Basin Church: Recent Episodes
Basin Church
Basin Church is based in Odessa, TX. Our mission is to bring hope and wholeness to the Permian Basin.
What if for one day you could live with no limits? What would you? According to Jesus you can have no limits in an area of your life. If you live this way, it just maybe the best thing for you and others.
What comes to mind when you hear the word change? Do you associate with growth? Growing spiritually is what God wants for you life. He just needs to take you from where you are to where you need to be.
Whether it is in person or online, we hide who we really are or what is going on in our lives. We are imperfect people who God poured out His perfect love. The result we don't need to hide, but can be authentic.
Money, the purchase of a new home or new car and even a better job can makes us feel satisfied. That feeling goes away in time. True satisfaction does come from something, but someone.
Are more committed or less committed today? The better question is what are you committed to in your life? As your heart goes, so does your energy.
In life there are rule followers and rule breakers. What happens if you tend to break something that God commands? Most likely, it will not go well with you, like it did for this king.
There is a question that ancient kings faced anytime they were crowned. It was do I go my own way or God's way? Just like the kings we face the same decision and the choice leads to two different destinations
There is a question that ancient kings faced anytime they were crowned. It was do I go my own way or God's way? Just like the kings we face the same decision and the choice leads to two different destinations
Heeding wise or unwise advice leads us on a path we may or may not regret. How to we make decisions that lead us in the right direction? Well, it comes down to what advice you heed.
It seems as if we make an impact to people around us in a physical manner, but what about spiritually? To impact others in that manner, we must change two things daily.
There are things in life we expect and we receive them or we don't. What about are less than perfect families, what do we expect? It might not be what you expect, but what God expects to do through your family.
Life roles are often well-defined, guiding us towards success. But what about the church? Are you aware of your role within it?
Do you tend to take risks, or do you prefer to play it safe? Each decision brings about different outcomes. As Christ followers, are we supposed to place it safe? When you look at the early church, you may think differently.
When it comes to the church people have different ideas. Is it a location? Is it a mission? Is it people coming together on Sunday? It is more than that and it is something that continues to move.
Many of us want to be effective in life, yet we settle for mediocracy in our lives. Where it is seen the most is in our spiritual life. How to we live an effective life? By becoming empowered.
Forgetting something at home or where we place it is all too common. One thing that should be on our mind as we go through life is that God is with us and wants to walk through us.
Fear is learned and if we are not careful it can control our lives. Instead of being fearful, we need to walk in victory. Sounds easy, but how do we do that? We walk in victory by doing just three things.
We all want some control over our lives, which makes it difficult to give up some control. What if we were to give control over to the Holy Spirit? Well, life just might be better than how you are living currently.
There are things in life many disagree on, but one thing we agree on is no one wants to live an empty life. How to we live a complete full life? The answer is found by allowing yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit
There is evidence that proves things in life, including science. Jesus lived and there is proof of that, but what about that he is God? Is there evidence for that and that he rose from the dead?
Power changes things, thus that is why we pursue it. What does is look like to pursue kingdom of God? Is it for power? What Jesus meant about the kingdom just may surprise you.
Ever committed to something that you did not anticipate or expect? What do you do when you feel this way about following Jesus? You might have missed something about be a follower of Jesus.
Responsibility, we are given it and more when we show we can handle it. We have it in our jobs and we give it to our children as they grow up. But when it comes to the family as a whole what are we responsible for?
What does it mean to show up every day and be faithful? Better yet what does it look like? It just may look like have the characteristics of Jesus.
Why would a perfect person come for imperfect people? The answer is found in the birth of Jesus.
Circumstances dictate our attitudes and emotions. What if it the outside didn't dictate them, but joy on the inside.
Life can be chaotic at times. Pressure can mount and we instantly become overwhelmed. When that happens, Jesus offers the solution.
We all have levels of trust when it comes to someone or something. What is our level of trust when it comes to God? How do we become all He wants us to be?
Actions are driven by our motivation. What are we to be motivated by when it comes to living right before God and others? Jesus explains as he observes the actions of people.
How do Christians pursue holiness without becoming self-righteous or hypocritical? The answer is found in Jesus' words to the religious people of his day. It may be difficult but can be done.
For the most of us, we have goals that are personal and professional. When it comes to Christianity, what is the purpose? According to Jesus it is attainable.
Everyone is defined by something. For some it is their choices and others their actions. What are Christians supposed to be defined by? Jesus tells his disciples what it should be. Whether or not they do it, the world will let them know.
The word evangelism alone gives us different reactions. They are both negative and positive. What if that evangelism could be easier than you think? With this one principle, it just may be.
Our focus leads us in a direction. At times it can be the right direction or at times it can be the wrong direction. How do we create margin in our lives by focusing on the right thing?
Whether you have taken your cue from culture or your parent, managing money isn't easy. Most of us would like to have more money in our monthly budget. The solution might surprise you becasue you don't need another job.
People or circumstances can rob us of something that isn't just physical. In fact, we rob ourselves of living in the present when we are preoccupied with the future. How do we change that? It is so simple, yet so difficult.
Nice and kindness are used interchangeably, but are they the same? According to Jesus, we are called to be kind. What does that exactly mean for us?
Usually, our happiness is based on our circumstances. What would it take for that not to be the case? Perhaps it is not about being happy but looking and finding the one quality of Jesus.
It is easy to identify someone who is mature physically and one who is not. What defines one being mature spiritually?
Often times we want results without the hard work. The process is where we grow. So how do we grow in our spiritual lives without skipping the process?
Earlier this spring, Pastor Ben Hackbarth from Sterling Foursquare Church reminded us of the principals of sowing, especially when it comes to spiritual side of things.
Being overlooked can happen to anyone in any stage in life. The good news is God doesn't overlook us when giving us opportunities. In fact, God gives us opportunities to participate in what he is doing. The question is will we say yes?
Healing was just one of the many things that Jesus did as He met people's needs. Since Jesus the same, today and forever, then He is able, willing and ready to meet our needs today.
Change affects the nature of something, especially our lives. Whether big or small, we must decide that we will change. What type of change is Jesus asking of us? Are we willingly to say yes, no matter how radical it may be.
Many things get passed down from generation to generation, genes, mannerisms, and much more. What is the most important thing that should be passed down? How do we pass it down? Well we just follow the example of a grandma and mother.
Jealousy can be experienced in any stage of life. We know it exists but at times pretend it doesn't. How do we deal with it? How do we prevent it in our relationships? It might seem impossible, but it can be done.
Everyone has some sort of fear in life. Chances are it is something you have learned to be fearful of. What do you do when it controls you? Can you unlearn it or do you face it? The answer is closer than you think.
Everyone wants freedom, independence, and to eventually be self-reliant. Although that may be a good thing in life, it isn't when it comes to your relationship with God. At times it can be tricky. So what do you do about it?
Trading in life is about getting something better. Trading our problems for something better is what we want. However, we just carry them around. How do you remove the emotional baggage you carry around every day? You make the trade.
Jesus caused a stir among people. They either had ignored Him or where oblivious to what he was doing. When Jesus came, He wanted to make sure people did not miss who He was or what He came to do.
How much time to we make for others? When do we let them know that we are annoyed and bothered by them? At times, we believe that it the way God responds to us, annoyed and bothered. How do you begin believing that God isn't too busy for you?
At some point in life people will bother you. Ultimately, you deem what you are doing more important than the person. When Jesus walked the earth, He always made time for interruptions because he made time for people. So how do you see and respond the way Jesus did?
Interruptions we all hate them and at best try to avoid them. What happens when Jesus interrupts your life? Perhaps, things may never be the same.
Whether we know it or not, from the moment we wake up to the moment we lie down, there is a struggle within us. How to we live with this everyday problem? How do we live victorious? It happens by a choice we make daily.
Trust is essential in relationships. What happens when you lose trust in someone or even God? What do you do then? Well, it may not be simple, but you act accordingly.
Impatience happens usually when you are waiting for something or waiting on someone. What do you do when you get impatient with God? Do you run ahead of his timeline or let it come to you?
Timing is everything. When it is off by a little or too much, it can ruin just about anything. What do you do when God's timing isn't your timing?
Everything we do and say reveals who we are as person. What does the church reveal about itself? It may not always be good. However, if we do what Paul urges us to do, well than we might reveal something that others need.
Growing as a person comes in many areas, but the one we typically neglect is spiritual growth. How can we be in a place where we don't neglect it? The answer might just lie in some outward change that leads to inward growth.
Change is difficult, especially when we want it to be instantaneous. Unless we change our routines and see them through, we might not change. It may work for us physically, but what about spiritually?
When it comes to God's message to the world, it may be a little unclear. Some may have missed it. According to the prophet Isaiah, the message of God hasn't change and it is crystal clear. What is the message and how to we receive it?
It is said you can go 40 days without food and four days without water. However, how long can you go without hope? It supplies enough reason for us to live and helps us face challenges of everyday life. What happens when you have no hope and where do you turn to find it?
When you are faced with a crisis where do you go? How do you respond to them? At times when facing a crisis, we wish God would give us a sign. One that would see us through. For one king, God did just that. He gave a sign that would lead to great things to come.
When it comes to decisions, we just decide in moment. At times when it comes to following God's way, perhaps we don't just decide, but we may need to pre-decide.
What happens when we are at our limit? Usually, good things don't happen. But what about God? What happens when He is at His limits? If anyone could have tested God and his grace, it could have been the boy that went from shepherd to king.
God's grace can be extended to anyone and at any time. For a harlot, that is exactly what happened. When God extended grace her way, not only did He peel away her label, but her life was also never the same.
What do you do when you have a mess on your hands? You pick a spot and start there. What did God do when he had a mess on His hands? Well, the answer, just may surprise you.
When asked to pray many of us have various responses. It is not that we don't want to pray, we just don't know how to pray. The good news is that Jesus didn't leave us to figure it out on our own. Jesus doesn't tell us what to pray, but how to pray. When we pray like Jesus, our prayers can be life changing.
Prayer can get you to doubt, have disappointments or even cause weariness to get you to quit. No matter how you feel about persistent prayer, Jesus wants to tackle you biggest gripe. Ultimately, He is honored that you will keep coming and coming to Him.
What comes to mind when you hear the word prayer? It might mean conversing with God or it may mean coming to him in time of need. Perhaps it means short conversations before bedtime or mealtime. What if it is so much more than that? Just maybe it may take a little more on your part to discover what God wants for you and your prayer life.
Years ago, Jesus asked His followers a profound question and He asks it of us today. The answer to this specific question, just may make you honest and open about your relationship with Jesus.
Trends come and go out of style. This one trait according to Jesus, show up in eternity. It is the greatest financial advice that has the greatest Return on Investment for your life. It has strong history of past success and an indicator of future results.
The best things in life are timeless. As we discover a timeless truth about eternity, it may change you in the future. If you allow it, it can have the potential to affect your life today.
Mistakes lead to regrets. At times those regrets can hold us back in life because of the struggle within us. So how do we move forward? What can we do move forward with such regret?
Just look around and it seems like unrest in our world is affecting our daily lives. What do you do when the stress continues to mount? How do you determine your next step when life seems out of control? Doing this one thing, you can release peace where there is unrest.
Are you unsuccessful in life? Do you feel defeated? Being victorious may be closer than you think. Perhaps it isn't something you have done, but what God has done.
Blind spots, we all have them. They are those things in our lives that we can’t see but everyone else can. How do we handle the one that is seemingly invisible and can cause us great harm?
Ever wonder why your life is headed in a certain direction? You may be surprised that it might not be something you are doing, but what you are saying.
Good or bad we are the sum of our decisions. Those decisions move us in a direction. What if you what to change course? There is a decision maybe one of the hardest, but one of the wisest, to help you change direction for your life.
Human wisdom can be helpful, but only to a point. Even though our wisdom is limited, we make decisions based on it. Is it really the best place to start? Is it the something we can build upon? When you grasp the words of Solomon, you may think otherwise.
Wisdom isn't just reserved for young people, but for all. Where do you go to find it? According to Solomon, there is one place to go, it may be the wisest thing you could do.
What are you focused on? Believe or not what you focus on, you move towards. If you aren't happy in life, perhaps you have to start with changing your focus.
Satisfaction comes when are needs are met. How come we still don't fill content? Perhaps we have missed the key ingredient or secret to it all. Once you understand it all, true contentment can take place.
Everyone wants to belong. When it comes to the church, why is does it seem dysfunctional? How come others don't belong? The answer just might be found in Jesus' prayer.
Can you be happy despite life's circumstances? What do you do when you worry? The answer may be more difficult than you think.
The resurrection of Jesus has baffled people for years. The mystery is how did He do it? Did it actually happen? So what does it solve and what does it mean for you?
The only time that Jesus was amazed was not by someone's obedience, but their faith. It is a faith that is unwavering and unshakable. What would your life look like if you had that kind of faith?
In our lives we strive for independence, yet we circle back to being dependent. What would I life look like if we embraced our need for God instead of making it optional in our lives?
At times, it seems as if life begins to shift out of control. In those moments we try to grasp for security and stability. The things we grasp at will eventually fail. What if we could hold on to something that is unchanging in our ever changing circumstances?
Often times what we say to others gets misunderstood. At times what God says gets lost in translation. As a follower of Jesus, God wants us to live differently. What does that look like? Perhaps it doesn't mean behavior modification, but transformation for our lives.
What is the one thing you have been stressing about lately? What is keeping you up at night? You might not be able to control the outcome for tomorrow, but as Jesus says you can trust Him for today.
Restoration makes things new. It happens with homes, cars and even people. As broken people living in a broken world, what does God need to restore?
Have you ever felt like God's commands aren't clear or complicated? What if they are simple? What if we in fact have missed what God commands? Jesus' answer to a question sums it all up.
What motivates you when it comes to loving people? Perhaps we have gotten wrong more than right. As we follow Jesus, we discover that it is His model that motivates us to love in the right way.
We become what or who we are around. Then why does it feel as if followers of Jesus, don't live differently? Perhaps it is because we are imitating the wrong someone or something.
When someone says, "this will make all the difference", you may be a little skeptical. However if you begin to do this one thing, it just make all the difference in the world.
Giving may be something you expect churches to talk about. It isn't that God needs your money, but He wants to do something within you. The answer just may surprise you.
Consistency over time pays off. We are more likely to be successful if we don't do this randomly. How can we be more consistent with our Heavenly Father?
It's a new year and it means a new you. Will things be different this year? If you begin to make this one thing a high priority, life will definitely be different.
Usually when you have a good experience, you want to repeat it and share it. Every December the Christmas story is told, reminding us to repeat a great experience we may have received.
When it comes to the Christmas season we expect it to be the "most wonderful time of the year." When it isn't, what do you do? Where you end up looking for joy in this season can determine whether you find it or not.
Your words can determine the direction and quality of your life as well as others. If we just think before we speak, then we are able to move others in a positive direction.
Ever been surprised by what someone has said to you? Have you been surprised what comes out of your mouth? Perhaps the problem isn't just want comes out of our mouths, but what is inside us.
How do we have healthy, thriving relationships with just about everyone? The answer is easier than you think.
We all say things one way and people hear it differently. Why is that? Well to find the answer it is much easier than you think.
There is something to be said about confidence. Why does it disappear when God asks us to do something? Perhaps we are more concerned about our abilities then our availability
Change may move us forward, yet our human nature still resists it. What if we embraced it? What would it look like if we asked and prayed for change in our lives?
Brokenness is usually associated with hurt and pain. Something that is broken ultimately needs to be fixed. So what does it mean for us to be broken before God?
When is the last time you took a risk even though it might have felt uncomfortable? High impact living may mean you could be used to impact someone else.
The lives we live, will be the stories we tell. How are we living and who are we living for? The answer to those questions may need to be adjusted to live a high impact life.
What motivates you? The better question is what motivates those around you? Whether you not it or not, You have the potential to move people from where they are to where they can be.
What do you do when life seems overwhelming? What do you do when you feel like it is a mess? You start somewhere. You start with yourself.
What happens when you have too much of something? Chances are you waste it. What do we do with what we have been given?
There is always an exception to the rules. When it comes to relationships and others what is the exception that we should live by?
What would you life be like if you had no limits? As Jesus shows us today it may be easier than you think.
Change, it is something we don't necessarily happen to us. However, we long for it to happen in others. What if we were the ones that need to make adjustments? Then perhaps our lives could be better.
For most of us, we tend to hide who we really are or what is taking place in our lives. Is that really how we should live? We think there is an alternative, which in fact is part of who we are as Basin Church.
Our experiences shape how we see the world and our Heavenly Father. Since that is true, Jesus went to great lengths to change our picture of our Heavenly Father. So what exactly did Jesus say about Him?
The term that gets frequently thrown around is "don't judge me." It is used as a defensive response to someone who doesn't want to hear it from someone else. We feel they have no right to tell us how to live. Is this what Jesus meant we he said the famous words, "don't judge"?
When we understand why we are able to put energy behind something, but if we don't we often struggle. In life we face storms and regularly ask the why. As we will discover that the why isn't always the best question to ask.
The facts give us the big picture and without them we only have a piece of our future. When making faith decisions, we don't always get the facts. So what do you do when the facts are absent? Even though we don't have all the facts, we can go to the one who does.
Follow your heart. It is advice that indicates that we are somehow lost in life and your heart will save you. The belief is it will point you in the right direction. But is that true? Can you really trust your heart? Is this bad advice? If it is then there has to be another way to live.
Businesses uses strategies to be effective. Parents have a strategy to raise children into successful adults. Deep down everyone has a desire to be effective in life. When we pass on, we want to know our life counted and made a difference. Why is it that Christians can be so ineffective? What role does the Holy Spirit play into our effectiveness?
There is a tendency to live an unbalanced life. There are more times we act, think and do things for ourselves than ourselves. There are times when we feel like putting others first. We make a contribution to a charity, help with the community and give some money to those who are in need. This does not happen all the time, but when we do it, we begin to balance life out a little. What are we supposed to do with the struggle of being selfish and selfless? Is there a way to balance the two?
So no matter who you are or how old you are, we all have this internal desire to have control. The control can be more or less depending on the situation, but nonetheless, we want control. Control leads us to pursue what we want. Ultimately, we want to be in control so we can control the outcome of our lives. But is that the best way to live life or is there another way?
What if you lived life a little bit differently?What if you skipped every third meal? What if you didn’t say every third word? It seems really weird and ridiculous. It doesn’t make sense, skipping every third word or every third meal. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we seem to leave him out. Going through life sometimes can be overwhelming. We are not to do it alone and that is why God gave us a guide to come alongside us.
Ever had a victory on minute, only to be defeated the next? Ever got so depressed that you felt like you couldn't go on? In the midst of it all, you might have wondered where was God. Did he ever care? The answer may surprise you to see what God is like during our lowest point in our lives.
Chances are you have been labeled as a child or made a mistake that has followed you for your entire life. When that happens, you are defined by what someone said or what you did. But what if you began to see yourself differently. What if you began to see yourself as God see you?
Nobody really likes to be uncomfortable. When we are uncomfortable we are miserable. We stress, worry, and get anxious. When you get comfortable with God, the relationship can have the potential to be stagnant and fade out over time. What would happen if you were ok being comfortable getting uncomfortable?