E-bulletin 3/2/15

Highway Tabernacle-Resurrection Life Church



Don't substitute excuses for obedience. When you read the life of
Israel's king, Saul, you quickly discover how skillfully he crafted his
excuses after each disobedience. In 1 Samuel 13 Saul was instructed to
wait for Samuel before going into battle. He did not wait, but took upon
himself the role of a priest and offered a burnt offering…something
which only Samuel should do. When Saul was confronted by this
disobedience, he offered no less than four excuses (see 1 Sam.13:11-12)!
Then later, when Saul was given a mission to defeat the Amalekites, he
compromised and caved in again to disobedience by sparing their evil
king, Agag, as well as some of the herds and flocks. His main excuse
this time was, "The soldiers…spared the best of the sheep and cattle to
sacrifice to the Lord your God…" (1 Sam. 15:15). He not only peddled his
excuses, but passed the blame from himself to the soldiers. Like too
many people today, Saul rationalized that doing a few religious deeds
and "sacrifices" could make up for the lack of a heart response to God.
Saul's great failure was not lack of understanding or making honest
mistakes; his downfall from the kingdom was his proud, disobedient
heart. Today, there are many "believers" who disobey God and participate
in evil thinking that if they just go to church once in a while, say a
prayer, or give a few dollars to a charity, they are ok. However, the
Bible is clear, true faith is always accompanied by an obedient life. No
excuses or sacrifices can cover disobedience. Only the blood of Jesus
can forgive us and change our heart from one of excuse-making to a heart
that wants to do God's will. Jesus teaches us that it all comes back to
love. "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15).

Pastor Mark Boucher


TUESDAY, 6:30 PM, LOVE IN ACTION OUTREACH will meet for prayer at
Highway Tabernacle before convening at Café Cret on Franklin Parkway.
God is giving us answers to prayer and fruitfulness. The power is God's,
the step is ours.

THURSDAY, 6:45-8:15PM, FAMILY NIGHT @ Highway Tabernacle.  Call
215-563-9192 to share your talent or for more information.

FRIDAY, 6-9PM, FAMILY NIGHT @ Resurrection Life.  Call 215-226-1000 for
more information to share your talent or for more information.

NEXT SUNDAY, Daylight Savings begins!

K-12th Grade Scholarships
This is the time of year many organizations award scholarships for
private school students. Spring Garden Academy is committed to working
with families to help them access these opportunities and learn more
about the possibilities.  But time is running out!  If you know a family
who may need funds for K-12th grades, please contact Amy dela Cruz at
adelacruz@springgardenacademy.org or 215-5639192.  We're here to help.
We are also experiencing growth at Spring Garden Academy's Elementary
School (K-8th).  Please pray that God will send the families he desires
for the school.  Pray that the children he sends will embrace their call
to become leaders in this city.  Pray that we will help families find
the funding that they need to make this hope a reality.  God has blessed
tremendously this year – even opening up doors for complete funding for
some families.  Let's keep praying!  He is good.