WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Glenn Lutjens discusses how loneliness affects us all.

Are we more engaged with screens rather than faces?

Keeping Stress at Bay with Dr. Joannie DeBrito, Focus on the Family.

When stress builds in your life, are you a little teapot ready to explode?

Second Segment: Biblical-Literacy Lesson with guest David Fleming -
  Part One: Biblical approach to relational conflict.

Second Segment: Pastor Jarrett Stephen, Champion Forest -
  God Is With Us

Today’s closing prayer:
Father God,
This is the time of year we celebrate the birth of your Son, yet He has always been and always will be. 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.

LONELINESS EFFECTS US ALL. LET’S HELP EACH OTHER.

Discussed by Glenn Lutjens
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Have you gone days or even weeks without anyone genuinely asking how you are?

Today, Glenn Lutjens discusses the epidemic of loneliness and how we can help ourselves and help others. Glenn is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been on the Focus on the Family counseling team for nearly thirty years.

Click here for more about Glenn Lutjens.

Click here for free resources and information from Focus on the Family.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are too many meetings held online instead of in person?

Are we spending an entire day engaging with screens rather than faces? Glenn Lutjens encourages everyone of all ages to take a break from screens as often as possible.

Has the question “How are you doing” become mundane? Do we need to switch up that question and ask something like “Hey. What’s going on in your life?”

Family members in our own home are not immune from this feeling of isolation. What can we do to help them feel loved and valued?

Does loneliness affect our children, too? (Luke 3:22)

What are some signs that a person is feeling lonely?

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

HOW TO KEEP THE STRESS AT BAY

Discussed by Dr. Joannie DeBrito
with Alive to Thrive (Learn.AliveToThrive.com)

Stress touches all our lives. Whether it comes from work, finances, or just feeling too busy, that tension can destroy families and relationships.

Today, Dr. Joannie DeBrito offers some great advice for handling and releasing stress from our lives. Dr. DeBrito is the co-creator of Alive to Thrive with Focus on the Family.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Most everyone feels stressed at some point – sometimes daily. Are there common triggers that cause stress?

What are some simple steps we can take to keep our emotions from taking over? One piece of advice Dr. DeBrito offers is to repeat: “This is not a crisis”.

Why is Gen Z the loneliest generation on record? How can we help them?

If you or someone you know is experiencing overwhelming stress or anxiety, please call Focus on the Family 855.771.4357 (M-F from 7 am – 9 pm Central Time) or click here.

Click here  to help support Alive to Thrive, a division of Focus on the Family.

PART 1 - A BIBLICAL APPROACH TO RELATIONAL CONFLICT

Discussed by David Fleming
with Lanier Theological Library (www.LanierTheologicalLibrary.org)

Day 2

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED CONFLICT IN A RELATIONSHIP? I THINK WE ALL HAVE – SOME MORE THAN OTHERS!

This week, former CFBC Pastor David Fleming subs in for Mark, teaching on the Biblical approach to relational conflict.

To view David Fleming’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:

What is the nature of relational conflict? (1 Peter 4)

How can relational conflict produce opportunities for the Gospel to be proclaimed and celebrated? David Fleming reminds us that it is not completely avoidable, no matter how much we try, BUT the way we respond to the conflict makes all the difference. In other words: there is a right way and a wrong way to respond and even who to talk to about the conflict.

Will relational conflict just go away if we ignore it or withdraw from it?


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

GOD IS WITH US

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

Day 2

IS THE INCARNATION SOMETHING YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN?

This week, Pastor Jarrett Stephens begins a three-week sermon series entitled “HERE: God With Us”. Over the next few weeks, we will be reminded that the hope of Christmas is not an idea or a feeling, but a Savior who stepped into our world and meets us right where we are. In this busy season, let’s take time to worship together, lift our eyes to Jesus, and rest in the promise that God is truly with us.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephen’s sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephen’s sermon notes here.

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

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Yesterday, Pastor Jarrett explained why the incarnation is a mystery to us, using quotes from Reformer Martin Luther and author Max Lucado.

Is the incarnation a miracle? Pastor Jarrett quotes English Preacher Charles Spurgeon and author CS Lewis, using the wonder of the nativity scene to explain his thoughts on this.

Why is Philippians 2:5-11 quite possibly the best Scripture passage about the mystery and miracle of the incarnation? Pastor Jarrett reads through the passage.

TRUTHS ABOUT THE INCARNATION: Virgin Birth (vs 6-7)

Was Jesus the same as God in character, form, and essence?

What does “Jesus emptied himself” mean? Author Wayne Grudem wrote: “The emptying includes change of role and status, not essential attributes or nature.”

What is so special about King Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby? (Luke 1:31-35)

Tune in tomorrow for more from Pastor Jarrett on the second truth about the incarnation.


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,

This is the time of year we celebrate the birth of your Son, yet He has always been and always will be.

We have manger scenes on our lawns, in our homes, and in our churches depicting the birth of your Son.

Today, may we shout with joy in proclaiming the Good News that a Savior has been born who will save mankind from the condemnation of hell itself.

May we be quick to share the Good News of our salvation.

Someday, may each saint join with the heavenly host singing praises to you, our GOD, saying: “Glory to God in the highest!”

Until that day, through the power found in the Holy Spirit, may each saint be used for your glory and honor.

We lift this prayer in and through the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen