The Fallacy of Human Experience

Human Experience Is Untrustworthy
Many people, both saved and unsaved, fall into the error that feelings and emotional experiences are to be sought after. They think they can know and experience God on the basis of human emotional and aesthetic experiences. Such people sometimes leave out the Word of God as a source of truth and use experience as a basis of their doctrine and teaching. In this way, Satan can enter in and give experiences of an emotional nature totally contrary to what the Word of God teaches.

This is a very dangerous thing, for then what people believe is tied to their vacillating emotions and colored by their personal bias. These emotions and biases may be instigated by Satan and his demons. Many hold to the doctrine of speaking in tongues, visions, and dreams as a means to gain experiences with God.

There is no need for visions -- Colossians 2:18-23.
There is no need for new revelation -- Colossians 2:8; Rev. 22:18,19
There is no need for emotional experiences to try and gain new truth.
Doctrine is never based upon human experience in life, but upon the sure Word of God.

Human Reason Is Incapable
God’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts -- Isaiah 55:7-9
Unsaved man cannot think “right” -- I Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:17-18
Unsaved man’s wisdom is faulty -- II Timothy 3:7; James 3:14; I Cor. 1:18-25
Paul never trusted human wisdom -- I Corinthians 2:1-5

Man has tended to deify reason, science, and education. In doing so they have rejected the divine revelation of the Bible. Faith is not an unreasonable thing. It is the highest logic to accept and believe the Bible.

How pitiful is the world that is deluded into the belief that human reason is sufficient for all things. Much of the doctrine of churches today is based upon nothing but human experience, tradition, whatever is culturally relevant or acceptable to the masses, rather than the “thus saith the Lord.” (Colossians 2:6-10)

The Importance of Character

Someone has said, “The unsoundness of a vessel is not seen when it is empty; but when it is filled with water.” This is when you will see if it will leak or not. As hard as you may examine the vessel, you will not truly know its performance until it is filled. Mankind is tested by adversity and by prosperity. Most of us understand how adversity can test us. Often we do not consider how prosperity can try us and our character. We find it difficult to believe that blessings can cause us harm. We fail to recognize that the character of a Christian is not fully discovered until he has been tried by the fullness of success.

Proverbs 10:9 says, “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” God wants us to use the good things in our lives for His glory. Let me share three tests that prosperity poses to our character:

1. Praise Often Finds Pride
As Christians we must remember the Bible command to be humble. If we “die to self” daily, as the Apostle Paul instructs us, we will be able to handle the praise that is heaped upon us when we succeed. We must beware when we are praised by men. We may start believing what they say, and pride will creep into our lives. Our lack of character will eventually show on the outside. Some gifted men handle praise very well, others become very egotistical and demanding. We must guard against developing an attitude of superiority rather than servanthood.

2. Wealth Often Finds Selfishness
Dr. Lee Roberson used to say, “Millions of dollars have passed through these hands but none of it stuck!” When we become successful because of wealth, we must remember Who gives wealth. We must also be aware of Who gives the wisdom to obtain wealth. Christian character guards against selfishness and continues to give to God and others in need.

3. Education Often Finds Arrogance
First Corinthians 8:1 says “…we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” We know that knowledge and wisdom are important, but we must exercise caution. Education can lead to unbelief. You can educate yourself to a point that you no longer rely on God for wisdom. You can read the wrong sources or sit at the feet of scoffers and end up denying the God that you believed by faith. Godly character disciplines us to rely on God and His Word to guide us in life matters.

Beware lest the prosperity that you prayed for becomes the great test that you end up dreading because it exposes who you really are! In the Bible, Job did well with this. Joseph and Daniel also handled their success in the right way. King Saul did not fair as well. Nor did Lot or Haman handle praise and success correctly.

John Wooden, the famous UCLA head coach would tell his players: “Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” When Christians get in trouble with their reputation (what people think of them), it is the result of a character flaw. Often they respond by blaming others and lashing out at them. They feel sorry for themselves and how they are being treated. Remember, you cannot fix other people. You can fix yourself but that takes character!

As Christians, we need to strive for success. Our strong Christian character needs to stand out to a lost world. The world needs to see Christians who can handle adversity as well as success. Success tests the crucible of our Christian character! Let’s remember who we are and Who brought success our way.

Running with Patience

If you are not a runner, you may not think of the words "run" and "patience" in the same sentence. After all, if you're running, you want to get somewhere fast! But if you've invested your time and energy in grueling practices and willed yourself to the finish line on a race track, you understand the importance of patience in running.

Winning the race requires the intensity of running and the determination of patience. Without patience to train and press on to the finish line, even the most talented runners would never win.

Born prematurely at 4 1/2 pounds, no one would have guessed the future of Wilma Rudolph. At age 4, she contracted polio, which twisted her left leg and foot and required her to wear braces. Doctors were confident that she would never walk again.

Taking advantage of any shred of hope, the doctors instructed Wilma's mother on how to massage Wilma's leg to prevent her from remaining permanently crippled. These massages were administered faithfully.

During a routine doctor visit, Wilma shocked her doctor when she removed her heavy brace and walked across the room without it. She then disclosed her secret - persistently and painfully, she had forced herself to walk a little each day. This was the turning point for Wilma. Soon, through patience and persistence, she was running.

At age 16, Wilma competed in the 1956 Olympics and returned home with a bronze medal in the 4 X 100-meter relay. Four years later, she returned from the 1960 Olympics with three gold medals - the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 4 X 100 meter relays.

Wilma's life demonstrates the necessity of patience in running a race. Without the patience to willingly endure pain, Wilma would never have walked without her brace, and she certainly would never have competed in the Olympic Games.

Patience in a race is the ability to endure until the finish line. It is the inner strength to refuse to become frustrated and quit when one is exhausted or cramping or injured.

Perhaps you are experiencing difficulties and have been tempted to fall out of your Christian race. Don't give up! Instead, grow in patience!

Hebrews 10:35-36
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

When situations come into our lives that require us to develop patience, we mature spiritually.

James 1:3-4
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The runner has patience to continue his race because he remembers the end. He knows he will not run indefinitely. By running with patience, he will reach the finish line and victory.

The Christian runner, too, is encouraged when he remembers that as he trusts the Lord with patience, at the end of every trial, God has blessings. Trials don't last forever, but they do yield great joys. James 5:11 says, "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

Knowing When to Zip Our Lips

Keep yourself from gossip.

Here is a simple formula that should be applied before speaking of any person or subject that has uncertainty tied to it.

T--Is it true? (Know this for sure.)
H--Is it helpful?
I--Is it inspiring?
N--Is it necessary?
K--Is it kind?

Good rule to live by: If what I am about to say does not pass the T.H.I.N.K. test, I will keep my mouth shut!

Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Be An Extension of Your Pastor

I originally posted this article on FRMBC's "Acts 6 Leadership" blog for our leadership. However, I thought it would be good for every member.

Are you a help or a hindrance? You are one or the other.

You can be an extension of your pastor. Extend means to stretch or open to full length; to make longer, broader, or wider: to continue; to prolong; to put forth or hold out, as the hand; to exert to full capacity; to offer something.

You can be an extension of your pastor as you:

Exemplify a yielded spirit. Carry out his philosophy in the ministry and seek to do things the way he would want them done.

Examine your heart. Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” Stay thoroughly right in your relationship with your pastor

Trust his discernment. He might know more about the situation and cannot share details with you.

Encourage those around you. He cannot be everywhere, but you can be his extension. I can help extend my pastor's ministry by helping him so he can use his time to do those things God has called him to do! At church, be positive and appreciative of your fellow members.

Never limit your pastor's vision. Ask yourself, how would he want it done? Don't have tunnel vision and not look around you to see the visitors and the needs. Don't talk to your four friends and forget to look for those who need to be liked and belong and are accepted. I dare you to sit in a different spot or move closer to the front this week in Sunday School or in church!

Have a servant's heart. Be supportive of your pastor in the ministry. Help him serve the Lord.

Have approved initiative. Make sure you have your pastor’s permission to be sure what you’re doing is in line with his vision, then take the initiative to carry out ministry. Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” I admire people who work hard whether “the boss” is looking or not. Stay busy; with permission!

Overlook. (Allow him to make a mistake now and then!)

Never say no. Have a can-do attitude. Some project might seem overwhelming at first. Break it down into workable sections. Have a heart for your ministry.

Capture the heart of your pastor—loving and building people and sharing Christ.

(adapted)

Why I Must Support Christian Education

The Short Answer—I Can't Do Anything Else

Proverbs 19:27 “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”

Philosophically, I Cannot Do Anything Else.

The above text says for us to command our children to stop hearing those who teach them contrary to the Bible. My faith is the most precious thing that I have. I cannot send my children to a Catholic Sunday School because the teachers there would teach them contrary to my faith. Neither can I send my children to a humanist Monday school because the teachers there will teach them contrary to the scriptures.

Proverbs 22:15 says, “The rod and reproof give wisdom but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” The older my children get, the gladder I am that I did not give up during the tough times! I see in my grown, older children a worldview that comes from their training at home and at school.

It is sad to me when parents give their children a choice about one of the most important things in their life: their education. God gave parents the duty of “bringing up their children” not of allowing them to bring themselves up. As a parent, I am to guide my child, I am not to allow them to guide me. (By the way, parents, that means that you have to know where you are going and what goals you have for your children).

Christian schools are not found in the Scriptures. However, the command is that we are to train our children in our faith and not to allow others to teach our children (who are so moldable) contrary to our faith. Christian schools and home schools are simply a way to fulfill those commands.

Practically, I Cannot Do Anything Else.

One million girls will become pregnant outside of wedlock before graduation day. Before they leave high school, 1.2 million boys will become sexually active. One third of all school children will be so poorly educated they will function under their own intelligence capabilities. All public school students will be taught the untenable and unbelievable theory of evolution. Few will learn the undeniable truth that there is more evidence to support the belief that man was really created by God.

Most public school students will not learn to read well and many will not learn to write and think clearly at all. Only about 50% will learn enough geography to identify the location of places like Chicago, Miami, Forth Worth, etc. Fewer will learn to locate Germany, Spain, or Saudi Arabia.

They will be exposed to violence, crime, cursing to an extreme, drugs, and sexual promiscuity. Often these things will be condoned by teachers and the administration itself! Many school districts now are exposing their kids to homosexuals and will be taught by sensitivity training that alternative lifestyles are a matter of choice.

If I did not have the conviction from the scriptures, even practically, I cannot send my children into that system.

Purposely, I Cannot Do Anything Else.

I am afraid that many parents do not raise their children on purpose. They simply have no driving purpose that guides their decisions with their home and children. I have one driving desire for my children and that is that they love and serve the wonderful God that I have loved and served.

My prayer and aim is that they either serve the Lord in a full time capacity or be used in a good, Bible believing independent Baptist church to further God’s work. I want them to be ambitious and do well in whatever vocation God calls them into, but business is second, God’s work comes first.

We only have one life and it will soon be past. A hundred years from now it will not make any difference how much money I made. It will make a difference how many souls I influenced for the cause of Christ, how many people I helped along the way, and how I served Him for Whom I was made and redeemed!

Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.” The word “heritage” means ‘loan.’ My children are not mine to raise for myself, they are on loan from the Lord and I must raise them for Him. With these things in mind, I must choose a school that helps me toward my God-given purpose. The will of God must be the driving factor. I know many, many people who live very sacrificially in order to train their children according to The faith.

We only get one opportunity to train our children. Their faith and values cannot be taken for granted. They will learn faith and values. The question is, “Whose faith and whose values will they learn?”

Adapted

10 Ways to Help Your Pastor

Experience the Joy of Helping the Man of God

If you want to be an obedient Christian, you have one of two choices: be the pastor of a Bible-preaching, Bible-practicing Baptist church (if you are called of God to do so, and that you meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1), or help a man who is the pastor of a Bible-preaching, Bible-practicing Baptist church. According to the Word of God, you need your pastor and he needs you! Here are some ways that you can be a tremendous help and blessing to your pastor.
1. Pray for Him and His Family
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Praying for your pastor daily will help him, and it will keep you tender toward his leadership.
2. Show up for the Preaching of God’s Word
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1Peter 5:1-2)
Pastors are commanded to feed the flock. However, they are not commanded to make “home delivery” of the feed. Your pastor cannot feed you if you do not show up for the meal.
It has been said, “Every Christian needs three to thrive: Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night.”
3. Pick a Ministry and Be Faithful in it
Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him . . . (Deuteronomy 6:12-13)
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1Samuel 12:24)
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:26)
Jesus taught that the primary attribute for His followers was faithfulness. Rare is the church member today who can always be counted on for serving faithfully.
4. Obey the Lord in Your Stewardship
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
The church needs your offerings for the Lord’s work. More importantly, you need to be obedient to the Lord and give it. If every church member were obedient about giving, churches would be looking for more good ways to use the Lord’s money.
5. Teach Your Children to Respect Their Pastor
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:7, 17)
Honor, respect, and obey your pastor whomever he happens to be. He may not be your “ideal pastor.” He certainly will not be perfect, but God has placed him in the office of pastor and that office is worthy of respect and honor.
6. Envision a Great Future for Your Church
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)
Focus on the wonderful opportunity you have to see people saved, baptized, growing in the Lord, and serving in the church. Get excited about the events, outreach efforts, and special meetings of the church.
7. Take an Active Part in Making That Vision a Reality
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1: 22-25)
8. Increase Your Love for Your Church Family
Jesus taught that the world would recognize us as His followers by the love that we have for each other.
Be faithful in prayer for one another.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)
Be aware of those who are struggling and look for ways to help.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
Extend personal care to each other—function as the body of Christ.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
9. Share Christ and Your Church With Others
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23)
This is the first step in becoming a soulwinner. Bringing people to church with you is the “entry level” of soulwinning. Anyone and everyone can do it.
10. Keep a Positive Spirit
Determine to focus on the good things in life and the good things about your church. Anybody can criticize. Critics are a dime a dozen.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: (Psalm 146:5)
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1John 5:4)
Encourage your pastor by sharing his vision for your church.

Practical Keys to Happy Living

Psalm 1:1-6
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. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Here are a few practical keys to being happy:

1. Personally know the salvation which is in Jesus Christ.
2. Be an active member of a New Testament Baptist Church.
3. Meditate regularly on God’s Word, the King James Bible.
4. Fulfill you God-given responsibilities.
5. Confess and forsake your sins.
6. Faithfully spend time in prayer to God.
7. Praise and thank God in every situation.
8. Practice the presence of God by disciplining yourself to see all of life and every circumstance from a God-centered point of view.
9. Us the gifts, abilities, and resources God has given you to live for God’s glory and the good of others.
10. Replace every pessimistic, defeatist thought with a Biblical thought.
11. Regularly seek fellowship with God’s people.
12. Focus on becoming more like Jesus Christ in your character and attitude.
13. Take care of yourself physically (sleep, exercise, diet).
14. Enjoy the variety of good things God has provided… in other words, count your many blessings.

Thankful for Christian Education

(This copied article shares my summation of the benefits of true Christian education.)

This past Saturday we had some family time and decided to drive over to the coast for the afternoon. It was one of the most beautiful coastal days I’ve ever seen—the sun was warm, the waves were huge, and it seemed that we had several miles of beach to ourselves. One of the highlights was being able to take a walk along the shore with my daughter, Abbey.
During our walk, Abbey said, “Hey Dad, did you know that the Ocean has paths in it?” “Yes, I said—where did you hear about that?” She replied, “We’re studying oceanography in 4th grade and we learned it from Psalm 8.” Then we looked up Psalm 8 and read it together while we walked by the ocean. And once again, I thanked the Lord for the wonderful teachers and Bible-based education that my children have received.
If you’re investing yourself or your resources into giving your children a biblical education, stay at it—one day they will truly thank you. Nothing could better prepare them for life than having a biblical perspective in a world full of lies!
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Psalms 8

Moving Forward Into The New Year

This was in my inbox this morning:

On this New Year’s Eve, you may be wondering what is going to happen. Years ago, some men were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea. One of them asked the captain, “Are we safe?” He said, “Well, the boilers are weak and may explode at any moment. The ship is taking on water. To be very honest with you, we may go up, or we may go down, but at any rate, we are going on.” And that’s the way we are as we face this new year. Jesus may come; we may go up. We may die, and go down and then up, but at any rate we are going on.

Hosea 6:3 - “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

Reflecting on this past year, allow the Holy Spirit to invade your heart convicting and drawing you to Himself. Ask for wisdom, courage, and faith to continue on whatever happens this next year!

TAKE THE "I" OUT OF YOUR EYE

The Puritans believed sin is the raw material for the heart's idol factory. Idolatry is really about self as the secular trinity: Me, Myself and I. We were created to worship God, but at the root of sin is the idolatry of self-worship. At the heart of idolatry is the desire to control and/or manipulate people or things for the benefit of self. It supplies self-centered desires and comforts.

In spite of God's warning to Israel not to make idols, idolaters did so in order to worship that which they believed God could not supply. Carving of idols is not limited to wood, metal, stone or other materials, but is the end-product of the spirit of idolatry that begins in the heart. Idols are carved because of the false notion that worship of God cannot supply all our needs. We need something more. The spirit of idolatry is not about the object or the other person; it is about self.

The root cause begins with what "I" see with my "Eyes." "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat..." Genesis 3:6. In the end, idolatry turns us away from the love of Christ to the love of self. We will never understand the true love of our Redeemer until we take the "I" out of our "Eye."

Skin-Sin

What does summer mean to you? Some think of an exciting vacation, a family holiday or extended weekends, warm weather, swimming and a gorgeous tan. Yet others find the summer a difficult season struggling with “Skin-Sin.”

Whether going to the beach, pool or the local shopping plaza, many men, young and old, struggle with their thoughts after looking at all the skin that is exposed by some women, young and old, some who may be just trying to stay cool.

Some would look to the women for a solution to this temptation and establish a legalistic definition and ground rules for maintaining modesty. Scripture does say “that women (are to) adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1Tim 2:9, 10) The questions still remain, what does modesty look like, what is proper, what is reasonable?

One Scripture needed to guide the heart of women can be found in Philippians 2:3,4. Here Paul takes the focus off of oneself and puts the primary focus on loving others. He says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” If women only knew the temptation their skin had on men, it would go a long way to encourage a different standard for modesty and address this summer problem. Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

Even though women who are believers can help, men must take responsibility for themselves defeating skin-sin. It might encourage you that Job must have had a similar problem with his eyes and looking at women. He asked God to help him control his eyes and his mind. Men need to be so determined not to commit skin-sin that they make the same covenant with God that Job made. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1)

Paul’s instruction in 2Cor 10:5 places responsibility on men to also control their thought life. Paul told us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Men, be encouraged. It is possible to take control of our thoughts and not let our mind think whatever comes to it. Paul would not have even asked us to think obediently if it were impossible.

So let’s all work together this summer, women and men, young and old, taking responsibility to doing our part in applying God’s Word. Ask God to help us defeat “skin-sin” in our hearts, families and churches.

Different By Divine Design

The Christian life is to be a condition of the heart that shows up in a lifestyle. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to keep a right heart with Him and to live a lifestyle that pleases Him. Yet, many Christians today seem to believe, “God doesn’t care what I do, so long as my heart is right on the inside!”

God desires for His children to have a biblical lifestyle. I challenge other Christians not to separate “who you are” from “how you behave.” If Christ has truly changed us on the inside, we should live very differently from the world and from today’s “pop-culture.” We are to “walk worthy” —to live in a way that outwardly honors the Lord —to allow our relationship with Christ to flow into every act, every word, every thought, every deed, and every attitude of life.

“Have it your way” Christianity is empty, frustrating, self-centered, fruitless, and pointless. God teaches us in His Word that we are to be different — by His design! A godly life is a different life, and God’s way of living is still the best way!

What The Bible Says About Dancing

I posted this on facebook, but for those not on facebook...

Tis the season... proms, weddings, parties - and DANCING. Yes even Christians (so called) get involved in the ungodly practice of dancing. What does the Bible say about it?

If you really want to know, check out the following link:

http://www.frmbc.com/biblestudies.html

then click on the PDF file "What The Bible Teaches About Dancing"