Last week I was out soul winning with a new convert from my Sunday school class who has been saved only a few months. We met a lady who said she thought that Heaven was here on earth. I asked her if she believed the Bible, and she replied that she believed parts of the Bible. We talked for quite some time, but it quickly became clear that she wanted to believe the Bible in every area that matched the beliefs she already held. She basically wanted to say that the Bible was true, except for where it conflicted with her beliefs. In any place that the Bible did not agree with her, she doubted whether that part were true.

She had told me a little about her job, so I decided to use her employer as an illustration. I asked her what her boss would say if he gave her an assignment for the day and she did something completely different. I expected her to say that her supervisor would not be happy, but she felt that the boss would say, “You’re fired!” I could not help but think how amazing it is that people can have the idea that humans really mean what they say, but God does not.

Does it really matter what the Bible says? Yes, it does. The fact that we do not see God does not mean that He cannot see us. The fact that we have our own will does not negate God’s will. God is sovereign, so He can make any decree He chooses. He has given us His Word, and He expects us to know it and obey it. Does it really matter what the Bible says? Is the Bible really that important? Psalm 138:2 says of the Lord, “Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

I wish that I could tell you that the lady got saved, but she did not. She simply was not willing to accept the fact that God’s words are more important than man’s feelings. God’s Word really matters—to the saved and lost alike. So often we Christians, who have accepted God’s Word in the matter of salvation, hold to the same belief that this lost lady has when it comes to our daily living. Do our associations really matter? Do our actions really matter? Of course they do! The Bible has much to say about our daily living, but we must be willing to recognize that God’s Word matters before God’s Word will make a difference in our lives.

One of the great fringe benefits of a college education is that lifetime friendships are forged along the way. I have experienced this in my own life, but I have also observed it in the lives of many others. So often I will hear a pastor talk about friends from college with whom he regularly shares the ups and downs of life in the ministry. The truth is that we need the support we get from others who are facing similar situations, and those same people are the best ones to share our joys when things are going well. Last Tuesday during Pastors’ Conference, Brother and Mrs. Kobernat hosted our second annual Alumni Banquet. It was so wonderful to see our graduates reunited with friends from their college days and meeting other graduates who went to school either before or after they did. My heart was stirred as I thought about the impact our graduates are having for the cause of Christ, and I was encouraged when I thought about the strength they must be receiving from the friendships that began right here at GSBC.

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Here is a picture that we took of the student body this week. We are blessed to have these great young people as a part of Golden State Baptist College.

We are living in the afterglow of this year’s Pastors’ Conference at North Valley Baptist Church. My heart was stirred service after service as God’s men preached. Brother Trieber encouraged us to pray that we would have a week of revival and reunion, and that is certainly what it became. If you were unable to attend the conference, I would encourage you to hear some of the preaching and see the photos on the North Valley Baptist Church website.

Today is my birthday, and I must say that I have never been more spoiled on any birthday.  All day long I received emails, notes, cards, and gifts; and our students made a wonderful presentation in chapel that included many decorations, a huge bag full of goodies, and a generous gift card to a very nice restaurant here in our area. I want to thank each one who had a part in making my birthday so special. You are all a great blessing to me.

Last week we introduced our theme for the 2008-2009 school year, “Give Him Glory,” which is taken from Psalm 29:2—“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name.” At Golden State Baptist College, it is our goal to bring glory to God. We do not seek to magnify ourselves or to exalt the work of man. Our purpose is to bring glory to God. On the wall behind the pulpit in our chapel, you will find these words: “Go ye into all the world.” We cannot fulfill the Great Commission unless we continually seek to glorify God. I spoke about this subject in chapel last Tuesday and, if you like, you can click here to hear the message. Due to technical difficulties, the recording begins a couple of minutes into the message, but the sermon text is our theme verse for this year. I hope your heart will be encouraged to “Give Him Glory” as you listen.

This was a fun-filled day as the college family enjoyed our annual Labor Day Picnic. This yearly event is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the many new students who come our way. The students were playing volleyball, softball, football and many other games. (I even saw a chess board on one of the picnic tables!) And, of course, some participated in the annual Reed Jumping Contest. (I am not sure exactly how to describe this time-honored, student-led tradition other than to say that it is something you must see to believe!) Click on this link to see a few pictures from today’s picnic and opening week. Opening Week & Picnic