BIXBY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Seasoning the Season

2010-11-29T08:15:00.002-06:00

What did Jesus mean when he said we are the salt of the earth?

He meant it as a command - we ARE to be salt in the earth.
He meant for us to enrich the earth and be enriching to those we share our lives with. More speaking and less talking.
He meant for us to preserve others by proclaiming truth in love.

By being the salt of the earth we become change agents for his love.

So many times Christians go to the “salt factory” known as Church only to store their saltiness in giant salt storage buildings. We were not called to be the Salt of the Church.

The power of our Christian lives and testimony lies in our ability to be different and distinct from the world. Do we blend into the world or are we different in our approach to life?

Is the world seasoning Christians or is it the other way around? Politically correct folks have lost their salt!

This Christmas Season...be a difference maker. Be a change agent.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in Faith

2010-11-15T12:23:00.001-06:00

It takes faith to hear from God.

Hebrews 11 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God and that we must approach the Father believing first that he is and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

For some, that’s a difficult concept to wrap their arms around. First that God is and second, that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

Faith is:

Substance - its the fact that we can be confident that the things God promised we will experience
Evidence - its the Holy Spirit conviction down on the inside that we know our God will watch over his word to perform it
Witness - its the “good report” Hebrews 12 refers to. After all, our faith isn’t about what we can have or accomplish by using it...it is about having a message to pass on to the next generation. It’s the “so that...”

Faith will enable us to understand, see and hear what others cannot. Some may even mock or laugh at us while we step out in faith in this life. But be encouraged for many people laughed at great men and women of faith throughout history.

Maybe you’re ready to set sail and let God take you to new and greater places, but you don’t feel the wind of his presence pushing you. Don’t wait until you “feel” something...hoist your sails, pray and believe God. Be full of faith and watch his promises be fulfilled in your life TODAY!

Set your sails and watch God move. There’s a great cloud of witnesses watching with you.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in You

2010-11-08T12:22:00.001-06:00

One of the top 3 questions I get asked on a regular basis is “How do I know that I am hearing God’s voice... What does it sound like?”

One thing I think I know about God’s voice in your life is that you must be open to change. Don’t expect what happened last week to occur the same way this week. God wants you totally dependent on Him...not His methods.

God’s principles remain the same forever...but his methods change.

Sometimes I feel like people are more concerned about HOW God speaks rather than what He is saying. In just a brief review of your Bible you will find God spoke through:

His written Word
Signs and wonders
Nature
Visions and dreams
Angels
Prophets and fellow saints
Words...direct messages

As you look through the list, is there any method of communication that you are not open to receiving from God? As you grow in faith expect to hear God with fresh anointing and in new ways.

God is a communicator. He spoke life into the Earth and Heavens. Surely, he will speak to us in our time of need.

God has a reason for speaking. He cares about you and wants to see His plans produce fruit.

Listen for His voice this week. Really listen.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in Fruit

2010-11-01T11:35:00.001-05:00

The correlation between hearing God and seeing fruit in our lives is undeniable.

When God speaks, this is what he expects from us in return:

God expects our immediate and wholehearted response to his voice. If we’re not sure it was God it’s okay to ask for confirmation; but, once we have it, Instant Obedience is a Bible principle. (Matthew 4:21-22)
God wants us to have urgency about souls. Ask yourself, do I have compassion for the lost and hurting people in this world? (Matthew 9:36)
God speaks where we need more of his voice, where we are often weak or lacking. The Bible offers countless examples of when God spoke and how it directly related to a weakness of the hearer.

If the Kingdom of God is right thinking, peace and joy then let’s start the week by thinking right about hearing God’s voice and expecting results in our life.

When we hear God, it should change our belief system which will cause us to have intense focus on producing fruit for his kingdom. Believing releases God’s thoughts into our minds. Right believing shuts down temptations and detours in God’s plan for our life.

When the Word goes forth it will PRODUCE a RESULT. It will not return to God empty. (Isaiah 55:9-11).

Believe God and ACT immediately on His word.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in the New Testament

2010-10-25T07:23:00.001-05:00

In the past, God spoke through the prophets but in these last days God is speaking to us through his son, sustaining all things by the power of his word. (Hebrews 1)

Two Greek words are used in the Bible to identify God’s words in the New Testament.

Logos is the Greek word identifying an expression, concept or thought.
Rhema is the Greek word referring to a personal, living or life giving word from God.

Many people want to hear God’s audible voice, but God longs for us to hear his voice through a rhema word. In fact, Jesus, in Matthew 4:4, states that men do not live on bread alone, but on every word (rhema) that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

The word “proceeds” is an active word. It indicates past, present and future. The Word proceeds as a fountain proceeds. If God ever spoke, He speaks today.

Hearing God’s voice through a rhema word is instructional to living an abundant life.

John 10 gives us a clear picture of what it means to follow the voice of God. Listening to God and following his voice is a continuing process. We must be listening and following God’s voice all week long so that our abundant life can be sustained (Hebrews 1:3 & John 10:10).

Our God, the creator of heaven and earth, the God of the old testament, God of the new testament is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has a NOW answer for every circumstance, problem, and situation we face.

God is speaking. Are you listening?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in the Old Testament

2010-10-18T06:44:00.002-05:00

A newborn baby is cute, cuddly and full of potential.

What can one new birth do for the world?

God called Abraham and changed an entire people through him. God called Moses as a baby to free his chosen people. Samuel was called by God to establish the rule of Kings.

We need to teach our children to hear the voice of God.

When God speaks, he has a specific reason for communicating with us. I believe scripture reveals three areas God chooses to speak to us about.

God speaks so he can relate to us. We shouldn’t be surprised that God longs to connect and have relationship with us.
God speaks to assure us that he will meet our needs. God owns it all and he is our source so we do not need to worry.
Finally, God speaks to us about what we were created to do. He speaks to us about our purpose in life.

When we know who we are and why we are here, we are going to be much better at loving others.

Do you seek God as much as he’s seeking you?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

The essence of knowing God’s will for our lives... is to hear His voice.

2010-10-11T10:26:00.002-05:00

We began a new series this past Sunday, designed to help us believe that God still speaks to us and that I can hear his voice. I shared 4 reasons last Sunday why I believe God speaks to us:

It is God’s nature to communicate.--He does so in many unique and powerful ways. The heavens cry out and nature speaks volumes to us.
We were created to speak and to hear.--We were created in the image of God. He walked and talked in the Garden and had open communication with his creation.
Jesus said so! -- He said many times. “My sheep know my voice.” We know His voice because He speaks and we can Hear.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would speak to us-- “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears.” John 16:13

God speaks so that we may take action.When we hear God’s voice, the evidence will be observable.

Inside information must produce outside evidence.

God doesn’t speak to hear himself talk. He speaks to make real things happen.

So the question we should be asking isn't, "Does God still speak to us today," but rather "Am I willing to listen".

In your prayer time this week, ask God to speak to you. Seek Him earnestly. God wants to communicate with you.

Which voice will guide you this week?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Eternal Light

2010-10-04T15:07:00.001-05:00

Eternal Light is out there somewhere, but it’s a hard concept to grasp.

It's hard to understand or describe something we haven’t experienced.

But we can look forward to Eternal Light. Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:11 that “because we are looking forward to this eternal light or eternal glory that we should make our lifestyle focused on living Godly and right”

CS Lewis said, “It is because Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.”

We have an obligation to live our lives with an eternal perspective.

There are some things we probably wouldn't do or say if we lived today in LIGHT of eternity.

Know that the promise of eternal light is for you. Make it personal!

Be effective in this life and walk in love today.

When we walk in love, we show the Light of Jesus.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Fading Light

2010-09-29T11:34:00.001-05:00

Do you ever feel like you're running on empty?

When we feel like we are on running "E" it’s a good sign we need revival in our lives. Revival shouldn't be a designated week every year in which we seek God for a fresh touch.

Revival should always be an event that is followed by a process.
The process for revival should be a series of choices we make everyday to seek fresh light from God in his presence.

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). It's rare that we miss a meal, but often some Christians will go days, weeks or even longer without prayer and scripture reading. Is it any wonder so many of us are empty?

Living life, serving others, and using our gifts takes fuel that can only be found in God's presence. This week let's seek more of God's light and wake up every morning with an expectation of revival in our hearts.

Revival is a matter of choice. Be intentional. Don’t let your light fade.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Spot Light

2010-09-24T09:14:00.001-05:00

If what Shakespeare said is true, "All the world is a stage..." then what would be different in the world today if we focused our spot light on other people instead of shining it on ourselves? What would happen in our lives if we made our focus more about others and less about ourselves?

The temptation to focus on self instead of others is probably the greatest temptation believers face today.

It's true temptation can come in many different forms. The things that tempt you may not necessarily tempt me, but there is one principle that all temptation seems to share When it comes to sin and temptation - it's all about me. The spot light goes from being focused on others to being inwardly focused. It becomes all about me, what I want, what I need, what I think.

Temptation leads us to believe that life is all about us.

We must shine our spot light on others, submit ourselves to God, resist every temptation with the Word as Jesus did. When we do that, “ the devil will flee from us.”

Take courage...he himself suffered when he was tempted and his able to help those of us being tempted. You WILL be able to stand up under it.

Want less. Serve more.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Revealed Light

2010-08-30T16:34:00.001-05:00

Why is revelation necessary?

Couldn't God just download to us a complete understanding of his Word and instill in us a desire to worship and obey him?

Sure, He could have programmed us to praise but all he would have is robotic servants.

Because we aren't programmed at the factory...we need revelation. The Bible says some knowledge is still hidden and needs to be revealed. We don’t know what we don’t know.

Consider the first time we heard the message of the kingdom of God. We progressed from an understanding of living toward an ultimate destination of heaven...to a REVEALED understanding that we can partake of heaven, while living on the earth. We can live an abundant life in Jesus!!!

“I come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.”

As the “Kingdom of God” message was revealed to us as “right thinking, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” ...our beliefs changed. Decisions are the fruit of beliefs. Outcomes are the result of decisions. Godly outcomes develop from Godly beliefs.

God's wisdom “confounds the wise.” Those who walk in the dark are often confused. It’s hard to find True North in pitch black.

Intimacy with God is highly dependent on our intimacy with His Word. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The Word ushers light into our personal darkness. “Here a little, there a little.”

Right Thinking,

Pastor Steve

First Light

2010-08-23T21:02:00.001-05:00

I don’t like dark places.

The darkness of a walk through the house in the middle of the night seems to always end with a stumble or a surprise beneath my feet.

God understands darkness so well that he commanded light to shine upon the Earth. Then he sent Jesus to shine brightly in our hearts. God is light and in Him there is no darkness.

The Apostle Paul seemed to understand the association between light and knowledge better than any other follower of Jesus. He met Jesus in a bright flash of light. The theology of Saul was washed in light as he met the true Messiah. Paul dedicated the remainder of his ministry and life as a light seeker. He wanted more of Jesus everyday.

We don’t need to spend one minute in a dark place. He will light up our path and be our light source for all the days of our life. If we don’t have light, it’s because we haven’t asked for it.

Seekers of light will be rewarded. As we pray for more understanding, more anointing, more intimacy with God...He will reveal more of Himself to us. The Spirit will reveal the deep things of God, if we seek Him.

Pray for more light. This world is a dark place.

Right Thinking,

Pastor Steve

Parable of the Persistent Widow

2010-08-16T16:58:00.001-05:00

Does God seem to respond to your prayers with silence?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is a parable about how to handle what seems like “no response.” The woman in the parable represents all of us. She was a Jewish widow seeking justice from an unethical Gentile judge.

She didn't have a voice in his courtroom, but the heathen judge began to look upon her with favor because of her persistence. Jesus said to his disciples that if this judge would eventually rule in the widow's favor then how much more would God defend and answer His children.

Jesus taught this parable to teach us that we should always pray and not give up. That we should be PERSISTENT.

The easiest thing I know to do is quit praying.

When we are tempted to stop praying, that's when we need to remember God cares about us, God is listening to every word we pray and God is working on our behalf.

What happens during the silence will determine if Jesus finds faith in us.

When God seems silent that's when our faith should be cultivated by remembering we are children of the King, seated at the great Banquet Table, and we can expect great things from our Father in this life! Don't stop praying, don't stop believing.

Will God find faith in Bixby? Will God find faith at BCC?

Will God find faith in me?

Right Thinking,

Pastor Steve

Parable of the Two Sons

2010-08-09T08:22:00.002-05:00

Jesus always gives us an opportunity to repent and be restored. I’m so thankful for his grace.

In the Parable of the Two Sons, the Father gave his sons an opportunity to honor him through obedience. We read that one son openly rebelled against his father, later repented and went to work. The other son gave his word he would help but later broke his promise to his father.

When Jesus asked the Pharisees and Sadducees which of the two sons had completed the request of the father ... Jesus asked us to search our hearts through the mirror of the Word. Are we instantly obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit?

How often do you feel the move of the Spirit but fail to step-out to do what your heart is telling you to do? The Spirit of God instructs us throughout the day--not just at church. Hurting people in your life may be depending upon our instant obedience to the spirit.

Let us be known as a people who value actions over words.

This week, make a decision to be instantly obedient to our Heavenly Father in every aspect of His leadership. While we are busy DOING the work of the Lord, young lives will be impacted as we preach a sermon by our actions.

Generations to follow will be impacted by what we do today. Our sons and daughters hear what we say and watch what we DO.

Let’s not let our good intentions be trumped by a failure to do.

Right Thinking,

Pastor Steve

Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

2010-08-03T08:16:00.001-05:00

Does your hearing lead to doing?

Kingdom Living is hearing what God is saying to you and then doing it. As it says in the book of James, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Your foundation becomes solid when you base it on Jesus and come up higher in your daily walk with Him.

Consider the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Jesus doesn’t teach us how to build our house in a storm free area. Instead, He teaches us to build our house on a foundation that can survive in the midst of a storm. His words are a guide to storm survival and obeying God with all our hearts.

I think most of us living in tornado alley know about storms. It seems every news channel routinely offers tornado survival tips and how best to prepare when a deadly storm hits.

How much more prepared should we be for the storms of life by building our foundation on the Rock of the Lord Jesus Christ! We’re to build our house on Kingdom Living principles…and strive to live in complete obedience to His Word.

It is easy to understand why Jesus begins many of His parables with the simple word, “listen.” He wants to show us how to plug into His power through a willing obedience in Him.

Build a strong foundation on His Word. Upon that rock, your house can weather any storm.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Parable of the Banquet Table

2010-07-27T16:53:00.001-05:00

Do you struggle with Kingdom Living? Is it hard to think right and live in peace and joy?

We all know that there are only two kingdoms. So, if I manage to yank myself out of the Kingdom of God with stinkin’ thinkin’...there’s only one other kingdom available for me. And I don’t want to spend one minute in the Kingdom of Darkness.

The Parable the Great Banquet is a parable of Kingdom Living. This parable suggests it is possible to have a feast at the banquet table in this life. Don't wait to celebrate and live a joy-filled life once you get to heaven, live a life of joy today! Jesus said, “I come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly.”

Are you living an abundant life? Really think about it. Abundant???

This parable should remind us that Christianity is not about what happens to you when you die, it is about the quality of your life on Earth. Better Outcomes!!!

We all need to LOSE THE EXCUSES we have for not living in the kingdom of God here on earth. Excuses are a condition of the heart, ask God to remove excuses of any kind from your vocabulary.

Enter His presence and understand who He is, what He says about you, and what He wants for you.

Let's think right and connect with one another at the banquet table of abundant living.

The Kingdom of God is within you!

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Parable of Humility

2010-07-19T10:05:00.002-05:00

Have you ever suffered from the disease of I-itis?

It’s an easy disease to get. The main symptom is a preoccupation with yourself and a self absorbed attitude in your heart of what you want and desire.

If you look through the Bible, you’ll see story after story that features the theme. The only cure for it is humility and a holy commitment to honor others above yourself.

Jesus knew this when he gave a parable of humility to those at a dinner party he was attending. What caught his eyes were those who gravitated toward the places of honor at the table, instead of selecting lesser seats.

It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t believe in receiving honor, he knew that honor from man was as temporary as the summer wind. True honor means having humility and with humility comes honor from God.

Humility even means replacing your self confidence with God’s holy confidence. It means thinking more highly of others than yourself and living life with the goal of serving others.

That’s what Jesus was trying to drive home to the people at this gathering. He was giving a call to humility and taking us to a higher calling in Him.

This week, seek God and ask Him to help you to walk in mature humility in your daily life. Begin to honor others above yourself and see what happens.

I believe you’ll experience blessings like never before. You’ll find the freedom that comes with serving others and humbling yourself in your heart.

Just imagine what would happen in Bixby if everyone gave honor.

Seek humility and watch how God begins to honor you.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Parable of the Tenant

2010-07-12T20:02:00.000-05:00

The first question that needs to be answered in a study of parables is the same question asked by the disciples of Jesus.

“Why do you teach in parables?”

The answer Jesus gave his disciples is that those who seek him earnestly will be rewarded with fresh anointing. Scripture confounds the wise. Knowledge is good for building a religion...not so much for building a relationship. Jesus is always interested in building relationships and will continue to teach people who want a relationship with him.

In Matthew 21:33-40, Jesus tells the Parable of the Tenants. The tenants do not want to abide by the agreement (covenant) they made (cut) with the landowner to share the harvest. They wanted to keep everything for themselves. The tenants even beat or killed the landowner’s servants and murdered his son when the landowner sent them to the harvest to collect his portion.

I believe Jesus taught this parable so He could teach us three critical truths about His kingdom and the steps to gaining His blessings through His covenant relationship with us.

Love God (the Landowner) with all our hearts and minds. He is the one who gives us breath and every good thing in life that we enjoy. Love God and honor Him.

We produce fruit by loving one another. Through love we spread the LIGHT of Jesus to our community.

Give back to God what is already His. God’s kingdom works on the powerful principle of sowing and reaping. Bring God your First-fruits.

Remember, ducks weren’t created to simply waddle through life from pond to pond. God gave them wings to fly. When ducks take flight, they produce the fruit God intended for them.

God gave you special gifts and talents to help you produce fruit in the vineyard God created for you.

This is your year of great possibilities.

Trust God. Waddle less. Fly more.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Celebrate Freedom from Fear

2010-07-07T15:02:00.001-05:00

How many times did Jesus tell his disciples not to be afraid?

It seems to have happened quite often. The disciples had a habit of giving into fearful emotion and letting it hijack the efficacy of their faith walk in Him.

Jesus told His disciples not to be afraid because He wanted them to be effective in their earthly ministry and have the abundant life that He came to give them.

He knew it all started with a critical reliance on Him. The disciples had to die to themselves to overcome the spiritual fear that was in their hearts.

I believe we can live a life free from fear today, but only if we renew our minds in Christ and become 100 percent reliant on God in our lives.

Fear is an emotion of our mind. Overcoming it means renewing our mind through the power of His presence and steadfastly walking in His love.

Yes, some fear is healthy and can keep you safe. As Proverbs 27:12 says, "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." A healthy sense of fear can be a sign from God to help you stay on the right path and avoid danger.

However, some fear is like a spiritual snakebite. It can paralyze you and keep you from doing the things you could or should do. The disciples experienced this paralyzing fear in their lives and struggled, until they learned to fully rely on God.

This week as we recall the celebrations of Independence Day, make a commitment to declare independence from fear.

Become dependent on Jesus for your daily bread and please, do not be afraid.

Love,

Pastor Steve

P.S. I want to thank everyone involved with “Feeding Families for the Fourth” Outreach this past weekend. It was a tremendous blessing to many families and we are so blessed to have had the opportunity to touch the community in this way. May you continue to be blessed for your obedience and experience the joy of God’s love today. Thanks to all who gave, served or prayed! You are the Church.

Life Made Whole

2010-06-28T21:35:00.001-05:00

In the last few weeks, I’ve been speaking about the ways we scramble our lives and how we can make things better in a right relationship with God.

It’s my belief, there’s no habit, sin, or lack in our lives we can’t overcome if we correct our wrong thinking, now. We all need to seek the Lord for a fresh and re-newed way of thinking.

I believe it’s His ultimate desire to see us transformed. But it has to come through a process of learning to be in His presence and to love people.

As a church, our goal is to take people through that process every day to help them find significant living in Him.

It all starts with a commitment to Connect. The leaders at Bixby Community Church are committed to helping you connect with God and encounter Him in a real and meaningful way. By connecting we learn to love.

When we connect with God we will be lead by Him to connect with His people. We encourage you to connect with other people who are connected to God.

The next step in the process is to help you Grow. Through our Wednesday and Sunday services, Business Fellowship, leadership training, children’s classes, adult Sunday school classes, youth gatherings, prayer meetings, social media and Daily Bible Reading, we want to help you grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus. Growing in Him helps us to be renewed in our minds and hearts.

How do we develop right thinking and better beliefs? By training! Through classes and Bible study, more light will appear in your life to help your beliefs line-up with what is true.

The final step in our process is to Serve. In fact, that’s the reason we connect and grow …to serve God and to serve the needs of others. By serving God and serving others we will have the greatest opportunity to impact the fourth generation.

Life is made whole by connecting, growing and serving.

I’m very blessed to connect with you as your Pastor, to grow together, so that we can serve and impact Gen 4.

Don’t miss our July 4, Sunday morning service. I will be preaching a powerful lesson on freedom. We are all in a form of bondage to ourselves. Let’s make this 4th of July Celebration, a life changing weekend as we learn to celebrate freedom from our limiting beliefs.

Please help us Feed Families on the Fourth. Visit our website if you would like more information. BCC will bless 100 families with a great basket of food on this holiday weekend. Be a part of the giving!

Love,

Pastor Steve

Fatherhood Made Whole

2010-06-22T12:17:00.002-05:00

Fatherhood MINUS the father is simply the HOOD.

Too many Fathers are MIA from their homes. It’s clear the attitude of the world and many believers toward Fatherhood and parenting today has become an issue of convenience, rather than a responsibility in our homes.

I believe, however, we can become the parents God wants us to be if we’re willing to do what it takes to renew our minds today and align our hearts with right thinking in Jesus.

As the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4, we need to seek for the attitude of our mind to be renewed with fresh anointing from God, in His presence. It all starts with fresh anointing from God.

Make it a habit to bless your children with meaningful touches and words of love. Begin to speak to them in kindness and show them how valuable they are in God’s sight. Offer them a glimpse of God’s purpose for their lives and plans for their future. As often as possible, speak INTO what you see for them in the future. Speak to their possibilities.

I believe you’ll see a real change in their hearts as you train up your children in the way they should go. They’ll see you as a parent who wants only to build them up and love them as Jesus does.

Fatherhood becomes whole...when we bless our children as we have been blessed by God.

Let's keep fathers in the hood.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Learning Made Whole Blog

2010-06-15T09:36:00.001-05:00

Are you closer to God today than you were last year at this time? Are you healthier, wealthier today versus last year? Are you happier?

If your answers to these questions are no, then maybe you're not learning from the lessons in your life. Learning impacts our beliefs at the point where we make our daily decisions. If our beliefs don’t change according to what we learn in life, then how will our decisions produce a positive outcome?

The reality is if you don’t make changes based on your learning…then the quality of your decisions will show it…and so will the outcomes in your life. We all need to learn that there is a vast difference between knowledge and learning. "Knowledge puffeth up." Learning causes change to occur in our life.

Consider King David in the Old Testament. David knew God and understood His precepts. Sadly, David, a man after God's own heart, struggled to learn. After David sinned with Bathsheba, he prayed in Psalm 51:10, "create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." David asked God to show him how to learn because his sinful nature was clearly getting in the way of his spiritual growth. He cried out to God with a strong heart seeking change.

Maybe you're like David and need a fresh touch from God to help you to learn and create true change in your life. Maybe you need a breakthrough that will help you apply your understanding to know God in a new and intimate way.

Whatever the case, I want you to know, your learning can be made whole through God’s fresh anointing today. Walk in the light of His Word and seek His face.

Flee from darkness and seek FRESH anointing from God today. "Here a little, there a little, precept upon precept, line upon line.

Stay out of the shade!

Love,

Pastor Steve

Reality Made Whole

2010-06-08T09:36:00.001-05:00

We all have our definition of reality. This is a great time of year to think about how we define what is real in our lives.

Summer is when most of us go on vacation, weekend getaways, or head to the lake to have fun and relax. Most of us think of our our vacations or get-aways as an "escape from reality."

There are many, however, who want and seek a more permanent change in their everyday reality. These folks change jobs, churches, or even spouses in hopes of finding happiness and filling the emptiness they feel in their hearts.

I think people are unhappy in their lives because they have an unreal view of reality. They’ve been sold on the notion that a happy reality is gained through the pursuit of wanting more and getting more stuff. "I want it all and I want it delivered!"

We are on a constant search for bigger, better, new and improved. We shop. We buy. "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

We can search everywhere for contentment…but until we have contentment with Godliness, as in 1 Timothy 6:6, then we’ll likely never find true peace and joy.

Reality is made whole when we are content in the presence of God. Contentment comes from right thinking and right thinking comes from a pure heart before God.

Pray this prayer with me today. "Create in me a pure heart, Oh God."

Contentment will produce a Christ-filled reality.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Yesterday Made Whole

2010-05-31T17:00:00.001-05:00

Throughout scripture, God shows us the importance of looking back on yesterday through Memorial Stones. These are times in which we remember His blessings and miracles in our lives through His sacrifice and the sacrifice of others.

We celebrate Memorial Day in America with this same spirit of honor and reverence. It is a day of reflection as we gather as a nation and remember those who fought and died for the freedom of our country.

Remembering yesterday, in this sense, is a Godly thing because it seeks purely to honor God and others and doesn’t get bogged down in our own guilt and personal past sins.

Unfortunately, many in the church live in their yesterdays perhaps because they feel condemned and guilty from what they’ve done in the past. They refuse to let go of their mistakes and then spend their time dwelling on their personal failures.

God’s admonition to you is to stop dwelling on your yesterdays and dwell with Him in a place of peace today.

God is not in the condemnation business. He is in the redemption business. The past is the past…we need to leave it there. As Psalm 118 says, “this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

We also need to be careful in our memory of past successes. There's work to do today and talk of yesterday's good work has little to do with the task set before us today.

A box full of trophies is just a box full of trophies, isn't it? Do trophies really add to our sense of self worth?

Remember, "nows" quickly become yesterday and tomorrow is only a possibility.

Yesterday is only made whole by what you do today.

Dwell with the Lord today…and put your past at rest in Him. TODAY is the day the Lord has made.

Love,

Pastor Steve

"Why?"... Made Whole

2010-05-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

Over the next six weeks we are going to be looking at areas in our lives that often get scrambled. Last Sunday we asked the question, "Why?" This is probably one of the questions Pastors dread the most. Even Rev. Billy Graham didn't feel like he could provide satisfactory answers to the "why's?"

It is a question that has been asked for centuries and one that reflects who we are as flawed human beings. We want to know the reason things happen and often want to confront God about why "bad" things happen.

I believe as Christians, our goal shouldn’t be to know why bad things happen; instead we should seek deep understanding of our own spiritual condition

I believe that suffering is the result of a fallen world through the original sin of Adam and Eve. Suffering is part of this world because of the fall of man and the evil found in man's heart (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-22).

That would be condemning news if we didn’t have the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus in our lives. Even in the midst of suffering, we know God is present and His message of grace, mercy, and love is always with us. Suffering may be a part our lives but the power of God’s love and hope comes to set us eternally free.

Saints, when you feel alone, when you feel like you're suffering, that is when God is closest to you. In the midst of your trials, the shepherd's staff will comfort you.

Scrambled eggs in life should never be a surprise to any believer. Rest in the knowledge that God’s will is to make you whole today and give you a peace that passes all understanding.

If we know Jesus, really know Him, we won't need to know "why?"

Love,

Pastor Steve

Giving or Keeping?

2010-05-17T17:00:00.001-05:00

The Ponca Indian tradition of giving away all material possessions of the deceased, throughout the year following death, is a great example of giving in a way that few of us understand.

Yesterday was our last lesson in the series, The Corinthian Connection. We looked at Corinth's heart behind their giving. Paul didn't want to guilt the Church in Corinth into giving. He challenged them to give out of love and devotion to God instead of their own selfish wishes and desires.

I believe Paul's encouragement to us is the same as it was to the Corinthians. He’s challenging us to change our perspective and begin to see giving and the passing of the offering plate as something spiritual, not worldly.

We have to understand what an opportunity we have each time we give to God. The act of giving is supernatural and can help us in our own healing and restoration in every need.

Maybe you have heard it said that we should "give until it hurts." Saints, I've searched throughout the Bible and I cannot find that concept in God's Word! It is not about giving until it hurts… it is about giving until it heals.

Think again about the Ponca Indian tradition and understand the healing of grief that occurs over a year of giving. Can't we apply this concept of giving to every need for healing? I sure think so.

True giving never hurts and keeping never heals. So, until He calls us home, until He returns for His bride, as long as the need is there, we must keep giving until we see healing!

Next week, I will begin a new series called "Scrambled Eggs" in which we’ll be looking at a number of things over the next 5 - 6 weeks that answers the question, "Why bad things happen to good people?" Come expecting an encounter with God.

Give until it heals.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Being or Dissing?

2010-05-11T12:29:00.003-05:00

In our study of Corinthians, Paul taught the church that most of their problems were caused by lack of respect. It was a pleasure for me to teach about respect on this past Mother's Day. Learning respect in our home is the key to developing respect in our work, relationships and certainly our church.

I challenge you to go to any grocery store, mall or playground and see if you think respect is being taught in homes today. Not only do children often not respect their own parents, they show little respect for authority of any type in their lives.

We could fill up a notebook of excuses on why kids behave the way they do, but the fact is…children must be taught to respect. Respect is a matter of being. You have to choose to be respectful.

It's no surprise that honoring your father and mother was written as one of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. It’s a tenet of God’s law because it’s so vital to the family unit as a whole. Respecting our parents is a critical part of showing our honor to God.

Saints, we have to lead the next generation by example. We have to give those in our lives the respect due them, with our hearts, because of who they are and because God has placed them in our lives.

Respect begins in the home, and it begins with our parents. This week surrounding Mother's Day, show respect to your mother and the mothers in your life with your listening, your words and with your actions.

Appreciate every moment you've had with her, and go make more opportunities to demonstrate your love.

I have one more week in our study of the Letters to the Corinthians. Our next series is titled "Scrambled Eggs." I'll tell you more about it in Church Sunday.

Be blessed this week as you are BEING respectful.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Calm or Confusion

2010-05-04T13:00:00.003-05:00

Confusion was a way of life for the people of Corinth, and to no surprise…it’s a problem we still experience in the Church today.

Much of our confusion and most of the storms we go through are not the result of some outside influence in our life or some other spiritual force. Confusion enters in because of a belief, which leads to a decision and an ultimate outcome that leaves us confused, hurt, and afraid.

Think of what could be different if we rejected confusion in our thoughts. What would happen in our lives if we began to seek God for clarity and use Him and His Word as a compass in our life?

God meant for His Word to be a compass in our lives. He gave it to us so we could find peace in the midst of confusion and hope in the place of despair. Consider if you were stranded in the middle of a forest, what tool would you want in order to help guide you to civilization? Would you want your cell phone or day planner? All you need is a compass to give you direction, to show you where true north is. The problem is, we often use our cell phones or day planners to guide our day when we should be using God's Word instead.

Corinth became confused because they began to do things man's way instead of God's way. They put the needs of their day planner above the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Maybe you're feeling confused, lonely, or like nothing you can do will make a difference to your circumstances. Maybe you feel like you're just trudging through life. Well it doesn't have to be that way! God is not the author of confusion but of peace!

Saints of Bixby Community Church, even at your lowest point, God is ready and willing to pour blessings into your life. In fact, there’s no better time for Him to speak to you to help you regain your focus and purpose. Sometimes all we have to do to get rid of confusion in our life is to allow God's presence to settle over us and calm us down.

Whatever you do, enter His presence. Go to church, listen to podcasts, pray, participate in the Daily Bible Reading and honor God with a sacrifice of praise.

I believe you’ll begin to experience a calm and peace like never before. You’ll learn how to shut off all the noise and confusion in your life…plus, you’ll instantly recognize the whisper of God’s voice even in the midst of a storm.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Speaking or Talking?

2010-04-26T13:00:00.006-05:00

What was the topic of daily conversation in Corinth?

We know from Paul's writings to the church that their talking was immature and caused division.

I wonder if conversations in Bixby are all that much different from Corinthian chatter.
Are we speaking life and building people up or are we speaking discouragement and tearing people down?

In Job 11, we gain insight into the content of talking compared to speaking. Talk will reduce men to silence. In dominating the conversation, the talker gives no hope, no light, no promise, no building up. It leaves people silent.

Secondly, the book of Job says talking is often filled with idle chatter. Maybe you're not talking about people or bringing others down, but if you’re not encouraging others through your words, then you’re not glorifying God. Idle talk is a step below superficial chit chat. Just think of what would be different in our lives, in our church, if we became a people who didn't participate in idle chatter?

Third, if we are talking, we will have trouble remembering what was said. Have you ever been on the phone with someone and when you hung up, you really couldn't remember what was discussed. This happens to me at the end of a busy, talk-filled day. If I can't remember the words of the day--there's a good chance I was talking more than speaking. Significant speaking is remembered!

Finally, talkers rarely encourage. If you come from a conversation and feel encouraged, then you've just been around someone who has spoken life and love into you. It’s how we should function as a church and people. The sounds of Speaking should fill our homes.

Parents, It is God's commandment for you to correct your children and that includes disciplining them with love in your words. It includes speaking life into your children and into the possibilities of who they are and what they will become. Speaking should be the rule for words in your home.

To determine if you’re speaking, before opening your mouth, ask yourself these two questions:

Does this give life or death?
Do I need to say it or do they need to hear it?

If we’re speaking life, then we’re thinking right…and if we’re thinking right then our words will be more in line with God's word. Our speech will give life to the hearer and maintain an attitude of thanks. It will produce love, the antidote to division, not destruction.

Saints, my encouragement to you…is to speak life and love throughout your day. Be sure to affirm to others what they mean to you… tell them what they're good at, encourage them to move toward the possibilities of what God has for them.

Also, begin to speak about what you want God to bring about in your life. God wants you to have an abundant life through kingdom living. Speak life into your marriage, speak life into your friendships, speak life into your finances...when you see trouble, begin to "call things that are not as though they are."

Speak the truth in love as we multiply the Kingdom in Bixby.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Power or Effort?

2010-04-19T17:11:00.004-05:00

If you didn’t realize it before I started this series, there are some remarkable similarities between Bixby, Corinth and probably any other city we could name.

This past Sunday, we looked at how the Church in Corinth was beginning to move in their own effort and strength. What they failed to realize was that as men their fruits were limited and their effectiveness was doomed to failure because they were working from a purely self-motivated mindset.

Sounds like something all of us have been guilty of in some capacity or another.

If we’re doing something on our own without God, and we’re struggling at it, then we’re trying to work in our own strength. That’s a sure sign of failure and will only result in our nature working against us. Not only that, but when it's our effort, most times, our work will never reach heights of significance.

Have you noticed how most people, who work in their own strength or in their own effort, are often double minded or even multi-minded? James 1:8 says that a "double minded person is unstable in all his ways."

If there are days you are confused and deeply divided, if you find your values are being compromised, that is not God's best for you. Try to quit working in your own strength, in your own effort and allow God to use His power through you.

There is one simple key to operating in the power of God and not in your own effort…we must enter His presence.

Remember in Exodus 33 how he yearned for God’s presence whether in the desert or in the Promise Land. Israel wasn't about to move into the Promise Land in their own effort. Moses refused to go anywhere, including the Promised Land, unless they were being lead by God’s presence. Moses told God, unless you go before us, we'll stay here. We will not leave your presence.

Don't you wish we could say what Moses said. In God's presence, our thinking becomes right, and peace, joy, and love become more evident in our hearts.

If we step away from it or try to operate in our own strength, then it can spell trouble for us. Start your day in the presence of God through prayer, Daily Bible Reading, praise and worship. And then CHOOSE to seek His presence throughout your day.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of talking, it's a matter of power. Power is received in God's presence.

Love,

Pastor Steve

PS. Make a commitment this week to pray this prayer found in Exodus 33:13-14: "Dear God, I pray that you would be pleased with me, continue to teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you, and so that your presence will go with me, and you will give me rest."

Multiplication or Division…

2010-04-16T20:00:00.002-05:00

It sounds funny, but every time I've ever heard a message on Corinthians, my immediate thought has always been “Oh no, someone must be fighting in the Church… here comes a another message on unity.”

But that's not what inspired our latest series at Bixby Community Church. Our purpose in looking at the books of First and Second Corinthians isn't to focus on what we’re doing wrong, but to focus on what we’re doing right. Our aim is to get better, so we can come up higher and learn how to respond to life. The six week goal is to understand the connection between Corinth and Bixby.

This last week, we looked at the spiritual concepts of multiplication and division. It’s curious how anytime we multiply in numbers as a church or grow in maturity, there’s always a test of division put before you.

In the beginning, when Paul first went to Corinth, Paul faced that same test. But, the Lord had a Word for him and I believe it’s the same Word He has for us today: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (Acts 18).

Saints, there are countless people in Bixby who need to hear this message...and it is our call to keep on speaking to these people and compelling them to come into this Sanctuary to be restored!

Paul wasn’t afraid to speak out against the church. In fact when he was writing to them in Corinth he wrote about the good, bad and ugly. Take a look at his first comments in 1 Corinthians 3. He wastes no time in chastising them for becoming too worldly. Sounds like the Church today, doesn’t it? People who confess the Lord Jesus as Savior and who claim to live in the kingdom of God, conforming to the ways of the world.

The bad and the ugly in Corinth were found in the hearts of a stubborn people. They didn't need God, and they certainly did not care about His vision for their lives. All they could focus on were trivial issues and preferences. These people became corrupt and started to manipulate others only to benefit themselves and divide the church.

How could they help people when all their focus was on themselves? The simple answer is, they couldn’t! That's why Paul reprimanded them and reminded them of who they were in God…His temple, created to do good works of service.

By building others up, we multiply… by building ourselves up, we divide. It’s that simple. Division ultimately leads to destruction. Multiplication leads to the fulfillment of the vision God has for our community: The vision of marriages being restored, teenagers obeying their parents and making Godly decisions for their life, the vision of helping single mothers, and teaching people how to have an abundant life!

It's really not that hard to multiply and fulfill this vision. If we just multiply love at home, at work, and at church ...things will change.

There’s no simpler rule than that to multiply love across this community.

The secret is to get our eyes off ourselves and onto Jesus. We need to ask God to help us think right so we can be a witness of His life-saving grace in Bixby and in our own home.

Above all else, we must learn to multiply our love,

Pastor Steve

Prevailing Proofs…

2010-04-04T19:00:00.003-05:00

The last message of the Promise of Awakening series was on Easter Sunday 2010. It was such a significant service. I felt the Holy Spirit fall on me in a very special way.

If you’ll remember, when Jesus was resurrected, people looked for proof of the resurrection. Was the stone rolled away? Was the body gone? Were Jesus’ footprints found on the tomb floor? Of course people wanted proof…this was quite a miracle. If we were there we probably would have wanted to see the proof too.

Not surprisingly, people today are still seeking proof of the resurrection. But, the sad part is, most people seem to be looking for evidence of resurrection in others instead of within themselves.

The question we should be asking is this: “Is there proof of Christ’s resurrection in my life?”

As a Christian, you should have three blaring pieces of evidence of the resurrection in your life.

First, are you moving toward purpose, fulfilling the call on your life? Second, do you outwardly profess your faith in Jesus? Finally, are you exhibiting inward peace that can’t be defined as anything else but the peace of God?

How you answer these questions demonstrates the proof of God’s resurrection power in YOU..

The church will receive the promise of awakening when the people rise up in their resurrection! It’s great to have intellectual knowledge of the resurrection. It’s great to know that Jesus is alive – now PROVE IT!

The proof of awakening is in a church rising up. The proof of awakening is in what you do in your life, the quality of the decisions you make, and in the relationships of the people you touch.

Saints, Jesus has been resurrected… now allow His Holy Spirit to awaken you today.

Love,

Pastor Steve

PS Oh, and don't forget to lie down on the inside sometime.

A Path to Patience…

2010-03-28T15:00:00.002-05:00

Have you ever prayed, “Lord give me patience…right now”?

Wouldn't it be nice if it worked that way? It would except for the fact we’d all be spoiled brats if it did.

Whether you are a new believer or have been walking with the Lord for a while, sooner or later you learn that God’s timing is often not ours.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It’s that proper time that requires our patience the most, but it can also benefit us the most.

We need to believe the things we think about and long for will come to pass. The word God gave us, the vision we have, the dream we have, the desire in our hearts that we’ve been hanging onto for years will bear fruit…if we’re willing to rest in Him. Remember the scripture, God will not be mocked; we will reap what we have sown.

Would it hurt any of us to be more patient? Oh sure it may hurt our flesh. I tend to get antsy a four way stop signs. But, does it really hurt us that badly to wait? Of course not, in fact, it could benefit us in more ways than we can imagine.

If we became more patient as a people, we would become a better father, mother, husband, wife, student, leader, child of God. Say this to yourself: A path of patience leads to a perfect outcome. Now, say it again.

You will never question an outcome of the Lord if you are on a path of patience. As a person led by the spirit, when you stay on a path of patience you can rejoice and celebrate knowing you can expect a PERFECT outcome!

Who doesn’t want to see better outcomes for their life? Staying on a path of patience will enable you to receive perfect, Godly outcomes.

You can do it; you can become more patient.

Love,

Pastor Steve

A Perfect Plan

2010-03-21T16:00:00.001-05:00

If there’s one simple truth I want you to know today, it’s this…

God’s way is not man’s way. Sounds simple, but it’s a fact.

Sometimes, we do everything in our own power to know what God’s plan is for our lives. But, I’m here to say, unless we’re staying in the word, praying, fasting and giving…odds are it won’t be revealed to us. Never forget the power of the 3-fold cord – praying, fasting and giving.

The plans God has for you are pretty clear in scripture. Jeremiah 29:11 says God’s plans are good and not evil and are meant to prosper you. God also has a plan to win the world for Christ by equipping us to be significant in this life so we can lead people into eternal life through abundant living.

As it says in Ephesians 4, God’s plan is to give the Body of Christ the 5-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to prepare the Body for works of service so that the Body of Christ is built up and becoming mature. In short, God’s plan is for believers to be built up so they can grow up!

Remember, our lives are fishing bait for others.

Our lives should attract unbelievers to come to a knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is through Kingdom living and growing in Christ that we become equipped to do works of service for the glory of God.

That’s what BCC is all about…becoming equipped to do works of service for others. And so with that, I have a couple of questions for you.

How much are you contributing to the work of BCC? How much are you contributing to being the church of the Lord Jesus Christ?

I am not referring to financial contributions, although God does ask for that, I am calling you to works of service that begin with your heart.

The call that is placed on your life is to make a difference in the lives of those around you. God’s perfect plan for your life is to be mature in Christ and to be prosperous so that you can give to others.

Love,

Pastor Steve

A Perfected Mind

2010-03-14T17:00:00.001-05:00

Clearly, our mission as a church is to impact the community with the power and grace of God. To help single mothers, couples seeking divorce, teens that are lost, older people seeking purpose - we gather together to help people. But, there’s absolutely no way we can do that…unless our thinking is right!

Our church’s vision is about living in the Kingdom of God; it’s not about food or drink…it’s not about what we wear or where we live. The Kingdom of God is right thinking, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The best example of right thinking in the scriptures we can find is with Jesus.

What would happen if we let our minds take on the mind of Christ? What could happen in this community if we started to think more and more like Jesus?

The most significant prayer I could ever pray over you is to ask God to help you think right. Imagine if we let the mind of our Master be the Master of our minds. Pray that prayer everyday: “Father God, let the mind of my Master become the Master of my mind.”

Faulty thinking will lead you to negative reactions and responses. Think about it… you cannot get a bad result if you are thinking right. If right thinking means we have the mind of Christ, what do you think that centers around? How about love? If you are thinking love…how can your outcomes ever go bad?

But when our thinking does go south, when thoughts enter our mind that are not Godly, we must take them captive and reconcile them with God’s Word. The battlefield of the mind is most often where we are attacked. Sometimes, thoughts of temptations come but the Lord promised he would always provide a way of escape when we use God’s Word to defeat the temptation.

Sometimes thoughts come to us challenging us about who God said we are. Saints of God, I don’t want there to be any doubt in your mind about who you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, in the image of God, chosen, set apart, more than a conqueror and victorious in this life. You mean so much to God that he sent his son, Jesus, to die for you. That’s how much you mean to God.

If you have any doubt who you are today, stop doubting and believe what God says about you.

Love,

Pastor Steve

A Peculiar People

2010-03-07T13:14:00.001-06:00

What does an awakened people look like?

Well, they look peculiar. What’s another way to say it? Well, I guess you could say, we are unique, set apart, or just living in the Kingdom of God.

What does it mean to be a peculiar person? Peculiar people do things God’s way. We look different than the world. God would say we are a chosen people, and so we need to act like it.

If we begin to act like peculiar people and develop peculiar habits, the habits of the people would become the habits of the church, and at that point, we would become more effective in fulfilling the vision of the church.

Several weeks ago, I gave you 7 habits of peculiar people to help you become more effective in your walk with the Lord. Remember the bookmark I gave you? Allow me to refresh your memory. Peculiar people:

· Understand Scripture as the guide for their daily life

· Seek God daily in prayer

· Are devoted to following Christ no matter what

· Live each day guided by the Holy Spirit

· Are accountable to God’s house and His people

· Are obedient in separating themselves from the spirit of the world

· Seek to serve the body out of thanks to God

Think about these habits… take an inventory. Who are you becoming more like? Are you living the habits? A highly effective church is full of people with habits that make a difference not only in their lives, but also in their community.

I believe these habits will impact your life unto to the fourth generation.

If it quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck…you are a peculiar people so be peculiar.

Love,

Pastor Steve

Protecting the Church…

2010-02-28T11:00:00.003-06:00

What do you think would happen if we really understood the fact that we are the church?

Can you imagine the possibilities that would unfold in our lives, business or school if we really understood that fact? I personally believe we would experience a new sense of God’s power and grace in our lives, we’ve never felt before.

The truth is, God’s move in our lives can be limited if we don’t know our role as His chosen. We don’t want to have any doubts about why we do what we do. That’s why I am encouraging you today to think of our church a little differently today…we are not a social club, organization, or even a building. Yes, we have been blessed by God with a new building, but it’s the changes we make in people’s lives that will be noted in heaven.

We have a powerful vision set before us. But, for us to fulfill it…we have to protect the sanctity of the church as a whole. That means keeping our dukes up and protecting the church. We are here to help people…plain and simple. God sent Jesus to earth to give us abundant life now and eternal life after that. Bixby Community Church is a church of refuge, restoring people to live God’s best now.

We have to remain effective. And, there’s no way we can do that unless we as a people protect the church’s reputation. Be careful who you walk, stand and sit with. Think about some of the things we say, the jokes we laugh at, the things we do. We have to be accountable to God and each other for our thoughts and actions.

We also have to protect the people. The currency in the Kingdom of God is relationships. We need each other and the only way we can carry out the vision of Bixby Community Church is through people.

Remember, God wants to increase His power in our lives, but first He needs to know we’ve fully awakened as His people. The promise of what God can do through us and for us, will be fulfilled by protecting the vision and reputation of the church in this community, and by bringing in those who desperately need His hope.

You see, the awakening occurs in our lives because we purpose to wake up. Awakening doesn’t happen just because we attend services. Awakening occurs when we purpose it to happen in our church, our families and in our lives.

Saints of our Lord Jesus ...Awaken to Abundant living!

Love,

Pastor Steve

NEW LOCATION! - Come join us!

2010-02-14T14:54:00.005-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Today we celebrate love, starting with the love of Christ. What a blessing it was to have our first service in our new location at 12816 S. Memorial Dr.

Thank you to everyone that lent a hand, a hammer, a truck, ideas and more. We appreciate all of our Deacons, our leaders and every member of BCC. This new church location is about you and it exemplifies the community that you have become.

Already in 2010, we have added 15 new members.

We now have a place to gather on Sunday mornings for coffee and fellowship. There is more room for the kids and the youth and lots of room for visitors.

This Saturday, the BCC Leading Ladies will be meeting for fellowship.

Wednesday nights we will be exploring the book of Mark. Come join us at 7:00pm. Also, our Community Groups are back. We're starting up next Sunday, February 21st. Not part of a Community Group yet? Come to church and we'll get you connected.

God bless your week.

A few Thoughts on DBR

2010-01-04T10:17:00.002-06:00

Why is our Daily Bible Reading list important?

In addition to the obvious point of reading the Bible through in one year, I want you to consider another important point.

I believe God speaks to us through His Word. I like knowing that all of us are reading the same passages in the Bible on the same day. There's a sense of unity in the Spirit as we all read and are taught by the Holy Spirit.

During this season of fasting, prayer and giving, I think it is very important that we continue to be mindful of the whole body. We are moving and growing together. As we fast and pray as one body, let's do our best to read and study the Word together.

Read and study as God leads you but please always read the BCC Daily Bible Reading.

If you don't have your bulletin, the Daily Bible reading is always posted on our website.

Be blessed today.

Pastor Steve

After-Service Thoughts

2010-01-03T18:38:00.003-06:00

I felt the power of God this morning.

I am still considering the awesome possibility of nothing. God made everything, from nothing.

The year and decade ahead of us is a great and magnificent gift from God.

With God, all things are possible.

As you pray, fast and give during our 21 day fast, ask God to show you the Kingdom assignment He has for you.

Greater things are yet to come...in Bixby.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Steve

The Daniel Fast

2009-12-30T12:52:00.001-06:00

Many of you have asked about what we can and cannot eat on the Daniel fast. This post should answer most questions.

What is the Daniel Fast? (notes from websites)

The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.

There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:

1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage
(Herbal teas are allowed on this fast if desired. Herbs are a leafy vegetable added to water.) Watch labels! No additives!

Then in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:

3. No sweeteners and no breads

Another important guideline is drawn from Jewish fasting principles, where no leaven is used during the fast. So that's why yeast, baking powder and the like are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Finally, with all the above puzzle pieces, we conclude that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed on the Daniel Fast.

When asked about the eating plan on the Daniel Fast, I often say it is a "vegan diet with even more restrictions."

Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.

The Daniel Fast teaches us to deny our "selves" and instead put our spirit in control over our flesh. As you plan your meals and eat your food, keep in mind that the definition of a fast is to deny food for a spiritual purpose.

The media fast is described in my other post.

If you have questions, send me an email. Make sure you pray often throughout the day, as you fast unto the Lord.

Pastor Steve

The Possibilities of the Classics

2009-12-29T13:44:00.002-06:00

Our first sermon series of 2010 is entitled

"The Possibilities of the Classics."

If God is willing I will preach 6 messages originally preached by 6 well known preachers circa late 1800's and early 1900's. I won't be reading their sermons, I will simply take their sermon points and relate some of their thoughts, quotes and stories to 2010. I think you will be stunned by the timeliness of their words to our needs.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow."

I have shared a few of the following verses with you throughout 2009--now please consider them as we look back at what a group of ministers were sowing into our generation:

Don't skip past these verses or take them lightly...you will miss a huge blessing!

2 Kings 15

12 So the word of the LORD spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: "Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation."

1 Chronicles 16
15 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded, for a thousand generations
JOB 42

16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.

PSALM 22:30

30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.

Psalm 78

4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78

6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

Lamentations 5

19 You, O LORD, reign forever;
your throne endures from generation to generation.

JOEL 1

3 Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation.

EPHESIANS 3

21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

So, as we prepare go back in time, we have an advantage of a very clear picture of our current generation.
We are now preaching and providing a way for the generations to come. Let us honor those who prepared a way for us as we study their messages unto the 4th Generation.
Perhaps as we study previous generations, we can plant a proper seed to the generations that follow us.

Here's the line-up...(God willing)

JANUARY 10, 2010

"Paul's First Prayer"

CHARLES SPURGEON

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

JANUARY 17, 2010

"The Pleiades and Orion"

T. DEWITT TALMAGE

If Charles Spurgeon was the “Prince of Preachers,” then T. DeWitt Talmage must be considered as one of the princes of the American pulpit. In fact, Spurgeon stated of Talmage’s ministry: “His sermons take hold of my inmost soul. The Lord is with the mighty man. I am astonished when God blesses me but not surprised when He blesses him.” He was probably the most spectacular pulpit orator of his time—and one of the most widely read.

Like Spurgeon, Talmage’s ministry was multiplied not only from the pulpit to immense congregations, but in the printed pages of newspaper and in the making of many books. His sermons appeared in 3,000 newspapers and magazines a week, and he is said to have had 25 million readers.

And for 25 years, Talmage – a Presbyterian – filled the 4,000 to 5,000 seat auditorium of his Brooklyn church, as well as auditoriums across America and the British Isles. He counted converts to Christ in the thousands annually.

He was the founding editor of Christian Herald, and continued as editor of this widely circulated Protestant religious journal from 1877 until his death in 1902.

January 24, 2010

"God Given Faith"

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

Smith Wigglesworth was born on June 8, 1859 in Menston, Yorkshire, England, to an impoverished family. As a small child, he worked in the fields pulling turnips alongside his mother; he also worked in factories. During his childhood, he was illiterate.

Nominally a Methodist, he became a born again Christian at age eight. His grandmother was a devout Methodist; his parents, John and Martha, were not practicing Christians although they took young Smith to Methodist and Anglican churches on regular occasions. He was confirmed by a Bishop in the Church of England, baptized by immersion in the Baptist Church and had the grounding in Bible teaching in the Plymouth Brethren while learning the plumbing trade as an apprentice from a man in the Brethren movement.[1]

Wigglesworth married Polly Featherstone in 1882. At the time of their marriage, she was a preacher with the Salvation Army, and had come to the attention of General William Booth. They had one daughter, Alice, and four sons, Seth, Harold, Ernest and George. Polly died in 1913.[2]

Wigglesworth learned to read after he married Polly; she taught him to read the Bible. He often stated that it was the only book he ever read, and did not permit newspapers in his home, preferring the Bible to be their only reading material.

Wigglesworth worked as a plumber, but he abandoned this trade because he was too busy for it after he started preaching. In 1907 Wigglesworth visited Alexander Boddy during the Sunderland Revival, and following a laying-on of hands from Alexander's wife Mary Boddy he experienced speaking in tongues (glossolalia). He worked with the Assemblies of God.

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

"The Great Duty of Family Religion"

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

"Whitefield was a celebrity in his time and is considered by many to be the founder of the Evangelical movement."[3] Whitefield preached his first sermon in the Crypt Church in his home town of Gloucester a week after his ordination. He had earlier become the leader of the Holy Club at Oxford when the Wesley brothers departed for Georgia. He adopted the practice of Hywel Harris of preaching in the open-air at Hanham Mount, near Kingswood, Bristol. In 1738, before going to America, where he became parish priest of Savannah, Georgia he invited John Wesley to preach in the open-air for the first time at Kingswood and then Blackheath, London. After a short stay in Georgia he returned home in the following year to receive priest's orders, resuming his open-air evangelistic activities.

Three churches were established in England in his name: one in Bristol and two others, the "Moorfields Tabernacle" and the "Tottenham Court Road Chapel", in London. Later the society meeting at the second Kingswood School at Kingswood, a town on the eastern edge of Bristol, was also called Whitefield's Tabernacle. Whitefield acted as chaplain to Selina, Countess of Huntingdon and some of his followers joined the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, whose chapels were paid for at her sole expense and where a form of Calvinistic Methodism similar to Whitefield's could be spread. Many of these chapels were built in the English counties and Wales, and one was erected in London — the Spa Fields Chapel.

In 1739 Whitefield returned to England to raise funds to establish the Bethesda Orphanage, which is the oldest extant charity in North America. On returning to North America he preached a series of revivals that came to be known as the Great Awakening of 1740. He preached nearly every day for months to large crowds of sometimes several thousand people as he travelled throughout the colonies, especially New England. His journey on horseback from New York City to Charleston was the longest then undertaken in North America by a white man.

Like his contemporary and acquaintance, Jonathan Edwards, Whitefield preached with a staunchly Calvinist theology that was in line with the "moderate Calvinism" of the Thirty-nine Articles. While explicitly affirming God's sole agency in salvation, Whitefield would freely offer the Gospel, saying near the end of most of his published sermons something like: "Come poor, lost, undone sinner, come just as you are to Christ."

He had the face of a frontiersman and the voice of a gold bell; sonorous, dramatic, fluent, he was, first of all, an orator for God; few other evangelists had his speech. He poured forth torrents, deluges of words, flinging glory and singing phrases like a spendthrift; there was glow and warmth and color in every syllable. He played upon the heartstrings like an artist. One writer described him as the cultured Billy Sunday of his time. Many of his critics found fault with his methods; buy they could not deny his mastery, nor could they successfully cloud his dynamic loyalty to his Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

"The Use of Money"

JOHN WESLEY

(28 June [O.S. 17 June] 1703 – 2 March 1791) was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, with founding the English Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. In contrast to George Whitefield's Calvinism (which later led to the forming of the Calvinistic Methodists), Wesley embraced Arminianism. Methodism in both forms was a highly successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom, which encouraged people to experience Jesus Christ personally.

Wesley helped to organize and form societies of Christians throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland as small groups that developed intensive, personal accountability, discipleship and religious instruction among members. His great contribution was to appoint itinerant, unordained preachers who travelled widely to evangelise and care for people in the societies. Young men who acted as their assistants were called "exhorters" who functioned in a similar fashion to the twelve apostles after the ascension of Jesus.

Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social justice issues of the day, including the prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley's contribution as a theologian was to propose a system of opposing theological stances. His greatest theological achievement was his promotion of what he termed "Christian Perfection", or holiness of heart and life. Wesley held that, in this life, Christians could come to a state in which the love of God, or perfect love, reigned supreme in their hearts. His evangelical theology, especially his understanding of Christian perfection, was firmly grounded in his sacramental theology. He continually insisted on the general use of the means of grace (prayer, scripture, meditation, Holy Communion, etc.) as the means by which God sanctifies and transforms the believer.

John Wesley was among the first to preach for slaves rights attracting significant opposition.

Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the Church of England and insisted that his movement was well within the bounds of the Anglican tradition. His maverick use of church policy put him at odds with many within the Church of England, though toward the end of his life he was widely respected.

February 21, 2010

"The Kingdom of God"

ANDREW MURRAY

May 9, 1828(1828-05-09) – January 18, 1917 (aged 88), was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be "the chief end of the church."
Andrew pastored churches in Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town and Wellington, all in South Africa. He was a champion of the South African Revival of 1860.

In 1889, he was one of the founders of the South African General Mission (SAGM), along with Martha Osborn and Spencer Walton. After Martha Osborn married George Howe, they formed the South East Africa General Mission (SEAGM) in 1891. SAGM and SEAGM merged in 1894. Because its ministry had spread into other African countries, the mission's name was changed to Africa Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) in 1965. AEF joined with SIM in 1998 and continues to this day.

I am so excited about what God will do with us in 2010.

It's the Year of Possibilities.

I pray God's blessings upon you and your generations to come.

Pastor Steve

The Possibilities of 2010

2009-12-29T11:07:00.000-06:00

To the Church in Bixby,

The weather certainly has not cooperated as we are ending 2009. We missed our Candlelight service and the last Sunday of 2009. Let's pray that we are able to gather on the last Wednesday of this year.

As I have been saying from the pulpit the last few weeks, I am calling our church to a season of fasting as we begin 2010.

I recommend the Daniel Fast (google for complete menus if you'd like) but please fast as you will for the first 21 Days of January. We begin our fast at 12:01am January 2 and conclude the fast at 12::00 pm January 22.

This year, I am also calling our church to a total fast from media news. I believe God has revealed to me that we will grow stronger if we silence the voices of influence during our season of fasting. We need to listen for the "still small voice" as we fast and pray.

Please do not consume ANY news reporting from print, radio, television, social media or idle chatter. Watch and listen to more bible teaching or simple readings from the Bible. Watch and listen to things that make you laugh. Please, NO consumption of violence in any form. No consumption of moral decay in any form. If your TV must be on, please find good religious programming or family shows. During this fast, less TV is more.

Daniel 9

3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Joel 2
12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Acts 13

2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

As you fast, please pray in the following directions...

1- For our move to the new building. Peaceful, speedy and without drama.
2- The new building. That God will bless our services and inhabit the praise of His people. That the people of Bixby will find Jesus in our new building.
3- Providence. That God would supply all of the needs of our Church
4- For healing and health for all who worship with us and for the health of our families.
5- That our marriages would remain strong in the Lord as we each die to self.
6- That God would send his appointed Help-mate to our members seeking a mate.
7- For our mission trip during Spring break to Argentina and Paraguay. That God would use us by the power of His Holy Spirit. For lives to be impacted.
8- For the Mission trip this Summer to Morocco, Africa. To impact lives.
9- For God to reveal to us His will regarding our 3 major projects of 2010.
10- For Bixby Bicycle Blessings 2010. Bless more children.
11- For all of us in to remain in the Kingdom in our thinking and doing.
12- For our employers to be blessed as we pray for financial blessings.
13- Continually light our path that we may walk close to Him.
14- To give more than take, listen more than talk, ask more questions, care more sincerely.
15- Insert your specific prayers for 2010 here.

Pray as you fast and give; then note with marvel at this time next year as God has directed your steps. Pray that your Pastor continues to grow in anointing and pastoral wisdom.
I want to hear God every day for you.

Be blessed in His presence, daily, as you read our daily bible readings, give and pray.

"Bless this fast O Lord. Draw us near."

With love,

Pastor Steve