September 8, 2021

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

    we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

Compare this passage with Psalm 23. Sheep kept by the Lord don’t have a hard time. They don’t want for anything because they have still waters and green pastures. Why do we leave then? What could we find in our wandering except hunger, thirst, fear and enemies?

Instead of letting us get what we deserve, the Lord has laid on Jesus the penalty of our sin. Jesus had to go without the perfect provision of the Father, had to wander into a wasteland of hunger and thirst, then be dismembered by the enemies hungry for our blood. What kind of love will do that?

Prayer prompt: Lord, keep me close to You and forgive me for the times I wander away.

Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 1, Psalm 92, Esther 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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September 7, 2021

Psalm 69:5

5 O God, you know my folly;

    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

No temptation has ever hooked the brain of a human without whispering “And, no one will ever know.” The thought is so seductive. But it’s also a lie. It doesn’t matter if the action only happens in your mind or heart, God knows what you’ve done. 

That truth is terrifying, and it should be. We should see sin and hate it the same way God does. As we start to really cringe, even to weep for the wrong things we have done, then we go to the cross. Yes He knows, and still He loves. Knowing you, He still died for you. Feel that forgiveness and go and sin no more!

Prayer prompt: Lord, please forgive me. I commit to a new level of holiness walking in the confidence of Your love.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 12, Psalm 91, Esther 2 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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September 6, 2021

Isaiah 53:3

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

    a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

Hope Church has seen some tragedy over the past couple of weeks. On top of earthquakes and viruses, two families have lost their fathers. As a pastor, thinking of what would comfort the bereaved, Jesus was able to be there for them in a way I could not. I haven’t been through their experience, but Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 

As one song says, “Man of sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came.” How could the Lord of Glory become a man and then a man acquainted with grief? Yet He did, and He did for you. Now He can hold your hand in your grief. This morning, let your heart grow warm to that kind of leader.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for being so close, for loving me enough to suffer.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 11, Psalm 90, Esther 1 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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September 3, 2021

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In Scripture, God has given you every tool you need, made you complete and equipped for every good work. It is like M showing 007 the functions on that unbelievable Jaguar. It is like the cases of guns and gadgets the Men in Black have stashed all over the world. Everything you need is bursting from that book, waiting on you to tap that app.

It is as effective and profitable as the verse says because of its source. The Bible is God’s actual word. God’s word created the universe from the Sun’s magnitude to the complexity of your circulatory system. His Word was among us in Christ. His Word is with you right now. You can hear Him speak to you if you open your Bible today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, as I read Your Word, help me to remember I hear Your Voice.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 8, Psalm 87, Nehemiah 11 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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September 2, 2021

Psalm 19:7

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Wisdom doesn’t come from college. There are educated fools all over the history books. Wisdom doesn’t come with money; if anything, money gives you many more opportunities for foolishness. Wisdom has one source and it can make wise even the simple and the poor.

God’s words, His law and testimony, revive the soul. Your soul, poor and broken, injured and small, can be revived. The defibrillator paddles that shoot electricity through a failing heart are a perfect illustration of the work of God’s word. Wake up and get wise with God’s Word today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please keep my nose to Your Word and my heart alive in You.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 7, Psalm 86, Nehemiah 10 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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September 1, 2021

Isaiah 26:3 

3 You keep him in perfect peace

    whose mind is stayed on you,

    because he trusts in you.

Growing up, we used to love when big storms would roll in. Lightening would spider across the sky as towering clouds, deep darkness, hard rain, and thunder you could feel as well as hear filled all you could see. As dangerous as those storms were, we only felt excitement because we trusted the protection of our house. Instead of fearing judgment from Heaven, the lightening seemed like fireworks displayed for our pleasure.

If God is your protection, if He is your perfect wall about you, you can stay in perfect peace. Storms will come, but you have peace if your mind is stayed on God. Each day, in every small bump and inconvenience, turn to God in prayer. Practice for the time when the big storms come and find peace for your soul. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to think of Your strength and trust in Your love to have peace in the storm.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 6, Psalm 85, Nehemiah 9 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 31, 2021

1 John 4:11

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

How has God loved us? Scripture tells us, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8). Even though we rejected God by worshipping other things, Jesus was still sent to die for us. Jesus died for our sins so we can have a right relationship with God and full access to being God’s children! That type of amazing love is hard to comprehend and understand.

Now, God commands we love as He has loved us. What does that mean for you? How can you tangibly show the love God has shown you to your family, your friends, and your co-workers? If we truly have been loved by God and follow Jesus, then we will seek to show that same sacrificial, life-giving love to others.

Written by Caleb Davis

Prayer prompt: Lord, you have loved me and shown me your love much more than I deserve. Help me to have a heart full of love for those around me and show that love in meaningful ways.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 5, Psalm 84, Nehemiah 8 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 30, 2021

1 Corinthians 9:24

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Running is like speaking a foreign language. I would love to be a runner like I would love do a lot of things. I’d love to speak French, but I don’t want to learn French just like I don’t want to get up 3 or 4 days a week to run. If I could some how skip the work and get the result, I’d be all in. 

Do you see your faith that way? We default to looking for results without work. If that doesn’t happen (and how could it?) we just imagine we’ll get there someday … hopefully. No. There is a prize to be won. We don’t run for the diminishing benefits of physical running, but the eternal prizes of maturity in Christ. Get serious about how you are going to seek this prize.

Prayer prompt: Lord, motivate me and help me to run well.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 4, Psalm 83, Nehemiah 7 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 27, 2021

Acts 17:27b-28a

27 … Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’ …

God isn’t far from you right now. How could He be? It is only in Him that we can live, move, or continue to exist. As Hebrews 1:3 says, “he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Though that is true, we often feel a terrible distance from God. Why?

In the verse above, Paul was connecting with his audience in Athens by quoting a hymn written to the Greek god Zeus. The Stoics and pagans in Athens did believe in something as god. The problem was putting their hope in the wrong god. If you feel that distance from God, it could be that you’ve been looking to other things for your life, your activity, and your joy. Turn back to Him this morning; He is not far from you!

Prayer prompt: Lord, let me look to You alone! Thank You for always being so close.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 1, Psalm 80, Nehemiah 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 26, 2021

Leviticus 9:18

18 Then he killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings for the people. And Aaron's sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar.

This may be a graphic way to start the day, but the whole counsel of God is given for a reason. Before Jesus, God commanded His people to sacrifice animals to remove their guilt, to atone for their sin, and to bring peace between God and the People. To be clear, the blood of bulls and rams can’t take away sin, but it pointed to something else.

Today, pray your prayers with the absolute conviction that God loves you. How do you know? Because our High Priest Jesus threw blood against your sin by His death on the cross. You didn’t do or even understand this stuff, but God did, and paid that price out of His love for you.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to see the price You paid because of my sin and Your incredible love.

Daily Reading: Job 42, Psalm 79, Nehemiah 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 25, 2021

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Think for a moment of the incredible work that Jesus accomplished. In just about 3 years of ministry in an unnoticeable corner of the Roman empire with no money and a tendency to say things that would scare crowds of followers away, Jesus built a movement that has turned the world upside down. He broke the power of storms, demons, and illness with a word. When His enemies killed Him, He got back up. 

In these verses above, we hear the prayer that our hearts would be comforted by that Jesus. Jesus is the One who loved us and gave us comfort that won’t end and a bright light of hope that can’t go out. After doing all that, He will set us up to go out and do every good work and word. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, comfort me so that I will be ready for every good work and word.

Daily Reading: Job 41, Psalm 78, Nehemiah 2 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 24, 2021

Mark 10:21

21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

This passage can trip people up because Jesus seems to be selling salvation, but Jesus is pulling out the deep idol in this man’s heart. It is as though Jesus said, “If Heaven is what you want, put your treasure there and receive me.” What an exchange! What is the price of following Jesus? Everything. What is the reward of following Jesus? God Himself and Heaven forever.

Tragically, the man walked away sad because he had many possessions. Have you been confronted yet with the idol that may keep you from Jesus? What would hurt most to give up for Him? You could only do it if the love of Jesus was of greater value to you than that thing. Have you opened that treasure chest and stared at the wealth that is God’s love for you?

Prayer prompt: Lord, show me the idols that tempt me away from You.

Daily Reading: Job 40, Psalm 77, Nehemiah 1 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 23, 2021

Romans 12:9

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

What do we do with evil? That’s a hard word to even use today. Moral certainty has eroded to a great degree under banners like “Don’t judge” and “Find your bliss”. If we Abhor what is evil, literally turn away in horror from things God calls evil, do we end up hidden away like the Amish or riding with swords drawn like the Crusaders? 

If Love is genuine, we tap into something certain and empowering. Genuine love, flowing from God to us, has eyes to see good and grab onto it, ears to hear evil and pull back. Genuine love cares enough to pull others along with all the firm and gentle care of a lover from evil to good. Let your love be Genuine.

Prayer prompt: Lord, keep Your genuine love before me so I will love others in the same way.

Daily Reading: Job 39, Psalm 76, Ezra 10 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 20, 2021

Psalm 107:9

9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

We hear a lot about God’s actions throughout Scripture and what He regularly does for His people. We read here that we can have our spiritual hunger satisfied by Him. It’s easy to look for all sorts of things to satisfy us in our lives, even good things. Whether it’s family, success in our jobs, entertainment, or even good food, those things won’t bring us any lasting satisfaction.

God fills our souls with good things. What are some good things God has filled your soul with? If you’re struggling with that question, think about all of the riches and blessings that we have in Jesus. We can be forgiven, adopted, and fully known by our Creator, all through what Jesus has done. Look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith today for the cure to the spiritual hunger only God can give.

Written by: Caleb Davis

Prayer prompt: Lord, you alone satisfy my spiritual hunger, and you alone are always good to me. Teach me to look to you for happiness and peace throughout my day today.

Daily Reading: Job 36, Psalm 73, Ezra 7 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 19, 2021

Jude 3

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

When you go to God’s word, are you preparing for a battle or a feast? Jude wants to enjoy the gospel with the Christians he’s writing to, but instead has to fight to preserve that Gospel. The Word of God is eternal, but the minds of men are slippery. How do we defend the faith from false teachings?

If we are going to defend the gospel, we have to know it intimately so we can immediately detect any twisting or changes. That kind of project begs the question, how do we motivate ourselves to gain that level of depth in God’s Word? Jude longs for the Word because he’s been so blessed by the Word. Do you go to God’s Word like you go to a feast? Build that appetite by studying it today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, bring me to your Word daily so I will find food for my soul and learn the only true faith delivered to us.

Daily Reading: Job 35, Psalm 72, Ezra 6 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 18, 2021

Exodus 2:24-25

24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

I feel like my kids are always trying to get me in a verbal contract. They can’t remember something I’ve told them to do a mere 2 seconds later, but when I agree to do something for them, you better believe they’ll remember. Does God remember His promises to us? Does He see our abysmal situation?

In Egypt, God saw His people and He knew. He knew their suffering and he heard their groaning. When the time was right, He sent in His man and rescued them in the grandest fashion. Are you tempted to think He doesn’t see you, that He’s forgotten? Look at history and know, He won’t forget His promises.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I know that You see me. Help me to remember that I never suffer alone.

Daily Reading: Job 34, Psalm 71, Ezra 5 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 17, 2021

Isaiah 62:5b

5 …and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

    so shall your God rejoice over you.

It’s nearly impossible to imagine a heavier moment than when your wife walks down the aisle. I remember feeling a sort of buzzing as the part of my brain that processes emotions was totally overloaded. I remember being really happy and thinking she was gorgeous beyond words. It will always be one of the highest moments in the human experience. 

And God chose that experience to describe how He looks at you. Take that slowly, He … Looks at you … like that. He has totally cleaned up your sins, past, present, and future if you have put your faith in Jesus. He now can just look at you with the all the love in His heart. My heart is small and my wife has to make do with what love I can squeeze out, but His love is an ocean. Go to Him confident of His love in Christ.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help me to trust Your acceptance of me.

Daily Reading: Job 33, Psalm 70, Ezra 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 16, 2021

Colossians 1:18a

18 And he is the head of the body, the church.

Do you ever wonder if you’ll fit in at church? It should be such a welcoming place, and maybe it is, but there can be stress. Who do I talk to? What are the unwritten rules I follow to be accepted? At Hope, our people do a great job of being welcoming, but these fears aren’t always rational. 

That’s when you remember that you know the guy in charge. There’s one voice that matters in the church, and He has already spoken. In Christ, you are totally accepted, valued, wanted, and celebrated. Christ is the head and He loves you.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to celebrate the acceptance I have in Jesus and enjoy the love I feel from His people.

Daily Reading: Job 32, Psalm 69, Ezra 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 13, 2021

Romans 12:5

5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

One of the members of Hope Church works in the miracle-producing world of transplants. They take the eyes of donors and are able to give healthy eyes and sight to those in need. Apart from being amazing, this helps us correct an awful problem in the Church. Are you part of the body or are you “doing Christianity” on your own? 

This verse teaches us about our role in the church, also called the body of Christ. You are a part of that body, like an eye or a foot. You have a use, but it’s only a use that really works in conjunction with the rest of the body. Eyes have incredible value, but only in a body as a means of sight; if they don’t get plugged in, they die. Have you connected to the body?

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me overcome excuses, past hurts, and fear so I can be used in Your body for Your glory.

Daily Reading: Job 29, Psalm 65, 2 Chronicles 36 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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August 12, 2021

John 15:1-2

1 I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch in me that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Summer is full on. Flowers have bloomed and fruit trees are becoming heavy with fruit. Life is dense all around us. Have you thought about the importance of the vines, stems, or trunks of those plants? We appreciate the flowers, fruits, and vegetables, but those can only come from a healthy plant. Our spiritual life functions the same way. Today, are you healthy, are you ready to bear fruit?

True life comes from being connected to Jesus. Our spiritual health and fruit come when we abide in Him. Just as an expert gardener knows to cut off the dead branches and to prune the healthy ones, God equips us to thrive spiritually and then prunes us so that we may bear more spiritual fruit. Today, knit your heart to Jesus by thinking about, praying to, and feeling the love from Him.

Prayer prompt: Lord Jesus, it is impossible to be spiritually healthy apart from knowing and loving You. Help me to love You and to bear fruit for my family, friends, and the growth of Your Kingdom.

Daily Reading: Job 28, Psalm 65, 2 Chronicles 35 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)

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