Week 9
Your Weekly Round-up Sunday!
We're delighted to bring you another week of biblical teaching designed to strengthen your walk with Christ and equip you for victorious Christian living. This week's Round-up Sunday is packed with powerful content that addresses the heart of authentic faith and challenges modern compromises that have crept into today's church.
We begin with a stirring examination of Returning to the Acts Church—exploring why modern congregations often look so different from the radical, Spirit-filled believers we read about in Scripture. Then, throughout the week, we'll tackle crucial topics including the dangerous trap of self-centred Christianity, the snare of emotional warfare, and the fear of man that keeps believers from bold obedience.
From Monday's thought-provoking reflections to Friday's foundational teaching on Living Faith, each day offers biblical truth that cuts through cultural compromise and calls us back to the simplicity and power of authentic Christianity. Plus, our YouTube channel continues to provide daily inspiration through morning devotionals, shorts from the Outpost, and our engaging podcast series.
This week's content isn't about entertainment or feel-good messages—it's about returning to biblical foundations, walking in spiritual authority, and living lives that truly glorify Christ. So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let's dive into what God has for us this week!
May this week's teachings challenge you, strengthen you, and draw you closer to the heart of God. Let's get started!
Building Your Faith on Biblical Foundations! Discover core Christian principles and deepen your relationship with Christ through biblical teaching and practical application…
Part 1: Returning to the Acts Church
The Heart of the Matter
Many believers today ask a troubling question: why can't we find a church that truly replicates what we read in Scripture? Why do modern churches seem so different from those in the Book of Acts? This question strikes at the heart of authentic Christianity.
The Book of Acts provides us with the divine blueprint for the church. The early believers demonstrated radical commitment: "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42, KJV). These four pillars—sound doctrine, genuine fellowship, communion, and prayer—weren't occasional activities but a steadfast way of life.
The early church wasn't characterised by elaborate buildings or entertainment-driven services. Instead, "all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:44-45, KJV).Their devotion to one another flowed from their devotion to Christ.
The Character of Early Believers
The believers in Acts were passionate. When threatened by authorities, Peter and John declared: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20, KJV).They had encountered the living Christ, and nothing could silence their testimony.
Stephen, the first martyr, prayed even whilst being stoned: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60, KJV).This mirrors Christ's prayer from the cross, demonstrating genuine transformation into His image.
Why the Disconnect Today?
Several factors contribute to the gulf between the Acts church and modern congregations. Firstly, we've traded biblical simplicity for worldly complexity. Jesus warned: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24, KJV).Yet many churches have become entangled with wealth and cultural acceptance.
Secondly, we've diluted the message. Paul cautioned: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8, KJV).The gospel has been compromised with works-based religion, prosperity theology, and feel-good messages.
Thirdly, we've institutionalised what was meant to be organic. The early church met in homes, breaking bread together and sharing their lives. Today's model often revolves around programmes, buildings, and professional clergy—structures that can hinder genuine spiritual life.
The Call to Return
The solution is to return to biblical principles. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8, KJV).The same Spirit who empowered the early church dwells in believers today.
We must return to sound doctrine, prioritise genuine fellowship, and make prayer our atmosphere. The early church prayed constantly, and "the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31, KJV).
"Something to think about" is a phrase that indicates there is a topic or idea presented that the reader should consider and contemplate, for further reflection or discussion. Published weekly on a Monday…
Monday 23/02/26
The Self Centred Nature of Modern Christians!
When faith becomes about fulfilling ourselves instead of denying ourselves…
A Faith That Looks Like the World
This teaching examines how modern Christianity has drifted toward a self-centred faith that focuses on personal fulfilment rather than self-denial. By returning to Scripture, we discover that Jesus never promised us comfort or prosperity but instead called us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. The blog explores how our prayers often reveal hearts focused on our own agendas rather than God's will, how we evaluate worship based on what we get out of it rather than whether we honoured God, and how the prosperity gospel has poisoned our understanding of true discipleship. Drawing on the example of John the Baptist who declared that Christ must increase while he must decrease, this teaching challenges believers to examine whether their faith is truly about Jesus or subtly revolves around their own desires and comfort. The Christian life is not about self-improvement but self-crucifixion, not about self-fulfilment but Christ-enthronement, and true discipleship costs us everything as we surrender all to bring glory to His name alone…
Messages from the Outpost: Join us at our home church (186, Greenacres, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8LU, UK) every Tuesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday 24/02/26
The Dangerous Trap of Self-Validation: Why Christ Must Be Central!
Modern preachers are teaching self-love instead of Christ-dependence—and it's destroying the church…
Why Looking Inward for Validation is the Enemy's Ancient Lie Repackaged for Today
Modern self-validation teaching is the serpent's ancient lie repackaged for today's church. When preachers tell believers to look inward for validation, affirm themselves, and find worth within, they echo the deception of Genesis 3:5 KJV—"Ye shall be as gods." This teaching directly contradicts Scripture, which calls us to self-denial, not self-validation (Matthew 16:24 KJV). Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV), making them untrustworthy sources for determining our worth. This dangerous doctrine robs people of true transformation by replacing the Gospel of grace with worldly wisdom. It creates shallow converts who never learn God-dependence and prepares them for deception by teaching them to trust feelings over Scripture. True validation comes not from within but from without—from the finished work of Christ on the cross. We are valuable because of the price God paid: the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV). We are accepted in the beloved by God's grace alone (Ephesians 1:6 KJV), not by our own self-assessment. Believers are complete in Christ alone (Colossians 2:9-10 KJV). The call is clear: reject self-validation teaching, test every message against Scripture, stop looking inward for worth, and start looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Christ must be central—not self…
"Write this down" is a phrase used to draw attention to essential information that needs to be recorded or remembered. Published weekly on a Wednesday…
Wednesday 25/02/26
Emotional Warfare!
Don't let emotions distract you from God's purpose—stand firm in Christ's victory over spiritual warfare…
Refusing to Be Distracted
This teaching explores how Satan uses emotional warfare to distract believers from God's purposes. The enemy manipulates our feelings and thoughts—creating anxiety, fear, guilt, and discouragement—to keep us from focusing on God's Word and walking in His authority. Just as Peter began to sink when he focused on the storm rather than Jesus, we become ineffective when consumed by emotional turmoil. The mind is the primary battlefield where this warfare takes place, which is why Scripture instructs us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. However, God has equipped us with powerful weapons for victory: His supernatural peace that transcends circumstances, the truth of His Word that anchors us against lies, prayer that provides direct access to His throne of grace, and the joy of the Lord that becomes our strength. Victory requires recognising emotional attacks as spiritual warfare, maintaining our spiritual disciplines, and standing firm in the truth that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Through Christ's finished work on the cross, we already have the victory—our responsibility is simply to stand firm, resist the devil, and refuse to let emotional warfare distract us from the abundant life and purpose God has for us…
Messages from the Outpost: Join us at our home church (186, Greenacres, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8LU, UK) every Tuesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Thursday 26/02/26
Fear of Man!
Break free from the snare of people-pleasing and walk in courageous obedience…
Live for God's approval, not Man's Opinion.
The fear of man is a deadly snare that causes believers to compromise convictions, silence their testimony, and place human opinion above God's truth. Even Peter fell into this trap, withdrawing from Gentile believers when certain Jewish men arrived, fearing their opinion more than God's approval. Scripture makes clear that we cannot serve two masters—people-pleasing and God-pleasing are incompatible (Galatians 1:10 KJV). Biblical heroes like Daniel and the three Hebrew children demonstrate the freedom that comes from prioritizing God's approval over man's threats, choosing obedience regardless of consequences. The fear of man is ultimately a lack of fear of God. When we truly grasp who God is—His holiness, authority, and omniscience—human opinions fade in comparison. We will give account to God alone on judgment day (Romans 14:12 KJV), not to people. Freedom comes through trusting the Lord completely and cultivating a healthy fear of God. Believers must stop asking "What will they think?" and start asking "What does God think?" We are called to live for an audience of One, walking in the courage and freedom that comes from fearing God rather than man…
Back to Basics is a weekly Christian living teaching blog that focuses on teaching the principles of Christian living from a fundamental perspective. Published weekly on a Friday…
Friday 27/02/26
Living Faith! Understanding Faith: The Foundation of Christian Living - Part One
Moving Beyond Belief to Action!
Introduction
Understanding faith is the foundation of Christian life. Biblical faith is more than intellectual agreement—it's the substance giving reality to our hopes and evidence of unseen spiritual truths, enabling confident walking even in darkness.
Many confuse faith with mere belief, but Scripture distinguishes them. Even demons believe in God and tremble, yet lack saving faith. True biblical faith engages our entire being—mind, will, and emotions—transforming dead assent into living trust.
At its core, faith is trust—complete confidence in God's character and promises, not just acknowledging facts. This trust deepens through relationship as we know God more intimately through His Word, prayer, and experience. Faith also includes hope—not wishful thinking but confident expectation rooted in God's proven faithfulness.
Genuine faith produces unwavering conviction that stands firm through life's storms, anchored in God's unchanging nature rather than circumstances. This conviction transcends difficulties, declaring with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Most remarkably, true faith fundamentally transforms us from within, making us new creatures in Christ and initiating lifelong spiritual growth.
We must remember that faith itself is God's gracious gift, not something we manufacture. Jesus Christ is both the source and object of our faith—He authors it, perfects it, and remains the One in whom we trust completely. The quality of our faith directly impacts our spiritual fruitfulness, for Jesus declared, "According to your faith be it unto you." May we pursue genuine, biblical faith that trusts completely, hopes confidently, stands with conviction, and progressively transforms us into Christ's image...
YouTube: Engaging Content Line-up on 'Back to Basics: Christian Living' YouTube Channel. Published weekly from Monday to Friday...
This Week: 23 - 27 February 2026
Welcome to this week's exciting line-up on our "Back to Basics: Christian Living" YouTube channel! We've carefully curated content designed to strengthen your faith, provide daily spiritual nourishment, and accompany you on your walk with Christ. From devotional moments to in-depth teachings, we're committed to bringing you resources that both inspire and equip…
Here's what you can look forward to this week:
Morning: Awakening Faith!
Welcome to "Morning" inspires you to walk in the Spirit and remember that faith comes from believing. Join us in making each day an opportunity to live for Him and fulfil His purpose. We look forward to seeing you each morning. God bless...
Something to Think About?
Our "Something to Think About" playlist offers brief, thought-provoking reflections on Christian living. Each video presents meaningful topics designed for contemplation and spiritual growth, encouraging viewers to examine their faith more deeply. Whether you're seeking inspiration or wrestling with questions, these concise messages provide valuable insights to carry with you throughout your day and spark meaningful discussions with fellow believers….
Shorts: messages from the Outpost!
Discover the truth of God's Word. We're addressing the erosion of Biblical teachings in today's world and inviting everyone to join us on this journey. Our mission is to uphold the true teachings of Jesus, challenging misleading interpretations, and promoting accountability…
Write this Down…
Our Write This Down playlist features essential Christian teachings and biblical insights you'll want to remember. Each video highlights key principles for your faith journey that are worth noting down for future reference and spiritual growth….
Back to Basics: Christian Living
…Laying the foundation for a Christian life…
Back to Basics: Christian Living guides viewers through core principles of faith. Each video explores essential topics like prayer, scripture and community, offering practical advice and spiritual insights. Whether you're new to faith or deepening your understanding, this series provides key teachings for a life rooted in Christian values…
Our YouTube content features these playlist series:
Back to Basics: Christian living Q&A - A question-and-answer format addressing viewers' faith-related inquiries.
Let's Read the Word Together! - A series dedicated to Scripture study and its practical application to daily life.
What's on my Heart: Unfiltered Faith! - A playlist featuring brief spiritual insights where I share God's wisdom on specific topics with practical applications for your Christian Walk.
Archive Collections: Under the Tree! - Building a solid foundation for a Christian life -Reflecting Christ, Overcoming Challenges, and Standing Strong in Faith offering insightful discussions on several topics related to Christian living & spiritual growth.
Subscribe to our channel and tune in to strengthen your faith today! Perfect for listening whilst commuting, relaxing or seeking daily inspiration...
Note: Remember, these schedules are subject to change, but we're committed to bringing you content that enriches your spiritual journey….
Blazing Apostles & Saturday Conversations Podcasts…
Ignite Your Faith: Explore Our Podcasts
Watch on YouTube to connect visually with our teachings. Whether you're new to faith or well-established, these podcasts offer practical biblical applications to deepen your spiritual life.
Discover our podcasts "Blazing Apostles" and "Saturday Conversations" with hosts Dave and Elaine. Through engaging discussions, stories and practical teachings, we explore foundational Christian principles that refresh your faith.
Back to Basics: Christian living - Unscripted!
Whether you're a long-time believer or just starting your spiritual journey, our podcast will inspire and challenge you to live a life that truly reflects your Christian values. Discover practical ways to apply biblical truths in your daily life and gain a renewed sense of purpose and connection with your faith...
Subscribe to our channel and tune in to strengthen your faith today! Perfect for listening whilst commuting, relaxing or seeking daily inspiration...
Note: Remember, these schedules are subject to change, but we're committed to bringing you content that enriches your spiritual journey….
NEWS! Updates and announcements about Back to Basics: Christian living, including content changes, newsletters, website updates, and valuable information for our audience…
Building a Spiritual Legacy: Your Call to Action in Christ
Creating a catalogue of biblical truth that will endure for generations...
The Call to Build Your Own Legacy
As Christians in the body of Christ, we are not merely spectators in God's grand narrative—we are active participants, called out and commissioned to carry out His will in our lives. Each believer has been entrusted with a divine purpose, and with that purpose comes the responsibility to build a spiritual legacy that will impact future generations.
The question facing every Christian today is not if they should build a legacy, but what kind of legacy they will leave behind. Will it be one rooted in God's Word, or will it be built on the shifting sands of cultural trends and compromised doctrine?
A Testament to Faithful Obedience
Over the past years, God has enabled us to publish just over 800 blogs on our website and produce close to that many videos on our YouTube channel. This wasn't achieved through human effort alone, but through faithful obedience to God's calling. What has emerged is a comprehensive catalogue of biblical content—a resource designed to teach those with ears to hear and eyes to see the truth and whole counsel of God.
This collection stands as a testament to what happens when believers commit to being doers of the Word and not hearers only, as James commanded: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22, KJV). Every article, every video, every teaching points back to one foundation: Scripture alone.
Getting Back to Basics
Our mission has always been simple—to help believers get back to the basics of God's Word. In an age where churches are drifting from biblical truth, where entertainment replaces exposition, and where selective Scripture has become the norm, there has never been a greater need for sound, uncompromising teaching.
Paul's words to Timothy resonate powerfully today: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2, KJV). This is the calling upon every believer—not just pastors and teachers, but all who have been entrusted with God's truth.
Your Legacy Awaits
What legacy are you building? God has called you for a specific purpose in His kingdom. Perhaps He's calling you to teach, to write, to create content, to disciple others, or to faithfully serve in ways that seem small but carry eternal significance.
Consider these questions:
- Are you being obedient to God's calling on your life?
- Are you a doer of the Word, or merely a hearer?
- What will remain of your faithfulness when you stand before Christ?
- How are you investing in the spiritual growth of future generations?
The Catalogue That Endures
Our catalogue of 800+ blogs and videos isn't about numbers—it's about faithfulness. It's about creating resources that will continue teaching sound doctrine long after we're gone. It's about building something that declares the whole counsel of God without compromise.
But this isn't just our calling—it's the calling of every believer. You may not be called to create content online, but you are called to build a spiritual legacy in your sphere of influence. Whether through teaching Sunday School, mentoring younger believers, raising godly children, or faithfully living out biblical principles in your workplace—you are building a legacy.
The Urgency of Now
We don't know how much time remains. Jesus commanded: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4, KJV). The time to build your legacy is now—not tomorrow, not next year, but today.
God has equipped you with gifts, talents, resources, and opportunities. The question is: will you steward them faithfully? Will you invest in eternity, or will you waste your potential on temporal pursuits that will burn up on judgement day?
A Challenge to the Body of Christ
We challenge you today: begin building your spiritual legacy. Start where you are with what you have. Commit to being a doer of God's Word. Invest in teaching others the truth. Create resources that will endure. Disciple those around you. Live with eternity in view.
Paul wrote: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:11-13, KJV).
Build your legacy on the right foundation. Build it with gold, silver, and precious stones—works that will withstand the refining fire. Build it on God's Word, not man's wisdom. Build it for His glory, not your own.
The Legacy Continues
As we continue adding to our catalogue of biblical teaching, we invite you to join us in this mission. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, read our blogs, share the content with others who need sound doctrine. But more importantly, start building your own legacy.
The body of Christ needs faithful believers who will stand for truth, teach sound doctrine, and live out their calling without compromise. Will you be one of them?
Your legacy awaits. The only question is: what will it be?
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9, KJV).
Back to Basics: Christian Living - Your Faith Journey. We're excited to share insights and practical guidance to help strengthen your faith journey in 2026…
Part 2: Churches Will Fall—Building on the Right Foundation
What Happens When Churches Fall?
In an age where churches compete with elaborate productions, celebrity pastors, and feel-good messages, we must ask: what happens when a church is built on anything other than God's Word? The answer is clear—that church will fall.
Jesus warned us: "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27, KJV).
The rock is Christ and His Word. The sand is everything else—human wisdom, charismatic personalities, entertaining worship, selective theology, and compromised doctrine.
Faulty Foundations
Personality Over Scripture: When a church is built around a charismatic leader rather than Scripture, it becomes vulnerable to collapse. Paul confronted this in Corinth: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you" (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV).Leaders will fail; only Christ remains constant.
Entertainment Over Truth: Problems arise when music becomes the main draw whilst preaching takes a back seat. Paul warned Timothy: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3-4, KJV).
False Doctrine: Perhaps most dangerous are teachings that contradict Scripture—prosperity gospel, hyper-grace teaching, universalism. Paul was explicit: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9, KJV).
Selective Scripture: Some churches cherry-pick favourite verses whilst ignoring uncomfortable passages. They preach love but not holiness, grace but not judgement. Paul declared: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27, KJV).
The Inevitable Fall
When churches combine multiple faulty foundations—celebrity pastors, entertainment-driven services, selective Scripture, false doctrine—collapse is inevitable. History is littered with ruins of churches that seemed unstoppable but crumbled because they weren't built on God's Word.
Building on the Right Foundation
The solution is simple yet demanding: return to God's Word as the sole foundation. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV).
Churches must preach the whole counsel of God without apology. Leaders must decrease so Christ may increase. Worship must serve the Word, not replace it. Only then will the church stand firm when storms come.
The choice before every church is clear: build on the rock and stand, or build on sand and fall…
With Christ's love,
Dave & Elaine
