Bible Center Church - Charleston, West Virginia

What a Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:01:00 +0000

What a week! There certainly could be no more momentous week than the one which stretched from the Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to the following Sunday when He left the tomb. It was the week that completed the mission of redemption. It was the week that sealed the fate of Satan and those that follow Him. It was the week that secured the destiny of all those who in faith follow Jesus.

This week I want to invite you to walk along with Jesus through that last week. Take some time to, either alone or with your family read through the accounts of this week in the Gospels. Then join us for the events we have planned to help focus our attention and stir our worship on the God who poured out His love upon us. Tonight we have our annual Easter musical presentation featuring our Sanctuary Choir. We will have a special service on Thursday night with communion as we remember the last supper; a Good Friday service will take us to the cross; a contemporary service will prepare us for the dawn of resurrection week. The capstone will be our three services next Sunday as we worship our risen Lord.

Make plans to be moved by this week-long journey and be sure to invite someone to come along with you.

Easter = Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:25:00 +0000

I have seen signs that the seasons are changing the last few days. There has been a little more sunshine, the temperatures are warmer and the trees are beginning to bud; all great things in my book. Churches also have seasons and the time just before Easter is harvest time. Even those who would only be slightly inclined to attend church seem to be more open at Easter time. We usually have our highest attendance of the year on Easter Sunday. Church growth experts call it “The Easter Surge.” Whatever you call it, we should all be alert to the opportunities to do some outreach. We at Bible Center will be sure to be ready to welcome our guests and make sure the Gospel is clearly presented.

As you leave services on Sunday you will be given two Easter invitation cards that list all of our upcoming activities as well as give a special invitation to our celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord. Please pass these on with a friendly encouragement to join us. If you would like more than two, please stop by the Information Desk and get some extras.

We also are providing three electronic ways to share the same invitation. If you are a subscriber to CONNECT, you will receive one via e-mail; and please forward this e-mail on to anyone you like. If you are not a subscriber, just send an e-mail to info@biblecenterchurch.com and we will send you one. If you are on Facebook, just visit the Bible Center page (www.facebook.com/BibleCenter) and “Share” the invitation on your profile. If you are a Twitter user, you can “Retweet” the invitation as well (www.Twitter.com/BibleCenter).

Let’s see what God can do through all of us in these next two weeks.

Earthquake

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Theologians and biblical scholars love to argue many things and one of them is: when is a miracle a miracle? Some things are clearly miracles, such as Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine, etc. But what about an answered prayer- was that a coincidence or God’s use of ordinary means to accomplish His purpose through providence? I am not sure that most of us strive for that level of exactness; we are content to give God credit for an extraordinary intervention, even through the use of ordinary devices. In our study today, we will look at the earthquake that occurred as Jesus died. Earthquakes happen frequently; in fact, on the day I write this (3/10) the USGS has recorded 31 earthquakes in the world with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater. It is only when they are massive or in populated areas that we hear about it, such as the recent ones in Haiti and Chile.

But sometimes God so times the circumstance and the moment of the “ordinary” that there is no doubt that He is making a statement. Often the statement may be unclear, but in the context of the cross it is. The shaking of the earth was to show that His power is supreme and after a three hour absence during the darkness, He was back and in control!

In your ordinary moments, be alert that God is at work doing extraordinary things. You also are invited to join us for part 2 of "The Cross: History's Supreme Moment" this Sunday at Bible Center Church or online at BibleCenterChurch.net

The Cross: History's Supreme Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:18:00 +0000

I thought you may like a little preview of my coming series of messages...We go to great lengths to mark a special day. We eat cakes, tie up balloon, decorate homes, send cards, sing songs, and a hundred other things. Sometimes the lengths we go to seem extreme. I remember one wedding at Bible Center where the wedding party left our parking lot not in a car pulling cans, but by helicopter!

There was one day like no other on God’s calendar, and He went to great lengths to “mark” this day as no other. For the next five Sunday’s we will be looking at the miracles that occurred on the day Jesus died. Each of these five supernatural events were designed to be a marker that this was the day that was at the intersection between time and eternity, between the need of sinful man and the love of Holy God. As we study these we will also find that each miracle was carefully chosen to send us a particular symbolic message as to the spiritual reality that was unfolding on Calvary. So let’s enjoy the journey back to the cross where we will find that it is the supreme moment in history!

So you are invited to partipate at Bible Center at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. or online at www.BibleCenterChurch.net

The Sandwich Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Are you part of the “Sandwich Generation?” Nearly 25% of Americans are –no, I don’t mean those who frequent Subway or live to create culinary masterpieces on bread. The phrase “Sandwich Generation” is of recent origin; in fact Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006. The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. Due to the extension of our life expectancy and the phenomenon of “delayed adulthood,” more and more of us are faced with being sandwiched between caring for those above and below us. There are variations on this theme-there are:

The Traditional Sandwich: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.

The Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, OR those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.

The Open Faced Sandwich: anyone else involved in elderly care.

If you find yourself in this stage of life or if you sometime may, let me assure you that caring for children and parents has been part of God’s plan for as long as there have been families. I have recently read again the story of Joseph as found in Genesis, I noted particularly in chapters 45-50 you find some great examples of parenting from the side of the child caring for an aging father – in this case Jacob. It also shows the attitude of the parent to his adult children, in this case Joseph and his brothers. I could summarize it in two words: Care and Cooperation. These are the essential attitudes on both sides of parenting. They are ones I want to work on and invite you to do the same. Until next time…

Anyone seen the Queen?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:51:00 +0000

I have always believed in being prepared, so just in case you happen to run into the Queen of England, here are some of the official rules for meeting royalty:

• Women should curtsy and men should nod their heads

• If the Royal person offers a hand, the handshake should be short and not hard

• Allow the Queen to leave the room first; backs should never be turned toward the Queen

• During meals, the Queen eats first and when she stops the others at the table stop

• If something drops at dinner do not speak; someone will retrieve it quietly and without fanfare

So why all the fuss? Because there is a place for showing honor to a person of a superior position. Honor is a key ingredient to any relationship. The Bible is clear, both in family and in society in general, in that He expects us to honor others (Eph. 6:2, 1 Pet. 3:7, 2:17). We often seek honor for ourselves when we need to heap it on others. So you may not meet a king or queen this week but there is someone in your life that you need to treat like one; do it to honor the God who has made us all.

Real Love

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:03:00 +0000

I love asking questions; recently I asked this question online via www.OneDailyQuestion.com: What is the perfect Valentine gift? I was somewhat surprised at the responses both online and in person. Most folks did not mention the usual gifts- very little talk of cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, etc. Instead it was a gift selected to match the person or dinner out or some time together. In our overly commercialized world, we can understand retailers pushing romantic trinkets our way but when it comes to love, the best gift we can give is ourselves. We sometimes fall prey to the thinking that we can substitute “things” for time. We must spend time adding value to others and nurturing relationships.

So on this Valentine’s Day, which is devoted to love, it would be a good time to devote some time and personal attention to those we are to love. So even if you have a box of candy ready or a nicely wrapped present to be delivered, don’t forget to deliver yourself. After all ,when God wanted to display his love to us He didn’t send a card, He sent His son.

The Missed Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Where did you last see a cross? Was it a piece of jewelry? Embroidered into a Bible cover? Engraved on some furniture? Adorning the top of church? Or used to mark a grave? The cross has become THE symbol of our faith and for good reason. Without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have no hope. Paul referenced the cross this way:

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

I have come to believe that God really wants us to remember the events surrounding and the significance of the cross. One way He helps us remember is through a regular observance of communion. In picture form we once again show the death of our Savior. He has done so much to help us remember, so let's fully engage our hearts and minds and allow our thoughts to reconnect to the cross.

Real Love

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:21:00 +0000

It is just about two weeks until Valentine's Day (you have been warned!) but it is always the right time to talk about love. It does seem to be a favorite subject. A recent study by a researcher at the University of Florida discovered that more than 60% of all popular songs in the last 40 years are on the topic of love and relationships. But let's face it; most of us are not very good at love, the romantic kind or any other kind. The reason is the opposite of love is selfishness, and ever since the disaster in the Garden of Eden we have been enamored with ourselves.

This Sunday we will look at the subject from the point of view of the only One who is perfect in love and by very definition is love (1 John 4:8,16). As we do, hold onto your hat- for you may gain an all-together different view of love and that is good thing, because after all, we all know we need it! (And if you don’t think you do, ask the person beside you).

If you need to work on this (and we all do) read through Eph. 5:25-33 and identify the various qualities of Christ-like love. I have identified at least five. How many can you find? And how many do you and I still need to put into practice. May God help us both to love as He does.

Marriage Protection

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:30:00 +0000

When it comes to weddings I usually have the "best seat in the house." Getting to officiate at a wedding is one of the fun things a pastor gets to do and it does offer a wonderful perspective on the proceedings. For one thing, no one blocks your view; you get to really see the reactions of the bride and groom and you have no trouble hearing the vows being said (you also can't be late since they can't start without you!). One of my favorite moments is when the bride first makes her appearance; I usually glance at the grooms face and watch the "wow" expression when he first glimpses his bride in her wedding day glory.

There are more sobering moments in a wedding, especially when I say the part about..."until death do us part." This fixes in my mind the preciousness of marriage and its permanence. There are very few other things in life to which we make a life-long, sacred vow. Not every marriage makes it until death do us part, but that is certainly God's greatest ideal for every marriage and this is what we, as ministry, are committed to helping our couples accomplish. The best thing that you can do to work toward a permanent marriage is focus on your and your spouse’s spiritual development. From our growing commitment to Christ comes a growing commitment to marriage. Please pray for couples and families as we continue today to see what God has to say about the family this Sunday.

Father's Love Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:06:00 +0000

Want to know how much your Heavenly Father loves you?

Father's Love Letter
© 1999 - 2009 Father Heart Communications
www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Protect your family for only $122

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:24:00 +0000

According to the website www.quakekare.com you can purchase a family survival kit for five people for only $122.00. The kit includes: “the most effective emergency supplies for emergency preparedness including the emergency food, water, lighting, radio, first-aid, sanitation, and shelter supplies to prepare for all disasters. This deluxe kit also contains a Solar / Hand-Crank Powered Flashlight, Radio, Flashing LED Siren & Mobile Phone Charger with a universal adapter - just plug in your cell phone car charger to charge your phone using the hand-crank / Dynamo Power Generator.” And in design of creative ingenuity all of this comes packed in a large plastic pail with a hinged lid that can serve as portable toilet.

I don’t know if you have such a kit, or if you have any emergency supplies set aside for an emergency but there are those threats that come that even Quake Kare kit can’t cover. For these we need to have God’s direction, advice and involvement. I want you to plan to join us on Sunday as we continue our study called "Family Survival Kit" and if you need to catch up on the series you can find audio/video and notes from the series on the Bible Center Network. As we continue to study God's Word, will you join me in being thankful for the resource He gives to protect us spiritually?

Anita Renfroe - Things a Mom Says in a day

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:03:00 +0000

Resolutions You Can Keep

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:39:00 +0000

It is no secret that most New Year resolutions are not kept, and by this point in the new year is when most start to crumble. So to help you out here is a short list of resolutions you can keep:

1. I am going to eat more and exercise less
2. I am going to watch more TV
3. I am going to spend less time listening and more time talking
4. I am going to max out my credit card
5. I will share my opinions without worrying about facts
6. I will always assume I am right
7. I will always assume you are wrong

So what do you think? OK, I wrote those hoping you would smile, but also to prove a point. To do the right thing we must be intentional and we must apply discipline and hard work. This is true in the spiritual realm. In order to grow in Christ and influence our families for Christ, we must "roll up our sleeves and get to work." We can begin that by giving ourselves over to the study of the Word of God. I am ready, are you?

Family Survival Kit? Some things are better untried

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:09:00 +0000

By request here is the video from yesterday, I especially like the "Sleepy Time Brat Darts" Enjoy.

Relationship resources for today's message

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:16:00 +0000

I mentioned a couple of resources from today's message. One was the book the DNA of relationships. You can get it on AMAZON.com, I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to seriously improve your relationships.

A second resource is the National Institute of Marriage which offers intensive marriage counseling in both Branson, MO and Rome, GA. The website of this organizations is www.nationalmarriage.com/

If you want more information on "Core Fears" use this link
Core Fear Test

More on Core Fears and Connection and Control
Core Fears

MP3 Audio on DNA of Relationships

Article on the "Fear Dance" by Dr. Robert Paul
Egypt to the Promised Land

Blessings,
Jesse Waggoner

Help for you family

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Everyone has one; none of them are perfect. What am I talking about? A family, of course. Last Sunday was a rare and special day in my life. Julie and my three children, our son-in-law and daughter-in-law were worshipping with us a Bible Center, as were my parents who are a regular part of the Bible Center family. Since our children have transitioned into the young-adult stage and live away, these gatherings have become precious to us. I have been blessed by the family I have grown up in and the family Julie and I established 28 years ago.

It is no secret that every family has struggles, and it is no surprise to learn that there is much in our world that erodes, if not outright attacks, the concept of the traditional family. For those of us who are committed to doing our best for our families, there is one spectacular resource. God’s Word addresses or illustrates every family relationship, and in so doing offers us the true owner’s manual for family life. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at portions of the Bible that teach about family life and it is my prayer that it will help both you and I have a better, more blessed and more biblical family. Why not invite someone to join you as we learn together what God has to say about family.

Jesse Waggoner

Family Survival Kit

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Our new Sunday Morning Bible Study series for January will be "Family Survival Kit" - The stress on all family relationships seems to be greater than ever, but God's Word has has always been the best guide for family life. Make plans to be part of this study were we will learn together God's purposes, plans and solutions for your family.

I would appreciate your prayers as I spend time in the Word in order to prepare to communicate God's truth.

After the fact, teaching audio, video and notes will be available on
The Bible Center Network

Open your Present

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:58:00 +0000

A few years back at a family Christmas get-together, the house was filled with presents and persons. I am sure you know something of this kind of gathering. It consisted of two grandparents, a couple of great grandparents, several children, a few in-laws, a bunch of grandkids, a trio of pets and some assorted family friends. When the time came the kids began the opening their presents, followed by the adults. Finally, there remained one nicely wrapped box. It had no tag or name listed. It remained unopened until we could figure out what to do with it.

Salvation is also a gift: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). It cannot be purchased or earned through our good deeds; it only can be accepted on the basis of faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is the only way to open the gift of God.

What of the unopened gift? Finally someone was selected to open it and it was directed to the right recipient. Perhaps this Christmas there is still one gift you have not opened. God is waiting to give you the gift of salvation.

Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:17:00 +0000

We send them out for parties, weddings and assorted celebrations of all kinds. We have all received and sent invitations. They not only inform; they also show that you value the presence of the one you are inviting. What better celebration could you invite someone to than the celebration of the birth of our Savior? Last Sunday we provided you with an easy tool to do so. We got into the hands of all who attended, two Christmas invitation cards (pictured below). I just want you to know you are not limited to just two. You can pick up as many as you can use at either the Southridge info desk or the receptionist desk on our Oakhurst Campus. Last year we had many guests who came as a direct result of this simple outreach.

This is a prime time to invite others in to hear about the One sent to save us. Take advantage of the tremendous opportunity this season offers us to reach out to our community.

What does it mean?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Think of the last nativity scene you saw. What if you had no knowledge of the Christmas story and your assignment was to deduce the story from that picture of the circumstances of Jesus birth? Would you conclude that the baby was of some importance since he is surrounded by crowd of shepherds, farm animals and middle-eastern nobles bearing gifts? But if is He has such notoriety why a bed of hay, and why a barnyard maternity ward? I think for the uniformed it would not really make sense. The nativity set would generate more questions than answers.

It is only with the backdrop of the Bibles account does it all make sense. In its pages you learn of the Fathers love, the Sons obedience, the angels worship, Marys wonder, Josephs faith, the shepards diligence, the wisemens persistence and the worlds Savior. I am looking forward to spending the next trio of Sundays to take us all back to the manger and lets be amazed again at what we find.

Treasure Hunting

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:44:00 +0000

So have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Friday was the largest shopping day of the year for retailers and has earned the title “Black Friday.” The police department in Philadelphia is credited with coining the term due to the heavy traffic jams in the city on this busy shopping day. For online retailers, the Monday after Thanksgiving is known as “Cyber Monday” and is usually the peak of their virtual traffic. So what drives all of this frantic activity? It is the desire to obtain the perfect gifts for family and friends, and to do so at a bargain!

Sometimes we miss some special gifts tucked into God’s Word. They are hidden to us because the culture of the Bible is foreign to us and the original languages of the Bible are quite different than English. It takes a little extra effort to find treasures that are perfect for our lives. Tonight we will continue our treasure hunt as we seek to find some hidden treasures from God’s Word. We will step deep into that which is beneath the surface to find nuggets of truth. So join us tonight at six; it will be more fun than Christmas shopping!

Digging Deeper

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:58:00 +0000

For the next three Sunday Nights we are going to be going a little deeper into the Word to find some hidden treasures for our souls. As we look beyond our English translations to the original language of the Bible and see the concepts and ideas that do not translate well into our language. As we do we will find some amazing truths that has been buried there all along.

A sample of this kind of study can be found in the video one this page.

So I hope to see you Sunday night as we prepare to dig.

Jesse Waggoner

Grateful?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:56:00 +0000

If you were given the assignment to list all the truly great sins in the world, what would be on your list? According to a BBC poll, the top sins are: cruelty, hypocrisy, selfishness, wastefulness, dishonesty and adultery. However, you know that evil is not determined by opinion polls, but would it surprise you to know that ungratefulness is near the top of God’s list? In a passage that details the downward spiral of this world into sin, ungratefulness is the second one mentioned (Romans 1:21). A careful reading also seems to indicate that the human heart that is not thankful for God’s provision and involvement is ripe for (what is to us) even greater offenses.

So as we launch into a week that contains a day of national thanksgiving, it is a good time to take stock of our own gratefulness to our God. We will enter into worship this morning and may I invite you to join us for our Thanksgiving Eve service Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM in our Worship Center. It will be a great way to start your observance of Thanksgiving and a great reminder to remain grateful.

Living out of a suitcase

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:21:00 +0000

For most of the week just past I have been staying in a hotel and I have been living out of a suitcase. I am glad to being back in Charleston, in my own home, sleeping in my own bed, and today to be back with you. But there is something one can learn from living out of a suitcase. I am (for a brief time anyway) able to live quite well with only a limited amount of stuff, and even at that I usually pack more stuff than I really need. But maybe I am not the only one who is a little “over packed.”

In 1 Peter 2:11 the apostle Peter appealed for believers to live a life of purity because believers are “Pilgrims” or travelers in this world. In essence, this side of heaven, we are all “living out of a suitcase.” Our real home is with our Lord --our present location is only temporary. But during this trip we often overload ourselves with baggage we were never meant to carry. Our God really wants us to travel light by casting our burdens of worry and care on him (1 Peter 5:7). As we look at another portion of God’s Word that provides for us some amazing reasons to trust God, I hope you will leave with a little less baggage today. It is my prayer that God will cause you to trust Him more today. Will join me in praying that God will help us all do a little unpacking?