Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, grace and peace to you beloved. Hill City Family, we made it through 2020. God be praised! This year has definitely been one for the ages. We have faced economic fallout from the arrival of the Coronavirus, come through political upheaval, grieved through a summer of tumultuous race relations, celebrated the endurance of DACA, enjoyed professional basketball in the “bubble”, virtually cheered our graduates as the class of 2020 came of age amidst the biggest health crisis in recent memory, voted to remove “Plantations” from the name of the State of Rhode Island, voted in the oldest presidential candidate and the First Black, First Asian American, First South Asian, First Female Vice-Presidential candidate, and remained resilient through a year that will not soon be forgotten. 

Our resilience has not come without cost. We have lost many precious souls. Over a quarter of a million people have died here in the United States but, over 1.5 million people have died worldwide. Our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, spouses, children, aunts, uncles, countless friends and loved ones no longer able to share laughs or burdens. Instead, we have had to call upon the memories of these loved ones gone too soon, often without the closure of attending a full family to honor laying our loved ones to rest. Our families have had to celebrate the holiday traditions through unconventional channels. Many zoom calls, phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and Facebook Lives have made us more connected than we’ve ever been, all while revealing how distant we have really become. 

I imagine for many of you 2020 has left you with that drifting in the midst of the storm feeling, because when it rains it pours. For others the heavy rains have been the blessing you’ve prayed for. Through it all we cannot forget the command that Jesus gave his disciples, as they turned to him concerned and afraid. As the winds howled and the waves crashed across the bow of the boat, Jesus Simply stated, “Peace.”

Peace was the declaration of the savior as they sailed the Sea of Galilee and the same word is the declaration of the Lord over your life. Peace. It was the prophetic promise put forth by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9, that there was one who would be called the prince of Peace who would establish peace for God’s people. Peace. It was the divine declaration made on the night that angels in the outfield, ascended and descended refraining “glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace and goodwill to humanity. Peace. It was the teaching of Jesus in the famed sermon on the mount, where Jesus proclaimed blessing upon those who make peace. Peace. It was the parting exhortation from Jesus to his disciples as he pointed them to his promised Holy Spirit. Peace. 

Hill City Family, peace be unto you. 

As we live in the promises of God, allow us to share some of what the Lord has revealed to us about the upcoming year.  

2021 is a new year. This means another opportunity to step out in faith and believe that God will answer. We do not presume anything, but with expectation and excitement, we look to the hill of the Lord from whence comes our help! We believe that the holy hill of the Lord has been established in our lives and in 2021 we are going to shine like a city set upon a hill. 

Hill City Family, God is going to meet you at the hill!

As you look to meet God at Hill City this year, here are some things that you can expect. 

1. The Launch of Hill City Music. Our church has been working hard to collaborate with creatives in Providence and beyond to establish a creative center for our church. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the Hill City Music, please reach out to _______.

2. In the summer of 2020, Hill City launched Faith + Works. Faith + Works is our church’s outreach ministry. Faith works when you work it. Through Faith + Works we want to help the world to see that faith works!

3. Education is liberation when the exercise equips the learner to build something better without fear of having it knocked down. Hill City will encourage learners to build without fear by organizing three $1000 dollar scholarships for college students. Students will be able to pursue their education knowing that have a village of support backing them up.

God is gong to meet you at Hill City in 2021, because your church is partnering with you to bring impact in your neighborhood. That means we cannot do this without you. Your giving, your participation, and gifts are going to impact families and communities. We are better together. I look forward to working with you. If you have a need or know of a need, please reach out, send an email to info@hillcitypvd.com

Hey Family!

2020 was definitely an infamous year that we will never forget. Many of us believed that we were coming into our best in this new decade and the new generation. However, many of us experienced insurmountable troubles within our families, jobs, and communities.

Nevertheless, 2021 is here, and we are hoping to start anew. We are hoping that the chaos in our nation’s capital will not define the year for us. But what is God saying?

How is God calling us to consecrate this year to him? What does he want us to focus on?

Fasting is a practice that we preach and do to consecrate the year to our Lord.

We fast not to get God to perform a certain action, but we honor the experience as a time to connect with God even closer.

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So how should you fast this year? Read this guide for tips.

We will be fasting for 21 days from Jan 7 - Jan 27. Depending on your health situation and personal conviction, there are many ways you can fast.

• Complete fast: This is a fast from all food for a period of time (1 or more days). Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, this one is recommended for those who are home and not working in a public setting. We believe that God wants you to be okay spiritually and physically, and taking care of your body is just as important this season.

• Partial fast: Fasting from a meal or for several hours each day with a break from the fast at a specific time (such as fasting from breakfast every day).

• Daniel Fast: Fasting from meat, sweets, and junk food. This fast focuses mainly on plant-based foods.

• Clean food fast: Fasting from any junk food or sweets. This is recommended for those who cannot fast from food for medical reasons (such as pregnant women or people with medical conditions, see below).

• Distraction Fast: This is a fast that we can all do in conjunction with whichever fast we choose. We urge you to fast from excess screen time, social media time, and any other habits that distract you from time with God (such as shopping, watching sports games, video games, etc.)

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You should not engage in any fast that requires you to not eat if you match any of the following criteria*:

People with metabolic conditions like diabetes

Those who take medications that require food

People with conditions that require a specific diet to maintain health (such as thyroid conditions, congestive heart failure, seizure disorders, anemia)

Pregnant women, those looking to get pregnant, or breastfeeding mothers.

You may want to be cautious if you work the night shift

(*Information courtesy of Pastor Jill, Registered Dietitian. Please contact your doctor if you have any specific medical concerns during this fast.)

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What should you do while you fast?

Take this time to sit with the Lord and pray, journal, and seek to understand him more. Thank him for what he has done in your life. Read the Word to gain more insight into the God that you serve. Meditate on your chosen worship songs as an honor to God. Don’t just focus on telling God all of your problems. Let’s take this time to grow deeper with God!

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Here are 7 prayer topics that you can focus on as you fast and pray (see more here):

Schools - Students, Teachers, Administrators, Staff, Parents, Resource, and Support team members.

Government - Local, State, and Federal

Safe Neighborhoods - Reduction in Violent Crime Rate, Resources, Healthy Community and Police relationships

Churches - Hill City PVD, Your Pastors, Unity among the Churches

Families - Marriages, Parent/Child relationships, Healing, Financial Stability and Security

Coronavirus Relief - Frontline Workers, Small Business owners, wisdom for government leaders.

Revival - Matthew 6:10! “On Earth As It Is In Heaven.”

I’ll Be Home for Christmas: Reflections from Joseph

Listen as you read.

Finally. A place to rest our heads for the night. I can’t believe these people. You don’t want to take me in, fine, but I’ve got a wife who’s about to give birth! Three different inns and none of them have a guest room for a mother and infant child on the way. Thank, God! At least this family is letting us stay in their barn. A barn! No way for a man to provide for his own. 

His own? Is this even my son? If not, then what am I doing all this for? I mean it was just a dream, right? An angel shows up and says: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Save people from their sins! Goodness! Conceived by the Holy Spirit - right before we’re supposed to get married! My family thinks I’m mad and that we’re the ones who sinned. I guess it’s just as well that we’re out of Nazareth for a while and stuck in Bethlehem - gives me some time to get away from them and figure out what we’re going to do next. 

Look at them. I’m glad they’re finally sleeping. We’ve been on our feet all day and delivered a baby ourselves. Mary is a good woman. Young, but I can tell she’s special. She’s definitely filled with God’s spirit - in a way that I certainly am not. I just work with my hands and try my best to observe the law, but she has something different. When she told me that the Lord’s angel visited her and told her that she would conceive a son to be called Jesus, I lost it! I was going to annul the marriage on the down-low until I had that dream myself! Then to see Elizabeth give birth to a son at her age! I knew that there was something… inspired going on here. I’ll never forget her words. She sang them to me again after she returned from visiting Elizabeth: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.” I’ve heard the hymns sung at the temple, but this was something else. 

It’s late. It’s nice out, though. Look at those stars. I’m staying in a barn but at least I don’t have to be out there with the sheep. What’s that? Who are these guys? They’re not from around here. I hope there’s no trouble. “What’s up? Excuse me? A star? King?! Well, look at that. Gold, frankincense, myrrh! That’s for my son? Ok, come on inside.”

Lord, thank you for this blessing. I don’t know what’s in store for my family, but I trust in your ability to provide. May the words spoken about Jesus come true for not just our glory, but yours. This is certainly a night to remember.

There is a perplexing passage in the first recorded gospel of the Christian New Testament. Jesus heals one man, twice in one interaction. The passage can be found in the book of Mark chapter 8 verses 22 -26.

This is a timely passage to call upon as it is perplexing in nature and we are existing in perplexing times. Right now, the nations of the world find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. As leaders there are countries to run with bills to pay and mouths to feed. Yet the coronavirus and it’s resulting disease COVID-19, poses a threat, like “I got 99 problems” and now there’s another one. There is business to take care of with money to be made and problems to be solved. But, with mo’ money comes mo’ problems. At once, it is normal to echo the candid thoughts of one Atlanta preacher who thought out loud, I don’t care about nobody’s health, there are bills to be paid!

In the text referenced above, Jesus happens upon on a man whose life reflects our corona crazed world. Let’s compare:

A few facts about the corona virus.

1. It is an infectious virus that enters the body (mouth, eyes, nose) through contact with droplets from infected parties. Just like any other viral infection. Distance and limited contact are key to prevention.

2. There are two parts. First, the virus, coronavirus is a family of viruses that are known. Second, this new strain of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) can develop into a serious disease known as COVID-19.

3. The virus presents itself similar to the flu. Those exposed will often experience mild flu-like symptoms.

4. The danger is concentrated on the elderly, those who are already experiencing ailment, and the immunocompromised.

5. The best response is to practice simple hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly and often, cough into the crease of your elbow, or even with a disposable tissue, don’t leave home when sick or when exposed to sickness, stay home and practice wellness regimen until recovered.

A few facts about the story:

1. The man is blind. A common condition in 1st century society.

2. The story takes place in Bethsaida. A small town that held significance in the 1st century Rome, as it was simultaneously named Julia for the emperor’s daughter as a symbol of who the region belonged to.

3. There is a crowd and a separation from that crowd. Quarantine is not new.

4. Jesus spits. Many times the truth of the matter is that it gets ugly before it gets better.

5. The man’s vision is restored. The chaos is the climax not the conclusion. It is a moment for God to step in when it seems impossible.

Here is a man who has a common concern but has become a local phenomenon. This was not the first blind man. This would not be the last blind man. Yet, here is an entire village roused in hysteria seeking that this one blind man be healed. What about all of the other blind people? Where were all of the sick people in the village? Was the only person who needed a miracle?

Beloved, this virus that we are facing is a scary phenomenon. Countries all over the world are reporting new cases by the hundreds, some by the thousands each day. The news cycles are dominated by it and it seems to be the central fixture of conversations everywhere.

Let’s be clear. This isn’t the first time we’ve experienced a virus. This isn’t even the first coronavirus. But, what is new is this particular virus resulting in this particular new disease.

Similarly, this isn’t the first story about blindness in the Bible. This isn’t even the first story about healing blindness. But, what is new is the healer having a do-over. Why would Jesus have to lay hands on this man twice? Why would this blindness allow this man to see well enough to distinguish men and trees but still see them wrongly? It just doesn’t seem right.

It doesn’t seem right that out of all the ailments that humanity faces, one case of disability would be the headline of the village. Where was the concern for those with leprosy? Where was the concern for those were deaf? Where was the concern for those who were battling terminal illnesses? Doesn’t seem right.

The passage is short, but, here is the key. In verse 23, two critical things happen. First Jesus addresses the man’s environment. In the narrative, Jesus leads the man out of the village. Sometimes things seem to being going wrong in life and the temptation is to try harder at what you’ve been doing. The temptation is to put more effort into maintain the status quo. But Jesus demonstrates for us that healing happens by habit. In other words, changing your cycles, amending your appetites, charting a new course, these are the ways to experience the healing power of transformation. Letting God lead you into something new. Secondly, Jesus asks the man a question. “What do you see?” He asked. That question opened the door for the man to share some backwards perspectives that he had. Evidently he had vision prior to being blind or he was very presumptive. The former is more likely as his observation indicates that there was something wrong. By acknowledging the he could see but that he couldn’t see correctly, Jesus was able to illustrate the passage in Jeremiah 5:21. Not everyone with eyes can see. Not everyone who has ears can hear. My grandmother would have said it this way, “every closed eye isn’t sleep.” Just because something appears one way does not make it law.

So in the age of coronavirus, let me encourage you. This is not the end. Those we have lost to this potent virus are a grave and serious loss. The threat of over saturation for our healthcare system, that this sickness poses is real and ought to be taken seriously. However we will not by ruled by fear (II Tim 1:7). “We will not fear what [everyone else] fears and we will not call calamity what they call calamity.” (Is 8:12). These are troubling times but Jesus has promised victory over sickness, over pain, over sin, even over the sting of death. Yes coronavirus is serious. Yes it is a pandemic. Yes By the stripes of Jesus, we are healed. Yes people have died. This moment is less about an argument of what we have to do to get grand spiritual guarantees and more about an encounter. Like the man in Bethsaida, what we need is an encounter with the God who leads us out of our old habits and helps us to see things as they really are. A God who heals not only our physical eyes, but our emotional eyes, relational eyes, financial eyes, political eyes, sexual eyes. We need an encounter with the God who is willing to help us learn from the mistakes of the past and build from them. Rather than entrench ourselves in village of old habits only to suffer the symptoms of doing the same things the same way over and over expecting different results.

We can learn something from this coronavirus. Hygiene must be taken seriously. We cannot afford to play around with our health. Wash your hands. Teach your children and children you have relationship with to wash their hands. Be diligent about getting rest and managing stress by leaving time for mental health routines and emotional health routines. Exercise. Eat well. Do not go out spreading your germs when you are sick. Business can wait, deals can get done when you return, decisions can be made when you are well. Stay home and drink plenty of fluids if you are unwell. If your symptoms are atypical, CALL before you go to your primary care provider. It is important that your sickness does not spread in waiting rooms and that medical professionals can prepare for your treatment before you arrive.

Be blessed. God has not forsaken you. God has not abandoned you. You are an overcomer. Diseases will come and go but the word of God will stand forever and his word for you is victory.

Throughout this fast, there have been times when it was tempting to just focus on the stress of the day. You know… stressing about bills that aren’t paid, stressing about work that is piling up on my desk, stressing about the kids not acting right!

The reality of life is that it does not stop even when we are fasting. Matthew 6:17-18 says, “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (NASB)

How difficult is it to keep yourself together when you are fasting AND tired?!

Nevertheless, there is a blessing that can come when we lay our problems down and come to the Lord’s feet. God reminded me throughout this season the beauty of laying at his feet. The verse “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” in Matthew 22:37 continued to come to the forefront of my mind.

I believe God has used this verse during this time of fasting to help me remember to come to him to learn to love him, learn to commit to him, and learn more of who he is. When you come to God and forget about your problems, inevitably, God will give you just what you need in that moment. That is not always the solution to a problem you demand fixing. Sometimes, it’s a still small voice of peace that instills confidence in your existence. Sometimes it’s a reminder of God’s love and power. Sometimes, it’s a recognition of how he is ever present in our lives.

Whatever it is, I encourage you to continue to walk down this path of love… not always coming to the Lord with your problems. Instead, come to the Lord to understand even deeper what it means that he is there… through prayer, worship, and his Word. I hope you can connect with God today!

Hill City Fam!

As we close out 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we wanted to share our fasting guide for your review throughout the year. We encourage you to seek the Lord and fast throughout the year when you need some dedicated time with the Lord, or when you feel led in your spiritual journey.

We are so excited to how God is growing our community and building the church. First, please to stay connected to The City Blog. Next find, read through the guide that is included on this email. 

As a guide, please commit to pray at least 15 minutes above and beyond your normal daily prayer time. Also, you can participate at any level that is healthy for you. There are different types of fasts:

A total fast is consuming water only.*

A partial fast is abstaining from certain foods. The following are some examples:

1. The Daniel Plan. Daniel 1:8-16

2. Fruits and vegetables only. 

3. No Sweets. 

Other variations of fasting include:

1. Fasting from social media

2. Fasting from television and movies

3. Fasting from alcohol or other substances (this is is a great time to get help from a habit that has you).

4. Fasting from soda and other sweets (this is a great time to kick soda out of your diet and reclaim your health).

Whatever you do it as unto the Lord (Col. 3:17) and be sure to be intentional in times of prayer. God is always speaking. We are believing that this time of setting aside specific time to pray will only make our relationships with God stronger. 

*Please consult your physician before a total fast. It is not healthy to engage in this type of fast for prolonged periods of time.
Thanks, 

Pastors Tim and Jill

Have you ever had a week of polar opposites? You know, a time where you make great strides in achieving exercise goals, but then failing in your diet goals. The choice to run was a good one, the choice to eat more than four cookies in one day… not so much. CHOICES! God help us. Fitness is a common thought. "If I could just lose about 5-10 pounds" or "you know, if I could exercise for the next month. doing 2-3 days per week, I'll be able to fit into that..." The truth is, sometimes while we are focusing on a good thing, success facts and focus.

You see, health is wealth. Facts. And, wealth is built over time because of focused decisions. You can get rich quick by focusing on making a lot of money quickly, but the fact of the matter is that you cannot get wealthy quickly. You can get a lump sum of money fast, but your credit score is changed from consistent and timely debt reduction, on-time bill payments, and managing your open credit accounts (Go Here For More). We need to pay our bills on time. But, we also need to be intentional to reduce debt by paying more than the minimum whenever possible, because it helps decrease interest as well as principle. The key to focusing on anything is realizing that timing is everything.

When you fix your focus, you can see its not just a matter of the right choices, but the right choices over time. It's a matter of focus. Anybody can win the lottery, but it takes focus and faithfulness (read: discipline) to defeat poverty. 

There are many stories in the bible about Jesus and his disciples going on ministry trips. In one of those stories, while they were on their way to Jerusalem Jesus and his disciples stopped by Bethany. The choice to stop is an interesting one. If you go back through the earlier passages of scripture that precede this story in the book of Luke in chapter 10, the focus is on "focus." The first 2/3 of the chapter centers on Jesus sending out 72 followers. Jesus challenges his disciples not to focus on the results that they see, exorcisms and supernatural victories over wickedness and high places. Instead, Jesus tells them to focus on being written in the record of heaven. In other words keep your focus. It kind of challenges the saying "so heavenly minded, that you're no earthly good." Because evidently the mind of the kingdom of heaven is on people. "For God so loved that he gave…"

The setting of the story we're focusing on today takes place in the village of Martha and Mary. According to a separate passage of scripture, John 11, we know that Bethany is the name of the village we’re reading about in Luke. Bethany. Part of the root word for Bethany is Beth. "House." Bethany very likely means "house of the poor."

Isn't it interesting that Jesus would stop by Bethany. We just referenced the first 24 verses of chapter 10, where Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to villages along the way to Jerusalem. He enlisted the help of these volunteers to pound the pavement for the campaign of the Messiah's arrival and enlist those that would believe to join the forces of the kingdom of heaven. Can you imagine the excitement? Can you imagine the energy? Jesus' disciples were probably looking for a something big to happen. I could see them wanting to turn the world upside down with revival services and worship nights that spilled into the streets like holy riots. 

And yet, while on their way, Jesus stops at Bethany. In the rabbinic tradition, Bethany is thought to have been the location of an almshouse, sort of like a ancient non-profit dedicated to the poor. I can see the disciples not being too interested in spending much time there. I can see their impatience. I can see their confusion. I can see their wonder wane away as Jesus walks in this humbled town. 

But, then we are introduced to another set of characters. First, we meet Martha. She welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her home. Now, the text is not clear as to whether it was the twelve or the 70+ but either way, having guests in the double digits can be quite the task. All of the preparations, all of the help that is needed. Martha meets Jesus with a frantic wipe of her hands on her apron and small streak of flour and sweat across her brow. As she labored furiously to furnish a presentable spread, we meet her sister Mary. Mary was cut from a different cloth. She was intuitive and lived in the moment. Not focusing on what people think, she sat at Jesus feet as they conversed around a fire in the living room. She was not worried about dinner or even eating for that matter. She was not bothered by the snickers of the disciples as they mocked the run down block that she lived on. She didn't care because she knew that her village would never be the same after this moment. She knew that her community would forever be changed by this personal encounter she was having with Jesus. She sat right there in the middle of the floor, not because she was inept or couldn't cook but, because she was focused on following this fellow from Nazareth.

Sometimes the greatest work we can do to fight oppression is to focus on freedom for ourselves. How can you release captives when you are still bound? How can you free the oppressed when you are still under another's control? I believe this passage compels us to be like Mary, choose to focus on freedom. Don't be distracted by decorum. Having this degree by this age, being married before this time, getting a raise after that project. These things are good. But, the pursuit of them at the expense of an encounter with Jesus is like working your whole life just to make a million dollars only to die having a million dollars in debt. You’ve got to fix your focus. Focus on the things that will last. Focus on what will stand the test of time. Focus on what will be worth your investment of time in the end.

We live in a time where faces are filtered, families are fractured, and futures are foiled all because instant gratification has replaced intentional intimacy. 

In the New Testament, there is a passage of scripture call the Book of Acts. In it he author is recounting the events after the resurrection of Jesus to man named Theophilus. 

It bears mentioning that the book attributed to the apostle Luke is also written to Theophilus. So what we have here is a second work in a larger narrative. 

I’m sure as Theophilus heard this rendition of the gospel story he may have had some questions. Like where was Jesus while the disciples were suffering? It says he showed up after his suffering, but what about his followers? How were they supposed to believe in a man claiming to be the messiah, but was murdered before their very eyes?

I can imagine brother Luke taking Theo back to the first letter, when Jesus helped Peter’s small business with their cash flow problem. Y’all know the story, they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. But Jesus used their problem to prove his love by caring for what they cared for. Luke probably talked about the time when Jesus solved a woman’s grief problem by raising her son from the dead and proving his Lordship over life and dominion over death. I’m sure he reminded Theo of when Jesus spoke to the storm and proved He’s in charge of creation. I’m sure the good doctor Luke took brother Theo down through the text to show the problems that Jesus used to prove himself so that Theo might believe that if he did it before he can do it again. 

The problem with our social media society is that we are double tapping likes for the level up but weren’t committed for the come up. The shield of screens has distorted our perception of progress. The story doesn’t start when you tune in, and God is not finished when you flip the channel. Being alive is not measured by attention. It is measured by intention. 

This is what is missing in our insta culture, we need to take inventory of our intentions. 

This love religion is intentional. Does your love ever ask you to suffer? Some of you who have been married for 20 years - 30 years you know that faithfulness is the real way to bring sexy back. But it will cost you. You will sacrifice if you plan to love anyone long term. That’s what’s missing in our hookup culture- there is a propensity to gauge there other person’s value instead of inspecting our own intentions. When’s the last time you laid down your desires for someone else to benefit?

This is called serving. Jesus didn’t show up because he was lonely. Jesus didn’t show up because he needed something from humanity! He showed up after his suffering for their sake. The proof of our faith isn’t not in simply obtaining what we desire, it is in developing through difficulty. The problems that present themselves in your path are proving grounds. They are evidence that the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is able to pick you up out of your dead end job if you’ll just remain faithful, able to revive your marriage if you just stay in prayer, the problems we face do not make us afraid they are invitations to dive deeper in your relationship with God.

We must regain the religion of the Rabbi from Galilee. A religion of redemption, a religion of righteousness. This Is a righteousness marked by justice and the contagious joy of knowing you’ve been forgiven. It is marked by a deep compassion demonstrated by a discipline of generosity. Our religion is one of social justice. Where, in the words of the good Rev. Dr.  all of God’s people, black and white, Native American and Latin, Asian and Hispanic can join hands to shout free at last, free at last thank God almighty we’re free at last. A religion where justice rolls down like a river and righteousness like a mighty stream. A religion of real love. 

Love is built on continuity not convenience. Your love for others ought to informed by your calling to serve. Because as you look back, you’ll be able to point to the problems in the past as proof that when it feels like you’re down to nothing, God is up to something. 

Motives matter. There is the saying, it doesn’t matter how you start, but how you finish. It’s a good saying. But, we must also consider, that the journey to the finish line matters just as much as crossing it. Intention is a mental commitment to purpose. 

Your purpose will always be juxtaposed with a problem. For many people, the problem is proof that their purpose is polluted beyond redemption. But, the bible is full of stories that show us that Jesus often shows himself in the middle of the suffering. The fact that he is present in our problems is proof that the problem is not greater than his purpose. 

Thank God that your problem is not greater than your purpose! The next time you face a problem, you can smile because you know that problems produce patience, and patience produces character and character engenders hope and when you put your hope in Jesus, you can trust that no problem will prove him to be a liar! Is there anybody in this place who can give God a praise in the problem?!