Ready for Anything

This past Sunday the sermon was entitled "Ready for Anything". The Lord was faithful and blessed the service as we were challenged to be prepared for our 21 day fast. I didn't have the opportunity to share everything that was on my heart due to time restraints so I am taking the opportunity in this blog.

Many believe that fasting is the preparation for God's move, but getting the most out of a fast takes preparation. Look at it this way: Suppose a professional athlete shows up to spring training out of shape. He spends the majority of the training camp getting into playing form. Meanwhile the players that showed up in shape spend their time improving their skills. The funny thing is, it seems like the veterans are the ones out of shape, showing up late, or skipping camp altogether! These veterans rely on past experience and training to get them through the season. Christians all to often rely on past experience to get them closer to God. This year, let's rely on God doing new things in our lives. Challenge ourselves to be "in tune" with the Holy Spirit and be ready for anything! I believe that God is going to do marvelous things as we fast together. I urge you not to wait until the fast begins (January 4th) to lean on God, start leaning on Him today. The challenge was laid out on Sunday to start the fast with a clean heart. Meaning, be repentant, honest, and obedient before God before the fast starts. That way we will be busy moving forward instead of looking behind at the sins of our life.

The Day After Christmas

What do you do after Christmas? Sure we enjoy our gifts and think about all the new memories, but what do we as Christians do? Shouldn't there be some task or duty that befalls us after the world has gone back to their daily routine? Shouldn't we that have received and understand the gift of salvation set our hands to a greater task? We do have that great responsibility of the Great Commission! I heard once that life becomes very fragile after Christmas for the elderly and weak. I was told that the elderly and weak viewd Christmas as the last time they would see their loved ones together and that they lived on the hope of that blessed holiday. Soon enough Christmas would come and go and the hope would pass as the New Year rolled around. The will to live would pass as well. But there is another hope, The Blessed Hope, that we as Christians live for. Could this be the perfect time to present the Gospel message to those that are near their journey to eternity? Could they be receptive to the gift of an eternity of Christmas's? Would you not cleave to the promise of being reunited with the loved ones we left behind? For us that believe, everyday is Christmas. Can we, dare we, be bold enough to share that gift to someone that needs hope? So, what do we do after Christmas - do what we should do best, give hope to those that have no hope and life to those that are dying.

Tonight we set in motion or annual fast to begin January 4th 2009. Last year we fasted for 21 days and watched in amazement as God began to answer our specific prayers. One of the most amazing answers to prayer was the blessing of our new facilities. Obtaining 23 acres and an existing church building was completely out of reach in the natural. We are thankful we serve a supernatural God! Many received answers to personal prayers and saw God move on their friends and family. For those that joined in on the fast of last year, jump in with both feet this year. Challenge yourself as you pray to the Lord for direction in what and how to fast. For those that have joined New Harvest recently be inspired by the testimonies of the church and realize that God moves when we put our faith in Him. I can't imagine what God will do this year, but I am sure it will be amazing. After all, we are focused on our #1 goal - Reaching the community for Christ and seeing souls saved!

New, but going for it!

Ok, so I've come to understand that blogging is a very popular and useful tool. So, I've obtained this page and will start to blog on a weekly basis. My intention is to give useful insights to our services and sermons as well as keep the church connected with the vision that God has given New Harvest. I also intend to share tidbits of information that have helped me grow closer to Christ and further the ministry that He has called and chosen for me.

Perhaps this blog will catch on, or perhaps it will be useful for me to write down thoughts and ponder the things that God has revealed. Either way I see a positive influence through this new tool.