Anderson Hills

Type 2 of the Enneagram is known as the Helper; “Service” is their middle name. #2’s value relationships and are kind, self-sacrificing and considerate of others. They want their world to be a more loving place and work hard to make this so. Through their unconditional love and care, Helpers are a gift from God, showing His love toward others. In Scripture we read of a servant-hearted Helper named Martha, who typically gets a bad rap. As a Helper, Martha is simply walking in her type, wanting to serve the Messiah, her Lord, as best as she can. The Biblical truths that Type 2’s need to pursue include watching out for and confessing the sin of pride as it affects the way they see themselves and others, learning that is it is okay to ask for help, and understanding that their identity comes from God, not from what they do.

The Reformers are typically strong-willed and justice-oriented. They find comfort in structure, rules and order, and are willing to take a stand for what they care about. Type 1’s have a deep desire to be right and to get things right; they reflect God’s goodness. They also struggle with anger issues. The elder son in the parable of the Prodigal Son fits this description. He is the son who always did what he was supposed to do—the right thing. This son’s reaction to his father embracing the younger son who chose to rebel and dishonor the father shows us the passion that the elder son has for being good and right. The Biblical truths that Type 1’s need to pursue include learning to control their own anger and giving allowance for other’s faults and offering forgiveness to them. They also need to remember that God alone is good, and His goodness is seen through His mercy, compassion, and faithfulness.

The Reformers are typically strong-willed and justice-oriented. They find comfort in structure, rules and order, and are willing to take a stand for what they care about. Type 1’s have a deep desire to be right and to get things right; they reflect God’s goodness. They also struggle with anger issues. The elder son in the parable of the Prodigal Son fits this description. He is the son who always did what he was supposed to do—the right thing. This son’s reaction to his father embracing the younger son who chose to rebel and dishonor the father shows us the passion that the elder son has for being good and right. The Biblical truths that Type 1’s need to pursue include learning to control their own anger and giving allowance for other’s faults and offering forgiveness to them. They also need to remember that God alone is good, and His goodness is seen through His mercy, compassion, and faithfulness.

Another danger of the fast-paced life is that we make decisions on the fly, leaving God out of the process. There is only one place where we can have the mind and will of God; it is alone with God. So we must build in pause moments all through the day, relying on Him to help you make decisions. The enemy wants to make you ignorant of God’s will and blind to the needs of others; he wants you to rely on your fleshly desires. The Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth and to know God’s will, but if you are not taking time to hear, recall truth, and act accordingly, you will miss opportunities to be a blessing.

Another danger of the fast-paced life is that we make decisions on the fly, leaving God out of the process. There is only one place where we can have the mind and will of God; it is alone with God. So we must build in pause moments all through the day, relying on Him to help you make decisions. The enemy wants to make you ignorant of God’s will and blind to the needs of others; he wants you to rely on your fleshly desires. The Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth and to know God’s will, but if you are not taking time to hear, recall truth, and act accordingly, you will miss opportunities to be a blessing.

Most of us live our lives in hyper-speed and find ourselves feeling drained. In the midst of the busyness, we even begin to drift spiritually. It's vital that we pause and spend time alone with the Lord through prayer and solitude every day or the speed of the world will skew your understanding of God. Jesus often removed Himself from the world to commune with the Father. We, too, need to take time to remember Who He is, and Whose we are. God created us with core needs or longings that only He can meet, and God will provide these good gifts, if we allow Him. Anxiety, unrest and discontentment will hover over you like a dark cloud if you are not pausing in His presence on a regular basis.

Most of us live our lives in hyper-speed and find ourselves feeling drained. In the midst of the busyness, we even begin to drift spiritually. It's vital that we pause and spend time alone with the Lord through prayer and solitude every day or the speed of the world will skew your understanding of God. Jesus often removed Himself from the world to commune with the Father. We, too, need to take time to remember Who He is, and Whose we are. God created us with core needs or longings that only He can meet, and God will provide these good gifts, if we allow Him. Anxiety, unrest and discontentment will hover over you like a dark cloud if you are not pausing in His presence on a regular basis.

“Yes, I am coming soon.”— Jesus. Of the original apostles, only John remained to hear these words. He had experienced the climax of salvation history, but God was not yet finished. He had one more message to share with John and the growing churches to show His servants what must soon take place. John was exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith in Jesus. It was here that the glorified Christ appeared to John with a message of His second coming. Jesus had messages for each of these seven churches, words of commendation and a rebuke for each congregation, as well as instructions and encouraging promises. After visions of what will come in the final days, John’s vision culminated with the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth and the New Jerusalem

“Yes, I am coming soon.”— Jesus. Of the original apostles, only John remained to hear these words. He had experienced the climax of salvation history, but God was not yet finished. He had one more message to share with John and the growing churches to show His servants what must soon take place. John was exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith in Jesus. It was here that the glorified Christ appeared to John with a message of His second coming. Jesus had messages for each of these seven churches, words of commendation and a rebuke for each congregation, as well as instructions and encouraging promises. After visions of what will come in the final days, John’s vision culminated with the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth and the New Jerusalem

If one could earn frequent traveler miles two thousand years ago, Paul might hold a record. After spending nearly three years in Ephesus, he retraced his steps through Greece and Macedonia before docking in Miletus. There, he summoned the Ephesian elders for a tearful and final farewell. He charged them with shepherding the church of God. After a brief stay with Philip in Caesarea, Paul headed for Jerusalem, knowing that chains awaited him there. The Bible actually promises us persecution and suffering for our faith. Jesus promised us that the world would treat us the way it treated Him. Paul was quite explicit in saying this was to be expected by everyone who follows Jesus.