November 7, 2024

1 Corinthians 1:10

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 

People are hard to live with but impossible to live without. An old German philosopher talked about our relationships like the relationships of porcupines in winter. It’s too cold to go off by yourself but trying to snuggle with another porcupine causes pain in both you and your buddy. What do we do to overcome the pain and enjoy the warmth and meaning of relationships?

Paul makes it clear in these first hopeful commands to the extremely prickly Corinthian church. We are united by the name of Jesus Christ under His Lordship, united in His way of thinking and coming to His conclusions. He made it clear that love of us was worth being pierced, even by a spear and nails. Looking at that great love, we too decide to endure pain for the moment to enjoy love forever.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please send me in closer and closer with your people even if it hurts me and occasionally I hurt them. May Your name be honored as we unite around You!

November 6, 2024

2 Timothy 2:20-21

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

We generally think of blindness as something that happens to a person through disease or accident. Well we should, who would ever choose it? Why would someone choose to shut out the light of the sun or the colors of the rainbow? Yet sin is a blindness we choose. Every time we give our thoughts or hearts to something God hates, we pretend to live in a world that doesn’t exist and shut out the one that does.

Put positively, doing things God’s way gives you a much better view of things God sees. We become more useful to the master of the house when we can see by His light rather than closing our eyes to His beauty. Open your life up to all the wonder of the grace of God and become a golden vessel of His love to the world.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please entice me to obey through the wonderful promise of being more useful to You in Your work.

November 5, 2024

Ezekiel 37:9

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”

I don’t know if there is a more weird and wonderful story in Scripture than that of Ezekiel preaching to the Valley of Dry Bones. God commands His prophet to go and prophesy to a massive, dry valley filled with the bones of warriors who died in some ancient battle. We may shiver or laugh at such an assignment, but Ezekiel probably got very emotional.

He had done much of his ministry to an Israel that was dead on the inside. He wanted them to turn, to repent like Nineveh and live, but no. Nothing greeted his ministry but death, deportation, and despair. And here, God was telling him to go and preach to the bones, just as he had been preaching to spiritual skeletons. As he preached, those bones had their corruption undone and then life breathed into them. We are a people of sin, but God is a God of restoration. Listen to His words today and live.

Prayer prompt: Lord, let me see my sin that I may turn to You for life.

November 4, 2024

Philippians 1:27

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Have you ever see an old man’s naval tattoo? They can look like prison tattoos and I think that comes from having the same do-it-yourself process. I’m not a tattoo guy currently, but I would definitely get a tattoo with the other men I’d shared that experience with to represent the dignity and defense of honorable things. It would be strangely beautiful to look at that blurry drawing carved in my skin and think about what drew us all together.

The Christian community is drawn together in the same way. We experience the same pain as we pursue the same passion. We have one mind which is a mind fixed on the spectacular face of our Lord and His mission. We may not get a group tattoo but we share the same scars as we carry the same cross. Look around at your brothers and sisters and celebrate those who strive with you!

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for my family and the love we get to share.

November 2, 2024

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

The Bible is full of encouragement for the Christian. We are given God’s richest blessings while being called, and this is beyond any hope, His children, even His beloved. How can God’s people fear when a God like Yahweh is watching out for us? It’s a very simple answer: we’re not sure we’re His people. How do we know He is for us and not, how chilling to think, against us?

The Thessalonians wondered the same thing. Unsure about the end times, they began to shake in their hope of God’s love and provision. Paul comes through with an amazing comfort for any believer, then or now. When you believed, you received God’s seal, His very presence, in the Holy Spirit. We are not God’s because our life is perfect or our faith is strong. If we believe, then we can trust Him to bring us home. Rest in that conviction today. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to remember the way you saved me so I will trust that you still love me.

November 1, 2024

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The Old Testament is full of the woe of Israel. They walked away from God so many times and their desertion always led to destruction. Even still, God didn’t abandon them. He continued to love them and restore them. Imagine leaving your spouse for another lover, being abused and left penniless and alone, only to be found by your spouse and invited back. Who would refuse such love and forgiveness?

That’s how absolutely mad the human heart is. In 2 Corinthians, Paul quotes Isaiah’s prophetic words to Israel to come back. God wants you to come back. Today is the day of salvation. Right now, His hand is stretched out to you. Won’t you take it? Won’t you live today with joy and a solid commitment to leave your idols?

Prayer prompt: Lord, I accept Your loving invitation to be Yours again.

October 31, 2024

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is there any fundamental difference between the modern Christian and the ancient one? The first 11 Christians were sent out by Jesus, on foot, to convert the Roman Empire. What kind of Christianity empowers that kind of optimism? It would be like the kind of optimist that attempts to relocate a mountain one stone at a time. 

And yet, the Christian faith does work. We labor in love, constant in hope, trusting that exactly that kind of miracle can happen. The early Christians had their eyes of faith open wide, staring fixedly at Jesus. They saw their master and believed what He said. Famously, Jesus promised us we could move mountains by faith. Time to begin a work of faith, a labor of love, today. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to see Jesus rather than my obstacles and get to work.

October 30, 2024

Malachi 3:10

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

It’s crazy to realize, but I’ve never preached a sermon on this verse. You’d think it’d be the pastor’s ole standby, but no. Yet every sermon at Hope Church has talked about what this verse addresses. God’s concern here isn’t with money. How could it be? He is promising to pour out blessing on those who give even 10% so that they have no more need. No, the verse cuts much deeper.

God wants you to trust Him and not yourself. Love not pride. You can never make enough to feel safe in this fallen world. You can never have enough stuff to feel truly happy. Trying to make your own name great leads to just one destination: destitution. Give enough to look away from your money and up to the Face who can make you truly glad.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I commit to give what will never satisfy so I can learn to trust what will always satisfy.

October 29, 2024

Luke 1:26-33

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Christmas always requires a good poker face. Even as an adult, it can be hard to hide disappointment or confusion with a gift you didn’t expect and don’t really want. Reading scripture, so many of Jesus’ original audiences start very excited when they suspect He may be the promised Messiah. That excitement plummets into disillusionment or even a cry to “Crucify him!” when they see what kind of Messiah He really is. Why?

If you want to enter the Kingdom of God you have to embrace the King over that Kingdom. He’s in charge and all things work towards His glory. Some people got on board with that idea and embraced Jesus; others rejected Jesus because they’d rather be kings than be ruled even by such a perfect Ruler. Take a look at your heart after last Christmas. Will you bow to the King who was born and died for you?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to see feel the joy of Your presence and Your rule. I want to love You as Savior and as Lord.

October 28, 2024

Deuteronomy 34:7

7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.

Saturdays and Mondays are close on the calendar, but what two days could be further apart? Saturday is full of late breakfasts, watching kids play sports, and having people over for dinner. Monday is just the opposite. It’s full of arguments about getting out of bed and bleary eyes staring at screens as we try to bully our brains into doing something productive. I know which I prefer, but why? God has given us 6 days for work and only one for rest. How do we have a Moses-like vigorous energy that breaks and makes the world with undimmed eyes for 120 years?

Moses knew the Lord. God gives us the Moses story to show what happens to someone who knows the Lord. The Lord gives you a vision of what the world should be and an invigorating energy to go bring it about. He brings you along with Him in the wild wonderful work He is doing in the world. Spend today getting closer to the Lord in prayer and the word so that Monday has a new energy and purpose.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please bring me close so I can be helpful in Your mission and world.

October 26, 2024

Psalm 40:5

5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

There is this hanging command for Christians to make disciples all over the world. Most believers recoil at such a command because of how difficult it is for a modern to look at someone else and tell them that their ideas about God, good and evil, Heaven and Hell are either Christian or wrong. Convinced as we may be of Jesus, it feels almost violent to declare those convictions at someone else. 

Verses like Psalm 40:5 turn evangelists from cavemen clobbering people with a club to crazy wealthy philanthropists dropping money on any and everyone. We do have truth for others to receive, but it is truth that transforms with its radical goodness. It is exactly what others need! Ponder God’s deeds towards you and be ready to tell someone else today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, Help me to declare Your wondrous deeds!

October 25, 2024

Zephaniah 3:16-17

16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

There is a bottomless well of blessing to be found in these two verses, but the one our church needs is the end of verse 16, “let not your hands grow weak.” I don’t want to be slow or weak in the work I do for the Kingdom. I want strong hands that know their work. I want to have hands like a bricklayer or a shepherd as we build God’s house and care for His people. But the command is never enough, why do we keep going?

We have the Lord. Our work won’t be in vain, He is in our midst and He will save. He doesn’t stand among us like a task master, waiting on our missteps with a whip. He rejoices over us with gladness. He doesn’t allow our weeping and pain to continue forever; He will quiet us with His love. He’s not sad to have this role; He rejoices over you with LOUD singing. Don’t let your hands grow weak.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to work hard because I see Your joy over me.

October 24, 2024

Zephaniah 3:14-15

14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

What would a life without fear look like? Looking out from your home, or even just your room, on a world without any threats would almost be Heaven by itself. We fear the future, the past, and the present. We fear the judgment, the anger, the sneers, and maybe most of all the indifference of the people around us. We fear because we’re guilty and guilty people always fear being caught. 

The Christian joy comes from being freed, not only from enemies, but from the judgment of God Himself. True rejoicing comes when we look all the way up to the highest Judge and see that He has taken away the judgments. On that face is not a frown, but a smile. Now He is in our midst, and we shall never fear again.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I look to You to be free of judgment and free forever of fear.

October 23, 2024

Psalm 17:15

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

There is a great deal of technique involved in becoming like Christ. We do specific things and we need to do them right, if we want to grow our affections. We spend time with God in the Word and in prayer. We go on mission with God in showing love to our world. We see life with God reflected in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Church. But all of these things will fall apart if we are not truly seeking one thing: to see His Face.

In this verse, that is all the Psalmist wants. The verses before Psalm 17:15 talk about the worldly man who wants lots of kids and possessions. But this person wants to see God’s face more than anything else. True bliss is to stand before that face and see Him looking back at you. You must have righteousness to stand before that Face, another reason we must have Jesus. But if you stand in righteousness before God and He sees you then you see the Holy Smile. That’s heaven.

Prayer prompt: Lord, today I desire just one thing, show me Your Smile through Jesus.

October 22, 2024

Ephesians 2:7

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

When I think about my growth in Jesus, it is incredibly slow. The same sins trip me up and the same coldness has to be overcome when I begin my time with the Lord. There is progress, but it is so discouraging to look back at a year or two and see how small it is. It’s here that Heaven becomes so encouraging.

My progress may be slow, but if I keep heaven before me, I know I’m headed the right direction. Speed and distance can be slow and small but if I’m headed in the right direction, I will get there. In Jesus, I know I will get there. Commit to walking toward Heaven today and trust in Jesus to get you there.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I am walking towards the coming ages of Your immeasurable grace and kindness. Please help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

October 21, 2024

Psalm 17:7

7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

God has made a strange deal. He has decided to display the extent of His love and the quality and grandeur of His grace by heaping it on our heads. It is exactly like one of the unimaginably rich tech billionaires adopting an orphan and then building palaces with perfectly manicured gardens and legions of servants just to house the orphan. Take a moment to imagine the wild decadence of God giving in order to show off the magnitude of His love. 

God isn’t just going to give you what you need. He is wondrously showing His steadfast love. If you see the waterfall of God’s grace, the jaw-dropping, size-of-the-cosmos love that He has then you will seek refuge at His right hand. He can and will protect you for His Name’s Sake. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, I look to You for my protection and provision!

October 19, 2024

Ephesians 2:6

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

An absolutely wonderful young lady at Hope Church went on a trip to Italy to support a church in Rome. I jealously asked her about the food and she hated it. She just wanted Olive Garden. Say what you will about her palate, she is an American girl with American appetites. Where you’re from matters. 

The first part of Ephesians 2 talked about what we were. When Paul describes our passionate desires against God and our following of the Enemy, he uses the past tense. We were like that, but we are now raised up and seated with Jesus in the heavenly places. We now have access to a new country, we have a seat at a new table. It may take some time to acclimate your appetites to Italy, but let me tell you, it’s better than Olive Garden.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I am now Yours forever. Help me to right now, desire Jesus more than the world.

October 18, 2024

Ephesians 2:1-2

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

It’s really hard to go against the current. The constant pressure sweeps you away unless you actively row against it. Believers spend a shockingly small amount of time with the Father because the current is pulling them away all the time. As soon as I let my guard slip, as soon as I stop putting oar to water, away I go. 

That current is what the Scripture calls the world. People all around you continually express their love of things other than God. The art and music, the entertainment and almost uniform attitudes form a constant flow away from a God-centered heart. There is amazing truth in the world, but the love of the Father is missing. We have to pull against to find the better joy of His presence.

Prayer prompt: Lord, You are better than all the options the world gives. Today, I choose You.

October 17, 2024

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

In the beginning of the Bible, we had a pretty sweet thing going. Man and wife lived in a pleasure garden built by God with unfiltered access to God Himself. Now we live with pain, death, fear, anxiety, and a gap between us and God that allows millions to deny He even exists. What happened? 

We only got what we deserved with a huge helping of mercy on top. We did sin. But there was another there who crafted a lie to entice us from bliss to bedlam. He hates us because he hates the God we reflect. He hurts us because he knows how much that hurts the Father. Be sober-minded. Be watchful. Stay close to the Lord and stay clean because there is an enemy hunting you.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to see Your hand of protection and be wary of my enemy.

October 16, 2024

Daniel 7:13-14

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Instability, painful memories, and concern for the future can sneak up on us at the end of a year with the prospect of having to do it all again. We pray for our leaders and hope for a better tomorrow, but I don’t know how many of us connect our current experiences with the situations in the Bible. The book of Daniel takes place when the whole of Israel had been broken and burned with the people taken into captivity in Babylon. In the night, God gives captive Daniel a vision.

Daniel sees the Son of Man standing before God to receive the Kingdom that will never end. This King is becoming the King over an everlasting realm. Daniel looked upon the true foundation of our confidence. Imagine waking up with the confidence that God is still on His throne and that Jesus will reign forever. You live under that King and that Kingdom. Walk out in that confidence today. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, I trust You have all of this world, with all of its pain, under complete control.