EVANGELISM: IS HEAVEN’S AIM YOUR AIM?

Posted on January 24, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

2014 January 073Somebody made a great observation when he said the two greatest days in a person’s life are (1) they day he was born and (2) the day he finds out why he was born. The same could be said about those who have been born again. Many who profess to be born again of the water and the Spirit (church members) seem to never have discovered why they were born again or have forgotten why. A number of purposes of the Christian life could be noted, but I want to focus on one in particular — evangelism, both to the world and “personal evangelism” or soul winning. The New Testament makes clear we are saved to save others and told to tell others! Before He left the earth, Jesus gave what we call “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-29; Mark 16:15-16).

The mandate, given by the Son of God is irrevocable. It puts the church in the telling, teaching and preaching business. That is what the Great Commission is all about. Not every Christian is able to do exactly the same thing in spreading the gospel and seeking to win the lost to Christ. But this Great Commission and other scriptures remind us that the church’s primary mission is to get the gospel to a lost world. As someone summarized it, Jesus wants every sinner this side of heaven involved in taking the gospel to every sinner this side of hell. These days many in the church seem to be concerned about making the gospel acceptable to people in the world. That is not what God charges the church to do. Our charge is the same as it was in the earliest days of Christianity: make the gospel available to others, whether they find it acceptable or not. But do look at a very important principle that is found in I Peter 3:15b: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.

The Roman Seneca (4 B.C.—65 A.D.) said, “Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.” Seneca’s words remind us of the importance of having the right aim and goal. Without it, we are prone to be blown off course by any wind that comes along. Jesus came to earth with the specific aim to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The early church suffered obstacles and opposition from the get-go, but they stayed on course and, having been scattered, “preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). Every member was a “preacher”! The apostle Paul makes it clear his life as a Christian was guided by the high and holy aim of preaching Christ and winning the lost to Him — “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20). Heaven’s holy aim for the church is not primarily about potlucks, programs, preachers, PowerPoint, padded pews, faddish faith, or trendy worship styles. Heaven’s holy aim is for the church to carry the gospel to the lost. Is heaven’s aim your aim? Think about it.

Evangelism: Is Heaven’s Aim Your Aim?

-BULLETIN DIGEST, Dan Gulley (Keltonburg church of Christ, Smithville, TN)

 

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JANUARY 26, 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on January 24, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

With Sympathy

Murl Story, long-time friend of Ann Hoover and a frequent visitor with us at Highland Lakes, passed away on Friday, January 17th. Funeral services took place on Monday, January 20th, at the Edgar Funeral Home in Burnet with Joe Winnett officiating. Interment took place at Lakeland Memorial Cemetery. Our love and prayers go out to the family and friends.

Our First Fellowship Meal in 2014 . . .

. . takes place this evening after our worship assembly. Our hosts and hostesses are: Myron & Janet Fietz, Doc & Sandy McDonald and David & Sheri Zoller. Come and enjoy this time of visiting and eating together! Visitors join us, too, as our very special guests!

News from the Pantry

Is your closet bulging? Are you running out of space in your closet? Here is a good suggestion: clean out what you do not want and wear anymore, items that are still in good condition and clean. Bring them to our Food/Clothing Pantry before any Tuesday morning. People come on that day who can benefit from those unused items and are grateful for our help. Thank you!

And what is currently needed in the Pantry: personal hygiene products and also spaghetti for the many cans of spaghetti sauce we have. Peanut butter and plastic bags are again needed.

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STUBBORN PEOPLE, HUMBLE GOATS, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Posted on January 22, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

IMG_2519[1]You have to admit that we can be pretty stubborn sometimes. We really cannot argue with this; we all are sometimes.

Webster‘s defines “stubborn” as: “Inflexible, determined to have one’s own way.” One can only wonder how often our unwillingness to be flexible or our determination to have things our own way has negatively impacted the relationships we share with others. And, how our stubbornness has often undermined the God that we purport to belong to.

What place does arrogance or stubbornness or inflexibility or the attitude of “my-way-or-the-highway” have in the Kingdom of God? None!

Jesus says (paraphrased here), “If someone wants to steal the shirt right off your back, willingly give the thief your coat as well.” “And if someone manipulates you and coerces you into going a mile out of your way for their own selfish benefit, go even further for the sole purpose of Kingdom revealing” (Matthew 5:40-41).

The apostle Paul places it in these terms, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but look also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 2:4-5). Unselfish, sacrificial.

Egoism . . . Stubbornness . . . Inflexibility . . . These are not the Kingdom. The Kingdom is:

“Righteousness . . . Peace . . . And the joy in the Holy Spirit” (See Romans 14:17).

In any given situation you are not the most important person. Neither am I. Jesus is! Stubbornness damages the Kingdom. Every time.

During the Reformation of the 16th century, Zwingli and Luther had come to an impasse. Both were perplexed as to how there could be unity between the two of them with their differences. Unto one day Zwingli observed two goats approaching one another from opposite directions on a treacherous, narrow mountain path. A wall of rock on one side, and a thousand foot cliff on the other. As they approached one another, the two goats lowered their heads, as though they were about to crash into each other, but then the one going up to the mountain trail lay completely flat on the path and allowed the one descending the mountain to step on top of him. After he had safely passed, the one who had humbled himself then continued his climb.

I wonder what you and I might learn from that?  ~~ from “Reeves’ Rhetoric formerly of Tyler, Texas

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JANUARY 19, 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on January 22, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Visiting for the Master—2014

Our visitation program has served us and the Lord well since its inception in 2007, and we desire to continue this ministry in 2014. A reorganization meeting is planned for this Sunday, January 19th, following the evening worship service. Pizza will be served in the Fellowship Hall prior to an evaluative discussion of the program and suggestions for the New Year. If you would like to be involved in this ministry, a sign-up sheet is posted at the rear of the auditorium.

Key statistics for 2013 were:

 45 different families or individuals were visited or contacted;

 84 personal, on-site visits were made;

 13 telephone contacts and 24 mailings occurred; and

 13 of our family units were involved in this very special ministry.

How did we do in 2013? How about you in 2014?

News From the Food Pantry

Is your closet bulging? Are you running out of space in your closet? Here is a good suggestion: clean out what you do not want and wear anymore, items that are still in good condition and clean. Bring them to our Food/Clothing Pantry before any Tuesday morning. People come on that day can benefit from those unused items and are grateful for our help. Thank you!

And what is currently needed in the Pantry: personal hygiene products and also spaghetti for the many cans of spaghetti sauce we have. Peanut butter and plastic bags are not needed at this time.

All the Men of the Congregation . . .

are invited to meet in the Fellowship Room on Saturday, January 25th, at 9:00 am, for breakfast, prayer and fellowship. If there are any special prayer requests from the members, please let the elders know ahead of time.

First Fellowship Meal in 2014 . . .

. . . takes place on January 26th, the last Sunday of the month. Those who volunteered to host this meal are: Myron & Janet Fietz, Doc & Sandy McDonald and David & Sheri Zoller.

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KEEP ON PLODDING!

Posted on January 14, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

There is a lot of spiritual truth in the old fable of “The Tortoise and The Hare”. In the long run it is not brilliance, energy and excitement that accomplishes most in the Kingdom, it is patient, steadfast day-in-day-out faithfulness — the determination to keep on plodding!

Many in the church are looking for high-voltage excitement as they leap from one spiritual high to another. But the real test of discipleship is not whether we can serve God when crowds are cheering and flags are waving; it is whether we can serve on the long dusty march in the heat of the day! The real foot soldiers of the faith are the “Plodders” who slug it out day after weary day.

What does it take to keep on plodding…..?

1. Constancy In Christian Living. We must live consistent, constant Christian lives. The Gospel is not served by those who live temperate, controlled lives part of the time, punctuated by occasional binges of excess and dissipation. Rather, we must “deny ungodliness and worldly lust and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12).

2. Persistent In Prayer. Many of us admit the value of prayer in theory and deny it in practice. We must “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), day after day, hour after hour.

3. Steadfastness In Service. Many will work energetically and enthusiastically for a little while, but then discouragement sets in and they quit. What is needed are men and women who will put their hands to the plow and never look back. It is work done in discouragement which carries the church and measures maturity (I Corinthians 15:58).

4. Loyalty In All Things. This means putting the kingdom of God first — not occasionally, sometimes or usually — but all the time (Matthew 6:33)!

May God help us to take these principles to heart and let them really flourish in our lives! The blessings received will astound us as we grow more and more into maturity.

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JANUARY 12, 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on January 13, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

A Name for Our Food Pantry

We are considering a more concise name for our Food Pantry work in order to better promote it in our area. Ideally, this name would help local businesses and individuals to understand that they are welcome to donate goods and services to the community through us. If you have a name suggestion that would easily fit on a business card, please share your thoughts with Joe or David and Sheri Zoller.

All the Men of the Congregation . . .

are invited to meet in the Fellowship Room on Saturday, January 25th, at 9:00 am, for breakfast, prayer and fellowship. If there are any special prayer requests from the members, please let the elders know ahead of time.

Food Pantry Needs

What is currently needed: personal hygiene products and also spaghetti for the many cans of spaghetti sauce we have. Peanut butter and plastic bags are not needed at this time.

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JANUARY 5, 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on January 4, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Our Sympathy is extended to the Richard Schilling family in Burnett. Richard passed away on Thursday. He was the father of David & Sheri Zoller’s, son-in-law, Shane Schilling, who is married to their daughter Melanie.   Funeral services took place on Sunday afternoon. Our prayers are for divine comfort for all the family and friends, as they are dealing with the death of their loved one.

Welcome, New Members!

Last Sunday, Kynn & Jan Maxwell let us know that they want to be identified as members of our congregation here at Highland Lakes. They formerly attended the Westside church of Christ in Midland, Texas. We are so glad, Kynn & Jan, that you decided to be part of our fellowship, to worship and to work with us!   Please call the church office for address information to put in your directories.

Birthdays:   Kynn — 07/2 and Jan — 02/13   Anniversary:  06/11/1972

News from the Food Pantry

In January, additional volunteers are needed at the Food Pantry, because at the beginning of the year our clients will have to be re-registered. Those extra volunteers are needed to help with the paper work. This is for the first three Tuesdays in January only. Please, let Sheri Zoller know as soon as possible. Your assistance is very much appreciated.   In regard to what is currently needed: personal hygiene products and also spaghetti for the many cans of spaghetti sauce we have. Peanut butter and plastic bags are not needed at this time.

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GOT PATIENCE?

Posted on January 4, 2014 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

“The man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is his glory to overlook an offence” ~ (Proverbs 19:11).

According to the world, if insulted, the bigger man is the one who can give back the wittiest and weightiest way. But God says it is to man’s glory to overlook an offence! That takes patience, which is a product of wisdom, which God tells us He will give us if we ask without finding fault.

But most of us don’t want to pray for patience because we know that God will then give us situations in which the fruit of the Spirit will have opportunity to grow.

That’s just it; patience is a fruit of the Spirit that must grow in us, but one we would rather not cultivate. Sometimes, we even seem to be proud that we have not done this! We write it off to our human frailties and therefore that is it! So we hope that life will go along smoothly that we won’t have any reason to show patience. Then, when we are offended, we lash out as impatiently as the world, and the world would never be able to tell that we follow Christ. Or if they know that we are Christians, they may even assume that there is nothing to Christianity!

Don’t have wisdom enough to pray for patience to grow in your life? Ask so that you may receive it. Then it can be to your glory to overlook an offence! Then the world will glorify God as well.

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ANOTHER YEAR ENDS . . .

Posted on December 28, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

The final Lord’s Day of any year is always a good time to reflect on what was seen and accomplished during the previous months. The 2013, like every year, was filled with comings and goings. We were forced to say good-bye to some beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, but we also saw some new faces in our midst.

This was a year of celebrating the 50th anniversary of this congregation. Steven Yeakley came and preached where his grandfather once stood back in the 1970’s. He reminded us to continue the pattern of service to this community and the world that this spiritual family has been known for.

Early in the year we selected three new elders to join with the current four elders so that the congregation can look forward to strong spiritual leadership for many years to come. The Visiting for the Master program continues to develop strength in the fellowship here as we reach out to welcome and comfort those among us. Our outreach into the local community through the Food Pantry continues to increase. We have seen records set both in the number of clients needing food assistance and in the number of brethren who come to help in that ministry. It is not unusual for us to assist around 150 individuals with food on any given Tuesday. This is producing an ever increasing amount of good will in the community and we are seeing more people in the Kingsland area who want to help us as we help others.

And of course, our commitment to mission work remains strong. The elders and members are to be commended for devoting a significant portion of the budget to preaching the gospel around the world. Our World Bible School ministry is actively involved in teaching the Bible to THOUSANDS of students in the nation of Nigeria. How wonderful it was to hear Doug Wheeler recently describe this congregation as one of the most influential churches in all of Nigeria because of our WBS efforts! And we found a wonderful way to end this year, collecting nearly $3000 to assist Christian widows in Nigeria who were struggling just to survive. Well done, brethren! But let’s do even more next year….to God be the glory! – Joe

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DECEMBER 29, 2013 WEEKLY NEWS

Posted on December 28, 2013 by highlandlakeschurchofchrist

Our Condolences go out to the family and friends of Martha Hall, who passed away last week after lengthy health issues. She was the mother of Michael Hall, who is the son-in-law of the Millers. A memorial service was planned for December 27th in Fort Worth. May God be a comfort to all in their present grief.

With Sympathy

Hunter Smith, Mary Smith grandson, lost his battle with brain cancer on Monday, December 23rd, 2013, at 10:25 pm., with his family all around him. He was not scared, telling his mother, “Don’t worry, Mom, me and God got this!” Hunter loved everybody and especially God, and now this lovable and bright young soul is in the holy and loving presence of his Heavenly Father. Funeral services took place on Friday, December 27th at the Pinelake Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. Our love and prayers go out to Michael & Cissy Smith, Hunter’s parents, to Mary and to all the Smith family. May God’s richest blessings be with them as they are going through this journey.  The last report from Cissy is on the back bulletin board.)

With Appreciation!

Thank you all for the lovely gift I received at the Christmas party! The beautiful angel with the message, “Friends are Kisses Blown To Us By Angels”.  In Christian love, Vicky

Thank You to everyone for the wonderful meals, visits, phone calls and most of all prayers. We are grateful for the love and kindness.  In His love, Myrtle & Billy Hazlewood; Valerie Cook

A Special Prayer Request

Myron & Janet Fietz asked the congregation last week to pray for them as they are facing some troublesome family problems. Our prayers go up to our Heavenly Father, that Myron & Janet will be strengthened in spirit, and that there may be a good outcome very soon.

Our Guest Speaker Today

Jordan Fontenot, grandson of Claude Fletcher, will be our guest speaker today. We welcome him and the members of his family! As always, we look forward to his message.

Come One and All to our New Year’s Eve Get-Together

Tuesday, December 31st. Bring your favorite table games and snacks of various kinds. It will start at 7 pm and will last until we are tired and ready to go home….so probably not till the New Year!

Food Pantry Needs

Personal hygiene products and peanut butter still needed. We also need spaghetti for the many cans of spaghetti sauce we have. Plastic bags are not needed at this time.

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