being near the truth
Faith & Spiritual Growth

When Being Near the Truth Isn’t Enough

by Denise Wright

Introduction

It’s possible to sit in church every week, hear powerful sermons, “Amen” the minister, sing along with worship, and still not truly be changed by the truth we’re near.
Proximity to truth isn’t participation in it.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were surrounded by Scripture — they could quote it, debate it, and enforce it. Yet when Truth Himself stood before them in the flesh, they missed Him. Being near truth doesn’t mean we’ve embraced it. Hearing truth isn’t the same as living it.

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” — Matthew 15:8 (KJV)

Hearing Truth vs. Living Truth

Truth demands transformation. It’s not just something to be admired or respected — it’s meant to be obeyed. We can study the Bible, attend every service, and still keep God at arm’s length if we never allow His truth to penetrate our hearts.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — James 1:22 (KJV)

God’s Word is alive and powerful, but it requires our participation. Truth becomes active in our lives when we surrender to it, not when we simply agree with it.

It’s one thing to agree with truth — it’s another to live it. I’ve heard the “amen corner” go on with their “Praise the Lord!” and “That’s right!” — and yet, by the next service, some of those same voices are nowhere to be found.

It’s not about how loudly we respond in the moment, but how faithfully we respond afterward. God isn’t looking for applause; He’s looking for obedience. The truth doesn’t transform us when it only reaches our lips — it transforms us when it reaches our hearts and moves our feet.

Knowing About God Isn’t Knowing God

The difference between proximity and participation often lies in relationship. Many people know about God — His works, His character, His commands — but they don’t know Him personally.

The disciples didn’t just listen to Jesus; they followed Him. They walked where He walked, asked questions, made mistakes, and surrendered their own plans. Their nearness to Jesus became transformation because it led to obedience and love.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” — 1 John 2:3 (KJV)

Truth Invites Response

Every encounter with truth asks something of us — to change, to repent, to forgive, to trust, to obey. But if we stay only near it, admiring from a distance, our hearts grow dull. We start to mistake exposure for intimacy.

God never intended His Word to be a decoration on the shelf or a sound we hear on Sunday morning. It’s meant to be alive in us — transforming how we think, love, and live.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17 (KJV)

Closing Reflection

Proximity to truth is a blessing — but participation in it is where transformation happens. The difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him is the difference between standing near the light and stepping into it.

It’s like standing in front of a gym, watching people work out through the glass. You can learn about the equipment, memorize the routines, and even wear the right clothes — but if you never walk through the doors and start moving, nothing in your life will change. The same is true with God’s truth. We can be close enough to see it, hear it, and even cheer for it — but until we choose to live it, it will never shape who we are.

Today, let’s ask ourselves:
Am I content to watch others live the truth, or am I stepping into it myself and allowing God to change me? Have I allowed His Word to move from my lips to my life?

Let’s Pray

If this message speaks to you, take a moment today to pray:

“Lord, don’t let me just be near Your truth — let me walk in it. Change my heart so that I don’t just hear Your Word, but live it.”

And if you need prayer or encouragement in your walk with God, we’d love to connect.
👉 Submit a Prayer Request or join us for House of Prayer on Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM.

Faith & Spiritual Growth

The Truth About Prayer: Why We Pray When God Already Knows

by Denise Wright

Have you ever caught yourself wondering, “If God already knows what I need, why do I even need to pray?” It’s a fair question — and one that many believers quietly wrestle with. After all, Scripture tells us that God knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:8). So why pray at all?

Even the disciples — who physically walked with Jesus, God the Son — still asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) They knew prayer wasn’t just words; it was a lifeline. The truth is, prayer is far more than a way to present requests. It’s about relationship, alignment, and transformation.

Prayer Is About Relationship

God doesn’t ask us to pray because He needs information — He already knows everything. He asks us to pray because He wants connection.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” — Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)

Prayer draws us close to His heart. It’s in those quiet moments that we begin to know Him — not just know about Him. Like any relationship, communication deepens intimacy. We talk to God not because He’s unaware, but because He cares.

Prayer Aligns Our Hearts with His

When we pray, something happens inside us. Our desires begin to shift, our worries quiet down, and our perspective changes.

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

Prayer aligns us with God’s will. It’s less about convincing Him to do what we want and more about allowing Him to shape our hearts to want what He desires. The more time we spend in prayer, the more our spirit begins to echo His.

Prayer Builds Faith and Dependence

Every time we pray, we acknowledge our need for God. We confess that we can’t do it on our own. That posture of dependence is where faith grows strongest.

When we pray and see God move — even in small ways — our trust deepens. And when we don’t see the answer right away, our faith learns endurance. Either way, prayer builds a history with God that reminds us: He’s been faithful before, and He will be again.

Prayer Invites God’s Power into Our Circumstances

While God knows everything, He still invites us to participate in His work through prayer. Over and over in Scripture, we see God move when His people pray — not because He’s waiting for permission, but because He chooses partnership.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16 (KJV)

Prayer is not passive; it’s powerful. It’s the bridge between heaven and earth, the place where divine will meets human faith.

Prayer Changes Us More Than It Changes Things

Sometimes we go to God asking Him to change our situation, only to find He’s changing us instead. Prayer molds us, softens us, humbles us, and teaches us to listen.

As we pour out our hearts, God meets us in the middle of our mess — not to simply fix it, but to form us through it.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” — Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

The promise that follows isn’t always an instant answer — it’s peace. The kind that passes understanding.

Conclusion: The Heart of Prayer

So why do we pray if God already knows? Because prayer isn’t about informing Him — it’s about involving Him. It’s about drawing near, aligning our hearts, and trusting His perfect wisdom.

God doesn’t need our prayers. We do.
Because every time we pray, we are reminded that we are not alone, not forgotten, and not without hope.

Invitation to Pray

If you’ve been feeling distant or unsure how to start, begin simply: “Lord, I’m here. Teach me to pray.”
And if you’d like others to join you in prayer, our church family would be honored to stand with you.
Submit a Prayer Request or join us for House of Prayer on Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM.

storms reveal what foundations hide
Faith & Spiritual Growth

When Faith Is Tested: Storms Reveal What Foundations Hide

by Denise Wright

When Life’s Storms Expose What’s Beneath

When life is calm, it’s easy to believe our faith is strong. But it’s not the sunshine that proves what we’re made of — it’s the storm. In Luke 6:47–49, Jesus tells a story that perfectly captures this truth: two builders, two houses, and one storm that changed everything.

Both houses looked solid until the winds came. The storm didn’t create weakness; it revealed it. That’s why Jesus’ parable reminds us that storms reveal what foundations hide — the unseen parts of our faith that either hold firm or crumble when pressure comes.

1. Storms Reveal What Foundations Hide

Jesus said,

“Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them… is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock.” — Luke 6:47–48 (KJV)

Both builders heard His words, but only one obeyed. The difference wasn’t in what they built — it was in what they built on.

When storms reveal what foundations hide, we see that our faith isn’t tested to destroy us but to show us what’s real. The wise builder dug deep, establishing his life on obedience to God’s Word. The foolish builder built fast and shallow — focused on appearances, not endurance.

Our foundation is what determines our future.

2. The Hidden Foundation: What No One Sees

From the outside, both houses looked strong. But foundations aren’t visible — they’re formed long before anyone sees the result. Likewise, your spiritual foundation is built in secret places: in prayer, in Scripture, in obedience when no one is watching.

When storms reveal what foundations hide, they uncover whether we’ve been living for show or for substance. True strength isn’t in how loud our worship is, but in how deeply our faith is rooted.

Building deep means digging through pride, impatience, self, and fear until we reach the Rock — Christ Himself.

3. When the Storms Come

“When the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house.” — Luke 6:48 (KJV)

Jesus didn’t say if the storm comes, but when. Every life faces storms — loss, sickness, conflict, disappointment. These moments strip away the surface and expose our foundation.

Storms reveal what foundations hide by showing whether we’ve been depending on our own strength or on God’s. A strong faith doesn’t avoid storms; it stands firm in them.

If your world is shaking, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means God is revealing where to rebuild.

4. Building on the Rock

Jesus makes it clear: the wise builder not only hears His words but does them. Every act of obedience — forgiving when it’s hard, trusting when it’s unclear, surrendering when it’s uncomfortable — strengthens your foundation.

Each time we choose God’s way over our own, we’re anchoring deeper into the Rock.
Because when the storm comes (and it always will), storms reveal what foundations hide — and those built on Christ will not fall.

“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock.” — Luke 6:48 (KJV)

5. Storms That Strengthen

If you’re in a storm right now, take heart. Storms are not punishments — they’re opportunities for God to strengthen what’s weak. They expose cracks so healing can begin.

Storms reveal what foundations hide, but they also give God a chance to rebuild what’s broken. His grace doesn’t just hold you up — it restores you from the ground up.

Storms may reveal the cracks, but God’s mercy fills them.

Standing Strong When Storms Reveal What Foundations Hide

Life’s storms don’t just happen to us — they happen for us. They draw us closer to Christ, expose what needs repair, and remind us that we were never meant to build alone.

So today, take inventory of your foundation.
Are you building on shifting sand — your comfort, your control, your plans? Or are you digging deep into the Rock — God’s Word, His will, and His ways?

Because one truth remains: storms reveal what foundations hide, but faith built on Christ will always stand.

If this message spoke to your heart, take a moment to pray. Ask God to reveal what lies beneath the surface of your life. And if you need prayer or encouragement, join us for House of Prayer starting November 2025 on Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM — a time to strengthen your foundation in His presence.

life surrendered to God
Faith & Spiritual Growth

Life Surrendered to God: Where Faith Meets Freedom

by Denise Wright

Introduction

We often hear the phrase “surrender your life to God,” but what does that really mean in our everyday lives? For many, the idea of surrender sounds like defeat — giving up control or losing independence. But in God’s Kingdom, surrender is actually victory. It’s the moment we stop striving in our own strength and begin walking in His.

Letting Go of Our Own Way

At the heart of surrender is trust. True surrender means letting go of our own plans, timelines, and desires, and allowing God to lead us — even when His path doesn’t make sense to us.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

When we surrender, we acknowledge that His way is better — not because it’s easier, but because it’s perfect. It’s choosing to say, “Lord, even if I don’t understand, I’ll still obey.”

The Freedom Found in Surrender

Ironically, the more we try to control our lives, the less peace we have. Worry, anxiety, and fear thrive in the soil of self-reliance. But when we lay everything at Jesus’ feet — our worries, our dreams, our relationships — we find freedom.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

Surrender brings rest because we no longer carry what we were never meant to. God never asked us to have it all figured out; He asked us to trust that He already does.

Living Surrendered Daily

Surrender isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily choice — sometimes an hourly one. Each morning, we can wake up and say, “Lord, my life is Yours today.” We surrender our words, our time, our plans, and our reactions. We surrender how we love, serve, and forgive.

It may mean forgiving someone we don’t believe deserves it. It may mean saying yes to something that stretches us beyond what feels comfortable. But when we live surrendered, we open ourselves to be used by God in ways we never imagined. After all, Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” It’s a one-way journey on a road not built for comfort, but for transformation — one that calls us to bring our flesh, our will, and our desires into full submission to Him.

Jesus: Our Example of Perfect Surrender

Jesus lived the ultimate surrendered life. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, He prayed,

“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42 (KJV)

That moment changed eternity. His obedience, born out of complete surrender, became our salvation. When we surrender, we reflect His heart — choosing God’s will over our own, even when it costs us something.

Conclusion: A Call to Trust

Living a life surrendered to God isn’t about losing — it’s about gaining everything that truly matters. It’s about exchanging control for peace, fear for faith, and striving for rest. When we surrender, we don’t fall backward; we fall into His arms.

So today, ask yourself: What area of my life am I still holding onto? And then, in faith, hand it over to Him — trusting that His plans are far greater than your own.

If this message spoke to your heart, take a moment to pray and ask God to show you where He’s asking for your surrender. And if you’d like someone to pray with you, we’d love to connect.

Submit a Prayer Request or join us next week for House of Prayer on Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 PM.

Request Prayer
Gratitude Gathering
Community Events

Gratitude Gathering: A Season of Thanks in Broken Arrow

by Denise Wright

Celebrating God’s Goodness Together

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re taking time to pause and reflect on all that God has done. Our Gratitude Gathering is a special community event hosted by The Church of God Broken Arrow — a day to come together in fellowship, worship, and joy. It’s more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that gratitude brings us closer to one another and to the heart of God.

What to Expect at the Gratitude Gathering

Everyone is welcome! This family-friendly event will include worship, food, fellowship, and fun activities for all ages. From heartfelt moments of thanksgiving to laughter shared over a meal, our goal is to build connection and community.

Plus, we’ll have a professional photographer on site offering free family portraits! It’s a perfect chance to capture new memories together as we celebrate the season of gratitude.

When: Saturday, November 15th | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: The Church of God Broken Arrow

Bring your family, invite a neighbor, and experience the warmth of a church that loves people and loves Jesus.

Why Gratitude Matters

In a busy world, it’s easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has provided. It strengthens our relationships, nurtures peace, and reminds us that every blessing — big or small — comes from Him. Scripture tells us, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Get Involved — Serve, Share, and Celebrate

This event is more than a gathering; it’s an opportunity to serve our community together. Whether helping with setup, greeting guests, or preparing food, there’s a place for everyone to participate. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact our outreach team — we’d love for you to be part of making this day special.

Join Us in Giving Thanks

We invite you to celebrate with us as we honor God’s goodness at the Gratitude Gathering in Broken Arrow. Come ready to worship, connect, and give thanks.

Reserve your spot today!
Click below to register your family for the Gratitude Gathering — registration helps us prepare food, activities, and free family portraits for everyone attending.

Let Us Know You’re Coming!
House of Prayer
Church Updates

Becoming a House of Prayer: A New Season for Broken Arrow

by Denise Wright

God is doing something new in our city. At The Church of God, we believe this is the time to rise and pray together. Our goal is to build a true House of Prayer Broken Arrow can rely on — a place where we see people, love them, and lift them up in Jesus’ name.

Jesus said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer.” In doing so, He gave us direction.  Prayer isn’t just a moment in a service — it’s a vital part of our mission. Through prayer, we soften hearts, meet needs, and see lives transformed. Just as Jesus won His victory over the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane, we will find our victories the same way — through prayer!

Purpose of the House of Prayer

We want to carry that heart into the city. Starting this fall, we’re launching House of Prayer, a weekly community prayer gathering. Each meeting will focus on lifting up Broken Arrow, our families, and those in need. Attend in person or host a prayer meeting in your home, and become part of a community united in faith.

Our next step is outreach. Every month we will focus on a theme that connects prayer to action. We will visit nursing homes, gather food for families, and serve our neighbors with love. Showing Broken Arrow what it means to be a House of Prayer. We will live it out in action.

We Invite You

If you’ve been praying for a church home, or you simply want to join a community that loves Jesus and loves people, then we invite you to join us.

Come be part of what God is doing through The Church of God in Broken Arrow.

Jesus meets us where we are. Why shouldn’t we meet people where they are too?