What would you do if you found out that you had only one month to live? How would it affect your relationships? How would it influence your prayer life? How would it change your worship? In this powerful series, we’ll explore some of these questions and many more as we discover the keys to living life as if we had one month to live.

Series starts March 28, 2010 at Harvest Time.

Along with this series, we encourage you to read “One Month to Live” by Kerry and Chris Shook.
You can purchase the book online at Lifeway Christian Stores.

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!

If you want to make an impact as a Christian in your time here on earth be here for The Quest, March 10-31, Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m.

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!

Our Wednesday night (mid-week) service is held in the Total Life Center (TLC) right across from the Chapel. The doors open 6:30 p.m. As always cookies and coffee provided free of charge.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to stretch your mind and spirit as we study “Hoof Beats of the Four Horses.”

Part 1 – 2/10/10

Download the notes from Part 1 (02/10/10)
Download the audio from Part 1 (02/10/10)

Part 2 – 2/17/10

Download the notes from Part 2 (02/17/10)
Download the audio from Part 2 (02/17/10)

Part 3 – 2/24/10

Download the notes from Part 3 (02/24/10)
Download the audio from Part 3 (02/24/10)

Part 4 – 3/3/10

Download the notes from Part 4 (03/03/10)
Download the audio from Part 4 (03/03/10)

Make it a priority to be at prayer with Harvest Time on Sunday’s at 8:30 a.m. in the Worship Center.

Nursery opens at 8:20 a.m. for those with children 3 and under.

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?

You check out more information about this sweet conference at GenesisConference.tv!

On the site you can register your entire youth group or just one student for the conference, you can download resources, and view the schedule.

Also, Reggie Dabbs will be staying over and speaking on Sunday Morning, February 14th.