What Is Controlling You?

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Ephesians 5:18

In many churches today, there seems to be some misunderstanding of one of the greatest gifts God has given to us, the gift of the Holy Spirit. There are some who say, “You accept Jesus one time, and then, several months later, you have a ‘real great experience,’ and then you really know that you have the Holy Spirit.” The Christian life is not based on experience, feelings, or emotion. It rests on the authority of the Word of God. The Bible says that the body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We cannot follow the Spirit unless we first receive Jesus Christ.

God’s Word says we cannot be filled with an evil substance and His Spirit at the same time. He says, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” This verse is in the imperative mood. This means that every believer is commanded to seek the filling of the Spirit continuously.

Every believer receives the same amount of the Spirit at salvation, but not every person is filled with the Spirit of God. Some people are filled with themselves. Some are filled with rebellion. Others are filled with anger. A Christian must first submit and yield himself to be filled by the Spirit of God. The word “filled” means “to be controlled” by the Holy Spirit. Just like a drunken man is controlled by alcohol, Christians should be controlled and directed by the Spirit of God.

A few years ago I attended a USC football game with a member of our church. He did not tell me that there was an eighty percent chance of rain, and I had no umbrella! Do you know what unsaved people do to get warm when they are cold? They drink alcohol. They guzzle it down. We stood in line at the concession stand to buy some hotdogs. People were drunk before the game even started! Some of them had to be directed to where the line was. Ironically, behind the hotdog concession stand booth hung a big sign, “Don’t Drink and Drive.” Yet those selling the beer were filling sixty thousand fools with alcohol, knowing that all of them would drive home. That is our society. They say, “Don’t drink and drive. It’s three dollars a cup; get all you want.”

As we develop a heart for God, we need to ask ourselves the question, “What controls me? Who controls me?” The Bible says that we should be filled with the Spirit. If we are filled with the Spirit, we will be controlled by the Spirit.

If a man and a woman, a mother and a father, or a child and a parent will both yield to and be filled with the Spirit of God, they can walk in harmony. Amos 3:3 asks us “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The Bible says the way Christians agree is through the power and unity of the Holy Spirit. When you hear of Christians, families, or churches not getting along, always remember the word ‘pride’.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:10a, “Only by pride cometh contention.” We say, “I know more than that woman! I know more than that husband of mine! I know more than that preacher! I know how to run this company!” “Only by pride cometh contention.” A man and woman can only walk together in the same direction and with the same purpose when they humble themselves to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ask yourself today “What is controlling me?” Fill in the following blank: “My life is controlled by ________.” Is it God’s Holy Spirit or is it something else? If you truly want to see God change your life, and the lives of those around you, pray today that God would empty you of yourself and fill you with His Holy Spirit! Romans 15:13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

by Dr. Paul Chappell
(Lancaster Baptist Church - California)

Giving Thanks in Faith

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Daniel 6:5 “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

We are prone to give thanks at the moment of blessing. It really doesn’t take faith to give thanks in the moment of blessing, but it certainly requires faith to be thankful when the outcome has yet to be revealed. For example, how about a newlywed husband sitting down for the first Thanksgiving meal and giving thanks for a turkey that he hopes will be edible.

In the late 1800’s, George Müller operated an orphanage that at one time had 1000 orphans. His workers warned him one evening that they had no food for the morning meal the next day. The next morning, he called all the children and staff to the dining table. They prayed and thanked God for the provision of food, even though there was no food. A few moments later a man knocked on the door. He was a driver of a bakery wagon, and while taking bread to the market, his wagon broke down. He said, “This bread will spoil if it is not eaten. Would you want any of this bread?” George Müller gave thanks, even when it took faith to give thanks.

Here we see Daniel giving thanks in the midst of opposition. Daniel was a young and godly Jew who lived in Babylon during the time of captivity. Throughout his life he had lived with integrity. Now in his eighties, he is still facing opposition. The Persians were now ruling in Babylon. Daniel 6:4-5 says, “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

You see, Daniel’s faith had made him a target. Anytime you take a firm stand, as Daniel had all of his life, you will face opposition. The Persians resented Daniel for his godliness and Daniel 6:7 says, “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”

However, notice what Daniel did. Daniel 6:10 says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” In the face of a death sentence, Daniel kneels toward Jerusalem, and offers thanks to the Lord. Notice, “When he knew the decree had been signed”, he then prayed courageously.

Sure enough, Daniel faced the lions’ den. But what was the result of Daniel’s faith? Daniel 6:22 says, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

Friend, you may be facing a trial and wondering how the Lord will deliver you. Just go ahead and give thanks in faith that God has a bigger plan than we can see and He will bless your faith.

By Dr. Paul Chappell
(Lancaster Baptist Church - California)

The Pure Motives of the Apostle Paul

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1 Thessalonians 2:3-6

“For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of coveteousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”


As we begin our walk with the Lord today, let’s look at a biblical strategy Paul used as he ministered in the church at Thessalonica. In 1 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul says, “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.” This verse refers to the purity of Paul’s motives.

Without a doubt, there were those who questioned the motives of Paul. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 states that “we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” This means that there were people who were questioning him and slandering his name as He preached the Word of God. In the midst of this trial, Paul says, “For neither at any time used we flattering words….” It is to Paul’s credit that he was not deceitful in manipulating the Word of God, but pure in his motive of reaching others for Christ.

This passage also tells us that Paul’s ministry was not self-centered. In verse 6, we read, “Nor of men sought we glory….” Here is a man who was not trying to please others by using flattering words to gain their praise, he was simply preaching the Word of God and doing what God had called him to do.

Paul exemplified His Master by exhibiting the characteristics of a servant leader.

Philippians 2:5-7 states, “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.” Thank God that Jesus Christ “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” and died on the cross for you and me. The Apostle Paul took the Lord Jesus Christ as his example. Instead of worrying about man’s opinion of him, he was concerned with pleasing his Heavenly Father.

In the twenty-first century, we need Christians who serve the Lord with pure motives. Whether we like it or not, we are under close scrutiny by those who don’t know the Saviour. Like the testimony of the Apostle Paul, may our lives reflect Jesus Christ today. I often say, “When the motives are pure, the vision is clear.” May our motives be pure, so that we can have a clear vision in sharing the Gospel with a lost and dying world.

by Dr. Paul Chappell
(Lancaster Baptist Church - California)