November 19, 2024

Psalm 84:3

3  Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

Ever feel like you don’t belong, like you got in by mistake? I’m sure medical students want awed patients to call them Dr., but I bet they also feel a little inadequate to answer difficult, life-or-death questions. I know people dream of having children, but most parents are sure they don’t know what they’re doing. Imposter syndrome can hurt the Christian too. How can we say we, with all our sin, are God’s children? That we, made dirty by disobedience and rebellion, belong in His House?

The verse above describes the heart of God as the perfect host. Even the little swallow or sparrow has a special designated place for even the delicate task of raising young. That little swallow is provided for by the LORD, or Yahweh the self-existent Lord of Angelic Armies. In other words, though God is so high above us, He is able to make a place for you right by Himself. Jesus, who died to make you clean, has gone to prepare that place. Let yourself praise God for His perfectly tailored care of your eternal life with Him!

Prayer Prompt: Lord, my soul longs to be with You forever. Please preach the gospel to me so I will desire You and trust Your ability to declare me clean!

November 18, 2024

1 Corinthians 6:12

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Simple pride hates to be dominated by anything. Our world makes it so easy to pretend, even if just to yourself, that you rule your world - picking up and casting aside shows from an unlimited list, moving in your car anywhere you like, deciding dinner from every possible genre of food. This verse above makes me wonder if the pace of life and seeming freedom we have isn’t a cover for forces that do influence and even control us.

As soon as we take up the idea that we rule all and can choose whatever we like, we open ourselves up to the lie that such things can’t rule us and can’t harm us. If you let sexual immorality in the door, even just extra glances or minimal scenes in shows you enjoy, you begin to be controlled by the desires such lust sets alight in your heart. Chesterton said we have to rest when we want sickness to go away, but if we need sin to go away we have to be incredibly active. Are you looking out for sins that may enslave your heart?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please teach me to fear the things you call wicked that I might submit to You and no other lord.

November 16, 2024

Psalm 92:1-4

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Have you heard people look down on a hobby or pastime as escapism? It doesn’t seem like a compliment. It sounds more like the accusation some have against a Christian worldview. Some say the secular person is embracing the reality of a world without God while the Christian escapes to our fantasy of something more. Are we like dads binging the NFL or teens with PS5s or moms with … chores? Or is there a deeper rest and worship involved?

The subtitle for Psalm 92 says it is a Song for the Sabbath. It models how we are to rest by giving thanks for, singing about, and declaring God’s steadfast love and the works of His hands. The Psalmist wants God’s people to rest in a deeper reality than the one we see everyday. We don’t escape when we praise God, we remember what is more true than the violence, waywardness, and injustice of our world. We look up to the love of God that will never let us go. Make sure to rest in the Lord today.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, Your steadfast love means I can slow down for a day and trust that You are in control.

November 15, 2024

Luke 19:4-5

4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”

How do we answer the nagging question, “Am I okay?” We try a thousand things to make ourselves pleased or important or beautiful, but after each attempt the question returns. In this story, Jesus felt the press of a huge crowd in Jericho while an immoral, hated, and rather short tax collector climbed a tree to try to see Jesus. When Jesus called to him, the ridiculous sinner felt not only the joy of seeing Jesus, but the much greater joy of acceptance, not from the crowd, but from the Lord. Zacchaeus knew he was okay.

Leaving Jericho, Jesus went to Jerusalem where He was taken by the crowd and nailed to a tree outside the city. Jesus, who alone among men could stand without sin before God’s holy presence was cast out of the city to die a cursed man. Why? He switched places with Zacchaeus. Jesus went from the center of everything to the tree so Zacchaeus could be forgiven and accepted and brought into the presence of God. That cross is for you too. Don’t answer your soul’s nagging question with anything less than the smile of Jesus telling you to come down and eat with Him.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please forgive me for finding significance in any other ridiculous thing. Help me to accept and enjoy Your loving invitation.

November 14, 2024

1 Corinthians 12:11

11 All these [gifts] are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

My lovely wife has almost the opposite brain I do. We agree on everything that matters, the Lord, parenting, Utah, but when it gets down to how our brains actually work, we never approach anything the same way. She likes details, repetition, knocking out tasks. I like thinking about why, trying something new, and letting my mind wander. You’d think that may make us frustrated with each other, but it’s led to a lot of laughs and a much bigger view of the world.

God has made His church with incredible diversity, many more than just the two notes in my marriage. Like keys on a piano, the different ones can make absolutely beautiful harmony when played together. As the perfect musician, God weaves melodies and rhythm together through the Church to teach the world His song. We have to reject the pride which wants just our note played and embrace the humility required to enjoy His Church.

Prayer Prompt: Lord please teach me to value the people who frustrate me with their different ways of seeing the world and doing Your mission.

November 13, 2024

2 Corinthians 4:7-8

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

The world today is overwhelmingly perplexing. The speed of technological development changes the way we interact constantly and deeply. The speed of social change creates wild new questions for ethical considerations about categories as obvious and determined as mountains to previous generations. Add to that the everyday questions about speaking with love and wisdom to coworkers or spouses and you’ve got a very perplexing world.

God has our confused minds in His plan for displaying His glory to the world. We don’t despair when our knowledge covers such a small percentage of our responsibility because the Lord planned to use our smallness to show His bigness. He can change a culture even with such limited servants. What big questions do you have about how to act in this world? Take them to the Lord and gain confidence in His good plan.

Prayer Prompt: Today, I don’t know what to do about this situation (trade the word “this” for a perplexing situation in your life.) Lord, please teach me to trust in You so that You increase and I decrease!

November 12, 2024

1 Corinthians 8:9

9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

When people think of Christianity, they may associate it with a list of rules and outlawed pleasures. We would argue hard against such a view as God only outlaws things that will turn to pleasure into bitterness if used sinfully. Idols, sexual immorality, funny things that really are just grumbling hearts all have their appeal but don’t actually please. There are so many pleasures in the Christian life that the verse above actually warns us to give some up so that we might better serve those around us.

If that concept makes you mad, take a deep look at those around you. They aren’t just immature and in need of your help they are brothers and sisters for whom Christ died. If you have to reduce some of the things you wanted to do to serve them better, shockingly, they actually become the ones serving you. If there’s something you wouldn’t willingly set down for the love of a brother or sister in Jesus you may in fact be holding an idol. Thanks be to God for a little sibling who will knock it out of your hand!

Prayer Prompt: Lord, teach me to trust You to use even inconveniences to lead me away from sin and to true Pleasure!

November 11, 2024

1 Corinthians 6:12

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Simple pride hates to be dominated by anything. Our world makes it so easy to pretend, even if just to yourself, that you rule your world: picking up and casting aside shows from an unlimited list, moving in your car anywhere you like, deciding dinner from every possible genre of food. This verse above makes me wonder if the pace of life and seeming freedom we have isn’t a cover for forces that do influence and even control us.

As soon as we take up the idea that we rule all and can choose whatever we like, we open ourselves up to the lie that such things can’t rule us and can’t harm us. If you let sexual immorality in the door, even just extra glances or minimal scenes in shows you enjoy, you begin to be controlled by the desires such lust sets alight in your heart. Chesterton said we have to rest when we want sickness to go away, but if we need sin to go away we have to be incredibly active. Are you looking out for sins that may enslave your heart?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please teach me to fear the things you call wicked that I might submit to You and no other lord.

November 9, 2024

1 Corinthians 6:15-17

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

It’s crucial to understand how Paul argues against our acting out in sexual immorality. I really don’t want my dog getting around the neighborhood and finding lady dogs. We neutered the poor guy, but even so a promiscuous dog causes problems. A promiscuous spouse causes significantly bigger ones.

God consistently portrays us in Scripture not as His dog but as His spouse. Because He’s united Himself to us, when we give our favors to idols or practice physical sexual immorality we separate ourselves from Him. Take a hard look at your life today. Where do you need to walk away from things that anger your Holy God? What does it mean for Him to love you not like a favorite tool but as His very own spouse?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, teach me to look away from what will destroy me and look to the love You have for me!

November 8, 2024

1 John 4:10

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

If you wanted a lot of stability in your life, what would be a better job than running a liquor store? Things are bad, business is good. Things are good, business is still good! Christians can enjoy Valentine’s a little like that. You have someone and the day feels special, but for the believer, even if you don’t have someone this year, it’s still pretty good.

God loves you. Not in the commiserating way your mom assures you she still loves you after you’ve been dumped. In a way that outshines all the love of all the sappy couples crowding the restaurants tonight. He is the true Groom, the true Reward. If you’re lonely today or head over heels, look to the Lord of Love and see the real reason to celebrate today!

Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me sight to see the love you have for me that outshines human love like the Sun outshines a candle.

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.