WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

JUNE 29: THE DAY OF THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR

June 29th is recognized as the day the Apostle Paul was beheaded…

Todd Nettleton shares the story of a young mother who refused to deny her faith…

Plus: who is left to speak for Christians?

Mark Lanier concludes his lesson on: TERROR GIVES WAY TO TRIUMPH

Pastor Jarrett Stephens concludes: FIGHTING FOR TRUTH

Closing Prayer for today:
Sovereign God,
Look out across our land and subdue evil. Place your mighty hand over and around those commissioned to protect and save lives. 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.

JUNE 29: THE DAY OF THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR

Discussed by Todd Nettleton
with The Voice of the Martyrs (Persecution.com)

What is the tradition and significance of the Day of the Christian Martyr on June 29?

Todd Nettleton is the Vice President of The Voice of the Martyrs. Today, Todd shares about this historic day and how you can become involved in spreading the Truth of the Gospel.

Click here for more information about The Voice of the Martyrs.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

A young mother from Carthage refused to deny her faith nearly 2,000 years ago. Do we have her story today because she kept a prison journal? Did her own father pressure her to deny her faith?

Do too many Christians today shy away from sharing their faith? Todd encourages us to have those awkward conversations – even when we don’t want to.

Christians in America have it pretty good, but most around the world do not. Is this why The Voice of the Martyrs shares stories of modern-day martyrs? Should we share these stories with our children and grandchildren? Click here for free resources.

Is it critical that we not deny our faith in Christ?

Click here to help support The Voice of the Martyrs.

WHO WILL SPEAK FOR THE CHRISTIANS?

Discussed by Bruce Hausknecht
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.

Today, Bruce Hausknecht sounds a warning call to all Christians worldwide – especially here in America. Bruce is a Judicial Analyst for Focus on the Family. He researches and analyzes legal and judicial issues related to Christians and the family, including First Amendment freedom of religion and free speech issues, judicial selection, marriage, homosexuality, and pro-life matters.

Click here for more from Bruce Hausknecht and the Daily Citizen, a Focus on the Family publication.

Click here to help Focus on the Family as they spread the love of Jesus around the world.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are many Christians being persecuted all over the world?

Are Christians being persecuted right here in America? Bruce discusses the newest lawsuit against baker Jack Phillips.

What is “their” goal? Do they simply want tolerance or do they want to intimidate us into acceptance and promotion of their lifestyle? Bruce discusses another case involving pro-life activist Mark Houck.

The devil and his minions are awake, organized, and moving forward in the battle of evil vs. good. Are we even awake?

Will evil prevail if Christians sit by and do nothing?

TERROR GIVES WAY TO TRIUMPH

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

Day 5

IF GOD IS FOR US – WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH GOD IS FIGHTING FOR YOU – HOW MUCH HE CARES FOR YOU – HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU?

This week, Mark Lanier continues in his series on the book of Romans, encouraging us with story after story of God’s faithfulness to those who love and obey Him. God wants our terror to turn into triumph!

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:

GOD’S UNSTOPPABLE GENEROSITY (vs 32b)

What argument form did Paul use in these verses? Mark explains the reason for this, comparing it to Jeremiah 12:5, Romans 5:10, and Matthew 12:11-12.

If God takes care of the birds of the air, the fish in the sea, and even the lilies in the field – how much more will He take care of you? What an amazing revelation!

POINTS FOR HOME

Your assurance rests on what God has already done, not what you might do.

“How much more” is the math of the Christian life.

Everything comes not “with” Him, but “instead” of Him.

EXTRA TOPIC SUGGESTION

Where in your life right now are you anxious about something “small” that you have forgotten to filter through the “how much more” logic of the cross?


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

FIGHTING FOR TRUTH

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

Day 5

IF THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES, THEN THERE ARE NO STANDARDS. AND IF THERE ARE NO STANDARDS, THEN THAT MEANS THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG. AND IF THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG, THEN YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BELIEVE AND LIVE HOWEVER YOU WANT TO.

This week, Pastor Jarrett Stephens continues in the FIGHT series, preaching on the importance of knowing and living the truth – the REAL truth according to the Gospel, not the world’s twisted version of “truth”.

NOTE: Champion Forest will be hosting a special celebration for America’s 250th Birthday. Click here for more details and to register for the event.

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:

FIGHT FOR TRUTH: GUARD YOUR MIND

Remember: The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Will a depraved mind lead to a depraved life? (Romans 1:18-28)

Think about this: If the mind is the gateway to life, what is the gateway to the mind? Your eyes! See Matthew 6:22-23.


FIGHT FOR TRUTH: TRAIN YOUR MIND

How can we prepare our minds with the truth in order to fight the enemy? (1 Peter 1:13) Pastor Jarrett uses MMA as an example…

Did Jesus make it a habit to spend time with God?

Does our life really hang in the balance if we don’t live by the Truth? (Romans 8:5-6)


FINAL THOUGHTS

Keep fighting for the truth. It matters. After all: “The battlefield for your life is in your mind. If Satan can win the war in your mind, he has you beat.”


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, or if you have a prayer request, text: 281.688.2630 and follow the text prompts.


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

PRAYER

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

Sovereign God,

Look out across our land and subdue evil. Place your mighty hand over and around those commissioned to protect and save lives.

Confound the evil, mischievous plans of the wicked. Expose their deeds as being directed by the devil himself.

Lawlessness and anarchy must be exposed as wrong and ungodly.

May righteousness rule.

Be with our leaders, from the White House to the Court House to our houses of worship. Grant each wisdom. Guide their plans and direct their steps.

Use our words and actions as part of your solution. May we never be part of the problem.

We fall before you in prayer and cry out for your wisdom, your power, and your strength to accomplish your will today.

We will trust in your unfailing love.

Now, let’s be going and doing and working for the Kingdom of Christ, in whose name we pray,

Amen