Anxiety Addressed Biblically & Christian Movie Recommendation

Anxiety Addressed Biblically

There is a teaching video I watched recently which gave some Biblical ways to address anxiety.  With all of the seeming chaos going on in the world, it is so easy to wallow in anxiety instead of focusing on God and His Word and trusting in His sovereignty. Another thing to remember is that the second death is something the Christian doesn't have to face, as Christ faced the worst on our behalf.   We don't control what goes on in this world in the way that we may think we do.  I think I too often am like the disciples in the boat thinking I'm about to drown with Jesus right there instead of like Polycarp who had courage to say that the fire would last no longer than an hour...less than the eternal fire the person having him executed would face from God.

Safe in the Storm: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety (Phil Moser)

Christian Movie Recommendation: Play the Flute

Our family recently rewatched a movie that I got for one of them in the past.  It is about a guy who is planning to be a pastor, but he decides to lead a youth group first.  Yeah, I know, some of you may be against youth groups, but his focus was Scripture and even memorization of Scripture.  He faced a lot of challenges with seemingly only one Christian in the group.  If you are interested to watch it, it is called Play the Flute.

Play The Flute - Trailer from Play the Flute movie on Vimeo.

Church in France & American Gospel Part 3 Docuseries

Cannes, France: Prayer Request

Every now and then I highlight someone I have followed on social media.  

This time I'm sharing a video of a man who is teaching at a church plant in France.

Manuel has been a student of TMAI, and you can watch this video and pray for this church plant.

 

American Gospel: "Spirit & Fire"

This is a new documentary (in a series format) that may be released (or partially released?) this year (2022).

It is supposed to address the teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation, and I'm interested to find out who they have on it.  

I'm hopeful that it will be useful to warn a lot of people about the NAR movement which has led a lot of people astray.

I had some issues with the first American Gospel documentary as some of the people used for the right side of the topic either were already off or have since gone off more from a solid gospel message (though not all, of course). I would recommend Pastors Don Green and John MacArthur.  I've heard some good messages by Paul Washer and a little bit by Voddie Baucham as well. 

The first documentary had a modesty issue too which detracted from it some in my view.  

God has used that first documentary though to pull people away from the false prosperity gospel or "word of faith" movements and toward the true Gospel, and for that I am thankful.  

I'll admit I didn't watch the second in the series.

The next one in the American Gospel series apparently was on hold, and they reportedly were looking to watch and possibly address some response videos before finalizing their new documentary series.

Justin Peters has addressed the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) movement and prosperity "gospel" teaching before as well, and I can recommend the Snatch Them from the Flames presentation...at least I once watched one streaming live version of that.  He also has a presentation called "Clouds Without Water."

You can read more about the upcoming American Gospel: Spirit & Fire docuseries HERE.

Slander Warning, A World of Lies, & Fun Photo

Warning!  Slander Is Sin

There has been slander and defamation going on lately online of some pastors and elders where they are accused of wrongdoing without all of the facts being known.  This is not where people are warning of real doctrinal error or true heresy.  There is a place for discernment about teaching as Christians want to avoid straying from the truth of what Scripture teaches (although some wrongfully call Biblical truth "heresy").  There needs to be unity among true believers.  There are some people who want to harm the reputation of those who teach truth that they don't like, and so they try to dig up anything they can to destroy their reputations.  This week I listened to a seminar session online by George Crawford that would be worth your time to take a listen to as well.  There was an interesting point too about how in persecuted countries public disagreements can be used by persecutors as well.   We have been so used to freedom in the past that I don't think that we have wanted to consider that aspect.  

Slander & Defamation

A World of Lies

On a closely related topic, last Sunday, John MacArthur gave a message about the sin of lying.  He spoke about parents training the consciences of their children to fear lying.  There is so much lying in the world today. 

The Disastrous Sin of Lying

How many birds do you see in the photo below?

The bird with the nest had a baby or so.

Surprises, Sanctity of Truth, & Singing

Surprises!

Yesterday and today some more of the tulips were blooming outside in addition to the ones that have been open for a while.

The yellow ones below were here before we lived here, and they continue to come back.  The other ones I planted last year, and this is the first year they have come up.  It was a surprise to me that I got a mix rather than all one look.  Sometimes life is like that (with surprises), but it's not always a bad thing.

How important is truth to God?

Don Green gave a message on the commandment to not bear false witness last Sunday.  I recommend it.  You can currently get to it HERE. 

Hymn For Your Day

The following hymn is one that stood out to me not too long ago, and I found this rendition with the lyrics that you can sing along with.

Quieting the Heart

While all of the things going on in the world are distressing, God reminds me in His Word and through His Creation that He is Yahweh ... powerful, sovereign, trustworthy, enduring.  

He goes before His sheep and is with us.  While I'm feeling fearful and losing sleep and praying for the things that are troubling me, He is sovereignly working things out and will bring His children safely Home one way or another.  He answers prayer, and He even works things out that we don't even know to pray about.  Sunshine, tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, squirrels, robins, red cardinals, rabbits, etc., are reminders of our Creator's constancy and faithfulness.  Old Testament accounts remind us how God works even in and through times of turmoil and war.  God's purposes and plans don't fail even when evil looks like it's winning.  Even the death of Jesus was His plan, and all of the details of Christ's life.  

Persecution and suffering have a purpose in God's plan.  The evil plans of men cannot thwart Him, and He even is working through them for His good eternal purposes.  Physical trials are not meaningless either though they make us feel helpless and vulnerable.  They are reminders to trust God for the present and future no matter what and to focus more on eternal things.  Oh, that I would but trust God more and love Him the way I want to.  So, I remind myself that I need to look to God and His perfection in His purposes.  I may fail often, but He hasn't.  He won't.  He can't.  That's not who He is.  

I need to focus on God.  So, today in my weakness, tiredness, and distress, I read Psalm 23 and have kept it on a tab to keep going back to.  I watched an ocean video.  I spent a little less time listening to distressing things this morning...the things that I can't change.  I went out and saw the tulip and some birds, and the beauty of the day is also calming.  I must continue to pray and realize all the workings of things and details are still in God's hands, and I must remind myself that His purposes are good.  I know these things in my mind, but my mind always thinks of how God's people do still suffer.  We don't always escape the trials.  We still have to go through them at times.  That doesn't negate His good eternal purposes though or even His purposes in time here on earth.    I'm thankful that God doesn't give up on His weak sheep, and that He pursues and will keep us forever.  This life and its trials are short compared with an eternity of joy with God.

It's Almost Time!

Shepherds' Conference Streaming

It's almost here!  I don't know about you, but I get excited around the time of the Shepherds' Conference, because some of my online friends go to it and I get to watch some of the sessions.  This year, it's scheduled for March 9th to 11th, and the theme is "Unashamed."  You can check out the scheduled streams and speakers already listed on their site HERE.

Pray for Christians Around the World

A war is raging, freedoms are being demolished, and Christians are being persecuted in various parts of the world.  Christians around the world need encouragement and prayer that they will walk as children of light as well as be reminded that God is with them...with all of us who are in Christ. Also, please pray that people will turn to Christ while there is still time.

Books Soon to Be Released

There is a set of books by Chris Mueller soon to be released about Christian men and Christian women.  It seems that this is a controversial topic these days, but it shouldn't be for Christians who want to follow what the Bible says.

Learn more HERE.

Sing Along

Here is an older hymn (1887) that you can sing along to in these tumultuous times in the world.  No matter how awful or crazy things get, God is using these times to conform Christians to be more like Him.  We can still trust Him and remember His mercy and goodness toward us. 

Modesty & Sexual Immorality

Not long ago there was a kerfuffle on social media (on a site that I am not currently able to be active on) where a pastor named Brian Sauvé (whose music I shared before) had a post that was about modesty.

Again, I don't know a lot about him other than glancing at the church website (and I believe there was some disagreement that was not salvific that I could easily see). 

 So, I'm not giving him an unreserved recommendation, but what he said on this tweet has merit.

Here is what he said:

Dear Ladies,

There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar—ever.

Not to show your weight loss journey.

Not to show your newborn baby.

Not to document your birth story.

-Your Brothers

— Brian Sauvé (@Brian_Sauve) February 7, 2022

 

A firestorm of attacks reportedly came at him.... wrongfully accused and nasty pictures sent.
One or more of the negative comments came from Beth Moore (one was deleted by her).
I highly would urge women to avoid listening to Beth Moore for her false teaching in general, but that's another matter.


The guy addressed men in further posts, but naturally people threw accusations like he is a "patriarchal control freak" or "hyper fundamentalist dudes objectifying women" or worse yet, sent immodest pictures to him.


Christians,
If you knowingly and purposefully dress in a way to draw lust after it has been pointed out to you that you are tempting your brothers who desire to not sin (not speaking of those who have not been made aware and are willing to change when it is pointed out), don't accuse the opposite sex of objectifying you.


You are objectifying yourself.


The messengers whether they are men or women are not the ones to be shot at, and it doesn't mean that we consider ourselves as sinless or superior people (most certainly we are not).

Men and women are responsible for sin if they intentionally continue to look at what draws them to sin or dwell on what they've unintentionally seen or sin in their minds even when nobody is dressed seductively, but those who are immodest can be responsible for enticing someone to commit adultery or fornication (lust in the heart).

And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 LSB

You may say that you don't intend to commit adultery (or fornication) when you share photos or go out in public like the woman in Proverbs did, but are you drawing someone to commit adultery in their heart? 

If you are seeking men to look at you sensually, you are also sinning. 

You are also not showing love to the brothers who are seeking to avoid or break from a sin that they do not want to continue in.

Low shirts, tight clothes, lots of skin showing...these things even make victorious men have to look away from women to avoid sinning.

Men are visually stimulated, and a lot of women know this and use this fact...not all do it consciously, but many do.

There are women who also struggle with thoughts.

Christians shouldn't be like the person waving a red flag at a bull and telling it not to look or charge at us.

More mothers & fathers and churches need to address these things...matters not only of the clothing but of our hearts.  

I'm not speaking of people wearing uniforms like the Amish, Mennonites, or the rules of some Independent Baptists, or any churches that get to the point where you might be considered an unbeliever or outsider for wearing nice slacks as a woman rather than a long skirt (though long skirts aren't a bad thing).

To make the assumption that it does mean that would be incorrect...a false charge that any mention of modesty or examples of things that tempt men makes one a legalist.  

It doesn't mean you should quickly charge someone with hypocrisy or even use what you've seen as actual hypocrisy as an excuse for your own heart and behavior and sinful attitudes toward other Christians.

Christians need to flee youthful lusts, and they need to fight sin with Scripture and prayer and removing and fleeing from things that tempt them.... the same is true of women as of men. 

We all need to spend time in Scripture and fight and flee whatever sins might tempt or entangle us. 

We need to pursue what leads to sanctification. 

God is present at all times, and Christians need to remember Him in everything and seek to honor Him. 

We can only be successful as believers through the power of the Spirit...with His help and in His strength.
Let's do what we can to be modest and discreet and to not put a stumbling block in front of another Christian.

I'm not anybody important, and I know that I have a long way to go in sanctification.

I hope the verses are helpful, and the message below them will also be helpful to you.

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, with modesty and self-restraint, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 LSB

But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want. 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Galatians 5:16-18 LSB

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:24-25 LSB

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; nevertheless, woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell.
Matthew 18:7, 9 LSB

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 LSB

“I have cut a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1 LSB

Do not desire her beauty in your heart,

Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:25 LSB

Please Listen to This Message: Sexual Immorality & You

Pastor Don Green (who I would definitely recommend) gave an excellent message on Sunday about adultery/sexual immorality where he had a quote in the message that also pointed out about the way women dress.  

Some weeks there seems to be a theme on things.... whether intentional by people or not... though there are no coincidences with God.  

Don Green's messages on the moral commandments of Scripture gather from other places in Scripture to show the depth of our sins that the commandments point to.  The Law points out sin, and they show our need of a Savior.  They also are a guide to believers who desire to walk by the Spirit.