No church services on December 22 due to the inclement weather. 

Bro. James explores how we can seek out the root cause of habits.  An illustration of how God seals and purges our lives is given using a refrigeration system. 

Bro. James speaks of keeping our works (Rev 2:26), the sayings of the book (Rev 22:7), our garments (Rev 16:15), our mouth & tongue (Prov. 21:23), the truth (Isa 26:2), & God's commandments (John 14:21). 

Bro. James challenged the congregation to memorize John 14:21 - "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

Bro. Curtis starts with two questions: 1) Do you believe that God has a plan for your life, or 2) do you believe that your life is random & evolving? 

Bro. Rodney concludes the 5 day revival with words of encouragement to continue in God's work. 

Bro. Rodney urges the congregation to "take more earnest heed to the things which we have heard"; recounting the experience of Shimei from 1 Kings 2.  

Bro. Rodney references the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well and relates the attributes of water to Jesus Christ. 

Bro. Rodney Smith continues the revival, with thoughts of how we must press, or actively pursue, God's will in our life. 

Bro. Rodney Smith starts a 5 day revival meeting at Sapulpa. 

Bro. James explores what is required for our spiritual life to advance from good to better, then from better to best. 

Bro. James Bell speaks of growing relationships beyond superficial (signified by "Hello") to relationships where we love one another (signified by the willingness to wash one another's feet). 

Bro. Tony Sanchez illustrates Christian love with multiple examples and stories. 

Bro. James Bell. 

Bro. James reads the 16th Psalm, then focuses on verse 6 - “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

Bro. James recalls the song “Bright Anticipation”:

There’s a voice full of sweetness and love,

It is speaking so kindly to me,

“I will lead you to bright realms above,

Where the spirit forever is free”

When I look o’er the past I behold

How his wide arms of mercy held me

Oh, his sweet love and peace are untold

In his favor I’m happy and free.

Bro. James continues the thought of being spiritual from April 21. 

Scriptures referenced: Job 33:14, Proverbs 21:2, Hebrews 11, Psalms 139

Bro. James explores the value of being "spirited". 

Scriptures referenced: Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 5:8 - 14; Galations 6:1, Romans 8:6, Matthew 5

Bro. James recounts the events of Jesus' crucifixion & resurrection, then focuses on the atonement & healing that Christ earned for us with the stripes he bore. When Jesus thirsted on the cross, it seemed that the soldiers were preparing water in a sponge, but it was vinegar.  Bro. James implores us to not crucify Jesus again in our hearts, but accept his resurrection & triumph over sin. This is the infallible proof that Jesus provides personally to us individually - victory over sin & iniquity in our life. 

Scriptures referenced: Acts 1, Isaiah 53, Romans 8:11

Bro. Curtis Williams speaks of three woeful situations for souls to be in when the Lord returns: 

1) Oblivious to God (Matthew 22:1 - 14)

2) Deceived by the Devil (Matthew 7:21 - 23)

3) Tardy (Luke 13:23 - 27)

Bro. Curtis also reminds us of the power of unity & shared spiritual experiences. 

Other scriptures referenced: Hebrews 10:23 - 27, Hebrews 9:27 - 28. 

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Bro. James encourages us to use God's tools to evaluate our lives instead of our own minds. King Saul and King David each experienced failures when they used their own minds to justify their actions. It is dangerous to use "introspection", defined as using our mind to evaluate our actions, rather than using God's Word to examine ourselves. 

Scriptures referenced: II Peter 1:20, Psalms 19:12, Psalms 90:8, I Cor. 11:26 - 29, Jeremiah 17:5 - 10, I John 3:20 - 22

Bro. James speaks that we need a personal witness in our soul so that we move and act as God directs, not according to our own motivation, like Moses and Noah. 

Scriptures referenced: John 13:35, John 14, I Cor 12:13, Hebrews 11:8, I John 5

Bro. James explains how we need to explore and seek out greater depths with God, as the Dannites sought out their inheritance in Judges 18:1 - 10.  If we are wanting a deeper spiritual relationship with God, we will need to risk our natural comfort and earnestly seek out God's purpose and will in our life.  Bro. James recalls Bro. Marty's story about a football fan's enthusiasm for their favorite team (located in sermon "Enthusiasm" at minute 6:45) - how much more should we be actively seeking out God's depths? Have desire, humility, & God will lead you. 

Scriptures referenced: Judges 18:1 - 10, Joshua 3:4, Exodus 33:12 - 14, Isaiah 48:17, Proverbs 9:5 - 6, Psalms 85:12 - 13, Psalms 32: 8, Psalms 25:15

Bro. James explores how God is the source of strength - we must only yield our will to Him.  Nothing is impossible with God; He has a plan & a place in His Kingdom for every soul.  

Scriptures referenced: Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 12:20, Deut 33:25, Phil 4:13, Joshua 1:1, Romans 5:6

Imagine Mary's feelings as she watched Jesus die on the cross. Bro. James Bell asks "Did she think when Jesus was born that this would be God's plan?" When we are at those points of confusion, when events are unfolding contrary to what we expected, we need to look to God who knows and sees all. We need to be cautious how we pray - sometimes we ask for our will to be done, rather than God's. How long does it take for us to recognize God's hand in our difficult situations? Our spiritual man can look beyond the current physical situations. When we lean to our "natural man" understanding, we set ourselves up for a fall. 

Scriptures referenced: Psalms 116, Matthew 1:18, John 19, Matthew 26:26-56, I Cor 10:14, Luke 24:15-21, Proverbs 24:10; Romans 8:35-39

Bro. James explains how God desires for us to consecrate our whole heart, our whole life, to Him. That's why He gave His all, including His Son, to make it possible for us to love Him. "Since Jesus gave His life for me, should I not give Him mine?" The heart is where the affection is. Once our heart is consecrated and sanctified, God can lead us onto perfection. 

Scriptures referenced include Exodus 32:29, Proverbs 23:26, I Thess 5:23, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 6:1; Romans 5:1

Bro. James talks about being transformed by Jesus Christ.  The congregation sings "There is a Foundation".  Referencing Romans 12:2  "…be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…", Bro. James progresses to the thought of being "converted" and "becoming a new creature". It's essential that God cleanses us; we can't clean ourselves with good works and morality.  We can clean the outside of our body, but only God can cleanse our soul. Other scriptures mentioned: Matthew 18:3, Acts 3:19, Titus 3:5, John 3:7, I Peter 1:22-25.