Podcasts about new hope church

This sermon was delivered by Pastor Cory Klein at New Hope Church of Oxford on September 27, 2026. The text of Scripture is John 5:31-47.

This week at New Hope we’re taking a break from E2E, as Pastor Mark preaches a stand alone message on Romans 9:19-24.

Daily Dose of Hope September 25, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 35 + Going Deeper with Emmy   Prayer:  Almighty God, thank You that You are the God of eternity. When my heart fears change, remind me that Your love never ends. When I grow tired, lift me into Your everlasting strength. Anchor my life in Your promises and help me live today in light of eternity. Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the podcast and devotional that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently working our way through the book of Genesis.  Today's Scripture reading is Genesis 35, plus we have our going deeper discussion with Emmy Roberts.   God let's Jacob, now Israel, know that it is time to return home to the land of his father.  Jacob has everyone abandon their household gods (I'm not sure why they had these to begin with) and they head on their way.  They have been traveling for awhile but the journey has been long with many distractions on the way.  But this was a hard time to live and the problems keep coming.  First, Rebekah's nurse, a woman named Deborah, dies and she is buried.  Then, Rachel delivers a baby boy and it's a tough birth.  She also passes and is buried on the way.    When they final reach Hebron, where Isaac lived, he dies as well.  Jacob and his family have arrived in time to bury his father.  This has been a journey of great loss for Jacob.  And there will be more to come.   Let's move on now to our going deeper discussion with Emmy.  We have a lot to discuss this week!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope September 24, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 34   Prayer:  Almighty God, I come before you today with a sense of gratefulness.  You are Lord of all and yet you care for me.  Thank you, Lord.  Help me walk through this day with humility and your wisdom; help me represent you well.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, help me gather my scattered thoughts, I want to hear your voice...Come Holy Spirit, and guide this time.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the podcast and devotional that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently working our way through the book of Genesis.  This has been really fascinating and challenging at the same time.  Scripture certainly doesn't hide dysfunction or toxic family structures.  We get to see more of that today.    Today's text is Genesis 34.  Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob (or the only daughter that Scripture mentions), went out to see the women of the land.  This means she went by herself to hang out with the women of Shechem. Remember that the Canaanite people are a picture of worldly living. This would have been a dangerous venture for Dinah.  The Canaanites are a picture of living separate from God or apart from God. The sons of Abraham were not to mix with the Canaanites. They were not to intermarry. They were not to have anything to do with them.  And, pretty quickly, we are about to find out why.    When Shechem, the son of Hammar, who was the prince of the land, saw Dinah, he took her and seized her.  The implication is that he kidnapped her and raped her.  And then afterward, he decides he loves her and spoke tenderly to her.  He has just sexually assaulted her and now he is speaking tenderly to her!  The whole thing is disgusting.  Shechem obviously thinks he can take what he wants, who he wants, and do whatever he wants without any kind of repercussion.  This was the twisted morality of a Canaanite prince.   Shechem decides he wants to take Dinah as his wife.  Poor Dinah.  We have no idea what she is thinking during any of this.  She must have been very scared.    Her father and brothers hear about the situation.  They listen to Shechem's desire for Dinah but also for his desire for their peoples to intermingle and intermarry.  Remember, this would have very much gone against God's instructions.  Besides that, they want nothing to do with these people.  Look what has happened to their sister.  All they want to do is get back at them.  So, the brothers come up with a plan.   They pretend to go along with Shechem's request.  Sure, you can marry our sister.  Sure, we will trade with you.  But first, you must all be circumcised.  And they did it.  All the men went under the knife because their prince told them to.  I'm guessing they really didn't have much of a choice.    And when they were still healing (It takes at least three weeks for an adult male to heal from circumcision by the way), Dinah's brothers plundered the city and killed all the men.    Now, keep in mind these were Leah's boys.  They were avenging their sister.  They may have felt like Jacob didn't do enough to protect her.  They may have felt like they were less favored because Leah was their mom instead of Rachel.  Keep in mind, there was probably a lot of dysfunction in this household.  These young men were acting out of rage, possibly a lifetime of rage.  What happened to Dinah might have been the straw that broke the camel's back.  So, Jacob was upset with them, but we don't have a lot of evidence that he did a lot to guide them or lead them in the way of righteousness.    What are your thoughts on this?  What feelings does this evoke in you?   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

How can we heal the loneliness epidemic? Welcome to Flourish-Meant, where we explore practical ways for Christians to thrive in every area of life. In today's episode, host Tina Yeager sits down with Keith Spurgin, founder of New Hope Church and Growth Resourcing Group, to tackle the growing crisis of loneliness in our modern world. Even as technology promises more connection, many of us feel more isolated and unknown than ever before—impacting our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Join us as Keith Spurgin shares surprising insights into the deep effects of loneliness—including health risks, relationship breakdowns, and the deceptive nature of "pseudo-community." Together, we'll explore why authentic connection is so essential, practical steps to rebuild trust and vulnerability, and how simple, real conversations—both at home and in church—can break the cycle of isolation. Whether you're a parent, leader, or seeking healthier relationships in your daily life, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and actionable advice to help you move from surviving to truly flourishing in community. Key Episode Insights Connected but Disconnected: Keith Spurgeon highlights how social media and technology can create a false sense of community, leaving many of us feeling unknown—even in a crowd. True connection requires more than likes and followers; it means being seen, heard, and loved at a soul-deep level. Risk & Vulnerability: Genuine relationships demand risk. Keith Spurgeon powerfully states, "There is no passion without risk." By daring to share honestly with others, we open the door to relationships rooted in trust and understanding. Breaking the Cycle of Brokenness: Many of us fall into a "relationship pain cycle," protecting ourselves from hurt but ultimately deepening our isolation. Keith Spurgeon encourages letting down our walls, accepting that some pain is inevitable but real connection is worth it. Parenting for Connection: Equip your children to navigate a disconnected world. Have open conversations, model healthy conflict resolution, and communicate unconditional love to foster security and relational skills in your kids. Practical Steps Take Relational Risks: Start with small acts of vulnerability. Share honestly with a trusted friend or group and invite them to do the same. Relearn Conversation Skills: Prioritize meaningful, face-to-face interactions. Practice listening, asking questions, and engaging even in disagreement. Prioritize Church & Community: Find or create spaces—a church group, book club, cycling club, or ministry—where consistent, real-life connections can flourish. Model Conflict Resolution: Parents, let your children see healthy disagreements and reconciliations. This models maturity and emotional safety. Connect to Get More Resources Check out Keith Spurgeon's book, Unknown: Finding Connection in a Disconnected World, at keithspurgeon.net for more insights, practical tools, and inspiration to cultivate authentic relationships. We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager Live your healthiest life with Sustainable Healthy Weight Loss! Tina Yeager's unprecedented whole-person program is bundled with profound insights and tools to help you embrace the revitalized, slimmer you that you might never have dreamed possible! OR Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager

Daily Dose of Hope September 22, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 32:22-32   Prayer:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us.  Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.    Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis, followed by a deep dive into the book of Exodus.  Today, we are finishing up Genesis 32.   Today's text is fascinating.  Here we find Jacob, 60 years old, at the lowest moment of his life.  He isn't sure if he and his family are going to live or die, as he knows his brother, Esau, is headed his way.  He sends gifts Esau's way, prays to God, and then goes to sleep.  It's while he sleeps that Jacob enters a wrestling match with a man he firmly believes to be God.   It's interesting, God could have defeated Jacob quickly but he allows Jacob to keep holding on.  God doesn't let go of Jacob either. Then, God changes Jacob's name. God first asks Jacob his name and he has to say it out loud – he is Jacob, deceiver.  It's then that God changes it to Israel. Here is where Jacob has come full circle. He is no longer the arrogant deceiver who could care less about his brother, his dying father, and his many wives and their maidservants.  He is someone who says, "I'm not going back. I'm going to hold on to you, God. I'm going to be the man YOU knew I could be."   Have you ever wrestled with God? This is our story, is it not? We wrestle with God all the time.  We wrestle with God when we do something that we know we shouldn't be doing or when we are somewhere we know we shouldn't be.  We wrestle with God when we answer the question, "Is there a God?"  We wrestle with God when we deal with tragedy, when we are disappointed, when we've prayed and prayed and prayed and still our loved one dies, or we lose our job or our marriage. We wrestle. We want to believe but we are angry and tired and weak.   The bottom line is that sometimes our wrestling with God is actually an act of faith, an act that yes, I do believe in you, God, and I am going to hold on. I am going to hold on even though I don't want to, even though I feel let down and grief-stricken.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

This sermon was delivered by Pastor Cory Klein at New Hope Church of Oxford on September 20, 2026. The text of Scripture is John 5:19-30.

Exploring the conclusion of Daniel 12, Pastor Mark’s E2E Part 118b message highlights God’s sovereignty over the end times and offers believers lasting peace in His promise of eternal hope and salvation.

Vicki Harrison closes Learning from Jesus with the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:15-29) — false prophets known by their fruit rather than their presentation, the warning that words alone are not enough, and two houses built by the same builder on different ground. Recorded September 20, 2026 at New Hope Church, Brandon, FL.

Everybody wants to be fully known and fully loved - and almostnobody wants to risk it. In this episode of Digging Deeper, Pastor Matt,Pastor Thom and Pastor Jay unpack why being known is so hard, especially insidethe church, and how pride hides on both sides of the struggle.We usually think of pride as bragging and one-upmanship. Butthere's a quieter, more twisted version: "I'm not worthy. Nobody should waste their time on me. God wants good things for Hispeople - just not me." That's not humility. That's putting yourown voice above God's, and it can keep you isolated, guarded, andslow to trust anyone who tries to come close.In this episode, the guys dive into the value and importance of being known and why it's so important, despite how difficult it can be to take the first steps. If you've ever felt too much or not enough to be known, this oneis for you. Take the risk. Put the reps in. You might clam up thefirst six weeks - week seven is still coming.Digging Deeper is brought to you by New Hope Church.Subscribe for new episodes, and share this one with a friend whoneeds to hear it.

Daily Dose of Hope Sept. 15, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 28   Prayer:  Amazing Father and Lord, Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for how you care for us.  We get distracted.  We veer away from you and your Word.  For that, we are so very sorry.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to abide in you.  Help us to remain close so that we can be fruitful and effective for your Kingdom.  Help us get outside ourselves and see others as you see them.  Lord, we belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis, and we are about halfway through.  There is still so much to learn and wrestle with!  Today, we continue with the life of Jacob in Genesis 28.   Our reading today starts with Isaac sending Jacob off to find a wife, a woman who was not a Canaanite.  The interesting thing to me here is Esau's reaction.  Esau was already married to two Canaanite women.  He must have known that his choices displeased his parents.  This wasn't something that would be kept a secret.  In fact, at the end of Genesis 26, the text says that Esau's choice in wives made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.  Now, Esau decides to choose a third wife who was not a Canaanite, possibly to gain some favor with his parents.  This seems like a superficial attempt to gain his parent's approval.  Probably a genuine change of heart and a sincere apology would go further.  Regardless, now he has three wives.    Let's move on to Jacob.  The rest of the chapter contains what is typically referred to as "Jacob's Ladder."  Jacob heads off of his own and sleeps in the desert, using a stone for a pillow.  He dreams of a staircase connecting heaven and earth with angels descending and ascending.  God tells Jacob that he will protect him and God confirms the covenant He made with Abraham that his offspring will be many and that the Promised Land will one day belong to his descendants.   Some people see this dream of Jacob's as highly symbolic, representing Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a mediator and became that ladder or stairway for us to reconnect the relationship with God that was severed because of sin.  So, if you ever hear Jesus being called our "Jacob's ladder," that is why.    Again, it's interesting that God chose Jacob, the youngest child and the one who deceived his father and brother.  But God chooses certain people for his own reasons.  Jacob will come to symbolize so much more as we move forward in the book of Genesis.     More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

This sermon was delivered by Pastor Cory Klein at New Hope Church of Oxford on September 13, 2026. The text of Scripture is John 5:1-18.

Discover how the ancient prophecies of Daniel 12 offer practical hope and peace for our world today. Join Pastor Mark for Eternity to Eternity Part 118A, as he explores what it means to live wisely and anchor ourselves in the promise of God’s ultimate deliverance.

Vicki Harrison opens Matthew 6:19-24 and makes the case that this passage is not really about money — it is about treasure, the thing we have the hardest time letting go of, and the direction our hearts travel once we have chosen one. Recorded at New Hope Church, Brandon, Florida.

Daily Dose of Hope Sept. 10, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 25   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 us through it. 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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the books of Genesis and Exodus.  Today, our reading is Genesis 25.   The chapter begins with Abraham taking a new wife.  Remember, Sarah has passed.  This new wife, Keturah, has quite a few kids.  But the chapter makes it clear that despite these additional children, Abraham gives everything he has to Isaac.  He is the son who God promised to him and the one through whom God's promise will pass.   But then the Scripture says something kind of interesting.  It says that Abrahm gave gifts to the sons of the concubines.  I don't know about you, but I was initially like, what???  Did Abraham have concubines?  Upon some deeper study, the only untoward relationship we know of in Abraham's life is with Hagar.  So, it could be that this is a reference to both Hagar and Keturah, letting us know that God's covenant promise was through Sarah.  The other women did not have the same status.   And then, Abraham dies.  His sons bury him in the same cave as his first wife, Sarah.   We then read about the birth of Isaac's twin boys, Jacob and Esau.  They were fraternal twins that seemed to be in competition with each other from birth.  Some Jewish commentators actually say that they tried to kill one another in the womb, but that certainly does not seem to be evident in the Scripture.  What we do know is that God revealed to Rebekah that the older (stronger) brother will be subordinate to the younger (weaker) brother. But in some ways, the boys divided the parents.  Isaac favored Esau while Rebekah favored Jacob.   Let's fast-forward.  The Scripture moves quickly to when the boys are young men.  It's a story most of us have heard before.  Esau sells his firstborn right for a bowl of Jacob's delicious stew.  We get a picture of Esau as impulsive.  His hunger needs to be dealt with immediately!  He doesn't think about the long-term consequences.   I've always thought this story is so strange.  Esau seems to be impulsive, but he also seems to be treated unfairly.  Thus, we have to look at the deeper themes here.  By favoring Jacob, God is siding with the powerless, the weak, and the younger brother.  By favoring Jacob, God is actually identifying with Israel, the tiny, powerless nation who lived in the middle of much stronger nations.    And while God identifies with Jacob, Jacob is still not always characterized in the best light.  God's favor comes in spite of Jacob's negative behavior.  We can actually get a picture of God's grace here.  Despite his brokenness, God has decided to work through Jacob.  Despite our brokenness, God will work through us.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki            

This sermon was delivered by Pastor Cory Klein at New Hope Church of Oxford on September 6, 2026. The text of Scripture is John 4:43-54.

Pastor Mark explores the as yet unfulfilled prophecies of Daniel 11, and examines the identity and ultimate defeat of the Antichrist. Believers should have confidence in the absolute trustworthiness of Scripture as we see how God's sovereign plan ensures final victory for His people.

This sermon was delivered by Pastor Cory Klein at New Hope Church of Oxford on August 30, 2026. The text of Scripture is John 4:27-42.

Daniel 11 demonstrates God’s sovereignty over history while calling believers to stand firm in their faith during dark times. Join us as Pastor Mark continues with Eternity to Eternity Part 117b.

Daily Dose of Hope August 27, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 16   Prayer:  Amazing Father and Lord, Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for how you care for us.  We get distracted.  We veer away from you and your Word.  For that, we are so very sorry.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to abide in you.  Help us to remain close so that we can be fruitful and effective for your Kingdom.  Help us get outside ourselves and see others as you see them.  And help us trust.  Lord, we belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis and this will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  Today's reading is Genesis 16.   Yesterday, God reinforces his covenant with Abram that he will be the father of many nations.  God promises to give Abram and Sarai a son but when it doesn't happen in their timing, they decide to take matters in their own hands.  Sarai devises a plan to have Abram sleep with her handmaid, Haggar, in order to bear him a son.  When Haggar does get pregnant, Sarai isn't happy at all.  Despite the fact that this was all her idea, Sarai becomes furious with Haggar and abuses her.  Haggar leaves and heads into the desert, a dangerous scenario for a pregnant handmaid in those days.  But God meets her there.  He sends an angel who tells her to go back to Sarai and promises that her son, Ishmael, will be a strong and defiant man.    I used to read this Scripture and really burn with anger toward Sarai.  Why was she so mean to Haggar and why didn't she just trust God to begin with?  But over the years, I've realized how often I take matters into my own hands, I don't wait for God's timing, I jump the gun and say and do things without listening to God's clear instructions to wait on him.  While I in no way condone her treatment of Haggar, it's easy to see how she burned with jealousy.  She wanted to be the one who was pregnant with Abram's child!  She wanted to see God's promise come true right now!!!  Of course, we know the end of the story.  God's mercies are so very good.  He cared for Haggar in her hour of need, and he cared with Sarai, despite her disobedience.  And God also cares for us, despite ours.    What's fascinating to me about this power couple, Abram and Sarai, is how very normal they are.  They have times in which they make such crazy choices that leave us scratching our heads and then they have times in which their obedience toward God is incredible.  Maybe we are kind of that way as well.  Sometimes, I feel like I take two steps forward and one step back.  Abram and Sarai were not that different.   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 26, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 15   Prayer: Today we pray an ancient prayer from St Ambrose of Milan, who lived from 337-397 AD...O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You, to follow and to enjoy You, for Christ's sake.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis and this will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  Today's reading is Genesis 15.   In today's reading, God reinforces his covenant with Abram.  But I want to go to the very beginning of the chapter when God tells Abram, in a vision, to not be afraid.  Let's not forget that Abram just finished a major battle and he had every reason to expect an attack from one of the enemy kings.  But God tells him that He, the Lord, will be Abram's shield.  God is going to protect him.   And then there is this interesting dialogue between God and Abram about Abram's heir.  Abram tells God that while God has given him wealth and now protection, what good is any of it if he doesn't have an heir?  He doesn't hold in his frustration.  Abram is honest with God about his frustrations and fears.  Just FYI, we can always be honest with God about our frustrations and fears.  God knows anyway.   So, this is when God reinforces the covenant that he made with Abram.  God promises that Abram's descendants will be as plentiful as stars in the sky.  It is clear and Abram believes (he has faith in God), but he expects it to be soon.  Yet in the chronology of Abram's life, the fulfillment of this promise was still 15 years away.  God's timing is often very different from our own timing.   The chapter ends in an interesting way.  God has Abram fall asleep.  He then prophesies that Abraham's descendants will be in slavery for 400 years (we know this happens in Egypt) and that God will ensure that those descendants eventually gain wealth and be able to return to the land God promised them.    God's plan is in place.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope August 25, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 14   Prayer:  Heavenly Father, We come before you today in awe of your Word. Thank you for speaking to us through Scripture.  Help us commit to being grounded in your truth.  Help us make learning more about you a priority.  We get so distracted!  The world comes at us from all sides.  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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis and this will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  Today's reading is Genesis 14.   In today's reading, we have the first recorded battle in Genesis.  It's also the only time Abram is connected to warfare (who knew he had so many armed men at his disposal?)  You might have noticed here that Abram is called a Hebrew as well.    But what is going on?  Remember that Abram and Lot are now living in separate places.  Lot actually lived in Sodom, which happened to be captured in the battle described in verses 1-11.  Lot is taken captive.    Now, God has promised to protect and care for Abram and it seems he is finally trusting in that.  Abram goes into battle to save his nephew and is very successful.  He meets up with two kings, Melchizedek (Salem's priestly king) and the king of Sodom.  Melchizedek comes with wine, food, and blessings.  The king of Sodom comes with his hand out.  These were obviously very different kings, which seem to further highlight the difference between Abram and Lot.  Abram is upstanding and generous, not worried about wealth or property.  Lot is living in what we will learn is a sinful place, possibly hanging out with the wrong people, and espousing values that are very different from Abram's.   I want to just briefly touch on King Melchizedek.  If his name sounds familiar, it may because the author of Hebrews says that Jesus is a priest and king, in the order of Melchizedek.  What does this mean?  Well, Jesus was not in the family line of priests.  His appointment as high priest and king came directly from God.  This is similar to Melchizedek, who is kind of mysterious figure, a king-priest which would have been highly unusual.  We have no evidence that Melchizedek's kingship or priestship were inherited.  Yet, he is called a priest of the most high God.  Did God directly appoint him too?  We really don't know, but it is fascinating that the author of Hebrews makes this connection.   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope August 24, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 13   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis and this will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  So far, Genesis has been filled with lots of truth and lots of drama.  Let's see what today holds.   The reading for today is Genesis 13.  Abram, Sarai, Lot, and all their herdsmen and animals came back from Egypt.  The two men are so wealthy now that the land where they previously lived just couldn't sustain both households.  Plus, their herdsmen were bickering.  So Abram comes up with a plan to separate the two households.  He gives Lot the option which land to take, and he would go in the other direction.  Lot goes to the plain of Jordan and Abram heads to Canaan.   Let's just say Abram handles this situation really well.  He deals with conflict in a very selfless way.  The crowded land and the arguing herdsmen could have ended up with a much different ending.  But Abram doesn't hold on tight to anything; he lets Lot take the best land for himself.  He is not greedy and he trusts God to make sure he and his own household are taken care of.   Possibly as a result of Abram's wisdom and selflessness, God reinforces the covenant he made with Abram.  These are the words he uses, which are pretty powerful, Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you."   God is a God who keeps his promises.  He is going to build a people through Abram.  Are we beginning to see a new and different Abram that has grown in maturity and trust?  I hope so.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

God knows and is in control of ALL things! Which means He is never caught by surprise. If that's not true, humanity has a much larger problem than we understand. Join us for Eternity to Eternity Part 117a, as we dive into Daniel 11.

Daily Dose of Hope August 21, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 12   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, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the books of Genesis and Exodus.  Today, our reading is Genesis 12.    In today's reading, we have the call of Abram.    The first eleven chapters of Genesis were a broad sweeping narrative. God is beginning to reveal himself to a specific group of people and it all begins here.  God commands Abram to leave his native land, and his father's home, to go to a land God would show him.  God is asking him, as age 75, to leave the old and go to something totally new and different.  If Abram does what God asks, God promises to give him wealth and many descendants.  He will be blessed.   What's most interesting to me is that Abram does it.  We aren't privy to any of the behind the scenes discussion.  Did Abram think about saying no?  I mean, the man was 75.  He was pretty established.  We don't know if he deliberated.  Regardless, he says yes.  He obeys.  Interestingly, if you look at the Hebrew, the call to go was really just to Abram as an individual.  It didn't include wife and family.  But Abram brings Sarai and his nephew, Lot.  They bring their whole household.  I can only imagine the conversation between Sarai and Abram.  She also would have to battle fear and uncertainly.   There are a number of call stories in the Bible.  It usually involves God calling an individual person, followed by some kind of commission or promise.  When God calls a person, there usually isn't a lot of attention to the impact on their families, such as in this situation.  Yet, a call by God will impact not only the person called but everyone around them.    I can remember when God called me to full-time ministry.  It was a very clear call (a story for another time) and it couldn't have happened in a more complicated season of my life.  I had three young kids, Richard worked a stressful job, and money was tight.  I couldn't imagine going back to school.  And yet, the call was real.  Would I say yes or no?  In my case, I felt like there was only one answer.  I had to obey.   Have you ever felt God call you to do something?  God doesn't call all of us to full-time ministry but he does call all of us.  God may be calling you to a particular kind of service in the church or in the community.  He may be calling you to give of your resources.  He might be calling you to reconcile a relationship.  Take some time today and pray about God's call on your life.   Now, I wish I could stop there today but there is no way I can finish the devotional without mentioning Abram and Sarai in Egypt.  They traveled there due to a famine.  Once there, Abram passes Sarai off as his sister rather than his wife and she is taken into the palace.  He feared that otherwise Pharoah would kill him to take Sarai, who must have been quite stunning.  Almost immediately, God intervenes in the situation with plagues.   If God had not intervened, Pharoah would not have known that Sarai was Abram's wife and Abram would not have had a son by Sarai in fulfillment of God's promise to him. Let's be real - Abram was absolutely in the wrong here, but God graciously intervened in order to keep his covenant with Abram.  God plans to use Abram, despite his mess-ups!   One of the more comforting things about reading these texts is realizing just how much these heroes of the faith messed up.  They were far from perfect and God uses them anyway.  That bodes well for us.  Now, it's time for our going deeper discussion with Emmy... Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope August 20, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 11   Prayer: Dear Holy God, Your love is amazing.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us focus on you...Lord Jesus, help us set aside every distraction and take this time to lean on you.  We want to hear your voice.  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 books of Genesis and Exodus.  Today, our reading is Genesis 11.    This is the Tower of Babel passage. About a century after Noah, there were people who decided to make a name for themselves by building a high tower, higher and more powerful than any other building ever created, so high it would reach the heavens.  This was a tower of pride and arrogance.  They thought that by creating this tower, they could be strong and unified as a people, and it would keep them from having to multiply and spread throughout the earth.  God had told them to be fruitful and multiply.  They wanted to be strong and remain planted in one place, solidifying their power.  They wanted to grow in greatness and fame.    So God intervenes.  In keeping with his promise, God doesn't send a flood or another terrible calamity.  He intervenes by making it so they can't communicate with one another.  You can't be strong and unified if you can't understand each other.  And so they were scattered all over the earth.    Here is where we begin to see an interesting shift.  God is no longer going to seek a relationship with all the world's nations.  Rather, this is when he begins to seek a relationship with one nation.  He would enter into covenant with a new people that did not yet exist – Israel.   The rest of the chapter is more genealogy. We see how the focus is moving from the scattered nations to one specific bloodline.  God's promises will still be fulfilled but in a slightly different way through a different group of people.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope August 19, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 10   Prayer: Almighty God, As we move into a new day, 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 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 book of Genesis, which will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  I think you have already realized there is a lot of substance in these chapters!  Today, our reading is Genesis 10.    Let's start out by stating that this isn't the most interesting chapter.  It's the list of the clans of Noah's sons.  But if we look a little closer, we realize there is much to learn in this chapter.   In the previous chapter, we learned about Ham and his curse.  His sons are listed here is verse 6.  They are Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.  You probably immediately notice Egypt and Canaan, and we notice that for generations, they were the enemies of God's people.  But there is more.  In verse 8, we read that Ham's son, Cush, is the father of Nimrod.  Nimrod was a tremendous warrior and his kingdom was centered in Babylon (who eventually conquered the Southern Kingdom of Judah) and Shinar, where the tower of Babel was built (we will read about that tomorrow).  Nimrod's territory also extends into Assyria (who conquered the Northern Kingdom) and he builds the famous city of Ninevah.    In verse 13, we read that Ham's son, Egypt, is the father of the Kasluhites.  That is the group from which the Philistines were descended.  In verse 14, we read that Ham's son, Canaan is the father of Sidon.  From Sidon came the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, and Hivites – all of whom were removed from the Promised Land by Joshua and the Hebrew army.   It is fascinating to see how many of the cities, nations, and tribes, descended from Ham, become outright enemies of God's people.  That curse was real, my friends.   I know that genealogies can be boring, but they are included for a reason.  If we look deeper, what we realize is that these genealogies can unlock so much of the Old Testament.  Often, they even pave the way for the New Testament, and explain nuances that we just don't get unless we look beneath the surface.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 18, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 9:18-28   Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today in humility and awe.  You are a good God.  You, who put the stars and planets in motion, also created us.  You care about the most minute details of our lives.  You have numbered the hairs on our head.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for caring so much.  Help us be put even a small reflection of your love toward those around us.  More of you and less of me, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis, which will be followed by a deep dive into Exodus.  I think you have already realized there is a lot of substance in these chapters!  Today, our reading is the second half of Genesis 9.    Although the judgment of the flood changed the earth, it did not change the heart of humans, which is still inherently sinful.  Today's reading is strange.  Most of you probably noticed that.  But I don't think the point of the story is Noah's drunkenness.  Rather, the point is that even though we have this beautiful renewed earth and humans are given a second chance, sin is still rearing its ugly head.   Let's go deeper.  The Scripture says that Noah, as the new Adam, is a man of the ground, which means he was a farmer.  He plants a vineyard and gets drunk on his wine.  Here is where things get odd.  In his drunken state, Noah is naked in his tent.  Thus, his nakedness was seen by his three sons.  Most of us would say, well who cares?  Not that big a deal.  But there is more here than we can see on the surface.  What does it mean that the three sons "saw Noah's nakedness?"   There are different theories.  One is simply that Ham saw his dad naked and didn't do anything to cover him up.  He then shared this bit of gossip with his brothers.  That is the most straightforward, but it seems a little extreme that his father would then curse him and his sons forever.    More scholars tend to think that some kind of sexual sin occurred here.  Some think that Ham sexually assaulted his father and others think he assaulted his mother, who was most likely laying next to Noah.  Regardless, it was bad and then he went and told his brothers.   His brothers had more wisdom.  In contrast to Ham, Shem and Japheth went to great trouble to cover up their father and not look at his naked body.  They actually walk backwards so they don't have to see his exposed parts.  And they end up being blessed for this.   And Ham ends up being cursed.  Actually, its his son, Canaan, who really gets the curse.  This is a painful lesson.  When we sin, we make the assumption that we are going to bear the consequences of that sin.  But with so many things, it isn't just the sinner who bears the sin, it's their offspring and future generations.  The sin of Ham results in the Canaanites being cursed – they become horribly perverse in the next few hundred years.  In fact, the Canaanites are often held up as an example of how we are not supposed to be.  The whole Canaanite culture was shaped by Ham's sin.    It isn't until Jesus that we see this begin to change.  I think of the Canaanite woman who begs Jesus to heal her daughter who is suffering.  It's an odd exchange in the Scripture (look up Matthew 15 or Mark 7), and she and Jesus have dialogue about how even the dogs get to eat their owners' scraps.  In the end, Jesus is amazed by both her wit and her faith.  Her daughter is healed.  And Jesus shows us that his mercy and love now extend even to the Canaanites.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Testimonies and Pastor Jason's last sermon at New Hope Church.

Daily Dose of Hope August 17, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 9:1-17   Prayer:  Dear Holy God, Your love is amazing.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us focus on you...Lord Jesus, help us set aside every distraction and take this time to lean on you.  We want to hear your voice.  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 deep-diving into the book of Genesis.  Today's reading is the first half of Genesis 9.   It's in this part of chapter 9 that God reestablishes his relationship with fallen humanity with a covenant, a binding agreement, a promise of sorts. Let's go back to today's scripture, Let's look at the exact wording, "I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth."  And God says that the rainbow in the sky will be a sign of this covenant that God will never, ever again choose destruction as a means to deal with the evil and sin of humanity.   What's interesting to me here is it almost appears that God regrets what he did. Maybe regret isn't the right word. God struggles with what had to happen. I think on some level, we get a picture of the tension between God's sense of justice and God's sense of love and mercy. God saw the hearts of human beings and was grieved by the evil that was present there. I think God is still grieved by the evil that is present in people ---this certainly has not gone away. We see sin and evil all over the world, in how people seem to have this capacity to demonstrate appalling cruelty toward other human beings. This has been a reality for centuries and centuries and it's a reality today. And it still grieves the heart of God.   But what we see in the covenant with Noah is that God, knowing that humans aren't going to change, will change how he deals with us. God commits to find another way to redeem his creation --- no more worldwide floods or total calamity.  Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.   So what will God do instead? God still takes evil seriously but God will deal with evil differently. Really, all the stories that follow this one show how God lives out his faithfulness in different ways, eventually culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. God judges but God also redeems, over and over and over again.   Evil will be dealt with, but it will be dealt with in a different way, one in which all people can be redeemed and reconciled to a holy God who loves them and wants to be in relationship with.    Some more thoughts on this: 1.        We continue to be in God's care. This is a covenant for all time - it isn't cancelled out by subsequent covenants. The rainbow is God's cupped hand over the earth reminding us of his care and concern for the whole world. Wherever you are, whoever you are, you depend on God and on the earth, which is his gift to us. You may not think you do, but all we have is from God. We are in his care. 2.        God is in covenant with all living creatures. All the creatures all over the face of this earth belong to God first. They exist for God and not simply for us. God has concern for all of earth's creatures. Psalm 104:24, How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. The world isn't just about us. God loves all the creatures, God loves all of creation, not just humanity. And thus, we should see to the welfare of the wider world in which we find ourselves. We are stewards of God's creation. How we treat it matters. How we treat what God loves matters. 3.        This is the beginning of God's plan of salvation and redemption. God's will is the renewal of all creation, the whole earth. Saving individual human beings is part of God's mission but God's desire is to redeem all people and all of creation.  The amazing and totally humbling thing is that he calls us to help him achieve this mission, to put things right. And we as the church, we are the primary vehicle for which God calls us to put things right. In light of the story of Noah and God's ever-lasting covenant with his creation, how might he be calling us to put things right?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Join us as Pastor Kyle wraps up his three-week series on spiritual gifts, teaching from 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:8a. This Sunday, he’ll walk through how God has established the church body and a necessary way to navigate the use of our spiritual gifts.

Jesus opens the most famous sermon in history by calling the poorest, most overlooked people in the crowd blessed. In the launch of New Hope Church's fall series, Learning from Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Vicki Harrison opens the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Before she reads a word, she names the ground the whole series stands on: New Hope is unapologetically Jesus-centered. Then she reframes the Beatitudes in a way that reorders everything. They are not commands to obey. They are Jesus naming who already belongs in God's kingdom. Set against the hard realities of the first-century world, deep poverty, Roman taxes, and constant grief, Jesus' words turn the world's rules about who counts upside down. This message closes with three honest questions worth carrying into your week. Title: Learning from Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount: The World According to Jesus | Rev. Vicki Harrison Series: Learning from Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount Speaker: Rev. Vicki Harrison New Hope Church | Brandon, Florida - findnewhope.com Watch and listen to past messages: findnewhope.com/message-archive

Daily Dose of Hope August 14, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 8   Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy. 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 deep-diving into the book of Genesis.  Today's reading is Genesis 8.   Can you imagine what life was like on that ark?  That was a long time to be hanging out just with family and a LOT of animals!  I have all kinds of logistical questions but I will save those for another day.    I think one of the best lines of this whole chapter is in verse 1, But God remembered Noah...  God remembered Noah, his family, and all those animals.  God remembered that ark floating over the floodwaters.  God remembered Noah when the waters kept rising.  God was always with Noah.  We certainly don't have any indication that Noah did anything but trust God.  We don't have any Scripture that indicates that Noah, after a few weeks, started panicking that God had left him on that ark to die with a bunch of stinky animals.  Not at all.  God remembered Noah.    God remembered Noah so he sent a wind to cause the floodwaters to recede.  The word wind here is actually the Hebrew word, ruach, which is generally translated as Spirit.  You guys, this was the Holy Spirit!  It was the Holy Spirit that caused the flood waters to recede so that Noah and the animals could find dry land.  The Holy Spirit saw the need and took care of things.   Our God doesn't forget.  I want you to be assured that God remembers you too.  Whatever "flood" or hardship you might be going through, please know that God remembers you too.  Call upon the Holy Spirit to meet you at your point of need and he will.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 13, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 7   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, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently deep-diving into the book of Genesis.  Today's reading is Genesis 7.   Judgement day has arrived.  While I am very familiar with this story, it is still hard to read.  People were working and doing their normal routine.  They had no idea what was coming.  But then the floodwaters came.  Everything was destroyed.   There are a few reflections for me in this text:   1.        I'm not always going to understand God's decisions, but I can still trust them.  God knows and sees things that I cannot see.  He has an eternal plan in mind.  He knew what the people were capable of and he decided to do something about it.  That is why he is God and I am not.  But God has always taken care of me and has never let me down.  He has always been faithful.  I can just trust that his way is best.   2.        Our sin grieves God.  God was so upset about the sins of the people.  He hates sin and evil.  He was grieving so much that he wished he hadn't even created humans.  I wonder how often he thinks that today too.  But it does put things in perspective to think that when I sin, God is grieved.   3.        God sometimes asks us to do really big things.  He asked Noah to build an ark on dry land.  Noah was obedient.  How many times does God ask us to do something big for him and we dismiss it or talk ourselves out of it?  I do this a lot!  But if God asks us to something significant, he is going to give us the ability, tools, and strength to do it.  Is God asking you to do something big right now?  Have you asked him?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope August 12, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 6   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come to you today with humble hearts.  We are broken and we need you.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you this morning.  Help us set aside distractions so we might hear your voice.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us just focus on Jesus...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 deep-diving into the book of Genesis.  Today's reading is Genesis 6.   The first part of this chapter is very strange.  Let me just go ahead and say that.  Who were the sons of God and the daughters of men?  It is beginning to sound more like Greek mythology than the Bible.  What is going on here?  There are several possible options.   The first theory is that the sons of God are fallen angels.  In the Old Testament, the phrase sons of God elsewhere refers to angels, particularly in the book of Job. But a problem with this theory is Jesus' statement in Matthew 22:30, which indicates that angels do not marry. There really isn't any evidence in Scripture to make us believe that angels have a gender or the ability to reproduce.   Other theories are that the sons of God are powerful human rulers or godly descendants of Seth who intermarried with wicked descendants of Cain.  But human males marrying ordinary human females does not account for why the offspring were "giants" or "heroes of old, men of renown."  Additionally, why would God be so angry as to send the flood if he never specifically forbade these powerful humans or descendants of Seth to marry ordinary human women or descendants of Cain?  It seems that the flood and God's judgment is linked to this section of Genesis 6.  Such harsh consequences points to very horrible sin.  Marriage and mating between fallen angels with human women would seem to qualify.   What about Matthew 22:30 when Jesus says that angels do not marry?  Well, the fact that God's holy angels do not marry does not mean that Satan cannot pervert sexuality in this world.  We've seen in Scripture that angels can appear in human form.  Thus, fallen angels could possibly marry and have sexual intercourse with human women, and it would make sense that God would be really, really angry about that.  I would love your thoughts on this.   This leads into how corrupt the world had become.  Humanity had become so very evil, so much so that God regretted making people.  And God basically decides to clean everything up.  So he has Noah build an ark.  He and his family will be the remnant remaining to restart humanity.   I've had hard conversations with people about this passage.  I mean, what kind of god would kill all the living over all the earth except for one family and a few animals?  How do we explain this to our unbelieving friends?   When we look at this story through modern eyes, it is really harsh.  But we have to at least try to look at through the viewpoint of the ancient audience.  God is incredibly sorrowful, grieving even, over the sinfulness of his creation.  He isn't mean and wrathful, like the gods of the Mesopotamians and the other ancient nations.  He doesn't plan on randomly striking people down.  He is still a saving God.  There is only one faithful person on the earth and God plans to save him and his family.  God is intentional, rather than impulsive.  He has a plan for humanity and he will carry it out.    More on this tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

Pastor Kyle is doing a short three-week series on using our spiritual gifts. In week two, he’ll walk through some of those spiritual gifts and the ways they’re made both connected and diverse through the Spirit, and why that’s such good news for the church body. To access the handout of Spiritual Gift descriptions, click […]

Pastor Kyle is doing a short series on spiritual gifts over the next three weeks. This Sunday, he’ll walk through what it means to be spiritual and what is a spiritual gift.

Daily Dose of Hope July 31, 2026 Scripture: 2 Kings 23 Prayer: Holy and Perfect God, Thank you for your divine plan.  Thank you for not giving up on your people and sending Jesus.  Your love and care for us is hard to comprehend.  Help us be a better reflection of your love in all we do.  Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been on this really incredible journey, reading 1 & 2 Kings.  It's almost over.  I don't know about you, but I have found these books to be challenging but filled with truth.  They've been challenging because we have encountered so much evil, which often feels unnecessary.  But there is truth – God's intolerance for evil and sin but also his mercy.  He gives so many chances.  But he has his limits, and we are getting close to that place with Judah.  But for now, we get to sit with King Josiah, who actually wants to do the right thing.  It's so refreshing! Today's chapter is 2 Kings 23.  It becomes evident just how prevalent and extensive the worship of other gods had become in Judah. There were altars to other gods throughout the land, in people's homes, and even in the temple of the Lord! After generations of sinful kings, idolatry had become a regular part of their culture. Josiah cleans everything up. He destroys the high places, he gets rid of every form of pagan worship, including temple prostitutes, pagan priests, and all those horrible altars. While Josiah was faithful and did all he could to renew the covenant with God, it simply wasn't enough. Despite repeated warnings, the kings and people of Judah had failed to uphold the covenant. They had disobeyed God over and over again. Josiah's best efforts couldn't make up for the hundreds of years of sin. God honored Josiah's faithfulness, however, and ensured that he would not see the destruction to come. We see Josiah killed in this chapter. I don't know about you but I immediately got a sense of foreboding, knowing that things are about to get really bad for Judah. The scene has been set and we are about the watch it play out. With that, let's start our going deeper with Emmy Roberts. Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope July 27, 2026   Scripture: 2 Kings 19   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  What a great summer in the Word it has been.  We have been working our way through 1 & 2 Kings.  There is so much substance in these books.  On the surface, you might not think so, but we learn a lot about God's intolerance for sin, but also his deep mercy for his people.  Our reading for today is 2 Kings 19.   In today's chapter, the Assyrians are just chomping at the bit to conquer Judah.  King Hezekiah and his leaders are grieving and pleading before the Lord.  They have put on ash and sackcloth.  Someone wanting to show a deeply repentant heart would often wear sackcloth, sit in ashes, and put ashes on top of his head. Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat's hair, making it quite uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin.    In an effort to seek Godly wisdom, they go to the prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah, not surprisingly, says that God will not allow the Assyrians to conquer them.  But the Assyrian king taunts them in a letter, asking how in the world they think their God can defeat the mighty Assyria.  Hezekiah's reaction is moving.  He takes the letter and lays it out before the Lord.  Humbly (key word there), Hezekiah asks the Lord to deliver them from the hands of the Assyrians.   And God answers.  God is responding to the Assyrians' letter with his own taunts.  He is quite clear that he despises the Assyrians' mockery and he will take care of them.  Judah will come out on top and it will be clear that God Almighty is the one who accomplished it.   Sure enough, an angel of the Lord ensures that 185,000 Assyrian soldiers die in their camp that night, so many that they must withdraw.  And then Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, is killed by his own sons.    Judah is the victor.  God has saved them.   There are certain things that really stand out to me in this chapter.  The first is that arrogance does not pay.  Assyria was so full of themselves that they did not and could not even conceive of anyone beating them.  Arrogance and pride will always lead to negative consequences.  Humility is difficult but this is what Jesus modeled for us.  Is there any arrogance or pride that needs to be rooted out of your life?   Second, I was so impressed and moved by how Hezekiah just laid everything out before the Lord.  He knew that Judah was weak and had no power.  But God has plenty of power.  He simply gave it to the Lord and asked for his help.  He surrendered it to God.  God hears and responds. How many of us have something we need to surrender to the Lord right now?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Don’t bury your gift. Yes, you have been given an invaluable gift. Join New Hope Church, as Blake Ashdown shows what it means to become a good and faithful servant by investing the gifts God has entrusted to us, living faithfully until Christ returns. You cannot control outcomes. You can only control the activities that […]

What does it mean to be Made New? On Baptism Sunday at New Hope Church, Rev. Vicki Harrison opened Acts 22:6–16 alongside 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:27, and 1 Corinthians 12:13 to explore what baptism really means — not just as a ritual, but as a public declaration that you belong to Jesus. Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward grace. It tells the world that you have started a new life following Jesus — not just repentance of sin, but a commitment to walk in Christ. And as 1 Corinthians 12:13 makes clear, it is your official welcome party into God's family, the church. Series: Baptism Sunday (standalone) Speaker: Rev. Vicki Harrison New Hope Church | Brandon, Florida — findnewhope.com Watch and listen to past messages: findnewhope.com/message-archive

Daily Dose of Hope July 24, 2026   Scripture: 2 Kings 18   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, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading.  We've been going through 1 & 2 Kings and it has been quite challenging, mainly because the content is heavy and disturbing.  Yesterday, we read about the demise of the Northern Kingdom.  Today, we get a bit of hope. Today's reading is 2 Kings 18.  Can we all breathe a collective sigh of relief that there is finally a good king who does what is right in the eyes of the Lord?  I mean, King Hezekiah even tears down the altars in the high places, which the other good kings do not do.  This guy is different, we can tell this from the start. But that doesn't mean he won't be challenged.  Assyria is literally breathing down his neck.  This is a great text and we get to see what happens on Monday!  But now, it's time for our going deeper time with Emmy Roberts.  Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 23, 2026   Scripture: 2 Kings 17   Prayer:  Dear Holy God, Your love is amazing.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us focus on you...Lord Jesus, help us set aside every distraction and take this time to lean on you.  We want to hear your voice.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading.  We are about two-thirds done with 2 Kings and this has been quite a journey. Today's reading, 2 Kings 17, is what we have been dreading.  The kings are once again leading the people astray.  In the north and the south, they are worshiping other gods, committing child sacrifice, and they have set up altars in the high places.  Both nations are depending on the protection of the pagan nations around them.  They are paying tribute to some and not others, and the political consequences are bad.  God allows Aram and Israel to conquer Judah, and the casualties are significant, although God doesn't allow them to be totally decimated. But destruction does occur in Israel.  All the disobedience, the years of pushing God away, the horrific kings over generations, and the constant warnings that were not heeded, it has all come to a head.  The Assyrians have taken over.  While there is priest allowed to stay to teach the people about their God, it's a warped Judaism mixed with pagan influences.  This is the end of the Northern Kingdom.  I had always been taught that once the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom, that was basically the end of them.  The Assyrians were known for their brutality and moving the native people out of their land, sending their own people to populate it.  But we do see here that some Israelites stay.  Again, Chronicles helps fill in some of the gaps.  Hezekiah (who we will read about tomorrow) invites many from the north to settle in Judah after the Assyrians take over the north and they take him up on that offer.  Most likely, many of the residents stayed, mixing with the new immigrants from Assyrian lands.  This helps make sense of why the Samaritans were so despised in Jesus' time by the Jews.  They were not pure Jews, having many different mixed cultural and religious influences. While this chapter was expected, it is also incredibly sad.  There is a high cost to disobedience.  God offered so much mercy, giving many chances, and sending many prophets to warn the kings and the people.  But they just didn't listen.  Blessings, Pastor Vicki

After reading Daniel 10, one may be tempted to ask, “Why does this matter to me?” Often, when reading Bible passages with complicated content, it can be easy to miss the relevance in our own, modern lives. However, as “spiritual warfare” is the focus of Daniel 10, our role in what the Bible presents as […]

Daniel 10 opens up a door to the realm of the unseen. Comprised of insights into the work of Holy Angels and demonic activity, it reveals in great detail the truth that some of the struggles we face on planet Earth are rooted in forces beyond our control. Join us as we explore these elements, […]

During the Atlanta Campaign, Joseph E. Johnston demonstrated at the interrelated battles of New Hope Church, Pickett's Mill, and Dallas that he knew how to fight, not just how to fall back. Historian Aaron Siever of Aaron's Civil War Travels joins the Emerging Civil War Podcast to offer a closer look at the second of those fights, Pickett's Mill.The Emerging Civil War Podcast is hosted by Chris Mackowski. This episode is brought to you by Civil War Trails, the world's largest open-air museum, offering more than 1,500 sites across six states. Request a brochure at civilwartrails.org to start planning your trip today.

Chapter 9 of Daniel reminds us that our God is “awesome!” And, with the same “awesomeness” of His character, He both judges and saves. Since He is perfectly righteous, He must judge those in rebellion against Him, while, at the same time, bring salvation to those who repent, believe and accept His offer of forgiveness […]

Being Alone Isn’t Helping Your Business or You We live in the most connected era in human history, and somehow, we have never been more alone. That paradox is the beating heart of Unknown: Finding Connection in a Disconnected World, the USA Today bestseller from leadership coach and New Hope Church founder Keith Spurgin. After years of advising leaders across North America, Europe, and Africa, Spurgin kept hearing the same quiet confession over and over: “I'm surrounded by people, but I feel completely alone.” Today on A New Direction, he joins us live to talk about why that ache of aloneness shows up everywhere — in marriages, in friendships, and especially in the lives of the leaders we assume have it all figured out.  We can have great success and still be totally alone.  And What makes this conversation different is that Spurgin isn't speaking from a podium. He's speaking from the night his wife told him it felt like he had “a mistress” — not another person, but his work, his calling, and his reputation, all of which had quietly crowded her out. It rocked his world, and it took years to rebuild. Thirty-eight years of marriage later, he's living proof that disconnection doesn't have to be the end of the story. That honesty is exactly why readers keep saying this book “reflects my own life” and “is going to change my life” — and it's why this episode is going to hit closer to home than you expect. For leaders, the stakes are even higher. You can build a brilliant strategy, hit every number, and still be running a team of people who don't actually know each other — or you. You feel everything falls on you…and you are alone at the top. Spurgin argues that healthy culture isn't built on performance; it's built on genuine connection, and most of us were never taught how to create it. In this conversation he lays out the practical road map at the core of Unknown: how to move relationships from lifeless and transactional to vibrant and real, and how the leaders who master this end up building teams people never want to leave. If you've ever wondered why your organization feels busy but hollow, this is the missing piece. Keith Spurgin‘s book, “Unknown: Finding Connection in a Disconnected World” is an honest, insightful look into the epidemic that is growing around the world.  Being alone and being “unknown”.  The fact of the matter is that being alone and loneliness is growing and no one is talking about it.  Yes are we more technologically connected…sure.  But what we are truly build and designed for is 3-dimensional human connection, and without it according to research comes a number of physical problems with a shorter life span. Keith Spurgin, doesn’t pull any punches in Unknown.  He is vulnerable with his own shortcomings.  He is honest with where he has missed the mark and how in some cases he recovered and others, he did not.  He helps us to understand that having these truly connected deep relationships enhances our lives as not only leaders, but as people.  The problem that most of us face is that we are all broken people and relationships are not easy. Many people believe that they don’t need people.  They have convinced themselves of the lie that they are independent, and life is safer without the complications.  However, what we learn is that even the most independent of us still will try to have relationships, but we bounce from one to another, so we don’t get hurt.  We ultimately fall into the relationship pain cycle. For leaders it is more difficult.  Many have made the choice that being alone is the price to pay for being on top.  Spurgin explains that it’s not the best we to lead.  We are only mediocre at best when we go it alone.  And you can’t go from good to great when you are satisfied with mediocrity. The book takes through some practical steps we all need to consider, because it is not just having great relationships we must choose wisely.  Because you should know that the deeper relationships you have, have your back.  They are the ones who can listen without judgement and yet can call you out when you have gone off the rails.  Does it take time?  Of course it does.  You may say you don’t have the time.  But who’s choice is that? At the end of the day, we come to learn a couple of important factors from Unknown: First, we need relationships to make us better.  Second, love (not in the movie version) of your closest friends changes the landscape of being alone.  And three, we are all broken people, and so relationships require work, vulnerability, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  It’s not easy, but as with anything else, it is the hard things that are worth it.  I highly recommend “Unknown“ Get your copy of Unknown by clicking here.  Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so this one lands in your feed. Whether you lead a company, a team, an organization, a church, or a household, you'll walk away with language for something you've felt for years but couldn't name, and a real path toward changing it. Some episodes inform you. This one might just reconnect you. Don't watch it alone — share it with the person who needs to hear it most. We really would like to ask you to thank our sponsors.  Their financial support of A New Direction is so critical to helping us provide quality guests, books, and great sounding show. “You tune in to A New Direction to grow your business and your mindset. But you can't move forward if you're worried about what's lurking in your inbox. That's where Data443 Cyren comes in. It's the industry standard for real-time email security and URL filtering. They stop phishing and malware before they strike, so you can focus on your success, not your safety. Don't let a cyberattack derail your journey. Go to Data443.com today and secure your future.“ Linda Craft Team, Realtors they literally are a locally owned independent real estate company,  that serves the world. How can a small company serve the world? They have created relationships with the best real estate experts in the world to help you regardless of where you live get the best person possible. And because they are independent of any national brand, they have relationships with other professionals from all the companies, not just the ones that are part of a national branded network. For more than 39 years they continue to build relationships because that is how Linda started the business and continues to do so today.  Head on over to www.LindaCraft.com Hey…do me a favor and please tell your friends to subscribe to A New Direction on their favorite podcast platform and give us a 5 star rating we are so grateful when you do! ABOUT YOUR HOST Meet Jay Izso Executive Performance Coach  |  Host of A New Direction Every week on A New Direction, I sit down with CEOs, founders, and the researchers behind the science of leadership performance. The conversations go deep. We talk about the decisions that built companies, the mistakes that nearly destroyed them, and the personal breakthroughs that changed everything. But here's what most people don't know about me: the show is an extension of the work I do every day with executives behind closed doors. Who I Am I'm an Executive Performance Coach. I work with CEOs and founders of $5M-$50M companies who have hit a wall they can't explain. The marketing looks fine. The team is capable. The market is there. But the business won't move. The problem, almost every time, is the person running it. I find the personal behavioral patterns that are driving the business dysfunction. Then I help the CEO disrupt those patterns so the company can grow. That's it. No motivational platitudes. No vision boards. Diagnostics, intervention, results. Where This Comes From My approach comes from two places most coaches never set foot in. The farm. I grew up as a farmhand in Ithaca, Nebraska—population 100. I started working at nine years old. By the time I left for college, I'd spent a decade learning that you can't cheat the harvest, pain is part of the job, and the work has to get done whether you feel like it or not. I was fourteen the first time I had to castrate boars. Nobody was going to do it for me. That lesson never left: sometimes you have to do things afraid. The forensic psychology unit. In graduate school at Washington State University, I trained under Dr. Thomas Brigham—co-author of the Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis—in a human behavior lab focused on real-world problems. I then served in a Clinical Psych II role at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington, a forensic setting where I conducted psychological evaluations of individuals charged with the most serious criminal offenses. Sixteen months assessing human behavior at its most extreme taught me how to cut through defenses, identify what's really driving someone's decisions, and see what they can't see in themselves.

Join New Hope, as Youth Pastor Kyle Denny walks through a passage in 1 John 1. In honor of Father’s Day, we’re going to look at what it means for us to have fellowship with our spiritual Father.

Join us this week, as Pastor Mark Kring continues through the Eternity to Eternity series, picking back up in Daniel 9:20-27.