Check out this month’s issue of Grace Notes, Grace Bible Fellowship’s monthly newsletter: GRACE NOTES SEPT 2016

I’m not a “tea-totaller” which means I don’t practice complete and total abstinence from alcohol, but I’m pretty darn close. The number of alcoholic beverages I’ve had in the last 10 years is not too many more than the number of champagne “toasts” I’ve participated in at weddings. That’s not a boast about how strong I am in the face of temptation, quite the opposite actually. I’m weak. I proved at an early age and into adulthood that I was not responsible with alcohol. So for me, due to my own limitations and weakness, social drinking, outside of a controlled accountable environment in limited quantity, is not going to be something I do.

I do however have friends, some who serve as leaders in our church, who do drink regularly, responsibly. I respect that. And I respect them. I may not please some people with my positions on alcohol consumption because I intentionally try not to go to either extreme. I won’t, as some do, condemn everyone who has a drink. It’s just not biblical, right or necessary. Nor will I ignore the clarity from Scripture regarding drunkenness, or the clear dangers associated with alcohol abuse. I’ve seen too many lives lost, homes wrecked, and have experienced first hand the consequences of being irresponsible with alcohol. I want to be able to help people who struggle in this area, not be a stumbling block. Also, I can’t condone unlawful underage drinking because Romans 13 teaches to “submit to governing authorities” (and don’t young people have enough challenges and pressures without adding the potential of an addiction to their lives before the age of 21?)

Also, and this is just a practical, personal thing/added bonus–Drinking is expensive! HA. Think how much money I’ve saved at ballparks, stadiums, and restaurants??? I’m not trying to be a hater, Your money, is yours and if your doing it responsibly, it’s your thing, enjoy! But when I waste money it’s on important things…like fishing lures and other tackle! 🙂 One more, ever since about 35 years old, I’ve had to watch what my calorie intake because my metabolism is no longer like that of a gnat! I heard early on “don’t drink your calories.” I’m tall and have less muscle than a canned ham, so I hide weight gain pretty well, but I’ve got a feeling if I did drink regularly, even responsibly, I’d get unhealthy quick and start to looking like a snake who swallowed an egg! No thank you, I’m saving my calorie intake for BLUE BELL, Whataburger, and of course the occasional Dr Pepper!

Anyway, I say all this to share a post with you that I shared with some college students regarding Christians and alcohol consumption. The post is written by pastor Kevin DeYoung who I really respect, and is titled  ‘CHRIST DID NOT DIE FOR YOU TO DO KEG STANDS.’ It is written with college students in mind, but offers balanced biblical wisdom for everyone who’s thinking through this subject. Please take a few moments and check it out: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2014/08/26/christ-and-keg-stands/

Do you know who Fred Elliot is? …No? I didn’t either. But I do know who JIM ELLIOT is–the missionary martyr who lost his life in the late 1950’s trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador. Jim Elliot had movies made about him and his missionary friends! I also know who Elisabeth Elliot is–Jim’s widow who’s faith in Christ and perseverance has inspired so many though her books, Through The Gates of Splendor and Passion and Purity, just to name a couple. But who’s Fred Elliot? Fred was a man who very simply, but also gloriously, discipled his children.

Please take time to read the following post…

4 Simple Ways Fred Elliot Discipled His Children

The most helpful book I’ve ever read on gaining an eternal perspective regarding finances is a short book by Randy Alcorn titled The Treasure Principle. I highly recommend reading the book. But, if you can view the 10 minute vid below, and read the ‘Six Keys To Understanding The Treasure Principle’ that follow, you’ll have a good idea of the teaching in the book.

The Treasure Principle: You can’t take it with you, but… you can send it on ahead.

“Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:20

The six keys:

1. God owns everything; I’m His money manager.

We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted—not given—to us.

2. My heart always goes where I put God’s money.

Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.

3. Heaven—the New Earth, not the present one—is my home. 

We are citizens of “a better country–a heavenly one.” (Hebrews 11:16)

4. I should live today not for the dot, but for the line.

From the dot—our present life on earth—extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.

5. Giving is the only antidote to Materialism.

Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.

6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.

________________________________________________________________

Original post can be found here. Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over fifty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.

Also you can follow Todd Wagner @wordsfromwags  and find more of his teaching at http://realtruthrealquick.com

This weekend I’m doing something I’ve never done before–officiating 2 weddings in less than 24 hours! Hope I don’t get their names confused! Ha! For real, it will be fun. Weddings are always a joy to be a part of. Even more than the ceremony itself, I enjoy getting to meet with couple’s before their wedding. In some cases, like the two couples I’m marrying this weekend, my wife and I get to do a good amount of premarital counseling. Now, as you married folks know, there’s no amount of premarital counseling that can adequately prepare you for all of the challenges and joys of marriage. Every relationship is unique  and needs God’s wisdom and grace in unique ways. BUT, there are some things that can be very helpful to know going in to marriage. I’m not sure where we picked them up, but over the years my wife and I have settles on 5 topics, or “marriage killers” that we like address with couples before they marry. We talk about the challenges of each topic, and then offer biblical wisdom, resources, and counsel for each one.

1. Communication
2. (dealing with unmet) Expectations
3. In-laws
4. Finances
5. Sex and Romance

And just to be clear, these challenges are not exclusive to newlyweds! Doesn’t matter if you’ve been married 5 days or 5 decades these “marriage killers” tend to represent the source of a lot of problems in marriage.

“I want to read and study the Bible, where do I start?” This is something I am asked pretty often, and I am always encouraged to hear! God has revealed himself in the Bible, so when a person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14-16) they naturally get serious about learning the Bible.

Here’s how I typically advise people who are looking for a place to start:

Start with one of the 4 gospel accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These are a great way to learn more about who Jesus is and how we can be made right with God through Him and his work done on our behalf.

Pray before you read. Bible reading is part of a relationship with God. Open the conversation with God in prayer. There’s not a secret formula to praying, but here is a link to a prayer guide.

Consider just reading one paragraph a day. Bible reading is not a race, and you’re not trying to learn AR points 🙂 It’s better to get it than to merely get through it. Take some time to really take in what is being said. I use a pen and underline/circle words and phrases that stand out to me.

After reading the paragraph, ask some questions in view of the paragraph you just read:

1. What did this teach me about God?
2. What did this teach me about mankind/myself
3. What did this teach me about the relationship between God and mankind/myself?
4. Is there a commandment to obey or something I need to do after reading this?

Then pray again, as a closing to your focused time with the Lord.

Hope this is helpful. I’d also recommend making a daily habit of reading and reflecting on the Psalms, maybe a psalm a day or a chapter a day depending on the length of the psalm, and becoming familiar with the practical wisdom found in Proverbs.

If you have an interest in another, more indepth method of Bible reading and study check out the 3 step method in this post.

Or if you are interested in a Bible reading plan with significantly more content check this out.

Excellent highlight video by Jason Carney of a recent mission trip to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico.

Link to Grace Notes, Grace Bible’s monthly newsletter, check it out!!

GRACE NOTES JULY 2016