WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Is it OK to break traffic Laws?

Does breaking traffic laws condition us to break God’s Law?

And: the holidays are really tough for many.

How to prepare for ‘those’ memories during the holidays.

How to help others who may be grieving.

Second Segment of Mark Lanier's Biblical-Literacy Lesson:
  The Marriage Lesson.

Second Segment of Pastor Jarrett Stephens' Recent Sermon @ Champion Forest -  A Triumphant Faith.

Today’s closing prayer:
Father God,
You, and you alone, are worthy of our praise and adoration.
May our hearts be fully committed to you, Lord, to live by your decrees and obey your commands. more below…

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.

DOES GOD’S LAW TRUMP TRAFFIC LAWS? OUCH!

Discussed by Pastor Ed Ethridge – Retired
with Truth for You Ministries (www.truthforyou.net/)

Because of my disobedience, I have conditioned myself to accept or disregard traffic laws. Has this pre-conditioning of choosing when to obey spilled over into my spiritual life?

Today, Pastor Ed Ethridge gives us hope and encouragement as we navigate life as sinners in need of a Savior.

Click here for more information about Pastor Ed Ethridge and Truth for You Ministries.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Has God clearly communicated His precepts and teachings to us?

Are God’s guardrails designed to protect us from pain and sorrow?

Does our disobedience cause God pain? Pastor Ed discusses God’s discipline for His children – believer and non-believer alike – and His sadness when we disregard His Word and plan for our lives.

If you have questions about God, Jesus, or salvation, please feel free to contact Pastor Ed here.

HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS WHILE GRIEVING FROM LOSS

Discussed by Rob Jackson
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Many of us have suffered pain from the loss of a loved one – whether that’s from dying, estrangement of a child, divorce, or just separation from family and friends due to moving away.

Today, Rob Jackson gives some hope and encouragement to those who may be grieving in some way. Rob is a licensed counselor with Focus on the Family.

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are there different types of grieving? Rob calls them “stages”, explaining why he actually doesn’t like to put a label on grieving at all.

The holidays can be tough. How can we prepare for an onslaught of emotions?

How can those who are not grieving help those who are? Rob says a great question to ask is: “How can I serve you during this loss?”

Can changes send some people, especially children, into a downward spiral?

Should parents tend to their own grief first before addressing their children’s grief? Rob explains why this is so important – even if it sounds wrong.

Is it important to acknowledge our pain?

While honoring old traditions, can we create and begin new traditions?

Click here for more information about mental health awareness and free resources from Focus on the Family. You can also call 1.800.AFAMILY

DEVELOPING A THANKFUL HEART

Discussed by Dr. Daniel Huerta
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Thanksgiving is just right around the corner, which always brings up the topic of thankfulness. Is it too easy to just say “Thank you” without really having a thankful heart?

Danny Huerta is the Vice President of Parenting at Focus on the Family. Danny believes that true gratitude is a way of viewing things; it’s a state of amazement over all the things God has given us and done for us.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What is Thanksgiving all about?

How can we develop a thankful heart?

How can parents develop a thankful heart in their children? “For kids, it starts off as an emotion,” Danny says. “Help them process and recognize that feeling of thankfulness and then develop that into an attribute.”

Are “Thank You Cards” still relevant and important today?

Has your family started a “Thank You Jar”? Why not???

Click here  for more on this topic from Focus on the Family.

THE MARRIAGE PRINCIPLE

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

Day 2

Over the past several weeks, as part of his lesson series on Romans, Mark Lanier has looked at Romans 6 and Paul’s warning to the people (and to us) about the consequence of sin. This week, he begins to break down Paul’s interjection of the law in Romans 7, specifically the changes in the marriage law in the Torah before Christ and what it means now after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

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:

How did Paul explain the Gospel of Christ? How is his explanation different than others? Mark shares some advice his old college professor, Charles Mickey, gave him years ago when he first taught on the Book of Romans.

THE MARRIAGE PRINCIPLE (Romans 7:1)

When Paul was writing about the importance of keeping the law, why did he specifically write about the marriage law and the consequences of breaking the marriage vows?

What are some of the debates that are made over this one specific verse?


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

A TRIUMPHANT FAITH

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

Day 2

MANY PEOPLE – EVEN CHRISTIANS – ARE TEMPTED TO BELIEVE THAT HAVING A CHRISTIAN FAITH MEANS THAT LIFE WILL BE ALL SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS. NO PROBLEMS. NO BAD STUFF. IT’S ALL GOOD. WRONG!

Over the past few months, Pastor Jarrett Stephens has been telling stories about ordinary people who trusted God in extraordinary ways from the Book of Hebrews. And maybe – just maybe – you have been challenged to step beyond complacency and embrace a faith that is active, resilient, and fully surrendered.

There are just a few weeks left of this fantastic series, and this week Pastor Jarrett looks at the final verses, breaking them down into three sections as he offers hope and encouragement as we live a Triumphant Faith.

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:32-40

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:

A FAITH THAT DELIVERS (vs 32-25a)

Why didn’t the author of Hebrews mention the accomplishments of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel? What did they all have in common?

If all these men had very imperfect pasts, what can we learn from them? What encouragement can we gain? Pastor Jarrett reminds us: “Having a faith that delivers, doesn’t depend on you or me. It depends on God!”

In addition, why didn’t the author of Hebrews mention how much faith these men had? Did he mention the “faith count” of ANY person in this chapter? HINT: Nope. WHY? Because it doesn’t matter!

A FAITH THAT ENDURES (vs 35b-38)

Why did the author of Hebrews switch gears from victories and deliverances to torture, imprisonment, and even death for those who had faith? Pastor Jarrett reminds us of the persecution that others in the Bible experienced.

Scripture References: John 15:18-20a; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Revelation 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4


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

Father God,

You, and you alone, are worthy of our praise and adoration.

May our hearts be fully committed to you, Lord, to live by your decrees and obey your commands.

We will not be timid, for we are filled with the Spirit of God.

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone – especially those who are of the household of faith.

We commit our all in all to you, Lord. Establish our plans in the center of your will.

As we fight the good fight, determined to finish the race, may our faith in eternal salvation be evident to all.

No matter what life brings our way today, we will shout: “Hallelujah! My soul has been redeemed!”

And if we are granted tomorrow, let’s repeat.

It is in and through the name of Jesus we pray,

Amen