Shepherd of the Hills — Las Vegas

Rejoice in God's Patience | 1 Timothy 1:12-17

As he had done so often before with others, Paul gave a brief overview of his life to his dear friend Timothy. That is what I once was... and this is who I am today... all by the grace and patience of the eternal God worthy of all praise! Although Paul told his story several times, the focus was always the same: God's patience that took action in the lives of sinners. God's patience is not tolerance or ignorance; it is incomprehensible love shown to the undeserving sinner. It is Christ crucified for us. It is the empty tomb and the promise of forgiveness, life and salvation. It is the simple, comforting gospel: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Praise and thanks to God for all He has done to make us His own! Rejoice in God's incredible patience!

God is Not Like Us | Trinity Sunday

Who is God? How do we explain him? Is it possible to wrap our minds around the very Creator of the universe? The fascination with learning more about God has always been at the forefront of the human mind. We want to explore things we don't quite understand. But when it comes to God, we know that we are not like God and God is not like us. It's certainly true that God has revealed many things about himself through the pages of Scripture and in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, our Savior – Jesus. We know of God's holiness and justice, and how His love worked out a plan of redemption for sinful souls lost in rebellion. We know that God created this world, sustains it by His powerful Word, and that our Savior will return to judge the living and the dead – and will bring those who trust in him to an eternity with him. However, there is much about God that we cannot comprehend. And what a comfort that is! God is so much greater, so far beyond our own minds, intellect, and reason that we simply stand in awe, honoring and worshiping the God of all grace and goodness. This realization is especially evident as we celebrate Trinity Sunday – recognizing the infinite wisdom of an all-powerful God. We stand in reverent fear, giving glory to our God who decided to humble himself, take on flesh, and die so that we could be His forever. What an awesome God we have!

Quench Your Thirst! | John 7:37-43

The festival was at its culmination, the large crowd undoubtedly excited as they observed the day's events. Then, a voice cries out, drawing attention to his striking message, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!" The crowd was divided, some praising the prophetic voice of the Savior, others doubting the itinerant preacher from Galilee. Regardless of their reactions, the voice spoke the very words of life. The Water of Life offered the only solution for a parched and thirsty soul. "As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me." Quench your thirst with the words and promises of God's own Son! Rejoice that the Holy Spirit has given you faith to trust in the source of salvation — the Living Water himself!

Beyond Understanding | Ephesians 1:15-23

Can you explain it? Are you able to wrap your mind around it? Do you understand it? When asked about what God has done for us, these questions might seem simple to answer. Well, yes, of course! God has given us His Word and promises that show us plainly how he won salvation for us! But if we dig even deeper and try to peer into the mind of God, we realize that His grace is beyond our understanding — and that's amazing!

Stand Firm in the Truth | Acts 14 & John 14

Crashing waves and swift currents are powerful and sometimes dangerous. Even when we think we have sure footing, the water beneath us can easily cause us to fall. How secure are we to face the waves and currents of this life? In today's readings, we learn about the danger and destruction of a world absent of God's saving Word, but how Jesus' promise brings life, comfort, and assurance. The world around us is full of temptation and empty promises. There are endless distractions trying to pull us away from the true God, to sweep out feet out from under us and pull us into the depths of sin and death. This is why Jesus reminds His disciples of the only solid foundation, the only true defense against a world of destruction: God's Word. The word that promised a Savior from sin. The word through which the Spirit works faith in our hearts. The word that we follow as servants and children of our Father in Heaven. The word that reveals the power of Jesus' resurrection — "because I live, you also will live!" Stand firm on the solid foundation of the Savior!