Finding the Right Church- Dr. Charles Stanley

It is important for all believers to be joined to a local church body. But how should you select a church? Let’s examine the essential qualities of a Bible-believing fellowship. 

If you do not currently belong to a congregation, use these guidelines as a resource while you search for one. If you are already an active church member, this list can help you evaluate where you attend.

Since all Christians do not agree on the same interpretation of Scripture, the first thing we must investigate is the church’s doctrine or fundamental beliefs.

1. Does the church believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God? Do the leaders trust that Scripture is without error, and all of it is useful and necessary in our daily lives (2 Tim. 3:16)? Many professing Christians try to excuse certain miraculous or supernatural passages of the Bible, such as the creation account in Genesis or the final judgment in Revelation. If a church tries to make Scripture more comfortable or understandable by sacrificing a doctrinal truth, then it fails to maintain the integrity of the Word. The Bible is the perfect revelation of God to His people. 
   
2. Does the church believe Jesus is not simply the Son of God but actually God Himself (John 1:1-2, 14)? The deity of Christ is absolutely a fundamental belief of any biblical church. Had Jesus been an ordinary man, He would have been a sinner like the rest of humanity. The penalty for our wrongdoing needed to be paid by someone who’d never sinned. If Christ disobeyed God, then you and I are left to face the full wrath of the Father (Heb. 9:27). 
   
3. Does the church believe Jesus was born of a virgin? If we have faith in God’s Word, then we must trust that it speaks the truth regarding Jesus’ miraculous birth, as recorded in the Gospels (Matt. 1:23-25).
   
4. Does the church believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ? When Jesus left the tomb, He left itphysically. He was not simply a spirit floating around; He was a person—alive and in the flesh (John 20:24-29).
   
5. Does the church believe Jesus is going to return? Scripture is clear that Christ will come back to the earth. He will call His followers home and bring judgment on the ungodly (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
   
6. Does the church believe there will be a future judgment? When Christ returns, He will return as a righteous Judge. At that time, He will separate His people from those who do not know Him. Some churches are not comfortable with this portrayal of the Lord, but it is thoroughly biblical (Matt. 25:31-46).
   
7. Does the church believe there is a literal heaven and hell? This goes along with the truth of the coming judgment. After all, if the “sheep” and “goats” are separated (Matt. 25:31-46), then each group must have a place to go. 
   
8. Does the church believe Jesus went to the cross and died a sacrificial atoning death? This is the most important point of all. The cornerstone of our faith is that Jesus Christ bore the punishment we deserved—we gained the freedom of God’s forgiveness through the Savior’s death and resurrection. This was the price that was necessary to forgive, redeem, reconcile, justify, and conform us to the image of God’s Son. It was also proof that God truly loves us unconditionally, perfectly, and not on the basis of anything we have done (John 3:16; Rom. 5:5-7).

If the church you attend does not accept these things as true, I suggest you leave that fellowship. Why? Because what you believe determines where you will spend eternity and how you will live here on earth. If you think there is no hell, heaven, or judgment, you will most likely live a morally offensive lifestyle. It is impossible to live a godly life unless core doctrines are firmly set in your walk of faith.

Once you get past the doctrine test, you need to ask two more questions of the church. First, is it building your faith? In other words, are you being strengthened in your relationship with God and enabled to understand Scripture? If your answer is “no,” it may be an indication you are not in the right place.

Second, does the church have a ministry to the world? A true Christ-centered fellowship will not be satisfied trying to keep the power of the gospel locked within its four walls, available only to its own members. Rather, a solid biblical church expresses a deep desire to reach the world for Christ, taking the truth to those who have never heard it.

When you follow these three tests—doctrine, faith-building, and missions—they will guide you to a biblical church. If you are already part of a body of believers, then these guidelines will help solidify your understanding of what the church believes. It is a delight to be part of a local group of people who are doctrinally grounded in the Word of God, who love to be edified through Scripture, and who are concerned about a world that does not know their God.

My friend, the Lord is intimately concerned about your church affiliation, and He desires to meet with you in new and exciting ways every time you come to Him in worship. Therefore, don’t settle for simply becoming a church member; instead, recognize your proper place within the growing, vibrant, active body of Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotion: Finding Clear Guidance

John 15:9-17

Sleep can elude us when we are trying to make critical decisions. Our minds race over details; we make our lists, evaluate options, and pray, "God, what should I do?" Often we become frustrated because we're not sure how to get the answer from the Lord.

The key is found in our relationship with Him. The closer we are to God, the easier communication between us will be. Closeness to God means:

• Learning what God likes and dislikes. Certain opportunities can be quickly eliminated because they are contrary to God's character.

• Knowing God's Word. When we are familiar with the Word of God, the Holy Spirit can remind us of passages relevant to our situation.

• Confessing our sins. Confession helps our minds be cleansed from the effects of ungodly thinking, which interferes with receiving the Lord’s direction.

• Laying down our desires and taking up His. As we draw closer to Him, we'll experience the blessings of submission and be willing to do it again.

• Waiting on God. We will allow sufficient time to hear from the Father.

• Standing firm against pressure—external and internal. Receiving clear direction from God will be our priority.

• Praying persistently. We'll continue to ask the Father for guidance, and we will not give up. The Lord desires our very best. Draw closer to Him, and experience the joy of receiving clear direction.

How Can I Become a More Obedient Child of God?

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Genesis 12:1-4

Obedience is a major characteristic of a person who is mighty in spirit and honors the Lord. Generally speaking, obedience characterized the faith of Abraham from his first encounter with God until his death.

We grow in obedience by having faith in the sovereignty of God. If we fail to believe in the Father’s sovereignty, we will find it difficult to obey Him. Abraham based his relationship with God on his confidence that the Lord would always do as He had promised (Rom. 4:20, 21). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and responding in confident trust (Rom. 10:17). We will learn to trust Him as we study and meditate on His Word.

We grow in obedience by waiting for God’s timing. The Father is very time conscious—not in terms of minutes and seconds, but in regard to our acting in obedience according to His schedule. Throughout Scripture we find Him moving in “the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4:4). He is neither early nor late. He is always right on time. 

We continue to grow in obedience by refusing to subject God’s plan to “common sense” or the reasoning of the world. Some things the Lord requires may look ridiculous from a human perspective. He told Abraham that he would have a son through whom He would bless the entire world. Yet the Lord allowed Abraham’s obedience to be severely tested—first by requiring him to wait nearly a quarter of a century before providing the promised provision, and later by requiring him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. God knew the motive of Abraham’s heart. It was one of obedience. When it came time to complete the sacrifice, the Lord was the one who provided a ram to be used in Isaac’s place.

We grow in obedience by promptly responding in obedience. If you long to obey God, you will not hesitate when He tells you to do something. Many times we fail to obey the Father because we fear the consequences. Yet He never requires us to do anything outside His will for our lives. Our only responsibility is to obey; His responsibility is to take care of the consequences of our obedience. 

Our sensitivity to God’s will increases as we obey Him. Along the way, He provides glimpses of the blessings waiting for us. God always blesses obedience. You can trust Him, obey Him, and be blessed. Or you can disobey Him and spend the rest of your life wondering what He would have done had you obeyed Him. Once you glimpse the blessings of obedience, however, the consequences no longer matter.

Adapted from "The Charles F. Stanley’s Life Principles Bible," 2008.

Supreme Court upholds health care law

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Thursday to uphold the controversial Affordable Care Act.

The decision comes on the last day of the term for the SCOTUS as they will take off for the summer. On Monday, the high court struck down key pieces of Arizona's SB 1070 immigration bill.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued the majority opinion that the individual mandate, the centerpiece of the health law, is constitutional under the taxing clause instead of the commerce clause.

Many people called the case the most significant since the 2000 Gore vs Bush ruling, which decided a presidential election. Others say it's the biggest ruling since the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education in terms of social progression.


Here are some of the highlights of the health care law.

The battle is far from over despite the ruling.

According to the NY Times, the GOP vows to repeal the health care law, which they see as an unaffordable infringement on the rights of individuals. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he will undo the law if elected president in November.

Passed in 2010, the ACA intended to end the United States status as the only rich country in the world with large numbers of uninsured people, by expanding to both private market and Medicaid.

The key provision, known as the individual mandate, virtually requires all citizens to buy health insurance meeting minimum federal standards or risk paying a fine if they refuse.

Secondly, the law requires states to expand Medicaid coverage for poor and nearly poor households.

Thirdly, It also offers subsidies to poorer and middle-class households, varying with incomes and to some businesses, insuring their workers.

 In addition, young Americans will be able on their parents insurance until age 26.

In all, millions of people are expected to gain insurance from the law, according to the Congressional Budget Office, a part of a march toward universal coverage, a goal that has eluded presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Richard M. Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Bill Clinton---for generations.

Sandusky found guilty in sex abuse case

Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 counts of child sex  abuse as the verdict was read in front of a Pennsylvania courtroom Friday night.

Sandusky was charged with sex abuse of 10 boys last November. The alleged cover-up of the crimes sparked a firestorm at Penn State University which led to the firing of school president Graham Spanier, AD Tim Curley and the late head football Joe Paterno, who died in January.

The judge revoked his bail as charges were read and taken away in handcuffs to jail where he will be in solitary confinement.

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the courthouse cheering in favor of the verdict.

Sandusky, 68, faces a minimum of 60 years and a maximum of 442 years in prison. Jurors found the former coach guilty of 17 first-degree felonies, each having a sentence of 20 years.

He did not take the stand in his defense because of his adopted son becoming a rebuttal witness, according to his attorney Joe Amendola.

Sentencing will not take place for another three months.

The next course of action would be to go after the administrators who tried to cover-up the sex abuse and those who enabled it to continue.

The Penn State University community is a tight-knit group that treat each other as family.

 They now have a long road ahead of them as they try to polish a once impeccable image which is now tainted.

Thunder rally in second half to top Heat, take 1-0 series lead

Oklahoma City showed Miami what team basketball looked like in the NBA Finals.

Kevin Durant scored 17 of his game-high 36 points in the fourth quarter as the Thunder beat the Heat 105-94 in front of a sell-out crowd at Cheasapeake Energy Arena.

The tandem of Russell Westbrook and Durant outscored Dwyane Wade and LeBron James by themselves in the second half (41-40), with Durant drawing first blood in his matchup against the 3-time MVP. James only scored seven points in the final frame.

Westbrook played a better second half and finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. He is the first player since Charles Barkley in 1993 with similar numbers. James Harden was rather ineffective as he was dogged by foul trouble the entire game.

OKC turned the game around in the third quarter by going to a small lineup, spearheaded by defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha. His relentless defense relieved the burden for Durant and helped the Thunder take the lead for good.

The Heat got as close as four points late in the fourth before Durant made back to back buckets to give OKC a 10-point lead with 3:35 to go.

Durant's 36 was the most in an NBA Finals debut since 2001 when Allen Iverson scored 48 points vs the LA Lakers.

The Thunder have come a long way from its inaugural season of 23-59 in 2007-08. Now they have won the first NBA Finals game in team history and look to do the same in a couple of days.

Game 2 is Thursday.

2012 NBA Finals: A Preview

In 2010, the young, rambunctious Oklahoma City Thunder went six games before bowing out in the first-round against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Last season they made it to the Western Conference Finals where once again came up short against Dallas, who went on to claim their first NBA title.

This season, the Thunder ran through the gauntlet of the Mavericks, Lakers and Spurs en route to their first Western Conference crown and trip to the NBA Finals. All three teams have won 10 of the last 13 NBA titles. They find themselves four wins away from their first NBA championship since moving to the Sooner State.

For most of the club, the NBA Finals is a new experience and it will be tested during the series. However, the Thunder have 5-time champion Derek Fisher, Kendrick Perkins (was on 2008 Celtics championship team) and Nazr Mohammed (won a title with San Antonio) to give words of wisdom on what it means to be in the NBA Finals.

Kevin Durant and the Thunder have an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the league that they are here to stay.

Miami has a shot at redemption after falling to Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals by making good on their promise via the fireworks parade when the Big 3 were announced prior to the 2010-2011 season. The Heat overcame a Chris Bosh injury in the East Semis vs Indiana and rallied from a 3-2 deficit versus Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals to claim their second consecutive Eastern Conference title.

It will be the fifth time since 1967 that the NBA scoring champion and  MVP square off in the NBA Finals.

The series will be about match-ups.

Durant vs Lebron: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will have to make sure Lebron doesn't waste a ton of energy guarding the 3-time scoring champ. Conversely, Durant will have to make King James work for his points on defense and score at will when it matters most.

Sefolosha vs Wade: Thunder coach Scott Brooks can use the defensive-oriented guard on D. Wade or on LeBron at times. His length can cause problems for the Heat when they try to pass in the interior.

Bench production: The Thunder have a huge advantage in this matchup. They have veteran Derek Fisher, who can provide quality minutes on the floor and make clutch shots when needed. They also have one of the smartest defensive big men in Nick Collison. He can provide the Thunder with defensive help in the paint and force James and Wade to make contested shots. Conversely, Miami's bench is very inconsistent, including Mike Miller, who isn't at 100%.

The Thunder must keep James and Wade off the free-throw line and play defense without fouling. They have to make the tandem take contested jump shots.

I project the Oklahoma City Thunder will win the NBA Finals in six games over Miami.