The apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from - of all places - prison. He was in prison for being a Christ-follower. Yet, the entire book of Philippians is all about Joy. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi - a church he planted in Acts 16 - and the church had always supported him. Nineteen times, Paul uses the word “joy” in these four chapters. Paul did not plan to be in prison, but He trusted in God and exuded faith in the challenges. Because of Paul’s obedience to Christ, countless people were impacted for eternity. Life will not always go as planned for any of us, and we will all have decisions to make about how we respond - Choose Joy.

God’s vision for your life is to know Jesus personally, to be a part of His Church and to live in the Spirit. This is where we experience the full life God desires for us. We are God’s Church today. God has a vision for us to be devoted disciples. Our God is doing something truly special at Rolling Hills. This is our time to be His devoted disciples reaching out, growing up and giving all for His glory. What if the greatest era of God’s Church is not behind us but ahead of us? Let’s not miss it. Let’s live out God’s vision for our lives and for His Church today.

God is building a legacy through you—right where you are. Like Paul in Acts 28, you’re called to boldly live out the Kingdom of God in your everyday life. The Kingdom moves through your words, your actions, and your obedience. Your next chapter could be your most impactful one. Step into your Kingdom legacy today.

Boldness doesn’t come from personality — it comes from knowing Jesus deeply. Like Paul in Acts 26, we become bold when the gospel becomes personal. Real boldness starts in private with God, and overflows into how we pray, serve, and share hope with others. Who in your life is waiting for you to boldly share Christ?

Paul got it and lived it! And, I pray we will as well. Paul’s life was transformed by Jesus. Paul knew he was a servant of Jesus, and he lived his life on God’s agenda. Paul learned to listen to the Holy Spirit. When God prompted his heart, Paul responded. Paul built God’s Church and invited people to be a part of God’s greater story. Paul knew God was always with him. Even in the hardest times, Paul knew a miracle could happen. Will you live as a servant of Jesus? Will you praise in the darkness and invest your life in building God’s Church for His glory? This is our time. Let’s learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and to live as God’s people today.

​​Paul set an amazing example for believers in showing us how important it is to stand up for the truth of Jesus, while also standing in the gap for those who are young in their faith. The Gentile believers could have easily been swayed into believing a strict adherence to Old Testament law was necessary for their faith, but Paul went to great lengths to continually point them back to the grace of God. Prayerfully, we all have new believers in our lives whom we can pour into and encourage like Paul. In doing so, our own hearts for Jesus grow, and our witness and influence with others grow.

Paul and Barnabas traveled over 600 miles on their first missionary journey, sent out by a diverse church in Antioch. From political leaders to the overlooked and hurting, they shared the good news with everyone they met — and God worked miracles in every heart. As they preached, they faced both opportunities and opposition, but they never lost sight of the story they were part of: Jesus is King, and His love changes everything. That same call is for us today — to trust God with our next step, to see every person as someone God loves, and to remember that we’re all part of a greater story. Wherever we go, let’s follow Jesus boldly, knowing He’s with us every step of the way.

As a Christ-follower, we are not created to go alone. When we enter into this beautiful covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son, we are born into the “family” of God. Too many Christians become isolated and therefore they conform to the world and become ineffective in their spiritual lives. God gives us His Church, and every person is important to the Body of Believers. Paul joined with other believers to grow in His faith and to further God’s Kingdom. Find a place to serve, a spiritual mentor and someone you can disciple. The apostle Paul was invested in building God’s Church, and he had a tremendous community around him. Do you? Be intentional in investing in what is eternal and watch God do great things through you!