Your Daily Devotional for October 31, 2007

 

October 31,  2007

 

 

An Indescribable Gift
by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

 

2 Corinthians 9:15

 

 

Someone once said that giving thanks does not start with a feeling. We have all experienced those cringing moments when we opened a gift from a distant relative. Maybe you received a colorful wall hanging with too many colors, a pair of socks two sizes too small, or a pair of praying hands to add to your ever growing collection. No matter the gift, we can all learn to give thanks.

 

The best and worst part about receiving a gift is the reaction. If you have ever been around children opening gifts you will see firsthand what I mean. If a child loves the gift, his face will instantaneously glow with excitement. He will rip open the gift and begin playing with it right away. When a child does not like a gift, he will stare at it momentarily in confusion, most likely wondering what am I going to do with this? After seeing his parents through the corner of his eye, he will say thank you, and continue on to his next gift.  

The Bible speaks of a gift that created the most awe-inspiring reaction—a reaction beyond the power to describe. This reaction did not have to be 'faked,' nor did it require a reminder to say thank you. God's gift is so great that it leaves those who receive it at a loss for words!

 

As we enter November, may we take a moment to give thanks to God for His great gift to us—His Son. God gave His only Son according to John 3:16 so that through Him the world could be saved—what a gift! The foundation of thanksgiving begins at the foot of the Cross. Express gratitude for salvation, and thankfulness will begin to take root in your heart and spring into every area of your life.

 

When was the last time the greatness of salvation left you without words? When was the last time you sat down, and sincerely thanked God for His unspeakable gift? Take a moment in your time alone with God today to worship Him, stand in awe of His gift, and thank Him for His greatness.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Jeremiah 22-23 • Titus 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Your Daily Devotional for October 30, 2007

 

October 30,  2007

 

 

A Maturing Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

 

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

 

 

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa, the city of his birth, but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.

 

Recorded in our verses today is a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the growing church at Thessalonica. It is a prayer for spiritual growth and maturity. His prayer shows us God's keen interest in the growth, health, and spiritual maturity of the local church.

 

As we approach near the end of this year and face the beginning of a new year, there are many opportunities awaiting us as God's people. We have new opportunities to worship God, witness to others, serve in our churches, and live for God. But none of these things are as vital as our present rate of spiritual growth. Above all else, God desires that we mature in our Christian faith and draw closer to Him.

 

What good is a larger church without spiritual hearts? What good is a new bus route or a more dynamic choir if we are not cultivating our hearts for God? Ministry and service to God must flow from Christ-centered hearts if it is to be pleasing to God. Over the next few days we will see three areas in which we continue to grow. Today, let's see that we must have faith to mature.

 

We see in verse ten of our verses today, "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?" The word perfect in that verse implies full development. As children of God, we are to mature in our faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Without faith, it is impossible to please God! We must have faith in all we do if we wish to please Him.

 

As we endeavor to mature in faith, we must expect the Lord's testing. A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. God will test our faith, not to destroy it, but to develop it and bring it to maturity. Sometimes we can encounter a small setback and be tempted to quit, but we must endure the testing and mature in faith.

 

If we desire to grow in faith and mature spiritually, we must expect testing to enter our lives. We must not become angry with God, but we must accept His growing and let Him mature our faith. Are you in a time of testing? Does it seem as if God is stretching your faith? Good! The only way we can mature in faith is when we subject our will to God's testing and allow Him to grow us. Spend time with God now and allow Him to work in your life. Give your will over to Him and allow Him to mature your faith today.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Jeremiah 20-21 • 2 Timothy 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Your Daily Devotional for October 29, 2007

 

October 29,  2007

 

 

Showing Our Joy

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah."

 

Psalm 21:1-2

 

 

Just as the sun can be blotted out by an eclipse, so moods of pessimism and doubt can plunge us into spiritual darkness. At times our situation may seem so desperate that we think even God Almighty can't carry us through.

 

That was the gloomy attitude of Robert Cushman, who recorded his despair on the Mayflower in 1620. He wrote, "If we ever make a plantation in New England, God works a miracle! Especially considering how scant we shall be of victuals [vittles], and (worst of all) un-united amongst ourselves. If I should write you of all the things that foretell our ruin, I should overcharge my weak head and grieve your tender heart. Only this I pray you. Prepare for evil tidings of us every day. I see not in reason how we can escape. Pray for us instantly." In spite of Cushman's fears, God brought the pilgrims to their destination and enabled them to establish a home in the wilderness.

 

Many times we can have a similar attitude in life. We can only see the negative and not show joy through our lives. We have so much we can be thankful for and so much about which we can be joyous!

 

As we have seen over the past few days, we can have joy even in the most discouraging circumstances. We can rejoice even when everything around us is dark. We know that God works through trials and that He desires we have joy as we allow Him to mold us. We must encourage ourselves by thinking of our salvation and our home in Heaven. Today we will see that God desires we show our joy to those around us. Let's see four ways we can show our joy to others.

 

First, joy is revealed through our singing. The Lord wants us to be glad and rejoice in Him. Psalm 95:1 says, "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." Five times in the book of Psalms, God commands us to "make a joyful noise." God wants us to show our joy through our singing.

 

How many times have we gone to church and sung the songs out of routine? I'm sure we are all guilty of singing the songs, yet focusing on other things. God desires that we focus our mind on Him and truly sing praise to His name! We must show our joy through our singing.

 

Second, we can also reveal our joy through serving. A joyful Christian desires to get involved and serve the Lord through the church. Acts 20:24 says, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Paul says that no matter what came into his life, he continued serving God with joy.

 

Third, we must reveal our joy through our soulwinning. Psalm 126:5-6 says, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God shows us that we show others our joy by witnessing of Him. When we are telling others of the great gift God has given us, they will see our joy.

 

Last, joy is revealed through our stewardship. When we are filled with joy, we delight in giving to God. Acts 20:35 says, "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." It is a joy to give to our Lord! We must reveal our joy by giving to Christ.

 

There are many people today who are searching for joy. They many times seek joy in pleasures, material goods, and the promises of this world. But as we are living for Christ and are singing, serving Him, soulwinning, and stewarding our finances correctly, others will be able to see in our lives the true joy that only God can give.

 

Can others see joy through your life? Are you revealing God's joy to those around you? Take time now to evaluate your life. Would someone know you are a Christian by your life? We must show God's joy through our lives each day. As we reveal our joy to others, God will be able to use us to draw people to Him.

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Jeremiah 18-19 • 2 Timothy 3

 

 

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