Anderson Hills

After God’s people were exiled from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raised up Nehemiah as a great leader to re-establish them in their land. Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. We may not feel like leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to God’s work in and through us is dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer. Nehemiah’s prayers teach us the importance of combining prayer with action in response to the world’s brokenness.

After God’s people were exiled from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raised up Nehemiah as a great leader to re-establish them in their land. Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. We may not feel like leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to God’s work in and through us is dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer. Nehemiah’s prayers teach us the importance of combining prayer with action in response to the world’s brokenness.

In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament, we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, Abraham calls on God to act justly, almost like he is bargaining. with God. From Abraham, we have much to learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost.

In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament, we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, Abraham calls on God to act justly, almost like he is bargaining. with God. From Abraham, we have much to learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost.

Jesus rising on Easter morning was more than a showy miracle to shock and awe His attackers and followers. When Jesus rose, He turned the entire order of the universe on its head. The Resurrection shows us that death does not have the last word. God has the last word, and His word is Life. Suffering and death end, but God’s Kingdom lasts forever.

Jesus rising on Easter morning was more than a showy miracle to shock and awe His attackers and followers. When Jesus rose, He turned the entire order of the universe on its head. The Resurrection shows us that death does not have the last word. God has the last word, and His word is Life. Suffering and death end, but God’s Kingdom lasts forever.

Our desire to be popular, even as adults, is normal. This desire emerges from our longing to be in community and feel like we belong. Rather than seeking to be popular, Jesus sought to be unpopular. Popularity and acclaim in the eyes of others are fleeting. If we put all our faith in them, we will be disappointed. Instead, God calls us to put our faith in His love and grace.

Our desire to be popular, even as adults, is normal. This desire emerges from our longing to be in community and feel like we belong. Rather than seeking to be popular, Jesus sought to be unpopular. Popularity and acclaim in the eyes of others are fleeting. If we put all our faith in them, we will be disappointed. Instead, God calls us to put our faith in His love and grace.

The concept of giving up our lives isn’t foreign to us. It happens most often when we embark upon new relationships. When we exchange vows with our spouse, we give up our old lives for a new one. When parents welcome a child into the home, they give up their old lives for a new one. A faithful response to our call to live a life rooted in the Gospel requires us to give up our old lives to embrace a new life where we embody Christ’s love and compassion.

The concept of giving up our lives isn’t foreign to us. It happens most often when we embark upon new relationships. When we exchange vows with our spouse, we give up our old lives for a new one. When parents welcome a child into the home, they give up their old lives for a new one. A faithful response to our call to live a life rooted in the Gospel requires us to give up our old lives to embrace a new life where we embody Christ’s love and compassion.