Podcasts about scripture acts

Daily Dose of Hope December 15, 2025   Scripture - Acts 17   Prayer:  Holy God, Almighty Father, the Great I AM, throughout all time, you are good.  Your ways are perfect.  Teach us your ways, Lord.  Help us to know you better, to know you more.  Lord, on our own, we are powerless.  We are desperate for your wisdom, love, and mercy.  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 Bible reading plan.  We have now walked through the Gospels and we are in the second half of the book of Acts.  Today, we will discuss Acts 17.   In this chapter, Paul preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.  At each place, he tailors his message to his audience but it's still clearly the Gospel.  The reception he receives at each location is different too.  In Thessalonica and Berea, he starts at the synagogue, which has been his pattern.  He preaches the Gospel to the Jews first.  Some Jews believe in Jesus, as did a number of prominent Greek men and women.  But things turn south pretty quickly.  A number of Jews in Thessalonica are jealous at Paul's success and they raise up a mob to stop him.  They actually go to home in which they are staying and drag out Jason and other believers, arresting them and forcing them to post bond.  Paul and Silas were being helped by other believers, who were aiding their travel to Berea.   In Berea, they were accepted warming at first.  People believe.  But the troublemakers from Thessalonica find out that Paul and Silas are there and they try to get hold of them there.  But Paul and Silas are helped once again by believers who help them get to the coast.   In Athens, things are different still.  The philosophers are interested in what Paul has to say and he shares the Gospel and there are varied reactions – belief, sneering, and wanting more information.  But they aren't beaten up or thrown in jail, so that is quite a relief.   In each city, as different as they are, there are some people who take to the Gospel message right away and others who have more questions.  I think this is such a great model for us.  We share as God leads us and we tailor the message to those who are listening.  If we are telling the Jesus story to Jews, then we will focus on the Old Testament and the various prophecies about Jesus.  If we are telling the Jesus story to Gentiles, then the story will be spoken in a way that makes sense to them.  Paul appealed to what they knew – think about his use of the altar to an unknown God in Athens.    In our world, I present the Gospel to someone who grew up in the church differently than I do to someone who has never heard of Jesus.  I guess the theme here is know your audience and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

In Acts 8, God shows us how He works through ordinary obedience to accomplish extraordinary gospel impact. As Philip follows the leading of the Holy Spirit, obeys immediately, and faithfully points someone to Scripture, the good news of Jesus reaches a searching heart. This passage reminds us that missional living is not about creativity or convenience, but about being Spirit-led, obedient, and committed to doing things God's way.

Daily Dose of Hope December 12, 2025   Scripture:  Acts 16   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you this morning with humility.  You, Lord of all Creation, Almighty God, came down to earth to become one of us.  You didn't come because you needed to, but because we needed you to.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of incarnation.  As we continue through this Advent season, help us prepare our hearts for your coming.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through the Gospels and now we are mid-way through Acts.  Today, we are in Acts 16. There are two parts of this passage I want us to discuss.  The first is when Paul meets Timothy and decides to bring him on his missionary journey, he circumcises him.  Wait?  Didn't Paul just argue at the Council of Jerusalem that circumcision and the law were an unnecessary burden for Gentiles?  Yes, he did.  Now he circumcises Timothy.  Is he contradicting himself?  I don't believe so, but there are some layers to unpack.    Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father was Greek so he would not have been circumcised.  Now, Timothy and Paul are going to be visiting many young churches, some filled with Jewish believers.  While circumcision wouldn't be required, it probably gave Timothy a bit more authority in the eyes of those new Jewish converts.  It was probably also a debate they just didn't want to have.  They wanted the focus to be on salvation through Jesus Christ and they wanted to avoid anything that would be a distraction.  Of course, I'm thinking – was there a circumcision check at the door?  How would they even know?  But I digress.    The other part of the passage that is fascinating to me is how the Spirit of God discourages Paul and crew from going one way so that they would end up in Macedonia.  I mean, they had a route already planned out and they were prevented from taking that route.  And then Paul has a dream about a man calling to them and begging for them to come to Macedonia.  So they head in that direction.  When they go into Macedonia, it opens up a whole new area to the Gospel.  They head to Philippi, where they meet a woman named Lydia and she accepts Jesus.  She welcomes them into her home, which later becomes a house church.  This is only the beginning!  By listening to the Spirit and not insisting on their own way, the Gospel was advanced.    How often do we want to force our own way with God?  Yet, the Spirit is always trying to guide us, if we let him.   I can't finish today's devotional without at least addressing the prison story.  Paul and Silas are arrested after a debacle of sorts with a servant girl.  She had a spirit in her that told the future.  Keep in mind, this spirit would not have been of God, so most likely the power was demonic.  She followed the men around and was really wearing on Paul's nerves so he cast out that spirit.  But she was quite a money-maker for her owners.  When they find out the future-telling spirit is gone, they are livid.  They drag Paul and Silas into the public square and have them beaten.  Then, they are put in prison.  It feels a lot like a local mob gone crazy.   But God is always up to something.  An earthquake basically opens up the prison so the men could have theoretically walked out.  But they didn't.  I don't know why they didn't leave.  Maybe the Holy Spirit impressed upon them to stay, we don't have that information.  But because they stayed, the jailer is saved and so is his family!  One door opens another.    God is always opening at doors, always at work, but we have to be paying attention.  How have you seen God working behind the scenes in your life this week?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope December 11, 2025   Scripture – Acts 15   Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name.  Thank you for who you are and all you do.  Thank you for loving us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Today, we are working through Acts 15.   This is a pretty crucial moment for the young church.  Some people from Judea have gone to the churches and said that to follow Jesus, you must first be a Jew first and follow the law of Moses.  That means being circumcised and the whole bit.  Well, Paul and Barnabas are appalled and they debate fiercely with these men.  Thus, they are invited to go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders to discuss the matter.  This is a pivotal moment.  Will the council in Jerusalem put the burden of the Law on these new Gentile believers?  Because the Law is a heavy burden. Even the Jews can't handle it.   Amazingly, it seems that the discussion at the council meeting is both civil and Spirit-filled.  Don't we wish all church meetings could be this way?  Paul and Barnabas give testimony to what they have witnessed with Gentile believers receiving the Holy Spirit.  James stands up and quotes Scripture from the prophets which points to Gentiles accepting the Lord.  Thus, they come up with a compromise to not make the burden too heavy for the new believers.  They are to avoid sexual immorality, not eat meat dedicated to idols or meat from strangled animals or blood.  All three of these were very pagan behaviors associated with idol worship.  This is where they decide to draw the line and it makes sense.  We know this won't be the end of the story but it is a great place to start.   As the chapter progresses, there is a sharp dispute between Paul and Barnabas.  They are ready for another missionary journey and Barnabas wants to bring John Mark.  Paul does not.  Apparently, John Mark abandoned them on the last journey.  It must have been a pretty heated argument in which neither party backed down.  So, they went their separate ways.  Barnabas took John Mark and they went one way.  Paul took Silas and they went another way.  While some of us might be surprised that believers had such an intense dispute, they are still human beings.  It appears they weren't ugly about it and they came up with a solution.    This is the truth.  We will not always agree.  Even as Christians.  We aren't always going to agree but we don't have to be disagreeable.  We can show respect, we can be kind, and we can do our best to find a compromise.  In the end, the Gospel won out because now there were two different missionary journeys occurring at the same time.  More people get to hear about Jesus!   This would be a good time to talk about conflict.  Are you in one?  How are you dealing with it?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Join hosts Don Patterson and Rowan Miller on Relish as they explore what it means to trust God, accept a calling, and live out faith in everyday life. In this episode they discuss why many churches meet on Sunday mornings, the biblical roots of worship timing, and contemporary approaches churches use to reach visitors and form deeper discipleship rhythms. Don and Rowan dig into Scripture—Acts 1 and Philippians 2—to reflect on Jesus' humanity and divinity, the incarnation, and how Christ's humility models Christian service. Through personal stories, the hosts share moments when they trusted God: stepping into podcasting, accepting unexpected pastoral roles at Kelowna Mennonite, and stretching into mission work and public speaking. The conversation turns practical and pastoral: the importance of saying yes to God's nudges, finding mentors, and how giftedness and God's equipping often unfold over time. They also address the consequences of denying a call, the need to confess and move forward, and the joy and growth that come from obedience. Listeners will also hear a sober reminder about global church challenges—leadership shortages and persecution, with a spotlight on ministry work in Nigeria and the Anabaptist Peace Center—and an invitation to support leaders and ministries in need. Whether you're discerning a call, leading a congregation, or simply curious about Christian vocation, this episode offers scripture-rich reflection, real-life testimony, and encouragement to say yes to where God is leading. Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to tmadask@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkAVsuqU5_zWnmGca-OYaw/videos Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RELISH319 Apologetics, Theology, Kalona, Wellman, Washington, Kalona Mennonite Church, West Chester Community Church, Jesus, Christianity, Christian, Church, Best New Christian Videos, Podcast, Relish   

Daily Dose of Hope December 10, 2025   Scripture – Acts 14   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Today, we are working through Acts 14.   Today, we read more about Paul and Barnabas' missionary journeys.  Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe are all in what is now south-central Turkey, just to provide some geographical context.  In Lystra, they were preaching and noticed a man who was disabled since birth, in that he could not walk.  The Scripture says that they could tell he had faith to be healed so they healed him.  And then basically all heck breaks loose!  The locals believe they are gods and want to make sacrifices to them.  Talk about getting the wrong idea.    Think about it.  In these towns, they worshiped the Greek and/or Roman gods.  Their everyday lives were very much intertwined with this kind of god worship.  Want a better crop?  Pray to this god and give him a few sacrifices.  Want to be more fertile?  Pray to this god and offer some sacrifices here and there.  That was their world.  And so it makes sense that when Paul and Barnabas healed, that must mean they are gods.  Of course, Paul and Barnabas were appalled at all of this but it won't be the last time something like this occurs.  The Gospel was freeing, refreshing, but also a totally new concept for many of these people groups.  It takes them time to understand what it means to follow the one true God.   As the chapter closes, we learn that they appoint elders everywhere they go.  The church needs leaders.  They visit the places they have been before and basically check on them.  They commit the leaders to the Lord.  It's amazing to me that God raised up leaders so quickly in these young churches.  These were baby Christians but God knew exactly what they needed.  A church needs structure.  A church needs guidance.  Without it, it would be easy to have total anarchy.  Everyone has a role and a job.  That's how the body of Christ is most effective and fruitful.  Paul is setting up a model that he knows works well.    What attributes make for a solid, fruitful, effective Christian leader?  Who do you know that leads well in the church and who do you know who doesn't lead well.  I often say we learn just as much from those who lead poorly as those who lead well.  What have you learned from the Christian leaders you have served under?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Call: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 Scripture: Acts 14:8-18 NASB The sermon centers on Acts 14:8–18, highlighting how a miraculous healing of a lifelong cripple in Lystra—performed by Paul—leads the pagan crowd to mistake the apostles for Zeus and Hermes, revealing the human heart's natural inclination toward idolatry even in the face of divine power. Despite the apostles' clear proclamation of the one true God and their urgent correction of the crowd, the people remain entrenched in their false worship, underscoring the necessity of divine regeneration over human persuasion. The preacher emphasizes that no amount of miracles, eloquence, or evidence can convert a heart apart from the Holy Spirit's work, calling believers to prioritize prayer for spiritual transformation over mere evangelistic tactics. Paul and Barnabas' response—tearing their robes and rushing to redirect glory to God—models a zealous commitment to divine honor, even amid danger and misunderstanding. Ultimately, the passage affirms God's common grace in sustaining all people through creation and provision, while insisting that salvation comes only through faith in Christ, not human effort or compromise, and that the gospel must be proclaimed with unwavering fidelity to the one true God.

Daily Dose of Hope December 9, 2025   Scripture – Acts 13   Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you today with humility.  You are holy, you are perfect, and I am painfully flawed.  Forgive me, Lord, for the way I fall short over and over again.  Forgive me for not being loving, patient, and kind.  Jesus, I want to follow your example.  I want to have a clean and pure heart.  How I need you.  Create in me a pure heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.  I love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We have been walking through the Gospels over the last few months and now we are mid-way through the book of Acts.  Today, we are walking through Acts 13.   In today's passage, we read about the first missionary journeys.  The believers feel the Holy Spirit calling them to go, so they go.  Paul and Barnabas, especially, feel called to be missionaries and go to new places with the Gospel message.    In Cyprus, the disciples encounter a Jewish sorcerer (seems like an oxymoron) and false prophet who was getting in the way of the proconsul, or governor, coming to belief in Jesus.  Maybe the sorcerer sees Paul as a threat to his own power, we really can't tell.  But Paul doesn't stand for it.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, he speaks boldly and tells the sorcerer that he is a child of the devil.  The man actually becomes blind.  Seeing the power of God at work, the proconsul accepts Christ.    This particular incident is worth mentioning because it doesn't take long for Paul and Barnabas to encounter opposition.  They know they are sent by the Holy Spirit, they are sharing the Gospel, and there are forces that aren't happy about it!  But Paul and Barnabas are undeterred.  They take care of the sorcerer and keep on going.  I think too often when we encounter resistance, we consider giving up.  We think, "Maybe God isn't calling me to do this ministry or maybe God isn't calling me to share my story with this group."  It's possible, at times, that resistance can mean we are doing the wrong thing IF that resistance comes from godly people.  However, more often, I think resistance means we're pushing against powers that need to be brought down.  Keep going and DO NOT COMPROMISE.  Stay the course.   Back to our passage - notice that wherever Paul and Barnabas go, they stop in the synagogue first and preach to the Jews.  Some follow and believe which simply angers the Jewish leaders and they cause trouble.  It's then that Paul basically says, "Look, we tried to offer you salvation in Jesus.  You reject us so we are moving on to the Gentiles!"  The Gentiles are very pleased.  And the word spreads and many people believed.  This is a pattern we will see repeated again and again.   I think sometimes we keep trying to do something, over and over and over again, without a lot of success because we feel like God has called us to do so.  Sometimes, as in this passage, that is simply a door we need to close so that we can open up a more productive one.  It's okay to say no to good to do what's great for God's Kingdom.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope December 8, 2025   Scripture – Acts 12   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, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are getting to the end of our reading plan after months of walking through the Gospels and Acts.  I would love to hear what you have learned.  What have been your big takeaways?    Today, we walk through Acts 12.  Things are getting rough for Peter and the Christians.  Persecution is increasing.  Herod is getting especially agitated and throws Peter in prison.  I want to talk about the miracle of Peter being released but first let's discuss the Herod dynasty because I think that's important.  The Herodians were given power of the region of Judea by the Romans.  While they were brutal and power-hungry, they did consider themselves to be Jews.  This Herod from Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa I.  His grandfather was Herod the Great; he was the Herod who called for the killing of the Jewish baby boys after Jesus' birth.  He was the nephew of Herod Antipas, who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist and to whom Jesus was brought.    All of these Herodian kings were insecure and felt easily threatened by those who criticized them or their way of life.  Thus, this Herod was persecuting Christians and had already executed James, the brother of John.    Peter is arrested and thrown in prison with many, many layers of security.  But no soldiers or shackles can stop God!  He sends an angel who frees Peter and leads him out of the prison to a home where many believers were meeting.  The believers had been praying fervently for Peter's release and then they were shocked when he shows up at the door of the home where they had gathered.  Talk about answered prayer!  This is just the beginning of the miracles God is going to do.   Do you believe in answered prayers?  Do you pray bold prayers like these believers?  The boldness of our prayers speak volumes about how we feel about God.  It's clear that the early church believed that God was all-powerful, that God was a God of miracles, a God of provision, and a God who would take care of their every need.  The big question is – do we?   Finally, let's talk about Herod's death.  After securing some kind of peace deal, King Herod stands before the people and gives his royal address.  The people go wild!  They begin to say this is the voice of a god, not a man.  And insecure Herod just soaks it up.  But God is having none of it, and he strikes him down dead.  Y'all, arrogance does not pay.  God calls his people to be humble.  All glory and honor belong to God.  Yes, there are times in which we can be appropriately proud but we have to be very, very careful.  The way of Christ is always humility.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope December 5, 2025   Scripture – Acts 11   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, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope once again.  This is the podcast and devotional that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading.  We are working through the book of Acts and today we are talking about Acts 11.   What a great chapter!  It starts with Peter explaining why he entered the house of a Gentile and how the new believers received the Holy Spirit.  Isn't it interesting that the church leaders in Jerusalem don't start by asking Peter about the Gentiles' conversion?  No, they are more worried about Peter being a good Jew.  They are more worried about the superficial.  They are fixated on Peter entering a Gentile's home and eating with him.  Man looks on the outside but God looks on the heart.  God is less worried about the food that's eaten and more concerned about the souls of people.    At the same time, I get it.  These Jewish church leaders had been taught the law from the time they were wee ones.  Yes, Jesus had opened up new doors and broken down barriers, but the law is the law.  This struggle with whether/how to follow the Mosaic Law as a follower of Jesus will be a major theme throughout the rest of the New Testament.  We are quite removed from it as Gentile believers 2000 years later, but this was a big, big deal.  It was very complex deciding what to keep and not keep, what to follow and not follow.  There was also such a huge disparity in background between the Gentile believers and the Jewish believers.  This will come in to play in the next few chapters.   Let's talk a little bit about the church at Antioch.  This is the first place the Jesus followers are called Christians and we have the scattered Jews and the local Greeks worshiping together.  Large numbers of Gentiles come to believe in Jesus, showing God's divine favor in this new direction of the Gospel.  Antioch became a model for a diverse church, but it also became a hub of sorts for Paul and Barnabas' missionary journeys.  This was a church that was driven by a mission to save the lost and they kept expanding past the walls of their own church and community.   What might we learn from Antioch?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki          

How far can the gospel reach—and what happens when it does? In Acts 8:4–25, persecution scatters the early believers, but instead of hiding, they boldly proclaim Christ wherever they go. Philip travels to Samaria—enemy territory for the Jews—and through the power of the Holy Spirit, people are delivered, healed, and filled with joy as the good news takes root.This passage reveals the unstoppable reach of the gospel: enemies can be reconciled, hearts can change, and even spiritual imposters are exposed by the truth of God's Word and the work of the Spirit.

When God walks us through the wilderness, His holy presence guides and comforts us, shaping our faith for His divine purposes. Scripture: Acts 7:17-43. View accompanying video at https://fbcpville.org/sermons/acts-the-church-begins-pt-22/

Daily Dose of Hope December 4, 2025   Scripture - Acts 10   Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel the need to just start with silence this morning.  Help us sit and reflect on you and your presence...Jesus, we need you.  We go through our days distracted and in a hurry, sometimes even forgetting to pray or acknowledge you.  Help us to be aware of your presence, knowing that you walk with us every step of the way, guiding us and leading us in all our words, actions, and decisions.  This is your day, Lord.  Amen.   Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts and today we taking a look at Acts chapter 10.   Things are changing.  I love this text, as it shows that God is always up to something new to lead more people to the Gospel.  Cornelius, an Italian centurion, is a God-fearer.  This means he is a Gentile who believes in God but does not follow the law to the tee.  He is respected among Jews and gives to the causes of God.  God sends an angel to tell Cornelius that he needs to send for Peter.    At about the same time, Peter falls into a trance in which God presents him with all kinds of food, much of it unclean according to the law.  Its clear God is doing something different here.  He tells Peter to get up and eat.  When Peter protests, God tells him that nothing that God makes is unclean.  It's at that same time that Cornelius sends for him.   Peter then goes to Cornelius' home.  Keep in mind, this would have really been a no-no according to Jewish law.  Jews did not associate with Gentiles; they especially did not walk into their homes.  It would have rendered them unclean.  But Peter knows that God has called him to do so.  He speaks to Cornelius, his family, and friends about Jesus and they believe and receive the Holy Spirit.  This is new territory, everyone!  These are the first Gentiles that become believers.  We stand on their shoulders.  More tomorrow…   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope December 3, 2025   Scripture - Acts 9:32-43   Prayer: Father God, hear our prayer this morning.  We are awed by your power and strength.  We are amazed by your love.  Thank you, Lord, for the many ways you show in our lives to teach us and care for us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts right now and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us (help me) be still and know that you are God...Come Holy Spirit, and help us walk through this Scripture in a way that honors you.  Show up and help us discover whatever it is you want us to learn.  This is your Word and we want to hear from you.  In Your powerful name, Amen.   Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts and today we finish up Acts 9.   We learn that after Saul's conversion, there is a period of peace for the disciples of Jesus.  This allows them to move freely, share the Gospel, and do the works of healing and teaching.  In today's passage, we see the Holy Spirit working through Peter to heal a bedridden man and then resurrect a dead woman.   I would like to focus on Tabitha, also called Dorcas, a disciple in Joppa (a town that is now part of modern-day Tel Aviv).  Dorcas took care of most of the widows in that area.  Really, she had created a community of widows who had become her family. Remember, widows are some of the most vulnerable people in that society.  Without a husband or son to care for them, they have no way to care for themselves.  If it weren't for God's people, they would be doomed to a life of poverty and/or prostitution.  Dorcas cared for these women and they loved her dearly.  This is a woman whose life had significant impact on a group of women that would otherwise have been overlooked in their culture.  When Peter sees the situation, he is moved with compassion.  He prays and Dorcas is restored to life.    We serve a God of resurrection.  How do you need to see resurrection in your life today?  Let's reframe that a bit.  In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, where can you see new life and resurrection?  Where can you be a Tabitha?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Call: Matthew 16:17-18 Scripture: Acts 14:1-7 NASB The passage from Acts 14:1–7 reveals the consistent pattern of the early church's mission: bold, unchanging proclamation of the gospel in the face of persistent opposition, particularly from Jewish leaders who incite Gentile hostility and attempt to stone the apostles. Despite persecution, Paul and Barnabas remain steadfast, relying on the Lord's empowering presence, which validates their message through signs and wonders and draws both Jews and Greeks to faith. The division in Iconium underscores the reality that the gospel inevitably divides—producing both salvation and resistance—yet God remains sovereign, advancing His kingdom not by human strength or strategy, but through the power of His grace and the faithful witness of His people. The apostles' flight to Lystra and Derbe is not retreat, but strategic obedience, demonstrating that persecution does not hinder the gospel's progress, but often opens new avenues for its spread. Ultimately, the passage affirms that God's purposes are unstoppable, His Word is effective, and His people are called to depend wholly on Him, trusting that every trial and opposition serves His eternal design.

Daily Dose of Hope December 2, 2025   Scripture - Acts 9:1-31   Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us start this devotional today with a time of silence, a time to pause before you...Lord, hear our prayers.  Speak to us.  We want to hear from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we start Acts 9.   This is a great passage - Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  It's amazing how God took the biggest persecutor of believers and very intentionally chooses him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.  His conversion story is dramatic, and it really needs to be.  He doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would take hints from God.  He needs something that cannot be disputed, like the living Christ meeting him on his Damascus journey and speaking directly to him.  Then, he loses his sight, only to regain it when Ananias prays for him.  It's quite extraordinary.   Most of us are pretty familiar with Saul's conversion story but today, I'd like to focus on Ananias of Damascus.  He is the man in the shadows.  Keep in mind, there are several men named Ananias in the New Testament; we are focusing on the man in Damascus who prayed over Saul who became Paul.  What we read in Acts 9 is that God appears to Ananias in a vision and tells him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street where he will meet Saul of Tarsus.  Ananias knew of Saul's reputation and he knew that Saul was in Damascus to arrest believers of Jesus so he protested a bit.  God tells him to go to the house anyway.   Despite being fearful, Ananias obeys.  I'm going to say that again.  Despite knowing that Saul could potentially arrest him, Ananias obeys God.  He goes to the house and prays over Saul.  Almost immediately, something like scales fall from Saul's eyes and he can see again.   We don't know much about what happens to faithful Ananias of Damascus after this incident.  The author of Acts doesn't give us a lot of information – does he go on to preach the Gospel in his community and beyond?  Does he found churches?  Does he end up getting arrested for preaching Jesus? Really, we have no idea.  What we do know is that Ananias of Damascus obeyed God's command to go pray over Saul so that Saul could go do all of those things.  Without Ananias' prayer, Saul might have spent the rest of his life as a blind man wandering around, not knowing what his life might have been.   Not everyone can be Saul/Paul, but we can all be Ananias.  We can all be obedient.  We can all pray for those who have harmed the church and those who have been harmed by the church.  We can do what God is asking us.  We don't have to found world-altering movements but we do need to do what Jesus asks us to do right now, right here. What is Jesus asking you to do?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Scripture: Acts 9:23–25 This message reminds us that prayer must lead to obedience. Prayer is powerful, but it becomes effective when we take action in the things God tells us to do. In Acts 9, Paul was facing certain death, yet unnamed disciples lowered him over a wall in a basket. God used ordinary people to save a life and advance His kingdom. People today are trying to escape spiritual, emotional, and physical death. There is an identity crisis in our world, and many have reached the end of their own ability. Every person carries an inner emptiness that only Jesus can fill. Success, possessions, and temporary comforts cannot satisfy. What people trust in becomes their god, yet only the living water can quench the thirst of the soul. God has given each of us a responsibility to hold onto the rope. He has placed us in specific places at the right time to help, to speak life, and to lift up those who are hurting. Being a rope holder is not about recognition. Some do it for attention, but true rope holders do it for the glory of God so that Jesus is lifted up and people are drawn to Him. Holding the rope is often inconvenient, just as it was for those who helped Paul in the night. It can be risky, costly, and tiring. Discipleship can feel heavy, and spiritual warfare can affect us if we are not mindful. Yet revival is worth it. People are worth it. We must stay sensitive to the Holy Ghost, willing to be inconvenienced, and ready to hold the rope for those who have stumbled, fallen, or are just beginning their walk with God. To whom much is given, much is required. We are called to feed, support, intercede, and stand in the gap so others can be saved, healed, and delivered.

Daily Dose of Hope December 1, 2025   Scripture - Acts 8:26-40   Prayer: Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day and a new week  and thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  As we enter into this first week of Advent, help us be aware of your presence in a new way, Lord.  And right now, help us gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word.  In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we finish up Acts 8.   Today's reading finds us with Philip.  The Holy Spirit tells him to head down the road to Gaza and when he does, he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah.  Philip knows this is his purpose and this is a beautiful opening that God has provided.  He does not hesitate.  Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands what he is reading; the man responds, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?"  Okay, perfect opening.  Philip takes the opportunity to explain how the prophecy points to Jesus.  He shares the Gospel and the man believes and is baptized.    I want to reiterate a point here.  Philip does not hesitate.  He sees an opening and he takes it.  Again, we need to think of our own circumstances.  How often do we have an opening or we feel the nudge to share about Jesus and we chicken out?  How often do we hesitate?  What are we afraid of?   Upon reflection, there are quite a few things we can learn from Philip's experience:       ---There are times in which we may appear to be traveling on a desert road but God can still give you opening to share your faith with someone else.  Please hear me.  Even when we go through challenges and grief, God still gives us opportunities to witness to his goodness.  How have you experienced this? ·      ----Start with a question.  Philip just asked a question.  He didn't give the Ethiopian man a long theological dissertation.  He didn't wow the man with all his religious knowledge.  No, not at all.  Philip asked a question, which led to an opening to share about Scripture. ·      ----Use Scripture.  Point to the Gospel message in the Bible.  Scripture speaks for itself. ·      ----Stick to the Good News.  Stay away from politics.  Stay away from the side conversations.  Just focus on Jesus and what his death and resurrection mean for us. ·      -----Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to when there is an opportunity and then to guide your words and actions.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10Message: It All Makes Sense NowSpeaker: Minister Christopher McClureDate: November 23, 2025Thank you for your continued generosity. Tithes and offerings can be given electronically using:Givelify: Download the free Givelify App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)Cashapp: $mtcalmbc33Follow Mt Calvary Church on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtcalvarynation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtcalvarynationTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/mtcalvarynationAccess bible education and more exclusive content on the church's website: https://www.mtcalvarychurch.life

Persecution has always been part of following Jesus—and Acts 7–8 gives us one of Scripture's clearest pictures of a faithful witness who stood firm to the very end. As Stephen boldly proclaimed the truth, he faced hardened hearts, violent opposition, and ultimately death. Yet even in suffering, he saw the glory of Christ, experienced the strength of the Holy Spirit, and helped propel the gospel forward. This passage shows us that God sovereignly uses the suffering of faithful witnesses for gospel advancement and the glory of Christ.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 / Brandon Dupre

Daily Dose of Hope November 28, 2025   Scripture: Acts 8:1-26   Prayer: Almighty God and Risen Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe. Even though you are incredibly mighty and take care of us in such fundamental ways, we struggle to stay focused on our faith.  Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts.  Help us take a moment of silence and remember who you are...Holy Spirit, speak to us today.  We want to hear your voice.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan for New Hope Church on Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are talking at the first half of Acts 8.   After Stephen's killing, the new Christians are forced to scatter around the area.  Saul (who will become Paul) is going door to door to question people and throw Christians into prison.  This is serious stuff.  I want you to just imagine what that would be like.  We live in a place where we can worship freely but what those new Christians experience isn't too different from many parts of the world today.  Just keep that in mind.    What's interesting to me is that wherever they go, the believers spread the Gospel.  They aren't deterred by their experience in Jerusalem.  Rather, the opposite seems to be true.  They are bold and tell the story of Jesus wherever they go.  Think of your own life.  How do you share the story of Jesus?  Do you?   One more interesting part of the passage is the bit about Simon the sorcerer in Samaria.  Sorcery is absolutely forbidden by God because it relies on powers that are not of God.  When I speak of sorcery, I'm referring to black magic, the occult, witchcraft, etc.  Sometimes, there is no power attached to these things and other times, they definitely have power and it comes from the evil one.  So, friends, this is not something you want to mess with at all.  Just stay away from it.   Sorry, I digress.  Simon had become a believer after hearing Philip preach but the Holy Spirit had not yet come to the church in Samaria.  When the apostles (Peter and John) come to Samaria and lay hands on the believers, the Holy Spirit comes to them and they receive the power that comes with that.  Simon witnesses all of this and he wants it.  He offers Peter and John money to receive this power.  Of course, they are appalled.  They tell him he is wicked and needs to repent.  His heart is not right before God.  Simon appears to be repentant and we don't hear any more about him.    The apostles continue to visit Samaritan villages to spread the Gospel.   We will chat some more on Monday.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope November 27, 2025   Scripture - Acts 7   Prayer:  Amazing God, thank you for giving us life in Christ Jesus. This Thanksgiving, we ask you to continue to strengthen us in Jesus Christ, driving roots deep into the soil of who he is, your Son. In the days following this celebration of your awesome provision, may the Holy Spirit well up thankfulness in our hearts to overflowing every day. Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus. Amen Happy Thanksgiving!  Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we working through all of chapter 7.  This chapter covers the stoning of Stephen, which seems a strange thing to talk about on Thanksgiving.  Or, maybe it's not.  We'll get to that.  If you remember, yesterday, the Jewish leaders were trying to get people to slander Stephen.  They were threatened by his wisdom.  So, they have him dragged in front of the Sanhedrin.  It's there that Stephen gives a long, eloquent history of how God worked through his people, leading up to Jesus.  Stephen doesn't mince words.  He is pretty clear that the Jewish leadership has persecuted all the prophets who have come before and then persecuted the Messiah to the point of execution.  Not surprisingly, the Jewish leaders are offended by his directness and they get really worked up when he looks up at heaven and declares that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.  Keep in mind, this would have been blasphemy to the strict Jews who sat on the council.  There was no real trial, no real discussion.  They simply drag Stephen out and start throwing stones. Stephen was the first Christian martyr.  This was, of course, a sign of what was to come.  But Stephen also offers all Christians a beautiful model of how to live and die, trusting fully and completely in Jesus Christ.  This seems pretty foreign to us and for that, we should be thankful.  But this is truth:  Christians around the world deal with this kind of persecution every single day.    We don't think about it much but over 360 million Christians around the world suffer persecution or discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ. Roughly 5,600 Christians were murdered in 2022, more than 6,000 were detained or imprisoned, and another 4,000-plus were kidnapped. In addition, more than 5,000 churches and other religious facilities were destroyed.  Most of us have seen the horrors that Christians in Nigeria are currently experiencing.  For other Christians, it means being denied economic opportunities or simply living under the threat of violence.  American Christians talk of persecution, but that is what real persecution looks like.  It's not being made fun of or worrying about offending someone, it's risking all for Jesus. Every year Open Doors USA releases its World Watch report of the 50 states most likely to punish Christians for their faith. Last year 11 nations were guilty of "extreme persecution." Afghanistan took the top spot this year. It is impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan. Leaving Islam is considered shameful, and Christian converts face dire consequences if their new faith is discovered. Either they have to flee the country or they will be killed.  North Korea is next, as Kim Jung-un wages a war against any foreign influences.  Then, we have countries like Somalia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria.  On this Thanksgiving Day, let's give thanks for our ability to worship freely without fear of persecution.  But let' also give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are staying faithful no matter what.  We pray for their safety, but also their perseverance, resilience, and faithfulness.  May we have even but a small amount of their courage and strength. Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.  Please know, I am grateful for everyone of you and count you all among my blessings. Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 26, 2025   Scripture - Acts 6   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we working through all of chapter 6.   In Acts 6, we see the choosing of the first deacons to serve the widows from both the Greek and Jewish communities.  The apostles felt strongly they needed to keep preaching and teaching but they knew someone needed to be in charge of serving those in need.  There was a conflict that had to be dealt with – the Greek Jews felt that their widows weren't being cared for in the same way as the Hebrew Jews when it came to food distribution.  It wasn't insurmountable issue at all, but it could certainly create battle lines if not addressed promptly.  Stephen is chosen to lead the group who would ensure all of the early believers are fed fairly.  This is such a great model for solving a problem in the church.  They had an issue, they came together and discussed it civilly, and a solution is chosen.  No drama.   I should also note this is the first time we see a differentiation in the roles in the church.  Deacons are caring for the physical needs of the people.  The apostles, serving more like elders, are preaching and teaching.  There are many people in one body with many different gifts.  It takes all of us for Jesus' church to be effective and fruitful.  This will get clearer as the church develops.    Later in the chapter, things take a turn for the worse.  Stephen is being targeted by the Sanhedrin.  They don't like how the Gospel is spreading.  I wonder if the Jewish leaders are beginning to feel like things are getting out of control.  They see the church growing and they don't have a way to stop it.  Stephen is exhibiting extraordinary wisdom.  How do you fight against that?  Well, you cheat and lie.  And that's exactly what they did.  They have people say that he is speaking blasphemy against Moses.  They are willing to do whatever they need to do to slander Stephen.  They are abandoning Torah in favor of keeping political control.    More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 25, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:17-42   Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day during this Thanksgiving week.   We are so very grateful that your mercies are new every morning.  We are thankful for your mercy, grace, and patience with us.  Help us, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word.  In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...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 in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are finishing Acts 5.   The apostles are witnessing and people are coming to faith in Jesus.  They are seeing signs and wonders.  Even Peter's shadow falling on people is leading to healing.  The Holy Spirit is working in powerful ways to demonstrate God's glory and grow the young church.  Healing and deliverance are the norm, not the exception.    This really makes the Jewish leaders jealous and worried.  Afterall, they want to control their perceived grip on religious power.  The apostles are thrown in jail but freed by an angel.  They go right back to the Temple courts and witness to the Gospel.  When the Jewish leaders question and threaten the apostles, the believers are clear that they are going to follow God over man.  Their boldness is amazing.  It's clear the Spirit is in them in a powerful way.  But what I am always alarmed by is their joy at being suffering disgrace for the Gospel.  I mean they are flogged!  That's extremely painful.  And they praise God for this.    This leads to some pretty difficult questions for us.  First, when have you suffered disgrace for the Gospel?  Second, when have we experienced discomfort for the Gospel?  Seriously, what is the worst we have experienced for the Gospel? And finally, if you have experienced disgrace or discomfort, were you filled with joy?   I think we tend to go to great lengths to avoid disgrace and discomfort.  Why?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 24, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:1-16   Prayer: Almighty God, As we move into a new week, 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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are staring Acts 5, specifically the first sixteen verses.   The story of Ananias and Sapphira is kind of disturbing.  But keep in mind that this is happening within the context of the new church community.  This is a community in which people are selling all their possessions and living in unity, of the same mind and spirit.  Then, Ananias and Sapphira, in contrast, tell everyone they are selling a piece of land and giving all the profit to the church.  But they secretly keep a big chunk for themselves.  This is the thing – if they had been honest and said they were splitting the proceeds and keeping some for themselves, it would not have been a big deal.  Afterall, it was their property and their money.  They could decide how to use it.  The issue was in the deception.  Rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit (as we see in the rest of the community), they were filled with a spirit of evil.    Here is an interesting question – were Ananias and Sapphira true believers?  They probably were.  Their story is told in the context of the actions of "all the believers" in Acts 4.  They knew the Holy Spirit.  It's possible that Ananias may have earlier promised to give the whole amount of the sale of the property to the church and then they changed their mind and decided to be deceptive rather than truthful.  Maybe the best evidence that they were believers is that they were disciplined for their actions.  They wanted attention and accolades but they lied to get it.  They were even given a chance to fess up but they stuck to their lies.  As a result, they died.    It shows us that believers can be led into bold, obvious sin.  And really, don't we see this often in the church?  A respected church leader falls from grace – the inappropriate relationship, embezzled funds, something is just not right.  Satan is active and at work in our lives and we have to be on guard, prepared with the full armor of God.  You guys, spiritual warfare is real.    If this story seems harsh, it is.  You are totally right.  I've thought about this.  The church was young.  They were really setting boundaries.  The apostles were establishing their own leadership.  This was a warning to the church as a whole.  Deception and evil will not be tolerated.  We are not to look like the culture at large.  We belong to Jesus.  We reflect Jesus.    Does New Hope reflect Jesus?  What can we do better?  What can you do better?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Where has God been throughout history—and what does His presence mean for us today? In Stephen's powerful sermon before the religious council, Acts 6:8–7:53 traces the story of God's faithfulness from Abraham to Moses to David, revealing that God has always been with His people, even in moments of opposition, suffering, and rejection.Stephen reminds us that the entire storyline of Scripture points toward Jesus—the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Though God's people often resisted Him, His presence, His promises, and His purposes have never been stopped.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 22-28 YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY'S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:In Acts 22, Paul reveals his Roman citizenship to avoid flogging, which changes his entire journey. How do you think Paul felt about his story taking such a different path than Jesus's story?When has God redirected your life in an unexpected way, and how did you handle the change?How does Paul's experience on Malta (healing Publius's father and others) demonstrate that sometimes our 'detours' can become significant moments of ministry?Can you think of a time when what seemed like an interruption in your plans became an opportunity to serve others?How does Jesus's own life demonstrate the value of small, ordinary moments of ministry rather than just dramatic, high-impact events?What areas of your life do you find most difficult to surrender control over to God?What 'common' or ordinary aspects of your life might God be using for His purposes that you might be overlooking?

Daily Dose of Hope November 21, 2025   Scripture - Acts 4:23-37   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast that goes along with the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  Happy Friday!  We are so glad you have joined us today.  We have been doing an intense deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  We have made it to the book of Acts and today, we are finishing up Acts 4.    The Jewish leaders had threatened Peter and John not to preach and teach Jesus.  Peter and John knew that was not going to be possible.  So what do they do?  They immediately gather with other believers for a time of prayer.  They pour their concerns out before the Lord.  They proclaim the majesty of God's greatness and power and they ask him to give them more boldness.    I want you to adequately grasp this.  They don't hide.  They don't cower.  They don't pray for protection.  They pray for boldness.  They never had any intention of backing down, but they do know that they will need Spirit-filled courage.    Think about the situation in your life right now that is causing the most stress and anxiety.  How can you reframe it like these disciples?  It's not about backing down.  It's about God giving you the strength, courage, stamina, and wisdom to face it head-on.  Please use good sense here and proceed with prayer.  But don't let fear make you make down.  Were Peter and John scared?  Probably.  They were human beings.  But they surrounded themselves with believers to pray over them and build them up with the strength of the Spirit.  What a great model! I want to jump down to the end of the chapter.  The believers are together and share all they have.  They are of one mind.  They sell their possessions and lay them at the apostles' feet.  They are filled with grace in a powerful way.  This is the way the church began.  Do you think maybe we have gotten off course a bit?  The reality is that a lot of history has occurred between the church of Acts and today.  But what do you take from this passage?  What elements of the church might we need to bring back to right now to be more in line with the teachings of Jesus? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 20, 2025   Scripture - Acts 4:1-22   Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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 doing a pretty intense walk through the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin Acts 4. Peter and John have been brought before the Sanhedrin.  Why?  Because they were preaching Jesus crucified and risen.  Peter has spoken as one filled with the Holy Spirit and it is powerful!  Many were coming to belief in Jesus.  These Jewish officials felt threatened.  And yet, they couldn't deny that the man had been healed.  The officials ask Peter and John by what authority they are preaching and teaching.  What do they say? They state clearly that they are preaching by the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  What was kind of fascinating and also kind of sad as I was doing research for this Scripture was the number of academics who struggled with this passage.  They struggled with the exclusivity of Peter and John preaching Jesus and only Jesus.  Peter is clear – it is by Jesus this man was healed and it is only by Jesus that we are saved.  And here we are 2000 years later and all kinds of academics can parse words and want to make the speech different.  Yet, Peter was clear.  He says this in verse 12,  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.  My favorite line from the chapter is, When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  This is always such a humbling verse for me.  Do others look at us and know we've been with Jesus?  It didn't matter that Peter and John hadn't had proper schooling, whatever that is.  They might not have even been literate.  But here they are, filled with the Spirit of the Living God, and it is obvious.  Everything about what they spoke, how they looked, and how they behaved, made it so evident that they belonged to Jesus.  And that begs the question --- could people say the same for us? Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Does a person need to turn from all sin to be saved? Is water baptism necessary for salvation? In today's message, Pastor Cucuzza will unpack one of the most misinterpreted verses in Scripture—Acts 2:38—as he continues his series, “The Most Misunderstood Passages in the Bible.”

Daily Dose of Hope November 19, 2025   Scripture - Acts 3   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.  This week, we have just started the book of Acts, after walking through all the Gospels.  What a great spiritual journey this has been and I'm so glad you have joined us!  Today, we walk through Acts 3. The chapter starts with Peter and John heading into the temple in the afternoon.  There is a disabled man there, who could not walk, and was brought into the temple every day to beg for money.  This passage always makes me smile.  Peter says something like, "Look, we don't have any money but we have something better."  And he heals him.  The man wasn't expecting it at all.  He was expecting more of the same – begging, barely making it, having no dignity, simply existing.  And what Peter and John offered him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, was so much better.  The man jumps and leaps throughout the temple courts and praises God.  People are standing there, jaws dropped, shocked.  They recognize him as the same man who used to beg at the temple gate, and now they are filled with wonder and amazement. And then the two men use this as an opportunity to preach about Jesus.  Peter says, "Why does this surprise you?"  He talks about Jesus.  He makes sure the people don't think this is a magic trick or something that happened by Peter's own power.  This is totally, completely, a result of the power of Jesus Christ.  What I find interesting is that Peter tailors his witnessing to the people around him.  These are Jewish people.  Thus, he goes way back to the Jewish fathers, explaining how Jesus was always part of God's plan.  Yet, he was killed and then resurrected.  Peter continues by telling them that Jesus is the one God sent, Jesus is the one that the prophets were speaking of, Jesus is the one you should have recognized!  It's really fascinating to me that Peter, throughout Acts, does such a great job, balancing human culpability for the death of Jesus with the inevitability of Jesus' death as part of God's plan.  This death was necessary and God knew it had to happen.  Prophecy said it would happen.  But, at the same time, it only occurred because human beings sinned and ensured that it would happen.  God didn't force anyone's hand.  He didn't make anyone do anything. One aspect of Peter's message that is critical is repentance.  I don't think we talk about repentance enough.  Let's look at verse 19, Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...  Peter tells the Jews who are listening that, regardless of what has come before, regardless of the mistakes of the past, it is time to repent.  Now is the time to turn to God and allow him to cleanse your sins so that you can be refreshed and be made white as snow.  Life is different with Jesus.  Allow him in and experience new life.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 18, 2025   Scripture – Acts 2   Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have just started the book of Acts, after walking through all the Gospels.  What a great spiritual journey this has been and I'm so glad you have joined us!  Today, we walk through Acts 2.   I'm going to start by reading the first three verses, On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.    You guys, this is incredible.  First, let's talk about the roaring windstorm.  Throughout Scripture, wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  In ancient Hebrew, we have the word, ruach, which means breath/wind/spirit and we see this word quite a bit in the Old Testament.  Wind represents the life-giving work of the Spirit.  Think about it.  In Genesis 2, God breathed life (ruach) into Adam.  In Ezekial 37, we are in the valley of dry bones and God has Ezekiel prophesy to the bones, saying "I will put my Spirit (ruach) in you and you will live."  In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is typically referred to in the Greek as pneuma.  The Holy Spirit comes upon Mary to form life in her womb.  In John 3:5, Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.    I can't help thinking, how many people need to experience the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit right now?  How many people are really struggling, barely holding on, languishing in doubt, pain, anger, cynicism?  Or maybe, you simply feel nothing?  There is NO true living without the presence of the Spirit, only existing.    Next, we have the tongues of fire.  Let's sit here for a second.  Fire is often descriptive of God in the Old Testament and it speaks to the purifying and refining work of the Holy Spirit.  In this sense, the Spirit causes things that are impure to become pure...lives, hearts. Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist says "I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  Peter speaks of the new Gentile believers as experiencing the Holy Spirit and having their hearts purified.    If something is pure, it is only one thing–pure gold, pure oxygen.  It isn't filled with contaminants or additives. It is totally and completely that one thing. I picture the Holy Spirit coming upon that group of believers on the day of Pentecost and purifying or refining their hearts so they would be totally and completely dedicated to the things of God, not half filled with the stuff of the world and half filled with the things of God.  I wonder that about our own hearts.  What contaminants have we allowed to seep in?  What do we need to purify? Come like a fire, Holy Spirit, and burn in us so that we can be pure and totally devoted to the things of Jesus.   Let's read some more Scripture, beginning with verse 4 (this is truly a paraphrase), All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  This made a racket and a crowd forms...When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken...Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?  Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."  And then Peter gets up and says, we aren't drunk, it's only 9 in the morning.  Let me tell you what his means...and he shares with them the Gospel, he speaks of how the Old Testament scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah, he speaks of Jesus' ministry, his death, his resurrection and it says this,  Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"  Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."   And what happened? 3000 believed and were baptized.  The Holy Spirit came, the people were given power to act, and they did it!  They trusted God and they responded.  This was essentially the beginning of the church.  At the end of chapter 2, we see how the people begin to gather to worship Jesus, to pray, to learn, to take care of one another, to celebrate the Lord's Supper.  They sold all they had and gave it to the poor among them.    We talked about how the Holy Spirit is life-giving and purifying but it also has power.  The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do really hard things.  If you have said yes to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit has made a home within you. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead LIVES within you.  And God didn't give us that power simply for our own use.  It's for the mission of sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others.    Why do you think we struggle so much with that?  What part of the mission causes you to hide in fear?  Friends, we have POWER within us and it is given to us for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.  Let's just let that sit and settle.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope November 17, 2025   Scripture – Acts 1   Prayer: Holy God, Almighty Father, the Great I AM, Throughout all time, You are good.  Your ways are perfect.  Teach us your ways, Lord.  Help us to know you better, to know you more.  Lord, on our own, we are powerless.  We are desperate for your wisdom, love, and mercy.  More of you and less of me, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.   Today, we are starting the book of Acts, one of my favorite books of the Bible.  This is the second volume of the two-part work of Luke-Acts, written by Luke, a co-worker of Paul.  The original title of the book was The Acts of the Apostles.  Certainly, different apostles appear throughout the stories, but the only single character who unifies the book is Jesus, appearing in the beginning of the book in human form and then acting through the Holy Spirit throughout the book.    As we work our way through the text, it's going to be incredible to see how the Holy Spirit transforms, leads, directs, and shapes the new Christians and the young church.  Chapter 1 opens with Jesus ready to ascend into heaven.  Even though this is post-resurrection, the disciples still didn't understand everything.  We find them asking Jesus when he is going to restore the kingdom to Israel.  Their understanding of God's Kingdom is still a bit misguided, but Jesus redirects them.  He says only God knows the time and place for that.    But there is something even better ahead.  And Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit is coming.  The Spirit of the living God is coming and when it does, they will receive a power like no other.  This is the same truth for us:  When God's Spirit comes upon us, we have the ability to  witness, to bear testimony, to all the things of Jesus.  It really isn't about us but about God's Spirit in us!   And then, Jesus ascends into heaven.  They don't quite get it yet, but now it's a waiting game.  The Holy Spirit is coming and they have no idea what they are in for.  Tomorrow, we get to talk about Pentecost and the birthday of the church.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

DATE: Nov. 16, 2025                           SERIES: Poured OutTITLE: While They Were Praying (Peter's Escape)BIG IDEA: Prayer opens us to be surprised by God. SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1 - 17; Luke 11:9 – 10Sunday Set List: https://bit.ly/Sunday-SetlistSERMON NOTES: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=r1Gi1FMxZgGROUPS QUESTIONS: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=S1KzMKflWlRESPOND: http://thecreeksidechurch.org/discovercard

What does healthy growth look like in the church—and what challenges come with it? In Acts 6:1–7, we see a rapidly expanding church face real problems, but also discover a God-designed solution: every believer has a part to play. As the apostles remain devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word, the church raises up Spirit-filled servants to meet needs, protect unity, and advance the mission of Jesus.This passage reminds us that meaningful ministry is never a solo effort. When God's people step into their gifts and serve together, the church flourishes and the gospel multiplies.

In this episode of the Story of Scripture, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss the final chapters we have of Paul's story. Paul stands against the Jewish leaders who oppose his faith in Jesus, stands against the Roman rulers of the world, and even must confront the unseen powers in the world through a storm, shipwreck, and snakebite. Throughout every obstacle, Paul remains faithful to his Lord and his mission.

Exposing the New Apostolic Reformation: Standing Firm on the True Gospel Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins · November 13, 2025 In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins exposes the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)—a modern movement claiming God is restoring apostles and prophets to govern the Church. Dave defines what the NAR teaches, why it's dangerous, and how Christians can stand firm on the sufficiency of God's Word. This episode offers a clear, biblical response that points believers back to Christ and His finished work.

When the apostles were imprisoned, beaten, and ordered to stop preaching, they didn't quit—they rejoiced. Acts 5:17–42reveals the unstoppable power of God's plan to spread the gospel and build His Church. Opposition could not silence it, persecution could not hinder it, and suffering only made it shine brighter.

DATE: Nov 9, 2025                           SERIES: Poured OutTITLE: New BrandBIG IDEA: God's grace makes Jesus Lord and Savior for everyone everywhere. SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:19-30SUNDAY SET: https://Music SERMON NOTES: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=B1uc5SFk-lGROUPS QUESTIONS: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=BymtnrFyWxRESPOND: http://thecreeksidechurch.org/discovercard

DATE: Nov 9, 2025                           SERIES: Poured OutTITLE: New BrandBIG IDEA: God's grace makes Jesus Lord and Savior for everyone everywhere. SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:19-30SUNDAY SET: https://MUSICSERMON NOTES: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=B1uc5SFk-lGROUPS QUESTIONS: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=BymtnrFyWxRESPOND: http://thecreeksidechurch.org/discovercard

In this episode of the Bible Reading Podcast, Ted Ryskoski, Lance Lawson, and Rachel Chester discuss Acts 16-21.  Paul continues on his second and third missionary journeys. He faces suffering and opposition, but also amazing openness to the gospel. Despite repeated warnings, Paul heads to Jerusalem. He knows what awaits, but is willing to be all and give all for the gospel.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:8-13November 2, 2025 - Worship Service

DATE: Nov 2, 2025                           SERIES: Poured OutTITLE: God's Church, God's WayBIG IDEA: The Spirit moves in surprising ways to reveal Jesus Christ—the Lord of all. SCRIPTURE: Acts 10 & 11SUNDAY SETLIST: https://bit.ly/Sunday-SetlistSERMON NOTES: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=BkmCmz-yZxGROUPS QUESTIONS: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=S1s6df-yWxRESPOND: http://thecreeksidechurch.org/discovercard

DATE: Nov 2, 2025                           SERIES: Poured OutTITLE: God's Church, God's WayBIG IDEA: The Spirit moves in surprising ways to reveal Jesus Christ—the Lord of all. SCRIPTURE: Acts 10 & 11SUNDAY SETLIST: https://bit.ly/Sunday-SetlistSERMON NOTES: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=BkmCmz-yZxGROUPS QUESTIONS: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=S1s6df-yWxRESPOND: http://thecreeksidechurch.org/discovercard

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In this episode of the Story of Scripture, the new church is growing exponentially, but also faces difficult questions about this newly formed people of God. Do the newly included Gentile disciples need to follow the laws of the Torah? Should the Jewish disciples of Jesus and the Gentile disciples of Jesus interact? Eat together? Are they the same status? God has always planned to bring salvation to the whole world, and the early church must wrestle with what this new reality means for their traditions and faith.

This week Pastor Jesse talks about the fear of God   Main Sermon Points & Scripture: Acts 5:1-11 POINT 1: Don't mistake grace for permission Romans 1:22-32 Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 9:10 Psalm 111:10 Ezekiel 36:25-27   *This episode was recorded on 10/26/25

The apostle Peter is transformed from hiding and denying knowing the name of Jesus to bolding proclaiming salvation in the name of Jesus, "unable to top speaking about what [he has] seen and heard." Stephen explains to the Jewish leadership how the Story of Scripture has all led to Jesus and becomes the first Christian martyr. We are introduced to a young zealot named Paul, who "breathes" threats and murder against the followers of Jesus. It is the explosive, beginning of the church; no one is left unchanged by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

“You cannot build your church on religious people.” In this powerful opening night sermon of the Waltham Forest Conference, Pastor Nigel Brown issues a timely and prophetic warning: If we prioritize church growth over new birth, we may lose the very culture that fuels our calling.Using Acts 5 as his foundation, Pastor Brown contrasts the “rest who dared not join” with those born again into a supernatural, Holy Ghost culture. He exposes the dangers of importing religious Christians rather than reaching sinners, and passionately defends the core values of evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and world evangelism.With stirring illustrations, historical insight into the Salvation Army, and testimonies of transformation, this message will challenge every pastor, disciple, and believer to preserve the culture that God has entrusted to our fellowship.