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
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, July 13, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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?
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?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Living On Purpose
You often hear things said like, "God has a plan for your life" and "You have been designed for a purpose."
These statements are true. And I would like to share my heart about these and similar statement.
When I utter these statement, it is not a ploy to get people to do things at the church that need to be done. It is more of an encouragement to the church (of which YOU are a part of) to live on purpose.
If you were designed on purpose, may I suggest that you get rid of the things that distract you from walking in your purpose. Your time management is a reflection on how you prioritize the purpose of your life.
If you are watching 2.5 hours of TV a day, surfing the net 2.5 hours a day, and working a job... you may not be fulfilling your purpose.
But, if you are spending your time fulfilling your purpose - whether it is at work, in the neighborhood, or wherever you would be... then you will be more fulfilled in life. Life is not about SURVIVAL - it is about LIVING OP PURPOSE!
One example of this for me is this blog. I write this blog to encourage and challenge people who are in my life. Even though I am on the internet... my time spent is productive.
So, let me encourage you to be productive with your time.
Time is a tool that we hold in our hands that enables us to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. How will you use this the tool of time?
These statements are true. And I would like to share my heart about these and similar statement.
When I utter these statement, it is not a ploy to get people to do things at the church that need to be done. It is more of an encouragement to the church (of which YOU are a part of) to live on purpose.
If you were designed on purpose, may I suggest that you get rid of the things that distract you from walking in your purpose. Your time management is a reflection on how you prioritize the purpose of your life.
If you are watching 2.5 hours of TV a day, surfing the net 2.5 hours a day, and working a job... you may not be fulfilling your purpose.
But, if you are spending your time fulfilling your purpose - whether it is at work, in the neighborhood, or wherever you would be... then you will be more fulfilled in life. Life is not about SURVIVAL - it is about LIVING OP PURPOSE!
One example of this for me is this blog. I write this blog to encourage and challenge people who are in my life. Even though I am on the internet... my time spent is productive.
So, let me encourage you to be productive with your time.
Time is a tool that we hold in our hands that enables us to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. How will you use this the tool of time?
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