Highland Family, In light of the request from the CDC to limit gatherings to minimize the spreading of this virus, we are not going to hold normal services at the church on Sunday. Our plan, for now, will be for families to worship together in their homes. The Strickland Family will be holding our family service at the church to connect with people who walk up to the church. Below, you will find an Order of Service to be used to guide our times in family worship.
As we remain in quarantine, I will issue a Family Devotion each week through our website. It will be available for you by the preceding Saturday evening. Also, please know that we are holding off on all weekly gatherings until April 6th, at the least.
COMMUNAL PRAYER
Let’s continue to press in and persevere in our prayer-life! Remember, according to Luke 11, the key to obtaining answered prayer is persistence. What has been our church’s persistent request?
Lord, bring revival! Revive our love for you, Lord. Revive our desires for more of you, Lord. Do this, we pray, in our personal lives, in our family, in our church, and in our community.
As Rob has been preaching, this can only be accomplished through a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to convict, to lead us to repentance, and to create in us new desires.
Pray
“So I say to you, (put your name or your family’s name here), keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened…if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM” (Luke 11:9-10,13).
Lord, today our family asks for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We seek to have more of You and to have You operating in greater authority in and through our lives. We ask that through the power of the Holy Spirit, You open doors for effective ministry in our family relationships and in the North Highland community.
Through Jesus we pray, amen.
KNOWING THAT GOD REMAINS GOOD
Our generation has not seen times like this during our lifetime. Our systems and schedules are shaken by this pandemic. Our grip on what we think we can control is a little looser and our plans are made with less certainty. Confronted with this reality, we can rest assured, though, that He is certain. He endures with us and deals mercifully with each of us. We know that He is certain because His Word tells us so. Here are the 3 truths we will highlight today:
1. His Word endures.
2. He desires us to know His protection.
3. He is merciful toward everyone.
Though we are facing these uncertain times, God’s Word endures. His Word is eternal and sure, which means His Word has the power to direct us through these uncertain days. Psalm 119: 89-90 (HCSB) reads: “Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm.”
Discuss: Talk about a passage of Scripture or a specific verse in the Bible that has proven to stand firm throughout seasons of your life.
Read 1 Peter 1:24:
“For all men are like grass; all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall. But the Word the Lord stands forever.”
Music: Click here to listen to a song for kids (This song is one Noah loved as a little kid).
Knowing that God’s Word endures, He offers us promises that also endure throughout our days. In Psalm 91, we learn that those who trust in the Lord find a safe place in His presence. In His presence, we are protected during times of uncertainty.
Psalm 91:2-11 (HCSB) reads:
“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord — my refuge, the Most High — your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.”
Music: Click here to listen to a song about Psalm 91.
Discuss: In times of uncertainty what causes you to feel safe? Does the reality of God’s presence surrounding you offer you peace of mind in regards to your safety and the safety of those you love?
Pray: Ask the Lord to protect our family, our church family and to draw those who are scared and lost into His presence so that they can know the Lord and His protective mercy.
In closing, we hear Jesus explain the very goodness of God’s heart. He shows His kind grace to the ungrateful and the evil, then charges us to be merciful, just as our Father is toward us. Read Luke 6:27-36 (HCSB):
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Discuss: What does loving your enemy practically look like for you and/or your family? Remember: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (a person or group of people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace and the empowerment we need from His Spirit to have mercy toward our enemy. Ask the Lord to turn your frustration into compassion. Ask the Lord to mend any broken relationships in your life and/or in the life of your family.
ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE
Highland, let us turn our eyes and hearts to the One who endures all time, reigning in all might and authority - the Lord - who is holy, is above every other god! Declaring Him to be the Almighty, He stoops low to pick up the poor and the humble out of the ash-heap only to show them mercy - a mercy that removes the shame of our sin.
This removal of our shame and sin is only accomplished by way of the Cross of Christ; who willingly laid down His life that, through His blood, He would absorb the wrath of God due us. He, in-turn, not only takes away our sin (all of it) but then offers us right standing, a clean and clear relationship, with a Holy God in exchange for our sin. All glory and honor to the God who saves! For the Lord alone is worthy of all praise, honor and glory! To your name, Lord, we turn our hearts, declaring you to be the Lord Almighty!! For you alone are our only good!! For we know this to be certain.
Highland, those of us who declare Jesus to be Lord with heart and mouth, “continue to produce the fruit of repentance” (Ref: Luke 3:8).
I love you.
Rob