Seasoning the Season

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

1. He meant it as a command - we ARE to be salt in the earth.
2. He meant for us to enrich the earth and be enriching to those we share our lives with. More speaking and less talking.
3. 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

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

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

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:

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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

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.

1. Logos is the Greek word identifying an expression, concept or thought.
2. 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

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.

1. God speaks so he can relate to us. We shouldn’t be surprised that God longs to connect and have relationship with us.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Jesus said so! -- He said many times. “My sheep know my voice.” We know His voice because He speaks and we can Hear.
4. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.