WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

WILL MAINLINE PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS LAST OR DISSOLVE?

Are the number of congregants within the walls of many churches slowly evaporating?

Are denominational loyalties slowing fading away today?

Plus: Catastrophic consequences of man-caused climate change have been forecast for decades.

But, are they evident today?

H. Sterling Burnett: AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Segment Two-Biblical-Literacy with Mark Lanier: What is God’s why?

Part Two: Pulpit sermon at Champion Forest Baptist Church:
   Pastor Jarrett Stephens-The Faith of Abel…

Today’s closing prayer:
Glorious Father,
Today, bring us one day closer to looking fully into the eyes of your precious son, Jesus.
Someday, the clouds will part and the toils of life will be over and we will tread the streets of gold

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

WILL MAINLINE PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS LAST OR DISSOLVE?

Discussed by Mark Tooley
with Institute on Religion and Democracy www.theIRD.org

Why have mainline Protestant denominations been declining for the past 60 years?

Today, Mark Tooley with The Institute on Religion and Democracy explains why congregations have been declining and gives a little history of mainline denominations in America.

Click here to read Mark Tooley’s op-ed on this topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are the number of congregants within the walls of many churches slowly evaporating?

How did congregants once show their loyalty to  specific denomination? Mark Tooley discusses how people, at one time, were completely devoted to their church – even proud of it!

Has tithing dwindled over the past few decades?

Are denominational loyalties slowing fading away today?

Will most mainline denominations be little more than shells in ten years?

BUT WHY? Why are denominations in America slowly evaporating?

Will American religion historians debate the ending of Protestant denominations in 100 years?

Click here to help support The Institute on Religion and Democracy.

AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Discussed by Sterling Burnett
with The Heartland Institute (www.Heartland.org)

Catastrophic consequences of man-caused climate change have been forecast for decades. But, are they evident today?

Today, Sterling Burnett discusses the latest in climate change hysteria in the agriculture community. Sterling Burnett is a research fellow on environmental policy at The Heartland Institute and the managing editor of Environment & Climate News.

Click here to read more information on this important issue rom Sterling Burnett.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Have modern farming techniques prevented the starvation of roughly one billion people in developing countries?

Has land across the world used exclusively for farming declined over the past few decades?

Is feeding the world’s growing population of grave concern? Sterling Burnett believes everyone should care about starvation and there are solutions. The environmentalists just don’t like those solutions.

Who is making the decision on who can use fossil fuels and who is banned?

Are the predictions of climate change alarmists coming true?

Mankind is resilient and adaptive. What is the best way to help mankind avoid starvation while also improving health and longevity?

Click here to help support The Heartland Institute.

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHILDREN

Discussed by Sara Tracey
with The What's UP Radio Program

Lord, I pray that my children would understand their need for Jesus and rejoice in the good news of the Gospel. (Psalm 68:19-20)

Lord, I pray that my children will love learning and that their hearts would seek to understand the world you have created. (Proverbs 15:14)

I pray that as they learn about your world, they would behold the majesty of your glory. (Psalm 19:1)

Lord, I pray that you would surround them with friends who make wise choices and encourage their faith. (Proverbs 13:20)

I pray that their teachers would be wise and gentle. (Proverbs 15:2,4)

Lord, I pray that they would work with diligence and put forth their best efforts. (Proverbs 13:4)

I pray that they would be thoughtful with their words and respectful with their replies. (Proverbs 15:28)

Lord, I pray that you would free them from the pressure of trying to be like everyone else by instilling in them the confidence that they are uniquely made by you. (Psalm 139:14)

I pray that they would receive correction well. (Proverbs 15:31-32)

I pray that they would share their faith with others. (Psalm 145:11-12)

I pray that when they do what is wrong, they would bear consequences that lead them to repentance. I pray that when they do what is right, you would bless their obedience that they may learn to love your ways. (Proverbs 14:14)

I pray that your Word would be on their hearts and in their minds as they learn. (Proverbs 16:20)

I pray that they would be kind to others. (Proverbs 21:21)

I pray that you would give them the grace of self-control. (Proverbs 25:28)

Lord, I pray that your grace would rest upon my children. (Psalm 90:17)

I pray that you would protect them from all evil. (Psalm 121:1-2,7)

More than anything else, may their lives glorify you! (Psalm 86:12)

WHAT IS GOD’S WHY?

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

WHAT IS YOUR WHY? WHY DO YOU GO TO CHURCH? WHY ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? MORE IMPORTANTLY: WHAT IS GOD’S WHY? WHY DOES GOD HAVE YOU IN CHURCH?

WHERE DO WE FIND OUR WHY?

Before the summer break, Mark Lanier was teaching on the Book of Romans. Last week, Mark picked up the series with Romans 5, reminding us of the grace and peace we have been given through the blood of Jesus Christ. This week, he continues with chapter 5, using a song for each separate text to explain God’s Why.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

REVIEW:

How did the death of Christ give us access to God? (Romans 5:2)

Are you able to boast in suffering? Do you have joy in all circumstances? (Romans 5:3)

Do you live your life knowing that God has poured out His love into your heart through the Holy Spirit? (Romans 5:5)

ROMANS 5:6-9

Who did Christ die for? Mark explains why Paul called the Romans (and US) “weak sinners”.

Was being called “ungodly” a massive insult in Ancient Times?

For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

A FAITH THAT SPEAKS

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 2

A FAITH THAT SPEAKS GIVES GOD THE VERY BEST.

Pastor Jarrett Stephens began a new sermon series last week entitled MORE telling stories about ordinary people who trusted God in extraordinary ways from the Book of Hebrews. And maybe – just maybe – you will be challenged to step beyond complacency and embrace a faith that is active, resilient, and fully surrendered.

This week, he preaches about the faith of Abel – yes, the Abel who was killed by his own brother, Cain. If Abel was so faithful, why did he die in the manner in which he did?

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:4

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Who was Abel? Did he have a faith for the ages? What can we learn about faith from Abel? (Genesis 4:1-8) Pastor Jarrett tells the story of Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel.

TRUST GOD WHOLEHEARTEDLY

Question to ponder: Has God ever failed you? (Psalm 37:25; Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 Kings 8:61; Psalm 119:2; Proverbs 3:5)

The word “faith” is mentioned THREE times in Hebrews 11:4. Why? Is faith really that important?

Has God earned your trust? Pastor Jarrett shares what he told his daughters when he got them their first cell phone.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church, click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Glorious Father,

Today bring us one day closer to looking fully into the eyes of your precious son, Jesus.

Someday, the clouds will part and the toils of life will be over and we will tread the streets of gold.

Just one glimpse of him in glory and we will shout and sing the victory!

Let us then be true and faithful, fully trusting and serving, resting in your mercy and grace.

Hear our pleas for lost and wandering loved ones and friends. May today be the day they bend their knees in accepting your free gift of salvation. May none be left behind.

Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and continue Kingdom-building while here on this side of glory.

All for the cause of Christ, in whose name we pray,

Amen.