Most of us know what it feels like to pray with one eye on the people around us—wondering whether we sound holy enough, reaching for language we’d never use in ordinary conversation. In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us that prayer aimed at impressing an audience—human or divine—has already received its only reward.
Pastor Tim considers how the short book of Obadiah tells us a lot about how God is working in the less than ideal circumstances of the world.
Do we understand the fullness of what God is going to do? Definitely not.
We can do the right thing and still face an uncomfortable question: are we doing it because God called us, or because we want people to notice? In Matthew 6, Jesus assumes his people will give to those in need, then warns that even this good act can become a way of practicing righteousness “to be seen by others.”
Are we going through ritual expecting nothing can be done or are we ready for God’s Word to redirect us?
Most of our days do not feel like turning points in history; they feel like errands, obligations, and familiar routines, leaving us to wonder whether our lives matter in any story beyond our own. Those on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in Acts 2 might have wondered the same thing.
Tonight we look at Isaiah 27 to better understand how Christmas fulfilled long given promises and is a turning point for all of us.
Why does it seem like we declare God’s victory, and yet it often doesn’t feel very victorious? When Christmas joy collides with year-end weariness and plans that never quite landed, Revelation 12 can help us better understand where that elusive victory really is.
During Advent, we all excitedly look towards celebrating Jesus’s birth. However, suddenly it is December 26 and the world resets to its ordinary preoccupations. That’s what is wonderful about observing the Twelve Days of Christmas: it helps us keep reflecting on God’s grace and the miracle of Christmas after the busyness of Christmas Day is past.
Join Little Hills and other FaithTree partner churches for a continuous rotation of Christmas music, nostalgic fireplace scenes, meditations from Scripture and more throughout Christmas weekend and the 12 Days of Christmas. Whether you want just a few moments of Christmas joy or want to watch the whole thing, it will be streaming 24x7 until Epiphany. Come back here for the link starting Christmas Day.