July 5, 2022

Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Is there something you would leave everything for? Imagine what it would have to be, like a letter confirming you are the heir to a vast fortune, or the only true heir to a throne and a kingdom in some paradise far away. What would that feel like? It would take a minute to confirm it, and believe it, but then how quickly would the new better life wash away the old?

The Gospel story is one of God leading you from a dungeon into light, then into full understanding of His glorious love, to share in His presence and joy forever. We fail to enjoy that when we go back to old ways of thinking and living. Paul, the writer of Galatians, saw clearly that his old life was over, crucified with Jesus, and now a new life with Jesus has begun. Do you have that life in Jesus? Why go back to anything else?

Prayer prompt: Lord, remind me of the promises, blessings, and hope so that I live for your Kingdom.

July 4, 2022

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

When I read about the grace that God is able to give us (see yesterday’s post) it can bring a warmth from the inside out, like hot chocolate. He can give us so much more than we even know to ask for! But will He? The check on that incredible promise is the question, will He give it? 

God has all the blessings, He could rain them down, but will He? That’s when we go back to the cross. God didn’t hold back the most unthinkable blessing given at the most unspeakable cost. If He didn’t hold back the biggest thing, why do you let yourself wonder if He will hold back the little ones?

Prayer prompt: Lord, never let me forget the cross, the undeniable proof that You will never withhold what I need.

July 1, 2022

2 Corinthians 9:8

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

I often think about the room in Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka Factory that is made completely from the most delicious sweets. If you think too long, it gets a little gross. I’m sure you would get sticky and the sweets would get dusty or dirty or people would sweat on them. But if you just let it exist as an ideal, it’s magical and attractive. Why doesn’t an all powerful God give us goodies like that? 

Each word in this verse should go off like a bomb, shaking that question to pieces. Grace from God will abound, pour out, roll over like a wave, so that being totally sufficient, having everything you need, at all times, you can really get to work. Not only has He, the Supreme God, rolled all our needs to dust under His overwhelming provision, He’s also given us a wonderful task and purpose! What more could we want?

Prayer prompt: Lord, please make me always dependent on and expectant of Your abounding Grace!

June 30, 2022

Daniel 3:16-18 

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Is God’s goodness dependent on your circumstances? Is God only good if things are good? The guys in this passage told the King of the world that it didn’t matter if God saved them or not. God is still able to save, still worth our worship, and still undeniably good. That is how it’s possible to have joy in suffering. I don’t say happiness, or pleasure, but joy is possible in suffering. Even if I burn up, God could have saved me. If He didn’t, that’s His decision and I trust that He is good. Do you trust Him? If not, go to the cross where Jesus entered the furnace for you. Love like that, and mercy like that, only come from a very good God.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I know You are good and You are bigger than my ideas of what is best for me.

June 29, 2022

Psalm 2:12

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Does God get mad? He is certainly extremely forgiving and loving, but is there another side? Anger can be like fire that breaks out and destroys whatever it touches, we’ve seen that kind of anger in ourselves or the Hulk. But that’s not what anger is for, and that’s now how God expresses anger. There is a righteous anger that destroys what is dangerous or evil. Dads with dad bods can summon incredible strength and resolve when their family is threatened. Shepherds like David famously killed bears and lions attacking their sheep. What would it be like to be before God’s anger? What would it be like to be protected by God’s anger? Isn’t it amazing that we can take refuge in Him?

Prayer prompt: Lord, don’t let me deny Your righteous anger as we see it in Scripture. Let me know and rejoice in the refuge I have in You.

September 29, 2022

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.

June 28, 2022

Matthew 26:39

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

In this moment, Jesus looks down and sees the wrath of God to be poured out on the sin of humanity. Can you imagine what He saw? What could possibly make Jesus feel, say, ask for God to change His plan, to come up with another way?  When you and I think about what the bible calls sin, we often order it least to greatest, then indulge in little ones while avoiding bigger ones. Or we just do what we like and justify it by thinking, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as that guy.” Take a moment to think about Jesus’ view, as He looked at the cross to come. How can we call any sin ok?

Prayer prompt: Lord, please forgive me for my sin, and also for how small I make my sin. Teach me to remember the cost your love paid for me.

June 27, 2022

Hebrews 10:24 

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

When life is full of difficulties and struggles, what is your gut reaction? Do you try to handle everything on your own? Do you run away and isolate yourself? Do you become angry and hostile towards others? These are all common reactions, but they’re unhealthy. People were made to live in community. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were meant to commune with God, each other, and their future children. Sin destroys these relationships. Satan convinced Eve that she didn’t need God and could become her own god. Adam blamed Eve for his own sin. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. The list goes on! God, however, came to earth as a man, died for humanity, and resurrected in order to restore our relationship with Him. He discipled twelve men in order to establish the Church, which would reconnect all peoples with each other. If our relationship with God is so important to Him that He would die for us, then we too should desire relationships of that magnitude, with God and each other.

Written by Kyle Tucker

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to love those around me better, and to spur them on toward love and good deeds.

June 24, 2022

1 Chronicles 17:16

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

 David gets it. He had a roller coaster spiritual life, with wonderful peaks and desolate valleys. David was among other things, a murderer, a liar, and an adulterer. David had nothing to offer God and no way to earn His favor, the good news is that God's love for us is not based on our ability to do good things. When God sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins, something amazing happened. Jesus took all of our sins from us and clothed us in His own righteousness. As a follower of Jesus, when you sin, God doesn't look at you as broken, gross, or disappointing. He looks at you with the same love and compassion as His own son. What a gracious and loving King we serve!

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to remember Jesus’ sacrifice so that I come to You with my sin and for my joy.

June 23, 2022

2 Corinthians 5:15

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Right at the heart of our rebellion against God is something tragic. By choosing anything else to love and honor in the place of God, we gave up God. Not just God’s protection or God’s blessings, but God Himself. Every good thing you’ve ever enjoyed or heard of is only good because it comes from Him. How tragic that we walked away from that source and fountain of all good. But Jesus didn’t leave us there and He doesn’t leave us there now. He died so we can look up from ourselves and enjoy God’s presence once again. He died and was raised so we can go through death back up to the only good there is! Will you do the hard work of looking up from yourself, seeing Jesus’ work for you, and choosing God?

Prayer prompt: Lord, conquer all the things that I choose instead of you so that I will know the joy that only comes from you.

June 22, 2022

Matthew 19:30

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

In sports, every now in again, an innovator will come with a new look at the game and change everything. Moneyball brought whole new metrics to baseball and rocketed last place teams to first place, they found a new way to win. The heroes of the Christian faith were martyrs, those who had very little money or comfort. They seemed to be playing a totally different game. Why do Christians have joy, peace, and willingly help enemies? The Kingdom that Jesus taught about keeps score a different way. Have you thought through which game you’re playing? Are you seeking to be last or first?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me how to live in Your Kingdom rather than by the rules of the world.

June 21, 2022

Psalm 23:1

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

This is a famous opening to a famous poem written by King David from the Old Testament. David started life as a shepherd caring for smelly stupid sheep, even loving smelly stupid sheep. As he met and learned about God, he saw God caring for him in exactly the same way.  If God is your shepherd you shall not want. Think of that moment after the big Christmas or Thanksgiving meal when all is right with the world and you don’t have a single want. Have you ever been that satisfied in your soul rather than just your belly? If you come to Jesus by faith and become one of His sheep He is promising that level of satisfaction. Won’t you seek Him for your pleasure today?

Prayer prompt: Lord, in You I will find true satisfaction. Please draw me to Yourself and reorder the loves in my heart.

June 20, 2022

Matthew 19:29

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

We talk a lot at Hope Church about the proper motivation for serving God, and we should. It’s crucial that love of God and knowing the love from God motivate our service to God. But it’s also possible for love to be enhanced by a gift. Every birthday, my wife shows her love with a thoughtful gift. I love those gifts because they are chosen for me and because I love the giver. In this verse, God makes it clear that we do have to give things up to follow Him. It’s possible we will have to give up everything. It is necessary that we be willing to give everything up. But in return we get Him. Because He is so good, we can trust Him to give us what we need, and to reward those who seek Him lavishly. What else would a good Father do?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach my heart to value the real gift you’ve given: Yourself

June 17, 2022

John 14:26

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

After the Resurrection, Jesus’ disciples had to be thrilled. Their leader had conquered the grave! What could possibly stop them now from taking the Kingdom to every nation in the world? Jesus gave them the command to do just that, then He left. He’s gone and 2,000 years later, we have the exact same job. How do we do it? Remember the power He has given us to do the impossible. He hasn’t left us alone, He has sent the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in our hearts. Far from leaving us, God is now inside us, reminding and teaching us all that Jesus said to us. We are sent to change the world and God Himself is with us every step, every breath, every thought. In Jesus God came close, but with the Spirit, He’s made us His home.

Prayer prompt: Lord, convince me of the power you have given your people by giving us the Helper so we will work with joy and confidence!

June 16, 2022

John 3:30

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

This seems like a really simple verse, but take a minute to look at what it’s really saying. John the Baptist, Christ’s herald and cousin, said Jesus must increase and John must decrease. Isn’t the point of joining up with a movement to increase? Follow Marie Kondo to more space and contentment, follow John Maxwell to more productivity, follow Dave Ramsey to debt-free living! Why would following Jesus lead to decrease?

Again, read it carefully. I must decrease. The way of following Jesus leads to calling God God and calling yourself His creature and His servant. It’s good because that’s what He is and that’s who we are, but can you see how it’s a decrease from our normal opinion of ourselves? Let the humility of John lead you to anxiety-free, humble acceptance of God’s place and His love.

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me the blessing of humility so I can trust you to run things and work for your Kingdom and not mine.

June 15, 2022

James 4:14

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Mist does just about one thing: it disappears. It gets burned away with the sun or blown away with the breeze. Why would James say that about us? Aren’t we God’s people? Don’t most of these God Time posts make us feel special and loved? 

That’s just it, you are a mist that is incredibly loved, emphatically loved. But you are still a mist. We have both accept the love and lay down any pretension to being God, being like God, or even just lower case g gods who go about doing our own thing. Look up from your own life, short and fading, and worship the one who will never diminish.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to enjoy knowing that you are God and I am your creation.

June 14, 2022

Luke 4:42-43

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Purpose is a tricky word. We all need to have meaning in our lives, it’s why the incredibly wealthy keep working, why Tom Brady hasn’t retired. There has to be a ‘why’ down at the bottom of all our effort because we are meaning-making beings. What was Jesus’ purpose? 

As followers of Jesus, we have to do what He did and adopt His purposes as our own where we can. It is not for us to die for the sins of the world, but we are to take up our cross and sacrifice that others may know God’s love. We can’t preach or heal like He could, but we are to take the good news of the Kingdom to other towns also. Have you committed yourself to the work you’ve been given? What small first or next step can you take today?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to see and get excited about the purpose you’ve made me for.

June 13, 2022

Romans 8:33

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

If you stop to think about it, how much of your daily activity is devoted to making sure you’re really somebody? We have these ideas of success that are somewhere out there in the world. If we can just take some real steps towards more money, more respect, more power, more attractiveness, more expertise then today can be a success and one day we will really have it. We can finally be there. We can finally be done, just, good, full. 

That will never work. It is only God who justifies; only He can say you are good, only He can make you full. If, through Jesus, God says you are good, what idea in yourself, your parents, or the world can tell you otherwise? Who? Who can bring any charge against you if God says you’re free? Go to Him and start putting your effort into enjoying His grace and glorifying His name.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help me to believe that you have really made me free.

June 10, 2022

1 Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Some bible verses are so full, each phrase is worth taking your time over. Peter is calling us a chosen, holy, royal priesthood. He is calling us God’s possession. He says we get to feel the excellency of moving out of darkness into God’s marvelous, glowing presence. Then He tells us what we are supposed to do with all of this overflowing joy and honor: proclaim.

The verse turns on that idea of being a link. A priest is a link between God and the rest of humanity. We are a link because we are both God’s people and just plain regular people. We can take what we’ve been given and show it, proclaim it, to those around us and bring them into that same joy. Today, commit to being someone’s link to Jesus.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please make me a link between you and the world. Show me someone today I can tell about you.

June 9, 2022

Psalm 150:6

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Breathe in, breathe out. Have you ever thanked God for the breath He gives you? God is the Author of life, Creator of heaven of earth. He designed our bodies and created the atmosphere that we breathe. He gives us life, yet how often do we praise Him for what He’s done for us? Even more so, how often do we praise Him simply because of who He is?

The rest of Psalm 150 says to praise God “in his sanctuary” and “in his mighty heavens”, to praise Him for “his mighty deeds” and “according to his great excellence”, to praise Him with “lute and harp” and “tambourine and dance.” It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are, or what musical talent you may or may not have. If you have breath, praise Him for how great and good He is!

Written by Kyle Tucker

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to praise You for how wonderful and awesome You are!