Dan Gould

Tag: Dan Gould

  • Sunday AM Remix – 9.04.11

    HEROES
    Jonah: When You Don’t Want To Go

    * Jonah is a reluctant Hero: A person God calls, but who reluctantly went.
    * 2 Reasons why Jonah is literal

    ** Because of the Resurrection
    ** Because Jesus says so.

    * The book of Jonah isn’t as much about a fish (mentioned 4x) or of Jonah (mentioned 18x) but about God (mentioned 38x).

    * Nineveh – very mean people who caused others to be terrified and even commit suicide if the town heard the Ninevites were coming.

    “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.” Matthew 12:40-41 (NKJV)

    * When we refuse to share Christ we have the Jonah attitude.

    5 SCENES THAT STAND OUT

    • SCENE 1: GOD’S PASSION FOR SOULS.

    “The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.’” Jonah 1:1-2 (NLT)

    “But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.” Jonah 1:3 (NLT)

    * Jonah was a racist and realist that doesn’t want to go where the Lord is telling him to go.

    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV)

    “As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
    Romans 10:11-13 (NIV)

    * These are the only 2 cities mentioned in the book of Jonah and represent these 2 realities

    * Nineveh = The Will of God

    * Tar-shish = The Will of Man

    • SCENE 2: GOD’S PENALTY FOR SIN.

    * Our sin is either paid for by the cross of Christ or by us in Hell.

    * Sin will take you further than you want to go, teach you more than you wanted to know, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to spend.

    “‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.’” Jonah 1:2 (NLT)

    * Sin affects more than Just you. It affects every part of your life!

    “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17 (NLT)

    * Disobedience always brings Discipline.

    “He said,  ‘I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!’” Jonah 2:2 (NLT)

    * The word dead here is the Hebrew word Sheol. Sheol in Hebrew = Hell.

    * If we would get a glimpse of what Hell is really like … we would share more passionately!

    • SCENE 3: GOD’S PATIENCE FOR SURRENDER.

    * TRUTH: Some of our best prayers happen in the valley not on the mountain.

    * TRUTH: There is a time when God’s patience runs out.

    “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.” Jonah 2:1 (NLT)

    “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time:” Jonah 3:1 (NLT)

    “On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: ‘Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!’” Jonah 3:4 (NLT)

    * FACT: One of Nineveh’s god’s was a fish. When Jonah is spit up on the beach by a giant fish, you know the word traveled fast!

    * TRUTH: God always prepares people for the message they hear.

    • SCENE 4: GOD’S POWER TO SAVE.

    “The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.” Jonah 3:5 (NLT)

    “When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.” Jonah 3:10 (NLT)

    * There is no forgiveness for being sorry!!!! Forgiveness only happens with repentance!

    “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

    * Jonah 3:10 and 2 Peter 3:9 shows the true heart of God.

    • SCENE 5: GOD’S PROBLEM IS SAINTS.

    * Too many refuse to share the Good News … BE DIFFERENT!!!

    * Be different in the things you say, the way you act, and things you stand for.

    “This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.2 So he complained to the Lord about it: ‘Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.’”
    Jonah 4:1-3 (NLT)

    * Many of us are guilty of misguided emotion.

    * QUESTION: What circumstances have caused me to be angry at the wrong things?

    TRUTH: You can tell a lot about a person by what they laugh at, cry about, and get angry over.

    “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14 (NLT)

    What a great way to end this series!!! If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.


  • Sunday AM Remix – 8.14.11

    What a great day at FBC Harvester!!! Pastor Bob was back from vacation and we had several first time guest join us today. Shout out to Malach and his 10+ football buddies who attend the 9:00 service today! Today, as we continued our Heroes series, we took a look at the life of Daniel! From a young age to old age Daniels example is powerful and one to learn from. Here are a todays notes provided by Kyle King, one of our interns.

    HEROES
    Daniel: When They Call for the Lions
    Daniel 6

    * There was 15-30 lions in the lion’s den in Daniel’s day.
    * Daniel made the decision that he would rather die than deny the Lord–we all have to make this decision
    * Genuine followers of Christ will experience pain and persecution for your faith

    “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT)

    * It is a fact that we will face persecution

    “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NKJV)

    * Heaven is for those who are persecuted on earth
    * The Gospel will cost you something
    * If you are not facing persecution than there is something wrong with your walk with Christ
    * Everything worth something costs you something
    * Is your Christian walk costing you anything right now?

    ‘Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you …”’ John 15:20a (NKJV)

    “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. Daniel 6:1-9 (NKJV)

    *Satraps = Jealous Joes
    *We cannot change our values or beliefs in the face of persecution–we have to stand strong

    WHEN THE THREAT OF PERSECUTION COMES YOU SHOULD . . .

    1. Keep on BEING what you’ve BEEN.

    * Daniel was 90 years old at the time the story in Daniel 6 happened

    ➢ Daniel had an outstanding ATTITUDE.

    * It is easier to be negative than positive–It takes work to be positive
    * The more you are in God, the more enthusiastic you will be

    “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” Daniel 6:3 (NKJV)

    ➢ Daniel had unblemished INTEGRITY.

    “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” Daniel 6:4 (NKJV)

    * Daniel was so deep in his relationship with God that his attitude was different than everyone else
    * Our private life affects our public life–our private life will always come out

    “(God) is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” Proverbs 2:7 (NLT)

    * God does not protect us when we are in sin. He will allow the consequences of sin to come and He will be there to help us put the pieces back together. Throughout this whole process, God never stops loving us, He just stops protecting us.

    “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”
    Daniel 6:10-11 (NKJV)

    2. Keep on DOING what you’ve DONE.

    “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

    * In the face of persecution we need to keep living like a Christian
    * Our Biblical disciplines are not created in crisis, they are exposed
    * We face a crisis one of three ways, panic, pity, or prayer
    * We need to duplicate Daniel’s prayer life
    * We should have the attitude that we cannot wait to get to church
    * When we are persecuted, it reveals which team we are on!

    ** KEYS TO A DYNAMIC PRAYER LIFE:

    • Get a SPECIFIC PLACE.

    “. . . And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem. . .” Daniel 6:10b (NKJV)

    “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)

    • Get in a DEVOTED POSTURE.

    * The phrase, “head bowed and eyes closed,” is not found in the Bible

    “. . . he knelt down on his knees . . .” Daniel 6:10c (NKJV)

    * We need to have a devoted posture when we pray
    * Our posture is an indication of where our heart is

    • Find a REGULAR ROUTINE. 

    “. . . three times that day. . . as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10d, f

    * It is better to be in the lion’s den with God than be in the palace alone
    * When we fill our lives with anything other than God, we will never be satisfied

    “And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, ‘Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Then Daniel said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” Daniel 6:14-23 (NKJV)

    3. Keep on TRUSTING whom you’ve TRUSTED.

    ‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33 (NIV)

    * God over and over again saved and helped Daniel and so when the events in Daniel 6 happen, Daniel is just trusting the God who has always been there for him
    * Daniel did not have his eyes on the lions but on the Lord

    If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 7.31.11

    Have you ever had it all and then in a flash lost it?  Have you ever had one bad thing happen after another causing you to ask God, “Why”? This is exactly what happened to Job!  In the book of Job we see and incredible journey of faith.  It’s not a story of easy faith.  It’s a story of faith that survives one bad situation after another.  It’s a faith that draws Job closer to God, when everything in his life seemed to try to pull him away.  It’s a real life story that allows us to see the spiritual battle over one of Gods faithful! But it’s also a story that leaves us asking questions … the hard questions about our own faith.  Here are my notes from today’s message!

    HEROES
    Job:  God Does Not Waste Our Suffering
    Job 1:21

    ** Job had a great life, but tragedy came knocking and turned his life upside down.

    ** TRUTH & REALITY: The accuser (Satan) is always looking to test the faith of Believers!

    ** When tragedy happened Job never stopped trusting God!

    *** When tragedy happens, how do you respond? Do you tend to blame God or question Him?

    *** Why God. Why would you let that happen?

    *** It’s easy to ask why God questions when we don’t understand why things are happening!

    ** TRUTH: In our selfishness, it’s easier to blame others than to cry out to God for help!

    ** REALITY: God doesn’t promise to answer every problem, but he does promise to be with us in every situation.

     

    LESSONS LEARNED FROM JOB

    1.  God INITIATES the testing of Job. 

    “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’” Job 1:6-8 (ESV)

    Note:  Purpose is not to test Job as an end to itself; rather it’s an opportunity to honor God.  God is proving a point to Satan, Satan could not break someone’s faith regardless what he did to the person.

    2.  Job BLESSED the name of the Lord rather than CURSE it as the accuser had hoped. 

    “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’” Job 1:20-21 (ESV)

    * QUESTION: If I was to lose it all like Job, what would my immediate reaction be? HONESTLY!!! It’s easy to say worship, until it really happens!!!

    * Job had Boils with pus oozing out all over his body. Thanks for the visual Chris Chapman!!!

    Note:  Christians are to submit to trials and still worship God, not because they see the reasons, but because God wills them and has His own reasons, which believers are to trust.

    3.  Job’s friends have a simple theology, those who PROSPER must be righteous, and those who SUFFER must be wicked.

    “Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: ‘How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? If your children have sinned against Him, He has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.’” Job 8:1-4 (ESV)

    * REALITY: It’s easy to focus on the circumstances and the things seen instead of focussing on the things unseen and trusting God.

    * TRUTH: One day God will restore all things.

    * QUESTION: The question isn’t where is God, the real question is where do I put my faith?

    * Jobs friends have an if … Then … theology?

    Note:  Religion is when circumstances in my life go wrong I am angry with God or myself, since I believe, like Job’s friends, that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.  Gospel is when circumstances in my life go wrong, I struggle but I know all my punishment fell on Jesus and that while He may allow this for my training He will exercise His Fatherly love within my trial.

    * When things are tough in my life, do I fall back on religion or the Gospel. It’s a Works vs Faith situation.

    4.  Elihu’s counsel . . . Job, “in this you are not RIGHT.  I will answer you, for God is GREATER than man.” Job 33:12 (ESV)

    Note:  Though the righteous suffers, the sovereign Lord is just, He does not waste our suffering and is worthy to be exalted.

    * My opinion doesn’t matter when compared to scripture.

    ** The Truth found in Scripture is the only thing that can change any person or situation.

    “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (ESV)

    “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 (ESV)

    “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)

    * TRUTH: The Gospel is not a formula … it’s a lifestyle.

    * REALITY: If you’re not growing you are dying!!!

    * TRUTH: Growth happens most on an individual level! But sadly, many people rely only on corporate worship experiences for growth.

    5.  “The LORD said to Satan, ‘have you CONSIDERED my servant Job?’. . . Then the LORD ANSWERED Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?’” Job 1:8 . . . 38:1-2 (ESV)

    Note:  In Job’s suffering he felt abandoned, yet through this test God gave him personal attention.

    6.  God silences Job.  Job constantly wanting to ask questions of God; Job asked 114 questions searching for answers.  God responds by becoming the questioner, He asked 72 questions. 

     “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.  Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know!   Or who stretched the line upon it?’” Job 38:1-5 (ESV)

    * God silences Job and basically tells him to man up!!!

    Note:  God never told Job the reason for Job’s suffering; He questioned Job if he were eternal, great, powerful, wise and perfect.

    * In this moment, Job realizes his greatest need is and always will be God!!!

    7.  How we RESPOND matters. 

    “Then Job answered the LORD and said: ’I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’” Job 42: 1-6 (ESV)

    Note:  Job repents and confesses . . . God’s power and purpose will not fail.

    Where are you in this story? Have situations caused you to question God?  Maybe the voices of others have caused you to distance yourself from God. Wherever you are, God is not far away!

    Remember, the accuser is testing us to see if our faith is real, and to see if we will remain faithful. We have to realize that there is more to our battles than what are seen.  The next time the accuser (Satan) tests you, will you resist him … or will you give into the temptation?

    If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 7.24.11

    Have you ever done the right thing even when it felt wrong?  Or better yet, have you ever had expectations and then saw God answer them in a different way? Naaman did.  This is a powerful story of one mans pride and Gods healing!  It’s a picture of ourselves and our battle with sin.  Here are my notes from todays message.

    HEROES
    Naaman: When the right thing seems so wrong
    2 Kings 5:1-15

    QUESTION: Would you pray more if you saw immediate answers?

    * The answer is probably yes! However, God would become like a genie & he would become our instrument instead of us being His.

    * We must realize that God will do things His way, in His time and many times it will not make sense to you and I!

    * If you have a God who is limited to your understanding, you’re in trouble, and you have a God that’s only as big a you are.

    “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

    * God is saying His perspective on or with our life is far more extensive than what you and I can understand.

    * Our life can be described with a puzzle. We see one puzzle piece at a time when God sees the whole masterpiece.  Sadly, many times we try to make decisions on our life based on the puzzle piece we see at the time instead of the masterpiece God sees.

    * TRUTH: God sees our life from beginning to end!

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

    * The over arching theme of this series has been the fact that – We have limited knowledge but God has all the knowledge.

    WHEN YOUR LIFE SEEMS TO BE TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN WHAT DO YOU DO? 

    “The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.” v. 1 (NLT)

    * Naaman was a mighty man, a man of valor, who has it all, BUT he has leprosy. Leprosy doesn’t care how popular you are … it’s still going to kill you!

    * Naaman has a death sentence.

    * TRUTH: Death brings life into clarity.

    * God uses Naaman’s leprosy to give him a sense of urgency.

    “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

    * REALITY: Death brings clarity to what’s important.

    “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 (NKJV)

    * FAST FACT: Leprosy in the bible represents sin.

    * Leprosy and Sin are both fatal, incurable, and causes isolation.

    “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:9-10 (NLT)

    * Naaman’s only hope is God!

    * All of us are like Naaman because of our sin disease and our only hope is Christ!

    “At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” v. 2-3 (NLT)

    * God loves to take the weak and humiliate the strength of the strong.

    “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)

    * God uses this insignificant little girl to help Naaman in his greatest time of need.

    * This little girl, did the right thing even when it seemed so wrong. She could have easily with held this info and resented Naaman!

    * BIG IDEA — *God can use anyone at any time if they are willing.

    “So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.” v. 4 (NLT)

    * 6 months earlier Naaman would have never listened to this little Girl.

    * God is orchestrating the hearts of others to be ready to hear what we have to share … we just have to be obedient … We share, God saves.

    “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”

     7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” v. 5-7 (NLT)

    * In todays lingo Naaman took anywhere between 1-4 million dollars with him.

    * The king sent Naaman to another King to be fixed.

    * TRUTH: God always brings us to a point where we can’t do it on our own.

    * By doing this God is inviting us to step down from our kingdom and enter into Gods kingdom.

    * God always brings us to a point of being powerless. The problem is that many of us don’t want to step down from our Kingdom to experience His Kingdom

    “But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

     9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” v. 8-10 (NLT)

    * Elisha hears that the King has his panties in a wad and tells the king to send Naaman to him so he can prove there is a Living God.

    “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 (NLT)

    * Naaman shows up in all his pride expecting to buy his healing

    * REALITY: there are people today who are trying to buy their salvation instead of receiving it freely.

    * TRUTH: If you get the privilege 2 go 2 Heaven it has 2 be done Gods way – Jesus!  You can go 2  Hell anyway you want!

    * Elisha sent a message to Naaman 2 go wash 7 times in the river.

    “But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.” v. 11-12 (NLT)

    * Because of his pride, Naaman gets mad that Elisha sent a messenger to him instead of coming out himself.

    * Naaman almost missed the whole thing because God’s expression was not his expectation.  Our expectation isn’t always gods expression.

    * If we limit God to doing things that only we can understand we are toast and have a small God.

    * God can do, and does, things we don’t expect!!!

    * Naaman’s mad because he doesn’t only want to be healed, he wants to be honored. (pride)

    * God will not honor you until you humble yourself.

    * God has to humble us before he will Heal us.

    * THOUGHT: Maybe God is revealing himself in ways we may not be expecting.

    * TRUTH: Naaman was either going to die in his pride or to his pride

    * REALITY: Many times it’s our pride that keeps us from the Lord.

    “But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” v. 13 (NLT)

    * Naaman listens to the soldier and does what the prophet said he should do.

    * With each dip Naaman humbled himself.

    * What seemed foolish and easy to Naaman is what Healed him.

    * TRUTH: Salvation seems foolish and too easy for some people. They aren’t healed because of their pride.

    “So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

     15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” v. 14-15 (NLT)

    * Half obedience is full disobedience.

    * FAST FACT: The word Jordan means decision or judgement. Naaman was told to go to the Jordan to dip 7 times. Throughout the Bible we see this true of the Jordan River

    * Naaman says, after humbling himself and obeying,  Now I know that there is a God! Even though God shows up in a way he never thought possible and even a little foolish!

    There is a lot we can learn from the life and story of Naaman.  The major question we have to wrestle with is this: What area is God wanting to heal in my life? What decision do you need to step out in faith, humility, and obedience in today?

    If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 7.17.11

    Have you ever felt like you were up against something that you couldn’t defeat? Maybe you have tried, but somehow have failed. Maybe you feel like there is something you are supposed to do, but the comments of others is keeping you trapped from doing what you know you are supposed to do.  We all have Giants! Today, by looking at the story of David and Goliath, we are going to talk about how we can take a stand against the giants we face so we can begin to see the victory we so eagerly desire!

    HEREOS
    “David:  When You Face a Giant”
    1 Samuel 17

    * God tends to use the least, the last, and the lost, the most! Why? Because HE gets the Glory & Praise because everyone understands that there is no-way they could have done that on their own!
    * No-One is too small for God to use!
    * The story of David and Goliath is the John 3:16 of the Old Testament because many people have heard it!

    TO DEFEAT A GIANT IN YOUR LIFE …

    1. Identify Your GIANT.

    “The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them. Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. ‘Why are you all coming out to fight?’ he called. ‘I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!’ When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.” 1 Samuel 17:1-11 (NLT)

    * Your Giant might not be named Goliath, it may be named … lying, cheating, gambling, busyness, over-eating, laziness, pornography, smoking, sniffing, shooting, drinking, … and the list goes on!
    * Your Giant may not flaunt itself in the valley but in, the bedroom, in the work place, at the gym, in the refrigerator … and the list goes on!      You know where you are tempted most!!!
    * Your Giant will keep you hostage!
    * You must identify the giant, because you can’t kill a ghost!

    2. Ignore The NAY-SAYERS.

    “One day Jesse said to David, ‘Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.’ David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. ‘Have you seen the giant?’ the men asked. ‘He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!’ David asked the soldiers standing nearby, ‘What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?’ And these men gave David the same reply. They said, ‘Yes, that is the reward for killing him.’ But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. ‘What are you doing around here anyway?’ he demanded. ‘What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!’ ‘What have I done now?’ David replied. ‘I was only asking a question!’ He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.” 1 Samuel 17:17-30 (NLT)

    * Man looks at the outward appearance but man looks at the heart!
    * When was the last time you put yourself in a situation where God had to rescue you?
    * There is a difference in looking like a Christian and being a Christian!
    * We will always have critics who say we cant do it!
    * We have a Goliath to go after, but many times we spend our energy in what others say we can’t do!
    * A Leader who keeps his ear toe the ground leaves his rear open for attach.

    3. Refuse To PROCRASTINATE.

    “Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. ‘Don’t worry about this Philistine,’ David told Saul. ‘I’ll go fight him!’ 1 Samuel 17:31-32 (NLT)

    * David asked several people why they were not stepping up to fight!
    * This was Saul’s fight not Davids, but Saul missed his opportunity see God use him in a powerful way.
    * Procrastination is the assignation of motivation.
    * David didn’t wait around, if he had, he probably would have become like everyone else!
    * Many times we want God to adjust to us instead of us making the needed adjustments God has led us to.

    4. Stay With Your STRENGTHS.

    “‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Saul replied. ‘There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.’ But David persisted. ‘I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,’ he said. ‘When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!’ Saul finally consented. ‘All right, go ahead,’ he said. ‘And may the Lord be with you!’ Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:33-40 (NLT)

    * You are the only one that can be you and get it right!
    * He took 5 stones to kill Goliath because Goliath had 4 brothers and he was going to kill them all!
    * You can’t fight your battles with someone else’s strength or stuff!

    5. Trust Only IN THE LORD.

    “Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. ‘Am I a dog,’ he roared at David, ‘that you come at me with a stick?’ And he cursed David by the names of his gods. ‘Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!’ Goliath yelled. David replied to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give you to us!’” 1 Samuel 17:41-47 (NLT)

    * You never know how great God is until you have been rescued by Him.
    * Faith is believing and repeating what God has already said.
    * The size of your Giant is determined by the size of your God. Big giant, small God. Big God, small giant!

    6. Move Toward The GIANT.

    “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:48-49 (NLT)

    * The longer you look at, analyze, and strategize, the more difficult it is to defeat your giant!

    “I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:60

    7. Finish The JOB.

    “So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.” 1 Samuel 17:50-51 (NLT)

    * Many times we fight against the giant but never finish the job! YOU MUST KILL THE GIANT!
    * Whatever battle you face today it’s not about you, it’s all about God.

    “The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple. For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” Psalm 27:1-5 (NLT)

    * God wants you to triumph so you can tell others about Him and what He has done!
    * What Giant are you facing?

    The greatest Giant we all face is the giant of being lost. The only way I can defeat this Giant is by trusting Jesus, inviting Him into my life, and living with Him as Lord. When I do this, He defeats the giant of lostness and return, gives me salvation through the cross and the resurrected Christ. If you would like more info on this, please click here!

    If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our new website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans soon to join us at FBC Harvester  next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can.

  • Bible Challenge – Genesis 18

    “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” v.14 (NLT)

    What a great question! The obvious answer is, “Of course not!!!!” Because we have other verses that answer this for us. Here are two examples,

    “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NLT)

    “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NLT)

    However, sometimes we don’t take things to GOD that really need to be taken to Him.  In fact, we should take everything to Him because He delights in hearing from us!

    This question reveals much about God. Make it a habit to insert your specific needs into the question.  Example, “Is this problem in my life too hard for the Lord?” “Is this habit that I am trying to break or trying to develop, too hard for the Lord?” “Is the communication problem I am having too hard for Him?” “Are my feeling and sometimes lack of confidence too hard for Him to sort out and build up?”

    Asking the question this way reminds us that we need to talk to God more often.  It also reminds us that God is personally involved in our life and has the power to help in any situation we find ourselves facing … we just have to include Him in the situation, and trust Him with the details and results.

    Today, what are you facing that seems to big for you to handle? Have you asked God help?

  • Sunday AM Remix – 7.10.11

    Another strong day as we continued in our series titled Heroes. In this series, we are revisiting many of the Bible Stories we’ve heard and even learned from a young age, to find that these were ordinary people that God did extraordinary things through and with. This week we looked at the life of Samson a HE-MAN with a SHE-WEAKNESS! Here are my notes from yesterdays time together.

     

    HEROES
    “Samson:  When You Have a Bad Hair Day”
    Judges 13-16

    * God made each of us differently! There are no cookie cutter Christians or cookie cutter experiences.

    * The story of Samson, is different from the other stories we have looked at so far.  The others, God took someone weak and made them look strong through His strength.  With Samson, God takes someone strong and makes them weak to accomplish His greatest work.

    * We must understand that it is not about our ability, it’s about our availability.

    * If you are a child of God and prostitute Gods blessings, consequences will follow!

    THREE BIG THINGS WE NEED TO SEE IN SAMSON’S LIFE

    1.  Samson’s  SUPER START.

     “Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines, who oppressed them for forty years.   In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, ‘Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food.  You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.’”             Judges 13:1-5 (NLT)

    * Your giftedness doesn’t trump your need for Godliness.

    * Many times God can’t use our strength because Satan is using our weakness.

    * Reality: 1 out of 3 American couples deal with infertility.

    – He had a divine PRONOUNCEMENT.

    * Only 4 people in the Bible had a Public pronouncement of their birth.

    – Jesus, Isaac, John the Baptist, & Samson

    – He had dynamic PARENTS.

    * It’s possible to have Godly Parents & have Godless Children.

     – He had a definite PURPOSE.

     * There were three things to a Nazarite Vow

    – No razor could touch their hair.

    – No touching of anything dead.

    – No eating/drinking of anything made from grapes

    2.  Samson’s MASSIVE MISTAKES.

    – 3 Major Flaws of Samson:

      • SELF-INDULGENT

    * Lack of self-control and discipline

    “One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother, ‘A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me.’   His father and mother objected. ‘Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?’ they asked. ‘Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?’   But Samson told his father, ‘Get her for me! She looks good to me.’ His father and mother didn’t realize the Lord was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time.   As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it. When Samson arrived in Timnah, he talked with the woman and was very pleased with her.   Later, when he returned to Timnah for the wedding, he turned off the path to look at the carcass of the lion. And he found that a swarm of bees had made some honey in the carcass. He scooped some of the honey into his hands and ate it along the way. He also gave some to his father and mother, and they ate it. But he didn’t tell them he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion.” Judges 14:1-9 (NLT)

    “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)

    * Samson’s name = Sun Light/Sunshine

    * Even though his name meant Sunshine he lived like darkness.

    * In every sin the DNA is pain.

      • HOT-TEMPERED

     * Anger, Resentment, Revenge.

    “As his father was making final arrangements for the marriage, Samson threw a party at Timnah, as was the custom for elite young men. When the bride’s parentssaw him, they selected thirty young men from the town to be his companions.

    Samson said to them, ‘Let me tell you a riddle. If you solve my riddle during these seven days of the celebration, I will give you thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing. But if you can’t solve it, then you must give me thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing.’  ‘All right,’ they agreed, ‘let’s hear your riddle.’   So he said: ‘Out of the one who eats came something to eat;out of the strong came something sweet.’   Three days later they were still trying to figure it out. On the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, ‘Entice your husband to explain the riddle for us, or we will burn down your father’s house with you in it. Did you invite us to this party just to make us poor?’   So Samson’s wife came to him in tears and said, ‘You don’t love me; you hate me! You have given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.’  ‘I haven’t even given the answer to my father or mother,’ he replied. ‘Why should I tell you?’ So she cried whenever she was with him and kept it up for the rest of the celebration. At last, on the seventh day he told her the answer because she was tormenting him with her nagging. Then she explained the riddle to the young men.   So before sunset of the seventh day, the men of the town came to Samson with their answer:’ What is sweeter than honey?   What is stronger than a lion?’   Samson replied, ‘If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have solved my riddle!’  Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to the town of Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothing to the men who had solved his riddle. But Samson was furious about what had happened, and he went back home to live with his father and mother. So his wife was given in marriage to the man who had been Samson’s best man at the wedding.” Judges 14:10-20 (NLT)

    * The Devil likes to put something sweet into something disgusting.

    * There is always something sweet in the sin of the moment.

    * Truly strong people can control/restrain their anger!

    “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”  Proverbs 16:32 (NLT)

    “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”  Proverbs 14:29 (NLT)

      • CARELESS 

    “One day Samson went to the Philistine town of Gaza and spent the night with a prostitute. Word soon spread that Samson was there, so the men of Gaza gathered together and waited all night at the town gates. They kept quiet during the night, saying to themselves, ‘When the light of morning comes, we will kill him.’   But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the doors of the town gate, including the two posts, and lifted them up, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron… Samson replied, ‘If I were tied up with seven new bowstrings that have not yet been dried, I would become as weak as anyone else.’. . Afterward Delilah said to him, ‘You’ve been making fun of me and telling me lies! Now please tell me how you can be tied up securely.’   Samson replied, ‘If I were tied up with brand-new ropes that had never been used, I would become as weak as anyone else.’. . .

    Then Delilah said, ‘You’ve been making fun of me and telling me lies! Now tell me how you can be tied up securely.’ . . .

    Finally, Samson shared his secret with her. ‘My hair has never been cut,’ he confessed, ‘for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.’. . .

    So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.”  Judges 16:1-3, 7, 10-11, 13, 17, 21 (NLT)

    * Samson became so careless & comfortable that he didn’t realize God had left him.

    * He Looked, Lusted, and fell in Love – this proves that you can fall in love with anyone, that’s why it’s so important to guard your heart.

    “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

    * When you allow temptation to wear you down to will power, you are in trouble – sin is blinding, binding, and grinding

    3.  SAMSON’S SECOND CHANCE.

    “But before long, his hair began to grow back.”  Judges 16:22 (NLT)

    “Then Samson prayed to the Lord, ‘Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.’  Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, he prayed, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.”  Judges 16:28-30 (NLT)

    * This is the first time we see Samson humble and repentant.

    *Samson stood between to pillars with outstretched hands pushing against them. Very similar to the picture we see of Jesus on the cross with outstretched hands to be nailed for our sin.

    * Samson died with his enemies! However, God did more through Samson’s weakness than Samson was able to do his whole life on his and in his own strength.

    “How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.”  Hebrews 11:32 (NLT)

    * Your failures do not have to define you, God is a God of second chances.

    If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our new website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans soon to join us at FBC Harvester  next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can.

  • Bible Challenge – Genesis 17

    “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.’” v.1-2 (NLT)

    This wasn’t the first time God and Abram have ever chatted. But this time God doesn’t just make a promise, he makes a covenant with him. A covenant and promise are very similar but also very different. A promise is God simply saying that He will do something. A covenant is God saying He will do something but also demands something from us. When God appears to Abram, he ask’s him to “Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.” The call is the same for us today. God asks us to serve Him faithfully and to live a blameless life. Lets look at these two a little closer.

    Serving Faithfully can simply be defined by our obedience and disciplines. However, these are outward expressions of having a relationship with Christ. It’s not just doing something for the Lord, its being who the Lord wants us to be. The only way we can do both, is simply spending time with Him on a regular basis through worship, prayer, Bible Reading. It’s hard to know someone you don’t spend much time with.

    Living Blamelessly is a matter of purity. Purity encompasses our thoughts, actions, motives, heart and much much more. Many times when we think of purity we simply think of purity from sexual things. But purity actually involves every aspect of your life.

    Today, Would OTHERS describe you as a person who is Serving God faithfully and living a blameless life? Would YOU describe you as a person who is Serving God faithfully and living a blameless life? Most importantly, would GOD describe you as a person who is Serving Him faithfully and living a blameless life?

  • Bible Challenge – Genesis 16

    “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan” v 1-3 (NLT)

    Sarai took matters into her own hands by giving Hagar to Abram. Like Abram, she had trouble believing God’s promise that was apparently directed specifically toward Abram and Sarai. Out of his lack of faith came a series of problems. This invariably happens when we take over for God, trying to make His promise come true through efforts that are not in line with his specific directions.  In this case, time was the greatest test of Abram and Sarai’s willingness to let God work in their lives. Sometimes we too must simply wait. When we ask God for something and have to wait, we can be tempted to take matters into our own hands and interfere with God’s plans.

    Today, how have you responded to the Lord? Have you trusted Him, ignored Him, or tried to make something happen that He may have even promised in your own timing?

  • Bible Challenge – Genesis 15

    “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” v.6 (NLT)

    Have you ever felt like you were going through the motions, jumping through the right hoops, but still feeling empty? There is a reason for that.  The enemy tries to keep us busy so we feel like we are doing the right things, but only God can can stir our hearts in a way that causes us to feel connected, driven, and effective.  God gives us the why behind the work and the passion behind the perseverance.  But it all starts with a little word called faith!

    When we look at Abrams life it’s easy to see that he had been demonstrating his faith through his actions.  However, it was his faith in the Lord, not his actions, that made Abram right with the Lord.  We, too, can have a right relationship with God simply by trusting Him.  Our outward actions: church attendance, prayer, good deeds, service, will not by themselves make us right with God. (yes you read that right) A right relationship with God is based on faith! Faith is the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. Right actions will follow naturally as a by products to our faith in Christ.

    “Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

     4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. ” Romans 4:1-5 (NLT)

    Today, Are you driven by faith, or by feelings? Both can cause us to do good things, but only one will make us righteous in the eyes of God.