Our Weekly Update

Mr. Arrice Foster aka: Tony.

REFLECTION & CHARGE FROM LAST SUNDAY’S SERVICE

Highland, our service last Sunday was precious to me. The Holy Spirit is working in our midst, stirring in authority and conviction amongst us! Let’s continue to ask the Lord to free our grip from what sin we may cling, causing our hands to be raised unto Him, in surrender, adoring His great name. Through His discipline, may our hearts be set free, to abound in His holiness, producing an abundance of fruit in the life of us, His sons and daughters. “Lead us by Your good spirit, Lord; teach us to do Your will. Lead us on level ground, Lord, for YOU are our God!” May we be a people marked by His holiness! Oh, that He would be our greatest love!

EIGHT WEEK WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

I am happy to announce that there will be an eight week Women’s Bible Study that will start this month. Following David’s sermon, it is so wonderful to see, yet another opportunity for us to gather and grow together. Shoutout to Carol and Julie, who are hosting, plus anyone else that I am unaware of – thank you! Click the button below to get the info and to register.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY, 10am

This Saturday, our Chicken & Rice team will mix it up a little bit and do chili cheese dogs! Shoutout to Sandra for bringing in a little variety to the menu! Thank you to all who come and serve each week!

PLANS FOR SUNDAY MORNING

Each Sunday, we have Coffee & Conversation starting at 9am, at the Firehouse. A great time to get to know each other and enjoy being together. Jo Ellen fosters a time of seeing life through God’s Word, as she shares her devotion. Additionally, Robert Singelton continues to facilitate a Men’s Bible Study each Sunday morning, at 9am, in the education-building of our church site. All men are welcome to attend. Our church-service then begins at 10am. We will continue through our 1st John Series this Sunday. Rob preaches. We will continue through our 1st John Series this Sunday. Here is our text that we will cover Sunday:

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1st John 4:13–21

KIDS’ SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY

Kids’ Sunday is happening this Sunday. Please drop off your children who are 5 and up at the original sanctuary to get checked in. During the service, children will either be in the classrooms off the deck for a Bible lesson or a craft. Outdoor games will be held in the Stricklands’ backyard as well. Furthermore, if you’re interested in helping with Kids’ Sundays, please talk to Julie Jordan, Katie Sturgeon or Carol Wright. As soon as service concludes, please make arrangements to pick up your children.

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Firehouse Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

On a personal note

Highland, great job engaging in the gritty-work of loving one another! I thank each and every one of you for surrounding the Jones family in this tragic time for them. Those at Porter and Highland have really helped them recover and get established in their new home. Two needs that I am aware that they have remaining are a washer and dryer along with bedding. They have three queen sized beds. If anyone has any available bedding to fit queen-sized beds that you’d be willing to offer, please let us know.

Mike Hare’s mother continues to battle for her life. She’s returning to the hospital as she continues to deal with complications related to pneumonia. Mike’s preparing to travel to be with her immediately. Please ask the Lord to draw near to Mike and comfort him, too. Reach out to him as you’re able and check on him, please. Let’s love him well, Highland.

Talked with Chris Dubose. Said he’s hurting but is recovering – airbags caused him most of the pain, but he does not believe he’s injured. So relieved! Chris and Stephanie are so dear to me and to the Highland-Tribe. Continue to pray for them, too – daily! Randall is out of the hospital! He is now in a rehab facility, on the road to recovery. Last Saturday, I got to visit him in the hospital and it was a conversation I will carry with me all of my days. He loves Highland and considers us family. Let us continue to love him like family, Highland – as a matter of fact, let’s do that all around, Highland. I rejoice over you, Highland.

Humbled,

Rob

Weekly Update

Firehouse Gathering, 10am, Sunday

member gatheringS LAST thursdays, 6pm

Highland, our Member Gathering is this (Thursday) evening. We will hold Communion. We will also continue to posture ourselves as a people of prayer (Heart, Home, Highland, North Highland). I would like to see all of our members attend these gatherings, in order to fellowship and pray. It’s evenings like these that help us maintain our health, as a local body. Join us, 6pm.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY, 10am

This Saturday, we will have St Andrews’ Youth with us, as they serve Chicken & Rice. Let’s pray for them, as they serve, offering the love of Christ to our streets. Our Chicken and Rice Team remains one of the most precious and vital parts of our church. Grateful for them and all they do to honor our Lord!

Sunday Morning’s plans

We have Coffee & Conversation starting at 9am, at the Firehouse. A great time to get to know each other and enjoy being together. Joellen’s devotion is always an outpouring of God’s love and challenges us to love one another as Christ loves us. Robert continues to facilitate a Men’s Bible Study each Sunday morning, at 9am, in the education-building of our church site. All men are welcome to attend.

We will continue through our 1st John Series this Sunday. David Klaus will be preaching. He will be walking us through 1st John 4:7-12. Here is the text:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1st John 4:7-12).

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Firehouse Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

On a personal note

I look forward to seeing you at the Firehouse Gathering this Sunday. A few matters that we need to rally around in prayer, Highland – the Lake Family. Randall continues to fight to get better after his car accident. The Dubose Family, too – Chris had an accident recently. From what I know, he’s okay, but let us love them well. Praying for Timothy Jones. He was recently in a house fire. Lost everything. Let’s support him and pray for him at this time. Mike Hare’s mother was recently admitted to the hospital. Let’s pray for Mary, his mother, and love him well as she’s in the hospital. If there are other needs, I would love to know in order to pray and invite the church to pray, too!

Let us be willing to go out of our way to check on and love one another, especially in times of difficulty, Highland. I love you, Highland. Grateful the Lord allows me to serve Him, by loving you.

Humbled,

Rob

Our Service Plans

Taken Thursday Morning, February 16th! Expected completion date, October 12th of this year.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY, 10am, at the cafe’

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Highland, we will continue through 1st John 4 this Sunday. Here is the text we will be tackling:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1st John 4:1-6).

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Firehouse Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Our Service Plans

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY, 10am, at the cafe’

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Highland, we will begin 1st John 4 this Sunday. Here is the text we will be tackling:

“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1st John 3:23-4:3).

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Firehouse Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Our Service Plans

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY, 10am, at the cafe’

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

KIDS’ SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY

Kids’ Sunday is happening this Sunday. Please drop off your children who are 5 and up at the original sanctuary to get checked in. During the service, children will either be in the classrooms off the deck for a Bible lesson or a craft. Outdoor games will be held in the Stricklands’ backyard as well. Furthermore, if you’re interested in helping with Kids’ Sundays, please talk to Julie Jordan, Katie Sturgeon or Carol Wright. As soon as service concludes, please make arrangements to pick up your children.

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Ben Lampe Takes The Pulpit Sunday.

Highland, As we have concluded our look at 1st John 3, we will take a break from our 1st John Series. Ben Lampe, who is a member of our church, will be taking the pulpit this Sunday. Ben’s grip on God’s Word is firm and steady. I am thrilled to hear him tackle a passage I studied through 2019-2020 – 1st Corinthians 1:18:31. It reads:

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”


Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Our Service Plans

Highland, here is a great opportunity to connect with what the Lord’s doing in Myanmar. Check out the details found in this invitation — join the conversation!

HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

  • Our calendar has been published. Click here for the latest.

  • Let’s stick to our Bible Reading Plan — Keep going, Highland! Be ready to connect with Justin.

  • Please continue to help us clean up the Firehouse each Sunday.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S COFFEE & CONVERSATION DEVOTION, 9am

When you arrive for the 10am service, we will have one of the garage doors closed so that those who are part of the morning devotion can be better served. If you are visiting with others who are also arriving and carrying on conversation, please remain outside, underneath the tent, until the close of the devotion. Of course, feel free to enter if you prefer to listen.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY, SUNDAYS , 9am

Each Sunday morning, Robert Singleton is leading a Men’s Bible Study. It starts at 9am and all men are welcome. The focus of the class is on Biblical application and serves a meaningful time to connect with others. It is held in the children’s wing of our church.

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Sunday morning services will be held in the firehouse. We will be continuing through 1st John together. Here is our text for this Sunday. We will place a magnifying-glass over how Jesus loves us, according to this passage.

“By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us” (1st John 3:19-24, ESV).

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

Highland, I rejoice over all the Lord is doing in our midst! All glory to You, Lord!

I am grateful for you, Highland. I love you.

See you Sunday,

Rob

Our Service Plans

WE ARE GOING THROUGH 1ST JOHN TOGETHER

Our Passage to Recite and Memorize for This Series

“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” (1st John 3:23, ESV).

HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

  • Our calendar has been published. Click here for the latest.

  • Let’s stick to our Bible Reading Plan — Keep going, Highland! Be ready to connect with Justin.

  • Please continue to help us clean up the Firehouse each Sunday.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S COFFEE & CONVERSATION DEVOTION, 9am

When you arrive for the 10am service, we will have one of the garage doors closed so that those who are part of the morning devotion can be better served. If you are visiting with others who are also arriving and carrying on conversation, please remain outside, underneath the tent, until the close of the devotion. Of course, feel free to enter if you prefer to listen.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY, SUNDAYS , 9am

Each Sunday morning, Robert Singleton is leading a Men’s Bible Study. It starts at 9am and all men are welcome. The focus of the class is on Biblical application and serves a meaningful time to connect with others. It is held in the children’s wing of our church.

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Sunday morning services will be held in the firehouse. We will be continuing through 1st John together. Here is our text for this Sunday. We will place a magnifying-glass over how Jesus loves us, according to this passage.

“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

1st John 3:11-18, ESV

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

Highland, I rejoice over all the Lord is doing in our midst! All glory to You, Lord!

I am grateful for you, Highland. I love you.

See you Sunday,

Rob

Our Service Plans

WE ARE GOING THROUGH 1ST JOHN TOGETHER

Our Passage to Recite and Memorize for This Series

“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” (1st John 3:23, ESV).

HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

  • Our calendar has been published. Click here for the latest.

  • Let’s stick to our Bible Reading Plan — Keep going, Highland! Be ready to connect with Justin.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S COFFEE & CONVERSATION DEVOTION, 9am

When you arrive for the 10am service, we will have one of the garage doors closed so that those who are part of the morning devotion can be better served. If you are visiting with others who are also arriving and carrying on conversation, please remain outside, underneath the tent, until the close of the devotion. Of course, feel free to enter if you prefer to listen.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY, SUNDAYS , 9am

Each Sunday morning, Robert Singleton is leading a Men’s Bible Study. It starts at 9am and all men are welcome. The focus of the class is on Biblical application and serves a meaningful time to connect with others. It is held in the children’s wing of our church.

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Sunday morning services will be held in the firehouse. We will be continuing through 1st John together. Here is our text for this Sunday. We will place a magnifying-glass over how Jesus loves us, according to this passage.

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1st John 3:4-10, ESV).

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

Highland, I rejoice over all the Lord is doing in our midst! All glory to You, Lord!

I am grateful for you, Highland. I love you.

See you Sunday,

Rob

Sin is Lawlessness

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1st John 3:4-10, ESV).

Sin is Lawlessness

Throughout most of the Bible, we get sin in the applied version. Rarely do we get a stated definition of sin. So, Sunday, we put a magnifying glass on this one, where John says: “Sin is lawlessness.”

Typically, many definitions of sin float through our society and even the church, as a whole. But, Highland, here is sin defined for us, according to Scripture. This is the definition we need to grip and hold onto, together, with God’s Word.

God has revealed His holiness through creation and the order thereof, through His law and through His only son, Jesus. Every person senses and bears witness to the Almighty by way of their conscience and, therefore, are without excuse. For the truths established by the Lord remain immovable.

Therefore, when we sin, it is not simply a moral failure, a lapse in judgment or a mistake, it’s an offense in the face of God. It’s a violation of His holy nature and His law. While these violations break God’s law, more importantly, they break the heart of God.

What this passage is pointing out is that the violating-nature of our sinfulness, or our lawlessness, is not simply that we offend the heart and nature of God in an act or pattern of sinfulness; it’s that, in our hearts, we have written our own version of truth and, thereby, abide by our own set of laws. Hence, we become our own god and God’s law does not apply to us. Therefore, we are lawless, because we have placed ourselves above the law of the Almighty, who is the maker of heaven and earth.

Only Willing to Listen to Our Own Voice

Not too long ago, we had a guest speaker give his testimony to the Truth Spring Trade School class. His name is Joshua. In his testimony, he said that before he surrendered his life to Christ, he was lawless. That statement grabbed my attention because I had never heard anyone describe themself as lawless. He went on to say that, in his lawlessness, he would only listen to his own voice.

To further highlight this point, in Genesis 4, when Cain is enraged within his heart and the Lord speaks to him, helping Cain to direct his own heart, Cain, obviously, rejects the voice of the Lord, obeying his own voice, rooted in sin, where his lawlessness cultivates sin and death.

When Pharoah is approached by Moses, he rejects the voice of the Lord through Moses’ plea. So, enter the plagues. Even still, Pharaoh's heart listens only to his own voice, rooted in his plagiarized version of truth, abiding by his own laws. In his pride, he declares that God’s law does not apply to him; therefore, he is lawless, since God is God all by Himself. Pharoah deems himself to be above the law; therefore he falls under God’s wrath.

The Law of the Strickland Household

In closing, to offer a practical illustration, in the Strickland household, our law consists of two rules: 1. Obey and 2. Have a good attitude. Now, clearly, our sons have broken the laws of our home. Discipline has been applied. Discipline includes consequences and discussion. More than putting on a display of our power as their parents, we want to know that our sons understand that the “law” is for their benefit and benefits all. Additionally, we want to know that they know how they have violated the law and what needs to be done to restore order.

To be expected, in those moments, they have been upset and even mad, but they hear and receive our voice (Thank God! That is due to the prayer life of us, as a people.). There’s fruit because the root-system of our hearts and home are rooted in a Christ-centered love and the law serves to shape us, according to our love for each another.

While an infraction of our household’s law is expected, the greater issue would be that if one of our sons rejected the law of our home, writing their own version of truth, abiding by their own set of laws, then their heart’s posture would become mom and dad’s law does not apply to me. The issue therein lies – that our son lives in his parent’s house - their law is the law of the house. If this were the case, that son would become lawless – rejecting the law of our home.

The result is not just an infraction of the law, or an offense here or there – it’s now that they themselves have become an offense to the law and to the law-makers – because the law is in Carrie and I and it is from us. Therefore, they are rejecting us as parents and they have chosen to “parent” their own lives. The intentionally, premeditated lawless-life of a sinful heart remains under the wrath of God. What must one do? Revisiting the start of our series – repent.

What Must the Lawless One Do? Repent.

To repent is to acknowledge that we are helpless and sinful, and that our sin is offensive to the Lord. 1st John really lays out the evidence of our repentance – and here it is, we love God in return.

Knowing that God is love and that the Lord has displayed His redeeming love to us through Jesus, those who are repentant simply love God in return. 1st John does a great job of laying out what God’s redeeming love and our repentance look like, as they meet.

This is what His redeeming love and our repentance looks like in the life of the believer - there is a sharing in His holy-nature:

We are painfully aware of and uncomfortable in our personal sin and we hate it - conviction; sharing in His holy-nature (Hebrews 12).

We display a devoted love toward fellow believers and sinners - as believers, we are known by our love - compassion (1st John).

We long to do what is right in the eyes of God - our hearts hunger and thirst for righteousness - we have an appetite for righteousness, not sin - consecration (Matthew 5).

See you Sunday, Highland.

I love you,

Rob

Our Service Plans

WE ARE GOING THROUGH 1ST JOHN TOGETHER

Our Passage to Recite and Memorize for This Series

“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” (1st John 3:23, ESV).

HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

  • Our calendar has been published. Click here for the latest.

  • Let’s stick to our Bible Reading Plan — Keep going, Highland! Be ready to connect with Justin.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Chicken & Rice is happening this Saturday! This ministry seeks to love and care for our neighbor each Saturday, in honor of our Lord! Thank you to all who are part of feeding the hungry each week! Volunteers are welcome!

SUNDAY’S COFFEE & CONVERSATION DEVOTION, 9am

When you arrive for the 10am service, we will have one of the garage doors closed so that those who are part of the morning devotion can be better served. If you are visiting with others who are also arriving and carrying on conversation, please remain outside, underneath the tent, until the close of the devotion. Of course, feel free to enter if you prefer to listen.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY, SUNDAYS , 9am

Each Sunday morning, Robert Singleton is leading a Men’s Bible Study. It starts at 9am and all men are welcome. The focus of the class is on Biblical application and serves a meaningful time to connect with others. It is held in the children’s wing of our church.

SUNDAY’S 10AM SERVICE AT THE FIREHOUSE

Sunday morning services will be held in the firehouse. We will be continuing through 1st John together. Here is our text for this Sunday:

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1st John 3:4-10, ESV).

David Klaus will also bring us up to speed on Living Water. We will also be praying for the work that is taking place in Myanmar.

Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

Highland, I rejoice over all the Lord is doing in our midst! All glory to You, Lord!

I am grateful for you, Highland. I love you.

See you Sunday,

Rob