Your Daily Devotional for April 30, 2006

April 30, 2006

 

Love for the Needy in Christ

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."

James 2:8

 

What is "the royal law according to the scripture"? The royal law is that we would love our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbor is someone who needs help and needs our love.

 

Remember the neighborly love of the man from Samaria in Luke 10:30-36. A dying man waited desperately for help while a priest and a Levite passed him by. Finally a man from Samaria came by and helped this hurting man. Jesus said in verse 36, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" The neighbor was the man who stopped to help a man in need.

 

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India.

 

One Sunday, he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher's prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Saviour.

 

James 2:2-4 says, "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand though there, or sit here under my footstool; Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"

 

Anyone of any background should be welcomed in our church-any religious background, any ethnic background, any moral background, any family background.

 

We are not to have respect of persons. We are not to have respect for the seeing over the blind, for the rich over the poor, for the hearing over the deaf, or for any ethnic group over any other. God says we should have a heart and a burden for all people who need the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to love them and serve those who have need.

 

Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill once said, "We never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folks for whom we pray!" If you find yourself struggling in this area of neighborly love for one type of person or another, take time to pray for them now. What can you do today to show the love of Christ to someone in need?

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Your Daily Devotional for April 29, 2006

April 29, 2006

 

You're Never Alone

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."

 

2 Timothy 4:16-17

 

If you ever feel like you're having a bad day or you're being persecuted for faithfulness, take a moment and read about the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts. Although he was beaten, stoned, jailed, and fatigued from all that he had been through in his missionary journeys, he was able to shake off these challenges through the power of God. Sometimes in the Christian life, you may experience persecution just for trying to do right. There may be times when you feel you're all alone in your predicament, not knowing exactly what God is doing. But we can take comfort in the fact that what He is allowing in our life is always best for us.

 

Whatever circumstance you're in, know that God is always with you! Joseph was stranded in Egypt, 300 miles away from his family, after his own brothers sold him into slavery. Daniel was thrown in the lions' den by King Darius simply because he chose to pray three times a day. David was forced to hide in the cave of Adullum as Saul was determined to kill him. Elijah found himself alone in the desert while running from Jezebel. John the Baptist was confined in jail for preaching against Herod's adultery. We see in Matthew 26:36-40 that even our Lord Jesus felt abandoned and alone in the garden of Gethsemane because His disciples fell asleep!

 

When we're feeling left out and stranded, we can remind ourselves of God's promise in Hebrews 13:5b. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

 

When loneliness comes into our lives, we tend to allow it to paralyze us. We tend to become involved in the "paralysis of analysis." We sit around on our couch trying to figure out why we got into this situation, and feel sorry for ourselves. The Apostle Paul, after being cold, wet, and exhausted from that shipwreck on the island of Malta, must have felt loneliness in his heart. But even then, God was with him. Paul did not sit around pouting and sulking. He didn't shake his fist at God for all the unfair treatment he was receiving from both the Jews and the Romans. He didn't go to the other passengers to plan an escape. Instead, he kept busy. When he was stranded, he still had a servant's heart.

 

We can learn from the example set by the Apostle Paul and keep on going despite times of isolation. No matter what Satan may hurl at us, by the grace of God, we can go on for His honor and glory!

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Your Daily Devotional for April 27, 2006

April 27, 2006

 

Abundant Joy

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Romans 14:17

 

How can we stay positive in such a negative world? It seems that one of the greatest challenges in this life is staying joyful. People try to find joy in many different ways. They hope a new car, a new home, or a new relationship will give them joy. The only problem is that when the new car gets a dent, or when the new relationship runs into its first trouble, or when the kids write on the walls of the new home, joy quickly evaporates. We quickly discover that everything the world has to offer is temporary at best.

 

In the New Testament, the word "joy" is mentioned 60 times. It comes from the Greek word "chara," meaning a joy that has its foundation in God. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." On our own, none of us can rejoice always, but the God Who lives in us makes it possible. If you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, that joy is in you whether or not it is revealed.

 

True joy begins at salvation. When you arrived at the place where you realized there was no way you could save yourself from sin and you received Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit started a work in you. Whenever the roots of your life are around the Spirit of God, then the fruit of your life will evidence itself with joy. You see, whenever there's a fruit problem, there's a root problem.

 

We have reason to rejoice because of the love of God. 1 Peter 1:8 states, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." There's a song we teach the kids in Sunday school that goes, "Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there." You have joy because the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your life. You see, joy is a disposition produced by the Holy Spirit. A cheerful countenance is a result of the inner joy that He brings in your heart.

 

Another reason to rejoice is found in Luke 10:20: "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Everyone who has put their trust in Christ and His finished work on the cross has cause to rejoice because their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!

 

As a Christian, how do we tap into this resource? If we desire joy in abundance, let's yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to produce the fruit that Galatians 5:22 promises. It's fruit that we could never produce on our own!

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Your Daily Devotional for April 26, 2006

April 26, 2006

 

The Delight of Hearing from God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

 2 Timothy 2:15

 

Christians have been given a powerful tool to help us through the struggles of life. We have the opportunity to hold the most versatile and useful instrument ever given to man, the Bible. God's Word is referred to as a two-edged sword. Jeremiah called it a hammer. David referred to the Bible as a light, and Moses called it bread. It is what gives substance and light in a Christian's life.

 

Examining the Word of God, then, is not just duty or drudgery. It's interesting. It's fun. It is what we must have. We must have the Word of God like we must have food, air, and water. Studying the Word is needful to the soul of a growing Christian.

 

When we look into the Bible, we will not grow from just glancing into its pages. The idea is that of stooping down near to something, bending forward, looking closely; it is the examination of something. We are to look intently into the Word of God: not to read it as rapidly as we can, but to look into it and say, "How does this apply to me? What is here for me?"

 

A few years ago, my wife Terri had some problems with her back that placed her in the hospital. When she was lying in that bed and the doctors came in each day, I didn't just want them to flippantly walk in, look at the chart, say hello, and leave. I wanted them to look at her back thoroughly. When they brought the x-rays in and put them up, I wanted them to explain the x-rays to me. I wanted to know what it all meant. I had a great interest in knowing the meaning of all those terms.

 

God wants us to come with an intention to see what He wants us to see from His Word. The Bible is a book to be studied. Take a dictionary in one hand, and a concordance in the other, and dig into the Word of God. Your pastor is not able to be with you five days a week, so part of his job is to whet your appetite. Yes, we are to be fed when we come into the local church, but at some point we must pick up the fork ourselves and learn how to read God's Word.

 

Meditate on the Scriptures. Meditation requires taking the Word of God, and, like a cow chewing her cud, really enjoying it. Get all of the nutrients out of it. Spend time in the Word of God. As the Bible says of His statutes in Psalm 19:11, "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Why not fill your life with things that are pure, lovely, and of good report? Get the Bible on tape so that you can hear it when you drive; go to a ladies' Bible study or men's prayer.

 

When was the last time significant spiritual change happened in your heart? Are you a living Bible, living out what you've learned, or are you running on empty today? Delight in the Word of God.

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Your Daily Devotional for April 25, 2006

April 25, 2006

 

More Like the Master

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 John 2:15

 

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour than you are on the winning side, sanctified, and set apart by the Spirit of God. What a blessed privilege! You now belong to God. You have become the recipient of His great gift. With that gift, however, comes a certain degree of responsibility. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:9-10, "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ."

 

The Bible speaks of progressive sanctification. That is the sanctification whereby I am becoming more like Christ in my everyday living. When we accept Christ as Saviour, we are set apart positionally; but it is possible to be set apart to Jesus Christ through salvation and yet not be on the winning side when it comes to the progressive, sanctifying work of the Lord and conforming to His image.

 

When we speak of staying on the winning side, we are not speaking of staying saved, because if you have been born again by the Spirit, you'll never be more saved than you are right now. What we're speaking about is walking in His likeness and becoming more like Him every day. This is a process that doesn't take place by accident. The devil does not want you to walk in victory in your Christian life, and he will do what he can to draw you away from your Lord; but remember how good God has been to you.

 

The Bible says in James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Notice the words "cometh down." Those two little words hold the wonderful message that God's gifts are continual. You're not just saved for a few months; His blood is always at work. He's not going to provide for you for a few days. He'll care for you for all your days.

 

God's Word will be preserved for you all of your days, and it's available for you right now. The Word does not waver. It is from the Father of lights. Light in the Scriptures is the emblem of knowledge, purity, and happiness; and God is often represented by light. God is immutable, unchanging. Your sanctification must come from Him.

 

The Bible says in Proverbs 10:22, "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." If you are going to stay on the winning side as a victorious Christian that's serving God a year from now, you need to remember that sin has a price tag. When the devil is pulling you away from God, say, "Get thou behind me, Satan!" and get right back to the love of God, in step with His will for you.

 

Don't make the wrong choice. You have been filled with the Spirit, begotten by Him unto a new life. If the Spirit is in you, will you listen to Him today? Don't turn your back on a God who has given you so much.

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Your Daily Devotional for April 24, 2006

April 24, 2006

 

Pure Religion Shows Compassion

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

James 1:27

 

Pure means clean, ethically right, free from corruption, without a mixture of that which is false; genuine. Pure religion flows forth from a heart for God, but how can we know that we are genuinely experiencing a walk with God?

 

Verse 27 tells us that one way is "to visit the fatherless." Pure religion shows a pattern of compassion. The word "visit" stems from the same Greek root from which we find the word "episcopas," a Greek title for the pastor or overseer. By visiting the fatherless, God wants us to enter into a relationship of ministry with them, coming into their lives with help, encouragement, and love. It means taking time to care for someone else and being involved in the lives of people who have real needs.

 

I received a call from a young couple recently. I had tried to win the husband to the Lord about six months ago, and the other day they wanted to come in for marriage counseling. While in my office, they began to share their testimonies with me. They'd each come from broken homes, and the wife said she'd never had the opportunity to see how a man and woman make a marriage work. Even though she had only known brokenness in her life, she expressed a desire to know how to be a good wife. I had the joy of showing her that it starts by being a Christian, and was then able to lead her to Christ.

 

Soon it dawned on me how many young people are being raised without a father, without a mother or in a series of homes. What they need is a Christian overseer: someone with pure religion that will get involved; care for their spiritual need; bring them to church; show them how a man or woman should look, act and walk.

 

In James 2:14-17 the Bible says, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

 

When God defined pure religion, along with the fatherless, He mentioned the widows; therefore, after a time of prayer and devotions at each of our Deacons' meetings, the next item on the agenda of every meeting is the eighty widows of our church. They are royalty, and we want to meet their needs whether they need something as simple as a greeting card or as major as painting a house.

 

What a tragedy if we become so involved with our lives that we don't care for someone outside of our circle of comfort. Pure religion does not discriminate based on what someone else can do for you; it gives whatever it can for the glory of God.

 

There still are people waiting for someone to visit them, love and care for them, and show them the compassion of Christ. Does your faith show by your works? Will you go and visit those that need the Father even when it's not convenient? Why not ask God to use you to be the difference in someone else's life today?

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Your Daily Devotional for April 22, 2006

April 22, 2006

 

Pure Religion Bridles the Tongue

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

James 1:26

 

A woman came to her pastor and said, "Pastor, I have a problem with gossip, and I don't know how to stop it. I talk about people all the time. As soon as I hear something bad about someone, I go and tell others about it."

 

The pastor stepped over to a chair and picked up a soft, round pillow. He reached into his desk and pulled out a letter opener, then went out onto the front porch of the church. Using the letter opener he ripped open the pillow, and all of the feathers spilled out.  Immediately, a gust of wind caught them and carried them away.

 

The pastor turned to the woman and said, "Now, I want you to pick up every single one of those feathers."

 

The woman looked at the hundreds of feathers drifting down the street, into yards, and up into the trees. "Pastor," she said, "you know that there is no way that I could ever gather all of those feathers!"

 

 "Perhaps," the pastor suggested, "you should remember that the next time you gossip."

 

Whenever there are Christians endeavoring to go forward for God, there are those that seem to be religious, but what they say is discouraging to the work of God. Each of these individuals is sowing discord because "he bridleth not his own tongue." The Bible says that this is presumptuous sin that is not pleasing to the Lord.

 

Those who cannot find a good or edifying thing to say are demonstrating a pompous, presumptuous religion instead of a pure religion, according to the Word of God. When we use our tongues in ways that are slanderous, cunning, discouraging or tale-bearing we are hurting the forward motion of the living God.

 

Presumptuous religionists might feel that they have a right to share their opinions regardless of the damage that they could cause by doing so. They may stand firm in the position that "it needed to be said!" Unfortunately, things said cannot be taken back, and Christians should not say or do certain things that would discourage the people of God. God hates this matter of discord being sown.

 

Years ago, a pastor gave some advice to the leaders in his church. "I once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress during a pastorate," he said. "I asked the members to subscribe to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or of any subject that may have caused discord. I asked them to T.H.I.N.K. before they speak."

 

Then he described the following acrostic:

Is it True?

Is it Helpful?

Is it Inspiring?

Is it Necessary?

Is it Kind?

 

Most of us could be better Christians if we use this acrostic and take it upon ourselves to T.H.I.N.K. before we speak. If what we want to say is not true, lovely, honest, and of good report we ought not be thinking of it. Won't you ask God to help you to edify and encourage His people as they seek to do His will?

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Your Daily Devotional for April 21, 2006

April 21, 2006

 

The Purpose is Praise

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

Psalm 119:164

 

Billy Sunday, the great evangelist of yesteryear, said that “More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent.” There are many men who have talents, abilities, and a great career; yet they fail to find God’s purpose for living. Thus, they are miserable everyday of their lives. Ephesians 1:12 says, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” We will never find true satisfaction in life if we live for our own glory.

 

The late actor, George Sanders, was one of Hollywood’s leading men many years ago. After a glamorous life, Mr. Sanders felt that there was nothing else for which to live. Having no peace in his life, Sanders took his own life and left a note in his home, which simply said, “I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough.”

 

If life is all about self, there will come a point when life holds no more satisfaction—no more purpose. If life is about the Lord Jesus Christ, then everyday has purpose. Everyday there’s a way for us to be used of God, and there is always a new opportunity to bring glory to God.

 

When we bring praise to Jesus Christ, we are entering into the eternal dimension which was planned by God for all believers. We do not have to wait until we see Him in Heaven to begin worshipping Him. Even the angels are worshipping Christ according to Hebrews 1:4-6. “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

 

However, one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Romans 14:11-12 says, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” We will fall on our faces one day before a holy God that purchased our soul with the blood of His Son, but we don’t have to wait until we see Him personally to live our lives for the praise of His glory.

 

Millions of people today are hurting and struggling and trying to find significance in life, and they feel as though life holds no real purpose for them. Many Christians come to that point through trials, discouragements, family breakup and financial disaster. They feel as though life has failed them. However, I want you to remember that no matter what trials have come into your life, you can still live with eternal purposes in mind. Your life can bring praise to the glory of God.

 

Sometimes those who have experienced trials and difficulties bring greater glory to God than they would have without those trials in their life. God has allowed you to endure trials and difficulties for a reason. Have you ever considered that God allowed you to feel that pain and endure that trial so that you could truly appreciate His goodness and love?

 

Although God’s specific purpose for your life may differ from mine, God’s purpose for every believer is that we would honor, praise, and glorify him in all areas of our lives. When we bring honor and praise to the Lord, he gives us the strength to endure life’s trials. The psalmist said in Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Notice what he says in the very next verse: “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

 

Let’s make sure we’ve got the right focus today. If we focus on the Lord first, all other things in our life will fall into place!

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Your Daily Devotional for April 20, 2006

April 20, 2006

 

Steps of Reliance

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, He threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."

1 Peter 2:23

 

The steps of Jesus were steps of righteousness. They were steps of perfection—an example for you and me. We see that Jesus’ steps were steps of reliance on his Heavenly Father. The Bible says that Jesus Christ committed Himself to God who judgeth righteously. The term "committed Himself” means to hand over control. It is similar to people who commit themselves to a detoxification center. They relinquish control to an organization that will help them rid drugs and alcohol from their lives. The center takes control of their car keys, their driver's license, and their agenda.

 

Jesus Christ was sinless, yet He committed Himself to the God of Heaven as an example for us to follow. Philippians 2:6 that Jesus Christ, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The Bible says that He is equal with the Father—the Creator and the Sustainer of the world. Yet, Jesus voluntarily laid aside His prerogatives of deity and committed Himself to God. While He hung on the cross, Jesus could have called ten thousand angels, destroyed every Roman soldier, and declared Himself free. Yet, He committed the Roman soldiers’ judgment to God the Heavenly Father, so that you and I, when we are wrongfully persecuted, will also commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. We may feel someone has judged us wrong at times. Do we put that wrong behind us? We must let it stay in the past and commit ourselves in reliance to God.

 

Jesus relied upon the judgment of the Father. Some rely on intuition, company strength, financial investments, or friends; but Jesus Christ, our example, relied on God the Heavenly Father to make all things right before Him. The Bible tells us Jesus relied on God for justice. Notice in verse twenty-three, He “Committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." We had better rely on God for justice. If we think that because we are good men and good women we are going to see justice in the world, we are sadly mistaken. I never thought I would see, as we have seen in recent years, the crimes of mayhem and attempted murder being reduced to misdemeanors in the state of California, but it's happened. If we think we can trust in the judicial system of the world to give us justice, we will be disappointed. We live in a world where right is wrong and wrong is right. We live in a world where values have been totally twisted around. It’s a time now where many of us, if we're not careful, will become disillusioned and dissatisfied.

 

We must trust in God and commit all judgment to Him knowing that He will take care of the record. You may have an ex-spouse, a rebellious son or daughter, or an unfair employer. You can strike, you can picket, you can write dirty letters, and you can become bitter; or you can give it to God. Jesus Christ walked in steps of total reliance upon God, and that's a great way to walk. He relied on God for His justice, His honor, and His glory. In John 12:26 Jesus said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me." And then He said, "If any man serve me, him will My Father honor." As we rely upon God, He'll take care of the judgment and He’ll honor us too. No one else may notice, but God the Father will lift us up in His due time and in His way. Jesus realized He would be exalted as He followed the steps of His Father.

 

As we follow Jesus’ steps along God’s proven pathway, there will be those who will come along and will try to pull us away, tempting us with honor and recognition. If we want real honor, we must get it the Bible way. We must humble ourselves and submit ourselves completely to the Lord. It is a paradox, but with God we descend into greatness. The way up is down. Walk in His paths of reliance. Rely on your Heavenly Father today.

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Your Daily Devotional for April 19, 2006

April 19, 2006

 

Stake Your Claim

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.”

John 4:28-30

 

Leading someone to Jesus Christ is one of the most rewarding things a Christian can do in life. There really is nothing more exciting than soulwinning! Yes, it takes patience to lead new Christians and you may feel that you don’t have all the answers, but God will give you grace and wisdom just as He has promised.

 

We have mapped out our city so that nearly three times a year every resident will receive an invitation from a member of our church. The Bible tells us in Acts 20:20 that the Aposlte Paul went both publicly and from house to house when sharing the Gospel.

 

In the neighborhood of one of our church members, a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses were door knocking. One of our teenagers in the neighborhood noticed them and knew they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. He said, “Mom, quick—get me some tracts. I am going to cut them off at the pass.” He grabbed some tracts and started knocking on doors as he headed towards them. When he got to them, he identified his church and said, “You will have to go somewhere else, because we are already on this street.” They got flustered and went to the other side of the street. He did the same thing again on that side of the street. Finally, they got frustrated enough to get in their cars and leave the area. You know what this teenager was doing? He was claiming his neighborhood for Jesus Christ.

 

America desperately needs Christians who will responsibly claim the land God has given to them. This is exactly what the woman at the well did in John chapter four. She didn’t have scriptures. She didn’t have the Roman’s Road memorized. In fact, the book of Romans hadn’t even been written yet! She just said “come and see” and the whole city came to Christ! Your testimony is one of the most powerful tools in your soulwinning arsenal. Share it with someone today. Tell them to “come and see” and stake your claim!

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Your Daily Devotional for April 18, 2006

April 18, 2006

 

God’s Tools for Making Your Life Count

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“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.”

Matthew 7:24

 

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to do a job without the right tools. Have you ever tried to hang up a picture at your house on a small nail, but you couldn’t find a hammer? What did you do? You probably grabbed a shoe or whatever else was available. By the time you were done, you had marred the wall and smashed your finger! It is frustrating to try to do a job with the wrong tools. Our God never gives us a job without giving us the resources to get that job done. Two of the greatest tools God has given us are His abundant grace and a sure foundation.

 

I Corinthians 3:10 says, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” Our first resource in doing God’s work is God’s abundant grace. Just as the Lord gave Paul special grace for the founding of the church at Corinth, God will give us special grace for His work wherever we serve Him.

 

Grace is a divine enablement from God. Grace is “God giving us strength when we would have had no strength.” Whatever is done in our lives that is good, lasting, spiritual, or even numerical is only by the grace of God. 1 Corinthians 15:10 says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." It is a team effort! Sometimes we get discouraged when we share the Gospel and witness to others. We may feel that it is somehow our fault when someone does not accept Christ. However, we are a part of the cultivation process of God’s Word in that person’s heart.

 

On any given Sunday, some people take children to their classes, and others teach those children. Some drive the bus, and others give special offerings to keep the buses rolling. Some workers are involved in helping the teenagers. Yet, in all of this, it is God who gives the increase. It is God who is worthy of our praise. It is all because of His abundant grace that this happens each week.

 

Our second resource is the sure foundation God has provided us. Notice verse 11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." This may be basic, but it is a vital truth. The only foundation of biblical Christianity is Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:20 says, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Our foundation should never be liturgical tradition, secular humanism, or man’s philosophy. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. The song writer said it best when he wrote, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock I stand: All other ground is sinking sand.”

 

Let’s take heed how we build our lives. Let’s make sure we are building them by the grace of God through Jesus Christ—the Solid Rock. When Christians get off the foundation of Jesus Christ, and try to build a foundation based on humanism, rationalization, or the wickedness of this world, their lives will be destroyed. But when our lives are built by the grace of God on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we will be standing firm when the storms of life come. We will be making our lives count for eternity. 

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