Prepare for Harvest

(This Weekly Prayer Summary was written by Devi Susanto, part of the CBC English Prayer Ministry, and edited by Brigitta Tedja) 
#Harvestseries
Watch the sermon here

Pastor Him from our Colton church gave a sermon entitled, “Prepare for Harvest”, and he began by saying the church he serves has grown 40% this past year. They purchased the building on January 7, 2022 and CBC Colton opened its doors in February 12th after minor renovations. We are positioning ourselves for souls and resources to come, and with that said, we want to continue to support the building of the new campus, starting with the Ministry Center. 

Envisioning for the Ministry Center (Video Announcement) 

  • That was Brad Oaster, our Project Manager 

  • He is an architect, a contractor, and a developer 

  • We are planning for Harvest 

  • We believe that God has been sending souls 

  • We believe that there will be more Harvest coming 

  • That is why we are making plans 

  • We cannot contain everyone here 

  • We are preparing for the next generation 

  • We will have more babies, children, youth 

  • More young adults, more young families, more older families, more senior citizens 

  • We need more classrooms 

  • We need more meeting rooms 

  • If we believe our theme is “Harvest of Souls and Harvest of Resources” then, we better do something about it 

  • On the church building side, it continues to be a work-in-progress 

 

There is a Great Opportune Door but Many Adversaries 

 

1 Corinthians 16:9 TPT “There’s an amazing door of opportunity standing wide open for me to minister here, even though there are many who oppose and stand against me. 

 

1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 

 

Life can be hard or difficult times may happen; pain may not be avoided but when that happens trust that God is at work. 

  • God has a great and effective door opened for us 

  • It is an amazing door of opportunity 

  • It is wide open 

  • But we have to face our adversaries 

Pastor Paul and Bishop Bart reminded us that whenever you have a building program, you need to put prayer behind it. Cindy Jacobs also mentioned it too. She said that the main challenge is the spiritual side and unless you pray, it is going to be a struggle. So, I want to encourage all of us to pray.  

That is Why We Need to Pray 

  • Pray that all the challenges will be overcome and we shall be victorious  

  • Pray for the Lord’s wisdom as we navigate through all the challenges 

  • Pray for His Favor 

  • Pray for Breakthrough 

  • Pray for Revival  

Yes, Pray for Harvest 

  • Pray for laborers 

  • Pray His plan for harvest 

  • Pray for our Ministry Center 

  • Pray to the Lord of the harvest 

The Modular Buildings Will Be Removed  

  • Children Ministry will be relocated to the Hillside Terrace 

  • We plan to use 12x24 Sheds  

Two Floors 

Total: 20,630 sq ft building 

8 classrooms and a worship hall on the first floor 

4 classrooms, a worship hall, commercial kitchen and fellowship areas on the second floor 


We Covet Your Prayers 

  • It is not just the finances or permits from the City of Walnut that we need 

  • We need to pray for the supply chain so that there will not be any issues procuring the building materials 

  • Pray for the temporary classrooms to not have issues 

  • Pray for those who give the approval in the City of Walnut 

  • Pray for ease on the approval process 

  • Pray for the right construction team 

  • Pray for favor, wisdom, for no miscommunication or misunderstanding 

  • Pray for good communication among everyone involved 

  • Pray for the finances, for the Lord’s provision, for the people to give generously 

  • Pray for a Harvest of Resources 

On the Human Resource Side 

  • Two weeks ago, we just have the ordination service for Pastor Dion Kurniadi and Pastor James Sudarsono. 

  • Last month, we had Pastor Dom from Singapore to come to equip our leaders. 

  • Two weeks ago, Bishop Bart and Ps. Coralee were here to equip our leaders 

We are taking this seriously! 

  • One of our pastors is getting his Master’s degree at Wagner University 

  • Two others are getting their Master’s degree from Wagner University on “Healing, Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare” 

  • We have a couple of people that are at Bishop Bart’s Bible School in Baltimore graduating in a few months 

But remember that: 

  • The call to minister is not just for the pastors or leaders  

  • All of us are called 


2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 


You Have Been Given the Ministry of Reconciliation: 

  • It is already yours 

  • You have been called to reconciliation 

  • This is what we are supposed to do 

  • You are to reconcile people to God 

  • It is not just for pastors or leaders 

  • The message from 2 Corinthians 5 is for every believer 

  • What are you going to do about it? 

  • How do we pursue this ministry that you and I have been called to? 

Go to God in prayer daily 
Communicate with God daily 

  • Set aside TAWG 

  • Ask for His will to be done 

  • Surrender your will to Him 

  • Cut down on your TV time 

On Thursday I was startled from my sleep because someone was banging on the door from the garage to the house. Pastor Him realized that there was no one at the garage. Pastor was awakened by God in order to pray. God wants to talk to you as well, so obey the Holy Spirit and pray!  


Esther 6:1 NKJV “That night the king could not sleep. So, one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.” 

  • God spoke to a pagan king 

  • God can speak to you 

  • This great king ruled over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia 

  • Had a feast for 180 days for all his nobles, officials and followed with another 7 days for all the people present in the citadel 

  • From Asia to Europe and Africa: 3 continents 

  • He could not sleep 

What Do You Think Causes the King Not to Be Able to Sleep? 

  • He was not sick - he would call for the doctors 

  • He was not worried (war or safety)- he would call for his generals 

  • He was not in a bad mood - call the counselors 

  • He was not thinking about issues 

  • He was not under the influence 

Why Would he Command to Bring the Book of Records? 

  • It was the sovereignty of God 

  • This was God’s intervention for the Jews 

  • If you cannot sleep, God is trying to tell you something 

  • If you cannot sleep, read your Bible 

  • If you cannot sleep, talk to God 

Do You Believe in the Harvest of Souls and Resources? 

  • Do you believe that you will receive a harvest? 

  • It will be His ideas, His ways, His circumstances 

  • His leading, His hands, His Providence 

  • Learn to trust Jesus 

  • Life is never a coincidence 

God is at work! 

God wants to talk to you, so talk to Him and listen! 

In Chinese calligraphy, the character for “listen” consists of pictures of One (undivided attention), Person, the ear, the eye, and the heart. Listening requires the heart, the eyes, the ears, and undivided attention. if you will do that as you pray, as you seek God on a daily basis, as you quiet yourself—you will hear God. 

  • Pray, seek His Face, call on His Name 

  • Make Prayer as your Lifestyle, not because you are in trouble  

  • Pray not because you are told but it is your relationship with Jesus 

  • Pray because He died for you on the cross and he paid your sins in full.  He deserves all glory and the honor. Prayer is our life and as you pray God will give you ideas, remind you of certain things, open doors for you, and give you the strength that you need. 

  • Prayer is our Lifeline 

  • God may want to give you ideas 

  • God may remind you about … 

  • God is sovereign 

Esther 6:2 NKJV “And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.” 

  • Something that was Lost 

  • It has been there all the time 

  • It was in the records 

  • But it was overlooked 

  • It was forgotten 

  • But God has never forgotten 

  • At the Right Time 

  • At the Right Season 

  • God is Restoring 

  • RESTORATION is at work 

  • All it takes is our OBEDIENCE 

Harvest is here! 

Bishop Bart: Harvest of Answered Prayers 

  • What was lost is found 

  • What is lost is being found 

  • What was lost will be found 

  • Parable of the Lost Coin 

  • Parable of the Lost Sheep 

  • Parable of the Lost Son - prodigal 

  • What was Lost will be Found 

  • Lost Blessing 

  • Lost Relationships 

  • Whatever the enemy has stolen from you, the Lord will redeem 

  • You shall recover 

  • Lost Harvest 

Esther 6:3 NKJV Then the king said, ‘What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?’ And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.’”  

Do not just come to church early and chat with others 

  • Come to church early and start praying 

  • Pray even as you are driving to church 

  • Pray during service 

  • Pray after service 

  • Pray at home for the service 

  • Increase the spiritual atmosphere  

Joshua 3:5 NKJV “And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 

When you pray, the Lord will intervene. 

Matthew 6:33 NKJV “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” 

  • Seek Him first 

  • Put Him first in your life 

Serve Others 

Pastor Him shared what happened in Colton during the Christmas service on December 25, 2022: 

115 in attendance We had a full meal Rented chairs/tables for 100 people 

  • Read His Word daily and do what it says  

  • Fellowship with other believers 

  • Reach out 

 

2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV “That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the Word of Reconciliation.” 

 

The Message of the Cross (The Words of Reconciliation): 

  • Forgiveness 

  • Life 

  • Righteousness, Peace, and Joy 

  • Being able to Let Go 

  • Love 

  • Relationships 

  • Patience 

  • Peace 

  • Trust 

  • Grace 

  • Healing 

  • Restoration 

In Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham intercedes for Sodom. 

Acts 7:60 NKJV “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Stephen prayed for those stoning him.’”  

Stephen prayed for those who were stoning him He forgave them prior to his death. He spoke a WORD of reconciliation  

  • It is not a matter of convenience 

  • He was being stoned to death and yet he gave the word of reconciliation 

  • He did not curse them 

  • He pleaded the Lord to forgive them 

  • He spoke of forgiveness  

  • He spoke for God’s mercy and grace  

Paul prayed for Israel’s salvation: 

Romans 10:1 NKJV “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” 

And of course, the Lord Jesus is the master of standing in the gap. We read what He prayed from the Cross: 

Luke 23:34 NKJV “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” 

And Jesus continues to intercede for us: 

Hebrews 7:25 NKJV “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” 

1 Timothy 2:1 NKJV “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men”  

  • God chose to use the prayers of people to accomplish His will 

  • He still seeks those who will stand in the gap for friends and family, for people groups, and nations 

  • Like Abraham and Moses, we should be willing to stand in the gap, asking God to spare and to save 

Patience is certainly a key component in reconciliation: 

  • We live in an impatient society that often seems thin-skinned and hard-hearted 

  • A land of the Free and the Home of the Brave 

  • Becomes a land of the Fearful and the Home of the Offended 

Many people today operate in a matrix of disposable relationships, going through them like tissue paper during flu season: 

  • Mad at someone? Dump them! 

  • Offended with someone? Cut them off! 

  • An inconvenient baby? Abort it! 

  • Finished using someone’s gifts for your own gain? Throw the person away! 

  • You think you “deserve better” than your spouse? Divorce them! 

  • Maybe we have done these things to others. Maybe we have had these things done to us by others. There are plenty of hurt to go around these days 

  • The word reconciliation means to renew a friendship or to restore to a right relationship 

Share Your Faith with Others 


When a tree that was created to bear fruit stops bearing fruit: 

  • Fruitlessness is a strong indication that the tree is not healthy 

  • Just as a healthy tree bears fruit, so a healthy Christian bear fruit by sharing the life-giving truth of Jesus with others 

  • The life that God has given you will become eventually stagnant if you keep it to yourself, and never speak of it to others 

  • As you pass on what God has given to you, He will fill you afresh 

  • Sharing your faith is vital to the Christian life – not out of guilt – but out of joy and enthusiasm for His saving goodness to you 

Ask God to help you make a list of people with whom He would have you share your faith 

  • Begin praying for the list 

  • Look for daily opportunities to share 

  • Ask God to prepare this person to hear the gospel 

  • Be willing to take a risk and step out in faith 

  • Practice sharing your faith journey in a simple, conversational manner 

  • Do it in your CARE Cell - practice makes perfect 

  • You never know when God will give you the opportunity to tell your story! 

Am I praying them into the kingdom or condemning them to hell? 

Do I really care for their soul? 

I have to repent change my attitude 

I have to uproot every arrow that I have fired 

I have to ask forgiveness from the Lord 

  • Love is not just a feeling or emotion 

  • Love is a choice you make 

  • It is a decision 

  • Love is not just lip-service 

  • It is not just talk 

  • I must be willing to die to self and win others 

  • Would it be great if the person that needs Christ open his or her heart to Christ? 

  • You better speak life instead of death 

  • You have to bless instead of curse 

1 Peter 4:8 NKJV “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will covers a multitude of sins.” 

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS 

Life can be hard: 

  • Difficult times happen, and pain cannot be avoided 

  • When life doesn’t make sense, do you turn to God or away from Him? 

 

Prayer Points:  

  • Pray that all the challenges will be overcome, we shall be victorious  

  • Pray for the Lord’s wisdom as we navigate through all the challenges 

  • Pray for repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation 

  • Pray for our Ministry Center 

  • Pray for the permit and approval from the City of Walnut 

  • Pray for the right construction team and laborers 

  • Pray for favor, wisdom, for no miscommunication or misunderstanding among everyone involved 

  • Pray for the finances, for the Lord’s provision, breakthrough for the people to give generously 

  • Pray for the temporary classrooms to not have any issues 

  • Pray to make prayer a lifestyle 

  • Pray to help you make a list of people with whom He would have you share your faith 

  • Pray to look for daily opportunities to share 

  • Ask God to prepare individuals you targeted to hear the Gospel 

  • Pray for a harvest of souls and harvest of resources 

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