Your Daily Devotional for September 30, 2006

 

September 30, 2006

 

 

Preparing a Servant of God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”

 

 

Acts 9:17-20

 

 

Here we see the account of how God trained Paul right after his conversion. God had appeared to Ananias in a dream, telling him to go to Paul and to bring him into his house. This would have taken incredible faith, seeing that no one knew of Paul’s salvation. It was last heard that Paul was going to Damascus to find and kill Christians!

 

The Lord sent Ananias to Paul so that he could train Paul and disciple him. Even though Paul had a miraculous conversion, he still needed to be trained to become an effective servant of God. One of the greatest joys in life is to be used to help someone grow spiritually! No one on this earth can save a person, but we can help them grow closer to the Lord!

 

What a joy it is to know that we can be a part of God’s work on earth! Have you stopped to think about what you are doing right now to help others? Are you working in the bus ministry, the children’s ministry, the choir or orchestra, maintenance, as a deacon, or simply serving behind the scenes?

 

Think about whose life you are influencing. Could that little boy who always likes to talk in your class be the next D.L. Moody? Could that little girl on the bus be the next Amy Carmichael? Could the people you are helping do something great for God? Could someone in the audience as you are singing be close to repentance? We never know when we are touching the next generation of Christians!

 

I would challenge you to stop and realize that what you are doing, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, is affecting someone. Someone will either be growing closer to God or falling away from Him because of your leadership. Are you not only teaching them but showing them how a Christian should live by your life?

 

Even today, you are preparing a servant of God! Whether by teaching a class on Sunday or by setting an example to those around you, people are being changed by your life. Would you want the next generation to live their lives as you are living your life? We don’t get a choice in who we influence, but we do get a choice in how we influence them.

 

Make a choice today to become more aware of how you are living your life. Don’t haphazardly throw together a quick lesson for your class; take time to really ask the Lord what He would want you to teach. Don’t just brush off the people around you; take time to invest into their lives!  You never know what eternal rewards you could one day reap!  You are a part of God’s plan for the lives of those around you! Ask God to help you prepare another faithful servant of God!

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Your Daily Devotional for September 29, 2006

 

September 29, 2006

 

 

Christ’s Power to Sacrifice

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

 

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

 

Colossians 2:8-9

 

 

As we begin today, I would like you to notice verse nine of today’s text: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Have you ever thought about what that verse is saying? It is pointing out that in Christ dwells all power and omniscience of God. This verse proves to us that Jesus Christ is God!

 

We can also see that the very first verse in the Bible suggests that God and Christ are one. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” The word God here is the Greek word Elohim which is the plural form of the word God. This is not referring to many gods but one God and three parts of Him.

 

This being true, we can realize that Christ, in essence, is all that God is; He has all God’s power and abilities. Our finite minds cannot comprehend the concept of the Trinity, but He is greater than our minds! He is so much more than we could ever dream possible.

 

Have you ever stopped to realize that Christ is actually God? He has all the power of God, yet, He gave that all up. He loved you enough to die for you. Even though we deserved Hell, Christ loved us enough to sacrifice Himself for you and me. Think about all that He went through for us. He was beaten, bruised, scarred, mocked, spat upon, rejected, and crucified, all for us filthy sinners. He not only had the power to sacrifice, but He used that power as well.

 

Christian, Christ doesn’t keep this power to sacrifice to Himself; He gives it freely to any of His children that ask for it. We all need to sacrifice for the Lord. If God gave His Son, what is there that we could give that could even come close? You may be saying, “I tithe, go to church, and give to missions. What more could I possibly do?”

 

Friend, you could give yourself; Christ did! You could give yourself to Christ and commit to doing His will. You may have already given your life fully to Him, but have you taken parts of it back? Do you trust God fully? Are you obeying His commandments? When was the last time you told someone of Christ’s free gift of salvation? Do you ever give tracts to those with whom you come in contact? Christ gave His life; what will you give?

 

Are you too embarrassed to tell others that you are a Christian? I am glad that Christ wasn’t too embarrassed to leave His kingdom and die for us! Make it a point to give at least one Gospel tract to someone you meet today. Christ had the power to sacrifice and so can you. Ask God for the power to sacrifice in your life today!

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Your Daily Devotional for September 27, 2006

 

September 27, 2006

 

 

Daily Renewal

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

 

 

Hebrews 12:2-3

 

 

As we go about our lives, sometimes we are easily worn down. Day after day can become monotonous and our lives can soon become dull. As a Christian we are to have vibrant, joyful lives, but it can be hard to maintain joy in the world in which we live! How can you come into each day with peace and joy? By daily renewing your life in Christ.

 

There are certain areas of our lives that we should renew every day. The first one is our focus. We can soon become distracted by all that this world offers. Whether it’s the media, sports, or even just work, our focus sometimes shifts. While none of these are necessarily bad, if we focus on these things more than we focus on Christ, they become a distraction in our lives. We must reset our focus on Christ each day.

 

We also need to renew our faith. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We need to make sure that we trust God to get us through each day. Someone once said, “It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies, whether it comes between me and God or whether it presses me nearer His heart.” The devil will try to pull you away from God by testing your faith in Him daily. We must begin each day with the realization that the devil is trying to distract our walk, and we must renew our strength and our faith in Christ by asking Him to help us see through the devil’s lies and by spending time in God’s Word.

 

We must also renew our fervency. Now you might say, “What is fervency? And why do I need that?” Webster defines fervency as “very hot, glowing” or “marked by great intensity or feeling.” Having fervency in the Christian life means having a great intensity in telling others of Christ. Do you see each person you meet as a potential convert, or do you hurry away from them? Do you take time to let others know what Christ has done for you, or would you rather not bother? Fervency entails your being so in love with God that you want everyone around you to meet Him and to experience the same kind of relationship with Him.

 

How are you doing today? Has your focus shifted to something other than God? Has your faith been tested recently? Is your fervency what it ought to be? It is so easy for us to lack in these areas! We must come to Christ each day with a prayer for renewal. What do you need to renew today?

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Your Daily Devotional for September 26, 2006

 

September 26, 2006

 

 

Remembering Our Past

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD. Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:”

 

Jeremiah 2:1-4

 

 

Throughout the year our nation has certain holidays to remind us of how great a price was paid for our freedom. We take time to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and we honor them. Yet, as we remember those who have fallen for our freedom, it is imperative that we also remember that our freedom is based on the fact that God has granted us this peace and freedom.

 

In this passage of Scripture, we see a message to the children of Israel during the reign of Josiah.

Josiah was Judah’s last good king. His son Jehoiakim abandoned Josiah’s leading and turned the nation to evil. Jeremiah, the prophet of God, is speaking in these verses to the nation of Israel. He is beseeching them to turn back to the Lord.

 

Verse 2 says, “…Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth…” God is saying that the only reason He had not destroyed them was because He remembered how they once worshipped Him. Israel had once been so in love with Christ that they had worshipped only Him and had never thought of straying. But as time went on, they became polluted with the philosophies and gods of the surrounding nations.

 

Today, America is much like Israel was. We were once founded on Christ and were so in love with Him that our Founding Fathers would have never thought to run our nation without Christ’s help. But as time has gone on, we have been influenced by others’ philosophies and other religions. Our nation has turned its back on God.

 

Not only has our nation turned its back on God, but many Christians have as well. Christians who, at one time, loved the Lord and sought only to serve Him have now been influenced by the world and are seeking to live only for themselves. Many Christians have lost the spiritual fire that once burned within them to live for Christ. All too often, some Christians are content with going to church and occasionally reading the Bible.

 

Friend, when was the last time you truly sought God through prayer? When was the last time you opened your Bible and forgot about the cares of this world and sought to learn more about God? When was the last time you saw someone as a lost soul needing a Saviour rather than just another person in this world? I would challenge you to remember the minute you got saved. Remember how excited you were to be able to serve God. Take time to remember the price that Christ paid for our freedom, and renew your commitment to Him today.

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Your Daily Devotional for September 25, 2006

 

September 25, 2006

 

 

T-I-M-E

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

 

 

Proverbs 22:6

 

 

Some time ago, in a TIME Magazine issue, former President George Bush said, “Our biggest national danger is the disintegration of the family.” Other political leaders have said things such as, “The unmet needs of our children is as compelling as an attack from foreign enemies.” There is an awareness of a problem without an answer to the problem.

 

The face of America is changing today. A 1995 issue of America Demographics Magazine said, “There is no such thing as a typical American family. Nothing in America is typical anymore. There are 262 million people that live in America. There are 98 million households of which 25% are inhabited by one person. Twenty-six percent of those homes have children. These homes are single-parent families or both mom and dad are working allowing their children to come home to an empty house and to be on their own. Whether intentionally or not, today’s parents are spending little amounts of time with their children.

 

Social analysts are calling for a family renewal in our culture, but what our families need is a revival of the Word of God and an awakening to God’s spiritual truth. Many parents would rather spend time at work than with their children. It is sad, but yesterday’s babysitters have been replaced by today’s television and video games.

 

Children today are being influenced and molded by what they watch on television and by the video games that they play. How do you expect your child to grow up loving the Lord if all they have to train them is the wickedness of this world? The Bible says to train up your child. This was written to parents, not the media industry! As parents, you have a biblical responsibility to mold your child into a God-fearing young person. This takes time.

 

Even if you are not a parent, you can mold a child. By working on a bus route or by helping in a children’s class, you can make a difference in a child’s life. Training a child is not something to be taken lightly! These children that are running around the church or crying in the nursery are the future of America! Take time to visit them. Take time to write them a card. Take time to prepare a lesson instead of throwing one together at the last moment. It may not seem to make a difference now, but it will matter in eternity!

 

Have you been spending enough time with your children lately? It’s not worth the overtime pay to lose touch with your child! I would challenge you to take time with each child individually to let them know that you care about them and that you love them. Pass on your Christian heritage to them by molding their lives. Ask God to help you train your child to love Him.

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Your Daily Devotional for September 24, 2006

 

September 24, 2006

 

 

People Who Pray

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

 

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

 

Acts 12:1-5

 

I once received a letter of admonition from my friend Dr. David Gibbs. While the letter was filled with wisdom and encouragement, there was one sentence that especially struck me. He said, “Never forget, the only place power ever comes before prayer is in the dictionary.” This statement is self evident in the book of Acts. The early church could be characterized by one word: prayer.

 

These early Christians continued in prayer no matter what. As the Roman government was killing the apostles, these church members prayed. Even though it could have meant certain death for them, they prayed. They lived their life with the promise of Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

 

The reason this church was so influential and is highly revered is that they had the hand of God on them. God blessed their lives because they remained faithful to Him in prayer. Friend, you will not have a mighty church if you do not have a praying church! Prayer is the window through which God pours the blessings of Heaven into our lives.

 

We see the aspect of asking and receiving in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” God wants us to come to Him for everything. He says to come to Him by prayer and supplication. This means that we are to come with a request or an appeal. We are to earnestly beseech God for an answer to our prayers!

 

It was once said, “Poverty-stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.”

 

We need to pray not only to change the things around us but also to change ourselves. When was the last time you came before God and truly sought Him? When was the last time you took time away from your busy day to meet with Him? It has been said that sinning men will stop praying, but praying men will stop sinning. What are you struggling with today? What do you need help with in your life? All your problems could be taken care of with one simple word: prayer.

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Your Daily Devotional for September 23, 2006

 

September 23, 2006

 

 

Oh, the Injustice!

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: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

 

 

Philemon 10-16

 

 

We have all been mistreated at some time or another. This world has abounded with injustice and hatred from the crusades of the Europeans, to the murderous Ottoman Empire, to the slavery of early America, to the horrific killings of Hitler and Stalin

 

Paul was under house arrest in Rome as he wrote this letter to Philemon. While in Rome, he had met a runaway slave named Onesimus. During this time, there were some 600,000 slaves in the Roman Empire. Onesimus, like many slaves, had escaped to Rome to hide in the vast crowds.

 

When we think of slavery, we usually think of how wrong it is and how we would never condone it, but think about what slavery involves. Slavery usually involves one person treating another badly by putting them down with words or actions. You may not have ever taken part in the act of slavery, but have you ever spoken badly of someone? Our words can hold someone captive; they can make a person feel as if they are worthless.

 

Yes, we scream injustice when someone wrongs us. We will complain that life isn’t fair and that those who hurt us deserve just punishment, but do we feel the same way when we hurt someone else? We should never get to the point where our words fly so quickly from our mouths that we do not even realize what we are saying.

 

A few years ago, the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, made public 1,300 recently discovered letters that the late President wrote to his wife, Bess, over the course of a half-century. Mr. Truman had a lifelong rule of writing to his wife every day they were apart. He followed this rule whenever he was away on official business or whenever Bess left Washington to visit her hometown. Every day he was away, the President of the United States took time from his dealing with the world's most powerful leaders to sit down and write a letter to his wife. 

Words will last a lifetime whether they are kind or unkind. It does not matter if you quickly apologize for some unkind thing you said, people will remember those harsh words. We must be so careful to guard our words for they can build up or tear down a person. Determine today that you will be someone who helps encourage people with your words instead of discouraging them. Who can you encourage? Take time today to let them know that you care!

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Your Daily Devotional for September 22, 2006

 

September 22, 2006

 

 

It Is Finished

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

 

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

 

 

John 19:28-30

 

 

I have noticed that, as the wars in which our country has fought are moving further into history, a younger generation is coming up who don’t appreciate all that some men and women have gone through. It used to be that people banded together to fight a common enemy, but today, it seems as if Americans are trying to fight each other. Not only have we forgotten all that our veterans have gone through but we often forget all that our Lord went through.

 

This is the greatest victory of any battle ever fought on our behalf. This battle did not end with the explosion of an atomic bomb or the signing of a treaty, but with the discovery of an empty tomb. You see, Jesus Christ came to this earth on a mission. That mission is found in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

The Bible teaches that mankind was lost in sin and needed to be rescued. This sinful state preceded the establishment of Judaism, Islam, and even Christianity as we know it. It dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The minute Adam and Eve sinned against God, we all inherited a sin nature as we see in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

 

The only way we could be forgiven of that sin nature was by the sacrifice of a spotless lamb. Jesus Christ, knowing the price, willingly offered Himself as our sacrifice. He realized the pain, agony, heartache, and rejection He was to face, yet He came. As He went to the Cross that day, He was thinking of you and me. He could have decided that the pain was too much or that the shame was too great to bear, but His love for you and me surpassed any pain He felt.

 

Aren’t you glad that Christ loved you enough to finish what He set out to do? Have you taken time lately to think about what He went through for you? I challenge you to take time in the next few days to read John 19. Put yourself in Christ’s place; that is where we should all be anyway! Don’t ever lose a heart of thankfulness to God for dying in your stead so that you might be saved.

 

Not only should we be thankful to Christ but we need to let others know of this great gift! Don’t you want others to be in Heaven with you? Just think, if the person who told you of Christ’s gift had not taken time to talk to you, where would you be today? Whose life could you completely change by telling them of Christ? Who is waiting for someone to tell them of Christ today?

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Your Daily Devotional for September 21, 2006

 

September 21, 2006

 

 

God’s Love Is Greater

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

                                                      

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that you joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

 

John 15:11-13

 

One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”

“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”

God’s love is a wonderful thing. What else in life is so great and so powerful yet so tender and so forgiving? God’s love has the power to cleanse the sins of the world, yet it is also gentle enough to mourn with a hurting Christian. No matter what the situation, God’s love will come through.

God’s love covers all sin! Think of that. As Jesus hung on the cross, He thought of you and forgave you for every sin you have ever committed. He loved you so much that He willingly chose to come to earth and suffer pain and humiliation that you might live with Him forever! As our verse today says, “Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

When Christ died for your sins, he died for all your sins. No sin that you have ever committed is too great that God cannot forgive you. God used a murderer, Moses, to lead His people to the Promise Land. God used an adulterer, David, to rule His kingdom. God even used a harlot, Rahab, to hide two spies from being killed. There is nothing that you have done that God would not forgive if you ask Him. His love covered all your sins at Calvary!

Not only is His love greater than any sin that we could commit, but it is also greater than any pain that we could go through. Have you ever felt lonely or confused, searching for answers but finding none? Have you ever thought that you could turn to someone but they ended up hurting you? Friend, God is always there for you. God promises us in Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” He loves you so much that He provided a way for you to spend eternity with Him. There is no situation that you could go through that God won’t help you through.

Our God is a loving God! His love covers all our sin. What sin have you been discouraged about because you thought God couldn’t forgive you? What do you need to confess to Him today? 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He is faithful to forgive us, no matter what! Not only does His love cover our sins, but it also comforts us in time of need. What trial or difficulty are you going through today? Reach out to God and let Him comfort you with His love. Truly, our God’s love is greater.

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Your Daily Devotional for September 20, 2006

 

September 20, 2006

 

Restoring Fellowship

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 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.”

 

Philemon 8-11

  

Have you ever been so upset with someone that you never wanted to speak to them again? It is very easy to become angry with people, but it is not very easy to forgive someone. As we see in today’s verses, Paul was writing to Philemon to ask him to forgive Onesimus, his servant, for running away.

 

Paul could have demanded that Philemon forgive Onesimus based on Paul’s apostolic authority, but forgiveness cannot be mandated. It is not true forgiveness if it is forced. Paul says in verses 17 and 18, “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.” The word “partner” in verse 17 means “a companion” or “to have fellowship.” Paul is asking him to receive Onesimus back into his family based on their close companionship or fellowship.

 

How many times have we said sorry but not really meant it? Who have you “forgiven” but still hold feelings of bitterness and hurt against? Saying you forgive someone does not automatically mean that you have forgotten about the injustice they did to you. It is not an easy thing to let go of hurt feelings, but God can help you.

 

Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” God wants us to live in peace with everyone! You may be saying, “Yeah right! That is too hard!” It may seem impossible but look at what Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Christ says that we can do all things through Him! He promises to help us!

 

When someone wrongs you, remember that Christ knows how you feel! The people that He came to save from an eternal hell denied Him, spat on Him, beat Him, mocked Him, plucked His beard out, and then crucified Him! Yet what did He say after they had done this? “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34a) He forgave them!

 

A reporter once asked professional baseball pitcher Curt Schilling if he was angry with Barry Bonds over an incident that happened earlier in the season. Schilling said, “We had a falling out, but since I became a Christian in 1997, I lost my ability to hate anybody.”

 

Friend, who have you not truly forgiven? What feelings of bitterness and hurt are you still holding onto? Living with pain is no way for a Christian to live! Give those feelings to the Lord and restore fellowship with that person today.

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Your Daily Devotional for September 19, 2006

 

September 19, 2006

 

Grounded In Him

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. “

 

Colossians 2:6-7

 

Every spring, our family goes through a little ritual of gardening. We purchase seeds, prepare the soil and then on a warm afternoon, we plant the garden row by row. It is vital that each seed is rooted in the proper type of soil and spaced according to the instructions. Of course, the depth and quality of the root system determine the plant’s ability to rise.

 

In planting a garden there are many variables, but two things are basic: proper rooting of the plant and uprooting of weeds. These same principles are applicable to the establishing of a godly life. What you are grounded on and how strong your roots are will determine your ability to grow in Him.

 

As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Colosse, one of his real concerns was that each believer was rooted and built up in Christ. Although Paul did not personally help to found this church, he was concerned that they would be grounded. Paul realized the importance of having a good foundation and emphasized this to these Christians.

 

Paul, again, re-emphasized the importance of being rooted correctly in Ephesians 3:17-18, “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.” Christ says that when we are grounded on His principles, we will have no problem discerning the will of God.

 

A Christian who is built on Christ will not be deceived. Matthew 7:24-25 says, “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.”

 

God likens the person who heeds His Word to the man who builds his house on a firm foundation. When we are grounded on God and are rooted in His Word, the attacks of this world will not make us quit. Yes, we may get knocked down a few times, but we can claim the promise of Proverbs 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

 

Take a minute right now and think about what you are rooted in today. Are you grounded in God’s Word or in the philosophies of this world? Do you serve Christ or self? Just as a plant will fall if not rooted properly, so a Christian, if not grounded on God, will fall. Don’t let the pressures of this world uproot you; ground yourself in Christ today!

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