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!

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?

SIGNS OF SPRING

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...

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!!!

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!