Feb 1, 2026 – Commission
Church of the Highlands (COTH) is commemorating 25 years today! Very good service honoring the past and looking to the future with this new mantra, “Build on legacy and advance for impact” and focusing on “The Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18-20. I loved what Pastor Mark Pettus said at the end of the service because it’s something that has been on my heart so much as I watch disturbing news stories. I realize there have been disturbing times all throughout the centuries; so, this is nothing new for God, but it’s new and potentially defeating for many of us. Pettus alluded to what is going on around us, saying, “The world is dark… Church of the Highlands was made for this.” We should each take this as our great commission to choose the high road of positive believing, thinking, speaking and then go forth and serve in order to reach those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior.
Utmost is interestingly (divinely) entitled, “The Call of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17 – “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” Chambers points out, “Paul states here that the call of God is to preach the gospel; but remember what Paul means by ‘the gospel’ viz., the reality of Redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are apt to make sanctification the end-all of our preaching…. we are commissioned to lift up Jesus Christ (John 12:32)…. We tax His energies from morning till night for things for ourselves – something for me to be delivered from! ….[Paul} welcomed heart-breaks, disillusionments, tribulation, for one reason only, because these things kept him in unmoved devotion to the Gospel of God.”
Power – Habakkuk 2:2 – “And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.” This is not just important on the walls of places of worship but also in our homes and other places of influence. Interestingly, COTH’s foundational verse is from Habukkuk (verse 3:19) and they remind us that the journey is one step at a time. Joyce encourages, “Begin to believe in something for your life. I always say, ‘I’d rather believe for a lot and get a little of it than believe for nothing and get all of it’…. God wants us to make progress. Begin to dream on purpose.” During last week’s sermon, Pastor Chris Hodges told us how the Highlands Dream Team came to be named such. Dreaming is an important part of our faith journey.
Max – Hebrews 13:16 – “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Max suggests, “Set out to alter the joy level of a hundred people over the next forty days. Pray for people, serve more, practice patience, and bring out the best in people. Keep a journal…. At the end of forty days, would your world be different? Would you be different?”
Prevail #32 – Larson draws from Deuteronomy 1:31, when Moses was pointing out God’s provision to the Israelites, as she writes, “How often do we blame God for our own self-induced misery? And yet, through all of it, the Lord remains steady and faithful…. What He did for the Israelites, He’ll do for you: He goes before you. He will fight for you. He will care for you…. Honor Him and trust Him today.”
JC – “Follow Me one step at a time…. You see huge mountains looming…. Meanwhile, because you’re not looking where you’re going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now…. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for the strenuous climb…. Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence.”
Streams – Cowman draws from the writings of Laura A. Barter Snow, “Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns Me too? ….Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? ‘This is my doing.’ [1 Kings 12:24] I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident – you are exactly where I meant for you to be…. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will…. The pain will leave as you learn to see Me in all things.”
