Upper Room Baptist Church

09/08/2026

Good morning URBC! WAKE UP, SLEEPERS RISE UP; AND LET THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINE UPON YOU! Today is Tuesday and here’s Tuesday’s Treasure! Life continually asks us to choose what matters most. Every day we make the choice of what is most important to us. At some point, every heart must make the hard choices. We cannot be everywhere, possess everything, follow every voice, or build our lives on the promises of others. We must choose for ourselves! What do you choose? Stop and read Psalm 119:57-72, concentration on verse 57.

The Psalmist makes the choice and declares: “THOU ART MY PORTION, O LORD.” To call the Lord our portion is to say that He is our inheritance, security, satisfaction and greatest treasure. This confession becomes powerful when it moves beyond our words and begins to direct our lives. Making God our portion means placing Him at the center and trusting His provision, especially in difficult seasons. Obedience is not always easy, but God meets our weakness with grace. In verse 58, the psalmist says that he considered his ways and turned his feet toward God’s testimonies. We can do the same thing by allowing Scripture to examine our words, choices, priorities and our hearts. God’s Word is a mirror that reveals where we need to turn—and a guide that shows us the way home. Even in the toughest times, when we see wickedness all around us, we need to follow the psalmist’s example to remember God’s Word and obey! It is necessary to practice obedience daily, moment by moment, even in seemingly insignificant things. Then we will have the capacity to endure in the face of trials instead of being overcome by the wickedness of the world.

NONE OF US WILL EVER BE PERFECT THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE SHOULDN’T WANT TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE RIGHT NOW! Our obedience-our works (our actions, and even our words)—offer proof that we are saved, for those who have surrendered their lives to Christ will love His Words and obey Him. What are you depending on for security or satisfaction today? Possessions fade, approval shifts, and strength fails, BUT THE LORD REMAINS! When the Lord is our PORTION, HIS WORD DIRECTS OUR CHOICES, SUSTAINS US IN TROUBLE, AND TEACHES US THROUGH EVERY SEASON! When He is our PORTION, we can obey in the daylight, praise in the midnight, and grow through affliction. But the choice is yours!

Prayer: Lord, You are my Portion. Turn my feet toward You when I wander, give me courage to obey You without delay, and teach me through every season. When nights feel long, help me remember Your Word and offer You Praise. Be my treasure, my security, my guide, and my strength today and everyday. In Jesus name, AMEN! GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU! Pastor Bivens

09/06/2026

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09/05/2026

09/01/2026

Good morning URBC! WAKE UP AND GIVE GOD GLORY, FOR HE IS WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE! HALLELUJAH! Today is Tuesday and here is Tuesday’s Treasure!
How do you prepare for worship on Sunday morning? How do you approach worship? The Word of God tells us that we must be mindful of the things we do when entering the house of God. Are you mindful when you come into the House of God? 🛑 STOP AND READ: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Ecclesiastes 5 invites us to loosen our grip on control and remember who God is. We often enter His house with hurried actions, our own plans and agendas. But this chapter calls us to approach God with reverence, speak with care, honor what you say, and prepare our hearts for worship. Worship is not a casual routine, it requires attentiveness, humility and a heart that is ready to encounter God. Guarding our steps reflects the condition of our hearts, as our spiritual walk mirrors our approach to God. It begins by telling us that we come to listen! The word listen, means we have got to pay attention! How can you listen if you are not paying attention? The idea of listening carries the idea of obeying. Obedience is an act of love and devotion to God. Obedience is more than following a rule, it is an outward expression of a heart aligned with God. Our worship is not confined to songs, prayers or moments in church. It becomes visible in the choices we make, the steps of faith we take, and the way we respond when we enter into His house. Every Sunday we say this is YOUR CALL TO WORSHIP.

When we enter into worship we are entering into the very presence of God. Entering worship is more than some singing and praying—it is a spiritual act of drawing near to God in reverence, gratitude, thanksgiving and surrender. It means to forget about yourself and concentrate on God. Our attention should shift from all distractions and our focus on God’s greatness, majesty and His worthiness to be praised! As we enter into worship, we turn our hearts and minds towards God, remembering that it is His grace through Christ that draws us near. What a privilege it is to come into His presence. Let us quiet our distractions, put our phones away, stop the idle chatter and concentrate on God. SPEAK LESS, LISTEN MORE AND SET YOUR HEART ON GOD! Verse 2 tells us that God is in charge, not you and not me , but God—the less we speak, the better.

Reflect today: When I enter into the House of God, am I talking too much or am I listening to hear God? Do I come to hear, find fault or judge? We come into the House of God, gather in His name, to WORSHIP HIM! We have the presence of God on the inside of us by the Holy Spirit and we can enter into His presence together when we gather together for worship! But we must come prepared! Pray to God today and every day to HELP YOU WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH! TO HELP YOU WORSHIP WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART AND THROUGH FAITHFUL ACTION! ENTERING INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE : BE THANKFUL UNTO HIM AND BLESS “HIS” NAME! The choice is yours! Grace and Peace, Pastor Bivens! :

08/25/2026

Good morning URBC! Praise the Lord and HALLELUJAH ! Today is Tuesday and here’s Tuesday’s Treasure! Do you know that God has placed a SPIRITUAL GIFT within every believer? Yes, you!! Our gifts may differ, and some people may carry more than one, but each gift is given by the Holy Spirit according to His will. A gift is not a trophy to display or a way to gain recognition or a way to be seen. It is a trust to be exercised in love, for the GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF OTHERS! 🛑 STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND READ: 2Timothy 1:6-7.

Timothy was gifted, yet he also faced timidity, physical weakness, and discouragement. Paul reminded Timothy that what God had placed within him was a gift and urged him to stir the gift up! That same invitation reaches us today: TEND WHAT GOD HAS PLACED IN YOU, KEEP IT ACTIVE, USE IT FAITHFULLY AND IT WILL GROW! To “STIR UP THE GIFT” means to rekindle it! A fire cannot be ignored and expected to burn brightly, it must tended! In the same way, our service to God requires attention. A gift can become neglected like a fire and go out. A gift can be neglected when we hide it, become distracted, don’t use it or wait for perfect conditions before using it. We stir up the gifts through prayer, God’s Word, obedience, encouragement, forgiveness, fellowship and service. Spiritual gifts were never given to operate in isolation. They grow stronger as we use them by faith to strengthen others and build up the Body of Christ!

Receive what God has given you! God gives us the Spirit’s strength to do what we cannot accomplish on our own. When we feel weak or inadequate, He is our sufficiency! Faithful service does not rest on personality, talent, or experience: IT DEPENDS ON THE POWER OF GOD WORKING IN YOU! God gives us SELFLESS LOVE that serves without seeking applause or approval! He enables us to show compassion to the lost, patience with difficult people, and care for His church. Power without love can wound; but power guided by Love builds people up! God gives us clear thinking, disciplined judgment, moral clarity, and self-control. HIS SPIRIT STEADIES US, SO FEAR DOES NOT GOVERN OUR DECISIONS AND IMPULSES DO NOT CONTROL OUR LIVES! Power and love are most fruitful when directed by GODLY WISDOM! DECLARE TODAY: I WILL NOT BE LED BY FEAR, BUT BY GOD’S SPIRIT! I WILL FAITHFULLY USE WHAT HE HAS PLACED IN ME, FOR HIS GLORY AND FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS! Ask God to rekindle the gifts He has given you! Ask Him to rekindle your desire to serve Him! Ask Him to fill you with His Power, shape your actions with His Love, and steady your thoughts with wisdom and self-control. Ask Him to show you what steps He wants you to take today SO YOU CAN WALK IN HIS POWER, LOVE AND SOUND MIND! GOD HAS PLACED THE GIFTS WITHIN YOU , BUT WILL YOU ALLOW THEM TO BE STIRRED UP! The choice is YOURS! Grace and Peace be upon you today and always! Love, Pastor Bivens