Mountain Springs Baptist Church

06/23/2026

06/23/2026

Spoken and Fulfilled
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
by Dr. Paul Chappell

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
1 Kings 8:15-16

Before his death, David instructed his son Solomon to take the things that he had already prepared and use them to build the Temple that would be a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant. David wanted to do that himself, but God had different plans. “But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood” (1 Chronicles 28:3). Solomon spent seven years early in his reign on the project, using carefully crafted stones and wooden beams, and gold and silver and brass for the altars and tools. When the work was completed, he held a great dedication ceremony for the whole nation of Israel. In his remarks, he highlighted a crucial truth about God—everything He says He will do.

God does not make empty promises. He does not say one thing and then later change His mind. Everything He says He will do. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

God does not work on our schedule, but the fact that something He has promised is delayed does not mean it is uncertain. Once God says something, it is settled forever. He fulfills all His promises and commitments, and we can fully trust every one of them. Though others may break promises and let us down, we never need fear that God will fail.

Today's Growth Principle
No passage of time can never change the faithfulness of God to keep every one of His promises.

06/22/2026

Is your faith built on truth or just what you want to hear? The Bible warns that people will seek out teachers who tell them what they want, not what they need. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever — and that never changes. Don't let shifting doctrines shake your foundation.

06/22/2026

Present with the Lord
Monday, June 22, 2026
by Dr. Paul Chappell

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:5-8

John Todd, who pastored churches across New England for almost fifty years, suffered the loss of both of his parents when he was just a little boy. An aunt offered to take him into her home and raised him as her own. Decades later when she was dying, she wrote him asking for comfort. He responded by telling her the story of the day he came to live with her. When he asked if she would be awake, the man taking him said, “She’ll stay up for you. When we get out o' these here woods, you'll see her candle shinin' in the window.”

Todd wrote, "Presently, we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me—a tired and bewildered little boy. You had a fire burning on the hearth and a hot supper waiting on the stove. Some day soon God will send for you to take you to a new home. Don't fear the summons, the strange journey, or the messenger of death. At the end of the road, you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God's care."

Unless the Lord returns first, all of us will one day face death. But while death is one of the greatest fears for the world, for a child of God it is merely the doorway into His presence. We have His good and faithful promise and He will never leave us. “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).

Today's Growth Principle
God's promise of Heaven is certain and sure, and we need have no fear of either the future or of death.

06/21/2026

SUN PM - 06/14/26

06/21/2026

SUN AM --06/21/26

06/21/2026

Our Fathers Told Us
Sunday, June 21, 2026
by Dr. Paul Chappell

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
Judges 6:12-13

Gideon lived in a time when the people of Israel had largely turned away from God. Many of them were worshiping the same idols as the Canaanites among whom they lived. In judgment God allowed an enemy to triumph in battle over Israel, and as a result they were living in desperation. Even the people who still believed God’s promises were not seeing Him in their daily lives. Gideon did not have confidence in God’s presence despite the fact that he was talking to “the angel of the LORD” which was an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Himself. Despite all that God had done in the past, there was a disconnect. Gideon pointed out that the stories of God’s miracles in the past had been spoken of, but the people of his generation had not seen God at work.

One of the most important things parents and grandparents, and especially fathers can do is live in such a way that God is obviously and observably at work in their lives. It’s good to tell children and grandchildren what God used to do in the past. Those blessings should never be forgotten or overlooked. But it is even better to show them what He is doing today. If those who come after us only hear about a God who works miracles and meets needs, their faith will be weak if it exists at all. Young or old, this should be the prayer of every father: “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalm 71:18).

Today's Growth Principle
Every day is a new opportunity to show our children and grandchildren that God is real and working in our lives.