Highland Baptist Church

06/26/2026

THURSDAY

Scripture: Matthew 6:33 (CSB) "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."

Historical Context: This verse comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the most famous sermon ever preached. Jesus delivered this message early in His ministry to crowds gathered on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee. In this section of the sermon, Jesus addresses the universal human tendency toward anxiety and worry, particularly about material needs—food, clothing, and basic provisions. His original audience lived in an agrarian society where survival was never guaranteed, where a failed harvest could mean starvation, and where Roman occupation created economic instability. Yet Jesus calls them (and us) to a radically different way of living: a life oriented around seeking God's kingdom rather than anxiously pursuing security and provision.

Devotional: Jesus uses the word "seek" intentionally here, and it's the same word used throughout Scripture for diligent, wholehearted pursuit. He's not suggesting we give God a casual nod while we focus on everything else. He's calling us to reorder our entire lives around the pursuit of God's kingdom and righteousness. This is revolutionary because it challenges the natural human instinct to prioritize security, comfort, and provision above everything else. Jesus essentially says, "Stop making your life about accumulating things and start making it about pursuing Me and My purposes."

The phrase "seek first" reveals the heart of the issue. It's not that God is unconcerned about our practical needs—the verse promises that "all these things will be provided for you." Rather, Jesus is addressing the question of priority and trust. What do we reach for first when we wake up? What occupies our thoughts throughout the day? What drives our decisions and shapes our schedules? For most of us, if we're honest, we seek security first, comfort first, success first, or approval first—and then we try to fit God into whatever space remains. Jesus flips this completely upside down. When we genuinely seek God's kingdom first, He takes responsibility for everything else.

This isn't a formula for getting what we want from God; it's an invitation to trust Him so completely that we're willing to reorient our entire lives around His purposes. When seeking God becomes our primary pursuit, something remarkable happens: the things we once anxiously chased after either come to us as gifts from God's hand, or we discover we never really needed them in the first place. Either way, we find ourselves more satisfied, more at peace, and more fulfilled than we ever were when we were frantically pursuing everything except God Himself.

Reflection Questions:

-If someone examined your calendar and bank account, what would they conclude you're seeking first in your life?
-What specific worry or anxiety might be a sign that you're seeking provision or security before seeking God's kingdom?
-How might your life look different six months from now if you genuinely made seeking God your first priority every single day?

Action Steps:

-Tomorrow morning, before checking your phone or thinking about your to-do list, spend the first moments of your day consciously seeking God through prayer and Scripture.
-Identify one decision you're currently facing and commit to seeking God's kingdom perspective on it before making any plans.

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

https://www.highlandbaptist.net/resources/prayer

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06/25/2026

WEDNESDAY

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 (CSB) "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Historical Context: The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing intense persecution and were tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and return to Judaism. The author writes to encourage them to persevere by showing how Jesus is superior to everything in the old covenant—superior to angels, to Moses, to the Levitical priesthood, and to the old sacrificial system. Chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," presents example after example of Old Testament believers who trusted God despite difficult circumstances. Hebrews 11:6 serves as a foundational principle: faith isn't optional in our relationship with God; it's essential. And true faith expresses itself in active seeking.

Devotional: This verse contains a stunning promise wrapped in a clear requirement. The requirement is faith—we must believe that God exists and that He is good. But the promise is equally important: God rewards those who seek Him. Notice the verse doesn't say God rewards the perfect, the talented, the successful, or the influential. He rewards seekers. This levels the playing field entirely. You don't need a seminary degree, a certain social status, or a flawless track record. You simply need to be someone who genuinely pursues God.

The word "seek" here implies diligence and intentionality. It's not a passive hoping that God might show up; it's an active, determined pursuit. Think about how this contrasts with our consumer culture where everything is designed for convenience and instant gratification. We can have groceries delivered, entertainment streamed, and information accessed in seconds. But intimacy with God doesn't work that way. God hasn't made Himselfdifficult to find, but He does require us to seek. Why? Because the seeking itself transforms us. The pursuit deepens our desire, refines our character, and prepares our hearts to receive more of Him.

But here's where we often stumble: we misunderstand the reward. Our culture trains us to think of rewards as material blessings, easier circumstances, or worldly success. Yet Scripture consistently reveals that God's greatest reward is Himself. When Moses asked to see God's glory, he wasn't asking for more resources to lead Israel—he wanted more of God. When David wrote about seeking God's face, he wasn't primarily seeking solutions to his problems—he wanted God's presence. The reward for seeking God is finding God, and there is no greater treasure in all of existence. Everything else we might pursue in life will eventually fade, break, or disappoint. But God Himself is an inexhaustible, eternal reward that satisfies our deepest longings.

Reflection Questions:

-Do you truly believe that God rewards those who seek Him, or do you sometimes doubt whether pursuing God is "worth it"?
-How would your daily priorities change if you genuinely believed that knowing God more deeply is the greatest reward available to you?

Action Steps:

-Identify one area where you've been seeking worldly rewards (success, comfort, approval) and consciously redirect that energy toward seeking God this week.
-Share with a trusted friend or family member your commitment to pursue God more intentionally, and ask them to check in with you about it.
-Before bed tonight, reflect on one way you experienced God's presence today, thanking Him that He rewards those who seek Him.

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

https://www.highlandbaptist.net/resources/prayer

Do you want to receive this via text message?

https://highlandbaptistchurch.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/3082e910-9118-4ea6-b815-9d0c410cffcf

06/24/2026

Pursue God with All Your Heart: How Seeking Him Transforms Your Spiritual Journey

What are you chasing right now? A promotion? A dream home? The perfect relationship? We all pursue something—it's wired into our nature. Lions chase prey, officers pursue suspects, and we run after goals that matter to us. But here's the million-dollar question: Are you pursuing God himself, or just what He can give you?

The God Who Waits to Be Wanted

Here's a truth that might surprise you: God isn't hiding from you. In fact, He's been pursuing you since before you even knew His name. But once you come to faith, something shifts. The chase doesn't end—it just changes direction. Now you get to pursue Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 puts it beautifully: "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." Notice God doesn't say "you might find me." He promises you will. The heart of God has always been revelation, not concealment. From walking with Adam in the garden to sending Jesus to live among us, God constantly makes Himself known.

The problem? We often seek God's blessings more than God's presence. We want the gift bag without looking up at the Giver sitting across the table.

Seeking God Is Worship

Many Christians think worship starts when the music begins on Sunday morning. But biblically, worship begins much earlier—the moment our hearts turn toward God. Every time you seek Him, you're declaring, "God, You are worth my attention. You are worth my time."

Think about a couple deeply in love. They don't view time together as an obligation—they pursue each other constantly. Why? Because desire fuels pursuit. The same is true spiritually. When was the last time your hand reached for your Bible before your phone? What occupied your mind first thing this morning—news, social media, or prayer?

What we seek first reveals what we value most.

The Reward of Pursuit

Hebrews 11:6 tells us God "rewards those who seek him." But what's the reward? Our culture whispers it's prosperity, success, or easier circumstances. Here's the reality: God's greatest reward is more of Himself.

Moses didn't ask for more blessings or leadership capacity. He prayed, "Show me Your glory." The Christian life isn't a search for a missing God—it's the pursuit of an infinitely glorious Father who continually reveals more and more of Himself.

A.W. Tozer wrote, "To have found God and still pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love." Don't settle for knowing about God. Pursue knowing God. Nobody accidentally develops deep friendships or strong marriages, and nobody accidentally grows close to the Lord. Intimacy requires intentional pursuit.

Take the Next Step

Ready to deepen your relationship with God? Start with these practical steps:

Seek Him first each morning. Before checking your phone, spend five minutes in prayer or Scripture.

Ask better questions. Instead of "God, fix this," try "God, what do You want to teach me through this?"

Pursue presence over presents. When you pray, focus less on answers and more on encountering the Answer-Giver.

God isn't playing hide-and-seek like a convict on the run. He's like a loving Father who wants to be found, who waits to be wanted. The question isn't whether God is available—it's whether you have an appetite for Him.

You don't stumble into intimacy with God. You pursue it. And when you do, you'll discover that being close to Him is the best place in the entire world.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for chasing Your blessings more than Your presence. Stir in us a holy hunger to know You—not just know about You. Help us seek Your face, not just Your hand. Meet us as we pursue You with all our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen.

06/24/2026

06/24/2026

TUESDAY

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-2 (CSB) "God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory."

Historical Context: This psalm is attributed to David during his time in the wilderness of Judah, likely when he was fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18). David, the anointed king of Israel, found himself driven from his throne and his home, forced to hide in the harsh, waterless wilderness. Despite being God's chosen king, David experienced profound suffering and displacement. Yet even in this desperate situation—separated from the tabernacle where he had regularly worshiped—David's deepest longing wasn't for his kingdom, his comfort, or even his safety. His soul thirsted for God Himself.

Devotional: David's words paint a vivid picture of spiritual hunger. He doesn't say, "I'm interested in you" or "I appreciate you." He says, "I thirst for you; my body faints for you." This is the language of desperate need, the kind of craving that consumes your entire being. When you're genuinely thirsty in a desert, water isn't a casual preference—it's a consuming necessity. David understood that seeking God isn't a religious obligation we check off our list; it's an act of worship that flows from genuine desire.

Notice what David was truly pursuing. He wanted to "see your strength and your glory." Even though he was physically separated from the sanctuary, he was spiritually pursuing an encounter with God's presence. This reveals an important truth: seeking God isn't primarily about a location or a routine; it's about the posture of our hearts. David couldn't go to the tabernacle, but he could still seek God's face. His circumstances were terrible, but his worship was authentic because he wanted God more than he wanted relief from his suffering.

This challenges our modern approach to spirituality. We often seek God most earnestly when we need something—healing, provision, answers, direction. But David pursued God in the wilderness not because God could fix his problems (though He could), but because God's presence was more precious than anything else. When we grasp this truth—that intimacy with God is the greatest reward—our entire spiritual life transforms from duty to delight, from obligation to passionate pursuit.

Reflection Questions:

-Does your spiritual life feel more like checking off religious obligations or like pursuing someone you desperately love?
-In what "wilderness" situation are you currently finding yourself, and how can you pursue God's presence there?
-What would change in your life if you truly believed that God's presence was more valuable than any blessing He could give?

Action Steps:

-Write down three things you're currently asking God for, then spend time thanking Him simply for who He is, apart from those requests.
-Find a physical place this week where you can be alone with God—your own "wilderness"—and spend focused time seeking His presence.
-Memorize Psalm 63:1 and recite it when you find yourself distracted or discouraged this week.

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

https://www.highlandbaptist.net/resources/prayer

Do you want to receive this via text message?

https://highlandbaptistchurch.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/3082e910-9118-4ea6-b815-9d0c410cffcf

06/23/2026

Weekly Devotional: The Pursuit of God
Based on Sunday's Sermon
MONDAY

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:12-13 (CSB) "You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart."

Historical Context: Jeremiah prophesied during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. The people of Judah had been taken into Babylonian exile around 586 BC because of their persistent rebellion against God. Despite centuries of prophetic warnings, they had chosen to worship other gods and break their covenant with the Lord. Now living as captives in a foreign land, they faced the consequences of their choices. Yet in the midst of judgment, God spoke through Jeremiah with a message of hope—not abandonment, but invitation. This promise came to a people who had wandered far from God, reminding them that even in exile, God remained accessible to those who would genuinely seek Him.

Devotional: God's promise to the exiles reveals something profound about His character: He is not hiding from us. Even when His people had turned their backs on Him repeatedly, even when they were experiencing the discipline of exile, God's heart was still turned toward them in love. He didn't say, "Maybe you'll find me if you're lucky." He promised, "You will seek me and find me." This isn't the language of a distant deity playing games with His creation; this is the promise of a Father who waits to be wanted.

The key phrase here is "with all your heart." God isn't interested in half-hearted attempts or casual interest. He invites us into wholehearted pursuit. Think about the difference between someone who occasionally thinks about getting healthy versus someone who pursues fitness with genuine commitment. One checks fitness videos on their phone; the other changes their entire lifestyle. God desires that kind of intentional, whole-life pursuit. He wants more than our Sunday mornings—He wants our complete attention, affection, and surrender.

Here's the beautiful paradox: God is always pursuing us first, drawing us to Himself, but once we come to know Him, the relationship deepens through our pursuit of Him. Just as no one accidentally develops a deep friendship or builds a strong marriage without intentional effort, no one stumbles into intimacy with God. The question isn't whether God is available—He promises He is. The question is whether we genuinely want Him, not just His blessings, but Him.

Reflection Questions:

-When you pray, are you primarily seeking God's hand (what He can give you) or His face (who He is)?
-What would it look like practically to seek God "with all your heart" in your current season of life?
-Are there areas where you've been seeking God's blessings more than His presence?

Action Steps:

-Set aside 15 minutes today to pray with the sole purpose of simply being in God's presence—not asking for anything, but pursuing intimacy with Him.
-Identify one distraction in your life that consistently pulls your attention away from God, and take a concrete step to limit its influence this week.

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

https://www.highlandbaptist.net/resources/prayer

Do you want to receive this via text message?

https://highlandbaptistchurch.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/3082e910-9118-4ea6-b815-9d0c410cffcf

Do you need Prayer?

06/22/2026

Join us as we celebrate 250 years of God's faithfulness throughout our nation's history!

*NO reservations needed... just come to worship and stay for lunch!

📅 This Sunday, June 28
⏰ Worship @ 10am, Lunch in the FLC @ 11am
📍 Highland Baptist Church

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day! Be sure and stop by The Gathering Area for a quick picture with the special men in your life! Post them in the comments below!