August 18, 2013
Theme 2013: Give God Glory
There is a game that has been played by millions throughout the history of the world called "Hide and Seek." The game itself required that any number of individuals would agree to run and hide in various places while another identified individual assumed the role of searching for each hidden participant. The rules of the game called for the ones searching to allow time for each participant to find a satisfactory hiding place before starting the search. Many who have played the game may recall how the one searching would cover their eyes and count to 100 by fives and then call out "ready or not here I come." Yes, there would often be that participant who would respond by saying "not ready" hoping to be granted additional time for hiding. There would also be those participants who when found would say to the one searching, "you were peeking..." in hopes of being given another opportunity to hide again. Then again, there were those who readily acknowledged having been found and willingly surrendered to the one searching. Well, the truth of the matter is this, the game of hide and seek continues in real life with countless individuals who seek to hide their true selves from The Lord.
The difference in the childhood game and the real-life struggle of trying to hide from The Lord is that at the end of the childhood game the searcher stops looking. However, in the real life struggle where many try to hide their sins from The Lord, those participants learn quickly that The Lord never stops looking for the day when every participant will willlingly open up to receive Him into their hearts.
Today we celebrate annual Homecoming service with the many friends and family members of the Carter Hill Church family. It is my hope that each and everyone has already responded to the knock of Christ. Revelation 3:20 reminds us that there has been an invitation extended by Christ to all who will receive it saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." My question to each of you is this, Have you opened up your heart to The Lord and let him in? If not, NOW is the time to do so. LET HIM IN!
Pastor Brown
There is a game that has been played by millions throughout the history of the world called "Hide and Seek." The game itself required that any number of individuals would agree to run and hide in various places while another identified individual assumed the role of searching for each hidden participant. The rules of the game called for the ones searching to allow time for each participant to find a satisfactory hiding place before starting the search. Many who have played the game may recall how the one searching would cover their eyes and count to 100 by fives and then call out "ready or not here I come." Yes, there would often be that participant who would respond by saying "not ready" hoping to be granted additional time for hiding. There would also be those participants who when found would say to the one searching, "you were peeking..." in hopes of being given another opportunity to hide again. Then again, there were those who readily acknowledged having been found and willingly surrendered to the one searching. Well, the truth of the matter is this, the game of hide and seek continues in real life with countless individuals who seek to hide their true selves from The Lord.
The difference in the childhood game and the real-life struggle of trying to hide from The Lord is that at the end of the childhood game the searcher stops looking. However, in the real life struggle where many try to hide their sins from The Lord, those participants learn quickly that The Lord never stops looking for the day when every participant will willlingly open up to receive Him into their hearts.
Today we celebrate annual Homecoming service with the many friends and family members of the Carter Hill Church family. It is my hope that each and everyone has already responded to the knock of Christ. Revelation 3:20 reminds us that there has been an invitation extended by Christ to all who will receive it saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." My question to each of you is this, Have you opened up your heart to The Lord and let him in? If not, NOW is the time to do so. LET HIM IN!
Pastor Brown