WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE LOVED BY THE FATHER?

Posted on July 4, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

thWhat does it mean to be loved by the Father? Let the apostle John answer: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJV).

“Behold”. See, behold, and understand. God wants us to understand how He loves us. He wants us to see all the ways He has shown His love towards us. God created man to be like Him by giving him an immortal soul. God wants us to be like Him, but Genesis 3 demonstrates just how unlike our Father mankind has become.

“What manner of love”. When man chose sin and death, God refused to let His creation perish. God sent His Son to take men from darkness, hatred and death and bring them to light, love and life. The apostle Paul wrote, “But, God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NASB).

“The Father has bestowed on us”. God reached out to man while man was still living in sin and presented him a gift of His love: His only begotten Son, Jesus (John 3:16). This gift was designed that we should learn through Jesus to become more like our Father in heaven, and the first of many brethren (Romans 8:29).

“That we should be called”. That we should be called aloud by name. Some are proud to be called Smith, or Jones, or Brown, some are proud to be known as an award-winning writer, or a life-saving surgeon, or an Academy-award winning actor. God’s children should be proud and humbled to be called by the family name, Christian (Acts 11:26).

“The sons of God”. By obedient faith (Romans 1:5), we are related to Christ and the Father. A good name brings privileges, and wearing the name of Christ as a son or daughter of God means even more than having a human family name. we are servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We are redeemed (Galatians 3:13). We have become children of God by putting Christ on in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27).

What does it mean to be loved by the Father? It means more than anything.  – John Henson, Dibrill church of Christ, McMinville, TN

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JULY 5, 2015 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on July 4, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

FLOOD RELIEF

If you want to contribute to the flood relief that the elders are contemplating, please drop your check in the contribution plate, earmarking it: “Flood Relief”.

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

VISITATION PROGRAM Team #1 (leaders: Teri & Joe Winnett) will meet on Wednesday, July 8th, at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

♥ The Pantry is in need of plastic bags.

♥ A special upcoming need: it’s not too long until school will start again! As we did last year, we want to help some of our Pantry clients with the purchase of school supplies again. If you are willing to help, we are already accepting donations. Please see Ken Darnell or David Zoller if you want to donate to this good cause.

NEXT SUNDAY IS SPECIAL!

Our Very Special Visitors Will Be With Us, Sylvester & Sandra Imogoh! Dough & Diane Wheeler will be with them, too. We are looking forward to Sylvester and/or Doug giving us reports about the work in Nigeria in the combined adult Bible class (auditorium) and hear, least, one of them preach. Now it is up to all of us to honor these untiring missionaries with our excellent attendance next Sunday, July 12th! It was especially difficult for Sandra to get her visa, it had been denied to her previously. She must be so very excited about this trip to the USA, to not only meet and visit us here in Kingsland, but to also visit with other supporting congregations. We pray that Sandra and Sylvester’s time here will be safe and a blessing to all. To have more time for fellowship with esp. the Imogohs, our July Fellowship Meal has been re-scheduled to next Sunday, July 12th, after our morning worship assembly. After that, we will have a short devotional and there will be no evening worship service.

footprints-hiBeautiful Footnotes . . .

You may have read in the bulletin or on the church’s Web page the following statistics:  World Bible School Lessons Sent to Nigeria: January 2 2, 201 5 – 3,033; September 18, 2014 – 1,101; July 2 4, 2014 – 2,500+; April 24, 2014 – 1,639; April 3, 2014 – 850; January 20, 201 4 – 2,296; December 23, 2013 – 830; July 25, 2013 – 1,198; June 2, 2013 – 1,640

What does that mean? It means that in the last two years that our congregation has been involve d in the World Bible School program and that over 15,000 lessons have been processed by our congregation and returned to souls seeking their God.  All of them live in the African nation of Nigeria. Who can tell how many of them will respond to the gospel of our Lord? How many others will be influenced to seek salvation from God because of them? How many ways will our God be glorified by these efforts? What a wonderful thing to be part of the task of helping others find eternal salvation! We do our part and others do theirs.

We know one of the important links between the lost in Nigeria and salvation from our Lord is the tireless and dedicated work done by local evangelists in Nigeria. Sylvester Imogoh, one of those beloved brothers, has long been a fellow laborer with us in the fields of Nigeria. It is so exciting to know that Sylvester and his wife Sandra will be here to visit with us next week, to report on the work and to give us an opportunity to fellowship with them in love. We are also pleased that Doug and Diane Wheeler will be here with Sylvester and Sandra. Doug has long been our vital link between us and the work in Nigeria as our special missionary to Nigeria. It has been a long wait for everything to come together for this visit to come about. We hope that all of the congregation will make a special effort to be here next week to enjoy the special opportunity to welcome and fellowship with the Imogohs and Wheelers. I’m so excited, I just can’t wait. For the elders, Ken D.

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CONFORMING TO THE WORLD

Posted on June 27, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Conformity1One of the most horrific crimes in the history of Israel took place in the days of the weeping prophet Jeremiah. The people built “the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal” (Jer. 19:5). How could God’s people have done something this barbaric?

The Lord had warned the Israelites hundreds of years before Jeremiah “do not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (Exod. 23:2). They were not to follow the ways of Egypt were they had been or the customs of Canaan where they were going (Lev. 18:3). In spite of all the miracles they had seen, they were subject to peer pressure.

Not long after they entered the Promised Land the Israelites gave in to the temptation to be like others. When Joshua’s generation died, “another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals” (Judges 2:10-11). This apostasy set the stage for the book of Judges. For the next 450 years the Israelites again showed their desire to fit in with others. They demanded a king so that they could be “like all the other nations” (1 Sam. 8:20). God gave them a king, and the most prosperous king let his foreign wives influence him to go after idols (1 Kings 11:4-7). When the nation divided and Jeroboam gave government sanction to idolatry, the worship of heathen gods became entrenched in Israel. Though the temple remained in Judah, pagan worship became so common that by the time of Jeremiah the people were actually sacrificing their children to Baal.

It is easy to see that the people of Judah were influenced by others. We are so far removed from the situation that we quickly perceive where they went wrong. We may think that people today are so aware of more recent atrocities like the holocaust that nothing remotely similar could happen today again. But those thoughts vanish when we open our eyes to the real world. Compromise is gradual, but the damage it causes is permanent. Our culture has been in a state of decay for several generations, but many have been too busy to notice. Many have been too selfish to care. Now our civilization is crumbling before our own eyes and we feel powerless to keep it from falling.

Should we be surprised??? Some in our land wanted sexual liberation in the 60’s and 70’s, and now we have same-sex marriages. They wanted freedom of choice, and 56 million babies have been massacred as a result. They wanted tolerance and diversity, and now there is jihad. They said we must teach evolution to meet academic standards, and now they have no standard of right and wrong. They have fallen into the age-old trap of following the “crowd” or multitude, to do evil.

Not everyone in Judah bowed the knee to Baal. Jeremiah, Josiah, and others went against the flow. This was hard for them and it will be hard for us, especially when we have to stand against friends, family, and even brethren and sisters in Christ. May God give us the strength to follow the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. ~~ BULLETIN DIGEST — Kerry Duke, West End church of Christ, Livingston, TN

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JUNE 28, 2015 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 26, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

FELLOWSHIP MEAL

This evening, Sunday June 28th, after our worship assembly, we will have our fellowship meal. Hosts and hostesses are: Troy & Leana Futrell, Cary & Brenda Miller and James & Vicky Williams

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

VISITATION PROGRAM Team #1 (leaders: Teri & Joe Winnett) will meet on Wednesday, July 8th, at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

♥ The Pantry is in need of plastic bags.

♥ A special upcoming need:  it’s not too long until school will start again! As we did last year, we want to help some of our Pantry clients with the purchase of school supplies again. If you are willing to help, we are already accepting donations. Please see Ken Darnell or David Zoller if you want to donate to this good cause.

FLOOD RELIEF

If you want to contribute to the flood relief that the elders are contemplating, please drop your check in the contribution plate, earmarking it: “Flood Relief”.

E-MAIL ADDRESS UPDATE

New E-Mail Addresses are available for the church office and secretary as well as for Joe Winnett, our preacher. Contact the church office by phone to update your addresses.

VISTORS ARE COMING

The Visit of Sylvester & Sandra Imogoh is Fast Approaching!  Dough & Diane Wheeler will be with them, too. All arrangements in regard to meals and housing have been made. And we thank those who have volunteered for those needs. Now it is up to all of us to honor these untiring missionaries with our excellent attendance on Sunday, July 12th! It was especially difficult for Sandra to get her visa, it had been denied to her previously. Can you imagine her excitement to finally come, meet and visit with us, her brothers and sisters in Christ, here in Kingsland? We are really looking forward to the combined adult Bible class on that day and to the worship service, when Sylvester and/or Doug will give us reports and preach to us.

Sandra & Sylvester Imogoh will be with us from Saturday, July 11th through Sunday, July 12th. Monday, July 13th, they will continue on to Houston with Dough & Diane Wheeler.

To have more time for visiting with especially the Imogohs, our July Fellowship Meal has been re-scheduled to Sunday, July 12th, after our morning worship assembly. After that, we will have a short devotional and there will be no evening worship service.

footprints-hiBEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES . . .

Faith really does come by hearing. Today 1.5 billion people in the world don’t have the benefits or advantages of electricity. That is one out of every five people in the world. Not having electricity has proved to be a major reason why most of these people have not yet heard the Gospel. It is estimated that 774 million adults in the world can’t read or write and couldn’t read a Bible if someone gave them one.

On behalf of the congregation, the elders are supporting an effort by Sunset International Bible Institute to address this situation. This year, 2500 hand-held solar powered audio players will be delivered to reach remote areas of the world with the Gospel that are most not likely to have the benefits and advantages of electricity. The nations of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya and Nigeria will be targeted.

Each solar player costs $500, is the size of a fat smartphone, completely solar-powered, and has 400 hours of Biblical instruction: the entire Bible, 40 Sunset courses, WBS lessons, recorded hymns and more. Units are designed to last 8-10 years in a remote and rugged environment. Now, no place or person is out of reach of the Gospel. Local evangelists can be aided in their own growth as well in helping congregations mature in their faith. This is especially valuable since the average preacher works with five different congregations.

The elders have sent funds to Sunset to provide for six solar players ($3000) as we feel this can be another valuable tool in bringing the Lord’s Gospel to a lost world. We will present more information about this program soon and give individuals an opportunity to also support this work individually. It is a wonderful idea to use God’s sun to teach the lost about God’s son. ~~ For the elders, Ken D.

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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Posted on June 24, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

fathers-day-uk-20152The father is very important in the life of his children! A father is to be the example after which children learn to pattern their lives. Many areas in his life serve as a model for the future generation.

One of the most precious things a father can give his child is a solid work ethic. It is vital that a child sees his father work hard, honestly, and to take pride in what he does. There is nothing sadder than a child whose father is a deadbeat, a bum, or even worse, dishonest.

A child learns responsibility and integrity from such a hard working father.

But sometimes dads take this too far. They become consumed with their work, and become unavailable to their children, and studies have shown that it is vital for both sons and daughters to develop this relationship with their fathers. A boy learns how to be a man from his father. This goes far beyond the realm of learning how to throw curve balls and attach a lure to a line … it has to do with the son’s view of ethics and integrity, and especially his view of the spiritual.

A girl learns about femininity by using her father as a guideline for what is opposite. If her relationship with her father is distant or strained, the studies say, her marital relationship later in life will be impaired and dysfunctional. It’s hard to bond with a moving target.

The Bible speaks frequently and eloquently about the need for fathers to pass their godly life on to their children.

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things, things from of old – what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and wonders that He has done” (Psalms 78:2-4).

Someone has observed that in state penitentiaries prisoners frequently request “Happy Mother’s Day” cards. They almost never ask for “Happy Father’s Day” cards. I wonder why that would be?

A Christian father has a wonderful example in the Heavenly Father, how He has revealed Himself in His Word, how He deals lovingly with His children, in good and in difficult circumstances. by Stan Mitchell (adapted) Bulletin Digest

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JUNE 21, 2015 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 24, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

VISITATION PROGRAM Team #2 (leaders: Cary & Brenda Miller) will meet on Wednesday, June 24th, at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

The Pantry is in need of deodorant and shampoo.

A special upcoming need: it’s not too long until school will start again! As we did last year, we want to help some of our Pantry clients with the purchase of school supplies again. If you are willing to help, we are already accepting donations. Please see Ken Darnell or David Zoller if you want to donate to this good cause.

FLOOD RELIEF

If you want to contribute to the Wimberley area flood relief that the elders are contemplating, please drop your check in the contribution plate, earmarking it: “Flood Relief”.

footprints-hiBeautiful Footnotes . . .

Sharing Jesus to the world is a major part of our duty as Christians. The elders, on behalf of our congregation, have begun supporting a student at Southern Africa Bible College in Benoni, South Africa for the purpose of training him to preach the gospel to his own people. Following is a report from our student, Comfort Mafunda. For the Elders, Ken D.

“I’m Comfort Mafunda from KwaMashu Church of Christ in Durban.  I thank God for using all people who make it possible for me to be here at SABC. Especially the Highland Lakes Church of Christ. I see much improvement for me being here in terms of English as I was not a good English speaker when I came here, preparing a lesson, behavior and I grow Spiritual. Everyone here is friendly from students to the lecturers and staff, that makes me to feel at house. The food we eat is healthy, rooms are in a good condition, although I’m struggling to adapt to this cold weather as I’m from Durban which is one of the warmest place in South Africa. During my Easter holidays I was in East Cape at Matatiele. I was given a chance to preach every Sunday and I did every good job the Preacher gave me credits. My last week I was invited to another congregation near the border gate of Lesotho to evangelized for the whole week and on Sunday I preached. The church was uplifted for my contribution and they wanted me to come again. Comparing the way I was before coming to SABC and now I can see that I’m growing.  The classes are doing very well the lecturers are so supportive it’s for me easy to cope with my studies. The exams are fear because we are asked what we have been taught in class. My prayer to God is to help me to stay here until I finish my three year so that I can go out and contend for the truth. I’m happy for being here.”

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HEAVEN WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL

Posted on June 13, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

How many times have we heard, or participated in the singing of this song? W. Oliver Cooper is responsible for the words of this great song, and what a great encouragement it has been, and continues to be, for every Christian. However, it is only an encouragement to those who know Heaven is worth it all. Are we singing the truth in this song? Do we truly believe Heaven is worth it all?

Often we are hindered on our way to Heaven. The burdens of life are so heavy that many crumble under the immense strain. Paul informed the young preacher Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus informed His disciples that they would be hated by all men, just for being Christian (Mathew 10:22). One must understand that the Bible produces one of two effects: one heart will be melted by the Word, another will become calloused, like nerve endings that have been seared (Matthew 13:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:2). A heart that will hear and obey God’s Word is promised a home in Heaven (Matthew 7:21).

“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). We all have our struggles and hardships in life. The Bible calls these hardships burdens (Galatians 6:2). There are physical and spiritual burdens that we all face. The only way to find strength to endure is to realize that Heaven will be worth it all. Jesus offers great confidence in His words, “…be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

We serve the God Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Jesus has said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).

We all must ask ourselves: is my mansion reserved for me today? Have I lost sight of the value God has placed on my soul (Matthew 16:26)? May we put into practice God’s laws in our lives, because, Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All!

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JUNE 14, 2015 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 13, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

♥ The Pantry is in need of deodorant and shampoo.

♥ A special upcoming need:  it’s not too long until school will start again! As we did last year, we want to help some of our Pantry clients with \ school supplies again. If you are willing to help, we are already accepting donations. Please see Ken Darnell or David Zoller if you want to donate to this good cause.

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

Visitation Program Team #2 (leaders: Cary & Brenda Miller) will meet on Wednesday, June 24th, at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

footprints-hiBeautiful Footnotes . . .

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)

The apostle Paul directly shows a link in the saving of sinners, the saving news of the Gospel, and the faithful believers who support and send out those who live and proclaim the gospel. Through the blessings of the Father, the love of the Lord Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Highland Lakes church of Christ has been privileged to be involved in the supporting outreach efforts locally and abroad to those who have not heard about the Lord and His saving grace.

J. Krupalini – India; George & Quinton Funk – South Africa; Richard Emperado– Philippines; Dennis Welch — Cambodia; Sylvester Imogoh and Sylvanus Obi — Nigeria; Doug Wheeler, special missionary to Nigeria; Southern Africa Bible College — Benoni State, South Africa; Cherokee Home for Children; Spanish Literature Ministry; Sunset Int. Bible Inst. – Solar Player Project; Helping Hands Food Pantry and Clothes Closet – Kingsland; and others. These are some of those whom this congregation helps support and send out the Good News of Jesus.

In the future watch this space as we share parts of the stories, reports and correspondence of those we help send out the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Remember to support these with “beautiful feet” with your contributions and prayers. For the elders, Ken D.

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COMMITMENT IS THE KEY!

Posted on June 7, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

commitment-quotesWhat is commitment? Webster: “The delivery of a person or thing into the charge or keeping of another.” Another definition: “Giving yourself completely, unreservedly to God.” Jesus’ definition is found in Luke 9:23-26 and is much more severe. “And He said to them all, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” for whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

Commitment to Jesus is a suicide mission . . . to death. As Christians we must be totally committed to Jesus Christ. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily. The cross is used to crucify. The cross means death or shame or slow pain. It is not for decoration. There are three ways to die to be a disciple: Death to self (Luke 9:25); death to shame (Luke 9:26).

Here are four tests of commitment:

  1. Family. The family is not first (only in comparison to Jesus). They often do not share your love for Christ (Matthew 10:35; Luke 12:52, 53. Luke 14:26, 27).
  2. Possessions. Giving involves commitment, not just making a contribution. The average contribution is 3% (Luke 6:38),
  3. Attendance. Is attendance one of your top priorities? Some who think they are more “spiritually enlightened” than the rest of us, have decided it is legalistic to insist on attendance. But why not just stick with what the Bible says? (Hebrews 10:24, 25).
  4. Witnessing. The apostles were beaten for preaching and, afterwards, they rejoiced, they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name, though beaten, driven from homes, and put to death, they were committed to the proclamation of the gospel (Acts 5:18; 12:2,3:16:23).

When people are committed to Jesus Christ, they sometimes do things that the world simply does not understand. In fact, they frequently go counter to the world’s values. Some nominal Christians have one foot in the church on Sunday and the other in the world the rest of the week. The first disciples of Jesus must have appeared fanatical to their friends. They didn’t go on a mission trip for a week; they went for a life time! They left everything. Why did they do that? They were committed to Jesus Christ! How about you? –  via “The Crier” Worldwide Spanish Literature ministry, Author: Dale Foster, Cypress, TX

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JUNE 7, 2015 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on June 7, 2015 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

VISITATION PROGRAM Team #1 (leaders: Teri & Joe Winnett) will meet on Wednesday, June 10th, at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Sunday, July 12th, will be the long-awaited visit of Sylvester and Sandra Imogoh! The Wheelers will be with them, too. We will have an exciting morning of reports, worship, fellowship and food. Let’s support this mission work of ours with an excellent attendance!

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