New Hope Church

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. —Colossians 3:1-2 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have…

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. —Jeremiah 7:5-8 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the…

To whom can I speak and give warning?  Who will listen to me?  Their ears are closed so they cannot hear.  The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. —Jeremiah 6:10 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.   This is the gospel that you heard and that…

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. — Jeremiah 3:15              What are “shepherds” of God’s people supposed to be like?  They— Shepherds are to have the same passions and desires as our Lord does.  They are to be focused on what He is focused on.  They are to care about what He cares about.  When they lead, they need to lead with understanding, an understanding that comes from our Lord.  We are told that His Holy Spirit “leads into all truth” (John 14:7).  So, these shepherds will gain their knowledge from our Lord and will be able to…

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”  But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.   —Jeremiah 1:5-7 Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God when he led you in the way? —Jeremiah 2:17 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. —Psalm 75:7             …

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith…  All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. —Philippians 3:8-9,15              What/Who is most important to you?  Paul said, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus…

Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?  “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me.  I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.  It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. —Isaiah 64:2-4 See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. —Isaiah 65:17 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I…

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. —Philippians 2:14-16 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. —Daniel 12:3              Brothers and sisters, fellow followers/disciples of Jesus, we live “in a warped and crooked generation.”  Yes, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (I…

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will…

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. —Isaiah 55:10-11              Rain and snow that come down from heaven, come from His hand and “He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love” (Job 37:13).  This precipitation does not return…