What About Eternity?

Have you ever considered eternity? Have you tried to wrap your mind around how much time that is? The length of your lifetime is nothing compared to eternity. A minuscule speck. Smaller than the size of the period at the end of this sentence in comparison to the whole page. Or a whole book. Or all the books in the world. Eternity never stops. It’s impossible to wrap your head around.
 
Eternity is so incomprehensible, in fact, that sometimes we neglect to think about it at all.
 
Think about how little we consider eternity, even on those long, clear drives when we have some free time on our hands. How much less do we think about it when there’s something right here, right now pleading for our brain space.
 
When I have a headache, my mind isn’t on eternity. My mind is in my head, trying to figure out how to ease the pain. And if the headache is bad enoughmaybe a migrainemy mind isn’t even on what’s happening in the room around me. I’m completely caught up in eradicating the pain, and everything outside of my head is defined by its relationship to the headache. “The lights are too bright, the music  is too loud, and the twins are too rambunctious! Someone take the kids! I have to get rid of this headache!” 
 
The same hyper-focus can also happen on a large scale, as many feel the ache of a national or global tragedy. When the “headache” gets too severe, our minds throb with pain and all other thoughts become secondary to suppressing or removing it. My mom couldn’t think when the Twin Towers were hit. I couldn’t think when George Floyd died.
 
This is when it’s most important to consider eternity. 
 
This week during Bible study I came across an eye-opening albeit challenging text about eternity in John 18 when Jesus has just been turned over to Pontious Pilate for questioning. By the time he stands before Pilate, he has already been bound, betrayed and denied by his disciples, slapped, spat on, and mocked by the Jewish officials—all while anticipating the suffering still to come. Yet when he is brought in front of a man he already knows will hand him over to unrighteous judgment, his mind is on eternity:
 
“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” (John 18:36 NIV)
 
Here is Jesus, the ultimate recipient of not only personal injustice but also the comprehensive sins of the world, and he is focused on eternity. What a challenging lead to follow! To walk through undeserved hatred and abuse yet to hold to his calling so firmly that it couldn’t overwhelm his mind. What focus!
 
This is where vision meets purpose. 
 
There is plenty of work to do on earth, and preparation can’t be done by simply daydreaming of life in heaven, so let’s talk about “the other hand.” 
 
If I spend every moment of my life on earth focused only on eternity, I will be useless to others. I won’t be able to support my friends, I won’t be able to lead my team, my husband won’t have a helper, and my kids won’t have any of my attention. “Mom, I have a headache!” “Sorry, son, busy thinking about heaven.” What a wasted life on earth! 
 
So instead we need to balance the two—vision (heaven) and purpose (earth)—as Christ did. Our ultimate vision is heaven, and our purpose is to bring people there, to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). It’s not enough to think about eternity if we haven’t made our lives’ work about it.
 
Right now my question is, how do we lead people if we can’t see them? How can we help if we don’t know what they need or aren’t willing to listen? There’s often a barrier between eternal vision and earthly purpose, and it’s not heaven, and it’s not other people. It’s a wall of personal offense, and it stops us from seeing both simultaneously. Philippians 2:3-8 gives some insight to overcoming this blind spot:
 
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
 
Right here is the bridge between heaven-focus and people-focus: humility, modeled in Christ. Through humility, he was able to cast his own “headaches” aside to focus both on eternity and the value of the people he came to save.
 
We spend so much time—particularly in the recent heat of national suffering—caught up in offense, anxiety, and division to the point that we forget: this life is not the point. Eternity is the point. But this life is a tool… an opportunity… to prepare ourselves and others for eternity. Not to be the loudest voice in an argument but to demonstrate the most compassion. To zealously care for others. To support fellow believers through sincere fellowship when they are hurting. To win wars through prayer and worship. To draw people in through humility and genuine love. To show what Christ was like not by just talking about him but by being like him. Christ was eternity-focused. Kingdom-focused. People-focused. He was obedient to God’s call for him on earth while looking to God’s future for him in heaven.
 

If you are spending your brain space caged in anger about what is happening now or anxiety about what happens next, remember the Kingdom. If you are finding yourself unaware or closed off to the struggling lives around you, remember how we prepare ourselves and others for the Kingdom. And if you get lost and don’t know where to start, look to Jesus’ example, the bridge between people and heaven as he walked out his purpose on earth, ever-focused on eternity: “and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 2:2).

 

Before I leave this blog, I want to give you a foundation to prepare for eternity by living each day fulfilling your purpose. Again, it’s not enough to think about eternity if we haven’t made our lives’ work about it! This is how we lead others into God’s Kingdom:

    • Scripture: Read up on God’s purpose for you. Christ stood firmly in his God-given purpose on earth—the outcome of eyes fixed on God’s Kingdom. We need to do the same. But how did Jesus gain such a sound grasp of his purpose? Scripture and prayer! What has God asked you to do here on earth to lead others to His Kingdom? 
      • “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
      • “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
      • “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:18-19. Here, Jesus was reading from Isaiah’s prophecy about his purpose on earth, which we now carry out in our own lives as a reflection of him.
      • “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28
      • “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:27
  • Prayer: Ask God fervently for direction to move.
    • “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
    • “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
  • Action: Humbly and deeply reflect on where you stand in your faith and then do something about it. Does your vision match your purpose, or does your faith lack action? What can you improve on here on earth to more accurately represent the Kingdom?
    • “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22. Really, verses 19-27 are so ripe for this time… I encourage you to read the whole chapter!
    • “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
    • “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:15-17
    • “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
  • Consider your legacy. One day you will be moving fully into eternity, and only your legacy will remain on earth. Have conversations (even the hard ones) with your family to ensure that those in your home are serving the Almighty. Train your children by example to follow godly footsteps.
    • “. . . as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15 
    • “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
 
In Love, 
Catherine Lexvold

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Heart of the Father

As I look out my window and see trees and blue skies it is very easy for me to feel as if this is the world in which we live. My home is peaceful and other than the hustle and bustle of a family living within, there is a tremendous calm.
 
Let me contrast that to the fear, heartache and misery I see every time I hear the news or see a social media feed. It feels like a hopeless sea of hatred, violence and unrest. We see crisis after crisis and endless tears being shed.
 
As I sit down to pray and listen, I hear, “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28-30.
 
The Lord sees the anguish and heartache in the world today. He tells us to come to Him to find our comfort, our peace and our source. He is what we need in this season of so much turmoil. As we watch others go through hurt, we are to be filled with a heart of compassion. The verse above shows us the heart of a father.
 
Our Lord has a heart of compassion and mercy. John 11 tells us about how Jesus came upon the scene of his friend Mary weeping for her brother. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and JESUS WEPT. You may wonder, “Why did He weep when he knew he was going to call Lazarus back to life?” Jesus saw the heartache. He was and is still a compassionate Lord. Over and over the Word describes Jesus as truly seeing the broken, hurting and hopeless. Jesus came to heal and restore. These are the people he came for.
 
In this season of division and pain, we are called to unite as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to ask the Lord to break our hearts for what breaks His heart. Do not stop there. Take another step and ask the Lord how you can best be his hands and feet. We are called to put a guard over our tongues. Speak softly, thoughtfully, and with compassion. If what you are about to say will not lift someone else up, stop.
 
If you feel helpless to make a difference, start at home! Is your home full of God’s peace? Can you make a difference for a neighbor or someone you run into at the grocery store? Can you reach out to a friend you haven’t checked on in awhile and pray peace over them? The Holy Spirit is always speaking to us, ready to give words of compassion. We just need to listen and obey.
 
Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
 
God created each of us in His own image. As you look at and respond to others, remember that they also are created in the image of God. We are each created to have a heart of compassion, no matter the circumstances.
 
Psalm 103:11-13 – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
 
People will not know we are Christians by how loud we are but by the love we show, through our words and through our actions.
 
Our time here on the earth is not long. We have only this time to show the heart and love of the Father to those around us. May God touch your spirit with compassion and love for those around you. If you have this desire, please pray this prayer today:
 
Dear Jesus,
I pray you give me a heart of love and compassion. To step boldly where you tell me to and step back as you lead. Please let my words be your words and my actions line up with the desires you have for my life. Please help others to see you through me. I give my whole life over to you. Use me as you see fit. In Jesus Mighty Name – Amen.
 
Philippians 3:20 – But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
 
In love, 
Kathryn Broadwater

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We Have Great News!

High Point Family!
 
We have great news! We will be meeting LIVE IN THE SANCTUARY this Sunday, May 31 at 9 & 11 AM.
 
We love you, we miss you, and we are so excited to be together again!
 
Please know that there is no pressure to attend if you do not yet feel comfortable. You can still join us online until you are ready to come back.
 
As we reopen, we’ve been asked to follow these guidelines to keep everyone safe and protected.
 
  1. If you or anyone in your household has symptoms, we ask that no one in your household attend service.
  2. Services will begin promptly at 9 and 11 AM and our main doors will open at 8:30 and 10:30 AM respectively.
  3. Coffee will be prepared and served by our cafe team and available only 30 minutes prior to service start.
  4. You are welcome to wear a face mask or gloves if you wish, but it is not required.
  5. We will observe social distancing on the property at this time, including seating and row spacing in the Sanctuary.
  6. Since we will not have children’s classes or nursery yet, please bring your children to service with you. We will have an activity bag for them!
  7. Persons from the same household sitting together would help us to maximize our seating during this time. Ushers will help you with seating.
  8. For your safety, all touched surfaces will continually be cleaned and sanitized before, during, and after the services.
  9. We will temporarily clear the building from 10:15-10:30 to sanitize for our 11 AM service.
  10. We love you and appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time.
 
We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other church attendees, volunteers and staff.
 
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
 
– Pastors Shaun and Amy

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God’s Favor is for Today!

Happy May to all of you wonderful, amazing children of the Most High God! Easter and Spring are both magnificent reminders of God’s love. Whatever challenges you are currently facing, Jesus has made a way to victory! With the current virus situation going on and many places closed, the Lord has been reminding me in prayer each morning this week — HIS THRONE ROOM IS ALWAYS OPEN!
 
Speaking of His throne room always being open, we had something unique happen at our house this week. Shaun had the random thought that he should put his hand behind our dresser drawers (which are very hard to pull out) to see if any papers had fallen behind. When he did, he pulled out one neat, clean paper that neither of us remember ever seeing before! We have no idea where it came from. Across the top it says “Favor Confessions,” and it shares many scriptures that are written in first person. We took this as a sign from God that we are supposed to be declaring His word regarding favor much more right now, not only over our family, but over each one of you! (I’ll share some of these confessions with you at the end).
 
 
God has favor and peace on His mind for you. It is essential to our faith and victory that we keep God’s word and promises in our eyes, ears, and mouth during this time so that we don’t yield to fear and unbelief. I’ve noticed that it’s times like these in which God loves to give the biggest breakthroughs. It’s just more proof that He’s the God of the impossible!
 
 
This week, instead of going to a specific reading place during my time with the Lord, I have flipped my favorite Bible open randomly. For four days now I have landed on Isaiah 43, in which I have several verses highlighted. It’s like God speaking directly to me every morning to make sure I stay in the right frame of mind. I’d encourage you to highlight them in your Bible, too! Here they are:
 
 
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT) “…Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
 
Isaiah 43:19-20 (NLT) “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.”
 
Isaiah 44:3 (NLT) “For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.”
 
 
Aren’t these encouraging words? God has a plan for you and your family! Do not be afraid! Keep your eyes on Him and your words on His promises! I’ll wrap up today with some of the favor confessions that were on the paper we found!
 
 
1. The favor of God is on me and goes before me. I live in the state of God’s favor every minute of every day (Rom. 5:2).
 
2. I am growing in divine favor (2 Peter 3:18), and I expect it all the time.
 
3. The favor of God produces supernatural increase and promotion in my life (Genesis 39:21).
 
4. The favor of God produces restoration of everything the enemy has stolen from me (Exodus 11:3).
 
5. The favor of God produces great victories in my life in the midst of great impossibilities (Joshua 11:20).
 
6. The favor of God causes policies, rules, regulations, and laws to be changed and reversed to my advantage (Esther 8:5).
 
7. The favor of God produces battles won which I won’t even have to fight because God will fight them for me (Psalm 44:3).
 
8. Thank you, Lord, that you will be leaning toward me with favor and regard for me, rendering me fruitful, multiplying me and establishing and ratifying your covenant with me (Leviticus 26:9).
 
9. Thank you, Lord, that I walk in favor with You and with man (Luke 2:52; Acts 2:47).
 
10. Thank you, Father, that Your favor is on me for a lifetime (Psalm 30:5).
 
 
With love and peace, 
Pastors Shaun & Amy

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Always Open

 

Happy Resurrection month to all of you wonderful, amazing children of the Most High God! Easter and Spring are both magnificent reminders of God’s love. Whatever challenges you are currently facing, Jesus has made a way to victory! With the current virus situation going on and many places closed, the Lord has been reminding me in prayer each morning this week — HIS THRONE ROOM IS ALWAYS OPEN!

Speaking of His throne room always being open, we had something unique happen at our house this week. Shaun had the random thought that he should put his hand behind our dresser drawers (which are very hard to pull out) to see if any papers had fallen behind. When he did, he pulled out one neat, clean paper that neither of us remember ever seeing before! We have no idea where it came from. Across the top it says “Favor Confessions,” and it shares many scriptures that are written in first person. We took this as a sign from God that we are supposed to be declaring His word regarding favor much more right now, not only over our family, but over each one of you! (I’ll share some of these confessions with you at the end).
 
God has favor and peace on His mind for you. It is essential to our faith and victory that we keep God’s word and promises in our eyes, ears, and mouth during this time so that we don’t yield to fear and unbelief. I’ve noticed that it’s times like these in which God loves to give the biggest breakthroughs. It’s just more proof that He’s the God of the impossible!
 
This week, instead of going to a specific reading place during my time with the Lord, I have flipped my favorite Bible open randomly. For four days now I have landed on Isaiah 43, in which I have several verses highlighted. It’s like God speaking directly to me every morning to make sure I stay in the right frame of mind. I’d encourage you to highlight them in your Bible, too! Here they are:
 
 
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT) “…Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
 
Isaiah 43:19-20 (NLT) “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.”
 
Isaiah 44:3 (NLT) “For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.”
 
 
Aren’t these encouraging words? God has a plan for you and your family! Do not be afraid! Keep your eyes on Him and your words on His promises! I’ll wrap up today with some of the favor confessions that were on the paper we found!
 
 
1. The favor of God is on me and goes before me. I live in the state of God’s favor every minute of every day (Rom. 5:2).
 
2. I am growing in divine favor (2 Peter 3:18), and I expect it all the time.
 
3. The favor of God produces supernatural increase and promotion in my life (Genesis 39:21).
 
4. The favor of God produces restoration of everything the enemy has stolen from me (Exodus 11:3).
 
5. The favor of God produces great victories in my life in the midst of great impossibilities (Joshua 11:20).
 
6. The favor of God causes policies, rules, regulations, and laws to be changed and reversed to my advantage (Esther 8:5).
 
7. The favor of God produces battles won which I won’t even have to fight because God will fight them for me (Psalm 44:3).
 
8. Thank you, Lord, that you will be leaning toward me with favor and regard for me, rendering me fruitful, multiplying me and establishing and ratifying your covenant with me (Leviticus 26:9).
 
9. Thank you, Lord, that I walk in favor with You and with man (Luke 2:52; Acts 2:47).
 
10. Thank you, Father, that Your favor is on me for a lifetime (Psalm 30:5).
 

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