Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 03-08-2006
John's gospel is the only one to record this phrase, spoken by John the Baptist. If anyone understood this principle, it was John the Baptist. John literally gave his head, his life, for Christ. He lived his entire life preparing the way for the Lord.
Some men came to him and said "This Jesus, who you testified about..........well, People are coming to Him to be baptized now?!" John basically told them that the Bride (Christ's people) belong to the Bridgegroom (Christ), and that the friend of the bridegroom is full of joy upon hearing the bridegroom's voice. John said "That joy was now his, and is complete!".
He must INCREASE and we must DECREASE or as the NIV puts it: HE must become GREATER and WE must become less.
This is my prayer as I continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and continue my journey in the Lord. I realize that for any thing to be done, for any great work to be accomplished, I must decrease, I must surrender totally to Him and He must become MORE involved, MORE relied upon, MORE focused upon. He must Increase.
Being on the praise team week after week, can sometimes be a struggle to remember this. We as a Praise Team must decrease, so that He can increase. We must forget about ourselves and what we want, and concentrate on what He wants, and focus upon Him.
Pride could have kept John from saying this. He could have thought to himself "I am the one who should be doing the baptizing". He didn't do that though. He knew who Christ was, and he knew his place in the kingdom of God. He humbled himself before God, and he let Christ increase and become more the focal point. He wasn't afraid that the people who once came to him, were now going to the one who was greater than him.
I think that as simple as this idea is, it's SO overlooked. We get to doing something in a church thinking that we're somebody and that things can't go on without us. The fact is, Christ DOES want to use you and will use you, but don't forget who you are and who is doing the work. Put it in proper perspective from the "Kingdom" view point. John knew who was doing the real work, even though he'd been baptizing and preaching for a long time and had become a VERY respected person in the region. As he put it "The One who comes from above is ABOVE ALL".
Remember King David and his sin of pridefully wanting to get a census of 'his' kingdom? He forgot just who it was that was doing the work and blessing him, and he and his people paid dearly for it. Afterward, his perspective was right again, and God could once again use him.
I hope we will all remember this and do our best to keep things in proper perspective.
He Must Increase and I must Decrease.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Mary's Praise
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 12-13-2005
Zacharias (or Zechariah) was in the temple, burning incense (as was custom) when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said (in Luke 1:13-17):
John was soon to be born and prepare the way for Christ! Zacharias didn't believe Gabriel when he spoke these words, and so he was struck dumb until John's birth.
In the 6th month of Elizabeth's (Zacharias' wife) pregnancy, Gabriel is sent from God again, this time to Mary in Nazareth:
Even though Mary questions how it was possible she could have a son, she still BELIEVED the word of the Lord. Notice the difference in her response from Zacharias' response. She quickly runs to visit with Elizabeth and upon seeing her, greets her excitedly! As soon as she does this, the baby leaps for joy from within Elizabeth's womb! Elizabeth then tells Mary that she is blessed because she has BELIEVED that which was spoken to her by the Angel Gabriel concerning the Lord.
What follows, is Mary's Praise:
Side Note: I wrote about Hannah's prayer in an earlier blog and there are a lot of parallel's between Mary and Hannah's prayers/praises (see: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 )
Talk about a woman full of faith! No wonder God had searched the earth for a woman of good report and chose her as the Mother of Emmanuel. Talk about someone who knew how to praise the Lord, she really did.
Christmas has been turned into something that consists of 99% of nothing to do whatsoever with Christ. I thought it would be a good idea to go back and read some of the story of the birth of our Savior and Lord. Let's remember to be full of Joy (as Tim preached about) all the time. Sure there is a time for mourning, and weeping, but most of the time we can live with joy for no other reason than Christ has come to us, lived among us, suffered as we suffer - even more so, and then died and rose again to prove that He was who He said He was.
I can go see the supposed graves of Billy the Kid, President Lincoln, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, John Wayne, Albert Einstein, etc and dig up some bones or bone dust. (I'd probably go to jail for this by the way). At Christ's grave though, there is nothing there! There are even 500+ people who witnessed and walked with Jesus after he rose again. (1st Corinthians 15:3-8).
So the birth was the most special event up till that date, but Christ raising from the dead was the most blessed event ever because he just purchased our salvation for all eternity! So everything Christmas has become can not even compare to the joy we can have in this alone if we've put our faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Read through Mary's Praise one more time, and try to imagine what she was thinking as you do. You may have to read it and re-read it to really grasp it as I did. Now it's your turn to give praise!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 12-13-2005
Zacharias (or Zechariah) was in the temple, burning incense (as was custom) when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said (in Luke 1:13-17):
"Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
John was soon to be born and prepare the way for Christ! Zacharias didn't believe Gabriel when he spoke these words, and so he was struck dumb until John's birth.
In the 6th month of Elizabeth's (Zacharias' wife) pregnancy, Gabriel is sent from God again, this time to Mary in Nazareth:
Luke 1:28-38
And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be.
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end."
And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God."
And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (NAS)
Even though Mary questions how it was possible she could have a son, she still BELIEVED the word of the Lord. Notice the difference in her response from Zacharias' response. She quickly runs to visit with Elizabeth and upon seeing her, greets her excitedly! As soon as she does this, the baby leaps for joy from within Elizabeth's womb! Elizabeth then tells Mary that she is blessed because she has BELIEVED that which was spoken to her by the Angel Gabriel concerning the Lord.
What follows, is Mary's Praise:
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever." (NAS)
Side Note: I wrote about Hannah's prayer in an earlier blog and there are a lot of parallel's between Mary and Hannah's prayers/praises (see: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 )
Talk about a woman full of faith! No wonder God had searched the earth for a woman of good report and chose her as the Mother of Emmanuel. Talk about someone who knew how to praise the Lord, she really did.
Christmas has been turned into something that consists of 99% of nothing to do whatsoever with Christ. I thought it would be a good idea to go back and read some of the story of the birth of our Savior and Lord. Let's remember to be full of Joy (as Tim preached about) all the time. Sure there is a time for mourning, and weeping, but most of the time we can live with joy for no other reason than Christ has come to us, lived among us, suffered as we suffer - even more so, and then died and rose again to prove that He was who He said He was.
I can go see the supposed graves of Billy the Kid, President Lincoln, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, John Wayne, Albert Einstein, etc and dig up some bones or bone dust. (I'd probably go to jail for this by the way). At Christ's grave though, there is nothing there! There are even 500+ people who witnessed and walked with Jesus after he rose again. (1st Corinthians 15:3-8).
So the birth was the most special event up till that date, but Christ raising from the dead was the most blessed event ever because he just purchased our salvation for all eternity! So everything Christmas has become can not even compare to the joy we can have in this alone if we've put our faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Read through Mary's Praise one more time, and try to imagine what she was thinking as you do. You may have to read it and re-read it to really grasp it as I did. Now it's your turn to give praise!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Kenneth
The Bread of Sincerity and Truth
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 11-03-2005
I was recently thinking about how we extend grace to others; Those who have fallen or who are in sin. When does sin cross the bounds of grace and then have to be 'rebuked'? I believe that as we grow, we will encouter false prophets, false christians, false doctrines who/that will try to lead us away and break the church apart. I hear church's all the time say we should love people where they are. This is very true. There is another side to this though. Inside the church body, we can not excuse sin, and we can not allow brothers or sisters who wish to remain in sin, simply do so. People must have a desire to change. Do we still love them where they are and just overlook their sin and hope they eventually come around to God's way of thinking?
Check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 5:
Here we have immorality going on in the church. The people have just accepted it. It reminds me of the thought that seems to be so prevalent today in that we shouldn't "judge" anyone. As Kelly has already pointed out, there are different types of judgement. I'm not going to go into that, but the point here is, instead of rebuking this fellow from within the church, he was simply accepted.
The problem with this is, that then others can be corrupted through this unwise decision. A little yeast works itself through the whole batch! Paul is saying "get rid of the old" that you may become a "new" lump of dough. Does this sound familiar? Look at Matthew 16:6-12. We must desire the BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH more than we desire 'getting along with everyone'.
The rest of the chapter is dealing with the difference between those INSIDE the church and those OUTSIDE. Those that are INSIDE, are called to a high standard, and we are to judge those that are in the body of believers. If we allow a little leaven, it wont be long and we'll be an entire corrupt pile of dough that gives NO glory to God at all and in fact is a stench in his nostrils.
We are still in this world, and we therefore must be amongst all the sin that goes on, but inside the church, God has created a place where He wants us to be accountable to Him and each other.
Jesus, in Revelation 2:14-16 has this to say to the church of Pergamos (Pergamum):
So, you see. We will be judged by what we allow to happen within the church. I realize this may be obvious, but there really is a false movement going on in America which says "we don't judge anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason". Don't believe it. God will hold us all accountable.
Restoration is what God desires, but there is a point where a person makes up his or her mind, that He or She will NOT be restored and will do WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
Yes, we will LOVE everyone where they are, we will strive for Restoration, but there is a boundary that can't be crossed within the body of Christ. Let's desire the Bread of Sincerity and Truth.
May the Truth of God's word always guide us. God bless,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 11-03-2005
I was recently thinking about how we extend grace to others; Those who have fallen or who are in sin. When does sin cross the bounds of grace and then have to be 'rebuked'? I believe that as we grow, we will encouter false prophets, false christians, false doctrines who/that will try to lead us away and break the church apart. I hear church's all the time say we should love people where they are. This is very true. There is another side to this though. Inside the church body, we can not excuse sin, and we can not allow brothers or sisters who wish to remain in sin, simply do so. People must have a desire to change. Do we still love them where they are and just overlook their sin and hope they eventually come around to God's way of thinking?
Check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 5:
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife.
2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?
3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--
10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."(NIV)
Here we have immorality going on in the church. The people have just accepted it. It reminds me of the thought that seems to be so prevalent today in that we shouldn't "judge" anyone. As Kelly has already pointed out, there are different types of judgement. I'm not going to go into that, but the point here is, instead of rebuking this fellow from within the church, he was simply accepted.
The problem with this is, that then others can be corrupted through this unwise decision. A little yeast works itself through the whole batch! Paul is saying "get rid of the old" that you may become a "new" lump of dough. Does this sound familiar? Look at Matthew 16:6-12. We must desire the BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH more than we desire 'getting along with everyone'.
The rest of the chapter is dealing with the difference between those INSIDE the church and those OUTSIDE. Those that are INSIDE, are called to a high standard, and we are to judge those that are in the body of believers. If we allow a little leaven, it wont be long and we'll be an entire corrupt pile of dough that gives NO glory to God at all and in fact is a stench in his nostrils.
We are still in this world, and we therefore must be amongst all the sin that goes on, but inside the church, God has created a place where He wants us to be accountable to Him and each other.
Jesus, in Revelation 2:14-16 has this to say to the church of Pergamos (Pergamum):
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.(NIV)
So, you see. We will be judged by what we allow to happen within the church. I realize this may be obvious, but there really is a false movement going on in America which says "we don't judge anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason". Don't believe it. God will hold us all accountable.
Restoration is what God desires, but there is a point where a person makes up his or her mind, that He or She will NOT be restored and will do WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
Yes, we will LOVE everyone where they are, we will strive for Restoration, but there is a boundary that can't be crossed within the body of Christ. Let's desire the Bread of Sincerity and Truth.
May the Truth of God's word always guide us. God bless,
Kenneth
By the Law, We Know Sin
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 08-22-2005
THE LAW OF THE LORD is PERFECT in converting the soul. Psalms 19:7
I've been listening to a couple of CD's lately by Ray Comfort who does the 'Way of the Master' series. The first is 'HELL's BEST KEPT SECRET' and the other is 'TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSION'. I'd like to write briefly on the former. The entire cd is talking about how when we witness to people, we must first show a person that they are sinners and have violated God's law before we can start to show them the 'Gospel'. Although this concept is nothing new, I think we often forget to emphasize this and we 'jump the gun' sort of and try to preach Christ's love and acceptance and his death on the cross before we have even shown a person why that's important and why they so desperately need Him and what is going to happen to them on the day of judgement if they have turned their noses up at God and Christ and rejected Him.
We need Christ because we have broken God's laws and commandments. Just as a murderer will have his day in court and be sentenced under our own laws, so we too have a day coming where (without Christ) we will have no reply to the ULTIMATE, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, God Himself. God has put into every man a conscience (an understanding of His law - Con "with" science "knowledge"). It is a person's conscience, not their intellect, that we must reach out to. This is where God first moves in an unbeliever, because he's made His laws known to them. It's the law that convicts of sin. God's love can then reach the lost persons heart.
(also look up Romans 1:20 if you get a chance)
So if BY THE LAW, we now KNOW and UNDERSTAND our sin then we must understand that God is a good and righteous judge and He will judge that sin. If He were not good, He would not rightly judge us and give us our just reward, but he IS TRUE and RIGHTEOUS and GOOD, and will most definitely JUDGE SIN very harshly. The penalty for that sin is DEATH.
If you have ever told a lie, then you are a liar. If you have ever put anything above God, then you have made a graven image in your mind. If you have ever looked upon another person to lust after them, you've commited adultery in your heart. If you have ever hated another person (without right cause), you've commited murder in God's eyes.
Now what do you suppose that a true and righteous judge would do to a lying, thieving, adulterer and murderer on the day of judgement? That's right. There would be no hope!
Now, knowing this, the unbeliever has a heart's soil that is ready for the Gospel message. Lay it on them! Tell of what Christ did on the cross, taking our sins and nailing them there if we put our faith in Him. Tell them of the penalty that was paid IN OUR PLACE! Then that person can truly understand the depth of what Christ has done and FULLY APPRECIATE it and come before Christ with a glad and thankful heart.
In 1808, Richard M'Nemar, speaking about the Kentucky Revival, wrote this in what he called a 'preliminary observation':
I would encourage you to listen to this online here:
HELLS BEST KEPT SECRET
And do the study sheet here:
HBKS STUDY SHEET
I hope it will be a blessing and an eye opener.
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 08-22-2005
THE LAW OF THE LORD is PERFECT in converting the soul. Psalms 19:7
I've been listening to a couple of CD's lately by Ray Comfort who does the 'Way of the Master' series. The first is 'HELL's BEST KEPT SECRET' and the other is 'TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSION'. I'd like to write briefly on the former. The entire cd is talking about how when we witness to people, we must first show a person that they are sinners and have violated God's law before we can start to show them the 'Gospel'. Although this concept is nothing new, I think we often forget to emphasize this and we 'jump the gun' sort of and try to preach Christ's love and acceptance and his death on the cross before we have even shown a person why that's important and why they so desperately need Him and what is going to happen to them on the day of judgement if they have turned their noses up at God and Christ and rejected Him.
We need Christ because we have broken God's laws and commandments. Just as a murderer will have his day in court and be sentenced under our own laws, so we too have a day coming where (without Christ) we will have no reply to the ULTIMATE, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, God Himself. God has put into every man a conscience (an understanding of His law - Con "with" science "knowledge"). It is a person's conscience, not their intellect, that we must reach out to. This is where God first moves in an unbeliever, because he's made His laws known to them. It's the law that convicts of sin. God's love can then reach the lost persons heart.
Hebrews 8:10-11This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.(NIV)
Romans 3:19-20Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (NIV)
Romans 7:7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." (NIV)
(also look up Romans 1:20 if you get a chance)
So if BY THE LAW, we now KNOW and UNDERSTAND our sin then we must understand that God is a good and righteous judge and He will judge that sin. If He were not good, He would not rightly judge us and give us our just reward, but he IS TRUE and RIGHTEOUS and GOOD, and will most definitely JUDGE SIN very harshly. The penalty for that sin is DEATH.
If you have ever told a lie, then you are a liar. If you have ever put anything above God, then you have made a graven image in your mind. If you have ever looked upon another person to lust after them, you've commited adultery in your heart. If you have ever hated another person (without right cause), you've commited murder in God's eyes.
Now what do you suppose that a true and righteous judge would do to a lying, thieving, adulterer and murderer on the day of judgement? That's right. There would be no hope!
Now, knowing this, the unbeliever has a heart's soil that is ready for the Gospel message. Lay it on them! Tell of what Christ did on the cross, taking our sins and nailing them there if we put our faith in Him. Tell them of the penalty that was paid IN OUR PLACE! Then that person can truly understand the depth of what Christ has done and FULLY APPRECIATE it and come before Christ with a glad and thankful heart.
In 1808, Richard M'Nemar, speaking about the Kentucky Revival, wrote this in what he called a 'preliminary observation':
It will be granted, that God has a particular order and manner of working, in which one thing goes before another. Thus: the law and the prophets were until John, after that the kingdom of heaven is preached. It then follows that all men press into it. The first thing is the law, which convinces of sin. 2. The Prophets who minister the promise and hope of salvation. 3. The kingdom of heaven is preached; the way and method of salvation made manifest in word and doctrine: and last of all we must press into it. This is the order of God, and there is no other.
I would encourage you to listen to this online here:
HELLS BEST KEPT SECRET
And do the study sheet here:
HBKS STUDY SHEET
I hope it will be a blessing and an eye opener.
Kenneth
Hannah's Prayer
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 06-23-2005
1st Samuel talks about Hannah and her husband, Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, and Peninnah. Peninnah had many children with Elkinah, but Hannah had none. It says in the Bible that "the Lord had closed her womb". God did this for a reason, as we will soon find out. Peninnah would constantly make fun of Hannah and irritate her by pointing out the fact that she had no children. This was a BIG deal back then. You weren't considered much of a woman if you couldn't bear children, especially sons. Peninnah would not relent; She was constantly making fun of Hannah. What she was doing was pure evil. It wasn't a joke, and it wasn't funny. The enemy wanted to destroy Hannah. This was such an issue for Hannah, that she would quit eating. Elkanah loved Hannah more than his other wife because it states that he would give a portion of the meat sacrifice to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, but he would give a DOUBLE portion to Hannah.
At the time of the yearly sacrifice, it states in 1st Samuel that Eli, the priest, was sitting in a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. Hannah, desiring from the Lord prays and vows:
1 Sam 1:10-11 "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (NIV)
Hannah was telling the Lord she would separate her son for HIS work and HIS glory, as a Nazarite would. Check back in NUMBERS which says:
Hannah prayed all of this "in her heart" and only her lips moved. (This is proof that prayer comes from the abundance of the heart). Eli thought she was drunk and basically told her to "ditch the alcohol". Hannah said she was not drunk:
Guess what? Hannah had faith that God would give her this son. She believed in God's chosen high priest, ELI, and she knew that God would answer. She was expecting Him to from that point on. It says she went her way, she ATE, and her face was no longer downcast! That is awesome. This woman had faith that God would do exactly as Eli had said when he said "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him".
Hannah did have a son, and named him Samuel. Samuel means "asked from the Lord". As soon as the child was weaned, she took him to Samuel and placed him in Samuel's care. This woman, now vendicated from the hackling of Peninnah then prayed and gave glory to God saying:
Hannah's prayer sounds a lot like the words David wrote. She was exalting the Lord because He had given her victory over her enemies (Peninnah, her accuser "as Satan is" ). She was saying the strong would be made weak, and the weak made strong. The Lord lifts up and the Lord brings down. He raises the poor from the dust ( I like that ). He lifts the needy from the ash heap. He has them inherit a throne of honor. Hannah was used to being in a place of dishonor, with no son, but was now in a place of honor.
Hannah not only had Samuel, but 1 Samuel 2:21 says: And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (NIV)
So this woman who's only desire was to have a son, not only had Samuel, but gave birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters. The LORD is gracious isn't He!? God WANTS to bless us. Hannah would each year bring her son Samuel a robe she had made. I bet she had a good time catching up with all that was going on in his life. Because of her faith in God and her obedience to keep her word, the Lord honored her and Samuel. Samuel became a great prophet for the Lord as it says here:
Is there something miraculous you need from the Lord? Something you can't do in your own strength? Do what Hannah did and go to HIM for your salvation. Trust, believe and obey. God will move on your behalf, and WANTS to.
I just had to share some of this. To Him be the glory,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 06-23-2005
1st Samuel talks about Hannah and her husband, Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, and Peninnah. Peninnah had many children with Elkinah, but Hannah had none. It says in the Bible that "the Lord had closed her womb". God did this for a reason, as we will soon find out. Peninnah would constantly make fun of Hannah and irritate her by pointing out the fact that she had no children. This was a BIG deal back then. You weren't considered much of a woman if you couldn't bear children, especially sons. Peninnah would not relent; She was constantly making fun of Hannah. What she was doing was pure evil. It wasn't a joke, and it wasn't funny. The enemy wanted to destroy Hannah. This was such an issue for Hannah, that she would quit eating. Elkanah loved Hannah more than his other wife because it states that he would give a portion of the meat sacrifice to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, but he would give a DOUBLE portion to Hannah.
At the time of the yearly sacrifice, it states in 1st Samuel that Eli, the priest, was sitting in a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. Hannah, desiring from the Lord prays and vows:
1 Sam 1:10-11 "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (NIV)
Hannah was telling the Lord she would separate her son for HIS work and HIS glory, as a Nazarite would. Check back in NUMBERS which says:
Num 6:1-5 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. "'During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long.(NIV)
Hannah prayed all of this "in her heart" and only her lips moved. (This is proof that prayer comes from the abundance of the heart). Eli thought she was drunk and basically told her to "ditch the alcohol". Hannah said she was not drunk:
1 Samuel 1:15-18 - "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (NIV)
Guess what? Hannah had faith that God would give her this son. She believed in God's chosen high priest, ELI, and she knew that God would answer. She was expecting Him to from that point on. It says she went her way, she ATE, and her face was no longer downcast! That is awesome. This woman had faith that God would do exactly as Eli had said when he said "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him".
Hannah did have a son, and named him Samuel. Samuel means "asked from the Lord". As soon as the child was weaned, she took him to Samuel and placed him in Samuel's care. This woman, now vendicated from the hackling of Peninnah then prayed and gave glory to God saying:
1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. "The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. "The LORD brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails; S0 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."(NIV)
Hannah's prayer sounds a lot like the words David wrote. She was exalting the Lord because He had given her victory over her enemies (Peninnah, her accuser "as Satan is" ). She was saying the strong would be made weak, and the weak made strong. The Lord lifts up and the Lord brings down. He raises the poor from the dust ( I like that ). He lifts the needy from the ash heap. He has them inherit a throne of honor. Hannah was used to being in a place of dishonor, with no son, but was now in a place of honor.
Hannah not only had Samuel, but 1 Samuel 2:21 says: And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (NIV)
So this woman who's only desire was to have a son, not only had Samuel, but gave birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters. The LORD is gracious isn't He!? God WANTS to bless us. Hannah would each year bring her son Samuel a robe she had made. I bet she had a good time catching up with all that was going on in his life. Because of her faith in God and her obedience to keep her word, the Lord honored her and Samuel. Samuel became a great prophet for the Lord as it says here:
1 Sam 3:19-21 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (NIV)
Is there something miraculous you need from the Lord? Something you can't do in your own strength? Do what Hannah did and go to HIM for your salvation. Trust, believe and obey. God will move on your behalf, and WANTS to.
I just had to share some of this. To Him be the glory,
Kenneth
I Likes to be Chose
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 06-13-2005
After Sunday's sermon and video presentation, I've been thinking about the subject of "I chose you" more and more. I have heard this preached on many times, and it's always intrigued me. I heard a guy on James Dobson's FOCUS on the Family broadcast who was really funny that spoke on this subject really well. This guy (I'll call him JOHN for the sake of writing about it) said that when he was in school, that when it was time for everyone to choose sides for a game, that the 2 leaders would choose a kid, and then in turn the other one would choose one. This would go on until everyone but John had been chosen. The last leader to choose would then say something like "Whatever, I reckon we'll take John", as if it was going to kill him. John said something like "I don't know about you, but.....I likes to be chose". He was laughing about the situation, but in a solemn and sad sort of way too. I thought back on my elementary school days and about the kids that didn't make the cut and the sad looks they'd give. I'd often like the underdog to be on my team, but the team leaders usually wouldn't. I was always very fast, and quite athletic (believe it or not, ha) and I almost always got chose. I won two gold medals running track and was a part of the track team in Springdale Arkansas. I played soccer and was always the forward (the hotshot point maker). So, when younger, I didn't really have to deal with not being chose. I don't remember ever being the leader doing the choosing, but I usually got chosen pretty quickly. You know what, we all like to be chose don't we? We all like to be recognized by others, to feel important to others. God made us this way, and rightly so.
Check this verse out:
God chose us. You know, it's doesn't get any better than that. If you have a self-esteem problem, then this truth alone should set you free. I grew up with a big self-esteem problem, and much of that carries still to this day. I can remember my Mom telling me when I'd say something negative that I couldn't do, "Don't you say that, God has made you more than a conqueror" and "You're God's child". I could see her almost get mad, but in a Holy sort of way. This always left an impression on me to quit being negative. I think God himself gets angry when we say "I can't do it" when he has already said "You CAN do it". I think if we could all grasp hold of the truth that God has chosen and appointed us for HIS work, that we will want to praise and worship Him more. Our self-esteem can rest in Him and our credentials in the fact that we're HIS son/daughter, and we're more than conquerors.
I don't like for others to be left out, and I hope I never do that. I hope God will open my eyes to those that are looking to me to choose them. A lot of times, it may be our own sons or daughters that need to feel "chose". I'm thankful that my Father God has chosen me. I want you to know, that he's chosen YOU.
God chose us to bear fruit that would last. He chose us to do what He did. It feels good to be CHOSE, especially when the CHOOSER is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I don't know about you, but I likes to be chose.
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 06-13-2005
After Sunday's sermon and video presentation, I've been thinking about the subject of "I chose you" more and more. I have heard this preached on many times, and it's always intrigued me. I heard a guy on James Dobson's FOCUS on the Family broadcast who was really funny that spoke on this subject really well. This guy (I'll call him JOHN for the sake of writing about it) said that when he was in school, that when it was time for everyone to choose sides for a game, that the 2 leaders would choose a kid, and then in turn the other one would choose one. This would go on until everyone but John had been chosen. The last leader to choose would then say something like "Whatever, I reckon we'll take John", as if it was going to kill him. John said something like "I don't know about you, but.....I likes to be chose". He was laughing about the situation, but in a solemn and sad sort of way too. I thought back on my elementary school days and about the kids that didn't make the cut and the sad looks they'd give. I'd often like the underdog to be on my team, but the team leaders usually wouldn't. I was always very fast, and quite athletic (believe it or not, ha) and I almost always got chose. I won two gold medals running track and was a part of the track team in Springdale Arkansas. I played soccer and was always the forward (the hotshot point maker). So, when younger, I didn't really have to deal with not being chose. I don't remember ever being the leader doing the choosing, but I usually got chosen pretty quickly. You know what, we all like to be chose don't we? We all like to be recognized by others, to feel important to others. God made us this way, and rightly so.
Check this verse out:
John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(NIV)
God chose us. You know, it's doesn't get any better than that. If you have a self-esteem problem, then this truth alone should set you free. I grew up with a big self-esteem problem, and much of that carries still to this day. I can remember my Mom telling me when I'd say something negative that I couldn't do, "Don't you say that, God has made you more than a conqueror" and "You're God's child". I could see her almost get mad, but in a Holy sort of way. This always left an impression on me to quit being negative. I think God himself gets angry when we say "I can't do it" when he has already said "You CAN do it". I think if we could all grasp hold of the truth that God has chosen and appointed us for HIS work, that we will want to praise and worship Him more. Our self-esteem can rest in Him and our credentials in the fact that we're HIS son/daughter, and we're more than conquerors.
I don't like for others to be left out, and I hope I never do that. I hope God will open my eyes to those that are looking to me to choose them. A lot of times, it may be our own sons or daughters that need to feel "chose". I'm thankful that my Father God has chosen me. I want you to know, that he's chosen YOU.
1 Peter 2:9 says: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:(KJV)
II Thessalonians 2:13 says: But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.(NIV)
God chose us to bear fruit that would last. He chose us to do what He did. It feels good to be CHOSE, especially when the CHOOSER is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I don't know about you, but I likes to be chose.
Kenneth
We Can Enter In
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 05-11-2005
I've been listening to a lot of my older favorite cd's lately, actually compiling different songs I really like onto 2 different cd's using my pc's cd-burner and I forgot how much I liked the song ENTER IN by Petra. I'm not a big Petra fan, know nothing of their earlier or recent stuff, but I did buy one of their cd's once and really liked it. I think it was their NO DOUBT cd. I liked a lot of the tunes on that cd, and I really liked the lyrics of some of the songs. Some of the songs I didn't care for but overall, I was really surprised. Their music is pretty hard on the rock side and I'm just not into rock at all. I like some Pop tunes and country music, but the vast majority of everything I listen to is Christian music for good reason. I need the uplifting lyrics and truths of Christian music. You really have to scope out the "real" christian music from the stuff that's just being sung for the money aspect of the business. You can often tell when a song is inspired of God, annointed, or whatever you want to call it. ENTER IN is one of those songs to me. After you scrape back the rock sound of it, and really take a look at this song, the awesome truth embedded in it is something that really stokes the fire in my soul and heart.
Here are the lyrics with credit going to Bob Hartman as the song writer:
Hebrews 10:19-20 says: "Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh".
That is so awesome to think about. The once forbidden HOLY PLACE, which only the high priest could enter into (without being killed) is now the place that you and I can enter into by grace through Jesus Christ, and what he did on the cross. For many, many years, there was a big, long string of events that had to take place by the high priest, but since the cross, it's all changed. The writer of Hebrews says in chapter 9 (please read and re-read this):
In the same chapter (9), it continues on about how the new covenant is now in place and talks of how under the law, God's law, BLOOD, was required to forgive sins. God gave his only son's blood for us, and the new, FULLY PERFECT covenant is now in place! It also talks about how Christ didn't enter a man-made sanctuary (as was done for generations) but he entered Heaven itself, to appear FOR US, in God's presence. It continues on to talk of how the high priest would have to enter in year after year, but Christ entered once, and did it right, for all eternity.
Wow, that's something to think about. I'm not smart enough to delve a whole lot deeper into all this, but I thank God that he's made all of this plain to average people like me.
Read through Leviticus (chapter one and on) all the things the priest had to do, it's incredible. All of that foreshadowed (as it says in Hebrews) what Christ would someday do (and now has done).
As the song ENTER IN says: "We can enter in His gates with thankfulness and praise; Into the once forbidden Holy place; We can live in goodness and in mercy all our days; We can enter in a new and living Way; By our faith He will receive us when we pray; We don't have to be afraid to seek His face; We can enter in".
To Him be the glory, forever,
Ken
Original Blog Date: 05-11-2005
I've been listening to a lot of my older favorite cd's lately, actually compiling different songs I really like onto 2 different cd's using my pc's cd-burner and I forgot how much I liked the song ENTER IN by Petra. I'm not a big Petra fan, know nothing of their earlier or recent stuff, but I did buy one of their cd's once and really liked it. I think it was their NO DOUBT cd. I liked a lot of the tunes on that cd, and I really liked the lyrics of some of the songs. Some of the songs I didn't care for but overall, I was really surprised. Their music is pretty hard on the rock side and I'm just not into rock at all. I like some Pop tunes and country music, but the vast majority of everything I listen to is Christian music for good reason. I need the uplifting lyrics and truths of Christian music. You really have to scope out the "real" christian music from the stuff that's just being sung for the money aspect of the business. You can often tell when a song is inspired of God, annointed, or whatever you want to call it. ENTER IN is one of those songs to me. After you scrape back the rock sound of it, and really take a look at this song, the awesome truth embedded in it is something that really stokes the fire in my soul and heart.
Here are the lyrics with credit going to Bob Hartman as the song writer:
Enter In Words by Bob Hartman Based on Hebrews 10:19,20
Once a year for sacrifice, just one priest could pay the price
And step inside the inner veil to make the people free
The Temple stood the same for years till the Nazarene appears
Things will never be the same since 33 A.D.
When He spoke and bowed His head, He who saved the world was dead
Then the earth began to shake, Heaven's wall began to break
Opening the Holy Place...The temple veil is torn in two
The way is cleared for me and you to Enter in
(Chorus) We can enter in, enter in
Into Heaven's Holy place
We can enter in, enter in
Boldly by His blood we can approach His throne of grace
We can enter in a new and living Way
By our faith He will receive us when we pray
Now without a second look we forget what all it took
To be seen as innocent by His Holy eyes
Never thinking foolishly there is something He won't see
For our lack of righteousness there is no disguise
He won't look the other Way. Someone's life will have to pay
Once for all it has been done, Taken out upon His Son
He remembers it no more! Now for us He is the Door!
Opened up forevermore!
We can enter in, enter in
We can enter in His gates with thankfulness and praise
Into the once forbidden Holy place
We can live in goodness and in mercy all our days
We can enter in a new and living Way
By our faith He will receive us when we pray
We don't have to be afraid to seek His face
We can enter in
Hebrews 10:19-20 says: "Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh".
That is so awesome to think about. The once forbidden HOLY PLACE, which only the high priest could enter into (without being killed) is now the place that you and I can enter into by grace through Jesus Christ, and what he did on the cross. For many, many years, there was a big, long string of events that had to take place by the high priest, but since the cross, it's all changed. The writer of Hebrews says in chapter 9 (please read and re-read this):
Heb 9:7-14But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-- external regulations applying until the time of the new order. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!(NIV)
In the same chapter (9), it continues on about how the new covenant is now in place and talks of how under the law, God's law, BLOOD, was required to forgive sins. God gave his only son's blood for us, and the new, FULLY PERFECT covenant is now in place! It also talks about how Christ didn't enter a man-made sanctuary (as was done for generations) but he entered Heaven itself, to appear FOR US, in God's presence. It continues on to talk of how the high priest would have to enter in year after year, but Christ entered once, and did it right, for all eternity.
Wow, that's something to think about. I'm not smart enough to delve a whole lot deeper into all this, but I thank God that he's made all of this plain to average people like me.
Read through Leviticus (chapter one and on) all the things the priest had to do, it's incredible. All of that foreshadowed (as it says in Hebrews) what Christ would someday do (and now has done).
As the song ENTER IN says: "We can enter in His gates with thankfulness and praise; Into the once forbidden Holy place; We can live in goodness and in mercy all our days; We can enter in a new and living Way; By our faith He will receive us when we pray; We don't have to be afraid to seek His face; We can enter in".
To Him be the glory, forever,
Ken
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