Church guide

Some people will make judgments on a book by its cover and never open the book. But what really determines a book is not the cover, but the content in the book. The same is true with people. So many miss a blessing by the way they treat and judge others. They notice another’s appearance or the way they speak, or their color, where they live, the clothes they wear, their occupation and never get to know them so they automatically don’t care too much for them. So, when is it a time to make a distinction between good from evil or right and wrong, or to discern correctly, or to Judge? What does God’s word teach? Favoritism and Judgement James 2:1-4, Lk 6:37-45,7:36-50, John 7:34

What prayers do you keep on praying that you feel never reach God’s ears? I want to remind you that God is not deaf to your prayers. He is not blind to your constant tears, to your desires, or to your needs. If He is making you wait, there is a very good reason for it. If He is telling you “no” today, maybe it’s because He has a better “yes” waiting for you tomorrow. If He is keeping you in the same place you’ve always been today, maybe it’s because He’s helping build your faith before you enter your Promised Land tomorrow. If He is not healing you or bringing you victory today, maybe it’s because you will have a greater testimony when He waits to help you be an overcomer tomorrow. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him Psalm 37:7

The greatest kindness expects nothing, comes with no strings attached, and places no conditions on anything done or said. It simply comes down to having empathy for others. Having an understanding and some compassion the way you would expect it to be given to you. And yes, life has hit some very hard, but is that a reason to go out of the way to make those around you miserable? Maybe if we try to simply care about others even as we take care of ourselves it would be a better world.? ….in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Phil. 2:3-4, Ephesians 4:32 Worship will be about 45 minutes beginning @11 AM Sunday, June 30

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way! Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to our God, giving more time for our family, taking time to read etc. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness.

As today is Father's Day we naturally think about our fathers. But do we think about our Heavenly Father? I know He is so good to me and treats me better than I deserve, even when I've messed up. I have learned He is the best provider and gives the greatest advice. I have learned when I have put a distance between us and I am sinking He is teaching me to rely on him and I need to reach out and take his hand. He knows everything about me, and still loves and cares about me. He loves you too. If you have stepped away, or distanced yourself from the father, today is a great day to come back to him. He is forgiving and is waiting with open arms. Luke 15:11 Heartland Church 106 Helm St. 11AM

We are treated better than we deserve. When there's no other options , no other place to turn to , He is waiting patiently with open arms, always wanting the best for his children. The father never said" I told you so." No matter what you and I have done, we can always come back to the Father. He's always loving, kind, and caring but we have to take that first step.

Nothing came from their toiling all night long. I can imagine they were worn out, tired and irritated. Their great miracle happened only when they were willing to allow Jesus into their boat It was the same fishing method, same fishermen, same lake, same boat The only difference was, they allowed Jesus to into their boat What difference will Jesus make in your life when you step out on faith and allow Jesus into your “boat”, or your home, finances, or your life ? There was a miracle in the boat 06 09 2019

We will not be having worship services May 26. We will resume our regular 11 AM worship on June 2.

What in the world was He thinking? Good thing He didn’t live in a me, me, me world as so many do today. It seems thinking of others and their needs is not the norm. It’s “you need to do for me first, and I may or may not do for you.” As a believer, Jesus calls you and I to serve the way He served, but we can often justified to not do it.. Why would Jesus wash the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him to an agonizing death? Or wash the feet of someone He knew would deny knowing Him and desert Him? And even as He was being arrested, healed an injured man. Even forgave as he was hanging, dying on the cross. He even made sure his mother had someone to care for her. He loved deeply and wasn’t thinking about Himself or his needs, that’s for sure. What about you?

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it until he dropped one of the balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone. Excited the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he just threw it away. It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person by God. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth. May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them

God chose mothers for a most incredible mission. They have the remarkable ability to change the world for their children and her family. With a gentle kiss, they can be the doctors when a child skins their knee. They are comforters when their child’s heart needs comfort. They are the bank when a small loan is needed or the Taxi driver to all those well-planned events. No one deserves a special day all to herself more than a mother. One woman was desperate with concern for her child’s healing, so she goes to Jesus and the crowd, the embarrassment, and the fear did not stop her. It was made clear that His healing wasn’t for her and “ her kind.” She could have lost her focus and gotten angry or bitter and went away sad … But she was quick to show her wisdom and her great faith, as little as it was. A great reminder that just a crumb of faith will feed a great need in our lives A mother’s crumb 05 12 2019 11Am Heartland Church of Christ

The success of a race is determined not only by how well you begin but also by how well you end. If we want to finish the race well, we as believers, must not only remember who is around us AND IN US, but we also must remove what is on us. We are encouraged, “to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” In a race, the lighter you are, the better. It makes no sense to enter a race with weights hanging around your neck. Take them off, once for all! We have much "baggage" at times. All of us have “stuff” sometimes and instead of giving them over to the Lord and trusting Him, we carry our burdens around with us. I am on my way to the finish line and will get that promised crown that waits for me. Are you keeping your sights on Jesus as you finish the race? Fix your crown, it’s leaning 1Co 9:24-27 2Ti 4:7,8 Phm 1:23-25 2Tim 4:9-11

Something to think about; The life you and I live is in comparison to a race. Every person is in a race whether they realize it or not. In hopes of winning the first leg of the Kentucky Derby, riders and their horses will begin “the most exciting two minutes in horse racing” and hope to win the Triple Crown. As believers there is hope in a promised Eternal Crown. And although we cross the finish line at different times, we still get that Crown that will last forever. Continue to run your race like a marathon, not a sprint every second of the day. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2Ti 4:7,8 Sunday , May 5th , 11AM Heartland Church of Christ

What are you needing in your life? Do you need peace? Acceptance? Love? Freedom? I believe the world needs a Savior? Someone who understands and has been through some terrible struggles them self? Do you know Him or have you heard of Him? His name is Jesus. I am inviting you to worship with us Sunday morning @ 11. Casual dress, work clothes are just fine. We just ask and desire that you come. God only wants your heart. We will spend a moment in prayer, sing a few songs, hear from God’s Word about the death, burial, and resurrection, and then we will participate in the Lord’s Supper. Our services will be about an hour and we would love for you to join us. Come hear “HOW BODY PIERCING SAVED MY SOUL”

If you were sitting on the railroad tracks and a train was coming, whistles and bells sounding, lights flashing. You could make one of three decisions. 1. You could totally ignore the train and live like it was not coming. – Until it hit you. 2. You could say, “It’s a long way off. I still have time. I’ll just wait until it gets closer. – Problem, You are still sitting on the track. 3. You could heed the warning and get off the track and be saved. Only one of these responses will save your life. Which one have you made? Are there any legitimate excuses for not moving off the tracks? What about in our relationship with the Lord? Am I too busy? I have too many distractions? I have to get my life right first? God and I are still working on mine. You and I can’t do it alone. I believe, it takes Jesus. Has God been sending invitation after invitation for you to attend the great banquet and you’ve been excusing it away? We too can resist or delay responding to God’s invitation, and our excuses may sound reasonable. I believe God’s invitation is such an important event in our lives Are we making excuses to avoid responding to God’s invitation? Jesus reminds us that the time will come when God will pull his invitation and offer it to others —then it will be too late to get into the banquet. Luke 9:57-59, 14:16-24, Romans 1:18-20 That’s just an excuse 11AM

Something to think about ; He had wealth, he had position, he even obeyed the Commandments so he thought he was all right. But Jesus says there was something keeping him from eternal life. The man could have changed something, but he valued something else so much more. I believe eternal life with God is the most important thing ever? Is there something else grabbing our attention we feel that's more important? Unfortunately many do, unfortunately many do not care. It's been an eternity with God should be first and foremost on any to-do list. E believe People have got to get a relationship with God through Jesus Christ or there is no hope.

What has happened to two or more getting together to just pray about stuff? Maybe a little prayer about the world situation? Or your life or health situation? Or work circumstances? We should be pleading daily with God for the things that concern not only our lives but the lives of others. Jesus says in Luke 18 “don’t give up” but to be bold and persistent in your asking , expecting God to answer. PRAY CONTINUALLY; Pray all the time, without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances Give thanks in all things…that is what God wants for you and me 1Th 5:17,18

Who knocks on a door one time and walks away? Shouldn’t we do it multiple times until there’s an answer? Have you stopped knocking or PUSHING toward God because of things happening in your life? Life gets tough and things come up . We encourage you to keep knocking on His door. He will answer. It sometimes may be a different answer than you desire but in His wisdom He will answer. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened Literally means: "keep on Asking" and it will be given to you "keep on Seeking" and you will find "keep on Knocking" and it will be opened to you It never says you will open the door, but the door will be opened to you …and that by God Maybe you’ve been praying quite some time, and things haven’t gotten any better yet–maybe things seem to be getting worse, hold on. God always answers prayer in His way and at the time that it will give Him the most honor and glory. When you PUSH toward God! Sunday March 24, 11AM

Something to think about today, “ if God treated you the way you treated others would you be encouraged ?” In the movie, Flywheel, Jay is a selfish used car dealer who over-charges, bilks and lies to his customers. He has taught his employees to do the same. He mocks church and owes the bank a considerable amount of money. His wife prays for him and tries to witness to him, but he is rude to her. He ignores their son and thinks he’s fulfilling his role as father and husband by bringing home the money. One day when he overcharges the pastor of his church, the reverend prays innocently, thinking he got a good deal “that God will treat Jay, as well as Jay has treated him”. Jay soon realizes the implications and is brought to his knees literally as the Lord works to straighten his crooked path.. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32(ESV)

We have canceled services this morning. We will resume next Sunday, February 17th. We want to leave you a with something to think about, for the week, as you trust God. When a silversmith refines silver, he is sure it is put into the hottest part of the fire. So, all the impurities would be burned away. He also has to watch it all times to make sure it was not in there too long. If it was there too long it would be ruined. How does he know when it is done”? When he sees his reflection in it. So, it is with God and those He loves. In our lives God sees fit to put us in the hottest part of the fire, but God will not let us stay in it so long that we will be destroyed. But he will leave us there until all the impurities are burned away and He sees His reflection in us. Can God see His reflection in you? He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. Malachi 3:3