Hills Church

Many people feel unqualified, unnoticed, or not ready for God to use them. We often assume that only the gifted or highly spiritual are called to serve. But Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is poured out on all who believe in Jesus. God does not choose people based on talent or status. He gives His Spirit freely by grace.

If you belong to Christ, you are already chosen, included, and empowered by His Spirit. You do not need to earn your place or become more impressive before God can work through you.The Holy Spirit also transforms us from within. Many of us carry thoughts like, “I’m not enough,” or “I need to prove myself.” But when Christ is at the center of our hearts, our identity changes. We are no longer defined by failure, fear, or the opinions of others. We are defined by God’s love.

When our lives are rooted in Christ’s love, we become steady in difficult seasons. Circumstances may change, but His love remains constant. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

As we are filled with His presence, that love overflows into our words, choices, and relationships. You do not need to be extraordinary to be used by God. You are called to be an ordinary person filled with the extraordinary Spirit of God.

In Acts chapter one, the disciples find themselves confused and uncertain. Jesus had risen from the dead and spent 40 days with them, yet they still struggled to understand His mission. They expected a political Messiah, but God’s plan was far greater—salvation for all people.

In this in-between season, Jesus led them back to Scripture, helping them see that everything pointed to Him. Slowly, their confusion turned to clarity and their fear to faith.

The turning point was the cross. When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” the work of salvation was complete. Sin was paid for, and reconciliation with God was made possible. Nothing more needed to be added.

Because of this, the disciples were transformed. They returned to Jerusalem—once a place of fear—with joy, obedience, and expectation. They trusted God’s promise and waited for the Holy Spirit.

We too live in uncertain times. Like the disciples, we may not always understand what God is doing. But we can trust that Jesus has finished the work and continues to lead us. As we surrender our expectations and trust His Word, we can live with confidence, joy, and hope.

This Resurrection Sunday reminds us of a powerful truth: before we ever knew God, He already loved us. From the very beginning, He called us His own and invited us into life with Him.

The cross represents pain, sacrifice, and what felt like the end. When the women came to the tomb, they expected loss and grief. Instead, they found hope—Jesus had risen. The stone was rolled away so that we could see: He is not here, He is alive.

The resurrection is not only about Jesus—it is about us. Scripture tells us that though we were once dead in our sin, God made us alive with Christ. His resurrection power now lives within us.

This means no situation is beyond hope. Whether it’s brokenness, loss, or struggle, Jesus reaches into the deepest places and brings new life. What we cannot restore, He can.

Our response is to believe—to trust in His power and promises. As we grow in faith, we begin to live not from defeat, but from victory.

This Easter, we celebrate that Christ is risen—and because of Him, we too are raised to new life, filled with hope, purpose, and His transforming power.

As we move toward Easter, many of us are carrying heavy things—frustration, grief, or unanswered prayers. We see brokenness around us and feel it within us. Like the cry of Psalm 89, we hold onto God’s promises while wrestling with the reality in front of us.

Jesus understands this tension. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before the cross, He was overwhelmed with sorrow. He brought it honestly before the Father: “Abba, Father… everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Jesus knows what it is to struggle. He knows pain, uncertainty, and anguish. And in that moment, He chose the cross—for you and for me. He chose to carry our sin, our shame, and our burdens so that we could walk in freedom. Because of Him, we are not alone. Because of Him, there is hope—even when life feels hard.

There is also an invitation for us. It’s easy to drift or grow weary, but Jesus calls us to draw near and pray. This Easter, come to Him honestly. Bring your burdens and lift your eyes again. He is with you, He understands you, and He offers you peace.

In Mark 14, we are drawn into the final days before the cross—a time marked by tension, betrayal, and anticipation. In the midst of it all, two meals reveal both the depth of Jesus’ love and the invitation for us to respond.

At the Passover meal, Jesus breaks bread and shares the cup with His disciples, pointing to His body and blood given for us. This moment, which we now remember through communion, centres us again on the cross. Jesus carried our sin, our pain, and everything that separated us from God. Because of Him, we are forgiven, restored, and welcomed into relationship with the Father. When we come to the table, we are reminded of His love, His sacrifice, and the new life we have in Him.

In Bethany, another meal unfolds. A woman pours out expensive perfume over Jesus in an act of deep devotion. While others question her actions, Jesus calls it beautiful. Her response is wholehearted and sacrificial, flowing from a life touched by His grace.

Together, these moments show us the heart of the gospel. Jesus gives everything for us, and we are invited to respond with everything we are. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, may we return to the centre—remembering His sacrifice and responding with lives of worship, surrender, and love.

The Bible is far more than a historical record or a book of instructions. It carries the breath of God and speaks life into us as we read it. Through Scripture, God shapes our hearts, strengthens our faith, and invites us into a living relationship with Him.

In Mark 13, Jesus speaks about the future shortly before His journey to the cross. As He and His followers leave the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, Jesus foretells that the temple will one day be completely destroyed—a prophecy that was fulfilled in 70 AD. He then describes the kinds of events that will mark the age before His return: wars, earthquakes, hardship, and persecution. These moments can feel overwhelming, but Jesus calls them “birth pains,” reminding us that God’s greater plan is still unfolding.

Rather than responding with fear, we are encouraged to remain alert and faithful. Being spiritually awake means staying connected to Jesus through prayer, worship, and Scripture, and walking alongside other believers who encourage and strengthen our faith.

Even when the world feels uncertain, we hold onto hope. God is still in control, and the story is not finished. As we wait with anticipation for Jesus’ return, we are called to live faithfully—sharing His love, serving others, and holding firmly to the hope that anchors our souls.

In Mark 12, we see Jesus in the final week before His crucifixion, surrounded by tension and questions from religious leaders. Even in this challenging moment, He gives a simple, life-changing answer to one of the most important questions: What is the greatest commandment? Jesus says it’s to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love your neighbour as yourself. It’s not about ticking off rules or looking perfect; it’s about wholehearted love and real connection.

Jesus also reminds us to watch our own hearts. It’s easy to get caught up in appearances, control, or resentment—things that can quietly steal our joy and harm our relationships. True faith invites honesty. When we share our struggles with trusted friends and walk in the light together, God’s grace brings freedom, healing, and real community.

He then points to a quiet, powerful example: a poor widow giving two small coins. While others gave plenty, she gave all she had. Jesus saw her heart—and that’s what matters.

Her generosity and courage remind us that living fully for God is about our hearts, not our wealth or perfection. And ultimately, it points to Jesus’ love on the cross—giving everything for us, completely and freely.

From the very beginning, God’s story has been a story of light. In Genesis, the first thing God speaks into the darkness is light—bringing life, order, and goodness. That same thread continues into John, where we see that Jesus is the true Light who came into the world. He shines into our confusion, sin, and struggle, revealing truth and showing us the way back to the Father.

Jesus doesn’t stop at saying, “I am the light of the world.” In Matthew 5, He turns to us and says, “You are the light of the world.” What an incredible calling. Through the Holy Spirit, each of us has been given gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12). Our light isn’t meant to be hidden under fear, busyness, or doubt—it’s meant to shine.

Even the smallest light makes a difference in a dark room. As we nurture our faith, stay close to Jesus, and encourage one another, our light grows stronger. May we be a church family that reflects His light clearly—glowing with hope, truth, and love so that others may see and glorify God.

“Don’t be afraid.” These words echo throughout Scripture — spoken to Abram, to Israel, to shepherds in the fields, and to disciples facing the cross. Again and again, God meets people in uncertain and frightening circumstances with reassurance. Fear itself is not wrong. Some fear protects and guides us wisely. But unchecked fear can drain us, limit our obedience, and keep us from stepping into what God is calling us to. It can quietly shape our decisions and shrink our faith.

The Bible invites us into a different kind of fear — the fear of God. This is not a trembling anxiety, but awe, reverence, and trust in the One who truly holds ultimate power. When we remember who God is, other fears begin to loosen their grip.

In John 14, Jesus speaks to His disciples on the eve of turmoil and promises them His peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit. We are invited to bring our fears honestly before God — naming them, surrendering them, and exchanging them for Christ’s peace. Because God is powerful and loving, we are free to follow Him wherever He leads.

Don’t be afraid. God is in charge. His peace is enough.

What have you received from God—and what are you doing with it?

Jesus invites us to live deeply in grace, not just knowing about Him, but relying on Him daily. The gospel reminds us that we are not sustained by our own strength, ability, or righteousness, but by the generous grace of God alone. Every good thing we have flows from Him.

Scripture shows us that those who recognise their need for grace respond with gratitude, love, and generosity. When we know how much we’ve been forgiven, our lives begin to overflow. Grace was never meant to be stored away or buried—it is meant to be shared. Like a river, we are called to continually receive from God and freely give to others.

In a world that celebrates self-reliance and personal achievement, it’s easy to forget how deeply we depend on God. Yet Jesus reminds us that it is not the “healthy” who need a doctor, but the sick. Each day is an invitation to trust Him afresh, to let go of self-confidence, and to rest in His sustaining grace.

As we pause this week, may we reflect with thankfulness on what we’ve received, and allow that grace to shape how we live, love, and bless others. May our lives point beyond ourselves and bring honour to Christ.