My Grandmother Chappell, who lives in Cortez, Colorado, spent most of last month in the hospital. Due to the critical nature of her heart problems, Terrie and I drove quickly back to Colorado to spend some time with her. My grandfather went home to be with the Lord last year, and we felt we should take this opportunity while we could.

My grandparents were saved in the 1940s as the result of an American Sunday School Union missionary who went from farm to farm in Southwest Colorado.

As a lay preacher, my grandfather established two churches. One of those churches is in the Mormon town of Moab, Utah, and is a thriving, Gospel-preaching church to this day.

My grandmother has hosted literally thousands of people in her home and has been a faithful soulwinner, even during these difficult days with her health.

It was a tremendous blessing for Terrie and I to hear, once again, her testimony of salvation and her desire to see the Lord at her appointed time. She reminded us of her continual prayers on our behalf and she truly rejoices in every victory here at our church in Southern California.

Her new pastor, Brother Andrew Reed, is a graduate of West Coast Baptist College. I had the privilege of preaching for Brother Reed at the Lighthouse Baptist Church on Wednesday night while we were visiting my grandmother. The church is thankful to have a young pastor who is committed to the faith and the expositional preaching of the Word of God. Terrie and I enjoyed the opportunity to encourage Andrew and Angela in their new ministry for this special church, where many of our relatives attend.

I believe some of the greatest blessings upon my life and ministry are the direct result of prayer warriors like a godly grandmother. I truly thank the Lord for her and for the time we were able to spend together!

Words cannot express how my heart is overflowing with joy as a result of the Twenty-first Anniversary and Spiritual Leadership Conference! I believe I feel this joy because of the great times of preaching and encouragement that were experienced by all in attendance.

Our theme, For the Faith, permeated the entire week. It was a blessing to see God’s people encouraging one another to stand for the faith in this day of compromise and uncertainty.

The Wednesday night message by Dr. David Gibbs emphasized the necessity of walking and living in the power of God. I am constantly mindful of the fact that without our Lord we can do nothing!

I always enjoy the opportunities we are given at the conference to honor special men of God who have served faithfully. This year it was a joy to remember the faithfulness of men like Dr. Wayne Hardy, Pastor Dan Hampton, Dr. Eldon Martens, Dr. Ed Johnson, and the faithful single missionary, Margaret Stringer, who served for forty years in Papua New Guinea.

One day when we are with the Lord in Heaven, it will be a great joy to sing His praises and to gather with the saints! Until then, conferences like this are truly heartwarming and helpful for our journey on this earth.

In our twenty-one years at Lancaster Baptist Church we have been in a constant state of building. The largest building on our campus, both in size and in cost, is currently being built.

The Young Adult Educational Building is a building dedicated to the faith of Jesus Christ. This building will be the training ground for college students who will become grounded in the faith and prepared for lives of ministry.

One of the dreaded terms in a building program is the term “change order.” Change orders are the result of architectural error, customer request, or in some cases, a fire department regulation. Whatever the cause of the change order, there is always a cost associated with it!

First Ground Breaking

During building programs, I am always thankful for two attributes of my God. First, I thank God for His faithfulness, for with Him there are no change orders!

Secondly, I thank God for His sovereignty. Even though I experience many challenges to my faith and many obstacles during a building program, I always find rest in the fact that God saw them before I ever knew of them and that He has already prepared a way for me to have victory.

I would ask you to take a moment to pray for this project today. Pray that God will provide the finances and that He will provide wisdom as we develop this great building for His honor and glory.

This upcoming Sunday Terrie and I will celebrate our 21st anniversary at Lancaster Baptist Church. As I look back at the great work that God has done through the ministry here, I am so thankful just to be a part. To the glory of God we have seen souls saved, lives changed, and miracles take place here at Lancaster Baptist.

Anniversaries are great times to make resolutions and renew our commitments. Although we have seen much accomplished for the faith in twenty-one short years, the world is moving away from truth just as quickly. And while this Sunday will be a time of reminiscing and celebrating, I stand resolved in my purpose and commitment to continue sharing the faith of the Gospel.

This past Sunday night I preached a message to our church family entitled, “Resolutions for the Faith”. Here are the main thoughts. I hope they will be a challenge to you today.

Resolutions for the Faith
Jude 3

I. Resolve to Stand in the Faith

A. The Faith is Our Foundation ~ I Corinthians 16:13
B. The Faith is Our Defense ~ I Peter 5:8-9

II. Resolve to Be Stabilized in the Faith
A. Some Will Depart ~ 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 1:19-20
B. Some Will Drift ~ Ephesians 4:13
C. Some Will Develop ~ Colossians 2:7

III. Resolved to Strive For the Faith
A. Strive with One Spirit ~ Acts 2:46
B. Strive with One Mind ~ Joshua 1:8
C. Strive with One Goal – To Please Him! ~ 2 Timothy 2:4

Have a great day, and pray for the Spiritual Leadership Conference this week at Lancaster Baptist!