Coming up quickly is Spring Road’s second annual Harvest Meal. On October 7th, we would like to invite members of our church who fall into the age group of 55+ (The Young at Heart’s) to a meal. Meeting at the church at 4 pm, we are going to have fun games followed by a meal served by the teens. If you have a teen, please encourage them to take part in the meal. If you are able to help cook, please see Maggie McGaughy. It is such a joy for our older members to see our kids in action, serving each other and serving the Lord. If you fall into the 55+ group, please join us! If you plan to attend, please check the box on your communication card saying you will be attending the Fall Harvest Meal.

The Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped off his hands. Judges 15:14

“Spirit of Jehovah” is an Old Testament phrase that describes the Holy Spirit. Whereas the name “God” tends to describe His absolute power in relationship to creation, the name “Jehovah,” or “Lord,” tends to describe His sovereign power in relationship to people. Just as the Spirit of Jehovah cam upon Samson to loose him from the two new ropes that bound him (Judges 15:13-14), so He can come upon you to give you victory over habits and addictions. Just as the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Othniel and Jephthah to give them victory in battle (Judges 3:9-10; 11:29), so He can give you victory over temptations and trials. Just as the Spirit of Jehovah enabled Gideon to call a courageous army together (Judges 6:34), so He can call all the forces of Heaven to your side.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jehovah who gave strength to the judges. He raised them up for leadership positions and gave them victory in battle. The judges were mere mortals, but the Spirit of Jehovah made the difference in their lives. What He has done for them, He can do for you.

PrimetimewithGod.org

For so an entrance will be supplied to you

abundantly into the everlasting kingdom

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:11

Jesus is both Lord and Savior. He is Lord of the universe, because He created everything. He is the Lord of the nations, because He created the first humans. He is Lord of nature, because He olds everything together by His power. Jesus could have forced the first parents to be obedient, but untested obedience doesn’t glorify the Father. He had to give Adam and Eve a free choice to love God or to rebel against Him. When the first parents sinned, nature was cursed and humanity spun out of control. Death reigned over all people. It was then that Jesus, the Lord of all, had to become Savior of all. Jesus came to die so you could live. Now Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world.

Jesus had provide salvation to all, but many will not accept it. He is neither their Savior from sin nor the Lord of their lives. Some have been saved but will not obey Him. Jesus is only their Savior; He’s not their Lord. Today, Jesus wants to be both your Savior and your Lord. Will you let Him direct your life? When you are yielded to Jesus, He’ll be both your Lord and Savior.

Prime Time with God

“Sometime later Samson fell in love with a woman from the Valley of Sorek whose name was  Delilah.” (Judges 16:4)

God had a plan right from the beginning. He raised up a community of people, called them to be faithful to Him, and put them in a broken world to be a living example of what he was like. His first choice were the descendants of Abraham– the Israelites. One of them was a man named Samson– a hero, a man of great strength. From birth God had asked Samson to take the Nazirite vow. That meant he was never to touch a dead body. He was never to have his hair cut, and he was never to touch anything that came from grape, neither grape juice, or grape, or wine. By doing these three things, he would be totally different and unique, set apart to God; nut also to be an example to his neighbors, his fellow Israelites that said we have to be unique and different from our world.

What is really intriguing to me in that story is God then placed Samson in the Sorek Valley. Sorek is a very valuable kind of grape, a purple grape. God sent this man who was never to touch anything from the grape to Grapevine Valley. I think what God wanted was to say; Samson, it doesn’t make any sense for you to live out your faith in an isolated place. I am going to send you down to the broken world, the very place you are supposed to be unique from, to show them what my way looks like. Samson didn’t do all that well obviously. He fell in love with the Sorek Valley and a woman who lived there; but I think God calls us to the same place.

God wants a people who are faithful; who walk in commitment and godliness; but he wants a people who live where the broken world is. So, if you’ve been called today to Grapevine Valley, in the form of the school you attend, the university you go to or teach in, if its the business you work in, the place you go for your business convention; I pray you would be totally devoted, unlike Samson, to a righteous walk, so that in that place of brokenness, you can be a living witness of what God’s way looks like.

Ray Vander Laan

Two weeks ago, many of our teens participated in our second annual, “Mission: Westerville.” This week is exhausting to say the least! Teens participate in two major service projects per day, with dinner and devotional to follow. Among the efforts served during the week were the following projects:

-Assisted teachers preparing their classrooms at Cornerstone Academy

-Packed and delivered snack packs for families at the Ronald McDonald House

-Prepared and handed out thank you goodie bags at a local veteran’s center

-Yard work at Andrew’s House of Delaware

-Food delivery with Meals on Wheels of Columbus

-Served breakfast at the Community Kitchen

-Organized and packed supplies at the YMCA

-Assisted with WARM Farmer’s Market

-Our traditional “$100 Challenge,” which is where we split our teens into groups, and give each group $100 to serve their community in some creative way. Some teens handed out flowers, gave gifts to drive through employees in recognition of their hard work, secretly paid for people’s meals in drive through lines, and handed out encouraging notes containing small gift cards.

We had an outstanding week enjoying each other’s company, and introducing our teens to these volunteer opportunities that are so close to home. Because of the hard work that the group does, it is our goal to keep this week cost free for the teens and their families. Many of you donated gift cards, money, provided meals, or opened your homes to all of us. We simply cannot thank you enough. We’ve said it before, but the youth group could not thrive without the support of our wonderful church family. Your donations were a blessing not only to our teens, but many people in Columbus. Thank you, church, for loving these kids so well.

-Caleb and Maggie

June 24-June 27 6:30-8:30pm

Come join us for 4 days of songs, snacks, games, and learning about serving God through serving others! We need helpers so please fill out a volunteer form in the lobby or contact Robin Weier if you can help.

Register online: springroadcoc.com/vbs

Spring Road Summer Series Wednesdays @ 7:00pm

Jesus of Nazareth wasn’t the only influential figure who appeared on the Judean scene in the who centuries surrounding His birth. But He is the only one who changed the world because He was the only one from God (Acts 5:33-39).

Why were people drawn to Jesus? Why did they follow Him then, and why do they still follow Him today? For at least 3 reason: His miracles, His teaching, and His character. Jesus’ miracles and teaching have received ample attention through the years, much more than His character. Ironically, it is His character that Christians have been called to develop. He has not charged His followers with producing miracles or creating teachings of their own. (we have His miracles and His teaching in the Scriptures). But we have been empowered to display His character.

What was His character like? The people in the first-century Judea were not used to a humility, and self-discipline day in and day out. The people of that day were not used to someone demonstrating those and other godly traits all of the time. Jesus’ character, as much as His miracles and teaching, caused people to continually ask, “Who is this Man?”

Books and schedules are in the lobby. ONE per household. Starting this Wednesday, June 6th, with David Miller on “A Life of Humility.”

Easter is fast approaching, it will be here before we know it! The Easter egg hunt will be Saturday March 31st. Registration is at 3:00pm and the Egg Hunt will start at 3:30PM. There will be a toddler/preschool age egg hunt and one for kids in kindergarten to 5th grade. The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance for pictures. Volunteers are needed for set up, parking, registration, and clean up. We also need candy to fill the eggs. Please bring your candy in as soon as you can and place it in the wood crate in the hallway. We will be filling eggs after class Wednesday evening March, 21st. If you are able, please plan to stay and help fill eggs. Please see Allison English if you have any questions. Invite your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors!

Dear Spring Road Family,

As most of you know, recently our brother Kenny Nichols resigned his position as one of the shepherds of Spring Road Church of Christ. His attitude of humility has been evident as he served in the position of elder for most of the last decade. While we will dearly miss Kenny serving in the role of shepherd, we do honor his decision and know that it is based on much prayer and his sincere desire to serve our Lord in the best way he can.

We pray that God will continue to use Kenny and Debbie as they continue as members of our Spring Road family, and wherever God leads them to serve in His kingdom. We are so thankful for their service and look forward to what God has in store for them in the future. May God bless them beyond all measure.

J, Mark, and Tom
Shepherds, Spring Road Church of Christ

Having become so much better than the angels,

as He has by inheritance

obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:4

Jesus has a More Excellent Name than the angels. The angels were ministering spirits sent to help the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14), but Jesus was sent to purchase salvation. He has a More Excellent Name than Moses, who led Israel out of Egypt and gave the Israelites the Law (Hebrews 3:3). Jesus fulfilled the Law and died to take it out of the way (Colossians 2:13-15). Jesus has a More Excellent Name than the high priest, who interceded for Israel (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus gives us grace, for which the high priest prayed. Jesus has a More Excellent Name than Melchizedek, because Jesus obtained a better salvation and a new covenant (Hebrews 7:22-24). Because of the excellence of His name, you can go to the father through Jesus at any time.

Because Jesus has a More Excellent Name, you can pray in His name (John 7:22-24). Because the name of Jesus has power, you can break addiction and overcome demonic powers in His name (Acts 16:18). Because the name of Jesus sets prisoners free, you can have a powerful witness to the unsaved in His name. One day, every knee will bow to recognize and worship the name of Jesus (Phillipians 2:9-11). Will you do it today?