Local pastors, leaders, and our church family gathered to celebrate all that God has done in and through Hill Country Bible Church over the past 35 years. 

In Scripture, Jesus calls us to examine our own “logs” before we concern ourselves with other’s “specks.” Consider your own temptation to judge others and then think about what Jesus has to say about it, which is to apply our judging criteria to ourselves. How do you think your life would look different if you put this practice into place?

In Scripture, we read that Jesus asked people to invest wealth into the kingdom. Does that feel like a habit that Christians used to do, or still do? Financial investing in the kingdom grows a trust in the King. As such, consider what role giving has in your spiritual life. And think about what role gratitude has in your giving.

Everybody has a heart, yet some people have God’s heart.  You can access and acquire God’s heart when you give, pray, and fast. Consider how you can orient yourself in these ways to shape your heart more like God’s.

God calls us to seek wisdom to not be foolish and put ourselves in harm’s way. And, at the same time, to ask for the wisdom to see where God might have us let go of our rights and love an enemy.

Diluting truth, but adding God to compensate winds up hurting God’s reputation. Have you seen this at work at all in your own life? Be mindful of speaking truth as a way of honoring God, reminding the world that He is truth, and making Him trustworthy.

Consider the idea that God will not elevate you any higher than the sin you allow to rule over you. As such, Jesus brings forgiveness and transformation when we surrender our desires to God’s. One way He does this is by calling us out of self-focused lust and into self-giving love.   

Relationships are beautiful, but there will sometimes be conflict and even anger. Consider any of your current relationships where there is anger.  What does that anger do to you and to others? Think about any relationships that are in need of repair, and take those to God.    

Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Jesus is sufficient in all things. Our righteousness comes from Him. Sit in His Word and let it mold, shake, and cleanse you. Then your righteousness will exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus called his disciples “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” Consider your relationship with Jesus, how does it make you “salty” and “luminous” to the people around you. Both as an individual and as a body of believers, as salt, we are the hope for a decaying world. And, as light, we are the hope for a dark world.