Fasting Challenge

Highland Family,

As I realize that I did not get to the sermon I intended to preach today, I would like to acknowledge that the Lord is doing something new in our midst.  He is stirring our affections corporately into a season of prayer, asking that He would move in all power.  Let us continue to approach his throne with boldness.  Let us hunger and thirst for righteousness.  As the Word of God continues to become more precious to us than even the bread we eat, let us remain attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit, together.

Here is the direction for the church regarding our corporate prayer: 

• Ask for God to start cleansing our community, starting with Highland Community Church.
• Ask God to make our lives “Gardens of Eden” - places of unbroken fellowship & intimacy with the Lord.
• Ask God to cleanse our community of a spirit of destruction and a spirit of deafness (Matthew 17).

Let's also move in obedience regarding the challenge for us to fast, as a church.  When the disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon in Matthew 17, His response to them was 1) "because of your little faith" and 2) "But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting."  Highland Family, the world needs to see the power of God working in and through the church.  The world needs to see churches who live by the verse, "not by might, not by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord!".  By engaging corporately in a season of prayer and fasting we are asking that the Lord use Highland Community Church as a way to display His power and glory as He fulfills His promise to both cleanse us and rebuild us (Ezekiel 36:33-36).  Here are the motivations for our fast:

• Fasting gives us a heightened sense of the work and power of the Holy Spirit in our life and in the life of others.
• Fasting is our soul crying out, “This I want more than food!”.
• Fasting is for those not satisfied with the status quo and who feel truly desperate for God to intervene.
• Fasting is our soul longing for the promises of heaven to be made known on earth.  “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Highland, let us seek first the Kingdom of God.  I ask each one of you to fast and pray along with us every Wednesday afternoon beginning this week.  Every Wednesday we will allow our hunger and thirst for righteousness to overcome our hunger for food.  We will not relent in our pursuit of the Lord until we see Him "perform with His hand what He has spoken with His mouth" (2 Chronicles 6:15).

- Rob

Tackling our Worries: Not Being Enough.

Now that we have finished covering fearing finances, we will be tackling: "Not Being Enough" tomorrow.  While only some submitted this concern, I am confident that this is one we have all been tempted by at some point during our lives. 

We also welcome Pierce Chapel over our way for Mission Meals.  Thanks, Pierce Chapel!

I love you.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Blessings and love,

Rob

Committed to Chicken & Rice

Jellont Walker has been devoted to preparing our Chicken & Rice, for which we are grateful. Thanks, Jellont.

Thank you, Wynnbrook!

Wynnbrook, we really appreciate your loving support!  These supplies mean so much.  By way of your care, we will be able to love our neighbor, in honor of our Lord for such a long time!  We are so grateful for you!

Hayley Strickland Shares Her Testimony This Sunday.

Highland Family,

This Sunday, we have the privilege of hearing how the Lord is working in the life of my niece, Hayley Strickland.  We have a great deal to learn from her, as she has remained so steadfast throughout her ever-changing life.  She will be sharing her testimony and it will serve toward our good and the Lord's glory.

She is also plugged into the Youth Group of Edgewood Baptist Church, our planting church!  So grateful for them!  Some of their Youth Group will be joining us this Sunday as well.

I love you. I look forward to seeing you.

Blessings and love,

Rob

Back to the Path of Our Sermon Series

Highland Family, this week we return to our Sermon Series: “Worry, Worship and The Word of God.”  We will be addressing the concern of finances, which you've submitted.  James Jordan and I will be tag-teaming this sermon topic.  James works for Operation Hope, which is an organization that serves to help educate anyone needing direction regarding financial matters. He is also a member of our Finance Team. This Sunday, James will be offering helpful direction and insight on handling personal finances and addressing financial issues with a Biblical approach. It’s going to be so helpful!

I look forward to seeing you.  I am so honored to be able to serve the you, Highland Tribe.

Blessings and love,

- Rob

April Bulletin

Easter Sunday

Highland family,  

I am so excited to celebrate Jesus with you tomorrow.  We will exalt the One, Jesus, who paid it all. While our service schedule is the same, we will be celebrating Easter as we gather. I look forward to seeing you.

I also want to thank all who serve each Sunday, especially Easter Sunday.  From our van-drivers to dishwashers and everyone in-between. thank you so much for all you do.

See you tomorrow,

- Rob

Hitting the Pause Button

For the next two weeks, we will devote ourselves to looking directly at the One, Jesus, who loved His enemies to death, that we may receive eternal life.  I cannot understand it and I am confident I cannot really explain how.  Really, all I can do is marvel at it.  I invite you to marvel with me.

- Rob

Keeping These Words Before Your Eyes.

"Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).