Buffalo Creek Fellowship

05/31/2026

02/21/2026

Men's breakfast @ 9:30, come on out and join us.

02/13/2026

Bible Study: The Active Stillness
Scripture Focus: Psalms 46:10-11 (AMP)
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.

I. Understanding the Call: Letting Go
The Hebrew word for "Be still" is Rapha. It means to "slacken," "let go," or "cease striving." It is an invitation to move from human effort to Holy Spirit guidance.
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Exodus 14:14
Reflection:
• What is one area where you are currently relying on your own "insight" rather than being still?
II. The Purpose of the Pause: Searching & Healing
Stillness is the "operating room" of the Holy Spirit. We sit quietly so the "Great Physician" can tend to our hearts and prepare us for what is ahead.
• Psalm 139:23-24
• Psalm 34:18
Learning to communicate with the Holy Spirit:”Prayer Request to the Holy Spirit: "Lord, is there a wound or an anxious thought You want to search or heal today?"

III. Applying What We Know: The Source of Strength
Preparation isn't just about learning new things; it’s about applying the truths we already have. We move from "head knowledge" to "heart application."
• Isaiah 30:15
• John 14:26
The Application Challenge:
• Write down one biblical promise you know (e.g., "The Lord is my Shepherd"). How would your behavior change tomorrow if you stopped struggling and rested in that truth?
IV. My "Selah" Commitment
Selah means to "pause and calmly think about that."
This week, I will practice Active Stillness by:
1. Daily Surrender: Spending 5 minutes in silence to recognize that He is God and I am not.
2. The Heart Search: Using Psalm 139 as a guide to let the Holy Spirit search my motives and fears.
3. The Strength Trade: Whenever I feel the urge to "struggle" with a problem, I will trade it for a moment of quietness.

My Closing Prayer:
"Lord, help me to drop the weights I wasn't meant to carry. Teach me that in the stillness, I find Your perspective from the high tower. Search me, heal me, and prepare me for the path ahead. Amen."

Through the week: The Strength in the Slack
Scripture for the Week: “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God... The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.” — Psalm 46:10-11 (AMP)
Daily: Find 5 minutes to sit in complete silence. Don’t ask for anything. Don’t plan anything. Simply be still and recognize that the Lord of hosts is with you.
The Mid-Week Refresher
In our study, we talked about the Hebrew word Rapha—to "be still" by letting go and slackening our grip. Think about a time you’ve held onto something so tightly your knuckles turned white. Eventually, your hand begins to ache and lose its strength.
Often, we do this with our lives. We hold onto our plans, our worries, and even our "knowledge" of how things should go so tightly that we leave no room for the Holy Spirit to move.
This week, remember: Stillness isn’t about being "stagnant." It’s about moving into God’s stronghold. When you stop the internal tug-of-war, you aren't giving up; you are moving to higher ground. In that high tower, the Holy Spirit can search your heart, heal the parts of you that are weary from striving, and show you the "big picture" of what is ahead.
A "Selah" Prayer for Your Tuesday:
"Lord, right now, I slacken my grip on [insert your worry]. I recognize that You are God, and I am not. Search my heart today. If there is a wound that needs healing or a fear that needs to be replaced with Your truth, I give You permission to work. Thank You for being my high tower. Amen."

01/30/2026

Hi all, here are the notes from this evening's Bible study..

Lesson 3: Guarding the Ground

Since you’ve moved from healing (Unbinding the Heart) to identity (Scars to Scepters), the next step is The Armor of God.
Now that you know who you are, you must learn how to protect that new identity. Trauma often leaves “breaches” in our spiritual walls; this lesson teaches you how to close them so you don’t backslide into old patterns of fear.
Theme: Using the Armor of God to protect your healing and maintain your authority.

1. The Strategy of the Enemy
Trauma isn't just a memory; it’s a target the enemy uses to try and pull you back into "slavery."
• Scripture Focus: Ephesians 6:11-12
• The Insight: We aren't fighting people or our past; we are fighting "schemes." The scheme of trauma is to convince you that your healing isn't real.
• Discussion: When you have a "bad day," do you feel like you've lost all your progress? How is that a "scheme" to make you give up?
2. The Defensive Tools (The Armor)
Read Ephesians 6:14-17.
In the context of trauma recovery, the armor takes on a specific meaning:
• The Belt of Truth: This holds everything together. When a "trauma lie" surfaces (e.g., "I'm still broken"), the Belt of Truth is the Scripture you use to tighten your resolve.
• The Breastplate of Righteousness: This protects your heart. It reminds you that you are "right with God," even when you feel "wrong" or "dirty."
• The Shield of Faith: This "extinguishes the flaming arrows." Arrows are those sudden, sharp thoughts of panic or shame. Faith is the shield that says, "I don't have to feel safe to be safe in Christ."
3. The Offensive Tool (The Sword)
• Scripture Focus: Ephesians 6:17 — "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
• The Application: You don't just defend; you strike back. When a memory tries to paralyze you, you speak the Word.
o Memory: "You'll never change."
o Sword: "No, I am a new creation in Christ!" (2 Cor 5:17)
Identifying the Breaches
Can you identify which piece of armor feels "thinnest" for you right now?
• Truth? (Do I struggle to know what is real?)
• Peace? (Do my "shoes" feel unsteady when life gets chaotic?)
• Salvation/Mind? (Does the "Helmet" of my thoughts feel heavy with anxiety?)
Weekly Declaration: The Warrior's Creed
"I am a soldier in the Kingdom of Light. My wounds have been healed, my identity is secure, and my armor is on. I will not retreat into the shadows of my past. I stand firm on the Truth, I am guarded by Peace, and I am led by the Spirit. I am protected, I am authorized, and I am free."
The Armor of God: A Situational Guide for Triggers
When a “trigger” happens, your brain often goes into survival mode (Fight, Flight, or Freeze). This guide helps you shift from a Survival Response to a Spirit-Led Response.
If the Trigger is... The Lie the Enemy Tells The Piece of Armor to Use The Spirit-Led Response (The Sword)
A Sudden Panic Attack "You aren't safe. Something bad is happening." The Shoes of Peace "My feet are planted on the Rock. God is my refuge and my fortress; I am safe in Him." (Psalm 91:2)
A Memory of Shame "You are dirty/damaged. Everyone can see it." The Breastplate of Righteousness "I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am washed, I am sanctified, and I am new." (1 Cor 6:11)
A Fear of the Future "The other shoe is going to drop. You'll lose everything." The Helmet of Salvation "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Tim 1:7)
Feeling Unloved/Rejected "You are alone. No one cares about you." The Shield of Faith "I lift my shield against this lie. God will never leave me nor forsake me. I am His." (Heb 13:5)
Confusion or Gaslighting "It wasn't that bad. You're just making it up." The Belt of Truth “I gird myself with the Truth. God sees the reality, and His Truth sets me free.” (John 8:32)

Visualizing Your Protection
It is helpful to visualize your spiritual defense as a complete system that surrounds your mind, heart, and path.
Weekly Practice: "Checking the Armor"
Do a "Morning Armor Check." Before they leave the house or start their day, they should pray through these three steps:
1. Tighten the Belt: "Lord, let Your Truth be the foundation of my day. I reject all lies about my value."
2. Guard the Heart: "I put on the Breastplate. I protect my emotions from the arrows of shame. I am loved by You."
3. Secure the Mind: "I put on the Helmet. I take every thought captive. I choose to think about what is true and pure."
Group Discussion: Closing the Breaches
A "breach" is a hole in a wall where the enemy keeps getting in.
• The Question: "Looking at the table above, which 'arrow' or 'lie' seems to hit you the most often? Which piece of armor do you need to double-check this week?"
The Warrior’s Prayer (A Response to Triggers)
Instructions: When you feel the “alarm” of a past trauma rising in your body or mind, find a quiet moment, place your hand over your heart, and pray these words out loud.
“Lord, I feel the shadows of the past trying to cloud my vision, but I stand firm in the light of Your Truth. Right now, I put on the Armor You have provided:
I tighten the Belt of Truth: I reject the lie that I am in danger or that I am unloved. You are with me.
I secure the Breastplate of Righteousness: I refuse the arrows of shame. I am forgiven, clean, and whole in Your sight.
I plant my feet in the Shoes of Peace: I am not running away. I am standing on the solid ground of Your presence.
I lift the Shield of Faith: I quench every flaming thought of ‘what if’ and ‘if only.’ My trust is in Your character, not my feelings.
I lower the Helmet of Salvation: I take authority over my thoughts. I bring my heart and my mind back under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
The past has no power here. I am safe. I am yours. I am free. Amen.”
Summary of the 3-Part Journey
You now have a complete transition:
1. Unbinding the Heart: Healing the wound.
2. Scars to Scepters: Claiming the identity.
3. Guarding the Ground: Protecting the freedom.