WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

What is meant by the pursuit of happiness?

Do we have God-given rights?

Can Couples pursue happiness together?

PLUS: Is free stuff really free?

Does someone ultimately pay for all the free stuff?

What do we give up when accepting all the free stuff?

Biblical Literacy: David Fleming, subbing for Mark Lanie, concludes his lesson on: THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION (SOTERIOLOGY).

From the Pulpit at Champion Forest: Pastor Jarrett Stephens: Fight to the Finish.

Closing Prayer:
Forgiving Father,
Thank you for looking on your creation with love and compassion.
You and you alone are holy and righteous. 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.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

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

Thomas Jefferson stated: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today, Glenn explains why this powerful quote is perfect for couples – especially Christian couples.

Glenn Stanton is the Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family. Glenn is also a senior contributor at the Federalist and a regular opinion writer for World magazine. Glenn is the author of nine books and his latest on can be found here. 

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

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Have we been endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights? What is meant by endowed? What is meant by unalienable? Glenn offers a great explanation of Jefferson’s quote.

Pursue happiness. What is that?

Is marriage an important schoolhouse for learning virtue? Glenn discusses studies which show that marriage leads to greater overall life happiness, especially when a husband and wife have a serious faith.

Can serving together as a couple increase happiness?

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

FREE STUFF IS NEVER FREE

Discussed by James Quintero
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Margerat Thacher once stated: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money.”

The day after Bill Clinton won re-election to the White House, Rush Limbaugh quipped: “It’s hard to compete against Santa Clause.”

James Quintero is the Policy Director for the Government for the People Campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Today, James explains why “free stuff” is never free.

Click here for more from James at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Can government solve every problem?

Can government cure any societal ill? James discusses how we are seeing government attempt this right now – BUT there is GOOD NEWS. Listen closely.

Why shouldn’t the federal minimum wage be increase to $20 per hour? What would happen to entry level positions?

What is so wrong with rent control? James praises the efforts from the Texas Legislature to stop rent control.

Why shouldn’t Medicare be available for everyone in the U.S.?

How do we educate and/or re-educate Texans on the lies from Democrat Socialists? James uses the School Choice debate as just one example of the Left gone wild.

Click here to help support the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION (SOTERIOLOGY)

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

Day 5

WHAT IS SALVATION? WHAT DOES SALVATION MEAN TO YOU? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED? WHAT ARE WE SAVED FROM? WHY ARE WE SAVED?

It’s summer time and that means special lessons from various guests for the Biblical Literacy Lesson from Champion Forest Baptist Church.

This week, former CFBC Pastor David Fleming is first to sub in and he will be teaching on The doctrine of salvation (soteriology).

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:

COMMON SALVATION QUESTIONS: What about the saved person who sins?

Can a person just keep living the way they lived before they were saved? REMEMBER: We are all sinners – even after salvation. (1 John 1:8-10) However, David Fleming reminds us that salvation is not a license to keep sinning.

Are you experiencing the full benefits of salvation? (Hebrews 6:5-8)

COMMON SALVATION QUESTIONS: What about “good works”? What is our part?

David Fleming shares a few great quotes, explaining that we do have a role to play in growing the Kingdom, but salvation is always #1. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 15:5; Philippians 2:12-13)

POINTS FOR HOME

Are you saved? Yes? Rejoice! No? What are you waiting for?

Live like Jesus and let your light shine.

Tell others about your salvation. (Matthew 5:12)

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

FIGHT TO THE FINISH

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

Day 5

HOW ARE YOU RUNNING THE RACE OF LIFE? ARE YOU COASTING ALONG – WAITING TO SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING? OR ARE YOU RUNNING THE RACE AS IF YOUR LIFE – AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS – DEPENDS ON IT?

This week, Pastor Jarrett Stephens concludes the FIGHT sermon series, reminding us that starting well is important, but we must also finish well – and finish strong.

Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

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:

HOW TO FINISH STRONG: Don’t be surprised by life’s challenges.

How do you respond to tough situations?

Did God ever promise that the Christian life would be all sunshine and rainbows?

In Paul’s day, why would priests pour out the wine? What is the metaphor for this? Does it still apply to us today? (vs 6) Super interesting! Listen closely,,,


HOW TO FINISH STRONG: Remember that people are watching you.

Why does Pastor Jarrett carry a framed picture of his wife and daughters with him when he travels?

Remember: Paul wrote this letter to Timothy out of concern for the people in the church who were watching him (Timothy).


FINAL THOUGHTS

Live in such a way that when you breathe your last breath, you can say with the apostle Paul: “I have fought a good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”


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

Forgiving Father,

Thank you for looking on your creation with love and compassion.

You and you alone are holy and righteous. Those who serve you are to be righteous, too, which can only be achieved through washing by the blood of the Lamb.

May we hunger and thirst for righteousness, fleeing evil lusts and desires.

As we choose obedience to you, O Lord, direct our steps, our thoughts, and our words.

We cry out for wisdom and boldness to recognize the evil temptations all around us.

May we choose paths of righteousness throughout this day.

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

Humbly serving you, the Creator of the Universe, and your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray,

Amen and Amen.