7/16/2021 0 Comments Mighty Power at WorkWe have a God that loves us so much, he wants us to experience his power. Each person is uniquely gifted to serve Him and His kingdom through the church. At Hillcrest, we have a community of believers that is able to accomplish anything infinitely more than we could alone.
Questions for further thought: 1. How has God equipped you to serve in ministry at Hillcrest? 2. What has Hillcrest accomplished as a community of faith that could not have been done individually? Challenge: Find a role to serve at Hillcrest. There might be a new need to serve in or jump into an existing ministry that needs extra help. Talk to a pastor or leadership member to see where you can get involved.
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7/15/2021 0 Comments The Dimensions of Christ's LovePaul describes the vastness of Christ’s love in four different dimensions. Think about that! No matter what circumstance you may find yourself in, the width of Christ’s love spreads wider. The timeframe of God’s love for you was long before you were born and will last long after your physical death. No matter how deep a hole you are in, God’s love is deeper. His love also allows us to go to the heights of Heaven to live in eternity. That’s how big God is!
Questions for further thought: 1. Is there a part of God’s love that you struggle to experience? 2. Why is it tough to give that struggle to God? Challenge: If you see or know someone who is hurting and needs to experience God’s love, help them through their struggles. If you are needing help experiencing Christ’s love, find a Christ-centered friend who is willing to help you. 7/14/2021 0 Comments Rooted in ChristA tree needs water, and it drinks its water through its roots. We notice the growth of a tree above the surface; however it is the growth of the root system underground that allows it to branch out and shows off it leaves. In the same way, we cannot bloom and grow outwardly if we do not grow on the inside. We grow on the inside by studying and reflecting on God’s word.
Questions for further thought: 1. How is the root system in your tree? Is it growing, or does it need to be refreshed? 2. Is your tree blooming? Are you applying the Word to your outward life to show off God’s presence? Challenge: If you are not already spending daily time in reading the Bible, start devoting time. Read a chapter or two daily. Find a friend to keep you accountable; it could be a spouse or a mentor. 7/13/2021 0 Comments The Power of the Holy SpiritGod wants to bless you. Let that sink in. There are times when I disregard God’s blessing not because I want to, but because I do not consider all that He is trying to provide! God is unlimited in His resources, and He wants to share them with us; we just need to keep our hearts and our hands open.
Questions for further thought: 1. How is God trying to bless you with His resources? 2. Are you setting any barriers for God to be a provider? Challenge: For the rest of this week, open your hands and your heart to God. Be conscious of God the Provider! Write these down and look at the whole list at the end of week. 7/12/2021 0 Comments Paul's PrayerThis week’s scripture is a prayer by Paul. Paul prayed often in his letters. Paul prayers were always directed to God and in reverence to Him. He knew who his Creator and Provider is and would fall to His knees because of Him. His prayers were always to magnify God by humbling himself.
Questions for further thought: 1. What has God created or provided to you recently that is worthy of reverent praise? 2. Do your prayers tend to magnify God or magnify yourself? Challenge: Take some time to thank God for His provision in your life. Ask Him how to magnify His presence in your prayers and the rest of your spiritual life. 7/9/2021 0 Comments We Are (All) FamilyAs we mentioned yesterday, adoptees to a family have a special appreciation of what being a family member really is. At one point, a small section of humanity was truly God’s own. But, that changed, and is no longer true. With Jesus, we all can be a part of God’s family, and spend eternity with Him. How wonderful that we are His very own, now and in heaven!
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you give thought to the great gift that God gave us through Jesus, so that we could be with Him forever, forgiven and redeemed? 2. How awesome will it be to meet so many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, not just here on earth, but in heaven above! Do you ever think about the wonderful people you will know and love in both places? Challenge: Rejoice in your adoption through Christ Jesus! Also, pray that we share the Gospel with as many people who haven’t heard it, or understood it, as possible. We want to have as many “adoptees” with us when we become a part of God’s family forever in heaven. Amen! 7/8/2021 0 Comments Adoptions and a HomeFamilies – all of them – want and need a home to be truly a family. Those who are adopted feel this keenly (once they have a home of their own). Having a home and being a part of an actual family means that you are not a mere guest, and all that family has is yours as well. This is what God the Father has planned for those who believe in His son. And, more need to be adopted in.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do we really think on all of our family members who aren’t with us, and Him, yet, as full members of His household? 2. How are our own siblings to be actual brothers and sisters if we don’t tell them about the “adoption process” (believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior)? Do we want them to be forever separate from us – their very souls in mortal peril forever? Challenge: Pray for us to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember that our Father wants all to be reconciled with Him, even those that many in the world think are “unadoptable.” That thought should never enter our minds. Pray that we become liaisons for those adoptions our Father wishes to happen for our fellow brothers and sisters! 7/7/2021 0 Comments His Goodness and PowerIt’s often amazing when we think about the goodness, the sheer goodness, of our heavenly Father. Yet, at the same time, He planned all of this. All of it. And can you imagine a contrary result, if He had not planned for us to be a part of His kingdom forever and ever? That we wouldn’t be with Him – He, whom we long for above all things – forever and ever? Can you imagine that horrible result?
Questions for further thought: 1. What do you think that would look like: an eternity without our Father and our Redeemer? 2. Now can you imagine other people on this earth who will have that very result if we don’t tell them about Jesus and who He is since our Father loves them as He does us? Challenge: Again, think about the great love that our Father has for all of us: His plans for us are good, and He truly desires all of His children to be with Him in heaven. Pray that would spur us to ask people – with courage – if they know who Jesus really is. This good plan is best with everyone who can be saved experiencing heaven with our Father and Redeemer. What do you do for a friend who’s in dire straits? How about for a family member? Do you risk anything for those you love? if you answered ‘Yes, of course!’ then you should understand God and His love and sacrifice for us through Jesus. He loved us so much He gave that which was most precious to Him...for us.
Questions for further thought: 1. Could we have sacrificed that which was most precious to us for Him? 2. What do you think about God’s great love for us since He did sacrifice His own son so that we could be reconciled to Him? Do we often take that for granted? Challenge: Reading the scripture verses above, think slowly upon the grace and gift of forgiveness that God the Father gave to us through His son, Jesus. Also, remember that, though it had to be done, it was by no means without pain: to both Jesus AND God the Father Himself. Yet, meditate upon His supreme goodness in having it be done anyway. Amen. 7/5/2021 0 Comments Blessings of GodGod loves us. This we know, or “know.” But do we really understand that He wanted to bless us, and be with us, before the entire universe began? Imagine that: a universe so vast, so huge…and the Creator of it all could not envision it WITHOUT us, His children, and without His blessings to and for us IN it!
Questions for further thought: 1. How often have you thought about the fact that the Creator of the universe created you, specifically, to have a relationship with Him? 2. How often have you taken time to reflect that creating you is something that gave God happiness? Challenge: It’s beyond amazing that the most powerful being in the universe thought that the universe was not what it could or should be without you. Yet, that’s exactly how God saw and still sees you. Think on that love today, and remember how precious you are to Him while going about your day. |
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