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I am so excited about the opportunity to enjoy time together extending the good news of Christ to our communities this summer. God is granting HBF a lot of great opportunities to share the love of God in unique ways this summer season. Some of the fun opportunities God has blessed HBF with are:

  • June 3, Church in the Park
  • June 25-29, Time Lab Vacation Bible School
  • July 4, Fun on the 4th at Harrisonville Park
  • July 7, Faith & Family Night at the K

Summer is noted as a time of fun and it should be. We even name our summer children’s ministry “Fun in The Son” as a play on the fun that we experience in the summer season. I hope everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of the short summer season to enjoy the opportunities and activities afforded this time of year. Summer can also be a time of sowing or a time of slumber. God speaks to the virtue of the ant who takes advantage of the summer months to prepare her meat for harvest. She is a self-starter who seizes opportunities while they are available.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11

Opportunities

There is a reward for seizing opportunities and there is a definite consequence to allowing seasons of harvest to slip by. Proverbs goes beyond the symptoms and gets to the problems of why we miss opportunities to glorify God. It is because we love sleep. The scripture is clear that we should rest, God even set aside a day for rest in creation when he didn’t need or have to rest. God took rest to magnify the sabbath. We who are Christians, find our sabbath in Christ. Rest is a BIG deal to God so please don’t forsake it. Conversely, God is very clear that he values a hearty work ethic.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

As we look around us and see the sun setting on this current dispensation of grace, we certainly should be motivated by the coming of our Lord. The time to labor in the field is nearly over and the time to harvest souls is now.

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34

Today all over America, young people are taking drugs like molly, meth, heroin among many other things to party and “live it up.” It’s a dangerous game that makes them feel superhuman until they come crashing down to reality. Many want to “make the most out of life” by engaging in a culture of death. This could be said of all sorts of things beyond substance abuse and alcoholism. We could see the same distraction and dependence on technology taking people down dark roads of pornography to many subtle and many not so subtle forms of pagan idolatry. The only thing that a Christian should be addicted to is Jesus’ word and his ministry. Paul didn’t have a lot of examples to point to in Corinth, but when he did point to examples, he chose ministry addicts.

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 1 Corinthians 16:15

Addiction? Some would say that is too much to expect! Aren’t you getting a little zealous? Why yes, I am. Are you afraid of being considered radical, extreme and zealous for Christ? Are you afraid of losing your identity, giving up your comfort and sacrificing your “free” time? No, I’m not calling you to do that, Jesus is. It is simply a reasonable service that flows from a grateful heart. Let’s get real, how difficult is it to show up to church on a regular basis? It’s not (with exception to some with health considerations). How hard is it to go to a park, give people ice cream and share the love of Christ? How hard is it to invite someone to a park and enjoy a great day of the word and worship or watch some fireworks? It’s not. Yet there are some who struggle with even these basic commitments because they are struggling with their commitment to Christ in general. They have fallen asleep, they are spiritually in slumber and need to be awakened out of their slumber.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:11 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:14

Awake, Awake beloved for the Lord is coming soon and we don’t want to be found slumbering when it is time to be laboring. If you find you are exceedingly sleepy in your spiritual life and you are not able to enjoy the journey with Christ I would recommend you examine the following.

1. Daily time in God’s word. Are we rising early and spending time listening to the Lord? Are you recording the things God is showing you however small or large? Are you reciting them to others and meditating upon them all day? That alone will do wonders for your heart. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

2. Daily prayer. It’s simple. Are you talking to God? Not just as you drive to work, but have you stopped and really connected with God, remembering that today is a day that is His? I have to intentionally die to my desires, letting him know that though I want to do my own thing, I am reckoning myself to be dead indeed to sin and alive unto Christ. I can study, write and remember what God is teaching me but if I don’t actually “present” my body a living sacrifice, all that water falls on the stony soil of the heart. Prayer helps me deal with my will and submit it to the Lord’s. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Healthy fellowship. Proverbs is right when it says, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 Spending time with healthy Christians is mission critical to growth and encouragement. Church attendance is a no brainer. I just saw a statistic from Thomas Rainer recently that stated many “Christians” today consider regular church attendance to be twice per month. That isn’t regular. Try showing up to your child’s athletic practices once or twice a month and see how that goes for you and your little athlete. The world doesn’t stand for that, but many who claim Christ are fine giving God relational leftovers. It is very likely that if you are struggling to love God’s people you have been struggling with points one and two. Church attendance and fellowship is typically a symptom of a deeper problem going on in the heart.

3. Repentance. We often feel like we are too far gone or that things can’t “change”. That is simply not true. The first thing that needs to change is us. Our hearts can grow heavy, weary and even depressed or oppressed when we lose our biblical moorings. When the waves of doubt, despair and despondence begin to batter against your soul, return to the Rock of your salvation and find your rest. You will be surprised how quickly God will restore the joy of your salvation and what was once a burden is now a great blessing.

Get summer started right

As I write this, my children are preparing for church camp, I am preparing for a summer full of activities and I know that as soon as we get launched into summer it will be drawing to a close and I will be longing for an extension of summer fun. Let’s not miss the opportunities and open doors before us this summer. Don’t be caught slumbering when God would have us laboring.

Get summer kicked off right but joining us this Sunday at Church in the Park. Evangelist Bob Weston will be speaking, a large praise band comprised of members of HBF and our sister churches from Midtown Baptist Temple and Harvest Baptist of Iola will be preparing our hearts with praise. Food and drink will be provided, but please don’t forget to bring a lawn chair, an umbrella or canopy for shade and your friends and family. Last but not least, please pray for souls to be drawn to the park to meet Christ their Creator and call upon him as Lord and Savior.