Brampton Blog

Brampton Bloghttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&blog_id=159141EN-USCopyright © 2010 Harvest Bible Chapel - Bramptonhttp://www.triplePixel.comMon, 12 Jul 2010 20:00:00 GMTA Regular Update for Harvest BramptonTed DuncanTed Duncantduncan@harvestbrampton.canoBring the Book...Not the Bikehttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=216050http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=216050Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:00:00 GMT <div> </div> <div>In the sermon this Sunday, I talked about how important it is for churches to keep the Bible the main component of all that they do and not try to entertain people which a whole bunch of extra stuff. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. They should forget the bike and bring the Book!</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <object width="480" height="385"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FymUcGu5mi8&hl=en_US&fs=1" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object>In the sermon this Sunday , I talked about how important it is for churches to keep the Bible the main component of all that they do and not try to entertain people which a whole bunch of extra stuff. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. They should forget the bike and bring the Book!216050Leading on Vacationhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215315http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215315Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT <div> As many of us prepare for family vacations this summer, I'd like to recommend this great article from C.J. Mahaney on how men can lovingly lead their wives and children on vacation. <a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Leadership-and-Family-Vacations-%28part-1%29.aspx">Click here to read it.</a> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>As many of us prepare for family vacations this summer, I'd like to recommend this great article from C.J. Mahaney on how men can lovingly lead their wives and children on vacation. Click here to read it.215315The Bible is Not an End in Itselfhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215455http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215455Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:00:00 GMT <div> </div> <div>Here's another great quotation on the word of God from A.W. Tozer:</div> <div> </div> <div> For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts. (TOZER, Pursuit of God, 9-10)  </div>Here's another great quotation on the word of God from A.W. Tozer: For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts. (TOZER, Pursuit of God, 9-10)215455God is not Silent! Expect Him to Speak!http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215102http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=215102Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:00:00 GMT <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Check out this insightful and encouraging quotation from A.W. Tozer on the word of God as we get ready to hear God's word this Sunday. </div> <div>  </div> <div> </div> <div> The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Word. The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech. It is the infallible declaration of His mind for us put into our familiar human words.<o:p></o:p> I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking. The prophets habitually said, “Thus saith the Lord.” They meant their hearers to understand that God’s speaking is in the continuous present. We may use the past tense properly to indicate that at a certain time a certain word of God was spoken, but a word of God once spoken continues to be spoken, as a child once born continues to be alive, or a world once created continues to exist. And those are but imperfect illustrations, for children die and worlds burn out, but the Word of our God endureth forever.<o:p></o:p> If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing; it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. page 82.  </div>Check out this insightful and encouraging quotation from A.W. Tozer on the word of God as we get ready to hear God's word this Sunday. The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Word. The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech. It is the infallible declaration of His mind for us put into our familiar human words. I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking. The prophets habitually said, “Thus saith the Lord.” They meant their hearers to understand that God’s speaking is in the continuous present. We may use the past tense properly to indicate that at a certain time a certain word of God was spoken, but a word of God once spoken continues to be spoken, as a child once born continues to be alive, or a world once created continues to exist. And those are but imperfect illustrations, for children die and worlds burn out, but the Word of our God endureth forever. If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing; it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. page 82.215102New Sermon Series on Titushttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=206719http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=206719Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:00:00 GMT <img alt="" style="width: 300px; height: 135px;" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/titus-web.jpg" /> This Sunday we're excited to be diving into a verse by verse study of Paul's letter to Titus entiled "Courage and Conviction in an Age of Compromise". G.K. Chesterton commented on the present state of thinking in our age with prophet-like clarity, "What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction; where it was never meant to be. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. The new skeptic is so humble that he doubts if he can even learn. . . . We are on the road to producing a race of man too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table." (G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy [Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1957], pp. 31-32) It seems that the only sin left to commit in our world today is being sure about what you believe. The relativistic worldview that surrounds us has seeped into the evangelical church such that speaking with authority and demonstrating biblical humility are presently understood to be at odds with one another. Anyone who claims to believe something strongly about doctrine or morality is immediately considered to be arrogant, intolerant, closed-minded and even un-Christian. But this is not the mentality of the New Testament church. They model for us brokenness and boldness, humility and authority. The apostle said he built his entire life on “the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1). The New Testament believers had a faith that was based on knowing objective truth and that resulted in radical life-transformation (godliness). In this series we’re going be humbly seeking God for the courage needed to live with conviction in an age of compromise. This Sunday we're excited to be diving into a verse by verse study of Paul's letter to Titus entiled "Courage and Conviction in an Age of Compromise". G.K. Chesterton commented on the present state of thinking in our age with prophet-like clarity, "What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction; where it was never meant to be. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. The new skeptic is so humble that he doubts if he can even learn. . . . We are on the road to producing a race of man too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table." (G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy [Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1957], pp. 31-32) It seems that the only sin left to commit in our world today is being sure about what you believe. The relativistic worldview that surrounds us has seeped into the evangelical church such that speaking with authority and demonstrating biblical humility are presently understood to be at odds with one another. Anyone who claims to believe something strongly about doctrine or morality is immediately considered to be arrogant, intolerant, closed-minded and even un-Christian. But this is not the mentality of the New Testament church. They model for us brokenness and boldness, humility and authority. The apostle said he built his entire life on “the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1). The New Testament believers had a faith that was based on knowing objective truth and that resulted in radical life-transformation (godliness). In this series we’re going be humbly seeking God for the courage needed to live with conviction in an age of compromise.206719Amazing Prayers (Part 4) - Daniel 9:1-19http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204256http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204256Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT After the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and 70 years of exile in Babylon, Daniel was zealous for God to fulfill His promise (Jeremiah 29:10) to bring Israel back to their land and for God to dwell among them once more by His presence. This time, however, it wouldn't be in a temple built with human hands, but in the incarnate Son of Man, Jesus Christ, in whom His glorious presence and truth would be seen (John 1:14 & John 2:19-22). Daniel 9:1-19 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. "O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name." After the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and 70 years of exile in Babylon, Daniel was zealous for God to fulfill His promise (Jeremiah 29:10) to bring Israel back to their land and for God to dwell among them once more by His presence. This time, however, it wouldn't be in a temple built with human hands, but in the incarnate Son of Man, Jesus Christ, in whom His glorious presence and truth would be seen (John 1:14 & John 2:19-22). Daniel 9:1-19 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. "O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God,...204256Amazing Prayers (Part 3) - 2 Chronicles 20:1-12http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204228http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204228Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."204228Amazing Prayers (Part 2) - 2 Chronicles 6http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204255http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204255Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT Watch for how often Solomon quotes God's promises and asks God to fulfill His Word. Also keep an eye out for how significant the temple, namely God's presence, is to God's people and prayers. We'll see how Jesus, David's descendant, fulfills this later. 2 Chronicles 6:1-17 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. But I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever." Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, 'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.' Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.' Now the LORD has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. And there I have set the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel." Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.' Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David." Watch for how often Solomon quotes God's promises and asks God to fulfill His Word. Also keep an eye out for how significant the temple, namely God's presence, is to God's people and prayers. We'll see how Jesus, David's descendant, fulfills this later. 2 Chronicles 6:1-17 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. But I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever." Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, 'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.' Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.' Now the LORD has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. And there I have set the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel." Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.' Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David."204255Amazing Prayers (Part 1) - Isaiah 37:15-20http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204220http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204220Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT Reading and listening to how God's people have voiced their prayers to God in the past is both encouraging and essential in helping us learn how to pray today. I hope to post a few such prayers over the next couple of days. Look up the context of why they were praying, listen to their prayers, and let us learn from their example. Isaiah 37:15-20 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD." Reading and listening to how God's people have voiced their prayers to God in the past is both encouraging and essential in helping us learn how to pray today. I hope to post a few such prayers over the next couple of days. Look up the context of why they were praying, listen to their prayers, and let us learn from their example. Isaiah 37:15-20 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD."20422010 Churches in 10 Years? How about 45!?!http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204267http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=204267Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:00:00 GMT <img alt="" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/mug_james%202.jpg" /> God is always doing FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we could even ask or think. Check out this summary from <a href="http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/?p=3971&cpage=1#comment-4785">James MacDonald's blog </a>of what God has done in the Harvest fellowship of churches of the last decade! (I think we're number 42 out of 45! Keep your eyes open for new Harvest churches in Calgary and in Durham Region [East Toronto] this fall.)God is always doing FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we could even ask or think. Check out this summary from James MacDonald's blog of what God has done in the Harvest fellowship of churches of the last decade! (I think we're number 42 out of 45! Keep your eyes open for new Harvest churches in Calgary and in Durham Region [East Toronto] this fall.)204267My Top 5 Bible Verses when the Winds of Opposition Blowhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=203996http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=203996Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:00:00 GMT Here are 5 passages that I’ve found personally helpful in reminding me of the truth about God when life is hard. They are like ballast in my boat when the storms of this life rage: Ephesians 1:11 – God is totally sovereign Psalm 136:1 – God is totally good and loving Romans 8:28 – God works all things for good for His children Psalm 23 – God is our Shepherd who ordains only goodness & mercy for us all our days Matthew 28:20 – God will never leave us Here are 5 passages that I’ve found personally helpful in reminding me of the truth about God when life is hard. They are like ballast in my boat when the storms of this life rage: Ephesians 1:11 – God is totally sovereign Psalm 136:1 – God is totally good and loving Romans 8:28 – God works all things for good for His children Psalm 23 – God is our Shepherd who ordains only goodness & mercy for us all our days Matthew 28:20 – God will never leave us203996Resources of the Fight part 4 of 4http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202982http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202982Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT Here are the two best books I've read on battling the sin of sexual temptation and temptation in general. Joshua Harris, <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/sex-is-not-the-problem-lust/harris/9781590525197/pd/525191?item_code=WW&netp_id=377374&event=ESRCN&view=details">SEX IS NOT THE PROBLEM (LUST IS) </a>I don't always like reading books specifically on the topic of lust because many well intentioned authors who are trying be transparent and frank are too descriptive and graphic in their anecdotes and examples which can take my mind places I never wanted it to go. Harris' book is a clear and concise treatment of this subject that is rated PG. This book is filled with great advice for dealing with sin that is all centered around the gospel. Kris Lundgaard, <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/enemy-within-straight-about-power-defeat/kris-lundgaard/9780875522012/pd/42017?item_code=WW&netp_id=148927&event=ESRCN&view=details">THE ENEMY WITHIN </a> This book deals with the topic of sin in general and is actually based on a book written hundreds of years ago by John Owen called The Mortification of the Flesh. Why not pick up 2 copies of one of these titles and go through it with a friend or accountability partner. Harris' book has a study guide that you can buy separately and Lungaard has really helpful questions in the back.Here are the two best books I've read on battling the sin of sexual temptation and temptation in general. Joshua Harris, SEX IS NOT THE PROBLEM (LUST IS) I don't always like reading books specifically on the topic of lust because many well intentioned authors who are trying be transparent and frank are too descriptive and graphic in their anecdotes and examples which can take my mind places I never wanted it to go. Harris' book is a clear and concise treatment of this subject that is rated PG. This book is filled with great advice for dealing with sin that is all centered around the gospel. Kris Lundgaard, THE ENEMY WITHIN This book deals with the topic of sin in general and is actually based on a book written hundreds of years ago by John Owen called The Mortification of the Flesh. Why not pick up 2 copies of one of these titles and go through it with a friend or accountability partner. Harris' book has a study guide that you can buy separately and Lungaard has really helpful questions in the back.202982Resources for the Fight part 3 of 4http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202980http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202980Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT Here is an impactful sermon given by my mentor and friend Pastor Robbie Symons of Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville. I hope it encourages you as it did me when I first heard it. <a href="http://www.harvestbiblefellowship.us/10295/blogentry/entry_id/194132/The_Battle_of_Lust_">Click here to Listen.</a>Here is an impactful sermon given by my mentor and friend Pastor Robbie Symons of Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville. I hope it encourages you as it did me when I first heard it. Click here to Listen.202980Resources for the Fight part 2 of 4http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202979http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202979Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT Here's a helpful article on the subject of fighting lust from Pastor John Piper in which he uses a helpful acronym: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2001/1187_A_N_T_H_E_M/">A.N.T.H.E.M.</a>Here's a helpful article on the subject of fighting lust from Pastor John Piper in which he uses a helpful acronym: A.N.T.H.E.M.202979Resources for the Fight part 1 of 4http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202978http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202978Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT In <a href="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/10370/blog/blog_id/179205/audio_sermons">this Sunday's message </a>on Matthew 5:27-30 we looked at Jesus's strong challenge to be vigilant in our struggle with sin, particularly the sin of lust. Here are some very helpful resources to help you in the fight. INTERNET RESOURCES <a href="http://www.pluggedin.com/">PLUGGED IN ONLINE</a> is a resource offered by Focus on the Family that reviews movies, music, video games and television programming. Remember the good old days when you knew that a PG movie was safe to watch? Nowadays, if you're thinking about a particular movie for you or your children to watch, go to this site to get the low down on the amount of sex, violence, crude language you're be exposing yourself to. <a href="http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/">SETTING CAPTIVES FREE</a> is a Christianity-based interactive 60-day course to find freedom from pornography and sexual addiction. They also offer courses related to a number of other habitual sins including eating disorders, self-injury, and alocholism. <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/">COVENANT EYES</a>, based on Job 31:1, is a unique Internet Accountability and Filtering program that logs Internet activity and sends reports to an accountability partner. These are just a few ways that we can be pro-active against fighting the temptation that comes our way. From one soldier in the battle to another, TedIn this Sunday's message on Matthew 5:27-30 we looked at Jesus's strong challenge to be vigilant in our struggle with sin, particularly the sin of lust. Here are some very helpful resources to help you in the fight. INTERNET RESOURCES PLUGGED IN ONLINE is a resource offered by Focus on the Family that reviews movies, music, video games and television programming. Remember the good old days when you knew that a PG movie was safe to watch? Nowadays, if you're thinking about a particular movie for you or your children to watch, go to this site to get the low down on the amount of sex, violence, crude language you're be exposing yourself to. SETTING CAPTIVES FREE is a Christianity-based interactive 60-day course to find freedom from pornography and sexual addiction. They also offer courses related to a number of other habitual sins including eating disorders, self-injury, and alocholism. COVENANT EYES , based on Job 31:1, is a unique Internet Accountability and Filtering program that logs Internet activity and sends reports to an accountability partner. These are just a few ways that we can be pro-active against fighting the temptation that comes our way. From one soldier in the battle to another, Ted202978Set Your Clocks Ahead Tonighthttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202976http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202976Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:00:00 GMT <img alt="" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/daylight%20savings.B.jpg" /> Just one last reminder about daylight savings time. Don't forget to "Spring Ahead" tonight and move all your watches, clocks, ovens and Blackberrys forward by 1 hour. Our 10:00 service tomorrow will be coming 60 minutes earlier than usual.Just one last reminder about daylight savings time. Don't forget to "Spring Ahead" tonight and move all your watches, clocks, ovens and Blackberrys forward by 1 hour. Our 10:00 service tomorrow will be coming 60 minutes earlier than usual.202976I WANT US TO BE A CHURCH THAT IS COMPELLINGhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202720http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202720Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT <img alt="" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/mug_james%202.jpg" /> Every once and a while I'll come accross something that so resonates with heart that I wish I had written it. I'm so thankful for this <a href="http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/?p=3270">blog post from James MacDonald</a>. As we prepare to come together to Worship Jesus this Sunday let's keep these things in mind.Every once and a while I'll come accross something that so resonates with heart that I wish I had written it. I'm so thankful for this blog post from James MacDonald . As we prepare to come together to Worship Jesus this Sunday let's keep these things in mind.202720Burned out or Burning with Passion for Jesus Christhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202450http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202450Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT In <a href="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/BlogEntry.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202598">the message this Sunday</a>, I touched briefly on the 6 week serving schedule that we're using to help people work for Christ at Harvest without one group of people getting burned out. For those of you who are new to Harvest here's a blog post from a few months ago where I outlined the heart behind this endeavour. <img alt="" style="width: 250px; height: 195px;" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/burnout%20pic%20small.jpg" /> Many of us have been there. Overcommitted, undertrained, stressed out, unthanked, unfulfilled and lacking joy. Some of you might be saying "Hey Ted! You haven't even had your first service yet. Don't think it's a little premature to be talking about burnout?" I don't think it's ever too early to talk about burnout. At Harvest Brampton we want to be a people who are sold out for Jesus Christ and have a burning passion to love and serve Him. I know that many of us want this as well, but in the back our minds, the question lingers, “How can we serve sacrificially in this new church without burning ourselves out in 3 months?” Maybe past experiences in serving as a part of a church have made you a little gun-shy when it comes to getting on board with Working for Christ at Harvest Brampton. Well, before we even get started, let me take a pre-emptive strike and outline our plan to make sure that we are Building a Burning Passion for Jesus Christ and Beating Burnout. If you’re still checking Harvest out, you can just file this blog post under FYI, but if you call Harvest Brampton your home church and are committed to being a part of our body, you need to take seriously your own participation in this plan. We’re looking for each committed member of our core to sacrifice by missing out on our adult service for 2 out of 6 weeks. Like all sacrifices in the kingdom of God though, the blessing far outweighs the cost. Our blessing will include seeing the hearts of people of all ages warm to the gospel through the work of the Holy Sprit in their lives. We’re looking for our core to commit to: 2 weeks serving on our welcome ministry 2 weeks serving in our children’s ministry 2 weeks of worshipping at Harvest with no formal responsibilities. I know that some people will be saying "2 weeks in Children's ministry? I'm committed to serve, but do I have to serve there?" The short answer is yes. The long answer is found below. Some of you might say “But I don’t have the gift of Children’s ministry?” To that I say, Search the Scriptures! There is no spiritual gift of children’s ministry! In fact, just about every spiritual gift is needed in order to make Children’s ministry happen. We need people with the gift of helps, mercy, faith, evangelism, leadership, administration, discernment, teaching and exhortation. Getting on board with this program, does not mean you’ll be the one singing the B.I.B.LE. at the front or telling the Bible story using a felt board. Running a great children’s ministry requires all kinds of roles for all kinds of people! Also consider the numerous commands God gives to His people pass on the truths of God’s word to the next generation. Take a look two of them. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Psalm 78:5-7 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; Of course, the primary responsibility for the discipleship of children outlined in these texts lies on the parents, but the church at large needs to take this command very seriously and come alongside parents as they seek to raise their children in the fear of God. Also consider the promises given to those who receive children. Mark 9:37 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." This is an amazing promise. When you help a family at the registration desk, or help a child with his or her coloring sheet, you are actually treating that child as though he or she is Jesus. Those who serve in Children’s ministry don’t “miss out” on worshipping Jesus by working in a class room instead of going to the service. They worship Him, by welcoming and loving children in His name. Lastly, keep in mind that part of Christian discipleship is learning to become like a child. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child” (Mark 10:15) and "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3). How can we expect to become like children if we’re not spending any time with children? Consider the following quotation from John Piper. "One thing to watch for when assessing a person’s spiritual fitness for ministry is how he or she relates to children. Put a child in the room and watch. That is what Jesus did to make His point. Children are the litmus paper to expose the presence of pride.... Receiving a child into your arms in the name of Jesus is a way to receive Jesus. And receiving Jesus is a way to receive God. Therefore how we deal with children is a signal of our fellowship with God."(1) The answer for all of us in the fight against burn out is to get fired up about serving. The key words in that statement are "all of us". We all need to share the responsibility God has placed on the family and on the church to disciple children. The more we each embrace that task, the stronger we will be as a church. If more and more of us say "I'm all in", then less and less of us will burn out and our whole church will grow as disciples with burning passions for Christ! No more 20/80, let's go for 100/100! (1) John Piper “Jesus and the Children: Pondering Children as Pride Detectors” in Taste and See: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life. (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah, 2005), pg. 172. In the message this Sunday , I touched briefly on the 6 week serving schedule that we're using to help people work for Christ at Harvest without one group of people getting burned out. For those of you who are new to Harvest here's a blog post from a few months ago where I outlined the heart behind this endeavour. Many of us have been there. Overcommitted, undertrained, stressed out, unthanked, unfulfilled and lacking joy. Some of you might be saying "Hey Ted! You haven't even had your first service yet. Don't think it's a little premature to be talking about burnout?" I don't think it's ever too early to talk about burnout. At Harvest Brampton we want to be a people who are sold out for Jesus Christ and have a burning passion to love and serve Him. I know that many of us want this as well, but in the back our minds, the question lingers, “How can we serve sacrificially in this new church without burning ourselves out in 3 months?” Maybe past experiences in serving as a part of a church have made you a little gun-shy when it comes to getting on board with Working for Christ at Harvest Brampton. Well, before we even get started, let me take a pre-emptive strike and outline our plan to make sure that we are Building a Burning Passion for Jesus Christ and Beating Burnout. If you’re still checking Harvest out, you can just file this blog post under FYI, but if you call Harvest Brampton your home church and are committed to being a part of our body, you need to take seriously your own participation in this plan. We’re looking for each committed member of our core to sacrifice by missing out on our adult service for 2 out of 6 weeks. Like all sacrifices in the kingdom of God though, the blessing far outweighs the cost. Our blessing will include seeing the hearts of people of all ages warm to the gospel through the work of the Holy Sprit in their lives. We’re looking for our core to commit to: 2 weeks serving on our welcome ministry 2 weeks serving in our children’s ministry 2 weeks of worshipping at Harvest with no formal responsibilities. I know that some people will be saying "2 weeks in Children's ministry? I'm committed to serve, but do I have to serve there?" The short answer is yes. The long answer is found below. Some of you might say “But I don’t have the gift of Children’s ministry?” To that I say, Search the Scriptures! There is no spiritual gift of children’s ministry! In fact, just about every spiritual gift is needed in order to make Children’s ministry happen. We need people with the gift of helps, mercy, faith, evangelism, leadership, administration, discernment, teaching and exhortation. Getting on board with this program, does not mean you’ll be the one singing the B.I.B.LE. at the front or telling the Bible story using a felt board. Running a great children’s ministry requires all kinds of roles for all kinds of people! Also consider the numerous commands God gives to His people pass on the truths of God’s word to the next generation. Take a look two of them. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Psalm 78:5-7 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise...202450Two Kinds of Hearts (Kent Hughes)http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202448http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202448Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT <img alt="" style="width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/Work%20for%20Christ%204c%20onwhite.jpg" /> I shared this quotation at the conclusion of <a href="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/BlogEntry.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=202598">this week's sermon</a>. I hope it encourages you as you consider what it means for you work for Christ. "FOR MEN WHO claim the name of Christ, there are two distinct courses of life available. One is to cultivate a small heart. This by far seems the safest way to go because it minimizes the sorrows of life. If our ambition is to dodge the troubles of human existence, the formula is simple: avoid entangling relationships, do not give yourself to others, and be sure not to seriously embrace elevated and noble ideals. If we do this, we will escape a host of afflictions... The other path is to cultivate a ministering heart. Open yourself to others, and you will become susceptible to an index of sorrows scarcely imaginable to a shrivelled heart. Enlarge and ennoble your ideals, and your vulnerability will increase proportionately… No one has ever cultivated a ministering heart and lived to tell of a life of ease. Of course the effects of these two kinds of hearts are drastically different. Little hearts, though safe and protected, never contribute anything. No one benefits from their restricted sympathies and vision. On the other hand, hearts that have embraced the discipline of ministry – though they are vulnerable – are also the hearts which possess the most joy and leave their heart-print on the world. Cultivate deafness and we will never hear discord, but neither will we hear the glorious strains of a great symphony. Cultivate blindness and we will never see ugliness, but we also will never see the beauty of God’s creation. Or, to put this in terms of our common experience, never play baseball and you will never strike out, but you will also never hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded to the win the game! ”Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man. (Wheaton: Crossway, 1991) pages 193-194. I shared this quotation at the conclusion of this week's sermon . I hope it encourages you as you consider what it means for you work for Christ. "FOR MEN WHO claim the name of Christ, there are two distinct courses of life available. One is to cultivate a small heart. This by far seems the safest way to go because it minimizes the sorrows of life. If our ambition is to dodge the troubles of human existence, the formula is simple: avoid entangling relationships, do not give yourself to others, and be sure not to seriously embrace elevated and noble ideals. If we do this, we will escape a host of afflictions... The other path is to cultivate a ministering heart. Open yourself to others, and you will become susceptible to an index of sorrows scarcely imaginable to a shrivelled heart. Enlarge and ennoble your ideals, and your vulnerability will increase proportionately… No one has ever cultivated a ministering heart and lived to tell of a life of ease. Of course the effects of these two kinds of hearts are drastically different. Little hearts, though safe and protected, never contribute anything. No one benefits from their restricted sympathies and vision. On the other hand, hearts that have embraced the discipline of ministry – though they are vulnerable – are also the hearts which possess the most joy and leave their heart-print on the world. Cultivate deafness and we will never hear discord, but neither will we hear the glorious strains of a great symphony. Cultivate blindness and we will never see ugliness, but we also will never see the beauty of God’s creation. Or, to put this in terms of our common experience, never play baseball and you will never strike out, but you will also never hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded to the win the game! ”Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man. (Wheaton: Crossway, 1991) pages 193-194.202448Bill Gates, Warren Buffett,...you....http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=201761http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=201761Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT <img alt="" style="width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/Loonie.jpg" /> I found this cool website that caculates where you rank on the richest people in the world list. This is pretty sobering stuff in light of Jesus's statement "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). Check out <a href="http://www.globalrichlist.com">www.globalrichlist.com</a> and pray that your extreme wealth (Luke 18:23) would not be an idol in your life, but rather a means of demonstrating to the world where you treasure is (Luke 12:33).I found this cool website that caculates where you rank on the richest people in the world list. This is pretty sobering stuff in light of Jesus's statement "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). Check out www.globalrichlist.com and pray that your extreme wealth (Luke 18:23) would not be an idol in your life, but rather a means of demonstrating to the world where you treasure is (Luke 12:33).201761Great Night of Prayer Last Night - No Youth Bible Study Tonighthttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=200680http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=200680Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMTThank the Lord for a great night of prayer last night. Just a reminder that our youth group won' t be meeting tonight, but will be reconnecting next week!Thank the Lord for a great night of prayer last night. Just a reminder that our youth group won' t be meeting tonight, but will be reconnecting next week!200680John Bunyan on Prayerhttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199284http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199284Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMTJohn Bunyan once said: "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed" (I.D.E. Thomas, The Golden Treasuary of Puritan Quotations. Chicago:Moody, 1975). If our church is going to "do" some things of eternal impact in our city, it has to start with prayer. We have seen God to amazing things so far in our body and we seem to be gaining some spiritual momentum which puts us at a cross roads for many decisions that need to be made regarding taking next steps. I truly believe that we are only beginning to see God work in our midst and we need to pray that God will continue to lead us each step of the way as we move forward by faith. Come join us at our next <a href="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/10370/event/event_id/198842/Prayer_Meeting">Church Wide Prayer Meeting </a>next Tuesday February 23rd.John Bunyan once said: "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed" (I.D.E. Thomas , The Golden Treasuary of Puritan Quotations. Chicago:Moody, 1975). If our church is going to "do" some things of eternal impact in our city, it has to start with prayer. We have seen God to amazing things so far in our body and we seem to be gaining some spiritual momentum which puts us at a cross roads for many decisions that need to be made regarding taking next steps. I truly believe that we are only beginning to see God work in our midst and we need to pray that God will continue to lead us each step of the way as we move forward by faith. Come join us at our next Church Wide Prayer Meeting next Tuesday February 23rd.199284Tony Reinke on Sleephttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199229http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199229Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMTI was encouraged by this theological refection by <a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/On-Sleep.aspx">Tony Reinke on Sleep</a>. Sleep is a perpetual reminder of our finiteness. Every 14-18 hours or so (depending on the person and depending on caffeine intake), our bodies have to shut down and be refreshed in order to survive. It doesn't matter how strong or resilient a person is, no one can survive without sleep. Sleep is one of the things that sets God apart from human beings. God's word says that God never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Think about it, the God who cares for you has never been drowsy, has never had bed head or morning breath, because He has NEVER EVER slept. Whether under the light of the sun or moon (Psalm 121:6), God is always caring for us. Amazing! So sleep then should be an act of worship in which we regularly cease from our own efforts and rest in the care of He who "does not faith or grow weary" (Isaiah 40:28).I was encouraged by this theological refection by Tony Reinke on Sleep . Sleep is a perpetual reminder of our finiteness. Every 14-18 hours or so (depending on the person and depending on caffeine intake), our bodies have to shut down and be refreshed in order to survive. It doesn't matter how strong or resilient a person is, no one can survive without sleep. Sleep is one of the things that sets God apart from human beings. God's word says that God never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Think about it, the God who cares for you has never been drowsy, has never had bed head or morning breath, because He has NEVER EVER slept. Whether under the light of the sun or moon (Psalm 121:6), God is always caring for us. Amazing! So sleep then should be an act of worship in which we regularly cease from our own efforts and rest in the care of He who "does not faith or grow weary" (Isaiah 40:28).199229Haiti Update: Churches Helping churcheshttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199410http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199410Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT <img alt="" style="width: 198px; height: 111px;" src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/churches%20helping%20churches%20logo.png"%20/> %20<img%20alt=""%20style="width:%2099px;%20height:%20111px;"%20src="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Content/10370/mug_james%202.jpg" /> Check out the lastest update on the relief effort in Haiti on <a href="http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/?p=3755">James MacDonald's blog</a>. Let's continue to pray for <a href="http://churcheshelpingchurches.com/">Churches Helping Churches </a>as this new ministry gains traction.Check out the lastest update on the relief effort in Haiti on James MacDonald's blog . Let's continue to pray for Churches Helping Churches as this new ministry gains traction.199410Understanding the Gospel starts with Understanding Ourselveshttp://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199232http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/Blog.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199232Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMTIn studying <a href="http://www.harvestbrampton.ca/BlogEntry.aspx?site_id=10370&entry_id=199255">John 3:1-21 </a>this week, I was intrigued by this quotation from Thomas Constable, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Much of modern man's problem with the gospel is anthropological. It arises from a faulty view of himself. Fallen man generally views human beings as neutral if not good. Therefore the fact that God sent Jesus and Jesus came to save sinners seems only interesting at best. If man is good and not in need of salvation, we can applaud God's love as admirable. If man is neutral, we can take salvation or leave it. If we leave it, God appears unfair for condemning us. However man is not good or neutral but bad. He already stands condemned and destined to experience God's wrath. Therefore faith in Jesus becomes a necessary way of escape from that dreadful destiny. <a href="http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/john.pdf"> http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/john.pdf</a> (page 60)In studying John 3:1-21 this week, I was intrigued by this quotation from Thomas Constable, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Much of modern man's problem with the gospel is anthropological. It arises from a faulty view of himself. Fallen man generally views human beings as neutral if not good. Therefore the fact that God sent Jesus and Jesus came to save sinners seems only interesting at best. If man is good and not in need of salvation, we can applaud God's love as admirable. If man is neutral, we can take salvation or leave it. If we leave it, God appears unfair for condemning us. However man is not good or neutral but bad. He already stands condemned and destined to experience God's wrath. Therefore faith in Jesus becomes a necessary way of escape from that dreadful destiny. http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/john.pdf (page 60)199232