Suppress the Flesh: The Christian Dating Manual

By B. T. Senatore

A millennial preacher with a millennial message . . . This text addresses spiritual challenges that both the believer and non-believer face daily. Through divine revelation, Evangelist B.T. Senatore expounds upon select Holy Scripture(s) and produces commentary that is intended to deliver man from the confines of sensuous desires. The reader is systematically fed with nearly (70) verses on how to resist a season of sin and draw nigh to Christ. The reader will come away finally understanding why what we often desire is not good for us. Each chapter equips the reader with a spiritual mindset and the tools to resist temptation on lifes journey. B.T. Senatore guarantees that with the turn of every page the reader will come to abhor carnality. They will realize the empowerment that God has in store for those that truly seek His face. This sobering message will strengthen and give fresh insight to those that are searching for a Godly companion that will bring out their Christ-like character. Pick up a copy and tap into your Kingdom potential today.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781512786552

B. T. Senatore

Evangelist B.T. Senatore (September 23, 1991 - ) answered his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was ordained on July 24, 2011 at First Union Missionary Baptist Church (Fresno, California) by Reverend Edward H. Nunn. Senatore is an alumnus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (B.S. Kinesiology, 2013). During the summer terms of his undergraduate career, he served as an interim Associate Youth Pastor at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church (Fresno, California) under the direction of Pastor Edward B. Lee Jr. Most recently, Senatore was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Open Arms Youth Conference On Fleek for the Father (Acts 17:6 KJV). B.T. Senatore opened the 2014 Fresno City Wide Revival Empowering The City (Restore Us, O Lord God of Hosts Psalms 80:19 KJV) for keynote speaker, Reverend Dr. Joseph Bryant, Jr. of Calvary Hill Community Church in San Francisco, CA. Senatore previously evangelized in various settings: a senior assisted living community (Elim Gardens) in the Greater Fresno Area, preached, led Bible study, engaged in Fellowship of Christian Athletes campus ministry, and spearheaded the inaugural Mt. Olive Summer Youth Conference in August 2012. This conference served 200+ teens from congregations all over the Greater Fresno Area. Senatore strives for his anointed words to serve as a balm in Gilead, and he earnestly strives to seek lost souls by preaching against the ill effects of carnal living in this sinful and dying world. Elders of the Church and fellow saints have witnessed the anointing of Jesus Christ upon his life and confirm his calling. He is becoming recognized for his genuine God-inspired delivery from the pulpit and he preaches in a style that appeals to the masses. Evangelist B.T. Senatore served as an Associate Minister at Open Arms Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida (2014-2016) under the leadership of Bishop Leofric W. Thomas, Sr., and is currently the Associate Pastor at Christ Full Gospel M.B.C. (Los Angeles, CA) under the guiding hand of Pastor C.L. Williams. B.T. Senatore, Founder of Mercy Seat Ministries, an evangelistic social media ministry, currently resides in Southern California.

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Copyright © 2018 B.T. Senatore.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8654-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8655-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907618

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/22/2018

Acknowledgements

The compilation of this short novel would not have been possible without Reverend Douglas Knox, Th.D (First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church – Fresno, California). During my formative undergraduate years I spent many Wednesday evenings absorbing biblical knowledge from this under-shepherd. Summertime cookout dinners and old-fashioned Bible study at the Wiggs’ home in Fresno, California greatly impacted my life. His ‘Discipleship’ manual and the weekly lessons therein continually develop my identity as a believer in Jesus Christ. The content of these lessons served as the root source from which this literary work sprung forth.

A special thank you to Bishop Leofric W. Thomas, Sr. and the Open Arms Christian Fellowship Church (Jacksonville, Florida), where I served as an Associate Minister (2014-2016). Thank you for providing me with a platform to develop into an effective expositor. Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention Pastor Edward B. Lee, Jr. (Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church – Fresno, California). Thank you for allowing me to serve as an interim Youth Pastor (2011-2013).

I would like to thank my immediate family for supporting my ministry endeavors. Mother Joyce Y. Gray, the matriarch of our family has instilled Christ-like character in her only grandson. Her commitment to the faith and continual service for the Lord and local congregation does not go unnoticed. It would be impossible to thank everyone on the acknowledgement page so please do not feel slighted if you were left out. I love you, but God loves you more …

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Bride of Christ

Chapter 2: Training the Flesh

Chapter 3: Matters of the Heart

Interlude: Practical Living

Chapter 4: Love

Chapter 5: Faithful Living

Chapter 6: Temptation

Chapter 7: Catharsis of the Flesh

Chapter 8: The Carnal Christian

Chapter 9: Victorious Living

Bibliography

About the Author

Preface

Mercy Seat Ministries — A Holy People Serving a Holy God. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14 KJV). The Lord has charged me and given me a vision to establish a 21st century modern-day guide for healthy Christian dating. This manual will establish what the true nature of a Christian relationship should be like. Many individuals struggle with ‘suppressing the flesh.’ Therefore, we often succumb to the alluring desires of sin and end up corrupting what could potentially be a pure love with a future help meet. Healthy Christian dating requires couples to individually seek Jesus Christ wholeheartedly, and it also requires individuals to obey Scripture daily. We must eat of the bread of life if we are to be sustained and live according to the will of God for our lives. We must constantly remind ourselves that He supplies all our needs, including our desire for a true soul mate and longing for a fruitful Christian dating relationship.

Chapter 1

Bride of Christ

Scripture calls us to be the ‘Bride of Christ.’ The New Testament Church in the Holy Bible is illustrated in the Scriptures by the relationship of a bride and groom. John the Baptist, with reference to Jesus and His called-out disciples (His church) said, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled (John 3:29 KJV). John called Jesus the Bridegroom and His church the Bride. Hereafter is another set of verses that confirms that Jesus was referring