Seeds For the Harvest

Fighter Verse for 1/29 and 2/5 - Proverbs 3:5-6

2012-01-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

Fighter Verse for 1/12 and 1/19: Psalm 119:9, 11

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Theme: Guard Your Heart with God’s Word
Verse: Psalm 119:9-11

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

Honoring the Son of the King in 2012

2012-01-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned this morning in the message from Psalm 2, (and highlighted in our Fighter Verse from Psalm 1:1-2) one of the ways in which we can honor the Lord and grow in service to Him is to have a time, a place, and plan for prayer and reading God's Word.

Here is a post from Justin Taylor's blog with a list of bible reading plans, and here is the plan I'm going to be using this year.

Also, just this morning I saw this post on systems for prayer, which you might find useful if you struggle to organize your prayer requests or order your prayer life.

Let me urge you strongly to consider integrating some of these ideas into your life in 2012, for His glory and your joy.

Keith

The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

2011-10-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

In connection with the message this morning about lifting the Shield of Faith and moving it to the point of attack, here are the forty (thirty-nine, actually) identity truths for defense in the Christian Life.

The file is here.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2880531/fortyThings.pdf

Church Services cancelled on 08-28-11

2011-08-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

Veterans Day and Romans 13:7

2010-11-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

It is good to honor those to whom honor is due.

Paul instructs us in Romans that is is good and right to obey the government (when those commands do not conflict with the commands of God), to honor our governing officials because they are the appointed agents of God in our lives to enforce laws and dispense justice.

Paul articulates a principle in Romans 13:7 that extends far beyond respecting government officials or obeying laws. He commands the giving of honor to all who deserve it. Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

As Christians, we should be first and foremost to obey when our nations laws do not conflict with the law of God. We should pay our bills on time and pay our taxes. (We should also vote for representatives who will lower those taxes if we feel they are too high!)

The final two commands in this passage command respect to those who deserve it, and honor those who deserve it as well. We might not like war or guns, we might not agree with whether the Vietnam or Korean War were just or necessary... but we should never make the mistake of disrespecting someone who has put their own life at risk in the service of our nation. We should honor those who have lost their lives in conflict and combat, and honor those who have put themselves in second place so that their people might enjoy freedom.

So take joy in honoring those to whom honor is owed. I am proud to say 'thank you' to all who have served the great nation in which we are blessed to live. I am honored by your service and enriched to know you! Thank you for the freedom to speak God's Word without restraint, to raise my children as I believe I ought, to worship God in the manner I am convicted He has revealed Himself, and to delight in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

Freedom rings in our nation because you refused to let anyone silence the beautiful sound of liberty.

May you know in truth the honor and gratitude we wish upon you on your day!

Things to Consider as You Approach Worship this Sunday (and Every Sunday!)

2010-11-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Before the Service

Read the passage in advance - Our text this week is 2 Thess 1:11-12.
Pray for the gathering
Arrive Early
Greet newcomers (act like you are the host)
Think strategically about who you should sit with

During the Service

Sing with gusto (even if you can’t sing)
Help with logistics (if there’s a problem, help fix it)
Don’t be distracted
Listen carefully
Be aware of your facial expressions (you may affect others and discourage preachers)

After the Service

Connect newcomers with others
Get newcomers information
Start a conversation about the sermon
Ask someone how they became a Christian
Stay late

Source: www.9Marks.org

Thanks to my buddy Duane for Posting!

Fighting Against Unbelief - Version 0.5 & Errata

2010-07-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to the E-Resource I've created to help us fight unbelief.

Your input is valued. I want to emphasize my deep indebtedness to both Dan Fuller and John Piper on this resource. I plan on developing it further in the future, but the work may seem very similar to theirs at this point in time. Credit and honor is due to them for their pioneering work.

Also - yesterday in the message I think I mentioned that Saul was removed from his throne because he refused to wait for Samuel to come and make the sacrifice at Gilgal. I think my words were accurate, but I realized in my Bible reading this morning that I might have combined two accounts - one in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 and one in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Sorry for any confusion.

May God guide and encourage as you chip away at Unbelief,

Keith

Fighting Unbelief E-Book

Did Christ Really Rise from the Dead? [Resource]

2010-06-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Did Christ Really Rise from the Dead?

It's an important question... perhaps the most important one you could ever ask.

As mentioned in the sermon today, here's a booklet from RBC that answers this question in great detail. You can go directly to the PDF file by clicking here.

There's a brilliant line of reasoning from Chuck Colson on pages 27-29.

Enjoy! Fight for your faith!

Keith

"Did Christ Really Rise from the Dead?" Booklet

On the Physical Death and Suffering of Jesus Christ [Article]

2010-05-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this article in my sermon this morning. If you're interested in reading more about the physical trials of Our Lord Jesus, this is the first and most extensive treatment I've ever read.

It's very graphic, but written from a medical perspective.

I encourage you to read it, but keep in mind that John's emphasis is not on the Physical suffering of Jesus, but on the importance of what His death accomplishes... satisfying the righteous demands of God and securing grace towards all who would trust in His death.

Link to the article:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2880531/deathjesus.pdf

John 19:30 [Fighter Verse]

2010-05-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

2 Timothy 2:2 [Fighter Verse]

2010-05-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 2:2 "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Elders, Treasurer, Church Clerk

2010-05-08T17:56:00.001-07:00

It's time to add officers.

Please use the nomination form in the bulletin to recommend potential officers to the Elders. As mentioned in the business meeting on May 2, 2010, please speak to any candidate for any office (especially Elder) before you nominate them. All candidates should be willing before they are approached by the Board of Elders.

As mentioned, here is the document on elections, and the qualifications of Elders, in both Word and PDF format.

Thank you for your cooperation and participation!

Pastor Keith

First Catechism - For Baptists [Part Two]

2010-04-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've written previously about the Presbyterian emphasis in the Sunday School material we use, particularly their approach to the issue of baptism in the catechism questions.

I found this interesting link to a set of revisions to the catechism, again from a Baptistic perspective. I commend the catechism to you as a time-tested way of communicating the essentials of our faith to your children and family. Writing the questions on 3x5 cards for review is a great way to quiz the whole family after dinner or some other time that works for you.

The Questions pertaining to the Ordinances:

Q. What two ordinances did Christ give to his church?

A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Q. Why did Christ give these ordinances?

A. To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.

Q. What is baptism?

A. The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial

and resurrection.

Q. What is the purpose of baptism?

A. To show believers that God has cleansed them from their sins through Jesus Christ.

Q. Who are to be baptized?

A. Only those who repent of their sins, and believe in Christ for salvation.

Q. Should babies be baptized?

A. No; because the Bible neither commands it, nor gives any example of it.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 [Fighter Verse for 04/25/10]

2010-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

1 Timothy 6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Discipleship: A Book I'm Reading [Thursday Theology]

2010-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Is this your vision of a Healthy Church?

1 Timothy 4:12 [Wednesday Worship]

2010-04-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another great scripture song from Seeds Family Worship!

I love the bouncing words!

Philippians 4:6-7 [Wednesday Worship]

2010-04-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another great scripture song by Seeds Family Worship!

God Moves [Worship Music]

2010-04-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

1 Cor 15:58 [Fighter Verse]

2010-04-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

How To Fight

This is how Paul sums up an entire chapter thinking about the resurrection. The implications of this central event in the scriptures are a challenge for us to be undisturbed, to remain firmly planted, to be fruitful in ministry.
The gospel, as Paul preached it (1 Cor 15:1-5), is that Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to many witnesses. This is a historical reality. Our faith isn't in faith, or in our feelings, or in the music we sing or the fact that we don't watch R rated movies. Our faith is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness... we dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. Our faith is in this historical reality. He was dead, and was raised, and appeared.
Be Steadfast! No matter what happens to you, don't be thrown off the truth. No matter what kind of articles you see in Time or Newsweek, or the specials on the History Channel, know that the apostles gave their lives for the gospel because they saw Him alive. Alive!
Be Immovable! No matter the political or economic climate, no matter your health or wealth, no matter if you feel like being loving or you are warmly loving the Lord, be immovable in your commitment to Him. He was raised, you will be too (1 Cor 15:20-28). Your body is wearing out, but He will give you a new one (1 Cor 15: 35-49). Death may claim those whom you love, but death has no true hold on the one who knows God (1 Cor 15:50-57).
Abound in the Work of the Lord. Be about the business of His kingdom. You are a soldier in a war. You are a member of a team. You are a stone in God's holy temple. Be abundantly working for Him. Don't let your zeal for Him be drowned out by suffering or pain or doubt. Abound... He will rescue you at the proper time.
Knowing that Your Labor in Him is Not in Vain. What you do, do for Him. Don't share the gospel for the sake of the one you're speaking to. If they reject it, won't that make you sad? Don't serve others for the sake of receiving praise. If they fail to perceive it, won't that reduce your motivation? Don't work hard at your job for the sake of a promotion. If your boss passes you over, won't that make you angry? Instead, share the gospel for the honor and glory of God. Even rejection is success, then. Serve for the sake of honoring the one who came not to be served, but to serve. Work, not as unto men, but as unto the Lord... and serve your boss as if he were the Lord, and know that God will honor it. No moment of life, lived for His glory, is wasted. Not one.

Practical Theology: New Life For Hurting Families

2010-04-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Open a Door to Change from LYDIA Home Association on Vimeo.

Check out an innovative and practical way to help families in need without government interference or going it alone. Watch this video!

Interested? Let me know. This is coming to the Eastern Shore.

Psalm 55:22 [Wednesday Worship]

2010-03-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Brilliant scripture song by Seeds Family Worship!

Why Expositional Preaching? [Thursday Theology]

2010-03-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Why don't I just pick a sermon text each week and preach whatever I like? Well, sometimes I do, because that is what is called for, but the regular diet of the church is exposition, verse-by-verse travel through a book of the Bible, making every effort to keep the meaning of the text as the point of the sermon.

Why is expositional preaching an important value at Harvest? Pastor Mark Dever teaches why this is the central mark of a healthy church.

Right click here and click 'save link' download the file.

If I Stand [Worship Music]

2010-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God [Monday Morning Messages]

2010-03-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hey! Check out this incredibly cool free download from Max McLean!
It's the classic sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, by Jonathan Edwards.

http://www.listenersbible.com/free_downloads/ipod_download

2 Corinthians 5:21 [Fighter Verse]

2010-03-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

How to Fight:

Mercy and grace to the wretched drip all over this passage. This is good news! Break it down clause by clause, as you would divide an orange into pieces, and delight in the sweetness in each section.
For our sake - Why did God act in the gospel? For His own glory, yes, but also for our sake. The gospel is for us, because God is good and for us! Feel the love of God in this clause.
He made him to be sin - Jesus is pure and holy, the unblemished lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus accomplishes this by being made sin, the very thing that God hates, so that God could crush sin in the form of His Son, so that he would not have to crush us. It sounds wicked, to punish the innocent, but we exult in the grace of God that the Son loves the Father's mission and was willing to be made sin.
Who knew no sin - Jesus never sinned. He is a perfect and pure priest. He has never sinned, and never will... and this makes Him a perfect offering, and makes His righteousness a perfect covering for our sinfulness. Our impurity cannot blot out His perfection.
So that in him - When we repent and believe in the gospel, the cross of Christ, His death as our death... when we are 'in him', under his protection... He as our Savior:
We might become the righteousness of God. The gospel means that we are viewed, by God, as though we are as righteous as God. To me, that strikes me as insanity as I type it. I am sinful, worthy of scorn, and shame, and punishment. I deserve hell. Yet in the gospel... in Christ... I am counted righteous.
Fight against a feeling of condemnation and despair and unworthiness and all that fills you with fear with that. God views you as righteous through Christ! Praise be to God for His gracious gift! Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Why Study Theology? [Thursday Morning Theology]

2010-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

This Fathomless Love [Worship Music]

2010-03-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 10:13 [Fighter Verse]

2010-03-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 10:13-14
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

How to Fight:

- Focus on provision, then obligation. We're called to fight in the strength God supplies, not our own. Don't focus on how big or tough the temptation is... focus on what God has done for you through the cross of Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

- Remember the 5 big ideas. 4 are provision:

1. Every temptation you struggle with is common. You're not unique in your struggles. Everyone struggles... don't let the devil tell you you're worse than others, or fool yourself into thinking no one can identify with you. Jesus knows what it meant to be tempted.

2. God is faithful. When all else fails, God remains true. He will be there. Believe it.

3. He is restraining the magnitude of the temptation. You can beat it. God says so... He won't let you be tempted beyond your ability to fight... like a big brother or father against a playground bully. There's no contest here... though it may feel like one.

4. With the temptation comes the way of escape, so you can endure it. God has put an escape hatch in every temptation. There are a million ways to divert your attention or put distance between yourself and that temptation... but ultimately it comes down to this: God, in Christ, has given you the ability to escape...

Therefore, knowing these things, we move to idea #5, which is our obligation. In light of 1, 2, 3, and 4... we are called to flee temptation. If the temptation is common, and God is faithful, and it is within my ability (by His grace) to triumph, and He has made a way for me to beat it... then why would I not flee every temptation? Run far from the temptation of sin!

Fight in the Strength God Provides,

Keith

Twitter... In Church?

2010-03-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Should we update our facebook statuses or twitter during church? Josh Harris shares his view.

Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son [Worship Music]

2010-03-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

John 15:18-16:4 [Sermon Text]

2010-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

John 15:18-16:4 (ESV)

¹⁸ "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. ²¹But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. ²²If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ Whoever hates me hates my Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.'

²⁶"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. ²⁷And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16

¹"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. ² They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. ³And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. ⁴But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

"I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

Psalm 27:1 [Fighter Verse for 03/05/10]

2010-03-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

How To Fight:
- Are you afraid? Experiencing some kind of fear that is robbing your joy or that is dragging you down? Is there a sinful tendency that you lapse into because of fear?
- Contemplate the fact that God is your light... brighter than any other, driving away all darkness. Call upon Him, and trust Him for light in this present circumstance.
- Contemplate the fact that God is your salvation... He will rescue you, and has rescued you time and again. Call upon Him, and trust Him that He will save you out of this present trouble.
- Contemplate that God is called the stronghold of our lives... impenetrable. Solid. Trustworthy. Safe. What reason do we have to fear? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Easily Pleased [Thursday Morning Theology]

2010-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Are you finding your satisfaction in Him, or are you easily pleased?

The Glories of Calvary [Worship Music]

2010-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Preaching the Gospel to Myself [Handout]

2010-02-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

In this morning's message, I mentioned a practice I have been trying to incorporate into my daily devotional time, 'preaching the gospel to myself.' This is not an idea that is original with me, and I heard it best explained by Jerry Bridges, in his book Respectable Sins.

I've included the handout I have made to keep myself on target, and I share it here for your use. Several of the scriptures are slightly edited, but none so changed as to change the meaning.

Preaching the Gospel to Myself Handout

Abide in Him,
Keith

1 John 5:13 [Fighter Verse for 02/28/10]

2010-02-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

How to Fight:

Explanation: Rather than just posting the verse, I am going to provide just a little bit of commentary to encourage your meditation on the truth of the scripture. The point of memorizing these verses is not to know the words and have them locked up in your mental RAM so you can spit them out again, but so that you can use them to fight off all manner of sins: Unbelief, anxiety, anger, lust, bitterness, depression, etc... I hope to encourage you in the way you lay hold of the verse. What truths are in it? What does it teach? What does it promise? What conditions are there? How should it make you joyous? Feel free to email me and share additional applications for each passage. Every passage has one defined meaning, but there can be many implications found in every truth of God's Word.
Fighter Truths: 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

The truths written in 1 John are written to those who believe in the name of Jesus. If you believe in Him, the promises and blessings and encouragements of 1 John are addressed to you. Believe them! Receive them! Live in them and let them embolden you!
The letter is written for a purpose... "that." So that. John writes to give us certainty regarding the truths he is speaking about.
The truths are given to give us assurance of our eternal life. Let there be no question in your heart or mind. Do not let your heart be anxious or discouraged. Do not listen to the voice of the devil, the self-defeating voice of the flesh, or the taunting discouragement of the world: If you believe in the gospel, if you are abiding in Christ, if you trust in the work of Christ on the cross, and that God will credit the righteousness of Christ to you if you trust in Christ's sacrifice, then you have eternal life.

This is an amazing blessing! Let there be no doubt! Dive in to 1 John, focus on abiding (which, conveniently, is the subject of this week's sermon) and know with a certainty that you possess eternal life.

For His glory and your joy,
Keith

First Catechism Revisions for Baptists [Thursday Theology]

2010-02-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

In our youngest Sunday school class, we use the First Catechism as part of our curriculum, which is produced by Great Commission Publications, a Presbyterian organization. I like Presbyterians, though we differ with them in a few areas of theology, specifically 'who are the right recipients of Baptism?'

To make the catechism fully accessible to our kids, my wife and I rewrote the 'questionable questions' and I am posting them, along with a link to the First Catechism. We're currently working through the questions with our kids, writing the questions on 3x5 cards, and then doing pop-quizzes after dinner. Mom and Dad get quizzed too in order to make it fair. (Mom is doing better than Dad so far... Dad is going to study a bit more and pull out a surprise victory!)

I commend the catechism to you as a basic discipleship tool. Let me know how you put it to use!

First Catechism Revisions

126. How many ordinances are there?
Two.

127. What are they?
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

128. Who appointed these ordinances?
The Lord Jesus Christ.

129. Why did Christ appoint these ordinances?
To distinguish his people from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.

130. What sign is used in baptism?
Immersion in water.

131. What does this immersion in water represent?
That we are buried with Christ, cleansed from sin by his blood, and raised to walk in newness of life.

132. Into whose name are we baptized?
Into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

133. Who are to be baptized?
Believers only.

134. Why are only believers to be baptized?
Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and so baptism is reserved for those who by faith have united with Christ.

Jesus, Thank You [Worship Music]

2010-02-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

John 15:1-17 [Sermon Text]

2010-02-23T05:06:00.001-08:00

This week's message will again be from John 15:1-17 as we continue our series within a series, "Secrets of the Vine." Focus on the theme of 'abiding' or 'remaining' as you read in preparation for this week's message.

John 15:1-17 (ESV)

15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Jude 1:1 - Called by CJ Mahaney [Monday Message]

2010-02-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Listened to this excellent exposition of Jude 1:1 this past week. If you are feeling low, feel like you are failing in your Christian life, see God as distant, or the possibility of enduring to the end seems bleak... listen to this message!

One beggar sharing with others where the bread is,
Keith

http://www.covlife.org/resources/3573594-Called

John 15:7 [Fighter Verse for 02/21/10]

2010-02-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

John 15:7

If you abide in me,
and my words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you.

(Follow this link to see the verse on the ESV page, which will also enable you to check the verse out in other versions, if you prefer to memorize in another translation.)

Also, I plan to coordinate with our Sunday School teachers so you can have an up-to-date knowledge of what your kids should be memorizing, and to help you set the pace for them. If dad and mom store the Word up in their hearts, and use it to fight back against sin in their own lives... then the kids will do it too!

For Your Joy,
Keith

Follow Harvest on Facebook and Twitter!

2010-02-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

You can follow this link to our fan page on facebook.

Also, the blog is being published to twitter if you choose to receive updates on your mobile phone via text messaging.

Preaching the Gospel to Myself [Thursday Morning Theology]

2010-02-18T05:00:00.001-08:00

Found this recently after mentioning this quote twice in the pulpit. Brilliant, encouraging wisdom on an important spiritual practice.

EBA Disaster Relief [Event]

2010-02-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Eastern Baptist Association
Disaster Relief Training
@ Harvest Baptist Church
119 South Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland

Friday, February 26, 7:00 PM
Introduction – Yellow Hat Training

Saturday, February 27, 9:00 AM
Recovery Unit Training
or
Field Kitchen Training
(You must complete introduction course before taking courses on Saturday)

Cost is $20.00 and includes instructional material, yellow hat & shirt & ID card
Lunch included

Please RSVP by February 22 to the EBA office @ 410-749-1820

The Glory of the Cross [Worship Music]

2010-02-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Flock Food [Monday Messages]

2010-02-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a copy of the message that I recommended called "Flock Food" from my good friend and pastor, Mike Greiner.

Enjoy! And don't forget to begin at the beginning... start working on memorizing Psalm 119:11!

For His Glory, and Our Joy,
Keith

The APTAT Card

2010-02-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in today's sermon, here is the APTAT card, a way I have found very helpful in my own fight for joy in the Father, joy in my salvation, and joy amidst the struggles of life.

The original messages where I found APTAT are here and here.

Fighter Verse for February 14th, 2010: Psalm 119:11

2010-02-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Service / Superbowl Cancellation for 02-07-10

2010-02-06T17:37:00.001-08:00

All services, including our much anticipated Superbowl / Chili Cook Off are canceled. Please stay home, stay safe, stay warm, and take the opportunity to listen to a sermon I've selected which will be relevant to our study in the Gospel of John.

Enjoy your family, Trust in Him. He is gracious, merciful and righteous!

Pastor Keith

Winter Weather, Just In Case!

2010-01-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Brothers and Sisters in Christ -

After the recent snowfall and winter weather, I think it's wise to clarify our policy in terms of winter weather.

In general, it will not be our policy to cancel our main service at 10:30. We have a contract with a snow removal company who will clear and salt the parking lot in time for service, so the church will be accessible.

Sunday school, which depends on a greater number of volunteers to function, may be canceled, since our volunteers may be unable to make it. The decision to cancel sunday school (or the main service, in the case of truly horrific weather conditions) will be made by 7:00 AM on sunday morning. In the recent snowfall, the advance speculation served little or no purpose, and the day and main roads to church were actually quite nice.

Cancellations or Revisions to the schedule will be communicated via WOLC 102.5 fm, WBOC ch 16, and WMDT ch 47. We'll also post a notice right here on the website. If you are unable to watch the listed stations, please contact an Elder or Pastor Keith.

Use caution when making a decision to travel in snow. I live on major roads, and so the weather will have to be horrible to prevent me from attending, but if conditions keep you from traveling, then please take caution and stay home.

Thanks for taking the time to read this... looking forward to worshiping with you this coming Sunday!

In Him,
Pastor Keith

A Warning to All Teachers - Fact Check! [Errata]

2009-07-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

I made another mistake... I'm sure it won't be my last!

As I was preparing my message on John 9, I specifically intended to avoid mentioning the hymn line "was blind but now I see." Of course, I was in the thick of the message and the gravity of the idea drew me right in...

So, I quoted the hymn 'Amazing Grace', told the story of the famous hymn writer Isaac Watts, who wrote 700 hymns, and just celebrated his 335 birthday. I told about how he'd been the captain of a slave ship... and so on... but there's only one problem: John Newton wrote that hymn.

So here's the lesson: Check your facts, avoid convenient illustrations (especially if you intend to avoid them in the first place), and if you are going to read 'tweets', make sure you really read them (I figured out where I went awry!), so you won't say Isaac Watts turned 700 and attribute the wrong hymns to him.

Thanks for those who encourage me to study by pointing out my obvious errors. You help me in ways you cannot imagine!

New Website!

2009-07-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to have a new website up and running after about 7 months of downtime. Some of the new features include an integrated calendar that shows upcoming events, the ability to download sermons (either as stand-alone files or to your Ipod!), and the ability to easily manage content and provide updates to the site (that's a good thing for me... ).

The content is pretty hollow at the moment... expect more as time passes.

Our website design and programming was supplied by Interapp Development.

Membership Class to Recycle 03-22-09

2009-03-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Not yet a member of Harvest? Come and get the inside scoop in our membership class. Join us in the auditorium at 9:30 am this coming Sunday and learn who we are, what we're about, and how to join up.