Bro. Steve's Blog

Gas Giveaway

2009-07-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Please be in prayer for our Gas Giveaway Saturday Aug. 8 form 12P.M. to 4P.M. We will be giving away 25 $20 gas coupons at a local gas station. The recipient of these coupons will participate in a 5 question survey ending with a gospel presentation. This is a new endeavor and we don't know just how it will turn out. Our desire is to step out of the boat and do some radical evangelism. So, we need everyone to pray for success. Pray that we will be ready for any and every situation, pray for the Spirit of God to convict the recipients of sin. Pray that people will be receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pray that some will follow in baptism and be united to the church, but most of all pray that God will be glorified. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Call for Unity

2009-06-22T04:26:00.001-07:00

What a joy it is to be here at the Southern Baptist Convention with three generations of Cirlots. Our denomination has prospered for many generations and I am certain it will remain strong for many more or until Christ returns. It is great to see the emphasis at the Pastors Conference is on unity. They are asking the question “What If” we all came together in mind, Spirit, love and purpose. The denomination is calling for us to let the world see how much we care so that they will now that God loves them. Let’s pray for one Spirit and mind and remember that our purpose is to fulfill the great commission.

Staying on Cource

2009-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

...a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Pr 15:21

This Sunday night, I will present a state of the church address to the people of RHBC. My prayer is that every member and intrested visitor will attend. In this address we will look back at our master plan adopted in May of 2006 and we will determine where we are own that plan today. We will also look at what we must do to keep our course straight. It's exciting to know that the average Sunday School attendance in May of 2006 was 109 and in April 2009 it was 166. God has truly blessed our obedience and hard work.

In 2006, in fear and trembling, we chose to move on a path that seemed impossible. But, with God, all things are possible to him who believes. God has been faithful and all we had to do was stay on the course that He had laid before us. May that be a lesson to us today; continued to follow the course and expect to see God grow us both in spirit and in numbers. May our reputation as a church be that they seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all that they need is adding to them daily.

You Need the Seed

2009-05-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

You need the Seed to produce Spirit-filled Fruit. In Scripture, Jesus spoke of the seed that was planted in the hearts of people. This seed is the Word of God. Some seed produce fruit and some did not. The believer’s heart is a place where the Spirit of God and the Word of God form a union that is perfect soil for the producing of a fruitful life. By reading the Word of God systematically you are allowing countless seeds to be planted in your heart. With the planting of many seeds there will be the producing of much fruit. You will find yourself living a life that bears a great deal of Spirit-filled fruit.

This Sunday I ask believers who do not currently have a systematic way that they read through the Scriptures to read through the New Testament over a 90 day period. You can complete this task by reading two to three chapters a day. Just read too long chapters or thee short chapters, and in 90 days you will have completed your readings. Fruit will be produced in your life and you will long for new seeds to be planted. You will enjoy bearing fruit.

For a 90 day reading chart go to the church webpage

Fellowhip is God's Idea

2009-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

God never intended for man to be alone. Even in the Garden of Eden God gave Adam a helpmate. Just like he needs the Spirit of God to walk with him, a person also needs the fellowship of other humans. Here at RHBC fellowship is in important part of who we are. As we walked side by side, we are able to encourage one another. This world is tuff; our friends remind us that this world is not our home and that the present may hurt, but the future glory makes it all worth while.

That's not all, friends in Christ hold us accountable for our thoughts and our actions. God calls us to be salt and light; its His people who keep us on the right track to accomplishing His purpose. As individuals, we are weak, but as a group we are a unified force empowered by Christ himself. Sometimes when an individual's faith altars another person's faith holds them both on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

When groups of women and men gather together, in Jesus name, they are able to sense the present of Jesus in their midst. They bond to form a circle of one. This Sunday at 3 p.m. we will gather for the annual picnic behind the Church. Make plans to be here. So you can encourage and be encouraged by fellow believers. Just bring you lawnchair and a friend to fellowship with.

Bearing Fruit in Different Ways

2009-04-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here at Ridglea we encourage every believer to bear Spirit-filled Fruit. For ever believer their fruit is different. Just this week I saw one man's fruit inspire another man to bear a different kind of fruit. Sit back and enjoy how one man's passion for Christ inspired another man's heart to write:

The Man on His Knees

Down at the church where I attend,
You’ll see him there time and again.
The man on his knees in the flower bed,
Though most days, you’ll only see his head.
Often as his head’s bowed down,
He’s busy digging in the ground.
On days when he doesn’t seem to move,
He’s just basking in the Savior’s love.

Asked why his flowers grow so grand,
He gets “goose bumps: and says “I don’t understand.”
“I just plant seeds; And then they die.”
“God brings forth life, I don’t know why.”
“But let me tell you what God did for me.”
“He sent His Son to Calvary.”
“Then like the seeds I died to sin.”
“Then Jesus gave me life again.”

Inside our church, You’ll find him too.
Center row; Second pew.
Each girl or boy, lady or man,
At Ridglea Heights he’ll shake your hand.
Thank you LORD he’s served so well.
He’s steered so many folks from Hell.
His service here: How long it’s been!

We love and thank you Bro. Ken

One day Christ will return to take his children home, until then remember that Jesus' last parable was a command to go and do the good works He prepared for you before the foundation of the world. When you complete these good works you are bearing Spirit-filled fruit. Fruit comes in all shapes and sizes; no two peaces are the same. But, the purpose is the same and that is to glorify the Lord. Go and bear much fruit.

3 Dimensional Small Group Model for RHBC

2009-04-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

1) All Sunday School classes are small groups. 2) Each small group is to accomplish the overall goal of Ridglea Heights Baptist Church and that is to help people Believe God, Become like Jesus, and Bear Spirit-filled fruit. 3) It is up to the small group to devise a plan to help people Believe in God and Bear Spirit-filled fruit. The teacher will be responsible for shepherding and teaching. 4) You, the small group have been empowered to accomplish the three-dimensional task of RHBC. 5) Know that you will be called on by the coordinators to give an account of your small groups progress. 6) All members of RHBC who are physically able are to be a part of a small group.

Crisis Closet Ministry Highlight

2009-04-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

When God called Abraham He told him that He (God) would bless him and that he (Abraham) would be a blessing to others. One of the ways that we, as believers of Jesus at Ridglea, bless others is through our crisis closet Ministry. In the soon-to-be operational Youth Building there is a closet where the members of Ridglea Heights Baptist Church bring non perishables foods such as rice, beans, peanut, butter jelly and all types of caned meats.

The way the ministry works is, those who are blessed bring so that we can be a blessing to those who are less fortunate. So, if you know someone in need of food bring them to the crisis closet. If you are blessed, bring some non perishables to the closet. Let's work together to be a blessing to those God has put in our pathway. For your convenience Crisis Closet Collection Containers have been placed throughout the facility here it Ridglea.Ffind one and drop you blessing in. As we become more like Jesus, may we be a blessing to those who have a need to believe that God meets the needs of those who truly seek Him.

Oh What a Glorious Day

2009-04-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

What a great day Easter Sunday was here it Ridglea Heights Baptist Church.
Let me say a special thanks to those of you who put up tables and chairs, cooked breakfast and participated in the worship. Let me also say thanks to those of you who took care of all those other details that no one else thought of. We are truly blessed that God has sent us people who are committed to our goal of helping people Believe God, Become like Jesus and Bear that Spirit-filled fruit.

It is my privilege to pastor you, a people who know that they have not yet become who they will one day be in Christ Jesus. Yet you press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus called you to. Together we cast off our past failures, and we press on to take hold of Christ likeness. Knowing that one day, we will win the prize when we cross over into the heavenly Zion, the new Jerusalem. Until that day may we live the abundant and victorious christian life that God has so graciously given us, remembering that His mercies are new every day and that His grace abounds freely. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to him on who His favor rest.

Sunday School, our method for becoming like Jesus

2009-03-30T12:15:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday was an awesome day. We had 166 individuals in Sunday school becoming like Jesus, and we have 264 people and the two morning services. God is great, but, as I evaluate these numbers, who by the way are people, I realized that there were in 99 individuals who had not attended a Sunday School class. They missed an opportunity to become more like Jesus.

One of the goals of Ridglea is to help people who believe in God assimilate into a Sunday School class where they will become more like Jesus. Then, with the help of their class, they are to go out into the community and bear Spirit-filled fruit. So, I will be asking the Sunday School leadership to start new mission classes to focus on those who are not in Sunday school at his time. But, it is not all up to the new class to reach these folks. The established classes are charged with finding and assimilating people into their classes as well. Go, therefore, and make disciples. May God help us as we Believe, Become and Bear.

Believe, Become and Bear

2009-03-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

It is my desire to simplify the church so that we can focus on the mission God has given us. That mission is to help people Believe God, Become like Jesus, and Bear Spirit-filled fruit. This simplification does not mean we take our walk with God for granted. Rather, it means that you have greater time and opportunity to deepen your relationship with your Master. Don't be satisfied with where you are; strive to be a deeper, more committed disciple of Christ.

As your pastor, I have high hopes and expectations for you. I refuse to let you stay the way that you are. I do love you, just as you are, but my love for you requires that I spur you along as you grow in your faith. I am confident as you deepen your relationship and move quickly in your walk with God that you will be afforded many opportunities to share your faith. This will multiply our numbers so that we obtain the simple goal that we aspire and that is to Believe, Become and Bear.

Keeping It In Motion

2009-03-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my absenteeism in journaling. I will do much better in the days to come, I promise. Thank you for your participation in the Revival services. Never before have I seen so many visitors, friends and family come together to worship. I was and am richly blessed by the attendance. We had three professions of faith and six others to join by letter or statement.

Revivals are a good way to get the momentum going, but it takes effort to keep things in motion. Continue to invite friends, family and coworkers so that they may hear the word of God and be saved. The next three Sundays I have declared the FREE LUNCH PROGRAM, here is how it works. You invite someone to be your guest next Sunday morning or night or the following Sunday morning or even Easter Sunday. I will preach Christ and Him crucified so that any lost person will be able to understand that Jesus died for their sins and by accepting the LORDSHIP of Christ they can be saved. Your part is to provide them with a free lunch afterwards. Weather you cook it or buy it is up to you. Just get your lost or wayward friend to church, I will preach the Word and God will do the rest.

Visitation

2009-01-12T21:17:00.000-08:00

I'm looking for 16 people to help with visitation on Tuesday night at six o'clock. You will be asked to visit once a month for seven months. That means seven nights a visitation per year. Be in prayer as to whether God would have you participate or not. Sunday morning, I will give you the opportunity to sign up to join a visitation team. There will be a one night training session in the next week or two. There are many people visiting Ridglea Heights Baptist Church and they need to know that we love and care about them; so, we are going to visit them. Being a part of this visitation team allows you to bear Spirit-filled fruit in our community.

I would like to invite several married couples to join Tinell and I as we participate in lovingly committed 24/7 retreat February 13^th, 14^th and 15^th. Good marriages don't become good marriages by accident. They take a lot of hard work. So come and participate and let your marriage become one of the great ones.

This past Sunday was a tremendous day. The 8:30 service and 11:00 service were filled with people wanting to hear the Word of God so that it can help them become more like Jesus. Help me as I pray that our Sunday school will grow to over 200 participants. It is very important that we become like Jesus. The best way for us to be transformed into the image of Jesus is through basic Bible study. Let's all get involved in Sunday. By the way, spread the word, I'll be starting a new pastor’s class on the last Sunday of January. It will be located in the sanctuary and it will start at 10:00a.m. It's open to anyone who is not going to Sunday school now or any new believers, who would like to learn more about basic Christianity and what we believe here at Ridglea Heights Baptist Church.

New Sunday School Class

2009-01-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

All is well at Ridglea Heights Baptist Church. We are preparing for the New Year. The workday went really well this Saturday; Mitch, Dustin and myself would like to thank you so much for your participation, a lot of great work was done. Please be listening close as we prepare to start up a new year of visitation. In a few weeks you will be asked to join our visitation teams. I am asking at least six people to volunteer for one Tuesday night a month. You choose the Tuesday, just let me know so we can schedule you for that night. God has blessed us with a large number of visitors here at Ridglea Heights. We need to let them know that we care.

Also for those of you who do not attend Sunday School or have just recently joined Ridglea Heights Baptist Church were going to have a new Sunday School class. This class will last about 13 weeks, and in it we would talk about the things that we believe here at Ridglea Heights Baptist Church and will answer any questions that you have. We will meet in the sanctuary each Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. I look forward to seeing some of you there.

Community Celebration

2008-11-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

I just want to remind everyone that we are celebrating the community of Hurley this Saturday at the Lumb Cumbust Park. The gathering will begin at three and last until five o'clock. The praise band will be there, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available. Good fellowship will be had by all. Bring the kids and a chair. I look forward to seeing you, remember God loves you and so do.

You will find happiness...

2008-11-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” These are the words spoken by Jesus in the Revelation to John. It does us well to heed these words, because God has placed us here on earth to carry out the good works he created us for. Spend some time today discerning God’s will in your life. Set before you today are task that God has ordained to help grow His Kingdom. When you fulfilled His task you will find happiness, peace and contentment.

The Year King Uzziah Died

2008-11-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

Some of you had asked me about my notes from yesterdays message, so here they are:

The Year King Uzziah Died
Isaiah 6:1-4
Sunday Morning
November 9, 2008

CT: Isaiah was worried about the nation of Israel. He knew that they were headed in a direction that was contrary to the will of God. God spoke to Isaiah and let him know that God was still on His throne.

AS: America is quickly moving away from a biblical worldview and towards a man centered worldview. While things may seem out of control, God wants us to know He is still on His throne.

Introduction:

As a prophet of God, Isaiah was worried when king Uzziah died. Isaiah sensed a nation drifting from God, and he was fearful for the consequences that it would bring. But God, being the God who he is, selected Isaiah to be a mouthpiece for Him. Isaiah was allowed to see the Lord high and lifted up. He was reminded that he was a man who was unclean, but he had been cleansed by God. God was showing him not to fear the future, but to press own and tell the world the message of salvation. America is a nation that is drifting away from the will of God, and as believers, we are to trust in the Lord, live a life of holiness, and share the message of salvation.

I. Observations about America

a. Anyone can become president. One of the great things about America is that anyone can grow up to be president. Today is a great day in America, because it has been proven that a man's skin color is not what determines his ability. Remember that as a believer it is okay to disagree with the president, but he is the president so yield to his authority and lend him the respect that is do the office he holds.

b. The economy is driven by greed. President John F. Kennedy once said, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Today, most Americans want to know what the country is going to do for them.

c. Homosexuality is accepted as normal.

i. God condemned Sodom and Gamora.

ii. God condemned the sons of Noah for looking up on his nakedness.

iii. About homosexuality Paul said, “God gave them over in their sinful desire for their hearts to sexual immorality for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than creator-- who is forever to be praise. Romans 1:24

d. Child sacrifice runs rampant. Men and women make decisions to kill unborn babies, so that they can live the lives they want. They choose to be gods of their own lives.

e. Society is pushing towards man centered theology. Instead of God speaking to man telling him who he is, man is trying to re-create God in mans own image. (In the book of Judges every man did what was right in his own eyes).

II. Some Biblical Observations about God.

a. God laughs at the nations who try to govern apart from His will. Read PS 2:1-6

b. Jesus is the Savior of all men to repent.

c. God remains on his throne. While men are free to do what they wish, all things still work together for the good of those who love God are called according to his purpose.

d. Jesus is coming back to establish an earthly reign.

i. Some say before the great tribulation.

ii. Some say after tribulation has come.

iii. But what is for sure is that he is coming back.

Summary:

1. Trust in Jesus Christ your Savior.

2. Give testimony to His coming kingdom.

3. Lead others to Christ.

4. Be ready for persecution.

Election

2008-11-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday America got what America wanted; tomorrow America will get what America deserves.