WHAT NEXT AFTER THE ELECTION?

Posted on November 7, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

One of the most divisive and chaotic election campaigns has come to an end. During this time Christians in America have faced many opportunities to exercise patience and let our faith shine. Chances are each of us has experienced some failures and some successes. Politicians and pundits will now judge and discuss the consequences of the election. But whatever those consequences may be, for Christians there are three truths to which we must now turn our attention:

Your brother is still your brother. Surely there have been some disagreements on who we preferred for president, congress, and local officials, but as Christians we must remember our heavenly citizenship comes first (Phil. 3:20). Post-election is a great time to remember and reaffirm that we are taught by God to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9), and by this love the world will see evidence that we are disciples of Jesus (John 13:35). Christian, your brother is still your brother!

Your neighbor is still your neighbor. A contentious election has not changed the fact that Jesus affirmed in scripture that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Our responsibility to imitate Jesus, who went about doing good (Acts 10:38) has not changed. Even if we consider someone a “political enemy,” we still must love him, even if we were the target of cursing, hate, and spite (Matthew 5:44). And if the election did not “go your way,” as a Christian you are still duty bound to love. Your neighbor is still your neighbor!

God is still God. Most importantly, no matter how the election turned out, we must understand that God is still in control. As Daniel wrote, “He sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21). Whatever administration that is in control following the election, is the one God has allowed (Romans 13:1), and we are to be subject to them (1 Peter 2:13-17). God is still God, and we must trust Him!

Ultimately, we are reminded by the apostle to “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). Now that the campaign is over, we need to redouble our efforts to put these concepts to work so that our Father in heaven may be glorified (Matt. 5:13-16).

Matt Clifton, BulletinDigest.com

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WEEKLY NEWS, NOVEMBER 8, 2020

Posted on November 7, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASS

Nov. 11 — Kynn Maxwell
Nov. 18 — Joe Winnett
Nov. 25 — No classes, Day before Thanksgiving

THANK YOU NOTES

“Thank you all for the prayers before, during and after my surgery. Also Thanks for the cards and food. Your sweet show of love with all those crazy headscarves was beyond the pale. May the good Lord always keep and bless each one of you.”
Kathy Patterson

Dear Christian Family,
“Thank you all so much for the prayers sent up to God for our family. We would also ask for continued prayers for Judy’s cousin, Donna Wood, who had back surgery on November 3rd. For Barry’s aunt, Bessie Hickman, who is on hospice care and Judy’s dad, Howard Johnson, who had a fall and is in some pain. Our daughter and family are doing well. God be praised!”
In Christian love, Barry & Judy Womack

During the time of sorrow we learn how much our friends really mean to us.
Your expression of sympathy will always be treasured.
“Such a thoughtful gift. My father would be proud. Thank you for the support during his hard times. Scotty will be in his final resting place on November 8, 2020 in Navasota. Service will be family only.”
Bless you all, Vicky Sue Durst (Daughter of Scotty Adams)

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES

GOSPEL CHARIOT REPORT

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
The following is from George Funk with Gospel Chariot, which we assist with support. Exciting discipleship activities are growing throughout Africa and this part specifically deals with Nigeria where we are most involved. Continue to pray for these efforts to help spread the Gospel. For the elders, Ken D

Brethren, I believe we are on to something never seen before in the Churches of Christ in the modern age. It is mind boggling and so exciting and it is all happening during the most trying year of our lives. It is all about our 4 Fields Discipleship Multiplication Training that we are rolling out, equipping leaders and encouraging them to plant movement churches that plant other churches. It is growing with more and more leaders contacting us for help on training as they then equip others with these discipleship tools. This is all about equipping the saints to not only go to church but to reveal Gods vision, mission and purpose to the ends of the earth.

In NIGERIA, Biodun oversees our Gospel Chariot in Nigeria and is one of the most committed discipleship trainers with amazing potential. Biodun reported the following on the 11th of September:

As the lock down has been sufficiently relaxed in Nigeria for churches to meet, we started the 4 Fields Discipleship Training program for preachers and church leaders in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West of Nigeria yesterday. It was well embraced with a loud call for contextualization of the model into local languages for wider dissemination. To God be the glory!

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IS THIS WHY AMERICA IS IN TROUBLE?

Posted on November 1, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Why did God overthrow governments in the Old Testament? Was it because of idolatry? Bloodshed? Oppression of the poor? Sexual sins and perversion? These sins stand out as reasons for the downfall of nations. But one evil was underneath these sins, and it often goes unnoticed as the cause of the demise of civilizations.

As the prophets of God warned of the doom of empires, they cited this sin as a reason for the outpouring of God’s wrath:

Babylon: “I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty…” (Isa. 13:11).

Moab: “We have heard of Moab’s pride — her overweening pride and conceit….” (Isa. 16:6).

Tyre: ”Your heart became proud….so I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings” (Ezek. 28:17).

Judah: “In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem” (Jer. 13:9).

Israel: “Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them” (Hos. 5:5).

Ponder these verses in light of our national situation. We have seen the worst blow to our economy since the Great Depression. We have watched as unemployment soared and savings accounts dwindled. We have for the first time in many years seen empty shelves in grocery stores. But where is humility before God? Where is repentance and confession of sin? We are dangerously close to the spiritual condition of Israel after God had depleted their natural resources numerous times: “’I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me, declares the Lord’” (Amos 4:6). Maybe we need empty stomachs from God. Would that bring our attitude down?

Our politicians are full of pride because few things will inflate a person’s ego like power. They boast of things they have done and things they will never actually do. Nikita Khrushchev said, “Politicians are the same everywhere — they promise to build bridges where there is no water” and other hackneyed expressions, but unless we stop being so independent and start admitting our utter dependence on GOD we will continue to feel the heavy hand of GOD upon our country. But even when politicians are successful we must not give them too much credit and they shouldn’t brag like they did it by themselves. Their lives and ours are in the hand of GOD (Ecc. 9:1; Acts 17:25).

Only by His gracious will do we even breathe, much less accomplish things we are eager to do (James 4:13-17). Nebuchadnezzar, a ruler who boasted that he had built the most wealthy and powerful nation on earth, learned the hard way that God is able to bring down arrogant looks in a moment (Dan. 4:37). What will it take for our public officials to realize this?

No man can truly succeed who is not humble. He may get his way. He may get attention. He may appear to have everything under his control. But eventually the house he built will come crashing down. The same is true with a country. We can have a strong military, a robust economy, and efficient education, but if we fail to acknowledge GOD we will fall. We can keep saying, “We’ll get through this,” “We’re in this together,” “Let’s put America back on the map again” and other hackneyed expressions, but unless we stop being so independent and start admitting our utter dependence on GOD we will continue to feel the heavy hand of GOD upon our country.

Kerry Duke West End church of Christ, Livingston, TN

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WEEKLY NEWS, NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Posted on November 1, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

There will be a workday on Friday, November 6th. Work areas will be: outside of the building and the inside of the Food Pantry, starting at 9 AM.

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!

Norman & Toni Baugh are placing membership with our congregation at Highland Lakes. They have visited with us for quite some time, and now we are welcoming them as our new members who will worship and work with us for our Lord Jesus Christ in Kingsland.

Please add to your directory:

WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASSES

Nov. 4 — Troy Futrell

Nov. 11 — Kynn Maxwell

Nov. 18 — Joe Winnett

Nov. 25 — No classes, Day before Thanksgiving

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES

ADVENTURES IN MISSIONS REPORT

We are so blessed to help support evangelism effort in many places. We are excited to hear from Kaylee Hankins, granddaughter of Danny & Nancy Hankins. We help support Kaylee in her Adventures in Missions (AIM) domestic mission work in Witchita Falls, TX. Kaylee and her team members finally got to move there and this is part of her 1st report. Please keep this work in your prayers. For the elders, Ken D

Our New Home

As soon as we arrived on September 19th, we were shown so much love & it’s been constant in every interaction. Volunteers from the church helped us move in & set up our apartment. Once we were introduced to the church, we were showered with even more love & generosity. Gifts were given, hugs were embraced, & laughter was shared. I’ve never been so overwhelmed with such love before. Just about everyone that we’ve met so far expressed their gratitude & excitement for us, as well as their disappointment for us not being able to serve in New Zealand. However, we assured them that we were so honored to be where God wanted us to be the Light.

We have so many ministries we will be able to be involved in; I don’t know how to talk about them all!! One of my favorites is the Sonshine House. It’s a ministry of churches of Christ in the surrounding areas. We serve the needy with loving & caring hearts. One of the last ladies expressed to me & Anna that she was homeless. So I immediately asked if we could do any more for her & asked if I could pray over her & let me tell you, many tears were shed. Her kindness towards me touched my heart so deeply. Her name is Kiana, so keep her in your prayers please :).

Another ministry I love to be involved in is the college group, Mustangs for Christ (M4C) at Midwestern University. I just love connecting & meeting new people! I have been trying to work with them and start up the espresso machines, since I was a barista at the Well (college ministry at Sunset church of Christ). Hopefully we can draw in more from the community & create deeper relationships. My cousin actually attends this college & she is very involved with the M4C!! I just loved seeing her after several years & catching up!

We have been very fortunate here! Blessed beyond measure! I can’t wait for more exciting things to unravel. Thank you so incredibly much for partnering with me in my walk with Christ & these new adventures I’m on!

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TALKING WITH THE LORD

Posted on October 23, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Most of us enjoy being able to spend time visiting with a really good friend. We can talk about anything. We don’t have to worry about being misunderstood, misjudged, or ignored. We can share our deepest fears, our successes and failures, and even our dreams for the future. We look forward to those visits and actually will make time for them, especially when something significant is going on in our lives.

When we read of those men of old who had special relationships with the Lord, there was always a closeness in the relationship that encouraged great communication. Abraham and David are beautiful examples of this. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called friend” (James 2:23). “…the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him (David) leader of His people…” (1 Samuel 13:14).

Neither Abraham nor David lived sinless lives but they both enjoyed lives of open communication with the Father. Looking to the New Testament, Paul becomes a powerful example of one who prayed. His communication with the Father was frequent, open, in depth, specific, and filled with gratitude, the latter being by far the most important for interaction with the Creator and spiritual growth of man.

All of that about Abraham, David and Paul has been to prepare us for the question, AND WHAT ABOUT OUR PRAYER LIFE, THE COMMUNICATION WITH GOD? Are we involved in communicating with the Father in a way that reveals our friendship with God? Are we able to speak with the God of the universe the way we would speak with a dear friend? Do we share our most intimate thoughts, our deepest fears, our greatest longings with God?

Do we spend time talking with God about our families, mate, parents, children and grandchildren? Do we talk with God about His church, about our congregation? Are we asking God for guidance for the church, His guidance FOR OUR LIVES?

Every day of our lives we need to spend “quality time” in talking with our Heavenly Father about the future of HIS CHURCH, about OUR OWN GROWTH and involvement in ways that will honor God, serve our fellowman, and help further the cause of the Lord in God’s world.

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WEEKLY NEWS, OCTOBER 25, 2020

Posted on October 23, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

There will be a workday on Friday, November 6th. Work areas will be: outside of the building and the inside of the Food Pantry, starting at 9 AM.

WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASSES

Oct. 28 — Cary Miller

Nov. 4 — Troy Futrell

Nov. 11 — Kynn Maxwell

Nov. 18 — Joe Winnett

Nov. 25 — No class, Day before Thanksgiving

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES . . . .

CAMBODIAN EVANGELISM PRAYER REQUEST

Throughout this year we have been mindful of various struggles of our fellow workers in mission work. We want to always pray for them and the issues they face. The Welches, whom we help support in Cambodia, just sent us this prayer request due to flooding affecting those they work with. Please pray for them. For the elders, Ken D

Please pray for Cambodia. Thousands are suffering from floods as the rainy season continues to impact many families throughout the country. There has been loss of life, increasing damage to property, dams breaking, and road closures. Homes, crops and livelihoods are being destroyed as both the weather forecast and the government predicts the storms and rain will continue over the next week putting many areas including Phnom Penh at an even higher risk. We have some friends who recently stated “With people already struggling financially from the global and local impact of Covid-19, this has come at a very bad time.” We join together praying for this situation, and that we can minister to some of these people in great need. Please pray that not another soul is taken before they have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are so grateful for each of you. Thank you for joining us as we continue to pray fervently and wait patiently as the Lord guides us and reveals what’s ahead. William Carey, known as “the father of modern missions” said, “Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.” That is exactly what we need to do as followers of Jesus Christ.

Much love and blessings, Dennis & Sharon

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LITTLE SHARKS, BIG JELLY FISH

Posted on October 17, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Every time I go swimming in the ocean, someone inevitably warns me: watch out for sharks! I always do, but I’ve never seen one, I’ve never heard the “boom-boom-boom-boom” music that plays in the background when sharks come near! And it’s a good thing, because once you hear the music, it’s probably too late. I’ve been warned to watch out for sharks, but no one has ever said to me, “Watch out for the jelly fish!” The fact is, jelly fish are far more dangerous and each year kill more people than sharks do. I take a walk each day in the park, but no one has ever said to me, “Watch out for the bees.” Yet, bees kill more people each year than sharks and jelly fish combined.

We tend to spend our lives worrying about the sharks because sharks are big and scary. We tend to ignore real threats because, by themselves, they’re not all that intimidating. Don’t let the little things in life fool you. You ignore them at your own peril. Every good marriage… every good employee…every good business…succeeds because they’ve learned to pay attention to the little things.

Jesus told a story about a servant who was given some money to manage, and because he managed it well, he was rewarded by his master. The master said, “You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities” (Matthew 25:21).

Our greatest wins and losses in life result from our ability to master the seemingly minor details of life. Reading a few verses of scripture and spending some time in prayer each day may not seem significant to some, but it’s long-term effect is revolutionary. Making the effort to bite your tongue may not seem that important, but in the long run it could save a relationship.

Don’t give the sharks more attention than they deserve — especially at the cost of ignoring the jelly fish. It’s the little things that hold us back and the little things that move us forward.

Compare: “…the little foxes ruin the vineyards…” (Song of Solomon 2:15)

Harrisburg church of Christ, Harrisburg, IL

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WEEKLY NEWS, OCTOBER 18, 2020

Posted on October 17, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
There will be a workday on Saturday, November 7th. Work areas will be: on the outside of the building and the inside of the Food Pantry.

CONGRATULATIONS
Myron & Janet Fietz’s granddaughter, Kathryn McQuillan, under Military, graduated from Marine Boot Camp, Friday, October 9th, in Paris N.C. Her deployment started last Sunday in Camp Geiger, N.C. Our congratulations to this strong young lady and the proud grandparents!

WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASS
Schedule
Oct 21 – Ken Darnell
Oct 28 – Cary Miller
Nov 4 – Troy Futrell
Nov 11 – Kynn Maxwell
Nov 18 – Joe Winnett
Nov 25 – Dismissed for Thanksgiving holiday

Come and assemble with your brethren on Wednesday night for a spiritual uplift! Speakers will bring devotional messages followed by congregational singing.

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES

PHILIPPINES EVANGELISM REPORT

We have heard from Becky and Richard Emperado recently and Becky wanted to update us on some things happening in the Philippines mission work. Keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. For the elders, Ken D

Howdy!
Hope your week is going well! We are doing well. Richard Emperado is back in town to do his Impact Counseling radio program Saturday 8-9am on Dysr-fm Dumaguete (Fridays 7-8pm). He will be talking about the root causes of aggression & violence and how to deal with them in healthy ways. People can call in or message questions during the counseling hour on Saturdays. If you like listening to his Sunday evening program, Worship Without Borders at 8-9pm (Sunday 7-8 am), you are in for a special treat! He will have a guest speaker this week! Grant Emperado will be preaching Sunday night. The title for his sermon is “Wait & Hope”. Enjoy.

The Emperado family is doing well. We are still living with basic lockdown. Have a little more freedom, but still no travel between islands, or even the other side of Negros Island still. Many restaurants & businesses still closed. Grocery shelves are still missing many items. Kids’ college classes have started back. Richard is happy doing his radio programs on the weekends. His Impact Counseling program is discussing “Dealing with Fear & Anxiety”. His topic for Sunday Worship without Borders program will be “Handling Life Creatively” & the Bible Study topic will be “Challenge for Independent Bible Study”. He can be watched live on Dysr-fm Dumaguete radio station or Richard’s Facebook page. We ask that you please pray for these two radio programs to be an encouragement to many who are struggling right now & a way to reach out & help the churches we planted across the Philippines.

If you enjoy listening to Richard Emperado counseling on the radio at Dysr-fm Dumaguete on Saturday mornings, you might also enjoy listening to his new program called “Worship Without Borders” starting today on Sunday nights from 8-9pm Philippines time, 7-8am Sunday morning Texas/Oklahoma time. He will be preaching & teaching reaching out to the different churches planted across the Philippines, since he is still unable to travel due to Covid-19. All seaports & airports are still closed to domestic travel.

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD JUDGE?

Posted on October 10, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Our nation is once again in the midst of controversy regarding the appointing of a Supreme Court justice. Those on the left and those on the right will wrangle and grapple through the process, each having their own opinions on what makes a good judge. But does the Bible have any guidance for us on the matter?

In Exodus 18:13-23, the appointing of judges was suggested by Moses’ father-in-law as a way to take the burden off of the prophet. The hopeful outcome of this system was that “all this people will also go to their place in peace” (Ex. 18:23). Jethro’s advice to Moses was to choose men with certain qualities. They were to be:

Able. This meant they were to be competent and able to perform their duties; men who would do their work with all their strength (Ecc. 9:10; Col. 3:17). A good judge would use his skills to the maximum!

Reverent. Reverence is seen in God’s people throughout the Bible. Examples such as the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1:17-21) who valued life because they feared God, and men like Job who withstood hardship because he feared the Lord (Job 1:1). Good judges will be people who have wisdom (Psalm 111:10) and know the meaning of life (Ecc. 12:13) because they understand that God is supreme.

True. To be a lover of truth means to recognize there is right and wrong, and judge accordingly (John 7:24). Good judges will be lovers of God’s word (John 17:17; Psalm 119:160), not inventors of ways to let evil off the hook (Romans 1:32), and not hypocrites who don’t practice what they prescribe for others (Rom. 2:1-3).

Honest. Bribery has always been an issue among judges, apparently Israel’s sins included judges taking bribes (Micah 7:3). The judges Moses appointed were to be “haters of covetousness,” which meant they would value justice over materialism, thus rejecting bribes.

These values from the Old Testament account are descriptive of general principles for righteous judges in our own time. Since a Supreme Court justice would certainly be a part of the civil legal system that Romans 13:1-7 covers, we understand that biblical morals would be a great benefit to being “God’s minister to you for good” (Rom. 13:4). Let us pray for our nation during this time, that judges with these qualities may be found!

Matt Clifton

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WEEKLY NEWS, OCTOBER 11, 2020

Posted on October 10, 2020 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

WEDNESDAY PM BIBLE CLASSES

Proposed Schedule

October 14th — Joe Winnett

October 21st – Ken Darnell

Come and assemble with your brethren on Wednesday night for a spiritual uplift! Speakers will bring devotional messages followed by congregational singing

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES

PRAYING AS MISSION WORK

Last week our Cambodian missionary Dennis Welch shared some powerful thoughts about the role of prayer in mission work. Read this second part of it, consider you prayers and keep praying. For the elders, Ken D

Praying with the Son beside us

How could we dare to speak to this awesome Almighty on our own if we have any understanding what we are doing? It is because we never do this alone, even when we are in a room by ourselves. As we bow, someone else is beside us. God the Son, our older brother, who calls us his friends who knows his business, bows beside us. His knees touch the same floor as ours. His head drops alongside ours in reverence before the Father to whom he submits and gives all glory with us. He did not enter our humanity and bear our scars only for a few decades but retains His humanity to be God with us forever. Because He has brought us to his Father, we pray as children of God also. Ushered in by the original only begotten, we are the also begotten. We are not the only one who speaks. He is interceding with us, for us, and at times, instead of us, when all we can do is sigh or cry. We speak to Him and connect with Him as his children.

Praying from the Spirit within us

We don’t know what to say as we pray. We are like children who want their father’s attention so badly we stammer irrelevancies. What do you say to the Almighty, even with the Son beside you? It ultimately doesn’t matter what the words are, because it is God’s Spirit in us who helps us. As we sit in stillness, there is no rush to speak. Perhaps we have something urgent to say. That is fine. He will hear it. Perhaps we come because it is time, but we have no words. That is fine. He enjoys just sitting with us. Perhaps we say the wrong thing. Perhaps what we ask comes from ignorance or even a bad heart. That is ok, God the Spirit interprets it from a deeper place in a purifying way. When we have said all we have to say, the real praying can begin. He is in us, waiting on us to be still enough that He can draw our hearts and minds to Him and His concerns. Now He can draw our minds to those we need to serve. Now He can show us a picture of what He is calling us to do. When we’ve said what we came to say, He wants us to stay awhile and let Him bring before our holy imaginations what He has in mind. We speak to Him and connect with Him as purified holy vessels who contain His Spirit. Prayer is, or should be, about listening before, during, and after we speak.

The God in us prompts us about what to say to the God before us, as the God beside us puts it in the right words and adds His endorsement signed in His blood. Now add to this holy trinity of prayer, your missionaries or your mission. You lay them all before the Father, with the Son, from the Spirit. Recall their faces, their families, co-workers, and the people they serve. You don’t really know how to pray for them. That is okay. It is more important to bring them before the Father than to instruct the Father about what He should do for or with them.

There is more going on here than we know. Prayer is a mystery and only as a mystery can it be the powerful ground of our lives and guide of our service. It is not that important that we understand it. It is important that we do it. This is mission work.

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