Your Significance in the Eyes of God

Last Sunday during morning worship, I spontaneously, between songs began to speak about your significance in the eyes of God. Isn't it amazing that our heavenly Father loves us so much, finds us so significant to the point that He would send His very best gift...Jesus to die for us. He died because He cares so much about each person that He made it possible for each of us to know Him by the shed Blood of Christ which washes away the sins of all who will accept this incredible gift.

So many people are confused. They believe that the "god" they serve is so hateful, he has so little respect for his own creation that he would find pleasure in the slaughter of those who do not serve him. Even some "Christians" believe that our God is so weak that He would need us to kill abortion practitioners in the name of God... This is not the God of the Bible. The God of scripture respects life so much, finds the life of each person who would read this post to be so significant, that He died for us in order to preserve life.

Wherever you find yourself in life today, remember, Jesus loves you and has a plan for your life. A plan to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future. A plan to one day bless you in ways that He says our minds cannot even imagine. You are valuavble in the sight of God. Come and find out how to put this great Love to use in your life today.

Lakewood Music used at IPHC General Conference

Discipleship

Recently someone shared with me how they had sort-of "backslid" some over the last few months, but they had been restored. This person never fell completely off the gospel ship, they were just hanging over the edge of the boat by the rail! I was thinking how amazing God's grace is. This person was asking me could they continue to see God fulfill their dreams even though they had made some serious errors...what a joy it was to assure them that the Lord forgives and his true people forgive. I rejoice in the God of restoration who doesn't look at our past, but looks at the incredible future He has for us that we cannot even begin to imagine. I told this person how the Lord had prompted me to pray for them during this time, similar to the way Jesus prayed to the Father that Satan would not be successful in sifting Peter. As I spoke to this person I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me "This is what my church is about." Restoring broken lives, repairing torn relationships, and speaking power into the lives of the downtrodden who will become the victorious liberators of the captives. This is the church in all its glory. Making disciples, following Jesus the King. Who have you encouraged this week?

August Message Blog

Wednesday August 3- "How to Get Closer to God" James 4:8
Sunday August 7- 10 am "Your Significance in the Eyes of God"- Pastor Brian
6 pm "The Good Minister" by Pastor Brian, special prayer for Pastor Chris
- immediately following service: Pastor Chris Party

August 2005

Pastor's brief blog concerning church services and personal life events:

August 3, 2005- Tonight Youth Pastor Chris Hanson resigned after more than 3 1/2 years of meritorious service. He felt the Lord calling him into a full-time teaching position. He is moving to Tuscaloosa, AL to work at a Christian School where he will teach algebra. Chris' last day will be Sunday with a special service honoring him at 6 p.m. Harvest is now receiving resumes for a full-time youth pastor. Pastor Kirk is going to step up to the plate in the interim period. Chris will be greatly missed, and he is loved by all. We bless him as he goes to fulfill God's destiny for his life, complete a master's degree, find a wife and go to lots of Alabama games.
It was good to have many people back tonight who have been having the summer time blues.

August 1, 2005- Last week was a great time at the churches' General Conference (every 4 years). We attended meetings and church services everyday. Some days started with a breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. and ended after 10:30 p.m. in the night services. The Holy Spirit spoke powerfully to the church at large and Brian and Heather Farley. The denomination made some rather significant changes which included: calling superintendents, "bishops" instead (I agree this is a more Biblical title for their positions) and embracing churches that operate under an "apostolic model" (basically embracing churches which may not have a traditional board, but call themselves staff or elder led). I beleive this move will enable our church to attract many ministries and churches which have basically been outcast by other Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. The Church was called to "Mulitply Disciples and Churches" by blessing and sending out other churches from their membership. (Our church has already done this twice. I desire to do it more purposefully and for the church to look more like Harvest in the future.) Pastor Ralph Moore from the Hope Chapel movement assures us that God will bless these actions. We have already seen Him do it in our first blessing of a couple of families desiring to start a church. I believe he will do it again, as we have blessed Pastor Fred and the group who went with him to revitalize Molino Assembly of God. May the Lord bless Molino Assembly with: a youth pastor, great music, incredible vision, a full house, finances to meet every need, a group of men desiring to move forward in reaching the lost and the fulfillment of dreams for many of God's people. Pastor Raplh Moore noted that normally within 60 days God had replaced all who were blessed and sent and He normally sent twice as many to the local fellowship.

On Sunday, July 31, our church heard the message "Seasons Change" from Ecc. 3/other scriptures. The point was that God is bringing the church and its individuals into new seasons of blessing and life, but we must remain obedient if we are to receive all God has for us. Also, God is looking for us to produce fruit for His kingdom regardless of the season, as evidenced in the story of the cursed fig tree. Those interested in being equipped to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, so they may be ready for God's new season were asked to come to the altar. The front was filled with worshippers. Service was ended with our children joining us for Holy Communion. A special offering was received for someone laid off from his job for no good reason as evidenced by co-workers who also attend Harvest.

Sunday night was a great concert with "True Vine" ministries. All who were in attendance enjoyed this progressive groups message and song. On a less spiritual note, some of the church went to see "Sky High" after church since school starts back for most of the kids at church on Tuesday, and this is the end of their summer. This was a pretty good little movie that I recommend except for a couple of words.