The Purpose of the Church Family (by Sandra Poplin)

A church family will help keep you from backsliding. None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track.

The Bible says, “Encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV).

“Mind your own business” is not a Christian phrase! We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives. If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after him and bring him back into the fellowship.

James tells us, “If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back” (James 5:19 MSG).

A local church also provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives the shepherd leader the responsibility to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7). We are told, “Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God” (Hebrews 13:17b NLT, second edition).

Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the Body, isolated from God’s family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics. Don’t let him get a foothold in your life! Stay connected to your church family.

Talk It Over:
What kind of relationships will you have to develop if you want accountability with people in the Body of Christ?
How should you pray for your church leaders?
What do you need to do to reconnect with your church family?
Who do you know that needs to be brought back into your church family?

If this has inspired you, please share it!

Somebody Like Me...

A drunk walked into our little church at 1st Biker's Church in Texarkana, Texas, back when it was in Brother Gary's garage...before we were an actual church.

We had a little kitchen area in the back where everyone congregated before service, getting their coffee (and maybe donuts if someone was gracious enough to bring them...LOL)

The church was growing. Everyone had to wriggle around everyone to get to their seats, or make their way to the bathroom. The drunk made his way through the crowd toward the coffee area, where Brother Gary was coming back from, making his way to the Pulpit. You could smell the alcohol on him as he reached out to shake Brother Gary's hand, as Gary welcomed him.

At that point, a bottle fell out of the man's trenchcoat. It shattered on the floor, the smell of whiskey permeating the room. I know the guy had to feel embarrassed. Brother Gary just looked down at the mess, smiled and said, "Might better clean that up before someone gets hurt."

I remember thinking, "This is definitely my kind of church." All my life, I had looked for a church where everyone else's stench was as nauseating as my own, and the smell of my sin didn't cause them to push me away. Rather, as everyone welcomed that drunk into the congregation, I felt pulled into a family circle that, years later, I am still a part of.

As I tell my friends, we don't necessarily condone the behavior, but we totally understand it.



Luke 7:
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

If this has inspired you, please share it!

You are the Vessel of the Word

This is the May 22 Sermon by Matthew C. Butler of 1st Bikers Church in Texarkana

Let's Have Church!

Looking at church like this gives a new perspective on the meaning of having "church".

Church isn't there for your enjoyment, but God's. The joy you feel because of it is just a by product of glorifying the Master.

My pastor likes to sing this song a lot at our church. This isn't my pastor, but I like the song!

If this has inspired you, please share it!

Being the Hands and Feet our Pastor Needs

Exodus 18
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

To get an idea of how your pastor feels, here is a challenge for you, as Christians and church members:

Choose ten people you know who are in need of something. It could be someone going through a bad relationship, someone who is homeless, someone who is ill, someone who is just struggling to make ends meet, or someone who is simply "lost". There are numerous needs out there that are not mentioned here, as well. If you have ten people you know who are lost, I would start there.

Make those ten people your "project".

In other words, reach out to them as often as possible. Call them just to say hi. Be there when they have need of someone to talk to. Stay on your knees praying for them. Minister to them. Show them the love of Jesus. Invite them to go to church with you. Take opportunities to talk to them about Jesus (just be careful not to "choke" the Word so that you drive them away rather than draw them to you).

Believe me, ten people will keep you busy. And, if you want to help ease the burden of your pastor, choosing ten people in need in your church is an option. You help with the smaller matters, and when there are larger matters you can't help with, you take it to the person who is over you in your church (a teacher, a deacon, someone below your pastor who is helping ease the burden...). If they can't help, then they can take it to the pastor. If he can't help, he then takes it to God.

It is up to us as a church to help our pastor prevent burnout, and to be the church that God has called us to be. As a church, we shouldn't expect to go to church, hear a sermon and go home and forget about it. If that little homeless girl that showed up for church catches your eye, you shouldn't just shrug her off and say, "the Pastor will handle it...I'm sure if there is a need, he will address us."

Our church has over 350 members in it, and all of them have a need of some kind. There is no way our pastor is able to handle that many people. We are not members of an insurance club. We are a church. This means that, as individual members of the church, we are called to be the hands and feet of God. It is not right to expect the pastor to be God.

We need to remember that our pastor is human. He has problems just like any of us do. He has needs just like we all do, and he depends on us, as ambassadors of God, as much as we depend on him as the leader of our church.

So, while we are on our knees praying for our pastor, we also need to stand up, take a step forward and be the church that God has called us to be.

If this has inspired you, please share it!

On the Battlefield

You don't love SO you can be loved. You love because He loves you! You don't get right and go to God. You go to God to get right. You don't give to get blessings. You give because He has blessed.

You can't say you are a Christian just because you go to church on Sunday, when your life from Monday through Saturday doesn't reflect it. You don't leave God at the church house doors. You carry Him with you.

Church is a place where you go to recharge, gain confidence, fellowship with people of like mind, who can encourage and lift you up in prayer, and hold you accountable. It is not a place to hang out once a week. What happens in church, unlike the bars around town, should not stay in church.

April 17 Sermon by Matthew Butler at 1st Bikers Church, Texarkana

What my pastor did about the rowdy kids at our church

By Joshua Rogers
Published January 10, 2016
FoxNews.com

When I started going to my church in May of 2005, we had about 75 people regularly attending, and almost all of them were single. These days, our church is much larger, thanks in part to the folks who are now married and have kids — lots of them.

At Church of the Resurrection in Washington D.C., the kids are present during the music and communion each week, which sometimes makes for a rambunctious worship experience. Kids have been known to dance during the songs, bolt across the room during the Lord’s Supper, and one time, my daughter walked right onto the stage and into my arms while I was leading worship.

I imagine it’s hard for some of the folks at our church — Lord knows it’s hard for me to keep focused on Jesus when my kids are loudly trying to whisper their Sunday School lesson to me. That’s why I appreciate this message my pastor sent to our church's congregants email list:

Read it...

Featured Ministry: Church Under the Bridge (Texarkana)

Church Under the Bridge is a community of friends dedicated to loving God and loving each other.

We value God and His glory above all and we believe that we must love, cherish, and value people as image bearers of God.

Church Under the Bridge ministers to the homeless in Texarkana, as well as anyone else who wants to join them. This is truly a place where the hands and feet of Jesus are at work in our community.

To learn more, visit their website by clicking HERE

Featured Ministry: USA Church

Pastor Steven Andrew helps people know God and God’s plans. He teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible. As president of USA Christian Church, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Revival Force and an author of Christian living books, he shares God’s hope and love. To bring Christian liberty, abundance, security, peace and strong families, he is uniting the USA in Christ.

Pastor Steven Andrew is pastoring the USA to make a strong Christian nation where Jesus Christ is exalted and Christians are honored, and to have a covenant Christian nation government like our founders believed. All glory to God, there have already been over one million people who have prayed to become a Christian or rededicated their lives to God.

As a Christian leader he is frequently in the news and on radio, TV and other media making disciples as Jesus said in the Great Commission.

To visit the USA Church, pastored by Steven Andrew, click HERE

Looking Good for God

1 Corinthians 7
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Tonight, my pastor preached on these verses. At 1st Bikers Church, we are privileged to not have to dress in suits and ties in order to praise God and be accepted as part of the congregation. We have members who have beards, many have tattoos, and many of the women don't even own a dress. Some men are homeless, living out of their back packs. Some have homes, but choose to dress conservatively. And, some do own dresses that they wear occasionally. At 1st Bikers Church, we don't care what you wear. What we care about is that you are there, and that your God is OUR God.

Using these verses, Pastor Matthew C. Butler made the point that "if you are a biker, you probably wouldn't fit in with the cowboy church" for various reasons. So, therefore, if God called you to be a Christian while you were a biker, then it is bikers that you should be witnessing to, and if you were a cowboy, then it's cowboys you should be witnessing to. God made a place for us all, and in calling the whole world, someone has to be able to reach them where they are.

Having heard the sermon tonight, it made me think of myself, and where I currently am in my walk with Jesus.

For the past couple of years, I have not worn new clothes. I've been comfortable attending church in sweats and jeans and t-shirts, and whatever else makes me comfortable that covers me up. God knows what's inside me and that is what counts, right?

But, lately, I've been paying more attention to my looks. Not because I think I should look better as a Christian, but because I think God is calling me into places that He wants me to go where my appearance my be an obstacle in doing what it is HE calls me to do.

For instance: If I were to attempt to walk into a rich man's bar in order to speak to a rich patron there about leaving the bar life to follow Jesus, do you think that rich patron would listen to me if I walked in there with shabby clothes on?

God meets us where we are. He accepts us for WHO we are. He loves us even though we are filthy in sin. But, when the blood of Jesus cleanses our hearts and makes us new, God requires us to be ready and willing to go where ever He sends us to spread the gospel. We should, therefore, be willing and ready to meet others where THEY are.

Our motto at 1st Bikers Church has always been:

1 Corinthians 9:
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

This means that when we see a homeless man on the street, we sit with him. We are not ashamed to be seen with him. We are not uncomfortable with his smell. We treat him as one of us. We treat him with respect and dignity in hopes of sharing the gospel to him and being the hands and feet that God asks us to be in order to lead him to Christ!

So, in my own life, I have transitioned from the old sweats and comfortable attire I love so much, to wearing pant suits and make-up and fixing my hair and painting my nails. Not because I believe I have to dress that way as a Christian, but because I feel that there is someone out there who will not take me seriously who needs to hear my story, unless I dress like them.

I go to work every day at a hospital. I have to wear a uniform that I do not like to wear. Wearing that uniform does not make me any more or any less a child of the Most High God than not wearing it; but, if I don't wear it, it will make me less of an employee and put an obstacle in the path between me and my paycheck.

It's the same when doing Kingdom work for God. Sometimes, though you don't have to dress out to be a Christian, it is required that you change your uniform in order to fit the job God wants you to be able to do.

1 Peter 3:
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Featured Ministry: Gospel Tabernacle (New Boston, TX)

At The Gospel Tabernacle, our worship service is a meeting with Christ & His bride, the Church. If we become emotional when we know He is there, if we break into tears of joy or of sorrow for sin, if we get too physical, if we act differently in the awareness of the moving of the Holy Spirit than we do anywhere else, if we shout "Hallelujah!", or speak in other tongues ... it is because we are not acting out some old tradition but responding sincerely and spontaneously to the very real and personal presence of our Lord.

To visit them online, click HERE

Featured Ministry: Life House Ministries

Life House is a church for all people regardless of their race, economic or educational status. It’s our desire to reach people with the love of Jesus. We want to feed, hug, love, share and touch people right where they are. We are REAL. No “put on’s” , no “religiosity” – just real people who have been touched by God’s grace loving others with Jesus love. We believe that the church should be living out the Matthew 25 principle – loving, clothing, feeding, visiting and caring. When you visit our church you will find people of all ages, colors and income brackets. We are not concerned with WHAT you have but rather WHO you have in your heart. Come visit with us and see for yourself a church that is REAL and full of LOVE for all people.

To visit Life House on the web, click HERE

New Christian Connection: New Beginnings Praise and Worship Center (Texarkana)

What we believe

ABOUT GOD: God is the creator and the ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are on God Genesi1:1,26,27;3:22; Psalm 90:2;Matthew 28:19;1 Peter 1:2;2;Corinthians 13:14
ABOUT MAN: Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God's creation. Although man has a tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called"sin".This attitude separates man of God Genesis 1:27;Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a;Romans 3:23;Isaiah 59:1,2

ABOUT ETERNITY: Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell.To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16'John 2:25;John 5:11-13;Romans 6:23;Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12' Matthew 25:31-46

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again to the earth to reign as Kings of Kings and the Lords of Lords.

Check out more about New Beginnings Praise and Worship Center by clicking HERE

New Christian Connection: South Texarkana Baptist Church

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and the profession of our faith; having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back biting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

Visit South Texarkana Baptist Church by clicking HERE

New Christian Connection: Pinson Park Baptist Church (Texarkana)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... Matthew 28:20

The mission of Pinson Park Baptist Church is simply to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to preach the gospel to all the world.

The world begins here...

Click HERE to go to Pinson Park Baptist Church on the web!

Church Pew Bar Stool...and Miracles

I hopped bars for 3 years after I turned 21. I owned a bar for about a year. I have been promiscuous, homeless, an unwed mother, a divorced woman, jobless, hopeless, and hurting. I have seen others just like me.

I became a charter member of 1st Bikers Church in 2006 or 7...and my whole life has changed. I look around me each time I attend, and I see people just like me. People who once were where I came from. Some who came from much worse places. At 1st Bikers Church, we love them all. We accept who they are when they walk through the door. We pray them into being what God has called them to be.

I have seen people I never thought would step through the doors in that church come in and feel the touch of Jesus on them, and I have watched the miracle of seeing their lives change...because they can't help it...they gotta have more.

THAT's the miracle. THOSE are the GREATEST miracles. Even greater than the Tami Morgans who were healed from breast cancers and the MeeMaws who had heart defects and weren't supposed to live past the age of five.

If you want to see a miracle...come join us! You will only need to look at the person who sits in pew beside you in order to see it.

Jesus invited the poor in spirit, the hurting, the heavy laden. It's obvious that He is there when we worship at 1st Bikers Church! And, there, we learn how to carry Him with us as we go out the doors of the church into the world that THOUGHT it had us!

Inviting someone to church...

(Originally written on Friday, October 16)

Last night I went to the new Walmart in Wake Village to get something to eat and some tea and sugar (gotta have my tea a sugar!)

When I got to the checkout, a young black lady greeted me with the most beautiful smile! She asked me, "How are you doing?"

I smiled back and said, "I am totally blessed!" and she said, "Me, TOO!"

I said, "I can tell. It's the only reason you would be smiling behind a cashier counter at 11:30 at night in Wal Mart." LOL

She just smiled again.

I felt a nudge from God.

I said, "Do you go to church?"

Her expression changed for a split second, then she said, "I haven't found one I felt at home at."

I said, "Oh, PLEASE come visit US!"

She asked me where I went to church. (hehe) I told her, "1st Bikers Church...and we welcome EVERYONE! Come in t-shirts, blue jeans, as you are. As long as you are covered."

She asked me where it was located.

She said, "THAT sounds like a church who would welcome everyone. LOL"

I said, "We are all sinners, in need of a Savior..." then I paused and said, "Even AFTER we are saved."

She smiled even broader and said, "THAT is SO TRUE! AMEN!"

I think we might have a visitor coming...

Featured Ministry: Williams United Methodist Church (Texarkana)

The people of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church glorify God, inspire others to follow Christ, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Through inspiring worship, Christian education for all ages, local and global mission opportunities, and relational outreach, we share our faith in action.

Williams Memorial United Methodist Church offers three worship services every Sunday. Traditional worship services are in the sanctuary at 8:15 and 10:30am. The Xperience service is in Wesley Hall at 10:30am. Whether you've been in church all your life or are new to church experiences, our services are designed for you. We hope they help you experience the love and grace of God each week.

William’s Senior Pastor Brad Morgan and Executive Pastor Tori Butler are our preaching pastors. Faithfully and passionately they share messages that bring the word of God to life.

To visit them online, click HERE

New Research Reveals Primary Causes of Church Decline

Loveland, CO - August 6, 2015 (God Inspires) -- New research reveals that 31 percent of the adult U.S. population, approximately 65 million people, were at one time involved in church but have since left. This is approximately equal to the number of people still regularly attending church.

The study also found that more than 10 percent of adults still attending church are on their way out the door.

The top five reasons people gave for leaving are:

The church was too judgmental.

The church bureaucracy was stifling.

They didn't like the lecture style of preaching.

The church was not where they encountered God.

The church took a social or political stance they disagreed with.

The research was conducted by Dr. Josh Packard, director of the Social Research Lab at the University of Northern Colorado, for the purpose of understanding the size, make-up, and motivations of the formerly churched population in the U.S.

Packard's findings are summarized in a newly released report titled, Exodus of the Religious Dones. Packard also wrote about these trends in his book Church Refugees: Sociologists Reveal Why People Are DONE With Church but Not Their Faith (Group).

According to Packard, "The people who are leaving the church in droves are not simply marginal Christians who decided to leave on a whim. They were at one time the church's staunchest supporters and leaders. And when they leave, they take irreplaceable institutional knowledge, experience, and relational connections that will be hard to replace."