November 23, 2025
Lest We Forget: A Call to Wholehearted Praise and Thanksgiving
Text: Psalm 103: 1-5
David is reminding us that in order to maintain joy and strength in our Christian life we must remember to give God praise and Thanksgiving for his blessings.
He points out in these verses that there are five special blessings from God we don't want to miss.
1. The forgiveness of Sins. Verse 3. God doesn't forgive " some" of our sins...but ALL of our sins! He not only forgives them but He removes them as far as the East is from the West Psalm 103:12.
2. God heals all our diseases, verse 3
He often uses medical staff & Doctors, but sometimes God heals simply by miraculous touch. God also heals us emotionally and spiritually as well.
3. God redeems our life from destruction verse 4. Redeem means to "buy back or rescue". God rescues us from eternal hell by His Son Jesus Christ standing in and taking the punishment for us by His death on the Cross.
4. God crowns us with loving Kindness and tender mercies, verse 4. Being crowned means God makes us His children through faith. As a result we experience His steadfast love and compassion.
5. God renews us and sustains us , verse 5. When we become weary of life God lifts us up and gives us strength and purpose to go on . Isaiah 40:29-31
These blessings are ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
During this season and all year long let us remember to live a life of Thanksgiving and Praise!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 2, 2025
Scripture: Acts 17:24-25
Highlights: The Lord is not as focused on our doing as He is our BECOMING. Far too often we believe lies about ourselves. Like we are too old, too young, too slow, too uneducated, too dirty, too shy, too addicted, too scared, too clumsy, too unknown, too insecure, too much of a sinner to do the thing that is really on our hearts. The Truth is, God doesn’t need us to do anything for Him, He wants us to BECOME what He called us to be. Scripture says, He knitted us together in our mother’s womb. He knows us, He like really really knows us. He has always had plans for us.
He created us to do the BiG things!! Do you want to know why He is so sure we can do the BiG things? Because it is by the power of His Spirit that we will do them. We do not have to try, we simply have to BECOME.
I have never ever heard an apple tree groaning to produce an apple. Why? Because it has BECOME an apple tree and it simply does what apple trees do. How? Because God is providing the power, the way, the light, and the life. The tree has BECOME and obeys.
One thing we have to remember is, obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Do it His way, follow His timing and His plan, and you will not have to fear the BiG stuff you keep dreaming in your heart. Abide, BECOME, Believe, and Obey!!!
Application: When you think about who God has called you to be and when you dream about what He has called you to do- how BiG does that picture get?? Sharing with you how BiG my picture gets- you might giggle (you wouldn’t be the first to giggle). I believe I am called to raise the dead, heal the sick, open blind eyes, set the captives free, write books, and speak to nations. Even writing MY own list makes ME giggle. Why would I ever think I could do these wild and crazy things? Because the power is His, I only have to BECOME who He called me to be and HE will do the work through me.
Prayer: Jesus, I believe that in each of us You have put our own list of wild and crazy things to edify You and bring Your Kingdom to earth. Each list is different. You have called dancers, singers, master builders, and designers. You have called teachers and doctors; lawyers and gardeners; and above all interests and occupations You have called sons and daughters. Everyone has been invited into The Most Amazing Family; the Family of God. Each person has a function and a purpose. The family is waiting on completion and Jesus is waiting on His Bride. Lord remove the lies over the person reading this prayer right now… their dream is not too wild and crazy. Abba loves them, chose them, called them, and gave them a dream to BECOME and the power is Yours, sweet Jesus. In the most amazing name, Jesus, may we all stop being afraid of the BiG thing and BECOME what we are called to BECOME. In Jesus Name, Amen.
October 26, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6***
Highlights: We are invited into a Secret Place where we can talk with Jesus- confidently and boldly sharing the things of life. These things can be anxieties, concerns, joys, personal to us and/or personal to others. The Secret Place- which truly is a place of stillness and quiet with The Lord- is both a literal place (we create with Holy Spirit) and a place of the heart (He creates within us).
During the Sunday worship service a couple of things happened. Number 1, I learned not to read an entire article aloud; highlights would be much better 😉. Number 2, I shared personal testimonies about The Secret Place and the hard work to create that space but the fear I had overcome in The Secret Place with Jesus.
I do not keep sharing my testimonies because there is anything special about me alone… I keep sharing them because of everything special about Jesus!! Do you want to know how ordinary and inadequate I am? Yall, I read a whole article to a room full of ears when what was needed was this:
A. The audience we have in life should be Jesus; not others, not ourselves, not our pride or our egos.
B. Religion (so yes, even the best church) will sometimes reward the external output (actions, what we do, what we say, how we look, how we preform)- GOD REWARDS FAITH (Hebrews 11:6; James 1:12; Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 5:12**).
C. The external actions is not the problem in itself, the problem is, “…mistaken the means for the end on a fundamental level, unaware [the] search for approval was a distorted thirst for the communion of unconditional love.”*
I pray every atmosphere of Into The Harvest Ministries drips with the oil of the unconditional love of Jesus. He loves each of us right where we are- not to leave us in the broken place, the prideful place, the misled place, the sinful place, the sick place, the addicted place, the lost place- but He loves us enough to move us into the redeemed place, the found place, the recovered place, the healthy place, the righteous place, the holy place, the restored place.
Application: I encourage everyone to create a still and quiet place where you can meet God. This is a relationship, it will take work. Begin with a conversation:
“Hello Jesus, I am [your name]. I want to get to know You more. I have things in my life I don’t know if You will like. I want to believe that You still love me. I want to grow my faith in You and give Your Spirit the space to work in my life. Sometimes, Jesus, I will need You to give me the desire, because on my own, I may not want to do this very often. Thank You, Jesus. Please help me come back to You again tomorrow. Goodbye (or Amen).”
Jesus promises us this, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Prayer: Jesus, we recognize there has to be more to life than church on Sunday, work, bills, despair, and mere survival until we die. All the attempts to find meaning, be accepted by others and ourselves are insane. Increase my faith and lead me to an experience that reveals there are no attempts to find meaning or rescue, but there is a person, You. I want a Secret Place with You, where I meet You, everyday. I want to live for more than gain, favors, and the next desire being met. Holy Spirit, help me create a Secret Place to experience the unconditional love of Jesus and to love Him right back. Amen.
Scriptures & Work Cited:
*www.intouch.org, Lawrence, C. The Hidden Place of the Heart, 2021, September 1.
** And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11: 6
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:12
*** When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:5-6
October 19, 2025 Sermon Notes
Scripture: Luke 7:36-50
Highlighting: Jesus addressed the negative THOUGHTS of the Pharisee, Simon. Simon was irritated about the woman who was pouring out her oil on the feet of Jesus.
Jesus addressed the THOUGHTS of the person who was judging a person who was worshipping Him. A worship that was what eye had not seen and ear had not heard. Wow! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
I have to be honest, I love the song “Alabaster Box” but it wasn’t until this past week that I truly understood the meaning. The cost of her oil was intimate between her and Jesus. Jesus was silencing the chaos and judgement around her because no one knew the cost of her oil. The cost of her praise.
I don’t want my praise to be silenced by the sideways looks, perceived, or real thoughts of others. I want to praise Jesus in such a personal and authentic way that when I get to Heaven the angels say, “there she is, that’s the one with that radical praise. The praise that we had never seen or heard about before.”
I shared a few testimonies Sunday from my life. I always believe there is power to overcome in our testimonies according to Revelation 12:11. I shared to demonstrate that power and that my praise is before Jesus alone. He has been and always will be the Light to my path, my Protector, my Provider, and so much more.
Guess what? This is really good news… I believe we all have oil to pour out before Jesus; I believe we all have testimonies to share; I believe we all have a praise for Him. I believe we all have the invitation to pour out our oil for Jesus.
At Into The Harvest Ministries we are praying to create an atmosphere where that oil can be poured out, and at Hope Fellowship (Sunday morning worship) there is no wrong way to pour out our oil. We can lift our hands, go to the altar, share in spoken word, sit quietly with all our affections turned to Jesus (Colossians 3:1), we can laugh, cry, shout. There are no limits to the expression of pouring out our oil of praise.
Application: Between you and Jesus what is your praise? What has He done in your life that makes you say, “people don’t know the cost of my oil?”
Pray with me: Holy Spirit, I believe there is a praise inside of me, a testimony. Help me to uncover that testimony and praise Jesus for what He has done. I will never know the cost of what Jesus has poured out for me and continues to pour out for me. I want to pour out my praise for Him. Teach me how to praise Him, teach me how to adore Him, teach me how to exalt Him high in my life… so that I may say, “No one knows the cost of the oil, in my heart.” I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Lest We Forget: A Call to Wholehearted Praise and Thanksgiving
Text: Psalm 103: 1-5
David is reminding us that in order to maintain joy and strength in our Christian life we must remember to give God praise and Thanksgiving for his blessings.
He points out in these verses that there are five special blessings from God we don't want to miss.
1. The forgiveness of Sins. Verse 3. God doesn't forgive " some" of our sins...but ALL of our sins! He not only forgives them but He removes them as far as the East is from the West Psalm 103:12.
2. God heals all our diseases, verse 3
He often uses medical staff & Doctors, but sometimes God heals simply by miraculous touch. God also heals us emotionally and spiritually as well.
3. God redeems our life from destruction verse 4. Redeem means to "buy back or rescue". God rescues us from eternal hell by His Son Jesus Christ standing in and taking the punishment for us by His death on the Cross.
4. God crowns us with loving Kindness and tender mercies, verse 4. Being crowned means God makes us His children through faith. As a result we experience His steadfast love and compassion.
5. God renews us and sustains us , verse 5. When we become weary of life God lifts us up and gives us strength and purpose to go on . Isaiah 40:29-31
These blessings are ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
During this season and all year long let us remember to live a life of Thanksgiving and Praise!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 2, 2025
Scripture: Acts 17:24-25
Highlights: The Lord is not as focused on our doing as He is our BECOMING. Far too often we believe lies about ourselves. Like we are too old, too young, too slow, too uneducated, too dirty, too shy, too addicted, too scared, too clumsy, too unknown, too insecure, too much of a sinner to do the thing that is really on our hearts. The Truth is, God doesn’t need us to do anything for Him, He wants us to BECOME what He called us to be. Scripture says, He knitted us together in our mother’s womb. He knows us, He like really really knows us. He has always had plans for us.
He created us to do the BiG things!! Do you want to know why He is so sure we can do the BiG things? Because it is by the power of His Spirit that we will do them. We do not have to try, we simply have to BECOME.
I have never ever heard an apple tree groaning to produce an apple. Why? Because it has BECOME an apple tree and it simply does what apple trees do. How? Because God is providing the power, the way, the light, and the life. The tree has BECOME and obeys.
One thing we have to remember is, obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Do it His way, follow His timing and His plan, and you will not have to fear the BiG stuff you keep dreaming in your heart. Abide, BECOME, Believe, and Obey!!!
Application: When you think about who God has called you to be and when you dream about what He has called you to do- how BiG does that picture get?? Sharing with you how BiG my picture gets- you might giggle (you wouldn’t be the first to giggle). I believe I am called to raise the dead, heal the sick, open blind eyes, set the captives free, write books, and speak to nations. Even writing MY own list makes ME giggle. Why would I ever think I could do these wild and crazy things? Because the power is His, I only have to BECOME who He called me to be and HE will do the work through me.
Prayer: Jesus, I believe that in each of us You have put our own list of wild and crazy things to edify You and bring Your Kingdom to earth. Each list is different. You have called dancers, singers, master builders, and designers. You have called teachers and doctors; lawyers and gardeners; and above all interests and occupations You have called sons and daughters. Everyone has been invited into The Most Amazing Family; the Family of God. Each person has a function and a purpose. The family is waiting on completion and Jesus is waiting on His Bride. Lord remove the lies over the person reading this prayer right now… their dream is not too wild and crazy. Abba loves them, chose them, called them, and gave them a dream to BECOME and the power is Yours, sweet Jesus. In the most amazing name, Jesus, may we all stop being afraid of the BiG thing and BECOME what we are called to BECOME. In Jesus Name, Amen.
October 26, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6***
Highlights: We are invited into a Secret Place where we can talk with Jesus- confidently and boldly sharing the things of life. These things can be anxieties, concerns, joys, personal to us and/or personal to others. The Secret Place- which truly is a place of stillness and quiet with The Lord- is both a literal place (we create with Holy Spirit) and a place of the heart (He creates within us).
During the Sunday worship service a couple of things happened. Number 1, I learned not to read an entire article aloud; highlights would be much better 😉. Number 2, I shared personal testimonies about The Secret Place and the hard work to create that space but the fear I had overcome in The Secret Place with Jesus.
I do not keep sharing my testimonies because there is anything special about me alone… I keep sharing them because of everything special about Jesus!! Do you want to know how ordinary and inadequate I am? Yall, I read a whole article to a room full of ears when what was needed was this:
A. The audience we have in life should be Jesus; not others, not ourselves, not our pride or our egos.
B. Religion (so yes, even the best church) will sometimes reward the external output (actions, what we do, what we say, how we look, how we preform)- GOD REWARDS FAITH (Hebrews 11:6; James 1:12; Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 5:12**).
C. The external actions is not the problem in itself, the problem is, “…mistaken the means for the end on a fundamental level, unaware [the] search for approval was a distorted thirst for the communion of unconditional love.”*
I pray every atmosphere of Into The Harvest Ministries drips with the oil of the unconditional love of Jesus. He loves each of us right where we are- not to leave us in the broken place, the prideful place, the misled place, the sinful place, the sick place, the addicted place, the lost place- but He loves us enough to move us into the redeemed place, the found place, the recovered place, the healthy place, the righteous place, the holy place, the restored place.
Application: I encourage everyone to create a still and quiet place where you can meet God. This is a relationship, it will take work. Begin with a conversation:
“Hello Jesus, I am [your name]. I want to get to know You more. I have things in my life I don’t know if You will like. I want to believe that You still love me. I want to grow my faith in You and give Your Spirit the space to work in my life. Sometimes, Jesus, I will need You to give me the desire, because on my own, I may not want to do this very often. Thank You, Jesus. Please help me come back to You again tomorrow. Goodbye (or Amen).”
Jesus promises us this, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Prayer: Jesus, we recognize there has to be more to life than church on Sunday, work, bills, despair, and mere survival until we die. All the attempts to find meaning, be accepted by others and ourselves are insane. Increase my faith and lead me to an experience that reveals there are no attempts to find meaning or rescue, but there is a person, You. I want a Secret Place with You, where I meet You, everyday. I want to live for more than gain, favors, and the next desire being met. Holy Spirit, help me create a Secret Place to experience the unconditional love of Jesus and to love Him right back. Amen.
Scriptures & Work Cited:
*www.intouch.org, Lawrence, C. The Hidden Place of the Heart, 2021, September 1.
** And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11: 6
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:12
*** When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:5-6
October 19, 2025 Sermon Notes
Scripture: Luke 7:36-50
Highlighting: Jesus addressed the negative THOUGHTS of the Pharisee, Simon. Simon was irritated about the woman who was pouring out her oil on the feet of Jesus.
Jesus addressed the THOUGHTS of the person who was judging a person who was worshipping Him. A worship that was what eye had not seen and ear had not heard. Wow! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
I have to be honest, I love the song “Alabaster Box” but it wasn’t until this past week that I truly understood the meaning. The cost of her oil was intimate between her and Jesus. Jesus was silencing the chaos and judgement around her because no one knew the cost of her oil. The cost of her praise.
I don’t want my praise to be silenced by the sideways looks, perceived, or real thoughts of others. I want to praise Jesus in such a personal and authentic way that when I get to Heaven the angels say, “there she is, that’s the one with that radical praise. The praise that we had never seen or heard about before.”
I shared a few testimonies Sunday from my life. I always believe there is power to overcome in our testimonies according to Revelation 12:11. I shared to demonstrate that power and that my praise is before Jesus alone. He has been and always will be the Light to my path, my Protector, my Provider, and so much more.
Guess what? This is really good news… I believe we all have oil to pour out before Jesus; I believe we all have testimonies to share; I believe we all have a praise for Him. I believe we all have the invitation to pour out our oil for Jesus.
At Into The Harvest Ministries we are praying to create an atmosphere where that oil can be poured out, and at Hope Fellowship (Sunday morning worship) there is no wrong way to pour out our oil. We can lift our hands, go to the altar, share in spoken word, sit quietly with all our affections turned to Jesus (Colossians 3:1), we can laugh, cry, shout. There are no limits to the expression of pouring out our oil of praise.
Application: Between you and Jesus what is your praise? What has He done in your life that makes you say, “people don’t know the cost of my oil?”
Pray with me: Holy Spirit, I believe there is a praise inside of me, a testimony. Help me to uncover that testimony and praise Jesus for what He has done. I will never know the cost of what Jesus has poured out for me and continues to pour out for me. I want to pour out my praise for Him. Teach me how to praise Him, teach me how to adore Him, teach me how to exalt Him high in my life… so that I may say, “No one knows the cost of the oil, in my heart.” I love You, Jesus. Amen.