Weekly Update
Highland, here is part of my devotion:
Psalm 31:19: “How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.”
Let your capacity to fear be consumed by His presence.
I love you,
Rob
The words we speak are powerful. The tongue actually has the power to bless or curse, tell the truth or to twist words into lies. In reality, our tongues reveal whom or what we worship. Knowing that the tongue possesses this kind of power, we learn that only the power given by the Holy Spirit can tame it; otherwise, the tongue remains a slave to sin and is a ‘restless evil.’ James writes extensively about the tongue. James 3:7-10 states:
““Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it.””
As James tells us, the tongue actually has the capacity to bless or to curse; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. A person is not able to control nor command their tongue. Rather, the tongue is an instrument given to serve what we worship. In essence, our spoken words reveal our hearts. James goes on to say:
“ “Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.””
James is showing us that, because sin has broken our relationship with the heart of God; it has also caused our hearts and tongues to produce evil with our words. But when we receive salvation and our hearts are brought into alignment with God’s heart, by submission to the Holy Spirit, then we will produce words consistent with the Holy Spirit. In essence: the fig tree will produce figs, because, at its root, it is a fig tree. If our hearts are rooted in God’s grace, mercy, and love, then our tongues will be the branches that produce fruit consistent with our hearts.
Talk about a time when someone blessed you with their words.
Who is someone you can bless with your words this week?
In this time of quarantine, the art of letter writing could be a powerful tool your family could use to bless others.
Kids, check out this video to learn more about words:
Though we use our lips and tongues to speak words, it’s our hearts that make the words. Though we cannot always see our hearts produce the words we say, the Lord knows what we mean when we speak to Him or to others. Psalm 139:4 teaches us that:
““Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord.” ”
Realizing the Lord knows our hearts, it is vital that we ask the Lord to keep command of our heart and its motivations. When the Lord remains upon the throne of our hearts, then the words that we speak will be from His Spirit, not our flesh. The Holy Spirit’s conviction then continually tames our tongues, leading to our heart’s meditations and tongue’s words to be of His Spirit. Notice David’s request in Psalm 19 is both for his heart and his tongue:
““May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.””
David realizes the connection between his tongue and his heart. He asks the Lord to maintain control of both.
Is there a specific situation in your life where you are needing God to control both the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart? If you are able, talk about the situation with your family.
Ask the Lord to take control that He might use your tongue to bring blessing in that situation.
Consider letting your kids write out Psalm 19:14 using their own names and then placing it somewhere in your house as a reminder to them (For example, “May the words of Jude’s mouth and the meditations of Jude’s heart be pleasing to You, Lord”).
Paul, once again, speaks to the connection between our tongue and our heart. In this passage, the evidence of salvation is known in both heart and mouth:
““The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
”
As stated in the opening paragraph, our tongue reveals who or what we worship because our words reveal our heart’s desires. Through repentance and submission to the saving name of Jesus, our heart’s desires are renewed by the Holy Spirit. As our hearts are renewed by the Holy Spirit, then our tongues become tools used to speak blessing, love, and courage into others, all in the name of our Lord. Our tongues offer praises to our Lord because our hearts know the joy of His presence; any desire to condemn or curse is captured by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and discarded. We are no longer double-minded and unstable but singular-minded and secure in His name. We then share in the desires of our Lord with grateful hearts because of His great love. Then, we can share in the heart-cry of the Psalmist:
““My lips pour out praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
My tongue sings about Your promise, for all Your commands are righteous.”
”
““Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!
You have covered the heavens with Your majesty.
Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold of praise
from the mouths of children and nursing infants
to silence the enemy and the avenger.”
”
Today, for communal prayer, we will pray over our children. I have always found Psalm 8:2 to be one of the most intriguing verses in all of the Psalms. What a powerful thought to know that one of God’s plans for silencing the enemy is to use the praise that flows from the mouths of our children.
The word stronghold means “a place of defensive strength protected from attack; a place dominated by a particular characteristic” (in this case - praise). What does God use as a stronghold, a place of defensive strength, a place protected from attack? God describes it in this verse as the praise that flows from the mouths of our children and even the babbling of our nursing infants. He uses the praise of the weakest and most vulnerable creations to nullify the work of the enemy.
Since the day when Christ was victorious over the cross, Satan has sought to retaliate and inflict harm on all creation. He knows He has lost, but while He roams the earth, His desire is to stir up strife and destruction within our lives and within the lives of those we love. This verse gives us insight into the secret weapon God uses to bring an end to the enemy’s plans - the praise of our children!
Parents, grandparents, teachers, let me encourage you to make praise a regular part of your speech. As we seek to learn and live out Psalm 119:171-172, our children will learn to do the same. May we teach our children to use their tongues for praise! This enables Christ to then use their words to silence the words of the enemy in their lives and in the lives of those around them.
Praise means to bless, to make much of, to celebrate. What can your family praise God for today?
Ask the Lord to establish a stronghold of praise within your house. Pray that your family’s defense in times of trouble and what sets your family apart would be the praise that flows from your mouths.
Highland, we love you.
Rob & Carrie
Highland,
We will not be able to hold normal services for the foreseeable future. Chicken and Rice, plus all weekday ministries and services are on hold as well, until further notice. We will continue to release a Family Devotion each weekend for your family and a Midweek Devotion as well. Check our blog for updates. Or subscribe through our website to receive emails from us, thanks!
Highland,
Carrie and I put together a “dining-room session” for you. In this video, we offer you a current status on what’s been happening and bring to you part of how the Lord is working in us right now. Right at the end, the video cuts when Carrie says: “Highland, we love you.” So, know that we love you all the way. Finally, thank you, Noah, for filming and Hunter (our dog), great job with some backup singing.
Song: “All the Poor & Powerless”, All Sons & Daughters
Also, Carrie wrote a blog and it’s a powerful read. It speaks to her prayer-life, as she asks the Lord to continue to give us His purposes for our church, families and streets. Click the button below to read:
Next Tuesday, March 31st, food will be distributed. Distribution will begin at noon, but get there early to sign in. There are a limited number of boxes available so they will be given out on a “first come, first serve” basis. For more info, please call us at 706.507.5837.
Highland, I am reading “Center Church”, by Tim Keller. He writes and explains how those of us who submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit are changed from the inside, out! Our desires are renewed and our life is regenerated through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
He writes:
“Without the power of the Holy Spirit, our hearts do not really believe in God’s delight or grace, so they operate in their default mode (performance-mode). But the truths of the gospel, brought home by the Holy Spirit, slowly but surely help us grasp in a new way how safe and secure, how loved and accepted, we are in Christ. Through the gospel, we come to base our identity not on what we have achieved but on what has been achieved for us in Christ. And when the gospel, brought home to our hearts, eats away at this sin-born neediness; it destroys the inner-engines that drive our sinful behavior.”
Highland, the power of the Holy Spirit has changed me in just this way! I remain in awe and so grateful of what He has done in me and continues to do in me! I, firsthand, can attest to the fact that I was eaten up with a need to strive for acceptance and I was just downright needy! But, praise be to our Lord who, by His Spirit, has regenerated my heart - I now take up my rest and identity in Christ Jesus! This passage from Titus best captures the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart:
“... be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
But when the goodness of God and His love
for mankind appeared,
He saved us —
not by works of righteousness that we had done,
but according to His mercy,
through the washing of regeneration
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly
through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that having been justified by His grace,
we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
This saying is trustworthy.”
All of my religious efforts to perform and earn the favor of God, and others, produced only anxiety, jealousy and pretentiousness. This passage above sums the “new creation” we become through the work of the gospel.
First, this passages charges believers to live in submission to and in accordance with the Holy Spirit that indwells us.
Next, Paul’s explains the fruit from our lives while under the rule of sin. All of the “fruits” Paul mentions speak to the efforts of our sinful-nature to encounter and gain personal power and pleasure; all the while, the appetite of flesh is unable to quenched. Hence, the ceaseless striving of our flesh to gain enough power to feel in control or to experience enough pleasure to be comforted. The outcome: ‘detesting one another’ - meaning that we are eaten up with jealousy over others because of what we seem to think others have found (pleasure; power). Our existence then equates to our cravings and we rot within our own coveting of those whom we secretly detest.
Then, Paul writes and explains the renewing work of the gospel. Paul tells us that God, compelled by love, offers us salvation - not out of pity, but out of His mercy. Knowing that we destroy ourselves through seeking our own godship, He displays His Lordship through mercy, offering us rest from our striving and desperate neediness. Rest is not found in a new way for us to try and live, perform or act, rest is found in the one act of Jesus; everything that we seek to do to feel “right” and ends up wrong, Jesus makes right for us through His willingness to lay down His life, that we might know life through Him overcoming sin and death.
Finally, Paul highlights the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit places within us what we spend our days searching to find - as Keller states what it is above: a securing love. A love that causes us to know a sense of belonging to the One who made it all, Who is worthy of all honor and glory. A love that makes us feel safe because He holds everything together in a world that moves like mad. A love that results in our rest. A love that disarms our need to seek godship through sinful efforts because, through the work of the gospel, we become the son or daughter of the the Most High God.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Highland Family, In light of the request from the CDC to limit gatherings to minimize the spreading of this virus, we are not going to hold normal services at the church on Sunday. Our plan, for now, will be for families to worship together in their homes. The Strickland Family will be holding our family service at the church to connect with people who walk up to the church. Below, you will find an Order of Service to be used to guide our times in family worship.
As we remain in quarantine, I will issue a Family Devotion each week through our website. It will be available for you by the preceding Saturday evening. Also, please know that we are holding off on all weekly gatherings until April 6th, at the least.
Let’s continue to press in and persevere in our prayer-life! Remember, according to Luke 11, the key to obtaining answered prayer is persistence. What has been our church’s persistent request?
Lord, bring revival! Revive our love for you, Lord. Revive our desires for more of you, Lord. Do this, we pray, in our personal lives, in our family, in our church, and in our community.
As Rob has been preaching, this can only be accomplished through a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to convict, to lead us to repentance, and to create in us new desires.
“So I say to you, (put your name or your family’s name here), keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened…if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM” (Luke 11:9-10,13).
Lord, today our family asks for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We seek to have more of You and to have You operating in greater authority in and through our lives. We ask that through the power of the Holy Spirit, You open doors for effective ministry in our family relationships and in the North Highland community.
Through Jesus we pray, amen.
Our generation has not seen times like this during our lifetime. Our systems and schedules are shaken by this pandemic. Our grip on what we think we can control is a little looser and our plans are made with less certainty. Confronted with this reality, we can rest assured, though, that He is certain. He endures with us and deals mercifully with each of us. We know that He is certain because His Word tells us so. Here are the 3 truths we will highlight today:
1. His Word endures.
2. He desires us to know His protection.
3. He is merciful toward everyone.
Though we are facing these uncertain times, God’s Word endures. His Word is eternal and sure, which means His Word has the power to direct us through these uncertain days. Psalm 119: 89-90 (HCSB) reads: “Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm.”
Discuss: Talk about a passage of Scripture or a specific verse in the Bible that has proven to stand firm throughout seasons of your life.
Read 1 Peter 1:24:
“For all men are like grass; all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall. But the Word the Lord stands forever.”
Music: Click here to listen to a song for kids (This song is one Noah loved as a little kid).
Knowing that God’s Word endures, He offers us promises that also endure throughout our days. In Psalm 91, we learn that those who trust in the Lord find a safe place in His presence. In His presence, we are protected during times of uncertainty.
Psalm 91:2-11 (HCSB) reads:
“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord — my refuge, the Most High — your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.”
Music: Click here to listen to a song about Psalm 91.
Discuss: In times of uncertainty what causes you to feel safe? Does the reality of God’s presence surrounding you offer you peace of mind in regards to your safety and the safety of those you love?
Pray: Ask the Lord to protect our family, our church family and to draw those who are scared and lost into His presence so that they can know the Lord and His protective mercy.
In closing, we hear Jesus explain the very goodness of God’s heart. He shows His kind grace to the ungrateful and the evil, then charges us to be merciful, just as our Father is toward us. Read Luke 6:27-36 (HCSB):
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Discuss: What does loving your enemy practically look like for you and/or your family? Remember: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (a person or group of people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace and the empowerment we need from His Spirit to have mercy toward our enemy. Ask the Lord to turn your frustration into compassion. Ask the Lord to mend any broken relationships in your life and/or in the life of your family.
Highland, let us turn our eyes and hearts to the One who endures all time, reigning in all might and authority - the Lord - who is holy, is above every other god! Declaring Him to be the Almighty, He stoops low to pick up the poor and the humble out of the ash-heap only to show them mercy - a mercy that removes the shame of our sin.
This removal of our shame and sin is only accomplished by way of the Cross of Christ; who willingly laid down His life that, through His blood, He would absorb the wrath of God due us. He, in-turn, not only takes away our sin (all of it) but then offers us right standing, a clean and clear relationship, with a Holy God in exchange for our sin. All glory and honor to the God who saves! For the Lord alone is worthy of all praise, honor and glory! To your name, Lord, we turn our hearts, declaring you to be the Lord Almighty!! For you alone are our only good!! For we know this to be certain.
Highland, those of us who declare Jesus to be Lord with heart and mouth, “continue to produce the fruit of repentance” (Ref: Luke 3:8).
I love you.
Rob
In light of the coronavirus, we will not be able to gather for Chicken and Rice or Sunday services. If you are in need of food, please come to Highland Community Church this Tuesday, between 12:00pm & 2:00pm. We will be distributing food boxes to those who need food.
Safety precautions will be in place. We ask that only 1 healthy adult or teenager come from each household in order to limit the amount of people who are gathering to receive a food box.
Call the church number if you have any questions: 706-507-5837
In light of the request from the CDC to limit gatherings to minimize the spreading of this virus, we are not going to hold normal services at the church this Sunday. Our plan will now be for families to worship together in their homes instead. An Order of Service will be posted that families can use later this weekend.
I love you.
Rob
* The Strickland Family will be holding our family service at the church to connect with people who walk up to the church.
Highland Tribe,
As our world’s systems are shaking beneath our feet, let us find our footing upon this eternal and enduring truth:
“The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew. Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.”
As the Lord reigns, let us acknowledge His might and His unfailing love toward each of us. Highland, by so doing, we liberate our hearts from the looming fears swirling around us, maintaining our poise and discretion. Within the liberty and discretion we know from the Holy Spirit, we are then free to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In taking up a confidence in His Word, we will see that He secures us and keeps us from stumbling; our hearts will know His presence as our safe place, then we are able to cultivate a strength that comes solely from the joy of His presence.
Highland family, please reach out to us if you need ANYTHING!! No request is too small or insignificant. Call us and we will seek to meet your need(s) as soon as possible.
I love you.
Rob
Highland Tribe,
We know there are many questions and concerns as we face this unprecedented time. Thankfully the exposure in Muscogee County and surrounding counties remains minimal. At this time, we plan to hold services and events as scheduled. Leadership will continue to monitor the situation and update as necessary. Please do not hesitate to call the church if you have any questions. Below are a few notes to remember.
If you are feeling any respiratory symptoms (cough, difficulty breathing) or have a fever (greater than 100.4 degrees F), remain at home and call your doctor for a phone interview.
Visit mercymedcolumbus.org or cdc.gov or westcentralhealthdistrict.com for updated medical information.
Note that the CDC states that those with increased risk are adults over 60 years of age and that the greatest risk is in adults over 80 years of age, especially those with underlying health issues such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Please consider your own health history – is it fairly complex? Do you have many underlying health conditions? If so, take extra precautions to reduce your likelihood of exposure.
Continue to practice standard hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. If you are feeling sick, please stay home and call the church if you have any needs we can address.
Try adopting a “hands-free” approach by avoiding handshakes when appropriate.
Do not panic and remain hopeful. We serve the highest authority. Let us love and serve each other well during this time.
- (adapted from mercymedcolumbus.com)
