New Hope Daily SOAP - Daily Devotional Bible Reading

Daily Dose of Hope May 21, 2026   Name of God: Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness Scripture: Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21   Prayer:  Jehovah Tsidkenu, You are my righteousness. I know I could never earn Your love, yet You have freely given it to me. Thank You for covering me in Christ's righteousness and making me new. Help me to walk in confidence, knowing that I am fully accepted by You. In Jesus' name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently on a reading plan covering the names of God in the Old Testament.  Today, we are covering our twelfth name of God out of sixteen, so we really only have a few more.  On June 1, we will start a new reading plan on 1 and 2 Kings.  Hope you will stay with us!   Today's name of God on which we are focusing is Jehovah Tsidkenu, which means the Lord is our Righteousness.    We see this name in the book of Jeremiah.  The southern kingdom of Judah was in decline and moving closer to exile when the prophet Jeremiah spoke these words in Jeremiah 23:6, 'The days are coming' when the Lord will raise up for David a 'righteous branch'. He will reign as king; ruling wisely, accomplishing justice and righteousness in the land. In the days of this king Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely. They will know this king as 'The Lord is our righteousness' [Jehovah Tsidkenu].  In the middle of great despair and darkness there was a promise of hope and light for the nation.  We know that hope to be Jesus Christ, the promised messiah.   The prophecy of Jeremiah aligned with God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 that he would establish his throne forever. The coming king, from David's line, would be 'a righteous branch'. Righteousness would be the chief characteristic of this coming kingdom but this would not come from the citizens themselves.    Let's talk a bit about righteousness. First, righteousness is an attribute of God. God always does what is right, just, proper, and consistent with all His other attributes. When we say that God is righteous, that means that there is no wrong, dishonesty, or unfairness in Him. He is the perfectly righteous one and his righteousness is an everlasting righteousness.    While humans seek to be righteous, there has never been a human being that could live up to God's righteousness at all.  Think of Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul.  They were all Godly men who followed God closely, but they messed up.  They were sinful and the Bible doesn't hide that.  But God is always pure, always righteous.  And Jesus, because he was God, was the only human who exhibited perfect righteousness.  He was the only righteous king.    Because we are sinful and broken, Jesus offers us his righteousness.  If we believe in Jesus as Savior and repent of our sins, then Scripture says he "imputes" his righteousness onto us.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21, God made him who had no sin to be sin[ for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  Because of Jesus, we can receive his righteousness and be fully accepted by God.   What does this mean for us today, right now?  Many of us struggle with guilt, shame, or the pressure to "be better." But Jehovah Tsidkenu is our righteousness.  If we know Jesus, then we don't have to worry about our past flaws and failures, nor do we need to try to be "good" in our own strength. Jesus took our sin so that we could stand blameless before God.  This means you don't have to live in fear of not measuring up. You are already loved, already forgiven, and already made new in Christ. Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope May 20, 2026   Name of God:  Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace Scripture:  Judges 6:11-24   Prayer:  I come before you today, laying down my anxieties, my fears, and the heavy burdens of the day. Lord, you know the exact situations and unseen battles that are causing turmoil in my heart. Right now, I invite Your presence into my mind, my body, and my home. Forgive me for the times I have allowed the noise and chaos of this world to distract me from Your unwavering faithfulness. I ask that You quiet my spirit and replace my restless thoughts with the perfect peace that passes all human understanding. Guard my heart and mind. Remind me that you are in control and help me to surrender my need to figure everything out on my own. In Jesus' Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  Remember, names held a great deal of significance in the ancient world, indicating aspects of someone's identity, character, and purpose.  Certainly, it is the same with God.  God has many different names, all of which demonstrate one aspect of His character.  Today, we are focusing on Jehovah Shalom, which means the Lord is Peace.   The title Jehovah Shalom occurs only once in the Bible, in Judges 6.24, Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace [Jehovah Shalom].   As we know, the name Jehovah means God or Lord, while the term shalom refers to soundness, completeness, harmony and the absence of strife. It is best described by our English word, peace.   Judges is such a hard book to read.  The boundaries and guardrails that God put in place were ignored and things were violent and chaotic.  The time of the Judges was a 350 year period in Isreal's history when people did what was right in their own eyes.  That never works out well.  We are too selfish.  Our inner compass fails us.  We need direction, specifically God's direction.    During this time, God's people were worshiping other gods and sinning against the Lord and other people.  When things got really, really bad, God would lift his hand of protection and the people would be conquered by a foreign power.  That foreign power would oppress Israel and make things absolutely unbearable.  Then, the Jewish people would cry out to the Lord and He would send a judge.  The purpose of the judge was to save the people and defeat the foreign power.  Once the foreign power was defeated, Israel had peace.  They remembered God.  And this lasted as long as the judge was alive, but after the judge died, the whole cycle began again.  At this particular juncture, Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, who left them hiding in caves, without food, livestock, or working tools. Hungry and terrified, they cried out to God for help. He reminded them that their disobedience caused their troubles, but He also sent them a judge, Gideon. Although the Lord commissioned Gideon to save Israel, he felt weak and incapable. Because of his lack of confidence and fear, Gideon asked for a sign. Witnessing the food he prepared for the angel miraculously consumed by fire, Gideon was filled with even greater fear.  He had seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!  The immediate divine response was this, Peace be to you. Do not fear, you shall not die. As a result of these words, Gideon's heart was filled with confidence and courage. He experienced peace in the truest sense. Building an altar to the Lord, he called it Jehovah Shalom or the Lord is Peace. His encounter with the God of Peace had taught him that he was not alone. We live in a world in which peace is often elusive.  There is war, conflict, and division.  We are plagued by depression, grief, anger, or anxiety.  We are all Gideon hiding from the Midianites.  The truth is that the only way to experience true peace is through God.  Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, offers us a peace that passes understanding.  Even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances, we can experience an inner peace that defies worldly explanation.  Jesus' presence = peace.  Spend some time praying to Jehovah Shalom today.  Where are you lacking confidence?  Where do you need peace? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 19, 2026   Name of God:  Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Is My Banner Scripture:  Exodus 17:8-16, Isaiah 11:10-12, Psalm 20:5-7, John 12:32   Prayer:  Holy God, I come before You today acknowledging You as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my Banner. When the battles of life surround me and the enemy's tactics seem overwhelming, I do not have to fight in my own strength. I look to You as my defender and my source of strength.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  As we have mentioned, in the ancient world, names held a great deal of significance, indicating aspects of someone's character and purpose.  Certainly, it is the same with God.  God has many different names, all of which demonstrate one aspect of His character.  Today, we are focusing on Jehovah Nissi.   Jehovah Nissi (or more accurately YHWH Nissi) means the Lord is my Banner.  Nissi comes from the Hebrew word Nes (nês), meaning something lifted up as a standard or banner.  A standard is a flag or rallying point during battle, while a banner was usually set on top of a mountain to show people where to assemble and it flew over the warriors as they fought.   In Exodus 17:8-16, we find an excellent portrayal of Jehovah Nissi fighting for His people; it's also the only place in Scripture specifically referencing the name Jehovah Nissi. The Amalekites, an enemy of Israel, came to fight at Rephidim. Joshua gathered some men while Moses stood on top of the hill with the Lord's staff along with his brother, Aaron, and friend, Hur. Moses held the staff over the men fighting below. "While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed."  So Aaron and Hur helped by supporting Moses' arms so the staff wouldn't lower, and Joshua and his men defeated the Amalekites.   In Exodus 17:15-16, Scripture reads, "And Moses built an altar and named it, The Lord Is My Banner." He said, "Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the Lord's throne." Moses knew that God was the one who ensured their victory and he wanted to make sure everyone else did too. Jehovah Nissi was the source of this victory, while using Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Hur and the staff. Elsewhere in the Bible His "banner" is an illustration of His protection and salvation.  Just as banners and flags today identify nations and groups and those who belong to them, God's banner identifies those who belong to Him.  Here are a few illustrations: Psalm 60:4, "You have raised a banner to . . . save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered." Psalm 20:5 "We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!" Isaiah 11:10,12, Speaking of the Messiah who was to come, Isaiah prophesied, "In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people...He will set up a banner for the nations."   What significance does this divine name, Jehovah Nissi, have for Christ-followers?  First, it points to how God does not leave us to fight our battles in our own strength.  I'm often praying to God to fight my battles for me, because so often, we simply have no control.  But God does.  Second, I think we learn to remember and celebrate the way God has led us and the victories He has provided. Moses built an altar.  I don't think we need to build something physical but we do need to remember what God has done for us.  Remembering God's faithfulness in the past builds our own faith and trust in the present. Take a moment and pray to Jehovah Nissi.  What battles do you need God to fight for you right now?  What battles has He fought for you the past?  Have you celebrated those victories? Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope May 18, 2026   Name of God: Jehovah Rapha – The Lord Who Heals, Scripture: Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:2-3, 147:3, Jeremiah 30:17, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17   Prayer:  Jehovah Rapha, You are my Healer. I bring before You my pain, my fears, and my brokenness. Touch every part of me that needs restoration—my body, my mind, and my spirit. Fill me with Your peace, strength, and hope. I trust in Your promise to heal and restore me, today and always. Amen   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope!  Happy Monday!  The Daily Dose is the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through the Old Testament names of God.  I don't know about you, but I have been finding this really fascinating.  We learn so much from the divine names, as they each illustrate some aspect of God's character.   The name we are discussing today is Jehovah Rapha.  Jehovah, which we discussed last week, can be translated in English as Lord. Rapha means to heal, to make complete or to make whole. The two combined together means, the God who heals. God is the Great Physician, and He can heal emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. He may not bring healing in the way that is expected but will always bring healing in the way that is needed.  The Hebrew word rapha shows up 67 times throughout the Old Testament.   We see this in our first Scripture for today.  Exodus 15:26 says, If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am [Jehovah Rapha], the Lord who heals you. The Israelites were thirsty and were grumbling to Moses.  The water was bitter.  So, God told Moses to throw a specific piece of wood in the water to make it fit to drink.  And he did.  God revealed to His people that He is the One who will protect them and heal them if they would their trust in Him and obey.    As you follow the idea of rapha throughout the Old Testament, you see three distinct areas God healed: Physical (see Genesis 20:17; 2 Kings 20:8; Psalm 103:2-5; Jeremiah 30:17) Emotional (see Psalm 147:3) Spiritual (see Psalm 41:4; Jeremiah 3:22) If you take a look at the rest of today's Scripture reading, see if you can identify what kind of healing God is doing.  All of this healing, however, was leading up to the point where that same God, Jehovah Rapha, took on flesh and demonstrated His great love for His people.  In Jesus, we find a God who loves to heal.  Think about the words of the prophet Isaiah, in talking about the coming Messiah, he said this: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound … (Isaiah 61:1). And Jesus did just that, didn't he?  He walked closely with the poor, he healed the sick and lame, he healed hearts, and he provided freedom.  Jesus was Jehovah Rapha.  What kind of healing do you need today?  Spend some time and pray to the Lord who heals, Jehovah Rapha.  Cry out to Him by name and ask for whatever you need. Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope May 15, 2026   Name of God:  Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide Scripture:  Genesis 22:8, Romans 8:32, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25-34   Prayer:  Lord, You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. I come to You in Jesus' name, acknowledging that You know every need I have today, even before I ask.  Jehovah Jireh, I confess that I sometimes fear when I cannot see the way, but I choose to trust in Your faithfulness. I ask that You provide for me—not just for my wants, but for all my needs, according to Your glorious riches. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the names of God in the Old Testament.  Remember, names in the ancient world held much significance, indicating both character traits and purpose.  The same was true for God's names.  Each divine name gives us a glimpse at an aspect of God's character. Today's divine name is Jehovah Jireh.  In Hebrew, the word Jireh means to see or to provide.  Jehovah means YHWH in English.  Thus, Jehovah Jireh is the God who provides.  But this isn't a passive providing.  Jehovah Jireh is active, He sees and acts, all in the right timing. We see this in our first Scripture for today, Genesis 22:8.  Abraham was about to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, but God steps in and provides a ram caught in a thicket.  Thus, Abraham names that place YHWH Jireh (Jehovah Jireh), saying "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."    In Matthew 6 (the Sermon of the Mount), Jesus tells us not to worry.  He mentions how Jehovah Jireh provides for the birds of the air.  "Are you not much more valuable than they?" God is a God who provides for his creation, including us.  Sometimes, God doesn't give us what we think we need.  But He provides us with His presence, His love, and His strength.  Please know that whatever challenge and hardship you are facing, Jehovah Jireh sees you and is actively working to provide for you in ways you might not be able to see.  He will provide, in His way, in His time.  The question is – can we trust Him to do it? Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope May 14, 2026   Name of God:  Adonai – The Lord and Master Scripture:  Genesis 15:2, Exodus 4:10-12, Psalm 8:9, Isaiah 6:1, Daniel 9:3, Joshua 5:14   Prayer:  Adonai, Lord of my life, I turn to You before the demands of the day take over. Guide my steps, break the chains of anxiety, and lead me in Your truth. Shelter me in the shadow of Your wings and be my strength when I am weak. You are my faithful King and Keeper of my soul.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the names of God in the Old Testament.  Remember, names in the ancient world held much significance, indicating both character traits and purpose.  The same was true for God's names.  Each divine name gives us a glimpse at an aspect of God's character.   Today, we are focusing on El Adonai.  Adonai is a Hebrew word that translates into English as Lord or Master or Owner.  The term was actually used in the Old Testament when addressing humans who were master or lord over them.  David calls Saul "my lord the king" in 1 Samuel, referring to King Saul there as his adonai. The Philistines are said to have five lords (adonai) in Judges 3. And Sarah refers to her husband Abraham as her adonai in Genesis 18.     But God is also called Adonai.  It is considered the highest title used by God's people in the Old Testament. Devout Jews would often use Adonai instead of YHWH as a sign of respect and reverence. Adonai is used more than four hundred times in the Old Testament.   God is our Lord and Master.  He has all power and authority.  He rules and has absolute sovereignty over creation.    In Genesis 15, Abram refers to God as Adonai, Master and Lord, when he states that he has no heir.  Moses calls God Adonai, Master and Lord, when he complains that he wasn't eloquent enough to address the people.  God's response is actually somewhat humorous.  He basically says, "But I'm the creator.  I'm the one who created the mouths on human beings.  I will give you what you need to say."  Adonai illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over everything and everyone.   How might this name be meaningful for us?  ·      God is our Master.  God created us so that we will need him as Lord and Master.  There is a God-sized hole in each of us.  We will keep seeking purpose until we find our purpose in Him. ·      God is a good Master.  Unlike some of the things we serve in this world, God is a good, kind, loving Master.  ·      Jesus served God as Master.  Jesus acknowledged God as Adonai.  It is because Jesus knew God as Lord and Master that he submitted to death on a cross.  He yielded His will to the Father.  He also showed his disciples what it looks like to be totally surrendered to God as Adonai.    We don't like to think of having a Master.  It might feel restrictive.  It would be if our Master were anyone else but God.  But Adonai is the one we can trust.  It's into His hands that we place our lives.  In fact, there are no better hands in which to place our lives.  He is Lord over everything and over us.  That brings me a great deal of comfort.  What about you?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope May 13, 2026   Name of God: Qanna – Jealous Scripture: Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15   Prayer:  El Qanna, You are a jealous God who loves me completely. Forgive me for the times I have placed other things before You. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank You for pursuing me with Your perfect love. In Jesus' name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  Each divine name illustrates a particular aspect of God's character and being.  The more we learn about God's names, the more we learn about God's character.   Today, we are focusing on El Qanna, which means Jealous God.  This is used five times in Scripture, all in the first few books of the Old Testament.  We may often misunderstand this name of God, because we see jealousy in its negative state, as it typically is seen as a sin in our fallen world.  But when we consider that God is a jealous God, we have to remember that all things belong to God and there is nothing that is not already his.  That means his desire for something is not rooted in covetousness, but rather the desire for relationship.  The God of the whole universe desires a relationship with His creation and is jealous for them.    It might be helpful to consider the covenant that God made with his people through Moses.  On Mt. Sinai, God didn't just give the Law to His people, he created a deep, abiding covenant, or contract, with His people.  The people had agreed to adhere to the terms of the covenant.  In some ways, it was like they were married to the Lord.  They were to be faithful to the Lord.  And when they were not, God became angry.  They weren't living up to their end of the covenant.    If you think about jealousy in the terms of a marriage relationship, it makes a bit more sense.  If you saw your spouse flirting with someone else, you wouldn't just shrug and say, "Whatever." You'd feel a protective instinct, a righteous anger at the threat that that person could be about to damage something sacred. Your reaction would not be selfishness; it would be devotion.  It's an appropriate passion for an exclusive covenant love.   We are to have no other gods before us because to do so would be to break the terms of our marriage covenant with God.  As Creator, Provider, and Deliverer, he deserves to be worshiped and loved with everything we have.  He loves us with a perfect love.  When we cheat on Him, God as a totally Holy God deserves to be jealous.  His jealousy comes from the truth that He loves us so much.  He wants relationship with us.   We often picture God as distant, calmly observing us from afar.  But El Qanna reveals something different.  God cares intensely about His relationship with you.  It's not a casual thing to Him. You matter profoundly to the God who made you. God's jealousy means you're worth fighting for. You're the beloved He pursues with holy passion. And when you drift toward things that will harm you, He doesn't just shrug and say, "whatever."  He fights for your heart and does everything He can to bring you back to Him.   In all of the verses this name is used, the Scripture is referring to idolatry.  You should have no idols before me.  Of course, worship of idols could be prostrating oneself before a pillar or metal statue.  In our world, it's more likely to be putting something else before God, like a relationship, our job, our money, an addiction, etc.  What kinds of things do you put before God?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope May 12, 2026   Name of God: El Olam – The Everlasting God Scripture: Genesis 21:33: Isaiah 40:28, 26:4, Jeremiah 10:10, Psalm 90:1-2   Prayer:  El Olam, Thank You that You are the God of eternity. When my heart fears change, remind me that Your love never ends. When I grow tired, lift me into Your everlasting strength. Anchor my life in Your promises and help me live today in light of eternity. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  Names in ancient times were very significant and the various names of God are incredibly significant.  Each divine name illustrates a particular aspect of God's character and being.  The more we learn about God's names, the more we learn about God's character.   The name of God that we are focusing on today is El Olam.  The Hebrew word Olam means eternity, forever, everlasting, unending. Thus, when the Scripture speaks of God as El Olam, it is referring to him as the Everlasting God.  It is reminding us that God stands outside of time. He is not bound by beginnings or endings, by clocks or calendars. He is the God who was, who is, and who is to come.  For us, who live in a world where things are temporary with many changes, El Olam is like an anchor.  He is the one who never changes, whose promises are sure and strong throughout all time, and whose love is eternal.   In Genesis 21:33, Abraham called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God (El Olam), after planting a tree in Beersheba as a reminder of God's enduring covenant.  In Isaiah 40, some of my very favorite Scripture, the prophet calls God the everlasting one.  He is the one who does not grow tired and weary, and He is the one who no one can comprehend. In Psalm 90, we read that God was everlasting to everlasting before even the earth was created.  When Scripture uses Olam, it's not just talking about "a very long time." It is talking about foreverness — there is absolutely no end.  That is hard for us to wrap our brains around! What does that mean for us? Olam means God's mercy never runs out. Olam means His Word is eternally true. Olam means His kingdom cannot be shaken. For believers, Olam is not just about God's eternal nature. It is also about the eternal life He offers us in Jesus. Our lives don't end when our earthly bodies die.  Our life is woven into God's eternal plan. His promises don't have an expiration date and  His love never grows old.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 11, 2026   Name of God: El Elyon – The Most High God Scripture: Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 7:17, 52:2, 78:35, Daniel 4   Prayer:  Exalted El Elyon, we worship you as One who has the final say. When You speak, demons tremble and the earth quakes. Your voice drowns out and silences every other voice that is raised.  You are the final authority for all things, for all time. What You say is so. You say what You mean and You mean what You say. Your word is fixed. It stands firm in the heavens. We can and we will take you at your Word.  Thank you, El Elyon. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  As we have mentioned, in the ancient world, names held a great deal of significance, indicating aspects of someone's character and purpose.  Certainly, it is the same with God.  God has many different names, all of which demonstrate one aspect of His character.    Today, we are discussing El Elyon, which means most high God.  The Hebrew, Elyon, occurs thirty-one times in the Old Testament. The equivalent Aramaic word, Hilay, occurs ten times, all in the book of Daniel.   El Elyon is how God refers to himself after Abram rescues his nephew Lot from the pagan kings who have taken him from Sodom.  Abram ends up pledging allegiance to El Elyon, most high God, and refusing to take any spoils of war.    By now, we have learned that the word El is Hebrew for God.  Elyon is Most High.  El Elyon indicated that God is not just mighty, but Almighty. He is sovereign over all things and can control all things. This name for God also takes into account God's transcendence. When we say that the God of the Bible is transcendent, we mean that He is high and lifted up far above our human comprehension.  God exists above, independent of, and surpasses the limits of any kind of material creation, time, or human comprehension.  El Elyon is the supernatural Creator, who is separate and above all His creation.  Thus, it goes without saying that no idol, god, or created being should be worshiped or exalted over the Lord because He is superior in every way.   We find this name of God in the Psalms quite a bit.  Here are just a few examples:   ·      Psalm 7:17, I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (El Elyon). ·      Psalm 21:7, For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High (El Elyon) he will not be shaken. ·      Psalm 46:4, There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High (El Elyon) dwells. ·      Psalm 47:2, How awesome is the Lord Most High (El Elyon), the great King over all the earth! ·      Psalm 57:2, I cry out to God Most High (El Elyon), to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.   Though we live on the other side of the cross, this name still holds significant meaning for us.  Nothing can hold importance above God in our hearts. He must be the God Most High over anything we may put before him. The gods of this age aren't metal statues. It's not that simple. Our gods come in the form of finances, jobs, family, or success. Is El Elyon above everything else in your life?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 8, 2026   Name of God: El Shaddai – Lord God Almighty Scripture: Genesis 17:1-2, 28:3, 35:11, 43:14, 49:25, Psalm 91:1   Prayer: El Shaddai, God Almighty, I come before you today, recognizing that you are the Lord of more than enough. When I am weak, I lean on your strength. When I feel like I have nothing, I trust in your amazing abundance.  Lord, I bring my impossibilities to you, knowing that nothing is too hard for you; you make a way in the most difficult of situations. Break through my doubt and fear and fill me with your perfect peace that surpasses all understanding.  I thank You for being my provider, my protector, and my refuge. In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  As we have mentioned, in the ancient world, names held a great deal of significance, indicating aspects of someone's character and purpose.  Certainly, it is the same with God.  God has many different names, all of which demonstrate one aspect of His character.  Today, we are focusing on El Shaddai.  This name for God is found seven times in the Old Testament.   In our Genesis Scripture today, God introduces himself to Abram as El Shaddai.  God personally met with Abraham and brought him a new revelation of himself.  He is El Shaddai.  Our translations use the English name God Almighty for the Hebrew El Shaddai.  El Shaddai goes on to tell Abraham he would be the father of a many nations and that Sarah would bear a son.  God changed both of their names, promised them a certain piece of land, then commanded a sign of his covenant, which we know as the sign of circumcision.  God has waited a long time to bring this revelation to Abraham, so long that both Abraham and Sarah were past the age of childbearing.  Romans 4:19-21 describes Abraham, "and without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old and the deadness of Sarah's womb."  Later on in Genesis 17, it says that after El Shaddai spoke to Abraham, he had all the males in his household circumcised.  Even Abraham at age 99 was circumcised!  God Almighty asked and Abraham obeyed.   We've talked about how the word El, in Hebrew, means God. Shaddai's translation is a bit trickier. There is much debate on how it should translate into our English language. Like many things found within Scripture there is deeper meaning here. Shaddai in Hebrew has many sounds and meanings within this one word, so let's dig a little deeper: ·      Shadu is a word in Akkadian language that Abram spoke and it means mountain.  Thus, it would mean the God of the mountain. ·      Saday is a Hebrew noun that means a cultivated field or a wild place where animals abound.  Thus, it would mean a God who is the creator of life. ·      Shad is a Hebrew noun which means breasts or relating to fertility.  Thus, it means a God who nourishes or multiplies. ·      Day, at the end of word, means sufficient, enough, or abundance.   And while we may translate El Shaddai as Almighty God in English, it really just isn't sufficient.  El Shaddai is the God of the mountain who is Creator, who makes life out of nothing, multiplies it, and provides all we need and more in His great abundance.  He is a God faithful to his promises.  I hope you get a feel for the richness of the word.   Part of our Scripture reading for today was also Psalm 91, a beautiful psalm of protection.  And it reads something like this: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High God, El Elyon, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty, El Shaddai.  To abide is an old word that means to remain in, to rest in.  Thus, we call on El Shaddai when our life circumstances seem horrible or impossible and we need to lean into Him and remain in Him.  In doing so, we receive his strength, his abundance, and his faithfulness.  Out of his bounty, El Shaddai will pour into us and our life.   Has there ever been a time in your life in which circumstances seemed impossible? Has there been a time in which you needed to be nourished back to life and reminded that we have a God who keeps His promises and wants you to be a part of them?  Pray to El Shaddai today.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope May 7, 2026   Name of God: Elohim – The Mighty Creator Scripture: Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, Psalm 90:2, Ecc. 12:14   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Elohim, Mighty Creator, Thank You for speaking light into my darkness, order into my chaos, and my life into being. I submit again to you and welcome your creative work in me and through me for Your glory.  It's in your name I pray, Amen   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are now doing a 16-day reading plan that goes through the Old Testament names of God.  We mentioned this yesterday but it's worth repeating - names in ancient times were believed to reveal a person's character. As we study God's name, we study His character and His ways.    Today is day two of that plan and the name we are covering is Elohim.  Elohim is the name for God as Creator. Elohim is the plural form of El. El was a word borrowed from the Canaanites and is one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, El means mighty or strong and is used for any reference to gods, including the one true God.  He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Elohim occurs 32 times in the first chapter of Genesis and more than 2,500 times in the Old Testament.   That actually leads us to our first two Scriptures for today from Genesis 1. I'll insert this Hebrew name as I read: "In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of Elohim was hovering over the waters.  And Elohim said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.  Elohim saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  Elohim called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.'"  Elohim created the heavens and the earth. The power of his voice formed substance from nothing, brought order to chaos, and exploded light into the vast darkness. It was Elohim who created man and woman in his own image and breathed into them the breath of life as we read in Genesis 1:26-27. As we will discover in this reading plan, a Biblical author is not choosing a name for God willy-nilly.  There is purpose in the name they choose.  With Elohim, this name communicates God's royal majesty over all creation and nations.  Thus, in Genesis 1, the creation of the world and humanity is attributed to Elohim, the mighty creator.  But in Genesis 2, God is referred to as YHWH, God's sacred name, which we talked about yesterday.  The Scripture that uses Elohim is making a specific point.  Look at another Scripture from our reading, Psalm 90:2, Before the mountains were born or you brough forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God (or Elohim). One other example is Isaiah 45:18 when the prophet writes, The One who made the heavens and the earth, He is God (Elohim). Paul reminds us that while many other so-called elohim (false gods) want our attention and worship and attempt to pull us away from our mighty creator, we are subject to the one Elohim and one Elohim only.  We are subject to the Elohim who created us, sustains us, and sent us Jesus Christ.   He created the universe and yet He is intimately personal to you. He personally, intricately made you. Let's close by meditating on another word from Psalm 139:14-15, "For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well."  May you be reminded today that the God of all created you with a purpose.  You were not accident, you were wanted and desired, and Elohim is still active and creating new things in YOU! Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope May 6, 2026   Name of God: YHWH, THE SELF-EXISTENT ONE Scripture:  Exodus 3:14-15, 6:2-3, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 42:8   Prayer:  Yahweh, my God, Thank You for revealing Your Holy name. Thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. I stand in awe of who You are. You are eternal, unchanging, and near. Help me to trust You more deeply, to honor Your name in all I do, And to walk in the beauty of Your covenant love.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  Today, we are starting the names of God.  This will be different because we will be flipping around in the Scripture, but I'm hoping we will all learn something new.  Fair warning – although there may be only a few verses listed, it will be a lot easier to read the whole narrative to get a feel for what it is trying to communicate.   Let's start by talking about the significance of names in the Old Testament.  Most ancient cultures, including Israel, believed that to know a person's name was to know their character and nature.  Likewise, the names of God were also intended to reveal different aspects of His character.    Today, we will talk about YHWH, a name for God considered so holy that Old Testament Jews did not say it out loud.  Even today, some devout Jews will not write or pronounce this name of God out loud.  It is the personal, sacred name of God that can be translated, I AM WHO I AM, the self-existent one, He brings into existence, or He will be.  This form of God's name is the most frequently used noun in the Old Testament, and it is written over 6,800 times.  Thus, it goes without saying that the four Scriptures we read are just a drop in the bucket of YHWH references in the Hebrew texts.   Our first Scripture text for today is the Moses and the burning bush narrative.  When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, Moses asked God for his name. He wanted to tell the enslaved Israelites who had sent him to deliver them. God told Moses to tell them "I AM has sent me to you" and also "the LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you."   Likewise, in chapter 6:2-6, God also said to Moses, "I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners.  Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.  "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. But aren't Lord and I AM two different names?  Actually, most scholars believe that the names yhwh ("LORD") and ʾhyh ("I AM") both come from the same word, the Hebrew "to be" verb, though in different forms.  YHWH can generally be translated "He is." But for my English grammar nuts, in Hebrew that is a complete sentence.  We don't need to finish it with an explanation of what He is.  It simply means, "He exists."  Thus, it becomes apparent how this name of God describes the truth of His self-sufficiency and complete independence and autonomy. God isn't dependent on or influenced by anything external to himself.  YHWH simply is. He is always present, always faithful and always who He says He is. In every season, in every generation, in every circumstance—He remains the same. In the Exodus Scripture that we read, we can see that God is establishing the truth of his self-existence.  Moses doesn't need to be scared of Pharoah, because I AM is with him.  I AM, or the Lord, is above Pharoah, above and separate from everything really.  And yet, while YHWH is self-existent and never-changing, He is also demonstrating that He will be present with his people. He has not abandoned them.  I AM is the God of their fathers and their God as well.  YHWH is the name God uses when He makes covenant with His people. It is the name tied to relationship, to promise, to faithfulness. I also want to touch on the Scripture from the Psalms, Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.  In the King James translation, this verse called God, Jehovah.  Just for our information (because this will probably come up again), Jehovah and YHWH come from the same word for God.  However, Jehovah is the Latinized version and YHWH (the Lord) comes from the ancient Hebrew.  Most scholars believe that Jehovah is not a good translation at all.  So, what does the name YHWH mean for us? It means we are never alone.  YHWH walks with His people. It means every promise He made—He will keep. It means when we pray, we are calling on the same name that split the sea, shut the mouths of lions, and raised the dead to life.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope May 5, 2026   Scripture: 2 Timothy 4   Prayer:  Almighty God, Thank you for a new day and a new chance to give you glory and praise.  You are an amazing God.  How incredible it is that you, who created everything, know my name.  You know every hair on my head.  While I am so grateful for your love and care, it is sometimes difficult for me to adequately wrap my brain around your expansive love and mercy.  Help me be a better reflection of you, Lord.  Help me see others through your eyes.  Help me be merciful, kind, and good.  Lord, I know I fall short.  So often.  But I want to do better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, hear my prayer...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  This is our last day in Paul's letters.  We have gone through all thirteen pastoral letters.  Tomorrow, we start the sixteen names of God.  I do hope you have the reading list.  If you don't, it will be posted on the church website and Facebook page today.  Just so you know, the name of God we are covering tomorrow is  YHWH, THE SELF-EXISTENT ONE and the Scripture reading is Exodus 3:14-15, 6:2-3, Psalm 83:18, and Isaiah 42:8.   Today's reading is 2 Timothy 4.  Paul is getting ready to die.  He expresses to Timothy that his life has been poured out as a sacrificial drink offering.  He has given his whole life to the work of God in this world.  It's been hard but God has given him the ability to persevere, to keep going, to not give up.  He says that he has finished the race of life, fought the fight, all the while keeping strong in the faith.  None of this was done in his own power but through the power of Jesus working in him.    As I read through Paul's letters, we see how often he encountered obstacles.  This has been especially evident in 2 Timothy.  Paul has been abandoned by friends, imprisoned, tortured, shipwrecked, rejected, been in fear of his life, and yet he kept on going.  I often wonder if he ever contemplated quitting.  Regardless, he never did.  He continued to get up in the morning and do what God had called him to do, even when it was really hard.  At the end of your life (as Paul was at the end of his), what will be your thoughts about what you've done for Jesus?  I often say that when we are on our deathbed, all that matters will be who we've loved, who's loved us, and what we've done for the Lord.  Where do you stand in those categories?   As we close this season of reading Paul's letters, I'm going to take a moment and let you know some of my key takeaways: ·      Salvation is a free gift from God.  It comes through faith in Jesus and nothing else.  Legalism was an issue in Paul's day and it's still an issue in ours.  Anyone who teaches that anything additional is needed for salvation besides faith in Jesus Christ is a false teacher. ·      The church is the body of Christ on earth.  Jesus is head of the church.  ·      The church consists of a very diverse group of believers, with a variety of gifts, who are intended to love one another fiercely.  The church, by how it behaves and loves, should be a witness to the world for Jesus. ·      All people are equal and should be treated as such. ·      A transformed life should have some fruit.  It should be evident that someone has been changed by Jesus through their words and behavior.  These things are an indicator of inner character. ·      Church leaders should have high integrity and will be held to a higher standard. ·      The resurrection is real and we are to live as resurrection people – transformed, new creations who have set aside the old and seek a new way of being human. ·      We should be looking forward to Jesus' return and the future resurrection of believers.   I hope you will be joining me for our new reading plan, starting tomorrow, on the names of God!    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope May 4, 2026   Scripture: 2 Timothy 3   Prayer:  Almighty God and Risen Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe. Even though you are incredibly mighty and take care of us in such fundamental ways, we struggle to stay focused on our faith.  Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts.  Help us take a moment of silence and remember who you are...Holy Spirit, speak to us today.  We want to hear your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are almost done with our letters from Paul.  What a journey it's been!  I would love to hear what you have learned from these thirteen letters.  We will finish this reading plan on Tuesday, and then go directly into the names of God.  If you were in worship today, I hoped you picked up the new reading plan.  If not, or if you live outside our geographical area, then there will soon be a link on our website and our Facebook page.    Today's reading is 2 Timothy 3.  In this third chapter, we find Paul giving Timothy advice about staying strong in the faith.  The world will always be a source of temptation and evil, there will be false teachers, and there will be many challenges.  He tells Timothy to stay grounded in what Paul taught him and in Scripture.   In order to not be swayed by the winds of the world (no matter what century one lives in), we have to be grounded in God's Word.  God's Word is authoritative and offers us a basic instruction manual of sorts.  While we don't understand every story and verse, there is a purpose for every single word.   Some of my favorite Scripture from Paul is Colossians 2:6-7, So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Just as in Paul's time, the world will bear down on us, providing all kinds of temptations and distractions.  We have to commit to grow our roots down deep into Scripture so that we won't be uprooted and swayed when hardship, challenges, and temptation enter our world.  Obviously, we need to do this as individuals but we also have to commit to do this as a body of believers.  We meet Jesus on the pages of Scripture AND God's Word provides a metric by which we can measure everything in our lives.  It's essential.  Together, rooted in Scripture, we will be immovable.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 1, 2026   Scripture: 2 Timothy 2   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are Lord of all.  How often we forget that.  There are times we even put ourselves in your place.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to remember that you are God and we are not.  Help us simply live the way you have called us, serve the way you have called us, and love the way you have called us.  We know that we fall short over and over again.  We need you.  All the time, we need you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we have made great progress.  We are now in our final pastoral letter, 2 Timothy.   Today's reading is 2 Timothy 2.  Besides the outside persecution that the church in Ephesus was experiencing, Paul also addresses another serious issue: in-fighting.  There were quarrels and fights within the Ephesian church, literally translated "word battles", that threatened to unravel the young church.  The church members were battling over doctrinal viewpoints and had formed factions.   Paul encourages Timothy to plead with the Ephesian believers to basically remember who and whose they are, to remember what was most important, and to explain how arguments within the church have the potential to damage the Kingdom.   How often have modern day churches been unraveled over word battles?  It's amazing to me how easily distracted we get.  We forget who we represent and get pulled into doctrinal arguments that really don't matter that much.  We read books, we listen to podcasts, and we think we know a lot.  Others think they know a lot too and we get pulled into debates that really aren't that important.  It's then that it's helpful to remember Paul's admonition in this chapter which is basically, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel." Succinct, clear, confident. And we remember again that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a bunch of words or slick interpretations but is about resurrection—the powerful and loving act of God—remaking our world into the place he always intended it to be. We major in the minors as some people say.  Are you currently engaged in any word battles with other believers?  It's time to put them to rest.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki   May 6 – YHWH, The Self-Existent One – Ex 3:14-15, 6:2-3 • Ps 83:18 • Is 42:8 May 7 – Elohim – The Mighty Creator – Gen 1:1, 1:26-27 • Ps 90:2 • Ecc 12:14 May 8 – El Shaddai – Lord God Almighty – Gen 17:1-2, 28:3, 35:11, 43:14, 49:25 • Ps 91:1 May 11 – El Elyon – The Most High God – Gen 14:18-20 • Ps 7:17, 52:2, 78:35 • Dan 4 May 12 – El Olam – The Everlasting God – Gen 21:33 • Is 40:28, 26:4 • Jer 10:10 • Ps 90:1-2  

Daily Dose of Hope April 30, 2026   Scripture: 2 Timothy 1   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you with awe and humility.  Help us remember all you have done for us.  We are nothing without you.  We need you desperately, Lord.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts today as we focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us remember that we belong to you.  Help us lay our worries and cares on the throne of your grace...We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we have made great progress.  Today, we are actually beginning our final pastoral letter, 2 Timothy.   Today's reading is 2 Timothy 1.  In this second letter to Timothy (and his final New Testament letter), Paul again wants to encourage Timothy, who has now been ministering to the churches at Ephesus for four years.  Paul is writing this letter from a dank Roman prison cell and he knows that his death is imminent.  Paul also seems to know that Timothy's ministry will only get harder once Paul dies, as the persecution is now severe and the challenges for the young churches are many.    Knowing the context in which this book was written helps us better understand it.  Paul wants Timothy to continue his ministry without fear and there was much to fear.  Paul mentions just a few of his challenges: abandonment by friends, persecution and imprisonment, physical pain and suffering.  Paul knew that Timothy may eventually face similar trials.  But living fearlessly in the midst of hardship requires more than some encouraging words of advice.  The only way Timothy (and us for that matter) can survive in such difficult times is through the power of God which lives within us.   Remember, if you have said yes to Jesus, the Spirit of the Living God dwells within you.  On our own, even on our best day, we aren't that powerful but God always is.  Paul reminds Timothy that it is the Holy Spirit within him that provides the power, love, and self-discipline needed to persevere in the faith and to live abundant and joy-filled lives in the middle of puzzling and difficult times.  I don't know about you but this was a message I needed to hear today.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope April 29, 2026   Scripture: Titus 3   Prayer:  Abba Father, We come to you today in awe of your love for us.  Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice.  Thank you for sitting high and looking low.  We give you all the glory and praise, Lord Jesus.  Help us to be less selfish and more like you.  On our own, we mess it up.  We need you, Jesus.  We need you minute by minute.  Guide our thoughts today, Lord.  Guide our words and guide our actions.  May we look more like you today, Lord, than we did yesterday.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we have made great progress.  We are currently finishing up the book of Titus.   Our reading for today is Titus 3.  In this chapter, we see that Paul didn't want the Cretans to cause a scene and stir up political discontent.  What was most important was the spread of the Gospel.  Creating political conflict would not help the cause of the young church and Paul wanted to be sure they understood that.  Again, they were not to get involved in quarrels and arguments that simply weren't that important.  They needed to show the world that there was something different about them: humility, gentleness, and kindness.  Rather than get involved in political messes, they should get involved in doing good in their community.  It simply wasn't about them and their personal preferences; it was about reaching people for Jesus.   How much more could we all do for the Kingdom if we worried less about personal preferences and politics and focused more on spreading the Good News of Jesus?  Wow!  We get so distracted with things we have very little control over.  Again, don't major in the minors.  Keep laser focus on what truly matters – Jesus.   I wrote this list of questions for myself but thought I would share: -How much time do I spend thinking about politics and conflict rather than Jesus Christ and sharing the Gospel? -How often do I get frustrated or angry over politics and things I can't control instead of focusing on loving others and things I can control? -Do people know me for what I'm against or for what I am for? -Am I viewed as someone who is humble, gentle, and kind?  If not, then why not? -Is Jesus central to my thoughts?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 28, 2026   Scripture: Titus 2   Prayer:  Lord, Oh, how we need you. Cleanse my heart, cleanse my speech, cleanse my actions. I want the world to see that I belong to you and you alone. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we have made great progress.  We are currently in the book of Titus. Our reading for today is Titus 2.  In this chapter, Paul gives very specific instructions to young and old as to how to behave and conduct themselves as followers of Christ. As opposed to the false teachers in chapter one, Paul wants Titus to teach sound doctrine, which includes that behavior should be consistent with belief; there are certain virtues that Christians should live up to. Doing otherwise damages their witness in the community. Titus himself, as the leader, must also be an example of living a blameless, virtuous life.  Unfortunately, we have all seen the consequences when a Christian leader fails to live righteously and it almost always has terrible ramifications for the Kingdom.  Bottom line:  There should be a direct link between theology and ethics. If we truly believe that God has been revealed and salvation has come, that those who believe are freed and cleansed from sin because of the blood of Christ, and that receiving Christ makes us new creations, THEN we should act accordingly. We are no longer slaves to the mess of the world. We have the ability to change, to act differently, to behave in a way that demonstrates the Spirit within us. Our behavior, our ethics, our speech should all testify to who and whose we are. How are you doing in this right now?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 27, 2026   Scripture: Titus 1   Prayer:  Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we have made great progress.  Today, we are starting pastoral letter #12 out of 13.  Our reading for today is Titus 1.  This is a letter from Paul to his dear friend, Titus.  Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to organize the church there and carry on the work that was started.  One of his main tasks was to appoint elders or overseers for the local churches; this means basically choose some pastors.  There were specific characteristics for the pastors that Paul outlines in this chapter, including being blameless, being faithful to a single wife, and not being prone to anger or drunkenness.  These are consistent with the lists for elders in Paul's other letters as well. This first chapter highlights that the false teachers have made it to Crete as well.  The circumcision group refers to Jewish Christians who are vehemently promoting the idea that to be a Christian, one must be a Jew first, which includes becoming circumcised.  Paul wants this group silenced.  They are teaching against the Gospel, which clearly states that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  All that is required for salvation is faith; anyone who adds to this is a false teacher.  Think about the world we live in.  False teachers are everywhere.  They may not be promoting circumcision as a prerequisite for salvation but other ideas that are equally damaging.  How important it is for us to grow our roots down deep into God's Word so that we won't be swayed by the many ideas out there, the many voices that are vying for our attention.  One voice matters-Jesus. Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope April 24, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 6   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Help us be productive members of your Kingdom.  I know we fall short.  I know we mess up.  Call us, let us hear your voice, and we will respond.  We will say yes.  Give us the courage and boldness to be the people you called us to be.  We love you, Lord.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the letters of Paul and today, we are finishing our eleventh letter, I Timothy.  Today's reading is 1 Timothy 6.  As we close Paul's first letter to Timothy, we find more advice reflecting the time, place, and culture of Paul and Timothy, specifically regarding slaves having respect for their masters. Paul's words in NO WAY justify or encourage slavery. Slavery was certainly a reality in the Roman Empire (scholars estimate possibly a third of all people living at the time were slaves). People sold themselves and their families into slavery simply to have access to food. It was an ugly existence. But throughout Scripture, including Paul's letters, there is much talk of freedom and equality in Christ. While Paul was pretty revolutionary in many of his teachings, as far as we know, he didn't tackle the institution of slavery. He did try to create parameters around it, however, but his primary objective was to spread the Good News of Christ. I'm grateful for the many Christ-followers who came hundreds of years after Paul and did make a stand against the institution of slavery. Their courage and determination also came from their faith in Jesus and they used Jesus' teachings and also many of Paul's writings to oppose the ownership of other humans. Slavery is still a reality around the globe. The Global Slavery Index estimates that over 40.3 million people are currently trapped in modern day slavery, the vast majority being women and children. (globalslaveryindex.org) This includes what we typically think of as human trafficking but includes forced labor around the world, including in many of our supply chains. It is a multi-billion-dollar industry. As Christ-followers, we should be actively working against human trafficking and other kinds of slavery. Slave owners and human traffickers prey especially on the poor and vulnerable. Jesus clearly taught and demonstrated that every single human life has value. He lifted the status of women and children and demonstrated extraordinary love toward the poor and oppressed. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Paul closes the letter with another warning about false teachers.  Anyone who teaches something contrary to Jesus, then they are "conceited and understand nothing."  Those are Paul's words.  He also says to beware of people who encourage conflict and quarrels, or those who are overly interested in financial gain.    And then there is a final charge to Timothy.  He wants Timothy to focus on righteousness and encourage others to do so as well.  Again, Paul emphasizes that Timothy command those who are rich to not be arrogant and to put their trust in what has eternal value.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 23, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 5   Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you today with humility.  You are holy, you are perfect, and I am painfully flawed.  Forgive me, Lord, for the way I fall short over and over again.  Forgive me for not being loving, patient, and kind.  Jesus, I want to follow your example.  I want to have a clean and pure heart.  How I need you.  Create in me a pure heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.  I love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the letters of Paul and we are in 1 Timothy, our eleventh letter. Today's reading is 1 Timothy 5.  Paul is back to giving very specific instructions for how the church is to treat its people. Again, this is culture-specific and seems to be in reaction to particular situations. He wants to be sure seniors are respected, that there are specific guidelines around the care of old and young widows, that the elders/pastors are given proper reverence, and that Timothy drinks a little wine to settle his upset stomach. Overall, Paul is demonstrating that he cares. He loves Timothy and he loves the church. He wants the church to deal with its conflicts and problems in an effective way. Sometimes, Paul's solutions seem a little odd to us in 2026 but we can be assured that Paul was quite revolutionary in his thinking. Finally, his primary motivation was to lead more people to Jesus. A few questions for us: -Do we have this kind of love and care for those in our church family?  What do we do well and what needs to be improved? -What kinds of advice do we give today that might seem really strange to the early church? -What is our primary motivation as we deal with issues at church?  Is it to lead more people to Jesus or something else? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 22, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 4   Prayer:  Father God, hear our prayer this morning.  We are awed by your power and strength.  We are amazed by your love.  Thank you, Lord, for the many ways you show in our lives to teach us and care for us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts right now and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us (help me) be still and know that you are God...Come Holy Spirit, and help us walk through this Scripture in a way that honors you.  Show up and help us discover whatever it is you want us to learn.  This is your Word and we want to hear from you.  In Your powerful name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  As most of you know, we are well into Paul's letters at this point.  In fact, we are in the middle of our eleventh letter, 1 Timothy.  We are moving right along.   Today's Scripture reading is 1 Timothy 4.  Paul makes some interesting and powerful statements in the beginning of the chapter about those who would leave the faith. He very astutely points out that just because someone initially commits to the faith doesn't mean they will stick with it. When things get tough, when false teachers rear their ugly head, when it is no longer convenient, then they may turn away. Paul seems to make the point that this is not an if but a when. This simply means their initial confession was not sincere. While I don't want to spend a lot of time on this topic, I think we often find this in modern faith circles. Just because someone has said the words of a sinner's prayer does not mean they actually know Jesus or understand what they have said. Something to think about for sure and speaks to the absolute necessity of discipling and nurturing new believers.   In the middle of the chapter, Paul is speaking directly to Timothy. He must have been a timid young man. Paul wants him to take authority and not allow people to dismiss him because he was younger. He needed to guide and lead the church both in his words and preaching but also in his lifestyle. Even as a younger man, Paul encourages him to lead by example.   While we give lip service to including young people in the leadership of the church, the reality is that we don't do it enough. We have lots of reasons for this (I've found myself giving excuses too). But God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. If God calls one of our teenagers or young adults to be a leader, then we need to embrace them, nurture them, and give them the space to lead. While I don't think we have that many young people who subscribe to the Daily Dose, but whoever is out there, please listen closely: You are called and God will empower you to lead!  Want to serve in leadership at New Hope? Come and talk to me directly.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 21, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 3   Prayer:  Almighty God, We rejoice in your holy name.  We give you glory.  Thank you for a new day.  May we experience you, today, Lord.  May we hear your voice and hear you when you call us.  We want to do your will.  We want to say yes.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the letters of Paul and we are currently in 1 Timothy. Today's reading is 1 Timothy 3. Paul has turned his attention to qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church.  An overseer would have been similar to a pastor, someone who presides over a single congregation, probably in a house church.  The deacons would have been specific people who served in the church, possibly assisting in church admin functions or in missions.  This text indicates that Paul had struggled with some strong-willed and difficult leaders in the church.  It's highly possible that some of the church leaders were bad influences, living too similarly to the pagan culture around them.  We aren't privy to the details but we do know that Paul felt the need to give some basic parameters for who could lead within the young church.  They needed to be people with integrity, people who were mature in their walk with Jesus, and people who were respected by their family and community. Each church today has some kind of vetting process for their clergy.  If they don't, then they certainly should.  Our process in the Global Methodist Church is fairly rigorous and you can be assured that our clergy have gone through a process to ensure their theological qualifications but also their spiritual maturity and integrity.  There is also a renewed focus on accountability.  The reality is that all of our church leaders, lay and clergy alike, are highly visible.  Their ability to withstand the distractions and temptations of the world and stay grounded in the ways of Jesus is huge.  There is so much at stake.  Please take some time today and pray for your church leaders. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope April 20, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 2   Prayer:  Holy God, Help us sit and reflect on your presence. Jesus, we need you.  We go through our days distracted, sometimes even forgetting to pray or acknowledge you.  Help us to be aware of your presence, knowing that you walk with us every step of the way, guiding us and leading us in all our words, actions, and decisions.  We belong to you, Lord. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through the letters of Paul chronologically.  We are now in our eleventh letter out of thirteen, the book of 1 Timothy.   Today's reading is 1 Timothy 2. Paul addressed false teachers in chapter one and is addressing issues related to public worship in this chapter, specifically the roles of men and women.   Some of these verses might be the most controversial verses in the New Testament.  We know that Paul's writings were clearly a product of the time and culture during which he wrote.  How could they not be?  So how do we, two thousand years later, distinguish what is specific to Paul and Timothy's very particular situation and culture and what we are to apply to our lives and ministries today?   Most scholars agree that Paul's statement regarding the role of women in worship in this chapter are clearly culture-specific.  All Scripture is useful and applicable BUT this doesn't mean that isn't written in very culture-specific and language-specific ways.  We have to be able to discern this; we have to take each specific situation into account when we read and interpret Scripture.  We also have to look at the full narrative of Scripture.   What does the rest of Scripture, including the rest of Paul's writing, say about the role of women in worship?  First, many of Paul's letters were written to address very particular issues in the churches.  Because of that, we recognize that much of what is commanded, the specific elements, are not to be translated literally and implemented in every other culture around the world.  For instance, Paul tells Timothy to drink wine for his stomach ailments (does that mean we are to use wine regularly for medicinal purposes?), to beware of Alexander the coppersmith (Alexander is surely dead now but should we be wary of other coppersmiths?), to be sure that the only widows who are at least 60 years old and have washed strangers' feet receive resources from the church (I think most of our widows today would balk at washing a stranger's feet). Then there is his command to slaves to obey their masters.  These are all clearly very specific to Paul's time and culture and were NOT intended to be applied universally.   Second, we have to also look at what the rest of Scripture says about gender roles in worship.  In Paul's other writings, he speaks of women as prophets and teachers.  He states that men and women are equal in Jesus in Galatians.  He refers to and praises female leaders in the early churches.  There is definitely a clear body of evidence that, for the most part, Paul valued and included women in the leadership of the early church (probably a lot more than was common in that time and culture).  In so many ways, Paul elevated the social status of women, which was abysmally low at the time.   Are there other passages of Scripture that are difficult for you and/or you struggle to understand? I would encourage you to dig into the culture and context of the text.  What was the author's intention?  What cultural factors were at play?  What was the specific historical context like at the time?  What elements are culture-and language-specific and which elements are clearly meant to be translated into our lives today?  Also, examine the Scripture within the full narrative of Scripture.  What else has been included on that topic in the Bible?  What is the general impression of the various Biblical authors on that topic? Then, pray, pray, and pray some more.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope April 17, 2026   Scripture: 1 Timothy 1   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, We come to you today rejoicing in your holy name.  You are such a good God.  It's so hard for us to conceive that the God who put the stars in the sky and put the planets into motion is the same God who loves us and has numbered the hairs on our heads.  We thank you so much for your love and care.  Open our minds and hearts as we approach your Word today.  Help us hear a word from you.  How we yearn to hear from you, Lord.  We need you.  Over and over again, we need you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through the letters of Paul chronologically.  We are starting our eleventh letter today; can you believe it?  I would love to hear about what you have been learning from these readings.  We have covered a lot of ground. Today's reading is 1 Timothy 1.  In this letter to Timothy, Paul gives instruction to his younger friend about how to lead the churches in Ephesus.  Paul intends to travel there soon but expects to be delayed and thus, writes this letter to encourage and guide Timothy. But this is not a private letter.  It was written to Timothy with the intention that these instructions be read aloud to the churches.  It's not a very long letter, but Paul addresses a number of topics in it, including doctrine and a warning against false teachers, public worship, guidelines for pastors and deacons, moral instruction, social responsibilities, and how to deal with material possessions.  This all would have been in reaction to struggles the churches were encountering.  Towards the end of this first chapter, Paul gives a mini testimony.  He speaks about being a blasphemer and a persecutor (v. 14) but Christ showed grace toward him.  From a worldly perspective, there wasn't much hope for him.  But no one is beyond the grace of God.  In fact, Paul says that Christ's grace was poured out abundantly, and overflowed, in his life.  And then, Paul makes some pretty strong, definitive statements.  He is responding to the deceptive and false teachers who were confusing the new believers. Read through verses 15-17 again... Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Paul makes it clear that the Gospel message is trustworthy, unlike the hollow claims of the false teachers. Christ came into the world to save sinners. Thus, the Gospel message is true AND universal.  Jesus came to save the whole world.  The Gospel is also personal. Paul speaks of his own experience of the Gospel.  He was a pretty bad sinner and Jesus even saved him.  Why did God show him this amazing mercy and grace?  To demonstrate his immense patience as an example to others who might believe in him.  Have you experienced the Gospel as trustworthy, universal, and personal?  Do you know it as TRUE?  Do you understand that Jesus' offer of salvation is for all nations, all tribes, all people? Finally, have you personally experienced Jesus as your savior?  Have you said YES to Jesus' offer of grace, repented of your sins, and decided to live a life following Jesus? If not, today can be your day!  Maybe you need to recommit your life to Jesus. You've wandered, you've walked away, or you've simply been going through the motions.  Today is the day to make a new commitment to Jesus Christ. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope April 16, 2026   Scripture: Philemon   Prayer: Holy God, On this Thursday morning, we lift up our face to you.  We call upon your name.  You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  You are almighty and wise.  How thankful we are that you sit high and look low.  Lord, forgive us for our many sins and faults.  Give us strength and courage to do better.  We give you this day, Lord.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's letters and now we find ourselves in Paul's tenth letter, when we look at them chronologically, and that is the short letter called Philemon.    Paul wrote a congregational letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians) and then added this more personal letter to Philemon, kind of as an addendum. It is difficult to ascertain the specific circumstances behind this letter. Paul is obviously being very discreet and diplomatic in the letter, not wanting to alienate Philemon regarding his slave, Onesimus. What do we know?  Paul is appealing to Philemon regarding Onesimus, who has accepted Christ through Paul's ministry.  Paul expresses that Onesimus is useful to him, loved by him, and Paul would keep Onesimus with him if he could. We also know that somehow Onesimus has been separated from Philemon, that Onesimus may have wronged him in some way, and Paul asks that Philemon welcome him back as "better than a slave," as they are brothers in Christ. Paul is willing to pay any debt that Onesimus may have toward Philemon.   One of the main learnings from this text is the extent to which Christ-followers are bound to one another through the faith.  While this letter is about a personal situation, Paul includes other individuals and the church community in this letter as well. The point was not simply to put pressure on Philemon, but because there are theological and social implications when one joins the covenant community of the church. We belong to one another. While we don't have to be in everyone's business, we are accountable to one another. We need one another for support, encouragement, mentoring, but also to ensure we are not drifting or making decisions contrary to the faith.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ and we will spend eternity together.   Reflect on Romans 12:4-5, Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 15, 2026   Scripture: Colossians 4   Prayer:  Jesus, Oh, how we need you! We need you to work within us and through us.  Change our hearts, O Lord, so that we can bring glory to you. More of you, less of me. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's letters and now we find ourselves in Paul's ninth letter, when we look at them chronologically.    Our reading today is Colossians 4.  This last chapter of Colossians begins with a word to slave owners to treat their slaves in a way that was fair and right. Please note that Paul's mention of slavery is in no way supportive of it.  I've said this before but it bears repeating.  Slavery was a reality in the Roman Empire. Paul's discussion of loving others as Jesus loved them and his focus on people being equal in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28), suggest his disapproval of the institution. Among those in the early church, slaves were treated as brothers and sisters in Christ.   Paul does offer a last bit of advice on Christian living to the church at Colossae. He reminds the Colossians that three things are crucial: prayer, wisdom, and grace-filled speech/communication.  First, their lives were to be devoted to prayer. This isn't too different from his command to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing. A devoted prayer life includes a lifestyle of prayer, rooted in both gratitude and vigilance. I love how he asks them to pray for open doors to share the Gospel message, specifically that God would provide opportunities for Paul to share the Good News of Jesus wherever his life journey took him.   Then, there is this focus on wisdom. Remember, Paul is encouraging them to stay away from the false teachers and immerse themselves in Godly wisdom. Wisdom provides the right atmosphere for the Christian walk. We must be wise in what we allow ourselves to ingest into our minds and bodies, wise in our talk, and wise in our actions. This is so critical because it's our everyday, walking around lives that are the strongest witness to those outside the church.   Finally, there is an emphasis on grace-filled speech and communication. Oh, how our mouths get us into trouble over and over again. My guess is it wasn't too different 2000 years ago.  Paul implores them to speak words of grace which are also "salty," words that make a difference but also words that are well-seasoned, not offensive, effective. Words can build up and words can tear down. Paul is saying to use words that effectively build up the Kingdom of God. Those who follow Jesus need to be intentional and careful in what and how they speak.  We could just as easily have this same discussion today. Without even thinking too much about it, Christians are so careless with what they say and do. Certainly, the foundation of transformation is a devoted prayer life, to which Paul alludes. When we are vigilant about prayer, when we develop a lifestyle of prayer, then we are less careless in the other areas of our lives. We are wiser, we are more grace-filled in speech and actions. It's possible that if every single person at New Hope made an intentional commitment to maintain a devoted, vigilant lifestyle of prayer, then Jesus could surely change the world through us. Certainly, our church would be transformed in pretty incredible ways!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 14, 2026   Scripture: Colossians 3   Prayer: Almighty God, We belong to you.  Sometimes, we get distracted and wander.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us stay fully focused on you.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us hear a word from you...Jesus, this is your day, we are your people.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we are currently in Colossians.   Today's reading was Colossians 3.  In this chapter, Paul begins a discussion on sanctification, encouraging the believers at Colossae to grow in their walk with Christ and reflect Jesus in all they do.  He implores them to live differently than those around them; they have a higher calling.  The false teachers were concerned with life on earth but Paul is telling the Colossians that there is so much more for which to live.   Paul begins by speaking of the vices that must be set aside as Christ-followers.  Then, he begins to speak of virtues.  I love this!  He speaks of these character traits like clothing; "clothe" yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Because they are new people in Jesus Christ, they put on new clothes that represent that new life.  One can accept Christ and receive salvation, but it is a process learning how to live like a believer.  It takes practice putting on these new clothes and yet it is so very important.  They must also learn to forgive one another and love each other.    We take these concepts for granted in today's church because we talk about love and forgiveness so often.  But this would have been new stuff for these early believers.  For many, it would have been a drastic shift from their previous life.  While we talk a great deal about love and forgiveness in the modern-day church, I think we also still are figuring out how to live out these concepts.  If you ask people who left the church why they did so, it often amounts to being mistreated by a church member or being turned off by hypocritical behavior.    It would probably do all of us some good to do an assessment.  How much do we reflect compassion in our interactions with others?  How often do we reflect kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience?  How loving have we been toward others over the past week?  How forgiving have we been?  Take a moment and think about each virtue.  Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10.  What areas need work and how might you practice living these out?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 13, 2026   Scripture: Colossians 2   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, On this Monday, we come to you today in awe.  You are almighty and wise but also filled with love and mercy.  And we have the pleasure of experiencing that love and mercy.  Despite our brokenness, you care for us and you continue to walk alongside us.  Thank you, Lord, for your patience.  Help us to focus more on you.  Fill us with a consuming desire to know you better.  Work in us.  Stretch us.  Challenge us.  Convict us.  We love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's letters and now we find ourselves in Paul's ninth letter, when we look at them chronologically.    Today's reading is Colossians 2.  Paul was very concerned that the people of the Colossian church would be swayed by fancy and smart-sounding arguments.  The arguments of false teachers often sound very convincing.  They typically take a small bit of truth and twist it so that it sounds just right enough that people will be convinced.  Paul knew this.  His goal was for them to grow in their knowledge of Christ, become mature, well-developed disciples, so they would see through the untruths.    If they were rooted in Christ, like a solid tree with deep roots, then they would be less apt to be affected by the winds of false teachings.  I love this idea of growing our roots deep into Jesus Christ.  If we look at plants, we tend to focus on that which we can see.  We see the trunk, the branches, and the leaves, and they maybe very beautiful.  But what's most important is what we can't see-the deep roots which are vital to the health and longevity of the tree.  If a bad storm comes, the tree will stay put because its roots are deep and strong.  Paul wanted the Colossian church to have a deep root system as well, one that was firmly based in Jesus Christ.  If they grew into strong, mature believers with strong roots, then they would be much less likely to be swayed by the fancy, sophisticated arguments of false teachers.   Historically, we haven't focused on having deep roots.  In fact, our discipleship in most American churches has been quite shallow.  We have required little of our members; we've asked them to simply warm a pew.  Where has that gotten us?  Being rooted in Jesus Christ means so much more than church attendance.  It means reading and knowing God's Word and abiding with Jesus through prayer and Scripture reading.  It means connecting with others for real accountability and listening to others who tell us hard truths about life and faith.  It means serving others with the love of Jesus.  It means giving sacrificially.  And when the strong winds blow, we are ready.  We stay solid and united in Jesus Christ, our roots strong and steady.   Let's convene again tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope April 10, 2026   Scripture: Colossians 1   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you today distracted and with scattered thoughts.  Help us focus, Lord, on you and your Word.  Help us, in the next few moments, to be silent, still, and remember that you are God...Thank you, Lord, for your care and concern for our lives.  Thank you for how you show up in amazing and unexpected ways!  We give you glory, Lord Jesus.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and today we begin Paul's letter to the Colossians.   The author of Colossians is Paul but he mentions that it is also from Timothy.  When Paul wrote this letter, the church at Colossae was facing threats from false teachers.  As we read this, we will find a clear theme: the centrality of Jesus Christ.  While details aren't known, there was apparently a movement within the town to remove Christ from the church.  Thus, Paul goes to great lengths in this short little book to describe the person and work of Jesus and what it means to live as a Christ-follower.  While Paul did not start the church at Colossae, he very much feels responsible for it.  Therefore, Paul writes this letter with much urgency from a Roman (or possibly Ephesian) prison cell.    Today's reading is chapter 1.   I would like to highlight verses 15-18, The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  Here we see the emphasis on the identify of Jesus Christ. Notice how in the previous verses Paul speaks about Jesus as Savior, as the one who rescues and redeems us.  Now, Paul is speaking of Jesus as Lord.   This section is considered a hymn to Jesus Christ and it is rich in theology.  Jesus is the visible manifestation of God, God in human form; Jesus is God and nothing less. God's character can be seen in Jesus Christ.  Let that sink in. But there is more.  Jesus was present at creation and serves as Lord over all creation. He is supreme over all things.  Jesus is Lord and everything exists to reveal his glory.  Then, Jesus as creator and redeemer are brought together again.  Jesus, who is head over all creation is also head over the church, his body.  Obviously, Jesus existed without the church but the church cannot exist without Jesus.  The church is the visible body of Christ in this world but Jesus serves as the head of the church.  A body can't function or exist without a head.  The church cannot function or exist without Jesus.    It almost seems laughable to me that there was a movement within Colossae trying to remove Jesus from the church. A church can't be a church without Jesus. It's totally absurd. And yet, even as I write that, I realize that there are probably many churches in existence right now that basically function separate from Jesus.  Maybe they are religious social clubs or possibly political organizations but they aren't the body of Jesus.  This could have happened gradually and slowly.  After all, we live in a very distracted, self-reliant culture.  I have to admit, even the thought of this is so, so scary to me.  How can we ensure that Jesus stays central in all we do at New Hope?  Pray, friends.  Pray diligently and specifically that Jesus stays at the core of all we do.   We will chat again on Monday.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope April 9, 2026   Scripture: Philippians 4   Prayer:  Holy God, You are a God of order and a God of purpose.  The world may seem chaotic, but you are not.  You have ordered your world with perfection.  Help us trust you.  Lord, fill us with your perfect peace.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through Paul's letters and today we finish the letter to the Philippians.   Today's reading is Philippians 4.  Philippians 4 is one of my all-time favorite chapters in the Bible!  Why?  Because in the midst of living in a society that strives to be happy and fails, Paul shares with us the keys to true joy.  We are going to just focus on v. 4-8 today but be sure to read through the whole chapter.  It's truly a beautiful end to his letter to the Philippians.   Philippians 4:4 is a great verse to memorize.  Paul writes, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Have joy in God.  Be joyful in the Lord always.  What's interesting to me about this letter that Paul uses some form of the word joy fourteen times in these four short chapters.  He is serious about joy.  And he isn't at some resort somewhere drinking good wine and eating steak.  Not at all, he is in a Roman prison cell.   Paul is in a dank, dark, poorly ventilated Roman prison cell.  Keep in mind, Roman prison cells were designed to strip a prisoner of dignity.  They were filthy, often crowded.  Unlike today, there was no such thing as being condemned to serve a sentence in prison.  Although people could spend a lot of time in prison, it was time in which they were awaiting trial to then be given their real punishment, which could very well be death.    Paul, at the time he wrote this letter, has probably been in prison for about four years.  He had no idea what was going to happen to him.  He had been charged with inciting riots among the Jewish communities in different cities and he was simply waiting to hear whether or not he would be put to death.    And yet, Paul writes to rejoice in the Lord always.  To the world, this wouldn't make any sense.  What makes sense to the world?  Well, seeking happiness.  Happiness is based on your happenings.  When your happenings, your circumstances, are going really well, when you feel really good, when things are going your way, then you are happy.  But joy is something else entirely.  Our world doesn't really understand joy.  Joy is not a feeling or an emotion.  Joy is not dependent on circumstances or whether things are going our way.  No, joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it's the manifestation of God in the midst of ALL circumstances.  It's an orientation that declares every day is a gift from God.   But Paul goes on in verses 5-7,  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When tragedy hits, when we are in the midst of despair but when we know that God is near, then it creates space for a different response than anxiety.  Rather than constant worry and anxiety, we can move to prayer and petition.  So now this is beginning to make a little more sense.  When we are gentle and know the Lord is near, we seek God in prayer.  This isn't a formula by any means but Paul is saying that one generally follows the other… Choose to REJOICE --- Be gentle/be like Jesus --- Know God is near ---- Seek God in prayer. This in turn, will lead to less anxiety and more thanksgiving.  Why?  Because gratitude does something to our heart.  When we are thankful, we are reminded of God's faithfulness.  We are reminded of all the times God has shown up and taken care of us. I recently read that there are two kinds of people:  Those who are currently facing hard circumstances and those who will soon be facing hard circumstances.  Think of what Jesus said in John 16:33, In this world you will have trouble, but take heart because I have overcome the world.  This is the reality.  When, not if, we face trouble, we have 2 choices:  anxiety or rejoicing.    Anxiety is generally how the world responses.  Sometimes, it's how we respond to.  But it is the world's go-to response.  It leads to more distress, more seeking escape in things like food, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, anything that will bring pleasure, no matter how short-lived.   God is calling us to respond differently:  by rejoicing.  Rejoicing reminds us who God is, who we are, and that we are not alone.  REJOICING leads to peace.  Anxiety leads to inner conflict and misery.    Let's end this part of our discussion with verse 8, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  I would encourage you to memorize this verse.  This is about changing our thought life.  It's a method/strategy for dealing with worry and anxiety.  So often, we get in a loop.  We play the tape over and over again in our head.  What if this happens?  Why did that happen?  What will I do if this occurs?    I'm wondering if Paul, in his Roman prison cell, sometimes fell prey to this kind of thinking.  It's like he is telling us, "look, you think you can't rejoice but you can.  Stop thinking about the bad stuff and start thinking about that which is true, that which is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or worthy of praise."    This means turning off the news.  It means turning off Facebook.  It means removing the external sources of negativity from your life as much as possible.  Focus on what is worthy of praise.  What things in your life are worthy of praise?     Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 8, 2026   Scripture: Philippians 3   Prayer:  Abba Father, We come to you today, grateful for your love and care in our lives.  Thank you for your presence and your peace.  Help us to gather our scattered thoughts and set aside distractions so we can focus on what you have for us today.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, help me be still and know that you are God...We give you all the glory, Lord Almighty.  Amen.    Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through Paul's letters.    Today, we read Philippians 3.  We find here that Paul considers himself living in a state of in-between-ness.  He is in the middle of a journey. The longing for arrival is strong, but what he has in front of him is the journey. He can only press on, stay the course, be thankful for what God has put in front of him.   Up until this point, Paul had a pretty interesting journey.  Remember, he started out as a zealous Jew.  He talks about this earlier in the Scripture passage.  He says that at the beginning of his journey, he thought of himself as righteous, as deserving, as better and more religious than others because of his background.  Paul writes this in verse 4-6…If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.  Paul is almost challenging the others --- look, if this journey is all about accumulating religious merit badges, I win hands down. I was circumcised on the eighth day, I was part of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew if there ever was one.  Remember, he was a Pharisee, which was one of the strictest sects of Judaism.  He persecuted Christians, who he felt were breaking God's law.  He held people's coats as they stoned Stephan. And at that time, he felt that these things proved his spiritual worth to God and to others.   I wonder how many of us look at our Christian journey in a similar way?  Even after we say yes to Jesus, even after we get involved in church and small groups and we are trying to walk with God, we have the same tendency as the apostle Paul.  We try to prove our spiritual worth to others and to God.  Of course, we are influenced by all the normal sources of pride that the world tells us are important, right?  Money, stuff, accomplishments.  I hope those things have less a hold on us but if we are real, we know this kind of stuff still seeps into our lives.    But then, there is also a need to demonstrate what good Christians we are, our spiritual merit badges.  I'm in three Bible studies.  I took this training and then I led it.  I've been on this committee four times.  I've been a member of the church since I was in the womb.  Pastors do this too.  You know one of the very first questions that another pastor will ask you when you first meet them at some luncheon or event?  So, how many people are in your congregation?  As if that somehow is what defines your value. But the good news is, there is more to the story.  Paul tells us that the journey is far from over.   In fact, Paul has some pretty strong words about accumulating these spiritual merit badges, taking pride in how "spiritual" we are.  He says, v. 7-9, But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  So he is saying, now that I know Jesus, I understand that all those things pale in comparison with knowing Jesus.  They aren't gains, they actually are now losses.    Those things I thought were so important, those things that I thought demonstrated my value, those things that I thought earned me some gold stars with God – they are nothing.  Jesus is everything.   But Paul goes one step further.  These spiritual merit badges are not simply counted as losses now that I know Jesus, now "I consider them to be garbage."  His whole life, these were things that he took huge pride in, they were what made him admired in his community.  He was a real Jew if ever there was one.  He was learned, he knew the law backwards and forwards.  His family was adhered to tradition and they were admired and esteemed.  And now, he is saying – now that I know Jesus, these things are like rubbish in comparison.  He is telling the Philippians, God has brought me to a new place in my spiritual journey, one in which I realize that I'm nothing without Jesus Christ and that nothing else besides Jesus matters.    In v. 10, Paul is saying that because he now knows Christ, he seeks to be like him.  But he has not arrived.  He has not made it.  This journey we are on is just that, a journey.  We don't arrive at the destination and say, "Yea, I've made it.  I can now stop striving to be like Jesus."  No, faith is a lifelong journey.  Paul says we can't look backwards, we must "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead."  There is more ahead.  At the moment, we are all in a state of in-between-ness.  We haven't made it.  We haven't arrived.  Rather, we must press on toward the goal with God has for us in Christ Jesus.  What is the goal?  To seek his glory, to be part of his Kingdom, to be with Jesus eternally.  All of the above.    Until then, we pay attention to the journey.  Paul is saying, how you do life as a follower of Jesus matters.  It is not all about the destination, it is about the journey, the day to day struggle and gratitude and joy of following Jesus Christ. How are you doing on your journey?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 7, 2026   Scripture: Philippians 2   Prayer:  Holy God, Thank you for your incredible mercy.  Your compassion is never-ending and your love is powerful.  We are overflowing with gratitude.  Help us demonstrate this same compassion and love toward others.  May we become people of grace and see people through your eyes.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been on a journey through Paul's letters, in chronological order.  We started our eighth letter yesterday and that is Philippians. As I mentioned, this is one of my very favorite books of the Bible, not just because it is short and sweet, but simply because it expresses so much gratitude.  We also know that Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell.  That really puts things in perspective.    Today's reading is Philippians 2.  There is so much substance in this chapter and we could probably spend a week on this chapter alone.  Paul begins the chapter with this amazing narrative about the attitudes that should characterize Christians. We should be of a similar mind, having a mutual love for one another that looks like Jesus' selfless love.  In fact, the one person to whom we should compare ourselves is Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of humility, sacrifice, and love. This is often referred to as the Christ Hymn.  This is some of my favorite Scripture and I can read it over and over again.   One element of this Christ Hymn that we need to at least mention is how Jesus became a human and emptied himself of being God (called kenosis).  He actually set aside his glory to become one of us and die on a cross.  He is God and yet he went through all the pains and trials of humanity to redeem us.    If you get a chance today, simply take some time to meditate on verses 1-11.    Paul then begins speaking to the Philippians about working out their salvation with fear and trembling.  First, obedience to God was a central concept for Paul.  Whether he was present with them or not, the expectation is that they should stay obedient to the faith.  With salvation comes an expectation of obedience. What does that mean?   We know, and Paul has certainly established this in other writings, that salvation is a free gift.  We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. If we have said yes to Jesus, then we receive salvation. However, once saved, we don't simply go on living exactly the same way (if we do, then maybe there was no real heart change to begin with). Thus, our attitudes, behavior, and speech should demonstrate our new life in Jesus in some way. When Paul says we work out our salvation through fear and trembling, he is getting at this point. Yes, salvation is a free gift but then we begin to figure out how to live as saved people. We grow in obedience to Jesus, we live out those attitudes that Paul speaks of earlier in the chapter (humility, love, sacrifice), and we begin the process of becoming more like Jesus.   What has your sanctification process been like?  How are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope April 6, 2026   Scripture: Philippians 1   Prayer:  Father God, hear our prayer this morning.  We are awed by your power and strength.  We are amazed by your love.  Thank you, Lord, for the many ways you show in our lives to teach us and care for us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts right now and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us (help me) be still and know that you are God...Come Holy Spirit, and help us walk through this Scripture in a way that honors you.  Show up and help us discover whatever it is you want us to learn.  This is your Word and we want to hear from you.  In Your powerful name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  I hope you had a magnificent Resurrection Sunday yesterday!  We serve a risen Lord and that makes all the difference.   We have been on a journey through Paul's letters, in chronological order.  Last week, we finished Ephesians and today we begin Philippians.  This is our eighth letter.  And just so you know, this is one of my very favorite books of the Bible, not just because it is short and sweet, but simply because it expresses so much gratitude.  We also know that Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell.  That really puts things in perspective.  Let's talk a little bit about Philippi.  It was also the first European city in which Paul planted a church.  You may recall in the book of Acts, Paul meets a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, and she becomes the first Christian convert in the area.  Lydia extended the invitation to Paul and Silas and other coworkers to come and stay at her home. Her whole household accepts Christ and is baptized.  It's in Lydia's home that the Philippian church begins.  Let's get to discussing chapter 1. Paul begins by stating that the letter is from both he and Timothy, although most attribute it mainly to Paul.  He begins by expressing gratitude for the Philippians.  It's obvious here that Paul has a deep love and affection for these people.  He is grateful for them.  While in prison, the Philippians have sent him money and supplies (they were the only one of Paul's churches to do so), most likely at great sacrifice to themselves.  So, they send these gifts through a man named Epaphroditus and he is the one who returns with this letter.  If you think about Paul's letters in the New Testament, usually he is upset with the church for something or he is giving them warnings.  But the tone of this letter is totally different.  Paul is longing for the Philippians; he has deep affection for them.  They are partners in the Gospel and he is so very thankful for that.  I'm sure he is thankful for the supplies but more than anything, he is thankful for how they are actively living out the Gospel message. This really is so encouraging to me personally.  Being in ministry is not easy.  You see beauty and you see ugliness.  You stress over things that are out of your control – the number of people who are or are not in worship, people who have wandered away, the need to do more and reach more people.  The days can be long.  But it is also such a privilege.  I'm grateful that I don't have to be sitting in a prison cell to tell you this.  I am grateful to the people of New Hope.  It is a privilege to be welcomed into your lives and to share in the Gospel with you.  I have been loved and cared for in this place.  I know I'm a pastor but you have cared for me like a regular person.  You have loved my family.  You have embodied the Gospel for me in word and deed.  And I'm very thankful for that.  You will never quite know how grateful I am to God's people here at New Hope.  And I look forward to continuing to partner with you in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  So, one of my prayers for all of you is that the work that God has started in you, that he will carry it on to completion.  None of us retire from faith.  If we aren't dead, we are not done.  God has started a good work in you and he wants to finish that work.  Paul says that whether he is in chains or defending and confirming the Gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.  Let's think about this word "share."  They share in God's grace with him.  First, they all receive grace, God's unmerited favor, we are all sinners (every single one of us) and we all need the grace of God to walk hand in hand with a holy God.  God's grace has been poured out on all of us.  So, we share that together.  But the word "share" if you go deeper into the Biblical meaning, it also can be translated as "participate."  We participate in God's grace together.  We don't just receive it in a passive way, we actually live it out together.  Together, Paul is saying, we participate in the spreading of God's grace.  What does it look like for us to participate in the spreading of God's grace together?  The family of God is not intended to be a passive body.  We aren't just supposed to sit on the sofa or in our comfortable small group settings and just soak up the wonderfulness of God's grace but we are intended to actually participate in it.  This doesn't simply mean doing nice things for people but rather building the KINGDOM of God.  Alleviating suffering in the name of Jesus.  Healing in the name of Jesus.  Feeding in the name of Jesus.  Praying for people in the name of Jesus.  Educating, planting, singing, teaching, playing ALL in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who was, is, and always will be in the business of forgiving sinners and transforming their lives.  And then Paul speaks of how his chains are being used to advance the Gospel.  Just in case you have forgotten, Paul is writing this letter about being thankful and grateful while sitting in a dank, Roman prison cell.  He is voicing gratitude from prison.  How many people can be truly grateful in such circumstances?  I think it's important to point out that that is the power of the Gospel.  In the midst of extreme hardship, and I know that many of you are dealing with extreme hardship, Paul finds a way to be grateful.  He is witnessing to the prison guards and they are coming to know Jesus.  He knows that his situation has inspired the rest of the Philippian church to not be fearful about preaching Jesus.  There are all these forces at work that would normally rob him of any sense of well-being, and yet this sense of gratitude just wells up within him.  What the enemy meant for evil, God used for his good and Paul can see that, trust that, believe that, know that from the center of his very being.  How convicting.  I get one person complaining or saying something hurtful and I'm complaining or sad.  But Paul didn't do that.  He was grateful for each circumstance, knowing that God could and would use that to advance the Gospel.  Has there been someone in your life who is seemingly surrounded by horrible circumstances, maybe they are dealing with the evils of aggressive cancer or chronic pain.  Maybe they are healing from intense grief or some other hardship.  And yet, they are grateful in the midst of it.  It doesn't mean they are free from pain and they don't cry (normal human things) but they are truly see each new day as a gift.  I've known a few of those people, not a lot but a few.  And their lives are a witness to the those around them of the power of the Gospel.  It is totally a counterintuitive thing --- I'm dying of cancer, I'm in pain, and yet I'm grateful for this new day.  That is the power of Jesus Christ working in us.  Trusting that God is in control and we are not. There is so much more in this chapter but I'm going to stop here.  I think we need to just kind of meditate on this.  Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

Daily Dose of Hope April 3, 2026   Scripture:  Ephesians 6   Prayer:  Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.  Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.  I am so far from where I should be.  Help me see others through your eyes.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's epistles, his letters, which we find in the New Testament.  We are about to complete our seventh letter, the book of Ephesians.   Today's reading is Ephesians 6.  Okay, this is our last day in the book of Ephesians.  Paul begins by talking about children honoring parents, fathers not exasperating children, and both slaves and masters having respect for each other.  Can I just say how extraordinary this would have been?  Children didn't have a lot of value in first-century culture.  We would expect Paul to want them to honor their parents but to tell a father not to frustrate their child, not to lead them to a place of anger, would be really different from the culture around them.  And for slaves and masters to have mutual respect for each other?  This is a total reorienting of relationships because of Jesus.    Let me be clear – by Paul addressing slaves and masters, he is not expressing any kind of sympathy for slavery.  Not at all.  Rather, this was something that existed in the Roman empire.  It was not ideal at all, but it was the reality for Paul in the moment.  In the Roman empire, the poverty level was astonishing and it wasn't uncommon for people to actually sell themselves and their families into slavery to simply survive.  This was not the kind of slavery we think of as Americans; the African slave trade was abominable and a different kind of horror.  So slavery in the Roman empire was different, but the Roman slaves were still slaves and vulnerable to their masters' whims.    What Paul says is that Christ totally reorders our relationships with one another.  Rather than being based in power, they are founded in love and respect.  I can't overestimate how revolutionary this would have been.  Slave and master, according to Paul, could sit side by side and worship the Lord as equals, even if they weren't equals in the culture around them.   But let's keep going.  When we take a look at the first-century church, we see the Holy Spirit at work in amazing ways.  But we also see opposition.  As we've mentioned over the past few days, Ephesus was a very pagan city.  One of the largest and most famous temples, the Temple of Artemis, was in Ephesus.  Worship of other gods was everywhere.  Forces working against God were everywhere.  While the church was growing and experiencing signs and wonders, it was also experiencing resistance and opposition.  Evil was present and real.   Evil is still present and real. True, it is no match for the Holy Spirit but for us mere humans, we need to be sure to stay strong in the Lord and his mighty power.  If we don't, we can easily and without our knowledge, be used by the evil forces of this world.  I often say that most of the time, we don't make the devil work that hard because we do such a good job making bad choices.  But we must be aware that evil is out there, tempting us, and looking for our weak spots.  The enemy wants us to experience defeat and discouragement, rather than the freedom and victory we can experience in Jesus.    So what's the answer?  Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God.  How might we do this in practical ways?  Off the top of my head, I immediately think of frequent prayer and dwelling in God's Word.  By making these two things a priority in your life, you will know God better, stay connected to the Spirit that dwells within you, and you will have a growing awareness and knowledge of God's truth, wisdom, and love. But what else does Paul say in chapter 6?   ·Verse 14-Put on the belt of truth.  Our belt is what holds our clothes on the body. Our integrity holds our lives together.  Are you a person of integrity? ·Verse 14-Put on the breast plate of righteousness.  The breastplate would have protected vital organs on a soldier.  Any crack in the breastplate would have been dangerous.  Any crack in our righteousness is dangerous, as it allows impurity and evil to creep in. ·Verse 15-Put the gospel of peace on your feet.  Our foundation needs to be the peace of Jesus Christ.  The enemy will try to steal our peace and if that happens, we stumble.  How's your foundation holding up lately? ·Verse 16-Hold up the shield of faith.  Paul says that the shield protects us from Satan's arrows.  Prayer and Scripture are two ways to stand firm in faith and protect ourselves from those fiery arrows. ·Verse 17-Put on the helmet of salvation.  A helmet protects our brain; damage to the head has horrible consequences.  Because of our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, we are new people, called to have the mind of Jesus.  When we seek to have the mind of Christ, evil has a much harder time creeping into our thoughts. ·Verse 17-Hold up the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word. God's Word is the most powerful weapon against the evil one..  Think of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness-he used Scripture to fight back.  Knowing and dwelling in God's Word is critical if we are to push back anything the enemy throws at us.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 2, 2026   Scripture:  Ephesians 5   Prayer:  Almighty God, We give you glory and praise.  Thank you for the ways you care for us.  Thank you for the ways you care for our church.  Lord Jesus, help us set aside our scattered thoughts.  Help us push away distractions and truly focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Holy Spirit, guide our reading and devotional time today.  May we hear a word from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's epistles, his letters, which we find in the New Testament.  We have now completed the first six and we are on our seventh letter, the book of Ephesians.   Today's reading is Ephesians 5.  Paul is imploring the Ephesians to live as God's holy people.  Jesus has fulfilled the Old Covenant.  The law is no longer what makes people holy.  Those to whom Paul is writing would be Christians, with the Spirit of the Living God within them.  They are being sanctified by God's grace.  It's only through the Holy Spirit in them that this is possible and they can even seek holiness.  This standard is actually harder – it's a circumcision of the heart.  Paul is asking the Ephesians to seek this high standard because of who they represent.  I love verses 8-10, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.   But I don't want to neglect the second half of this chapter because I think it's incredibly important.  It's here that Paul speaks of mutual submission, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Mutual submission - it's what marriage is all about.  Of course, if you grew up in Christian circles, you know how badly the whole of Ephesians 5 has been distorted. The focus has been on wives submitting to husbands.  But before Paul talks specifics, he says this: submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.  Then, he talks about wives submitting and husbands loving.    We should note that this discussion would have been revolutionary at the time.  To say women had a low social and legal status in the Roman Empire is quite the understatement.  And here is the Apostle Paul telling the Ephesians that marriage is a covenant and that there needs to be mutual submission between the parties.  That means women submitting to men (which would have been the norm at the time in that culture) but also that men should submit to their wives.   Husbands submitting to wives?  That would have been unheard of!    To make it even more earth-shattering, Paul says that husbands should love their wives in the same way that Christ loved the church.  How much did Christ love the church?  He died for the church!  He is telling these guys to love their wives sacrificially.  Wow!  We read these words through our twenty-first century eyes and we may think something like, "How outdated and sexist."  But the truth was anything but the sort.  Paul's words elevated the status of wives in significant ways. They were to be loved and valued.  There should also be unity and fidelity in the marriage relationship, which means only one wife and no affairs.  Paul wants Christian men to understand that holiness within their marriage is also important.  It demonstrates that those who are "in Christ" do life differently.  They are new people in Jesus and the church, as the body of Christ, is drastically different than the culture at large.    We could probably stop there and that would be enough.  But wait, there's more.  Paul is using the marriage relationship as an analogy.  The relationship of the husband and wife in marriage points to the beautiful relationship between Christ and the church.  Just as there needs to be unity between husband and wife, there needs to be unity between Christ and the church.  So let's be real, the universal church has messed this up a bit.  Sometimes, the church demonstrates unity with Jesus and sometimes it doesn't.  I'll stop here today but I ask you to reflect on this question: Does New Hope demonstrate unity between Christ and his church?  What do we do well?  How do we struggle with this? And how do we do better?   We'll chat again tomorrow.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 1, 2026   Scripture: Ephesians 4   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you for loving us despite our many faults.  Thank you for showing us a different way of doing life.  Help us seek holiness in all we do.  Help us become the people you desire us to be.  As we work through today's Scripture and devotional, I pray that you speak to our hearts.  Help us see things differently.  We want to hear from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Scripture reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we are currently in our seventh letter, the book of Ephesians.   Today's reading is Ephesians 4.  Paul has been discussing the new life we have in Christ and the new faith community that is created, what we call the church.  The church, as the body of Christ, is an entirely new kind of community-a family of people who belong to Jesus and to one another AND love one another with the extravagant love of Christ.  But this unique community has standards. Look at verses 2-4.  This body of believers should be humble, gentle, patient, and bear one another in love.  There should be unity among them as a demonstration of to whom they belong.    While there is unity, there is diversity in gifts and strengths. Jesus has made sure that his church has everything it needs to become mature and effective.  Thus, some people are given the gifts and graces to become apostles, others prophets, still others evangelists, pastors, and teachers.  Jesus obviously excelled in all these categories, but we don't.  Thus, we need one another desperately to build up and strengthen the body of Christ.   Historically, the church has focused more on pastors and teachers than the apostles, prophets, and evangelists.  If we look at the state of the Western church, you can see how badly this has hurt us.  We are incomplete, we are missing some of these critical roles, and without them we are ineffective.  We need everyone to build up the church.  Here is a quick summary of these roles: ·      Apostles are the entrepreneurs of the church, starting new mission and ministries, leading the church into new territory.  Without apostles, we get stuck in the same place, not responding to the changing needs of our world. ·      Prophets often stand on the fringes of the church, as God's messengers, speaking hard words into the family of faith.  We have pushed the prophets aside because we tend to not like hard words. ·      Evangelists are the salespeople of the faith. They are particularly gifted at sharing the Good News of Jesus with people who don't get know him.  We are ALL called to be evangelistic but certain people are truly gifted in leading new people to Christ.  We need them. ·      Pastors are shepherds of the flock.  They nurture and protect the congregation.  They are essentially the caregivers of the flock, ensuring and guarding the spiritual health of the people. ·      Teachers are the communicators of the faith. They help the people remain Biblically grounded, teach the next generation about Jesus, and ensure that the church is faithful to God's Word, growing in their knowledge of Scripture and doctrine.    Think about your unique gifts. Are you an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher?  How can you use your gifts to build up Jesus' church?   Have a wonderful day.  We will talk again tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope March 31, 2026   Scripture: Ephesians 3   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you for a new day and thank you that your mercies are new every single morning.  How grateful we are that we can start afresh and anew each day.  Forgive us for the many times we fell short, for when we weren't loving, for when we were easily angered, for when our patience wore thin. Today, help us represent you well.  In all things, may we be reminded who and whose we are.  We are yours.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Scripture reading plan.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters and we are currently in our seventh letter, the book of Ephesians.   Today's reading is Ephesians 3.  Paul starts out the chapter by talking about God's amazing plan for the Gentiles.  They are now co-heirs and equal members of the body of Christ.  They fully share in the promises of Jesus.  And this plan not only brings unity to Jesus' church, but it offers all Christ-followers the ability to access God confidently and directly.    We find a beautiful prayer in verses 16-19 that Paul offers for the people in the Ephesian church.  He starts by asking God to strengthen them by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember, Ephesus was a very pagan city.  The church there dealt with opposition on a daily basis.  Paul knew they needed supernatural strength.  The same could probably be said of us today.  The sources of our distractions and opposition are different but still powerful.  How do you personally need God's supernatural strength today?   Next, Paul prayed that they would be rooted in Jesus' love and understand how expansive and deep his love truly is for his people.  In understanding this, it would change how they interacted with one another and with the unbelieving world.  Having a solid understanding of God's extravagant love for us, we can extravagantly love others. Think about that...when we experience God's love so deeply, it's much easier to act in love toward others, even when they aren't very lovable. I've had to deal with some pretty unpleasant people over the past few months who I didn't feel like being loving toward. But then I read this verse and God quickly reminded me-he loved me when I wasn't so lovable. Because of his deep love for me, I can respond to others with love, period.    Finally, Paul prays that as they have this full understanding of God's love, they will be filled with the fullness of God.  What might it be like to be filled with the fullness of God? I'm not sure I've gotten there yet but I sure want to get there. It sounds like there could be nothing better!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope March 30, 2026   Scripture: Ephesians 2   Prayer:  Lord, Let us start by thanking you for a new day.  You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who was, and is, and is to come.  You are all powerful and all knowing.  We give thanks for your love and wisdom.  We give thanks for your presence.  Help us, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts.  Help us set aside distractions and listen to what you have for us today.  In these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers...Jesus, we love you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are journeying through Paul's letters, reading them in chronological order.  Just a reminder, there are thirteen letters and we are currently on our seventh!    Our reading for today is Ephesians 2.  Central to our belief as Christians is that Jesus was not only resurrected but also exalted to a high place. In fact, he sits at the right hand of the Father right now. The amazing thing is that we as believers receive new life in Christ AND we also are exalted with him in the heavenly realms. Today's Scripture states that the purpose of this is that we can be shown the incomparable riches of his grace.   Think about that for a moment. The Message translation says it a different way: Once God has us where he wants us, he will have all the time in the world to "shower grace and kindness upon us." We get to know and experience Jesus' amazing love for us right now. We are exalted with him and he continues to shower us with grace and love. Wow.   But there is more. Our salvation is totally and completely based on faith and nothing else. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone. There is nothing else needed to be saved. At the time Paul wrote this, there were plenty of people who said that circumcision and following the law were also necessary to be saved. Paul has made it clear that NOTHING else is needed-we are saved by the amazing grace of Jesus and all we have to do is have faith. God knows us well and he did this so that we couldn't brag about our salvation because it was totally his doing and not ours. Again, wow.   But there is still more. We are also God's handiwork. Other translations say "masterpiece." We are created by God to do good things that God designed us specifically to do. If you needed a Scripture to illustrate the phrase "God don't make no junk," this could be it. You are God's masterpiece. He lovingly designed you. You are not a random experiment. He had YOU in mind when he made you. Your gifts and talents were also not random but were given to you by God to do good things for his world. You are a masterpiece and you have a purpose. Let that sink in.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope March 27, 2026   Scripture: Ephesians 1   Prayer:  Holy God, Thank you for this day and thank you for the ways you provide and care for us.  We rejoice in your powerful and mighty name.  As we read through the Scripture today and reflect on what it means for us, help us hear a new word from you.  Help us set aside the distractions of the day and really listen for your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are working our way through Paul's New Testament letters, in chronological order.  Yesterday, we finished the book of Romans and today we begin our seventh pastoral letter, the book of Ephesians.   Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus is quite extraordinary!  The prose is both beautiful and powerful.  It speaks to who we are in Jesus, new life in Christ, and what we must now do about it.    The church at Ephesus, in modern-day Turkey, was established on Paul's second missionary journey.  On his third missionary journey, Paul spent 2-3 years in the city. He addressed false doctrines and pagan practices.  In his letter to the church of Ephesus, written roughly ten years later, Paul commends the Ephesian church on their faith and love. They have done well and we see that expressed in this letter.    There is a lot to say about this first chapter, but I want to focus on the middle portion. Paul states how he has heard of their faith and love, and he gives thanks for them and their dedication to Jesus.  He lifts them in prayer, specifically that they will know God even more and will be given supernatural wisdom and revelation.  While he is pleased with their spiritual maturity, he is still praying for them, that they continue to grow in holiness.  Paul wants them to truly have the knowledge of God, which can't be gained by study but only through God himself.    As I reread this, I couldn't help but think about how we are never done growing spiritually.  We never get to the point in our walk in which we can say, "That's it, I've made it, no more study, prayer, or service needed for me!"  If we aren't dead, we aren't done.  God isn't done with any of us yet.    One more thing I want to mention. Paul speaks of believers being marked by a seal.  In the ancient world, a seal was the personal sign of an owner who was sending something very important. It also indicated that what was received was genuine, in that it was truly from the person who it said it was from. The Jews thought of circumcision as a seal ,in that circumcision indicated they belonged to the one true God. In today's Scripture, the apostle Paul is saying that we as Christians are also marked with a seal, the seal of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees to whom we belong and that what we believe in true and genuine. In Christ, you are marked with the most important seal in the world! If you have said yes to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit has marked you. You are claimed. You can be assured that you are a child of God.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope March 26, 2026   Scripture: Romans 16   Prayer:  Holy God, We start by praising your name.  You are a good God, a mighty God, and a wise God.  Work in our lives.  Speak to us.  We need you, Lord.  Over and over again, we need you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are working our way through Paul's New Testament letters, in chronological order.  Today, we are finishing the book of Romans and tomorrow we begin the book of Ephesians.   Our reading for today is Romans 16.  The final chapter of Romans has this beautiful section of greetings to the people that Paul has worked with and encountered in his ministry.  I love how this was obviously a letter for regular people.  This was not a letter intended for religious scholars.  Rather, Paul sent it to people he cared about in an effort to help them in their own lives and ministries.   Another interesting note is that out of twenty-six people who are listed as special workers in ministry, nine are women.  This is especially impressive because Rome was a male-dominated society and women had little, if any, social and legal standing.  But in the church, things were different.  There is also a variety when it comes to the names: some of Jewish, some are Latin, and many are Greek.  While I'm sure the early church had its issues, it appears to be a diverse mix of men and women, from different cultural and religious backgrounds.  Essentially, it was a great picture of the Kingdom of God.   God's Kingdom is universal, with people from all races, cultures, and stations in life.  In God's Kingdom, men and women serve alongside each other.  It's a place in which every single human life has value and no one is better than another.  God's values are actively at work: love, justice, mercy, righteousness, hope, and freedom for the oppressed.  Somewhere in the history of the church, it got off track.  The church became less Kingdom-focused and more about growing the institution.  It began to resemble the culture around it.  Certain people were excluded, corruption crept in, sin invaded.  It's hard to read a church history text because it seems so far from the church Paul was trying to establish.   Paul also warns his dear friends about avoiding division and those who seek to create it.  He actually says to stay away from people who create conflict in the church.  Wow.  That's handy guidance.  Be aware, be vigilant, listen to the Holy Spirit, and don't be deceived by the evil one.    As much as the church has gone through, we know that the powers of Satan and the powers of men cannot defeat it.  I think of Jesus' words in Matthew 16 when he tells Peter that it's on that rock, his confession of Jesus' Lordship, that Jesus will build his church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. The church has and will prevail, despite all our brokenness and sin.  God's mercies are new every single day!  As a church, we can pray and strive to be a better picture of God's Kingdom.  In fact, my on-going prayer for New Hope is that we will become a multiplying congregation-multicultural, multiracial, and multigenerational.  I pray that we will be the kind of place where people from all walks of life find a place of belonging, a place to be nurtured and loved.  I hope you will join me in this prayer.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope March 25, 2026   Scripture: Romans 15   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Mighty God, Holy One...We come to you this morning with humility and gratefulness.  Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you that you continue to love and guide us, even though we mess up again and again.  Thank you for your patience and your never-ending care.  Lord, we are so very grateful.  Help us, on this Wednesday, to right our attitude.  We belong to you and we are under your authority.  Help us see others the way you see them.  Help us produce fruit in our lives.  Oh, Lord, how we need your help.  Please, Jesus, may we hear your voice today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through Paul's letters, chronologically, and we are currently towards the end of Romans.    Today's reading is Romans 15.   We can tell that Paul is beginning to close his letter in this chapter.  He shares his plans to head to Jerusalem and then to Rome on his way to Spain (we don't think Paul actually made it there) and he implores the Christ-followers in Rome to pray for him.    But before we get to Paul's planned journey, let's talk about some of the main themes in the chapter.  This idea of God's faithfulness runs through the chapter and even the whole letter.  Paul talks about God's steadfastness and truth, and then he does a great job linking Old Testament Scriptures with God's acceptance of the Gentiles.  Paul pulls from Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and the Psalms.  Basically, he is saying that God's faithfulness and his promises extend from the Jews to the Gentiles.    Now let's talk about the trip that Paul is referring to.  Now, Paul knew a trip to Jerusalem would be dangerous.  There were plenty of people there who wanted to see him executed for his work as a Christian missionary.  Paul asks his Roman brothers and sisters to join him in the struggle by praying to God on his behalf.  The ESV uses the phrase "strive together" with him in prayer, and the term comes from the Greek word for agonize.    I think this is one of the gifts of the Christian walk, when the body of Christ gathers and agonizes together, to pray for a specific person or situation.  While our solitary prayers are important, there is something that happens when we raise up our voices together.  We know that we know that we know that we aren't alone.  We are lifted up, encouraged, and empowered to keep going.  Who is it who needs to know you are praying for them today?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope March 24, 2026   Scripture: Romans 14   Prayer:  Abba Father, You are the potter, we are the clay, and the work of Your hands. Mold us and fashion us into the image of Jesus, your Son. Father, may we be one in You as He is in You, and You are in Him. Glory and praise to you, forever and ever. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through Paul's letters, chronologically, and we are currently towards the end of Romans.    Today's reading is Romans 14.   It is unclear exactly who Paul is speaking of in this chapter.  Who were the "weak" and "strong" Christians in Rome?  It's possible that the weak Christians were Jewish believers who still felt strongly about dietary restrictions connected to faith but that has not been verified.  What is clear is that Paul doesn't judge either group but merely comes down on the side of unity.    The Christian church is one that includes all kinds of people, from all walks of life, from countless cultural traditions, with all kinds of personalities and dispositions.  We are brothers and sisters and we are all part of God's family.  But just like other normal human families, these differences can lead to conflict and disagreement.  Paul's writing in this chapter demonstrates that these disagreements, over what we might describe as seemingly minor stuff, have been around since the beginning of the church.  Paul is saying to accept one another and try to no judge one another for those differences of opinion.   An example:  Many of you remember our mission trips to the Dominican Republic.  The church in the DR has very different ideas about what's acceptable and not acceptable for Christians than we do in the United States.  In many of their churches, women sit on one side and men on the other.  Alcohol is forbidden, as is dancing outside of church.  I have some pretty strong opinions about all of these things.  But Paul is saying not to get too caught up in these disagreements.  Accept your brother or sister with the different view and don't fall into judgment.  What's most important is what unites us.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope March 23, 2026   Scripture: Romans 13   Prayer:  Holy and Almighty God, We come to you today in humility but also with expectancy.  We need to hear a word from you.  We need to sense your presence and be reminded of how you walk alongside us.  In these next few moments of silence, help us settle our mind and gather our scattered thoughts, focusing on you and you alone...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently journeying through Paul's pastoral letters and we find ourselves in Romans.  This is our sixth letter.   Today's reading is Romans 13.  This chapter begins with a text about submitting to the governing authorities.  This is an interesting one, considering that most of the disciples and even Paul did not obey the governing authorities, continuing to preach the Gospel many times after being thrown in jail and told to stop.  And throughout the ages, many Christians have boldly (I would say rightly) challenged their governments in times of war and persecution.    So remember, when something doesn't seem right on the surface when we read Scripture, we need to go deeper.  I personally think that Paul is teaching that authority as a structure exists because God is a God of order, not chaos.  In a perfect world (and we know that doesn't exist but stay with me here), government exists to provide law and order, to punish evil, and protect the innocent.  Government is God-created and should be a good thing.  But to honor or submit to the government does not mean never to question or even challenge it.  This Scripture does not teach blind obedience, even though some might have you believe it.  Why?  Because our ultimate submission is to God first.    And Paul is not saying every command from every leader automatically equals the will of God.  If that were the case, Daniel would have sinned by praying to God when the law said not to.  The apostles would have been sinning when they preached the Gospel after being told not to.  Paul would have been sinning when he continued to spread the Good News.  We submit to God first.  He is our ultimate governing authority.  Thus, we can honor our leaders and pray for them, but the laws of God always trump the laws of man.  Governments are intended to protect us and provide accountability but they never replace God's perfect laws of justice, love, and compassion.  Respect for the laws of the land NEVER replaces the laws of God.  Hope that helps.   Let's move on in the chapter.  Paul goes on to say that love actually fulfills the law.  When we say yes to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes and makes a home within us, changing us from the inside out.  We become new people and that change should be obvious in how we treat people, the words we speak, and how we behave.  Paul is getting at this truth.  He makes the point that because the day of salvation has come, we should behave accordingly.  We should experience salvation to its fullest now as we will experience salvation in its fullness in the future when Jesus returns.   There is an urgency to this.  We aren't supposed to sit around, eat bonbons, and think, "One day I'll get my act together."  Rather, the time is now.  Not only do we never know what the future holds, but we also know to whom we belong and who we represent.  Of course, we will mess up here and there, but overall, our speech and actions should reflect mature Christ-followers, people who are striving for a life characterized by holiness.  This isn't legalistic but comes from a true desire to look more like Jesus.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope March 20, 2026   Scripture: Romans 12   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, We come to you today praising your holy name.  You are a good God!  Thank you for caring for us, for walking alongside us, but  most of all thank you for Jesus, who died our death, so that we can walk hand in hand with you.  Help us live like resurrection people in the way of Jesus.  We don't want to get stuck in our religion.  We want to live transformed lives in Jesus.  How we need you, Lord.  We are stubborn people.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters.  We are now in the book of Romans.  Don't forget to let me know what you are learning.  Offer feedback – let me know about your big takeaways.   Today, we read through Romans 12.  Just so you know, Romans 12 is some of my very favorite New Testament Scripture!  It is incredibly powerful.  Paul is saying that because of this amazing gift of salvation, those who receive it should be truly committed to God.  Christ-followers should dedicate their whole life in service to Jesus Christ, become living sacrifices.    This would have had significant meaning to Paul's audience, as the sacrificial system was still alive and well.  But unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, Christ-followers voluntarily offer their living bodies, every part of their existence, to the work of Jesus in the world.  They make Jesus not simply their savior but also their Lord.  Doing this is the kind of worship that God finds right and pleasing.  We might call this surrendering everything to King Jesus.   This clearly separates us from the surrounding culture.  Living for Jesus rather than ourselves or things of this world is unusual.  People notice.  Paul urges the Romans to not fit so well into their culture but experience life change as Jesus transforms their thinking.  Faith isn't just about the heart and emotions but also about the mind.  God wants to change our way of thinking so that we better reflect Jesus.  Do we fit into our culture?  Be honest with yourself.  Do your neighbors, coworkers, and other acquaintances know that you belong to Jesus?  Is your thinking more influenced by Scripture and the things of God or the national news, politics, and social media?  How easy it is to simply blend right into the culture around us. Paul's words to the Romans certainly ring true for us today.   Paul addresses several other concepts here too.  He talks about spiritual gifts.  Similar to the Corinthians, there is evidence the Romans also were arguing about which gifts were better.  Paul makes it clear that all the gifts are critical.  Plus, all believers belong to each other.  The church cannot function without everyone and their various gifts.  No one should be conceited – just keep in mind that by itself, your gift just isn't that great.   Finally, there is Paul's closing to the chapter.  I just love this.  He is talking about how to demonstrate love to other people.  If we all simply took this to heart, what a different place our community would be!  Paul emphasizes the Proverbs here, stating, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  Let's be real, the church hasn't been so good at this.  What would we as Jesus' church look like, what would we need to change, if we focused on not becoming overcome with evil but overcoming evil with good?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki            

Daily Dose of Hope March 19, 2026   Scripture: Romans 11   Prayer:   Almighty God, we start by pausing before you.  Help us set aside the distractions of the morning or the day and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us gather our scattered thoughts and think only of you...Help us be still and know you are God.  God, we rejoice that we can freely read your Word and we are grateful that you speak through it to us. It's truly a miracle.  Holy Spirit, we also invite you to join us as we seek to grow deeper in relationship with you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.  Don't forget to let me know what you are learning.  Offer feedback – let me know about your big takeaways.   Today, our reading is Romans 11.  Paul is stating that because Israel rejected the Gospel, the Gentiles had the opportunity to receive it.  Interestingly, Paul says that the salvation of the Gentiles was meant to instill a desire in the Jews for the same amazing gift.  But that didn't necessarily happen.  At the same time, the Gentiles really didn't do anything to make the Jews jealous of this gift.  Think about it, Gentile Christians throughout the centuries have had the opportunity to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with Jews, to demonstrate the abundant life that comes by walking closely with Jesus.  While that may have happened occasionally, more often we see Jews treated with persecution, oppression, and violence.    Do you have any Jews in your sphere of influence or circle of friends?  What are their thoughts of Jesus?  Spend some time right now praying for their salvation and how God might be calling you to share the story of Jesus with them.   There are two other things I want to mention from the chapter.  The first is this idea of being grafted in.  Paul compares Israel to the natural branches of an olive tree and the Gentile believers as the branches of a wild olive tree.  Some of the natural branches, the Jews, have broken off, but the wild branches, the Gentiles have been grafted in.  Because of this, the Gentiles are now can receive God's promises and receive salvation.  We are part of God's Kingdom, his family.   While the Gentiles have been grafted in, that doesn't mean that God is done with Israel.  Paul is making a point that God's purposes won't be complete until Israel is grafted back into God's people.  All people, Jews and Gentiles, were intended to share in the promises of Abraham and his seed.  This is all part of God's full redemptive plan.    The last thing I wanted to mention was the doxology at the end of the chapter.  When I first read the chapter, it seemed out of place. But upon further reflection, it makes sense.  Paul is overcome by God's mercy and grace.  He begins the doxology with a groan or sigh.  Think about it - Paul has just gotten done discussing God's plan of salvation for all people and how this demonstrates God's goodness, mercy, and incredible wisdom.  Paul is finding all of this so incredibly powerful and needs to stop his letter to simply write some words of worship before he moves on.  He is overwhelmed with gratitude to God and worship seemed the most appropriate response.   When was the last time you were overwhelmed with gratitude or thanksgiving to God for what he has done?  What is your response?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope March 18, 2026   Scripture: Romans 10   Prayer:   Almighty God, We thank you for a new day and we praise your perfect name.  We are grateful that your mercies are new every single morning.  Help us see you in this day.  Help us recognize your voice.  Lord, help us reflect you today in our words.  Help us reflect you in our behavior.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters chronologically.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.   Today's reading is Romans 10.  Romans 10 is packed with substance.  There are two things that strike me in this chapter.  First is Paul's discussion about the heart.  He is making an argument that the law is not what makes someone righteous, but their belief in Jesus.  He is speaking of a new circumcision, essentially, a circumcision of the heart.  It isn't about what we do or what is done to us (in the case of a baby boy being circumcised), it is about our heart.  Do we believe in Jesus?  Do we love Jesus?  Have we made a commitment in our heart to Jesus Christ?    Keep in mind this was a total 180 degrees from what the Jews knew and believed.  I think sometimes we are pretty hard on the Jews.  Why don't they just believe?  Well, this was really different from everything they had been taught about being right with God.  Paul seems to get this struggle and it frames his arguments with Hebrew people.  He is anguished that they don't believe.  While it is a huge shift, he knows how much better life is when Christ is at the center.  As we can all imagine, the law (works) is a terrible thing to build your life around because you are never good enough.  On the other hand, with Jesus, he has declared us good enough because of his saving work on the cross, not because of anything we have done or haven't done.  This totally levels the playing field, as Paul expresses in verse 12.  It doesn't matter if one is Jew or Greek for all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.  This is great news, everyone!   The other piece that made an impression on me this morning was Paul's emphasis on sharing the good news.  Starting with verse 14, he writes, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  And that is still the case today, isn't it?  How can anyone know if they have never heard?  I think we make the assumption that most people around us, like neighbors, coworkers, golf buddies, and gym friends, know about Jesus.  Often, people have a vague idea about Jesus or even an incorrect view of Jesus.  Yet, they must know and profess Jesus to be saved.  I've also learned that some people, especially younger ones, truly have no idea what it means to believe in Jesus Christ.    Friends, the harvest is tremendous but the workers are few.  How can they believe if they have not heard?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope March 17, 2026   Scripture: Romans 9   Prayer:   King Jesus, We come to you today with praise and lifting your name high.  You are a Lord of love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Thank you so much for allowing us to experience those things in you.  Also, Lord, thank you for showing us a new way of doing life.  The ways of this world are empty and temporal but your ways are eternal and fulfilling.  Help us be bold in our faith, staying strong in the midst of whatever challenges we face.  Help us live like the people you have called us to be.  We love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters chronologically.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.   Today's reading is Romans 9.  One thing that is evident to me in the beginning is Paul's anguish for his people.  He is heart-broken for his Jewish brothers and sisters who have rejected Jesus.  I kind of picture him on his hands and knees praying for softened hearts.  And then I thought about how we should probably all be doing that.  How many people do I know, do you know, who don't have a saving relationship with Jesus?  Why aren't we on our hands and knees praying for their hearts to be softened and more open to the Gospel?  And how many of our brothers and sisters in the church are focusing on the wrong thing – religion instead of Jesus?  This also drives me to prayer.  Just a thought.   One other aspect of this chapter that kind of hit me is Paul's warning.  It appears that he is warning Christians to be careful.  Afterall, the Jews began to think that their connection was God was simply a right.  That they would be accepted because of their Jewish blood.  I can't help but think this is a warning to all of us – don't get too comfortable.  None of us have a right to be here.  We have a relationship with God and we have salvation because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.  We did nothing to earn it and we don't deserve it.  I worry that at times, in the church, we might fall into the same trap that the Jews fell into, thinking we are superior or have some kind of right to be here because we have "been in church" so long.  In doing so, there is the possibility, just maybe, that we might look down our nose at others and not extend grace and mercy like we are called to do.  Paul's warning is real, my friends.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope March 16, 2026   Scripture: Romans 8   Prayer:   Almighty God, We come before you this morning with awe and humility.  Help us remember all you have done for us.  We are nothing without you.  We need you desperately, Lord.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts today as we focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us remember that we belong to you.  Help us lay our worries and cares on the throne of your grace...We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters chronologically.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.   Today's reading is Romans 8.  There is so much substance in this one chapter.  Overall, Paul is telling us to live by the Spirit and he is encouraging us because no matter what, God's love prevails.  I'm going to touch on a few of the main points.    The first part of the chapter details how we need to live according to the Spirit.  Yes, we are human beings, so we have a sinful nature, but that doesn't mean we have to live according to that sinful nature.  Paul says that once we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells us, meaning the Spirit can guide us, convict us, and direct us.  In fact, we are only living in true freedom if we are allowing the Spirit to guide us.  Being led by the sinful nature is just another form of bondage and that leads to death.  When we live by the Spirit, we know that we are children of God, we have the assurance of salvation and new life in Christ.    In the next part of the chapter, Paul focuses on our present sufferings.  Keep in mind, the church at the time was enduring tremendous persecution.  It wasn't easy following Jesus in the Roman world.  But Paul says these sufferings are nothing compared to the future glory that they will experience.  These present hardships will not last.  Eternity with Jesus, on the other hand, will last forever.  He is encouraging them to stay the course, hold on, because it will get so much better.  In fact, he says something quite extraordinary:  All of these difficulties and challenges will actually be used by God in some way to bring him glory, to extend the purposes of his Kingdom.   That doesn't mean they won't be painful or really, really hard, but God won't let anything go to waste.   One part that I just love is when Paul speaks about all creation groaning for all things to be made right again.  Ever since the fall, God has been putting things in place to make things right, to basically reverse the effects of the fall.  Not only do we as human beings look forward to when death, suffering, and pain, are no longer part of our world, but so does all of creation.  I can't help thinking about that line in the praise song, So Will I, when Hillsong sings, "If the rocks cry out in reverence, so will I."  Y'all, even the rocks are yearning for God to make things right again, once and for all.    Paul also speaks about how the Spirit intercedes for us.  I love this.  When things are really, really bad, when we don't have words or don't have the strength to say the words, we can trust that the Spirit of the living God is interceding for us at the throne of grace with words we can't understand.    Have there been times in your life in which you just didn't have the ability to pray?  Maybe you were incapacitated or so distressed that the words couldn't come out.  I know I've had times in which all I can do is cry out, "Jesus!"  And I know, I trust, that the Holy Spirit understands and is working on my behalf.  How cool is that?  What a mighty God we serve.   But I can't finish this devotional without talking about the last part of the chapter.  Paul gives us this beautiful picture of God's love and how nothing at all can ever separate us from it.  I use this Scripture quite often in funerals, especially when the person has died under difficult circumstances.  I find it so hopeful that if that individual believed in Jesus, that nothing can separate them from God's love.  It very clearly says that death cannot separate from God's love, even difficult, painful deaths like drug overdoses and suicide.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

Daily Dose of Hope March 13, 2026   Scripture: Romans 7   Prayer:   Almighty God, We are in awe of you.  You are all-powerful and all-knowing.  You are the one who was, and is, and is to come.  We give you all the glory and praise.  We rejoice that you, the one who created all things, also cares so deeply for us.  We are overwhelmed by your love and grace, which you offer freely even when we mess up.  Thank you so much, Lord.  As we think about our day to come, help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you...Oh Lord, how we need you.  We pray this in your powerful name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters chronologically.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.   Today's reading is Romans 7.  This chapter describes our relationship to the law.  The law demonstrates how sinful we truly are.  We continually fail to follow the law, God's people throughout history have continually failed to follow the law, despite their best attempts.  The law exposes how vulnerable we all are to sin; it is like holding up a mirror.  It shows us our frailties and brokenness.  Paul mentions coveting.  The law tells him not to covet but that just makes him want to covet.    Keep in mind, this does not mean the law is bad.  It just shows how weak we happen to be.  On our own (that is, without Jesus), we will continue to mess up and do those things that we really don't want to do.  But in Jesus, we are new people.  We have the Holy Spirit living within us. That doesn't mean we won't mess up – we are still human.  But (and Paul will address this more in the next chapter) we have the ability to resist temptation and live for Jesus.  Again, none of this is because of us but because of who lives in us.    How often have we done something that we know is wrong even though we didn't want to?  That's our sinful nature.  Paul says that he does what he hates and doesn't do what he knows is right.  This is a problem we all face!  None of us are immune.  But as we grow in our walk with Jesus, I'm hoping we begin to resist that nature and lean into what we know is right.    What has been your experience with this?  How do you struggle with sin?  And how have you seen your thoughts and behavior change as you have grown in your Christian walk?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

Daily Dose of Hope March 12, 2026   Scripture: Romans 6   Prayer:   Almighty God and Risen Lord, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe.  You are amazing.  You offer new life.  And yet, we still struggle to keep focus on you.  Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts.  Help us take a moment of silence and remember who you are...Holy Spirit, speak to us today.  We want to hear your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through Paul's letters chronologically.  We are now in our sixth pastoral letter, the book of Romans.   Today's reading is Romans 6.  In this chapter, Paul discusses why we should no longer sin once we have become believers of Jesus.  In the previous chapters, he has talked about how we are no longer under the law.  That's true.  We are saved and our sins are forgiven.  That's also true.  But that doesn't mean we should start acting like fools.  Rather, the standard is higher.   Paul also considers sin to be an enslaving power.  I'm not sure we really think about it that way.  I typically think of sin as brokenness or a separation between myself and God.  But Paul sees it as something much deeper – it's a power that is actually fighting for control of all creation.    Humans are enslaved to sin.  And slaves don't typically have any control over their bodies.  They are forced into labor, they are punished at will, and they can be assaulted without any kind of recourse.  To be enslaved is to have every part of you controlled by another.  If humans are enslaved to sin, then the only thing that has mastery over this slavery is Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.    Paul explains that when someone accepts Jesus, they experience a spiritual death to sin.  They then also experience a rebirth.  They become new people in Jesus.  As new people in Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin, as our old selves were crucified.  Sin is no longer our master.  It no longer has the same hold on us.  That being said, we still have a daily choice to make.  We are still human and sin is still tempting.  But we make a choice to live righteously.    Think about your own temptations.  What daily choices do you make because you now live for Jesus?  How have your own daily choices changed as you have grown in your walk with Jesus Christ?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki