September 22, 2022

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.

September 21, 2022

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.

September 20, 2022

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.

September 19, 2022

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.

September 16, 2022

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.

September 15, 2022

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.

September 14, 2022

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.

September 13, 2022

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.

September 12, 2022

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.

September 9, 2022

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.

September 8, 2022

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.

September 7, 2022

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.

September 6, 2022

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.

September 5, 2022

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.

September 2, 2022

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.

September 1, 2022

Jude 2

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Dickens painted a compelling scene in Oliver Twist when the orphan asks for a second serving of gruel. “Please, sir, may I have another?” Do you pray like that? Please God, just a little, a crumb more of Your help? 

That’s not how the Kingdom works. God doesn’t give a little, He overwhelms. Jesus doesn’t give just enough food for the multitude, there are baskets left over. Mercy, peace, and love don’t just drip down to us, the bounce around, overflow, and multiply. It seems we get so little only because we ask so infrequently. Pray, today, for that mercy, peace, and love to multiply.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for providing for me in ways that multiply exponentially!

August 31, 2022

1 Kings 19:11-12

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

I am desperate for God to win. I want Him to tear up mountains and destroy His enemies with fire and lightening. I want everyone in the world to fall to their knees and embrace the one God who can give them what the need and what they want in unending supply forever. Yet we keep toiling in little whispers, little conversations, little blogs, little sermons heard by such small percentage of our city. 

In the story above, Elijah the prophet and Israel had just seen a triumphant display of God’s power over His enemies in fire that came down from heaven. Elijah was sure God had finally won, but the King and Queen still rejected God. Then God took Elijah and showed him a cyclone, an earthquake, and a monstrous fire, but God was in the whisper. God can work through it all, in it all. The next time your witness, your voice, seems like a whisper, remember God’s working even still.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please remind me of all the work You are doing all the time.

August 30, 2022

Matthew 4:3-4

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

If you’ve ever felt real hunger, take a moment to understand Jesus in this story. The man had not eaten a bite in 40 days. After that length of time, Jesus must have felt a kind of hunger only felt by those about to starve. Yet when tempted He didn’t just tell the enemy, “Obviously not! You’re the devil I’m not going to do what you say.” He said He had something better than food.

When Christians fast, we put ourselves in a position to enjoy God’s grace in a physical way. When you give up food for some amount of time to enjoy God, you make something spiritual more real to you. Like taking the Lord’s Supper or baptizing someone we make a physical experience out of a spiritual reality. Is God’s goodness worth more than life for you? How about lunch?

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

August 29, 2022

1 Corinthians 15:10a

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

Do you ever wish you were someone else in God’s Kingdom? I think every one does almost all the time. If you have a position of honor, you also have a mountain of responsibilities and uncertainty. If you have a position that people don’t necessarily line up for it’s easy to feel forgotten or hard done by.

Paul wasn’t one of the 12 and wasn’t as eloquent as Apollo, but was God’s work in him and through him in vain? It’s hard to imagine a Christian that has been more useful to the Kingdom, and yet Paul had the same kind of jealousies to fight. By the grace of God, we are who we are and His grace is never in vain.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I am glad to be what You have made me. I trust Your work will never be in vain.

August 26, 2022

Romans 12:3 

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

When I was a kid, my grandparents kept a peacock and I can tell you, peacocks are jerks. It’s fun to pick up some of the feathers they drop, long and interesting looking. But don’t get close or you’ll be sorry. Have you ever heard the phrase “Proud as a Peacock”? Ostentatious and down right mean, peacocks are a great symbol for pride.

When we regard ourselves more highly than we ought, we step outside God’s definition of who we are and try to create something better. By grace, God has called us His adopted children. He plans to bless us with every blessing, not even withholding His own Son. Why would we ever think we could beat that? 

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to be forever satisfied with who You say I am.