Spring is a wondersul time of the year. It is a beautiful display of God's creativity as we can see flowering trees, flowers coming up from the ground, lawns turning green, etc...
Spring shows a "newness" of life that is energizing and exciting. This season provides a word picture of sorts as we consider our own lives:
Are there signs of spring in your life?
Is there energy and excitement in your life? Are you following God's lead regarding the "new things" in your life?
Spring is a reminder to us that we too (as Christians) need to be growing! Spring is a time of growth. It is also a time of working the soil and planting.
So, do you need the spiritual soil of your life to be tilled? Do you need to plant some spiritual based seeds in your life? Do you need to grow?
It is my contention that there should be signs of growth in our lives as believers. So, receive this blog as an encouragement to consider if you are experiencing "measured" spiritual growth in your life...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FOCUS
Sunday (April19) I began a 3 week sermon series entitled "FOCUS." I have had several responses from people regarding Sunday's sermon. There is excitement in the air... and I am eager to share with you the other 2 sermons in this series... (for more info - visit www.harvestridgechurch.com).
God has a desire that we live a focused life - remembering what life is about: Glorifying God and serving people. That is why at Harvest Ridge Church we strive to "Develop Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ."
As we learned on Sunday - one of the ways we stay focused is through the commitment of prayer! I hope that this week YOU are in prayer. Are you asking? Are you seeking? Are you knocking?
I look forward to hearing what you have to say about how you are being more focused through prayer!!!
God has a desire that we live a focused life - remembering what life is about: Glorifying God and serving people. That is why at Harvest Ridge Church we strive to "Develop Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ."
As we learned on Sunday - one of the ways we stay focused is through the commitment of prayer! I hope that this week YOU are in prayer. Are you asking? Are you seeking? Are you knocking?
I look forward to hearing what you have to say about how you are being more focused through prayer!!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Change
Change is necessary if we are going to grow closer to God!
I recently read 3 reasons why people resist change:
1) They feel it is imposed upon them (they become frightened)
2) They sense too much anxiety or fear (they become paralyzed)
3) They experience no sense of urgency (they become complacent).
These reasons are valid. That is why leaders must hear from the Lord as they lead people through change. Change in the church can not be based on a leaders opinion or feelings... it must be based on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
This is a verse that helps us understand that God makes a way where there seems to be no way. But, in order to walk in God's plan we must do so through change (new things).
So, do not resist change - unless it is meaningless.... But, rather follow God's plans of purposed change so His will is accomplished in our lives!
I recently read 3 reasons why people resist change:
1) They feel it is imposed upon them (they become frightened)
2) They sense too much anxiety or fear (they become paralyzed)
3) They experience no sense of urgency (they become complacent).
These reasons are valid. That is why leaders must hear from the Lord as they lead people through change. Change in the church can not be based on a leaders opinion or feelings... it must be based on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
This is a verse that helps us understand that God makes a way where there seems to be no way. But, in order to walk in God's plan we must do so through change (new things).
So, do not resist change - unless it is meaningless.... But, rather follow God's plans of purposed change so His will is accomplished in our lives!
Monday, April 13, 2009
SUPRISE
It is amazing to me that as we pray and call on God that the events of our lives do not unfold as expected. However, even through unexpected events God grants us the desires of our heart as we follow Him! God has a supernatural way of making things better and more productive for us than we ever could have imagined.
Even when circumstances stand in opposition to our hopes and dreams; still, God can make a way!
So, let me encourage you to Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on what you are able to understand. Look to the Lord and trust him in all circumstance. Acknowledge God as the one with all the power! And then, walk in the ordained steps that God provides for you!
Even when circumstances stand in opposition to our hopes and dreams; still, God can make a way!
So, let me encourage you to Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on what you are able to understand. Look to the Lord and trust him in all circumstance. Acknowledge God as the one with all the power! And then, walk in the ordained steps that God provides for you!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
EXCUSES
Our HOUSE Group has been discussing the topic of faith (through the lenses of Hebrews chapter 11). One participant had a brilliant deduction of the excuses Moses offered to God in his attempt to get out of the call God placed on his life. As you read Exodus chapters 3 and 4 you can see these 5 excuses:
1) Who am I? Moses is saying that he is not worthy of being called. God's answer was that God would be with Him. (Exodus 3:11-12)
2) Who are you? Moses is stating that people are going to question who God is. God's answer is that He is the "I Am!" (Exodus 3:13-22)
3) So What? Moses is using the excuse that people may not believe what He is saying... And that people will question if God really sent him; or even if God really exists. God's answer is that He will provide His presence (in miraculous fashion) as a sign of who He is... even though it takes "faith" to believe (Exodus 4:1-9)
4) I can't! Moses refers to his limitations. God's answer is that He is the creator, and He is the one with all of the power, and He will go with Moses. (Exodus 4:10-12)
5) Send someone else! Moses asks God to send someone else... God's answer is that Moses would not be alone, but he has been called. And the only obedient response is to GO!
We can all creatively have excuses to avoid serving. We think of ways to avoid God's call. We think of creative ways to avoid whole heartedly supporting the ministries of the church (even when we are part of that "called" body).
I know life is busy, and our calendars are full. I also know that not everyone will (or should) serve the same way I do.
But, I also know that if God calls you - there is only one action to take. It is not the action of excuses. It is the action of complete OBEDIENCE!
So, let me encourage you to reflect on being obedient to the Lord's call. His perspective is much much bigger than our! And GOD IS IN CONTROL!
1) Who am I? Moses is saying that he is not worthy of being called. God's answer was that God would be with Him. (Exodus 3:11-12)
2) Who are you? Moses is stating that people are going to question who God is. God's answer is that He is the "I Am!" (Exodus 3:13-22)
3) So What? Moses is using the excuse that people may not believe what He is saying... And that people will question if God really sent him; or even if God really exists. God's answer is that He will provide His presence (in miraculous fashion) as a sign of who He is... even though it takes "faith" to believe (Exodus 4:1-9)
4) I can't! Moses refers to his limitations. God's answer is that He is the creator, and He is the one with all of the power, and He will go with Moses. (Exodus 4:10-12)
5) Send someone else! Moses asks God to send someone else... God's answer is that Moses would not be alone, but he has been called. And the only obedient response is to GO!
We can all creatively have excuses to avoid serving. We think of ways to avoid God's call. We think of creative ways to avoid whole heartedly supporting the ministries of the church (even when we are part of that "called" body).
I know life is busy, and our calendars are full. I also know that not everyone will (or should) serve the same way I do.
But, I also know that if God calls you - there is only one action to take. It is not the action of excuses. It is the action of complete OBEDIENCE!
So, let me encourage you to reflect on being obedient to the Lord's call. His perspective is much much bigger than our! And GOD IS IN CONTROL!
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