Penhold Church of Hope

In Nehemiah 11, the Israelites cast lots to see who would be required to move into the holy city of Jerusalem but also mentions the "people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem". Even more today through Christ, that blessing still exists for those that draw near to God.

We are born with wicked and deceitful hearts, but we do not need to stay there. Transformed by Christ, we are given a new heart, one that should move us to follow Him no matter what.

Amid an evil, corrupt world, Noah lived righteously and through his obedience, God used him to save the world. Still today, we are called to live like Noah, a righteous people obedient to Christ shining our light into the world.

Grace is not earned. But having been shown grace, the Israelites respond in Nehemiah 10, with obedience, signing their names and pledging themselves to a renewal of their covenant with God.

Confronted by God's Word, the Israelites in Nehemiah 9 are moved to confession but they do not remain there. As they recount their history, the grace, mercy, and steadfast love of God has been greater than their sin every time prompting them to renew their covenant with God.

As the word of God is read to the people in Jerusalem in Nehemiah 8, their understandably grieve seeing how far they had fallen from God's standard. But they did not remain in their sin and grief, and neither do we as word of God also reveals his grace and mercy, ultimately displayed in the Jesus who is the Word who dwelt among us.

Having completed the construction of the wall, he find Nehemiah's faithfulness continue in the more mundane act of setting up the administration of the city and the people's faithfulness demonstrated in their generosity toward the temple.

Dave Trenholm shares his story of recovery from pornography addiction and to introduce Hope Again Ministries as a way to share the hope, help, and healing he has discovered in his journey.To find out more or to discover hope for those experiencing both pornography addiction and betrayal trauma, visit hopeagainministries.org

As the wall nears completion, we find the enemy using sly and subtle tricks in a final attempt to distract and scare Nehemiah from the job God has given him.

Even while the external walls were going up, the community inside was beginning to crumble.

Christ's arrival at the first Christmas serves to offer us hope as we await his anticipated seconding coming.

Observing how the shepherds, King Herod, and the wise men responded to news about the newborn King can help prepare us for Christmas.

Jesus' coming as the light of the world was an event foretold long ago and still being felt and lived out today in every believer.

In chapter 4, Nehemiah's response to external threats and opposition provides the church a template for how we can handle spiritual adversity through prayer, action, and trust in God.

Even the 'boring' chapters are God's word and can be gleaned for important truth. In the list of builders in Nehemiah 3, we find the mundane work of common Israelites raised to divine labour when done according to God's purposes.

After four months of praying and waiting for God's timing, Nehemiah makes his request of the king and and receives provisions and protects as God moves the heart of the king.

The book of Nehemiah opens with brokenness, as Nehemiah the cupbearer learns of the ruinous state of Jerusalem. In this brokenness and sorrow begins the rebuilding process as Nehemiah rightfully starts in prayer.

Psalm 119 praises the power and beauty of God's Word. Reading from Charles Bridges' "Exposition of Psalm 119" (1827), verses 59 to 60 highlight the need for self-examination, repentance, and urgent obedience to God's testimonies."Exposition of Psalm 119" by Charles Bridges: https://gracegems.org/26/bridges3.htm

Thanksgiving is far more than an annual holiday weekend. It is found throughout in Scripture and meant to be part of a Christian lifestyle, grateful for God's abundant provisions.

Giving is not transactional; it is relational. It is an act of worship as we reflect the generosity our God has shown us.

One of the most familiar and often one of the most neglected part of the Christian life, prayer is a key aspect of our relationship with "our Father", reorientating ourselves toward God's glory and our daily reliance on Him.

Baptism is far more than an optional add-on. It is an act of obedience, a visual display of the gospel and the work of God in the life of a believer.

The traditions among the Christians and the church can become disconnected from their intended meaning through repetition. In this series, we are reminded of the what and why behind those traditions, starting with worship, which is far more than a singing or a service on Sunday morning.

What we believe matters. Our sinful behaviours demonstrate our false beliefs about God. When we align our heart-level beliefs to the truth of Scripture, we will "taste and see that the Lord is good."

The tragedy of Samson's wasted potential concludes with the strong man finally recognizing God as the source of his strength in an act that makes him a surprise entry into the "Hall of Faith".

In Judges 15, we find the cycle of revenge escalate between Samson and the Philistines.

The Old Testament Nazirite vow still holds insight into how Christians today can live lives visibly set apart to God.

A weeklong wedding celebration involving an arrogant husband, a nagging wife, a foolish bet, and thirty people killed - and still God's plans were being fulfilled.

Though his birth and childhood experienced particular divine attention, we soon see the character flaws appear in the life of Samson and his disregard for his nazirite vows. Still, God has plans to work through his poor decisions.

As Gideon grows in his trust of God and empowered by the Spirit, he leads the Israelites into a battle they cannot win unless God steps in.

Hiding in a winepress, we see the first steps of obedience by Gideon as he becomes a "mighty hero".

Even with all the support actors in Judges 4 of Deborah, Barak, Sisera, Jael, and others, it is the will and actions of God that brings victory over Israel's enemy.

Starting a series through Judges, we find the left-handed Ehud whose potential disability or perceived weakness is the very thing that is used to accomplish God's purposes.

We often associate God's blessing with increase—more resources, more opportunities, more strength. But sometimes, God does the unexpected. He subtracts when we think He should add. He weakens when we believe strength is needed. He closes doors we were certain He was opening. And in those seasons of reduction, God invites us to trust—not in our numbers, abilities, or strategies—but in His sovereignty.

The dangerous deception of partial obedience is this: it feels righteous, but it is functionally rebellious. God demands and deserves our full and complete obedience.

Prevented from externally cursing the Israelites, Balaam set up the Israelites to bring curses on themselves as they gave into sexual immorality and false gods. We need to battle against sin and corruption, a battle that begins within our own hearts.

Drawing from Matthew 25, success is not determined by comparing our accomplishments against what other have done; instead, as God's servants, success comes from using the unique skills, abilities, and tasks God has given to each one of us.

Professor Kelly Steffen from Prairie College shares the message from John 14 that the cure for what troubles us is not found in reaching some destination, but knowing the person of Christ.

Concluding the study through Colossians, we find Paul commanding believers to be devoted to prayer, praying and watching for the opportunity to share the Gospel.

Instructing the Colossians to represent Christ in all they do and say, Paul applies this command to the three relationships: husband and wife; children and fathers; and slaves and masters.

Returning to Colossians 3, Paul instructs believers to take off our old sinful nature and put on our new nature found in Christ.

God has given us so much from His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness and also our unique talents and experience. It is now our responsibility to freely share what we have been freely given.

From the beginning, it was not good for man to be alone. God created us from community but sin broke the relationships between each other and God. But now through Christ, the church can be the place of true community.

Everyone needs healing and restoration in some area of their life. The church needs to be a place that welcomes the messiness of life and offer the comfort and hope that can only through Christ.

We move toward what we focus on. In overcoming the world and our sinful nature, Paul reminds the Colossians where we should set our affections.

Following a star and helped by a murderous king, the Wisemen arrive to worship the newborn Messiah showing that God is king over all guiding and directing all things to his purposes.

The first angelic announcement of the long-awaited Messiah's birth was not to priests or rulers, but lowly shepherds, the precise audience for whom Jesus came to deliver the Good News.

With our true life hidden in the risen Christ, Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1-4 to focus our heart and will on the things above and not on the things of earth.

For many, the Christmas season is anything but a time of peace on earth. However, the promised Prince of peace offers us something beyond what this world can provide.

With a variety of foreign philosophies and Jewish requirements, Paul reminds the Colossians not to be distracted. Rather, he encourages them to remain firmly rooted in the completely sufficiency and supremacy of Christ.

Christ suffered to bring salvation to all who believe. Now, as Paul teaches the Colossians, it is our joy to join in Christ's suffering to spread salvation to the whole world.