New Hope Church

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter…

That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. —I Thessalonians 3:5 Planting fields are done so with the expectation of a harvest. So it is when share the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PxEb16udVk There is an expectation that when people hear God’s Word it would take root in them, sprout and bear fruit just as when you plant corn or any other crop. How sad it is when a farmer works for hours and hours planting his field only to…

Yes, you are our pride and joy. I Thessalonians 2:20 What believer or group of believers stirs these words above in you? Is there a believer or group of believers that bring you pride and joy? If so, why do they? One reason the apostle Paul could say this about the Thessalonians was because of their endurance through the persecution that they were experiencing. Though they were suffering because of following the Lord Jesus, they continued on. This was evidence that these people were truly believers and sought to be faithful to the Lord regardless of what circumstance they found themselves in. There are multitudes going through persecution today and…

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. —I Thessalonians 1:10 Crowds wait for all sorts of things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi42Y4RZ724 It could be for a sports game, a movie, a restaurant, shopping, to see a “famous” person or for a slew of other things. Are we waiting for Jesus? Are you and I looking forward to seeing our Lord? Are we living in such a way that shows we are grateful to Him and are so looking to be with Him?…

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. —Colossians 3:12-15 Just as a comb binder holds papers together in on booklet, so love is what holds all the godly characteristics…

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. —Colossians 2:2 Who am I truly united to because of what God prefers? Am I attending a local church, a local fellowship of believers because that is what God prefers me to do? Is it because of what God prefers that I am serving Him and others? Do I treat my wife and children the way God prefers? Are my relationships because of what God prefers? God’s desire is that followers of His are “knit together” or united by love, a divine love which focuses on the things that God prefers. Or, are my relationships with…

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. —Colossians 1:6 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (μεταμορφοῦσθε = metamorphousthe) by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2VLkMoC274 The gospel changes lives. How can a person claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ and live life without any change noticeable in their lives? To truly know Jesus, to truly have relationship with Him means that He is in the…

Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. —Philippians 4:2-3 Disagreements, if allowed, can escalate into major conflicts that can affect many others and become very destructive. This is illustrated in the disagreement as to how to resolve the conflict in Syria. http://www.businessinsider.com/expert-the-us-strategy-in-syria-is-a-complete-mess-2015-1 Whether on a national level or between two individuals, it usually takes mediators to…

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. —Philippians 3:14 Runners put their all into their races right to the very end as they press toward the finish. http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bleichert-leans-into-win-6310671.php#photo-8106508 As followers of Jesus “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Just as runners lean toward the finish line, pressing toward…

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. —Philippians 2:3-4 Doctors without Borders go into areas that are very dangerous and risky, life threatening. Hospitals are not to be targeted in war, unfortunately this one was and is being investigated. http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/05/asia/afghanistan-doctors-without-borders-hospital/ These doctors go in to difficult areas for the best interest of others who are in medical need. Who will I take an interest in today or will I just be focused on what interests me? I am not to be selfish or seeking to…