Just a reminder that we will be attending the Queen City Youth Rally this coming Friday, May 18.  This youth rally is being sponsored by and held at Promised Land Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC.  We will depart from South Charlotte Baptist at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 18.  Please bring enough money to stop at McDonald’s on the way to the youth rally.  We should return to South Charlotte Baptist Church by 10:30 that night.

Click here to download the permission slip for this activity.

This morning, in the elementary chapel of South Charlotte Baptist Academy, we had our 2nd Annual Singspiration chapel service.  Allow me to give you a little history…

I have the joy of leading music for the chapel services in our Academy each week.  In our elementary chapel, we sing songs that are found on a CD that is produced by Majesty Music.  Many of those songs are from Patch the Pirate Adventures which teach Biblical character traits. The children love to sing and they love to sing those songs.

Well, last year, about this time, I had the opportunity to drive the bus for our elementary classes to go on a field trip.  While in the bus, the children began singing.  To my suprise, they began to sing all the songs that we normally sang in chapel.  I began to realize, more than ever, the power that music held in the lives of these children.  While most of them could not remember the messages that they had heard preached in chapel, they enthusiastically sang about these Biblical character traits!  Shortly after that incident, we had our first Singspiration!  Between the songs, I would emphasize the Biblical teaching that they were singing about and encourage them with those truths.  It was a big success!

This morning we did it again in chapel!  And the children loved it!  I told them – somewhat jokingly – that even after they forgotten about me, they would probably still remember and be singing some of those songs!

I would like to encourage you to fill your home with Godly, Christ-honoring music that will reinforce the Biblical truths that you are seeking to teach your children.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16

Allow me to point you in the right direction to find that kind of music.  Below, you will find several links of Christian organizations that are doing a wonderful job producing Godly, Christ-honoring music for the home!

Majesty Music

Bible Truth Music

Rejoice Music

Sacred Audio

Soundforth

Northvalley Publications

Faith Music Mission

Many of these organizations offer downloadable products so that you can begin to enjoy them immediately!

May God bless you and your family as you seek to “walk in truth.” (3 John 4)

The dictionary defines “depression” as “a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.”

The statement has been made that the world views depression as a disease (or a physical problem) and that God’s Word views depression as a spiritual problem.  (It is a broad statement, so please allow me to explain.)

 In August of 2002, my 10 week old son, Logan, died in his sleep on a Friday night.  On Saturday morning, I was the one who discovered his lifeless body alongside that of his twin brother, Titus.  During the weeks and months that followed, I believe there were times when I was depressed.  Therefore, I don’t want anyone to think that I am taking the subject of depression lightly.

The world has much to say about depression, its causes, and its treatment. And, while I would be the first to agree that there are cases in which depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” of some sort, I also believe that much depression is spiritual in nature.

 “Culture points with considerable uncertainty to broken homes, social pressure, and chemical changes in the brain (no doubt all of these play a role).  Then society [the world] attempts to solve the problem with drugs and therapy.

 “Often, depression is more than a mental illness.  It is a spiritual problem as well…”

 Hook, Line & Sinker:  How the enemy is dividing and destroying the Christian family, written by Cary Schmidt and published by Striving Together Publications

 The world – society as a whole – seeks to solve depression through medication.  Note the following statement made about some of the medications currently used to treat depression:

 “SSRIs (including Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Celexa) have actually been proven to increase thoughts of suicide or self harm.”

 Hmmm….There’s a thought.  Let’s treat depression with something that may actually lead us into deeper depression.

On that same website the writers go on to say, “…antidepressants actually treat what is a common symptom of depression, rather then the condition itself…”

 Let’s take a brief look  at depression through the microscope of Scripture.

The pages of Scripture are filled with examples of individuals who were depressed to some degree:

King Saul suffered from depression which filled him with fear and murderous thoughts. (1 Samuel 18:10-15; 19:9-11)  This depression eventually led Saul to commit suicide. (1 Samuel 31:4)

King David suffered from depression which led him to say, “My tears have been my meat day and night…” (Psalm 42:3) and “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.” (Psalm 32:3)

The prophet, Elijah, suffered from depression which caused him to say, “…It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4)

In each of the above cases, the depression that these individuals suffered from was a result of a spiritual problem.

King Saul’s depression began when he rejected God’s Word. (1 Samuel 15:26)  King David’s depression began as a result of his sin with Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11).  Elijah’s depression came about when he took his eyes off of God and began to focus on his circumstances – that being that Queen Jezebel wanted to kill him. (1 Kings 19:1-3)  I think I would have gotten a little depressed as well had I been in Elijah’s shoes!

How did these individuals cope with their depression?

Well, as was stated earlier, King Saul eventually took his own life. Instead of confessing his sin of rejecting God and seeking God’s forgiveness, he continued to reject God and God’s Word.

 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”  Proverbs 28:13

 King David, on the other hand, when confronted with his sin by Nathan (2 Samuel 12), confessed and said, “I have sinned against the Lord…”  Nathan replied, “The Lord also hath put away thy sin…”  David was able to experience the forgiveness of God. (See Psalm 51)

God dealt with Elijah’s depression by helping him get his eyes off of Queen Jezebel and put his focus back on God.  Elijah, after that, went on to continue serving the Lord even having the opportunity to anoint his successor – Elisha. (1 Kings 19)

While this has been only a very brief treatment of the matter of depression (It was not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of the subject), we must understand that depression is very real and should not be taken lightly.  However, instead of merely treating the symptoms, we should strive to find the root cause, which in many cases will lead us to a spiritual problem that should be treated as such.

 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”  Isaiah 26:3-4

In 1987, the LA Lakers won the NBA Championship.  Their coach, Pat Riley, guaranteed that they would win the championship again in 1988.  Although it wasn’t pretty, the LA Lakers did indeed win the 1988 NBA Championship, becoming the first team in 19 years to become repeat champions.  One of the players from those two teams, Byron Scott said this, “Guaranteeing a championship was the best thing Pat ever did.  It set the stage in our minds.  Work harder, be better.  That’s the only way we could repeat.”  In other words, Pat Riley gave his team a concrete purpose to strive for!

A purpose can be defined as, “something set up as an object or end to be attained; intention; resolution; determination.”

God is a God of purpose and He has designed us to live on purpose and if, in 2012, you win any victories or achieve any accomplishments in your personal or family life, it will be because you have done it on purpose!

David, although he made his fair share of mistakes, was a man who lived “on purpose!”  Notice his purpose in 1 Samuel 17:46

“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

The story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) contain the 3 ingredients that are necessary if we desire to live “on purpose.”

1. There must be desire. (1 Samuel 17:26, 29)

David’s desire was that something needed to be done up Goliath!  What do you have a desire to see accomplished in this coming year?  What great things do you desire to see God accomplish in your life, in your family, in your church?  The first step to living “on purpose” is to develop that desire.  Spend time asking God to give you a desire to be victorious and to accomplish great things for His honor and glory!

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans 10:1

 2. There must be thought. (1 Samuel 17:32, 34-37)

Had David given any thought to how he was going to defeat Goliath.  Sure he had.  He was going to defeat Goliath in the same way that he had defeated the lion and the bear that had attacked his flock.  When you have cultivated a desire, you must then give thought to how your will accomplish it.  Do you desire to build a stronger family?  How are you going to do that?

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?” Luke  14.31

3. There must be action. (1 Samuel 17:48)

The greatest desires and the greatest plans will never be accomplished without action.

“…David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. “ 1 Samuel 17:48

David not only had a desire and a good plan, he then acted upon those things and “ran” to take care of business.  One thing which many times keeps us from acting upon our desires is fear of failure.  David had a lot to loose if he failed!  He would have lost his life.  However, he did not allow that to keep him from action!  Take your desires and the plans you have developed and then begin to act upon them.  Get up tomorrow morning and read your Bible.  Tell the entire family, on Saturday night, that, as a family, you’re going to church on Sunday.  Be at SCBC on the first Saturday of the month to participate in Church Wide Visitation.  Just do it!

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

 Desire + Thought + Action = A Life on Purpose

What we wear and how we wear is not simply a matter of “what’s comfortable” or “what’s in style.”  It is a matter of what is pleasing to the Lord and what will allow us to best represent our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Please listen and read with an open heart.  You may also want to read, “Does God Care What We Wear?” by Associate Pastor, Cary Schmidt from Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA.  ”Does Jesus Care What We Wear?” is a 3-part article on…what we wear! (As if it wasn’t already obvious!)

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This is the conclusion of the message/lesson on “God’s Premium on Obedience.”

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In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres made television history as the first television character to “come out of the closet” and announce her homosexuality (sin) to the world.  From that time forward homosexuality has been a recurring, and “accepted,” theme in just about every form of media from television to film.  Because of this, we have gradually begun to tolerate what God calls an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13).  As if that wasn’t bad enough…

In a recent Fox News article entitled, “Abortion No Longer Taboo Topic on Prime Time Television,” we see that things are only getting worse in Hollywood.  Dan Gainor, vice president for business and culture at the Media Research Center states, “The liberal media is using television to win the abortion issue. We are now seeing the new trend and it is dangerous.”

The power of the media, though, is nothing new.  It’s been around for a long time.

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)” 2 Peter 2:7-8

Parents, we must understand and be fully aware of the power of the television, the internet, Ipods.  If we are to protect our children from being influenced by the wickedness of our day, we must take an active role in our children and teenager’s lives by making ourselves responsible for knowing what our children and teens watch and what they listen to.  If you, as a parent, are not making wise choices about what you watch and listen to, I beg of you, for the sake of your children, make it right and then help your children and teenagers!  The next generation depends upon it!  And please, do not believe the idea that your teenager is old enough to make the right choices as to what they should or should not watch. (But that’s another topic for a later date…)

May God give you the victory, in your home, over “the power of media!”

In Samuel 15:22, we see the importance that God places on obedience when Samuel declares, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice!”  Obedience to authority places us in direct line to receive the blessings of God.  Teenagers (and parents), God desires to bless you.  Obey authority!

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None of us can escape authority!  Because of that, we can only choose how we are going to respond to authority.  Will we submit or rebel against the authority God has placed in our lives?  This message was preached on Wednesday, October 19, in our 7 Star Teen youth meeting and is entitled, “Responding to Biblical Authority.”

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God has given teenagers a wonderful gift!  That gift is their parents!  Parents provide a wall of spiritual (and sometimes physical) protection!  Teenagers should not fight with this wall of protection but should be thankful for it.

Attached is a message entitled, “The Wall of Protection!”

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