Weekly Update
Tony is moving into his own place as of tomorrow! He is in need of household items, such as a couch, tv, mattress, etc...
If you’re in the position of passing along any household items like these mentioned (or others), please contact us.
Thank you,
Rob
Highland,
This opportunity for testing is happening at our church June 2nd. It’s free and it provides us a chance to be informed throughout this pandemic.
Highland, Below, you will find our tentative plan for restarting services. For all gatherings listed below, we are taking as many precautions as we can to be considerate of others. We will be holding our largest gatherings outdoors, encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.
We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
June 13th: Chicken and Rice resumes
June 14th, 10am: First Sunday Service, at 10am. It will be an outdoor service. It will be held on our back field. This service will be a picnic-style service! Plan for bluegrass, Bible and BBQ! Bring your camping chair, or a blanket and plan to set up on the field for our service. Then, at 11am, grab a plate of barbecue to-go. You can eat on the lawn or take it to-go. Our services will remain outdoors for the foreseeable future. Service start-times will be 10am each Sunday that we meet outdoors.
- Van route options still being considered (windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van).
- Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
July 1st, 6pm: Men’s Bible Study resumes
July 8th, 6pm: Women’s Bible Study resumes
July 15th, 6pm: Prayer Meeting resumes
July 18th, Pillow Party resumes
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you again.
I love you,
Rob
To all who have served to secure our freedom, thank you.
This video is a read-aloud of this devotion.
Highland, let us continue to live according to the Spirit. As we do so, we demonstrate our love for the Lord and, also, a growing maturity of our faith in Him. Today’s devotion helps us know what it means to live according to the Spirit. We start our journey through God’s Word in Romans, chapter eight.
“Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Seeing that the law could not satisfy God’s disapproval of sin and sins’ affects in us, God sends His son, Jesus, to become a sin-offering for us. The cross of Christ crucifies condemnation! My punishment and your punishment for sin were satisfied in the cross of Christ!
To be condemned is to stand before a judge and to be found as offensive, therefore guilty. If we are condemned before God, then we are found guilty of our sinful offenses. Jesus willingly laid down His life as our sin-offering. He bore our offenses on what should have been our cross, crucifying all condemnation for those who are repentant of their sin, declaring Him as Lord. When we do so, the Holy Spirit then fills us, helping us to know and honor our Lord and holding us, securely, until the day of His return.
Have you personally experienced being set free from condemnation (the guilt and punishment of sin)?
If so, can you describe a time in your life when you felt freedom from the guilt of sin?
How does the Holy Spirit help us to do what is right in the eyes of God?
Knowing that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death, we now are freed from the requirements of the law as we walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh (Read Galatians 5:16-25 for more info about the flesh and the spirit). In this next verse, Paul tells us how we know if we are walking according to the flesh or the spirit:
“For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.”
Highland family, we think about the things that we love. If we love the “fruits of the flesh”, then we think about the things of the flesh. If we love the fruits of the Spirit, then we think about the fruits of the spirit. When we desire something and we constantly find ourselves thinking about that thing we desire, that is called “dwelling.” In short, we dwell when our mind and our heart love something at the same time.
When I was 7 years old, I remember seeing “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” I was captivated. I instantly fell in love with the movie and it was all I could think about for months! I hummed the theme-song and I pretended to be Luke Skywalker all the time. For my birthday, my parents bought me a Darth Vader Faced Watch - I cherished it. I still have it to this day. The things we dwell upon shape our time, our beliefs, ultimately, our lives. So then, if we are to live according to the Spirit, we must train our minds to dwell upon the things of the Spirit.
Give an example of how dwelling on Scripture has helped to shape your thought-life.
Our minds often drift. When we receive the Holy Spirit, one fruit that comes from Him is self-control. Describe how self-control helps you to dwell on the Lord, as opposed to drifting all over the place in your mind.
“For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.”
Our mind-set is formed by what we dwell upon over time. The decisions we make and the deeds that we do flow out of what we dwell upon. So, as people, if we set our minds on the things of the flesh, then the decisions that we make and deeds that we do will be of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance — as I told you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). The work of sin through the flesh destroys life and leads to death.
As repentant sinners, our mind-set must remain submissive to the Holy Spirit’s convictions and counsel. This results in the Holy Spirit being able to grow and cultivate shalom (see our Family Devotion from last Sunday) in our thought-life. As we remain tempted by the enemy to sin, we must learn how to battle against Satan, who wants to find a stronghold for himself in our thought-life! We have to cast down every sinful thought that comes into our mind!
We cannot allow sinful thoughts to build our mindsets. If we allow distorted, sinful thinking to be the material that we use to build our mindsets, Satan will make that his fortress of attack against us! If this is happening in your life, repent! Submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to tear down this stronghold. Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, stand firm and guard your hearts and thoughts against sin by dwelling on God’s word. If we are to guard our hearts and our minds then we must learn to fill our hearts and mind with the truth of God’s word. Paul tells us exactly how to do that in Philippians 4:6. Paul tell us to dwell on (let your mind set upon) ‘what is true’ - “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:6).
What is one scripture that you dwell upon in order to keep your mind and heart focused on what is true?
What is one area of your life that Satan tries to trick you into believing a lie?
How has learning to meditate on God’s word proven itself to be a defense for your mind and heart in that area?
Side-note: The way that I started training my mind was to ask the Lord for wisdom. I asked Him to help me fall in love with His Word (He sent me Carrie who helped me!). I then began to read Scripture. I read through the New Testament over time, each night. In the mornings, I read through Psalm 119 - a portion each morning - until I completed the Psalm. The Lord took over from there.
Our series just for kids continues. The Series is called: The Bible in Four Weeks. Click the button below to see part four of this series:
Highland, we are blessed to have you in our lives.
We love you,
Rob & Carrie
I got a phone call from James Gamble today. He is a member of our church and a dear friend of mine. He was telling me how much he was missing gathering for church each week. Specifically, that he was missing having the opportunity each Sunday to “get dressed” for battle. So, for our Midweek Devotion this week, let’s ‘get dressed’, Highland!
I love you,
Rob
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore,
with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.
In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is God’s word.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”
In light of this week’s Midweek Devotion, our Family Devotion will be about mercy this week. In our Midweek Devotion, we read about how the Lord would want us to conduct ourselves with others, even with those who have offended us (Romans 12:9-19). Part of this passage from Romans says: “Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.” Simply put, as believers, we are called to be peacemakers. Two main ingredients of peacemakers are: forgiveness and mercy. Remember, the biblical word for peace in scripture is shalom. Shalom means “to flourish”. That being said, to be a biblical peacemaker means we are seeking to facilitate an atmosphere that allows relationships and situations in our lives to flourish. We are seeking to facilitate an atmosphere that allows others to grow and develop in a healthy and vigorous way due to the environment we create around them.
Read Matthew 5:9 and James 3:13-18.
Who is someone in your life that has demonstrated qualities of a biblical peacemaker?
Offer one way you are seeking to be a peacemaker, one who facilities an atmosphere that allows others to grow and develop in a healthy and vigorous way (this can be at your job, in your family, etc).
Jesus tells us that the justice-system of the Kingdom of God is founded upon mercy and forgiveness:
Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:36-38,HCSB).”
Sin makes our hearts selfish, mean toward others and, most often, critical of ourselves and others. Therefore, with that critical spirit within us, we cultivate criticism in and around our lives instead of cultivating shalom.
As we read in Luke’s gospel, however, the heart of God is merciful. Repentant believers, who receive the Holy Spirit, receive a renewed disposition, making us merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful. When we repent, admitting to God that our hearts are sinful and critical, He is not critical of us. Instead, He pours out His mercy upon us and forgives us. God therefore, sets the primary example for what it looks like to cultivate an atmosphere of peace by first allowing us the opportunity to experience that freedom to flourish within His presence. As we experience that wonderful peace and begin to see our own lives flourish, we are meant to then pour out that same measure of mercy and peace into the lives of those around us.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, HCSB).
Mercy is defined as: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
Give an example of a time when you personally experienced God’s mercy.
Give one instance when you have shown mercy to another person, or you saw someone else show mercy toward another person.
Based on the definition of mercy, forgiveness is then making the choice to lay down the right to condemn another. That is exactly how God is toward us. God, who holds the right to judge us as our maker, chooses to forgive repentant sinners and offers us the opportunity to know peace, flourishing within His presence.
“For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, rich in faithful love to all who call on You. Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy” (Psalm 86:5-6, HCSB).
In the face of our offender, when we choose to show mercy, then the Holy Spirit is able to set both the offended and the offender free from the chains of condemnation. When we choose to hold onto the offense, then we remain a slave to that offense. Our anger over that offense makes our hearts grow critical and bitter.
However, when we have been offended and choose to surrender our right to condemn our offender, asking the Lord help us show mercy and to forgive them, then we are “being merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful.” As sinners who “plea for mercy” and are offered total forgiveness, we must then position our hearts to be “ready to forgive” others as well.
Forgiveness frees us and the person who hurt us from the offense! Experiencing that freedom let’s us see the power of God’s mercy at work in our lives, then we realize that offenses can claim no power over us any longer. Satan can no longer find a stronghold in the place of our offenses; they are flooded and washed away in God’s mercy. In Him, we realize that the power of His mercy is greater than the power of our offense. As the measure of His mercy in us expands, His glory also expands in our lives.
“For the measure you offer (judgment or mercy) will be measured back to you.” Highland, let us ask the Lord for a greater measure of mercy to be within the life of our church. This displays the heart and glory of our Lord through the life of our church and let’s us walk in the freedom of forgiveness that is ours, in Christ.
Is it hard for you, when you have hurt someone, to tell them you were wrong?
If someone has hurt us, does forgiveness feel like the right thing to do?
Have you ever seen someone under the control of anger?
What does that kind of control look like in someone’s life?
Have you ever experienced the freedom of forgiving someone? What did that freedom feel like?
Ask the Lord to help you/your family desire to be merciful, as He is merciful.
Ask the Lord to help forgiveness flow out of that mercy in your heart, which comes from His spirit.
Our series just for kids continues. The Series is called: The Bible in Four Weeks. Click the button below to see part three of this series:
We love you,
Rob & Carrie
Highland,
I just read and rejoiced over the heart of our God today, as I read Psalm 145! Had to share with you!
“I exalt You, my God the King,
and praise Your name forever and ever.
I will praise You every day;
I will honor Your name forever and ever.
Yahweh is great and is highly praised;
His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation will declare Your works to the next
and will proclaim Your mighty acts.
I will speak of Your splendor and glorious majesty
and Your wonderful works.
They will proclaim the power of Your awe-inspiring acts,
and I will declare Your greatness.
They will give a testimony of Your great goodness
and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in faithful love.
The Lord is good to everyone;
His compassion rests on all He has made.
All You have made will thank You, Lord;
the godly will praise You.
They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and will declare Your might,
informing all people of Your mighty acts
and of the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
Your rule is for all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all His words
and gracious in all His actions.
The Lord helps all who fall;
He raises up all who are oppressed.
All eyes look to You,
and You give them their food at the proper time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and gracious in all His acts.
The Lord is near all who call out to Him,
all who call out to Him with integrity.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry for help and saves them.
The Lord guards all those who love Him,
but He destroys all the wicked.
My mouth will declare Yahweh’s praise;
let every living thing
praise His holy name forever and ever.”
I love you,
Rob
“Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.
”
This passage remains branded upon my soul. In every word, decision, deed that I commit, I am compelled by this passage. It is my prayer and hope in every encounter with another person that this passage shapes every relationship that I have in my life.
Recently, we have had some break-ins at the church. The pantries and the kitchen have been vandalized but nothing more than snack-food has been stolen. In light of these break-ins, leaders of the church have been working to upgrade our security camera system. These new cameras record a live-feed and send the footage to cell phones.
While leaders from the church were installing the cameras in one of the pantries yesterday, a man walked up and stole some of the cameras that were lying on the picnic table. Unbeknownst to him, he recorded himself taking the cameras without permission. Leaders from the church began circulating the footage to try and track down the stolen cameras. About an hour later, I saw his car riding down one of our streets. I approached the car and confronted the man about the stolen cameras. The driver admitted to having taken the cameras, but was unwilling to get out of the car to further discuss the matter. The driver of the car eventually drove away without resolving the situation. While that conversation was taking place, two other leaders saw the conversation happening and made a plan to follow the car as it pulled away.
Just after the conversation in the street finished and the culprit pulled away, the other leader followed the man where he pulled up to a house outside the North Highland community. The church-leader approached the culprit and was told that the cameras had been sold to someone living in that house. The church leader then told him that the church would not press charges if he was willing to go into the house and reclaim the cameras and return them to the church. The culprit assured the church leader that he would and gave his identification card to the church leader as assurance that he would be true to his word.
Following that, most of the leaders involved gathered back at the church and prayed. We waited and with every passing minute, we realized the matter was out of our hands. We decided to bring our waiting to a close and pray, committing this violation to the Lord. We did not ask for the return of our cameras. We asked that the Lord take control of this situation, causing His greatness and name to be glorified. We asked the Lord’s reputation be honored in the life of our church. We asked that the Lord would avenge, according to His heart and character. We asked for His solution to manifest, not ours.
Due to that sense of being violated, I had an unsettling night. I continued to ask the Lord to honor His name in this matter and protect the Highland-Tribe, His people, throughout this occurrence.
Then, around 9am this morning, Megan called and told me the man who took the cameras called and he was in the church parking-lot, ready to return them. I left the house to go and meet him in the church parking-lot. As I was getting ready to walk down to meet him, Carrie told me: “Share Christ with him.” In my astonishment, I was glad she said that because it affirmed what the Holy Spirit was stirring in my heart. When I met the gentleman, he told me that he had been to our church and was also a veteran. We discussed the situation that took place yesterday and came to an understanding. He apologized for taking them and for causing us any heart-ache. I also told him that we are were not pressing charges, for which he was grateful. I then talked to him about Jesus - the one who forgives us our sin. He and I talked about Jesus the rest of the conversation and shared a long, tight embrace. I welcomed him back to our church and made sure that he knew to call us if he had a need arise. We then walked down the sidewalk together, sharing life.
Highland, the Lord remains to be our provider and our protector. In many ways, the passage above serves as our direction in how we are to conduct ourselves, as a church. Let us continue to put the agenda and heart of our Lord, first, in every matter. To do so, we must:
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
The Lord, alone, is just. Outside of His Word and His nature, justice cannot manifest because our pursuit of justice is tainted with sin. From within us, going after justice is an effort to gain an understanding so that we can vindicate our position to demand our rights for the purposes of accusing others and having our personal glory.
As the Lord, Himself, is just, we must surrender our positions, surrender our rights and abandon our efforts to accuse or judge others. In times of offense or violation, we have to sturdy our grip even more so upon His Word, so that the Lord’s righteousness pours forth through our lives. No matter how right we may think we are or how valid our positions may be,’ man’s anger will never accomplish God’s righteousness.’
I love you,
Rob
We are excited to work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This creative organization assists families by building beds for kids who don’t have beds in their homes.
Highland, if you are in need of assistance with providing proper bedding for the children in your home, please consider completing the form below, by clicking on the box. When you click on the box, you will read about their qualifying information about their overall plan. Then, there is a link to the application included.
