“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

Last March, as we prepared to relocate City Church from Prosper to Plano, the Lord spoke these words to my heart, “Don’t listen to the voices in your head; follow the courage in your heart.”  Those words could not have come at a more perfect time. I was encumbered with the weight of this transition, yet God was reassuring me that He would be with us every step of the way.  Last Saturday – almost a year later – Wendy and I received this email from a lady who had visited our church a few times last year.  When I read it, I was immediately reminded of why God called us to plant City Church.

I pray her story blesses and encourages you today:

“Good Afternoon City Church Family,

I am not even sure you’ll remember who I am, however I attended City Church 2 or 3 times, while I was in the Dallas area on business (I am from LA). I would always sit in the back, and I was often 5 or 10 mins late (ekkk), so sorry for my rudeness in showing up late to church, please forgive me. First, let me tell you, I loved the messages I received from the pastor and left with my soul deeply filled. The reason for the email, is this… to be honest with you, I didn’t attend church as often as I should (honestly it had been years). That day, while sitting having breakfast across the street, I noticed people walking into a theater, and I thought to myself, what are they doing? I soon realized a church service was being held, so after breakfast  I decided to wonder in myself (once again walking in late, but hey I made it), I myself was going through a difficult time, financially, and personally and I thought “maybe this is just what I need today”. I can’t express how much love I felt when I left there, I walked out loving the service, I was at such peace, so I decided to go the following week.

On the following week, you had a guest Speaker named Duche’ Bradley.  I sat in awe as I listened to his message, I remember thinking to myself, wow I love this church, not only do they have an amazing pastor whom gives a message that I can personally understand, but what a great guest speaker.  

So moving forward (I have been back in LA for almost 7 months now), a month or so ago while I was driving in LA,  it hit me, I now realize why it was I was drawn to that church, (God has an amazing way of working things out). A few months ago I took a leap of faith and sent Duche’ Bradley an email, I sent him a business proposal on a new line of clothing called ‘Bad Boys Pray’ (because wasn’t he at one time the quintessential Bad Boy),  he reaches so many people with his “word”, yet I noticed via his own facebook page he wasn’t really utilizing his own potential, nor was I. I wanted to do more in my life, and by nature I love helping people, I love acts of kindness. Well guess what, he went for it, and I am proud to say  Duche Bradley and I partnered up, our company name is “BAD BOYS PRAY” ( BAD BOYS PRAY – is also on facebook – we will also have a Bad Girls Pray line).

And our concept is this, for 30 days we partner up with a new charity organization, and each and every item that is sold, a big part of the proceeds will go to that very organization.  So not only will someone get an amazing shirt, hat, bandana, wristband, they will also doing something really great for ‘those’ in need. Our launch date is June 1^st, and I couldn’t be any more excited! Yet most importantly I wanted to thank you for showing me that God has amazing way of working things out, if we just believe. Who knew my business partner would be from Dallas while I am in LA.

Thank you, and many Blessings your way. I wish you enough!”

On Sunday, I taught a life-giving message from Matthew 7:24-29 titled, “After the Storm.”  It gives further context to this incredible story.  You may download the free podcast online at www.citychurchtv.com/media.

I trust it will bless you as you begin to live life forward; out of your imagination, not your memory.

I wish you ENOUGH!!!

Ray Harmon

Lead Pastor | City Church

www.citychurchtv.com

@WilmotHarmon | @citychurchtv

Hebrews 12:2-3 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

The preceding verses are among my Top 10 favorite passages in Scripture.  They are a simple yet profound reminder that whenever I think I’ve had a bad day, bad week, bad month or bad life, to just “consider” Jesus. When I take into account everything Jesus endured on my behalf, it makes the personal struggles that were seemingly unbearable fade into oblivion.

Why was Jesus able to successfully navigate the horrific sequence of events that punctuated his final week on earth? Verse 2 says it was because of “…the joy that was set before Him that He endured the cross…”

Most of us lose our victory because we get fixated on what we’re going through instead of what we’re going to.

When our daughter Nia was little she battled chronic ear infections and colds.  We were constantly at the pediatrician’s office or giving her medications at home.  Man, that stuff was gnarly! Even though it was intended for her good, the experience in and of itself was never pleasant. Eventually, we began using candy as a way of coaxing Nia into taking her medicine.  Now, every parent knows that candy covers a multitude of sins.  It worked every time.

You see, we gave Nia something to look forward to beyond what she was going through that made the temporary discomfort and inconvenience of taking her medicine much easier to bear.  Your life is no different.

God wants to use that simple illustration to remind you that He has a blessing and a future on the other side of your present struggle that will totally eclipse what you’re experiencing right now.  In 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul wrote, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

So you ask, “How do I see past what I’m going through right now?”

1. You MUST overcome your approval addiction

Jesus was indifferent to both the praises and criticism of the people. Neither the support of His advocates nor the venom of His critics moved Him.  Jesus was rock steady (John 2:23-25).

Your sense of self-worth must be internally regulated not externally motivated.  People are fickle and they will “flip the script” on you in the blink of an eye.  Much like Shallow Hal, we judge the book by its cover not its content.  If your joy and happiness hinge on what other people say about you, you’ve set yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment. I implore you,don’t do it.

1. Allow God ALONE to satisfy your need for affirmation

Before Jesus performed His first miracle at Cana, before He healed the 10 lepers or restored Bartimaeus’ sight, raised Lazarus from the dead or walked on water, He heard His Heavenly Father declare these words over Him, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

God’s grace is not performance based.  “…it is not of works, lest any man should boast.  It is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  You see, God’s pleasure and delight in you is not based on what you’ve done or failed to do.  He loved you before you hit that home run, before you closed that multi-million dollar deal, before you exceeded your sales quota and He loves you now; even after the divorce, after the bankruptcy and after the foreclosure.

Your identity must be wrapped up in Jesus.

1. Obey God not man (Galatians 1:10)

Jesus’ primary objective was pleasing His Heavenly Father.  He did only what He saw His Father do (John 5:19).  He lived to please God and never played to the crowd; neither should you.

In closing, allow me to say I have no idea the kind of week you’re having, but if it’s anything close to what Jesus experienced in the final week of His life, Jesus has given you a compass to help you navigate the quagmires of life.

Remember, “When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:3 The MESSAGE Bible)

Gratefully Commissioned,

Ray & Wendy

Lead Pastors | City Church

Twitter: @WilmotHarmon | @WendySHarmon | @citychurchtv

]]> http://citychurchtv.com/blog/life-lessons-from-the-triumphal-entry-part-ii/feed/ 0 http://citychurchtv.com/blog/life-lessons-we-learn-from-palm-sunday/ http://citychurchtv.com/blog/life-lessons-we-learn-from-palm-sunday/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:28:19 +0000 Pastor Ray http://citychurchtv.com/blog/?p=1042 Life Lessons We Learn From Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-40 NKJV “…Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, ³⁸ saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate Palm Sunday. This annual church tradition commemorates the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem only a few days before Passover, and His subsequent Crucifixion and Resurrection.

TRANSITIONS

In the final week of His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced 3 important transitions:

1. 1.       Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:37-38)
2. 2.       By what authority does He say these things (Luke 20:1-8)
3. 3.       Crucify Him (Luke 23:21)

Jesus went from being celebrated to being criticized and ultimately crucified.  The same Jesus who had healed their sick, raised their dead, fed their multitudes, and blessed their children was the same Jesus they now called a Liar, an Impostor and a devil (Beelzebub).

How did all this happen in the span of only a few days?  How did the same people who once loved Jesus go from frantic jubilation in His honor to an angry mob demanding His execution?  How did the same people become so enraged that chose clemency for Barabbas, an infamous insurgent and murderer instead of Jesus, the Son of God (Luke 23:1-25)?

What was the tipping point?

TIPPING POINT

The tipping point in these final days of Christ’s life wasn’t anything he said or did. Jesus didn’t suddenly cross over to “the dark side” warranting and justifying His rejection by the multitudes.

The people genuinely loved Jesus but it was the influence, misrepresentations, slander and false accusations from the “religious leaders” that turned the tide.  Some were bribed, others were coached on what to say all because the religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus, whose only motive was to serve and love the people and point them back to their Heavenly Father (Matthew 26:14-16; 26:59).

We often think that Jesus was the victim here; when in actuality the converse is true.  The real victims were all the people who were misled, misguided and misdirected at the behest of those who wielded spiritual authority over them.  Jesus rose victoriously from the grave; but it was the people who demanded His life in exchange for Barabbas who were left to live with an abiding guilt for their actions.

The most compelling aspect of the Triumphal Entry is not what Jesus experienced but how He responded.  That’s what we’ll discuss in my next blog: how Jesus successfully navigated the most crucial RelationSLIP of His life on earth.

Amazed by His grace,

Pastor Ray

@WilmotHarmon | @citychurchtv

Job 22:28 NKJV You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you…

Job 22:28 NIV What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.

Job 22:28 AMP You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways.

Last year, Joel Osteen – Lead Pastor of Lakewood Church and New York Times #1 Bestselling Author – released his latest book, I Declare:31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life.  The book is written in 31 segments; daily declarations from Scripture that Pastor Joel encourages readers to speak over their lives i.e. health, family legacy, decisions, finances, thoughts, outlook, and even obstacles.

But this practice of declaring God’s Word is not some novel concept.  In fact, it is as ancient as time itself.  We see the power of words during Creation when God spoke the worlds into existence (Genesis1; Hebrews 11:3).  Jesus also emphasized the importance of words in His earthly ministry (John 6:63).  Simply put, our words are containers that can either carry life-giving words or death inducing venom (Proverbs 18:21).

We frame our world with our words.

So, as we continue our 21 days of Prayer and Purpose, we encourage you to begin making faith-filled declarations over your life and circumstances that are:

1. Cosistent with God’s Word (Jeremiah 1:12)

2. Consistent with the preferred future God has already prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10)

The Greek word for this timeless discipline is homologeo, which literally means samespeak.  To samespeak is to follow the cadendce of God, to echo Him, to speak what He speaks; to say only what He says (John 5:19).  Remember, we walk by faith, not by sight.  So it’s not your present circumstances that dictate what you say; it’s the truth of God’s Word that determines your confession/declaration (Romans 4:17-21).

In the words of Pastor Joel, “Whatever follows ‘I am” you attract into your life.” 

In life you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you decide.  You don’t get what you need, you get what you negotiate.  But deciding what you should have is only half the equation.  You must then declare what you decide according to the Word of God (1 John 5:14-15).

So, begin to declare the truth of God’s Word over your life and into you circumstances…what you believe, not just what you see.

I am BLESSED, FAVORED, HEALED, WISE, HEALED, VICTORIOUS, REIGININIG IN LIFE, SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES, REIGNING LIFE, HAPPY, FILLED WITH JOY, MOTIVATED, EXPECTANT, FORGIVEN, FORGIVING…

We invite you to join us weekdays from 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. until January 25th for our prayer line at:

Dial in #: 424-203-8400

Passcode:255839#

Until tomorrow…

Ray and Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @WilmotHarmon | @WendySHarmon

Malachi 4:5-6 “…He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

A CROOKED LAWYER

In the early 1900s, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for entangling the Windy City in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good at what he did. In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well.

Not only was the money big, but Eddie also got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large it filled an entire Chicago city block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the serious wrongdoings that went on around him, but he did have one soft spot. He had a son he loved dearly, and Eddie saw to it that his young son had the best of everything – clothes, cars and a good education. Nothing was withheld and price was no object.

Despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach his son right from wrong. Eddie wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son – he couldn’t pass on a good name and he couldn’t set a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Wanting to rectify wrongs he had done, he decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against the Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street, but in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he would ever pay.

A COURAGEOUS PILOT

Now, let’s fast forward to World War II, a war that produced many heroes. One such man was Lt. Cmdr. Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day, his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding their way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet, nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault.

He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on Feb. 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII and the first Naval aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later, Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.

His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, think about visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor.

So what do these two stories have to do with each other?

Butch O’Hare was Easy Eddie’s son.

The life we live today affects the generations to come. We were meant to give away our lives, so focus on living your legacy instead of worrying about leaving your legacy. If you do, you will define yourself and others by an inspired life.

One of the most joyful moments for any leader is to pass the baton to someone we have invested in, and then see our values reflected in the new leader … just like Butch O’Hare.

An inheritance is what we leave to others. Legacy is what we leave in them.

God has GREATER plans in store for you, your family and your legacy.  Parents, it’s not too late to get it right.

Expecting and Experiencing the GREATER life Jesus intended (John 14:12),

Ray & Wendy

Ray and Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @WilmotHarmon | @WendySHarmon

Today we’re praying for healthy, exemplary, Christ-honoring marriages and families today according to:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Malachi 4:5-6

Ephesians 5:21-33

Colossians 3:18-21

1 Peter 3:1-7

Lord, we ask that you heal, reconcile and fortify marriages and families today.  May our homes be “…like a city set upon a hill that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

May our marriages and families be established on the Rock – Jesus Christ – who enables us to withstand life’s most fierce tempests and storms (Matthew 7:24-28)

May our hearts be healed as we allow God’s love to envelop every hurt and comfort us in our pain (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).

Standing in the Gap,

Ray and Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @WilmotHarmon | @WendySHarmon

Acts 3:19 NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

Has your computer ever locked up on you right in the middle of browsing the internet or downloading an important file online?  If your answer is “Yes“, you know how frustrating this can be.  However, for the computer savvy among us, the first course of action is usually to push the refresh button.

The refresh button on your computer is designed to display the latest updated version (of a web page or document).  The refresh button enables the desired web page or document to reload.

That’s what God wants for us.  He wants us to refresh, reload and recalibrate our lives so that we are once again in sync with Him.  Acts 3:19 reminds us that repentance is God’s way of pushing the refresh button in our lives.  And fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines God uses to bring us to a place where we recognize our need for repentance.

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Repentance is more than feeling sorry you got caught.  True biblical repentance is a twofold process:

1. Repentance is a 180-degree turn away from what is distracting us and causing us to miss the mark.

2. However, repentance isn’t only about turning away from something; it is also turning toward Someone: God.

Simply put, when we repent we turn away from the weight and sin that so easily ensnare us and turn toward God in pursuit of Him and His plan for our lives (Hebrews 12:1-2). And His promise to us is that times of refreshing will come from above. In context, the word “refreshing” means cooling.  Acts 3:19 is the only place where this word is used in the New Testament and it is used in direct correlation to repentance.

Need some fires put out in your life?  Need the calming, cleansing and cooling effect of God’s mercy? Then allow God to push the refresh button in your life as you draw near to Him in humility and contrition (Psalm 51).

HOW?

Ask Him to reveal areas in your life that need adjustments (Psalm 139:23-24)

Confess what He reveals and ask His forgiveness (Proverbs 28:13)

Receive His mercy and grace to start anew (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Don’t look back to the former things (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Our hope as we fast and pray collectively over these 21 days is that God will begin the work of renewal, restoration and refreshing in you – individually – and that it will overflow corporately.  We pray that each heart – broken and contrite before God – will become ground zero for revival.

Expecting and Experiencing the GREATER life Jesus intended (John 14:12)…

Ray and Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @WilmotHarmon | @WendySHarmon

LET GO…LAY HOLD

Ray & Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @wilmotharmon | @WendySHarmon

Facebook: citychurchtv

Reflection and retrospection – especially at this time of year – are inherent attributes of human nature.  At year’s end, it is typical and often necessary to take stock of one’s life, and summon a candid review of both the good and the bad that have transpired over the preceding twelve months.  Looking back affords us opportunities to celebrate God’s ongoing work of transformation in our lives, His divine intervention, and the many victories He wrought on our behalf.  In many ways, looking back can be healthy.
However, there is a darker side to the past that should be avoided at all costs.  It is as an enemy as stealthy as a well-trained sniper; as subtle and fatal as carbon monoxide.  We see the deadly effects of it long before its toxic presence is detected.  That enemy is our fixation with the familiar.  Our affinity for the things we can control. Our unhealthy reliance and co-dependence on the things in our lives that are predictable.
BOTTOM LINE: The more comfortable you are with the way things have always been the more resistant you will be to the way things could be.  The way things “are” and “have been” represents our patterns, proclivities and dispostions. The way things could be represents change: the Me God wants me to be and the prefered future He has already designed for me.
You will never be all God wants you to be until you are willing to let go of the familiar and so you can lay hold of your future; which requires change.
And most of us are unwilling to change. Hence, Luke 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife!

4 LIFE LESSONS WE LEARN FROM LOT’S WIFE

What was it about Lot’s wife that would cause Jesus to resurrect this ambiguous Old Testament character in His conversation with His disciples thousands of year later?  Genesis 19 gives us a few clues.  In Genesis 19 we find the account of God’s wrath being poured out on Sodom and Gomorrah for their debauchery and lasciviousness.  In that chapter, we read of the angels protecting Lot’s family, leading them out of the city and their short-lived refuge in neighboring Zoar.  In the same chapter, we also read of one simple decision that ended a promising life, as well as the domino effect it caused across several generations.
Lot’s wife looked back.

But what does that mean for us today? Here are 4 important life lessons we can glean from Lot’s wife:
1. Your feet can lead you toward your future but your heart can keep you trapped in your past .

2. Don’t cling to what God wants to destroy in your life.  Let it go (Gen 19:23-26).

3. What you hold on to now will not only destroy your present, it also has the potential to pollute your future (Gen 19:30-38). Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt (present), but her daughters were guilty of incest and gave birth to 2 sons who would become the progenitors of 2 nations that were bane of Israel’s existence: the Moabites and the Ammonites (future).

4. When you become fixated on the familiar you will ultimately forfeit your future.

As you look forward to 2013 make sure you willingly embrace change.  What got you here won’t get you there.  Experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10 requires…demands change.  So let go of the familiar so that you can lay hold of the prefered future God has already prepared for you.
Remember Lot’s wife! (Luke 17:32)
Have a blessed and prospeours 2013 (Psalm 65:11; 66:12)

Ray & Wendy

Lead Pastors | www.citychurchtv.com

Twitter: @citychurchtv | @wilmotharmon | @WendySHarmon