Highlights Articles

Pick It Up

Highlights Articles

The most recent of my "publications" in our
monthly newsletter, "Highlights at First."

August 2006

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

…Some things never change. The price of gas does. Gas prices have been the topic of conversation for some time now. We hear about it nearly everyday. Every one of us is affected by it. We question what we can do to change it. We reminisce of the 97¢ per gallon days and when $1.29 was out of this world. We rejoice when we find a “deal” for $2.79, thinking “how cheap!” It causes uneasiness within us as we are unsure how to budget for the rising cost of gasoline. We fill up today because we fear the prices will only be higher come tomorrow. Lifestyles are altered because of the above and we question what’s next.

As I filled up the Olds’ last week, I thanked Jesus. Not for the outrageous $36 I had just pumped into the tank, but for the price He paid for me. The price of salvation doesn’t fluctuate based on the happenings overseas. There is no reminiscing of the “good ol’ days” because the price of forgiveness was never less than it is now. The price of Eternity with Jesus doesn’t put a pinch on the pocket book.

As the numbers were calculating on the pump, I sat in the car and thought about this. I was reminded that we can “fill up” every day and it doesn’t cost us anything. But if we fill up with anything other than Him, we really never get filled. When we fill up with Jesus, His love, and the grace of His father – we no longer have to deal with uneasiness within. Regardless if you “fill up” today, or did years ago – the price remains the same: free. And yes – your lifestyle is radically altered because of it – because of Him.

Hebrews 13:8 reveals to us this very truth, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” OPEC doesn’t give us that same promise for gas prices, but what great assurance we have from God’s written Truth!

Thankfully, some things never change.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6

JUNE 2006
SUMMER!
We just kicked off the education year last month, and we just watched our young ones’ Christmas programs last week and we just celebrated Easter only yesterday…or so it seems.

June is suddenly at our doorstep – the kids are ready to dive into swimming lessons, teenagers have set their alarm clocks for “sleep in,” parents have their line up of ball games to go to, families are packing up for weekly camping trips and boat rides, vacations are in our schedules, and what can we say – summer is here in full force!

In all of that though, I urge you along with myself, to not take a break from the things God has for us here at First, Hull. Wednesday night programs are completed, youth groups are on ‘break,’ and Sunday School will resume in a few months – but just because the programs might be taking a break, doesn’t mean ministry takes a break. Friends, there is work to be done for the Kingdom and we live to build that 12 months a year. There is absolute joy in being greeted with “summer mode” – but in that time of rest, please seriously consider being a Kingdom builder and not an idle bystander.

Please continue to pray for God’s calling in your own life and how He might be calling you to serve in various capacities in the near future. Continue to pray for the leadership in our congregation through the summer months. Pray for our youth sponsors as they make preparations for the upcoming year. Pray for the various committees that meet and make plans in several areas of the life of the church. Pray for the other church staff as they continue to fulfill their call here at Hull FRC. And may I humbly request your prayers for myself as well.

Be encouraged from Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11:

But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it. (The Message)

At the foot of the throne,

anita

"You can impress from a distance,
but you only impact up close."
- Dr. Howard Hendricks