There is a great deal of study going on right now at GSBC! Everywhere you look, students are studying for final exams. This is a fulfilling week for most students, because there is a special sense of accomplishment when you walk away from that last test knowing that you have done well.

A student body that is looking forward to finishing finals, enjoying grad week, and going home for the summer creates an exciting atmosphere on the campus. These are great days, and I am certainly looking forward to what God has for these young people in the future.

Choosing a Bible college does not have to be that difficult. There are certainly a host of things to consider before you pack your belongings and head out the door. You would certainly be interested to know the location, the cost, the climate, and courses of study. These are all worth your consideration, but what are the most important things that you should be looking for in a Bible college?

1.      Doctrine: What do they believe?

You want to find a Bible college that teaches that the Bible is the Word of God, and that it is the ultimate authority for the life of the Christian. You want to find a Bible college that teaches that the King James Version is the Bible for English-speaking people. You want a Bible college that teaches fundamental Baptist doctrine.

2.      Practice: What do they do?

You want to find a Bible college where there is an emphasis on the practical application of doctrine. You want to find a place where soul winning taught, where the students are actively involved in ministry on a weekly basis, and where the professors are actively involved in winning souls to Christ as well. You want to find a place where there is Christ-honoring music and Biblical holiness.

3.      Structure: Where is the foundation?

You want to find a Bible college that is a ministry of a local, New Testament Baptist church. The best reason to go to Bible college is to learn more about how you can invest your life in God’s work, which is the local church. God has promised to bless the church. Within this kind of structure, you can feel confident that your education is pointing you in the direction that God has intended for your life.

4.      Spirit: What is the attitude?

You want to find a Bible college where folks are excited about the preaching of God’s Word. You want to find a place where there is spirit-filled music and an atmosphere of revival. You want to find a place where people are happy to be saved and excited about serving the Lord. You want to find a place where it is popular to be spiritual, and where hearing powerful Bible preaching is part of your daily life.

If you are looking for this kind of Bible college, then Golden State Baptist College is the place for you!

Our oldest son is in Washington D.C. this week with the honor society from North Valley Baptist School. One of the things that is sure to impress this group of young people is the prevalence of scripture passages etched in stone in many places around the capitol. These prominent engravings are indicators of the general attitude toward God and His book during the first 150 years of our nation’s history.

Our country was undeniably founded upon biblical principles, but very few of our current leaders hold to the same spiritual and moral values of their predecessors. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Many things have changed about our country. If we keep going down the path we now trod, America may soon pass the point of no return. We are watching capitalism give way to socialism, morality give way to godlessness, decency give way to debauchery, and honor and duty give way to greed and corruption. American society has lost its moral compass. We have no “continuing city.”

I love America, and I still believe we live in the greatest land on earth because of the freedoms that we do have. But when I think of our current condition, I am glad that we are looking for “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). A nation is no greater than its people, and the greatness of the people is determined by their attitude toward God. In these uncertain days of change, let us do what we can to help this land by pointing people to the Saviour.

I was thinking today about people who do not believe the Bible, and how they live their lives. In many ways, they are forced to live without hope. As we study God’s Word, we find that the reason for our existence revolves around Him and not around us. This viewpoint helps to make sense out of so many things.

As I was pondering these thoughts, I began to feel sorry for those who do not believe that Jesus really rose from the grave. Of course, this Sunday is Easter Sunday, and many people will go to church for their once-per-year, obligatory visit. Most of these people have not really allowed Christ’s resurrection make a difference in their lives. Many of the people who go to church somewhere every Sunday have never had a life-changing experience of faith in Christ. How sad to be a religious person, even a good, moral, kind, and loving person, who does not personally know the Saviour!

Jesus Christ is alive! He is alive, and it makes all the difference in the world—not only for eternity, but for our day-to-day living. I am so glad that on that Sunday morning Christ arose, and I am glad that I know He lives in my heart!

If you would like to read more, the following link will take you to my North Valley News article, Important to God. http://www.nvbc.org/nvn/misc_Important_to_God.html