WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Cutting off contact with mom or dad …

38% of adults have no contact with a parent.

But: no contact does not increase happiness.

Plus: Do Regular Churchgoers embrace a Christian Worldview?

What is the Biblical worldview of homosexuality, abortion, rioting/stealing…

Do fewer and fewer churchgoers believe in the seven cornerstones (tenets) of faith?

During the Biblical-Literacy Lesson this week, Mark Lanier discusses: Christians pray in the name of Jesus. Can unbelievers do the same? What does belief require? What does hearing require?

From the Pulpit of Champion Forest this week, Pastor Stephens shares how fire reveals the presence, power, and holiness of God.

Today’s Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
As we humble ourselves before you, help us to take control of our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
May we seek information and knowledge that is holy and pure and always Christ-centered. 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.

NEW TREND: GOING “NO CONTACT”

Discussed by Emily Washburn
with Daily Citizen (DailyCitizen.com)

Initiating “no contact” with parents and/or family members at any sign of conflict is becoming all too common.

Emily Washburn is the Issues Analyst with Focus on the Family, where she covers policy and cultural issues affecting the family. Today, she discusses this sensitive topic that too many families are experiencing. Hopefully she can give you some encouragement and hope for the future.

Click here to read more on this from Emily.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What does it mean to go “no contact”? Where are young people getting this idea?

How often do young adults who cut off their parents achieve the inner peace they are seeking?

Does “no contact” increase personal happiness? Emily says: “This is why Focus on the Family exists”, discussing the misuse of certain “hot words” such as abuse, toxic, narcissist, and gas lighting.

What are the three main reasons kids go “no contact” with their parents?

Can parents do anything to mend the relationship? Emily encourages parents to be patient. The father of the prodigal son never stopped praying or looking for his son to return home.

Click here for FREE resources from Focus on the Family. You can also call 1.800.AFAMILY to speak with a licensed counselor with Focus on the Family.

Click here to help support the Daily Citizen, an online publication of Focus on the Family.

SOCIAL ISSUES AND WORLDVIEW

Discussed by David Closson
with Family Research Council (www.FRC.org)

Do regular churchgoers really have a Biblical Worldview? What do they believe about traditional family values, abortion, and faith in general?

Today, David Closson discusses the recent survey “Study Showing Shifting Views of U.S. Churchgoers” which he co-produced with Dr. George Barna from the Cultural Research Center.

Click here  to learn more about David Closson and the Family Research Council.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Do many regular churchgoers support the Biblical definition of family?

Do most churchgoers affirm only two genders, the importance of facilitating family units, and marriage as between only one man and one woman?

Are many churchgoers confused about the morality of abortion and when life begins? David Closson compares the current statistics to the last survey done in 2023. You will be shocked!

Do fewer and fewer churchgoers believe in the seven cornerstones (tenets) of faith? David Closson quickly reviews a few of the cornerstones and what churchgoers believe now as compared to 2023.

On a positive note: Are many regular churchgoers open to more Biblical discipleship?

What did the survey reveal about churchgoers’ support for Israel? This is more good news!

Click here to help support the Family Research Council.

WHEN A FLY FALLS INTO A CUP OF COFFEE

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

When a Fly Falls into a Cup of Coffee
By Warren Boroson


The Italian throws the cup, breaks it, and walks away in a fit of rage.

The German carefully washes the cup, sterilizes it, and makes a new cup of coffee.

The Frenchman takes out the fly and drinks the coffee.

The Chinese eats the fly and throws away the coffee.

The Russian drinks the coffee with the fly since it was extra with no charge.

The Israeli sells the coffee to the Frenchman, sells the fly to the Chinese, sells the cup to the Italian, drinks a cup of tea, and uses the extra money to invent a device that prevents flies from falling into coffee.

The Palestinian blames the Israeli for the fly falling into his coffee, protests the act of aggression to the UN, takes a loan from the European Union to buy a new cup of coffee, uses the money to purchase explosives, and then blows up the coffee house where the Italian, Frenchman, Chinese, German, and Russian are all trying to explain to the Israeli that he should give away his cup of tea to the Palestinian so there will be peace.

ROMANS 10 PART 4

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

Day 3

Mark Lanier continues in the series on Romans, wrapping up chapter 10 with some great insight into how Paul linked all the previous chapters together in these last few verses (14-21).

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:

THE CHAIN: FIVE LINKS BACKWARD (Romans 10:14-15)

Mark begins this segment with a great story about the word STOP.

Is everyone who calls on the name of the Lord also called to share the Good News? (Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 53:1)

THE REFUSAL AND THE WORD THAT TRAVELS (Romans 10:16-18)

What is the purpose of the “but” in the Bible? What did Paul use in its place?

What are some of the arches that Paul used in Romans 10? Mark discussed this a little bit last week, but goes into more details today and tomorrow.

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

HOLY FIRE

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

Day 3

This week, Pastor Jarrett Stephens begins a new sermon series entitled: Holy Fire. Throughout this series, he will preach how fire reveals the presence, power, and holiness of God.

In the introduction this week, Pastor Jarrett reminds us that holy fire cannot be managed or produced, but God may send it when His people pursue what He has put in their hearts and live as a consecrated people.

Scripture Passages: 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; James 4:8; Hebrews 12:29; Genesis 3:24; Exodus 25:8-9; Exodus 40:34-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-2; 1 Chronicles 22:1; 1 Chronicles 28-29; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 2 Chronicles 6:33; Deuteronomy 4:24

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:

HOLY AMBITION

Yesterday, Pastor Jarrett shared some examples of God’s Holy Fire.

What happened when King David obtained the Ark of the Covenant? Was his personal ambition too great?

Who completed the plans for the temple that David began? What did he place inside the temple?

Why is it important to know the difference between a holy ambition and a worldly ambition?

Has God placed a holy ambition in your heart? HINT: If you are a Christian, the answer is YES.

What has the holy ambition been over the life of Champion Forest Baptist Church?


For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church click here .

PRAYER

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

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Heavenly Father,

As we humble ourselves before you, help us to take control of our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

May we seek information and knowledge that is holy and pure and always Christ-centered.

May we walk and stand and rest in the center of your will.

We lift up our leaders, especially our spiritual leaders. Grant them clarity of direction.

We lift up our family and friends. Place your hand of protection over them. Comfort them with the peace of the Holy Spirit. Fill them with the hope of salvation.

We thank you for the opportunities of service this day.

And Lord, if you grant us tomorrow, let’s repeat.

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

AMEN