A Sure Hope

It can be difficult not to let our failures keep us from our Heavenly Father, afraid that our mess-ups make us unworthy of His love. Today, Pastor Dave teaches us that the trials we go through are meant to draw us closer to the Lord. Through each one, God is molding and shaping us into Jesus' likeness just as He intended.       

The Word tells us that Jesus is with us always, even to the end of the age. His presence is always there, always with us. He is never distant; rather, He is intimately involved in everything we do. Today, Pastor Dave teaches us that this truth is one that, as believers, we should lean into , being filled with comfort and hope.    

No one likes to wait. In the grocery store line or in traffic, waiting can be so frustrating. It feels like a waste of time. Yet today, Pastor Dave encourages you to wait. He tells you that sometimes, you must wait for the Lord to act rather than taking matters into your own hands. Waiting for Him is proof you trust Him. 

If you have kids or you have been around kids, you know they can be annoying. The constant questions can be endearing, but after a while, they get irritating. Today, Pastor Dave assures you that God never gets tired of hearing from His children. He always loves to hear from you!

We’re all influenced by the people around us. When those influences are ungodly, it can be tempting to follow their lead. Today, Pastor Dave reminds you that, like King David, you can pray for God’s protection from the wickedness of others and trust Him to keep you steadfast in the truth.

Do you know someone who is acting unjustly? Has someone treated you with contempt, even hate? Today, Pastor Dave tells you that if you do, use David’s prayer in Psalm 58 as a model. Cry out to God for justice by pointing out the evil things that person is doing, and then leave the rest to God.  

There are times in life when you walk through Death Shadow Valley, surrounded by darkness and forces beyond your control. But Pastor Dave tells you that God will deliver you from difficult situations. In His mercy, He will rescue you either now in this world or later, in the new creation, so trust Him. 

Who looks forward to enduring hardships? But today, Pastor Dave tells you that as a Christian, you should expect suffering in life! And not only should you expect trials, but you should see them as God’s loving discipline. He encourages you to lean into the Lord as you suffer adversities. 

Today, Pastor Dave tells you that whatever situation or circumstances you find yourself in, there’s a truth you ought to remind yourself of, and it’s this: God knows what it is. He sees you, cares about you, and is on your side. So, wherever you might find yourself today, know this: God…is…for…  you! 

In today’s message, Pastor Dave asks you, Have you ever been in a desperate situation? In a really bad place? King David certainly was. When he cried out to God for help, God delivered him. In response, David wrote Psalm 56, a psalm of trust, gratitude, and confidence in the Lord. Whom do you trust? 

It’s been said that if we pray for rain, we should bring an umbrella! In other words, it’s important to stand before God and ask for things in confidence, knowing that He hears us and will answer. In today’s message, Pastor Dave encourages you to pray in boldness, with joy. God loves you and has a plan for you!

Sometimes God wants us to do things that we don’t quite understand. Today, Pastor Dave reminds us of God’s guidance to be still and to listen to His whisper. How do you hear God in His still, small voice when you have a million things running through your mind? Well, that’s an important question for you to figure out.

Whether people acknowledge it or not, we’re created in the image of God. We were meant to be in relationship with others. In today’s message, Pastor Dave reminds us that when our hearts aren’t right with God, they won’t be right with people either. We can only be patient and kind toward others with God’s help.

The only common ground that all people share is that we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. In today’s message, Pastor Dave reminds us of this truth.  When we acknowledge we’re sinners and admit that we need a Savior , we can finally give up striving to be someone we can’t be, and instead trust in Jesus! 

Many people in the Bible had trust in God that was beyond measure. Despite the circumstances in their lives, their trust in God always rose to the top. How about you? In today’s message, Pastor Dave asks whether you’ve placed your trust in God. Can you lean on God’s promises even amid your trials and storms? 

In today’s message, Pastor Dave compares God’s love to the waves in the ocean. There’s nothing that can stop the waves from reaching the shore. God’s love is the same toward you! No matter what you’ve done or what you will do, good or bad, God’s love doesn’t change. It’s constantly coming towards you!

You’ve seen kids play superhero! They’ll tie a towel around their necks and suddenly be Superman. When the towel comes off, all superpowers are gone. Today, Pastor Dave reminds us that the Holy Spirit was like that in the Old Testament. Now, we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us! What will you do with that power? 

We often make everything about us . We can be conversing with a friend about their kids, and then realize we’ve made it about our kids. Woops. Well, today Pastor Dave encourages us to avoid this scenario with Jesus. Our prayers of repentance and forgiveness should focus on God’s mercy and grace, not on our deservedness.  

Don’t worry, you likely won’t come out of your next encounter with God with white hair like Charlton Heston in his portrayal of Moses. But, as Pastor Dave will point out in today’s message, a true encounter with Jesus is transformative . It fills your heart with joy, and the people around you will see a clear difference.

We’re born rebellious, selfish beings. We don’t know any better at first, but as we grow, we choose to live lives centered around ourselves at the expense of others and without regard for God. Yet, as Pastor Dave will remind us in today’s message, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us – giving everything for us.

Wealth does not equal wisdom, and it certainly doesn’t equal righteousness. We know that intuitively, yet how often do we give credence to the opinions of wealthy, famous people? Today, Pastor Dave will remind us that wisdom only comes from God, and it often goes directly against the flow of popular culture. 

If you think back over history, there have been many infamous men who used their positions of power to commit evil. They may have enjoyed comfort and pleasure in this world, but without Jesus, where are they now? As Pastor Dave will remind us in today’s message, the wicked prosper now , but their rewards are short-lived. 

Can you imagine that? What would that look like for mountains to rejoice and for trees to clap their hands? As Pastor Dave points out in today’s message, whether this is literal or figurative, it points to a time when the world directs its praise towards Jesus. It will be such an incredible moment to witness.

If you ask people what they think of Israel, you might find it to be a rather divisive issue. Some fully stand with them, while others are fully against them and their actions of late. As Pastor Dave will point out in today’s message, God has promised to restore Israel and make them a blessing to all nations as He meant for them to be.

This is crucial for all believers. You can’t be a part of God’s Kingdom and deny the deity and sovereignty of His Son, Jesus. As Pastor Dave will point out in today’s message, many people resist this truth today, but ultimately, every knee will bow before Him. You’ll fare much better eternally if you choose to do so now.