Daily Dose of Hope

December 26, 2024

Day 5 of Week 39

Scripture: Jeremiah 8-10; 2 Corinthians 11

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. I do hope you had a lovely Christmas Day and now get some time to enjoy the after-Christmas peace.

Let’s get right into our Scripture. In these chapters of Jeremiah, we see pictures of the Babylonian destruction of Judah. Jeremiah sees bones filling the Valley of Hinnon at the end of chapter 7. Now, in the beginning of chapter 8, we see the bones are those of the kings and leaders who led the people astray by making idolatry and oppression such a regular part of their lives. And yet, there is an interesting statement that those who survive the Babylonian conquest of Judah will actually be worse off than those who die. Basically, it's going to be terrible when God finally lifts his hand of protection and allows Judah to be decimated.

God expresses some shock that the people have not returned to him. But God knows what has to happen. The current state of affairs can’t be allowed to continue. Judah will be conquered and many will be led into exile.

Chapter 10 takes a bit of a turn. It moves away from discussion of exile and focuses on how God is greater and higher than all these other idols. God is sovereign and all-powerful. He warns the people to not fall into the ways of the Gentiles. At the end of the chapter, there are some prayers and pleas by Jeremiah. To me, it’s rather gut-wrenching.

Our New Testament chapter is 2 Corinthians 11. Up until this point, Paul has avoiding boasting and self-aggrandizement. Because of this, he has gotten slammed by his rivals. Now, he asks the Corinthians to bear with a little foolishness as he boasts. He seems to think there is no other way to address these charges against his authority as an apostle and Christian leader than to clearly articulate why he is qualified. But unlike his rivals, Paul makes it clear that he knows boasting is nothing but foolishness because it leaves God out of the equation.

Paul begins his foolish boasting to counter the attack of his rivals. From reading this, we can guess that those opposing Paul took pride in their Jewish heritage, in their ministry work, and in their visions and revelations. Paul matches them point for point. But he does so knowing it's all a bit ridiculous. The only thing that really matters is boasting about God.

Paul's original discourse with the Corinthians about boasting is found back in 1 Corinthians1:26-31. Reflect on the difference between this and what Paul is expressing in today's passage, Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope – Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2024

Day 4 of Week 39

Scripture: Jeremiah 5-7; Psalm 75; 2 Corinthians10

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. Merry Christmas! My prayer is that you will all enjoy this day, celebrating the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus.

For our Scripture today, we are back in Jeremiah. I’m not going to lie. This is not great Christmas Scripture. It isn’t all sweet and comforting. But I guess neither was the time and place Jesus was born into. It was dark. And Jeremiah’s prophecy is dark too. He is speaking, on behalf of God, about what is to become of the people of Judah. Jerusalem will be besieged. There is another call to repentance but we know that by this time, things are so far gone. Jeremiah would probably not be a very popular guy.

With that, let’s head on over to the New Testament. Our chapter for today is 2 Corinthians 10. After a lengthy discussion on the collection for Jerusalem believers, Paul returns to the issue of defending his love for the Corinthians and his authority as an apostle. Paul is concerned with his own reputation but he is more concerned with saving the Corinthian church from these rivals who are promoting a false Gospel.

It's interesting that many people read Paul's epistles and think of him as uncompromising and even harsh at times. But that apparently isn't the Paul that the Corinthian church witnessed. They thought of Paul as weak and timid. In today’s chapter, Paul is defending himself against such accusations. He is not timid but bold. However, he doesn't wage war in the typical sense. He wages war with God's power. Thus, we can suppose that Paul fights with spiritual weapons such as prayer and divine wisdom.

According to the Scripture, these weapons allow him to demolish strongholds. The Corinthians would have been familiar with strongholds, places with much fortification to help defend against attack. But it would have also been common knowledge that no amount of fortification could defend against a strong, forceful offensive attack. The power of God, Paul's spiritual weapons, were much stronger than anything that his rivals could present. Paul stands ready to attack the "stronghold" erected by those in Corinth who oppose him and slander his name. No amount of verbal attacks on his character, no intellectual arguments, no worldly debate could match the power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was on the side of Christ and that was his most effective weapon.

Do you make use of spiritual weapons? And if you don’t, then why not?

Again, please know you are loved and being lifted up.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

December 24, 2024

Day 3 of Week 39

Scripture: Jeremiah 1-4; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 9

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. It’s Christmas Eve! I’m hoping to see at least most of you tonight at one of our New Hope Christmas Eve services. The family-oriented service is at 5pm and the traditional service with full choir is at 7pm.

For our Old Testament Scripture today, we begin the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a major prophet that began his time of ministry in Judah under King Josiah. If you recall, Josiah was a good king, determined to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. In many ways, this was a good time for Jeremiah to start his time of prophecy. He was protected in so many ways. That didn’t stop him from being a reluctant prophet. Look at how many times he uses his youth as a reason for not responding to God’s call.

We are all called by God to do something. Maybe we haven’t been called to prophecy (or maybe we have), but I guarantee God has something in mind for you. It may even be something hard. What excuses have you used? I’m too young, I’m too old, I’m too tired, I’m too busy, I’m too unprepared. There are so many. But if God calls, he will equip. Eventually Jeremiah relents and begins his 40-year ministry as a prophet of God.

Let’s move into chapters 2 and 3. Keep in mind that God often refers to Judah and Jerusalem as Israel in the book of Jeremiah, though the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians roughly 100 years before Jeremiah’s work as a prophet. God refers to Judah and Jerusalem as representing all of Israel because by this time, it did. Through Jeremiah, God recalls the past relationship he had with Israel, which is now dissolving. He is horribly upset by Israel’s sin and idolatry. In chapter 3, you will see how Israel is compared to a prostitute, as she gives herself to many gods.

In chapter 4, we read about a call to repentance. Will God’s people change their ways? The rest of the chapter details the destruction that will occur if they do not. More on that tomorrow.

Psalm 130 is another psalm of ascent, which the Jewish pilgrims sang as they made their way into Jerusalem for the various required festivals. It’s a beautiful psalm, promising the hope and redemption that comes with walking closely to the Lord.

Our New Testament passage is 2 Corinthians 9. In this chapter, Paul is continuing his discussion on giving. Paul is trying to rouse some enthusiasm amongst the Corinthian believers on the topic of giving, specifically giving to the destitute believers in Jerusalem. They were initially very interested and enthusiastic but apparently, they haven't followed through on their commitments.

Today’s chapter leads to some interesting thoughts. You reap what you sow, not just with material resources but also in other ways. This idea is found throughout Scripture but most notably in Jesus' teaching in Luke 6:38, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

But it also suggests that giving is an individual decision of the heart. We don't give for public recognition but to please God and demonstrate his love to others. God doesn't want us to give out of a sense of obligation but truly out of a kind and generous heart. All we have comes from God, we are simply giving a portion back to God's work in this world. Finally, Paul is suggesting that when we give to God's work, we will be blessed. God will ensure that our needs are met. Notice Paul doesn't say that our wants will be fulfilled but rather our needs. We will have what we need to be content. What does it take for you to be content? Do you give with a cheerful heart?

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

Daily Dose of Hope

December 23, 2024

Day 2 of Week 39

Scripture: Zephaniah 1-3; Psalm 74; 2 Corinthians 8

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. Happy Monday! Just a reminder that at New Hope, we will have two wonderful Christmas Eve services tomorrow night. The 5pm service is family-oriented (think glowsticks and balloons) and the 7pm service is traditional with full choir. Looking forward to seeing you!

Our Old Testament passage for today is Zephaniah 1-3. Zephaniah was a minor prophet who lived in Judah and was a contemporary of King Josiah. This would have put him in the final decades of the Southern Kingdom, when King Josiah implemented spiritual reforms and there was a true revival for a time. And yet the prophecy is of Judah’s destruction. A theme that runs through the book is “the day of the Lord’s judgement.” A period of obedience under Josiah does not mean that God will not still hold Judah accountable for their generations of evil.

Our New Testament passage is 2 Corinthians 8. There is significant need among the believers in Jerusalem and Paul is imploring the churches in Macedonia and Greece to give, not out of obligation but truly out of love for their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Those in Jerusalem were Jewish believers who the Gentile Corinthians had never met. This offering would not have been part of a tithe, but rather over and beyond their normal giving, in order to help those who needed it. While the Macedonian churches were located in a fairly wealthy and prosperous area, that doesn't mean all the churches were affluent. There were some among them who were wealthy but many more were just working class or poor. And yet, Paul is calling them to give anyway.

He has called all the Macedonian churches to give; this includes Corinth but also Philippi and Thessalonica. He is asking the Corinthians church to finish up their previous collection, keeping in mind the extreme need in Jerusalem. This is not a command, by any means, but rather encouragement to do what is right.

Giving does not come naturally to human beings. We seem to have this need to keep things for ourselves. We tend toward selfishness over sacrifice. Generosity is something that God nurtures in our hearts. Jesus taught often about being generous. Think about Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The beauty in the Scripture is that it demonstrates that when we invest in the things of God, our heart will be pulled in that direction as well. We start by giving sacrificially and God changes our heart.

What’s been your experience with giving? Do you tithe? If you don’t, then what keeps you from giving on that level? Have you ever given above and beyond the tithe, as Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to do? What motivated that giving? How has God blessed your giving?

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

December 22, 2024

Day 1 of Week 39

Scripture: Habakkuk 1-3; 2 Corinthians 7

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.

Today, we start the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk was one of the minor prophets, living in the 600s BC, and prophesying around 605 BC. Habakkuk prophesied about the Babylonians and the destruction of Jerusalem, which puts him in the time period where the Babylonians had become a conquering nation but had not yet endangered Judah.

The book of Habakkuk mainly addresses questions about why God allows injustice. Unlike other prophets that were sent to prophesy against Israel, Judah, or other nations, the book of Habakkuk records a conversation between Habakkuk and God. From this, we see an interesting picture of God dialoguing with a follower who has questions. By reading Habakkuk, we also find answers.

For instance, in Habakkuk 1:1-4, the prophet says, How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk is distressed over the evil in Judah and God tells him that there will be retribution when Babylon conquers Judah. This horrifies Habakkuk even more because in his mind the people of Judah are still significantly better than the people of Babylon. But God assures Habakkuk that Babylon will eventually be punished as well. This pleases Habakkuk and he praises God.

Our New Testament passage for today is 2 Corinthians 7. Paul continues to express his love and dedication to the Corinthians. Despite their disobedience and their lack of confidence in him, Paul has confidence and love for them. In fact, Paul says that he would live or die with them. He is making the point that their relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ will not end with physical death. They are united for eternity. This means something!

Have you ever considered that you are united with your fellow believers for eternity? This usually brings me great joy. I've met Christians all over the world who I know I won't ever meet again in this earthly life. But yet, we will be together in heaven forever. At the same time, there are believers who I know with whom I've never quite gotten along. Guess what? I also will spend eternity with them. Our bonds as Christian brothers and sisters are strong, friends. Is there a Christian brother or sister with whom you have disagreed and you need to make amends? Our allegiance to Jesus should always trump our individual disagreements. I'm not saying to be a doormat. However, think about the disagreement, pray about it, and see how God wants you to proceed.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

December 19, 2024

Day 5 of Week 38

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34-35; 2 Corinthians 6

Welcome the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.

Our Old Testament text is 2 Chronicles. This is basically the same story that we heard yesterday about King Josiah. King Josiah came to the throne at age eight. There was something about him that led to Josiah knowing right from wrong. Even with poor parenting, this young man knew to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He instituted reforms that brought Judah back to where it should be. He destroyed the idols and the pagan altars and he made sure that they were once again familiar with and following the law.

Despite this, God did not spare them. By this point, things had gone too far. The leaders and people of Judah had been given so many chances. What God promised to Josiah was that the destruction of Judah would not happen during his lifetime. But it would happen. There had been so many warnings and so many chances. There had to be consequences.

The New Testament passage for today is 2 Corinthians 6. Paul wants the Corinthians to know that there are boundaries surrounding the behaviors of the covenant community. As we have discussed in previous chapters, most of Corinth consisted of individuals who worshipped multiple gods; idolatry and sexual immorality were a part of the pagan existence. Now, people are coming to know Jesus and entering the Corinthian church. This requires a huge shift in thinking about what is acceptable. Paul continues to teach that while they have freedom in Christ, that is not an excuse for behavior that displeases God. They are called to holiness.

It is from that place that Paul tells the Corinthian believers not to be yoked with unbelievers. A yoke refers to the wooden crosspiece that was fastened over the necks of two oxen and attached to a plow or cart that they are to pull. When one animal is yoked to another, generally the stronger animal can help make up for the inadequacies of the weaker animal. Think about Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30,“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we are yoked together with Jesus, he helps lighten our load and provides rest for our souls.

But Paul is saying NOT to be yoked with those who are not Christ-followers. As in the reference from Matthew, being yoked with someone suggests a close, almost intimate relationship. Do not yoke yourself with someone whose values, attitudes, and behaviors are fundamentally different from your own. Paul is referencing marriage but also other relationships. Do not bind yourself to people who have a worldview that is opposed to your own.

I want to be clear; Paul is not saying that Christians aren't to associate with unbelievers. Frequently, Paul encourages believers to eat with those who don't yet believe and build relationships with those who need to know the hope of Christ. But having an unbelieving friend or acquaintance is totally different from an unbelieving spouse, business partner, or bestie. Set your boundaries.

Blessings,

Daily Dose of Hope

December 17, 2024

Day 3 of Week 38

Scripture: Nahum 1-3; Psalm 149; 2 Corinthians 4

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.

Today, we start the book of Nahum. Nahum was another minor prophet and his book is a collection of poems and writings that announce the destruction of Judah’s enemy, Assyria, and its capital city of Ninevah. Keep in mind, it was the Assyrian empire that conquered the northern Kingdom, Israel, and they were well-known for their brutality. But while Assyria is called out explicitly in this small book, there is really a bigger message and that is that God will not allow violent and brutal empires to last. Ninevah and Assyria are simply an example in this book. We know that there have and will continue to be horrible governments around the world. God will, in fact, have the last word. When I think about some of the horrors occurring around our world today in places like Russia and North Korea, I get some sense of peace. God is going to take care of things.

Let’s move on to the New Testament. Our scripture for today is 2 Corinthians 4. Jars of clay would have been a fairly normal sight in Paul's day. They were basic, earthenware vessels, used for everything from cooking utensils to toilets. They were inexpensive but breakable, and could easily be knocked over and damaged.

Paul is saying that the Gospel is an amazing treasure. And we, as Christ-followers, get to be the vessels that hold the Good News of Jesus. God chooses to store his greatest treasure in our own weak and flawed human bodies. They aren't too unlike the clay jars, common and fragile. Yet, God chooses us. In all our brokenness, God chooses us. In the mess of the world, God chooses us. In the midst of hardship and oppression, God still chooses us. We get to be the bearers of the greatest news in the history of all humanity. God chooses us. Just let that sink in a bit.

Today’s devotional is pretty short. Take a moment and use this extra time to catch up on your reading if you need to. It’s getting close to Christmas. If you have a few spare moments, I would also encourage you to read Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2. I promise you will be blessed.

Let’s chat tomorrow,

Pastor Vicki