God is better than...

As a follower of Jesus Christ, there is a long list of things that you could probably make... and God would be better than everything on that list.
God is better than money, God is better than a position, God is better than life itself!

But, I was reminded particularly today that God is better than my morning cup of coffee.

I love to read the Bible with my morning coffee. I love to walk around and pray with that travel mug of coffee in my hand!

However, this morning was different! At 6:30am I started a one hour session with God. I got involved with Him prior to making my morning coffee. My time with the Lord this morning was especially personal!

After my one hour with God I headed to my weekly Men's Discipleship Group (at Panera Bread). Where I had that morning cup of coffee. We had a great discussion... and time of accountability.

I was so grateful this today that God really is better - better than everything! Thank you Jesus for the joy I experienced this morning as I lived out the truth that you are truly better than my morning coffee.

Let me encourage you to put God first... even before coffee!

Spend time with Jesus before you get involved with your day. Spend time with Him before reading the morning paper, checking your email, looking at your phone, or going on facebook. PRACTICALLY... PUT GOD FIRST!

Harvest Ridge Church Amazing Race

Friends,

The Amazing Race commercial was shown on Sunday August 30. The verbal response has been overwhelming! I am so excited to show episode #1 this Sunday September 26. Come to church this week... and let me know what you think!

Also: check out my YouTube page to see the Amazing Race commercial... as well as some other great Harvest Ridge Church videos...

http://www.youtube.com/user/pmikehrc

Light

In Scripture we read about a description of believers. This description is... LIGHT.

Light is a noun... and a verb (an action word)... And, as we are light in a "dark" world (of sin)... our lives become what sheds the truth, hope, and freedom that is found in Christ.

REMEMBER: If you are light... then your life is exposed. Don't let an exposed life deter you from being light in a dark world filled with sin.

Let the fact that an exposed life will keep you accountable to flee from sin! Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you!

So, fulfill one of your Biblical purposes... and BE LIGHT!

Message Response

As promised... here is my blog about the response to Sunday's message.

3 step response:
1) Prayer
2) Share
3) Take Care

The Prayer response was initiated yesterday. As you responded to the message, there was an opportunity to respond through prayer (up in front of the church... at the altar). If you did not respond this way on Sunday... or you have the desire to respond to God as He prompts you life... it starts with PRAYER.

The Share response helps to Solidify your action. The share response is your act of sharing your prayer commitment with someone else. As the Bible teaches... we are overcomers by the blood of the lamb (through Jesus) and through the word of our testimony...

The share response also provides an opportunity for accountability if you are serious. You can share your response with someone... and be accountable to them to carry out your response.

The Take Care response is your action of living out your response. During this part of your response you will write out an action plan. This plan will include habit changes, behavioral changes, attitude changes and more. For example, if God has provided freedom to you from a bad habit... then your action plan may include replacing that habit with a more productive habit.

I hope this helps you respond to God's movement in your life!

What I want for Father's Day is...

What I want for Father's Day is...

the fulfillment of my 4 children responding to God's plans for their lives. And, I want so badly to be a part of helping them fulfill God's plans!

I want to spend some time with each one of my kids today. This will be difficult since today is Sunday (and I am a pastor). We are taking a missionary out for lunch today. We are going to my dads this afternoon... But, I will make some time for my kids!

I want to pray for them... and I want to play with them.

I love being a dad. I love it that God planned for me to disciple 4 children that I can call mine! I thank the Lord for giving me the gift of Kimberly, my wife... who is a great wife and mom!

God is so good!

What do you want for Father's Day?

expectancy

When you pray and fast... you should do so with expectancy that God will move in your life!

Author Dave Williams points out some of the purposes of fasting:

- Increased prayer power

- Divine protection

- Physical healing

- Emotional and relational healing

- Intercession for friends

- Repentance and sorrow

- Seeking God for guidance or direction

With this in mind, when we fast and pray - we need to be asking God to reveal Himself in these ways.

Matthew 6:16-18 says:

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

The result of fasting will be a reward. This is why we fast and pray - for God to intervene. When you pray... expect answers.

Fasting and prayer is not like pulling the lever on a slot machine... where the money goes in, the lever is pulled, and we "hope" for 3 lemons. On the contrary! The prayer of faith is certain and full of great hope.

Remember... God does not answer complaint, or wishes. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

So, let's see our rewards:

1) to be close to God

I expect a great move of God in our congregation, in the families of Harvest Ridge Church, and in the lives of many people!

2) For guidance as Harvest Ridge Church takes our "Next Steps"

Thanks for fasting and praying for these rewards!

FASTING

Fasting and prayer is life changing. I have heard many stories from people at Harvest Ridge Church who participated in last weeks all church Wednesday fast. Even though there were answered prayers... my favorite news about the fast was common... People shared with me how they felt so "close" to the Lord after the fast. Wednesday and Thursday proved to be great days in the presence of the Lord!

Let me encourage all of you to fast and pray tomorrow (5/13) as well. Seek the Lord, and be close to Him. Listen to hear His voice... and respond with immediate and complete obedience!

If you are unsure of What God is saying to you in a time of prayer and fasting... let me encourage you to continue in your prayer and fasting. Your immediate and complete obedience should take place AFTER you hear from God. Often times God will lead you in a different way than you first expect... But, it is always what is "best" for you!