Dan Gould

Tag: FBC Harvester

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.16.11

    How About a New … Mind?

    “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Famous Quote

    *REALITY: You don’t ever do anything that you don’t first think about.
    *Our thoughts produce who we are, which produces our character, which produces our destiny.
    *QUESTION: Have you ever thought about what you think about?

    “For as (a man) thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

    *REALITY: You will either rule your thoughts, or your thoughts will rule you. What you think you become.
    *QUESTION: What thoughts are you allowing to dominate your life?
    *QUESTION: How are your thoughts changing the trajectory of your life? What if your thoughts were revealed, how would that change your life?

    “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ . . .” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

    *The word “captive” literally means to conquer or force into submission.

    ➢ Satan wants to CAPTURE your mind.

    *Another word for capture is “Stronghold”. The Greek word for Stronghold is Ochyroma which means prisoner locked by deception or false ideas.
    *QUESTION: What are some false ideas that the world seems to believe? What about you?

    “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

    *Interesting Fact about the Human Eye: The optic nerve is mad up of several nerves traveling from the eye to the brain. Many people would think that the eye sends signals to brain to let it know what it is seeing. However, this is not the case. The brains actually tells the eye what it is seeing not the eye telling the brain what it’s seeing.
    *REALITY: We only see what our brain tells us to see.

    ➢ The world wants to CONTAMINATE your mind.

    *QUESTION: What are you feeding your mind? Are you feeding it toxins or healthy things?

    “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)

    ➢ God wants to CONTROL your mind.

    “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

    *REALITY: Romans 12:2 reveals Gods will for your life!
    *TRUTH: In order to do what God wants you to do, we have to think about what God wants us to think about.

    YOUR MIND WILL BE TRANSFORMED & GUARDED BY . . .
    *We all have a mental illness … it’s one word called sin.

    1. WORRYING ABOUT NOTHING.

    “. . . do not be anxious about anything . . .” Philippians 4:6a (ESV)

    *Worry causes you to have a divided mind, energy, thoughts, emotions, and Faith. It affect every aspect of your life.

    “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8 (KJV)

    *Worry causes a rut in your mind that every other thought has to travel through.
    *Sadly, Worry has become so common in the church that is has become a respectable sin.
    *TRUTH: Worry is not a weakness, it’s wickedness!

    • Worry is assuming RESPONSIBILITY God NEVER INTENDED you to have.

    *Worry try’s to control the uncontrollable.

    “You will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

    2. PRAYING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

    *REALITY: Sometimes we use prayer as a last resort instead of our first resource.

    “. . . but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
    Philippians 4:6b (ESV)

    *Prayer and panic, Worry and Worship, and Fear and Faith can never co-exist because they are the opposite of each other.
    *There are no big prayers to God … even our biggest worry is small when it comes to God.

    THREE WORDS FOR PRAYER …

    ➢ “Prayer” means WORSHIPING God.

    *This is simply telling God how great He is.
    *We don’t do this because He needs to be reminded of His greatness, we do this to remind ourselves of how great God is.

    ➢ “Supplication” means ASKING God.

    ➢ “Thanksgiving” means APPRECIATING God.

    3. THINKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS.

    *Your mind can store up to 100 trillion thoughts. (Scary but cool)
    *Your mind is a gift from God. However, you have the choice of how you program it.

    “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 (ESV)

    *These 8 underlined words in Philippians 4:7-9 becomes the filter in which we submit our thoughts.

    “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word.” Psalm 119:9 (NLT)

    “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

    “. . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (ESV)

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1. As a group, create a list or discuss what a Spiritually Healthy Mind looks like.

    2. What thoughts are you allowing to dominate your life? What if your thoughts were revealed, how would that change your life? How are your thoughts changing the trajectory of your life?

    3.  Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  Pastor Bob described a ‘stronghold’ as a false idea that dominates our life.  It’s a lie of Satan that we have believed.  An example is a thin, pretty girl who thinks of herself as fat and ugly.  Do you have any ‘strongholds’ that hinder your thinking? How do you think they got there?  What steps do you need to take to tear them down?

    4.  Read Proverbs 15:14.  With all of the technology and entertainment available today its easy to feed our mind on the wrong things.  When you look at them from God’s perspective are they helpful and beneficial to your mind?  Describe the things you feed your mind that are mental health food, mental junk food, and mental toxic food.

    5.  Read Romans 12:2.  Share some ways God has transformed your heart and mind since you’ve become a follower of Jesus.

    6.  Read Philippians 4:6 and James 1:8.  Pastor Bob said, “Worry is assuming a responsibility that God never intended you to have.”  What are some things in life you worry about most?  Why is this wrong? What should you do first about it?

    7. Paul gives three types of prayer that can help us with our worries: prayer that adores God, prayer that asks of God, and prayer that appreciates God.  What kind of praying do you do most?  What area do you need to work on most?  Why?

    8.  Read Philippians 4:8.  Describe the eight ‘filters’ God wants us to push all of our thoughts through.  How would this help your thought life?  How could daily intake of God’s Word help you?

    9. Maintaing a healthy mind is growing in Gods Truth and Knowledge of His plan for your life, by staying connected to him daily through Prayer and Study of His Word. Read John 15:1-8. How would applying this passage change the way you live?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Hosanna – Baloche

    1st Love – Horn

    You Alone Can Rescue – Redman

    In Christ Alone – Young

    Before The Throne – Shane & Shane

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. 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 on 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 – 10.2.11

    * The Greatest sin in the church today is not the sin of any commission or the sin of omission, it’s the sin of NO MISSION!

    * We have to understand that the church isn’t a LOVE BOAT but a LIFE BOAT, not a COUNTRY CLUB but a RESCUE STATION.

    * This isn’t another teaching to fill us up, its one to send us out! It’s not meant to be a check up from the neck up!

    * At FBCH we want to be a church that WORSHIPS, LOVES, Goes!

    ** God wants us to love Him with everything. That’s WORSHIP!

    ** God wants us to love one another deeply. That’s LOVE!

    ** God wants us to love the lost. That’s GOING!

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . .” Matthew 28:19(NKJV)

    * Jesus never meant for the church to be a come and hear church, He sent them out with go and tell message!

    * You can’t spell Gospel with out the word GO.

    * QUESTION:Where are the places that God has sent you? Are you taking the Gospel to these places? Why or Why not?

    “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith inChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)

    * There are only 2 types of people in the Bible: Those that are FOUND and those that are LOST.

    * When we refer to the LOST we are NOT referring to them in a negative way.  All of us know what it feels like to be lost and need to  remember that so we can appreciate what it means to be found even more!

    * TRUTH: We will never understand the state of our LOSTNESS until we understand the fullness of being FOUND!

    ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’ Luke 19:10 (NLT)

    * This is why Jesus came, and this is why we are to go and share!

    * Of the 9 times the Bible talks about the lost, 5 of them are found in Luke 15.

    * TRUTH: Our faith is personal. But it was never meant to be private! We must be people who are willing to go and share because…

    OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LOST PEOPLE …

    1.  LOST PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE.

     “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.”  Luke 15:1 (NKJV)

    * Jesus was a magnet for the lost people!

    * There is a difference in being ODD and being DIFFERENT. Being ODD repels people! Being DIFFERENT, causes them to question and wonder why or what makes you different.

    ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.’  Matthew 7:13 (NIV)

    * Jesus calls us to be different. However, the world wants us to blend in, to be good.  In fact, the world tries to get us to blur the line so it’s not so clear as to whats right and whats wrong.

    * QUESTIONS: What lines seem to have become a blur in your life? What steps need to be taken to clarify them?

     2.  LOST PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING.

    “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.”  Luke 15:1 (NKJV)

    * Lost people don’t know they are lost!

    * All people are shaped with a God shaped vacuum in their heart that they try to fill with things that only Jesus can fill and fully satisfy.

    3.  LOST PEOPLE ARE A NUISANCE TO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE.

     “And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’”  Luke 15:2 (NKJV)

    * There is difference in being RELIGIOUS and be GOSPEL DRIVEN.

    * Being Religious is not the goal, nor a good thing.

    * God help us if we are a religious church

    * QUESTION: How do you tell the difference in someone who is Religious and someone who is Gospel Driven? Which one are you? Would others agree?

    * The church is WHO we are not WHERE we meet!

    *TRUTH: When we hate a lost person, it puts us as an enemy of GOD! (Remember Luke 19:20)

    4.  LOST PEOPLE ARE WORTH THE SEARCH.

    * God takes attendance much differently than we do! We look at who and how many are present, God looks at who and how many are absent! OUCH!

    * QUESTION: Who is missing that you have direct influence with?

    ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?’  Luke 15:4 (NKJV)

    ‘Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?’  Luke 15:8 (NKJV)

    The shepherd felt a sense of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for the one lost. 

    * TRUTH: Some if us are the only Christians our family and friends may ever know.

    * QUESTION: If it’s not me, than who?

    The shepherd felt a sense of URGENCY for the one lost.

    * TRUTH: Some if us are the only Christians our family and friends may ever know.

    * QUESTION: If it’s not me, than who?

    The shepherd felt a sense of COMPASSION for the one lost.

    * TRUTH: Typically the most evangelistic people are the ones who have just been found.

    * QUESTION: When was the last time shared about Christ with someone who was lost? How did it go? What did you learn from the experience?

     5.  LOST PEOPLE ARE JOYOUSLY CELEBRATED WHEN FOUND.

     ‘And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’  Luke 15:5-7

     ‘And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!”  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15:9-10 (NKJV)

    * As a church we want to engage and equip our people Locally and Globally.  We feel that we can do this best through our Small Groups (Life Groups & Bible Studies).

    ** Each small groups will be given a family to connect with thru our partnership with We Love St. Charles.  We will use a Coats for Kids initiative to begin to link families with our small groups so they can begin to develop a relationship with their family by sharing with actions so they can share with words.

    ** Each small group will be strongly encouraged to partner with one of out local missions partners so their group can have the opportunity to serve together with people who are reaching out to this community meeting needs and sharing the hope found in the Gospel.

    ** Here is a list of the Local and Global Partnerships that align with the vision of our church

    LOCAL MISSIONS
    The primary way that Harvester serves our local community of St. Charles is through We Love St. Charles. This organization is a movement of volunteers gathered for the purpose of taking city initiative to bring restoration to those in need of assistance in the City of St. Charles. To learn more about We Love St. Charles, click here.

    Our Lady’s Inn
    Our Lady’s Inn is an emergency shelter for pregnant women in crisis, helping them to choose life for their child.

    Habitat for Humanity
    Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

    Christian Activity Center
    The CAC is an after-school center in the Samuel Gompers Housing Projects of East St. Louis, which provides a safe, Christ-centered environment for kids.

    Powell Terrace
    Powell Terrace is a food pantry near downtown St. Charles that helps those in need through the weekly collection and distribution of food.

    The Sparrow’s Nest
    The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home will be a Christ-centered shelter providing care and education to homeless, pregnant, and parenting teens. Their mission is to provide a wide range of services that empower these young mothers to make positive and healthy life decisions for themselves and their babies. The Sparrow’s Nest will open its doors July 2012 in St. Charles County.

    Carpenters for Christ
    C4C undertakes construction projects throughout the year in order to help individuals, churches, and communities in need.

    GLOBAL MISSIONS
    To serve our partners globally, we have planned a number of mission opportunities for 2011-2012.

    Madhya Pradesh, India
    Our effort is focused on developing church planting movements in order to grow healthy churches allowing Gospel access through native believers to the entire state. More specifically, this effort is aimed at the state’s Unengaged and Unreached People Groups.

    October 2011 – Church Planter Training and Discipleship
    February 2012 – Church Planter Training and Discipleship
    July 2012 – Partner Support, VBS
    July 2012 – City Evangelism

    East Asia
    Our team will go into English language college classes as an introduction to students for the purpose of sharing the Gospel through relational evangelism.

    May 14-30, 2012 – Student Evangelism

    Bengkulu, Indonesia
    This will be our first trip to our new mission partnership! We will be exploring the opportunities in this area where there is no known church or Gospel effort.

    September 2012 – Discovery Trip

    International Students, Inc.
    We are partnered with ISI at Lindenwood University attempting to reach international students with the Gospel through relational evangelism.

    WHAT CAN I DO?

    • PRAY 

     “He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”  Matthew 9:37 (NLT)

    • LOVE the lost.
    • GIVE your money.
    • PACK your bags.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    As Bob mentioned on Sunday, this isn’t another teaching to fill us up, it’s one to send us out! As we begin to GO, will you think about the role you play in accomplishing this mission?  Are you willing to stack hands with us? Will you join us in praying Ephesians 3:20 over the opportunities we have as a church to impact this community?

    1.  Pastor Bob made this statement: “The church is not a clubhouse. It is a rescue station.  We are not the Love Boat.  We are to be a lifeboat. Never ever forget that the church is the only organization that exists primarily for those people who are not members yet.  It is the church God has chosen to use to get the Gospel out and draw people to Himself.”  What are your thoughts?  How is our church doing? What role do you play in the solution?

    2.  God doesn’t waste any opportunities. People are in your life for a reason. Who is the person or people currently in your path that are lost? How can you be more intentional in sharing your life and the Gospel?

    4. Many times “churched people” eliminate their friendships with the lost. We huddle in a Christian bubble. Can you remember when you were spiritually lost and separated from God? How were you found?

    5.  How do you tell the difference between someone who is Religious and someone who is living out the Gospel? Which one are you? Would others agree? Why or Why not?

    6.  Read Luke 15:1-2.  What was it about Jesus that had sinners flocking to Him?  How can we imitate this?  Should we? Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. What does this passage say we are to do?

    7. Read Luke 15:3-32 and answer these question:

    * How were each of the valuable items lost?

    * How much passion/energy was put out in the search?

    * How does the search for the sheep and coin differ from the search for the lost son?  Why is this?

    * What is the common denominator in verses 6, 9-10, and 22-24?  Is this how you feel when people are saved?  Why or why not?

    8. FBCH is strongly connected to local and global mission partnerships!  How are you currently involved?  How can your life group do a better job of strengthening our missions effort?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    For Your Glory – Matt Maher

    Everlasting God – Brown

    The Solid Rock – Page CXVI

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. 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 – 9.18.11

    We started a brand new series this weekend titled Refresh. Over the last year, we have embraced these three words as a church … worship, love, go. During this series, we will be casting vision as to what each of these words look like for us as a church and what they mean for us as individuals.  Here are my notes from the first week of Refresh

    Refresh
    “Worship”
    Isaiah 58:1-9

    Worship can be described in a lot of ways.  We want to be a church were Worship happens.  However, there are some things that we need to understand about it so we can fully engage in it.

    * Worship isn’t about where you are physically but where you are spiritually.

    * Singing is the movement of your mouth, Worship is the movement of your heart.

    “The Lord says, ‘These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.  Their worship of Me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’” Isaiah 29:13 (NIV)

    * We can do many things without totally putting our heart into what we are doing.

    ** Singing without heart is not Worship, it’s simply music.

    ** Preaching without heart is not Worship, it’s simply a lecture.

    * If we can get excited about temporal things, how much more should we get excited about eternal things?

    * REALITY – Many people attend church services but never worship.

     “‘Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.’” Isaiah 58:1-2 (ESV) 

    * Getting caught up in the routine of righteous things is not what pleases the Lord, He desires a righteous heart seeking Him completely.

    * SCARY THOUGHT – God doesn’t go to every church! Some church have been going through the motions for so long they haven’t even noticed He was missing.

    * The fire in the pew never burns hotter than the fire in pulpit.

    * The Pastor is the thermostat for the people they are leading.

    1.  GOD IGNORES OUR WORSHIP WHEN WE ARE…

    • SELFISH

     “Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all you workers” Isaiah 58:3b (ESV)

    * QUESTION – Who are you doing worship for?

    * We can’t have everything we want and throw God in on the side. Because we grow to where we don’t need Him. In this we grow restless and complacent.

    * We must realize that worship has never been about us, it has always been about Him.

    “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”  Psalm 66:18 (NKJV)

    * TEST – When was the last time you  turned everything off and focused on God? Yes this includes your phone, e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. OUCH!

    * REALITY – Many of us never shut down our stuff even for a Worship Service

    * QUESTION – Am I here for God or am I here for myself?

    • STRIFE-FILLED 

    “Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist.  Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.”  Isaiah 58:4 (ESV)

    * Jesus said that people will know that we are His Disciples by the way we love one another.

    * If we can’t love the people we can see, how can we love the one we can’t see?

    “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.”  1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

    “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives.  Treat your wife with understanding as you live together.  She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life.  Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”  1 Peter 3:7 (NLT)

    * Just because we do the right things, does not mean God listens.  He has instructed us on how to live, yet we still want to do it our way and have Him adjust to us.

     

    • SUPERFICIAL

    * TRUTH: It’s easier to focus on the externals and look good on the outside than it is to do the hard work of changing from the inside out.

     “Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself?  Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?  Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?”  Isaiah 58:5 (ESV)

    * Burlap & sackcloth were signs of brokenness. It was displaying on the outside the dirtiness that was being felt on the inside. However, over time, this just became routine.

    * QUESTION: What externals have you allowed to become routine?

    * REALITY – We can do all the externals and never leave eternally changed or different.

     

    2.  GOD IGNITES OUR WORSHIP WHEN WE …..

    • Experience the FREEDOM OF CHRIST.

    “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”  Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)

    * The idea here is being freed from the bondage of sin … we could spend all kinds of time naming and listing these sins, but you know the one that really seems to keep you trapped.

    * When we are set free from sins bondage we don’t surrender to it anymore.

    “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

     * TRUTH – “Whoever the Son sets Free, is Free Indeed.” John 8:36 

    * Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 (ESV)

    • Express the COMPASSION OF CHRIST.

     “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”  Isaiah 58:7 (ESV)

    We are called to show compassion to the …

    • HUNGRY (Others)
    • HOMELESS (Others)
    • HELPLESS (Others)
    • HOMESTEAD (Family)

     

    WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD SHOWS UP?

    “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord with answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’” Isaiah 58:8-9a (ESV)

     1.  LIGHT 

    * God will shine His Face on us so we can be the light of the world.

    2.  RECOVERY

    * Healing will Happen

    3.  RIGHTEOUSNESS

    * Because of Christ we have Victory!

    4.  PROTECTION

    * The Glory of the Lord shall be your rear God … God’s got yo back.

     5.  PROVISION

    * You shall call on the Lord and He will answer you.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1.  What is your favorite part of a worship service?  Why?  What is your least favorite?  Why?

    2.  Read Isaiah 29:13.  What is God’s indictment of the Israelites?  How could you apply this to your worship life?

    3.  What does passionate, heartfelt worship look like to you?

    4.  Read Isaiah 58:1-5.  God says He ignores worship that is selfish (verse 3), strife-filled (verse 4), and superficial (verse 5).  What does it mean for God to ignore our worship?  How do you see these three problems in the church or in your own life?

    5.  Read 1 Peter 3:7.  How does marital problems hinder worship?  Why does God force us to get along with our spouse in order to have a close relationship with Him?

    6.  Read Isaiah 58:6 and Galatians 5:1.  How do these two verses go together?  How should our worship be a celebration of freedom?  What have you been freed from through the cross of Jesus?

    7.  Read Isaiah 58:7.  God says one way to prepare ourselves for great worship is to diligently with four groups of people: the hungry, the homeless, the helpless, and the homestead.  How are you doing in these four areas?  How could you do better?  How could your group work together to help others and improve corporate worship?

    8.  Read Isaiah 58:8-9.  God promises four blessings of powerful worship: light (verse 8), healing (verse 8), righteousness (verse 8), protection (verse 8), and provision (verse 9).  Which one of those excites you the most?  Which one do you need most in your life right now?

    9.  What area of your worship life needs the most improvement?  What steps are you going to take to make adjustments?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Awesome Is The Lord Most High-Able

    Your Grace Is Enough-Maher

    One Thing Remains-Jesus Culture

    Be Thou My Vision-Glorious Unseen

    Christ Is Risen-Maher

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. 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 – 9.11.11

    Why Would a Good God Allow
    Innocent People to Suffer?
    September 11, 2011

    If I could ask God ….? Have you ever thought or said something like this? Let’s be honest, we all have things that we don’t understand, things that cause us to question. Even some of the greatest people in the Bible asked Why? Listed below are just a few:

    (Gideon) “…if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:13

    (David) “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1

    (Jesus) “At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice… ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” Matthew 27:46

    George Barna asked people if there was one thing they could ask God what would it be? The number one question was this: “If God is a loving God, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world today?

    Many of us would probably agree to this also. I mean look around us, things don’t seem to be getting better.  Maybe some more questions to ask would be: Why do babies, children, and teenagers die at young ages? Why do good people fail, and bad people succeed? Why do people have brain tumors, cancer, and other ailments that limit their life? Why is there so much violence in the world? Why do 1/3 of the kids in the world today go to bed hungry?

    These are all questions that we want answers for, and sadly, when we can’t find the answers we want to place the blame.  However, these questions cause us to respond in one of two ways.

    WAYS TO RESPOND TO SUFFERING

    • THE SKEPTICS RESPONSE TO SUFFERING:

    Many times when bad things happen and we look to place blame on someone or something, we place our blame on God.  However, we must remember that Christians believe that God exists, that He is all good, all powerful, all knowing, and that evil exists. We become skeptics when we believe …

    1.  God is not POWERFUL ENOUGH to help me.

    This has been coined as Open Theism. Open Theism is the belief that there is a God, but he can’t help us because He doesn’t know the future and in this has limited power.

    The Bible however says,

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

    “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good” Proverbs 15:3

    2.  God is not CARING ENOUGH to help me.

    We see this differently when we look at the truth of scripture.  The Bible describes and says this about God,

    “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

    “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:7

    • 4 BIBLICAL RESPONSES TO SUFFERING:

     1.  GOD HASN’T TOLD US EVERYTHING.

    This isn’t a copout!!! Have you ever known a know-it-all? They aren’t very fun to be around are they? God has intentionally not told us everything. There is a mystery to life whether we like it or not.  In fact, if God told us everything, we still wouldn’t understand.

     “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

    Circle the words but then.  But Then means that one day we will see perfectly. This only happens when we are in the presence of God in Heaven.

    “Life can only be understood backward, but must be lived forward.” Soren Kierkegaard.

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 

    Heres the Truth – you will either put your trust in your own knowledge and understanding or you will put your trust in the Lord. It’s better to be the one who trust that God has all the answers then to be the one who needs all the answers.

    2.  GOD ISN’T THE AUTHOR OF EVIL.

    When God created all that we have seen and yet to see he describes it as excellent!

    “Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was excellent in everyway.” Genesis 1:31

    If this is so, where did evil come from? Great question! What separates Humans from all of Gods other creation is the fact that we have the ability to choose. Animals live by instinct but humans live by a series of choices.  In fact, we can override, hide, and ignore deep feelings if we choose too. He has given us an element of free will.  The reason God has done this is so we can choose to Love Him in the same way He has loved us. He wants us to choose to love Him because if He forced us to love Him it wouldn’t be love,  it would be duty or obligation.

    WHERE DOES SUFFERING COME FROM?

    SINFUL choices.

    “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

    Truth: People starve people and God gets the blame. People hurt people and God gets the blame. Our sinful choices impact all areas of our life and we see it lived out in the world today

    SATAN.

    “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

    “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10

    NATURAL LAWS of a broken world.

    Truth: Everything is affected by Sin!

     “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are.  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse.  But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”  Romans 8:19-22

    3.  GOD CAN USE PAIN TO PRODUCE GOOD.

    “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son…” Romans 8:28-29

    Will you circle the word everything. God uses everything in our life to bring Glory to His name. We have to understand that happiness doesn’t always lead to Holiness. Gods intent is to always make us Holy, then happiness tend to follow.

    “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8

    Some of our deepest learnings and most heart wrenching prayers happen in times of great need. I’m not talking about the spare tire prayer we pray when something happens, I’m talking about the pursuit of God in a time when we realize how great our need is for Him.

    One person described pain and suffering as Gods way of revealing Himself to the world. Every time an unbeliever gets cancer or a life threatening illness or ailment, a believer gets that same ailment to show Gods great power through their journey and Faith.

    The Bible records this story in John 9,

    “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’ 3 ‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered.’This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.’”

    4.  GOD WILL BRING AN END TO EVIL AND SUFFERING.

    “I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne.  And the books were opened, including the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to what they had done…” Revelations 20:12

    “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look the home of God is now among His people!  He will live with them, and they will be His people.  God Himself will be with them.  He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  For the old world and its evil are gone forever.’” Revelations 21:3-4

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1.  List five national events that are so memorable that you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. (examples: Pearl Harbor bombing, Challenger space shuttle explosion)

    2.  Where were you when the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11/01?  How did it affect you?

    3.  Read 1 Corinthians 13:12.  What things are difficult for human beings to see clearly?  What are you currently struggling with that forces you to trust and depend on God even when you don’t understand?

    4. Do you think we have a free will to choose to love God or not, or do you believe God picks out those who will love Him?  How does the power of choice lead to sin, evil, and suffering in the world?

    5.  Read Romans 8:28-29 and Hebrews 5:8.  How have you seen God take something ‘bad’ from your life and make something ‘good’ out of it?  What are some of the more difficult/ ways God carves people into being more like Jesus?

    6.  One writer wrote, “I believe for every unbeliever who gets cancer, God allows a believer to get cancer so that the world can see the difference.”  What do you think about this statement?  Have you ever seen this?

    7.  Read Revelation 20:12.  How will non-believers be judged by God?  How will believers be judged by God?

    8.  Read Revelation 21:3-4.  What excites you about heaven and eternity?  Are you eager or reluctant for Christ to return to end the world as we know it?  Why?

    9.  How has this study impacted your thoughts on evil and suffering in the world?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    It Is Well

    Rescue/Everything by Sojourn Community

    Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture

    How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. 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 – 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 – 6.5.11

    Today we started a brand new series called Heroes! We are unpacking the proof that God can use anybody. During the series we’ll look at Old Testament examples of real people who did extraordinary things because of their faith. Today, we looked at the life of Noah!

    Heroes
    “Noah:  When You Are Caught in a Storm”
    Genesis 6:5 – 7:1

    * The story of the flood is not a nice little story about animals and a rainbow; It’s a story about sin and judgement.

    * We will only obey God in the storm to the degree we trust God before the storm comes.

    * The storm doesn’t always grow our faith, but it does reveal our faith!

    3 KINDS OF FAITH:

    ➢ FAIR WEATHER faith.

    * The idea that as long as things are going good, you and God are tight!  But when things start going bad, your out.

    * Fair Weather Faith people say, “God as long as you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.”

    ➢ FOUL WEATHER faith.

    * Rushing to God when all else fails.

    * Praying, “God if you do this …. I will …”

    * Seeks God only in Crisis

    ➢ ALL-WEATHER faith.

    * Obeying God regardless!

    * Being faithful in easy and difficult times.

    TO OBEY GOD IN THE STORM LIKE NOAH:

    1. We must DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.

    * Noah is like a donut at a weight watchers convention!  – he stood out!

    * We live in a world that is afraid of standing out and being different.

    “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)

    * The word perfect here does not mean sinless but blameless.  Noah was blameless when compared to others.

    “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark . . .” Matthew 24:37-38 (NKJV)

    “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)

    * The majority isn’t always right! God + 1 = a majority

    * Conformity is often the enemy of Christianity!

    – Does my life look more much different from everyone else?

    – Remember, the fear of man is a trap.

    * When everyone was walking away from God, Noah walked with God!

    2. We must TRUST GOD COMPLETELY.

    * We obey based on how much we trust God.

    * Noah was 500 miles from the Mediterranean Sea when he built the Ark by faith

    ➢ Jesus and the Ark: INSIDE is the Only SAFE Place.

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – Everything IN the Ark was safe!

    – Everything is Christ will be saved!

    “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6 (NKJV)

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – There was only one way into the Ark.

    – Jesus is the only way to God.

    ➢ Jesus and the Ark: Both absorbed God’s JUDGEMENT.

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – The Flood was the picture of Gods Judgement & the Ark absorbed it.

    – The Cross was the picture of Gods Judgement & the Cross absorbed it.

    “Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’” Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

    ‘Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.’ Genesis 8:16 (NKJV)

    3. We must REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

    * It took Noah between 98-120 years to build the Ark! That’s a long time to want to give up!

    PROBLEMS → PRESSURES → PEOPLE  Will Tempt You to Give Up.

    “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

    4. We must BE READY FOR ANOTHER ATTACK.

    * Satan will not leave you alone because you do one thing right, or persevere through one storm.

    “And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.”
    Genesis 9:20-21 (NKJV)

    * Satan is relentless in his attack on us.

    – We may avoid one attack, but be warned, there is another one coming.

    * Looking at the end of Noahs life we see that the last 1/3 of his life was spent coasting and doing nothing for God.

    – The challenge is to serve the Lord all the days of our life!

    – If you Coast you’re toast!

    ONE LAST THOUGHT

     We all have Ark moments; the question is will you be ready for yours?

    This is going to be another great series.  If you missed any of the talks from our Parent Trapped series, make sure you check them out here.  If you missed today, or want to just watch it again, you can do so by clicking here.

    I hope you make plans soon to join us at FBC Harvester!  If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teaching. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here we would love the privilege of helping where we can.

    Lastly, here are the songs we sang during our time together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.29.11

    What a great day at FBC Harvester. We honored our Veterans, wrapped up a great series on parenting, and I had the privilege to baptize my oldest son!!!! With that being said, this series has been so good for Steph and I an I know its been good for our church. I’ve laughed, I’ve thought, I’ve been encouraged, and I’ve also been convicted. It has caused me to really look at how I am parenting, and I hope it has done the same for you.

    Here are my notes from week 5 as we wrap up this series with the topic “Dealing with Discipline.”

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “Dealing with Discipline”

    * The reason kids are out of control at school is because they have too much control at home! – Wow so true!

    “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18 (NLT)

    * 2 things to notice from this verse about discipline

    1. Start Early while kids are small! – you can always excuse immediate consequences, but you set your child up for failure in the future by doing so.

    2. How you discipline your child affects the quality of the rest of their life! – Discipline is like potty training, its miserable going thru it, but it marvelous when its done. Remember The end product is worth the process!!!

    Note: notice who’s at fault if your child is undisciplined.

    “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11(NIV)

    WHEN DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD . . .

    1. FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE.

    “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten . . . “ Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)

    • For IDENTIFICATION.

    “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all.” Hebrews 12:6-8 (NLT)

    * When you discipline your child, you are saying that you belong to me!

    • For PREVENTION.

    “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
    2 Corinthians 12:6-7 (NLT    )

    * When you discipline, you tell your child that you love them too much to put them in that situation to deal with that temptation.

    * This is preventative discipline.

    • For EDUCATION.

    “I use to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your Word . . . The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your principles. . . I know, O Lord, that Your decisions are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it.”
    Psalm 119:67, 71, 75

    * Sometimes we have to be broken down because we have the tendency to run off!

    2. BELIEVE GOD’S WORD.

    ➢ God Says Discipline Will . . .

    • Lead To KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM.

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)

    “A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction” Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)

    * If you never point out whats wrong, how will they ever get it right?

    • Save You SOME HEARTACHE.

    “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.” Proverbs 29:15 (NLT)

    • Root Out REBELLION.

    “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” Proverbs 22:15 (NLT)

    “The rod and rebuke give wisdom. . .” Proverbs 29:15a (NKJV)

    * God has given a spanking spot for each child! It’s located right at the lower back and just above the legs!

    * Spanking is the last option, rebuking always comes first!

    • Steers Toward SALVATION.

    * Use Discipline to guide them to salvation and the right direction they are supposed to go!

    * They need Firm Direction!!!!

    “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14 (NKJV)

    * Know when to pat high (on back) and when to pat low (on butt)!

    3. DELIVER IT GOD’S WAY.

    ➢ LOVINGLY.

    “Man’s anger does not bring the righteous life God desires.” James 1:20

    * Discipline is not revenge for action, its goal is always driven by repentance.

    *Punishment focuses on the outward action, where discipline focuses on the inward attitude.

    * Discipline in calm ways!

    ➢ FIRMLY.

    ➢ SPARINGLY.

    “Fathers, don’t scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying.” Colossians 3:21 (LB)

    It has been a great series.  If you missed today or any other week in this series, I highly encourage you to watch the message on-line by clicking here. Next week we start a new series so make plans now to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    I hope the Parent Trapped series has been helpful and challenged you to think about the way you parent! My prayer is that all of us would strive to raise our kids in the type of Home they really need. One that will set biblical principles and point them into a relationship with Christ!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.22.11

    Here is the outline from week 4 of our series called Parent Trapped.  Sadly, yet excitedly I was unable to be here for the message because my wife and I were closing on our house in Texas to finalize our move to Texas.  When things get settled here (aka boxes unpacked and honey-do-lists comp …. well thats an endless list so lets not wait on that), the both of us will sit down and watch the message together and I’ll update this post then.


    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Children Wish Their Parents Knew”

    “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.” Proverbs 10:1 (NLT)

    “Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.” Proverbs 17:25 (NLT)

    CHILDREN WOULD LOVE TO SAY TO THEIR PARENTS . . .

    1.  “SOMETIMES JUST LISTEN TO ME WITHOUT JUDGING ME OR TRYING TO FIX ME.”

    “. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . .” James 1:19b (NIV)

    “The first duty of love is to listen.” Paul Tillich

    • 4 Parent Traps of Communication:

    ➢ Exaggeration

    ➢ Martyr Complex

    ➢ Comparison

    ➢ Prophesy

    2. “I’M NOT YOU, SO HELP ME BE ME.”

    “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. . .” Proverbs 24:3 (NIV)

    “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

    “Whoever is patient has great understanding. . .” Proverbs 14:29a (NIV)

    3. “I RESPOND BETTER TO PRAISE THAN TO CRITICISM.”

    “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

    “Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 (NLT)

    4. WHEN YOU DISRESPECT MY FRIENDS, I HEAR YOU CRITICIZING ME.

    “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)

    ‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.’ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

    “Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.” Proverbs 28:7 (NLT)

    5. “I MAY ACT LIKE I DON’T LIKE RULES, BUT I NEED SOME LIMITS.”

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 10:17

    ➢ BE CLEAR.

    ➢ BE CONSISTENT.

    ➢ BE UNIFIED.

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.15.11

    Another strong weekend at FBC Harvester as we continued with week 3 of our “Parent Trapped” series. In this series we are addressing Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls. If you are like me, this series has been very helpful and encouraging!!! Understanding that NOTHING impacts my kids life more than the relationship that they have with mom and dad causes me to want to be the best parent I can be. And I am sure it does the same for you. Here are my notes from todays topic: What Parents Wish Their Children Knew.

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Parents Wish their Children Knew”
    Selected Scriptures

    “Whatever you do gain understanding . . .” Proverbs 2:2

    WHAT PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO SAY . . .

    1. TO ALL THEIR CHILDREN.

    ➢ “I’m not an EXPERT; this is on the JOB TRAINING.”

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

    * Parenting is by trial and error – you the kids are on trial and we the parents will make the errors.

    ➢ “When I say ‘NO’ there is usually a better ‘YES’ ahead.”

    * Parents long to say yes, but there are times that they must say no! – side note – saying no to the right things can be difficult, but our role as parents are to shape our kids in a way that protects, strengthens, and develops their character!

    * The #1 rule in Parenting: Keep the child ALIVE!

    ➢ “I’m not trying to TIE YOU DOWN; I’m trying to LAUNCH YOU OUT.”

    “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. . .” Psalm 127:4-5a (NKJV)

    * Once the warrior/archer launches the arrow, he or she cannot change it’s direction!
    * As parents, we need to be shaping and molding aiming our kids to hit the target, A personal relationship with Jesus!
    * An Arrow can go places the warrior cannot go!
    * We have an opportunity to send our kids places we can never go!

    2. TO THEIR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN.

    ➢ “You NEED Jesus!”

    “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
    Mark 16:16 (NLT)

    * We don’t graduate from the Gospel … we live in it!

    “Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.’” Luke 18:16 (NLT)

    * Many times for kids that grow up in the church, the benchmark of their faith is their baptism.

    ➢ “If you learn to OBEY NOW you can avoid some MAJOR PAIN in the future.”

    “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 (NLT)

    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

    “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV)

    3. TO THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Your PURITY is so important.”

    “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.” Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)

    “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 (NLT)

    * 4 reasons to remain pure

    ** Sin always leaves a scar
    ** When choosing to Sin, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to stop later on in life
    ** Sin produces wasted opportunities
    ** Sin produces a Life filled with regret

    ➢ “Your ATTITUDE is as important as your ACTIONS.”

    * If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you attitude should be different!

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

    4. TO THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Let’s have an ONGOING RELATIONSHIP”

    “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)

    ➢ “Be faithful TO THE LORD.”

    “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NLT)

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Shallow Small Groups … Yikes!