Shepherd of the Hills - Winchester VA

Luke 15:1-10 The idea of being lost and then found is one of the most comforting thoughts in all of Scripture–but only when we realize what it really meant that we were lost do we begin to grasp the depth of God's grace. In two simple yet vivid parables, Jesus reveals the hard truth that we were utterly helpless, hopeless, and lost, and comforts us by showing how eager he is to seek the lost,...

Luke 14:1,7-14 Jesus says,  “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Today we see how pride drives us to chase recognition, but how Christ humbled Himself to the cross so that God could say to us,  “Friend, move up to a better place.”

Luke 13:22-30 Jesus’ words cut straight to the heart:  “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” This week we wrestle with what it means that the door is very narrow. Jesus’ warning shatters our false securities and calls us to focus on him. We also find gospel comfort: the door may be narrow, but in Christ it is wide open. He went to the cross to open the way for people from east and...

Luke 12:49-53 Jesus is the Prince of Peace, yet in Luke 12 He says He came to bring not peace but division! What does that mean for us? Today we explore how Christ’s mission to bring peace with God also results in painful division—even within families. These wounds hurt, but they are purposeful, like the cuts of a skilled surgeon. They burn away false hopes and leave us with the lasting peace of f...

Luke 12:22-34 Worry can feel unavoidable—almost like it’s part of being human. Yet Jesus points us to some of the simplest teachers in all creation: birds and flowers. They don’t have the capacity to worry, yet they are cared for every day. This week, we explore why worry is ultimately powerless, how it reveals a lack of trust, and how the Father’s proven care frees us to live generously and witho...

Ecclesiastes 1:1,2, 12-14; 2:18-26 What do you do when everything you’ve worked so hard for… still leaves you feeling empty? Solomon's wisdom makes us confront the harsh truth that chasing meaning “under the sun” will always come up short. But in Christ, we’re given something far better than what we could ever earn—true purpose, lasting joy, and the freedom to live with open hands. Whether you...

1 Timothy 2:1-7 Prayer often feels natural, like walking—until we stop and realize how powerful and purposeful it truly is. Today, we explore how God calls us to pray for all people, including those in authority, not just for our own comfort but so that his gospel can flourish. While our prayer life can be clumsy at best, and certainly not somethign we deserve, Jesus, our mediator and ransom, give...

Luke 10:38-42 What do you have in common with a Mars orbiter? Missing one thing might mean disaster. Missing crucial details in calculation can cause a total mission failure for a spacecraft. Missing the "one thing needful" spells total disaster for our lives. Today, Jesus focuses us on the one thing that we need in life and eternity!

Ruth 1:1-19a In a time of famine and grief, Naomi believed God had turned against her. But God was quietly at work—through the loyalty of an unlikely daughter-in-law named Ruth. God’s steadfast love opens our eyes to others, even in our own sorrow. Ruth’s devotion points us to an even greater Redeemer, Jesus, who refused to walk away from us. Because he gave us his undivided attention, we are now...

Luke 10:1-12,16-20 The spiritual needs around us are urgent and immense, like an emergency room overflowing with patients but lacking medical staff. Thankfully, Jesus not only highlights this pressing need but graciously sends gospel workers, promising his authority, provision, and eternal success. This week, we explore Jesus' urgent call for gospel workers and how each of us can confidently respo...

1 Kings 19:19-21 When Elijah cast his cloak of Elisha, the farmer responded immediately. He slaughtered his oxen and burned his plowing equipment, leaving now possibility to return. This unwavering, no looking back, kind of commitment is what Christ looks for in all believers. Do you have what it takes to answer Christ's call for your commitment?

2 Timothy 1:3-10 Your neighbor’s house is on fire. Would you stand by and watch, or would you act? God's Word challenges you to see the urgent mission field right outside your door. Discover how the Holy Spirit gives power, love, and courage to speak up and share hope—right here, right now. Don’t wait for a perfect moment or faraway opportunity. The mission is right in front of you!

Romans 5:1-5 In a world filled with distractions and noise, what truly deserves our undivided attention? On this Holy Trinity Sunday, we reflect on Romans 5:1–5 and see how the majestic and mysterious Triune God commands our focus—not through fear or force, but by giving us peace, access to grace, and a hope that will never disappoint. Join us as we explore the comfort of a God beyond our understa...

Acts 2:1-21 On Pentecost, the Spirit came with wind, fire, and foreign tongues—a spectacle so powerful, it’s easy to wish we could’ve seen it for ourselves. But what if the greatest miracle wasn’t the flames or the languages, but something far more familiar? As we conclude our Easter series  Because He Lives… , we see that the risen Christ still sends his Spirit through simple, ordinary means. And...

Revelation 19:11-16 Where is Jesus right now—and what is he doing? On Ascension Day, we don’t just remember that Jesus went  up , but that he reigns and rules  for us . In Revelation, John paints a vivid picture of our ascended Savior not as distant or disengaged, but as a triumphant warrior riding out to fight on our behalf. When life feels overwhelming, and when it seems like darkness has the up...

Acts 16:6-10 The world values diversity and longs for unity, but can never seem to achieve both. Jesus offers the impossible: he leads us to deep and lasting unity in diversity.

John 13:31-35 How far does your love reach?  We all have limits to how far we'll go for someone else—comfort zones we prefer not to cross. Today, Jesus shows us the kind of love that has no boundaries or limits. We'll discover how Jesus' radical, limitless love—revealed through the cross and resurrection—not only saves us but also transforms our own capacity to love others. Because he...

John 10:22-30 Can you really trust what Jesus says—even when his promises seem almost too good to be true? This week, we explore why believers have every reason to trust Jesus completely, Jesus' words aren't just comforting—they’re trustworthy and life-saving!

John 21:1-14 Most people know what a difference a pair of glasses or contact lenses can make. Things that were blurry and unclear come into sharp focus as quickly as you put them on. Life becomes easier (and safer) to navigate. Jesus' resurrection is like a pair of glasses for us. If Jesus hadn't risen life would be an uncertain and blurry place, devoid of real meaning. But Jesus has risen...

Colossians 3:1-4 The eggs, chicks, baby bunnies, and flowers at Easter aren't just cute mascots. They teach us something about what happened on Easter morning. Jesus rose with new life! Because he rose, you have a brand new life too!

Galatians 3:10-13 All humankind should be under a curse. Even though God's law promises a path to heaven, its demands are too great for anyone to achieve: constant faithful perfection. On Good Friday, Jesus offered himself as the sacrifice to pay for all of our failures to achieve perfection. He willingly took the curse that we had earned on himself, for no other reason than his love. Now, ins...

Jeremiah 31:31-34 You were born locked in a contract with God. Obey him, be completely perfect, and he will love you and bless you. The problem is that this contract is impossible to keep! You can't be perfect like you are supposed to be for your end, so you can't expect God to love you and accept you either. That's just the deal. Holy Thursday provides us an opportunity to celebrate the new coven...

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the final week of Lent, Holy Week. In worship this week we observed a tradition called “Passion Sunday.” Since we don’t have the midweek Lenten services in which these sections of Scripture are usually read, Passion Sunday gives us the opportunity to hear, in one service, all the events of the final week before Jesus’ crucifixion. For those unable to attend this...

Philippians 3:4b-14 Have you ever wished that you suddenly discovered that you had something super valuable just lying around the house? Reading Paul's words to the church at Philippi leads us to realize that we have the greatest treasure ever–it's just not where we might always think to look!

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 In a story about two sons, we learn a lot more about the love of the father.