Anderson Hills

The book of Acts shows us that after Pentecost, the first church took off. They began to speak boldly, proclaiming the Good News without fear. They looked for kingdom opportunities to share the love of Christ no matter the consequences. Our hope is that the example of these early Christians are a lens through which we can see the opportunities around us. Kingdom opportunities require compassion an...

The book of Acts shows us that after Pentecost, the first church took off. They began to speak boldly, proclaiming the Good News without fear. They looked for kingdom opportunities to share the love of Christ no matter the consequences. Our hope is that the example of these early Christians are a lens through which we can see the opportunities around us. Kingdom opportunities require compassion an...

A paralyzed man who could potentially be healed is carried by a few persistent friends to a packed house where Jesus is teaching. They did not see how they could get him to Jesus. Full of desperation, working together, and with love for the paralyzed man, these friends break through the roof of the home in which Jesus is teaching and lower him down into the presence of the now famous Healer. They...

A paralyzed man who could potentially be healed is carried by a few persistent friends to a packed house where Jesus is teaching. They did not see how they could get him to Jesus. Full of desperation, working together, and with love for the paralyzed man, these friends break through the roof of the home in which Jesus is teaching and lower him down into the presence of the now famous Healer. They...

Almost every person lives with hopes and dreams. We hope for something that will bring more joy and peace to our lives. However, we often find ourselves putting our hope in the wrong things, like relationships, romance, and revenue as we dream of better days and a successful life for ourselves and for those we love. But the way we measure personal success is different from God’s perspective, and w...

Almost every person lives with hopes and dreams. We hope for something that will bring more joy and peace to our lives. However, we often find ourselves putting our hope in the wrong things, like relationships, romance, and revenue as we dream of better days and a successful life for ourselves and for those we love. But the way we measure personal success is different from God’s perspective, and w...

When we decide to follow Jesus, He empowers us for a life of service. The more we become like Jesus, the more we will serve others. We do not serve on our own, but are empowered to serve in fruitful ways in the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that was with Jesus. Jesus reminded His disciples that they were to remain in Him, as He was in them, because without Him, they could do nothing. It was a foret...

When we decide to follow Jesus, He empowers us for a life of service. The more we become like Jesus, the more we will serve others. We do not serve on our own, but are empowered to serve in fruitful ways in the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that was with Jesus. Jesus reminded His disciples that they were to remain in Him, as He was in them, because without Him, they could do nothing. It was a foret...

The wilderness is different from the valley. A “wilderness experience” is often a time of intensified temptation and spiritual attack. It can involve a spiritual, financial, or emotional drought. This experience is not necessarily a sign that a believer is sinning, but rather a time of God-ordained testing. While the wilderness can be lonely, it allows us to focus and to pray. It gives us perspect...

The wilderness is different from the valley. A “wilderness experience” is often a time of intensified temptation and spiritual attack. It can involve a spiritual, financial, or emotional drought. This experience is not necessarily a sign that a believer is sinning, but rather a time of God-ordained testing. While the wilderness can be lonely, it allows us to focus and to pray. It gives us perspect...

One of the most delightful concepts in human experience is the idea of “home”, and it is especially true during the holidays. The word “home” suggests concepts of rest, security, and the presence of those we love the most. Scripture speaks of home numerous times, affirming its importance and our longing for home. In his Gospel, John tells us that God sent Jesus to be born in human flesh in order t...

One of the most delightful concepts in human experience is the idea of “home”, and it is especially true during the holidays. The word “home” suggests concepts of rest, security, and the presence of those we love the most. Scripture speaks of home numerous times, affirming its importance and our longing for home. In his Gospel, John tells us that God sent Jesus to be born in human flesh in order t...

We need to become more aware of God’s presence in all situations—in both life’s hills and valleys. Hills represent the good times when we feel like celebrating and are grateful for God’s blessings. Valleys represent the bad times when we feel troubled, such as relationship conflicts, health crises, failures, financial problems, and grief. Like hills, valleys are temporary as circumstances change....

We need to become more aware of God’s presence in all situations—in both life’s hills and valleys. Hills represent the good times when we feel like celebrating and are grateful for God’s blessings. Valleys represent the bad times when we feel troubled, such as relationship conflicts, health crises, failures, financial problems, and grief. Like hills, valleys are temporary as circumstances change....

When Peter wrote his second letter to the early church from a prison near the Roman Forum, he knew that Nero was going to have him executed. Knowing these would be his final words to the church, Peter packed the letter full of passionate words of encouragement and of warning. He encouraged them to remember all the promises of Jesus. He exhorted them to “make every effort” to live in obedience to J...

When Peter wrote his second letter to the early church from a prison near the Roman Forum, he knew that Nero was going to have him executed. Knowing these would be his final words to the church, Peter packed the letter full of passionate words of encouragement and of warning. He encouraged them to remember all the promises of Jesus. He exhorted them to “make every effort” to live in obedience to J...

In the Gospels, we saw that Peter wanted the kingdom of God to come immediately and without human suffering. Now in his first epistle, Peter writes about our heavenly hope—the kingdom of God which will come after the saints’ suffering for their faith. He proclaims that the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary becomes the pattern for Christian living and service in this life....

In the Gospels, we saw that Peter wanted the kingdom of God to come immediately and without human suffering. Now in his first epistle, Peter writes about our heavenly hope—the kingdom of God which will come after the saints’ suffering for their faith. He proclaims that the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary becomes the pattern for Christian living and service in this life....

Peter wrote this letter to help the church stand firm in the grace of God, particularly in the face of suffering. He reminds them of their identity: they are God’s chosen people, so they are like temporary foreign residents living outside of their true homeland. Peter was calling them to live a holy life. Christ is distinct, separate, out of the ordinary, and He calls His followers to be like Him....

Peter wrote this letter to help the church stand firm in the grace of God, particularly in the face of suffering. He reminds them of their identity: they are God’s chosen people, so they are like temporary foreign residents living outside of their true homeland. Peter was calling them to live a holy life. Christ is distinct, separate, out of the ordinary, and He calls His followers to be like Him....

At the end of the Gospels, we find Peter forgiven and restored, but the evidence of his transformation becomes quite apparent in the Book of Acts through Peter’s preaching and practice. Starting at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit worked through Peter to do amazing things—doing things that he had only seen Jesus do and experience other signs and wonders. The early church witnesses Peter’s transformation...

At the end of the Gospels, we find Peter forgiven and restored, but the evidence of his transformation becomes quite apparent in the Book of Acts through Peter’s preaching and practice. Starting at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit worked through Peter to do amazing things—doing things that he had only seen Jesus do and experience other signs and wonders. The early church witnesses Peter’s transformation...

Like Peter, we have all denied Jesus by our thoughts, words, deeds and attitudes; by what we have done and by what we should have done but didn’t. At times, we have all lived in ways that are inconsistent with the faith we proclaim and the relationship with Jesus we treasure. We’ve hurt and wounded others, failing to serve them. We’ve given in to fear or worry or idolatry or pride. There have been...

Like Peter, we have all denied Jesus by our thoughts, words, deeds and attitudes; by what we have done and by what we should have done but didn’t. At times, we have all lived in ways that are inconsistent with the faith we proclaim and the relationship with Jesus we treasure. We’ve hurt and wounded others, failing to serve them. We’ve given in to fear or worry or idolatry or pride. There have been...

Jesus invites three of His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—to go up with Him up a high mountain to pray. Suddenly His face and clothing become dazzling white, and the great prophets Elijah and Moses appear beside him. While this was an amazing encounter, the trouble with mountaintop experiences is that they are a very small part of life in this broken and sinful world. These moments are g...