Highland Baptist Church

09/08/2026

Monday — Everything Comes from God

Scripture

Genesis 4:1–2 (CSB)
The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.” She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground.

Historical Context

Genesis was written to God’s people to help them understand their origins and identity. After Adam and Eve’s exile from Eden, the story turns to their children, Cain and Abel. This passage sets the stage for the first acts of worship and giving outside the garden, highlighting humanity’s dependence on God’s provision even after the fall.

Devotional

As the first family begins life outside Eden, we see a new rhythm: work, family, and worship all unfolding in a world marked by God’s grace and their own limitations. Eve's exclamation, “with the Lord’s help,” frames even the most ordinary moments—birth, work, daily life—as gifts from God. Neither Cain nor Abel chose their talents or their place in the family. Abel became a shepherd, Cain a farmer; both roles mattered, and both were rooted in God’s creative provision. Their story reminds the first hearers—and us—that nothing we have, not even our next breath, originates with us.

A modern life can easily blur the line between what is “mine” and what is “gift.” It’s like the child who receives a birthday present with money given by their parent. The joy, the gratitude, the act of giving—all trace back to the parent’s generosity. The same is true for us: our work, our skills, our opportunities flow from God’s hand. When we forget this, gratitude dries up and giving becomes a burden, not a joy.

Today, begin with humility and thanks. Every resource, every talent, every relationship is entrusted to you by God. You are not the sole provider; you are a steward of what He has given. This truth frees us from anxiety and makes room for gratitude, even in the most ordinary routines.

Reflection Questions

Where in your life have you been tempted to think, “I did this on my own”?

How might recognizing God’s provision change your approach to work or family today?

Action Steps

Before your first task today, thank God aloud for three specific things He has provided.

Tell a family member or friend one way you’ve seen God’s help in your life recently.

Do you have a prayer request or question you would like to share with the church staff? Click here

Do you want to receive this via text message? Click here

Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

09/07/2026

God Is Worthy of Our Gifts: Giving as Worship

Scripture Focus: Genesis 4:1–7

When it comes to worship, what is God worth to you? This simple question sits at the heart of our giving and our relationship with God. In Genesis 4, we find a powerful story about two brothers, Cain and Abel, and their offerings to the Lord. Their acts of giving reveal something deeper than a simple religious duty—they reveal the true posture of the heart.

Main Point: Giving Is Worship That Declares God’s Worth

Giving to God is not just about fulfilling a requirement or checking a box. The difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings was not the type of gift, but the heart behind it. Abel gave the first and best of his flock, while Cain simply gave “some” of his produce. This distinction matters. God honored Abel’s offering because it reflected trust, gratitude, and devotion. Our giving is an act of worship that declares God’s worth in our lives.

As the sermon emphasized:
“Worship gives God more than something. Worship gives God first place.”

Why Does God Care About Our Gifts?

Everything we have comes from God. As Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Our possessions, abilities, and resources are gifts from His hand.

Giving reveals our hearts. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Generosity often uncovers what we truly value, where we find our security, and what we fear losing.

God wants our devotion, not our leftovers. Abel’s offering communicated that God was worthy of his trust and gratitude. Cain’s gift, by contrast, exposed a heart content to give God whatever was left.

Action Steps: How to Make Giving Worship

Recognize God as the owner of everything. Begin each day by acknowledging, “Lord, this day, these resources, my work—all are Yours.”

Give God your first and best. Don’t wait to see what’s left over. Decide in advance, prayerfully and deliberately, what generosity will look like for you and your family.

Start where you are. If you’ve never practiced regular giving, begin somewhere. Choose a faithful percentage or amount and let gratitude, not guilt, guide your growth.

Trust God’s faithfulness. The sermon reminds us that, “God will always continue to supply what you need as you increase what you give.” Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing the freedom and joy of open-handed living.

Let giving become a joyful declaration: “God, You are worthy of first place in my life.”

Conclusion: It’s About the Heart

Giving isn’t about impressing God or others. He doesn’t need our money—He desires our hearts. The gospel tells us that God gave us His best in Christ. Because of Jesus’ generosity, we are free to live lives marked by gratitude and trust.

Let your giving reflect a heart that treasures God above all.

A Prayer

Lord, thank You for every good gift You have given me. Help me to remember that I am only a steward of all I have. Give me a heart that trusts You above all else. Teach me to honor You with my first and best, not just what’s left. Transform me to reflect the generosity of Jesus, who gave everything for me. May my giving be an act of worship that declares Your worth in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you want to experience the freedom of giving as worship, start today. God is worthy of our gifts, and He will always be faithful to provide.

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

God is worthy of our gifts—not just any gifts, but our first and our best. This week’s message from Genesis 4:1-7 challenges us to consider: Are we giving God first place in our lives, or just something left over? Worship isn’t just about what we give, but the heart behind it.

How do you keep God first in your daily life? What does giving your “first and best” look like for you? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your perspective!

God is worthy of our gifts—not just any gifts, but our first and our best. This week’s message from Genesis 4:1-7 challenges us to consider: Are we giving God first place in our lives, or just something left over? Worship isn’t just about what we give, but the heart behind it.

How do you keep God first in your daily life? What does giving your “first and best” look like for you? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your perspective!

Series: AWAKEN WORSHIP
Preacher: DR. DAVID HOPKINS
Location: Highland Baptist Church, 3400 27th Street, Meridian, Mississippi, 39305

09/06/2026

Saturday — Remember Jesus Above All

Scripture

Luke 22:19 (CSB)

And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Historical Context

Luke, a physician and careful historian, writes about Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before the crucifixion. In the context of the Passover, Jesus gives new meaning to the bread, pointing to His own sacrifice. “Do this in remembrance of me” is both a command and an invitation for every generation of believers to anchor their hope in the finished work of Christ.

Devotional

At the heart of our remembering is Jesus. In the upper room, on the eve of His suffering, Jesus took ordinary bread and made it an extraordinary sign of His love—a tangible reminder that His body would be broken so we could be made whole. For the disciples, this act would become the center of their worship and the heartbeat of their mission. Jesus commands us to remember—not just once a quarter or on special Sundays, but as a way of life.

Think about how we mark important memories: a photograph, a keepsake, a holiday meal. Each one anchors us in a story bigger than ourselves. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives us a practice that grounds us in His story—the story of rescue, forgiveness, and victory over sin and death. As we gather, break bread, and remember, we proclaim that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough and that our hope is secure in Him.

Let the remembrance of Jesus shape every part of your life today. Whatever you celebrate, whatever you face, let it all be anchored in what Jesus has done for you. His finished work is the reason for every other celebration and the source of lasting hope. In remembering Him, you find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean for you to “remember Jesus” in your daily life?

How does the practice of the Lord’s Supper deepen your gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice?

Where do you need to be reminded that Jesus’ work is enough?

Action Steps

Set aside a few moments to thank Jesus specifically for His sacrifice on your behalf.

If possible, participate in the Lord’s Supper with your church family this week, focusing your heart on remembering Christ.

Write down one way you will keep Jesus at the center of your celebrations and challenges this week.

Do you have a prayer request or question you would like to share with the church staff?

Do you want to receive this via text message?

Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

This Week at a Glance

Weekly Summary

Monday - Began the week by learning to bless God with all that is within us, making worship a wholehearted response.

Tuesday - Explored the discipline of remembering God's benefits and how gratitude shapes our faith.

Wednesday - Reflected on God’s active work of forgiving, healing, redeeming, and loving us, personally and continually.

Thursday - Understood that while we plant and water, only God can give true spiritual growth—freeing us from pride or discouragement.

Friday - Saw how God alone truly satisfies and renews us, especially when we feel weary or empty.

Saturday - Ended the week anchored at the Lord’s Table, remembering that all our celebration and hope are found in Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

09/05/2026

Friday — The Only Fitting Response: Worship

Scripture

Psalm 103:1 (CSB)

My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Historical Context

This psalm is one of David’s most beloved songs of praise. In the ancient world, worship was not just an event but a way of life, a rhythm woven into the daily existence of God’s people. David’s call to “bless the Lord” was both personal and communal—a command to himself and an invitation to all of Israel to respond to God’s goodness with wholehearted worship.

Devotional

David does not settle for a polite thank you; he urges his soul—and ours—to bless the Lord with everything we have. This is worship: not just singing or attending a service, but responding to God’s goodness, faithfulness, and mercy with our whole being. For David, after recalling all that God had done, worship was the only fitting response. It was how he realigned his heart with the truth of who God is.

Imagine a child who, after receiving a long-awaited gift, runs to embrace the giver with joy and gratitude. That’s the picture David paints—a spontaneous, wholehearted outpouring of thanks. In our own lives, worship is the natural overflow of remembering God’s work. When we see how He provides, rescues, forgives, and renews, our hearts are drawn to praise. Even in the midst of busyness or struggle, worship brings us back to the center.

Let your response today be worship, not merely as a routine, but as a living, breathing act of gratitude. Wherever you find yourself—at work, at home, or in the quiet of your heart—offer God your praise for what He has done and for who He is. In worship, you will find your soul refreshed and your perspective renewed by the One who is always worthy.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean for you to bless the Lord “with all that is within” you?

How might worship look different for you today in light of God’s faithfulness?

Where have you experienced worship as a response rather than a ritual?

Action Steps

Set aside five minutes today to praise God aloud, naming specific ways He has shown you His faithfulness.

Sing or listen to a worship song that helps you focus on God’s goodness.

Write a short prayer of worship, expressing your gratitude to God.

Do you have a prayer request or question you would like to share with the church staff?

Do you want to receive this via text message?

Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

09/04/2026

Look What God Has Done: Celebrating God’s Faithfulness and Remembering His Benefits

By Dr. David Hopkins | Highland Baptist Church

Have you ever paused to look back and truly see all that God has done in your life, your family, or your church? Too often, we rush from one event to the next, missing the opportunity to recognize God’s hand at work. Psalm 103 calls us to a different rhythm—a rhythm of remembrance, celebration, and worship.

The Main Point: God Deserves the Glory for Every Good Thing

At Highland, we recently took a special Sunday to celebrate what God has done in and through our community. From children trusting Christ at VBS, to students being transformed at camp, to mission trips where lives were changed—every story is a testimony of God’s grace, not our own strength. As Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits.” The main point is clear: Lasting spiritual fruit comes from the Lord alone, and our response must be humble gratitude and worship.

Why We Must Remember

One of our greatest spiritual struggles is forgetfulness. We forget answered prayers, miraculous provision, and the ways God has carried us through hard seasons. David urges us: “Do not forget all His benefits.” The danger isn’t that God stops working, but that we stop noticing. When we remember, we fuel our faith for the future and anchor our hearts in God’s unchanging love.

Naming God’s Benefits

David gets specific in Psalm 103:3-5:

God forgives all your iniquity.

He heals all your diseases.

He redeems your life from the pit.

He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.

He satisfies you with good things and renews your youth like the eagle’s.

These aren’t abstract ideas—they’re lived realities for God’s people. At Highland, we see these truths in every story of salvation, every baptism, every step of faith and service.

Action Steps: How Can We Respond?

If you want to live a life that celebrates God’s faithfulness, here are a few steps you can take this week:

Pause and Reflect: Set aside intentional time to remember what God has done for you—recently and in the past. Write it down or share it with a friend.

Name His Benefits: Be specific in your gratitude. Instead of just saying “God is good,” tell how He’s been good to you. Share your testimony of answered prayer, transformation, or provision.

Worship Fully: Let your remembrance lead to worship. As David said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”

Celebrate in Community: Join with your church family or small group to share stories of God at work. Celebrate together—these moments build faith and unity.

Anchor Everything in Christ: Never forget, as our celebration culminates at the Lord’s Table, that every blessing flows from Jesus’ finished work. “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Conclusion & Prayer

Our church is not great because of our programs, talents, or efforts. We are who we are because we serve a great God—one who forgives, heals, redeems, and satisfies. Celebration isn’t the end; it’s fuel for the mission ahead. As you go into a new week, remember: God is still at work. Look for Him. Join Him in what He’s doing next.

Let’s pray:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness, Your forgiveness, and Your steadfast love. Help us to remember all You have done, to worship You with all that is within us, and to give You the glory in every season. Remind us daily of Jesus—His sacrifice, His victory, His life in us. May our lives be a continual celebration of Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ready to experience more of what God is doing? Join us at Highland Baptist Church this Sunday or connect with us online. Share your story, and let’s celebrate together—because God is not finished yet!

Keywords: celebrating God’s work, remembering God’s faithfulness, Psalm 103, Christian gratitude, stories of God’s goodness, worship, Highland Baptist Church

09/04/2026

Thursday — Recognize God at Work

Scripture

Psalm 103:4 (CSB)

He redeems your life from the Pit;
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.

Historical Context

In the context of ancient Israel, “the Pit” was a metaphor for destruction, despair, or even death. David, having faced many literal and figurative pits—danger, sin, and discouragement—knew what it meant to be rescued. The imagery of being “crowned” with faithful love and compassion spoke to God’s act of lifting someone up, restoring dignity, and marking them as cherished.

Devotional

David’s words remind us that God is not distant from our lowest moments. He doesn’t just forgive or offer hope from afar; He steps into our mess, lifts us from despair, and surrounds us with steadfast love. For Israel, and for David personally, this was not theory but experience. God had pulled them from slavery, from exile, from shame, and had given them a new identity rooted in His compassion.

Think about those moments in life when a friend or loved one stepped in just when you felt hopeless. Maybe someone offered encouragement when you were discouraged, or provided help at your most vulnerable. That’s a small picture of what God does on a grand scale. He sees us in our “pit”—whatever shape it takes—and acts to redeem and restore. It is easy to overlook His hand at work, especially when we are focused on our struggles, but taking time to recognize His rescue changes everything.

Today, take a moment to look back and see where God has redeemed you—not just once, but over and over again. He has crowned you with faithful love, not because you earned it, but because He delights to show compassion. Let this truth shape how you see yourself and others, and fuel your gratitude and hope as you move through the rest of your week.

Reflection Questions

Can you recall a time when God “redeemed your life from the Pit”?

How does it change your view of yourself to know you are crowned with God’s love and compassion?

Where might God be inviting you to recognize His work in your current circumstances?

Action Steps

Write down one area of your life where you’ve experienced God’s rescue or restoration.

Tell someone how God has lifted you from a difficult place.

Pray, thanking God specifically for His compassion and love in your life.

Do you have a prayer request or question you would like to share with the church staff?

Do you want to receive this via text message?

Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

09/03/2026

Looking for a way to support the Prison Ministry? You (or your growth group) can purchase any of these items from our Amazon list and it will ship straight to the church. We are purchasing these items in bulk because they've all been approved to distribute in the prison. There's not much time to order, so don't delay! Scan the QR code or click this link to shop:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2H1UKDW245KQ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_F8TSQGJX0XF6J77R98XD_2