Your Daily Devotional for May 31, 2006

May 31, 2006

 

The Bondage of Bitterness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

 

Hebrews 12:14-15

 

Usually when we hear the word bondage, we think of those people who are enslaved to a power or influence greater than themselves. If we are not careful, the powerful and debilitating effects of the sin of bitterness can enslave us. Sometimes we become so resentful towards people who have hurt us that our resentment turns into bitterness. In this passage, the Bible tells us that bitterness springs up and causes unwanted difficulties in our lives.

 

There are times I counsel people who have been hurt by family members, co-workers, or friends—they can’t seem to get along with anyone. Often they say, “I have my rights, and no one is going to take them away.” The truth is they have no freedom. There is a bondage of bitterness that is controlling them.

 

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

 

You cannot harbor bitterness in your heart and experience spiritual freedom. You might be a Christian, and you may live in America, but you are not free of sin if there is bitterness in your heart today.

 

Sometimes I get tired of hearing the complaints—“You don’t know what that person has done to me and how badly I have been hurt.” Why don’t we each determine to be a better Christian? Why don’t we all decide to forgive those who have wronged us?

 

We have all been hurt, but whether we carry that hurt and let it turn into bitterness is our choice. When we are carrying resentment in our hearts, we are bearing a burden Christ does not intend for us to carry.

 

Let’s rid our hearts of bitterness today. Let’s lay aside the powerful influence of resentment, and ask Christ to renew our hearts toward those who have hurt us. Only then will we be released from the bondage of bitterness and experience spiritual freedom in Christ.

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Your Daily Devotional for May 30, 2006

May 30, 2006 

 

Surrounded By Critics
by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

 

1 Peter 4:12-14

 

We all have bad days. Many times, our bad days can be contributed to someone saying something hurtful about us or to us. The truth is, anything going forward for God will meet some friction along the way.

 

Several years ago, a Supreme Court justice said, “Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society.” That’s how Paul the Apostle was often viewed in his society. Like the Apostle Paul, if someone intends to live the teachings of the Bible, his life will be viewed as “strange” because a devout Christian is not walking according to the “drum” of this world. Paul was a man walking according to the dictate of Jesus Christ, and not to the drum of the modern Roman society in which he lived.

 

In Acts 24 and 25, Paul is sent to Caesarea, and he is imprisoned because of false allegations against him. Paul was imprisoned for two years because of these allegations, and his accusers were plotting to kill him! This wasn’t just a bad day! The fact is, we live in a tough day to measure up. Sometimes you’ll be doing your best, doing what you can for the Lord, but there will come times where people will question and criticize your motives and your ministry.

 

In our passage today, Peter is writing to saints in Asia Minor who were under persecution. He says, “Beloved, think it not strange…” Sometimes we think, “Why is this happening?” But God’s perspective is that it’s not a “strange” thing, and it shouldn’t be unexpected when someone doesn’t appreciate the Gospel tract, the message you give, or the life you live. It’s not a strange thing because for centuries, Christians have suffered for their faith!

 

An elderly pastor was approached by some men in his church one Sunday. The men came to him and said, “Pastor, something is wrong with your preaching and your work. There has only been one person added to the church in the last several months, and he’s just a little boy.” As the minister listened, his eyes began to fill with tears, and he replied, “I feel what you’re saying, but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.”

 

That night, after preaching the Gospel, he felt a strong indication from the church that he should resign. After deciding not to resign, the folks left the church, and a little boy approached him. It was the little boy that had been recently added to the church. He said to the preacher, “Do you think if I work hard for my education and if I really learn the Bible that, perhaps some day, I could be a preacher or a missionary?” The minister’s eyes welled up with tears once again as he embraced the young boy.

 

Many years later, this little boy, Robert Moffat, returned to that church in London as an aged missionary. He had been serving in Africa, and had been used to bring thousands to the Saviour.

 

I have learned in my life that, even when it seems like things aren’t going right and the devil says you’re a failure and you’re not getting anything done, when we’re faithful to the Word of God, He is working, even when we didn’t know he was working at the time!

 

Do you find yourself surrounded by critics at times? Do you find yourself sometimes questioning if living for the Lord is really worth it? I just want to encourage you that, someday, when you stand before the Lord and you hear those words, “well done thou good and faithful servant,” you’ll be so thankful that you didn’t give up when it seemed like you were surrounded by people who had nothing good to say!

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Your Daily Devotional for May 29, 2006

May 29, 2006 

 

Be in Your Place
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

I Corinthians 12:12-13

 

Often, I hear the most ridiculous excuses for not attending church. If you took the excuses people use for not going to church and applied them to other important areas of life, you'd realize how inconsistent we can be in our logic. For example, consider these ten reasons for not bathing:

 

10 Reasons Not to Wash

1. I was forced to as a child.

2. People who make soap are only after your money.

3. I wash on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.

4. People who wash are hypocrites—they think they are cleaner than everyone else.

5. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can't decide which one is best.

6. I used to wash. It got boring, though, so I stopped.

7. None of my friends wash.

8. The bathroom is never warm enough in the winter or cool enough in the summer.

9. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.

10. I can't spare the time.

How silly this sounds! God has told us in His Word and modeled in several places that believers should gather themselves with other believers in a local assembly. The Apostle Paul was the first missionary sent out to start other local churches.

 

The Greek word that is used for ‘church’ in the New Testament is ‘ekklesia’ which means “a called out assembly.” Of 117 usages of the word “church”, 100 are a reference to a local, visible body of believers. Acts 2:41 says, “Then they that gladly received His word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.” I Corinthians 1:2 says, “Unto the Church at Corinth…”, II Corinthians 1:1 says, “Unto the Church at Corinth…”, Galatians 1:2 says, “Unto the churches at Galatia…” and Revelation 1:4 says, “To the 7 churches at Asia Minor…”

 

God places great importance on the local church. In fact, most of the New Testament is written to local churches. The church is to be a called out assembly. First Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Corinthians 1:2 says, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”

 

We are to be a called out assembly and called to Jesus Christ to follow in His footsteps. First Peter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” Christians in the book of Acts took this so seriously that they got together and started burning their books! Acts 19:18-19 says, “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

 

According to Hebrews 10:25, if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, you need to be in church, “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.” I hope that you are in your place every time the church doors are open. If not, be in your place starting this Sunday!

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Your Daily Devotional for May 28, 2006

May 28, 2006 

 

Growing in God’s Grace
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

 2 Peter 3:18

 

Living a godly life and having a good testimony are possible because of the inner working of the Holy Spirit. This work of grace causes us to initiate ministry where we already see God at work and to wait when there are no orders from God. It enables us to forgive and to love when, in our flesh, we are inclined to harbor resentment. Each of us demonstrates a proclivity for building our lives from the ground up (our way) rather than seeking the heart of God in every situation. In fact, most can recall instances of failure that, if explored, could be tracked to a lack of growth in grace.

 

The good news is that we serve a God who is the Author of second chances. Because grace is the inner working and development of the Holy Spirit, only those who have been born again by the Spirit of God can attain the privilege of SERVING our Saviour. This service begins with worship, and ministry to others is merely an extension of our worship of Him. Growth in the discipline of God’s grace is the rock upon which spiritual Christians build their lives. When growth in God’s grace is absent from our lives, it is impossible to exhibit His love before a world that has no concept of what it means to live a holy life.

 

The Scriptures charge us that, in addition to growing in grace, we should become established in it. In Hebrews 13:9, we are admonished to avoid being “carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” The established life of grace rejoices in times of sorrow, forgives in the company of deceit and presses forward when reminded of past failures. How is this possible?

 

It is a fact that the Spirit of grace develops the fruits of grace in the life of the Christian who lives by grace. Donald G. Barnhouse asserts that these fruits of grace partner to produce one fruit: love. It does not matter if we have “the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;…[and exercise] all faith, so…[we] could remove mountains”—if we do not love, we are nothing. Mr. Barnhouse clarifies his point in the following way:

Joy is love singing,

Peace is love resting,

Long-suffering is love enduring,

Gentleness is love’s true touch,

Goodness is love’s character,

Faith is love’s habit,

Meekness is love’s self-forgetfulness, and

Temperance is love holding the reins.

 

These are the gifts and their manifestations that the Spirit of grace develops in the servant of grace. A spiritual Christian realizes that he can go only so far and for so long apart from God’s grace before his life and ministry will be negatively affected by his neglect of the Holy Spirit. We will know if we have ceased to grow in grace only by way of self-examination. Onlookers will eventually notice the lack of grace, but wise is he who continues learning to hear that still small voice of God and obeys His every impulse.

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Your Daily Devotional for May 27, 2006

May 27, 2006 

 

What Are You Saying?

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
James 3:5, 6

 

Have you ever said something stupid or something you wish you could take back? Did it end up hurting someone else?  How can words be so devastating? God tells us over and over in the Bible that our words can be used in a positive or a negative way.  

 

In James 3, the Bible says that we can hurt others by boasting. When we boast, we are judging ourselves better than others. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” We must resist the inclination to boast about ourselves and seek to edify others. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

 

Webster’s Dictionary defines edify as “To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.” Speaking negatively about others can be referred to as gossip. There is something about gossip that many people don’t believe is a sin. Why must the phrase, “It’s none of my business,” always be followed by the word “but”? Gossip can burn someone’s reputation. If someone has had a trial in his life, it is probably none of your business. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says we are to mind our own business. Gossip destroys personal relationships and hurts churches. Proverbs 16:27 says, “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”

 

If you can’t find a way to edify someone, maybe you should just say nothing at all. Abraham Lincoln once said, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.”  

 

In 1871, there was a great fire in Chicago. Over 17,500 buildings were destroyed; 300 people died; and 125,000 people were left homeless. This fire was started when a cow in Mrs. O’Leary’s barn kicked over a milk bucket which tipped over a lantern which fell into some straw. This great fire and devastation was caused by a little lantern and a little cow.  How much damage can be done because of one little sarcastic or hurtful statement (true or untrue) made about someone’s family, someone’s life, or someone’s integrity? “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

 

The tongue defiles the whole body. Your whole reputation or the reputation of someone else can be ruined by what this little member says. The Bible says that by the tongue someone’s whole reputation will be known. People will judge you based on the words of your mouth. They will begin to trust or not trust you based on the reputation of your tongue.

 

A friendship formed around the common theme of gossip will not last. We each hear some things that we don’t need to repeat. What you type in an e-mail will be accounted for as much as what is said with your mouth. It is from the heart that the mouth speaks.

 

Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” The tongue, then, can be Satan’s tool for devastation or God’s tool for Godly influence. You will either be an arsonist or a fire-fighter. The choice is yours.

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Your Daily Devotional for May 26, 2006

May 26, 2006 

 

Oh, To Be Used of God!

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And send Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith.”

 

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

 

What kind of a man or woman does God use?  Why did the Apostle Paul choose Timothy for the work in Thessalonica instead of some other disciple?  What characteristics did Timothy possess that made him fit for the Lord’s work?

 

As we study today’s verse, we see that Timothy was first and foremost, a saved man.  It may be pretty basic, but it is absolutely necessary for us to be saved in order to produce any fruit in the ministry.  Timothy was raised by godly women—his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.  The Apostle Paul, witnessing their godly influence in Timothy’s young life, caused him to write in 2 Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 

 

Timothy was a servant leader and possessed a heart for God.  He saw the need and took the lead.  He was probably more than glad to wash a chariot and feed the horses.  He was probably more than happy to run errands for the Apostle Paul and more than willing to disciple new believers.  Have you ever noticed that some Christians are always looking to get out of doing something?  May we be willing to bring that one from across town who has no means of getting to church.  May we not be so anxious to get to the local restaurant that we overlook a visitor crying in the foyer after the morning service.  Timothy was always looking for ways to be used of God because he had a servant’s heart.

 

The Apostle Paul referred to Timothy as a fellow-laborer.  Folks, ministry requires work.  Spreading the gospel entails labor.  Ministry is bearing one another’s burden.  Ladies, it’s being up all night trying to help a tearful wife cope with being abandoned by her husband. It’s helping someone who’s just getting off of drugs or alcohol.  Ministry isn’t just saying howdy-doody around church, doing your thing, and running out.

 

I thank God for people in this church who labor on those buses Saturday after Saturday.  I see our men working on those engines, making sure our buses run smoothly so kids can get picked up and brought to church.  I thank God for my wife Terrie, who goes the extra mile to be a blessing and encouragement to her 4^th grade Sunday school class.  I thank God for those who worked alongside me during those early years, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes and cleaning the bathrooms. 

 

What a joy it is to be used of God, whether in little or big ways!  I pray that we always have the attitude of gladness when God chooses to use us to work out His wondrous ways today.  May we continue to learn to be true servants of Christ.

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Your Daily Devotional for May 25, 2006

May 25, 2006 

 

God’s Onesimus

By Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels”

 

Philemon 10-12

 

This morning as we take a look at this passage of Scripture, let’s understand some of the reasons why Paul wrote the book of Philemon. While under house arrest in Rome, Paul met Onesimus, a runaway slave from the city of Colosse. Apparently apprehended, he found himself in prison next to Paul.

 

Martin Luther, in his comments on the book of Philemon, makes this statement, “We are all God’s Onesimus.” Isaiah 53:6 clearly says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Like Onesimus, we have all offended God’s law and we all are in need of forgiveness. As Paul writes Philemon to appeal for Onesimus’ return and forgiveness, we see a beautiful picture of our own salvation.

 

Philemon had every right to punish Onesimus. In verse 11, we see that Onesimus was deemed unprofitable. Probably unprofitable as a servant, he was worth even less to Philemon as a runaway. Onesimus had turned his back on his owner. He had offended the law. In a far away city, Onesimus sat in prison with a bounty on his head and with little for which to live. He was unprofitable.

 

When we consider the pain Onesimus felt, we are just beginning to understand what an eternity will be like away from God. Without Christ, we are separated from God with the price of death and an eternity in hell on us. Amazingly, in God’s providence, Onesimus crossed paths with a soulwinner. Now, as the Apostle Paul writes to Philemon, he tells him that Onesimus was “begotten in my bonds.” He received Christ as his Saviour.

 

When I read that next phrase “now profitable,” I think of the how truly amazing the grace of God is. God can take any unprofitable runaway slave like you or me and say, “I am going to take your life that was not profitable and make it profitable for all eternity.” Undoubtedly, if you are saved you will say, thank God for His amazing grace.

 

Now that Onesimus was willing to return, Paul didn’t just ask Philemon to receive him and to give him his old position again. Instead, Paul instructs Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a servant, but as “a brother beloved” (verse 16). He tells him to completely forget any debts Onesimus might owe and to let go of any grievances he might still be holding. In verses 16 and 17, Paul says, “receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.” Paul was saying, “Don’t let him have his old slave quarters back. He is a brother in Christ now. Receive him as you would receive me.”

 

This is a great picture of the doctrine of imputation. The doctrine whereby God, through Jesus Christ, imputes His righteousness to your account, and God receives us as He would receive His only begotten Son.

 

When Jesus Christ died and shed His blood on the cross of Calvary, He made a payment for our sin. If you have trusted in Christ, then the righteousness of God has been imputed to your account. Where you and I owed a great balance, that balance was paid with the blood of Christ.

 

Maybe, like Onesimus you are running from God today. If you turn to the Lord, the salvation that He so freely offers will be yours. Your life, once unprofitable, will be made profitable for all eternity. Or perhaps, as a Christian, God will use you like He did the Apostle Paul, to tell an Onesimus that the Heavenly Father is waiting for him to come home. Will you continue running your entire life, or will you come to Him and rest in the promises of His Word?

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Your Daily Devotional for May 24, 2006

May 24, 2006 

 

A Mighty Church of Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

 

As we delve into God’s Word this morning, let’s take a look at the church of Thessalonica.  The church of Thessalonica was indeed a mighty church. As the Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he remembers some of the tremendous attributes displayed by this church. Paul does not consider their location, the size of the city or its demographics. Instead, Paul remembers the mighty church of Thessalonica because they followed God by faith.

 

When Paul remembered the church of Thessalonica, he thought of their work of faith. The Bible tells specifically about this tremendous church and their mighty attributes when it says, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith.” Notice that Paul does not just remember their work; he remembers their “work of faith.”

 

Let us remember today, that if we will please God and progress for God in the twenty-first century, we must have the same faith that was demonstrated in the church of Thessalonica. It takes faith to live for God in every generation. It takes faith to leave the familiar, to follow the Saviour, to serve from the heart, to knock on a door, to share the Gospel, to build buildings, and it takes faith to build families. Paul said, “When I think of the church of Thessalonica, I remember their work of faith.”

 

Paul also said that when he remembered this church, he considered their walk. The Bible indicates that the church followed the spiritual leadership in their midst. I believe today one of the reasons that Satan will try so hard to discredit the leadership of the church is because Satan knows that God will often bless a church proportionately to their responsiveness to the leadership in the church. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow.”

 

You may not always understand the direction in which the spiritual leadership in your life is headed, but when you are being lead towards the Lord Jesus Christ, the right thing to do is just to walk on with the spiritual leader and to go forward for Him. We realize that spiritual leaders are leaders and not lords, they are servants not saviours, they are guides and not gods but they are God ordained in the church. When the church at Thessalonica saw these leaders, the Bible says that they “became followers of us,” but notice the next phrase, “and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). This mighty church was being directed to a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as they followed God and the leaders He had placed in their lives.

 

Will you notice also the way this church witnessed? Paul recalled the great witness of this church as the Bible says in verse eight that they, “sounded out the word of the Lord.” Paul told the Thessalonican church that not only in “Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.” What a great testimony this church had! Their faith had become known throughout every region.

 

A mighty church is a church that has faith in God. Paul said, “When I remember that church, I remember their walk and work of faith.” What will somebody remember when they think of you? I want to encourage you to learn a simple lesson from the church at Thessalonica—have faith in God, honor the spiritual leadership He has placed in your life, and then sit back and rejoice in the blessings He pours upon you as you follow Him in obedience.

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Your Daily Devotional for May 23, 2006

May 23, 2006 

 

An Attribute So Priceless

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

One of the greatest dispositions a believer should aspire for is the attitude of thankfulness.  When the spirit of thankfulness dies within us, a host of other qualities dies with it.  Ask yourself this question: What is God’s will for my life?  Let’s start with the basics.  God wants us to have a thankful heart, not just for the blessings that come our way, but also for the bumps and curves on the road of life.  That’s what today’s verse is speaking about—learning to be thankful in everything.

 

Ingratitude leads to grumpiness, dissatisfaction, worries, and self-centeredness.  It could also ultimately lead to us making the wrong decisions and choices.  If you stop to think about it, we have every reason to be thankful.  Rejoice and thank God that we have a Saviour!  We can never thank Him enough for Jesus Christ!  If He wasn’t 100% God when He died on that cross, then there would be no salvation to speak of.  But Jesus left Heaven’s glory to come down to earth, live among sinners, walk on these dirty streets, and endure unimaginable suffering.  He willingly laid aside not His deity, but the prerogatives of His deity to save us from our sin.  My friend, if our Saviour shed His precious blood to cleanse us from our sin, it is only right for us to thank Him. 

 

Get a new restoration of your salvation.  2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”  It is never so bad that it might not be worse.  One of the major challenges we have in our lives is this matter of keeping our focus off of ourselves and on the Lord.  When pride gets into the equation and we’re not dead to self, we can never be thankful.  We just want to have a huge pity party.  We begin to consider what others have and wonder why so many other people seem to be getting ahead in the material sense, while we’re stuck in a rut. 

 

A fellow said to me the other day, “I used to complain about having to get out of bed until I couldn’t.”  If we have the health to attend church, then we’re blessed.  Sometimes Christians treat church as some kind of club.  If we’re not careful, we can get this way.  If you have nothing else to be thankful for, thank God that there are people at the church who cleaned the toilets, painted the walls, collected the trash lying around on the pews, and trimmed the bushes.  We’re admonished in Psalm 100:4 to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

 

One of the first steps in backsliding is having a heart of ingratitude.  May we not get to that place where the Spirit of God is grieved.  May we as Christians keep a tender, grateful heart toward our Saviour today.

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