Daily Dose of Hope from New Hope

The Daily Dose of Hope is a devotional intended to provide context and reflection to the New Hope Church Bible Reading Plan. It's our goal to read the Bible in a year together as a family of faith. Five days a week we read. Two days a week we either rest or catch up. Reading the Bible is the number one way to grow in our walk with Jesus. We have to know God's Word to live God's Word. Now for our Daily Dose of Hope.

  1. 2h ago

    June 23, 2026; 1 Kings 17

    Daily Dose of Hope June 23, 2026   Scripture:  1 Kings 17   Prayer:  Almighty God, We belong to you.  Sometimes, we get distracted and wander.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us stay fully focused on you.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us hear a word from you...Jesus, this is your day, we are your people.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  This summer, we are currently working our way through 1 & 2 Kings.    Our reading for today was 1 Kings 17.  The chapter begins with Elijah proclaiming to King Ahab that there would be no rain for the next few years until the one true God declared it so.  This is particularly important because the main Canaanite god, Baal, was worshiped as the god of rain.  By Yahweh stopping all rain and dew, he is declaring that HE alone is God and that Baal is a fake god with no power.  The Scripture doesn't explicitly state the response of King Ahab but we can guess it wasn't good, for God tells Elijah to leave the area and go hide by Kerith Brook.    As you read through the chapter, Elijah's obedience and trust in God are quite remarkable. He trusts God to provide provisions for food and water through animals and people!  My favorite aspect of this chapter is how God uses an impoverished outsider, the widow of Sidon (a city in what is now Lebanon), to provide care and nourishment to one of the most faithful of all of God's prophets.  Keep in mind that a widow would have been one of the poorest and most vulnerable people in that world.  And yet, God chooses her and she (possibly out of desperation) agrees to be part of God's plan. As a result, she and her son are saved from the drought, the ensuing famine, and even illness.  At the end of the chapter, her faithfulness to Elijah is rewarded with God bringing her son back to life.  By being faithful and open to God at work, this widow puts to shame many others who rejected the one true God.   How often God uses the weak and lowly to shame the powerful.  I think this is something we all need to reflect on today. When have you personally seen this at work?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    4 min
  2. 1d ago

    June 22, 2026; 1 Kings 16;

    Daily Dose of Hope June 22, 2026   Scripture:  1 Kings 16   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you with awe and humility.  We are nothing without you.  We need you desperately, Lord.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts today as we focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us remember that we belong to you.  Help us lay our worries and cares on the throne of your grace...We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  It's been quite a ride so far!  Let's see what we have in store today.    Our reading on this Monday is 1 Kings 16.  The Northern Kingdom is one, hot sinful mess! King after king, there is disobedience, idolatry, and violence. By the time we get to King Ahab at the end of chapter 16, we think it can't get any worse.  And yet, it really does. Ahab was the worst of the worst. He went above and beyond when it came to deliberately thumbing his nose at God and he took pagan worship to a new level.  Then, there was child sacrifice. To be honest, I wasn't really clear about what verse 34 meant–what does it mean to build the foundations of a city or the gates at the cost of a child? Apparently, infants (alive or dead) would be placed in a container and then literally placed in the masonry of the foundation.  The idea was to ward off evil and please the gods. I have a hard time even typing the words. How absolutely horrific and blatantly against the law of the one true God.   One more aspect of Ahab's total disregard for the Lord–the rebuilding of Jericho. Most of you probably remember the great story of Joshua and the people of God conquering Jericho after circling for seven days. At the time, God warned of death to the person (and their family) who attempted to rebuild the city.  And Ahab rebuilt it.  The author is reminding us that while it might not appear to be so, God's Word still stands. God is still in control. Ahab will not have the final word.  Evil does not win.    And evil does not win today.  It's a good reminder for all of us because there are times when the depravity around the globe can be almost overwhelming.  God will have the final word.  Of course, we live on the other side of the cross.  We know that Jesus has won victory over sin and death.  However, we do live in an in-between time.  Maybe a better way to say it is that the war has been won but there are still some battles remaining.  Until Jesus returns in final victory, evil will still have a place in this world.  When he returns, we can look forward to a time when evil will be vanquished for good.  No more tears, no more violence, no more injustice.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    5 min
  3. 4d ago

    June 19, 2026; 1 Kings 15 and a discussion with Emmy Roberts

    Daily Dose of Hope June 19, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 15   Prayer:  Almighty God, As we close this week, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  I don't know about you, but some of this is really hard to read.  The kings are leading the people astray in detestable ways.  It's easy to almost have a visceral reaction to it.   Today's reading is 1 Kings 15.  Here, we begin the saga of various kings reigning over both Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom).  In the Northern Kingdom, there is a quick turnover of leadership, which naturally leads to instability.  There is also a blatant disregard for God's laws, including what has become a culture of pagan worship.  We will see God occasionally send a prophet to hold the king accountable, and regardless of whether the king changes his behavior, we can see the Lord attempting to be in relationship with his people and call his people back to him.   In the Southern Kingdom, there were also a number of leaders, some who disobeyed God and others who made an earnest attempt to follow God's law.  In today's chapter, we meet King Asa, who does what was right in the Lord's eyes.  He cleans up the pagan symbols and altars, the shrine prostitutes, and brings the precious articles back to the temple.   What's interesting is that in the Southern Kingdom, even when the kings are disobedient, God extends grace because of David's obedience and devotion.  In some ways, God gives them a pass because he remembered the faithfulness of their forefather David.  Even when the kings were sinful, God kept his promise.  He promised that a descendent of David would sit on the throne forever and he made it so.    Our God is a God who keeps his promises.  How many of you need to hear today that God keeps his promises?  Even when we fall away, God keeps his promises.  Even when life feels hard, God keeps his promises.   Below is a list of just a few of God's promises.  On this day filled with so much uncertainty because of the storm, let's focus on God's promises:   1.         God promises to always be with you.  Matthew 28:20 (and surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age), Hebrews 13:5 (Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  Romans 8:38-39 (For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.)   2.        God promises strength.1 Cor. 10:13 (No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.), 2 Cor. 12:9 (But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me), Phil. 4:13 (I can do all this through him who gives me strength.), Eph. 6:10 (Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.)   3.        God promises peace.  John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.), John 16:33 ("I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.")   4.        God promises to answer prayers.  Luke 11:9 ("So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.), John 16:24 (Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.). Matthew 7:8 (For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.   5.        God promises to take care of your needs. Matthew 6:32-33 (For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.), 2 Cor.9:8 (And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.)   6.        God promises freedom from sin.  John 8:36 (So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.), Romans 6:22 (But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.), Romans 8:1 (Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...)   7.        God promises everlasting life.  John 3:16 (For God so loved the world...), I John 5:13-14 (I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life...) On the podcast, this is when the discussion with Emmy Roberts begins.  Tune in! Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    29 min
  4. 5d ago

    June 18, 2026; 1 Kings 14

    Daily Dose of Hope June 18, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 14   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you today with humility and gratefulness.  We praise your powerful name.  Thank you, so much, Lord, that you came to earth to dwell among us and show us a different way of being.  Help us to pay attention to your example.  Help us to be more loving and more merciful in all we do.  Help us to be even but a small reflection of you.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  Just a reminder, it's VBS week at New Hope.  There are a lot of amazing children and volunteers on our campus.  Please keep them in prayer.   We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  Today's reading is 1 Kings 14.  It becomes clear that Jeroboam will face the consequences of his sin.  His son gets ill and Jeroboam sends his wife to seek the wisdom of a prophet.  The prophet is clear – because Jeroboam was so sinful, his son will die, and the entire house of Jeroboam will be obliterated.  No matter how important or untouchable someone things they are, sin has consequences.    While Jeroboam ruled in the Northern Kingdom, Rehoboam reigned in the Southern Kingdom, Judah.  Things aren't going well there either.  They also worshiped other gods, set up altars in the high places, had shrines with male prostitutes, and did things absolutely detestable in the eyes of the one true God.  We see God lifting his hand of protection and allowing the king of Egypt to successfully attack Jerusalem and carry off treasures from the temple.    Things are going really bad in the north and the south.  What has happened to God's people?  How did they get to this place?  I think sometimes we can ask ourselves the same questions.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    4 min
  5. 6d ago

    June 17, 2026; 1 Kings 13

    Daily Dose of Hope June 17, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 13   Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you today with humility.  You are holy, you are perfect, and I am painfully flawed.  Forgive me, Lord, for the way I fall short over and over again.  Forgive me for not being loving, patient, and kind.  Jesus, I want to follow your example.  I want to have a clean and pure heart.  How I need you.  Create in me a pure heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.  I love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  Yesterday, we read about how the divided Kingdom began – with one arrogant, ego-driven king who decided to listen to really poor counsel.    Today's reading is 1 Kings 13.  We read about Jeroboam, the king in the Northern Kingdom yesterday.  Things have gotten really bad.  It seems he has instituted his own cult in Israel. There are pagan gods and altars everywhere.  While the chapter doesn't specifically say this, idolatry usually coincides with other sin too.    We read about a prophet visiting Jeroboam.  He warns him of the consequences of his disobedience.  What are the consequences? Well, a new king, Josiah, will rise up.  And Josiah will clean up the pagan altars, kill the pagan priests, and punish Jeroboam. As a sign of the authenticity of the prophet's message, he says that the altar by which Jeroboam was standing would split in two. Jeroboam isn't thrilled with this message, of course, and attempts to get the man seized but God intervenes. Jeroboam's hand is paralyzed and then, just as the man prophesied, the altar splits and the ashes pour out. Yes, the message is all true; there is no doubt it will come to pass.   This is a bit of an odd chapter. The man of God who visited Jeroboam ends up with an untimely death because of disobedience himself. You see, no matter who you are, there are always consequences to sin. Always. We live on the other side of the cross and while we can repent and receive forgiveness, we still often must face the consequences of our own bad choices: debt, divorce, job loss, relationship issues, and damage to the Kingdom.   Think of an example of when your sin caused consequences you deeply regretted. How did the situation play out? Was there healing and restoration OR are you continuing to deal with the pain of sin? Whatever the situation, submit it to God today.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    5 min
  6. Jun 16

    June 16, 2026; 1 Kings 12

    Daily Dose of Hope June 16, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 12   Prayer:  Lord, We need you. Our world is unstable and unjust. It is a place where innocent people die and power and control take precedent over mercy and compassion.  While we know that sin and brokenness are everywhere, it is still hard to take it in.  We don't know which way to turn.  So, we need you.  We need your peace, your justice, and your wisdom.  Help us be the people you have called us to be, even when it's hard.  Fill us with your courage to speak truth and grace.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  This summer, we are making our way through the Old Testament books of 1 & 2 Kings.  We have read about the death of David, seen Solomon take the throne, read about the building of the Temple and royal palace, watched Solomon grow in wisdom and wealth, and then read as he gradually lost his way.  In response, God raised up adversaries to come against Solomon.  And then, Solomon dies at the end of chapter 11. Today's reading is 1 Kings 12.  Rehoboam, the king who succeeded Solomon, has the ability to unite his people but his own arrogance gets in the way.  Listening to poor counsel and his own ego, he instead decides to rule with a heavy hand and oppress the people.  When those in the Northern regions hear about this, they decide it's time to separate from Judah.  They want nothing to do with Rehoboam and reject his rule over them.  They boldly state that they will not have a descendant of David in authority over them. What an avoidable mess.  With one bad decision, Rehoboam tears down what David and Solomon worked so hard to build.  The truth is that it's a lot easier to break apart what belongs together than restore what's already broken.  Can you think of examples of this in your own life?  Relationships, families, organizations, churches–it is so much harder to restore than it is to dismantle.  Friends, what broken things in your life need restoration?  Take a moment and pray for that right now.  Jesus Christ is the only true way to restore and rebuild.  Lean into Jesus. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    5 min
  7. Jun 15

    June 15, 2026; 1 Kings 11

    Daily Dose of Hope June 15, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 11   Prayer:  Almighty God, Thank you for today and new week.  Thank you for providing for us, caring for us, and protecting us.  Over thousands upon thousands of years, you have taken care of your people.  We give you glory and praise, for who you are.  Thank you, most of all, for sending Jesus, who moved into our neighborhood so that we could begin to understand your love.  Wow.  There are no words to adequately thank you for the sacrifice that saved our lives.  Lord Jesus, we love you and we thank you.  Help us grow in holiness, continue to transform us so we can be a better reflection of you.  In Your Name, Amen   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through the Old Testament books of 1 & 2 Kings.   Today's reading is 1 Kings 11.  Okay, let's start with the most obvious observation – 700 wives and 300 concubines!  Really?  Did he even know all of their names?  And these women were from many pagan nations all around Israel.  They brought their gods into the palace.  They raised their children worshipping other gods.  What in the world was Solomon thinking?  Where is the wisdom?  Also, I've always found it amusing that the Scripture said that Solomon loved all these foreign women.  How can you love so many women at once?  Maybe lust would have been a more appropriate word.  I didn't do a deep Hebrew word study here but that might be in order soon.   The Scripture says that these women led Solomon astray.  And he didn't just go a little astray, he became totally absorbed in the worship of pagan gods.  He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord.  While it's still shocking, we could kind of see this coming. Those with absolute power and tremendous wealth have a hard time not getting distracted and to say Solomon was distracted is an understatement. The author of 1 Kings says that Solomon's wives led him astray but let's be real, hearts begin to drift far before we make that bad decision. Solomon had probably gradually, slowly been becoming more self-absorbed, self-reliant, and focused on his own wants and needs. Self-importance and arrogance is the beginning of thinking that we don't really need God. We don't need to seek God's will. We've got it all covered.  Who comes to mind from our own society that might be in a similar predicament?   Now, Solomon has broken covenant with God.  He has not held up his end of the deal.  God continually warned him that his prosperity and blessing were contingent on obedience and faithfulness.  Now that Solomon has betrayed God, God will lift his hand of protection.  We begin to see God raise up specific men to come against Solomon.  The united Kingdom will not last.    More tomorrow...   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    5 min
  8. Jun 12

    June 12 2026; 1 Kings 10

    Daily Dose of Hope June 12, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 10   Prayer: King of Kings and Lord of Lords, You are an amazing God.  Thank you for becoming one of us.  Thank you for emptying yourself to take on the form of a servant.  Your name is worthy of all praise.  Give us insight, wisdom, and discernment, as we read your Word today.  Help us take this precious gift of Scripture and apply it to our lives.  We are grateful, Jesus, and we love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the daily dose of hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently journeying through 1 & 2 Kings.  Today, our reading is 1 Kings 10.   This chapter goes into great detail of the both the wealth and wisdom of King Solomon. The Queen of Sheba comes to ask him hard questions and see if what she has heard about this man is true. She leaves satisfied that King Solomon is indeed a man of God and wise beyond measure.  Just fyi, the Queen of Sheba is thought to have come from the ancient empire of Yemen or the ancient empire of Ethiopia.  There is a bit of debate here.    Verses 23-25 serve as a summary of the entire chapter. They read, So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him.  Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.    Solomon is wiser and richer than any king who came before and any king who came after him. People are amazed by him and Solomon has many visitors who gifted him with even more wealth.  God certainly kept his promise to Solomon.  That being said, rarely does a human being have so much wealth and power without being corrupted by it in some way. When I read this chapter, I almost dread what is to come.    Can you name one billionaire that maintained integrity and focus on the right things throughout their entire life?  Thus, this begs the question–will Solomon continue to be true to God because of God's faithfulness to him? Will Solomon stay wise to the end?   More tomorrow...   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

    4 min

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The Daily Dose of Hope is a devotional intended to provide context and reflection to the New Hope Church Bible Reading Plan. It's our goal to read the Bible in a year together as a family of faith. Five days a week we read. Two days a week we either rest or catch up. Reading the Bible is the number one way to grow in our walk with Jesus. We have to know God's Word to live God's Word. Now for our Daily Dose of Hope.

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