House for Sale

Denise and Robert Webb built the home of their dreams overlooking Lake Whitney in Central Texas. The home had a commanding view of the lake one from one of of the prime lots in the area. The Webbs enjoyed the pristine views and beautiful sunsets. All was well, except for one small detail.

The land under the house fell off into the lake.

Fortunately, the process took several weeks, and the Webbs were able to safely remove most of their property. They even burned the house to the ground, hoping to keep debris from the house out of the lake. Eventually, the entire cliff where they had built their dream home collapsed into the waters below.

Realtors around the country then recited their mantra, "Location, location, location" - and checked the foundations of all their current listings.

It's always a good idea to check your foundation. This week, we will read how Hebrews 10:23-24 describes the sure foundation we have in Christ, and how that knowledge can spur us to love and good deeds.

See you Sunday!

Here this message at http://nhbcspringfield.sermon.net/mca/main/main/20629990

Time Change

This weekend we are supposed to "Spring Forward." The only thing I like about that phrase is the word, "Spring!" I will miss that hour of sleep until we "Fall Back!"

One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians 5:16, where it speaks of redeeming the time. We often speak of making the most of every opportunity, time being short, etc. However, I read an interesting commentary that brought in the fact that to redeem is to gain or regain possession of something. We regain our time to be used for good things rather than bad. God redeems us so we can be restored and used for good. 

I'll still miss that hour of sleep....but maybe now I won't waste time grumbling about it!

Tickets, Please

 It's almost time for post season college basketball tournaments, otherwise known as March Madness. One March I saw my dad get mad when we tried to go to an NIT game, and all the tickets had been sold to scalpers who would gladly sell you a seat a four times to original price. The practice was supposed to be illegal where we lived, a fact my dad shared with the police officer we found standing about twenty feet from a half dozen of the guys scalping tickets. The officer was very apologetic, but admitted there was little he could do.

So my dad and I went home and watched the game on TV.

No ticket, no entry. In Hebrews 10:19-22, the Bible explains that Jesus has made it possible for us to enter the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God. We will explore this extraordinary truth in this week's message.

See you Sunday!

Listen to this message at http://nhbcspringfield.sermon.net/mca/main/main/20624791

The Right Goal

When you make a shot in basketball, it's always a good idea to be at the correct goal. Just ask the Laker's Larry Nance Jr., who inadvertently scored two points - for the Clippers.

http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/los-angeles-lakers-larry-nance-christmas-day-own-wrong-basket-tip-putback-rebound-122515

This week's message focuses on the importance of aiming at the correct goal in life - giving praise to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

See you Sunday!

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

The Winning Score

My wife taught me a new game last week. The final score: Vaughn - 189; Marsha - 13. Great victory...for her. The object of the game was to have the lowest score. I only missed it by 176 points.

Sometimes we look at all the evil in this world and might be tempted to think we are losing the battle. If we do, we forget what this week's passage tells us:

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 (NIV84)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We know the winning score!

See you Sunday!

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

School Days

I love our Bible Study class. I love the people, the teacher, the discussion, the textbook, the laughter, the sharing of prayer requests and praises--but there's one thing I really DON'T like! It never lasts long enough. I feel like a sponge each week, soaking up the information from God's word, finding out more from the teacher's perspective and the thought-provoking discussions. I always leave feeling such thankfulness, but I want MORE!

And then I remember...one day, class will be in session for all eternity, as we sit at the feet of THE Teacher...the One Who knows it ALL, the One Who wrote the book. The characters we have studied will be in class with us. And there will be those same friends who I enjoy every Sunday morning...and we'll all be in class together again...laughing and sharing...and rejoicing. And because of what He did for me, when attendance is taken, I will be able to say, "Present!" Truly, what a day that will be!

Indescribable

Some things are hard to describe. The website "The Daily Edge" lists things that are difficult or impossible to describe. Find a friend and try to:

• Describe a color, without using the name of a color.

• Describe the difference between left and right.

• Describe what water tastes like.

• Describe the color of a mirror.

Paul found something he simply could not find a word to adequately describe so he made one up. This week, we look at 2 Corinthians 9:15, where Paul describes God's indescribable grace.

See you Sunday!

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