The Christian Mindset

The pristine book of Philippians is so much more than just an inspired thank-you note from the apostle to his brethren it is a treaties for troubled brethren on how to get along with one another in spite of the many difficulties that may lie in the way.

The Christian Mind is a...

• Focused Mind Undaunted by Unfavorable Events (1:21)
• Relinquished Mind Delighting in Esteeming Others (2:3-4)
• Spiritual Mind Properly Perceiving Earthly Things (3:19-20)
• Restrained Mind Appealing in Anxiety (4:6-7)
  
  

Thank God that He has provided us with all things that pertain to life and godliness that we might be able to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (2 Pet. 1:3; Phi. 2:15-16).

~ rick

Study Habits Essentials

Having a senior in high school necessitates changing your reading taste. Recently, I was reading an article by Veronica Toney by this same title which appeared in the fall issue of College Outlook Magazine. These are three essentials that I use in my own personal Bible study. I also have a specific lesson in my teacher training course that involves the teacher's personal Bible study. You cannot teach what you do not know. You might be able to use these suggestions to help in your own successful study.

“The key to successful studying is consistency. Location, timing and frequency all promote learning...”

Habitat Habit
“Environment has a big impact on learning” Find you a place that is conducive to learning. In the middle of a busy restaurant is probably not the best place for serious study. “Studying at the same time everyday will help increase retention. Soon the brain will get the message that this time is learning time.” Humans are creatures of habit and habit when full grown becomes character.

Distraction Subtraction
“Distractions not only come from environment, but also from you. Wandering minds, boredom and homework overlook can all add hours to the study process.” Too many distractions are the very reason why the busy restaurant is not the best place for serious study. A quite place designed for study may be your best bet when it comes to study time. When you study, let people know that you do not what to be disturbed unless it is an emergency.

Boredom Forum
“The saying ‘two heads are better than one’ applies to studying. Studying in groups helps connect the dots. Putting multiple people’s notes together will give you a more compete reference guide.”

“The more you understand, the less you have to remember.” Craig A. McCraw

~ rick

Biblical Role Models

Here is a short list of men and women that God considered worthy to follow - but only as they followed the path of righteousness. Consider the words of the inspired apostle Paul "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

• Abigail, woman of tact & poise (1 Sam. 25)
• Abraham, the friend of God (Jas. 2:23)
• Barnabas, the great encourager (Acts 4:36)
• Caleb, mountain climber (Jos. 14:12)
• Deborah, the fearless patriot (Jdg. 4-5)
• Daniel, the lion tamer (Dan. 6:22)
• David, man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22)
• Dorcus, the Christian philanthropist (Acts 9:36-43)
• Elizabeth, the priestly mother (Luke 1:6)
• Enoch, who walked with God (Gen. 5:22)
• Epaphroditus, a man of reputation (Phi. 2:29)
• Esther, the providential princess (Esther 4:14)
• Ezekiel, a man with a strong forehead (Eze. 3:8)
• Haggai, the old man whose time was now (Hag. 1:4)
• Isaiah, the gospel statesman (Isa 53)
• Jeremiah, the languishing over sin (Lam. 1:16; 2:8)
• Jethro, the preeminent father-in-law (Exo. 18)
• Job, the patient patriarch (Jas. 5:11)
• John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jho. 21:20)
• Joseph, a lad of dreams (Gen. 37; 41)
• Joseph, a man who obeyed dreams (Mat. 1:24; 2:13-14, 19-21, 22)
• Joshua, a decisive conqueror (Jos. 24:15)
• Lois & Eunice, Christian professors (2 Tim. 1:5; ;3:14-15)
• Lydia, an hospitable business women (Acts 16:12-15, 40)
• Mary, the magnificent (Luke 1:28)
• Moses, the meek Num. 12:3)
• Nehemiah, the builder of God's wall (Neh. 6:15)
• Noah, true grit (2 Pet. 2:5)
• Paul, that passionate apostle (Phi. 3:6; Gal. 1:14)
• Peter, from shifting sand to solid rock (2 Pet. 1:10)
• Timothy, a likeminded young man (Phi. 2:20)

~ rick

Powerful Peer Pressure

As in anything there are two sides to the provable coin regarding peer pressure: negative and positive.

First, negative peer pressure is wherein any person or group of persons would influence you to do something God forbad, or not do something God has enjoined. Many examples of negative peer pressure could be given, nevertheless allow these to suffice:

God Forbad:

• Hebrew Midwives (Exo. 1:17)
• Abraham (Gen. 20:9-11)
• Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego (Dan. 3:19)
  

God Enjoined:

• Jeremiah (Jer. 36:23; 37:15; 38:28)
• Daniel (Dan. 6:4-9)
• Apostles (Acts 4-5)
  

Second, positive peer pressure is wherein any person or group of persons would influence you to do something God enjoined or not to do something which God forbad. One receives this influence today from friends, television, music, movies, co-workers, classmates, etc.. Again, many examples of positive peer pressure could be given, nevertheless allow these to suffice:

God Forbad:

• Ananais & Sapphire (Acts 5:1-11)
• Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 4:20-21; 9:12, 23)
  

God Enjoined:

• Aquila & Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26)
• Apostle Paul (First & Second Timothy)
  

Third, God's Word addresses the topic of overcoming negative peer pressure. Here are just a few good principles to live by:

• Love not the world (1 Jho. 2:15-17);
• Set your priorities (Col. 3:1-2);
• Be Christ like (2 Pet. 2:21);
• Be involved in the work (Jas. 1:22-25);
• Study the Scripture (Acts 17:11);
• Make Heaven your goal (Phi. 1:21-23);
• Be transformed (Rom. 12:1-2);
• Be steadfast, unmoveable (1 Cor. 15:58);
• Take heed to God's Word (Psa. 119:9);
• Let the Word dwell within (Psa. 119:11);
• Follow after godly role models (more to come later):
  

Fourth, God's Word informs the church how to exert positive peer pressure.

• Personal Transgressors (Mat. 18:15-17)
• False Teachers (Rom. 16:17-18)
• Immoral Individuals (1 Cor. 5:1-13)
• Disorderly Walkers (1 The. 5:14; 2 The. 3:6)
• Heretics (Tit. 3:10-11)
  

"O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;... Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindenss of the Lord" (Psa. 107:1-2, 43). May the redeemed also understand that what God forbids and enjoins is for our benefit.

~rick

Biblical Sexology

DISCLAIMER:

If you are sensitivity to indecorous language, please do not read. The very fact that this is a specialized religious seminar is vulgar in nature.

Joe Beam, a self-proclaimed ecstasy expert, is coming to the Oklahoma City area to teach the men of Oklahoma how to fulfill their wife's sexual ecstasy, according to the flyer sent out by the Del City Church of Christ.

Notes from the flyer...

“Too many Christians are miserable in their sex lives because they don't understand the freedom God has given. From God's Word, I show Christians how to have fun, exciting, and fulfilling life of romance and sexual ecstasy.”

“In the popular session on sex Joe not only reveals truths from the Bible that will change your SEX life overnight, but he also answers the most common questions about sex Christians ask.”

Send me your thoughts.

~ rick