Blessed when Pure by Dr. Paul Chappell Matthew 5:8Our availability to be used by God depends on our inner purity. A farmer once had a large farm that expanded over many acres. On his farm was a creek, some hills, and many trees. But one tree was especially dear to him as it had been the tree he had played under as a child when his father had owned the farm. An old oak tree, it's branches stretched forth and provided shade enough for several people to stand under. The oak was in the center of his property and served as a landmark for guests seeking to find the farmer's land. One night a terrible storm rolled across the skies. Lightning bolted to the earth, thunder clapped in the heavens, and rain beat upon the grass. The farmer and his family huddled inside the farmhouse, riding out the torrential downpour and praying the farm was spared major damage. The storm continued all night, but thankfully just as the sun rose, the skies cleared and the storm passed on. Seeking to assess the damage, the farmer set out from the farmhouse to inspect his land. The barn withstood the beating, and although some crops were wilted, things seemed to be in order, until he noticed the old oak tree. The winds and rain that did not collapse the barn had brought down the mighty oak, snapped in two as if it were a brittle branch. Upset, the farmer ran to get a closer look at the tree. While lamenting its fall, the farmer noticed strange holes in the bark of the tree. As he looked closer, he noticed tiny bugs crawling along the inside of the oak. What had happened was while the oak appeared strong and sturdy on the outside, inside tiny beetles were eating away the support of the tree. At the first major storm, the oak, without its support, succumbed to the outer pressures and tumbled. The oak looked okay on the outside, but the inside had corroded long before the farmer noticed any damage. The same thing can happen to us as Christians. We may look good on the outside, even appear to be a faithful Christian, but if we are not careful to keep sin out of our hearts, soon our lives will fall apart at the first sign of a storm. Preacher Robert Murray McCheyne once described the need for inner purity this way, "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God." Our availability to be used by God depends on our inner purity. God wants to use you. He wants to show you His will and direct you to His blessings, but He can't guide you if you allow sin to corrode you from inside. God conveyed the importance of a pure heart to His disciples by telling them that those who have pure hearts will be able to enjoy the full joy of a life lived in service of God. Notice Christ doesn't say those who live perfect lives will see God. God doesn't expect you to be perfect, but He does desire for you to keep a pure heart. That means when sin creeps into your life or you fall to temptation, don't allow it to stay in your life. Immediately repent of the sin and ask God's forgiveness. Keep short accounts with God. Is there any sin in your heart? Have you neglected to repent of anything? Don't allow even one sin to remain unforgiven in your life. Make sure your heart is pure before God right now. Daily Bible Reading Judges 4-6 | Luke 4:31-44
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Jude 1:24-25 Cyrus Silvester Nusbaum - Lyrics & Composer - Born: July 27, 1861, Middlebury, Indiana. Died: December 27, 1937, Wichita, Kansas. Cyrus Silvester Nusbaum began his ministry in the southwest at the a Methodist Church in 1886 . He went on to become one of the most outstanding evangelists of his time. However, this hymn was born during a time of deep discouragement, following Mr. Nusbaum’s first year of ministry. He gives the following account: I had spent my first year in pastoral work. Having been appointed to serve as a pastor in one of the poorest circuits in our district, I had struggled hard during the year to take care of the seven preaching places and congregations. It had been a most difficult task, strenuous and discouraging, and the income pitifully small. At the end of the conference year, my wife and I gathered our few necessary belongings, and, with the assistance of one of our members, we arrived at the railroad station in order to take the train to the place where the conference was to meet that year. Naturally, we had prayed and hoped that, at the conference, I might be appointed to a better charge, but when the Bishop read the appointments the last night of the conference, I was named as pastor of the same old circuit. I was with heavy hearts that we repaired to our lodging place that night. Mrs. Nusbaum sensibly retired early, but I remained in the little parlor with no one to disturb me. I was very unhappy and a spirit of rebellion seemed to possess me. About midnight, I finally knelt in prayer beside my chair. After some struggle, a deep peace came stealing into my heart. I told the Lord that I would be willing to let Him have His way with me regardless of the cost. With that feeling, of surrender to the will of God, came the inspiration for the new song, now so well-known throughout Christendom ...
“And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Matthew 15:27This woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking great thoughts of Christ. The Master had talked about the children’s bread: “Now,” argued she, “since thou art the Master of the table of grace, I know that thou art a generous housekeeper, and there is sure to be abundance of bread on thy table; there will be such an abundance for the children that there will be crumbs to throw on the floor for the dogs, and the children will fare none the worse because the dogs are fed.” She thought him one who kept so good a table that all that she needed would only be a crumb in comparison; yet remember, what she wanted was to have the devil cast out of her daughter. It was a very great thing to her, but she had such a high esteem of Christ, that she said, “It is nothing to him, it is but a crumb for Christ to give.” This is the royal road to comfort. Great thoughts of your sin alone will drive you to despair; but great thoughts of Christ will pilot you into the haven of peace. “My sins are many, but oh! it is nothing to Jesus to take them all away. The weight of my guilt presses me down as a giant’s foot would crush a worm, but it is no more than a grain of dust to him, because he has already borne its curse in his own body on the tree. It will be but a small thing for him to give me full remission, although it will be an infinite blessing for me to receive it.” The woman opens her soul’s mouth very wide, expecting great things of Jesus, and he fills it with his love. Dear reader, do the same. She confessed what Christ laid at her door, but she laid fast hold upon him, and drew arguments even out of his hard words; she believed great things of him, and she thus overcame him. She won the victory by believing in Him. Her case is an instance of prevailing faith; and if we would conquer like her, we must imitate her tactics.
Due Benevolence 1 Corinthians 7:3“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” One of the greatest lies that Satan tells a married person is that their body belongs to themselves. Quite often a married person will say, “This is my body and I have the right to do with it what I want to do.” This is a person who has believed the lie of Satan. We must always remember that Satan wants to destroy our marriages. Because his desire is to destroy marriages, he will do everything in his power to get married people to believe his lies. In the verse above God deals with married couples. The subject that is being taught is a subject that if followed will bring happiness in marriage. God said that the husband and wife are to render to each other “due benevolence.” The word “benevolence” means, “to do good, or an act of kindness.” In other words, God is teaching married people that in order to be happy each must live their life to do good and be kind to their spouse. Married people must realize that after they got married, their body no longer belongs to them. When you got married your body became the property of your spouse. That means you have no right to hold back from your spouse the “benevolence” that they desire. Far too many married couples withhold the benevolence from their spouse only to hurt the marriage. I believe if you will read the verses that follow the verse above, you will understand what I am talking about. According to the verse above, a married person owes their spouse the benevolence that these verses are talking about. Let me take this one step further. A married person owes it to their spouse to be kind to them. Notice in the verse above that God used the words “due benevolence.” In other words, it is a debt you are to pay to your spouse. Married couples owe kindness to each other. Being kind to your spouse is a debt you owe them. Some of the kindnesses that ought to be paid in a marriage are: opening the door for the lady, saying “Thank you” to each other for kindnesses that are done, making a special meal for your spouse, being extra kind to your spouse when they are having a tough day, etc. Of course, there is no way that I can deal with all the ways of how we ought to be kind to each other in this short devotional. Married couples simply need to learn to live their daily lives being kind to each other. If you are married, you owe it to your spouse to give them the “due benevolence” that belongs to them. Make it one of your daily duties to be kind to your spouse. Sit down and write out some ways that you can be kind to your spouse. Then, take one thing from that list each day and be kind to them. If spouses will daily live their lives to be kind to each other, then I believe they will find happiness in marriage.
Blessed when Kind by Dr. Paul Chappell "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." When you sow kindness to others, you'll reap a crop of kindness in your own life. Many people around the world enjoy watching Olympic events every four years. While most people recognize the origin of the games dates back to ancient Greece, many don't know that the modern Olympic games take place, in large part, thanks to Pierre de Coubertin. De Coubertin grew up the son of a painter in a very aristocratic family. Pierre grew up to become a physician, very concerned about the health of his fellow human beings. Convinced physical exercise could help overall health and wellness, Pierre set out to get others physically active. Being aware of the ancient Greek games, Pierre became a proponent of reintroducing the games in modern society. While many countries organized games within their nation, Pierre's goal was to create a set of games that could be played by the common man and would build national pride. Pierre established the International Olympic Committee (an organization that is still in existence today) which allowed representatives of different countries to collaborate on the specifics of these "new" Olympic games. They figured out the logistics of the games, which events should be featured, and the point system for awarding medals. One medal Pierre wanted awarded was what he named the Pierre de Coubertin medal (also known as the True Spirit of Sportsmanship Medal). This medal was not given to those who won races, but to those who exhibited sportsmanship and kindness in their races. This medal is considered by many to be the highest award given, even higher than the gold medal. Each year, the International Olympic Committee votes on which athlete or team of athletes deserves the medal. In the past, the medal has been given to athletes who helped other athletes, gave up their spot to another competitor, or showed selfless sportsmanship. While life has no award for kindness, God desires that we would all exhibit kindness each day. Notice His words to the disciples in Matthew 5, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Those who show mercy or kindness will be shown kindness as well. Have you ever heard the phrase "What goes around comes around"? Another way to put it is the biblical principle of "You reap what you sow." I'm sure we could all point to some instance in our lives when we reaped what we had sown. Many times that reaping is not positive, but God shows that sowing good habits can lead to reaping good habits, such as kindness. While God promises we'll receive kindness as we are kind to others, this should not be our goal. As Christians, our kindness should be done out of a heart that loves God and wants to show others that love. Think about how many people actually show kindness in the world today. In a cut-throat world of self-promotion, few people take time to show kindness. Yet as God's children, He desires we would look to His example of kindness and take time to respond to others through mercy. Today as you go about your day, take a few moments to show someone kindness. Don't become so focused on you and your to-do list that you ignore others. Every day you're surrounded by fellow human beings, yet how often do you notice them or reach out to them in kindness? Ask God to help you show His love to at least one person today through a kind word or act. Daily Bible Reading Judges 1-3 | Luke 4:1-30
“Jesus said unto them, If ye seek me, let these go their way.” John 18:8Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in his hour of trial, towards the sheep of his hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns himself to the enemy, but he interposes a word of power to set his disciples free. As to himself, like a sheep before her shearers he is dumb and opened not his mouth, but for his disciples’ sake he speaks with almighty energy. Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom he stands a substitute should go their way. In the midst of Egypt’s bondage, that voice rings as a word of power, “Let these go their way.” Out of slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, “Let these go their way,” and forth come Despondency and Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise. Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to stay them in it. No lion shall be on their way, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon. “The hind of the morning” has drawn the cruel hunters upon himself, and now the most timid roes and hinds of the field may graze at perfect peace among the lilies of his loves. The thunder-cloud has burst over the Cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be smitten by the bolts of vengeance. Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity which thy Redeemer has secured thee, and bless his name all the day, and every day.
Overcoming a Condemning Conscience Romans 8:1“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” One of the things I have found that hinders many Christians from doing what they should for God is a guilty conscience. If the truth were known, everybody has done something that they regret. The reason why I know this is because everybody is a sinner. Because everybody is a sinner, there is not a person alive who hasn't done some sin that they wish they could undo. Therefore, everybody is capable of having a guilty or condemning conscience. Before I show you how to overcome the condemning conscience, let me show you why Christians have guilty consciences. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Notice this verse says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Satan's accusatory actions are not only performed in front of God, but he will also take our past and use it to attack us personally. Satan's accusatory attack can cause us to carry a condemning conscience. According to the verse above there is a way that you can overcome a condemning conscience. There are three steps that God says must be taken in order to overcome a condemning conscience. First, a person must get saved. When a person gets saved all of their sins are placed under the blood of Jesus Christ. Christian, you must realize that even though Satan accuses you to condemn your conscience, you can respond back to him by saying that all of your sins are placed under the blood of Jesus Christ. Secondly, you overcome a condemning conscience by not walking after the flesh. In other words, the best way to overcome a condemning conscience is not to live the life the flesh would like you to live. This is why preachers constantly preach that you should stop trying to live like the world. Christian, when you continue to yield to the flesh, you are feeding the conscience with things to condemn you. You will never overcome a condemning conscience while living a fleshly life. Last of all, the way to overcome a condemning conscience is to do the things the Spirit of God would want you to do. Yes, serving God and doing what God commands you to do will help you overcome your condemning conscience. When you do right and stop doing wrong, you will have a clear conscience. There is nothing more refreshing than knowing that you did right. The greatest prescription for overcoming your condemning conscience is to live according to the Scriptures. Are you having problems with your conscience condemning you? Then take the prescription from the verse above and follow it. You will find by following the prescription from this verse that your conscience can be guilt free. It will be guilt free because God promises that He is greater than anything else in life. When we do what God commands us to do in order to overcome the condemning conscience, then He will drive away Satan and those thoughts that try to condemn us. Start living right today and you will see the things that used to condemn your conscience will be driven away. A happy life is the result of a guilt-free conscience.
Blessed when Hungry by Dr. Paul Chappell "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Constantly strive to become closer to God than you were yesterday. Have you ever hungered so badly for something you would've done anything to get it? Often I hear of people who don't have a certain restaurant near them so they'll travel great distances or pay high shipping costs to obtain that food. To understand this type of hunger, think of the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:29-34: And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. Esau was so consumed with hunger that he sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage. He didn't care what it took to get the pottage; he was focused on one thing-quenching his hunger. While the story has a sad side to it (Esau's sale of his birthright), the picture of hunger here is what is to be noticed. Esau so hungered after sustenance that he was focused on satisfying that hunger. Christ told His disciples in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." To hunger and thirst after something is not merely to desire something, but to crave it, to be so passionate about obtaining it that it dominates your thoughts. Imagine a traveler lost in the Sahara Desert. He is alone, with few supplies, and running out of water. After a few days of wandering, he is sunburned, tired, exhausted, weak, hungry, and thirsty. I'm sure he desires to see his family. He may want to return to his home, and he may even badly need to find relief for his sunburn. But after a few days without water, he desperately craves even a few drops of water to quench his thirst. When was the last time you hungered after godliness so much that it dominated your thoughts? How badly do you want to know God, to grow closer to Him? God offers you the ability to draw close to Him. He gives you the way to do so by saying, "Hunger after Me. Be so intent on knowing Me that I am always on your mind." Hungering after God means you are consumed with knowing God more. You make time to study His Word. You are constantly talking with Him, seeking His help, and conversing with your Heavenly Father. You don't want anything to get in the way of growing closer to God. Do you thirst after righteousness? Are you passionate about strengthening your relationship with God? God promises that as you faithfully seek Him, He will fill you and will draw you to Himself. Unlike other deities, God opens His throne to you and invites you to seek Him. He delights when you passionately follow Him. Ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Ask Him to stir a desire inside you to know Him more. Don't allow complacency and routine to dampen your thirst for the things of God. Always strive to grow closer to God than you were yesterday. To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter. Daily Bible Reading Joshua 22-24 | Luke 3
Becoming a Disciple “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” ( John 8:31) The subject is discipleship. The key word is “if”. you see, it is up to you whether you become a disciple or not; discipleship is more than believing--it is following; it is obeying; it is working. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” ( Acts 16:31); being saved is not the sum of discipleship, but one earmark of discipleship is seen in the verse above: “If ye continue in my Word…”, continuing in the Word of God is good evidence of discipleship. There are six verses in the New testament that describe what it means to be a disciple, three are found in Luke, and three in John. As for now though, we must focus on this one, which may be paramount to the others, or at least lead us to practice them. Just for the record, they are: (In Luke) Luke 14: 26~ Luke 14:27, and Luke 14:33 and three in John-- Jn. 8:31~ Jn. 13:35 and Jn 15:8. These are, however, parenthetical for now, as we want to focus on staying in the Word of God. It is said that Michael Jordan claimed to “eat, drink, and sleep” basketball. He became great because he continued, at all times, in all ways, to focus on the game. We need this sort of tenacity concerning the Word of God. We need to eat, drink, and sleep in the Word; we need to allow it to permeate our lives in every way, and consume our thoughts and actions. Only then can we hope to be considered a true disciple. If you wish to become a disciple of Christ, this is a great place to begin, if not, that is up to you. Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. There are several other verses to that effect: Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8, etc.
“The Son of man.” John 3:13How constantly our Master used the title, the “Son of man!” If he had chosen, he might always have spoken of himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call himself the Son of man. Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Saviour; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees. There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved manhood so much, that he delighted to honour it; and since it is a high honour, and indeed, the greatest dignity of manhood, that Jesus is the Son of man, he is wont to display this name, that he may as it were hang royal stars upon the breast of manhood, and show forth the love of God to Abraham’s seed. Son of man—whenever he said that word, he shed a halo round the head of Adam’s children. Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called himself the Son of man to express his oneness and sympathy with his people. He thus reminds us that he is the one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we may take to him all our griefs and troubles, for he knows them by experience; in that he himself hath suffered as the “Son of man,” he is able to succour and comfort us. All hail, thou blessed Jesus! inasmuch as thou art evermore using the sweet name which acknowledges that thou art a brother and a near kinsman, it is to us a dear token of thy grace, thy humility, thy love. “Oh see how Jesus trusts himself Unto our childish love, As though by his free ways with us Our earnestness to prove! His sacred name a common word On earth he loves to hear; There is no majesty in him Which love may not come near.”
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