Prayer is an important part of your spiritual life, as it’s a way to build your intimate relationship with God. However, at times, prayer can feel confusing and even defeating. One way to enhance your prayer life is by approaching it through the ACTS method — Adore, Confess, Thank, and Seek.

The new year is a time to reboot and refresh your life with goals and resolutions. As you consider yours, what are some ways that you can enhance your relationship with God?  Bible engagement, being with others in the journey, and prayer are a few ways to consider as you think about how to grow spiritually. Take your first step today.

Christmas is a time for celebration, but not just because of the seasonal festivities. It’s a time to pause, reflect on, and celebrate what matters the most — the birth of Jesus. Because of God's gift to us — Jesus — we can have an abundance of peace and love both in this season and always.  

At Christmas, we often hear and sing songs about the season. And as we see in Luke in the Bible, Mary sings. Does this encourage you to sing, as well, as a way to praise and worship the Savior who looks on us, the Champion who praises us, and the God who remembers us?

At times, the world can be a dark place. And, as Christ-followers, we're light in the darkness. As we see in the New Testament of the Bible, we aren’t asked to be light rather we are called light, which wins, illuminates, and leads. Consider how you are light to those around you.     

Trees are a well-known tradition at Christmas that also hold a powerful connection to the Gospel. Consider that the “tree of life” is what God directed, the “tree of knowledge” is what God allowed, and the “cross” is what God celebrates. How does thinking about the traditional Christmas tree this way shape your view of its tie to what we read in God’s Word?  

We see at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds paying careful attention to Jesus. Is it encouraging or challenging to know that unbelievers watch our lives?  Consider how your words and actions — your life — reflect the Kingdom of Jesus.     

As we read in Matthew 7:7-14, we see that God is more than able, He is good; we’re called to be more than a fair person, but also one who is good; and we are to let God be God. This is his heart for both you and your world.  Be reminded that as much as He is powerful, all-knowing, and eternal, He is also good.  

Pastor Tim Hawks has faithfully and tirelessly served Hill Country Bible Church for 35 years. Over the years, he’s been instrumental in advancing Hill Country's mission to saturate greater Austin with the love of Jesus. Today, we’re honored to celebrate Tim and his wife Cindy, as he delivers his inspiring farewell message.

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.