Archive for category: Harvest Blog

Powerful Encouragement

The right words at the right time have the ability to make an incredible impact. I recently read the following story that illustrates the power of encouraging words. The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during stays in the city’s hospitals. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child’s name and room number and talked briefly with the child’s regular class teacher. “We’re studying nouns and adverbs in his class now,” the regular teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

The hospital program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon. No one had mentioned to her that the boy had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” When she left she felt she hadn’t accomplished much.

But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?” The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize. “No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He’s fighting back, responding to treatment. It’s as though he’s decided to live.”

Two weeks later the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization. He expressed it this way: “They wouldn’t send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?” (Bits & Pieces, July 1991)

Example of Powerful Encouragement

Encouragement changed this young boy’s entire outlook on life. One day he had no hope. The next he was given hope through simple encouragement. Barnabas was a man who made a huge impact on the early church. His name means, son of encouragement (Acts 4:36). His name sums up what he did with his life. The first thing we see him do is to make a financial sacrifice. He sold a plot of land and gave the proceeds to the apostles to use for the edification of the church.

Just 5 chapters later we see Barnabas take a substantial risk to bring Paul into the Jerusalem church. You can understand why the Jerusalem church wasn’t laying out the red carpet for Paul. Before Jesus changed Paul’s name he was known as Saul, “The Persecutor of the Church”. Then Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus and Saul became Paul, “A Preacher for Christ.” There was still great distrust of this man Paul. But Barnabas took the risk and spoke with Paul. Paul shared his testimony with him and Barnabas took action to bring this new brother into fellowship with the church that Paul formerly had sought to destroy.

When the early church saw the need for leadership in a growing but struggling church in Antioch they chose Barnabas as the man for the job (Acts 11:22). The church began to grow and they needed another pastor to care for the people. Barnabas probably could have had his pick on anyone in the church but he chose to seek out Paul. It took him quite some time to find Paul who had gone home to Tarsus to share the gospel. Barnabas brought Paul back to the church in Antioch where they together earned the nickname, “Christians.” (Acts 11:26).

It wasn’t long until God called Barnabas and Paul to expand their ministry. They travelled together on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). When it came time to leave for the second missionary journey they had a hot dispute over a young man, John Mark, that had abandoned them on their first missionary journey. This dispute caused them to part ways (Acts 15:39). Paul traveled with Silas and Barnabas traveled with John Mark. Barnabas made quite an impact on John Mark because at the end of his life Paul asked, “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).”

Why was there such a change? Because of one man Barnabas, the son of encouragement. Throughout the biblical record of Barnabas we see him continually at the work of encouraging. The impact of his life is astounding. We see the growth of the church in Jerusalem, the growth of the church in Antioch, the growth of the church in the uttermost parts of the earth, as he travelled as a missionary, the growth and acceptance of Paul, the writer of the majority of the New Testament, all because he chose to make encouragement an important part of his life.

Implementing Powerful Encouragement

I believe that encouragement is one of the most powerful and yet least accessed tools in the arsenal of the church. If encouragement is so powerful why don’t we utilize it more often? I believe it is due to the consumer driven attitude of many people in the church. Church to these people is about what it offers to them. Their focus in the church revolves around what they get out of church. How does the worship style, children’s program, preacher, etc., serve or help me? This attitude breeds a culture of selfishness. “It’s all about me.” But the church isn’t about the individuals, programs, worship, or even the preacher. It’s about the glory of God.

How can you and I make an impact by encouraging? When you join a church leave your “wants” at the door (Ephesians 5:21). The church isn’t about serving you its about serving Christ. The best way to establish this attitude of service is through our encouraging speech and attitudes (Ephesians 4:32). This attitude of encouragement has been something that the Lord has been working in my heart about for quite a while. I have been encouraged to see growth in my ability to give encouragement. I have been impressed by the power of simple encouraging words. Here are a few phrases that I have seen work wonders; “You are very good at …” “God has gifted you in …” “You are a blessing to me.” “God has amazing plans for you.” “God is doing great things with your service.” This list could go on and on. I wrote these things out so that you can see just how easy it is to encourage. As Harvest Baptist Church lets make a goal to live focused on serving others through encouragement and not on what the church or others can give to me. I believe that if our church would grow in encouraging each other, we would see God do some amazing things.

Fear of the imagined

One summer my Dad took my brothers and me white water kayaking. Since this was our first time kayaking we had an instructor. On the shore he had explained to us how to guide the kayak through the different types of rapids that we would face. We were each given a wetsuit and warned us that the water would be cold. I slipped into the wetsuit and quickly forgot about the cold. I couldn’t wait to battle the rapids. As we pushed off the shore into the river I was almost bursting with excitement. In the calm water the instructor taught us how to paddle correctly and explained how to get back into the kayak when we fell out. Our guide’s final instruction was, “Now, tip over and get back in the boat.” I remember thinking, “No way the water is freezing.” my Dad and brother Jon must have been thinking the same thing because we didn’t budge. We looked at the instructor like he was crazy, didn’t he know that this river was at best 45 degrees. Luke, my youngest brother, on the other hand heard the instruction and simply rolled into the river without a second thought. It took Jon, Dad, and me anther minute or two to overcome the fear and anticipation of the icy cold water. The funny thing was when I finally manned up and rolled into the water it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. The worst thing about the cold water was not the actual temperature but the fear and anticipation of just how cold that water would be.

The crippling effects of fear

So often as Christians we choose not to get serve or get involve because of the, anticipation of what might happen, the fear that we are not prepared, we might do it wrong, or that we might fail in our attempt. We choose to be conservative in following Jesus because our fear of what might happen. We fear that the water will be cold so we hesitate or balk at God’s call to recklessly abandon all and passionately follow Him. David responded to last week’s blog with a question on this point.

“Would it be that risk taking and fear are acceptable if associated with expected physical (weather) events, but risk taking and fear associated with personal expressions of our beliefs are more emotional, mental expressions of our faith and are more difficult to acknowledge.

I ask this having survived three hurricane events and now struggling with my own expressions of faith. Hurricanes, like blizzards, are expected and we accept the consequences. When I think about witnessing, I hesitate because of the fear that I won’t “do it right”. Trembling, in anticipation my witness becomes my excuse for not doing what the Bible says is one of my service opportunities. (You can read this response in its entirety by clicking here).”

I think David hit the main reason that Christians choose not to passionately get involved in God’s call to us. This is why we are too conservative in our pursuit of our master Jesus Christ. We have a fear of what might happen if we jump into Gods call with reckless abandon. This fear of what might happen is the most crippling of all fears. David Jeremiah writes about this fear of what might happen.

“Our greatest fear is the conditional might—the threat of what might happen. Fear trades in the market of possibility. Or even impossibility—for fear is the tyrant of the imagination. It imposes itself upon us from the shadows, from its hazy mirror of maybe.” (What Are You Afraid Of?)

The fear of maybe cripples the Christian to a life of inactivity. This is the difference between the natural disasters that David mentioned and our fear of obeying God’s call. Our fear of what might happen with a natural disaster forces us into activity. We prepare by protecting our homes and possessions as best as possible and evacuating. There is an impending storm that we cannot stop. The storm is coming regardless of our preparation. There is still that fear of what might happen but the storm is out of our control.

Pursuing Christ with reckless abandon is different. In a way this storm of anticipation and fear is in our control. If we fear what will happen as a result of witnessing we can simply chose not to and the storm is avoided. We choose to be inactive instead of serve and dodge the “hazy mirror of maybe.” Through inactivity we can be comfortable and avoid what we perceive as an impending consequence. We can simply choose not to jump into the cold water out of fear and remain comfortable in the kayak of inactivity.

Is all fear bad?

Fear is a natural human emotion, and in most situations we have no control over that emotion. Whether it is fear of an impending storm or the results of following Christ. The fear doesn’t go away. It is our reaction to the fear that makes us. Paul told Timothy, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).” Remember the circumstances of Paul writing this to Timothy, his son in the faith. Paul was serving his last prison stint in the worst conditions imagined. Ultimately Paul would be taken out of this prison and beheaded for preaching the gospel. You can imagine why young Timothy feared preaching the gospel. His spiritual father was about to be executed for the cause of the gospel.

You may ask, “Is it wrong if I feel afraid?” The answer is no. What is wrong is when we allow that fear and anxiety to cripple us into inactivity or following Christ conservatively. Paul encourages Timothy in the next verse, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, (2 Timothy 1:8)” You and I must respond to our fear with this same resolve. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel. Don’t be ashamed of those who are passionate about following Jesus. Be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

Understanding our fear

The emotion of fear is powerful. It drives each of us to react differently. Many people are driven to action and prepare for what might happen, some simply ignore the fear and go on as if it didn’t exist, and others are crippled by the fear and feel unable to respond. If you’re like me you may say, “how do I deal with this crippling fear of maybe? I don’t want to be ashamed. I want to be willing to follow Christ, but I am so afraid.” That answer is found in the end of this verse in the simple phrase, “by the power of God.” That simple answer doesn’t always seem so simple. Paul understood this when he wrote to young Timothy and he expounds upon the character and power of God in the next few verses. “Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (2 Timothy 1:9–10)” This powerful God saved us and He calls us to passionately follow Him, which is a holy calling. Not because of your works, worth, talent, or even bravery in the face of fear, but because of His grace provided through the person of Jesus Christ. This grace has been made available to the followers of God from the very beginning of time.

Overcoming our Fear

The first time God called the nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land they were crippled with fear. This fear caused an entire generation to die wandering in the wilderness. (Numbers 13-14, Deuteronomy 1). 40 years later the next generation was lead into the Promised Land still full of the same things that crippled the previous generation. They were able to over come their fear because they chose to, “fear the Lord and serve him” (Joshua 24:14).”

Recklessly abandoning our conservative attitude toward following Christ is scary. I will be the first person to tell you that every time I volunteer to serve, step out of my comfort zone, or open my mouth to witness I’m afraid. But I have determined that I will not allow that fear to cripple me. I will fear the Lord. I will trust in His power. Will you allow the storm of fear to cripple you or make you? I pray that your reply will be like Joshua, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

2013 growth in numbers

2013 was quite an incredible year of growth for Harvest. We increased our auditorium capacity by 240%. We gave the outside of the building a much needed facelift and our curb appeal dramatically increased. Our average attendance grew by over 15%. The number of people serving in the church on a weekly basis expanded by over 75%. We saw the largest sustained growth in our youth programs. The nursery exploded by 250% on the average Sunday and our Truth Trackers program swelled 333% on some Wednesday nights at the end of the year. We have also seen more visitors come and stay this year.

Growth is more than numbers

The numbers of 2013 will stay in 2013. Impacting a community for Christ can’t be simply stated with numbers and percents. Impacting only one life for Christ literally changes eternity. This past year we saw families strengthened. We saw some begin to attend and get involved in church that had been absent in years past. We saw young families get involved. Our children learned more about Jesus and what He did for them. Due to the building project we grew closer together as a church family. People began to attend, serve, and get plugged in that hadn’t before. This was a very exciting year for Harvest.

Our people rallied together as many came out to build, paint, and clean. This work together brought us closer to each other. We became unified under the goal of finishing the building that God entrusted us with. Relationships with each other were strengthened and friendships were built. We grew together as we worshiped in our services. We laid the foundation in 2013 to becoming a church that can make a real impact for Christ in our community.

Where do we go from here?

This growth has truly been exciting. We saw things happen this past year that only God could do. However this growth should only make us hungry for God to do more. Paul said it this way, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)” I don’t use this verse to tell you that what we have accomplished in this past year should be forgotten. I truly believe that God is pleased with the growth that we saw in 2013. If we looked at 2013 and become satisfied and choose not to pursue growth in 2014, I believe that the growth that we have seen this past year would be a waste. God wants to do so much more with Harvest Baptist Church. We should press towards the goal with a desire to obtain the prize.

What should our goal for 2014 be?

Our goal ought to be to win and disciple followers of Jesus Christ and to teach them to impact the world through our community, Castle Rock. In 2014 we should strive together to follow Christ. As we follow Christ we will grow closer together to each other(Romans 12:5). From this growing relationship we will build each other up in Christ and become stronger (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It is from this platform of mutual discipleship that we will begin to impact Castle Rock through winning souls to Christ and teaching them to follow Christ. But this goal shouldn’t stop here in Castle Rock. Our goal should be to impact the world to whom we are called to preach the Gospel with Christ’s power (Matthew 28:18-20).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).”

Let’s promise each other that we will each do our part to achieve God’s goal for Harvest Baptist Church in 2014.

I was not prepared for motherhood. I had babysat a handful of times and changed as many diapers. I first held a newborn a year before I would hold my own. Despite my lack of experience when it came to babies, I really wasn’t taken off guard by many things that motherhood entailed. However, I did find myself shocked at the raw emotion motherhood produced. That moment I held my first daughter in my arms I felt emotion like I’d never before experienced. Love and joy mixed with fear and responsibility and awe.

Beneath the twinkling lights, the warm glow of manger scenes and sparkling family get-togethers, lurks a sinister problem that has stalked mankind since the fall. A problem that was altered with the birth of one humble mother’s first Child. Mary, the mother of our Savior, is given more pages in Scripture than any other mother, and it is in her emotion that my view of Christmas has forever changed.

From Mary’s quiet acceptance that she would bear the promised Messiah (Luke 1:38), to her beautiful Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) it is clear that this simple girl recognized and understood the immensity of the circumstances surrounding her first Child. Though she likely didn’t understand how her Child’s life would be lived, or how He would redeem our fallen race, she observed it all and meditated on it.

There’s no doubt on the night our Savior was born that His mother instantly loved Him, but the details of His birth puzzled her. She gave birth to the Messiah in a barn, and then common shepherds came to worship her tiny Son. Yet, she treasured these memories (Luke 2:19). They were the details surrounding her first Child’s birth, and like any mother, they were treasures.

A few short weeks later she and Joseph brought their tiny Son to the temple. Here they were met by Simeon, who was anticipating their arrival. Simeon gathered the Child in his arms and praised the Lord. (Luke 2:22-32). He then turned to Mary and pronounced some of the most poignantly beautiful words in Scripture, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” In these words all of redemption is so beautifully summed. This tiny baby would be surrounded by upheaval. He would suffer, and the suffering would wound her as well. She was His mother, and the price of redemption would hurt her mother’s heart. Yet, all this suffering would produce a “rising of many”. This suffering would bring forth redemption.

Thirty-three years later Mary found herself at the foot of a Roman cross. Her Son was hanging in agony between two common criminals. The crowds jeered and mocked her Son. In His anguish He noticed her. He protected her and provided for her earthly needs by asking John to care for her. (John 19:25-27) He bore the weight of the sin of all humanity on His shoulders, but He still cared for His mother. She watched as her Son died, paying the ultimate price. In order to speed up the crucifixion process a Roman soldier broke the legs of the criminals. When the soldier came to her Son he saw Jesus was dead and instead of breaking His legs, he pierced a sword through the heart of her Son. In that moment I’m sure the words of Simeon came back “a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Her mother’s heart was broken, but redemption was purchased.

Jesus would resurrect – securing victory, and weeks later we see the final mention of Mary in Scripture. She is praying with Christ’s followers in the upper room. (Acts 1:14) It was now clear what her Son’s purpose was. The treasured memories she had pondered over the years, the pain that she had endured as she watched Him rejected and ultimately killed now had purpose. The purpose was salvation and she would further her Son’s mission to the best of her ability.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the decorations, the songs, and the anticipation of my children as they think of their presents. As I have meditated on the birth of Christ from Mary’s perspective there’s a somberness to all the celebration. This tiny Child was born, but He was born to die a cruel death. A death that cost Him the very presence of His Father and a death that would hurt His mother’s heart, because that is the price of sin. But, it’s also in this birth we find true beauty – the beauty of redemption. This Christmas let’s remember the perspective of Mary. Her excitement at the arrival of her first born, but also the anticipation of what awaited her Son as He would sacrifice all to save a fallen race.

How are you applying this perspective to you Christmas preparations? Let us know in the comments. If you are receiving this in your email click here to leave a comment.

We will be extending the Photo Contest to December 31st. Send us your photos of the Christmas season for free coffee. For more details and contest rules visit https://hbccr.org/photo-contest/.