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Daily Dose of Hope September 10, 2025   Scripture – Luke 17:20-37   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 to 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, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  This is the podcast and devotional that goes along with the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.    It's Wednesday so that means Recharge day.  If you are local, I hope to see you tonight at New Hope, on the Moon Ave. side of campus, for worship, fellowship, prayer, and small groups.   Today, we are finishing up Luke 17.  Jesus is initially asked by a Pharisee about the Kingdom of God.  Keep in mind, the Pharisees expected God's Kingdom to be an earthly one, a Kingdom that would overthrow the Romans and allow the Jews to govern themselves, as they once did.  But when Jesus speaks of God's Kingdom, he is talking about something quite different.    We've discussed the Kingdom of God quite a bit in the Daily Dose of Hope, but let's do a little review.  God's Kingdom exists anywhere that God reigns as king and his values are at work, where the world is working in the way that God always intended it to work. The kingdom of God was central to the message of Jesus and wherever he traveled, he proclaimed its coming. Jesus truly lived out the Kingdom in all he did, in all he taught, and in the way he did life. In God's Kingdom, there is no sickness, so Jesus healed the sick. In God's Kingdom, there is no discrimination, so Jesus elevated the oppressed, he ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. In God's Kingdom, there is justice, there is mercy, there is love. So Jesus offered forgiveness, he offered acceptance, he offered LOVE in all he did, ultimately giving up his life in the greatest act of love in the history of the world.    Thus, it makes sense that Jesus says to the Pharisee that the Kingdom is not something that can be observed, but rather it is something that is in your midst.  Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God.  The disciples and the early church continued Jesus' mission of growing the Kingdom.  Even we are part of expanding the boundaries of God's Kingdom today.  It is here in our midst.  But at the same time, there are elements of God's Kingdom that will not be fully realized until Jesus returns in final victory.  The Kingdom has a NOW and a NOT YET quality about it.  It's possible that Jesus is alluding to this.  And then, Jesus not so subtly steers the conversation to the last days.  He speaks of how people in the time of Noah and with the destruction of Sodom were caught off guard by the judgement.  They should not have been, as there were warnings, but they were.  And people will also be caught off guard when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead.    We get this warning once again – be ready.  Be watchful and be prepared because Jesus will return again and it will be at a time that is most unexpected.  When the disciples ask Jesus where this will happen, he responds with a proverb, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”  Basically, the location is not the point.  Rather, the fact that judgment will occur is the point and it will occur wherever there is sin and spiritual death.  The vultures gathering gives us a word picture for what's going to happen --- they will gather around the spiritual “carcass” or dead body.    What are your thoughts about the end times?  Media and Hollywood have given us a lot of bad information about what will happen when Jesus returns.  The Left Behind series, while entertaining, is not very scriptural accurate.  As believers, we really don't have a lot to fear.  In fact, we have nothing to fear, we simply need to be ready.  Are you ready?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope September 9, 2025   Scripture – Luke 17:1-19   Prayer: Holy God, How amazing it is that we can come before you today.  You are God of all things, Lord of everything, and yet you care about each of us.  We give you glory and praise.  We thank you most of all for Jesus, who made it possible for us to walk hand in hand with a holy God.  Help us see today's Scripture through fresh eyes.  Keep teaching us, Lord.  Continue to reveal yourself to us.  We are open and grateful.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently working our way through a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start Luke 17.   As we start this chapter, Jesus is listing some pretty serious requirements for discipleship.  He warns against causing little ones (children, new believers, those who are vulnerable) to stumble.  He tells his followers that radical forgiveness is required toward one another. Jesus continues to remind his followers that being a disciple is life-changing in the most extreme way.    This obviously challenges the disciples.  They proclaim, “Increase our faith.”  Jesus' answer probably wasn't what they wanted to hear.  He tells them about just needing the faith of a mustard seed.  I picture the disciples rolling their eyes at this.  “Really, just a mustard seed-sized faith?  I feel like I need a bit more.”   So what was Jesus' point?  Faith isn't easily quantified.  It doesn't just magically increase with some special prayer.  Faith increases through our life experiences.  Faith increases only through practice, as we begin to trust God and see him come through for us.  Faith increases as we begin to see Jesus at work in our lives, giving us comfort, peace, and strength, in the good and bad times.  It's usually not a fast process.   How have you seen your faith grow through experience?  What kinds of things in the past few years have had the most impact on your faith journey with Jesus?   The next portion of today's reading is another miracle.  Jesus heals ten men with leprosy.  This is such a wonderful text!  A couple things to note...   First, Jesus told the men to show themselves to a priest while they still had leprosy. It was as they went that they were cured. If the priest examined them and they were no longer sick, then they were able to behave like normal people again, socialize, and live normal lives. Walking to the priests while they still had leprosy meant trusting God even when they didn't really have grounds to do so. They really didn't know what was going to happen. They could have gotten to the priests and still been sick and been yelled at or banned or worse. But they had faith and trusted Jesus.   That's a definition of faith–trusting in what we cannot prove. In Hebrews 11:1 it's described as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." If we want everything plain and clear before we take a step of faith, it's not really faith. Faith is trust, even when we don't understand and even when the evidence is against us.   It's interesting that the one who comes back is a Samaritan. As you know from previous readings, Samaritans were enemies of Jews; they hated each other. So why was he the one to come back, rather than the Jews? Maybe he had a deeper sense of what had been done for him. Maybe the Jewish men felt entitled, like they deserved a healing and the Samaritan man did not. Regardless, it speaks of God's grace to everyone. The men's healing doesn't depend on them coming back to say thanks. Jesus heals them anyway; it's not as if the healing of the other nine would be miraculously withdrawn because they didn't return. God does lots of good things for everyone, whether they acknowledge it or not. He makes the sun shine on the righteous and unrighteous and the rain fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).   There are many people who are not Christians, but who are still blessed. At one level, Christians ought just to be the people who acknowledge what God's done for them, and turn back to say "Thank you." What do you need to thank God for? Even when circumstances are hard, we are called to spend time rejoicing in what God has blessed us with. It's so easy to fall into an attitude of negativity and complaining. But God wants us to have an attitude of gratitude, spending more time recognizing how he has healed us, blessed us, saved us, taken care of us, and loved us rather than focus on all the crummy stuff.   We will finish up chapter 17 tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope September 8, 2025   Scripture - Luke 16:19-31   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, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts and today we are deep diving into the second half of Luke 16.  Let's get to it.   Today's text is not an easy one – the parable of destitute Lazarus and the rich man.  It follows a series of parables – the lost coin, the lost son, and the shrewd manager - which deal with some aspect of money and how money affects our relationship with God and other people.  Today's parable focuses on how wealth comes great responsibility.    A brief review: Lazarus is impoverished with sores all over his body.  He lays at the rich man's gate but never receives anything from the rich man.  The only mercy shown to him is by the dogs who lick his wounds.  Both men die.  Lazarus ascends to Abraham's table, which we can assume is heaven, where he is cared for and finally eats well.  The rich man is doomed to spend eternity in Hades, where he will be in eternal torment.  The rich were not normally tortured while living; they lived well, ate well, dressed well, and had a comfortable roof over their head. In life, it was the poor and enslaved who suffered torture.  In fact, the legal testimony of an enslaved man was only received and considered truthful under torture.    The rich man gets a glimpse of Abraham in heaven and begs for mercy, the mercy that he denied Lazarus and Abraham refuses.  And when the rich man asks Abraham to warn his family so their fate wouldn't be the same as his, he refuses as well.  According to Father Abraham, they should know the right way to live simply by listening to the prophets.    There are many different directions we could go with this parable.  A lot of people want to understand what is meant by rich and poor in this story.  How rich is considered rich?  Are we rich? Compared to Lazarus who has nothing, we are all rich.  And the reality is that there are many with nothing in our world.  They may not sit by our personal gates, but they exist.  They are real human beings.  The parable implies that the rich man should have done something different to avoid his fate.  He should have helped.  He should have offered the man something.  There is plenty of room for imagining what a faithful response would have been for this man.   Regardless of whether we fall into the rich or poor category, we need to remember to keep Lazarus at the center.  This rich man saw Lazarus every single day.  He was laying outside his gate.  But he never saw him until it was much too late.  Who represents Lazarus in our life?  Do we see them?  Do we really see them?   The danger here is not really in our wealth, but in becoming complacent, self-righteous, or unloving in our wealth.  All we have is a gift from God.  But our resources can become a huge snare for us if we fail to remember where our gifts come from.  And the one who has blessed us with the resources has an expectation for how we use them.    This reminds me of Jesus' visit to Zaccheaus, the wee little man who was also a rich tax collector.  In Jesus' discussions, Zaccheaus is convicted and decides to give away half his possessions to the poor and to make restitution to the people for whom he took advantage. Salvation came to Zacchaeus while he was still alive and he shows himself to be a son of Abraham.    Jesus came to call people to repentance.  “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near,” was one of the earliest parts of his message.  Repentance is always possible during one's lifetime.  To those who earnestly repent, there is hope.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope September 5, 2025   Scripture – Luke 16:1-18   Prayer:  Abba Father, Prepare our hearts for your Word today.  Help us approach this Scripture with an openness to learning something new from you.  Jesus, thank you for your perfect example of mercy and love.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan for New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  It's Friday, yay!, and we are beginning Luke 16.   This chapter has us interpreting more parables.  Just as Luke put like parables together in Luke 15 (the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son), Luke pairs the parable of the shrewd manager that we read today with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man which we will read tomorrow.  Both address the topic of money from various perspectives.   In today's parable, we meet a manager who is accused of not being a good steward of his master's possessions.  In fact, it seems he had been a bit careless and the master was planning to hold him accountable.  The manager, seeing that his fate wasn't good, decided he needed to get to work.  He made shrewd deals with the master's debtors and recovered not all, but at least a good portion of what was owed.  This pleases the master. After Jesus offers this teaching, he goes on, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  Basically, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? If you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? Jesus continues his teaching in verses 10-13,“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”  It says that the Pharisees, who loved money, were very displeased with Jesus, even sneering at him. Jesus is making it clear – people in this world are pretty self-serving.  The manager and the master in the story are both really looking out for themselves. Jesus also wants his followers to look out for themselves, but not in the same way, in a more eternal way. He's encouraging them to think long term, to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). He's encouraging us to use our finances in a way so that God enthusiastically welcomes us as good and faithful servants.  What God has given us is a gift and we need to be good stewards of God's precious gifts.  We are to be careful and wise with what we have because none of it is really ours to begin with. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope September 4, 2025   Scripture - Luke 15   Prayer:  Lord, We give you glory and praise for who you are.  Who are we that you love us so much?  We thank you for your love and care.  Help us be even but a small reflection of your love toward those around us.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan for New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are reading through Luke 15.   This is a great text, all the parables have to do with things that are lost.  We start with the parable of the lost sheep.  A man has one hundred sheep and loses one.  He leaves all the others to go find that one sheep.  Lost sheep matter to God.  Every single person matters to God and he will go to great lengths to search for them.   In our tradition, we talk about prevenient grace.  That is God's grace that goes before us, that seeks after us before we know God or recognize God or even believe that God is real.  It is God putting people and circumstances in our lives to keep pointing us toward him.  He is wooing us toward him.  He is seeking us out.  Why?  Because he loves each of us so dearly.  He is willing to leave the ninety-nine to go seek out the one.    And one of my favorite parts of this Scripture is when Jesus says, I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.  When someone gives their life to Jesus, heaven throws a party!  How amazing is that? Jesus follows the parable of the lost sheep with the lost coin.  It's a similar story, in which a woman tears her home apart looking for one lost coin.  When she finds it, she rejoices!  Again, Jesus says, In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  There we go again, heaven is partying and rejoicing when one person is saved. But Jesus closes this teaching with the parable of the lost son.  We also know it as the parable of the prodigal son and many of you are probably familiar with it.  I want to point out a few things from this text.  The Scripture says that when the son was a long way off, his father saw him coming and it says he was “filled with love and compassion” so he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. Now, respectable Middle Eastern men did not run. Maybe women and kids ran but men did not. Here is this father lifting his robes, baring his legs, and running to his son. This would have been unthinkable. Then, the father embraces his son and kisses him. This probably wasn't the reception his son was expecting.   Remember, the son is ready with his speech that he practiced about being a hired hand. But the son doesn't even geta chance to finish his speech. The father stops him and says, “Bring the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” The finest robe would have been the father's robe and here he is asking for the servants to bring it quickly and put it on the youngest son. Wearing the father's robe was a sign of restored standing in the family.   The father didn't say, “We will work on you repaying the debts or I'll take you back after you've groveled a bit.” Rather, he covered his poverty and his ragged clothes with all the signs of the honor. Next, the father asks that the fattened calf be cooked in celebration. Keep in mind, meat was reserved for special occasions and the fattened calf would have been for very rare, very special occasions. And all are invited to celebrate the return of the son.   Most of us know that the story isn't quite over, we have the whole issue of the older brother, and that's an important piece but I'm not going to unpack it today. For now, let's reflect on the father and the youngest son. By now, I'm sure you have figured out that the father is God. We are the sons. We aren't going to get into deep theological analysis of each son, I just want to make a couple points:         God loves us with a love that is so incredibly deep and intense. We can't, in our human brains, really imagine it. If you are a parent, you might understand it to a certain extent. But what is hard for me to understand is that God gave up his own son to die for us (John 3:16).       We have all done things that separate us from God. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). We have all done things that create a barrier in our relationship with God. We might like to rationalize our sins (think well my sins aren't that bad), the reality is that sin is sin. God sees sin the same, and no matter how big or small in our human way of thinking, it prevents us from being in a restored relationship with God.      Many of us have had our gutter moments. Regardless of how far away from God we are, God is always seeking us, wooing us toward him. He is like the father in the story, looking out the window–is he close by? Is he getting closer? This is certainly an example of prevenient grace.      When we decide to turn back to God, to seek God, God is more than willing to receive us. When we seek Jesus AND decide to say yes to him, he is ready to welcome us into the Kingdom.       When we ask forgiveness from God for our sins, God freely offers it. It doesn't matter what we have done, when we say to God, “I believe in you, I believe in Jesus, I want a relationship with you, I've been wrong, I need your forgiveness.” Just like the father in the story, God is like “YES! Let's celebrate. Let's have a party! I've been waiting for you! Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope September 3, 2025   Scripture - Luke 14:15-35   Prayer: Lord, We come before you today on this Wednesday, and we pray for you to speak to us.  We need you.  We need a new word from you.  We need your guidance, your wisdom, your help, your courage.  Help us set aside the distractions of our day, our many scattered thoughts, and focus on you.  During these next few moments of silence, Jesus, help us remember that we belong to you...Give us the confidence to stand firm in YOU today.  In Your Name, Amen   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we dive into the second half of Luke 14.  I should also mention that today is Wednesday so it's Recharge day! Yay!!!  If you are local to the Brandon, Florida, area, please consider joining us at New Hope Church at 6:30 for a time of worship, prayer, fellowship, and small community.  We meet in the Garage, on the Moon Ave. side of campus.   Our reading for today starts with a parable about a great banquet.  Many important people were invited but they all send excuses for why they cannot attend.  As a result, the host (who we can assume is God) asks his servants to go and invite those in the streets – the poor, the downtrodden, the sick, the lowly, in order to fill the seats.  These are people, after all, who will come with both faith and humility.    So what does this all mean?  What is Jesus' point?  The invited guests were initially the Jews, the ones who held on tightly to the law.  They saw themselves as God's people and they thought they were the only ones worthy to come to God's banquet table.  But Jesus was right in front of them and they chose to reject him.  His own people did not receive him.    In the parable, after the spiritually “worthy” send their excuses, the host invites in those who the Jews saw as unworthy – the unclean people, the sick, the weak, even the Gentiles.  The host wants the whole banquet hall to be filled.  God wants as many people as possible to receive his invitation of salvation.   We move from this parable to the cost of being a disciple.  It keeps getting harder.  Jesus speaks of the need to hate those close to us, including our mother and father, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even our own life, in order to follow him.  What do we make of this?  Jesus usually talks about loving others, not hating them.  Remember, whenever a Scripture feels off, we need to go deeper.  So let's do that here.   There are a couple different ways to interpret this Scripture.  Some people might want to go with a literal interpretation but I quickly dismiss that.  Jesus cannot mean to literally hate our family members.  That would contradict so much of his earlier teaching.  It also would contradict his character in general.  So something else is going on here.   It could be that Jesus is using hyperbole.  Remember, hyperbole is an overexaggeration to make a point and Jesus was prone to this kind of speech.  But Jesus is not one to exaggerate commitment.  That also seems out of character.    It seems most likely that there is something going on in the word usage.  When we dig deeper, we find that the word “hate” is sometimes used in ancient Hebrew to mean, “love less.”  One example of this is found in Genesis, when the author writes that “Leah was hated” by Jacob but it is more correctly interpreted as Jacob “loved Rachel more than Leah.”  We see this same kind of language here.  Jesus is saying that those who follow him need to love everyone else less, to such an extent that it might look like hate.  To become a follower of Jesus means to put Jesus above all people and things that we hold most dear.   Jesus also speaks about the necessity of carrying our cross if we want to follow him.  Remember, the cross was a method of execution.  To follow Jesus, we are to carry the thing that will cause our death.  Think about that.  There is pain and suffering in following Jesus.  That isn't something we like to focus on much.  We love the comfort of the Gospel, but what about the cost and challenge of the Gospel?    Would you still be willing to follow Jesus if it meant walking to the gallows?  This is such a foreign idea to us in the United States.  But around the world, there are people who regularly face this threat.  Following Jesus has true cost.  Here's a question for us:  If I were being tortured and persecuted for my faith, would I stay faithful to Jesus or would I give in to the pressure and deny Christ?   What cost have you experienced in following Jesus?  I think this is something for which we need to spend some time in prayer?  What cost have you experienced in following Jesus?  And what if that cost were to get more real? More intense? What if it threatened your very life?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope September 2, 2025   Scripture - Luke 14:1-14   Prayer: Holy and Merciful God, We come to you today rejoicing in your holy name.  It's amazing that you, the God of all, care about the minute details of our lives.  I mean, who are we?  But yet, you love us, you care, you died for us!  Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Help us, as we move on throughout this day to remember your presence.  Guide our words, our actions, and our thoughts.  Help us hear your voice as we engage with your Word today.  We love you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan for New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are beginning Luke 14.   We start by joining Jesus at a dinner party on the Sabbath.  Jesus is quite the dinner guest.  He makes things really uncomfortable!  He begins by having a discussion about healing on the Sabbath, which we all know is a sensitive topic.  There is a man there who is desperate for healing (and Jesus does heal him) but he knows that the others will judge his actions.  Jesus speaks preemptively by asking, once again, wouldn't you save a child or an animal who falls in a well on the Sabbath?  They don't answer him but we know that they would in fact save the child or animal.  Do they think this man is less valuable than their own child or animal?  It's a worthwhile question.   But the dinner party isn't over yet.  Jesus looks around and he sees that people have already taken the places of honor.  He speaks of how the guests vie for the best spots, the ones that indicate honor and prestige. But that's dangerous, Jesus says. For the host may actually find someone more distinguished and ask that individual to sit in the seat of honor. Then, the one who originally worked so hard to gain that seat will have to sit somewhere less important. In the end, they will experience humiliation.   While the advice is wise, Jesus is teaching people to be genuinely humble. Before Jesus, the whole concept of humility was unusual. In Roman culture, to be humble was to be weak. Jesus is saying that to be humble is actually smart. It is more in tune with what God calls us to do. In the end, God is going to settle things anyway. God will ensure that the truly humble person will end up where they are supposed to end up and receive the honor that is theirs. But those who think highly of themselves and place themselves on a pedestal risk the very real chance of being knocked off.   Are you humble? I think that's an important question for us all to ask occasionally. Do you think you deserve more honor than others? Where does that thought come from? Let's close with some Scripture from Philippians 2:1-11, Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,     did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,     being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself     by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place     and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,     in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope September 1, 2025   Scripture – Luke 13:22-35   Prayer:  Abba Father, We come to you today with gratitude.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Thank you for never leaving our side.  Help us to follow you more closely, Lord.  We need your truth.  We need your guidance and direction.  With every fiber of our being, we need you.  As we read your Word today and reflect on it, Lord, speak to us.  Help us grow closer to you.  Let us know where we are falling short so that we can be the people you have called us to be.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan for New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  Happy Monday!  We are currently working our way through the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up Luke 13.   Jesus tells his listeners that the way to heaven is through the narrow door.  He doesn't directly answer the question about how many will be saved.  It's less an issue about how many (which is out of our control) but rather you will be saved (totally in our control).  The door is narrow because only a few choose to truly follow Jesus through it.  Most people would choose the wider door or the wider road; it's easier and most of the people are headed that way.    This Scripture always reminds me of Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken.  Many of you probably know it.  I would close with the poem except for Frost was a complicated man who was never that clear about his faith.  He had some kind of belief but never professed Jesus as Savior.  I think he struggled with this narrow door/wide door issue.  And there really isn't anything more important in life, getting the doors and roads correct.  Yet, elements of Frost's work point to exactly what Jesus is saying, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”    Which door have you chosen?  Which road will you pursue? We close today's reading with Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem.  This text has always touched me.  People are warning Jesus to leave Jerusalem.  Even Jewish leaders are warning Jesus that Herod is out to get him, although we have no idea if their concern is sincere. But most people know Jesus is no longer safe there.  The stark reality is that powerful people want him gone, as in dead.  But he continues to lament over his people, he laments over the city.  Keep in mind that to Jews, Jerusalem was the center of everything.  This is where the Temple resided.  This was God's city.  Jesus proclaims, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”  And when he says this, he is grieving over his city, God's city.  But he is also making a point.  Jesus knows his fate.  He tells them to warn the fox (Herod) that he already knows his fate.  Jesus knows what will happen and he knows that it will happen in Jerusalem.  He will be killed but he will rise in three days.  God will have the last word.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope August 28, 2025   Scripture – Luke 12:35-59   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are the hope of the world but you are also our hope.  I pray for all those who need hope today.  May they seek you.  I pray for all those who need healing.  May they run to you. I pray for all those who need forgiveness.  May they come to you.  Lord, we all need you.  Before we run to the things of the world, may we rest in you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish Luke 12.   In today's reading, the servants (the disciples in this case) are told to be ready for the return of the master, Jesus, from a wedding banquet.  In the Old Testament, wedding banquets often represent the eschatological hope of God's people.  When we say eschatology, we are referring to the last judgement or the last things, the ultimate destiny of God's people and world.  In the New Testament, the wedding banquet imagery would be centered around Jesus and the hope he brings.  He is the one who came to redeem the world and he is the one who will ultimately come to judge the world.  The disciples are called to be ready and actively waiting for Jesus' return.  And so are we.    The return of Jesus is certain.  When he will return is not.  Are you ready?   The next portion of our reading is difficult.  If I were to ask you why Jesus came to earth, how many of you would say “to bring conflict?”  Hmmm...probably not many.  And yet, Jesus says here that he has come to bring fire on the earth.  He has come to bring division.  How do we reconcile this with Jesus being a Prince of Peace?    I think it's important we look at the context.  Jesus is speaking of the conflict and division his coming will cause.  There was and is division in families because some believe and others don't.  Jesus is saying to expect this rather than be surprised by this.  Following Jesus well is a revolutionary thing.  Maybe following Jesus as a cultural Christian doesn't bring much discord, but truly following the ways of Jesus (as described in the Gospels) puts us at odds with our culture and the greater society.   In the final portion of our reading today, interpreting the times, we find Jesus again referring to the Pharisees as hypocrites.  Afterall, he says, they can interpret the weather, understanding when it's going to rain, but they can't interpret the meaning of Jesus' presence.  They have no idea how significant it is that Jesus is there, nor do they understand his teachings or purpose.  They truly have no idea that the God of the universe has come down among them.    How often do we fail to recognize God in our midst?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 22, 2025   Scripture – Luke 10:25-42   Prayer:  Lord, How we need you.  Thank you for your presence, thank you for the way you continue to pursue us.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Friday!  Today, we dive into the second half of Luke 10.   The first portion of today's reading is the parable of the Good Samaritan.  The story begins with an expert in religious law asking Jesus, “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” It's possible this lawyer/religious academic type is actually trying to trap Jesus.  These guys tended to think Jesus had a low regard for Law. But this man didn't realize that Jesus was actually smarter than him. Jesus answers, “What does the law say?” As you know, the Old Testament law is really long and rather than just starting to read the whole law in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, it was not uncommon to summarize it with two precepts: ·      Deut. 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul and with all your strength.” ·      Lev. 19:18 says, “...love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”   Now, these are really, really hard principles.  The law expert, a smart man, would have known there was really no way for him to obey this law on his own. But he wanted to justify himself.  He wanted to keep trying to find a way that he could obey the law in his own power, so he asks Jesus, “Well, who is my neighbor?”  And, as we know, Jesus uses this opportunity to share a parable.    He says that a man was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Now, the first thing we need to understand about this road is that it was really, really dangerous. Think more dangerous than Nebraska Ave. at midnight. But there weren't a whole lot of options so people did it. Now part of what made the road so dangerous was its geography. It was 17 miles long and drops 3,000 ft. during those 17 miles. The geography also lended itself to lots of caves and nooks where bands of thieves and robbers could hang out and just wait for their next victim.   What's kind of interesting here is that Jesus does not give us a lot of information about the man who is traveling. The people Jesus was speaking to would probably automatically assume the man was a Jew like them. What we do know is that he was beaten, stripped, is probably unconscious, beaten, bloodied, and is unidentifiable. The guy was left for dead.   Now, the first man that walks by this poor guy, lying half-dead on the road, is a priest, a man of God. The Scripture says that “he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.” Then a temple assistant, a Levite, walked by. This time, we are given information that he looked at the man lying there, but he also decided to walk to the other side and pass the dying man without providing any help.   Next comes a Samaritan man. Many of you know that the Samaritans were despised by the Jews. 800 years before Jesus, the Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians. What the Assyrians did was disperse the Jews living there and sent groups of pagan peoples to settle in the area. The result was a lot of intermarrying between the Jews and these other people groups. So, the “purer” Jews, from the Southern Kingdom, considered the Samaritans half-breeds and looked on them with extreme contempt. In fact, the relationship between the Jews and Samaritans could probably best be described by the relationship between Jews and Palestinians – conflict, violence, and hatred.   The Samaritan finds the man half-dead along the road and he decides to care for him. He treats the man's wounds, puts him on a donkey, and carries him off to an inn. He pays for his care and makes sure that he is nursed back to health. He offers over the top kindness, the kind that is never expected and never could be repaid.   Okay, let's start with the most obvious questions.  Why did the priest and Levite walk by the dying man?  Why did the neglect someone who was obviously suffering?  Well, it would have made them ritually unclean to come into contact with blood.  They were afraid of that.  They would have found it time-consuming and maybe even embarrassing to arrive at the Temple and say, “Hey, guys, I'm unclean, can't do my work today.”    There was also the fear of physical harm (are the guys who robbed him still around?) and the reality of inconvenience.  All of these are excuses that could have been overcome and dealt with but they weren't willing to do it.   The Samaritan man could have been plagued by the same fears. He could have been attacked, he dealt with inconvenience, he gave sacrificially in order to save this man's life. But he did it anyway.  And that is what we are called to do.  What does it mean to be a neighbor?  It means being like this Samaritan.  It means dealing with the mess, the risk, and the inconvenience to show love and mercy to another person.   The last portion of today's reading is the story of Mary and Martha.  I think we often misunderstand this story. Afterall, the problem with Martha is not that she is busy serving and providing hospitality. Certainly, Jesus commends this kind of service to neighbor many times, notably in the parable of the Good Samaritan that we just read. The problem with Martha is not her serving, but rather that she is worried and distracted. She is fluttering about, messing with the food preparations, legitimately more concerned with finishing dinner than anything else.   Martha's distraction and worry leave no room for the most important aspect of hospitality--gracious attention to the guest. In fact, she breaks all the rules of hospitality by trying to embarrass her sister in front of her guest and by asking her guest to intervene in a family dispute. She even goes so far as to accuse Jesus of not caring about her (Lord, do you not care...?). Martha's worry and distraction prevent her from being truly present with Jesus. She has missed out on the “one thing needed” for true hospitality: listening to your guest (especially if the guest is Jesus!) Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.   Jesus' words to Martha may be seen as an invitation rather than a rebuke. Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. The one thing needed is for Martha to receive the gracious presence of Jesus, to listen to his words, to know that she is valued not for what she does or how well she does it, but for who she is as a child of God.   In a culture of hustle and bustle and over-scheduling, we are tempted to measure our worth by how busy we are, by how much we accomplish, or by how well we meet the expectations of others. We are often Marthas, thinking the busier we are, the more productive we must be. But being distracted and worried often gets in the way of our spiritual walk. Being distracted and worried gets in the way of us listening to Jesus.   When is the last time you sat at the feet of Jesus and simply listened to him? How often do you set aside time to just be still before God? Even Jesus himself made time, in the midst of a very busy schedule, to be alone with God. We know that God calls us to be listeners of his Word and doers of the Word. But how often do we participate in activities without really soaking up God first? When we do that, we are bound to serve without joy, with pride, for the wrong reasons.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope August 20, 2025   Scripture - Luke 9:28-62   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you today, in the middle of our week, with both humility and gratefulness.  You are so powerful, so holy, and so wise.  We need you.  We seek you.  We are desperate to hear a word from you today, Lord.  We also know that we have failed over and over again.  Lord, forgive us for our sins, for the ways we fall short.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Jesus, help us stay focused on you and your Word today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to all my Daily Dose of Hope friends!  Today, we are finishing up Luke 9. I always mention Recharge on Wednesdays but today is a special Back to School Bash Recharge Night.  Kids are to be dropped off at the Life Center Gym for all kinds of fun activities, including inflatables.  Adults are heading to the main sanctuary at 6:30pm for worship and a special time of community.  Hope to see you there!   Now, let's get to our reading.  A lot happens in this chapter.  Let's start with the transfiguration.  We read about this in Mark and Matthew as well.  Jesus has brought his three closest disciples with him up the mountain – Peter, John, and James.  They think they are heading up there to pray but Jesus transfigures before them.   Luke says that Jesus' face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.  Remember, this would have been shocking to the disciples, as they had only known the flesh and blood Jesus. We might expect Jesus to wear dazzling white robes and be all shiny and glorious. Afterall, he is Lord of the universe. But they didn't. Right before their very eyes, they get a glimpse of Jesus' glory and it was totally unexpected. Jesus was radiating the very presence of God.   Then, Moses and Elijah appear before them.  Here we have two Old Testament figures that anticipated the coming of Jesus, the final prophet to come and deliver God's people once and for all. Their work, their ministries, are basically fulfilled by the person of Jesus. They are servants of God but they weren't God. Jesus, on the other hand, is God and the disciples get a glimpse of that right here.   Not surprisingly, Peter struggles to simply rest in the presence of God's glory. Wouldn't we?  He doesn't know what to do or say so he blurts out, “let's set up three shelters–one for you, Jesus, and one for Moses and Elijah.” Now, Peter is referring to the festival of booths or tabernacles which faithful Jews participate in every year. They make structures in their yards as a sign of when God will tabernacle with his people. So, this might seem like a weird thing for Peter to say to us but it wasn't too off the wall. He is like, “umm...I think God is tabernacling with us and we need to make the shelters.” It seemed like a good thought at the time. What Peter doesn't quite understand is that before his eyes God's dwelling with humanity is present, for Jesus is the new tabernacle of God dwelling with humanity. The shelters aren't needed. God is present with his people through Jesus Christ.   Things keep getting weirder though.  A voice, God's voice, comes down from heaven and announces that this is his Son, the one he has chosen, and they should listen to him.  With that, the disciples were alone with Jesus and head back down the mountain.  Luke says they don't share this with anyone (although they must have eventually shared it because here it is, written down.)   We go from the transfiguration to Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy.  The disciples had tried to heal him but it didn't work.  Just as a reminder, earlier in the chapter, Jesus had already given them actual authority and power to cast out all demons and to heal the sick.  He commanded them to go and heal the sick.  Why couldn't the disciples do it?  Jesus seems to indicate that their lack of belief was a big part of the problem.  In the same story in Matthew, Jesus rebukes the disciples for the lack of faith.    I wonder what it would be like to be in the disciples' shoes.  Everything going on around them would be new and a bit overwhelming.  They are watching miracles, hearing powerful teaching, and pushing up against the powerful.  At times, they probably felt like they were on top on the world and other times, it might have been horribly uncomfortable.  We may, without even thinking about it, judge the disciples for their inability to cast out the demon.  But would we?  How is our faith?  Do we have faith to cast out the demonic?   It keeps getting harder.  Jesus predicts his death again.  The disciples still don't get it.  This is a lot.  There is opposition from all sides.  The Samaritans are mad that they are headed to Jerusalem.  The Jews are mad that they fraternize with Gentiles.  Boundaries are being pushed and broken and it's getting messy.    I was trying to think about what a similar analogy would be today when it comes to pushing boundaries.  What do you think?   Luke ends Chapter 9 with the cost of following Jesus.  It's high, y'all.  Maybe not if you are entrenched in cultural Christianity.  Maybe not if you never get uncomfortable.  Maybe not if you never push boundaries.  But Jesus has called us to something else.  We can't accept the comfort of the Gospel without the challenge of the Gospel.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 15, 2025   Scripture – Luke 8:1-25   Prayer: Abba Father, We come to you today with gratitude.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Thank you for never leaving our side.  Thank you for giving us glimpses of how this world is supposed to be.  Help us to follow you more closely, Lord.  We need your truth.  We need your guidance and direction.  With every fiber of our being, we need you.  As we read your Word today and reflect on it, Lord, speak to us.  Help us grow closer to you.  Let us know where we are falling short so that we can be the people you have called us to be.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we dive into the first portion of Luke 8.  Chapter 8 is a mix of parables and miracles, truly a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God. We get glimpses of the Kingdom here, the way God always intended his world to be.   Let's begin with the parable of the Sower. We read a version of this in Mark and Matthew as well.  In this teaching, Jesus is talking about the Kingdom by telling a story about a farmer who goes out to sow seeds.  The farmer doesn't worry so much about where he is throwing the seeds. In fact, he seems to be pretty indiscriminate with his seed-throwing; he is throwing seed everywhere. Some of the seed falls right on the path, where all the people walked and the soil was hard and had been packed down. So, the birds ate most of that seed. Some of the seed fell in rocky places (there are lots of rocky places in that part of the world) and while it would sprout, the soil was shallow, and there wasn't enough root for the plant to survive. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns were invasive and took over. The plants had no real chance of survival there. But then some seeds fell on good soil, which produced an amazing crop-30, 60, or even 100 times what was sown.   What is Jesus teaching us about the Kingdom of God in this parable? The different soils are important but they aren't necessarily the main point. Who is the star of the story? Well, the farmer is or the one who is sowing the seed. He throws that seed everywhere–he is generous with the seed, throwing it everywhere there is any chance it might take root. Friends, we are the Sowers. We are the ones called to throw seed. What's the seed we are supposed to be throwing around? The Good News of Jesus. The Good News is for ALL.   We aren't supposed to decide with whom to share our faith. No, we are truly to share our faith, in word and deed, with everyone. This is so important. We aren't just supposed to share Jesus with those in our congregation or with our friends who are “safe.” We are supposed to be kind of reckless, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, sharing our faith story, telling people the source of our hope, with all kinds of people: those who don't look like us, those we don't know, and those we do know. If God has brought us to a certain place, a certain store, a certain vacation spot, a certain meeting, trust that there is a greater purpose. We always should be on the lookout for ways to have spiritual conversations and share the Good News.   I've had you do this exercise before but I want you to think about your past week. Think about the places you went, the people you spoke to, the things you did. I want you to think about each of those situations. What would it have looked like if you had sowed some seeds at each of those places?   And yet, we aren't responsible for what happens to the seeds. We are just called to sow. Sow with joy wherever we go. Sow with love. Sow obediently and abundantly. Then, we trust that God will do the rest. Trust God with the harvest. For me, this takes the pressure off...we are not responsible for the harvest.   Then, there is the lamp on the stand.  It is meant to be out in the open where it can give light not hidden under a bowl or bed.  What is hidden is meant to be disclosed and brought out in the open.  Truth is not meant to be hidden.  The Gospel is meant to be brought out in the open and shared.  Another glimpse of the Kingdom.   Then, there is the interaction with Jesus' mother and brothers.  Someone comes to get Jesus to tell him his mother and brothers were wanting to see him.  And then he says, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”  As a mom, this stings a bit.  But even here, we are getting another glimpse of the Kingdom.  In God's Kingdom, the bonds that connect us go far beyond bloodlines.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ with other believers.  We are one family.  The bonds between us are strong, possibly stronger than those between biological family members.  How have you experienced this in the family of God?   Our final part of the reading today was Jesus calming of the storm.  This is another one we have read about in other Gospels.  Luke's version is pretty similar.  The storm is really, really bad and the disciples think they are all going to die.  And where is Jesus?  He is sound asleep.  The storm doesn't bother him at all.    One of the disciples wakes up Jesus, telling Jesus that they were all going to drown.  Really, his question was more like, “don't you care that we are going to die?”  How often have you asked this question–Jesus, don't you care? This is our ultimate cry to God, isn't it? It's a cry of fear, doubt, abandonment, rejection.  As a pastor, I hear it repeated in this community, in this church, in your own lives. Where is God? Where is Jesus as I deal with illness and pain? Where is God as I deal with grief or depression or loneliness? Where is God as our world seems to be imploding?  Jesus, don't you care? Where are you as I struggle?   Jesus calms the whole storm with just a few words and then asks the disciples, “Where is your faith?”  Basically, why are you such cowards?  You have seen my power and authority. You have seen what I can do. And yet, you are still afraid! I can't help but think he asks that of us as well. You have seen what I can do. I've shown up over and over again. And yet, you still have no faith? I mean, I'm right here in the boat with you. I'm not somewhere far off. I'm here, in the boat.    The disciples were amazed and marveled at his power, saying “Who is this?”  Without realizing it, the disciples ask the most important question there is - who is Jesus?  Who is this man???  Who is this man to you?   Who is Jesus to YOU?  To me, Jesus is God. He has been given authority over all things because he is God.  He is also my Lord and my Savior. But we each have to settle that in our own hearts.  Who is Jesus to you?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope August 14, 2025   Scripture – Luke 7:36-50   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Thursday!  Today, we finish up Luke 7.   In today's reading, Simon the Pharisee and the forgiven woman illustrate two different reactions to Jesus. Simon sees Jesus as merely another teacher not even worthy of common courtesy.  He has invited Jesus to dine in his home, but he has not shown the typical forms of hospitality appropriate for an honored guest.  There is no water to wash feet and no kiss of welcome.   The woman, on the other hand, has a radical reaction to Jesus. She reacts with great sacrifice (pouring out the expensive perfume), and undignified affection (wiping his feet with her hair). The woman's reaction flows out of her profound recognition of Jesus forgiveness of her great debt. She is so very, very thankful.  While she is a sinful woman in that area, we don't have any information about her past.  Most scholars believe that this woman was NOT Mary Magdalene, nor is she a prostitute.  What's interesting is that Jesus refuses to play into Simon's judgment of her.  Jesus looks at her with compassion and even possibly appreciation.  She is showing extreme hospitality and generosity, exactly what Simon did not do.   Note that in Luke's version of this story, Jesus can read Simon's unspoken thoughts about Jesus and the woman.  Simon thinks to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”  So Jesus has an interesting interaction with Simon, directly confronting his thought.  He speaks to Simon about how those who are forgiven much are more thankful and those who feel like they don't need much forgiveness are less grateful for what God has done for them.  Of course, Simon's reaction comes from the fact that he does not believe he needs much forgiveness (i.e. he believes his debt is small). And he believes that all he has, all he has done, comes from his own effort. He's good. He's self-reliant. He might need God but only a little bit.   One of the greatest obstacles to being changed by God is not recognizing our own weaknesses, our own sins, and our own need for inner transformation. But when we recognize how much God has done for us, when we truly understand how much God loves us, how he has forgiven us totally, how all we have comes from him, then and only then do we experience the kind of gratitude and thanksgiving that this woman is demonstrating.   Pretend you were at the banquet, standing along the wall observing. What would your thoughts be about her behavior? What would you want to say to this woman?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope August 13, 2025   Scripture – Luke 7:1-35   Prayer: Almighty Father, Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you, that no matter what this week has held, we can come to you and start over.  We are grateful for your forgiveness.  We are so very grateful for your care and your love.  Help us, Lord, to set aside our distractions, to set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start Luke 7.   At the beginning of this chapter, we meet the Roman centurion. This is such a great text!  One of the most interesting components of this story is that the centurion came up to Jesus at all.  He would have been part of the Roman occupying force in Judea and Galilee.  It's fascinating that he is presented in such a positive way and that he responds so favorably to Jesus and his message.    It's interesting that this Roman soldier cares so deeply for his slave.  Roman centurions weren't known for their compassion.  But he went to great lengths to reach Jesus and ask for his help.  In fact, this Roman centurion sends Jewish elders to speak on his behalf to Jesus to prove that he has been a patron of the Jewish people.   When most of us approach this passage, our biggest takeaway is the faith of this man.  And it's impressive.  He tells Jesus that he understands authority and chain of command because of his military experience.  He knows that Jesus has authority enough to heal from afar.  That is pretty incredible.  The Jews don't understand Jesus' authority but this Roman soldier does. Jesus responds in amazement at the man's faith and heals the slave.   Jesus is surprised to find such faith in a Roman centurion, faith that far exceeds what he has seen from others in Israel.  It's interesting that Jesus himself is surprised that an enemy soldier could be a model for faith for the people of God.  I think this points to how we shouldn't be surprised that faith can show up in the most unlikely of people and places.    The next part of today's reading always moves me.  There is a woman from Nain whose son has died.  Unlike the Roman soldier, she doesn't seek out Jesus.  She may not have known Jesus at all.  She was most likely consumed with grieving for her only son.  Thoughts of the Messiah and his healing were probably not in her thoughts at all.  Just all-consuming grief.    But Jesus has compassion on her.  He initiates raising her boy from the dead.  And this shows his power over death.  He isn't just a great teacher, prophet, and healer.  He is the Son of God.  Jesus addresses the boy's corpse with a sentence and the boy sits up and begins talking.  A miracle like no other occurs and a mama has her boy back.  I love this.   The last portion of today's reading was Jesus being asked about John the Baptist.  John sends messengers to ask Jesus – Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?  Based on his answer, Jesus is the one and he gives all kinds of reasons why – the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the dead rise, and so forth.  Jesus is already doing the things that the Messiah will do and they are beginning to see signs of heaven on earth.    Well, if Jesus is Messiah, then who is John?  That is what Jesus addresses to the crowd. By saying that Jesus is the one, that means that John the Baptist is not the one.  Jesus points out that John is truly a great man and a great prophet.  He preached repentance of sin and is the one prophesied to pave the way for the Messiah.  Why did so many people go into the wilderness to be baptized by him?  They were yearning for something he had.  John was offering them something they desperately needed – forgiveness and cleansing.  And now Jesus is offering them a different kind of Good News.   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope August 7, 2025   Scripture – Luke 5:1-26   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We give you all the glory and praise.  Thank you for being a God who provides.  Thank you for being a God who heals.  Thank you for being a God who sees past our brokenness and invites us into relationship with you.  Help us, Lord, to grow more deeply in love with you every day.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we begin diving into Luke 5.   This chapter's calling of the first disciples is a little different than Mark or Matthew.  It's not an immediate drop everything and follow Jesus kind of scene.  Luke writes about how Jesus is teaching and then does a miracle with the catch of fish.  It's a miracle of abundance and provision.  At a time, having enough to eat was truly a big deal, and Jesus is providing exactly what the disciples need in a physical sense.  It's in that context that he then invites Simon Peter and the others to follow him and become fishers of people.  Jesus wants to provide what the disciples need in a spiritual sense as well.    How do the disciples of 2025 become fishers of people?  By definition, disciples make more disciples. This is something we have historically struggled with as modern Americans.  We struggle with sharing our faith in a sincere, genuine way.  We struggle with living out our faith in ways that create impact.  What has been your own experience being a fisher of people?  Who is the last person with whom you had a spiritual conversation?   We then move on in the text to a healing of a man with leprosy.  I did a deep dive today on what it was like to live with leprosy in first century Judea.  Leprosy, also called Hansen's Disease, was pretty destructive to the Bible.  It is still in existence today in places and environments that are very unsanitary, but it isn't nearly as contagious as the stigma around it suggests.  However, in the Bible, leprosy was a catch-all term to describe all serious skin diseases.  And remember, any skin disease would have made a person unclean and unable to worship in the synagogue or even live a normal life (under the Old Covenant, a leper wasn't allowed to come within six feet of another human).  To make matters worse, it was generally believed that God inflicted leprosy on people for the sins they committed.    Being cured of leprosy would have been life changing.  The world would open back up for that individual.  As we have read through the Gospels, we've seen how Jesus would heal those with leprosy.  In doing so, he gave that person the gift of physical and spiritual community again.  What I love the most about this miracle is that Jesus physically touches the man with leprosy to heal him.  Of course, Jesus didn't have to touch him, but he chooses to.  Jesus touched the untouchable of his time.  He loved the unlovable of his time.  And he gives us that example as well.   The next section of the reading is Jesus healing the paralyzed man.  We read about this in Mark and Matthew as well.  This is the man whose friends lower him through the hole in the roof, because they couldn't get him through the crowd blocking the door.  They were determined to get their friend to Jesus.  They knew it was the only way for healing.  How determined are we to get our friends to Jesus?   Jesus gets bold in this interaction.  He tells the paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven.  Of course, this infuriates the Pharisees.  In their minds, only God can forgive sins and Jesus even suggesting this would be considered blasphemy.  Of course, they have no idea of who they're dealing with.  Jesus is God himself.  Jesus is God and God is Jesus.  His healing goes so much deeper than the physical.    The final portion of today's reading is the dinner party at Levi's house.  Levi is a tax collector.  That means he is an outcast among the Jews.  Remember, tax collectors at that time worked for the Roman government.  They collected the necessary taxes plus they took an extra chunk for themselves.  But Levi believes in Jesus and turns his life around.  And then he invites his friends to join him for dinner.   Jesus invites all of us to join him for dinner, even in our brokenness.  He sees past our brokenness and mess and meets us where we are.  What is important to realize is that he doesn't want us to stay there though.  He wants us to repent and move forward and then invite our friends to join us!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope August 4, 2025   Scripture – Luke 3   Prayer:  Almighty God, Thank you for today and new week.  Thank you for providing for us, caring for us, and protecting us.  Over thousands upon thousands of years, you have taken care of your people.  We give you glory and praise, for who you are.  Thank you, most of all, for sending Jesus, who moved into our neighborhood so that we could begin to understand your love.  Wow.  There are no words to adequately thank you for the sacrifice that saved our lives.  Lord Jesus, we love you and we thank you.  Help us grow in holiness, continue to transform us so we can be a better reflection of you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.   Today, we dive into Luke 3. I find it particularly fascinating how Luke begins by listing all the rulers of the time.  He is showing us that John and Jesus are doing ministry within a particular geopolitical landscape.  Luke identifies some of the most important rulers of that region. Tiberius was the Roman emperor from 14-37 AD.  Like many emperors, he was known to be cruel, corrupt, and self-obsessed.  His rule served as a significant contrast from the kind of Kingdom ushered in by Jesus Christ.   Then we have Pontius Pilate.  He was governor of Judea from approximately 26-37 AD.  Of course, we recognize him for his role in Jesus' trial and death, which also landed him a mention in the Apostles' Creed.   Herod Antipas is also mentioned.  He was the son of Herod the Great.  The Herod dynasty was set up by the Roman government to rule over the Holy Land.  They considered themselves Jewish, although the Jewish leaders might have argued that point.  The Herods in general tended to feel easily threatened and rule with an iron fist.  Herod Antipas was ruler over the region of Galilee and Luke refers to him a few times.   The high priests who Luke mentions are Annas and his son-in-law, Caiaphas.  Caiaphas was officially the high priest during this time but the presence of Annas still was clearly felt.    Mentioning these real people was important to Luke.  He wanted to show that God is bringing about salvation not in the abstract but in real time, through real events, real people, and in actual places.  It's in the messy, difficult, and complex event of history that God reveals himself and continues his work of redemption.   And the work starts with John the Baptist, who gathers people in the wilderness at the Jordan River.  He quotes some prophecy from Isaiah, suggesting that God's people will be restored among the nations (of course, no one quite understands how they will be restored.) And of course, John talks about Jesus, for whom he has been called to prepare the way.  John is a forerunner of sorts, preparing the hearts of the people for what is to come.  John has no problem speaking truth, he has some pretty harsh words for the people, calling them to repentance and baptism.  Keep in mind, repentance means a sincere turning away from sin and a turning toward God.  This is more than just being sorry.  It is a real change of heart and mind with a desire to be obedient.  John addresses the common people, the soldiers, and even the tax collectors, and how they can repent and begin to produce good fruit.    When John baptizes Jesus, it marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. This call to ministry was accompanied by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and confirmed by God's voice from heaven. It is a beautiful picture of the Trinity. What's interesting and even a bit puzzling about this scene is that John's baptism, as I just mentioned, was one of repentance. It was for sinners to come, repent, and be cleansed. But Jesus was sinless. He had no need of a sinner's baptism. And yet, he chose to go through the ritual. Jesus sought to identify with the people he came to save.   This is a critical part of the incarnation, God coming to earth to become a human being. It's in the incarnation that Jesus becomes one of us. Jesus goes to the people, identifies with them, and gives them a real-life demonstration of who God is and how much God loves them. The baptism was simply the beginning.   The chapter closes with a genealogy of Jesus, according to Luke.  Luke attempts to trace Jesus' family tree all the way back to Adam.  While Luke isn't literally listing every single generation, he is making a point.  Jesus did not come to just save the Jewish people but all people.  We know from the book of Romans that Paul calls Jesus the new Adam, the one who restored what was lost in Adam's sin.  While Adam infected all people with sin, Jesus opened the door to redemption and eternal life for all people who believe in him.   Take a moment and read through this genealogy again, as well as the genealogy in Matthew 1. What are the similarities and differences? How does each author go about telling the story of Jesus' family?   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 31, 2025   Scripture – Luke 2:1-21   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Provider, Sustainer, Thank you for being the God who cares, who provides, who sustains, and who saves.  As we talk about the Christmas story today, help us remember how you became one of us, and lived among us, to demonstrate the full extent of your love.  Thank you for Jesus.  Thank you for your sacrifice.  Thank you for showing us a different way of doing life.  Help us actually live the way you taught us.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start Luke 2 and read about the birth of Christ, what we know as the Christmas story.   We have kind of sanitized the Christmas story. It's a sweet story we tell our kids with friendly donkeys and smiling shepherds. But the world that Jesus was born into was a rough one. It was a world of poverty, violence, and division. The Jewish people had been expecting a Savior for 700 years since Isaiah prophesied that God would send a king–a wonderful counselor, mighty God, holy one, Emmanuel. They had been waiting 700 years! Things were tough. Living under the rule of the Roman Empire was no picnic–it was a violent and oppressive place; they were waiting for this one that God would send to save them, to rescue them from the trouble and darkness of their lives. They were restless, weary, and impatient.   And then, God sends a Savior in the form of a baby. Just like the world he was born into, the circumstances around Jesus' birth were troubling and dark. Jesus' mom was a poor 14 year old girl, who appears on the surface to get pregnant out of wedlock (we know it was the Holy Spirit, but can you imagine the gossip in her little town of Nazareth?) And toward the end of her pregnancy, the government requires all heads of households to go to the town of their ancestors to register for a census. That meant that Joseph, Mary's fiancé, needed to go to Bethlehem, because that was the town of King David and he was descended from David. Most likely, Mary didn't have to be there but she does go with him, possibly to get away from the scandal in her own village. It was a 90 mile trip, over hills and rough terrain, and it probably took about 9 days. In her 9th month of pregnancy, she walked for 9 days straight (no mention of a donkey in Scripture).   When they arrive, Mary goes into labor (surprise, surprise after all that walking )but there is no place for them to stay. We don't know if everything was occupied, as there were many people who had entered the city for the census, or they simply didn't have enough money to pay for a proper room. Mary has the baby in a stable of sorts, maybe not a stable like we think of a stable, but the place where the animals were kept. Some think it could have even been in a cave. But it was warm and cheap and she has the baby and places him in a manger, which is the animals' feeding trough. I'm sure this wasn't anything like Mary had dreamed about when she thought about starting a family. It wasn't pleasant and magical and peaceful, it was hard and uncomfortable and scary.   After Jesus was born, an angel, a messenger from God, appears to the shepherds and says, I bring you Good News of great joy that will be for all people. For a baby has been born in Bethlehem and he is the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord. These were the names that the emperor used to describe himself and now the angel is saying that the true ruler, the true Savior of the people, the true bringer of Good News and peace, was in fact this little baby. And the angel told them that they would find this baby laying in an animal's feeding container and wrapped up in strips of cloth. And then we go from one to many, many angels (the armies of heaven) saying, Glory to God in Highest Heaven and peace to all those whom God favors. For even the angels and all the company of heaven rejoiced at the birth of this baby.   This is a story most of us have heard many, many times.  So, what was the Good News of great joy?   First, this child was called the Messiah, the anointed one, the one they had been waiting for over a period of hundreds and hundreds of years.  Would this child be the one to save them?  Remember, the Jews thought they needed saving from their oppressors.  They had trouble wrapping their brains around any other kind of savior.   Think about what it means to be a Savior – someone who rescues another from destruction, ruin, or defeat. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that our world is quite a mess and we need saving. We can't fix any of this mess ourselves. If we could, we would have already done it.   The Jews thought the only kind of saving they needed was from their Roman occupiers.  But they had no idea that there was a deeper, more insidious need.  What do we need to be saved from? Well, SIN.  We need to be saved from ourselves, our brokenness. On the cross Jesus saves us from our own failings, from our own darkness. Early Christians called Christmas “the light piercing the darkness” because at just the right time, just when humanity needed it most, God sent Jesus to be light in our darkness.    And this, my friends, is just the beginning.  Let's see what else Luke has to say about the incarnation.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 29, 2025   Scripture – Luke 1:26-56   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, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are covering part 2 of 3 in Luke 1.  We are reading about Mary.   We read that the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her that she is highly favored. She is immediately troubled with this greeting.  Think about this – Mary was a poor, humble girl, probably around age 14.  Why in the world would an angel greet her this way?  But we soon find out.  Gabriel tells Mary that she will become pregnant and her son will be called the Son of the Most High; she is to call him Jesus.   Some context is helpful here.  Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. In those days, girls were married very young. As soon as they became able to have children, they were betrothed. It could have been as young as 12, as old as 15. (Life expectancy was low.) And once the marriage was arranged (by the parents), the betrothal was marked by a party, which would be followed up by another party a year later, and it is at that time that the couple would start to live together as husband and wife. It was definitely more formal thatn what we think of as engagement. A divorce was required to end it, and if the groom died during the year, the woman was considered a widow.   I say all this to show how serious an engagement was during the first century.  And now the angel is telling Mary that she would become pregnant.  Mary would have known that this kind of incident put her in real danger. Virgin births were no less unusual two thousand years ago than they are today. And Mary, despite her young age, would have known where babies come from. She knew that to be pregnant meant that she had to be impregnated. She supplies half the genetic material. Someone else had to supply the other half and Joseph would have know that he did not do it.   We probably don't read between the lines as quickly as someone in the first century. Probably one of the first things to go through Mary's head was “Umm...this could get me in some real trouble.” And I don't mean it would just upset her parents. This threatened all her plans. She risked losing her upcoming marriage. She risked being ostracized by her family. She risked being the butt of the gossip mill in little Nazareth, being called names and being subjected to hardship. She even risked being killed by the Jewish authorities. The consequence for adultery was death according to Jewish law and although this wasn't always carried out, it certainly could be, and a young, unmarried, poor girl from Nazareth would sure be an easy target.   So, you would think this information would make Mary hesitant.  But after the first question of “well how in the world could this be,” Mary responds with “I am the Lord's servant...May your word to me be fulfilled.”  I've often wondered what went on in Mary's mind between “how can this be” and “I am the Lord's servant.”  She had every excuse in the book to say, “NO! Not me!” But she doesn't.  She trusts God and allows him to use her.    God is telling us a lot about his character and what he values. We know that God uses and God values the meek, the humble, and the lowly. He uses a poor, young girl from a poor little town to be the mother of the savior of the world. We know that, over and over again, God identifies with the poor, the weak, and the oppressed. This ends up being a central theme in Jesus' ministry as well. God values meekness and humility and because of that, so should we. It also shows that God chooses to work in places and through people that the world would not choose. He is more concerned with someone's willingness to say yes than their pedigree or resume.  That is certainly the case with Mary.    So what can we learn about God through the person of Mary? The reality is that God sometimes calls us to do things that are hard. God calls us to things that aren't on our agenda, things that might derail our hopes, plans, dreams.  He may even call us to do things that are dangerous and be with people we don't want to be with or go places we don't want to go.  This is the hard truth – Just as he did with Mary, God may call us to make sacrifices, to give up things we would prefer to do, all because he asked us to do it.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 28, 2025   Scripture - Luke 1:1-25   Prayer:  Everlasting Father, We thank you that you are a God of hope.  You are a God who keeps his promises.  You are a God who always has our best interest in mind.  Forgive us for those times that we want things to go the way we want things to go.  Fill us with your wisdom and discernment.  Help us try to think about things from a more eternal perspective.  How difficult that is for us!  Lord, we submit to you our lives, our families, our jobs, our burdens, our physical bodies.  We give them to you and we trust you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin the book of Luke.   Luke is considered a Jewish Gospel.  There are connections to the Old Testament throughout, specifically the fulfillment of God's promises and these promises are bigger than anyone expected.  We will highlight those as we walk through the text.  The point, though, is that the God who sent Jesus is the same God who operated throughout the Old Testament.  There is a continuity with the nation of Israel but now salvation in Jesus is being offered to everyone.  Luke is making a specific point here.   Let's talk about the author, Luke himself.  Who was he?  He gives us a brief intro in Luke, saying he is writing to a man named Theophilius, a name that means lover of God.  Some scholars say he is writing to generic believers but most think Theophilius was a specific person.  We just don't know much about him.  Luke also states that he has done a lot of research into the things that have happened but he doesn't tell us a lot about himself.   What we know is that Luke was a physician and a Gentile.  He is actually the only Gentile to write any portion of the New Testament. Paul briefly alludes to this in Colossians 4, when he makes a distinction between Luke and other colleagues “of the circumcision,” meaning the Jews.  Paul calls him the beloved physician.  Actually, while Luke doesn't name himself as author of Luke and the book of Acts, Paul refers to Luke several times.  Besides the Colossians reference, he also mentions Luke in Philemon and 2 Timothy.  Luke writes about Paul in Acts quite extensively and mentions himself a few times in subtle ways.   In today's reading, we get the first portion of the story of Zechariah.  Zechariah is a priest from the hill country near Jerusalem. Two weeks out of each year his division of priests was on duty at the temple in Jerusalem. Of course, this is where we find Zechariah faithfully going about his ordinary priestly duties. But this year, Zechariah is chosen by lot (which means he is chosen randomly, like drawing a name out of a hat) to be the one to go into the sanctuary and offer the incense offering.  So, up until this point, all is pretty ordinary and expected.  But then Scripture says in v. 11-12, Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. Whenever we read about an angel appearing to people in the Bible, they are usually afraid – angels are fierce beings.   The angel tells Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, will get pregnant and have a son who will be a source of joy and gladness for them.  This son will be filled with the Holy Spirit and set apart by God for a special purpose – to prepare the way of the Lord, to make people ready to receive Jesus Christ.   But this clearly catches Zechariah off guard.  He isn't convinced; in fact, he is skeptical.  So Zechariah asks the angel, “Are you really sure?  I mean my wife is kind of old.”  He is a man who has probably had years of heartbreak and disappointment. You see, Zechariah is married to Elizabeth (Elizabeth is the cousin of Mary, who becomes the mother of Jesus) and Zechariah and Elizabeth have never been able to have kids.  Now, they have gotten to the point in which they are too old to conceive.  Zechariah will soon be forced to retire from the priesthood.  Life surely hasn't happened the way he planned.  So what happens?  V.19-20, The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”   Zechariah is in the temple for a while and then when he comes out, he cannot speak.  The people assume he has seen some kind of vision because he is just making signs to them but no words are coming out of his mouth.  Nevertheless, the speechless Zechariah goes home to his wife Elizabeth, and she gets pregnant.  And Elizabeth sees the Lord's hand in these events. She exclaims in verse 25, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me to take away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”   Not to spoil the story, although I figure most of you have heard it before, but Zechariah does not speak again until his son, John, is born.  This is a story about a miracle, a birth that is not just unexpected but seemingly impossible.  But it's also about how God keeps his promises.  God is faithful.  And while this is a portion of the Christmas story that we may often gloss over, it's really critical for us.  Remembering how God has proven faithful in the past—even when all hope seemed lost—builds confidence that God can be trusted in the present and the future.   There are so many times in our lives when problems seem overwhelming and when it's hard to see a way forward, when it seems like things aren't going as planned, when it feels like all hope for the future has reached a dead end.  And maybe that's where you are right now.  It's possible that you look at your life and you think, “This wasn't what I expected, God.”  Maybe you are dealing with health issues or a loved one is ill or in pain.  Maybe you are crippled by depression or anxiety.  Maybe there is a broken relationship or a financial burden or you simply feel empty.  Maybe, like Zechariah, you are feeling discouraged and a bit hopeless.    I'll be the first to tell you that I don't understand God's ways or God's timing.  But this is what I can say…the story that we read about in God's Word shows us that God is always faithful.  God is never late.  We may doubt him, we may get mad at him, we may defy him, but God will be faithful.  In Scripture, we meet a God for whom there are no dead ends – detours perhaps – but not dead ends.  You see, we meet a God who is always working for our good, even when we make a mess of things, a Jesus who specializes in making a way in the wilderness, opening up a future when none seems possible.  If you ask him, he will show up in surprising, unexpected ways; maybe not the ways we want him to, but he will be there.  You see, with Jesus, there is always HOPE for a way forward.  Always, always, always.   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope July 25, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 28:16-20   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.   Today's reading includes the Great Commission, which we find in Matthew 28:16-20.  If you don't recall, this is when Jesus tells his follows, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   There is a fair amount to unpack here but what I want to focus on is making disciples.  Keep in mind that Jesus wasn't merely suggesting we make disciples.  It feels much more like a command here.  As his followers, we are to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them the ways of Jesus.  We don't do this alone, but we rest in the promise that Jesus is with us all the time, guiding and leading us through the power of the Holy Spirit.   But here is the big question: What does it mean to be a disciple?   It's fairly simple.  A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus. It is someone who actively is working/training to become more like Jesus (to do what Jesus does). A disciple is not someone who has simply said yes to Jesus, a disciple is someone who is actively training in the ways of Jesus and training others in the ways of Jesus.   Discipleship is not simply some acts of personal devotion in the morning, some bible study, prayer, and meditation. That may be a component of discipleship but there is so much more to it!  Being a disciple is not something we do at church and then set it aside as we go back into the real world. Being a disciple is about devoting our whole life to being like Christ. Our whole life. It effects every area of our life. How can it not?   Let's think about Jesus. In every area of his life, he taught about God. He taught about God's Kingdom, he showed people this new way of being human. There was never a time where he said, “No, now this part of my life, faith doesn't affect this. Leave me alone and let me do my own thing.”  Discipleship is intricately connected to Lordship. There is no part of our life that does not fall under God's reign. There is no part of our life that we don't submit to God.   But how do we make disciples?  Well, first, we have to become disciples ourselves.  We have to be training to be more like Jesus.  There is intentionality in this.  How are you training to be like Jesus?  What is your plan for spiritual growth?  Once you have reflected on this, then think about how you will teach and train others.  This is a privilege and responsibility that every single Christ-follower has.  Every one of us.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope July 24, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 28:1-15   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, We give you glory and praise.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank you for your giving your life for us.  Your love is overwhelming and all-encompassing.  As we think about our day and our week, help us focus on when we have seen your love at work.  Show us those moments when you were with us, walking alongside us, guiding us, directing our thoughts and our words.  Lord, how we need you.  How we yearn to see your glory.  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.  Currently, we are doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin Matthew 28.   Today, we will talk about the Easter story, the best story in the history of the world.  Yes, Jesus was crucified.  Yes, Jesus died on that horrible cross.  Yes, he was laid in the tomb.  But he did not stay dead.  On Sunday morning, everything changed.  The women went to the tomb and were greeted by an angel.  The Scripture said that the angel rolled the tomb away and was sitting on it, waiting for the women.    That's when he reveals to good news.  Jesus has risen and is going ahead of them.  It's then that Jesus actually appears to the women.  In Matthew's Gospel, it's Jesus himself who tells the women to go share the good news of his resurrection with the others.   Now, let's talk a little bit about the resurrection itself. Now, there are some Christians who see the resurrection in only a metaphorical sense. At New Hope (and in the GMC), we believe that Jesus experienced a real, physical, bodily resurrection.  In fact, I believe that Jesus' resurrection really only has TRUE significance if we understand it as a real bodily resurrection. Clearly, the early church believed it was a bodily resurrection...they risked and often gave life and limb to proclaim the Good News about Jesus Christ and his resurrection.   There is much evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus (significantly more than for other historical events that we tend to take for granted) and some great books out there that deal with some of these issues–Lee Strobel has some good ones. If this is a question for you, I would strongly encourage you to settle that for yourself.   That being said, even for the average churchgoer who believes in a real bodily resurrection of Jesus, is it making a significant difference in their lives OR is it perhaps simply providing a vague consolation that there is something beyond death? I want you to really think about it–how has resurrection changed your life?  Have you personally been transformed by the power of the resurrection?   Paul says in I Corinthians 15 that without the resurrection, our faith would be futile, useless, a hoax. Those who have died for the faith, their suffering would be pointless. You see, so much hinges on the resurrection. Jesus' whole life was vindicated with the resurrection. The resurrection provides evidence of Jesus' divinity. Romans 1:4 says, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.  Because Jesus is God, then we need to take everything he says very, very seriously.  The resurrection also provides assurance and hope that our physical death is not the end...it not only points to life after death but also the future resurrection of believers. Romans 8:11 says, The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.   The resurrection is life-changing for us as well.  The resurrection provides the power to bring the dead to life, the power for complete transformation, to bring what was essentially dead to something that is alive, vibrant, and productive. When someone says yes to Jesus Christ, a spiritually dead person becomes united with a life-giving Savior. When that happens, his resurrection produces a resurrection in us. The word resurrection actually comes from the same root as resurgence or rising again. We become connected to a life-giving power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This resurrection power has the ability to revive us, restore us, and transform us.   How amazing that we have become united with Jesus Christ, become filled with the Holy Spirit, and connected with God's mighty power. Think about it. This is a power than can perform miracles, this is a power than can make the dead come to life, this is the power that will ensure our eternity is secure.  Certainly, if it has the power to do all those things, this resurrection power can also transform us in radical ways. When we become united with Christ, we die to our old life & become new creations.   How have you experienced resurrection power in your life?   The last portion of today's reading is the guards' report.  They experienced the power of the resurrection and they tried to cover it up.  Why do you think they were so afraid?   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 23, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 27:57-66   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, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is Wednesday so that means Recharge night.  I hope to see you at 6:30pm in the Garage for a time of worship, fellowship, prayer, and small groups.   In our reading today, we finish up Matthew 27, which includes putting Jesus' body in the tomb and the Romans securing and sealing the tomb.  There isn't a lot here to cover, so I would encourage you to take your extra time from today and just spend some time with Jesus in prayer.  I think the Passion narrative is difficult to take in.  I know it's a story we have heard a lot, but when we really focus on the details, it's both distressing and extraordinary at the same time.  What do all these different elements mean to you?    Let's finish up today's chapter.  A wealthy man and member of the Jewish ruling council, Joseph of Arimathea, requests Jesus' body from Pilate, who orders it to be given over to him.  Joseph wraps the body in burial cloth and places it in a new tomb, one he had just purchased.  At this point, everything feels very heavy.  And the women are there watching it all.    I don't want us to miss the significance of this.  Joseph has gone to great risk and expense to make sure Jesus' body is cared for with respect.  Now, everyone will know he is believer of Jesus.  There is no keeping anything secret at this point.  Joseph is also making himself ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body right before the Sabbath.  Finally, Joseph is fulfilling prophecy from Isaiah, spoken 700 years before Jesus.  “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death” (Isaiah 53:9).   The chapter ends with Pilate making sure the tomb is very secure.  It's interesting that they recall Jesus' words about rising again.  The disciples seem to have forgotten this but the Romans remember it clearly.  They post a guard in front of the tomb and seal it.  They want to ensure that no one can steal the body.    I love how God basically took care of every detail here.  More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 21, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 27:1-31   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you this morning, rejoicing in your powerful and holy name.  You are everything, Lord – Creator, Sustainer, Provider, the one who sees, the one who is most high, Mighty, Everlasting.  There are times that we are overwhelmed by your love and care.  How could the one who created all, also care about me?  God, we give you glory.  We are so grateful for how you involve yourself in our lives.  Most of all, we thank you for Jesus.  Oh, Lord Jesus, we give you glory, honor, and praise.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Monday. Today, we are starting Matthew 27.  This is another long chapter that is filled with a lot of substance so we will once again take three days to walk through it.   Today's narrative about Judas' suicide is found only in Matthew. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. I'm not sure what Judas thought would happen when he accepted the bribe. Maybe Jewish independence? Maybe some extra favors? Maybe some sense of satisfaction? But when Judas actually sees that Jesus is arrested and condemned, a man he knew was totally innocent, Judas is filled with remorse. He sees the consequences of his decision.   In his anguish, Judas brings the silver back to the religious leaders. Maybe he was looking for some kind of reassurance or guidance but they gave him none. They were, after all, simply using him to get what they wanted. When Judas realizes this, he appears to be consumed by both remorse and anger and hurls the silver into the temple. It's then that he kills himself. It seems that Judas was overcome with remorse.   If you think about it, remorse produces extreme sorrow and grief. The goal is that remorse will lead to repentance and life change. This happened for Peter. He denied Jesus three times, a very significant betrayal. He must have felt incredible sorrow after what he did but he didn't stay there. He allowed God to move him to repentance. But Judas, for whatever reason, could not get past the grief. Maybe he was overcome with fear about what his life would be like when people discovered it was him. Maybe he didn't think he would be forgiven or he thought he would lose social position. Whatever it was, he couldn't get past it.   Friends, I don't know what you are dealing with right now, but there is ALWAYS hope. Things can be really, really bad. Life can feel totally dark. But God is light. With God, there is always hope for a better day. For some reason, Judas didn't think so but he was wrong. Jesus would have forgiven him and loved him, just as he did Peter.   Jesus loves you. Jesus will always forgive you. Your life is valuable. If you ever get to the point where the darkness feels all-consuming, reach out immediately. Reach out to me or to a friend. And don't forget that God is always there, just waiting, ready to listen and comfort. You are never alone.   In the next portion of today's chapter, we have Jesus going before Pilate.  Pilate was a Roman, the governor of Judea who was serving under Emperor Tiberias.  While Pilate has been mentioned outside of the Gospels by several secular writings of the time, he is certainly best known for his role in Jesus' crucifixion.  Let's dive into that.   In Matthew's Gospel, we get the impression that Pilate is reluctantly asking Jesus questions.  He doesn't feel that Jesus is guilty of anything and this is weighing on Pilate.  Then, his wife sends him an urgent message, begging Pilate to ensure that nothing is done “to this innocent man” for she had suffered a great deal in a dream because of Jesus.   Pilate ends up seeking a compromise. Knowing Jesus had been handed over by the religious leaders out of envy and spite, Pilate appealed to the crowds at the Passover, asking which “criminal” should be set free, Jesus or Barabbas? Seeing Jesus as innocent, it appears that Pilate believes that surely the people will choose Jesus over the murderous zealot, Barabbas.  But they don't.  The Jewish leaders convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released rather than Jesus.    Pilate gives in to political pressure.  He knows Jesus is innocent.  Pilate, exasperated, declares that he is “innocent” of Jesus' blood but then he hands Jesus over to be flogged and crucified.  He did what was easy, not what was right.  And Pilate will be forever remembered as a leader who chose the expedient route, rather than the one with integrity.  He is immortalized in the Apostles' Creed and remembered by Christians around the globe when we say that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.”   The final portion of today's Scripture has the Roman soldiers mocking Jesus.  This was one more form of punishment and humiliation before the ultimate torture instrument of the cross.    More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope July 18, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 26:47-75   Prayer:  Almighty God, We thank you for this week.  As we go over the days of this past week, give us insight into what we did well and where we fell short.  How did we deny you?  How did we glorify you?  Lord, we truly want to reflect you in everything we do.  Give me self-awareness, Lord.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we are hungry to hear your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up Matthew 26.  We'll discuss Jesus' arrest in the garden, his time before the high priest, and Peter's denial.   Let's start with the arrest itself.  The Jewish leaders sent an armed crowd to arrest Jesus.  Maybe they were expecting resistance from the disciples.  One thing is certain – they needed to come at night and quietly.  They knew that if they tried to arrest Jesus during the day as he was walking among the crowds, that there would be a riot.  They needed an insider though to help them access Jesus privately.  They found one in Judas.   Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, literally.  Jesus seemed to be expecting him.  He knew what was about to occur.  Again, I wonder what is going on in Judas' mind at the time.  Does he hesitate at all?  Is he so angry and resolute because Jesus wasn't the Messiah he hoped him to be?  Is he just overcome with evil?    The Scripture said that one of Jesus' companions cut the soldier's ear off.  We know from other Gospels that it was indeed Peter who did so.  Jesus wasn't happy about that.  He makes this interesting statement about how the things that were prophesied must take place.  Jesus knows.  All of this is necessary, for our sake that is.   Jesus goes before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.  Caiaphas, the high priest, interrogates Jesus.  They are actually in Caiaphas' home as they do this.  It certainly feels suspicious and secret.  They were looking for something for which to charge Jesus.  They feel so threatened by him.  False witnesses come forward, and Jesus is silent.  Finally, when asked if he is the Messiah, Jesus responds.  But he makes it clear he isn't just a human Messiah sent by God to set up an earthly Kingdom and free the Jews.  Actually, he is divine.  And Jesus tells them that he will be seated on God's right hand and will come back to earth on the clouds of heaven in judgment.  He is the rightful king now and in the future.  He is God and he will be on the throne.   Well, that does it.  The high priest can't believe his ears.  He tears his clothes and calls out blasphemy.  The council decides that Jesus is worthy of death.  Of course, as they do all of this, they have no idea that prophecy is being fulfilled.  They have no idea that they are part of a grander plan that God orchestrated long ago.  They are clueless.  But God will achieve his purposes and he will use whoever he needs to use.   The final portion of the chapter has to do with Peter's denial.  The man who said he would rather die than deny Jesus is now denying him three times.  And he denies him adamantly.  He doesn't go hide somewhere.  He stands in obvious locations, allowing himself to be called out, and he vehemently denies knowing Jesus.    One thing that is great about Scripture is that it doesn't hide people's sins.  Here is Peter, one of Jesus' closest friends, and he denies Jesus three times.  He is scared.  He is embarrassed and scared of being ridiculed.  He is lacking in faith.  And while the chapter ends here, there is a lot more to Peter's story.  Just like there is a lot more to our story.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope July 17, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 26:17-46   Prayer:  Almighty Father, You always know what is best for us.  Thank you for that.  We are sorry for the ways that we resist.  Help us to want what you want for us.  Help us to want to be patient, to want to be kind, to want to be obedient.  Conform our will, Lord,  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are looking at part two of three parts in Matthew 26.  This is a chapter with lots of substance!   Today's passage includes what we would describe as “The Lord's Supper.”  These are many of the words we say when we share Holy Communion together as a church.   Let's dig into this text.  Jesus has prepared for the disciples to celebrate Passover together.  All the necessary arrangements have been made.  The fact that Jesus is celebrating with his disciples and not his biological family is significant.  It shows his solidarity with these men.    But Jesus knows the solidarity won't last forever.  He prepares this group for one of them to betray him.  None of them believe that they would actually do it.  “You don't mean me, do you?” they all ask, even Judas.  I wonder what Judas is thinking at that moment.  We know he has already betrayed Jesus.  He is a liar and a backstabber and he must have convinced himself that it was the right thing to do.  How often do we convince ourselves that sin is okay, that it is justified?    Passover, or the Festival of Unleavened Bread, is one of the most important Jewish celebrations.  It celebrates the Hebrew victory over Egyptian tyranny.  The Jews were freed from slavery under Pharoah.  At the time, there would have been the additional sub-text of deliverance from Roman oppression as well.    Jesus takes the Passover meal and redefines it for his followers.  Jesus takes the bread and identifies it as his body.  Obviously, it wasn't his literal body, as Jesus was speaker of the statement.  But it represents something very substantial.  Jesus is about to be crucified by the Romans, at the hands of the Jewish leaders.  In doing so, he will be the final sacrifice for sin for all time.    He then takes the cup and declares that the wine is His blood of the new covenant, poured out for the forgiveness sins of the world.  Jesus is ushering in the New Covenant.  He is the New Covenant.  The Old Covenant is being fulfilled by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  Can you imagine how confused the disciples are when he says this?  This isn't the typical liturgy of the Passover.  What is Jesus saying about his body and blood?  Remember, while Jesus has warned them of his upcoming death, they still don't quite believe it or understand it.    Let's talk about Holy Communion for just a moment.  In the Lord's Supper, the faith community, current day followers, come together to experience the grace of Jesus Christ on a regular basis.  There are some traditions that read the words in Matthew 26 and believe in transubstantiation, meaning that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.  We don't believe that in Methodism.  However, we do believe that the Holy Spirit is present and at work as we receive communion. It is not just an act of remembrance, but truly a means of grace in which we are able to experience Jesus in a way that is real but also somewhat mysterious. It is a tangible way to experience an inward grace.   Methodists (of all streams) believe that in Communion, the Holy Spirit brings Christ to us, expressing the grace and love of God toward us through the means of bread and wine. In fact, John Wesley described communion as “the grand channel whereby the grace of his Spirit was conveyed to the souls of the children of God.” Through the Lord's Supper, we can expect to experience Jesus' love, forgiveness, healing, holiness, presence, and even a foretaste of heaven. Because of this, Wesley encouraged Methodists to experience Holy Communion weekly if not more, as it provides “nourishment for the soul.”   One of the beautiful things about our theology is that we have an open table. Wesley viewed Holy Communion as “a converting ordinance,” through which the Spirit can lead an individual to faith in Jesus Christ. Because of our emphasis on prevenient grace, we trust that God has already been at work in the life of each person, continuously wooing them closer to Christ. Thus, in the Lord's Supper, you don't have to be a member of any church but simply respond to Christ's invitation-he invites those who love him, who seek him, and who repent of their sins.    For those who have not yet received salvation, we believe that the Holy Spirit can work through the act of communion to transform their heart in such a way they are ready to say yes to Jesus. In this sense, Holy Communion can be an act of justifying grace. For those who are already in the community of faith, Holy Communion tends to be an act of sanctifying grace, as it nurtures believers, points them back toward grace, and helps them grow and move forward in their faith journey.   Our reading for today also has Jesus predicting Peter's denial.  I have always found this so fascinating.  Peter was convinced that he would never turn his back on Jesus.  He says that he will die before renouncing Jesus.  And it is only a few short hours later that Peter denies Jesus not once, not twice, but three times.  How quickly can sin and temptation enter our hearts and minds!  When push came to shove, Peter let fear take over.    As we discussed in Mark, it's wonderful to see how fearful, self-protecting Peter becomes bold, confident Peter after the coming of the Holy Spirit. On our own, we will falter.  With the power of God in us, we can change and do hard things.   Lastly, the poor disciples cannot stay awake.  They've had a lot of wine and food at the Passover meal.  Jesus has them praying and they just can't keep their eyes open.  The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.   It's also here that Jesus submits himself to the Father.  The human part of him would like the whole ordeal to not happen.  But he knows that it must.  It will be the most important event in the history of the world.  Nothing will ever be as significant.  The course of human history is about to change.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope July 15, 2025   Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46   Prayer:  Lord God Almighty, You have given us everything.  Not only did you create the world, but you created us.  Everything we have is a gift from you.  Forgive us for when we begin to think that things are “ours.”  Soften our hearts.  Help us become more generous.  Lord, I give you my whole self.  I want to offer myself as a living sacrifice; may I be pleasing in your sight.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up Matthew 25.   We closed up our devotional yesterday by talking about the importance of earning a spiritual profit for the Kingdom.  If you recall, we read the parable of the bags of gold, also called the parable of the talents, and we talked about how God expects us to be diligent with the resources he provides us.  Afterall, everything we have is from God and he expects us to use our finances, gifts, and skills, to expand his Kingdom, to earn a spiritual profit.    But what does that look like in a very practical way?  Well, the rest of Matthew 25 gives us a picture of how God expects us to use our resources – our time, our money, our talents, and our skills.  It's the text about Jesus separating the sheep and the goats.    There are a lot of thngs about this parable that are worth mentioning.  First, Jesus is clear that the Son of Man, that would be him, will be coming in glory to judge the nations or all the people.  Some people say that Jesus will not return and others say he will not judge.  Actually, he himself says he will do both.  I think it is clear throughout the Gospels but it is also very clear right here.   What are the criteria for judgement?  It's pretty clear.  Jesus has already spoken about how he came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20).  Thus, he expects us also to serve the least of these.  But we have to be very careful here.  Salvation, as we know, is a free gift that comes through faith in Jesus alone.  We have to not turn this into a lesson in works-righteousness.  The Kingdom is a gift.  Think about it.  Those who are deemed righteous in this text don't even know what they have done.  They are like, “Lord, but when did we see you hungry?”  They haven't been out there trying to earn salvation.  They have just been overflowing with the love of Jesus, doing what should come naturally to a person who follows Jesus.  Their actions are evidence that they have a relationship with a loving, compassionate, merciful God.    Scripture definitely demonstrates that Jesus strongly identifies with the poor and oppressed. Whenever we use our resources and talents to help alleviate the suffering of the poor or oppressed, then it is like we are doing it for Jesus.  But we really have to examine our hearts.  Are we trying to earn spiritual merit badges?  Are we serving out of obligation?  Are we serving or giving to feed our ego?  OR...are we serving and giving as an outpouring of the love, grace, and mercy that Jesus has shown us.  Yes, God expects us to use our resources well.  He expects us the earn a spiritual profit for the Kingdom.  But if doing so leads us to resentment and bitterness, then we have to look deep in our soul.  God loves a cheerful giver.  God wants us to want to serve him.   I guess this would be a good time to stop and just allow all of us to spend time in prayer.  First, are we working to earn a profit for the Kingdom?  If not, why?  And then, where is our heart in all of this???  Do we feel joy in serving and giving?  What is our motivation?  Let's just talk to Jesus.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 14, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 25:1-30   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 on this 14th of July, 2025.  How in the world is it already the middle of July?  Our lives move fast.  Anyway, this is a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts and today, we are diving into the first half of Matthew 25.    This chapter is a series of parables, again describing different aspects of the Kingdom of God.  This first parable, though, needs to be interpreted from an eschatological perspective, meaning when Jesus returns in final victory to judge the living and the dead.  The parable of the virgins (some translations say bridesmaids) is somewhat of a continuation of the last chapter where we discuss the wise and evil servants.  There are ten virgins who are waiting for the bridegroom, but he is delayed.  Only half of the virgins bring additional oil for their lamps.  You can see where this is going.  All ten virgins fall asleep while waiting.  Then, they are awakened, learning that their man is about to arrive. Half of the virgins, the foolish ones, cannot light their lamps.  They ask their wiser sister to share their oil but that's a no-go.  The wise virgins recommend that those without oil go buy some more.  Ultimately, the wise virgins are ready when the bridegroom arrives.  When the foolish virgins return, after finding the only 24/7 oil store in the area apparently, they aren't allowed into the wedding.  They even cry out but the door is not opened.  The bridegroom denies even knowing them.  Ouch.   Every virgin fell asleep.  But only half were prepared with oil.  Thus, we can see that the focus here is on being ready, even when there is a delay.  As I dug into the scholarly discourse on this parable, it seems the most common interpretation is that having oil, being prepared, means more than simply saying yes to Jesus.  That is obviously important.  But while we wait for Jesus' return, we are called to do his work.  While waiting, we aren't supposed to be idle but to be actively working to expand the Kingdom, doing acting of love and mercy, sharing the Gospel, and pointing others to Jesus.  This is not just about getting ourselves ready but getting others ready as well.  Don't be caught without your oil.   This is followed by the parable of the bags of gold.  Other translations call this the parable of talents.  Again, it offers us another glimpse into the Kingdom of God.  But before we talk about this parable, we have to have a basic understanding of what life was like during the time of Jesus.  Remember, the people Jesus was speaking to were living in the Roman Empire, and there was a huge disparity between rich and poor. There were wealthy landowners and tax officers, there was a very small middle class, usually tradesmen of some kind, but the overwhelming majority of people were poor. Many were small tenant farmers or day laborers. Its estimated that the unemployment rate may have been as high as 70%. Even if you had a job, it was typically low-paying and you made just enough to buy food for that day. Unless you were rich, there wasn't disposable income. People were literally starving to death, not too unlike some Third World countries today.   Because of this, people who were very poor would sometimes sell themselves and their families into slavery. It's estimated that 30% of people living in the Roman Empire at that time were slaves. For some, it was the only way they might consistently have food. Life was just that hard. People would also sell themselves into slavery if they had debt. Under Roman occupation, the tax burden was incredibly oppressive and unjust, particularly for small tenant farmers. People would accumulate debt if they couldn't pay their taxes. If you had a debt and didn't pay, then you were thrown in jail. Obviously, you couldn't pay your debt in jail, nor could you work, and then your family would starve to death. So, sometimes people would sell themselves into slavery as a bondservant so their debt could get paid. Their master, or owner, would pay their debt and then they would owe them a certain number of years of service to pay off that debt.   Even though that isn't necessarily the same way we envision slavery today, the fact was, in this parable, the Master did own the servants. Now remember, he had entrusted them with some talents. A talent was actually a measure of weight rather than an amount of money. It was approximately 130 lbs. so whether or not it was a talent of silver or gold, it would have been very valuable. Even one talent of silver would have been more than an average person would have made in a year. I read several places that one talent in today's money would be roughly one million dollars. This Master had entrusted one servant with 5 talents, one with 2, and another with 1, a significant sum. The talents and the servants belonged to the Master and the crowd that Jesus was speaking to would have known that.   Okay, so what is the point of all of this?  Well, the first point is that ALL of us belong to God. He is our master. Our physical body belongs to God. All that we own-our money, our home, our possessions, they all belong to God. We may think we are in control but really we do not exist independently from God.  We may think that we own our stuff, our financial portfolio, our car, but really we are just the managers of it. Ecclesiastes 5:15, “Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” Another version says, “You can't take your riches with you.”   Now some of you may really struggle with this concept OR you may agree with it theoretically but it isn't a practical reality for you. In fact, right now you might be thinking, but I'm the one who earned this money. I'm the one who made this sacrifice or earned this degree or did this or that to have a nice salary, to buy a home, to purchase a nice vehicle. You might be thinking that really, “I did this on my own.” But Deut. 8:17 says, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me,' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth...” Despite how economically self-sufficient we think we are, God created us and it is God who gives us the ability to work, the ability to earn money, the ability to provide a living for our families...all we have is his; we are not independent from him.   Another important concept we learn from this parable is that God created us with the intention that we would use our money, our resources, and our talents and skills to produce a profit for him, a spiritual profit. Think about the parable. The master gives the first servant five talents and he doubles his money. The second servant was given two talents and he doubles his money and then the third one basically just hid his head in the sand and hoped the whole thing would go away. The master then says to him, “You wicked and lazy servant.” He had really harsh words for him.   At first glance, we might be taken aback by such hard words but think about it, the master bought these bondservants or slaves to make a profit for him. He would never have bought them if he thought they would make him lose money. Their purpose was to earn a profit for the master. Let's bring it back to us...God expects to see a profit from us. He isn't harsh. He doesn't require that we do the impossible–he has given us abundant resources–and he has called us, he requires us to use our God-given talents and resources to produce a spiritual profit for God, for His Kingdom.    One of my seminary professors used to say, “We don't serve a mush God.” Our God is not all mushy love, rainbows, and unicorns. Yes, he is loving but he still has expectations for us. There are standards, there is accountability. And this is one of those areas...he doesn't expect us just to sit and soak up all the love and wonderfulness of faith. He actually expects us to do something about it, to earn a spiritual profit. And he is serious about it.   What does this look like for us?  That, we will talk about tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope July 11, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 24:36-51   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, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  I apologize for this devotional being late.  My rhythm got knocked off a bit with Vacation Bible School.  It was absolutely wonderful and exhausting in a good way.  We had just over 200 kids and roughly 65 volunteers.  Please continue to be in prayer for every child and every family – may those who don't know Jesus grow closer to knowing him and may those who don't have a church home come join us at New Hope.   Today, we are finishing up Matthew 24.  This is really a continuation of the discussion in the first portion of the chapter.  Jesus is saying that the time and hour he will return are not known.  And we are not supposed to be guessing and predicting.  We are simply told to be ready.   Certain groups of Christians have focused a great deal on the coming judgment and the end times. I think what we find in this chapter is that there is more that we don't know than what we do know. For thousands of years, people have predicted Jesus' return and the coming judgment and each and every time, they were wrong. I'm always a bit skeptical of anyone who makes predictions like these. I mean, the Scripture says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” If Jesus doesn't know, then why should we?   Keep watch. Be ready. We don't need to worry about the coming judgment because we know Jesus. But we do need to be actively living as a follower. We need to be sharing the Good News with others. We need to be genuine, loving, and truthful in how we do life. Do your neighbors know that you love Jesus? Do your coworkers know that you follow Jesus? Is your faith obvious and real? Why or why not? Let's take this Scripture seriously, friends.   The chapter ends with a parable about a faithful and unfaithful servant.  Jesus says that blessed is the servant whose master finds him working diligently when he arrives.  That servant will be put in charge of many possessions.  But the unfaithful servant is the one who assumes his master is delayed so he mistreats his fellow servants and drinks instead of working.  When the master arrives home unexpectantly, the servant will be cut into pieces and thrown in with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Well, that sounds pretty terrible.   What is the meaning of the parable?  Basically, Jesus is saying that our actions, our behavior, shows what we truly believe.  If we believe in Jesus, then we obey him and choose to do the right thing.  We live a faithful life, ready for when he will return.  If we don't obey and don't live faithfully, it's like saying we don't believe.   Don't deny God with your actions.  Know God and be ready for his return at any time.    Are you ready?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope July 10, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 24:1-35   Prayer:  Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth!  We magnify your precious and powerful name.  How often we forget how mighty you are.  You created all.  You created us.  Thank you, Lord, for who you are.  Most of all, thank you for loving us with all our flaws and brokenness.  In all we do, in who we are, help us to be more like you.  We pray for humility, mercy, and compassion.  Help us see others through your eyes.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we start Matthew 24.   We start with this interesting discourse about the Temple.  Jesus has taken awhile to get to this point.  He has given plenty of warnings as to what is going to happen.  But the disciples just can't let it go; it's all a lot for them to understand at this point.  They draw attention to the size and grandeur of the Temple buildings.  Even though they were from Galilee, most of these men would have seen the Temple before.  They were required to attend multiple festivals each year at the Temple in Jerusalem.  But they continue to be enamored by the Temple.  And it was a beautiful sight.  Psalm 84:1 reads, How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!   Thus, when Jesus tells them that the Temple will all be knocked down, they don't know what to make of it.  They want to know all the nitty gritty details.    What's interesting about this is that Rome destroys the Temple roughly forty years after Jesus said this.  This would be an ugly season in Jerusalem's history, with lots of persecution and oppression.  Is this what Jesus is referring to in nation rising against nation, famines, earthquakes, and so forth?  Scholars don't all agree but I think it's safe to say yes and no.  Yes, the Roman armies destroying Jerusalem in AD 70 was pretty horrific.  Much of the population was starved and/or eventually massacred.   But there is more to this.  This is more than just a “in the near future” scenario. It's also likely that Jesus is referring to the end of times and when he will return to judge all people.  We certainly have images of Jesus returning on the clouds with the loud trumpet call; this echoes prophecy in Daniel.  Look at verses 30 and 31, Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.   And up until this point, Jesus has often alluded to this.  He never tells people to be scared or worried, just to be ready.  As believers, we have nothing to fear.  We belong to Jesus.  Just be ready.  But there is still an urgency to this – how seriously do we take this?  Are we busy doing God's business, which includes leading people to Jesus?  Is sharing the story of Jesus a regular part of who we are as believers?  If not, why?  Do you believe that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead?  These are serious questions that every single one of us has to reckon with.    One other thing to mention about this passage.  At this point, the disciples still don't understand that God's presence now dwells in the person of Jesus Christ.  From their perspective, the Temple still holds the presence of God.  But the Good News of Jesus is that God's presence is no longer in a building but in Jesus.  God is Jesus and Jesus is God.   If that isn't enough to blow your mind, consider that the presence of God is now also in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Where does the Holy Spirit dwell?  Well, in us as believers!  So that means that the presence of God is in Jesus' church, his people.    That being said, are we living and acting like the presence of the Living God is in us?  I'll be honest; I always find this question so convicting.  Think about your day.  Think about what you said and did.  Was there anything that you would change if you could, thinking about how you represent the Living God?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope July 9, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 23   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.  We are working our way through a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are deep diving into Matthew 23.   Throughout most of this chapter, we see Jesus strongly denounce the Pharisees. Their system of rules and regulations was originally designed to help people seek godliness but their extremism only harmed people. The rules had become an end in themselves and the teachers of the law were much more concerned with following the letter of the law than they were about the people themselves. This gives the appearance of godliness but it is all a facade. The heart is still far from God.   We begin the chapter with a warning about hypocrisy.  You may remember this from Mark, but hypocrisy involves a discrepancy between one's outward actions and one's inner character, essentially acting a part rather than being genuine. The Pharisees were all about looking holy.  Jesus mentions how they don't practice what they preach.  He reminds his followers that the greatest among them will be a servant.    Let's think about this.  Think particularly about our faith community.  For most of us listening, that means New Hope Church.  Are the greatest among us serving?  Are we rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty?  My prayer is that no one thinks they are too good or too important to do the dirty work.  We are all equal at the foot of the cross and if we think otherwise, we have a big problem.    Okay, it's time to move on to the woes.  The word woe is an exclamation of grief, denunciation and means great sorrow or distress. The woes criticize the Pharisees for hypocrisy and illustrate the differences between inner and outer moral states.  The seven woes are addressed specifically to the teachers of the law and Pharisees; in one of the woes, He calls them “blind guides.” At the end of the woes, Jesus calls them “snakes” and “brood of vipers.”  He isn't kidding about hypocrisy.  What's interesting to me is that Jesus prefaced the seven woes by explaining to the disciples that they should obey the teachings of the Jewish leaders—as they taught the law of God—but not emulate their behavior because they were so far from God.    Jesus' final words in this chapter about Jerusalem are quite sad. Jesus loves Jerusalem and had longed for the people to love him back. He wanted to gather the people under his protective wings and offer them true solace and hope. Remember, this was the holy city where the temple of God resided. And yet, over and over again, the people of Jerusalem had rejected God's efforts to care for them. It was no different with Jesus. Jesus' words were also prophetic. When he says...”Look, your house is left to you desolate,” we understand from history that it isn't long before the Romans totally destroyed the city in AD 70. But besides the physical desolation of the city, there is this tone in the text that suggests God had forsaken it as well. And, of course, when Jesus states that they will not see him again, we know that he is indeed heading to the cross. His earthly ministry has come to a close until God does a new thing.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

A deep, personal devotional from Vivian Bricker. When life unraveled after the death of her mother, Vivian found herself standing at a spiritual crossroads. Her story is honest, raw, and deeply relatable. She trusted Jesus for salvation—but everyday faith? That was harder. Like many of us, she knew the truth in her head before it reached her heart. She believed God could heal and redeem, but wrestled with why He hadn’t stopped the pain in the first place. Yet through grief, studying Scripture, and time in His presence, her fragile faith grew into deep trust—one small act of belief at a time. ✨ Highlights: We often trust God with eternity but struggle to trust Him with tomorrow. True faith isn’t blind; it’s based on knowing God’s heart and seeing His faithfulness. Jesus still turns toward us, sees us, and says, “Take heart, daughter.” Faith grows when we take our pain to Jesus instead of pushing Him away.

Daily Dose of Hope July 7, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 22:1-22   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you this morning in awe of your blessings and love.  Thank you, Lord, for the ways you continue to guide our lives.  Lord, we want more intimacy with you.  We are desperate to know you better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, please speak to us.  We need to hear your voice...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is the first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at New Hope.  We are expecting close to 200 children.  Please pray for every single child and their families, may they come to know Jesus.   Today, we are starting Matthew 22.  We are starting with the parable of the wedding banquet and it's a hard one.  Let's remember that parables are not meant to be taken literally.  Parables are intended to surprise the audience to make a point.  What can we learn from the Kingdom of God from this parable?  Let's be careful not to make arbitrary links between the text and God.  For instance, the king is like God in some ways, but he is not the same as God.  Also, his son is not Jesus.    This particular parable is somewhat complex and difficult to make sense of.  Why did the king not invite everyone to his banquet from the beginning?  Why did the invited guests reject the king's invitation?  That would have been unheard of in their culture!  And then, the king's violence against the guests who didn't attend does not make a lot of sense.  What is the radical message of this parable?   One possibility is that Jesus is actually continuing the parables of the Two Sons and the Wicked Tenants by making the point that there is nothing more important than doing God's will.  Even though people are called or invited to do God's work, they may neglect or refuse it, consumed with their own needs and self-interest.  But God isn't giving up on his work of saving people and calling others to join him in that task.  The subversive message might be that the position and status of religious leaders, such as the Pharisees, will not last forever.  God is going to achieve his purposes no matter what.  It may mean breaking traditions and doing new things.    And then we have the passage about paying tax to Caesar.  The Jewish leaders are really trying to find a way to trap Jesus.  By this point, they can't stand him and they simply want him out of their way.  He threatens their authority and what they find important.  Thus, they ask him about the poll tax.  We discussed this in Mark too.  This was a flat tax that every person living in the Roman Empire was forced to pay.  To the Jews, it was a reminder that they were far from free.  If Jesus had responded with a positive remark like “yes, definitely pay it!” then he would have turned off a lot of his audience.  If he had said, “don't pay it!” then he would have been seen as turning against Rome, a dangerous thing.  The way that Jesus answered the question blew everyone away!   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 27, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 18:21-35   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 back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  I just want to remind you all of our amazing worship night tonight at 7:30pm AND our special guest on Sunday.  Dr. David Wilkinson is giving the message in the English-speaking service.  He is a PhD in both astrophysics and theology and his life's work has centered on the intersection between the Christian faith and science.  After the 9:30 service, he has also agreed to a Q&A in the social hall, where a pancake and sausage brunch will be available by donation.  All donations will go to the Residing Hope Children's Home.   Today is part two of Matthew 18.  Here we have this very uncomfortable parable on forgiveness.  Peter wants to know how far should forgiveness be extended.  I mean, Jesus had just offered this conflict mediation model for churches to ensure that justice is upheld.  But what about mercy?  Jesus' answer is really fascinating.  He basically is saying, “Stop keeping count!”   Let's talk a bit about the parable itself.  A servant owes his master a huge sum of money, something like 10,000 bags of gold.  The servant was facing both imprisonment and the sale of his family to compensate for the debt.  He goes to the master and asks for mercy.  The readers are totally surprised – the master shows tremendous compassion and mercy.  He totally forgives the huge debt.  Unheard of and an act of extravagant compassion.   That same servant then goes demanding payment of a debt that a fellow servant owes him.  This isn't a big debt, but something smaller and more manageable.  When the fellow servant asks for more time, the forgiven servant refuses, denies compassion, and has the poor guy thrown in prison.   Seeing the injustice of all of this, there are whistleblowers that see what happens and let the master know.  The master is enraged and reinstates the man's debt.  How could he fail to show compassion after such great compassion was shown to him.  He is imprisoned and tortured.    While the ending is really horrific, Jesus is once again making a point.  Forgiveness is critical and yet it is very hard.  If we look at the whole of Matthew 18, we see the need of both holding people accountable and offering extravagant compassion and forgiveness.  How do we even begin to reconcile this as a church?  Upon doing research on this topic, one scholar suggested that the most powerful and instructive model is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa, guided by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Reconciliation entails both the offer of forgiveness and the naming and acceptance of responsibility for wrongful, wounding conduct. This approach to mercy and justice is congruent with Jesus' call in Matthew 18 as a whole: while the faith community prioritizes grace and mercy, it also holds its members accountable for what they do to others.    But what else might Jesus be saying in this parable?  Pay compassion forward.  God has been extraordinarily compassionate toward us.  He gave his Son for us, so we might live abundantly now and in the future.  Our sins are forgiven, our slate has been wiped clean.  We owe Him a debt of gratitude.  And yet, here we see what that looks like in a practical way.  Show mercy, demonstrate compassion, love well, and forgive.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 25, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 17   Prayer:  Almighty God, As we move into our Wednesday, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Just a reminder, it's Wednesday so that means it's Recharge night!  Come join us, if you are local, at 6:30pm in the Garage, which is on the New Hope campus, on the Moon Ave. side.  We will have worship, fellowship, prayer, and small community.  It is a wonderful time and I hope to see you there.   Today, we are diving into Matthew 17.  Scripture says that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of this mountain, most likely Mt. Hermon because it was close to Caesarea Phillipi, where they just were. Matthew writes that Jesus was transfigured before him. His clothes became a dazzling white, and his face was a bright as the sun.   Now, put yourself in the position of these three men. They had only know the flesh and blood Jesus. We know Jesus as risen Lord and Savior. I think we would expect him to wear dazzling white robes and be all shiny and glorious. But they didn't. Right before their very eyes, they get a glimpse of Jesus' glory that was unexpected and they had never seen before. Jesus was radiating the very presence of God and they got to see it. And then the Scripture continues–Moses and Elijah appeared before them and they were talking to Jesus. We don't quite know why Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain with Jesus except that they were two Old Testament figures that anticipated the coming of Jesus, the final prophet to come and deliver God's people once and for all. Their work, their ministries, are basically fulfilled by the person of Jesus. They are servants of God but they weren't God. Jesus, on the other hand, is God and the disciples get a glimpse of that right here.   Peter struggles to simply rest in the presence of God's glory. He doesn't know what to do so he says, “let's set up three shelters–one for you, Jesus, and one for Moses and Elijah.” Now, Peter is referring to the festival of booths or tabernacles which faithful Jews participating in every year. They make structures in their yards as a sign of when God will tabernacle with his people. So, this might seem like a weird thing for Peter to say to us but it wasn't too off the wall. He is like, “umm...I think God is tabernacling with us and we need to make the shelters.” He is kind of panicky. It seemed like a good thought at the time. What Peter doesn't quite understand yet is that before his eyes God's dwelling with humanity is present, for Jesus is the new tabernacle of God dwelling with humanity. The shelters aren't needed. God is present with his people through Jesus Christ.   That's all pretty amazing but the mountaintop experience isn't done yet. There is a cloud that appears and covers them–remember the presence and glory of God appeared in a cloud in the tabernacle and throughout the Old Testament. And here is the presence of God appearing before them and the voice of God says “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Jesus is clearly set apart from Moses and Elijah, only he is God's Son, the one to be listened to. The one who reflects God's glory and presence.   There is something about mountain-top transfigurative experiences – times in which we get a glimpse of the glory and presence of God in our lives. I'm hoping you have each had some kind of mountaintop experience in your walk with Jesus, times in which the veil was removed, you've gotten a taste of the presence of God. These are times in which we are confronted with God's power and it can't help but change us. You realize that Jesus wasn't just a good, wise man who walked the earth 2000 years ago but rather was God himself, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.   Now, we have to decide, what are we going to do with this? Have you had a mountaintop experience? They can happen in a lot of different ways, in many different kinds of places. A miracle, a conference, the Walk to Emmaus, a trip to Israel, in the midst of a tragedy or an epiphany, a literal trek up a mountain. An encounter with the living God can happen in a myriad of different ways but it is always life-changing.   I was reflecting on the importance of mountain-top experiences. They sustain us when we come down from the mountain. We can't stay on the mountaintop. Real life happens on the bottom of the mountain. What happens when Jesus and the disciples come to the bottom of the mountain? Well, some good stuff–teaching, healings, miracles, but also bad stuff–rejection, betrayal, crucifixion. It's our time on the mountains with Jesus that sustain us for the inevitable hard times to come.  These experiences also help us put things in perspective...God is God and we are not---but we are loved by God, we are his children, and we belong to God. Revelations like this change us, they transform our hearts.   After the transfiguration, we see Jesus get right back to the work of ministry.  He heals a demon-possessed boy that the disciples could not heal.  Jesus appears to easily rebuke the demon and it comes out of the child.  When they ask Jesus why they could not do the miracle, as they had done miracles before under Jesus' authority, he tells them it was due to their lack of faith.  If only they had faith like a tiny mustard seed, then nothing would be impossible.  What?  This doesn't make sense.  Let's dig deeper.  During that time, it wasn't unusual for Jews to use certain rituals or tactics to try to cast out demons.  Could it be that the disciples were trying to cast out the demon in their own authority (or through their own power) rather than by the authority given to them by Jesus.  Afterall, just a little faith in Jesus can yield big results.  But faith is a unique thing, unlike anything else.  It isn't a substance, in the more you have the more power you have, nor is it a kind of magic to be manipulated, but confidence that we can do what God calls us to do. Jesus is not saying if you had more faith, you could pray and impossible things would happen (you get suddenly rich, someone is miraculously healed, etc.)  That's kind of absurd.  Jesus spoke in hyperbole.  But he is making a point. The disciples were given authority over demons, but they failed because they were trying to manipulate God like an ancient magician. Having shown his power to his closest disciples on the mountain, Jesus demonstrated his authority once again over demons. He continues to teach his disciples so that they fully understand who he is, and that leads to the second of three predictions of his coming death and resurrection. Finally, let's move to the temple tax discussion because its an interesting one. The tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus is going to pay the temple tax. The temple tax was an annual tax collected from Jewish men over age twenty used for the temple up-keep, festivals, and so forth.  It was based on regulations in Exodus 30. Keep in mind that the Jews recognized the temple as the biblical earthly representation of God dwelling with humanity.  As a Jew in that time period, Jesus would have paid the temple tax. We would have expected nothing less from Jesus, in his humanity.  But Jesus was also divine.  He was actually the Temple now, the place where God dwelt.  And that is why he asked Peter, From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?  And Peter answered “from others.” As the Son of God (the second person of the Trinity), Jesus didn't actually need to pay the temple tax.  He was the Temple.  But he did it anyway, in the most interesting way! Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Daily Dose of Hope June 24, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 16:13-28   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 currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are covering the second portion of Matthew 16.   Jesus has taken his disciples on a retreat of sorts, and they have traveled away from Judea, further north into Gentile territory.  Maybe it's to get away from the crowds, maybe it's so they can speak more freely.  Caesarea Philippi is pretty far north in Israel.  It was a quiet place at the headwaters of the Jordan River but also a place filled with idol worship and signs of Roman occupation everywhere.  And it's here that Jesus decides he is going to settle his identity with these men.  So he asks each of them, “Who do people say I am?”    Over the two years that the disciples had been with Jesus, people had all kinds of thoughts about who Jesus was.  Some thought he was the precursor to the Messiah, others (like King Herod) thought he was John the Baptist reincarnated, others thought he might be one of the prophets returned.  But Jesus presses them, “who do you say I am?”  Now, it doesn't matter what the others say – who is it you say I am?  That's really the question for all of us, isn't it.  It doesn't matter who others say Jesus is.  If I were to do a man on the street interview right now, I'm sure I'd get all kinds of answers to who is Jesus?  A teacher, a healer, a crazy person, Son of God, the Savior.  But it doesn't matter what others say, what matters is what you believe and what YOU say about Jesus.  And that's what Jesus is asking his disciples.  What do you say about me?  What are you willing to confess about me?  This was really a rubber meets the road question for them, as it is for us.  What are you willing to confess about me, to others, publicly?   Jesus asked all of them but it was Peter who spoke up.  And he says, “You are the Messiah, Son of the Living God.”  The word Messiah means anointed one or God's anointed.  And the term “Messiah” was the Hebrew word for God's anointed, the term “Christ” was the Greek word for it.  Messiah and Christ mean the same thing, different languages.  I know this might come as a surprise to some of us but Christ is not Jesus' last name.  It is a title.  And Peter is giving Jesus this title, you are the Messiah, the anointed one.   What's the big deal with being anointed?  In ancient Israel, when someone was given a position of authority, oil was poured on his head to signify his being set apart for God's service. I Samuel 10:1 is an example, Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?  Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in this way. Anointing was a symbolic act to indicate God's choosing.  Although the literal meaning of anointed refers to the application of oil, it can also refer to being chosen or set apart by God, even if oil is not literally used.  So, Peter is saying you are the anointed one, chosen, set apart by God, the Messiah.   But there is more to this.  Throughout the OT, there are many, many verses that point to the Messiah delivering the Hebrew people from captivity, from pagan kings.  The Jews expected the Messiah to deliver them from Roman occupation via military might.  That was the expectation.  The Christ, the Messiah is the one who God sent to deliver his people, to make things right for them – the one they had been waiting for hundreds of years.  So when Peter says this, you are the Messiah, he probably doesn't quite understand how Jesus is going to deliver them.  No one really got it that the Messiah would be the one to deliver people, not from the Roman occupiers, but from their own sin.    Peter says that Jesus is Messiah but then he says that Jesus is the Son of the living God.  Just to clarify something, in the OT, there are a number of men, particularly prophets, who are called a son of God.  That was not an uncommon title for a Godly man.  But that is not what Peter is saying, Peter says that Jesus is THE son of the living God.    Let's clarify something here because I think we can get confused - Jesus is not God's Son in the sense of a human father and a son. God did not get married and have a son. God did not mate with Mary and, together with her, produce a son. Jesus is God's Son in the sense that He is GOD in human form – John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Keep in mind, the term “Word” is referring to Jesus.  Jesus was there in the beginning.  Jesus was there with God in the beginning.  Jesus was there with God and Jesus is God.  Brain cramping yet?  Let's read v. 14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  So, the “Word”, Jesus, became human and lived among us.  Of course, that is the Christmas story, Jesus became a human being, was born to a woman named Mary, who became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.  When the angel comes to Mary in Luke and explains the situation, he tells her that this holy one you will give birth to will be called the Son of God.   This clearly separates Jesus from the prophets. He is not a son of God but the Son of the living God.  Jesus walks with a very distinct, specific authority.  I mean, look at his miracles.  He heals people with a word or touch.  He rebukes a storm and it listens to him.  He could read people's minds.  He raises Lazurus from the dead.  He doesn't argue with demons.  Think about it – when Jesus encounters a demon, they tremble.  Colossians 1, The son is the image of the invisible God…  He walks in a distinct, divine authority.  Because he is the Son of the living God – the second person of the Godhead.    So, Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, and he is Lord.  I didn't count this myself, but I read that Jesus is referred to as Lord almost 300 times in the New Testament.  Lord was the most common title for Jesus in the early church.  Why is that significant?  When the Hebrew Bible, what we call the OT, was translated from Hebrew to Greek, the term Yahweh (which was the Hebrew word for God) was translated to Lord in the NT.  That means, to say that Jesus is Lord is to say that Jesus is God.  It is saying that Jesus is divine – he is God – and Caesar is NOT, a claim that was quite dangerous at the time.    To say that Jesus is Lord means that Jesus has claim over all things; he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is LORD over all things – over the cosmos, over the whole earth, over all nations and their leaders, he is Lord over Vladimir Putin, he is Lord over Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, he is Lord over all the celebrities in Hollywood, he is Lord over Florida and Brandon, he is Lord over each of us.    Now, here is where I'm going to get kind of personal.  At least I'm giving a warning.  What I've found working in ministry is that people like the idea of Jesus as Savior.  Yes, I've said yes to Jesus as my Savior so I'm going to heaven.  That feels good and it should.  But man, do people struggle with this concept that Jesus is Lord.  Because saying Jesus is Lord is one step further.  It's saying that he is Lord over everything and he is Lord over my family and me.  That means, I defer to him in every area of my life.  I trust him with everything.  That means, before I make a decision, I ask Jesus for his will.  It means I have given my job over to him, my children and grandchildren over to him; it means I have given the words I speak, my actions, my thoughts over to Jesus.  My finances belong to him.  That means that tithing isn't an issue because, well, it all belongs to Jesus anyway.  I have no claim on my life.  I belong to Jesus.    I struggled with this for years.  In a culture that tells us that its all about us, how hard WE work, the fruits of our labor, its OUR money, OUR children, OUR lives.  Maybe it sounds weird, but turning over my money to Lord Jesus wasn't that difficult.  I made a decision.  We are supposed to tithe so we are going to do it and I had been around people who tithed for a long time.  What was hard for me was giving my marriage to Jesus, giving my kids to Jesus.  I might have had a bit of a control issue.  And if you have a control issue – teenagers will humble you.  And it was in the midst of some real struggles that I just turned it all over to him.  They are your kids first, Lord.  They were never mine to begin with.  If I make it sounds easy, it isn't but it's life changing.  It's a shift in perspective that really brings a tremendous amount of peace.  Alright, that was pretty important, but so is the next portion of text.  Jesus is beginning to reveal to the disciples that he will die; he will be leaving them.  They aren't quite getting it.  And when they do get a hint of where he is going, Peter isn't happy.  And the Scripture says that Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him.  Here is where we miss something significant in English.  In the Greek, this word rebuke is much stronger.  Peter is really laying into Jesus here, saying “This is not the way it's going to be.  You are supposed to be the messiah who saves us from the Romans. This is not what we signed up for.”  And Jesus' response to him is interesting.  Jesus rebukes Peter right back, same word in the Greek, and says, “Get behind me, Satan!”  He tells him that he is setting his mind on human things, not on the things of God.  This is one of those moments in Scripture that highlights the vast distance between us and God. Though Jesus is God with us (he was God in human form), we cannot tame him or make him over into our image. We would like a savior who is a winner, and one who makes us winners, but Jesus insists on identifying with the lowliest of losers. He will allow himself to be judged and condemned as a blasphemer by Jewish religious leaders. He will allow himself to be mocked, tortured, and executed as a criminal by the Romans. And that's not all. Jesus actually expects his disciples to follow him on this path of suffering and death.  After telling them that they don't understand the mind of God, he says this very hard thing, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.  We tend to think of taking up our cross as dealing with really annoying circumstances.  In Jesus' day, no one thought of beating one's cross as a persistent annoyance or burden. So bearing our cross does not mean we need to have patience with difficult neighbors or coworkers.  Furthermore, Jesus is not talking about the suffering that is part of living in a broken world, things like serious illnesses, broken relationships, and even natural disasters. That isn't what he is talking about.  Nor is he telling us to seek out suffering or martyrdom. We don't have to become monks and live in the desert.  Jesus did not go seeking suffering, although he ended up having to endure it for his mission.  To a person in the first century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by crucifixion. And the Romans made the people who were about to be killed carry their own cross to the execution location.  It was humiliating and horribly painful and the condemned person had no choice but to submit. Bearing one's cross was and is a show of complete and utter submission. A call to bear one's cross as part of following Jesus, then, is a call to be as submitted to Christ as the condemned criminal was to his death.  When Jesus says this, he's claiming authority. Following Christ means disowning the self and giving allegiance to him instead. And it means giving him allegiance down to the very depths of our being.   Are you willing to surrender all to follow Jesus?  What needs to change in your life and thinking to be more consistent with the ways of Jesus Christ? Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Daily Dose of Hope June 23, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 16:1-12   Prayer:  Almighty Father, We come to you today on this Monday morning with a sense of expectancy for the week.  For some of us, we are tired.  For others, we are hoping for a better week.  Lord, work in and through us as we go about our day.  Give us glimpses of your glory.  Keep reminding us over and over again that we belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope.  We are now roughly halfway through the book of Matthew.  I don't know about you, but I love digging into the Gospels with such detail.  I have learned a lot.  I hope you have too.   Today, we begin Matthew 16.  We start with the Pharisees and Sadducees looking for a sign again.  It's never enough.  While again their question really isn't that bad, Jesus can see through their words and into their hearts.  Jesus could arrange a voice from heaven to yell down at them but it would not be enough either.  Their hearts are hard.  They are far from God.    Jesus uses their discerning of the weather as an example of how they are pretty good with signs.  And yet, Jesus has given them all kinds of signs to look at and they refuse to believe.  It's not the lack of signs, it's their lack of openness to what God is doing right in front of them.    The next portion of the text is oddly funny to me.  The disciples head off somewhere and Jesus tells them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  They get off on this tangential discussion about bread and how they didn't bring any with them.  Do you think Jesus knows we didn't bring bread?  Is that what he is talking about?  Jesus was sinless so I don't think he would roll his eyes, but if he did, this would be the place.  Are they dense or do they just not listen well?   Jesus tells them that he isn't worried about their lack of bread.  And why in the world would they be worried?  They have just witnessed two miracles of abundance, where Jesus takes a little bread and fish and feeds thousands upon thousands.  Do they still not understand that Jesus can provide for all their needs?  What part of those miracles were lost on them?   But then Jesus said, “No, I was talking about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, you dumdums.”  No, he didn't say dumdums because he was grace-filled, but I might have.  Then, the disciples begin to get it.  Jesus wants them to beware of the hypocrisy and false teaching of the Jewish leaders.     While the word Pharisee has almost become synonymous with religious hypocrisy for us, it wasn't so in Jesus' day.  We've talked about this group before.  These men were considered very devout and they firmly believed that they could please God (and receive eternal life) through these really rigid laws regarding purity, cleanliness, prayer, tithing, and fasting.  There was nothing wrong with wanting to follow God's law, but they took this to the extreme, becoming legalistic and making it incredibly difficult for the average person to actually measure up.    The Sadducees were a little different.  They were the wealthy religious aristocracy.  They controlled the Temple, so they were a powerful group.  They differed in a number of ways from the Pharisees, particularly in that they didn't believe in resurrection or angels.    And Jesus is saying to beware of both of these groups.  Avoid their “yeast.”  If you think about yeast – just a little bit in the dough can easily permeate the rest of the dough.  In this case, the little bit of yeast would contaminate the whole lot.  A little bit of hypocrisy can cause harm.  A lot of hypocrisy can ruin the bunch.  Beware.   Hypocrisy has been so very damaging in the church.  Just a little bit turns someone off to Jesus.  Just a little bit can do a lot of damage.  Beware.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope June 19, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 14   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, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are diving into Matthew 14.  We start with the murder of John the Baptist.  We read about this in Mark as well.  Herod was an evil guy.  We can see there is little value placed on human life in the Roman Empire. Herod is far more concerned about how he looks in front of his guests than how he looks in front of God.  Then, we have the feeding of the 5,000.  This miracle is in all four Gospels so we need to lean in and really pay attention here.  After Jesus heard about his cousin John being killed, he decided to get away.  You can't blame him; I'm sure he needed time to grieve and he just needed some solitude.  But the crowds followed him.  You would think he might get annoyed but he doesn't. Verse 14 says, When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Jesus really doesn't miss a beat.  No matter how physically tired he is, he keeps taking care of the people, giving them what he knows they need.  Some people today might suggest that Jesus had poor boundaries.  He could have said, “You guys, we really need a break.  I'm off today.”  But that isn't what he did.  He had compassion on the people.  He tolerated and even welcomed interruptions.  He would frequently be planning to do this one thing but pulled away in a different direction.  But it was in those interruptions, those distractions that Jesus did amazing work, that we get to see God at work in amazing, miraculous ways.  He heals the woman who had been bleeding for many years because she “interrupts” him on his way to the Roman official's home.  Think of the man whose friends created a hole in the roof to lower their friend in front of Jesus and “interrupt” his teaching.  He was interrupted by a demon-possessed man at the synagogue and he heals him.  I counted something like 35 “interruptions” and it was in those interruptions that Jesus healed, taught, loved, and demonstrated God's glory.  Back to the miracle. There were roughly 5000 men there, which doesn't include the women and children because at that time, women and children would not be in the official count.  So we are talking probably 10-15,000 people being present.  When the disciples wanted to send the people away, they were simply being practical, right?  They were on the outskirts of Bethsaida, and the closest village would have been a several hour walk.  It makes sense that they would immediately think to send them away.  And they were tired.  And they were probably a bit annoyed and wanted them to just go away.  But that isn't what Jesus decided to do.  Jesus tells the disciples “You give them something to eat.”  This is so interesting to me because Jesus is putting the responsibility on the disciples to solve the problem.  You do it.  In Mark, the disciples complain “but that would take half a year's wages to feed all these people.”  So Jesus talks them through it.  What do you have?  Well, we have five loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus takes the food multiplies it.  I often wonder if Jesus knew he was going to do this all along or it just kind of happened in the moment.  Exactly how it happened, we don't know.  What we know is that it happened.  Jesus took a little and turned it into a lot.  In that moment, we see God's Kingdom in all it's fullness.  In God's Kingdom, there is no sickness so Jesus healed.  In God's Kingdom, there is no hunger so Jesus fed.  Most of us are pretty well fed but that was not the norm in first century Palestine.  People did not get enough to eat.  Those 10-15K people that Jesus was caring for in Bethsaida, these were peasants.  They were hungry people.  The social structures of the day ensured that these people were always a little hungry, always a little desperate.  That way the Roman government could stay in control.  It was quite effective. But Jesus was demonstrating a different way of life, one in which “God” is on the throne, one in which all people are valued and cared for and fed.  I love that line in verse 20, “they all ate and were satisfied.”  That would have been very unusual for that group of people, to eat and be satisfied.  And there were 12 baskets left over, a basket for each disciple to carry.  I wonder if Jesus did that so that as they were carrying these baskets home, they would continually be reminded that God is so much bigger than they ever could imagine, that Jesus will find a way no matter how impossible the situation might seem.  Jesus can take five loaves of bread and two fish and feed 15,000 people.  He can defy the laws of nature.  I mean, he created the laws of nature.  I'm not sure how many of you are currently dealing with something that seems impossible, that seems like there is no solution – a health crisis, a broken relationship, a financial mess.  If you hear nothing else today, I want you to hear that NOTHING, no problem, is too big for our God.  God can and will make a way but we have to release it to him.  We have to allow him to take care of it the way he sees fit.  It might not be, it probably won't be, the way we would do it.  But there is always a way.  Finally, the chapter closes with Jesus walking on water and this fascinating interaction with Peter.  Jesus had been off praying, as he was apt to do, and he goes to find the disciples. They see him walking on water and at first, think he is a ghost. Peter, in his normal partly bold, partly impulsive way, asks Jesus if he can walk on the water too. Specifically, he says, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus says to come and Peter steps out on the water. Can you even imagine what must have been going through Peter's head at the time? For a while, Peter does fine. He is actually walking on water. But as soon as he takes his eyes off Jesus, he sinks. Think about that–the very minute he looks away, gets distracted, and begins to doubt–he starts to sink. Think about your own life. How often have you taken your eyes off Jesus and begun to sink? The author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12 to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we have confidence that we aren't alone, that God is present, and that there is a purpose to all of this. The very minute we begin to look away, the sinking begins. We become stalled. We falter. We forget who and whose we are.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 18, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 13:24-58   Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God, We come to you today rejoicing in your holy name.  It's amazing that you, the God of all, care about the minute details of our lives.  I mean, who are we?  But yet, you love us, you care, you died for us!  Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Help us, as we move on throughout this day to remember your presence.  Guide our words, our actions, and our thoughts.  Help us hear your voice as we engage with your Word today.  We love you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is Wednesday and that means Recharge Day!  Hope we see you tonight, in the New Hope Garage, at 6:30pm for worship, prayer, fellowship, and small community.   For our Scripture, we are finishing up Matthew 13.  This portion of Scripture includes many more parables.  Let's start with the wheat and the weeds.  Y'all, this parable is powerful.  It has really been important in my own spiritual journey.  Here is where I have landed on it...   In the parable, the owner sows good seed but the enemy comes in the dark of night and sows weeds. The workers are understandably upset and ask the owner if he caused this. This is actually a theodicy question–how can a good God allow bad things to happen.  Basically, God, we thought you were good, why did you allow the “weeds” to grow in our lives? As believers, it is okay to question God and ask why the horrible occurred. This theology of protest doesn't demonstrate a lack of faith, but actually is an “expression of faith.” It's okay to be angry with God, question God, shake your fist so to speak, but stay in the conversation! This is, in itself, an act of faith.   Jesus also addresses the source of the weeds–the enemy has spread them. God is not the source of evil–God does not cause evil to occur so that we might grow spiritually or to perpetuate some grander divine plan. Rather, God's enemy is the source of all evil. Matthew 13:39 refers to the devil as God's enemy. Satan is real and there is real evil in our world, which both inhabits and transcends individuals, families, communities, nations, cultures, and economic structures. Why doesn't the owner in the parable want the workers to pull the weeds? Because in doing so, both the weeds and the wheat would be pulled out (Matthew 13:29). God can't just do away with all evil because, whether we like it or not, we are all are a complex and confusing mix of both good and evil. Furthermore, this isn't how God deals with the world. Although God has the power to eliminate evil using brute force (the way humans might deal with it), this goes against God's character. God instead acts through the loving and yet “weak” power of the cross. God's answer to evil was sending Jesus Christ, the one who truly understands what it means to suffer and also the only one through which true and complete healing can occur.   But the parable doesn't end there. In Matthew 13:41-43, Jesus explains how in the end, evil will be vanquished; it will not have the final word. Although I firmly believe this is true, it fails to offer much comfort in the midst of counseling someone who is grappling with the death of a baby or a sexual assault in the here and now. What is helpful, however, is to point out how God's work in the world is often difficult to understand (think about the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast). We might not always see God's power at work, but it's there in the smallest and most unusual ways, changing and transforming us, guiding us, and leading us closer to Jesus (power in the form of “loving weakness”). God is waging war on evil, just not necessarily in ways we see or understand.   It makes sense, then, that Jesus would follow up this parable with the mustard seed and yeast.  You see, in God's Kingdom, small things can yield really big results. A tiny seed can produce a big tree, so big that birds can nest in it. Seeds are really interesting things as well. They can reproduce themselves exponentially. It takes one seed to make that big mustard tree and from that tree, many, many more seeds are produced. A little bit of yeasty dough can be mixed with flour to make enough bread to feed hundreds of people.    God's economy is different.  In the world, our default setting, big things are valued–big money, big jobs, big cars, big houses, big, flashy, noticeable---these are all things that indicate power, prestige, control. In God's Kingdom, it's okay for things to be small. Small, seemingly insignificant things can make a huge difference. Mustard seeds, yeast, loaves & fishes, a random act of kindness, a kind or encouraging word, spending time with God in prayer, offering a prayer over someone else, the widow's mite, a humble life lived with integrity, sharing our faith story with someone, or our willingness to serve others. Small things that all can yield huge results for God's Kingdom. Our daily prayers can yield huge, miraculous results.   These parables, along with the others from this chapter, all give glimpses into God's Kingdom.  What is it like living under the reign of God?  We are getting snapshots.    But that doesn't mean people get it or appreciate it.  As we read at the end of the chapter, when he went to his hometown (which we know is Nazareth), the people were amazed at his teaching.  But they were also skeptical.  He was too familiar to them.  They saw this boy grow up.  They knew his parents and his siblings.  It created an obstacle to belief.  So there, he didn't do many miracles.  He moved on.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 17, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 13:1-23   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 that complements the daily Bible reading for New Hope Church.  As you all know, we are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are starting Matthew 13.   Picture this: Jesus is sitting by the lake (Sea of Galilee). Large crowds of people have gathered around him, so many in fact that he got into a boat and started teaching from the boat while the people stood on the shore. And he begins to tell stories, parables. These were stories that people could relate to, they understood about farmers and seed,t hey could picture them in their head as he talked, but they pointed to deeper spiritual truths about living under the Kingdom of God.   Jesus says that a farmer goes out to sow seeds. But the farmer doesn't worry so much about where he is throwing the seeds. He seems to be pretty indiscriminate with his seed-throwing. He is literally just throwing seed everywhere. Some of the seed falls right on the path, where all the people walked and the soil was hard and had been packed down. So the birds ate most of that seed. Some of the seed fell in rocky places (there are lots of rocky places in that part of the world) and while it would sprout, the soil was shallow, and there wasn't enough root for the plant to survive. Some of the seed fell among thorns, and the thorns were invasive and took over. The plants had no real chance of survival there. But then some seeds fell on good soil, which produced an amazing crop---100, 60, or 30X what was sown.   First, I think it's important for us to not dwell on the different kinds of soils too much. I think one of our first temptations is to go, I know someone who is like that soil, and then that group of people are like this soil, and so forth. We'll get to the soil but I want us to start with what is most important. Who is the star of the story? Well, the farmer or the one who is sowing the seed. He throws that seed everywhere–he is generous with the seed, throwing it everywhere there is any chance it might take root. Friends, we are the sowers. We are the ones called to throw seed. What's the seed we are supposed to be throwing around? Well, the Good News of Jesus.    The Good News is for ALL. We aren't supposed to decide who to share our faith with. No, we are truly to share our faith, in word and deed, with everyone. This is so important. We aren't just supposed to share Jesus with those in our congregation, with our friends who are “safe.” We are supposed to be kind of reckless, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, sharing our faith story, telling people the source of our hope, with all kinds of people - people who don't look like us, people who we don't know, and people we do know. This is one thing we know about God's Kingdom: If God has brought us to a certain place, a certain store, a certain vacation spot, a certain meeting---we trust that there isa greater purpose. We always should be on the lookout for ways to have spiritual conversations, to share the Good News.   I want you to think about your past week. Think about the places you went, the people you spoke to, the things you did. I want you to think about each of those situations. What would it have looked like if you had sowed some seeds at each of those places?   We aren't responsible for what happens to the seeds. We are just called to sow. Sow with joy wherever we go. Sow with love. Sow obediently and abundantly. Then, we trust that God will do the rest. Trust God with the harvest. For me, this takes the pressure off...we are not responsible for the harvest, we are simply sowers.    As the sower, we truly have the desire for all the soil to bear fruit. That's why we keep throwing those seeds, having those conversations, offering to pray for someone, telling people how much Jesus loves them. God loves all people, we are called to love all people. Remember that love of God and love of others cannot be separated. They are intricately linked.   But we have to recognize that some soil has had people trample on it. It has not been nourished, it might be filled with rocks. It may take years to get to the point in which the soil can bear fruit. I read that to get soil just right, really nourished, it can take years. And it usually means continuing to add nourishment to it, continuing to add things to it to develop it and enrich it so that it can be fruitful. People are no different. We love on people, we pray for them, we tell them Jesus loves them. We listen to their stories. We ask questions. And this could go on for years. But we never give up on anyone. We trust that God is at work in ways we can't see or understand. We trust that God is working behind the scenes to nourish the fields, to strengthen the roots.   Is there someone you have given up on? Remember, God isn't done with any of us yet. Who is it you have gotten discouraged with? Maybe you've stopped praying for them. Maybe you are simply angry with them because they have made bad choices or turned away from the faith. Let's ask God to bring that person to mind. Say a prayer for that person, specifically that God gives you the wisdom how to continue sowing in their life.    We can trust that God is working in the most difficult places, in difficult people, in difficult circumstances. And God gives us beautiful glimpses of hope.  I recently learned about the church in Iran and how it is growing under the harshest and most difficult of conditions.  But God is there, growing his church.  These are rays of hope in the midst of hardship. When God is involved, when the Kingdom is at work, there is ALWAYS HOPE.   Now, let's talk soil.  The soil is an important element in this story. There were three ways the poor soil was described, “hardened”, “shallow” and “cluttered.” And then, there was the well-nourished soil. As Floridians, we live in a climate and environment in which you really have to amend the soil if you want anything to grow. We basically live in sand. There is no nourishment in sand. Weeds seem to grow well but not a lot of other desirable plants. My mother-in-law is an avid and successful gardener and she constantly is amending her soil, putting nourishing elements in it to ensure that the plants will grow and be healthy.   Friends, we have to pay attention to our soil. We need to enrich the soil in others' lives but we have to ensure that our soil is cared for as well.   How is the soil of your soul? Is it hardened? Is it shallow? Is it cluttered? Or is it nourished? How is your soil?  How is our soil here at New Hope?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 16, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 12:38-50   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 Monday, to start our week with the right 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, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and the book of Acts.  Happy Monday!   Our Scripture reading for today is the last half of Matthew 12.  We start with the discussion about the sign of Jonah.  The Pharisees have asked Jesus for a sign to demonstrate that he is the Messiah.  Apparently, all the miracles he has done thus far aren't enough for these guys.  Remember, the Pharisees were even attributing some of his miracles to Satan.  Understandably, this request doesn't go over too well with Jesus.    On the surface, there isn't anything wrong with their request.  There are times in the Old Testament in which people asked God for a sign.  But Jesus can see right through their request.  Nothing he does will make these guys believe in him.  In fact, they are looking for more ammunition to use against Jesus.  There is nothing sincere about the request.  Matthew Henry writes in his commentary, "Christ is always ready to hear and answer holy desires and prayers, yet he will not gratify corrupt lusts and humors."   Jesus does promise the sign of Jonah.  The Jews believed that the Ninevites repented when Jonah preached because they knew it was the God of all who spoke through him.  And they knew this because God kept him from dying in the belly of the big fish.  In the same way, Jesus' resurrection will signify God's vindication of him and affirm the truth of what he says and his divinity.  But Jesus knows that even the resurrection won't be enough to make most of these Jewish leaders believe.  Their hearts are hard.    Now, let's take a look at the text about Jesus' mother and brothers.  I'll be honest, growing up I used to really struggle with this passage. It seemed so harsh! But deeper reflection yields a different perspective.   Can you imagine what it must have been like for Jesus' immediate family? We know that Mary knew that Jesus was special but did she really understand the significance of his life at this point? What must his siblings have thought?   We see in this text that his mother and brothers are wanting to talk to him, interrupting a teaching session. Are they chatting about Sunday dinner or do they want him to stop making such a ruckus around town? Again, we don't have details but it's clear they don't really know him as the Son of God (yet).   Jesus' reaction is a bit off-putting. As a mom, I might have gotten my feelings hurt more than a little bit. But he is making a point. Jesus' family has become much wider than Mary, Joseph, and the boys. There are no bounds to who may be part of it. Anyone who does the will of my Father is my brother and sister and mother.  Jesus is redefining family for those who profess faith in him.  Yes, biological family relationships are important but spiritual family relationships (and this might be hard to hear) are even more important.    Given the strong emphasis on family ties in first century Palestine, Jesus' words here would have been shocking.  But what he is saying is that believers should consider themselves family and care for one another like they are family members.  In the words of Sister Sledge, we are family.   The apostle Paul in his New Testament letters expanded on this idea of believers being a family of faith:  In Galatians 6:10, Paul speaks of our need to care for those in the household of God, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Family was a big deal at the time.  People lived with extended family.  Who you were related to mattered.  You were under social and moral obligation to care for your extended family.  And Paul is saying who you are related to in Christ is also a big deal.  Those people in your church family, those other believers that worship with you, those other people who profess faith in Jesus --- these are your brothers and sisters as well.  These people are family. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul writes, Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household…  We are members of God's household.  We are members of God's family.  If you have said yes to Jesus as Lord and Savior, then God is your father.  You are a child of God.  And you have many siblings.  We are brothers and sisters.  We are family.  We are no longer strangers.  Think about those people at church, at New Hope.  Some you know and some you don't know.  Some you like and others you might not like.  But we are family and we will spend eternity together. And the early church clearly behaved in the way biological families behaved.  They ate together, they spent time together, they sacrificed and worked together.  Acts 2:44-47, All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.   They behaved like a family.  They loved each other like a family.  They sacrificed together like a family.  There was nothing fakey about this.  Notice it doesn't say they came together on Sunday morning, shook hands, and then went their own way.  No, they did life together.  It was real.  It was genuine.  And guess what?  God added to their numbers. Because people see that and they want that. It's no different today.  We have an epidemic of loneliness.  People are disconnected.  People are struggling.  Even those who aren't struggling are always looking for sincere, genuine places of love and acceptance.  The family of faith is intended to be a place in which you are loved, accepted, cared for, held accountable, belong, where you know people have your back, where you can learn and grow…. It's far from perfect because it involves human beings.  Over the years, the church has too often been exclusive, cliquey, fake, and judgmental.  Sometimes, we have been more dysfunctional family than healthy family.  We have done harm.  I think we need to repent of that.  If we at New Hope have ever been part of putting walls up, then we need to repent of that.  If I have ever been part of mistreating my brother or sister, if you have been part of excluding or hurting your brother and sister, then you need to repent of that.  Period. We are a family.  And families are funny.  Families are not polished and pulled together.  Families love each other, they are loyal to one another, but they sometimes get annoyed with one another.  They sometimes hurt one another (I am thinking of my own three kids – they love each other fiercely and yet, they can really push each other's buttons).  It's no difference with our siblings in Christ.  Family is a place where we do a lot of forgiving, a lot of extending grace, but it's also a place where we know that we belong no matter what.  Strong families are places where when you come together, you can just take a deep breath and say, “I'm home.”  It isn't the building but it's the people.  This is the thing.  When a church family loves like Jesus, people get a glimpse of Jesus.  When we care for one another sacrificially, people see Jesus.  When the family of faith sacrifices for one another, then people get to see Jesus in action.  Lives are transformed.  Hearts are changed.  Our faith grows stronger.  Jesus Christ is glorified. And the Lord added to their numbers those who were being saved.  Think about the relationships you have made within the faith family. Are they strong? Why or why not? What holds you back from creating strong, meaningful connections to your brothers and sisters in Christ?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 13, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 12:1-37   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, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Friday!   Today, we start Matthew 12.  The text begins with Jesus' disciples walking through fields of grain on the Sabbath and picking them to eat because they were hungry.  This infuriates the Pharisees who have made the Sabbath incredibly complicated for the people.  In fact, they had instituted a complex system of Sabbath laws of their own that was oppressive and legalistic. There were strict laws regarding how to observe the Sabbath, which included 39 categories of forbidden activities. In essence, these religious leaders had made themselves lords of the Sabbath, thus making themselves lords over the people.    As he often did, Jesus was pushing back against this.  He speaks about how David and his men ate consecrated bread from the Temple when they were hungry, even though it was off-limits.  There are times when rules make sense and there are times when they don't.  People are always more important than rules.  The original intent of the Sabbath was to give humans rest, not to create a more confusing and restrictive guidelines.  The Pharisees had lost sight of this.    Jesus declares that he is Lord of the Sabbath.  This really gets the Pharisees upset.  By saying this, he is declaring that he has authority over the Sabbath.  Jesus can overrule the Pharisees' rules and regulations because he is the one who created the Sabbath in the first place.  He has the power to correctly interpret the meaning of the Sabbath and the rules pertaining to it.    Keep in mind, that by saying this, Jesus is making a bold statement about who he is.  The Pharisees are looking for something that will allow them to arrest Jesus.  Of course, Jesus is God and he knows this, but it doesn't stop him at all.  He is making a point so he then heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath.  It's after this that they begin to plot how to kill him.   How often do we get distracted with our own rules and traditions?  And do those rules and traditions get in the way of doing the work of Jesus?  Do they become obstacles to people knowing Jesus more or receiving healing?  While I think we are pretty good about keeping this in check at New Hope, I think it's something we need to be very much aware of.  We have to be careful what is most important to us – our traditions or people?    Jesus knows that they are plotting his death so he goes away in an attempt to retreat.  But that is nearly impossible for Jesus now.  People continue to come to him for healing and Jesus is not about to turn them away.  Every interruption is important to Jesus.   The Pharisees accuse Jesus of healing by the power of Beezelbub, who was the prince of demons.  Jesus points out the absurdity of this.  Why would he cast out demons with the power of the prince of demons?  It just doesn't make sense.    Jesus then makes an incredibly bold statement regarding the Pharisees.  He says that whoever is not with him is against him.  Whoever is not helping expand the Kingdom of God is by definition working against it.  The Pharisees, who think they are defending God, are actually working with Satan, inhibiting the work of God through Jesus.  They are putting themselves up against the Holy Spirit.    It makes sense to judge the quality of a tree by the fruit it produces.  The Pharisees are demonstrating that their spiritual fruit is rotten by accusing Jesus.  They are showing the true nature of the hearts.    What kind of fruit are you producing?  If someone were to look at your life right now, an objective observer, how would they rate your fruit?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope June 12, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 11:20-30   Prayer: Holy God,  We are weary.  We are tired.  We need you.  You are great and mighty.  You are merciful and loving.  How we need that right now!  Lord, speak to us today.  We need to hear your voice.  We pray that your voice will be louder and clearer than all the other voices that crowd our thoughts.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, please speak to us...  God, we give you all the glory.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish up Matthew 11.   There is so much substance in this chapter. I feel like there is no way for me to even brush the surface. Let's start with the woe on unrepentant towns.  Jesus is denouncing certain areas in the northern region of Galilee, including Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, because even though they saw many of his miracles and heard his teaching, they didn't repent.  Jesus is saying if he had done the same miracles in Gentile cities like Tyre and Sidon, they would have already repented and believed.  Jesus is speaking harsh words here.  The cities that should have responded well and come to believe have largely rejected him.  Jesus has not met their expectation of the Messiah, but that does not absolve them of guilt.  They will very much be held accountable, as will all of us.   And then, there is this discussion that the Father is revealed in the Son.  Those who think they are really smart and learned might reject Jesus but we must have faith like little, vulnerable children.  Humility is an asset in God's Kingdom.    Where I really want to focus today is on the last few verses.  Jesus says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Is he simply talking about people who are physically weary? That's certainly part of it. Think about the culture at the time of Jesus. Most people were poor and they worked really, really hard. This whole idea of rest would have been very appealing to them. But it goes much deeper. We know from scripture that the Pharisees were kind of obsessed with following the law and the manmade traditions they had created. In fact, they had created hundreds of additional rules that they felt were necessary to follow the law well. God's law, Torah, was certainly fine and it was a good thing to keep Torah. But this group took it to the extreme, creating an additional burden on people to follow. Matthew 23:4 said, “They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.” This created constant striving, but always failing, never being able to be good enough. Their souls were being worn down and worn down and worn down. And Jesus said, “NO–come to me all of you who are experiencing this soul weariness, all of you who are tired and need rest–physical rest, emotional rest, and spiritual rest.”   We live in a culture where being stressed out is the norm (we almost wear it like a badge of honor). People are tired and weary. The truth is that life can wear you down. Once we overcome one challenge, there seems to be another right around the corner. I know that many of you are dealing with really serious difficulty like health problems, broken relationships, and significant financial issues.   But the weariness of life is not just about the big burdens, is it? Sometimes, it is the everyday busyness of life that wears us down, the feeling of running on the hamster wheel, the getting up and dealing with the same stress day end and day out. The end result of all this weariness isa kind of restlessness. And yet, this isn't the kind of restlessness that just goes away by watching TV or going on vacation. Could it be that our need for rest is different than we think it is? Is rest simply the freedom from work OR is it something very different? True rest is impossible apart from Jesus Christ. We can never be at rest in our soul apart from Jesus. This restlessness of our soul is truly what ails so many of us. No amount of money, no amount of power or prestige can keep you from this restlessness. No one can escape it.   So what in the world can we do? Well, Jesus gives us the answer. He says to take his yoke upon us. A yoke was essentially a wooden frame that was used to harness together a pair of oxen at their necks so that they could pull a plough or some other kind of load. It was kind of a balancing device. Often a younger ox that needed to be taught to work would be paired with an older, more experienced ox.   This is a wonderful picture of our relationship with Jesus (or maybe I should say what our relationship with Jesus ideally looks like). The people that Jesus was speaking to would have known this–their yoke was hard. The Pharisees put this really difficult, ill-fitting yoke around their necks. But being yoked together with Jesus is so much better. The fit is better, it doesn't hurt so badly. When we allow him to walk alongside us, sharing our burden and yoke, the load does not disappear but is made lighter.   Being yoked together with Jesus does not mean we won't have to work, we will. We will still have problems, we will still have difficulty. But his yoke is not harsh or oppressive. Jesus' company is gentle. Just picture being yoked together with him as you plow a field. I know it might be a ridiculous thought for some of us non-farming people, but it is also a comforting thought. He wants us to attach ourselves to him. Not just hang around him every now and then. Not just go and have dinner with him once a week and then do it our way the rest of the week. No, he wants us to become permanently yoked with him, day in and day out. In doing so, our load will be lighter because he will share it with us. His peace and his comfort will walk alongside us and enable us to keep going.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 10, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 10   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you today with humility and awe.  You are the Alpha and the Omega.  You created all things, are above all things, and yet you care for each of us.  You know us and love us.  Thank you, Jesus.  I pray that as we get ready for our devotional today that you help us set aside our distractions.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and you alone...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are reading and discussing Matthew 10.   Here we are–back to the sheep! Jesus sends out the disciples to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near. But the danger is real. Jesus warns them that they would be sheep among wolves. Remember, sheep are vulnerable. While Jesus is saying they are like sheep, he is also telling them to be shrewd and cunning, like a snake. Yes, sheep are vulnerable but they don't need to be stupid. When faced with difficult circumstances, Jesus-followers need to use their brains and really think about what they say and do.   Yet, while shrewdness is important, so is innocence. Be as innocent as a dove, Jesus says. This means to stay faithful and gentle as well. Remember who you are, who you represent, and that you can be faithful to Jesus and grace-filled AND also not be a doormat.   Jesus is clear. There will be consequences to following him. The world around us won't be happy about it. Thankfully, we aren't flogged or jailed for our belief in the United States. But let's remember that Christians in other countries certainly experience this on a regular basis. I know that the Holy Spirit guides their words and gives them strength that we can't even imagine.   That being said, we will experience difficulty if we are open and bold in our faith. When we speak out for our faith, we often will see opposition. In those cases, allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. Trust God. Set aside your own fears and anger and allow the God of the universe to allow his words to flow through you.   Some of the language toward the end of the chapter is really difficult.  Jesus says he didn't come to earth to bring peace but a sword.  Wait, I thought he was the Prince of Peace?  And he goes on to say that whoever loves his parents, siblings, or friends more than him doesn't know him at all.  As believers, we are to pick up our cross and follow him, totally and completely.  What are we to make of all of this?   Jesus certainly is the only source of peace between God and human beings.  And in most places in the Gospels, Jesus promotes peace between people.  But it's inevitable that conflict will arise between those who believe in him and those who don't, even within biological families.  Sometimes, people will be forced to choose Jesus over a loved one.  Maybe you know someone who's had to do this.  The bottom line is that we should seek to be at peace with all people but we can't forget that Jesus warned we will be hated for his sake.   The only other thing I wanted to mention about our Scripture for today is how Jesus lifts up our value.  Did you catch what he said about the sparrows?  God cares about every single little bird.  How much more does he care about you?  The hairs on our head are numbered.  God knows us intimately.  God knows everything about you.  You are valued.  So we don't need to be afraid.  Jesus has our back.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 6, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 9:1-17   Prayer: Abba Father, Prepare our hearts for your Word today.  Help us approach this Scripture with an openness to learning something new from you.  Jesus, thank you for your perfect example of mercy and love.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start Matthew 9.   We start with Jesus heading back across the lake into Capernaum, as the scripture refers to his own town.  It seems in no time at all, a paralyzed man is placed before him.  While Matthew does not give the details about the man's friends digging a hole in the roof and lowering him down, this is most likely the same story we find in Mark 2.  Notice how he sees the faith of the friends and heals the man.    But what does Jesus say to the man?  Jesus tells the man that his sins are forgiven.  This stirs things up.  Of course, the teachers of the law speak among themselves, thinking this is blasphemy.  But it's Jesus and he is God so he knows exactly what they are thinking and he calls them out.  What the teachers of the law cannot see is that Jesus is authorized to speak and act on God's behalf. He is God's anointed, the Messiah. As a demonstration of his authority to forgive sins, Jesus tells the paralyzed man to stand up, take his mat and return home, which the man promptly does. Jesus boldly demonstrates his power to bring both spiritual and physical healing, and the crowds respond by being amazed and glorifying God.   We go right from this healing to the calling of Matthew.  I love how Matthew writes about his own conversion.  He doesn't give a lot of details.  It is most likely that he has seen and heard Jesus before.  After all, tax collectors were usually set up in visible places in town.   By the way, the phrase “sitting at the tax collector's booth” is filled with meaning.  At the time, tax collectors were hated.  The Roman Empire took bids for the right to collect taxes.  These tax agents paid a set amount to Rome, and could keep all the rest that they collected.  Thus, tax collectors were quite wealthy.  But they enriched themselves by preying on the poor, stifling trade, and operating kind of like a local mafia.  They were also despised for how they collaborated with the oppressive Romans.   One thing that is interesting about this whole situation to me is that Matthew did not choose Jesus, but rather Jesus chose Matthew.  In the Greek, the word “follow” is in the imperative.  It was a command.  Jesus isn't giving Matthew a choice.  And Matthew got up and followed him.    What would you have done?  Jesus' call is always action-oriented.  When we follow Jesus, it is a call to do something for his Kingdom.  It is also a call to leave the past behind.  How many of us try to follow Jesus without fully leaving our past commitments and issues behind?   Later on, at Matthew's house, Jesus is dining with some of the less desirable folks in town.  Scripture says he ate with tax collectors and sinners and those two groups were seen as pretty synonymous.  This very much perturbs the religious people.  How dare he cavort with such scum?  But Jesus says that it is the sick people who need a physician, not the well.  He came to call sinners.    My guess is that part of the Pharisees' frustration is that Jesus seems to be simply be eating and drinking with the sinners, not providing treatment.  But Jesus was all about relationship.  I think we can learn a lot here.  There were times in which Jesus preached and called for people to repent.  There were times when Jesus performed miracles to demonstrate his power and authority.  But much of the time, Jesus simply sat at the table with people and built relationships.  It is through relationship that life change is most likely to happen.    Think about your own life.  How have your grown the most in your spiritual walk?  Was it through a sermon?  Probably not.  Was it through a Bible study?  Again, maybe not.  Was it through relationship with other Godly people who taught you, poured into you, and showed you the life of Christ?  Most likely.    To effectively point people to Jesus, we have to first get to know them.  Especially for those who have been hurt by the church or just by life, we have to earn the right to speak into their lives.  Jesus did just that.  And he was genuine and loving at the same time.  My guess is there was no condemnation at that dinner table with Matthew and his friends.  They were talking and getting to know one another.  Maybe Jesus did a little teaching at times, but it was probably subtle.  He was giving them the opportunity to get to know him, as he listened to them.    Who sits around your table?  When is the last time you invited some people “on the fringe” to dine with you?  How about unbelievers?  How are you intentionally building relationships with those who don't yet know Jesus?    Our text for today ends with a discussion on fasting.  John's disciples ask why Jesus' disciples don't fast like them.  We don't know if this is a dig but it kind of feels like one.  Jesus responds with an analogy to a wedding feast.  Fasting might be appropriate on some occasions, but certainly not at a wedding feast when the groom is right there. Right now, Jesus is with them.  Thus, this isn't the right time for fasting.  It is time for feasting and enjoying his presence. The point is that Jesus is with his disciples just as the wedding guests are with the groom. It is a time for celebration—not deprivation. It is a time to enjoy the relationship and absorb his teaching and example while they can. When the bridegroom is taken from them, there will be a time for fasting.  As we know, that's going to happen pretty soon. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope June 5, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 8:18-34   Prayer:  Dear God, We come to you today with sorrow.  We know that we are sinful and broken.  We know that we have fallen short.  Lord, how we need you.  Help us to grow closer to you.  Help us seek holiness.  Help us love others the way you love them.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, please help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish up Matthew, chapter 8.  As always, I would love to hear from some of you.  What are you learning?  What has surprised you?  What has distressed you?  What have been your a-ha moments?    Matthew offers us a glimpse into the variety of miracles that Jesus performed, including physical healings, spiritual healings, and even miracles of nature (calming the storm.) In between those miracles, we find this brief interaction between Jesus and someone described as a teacher of the law and a would-be disciple. I would guess that by this time in Jesus' ministry, there were all kinds of people hanging around him. There were those who were bedazzled by his teaching and miracles, there were those who were curious and seeking, and there were those who truly believed.   In a world before technology, I'm sure that Jesus was often the main show in town! All kinds of people crowded around him for many different reasons. Of course, Jesus knew this; he knew their levels of attachment to him varied. Thus, when a teacher of the law approaches him and says he will follow Jesus wherever he goes, Jesus gives a warning of sorts. Jesus has no ties to the things of this world. He does not even have a regular home, no place to lay his head at night. Those who follow him must be willing to give up ties to worldly things as well. Jesus must have known this man wasn't ready to do so. Then, another would-be disciple implies that he wants to follow Jesus but he must first go bury his father. We don't know if this means the man needed to literally bury his dead father, take care of a father who was old, or even simply take care of family affairs. But Jesus' reaction is clear–discipleship is not something that Jesus wants someone to put off. The demands of the Kingdom are now, they are immediate.   Jesus heads to the other side of the lake.  Remember, this means he was going from Jewish territory to Gentile territory.  Jesus had a way of crossing all kinds of boundaries.  It's on their way across the lake (otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee) that a big storm comes up suddenly.  You may recall from Mark that this body of water was known for sudden storms.  And the boat that Jesus and his disciples were in was taking on water fast.    Where was Jesus?  Well, he was in the boat but asleep.  So the disciples cry out to him, Lord, save us!  When Jesus wakes up, he scolds them for their lack of faith. It's like he is saying, “Guys, we are you such cowards? You have seen my power and authority. You have seen what I can do. And yet, you are still afraid?” I can't help but think he asks that of us as well. You have seen what I can do. I've shown up over and over again. And yet, you still have no faith? I mean, I'm right here in the boat with you. I'm not somewhere far off. I'm here, in the boat.   And then just like that, Jesus calms the storm.  The wind and rain stop totally.  The disciples are amazed and ask “Who is this guy?  Even the winds and rain obey him.”  So, who is this man?  Who is this man to you?   To me, Jesus is God.  Period.   I don't want to close today without at least briefly talking about the healing of the two demon-possessed men.  Jesus has gone across the lake for a purpose.  There are people there who need healing.  They are violent men who live in the tombs (a pretty horrible place to live.)  And Jesus knows immediately that there are demons that need to come out of them.  The demons themselves speak to Jesus and ask him to cast them into a herd of pigs.  Jesus does so, and the pigs promptly drive themselves over a bank and into the lake to die.   You may notice that this miracle is different in Matthew than it is in Mark.  In Mark (and Luke as well), there was one demon-possessed man who identified himself as Legion.  In this chapter, we have two men.  Does the difference matter?  I would say no.  Each author is choosing to emphasize different things.  Matthew is demonstrating Jesus' authority over a larger demonic presence.  Think about it – there may have been a number of people living in the tombs and all of them were inflicted with the demonic.  Mark, on the other hand, is focusing on individual life transformation and the personal invitation for the man to follow Jesus.  The single man could have represented more people or been simply a single man.  We don't know.    What's interesting to me in this passage is that the people aren't moved by the healing, after all these men were healed of terrible existences.  Nor do they ask Jesus questions, such as by what power he is healing.  No, they immediately ask Jesus to leave.  They are fearful of him.  Think about it, why do you think they feared Jesus?   One last comment: true healing always starts with Jesus. In fact, there is no true healing without Jesus. And healing ourselves, our churches, and our land, begins with healing the wounds of our own heart. Before we can heal the many demons that our nation is facing, we must address the evil within ourselves. Friends, have you faced the evil within yourself? We have to admit where we have fallen short. And don't think just the other side needs healing.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope June 4, 2025 Day 3 of Week 9   Scripture – Matthew 8:1-17   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you, that no matter what this week has held, we can come to you and start over.  We are grateful for your forgiveness.  We are so very grateful for your care and your love.  Help us, Lord, to set aside our distractions, to set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is Wednesday, which means it is Recharge Day.  Come join us at 6:30pm in the Garage for worship, prayer, fellowship, and small community.  It's one of my favorite times of the week!  If you haven't been, you are missing out.   Let's move on to today's Scripture.  Today, we read about a lot of healing.  Remember, Jesus is embodying what it means to live in the Kingdom of God.  In God's Kingdom, there is no sickness so Jesus heals.    We start our reading with this beautiful story of Jesus healing the man with leprosy.  One of the striking aspects of this healing is that Jesus reaches out and touches the man.  No one was allowed to touch someone with leprosy.  They were basically pariahs.  Jesus didn't have to touch the man to heal him; he had healed others without touch.  But Jesus chooses to touch him because Jesus' healings were not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.    The healing was obviously life-changing in many ways.  Even though Jesus asked him not to share, my guess is that he was overcome with how the power of God had worked in his life. Thus, he shared his story with all who would listen. "I was sick and my life was a mess. Then I met Jesus and he healed me. You need to meet him too!" How could he keep it to himself?   Next, we have the passage about the faith of the centurion.  This is such a great text!  One of the most interesting components of this story is that the centurion came up to Jesus at all.  There is no indication that he was Jewish or that his servant was Jewish.  Up until this point in Matthew, Jesus had only healed those of the Jewish faith.  It's also interesting that this Roman centurion cared so deeply for his servant.  After all, the Roman soldiers were not known for their compassion.  But this man traveled a long way to meet Jesus, humbly approach him, and ask for help.    When most of us approach this passage, our biggest takeaway is the faith of this man.  And it's impressive.  He tells Jesus that he understands authority and chain of command because of his military experience.  He knows that Jesus has authority enough to heal from afar.  That is pretty incredible.  The Jews don't understand Jesus' authority but this Roman soldier does.   But there is also the fact that this man does not feel worthy to have Jesus walk into his home.  He is a soldier and has probably done plenty of things he isn't proud of.  He sees Jesus' holiness and knows that he simply doesn't measure up.  His family doesn't measure up.  His sick servant doesn't measure up.  His self-awareness and humility are probably the most incredible part of the passage for me.    How many of us would feel worthy having Jesus in our home?  What would our hesitations be?    Jesus, of course, is amazed by his faith.  Jesus has all these Jewish disciples, Pharisees, and others around him.  It's the faith of the Roman centurion that he lifts up.  I wonder if the others feel a bit slighted.    Faith in Jesus can often come from unexpected places.  I remember when I worked more closely with homeless individuals that some of them had amazing, genuine, real faith.  When have you seen faith in Jesus come from unexpected places?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope June 2, 2025 Day 1 of Week 9   Scripture – Matthew 7:1-14   Prayer:  Abba Father, We come to you today with gratitude.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Thank you for never leaving our side.  Help us to follow you more closely, Lord.  We need your truth.  We need your guidance and direction.  With every fiber of our being, we need you.  As we read your Word today and reflect on it, Lord, speak to us.  Help us grow closer to you.  Let us know where we are falling short so that we can be the people you have called us to be.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Monday!  Yesterday, we had a big baptism celebration at New Hope and it was such an amazing event.  We had roughly 30 people get baptized or remember their baptisms between the English and Spanish-speaking congregations.  What a day of joy, as we celebrate new life in Christ!   Today and tomorrow we are finishing up the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus has been teaching us that while outward actions matter, what really matters to God is our heart.  We are to behave and think fundamentally different from the world around us.  Up until this point, we have learned about the different groups that God honors, such as the poor in spirit, the merciful, and those who are persecuted for belief in Jesus.  We've learned about what it means to be salt and light in our world, pointing others to Jesus.  We have also talked a lot about how Jesus took concepts like divorce, adultery, giving to the needy, fasting, and prayer, and turned them on their heads.  Jesus is raising the bar for his people.    Today, the teaching is just as difficult and yet, critically important.  The first portion of the chapter deals with judging others.  Judgement is something that has gotten Christians in a lot of trouble with the world around us.  In fact, being judged by Christians is one of the main reasons people say they have avoided the church or left the church.  This should be heart-breaking to all of us.  Something has gone terribly wrong.    Jesus is saying you will be judged by the same measure you use to judge others. Think about this. How do you want to be judged? I can tell you that I want to be judged with mercy and compassion. Jesus talks about not trying to take the speck out of a friend's eye without taking the plank out of our own.  Why do we obsess over others' specks, over their short-comings? Well, because it's easier, it's more fun, but most of all we feel so much better about ourselves when we point out someone else's stuff. It distracts me from dealing with my own stuff.  I wonder if sometimes we don't even notice the plank hanging from our own eye. Maybe we just aren't very self-aware or we don't want to be self-aware. We are happy being ignorant about our own issues.    Jesus brings up hypocrisy again.  It's worth a review.  A hypocrite is someone who is more concerned with what's wrong with someone else than what's wrong with themselves. Urban dictionary has three definitions:1) A person who engages in the same behaviors he condemns others for. (2) A person who professes certain ideals, but fails to live up to them. (3) A person who holds other people to higher standards than he holds himself.  Sounds about right.  And as Christians, we have often been accused of hypocrisy.  Some of it has been fairly earned.   Jesus is saying, before you start pointing out other people's issues, examine yourself. Stop to see where you have traces of sin in your own life.  We all have it. Sometimes when we notice sin in the lives of other people, it's time to do a self-examination.  We need to examine our own behavior, speech, and thoughts.  We have to look deep in our own hearts and see what we need to fix. Just FYI – we all have something to fix.   So do we just stop there?  No.  Following Jesus means we never stop with what's in it for us. Sure, we've looked at someone else and seen their mess and it's been a big signpost to what's wrong in our lives. But that is not where it ends. Jesus says, “First get rid of the log in your own eye; THEN you will see well enough to deal with speck in your friend's eye.” This is where it gets really hard.   One of the main points of Jesus' ministry was teaching his followers to love each other. Love your neighbor. Love one other. John 13:34-35, So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.  This teaching on judgement is not just about letting people do whatever they want, about never confronting people. Judge not is not just about letting people live and think and speak in whatever way they want to because, well, Jesus said “Don't judge others.” It is so much more than that. It's not just about dealing with our own stuff either, although we do need to do that. When we see others' issues, it should be an impetus for us to look at ourselves and say, “Do I have that issue? Am I addressing it? What issues do I have that I need to address? What do I need to do to become more like the person Jesus wants me to me?” This is called being self-aware, knowing where your weaknesses are, and trying to deal with them.   But Jesus' lesson on not judging is more than that. We deal with the log in your own eye and then we may need to approach someone else about the speck in their eye.  Part of loving others well is holding other believers accountable.  We need each other.  Judge not does not mean care not.  It doesn't mean act not.  It doesn't mean don't get involved.  We need to keep our motives in check and be humble, but there will be times in Christian community where we truly need to get involved and let others know that while we care about them, they are off the mark.   Moving on in the passage, Jesus then teaches about praying expectantly.  This is the ask, seek, knock passage and many of you have probably heard this a lot.  It's powerful.  But does this mean that if we ask, God will give us whatever we want.  Not exactly.  But it does mean to pray expectantly; pray expecting that God will us an answer.   This can be a difficult scripture to teach. Some of you might be thinking, “Well, I prayed for my mother, or my son, or my husband to be healed and I prayed both persistently and expectantly, and it didn't work. They still died.” How do we make sense of this? I believe that part of it is understanding the context. Just as Jesus often used parables in his teaching he also used hyperbole in his speech, which is an overstatement or an exaggeration.  This was a really common way of explaining things at that time, in that culture, and it would have just made a lot of sense to first-century people. We, on the other hand, are products of twenty-first century modern life. In our culture, we tend to read everything very literally. And this isn't a bad thing–we just need to consider that Jesus was trying to make a point.   The reality is that this world would be even more chaotic if Jesus' words on prayer were actually meant to be taken literally. For instance, if we could just pray to have money and it appeared, well, then why work a job? If we could just pray to have an A on that Calculus test without studying for it, then everyone would have A's and grades wouldn't really have much meaning. That doesn't mean we don't pray, and it doesn't mean we don't pray boldly, because God intends for us to do so.  He says to pray without ceasing.  But it means we know that prayer isn't a get rich quick scheme or a way to get all our dreams to come true, but rather a way to get closer to God, a way for God to sustain us, a way to know that God is always with us. Pray expectantly because prayer does change things, but not always the way we want them to be changed. Pray expectantly because God always answers prayers, sometimes just not the way we want them to be answered.   The last few verses in today's reading are short but powerful.  Jesus tells his listeners to enter through the narrow gate.  This means following him and his ways.  Most people will enter through the wide gate.  On first glance, the wide gate seems easier.  It's the way of the world, it's living for yourself, it's doing what you want when you want and how you want.  Less people choose the narrow gate but it's that road that leads to Jesus which leads to life.   This Scripture always reminds me of Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken.  Many of you probably know it.  I would close with the poem except for Frost was a complicated man who was never that clear about his faith.  He had some kind of belief but never professed Jesus as Savior.  I think he struggled with this narrow door/wide door issue.  And there really isn't anything more important in life, getting the doors and roads correct.  Yet, elements of Frost's work point to exactly what Jesus is saying, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”    Which door have you chosen?  Which road will you pursue?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope May 30, 2025 Day 5 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 6:19-34   Prayer:  Holy God, We rejoice in your name today.  You are almighty and wise, the Alpha and the Omega.  You are the one who was, and is, and is to come.  We give you all the glory and praise.  Help us now, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Friday!    Today, we are finishing up Matthew 6, as we continue to work through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  He is continuing to preach on the importance of not just our outward actions, but our heart.  He begins by talking about fasting.  Don't be like the hypocrites when they fast because they let everyone know how miserable they are.  Again, a warning about being hypocritical.  Between yesterday and today, we are definitely seeing a theme.  Don't be the kind of person who does one thing but your heart is far from God.  Those who are fasting to honor God will do so discreetly, so that no one will know.  Fasting is between you and God.  It isn't something to gloat about.  It's about increasing our dependence and focus on God, seeking his will, or interceding on behalf of others in prayer.  It's not about attention and others' approval.  God always knows our hearts.   Then, Jesus moves onto treasures in heaven.  Don't store up things here on earth because earthly things simply do not last.  Besides, all of our stuff has a way of tethering our heart to earth.  Material things get a hold of us.  And there is always more stuff to get.  Whether we are rich or poor, there is always something else to buy.   It may seem like these earthly things are substantial and important and lasting, but they will eventually go away.  But there is treasure that cannot be lost…that which is stored up in heaven.  What does Jesus mean here?  To store up treasure in heaven is to invest in those things which will have lasting effects for eternity, things that make a different for the Kingdom.   While earthly treasure depreciates in value, heavenly treasure appreciates.  We invest in Kingdom things and God takes that investment and multiplies it. Remember, God's economy is different.  He takes our little heavenly investment and makes it huge in his Kingdom.  Think loaves and fishes, or the mustard seed, or the yeast.   Jesus has a way of saying things with embarrassing directness.  No mincing words with Jesus. Might he really be asking us “So where are you building up your treasure?” Jesus doesn't specifically define treasure here and my guess is he did that on purpose because for each of us, it's going to be different but it's clearly what we value and invest in.”   It's what we are holding onto.  What is it you hold onto?  I mean, we all have something.  And why do you think that is?    I have to remind myself, sometimes over and over again, that none of “my stuff” is really mine at all truly belongs to God.  This is hard; it goes against everything society and culture teaches us.  In fact, right now you might be thinking, but I'm the one who earned this money.  I'm the one who made this sacrifice or earned this degree or did this or that to have a nice salary, to buy a home, to purchase a nice vehicle.  You might be thinking that really, “I did this on my own.”    Deut. 8:17 says, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me,' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”  Despite how economically self-sufficient we think we are, God created us and it is God who gives us the ability to work, the ability to earn money, the ability to provide a living for our families…all we have is his; we are not independent from him.   Jesus is certainly pointing to this truth.    As Jesus closes his teaching on money, he flows right into a discussion on worry. It points to the relationship between money and worry. When we don't have enough money, we tend to worry. When we have a lot of money, we tend to worry about its safekeeping or what we will spend it on.   Think about the first listeners to this teaching. Most would have been quite poor and truly just living hand to mouth. And to this group, who we might think had legitimate cause to be seriously anxious, Jesus tells them not to worry about the basic things of the world. God's going to take care of them.   I once read that 98% of the things we worry about never come to fruition. Worry, my friends, is a royal waste of time. It is useless. It causes us serious distress and steals today's joy. I am not saying this because I have somehow mastered the art of not worrying. I worry way too much but I am working on it. I recognize that the root of worry is a lack of trust in God. Thus, we all must make a decision every day to trust God.  It's a lifestyle of constantly giving things to God, and being intentional about not taking them back.   Which worries do you need to give to God today?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

Daily Dose of Hope May 29, 2025 Day 4 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 6:1-18   Prayer: Lord, We come to you today with humble hearts.  Help us think less of ourselves and more about others.  Help us focus more on you, and less on our own wants.  It is our inclination to complain and whine.  Forgive us, Lord.  We need you.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements the New Hope bible reading plan.  We are currently going through the Gospels and the book of Acts.  Today, we look at the first half of Matthew 6.  We are continuing to study the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus is giving us this beautiful picture of what it means to follow him --- your outward actions matter but so does your heart.  Citizens of heaven act differently.  There is a different way of living, a new way of being human, one in which is drastically different from the ways of the world.   The first portion of the Scripture from chapter 6 speaks about giving to the needy.  Don't give like the hypocrites who want attention and honor.  Rather, give quietly and discreetly.  I've had a few acquaintances over the years who really loved to talk about all the wonderful causes they gave to and all the wonderful ways they served.  It was hard to listen to.  Maybe you have been there.  Jesus is basically saying that our giving is an act of the heart.  It's between us and God.    The next portion of the Scripture talks about prayer.  Jesus again speaks of the hypocrites, those who pray loudly in the temple courts and how they have already received their reward – the attention and adoration of on-lookers.  The word hypocrite refers to a play actor on a stage; these people were acting out a part, looking for attention, looking for people to think they were so holy, they were seeking to impress others with their prayers.  Jesus was saying don't be like that – prayer is not about getting attention.  It's about a connection with God. The world tells us that it's influence and approval that matters.  Jesus says not so in the Kingdom of God.  Pray should be sincere and intentional.   Thus, Jesus gives us a pattern of prayer that allows us to be very intentional.  We call this the Lord's Prayer.  We say this almost every week as a family of faith.  This doesn't mean we have to pray exactly like this, but this provides an outline or guideline for us to follow. Let's unpack this.  Jesus starts the prayer this way, “Our Father in heaven...” This first line encourages us to start our prayer with some words about who God is to you - God is my father.  We tend to think of heaven as far off place, but in Greek, the word heaven was equivalent to the sky and all that is in it.  So God is my father who is close to me.  And then he continues, “hallowed be your name.”  This is acknowledging that God is holy, he is worthy, and we give thanks for all he has done for us and all he has blessed us with. Jesus then says, “your kingdom come...”  Remember, God's Kingdom was the way God always intended his world to be, a place where Jesus is ruler and his values are in practice.  These are values like love, justice, mercy, righteousness, and so forth.  So God, help me be part of making your Kingdom a reality right here, right now.    Then we have, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What you might notice is that using this outline that Jesus offers us, we haven't asked God for anything yet!  There's been no list of stuff we want or need, we are just affirming who God is, thanking him, and praying that we can be part of making his will a reality here on earth.   Then, we get to the asking.  Jesus continues, “Give us today our daily bread.” Please notice, we aren't asking for filet mignon, it's give us today our daily bread.  It's provide us what we need for today.  I think this is where we struggle in western culture.  We tend to ask for a lot of wants rather than needs.  I include myself in that one.     The next line Jesus offers us is this, And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. This is acknowledging that unconfessed sin gets in the way of our relationship with God.  Unforgiveness does the same.  It breeds bitterness, it's like a poison that seeps throughout the body.  We have to take care of that to ensure our connection with God and others. And finally, Jesus closes with, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Although God isn't the one who tempts us, here we recognize that we are easily tempted.    In the second century, the early church added a closing portion from 2 Samuel that said, “For thine is the Kingdom and the glory and the power forever.”  This just provides one more reminder that it is not about me but about God – it's HIS Kingdom, not mine, HIS glory, not mine, and HIS power.    Again, this was not meant to be legalistic but to provide an intentional structure for our genuine, sincere prayer.   What are your big takeaways about prayer from these scriptures?  What has resonated most with you.    Take a moment and think about all of Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount thus far.  What has made the biggest impact on you?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 28, 2025 Day 3 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 5:38-48   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, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are back in the Sermon on the Mount and learning more about what it means to live in the Kingdom of God.  We are finishing up Matthew 5.   The first portion of this Scripture is regarding an eye for an eye.  It was said an eye for an eye, but now I tell you to turn the other cheek.  I want to be clear, Jesus is not saying that we should never resist those who are trying to harm us.  He isn't say to be Christian doormats.  The Old Testament law about taking an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth actually promoted justice rather than vengeance.  If someone gives you a black eye, you can't then break their leg or kill them.  Jesus was also all about justice.  What exactly is he requiring of us?   Let's talk about what it means to turn the other cheek.  We think of a slap as a pretty terrible thing.  If someone slapped me, I would really be taken aback and consider it an assault.  Not so much in Jesus' day.  A slap on the cheek would have been an insult but not an assault.  Jesus specifically mentioned a right-cheek slap, which would have indicated a backhand slap.  That was a real insult, it was the kind of slap someone would give to a person beneath them.  It was patronizing and demoralizing.  By turning the other cheek, it challenged the offender to now strike the left cheek with an open palm.  And open palm slap, at that time, was something done to an equal.  Basically, turning the other cheek means that the victim is not taking the backhanded slap as a form of condescending shame.  They will face their offender face on, forcing them to either back down or treat them as an equal.   Then, we have Jesus saying that if someone wants to sue you for your shirt, give them your coat as well.  The shirt would have been the inner garment and the coat the outer garment.  The Old Testament law allowed someone, usually a poor person, to use their coat as collateral for a loan.  But it also required the lender to give it back by nighttime in case they get cold.  To give up the coat voluntarily would have been extraordinary.  Jesus is challenging people to think creatively in responding to an evildoer.  It forces the greedy person to confront what they doing.  It also provides a stark contrast between the one who is greedy and the one who is exceedingly generous.  In God's Kingdom, generosity is the virtue.    This is the thing: In God's Kingdom, things are turned upside down.  We don't respond to violence with more violence or greed with more greed.  We resist those things in creative ways.  This does not mean being victims or getting walked all over.  It means asserting power differently.    One of the most intriguing of the teachings is to love our enemies. This would have been unheard of in first-century Palestine. Love your enemies? What? Jesus' basis for this teaching is founded in God's own nature. God is, first and foremost, a God of love. He gives sun and rain to the good and the evil alike. He does not discriminate. Nor should we. The Pharisees cast judgment on others but we are not to do the same. We should seek to be perfect, as God is perfect, to have a heart willing to love those who seem to be unlovable.   Be honest with yourself. Who have you deemed unlovable? Spend some time with God reconciling this.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki