“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 ESV

The Lord taught us that the will of God finding its home in heaven, is supposed to find a home here on earth too! Here at International Harvest Church, we like to say we are all about Heaven culture!

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The local church is meant to introduce heaven’s realities to the earth. Many of the customs in the Kingdom of God are very different than those of this world we live in. When someone is getting to know God, they need to be introduced to His ways. IHC isn’t concerned as much with how Americans do things, as much as we are interested with how God does things! We figure since we will be living with Him forever, let’s get a head start enjoying the culture of heaven!

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The following are the primary, not necessarily exhaustive, “Kingdom Culture” values we hold dear at IHC:​

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“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me, there is no God…” Isaiah 45:5 ESV

There is one God. That’s it. He doesn’t coexist with anyone else as far as “gods’ or religions. Since all the guesswork is taken away as to who God really is, our love, gratitude, and yes, service, are for Him and Him alone. We love the Father, in the name of our Savior Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to bring joy to His heart as much as He does ours.​

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“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Our attitude when we come to church is that God has something good for us today! The Lord is not insecure, and He loves sharing! This love of His is so great, that He wants us to know Him as our Father and that He claims us as His family. Pastor Joe reminds us regularly that God’s throne in heaven is our living room!

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“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

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“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6

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Our minds are designed to process and learn. The local church is where “God facts” are learned, understood, and put into practice. This of course allows us to know and serve both Him and mankind. When we see church through the lens of “I’m going to school today.” versus “I’m punching my religious time clock today.”, the blessings we receive increase dramatically. IHC is unapologetic that God’s people are meant to learn…then grow…then mature…and experience God in real ways and real demonstrations. These things do not take place in a quick checkout line! Pastor Joe likes to say, “I’m not here to tell you what to think…but I’m going to give you lots to think about!”

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“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-6

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“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 MSG

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“And, I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

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All of us have been graced by the Lord with giftings particular to us. Those gifts and the faith to use them are meant to be shared. Each of us needs a local church, and the local church needs you! You and I are hand-selected by the Lord to accomplish specific things for others. IHC is determined to help all of us mine what has been deposited within us and create opportunities for us to use those gifts. God loves us so much that He gave His Son. We are meant to love Him and his people so much we give of ourselves as well! The time, talent, and treasure God has blessed us with is meant to be shared with others. Living a generous life expands our worldview and motivates us to be like Jesus. God is infinitely generous. His children should be the same.

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“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matt 19:26

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“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6

 

At IHC, we figure that if it’s impossible to please God without faith, we probably should get to work acquiring and developing some faith! We have learned that God is not interested in what is just humanly possible. What’s the fun in that? Knowing this, we understand our lives are meant to grow and journey into even uncharted waters…not stagnate and remain in a religious holding cell till Jesus returns. Our God has placed within us a desire for discovery. Faith in His promises mixed with some courage will allow us to lay our heads in bed at night satisfied we have pursued destiny, not the TV remote and a box of Twinkies!​

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