Jeff Stevens

The Christian faith is an exciting calling. A humbling calling. To be called to holiness. Life really is so very short and there is so much work to do. Not that God needs us for that work, but that we get to be a part of it!

The Prophets of old searched and inquired carefully to see where they could find the Messiah. Who He is and when He would come to save them. We can learn from them to go to the Scriptures and seek Him. Dig into the Word of God and learn from them that the Bible is GOOD NEWS! This is a great lesson to help us understand just what those Old Testament Prophets were searching for!

Seeing is not believing!!! There is an unmatched hope in the realization that God has done all of the work to save us and that he is the one that ensures his plan succeeds. We can rejoice in this! Believing without seeing!

This Mother's Day episode is very fitting for those questioning where they are in life and in the faith. We get an introduction to Peter's Epistles. But we also learn in the first two verses that God has believers right where He wants them, when He wants them, for the reason He wants them. We serve a Good God!

This simple piece of advice from a father, given to us by Solomon, endures the test of time. Why should we guard our heart? How should be guard our heart? And from what should we guard our heart? My prayer is that this message will give you some tools to guard your heart and that you would all continue to strive for the upward call that is Christ Jesus!

It is often hard for Veterans to see past their own brokenness. Failures, a broken body, a broken spirit and often the loss of their tribe when they separate, are all common factors that lead to hopelessness. But Paul tells us that Christ makes all things new. From church at Big Country Veterans, Circle Bar Ranch, Truscott, TX, we learn that through Christ the old has passed away and the the new has truly come!

He is Risen! This Resurrection Sunday we discuss the biblical evidence for gathering to celebrate. We are reminded that the message of the resurrection is of FIRST IMPORTANCE!

Mark Little teaches us a very important lesson today. While examining his own convictions as a believer and based in the truth of Scripture, Mark points us to the importance of drawing closer to God.

Tony Holt shares a great study with us today. By examining Jesus healing people in Capernaum, we see that service doesn't end when we leave church, after we get healed we need to get to work and that Jesus heals us as individuals. This is a study we all need to hear!

Chad White shares a phenomenal message this week. A lesson in understanding our imperfection as sinners, but also, Christ's call for us to return to Him. The hope we have in Jesus motivates us to strive in Him!

There just is not one single verse in the Bible that tells people to persevere on their own. Conversely, we are called to persevere together. Rejoicing and enduring as the Body of Christ is an essential part of our walk. This lesson from James is rock solid support for the usefulness of the local church.

James gives a lesson to the church about dealing with the persecution they were experiencing from the wealthy and more powerful from within. But this lesson is not just applicable in the first century. It is a lesson about dealing with adversity for all of us. By looking at the story of Job, James helps us to understand how to be patient and persevere in the Lord!

James begins this portion of his letter by addressing the rich who are so self-indulgent that they are taking advantage of those who are of lesser means. Their evil ways are preparing them for their own slaughter. The Bible is very clear about the dangers of being rich. As believers, we should recognize that our needs are not met by earthly riches. It is God who meets our needs according to HIS riches!

James give us a lesson today about the reality of life being a vapor. The rebuke that he gives is about merchants focussed more on making money than the will of the Lord. But this is very applicable to our lives today. We need to put in perspective the reality that life is short; and we all need to focus on Jesus and what His will is for our lives.

James gets very serious with the church and the way that people are hedonistic and lustful. The wisdom that we seek from God leads us to be subject to Him and to draw near to HIM! This was not just a relevant lesson for the church in Jerusalem, it is a perfect message for the church today. Humble yourself!

In this study, James reveals the qualifications for wisdom from above. It is a wisdom that is revealed through good behavior and gentleness. But it is also pure and meek. Today we learn about the fruit of Godly wisdom. We need to pray that it permeates the entire Christian Church!

Every February, the Life Care Pregnancy Center in Carthage, NC, is invited to speak at this women's group. This year, I was asked if I would share my experiences as a men's mentor. Specifically, how can these ladies can get men more involved in the plight to save the unborn. This is another example of how we can be doers, not just hearers of the Word!

Chapter 3 of James reminds us of the importance of watching our tongues. Not only does the tongue lead a person to sinfulness, but it can be used to influence others as well. We must be careful what we say and how we say it. Let's put our treasure in Christ, so that our hearts will be in Him and our words will pour out from His hope and love.

This famous passage is one that is used to attempt to show that a person must do certain things in their faith in order to be saved. By following certain ordinances or practices, that a person earns favor with God or participates in their salvation. But the context of this passage is essential. Faith without works is dead, but faith is also a free gift from God and paid for in full by Christ Jesus!

James will continue on the theme of being doers of the word, not just hearers. And in this case, not paying special attention to some in the church, while setting others aside. This important message should motivate all of us to realize that no matter what our background is, or our place in culture, we all need a Savior just the same. In the church, we do not play favorites...

The message that James brings to believers starts to get more and more challenging as we dive into the text. In this case, James tells us to be doers and not just hearers of the word. Realizing the great work that Jesus has done in us, as we put off the old and put on Christ, helps us to understand what it means to be 'doers of the word.'

James encourages believers to ask God for wisdom. And that God will give wisdom 'generously and without reproach.' Walking through trials, growing in wisdom, boasting in the Lord or humbling ourselves; these are all a part of how the Lord is bringing us forth as His first fruits. In this lesson we learn not to be carried away by our own desires, but to go first to God for the wisdom to persevere!

James is a great book to study as a means of helping us to understand our response to a Holy God through our works. This study begins with an introduction, then moves into the first 4 verses. James sets the stage for his letter by making us understand that we must face trials with joy! Why? Because these trials are perfecting us, so that we will lack nothing!

The last message of the Christmas season has us looking at the magi who come from the east to find the King of the Jews. There is a lot of speculation about their origin, the timing of the visit or even the nature of the gifts they brought. But one thing is certain, they came for one reason, to worship the King of Kings! This is worship fit for a King!

This week we look at the Christmas story from the perspective of the Apostle Matthew. Matthew records the dream that Joseph has where he is told to keep his wife and raise her child and to name him Jesus. We are told that his is all in fulfillment of the Scriptures and that this child will be called, "Immanuel!" This amazing Christmas story reminds us of two important points: we can rely on Scripture and that our God is with us!

Luke 2 reveals to us that the shepherds who were first to hear of the coming of Jesus, responded to that news. What did they do when they heard of the coming Messiah? What did they do when they finally saw the Messiah in that manger with Mary and Joseph? We can most certainly learn something from the response of these shepherds on that first Christmas!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the famous poem and now Christmas song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." This Civil War era poem draws from the first ever song sung by the angels at the birth of Jesus Christ. This beautiful carol should remind us that in the midst of our Christmas celebrations, we are not just filled with joy for the coming of a baby, but for the coming of the Prince of Peace, with whom the Father is pleased!

T-shirts, hats, and mugs are all plastered with these sayings that turn Jesus into a punchline. Jesus is most certainly our friend, but He is not our homeboy. Today we will examine Hebrews 1:1-3 to gain some insight on the qualities that Jesus possesses.

Today's culture is purposefully trying to lead people away from God. One way that this is done is through our identity. This study will show that God made us in His image, for a purpose, and for His glory. The Bible is crystal clear about how God made us, and who we are in HIM!

Mark Little shares an important lesson about the words that we use. And not just the words we use, but how we use them. As the church, we are expected to speak in a way that glorifies God. Let this lesson not just address our speech in the church, but out in plain view of the world as well.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, can you hear her? This study from Proverbs 1 helps us to understand the important call to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord! It is essential that we are maturing in the faith, as that maturity will help us to bear good fruit!

Chad White walks the church through some very important lessons from the book of James. It is essential to understand that we do not work for our salvation. But our salvation generates a response that involves a desire to do good works. Chad walks us through practical actions of our faith.

In this final lesson from the Epistle to the Hebrews, we discuss that we worship God, knowing that He is the fulfillment of Scripture, the Great High Priest, the Author and Perfecter of faith. He is the only one who is worthy of our continued sacrifice!

Brotherly love in the church, hospitality, honor marriage and sexuality, not loving money, and remembering our leaders. These are all aspects of a believer's response to a Holy God! The Christian walk is more than just saying that we believe, it is also about doing what makes us holy.

This is a message of good news. We worship a Good God who has done all of the work for us. A God that we can rejoice in; because He has already brought us to Mt. Zion. He has already given us an unshakable kingdom! Let our walk and our worship reveal that we know this great hope!

The author of Hebrews shows us a descriptive comparison of Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion. What a rich picture of the amazing grace that we have in Jesus Christ. A grace that comes without fear. The grace of the New Covenant, bought by our Lord and Savior.

God disciplines us because He loves us. This is an important message for all of us to hear. A Good Father wants what is best for His children; and that sometimes means discipline. Discipline that "yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

When your faith waivers, when the weight and the sin tries to entangle you, remember what Jesus Christ has done for you on that cross. Remember what He endured for you, so that you will not grow weary!

In this 3rd and final study in our series, By Faith, we discuss the hall of heroes of the faith and how they knew there was a better promise. Chapter 11 has shown us that by faith we can have assurance, that by faith we respond and now we see that there is an amazing promise in Jesus Christ that we have to look forward to. Join us as we wrap up Hebrews 11.

By faith, believers respond to God. The author of Hebrews walks us through some of the Old Testament people who had times in their lives where their responses to situations are clear that they have faith in God. We are all called to a faith that shows an obedient response to God. By faith, we respond to a God who is faithful to us!

To start off this 3 part study, we are going to look at the definition of faith. Then after defining, we see how the author reveals that the "men of old," or Old Testament saints were saved by their faith, not by their works. But the main focus of this study will be so reveal how in our faith we can have assurance.

The author of Hebrews delivers a very tough message about God's judgement towards believers. Like a good Father, God wants what is best for us. But that does not come without punishment when it is due. We have a great reward in Christ Jesus. Because of that, we should have endurance that keeps us from willful sin.

The idea that Jesus Christ is a new and living way would have monumental for the Hebrew audience that heard this letter. But this is not just a letter that is applicable to those Jews who had converted to "The Way." This is an essential message to the church today. When we are saved by Christ, we also have a NEW AND LIVING WAY!

This study from Hebrews 11:11-18 dives into the idea of God writing the law on your heart and on your mind. What implications does that have for believers? Will you be a letter to from Christ to those who need it?

Hebrews 10 gives us some insight into God's plan to prepare the perfect sacrifice for his people. This study helps us to understand that God also has a will for us as well. God wants us to be transformed so can discern his will! That makes us ask the question: What is the will of God?

In perfect obedience to the holiness and majesty of God the Father, the Son so greatly desires our salvation that He would rather die than see us perish. He would rather die than bring any dishonor to the Father. What a great, great love! Are you eagerly awaiting Jesus?

It is by the blood of Christ that our conscience is cleansed of dead works so that we can serve God. Your desire to be righteous without Jesus is simply done in vain. You must be washed in the blood, you must be filled with the Spirit. Repent and believe in HIM, and see your heart change, the miraculous happen in your life and in the people whom you serve!

Hebrews 9 begins with the author showing us a picture of the tabernacle that existed in the Old Covenant as a place for Israel to atone for their sin. There were some issues with this tabernacle though. First is that the rituals had to be done over and over, they were never complete. And secondly, all of the offerings were not enough to perfect the conscience of man. Only Jesus and HIS work could do that. This is a great study in who and how our conscience is perfected!

Hebrews 8 helps us to understand why the New Covenant is not just more important than the Old Covenant, but that it is essential. That the Old Covenant was bound to fail because of the weakness of men. But the New Covenant cannot fail because of the nature of God. Repent today, of all the things you thought you had to do to be saved or righteous; and focus on Jesus Christ who will be merciful to your iniquities and remember your sins no more.

Why do we get deep in the weeds about the priesthood of Melchizedek and the comparison to Aaron and the Levitical priesthood? Why try to show that Jesus is now a new great high priest of the order of Melchizedek? Because it reveals the amazing and intricately arranged nature of the Word of God. His Amazing Grace is not only revealed through His power to save, but also through the fulfillment of prophecy and promise.

What an amazing message of hope! Jesus is the anchor of our soul. The anchor has been set. Our hope is in an unchangeable God who has promised us eternity through His Son! Give thanks, break bread and take hold of the hope that is set before you! This, friends, is great news!