New Hope Church

09/07/2026

Can’t harvest from seed not sown…

09/06/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Day 250

Now Live It

Scripture (NKJV)

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

James 1:22

For several weeks we have sat at the feet of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

We have heard Him teach us about humility.

Mercy.

Purity.

Peacemaking.

Forgiveness.

Marriage.

Integrity.

Loving enemies.

Giving.

Prayer.

Fasting.

Money.

Worry.

Seeking God’s Kingdom.

Discernment.

The narrow road.

And building upon the Rock.

Now comes the question that must follow every sermon:

What are we going to do with it?

James warns us that hearing truth without obeying it can actually deceive us.

We begin mistaking familiarity with Scripture for faithfulness to Scripture.

Knowing is not the same as doing.

Conviction is not the same as repentance.

Agreement is not the same as obedience.

Jesus did not call us merely to become students who can explain His teachings.

He called us to become disciples who live them.

Perhaps the greatest spiritual question you can ask after reading the Bible is simply:

“What should I do differently because I read this?”

Maybe today that means forgiving someone.

Making a phone call.

Changing a habit.

Giving generously.

Apologizing.

Praying.

Ending a compromise.

Serving someone.

Sharing your faith.

Or simply trusting God with something you have been carrying alone.

Whatever the Holy Spirit is saying…

Do it.

At New Hope, we believe discipleship means learning to follow Jesus in everyday life. God’s Word is not merely information to study; it is truth to believe, commands to obey, promises to trust, and wisdom to live.

Two hundred fifty days into First Things First, we have learned a great deal.

But the goal was never merely to finish 365 devotions.

The goal is that, when we reach the end of this year, we are different than when we began.

More like Jesus.

More grounded in His Word.

More sensitive to His Spirit.

More faithful in prayer.

More generous.

More forgiving.

More courageous.

More loving.

More obedient.

So take what Jesus has taught us from the mountain…

and carry it into Monday morning.

Into your home.

Into your workplace.

Into your relationships.

Into your decisions.

Into your church.

Into your world.

We have heard the Word.

Now let’s live it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Do not allow me to become satisfied with simply knowing more about You. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help me live what You have taught me. Change my attitudes, my habits, my relationships, my priorities, and my decisions until every part of my life increasingly reflects Jesus Christ. Make me not merely a hearer of Your Word, but a faithful doer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

09/05/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Day 249

Jesus Has Authority

Scripture (NKJV)

“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Matthew 7:29

When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were astonished.

They had heard teachers before.

But Jesus was different.

He did not merely discuss truth.

He spoke with authority.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly said:

“But I say to you…”

That is an astonishing claim.

Jesus was not simply another rabbi offering one interpretation among many.

He is the Son of God.

His authority extends over sickness.

Over demons.

Over nature.

Over sin.

Over death.

And therefore His authority extends over us.

Modern culture often wants Jesus as an adviser.

We consult Him.

Consider His opinion.

Accept what we like.

Ignore what makes us uncomfortable.

But Jesus does not offer Himself as one voice among many.

He is Lord.

When Jesus speaks, disciples listen.

When Jesus commands, disciples obey.

When our opinions conflict with His Word, our opinions must surrender.

That may sound demanding until we remember who holds the authority.

The One who commands us is the One who loves us enough to die for us.

His authority is never separated from His goodness.

At New Hope, we believe Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord, and King. His Word carries final authority over our doctrine, our morality, our priorities, and our lives. We gladly surrender to Him because the One who rules us is also the One who redeemed us.

There is tremendous freedom in settling this question:

Jesus gets the final word.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and my King. Forgive me for the times I have treated Your Word as optional advice. Teach me to trust Your authority, obey Your commands, and surrender every part of my life to Your Lordship. Amen.

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Friday, September 4, 2026

Day 248

What Is Your Foundation?

Scripture (NKJV)

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”

Matthew 7:26

From the outside, the two houses in Jesus’ story may have looked almost identical.

The difference was underneath.

Foundations are usually invisible.

So are many of the things that determine whether our lives remain standing.

Private prayer.

Personal integrity.

Time in Scripture.

Quiet obedience.

Faithfulness when nobody is watching.

The choices we make when there is no applause.

These things may not look impressive, but they dig deep.

Sand is easier.

You can build quickly on sand.

Rock requires work.

That is true spiritually too.

It is easier to follow feelings than Scripture.

Easier to follow culture than Christ.

Easier to hear truth than obey it.

Easier to appear spiritual publicly than develop character privately.

For a while, either foundation may seem adequate.

Then comes the storm.

Storms reveal what sunshine can hide.

A crisis does not always create the weakness in our foundation.

Often it exposes what was already there.

That is why today matters.

You do not wait until the storm arrives to begin pouring the foundation.

At New Hope, we believe strong disciples are built through everyday faithfulness. Prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, obedience, service, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit form deep roots that prepare us for seasons we cannot yet see.

Don’t envy someone else’s visible house while neglecting your invisible foundation.

God does some of His most important work underground.

Prayer

Father, examine the foundation of my life. Show me where I have built upon feelings, opinions, habits, or anything other than Christ and Your Word. Help me build deeply through daily obedience so my faith will stand in every season. Amen.

09/04/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Day 247

Build on the Rock

Scripture (NKJV)

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a construction story.

Two builders.

Two houses.

One storm.

The difference was the foundation.

Both men heard the words of Jesus.

Only one did them.

That distinction is crucial.

Information alone does not create disciples.

You can own several Bibles and never obey one.

You can listen to sermons every week and remain unchanged.

You can underline verses, take notes, attend Bible studies, and know theological vocabulary.

But Jesus says wisdom is not merely hearing His Word.

Wisdom is doing it.

Then the storm comes.

Notice Jesus does not say the wise man’s house avoids storms.

The rain falls.

The floods rise.

The winds blow.

Both houses are tested.

The difference is what happens when the storm arrives.

A life built upon Christ may shake, but it has something underneath it that does not move.

Feelings change.

Circumstances change.

Culture changes.

People change.

God’s Word remains.

At New Hope, we believe Jesus Christ and His Word are the foundation upon which every part of life must be built. We do not merely want to hear Scripture—we want to become people who live it through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is really what First Things First is about.

Day after day…

Scripture after Scripture…

Truth after truth…

We are not simply gathering information.

We are laying a foundation.

And eventually every house encounters a storm.

Build now.

Build deep.

Build on the Rock.

Prayer

Father, help me become a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Build my life upon Jesus Christ. Give me courage to obey what You teach me so that when storms come, my faith will remain standing. Amen.

09/03/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Day 246

Lord, Lord

Scripture (NKJV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21

These are some of the most sobering words Jesus ever spoke.

It is possible to know religious language without truly knowing Christ.

Jesus describes people who call Him “Lord.”

They even point toward impressive spiritual works.

Yet Jesus says:

“I never knew you.”

Notice what He does not say:

“I knew you once.”

He says:

“I never knew you.”

Christianity is more than association with a church.

More than knowing Christian vocabulary.

More than emotional experiences.

More than public ministry.

More than saying the right things.

The Gospel calls us into a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ that produces a life of surrendered obedience.

We are not saved because we obey.

We obey because we have been saved by grace and made new through Christ.

Jesus said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15

Obedience does not purchase salvation.

It reveals allegiance.

This is why regular self-examination is healthy.

Not fearful obsession.

Not constantly wondering whether God loves us.

But an honest question:

“Is Jesus truly Lord of my life?”

At New Hope, we believe salvation is more than religious profession—it is new birth through faith in Jesus Christ. Genuine faith produces an increasingly surrendered life as the Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ’s likeness.

Don’t settle for knowing about Jesus.

Know Him.

Follow Him.

Love Him.

Obey Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I do not want merely to know things about You. I want to know You. Search my heart and reveal anything I have withheld from Your Lordship. Let my faith be genuine and my life demonstrate the transforming work of Your grace. Amen.

09/02/2026

Little more progress!!!

09/01/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Day 245

Look at the Fruit

Scripture (NKJV)

“You will know them by their fruits.”

Matthew 7:16

Not everything labeled Christian is necessarily from Christ.

Jesus warned His disciples that false prophets would come appearing harmless while inwardly being dangerous.

How do we recognize them?

Jesus says:

Look at the fruit.

Not charisma.

Not popularity.

Not the size of the audience.

Not impressive language.

Not even supernatural claims by themselves.

Fruit.

Does the teaching agree with Scripture?

Does it exalt Jesus Christ?

Does it produce holiness?

Does it encourage humility?

Does the person’s life increasingly reflect the character of Christ?

Jesus’ warning is especially important in an age when almost anyone can gain an audience.

A microphone does not make someone trustworthy.

A large following does not prove God’s approval.

And spiritual language does not guarantee biblical truth.

John tells believers:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.”
— 1 John 4:1

This is why knowing Scripture matters so much.

You cannot recognize counterfeit teaching if you are unfamiliar with the truth.

And the principle also turns inward.

What fruit is my life producing?

Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Those are better measures of spiritual maturity than visibility or gifting.

At New Hope, we believe every teaching, spiritual experience, and ministry must be tested by the Word of God and centered upon Jesus Christ. We welcome the genuine work of the Holy Spirit while exercising biblical discernment, because the Spirit of Truth will never contradict the Word He inspired.

Don’t be impressed only by leaves.

Look for fruit.

Prayer

Father, give me biblical discernment. Help me recognize truth, reject error, and never be deceived by appearances. Produce the fruit of Your Spirit in my own life so that others can see the character of Jesus in me. Amen.

08/31/2026

New Hope Church Daily Devotional

Monday, August 31, 2026

Day 244

The Narrow Gate

Scripture (NKJV)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction.”

Matthew 7:13

Jesus never taught that every road eventually leads to God.

He taught the opposite.

There is a broad road.

It is popular.

It is crowded.

It allows us to define truth for ourselves, follow our own desires, and live without surrendering to Christ.

And Jesus says it leads to destruction.

Then there is another road.

Narrow.

Jesus later said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
— John 14:6

The narrowness of Christianity is not that God is unwilling to save.

The invitation of the Gospel goes out to everyone.

Jesus died for sinners.

The door of grace stands open.

But the door has a name.

Jesus.

We do not enter God’s Kingdom through morality, church membership, family heritage, good intentions, religious rituals, or comparison with other people.

We enter through Christ.

And having entered, we follow Him.

The narrow road sometimes requires choices the crowd will not understand.

But popularity has never been the measure of truth.

At New Hope, we believe salvation is found by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Gospel invitation is for every person, but every person must personally respond to Christ in repentance and faith.

Don’t choose your road by counting how many people are traveling it.

Choose it by asking where it leads.

The narrow road leads home.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making the way to the Father through Your Cross and Resurrection. Help me follow You faithfully even when the road is difficult or unpopular. Keep my feet upon the path that leads to life. Amen.