2009 Women's Retreat Afternoon Session

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2009 Women's Retreat Morning Session

Ladies, use the top right hand button of the embedded document to view it in full screen mode, or click the iPaper button to print your own copy of the notes. If you have any trouble operating, feel free to contact Pastor Nick.

To download a copy, go here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/11529134/2009-Womens-Retreat-Morning-Session

Day 52: The place God has chosen for us

He shall choose our inheritance for us… (Psalm 47:4)

God has a vision for our future! His ancient worshippers knew that they were not a mere collection of individuals, but a people to whom He would give a common inheritance, specially selected and held aside for them.

In recent years we’ve felt the same sense of wonder and trust as they did as we’ve watched the Providence of God work on our behalf over and over. Whether it was preserving property for us, bringing us into important relationships, or miraculously supplying a need, the story of Harvest Time is a testament to God’s abundant faithfulness. Many times we’ve had the reassuring feeling that He is pulling us into something so wonderful that it could only have come from His hand.

At the Lord’s prompting we’ve worked and sacrificed, and He has been faithful to multiply the resources of time and finances we’ve entrusted to Him. Now we have the chance once more to prove – and demonstrate to the world – His faithfulness, and to partner with Him in what Nehemiah would have referred to as a “great work.” Let us arise and build!

Father, we thank You for the way You have led us over the past few years. Seeing the record of Your faithfulness strengthens our faith that You will lead us into the fullness of the inheritance You have for us – please continue to share with us Your vision for our future, and give us the grace to step into it with confidence and joy! As we sow, we rejoice at the opportunity to be Your instruments, Your partners, in bringing what will be nothing less than a new era of Christian witness and service to the region.

Let the hand of the Lord our God be upon us for good!

Day 51: Consecrated to the Lord

“Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glittering stones of different colors, and all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given of my substance, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house – three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses; the gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for every kind of work to be made by the hands of craftsmen. And who is willing to consecrate his service this day to the LORD?”... Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they offered willingly to the LORD, and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. (Chr. 29:2-5, 9)

David had wisely marshaled the resources of the nation for the Temple project. But he knew that the hearts of the people would be unified by giving to the project together. And so, David deliberately provoked the leaders and all the people of Israel – provoked them to flow together in a spirit of “hilarious, cheerful giving.”

In verse 5, the Hebrew text tells us that David literally asked, “Who will fill his hand to the Lord?” In other words, he said, “I challenge you to do what I’ve done. Fill your hand to the Lord today!”

The nobles and the people responded with a great offering, and rejoiced over the fact that they had given willingly, not out of compulsion or pressure. They also knew that they had given “to the Lord,” and not to a project or to David.

Lord, let us give to You from pure and proper motives, so we will have joy in knowing that our giving is really to You!

Day 50: Above and beyond

And the rulers of the people dwelled at Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of every ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. (Neh. 11:1-2)

Those who have a heart to partner with God sometimes have to go “above and beyond” to see the dreams he gives us become a reality. We might think that living in Jerusalem would be viewed as a great honor... but this wasn’t the case – the city was only one step removed from being a mess! In fact, they cast lots not to see who got to live there, but to see who had to live there!

So, while the leaders were certainly setting a good example by moving to Jerusalem, the people gave special praise and blessing to a certain corps of men who decided to uproot themselves from their normal comforts and voluntarily move to their dilapidated capital – a city over which God had spoken so much but which was still very much a “work in progress!”

Lord, give us hearts to partner with You even when it may mean going beyond what others might see as a sacrifice!

Day 49: A heart to work

So we built the wall, and the whole wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a heart to work. (Neh. 4:6)

Here Nehemiah tells us how the wall started going up and the sections were joined in record time. The reason for this stunning success is spelled out for us in plain language: the people had a heart to work.

Even in the business world people know that when you love what you’re doing it somehow doesn’t feel like work! The very real hardships and fatigue of the wallbuilders seemed like a small thing to them. They must have enjoyed the fact that they weren’t just talking and speculating about the project anymore – they had rolled up their sleeves and so were actually seeing it take shape before their eyes! This made their toil seem light. In fact, the more they saw it coming together, the more encouragement they must have taken. Nehemiah records for us the important step of their hitting the halfway point. And once they saw the sections of the wall join together, in their minds they must have felt there was no stopping them – they would certainly finish.

God, give us hearts to work – hearts that are enthusiastic about what You are doing and can see beyond plans and structures to the powerful results that will come from what we will build for Your glory.

Day 48: A people with willing hearts

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people) and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (Neh. 8:5)

These were a people made ready for the Lord, for He had changed their hearts. They had once been fearful, but now they were unafraid, having seen firsthand the power released when they served God in unity. Together they had prayed, worked, held swords, and stood guard over their improbable project.

A single gesture proved they had new hearts – when the Word was opened, they stood in unison, as one man. They were attentive to God, hanging on to His every word. Their hearts were willing to do whatever He might require of them.

God, fashion us into a people who have a heart to catch every drop of what You want to say to us. You have been shaping us for such a time as this! We are ready to do whatever you ask, just let us hear Your Word.

Day 47: A place in Your house

How lovely are Your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD – my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, they will still be praising You. Selah…. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:1-4, 10)

There was something about the House of the Lord that inspired a sense of longing in the heart of the Psalmist. We don’t know the circumstances that gave rise to this particular psalm. Was it pure loneliness? Had he been traveling? Did he miss the fellowship of the people of God?

We don’t know, but no doubt he longed for what he knew he could find there: the presence of God in worship; the swell of many voices lifting their praise to heaven; the Word read, preached and taught; fellowship with the saints; and, constant reminders of the forgiveness of his sins. He felt like one of the birds he had seen nesting in the corners or on the tops of the columns – that there was safety and security there, that it was a “home for the soul.”

Father, we love Your house so much. Help us to create by Your help a place that can be a home for men’s souls: a place where Your Word and Your Spirit come forth to restore their hearts and summon them to do noble things for Your Kingdom!

Day 46: I’m beginning to think this could really happen!

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, and also the king's words that he had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for this good work. (Neh. 2:18)

How did their hands become strong for such a massive undertaking? They caught a vision for what was possible with God! There were sure signs that this was the time, signs that God had begin to move. Hearing of how God had moved on Nehemiah’s behalf and hearing how eager the king was to help – this gave them fresh courage.

Perhaps many had harbored a desire in their hearts to start working, but now there was an obvious shift in the wind, the sensing of what we would call a kairos moment that made them say, “Let’s get up and get busy!”

Father, we feel the stirring of Your wind blowing at our backs and we know this is the time You have appointed for us to rise up! Let nothing stay half-empty or half-finished!

Day 45: Pitch in!

Also we made commands for ourselves, to charge ourselves yearly with one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God… (Neh. 10:32)

This is thought to be the origin of the famous “Temple Tax” mentioned in the Gospels. As taxes go, this was a small one, comprising about 1/6 of an ounce of silver. The point of the temple tax was to emphasize that everyone was responsible to support the work of God, even if they were the poorest of the poor. This was an important concept: that everyone could and ought to do something. This ensured that everyone learned the blessings of giving, and also ensured that the house of God was properly cared for.

Lord, we may not all be able to give equally, but we can make an equal sacrifice. Increase our faith that as we sow to Your kingdom, You will multiply our seed!

Day 44: The glory of Lebanon

The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine tree, and the cedar together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. (Isa. 60:13)

The way we build, use, and maintain a house of worship speaks volumes about us and about who we think God is. When we create something beautiful for Him, we are raising a testimony to the world around us that we love Him and want to lavish our devotion upon Him. Our God is worthy of that devotion, worthy of sacrifice and worthy of acclaim, so let’s make His praise – and his place – glorious!

Father, we want to display Your glory and your worth to the people of our region. As we pray, labor, and talk about You to others, let us remember that You are calling us to build something that is meant to speak of Your holiness and Your goodness. Let this place be beautiful, and full of Your life and glory!

Day 43: God the Source

O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared in order to build You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand, and is all Your own. (1 Chron. 29:16)

But this I say: he who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let every man give as he purposes in his heart – so let him give, not grudgingly, or out of compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always being completely sufficient in all things, may abound to every good work… (2 Cor. 9:6-8)

David realized the profound truth that the Lord enables us to build and to give out of what He Himself supplies. He is the Ultimate Giver, and He wants so much to teach us how to give that He will even put it in our hands so we’ll be able to give! This is an incredible thought in itself – but what is God really after? Why does He do this?

God lacks nothing and is complete and perfect in Himself; so we should not think that He needs anything from us. He derives no profit from our giving, only the sense of parental satisfaction that comes from knowing His children are becoming more like Him as they give. And giving is real partnership with God – ultimately He funds his own projects, but he chooses to do it through those who imitate Him in hilarious giving.

God, make me a cheerful and even hilarious giver, like You are. Thank-you for supplying my need and supplying my seed! May our seed abound, so that thanksgiving will also abound in our church!

Day 42: All hands on deck!

Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. And next to him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. (Neh. 3:11-12)

Few of the older Bible commentators seem to have believed that Shallum’s actual daughters worked on the site. Typical was the sentiment of the old writer who said these women were “rich widows or heiresses, and employed men to build at their own expense…” Ironically, the views of these commentators probably stemmed from the same mindsets that caused people to be shocked when they saw women working construction in 445 B. C. The text is clear: Shallum’s daughters worked on the wall.

Let’s be smart enough not to discourage anyone who has a willing heart from giving himself – or herself – to the work of the Lord. The person who seems to you to be an unlikely candidate may possess important, even critical skills and abilities!

Lord, let none of Your people think themselves unqualified or unable to contribute their help to Your cause or to your work! Let each one be inspired by Your Spirit to do whatever he or she can!

Day 41: The One Who Scatters (Part 2)

There is one who scatters, and yet increases; and there is one who withholds more than is proper, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul shall be made fat; and he who waters shall himself also be watered. (Prov. 11:24-25)

Author Jack Hayford has rightly described giving as “the key to everything.” This scripture passage and many others like it show that giving, paradoxically, is a way to abundance and blessing. It makes no natural sense that someone who is scattering his seed around could actually increase, nor that the one who is holding on to it will actually lose… but in God’s economy that’s exactly how it works!

Whenever we give, there is a supernatural dynamic at work: God causes the generous man to have more. In the Kingdom of God, living God’s way and giving God’s way brings a God-sized return.

Need to have some increase? Start sowing!

Need an outpouring? Start pouring out!

Almighty God, release the power of increase on our behalf as we begin to sow, scatter, give, water, distribute and disperse what You have given us! We refuse all natural thinking that would say it makes no sense; Your ways are higher than our ways. We choose to believe that as we give it will return to us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over! In your hands, this will be a short work.

Day 40: The One Who Scatters (Part 1)

He hath scattered abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn shall be exalted with honor. (Psalm 112:9)

Let’s look at what God says about the man who scatters. These are wonderful promises, given to anyone who has become generous in spirit and generous in deed. The man in this proverb has learned to sow his seed in a variety of places; he gives to every noble work he can that he senses God to be involved with. He also remembers the poor, the friends of God.

The result of this “life of scattering?” God says that that his righteousness endures forever. How can this be? How will giving cause our righteousness to endure? It probably happens because people who go around looking to sow are watching and waiting for opportunities to hear His voice and be His instrument. So, moving in the spirit of giving instead of the spirit of grasping keeps your heart tender and sensitive to the delicate and subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit. Becoming a giver will transform your entire character!

The Lord also promises that the man who scatters will be exalted with honor. The horn was a symbol of a person’s strength and his being promoted over others. So this verse indicates that those who give will receive supernatural grace and promotion from God – they will receive honor before others. Why does God do this? He wants the givers in society to be the people who are held in high regard. He wants others to learn from and imitate the lifestyle of the givers, not the graspers!

God, help me find delight in sowing here, there, and everywhere. You so loved the world that You gave… give me Your love for the things You love – it will make a giver like you are!

Day 39: For the glory of that Name

Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever; and blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!” (Neh. 9:5)

God has blessed us with many wonderful moments, days, and seasons of worship at Harvest Time. So we can certainly understand the excitement of these Levites. They knew, as we do, that the Name of the Lord is exalted above and beyond all of man’s ability or capacity to praise it or bless it.

How blessed we will be if we keep before us the glory of that Name, and labor that its splendor and renown may shine brighter in our land. For all of us who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, our highest delight should be to spread His fame to Connecticut, New York, and the regions beyond.

Father, let all we do be for the purpose of bringing more glory and honor to the Name of Jesus!

Day 38: The knocking kind of prayer

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him? (Matt. 7:7-11)

In this well-known passage, Jesus describes three kinds of prayer. In our times of asking, we go to Him with personal petitions. In seeking prayer, we look to Him for guidance, clarity, and more of His presence. When we knock, we’re hitting on something that needs to be opened for ourselves or for others – something that’s resisting us temporarily. Any large undertaking will need large doses of the knocking kind of prayer in order to remove obstacles and “prepare the way of the Lord.” Knocking prayer is prayer that will need to be constant and at times even fervent.

For anyone who sees a long road ahead of him, the good news is this: Jesus gave the same encouragement to knocking people as he did to the “askers and seekers” – to him who knocks it shall be opened!

Lord, build some “heavenly fortitude” into me. In too many things and in too many ways I have failed at prayer, for I have only asked or questioned when I ought to have knocked. Bring me and bring us as a people into the power of steadfast, determined and tenacious prayer that overcomes the resistance of the enemy and unleashes Your almightiness in our situations. I believe that You will give us good things – if we ask!

Day 37: Called to repair and restore

…you see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire; come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a reproach. (Neh. 2:17)

If you take away from your midst the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noonday. And the LORD shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make your bones fat; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And those who shall be from you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations, and you shall be called “The Repairer of the Breach,” “The Restorer of Paths to Dwell In.” (Isa. 58:9b-12)

Anyone who joins his life to the Lord inherits a new name and a new destiny in God. Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new,” and this applies to men and women, too. But whatever other callings they may receive, Christians share a common call to build up waste places, raise up fallen foundations, repair the walls and restore the paths.

Sometimes a call to repair and to build is literal and physical. This was certainly true of Nehemiah – and of us. But God’s people are always called to repair and restore what needs mending in the lives of men, women, and children. Imagine a community of servants who apply the healing balm of Christ to the wounded people and families of the region. Imagine that this community had the skills and the grace from Heaven to teach its region the old paths that can bring soundness and joy back to families and neighborhoods. God is asking you and me to become the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Paths to Dwell In.

God, I accept the call to restore what Your Word calls the good and pleasant paths. Use me to restore people, homes, neighborhoods, and even cities. Make me a Repairer of the Breach!

Enjoy new HT photos uploaded to Flickr!

We've posted on Flickr a collection of photos from bygone years - enjoy them here!

Special thanks to Rosanna Sangermano who helped make this collection a reality for our Reunion Brunch.

These photos may also be viewed on Facebook at our Harvest Time Church fans page.

Day 36: A place to grow

That from now on we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, and cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive… (Eph. 4:14)

What is church really “all about?” Any church will be deficient and even sickly without a vibrant community life in which people are challenged to change through the grace of Christ. Believers must have faith that God is able to take them from spiritual and emotional childhood into mature saints who reflect His life and character “in all things.” It will come as we hold on to “Him who is the Head.” With his help, let’s build a community in which each one helps his neighbor to do the works and the words of Jesus.

Jesus, we want to be about the Father’s business! Enable us to instruct Your people in the ways of God. Make us a community of love that will support and strengthen one another. Equip us and let us grow up into the height of the fullness of You; for we wish to fully display Who You are to the world.