Easy & Light

I received Jesus as my savior 45 years ago. (age 8 ) I grew up in the faith & my parents ensured that I was exposed to the teaching of God's Word.

In those days, if you wanted more than rules, that were tight with not much of an explanation other than, "because I said so", you had to dig for more understanding to receive it.

Today, there's not a lack of teaching or even a demonstration of the Spirit as much as we now have a "Frankensteined" Christianity to FIT our various tastes.

"GOD" has now become a "brand" or many "franchises". If you don't like calling Him "Father"...they are trying to tell us we can now call Him "Mother" or the God who has NO STANDARDS or BOUNDARIES.

The apostate (those who have abandoned the church that Jesus birthed), have turned the truth into an ugly lie...reducing the BIBLE (The Word of God) to a book of quotes, man made rules for Christian living & have given new names to old sins.

Grace has been weaponized to commit any sin you want without consequences. It has become a CROSS-LESS faith where grace is nothing more than a buzzword & living any lifestyle you desire is not only accepted...it's celebrated.

The people who criticize the church are looking for every loop hole & non sacrificial path to make it to heaven. It's like they're saying, "Make it perfect & we'll come".

Jesus said His burden was "EASY & LIGHT". He didn't say there wouldn't be struggle, sacrifice & commitment.

Shaking my head at this confused world we live in. We must hold to The Scriptures as our only truth.

There isn't "Your truth" or "my truth"...there's only ONE TRUTH. Jesus said it was Him. If our lifestyle doesn't line up with His teachings...we err from any truth imagined.

There will never be peace in our lives until we reconcile with the Prince of Peace...Jesus.

The simple salvation plan still works.

Russell Hylton

You Can Hurt Yourself, If You Don't Have The Right Tools

You can HURT yourself, if you don't have the RIGHT TOOLS.

Yesterday, we had to replace the sump pump in our basement. Today, I also had to switch out a silencer valve on the pipe that leads from the pump to the outside. Not a huge project, but definitely one you want to have the right tools for.

I started off trying to use a flat head screwdriver to tighten the clamps. The end of the screwdriver slipped and gashed my finger a little bit. Not a big deal, but it definitely hurt. So, I grabbed my powered screw gun, & a socket that would fit, & finished tightening the clamps. Pefecto! Job completed & all is well.

Having the RIGHT TOOLS for the job & even life can save you a lot of pain & hurt.

God has given us His WORD. The BIBLE. It is relevant for today & will survive long after culture shifts "again." I began to think about how The Word of God gives us every available tool, to not only function in health in this life, but to prepare for the life to come in ETERNITY.

PARENTS, are you using the tool of God's Word to shape your children's faith? Or, are you allowing culture to shape them?

Truthfully, our children will pick up the trends & mindsets of this world, because we are in this world. That's why it is so important to shape their faith with the TRUTH of God's Word.

The Bible is unchanging, infallible & cannot be rewritten, regardless of time or culture.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Are you allowing the world to dictate your beliefs? 
Are you allowing culture to dictate your beliefs?

Today, there is an attempt to subjugate moral issues, that the Scriptures are clear on, concerning HOMOSEXUALITY, ABORTION, FORNICATION, ADDICTIONS & more.

God has given us the TOOLS we need to live in FREEDOM of every sin that tempts us. We must embrace His Word, as the tool needed and model this before our children.

We do not have the luxury of allowing the culture to shape our children's truth. THE TRUTH HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED.

2 Peter 1:20-21 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

I shared earlier today, "Some people reject the BIBLE because they say it contradicts itself. But the real issue is that the BIBLE contradicts their choices!" (http://bit.ly/2KXMfkD)

Using the right tools can save you from unnecessary pain.

I'm praying for every parent, to hold The Scriptures as the standard. Everything else is a frail attempt to justify lifestyles that are in violation with The Word of God.

I'm not sharing anything new. The Word of God existed long before me...so it's not "Russell's" word...it's GOD'S WORD that I declare. It needs no defense & it's not even open for debate. It's already settled.

Allow the Grace of God to lead you deeper into The Scriptures, where you will find relevant answers for your faith, family & future.

#ROOM
bfwc.net

Don't Be Swept Away With Fake News!

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” 
Proverbs‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know first hand how people, who have no clue, think they know so much. Truth is, they've never even talked face-to-face to the person(s) they apparently have an issue with & their fabricated information is not only ignorant it's flavored with someone else's offense.

The Scriptures teach how to handle such issues: Steer clear of these people, mark them & have no fellowship.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When it comes to Pastors in Houston, TX and churches who are working with their city to provide HELP, please don't sit in your lazy boy and form an opinion based off of social media or even the news channels that a particular church or leader isn't doing enough to help! Unless you're there FACE-TO-FACE...and can interview them & see it for yourself...your opinion doesn't matter.

On another note...why is it that people who aren't doing much constantly criticize people who are doing more! The point I'm making is, until you're actually accomplishing what they're doing for God...who are we to put our mouth on people? My parents taught me..."you keep your mouth & your hand off the man of God."

You may not like someone's methods or even their message (in the Kingdom of God), but WHO ARE YOU to even criticize? Before we speak to something we KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, let us humbly remind ourselves that we are NOTHING without the grace & mercy of God.

Those who are doing lofty things for God will always come under speculation & assumicide.

The peanut gallery will always have stones to throw & axes to grind. But those who are leading well...are looking through the windshield & not the rear view mirror.

Always remember...what goes around comes around. What you do to someone else will come back to you. It's called the law of reciprocity. If you've caused someone else severe hardship with your mouth or actions...watch out...It's just a matter of time.

If you're interested in helping some great churches in the Houston area, here's more valuable information concerning people we love & respect in God's Kingdom!

Let us continue to PRAY FOR TEXAS! We have many churches/friends that are severely affected by HURRICANE HARVEY.

Please consider DONATING to the following:

• Pastors Don Nordin & Susan Nordin | CT Church in Houston, TX:Donate Here: https://pushpay.com/pay/ctchurch/nAAx_-ri9e-QJ6KDKrC_gQ…
  
• Shawn Nelson Shannon Etdc Nelson | East Texas Dream Center in Conroe, TXDonate Here: http://easttexasdreamcenter.org/giving.html
  
• Pastors Aaron Jayne & Bobbie Jayne | Coastal Bend Family Worship Center in Aransas Pass, TexasDonate Here: https://www.gofundme.com/4c7qbrk
  
• PCG National Missions Disaster Relief Fund:
  Donate Here: https://secure-q.net/donations/PCG/670

Sincerely,

Russell & Beverly Hylton
Lead Pastors
bfwc.net

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Have You Ever Been Stereotyped?

Have you ever been stereotyped? This morning, I had to drop my truck off at the mechanic. It was early, so I thought I would walk down the road to Starbucks and grab a coffee while I waited for the sun to rise and possibly catch a ride to work from a friend.

Picture this...it's dark, I'm wearing my army green jacket, I'm carrying a gym bag, my backpack and I'm walking down the road. I GOT SOME STARES.

Sometimes when we see people walking down the side of the road, we can assume the wrong thing.  We can assume that just because they are walking, they either don't have a car, can't afford a car or they're homeless.

The truth can become lost in the facts.  The TRUTH is, my truck is in the shop. The FACT is I'm walking to Starbucks by choice. Actually, I could have stayed at the mechanics shop and filled up on the tar-like coffee being served in the 2x2 guest waiting area. #SoundsYummy

I remember something similar happening when my daughter had her High School graduation party. My sister-n-law came into town to help us host the party. During all the preparations we realized that we were completely out of ice and some other items.  Guests were starting to arrive.  With time working against us,  my sister-n-law jumped in the truck with me and we headed to the store to get the items we needed while my wife and daughter stayed at the house to welcome guests and host. When we got to the check-out line to pay for our items...SURE ENOUGH...we ran into one of those "church people" who like to TALK ABOUT EVERYONE and apparently operates in the 10th Spiritual Gift called loquaciousness. 

This dear "sister" (I use that term lightly) confused the TRUTH from the FACTS.  The FACT was I was driving in my truck with another woman (other than my wife) the TRUTH was...she was my sister-n-law.

Friends, never confuse the TRUTH from the FACTS. Often times, people reach conclusions by what they've HEARD rather than what is TRUE. Honestly, you'll never be able to entirely prevent these misunderstandings from happening.  There will always be someone who is nosy, overly opinionated and loves to spread tales.  (Sound like anyone you know? Possibly you?) 

I've learned that you never talk ABOUT someone if you've not taken the time to talk TO them. Friends, enjoy the journey...even if you have to walk to Starbucks in the dark. 

Now when is my ride supposed to be here?

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