Hope Alliance Bethlehem

After a season of silence due to the rebellious ways of his people and leaders, God breaks his silence to call Samuel as a prophet. And likewise each of us has a unique calling from God. Cultivating nearness to him, learning how to discern his voice and having the courage to follow will determine our ability to live into this calling.

Hophni and Phineas demonstrate a life off the rails and filled with greed. How did it get this way? They didn't know God. Certainly they knew about him, but they didn't know him - and there is a big difference. And what's worse is their father was doing little to help the situation. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, God was grooming the next leader of his people - a young boy name Sa...

The book of 1 Samuel opens with the story of Hannah who is struggling with the reality of her barrenness. While her rivals provoke her and her husband tries to make up for her lack in his own power, this remarkable woman of faith turns her eyes to God. And God's grace leads to the birth of Samuel - a son for Hannah and a leader for Israel.

History is filled with the horrific stories of brutal leaders who held onto power by crushing others around them. Herod is one such story. But even in the midst of his ruthless oppression, God's story of victory through Jesus emerges greater. And in that story, the remarkable obedience of Joseph and Mary to follow the leading of God is a grand model of faith.

This often passed by story of Jesus' dedication in the temple unveils a powerful narrative showing an exodus story led by a boundary-breaking Jesus received by people of faith. Already Jesus is smashing long held boundaries and making God available to everyone through himself. And already those who respond to him are doing so by faith.

The story of Zachariah is amazing. He's a priest who has prayed for a son for decades and at a crucial moment in history, God answers his prayer in dynamic fashion. Zachariah's journey is not just one of fertility for his wife. It is really a journey of faith in the moment. He goes from doubting God to singing praises to God for his greatness. Perhaps you've been waiting on God for...

Christmas is way more than a baby in a manger. It is the incarnation of God into the mess of humanity. Christmas is when Jesus sets aside the comforts of heaven to pursue rebellious humanity. In so doing, the law is fulfilled, love is presented in its fullness and life is offered to the fullest.

The gospel when we understand it well reframes our whole perspective on life from entitlement to grace and mercy. And when we view our existence through this lens the natural byproduct is joy which leads to gratitude.

When Jesus established the communion meal, he urged his followers to share in it regularly. Why? Because it offers union to Jesus, union to the story of God and union to others for those who receive it.

The simple answer is that God says so. The more compelling answer is the gospel. We have been the recipients of grace and mercy from God himself and therefore are called to demonstrate it in our world so the story of God is told. If we learn to love the gospel deeply, live without ignorance and leave the corners of our lives for others we will be orienting our lives in the way honoring to God.

Far too many people give their money out of obligation - because they feel like they have to. The fact is that tithing is no longer an obligation. In its place stands the gospel which is a whole new orientation. We are now asked to form our lives around what Jesus has done for us. In this way, we are truly called to give of what we have based on our opportunity.

The church is not a building. And it isn't a Sunday morning gathering. The church is a dynamic community of people centered on Jesus who care for each other and make the gospel real in each other's lives. Without community, we can't be all that God intends us to be and that's why the Bible is so adamant about Christians living in community.

Making disciples is something everyone who follows Jesus is called to do. And when we're all doing it, it becomes a multiplying reality that results in new followers of Jesus, maturing followers of Jesus, and even new churches.

What does God want from you? Many answer obedience, but that's not correct. The answer is affection. From true affection for God comes obedience. That's why at Hope we are passionate about creating genuine connection to God and each other as we seek to live the life God is calling us to.

It shouldn't be hard to meet Jesus, but it isn't easy to stay with him. These two realities demand that the church and followers of Jesus create atmospheres and relationships that don't create unnecessary boundaries to Jesus while urging people to go deeper in order to solidify their faith in him.

The gospel is not just an entry ticket to the family of God. It's a whole new way of life. So, we need to be constantly saturated in the gospel in order to be all that God intends us to be. In it we find rescue and renewal, as well as a desire to share it with everyone.

There is a statement at the end of the transfiguration in Matthew's gospel that is so profound and so important - "they looked up and saw no one except Jesus." Even though Moses and Elijah made an appearance, when the moment was over it was simply Jesus. For Hope Alliance, we want this to be a way of life. Simply Jesus.

This famous psalm ends with imagery of the shepherd and his flock's difficult journey from their home pasture to the high ground. The journey to the mountaintop is always out of our comfort zone. David reminds us here of why we should take the journey.

This Lord is my shepherd is a statement of pride written by a man (David) who knew what it meant to be a good shepherd. Those who are led by the Lord are marked by contentment, rest, refreshment and restoration. How would you describe your life? And who is your shepherd?

How do we stand strong in the midst of spiritual warfare? It starts with the perfect defense of the armor God has given us - our identity in Christ. And it continues with the right offense of our authority through God's word and our access to God himself.

In our world, we often talk about demons as a way of expressing bad stuff in our personal history. However, the Bible shows us that demons are real spirit beings who oppose the kingdom of God at every turn. So, we have to know their methods, how they attack us and how we should respond.

Peter tells us that the devil is roaming like a roaring lion looking for people to devour. His charge to us is to be alert to the devil and to resist the devil. Be alert to his reality, his nature and his schemes. And resist him through your dynamic connection to Jesus.

What does the Bible mean when it suggests that we are in a battle against the world? It isn't people, nations, or governments. Rather, it is the systems and structures that are in opposition to the kingdom of God. This battle is real and for us to engage effectively in it we need to be have a right definition and a correct posture. In the same way, we need to know where we've been affect...

Our flesh is the rebellious part of us that is still seeking to control and rule our own life. And our battle against it is spiritual warfare. Rather than always being reactionary to sin in our life, a victorious posture seeks to confront temptation, confess sin and choose forgiveness.

Every follower of Jesus has a remarkable standing "in Christ." We are forgiven - no sin or penalty held against us. We are free - no longer bound by sin and the devil. We have the fullness of Christ - empowered for the advance of God's kingdom. Through faith, we embrace this victorious standing in the midst of spiritual warfare.