Family Devotion: Clothed With Dignity

Family Devotional: A Mother's Day Devotional: May 10th, 2020

Part One: Intro & Overview

Part Two: Family Devotion Read Aloud

CLOTHED WITH DIGNITY

A Mother’s Day Devotion

Proverbs 31 records the words of King Lemuel’s mother; she is speaking to her son about a woman who is capable of being a wife and a mother. The qualities found in this passage describe the type of strength and stamina of a woman who runs her household in a manner that is worthy of respect.

As we look at the passage, verse 25 offers this characteristic of a woman who is “clothed with dignity.” Verse 25 (NIV) reads: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Today, as we celebrate our mothers, we will look closely at this “garment of dignity/respect.” Together, we will identify the qualities Scripture shows us that clothes a woman with ‘strength and dignity.’

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A dignity that flows out of THE STRENGTH OF CHRIST

A woman ‘clothed with dignity’ is first, repentant, declaring Jesus Christ as Lord and allowing Him to have control over her life. She surrenders herself to the Lordship of Jesus, allowing His power, strength and nature to form within her and flow through her, then into her home.

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3, HCSB).

Moms are busy! Their busyness is all consuming, too, because it consists of constantly caring for the well-being of others. As Peter tells us, every believer, including the busy mother, has access to the divine power and strength of the Lord. The Lord’s intent is that He would provide for her everything she needs for her life and the life of her household. Yep, everything. All the patience, all the wisdom, all the endurance, all the strength…everything! Mothers, may your life be one that displays to your children, your husband, and those who observe your household not your own strength, but the strength of the One who holds everything together by the word of His immovable power!

DISCUSS

Kids, what is one way that you see God give your mom power and strength?

Discuss one thing your mother/wife does in the strength of the Lord for which you are grateful.

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A dignity that puts on display an HONOR for CHRIST

When moms submit to and draw strength from the divine nature of Christ, then they are seeking to honor the Lord Jesus in their lives. She then is, essentially, clothing herself in the strength of Christ, creating and cultivating His honor within her household. The mother, who creates this atmosphere in her home, then provides her family the chance to see the Lord at work in her life and in the home, as a whole. The family then sees Christ honored in her care of themselves and all she does to make her house a home.

DISCUSS

Kids, what is one way your mom cares for you?

Discuss one way that your mom/wife makes your house a home, in honor of the Lord.

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A COURAGE FOUNDED UPON CHRIST

Her prayer-life, that is rooted God’s Word, prepares her to deal with the future. A mom who draws her strength from Christ and is living for the honor of Christ has a bold and courageous outlook upon what may come. So much so that Proverbs says, “she can laugh at the time to come.” When a mom submits her life to the glory of Christ, going after the goodness of God, she then comes to know that it is only His goodness and glory she has to offer her family, and those in her life.

Knowing that His goodness and glory is all she has to offer, she realizes that she no longer has to try to be good enough out of her own strength or her own merit. The goodness of Christ Jesus is ‘her enough’ and His goodness is enduring and eternal - therefore, the future does not possess any fear for the woman who holds onto the good and precious promises of Christ!

“By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4, HCSB).

Because her desires are regenerated by the power of God’s divine nature, she discerns the evil in this world, yet doesn’t fear the evil in this world. She instead chooses to take hold of and get a firm grip upon the precious promises secured for her and her family through the Word of God. As she secures her grip on these promises, the fear of the future has to loosen its grip upon her heart and Satan cannot find a stronghold in the ‘fear of the unknown.’ Instead, by her confident faith in Christ Jesus, she faces the uncertain future with joy in her heart and a boldness in her approach toward the days to come.

In closing, To be “clothed with strength and dignity” means that a woman’s courage is founded upon Christ. She then displays an unshakable resolve and has a character that’s reliable, compassionate and caring. To “laugh at the days to come” means that a woman maintains a such a confidence in Him, that she remains courageous regarding the care of her household, as she faces the future - come what may - even a pandemic.

DISCUSS

Kids, name one way you see courage in your mom.

Discuss one way that your mom/wife is prepared to care for the family in times of crisis or in the times to come.

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ON A PERSONAL NOTE

To all of our moms,

I remain in awe of your resolve, your devotion and your love for Christ Jesus. It is evident that ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’, as I see you care for your families and also serve at Highland. Each of you make life better and make the life of Highland Community richer with mercy, gentleness and the compassion of Christ. I consider it an honor to walk alongside each of you, as we seek Christ Jesus, in one accord.

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We have a new series starting this month just for kids. The Series is called: The Bible in Four Weeks. Click the button below to see part two of this series:

Happy Mother’s Day,

Rob & Carrie

Midweek Devotion

Highland,

Due to technical difficulties, the Midweek Devotion was not able to be processed yesterday. It is now available.

OUR PASSAGE

“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head — Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part. Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus. You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:15-32, HCSB

Family Devotion: Communion Service

Highland, this Sunday, we journey through Psalm 65. We cover the Psalm across three sections. Each video below correlates with a portion of the Psalm. Communion is also offered at the end of the first video. With each video, simply reflect and pray through the “Focus” for each part of the Psalm.

“Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled. All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer. Iniquities overwhelm me; only You can atone for our rebellions. How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.”

— Psalm 65:1-4

Focus for part one of our Communion Service:

We have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Song(s): Oh the Blood of Jesus and The Blood by Shane and Shane

We would encourage you to partake in communion with your family at the conclusion of video 1.

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“You answer us in Your righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of the waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by Your signs; You make east and west shout for joy.

You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God’s stream is filled with water, for You prepare the earth in this way, providing people with grain. You soften it with showers and bless its growth, soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges.”

— Psalm 65:4-10

Here is an image of furrow irrigation.

Focus for Part Two of our Communion Service:

1. God’s authority over both nature and nations.

2. The process of furrow irrigation and its ability to produce a rich, plentiful harvest.

Song: There is a Cloud by Elevation Worship

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“YOU CROWN THE YEAR WITH YOUR GOODNESS; Your ways overflow with plenty. The wilderness pastures overflow, and the hills are robed with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed they sing.”

— Psalm 65: 11-13

Focus for Part Three of our Communion Service:

1. A description of what it looks like when the Lord declares that He will “crown the year with goodness” based on cross referencing Psalm 65 with Isaiah 30:18-23.

2. Rejoicing in the goodness of God.

Song: The Goodness of God from The Worship Initiative vol. 17

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We have a new series starting this month just for kids. The Series is called: The Bible in Four Weeks. Click the button below to see part one of this series:

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We love you, Highland,

Rob & Carrie

We Hold Communion Tomorrow.

Highland,

Due to it being a first Sunday, we will hold Communion tomorrow. We will issue a video that will carry you and your family through Communion then, in the post, we will have the passages and the discussion questions included. Please feel free to use whatever you have on hand for Communion or take this chance to go out and grab the needed items (bread and juice).

Midweek Devotion

Song: “Though You Slay Me” - by Shane and Shane

Highland,

I hope you’re doing well, considering this unexpected season we are all facing! It brings me great joy to share Mr. Hank Shelby’s song with you this week, as part of our Midweek Devotion! Hank’s heart for the Lord is so tender and authentic; his heart for the Lord is revealed in this song. May we all draw nearer to the Lord as we listen, allowing Him to be ‘our enough.’

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In our Midweek Devotion this week, we read through Psalm 29, together. This Psalm centers on the majesty and the might of God! We also see in this Psalm that the Lord holds eternity in His grasp! While we might only be able to handle one moment at a time, let us acknowledge the power of our God, who knows the beginning and the end of all things! Let us look to Him right now, here, in the middle of this pandemic, because He is eternal and almighty! He sits enthroned over all time, all creation, over you and me. Knowing this reality, let us allow Him to be King of our hearts, too.

Midweek Devotion: April 29th, 2020

“Ascribe to Yahweh, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name;
worship Yahweh
in the splendor of His holiness.
The voice of the Lord is above the waters.
The God of glory thunders —
the Lord, above vast waters,
the voice of the Lord in power,
the voice of the Lord in splendor.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion, like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord flashes flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the woodlands bare.
In His temple all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sat enthroned at the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned, King forever.
The Lord gives His people strength;
the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

— Psalm 29, HCSB

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Highland, I love you. My family adores you.

Rob

Family Devotion: Psalm 37, Part 2

Family Devotion: April 26th, 2020

FAMILY DEVOTION: PSALM 37

We turn our attention to Psalm 37, because it offers us a rare reflection upon our days as we spin around on this blue marble. When David, a man described as “a man after God’s own heart”, writes about life’s happenings and God’s promises, one would be wise to pay attention and read carefully. The devotion I have put together for Psalm 37 is sectioned into the parts of how it was originally written. There are a total of 7 sections; we will cover the last 3 sections today. Have someone read the given section of the Psalm. After each section, there will be a discussion topic or question ( This is part two of a two-part devotion).

by: Kurtis Parks

About:1 Samuel 24

from: Saddleback Kids

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PSALM 37, SECTION FIVE

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.

All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.”

— Psalm 37:23-26, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION FIVE

Rick Roper once told me that this is a passage he cherishes. In section five, David is telling about the generational-blessing of the Lord, which rest upon those who remain repentant and submissive to the name of the Lord.

This blessing is now secured for believers by the blood of Jesus. ANYONE who repents and professes Jesus as Lord is redeemed. Our sin-nature is then crucified with Christ. We then become one, with Christ, now bearing His name, as He bore our shame to death on His cross. He bore our sin that we might bear His blessing - unbroken fellowship with the Father. That blessing brings us security, and enables us to declare with confidence, that there will never be a time when we are forsaken by the Lord. No matter the circumstance, no matter the trial, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Though David encountered many hardships throughout his days, he was able to say at the end of his life, ‘The Lord is the one who holds My hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.’

Describe a time or season in your life where you may have been tempted to think that God had forsaken you. Looking back now, how did God prove Himself faithful to you in that season?

What else brings you encouragement from this section of Psalm 37?

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PSALM 37, SECTION SIX

“Depart from evil and do good,
So you will abide forever.

For the Lord loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

The righteous will inherit the land
And dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.

The wicked spies upon the righteous
And seeks to kill him.

The Lord will not leave him in his hand
Or let him be condemned when he is judged.

Wait for the Lord and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.”

— Psalm 37:27-34, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION SIX

‘The law of his God is in his heart.’ Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, God’s spirit now etches His nature, His character, His identity into us. We become His and the desires of our hearts are then renewed, aligned with His desires! We long for HIS righteousness instead of demanding OUR rights. Our lives then bear the fruit of His spirit. Those who live under the power of the Spirit of God then bear the fruit of His spirit, not our sin. Based on this passage - because His Spirit is now the law of our hearts, we then desire to depart from evil and do what is good in the eyes of God. Furthermore, we see that, because we are preserved by the Lord, He secures our lives, both our personal safety and our reputation. His instruction is simply that we wait for Him! No need to force a matter, no need for self-effort, for the Lord will exalt the humble —- ‘you will see it’!

Discuss what it means to wait for the Lord.

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PSALM 37, SECTION SEVEN

“I have seen a wicked, violent man
Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more;
I sought for him, but he could not be found.

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;
For the man of peace will have a posterity.

But transgressors will be altogether destroyed;
The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.”

— Psalm 37:35-40, NASB

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DISCUSS SECTION SEVEN

David experienced these words in own life. After being anointed King by the prophet Samuel, he was hunted by King Saul, who was bitterly jealous of David and under the command of an evil sprit. Though Saul loved David, his jealousy of him soured that love. Saul’s son, Jonathan, kept a loving friendship with David. Jonathan even helped protect David from his father’s wrath.

Jonathan, then knowing that David would become king, asked David to be kind to his family. David agrees and carries out his promise to Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son). Though David could’ve had exercised his right to eliminate any threat to his throne, he acted as though the Lord’s law was within his heart: Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; for the man of peace will have a posterity. David chose to act out of the righteousness of his God, not out of his own right. He sowed ‘peace from above’, justice in line with the heart of his God instead of taking on his rights and bringing vengeance on Saul and his family line. David saw that salvation and strength belong to the Lord, not to a crown made with human hands. Therefore, we see that while David was on the throne, the Lord sat upon the throne of His heart. Does the Lord sit on the throne of your heart?

Highland, it is my greatest desire that, through this time, God’s Word would be at the center of our hearts and homes. As David notes, the person who loves the Lord is a person who sows peace, because Jesus has placed peace between God and us.

Does our family live in the *peace of God?

If part of the definition for peace is ‘flourishing on every level”, then what area of our family would we consider to be flourishing? What area of our family would we like to see a fuller flourishing?

*peace (Shalom) - flourishing on every level, wholeness, unbroken fellowship

I encourage you this week to place your famliy’s name in verse 37 and ask the Lord to create that in your home. Lord, make us blameless, make us upright, and make us sowers of peace that we may leave a lasting legacy for Your name! Amen.

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We love you,

Rob & Carrie

Considering What's Best.

Highland,

After considering all of the details, Highland Community Church will continue to refrain from physically gathering. Due to our building space and the number of people who attend each Sunday, social distancing requirements would be very difficult for us. Bible Studies and other ministries are refraining from gathering, too.

In my eagerness for us to come together, being too hasty in this season could be too costly. I rest in the leading of the Holy Spirit; He will reveal His timing and His plan. I continue to take my cues from Him.

Devotions and updates will be posted here, on our blog page. Please continue to check here for updates. You can subscribe through our website to receive emails or you can follow us on Facebook as well. Finally, remember I am just a phone call away.

I love you, Highland!

Rob

Midweek Devotion

Robert and Lashonda Singleton offer the Highland Tribe a shoutout of courage and hope!

Lashonda and Robert Singelton

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Becky Strickland takes us through Psalm 25 and sings: “Show Me Your Ways” - by Hillsong.

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“Lord, I turn to You.
My God, I trust in You.
Do not let me be disgraced;
do not let my enemies gloat over me.
No one who waits for You
will be disgraced;
those who act treacherously without cause
will be disgraced.
Make Your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are the God of my salvation;
I wait for You all day long.
Remember, Lord, Your compassion
and Your faithful love,
for they have existed from antiquity.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
or my acts of rebellion;
in keeping with Your faithful love, remember me
because of Your goodness, Lord.
The Lord is good and upright;
therefore He shows sinners the way.
He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches them His way.
All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth
to those who keep His covenant and decrees.
Because of Your name, Yahweh,
forgive my sin, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the Lord?
He will show him the way he should choose.
He will live a good life,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
The secret counsel of the Lord
is for those who fear Him,
and He reveals His covenant to them.
My eyes are always on the Lord,
for He will pull my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am alone and afflicted.
The distresses of my heart increase;
bring me out of my sufferings.
Consider my affliction and trouble,
and take away all my sins.
Consider my enemies; they are numerous,
and they hate me violently.
Guard me and deliver me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in You.
May integrity and what is right
watch over me,
for I wait for You.
God, redeem Israel, from all its distresses.”

— Psalm 25, HCSB

Family Devotion: Psalm 37

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Psalm 37 has played a tremendous role in the life of our family. One role to note is the day Carrie and I were closing on our current home on 5th Avenue. Just before we were leaving to sign the dotted line, I had a rush of panic! Questions began racing through my mind: Were we making a mistake? Was this going to end up being a disaster? To keep from spreading my panic to Carrie, I stepped outside onto my parents’ deck and began to ask the Lord to make His plan known to me in an undeniable way. In my desperation, I opened my Bible and was prompted by the Holy Spirit to turn to Psalm 37; a Psalm that was familiar to me, but that I had not read recently. I desperately began to read it from the beginning and, immediately, I was flooded with a peace that can solely come from the presence of our Lord when I read this verse:

“Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

— Psalm 37:3, NASB

In that moment, God’s Word overcame my fear! I was flooded with peace because the passage was showing me that our plans for buying a home in North Highland were aligned with His purposes. I left with Carrie to sign the closing documents that day with an unshakable confidence in the Lord. Now, 14 years later, this passage still serves as our family’s personal mission statement. As Carrie and I have taken the time during this season of “shelter in place” to reflect back over this Psalm, and reflect on our years in North Highland, we have rejoiced in seeing how the Lord has prodcued fruit through our lives, the life of Highland and Truth Spring consistent with the promises of Psalm 37.

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FAMILY DEVOTION: PSALM 37

When David, a man described as “a man after God’s own heart”, writes about life’s happenings and God’s promises, one would be wise to pay attention and read carefully. Highland-tribe, please take your time as you read and dwell upon the power of God’s enduring Word throughout this devotion.

The devotion I have put together for Psalm 37 is sectioned into the parts of how it was originally written. There are a total of 7 sections; we will cover four sections today.

Have someone read the given section of the Psalm. After each section, there will be a discussion topic or question ( This is part one of a two-part devotion).

Source: Seeds Family Worship

PSALM 37, SECTION ONE

“Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
 
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.”

— Psalm 37:1-6, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION ONE

Section one centers on the fruit that comes from our lives when we confidently trust the Lord and commit our way to Him.

Does my way (or the way of our family) reflect that I (we) delight and trust in God? Give an example of what that has looked like for you or your family.

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PSALM 37, SECTION TWO

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.

Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”

— Psalm 37:7-11, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION TWO

Section two compares people who live by their immediate passions to those who live by a steady patience. In Spurgeon’s “Treasury of David”, he refers to a statement that an author made about patience and passion. He says: “Passion has his good things first, then they are soon over; patience has his good things last and they last forever.”

What does resting in the Lord look like in your life or in the life of your family?

Do we see the value in patience and choosing to wait on the Lord?

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PSALM 37, SECTION THREE

“The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.

The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees his day is coming.
 
The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.

Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.”

— Psalm 37:12-15, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION THREE

In Section Three, David is pointing out that people who are evil, intentionally seek to oppress and mistreat people who are needy and *afflicted. As the Lord radically defends the most vulnerable, David points out that the Lord even laughs at those who think real power is to be gained from preying on the needy and afflicted.

Why is it that the Lord considers caring for the needy and afflicted important?

Do you or you and your family share in the Lord’s desire to defend and care for the needy and afflicted? Give an example.

*The word afflicted means grievously troubled, suffering, overthrown, having a sense of being defeated.

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Psalm 37, SECTION FOUR

“Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the Lord sustains the righteous.

The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.

They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.
 
But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
 
The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.
 
For those blessed by Him will inherit the land,
But those cursed by Him will be cut off.”

— Psalm 37:16-22, NASB

DISCUSS SECTION FOUR

As David wrote by the power of the Holy Spirit many generations before, those who submit to the Lordship of Jesus, “will not be ashamed.” Highland, let us rejoice over the Lord, who forgives sin, covering us with His righteousness.

In our closing section for today, David compares the course of the life of both the righteous and the wicked. In 1 Corinthians 5, we read that Jesus became our “sin offering” and, through Him, we become the “righteousness of God.” WOW! Take the time to take that statement in. Highland, let us all pray, rejoicing over the righteousness that is ours, in Christ Jesus. Let us rejoice over the promise of God that says, ‘even in the midst of famine and adversity, the righteous will have an abundance!’ May we use that abundance, in this season of uncertainty, to care for the needy and afflicted.

We love you,

Rob & Carrie

Midweek Devotion

Mr. Jim Holbrook tastefully plays for us one of his favorites: "It is Well."

Highland,

This week, Mr. Jim Holbrook skillfully plays for us “It is Well.” This is a hymn that speaks to an unwavering faithfulness in a God who is steadfast in love throughout every season we may encounter. I hope you enjoy listening to Jim, along with the chorus of birds that joins him, as much as I do.

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Over this time of being home-bound, our family is reading and praying through Psalm 20 each night at our dinner table. We are using this Psalm to draw our family closer, through God’s Word and to pray for our church throughout these unusual times. Here is the Psalm:

“May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble;
may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.
May He send you help from the sanctuary
and sustain you from Zion.
May He remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt offering.
May He give you what your heart desires
and fulfill your whole purpose.
Let us shout for joy at your victory
and lift the banner in the name of our God.
May Yahweh fulfill all your requests.
Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories from His right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses,
but we take pride in the name of Yahweh our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king!
May He answer us on the day that we call.”

— Psalm 20, HCSB

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“May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.”

Using this verse from the Psalm, Carrie asked each of us to write down our heart’s desire and what we sense as our ‘whole purpose’ throughout this season, and beyond. Following our meals, we read Psalm 20 together, then revisit our cards and pray. As we have discussed and prayed, what has become more and more evident is that you, Highland, are part of our ‘whole purpose.’ Your well-being, your joy, your safety are directly connected to our hearts’ desires. Carrie and I both wrote that our heart’s desire was for an overflow of the Holy Spirit so that His joy and power would abound in and through our lives. All of this for His glory and our good!

We invite you to join in this prayer alongside our family. Ask yourself, “what is my heart’s desire?”. And if you could summarize what your “whole purpose” is in this season of quarantine, what would that be? Let me remind you of the beautiful parable found in Luke 11. Jesus speaks of an earthly father and his desire to give his child good gifts. Then Jesus moves from an earthy example and begins speaking about His Father. In referring to our Heavenly Father, Jesus says, “how MUCH MORE will your heavenly Father be delighted to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?”.

Remember, it is the delight of our Father to give us our request for an overflow of the work, power, and joy of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives. So may we unite our voices as one and pray with confidence, “Lord, may You give Highland what our heart desires and fulfill our whole purpose for more of the Holy Spirit. Lord, give great victory to the Highland family! May You answer us on the day that we call” (Psalm 20:4,9). Throughout this time, know that from our dining room table, the Strickland family is praying for you, Highland. Our family truly loves each of you!

Rob & Carrie