Wayne Simien visits the BSG

I am blessed to have a Bible study where I work.  Wayne Simien came and spoke there last Thursday.

I got to introduce Wayne, one of my all-time favorite Jayhawk basketball heroes.  Wayne explained why he walked away from a pro basketball career to pursue Christian ministry with Called to Greatness.

Wayne proved to be just a regular guy, completely humble and fun to hang out with.  He shared his testimony of coming to faith in Christ while in college, gave some unique insight into the life of a professional athlete, and encouraged the audience to follow Christ in every aspect of life.  His message is worth listening to; in fact I hope entire families will gather and listen together!  CLICK HERE to download the audio.

Wayne before he spoke to our Bible study group.

Wayne and others from the Bible study, posing by the poster used to promote the 10/20 event.

Do not be deceived. How you live matters.

Three Scriptures warn not to be duped by those who teach you can be a Christian yet live like the Devil.

• Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
• For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:5-6)
• Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:7-8)

Is there any Biblical basis for a 'carnal Christian' or a 'backsliding Christian'?  Many today teach that once you are 'saved/accept Christ/pray the prayer/walk the aisle' you are guaranteed Heaven regardless of how you live. I believe that salvation is by grace (Eph 2:8-9) and not by any act of righteousness on our part (Titus 3:5). However, if you are a child of God will you not act like your Father?  If you are His, you will bear fruit?

Note the warning in each of these verses. Do not be deceived!  If you claim the name of Christian, does your life bear that out?  If not, what will you do about it?

If you can't say anything nice ...

Sometimes the best answer is to say nothing at all ...

• Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:27-28
• When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10:19
• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19
  

Parenting Seminar Mp3

The Bible study group at my work put on a parenting seminar luncheon on August 4th. The guest speaker was our very own Dan Pentimone, a pastor at Christ Fellowship of KC, who also works with me downtown!

Whether you have children now or plan to in the future, you will benefit from this study!

• Click here for the Audio

• Click here for the handout

Here is the advertisement we ran in our company email ...

One of the toughest jobs you will ever face is parenting. With all the influences confronting your children, how do you assure that you have the strongest influence? Join the Bible Study Group in KC for lunch as we discover what the Bible says about this important topic.

• Do you want children who respect and honor you?
• Are you preparing your children to face the tough decisions of life?
• Is it really possible to raise children where you have the strongest influence over them even through their teen years?

Free S.O. album download

I commend the UK artist S.O., the newest member of Lamp Mode. His lyrics are saturated with Christ-exalting rhymes and wrapped in a smooth hip hop beat, professionally produced by Lamp Mode!

You can get his entire album 'S.O. It Begins' for FREE here ... www.lampmode.com/so-it-begins/

My favorite song so far is Highs and Lows. S.O. describes how in his walk with Christ, he goes through painful lows, then like in the Psalms, he looks to Christ and is lifted up.

(So I ask myself) Why are you downcast my soul, hope in the Lord/See Him hanging there on the pole for the filthest thoughts/The most wicked of hearts, He died for you S know it/This is truth, objective how do you then blow/Repentance and faith, bear fruit man show it/Have that cross up in face endure and know Him/Be strong in the grace that’s found solely in Him/Satan will pray tricks by reminding you of your sin/But He died for them all, remember Calvary again/Never let it leave your brain/and things will never be the same/The Lamb of God was truly slain, rose up from the grave though/And justified in His name up the praise go!/Yeah, and that will never change/This that high up on the ride that I better crave/My help and my God who is centre stage/And His Spirit in I no better way/

Download this album and be blessed by it too!

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Daily Readings with Martyn Lloyd-Jones

June 07


The Lion of the Tribe of Judah


Sin ... entered human life from the outside and it attacked even the Son of God. That I am forgiven is glorious, that I have a new nature is wonderful and still better. But still I am left to face this terrible power that is set over against me, and which strives ever to defeat me ... It has defeated the mightiest and the strongest. It has not hesitated to match its strength even with God Himself. Its subtlety and suggestions meet me everywhere. Who am I to confront such a foe? What is man at his best against such an antagonist? ... Man cannot, for all men have failed ... Is all hopeless? Must we continue to strive and strive in vain? No! A David has appeared and smitten this Goliath; a Jonathan has routed the Philistines again. The Man has entered the lists and delivered the enemy a mortal wound from which he can never recover ...

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, has conquered Satan. Tried and tested to the utmost, He not only emerged unscathed, but hath 'cast out the prince of this world' ... He has conquered death and the grave and every power that is inimical to man and his highest interests. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed — yea, and not only for Himself, but for us. He offers us His own power and promises to clothe us with His own might. Not only need we not be defeated any longer; in Him we can become more than conquerors over any and every power that may raise itself against us.

These are the problems of the world ... They are exposed in the gospel and they are solved by it. Christ satisfies every need and He alone does so. He has 'done all things well'. The message of the gospel is about Him and what He has done. It is not theory. It works, it is a fact as the lives of Christians of all ages testify. Ashamed of Jesus? A thousand times no!

The Plight of Man and the Power of God, pp. 89-91

Christ at Work! Unlocking the "Mystery" of the Bible

In May, Dan Pentimone taught a Bible Study at the BSG in which he gave an overview of the entire Bible in 3 lessons! This was one of our most successful studies to date! Dan was really bringing the Word and the Spirit was pleased to use him! If you can take a listen to these messages and look over the powerpoints and handout, I guarantee you will walk away with a 'big picture' view of this Great Story (of which we are a part!) and a fresh sense of wonder at the God who authored it!

• Part 1 * PPT1 * AUDIO1
  
• Part 2 * PPT2 * AUDIO2
• Part 3 * PPT3 * AUDIO3

Here is the handout that pulls it all together.