In Genesis 3:1-8, with the introduction of death because of sin we see the entrance into the world the two tracks of life. For the first time in Adam’s life he found himself hiding from God. He was hiding because he was now standing on the wrong track.

Dominion vs. Deception really sums up the scenery of our life. When we run on the deception track the scenery will always be deceptive, very appealing but deceptive. For example; we seek happiness by doing things that kill happiness. We seek love in places that only offer guilt. We seek acceptance from those who do not care about us while we turn our back on those that do. We run from God because of shame, when we should run to God as our only source. Jesus broke it down this way in Luke 9: 23-25, He speaks of a switch in our thinking about life and our pursuits. It appears that our inherent selfishness is the stumbling block to our eternal pursuits. Our pursuit to gain life by keeping it and gaining more stuff is simply a deception to the real truth; the way we gain life is to give up our life.

You can find the original track of dominion, through Matthew 6:33, being a priority in your life. This week seek out someone to bring with you to church; someone you know is looking for things to be different in their life. Maybe you are looking for things to be different, but don’t know where to start. If you do not have a church home, come and join us at Harvest Time we would love to be a part of your family.

Have you ever really wanted something? I mean REALLY wanted something?? You prepare yourself, anticipate what it would be like, the dream gets bigger and bigger… Then the let down: Ain’t gonna happen!

I’ve found that the hardest times I’ve had serving the Lord is when things don’t go the way I want them to. Categorically there are four basic answers God gives us in prayer.

1. Yes
2. No
3. I will if you will.
4. Maybe

When God says NO, you find out who you really are. Many times we forget this simple truth, whether God gives or God takes it is a sign of love.

I’m reminded of David, shepherd boy, told he would be king, kills a lion, kills a bear, kills a giant, almost killed over and over by mad king… Trial after trial after trial…

2 Samuel 7:1 picks up part of his story after he became king and started his conquering campaign, “…the Lord had given him rest on all sides.” FINALLY!

Just a little side note, when you live in peace you begin to dream. David’s dream was simple: Building a house for God.

If you read in 2 Samuel 7, you will find something interesting… David wants to build a house for God and God tells him NO. Just because it’s a good idea doesn’t mean that it’s a God idea.Opportunity doesn’t mean you just take it.God basically told David, “You’re a warrior, not a builder.”

What we need to realize is that Solomon building the temple was not because there was sin in David’s life!
​THIS IS BEFORE BATHSHEEBA AND URIAH!!

When God says NO it is not always discipline nor is it always rejection.

I want to pick back up 2 Samuel 7, this is verse 18 after David finds out he is not the one to build the temple.
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house that you have brought me this far?’”

Maybe you can relate, you have a dream that you want so bad and it’s just not happening… Or maybe you feel like you’re stuck in a holding pattern… Or maybe you haven’t experienced this yet (don’t worry you will…) I have to ask you:

What is your posture going to be when God says NO? Will you be able to sit before Him and praise Him anyway??

Have you ever used this line before? Has anyone ever used this line on you before? Maybe it’s been years since you were in the dating world or maybe it’s been days. It’s somewhat odd to me that in a dating relationship we can be so quick to take the blame to avoid confrontation. I know, I know, the girl/boy you were dating was really weird or controlling and you needed out. So we take the high road and bow out gracefully trying not to stir the pot. If your attempts at this were anything like mine you ended up eating crow. Those of you still reading are probably thinking, “I hope he’s going somewhere with this!” I am, I promise.

Here’s where I bring this boat back around. Ask yourself this question: Have you ever used this excuse in worship? God it’s not you, It’s me. I’m tired today, I’m beat down, I just don’t feel like it today, I can worship God just fine with my hands in my pockets…He knows my heart, I’ll get you next time, You’re good and all God but I don’t really like this song or this leader, God You know I love You so I’m just going to relax today, I know You hung on the cross for me but my arms are getting tired so…

OUCH! That hurts doesn’t it? There are times when all of us have used this reasoning with worship to God. Life deals us all different hands and we all respond differently but one thing remains the same, GOD. He is our EVERYTHING, our ROCK, our SHELTER, our HELP in time of need, our PROVIDER, our FRIEND, our FATHER. He deserves our very best everyday, every Sunday, in every worship service, in every prayer time. It’s my heart, my desire that every day I worship God with every ounce of my being, making my God known through my life. The Bible gives us a perfect picture of what our worship is to look like…

“A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). John 4:23 (AMP)

God is not seeking perfect worshipers, He is seeking genuine worshipers.

Let’s continue to go after GOD like never before, with a passion that’s unwavering and a heart that is genuine!

This week God has been teaching me through circumstances. Not the great circumstances, but the not-so-great ones. Here is the twist: He teaches me that the more thankful I am the stronger I am. Being thankful is like a spiritual weapon and an attitude charger. Until Jesus Himself comes back there will be “things” that just get on your last nerve. There will be people that get on your nerves too (not my friends just those “other” people…haha!).  But being thankful is a weapon against sorry attitudes. For example, you have a project that is going perfectly until suddenly circumstances change and WHAM!, everything is changed and you have to start over. It’s easy to blame those around you (because really they caused the problem anyway, right?) but what good will that do? Instead, get out your weapon: thankfulness. If you can choose to be thankful it changes your outlook, your attitude and in turn gives you the strength to exceed the first attempt! Choosing to be thankful allows you to recharge and be stronger. A very wise woman told me, “If you stay thankful you will never be defeated.” So today, I choose to be thankful.

Now it’s your turn. Tell us about a time in your life where it would have been easier to be bitter rather than thankful!

Almost everyone in any twentieth century generation has at one time or another played “connect the dots”. And if you played it quite a bit, sometimes the urge to connect the dots out of order, or to leave out some just to see what would show up would produce a distorted picture. When any dots were left out or connected out of order, it was clear that the picture turned out to be something that was not intended by the author of the game.

A few years into my Christian journey and after having served God for a while, I began to see an interesting pattern develop in the world directly around me; the part of the world that I influenced by my service to Christ, or my lack of it. I began to realize that no one act of service to Christ stood by itself, but that God, knowing all things from beginning to end was systematically connecting each task that He assigned. I began to realize that God was connecting the dots of each act of service to Him. Having now been a Christian for over 27 years, I can look back and see the remarkable connection that God has made between acts of service that happened many years ago, to events taking place in my life right now. In other words I can see the clear picture that God has drawn with my life by connecting the dots.

Knowing that every act of service to Christ is connected to others, we must wonder in those times when we’re disobedient, how many dots God has to leave out. We must wonder how much we in our disobedience are causing what could be a beautiful picture that God is drawing to become distorted or incomplete because we did not take up the task He required of us. How many answers to prayer have we delayed, how many times has God had to go to somebody else to do what was uniquely assigned to us?

As long as we draw breath, God is never done with us. He’ll continue to connect the dots of His will for our lives as we’re obedient to Him. The key in finishing our lives with a clear and beautiful drawing is to simply take up the tasks that God has given us and walk in obedience to His will.

Looking back, what dots in your life can you identify that God has connected to draw the picture of your life in Christ?

As I write today, I’m being inspired by the devotional book that the entire worship department is reading (“Pure Praise” by Dwayne Moore). What do you think “praise” really is? I’ve heard a lot of definitions of the word over the last several years of ministry. Today’s devotional has put it in very simple terms for me. “Praise is that upward focus toward God.” Many times, we worship with our lives without even knowing it because it is an outflow of our hearts (Prov. 4:23). We worship God almost unconsciously with our lives because it flows from our hearts and minds because of the character of God that resides inside us. “Praise” however, is a decision that we make. We know when we are praising because it is something that happens because of a choice. It is direct and deliberate adoration. This Sunday, I challenge you, to make a deliberate choice to boldly praise God. May we all praise, celebrate, bring glory, sing and boast. Strong’s Concordance even includes in the definition “to rave”.

In order for us to really grasp our vision scripture of the year (Matthew 6:33), we will almost definitely have to learn how to “praise”. We will all need to be intentionally seeking the Kingdom of God and be intentionally praising God. When we seek the Kingdom, we are praising.

So, having said all that, what are your thoughts on praise?

Without being self indulgent, I wanted to pass on to you how I love my wife. I share this with you as both a personal revelation and hopefully a motivation for you to discover and uncover how you love your wife. (Or if you’re the wife, it would be your husband. You get the point…)

1. I believe in marriage: Proverbs 18:22 (NIV) – “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” Marriage is a gift from God, to value marriage is to value God’s gift! IT’S A COVENANT!

2. I belong to her: I Corinthians 7:4 (NIV) – “The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.” Seeing yourself as another’s impacts how you live your life, everything I do impacts her, its helpful to keep that in mind! IT’S CONSECRATION!

3. I communicate my feelings: People only know what you tell them. If you’re not saying anything, then you’re not saying anything! Enough said! IT’S COMMUNICATION!

4. I chase her: Men are pursuers, men chase things, a man will chase dreams, and wealth, status and too many men chase too many women! I chased my wife for her to marry me and I am so thankful that she did! Since that day I still chase her with an even higher level of zeal. Men, hear me on this: fix your eyes on your bride and chase her 100% of the time. Ladies, hear me as well: keep your husband chasing you, let him catch you some (the more he catches the more he will chase) but ultimately keep him running! IT’S A CHASE!

5. I choose her: Marriage in its simplest form is a choice, not some magical existence where people unwillingly or magically love. Love is a choice, you can choose to love or not to love! IT’S A CHOICE!

6. I challenge myself: I want to love her more today than yesterday; I want to always be increasing in my commitment and passion. IT’S A CHALLENGE!

7. I study her: Yep, that’s right. I study my wife. I know things about her. I find things out by talking, listening, looking and spending time. IT’S A CLASSROOM!

Specifically, what are some ways you love your husband or wife?

It’s here and we are excited.

For 4 months now we’ve been planning, designing and working hard on the new HarvestTime.net. At this section of the site you will see a weekly blog from one of our staff members. Don’t know what a blog is? It’s basically an online journal where someone takes a topic and shares their personal perspectives on a specific topic. example: the media team is writing this blog to tell you how this blog can help shape your life, acting as an extension of Harvest Time.

It’s so cool to think that you will get another opportunity to connect with the heartbeat of God for Harvest Time. The staff will blog on various topics dealing with family, finances, life, marriage, worship and relationships, and sharing on how God can impact, change, and shape your life through the Word of God and a passionate relationship with Him.

There’s nothing weird or super spiritual about this. It’s really simple. Once a week someone from the staff will share a quick thought on what God is doing in their life or something God is wanting them to share with the HarvestTime.net family. Check back here on Thursdays for the HTblog updates.

We need your help!

As you are looking around on the site, if you see something not working, not right or just plain weird, please let us know. We are really looking to your feedback! Feel free to email us here.

If you love it, let us know. This site is for you, so let us know if it works for you.

Cool new features

1. HTblog (we already explained this)
2. Media page (online video sermons, downloadable notes and fill-ins, and podcast for every Sunday AM sermon)
3. Give Online (you can now GIVE your tithe and offerings online, it’s easy.)
4. Download Bulletin (help us go green and download the bulletin online)
5. New Here? page (if you are inviting a friend and they are asking questions, we’ve got you covered)
6. Welcome page (Pastor Marty and Becky Sloan give you a nice cozy welcome to the new site here)
7. We don’t have anything else but we felt it necessary to end on the number 7. It’s God’s number!

Thanks for reading!

Jon Morris
Creative Media Director
Brian Spessard
Graphic and Web Director
Landon Satterfield
Video Director