Thursday, April 28, 2016

Win the Battle


We all face battles in life. Some of those battles are serious conflicts waged against enemies like illness, depression, and anger. Some of those battles are against the life annoyances that cause us to stumble along the way (Really? Someone left the lid off the toothpaste again?). Whatever the case, we need to be ready - we will face battles.

We would all do well to know how to deal with the battles before they come. David faced numerous battles throughout his life. Some he won; in some he was not so victorious. The reasons for his victories, and his defeats, are important for everyone to understand. Over the next few weeks, we will survey some of the battles in David's life and discover how God can win the victory in our life.

First, we will look at how we, like David, can find victory through the word of God (1 Samuel 24:12-15).

See you Sunday!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

A Faith That Goes



I have always been awed by missionary stories. From the filmstrips (if you don't know what that is, ask someone who is over forty) they used to show us in Sunday School, to the web videos today, we continue to learn how God is doing amazing things through those who have followed his call.

The fact is, we should all practice a faith that is ready to "Go." God has called each of us to a mission field, whether it is around the world or in the next cubicle. This week, we look at the faith of Abraham who, when God called, was ready to go (Hebrews 11:8-11).

See you Sunday!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Faith for the Journey



I have followed, with great interest, the development of driver-less cars. Google, and other technology and automotive companies, are racing ahead with development of cars that drive themselves. One day we will no longer have to ask the question, "Who has the right of way?" Cars will honk at each other and figure it out all by themselves.

Until that day arrives, we are stuck with maps, GPS, and asking the guy at Kum & Go. One thing will always be true: wherever you are going, you need faith. This week, we will look at two men, Enoch and Noah, whose lives exhibit faith for the journey (Hebrews 11:5-7).

See you Sunday!

Hear this week's message from NHBC at http://nhbcspringfield.sermon.net/main/main/20656466

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Where Do I Start?


"The longest journey begins with a single step." I hope whoever said that had a good sense of direction. Head down the wrong path, and that journey will become really long. The "are we there yet" chorus from the back seat is much more tolerable when you can answer that "we are almost there."

That all depends on starting in the right direction. Hebrews 11 answers the question, "Where do I start believing?" Faith begins at the beginning, and it's a journey worth taking.
Join us on the journey this week as we study Hebrews 11:3-4.

Hear this message at http://nhbcspringfield.sermon.net/mca/main/main/20651297

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Closer than you think

One of my contacts was bothering me the other day. I knew I needed to get them out for awhile; however, me without some kind of vision assistance is a scary (literally) thing! You know those big letters at the top of the eye chart? I can see that they're THERE.....but to identify them....that's another thing. And so....I always keep a pair of glasses handy, just in case.

I thought I knew right where they were. I keep them in the car (or so I thought), because if I have an eye problem while I'm out somewhere (especially driving), you do NOT want me on the street with vision help. So, it made sense to have them at the ready in the car.

I went out to get them from the car. I looked right where I knew they were...no glasses. Then I looked in the second place, no glasses to be found. I searched my stashes in the house and came up empty handed. I checked our other vehicle...nothing. I went to bed 'blind,' and wondered where in the world they were, even though I was SURE I'd always kept them in the car.

The next morning, I knew I had to have some help, and so I prayed, "Lord, you know where they are. Please show me." I looked again in the car.....and there they were, right where they were supposed to be, right where I 'knew' they were. Why hadn't I seen them? Was it because I was hurrying, because I didn't look closely enough, or what?

I immediately thought how often we miss God and what He does for us. We look in all the wrong places, but He's right there, right where He said He'd be, He's at the ready to help me....but I look right over Him.  He says in His word, "I am with you always." As the song says, "Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus." It was a great reminder. My prayer was one of thanks for finding the glasses, and one of confession and recomitment to look for Him....right where He promised He would be.