Richard M. Hartian

Lord Change Me: The Power of Biblical Friendship

December 7, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

Intro: Last message in this series (Lord Change Me).

1A) Lasting change requires Biblical friendship.

Proverbs 12:26
People who change are surrounded by Biblical caring friends.

26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Abraham had Sarah and Lot
Moses had Aaron and Jethro
Joshua had Caleb
Ruth had Naomi and Boaz
Ester had Mordecai
Paul had Barnabas, Silas, Timothy
Jesus had 70, 12 and 3
Peter had John

Jesus sent them out two by two.

We are not supposed to be doing this alone. We need our Christian family.

How many of our friends are friends of the flesh cultivating in you things that are against God.

2A) A Biblical friend holds you up when you stumble.

1 Samuel 23:16-18 ESV
16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18 And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

1b) Notice presence. v. 16a – Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David.

Jonathan had everything to lose. He was risking his own position…if his father killed David Jonathan would be king. There was no way Jonathan was going to let his friend down. If you don’t know what to do, know that presence is never wrong…

2b) Notice prayer. v. 16b – and strengthened his hand in God.

Presence has to be more than just being there. Jonathan helped to strengthen David’s hand in God. Pastor James believes Jonathan prayed for David. Don’t just make small talk. You have to pray for the person – right now!

3b) Notice protection. v. 17 – And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” Do not “counsel to the flesh”. Don’t flame the issue with worldly advice and insight the issue.

Loyalty – when we stumble we need friends that protect us with fierce loyalty. Are you a loyal friend? Focus on being a loyal friend to someone – not do I have a loyal friend.

4b) Notice promise. v. 18 – And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Be committed to the person, not to the person that you think they are. Don’t be committed to what a person does for you.

Friendships should be verbalized

ATC (Absolute Total Commitment) You will never suffer by my hand. I will never say or do anything, knowingly, against you.

Key ingredient: Love Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

3A) A Biblical friend holds you down when you stray.

Just when David got comfortable he got in trouble. That’s what the enemy does; he gets you alone where you can be tempted.

(2 Samuel 12: 1-15)
1 And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house. David’s Child Dies And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick.

Verse 7 is the moment of Biblical friendship. Nathan risked it all to confront the king. That is what a true friend does. Psalm 51 flowed from a Biblical friend that was willing to hold David down

Everyone needs someone who will look into your eyes and say you are neglecting you own wife. You want to be xxxxx but you can’t even xxxx.

Key Ingredient: Truth – all love but no truth is hypocrisy and all truth but no love is brutality. The power is in the Balance

4A) Change that lasts:

Choose a friend committed to change – stop picking friends that want to play. Stop picking friends on infinities but choose friends on a passion for the same priorities. Forge a friendship with someone of the same sex that can help you become a better person.
Review Biblical pattern for change
Commit to mutual accountability for change – how are you doing with _________?

God wants to work through us to help each other live Biblically.

Filed Under: Politics, Sermons and Lectures, Spiritual Development Tagged With: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Lord Change Me, Pastor James MacDonald, Proverbs

Sermons and Lectures

November 20, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

Below is a list of Sermons and Lectures that I have been fortunate to be part of. I hope you find them as much of a blessing as I do.

Filed Under: Sermons and Lectures

Lord Change Me: The Power Source

November 20, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

Sermon by James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel on November 20th 2011

1A) The exhausting life. – The desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. This is not God’s desire.

Pastor James said that this message may be the single most important breakthrough he’s had.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (Romans 7:15-19 ESV)

I do not have the ability to change without God.

Where does the Christian power come from? Pastor James said that this book on that topic by Charles Price changed his life -For Real.

2A) The exchanged life.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (Romans 7:24, 25 ESV)

The power for the Christian life is not you. It is Christ in you. It’s about resignation and surrender to let Jesus work through you.

Jesus Christ is alive right now. He is here right now. It has never been His intent to stand off to the side and watch us live our life. Christ died for me and wants to live through me.

Pastor James read and talked about this book by W. Ian Thomas, The Saving Life of Christ.

Alcohol and Drunk Driving – A High Cost

November 16, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian 4 Comments

So when I woke up this morning, I had no idea I was going to write about drunk driving; but everything changed when I saw some friends on Facebook with drinks in their hands and then started to read some of the blogs I’m signed up with. One, the Phoenix Real Estate Guy, had posted on his experience with drinking and driving when someone he knew, 16 year old Kelly Tracey, was killed a couple of years ago.

The wave of frustration over the pointless deaths of so many people got to me and I needed to do a little research on the subject.

Why do so many people drive after they have been drinking? Why does society put up with it? Why is such a destructive drug so widely desired and given such a prominent place in our lives? Why is it socially acceptable to be intoxicated – to lose your inhibitions that protect you and cause you do to things that are naturally destructive?

Alcohol Facts:

Alcohol is bad for your health
This year, it is estimated that 10,800 people will die in a drunk driving crash
Alcohol destroys families
Every minute there is one person that is injured by alcohol related crashes
Alcohol directly causes death
Over 30% of all accidents involve alcohol
Alcohol changes your perception
One in three 8^th graders drinks alcohol
Alcohol alters your thinking

I suggest that if you are reading this article, then change must start with you – whether you drink or not, the odds are 1 in 3 that you will be affected by a drunk driver in some way.

What you can do…

Watch the video below – Warning: it is graphic with some disturbing images. It is well worth your time and by far the best video I have seen on the subject
Share this post with your friends by using your social media outlets
Resolve to never drive with alcohol in your system
Become more aware of the negative effects alcohol has on your health and family

Statistics and information were provided by:

The Century Council
MADD
National Highway Traffic Safety Association

Filed Under: Character, Politics Tagged With: alcohol, character, deaths, drunk driving

Oswald Chambers – “It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials…He wants us to unlearn something.”

October 18, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something.

From the Book “My Utmost For His Highest, July 29th

Filed Under: Oswald Chambers Tagged With: Oswald Chambers, religion, trials

C. S. Lewis – “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

August 18, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

Filed Under: C.S. Lewis, Great Quotes Tagged With: C.S. Lewis, quote, religion, Soul, wisdom

Character Building 101 – Putting God First

April 10, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

Questions we must ask ourselves…am I giving God the priority in my day? Am I starting my day (first fruits) with God by reading His Word – the Bible? What are my goals for each day? Am I seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness in my life? Do I design time with God like I do family, work and play?

Matthew 6:33
³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God promises that if you seek Him first, food, shelter and clothing will be provided to you; thus eliminating the need or the excuse to place work or the idea of working to survive ahead of seeking God first. If our basic needs will be taken care of, what would be our reasoning for placing our priority for day to day living not on Him? It would simply be to put our own personal desires for prosperity, pleasure and authority ahead of God…thus we are not putting God first.

This is difficult on a daily basis, especially when first starting, since most of us have grown up (especially in the American culture) thinking of me, me, me. For me, I know that scheduling time on my calendar first thing in the morning and being consistent with it is the only way to overcome years of habit.

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If we are honest with ourselves, we would say that the reason God is not placed first in our lives is because we have other priorities. These priorities are not the same as God’s priorities for our life. When I look at my priorities, it is easy for me to say they are based on providing for my family and doing the right thing. In reality, if I was just trying to provide for my family, my day would look remarkably different. My time, emotion and energy spent with my family would be just as intentional (love that word from my good friend Pastor Joe LaCognata) as it was in the time, emotion and energy I place in work and personal pleasure.

As people, we tend to be goal or outcome oriented; we strive for things or an outcome we desire. Things like wealth, status, familiarity and comfort. Putting God first would necessitate that we change what we strive for and go after things that are of God’s kingdom; thus, not what we consider our treasures.

Matthew 6:19-21
¹⁹Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, wheremoth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When we attempt to do this, it feels like a war in some ways. Most of us would acknowledge that we want to put God first; however, it is a struggle to do so as we often do that which we do not want to do. I have come to love this battle, as for me it is concrete proof of the war that wages inside of me; that of my spirit which desires God, and that of my flesh which desires self or sin. I am so grateful for Paul’s words in the book of Romans 7 that describes this battle in detail.

Romans 7:14-20
¹⁴For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

There is a clear reason for this battle and it comes from the two natures that live inside us. It is not possible to serve or follow both.

Matthew 6:24
²⁴No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

The idea of putting God first means that nothing comes before Him. For me, and I believe most people agree, that means giving God the first part of my day. I look at it as the first fruits of each day – after all, every day is really a gift from God.

Filed Under: Character, Politics Tagged With: Bible, character, first fruit, God, wisdom

Abraham Lincoln – “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

April 2, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th president of the United States of America (1809 – 1865)

Filed Under: Abraham Lincoln Tagged With: adversity, character, Government, Politics, power

Life’s Instruction Manual

January 16, 2011 By Richard M. Hartian 3 Comments

Life's Instruction Manual

Do you read the instruction manual before using your new toy or setting up what you just bought? Or perhaps you just dive in and see how it goes. If you get stuck, then maybe, as a last resort, you’ll find the instructions, assuming you haven’t tossed them out.

Have you ever wished that life came with an instruction manual? Well if you did, there is good news; we have one. In fact, it covers every facet of life, and if followed guarantees a better, more enjoyable and peaceful life.

Why am I writing this post? Well, it’s quite simple really; I’m watching something happen with my kids as it relates to reading instructions. For whatever reason, I’ve always been one of those that has to read the instructions before setting something up. Since my kids were born, the first thing we do is read the instructions. At first it was a little hard for them as they wanted to tear right in, but after time, they began to see the benefit. Things worked the first time. They knew all of the features of the toy. They didn’t miss out on anything. They were, in fact, happier, and enjoyed whatever it was much more.

Here’s where I may loose some of you, as I’m about to bring up a word that turns many people off, so let me just ask you to keep reading till the end as there is a point in it for you. Before my oldest could speak, I’ve called God’s Bible, “Life’s Instruction Manual”. They see mom and dad reading it and talking about it. My kids have heard it as part of their vocabulary, and now are thinking of it as a resource, at least the oldest two are (the younger two haven’t started to read yet). The Bible speaks a lot about wisdom and understanding, what it is and how to get it. My kids picked up on that part of the “instruction book” and talk a lot about what they do and if it is wise or not. Another example is when my oldest was scared and couldn’t sleep because of seeing something about earthquakes, she turned to the Bible and found peace. They are also understanding that true love is not a feeling but a set of actions that you choose to do. By making those choices you get the feeling. There are many, many more examples that I could give you, but you get the idea.

As an adult, I am still amazed by how much about life is contained in the Bible. From relationships and marriage to creating a life plan, developing a successful career, how to handle money, even how to resolve conflicts between two friends. The Bible is a complete instruction manual for successful living; ironically, even for those that don’t believe it was written by God. What did I just say? You heard me correctly, you don’t even have to believe that the Bible was the inspired writing of God to enjoy some of the benefits contained in the book. Truth is truth right? Or to put it another way, the laws of life and nature keep working even if you don’t believe in them, and that my friends is a big part of what the Bible is; a Book about how life and nature works. Of course for the believer it’s also a Book about how life begins, ends and a possibility of an eternal future. Both for adults and kids…

Filed Under: Philosophy, Politics Tagged With: Bible, Instruction Manual, life, purpose, wisdom

Ronald Reagan – “… those in America today who have come to depend absolutely on government for their security…”

November 18, 2010 By Richard M. Hartian Leave a Comment

“There are those in America today who have come to depend absolutely on government for their security. And when government fails they seek to rectify that failure in the form of granting government more power. So, as government has failed to control crime and violence with the means given it by the Constitution, they seek to give it more power at the expense of the Constitution. But in doing so, in their willingness to give up their arms in the name of safety, they are really giving up their protection from what has always been the chief source of despotism — government. Lord Acton said power corrupts. Surely then, if this is true, the more power we give the government the more corrupt it will become. And if we give it the power to confiscate our arms we also give up the ultimate means to combat that corrupt power. In doing so we can only assure that we will eventually be totally subject to it. When dictators come to power, the first thing they do is take away the people’s weapons. It makes it so much easier for the secret police to operate, it makes it so much easier to force the will of the ruler upon the ruled.”

Filed Under: Great Quotes, Ronald Reagan Tagged With: 2nd Amendment, freedom, Politics