May 8, 2025

Galatians 6:9

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

I recently spoke with a guy who ran his first marathon. He told me about his plan for the race falling apart such that his last 6 miles were much harder than expected, yet he finished. His body was rebelling with each step, and yet he finished because he didn’t give up. He took things one step at a time.

Working to be God’s light in this world will be contested at every step. Your joints will ache, your heart will break, and your tears will flow. There won’t be too many parts that will be easy or even feel natural. But hold tight to a promise: there is an end to this race. If you don’t give up, you will reap a harvest. It won’t be easy and it won’t be short, but it also won’t be futile. Harvest time is coming!

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to trust your grace for each day and to keep the finish line in mind!

May 7, 2025

Romans 8:18

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

These verses can seem like cold comfort in the middle of some of the awful things we go through. If, however, you can hear these verses and dwell on them deeply, they can become an anchor to your soul now and later, in the sunlight and the darkness.

The Holy Spirit assures us that the presence of God is so overwhelmingly big, heavy, and spectacular that it will more than compensate us for the suffering we’re enduring. We aren’t told exactly how, nor are we able to see that glory nearly enough now as it is a glory still to be revealed. But, looking at Jesus and His work on the cross for us, we can get a glimpse of something so deeply good that we can be enticed. All will be well!

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to look at the cross and really know that you can bring glory out of suffering.

May 6, 2025

James 5:16

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Confession is simply the worst. I’m not sure there is anything more bitter in the mouth and yet sweeter in the belly. Our sin is like mold in the basement. The only way to get it out is to pull out everything, really dry out the area, and get light and air down to it. Do you have someone who can help air out your soul?

One counselor has said, “We are only as healthy as our secrets.” And that is true. God knows it all and He loves and forgives you. And He commands you to get others involved. In the gospel community, everyone admits they have sinned. It’s how you get in the door. When you come clean with your sin, you will find people who understand and who can help.

Prayer prompt: Lord, push me into community and confession, so I can enjoy healing!

May 5, 2025

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

It is important to go back to basics. The beginning point of Christianity is simply an admission: Jesus, I need you to save me. John 3:16 serves as the most basic introduction to Christianity that many have. And for good reason, it says the Gospel in a very brief and attractive way. Because of God’s great love, He gave His Son to save those who believe.

While that verse can be the entrance to Christianity, don’t leave it behind as you move through life. It’s been said, “The gospel is not the ABCs of Christianity but the A through Z of Christianity.” In that one word, gospel, we have what we need to continue living for Him through disease, disaster, and avoid despair. Cling to Him today remembering that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Prayer prompt: Lord, let me meditate on your love, your salvation, and the hand that has reached out to bring me to You.

May 3, 2025

John 13:35

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It can be hard to know who your friends are when there’s a war going on. Think about those classic spy movie scenes where the spy and his contact go back and forth through elaborate and silly phrases. At the end of the sequence, the spy’s identity is confirmed and he’s let into the back room. Passwords and secret handshakes, prearranged symbols to authenticate, have to be used to prove who is the genuine article.

What password confirms you are a follower of Jesus? What’s the thing we all really know, that gives the unmistakable scent, look, bearing, of someone who has known Jesus? The Lord told us: Love. To know God’s love is to be changed so thoroughly that love pours out of you. Is love what characterizes you? Is that what you show to everyone you meet because you’ve been changed by Jesus?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to run to those in need rather than away, knowing your love and showing it.

May 2, 2025

Matthew 26:50

50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.

It is important to know that Jesus was in complete control as He went to die. Each of the gospel writers go out of their way to emphasize that Jesus knew what was happening, and allowed it. In this part of Matthew, as Jesus is arrested, He speaks calmly to Judas even calling him ‘friend’. Then, He follows after God’s will for His life, or, more accurately, His death.

It’s crucial for a leader to seem cool under fire, whether he is or not. It gives his orders credibility and his followers confidence. Jesus was in complete control even though He knew the pain that was to come. Jesus was keenly aware of how horrible the crucifixion would be. He sweated blood as He contemplated what was to come, yet He still calmly went through with the cross. And He did it out of love for you. That’s a leader we can follow.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I will follow your banner into any battle.

May 1, 2025

2 Peter 1:3

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

The phrase “all things” means a lot of things. Whenever I set about working on a home project, I end up driving to the hardware store multiple times. I start and realize I just don’t have everything I need for the little job. Here, Peter tells us we have everything we need for life and godliness. Everything? Fixing my temper or leading someone to Christ seems way more intense and complex than DIY jobs. But the promise is there, we are well supplied with everything we need.

And it comes from one place: knowing the one who called us into His own presence. The God who found us as enemies and made us friends has called us to His feast, His house, and His family. We have everything we need because we have Him. Have you let that sink in? Imagine what it would feel like to have the confidence of knowing you have everything you need.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to trust your abundance!

April 30, 2025

Romans 8:30

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Do you ever feel like the Christian life is a tight rope? You managed to find the start of this walk, but you could fall at any minute. Progress seems to be achingly slow. Making it to the end seems so unlikely that it’s probably impossible. How do you find the hope to keep walking?

This verse in Romans 8 flips us around. We’re not walking a tightrope, He is. He has predestined, called, justified and will glorify you. He will. If you look back at the verse, all the verbs apply to Him, not you. Breathe in, breathe out, work passionately, and always trust that He is going to finish the work He started.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for caring so deeply and keeping me so tightly held.

April 29, 2025

Romans 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

There are some people who are so important, it would be difficult to talk to them in a normal way. There are some emotions that are really difficult to fit into the words you know. How is it we could talk to God about things too deep for words? With so many things beyond our understanding, how do we put our finger on the right question, the right request to God?

You have a translator. The Bible teaches that because the Holy Spirit is God He has God’s wisdom, perspectives, and protocol. He knows how to say what you should have said, how to articulate what you are feeling, and how to ask what you would have asked if you grasped the situation perfectly. So pray, and trust the power of the perfect prayer, which the Holy Spirit is helping you pray right now.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for being available at all times with the perfect mediator for my prayers.

April 28, 2025

Jonah 2:1-2

1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

I would be so embarrassed to have to call someone from prison, with that prerecorded message on the front end asking if they will accept a call from such and such penitentiary. What if they say no? What if they say yes, and I have to speak to them, not as an equal, but as a guilty criminal?

In these verses, Jonah is confident that God heard his prayers, even from the bottom of the sea, in a fish Jonah was swallowed by because of his disobedience to God. We really aren’t God’s equals, and we do speak to Him as those who are guilty. And He still hears us. His love is so magnificent, that God hears you, even calling from whatever pit you’re in. Do you call?

Prayer prompt: Lord, may I call out to you at all times, running to you rather than away.

April 26, 2025

1 Corinthians 15:19

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

I don’t know that I can honestly say I envy the saints in Scripture. Hebrews reminds us that while there were big victories, some of those men and women were tortured, mocked and flogged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. Yet, is my life supposed to be different from theirs?

What is it about my Christianity that makes me think I can afford to get comfortable in this world? What did they see in the life to come that made them so willing to suffer? We can never forget that Christ does not give us hope for this life only. He came to bring us to a better life, a life so good, we have a hope that will sustain us through literally anything. Don’t live for this life only.

Prayer prompt: Lord, this world is not my home. Please don’t let me get too comfortable here.

April 25, 2025

2 Corinthians 9:6

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

In this verse, God is dealing with how we give. He sees it like a farmer sowing a field. The money you give to God’s Kingdom work is like a seed. Too often, we think of giving as though the money is gone, lost forever. But that’s not how we see an investment. I think you’d stop investing pretty quickly if you never expected a return. When we give to God’s work there is always a good return.

When we give to God’s work, we are asking God to take this meager sum and do something with it, just like when we hand money to an investment banker. What can He do with it? He’s asking you if you want to give a little, and see a little return, or if you want to sow a lot and watch something big happen. How impactful do you want to be for God’s Kingdom?

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me excitement and imagination when I think about how You will use my Kingdom investment.

April 24, 2025

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

How can it be possible to give cheerfully? Can you imagine people excitedly waiting in a long line to put their check in the little box on a Sunday? Or a husband getting grief from his wife because he just couldn’t wait and gave online before they could do it together? Ludicrous. Except for this verse in the Bible. It is possible.

Start by remembering the amazing wealth of blessings God has given you. Then, think about the scary stranglehold money can have on your heart. Then, look out on all the good giving through your church is going to do. When you start to see and remember, without the compulsion and guilt that Religion heaps on, it is indeed possible to be, even hard not to be, a cheerful giver!

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me the joy of giving as I remember the kindness You’ve given to me!

April 23, 2025

Ecclesiastes 4:12

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Every Sunday, every Community Group night, do you have to talk yourself into coming? Is there a little speed bump to get over? Is it possible that you have to motivate yourself to go spend time with Christians? There may be more to that than you think. The Bible tells us the enemy may want you isolated. We are more easily defeated if we’re alone.

Others will keep your momentum going, your momentum will keep others going. God designed us to work together and to work better when we’re together. The people at Hope Church need you and you need them. If you can see that, and really believe it, you won’t be easily broken. Become another brick in God’s unbreakable structure.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to invest in Your community, so I will not be easily broken.

April 22, 2025

Isaiah 55:1

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Grace is a word that loses its meaning through over use. You may hear it 50 times on a Sunday and only vaguely understand what’s being communicated. These verses in Isaiah perfectly paint the picture.

Imagine walking into a nice restaurant, the kind you wait for an anniversary to go to, and looking down the menu. If there was no price listed, you would assume it’s Market Price which is code for way too much. In this case though, it’s just free. It’s like opening your dad’s pantry, it’s his, but you’re welcome to it, free! That’s grace. That’s what God has for you, for anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. Come and be satisfied!

Prayer prompt: Lord, fill us up to bursting with Your grace, so much so that we never look anywhere else for satisfaction.

April 21, 2025

Matthew 26:40-41

40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Peter had a hard night on Jesus’ crucifixion. He bounced from full-throated proclamations of undying devotion, to sleeping on the job. Then from sword swinging defense of Jesus to fearfully denying that he had ever known Jesus. That guy was a coward and a bum at best and a traitor at worst. But I do the same thing, and I bet you do too.

How are we going to grow out of our weak-kneed denying of Jesus, and wake up from our sleepy lack of devotion? We have to watch and pray. Jesus has given us His Spirit to fill us up and give us strength. Have you cried out to Him today to use His grace to bring boldness to your voice and strength to your hands?

Prayer prompt: Lord, make us bold as we pray for your grace.

April 19, 2025

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 gives us, I think about divine comfort. God can make our difficult stuff easier. God’s grace can bring warmth from the inside out, like hot chocolate. He can give us so much more than we even think to ask for! But will He? We wonder with that incredible promise, why would He give grace to me?

God has all the blessings, He could rain them down, but what about my sin and rebellion? 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.

April 18, 2025

Daniel 3:17b-18

17 …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.

It’s possible to have joy in suffering. Maybe not happiness, or pleasure, but joy is possible in suffering. If I suffer, God could stop it. If He doesn’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.

April 17, 2025

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.

April 16, 2025

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.

Sheep aren’t the most respectable creatures. I don’t know much about wild sheep, but the domesticated herds depend on shepherds. They are easy pickings for predators when they go their own way. 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.