5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

This is the hardest thing I have ever admitted.  I am a christian, and have been raised in a christian household, but I have been dealing with a sin that I’m scared could ruin my relationship with God.  I have watched pornography for a long time.  I have prayed for forgiveness many times and for strength, but I always fall back into this extremely painful sin.  I want to stop and be forgiven but I’m afraid I’ll fall again since it has happened many times.  I’m so scared God will not forgive me, but I truly am sorry.  I know the Bible says God will always forgive, but I keep doing this terrible sin.  I hate what I have become, and I’m very scared.  I guess I’m just asking for some advice and begging for you to help.  Please pray for me.

Sincerely,
Ashamed

Dear Ashamed,

This sin is deeply entrenched in your life, and you need permanent repentance.  We are told that a powerful tool in defeating sin is confessing our sins to one another (Jas 5:16).  Sin likes to be kept secret (Jhn 3:20), and bringing it to light by making it public goes a long way in defeating habitual sin.  A very popular way of getting this sort of accountability is by using accountability software that forwards your browsing history to a friend or trusted individual.  Companies like CovenantEyes make accountability software, and many struggling pornography addicts have found it to make a huge difference.  If you want to defeat sin, you must expose it.  Confess your sin to others, and you will begin to see change.  It is time to get serious about removing this sin.  You know you are serious about defeating sin when you are willing to expose it at all costs.

I recently attended a church where a salvation invitation was given to the attendees at the close of the service.  I felt very strongly about raising my hand and receiving God's free gift of salvation.  Immediately, I felt the release of the burdens I'd been carrying for so long as I acknowledged Him and asked for forgiveness.  I want to be baptized but would like to learn more about baptism before doing so and get into some Bible studies.  What do you suggest, so that I can continue in obedience?

Sincerely,
"Saved" on 9-10-2010

Dear “Saved” on 9-10-2010,

We would be happy to tell you more about baptism and its important role in the salvation process.  We recommend that you read several articles we have written on the topic.  “Water To The Rescue”, “The Start Of A New Life”, and “Baptism” are all good articles on the topic of baptism.  We would also be happy to get you in contact with a local congregation that would provide you with personal Bible studies (please e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will help you set that up).  There is nothing more exciting than the journey you have begun.  With a love of the truth (2 Thess 2:10) and an honest heart (Lk 8:15), you are well on your way to becoming a faithful, saved christian.

I have a friend at school who attends an Anglican church, and when referring to the mother of Jesus, she says the "blessed virgin Mary".  I attend a "Bible-only" Christian church and have never heard Mary referred to in this way.  I also follow many evangelical services on the radio and television and have also never heard any pastor call Mary "blessed".  When I asked my friend about this, she showed me Luke 1:48 "all generations shall call me blessed".  It was surprising to realize that if it weren't for my friend's faith tradition, and those like it, this Scripture would go unfulfilled!  No christian I have ever known, other than my friend, has ever called Mary "blessed".  Has anyone in your congregation ever called Mary "blessed" in a sermon or conversation?  If not, why not?

Sincerely,
Ready To Bless

Dear Ready To Bless,

The word ‘blessed’ simply means ‘to count happy, good, or with favor’… and that is something that all generations have thought of Mary.  The point of Lk 1:48 isn’t that mankind will use those exact words, but that people will for all generations look upon Mary as a favored woman.  Anytime someone reads the Bible and realizes the value and faith of Mary, Lk 1:48 is fulfilled.

It is also important to note that many of the churches that emphasize using the exact words “blessed virgin Mary” do so because of their ties to the Catholic theology that Mary was a perfect woman who lived without sin.  Many Anglican churches treat Mary with so much appreciation that it turns to worship and veneration – this is wrong (Lk 4:8).  Mary is a favored woman within Scriptures, but she shouldn’t be worshipped.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE