes with more than 200,000 members in 38 nations across six continents!
Dashed hopes are often the breeding ground for God to do great things in our lives. It doesn’t matter how much education or money one has. We all gain trust in God lesson by lesson, truth by truth. Each time we choose to trust Him, He gives us reason to trust Him more. Each step of faith illuminates the next, until eventually we learn that His direction is always best, even when we may not understand it or even like it.
When we choose to trust God with our whole heart, we unlock the abundance of His grace and wisdom in our lives. It is wonderfully freeing to realize that we don’t have to have all of the answers. All we need is a willingness to follow. This willingness requires complete surrender. It means letting go of controlling the situations and outcomes in our lives. It means letting go of trying to control others’ perceptions of us. This trust comes with a promise…He will direct the paths of our lives.
Dear Lord, how grateful I am that you are in complete control of my life so I don't have to worry. Help me to surrender to your guidance and your will when I'm tempted to control things in my own strength. In Jesus' name, amen.
FEBRUARY 28, 2021
He Gives us Life Eternal
Recently I read that it will cost this country a hundred billion dollars to get one man safely to Mars. It cost God the priceless blood of His only Son to get us sinners to heaven. By tasting death for every man, Jesus took over our penalty as He erased our guilt. Now God can forgive. In a moment of thanksgiving, Paul once exclaimed, “He loved me and gave Himself for me!” Will you repeat these words right now, even as you read? If you do, I believe you will have cause to be thankful too, and that you will experience the love of God in your heart. Try it and see. The Bible teaches that you can be absolutely sure that you are saved.
Today's Scripture --- These things have I written unto you that believe . . . that ye may know that ye have eternal life . . . - 1 John 5:13
Today's Prayer --- Father, although my finite mind cannot understand all the wonders of the Gospel, I thank You for the assurance of my salvation through Christ
He Gives us Life Eternal
Recently I read that it will cost this country a hundred billion dollars to get one man safely to Mars. It cost God the priceless blood of His only Son to get us sinners to heaven. By tasting death for every man, Jesus took over our penalty as He erased our guilt. Now God can forgive. In a moment of thanksgiving, Paul once exclaimed, “He loved me and gave Himself for me!” Will you repeat these words right now, even as you read? If you do, I believe you will have cause to be thankful too, and that you will experience the love of God in your heart. Try it and see. The Bible teaches that you can be absolutely sure that you are saved.
Today's Scripture --- These things have I written unto you that believe . . . that ye may know that ye have eternal life . . . - 1 John 5:13
Today's Prayer --- Father, although my finite mind cannot understand all the wonders of the Gospel, I thank You for the assurance of my salvation through Christ
FEBRUARY 27, 2021
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Yourself!
God created everything about you to be unique, and He wants you to build an honest relationship with Him based on who you really are, not who you think you should be, or who other people say you should be.
We relate to God as individuals. When we talk to God, we’re not supposed to leave our individuality at the door of our prayer closet. We need to go to Him just the way we are, because that gives Him the pleasure of enjoying the company of the "original" He has made each one of us to be. God enjoys meeting us where we are, developing a personal relationship with us, and helping us grow into the fullness of everything He wants us to be.
Our verse for today teaches us that God has fashioned our hearts individually. As we develop our individual styles of communication with God, we can learn from people who are more experienced than we are, but we need to be careful not to make them our standard.
Most people are afraid to not be like everyone else; many are more comfortable following established rules than daring to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. When we follow man-made rules, we please people, but when we step out and follow God's Spirit, we please Him. So remember, come as you are!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that my relationship with You doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Help me remember that I can always come to You as I am, without trying to be perfect. Thank You for Your grace to grow today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Yourself!
God created everything about you to be unique, and He wants you to build an honest relationship with Him based on who you really are, not who you think you should be, or who other people say you should be.
We relate to God as individuals. When we talk to God, we’re not supposed to leave our individuality at the door of our prayer closet. We need to go to Him just the way we are, because that gives Him the pleasure of enjoying the company of the "original" He has made each one of us to be. God enjoys meeting us where we are, developing a personal relationship with us, and helping us grow into the fullness of everything He wants us to be.
Our verse for today teaches us that God has fashioned our hearts individually. As we develop our individual styles of communication with God, we can learn from people who are more experienced than we are, but we need to be careful not to make them our standard.
Most people are afraid to not be like everyone else; many are more comfortable following established rules than daring to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. When we follow man-made rules, we please people, but when we step out and follow God's Spirit, we please Him. So remember, come as you are!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that my relationship with You doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Help me remember that I can always come to You as I am, without trying to be perfect. Thank You for Your grace to grow today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 26, 2021
The Good News About Death
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
The Bible teaches that death is only the beginning for believers. God has prepared an eternal home for us, and the condition for entry is clear: Believe that Jesus died for your sins, and receive His forgiveness. Some people consider this narrow-minded and unfair. But God set up that condition for a reason.
Way back in the garden of Eden, the Lord established a rule to protect His creation: Do not disobey Me. Sin was such a serious matter in His eyes that He determined it deserved the death penalty. Yet ever since Adam and Eve’s transgression, we’ve been bound to slip up because we’re flawed human beings. And God knew that. So, to save us from the consequence of sin, He sent His Son to die in our place. Jesus fulfilled the law while taking our punishment. And three days later He rose again.
God promised in His Word that those who receive Jesus as Savior share in His resurrection. When a believer dies, the heavenly gates open, and he or she has the same triumph over death that Jesus did. In other words, when we leave this world, we do not simply disappear. We continue to worship the Lord in heaven.
The Good News About Death
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
The Bible teaches that death is only the beginning for believers. God has prepared an eternal home for us, and the condition for entry is clear: Believe that Jesus died for your sins, and receive His forgiveness. Some people consider this narrow-minded and unfair. But God set up that condition for a reason.
Way back in the garden of Eden, the Lord established a rule to protect His creation: Do not disobey Me. Sin was such a serious matter in His eyes that He determined it deserved the death penalty. Yet ever since Adam and Eve’s transgression, we’ve been bound to slip up because we’re flawed human beings. And God knew that. So, to save us from the consequence of sin, He sent His Son to die in our place. Jesus fulfilled the law while taking our punishment. And three days later He rose again.
God promised in His Word that those who receive Jesus as Savior share in His resurrection. When a believer dies, the heavenly gates open, and he or she has the same triumph over death that Jesus did. In other words, when we leave this world, we do not simply disappear. We continue to worship the Lord in heaven.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Jesus Is Coming Again --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 1:9-11 --- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
It has been nearly two thousand years since Jesus left His disciples standing on a hillside looking up into the clouds as He returned to Heaven. Despite His repeated telling them that this would happen, they seem to have been surprised that Jesus had left them. Then, rather than swinging into obedience to do the job He had left them to do, they were still standing around when the angels showed up to prod them into action.
That prodding came with an affirmation of the promise that Jesus would one day return.
The passing of centuries has not changed the certainty of that promise. Jesus will come again, and it could be today. There are no events that must take place or prophecies that must be fulfilled before the Lord returns. He could come for us at any moment. Our task is not to try to decode current events or figure our the timing of that return, but to be actively obeying every day so that we are ready for Him. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).
Dr. John Rice wrote:
Come, dear Lord Jesus, for long we've been watching;
God's children are homesick for Heaven, our home.
Come then, Lord Jesus, come quickly and take us;
The wedding feast waits when the Bridegroom shall come.
Jesus is coming, is coming, is coming
It may be tomorrow, it may be today
Maybe the trumpet sound, maybe the angel's shout
Then “Come up higher” the Saviour shall say.
Today's Growth Principle: Knowing that Jesus could return today should govern the way we act and think and use every moment.
Jesus Is Coming Again --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 1:9-11 --- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
It has been nearly two thousand years since Jesus left His disciples standing on a hillside looking up into the clouds as He returned to Heaven. Despite His repeated telling them that this would happen, they seem to have been surprised that Jesus had left them. Then, rather than swinging into obedience to do the job He had left them to do, they were still standing around when the angels showed up to prod them into action.
That prodding came with an affirmation of the promise that Jesus would one day return.
The passing of centuries has not changed the certainty of that promise. Jesus will come again, and it could be today. There are no events that must take place or prophecies that must be fulfilled before the Lord returns. He could come for us at any moment. Our task is not to try to decode current events or figure our the timing of that return, but to be actively obeying every day so that we are ready for Him. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).
Dr. John Rice wrote:
Come, dear Lord Jesus, for long we've been watching;
God's children are homesick for Heaven, our home.
Come then, Lord Jesus, come quickly and take us;
The wedding feast waits when the Bridegroom shall come.
Jesus is coming, is coming, is coming
It may be tomorrow, it may be today
Maybe the trumpet sound, maybe the angel's shout
Then “Come up higher” the Saviour shall say.
Today's Growth Principle: Knowing that Jesus could return today should govern the way we act and think and use every moment.
FEBRUARY 24, 2021
My Vision
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
There is a famous Irish hymn entitled, “Be Thou My Vision.” One of the most moving worship experiences I have ever had was watching as Christian singer/songwriter Ginny Owens, who has been blind since she was a toddler, offered these words up to her Heavenly Father:
Be Though my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”
To say she understands these lyrics on another level would be an understatement. “Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” Can you imagine awaking in the morning, opening your eyes, and still being enclosed in darkness? Eyes open, eyes closed…there is no difference, just darkness.
Those who are blind experience this darkness physically ever day of their lives. The truth is, however, that we all experience this spiritually without the light of Christ. His presence is our only light in the blackness of our sin. His light brings vision, opening the eyes of our hearts to see the beauty of the Gospel.
The hymn continues with these words:
“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”
Can you say, with honesty and conviction, that Christ is first in your heart? Is He your greatest treasure?
When we live by faith, and not by sight, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we will treasure the eternal over the temporary. We will choose the narrow path over the wide one, believing that Jesus is worth any earthly sacrifice.
Dear Lord, when there is so much I could be looking to for guidance and light, help me to look to you first, for you are the only light that will guide me down the path of righteousness. In Jesus' name, amen.
My Vision
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
There is a famous Irish hymn entitled, “Be Thou My Vision.” One of the most moving worship experiences I have ever had was watching as Christian singer/songwriter Ginny Owens, who has been blind since she was a toddler, offered these words up to her Heavenly Father:
Be Though my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”
To say she understands these lyrics on another level would be an understatement. “Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” Can you imagine awaking in the morning, opening your eyes, and still being enclosed in darkness? Eyes open, eyes closed…there is no difference, just darkness.
Those who are blind experience this darkness physically ever day of their lives. The truth is, however, that we all experience this spiritually without the light of Christ. His presence is our only light in the blackness of our sin. His light brings vision, opening the eyes of our hearts to see the beauty of the Gospel.
The hymn continues with these words:
“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”
Can you say, with honesty and conviction, that Christ is first in your heart? Is He your greatest treasure?
When we live by faith, and not by sight, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we will treasure the eternal over the temporary. We will choose the narrow path over the wide one, believing that Jesus is worth any earthly sacrifice.
Dear Lord, when there is so much I could be looking to for guidance and light, help me to look to you first, for you are the only light that will guide me down the path of righteousness. In Jesus' name, amen.
FEBRUARY 23, 2021
Living in His Power
Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.
Jesus had a humble heart. If He abides in us, pride will never dominate our lives. Jesus had a loving heart. If He dwells within us, hatred and bitterness will never rule us. Jesus had a forgiving and understanding heart.
If He lives within us, mercy will temper our relationships with our fellowmen. Jesus had an unselfish heart. If He lives in us, selfishness will not predominate, but service to God and others will come before our selfish interests. You say, “That’s a big order!” I admit that. It would be impossible if you had to measure up to Him in your own strength and with your natural heart. Paul recognized that he could never attain this heart purity by his own striving.
Prayer for the day --- So live in me today that I will be able to radiate Your love and grace, Jesus
Living in His Power
Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.
Jesus had a humble heart. If He abides in us, pride will never dominate our lives. Jesus had a loving heart. If He dwells within us, hatred and bitterness will never rule us. Jesus had a forgiving and understanding heart.
If He lives within us, mercy will temper our relationships with our fellowmen. Jesus had an unselfish heart. If He lives in us, selfishness will not predominate, but service to God and others will come before our selfish interests. You say, “That’s a big order!” I admit that. It would be impossible if you had to measure up to Him in your own strength and with your natural heart. Paul recognized that he could never attain this heart purity by his own striving.
Prayer for the day --- So live in me today that I will be able to radiate Your love and grace, Jesus
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
The Purpose of Faith
Oftentimes we make the mistake of expecting that our faith will get us to a place where there’s total freedom from trouble. But the purpose of faith is not always to keep us from having trouble—it’s often to carry us through trouble. If we never had any trouble, we wouldn’t need any faith.
Even when we’re tempted to run away from our problems, God says that we need to go through them. The good news is that He’s promised to stick with us all the way through them, so we’ll never have to go through anything alone. He will always be there to help us and empower us to make it through (see Philippians 2:13; 4:13). He has said to us, “Fear not, for I am with you” (see Isaiah 41:10).
As we learn to stand our ground and effectively resist the enemy, we’ll come closer to God than we ever could if we had no challenges. Whatever you’re facing right now, know that God is with you to help you, so don’t give up! If you’ll keep going, He’ll increase your faith and bring you to the other side.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me trust You when I’m going through things that are hard or frustrating. Increase my faith so I’ll be ready for the challenges I’m about to face. Thank You for carrying me through the things I thought I’d never make it through, and for bringing me closer to You in every moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Purpose of Faith
Oftentimes we make the mistake of expecting that our faith will get us to a place where there’s total freedom from trouble. But the purpose of faith is not always to keep us from having trouble—it’s often to carry us through trouble. If we never had any trouble, we wouldn’t need any faith.
Even when we’re tempted to run away from our problems, God says that we need to go through them. The good news is that He’s promised to stick with us all the way through them, so we’ll never have to go through anything alone. He will always be there to help us and empower us to make it through (see Philippians 2:13; 4:13). He has said to us, “Fear not, for I am with you” (see Isaiah 41:10).
As we learn to stand our ground and effectively resist the enemy, we’ll come closer to God than we ever could if we had no challenges. Whatever you’re facing right now, know that God is with you to help you, so don’t give up! If you’ll keep going, He’ll increase your faith and bring you to the other side.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me trust You when I’m going through things that are hard or frustrating. Increase my faith so I’ll be ready for the challenges I’m about to face. Thank You for carrying me through the things I thought I’d never make it through, and for bringing me closer to You in every moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 21, 2021
Trust in the Lord
In looking back at your Christian journey so far, when did you experience the most spiritual growth? For many of us, it was during seasons of great discomfort. Jesus tells us we will encounter difficulties in the world (John 16:33), but that doesn’t mean we should just go about our life with resignation, waiting for something awful to happen.
Instead, we should try to think of waiting as an act of endurance—something that makes us more like Christ. And yet endurance looks different for each of us. Some people may become more active in serving their community, while others need to shift their focus inward—increasing in prayer, seeking wise counsel, and more consciously creating practices of giving thanks. Whatever it is, let us be encouraged to “run ... the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).
THINK ABOUT IT
• Think about your seasons of greatest spiritual growth— or even the experience of coming to faith in Jesus. Was there a specific change or important occurrence in your life? Reflecting like this might help you identify the way God works—and perhaps see your circumstances differently, too.
Trust in the Lord
In looking back at your Christian journey so far, when did you experience the most spiritual growth? For many of us, it was during seasons of great discomfort. Jesus tells us we will encounter difficulties in the world (John 16:33), but that doesn’t mean we should just go about our life with resignation, waiting for something awful to happen.
Instead, we should try to think of waiting as an act of endurance—something that makes us more like Christ. And yet endurance looks different for each of us. Some people may become more active in serving their community, while others need to shift their focus inward—increasing in prayer, seeking wise counsel, and more consciously creating practices of giving thanks. Whatever it is, let us be encouraged to “run ... the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).
THINK ABOUT IT
• Think about your seasons of greatest spiritual growth— or even the experience of coming to faith in Jesus. Was there a specific change or important occurrence in your life? Reflecting like this might help you identify the way God works—and perhaps see your circumstances differently, too.
FEBRUARY 20, 2021
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the
Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
God Still Judges Nations --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 29:24-26 --- Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
Though God does not have the same kind of covenant relationship with our nation or any modern nation that He had with Israel, it is still true that He judges nations for their conduct. Nations which at least attempt to follow the principles of righteousness and justice will be rewarded. But those nations which condemn good and promote evil can expect to receive His hand of judgment. David wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
History is littered with the wreckage of once great empires that exercised power and authority over vast stretches of land and huge numbers of people. One by one, they rose to positions of prominence and influence. Yet today only the ruins remain to show where the events recorded in the history books took place. The nations themselves no longer exist, or are merely a shell of what they once were. No country is exempt from God's judgment on their national conduct and character.
There are many who are concerned about the direction their country is taking. The real solution to the problem of a godless nation is not found in the seat of government power. Electing new leaders or passing new laws can not transform the hearts of people to do right. The only solution is found in the power of the
Gospel to change a nation one person at a time. We must live righteously ourselves, and we must share the good news with those around us—that is the best thing we can do for our country.
Today's Growth Principle: The process of making any nation more righteous starts in the hearts and lives of its Christian citizens.
FEBRUARY 19, 2021
Make Friends with Yourself
Are you at peace with yourself? Since we spend more time with ourselves than we do with anyone else, not liking who we are is a major problem. After all, we cannot get away from ourselves. And if we don’t like ourselves, we usually don’t enjoy being with anyone else, either.
This was true for me. I suffered from not liking myself for many years, but I didn’t realize it. Nor did I understand that my self-rejection and self-hate were why I didn’t get along with most people, and why most people couldn’t get along with me.
The way we see ourselves is the way others will see us. We can see this principle illustrated in Numbers 13, when the 12 spies Moses sent to investigate the Promised Land came back from their scouting expedition. Ten of the spies gave a very negative report: There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight (Numbers 13:33, AMPC).
Because 10 of the spies saw themselves as “grasshoppers,” their enemy saw them as grasshoppers, too. How can we expect others to accept us if we reject ourselves? Before we can make peace with others, we need to make peace with ourselves. And to make peace with ourselves, we need to know our identity in Christ. God’s Word assures us that we have tremendous value because of who we are—His beloved children.
What I do is not always perfect. But I still know who I am—a child of God that He loves deeply.
You have tremendous worth and value, and that will never change. You’re a treasure to God, He paid a high price to redeem you (see Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:19), and He has an amazing plan for your life (see Jeremiah 29:11). As you begin to believe that you are God’s precious, beloved son or daughter, that truth will bring more healing to your soul and freedom to your life than you ever thought possible.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to begin to see myself the way You see me—as Your treasured, deeply loved child—and help me receive Your love today. Thank You for placing such value on me that You would sacrifice Your only Son to redeem me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Make Friends with Yourself
Are you at peace with yourself? Since we spend more time with ourselves than we do with anyone else, not liking who we are is a major problem. After all, we cannot get away from ourselves. And if we don’t like ourselves, we usually don’t enjoy being with anyone else, either.
This was true for me. I suffered from not liking myself for many years, but I didn’t realize it. Nor did I understand that my self-rejection and self-hate were why I didn’t get along with most people, and why most people couldn’t get along with me.
The way we see ourselves is the way others will see us. We can see this principle illustrated in Numbers 13, when the 12 spies Moses sent to investigate the Promised Land came back from their scouting expedition. Ten of the spies gave a very negative report: There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight (Numbers 13:33, AMPC).
Because 10 of the spies saw themselves as “grasshoppers,” their enemy saw them as grasshoppers, too. How can we expect others to accept us if we reject ourselves? Before we can make peace with others, we need to make peace with ourselves. And to make peace with ourselves, we need to know our identity in Christ. God’s Word assures us that we have tremendous value because of who we are—His beloved children.
What I do is not always perfect. But I still know who I am—a child of God that He loves deeply.
You have tremendous worth and value, and that will never change. You’re a treasure to God, He paid a high price to redeem you (see Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:19), and He has an amazing plan for your life (see Jeremiah 29:11). As you begin to believe that you are God’s precious, beloved son or daughter, that truth will bring more healing to your soul and freedom to your life than you ever thought possible.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to begin to see myself the way You see me—as Your treasured, deeply loved child—and help me receive Your love today. Thank You for placing such value on me that You would sacrifice Your only Son to redeem me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Hearing and Believing
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Psychologists refer to them as “defining moments,” those events in your life that shape the person you have become. We all have them. But there is no defining moment like the moment when someone accepts Jesus and becomes a follower of Christ. So today, we are going to take a look at what happens at the defining moment when someone realizes they need a savior, that Jesus is that savior, and they trust Jesus as their savior.
Your defining moment of salvation takes place when you believe in the grace of God. That’s the very first step in accepting Jesus Christ as your savior.
As Paul is writing to the Ephesians, he is taking these believers back to that moment in time that they made the momentous decision to turn from death to life, and from darkness to light, by putting their faith and trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as their Savior.
This decision to surrender their lives to Christ was a two-step process. First, they had to hear the gospel. And then one they heard it, they had to accept it as truth. They needed to come to the realization that the gospel is real. It’s not a fairytale. It’s not a myth. So the defining moment happens not just by hearing about the grace of God, but also believing in the grace of God, which ultimately brings salvation.
So you see, hearing about God’s grace isn’t enough. You have to believe in that grace and come to realize how desperately you need it. When you do, you will experience that defining moment of salvation Paul is talking about.
Dear Lord, thank you for your never-ending grace. I pray that you would help me not to gloss over the magnitude of your grace when I hear about it, but that I would continue to believe in it and understand how much I need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hearing and Believing
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Psychologists refer to them as “defining moments,” those events in your life that shape the person you have become. We all have them. But there is no defining moment like the moment when someone accepts Jesus and becomes a follower of Christ. So today, we are going to take a look at what happens at the defining moment when someone realizes they need a savior, that Jesus is that savior, and they trust Jesus as their savior.
Your defining moment of salvation takes place when you believe in the grace of God. That’s the very first step in accepting Jesus Christ as your savior.
As Paul is writing to the Ephesians, he is taking these believers back to that moment in time that they made the momentous decision to turn from death to life, and from darkness to light, by putting their faith and trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as their Savior.
This decision to surrender their lives to Christ was a two-step process. First, they had to hear the gospel. And then one they heard it, they had to accept it as truth. They needed to come to the realization that the gospel is real. It’s not a fairytale. It’s not a myth. So the defining moment happens not just by hearing about the grace of God, but also believing in the grace of God, which ultimately brings salvation.
So you see, hearing about God’s grace isn’t enough. You have to believe in that grace and come to realize how desperately you need it. When you do, you will experience that defining moment of salvation Paul is talking about.
Dear Lord, thank you for your never-ending grace. I pray that you would help me not to gloss over the magnitude of your grace when I hear about it, but that I would continue to believe in it and understand how much I need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
The Influence of Our Convictions
Daniel 1
Although our circles of influence vary in size, we all have the power to affect people at home, in church, or in the world. The fact is, our life is always on display, whether we’re aware of it or not.
Daniel didn’t set out to impress others, but his convictions had an effect on everyone who came in contact with him— from lowly servants to kings of empires. He clung to the truth of the Scriptures. When he was taken to Babylon’s royal court, he “made up his mind” not to defile himself with the king’s food (Dan. 1:8), because he knew that eating meat offered to idols was forbidden by the Mosaic law.
The important thing to notice is that Daniel’s convictions, not his environment, determined his behavior.
One can always find some reason to give in, but being sure of our beliefs ahead of time can help us stand firm in obedience to God. Although the world may mock our values, people actually lose respect for us when we waffle and yield to temptation. What’s worse, our witness for Christ is damaged.
Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor holding you steady in the waves of temptation and the winds of opinion. Don’t underestimate your obedience to the Lord—it can powerfully influence others.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 26-27
The Influence of Our Convictions
Daniel 1
Although our circles of influence vary in size, we all have the power to affect people at home, in church, or in the world. The fact is, our life is always on display, whether we’re aware of it or not.
Daniel didn’t set out to impress others, but his convictions had an effect on everyone who came in contact with him— from lowly servants to kings of empires. He clung to the truth of the Scriptures. When he was taken to Babylon’s royal court, he “made up his mind” not to defile himself with the king’s food (Dan. 1:8), because he knew that eating meat offered to idols was forbidden by the Mosaic law.
The important thing to notice is that Daniel’s convictions, not his environment, determined his behavior.
One can always find some reason to give in, but being sure of our beliefs ahead of time can help us stand firm in obedience to God. Although the world may mock our values, people actually lose respect for us when we waffle and yield to temptation. What’s worse, our witness for Christ is damaged.
Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor holding you steady in the waves of temptation and the winds of opinion. Don’t underestimate your obedience to the Lord—it can powerfully influence others.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 26-27
FEBRUARY 16, 2021
The Rain Will Come Down --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 7:24-27 --- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
There are many uncertainties in life. No matter how carefully or wisely we plan for the future, we often find that there were things we did not expect. Sometimes these are major events we never saw coming. Yet there are also things of which we can certain. One of them is what Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount. No matter what else happens, eventually the rain is going to fall—not a gentle soft rain, but a torrential downpour. And it is in those moments that we discover whether what we believe is real and will stand the test.
The rain Jesus described fell equally on the man with a rock for a foundation and the man who built on the sand. It did not rain because of the way they built. It rained because that is the way the world works. It is easy for us to assume that if we build well, we will avoid difficulty; and if others encounter difficulty, they must have built poorly. While some hardships can be avoided by wisdom, it is not always the case. Often bad things happen simply because we live in a fallen world. To survive the troubles and turmoil of life, we must have a solid foundation. We know hard days are coming, so we must establish our hearts and minds on an unshakable foundation before the rain descends.
Today's Growth Principle: If we wait until the storms come, we will not have the foundation we need to survive when the rain comes down.
The Rain Will Come Down --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 7:24-27 --- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
There are many uncertainties in life. No matter how carefully or wisely we plan for the future, we often find that there were things we did not expect. Sometimes these are major events we never saw coming. Yet there are also things of which we can certain. One of them is what Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount. No matter what else happens, eventually the rain is going to fall—not a gentle soft rain, but a torrential downpour. And it is in those moments that we discover whether what we believe is real and will stand the test.
The rain Jesus described fell equally on the man with a rock for a foundation and the man who built on the sand. It did not rain because of the way they built. It rained because that is the way the world works. It is easy for us to assume that if we build well, we will avoid difficulty; and if others encounter difficulty, they must have built poorly. While some hardships can be avoided by wisdom, it is not always the case. Often bad things happen simply because we live in a fallen world. To survive the troubles and turmoil of life, we must have a solid foundation. We know hard days are coming, so we must establish our hearts and minds on an unshakable foundation before the rain descends.
Today's Growth Principle: If we wait until the storms come, we will not have the foundation we need to survive when the rain comes down.
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
Which Came First?
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Romans 5:10
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It is an age-old question. Strong arguments can be made on both sides. Life is filled with these types of questions. Scientists study, examine and argue over the origin, make-up, and effects of different forms of life and matter all of the time. Sometimes they find definitive answers, and sometimes they are left with more questions.
Likewise, there are many deep, theological questions that are continuously examined and debated in the Christian community. Some of these are important, while others only serve to divide, confuse, and preoccupy. Oswald Chambers wrote, “I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing.” In other words, “Which came first, my faith or my salvation?” While some might be frustrated by such a question, I believe it is a necessary one.
There is a danger for Christians to emphasize what we have done over what God has done in Christ when it comes to our salvation. We don’t mean to…but it happens. We look to our repentance, our prayer of salvation, and other outward signs to give us confidence that we are saved. We look to the point of our realization of what Christ had done; instead of to that cross thousands of years ago, as evidence that we are His.
The truth is, however, that if any of us are right with God, it is because of what Jesus did – prior to anything we have done. We are saved totally because of His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. When God reveals the truth of the Gospel to us, inviting us to believe, and we accept His invitation, we experience the supernatural grace of God. All at once, we stand right with God. Not because we repented and believed, but solely because of what Jesus has done.
Romans 5:10 tells us that we were reconciled with God – not when we believed – but while we were His enemies. Understanding this truth is paramount to living the life that Christ desires. There is nothing we did to earn salvation…and there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor now. In Christ, we are truly free.
Dear Lord, as much as I want to honor you with my works and my obedience, I know that there's nothing I can do in my own power to save myself. Please help me to always remember that truth, and to find peace in the fact that it is only because of Jesus' work on the cross that I can have a relationship with you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Which Came First?
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Romans 5:10
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It is an age-old question. Strong arguments can be made on both sides. Life is filled with these types of questions. Scientists study, examine and argue over the origin, make-up, and effects of different forms of life and matter all of the time. Sometimes they find definitive answers, and sometimes they are left with more questions.
Likewise, there are many deep, theological questions that are continuously examined and debated in the Christian community. Some of these are important, while others only serve to divide, confuse, and preoccupy. Oswald Chambers wrote, “I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing.” In other words, “Which came first, my faith or my salvation?” While some might be frustrated by such a question, I believe it is a necessary one.
There is a danger for Christians to emphasize what we have done over what God has done in Christ when it comes to our salvation. We don’t mean to…but it happens. We look to our repentance, our prayer of salvation, and other outward signs to give us confidence that we are saved. We look to the point of our realization of what Christ had done; instead of to that cross thousands of years ago, as evidence that we are His.
The truth is, however, that if any of us are right with God, it is because of what Jesus did – prior to anything we have done. We are saved totally because of His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. When God reveals the truth of the Gospel to us, inviting us to believe, and we accept His invitation, we experience the supernatural grace of God. All at once, we stand right with God. Not because we repented and believed, but solely because of what Jesus has done.
Romans 5:10 tells us that we were reconciled with God – not when we believed – but while we were His enemies. Understanding this truth is paramount to living the life that Christ desires. There is nothing we did to earn salvation…and there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor now. In Christ, we are truly free.
Dear Lord, as much as I want to honor you with my works and my obedience, I know that there's nothing I can do in my own power to save myself. Please help me to always remember that truth, and to find peace in the fact that it is only because of Jesus' work on the cross that I can have a relationship with you. In Jesus' name, amen.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
The Mystery of His Love
Jeremiah 31:3 --- 1 have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .
No human experience can fully illustrate the imputed righteousness of God, as conceived by His infinite love. It is a mystery-incomprehensible and inexplicable. Like the mystery of the sun’s heat and light, we cannot measure it or explain it, and yet we could not live without it. Writing of the mystery of completed righteousness, Paul said, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. . . . But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:7, 9). What God has wrought in us is wonderful. But His work has just begun. He has a wonderful, exciting, thrilling future for all of His believing children.
Prayer for the day --- My finite mind cannot grasp all there is in store for those of us who love You—but this does not take away the joy and expectation all Your love has prepared—everlastingly!
The Mystery of His Love
Jeremiah 31:3 --- 1 have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .
No human experience can fully illustrate the imputed righteousness of God, as conceived by His infinite love. It is a mystery-incomprehensible and inexplicable. Like the mystery of the sun’s heat and light, we cannot measure it or explain it, and yet we could not live without it. Writing of the mystery of completed righteousness, Paul said, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. . . . But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:7, 9). What God has wrought in us is wonderful. But His work has just begun. He has a wonderful, exciting, thrilling future for all of His believing children.
Prayer for the day --- My finite mind cannot grasp all there is in store for those of us who love You—but this does not take away the joy and expectation all Your love has prepared—everlastingly!
FEBRUARY 13, 2021
God’s Love Gives Us Confidence
We never have to be afraid of God. We should have reverential fear—meaning a respectful awe—of Him, but He doesn’t want us to feel timid or lack confidence when we come to Him. The Bible tells us to come "fearlessly and confidently and boldly" to the throne of grace and make our requests known (see Hebrews 4:16). We cannot operate in boldness and fear at the same time. We may feel fear, but we don’t have to bow down or give in to it; we can approach God with confidence.
In our society today, we have an epidemic of insecurity. The world is full of people who lack confidence, but thankfully as God’s children, we don’t have to be one of them. Our confidence comes from Christ alone and His love for us, not from anything we’ve done or not done. The Bible says we should put no confidence in the flesh (see Philippians 3:3), but be bold and courageous in Christ.
Begin to believe today that from now on you’ll step out in faith to do whatever He asks you to do. Don't draw back in fear and timidity, but go all the way through to the finish of each task.
Prayer Starter: Father, please set me free from any insecurities or lack of confidence that’s held me back. Thank You that I can always come boldly to You and ask for anything I need, and thank You for equipping me to do everything You’ve asked me to do with excellence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God’s Love Gives Us Confidence
We never have to be afraid of God. We should have reverential fear—meaning a respectful awe—of Him, but He doesn’t want us to feel timid or lack confidence when we come to Him. The Bible tells us to come "fearlessly and confidently and boldly" to the throne of grace and make our requests known (see Hebrews 4:16). We cannot operate in boldness and fear at the same time. We may feel fear, but we don’t have to bow down or give in to it; we can approach God with confidence.
In our society today, we have an epidemic of insecurity. The world is full of people who lack confidence, but thankfully as God’s children, we don’t have to be one of them. Our confidence comes from Christ alone and His love for us, not from anything we’ve done or not done. The Bible says we should put no confidence in the flesh (see Philippians 3:3), but be bold and courageous in Christ.
Begin to believe today that from now on you’ll step out in faith to do whatever He asks you to do. Don't draw back in fear and timidity, but go all the way through to the finish of each task.
Prayer Starter: Father, please set me free from any insecurities or lack of confidence that’s held me back. Thank You that I can always come boldly to You and ask for anything I need, and thank You for equipping me to do everything You’ve asked me to do with excellence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 12, 2021
Accepting God’s Solution
2 Chronicles 20:14-25
When we pray about a matter that is very important to us, it’s easy to begin telling the Lord how to answer our request. We’ve all done this, haven’t we? We start out asking God for help, but as our emotions enter in, we become more passionate about explaining what we want Him to do about it.
God promises to answer prayer (Mark 11:24), but sometimes His answers don’t satisfy us. Oftentimes we want relief from pain and difficulty rather than an extra measure of grace to endure in a manner that glorifies God.
King Jehoshaphat may have expected the Lord to answer his prayer by giving the army supernatural strength to win the battle, but God’s solution was entirely unexpected. His method was to send the choir out singing praises. Then God took care of the enemy without any help from Judah’s soldiers.
Instead of dictating a solution, Jehoshaphat trusted God to answer the prayer as He saw fit. And we should do likewise. Prayer is an opportunity to bring our concerns to the Lord and trust that He will answer in a way that brings glory to Him, not to us.
Accepting God’s Solution
2 Chronicles 20:14-25
When we pray about a matter that is very important to us, it’s easy to begin telling the Lord how to answer our request. We’ve all done this, haven’t we? We start out asking God for help, but as our emotions enter in, we become more passionate about explaining what we want Him to do about it.
God promises to answer prayer (Mark 11:24), but sometimes His answers don’t satisfy us. Oftentimes we want relief from pain and difficulty rather than an extra measure of grace to endure in a manner that glorifies God.
King Jehoshaphat may have expected the Lord to answer his prayer by giving the army supernatural strength to win the battle, but God’s solution was entirely unexpected. His method was to send the choir out singing praises. Then God took care of the enemy without any help from Judah’s soldiers.
Instead of dictating a solution, Jehoshaphat trusted God to answer the prayer as He saw fit. And we should do likewise. Prayer is an opportunity to bring our concerns to the Lord and trust that He will answer in a way that brings glory to Him, not to us.
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
I Am A Saint
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:1)
If you would like to know what the real God looks like, the God who is great and glorious, who is magnificent and majestic, who is supreme and sovereign, you need to look no further than a letter that was written two thousand years ago by a man named Paul who had met this God personally on the Damascus Road.
When you read who he says this God is and what this God has done, and what this God is doing and wants to do, the only word you’ll be thinking is, “unbelievable.” It may sound contradictory, but we really do believe in a God who is unbelievable. And in the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us that what God has done for his people is unbelievable and what God wants to do through His people is unbelievable.
Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by saying, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). Do you know what he called everyone in the church? He called them saints. From this description, you get the idea they were a cut above you and me. But no, they had the same kind of people in their church that we have in our churches today – people who struggled with anger, lust, jealousy, bitterness gossip, and greed. Yet Paul calls them saints.
His point in doing so is that he is talking to ordinary believers like you and me. There is no special class of Christians who are saints. Every believer is a saint and every saint is a believer, because that’s what God says we are. May we not forget the power and comfort we can derive from that truth!
Dear Lord, thank you for Paul’s reminder that I am a saint because of your sacrifice. Help me to remember that truth everyday and to live in the power that comes with it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I Am A Saint
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:1)
If you would like to know what the real God looks like, the God who is great and glorious, who is magnificent and majestic, who is supreme and sovereign, you need to look no further than a letter that was written two thousand years ago by a man named Paul who had met this God personally on the Damascus Road.
When you read who he says this God is and what this God has done, and what this God is doing and wants to do, the only word you’ll be thinking is, “unbelievable.” It may sound contradictory, but we really do believe in a God who is unbelievable. And in the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us that what God has done for his people is unbelievable and what God wants to do through His people is unbelievable.
Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by saying, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). Do you know what he called everyone in the church? He called them saints. From this description, you get the idea they were a cut above you and me. But no, they had the same kind of people in their church that we have in our churches today – people who struggled with anger, lust, jealousy, bitterness gossip, and greed. Yet Paul calls them saints.
His point in doing so is that he is talking to ordinary believers like you and me. There is no special class of Christians who are saints. Every believer is a saint and every saint is a believer, because that’s what God says we are. May we not forget the power and comfort we can derive from that truth!
Dear Lord, thank you for Paul’s reminder that I am a saint because of your sacrifice. Help me to remember that truth everyday and to live in the power that comes with it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
What Comes First --- Paul Chappell
James 4:6-8 --- But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
All of us want to be victorious over sin, but from time to time we struggle with the temptations we face. We know that we have been given the power to triumph over sin, yet we also have to admit that too often we yield to it instead. There is a pattern God has given us for victory, and we must follow it if we expect to receive the benefits. The process of victorious living does not start with fighting against sin and the devil, but with our relationship with God. It is only after we submit to Him that we have the power to resist Satan.
Jesus warned Peter that he had been made a special target of Satan and was in danger of denying the Lord. Peter relied on his own strength and was confident that he would be faithful. Yet in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus came and found the self-confident disciple sleeping rather than praying. He told Peter, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons to win. The key to defeating the devil is not the strength of our will or our character, but the strength of our relationship with God. We must come to Him on His terms and place our will under the control of His plan for our lives. The strength that He gives only comes to those who seek it from Him. The threat of sin is constantly with us and we must stay on guard against it until we reach Heaven.
Today's Growth Principle: The more our hearts are submitted to God, the more strength we will have to resist the devil.
What Comes First --- Paul Chappell
James 4:6-8 --- But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
All of us want to be victorious over sin, but from time to time we struggle with the temptations we face. We know that we have been given the power to triumph over sin, yet we also have to admit that too often we yield to it instead. There is a pattern God has given us for victory, and we must follow it if we expect to receive the benefits. The process of victorious living does not start with fighting against sin and the devil, but with our relationship with God. It is only after we submit to Him that we have the power to resist Satan.
Jesus warned Peter that he had been made a special target of Satan and was in danger of denying the Lord. Peter relied on his own strength and was confident that he would be faithful. Yet in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus came and found the self-confident disciple sleeping rather than praying. He told Peter, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons to win. The key to defeating the devil is not the strength of our will or our character, but the strength of our relationship with God. We must come to Him on His terms and place our will under the control of His plan for our lives. The strength that He gives only comes to those who seek it from Him. The threat of sin is constantly with us and we must stay on guard against it until we reach Heaven.
Today's Growth Principle: The more our hearts are submitted to God, the more strength we will have to resist the devil.
FEBRUARY 9, 2021
God Is For Us
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
Four simple words…life-changing words. God is for us. He is on our side. He wants what is best for us in all things. He will never leave us or forsake us. This is life-transforming truth. Sometimes it’s easy to believe these words. But what about the times when God seems far away? What about the seasons of life that bring disappointment and heartbreak? How can we learn to remember this truth when it doesn’t feel true?
Notice that those four words – God is for us – are the response to a question posed by the Apostle Paul at the beginning of the verse. Romans 8:31 asks, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?” The answer Paul gives, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I believe the key to knowing that God is for us, no matter the circumstances or feelings we face, is found within the phrase, “these things.” What “things” is Paul referring to that should automatically elicit the response, “God is for us?”
To answer this question, we must look at what Paul had previously written in Romans 8. He has told us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (verse 1), we have been set free from the law of sin and death (verse 2), those led by the Spirit are children of God (verse 14), we have been given the Spirit of adoption (verse 15), we are co-heirs with Christ (verse 17), the Spirit Himself intercedes for us (verse 26), in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (verse 28), and we have been predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (verse 29). Then he asks the question: In light of all of these things that God has done, what should we say in response? Could we come to any other conclusion except that God is for us? And if God is for us, who could be against us?
So the next time you don’t feel like God is for you, just look to Romans 8 and be reminded of all of “these things” He has done to demonstrate His love and faithfulness. Whatever we face in this life is temporary, but His gifts are eternal. This is all the reason we need to believe that God is for us.
Dear Lord, thank you for all the things you have done for me over the years, whether I recognized they were your doing or not. Help me to remember your blessings and your gifts so that I develop a stronger faith and trust in you. In Jesus' name, amen.
God Is For Us
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
Four simple words…life-changing words. God is for us. He is on our side. He wants what is best for us in all things. He will never leave us or forsake us. This is life-transforming truth. Sometimes it’s easy to believe these words. But what about the times when God seems far away? What about the seasons of life that bring disappointment and heartbreak? How can we learn to remember this truth when it doesn’t feel true?
Notice that those four words – God is for us – are the response to a question posed by the Apostle Paul at the beginning of the verse. Romans 8:31 asks, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?” The answer Paul gives, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I believe the key to knowing that God is for us, no matter the circumstances or feelings we face, is found within the phrase, “these things.” What “things” is Paul referring to that should automatically elicit the response, “God is for us?”
To answer this question, we must look at what Paul had previously written in Romans 8. He has told us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (verse 1), we have been set free from the law of sin and death (verse 2), those led by the Spirit are children of God (verse 14), we have been given the Spirit of adoption (verse 15), we are co-heirs with Christ (verse 17), the Spirit Himself intercedes for us (verse 26), in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (verse 28), and we have been predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (verse 29). Then he asks the question: In light of all of these things that God has done, what should we say in response? Could we come to any other conclusion except that God is for us? And if God is for us, who could be against us?
So the next time you don’t feel like God is for you, just look to Romans 8 and be reminded of all of “these things” He has done to demonstrate His love and faithfulness. Whatever we face in this life is temporary, but His gifts are eternal. This is all the reason we need to believe that God is for us.
Dear Lord, thank you for all the things you have done for me over the years, whether I recognized they were your doing or not. Help me to remember your blessings and your gifts so that I develop a stronger faith and trust in you. In Jesus' name, amen.
FEBRUARY 8, 2021
Power Over Sin
Galatians 5:24 (TLB) --- Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.
The strength for our conquering and our victory is drawn continually from Christ. The Bible does not teach that sin is completely eradicated from the Christian in this life, but it does teach that sin shall no longer reign over you. The strength and power of sin have been broken. The Christian now has resources available to live above and beyond this world. The Bible teaches that whosoever is born of God does not practice sin. It is like the little girl who said that when the devil came knocking with a temptation, she just sent Jesus to the door.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I need Your power continually. You know how many times I am tempted.
Power Over Sin
Galatians 5:24 (TLB) --- Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.
The strength for our conquering and our victory is drawn continually from Christ. The Bible does not teach that sin is completely eradicated from the Christian in this life, but it does teach that sin shall no longer reign over you. The strength and power of sin have been broken. The Christian now has resources available to live above and beyond this world. The Bible teaches that whosoever is born of God does not practice sin. It is like the little girl who said that when the devil came knocking with a temptation, she just sent Jesus to the door.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I need Your power continually. You know how many times I am tempted.
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
Guilt and Forgiveness
When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t only pay for our forgiveness, but He paid the price to free us from guilt as well. When we acknowledge or admit our sin to God, telling Him everything, refusing to hide our sin, we’re able to receive His gift of grace. Confession is good for the soul; it allows us to let go of heavy burdens that are caused by guilty secrets.
The feeling of guilt doesn’t always go away instantly, but we can choose to take God at His Word and say, “I am forgiven, and every trace of guilt has been removed from my record.” When we live by the truth of God’s Word, eventually our feelings will catch up with our decisions.
Let’s say it together: I receive what Christ did for me. I am forgiven; all my guilt has been removed, so I can move forward freely!
Prayer Starter: Father, today I choose to receive Your gift of forgiveness. Thank You that I can move forward knowing that You’ve already carried my guilt, so I can let it go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Guilt and Forgiveness
When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t only pay for our forgiveness, but He paid the price to free us from guilt as well. When we acknowledge or admit our sin to God, telling Him everything, refusing to hide our sin, we’re able to receive His gift of grace. Confession is good for the soul; it allows us to let go of heavy burdens that are caused by guilty secrets.
The feeling of guilt doesn’t always go away instantly, but we can choose to take God at His Word and say, “I am forgiven, and every trace of guilt has been removed from my record.” When we live by the truth of God’s Word, eventually our feelings will catch up with our decisions.
Let’s say it together: I receive what Christ did for me. I am forgiven; all my guilt has been removed, so I can move forward freely!
Prayer Starter: Father, today I choose to receive Your gift of forgiveness. Thank You that I can move forward knowing that You’ve already carried my guilt, so I can let it go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 6, 2021
Dealing With Persecution
1 Peter 1:3-9
Harsh persecution for faith isn’t something most of us have been subjected to here in the United States.
Perhaps we’ve been rejected, ridiculed, or treated unfairly, but at this point in history, physical suffering, imprisonment, or death haven’t been a typical experience. However, in other places around the globe, believers are severely oppressed for their faith.
But whatever negative treatment we may encounter, the Bible consistently recommends a response of patient endurance and joy in the Lord. Jesus said anyone mistreated for His sake is actually blessed (Luke 6:22-23), and Peter points out that from God’s point of view, such oppression is designed to prove our faith genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7). Whenever the church is persecuted, it is purified because those who remain are dedicated followers of Jesus.
Persecution can have a similar purifying effect on our personal life: Having comforts, pleasures, and idols of this world stripped away can drive us to the Lord for strength and grace. Then pride, self-centeredness, and self-confidence lose their grip, and in our weakness, we recognize God and His eternal inheritance as our only hope. Though oppression is certainly nothing you or I would want, we can take heart knowing that even in such extreme situations, there are blessings that lead to rejoicing in Christ.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 24-25
Dealing With Persecution
1 Peter 1:3-9
Harsh persecution for faith isn’t something most of us have been subjected to here in the United States.
Perhaps we’ve been rejected, ridiculed, or treated unfairly, but at this point in history, physical suffering, imprisonment, or death haven’t been a typical experience. However, in other places around the globe, believers are severely oppressed for their faith.
But whatever negative treatment we may encounter, the Bible consistently recommends a response of patient endurance and joy in the Lord. Jesus said anyone mistreated for His sake is actually blessed (Luke 6:22-23), and Peter points out that from God’s point of view, such oppression is designed to prove our faith genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7). Whenever the church is persecuted, it is purified because those who remain are dedicated followers of Jesus.
Persecution can have a similar purifying effect on our personal life: Having comforts, pleasures, and idols of this world stripped away can drive us to the Lord for strength and grace. Then pride, self-centeredness, and self-confidence lose their grip, and in our weakness, we recognize God and His eternal inheritance as our only hope. Though oppression is certainly nothing you or I would want, we can take heart knowing that even in such extreme situations, there are blessings that lead to rejoicing in Christ.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 24-25
FEBRUARY 5, 2021
The Intercession of the Savior --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Hebrews 7:25-27 --- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
The work of Jesus on the cross completely paid for our salvation once and for all. There is nothing else that needs to be done—as He said, “It is finished.” But although His work on earth is complete, He is still doing something that is vitally important. Jesus is interceding for us. The writer of Hebrews compares the work Jesus is doing for us now to that of the high priest in the Old Testament who stood before God once each year on the Day of Atonement as the representative of the people. Yet what Jesus is doing is superior because He has no need to continue sacrifices. That was done once for all. Now by virtue of His sacrifice on the cross, He can present our case directly to the Father.
Jesus is interceding for us now for the same reason that He came to die on the cross. He loves and cares for us that much. There is nothing we face that He does not understand and there will never be a day when He abandons or forsakes us. Frank Graeff wrote:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
(We used to sing this verse in my church on Okinawa, which we wrote during a sweltering Wednesday evening service-
Does Jesus care when I'm far away
On an island across the sea;
So far from home, and all alone,
I know He cares for me!)
O, yes, He cares—I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Today's Growth Principle: We have a loving Savior in Heaven who is standing before the Father on our behalf.
The Intercession of the Savior --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Hebrews 7:25-27 --- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
The work of Jesus on the cross completely paid for our salvation once and for all. There is nothing else that needs to be done—as He said, “It is finished.” But although His work on earth is complete, He is still doing something that is vitally important. Jesus is interceding for us. The writer of Hebrews compares the work Jesus is doing for us now to that of the high priest in the Old Testament who stood before God once each year on the Day of Atonement as the representative of the people. Yet what Jesus is doing is superior because He has no need to continue sacrifices. That was done once for all. Now by virtue of His sacrifice on the cross, He can present our case directly to the Father.
Jesus is interceding for us now for the same reason that He came to die on the cross. He loves and cares for us that much. There is nothing we face that He does not understand and there will never be a day when He abandons or forsakes us. Frank Graeff wrote:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
(We used to sing this verse in my church on Okinawa, which we wrote during a sweltering Wednesday evening service-
Does Jesus care when I'm far away
On an island across the sea;
So far from home, and all alone,
I know He cares for me!)
O, yes, He cares—I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Today's Growth Principle: We have a loving Savior in Heaven who is standing before the Father on our behalf.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
The Principle of Authority
Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. (1 Samuel 24:8)
There is a story of a man in the Bible who one day would be king, who had every reason not just to disrespect the one who was king, but to destroy him and bring his kingdom to an end. But the fact that he did not and the reasons that he did serve as a great reminder over 2500 years later why respect is so important and what it looks like. This story teaches us a tremendous lesson that we need to not only learn, but desperately need to pass on to the next generation, and that lesson is to abide by the principle of authority.
David lived in a kingdom. He was under kingdom authority. Saul, as the king, was the embodiment of that principle of authority. That is so important to grasp. You don’t live your life by popularity - that is what everybody else thinks is right. You don’t live your life by practice - by what everybody else is doing. You live your life by principle - by a conviction of what is right.
David perfected the principle of authority. Saul was still the king. David was still under his authority. What set David apart from his men was he understood that what is right is not what we think is right at the moment or how others feel is right at the moment, but what God says is right at the moment.
One of the marks of maturity is the willingness to abide by the principle of authority even though you may not always agree with how that authority acts. It doesn’t mean that we support wickedness. It doesn’t mean that we approve of evil any more than David approved of what Saul was doing, but it does mean that we respect all authority unless that authority asks us to do something that is immoral, unethical or unbiblical.
So let’s take David’s story to heart and follow his example as we learn to respect the principle of authority, even when it isn’t easy.
Dear Father, anyone in authority has been placed in their position by you. Therefore, I want to be respectful of whatever authority you have placed over me. Help me to be more like David and to abide by the principle of authority in my own life so that I might honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Principle of Authority
Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. (1 Samuel 24:8)
There is a story of a man in the Bible who one day would be king, who had every reason not just to disrespect the one who was king, but to destroy him and bring his kingdom to an end. But the fact that he did not and the reasons that he did serve as a great reminder over 2500 years later why respect is so important and what it looks like. This story teaches us a tremendous lesson that we need to not only learn, but desperately need to pass on to the next generation, and that lesson is to abide by the principle of authority.
David lived in a kingdom. He was under kingdom authority. Saul, as the king, was the embodiment of that principle of authority. That is so important to grasp. You don’t live your life by popularity - that is what everybody else thinks is right. You don’t live your life by practice - by what everybody else is doing. You live your life by principle - by a conviction of what is right.
David perfected the principle of authority. Saul was still the king. David was still under his authority. What set David apart from his men was he understood that what is right is not what we think is right at the moment or how others feel is right at the moment, but what God says is right at the moment.
One of the marks of maturity is the willingness to abide by the principle of authority even though you may not always agree with how that authority acts. It doesn’t mean that we support wickedness. It doesn’t mean that we approve of evil any more than David approved of what Saul was doing, but it does mean that we respect all authority unless that authority asks us to do something that is immoral, unethical or unbiblical.
So let’s take David’s story to heart and follow his example as we learn to respect the principle of authority, even when it isn’t easy.
Dear Father, anyone in authority has been placed in their position by you. Therefore, I want to be respectful of whatever authority you have placed over me. Help me to be more like David and to abide by the principle of authority in my own life so that I might honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Get Along with YOU
''The Bible teaches us that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. That simply means that when the Lord, in the form of the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell in our heart because of our faith in His son Jesus Christ, He brings love with Him, because God is love (see 1 john 4:8).
We all need to ask ourselves what we’re doing with the love of God that has been freely given to us. Are we rejecting it because we don't think we’re valuable enough to be loved? Do we believe God is like other people who have rejected and hurt us? Or are we receiving His love by faith, believing that He is greater than our failures and weaknesses? What kind of relationship do you have with God, with yourself, and ultimately, with those around you?
For a long time, it never occurred to me that I even had a relationship with myself. It was just something I never thought of until God began teaching me in these areas. I now realize that I spend more time with myself than with anyone else, so it is vital that I get along well with me.
You are one person you never get away from. We all know how agonizing it is to work day after day with someone we don't get along with, but at least we don't have to take that person home with us at night. But we are with ourselves all the time, day and night. We never have one minute away from ourselves, not even a second—therefore, it’s incredibly important that we learn to have peace with ourselves. And one big way we can do that is by receiving the love the Holy Spirit has given us for ourselves.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for pouring Your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit. Please help me to learn to get along better with myself today, and to be more intentional about receiving Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Get Along with YOU
''The Bible teaches us that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. That simply means that when the Lord, in the form of the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell in our heart because of our faith in His son Jesus Christ, He brings love with Him, because God is love (see 1 john 4:8).
We all need to ask ourselves what we’re doing with the love of God that has been freely given to us. Are we rejecting it because we don't think we’re valuable enough to be loved? Do we believe God is like other people who have rejected and hurt us? Or are we receiving His love by faith, believing that He is greater than our failures and weaknesses? What kind of relationship do you have with God, with yourself, and ultimately, with those around you?
For a long time, it never occurred to me that I even had a relationship with myself. It was just something I never thought of until God began teaching me in these areas. I now realize that I spend more time with myself than with anyone else, so it is vital that I get along well with me.
You are one person you never get away from. We all know how agonizing it is to work day after day with someone we don't get along with, but at least we don't have to take that person home with us at night. But we are with ourselves all the time, day and night. We never have one minute away from ourselves, not even a second—therefore, it’s incredibly important that we learn to have peace with ourselves. And one big way we can do that is by receiving the love the Holy Spirit has given us for ourselves.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for pouring Your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit. Please help me to learn to get along better with myself today, and to be more intentional about receiving Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
FEBRUARY 2, 2021
Rely on God’s Spirit
Galatians 3:1-5
Many years ago I learned a valuable lesson from a missionary who had spent 40 years in China. I told her about a struggle I was having, and I’ve never forgotten her reply. She said, “Charles, you won’t ever be any better than you are, but the Holy Spirit who lives inside you will enable you. You can’t improve your flesh.”
Until then, I’d always thought that if I worked hard enough, I would be a better person. It was an eye-opener to realize that our heavenly Father does not want or need our self-efforts. They can neither earn us salvation nor enable us to live the Christian life. In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul said basically the same thing when he wrote, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3).
In our own strength, we are unable to do anything of eternal value. To become the person God wants us to be and to accomplish His will in our life, we must totally rely upon His Spirit. But it’s important to remember that dependence is not inaction. Paul described it this way: “I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). Depending fully on the Holy Spirit is how our Father wants us to serve Him.
Rely on God’s Spirit
Galatians 3:1-5
Many years ago I learned a valuable lesson from a missionary who had spent 40 years in China. I told her about a struggle I was having, and I’ve never forgotten her reply. She said, “Charles, you won’t ever be any better than you are, but the Holy Spirit who lives inside you will enable you. You can’t improve your flesh.”
Until then, I’d always thought that if I worked hard enough, I would be a better person. It was an eye-opener to realize that our heavenly Father does not want or need our self-efforts. They can neither earn us salvation nor enable us to live the Christian life. In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul said basically the same thing when he wrote, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3).
In our own strength, we are unable to do anything of eternal value. To become the person God wants us to be and to accomplish His will in our life, we must totally rely upon His Spirit. But it’s important to remember that dependence is not inaction. Paul described it this way: “I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). Depending fully on the Holy Spirit is how our Father wants us to serve Him.
FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Seeking God --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Jeremiah 29:12-14 --- Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
The people of Israel in Jeremiah's day observed the outward forms of their religion. The Temple stood in Jerusalem, and the priests offered sacrifices there. Yet for most of them, it was only an empty ritual. Their hearts were not involved in their worship. Instead they were devoted to the other gods and idols they had borrowed from the heathen nations around them. They did not want to completely remove the God of Israel, but they were supplementing Him with other deities. And God brought judgement upon them for their idolatry.
Yet even in the midst of that judgment, God sent the prophet to them with the promise that if they would turn back to Him wholeheartedly, He would listen to their prayers and free them from bondage.
A. W. Tozer wrote, “If we would find God among all the religious externals, we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now as always God reveals Himself to babes and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and prudent. We must simplify our approach to God!” The question each of us much answer is this: how much of our heart is truly devoted to God? Is He our first and foremost love in all things, or is He simply one more item on a checklist of priorities?
Today's Growth Principle: We cannot expect to have a close fellowship with God unless our hearts are devoted to Him.
Seeking God --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Jeremiah 29:12-14 --- Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
The people of Israel in Jeremiah's day observed the outward forms of their religion. The Temple stood in Jerusalem, and the priests offered sacrifices there. Yet for most of them, it was only an empty ritual. Their hearts were not involved in their worship. Instead they were devoted to the other gods and idols they had borrowed from the heathen nations around them. They did not want to completely remove the God of Israel, but they were supplementing Him with other deities. And God brought judgement upon them for their idolatry.
Yet even in the midst of that judgment, God sent the prophet to them with the promise that if they would turn back to Him wholeheartedly, He would listen to their prayers and free them from bondage.
A. W. Tozer wrote, “If we would find God among all the religious externals, we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now as always God reveals Himself to babes and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and prudent. We must simplify our approach to God!” The question each of us much answer is this: how much of our heart is truly devoted to God? Is He our first and foremost love in all things, or is He simply one more item on a checklist of priorities?
Today's Growth Principle: We cannot expect to have a close fellowship with God unless our hearts are devoted to Him.
JANUARY 31, 2021
God Always Provides
Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram behind him caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:7-13)
The way that our faith and God’s faithfulness operates is this. God will not reveal his faithfulness until we exercise our faith. Faith means going all in. It is an all or nothing sell out. You can’t be half faithful to God.
You can’t be faithful part of the time to God. You can’t be faithful to God only when you feel like it, or want to be, or it doesn’t cost you anything.
As you go through life, you will find God will test you and he will stretch your faith and in the end he will provide. He always has provided, and he always will provide. Just like we read in today’s key passage, God provided for Abraham when Abraham was faithful, even to the point of giving up the son he had asked God to give him for decades.
So if you are ever asked to give up your Isaac just understand God will provide. He will not leave you hanging. He will come through, because that’s just who he is. He always comes through.
Dear Father, thank you for the example of your faithfulness and provision in the story of Abraham. I pray that you would help me to be faithful, even in my surrendering, as I trust you to provide your best for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God Always Provides
Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram behind him caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:7-13)
The way that our faith and God’s faithfulness operates is this. God will not reveal his faithfulness until we exercise our faith. Faith means going all in. It is an all or nothing sell out. You can’t be half faithful to God.
You can’t be faithful part of the time to God. You can’t be faithful to God only when you feel like it, or want to be, or it doesn’t cost you anything.
As you go through life, you will find God will test you and he will stretch your faith and in the end he will provide. He always has provided, and he always will provide. Just like we read in today’s key passage, God provided for Abraham when Abraham was faithful, even to the point of giving up the son he had asked God to give him for decades.
So if you are ever asked to give up your Isaac just understand God will provide. He will not leave you hanging. He will come through, because that’s just who he is. He always comes through.
Dear Father, thank you for the example of your faithfulness and provision in the story of Abraham. I pray that you would help me to be faithful, even in my surrendering, as I trust you to provide your best for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 30, 2021
Jesus Is Our Comforter
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 --- Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . which hath loved us . . . comfort your hearts . . .
Christ is the answer to sorrow. When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.” In your sorrow, turn to God. There are thousands of people who have turned to God, but you may be still carrying your burdens. God begs of you, “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You who must go through the valley of the shadow of death, you who must say goodbye to those whom you have loved, you who suffer privation and misery, you who are unjustly persecuted for righteousness’ sake-take heart, take courage. Our Christ is more than adequate for sorrow.
Prayer for the day --- In sorrow, Jesus, Your comfort will take all the bitterness and longing away and give me courage to face the heartache. Your grace will console me and Your arms will support me. Thank You, dear Lord.
Jesus Is Our Comforter
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 --- Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . which hath loved us . . . comfort your hearts . . .
Christ is the answer to sorrow. When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.” In your sorrow, turn to God. There are thousands of people who have turned to God, but you may be still carrying your burdens. God begs of you, “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You who must go through the valley of the shadow of death, you who must say goodbye to those whom you have loved, you who suffer privation and misery, you who are unjustly persecuted for righteousness’ sake-take heart, take courage. Our Christ is more than adequate for sorrow.
Prayer for the day --- In sorrow, Jesus, Your comfort will take all the bitterness and longing away and give me courage to face the heartache. Your grace will console me and Your arms will support me. Thank You, dear Lord.
JANUARY 29, 2021
God’s Words Agree with His Word
I once sat down to do some writing on a book and sensed the Lord saying, "Take a few minutes and just wait on Me." I waited for a very short time and then started to make a phone call. The Lord gently said, "I didn't tell you to make phone calls; I told you to wait on Me." My desire to do something was not unusual; most people have a hard time being still and waiting on someone, something, or even God.After I got quiet and waited for a period of time, the Lord began to speak to me about angels—something I certainly was not expecting. He led me to look up several Scriptures and I ended up having a mini Bible study on the power and presence of angels. God has reasons for everything He does, and I believe He wanted me to be more aware of the angels working on my behalf—something I had not thought about for a long, long time.
You may wonder how I knew with certainty that God was speaking to me and that the whole subject of angels was not something I came up with in my own mind. The answer is that I had peace about what I heard. It felt "right" inside of me. My spirit confirmed it as a message from the Lord, and what I heard agreed with God's Word.
There have been other times I have waited on God and heard a similar voice, but knew intuitively that it was not God's. We must know God through His Word in order to safely know when He is speaking to us and when He isn't.
Prayer Starter: Father, I love hearing Your voice. Please help me to always recognize when it’s Your voice, and not just my own thoughts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
art, t
God’s Words Agree with His Word
I once sat down to do some writing on a book and sensed the Lord saying, "Take a few minutes and just wait on Me." I waited for a very short time and then started to make a phone call. The Lord gently said, "I didn't tell you to make phone calls; I told you to wait on Me." My desire to do something was not unusual; most people have a hard time being still and waiting on someone, something, or even God.After I got quiet and waited for a period of time, the Lord began to speak to me about angels—something I certainly was not expecting. He led me to look up several Scriptures and I ended up having a mini Bible study on the power and presence of angels. God has reasons for everything He does, and I believe He wanted me to be more aware of the angels working on my behalf—something I had not thought about for a long, long time.
You may wonder how I knew with certainty that God was speaking to me and that the whole subject of angels was not something I came up with in my own mind. The answer is that I had peace about what I heard. It felt "right" inside of me. My spirit confirmed it as a message from the Lord, and what I heard agreed with God's Word.
There have been other times I have waited on God and heard a similar voice, but knew intuitively that it was not God's. We must know God through His Word in order to safely know when He is speaking to us and when He isn't.
Prayer Starter: Father, I love hearing Your voice. Please help me to always recognize when it’s Your voice, and not just my own thoughts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
art, t
JANUARY 28, 2021
Evangelism: Every Believer’s Calling
Acts 1:1-8
One Sunday a man approached me between services to share his story. He had been addicted to drugs and was leading a hopeless life when he heard a Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that one passage led him to place his trust in Jesus Christ.
We all have a story. Oftentimes the more we surrender to God, the more we see His hand in our life. And the more we watch Him work, the more we want to share with others what He has done.
The same was true of the disciples, who gathered around Jesus before His ascension. They heard His command to spread the gospel, make disciples, and baptize people from all nations. Surely this seemed like an overwhelming task for a handful of followers, but they obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christ undoubtedly motivated them to share the good news, and they also must have gained confidence from Jesus’ promise of His presence and power.
Are you passionately telling others about Christ? One of our highest callings is to tell others about Him. As was true for the early Christians, our own experience with the Savior is the most exciting and convincing story to tell.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 36-38
Evangelism: Every Believer’s Calling
Acts 1:1-8
One Sunday a man approached me between services to share his story. He had been addicted to drugs and was leading a hopeless life when he heard a Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that one passage led him to place his trust in Jesus Christ.
We all have a story. Oftentimes the more we surrender to God, the more we see His hand in our life. And the more we watch Him work, the more we want to share with others what He has done.
The same was true of the disciples, who gathered around Jesus before His ascension. They heard His command to spread the gospel, make disciples, and baptize people from all nations. Surely this seemed like an overwhelming task for a handful of followers, but they obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christ undoubtedly motivated them to share the good news, and they also must have gained confidence from Jesus’ promise of His presence and power.
Are you passionately telling others about Christ? One of our highest callings is to tell others about Him. As was true for the early Christians, our own experience with the Savior is the most exciting and convincing story to tell.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 36-38
JANUARY 27, 2021
How to Get into God's Family --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
People all around us are looking for a way to have a relationship with God. They may adopt a set of religious practices. They may join a particular movement. They may reject formal religion and seek God in the mountains or forests or deserts. They may be fervent and sincere in their desire to come to God, but all human efforts to bridge the gap between man and God are doomed to failure. The sinful nature each of us has at birth makes it impossible for us to reach God—He had to come to us. That is why Jesus was born into the world.
There are not many ways to God; there is only one way. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). We cannot earn our way to God. Instead we must receive the gift of salvation through faith alone. It is then that He gives us the power to enter into His family and become His children.
Salvation is not and cannot be an act of man. It must be accomplished by God. When Jesus was physically present on Earth, many people refused to receive Him as the Messiah and Saviour. It is no different today.
Lots of people refuse to accept the free offer of salvation. But everyone who receives it in faith by God's grace is saved forever.
Today's Growth Principle: Salvation is only possible because God gives us the free gift through His Son, Jesus Christ.
How to Get into God's Family --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
People all around us are looking for a way to have a relationship with God. They may adopt a set of religious practices. They may join a particular movement. They may reject formal religion and seek God in the mountains or forests or deserts. They may be fervent and sincere in their desire to come to God, but all human efforts to bridge the gap between man and God are doomed to failure. The sinful nature each of us has at birth makes it impossible for us to reach God—He had to come to us. That is why Jesus was born into the world.
There are not many ways to God; there is only one way. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). We cannot earn our way to God. Instead we must receive the gift of salvation through faith alone. It is then that He gives us the power to enter into His family and become His children.
Salvation is not and cannot be an act of man. It must be accomplished by God. When Jesus was physically present on Earth, many people refused to receive Him as the Messiah and Saviour. It is no different today.
Lots of people refuse to accept the free offer of salvation. But everyone who receives it in faith by God's grace is saved forever.
Today's Growth Principle: Salvation is only possible because God gives us the free gift through His Son, Jesus Christ.
JANUARY 26, 2021
Foolishness
Proverbs 20:7 --- “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
There are certain kinds of people that we need to teach our kids to handle with extreme caution. Solomon describes these people as “fools.” There are three Hebrew words used for the term, “fool.” One term refers to a hardheaded person who thinks he needs no advice. The second term refers to a thickheaded person who won’t even listen to advice. And the last term refers to an empty-headed person who doesn’t listen to advice, but does the opposite of good advice and lives a foolish lifestyle. All three of these people are considered to be fools.
This is what we today refer to as, “the wrong crowd.” These are the people intent on being at the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, at the wrong time. They aren’t interested in people pulling them up to a higher level; they are only interested in pulling people down to a lower level. A fool is someone who will not listen to godly advice, will not learn godly counsel, and will not live according to godly wisdom.
There are some people that children need to learn to simply avoid. There is a story about a man who called a telephone number one time. It was the wrong number, but he got a great laugh over the message. The recording said: “I’m not available right now, but I thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I don’t return your call, you are one of the changes.” As parents, we must teach our children when it is time to make changes in relationships.
This is so important not just for earth, but also for eternity. The first thing we should all be teaching our children is that the most important relationship they will ever have is with Jesus Christ. When it comes to knowing, loving, and spending eternity with God, it is all about a right relationship with Jesus Christ. When our children have this relationship, they will have the Holy Spirit inside of them to help guide them as they navigate the rough terrain of friendships, enemies, and fools.
Dear Lord, please give my children wisdom and discernment to recognize and avoid foolish people. Help them to understand the value of wise, godly friends. And help me to teach them well what it looks like to choose friends wisely. In Jesus' name, amen.
Foolishness
Proverbs 20:7 --- “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
There are certain kinds of people that we need to teach our kids to handle with extreme caution. Solomon describes these people as “fools.” There are three Hebrew words used for the term, “fool.” One term refers to a hardheaded person who thinks he needs no advice. The second term refers to a thickheaded person who won’t even listen to advice. And the last term refers to an empty-headed person who doesn’t listen to advice, but does the opposite of good advice and lives a foolish lifestyle. All three of these people are considered to be fools.
This is what we today refer to as, “the wrong crowd.” These are the people intent on being at the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, at the wrong time. They aren’t interested in people pulling them up to a higher level; they are only interested in pulling people down to a lower level. A fool is someone who will not listen to godly advice, will not learn godly counsel, and will not live according to godly wisdom.
There are some people that children need to learn to simply avoid. There is a story about a man who called a telephone number one time. It was the wrong number, but he got a great laugh over the message. The recording said: “I’m not available right now, but I thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I don’t return your call, you are one of the changes.” As parents, we must teach our children when it is time to make changes in relationships.
This is so important not just for earth, but also for eternity. The first thing we should all be teaching our children is that the most important relationship they will ever have is with Jesus Christ. When it comes to knowing, loving, and spending eternity with God, it is all about a right relationship with Jesus Christ. When our children have this relationship, they will have the Holy Spirit inside of them to help guide them as they navigate the rough terrain of friendships, enemies, and fools.
Dear Lord, please give my children wisdom and discernment to recognize and avoid foolish people. Help them to understand the value of wise, godly friends. And help me to teach them well what it looks like to choose friends wisely. In Jesus' name, amen.
JANUARY 25, 2021
Love Your Enemies
Proverbs 20:22 --- “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you.”
There is one thing that has been true of every human being who has lived long enough on this earth and that is everyone makes enemies. If you have convictions that you believe in, and the courage to stand up for them, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to tell the truth – even in love – you are going to make enemies. The question is not, “Do we make enemies?” The question is, “How are we going to respond to our enemies?”
The Bible gives two pieces of advice on how to handle people that don’t like you, oppose you, harm you, or want to do you wrong. First, never go down to their level. There are countless people whose lives have been ruined, not by what has been done to them, but by how they have responded to it. There are people whose entire lives are built around how they can pay back someone who has done something wrong to them. This is not only an exercise in futility; it is unbiblical. Retribution and revenge can never heal your wounds. In fact, seeking to repay a wrong with another wrong only does more harm. Unforgiveness and anger lead to bitterness; and once bitterness takes root you will be miserable. There is only One who has the right to pay anyone back for a wrong; and God is the only One who knows how to pay back a wrong in the right way.
So how should we respond to our enemies? Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Back in Bible days, homes were heated and meals were prepared on little stoves that would look like an outside barbecue grill. When the poor ran out of coals for the fire, they would put empty containers on their heads and pass under the windows of wealthier people, who would drop extra coals into the containers. At the end of the journey, the poor man would arrive back home with a pile of burning coals on his head for his fire. It was an act of kindness and generosity.
We must teach our children to fill their enemies with forgiveness and kindness. Often times, this will turn enemies into friends. And when it doesn’t, it displays the character of God, who loved us and sent His Son to die for us while we were His enemies.
Dear Lord, loving our enemies is one of the hardest things about being one of your followers, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Please help me to model obedience to the command well for my children so that they may learn to obey you as well. In Jesus' name, amen.
Love Your Enemies
Proverbs 20:22 --- “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you.”
There is one thing that has been true of every human being who has lived long enough on this earth and that is everyone makes enemies. If you have convictions that you believe in, and the courage to stand up for them, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to tell the truth – even in love – you are going to make enemies. The question is not, “Do we make enemies?” The question is, “How are we going to respond to our enemies?”
The Bible gives two pieces of advice on how to handle people that don’t like you, oppose you, harm you, or want to do you wrong. First, never go down to their level. There are countless people whose lives have been ruined, not by what has been done to them, but by how they have responded to it. There are people whose entire lives are built around how they can pay back someone who has done something wrong to them. This is not only an exercise in futility; it is unbiblical. Retribution and revenge can never heal your wounds. In fact, seeking to repay a wrong with another wrong only does more harm. Unforgiveness and anger lead to bitterness; and once bitterness takes root you will be miserable. There is only One who has the right to pay anyone back for a wrong; and God is the only One who knows how to pay back a wrong in the right way.
So how should we respond to our enemies? Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Back in Bible days, homes were heated and meals were prepared on little stoves that would look like an outside barbecue grill. When the poor ran out of coals for the fire, they would put empty containers on their heads and pass under the windows of wealthier people, who would drop extra coals into the containers. At the end of the journey, the poor man would arrive back home with a pile of burning coals on his head for his fire. It was an act of kindness and generosity.
We must teach our children to fill their enemies with forgiveness and kindness. Often times, this will turn enemies into friends. And when it doesn’t, it displays the character of God, who loved us and sent His Son to die for us while we were His enemies.
Dear Lord, loving our enemies is one of the hardest things about being one of your followers, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Please help me to model obedience to the command well for my children so that they may learn to obey you as well. In Jesus' name, amen.
JANUARY 24, 2021
Meeting Spiritual Needs
Go and make disciples in all the nations . . . Matthew 28:19 (TLB)
Christian missions is unique in the aggressive movements of history. Christianity in its pure form has no “axe to grind,” no system to foster, and no profit motivation. Its job is simply to “seek and to save that which is lost.” Nothing more, nothing less. The words “apostle” and “missionary” mean the same thing: “One who is sent.” The word apostle is from the Greek; and the word missionary is from the Latin.
The New Testament is a book of missions. The Gospels tell of Jesus’ missionary accomplishments, and the Acts tell of the missionary endeavors of the apostles. The disciples were launched into the world by the power of the resurrection, and the Gospel made its impact upon the world’s people. Peter went to Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Babylon, and Asia Minor. John went to Samaria, Ephesus, and to the cities on the Mediterranean. Thomas journeyed to far away India. Paul, the peer of all early missionaries, used the roads Rome had built to take the Gospel through the Empire. Today the need for missions is greater than ever before! The world is shrinking in size but expanding in population. We live in a world of conflicting, confusing beliefs! We live in a world of complex problems! But, more important, we live in a world of dire spiritual need.
Prayer for the day --- Father, help me to be a light in this world of darkness, ready for each opportunity to share Your love with those whose spiritual needs are great.
Meeting Spiritual Needs
Go and make disciples in all the nations . . . Matthew 28:19 (TLB)
Christian missions is unique in the aggressive movements of history. Christianity in its pure form has no “axe to grind,” no system to foster, and no profit motivation. Its job is simply to “seek and to save that which is lost.” Nothing more, nothing less. The words “apostle” and “missionary” mean the same thing: “One who is sent.” The word apostle is from the Greek; and the word missionary is from the Latin.
The New Testament is a book of missions. The Gospels tell of Jesus’ missionary accomplishments, and the Acts tell of the missionary endeavors of the apostles. The disciples were launched into the world by the power of the resurrection, and the Gospel made its impact upon the world’s people. Peter went to Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Babylon, and Asia Minor. John went to Samaria, Ephesus, and to the cities on the Mediterranean. Thomas journeyed to far away India. Paul, the peer of all early missionaries, used the roads Rome had built to take the Gospel through the Empire. Today the need for missions is greater than ever before! The world is shrinking in size but expanding in population. We live in a world of conflicting, confusing beliefs! We live in a world of complex problems! But, more important, we live in a world of dire spiritual need.
Prayer for the day --- Father, help me to be a light in this world of darkness, ready for each opportunity to share Your love with those whose spiritual needs are great.
JANUARY 23, 2021
Dare to Dream
Each of us should have a dream and go after that dream with all our hearts. Dreams are different from plans. Plans are manageable opportunities, but dreams are often too big to be managed. You plan to assemble a model airplane, but you dream to fly.
Dreams always require faith because they are bigger than you or your ability to accomplish them. That is why I believe faith-filled dreams are so important. When you dream a big dream for God, you will need to become totally dependent on Him to bring it to pass. All dreamers come to the point where they stop and say, “Lord, this is the dream I believe You’ve given me, but I don’t know how to make it happen. I need You to make this dream come true. I need You to lead the way.”
Trust God’s timing and diligently take each step He guides you to take. You will see your God-ordained dreams come to pass if you don’t give up.
Prayer Starter: Thank You, Lord, for putting me big dreams in my heart. Help me step out in faith to do what I believe You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dare to Dream
Each of us should have a dream and go after that dream with all our hearts. Dreams are different from plans. Plans are manageable opportunities, but dreams are often too big to be managed. You plan to assemble a model airplane, but you dream to fly.
Dreams always require faith because they are bigger than you or your ability to accomplish them. That is why I believe faith-filled dreams are so important. When you dream a big dream for God, you will need to become totally dependent on Him to bring it to pass. All dreamers come to the point where they stop and say, “Lord, this is the dream I believe You’ve given me, but I don’t know how to make it happen. I need You to make this dream come true. I need You to lead the way.”
Trust God’s timing and diligently take each step He guides you to take. You will see your God-ordained dreams come to pass if you don’t give up.
Prayer Starter: Thank You, Lord, for putting me big dreams in my heart. Help me step out in faith to do what I believe You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 22, 2021
The Landmine of Unforgiveness
Ephesians 4:25-32
It can be difficult to let go of resentment towards those who have hurt us. But that is exactly what God asks us to do—not only for their good but also for our own. Unforgiveness causes stress and unhappiness that can creep into our relationships with co-workers, friends, and family. But when we choose to forgive, we will find freedom. Here are things to do if you have noticed bitterness in your heart:
• Assume full responsibility for your unforgiving spirit. The other person may be responsible for wrongful actions toward us, but we are nonetheless responsible for the sin of harboring bitterness.
• Confess honestly. It’s appropriate to admit to God when we harbor resentment or wish for someone’s punishment. But since an unforgiving spirit will return unless we can permanently lay down our anger, this is a choice many people must make repeatedly.
• Pray for your wrongdoer. We may not feel like talking to God on behalf of someone who’s hurt us, but doing so is the way to break the hold bitterness has on us.
Even after we have done these things, resentment may still crop up in our hearts. When that happens, we can thank God that we have, in fact, forgiven. We can also refuse Satan’s invitation to rehash the past.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 19-21
The Landmine of Unforgiveness
Ephesians 4:25-32
It can be difficult to let go of resentment towards those who have hurt us. But that is exactly what God asks us to do—not only for their good but also for our own. Unforgiveness causes stress and unhappiness that can creep into our relationships with co-workers, friends, and family. But when we choose to forgive, we will find freedom. Here are things to do if you have noticed bitterness in your heart:
• Assume full responsibility for your unforgiving spirit. The other person may be responsible for wrongful actions toward us, but we are nonetheless responsible for the sin of harboring bitterness.
• Confess honestly. It’s appropriate to admit to God when we harbor resentment or wish for someone’s punishment. But since an unforgiving spirit will return unless we can permanently lay down our anger, this is a choice many people must make repeatedly.
• Pray for your wrongdoer. We may not feel like talking to God on behalf of someone who’s hurt us, but doing so is the way to break the hold bitterness has on us.
Even after we have done these things, resentment may still crop up in our hearts. When that happens, we can thank God that we have, in fact, forgiven. We can also refuse Satan’s invitation to rehash the past.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 19-21
JANUARY 21, 2021
Fellowship --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 2:41–42 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
My wife enjoys baking during the Christmas season, but she especially delights in the opportunity it provides for fellowship as loved ones gather together to enjoy the delicious fruit of her labor. One of the precious, although sometimes overlooked, gifts we have through Christ is Christian fellowship. It is impossible to overstate the importance and benefit of Christian fellowship to our walk with God.
One of the keys to the power of the early church was the fact that they spent so much time together. It is a hallmark of genuine believers that they long to be together. Praying and learning the Word of God together strengthens the bonds of unity in the church, but it also strengthens each individual who takes part. The challenges and struggles we face as part of daily life in a fallen world require more strength than any of us has on our own. While we receive strength from God to face these battles (“the inward man is renewed day by day,” 2 Corinthians 4:16), He has also ordained that we encourage and minister strength to each other during difficult times.
Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation but in groups. Regular fellowship with other believers—both as part of church services or activities and on a personal basis—is meant to be a source of strength and encouragement as we face the challenges and struggles of life. Thank God for the fellowship you have with
His people and together enjoy the celebration of His birth.
Today's Growth Principle: Build and strengthen your relationships with God’s people. True Christian friendship is a gift from Him.
Fellowship --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Acts 2:41–42 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
My wife enjoys baking during the Christmas season, but she especially delights in the opportunity it provides for fellowship as loved ones gather together to enjoy the delicious fruit of her labor. One of the precious, although sometimes overlooked, gifts we have through Christ is Christian fellowship. It is impossible to overstate the importance and benefit of Christian fellowship to our walk with God.
One of the keys to the power of the early church was the fact that they spent so much time together. It is a hallmark of genuine believers that they long to be together. Praying and learning the Word of God together strengthens the bonds of unity in the church, but it also strengthens each individual who takes part. The challenges and struggles we face as part of daily life in a fallen world require more strength than any of us has on our own. While we receive strength from God to face these battles (“the inward man is renewed day by day,” 2 Corinthians 4:16), He has also ordained that we encourage and minister strength to each other during difficult times.
Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation but in groups. Regular fellowship with other believers—both as part of church services or activities and on a personal basis—is meant to be a source of strength and encouragement as we face the challenges and struggles of life. Thank God for the fellowship you have with
His people and together enjoy the celebration of His birth.
Today's Growth Principle: Build and strengthen your relationships with God’s people. True Christian friendship is a gift from Him.
JANUARY 20, 2021
Loyalty
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26
Psychologists once asked a group of college students to jot down the initials of people they disliked. Some of the students could only think of one person. Other students listed as many as fifteen. What is interesting is the students who disliked the largest number of people were themselves the most widely disliked.
One of the most important aspects of healthy relationships begins with self. We must be likable, and teach our children to be likable, because the more likable we are, the more likely we are to be liked by others. One of the best selling books of all time was written by Dale Carnegie and entitled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” In that book he wrote this, “You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” We must teach our children that they are not the center of the universe. The natural inclination is always to be selfish; so we must train our children to think of others and not only themselves. This is the first step in making good friends…learning to be a good friend.
In Proverbs 12:26 God reminds us to choose our friends carefully. That word, “choose,” in the Hebrew language refers to a man that would search out land that he was thinking about buying. It was a person who was exploring and evaluating whether or not the land was worthy of an investor. We need to teach our children not only how to be the right friend, but how to choose the right friends.
There are, of course, different levels of friendship. People are not pieces of property. Everyone is worthy of kindness. Proverbs 12:26 refers to the deepest level of friendship. These are the people you put in your inner circle. These are the friends you seek out for advice and who have the most influence on you. We must choose these friends carefully.
Let me caution parents to never teach your children that they should not associate with kids who don’t believe what they believe, or live life exactly as they do. Jesus was a friend of sinners and we should be as well. We cannot reach unbelievers with the Gospel if we refuse to associate with them. In these types of friendships, however, we must make sure we are doing the influencing rather than being influenced.
Dear Lord, I know that loyalty is one of the greatest traits we can have as your children. Please give me the opportunities to emulate loyalty so that my children can learn what it looks like to be loyal in their own lives. In Jesus' name, amen.
Loyalty
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26
Psychologists once asked a group of college students to jot down the initials of people they disliked. Some of the students could only think of one person. Other students listed as many as fifteen. What is interesting is the students who disliked the largest number of people were themselves the most widely disliked.
One of the most important aspects of healthy relationships begins with self. We must be likable, and teach our children to be likable, because the more likable we are, the more likely we are to be liked by others. One of the best selling books of all time was written by Dale Carnegie and entitled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” In that book he wrote this, “You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” We must teach our children that they are not the center of the universe. The natural inclination is always to be selfish; so we must train our children to think of others and not only themselves. This is the first step in making good friends…learning to be a good friend.
In Proverbs 12:26 God reminds us to choose our friends carefully. That word, “choose,” in the Hebrew language refers to a man that would search out land that he was thinking about buying. It was a person who was exploring and evaluating whether or not the land was worthy of an investor. We need to teach our children not only how to be the right friend, but how to choose the right friends.
There are, of course, different levels of friendship. People are not pieces of property. Everyone is worthy of kindness. Proverbs 12:26 refers to the deepest level of friendship. These are the people you put in your inner circle. These are the friends you seek out for advice and who have the most influence on you. We must choose these friends carefully.
Let me caution parents to never teach your children that they should not associate with kids who don’t believe what they believe, or live life exactly as they do. Jesus was a friend of sinners and we should be as well. We cannot reach unbelievers with the Gospel if we refuse to associate with them. In these types of friendships, however, we must make sure we are doing the influencing rather than being influenced.
Dear Lord, I know that loyalty is one of the greatest traits we can have as your children. Please give me the opportunities to emulate loyalty so that my children can learn what it looks like to be loyal in their own lives. In Jesus' name, amen.
JANUARY 19, 2021
The Joy of Knowing
Psalm 146:5 --- Happy is he . . . whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Happy is the man who has learned the secret of coming to God in daily prayer. Fifteen minutes alone with God every morning before you start the day can change circumstances and remove mountains! But all of this happiness and all of these unlimited benefits which flow from the storehouse of heaven are contingent upon our relationship to God. Absolute dependency and absolute are the conditions of being His child. Only His children are entitled to receive those things that lend themselves to happiness; and in order to be His child, there must be the surrender of the will to Him. Man does not come to know God through works—he comes to know God by faith, through grace. You cannot work your way toward happiness and heaven, you cannot moralize your way, you cannot reform your way, you cannot buy your way. It comes as a gift of God through Christ.
Prayer for the day --- Thank You, heavenly Father, for the gift of joy which comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ.
The Joy of Knowing
Psalm 146:5 --- Happy is he . . . whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Happy is the man who has learned the secret of coming to God in daily prayer. Fifteen minutes alone with God every morning before you start the day can change circumstances and remove mountains! But all of this happiness and all of these unlimited benefits which flow from the storehouse of heaven are contingent upon our relationship to God. Absolute dependency and absolute are the conditions of being His child. Only His children are entitled to receive those things that lend themselves to happiness; and in order to be His child, there must be the surrender of the will to Him. Man does not come to know God through works—he comes to know God by faith, through grace. You cannot work your way toward happiness and heaven, you cannot moralize your way, you cannot reform your way, you cannot buy your way. It comes as a gift of God through Christ.
Prayer for the day --- Thank You, heavenly Father, for the gift of joy which comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ.
JANUARY 18, 2021
Work Now, Play Later
We have seen that the Bible teaches us that we are to owe no man anything except to love him. When we allow debt to overwhelm us, it can bring discouragement and even depression. When Dave and I were young marrieds, we got into trouble with debt. We did it by running up our credit cards to the maximum buying things we wanted for ourselves and our children. We were making the minimum payment on the balance each month, but the interest was so high we never seemed to make any progress toward paying off what we owed. In fact, we just kept getting deeper and deeper into debt.
If you and I are ever going to get anywhere in the kingdom of God, we must learn to live by wisdom and not by our carnal desire, which is human emotion (SEE PROVERBS 3:13). The Bible teaches that Jesus has been made unto us wisdom, and that the Holy Spirit is wisdom within us (SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 AND EPHESIANS 1:17). If we will listen to the prompting of the Spirit, we will not get into trouble. But if we live by the dictates of the flesh, we are headed for destruction.
Wisdom makes the decision today it will be comfortable with tomorrow. Emotion does what feels good today and takes no thought of tomorrow. When tomorrow arrives, the wise enjoy it in peace and security, but the foolish end up in discouragement and depression. Why? Because the wise have prepared for tomorrow and are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, while the foolish who have put pleasure first must now pay for yesterday.
It is much better to work now and play later, than to play now and worry later! It is so discouraging to go to the mailbox every day and find nothing there but bills, bills, and more bills. Eventually that discouragement leads to depression because of the pressure of not being able to see a way out. How many people are deep in depression right this moment because of overwhelming debt?
To live a disciplined life, we have to be willing to invest today so that we can reap tomorrow. To relieve the discouragement and depression that come from being in debt, we must get out of debt by becoming self-disciplined to think not of today's sacrifices but of tomorrow's rewards.
Get ready to see your life transformed by God’s timeless wisdom. Check out Joyce’s newest book, In Search of Wisdom, available now at joycemeyer.org/wisdom or wherever books are sold.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I know I haven’t always been mindful of the future. I ask You to help me operate in wisdom today and every day, so that I can enjoy a more peaceful tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Work Now, Play Later
We have seen that the Bible teaches us that we are to owe no man anything except to love him. When we allow debt to overwhelm us, it can bring discouragement and even depression. When Dave and I were young marrieds, we got into trouble with debt. We did it by running up our credit cards to the maximum buying things we wanted for ourselves and our children. We were making the minimum payment on the balance each month, but the interest was so high we never seemed to make any progress toward paying off what we owed. In fact, we just kept getting deeper and deeper into debt.
If you and I are ever going to get anywhere in the kingdom of God, we must learn to live by wisdom and not by our carnal desire, which is human emotion (SEE PROVERBS 3:13). The Bible teaches that Jesus has been made unto us wisdom, and that the Holy Spirit is wisdom within us (SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 AND EPHESIANS 1:17). If we will listen to the prompting of the Spirit, we will not get into trouble. But if we live by the dictates of the flesh, we are headed for destruction.
Wisdom makes the decision today it will be comfortable with tomorrow. Emotion does what feels good today and takes no thought of tomorrow. When tomorrow arrives, the wise enjoy it in peace and security, but the foolish end up in discouragement and depression. Why? Because the wise have prepared for tomorrow and are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, while the foolish who have put pleasure first must now pay for yesterday.
It is much better to work now and play later, than to play now and worry later! It is so discouraging to go to the mailbox every day and find nothing there but bills, bills, and more bills. Eventually that discouragement leads to depression because of the pressure of not being able to see a way out. How many people are deep in depression right this moment because of overwhelming debt?
To live a disciplined life, we have to be willing to invest today so that we can reap tomorrow. To relieve the discouragement and depression that come from being in debt, we must get out of debt by becoming self-disciplined to think not of today's sacrifices but of tomorrow's rewards.
Get ready to see your life transformed by God’s timeless wisdom. Check out Joyce’s newest book, In Search of Wisdom, available now at joycemeyer.org/wisdom or wherever books are sold.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I know I haven’t always been mindful of the future. I ask You to help me operate in wisdom today and every day, so that I can enjoy a more peaceful tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 17, 2021
The Lord Guides Us
Have you ever encountered a rule that seemed confusing or unnecessary? Often in situations like those, what we lack is context—a deeper understanding. Sometimes the Lord’s wisdom can feel frustrating or confusing, too. But chances are, we simply need more insight and time. That’s why a regular discipline of reading and meditating on Scripture is so essential. Alongside prayer and consistent worship, the ongoing intake of God’s Word is the foundation of our growth in Christ.
We need time to get to the point of understanding what it means to be free in Christ while simultaneously submitting to Him. Becoming spiritually mature is a lifelong process, and there are no shortcuts. Wherever you are in your faith journey, remember there is still room to grow in Christlikeness. And that requires both intention and attention, as you take steps each day to seek Him. The Lord knows just what you need to keep moving. All you have to do is ask.
Think about it
• Our understanding of freedom in Jesus grows over time. In your own journey, which moments taught you the most?
• What does it mean to “take care” with regard to your liberty in Christ, as Paul puts it (1 Corinthians 8:9)?
Bible in One Year: Exodus 4-6
The Lord Guides Us
Have you ever encountered a rule that seemed confusing or unnecessary? Often in situations like those, what we lack is context—a deeper understanding. Sometimes the Lord’s wisdom can feel frustrating or confusing, too. But chances are, we simply need more insight and time. That’s why a regular discipline of reading and meditating on Scripture is so essential. Alongside prayer and consistent worship, the ongoing intake of God’s Word is the foundation of our growth in Christ.
We need time to get to the point of understanding what it means to be free in Christ while simultaneously submitting to Him. Becoming spiritually mature is a lifelong process, and there are no shortcuts. Wherever you are in your faith journey, remember there is still room to grow in Christlikeness. And that requires both intention and attention, as you take steps each day to seek Him. The Lord knows just what you need to keep moving. All you have to do is ask.
Think about it
• Our understanding of freedom in Jesus grows over time. In your own journey, which moments taught you the most?
• What does it mean to “take care” with regard to your liberty in Christ, as Paul puts it (1 Corinthians 8:9)?
Bible in One Year: Exodus 4-6
JANUARY 16, 2021
Light and Darkness --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 --- In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
On the first day of Creation, God called forth light into existence, and then separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3–4). There has been a divide between the two ever since. Despite all the efforts that have been made through the centuries to blur that distinction, light and dark remain as divided as ever. The Apostle Paul compared what happened on that first day of Creation with what happens in our hearts when we receive Christ as Savior: we are immediately moved from darkness into light.
Like the moon reflects the light of the sun rather than giving off its own light, we are to reflect the light of God's glory to the world around us. There is no question that we live in a world filled with darkness. Things are not getting better. That is no surprise, for nearly two thousand years ago, Paul warned Timothy that in the last days “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).
However, we should not allow ourselves to be discouraged because of the darkness. The growing evil in our world makes the light even brighter by contrast. God is not struggling to overcome Satan. That battle has already been won, and the future is certain. We simply must be faithful to shine as lights in the world for as long as God leaves us here.
Today's Growth Principle: The darkness around us gives us even more opportunity to show the light of God's love to the world.
Light and Darkness --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 --- In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
On the first day of Creation, God called forth light into existence, and then separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3–4). There has been a divide between the two ever since. Despite all the efforts that have been made through the centuries to blur that distinction, light and dark remain as divided as ever. The Apostle Paul compared what happened on that first day of Creation with what happens in our hearts when we receive Christ as Savior: we are immediately moved from darkness into light.
Like the moon reflects the light of the sun rather than giving off its own light, we are to reflect the light of God's glory to the world around us. There is no question that we live in a world filled with darkness. Things are not getting better. That is no surprise, for nearly two thousand years ago, Paul warned Timothy that in the last days “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).
However, we should not allow ourselves to be discouraged because of the darkness. The growing evil in our world makes the light even brighter by contrast. God is not struggling to overcome Satan. That battle has already been won, and the future is certain. We simply must be faithful to shine as lights in the world for as long as God leaves us here.
Today's Growth Principle: The darkness around us gives us even more opportunity to show the light of God's love to the world.
JANUARY 15, 2021
The Purpose
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:21)
The story of Joseph is a great example of the intentionality God has with each of His children. God doesn’t play games with your life. God has a purpose for your life. He has a purpose for every life. He has a purpose for everything.
Joseph didn’t know it, but the purpose of everything that happened to Joseph was so that he could place Joseph in a place to be a savior for his people. He was not just to be a savior for his people, but so that his people could bring a savior into the world.
Behind every plan there is a purpose. You need to understand something about God’s plan for your life. It wasn’t drawn up last night. He doesn’t make it up on the fly. He doesn’t have to improvise or adjust. God’s plan for you and me are wrapped around the purpose He has, not just for you and me, but for the entire world. God’s plan is in accordance with God’s purpose. There is a method to God’s madness. God has a purpose in everything that He does, and He not only has a plan He wants to achieve, He has a purpose He wants to accomplish.
The God in you is bigger than the evil that others do to you. Our job is to forgive what others do to us. God’s job is to providentially fit what others do to us into His plan and purpose for our good and His glory. And by the way, He has a one-hundred percent success rate.
Dear Lord, thank you that your plan has been set in stone since before I was even born. Help me to trust every aspect of your plan that I might fulfill the purpose you have for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Purpose
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:21)
The story of Joseph is a great example of the intentionality God has with each of His children. God doesn’t play games with your life. God has a purpose for your life. He has a purpose for every life. He has a purpose for everything.
Joseph didn’t know it, but the purpose of everything that happened to Joseph was so that he could place Joseph in a place to be a savior for his people. He was not just to be a savior for his people, but so that his people could bring a savior into the world.
Behind every plan there is a purpose. You need to understand something about God’s plan for your life. It wasn’t drawn up last night. He doesn’t make it up on the fly. He doesn’t have to improvise or adjust. God’s plan for you and me are wrapped around the purpose He has, not just for you and me, but for the entire world. God’s plan is in accordance with God’s purpose. There is a method to God’s madness. God has a purpose in everything that He does, and He not only has a plan He wants to achieve, He has a purpose He wants to accomplish.
The God in you is bigger than the evil that others do to you. Our job is to forgive what others do to us. God’s job is to providentially fit what others do to us into His plan and purpose for our good and His glory. And by the way, He has a one-hundred percent success rate.
Dear Lord, thank you that your plan has been set in stone since before I was even born. Help me to trust every aspect of your plan that I might fulfill the purpose you have for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 14, 2021
God Never Makes Mistakes
2 Corinthians 12:9 --- Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God is especially close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. God will make the bed soft and will freshen it with His presence and with His tender care. He makes the bed comfortable and wipes away our tears. He ministers to us with special tenderness at such a time and reveals His great love for us. Tell me why the gardener trims and prunes his rosebushes, sometimes cutting away productive branches, and I will tell you why God’s people are afflicted. God’s hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good. Oftentimes He must deform us and mutilate our own image. Deformity sometimes precedes conformity.
God Never Makes Mistakes
2 Corinthians 12:9 --- Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God is especially close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. God will make the bed soft and will freshen it with His presence and with His tender care. He makes the bed comfortable and wipes away our tears. He ministers to us with special tenderness at such a time and reveals His great love for us. Tell me why the gardener trims and prunes his rosebushes, sometimes cutting away productive branches, and I will tell you why God’s people are afflicted. God’s hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good. Oftentimes He must deform us and mutilate our own image. Deformity sometimes precedes conformity.
JANUARY 13, 2021
Freedom to Be Ourselves
Ask 21st-century women, “How do you feel about yourself?” and many will confess, “I hate myself.” Or perhaps their opinion of themselves is not that severe, but they will admit they really don’t like themselves.
Our world has created a false, unrealistic image of what women are supposed to look like and act like. But the truth is that every woman was not created by God to be skinny, with a flawless complexion and long flowing hair. Not every woman was intended to juggle a career as well as all of the other duties of being a wife, mother, citizen, and daughter. Single women should not be made to feel they are missing something because they are not married. Married women should not be made to feel they must have a career to be complete. We must have the freedom to be our individual selves.
Many women hate themselves and have no self-confidence because they have been abused, rejected, abandoned, or in some way damaged emotionally. Women need to experience a revival of knowing their infinite worth and value.
Prayer Starter: Father, You know exactly how I feel about myself. You know how deeply I’ve been influenced by the messages of our culture and how confusing it is. Help me discover the truth of my worth and value in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Freedom to Be Ourselves
Ask 21st-century women, “How do you feel about yourself?” and many will confess, “I hate myself.” Or perhaps their opinion of themselves is not that severe, but they will admit they really don’t like themselves.
Our world has created a false, unrealistic image of what women are supposed to look like and act like. But the truth is that every woman was not created by God to be skinny, with a flawless complexion and long flowing hair. Not every woman was intended to juggle a career as well as all of the other duties of being a wife, mother, citizen, and daughter. Single women should not be made to feel they are missing something because they are not married. Married women should not be made to feel they must have a career to be complete. We must have the freedom to be our individual selves.
Many women hate themselves and have no self-confidence because they have been abused, rejected, abandoned, or in some way damaged emotionally. Women need to experience a revival of knowing their infinite worth and value.
Prayer Starter: Father, You know exactly how I feel about myself. You know how deeply I’ve been influenced by the messages of our culture and how confusing it is. Help me discover the truth of my worth and value in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 12, 2021
God’s Message to His Children
1 John 4:7-14
Sometimes we hear so much about love in books, songs, and conversations that we begin to lose sight of its spiritual dimensions. Believers must remember that God’s love is of a much higher caliber—it is the starting point of our salvation. If He had not loved us first, we’d be destined for eternal condemnation rather than eternal life.
God revealed the extent of His love by sending His Son to die in our place. Jesus Christ became our substitute and bore God’s wrath for our sins so we could be forgiven and receive life everlasting.
But divine love extends even further. Not only are we pardoned forever, but God has also adopted us into His family (Eph. 1:5). As His children we are loved, accepted, and cared for by our heavenly Father. Yet even this is not the full extent of His love. God has also made us co-heirs with His Son (Rom. 8:17). Our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and one day when He returns to earth as King, we will one day rule with Christ in His kingdom.
Never let the world’s shallow concept of love rob you of the wonder of being a recipient of God’s divine love, which transforms us from enemies to heirs.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 39-41
God’s Message to His Children
1 John 4:7-14
Sometimes we hear so much about love in books, songs, and conversations that we begin to lose sight of its spiritual dimensions. Believers must remember that God’s love is of a much higher caliber—it is the starting point of our salvation. If He had not loved us first, we’d be destined for eternal condemnation rather than eternal life.
God revealed the extent of His love by sending His Son to die in our place. Jesus Christ became our substitute and bore God’s wrath for our sins so we could be forgiven and receive life everlasting.
But divine love extends even further. Not only are we pardoned forever, but God has also adopted us into His family (Eph. 1:5). As His children we are loved, accepted, and cared for by our heavenly Father. Yet even this is not the full extent of His love. God has also made us co-heirs with His Son (Rom. 8:17). Our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and one day when He returns to earth as King, we will one day rule with Christ in His kingdom.
Never let the world’s shallow concept of love rob you of the wonder of being a recipient of God’s divine love, which transforms us from enemies to heirs.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 39-41
JANUARY 11, 2021
Ephesians 2:11–13 --- "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Salvation changes far more than just our eternal destiny. It also changes our current situation. We move from the family of Satan to the family of God. We move from being in the world to being in Christ. Yet too often we fail to fully recognize the changes that have taken place, and thus we do not benefit from them as we should.
R. A. Torrey said, “When Jesus died, He died as my representative, and I died in Him; when He arose, He rose as my representative, and I arose in Him; when He ascended up on high and took His place at the right hand of the Father in the glory, He ascended as my representative and I ascended in Him, and today I am seated in Christ with God in the heavenlies. I look at the cross of Christ, and I know that atonement has been made for my sins; I look at the open sepulcher and the risen and ascended Lord, and I know the atonement has been accepted. There no longer remains a single sin on me, no matter how many or how great my sins may have been.”
We have already received these blessings as part of our conversion. The challenge is for us to overcome the snares of the world and the guilt of the past and begin to live as if what God says about our new position in life and in Him is true.
Today's Growth Principle: Live up to your position and privileges as a child of God today.
Ephesians 2:11–13 --- "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Salvation changes far more than just our eternal destiny. It also changes our current situation. We move from the family of Satan to the family of God. We move from being in the world to being in Christ. Yet too often we fail to fully recognize the changes that have taken place, and thus we do not benefit from them as we should.
R. A. Torrey said, “When Jesus died, He died as my representative, and I died in Him; when He arose, He rose as my representative, and I arose in Him; when He ascended up on high and took His place at the right hand of the Father in the glory, He ascended as my representative and I ascended in Him, and today I am seated in Christ with God in the heavenlies. I look at the cross of Christ, and I know that atonement has been made for my sins; I look at the open sepulcher and the risen and ascended Lord, and I know the atonement has been accepted. There no longer remains a single sin on me, no matter how many or how great my sins may have been.”
We have already received these blessings as part of our conversion. The challenge is for us to overcome the snares of the world and the guilt of the past and begin to live as if what God says about our new position in life and in Him is true.
Today's Growth Principle: Live up to your position and privileges as a child of God today.
JANUARY 10, 2021
The Providence of God
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
When people hurt you, mistreat you, disappoint you, throw you under the bus, the first step to forgiving them is to acknowledge what they have done. You can’t sweep it under the rug. You can’t pretend it didn’t happen. And you can’t just keep saying, “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.” You have to address the hurt head-on.
Now, I realize that addressing your hurt can be a painful process. It can bring up a lot of feelings and emotions that are hard to handle, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But you have to remember that even when it seems like everything is out of control, God is in control. Behind everything that happens to you, even the bad, the evil, and the horrible, God intends it ultimately for your good.
God never has to say, “Well that wasn’t in the script.” With God, everything is in the script. In the movie of your life, there are going to be valleys and deserts, bad times and good times, good and evil. But when the movie ends it will all work out for your good. Remember all the bad things that happened to you and all the bad people that do them, with the providence of God, God will use them and what they do ultimately for your good.
He will not let anything in your life go to waste. So even in the pain and the hurt, remember and trust that He has your best interest in mind at all times.
Dear Father, you know the hurt I have experienced and the pain I have faced in my life so far. You know the valleys I’ve walked through and the storms I’ve endured. Please help me to remember that even my toughest circumstances can be used for good in my life. Give me the strength and the wisdom to trust that you love me and that you know what’s best for me so that I can become more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Providence of God
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
When people hurt you, mistreat you, disappoint you, throw you under the bus, the first step to forgiving them is to acknowledge what they have done. You can’t sweep it under the rug. You can’t pretend it didn’t happen. And you can’t just keep saying, “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.” You have to address the hurt head-on.
Now, I realize that addressing your hurt can be a painful process. It can bring up a lot of feelings and emotions that are hard to handle, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But you have to remember that even when it seems like everything is out of control, God is in control. Behind everything that happens to you, even the bad, the evil, and the horrible, God intends it ultimately for your good.
God never has to say, “Well that wasn’t in the script.” With God, everything is in the script. In the movie of your life, there are going to be valleys and deserts, bad times and good times, good and evil. But when the movie ends it will all work out for your good. Remember all the bad things that happened to you and all the bad people that do them, with the providence of God, God will use them and what they do ultimately for your good.
He will not let anything in your life go to waste. So even in the pain and the hurt, remember and trust that He has your best interest in mind at all times.
Dear Father, you know the hurt I have experienced and the pain I have faced in my life so far. You know the valleys I’ve walked through and the storms I’ve endured. Please help me to remember that even my toughest circumstances can be used for good in my life. Give me the strength and the wisdom to trust that you love me and that you know what’s best for me so that I can become more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 9, 2021
He Is Coming Back
Mark 13:35, 36 --- Keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when I will come. . . . Watch for my return!
The great Dwight L. Moody used to say, “I never preached a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I preach another.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, the distinguished British clergy-man, said, “I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death. I am looking for Him.” That is the way a Christian should live his life—in the constant anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ! If we could live every day as though it may be the very last one before the final judgment, what a difference it would make here on earth! But we don’t like to think that way. We don’t like to think that our carefully made plans, our long range schemes may be interrupted by the trumpet of God. Too many people would rather say, “Oh, well, the end of the world hasn’t come yet, so why think about it – it’s probably a thousand years away.”
Prayer for the day --- Today might be the last day when Jesus returns. Cleanse me, Father.
He Is Coming Back
Mark 13:35, 36 --- Keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when I will come. . . . Watch for my return!
The great Dwight L. Moody used to say, “I never preached a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I preach another.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, the distinguished British clergy-man, said, “I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death. I am looking for Him.” That is the way a Christian should live his life—in the constant anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ! If we could live every day as though it may be the very last one before the final judgment, what a difference it would make here on earth! But we don’t like to think that way. We don’t like to think that our carefully made plans, our long range schemes may be interrupted by the trumpet of God. Too many people would rather say, “Oh, well, the end of the world hasn’t come yet, so why think about it – it’s probably a thousand years away.”
Prayer for the day --- Today might be the last day when Jesus returns. Cleanse me, Father.
JANUARY 8, 2021
Take Care of What God Has Given You
What if you went to a church and it was run-down? Peeling paint, broken doors, and smudged windows that didn't let the light in? You'd wonder about the pastor, wouldn't you? The church is his instrument for celebrating the glory of God, yet if he doesn't respect the church enough to take the time to keep it in good condition, what does this say about his relationship with God?
The same question applies to your own body—taking care of the body God has given you is the most important kind of "home maintenance" you can do! Your body is the home of your spirit where God dwells. To do the work you were meant to do, you need to keep it in shape.
I still have to remind myself of this. Once I hurt my voice by speaking in a seminar with an extremely sore throat. That morning when I woke up, I knew I shouldn't speak, but I thought about the disappointment of the audience if I didn't. So, I forced myself to speak, but the next day I could not make a sound. I couldn't the next day, either. I finally went to the doctor, who told me I had damaged my vocal cords. He said each time we push ourselves beyond reasonable limits, we do some damage, and if we do it too often, we get to a point where we can't recover. He said it might reach a point where I could not teach at all if I did not respect my voice and take care of it.
I nearly jeopardized my entire public ministry! If I had permanently damaged my voice, I would have wound up helping far fewer people and derailing my life's calling. Now I'm more careful about protecting the tools I need to do God's work—my voice, my mind, my heart, my emotions, and my body. Please take care of yourself so you can glorify God and do all that He has intended for you to do.
Prayer Starter: Lord God, thank You for the temple that is my body. Please guide me in how to take better care of myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Care of What God Has Given You
What if you went to a church and it was run-down? Peeling paint, broken doors, and smudged windows that didn't let the light in? You'd wonder about the pastor, wouldn't you? The church is his instrument for celebrating the glory of God, yet if he doesn't respect the church enough to take the time to keep it in good condition, what does this say about his relationship with God?
The same question applies to your own body—taking care of the body God has given you is the most important kind of "home maintenance" you can do! Your body is the home of your spirit where God dwells. To do the work you were meant to do, you need to keep it in shape.
I still have to remind myself of this. Once I hurt my voice by speaking in a seminar with an extremely sore throat. That morning when I woke up, I knew I shouldn't speak, but I thought about the disappointment of the audience if I didn't. So, I forced myself to speak, but the next day I could not make a sound. I couldn't the next day, either. I finally went to the doctor, who told me I had damaged my vocal cords. He said each time we push ourselves beyond reasonable limits, we do some damage, and if we do it too often, we get to a point where we can't recover. He said it might reach a point where I could not teach at all if I did not respect my voice and take care of it.
I nearly jeopardized my entire public ministry! If I had permanently damaged my voice, I would have wound up helping far fewer people and derailing my life's calling. Now I'm more careful about protecting the tools I need to do God's work—my voice, my mind, my heart, my emotions, and my body. Please take care of yourself so you can glorify God and do all that He has intended for you to do.
Prayer Starter: Lord God, thank You for the temple that is my body. Please guide me in how to take better care of myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JANUARY 7, 2021
Goals and Conscience
1 Timothy 1:18-19
Perhaps this has happened to you: While working toward a goal that honestly seems good, you realize getting there will require a choice or action that feels troubling. Anytime that is the case, you can be sure the Lord hasn’t approved the plan, because a godly goal will never force you to violate your conscience.
As we spend time in prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit builds God’s truth into our conscience, the “filter” through which we process our behavior and decisions. An inner alarm will go off if we think or act in a way that doesn’t align with that filter—it is God’s warning when we have stepped out of bounds.
The Lord won’t ever approve a goal that is achieved on a godless trail. Following that path will lead only to heartache, disappointment, and regret. If reaching an objective requires violation of your conscience, then you are headed where God has not called you, and the goal is your own—not His.
Good intentions aren’t enough to make a proposed plan right. Learn to appreciate your conscience—God’s gift of an internal warning system—and heed its admonitions.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 24-25
Goals and Conscience
1 Timothy 1:18-19
Perhaps this has happened to you: While working toward a goal that honestly seems good, you realize getting there will require a choice or action that feels troubling. Anytime that is the case, you can be sure the Lord hasn’t approved the plan, because a godly goal will never force you to violate your conscience.
As we spend time in prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit builds God’s truth into our conscience, the “filter” through which we process our behavior and decisions. An inner alarm will go off if we think or act in a way that doesn’t align with that filter—it is God’s warning when we have stepped out of bounds.
The Lord won’t ever approve a goal that is achieved on a godless trail. Following that path will lead only to heartache, disappointment, and regret. If reaching an objective requires violation of your conscience, then you are headed where God has not called you, and the goal is your own—not His.
Good intentions aren’t enough to make a proposed plan right. Learn to appreciate your conscience—God’s gift of an internal warning system—and heed its admonitions.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 24-25
JANUARY 6, 2021
Lights in a Dark World --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 5:14–16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
God does not have in mind His children blending in with their surroundings. We are meant to stand out as a witness to the world. Too many of God’s children have, like a chameleon, adapted to their surroundings in such a way that they are no longer visible. This defense mechanism is effective for animals but damaging to believers and to God’s work. The desire to fit in and be accepted, the fear of criticism or persecution, and the temptation to avoid conflict, often lead those who should be the brightest testimonies of grace and the Gospel to instead hide their lights from view.
D. L. Moody said, “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” If the way in which we live reflects the glory and grace of God, we will not need to make loud pronouncements of our faith—it will be evident. The best witness is that which comes when our lives and words match and we are glorifying our heavenly Father.
If we are faithful to follow God’s Word, do what is right and good, and share His plan of salvation, we will have an impact on our world. When the darkness is greatest, even small lights shine brightly. We do not have to be the largest or brightest lights that shine—merely faithful. Take your light out of hiding and make sure everyone who sees your life knows from your actions that you are God’s child.
Today's Growth Principle: God placed His light within you so you will hold it high to give hope to a dark and needy world.
Lights in a Dark World --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 5:14–16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
God does not have in mind His children blending in with their surroundings. We are meant to stand out as a witness to the world. Too many of God’s children have, like a chameleon, adapted to their surroundings in such a way that they are no longer visible. This defense mechanism is effective for animals but damaging to believers and to God’s work. The desire to fit in and be accepted, the fear of criticism or persecution, and the temptation to avoid conflict, often lead those who should be the brightest testimonies of grace and the Gospel to instead hide their lights from view.
D. L. Moody said, “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” If the way in which we live reflects the glory and grace of God, we will not need to make loud pronouncements of our faith—it will be evident. The best witness is that which comes when our lives and words match and we are glorifying our heavenly Father.
If we are faithful to follow God’s Word, do what is right and good, and share His plan of salvation, we will have an impact on our world. When the darkness is greatest, even small lights shine brightly. We do not have to be the largest or brightest lights that shine—merely faithful. Take your light out of hiding and make sure everyone who sees your life knows from your actions that you are God’s child.
Today's Growth Principle: God placed His light within you so you will hold it high to give hope to a dark and needy world.
JANUARY 5, 2021
Parenting Advice
“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
There are two things in life that you don’t know what to expect until they happen. One is marriage and the other is having a child. Many well-meaning couples mistakenly think that raising children just cannot be so hard. After all, all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds do it every day, right? How hard could it be?
Throughout my life I continue to learn that good things never come easy. Good families don’t just happen. Good marriages don’t just happen. Likewise, good children don’t just happen. It takes hard work and sacrifice to raise a child.
So often I get asked this question: “Can you recommend a good book on parenting?” I have read many parenting books over the years; and there certainly are some wonderful ones out there. But I am convinced, especially after bringing up three children myself, that the greatest book ever written on parenting is the Bible.
God’s Word should be our first source on parenting issues. Before we call a friend, buy a self-help book, or peruse the Internet, we should ask God what He has to say. After all, the first-ever, and only-perfect parent – God Himself, wrote the Bible. Just as our Heavenly Father wants what is best for His children, He knows that we want the same for our children.
There is no money-back guarantee on raising small children to become godly adults, but there are some valuable principles in the Bible that will help us to do the best job that we can. His Word is our wisdom. It is our source of truth and hope. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God’s Word can illuminate the next right step as we walk the long and sometimes dark journey of raising children.
Dear Father, when I am tempted to follow the example and teaching of the world when it comes to parenting, remind me that I have all the guidance I need in you and your Word. Help me not to forget where the true standard for parenting comes from. In Jesus' name, amen.
Parenting Advice
“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
There are two things in life that you don’t know what to expect until they happen. One is marriage and the other is having a child. Many well-meaning couples mistakenly think that raising children just cannot be so hard. After all, all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds do it every day, right? How hard could it be?
Throughout my life I continue to learn that good things never come easy. Good families don’t just happen. Good marriages don’t just happen. Likewise, good children don’t just happen. It takes hard work and sacrifice to raise a child.
So often I get asked this question: “Can you recommend a good book on parenting?” I have read many parenting books over the years; and there certainly are some wonderful ones out there. But I am convinced, especially after bringing up three children myself, that the greatest book ever written on parenting is the Bible.
God’s Word should be our first source on parenting issues. Before we call a friend, buy a self-help book, or peruse the Internet, we should ask God what He has to say. After all, the first-ever, and only-perfect parent – God Himself, wrote the Bible. Just as our Heavenly Father wants what is best for His children, He knows that we want the same for our children.
There is no money-back guarantee on raising small children to become godly adults, but there are some valuable principles in the Bible that will help us to do the best job that we can. His Word is our wisdom. It is our source of truth and hope. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God’s Word can illuminate the next right step as we walk the long and sometimes dark journey of raising children.
Dear Father, when I am tempted to follow the example and teaching of the world when it comes to parenting, remind me that I have all the guidance I need in you and your Word. Help me not to forget where the true standard for parenting comes from. In Jesus' name, amen.
JANUARY 4, 2021
Assurance of His Love
Psalm 27:1 --- The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Today many people are living in the bondage of fear. In a recent study a psychiatrist said that the greatest problem facing his patients was fear. Fear of going insane, committing suicide, being alone, or fear of heart disease, cancer, disaster, or death. We are becoming a nation of fearful people. Down through the centuries in times of trouble, temptation, trial, bereavement, and crisis, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is crowded with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. Today the Christian can come to the Scriptures with full assurance that God is going to deliver the person who puts his trust and confidence in God.
Christians can look into the future with promise, hope, and joy, and without fear, discouragement, or despondency.
Prayer for the day --- Your assurances of love still the fears of my heart, Lord.
Assurance of His Love
Psalm 27:1 --- The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Today many people are living in the bondage of fear. In a recent study a psychiatrist said that the greatest problem facing his patients was fear. Fear of going insane, committing suicide, being alone, or fear of heart disease, cancer, disaster, or death. We are becoming a nation of fearful people. Down through the centuries in times of trouble, temptation, trial, bereavement, and crisis, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is crowded with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. Today the Christian can come to the Scriptures with full assurance that God is going to deliver the person who puts his trust and confidence in God.
Christians can look into the future with promise, hope, and joy, and without fear, discouragement, or despondency.
Prayer for the day --- Your assurances of love still the fears of my heart, Lord.
JANUARY 3, 2021
You Are Loved
It is very important to begin each day knowing that you are loved! God loves you unconditionally, and His love is more valuable and important than anyone else’s. He doesn’t love us because we deserve it, but simply because He wants to.
As you receive God’s love freely, it will give you confidence and enable you to live life without fear. God’s perfect love casts out all fear and dread (see 1 John 4:18)
Perhaps you have known the pain of not being chosen. You were not picked for class president or asked to attend the party that everyone else was going to. When we are left out it hurts, but the good news for you today is that God has chosen. You! You are special to Him and His love for you will never end.
Prayer Starter: Lord, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for choosing me. Help me love You with all of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
JANUARY 2, 2021
Answered Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
We are commanded to persevere in prayer, and Scripture assures us God will answer. And while it may at times seem as if He’s ignoring us, that is not the case. Our heavenly Father, who loves us perfectly and knows all things fully, will certainly provide what is best when we ask Him. Oftentimes, unanswered prayer is not about God’s unwillingness to respond but has to do with requests made with wrong motives or limited perspective. We should keep three things in mind:
First, we must make wise requests. When we ask according to God’s will, we have confidence that He’ll answer our requests (1 John 5:14-15). The purpose of prayer is not to manipulate God but to submit ourselves to His desires.
Second, we should examine our motives. When we request something for purely selfish reasons without regard to God’s desires, we should not expect Him to answer (James 4:3).
Third, we are to trust god’s perspective. Man sees glimpses only of the immediate future, but God can see everything at once. He’s not slow about answering our petitions, because His timing is perfect (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Never give up on prayer, but as you present your requests, ask the Lord to reveal if you’re hindering His answer in some way. Remember, prayer is about His will, not ours.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 1-3
Answered Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
We are commanded to persevere in prayer, and Scripture assures us God will answer. And while it may at times seem as if He’s ignoring us, that is not the case. Our heavenly Father, who loves us perfectly and knows all things fully, will certainly provide what is best when we ask Him. Oftentimes, unanswered prayer is not about God’s unwillingness to respond but has to do with requests made with wrong motives or limited perspective. We should keep three things in mind:
First, we must make wise requests. When we ask according to God’s will, we have confidence that He’ll answer our requests (1 John 5:14-15). The purpose of prayer is not to manipulate God but to submit ourselves to His desires.
Second, we should examine our motives. When we request something for purely selfish reasons without regard to God’s desires, we should not expect Him to answer (James 4:3).
Third, we are to trust god’s perspective. Man sees glimpses only of the immediate future, but God can see everything at once. He’s not slow about answering our petitions, because His timing is perfect (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Never give up on prayer, but as you present your requests, ask the Lord to reveal if you’re hindering His answer in some way. Remember, prayer is about His will, not ours.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 1-3
JANUARY 1, 2021
Never Alone --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 14:16–18 --- "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
Jesus promised that we would not be left alone—that a Comforter, the Holy Spirit—would come and dwell with us forever. This happens at the moment that we are saved. Though we are to surrender to God’s leading so that we can be filled with the Spirit, we do not need a second baptism to get more of Him in our lives. Instead, we need for Him to have more of us. This is vital to every aspect of our lives and walk with God.
Charles Spurgeon rightly said, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.” It is impossible to live a victorious Christian life or do any meaningful and lasting work for God apart from the power of His Holy Spirit. Our own strength was never meant to be equal to that task. As the old hymn says, “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down.”
There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. No plan, no program, no effort will replace what only He can do in and through us. Jesus did His work on Earth in the power of the Spirit of God. John 3:34 tells us, “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” Jesus had unlimited Holy Spirit power, and though we will never reach that level, we must have His power active in our lives.
Today's Growth Principle: As you yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells in your heart, you will find power to do what God calls you to do.
Never Alone --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 14:16–18 --- "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
Jesus promised that we would not be left alone—that a Comforter, the Holy Spirit—would come and dwell with us forever. This happens at the moment that we are saved. Though we are to surrender to God’s leading so that we can be filled with the Spirit, we do not need a second baptism to get more of Him in our lives. Instead, we need for Him to have more of us. This is vital to every aspect of our lives and walk with God.
Charles Spurgeon rightly said, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.” It is impossible to live a victorious Christian life or do any meaningful and lasting work for God apart from the power of His Holy Spirit. Our own strength was never meant to be equal to that task. As the old hymn says, “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down.”
There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. No plan, no program, no effort will replace what only He can do in and through us. Jesus did His work on Earth in the power of the Spirit of God. John 3:34 tells us, “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” Jesus had unlimited Holy Spirit power, and though we will never reach that level, we must have His power active in our lives.
Today's Growth Principle: As you yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells in your heart, you will find power to do what God calls you to do.
DECEMBER 31, 2020
Climbing The Ladder
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
Have you ever thought about the fact that any religion, any spiritual belief that talks about any heaven or hell always talks about heaven being “up” and hell being “down”? You find it all over the Bible. For example, Psalm 14:2 says, “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind...”
You see, the birth of Christ was really just the beginning of a round trip that Jesus took from heaven down to earth and then took back up to heaven. In the second chapter of a letter that Paul wrote called Philippians, Paul describes this round trip so that we can understand it better.
The entire life of Jesus isn’t a story about somebody climbing a ladder; it is a picture of someone coming down a ladder. In eternity, He was at the top of the organizational chart of the universe, but He went from the top to the bottom. In fact, He even went lower than an angel. He became an ordinary human being, and He wasn’t born in a palace to a king and a queen but laid in a manger as a pheasant son of a poverty-stricken couple.
From the time that He was born until He died, He spent His entire life doing two things: obeying God and serving others.
Paul says we ought to have that same mindset. We are not God, but we can be gracious. We are not heavenly, but we can be humble. We are not sovereigns, but we can be servants. At the end of the day, it’s not about climbing the ladder. It’s not about elevating yourself. It’s about emulating Jesus and serving others, putting those around you before yourself.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of selflessness and service you set while you were on earth. Please give me more opportunities to serve like you did and help me to put others before myself rather than walking through life with a selfish attitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Climbing The Ladder
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
Have you ever thought about the fact that any religion, any spiritual belief that talks about any heaven or hell always talks about heaven being “up” and hell being “down”? You find it all over the Bible. For example, Psalm 14:2 says, “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind...”
You see, the birth of Christ was really just the beginning of a round trip that Jesus took from heaven down to earth and then took back up to heaven. In the second chapter of a letter that Paul wrote called Philippians, Paul describes this round trip so that we can understand it better.
The entire life of Jesus isn’t a story about somebody climbing a ladder; it is a picture of someone coming down a ladder. In eternity, He was at the top of the organizational chart of the universe, but He went from the top to the bottom. In fact, He even went lower than an angel. He became an ordinary human being, and He wasn’t born in a palace to a king and a queen but laid in a manger as a pheasant son of a poverty-stricken couple.
From the time that He was born until He died, He spent His entire life doing two things: obeying God and serving others.
Paul says we ought to have that same mindset. We are not God, but we can be gracious. We are not heavenly, but we can be humble. We are not sovereigns, but we can be servants. At the end of the day, it’s not about climbing the ladder. It’s not about elevating yourself. It’s about emulating Jesus and serving others, putting those around you before yourself.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of selflessness and service you set while you were on earth. Please give me more opportunities to serve like you did and help me to put others before myself rather than walking through life with a selfish attitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 30, 2020
Why We Have the Bible
John 20:31 --- These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God . . .
God caused the Bible to be written for the express purpose of revealing to us God’s plan for His redemption.
God caused the Book to be written that He might make His everlasting laws clear to His children, and that they might have His great wisdom to guide them, and His great love to comfort them as they make their way through life. For without the Bible this world would indeed be a dark and frightening place, without signpost or beacon. The Bible easily qualifies as the only book in which God’s revelation is contained.
There are many bibles of different religions; there is the Mohammedan Koran, the Buddhist Canon of Sacred Scripture, the Zoroastrian Zend-Avesta, and the Brahman Veda . . . They all begin with some flashes of true light, and end in utter darkness. Even the most casual observer soon discovers that the Bible is radically different. It is the only Book that offers redemption to us and points the way out of our dilemma.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, as I read Your Word, Your truth shines through and illuminates a dark world.
Why We Have the Bible
John 20:31 --- These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God . . .
God caused the Bible to be written for the express purpose of revealing to us God’s plan for His redemption.
God caused the Book to be written that He might make His everlasting laws clear to His children, and that they might have His great wisdom to guide them, and His great love to comfort them as they make their way through life. For without the Bible this world would indeed be a dark and frightening place, without signpost or beacon. The Bible easily qualifies as the only book in which God’s revelation is contained.
There are many bibles of different religions; there is the Mohammedan Koran, the Buddhist Canon of Sacred Scripture, the Zoroastrian Zend-Avesta, and the Brahman Veda . . . They all begin with some flashes of true light, and end in utter darkness. Even the most casual observer soon discovers that the Bible is radically different. It is the only Book that offers redemption to us and points the way out of our dilemma.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, as I read Your Word, Your truth shines through and illuminates a dark world.
DECEMBER 29, 2020
The Choice Is Yours
The first step in doing anything is choosing to do it. In order to encourage someone, you first choose to look for the best. In order to be at peace, you first choose not to worry. In order to start something new, you first choose to step out and go for it.
You may not know how it’s all going to work out, but you can make some foundational choices today. Begin by saying things like, Today, I choose peace over fear! Today, I choose to start to break that old habit and start a good one! Today, I choose not to lash out in anger! Today, I choose to live fully in this moment!
Make a choice, take a step, and never forget to ask for God’s help (His grace) in the process. We can do all things with and through Him, but we can do nothing without Him (see Philippians 4:13; John 15:5).
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that You have a divine destiny for my life. As I step out in faith, help me discover Your plan for my life. Thank You for showing me more about who You are and who I am as I walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Choice Is Yours
The first step in doing anything is choosing to do it. In order to encourage someone, you first choose to look for the best. In order to be at peace, you first choose not to worry. In order to start something new, you first choose to step out and go for it.
You may not know how it’s all going to work out, but you can make some foundational choices today. Begin by saying things like, Today, I choose peace over fear! Today, I choose to start to break that old habit and start a good one! Today, I choose not to lash out in anger! Today, I choose to live fully in this moment!
Make a choice, take a step, and never forget to ask for God’s help (His grace) in the process. We can do all things with and through Him, but we can do nothing without Him (see Philippians 4:13; John 15:5).
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that You have a divine destiny for my life. As I step out in faith, help me discover Your plan for my life. Thank You for showing me more about who You are and who I am as I walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 28, 2020
Entrusted With the Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30
Imagine that you’re minding two children. As they play, the younger one asks you to hold a dirty plastic pail. Awhile later the older one hands you a necklace that had been her grandmother’s. You wouldn’t worry too much about the toy, but you’d probably guard the jewelry with great care. The way we handle a possession reveals its value to us.
We see this principle in Jesus’ parable about the master who entrusted his workers with various sums of money. The two who invested theirs were later commended. Their efforts showed that they valued both the treasure and their master. A third worker, however, simply buried the amount he’d been given, and all he “earned” was a harsh rebuke.
Like these men, we are responsible for something of great worth. God has placed in our keeping the most powerful and precious message in existence—the gospel of Jesus. And we are accountable for what we do with it.
Do you feed on God’s Word daily and obey all it says? He has commanded us to share His life-saving message with a hurting and needy world. Whether we listen and obey reveals how much we value the gospel.
Bible in One Year: Revelation 5-8
Entrusted With the Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30
Imagine that you’re minding two children. As they play, the younger one asks you to hold a dirty plastic pail. Awhile later the older one hands you a necklace that had been her grandmother’s. You wouldn’t worry too much about the toy, but you’d probably guard the jewelry with great care. The way we handle a possession reveals its value to us.
We see this principle in Jesus’ parable about the master who entrusted his workers with various sums of money. The two who invested theirs were later commended. Their efforts showed that they valued both the treasure and their master. A third worker, however, simply buried the amount he’d been given, and all he “earned” was a harsh rebuke.
Like these men, we are responsible for something of great worth. God has placed in our keeping the most powerful and precious message in existence—the gospel of Jesus. And we are accountable for what we do with it.
Do you feed on God’s Word daily and obey all it says? He has commanded us to share His life-saving message with a hurting and needy world. Whether we listen and obey reveals how much we value the gospel.
Bible in One Year: Revelation 5-8
DECEMBER 27, 2020
The Precious Word of God --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 17:18–20 "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."
Long before Israel foolishly rejected God in search of a king to rule over them, God gave instruction to Moses for what the king should do when he assumed office. One of the critical assignments each king was supposed to follow was to make for himself a handwritten copy of the law of God from the scrolls carefully kept and preserved by the priests. This would be a labor-intense task that would consume a great amount of time in the life of a busy man with many responsibilities. Yet God commanded that the investment of time and effort be made.
This command illustrates the vital priority that the Word of God should have in our lives. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to fear and obey God and keep His commandments. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to be humble and to instruct others to follow God. In our day when copies of the Bible are readily available, it is easy for us to take the Word for granted. Instead, we should treasure and cherish it, and make it part of our daily lives.
Today's Growth Principle: Treasure the amazing gift you have in the Word of God. Read it and heed it, and you will do well.
The Precious Word of God --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Deuteronomy 17:18–20 "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."
Long before Israel foolishly rejected God in search of a king to rule over them, God gave instruction to Moses for what the king should do when he assumed office. One of the critical assignments each king was supposed to follow was to make for himself a handwritten copy of the law of God from the scrolls carefully kept and preserved by the priests. This would be a labor-intense task that would consume a great amount of time in the life of a busy man with many responsibilities. Yet God commanded that the investment of time and effort be made.
This command illustrates the vital priority that the Word of God should have in our lives. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to fear and obey God and keep His commandments. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to be humble and to instruct others to follow God. In our day when copies of the Bible are readily available, it is easy for us to take the Word for granted. Instead, we should treasure and cherish it, and make it part of our daily lives.
Today's Growth Principle: Treasure the amazing gift you have in the Word of God. Read it and heed it, and you will do well.
DECEMBER 26, 2020
Where Does Your Hope Lie?
Jeremiah 17:7 --- Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
The Scriptures predict that a new day is coming. There will be a golden age of prosperity when all perplexing problems-religious, social, or political-will find their complete solution. It will be a marvelous time for this mixed-up world. However, the Bible teaches that man will not bring about this coming golden age. Man alone cannot.
The flaw in human nature is too great. Man has no ability to repair this damaged planet. God is our only hope! His plans are already formed, and they are perfectly stated in the Scriptures.
Prayer for the day --- All my hope and plans are laid at Your feet, Lord Jesus.
DECEMBER 25, 2020
The Son Of God
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Jesus is called the Son, because the Father wants us to understand that the human Jesus was born just like we are, but He wasn’t the spitting image of his earthly mother. He was the spitting image of His Heavenly Father.
The Greek word for “image” is the word “eikon” which gives us our word “icon.” It refers to a perfect replica, a precise copy, an exact reproduction. The plainest way to say it is, Jesus was God in human flesh. Jesus Christ the Son is just as much God as God the Father.
Jesus was fully God. He was not fractionally God. He was not partially God; He was fully God. There was a time when Jesus was not a human being. There has never been a time when Jesus was not God. If you need God, you go to Jesus. If you come to God, you come to Jesus. If you love God you love Jesus, because He is fully God.
That baby who was laid in a manger by the hands of His earthly father was in fact the God who holds the whole world in His hands. In fact, He doesn’t just hold you and me in His hands; He holds the whole universe in His hands. He is the glue of the galaxies. He is the cement of creation. He is the Lord of the universe that we worship.
Dear Jesus, thank you for this wonderful reminder of your majesty as the Son of God. Help me not to forget that even though you were fully human on earth, you were fully God as well, and you are worthy to be worshipped and praised. In your name I pray, amen.
The Son Of God
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Jesus is called the Son, because the Father wants us to understand that the human Jesus was born just like we are, but He wasn’t the spitting image of his earthly mother. He was the spitting image of His Heavenly Father.
The Greek word for “image” is the word “eikon” which gives us our word “icon.” It refers to a perfect replica, a precise copy, an exact reproduction. The plainest way to say it is, Jesus was God in human flesh. Jesus Christ the Son is just as much God as God the Father.
Jesus was fully God. He was not fractionally God. He was not partially God; He was fully God. There was a time when Jesus was not a human being. There has never been a time when Jesus was not God. If you need God, you go to Jesus. If you come to God, you come to Jesus. If you love God you love Jesus, because He is fully God.
That baby who was laid in a manger by the hands of His earthly father was in fact the God who holds the whole world in His hands. In fact, He doesn’t just hold you and me in His hands; He holds the whole universe in His hands. He is the glue of the galaxies. He is the cement of creation. He is the Lord of the universe that we worship.
Dear Jesus, thank you for this wonderful reminder of your majesty as the Son of God. Help me not to forget that even though you were fully human on earth, you were fully God as well, and you are worthy to be worshipped and praised. In your name I pray, amen.
DECEMBER 24, 2020
Holidays and Commandments ---Dr. Paul Chappell
John 15:9–11 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Benjamin Franklin said, “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few His precepts! O ‘tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” As we celebrate the love of God demonstrated to us at Christmas, we should also be showing our love for Him through our obedience to His commandments. God offers salvation freely through His grace, and we do nothing to earn His favor. He has every right, however, to expect our obedience.
The proper understanding of grace does not lead to us to live any way we please. Instead, it leads us to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Paul wrote to Titus about the role of grace: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). When people declare that they can do something wrong because of grace, it is a sign that they really don’t understand what grace is.
The more we love God, the more we want to do what He says—not out of a desire to earn our
place or favor with Him, but from a desire to please Him. This is the way Jesus lived His life on Earth.
Speaking of His Father in Heaven He said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
How would the next few days of this Christmas season be different for you if you were as observant of Christ’s commandments as you are of commemorating His birthday?
Today's Growth Principle: Honor God this Christmas and show your love for Him by obeying His commandments.
Holidays and Commandments ---Dr. Paul Chappell
John 15:9–11 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Benjamin Franklin said, “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few His precepts! O ‘tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” As we celebrate the love of God demonstrated to us at Christmas, we should also be showing our love for Him through our obedience to His commandments. God offers salvation freely through His grace, and we do nothing to earn His favor. He has every right, however, to expect our obedience.
The proper understanding of grace does not lead to us to live any way we please. Instead, it leads us to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Paul wrote to Titus about the role of grace: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). When people declare that they can do something wrong because of grace, it is a sign that they really don’t understand what grace is.
The more we love God, the more we want to do what He says—not out of a desire to earn our
place or favor with Him, but from a desire to please Him. This is the way Jesus lived His life on Earth.
Speaking of His Father in Heaven He said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
How would the next few days of this Christmas season be different for you if you were as observant of Christ’s commandments as you are of commemorating His birthday?
Today's Growth Principle: Honor God this Christmas and show your love for Him by obeying His commandments.
DECEMBER 23, 2020
God’s Wisdom Revealed
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul discusses godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge isn’t available through human reasoning. It is of a higher realm and comes through divine revelation.
This supernatural insight is the only way to accurately know the Lord and His ways. People who lack it will often try to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. This amounts to custom-designing a god, based on their own ideas, to fit their preferences.
The Bible is our most reliable source of divine revelation. When we search for truth, we must consider the entirety of God’s Word instead of just picking and choosing verses we want to believe. For example, imagine if we were to focus only on passages about the Lord’s lovingkindness while disregarding those that deal with His holiness and justice—we’d end up with a lopsided understanding of His true nature.
So let’s take the entire counsel of Scripture into consideration. And remember that divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, let’s allow the Lord to enlarge our minds so that we can know Him fully.
Bible in One Year: 1 Peter 1-5
God’s Wisdom Revealed
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul discusses godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge isn’t available through human reasoning. It is of a higher realm and comes through divine revelation.
This supernatural insight is the only way to accurately know the Lord and His ways. People who lack it will often try to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. This amounts to custom-designing a god, based on their own ideas, to fit their preferences.
The Bible is our most reliable source of divine revelation. When we search for truth, we must consider the entirety of God’s Word instead of just picking and choosing verses we want to believe. For example, imagine if we were to focus only on passages about the Lord’s lovingkindness while disregarding those that deal with His holiness and justice—we’d end up with a lopsided understanding of His true nature.
So let’s take the entire counsel of Scripture into consideration. And remember that divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, let’s allow the Lord to enlarge our minds so that we can know Him fully.
Bible in One Year: 1 Peter 1-5
DECEMBER 22, 2020
A Promise of Pain --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 2:33-35 “And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
We think to think of Christmas in terms of joy, and it is truly a joyful occasion. But it was not easy or simple. Mary went through the same physical pain in childbirth that other mothers have experienced through the years. She was not miraculously shielded from the suffering just because the child to whom she was giving birth was the Messiah. And the pain of childbirth was only the beginning—the greatest pain Mary would experience was yet to come when Jesus was crucified.
The prophecy Simeon had given Mary when Jesus was a baby came true as she watched Him die. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26). Even in His final moments, Jesus made sure that Mary would be cared for after His death. He knew that her heart was broken, and she would need the physical and emotional comfort John would be able to provide.
There is no salvation possible apart from sacrifice. And there is no way to follow God’s Son without carrying our own crosses just as He did. Mary willingly accepted her part in God’s plan, but it came at a very high price. There is great joy and glory and reward in faithfully obeying and serving God, but it is not an easy road we have been called to walk.
Today's Growth Principle: The seriousness of sin is measured by the amount of pain the solution for it brought both to the Lord and those who loved Him.
A Promise of Pain --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 2:33-35 “And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
We think to think of Christmas in terms of joy, and it is truly a joyful occasion. But it was not easy or simple. Mary went through the same physical pain in childbirth that other mothers have experienced through the years. She was not miraculously shielded from the suffering just because the child to whom she was giving birth was the Messiah. And the pain of childbirth was only the beginning—the greatest pain Mary would experience was yet to come when Jesus was crucified.
The prophecy Simeon had given Mary when Jesus was a baby came true as she watched Him die. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26). Even in His final moments, Jesus made sure that Mary would be cared for after His death. He knew that her heart was broken, and she would need the physical and emotional comfort John would be able to provide.
There is no salvation possible apart from sacrifice. And there is no way to follow God’s Son without carrying our own crosses just as He did. Mary willingly accepted her part in God’s plan, but it came at a very high price. There is great joy and glory and reward in faithfully obeying and serving God, but it is not an easy road we have been called to walk.
Today's Growth Principle: The seriousness of sin is measured by the amount of pain the solution for it brought both to the Lord and those who loved Him.
DECEMBER 21, 2020
Encouraging Correction
“Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” --- Ephesians 6:4b
The Apostle Paul encourages parents to bring their children up in the instruction of the Lord. That word, instruction, is made up of two Greek words – the noun “mind” and the verb “to place.” It literally means, “to place before the mind.” It is usually translated “warning” or “admonition.” If you are warning or admonishing someone you are correcting or disciplining him. In other words, part of instruction is correction.
Suffice it to say it is much more fun to direct children to do what is right than to correct them when they do what is wrong; but both are necessary. There are two things I would encourage you to remember about discipline when it is necessary: 1) Make sure the punishment fits the crime; and 2) Make sure the crime deserves punishment.
It is vitally important that when you discipline a child, no matter the age of that child, he/she understands why you are doing it. You should always refer to exactly what the child did wrong. Help your child to understand that the discipline is not something you are doing to him, but for him. A good thing to say is, “I love you too much to let you behave like that or get away with that.”
I encourage you to remember that the purpose of discipline is to encourage your children towards godliness. Discipline is intended not just to punish them for doing wrong, but to encourage them to do what is right. Not every hill is worth dying on. Always make sure that you choose your battles wisely. Fight only those worth fighting, and when you fight them do it in a way that ultimately encourages your children instead of discouraging them.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me guidance and direction through your Word on how to discipline my children. I pray that you would give me wisdom and diligence as I discipline so that I may raise them to be obedient to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Encouraging Correction
“Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” --- Ephesians 6:4b
The Apostle Paul encourages parents to bring their children up in the instruction of the Lord. That word, instruction, is made up of two Greek words – the noun “mind” and the verb “to place.” It literally means, “to place before the mind.” It is usually translated “warning” or “admonition.” If you are warning or admonishing someone you are correcting or disciplining him. In other words, part of instruction is correction.
Suffice it to say it is much more fun to direct children to do what is right than to correct them when they do what is wrong; but both are necessary. There are two things I would encourage you to remember about discipline when it is necessary: 1) Make sure the punishment fits the crime; and 2) Make sure the crime deserves punishment.
It is vitally important that when you discipline a child, no matter the age of that child, he/she understands why you are doing it. You should always refer to exactly what the child did wrong. Help your child to understand that the discipline is not something you are doing to him, but for him. A good thing to say is, “I love you too much to let you behave like that or get away with that.”
I encourage you to remember that the purpose of discipline is to encourage your children towards godliness. Discipline is intended not just to punish them for doing wrong, but to encourage them to do what is right. Not every hill is worth dying on. Always make sure that you choose your battles wisely. Fight only those worth fighting, and when you fight them do it in a way that ultimately encourages your children instead of discouraging them.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me guidance and direction through your Word on how to discipline my children. I pray that you would give me wisdom and diligence as I discipline so that I may raise them to be obedient to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
DECEMBER 20, 2020
Light of the World
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, people had many opinions about who He was. Some thought the Lord was a great prophet (John 7:40), while others believed He truly was the Messiah (v. 41). These opinions caused so much confusion and discord that Jesus was almost arrested (John 7:41-46). So just a short while later, when Jesus called Himself the “Light of the world,” it’s no surprise that He was challenged again (John 8:12-13).
Light is used throughout Scripture to describe God and His glory, and the people around Jesus would have understood His words to be a statement of His deity. For those who believed He was the Messiah, it would have offered reassurance and signaled the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise: The darkness would be overcome.
Think about it
• What made Jesus the Light of the world?
• Read Matthew 5:14. Why do you think the Lord uses the same language to describe His followers, calling them the light of the world?
Bible in One Year: Hebrews 10-11
Light of the World
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, people had many opinions about who He was. Some thought the Lord was a great prophet (John 7:40), while others believed He truly was the Messiah (v. 41). These opinions caused so much confusion and discord that Jesus was almost arrested (John 7:41-46). So just a short while later, when Jesus called Himself the “Light of the world,” it’s no surprise that He was challenged again (John 8:12-13).
Light is used throughout Scripture to describe God and His glory, and the people around Jesus would have understood His words to be a statement of His deity. For those who believed He was the Messiah, it would have offered reassurance and signaled the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise: The darkness would be overcome.
Think about it
• What made Jesus the Light of the world?
• Read Matthew 5:14. Why do you think the Lord uses the same language to describe His followers, calling them the light of the world?
Bible in One Year: Hebrews 10-11
DECEMBER 19, 2020
“God with Us” --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 1:21–23 --- “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Most religions throughout history have featured deities who were aloof and distant—needing persuasion to intervene in human affairs, and often doing so in fickle ways that brought more harm than help. Ever since sin entered the world, there has been a separation between God and man. No matter how man tries to bridge that divide, whether through worship or works, it cannot be crossed from the human side. Only God could reach across the gap, and that is why Jesus was born. He was God living with man to bring man back to God.
Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, and He has long since returned to Heaven. But His departure does not mean that God is no longer present. Jesus told His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16–17).
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and is always present with us. People sometimes speak of feeling like they are far away from God, but that feeling is never caused by His withdrawal from us. We can and often do break the closeness of the relationship but it never changes. He never leaves or forsakes His children.
Today's Growth Principle: God’s Spirit is just as real and present with us today as Jesus was with His disciples when He walked the earth.
“God with Us” --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 1:21–23 --- “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Most religions throughout history have featured deities who were aloof and distant—needing persuasion to intervene in human affairs, and often doing so in fickle ways that brought more harm than help. Ever since sin entered the world, there has been a separation between God and man. No matter how man tries to bridge that divide, whether through worship or works, it cannot be crossed from the human side. Only God could reach across the gap, and that is why Jesus was born. He was God living with man to bring man back to God.
Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, and He has long since returned to Heaven. But His departure does not mean that God is no longer present. Jesus told His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16–17).
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and is always present with us. People sometimes speak of feeling like they are far away from God, but that feeling is never caused by His withdrawal from us. We can and often do break the closeness of the relationship but it never changes. He never leaves or forsakes His children.
Today's Growth Principle: God’s Spirit is just as real and present with us today as Jesus was with His disciples when He walked the earth.
DECEMBER 18, 2020
The Heart Behind Giving
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
The most generous givers do not necessarily or always give the largest gifts. Simply put, generosity is not always measured by what you give. There is a difference between giving the greatest amount and being the most generous giver. A million dollars may be a dream gift, but a tenth of a penny may make you a dream giver.
What the poor widow teaches in this story is that you don’t have to be rich to be generous. You don’t have to have a lot to give, and you don’t have to have a lot to give a lot. One of these days, we are going to find that some of the most generous people who ever lived were some of the poorest people we ever knew.
Jesus is not impressed with the greatness of what we give, but with the generosity of what we give.
Keep in mind, the generous widow was not going to get a tax deduction. She didn’t give out of show. Not only did she not know that anyone was looking, but she probably would have been embarrassed if somebody was. She for sure didn’t give flippantly. For the moment, she carefully thought this through and though she didn’t say it out-loud she was making a clear statement to God.
Actions speak louder than words and did her actions ever speak loudly and clearly, because when this woman gave everything she had, she was saying three things: God, I look to you to provide my needs; God, I love you more than I love money; and God, I live for you and you alone.
Two thousand years later, we still remember her and talk about her because of her generosity. You are not going to be remembered by how much you made, how much you spent, or even how much you saved. You are going to be remembered for how much you gave.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of generosity set by the widow in Mark 12. Even though I may not have a large amount to give, help me to still be faithful in my giving and trust you to use my generosity for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Heart Behind Giving
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
The most generous givers do not necessarily or always give the largest gifts. Simply put, generosity is not always measured by what you give. There is a difference between giving the greatest amount and being the most generous giver. A million dollars may be a dream gift, but a tenth of a penny may make you a dream giver.
What the poor widow teaches in this story is that you don’t have to be rich to be generous. You don’t have to have a lot to give, and you don’t have to have a lot to give a lot. One of these days, we are going to find that some of the most generous people who ever lived were some of the poorest people we ever knew.
Jesus is not impressed with the greatness of what we give, but with the generosity of what we give.
Keep in mind, the generous widow was not going to get a tax deduction. She didn’t give out of show. Not only did she not know that anyone was looking, but she probably would have been embarrassed if somebody was. She for sure didn’t give flippantly. For the moment, she carefully thought this through and though she didn’t say it out-loud she was making a clear statement to God.
Actions speak louder than words and did her actions ever speak loudly and clearly, because when this woman gave everything she had, she was saying three things: God, I look to you to provide my needs; God, I love you more than I love money; and God, I live for you and you alone.
Two thousand years later, we still remember her and talk about her because of her generosity. You are not going to be remembered by how much you made, how much you spent, or even how much you saved. You are going to be remembered for how much you gave.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of generosity set by the widow in Mark 12. Even though I may not have a large amount to give, help me to still be faithful in my giving and trust you to use my generosity for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 17, 2020
The Prince of Peace
Proverbs 10:12 --- Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
To hate, to discriminate against those who look different, who talk different, who have different national backgrounds, or who act differently from the dominant group, is a universal trait of human nature. I say that there is only one possible solution and that is a vital experience with Christ on the part of all races. In Christ the middle wall of partition is broken down, the Bible says. There is no Jew or Gentile, or black or white or yellow or red. We could be one great brotherhood in Christ. However, until we come to recognize Him as the Prince of Peace, and receive His love in our hearts, the racial tensions will increase.
Prayer for the day --- I pray for Your love, Lord Jesus, to conquer hate or prejudice—whenever these ugly transgressions seep into my heart.
The Prince of Peace
Proverbs 10:12 --- Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
To hate, to discriminate against those who look different, who talk different, who have different national backgrounds, or who act differently from the dominant group, is a universal trait of human nature. I say that there is only one possible solution and that is a vital experience with Christ on the part of all races. In Christ the middle wall of partition is broken down, the Bible says. There is no Jew or Gentile, or black or white or yellow or red. We could be one great brotherhood in Christ. However, until we come to recognize Him as the Prince of Peace, and receive His love in our hearts, the racial tensions will increase.
Prayer for the day --- I pray for Your love, Lord Jesus, to conquer hate or prejudice—whenever these ugly transgressions seep into my heart.
DECEMBER 16, 2020
You Have Value
Worth - that property or those properties of a thing that render it useful or estimable
The fact that God sent His only beloved Son to die a painful death to buy our freedom assigns tremendous value to us, and lets us know God loves us immensely.
The Bible says we are bought with a price, a price that is precious—the blood of Jesus (see 1 Peter 1:19). He paid for all our sins, secured our justification, made our account with God balanced, and absolved us from all guilt (see Romans 4:25). Jesus is our substitute. He stood in our place, taking the punishment that we deserved, and freely gave us what He deserves—every kind of blessing.
So the next time you feel you have no value, remember all that Jesus did out of His great love for you. He gave everything to be in relationship with you…because you’re everything to Him.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for paying such a high price for my freedom. When I forget that or start to feel worthless, please help me remember Your love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You Have Value
Worth - that property or those properties of a thing that render it useful or estimable
The fact that God sent His only beloved Son to die a painful death to buy our freedom assigns tremendous value to us, and lets us know God loves us immensely.
The Bible says we are bought with a price, a price that is precious—the blood of Jesus (see 1 Peter 1:19). He paid for all our sins, secured our justification, made our account with God balanced, and absolved us from all guilt (see Romans 4:25). Jesus is our substitute. He stood in our place, taking the punishment that we deserved, and freely gave us what He deserves—every kind of blessing.
So the next time you feel you have no value, remember all that Jesus did out of His great love for you. He gave everything to be in relationship with you…because you’re everything to Him.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for paying such a high price for my freedom. When I forget that or start to feel worthless, please help me remember Your love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 15, 2020
God’s Provision in Storms
Matthew 14:22-27
Sailing or driving through a storm is scary because obscured vision makes us unsure of our direction and fearful for our safety. This is also true of spiritual storms, in which sudden, unexpected circumstances seem to turn our world upside down.
When the disciples were being battered by gale force winds on the Sea of Galilee, they learned some valuable truths, which can also help us in the midst of our own tempests.
Jesus intercedes for us. While the disciples were struggling through the wind and the waves, Jesus was on the mountain praying. Today He is in heaven, interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
Jesus is our protector. He watched over the disciples in the boat, and He does the same for us, ensuring that we encounter nothing outside of His will.
Jesus is sovereign over all storms. He’s the one who forms them, determines their intensity, guides us through them, and brings them to an end in His perfect time.
Christ has not abandoned us in our storms but instead is intimately involved, using them for our ultimate benefit. Knowing this, we can respond with trust, dependence, and worship.
Bible in One Year: 2 Timothy 1-4
God’s Provision in Storms
Matthew 14:22-27
Sailing or driving through a storm is scary because obscured vision makes us unsure of our direction and fearful for our safety. This is also true of spiritual storms, in which sudden, unexpected circumstances seem to turn our world upside down.
When the disciples were being battered by gale force winds on the Sea of Galilee, they learned some valuable truths, which can also help us in the midst of our own tempests.
Jesus intercedes for us. While the disciples were struggling through the wind and the waves, Jesus was on the mountain praying. Today He is in heaven, interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
Jesus is our protector. He watched over the disciples in the boat, and He does the same for us, ensuring that we encounter nothing outside of His will.
Jesus is sovereign over all storms. He’s the one who forms them, determines their intensity, guides us through them, and brings them to an end in His perfect time.
Christ has not abandoned us in our storms but instead is intimately involved, using them for our ultimate benefit. Knowing this, we can respond with trust, dependence, and worship.
Bible in One Year: 2 Timothy 1-4
DECEMBER 14, 2020
The Precious Name of Jesus --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 1:30-33“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, he told her to name Him Jesus, which means “Jehovah is our Saviour.” There was no question or doubt from the beginning regarding the purpose behind Jesus coming into the world. He did many wonderful things and taught many wonderful truths, but the driving motivation behind the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the salvation of the lost.
There is no way we can fully comprehend the majesty, glory, and wonder of the Lord. Human minds and human words fail to even begin to praise Him as He deserves. We are simply not up to the task. Billy Sunday said, “There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.” He is worthy of all praise.
The name of Jesus is the power of the gospel message. When Peter was told to stop preaching about Jesus, he replied, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The world may treat the name of Jesus as a curse word or a punch line, or use it almost like punctuation. But it is a lovely and precious name, and we should never take it lightly.
Today's Growth Principle: The very name of Jesus contains God’s promise of salvation for those who trust in Him.
The Precious Name of Jesus --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 1:30-33“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, he told her to name Him Jesus, which means “Jehovah is our Saviour.” There was no question or doubt from the beginning regarding the purpose behind Jesus coming into the world. He did many wonderful things and taught many wonderful truths, but the driving motivation behind the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the salvation of the lost.
There is no way we can fully comprehend the majesty, glory, and wonder of the Lord. Human minds and human words fail to even begin to praise Him as He deserves. We are simply not up to the task. Billy Sunday said, “There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.” He is worthy of all praise.
The name of Jesus is the power of the gospel message. When Peter was told to stop preaching about Jesus, he replied, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The world may treat the name of Jesus as a curse word or a punch line, or use it almost like punctuation. But it is a lovely and precious name, and we should never take it lightly.
Today's Growth Principle: The very name of Jesus contains God’s promise of salvation for those who trust in Him.
DECEMBER 13, 2020
Keep Persevering
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
It is one thing to be tempted to quit, to be tempted to give in, or give out and give up. It is another thing to be told to do it and especially by the people closest to you. In the midst of Job’s pain and suffering, he needed a helping hand to pull him out, but instead those he loves and trusts the most put their foot on his head.
The one thing that Job had continued to do in all of this was the right thing. He had done the right thing by not responding in the wrong way. Yes, later on in the book, he will confront God, but he will never curse God. He will try to reason with God, but he will never reject God. He will try to stand up to God, but he will never walk away from God. Just imagine your husband or your wife, the best friend you have in the world, basically telling you to commit suicide, to end your own life, but do it while you are cursing God and shaking a fist in his face. There are two things that Satan will always try to get us to do, particularly in tough times – quit on God and quit on your faith in God.
Here is what we know about a man named Job. He didn’t wallow in self- pity. He didn’t walk away from God but went to God in worship. No blame, no bitterness, no whining, no cursing, no “How dare you do this to me knowing what an upright man I’ve been.” He gives God the one thing that God always deserves in the good times or bad – worship. Job’s entire world had walked out on him, but he would not walk out on God.
Because of God and his faith in God, he did not quit on himself and that is why you can read this fantastic testimony about him.
You may question God, but don’t you ever quit on God, because God never quits on you. When God starts a work in you, he finishes it. God promises he will never quit on you. What if Jesus had quit before he got to the cross? What if Jesus had quit on the cross – but he didn’t, so we wouldn’t, and we shouldn’t.
Dear Lord, thank you for never quitting on me or giving up on me. You are so good and so faithful. Give me the strength to keep trusting you when I’m tempted to give up hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Keep Persevering
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
It is one thing to be tempted to quit, to be tempted to give in, or give out and give up. It is another thing to be told to do it and especially by the people closest to you. In the midst of Job’s pain and suffering, he needed a helping hand to pull him out, but instead those he loves and trusts the most put their foot on his head.
The one thing that Job had continued to do in all of this was the right thing. He had done the right thing by not responding in the wrong way. Yes, later on in the book, he will confront God, but he will never curse God. He will try to reason with God, but he will never reject God. He will try to stand up to God, but he will never walk away from God. Just imagine your husband or your wife, the best friend you have in the world, basically telling you to commit suicide, to end your own life, but do it while you are cursing God and shaking a fist in his face. There are two things that Satan will always try to get us to do, particularly in tough times – quit on God and quit on your faith in God.
Here is what we know about a man named Job. He didn’t wallow in self- pity. He didn’t walk away from God but went to God in worship. No blame, no bitterness, no whining, no cursing, no “How dare you do this to me knowing what an upright man I’ve been.” He gives God the one thing that God always deserves in the good times or bad – worship. Job’s entire world had walked out on him, but he would not walk out on God.
Because of God and his faith in God, he did not quit on himself and that is why you can read this fantastic testimony about him.
You may question God, but don’t you ever quit on God, because God never quits on you. When God starts a work in you, he finishes it. God promises he will never quit on you. What if Jesus had quit before he got to the cross? What if Jesus had quit on the cross – but he didn’t, so we wouldn’t, and we shouldn’t.
Dear Lord, thank you for never quitting on me or giving up on me. You are so good and so faithful. Give me the strength to keep trusting you when I’m tempted to give up hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 12, 2020
Loving One Another
1 Thessalonians 3:12 --- And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men . . .
One of the growing psychological problems facing people today is loneliness. One of the greatest ministries that a person can have today is just being a good listener. Many people are longing not only to be loved but to have someone who will listen to them. When we love God with all our hearts, then we have the capacity to love our neighbor. The greatest need in the world today is not more science, not more social engineering, not more teaching, not more knowledge, not more power, not even more preaching—the greatest need we have today is for love. And the only way that love can be supplied is by a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit that transforms lives.
The love that God gives is not the ordinary love that we find in the world today. When we love our neighbors, it is not our loving with natural love, it is God loving through us. If you are willing to do this, God will give you His love.
Prayer for the day --- I love You, Jesus. How often I take for granted Your immeasurable act of love for me upon the cross. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, that through Your supreme example I can reach out to my neighbor.
Loving One Another
1 Thessalonians 3:12 --- And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men . . .
One of the growing psychological problems facing people today is loneliness. One of the greatest ministries that a person can have today is just being a good listener. Many people are longing not only to be loved but to have someone who will listen to them. When we love God with all our hearts, then we have the capacity to love our neighbor. The greatest need in the world today is not more science, not more social engineering, not more teaching, not more knowledge, not more power, not even more preaching—the greatest need we have today is for love. And the only way that love can be supplied is by a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit that transforms lives.
The love that God gives is not the ordinary love that we find in the world today. When we love our neighbors, it is not our loving with natural love, it is God loving through us. If you are willing to do this, God will give you His love.
Prayer for the day --- I love You, Jesus. How often I take for granted Your immeasurable act of love for me upon the cross. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, that through Your supreme example I can reach out to my neighbor.
DECEMBER 11, 2020
God’s Vision for You
God’s plan for the people of Israel was only for their good, yet they wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years on what was actually an 11-day journey. Why? Was it their enemies, their circumstances, the trials along the way, or something entirely different that kept them from arriving at their destination in a timely manner?To really know the answer to this question, let’s look back a little. God had called the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to go to the land He had promised to give them as a perpetual inheritance—a land that flowed with milk, honey and every good thing they could imagine—a land in which there would be no shortage of anything they needed—a land of prosperity in every realm of their existence.
But the Israelites had no positive vision for their lives—no dreams. They knew where they came from, but they didn’t know where they were going. Everything was based on what they had seen in the past or what they could presently see—they didn’t know how to see the future with eyes of faith.We really shouldn’t view the Israelites with astonishment, because most of us unknowingly do the same thing they did; we keep dealing with the same problems over and over again. The disappointing result is that it takes us years to experience victory over something that could have and should have been dealt with quickly.
I come from a background of abuse. My childhood was filled with fear and torment, and my personality was a mess! I built up walls of protection to keep people from hurting me, not realizing that while I was locking others out, I was also locking myself in. I was filled with fear, and believed that the only way I could face life was to be in control so no one could hurt me.
As a young adult trying to live for Christ and follow the Christian lifestyle, I knew where I had come from, but I didn’t know where I was going. I felt that my future would always be marred by my past. I thought, How could anyone with a past like mine ever be all right? It’s impossible!
But Jesus had a different plan. He said, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me . . . to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity] (Luke 4:18).
Jesus came to open the prison doors and set the captives free—and that included me. However, I did not make any progress until I started to believe that I really could be set free. I had to get rid of my negative thinking and replace it with a positive vision for my life—God’s vision for me. I had to believe that neither my past nor my present could determine my future. Only then could Jesus free me from the bondage of my past—and free me, He did. Looking back, I realize what a miracle that was!
You may have had a miserable past; you might even be in current circumstances that are extremely negative and depressing. You may be facing situations that are so bad it seems you have no real reason to hope. But I say to you boldly: Your future is not determined by your past or your present!
Most of the generation the Lord called out of Egypt never entered into the Promised Land. Instead, they died in the wilderness. To me, this is one of the saddest things that can happen to a child of God—to have so much available and yet never be able to enjoy any of it.
Start believing that God’s Word is true. Mark 9:23 reminds you that with God all things are possible. Because you serve a God who created everything you see out of the unseen realm (see Hebrews 11:3), you can give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work on your behalf. All you have to do is have faith in Him and believe His Word—He will do the rest!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for loving me and having a vision—a good plan—for my life. Please help me overcome any negative mindsets that are keeping me from the future You have for me, and make my life what You want it to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God’s Vision for You
God’s plan for the people of Israel was only for their good, yet they wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years on what was actually an 11-day journey. Why? Was it their enemies, their circumstances, the trials along the way, or something entirely different that kept them from arriving at their destination in a timely manner?To really know the answer to this question, let’s look back a little. God had called the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to go to the land He had promised to give them as a perpetual inheritance—a land that flowed with milk, honey and every good thing they could imagine—a land in which there would be no shortage of anything they needed—a land of prosperity in every realm of their existence.
But the Israelites had no positive vision for their lives—no dreams. They knew where they came from, but they didn’t know where they were going. Everything was based on what they had seen in the past or what they could presently see—they didn’t know how to see the future with eyes of faith.We really shouldn’t view the Israelites with astonishment, because most of us unknowingly do the same thing they did; we keep dealing with the same problems over and over again. The disappointing result is that it takes us years to experience victory over something that could have and should have been dealt with quickly.
I come from a background of abuse. My childhood was filled with fear and torment, and my personality was a mess! I built up walls of protection to keep people from hurting me, not realizing that while I was locking others out, I was also locking myself in. I was filled with fear, and believed that the only way I could face life was to be in control so no one could hurt me.
As a young adult trying to live for Christ and follow the Christian lifestyle, I knew where I had come from, but I didn’t know where I was going. I felt that my future would always be marred by my past. I thought, How could anyone with a past like mine ever be all right? It’s impossible!
But Jesus had a different plan. He said, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me . . . to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity] (Luke 4:18).
Jesus came to open the prison doors and set the captives free—and that included me. However, I did not make any progress until I started to believe that I really could be set free. I had to get rid of my negative thinking and replace it with a positive vision for my life—God’s vision for me. I had to believe that neither my past nor my present could determine my future. Only then could Jesus free me from the bondage of my past—and free me, He did. Looking back, I realize what a miracle that was!
You may have had a miserable past; you might even be in current circumstances that are extremely negative and depressing. You may be facing situations that are so bad it seems you have no real reason to hope. But I say to you boldly: Your future is not determined by your past or your present!
Most of the generation the Lord called out of Egypt never entered into the Promised Land. Instead, they died in the wilderness. To me, this is one of the saddest things that can happen to a child of God—to have so much available and yet never be able to enjoy any of it.
Start believing that God’s Word is true. Mark 9:23 reminds you that with God all things are possible. Because you serve a God who created everything you see out of the unseen realm (see Hebrews 11:3), you can give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work on your behalf. All you have to do is have faith in Him and believe His Word—He will do the rest!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for loving me and having a vision—a good plan—for my life. Please help me overcome any negative mindsets that are keeping me from the future You have for me, and make my life what You want it to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 10, 2020
Confidence Amidst Distress
It seems as if the world today is constantly changing. This might cause us to be filled with anxiety unless we remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)
Disturbing times should remind us we are only pilgrims on this earth. Our citizenship is in a heavenly kingdom that can never be shaken.
The commotion of this current world is nothing unprecedented. I remember 1944 being a year of tremendous turmoil in our country because of World War II. Many people anxiously listened to the evening news, fearing the death of loved ones as battles in various locations were reported.
When times are frightening and uncertain—whether personally, nationally, or globally—the place to find comfort and assurance is the Bible, especially the book of Psalms. Scripture helps us look at circumstances from God’s perspective. That reassures us of His love and care for us and lifts our eyes to a higher hope than anything this world can offer.
We all want to find peace, and the first step is to cease striving (Psalm 46:10). Remember that the Lord is always with you, and know that His kingdom is coming.
Bible in One Year: Colossians 1-4
Confidence Amidst Distress
It seems as if the world today is constantly changing. This might cause us to be filled with anxiety unless we remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)
Disturbing times should remind us we are only pilgrims on this earth. Our citizenship is in a heavenly kingdom that can never be shaken.
The commotion of this current world is nothing unprecedented. I remember 1944 being a year of tremendous turmoil in our country because of World War II. Many people anxiously listened to the evening news, fearing the death of loved ones as battles in various locations were reported.
When times are frightening and uncertain—whether personally, nationally, or globally—the place to find comfort and assurance is the Bible, especially the book of Psalms. Scripture helps us look at circumstances from God’s perspective. That reassures us of His love and care for us and lifts our eyes to a higher hope than anything this world can offer.
We all want to find peace, and the first step is to cease striving (Psalm 46:10). Remember that the Lord is always with you, and know that His kingdom is coming.
Bible in One Year: Colossians 1-4
DECEMBER 9. 2020
God Is in Control ---Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 2:1, 3–5 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."
The Christmas story has many wonderful aspects. One of the aspects that sometimes goes unremarked is that it is a demonstration of God’s sovereignty. God exercised sovereign control over the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the birth of Christ.
The world would have said that Caesar Augustus was the ruler, but God was the one in control. He used the decree from Caesar Augustus to move Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem so that Jesus would be born where the prophet Micah had said. Christmas is the story of God working to fulfill His prophetic promises so that everything happened just as He said it would.
Though it’s not usually one of the things we focus on at this time of year, I encourage you to view Christmas as a demonstration of God’s power and allow the wonderful story of the birth of Christ to build and to strengthen your faith.
The same God who sent the angels to the shepherds and the star to guide the wisemen is in control of your life today. His power and wisdom have not diminished. He is just the same today as He was when Christ was born. Things may happen that we do not understand, but we can trust that God is in control—orchestrating our circumstances for our good and for His glory.
Today's Growth Principle: As you reflect on the Christmas story, allow the wonderful way God worked to give you confidence in His working in your life.
DECEMBER 8, 2020
Convinced
“And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness.” John 16:8
If we are going to come to Jesus, we must believe not only that we are sinners in need of a Savior, but also that we are failures in need of forgiveness. Not only will the Holy Spirit convict us of what is wrong; but He will also convince us of what is right. Why does the Holy Spirit have to convince us of what is right? It stands to reason that if we don’t truly understand what is wrong (our sin problem) apart from the Holy Spirit, then we cannot understand what it means to be right apart from the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting that when Jesus talks about righteousness in John 16:10, He doesn’t mention what we do, but rather what He has already done. He doesn’t talk about who we are, but who He is. In John 16:9 when He said, “I go to My Father and you see Me no more,” Jesus was referring to the fact that He was going to die on a cross, come back from the dead, and then go back to His Father where He came from as our Savior, our Redeemer, and our righteousness.
The only righteousness that God will accept is His righteousness; and the only way you can gave His righteousness is to receive the righteousness that is in Jesus Christ. You can compare yourself to a murderer, a rapist, a terrorist, a liar, a thief, or a bank robber and think you are a really good person. But when you compare yourself to Jesus, you realize you are a failure in need of forgiveness.
There has only been one man who could go to God on His own righteousness and stand equal with God and that is Jesus. You cannot come to God except through Jesus Christ; and you can only come to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father, thank you for the example Jesus set for me to follow. I know that I will never measure up to His level of perfection, so please forgive me when I fall short. In Jesus' name, amen.
Convinced
“And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness.” John 16:8
If we are going to come to Jesus, we must believe not only that we are sinners in need of a Savior, but also that we are failures in need of forgiveness. Not only will the Holy Spirit convict us of what is wrong; but He will also convince us of what is right. Why does the Holy Spirit have to convince us of what is right? It stands to reason that if we don’t truly understand what is wrong (our sin problem) apart from the Holy Spirit, then we cannot understand what it means to be right apart from the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting that when Jesus talks about righteousness in John 16:10, He doesn’t mention what we do, but rather what He has already done. He doesn’t talk about who we are, but who He is. In John 16:9 when He said, “I go to My Father and you see Me no more,” Jesus was referring to the fact that He was going to die on a cross, come back from the dead, and then go back to His Father where He came from as our Savior, our Redeemer, and our righteousness.
The only righteousness that God will accept is His righteousness; and the only way you can gave His righteousness is to receive the righteousness that is in Jesus Christ. You can compare yourself to a murderer, a rapist, a terrorist, a liar, a thief, or a bank robber and think you are a really good person. But when you compare yourself to Jesus, you realize you are a failure in need of forgiveness.
There has only been one man who could go to God on His own righteousness and stand equal with God and that is Jesus. You cannot come to God except through Jesus Christ; and you can only come to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father, thank you for the example Jesus set for me to follow. I know that I will never measure up to His level of perfection, so please forgive me when I fall short. In Jesus' name, amen.
DECEMBER 7, 2020
The Manifestation of Faith
1 John 3:21 --- we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust . . .
The Bible teaches that faith will manifest itself in three ways. It will manifest itself in doctrine—in what you believe. It will manifest itself in worship—your communion with God and the fellowship of the church. It will manifest itself in morality—in the way you live and behave. . . . The Bible also teaches that faith does not end with trust in Christ for your salvation. Faith continues. Faith grows. It may be weak at first, but it will become stronger as you begin to read the Bible, pray, go to church, and experience God’s faithfulness in your Christian life. You will learn more and more how to rely on Christ for every need, in meeting every circumstance, and every trial.
Prayer for the day --- Your Word teaches how greatly You desire for me to rely on Your love and strength. I praise Your name, my Lord and my Redeemer.
The Manifestation of Faith
1 John 3:21 --- we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust . . .
The Bible teaches that faith will manifest itself in three ways. It will manifest itself in doctrine—in what you believe. It will manifest itself in worship—your communion with God and the fellowship of the church. It will manifest itself in morality—in the way you live and behave. . . . The Bible also teaches that faith does not end with trust in Christ for your salvation. Faith continues. Faith grows. It may be weak at first, but it will become stronger as you begin to read the Bible, pray, go to church, and experience God’s faithfulness in your Christian life. You will learn more and more how to rely on Christ for every need, in meeting every circumstance, and every trial.
Prayer for the day --- Your Word teaches how greatly You desire for me to rely on Your love and strength. I praise Your name, my Lord and my Redeemer.
DECEMBER 6, 2020
Watch Your Step
When soldiers go to war, they intentionally protect their feet so they can stand and fight the enemy. In the same way, Paul is telling us that we must walk in peace in order to defeat Satan’s attacks. To have peace in your life, you need to be someone who makes peace and works to maintain it—you can’t just wait for peace to fall upon you. The psalmist instructs us to pursue, inquire for, crave, and go after peace (see Psalm 34:14).
If you truly want peace, you will make whatever changes you need to make in order to have it. For instance, if you’re stressed out all the time and exceeding your limits, you need to cut a few things out of your life so you can have enough space to breathe and walk in peace.
Satan is an expert at stealing our joy and getting us upset enough that we lose our peace, which opens the door for him to wreak havoc in our lives. When the enemy’s working overtime to aggravate us, the most powerful thing we can do is refuse to let it upset us and instead walk in peace (see Philippians 1:28). As we keep our eyes on Jesus, He’ll take care of things and help us trust Him with the situations we’re stressed about.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the peace You’ve given me. Please help me to begin to walk in it more today, and teach me how to make and maintain peace, wherever I am. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Watch Your Step
When soldiers go to war, they intentionally protect their feet so they can stand and fight the enemy. In the same way, Paul is telling us that we must walk in peace in order to defeat Satan’s attacks. To have peace in your life, you need to be someone who makes peace and works to maintain it—you can’t just wait for peace to fall upon you. The psalmist instructs us to pursue, inquire for, crave, and go after peace (see Psalm 34:14).
If you truly want peace, you will make whatever changes you need to make in order to have it. For instance, if you’re stressed out all the time and exceeding your limits, you need to cut a few things out of your life so you can have enough space to breathe and walk in peace.
Satan is an expert at stealing our joy and getting us upset enough that we lose our peace, which opens the door for him to wreak havoc in our lives. When the enemy’s working overtime to aggravate us, the most powerful thing we can do is refuse to let it upset us and instead walk in peace (see Philippians 1:28). As we keep our eyes on Jesus, He’ll take care of things and help us trust Him with the situations we’re stressed about.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the peace You’ve given me. Please help me to begin to walk in it more today, and teach me how to make and maintain peace, wherever I am. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 5, 2020
Dealing With Immorality
Colossians 3:5-11
How can you live a moral life in an immoral society? When the appeal of the world’s standards is strong, you may feel powerless to resist, but that’s not what Scripture teaches. Through Christ, you have everything you need to live righteously. However, if you repeatedly follow your own desires, then in a moment of temptation, you won’t want to obey God.
The time to stop sin is not at the moment of the act but in the desire for it. Scripture says our old self has been crucified with Christ and we’re to consider ourselves dead to evil desires (Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:5). Sin once held dominion over us, but Jesus has broken its power and set us free. Now we have a new self created in His image (Col. 3:9-10).
Instead of giving in to sinful desires, we should respond to temptations on the basis of who we are in Christ. Sin no longer fits us, because we are new creations with divine power at our disposal. That means we can now resist evil lusts and instead make God-honoring choices.
Begin today to reflect on the power of Christ within you, and trust Him to guard you against future sins.
Bible in One Year: Galatians 1-3
Dealing With Immorality
Colossians 3:5-11
How can you live a moral life in an immoral society? When the appeal of the world’s standards is strong, you may feel powerless to resist, but that’s not what Scripture teaches. Through Christ, you have everything you need to live righteously. However, if you repeatedly follow your own desires, then in a moment of temptation, you won’t want to obey God.
The time to stop sin is not at the moment of the act but in the desire for it. Scripture says our old self has been crucified with Christ and we’re to consider ourselves dead to evil desires (Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:5). Sin once held dominion over us, but Jesus has broken its power and set us free. Now we have a new self created in His image (Col. 3:9-10).
Instead of giving in to sinful desires, we should respond to temptations on the basis of who we are in Christ. Sin no longer fits us, because we are new creations with divine power at our disposal. That means we can now resist evil lusts and instead make God-honoring choices.
Begin today to reflect on the power of Christ within you, and trust Him to guard you against future sins.
Bible in One Year: Galatians 1-3
DECEMBER 4, 2020
When Sin Is Finished --- Dr. Paul Chappell
James 1:13–15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
A 1982 ABC Evening News special reported an unusual invention, with an even more unusual response to it.
Someone had attached a chair to a loaded shotgun. People could sit in the chair and look directly down the gun barrel. The only drawback was that the inventor had set the gun on a timer, and it would fire at a predetermined (but unreleased) date sometime within the next one hundred years.
The incredible response to this invention was that people would actually wait in line for their chance to sit in the chair and stare down the loaded gun barrel. Every one of those people knew the risk, but they thought it was worth taking their chance so they could brag on it later.
One of the most common and most tragic mistakes of our day is the belief that the results of sin will be different for us. When we fall prey to the lie of Satan that we are somehow exempt from the consequences of sin, he has us right where he wants us. It is rare for someone to sin with a full understanding and appreciation for the awful results that will follow. Instead, we rationalize and convince ourselves that we will be able to avoid them somehow.
God has written the law of sowing and reaping into the very fabric of the universe. As Moses warned the children of Israel, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). When we do what we should not or fail to do what we should, we will suffer the consequences just as God declares in Scripture. How much better to instead resist sin at the point of temptation!
Today's Growth Principle: Sin always brings painful and devastating consequences, and none of us are an exception to that rule
When Sin Is Finished --- Dr. Paul Chappell
James 1:13–15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
A 1982 ABC Evening News special reported an unusual invention, with an even more unusual response to it.
Someone had attached a chair to a loaded shotgun. People could sit in the chair and look directly down the gun barrel. The only drawback was that the inventor had set the gun on a timer, and it would fire at a predetermined (but unreleased) date sometime within the next one hundred years.
The incredible response to this invention was that people would actually wait in line for their chance to sit in the chair and stare down the loaded gun barrel. Every one of those people knew the risk, but they thought it was worth taking their chance so they could brag on it later.
One of the most common and most tragic mistakes of our day is the belief that the results of sin will be different for us. When we fall prey to the lie of Satan that we are somehow exempt from the consequences of sin, he has us right where he wants us. It is rare for someone to sin with a full understanding and appreciation for the awful results that will follow. Instead, we rationalize and convince ourselves that we will be able to avoid them somehow.
God has written the law of sowing and reaping into the very fabric of the universe. As Moses warned the children of Israel, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). When we do what we should not or fail to do what we should, we will suffer the consequences just as God declares in Scripture. How much better to instead resist sin at the point of temptation!
Today's Growth Principle: Sin always brings painful and devastating consequences, and none of us are an exception to that rule
DECEMBER 3, 2020
Courage
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14
There is a character trait that I believe is lacking more and more in every part of our society. It is why we refuse to listen to each other, refuse to face and solve our biggest problems, refuse to face up to reality, and refuse to call things the way they are. That character trait is courage.
The type of courage I am talking about is moral courage. It is the kind of courage that exposes you to ridicule, criticism, ostracism, and the judgmental wrath of others. It is the kind of courage described in the story that has been preserved for more than twenty-five hundred years, and that is the story of Esther.
Esther is a great example of costly it is to be courageous and unfortunately, courage never goes on sale.
When the opportunity came to either show up or shy away, Esther rose to the occasion in order to save her people.
You are going to face similar times in life where risk and fear is staring you in the face. I believe that is why the Bible says, “Fear not” three hundred and sixty-five times, because God knows every day there is a chance for fear to make us crawl under the bed, hide in the closet, and retreat from the battle. That is why the first step of courage is just showing up. The best-selling leadership author, Brené Brown said this, “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just to have the courage...to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.
There will come times in your life when you have to decide and decide quick what is first in your life and who is first in your life. When you have to decide if you are going to do the right thing or the wrong thing, your thing or God’s thing. Are you going to be courageous or a coward? Are you going to show up or wimp out?
Dear Lord, I want to be bold and courageous like Esther. When opportunities come my way to show courage, please help me to stand strong and not be fearful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Courage
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14
There is a character trait that I believe is lacking more and more in every part of our society. It is why we refuse to listen to each other, refuse to face and solve our biggest problems, refuse to face up to reality, and refuse to call things the way they are. That character trait is courage.
The type of courage I am talking about is moral courage. It is the kind of courage that exposes you to ridicule, criticism, ostracism, and the judgmental wrath of others. It is the kind of courage described in the story that has been preserved for more than twenty-five hundred years, and that is the story of Esther.
Esther is a great example of costly it is to be courageous and unfortunately, courage never goes on sale.
When the opportunity came to either show up or shy away, Esther rose to the occasion in order to save her people.
You are going to face similar times in life where risk and fear is staring you in the face. I believe that is why the Bible says, “Fear not” three hundred and sixty-five times, because God knows every day there is a chance for fear to make us crawl under the bed, hide in the closet, and retreat from the battle. That is why the first step of courage is just showing up. The best-selling leadership author, Brené Brown said this, “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just to have the courage...to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.
There will come times in your life when you have to decide and decide quick what is first in your life and who is first in your life. When you have to decide if you are going to do the right thing or the wrong thing, your thing or God’s thing. Are you going to be courageous or a coward? Are you going to show up or wimp out?
Dear Lord, I want to be bold and courageous like Esther. When opportunities come my way to show courage, please help me to stand strong and not be fearful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DECEMBER 2, 2020
All He Requires
John 11:4 --- Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
If you are a young man or young woman hooked on dissent or despair, ready to split, then lend me your attention. My answer concerns your dreams, and the element in your make-up called “faith.” All that God requires of anyone in taking his first step toward Him and toward total self-fulfillment is faith—faith in His Word, that teaches that God loves you and that you were alienated from Him by sin, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you, that when you make a personal surrender to Him as Lord and Savior, He can transform you from the inside out.
Prayer for the day --- Your Word, heavenly Father, brings me hope and redemption through Jesus Christ—thrusts through the despondencies of life and says You love me!
All He Requires
John 11:4 --- Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
If you are a young man or young woman hooked on dissent or despair, ready to split, then lend me your attention. My answer concerns your dreams, and the element in your make-up called “faith.” All that God requires of anyone in taking his first step toward Him and toward total self-fulfillment is faith—faith in His Word, that teaches that God loves you and that you were alienated from Him by sin, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you, that when you make a personal surrender to Him as Lord and Savior, He can transform you from the inside out.
Prayer for the day --- Your Word, heavenly Father, brings me hope and redemption through Jesus Christ—thrusts through the despondencies of life and says You love me!
DECEMBER 1, 2020
Guard Your Heart
Breastplate - Armor for the heart
Brace yourself for a mind-blowing fact: Jesus did not die so we could have a religion. He died so we could receive forgiveness for our sins, be made right with God, and enjoy a deep, genuine friendship with Him.
Religion is people’s attempt to get to a place where God will accept them; it is humanity’s idea of God’s expectations. But Christianity is different—it isn’t about us striving to get to God, but about God coming down to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ to rebuilding the bridge between us so we could have relationship with Him.
Righteousness is described in the Bible as a breastplate that covers, or protects, the heart or spirit of a person (see Ephesians 6:14). Our spirits need to be covered with righteousness if we’re to have rich fellowship with God and walk in freedom. That’s why Jesus took on our sin—so we could become His righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). God gives us righteousness by His grace, but we are the ones who choose to receive it by faith and walk in it.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for providing me with the breastplate of righteousness through Jesus. Please help me remember to put it on every day so my heart is fully protected from the enemy’s attacks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Guard Your Heart
Breastplate - Armor for the heart
Brace yourself for a mind-blowing fact: Jesus did not die so we could have a religion. He died so we could receive forgiveness for our sins, be made right with God, and enjoy a deep, genuine friendship with Him.
Religion is people’s attempt to get to a place where God will accept them; it is humanity’s idea of God’s expectations. But Christianity is different—it isn’t about us striving to get to God, but about God coming down to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ to rebuilding the bridge between us so we could have relationship with Him.
Righteousness is described in the Bible as a breastplate that covers, or protects, the heart or spirit of a person (see Ephesians 6:14). Our spirits need to be covered with righteousness if we’re to have rich fellowship with God and walk in freedom. That’s why Jesus took on our sin—so we could become His righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). God gives us righteousness by His grace, but we are the ones who choose to receive it by faith and walk in it.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for providing me with the breastplate of righteousness through Jesus. Please help me remember to put it on every day so my heart is fully protected from the enemy’s attacks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
God Is in Control
Psalm 103:19-22
In today’s psalm, David discusses a fundamental attribute of God: His sovereignty. This means God has complete authority and control over all human beings and every aspect of the universe. It also means that “luck” and “good fortune” have no place in a discussion about Him. And because God is good, we can have full confidence in His absolute and loving control over every aspect of our existence.
When we trust in the Father’s sovereignty, we stand on two assurances. The first is that He is intimately involved in our daily life. No matter what, He never stops providing, protecting, and caring for every believer. He knows what we need for today and tomorrow.
The second is that the Lord will work every circumstance for our benefit—without exception! When situations are more demanding, our confidence may waiver, but Scripture promises “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
You and I do not live by chance. As children of a sovereign God, we live secure and under His control. Trust Him to carry you through whatever trial stands in your way.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 11-13
God Is in Control
Psalm 103:19-22
In today’s psalm, David discusses a fundamental attribute of God: His sovereignty. This means God has complete authority and control over all human beings and every aspect of the universe. It also means that “luck” and “good fortune” have no place in a discussion about Him. And because God is good, we can have full confidence in His absolute and loving control over every aspect of our existence.
When we trust in the Father’s sovereignty, we stand on two assurances. The first is that He is intimately involved in our daily life. No matter what, He never stops providing, protecting, and caring for every believer. He knows what we need for today and tomorrow.
The second is that the Lord will work every circumstance for our benefit—without exception! When situations are more demanding, our confidence may waiver, but Scripture promises “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
You and I do not live by chance. As children of a sovereign God, we live secure and under His control. Trust Him to carry you through whatever trial stands in your way.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 11-13
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Finding Contentment --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Philippians 4:11–13--- "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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Many people are searching for contentment, but very few seem to find it. That is largely because most people are seeking contentment in the wrong place. It is never found in possessions or circumstances. It is never based on what is happening outside. Contentment flourishes despite circumstances either good or bad, because it grows in a grateful heart.
F. B. Meyer said, “If we would find content, let us go to homes where women are crippled with rheumatism, or dying of cancer, where comforts are few, where long hours of loneliness are not broken by the intrusion of friendly faces, where the pittance of public charity hardly suffices for necessary need, to say nothing of comfort, it is there that contentment reveals itself like a shy flower. How often in the homes of the wealthy one has missed it, to find it in the homes of the poor! How often it is wanting where health is buoyant, to be discovered where disease is wearing out the strength!”
God did not promise us that things would be easy. Some of the greatest Christians in all of history suffered great persecution, bouts of grave illness, financial lack, and times of despair. What God promised us instead was His presence, and in that presence we can find contentment regardless of what else is happening in our lives. God knows everything about your circumstances today, and nothing comes into your life that does not first pass through His hands.
Today's Growth Principle: When you learn to accept whatever God has chosen to give you, you are on the pathway to learning true contentment.
Finding Contentment --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Philippians 4:11–13--- "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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Many people are searching for contentment, but very few seem to find it. That is largely because most people are seeking contentment in the wrong place. It is never found in possessions or circumstances. It is never based on what is happening outside. Contentment flourishes despite circumstances either good or bad, because it grows in a grateful heart.
F. B. Meyer said, “If we would find content, let us go to homes where women are crippled with rheumatism, or dying of cancer, where comforts are few, where long hours of loneliness are not broken by the intrusion of friendly faces, where the pittance of public charity hardly suffices for necessary need, to say nothing of comfort, it is there that contentment reveals itself like a shy flower. How often in the homes of the wealthy one has missed it, to find it in the homes of the poor! How often it is wanting where health is buoyant, to be discovered where disease is wearing out the strength!”
God did not promise us that things would be easy. Some of the greatest Christians in all of history suffered great persecution, bouts of grave illness, financial lack, and times of despair. What God promised us instead was His presence, and in that presence we can find contentment regardless of what else is happening in our lives. God knows everything about your circumstances today, and nothing comes into your life that does not first pass through His hands.
Today's Growth Principle: When you learn to accept whatever God has chosen to give you, you are on the pathway to learning true contentment.
NOVEMBER 28, 2020
Testify
“And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:27
When is the last time you talked to someone about Jesus who doesn’t know Him? When is the last time you spoke up for Him? When I ask these questions, there are three common answers I hear most often. They are: 1) I don’t have the gift; 2) I don’t know how; and 3) I am too afraid. Did you know there is one answer to every one of these excuses? His name is the Holy Spirit.
Evangelism, or witnessing, is perhaps the most intimidating part of following Christ for most believers. But it should not be this way. The only job of a witness is to testify to what you know, what you have seen, and what you have heard. If you know that you are a sinner in need of salvation, and you know that Jesus Christ died for your sins and God raised Him from the dead, and if you know that you are saved only by the grace of God, then you know how to share the gospel with someone else. The Holy Spirit will use your testimony to do that.
The Holy Spirit’s sole purpose is to bear witness to Jesus Christ; but He witnesses through God’s people. He has no tongue to speak and no physical voice except for ours. If you have the Holy Spirit living in you and you are surrendered to Jesus, you will be His witness. Jesus understands every insecurity and fear we have.
That is why He sent the Holy Spirit. When we open our mouth, the Holy Spirit not only gives us the words to say, but He gives us the power to say them. But we must choose to open our mouths. Do you know how you can tell if a person is filled with the Holy Spirit? He will talk about Jesus. When the Holy Spirit came to those first disciples at Pentecost, what did they do? They started preaching about Jesus. They started writing about Jesus.
If you talk to anyone who has become a follower of Jesus Christ you will find it was because of three things: The Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the witness of a Christian. We are the last link in that chain. We witness for Jesus, but we do not do it alone. We witness through the power and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
You don’t have to be intelligent, well read, eloquent in speech, impressive in appearance, or have the gift of persuasion to be a witness. If you have experienced the grace of God, fallen in love with the Son of God, and been filled with the Spirit of God you will be a witness.
Dear Father, I have a lot of insecurities and shortcomings. I am far from perfect, but may that truth not hinder me from sharing the gospel with others. Give me boldness and confidence in your Spirit as you lead me to witness to the people you put in my path. In Jesus' name, amen.
Testify
“And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:27
When is the last time you talked to someone about Jesus who doesn’t know Him? When is the last time you spoke up for Him? When I ask these questions, there are three common answers I hear most often. They are: 1) I don’t have the gift; 2) I don’t know how; and 3) I am too afraid. Did you know there is one answer to every one of these excuses? His name is the Holy Spirit.
Evangelism, or witnessing, is perhaps the most intimidating part of following Christ for most believers. But it should not be this way. The only job of a witness is to testify to what you know, what you have seen, and what you have heard. If you know that you are a sinner in need of salvation, and you know that Jesus Christ died for your sins and God raised Him from the dead, and if you know that you are saved only by the grace of God, then you know how to share the gospel with someone else. The Holy Spirit will use your testimony to do that.
The Holy Spirit’s sole purpose is to bear witness to Jesus Christ; but He witnesses through God’s people. He has no tongue to speak and no physical voice except for ours. If you have the Holy Spirit living in you and you are surrendered to Jesus, you will be His witness. Jesus understands every insecurity and fear we have.
That is why He sent the Holy Spirit. When we open our mouth, the Holy Spirit not only gives us the words to say, but He gives us the power to say them. But we must choose to open our mouths. Do you know how you can tell if a person is filled with the Holy Spirit? He will talk about Jesus. When the Holy Spirit came to those first disciples at Pentecost, what did they do? They started preaching about Jesus. They started writing about Jesus.
If you talk to anyone who has become a follower of Jesus Christ you will find it was because of three things: The Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the witness of a Christian. We are the last link in that chain. We witness for Jesus, but we do not do it alone. We witness through the power and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
You don’t have to be intelligent, well read, eloquent in speech, impressive in appearance, or have the gift of persuasion to be a witness. If you have experienced the grace of God, fallen in love with the Son of God, and been filled with the Spirit of God you will be a witness.
Dear Father, I have a lot of insecurities and shortcomings. I am far from perfect, but may that truth not hinder me from sharing the gospel with others. Give me boldness and confidence in your Spirit as you lead me to witness to the people you put in my path. In Jesus' name, amen.
NOVEMBER 27, 2020
Whose Son Is He?
1 Corinthians 8:6 --- To us there is but one God, the Father . . . and one Lord Jesus Christ . . .
Ultimately, in one way or another, or at one time or another, we shall be faced with this question: What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? If Jesus Christ is not who He claimed to be, He is a deceiver, or an egomaniac. We must answer this question with both belief and action. We must not only believe something about Jesus, but we must do something about Him. We must accept Him, or reject Him.
Jesus made clear who He was, and why He came into the world. He asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” They told Him of a variety of designations on the human level. Then Jesus turned to them and asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Whereupon Peter replied with his historic affirmation, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16).
This is the apex of faith. This is the pinnacle of belief. This is where the faith of each must rest if he hopes for salvation. Christ is inescapable! You, too, must decide, “What shall I do with Christ?”
Prayer for the day ---You are the Christ, Lord Jesus, Son of the living God! In adoration I worship You—my Redeemer.
Whose Son Is He?
1 Corinthians 8:6 --- To us there is but one God, the Father . . . and one Lord Jesus Christ . . .
Ultimately, in one way or another, or at one time or another, we shall be faced with this question: What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? If Jesus Christ is not who He claimed to be, He is a deceiver, or an egomaniac. We must answer this question with both belief and action. We must not only believe something about Jesus, but we must do something about Him. We must accept Him, or reject Him.
Jesus made clear who He was, and why He came into the world. He asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” They told Him of a variety of designations on the human level. Then Jesus turned to them and asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Whereupon Peter replied with his historic affirmation, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16).
This is the apex of faith. This is the pinnacle of belief. This is where the faith of each must rest if he hopes for salvation. Christ is inescapable! You, too, must decide, “What shall I do with Christ?”
Prayer for the day ---You are the Christ, Lord Jesus, Son of the living God! In adoration I worship You—my Redeemer.
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
You Can't "Catch" Holiness
Holiness = separation to God, which should result in conduct befitting those so separated
In the New Testament, the same Greek word translated holiness is also translated sanctification, which the Greek dictionary says "cannot be transferred or imputed." That means that holiness is an individual possession, one that is built up little by little, so it cannot be given to or taken from another person. In other words, you and I cannot become holy by going through a prayer line, or by having hands laid on us, or by spending time with someone else who is holy.
As we see in today’s passage from the Old Testament prophet Haggai, unholiness is contagious, but holiness is not. What that means is that if we spend a lot of time with someone who is living an ungodly life, that person’s sinful patterns can rub off on us—we can catch it like a disease. But holiness is not like that. It can't be picked up by contact or exposure; it has to be chosen on purpose.
This is one reason why it’s so very important that we choose our friends intentionally, and especially to spend the most time with other believers who are sincerely seeking Jesus. When we do that, we can spur each other on to keep following Him (see Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24-25).
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to proactively choose holiness, and connect me with other solid believers who are pursuing You above all else. Thank You for Your grace today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 25, 2020
How to Make a Difference
1 Peter 4:10-11
The Lord has given believers an amazing responsibility—He has called them to accomplish His work here on earth. How remarkable that God Almighty, who can do all things, invites us to participate in drawing people to Him, helping His children reach spiritual maturity, and caring for those in need.
Being a servant of the Lord means we put ourselves under His authority, listen to His instructions, and carry out His commands. In our own strength, this task is impossible, but when we defer to God and rely on Him, He supplies everything we need.
The Father always equips His children. He begins by developing Christlike character within us. Then, as we cooperate with His Spirit, God transforms a self-centered heart into the heart of a servant who delights in meeting others’ needs. And the Lord also bestows the spiritual gift needed for the specific work He’s appointed each believer to do.
The invitation is issued; the strength and ability are provided. All that is needed are some willing servants to participate in the most exciting adventure on earth. Join with the Lord in His work, use your spiritual gifts, and make an impact for Christ in this world.
Bible in One Year: Romans 10-13
How to Make a Difference
1 Peter 4:10-11
The Lord has given believers an amazing responsibility—He has called them to accomplish His work here on earth. How remarkable that God Almighty, who can do all things, invites us to participate in drawing people to Him, helping His children reach spiritual maturity, and caring for those in need.
Being a servant of the Lord means we put ourselves under His authority, listen to His instructions, and carry out His commands. In our own strength, this task is impossible, but when we defer to God and rely on Him, He supplies everything we need.
The Father always equips His children. He begins by developing Christlike character within us. Then, as we cooperate with His Spirit, God transforms a self-centered heart into the heart of a servant who delights in meeting others’ needs. And the Lord also bestows the spiritual gift needed for the specific work He’s appointed each believer to do.
The invitation is issued; the strength and ability are provided. All that is needed are some willing servants to participate in the most exciting adventure on earth. Join with the Lord in His work, use your spiritual gifts, and make an impact for Christ in this world.
Bible in One Year: Romans 10-13
NOVEMBER 24, 2020
Our Greatest Need --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 20:26–28 "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
A missionary was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a man came and said, “I don’t like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.” The missionary replied, “If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?” “I certainly would,” said the man without hesitation.
“All right then,” said the missionary, “let’s take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that for yourself?”
The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. “Why, no,” he said. “I acknowledge that I do sin.” The missionary replied, “Then your greatest need is to have a Saviour, not an example!”
Jesus was perfect, and He is a wonderful example—but it is an example that we are incapable of following apart from the power of the Spirit of God. Setting an example was not the primary purpose for His coming. Instead, He came to provide salvation for all who believe. This willingness to meet our greatest need is a striking testimony to the deep love God has for us.
Having received His salvation, we have the responsibility to share that Good News with others. Many churches have fallen into thinking that if they provide food or medicine or clothing for the poor, they are doing all Christ called them to do. It is certainly important to meet physical needs, but these are not the greatest needs of those we serve. They need the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Today's Growth Principle: Since God has provided our greatest need—a Saviour—we should be busy telling others about His wonderful provision.
Our Greatest Need --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Matthew 20:26–28 "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
A missionary was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a man came and said, “I don’t like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.” The missionary replied, “If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?” “I certainly would,” said the man without hesitation.
“All right then,” said the missionary, “let’s take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that for yourself?”
The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. “Why, no,” he said. “I acknowledge that I do sin.” The missionary replied, “Then your greatest need is to have a Saviour, not an example!”
Jesus was perfect, and He is a wonderful example—but it is an example that we are incapable of following apart from the power of the Spirit of God. Setting an example was not the primary purpose for His coming. Instead, He came to provide salvation for all who believe. This willingness to meet our greatest need is a striking testimony to the deep love God has for us.
Having received His salvation, we have the responsibility to share that Good News with others. Many churches have fallen into thinking that if they provide food or medicine or clothing for the poor, they are doing all Christ called them to do. It is certainly important to meet physical needs, but these are not the greatest needs of those we serve. They need the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Today's Growth Principle: Since God has provided our greatest need—a Saviour—we should be busy telling others about His wonderful provision.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020
Spirit of Truth
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27
Jesus often called the Holy Spirit “The Spirit of Truth,” when He spoke of Him. And in John 15:26-27 we learn that the Holy Spirit has come to bear witness of Jesus. What is the job of a witness? A witness has one purpose – to tell the truth.
The Holy Spirit only wants to talk about one thing – that is Jesus. He only wants to teach about one thing – that is Jesus. The Holy Spirit only wants to think about one thing – that is Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s purpose in our lives is to make known the truths of Christ. He teaches, guides, and reminds us of what is true about Jesus.
I have learned that the easiest way to get anyone to talk to you is simply to find out what his/her favorite subject is and then talk about it. Whether it’s a certain sport, hobby, or person, if you can find out what someone is passionate about, they will talk to you. If you want the Holy Spirit to talk to you, ask Him about Jesus. That is not just His favorite subject – it is His only subject.
How do you talk to the Holy Spirit about Jesus? The best way is through the Word of God and prayer. Ask Him to speak to you about Jesus through His Word. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with truths about Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking these truths. Remember, His purpose is to bear witness about Jesus. He wants to show us the treasures of Christ; but we must be listening. The more we listen, the more we are able to bear witness to others the truth that has been revealed to us.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit living within me. Help me to be diligent to not only talk to the Holy Spirit, but to also listen for Him to speak to me as well. In Jesus' name, amen.
Spirit of Truth
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27
Jesus often called the Holy Spirit “The Spirit of Truth,” when He spoke of Him. And in John 15:26-27 we learn that the Holy Spirit has come to bear witness of Jesus. What is the job of a witness? A witness has one purpose – to tell the truth.
The Holy Spirit only wants to talk about one thing – that is Jesus. He only wants to teach about one thing – that is Jesus. The Holy Spirit only wants to think about one thing – that is Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s purpose in our lives is to make known the truths of Christ. He teaches, guides, and reminds us of what is true about Jesus.
I have learned that the easiest way to get anyone to talk to you is simply to find out what his/her favorite subject is and then talk about it. Whether it’s a certain sport, hobby, or person, if you can find out what someone is passionate about, they will talk to you. If you want the Holy Spirit to talk to you, ask Him about Jesus. That is not just His favorite subject – it is His only subject.
How do you talk to the Holy Spirit about Jesus? The best way is through the Word of God and prayer. Ask Him to speak to you about Jesus through His Word. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with truths about Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking these truths. Remember, His purpose is to bear witness about Jesus. He wants to show us the treasures of Christ; but we must be listening. The more we listen, the more we are able to bear witness to others the truth that has been revealed to us.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit living within me. Help me to be diligent to not only talk to the Holy Spirit, but to also listen for Him to speak to me as well. In Jesus' name, amen.
NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Thanksgiving with Meaning
Psalm 34:18 (TLB) --- The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins.
It is the custom of many Christians to bow their heads in public places and give thanks for the food that has been placed before them. I have had scores of waiters and waitresses tell me that when we bowed our heads, it was the first time they had ever seen that happen in their restaurant.
Millions never pause to give a word of thanks to God for the food provided. Few homes have a moment of thanksgiving at the beginning of the meal or at any other time of the day. Even at Thanksgiving time only a minority will pause and give thanks to God.
Thanksgiving is recognition of a debt that cannot be paid. We express thanks, whether or not we are able otherwise to reimburse the giver. When thanksgiving is filled with true meaning and is not just the formality of a polite “thank you,” it is the recognition of dependence.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I know that apart from You I can do nothing of lasting value. Help me to come to the end of self and allow You to control the reins of my life.
Thanksgiving with Meaning
Psalm 34:18 (TLB) --- The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins.
It is the custom of many Christians to bow their heads in public places and give thanks for the food that has been placed before them. I have had scores of waiters and waitresses tell me that when we bowed our heads, it was the first time they had ever seen that happen in their restaurant.
Millions never pause to give a word of thanks to God for the food provided. Few homes have a moment of thanksgiving at the beginning of the meal or at any other time of the day. Even at Thanksgiving time only a minority will pause and give thanks to God.
Thanksgiving is recognition of a debt that cannot be paid. We express thanks, whether or not we are able otherwise to reimburse the giver. When thanksgiving is filled with true meaning and is not just the formality of a polite “thank you,” it is the recognition of dependence.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, I know that apart from You I can do nothing of lasting value. Help me to come to the end of self and allow You to control the reins of my life.
NOVEMBER 21, 2020
Boundaries, Not Walls
One of the first things God did after the Israelites entered the Promised Land was tell Joshua to divide the land that still remained to be conquered among the tribes of Israel. Joshua 13:8–33 details the boundaries of each tribe, except for the tribe of Levi because God Himself was their inheritance (v. 33).
Throughout the Bible, God told people and nations what their geographic boundaries were. As long as different groups respected the boundaries, they could live peaceably together. But when one group crossed a boundary and infringed on a neighbor’s land, that’s when trouble—and even war—broke out.
Just as groups of people need boundaries, it’s also important for us to have boundaries. Because everyone who wants to come into our lives may not be good for us, we can decide whether to allow them to get close to us or not. This kind of boundary setting can be physical, but it can also be emotional and mental. We get to decide whether or not we will give certain people access to our hearts and minds. We can choose how much we will allow our hearts to love or trust them—if at all. We can also choose how much we will think about them. One of the keys to being a healthy individual is to have appropriate boundaries in relationships.
There is a difference between boundaries and walls, and sometimes when a person is very wounded in their soul, they’ll put up walls instead of setting boundaries. Let me explain the difference. A person who puts up walls says to themselves: “I’ve been hurt before and nobody is ever going to hurt me again! I am not going to allow anyone to get close to me ever again. That way they can’t hurt me.”
A person who sets healthy boundaries says: “I have experienced a lot of hurt in my life, and I need to protect myself and be involved with people who are safe for me. I am going to be wise and discerning as I build relationships. If someone begins to disrespect me or take advantage of me, I will confront his or her behavior. If it continues, I will not continue to allow the person in my life.”
Do you see the difference between building walls and setting boundaries? Building walls leaves no room for healthy relationships because it closes off the possibility of close relationships completely. A person who sets boundaries is open to deep relationships, but only if they are respectful and beneficial. A person with boundaries doesn’t shut out all people or certain categories of people, but remains open to people as long as they are positive, not negative, in her life. Setting boundaries is not easy, but God will help you do it as you heal.
Prayer Starter: Father, please teach me how, where and when to set healthy boundaries with the people in my life. Thank You for helping me take down any unhealthy walls, and for directing me to relationships that will be good for me and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Boundaries, Not Walls
One of the first things God did after the Israelites entered the Promised Land was tell Joshua to divide the land that still remained to be conquered among the tribes of Israel. Joshua 13:8–33 details the boundaries of each tribe, except for the tribe of Levi because God Himself was their inheritance (v. 33).
Throughout the Bible, God told people and nations what their geographic boundaries were. As long as different groups respected the boundaries, they could live peaceably together. But when one group crossed a boundary and infringed on a neighbor’s land, that’s when trouble—and even war—broke out.
Just as groups of people need boundaries, it’s also important for us to have boundaries. Because everyone who wants to come into our lives may not be good for us, we can decide whether to allow them to get close to us or not. This kind of boundary setting can be physical, but it can also be emotional and mental. We get to decide whether or not we will give certain people access to our hearts and minds. We can choose how much we will allow our hearts to love or trust them—if at all. We can also choose how much we will think about them. One of the keys to being a healthy individual is to have appropriate boundaries in relationships.
There is a difference between boundaries and walls, and sometimes when a person is very wounded in their soul, they’ll put up walls instead of setting boundaries. Let me explain the difference. A person who puts up walls says to themselves: “I’ve been hurt before and nobody is ever going to hurt me again! I am not going to allow anyone to get close to me ever again. That way they can’t hurt me.”
A person who sets healthy boundaries says: “I have experienced a lot of hurt in my life, and I need to protect myself and be involved with people who are safe for me. I am going to be wise and discerning as I build relationships. If someone begins to disrespect me or take advantage of me, I will confront his or her behavior. If it continues, I will not continue to allow the person in my life.”
Do you see the difference between building walls and setting boundaries? Building walls leaves no room for healthy relationships because it closes off the possibility of close relationships completely. A person who sets boundaries is open to deep relationships, but only if they are respectful and beneficial. A person with boundaries doesn’t shut out all people or certain categories of people, but remains open to people as long as they are positive, not negative, in her life. Setting boundaries is not easy, but God will help you do it as you heal.
Prayer Starter: Father, please teach me how, where and when to set healthy boundaries with the people in my life. Thank You for helping me take down any unhealthy walls, and for directing me to relationships that will be good for me and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Our Righteousness
Ephesians 2:1-10
Anyone who thinks of himself as a pretty good person ought to think again. Ephesians 2:1 says we come into the world spiritually dead—ruled by Satan, his world system, and our own sin nature. From the divine perspective, we are deserving of punishment.
Meanwhile, God is so pure and holy that He is separated from all sin. He cannot look upon sin with any favor or approval (Hab. 1:13). Everything He does is pure and right, and by comparison, even mankind’s righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6 NIV). Yet, even though we have nothing of value to offer, the Lord wants us for His own and works to draw us close to Himself.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are made spiritually alive in Him, and all our sins are forgiven.
What a striking contrast between what we were and who we now are in the Lord! But this change has nothing to do with how good we’ve been. Even the faith with which we respond to the Savior comes from God. We can never make ourselves righteous; it’s all a gift from Him. And once He declares us justified, we will never be pronounced guilty again.
Bible in One Year: Acts 25-26
Our Righteousness
Ephesians 2:1-10
Anyone who thinks of himself as a pretty good person ought to think again. Ephesians 2:1 says we come into the world spiritually dead—ruled by Satan, his world system, and our own sin nature. From the divine perspective, we are deserving of punishment.
Meanwhile, God is so pure and holy that He is separated from all sin. He cannot look upon sin with any favor or approval (Hab. 1:13). Everything He does is pure and right, and by comparison, even mankind’s righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6 NIV). Yet, even though we have nothing of value to offer, the Lord wants us for His own and works to draw us close to Himself.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are made spiritually alive in Him, and all our sins are forgiven.
What a striking contrast between what we were and who we now are in the Lord! But this change has nothing to do with how good we’ve been. Even the faith with which we respond to the Savior comes from God. We can never make ourselves righteous; it’s all a gift from Him. And once He declares us justified, we will never be pronounced guilty again.
Bible in One Year: Acts 25-26
NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Unfailing Encouragement --- Dr. Paul Chappell
1 Samuel 30:6–8 "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."
All of us have times when we need encouragement, and almost all of us have known the experience of not finding anyone with a good or kind word to say. In that situation where do we turn for help? I’ve heard about some pretty heated board meetings, but I’ve never heard of one where they were ready to vote on stoning the leader. Yet David’s men were so distraught that they were ready to kill their leader.
At that crucial moment, without the help of friends or encouragers, the Bible tells us that David encouraged himself “in the Lord his God.” This is not the humanist notion of telling ourselves that we are good and things will get better, but rather the biblical truth of resting in the faithfulness of God even when we cannot see Him at work. No matter what our circumstances, we can always find strength and encouragement in His nature.
What we believe about God is never really put to the test until we face difficult days. It is easy to proclaim a strong faith when things are going well. It is something else entirely to be encouraged rather than defeated when everything is going wrong and even those who should be friends turn against us. The one source of encouragement that never fails is your loving Father in Heaven.
Today's Growth Principle: God is working in your life today, and His faithfulness can encourage you even when all others fail.
Unfailing Encouragement --- Dr. Paul Chappell
1 Samuel 30:6–8 "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."
All of us have times when we need encouragement, and almost all of us have known the experience of not finding anyone with a good or kind word to say. In that situation where do we turn for help? I’ve heard about some pretty heated board meetings, but I’ve never heard of one where they were ready to vote on stoning the leader. Yet David’s men were so distraught that they were ready to kill their leader.
At that crucial moment, without the help of friends or encouragers, the Bible tells us that David encouraged himself “in the Lord his God.” This is not the humanist notion of telling ourselves that we are good and things will get better, but rather the biblical truth of resting in the faithfulness of God even when we cannot see Him at work. No matter what our circumstances, we can always find strength and encouragement in His nature.
What we believe about God is never really put to the test until we face difficult days. It is easy to proclaim a strong faith when things are going well. It is something else entirely to be encouraged rather than defeated when everything is going wrong and even those who should be friends turn against us. The one source of encouragement that never fails is your loving Father in Heaven.
Today's Growth Principle: God is working in your life today, and His faithfulness can encourage you even when all others fail.
NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Greater Works
John 14:12 ---“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
As the time neared for my mother to leave this earth and enter heaven she said something precious to me, “I am ready to go. I just don’t want to leave my family behind. I wish we could just all go together.” I have played those words over and over in my mind. How many times have others thought the same thing? A soldier being deployed overseas…a husband called away for work…a parent watching a child leave home…If you love your family there is no one you hate to leave more than them.
For three years, Jesus’ family had been the twelve disciples. He had spent more time loving them, teaching them, and discipling them than anyone else in His life. No one can love family more than Jesus loved His, yet He left them behind. He could have said, “Let’s all go to heaven together,” and taken them with Him, but He didn’t. Have you ever wondered why?
Jesus did great and amazing things throughout His earthly ministry. He raised the dead to life, walked on water, fed thousands with one serving of food, and healed the sick, just to name a few. Yet in John 14:12 Jesus said that those who believe in Him would perform even greater works. How could that be? This is not a reference to the works being greater in power. No one has ever exceeded the power or majesty of Jesus’ miracles. So how could His faithful followers do greater works?
Without a doubt, the works of Jesus’ followers would be greater in scope. Christ’s earthly ministry was largely limited to Galilee and Judea. His disciples, however, were going to extend His ministry to the uttermost parts of the earth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers numbered in the hundreds.
Forty days later, in response to the Holy Spirit-filled preaching of His apostles, that number skyrocketed into the thousands. Before long the gospel was being preached in Rome! And today it is being proclaimed throughout the world.
Jesus went up and the Holy Spirit came down so that we could go out and be witnesses to a world that needs to be brought into the family of God. When the Holy Spirit is unleashed in the life of a believer, all things are possible. When we boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus Christ – that which we have personally experienced – the Holy Spirit’s power is unleashed through our lives.
Dear Father, how grateful I am that your Holy Spirit lives in me. Help me to remember the power I have because of the Holy Spirit and give me the boldness to use that power for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
Greater Works
John 14:12 ---“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
As the time neared for my mother to leave this earth and enter heaven she said something precious to me, “I am ready to go. I just don’t want to leave my family behind. I wish we could just all go together.” I have played those words over and over in my mind. How many times have others thought the same thing? A soldier being deployed overseas…a husband called away for work…a parent watching a child leave home…If you love your family there is no one you hate to leave more than them.
For three years, Jesus’ family had been the twelve disciples. He had spent more time loving them, teaching them, and discipling them than anyone else in His life. No one can love family more than Jesus loved His, yet He left them behind. He could have said, “Let’s all go to heaven together,” and taken them with Him, but He didn’t. Have you ever wondered why?
Jesus did great and amazing things throughout His earthly ministry. He raised the dead to life, walked on water, fed thousands with one serving of food, and healed the sick, just to name a few. Yet in John 14:12 Jesus said that those who believe in Him would perform even greater works. How could that be? This is not a reference to the works being greater in power. No one has ever exceeded the power or majesty of Jesus’ miracles. So how could His faithful followers do greater works?
Without a doubt, the works of Jesus’ followers would be greater in scope. Christ’s earthly ministry was largely limited to Galilee and Judea. His disciples, however, were going to extend His ministry to the uttermost parts of the earth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers numbered in the hundreds.
Forty days later, in response to the Holy Spirit-filled preaching of His apostles, that number skyrocketed into the thousands. Before long the gospel was being preached in Rome! And today it is being proclaimed throughout the world.
Jesus went up and the Holy Spirit came down so that we could go out and be witnesses to a world that needs to be brought into the family of God. When the Holy Spirit is unleashed in the life of a believer, all things are possible. When we boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus Christ – that which we have personally experienced – the Holy Spirit’s power is unleashed through our lives.
Dear Father, how grateful I am that your Holy Spirit lives in me. Help me to remember the power I have because of the Holy Spirit and give me the boldness to use that power for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
NOVEMBER 17, 2020
Integrity
Philippians 4:9 --- Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do . .
Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. What our young people want to see in their elders is integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and faith. What they hate most of all is hypocrisy and phoniness. That is why it is important for us to go to church, to read the Bible, and to say grace at the table. Let them see us doing what we would like them to do.
Prayer for the day
Take away the “front,” Father, that so often creeps into my life. I would live in such a way that young people will be drawn to You, too.
Integrity
Philippians 4:9 --- Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do . .
Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. What our young people want to see in their elders is integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and faith. What they hate most of all is hypocrisy and phoniness. That is why it is important for us to go to church, to read the Bible, and to say grace at the table. Let them see us doing what we would like them to do.
Prayer for the day
Take away the “front,” Father, that so often creeps into my life. I would live in such a way that young people will be drawn to You, too.
NOVEMBER 16, 2020
Stop and Smell the Roses
Much of the world is in a hurry, always rushing; yet very few people even know where they are going in life.
People rush to get to yet another event that has no real meaning for them, or that they really don’t even want to attend. We hurry so much we finally come to a place where we cannot slow down.
I can remember the days when I worked so hard and hurried so much that even if I took a vacation, it was almost over by the time I geared down enough to actually rest. Constantly hurrying definitely kept me from having peace in my life, and it still can if I don’t pay attention. Life is too precious to rush through it.
Sometimes I find that a day has gone by in a blur; at the end of it, I know I was very busy all day yet cannot really remember enjoying much, if any, of it. That’s why I’ve committed to learn to do things in God’s rhythm, not the world’s pace. Jesus was never in a hurry when He was here on earth, and God is absolutely not in a hurry now. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (AMPC) states, To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven .
We should let each thing in our lives have its season, and realize we can enjoy that season without rushing into the next one. Our pace of living affects the quality of our lives. When we eat too fast, we don’t properly digest our food; when we rush through life, we don’t properly digest it, either. God has given life to us as a gift, and what a pitiful shame it would be to do nothing but rush through each day and never, as they say, “stop and smell the roses.” Each thing we do in life has a sweet fragrance, and we need to learn to take it in and enjoy the aroma.
Prayer Starter: Father, please give me the grace, energy and time to do life at a pace that allows me to enjoy the journey, and to be fully present in each moment. Thank You for the gift of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Much of the world is in a hurry, always rushing; yet very few people even know where they are going in life.
People rush to get to yet another event that has no real meaning for them, or that they really don’t even want to attend. We hurry so much we finally come to a place where we cannot slow down.
I can remember the days when I worked so hard and hurried so much that even if I took a vacation, it was almost over by the time I geared down enough to actually rest. Constantly hurrying definitely kept me from having peace in my life, and it still can if I don’t pay attention. Life is too precious to rush through it.
Sometimes I find that a day has gone by in a blur; at the end of it, I know I was very busy all day yet cannot really remember enjoying much, if any, of it. That’s why I’ve committed to learn to do things in God’s rhythm, not the world’s pace. Jesus was never in a hurry when He was here on earth, and God is absolutely not in a hurry now. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (AMPC) states, To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven .
We should let each thing in our lives have its season, and realize we can enjoy that season without rushing into the next one. Our pace of living affects the quality of our lives. When we eat too fast, we don’t properly digest our food; when we rush through life, we don’t properly digest it, either. God has given life to us as a gift, and what a pitiful shame it would be to do nothing but rush through each day and never, as they say, “stop and smell the roses.” Each thing we do in life has a sweet fragrance, and we need to learn to take it in and enjoy the aroma.
Prayer Starter: Father, please give me the grace, energy and time to do life at a pace that allows me to enjoy the journey, and to be fully present in each moment. Thank You for the gift of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 15, 2020
Preserving What Is Good
Throughout history, Christians have contributed to every industry and creative pursuit—from music and philosophy to science and business. And churches and followers of Christ have played an important part in preserving great works of art and cultural artifacts. In fact, many great musical and artistic works were influenced by the artists’ faith in Jesus.
Just as followers of Christ are called to preserve our faith, we have the opportunity to contribute to the culture around us. Critiquing what’s broken has its place, but it’s important that we also participate in enhancing the culture. God made the world and all things in it (Acts 17:24), and one day He will redeem everything. We participate in this work by beautifying our world and drawing attention to anything that points to God’s goodness.
Think About It
Bible in One Year: Acts 14-15
Preserving What Is Good
Throughout history, Christians have contributed to every industry and creative pursuit—from music and philosophy to science and business. And churches and followers of Christ have played an important part in preserving great works of art and cultural artifacts. In fact, many great musical and artistic works were influenced by the artists’ faith in Jesus.
Just as followers of Christ are called to preserve our faith, we have the opportunity to contribute to the culture around us. Critiquing what’s broken has its place, but it’s important that we also participate in enhancing the culture. God made the world and all things in it (Acts 17:24), and one day He will redeem everything. We participate in this work by beautifying our world and drawing attention to anything that points to God’s goodness.
Think About It
- Are there any creative works that bring you joy? Take time this week to thank God for them.
- God knows what makes each of us unique. (See Psalm 139.) As you pray this week, ask Him to reveal how you might use your specific gifts and talents to reflect His goodness.
Bible in One Year: Acts 14-15
NOVEMBER 14, 2020
Helping each Other --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 5:5-7 "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."
It is very rare in the history of God’s work to find great things done by an individual working alone. The pattern that Jesus established when He sent the disciples out in pairs to preach is not a coincidence but rather a recognition of an important truth. We are much stronger when we are together than when we are alone. Solomon said, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Each of us has a responsibility to be an encouragement, help, and support to those around us. Some people focus only on their own needs—who is caring for me. But the pattern established by Jesus was to care for others rather than self. At the Last Supper He washed the disciples’ feet. That job was considered so demeaning that only a foreign slave could be commanded to perform it—a Hebrew slave had to be asked if he or she was willing to take on the job. Yet the very Lord of Heaven took a towel and performed a task no one else was willing to do.
If we are focused on ways in which we can be a help and encouragement to others, we will find that we always have an effective ministry. There is no shortage of people who are struggling and carrying heavy burdens. As we help lift those burdens, we build up the body of Christ.
Today's Growth Principle: There is someone today to whom your word of encouragement could make all the difference in the world.
Helping each Other --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Luke 5:5-7 "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."
It is very rare in the history of God’s work to find great things done by an individual working alone. The pattern that Jesus established when He sent the disciples out in pairs to preach is not a coincidence but rather a recognition of an important truth. We are much stronger when we are together than when we are alone. Solomon said, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Each of us has a responsibility to be an encouragement, help, and support to those around us. Some people focus only on their own needs—who is caring for me. But the pattern established by Jesus was to care for others rather than self. At the Last Supper He washed the disciples’ feet. That job was considered so demeaning that only a foreign slave could be commanded to perform it—a Hebrew slave had to be asked if he or she was willing to take on the job. Yet the very Lord of Heaven took a towel and performed a task no one else was willing to do.
If we are focused on ways in which we can be a help and encouragement to others, we will find that we always have an effective ministry. There is no shortage of people who are struggling and carrying heavy burdens. As we help lift those burdens, we build up the body of Christ.
Today's Growth Principle: There is someone today to whom your word of encouragement could make all the difference in the world.
NOVEMBER 13, 2020
Loyalty To God
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1:17-18)
As you read the story of Ruth, you will see that by far, the most important thing that Ruth says is the most important part to loyalty that one will ever have, which is the loyalty she expressed to God. “... Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Here is a young woman who has everything going against her and every reason to reject God, and yet she says, “Your God will be my God.”
Ruth’s life had been radically changed by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She had turned away from every other false god she had ever known and put everything on the line to worship the one true God. It is one of the most courageous confessions of faith you will ever find in the entire Bible. When you read the rest of the story you will see that God honored her loyalty.
When you go to the genealogy of Jesus, there are four women that are mentioned in the family tree: Tamar - guilty of incest, Rahab – a prostitute, Bathsheba - an adulteress and a Moabite named Ruth. Because of her loyalty, God used her not to bear a son, but to change the history of the world. Our God is a loyal God. Our God will never leave us or forsake us. May we take comfort in His loyalty to us, and may we strive to always be loyal to Him. For when we do, we can have confident expectation that God will work in amazing ways through our choice to be loyal and faithful to Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for your never-ending loyalty to me. Thank you that I can always count on you to be with me and to be for me. I pray that I would be just as loyal to you as Ruth was, and that I would get excited as I look for all that you are going to do in and through my life as I surrender it to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Loyalty To God
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1:17-18)
As you read the story of Ruth, you will see that by far, the most important thing that Ruth says is the most important part to loyalty that one will ever have, which is the loyalty she expressed to God. “... Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Here is a young woman who has everything going against her and every reason to reject God, and yet she says, “Your God will be my God.”
Ruth’s life had been radically changed by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She had turned away from every other false god she had ever known and put everything on the line to worship the one true God. It is one of the most courageous confessions of faith you will ever find in the entire Bible. When you read the rest of the story you will see that God honored her loyalty.
When you go to the genealogy of Jesus, there are four women that are mentioned in the family tree: Tamar - guilty of incest, Rahab – a prostitute, Bathsheba - an adulteress and a Moabite named Ruth. Because of her loyalty, God used her not to bear a son, but to change the history of the world. Our God is a loyal God. Our God will never leave us or forsake us. May we take comfort in His loyalty to us, and may we strive to always be loyal to Him. For when we do, we can have confident expectation that God will work in amazing ways through our choice to be loyal and faithful to Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for your never-ending loyalty to me. Thank you that I can always count on you to be with me and to be for me. I pray that I would be just as loyal to you as Ruth was, and that I would get excited as I look for all that you are going to do in and through my life as I surrender it to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
Good Things Are Costly
John 16:33 --- In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
You should not expect the easy way, for if you do you are certainly destined for disappointment. Any person who knows the Bible knows that the Christian life is likened to an athletic contest or to warfare, and neither one is easy. Jesus warned His followers to count carefully the cost, and that certainly does not speak of an easy way. But there is no good thing that comes without cost.
The Christian life is the most satisfying, but only when we actually go all out and all the way. It is the Christian who tries to compromise who finds life miserable, for he has all the problems, without the fellowship that comes through surrender. For every trial and test, Christ supplies an abundance of grace with which to bear it, and in our weakness we are made strong.
Prayer for the day --- Let me never look for the easy way when You, Lord Jesus, gave everything for me.
Good Things Are Costly
John 16:33 --- In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
You should not expect the easy way, for if you do you are certainly destined for disappointment. Any person who knows the Bible knows that the Christian life is likened to an athletic contest or to warfare, and neither one is easy. Jesus warned His followers to count carefully the cost, and that certainly does not speak of an easy way. But there is no good thing that comes without cost.
The Christian life is the most satisfying, but only when we actually go all out and all the way. It is the Christian who tries to compromise who finds life miserable, for he has all the problems, without the fellowship that comes through surrender. For every trial and test, Christ supplies an abundance of grace with which to bear it, and in our weakness we are made strong.
Prayer for the day --- Let me never look for the easy way when You, Lord Jesus, gave everything for me.
NOVEMBER 11, 2020
The Blessing of Conviction
Jesus told the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came, He would have an intimate, personal ministry to them. One of the things the Holy Spirit is responsible for is guiding believers into all truth. He is the one involved in the process of sanctification in believers' lives, which is partially accomplished by His conviction in our hearts. Every time we start to get off track or go in a wrong direction, the Holy Spirit gently convicts us, letting us know that our behavior or decision is wrong, and shows us where to go instead.
This is accomplished by a "knowing" in our spirit that what we’re doing just isn’t right. When you and I feel convicted, we should repent and change our direction. If we’re willing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we can grow in spiritual maturity and release all the planned blessings of God in our lives. If, however, we ignore His conviction and go our own way, we’ll find the road extremely difficult.
Satan doesn’t want us to receive conviction, or even to understand it. He always has a counterfeit for all the good things God offers—something somewhat like the truth, but actually a lie that will ultimately bring destruction instead of blessing. Satan's counterfeit for true godly conviction is condemnation, which always produces feelings of guilt. When we’re condemned, we feel "down" in every way, and as if we were "under" something heavy, which is exactly where Satan wants us.
God, on the other hand, sent Jesus to set us free, to give us righteousness, peace, and joy (see Romans 14:17). Our spirits should be light and carefree, not oppressed and heavy with burdens that we are unable to bear. We cannot bear our sins; that’s why Jesus came to take them off our shoulders at the cross. As we receive His forgiveness, we can move forward freely, knowing that He’ll always lead, guide and show us anything we need to repent of, and give us the grace we need to change.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your conviction to keep me on track. Please help me discern the difference between Your convicting voice and the enemy’s condemning voice, and give me the grace I need to change and grow closer to You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Blessing of Conviction
Jesus told the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came, He would have an intimate, personal ministry to them. One of the things the Holy Spirit is responsible for is guiding believers into all truth. He is the one involved in the process of sanctification in believers' lives, which is partially accomplished by His conviction in our hearts. Every time we start to get off track or go in a wrong direction, the Holy Spirit gently convicts us, letting us know that our behavior or decision is wrong, and shows us where to go instead.
This is accomplished by a "knowing" in our spirit that what we’re doing just isn’t right. When you and I feel convicted, we should repent and change our direction. If we’re willing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we can grow in spiritual maturity and release all the planned blessings of God in our lives. If, however, we ignore His conviction and go our own way, we’ll find the road extremely difficult.
Satan doesn’t want us to receive conviction, or even to understand it. He always has a counterfeit for all the good things God offers—something somewhat like the truth, but actually a lie that will ultimately bring destruction instead of blessing. Satan's counterfeit for true godly conviction is condemnation, which always produces feelings of guilt. When we’re condemned, we feel "down" in every way, and as if we were "under" something heavy, which is exactly where Satan wants us.
God, on the other hand, sent Jesus to set us free, to give us righteousness, peace, and joy (see Romans 14:17). Our spirits should be light and carefree, not oppressed and heavy with burdens that we are unable to bear. We cannot bear our sins; that’s why Jesus came to take them off our shoulders at the cross. As we receive His forgiveness, we can move forward freely, knowing that He’ll always lead, guide and show us anything we need to repent of, and give us the grace we need to change.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your conviction to keep me on track. Please help me discern the difference between Your convicting voice and the enemy’s condemning voice, and give me the grace I need to change and grow closer to You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 10, 2O2O
Instruction From the Lord
Matthew 16:21-27
The incident in today’s passage demonstrates a common struggle for believers: At times God’s Word or ways might be different than what we want. When the Lord does something that’s not in line with the result we hope for, we may respond with anger, fear, rebellion, or despair.
This conflict between us and God can happen whenever our desires clash with His or when we consider our own reasoning to be superior. Although we may think our disagreement with the Lord is no big deal, Jesus’ response to Peter indicates otherwise. When the apostle set his mind on man’s interests rather than God’s, he was distracted by the devil’s lies instead of supporting Jesus’ work. That’s not a place any believer wants to be in. Although some passages in the Bible may challenge our faith and call for self-denial, we shouldn’t let any initial reluctance keep us from obeying the Lord.
Remember, God’s understanding far exceeds ours because He is eternal and omniscient. Everything in His Word is true and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The exchange between Peter and Jesus should serve as a reminder that God knows what He’s doing and is worthy of our trust and obedience.
Bible in One Year: Acts 3-4
Instruction From the Lord
Matthew 16:21-27
The incident in today’s passage demonstrates a common struggle for believers: At times God’s Word or ways might be different than what we want. When the Lord does something that’s not in line with the result we hope for, we may respond with anger, fear, rebellion, or despair.
This conflict between us and God can happen whenever our desires clash with His or when we consider our own reasoning to be superior. Although we may think our disagreement with the Lord is no big deal, Jesus’ response to Peter indicates otherwise. When the apostle set his mind on man’s interests rather than God’s, he was distracted by the devil’s lies instead of supporting Jesus’ work. That’s not a place any believer wants to be in. Although some passages in the Bible may challenge our faith and call for self-denial, we shouldn’t let any initial reluctance keep us from obeying the Lord.
Remember, God’s understanding far exceeds ours because He is eternal and omniscient. Everything in His Word is true and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The exchange between Peter and Jesus should serve as a reminder that God knows what He’s doing and is worthy of our trust and obedience.
Bible in One Year: Acts 3-4
NOVEMBER 9, 2020
Follow the Plan --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Daniel 4:34 --- "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"
Roger Staubach served three winning seasons as the starting quarterback for the Navy football team, won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in collegiate football, and served in Vietnam before joining the Dallas Cowboys. But he found that his track record did not gain him much leeway with his coach. Coach Tom Landry called all the plays, and Staubach was told he could only change the play he received in an emergency. Staubach later said that he thought he should have been allowed to run the team, but he yielded his will to his coach. The Super Bowl MVP quarterback said, "I faced up to the issue of obedience.
Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory."
God has a purpose and plan for your life. He knows the end from the beginning, and He wants the very best for you. Often we are tempted to think we know better than God what should happen or what we should do.
However we should never forget that like a coach with the view of the entire field from the press box above, God sees things we do not. His perspective allows Him to always put us in the right game plan. Rather than insisting on having things our way, we should yield in grateful obedience to what He has shown us in His Word and walk according to His will.
Today's Growth Principle: Follow God's will in your life today rather than walking by your own wisdom.
Follow the Plan --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Daniel 4:34 --- "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"
Roger Staubach served three winning seasons as the starting quarterback for the Navy football team, won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in collegiate football, and served in Vietnam before joining the Dallas Cowboys. But he found that his track record did not gain him much leeway with his coach. Coach Tom Landry called all the plays, and Staubach was told he could only change the play he received in an emergency. Staubach later said that he thought he should have been allowed to run the team, but he yielded his will to his coach. The Super Bowl MVP quarterback said, "I faced up to the issue of obedience.
Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory."
God has a purpose and plan for your life. He knows the end from the beginning, and He wants the very best for you. Often we are tempted to think we know better than God what should happen or what we should do.
However we should never forget that like a coach with the view of the entire field from the press box above, God sees things we do not. His perspective allows Him to always put us in the right game plan. Rather than insisting on having things our way, we should yield in grateful obedience to what He has shown us in His Word and walk according to His will.
Today's Growth Principle: Follow God's will in your life today rather than walking by your own wisdom.
NOVEMBER 8, 2020
The Power of Humility
“I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
The first time you ever hear about the town Nazareth is in Luke’s Gospel. It is never mentioned in the Old Testament. You won’t find it in ancient history, because no one or nothing of importance had ever come out of Nazareth. Scholars have estimated it may have had at most 200 people. Nazareth was the kind of town you went through, not the kind of town you went to. So why in the world would God make the most momentous announcement in history in a small, nothing-town full of paganism? Because, he knew in that town was a little teenaged girl that was humble enough for him to use.
However, even though she portrayed extreme humility as she served the Lord’s purpose for her, embracing that purpose did not come without its own set of challenges. Because Mary became the mother of Jesus as an unmarried virgin, malicious gossip followed Mary all of her life. Common sense suggest that Mary knew this was a double-edged sword. Yes, this birth would be a blessing that she would enjoy, but it would be a burden she would carry to her grave. Knowing the cost of this birth and the price that she would pay here is her response, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
Through this statement, we see the true greatness of Mary. The word used for “servant” in this text refers to the lowliest kind of servant. It refers to someone who voluntarily would sell themselves into slavery. It was the most humble act that a person could perform in that society. Do you want to know what made Mary such a great woman? Perhaps the greatest woman who has ever lived? It was that statement that put her at the top of the list.
Mary was a nobody who became greater than almost everybody, because she simply said five words and she not only meant them, but she lived them, “It is not about me.” Because she went lower, she went higher than she ever imagined and so can we.
Dear Father, thank you for the example Mary set in what it looks like to be humble no matter what. I pray that you would give me the same humility and that I would realize that it’s not about me, but rather everything is all about you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Power of Humility
“I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
The first time you ever hear about the town Nazareth is in Luke’s Gospel. It is never mentioned in the Old Testament. You won’t find it in ancient history, because no one or nothing of importance had ever come out of Nazareth. Scholars have estimated it may have had at most 200 people. Nazareth was the kind of town you went through, not the kind of town you went to. So why in the world would God make the most momentous announcement in history in a small, nothing-town full of paganism? Because, he knew in that town was a little teenaged girl that was humble enough for him to use.
However, even though she portrayed extreme humility as she served the Lord’s purpose for her, embracing that purpose did not come without its own set of challenges. Because Mary became the mother of Jesus as an unmarried virgin, malicious gossip followed Mary all of her life. Common sense suggest that Mary knew this was a double-edged sword. Yes, this birth would be a blessing that she would enjoy, but it would be a burden she would carry to her grave. Knowing the cost of this birth and the price that she would pay here is her response, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
Through this statement, we see the true greatness of Mary. The word used for “servant” in this text refers to the lowliest kind of servant. It refers to someone who voluntarily would sell themselves into slavery. It was the most humble act that a person could perform in that society. Do you want to know what made Mary such a great woman? Perhaps the greatest woman who has ever lived? It was that statement that put her at the top of the list.
Mary was a nobody who became greater than almost everybody, because she simply said five words and she not only meant them, but she lived them, “It is not about me.” Because she went lower, she went higher than she ever imagined and so can we.
Dear Father, thank you for the example Mary set in what it looks like to be humble no matter what. I pray that you would give me the same humility and that I would realize that it’s not about me, but rather everything is all about you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 7, 2020
A Creative God
Romans 8:26 --- For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
John Knox, with an all-consuming soul-concern for his country, prayed, “Give me Scotland, or I die!” His earnest travail was rewarded with a spiritual rebirth in his land. This is what is termed “praying in the Spirit.” It is the manifestation of a deep spiritual concern for others, and it is instilled by the Spirit of God.
This kind of prayer can leap over oceans, speed across burning deserts, spring over mountains, bound through jungles, and carry the healing, helping power of the Gospel to the object of prayer.
That “the Spirit Himself makes intercession” indicates that it is actually God pleading, praying, and mourning through us. Thus we become co-laborers with God, actual partners with Him; our lives are lifted from the low plane of selfishness to the high plane of creativeness with God. John Knox travailed, and the Church in Scotland broke into new life.
Prayer for the day
My heart's cry is heard—thank You, Lord Jesus!
A Creative God
Romans 8:26 --- For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
John Knox, with an all-consuming soul-concern for his country, prayed, “Give me Scotland, or I die!” His earnest travail was rewarded with a spiritual rebirth in his land. This is what is termed “praying in the Spirit.” It is the manifestation of a deep spiritual concern for others, and it is instilled by the Spirit of God.
This kind of prayer can leap over oceans, speed across burning deserts, spring over mountains, bound through jungles, and carry the healing, helping power of the Gospel to the object of prayer.
That “the Spirit Himself makes intercession” indicates that it is actually God pleading, praying, and mourning through us. Thus we become co-laborers with God, actual partners with Him; our lives are lifted from the low plane of selfishness to the high plane of creativeness with God. John Knox travailed, and the Church in Scotland broke into new life.
Prayer for the day
My heart's cry is heard—thank You, Lord Jesus!
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
Keep Your Standards High
The Old Testament character Daniel was a person of high standards. We know this because in Daniel 1, when the young men from Jerusalem were taken to Babylon to be trained in the royal court, they were supposed to eat the rich food and wine the king provided for them, but Daniel and his friends asked to be exempt. He felt such delicacies would defile them, so he asked for vegetables and water instead. Daniel could have gotten in trouble for not eating the rich food, but instead God gave him favor with the man in charge (see Daniel 1:5–20).
In Daniel 6, King Darius decreed that everyone in the kingdom had to pray to him, and that anybody who prayed to anyone else would be thrown into a den of hungry lions. Daniel was committed to praying to the God of Israel, and he continued to do so despite the king’s decree.
When the king found out about this, he had no choice but to send Daniel to the lions’ den. But God shut the lions’ mouths, and no harm came to Daniel. The next morning, the king ordered Daniel to be removed from the lions’ den. After Daniel emerged unscathed, the king saw that Daniel’s God was the true and living God, and issued a new decree that everyone had to worship only Him. Daniel went on to prosper in the king’s service for many years.
Like Daniel, you might be faced with opportunities to compromise your convictions. Sometimes in the process of healing and growing, you may feel it would be easier to just go back to your old ways instead of moving forward with God. Let me encourage you to be like Daniel and remain faithful and committed to God.
The healing of the soul takes time, and every day may not feel like a great victory. But as you stay in God’s Word and continue to obey Him, the progress He wants for you will take place. You will be walking toward greater and greater healing every day as you keep your standards high.
The king saw that Daniel was a person of integrity and that “an excellent spirit” was in him. Obviously, he believed strongly in keeping his commitments, promises, and vows, and he was willing to endure discomfort—and even risk his life—to do so.
Because of this, he was promoted to a position of great authority and influence. God has put an excellent spirit in you, too, and you can choose to live in excellence every day. The journey to healing isn’t always easy, so I encourage you today to make the decision that you will not compromise. We can see from the story of Daniel that those who remain faithful are rewarded. At the right time and in the right ways, God will honor your faithfulness to Him.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me stay excellent and committed to You in every area of my life. Thank You for Your favor, Your protection, and Your grace to do what’s right. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Keep Your Standards High
The Old Testament character Daniel was a person of high standards. We know this because in Daniel 1, when the young men from Jerusalem were taken to Babylon to be trained in the royal court, they were supposed to eat the rich food and wine the king provided for them, but Daniel and his friends asked to be exempt. He felt such delicacies would defile them, so he asked for vegetables and water instead. Daniel could have gotten in trouble for not eating the rich food, but instead God gave him favor with the man in charge (see Daniel 1:5–20).
In Daniel 6, King Darius decreed that everyone in the kingdom had to pray to him, and that anybody who prayed to anyone else would be thrown into a den of hungry lions. Daniel was committed to praying to the God of Israel, and he continued to do so despite the king’s decree.
When the king found out about this, he had no choice but to send Daniel to the lions’ den. But God shut the lions’ mouths, and no harm came to Daniel. The next morning, the king ordered Daniel to be removed from the lions’ den. After Daniel emerged unscathed, the king saw that Daniel’s God was the true and living God, and issued a new decree that everyone had to worship only Him. Daniel went on to prosper in the king’s service for many years.
Like Daniel, you might be faced with opportunities to compromise your convictions. Sometimes in the process of healing and growing, you may feel it would be easier to just go back to your old ways instead of moving forward with God. Let me encourage you to be like Daniel and remain faithful and committed to God.
The healing of the soul takes time, and every day may not feel like a great victory. But as you stay in God’s Word and continue to obey Him, the progress He wants for you will take place. You will be walking toward greater and greater healing every day as you keep your standards high.
The king saw that Daniel was a person of integrity and that “an excellent spirit” was in him. Obviously, he believed strongly in keeping his commitments, promises, and vows, and he was willing to endure discomfort—and even risk his life—to do so.
Because of this, he was promoted to a position of great authority and influence. God has put an excellent spirit in you, too, and you can choose to live in excellence every day. The journey to healing isn’t always easy, so I encourage you today to make the decision that you will not compromise. We can see from the story of Daniel that those who remain faithful are rewarded. At the right time and in the right ways, God will honor your faithfulness to Him.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me stay excellent and committed to You in every area of my life. Thank You for Your favor, Your protection, and Your grace to do what’s right. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Growing in Prayer
Philippians 1:1-11
One of the best ways to improve your prayer life is by imitating prayers in Scripture. Consider starting with Paul. When you read the prayers in his letters to the churches, you will notice three characteristics that distinguish them—an accurate understanding of God, joy in others’ salvation, and a desire for the Lord to continue the good work He began in their lives.
Even though Paul wrote many letters from prison, his concern was not for his release—it was for the health of the churches and the spiritual maturity of believers. Whenever he received word of their growing faith, increasing love, steadfast hope, and partnership in the gospel, he responded with joy, praise to God, and continued intercession on their behalf.
Does intimate knowledge of the Lord and love for your brothers and sisters in Christ fuel your devotional life? If you are longing for greater depth in your prayers, follow Paul’s example by spending time in God’s Word, pondering who He is, what He has done, and what He desires to do in the lives of His people. Then put these thoughts into prayers for the spiritual growth of fellow believers.
Bible in One Year: John 12-13
Growing in Prayer
Philippians 1:1-11
One of the best ways to improve your prayer life is by imitating prayers in Scripture. Consider starting with Paul. When you read the prayers in his letters to the churches, you will notice three characteristics that distinguish them—an accurate understanding of God, joy in others’ salvation, and a desire for the Lord to continue the good work He began in their lives.
Even though Paul wrote many letters from prison, his concern was not for his release—it was for the health of the churches and the spiritual maturity of believers. Whenever he received word of their growing faith, increasing love, steadfast hope, and partnership in the gospel, he responded with joy, praise to God, and continued intercession on their behalf.
Does intimate knowledge of the Lord and love for your brothers and sisters in Christ fuel your devotional life? If you are longing for greater depth in your prayers, follow Paul’s example by spending time in God’s Word, pondering who He is, what He has done, and what He desires to do in the lives of His people. Then put these thoughts into prayers for the spiritual growth of fellow believers.
Bible in One Year: John 12-13
NOVEMBER 4, 2020
Living Sacrifices --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Romans 12:1-2 --- "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."
In Old Testament times, bringing a sacrifice to the priest was something every Israelite was familiar with doing. Animals were brought for offerings, not to take away sins but as an expression of faith in the coming Messiah who would provide salvation through His blood. Hebrews 10:12 contrasts the work of the priests whose work never finished with the completed ministry of Jesus Christ who “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
Though the sacrifices for sin are finished, there is still a sacrifice we are to make—of ourselves. We are exhorted to place our bodies at the complete disposal of God. There is a beautiful picture of this in the story of Abraham and Isaac. God instructed Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. Though Isaac was a strong young man and Abraham was well over one hundred years old, Isaac willingly allowed himself to be placed upon the altar.
Our tendency is to regard making such a sacrifice as something large and out of the ordinary. Yet Paul described it as “reasonable service.” In light of all that God has done for us, providing us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and promising to hear our prayers and supply our needs, it is not at all unreasonable for us to cheerfully offer ourselves for His service. Those who truly understand the magnitude and wonder of salvation will not hold back from yielding their lives to the King who rescued them.
Today's Growth Principle: Place everything you have and everything you are at the complete disposal of God today for His service.
Living Sacrifices --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Romans 12:1-2 --- "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."
In Old Testament times, bringing a sacrifice to the priest was something every Israelite was familiar with doing. Animals were brought for offerings, not to take away sins but as an expression of faith in the coming Messiah who would provide salvation through His blood. Hebrews 10:12 contrasts the work of the priests whose work never finished with the completed ministry of Jesus Christ who “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
Though the sacrifices for sin are finished, there is still a sacrifice we are to make—of ourselves. We are exhorted to place our bodies at the complete disposal of God. There is a beautiful picture of this in the story of Abraham and Isaac. God instructed Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. Though Isaac was a strong young man and Abraham was well over one hundred years old, Isaac willingly allowed himself to be placed upon the altar.
Our tendency is to regard making such a sacrifice as something large and out of the ordinary. Yet Paul described it as “reasonable service.” In light of all that God has done for us, providing us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and promising to hear our prayers and supply our needs, it is not at all unreasonable for us to cheerfully offer ourselves for His service. Those who truly understand the magnitude and wonder of salvation will not hold back from yielding their lives to the King who rescued them.
Today's Growth Principle: Place everything you have and everything you are at the complete disposal of God today for His service.
NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Irrigated
…And we were all give the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
What does it mean to drink the Holy Spirit? In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Apostle Paul writes that all believers have been given the Holy Spirit to drink. The original Greek word for “given a drink” literally means, “to irrigate.” When you irrigate a piece of ground you saturate it with water. What Paul is teaching here is that not only have all believers been placed in the Body of Christ, but the Holy Spirit has also been placed into all believers. We have all been irrigated and saturated with the Holy Spirit of God.
This irrigation of the Holy Spirit is why there should always be unity in the Church regardless of our diversity – because we are all in Jesus and His Spirit is in all of us. It is the Holy Spirit in us that builds us together.
Here is how this works. The Holy Spirit wants to draw each of us deeper into Jesus every day. The closer I get to Jesus and the closer you get to Jesus, the closer we will be to each other.
If you are not a believer in Jesus, if you have never given your life to Christ you need to understand something. You may have been christened, you may have been confirmed, you may have been catechized, you may have been baptized in a lake, a pond, or a baptistery, you may have your membership, your name on somebody’s church role, or official document, but you are not part of God’s True Church – the Body of Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can make that happen for you. The moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ and turn from your sin, the Spirit will baptize you into the True Church and you will always belong to Jesus.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. At the moment you believed in the Son of God, you were baptized by the Spirit of God, into the Church of God. If that is true of you, you should walk like it, talk like it, live like it, give like it, worship like it, obey like it, and serve like it. If the Holy Spirit is alive in your life, it will show.
Christians are not just a bunch of individuals that come together to hang out and worship together on Sunday mornings. We are one Body. We have been baptized by one Spirit into the one Body of Jesus. Jesus’ words to His followers in John 13:35 say it all: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the Living Water. Help me to always remember that you can quench my soul's thirst like nothing and no one else. Irrigate my soul so that I might grow to be more like you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Irrigated
…And we were all give the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
What does it mean to drink the Holy Spirit? In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Apostle Paul writes that all believers have been given the Holy Spirit to drink. The original Greek word for “given a drink” literally means, “to irrigate.” When you irrigate a piece of ground you saturate it with water. What Paul is teaching here is that not only have all believers been placed in the Body of Christ, but the Holy Spirit has also been placed into all believers. We have all been irrigated and saturated with the Holy Spirit of God.
This irrigation of the Holy Spirit is why there should always be unity in the Church regardless of our diversity – because we are all in Jesus and His Spirit is in all of us. It is the Holy Spirit in us that builds us together.
Here is how this works. The Holy Spirit wants to draw each of us deeper into Jesus every day. The closer I get to Jesus and the closer you get to Jesus, the closer we will be to each other.
If you are not a believer in Jesus, if you have never given your life to Christ you need to understand something. You may have been christened, you may have been confirmed, you may have been catechized, you may have been baptized in a lake, a pond, or a baptistery, you may have your membership, your name on somebody’s church role, or official document, but you are not part of God’s True Church – the Body of Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can make that happen for you. The moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ and turn from your sin, the Spirit will baptize you into the True Church and you will always belong to Jesus.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. At the moment you believed in the Son of God, you were baptized by the Spirit of God, into the Church of God. If that is true of you, you should walk like it, talk like it, live like it, give like it, worship like it, obey like it, and serve like it. If the Holy Spirit is alive in your life, it will show.
Christians are not just a bunch of individuals that come together to hang out and worship together on Sunday mornings. We are one Body. We have been baptized by one Spirit into the one Body of Jesus. Jesus’ words to His followers in John 13:35 say it all: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the Living Water. Help me to always remember that you can quench my soul's thirst like nothing and no one else. Irrigate my soul so that I might grow to be more like you. In Jesus' name, amen.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020
God With Us
Proverbs 18:24 --- There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
How many lonely people there are today! God did not create man to live in miserable inner loneliness. In that first Eden, God Himself came down to keep the man He had made from being lonely.
One of the most heartening things Jesus said to His disciples was, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). He came to restore fellowship between man and God, and to take away human loneliness. Jesus Christ will take away loneliness from your soul. He will be your companion and friend.
Prayer for the day --- You want to fill all the lonely moments, Lord, and turn them into times of incredible delight. May I never fear loneliness again.
God With Us
Proverbs 18:24 --- There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
How many lonely people there are today! God did not create man to live in miserable inner loneliness. In that first Eden, God Himself came down to keep the man He had made from being lonely.
One of the most heartening things Jesus said to His disciples was, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). He came to restore fellowship between man and God, and to take away human loneliness. Jesus Christ will take away loneliness from your soul. He will be your companion and friend.
Prayer for the day --- You want to fill all the lonely moments, Lord, and turn them into times of incredible delight. May I never fear loneliness again.
NOVEMBER 1, 2020
Open the Door to Christ
Jesus is always knocking at the door of our hearts, but we need to remember that the doorknob is on our side. The Holy Spirit is a Gentleman, so He’ll never force His way into our lives—if we want His loving, guiding presence, we must welcome Him.
I want to encourage you to open the door of your heart to Him by stretching your faith a little. Be like Peter—the one who got out of the boat and walked on the water. Peter probably had butterflies in his stomach when he got out of that boat, but as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he kept making progress (see Matthew 14:23–30).
Back when we first started to travel, we quickly found that our attempts at sightseeing on our own were nearly wasted. We often spent a large part of the day getting lost and then trying to find our way back again. Over time, I’ve found that the best use of our time is to follow a guide rather than wandering aimlessly to find places ourselves, and I believe the same principle is true in our daily life. So many times we want to go our own way so we can do what we want to do, when we want to do it, but we end up getting lost and wasting our lives. We need the Holy Spirit guiding us through every day of our time on this earth, so it’s incredibly important to learn how to hear His voice.
The Holy Spirit knows both the mind of God and His individual plan for you. His road map for you is not necessarily like anybody else’s, so it doesn’t work to try to pattern your life after someone else or what he or she has heard from God. God has a unique plan for you, and the Holy Spirit knows what it is and will reveal it to you as you pursue Him (see Isaiah 30:21).
Maybe you’re like I was and have wasted many years walking your own way without seeking God’s guidance. Even if that’s the case, the good news is that it’s never too late to turn and go in a new direction—it’s not too late to learn how to hear from God. If you’re sincerely willing to obey Him, He will guide you on an exciting journey of learning to hear from Him every day of your life.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for guiding and showing me Your specific plan for my life. Today I invite You to begin to lead and teach me more than ever before. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Open the Door to Christ
Jesus is always knocking at the door of our hearts, but we need to remember that the doorknob is on our side. The Holy Spirit is a Gentleman, so He’ll never force His way into our lives—if we want His loving, guiding presence, we must welcome Him.
I want to encourage you to open the door of your heart to Him by stretching your faith a little. Be like Peter—the one who got out of the boat and walked on the water. Peter probably had butterflies in his stomach when he got out of that boat, but as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he kept making progress (see Matthew 14:23–30).
Back when we first started to travel, we quickly found that our attempts at sightseeing on our own were nearly wasted. We often spent a large part of the day getting lost and then trying to find our way back again. Over time, I’ve found that the best use of our time is to follow a guide rather than wandering aimlessly to find places ourselves, and I believe the same principle is true in our daily life. So many times we want to go our own way so we can do what we want to do, when we want to do it, but we end up getting lost and wasting our lives. We need the Holy Spirit guiding us through every day of our time on this earth, so it’s incredibly important to learn how to hear His voice.
The Holy Spirit knows both the mind of God and His individual plan for you. His road map for you is not necessarily like anybody else’s, so it doesn’t work to try to pattern your life after someone else or what he or she has heard from God. God has a unique plan for you, and the Holy Spirit knows what it is and will reveal it to you as you pursue Him (see Isaiah 30:21).
Maybe you’re like I was and have wasted many years walking your own way without seeking God’s guidance. Even if that’s the case, the good news is that it’s never too late to turn and go in a new direction—it’s not too late to learn how to hear from God. If you’re sincerely willing to obey Him, He will guide you on an exciting journey of learning to hear from Him every day of your life.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for guiding and showing me Your specific plan for my life. Today I invite You to begin to lead and teach me more than ever before. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 31, 2020
God Is Good to All
Psalm 118:1-4
God is good. We see evidence of this everywhere we look. We might wonder why good things happen to bad people, or why bad things happen to Christ followers. However, no matter how great our service to God, we are no more deserving of God’s goodness than anyone else. Only God can judge what is truly “good,” and He bases this on His knowledge of our hearts.
Too much of a good thing can have negative effects. For instance, a $10 tithe may not seem like much to a young person, even though he earns just $100 a week. But later that same person, now successful and wealthy, may struggle to give $1000, even though the amount represents the same percentage of his paycheck. God knows this about us and will bless us accordingly so we are not tempted to turn away from Him and worship the gift instead of the Giver.
When we are not wise stewards, the Lord may withdraw some of His benefits from our lives. Instead, let’s follow in the thanksgiving and praise of today’s psalm. Remember, “no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).
Every good thing comes from God (James 1:17). Walk according to His will, follow His ways, and He will shower His goodness upon you.
Bible in One Year: John 1-3
God Is Good to All
Psalm 118:1-4
God is good. We see evidence of this everywhere we look. We might wonder why good things happen to bad people, or why bad things happen to Christ followers. However, no matter how great our service to God, we are no more deserving of God’s goodness than anyone else. Only God can judge what is truly “good,” and He bases this on His knowledge of our hearts.
Too much of a good thing can have negative effects. For instance, a $10 tithe may not seem like much to a young person, even though he earns just $100 a week. But later that same person, now successful and wealthy, may struggle to give $1000, even though the amount represents the same percentage of his paycheck. God knows this about us and will bless us accordingly so we are not tempted to turn away from Him and worship the gift instead of the Giver.
When we are not wise stewards, the Lord may withdraw some of His benefits from our lives. Instead, let’s follow in the thanksgiving and praise of today’s psalm. Remember, “no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).
Every good thing comes from God (James 1:17). Walk according to His will, follow His ways, and He will shower His goodness upon you.
Bible in One Year: John 1-3
OCTOBER 30, 2020
Finishing Kick --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Hebrews 10:24-25 --- "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
In 1954 Roger Bannister became the first person in history to run a mile in under four minutes, breaking a barrier that had withstood challenges for years. Other runners soon began to match his feat, and an Australian runner named John Landry actually broke Bannister’s new world record time later that summer. In August the two met at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Though Landry led for most of the race, Bannister surged ahead on the final turn and passed him with a strong finishing kick to win the race.
Just as on the track, there is enormous value to finishing well in life. The temptation is to let up and coast as we near the end. Society promotes this concept with the view of retirement as a time to sit back and take it easy. Yet the Bible instructs us to do more. Of course there may be physical limitations as we age that will restrict what we can do, but there is no reason for a believer not to continue to grow and mature in spiritual matters throughout life.
It is a tragedy when people make the decision to cut back on their involvement with church, with witnessing, with giving, or with being a help and encouragement to others so they can “enjoy more leisure time.” This robs the church of what is meant to be a great source of wisdom and godly leadership. Those who have walked with God for many years have learned things which they can and should pass on to others.
Rather than looking forward to the day when we can sit back and do nothing, we should be doing all we can to finish well.
Today's Growth Principle: Don’t let up—continue running hard until you reach the finish line of your life.
Finishing Kick --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Hebrews 10:24-25 --- "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
In 1954 Roger Bannister became the first person in history to run a mile in under four minutes, breaking a barrier that had withstood challenges for years. Other runners soon began to match his feat, and an Australian runner named John Landry actually broke Bannister’s new world record time later that summer. In August the two met at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Though Landry led for most of the race, Bannister surged ahead on the final turn and passed him with a strong finishing kick to win the race.
Just as on the track, there is enormous value to finishing well in life. The temptation is to let up and coast as we near the end. Society promotes this concept with the view of retirement as a time to sit back and take it easy. Yet the Bible instructs us to do more. Of course there may be physical limitations as we age that will restrict what we can do, but there is no reason for a believer not to continue to grow and mature in spiritual matters throughout life.
It is a tragedy when people make the decision to cut back on their involvement with church, with witnessing, with giving, or with being a help and encouragement to others so they can “enjoy more leisure time.” This robs the church of what is meant to be a great source of wisdom and godly leadership. Those who have walked with God for many years have learned things which they can and should pass on to others.
Rather than looking forward to the day when we can sit back and do nothing, we should be doing all we can to finish well.
Today's Growth Principle: Don’t let up—continue running hard until you reach the finish line of your life.
OCTOBER 29, 2020
Tell The Truth
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
Unfortunately, we are living in a world where lying is common, practically expected, and seemingly just the way we do business. But at the end of the day, character is still important, and it still matters. It matters not just morally, ethically, and spiritually, but practically. And one of the ways we can display our character and our integrity is by being honest.
Now, while it’s true that integrity is more than just honesty, there can be no integrity without honesty.
There is a man in the Bible who exemplified this trait in an incredible way, and that is Samuel. What elevated Samuel, both in the eyes of God and in the eyes of his people was his absolute, unfailing, uncompromising honesty. What distinguished him was not the high positions that he held, but the honest person that he was.
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, Samuel hears from the Lord, and the Lord tells Him that He is going bring judgment on Eli and his family. Samuel is saddened, stunned, and shocked at this revelation. Remember, Eli was the man that has shown Samuel the ropes, a man that taught him all the tricks of the trade, a man who had poured his life into him. So Samuel certainly doesn’t want to tell Eli what the Lord said.
Keep this in mind. This is a test for Samuel. He listened to the truth, now will he tell the truth? Even though it will be tough and difficult will he speak not on what Eli would want to hear, but what Eli needs to hear?
Samuel learned at a very early age that honesty is the best policy. You always tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, particularly since it is given to you by God.
We would be wise to follow Samuel’s example. Let’s be people of integrity as we tell the truth, even when it hurts, for our honest and our obedience will be honor and pleasing to the Lord.
Dear God, thank you for the example Samuel sets for us in being honest. Please grant me the boldness and the integrity to be honest and to tell the truth, even when it’s difficult so that I might honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tell The Truth
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
Unfortunately, we are living in a world where lying is common, practically expected, and seemingly just the way we do business. But at the end of the day, character is still important, and it still matters. It matters not just morally, ethically, and spiritually, but practically. And one of the ways we can display our character and our integrity is by being honest.
Now, while it’s true that integrity is more than just honesty, there can be no integrity without honesty.
There is a man in the Bible who exemplified this trait in an incredible way, and that is Samuel. What elevated Samuel, both in the eyes of God and in the eyes of his people was his absolute, unfailing, uncompromising honesty. What distinguished him was not the high positions that he held, but the honest person that he was.
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, Samuel hears from the Lord, and the Lord tells Him that He is going bring judgment on Eli and his family. Samuel is saddened, stunned, and shocked at this revelation. Remember, Eli was the man that has shown Samuel the ropes, a man that taught him all the tricks of the trade, a man who had poured his life into him. So Samuel certainly doesn’t want to tell Eli what the Lord said.
Keep this in mind. This is a test for Samuel. He listened to the truth, now will he tell the truth? Even though it will be tough and difficult will he speak not on what Eli would want to hear, but what Eli needs to hear?
Samuel learned at a very early age that honesty is the best policy. You always tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, particularly since it is given to you by God.
We would be wise to follow Samuel’s example. Let’s be people of integrity as we tell the truth, even when it hurts, for our honest and our obedience will be honor and pleasing to the Lord.
Dear God, thank you for the example Samuel sets for us in being honest. Please grant me the boldness and the integrity to be honest and to tell the truth, even when it’s difficult so that I might honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 28, 2020
Genuine Love
Colossians 2:2 --- being knit together in love . . .
Thousands of young couples go through with a loveless marriage because no one ever told them what genuine love is. I believe we need to read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul gives us a definition of love. He says, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.” If people today knew that kind of love, the divorce rate would be sharply reduced.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts, if we are to love unselfishly.
Genuine Love
Colossians 2:2 --- being knit together in love . . .
Thousands of young couples go through with a loveless marriage because no one ever told them what genuine love is. I believe we need to read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul gives us a definition of love. He says, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.” If people today knew that kind of love, the divorce rate would be sharply reduced.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts, if we are to love unselfishly.
OCTOBER 27, 2020
My Normal Mind
Today’s passage in Ephesians is difficult for many of us to understand. What does Paul mean by “the eyes of your heart flooded with light” (v. 18)? I believe he’s referring to the mind, because that’s what needs enlightenment. It’s with our minds that we grasp God’s truths and hold to them.
Too many of us have a hard time being “flooded with light” because we’re distracted with countless other things. Here, Paul prays for us to have what I call a normal mind—a mind that’s open to the Holy Spirit’s work—so we can follow God’s plan and live the abundant lives He has for us.
One way to process the idea of a normal mind is to look at two of Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha. Most people know the story of these sisters and the time Jesus visited their home in Bethany. Martha scurried around, making certain that everything was situated exactly right, while Mary sat down to listen to Jesus. Luke says Martha “was distracted with much serving” (see Luke 10:40), and she complained to Jesus that she needed her sister’s help.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things”, Jesus told her, and then He commended Mary for having chosen the “good portion.” (see verse 41).
As I thought about that incident, I realized Martha’s problem went deeper than simply being distracted with that night’s preparations. Her mind was probably always jumping around, trying to make everything as perfect as possible. The implication is that even if there had been nothing more to do, Martha wouldn’t have stopped to sit at Jesus’ feet. She was so caught up in busyness that her mind would have searched for something else to do.
The Marthas seem to be in control of our world, don’t they? They’re usually the ones who get things done, and when they’re not accomplishing their own goals, they’re often telling others what they should do. In today’s world of multitasking, the Marthas appear to get the awards and the accolades. Busy all the time, they wear their busyness like a badge, as if it makes them more important.
Marthas’ busyness can easily distract them from developing a solid relationship with God. They’re the ones who often lack depth of peace and rarely experience contentment. That is, they don’t have what God considers a normal mind; it’s not in the calm condition He would want it to be in. On top of that, people who are excessively busy can’t even sleep when they lie down at night. They’re either going back over the day’s activities or making mental lists of tasks for the next day.
This is not the lifestyle Jesus calls us to. As believers, we are spiritual beings, but we’re also natural, and both parts of us must be cared for. The Bible makes it clear that the mind and the spirit work together.
That’s the principle I call “the mind aiding the spirit.” For this to happen, we must learn to pull back from all the distractions around us and let Jesus speak to our soul.
There will always be demands on our time and energy, and we can always find plenty to do. But if we want to live with the mind of Christ, the one that should be normal for Christians, it means we must learn to imitate Mary. Despite all the clamor and activities going on around her, she was able to sit, relax, and listen to the voice of the Master. That’s how our mind is supposed to work--it should be calm, quiet and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
If you know that your mind has been behaving abnormally, ask God to forgive you and to help you. He’ll give you the grace you need to trust Him enough to sit at His feet, listen to His voice, and receive His never-ending love for you.
Prayer Starter: Dear God, distractions are constantly coming at me. When I try to pause and focus on You, my mind gravitates to the dozens of things I need to do. I realize that I truly need only one thing—to focus on You. Please help me push away every distraction and noise so I can hear only Your voice that’s always saying, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Thank You for Your gift of rest! In Jesus’ name, amen.
My Normal Mind
Today’s passage in Ephesians is difficult for many of us to understand. What does Paul mean by “the eyes of your heart flooded with light” (v. 18)? I believe he’s referring to the mind, because that’s what needs enlightenment. It’s with our minds that we grasp God’s truths and hold to them.
Too many of us have a hard time being “flooded with light” because we’re distracted with countless other things. Here, Paul prays for us to have what I call a normal mind—a mind that’s open to the Holy Spirit’s work—so we can follow God’s plan and live the abundant lives He has for us.
One way to process the idea of a normal mind is to look at two of Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha. Most people know the story of these sisters and the time Jesus visited their home in Bethany. Martha scurried around, making certain that everything was situated exactly right, while Mary sat down to listen to Jesus. Luke says Martha “was distracted with much serving” (see Luke 10:40), and she complained to Jesus that she needed her sister’s help.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things”, Jesus told her, and then He commended Mary for having chosen the “good portion.” (see verse 41).
As I thought about that incident, I realized Martha’s problem went deeper than simply being distracted with that night’s preparations. Her mind was probably always jumping around, trying to make everything as perfect as possible. The implication is that even if there had been nothing more to do, Martha wouldn’t have stopped to sit at Jesus’ feet. She was so caught up in busyness that her mind would have searched for something else to do.
The Marthas seem to be in control of our world, don’t they? They’re usually the ones who get things done, and when they’re not accomplishing their own goals, they’re often telling others what they should do. In today’s world of multitasking, the Marthas appear to get the awards and the accolades. Busy all the time, they wear their busyness like a badge, as if it makes them more important.
Marthas’ busyness can easily distract them from developing a solid relationship with God. They’re the ones who often lack depth of peace and rarely experience contentment. That is, they don’t have what God considers a normal mind; it’s not in the calm condition He would want it to be in. On top of that, people who are excessively busy can’t even sleep when they lie down at night. They’re either going back over the day’s activities or making mental lists of tasks for the next day.
This is not the lifestyle Jesus calls us to. As believers, we are spiritual beings, but we’re also natural, and both parts of us must be cared for. The Bible makes it clear that the mind and the spirit work together.
That’s the principle I call “the mind aiding the spirit.” For this to happen, we must learn to pull back from all the distractions around us and let Jesus speak to our soul.
There will always be demands on our time and energy, and we can always find plenty to do. But if we want to live with the mind of Christ, the one that should be normal for Christians, it means we must learn to imitate Mary. Despite all the clamor and activities going on around her, she was able to sit, relax, and listen to the voice of the Master. That’s how our mind is supposed to work--it should be calm, quiet and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
If you know that your mind has been behaving abnormally, ask God to forgive you and to help you. He’ll give you the grace you need to trust Him enough to sit at His feet, listen to His voice, and receive His never-ending love for you.
Prayer Starter: Dear God, distractions are constantly coming at me. When I try to pause and focus on You, my mind gravitates to the dozens of things I need to do. I realize that I truly need only one thing—to focus on You. Please help me push away every distraction and noise so I can hear only Your voice that’s always saying, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Thank You for Your gift of rest! In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 26, 2020
How to Know You’re Saved
1 John 5:9-13
The most important issue we must settle in this life is our eternal destiny. Throughout history, local churches have been composed of both believers and unbelievers, and it’s often difficult to tell the difference. That’s why John wrote his first letter. He wanted to assure the true Christians of their salvation and warn those who professed belief but lacked saving faith.
John gives a fourfold test describing the beliefs and practices of genuine believers:
If you have doubts about your salvation, reading the book of 1 John will help you settle the issue.
Bible in One Year: Luke 12-13
How to Know You’re Saved
1 John 5:9-13
The most important issue we must settle in this life is our eternal destiny. Throughout history, local churches have been composed of both believers and unbelievers, and it’s often difficult to tell the difference. That’s why John wrote his first letter. He wanted to assure the true Christians of their salvation and warn those who professed belief but lacked saving faith.
John gives a fourfold test describing the beliefs and practices of genuine believers:
- Right understanding of Christ and salvation (1 John 2:18-27). To be saved, we must have the true gospel and the only Savior, as described in God’s Word.
- Right attitude toward sin (1 John 1:5-29, 1 John 2:1-2). True believers hate their sin and are quick to confess and turn from it.
- Right practice of obedience (1 John 2:3-6). God’s commands are not burdensome to those who belong to Christ. Although they fail at times, the overall direction of their life is one of obedience.
- Right relationship with God’s people (1 John 2:7-11). Christ produces within His true followers a love for fellow believers, demonstrated by a desire to be with them.
If you have doubts about your salvation, reading the book of 1 John will help you settle the issue.
Bible in One Year: Luke 12-13
OCTOBER 25, 2020
How Faith Is Lost --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Judges 2:10-12. "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger."
God’s plan for faith to be transferred from one generation to the next is for those who have seen His work for themselves to pass that knowledge on to their children and those they lead to Him. If we are not faithful to accomplish that task, the results will quickly become catastrophic. Joshua and the leaders of his generation served God faithfully and led the people well. But they failed miserably at transferring their knowledge of God to the next generation.
Former Education Secretary William Bennett wrote: “Today’s ordinary citizen is living off the stored up moral capital of another century’s experience.” That accurate description highlights the true problem facing our country and our churches today. We cannot continue to coast on the faith of the past. We need people who are walking with God now rather than simply reliving the days of the past when others walked with Him and saw Him work.
Our children and grandchildren need to see God as real and at work in our lives so that they too will love, fear, and serve Him rather than following other gods in their heart. The knowledge of the true and living God is a vital inheritance—far more important than money or property or anything else that we could leave to those who follow us.
Today's Growth Principle: Do your part to pass on your faith to your family and church so that the future will not be without that faith.
How Faith Is Lost --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Judges 2:10-12. "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger."
God’s plan for faith to be transferred from one generation to the next is for those who have seen His work for themselves to pass that knowledge on to their children and those they lead to Him. If we are not faithful to accomplish that task, the results will quickly become catastrophic. Joshua and the leaders of his generation served God faithfully and led the people well. But they failed miserably at transferring their knowledge of God to the next generation.
Former Education Secretary William Bennett wrote: “Today’s ordinary citizen is living off the stored up moral capital of another century’s experience.” That accurate description highlights the true problem facing our country and our churches today. We cannot continue to coast on the faith of the past. We need people who are walking with God now rather than simply reliving the days of the past when others walked with Him and saw Him work.
Our children and grandchildren need to see God as real and at work in our lives so that they too will love, fear, and serve Him rather than following other gods in their heart. The knowledge of the true and living God is a vital inheritance—far more important than money or property or anything else that we could leave to those who follow us.
Today's Growth Principle: Do your part to pass on your faith to your family and church so that the future will not be without that faith.
OCTOBER 24, 2020
The Cost Of Integrity
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16)
It was once said that, “If anything counts it is going to cost. If it doesn’t cost, it doesn’t count.” If you know the story of Daniel, this wasn’t his first rodeo when it came to his integrity, but this would prove to be potentially the most costly. Since the kingdom administrators could find nothing immoral or unethical about Daniel, they decided to make his faith illegal.
This is where the rubber hit the road in Daniel’s faith. He had spent his entire life displaying honesty, decency, and godly integrity in government service. He had served faithfully and loyally under every king.
He had always done what was best for others, and now He had a choice to make between his faith and all that he had worked for. He could have played it safe and just quit praying for thirty days. He could have closed his windows and prayed in secret. He could have decided to take a month-long sabbatical and gone somewhere else. He could have laid in bed at night and prayed silently, but you see integrity never goes on vacation. Integrity never takes a break.
Daniel had a pretty high price to pay for a lifetime of integrity. Because he refused to give up his faith or practice his faith in secret, he received a death sentence and was forced into the lion’s den. I know what some of you are thinking. You are saying, “But wait a minute. Daniel was delivered from the lions’ den if you keep reading.” Yes, he was, but imagine for a minute that that is where the story stopped, because not everybody that gets thrown into a lions’ den comes out alive.
The only way you will ever maintain your integrity is when you make the same decision that Daniel made.
You’ve got to decide every day before you get out of bed, go to school or go to work. You’ve got to make up your mind that your integrity is more important than your safety, your security, your prosperity, or your popularity.
Dear Lord, I realize that the choice to live with integrity is a choice that is costly. So I ask that you would help me see that the cost is worth to life a life of integrity for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Cost Of Integrity
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16)
It was once said that, “If anything counts it is going to cost. If it doesn’t cost, it doesn’t count.” If you know the story of Daniel, this wasn’t his first rodeo when it came to his integrity, but this would prove to be potentially the most costly. Since the kingdom administrators could find nothing immoral or unethical about Daniel, they decided to make his faith illegal.
This is where the rubber hit the road in Daniel’s faith. He had spent his entire life displaying honesty, decency, and godly integrity in government service. He had served faithfully and loyally under every king.
He had always done what was best for others, and now He had a choice to make between his faith and all that he had worked for. He could have played it safe and just quit praying for thirty days. He could have closed his windows and prayed in secret. He could have decided to take a month-long sabbatical and gone somewhere else. He could have laid in bed at night and prayed silently, but you see integrity never goes on vacation. Integrity never takes a break.
Daniel had a pretty high price to pay for a lifetime of integrity. Because he refused to give up his faith or practice his faith in secret, he received a death sentence and was forced into the lion’s den. I know what some of you are thinking. You are saying, “But wait a minute. Daniel was delivered from the lions’ den if you keep reading.” Yes, he was, but imagine for a minute that that is where the story stopped, because not everybody that gets thrown into a lions’ den comes out alive.
The only way you will ever maintain your integrity is when you make the same decision that Daniel made.
You’ve got to decide every day before you get out of bed, go to school or go to work. You’ve got to make up your mind that your integrity is more important than your safety, your security, your prosperity, or your popularity.
Dear Lord, I realize that the choice to live with integrity is a choice that is costly. So I ask that you would help me see that the cost is worth to life a life of integrity for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 23, 2020
Where Is Heaven?
Luke 22:29 --- I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.
Many people have asked, “Where is heaven?” We are not told in the Scripture where heaven is. Some students have tried to take some Scriptures and put them together and say that heaven is in the north. They quote Psalm 48:2, “The joy of the whole earth is . . . on the sides of the north . . . ” The magnetic needle points north. Perhaps the Celestial City is in the north. We do not know. But no matter where heaven is, it will be where Christ is.
Many people ask, “Do you believe that heaven is a literal place?” Yes! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The Bible teaches that Enoch and Elijah ascended in a literal body to a literal place that is just as real as Los Angeles, London, or Algiers! The Bible also teaches that heaven will be a place of beauty. It is described in the Bible as “a building of God”-“a city”-“a better country”-“an inheritance”-“a glory.”
The Bible also indicates that heaven will be a place of great understanding and knowledge of things that we never learned down here.
Prayer for the day --- Living Lord Jesus, the knowledge that You have prepared a place for me in heaven brings comfort and delight to my soul
Where Is Heaven?
Luke 22:29 --- I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.
Many people have asked, “Where is heaven?” We are not told in the Scripture where heaven is. Some students have tried to take some Scriptures and put them together and say that heaven is in the north. They quote Psalm 48:2, “The joy of the whole earth is . . . on the sides of the north . . . ” The magnetic needle points north. Perhaps the Celestial City is in the north. We do not know. But no matter where heaven is, it will be where Christ is.
Many people ask, “Do you believe that heaven is a literal place?” Yes! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The Bible teaches that Enoch and Elijah ascended in a literal body to a literal place that is just as real as Los Angeles, London, or Algiers! The Bible also teaches that heaven will be a place of beauty. It is described in the Bible as “a building of God”-“a city”-“a better country”-“an inheritance”-“a glory.”
The Bible also indicates that heaven will be a place of great understanding and knowledge of things that we never learned down here.
Prayer for the day --- Living Lord Jesus, the knowledge that You have prepared a place for me in heaven brings comfort and delight to my soul
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Be, Then Do
We tend to think that our existence is only justified when we’re doing something, but that’s not true—we’re created to be human beings, not human doings. God doesn’t love us more when we’re doing something than He does when we’re enjoying some peace and quiet. Our busyness might make us feel important, but it doesn’t make us more important to God.
Many people feel more valued and accepted when they’re working than at any other time. Some of that comes from the way they were raised, some of it from their personality or work ethic. Whatever the reason is, the result is the same: overworking and feeling constantly exhausted. Too much activity without any rest can damage your future and prevent you from enjoying the present, so I encourage you to ask God to help you be intentional to make time to breathe and receive His peace in your daily life.
Let’s thank God and live in the reality that He hasn’t created us just to do, but also to be.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to see how and when I can make time to rest and just be in Your presence. Thank You for loving me just as much when I rest as You do when I work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Be, Then Do
We tend to think that our existence is only justified when we’re doing something, but that’s not true—we’re created to be human beings, not human doings. God doesn’t love us more when we’re doing something than He does when we’re enjoying some peace and quiet. Our busyness might make us feel important, but it doesn’t make us more important to God.
Many people feel more valued and accepted when they’re working than at any other time. Some of that comes from the way they were raised, some of it from their personality or work ethic. Whatever the reason is, the result is the same: overworking and feeling constantly exhausted. Too much activity without any rest can damage your future and prevent you from enjoying the present, so I encourage you to ask God to help you be intentional to make time to breathe and receive His peace in your daily life.
Let’s thank God and live in the reality that He hasn’t created us just to do, but also to be.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to see how and when I can make time to rest and just be in Your presence. Thank You for loving me just as much when I rest as You do when I work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 21, 2020
Inheriting God’s Promises
Hebrews 6:11-12
In the Bible, God made many promises because He loves to bless His children. But that doesn’t mean such blessings automatically belong to us. How can we claim His promises and petition Him with confidence? To test the needs we bring to the Lord, here are several questions to ask ourselves:
When I request that God keep this promise, do I ask with a spirit of submission?
Can God perform this request without harming another person or interfering with His will in someone else’s life?
Does the Holy Spirit bear witness to my spirit that God is pleased with my petition?
Will God be honored by fulfilling this promise?
Does my request contradict the Word of God in some way?
If the Lord fulfills this promise, will it serve to further my spiritual growth?
Once we have answered these questions, inheriting God’s promises depends upon three things. First, we need faith. Our Father wants to reward those who trust Him (Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:6). Second, we must be obedient to God’s will for us—we won’t attain His best when we knowingly disobey. And third, we need patience to wait for His perfect timing. God’s promises are worth the wait, considering the blessings He longs to give us.
Bible in One Year: Luke 2-3
Inheriting God’s Promises
Hebrews 6:11-12
In the Bible, God made many promises because He loves to bless His children. But that doesn’t mean such blessings automatically belong to us. How can we claim His promises and petition Him with confidence? To test the needs we bring to the Lord, here are several questions to ask ourselves:
When I request that God keep this promise, do I ask with a spirit of submission?
Can God perform this request without harming another person or interfering with His will in someone else’s life?
Does the Holy Spirit bear witness to my spirit that God is pleased with my petition?
Will God be honored by fulfilling this promise?
Does my request contradict the Word of God in some way?
If the Lord fulfills this promise, will it serve to further my spiritual growth?
Once we have answered these questions, inheriting God’s promises depends upon three things. First, we need faith. Our Father wants to reward those who trust Him (Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:6). Second, we must be obedient to God’s will for us—we won’t attain His best when we knowingly disobey. And third, we need patience to wait for His perfect timing. God’s promises are worth the wait, considering the blessings He longs to give us.
Bible in One Year: Luke 2-3
OCTOBER 20, 2020
I Must Work --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 9:3-5 --- "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
God places great value on work. Even before the Fall in the Garden of Eden, Adam was given assignments and responsibilities. It is not a curse to have to work, but a blessing to be able to work. Rather than groaning and complaining when it is time to work, we should approach our jobs with a joyful heart and a determination to bring credit and honor to the Lord by the way we do our work. Jesus approached life with the attitude that work was a necessity, and we should as well.
One preacher said, “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the clergy who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors.
The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
Work is a holy calling, no matter what field it is in, and as such it is worthy of our very best. A pastor friend of mine observed, “I work for God and get paid by the church. Many of our members work for God and get paid by General Motors.” We should never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate accountability is not to a time clock or a supervisor, but to God. When we work as if He is watching, which of course He always is, we will not find it difficult to be diligent.
Today's Growth Principle: Strive to be the best employee where you work and to bring honor to Christ by your example of diligence.
I Must Work --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 9:3-5 --- "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
God places great value on work. Even before the Fall in the Garden of Eden, Adam was given assignments and responsibilities. It is not a curse to have to work, but a blessing to be able to work. Rather than groaning and complaining when it is time to work, we should approach our jobs with a joyful heart and a determination to bring credit and honor to the Lord by the way we do our work. Jesus approached life with the attitude that work was a necessity, and we should as well.
One preacher said, “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the clergy who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors.
The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
Work is a holy calling, no matter what field it is in, and as such it is worthy of our very best. A pastor friend of mine observed, “I work for God and get paid by the church. Many of our members work for God and get paid by General Motors.” We should never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate accountability is not to a time clock or a supervisor, but to God. When we work as if He is watching, which of course He always is, we will not find it difficult to be diligent.
Today's Growth Principle: Strive to be the best employee where you work and to bring honor to Christ by your example of diligence.
OCTOBER 19, 2020
Set Free
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die…’” John 11:25
I was reading about a Bible class of young children and the teacher was teaching about what happened on Easter Sunday. She decided to see how well they paid attention. She asked them what they remembered about the story of Easter. One little boy said, “They put a big rock in front of the cave so Jesus couldn’t get out.” A little girl said, “An angel came and rolled that rock away so He could get out.” Then a little boy said, “Then, He came out the third day, saw His shadow, and went back in and they had six more weeks of winter!”
What really happened on that first Easter? Yes, Jesus did come out of the tomb in a resurrection body. But so what? What does that really mean for us today? The moment Jesus Christ stepped out of that tomb everything changed for generations to come. For the first time in history, there was freedom from the penalty of sin. The separation between God and man could end. Jesus had paid the debt once and for all on the cross. But He didn’t stop there. He rose from the dead to give us new life so that we could live in relationship with God.
Not only did Jesus free us from sin’s penalty, but also from sin’s power. We are more than just forgiven – we are free to live righteously. We don’t have to be perfect…in fact we can’t be. But Jesus was perfect for us. He met the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf. And through the Holy Spirit living in us, we have the power to live for God and not ourselves.
Finally, because of Easter one day we will be free from sin’s presence. The day is coming when every believer will be given a new body free from the ravages of sin. We will live forever in this perfect body as we praise and worship the Lamb of God who died to take away our sins forever. Can you imagine that?
Celebrating Easter in heaven around the Throne of Grace? Free from sin’s penalty, free from sin’s power, and free from sin’s presence…that is what happened at Easter.
Dear Father, thank you for the freedom I have in Christ because of Jesus' willingness to die for my sins. Help me to never take that gift for granted and to live in that freedom every day. In Jesus' name, amen.
Set Free
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die…’” John 11:25
I was reading about a Bible class of young children and the teacher was teaching about what happened on Easter Sunday. She decided to see how well they paid attention. She asked them what they remembered about the story of Easter. One little boy said, “They put a big rock in front of the cave so Jesus couldn’t get out.” A little girl said, “An angel came and rolled that rock away so He could get out.” Then a little boy said, “Then, He came out the third day, saw His shadow, and went back in and they had six more weeks of winter!”
What really happened on that first Easter? Yes, Jesus did come out of the tomb in a resurrection body. But so what? What does that really mean for us today? The moment Jesus Christ stepped out of that tomb everything changed for generations to come. For the first time in history, there was freedom from the penalty of sin. The separation between God and man could end. Jesus had paid the debt once and for all on the cross. But He didn’t stop there. He rose from the dead to give us new life so that we could live in relationship with God.
Not only did Jesus free us from sin’s penalty, but also from sin’s power. We are more than just forgiven – we are free to live righteously. We don’t have to be perfect…in fact we can’t be. But Jesus was perfect for us. He met the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf. And through the Holy Spirit living in us, we have the power to live for God and not ourselves.
Finally, because of Easter one day we will be free from sin’s presence. The day is coming when every believer will be given a new body free from the ravages of sin. We will live forever in this perfect body as we praise and worship the Lamb of God who died to take away our sins forever. Can you imagine that?
Celebrating Easter in heaven around the Throne of Grace? Free from sin’s penalty, free from sin’s power, and free from sin’s presence…that is what happened at Easter.
Dear Father, thank you for the freedom I have in Christ because of Jesus' willingness to die for my sins. Help me to never take that gift for granted and to live in that freedom every day. In Jesus' name, amen.
OCTOBER 18, 2020
Isaiah 26:3 --- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee ...
Are you searching for peace? Are you longing for it? You thought you would find it if you made a lot of money, but you didn’t find it. You thought you would find it in getting and accumulating a lot of knowledge, so you got all the degrees you could, but you didn’t find it, this peace.
You’ve searched the religions of the world, but you haven’t found it. There are a thousand ways you’ve turned, trying to find peace, but you haven’t found it. When you come to Christ by an act of faith, He gives you the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit and gives you the peace that passes all understanding.
Prayer for the day --- Your presence fills my mind with peace, Lord, bringing into perspective all that I need—You, my heavenly Father.
Isaiah 26:3 --- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee ...
Are you searching for peace? Are you longing for it? You thought you would find it if you made a lot of money, but you didn’t find it. You thought you would find it in getting and accumulating a lot of knowledge, so you got all the degrees you could, but you didn’t find it, this peace.
You’ve searched the religions of the world, but you haven’t found it. There are a thousand ways you’ve turned, trying to find peace, but you haven’t found it. When you come to Christ by an act of faith, He gives you the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit and gives you the peace that passes all understanding.
Prayer for the day --- Your presence fills my mind with peace, Lord, bringing into perspective all that I need—You, my heavenly Father.
OCTOBER 17, 2020
Choose Your Fountain
You and I have two huge vats of information within us. One is carnal information that comes off the top of our head. The other is spiritual information (truth) which wells up out of our hearts. One is like muddy, polluted water, and the other is like pure, clean drinking water. It’s up to us to decide which source we’re going to drink from. Some people try to drink from both sources—which is what the Bible calls being double-minded—and it only leads to confusion and discouragement.
Do you know what it looks like to be double-minded? It means that your mind is trying to tell you one thing, but your spirit is trying to tell you just the opposite. Instead of saying, "I'm not going to believe that because it's a lie," you get caught in a crossfire, going back and forth between the two thoughts.
If you and I are ever going to live the happy, victorious, and successful Christian life Jesus wants for us, we’re going to have to decide which fountain of information we’re going to drink from. We are going to have to learn to draw from the well of our spirit and not out of our own reasoning. When we do this, life is so much better, and we can actually move forward in our walk with God!
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me develop the habit of drawing from Your Spirit in me instead of my old ways of thinking. Thank You for renewing my mind today! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Choose Your Fountain
You and I have two huge vats of information within us. One is carnal information that comes off the top of our head. The other is spiritual information (truth) which wells up out of our hearts. One is like muddy, polluted water, and the other is like pure, clean drinking water. It’s up to us to decide which source we’re going to drink from. Some people try to drink from both sources—which is what the Bible calls being double-minded—and it only leads to confusion and discouragement.
Do you know what it looks like to be double-minded? It means that your mind is trying to tell you one thing, but your spirit is trying to tell you just the opposite. Instead of saying, "I'm not going to believe that because it's a lie," you get caught in a crossfire, going back and forth between the two thoughts.
If you and I are ever going to live the happy, victorious, and successful Christian life Jesus wants for us, we’re going to have to decide which fountain of information we’re going to drink from. We are going to have to learn to draw from the well of our spirit and not out of our own reasoning. When we do this, life is so much better, and we can actually move forward in our walk with God!
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me develop the habit of drawing from Your Spirit in me instead of my old ways of thinking. Thank You for renewing my mind today! In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 16, 2020
Satan’s Strategy
John 8:43-44
Deception is Satan’s trademark, and it’s nothing new. The very first book of the Bible tells of his trickery with Eve in the Garden of Eden: He planted seeds of doubt about God’s words by asking, “Indeed, has God said ... ?” (Gen. 3:1). And this is still the devil’s primary tactic because deception blinds people to the truth.
If you’ve ever accepted a false belief or been intentionally deceived, you know how devastating it is to feel betrayed. Now imagine the utter ruination Satan causes by blinding people to the truth of the gospel. It’s hard to imagine the countless souls who will suffer eternally because of his trickery.
However, the devil doesn’t limit his efforts to preventing faith. He also works diligently to deceive believers by feeding us discouraging thoughts: he insinuates God doesn’t care when we’re going through difficulties and suggests He’s unjust for allowing our suffering. Our enemy also prompts us to dwell on the wrongs done to us or the things God hasn’t provided so we’ll hold grudges, complain, and find fault.
All this robs us of the joy, gratitude, and peace that are ours in Christ. Our first defense against deception is a mind filled with truth from God’s Word so we can discern the lies before they poison our emotions and contaminate our behavior.
Satan’s Strategy
John 8:43-44
Deception is Satan’s trademark, and it’s nothing new. The very first book of the Bible tells of his trickery with Eve in the Garden of Eden: He planted seeds of doubt about God’s words by asking, “Indeed, has God said ... ?” (Gen. 3:1). And this is still the devil’s primary tactic because deception blinds people to the truth.
If you’ve ever accepted a false belief or been intentionally deceived, you know how devastating it is to feel betrayed. Now imagine the utter ruination Satan causes by blinding people to the truth of the gospel. It’s hard to imagine the countless souls who will suffer eternally because of his trickery.
However, the devil doesn’t limit his efforts to preventing faith. He also works diligently to deceive believers by feeding us discouraging thoughts: he insinuates God doesn’t care when we’re going through difficulties and suggests He’s unjust for allowing our suffering. Our enemy also prompts us to dwell on the wrongs done to us or the things God hasn’t provided so we’ll hold grudges, complain, and find fault.
All this robs us of the joy, gratitude, and peace that are ours in Christ. Our first defense against deception is a mind filled with truth from God’s Word so we can discern the lies before they poison our emotions and contaminate our behavior.
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Spiritual Warfare --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 6:12-13 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
When we drove a Ryder truck with our belongings into Lancaster on a hot July day more than twenty-five years ago, we had two children under five and another on the way. We didn’t have a whole lot of stuff, so it didn’t take us long to get moved in. We started going soulwinning with zeal in our hearts to do God’s work.
You might think that no one would oppose such a good purpose, but one of the lessons we learned very early on was that anything we do for God involves spiritual warfare.
Anything good that you try to accomplish will result in opposition. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, “The door to the room of success swings on the hinges of opposition.” The devil is not interested in seeing you succeed as a Christian, and he is especially unhappy if you are having a positive influence on others. Just as a soldier would not go onto the battlefield without his weapons and equipment, we should never start a day without taking time to equip ourselves for the battles that lie ahead.
There is an old story about a boxer who was losing badly during a match. In an attempt to encourage him, his manager said, “He hasn’t laid a glove on you.” The battered boxer replied, “Then watch the referee this round because somebody is beating the daylights out of me!” We have a very real enemy, and he will use any and every means possible to try to get us to quit doing what God has called us to do.
Today's Growth Principle: Though our enemy is powerful, we have been given the armor to protect ourselves and the weapons to defeat him
Spiritual Warfare --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 6:12-13 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
When we drove a Ryder truck with our belongings into Lancaster on a hot July day more than twenty-five years ago, we had two children under five and another on the way. We didn’t have a whole lot of stuff, so it didn’t take us long to get moved in. We started going soulwinning with zeal in our hearts to do God’s work.
You might think that no one would oppose such a good purpose, but one of the lessons we learned very early on was that anything we do for God involves spiritual warfare.
Anything good that you try to accomplish will result in opposition. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, “The door to the room of success swings on the hinges of opposition.” The devil is not interested in seeing you succeed as a Christian, and he is especially unhappy if you are having a positive influence on others. Just as a soldier would not go onto the battlefield without his weapons and equipment, we should never start a day without taking time to equip ourselves for the battles that lie ahead.
There is an old story about a boxer who was losing badly during a match. In an attempt to encourage him, his manager said, “He hasn’t laid a glove on you.” The battered boxer replied, “Then watch the referee this round because somebody is beating the daylights out of me!” We have a very real enemy, and he will use any and every means possible to try to get us to quit doing what God has called us to do.
Today's Growth Principle: Though our enemy is powerful, we have been given the armor to protect ourselves and the weapons to defeat him
OCTOBER 14, 2020
Living Hope
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
One of the most unique aspects of Christianity, compared to every other faith movement, is that it traces its origin to one particular event, in one particular moment, on one particular day in history. That is just not true for Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, or even Atheism. This historic day is what Christians celebrate as “Easter.”
Something happened on that day that has never happened before and has never happened since. It is literally the most unique day in all of human history. It is the day that Jesus Christ physically, visibly, and eternally came back from the dead. No doubt, if you are a Christian you believe that. But do you understand exactly what happened on that first Easter?
When Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb, hope was born. A new and living hope, according to 1 Peter 1:3.
Because death was defeated, we have the hope of eternal life. We have the hope of abundant life now. We have the hope of heaven. There is hope for the lost, the lonely, the desperate, and the wicked. Because Jesus is alive, all things are possible.
Have you been born again into this living hope that is only found in Jesus? I hope you have. If not, I plead with you to give your life to Christ today and receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. The price for your sins has been paid. There is nothing you must do except believe.
Dear Lord, thank you for the living hope that is always available to me through Jesus Christ. Help me to cling to that hope through all of life's ups and downs, and give me the strength to withstand the temptation to think hope is lost when life gets hard. In Jesus' name, amen.
Living Hope
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
One of the most unique aspects of Christianity, compared to every other faith movement, is that it traces its origin to one particular event, in one particular moment, on one particular day in history. That is just not true for Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, or even Atheism. This historic day is what Christians celebrate as “Easter.”
Something happened on that day that has never happened before and has never happened since. It is literally the most unique day in all of human history. It is the day that Jesus Christ physically, visibly, and eternally came back from the dead. No doubt, if you are a Christian you believe that. But do you understand exactly what happened on that first Easter?
When Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb, hope was born. A new and living hope, according to 1 Peter 1:3.
Because death was defeated, we have the hope of eternal life. We have the hope of abundant life now. We have the hope of heaven. There is hope for the lost, the lonely, the desperate, and the wicked. Because Jesus is alive, all things are possible.
Have you been born again into this living hope that is only found in Jesus? I hope you have. If not, I plead with you to give your life to Christ today and receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. The price for your sins has been paid. There is nothing you must do except believe.
Dear Lord, thank you for the living hope that is always available to me through Jesus Christ. Help me to cling to that hope through all of life's ups and downs, and give me the strength to withstand the temptation to think hope is lost when life gets hard. In Jesus' name, amen.
OCTOBER 13, 2020
Christianity Is Serious
James 1:22 --- Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only . . .
Jesus indicated that there will be a permissive society just before He comes back. “As in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” The world today is on an immoral binge that has not been known since the days of Rome. We are in a hedonistic society, and what we are seeing is human nature expressing itself without God.
Many have fallen into an antinomianism in which they believe intellectually and then go out and live like the devil, imagining that God will forgive them and take them to heaven. I believe there is an obedience to the Gospel, there is a self-denial and a bearing of the cross, if you are to be a follower of Christ. Being a Christian is serious business.
Prayer for the day --- Teach me to deny my selfish desires and obey Your commandments, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me so that I might be used to penetrate society deeply for You.
Christianity Is Serious
James 1:22 --- Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only . . .
Jesus indicated that there will be a permissive society just before He comes back. “As in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” The world today is on an immoral binge that has not been known since the days of Rome. We are in a hedonistic society, and what we are seeing is human nature expressing itself without God.
Many have fallen into an antinomianism in which they believe intellectually and then go out and live like the devil, imagining that God will forgive them and take them to heaven. I believe there is an obedience to the Gospel, there is a self-denial and a bearing of the cross, if you are to be a follower of Christ. Being a Christian is serious business.
Prayer for the day --- Teach me to deny my selfish desires and obey Your commandments, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me so that I might be used to penetrate society deeply for You.
OCTOBER 12, 2020
The Worth of God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:14-17
The Bible is the most amazing book ever written because its author is the Lord God. Although it was penned by men, the Holy Spirit inspired every word He wanted them to record. The Scriptures contain the Lord’s revelation of Himself and His plan of redemption. Among the many topics it covers are: the creation of the world; the fall of man; the presence, power, and penalty of sin; the provision of a Savior; the final judgment; and the eternal kingdom. The Bible also answers questions about humanity’s value, wise living, and existence after death.
All sections of God’s Word are valuable and interconnected. For example, the Gospels tell about the Messiah, whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament. He is called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and His death is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Leviticus. What’s more, the gospel of salvation by grace through faith is first seen in the story of Abraham, whose belief was credited as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).
Scripture was given to us so we might know the Father, be reconciled to Him through His Son, and bring glory to His name. Therefore, we should make it a goal to become familiar His precious Word.
The Worth of God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:14-17
The Bible is the most amazing book ever written because its author is the Lord God. Although it was penned by men, the Holy Spirit inspired every word He wanted them to record. The Scriptures contain the Lord’s revelation of Himself and His plan of redemption. Among the many topics it covers are: the creation of the world; the fall of man; the presence, power, and penalty of sin; the provision of a Savior; the final judgment; and the eternal kingdom. The Bible also answers questions about humanity’s value, wise living, and existence after death.
All sections of God’s Word are valuable and interconnected. For example, the Gospels tell about the Messiah, whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament. He is called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and His death is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Leviticus. What’s more, the gospel of salvation by grace through faith is first seen in the story of Abraham, whose belief was credited as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).
Scripture was given to us so we might know the Father, be reconciled to Him through His Son, and bring glory to His name. Therefore, we should make it a goal to become familiar His precious Word.
OCTOBER 11, 2020
Take Your Stand --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 6:13-16 --- "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Some years ago I received a letter from Dr. Curtis Hutson as he was nearing the end of his life. He had served God faithfully and effectively, and knew he would soon be going to Heaven. He wrote: “I challenge you to take your place in the long line of independent Baptists who have stood for separation (I speak here of ecclesiastical separation) and soulwinning, and hold that banner high until Jesus comes or God calls you home.�
It is an honor for a soldier to be tasked with holding a challenging position. Union General Joshua Chamberlain became one of the most noted heroes of the Civil War for leading his men to hold the Union line at Little Round Top during the decisive battle of Gettysburg. There will always be opportunities for us to make concessions to the enemy and give in to temptation. But when faced with those, we must stand firm.
Those who have gone before us have set an example that should encourage us to hold our ground.
I recognize that one day I too will reach the end of my ministry when either the Lord returns or my life ends.
When that day comes, I want to be known as someone who stood firmly for the truth. May all of us choose today to take our place in the line of those who have stood. Our Lord expects and deserves nothing less than our full devotion.
Today's Growth Principle: The armor of God equips us to withstand all the attacks of the enemy and to hold fast to the truth.
Take Your Stand --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 6:13-16 --- "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Some years ago I received a letter from Dr. Curtis Hutson as he was nearing the end of his life. He had served God faithfully and effectively, and knew he would soon be going to Heaven. He wrote: “I challenge you to take your place in the long line of independent Baptists who have stood for separation (I speak here of ecclesiastical separation) and soulwinning, and hold that banner high until Jesus comes or God calls you home.�
It is an honor for a soldier to be tasked with holding a challenging position. Union General Joshua Chamberlain became one of the most noted heroes of the Civil War for leading his men to hold the Union line at Little Round Top during the decisive battle of Gettysburg. There will always be opportunities for us to make concessions to the enemy and give in to temptation. But when faced with those, we must stand firm.
Those who have gone before us have set an example that should encourage us to hold our ground.
I recognize that one day I too will reach the end of my ministry when either the Lord returns or my life ends.
When that day comes, I want to be known as someone who stood firmly for the truth. May all of us choose today to take our place in the line of those who have stood. Our Lord expects and deserves nothing less than our full devotion.
Today's Growth Principle: The armor of God equips us to withstand all the attacks of the enemy and to hold fast to the truth.
OCTOBER 10, 2020
Reclaiming and Rebuilding
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2
Whenever we realize that a believer is away from God and he is caught in a sin, Paul tells us that not only are we to take our doctor’s bag to his house but reminds us that our bedside manner is extremely important. He tells us not just what to do, but that we are to honestly and lovingly confront that believer, and he tells us how to do it: “...restore that person gently...” (Galatians 6:1). One of the biggest problems the church has today is that we shoot our own wounded. That is why people dealing with sin in their life don’t come back to church.
In addition to this problem, we also have a tendency to see only the best in ourselves and the worst in everyone else. That is why we need to restore burdened believers not just gently, but humbly. Paul encourages the Galatians to do the same, saying, “But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted,” (Galatians 6:1). Any sin a believer can fall into is a sin every believer can fall into. You don’t want to approach a hurting person with a pointed finger, but rather with a helping hand.
As Paul continues in verse 2, he shifts gears from one type of burden to another, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ,” (Galatians 6:2). The assumption behind this verse is that we all have burdens, and God never intends for us to carry those burdens alone. Did you know that one of the ways God helps us bear our burdens is through the believers He has brought into our life? One of the responsibilities of family members is to bear each other’s burdens. When you are bearing burdens, you are really sharing blessings. No believer is ever a burden to another believer. If you refuse to allow others to share your burden, you are robbing them of the blessing of bearing your burden. Let us be a body of
believers who show tender loving care to the burdened believers around us as we reclaim them and rebuild them with the love of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us a community of believers so that we can help carry each other’s burdens. Give us the grace and compassion we need to extend a helping hand, reminding each other that we are not alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reclaiming and Rebuilding
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2
Whenever we realize that a believer is away from God and he is caught in a sin, Paul tells us that not only are we to take our doctor’s bag to his house but reminds us that our bedside manner is extremely important. He tells us not just what to do, but that we are to honestly and lovingly confront that believer, and he tells us how to do it: “...restore that person gently...” (Galatians 6:1). One of the biggest problems the church has today is that we shoot our own wounded. That is why people dealing with sin in their life don’t come back to church.
In addition to this problem, we also have a tendency to see only the best in ourselves and the worst in everyone else. That is why we need to restore burdened believers not just gently, but humbly. Paul encourages the Galatians to do the same, saying, “But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted,” (Galatians 6:1). Any sin a believer can fall into is a sin every believer can fall into. You don’t want to approach a hurting person with a pointed finger, but rather with a helping hand.
As Paul continues in verse 2, he shifts gears from one type of burden to another, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ,” (Galatians 6:2). The assumption behind this verse is that we all have burdens, and God never intends for us to carry those burdens alone. Did you know that one of the ways God helps us bear our burdens is through the believers He has brought into our life? One of the responsibilities of family members is to bear each other’s burdens. When you are bearing burdens, you are really sharing blessings. No believer is ever a burden to another believer. If you refuse to allow others to share your burden, you are robbing them of the blessing of bearing your burden. Let us be a body of
believers who show tender loving care to the burdened believers around us as we reclaim them and rebuild them with the love of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us a community of believers so that we can help carry each other’s burdens. Give us the grace and compassion we need to extend a helping hand, reminding each other that we are not alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 9, 2020
The Real Source of Power
Matthew 6:33 --- But seek ye first the kingdom of God . . .
A man or a woman who has been focusing all attention on financial gains, or business, or social prestige, or who has centered all his affection on some one person, experiences a devastating sense of loss when denied the thing that has given life its meaning. In these tragic moments, the individual recognizes how terribly and completely alone he is.
In that moment the Holy Spirit may cause the worldly bandages to fall from his eyes so that he sees clearly for the first time. He recognizes that God is the only source of real power, and the only enduring fountainhead of love and companionship.
Prayer for the day ---From out of the depths, Lord, my eyes have seen that only You are unchanging, eternal love. Help me to put You first in every thing I do
The Real Source of Power
Matthew 6:33 --- But seek ye first the kingdom of God . . .
A man or a woman who has been focusing all attention on financial gains, or business, or social prestige, or who has centered all his affection on some one person, experiences a devastating sense of loss when denied the thing that has given life its meaning. In these tragic moments, the individual recognizes how terribly and completely alone he is.
In that moment the Holy Spirit may cause the worldly bandages to fall from his eyes so that he sees clearly for the first time. He recognizes that God is the only source of real power, and the only enduring fountainhead of love and companionship.
Prayer for the day ---From out of the depths, Lord, my eyes have seen that only You are unchanging, eternal love. Help me to put You first in every thing I do
OCTOBER 8, 2020
Put Smiles on Faces
It’s deeply important to God that we’re mindful to bless others with what He’s entrusted to us (see Galatians 6:9-10). We must all make sure that we’re not like the stingy man in the Bible who had so much that all of his barns were full with no room for more. Instead of giving any of it away, he decided that he would tear down the barns he had and just build bigger ones to collect more stuff for himself. Personally, I think he was the dumbest man in the Bible.
He could have decided to use what he had to bless others, but he must’ve been a fearful, selfish man who only had room in his life for himself (see Luke 12:16–20). God called the man a fool and said, This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?(Luke 12:20 AMPC). The man was going to die that night and all he would leave behind was “stuff.” He could have added to so many lives, put smiles on thousands of faces and left a beautiful legacy, but he chose to only care about himself.
Guess what: We don’t have to do the same thing! God’s Word says that He provides for our needs and gives us seed to sow into the lives of others (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-15). So we can decide to invest our time, our finances, our talent, and our efforts into blessing others and building His kingdom—and when we do, we’ll never regret it.
Prayer Starter: Lord, my barns may not be full, but thank You that I still can give in such a way that others are blessed. Help me to be willing to give of my “stuff," my time, and myself to invest in eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Put Smiles on Faces
It’s deeply important to God that we’re mindful to bless others with what He’s entrusted to us (see Galatians 6:9-10). We must all make sure that we’re not like the stingy man in the Bible who had so much that all of his barns were full with no room for more. Instead of giving any of it away, he decided that he would tear down the barns he had and just build bigger ones to collect more stuff for himself. Personally, I think he was the dumbest man in the Bible.
He could have decided to use what he had to bless others, but he must’ve been a fearful, selfish man who only had room in his life for himself (see Luke 12:16–20). God called the man a fool and said, This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?(Luke 12:20 AMPC). The man was going to die that night and all he would leave behind was “stuff.” He could have added to so many lives, put smiles on thousands of faces and left a beautiful legacy, but he chose to only care about himself.
Guess what: We don’t have to do the same thing! God’s Word says that He provides for our needs and gives us seed to sow into the lives of others (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-15). So we can decide to invest our time, our finances, our talent, and our efforts into blessing others and building His kingdom—and when we do, we’ll never regret it.
Prayer Starter: Lord, my barns may not be full, but thank You that I still can give in such a way that others are blessed. Help me to be willing to give of my “stuff," my time, and myself to invest in eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 7, 2020
A Personal Invitation From God
Isaiah 55:1-7
The Creator of the universe, who formed us and sustains our life, bids us come to Him for food and drink without cost. He’s not referring to free material provision but instead has in mind a far greater gift: salvation. This blessing is freely offered to all who will come to His Son and discover the truth that Jesus is the Bread of Life and Living Water who alone can give eternal life.
Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven of sins and reconciled to the heavenly Father? If so, are you continually partaking of the spiritual sustenance He provides? Just as we need a consistent supply of food and drink to live and thrive physically, so too do we need daily spiritual nourishment through God’s Word and abiding presence.
Are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength by working hard to serve the Lord and become a better person? Such an approach leads only to fruitless exhaustion. To flourish and grow, a person must be completely dependent on Christ for spiritual nutrition. That involves drawing near to Him each morning through His Word and prayer and receiving His grace all day long.
Bible in One Year: Matthew 13-1
A Personal Invitation From God
Isaiah 55:1-7
The Creator of the universe, who formed us and sustains our life, bids us come to Him for food and drink without cost. He’s not referring to free material provision but instead has in mind a far greater gift: salvation. This blessing is freely offered to all who will come to His Son and discover the truth that Jesus is the Bread of Life and Living Water who alone can give eternal life.
Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven of sins and reconciled to the heavenly Father? If so, are you continually partaking of the spiritual sustenance He provides? Just as we need a consistent supply of food and drink to live and thrive physically, so too do we need daily spiritual nourishment through God’s Word and abiding presence.
Are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength by working hard to serve the Lord and become a better person? Such an approach leads only to fruitless exhaustion. To flourish and grow, a person must be completely dependent on Christ for spiritual nutrition. That involves drawing near to Him each morning through His Word and prayer and receiving His grace all day long.
Bible in One Year: Matthew 13-1
OCTOBER 6, 2020
Hard Work --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Exodus 20:8-11 --- "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
President Ronald Reagan was the oldest man elected to the highest office in the land. He would sometimes take naps during the day, for which he was criticized. Once when a reporter asked about his practice Reagan replied, “They say hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take chances?” Of course in reality he did work hard, and so should we.
The Fourth Commandment is about more than the day of rest. It is also about our work. God created man for a purpose. Even before the Fall when sin entered the world, Adam was given tasks and responsibilities. Work is harder since the curse, but it existed before then. Beyond that, work has a purpose. God told Adam, "cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Genesis 3:17). We should not fear or resent work because it helps build character so that we can resist temptation.
Paul wrote that we are to view our work not just as employees but "as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6). When that is our attitude toward our work, we will not find it difficult to be diligent about our tasks. Not every assignment will be pleasant or enjoyable, but each assignment is still important. Give it your whole heart, and you will find that God will reward you even if no one else notices.
Today's Growth Principle: Be diligent in everything you do, remembering that you are working for the Lord.
Hard Work --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Exodus 20:8-11 --- "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
President Ronald Reagan was the oldest man elected to the highest office in the land. He would sometimes take naps during the day, for which he was criticized. Once when a reporter asked about his practice Reagan replied, “They say hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take chances?” Of course in reality he did work hard, and so should we.
The Fourth Commandment is about more than the day of rest. It is also about our work. God created man for a purpose. Even before the Fall when sin entered the world, Adam was given tasks and responsibilities. Work is harder since the curse, but it existed before then. Beyond that, work has a purpose. God told Adam, "cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Genesis 3:17). We should not fear or resent work because it helps build character so that we can resist temptation.
Paul wrote that we are to view our work not just as employees but "as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6). When that is our attitude toward our work, we will not find it difficult to be diligent about our tasks. Not every assignment will be pleasant or enjoyable, but each assignment is still important. Give it your whole heart, and you will find that God will reward you even if no one else notices.
Today's Growth Principle: Be diligent in everything you do, remembering that you are working for the Lord.
OCTOBER 5, 2020
Community
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” --- Psalm 133:1
A 2012 Pew Research Poll asked Americans who said that spirituality and religion was somewhat important in their lives, but either did not attend church, or at best attended sporadically, why they didn’t attend more often. The number one answer given by almost 40% of the people was that they didn’t consider attending worship services important. The “drop-out rate” of people regularly attending church has never been higher. In fact, there is now a category called “Nones,” which are people who do not attend any church – and it is the fastest growing “religious group” in America.
God did not create the church because He was looking for a way to waste our time, keep us busy, or just give us something else to do. God designed the church, not primarily for His benefit, but for ours. The truth is that it is God’s gift to His family. Therefore, no Christ follower should ever quit the church.
Interestingly, the problem of quitting church is not just a modern-day problem. Evidently, the early church had an attendance deficit as well. Some believers had begun to slack off, drop out, and sleep in. The Book of
Hebrews lays out why the Church is important to God and why it should be important to every believer. Throughout Hebrews the author uses the phrase, “Let us…” He is talking to the Church as a whole, not just to individual believers, but also to every follower of Jesus collectively. He encourages the believers to worship together, share their faith together, serve together, and never stop living life together.
A great New Testament scholar once said: “We do not find an un-churched Christian in the New Testament…
A person was not saved for the sole purpose of enjoying a personal relationship with God…A person is saved to community.” No Christian is an island. We need each other. And the local church is our connection point to one another.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of community. I pray that you would help me not to take this gift for granted, and that you would surround me with fellow believers so that we might encourage each other and spur one another on in our walk with you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Community
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” --- Psalm 133:1
A 2012 Pew Research Poll asked Americans who said that spirituality and religion was somewhat important in their lives, but either did not attend church, or at best attended sporadically, why they didn’t attend more often. The number one answer given by almost 40% of the people was that they didn’t consider attending worship services important. The “drop-out rate” of people regularly attending church has never been higher. In fact, there is now a category called “Nones,” which are people who do not attend any church – and it is the fastest growing “religious group” in America.
God did not create the church because He was looking for a way to waste our time, keep us busy, or just give us something else to do. God designed the church, not primarily for His benefit, but for ours. The truth is that it is God’s gift to His family. Therefore, no Christ follower should ever quit the church.
Interestingly, the problem of quitting church is not just a modern-day problem. Evidently, the early church had an attendance deficit as well. Some believers had begun to slack off, drop out, and sleep in. The Book of
Hebrews lays out why the Church is important to God and why it should be important to every believer. Throughout Hebrews the author uses the phrase, “Let us…” He is talking to the Church as a whole, not just to individual believers, but also to every follower of Jesus collectively. He encourages the believers to worship together, share their faith together, serve together, and never stop living life together.
A great New Testament scholar once said: “We do not find an un-churched Christian in the New Testament…
A person was not saved for the sole purpose of enjoying a personal relationship with God…A person is saved to community.” No Christian is an island. We need each other. And the local church is our connection point to one another.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of community. I pray that you would help me not to take this gift for granted, and that you would surround me with fellow believers so that we might encourage each other and spur one another on in our walk with you. In Jesus' name, amen.
OCTOBER 4, 2020
Wisdom for Today
James 1:5 --- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it shall be given him.
Peace with God and the peace of God in a man’s heart and the joy of fellowship with Christ have in themselves a beneficial effect upon the body and mind, and will lead to the development and preservation of physical and mental power. Thus, Christ promotes the best interest of the body and mind as well as of the spirit—in addition to inward peace, the development of spiritual life, the joy and fellowship with Christ, and the new strength that come with being born again. There are certain special privileges that only the true Christian can enjoy. There is, for example, the privilege of having divine wisdom and guidance continually.
Prayer for the day --- Let me live so close to You, almighty
God, that Your wisdom will invade my mind continually.
Wisdom for Today
James 1:5 --- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it shall be given him.
Peace with God and the peace of God in a man’s heart and the joy of fellowship with Christ have in themselves a beneficial effect upon the body and mind, and will lead to the development and preservation of physical and mental power. Thus, Christ promotes the best interest of the body and mind as well as of the spirit—in addition to inward peace, the development of spiritual life, the joy and fellowship with Christ, and the new strength that come with being born again. There are certain special privileges that only the true Christian can enjoy. There is, for example, the privilege of having divine wisdom and guidance continually.
Prayer for the day --- Let me live so close to You, almighty
God, that Your wisdom will invade my mind continually.
OCTOBER 3, 2020
Life’s a Mystery
mystery = A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed
We might say that life is a mystery unfolding. As teenagers and young adults, we try to formulate a plan for the future, but in reality, it is a mystery what our lives will hold. Many times, not knowing everything is what urges us to seek God!
One thing we can see throughout Scripture about God is that He’s actually fond of mystery. We can start with the mystery of our birth. The Bible says we’re formed in secret and in the region of mystery (our mother’s womb) (see Psalm 139:15), Job said the dealings of God with the ungodly are a mystery (see Job 21:16), and in Mark 4:11, the kingdom of God is said to be a mystery. Everywhere we look, life is full of unknowns.
You might have some kind of a plan for the future—which is good—but only God ultimately knows for sure what will happen, so it’s important to keep that plan surrendered to Him. Thankfully, you can live in peace, trusting Him with whatever happens, because He’s promised to work everything together for your good (see Romans 8:28).
Today you can trust God to guide you and be with you no matter what—you have nothing to fear (see Romans 8:31, 37-39). So embrace the mystery!
Prayer Starter: Father, please give me the grace to trust You with what I don’t see, and to take care of me today. Thank You for working together everything in my life—even the things that don’t make sense—for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Life’s a Mystery
mystery = A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed
We might say that life is a mystery unfolding. As teenagers and young adults, we try to formulate a plan for the future, but in reality, it is a mystery what our lives will hold. Many times, not knowing everything is what urges us to seek God!
One thing we can see throughout Scripture about God is that He’s actually fond of mystery. We can start with the mystery of our birth. The Bible says we’re formed in secret and in the region of mystery (our mother’s womb) (see Psalm 139:15), Job said the dealings of God with the ungodly are a mystery (see Job 21:16), and in Mark 4:11, the kingdom of God is said to be a mystery. Everywhere we look, life is full of unknowns.
You might have some kind of a plan for the future—which is good—but only God ultimately knows for sure what will happen, so it’s important to keep that plan surrendered to Him. Thankfully, you can live in peace, trusting Him with whatever happens, because He’s promised to work everything together for your good (see Romans 8:28).
Today you can trust God to guide you and be with you no matter what—you have nothing to fear (see Romans 8:31, 37-39). So embrace the mystery!
Prayer Starter: Father, please give me the grace to trust You with what I don’t see, and to take care of me today. Thank You for working together everything in my life—even the things that don’t make sense—for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OCTOBER 2, 2020
Why We Can Trust God
Romans 11:33-36
What situations cause you to doubt God? Do fears come because the future seems uncertain? Are hardships a challenge since they make the Lord appear unkind? Or perhaps your expectations and dreams have come crashing down, and it seems God is nowhere to be found.
Since our heavenly Father is omniscient, sovereign, and loving, we have every reason to trust Him regardless of the circumstance.
God is infinitely wise. We may have all the information that is humanly possible to gather, but God alone knows the future, the details of every situation, and the best possible plan for our life.
The Lord has complete authority over all events. Even though God’s ways are beyond our comprehension, we can trust Him, knowing that His control is exercised perfectly according to His complete knowledge and great love.
God’s love is unfailing. No matter what we are facing, nothing can separate us from His love, which is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39).
Let’s take some time today to ponder God’s limitless love, wisdom, and sovereignty. When you are trusting in Him, you’ll be able to follow His path for your life, and your heart won’t be troubled (John 14:1).
Why We Can Trust God
Romans 11:33-36
What situations cause you to doubt God? Do fears come because the future seems uncertain? Are hardships a challenge since they make the Lord appear unkind? Or perhaps your expectations and dreams have come crashing down, and it seems God is nowhere to be found.
Since our heavenly Father is omniscient, sovereign, and loving, we have every reason to trust Him regardless of the circumstance.
God is infinitely wise. We may have all the information that is humanly possible to gather, but God alone knows the future, the details of every situation, and the best possible plan for our life.
The Lord has complete authority over all events. Even though God’s ways are beyond our comprehension, we can trust Him, knowing that His control is exercised perfectly according to His complete knowledge and great love.
God’s love is unfailing. No matter what we are facing, nothing can separate us from His love, which is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39).
Let’s take some time today to ponder God’s limitless love, wisdom, and sovereignty. When you are trusting in Him, you’ll be able to follow His path for your life, and your heart won’t be troubled (John 14:1).
OCTOBER 1, 2020
Try the Spirits --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
During the administration of President Ronald Reagan, one of the main international issues facing the United States was a new arms control agreement with the then Soviet Union. As part of his negotiations with Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan refused to agree to a new treaty unless there were significant measures put in place to ensure that both sides complied with its terms. Reagan used an old Russian proverb doveryai, no proveryai—trust, but verify—to drive home his point. When the two men finally did sign the treaty, Reagan used that proverb again, and Gorbachev said, “You say that all the time!”
In our day, there are many who claim to be Christians who are teaching false doctrines and leading people astray. Just because someone uses Bible terms does not mean that their teaching can be accepted without comparing it to Scripture. We need to heed the warning of John when he wrote under the inspiration of God, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
Most of us would recognize the devil if he showed up dressed as the cartoon image with a pitchfork and horns and tail. But he is subtle and, as part of his deception, presents himself as a force for good rather than evil. Remember that in the Garden of Eden the serpent tempted Eve by telling her the fruit would make her like God. Is it good to be like God? Of course. But the means proposed by Satan do not lead to that end, so we must be on guard.
Today's Growth Principle: Be sure to compare the teaching you hear with the Word of God to determine whether it is true.
Try the Spirits --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
During the administration of President Ronald Reagan, one of the main international issues facing the United States was a new arms control agreement with the then Soviet Union. As part of his negotiations with Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan refused to agree to a new treaty unless there were significant measures put in place to ensure that both sides complied with its terms. Reagan used an old Russian proverb doveryai, no proveryai—trust, but verify—to drive home his point. When the two men finally did sign the treaty, Reagan used that proverb again, and Gorbachev said, “You say that all the time!”
In our day, there are many who claim to be Christians who are teaching false doctrines and leading people astray. Just because someone uses Bible terms does not mean that their teaching can be accepted without comparing it to Scripture. We need to heed the warning of John when he wrote under the inspiration of God, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
Most of us would recognize the devil if he showed up dressed as the cartoon image with a pitchfork and horns and tail. But he is subtle and, as part of his deception, presents himself as a force for good rather than evil. Remember that in the Garden of Eden the serpent tempted Eve by telling her the fruit would make her like God. Is it good to be like God? Of course. But the means proposed by Satan do not lead to that end, so we must be on guard.
Today's Growth Principle: Be sure to compare the teaching you hear with the Word of God to determine whether it is true.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Your Story
“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me.” Acts 26:16
There is a story about an old grandfather who was sitting on the porch of his country home with his grandson. He had 6 dogs lying underneath the porch. About 100 yards across the field, a rabbit darted out of a bush, stared at the house for a second and then ran away. One of the dogs perked up, let out a yelp and took off across the field. Immediately, the other 5 dogs jumped to their feet, barking like crazy in hot pursuit of the first dog. The grandfather looked at his grandson and said, “Let me tell you what is about to happen. In about 10 minutes, those other 5 dogs are going to come back one-by-one with their heads hanging down and their tongues hanging out. In about 30 minutes, that first dog will come back with a rabbit in his mouth.” That is exactly what happened. The grandson said, “Pop, how did you know that was going to happen?” The grandfather answered, “Because, that first dog is the only one who actually saw the rabbit. The others were just running and barking because there was some excitement.”
Our mission as believers in Jesus Christ goes beyond an emotional response to hearing a great message.
That won’t last. It goes beyond repeating Bible stories that we have heard others teach, or reciting some speech that we have been taught. We are Christ’s witnesses. A witness is someone who has seen with his own eyes. In court, a witness is not allowed to testify to what he heard from someone else. That is called hearsay. Testimony is confined to what the witness has personally experienced, seen and heard. The same is true of us as witnesses of Christ.
We testify by sharing our personal stories of how we met Jesus. We share how we have come to know Him.
We share stories of His faithfulness. That is what it means to be His witness. And we do this not by our own strength or ability, but by the power of His Spirit living in us. There is a world of people around us living lives that are broken, empty, and hopeless. But we personally know a risen Lord that can radically change every life, just as He has changed ours. We just need to go beyond our borders and share His story, and our own.
Dear Lord, thank you for my story of salvation and for the work you've done in my life. Help me to not be ashamed of my story, but rather to share it so that others might come to know you. Amen.
Your Story
“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me.” Acts 26:16
There is a story about an old grandfather who was sitting on the porch of his country home with his grandson. He had 6 dogs lying underneath the porch. About 100 yards across the field, a rabbit darted out of a bush, stared at the house for a second and then ran away. One of the dogs perked up, let out a yelp and took off across the field. Immediately, the other 5 dogs jumped to their feet, barking like crazy in hot pursuit of the first dog. The grandfather looked at his grandson and said, “Let me tell you what is about to happen. In about 10 minutes, those other 5 dogs are going to come back one-by-one with their heads hanging down and their tongues hanging out. In about 30 minutes, that first dog will come back with a rabbit in his mouth.” That is exactly what happened. The grandson said, “Pop, how did you know that was going to happen?” The grandfather answered, “Because, that first dog is the only one who actually saw the rabbit. The others were just running and barking because there was some excitement.”
Our mission as believers in Jesus Christ goes beyond an emotional response to hearing a great message.
That won’t last. It goes beyond repeating Bible stories that we have heard others teach, or reciting some speech that we have been taught. We are Christ’s witnesses. A witness is someone who has seen with his own eyes. In court, a witness is not allowed to testify to what he heard from someone else. That is called hearsay. Testimony is confined to what the witness has personally experienced, seen and heard. The same is true of us as witnesses of Christ.
We testify by sharing our personal stories of how we met Jesus. We share how we have come to know Him.
We share stories of His faithfulness. That is what it means to be His witness. And we do this not by our own strength or ability, but by the power of His Spirit living in us. There is a world of people around us living lives that are broken, empty, and hopeless. But we personally know a risen Lord that can radically change every life, just as He has changed ours. We just need to go beyond our borders and share His story, and our own.
Dear Lord, thank you for my story of salvation and for the work you've done in my life. Help me to not be ashamed of my story, but rather to share it so that others might come to know you. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
The Holy Spirit
Your body is the home of the Holy Spirit . . . 1 Corinthians 6:19
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God, just as God the Father and God the Son are also God. We speak of them as the Trinity. You ask me to explain the Trinity. Our minds can but dimly grasp these great spiritual facts, because we are finite and God is infinite.
It may help to remember that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have all existed from eternity. The work of creation was given to the Son and we are told that, “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” But when you read the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis, you will find that the Holy Spirit was also there, moving upon the face of His creation. In time, the Son of God came into the world as a man, to redeem the world which He had created. After His death on the cross, and His resurrection, He went back to the Father in heaven.
During His earthly ministry His work and life were spent within a circumscribed area in Palestine. When He went back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to exercise a worldwide ministry. Today the Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of people, makes us yearn for God, and takes spiritual truth and makes it understandable to us. All over the world the Holy Spirit is wooing men to Christ, and He lives in the hearts of believers and helps us each day. To be Spirit-filled Christians is to be the kind of Christians that God wants us to be.
Prayer for the day --- The knowledge of Your Holy Spirit living in my heart gives me comfort and strength, Lord Jesus.
The Holy Spirit
Your body is the home of the Holy Spirit . . . 1 Corinthians 6:19
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God, just as God the Father and God the Son are also God. We speak of them as the Trinity. You ask me to explain the Trinity. Our minds can but dimly grasp these great spiritual facts, because we are finite and God is infinite.
It may help to remember that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have all existed from eternity. The work of creation was given to the Son and we are told that, “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” But when you read the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis, you will find that the Holy Spirit was also there, moving upon the face of His creation. In time, the Son of God came into the world as a man, to redeem the world which He had created. After His death on the cross, and His resurrection, He went back to the Father in heaven.
During His earthly ministry His work and life were spent within a circumscribed area in Palestine. When He went back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to exercise a worldwide ministry. Today the Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of people, makes us yearn for God, and takes spiritual truth and makes it understandable to us. All over the world the Holy Spirit is wooing men to Christ, and He lives in the hearts of believers and helps us each day. To be Spirit-filled Christians is to be the kind of Christians that God wants us to be.
Prayer for the day --- The knowledge of Your Holy Spirit living in my heart gives me comfort and strength, Lord Jesus.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
Ministers of Comfort
Psalm 72:12-14
During hard seasons or times of disaster—whether natural or man-made, national or local—we are called to show kindness. True compassion tries to understand people’s pain, but it also provides practical help. So, how we can express care and concern for others?
First, remember we have the wonderful privilege of prayer anytime, anywhere. As soon as word of a tragedy reaches you, lift up the victims, rescue workers, and others involved. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in petitioning God for protection, provision, comfort, awareness of His presence, and whatever else He deems fitting (Rom. 8:26).
Second, labor and donations of money, food, clothing, or household goods are usually high priority. So donations of time and resources are helpful (after wisely consulting trusted sources about what’s needed).
You also can express compassion with words of comfort, a warm embrace, or a listening ear. Through this kind of love, the world will recognize the true Light—Jesus Christ, who brings good news, binds up the brokenhearted, and comforts all who mourn (Isa. 61:1-2).
We should notice the needs around us and reach out with Christ’s love. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways to pray for those around you. Your concern can have a profound impact.
Ministers of Comfort
Psalm 72:12-14
During hard seasons or times of disaster—whether natural or man-made, national or local—we are called to show kindness. True compassion tries to understand people’s pain, but it also provides practical help. So, how we can express care and concern for others?
First, remember we have the wonderful privilege of prayer anytime, anywhere. As soon as word of a tragedy reaches you, lift up the victims, rescue workers, and others involved. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in petitioning God for protection, provision, comfort, awareness of His presence, and whatever else He deems fitting (Rom. 8:26).
Second, labor and donations of money, food, clothing, or household goods are usually high priority. So donations of time and resources are helpful (after wisely consulting trusted sources about what’s needed).
You also can express compassion with words of comfort, a warm embrace, or a listening ear. Through this kind of love, the world will recognize the true Light—Jesus Christ, who brings good news, binds up the brokenhearted, and comforts all who mourn (Isa. 61:1-2).
We should notice the needs around us and reach out with Christ’s love. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways to pray for those around you. Your concern can have a profound impact.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
Be Wise
When my mom was in her eighties and still alive, she had a bad habit of thinking she could spend whatever she saw on her bank statement, so she did. She would often forget to look ahead and manage her money in such a way that would last her the whole month.
Sadly, many people struggle with this same tendency, and it causes them problems—sometimes major problems. We should always be diligent to know what we have to spend and how much we owe. God has called us to be people of integrity who steward our finances wisely. If we use what we have well, He will gradually give us more.
If managing finances is a challenge for you, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and help you grow in this area. As you do, He’ll empower you to do so much better than you thought you could.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be intentional to manage my finances in a healthy way. Thank You for guiding my steps so I can learn to spend, save and give in the right amounts. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Be Wise
When my mom was in her eighties and still alive, she had a bad habit of thinking she could spend whatever she saw on her bank statement, so she did. She would often forget to look ahead and manage her money in such a way that would last her the whole month.
Sadly, many people struggle with this same tendency, and it causes them problems—sometimes major problems. We should always be diligent to know what we have to spend and how much we owe. God has called us to be people of integrity who steward our finances wisely. If we use what we have well, He will gradually give us more.
If managing finances is a challenge for you, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and help you grow in this area. As you do, He’ll empower you to do so much better than you thought you could.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be intentional to manage my finances in a healthy way. Thank You for guiding my steps so I can learn to spend, save and give in the right amounts. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
Loving God from Prison --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Timothy 4:6-8 --- For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote to his young protégée Timothy one final letter to encourage him to continue in the ministry and in service to God. The aged missionary knew that his life would soon end. He was being held in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, an underground dungeon where prisoners who had been condemned were held before they were executed.
Yet despite his circumstances, Paul did not complain. He was focused on what was to come—the crown that he would receive from the hand of the Lord for his love of Christ’s appearing. Most of us have never enduring anything like the physical suffering and abuse that Paul experienced for preaching. He was beaten and stoned and persecuted. But the love in his heart kept him going. “The love of Christ constraineth us” he wrote to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:14).
I am sure that Paul did not enjoy being chained in a damp, dark underground cell. Yet he regarded his surroundings as an opportunity to witness. Every six hours a new shift of soldiers would arrive to guard him.
Clearly that witness bore fruit, because Paul told the church at Philippi about the saints, “that are of Caesar's household” (Philippians 4:22). Rather than focusing on your struggles, focus on your love for the Lord. One day we will see His face, and if we have been faithful to love and serve Him, we will hear Him say, “Well done.”
Today's Growth Principle: When we love God as we should, nothing in our circumstances will keep us from continuing to serve Him.
Loving God from Prison --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Timothy 4:6-8 --- For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote to his young protégée Timothy one final letter to encourage him to continue in the ministry and in service to God. The aged missionary knew that his life would soon end. He was being held in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, an underground dungeon where prisoners who had been condemned were held before they were executed.
Yet despite his circumstances, Paul did not complain. He was focused on what was to come—the crown that he would receive from the hand of the Lord for his love of Christ’s appearing. Most of us have never enduring anything like the physical suffering and abuse that Paul experienced for preaching. He was beaten and stoned and persecuted. But the love in his heart kept him going. “The love of Christ constraineth us” he wrote to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:14).
I am sure that Paul did not enjoy being chained in a damp, dark underground cell. Yet he regarded his surroundings as an opportunity to witness. Every six hours a new shift of soldiers would arrive to guard him.
Clearly that witness bore fruit, because Paul told the church at Philippi about the saints, “that are of Caesar's household” (Philippians 4:22). Rather than focusing on your struggles, focus on your love for the Lord. One day we will see His face, and if we have been faithful to love and serve Him, we will hear Him say, “Well done.”
Today's Growth Principle: When we love God as we should, nothing in our circumstances will keep us from continuing to serve Him.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
Understanding the Law --- Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. – Galatians 3:11-14
There are three things we must understand about the law when it comes to our walk with Christ.
First, the law is a barrier, not a bridge to God. The law separates you from God because it causes you to focus more on your works than on your faith. We were given the law not so we can see how good we are, but how sinful we are. The law tells us what a godly life looks like and then shows us how ungodly we are because we don’t keep it. We can’t get to God through the law because the law doesn’t draw you closer to God; it drives you further from Him when you are not able to keep it.
Second, the law is a reference for, not a rival with Jesus. While the law reminds us of our shortcomings and our inability to meet God’s standard, it also refers us to the One who died for our shortcomings and met the standard for us, and that is Jesus. The only remedy for our faults, our failures, our foul ups, our mistakes, and our mess ups is redemption, not religion, not rules, not regulations, not restrictions, not righteousness, but redemption. The only way to find redemption is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, the law is an advocate for, not an addition to faith. We must realize that God only accepts us one way. It has nothing to do with our performance, our position, or our popularity. It’s not a matter of what we do for Him. It is a matter of simply accepting by faith what He has done for us. The law always pointed to grace, not goodness. It always pointed to faith, not fulfillment. Because of that truth, you only have two choices to make when it comes to having a relationship with God: your goodness or God’s grace; your religion or His redemption. Once you make these choices, lay down the law, and lose your religion, you will find everything you need at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, thank for Paul’s explanation of the law and the great reminders in today’s text. Help me to understand the law the way you intended for it to be understood. Amen.
Understanding the Law --- Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. – Galatians 3:11-14
There are three things we must understand about the law when it comes to our walk with Christ.
First, the law is a barrier, not a bridge to God. The law separates you from God because it causes you to focus more on your works than on your faith. We were given the law not so we can see how good we are, but how sinful we are. The law tells us what a godly life looks like and then shows us how ungodly we are because we don’t keep it. We can’t get to God through the law because the law doesn’t draw you closer to God; it drives you further from Him when you are not able to keep it.
Second, the law is a reference for, not a rival with Jesus. While the law reminds us of our shortcomings and our inability to meet God’s standard, it also refers us to the One who died for our shortcomings and met the standard for us, and that is Jesus. The only remedy for our faults, our failures, our foul ups, our mistakes, and our mess ups is redemption, not religion, not rules, not regulations, not restrictions, not righteousness, but redemption. The only way to find redemption is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, the law is an advocate for, not an addition to faith. We must realize that God only accepts us one way. It has nothing to do with our performance, our position, or our popularity. It’s not a matter of what we do for Him. It is a matter of simply accepting by faith what He has done for us. The law always pointed to grace, not goodness. It always pointed to faith, not fulfillment. Because of that truth, you only have two choices to make when it comes to having a relationship with God: your goodness or God’s grace; your religion or His redemption. Once you make these choices, lay down the law, and lose your religion, you will find everything you need at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, thank for Paul’s explanation of the law and the great reminders in today’s text. Help me to understand the law the way you intended for it to be understood. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Acts 4:12 (TLB) --- There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.
Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God. The faith that saves the soul is described as faith in Christ as the Son of God—not as a good man or a great man, but as the uniquely begotten Son of the living God!
This is consistent with the witness of the entire New Testament and with the proclamations of the first preachers of the Gospel. All proclaim the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as deity.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, Son of God, I worship You unreservedly and praise Your holy name.
Acts 4:12 (TLB) --- There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.
Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God. The faith that saves the soul is described as faith in Christ as the Son of God—not as a good man or a great man, but as the uniquely begotten Son of the living God!
This is consistent with the witness of the entire New Testament and with the proclamations of the first preachers of the Gospel. All proclaim the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as deity.
Prayer for the day --- Lord Jesus, Son of God, I worship You unreservedly and praise Your holy name.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Let Your Tears Flow
Nehemiah was not afraid of emotion, or reluctant to show it. Notice that he “wept and mourned.” Some of us flat-out refuse to show any of our emotions, which is not healthy. Pent‑up feelings are harmful if not dealt with, and need to be released in healthy ways. If we don’t release our emotions at appropriate times, as Nehemiah did when he heard the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed, our emotions will eat away at us on the inside.
Stuffing or suppressing our feelings can also cause physical problems like trouble sleeping, or even digestive issues. Maybe you know someone who went to the doctor because they felt so bad and were convinced something was wrong with them, only to find out—after all kinds of medical tests—that the doctor found nothing and simply said their symptoms were related to stress or anxiety.
Our emotions will always manifest in some way, so it’s best to deal with them before they deal with us. God created us with tear glands and the ability to cry, which must mean there will be times in life when we, like Nehemiah, need to cry. In the Old Testament, Hannah wept and even stopped eating because she was brokenhearted over not having a child (see 1 Samuel 1:7). When David and the men with him discovered the Amalekites had burned the city of Ziklag and taken everyone in it (including their own wives and children) captive, they “raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4). David also wept when his son became deathly ill (see 2 Samuel 12:21–22). Even Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus (see John 11:35).
Tears are certainly part of the process of healing in our soul. God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah:
“Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the LORD” (Lamentations 2:19). This proves to us that God wants us to bring our pain to Him. We can tell Him everything, holding nothing back. He knows it all anyway, but getting it out in the open is incredibly helpful to us.
Though it is important to express our deep feelings through tears at times, God didn’t create us to stay in a season of weeping forever. There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). God’s Word promises us that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV).
Whatever you’re going through right now, ask God to help you deal with it in a healthy way. Cry when you need to, and know that this season of sadness will come to an end. As you walk with God, He will heal your heart and lead you into new seasons with joy.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me express and deal with my emotions in a healthy way. If there’s anything I’ve been putting off dealing with, please show me and give me the strength to deal with it. Thank You for being there for me, for listening, and for healing me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Let Your Tears Flow
Nehemiah was not afraid of emotion, or reluctant to show it. Notice that he “wept and mourned.” Some of us flat-out refuse to show any of our emotions, which is not healthy. Pent‑up feelings are harmful if not dealt with, and need to be released in healthy ways. If we don’t release our emotions at appropriate times, as Nehemiah did when he heard the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed, our emotions will eat away at us on the inside.
Stuffing or suppressing our feelings can also cause physical problems like trouble sleeping, or even digestive issues. Maybe you know someone who went to the doctor because they felt so bad and were convinced something was wrong with them, only to find out—after all kinds of medical tests—that the doctor found nothing and simply said their symptoms were related to stress or anxiety.
Our emotions will always manifest in some way, so it’s best to deal with them before they deal with us. God created us with tear glands and the ability to cry, which must mean there will be times in life when we, like Nehemiah, need to cry. In the Old Testament, Hannah wept and even stopped eating because she was brokenhearted over not having a child (see 1 Samuel 1:7). When David and the men with him discovered the Amalekites had burned the city of Ziklag and taken everyone in it (including their own wives and children) captive, they “raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4). David also wept when his son became deathly ill (see 2 Samuel 12:21–22). Even Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus (see John 11:35).
Tears are certainly part of the process of healing in our soul. God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah:
“Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the LORD” (Lamentations 2:19). This proves to us that God wants us to bring our pain to Him. We can tell Him everything, holding nothing back. He knows it all anyway, but getting it out in the open is incredibly helpful to us.
Though it is important to express our deep feelings through tears at times, God didn’t create us to stay in a season of weeping forever. There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). God’s Word promises us that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV).
Whatever you’re going through right now, ask God to help you deal with it in a healthy way. Cry when you need to, and know that this season of sadness will come to an end. As you walk with God, He will heal your heart and lead you into new seasons with joy.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me express and deal with my emotions in a healthy way. If there’s anything I’ve been putting off dealing with, please show me and give me the strength to deal with it. Thank You for being there for me, for listening, and for healing me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
Our Great High Priest
Hebrews 7:23-28
When you feel convicted about a particular sin, how do you react? Do you mourn with regret for days? Many Christians act as though God’s desire is for them to continually wallow in guilt, but this could not be further from the truth.
We saw yesterday that the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated over and over. Why? Because those animal offerings were only a temporary substitute for the perfect sacrifice God required. The New Testament tells us that the once-for-all, fully sufficient, substitutionary atonement has been accomplished—it took place when God’s own Son died on the cross in our place. As the hymn lyrics state, Jesus truly “paid it all.”
In the old system, a high priest took an animal into the temple and offered it as a sacrifice to God on behalf of the sinner. Christ, however, entered heaven itself and presented His life to the Father as the perfect atoning sacrifice (Heb. 9:13-14).
This means that the work of forgiveness is done. If you are in Christ, then His sacrifice has already paid for your sin. So, when the Holy Spirit brings conviction, address the sin and move on. Do not cling to burden of unforgiveness that Jesus has lifted from your shoulders
Our Great High Priest
Hebrews 7:23-28
When you feel convicted about a particular sin, how do you react? Do you mourn with regret for days? Many Christians act as though God’s desire is for them to continually wallow in guilt, but this could not be further from the truth.
We saw yesterday that the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated over and over. Why? Because those animal offerings were only a temporary substitute for the perfect sacrifice God required. The New Testament tells us that the once-for-all, fully sufficient, substitutionary atonement has been accomplished—it took place when God’s own Son died on the cross in our place. As the hymn lyrics state, Jesus truly “paid it all.”
In the old system, a high priest took an animal into the temple and offered it as a sacrifice to God on behalf of the sinner. Christ, however, entered heaven itself and presented His life to the Father as the perfect atoning sacrifice (Heb. 9:13-14).
This means that the work of forgiveness is done. If you are in Christ, then His sacrifice has already paid for your sin. So, when the Holy Spirit brings conviction, address the sin and move on. Do not cling to burden of unforgiveness that Jesus has lifted from your shoulders
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
Power in Prayer --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 15:5-7
"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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
The promises of prayer in the Bible are many, yet if we are honest, we would have to admit that most Christians do not see their prayers answered in a great and powerful way. We know that God never changes from age to age. His power is as great as it was in the days of Moses, David, Daniel, John, and Paul. The reason we do not see great answers is not found in God but in our own lives.
Charles Spurgeon said, "If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ." Sometimes we treat prayer like a fire escape.
It remains available but unused, until we have an emergency! Using prayer that way forfeits the close communion and fellowship that our time with God presenting our requests to Him is meant to provide for us.
God certainly does not need us to pray to inform Him of what we need. He already knows not only what we will ask, but whether what we ask is best for us. However, like a loving parent, He still encourages us to come to Him and create a meaningful relationship that includes, in part, prayer. The time that we spend in the Word and in prayer is about far more than just getting our needs met. It is the resulting fellowship that brings abundant joy.
Today's Growth Principle: Your power in prayer is directly proportional to your abiding in Christ.
Power in Prayer --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 15:5-7
"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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
The promises of prayer in the Bible are many, yet if we are honest, we would have to admit that most Christians do not see their prayers answered in a great and powerful way. We know that God never changes from age to age. His power is as great as it was in the days of Moses, David, Daniel, John, and Paul. The reason we do not see great answers is not found in God but in our own lives.
Charles Spurgeon said, "If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ." Sometimes we treat prayer like a fire escape.
It remains available but unused, until we have an emergency! Using prayer that way forfeits the close communion and fellowship that our time with God presenting our requests to Him is meant to provide for us.
God certainly does not need us to pray to inform Him of what we need. He already knows not only what we will ask, but whether what we ask is best for us. However, like a loving parent, He still encourages us to come to Him and create a meaningful relationship that includes, in part, prayer. The time that we spend in the Word and in prayer is about far more than just getting our needs met. It is the resulting fellowship that brings abundant joy.
Today's Growth Principle: Your power in prayer is directly proportional to your abiding in Christ.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
Look to Scripture
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” – Galatians 3:2-6
Today’s key passage of Scripture is Paul’s response to the Galatians as they were saying Jesus is not enough and God’s grace is not enough for God to accept them. Instead, they insisted in performing, living up to a certain standard, and keeping the rules and regulations of the law. But Paul shuts down that kind of legalistic thinking by referring to the godfather of all Jews, Abraham. He says, “So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’” (Galatians 3:6).
Basically, Paul was reminding the legalists that God accepted Abraham despite him never having been circumcised, nor ever having kept the law because Abraham lived centuries before the law would be given to Israel through Moses. Do you know how Abraham was saved? By faith. Everyone who has ever come to God and been accepted by God has come by faith.
God wants you to start strong and finish well. God started with you by grace. You started with Him by faith.
God will finish with you by grace and you will finish with Him by faith. Then, you will start strong and you will finish well.
Dear Lord, thank you that Jesus is always enough. I pray that you would remind me of this truth when I’m tempted to earn your love and acceptance and help me to remember that there’s nothing I can do in my own power to save myself. Amen.
Look to Scripture
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” – Galatians 3:2-6
Today’s key passage of Scripture is Paul’s response to the Galatians as they were saying Jesus is not enough and God’s grace is not enough for God to accept them. Instead, they insisted in performing, living up to a certain standard, and keeping the rules and regulations of the law. But Paul shuts down that kind of legalistic thinking by referring to the godfather of all Jews, Abraham. He says, “So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’” (Galatians 3:6).
Basically, Paul was reminding the legalists that God accepted Abraham despite him never having been circumcised, nor ever having kept the law because Abraham lived centuries before the law would be given to Israel through Moses. Do you know how Abraham was saved? By faith. Everyone who has ever come to God and been accepted by God has come by faith.
God wants you to start strong and finish well. God started with you by grace. You started with Him by faith.
God will finish with you by grace and you will finish with Him by faith. Then, you will start strong and you will finish well.
Dear Lord, thank you that Jesus is always enough. I pray that you would remind me of this truth when I’m tempted to earn your love and acceptance and help me to remember that there’s nothing I can do in my own power to save myself. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
Change Yourself, Change the World
Romans 14:12 Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
I do not quarrel with Karl Marx’s statement that “religion is the opiate of the people.” I never try to defend religion. Religion has spawned wars. Many so-called religious people have been characterized by prejudice, pride, bickering, and even tolerance for slavery. However, I would call you to a simple faith in Jesus, who said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Are you really concerned? Are you disappointed with society? If you are, I challenge you to take the first step. I challenge you to look at yourself.
Prayer for the day --- Forgive me, for so often failing to love my neighbor. May my life speak to others of Your love and compassion, Lord Jesus Christ.
Change Yourself, Change the World
Romans 14:12 Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
I do not quarrel with Karl Marx’s statement that “religion is the opiate of the people.” I never try to defend religion. Religion has spawned wars. Many so-called religious people have been characterized by prejudice, pride, bickering, and even tolerance for slavery. However, I would call you to a simple faith in Jesus, who said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Are you really concerned? Are you disappointed with society? If you are, I challenge you to take the first step. I challenge you to look at yourself.
Prayer for the day --- Forgive me, for so often failing to love my neighbor. May my life speak to others of Your love and compassion, Lord Jesus Christ.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
Spiritual Shortsightedness
Luke 12:13-21
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition in which the eye cannot focus on distant objects. Today this physical defect is easily treatable with corrective lenses. But spiritual myopia is more dangerous because it has consequences throughout eternity.
To emphasize the importance of an eternal perspective, Jesus told a story about a rich man who couldn’t see beyond his present life. His enjoyment and security were wrapped up in the abundance of his wealth, possessions, and comforts. Although he may have been honored and respected by others for his great achievements, in God’s eyes he was a fool. That’s because he stored up treasure for himself but was bankrupt before the Lord.
In order to make deposits in heaven’s bank, following Christ must be more important than any worldly ambition or priority. His kingdom and righteousness should direct our plans, pursuits, and pleasures. Colossians 3:1-4 says that instead of having an earthly focus, it is better to set our minds on things above, where Christ is. If we do this, our affections and ambitions will follow, and we will become rich toward God.
Spiritual Shortsightedness
Luke 12:13-21
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition in which the eye cannot focus on distant objects. Today this physical defect is easily treatable with corrective lenses. But spiritual myopia is more dangerous because it has consequences throughout eternity.
To emphasize the importance of an eternal perspective, Jesus told a story about a rich man who couldn’t see beyond his present life. His enjoyment and security were wrapped up in the abundance of his wealth, possessions, and comforts. Although he may have been honored and respected by others for his great achievements, in God’s eyes he was a fool. That’s because he stored up treasure for himself but was bankrupt before the Lord.
In order to make deposits in heaven’s bank, following Christ must be more important than any worldly ambition or priority. His kingdom and righteousness should direct our plans, pursuits, and pleasures. Colossians 3:1-4 says that instead of having an earthly focus, it is better to set our minds on things above, where Christ is. If we do this, our affections and ambitions will follow, and we will become rich toward God.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
Let Him Carry You
We all have different times in our lives where we feel like we’re getting “out of our depth” or “in over our heads.” These moments are usually when we’re facing big problems: a job is lost, someone dies, there’s strife in the family, or a bad report comes from the doctor. When things like this happen, it’s easy to panic because we feel like we’ve lost control.
But think about it for a minute: The truth is, we’ve never been in control when it comes to life’s hardest moments. The only thing that holds us up — and the thing we can be most grateful for — is the grace and love of God, our Father, which is fixed, stable and unchanging.
The good news is that God is never caught off guard or out of His depth (He created the entire universe after all!), so if you’re in life’s “deep end”, know that He’s ready and willing to carry you through it. When you come to Him for help, He’ll hold you up in the hardest times (see Psalm 34:4, 18-19).
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for being my safe place, no matter what. Please help me trust You more today, knowing that I can be at peace because You’ll never let me go. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Let Him Carry You
We all have different times in our lives where we feel like we’re getting “out of our depth” or “in over our heads.” These moments are usually when we’re facing big problems: a job is lost, someone dies, there’s strife in the family, or a bad report comes from the doctor. When things like this happen, it’s easy to panic because we feel like we’ve lost control.
But think about it for a minute: The truth is, we’ve never been in control when it comes to life’s hardest moments. The only thing that holds us up — and the thing we can be most grateful for — is the grace and love of God, our Father, which is fixed, stable and unchanging.
The good news is that God is never caught off guard or out of His depth (He created the entire universe after all!), so if you’re in life’s “deep end”, know that He’s ready and willing to carry you through it. When you come to Him for help, He’ll hold you up in the hardest times (see Psalm 34:4, 18-19).
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for being my safe place, no matter what. Please help me trust You more today, knowing that I can be at peace because You’ll never let me go. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Put Down Roots --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 3:16-19 --- "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
I heard about a farmer who had received abundant rain on his soybean and corn crops. A friend congratulated him on the green state of his fields after the rain and was surprised when the farmer replied, "My crops are especially vulnerable right now. Even a short drought could have a devastating effect."
"Why?" the friend asked. The farmer explained that while we see the frequent rains as a benefit, during that time the plants are not required to push roots deeper in search of water. The roots remain near the surface. A drought would find the plants unprepared and quickly kill them.
While we should rejoice in the times where we see an extra measure of the goodness and blessings of God, it is usually in times of struggle and testing of our faith that we develop strength as believers. We need to be putting down our roots, reaching into the Word and spending time with God in prayer so that we have the strength to stand the test.
It is popular today to teach that God's children receive only good things and will live in abundance, but that is not what the Bible says. We find in actuality that we are in a battle–war that will last as long as we live.
Prepare to fight and win the battle today by digging deep roots in faith.
Today's Growth Principle: Dig your roots deeply into the Word so that you will be prepared to stand the test when it comes
Put Down Roots --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Ephesians 3:16-19 --- "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
I heard about a farmer who had received abundant rain on his soybean and corn crops. A friend congratulated him on the green state of his fields after the rain and was surprised when the farmer replied, "My crops are especially vulnerable right now. Even a short drought could have a devastating effect."
"Why?" the friend asked. The farmer explained that while we see the frequent rains as a benefit, during that time the plants are not required to push roots deeper in search of water. The roots remain near the surface. A drought would find the plants unprepared and quickly kill them.
While we should rejoice in the times where we see an extra measure of the goodness and blessings of God, it is usually in times of struggle and testing of our faith that we develop strength as believers. We need to be putting down our roots, reaching into the Word and spending time with God in prayer so that we have the strength to stand the test.
It is popular today to teach that God's children receive only good things and will live in abundance, but that is not what the Bible says. We find in actuality that we are in a battle–war that will last as long as we live.
Prepare to fight and win the battle today by digging deep roots in faith.
Today's Growth Principle: Dig your roots deeply into the Word so that you will be prepared to stand the test when it comes
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
Make Disciples
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” These were the words Jesus spoke before giving His final command to His followers. For 33 years He had willingly humbled Himself in order to make a way for sinners to be right with God. For 33 years He chose to look like us, live with us, and struggle among us…but most importantly, He chose to model for us the ministry that He would leave in our hands – the ministry of making disciples.
By His authority, Jesus issued His final command to the followers He dearly loved. Most Christians know it as, “The Great Commission.” The purpose of each and every Christian begins with one little word, “Go.” It must have been one of Jesus’ favorite words, especially after He rose from the grave. In five of His ten resurrection appearances, Jesus told His disciples to “go.” Christianity is a faith on the go.
Somehow along the way, Christians have gotten the idea that our primary responsibility as Christ-followers is to come instead of to go. Our primary responsibility is not to come to the church, but to go out from the church to the people who need Jesus. We come to the church so that we can grow and mature. This equips us to go out and make disciples in the name of Jesus.
The only way anyone becomes a disciple of Jesus is when someone who already knows Him shares the Gospel. This is what we call evangelism. Evangelism is not making Baptists or Methodists or Presbyterians. It is making disciples – fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, your number one reason for being here is to make other followers of Jesus.
There is one of two things true about every person on the face of the earth. You either need to become a disciple because you are not a follower of Christ; or, you need to become a disciple maker, because you are a follower of Christ. Christianity is the most culturally diverse faith movement in history, and it should be, because we have been commanded to, “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and how it teaches us to become and to make disciples. Help me to continue to grow as a disciple, and give me the opportunity to make disciples as well. Amen.
Make Disciples
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” These were the words Jesus spoke before giving His final command to His followers. For 33 years He had willingly humbled Himself in order to make a way for sinners to be right with God. For 33 years He chose to look like us, live with us, and struggle among us…but most importantly, He chose to model for us the ministry that He would leave in our hands – the ministry of making disciples.
By His authority, Jesus issued His final command to the followers He dearly loved. Most Christians know it as, “The Great Commission.” The purpose of each and every Christian begins with one little word, “Go.” It must have been one of Jesus’ favorite words, especially after He rose from the grave. In five of His ten resurrection appearances, Jesus told His disciples to “go.” Christianity is a faith on the go.
Somehow along the way, Christians have gotten the idea that our primary responsibility as Christ-followers is to come instead of to go. Our primary responsibility is not to come to the church, but to go out from the church to the people who need Jesus. We come to the church so that we can grow and mature. This equips us to go out and make disciples in the name of Jesus.
The only way anyone becomes a disciple of Jesus is when someone who already knows Him shares the Gospel. This is what we call evangelism. Evangelism is not making Baptists or Methodists or Presbyterians. It is making disciples – fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, your number one reason for being here is to make other followers of Jesus.
There is one of two things true about every person on the face of the earth. You either need to become a disciple because you are not a follower of Christ; or, you need to become a disciple maker, because you are a follower of Christ. Christianity is the most culturally diverse faith movement in history, and it should be, because we have been commanded to, “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and how it teaches us to become and to make disciples. Help me to continue to grow as a disciple, and give me the opportunity to make disciples as well. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
Philippians 3:8 (TLB) --- Everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus . . .
“Where is Jesus Christ?” Innumerable students are studying Him and deciding whether or not Christ and the Gospel really matter—whether He is relevant in this modern age. C.S. Lewis, a professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Oxford and later at Cambridge, had to do the same thing. He spent his life exploring the great literature of centuries. In his remarkable autobiography, Surprised by Joy, he tells of his pilgrimage from atheism to Christianity. His turning point came with the realization that the writing with the deepest meaning and greatest content was based on a deep, personal faith in God, by men like Augustine, Blaise Pascal, George Macdonald.
Find peace with God today.
Prayer for the day --- There is nothing more I desire, Lord Jesus, than to walk closely with You—my Savior and Lord.
Philippians 3:8 (TLB) --- Everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus . . .
“Where is Jesus Christ?” Innumerable students are studying Him and deciding whether or not Christ and the Gospel really matter—whether He is relevant in this modern age. C.S. Lewis, a professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Oxford and later at Cambridge, had to do the same thing. He spent his life exploring the great literature of centuries. In his remarkable autobiography, Surprised by Joy, he tells of his pilgrimage from atheism to Christianity. His turning point came with the realization that the writing with the deepest meaning and greatest content was based on a deep, personal faith in God, by men like Augustine, Blaise Pascal, George Macdonald.
Find peace with God today.
Prayer for the day --- There is nothing more I desire, Lord Jesus, than to walk closely with You—my Savior and Lord.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2020
The Righteousness of Believers
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made a statement His listeners probably found shocking—He said they wouldn’t enter the kingdom of heaven unless their righteousness “surpasse[d] that of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matt. 5:20). The Pharisees were considered the definition of righteous: They were the religious elite, who often elevated their own self-worth and standing in the community. Frankly, the righteousness they projected would have seemed tough to surpass.
Thankfully, Jesus wasn’t saying to beat them at their own game; He was pointing to a different standard altogether. Godliness isn’t attained by pursuing perfection, dressing a certain way, or by holding positions of influence in society. Rather, we become righteous by making oneness with God the focus and substance of our daily life, and boasting only in Him. (See 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.)
Think about it
The Righteousness of Believers
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made a statement His listeners probably found shocking—He said they wouldn’t enter the kingdom of heaven unless their righteousness “surpasse[d] that of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matt. 5:20). The Pharisees were considered the definition of righteous: They were the religious elite, who often elevated their own self-worth and standing in the community. Frankly, the righteousness they projected would have seemed tough to surpass.
Thankfully, Jesus wasn’t saying to beat them at their own game; He was pointing to a different standard altogether. Godliness isn’t attained by pursuing perfection, dressing a certain way, or by holding positions of influence in society. Rather, we become righteous by making oneness with God the focus and substance of our daily life, and boasting only in Him. (See 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.)
Think about it
- As we pursue godliness, people may respond to us with persecution and hate or interest and conversion. How can you prepare to respond in either situation?
- Jesus challenged the Pharisees because their motives were wrong.
- What motivates you to be righteous?
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
God Sees Your Possibilities
None of us is perfect. In fact, we’re sometimes painfully aware of our weaknesses and imperfections, but God always looks at us through the eyes of possibility. He not only sees where we can grow, but He sees who we can become, and He’s always hopeful about our future. It can take a long time for us to truly understand the hope God has for us, but I pray you'll begin that journey today.
To realize how much hope God can have for a person, all I have to do is think about what I was like when He called me into full-time ministry. When God began using me to minister to others, I was so far from perfect, it was almost laughable. When I started leading that home Bible study, I was wearing short shorts and smoking--while I was teaching!
Thank God He didn’t wait until I was "fixed" before He started working in me and through me to help people. He looked beyond what my current reality was at the time and saw the potential of who I would become with His help. He started changing me right where I was, and He’ll do the same for you.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to remember that when You see me, You see the possibilities and hope for my future that I can’t see. Thank You for patiently working with me and helping me grow today.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
Doing God’s Business --- Dr. Paul Chappell
John 9:1-4
"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
As D. L. Moody walked down a Chicago street one day, he saw a man leaning against a lamppost. The evangelist gently put his hand on the man's shoulder and asked him if he were a Christian. The fellow raised his fists and angrily exclaimed, "Mind your own business!" "I'm sorry if I've offended you," said Moody, "but to be very frank, that is my business!"
Ephesians 2:10 says we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” There are works that God has planned for you to accomplish today—witnessing, giving, encouraging, loving—and it is vitally important that you are busy doing God’s work while there is still time.
Some weeks after he spoke to the man on the street, Mr. Moody was in bed when he heard a tremendous pounding at his front door. He jumped out of bed and rushed to the door. He thought the house was on fire. He opened the door, and there stood that same man. He said, “Mr. Moody, I have not had a good night’s sleep since that night you spoke to me under the lamppost, and I have come around at this unearthly hour of the night for you to tell me what I have to do to be saved.” If you are faithful to share the Gospel with those you meet, God will use you to bring in the harvest.
Today's Growth Principle: Do not allow anything to deter you from doing God’s business today.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
One Way to Live
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
There is a phenomenal quote from the movie “Braveheart” that says, “Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.” There is so much truth in this statement, because the vast majority of people who live on this earth will live and die in slavery and bondage – in bondage to lust, pornography, jealousy, anger, bitterness, pride, or arrogance. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he talks about how to be free – free from sin, free from self, and free from shame. He explains that this kind of freedom can only be found in Christ, saying, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” (Galatians 2:20).
Simply put, Paul is saying the only way to live is to die, but when you die, you really live. In Galatians 2:20, we learn something that, once believed and acted upon as if they are true, we will experience the only way to live, and that is to die to yourself and your past.
Two people had to die in order for an unbeliever to become a believer. Jesus had to die for you, but then you have to die to you as well. This happens when you surrender your life to Christ. Everything you were, everything you used to be, everything in your past, every sin, every failure, every mistake, and every regret died with Jesus on the cross. The reason why all of that dies is because the old you died when you choose to become a follower of Jesus.
Have you died to yourself and to your past? Or are you still holding onto sins and behaviors that are keeping you from living in the fullness of Christ? My prayer is that if you haven’t completely died to yourself, that you would ask the Lord to forgive you and free you from your past so you can move forward into the future He has for you.
Dear Lord, thank you for offering me freedom from all of my sin and past mistakes. Help me to live in the freedom that can only be found in a relationship with you and help me to no longer cling to my past. Amen.
One Way to Live
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
There is a phenomenal quote from the movie “Braveheart” that says, “Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.” There is so much truth in this statement, because the vast majority of people who live on this earth will live and die in slavery and bondage – in bondage to lust, pornography, jealousy, anger, bitterness, pride, or arrogance. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he talks about how to be free – free from sin, free from self, and free from shame. He explains that this kind of freedom can only be found in Christ, saying, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” (Galatians 2:20).
Simply put, Paul is saying the only way to live is to die, but when you die, you really live. In Galatians 2:20, we learn something that, once believed and acted upon as if they are true, we will experience the only way to live, and that is to die to yourself and your past.
Two people had to die in order for an unbeliever to become a believer. Jesus had to die for you, but then you have to die to you as well. This happens when you surrender your life to Christ. Everything you were, everything you used to be, everything in your past, every sin, every failure, every mistake, and every regret died with Jesus on the cross. The reason why all of that dies is because the old you died when you choose to become a follower of Jesus.
Have you died to yourself and to your past? Or are you still holding onto sins and behaviors that are keeping you from living in the fullness of Christ? My prayer is that if you haven’t completely died to yourself, that you would ask the Lord to forgive you and free you from your past so you can move forward into the future He has for you.
Dear Lord, thank you for offering me freedom from all of my sin and past mistakes. Help me to live in the freedom that can only be found in a relationship with you and help me to no longer cling to my past. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
Be Honest with God
2 Corinthians 9:7 --- God loveth a cheerful giver.
The greatest blessing of giving is not on the financial side of the ledger but on the spiritual side. You receive a sense of being honest with God. You receive a consciousness that you are in partnership with God—that you are doing something constructive—that you are working with Him to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
You are also enabled to hold on to this world’s goods loosely because the eternal values are always in view.
How do you give? Is it liberally and cheerfully? Or is it sparingly and grudgingly? If you have been giving God the leftovers of your substance and your life, you have been missing the true joy and blessing of Christian giving and living.
Prayer for the day --- Forgive me, almighty God, for so often giving You the leftovers. In my heart I know I can never out give You.
Be Honest with God
2 Corinthians 9:7 --- God loveth a cheerful giver.
The greatest blessing of giving is not on the financial side of the ledger but on the spiritual side. You receive a sense of being honest with God. You receive a consciousness that you are in partnership with God—that you are doing something constructive—that you are working with Him to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
You are also enabled to hold on to this world’s goods loosely because the eternal values are always in view.
How do you give? Is it liberally and cheerfully? Or is it sparingly and grudgingly? If you have been giving God the leftovers of your substance and your life, you have been missing the true joy and blessing of Christian giving and living.
Prayer for the day --- Forgive me, almighty God, for so often giving You the leftovers. In my heart I know I can never out give You.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
Face the Truth and Find Freedom
Facing the truth about ourselves is a vital key to experiencing breakthrough and freedom. If you want to consistently live in new levels of victory, we need to remain open and receptive to the truth about ourselves.
This is not just a superficial acknowledgment of wrong thinking and behavior— it’s an open and honest recognition of your sin to God that brings an attitude of repentance, which is a willingness to go in the right direction.
It can be painful, but receiving the Holy Spirit’s direction and correction about your mindsets, motives, and methods of doing things will enable you to move beyond despair and experience a wonderful, deep fellowship with God. As you continue in His Word, the truth will set you free (see John 8:32).
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be willing to face the truth about myself, no matter how much it might hurt. Thank You for always being there to help me grow and mature more and more every day. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Face the Truth and Find Freedom
Facing the truth about ourselves is a vital key to experiencing breakthrough and freedom. If you want to consistently live in new levels of victory, we need to remain open and receptive to the truth about ourselves.
This is not just a superficial acknowledgment of wrong thinking and behavior— it’s an open and honest recognition of your sin to God that brings an attitude of repentance, which is a willingness to go in the right direction.
It can be painful, but receiving the Holy Spirit’s direction and correction about your mindsets, motives, and methods of doing things will enable you to move beyond despair and experience a wonderful, deep fellowship with God. As you continue in His Word, the truth will set you free (see John 8:32).
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be willing to face the truth about myself, no matter how much it might hurt. Thank You for always being there to help me grow and mature more and more every day. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
Made in the Image of God
Genesis 1:26-27
In the beginning God created Adam and Eve in His image. That likeness, however, was soon marred by sin, and the ripple effect continues in humanity to this day. The Lord was gracious, however, and didn’t wipe out the human race; instead, He set in motion a redemptive plan to rescue anyone willing to repent.
Someday all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation will be fully restored to God’s image. In the meantime, the heavenly Father is molding believers into the likeness of His Son. It’s a process that will continue until we each receive our new eternal body and, like a flawless mirror, reflect a true image of our Lord. But while we remain on earth, we are called to reveal Jesus to those in our sphere of influence.
Like any parent, God the Father is pleased to see His children maturing to look more like Christ, and to that end He continually works in us. Becoming more and more like Him should be our goal as well, because nothing can compare to the joy we will have when we eventually stand before God in heaven, fully restored to resemble Him.
Made in the Image of God
Genesis 1:26-27
In the beginning God created Adam and Eve in His image. That likeness, however, was soon marred by sin, and the ripple effect continues in humanity to this day. The Lord was gracious, however, and didn’t wipe out the human race; instead, He set in motion a redemptive plan to rescue anyone willing to repent.
Someday all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation will be fully restored to God’s image. In the meantime, the heavenly Father is molding believers into the likeness of His Son. It’s a process that will continue until we each receive our new eternal body and, like a flawless mirror, reflect a true image of our Lord. But while we remain on earth, we are called to reveal Jesus to those in our sphere of influence.
Like any parent, God the Father is pleased to see His children maturing to look more like Christ, and to that end He continually works in us. Becoming more and more like Him should be our goal as well, because nothing can compare to the joy we will have when we eventually stand before God in heaven, fully restored to resemble Him.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
Sound the Alarm --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Peter 2:4-6 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;"
Rick Rescorla was born in England, but moved to the United States as a young man. He served with distinction in the Army during the Vietnam War and received awards for his courage. After his military career ended, he became head of security for Morgan Stanley. He feared the World Trade Center would be the target of a terrorist attack, so he insisted on frequent evacuation drills to teach people how to quickly and safely exit the building.
Many of the people who worked there resented the constant drills and thought it was a waste of time. On the morning of September 11, 2001, when the first World Trade Tower was hit by a terrorist plane, Rescorla ordered the evacuation that had been practiced for so long. Despite the urging of authorities for people to remain in the building, he got virtually every Morgan Stanly employee out, and many others as well, before the second tower was hit. Rescorla was last seen going back into the building attempting to rescue more people just before it collapsed.
You and I have a message from God to sound to the world. There is a coming judgment that must be faced.
Many people prefer not to hear that message, wanting to live as they please rather than dealing with a Holy God. But we have a responsibility to tell them the truth whether they listen or not.
Today's Growth Principle: Even those who do not want to hear the truth need to hear it tell them in love, but tell them plainly.
Sound the Alarm --- Dr. Paul Chappell
2 Peter 2:4-6 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;"
Rick Rescorla was born in England, but moved to the United States as a young man. He served with distinction in the Army during the Vietnam War and received awards for his courage. After his military career ended, he became head of security for Morgan Stanley. He feared the World Trade Center would be the target of a terrorist attack, so he insisted on frequent evacuation drills to teach people how to quickly and safely exit the building.
Many of the people who worked there resented the constant drills and thought it was a waste of time. On the morning of September 11, 2001, when the first World Trade Tower was hit by a terrorist plane, Rescorla ordered the evacuation that had been practiced for so long. Despite the urging of authorities for people to remain in the building, he got virtually every Morgan Stanly employee out, and many others as well, before the second tower was hit. Rescorla was last seen going back into the building attempting to rescue more people just before it collapsed.
You and I have a message from God to sound to the world. There is a coming judgment that must be faced.
Many people prefer not to hear that message, wanting to live as they please rather than dealing with a Holy God. But we have a responsibility to tell them the truth whether they listen or not.
Today's Growth Principle: Even those who do not want to hear the truth need to hear it tell them in love, but tell them plainly.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2020
The Truth Sets Us Free
Matthew 11:28 --- Come unto me, all ye that labor . . .
The mark of a true Christian is found in his personal relationship to the Person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is Christ. Christ is Christianity. I speak reverently when I say that Jesus is more than His ideas. All that He said was true, but without Him even the truth would have been powerless. Men know the power of truth, and truth is that which sets men free. Jesus said, “I am the truth.”
Prayer for the day --- Thank You, Jesus, for the shackles that have been broken in my life!
The Truth Sets Us Free
Matthew 11:28 --- Come unto me, all ye that labor . . .
The mark of a true Christian is found in his personal relationship to the Person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is Christ. Christ is Christianity. I speak reverently when I say that Jesus is more than His ideas. All that He said was true, but without Him even the truth would have been powerless. Men know the power of truth, and truth is that which sets men free. Jesus said, “I am the truth.”
Prayer for the day --- Thank You, Jesus, for the shackles that have been broken in my life!
SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
The Gospel Changes Everything
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. – Galatians 1:11-12
When you take a look at all of the different religions and belief systems in the world, Christianity stands out as different than the rest. Why? Because of one thing: the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel has the power to change everything, because it is directly from the Lord. No human came up with Christianity, rather it is based on Christ Himself, and therefore the gospel is the tool that has been used by God to change the lives of so many people throughout history.
As Paul is writing to the church in Galatia, he explains to the to them where the true Gospel comes from, saying, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ,” (Galatians 1:11-12). The Gospel is not something a person made up. The Gospel is something God set down. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The Gospel is perfect in all of its parts and perfect as a whole. It is a crime to add to it, treason to alter it, and a felony to take from it.”
For the first several years after Jesus’ resurrection the earliest Christians became known for how different they were from the world. What was it that made them so radically different? There is only one explanation. It was the story of the Gospel that they heard, that they believed, and that they preached. It is the only Gospel that turned the world upside down two- thousand years ago and the only one that can still do it today.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of the gospel and the impact it's made on history. Let other people see that I'm different because I've received the gospel and surrendered my life to you. Amen.
The Gospel Changes Everything
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. – Galatians 1:11-12
When you take a look at all of the different religions and belief systems in the world, Christianity stands out as different than the rest. Why? Because of one thing: the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel has the power to change everything, because it is directly from the Lord. No human came up with Christianity, rather it is based on Christ Himself, and therefore the gospel is the tool that has been used by God to change the lives of so many people throughout history.
As Paul is writing to the church in Galatia, he explains to the to them where the true Gospel comes from, saying, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ,” (Galatians 1:11-12). The Gospel is not something a person made up. The Gospel is something God set down. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The Gospel is perfect in all of its parts and perfect as a whole. It is a crime to add to it, treason to alter it, and a felony to take from it.”
For the first several years after Jesus’ resurrection the earliest Christians became known for how different they were from the world. What was it that made them so radically different? There is only one explanation. It was the story of the Gospel that they heard, that they believed, and that they preached. It is the only Gospel that turned the world upside down two- thousand years ago and the only one that can still do it today.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of the gospel and the impact it's made on history. Let other people see that I'm different because I've received the gospel and surrendered my life to you. Amen.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
Expect Joy
Joy in life is a wonderful thing to have. We may want to see changes in our circumstances, but when we have joy, we can stay calm in the meantime, and not let frustrating situations make us miserable. We can be grateful that joy makes some of those less-than-desirable circumstances more bearable.
Joy can vary in intensity from calm delight to extreme hilarity, and it’s closely connected to our expectations (what we think and believe). One meaning of joy is: “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good.” So even when we’re going through something difficult, we can release joy in our lives by looking for and expecting something positive to happen.
In other words, our joy is directly affected by how much we hope for and trust God to come through for us (see Isaiah 40:31). Don’t stay stuck in fear, always watching for bad things to come your way. Pray, believe, and expect God’s best for your life—then watch your joy grow!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your joy. Today, help me live with hope-filled expectation of Your goodness in my life. Thank You for Your constant, unchanging love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Expect Joy
Joy in life is a wonderful thing to have. We may want to see changes in our circumstances, but when we have joy, we can stay calm in the meantime, and not let frustrating situations make us miserable. We can be grateful that joy makes some of those less-than-desirable circumstances more bearable.
Joy can vary in intensity from calm delight to extreme hilarity, and it’s closely connected to our expectations (what we think and believe). One meaning of joy is: “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good.” So even when we’re going through something difficult, we can release joy in our lives by looking for and expecting something positive to happen.
In other words, our joy is directly affected by how much we hope for and trust God to come through for us (see Isaiah 40:31). Don’t stay stuck in fear, always watching for bad things to come your way. Pray, believe, and expect God’s best for your life—then watch your joy grow!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your joy. Today, help me live with hope-filled expectation of Your goodness in my life. Thank You for Your constant, unchanging love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
Freedom’s Responsibility
1 Corinthians 9
Our rights are among the most difficult things for us to relinquish, and that’s because letting go of them often feels unjust. After all, they are by definition a claim that we are morally or legally entitled to have something or to act in a certain way. Yet in order to serve Christ more effectively, the apostle Paul chose not to insist on certain rights and privileges.
Godly freedom carries responsibility and therefore shouldn’t be a selfish means of making others treat us as we desire. As 1 Peter 2:16 says, our freedom is not to be a covering for evil, but we’re to “use it as bondslaves of God.” Jesus set us free from the power of sin so we could obey the Lord, and part of obedience is serving one another unselfishly. God also wants His followers to share the good news of salvation and forgiveness of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we believe that God has liberated us only for ourselves, then we have missed the point and are abusing our freedom. Paul likened the Christian life to competition at Olympic-style games. In the world’s system, a person wins by demanding his or her rights. But in God’s race, we’re victorious when we discipline ourselves to obey Him and fulfill His purpose.
Freedom’s Responsibility
1 Corinthians 9
Our rights are among the most difficult things for us to relinquish, and that’s because letting go of them often feels unjust. After all, they are by definition a claim that we are morally or legally entitled to have something or to act in a certain way. Yet in order to serve Christ more effectively, the apostle Paul chose not to insist on certain rights and privileges.
Godly freedom carries responsibility and therefore shouldn’t be a selfish means of making others treat us as we desire. As 1 Peter 2:16 says, our freedom is not to be a covering for evil, but we’re to “use it as bondslaves of God.” Jesus set us free from the power of sin so we could obey the Lord, and part of obedience is serving one another unselfishly. God also wants His followers to share the good news of salvation and forgiveness of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we believe that God has liberated us only for ourselves, then we have missed the point and are abusing our freedom. Paul likened the Christian life to competition at Olympic-style games. In the world’s system, a person wins by demanding his or her rights. But in God’s race, we’re victorious when we discipline ourselves to obey Him and fulfill His purpose.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
A Certain Hope --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 2:11–13 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Because sin is part of our world, we have to deal with the reality of death. But for a believer, death is not the end. We have the promise of eternal life if we die before the Lord returns—and the promise of being transformed in a moment if we are alive on that blessed day. This is a hope that we can be sure of, because the promises of God never fail. Others may not keep their promises to us, but He always does—and thus we can be certain of the future.
On a trip to the East Coast, I was able to visit Mt. Vernon. While I was there I saw the tomb in which George and Martha Washington are buried. On the back wall of the open vault, there is a plaque with Jesus’ words inscribed: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). The "Father of our Nation" found confidence in the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
There is no more powerful comfort than the knowledge that we who know Christ have a hope for the future, even after death. When Jesus went to the grave of His friend Lazarus, He declared His power over death in an unmistakable way. This great enemy has already been defeated. We need no longer fear what will come—for our Lord has already faced death and conquered it. And because of His victory, we can have full certainty in our hope for the future.
Today's Growth Principle: If you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, rejoice in the certain truth that God’s love has prepared a place in eternity for you.
A Certain Hope --- Dr. Paul Chappell
Titus 2:11–13 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Because sin is part of our world, we have to deal with the reality of death. But for a believer, death is not the end. We have the promise of eternal life if we die before the Lord returns—and the promise of being transformed in a moment if we are alive on that blessed day. This is a hope that we can be sure of, because the promises of God never fail. Others may not keep their promises to us, but He always does—and thus we can be certain of the future.
On a trip to the East Coast, I was able to visit Mt. Vernon. While I was there I saw the tomb in which George and Martha Washington are buried. On the back wall of the open vault, there is a plaque with Jesus’ words inscribed: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). The "Father of our Nation" found confidence in the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
There is no more powerful comfort than the knowledge that we who know Christ have a hope for the future, even after death. When Jesus went to the grave of His friend Lazarus, He declared His power over death in an unmistakable way. This great enemy has already been defeated. We need no longer fear what will come—for our Lord has already faced death and conquered it. And because of His victory, we can have full certainty in our hope for the future.
Today's Growth Principle: If you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, rejoice in the certain truth that God’s love has prepared a place in eternity for you.
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the paus
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amene button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the paus
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amene button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
AUGUST 29, 2020
Controlling Your Self
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)
Yesterday we talked about the importance of confronting your flesh and your sinful nature and crucifying yourself to your own desires so that you might submit to the control of the Father rather than trying to control things in your own power. But there’s one other step you must take if you want to learn how to truly control yourself.
If you want to practice self-control, once you’ve acknowledged and crucified the problem, you must begin to walk in the Spirit. That’s the difference between being a follower of Jesus and not being a follower of Jesus. If you’re not a Christ-follower, your “self”, or your sinful nature, calls the shots.
If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit within you calls the shots. Paul says it this way in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen
One very common thing the Spirit may ask you to do in the realm of self- control is to wait. He may prompt you to hit the pause button, whether that means you pause for a few seconds before you say something on your mind, or you pause for a few days as you’re considering a big decision.
Regardless of how He leads you, you will never be led astray if you choose to walk in the way of the Holy Spirit. And even though it won’t always be easy, you will never regret exercising self-control.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I can always trust that wherever the Spirit is leading me is in my best interest. I pray that you would give me the patience to submit to the Holy Spirit when I’m told to wait, rather than trying to get ahead of you, for I know you know what
you’re doing so much better than I do. Amen