The Difference

A current television show, Undercover Boss, asks a simple question: what would employees do if they didn't know they were working with the boss? In the show, the owner of the company dresses in a disguise and goes to work with different employees in the company. Some people do a good job like they normally do, and at the end of the show they are rewarded. Some people do a lousy job like they normally do, and at the end of the show they are fired.

This week, as we continue to look at the events at Calvary, we meet two people - the thieves crucified with Christ (Luke 23:39-43). One did not know Jesus and acted despicably. One recognized Christ and that day entered heaven with the Savior. The difference between these two men is crucial for every person to understand.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Vaughn


Listen to this message at http://www.nationalheights.org/messages.html

What I meant to say was….

Toddlers sometimes get their words mixed up. My nephew would reach up to me, saying, “Hold you” when he wanted to be held.  They usually learn ‘no’ before ‘yes,’ and so when asked if they want a bite, they say no, all the while they are opening their mouth for a bite. And of course, as they are learning, many words are used ‘wrong’—cows may say ‘ruff, ruff,’ or the sky may be ‘green,’ and so on.

When those words are mixed up, we lovingly try to figure out what they really mean, and understand that they’re learning. I didn’t enter into a long discussion with my toddler nephew as to why he couldn’t hold me--I scooped him up in my arms.   

Talking with God is often like that. We say one thing; however, God knows our hearts and what we really need, but don’t know how to ask. And scripture has a promise for when we don’t know what to say, ‘For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.’ Romans 8:26.

He's waiting....He wants to hear, both what we say and what our hearts are trying to say. There's no language barrier with Him. After all, He created both communication and the communicator. 

Focus

I'm having trouble with my reading glasses. My ophthalmologist recommended using a different power contact lens for each eye. That means my left eye can now see things that are close while my right eye can see things that are far away. Yes, that is confusing, especially when I get them reversed.

When everything is working, I can see fairly well, but I still use glasses to read. That creates a problem - my right eye needs a different strength of lens than my left eye. They don't sell the Walmart cheapies that way. Both lenses are the same power. That means I read the same way I see the rest of the day, with half of everything out of focus.

Focus is important, especially in prayer. Often events in life focus our prayers. The messages in March are from the Gospel of Luke about Jesus' actions and words on the cross. Jesus' first words from the cross were a prayer. What did Jesus ask in that moment on Calvary? Find out Sunday as we take a look at Luke 23:34, a passage that will help all of us focus our lives on what is important.

See you Sunday!

Vaughn

PS Remember, to set your clocks forward for this Sunday, March 8. Yes, it's already Daylight Savings Time. If you forget and come to the 8:30 service at 9:30, don't worry. Just come on in and join us for Bible Study - no one will ever know!

Friends

Jerry was my friend. We did everything together, or at least that's what my mother told me. I was only four at the time. I vaguely remember going over to his house. I've seen photos of us at the local swimming pool, so we must have gone swimming. The only activity I remember was standing on the corner in front of Jerry's house waiting for the ice cream truck. We both bought ice cream sandwiches, which melted all over our clothes. I'm guessing our mothers were not too please about that, but we thought it was great. Everything stuck to us the rest of the day. It was like having an extra pocket.

I'm not sure what happened to Jerry. I haven't seen him since I was a kid. I hope his life turned out well. People come in and out of our lives. Some we will know only for a moment, some for decades. In this Sunday's message from John 15:11-13, I'll be sharing Jesus' statement describing how we can be a friend and how he is our greatest Friend.

Hope to see you (and a friend) Sunday!

Waiting and Trusting

I've gotten back to exercising and watching what I eat. It's aggravating, because I never should've gotten to the point where I am, if I had just stayed consistent with what I was doing before to take care of myself. 

It's hard not to get discouraged--why am I not seeing the fruits of my labors yet? I've been faithful, I've worked hard, and I've spent lots of time. But....I know that ultimately I am seeking to be more healthy and that things ARE happening below the surface...I'm burning fat, reducing cholesterol levels, strengthening my bones, etc. And where will I be if I give up and quit? Negligent and in even worse shape than before.

I was reminded that sometimes we feel the same way with our Christian walk. We never would've landed in the valley if we had done what we know is right and not deviated from that path. And then we get discouraged. "Why, Lord? Why aren't things changing? I've prayed, I've been involved in ministries, I've contributed...." and our list goes on. But always God is working and many times there are spiritual battles occurring that we don't see. Trust. Be still. Wait upon the Lord.

But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I." (John 5:17)  He is working behind the scenes to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!" (Ephesians 3:20)

Friends

How many friends do you have? How many names are listed in the contact section of your phone? How many Facebook friends and Twitter followers do you have?

What would happen if you invited them to church?

Surveys have repeatedly shown that over 80% of people currently not involved in church would consider visiting if someone asked them. What about your friend?

Find out on Friend Sunday, March 1, at NHBC. During the month of February, we will be sharing ways you can invite your friends to be a part of this special day. Start praying now to think of friends you can invite - it will be a day to remember!

Joshua 1:9

It's been cloudy for days and days lately. And now it is so very cold....with even colder temperatures to come. But we know Spring will come. It always comes. We can count on it.

However, today it is so good to see the sun. Did it disappear during the cloudy days? Was it completely gone from the world? No, we knew it was there even when we couldn't see it for the clouds.

Life gets that way sometimes. Day after day when life seems dreary and we feel we can't see the "Son." It feels cold and dreary and we long for those times to pass. But then, too, the Son is there...He always is, we can count on it. What a wonderful promise for the New Year!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.