Last night, Glen Hatcher, Associate Director of Globe International, spoke in our Harvest @ 5 service. We had about half the usual crowd (Super Bowl Sundays tend to have that effect! :) ), but those who werent there missed a truly great message.
Something Glen said has stuck to my ribs: "Heaven isnt the goal: Christ-likeness on the earth is the goal."
He went on to say that if heaven was the goal, the best thing he could do for us is shoot us right then and there, get us right to heaven. But the real goal, the reason God leaves us here, is to develop Christ-likeness in us. The waves of trial, temptation, relational rubbing......the devil opposing us.....the pressures.....ALL are for the purpose of infusing Christ into us.
Glen followed that up with this statement: "If you DONT allow God to do this work in you, you are destined to become the WORST of what your parents were."
Wow. As much as I dont want to believe that, from my own personal experience, I know it is true. I see it likewise reproduced in the lives of others.
As much as they hated things about their parents, ran from them, they invariably so the exact same thing....and worse, IF aggressive yielding to God is not done.
I will be chewing on this one for a few days to come, I am sure. Self-examination time......
PB
He is one of my favorite teachers!! ;-)
Posted by: Phyllis | February 03, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I too was serving with the kids and caught half of the message which was Truly eye opening. I had some great discipleship early in my walk and love the challenging message put forth that night. Will have to get that podcast to hear it in full.
I am bursting with excitement with the season Harvest is entering into. I feel we are on the fringe of a great great move of God and I'm strapped in and ready for the ride. Lets Do This!!!!
Blessings,
BIG h.
Posted by: Honoray | February 02, 2009 at 11:20 PM
That makes me think about what we do for others for Jesus. Our works "should" flow as a result of Jesus's presence in our life. My works didn't really flow well at first, but it wasn't long before I would reach out without batting an eye. I have to tell you Harvest, God reaches back to us when we do the right thing. That true "knack" you have for something is a great place to start when doing things for God.
Posted by: Thomas | February 02, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Sorry I missed it. But cant wait to hear the POD cast. Sounds like it was right on.
Posted by: Freddie | February 02, 2009 at 08:03 PM
I liked what Glen said about being accountable to someone who would tell you when you were being stupid. Maybe that's not exactly what he said...something like that...I'll have to listen to the podcast.
Posted by: Becca | February 02, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Glenn is a great teacher. So glad you had him share at your church.
Posted by: Jim Mather | February 02, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Thanks for informing me about what I missed last night as I was teaching the 3 & 4 years olds that Jesus knows their name!!! and about the Lost Sheep story. We had 6 lovely enthusiastic children so wonderful to work with. We made crowns with their names on it!!!
Posted by: Debbie | February 02, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Last night was very good! I love solid insightful practical teaching. No pretentious religion … I love it. What a great way to kick-off a new teaching series and introduce us to a new teacher.
Posted by: Dennis Nelson | February 02, 2009 at 10:36 AM