Darryn Scheske

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 3—Are You Believing a Lie?

What is this new year going to be like for you?

Your adversary is already working a powerful lie into your life. He's always been trying to get you to believe it. What is the devil's lie? "There's always more time."

I shared this story with my kids on the first day back to school.

One day Satan gathered his assistants to discuss the most effective method of destroying the meaning of people’s lives.  One suggested, “Tell them there is no God.”  Another said, “Tell them there are no consequences to their actions.”  A third proposed, “Tell them they have strayed so far from the right path they will never be able to change.”  “No,” Satan replied, “such things will not matter to them. I think we should simply tell them, ‘There is plenty of time.’”

Now is the time to get serious about breaking through the walls that are holding you back. I don't have to tell you this. We all know the time to grow spiritually is NOW. We’ve all felt the need to move from simply existing to living on purpose, or rather living with God's purpose at work in us. We are all yearning for more to this life with God than we are currently experiencing.

At Heartland Church we have been planning and preparing a specific pathway to share how you can take an authentic, meaningful spiritual walk with a company of like minded believers. This journey is guided by three primary questions: “Who is God?” “Who am I?” And, “What does God desire to do through me?”

Over the next year we want to give you the pathway and the process to walk through the following stages of spiritual growth.

• How to develop a Biblical Foundation.
• How to appreciate God’s sovereign, shaping work in your life
• Why is is necessary to be a part of a spiritual community in the way of Jesus.
• How to implement the critical practices of serving and influencing others in Jesus’ Name.

If we are going to realize real change and personal transformation in 2012, we have to decide to grow spiritually. It will not just happen. You're going to have to choose to be intentional and purposeful about your spiritual growth going forward.

Here's what the path look's like:

• A commitment to meet weekly with a group of like-minded believers guided by a trained facilitator for two uninterrupted hours a week.
• In 2012, meet for two seasons or “semesters.”  Spring and Fall, about 16 weeks each.
• The meetings will be focused, encouraging safe relationships, accountability, thoughtful reflection, honest conversation and prayer.
• You will spend some time (an hour or two) each week in reading and prayerful reflection on the content presented from the Bible, the books read together, and teaching content of the group. (The first book on our reading list will be Henry Nouwen’s, “In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership.”)
• You will each be encouraged to identify a mentor or spiritual friend (a running buddy!) for encouragement, support and prayer.
• You will have opportunities in 2012 to get away together for a retreat with your group, and perhaps a few workshops.
• Naturally, there will be a financial commitment as well, considering all the materials that will be necessary and places you will want go together.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF?

I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday for the FIRST! CONFERENCE, Sunday morning at 9:00. 10:00 & 11:00 AM, Sunday evening at 6:00 PM, and Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM. This will be an incredible way to start the New Year putting Jesus first!

You do not have more time. NOW is the time! Don't put it off any longer.

Let me know if you're going to be there!
Let me know if this focused spiritual journey is something you can say, "Yes, I'm in!"
Spread the word!

On the journey with you,
Pastor Darryn Scheske

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 4—God, Open My Eyes!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

You’ve heard people say “There’s more than one way to look at things." They’re right.  The way you choose to look at things will determine what will happen in your life in this new year.

You will either see this year through the eyes of fear or the eyes of faith. What you focus your vision on will determine if you live with anxiety and worry or whether you'll live with confidence, security and blessing in God.

The enemy of your soul has three tactics he uses against you: Fear, Lust and Pride.

The fear is always worse than the reality.
The lust is never satisfying.
The pride of life is blinding. It is promised that the pride will fall. Why? Because they soon are unable to see the obvious pitfalls and dangers ahead of them.

At the start of this new year, now is the time to commit to no longer living by your feelings. Start living by faith.

How badly do you want to see God’s glory in your life in 2012? 

If you want God’s blessing, you’re going to need to step out and move against your fears, whatever lusts are controlling you, any any prideful, stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, any justifiable resentments, any disconnected isolation, any blind ignorance!

That's why the First! Conference is so important! We are setting aside this time at the first of the year to cry out to God and say, "Lord, I want you to open my eyes."  Help me to see this next year with eyes of faith. I want to see things like you see them.

Jesus said, "The truth will set you free." He whom the Son sets free is free indeed, not just free in theory.

This coming this Sunday morning, I'm going to share a powerful message called, "What's Holding You Back?" Start praying for God to open your eyes now. Pray for a receptive heart. This is your year for change! Now is the time.

"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Micah 7:8

Heartland Church First!Conference Schedule

Sunday AM: "What's Holding You Back" I'm speaking at all campuses, 9:00, 10:00 & 11:00am

Sunday PM: Dr. Mark Rutland, 6:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Monday PM: Dr. John K. Jenkins, 7:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Tuesday PM: Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., 7:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 5—How Change Happens

Today's Scriptures
"According to your faith will it be done to you."  Matt. 9:29

"Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done!" Psalm 37:5

Thought
If change is ever going to happen, you have to see it before you can experience it. You need a vision of what is possible. You can face the future with discouragement, fear and anxiety, or see it with the eyes of faith.

These are the two things require for any change to happen: Vision and Faith.

“Without a vision the people perish.”  You’ve got to get a clear picture in your mind of reality and a clear picture of a preferred future. Until you can actually see what needs to change, it isn’t going to happen.

The second element of change is faith.  You have to not only see the possibility; you must believe change is possible.  You must have the faith to believe that what needs to be changed can change.

The biggest mistake we make is we set the goals too low and we try to accomplish them too quickly. What we need to do is set bigger goals and then spend the rest of our lives going after them.

What goal would require faith? What is dream you have that is bigger than you?

Nothing happens until somebody says, "Something needs to be done and I’m going to do something about it."  Everything rises or falls on leadership, and it's our greatest need today.

Dream great dreams for God and then by faith set a deadline on it. Write a declaration, "This is what I’m going to do in faith this year."

In our home, our faith declaration is taped to our refrigerator where we can see it multiple times a day. It reminds us what we're really going after. It reminds us what is really important to us. It anchors us no matter what petty circumstances we encounter through out the day.

Prayer
Father in heaven, today I ask you to help me see through your eyes. Let my heart be broken with the things that break your heart. Help me find the right path. I surrender my will to yours and look for your leading…for your Love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. Guide me in your truth, and teach me. Increase my faith. Give me courage to never compare myself, never stop learning, and never give up! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 6—Get a Vision for Change

In just six days, something great is going to happen!

We're counting down to the 2nd Annual First! Conference at Heartland Church where we come together at the beginning of a new year to rededicate ourselves to God and focus on putting Him first in every area of our lives. I'm so excited about what we are about to experience together! I'm already fasting and praying that God will do beyond what you can even ask or imagine in your life.

The First! Conference is a the kick-off weekend to a brand new series called, "It's Time to Make a Change!" beginning Sunday, January 8th 2012.

How many times in your life have you said, "This year is going to be different!" and then two weeks later, your good intentions have failed and nothing really changes? What's it going to take for permanent change to happen in your life—in your health, your finances, your relationships, your marriage, your career—what does it take to really break through the walls holding you back and experience change?

The problem is not knowing that we need a change...the problem is seeing what really needs to change. Have you ever heard yourself say:

"As hard as I try, life never turns out like I hoped?"
"I'm not the one with the problem here!"
"I don't really have any problems like other people."
"After what they did, I have the right to be angry!"
"I'm so guilty...God can never forgive me!"
"I deserve better than this!"
"I can buckle down and deal with this on my own!"

Sound familiar? Every one of us have invisible, emotional barriers that block our progress, keeping us from the life of freedom and purpose God has planned for us.

God wants to do a great work in your life, but what you are blind to will block you.

This is your time to break through the walls that are holding you back. I encourage you to get a copy of Teaching Pastor Stephen Arterburn's new 5-star book, Walking Into Walls and start the challenging work of seeing through your blind spots. We'll be using the group study guide from this book as a companion to this series.

Our First! Conference begins with a powerful message called, "What's Holding You Back?" If change is ever going to happen, you have to see it before you can experience it. You need a vision of what is possible when you deal with reality head on with God's power working in you. Now is the time to set a great goal for change in your life. The biggest mistake we make is we set the goals too low and we try to accomplish them too quickly. What I pray you'll do over these next few weeks is set a God sized goal for your life and then spend the rest of your life going after it!

Then Sunday evening at 6pm, we're honored to have Dr. Mark Rutland who will speak on the how to receive the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to change your life. This service will be powerful! Come expecting to experience God like you never have before.

Monday and Tuesdays nights at 7pm, you will not want to miss being inspired and challenged by Dr. John Jenkins and Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, Sr., two of the most dynamic and sought-after communicators of God's Word. You will

The following Sunday, January 15th, you'll hear from Dr. John Townsend, author of the best-selling book, Boundaries. He will help you see the difference between what is a wall holding you back and appropriate boundaries that need to be in place.

What an incredible opportunity this is! Don't short-change yourself and miss hearing what God wants to say to you through these men of God. Every one of these powerful messages will be life-changing.

Spread the word! It's time to make a change and the time is now.

A Moving & Memorable Moment with Your Family at Christmas

In these final days as we approach Christmas day, the special time as your family gathers around the tree can be a beautiful, spiritual moment.  Invite each family member, or guest to have a small part in reading a portion of the Christmas story.  By getting everyone involved the the whole story of the birth of Jesus will unfold among you. Everyone will be reminded of the real gift of Christmas.  After you've read the timeless story, take a moment to join hands and pray together, inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to your hearts.

Here are the readings from Scripture in chronological order:

1. The Prophecies God gave to us about Jesus, 800 years before He was born
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. For unto us a Child is born,  Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7 (NKJV)
 
2. The announcement to Mary:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” 
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)
 
3. The announcement to Joseph:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. Matthew 1:18-25 (NKJV)
 
4. No room at the inn in Bethlehem:
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV)
 
5.  Angels announce the Savior's birth to the Shepherds:
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV)
 
6. The visit of the wise men from the East:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:  ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
 Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
 For out of you shall come a Ruler
 Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-11 (NKJV)
 
7. The warning of the angel and the escape to Egypt:
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Matthew 2:12-15 (NKJV)
 
8. The promise given to us in Jesus:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)
 

 

I Will Not Give Up

My dear friend, Joe Freeman passed this along to me from his mentor and friend, Henri Nouwen. His practice of journaling prayer is profoundly relevant to all of us who experience despair and frustration.

“Dear Lord, in the midst of much inner turmoil and restlessness, there is a consoling thought:  Maybe you are working in me in a way I cannot yet feel, experience or understand.  My mind is not able to concentrate on you, my heart is not able to remain centered, and it seems as if you are (at times) absent and (I fear you) have left me alone.  But in faith I choose to cling to you.  I believe that your Spirit reaches deeper and further than my mind (can currently know) or my heart (currently feel), and (therefore) profound movements are not the first to be noticed, (while amidst such challenging circumstances).

 “Therefore, Lord, I promise I will not run away, nor give up, nor stop praying, even when it all seems useless, pointless and a waste of time and effort.  I want to let you know that I love you…and that I hope in you, even in despair.  Let this be a little dying I can do with you and for you, as a way of experiencing some solidarity with the millions who suffer far more than I do.  Amen”

Today's Scripture
"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me."
Micah 7:8
 
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136:1,26

Thought
“When we finally stop struggling with life, stop wanting it to be anything but what it is now –not giving up, but giving it over –then our hearts will indeed fall open, and we shall know beyond all doubt that, however dark the night, all is already well.”
—Roger Housden, Epilogue: Ten Poems to Open Your Heart (Thank you, Pastor Joe)

[When we finally give up the struggle to control everyone and everything]...then, and only then do we become as open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be." —The Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, p. 24

Day 40: Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's Scripture
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:14-16

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

 

Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler.