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Christ or the Samaritans by Dr. Paul Chappell “Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:6–9 A person’s outward appearance doesn’t keep God from offering them inward hope. God’s purpose in coming to earth is clearly defined in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Yes Christ came to die on Calvary and provide salvation for the lost, but notice He also came to seek out the lost. God could have stayed in one city and compelled the lost and needy to come to Him through magnificent preaching, but He didn’t do that. Jesus took up His mantle and traveled across Israel, seeking for the lost. One lost person He sought out is found in the story we studied yesterday. As we saw, Christ needed to go through Samaria. Although it was culturally unacceptable for Jews to travel through Samaria, He felt compelled to journey that way. The reason Christ braved the ridicule for traveling through Samaria was for one woman. Christ entered Samaria around lunchtime. While He rested by the well, His disciples went off into town to buy some food for lunch. Being omniscient, Jesus knew that this Samaritan woman would be coming by to draw water. Normally, water was drawn at night or in the early morning due to the heat, but this woman came to draw water around noonday to avoid the scorns of the other women. The woman at the well had not led a pure life and was ridiculed by the people in the city. Even though she had a poor social status, Christ made a conscious decision to meet her at the well and give her hope through salvation. How many times do we act like the Samaritans rather than Christians? They scoffed at her and shunned her for her sin, but Jesus reached out to her and offered her hope. Too often we can judge someone for how they look on the outside and overlook witnessing to them. But God’s message of salvation is for everyone! No matter someone’s social, financial, or spiritual status, it is our duty as Christians to share God’s message of salvation with them. When God impresses upon your heart to witness to someone, do you obey Him or are you deterred by their outward appearance? Don’t let someone’s appearance or past keep you from delivering God’s message of salvation. After all, we are all sinners in need of God’s saving grace! To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 146-147 • 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Traveling to Samaria by Dr. Paul Chappell “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” John 4:1–6 Fear is the greatest hindrance to the work of the God. It is said that the greatest teacher teaches by example. Whether it is a teacher working out problems on the chalkboard or a coach doing the drills and showing the players how to execute a certain move, when the teacher or leader takes part in what they are teaching, the students learn by example. The greatest teacher ever to live was the Lord Jesus Christ. Not simply because He traveled throughout Israel preaching and teaching about His Father, but because He lived what He taught. His greatest times of teaching are seen in the passages of Scripture that show Him leading by example. We see one of those passages in our verses today. After a long day of teaching and baptizing new Christians in Judea, Christ decided to travel south to Galilee. Normally the Jews would take a longer, roundabout way to get to Galilee, bypassing Samaria. The Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews. They were thought to be lower class, unworthy people because their ancestors had intermarried with Jews. Although Samaria was located in the middle of Israel, right between Galilee and Judea, many Jews would rather spend extra time traveling than to journey through Samaria. But John 4:4 says it perfectly, “And he must needs go through Samaria.” Not only did Jesus want to go through Samaria, He had to go. God had an appointment to fulfill, a destiny to change. He knew there would be a lady at the well who needed His message of salvation, and He wasn’t going to allow a petty cultural difference to keep Him from offering that woman hope. Often we can let little things keep us from obeying God’s command to deliver His message to others. Think back over last week. How often did you leave someone a tract or tell them of Christ? How many times did God impress upon you to witness to someone but you didn’t? What is your Samaria? What is keeping you from journeying to the place God wants you to go and telling someone about His saving grace? Don’t allow a “cultural difference” such as fear or busyness distract you from keeping the appointment God has for you. Jesus said He must needs go through Samaria. Decide right now that no matter how your mind tries to rationalize away God’s leading, you will follow His call to go to those who are lost. To hear Daily in the Word, the daily radio broadcast of Dr. Paul Chappell, or to subscribe to the daily podcast, please visit dailyintheword.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 143-145 • 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Delivering the Message by Dr. Paul Chappell “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1–3 Christians are the mail carriers of God’s message. Have you ever sent someone a letter or an email but they never got it? One of the most frustrating things in life is when an important message doesn’t reach its destination. From the time of the Pony Express back in the Old West or the modern age of email, text messages, and voicemail, human beings have been looking for a more reliable way to communicate with each other. God is looking for reliable Christians to deliver His message. But God’s message is more important than any email we could send. His message provides life to a dying world. It provides hope to those who are lost, and it provides love to those who are hurting. God’s message is the message of salvation through His Son. Over the past few weeks we have seen that God’s purpose for our lives is that we would become more like His Son. Romans 8:29 shows us this, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Each day that we yield our lives to Him and follow His will, we are choosing to become more like Him. One of the foundational reasons for becoming like Christ is that we may share the message of Christ without reservation to a lost and dying world. Second Timothy 1:9 says, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” God has given us a holy calling. He called us by His grace and for His purpose. One of the great things about being a Christian is that we know there is a purpose in life. While most people wonder about the meaning of life and seek to “find themselves,” we know that God has a plan for our existence on earth. His plan for every Christian is that we would tell others the good news of His salvation. The message of Christ is vitally needed in our world today. God is calling people who have conformed to His image and who are living for Him to take His message and deliver it to the world around them. Can God use you to deliver His message to this world? So many times we complain about the mail system or about technology not being dependable, but are you being dependable to deliver God’s message? Determine today to be the best “mail carrier” God has in delivering His message of salvation to those around you. To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 140-142 • 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

The Choice by Dr. Paul Chappell “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12–13 There are only two choices on the shelf—pleasing God or pleasing self. In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn't a technology problem like radar malfunction or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ship's presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late. No one likes to yield or submit. We are taught in society to “never give up, never surrender.” While that may be motivational for a sports team or workplace, “giving up” or yielding yourself is exactly what God desires us to do each day. Being yielded is a choice. God gave each one of us a free will, and with that free will comes the choice of who we will serve. We can either yield our life to unrighteousness, or we can yield our life to God. You may not have mentally said to yourself, “Well today looks like a nice day. I think I will have some fun and live for myself.” But when you skip Bible reading or time alone with God and pursue your own will rather than God’s will, you have yielded yourself to unrighteousness. When we make the right choice—the choice to yield to God—God is honored. When we wake up in the morning and choose to spend time with Him, He is pleased. When we choose to forget our own fears and witness to a co-worker or friend, God is exalted. When we choose to skip overtime and take our family to church, God is glorified. If we are yielding to God each day, there will be a change that takes place in our life. Rather than living for self or following our own desires, God’s plan will be our first priority in life. As we choose to put Him first and yield to Him, we will become more like Him. Who are you yielded to today? Did you choose to give yourself to God this morning or have you lived for yourself? You will make the choice, whether you consciously choose to or not. Start out today living for God by yielding yourself to Him. To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 137-139 • 1 Corinthians 13

Worth Dying For by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:1–4 The importance of God’s Word in your life will show the importance of God in your life. Anatoli Shcharansky, a dissident Soviet Jew, kissed his wife goodbye as she left Russia for freedom in Israel. His parting words to her were, “I'll see you soon in Jerusalem.” But Anatoli was detained and finally imprisoned. Their reunion in Jerusalem would not only be postponed, it might never occur. During his long years in Russian prisons and work camps, Anatoli was stripped of his personal belongings. His only possession was a miniature copy of the Psalms. Once during his imprisonment, his refusal to release the book to the authorities cost him 130 days in solitary confinement. Finally, twelve years after parting with his wife, he was offered freedom. In February 1986, as the world watched, Shcharansky was allowed to walk away from Russian guards toward those who would take him to Jerusalem. But in the final moments of captivity, the guards tried again to confiscate the Psalms book. Anatoli threw himself face down in the snow and refused to walk on to freedom without it. Those words had kept him alive during imprisonment. He would not go on to freedom without them. Throughout the centuries men and women have sacrificed material possessions, social status, and even life for their right to own a copy of the Scriptures. Christians in foreign countries even today are persecuted for having God’s Word. How important is God’s Word to you? Do you take time each day to read it, or is it sitting on a shelf, only picked up to go to church? Many times in the rush of our day we can neglect to take time for God’s Word. With work, shopping, church activities, and other appointments to keep, twenty-four hours just doesn’t seem like enough time to accomplish everything! I’ve found that what gets scheduled gets done. Simply thinking you need to see the dentist doesn’t always bring results, but when you call the receptionist, check your calendar, and schedule an appointment, you are held to be there at the appointed time! Even so, when you don’t schedule a specific time and place to read God’s Word, many times it won’t get done. Whether it’s right before bed or first thing as you wake up in the morning, plan a time when you can meet with God through reading His Word. Make time in God’s Word a priority in your life. How important is the Bible to you? Is it worth dying for? Thankfully, in America we do not have to worry about losing our lives for owning God’s Word, but that doesn’t mean it should be less important to us than it is to those in other countries. Make sure to spend time each day reading the Bible. Never take God’s Word for granted for you never know when that freedom might be taken from you. To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 135-136 • I Corinthians 12

A Needed Change by Dr. Paul Chappell “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1–2 Being dead to sin means being alive in Christ! It is hard to believe now, but the potato was once a highly unpopular food. When first introduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh, newspapers printed editorials against it, ministers preached sermons against it, and the general public wouldn't touch it. It was supposed to sterilize the soil in which it had been planted and cause all manner of strange illnesses—even death. There were, however, a few brave men who did not believe all the propaganda being shouted against it. A Frenchman named Parmentier took a different approach. He had been a prisoner of war in England when he first heard of the new plant. His fellow prisoners protested the outrage of having to eat potatoes. Parmentier, instead, thoughtfully inquired about the methods of cultivating and cooking the new food. Upon his return to France, he procured an experimental farm from the Emperor, in which he planted potatoes. When it was time to dig them, at his own expense, he hired a few soldiers to patrol all sides of his famous potato patch during the daytime. Meanwhile he conducted distinguished guests through the fields, digging a few tubers here and there, which they devoured with evident relish. At night, he began to withdraw the guards. A few days later one of the guards hastened to Parmentier with the sad news that peasants had broken into the potato patch at night, and dug up most of the crop. Parmentier was overjoyed, much to the surprise of his informant, and exclaimed, “When the people will steal in order to procure potatoes, their popularity is assured.” These people wouldn’t try a potato because they believed it to be lethal! They weren’t willing to change or try something new. Many people avoid change at all possible costs. They remain in their routines and go about life exactly as they have for years. But God tells us that when we are saved, there should be a change that takes place in our lives! Romans 6:1–2 says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Once we are saved God calls us out of a sinful lifestyle and to a life of holiness. While we will still sin because we are human, we don’t have to live in sin. As Christians we can be alive in Christ. This change doesn’t take place overnight. With any life-change, it begins as one step and takes a lifetime of correct choices. Once you are saved you don’t automatically have a will to do right rather than wrong. But each day, with God’s help, you can make the choice to do right and reject the devil’s temptation to do wrong. Has there been a change in your life since you were saved? Take time now to seek God’s help in living for Him. Every time the devil tempts you, remember you’re saved, and you have power over sin through Christ! To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 129-131 • 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Be Joyful! by Dr. Paul Chappell “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11–12 There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.—Robert Louis Stevenson A fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research. Rimland found that “The happiest people are those who help others.” Each person involved in the study was asked to list ten people he knew best and to label them as happy or not happy. Then they were to go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish, using the following definition of selfishness: “a stable tendency to devote one's time and resources to one's own interests and welfare—an unwillingness to inconvenience one's self for others.” In categorizing the results, Rimland found that all of the people labeled happy were also labeled unselfish. He wrote that those “whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness...are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy” Rimland concluded: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” How often as Christians do we display an unhappy attitude? How often are we seen as ungrateful, unhappy people? Friend, we have no cause to be unhappy! God has given us so much more than we deserve and for that reason alone, we should rejoice! Notice Psalm 5:11, “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” God says, “You have put your trust in Me, so rejoice! There is nothing that can harm you because I am with you! Don’t let the worries of this world get you down; I am on your side.” How many times do we let the little things in life steal our joy? God has promised to provide, protect, and guide us. There’s nothing that should steal our joy when we know that God is watching over us. It can be easy to be caught up with the busyness and stress of life that we neglect to be joyful. But God has commanded us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” God commands us to be joyful! There will be times when you don’t feel like being joyful. But even during those times, God says to rejoice! The easiest way to bring joy to your life is to think of others. Are you known as a joyful person? In light of all God has done for you, what is keeping you from being joyful? Determine today to display joy in your life. When life gets you down or you feel discouraged, focus on others and let God restore joy in your heart. To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 126-128 • 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Abiding in Him by Dr. Paul Chappell “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:4–5 I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.—Martin Luther Have you ever felt close to God on Sunday mornings but found it difficult to spend time with Him during the rest of the week? So often as Christians we can come to church on Sunday, seek God, and draw near to Him, but when the busyness of the week starts, God takes a backseat role in our lives. As we have seen over the past few days, when we determine to know God, we will seek Him. When we are devoted to seeking Him, we will find Him. And as we will see today, when we find Christ, we will then abide in Him. In order to become more like the Son of God, we must abide with Christ each day. It has been said that the gift of God is not the gift of a Sunday morning, but the gift of an entire life with Him. So many Christians in this generation seclude God’s work in their lives to Sunday and Wednesdays. But God should be present every day! John 15:4 says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” God is saying, “I want you to abide with Me. Walk with Me. Talk with Me. Meditate on the principles and truths of my Word.” Picture it this way. A married couple may live in the same house. They may have the same goals, mutual interests, and common desires, but still not experience the oneness God wants them to have. God says a man and woman are to become one flesh and one mind. It’s not enough that we go to church and believe the Bible, although those are good things. God desires to enjoy intimacy with you daily. He wants you to meet with Him with an open heart. He desires for you to think of Him throughout the day and seek His counsel in decisions you make. He wants to be your good friend all the time, not just Sunday mornings. God desires our fellowship with Him to be open. He already knows everything about us, so to hide our true feelings or fail to repent of sins is not deceiving God, but deceiving ourselves. God is here to help us and to grant us forgiveness. Are you abiding in Christ today? God desires to walk with you. He wants you to come to Him and abide in Him all day long. Meditate on God’s Word, talk with Him, and seek Him for counsel throughout the day. Let God be a part of every aspect of your life today. To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 123-125 • 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Devoted to Know Him by Dr. Paul Chappell “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 The motto of every Christian, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be "Devoted for Life."—Adonirum Judson As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron, ore, and cod. He found none, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing. But just as he finished, a match dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life “that people will never forget.” He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary, Nanook of the North. What caused Flaherty to keep going despite the tragedy in his life? He was devoted to producing a film about the Eskimos. If someone such as Flaherty could be so devoted to something which helped him overcome loss and extreme pain, why can’t we as Christians be so devoted to God who helps us overcome the pains of life? We saw yesterday that in order to know God more we must be determined to seek Him each day. Not only should we be determined, but we also should be devoted to Him. No matter how much determination you have, if you are not devoting time to spend with Christ, you cannot know Him more. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” God says, “Come to Me. Seek after Me. I promise that if you are devoted to Me and seek Me with all your heart, I will reveal Myself to you.” God wants your whole heart. Sometimes Christians can be guilty of seeking God while seeking other things. Have you ever sat down to spend time with God but found yourself thinking of other things? Rather than being distracted by the things of this world, focus your whole heart on knowing God more. Devotion has been defined as “ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle.” Devotion is giving of yourself to someone or something else. It is neglecting the desires of your own heart to seek after God’s heart. Are you devoted to knowing God more? God promises that as we give Him our whole heart, He will reveal Himself to us. Set aside time to be with God today. Even if you have to give up a hobby or an activity, knowing God is worth more than any other earthly pursuit. To hear Daily in the Word, the daily radio broadcast of Dr. Paul Chappell, or to subscribe to the daily podcast, please visit dailyintheword.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 120-122 • 1 Corinthians 9

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 27 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 27 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Determined to Know Him by Dr. Paul Chappell “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.” Psalm 105:1–5 We are often apathetic about seeking God because we are passionate about seeking other things. The 1992 Summer Olympics featured two tremendously poignant moments. American sprinter Gail Devers, the clear leader in the 100 meter hurdles, tripped over the last barrier. She agonizingly pulled herself to her knees and crawled the last five meters, finishing fifth—but finishing. Even more heart-rending was the 400 meter semifinal in which British runner Derek Redmond tore a hamstring and fell to the track. He struggled to his feet and began to hobble, determined to complete the race. His father ran from the stands to help him off the track, but the athlete refused to quit. He leaned on his father, and the two limped to the finish line, greeted by deafening applause. Determination is a powerful desire in the human body. It has been said that when a person is wholly determined, nothing can stand in their way. Whether it’s the determination of an athlete, an executive, or a mother of four, those who are determined most often succeed. The principle of determination can also be applied to our lives as Christians. If we determine to know God more, we will be motivated to spend time with Him and seek to know Him. Rather than taking a seat on the sidelines of their Christian life, we must actively pursue God. God promises in Deuteronomy 4:29, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” While other religions encourage complete devotion and blind following, God promises that as we seek Him, we will find Him! Have you ever had activities, hobbies, or other things in your life that prevented you from actively seeking God? If we are to find God, we must seek Him with determination. The most common reason we are apathetic about seeking God is that we are passionate about seeking other things. The devil is very subtle in trying to keep us from seeking God. But as we determine to know Him more and set our goal on seeking Him, God will reveal Himself to us! What is keeping you from knowing God more? Is something in your life stealing your determination from seeking God? As God says in Hebrew 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Lay aside whatever keeps you from seeking God and determine to know Him more by spending time with Him. To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 119:89-176 • 1 Corinthians 8

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 25 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 25 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

He is So Good to Me by Dr. Paul Chappell “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 God is good whether we think so or not. When Corrie Ten Boom was a little girl in Holland, her first realization of death came after a visit to the home of a neighbor who had died. It impressed her that someday her parents would also die. Corrie's father comforted her with words of wisdom. “Corrie, when you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?” “Why, just before we get on the train,” she replied. “Exactly,” her father said, “and our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes for us to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need—just in time.” Have you ever praised God’s goodness when skies were blue, but questioned Him when the storm clouds rolled into your life? Many times we can praise God when things go well and neglect Him when we find ourselves in trouble. But whether or not we think God is being good to us, He is. Notice another reflection on God’s goodness by Corrie Ten Boom: “Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.'" Even when her sister died wrongfully, Corrie learned that God was still being good to her. In the midst of this trial, God showed that He was in control. Second Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” God has given us grace the to face whatever comes into our lives. As Christians, sometimes we think the Christian life is a life of relaxation, happiness, and ease. While there is joy and ease of burdens, God never said the Christian life would be a breeze. We still face loss, trials, difficulties, and tough times. We are not immune from trials. But it is often during these trials that we question God’s goodness. We think because things aren’t going exactly as we planned them, God obviously isn’t being good to us. But just the opposite is true! God always has our best interest at heart! Everything He does is for our benefit—even trials! Have you been questioning God’s goodness during a trial lately? Don’t allow Satan to take your focus off God and onto difficulties. Never forget that God has saved you from eternal punishment and has blessed you with so many things! Remember that God is always good no matter what happens in your life. To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 119:89-176 • 1 Corinthians 8

Just Like the Father by Dr. Paul Chappell “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 8:39-42 Whose characteristics are you displaying? During the Thirty Year's War in Europe (1618-1648), the King of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus, was slain while his troops were winning the Battle of Lutzen, in what is now Germany. Sweden was thrown into mourning, and government officials met to determine how to replace the king. Some suggested a republic; others thought the crown should go to Adolphus' cousin, the king of Poland. This arguing went on for many hours with each man having a different opinion as to who should be crowned king. Just then the chancellor of Sweden arose and said, “Let there be no talk of a republic or of Polish kings, for we have in our midst the heir of the great Gustavus, his little daughter, who is six years of age.” Some protested that they had never seen her. The chancellor said, “Wait a minute, and I will show you.” He brought in Christina, daughter of the king, and placed her on the throne. One of the representatives who was especially suspicious of the move pressed forward and gazed intently into her face. Then turning to the assembly, he exclaimed, “Look at her nose, her eyes, her chin! I see in the countenance of this child the features of the great Gustavus. She is the child of our king!” From all quarters of the room rang the proclamation, “Christina, Queen of Sweden!” The reason the people of Sweden allowed Christina to be queen was because she looked just like her father. He physical characteristics positively identified her as the next heir to the throne. Physical characteristics are many times easily seen between parents and children. And as Christians, we should take on the characteristics of our Heavenly Father. We have seen that Jesus was characterized by being humble, kind, and sacrificial. Notice John 8:39, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” The Pharisees claimed to believe in Abraham and followed him, but Jesus pointed out that their claims were nullified by their actions. They talked the talk but they didn’t walk the walk. Think of your day yesterday or today. How would you characterize it? Focusing on being like Christ in such a hectic world can often be overwhelming, but when our hearts our right with Him, humility, kindness, and sacrifice will naturally flow through our lives! If someone were to look at your life would they see your Father in you? Would the characteristics of Christ be so evident in your life that others can’t help but see God? Sometimes the only witness of God some people will see is your life. Take time now to seek God’s help in displaying His characteristics through your life today. To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 116-118 • 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Give until There’s Nothing Left by Dr. Paul Chappell “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. “ John 13:1-5 If you give what you don’t need, it isn’t giving. In the latter part of the 17th century, German preacher August H. Francke founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of Halle. One day when Francke desperately needed funds to carry on his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for a ducat--a gold coin. Because of his financial situation, he politely but regretfully told her he couldn't help her. Disheartened, the woman began to weep. Moved by her tears, Francke asked her to wait while he went to his room to pray. After seeking God's guidance, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to change his mind. So, trusting the Lord to meet his own needs, he gave her the money. Two mornings later, he received a letter of thanks from the widow. She explained that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day Francke received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady and 2 more from a friend in Sweden. He thought he had been amply rewarded for helping the widow, but he was soon informed that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg. When he heard this, Francke wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy widow, he had been enriched, not impoverished. Not knowing the blessings that would be given to him, Francke stepped out in faith and sacrificed for the need of the widow. He didn’t know where his next meal would come from, yet when God called him to give of what little he had, he willingly obeyed God. Over the past few days we have seen a few of the characteristics that defined Christ’s ministry on earth. He displayed humility and kindness wherever He went. But just like the German preacher in our story, Jesus also displayed sacrifice. Of course Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross immediately comes to our minds, but He also sacrificed every day. Think of all that Jesus, the Son of God, could have had on earth. He could have had the biggest palace with the stateliest clothing, yet He chose to roam the deserts in a robe, searching for souls to save. He sacrificed His time, energy, and everything He had for others. Notice the verses today in John 13. While we normally look to this passage as an example of Christ’s humility, think of the events surrounding these verses. In the next few chapters Jesus would be betrayed by one of His own disciples. Being aware of what was going on, He decided to sacrifice His last few moments on earth teaching the disciples and serving them. How often do you sacrifice of yourself for others? When was the last time you spent time, money, or energy simply to help the needs of others? So many people are struggling financially today and although you may not be able to give them money, simply spending time with them or showing them you care can help them. So ask yourself this, “Who can I sacrifice for today?” To hear Daily in the Word, the daily radio broadcast of Dr. Paul Chappell, or to subscribe to the daily podcast, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.dailyintheword.org/" dailyintheword.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 113-115 • 1 Corinthians 6

Be Ye Kind by Dr. Paul Chappell “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.” Ephesians 4:31-32 Being kind pays in unexpected ways. There were once two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds got desperately low, and the idea came to one of them to engage the pianist, Paderewski for a piano recital and devote the profits to their board and tuition. The great pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of two thousand dollars. The students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert. They worked hard, only to find that the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars. After the concert, the students sought the great artist and told him of their efforts and results. They gave him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, and accompanied it with a promissory note for four hundred dollars, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him. “No,” replied Paderewski, “that won't do.” Then tearing the note to shreds, he returned the money and said to them: “Now, take out of this sixteen hundred dollars all of your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest.” The years rolled by---years of fortune and destiny. Paderewski had become Premier of Poland. The devastating war came, and Paderewski was striving to feed the thousands of starving people in his beloved Poland. There was only one man in the world that could help Paderewski and his people. Thousands of tons of food began to come into Poland for distribution by the Polish Premier. After the starving people were fed, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover for the relief sent him. “That's all right, Mr. Paderewski,” was Mr. Hoover's reply. “Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole.” Even though Mr. Paderewski didn’t know he would one day need their help, he was kind and loving toward the young men when they didn’t have enough money. His kindness didn’t go unnoticed and was later repaid just when he needed it. We saw yesterday that a characteristic of the earthly ministry of Christ was humility. Everything He did was done through a humble heart that sought to glorify the Lord. Another characteristic of Jesus was His kindness. In reading the Scriptures, you can’t help but notice the Lord’s kindness on the poor, weak, sick, and less fortunate people during His time. While some people ridiculed or avoided the poor, Christ reached out to them. When the sick were cast out of the city, Jesus went to them and healed them. His kindness was not reserved for the scholars, rich, or religious people of the day; but He displayed kindness to everyone He met. As Christians, we are to be characterized by kindness as well. But how often do we rush about our day and neglect those who need our help? How many times have you reacted harshly or said unkind words to someone else? Even if they do not deserve your kindness, be kind to them because Christ has been kind to you. As you seek to live for God today, remember Ephesians 4:32, “But be ye kind one to another…” Seek to live today with kindness and let others see the loving kindness of God through your life. To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 110-112 • I Corinthians 5

Let This Mind Be in You by Dr. Paul Chappell “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. “ Philippians 2:5-8 Let the mind of the Master be the master of your mind. As the summer winds down to an end we are all gearing up for the beginning of a new school year. Many parents have purchased school supplies, school clothes, and textbooks. And with school comes a time of learning. A time when children will learn the basics of math, English, history, science, and other subjects. But more important than our children learning these subjects is their learning of God’s Word. Jonathon Witherspoon, the first President of Princeton, once said, “Cursed be all learning that is not subservient to the Cross of Christ.” The goal of Christian education is to develop the mind of Jesus Christ within our children. There is no greater wisdom or mindset than the mind of Christ. In order to become more like Christ, we should develop His mind in our lives. To develop the mind of Christ is to be spiritually minded. It is to dwell on the things of God and think as God would think. Romans 8:6-9 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” We have seen that in order to take on the mind if Christ, we must die to self. Dying to self and reckoning yourself dead to sin paves the way for yieldedness to the Holy Spirit. A man who has come to this place in his heart is ready to begin developing the mind of Christ. Re-read our verses for today, Philippians 2:5-8. God calls for us to have the mindset of Christ. What mind was that? The mindset that was of no reputation and became humble even unto death. God, the Creator of the world, was above all, yet He lowered Himself to the level of man and became humble. Humility is a key characteristic to our Lord’s earthly ministry. While He deserved a royal birth in a palace, He was born in a musty stable. While He deserved an entourage of faithful servants, He only had twelve poor men. While He deserved a glorious exit from this life, He received a cruel beating and a humiliating death between common criminals. But never once did Christ complain. Not once did our Lord demand what He deserved. He had humbled Himself even unto death. How often do we demand our rights and expect to be treated “royally”? How many times have we complained about something that happened to us? The mindset of Christ was not to receive all that He deserved, but to focus on others rather than Himself. What have you done for others recently? Rather than focusing on what you deserve, seek to develop the mind of Christ by humbling yourself and helping others today. To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 107-109 • 1 Corinthians 4

One Last Chance by Dr. Paul Chappell “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20 God’s last command is our first priority.—Dr. Don Sisk Roger Simms was hitchhiking his way home after serving overseas in the war. Flashing the hitchhiking sign to the oncoming car, he hopped in when the car stopped. “Going home for keeps?” “Sure am,” Roger responded. “Well, you're in luck if you're going to Chicago.” “Not quite that far. Do you live in Chicago?” “I have a business there. My name is Hanover.” After talking about many things, Roger, a Christian, felt a compulsion to witness about Christ to this fifty-ish, apparently successful businessman. But he kept putting it off, until he realized he was just thirty minutes from his home. It was now or never. So, Roger cleared his throat and proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Saviour. To Roger's astonishment the Cadillac pulled over to the side of the road and Mr. Hanover bowed his head and received Christ. Five years went by, and in Chicago one day Roger decided to look up Hanover Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but he could see Mrs. Hanover. A little confused as to what was going on, he was ushered into a lovely office and found himself facing a keen-eyed woman in her fifties. She extended her hand. “You knew my husband?” Roger told how her husband had given him a ride when hitchhiking home after the war. “Can you tell me when that was?” asked Mrs. Hanover. “It was May 7, five years ago, the day I was discharged from the army.” Mrs. Hanover asked, “Was there anything special about that day?” A bit hesitant he replied, “That day I explained the Gospel to him and He received Christ.” Explosive sobs shook her body. Getting a grip on herself, she sobbed, “I had prayed for my husband's salvation for years. I believed God would save him.” “And,” said Roger, “Where is your husband, Mrs. Hanover?” She replied, “He was in a car crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home.” Roger never knew May 7 would be Mr. Hanover’s last day on earth. Had he ignored the Spirit’s leading, Mr. Hanover would be spending eternity without Christ. But because he listened to God and allowed God to work through him, he was able to lead Mr. Hanover to Christ! Many times we as Christians fail to obey God’s call to witness because of pride. “What will someone think?” “What if they reject me?” “I’m not a good speaker.” “There will be other people to tell them.” But Christ made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of man to endure the Cross for us. If He left Heaven’s throne for us, can we not simply talk to someone else about Him? Do you ever find yourself ignoring God’s leading to witness? We are all guilty of not obeying God’s every impulse. Rather than thinking of what others will think of you, think of what Christ will think if you fail to witness to them. Commit right now to being sensitive to God’s leading in the area of witnessing and let Him use you to tell others of His love. To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 105-106 • 1 Corinthians 3

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 19 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Working Behind the Scenes by Dr. Paul Chappell “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 God's ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes which He is behind. Newscaster Paul Harvey told a remarkable story of God's providential care over thousands of Allied prisoners during World War II, many of whom were Christians. One of America's mighty bombers took off from the island of Guam headed for Kokura, Japan, with a deadly cargo. Because clouds covered the target area, the sleek B-29 circled for nearly an hour until its fuel supply reached the danger point. The captain and his crew, frustrated because they were right over the primary target yet not able to fulfill their mission, finally decided they had better go for the secondary target. Changing course, they found that the sky was clear. The command was given, “Bombs away!” and the B-29 headed for its home base. Some time later an officer received some startling information from military intelligence. Just one week before that bombing mission, the Japanese had transferred one of their largest concentrations of captured Americans to the city of Kokura. Upon reading this, the officer exclaimed, “Thank God for that protecting cloud! If the city hadn't been hidden from the bomber, it would have been destroyed and thousands of American men would have died.” God's ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes which He is behind. Many times we can view a trial or an unexpected situation in our lives as something we have to fix, but just as the pilot couldn’t see the prisoners under the cloud, so we cannot always see God’s purpose behind the trial. We must simply trust Him. Second Corinthians 1:9-10 says, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church that no matter what happened, God was in control. He says, “God has delivered us from eternal death; will He not deliver us from these temporary struggles?” It is only natural for us as humans to seek to solve our own problems. Maybe you’re like me and try to analyze, reanalyze, plan, and strategize on how to fix those unexpected situations that come into your life. But God says, “I have everything in control! Don’t worry yourself about what I bring into your life. Have I not promised to take care of you?” As His children, we need to learn to trust our Heavenly Father. God has a plan for everything that comes into our lives whether it seems good or bad to us. We need to let Him have control. While that seems easy to say and believe when things are going well, trusting Christ in the midst of a trial is sometimes a difficult thing. It’s not always easy to trust when the storm clouds circle over us, but God promises to be with us no matter what comes into our lives. What storm clouds have come into your life? Rather than trying to figure everything out, place the situation in God’s hands and let Him have full control. After all, you never know when that storm cloud is protecting you from something else. To hear Daily in the Word, the daily radio broadcast of Dr. Paul Chappell, or to subscribe to the daily podcast, please visit dailyintheword.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 103-104 • 1 Corinthians 2

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 16 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 16 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Dr. Ward R. Williams Ph. D., University of Minnesota, is the Author of The Life Of Christ Course on Bible Student .com. ... Dr. Williams has served as Registrar at Southern California Bible College, Vice President at Southeastern Bible College , Academic Dean at Evangel College and Trinity Bible College Author: BibleCollege Tags: bible study christian god church religion christ salvation christianity free sermons faith gospel sermon outlines jesus preaching scripture evangelism commentary search kjv missionaries mission intern Posted: 16 August 2008 Rating: 0.0 Votes: 0

Three Steps to Financial Success by Dr. Paul Chappell “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:17–20 God blessed you with your finances, so shouldn’t He have control of them? What should our attitude be toward the things of this world? We’ve seen that the mentality of the world is an ungrateful, self-deserving attitude. We’ve seen that materialism can lead someone away from the Heavenly Father and can place possessions between the Christian and God. But do we sell everything we own and live a life of poverty to combat materialism? I believe God blesses us with material and financial wealth so that we may honor Him with them. Here are a few ways we can manage our finances without becoming materialistic in our society. First, stop and think. Luke 15:17 says, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” The prodigal son came to himself. For a moment of time he stopped thinking about his own wants, desires, and gain, and realized just where he was financially. It was as if he was living life in the fast lane, going his own way and doing his own thing, but while in a pig pen he finally stopped and thought about where he was and what he was doing. Many times it takes a pig pen before people will stop to consider what they are striving for in life. Sadly it will take a disaster, loss of finances, or some trial to hit before the Christian seeking after possessions realizes their misplaced priorities. Second, sit down and write out a financial plan. Verse 18 shows the son’s next actions, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” He was meditating and thinking about his next step in recovering from the debt he was in. Do you have a financial plan? Do you have a plan for how you will use the resources God has blessed you with? Make sure to seek first the kingdom of God as Matthew 6:33 says. Put Him and His work at the top of your financial priorities. Pray for God to show you how He would have you spend your resources and let Him guide your finances. Last, work your plan. Your plan is only effective if you follow through with it. The prodigal son could have realized his need to return to his father, but it wasn’t until he got up out of the pig pen and journeyed home that his fellowship was restored. Are you allowing God to be the center of your financial plan? Is His work at the top of your giving list? Take time right now to stop and think about where you are financially. Reflect on all God has given you and how you are using those resources. Next, if you don’t already have a financial plan, take time to write one out. Pray over it and let God show you how He desires you to use your finances. Then work your plan! As you place God above all other financial priorities He promises to continue blessing you. To hear Daily in the Word, the daily radio broadcast of Dr. Paul Chappell, or to subscribe to the daily podcast, please visit dailyintheword.org. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 91-93 • Romans 15:1-13

Eternal Investments by Dr. Paul Chappell “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.” Luke 15:14–16 No bank has better interest rates and pays more dividends than the bank of Heaven. There are many myths that are associated with materialism. Many people believe that prosperity will always abound. Whether it was during the “Roaring Twenties” or the prosperity of the 90’s, many people live for the moment with no thought of the future. It seems that people believe if you make enough money and invest it wisely, you will always have enough for a rainy day. But, as was true with the stock market crash of 1929 and with the recent economic struggle, many are beginning to see that the only true form of prosperity is found not in the economy or stocks and bonds, but in the eternal treasure of Heaven. Time and time again we see people of prominence with material wealth but suddenly life ended for them. If there is one thing we learn from the instability and uncertainty of our world is—nothing lasts. Money, possessions, and nobility are only temporary and can easily be lost. But investing in God’s Heavenly “bank” and laying up treasures in Heaven pays dividends beyond measure. Christ made it clear in His earthly teaching that the goal of the Christian life is to honor and glorify God and anything that gets in the way is to be forsaken. In His teaching on treasure, Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” He knew that wherever we placed our treasure or wealth would dictate where our heart would be. When the rich young ruler approached the Lord and sought the secret to gain entrance into eternal life, Christ told Him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). Jesus was not saying salvation is earned by selling everything one has, but that as Christians we should put Christ above all earthly possessions and seek Him. Again in another passage the Lord points out the key to true success, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). So many times Christ shows that our goal should not be to lay up treasures on earth and gain material wealth, but to seek Him and invest our treasure in His work. Where do your finances and possessions lie? Do they come between you and the Lord and keep you from seeking Him? Or are you stewarding your finances and investing in Heavenly treasures? The Lord is clear on what our relationship with possessions should be. Make sure that the devil hasn’t brought your possessions between you and God. Keep Him first in your life and He will provide for your every need! To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com. Daily Bible Reading Psalm 89-90 • Romans 14