Daily Dose of Hope

November 27, 2025

Scripture - Acts 7

Prayer: Amazing God, thank you for giving us life in Christ Jesus. This Thanksgiving, we ask you to continue to strengthen us in Jesus Christ, driving roots deep into the soil of who he is, your Son. In the days following this celebration of your awesome provision, may the Holy Spirit well up thankfulness in our hearts to overflowing every day. Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus. Amen

Happy Thanksgiving! Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. We are currently walking through the book of Acts. Today, we working through all of chapter 7. This chapter covers the stoning of Stephen, which seems a strange thing to talk about on Thanksgiving. Or, maybe it's not. We'll get to that.

If you remember, yesterday, the Jewish leaders were trying to get people to slander Stephen. They were threatened by his wisdom. So, they have him dragged in front of the Sanhedrin. It's there that Stephen gives a long, eloquent history of how God worked through his people, leading up to Jesus. Stephen doesn't mince words. He is pretty clear that the Jewish leadership has persecuted all the prophets who have come before and then persecuted the Messiah to the point of execution.

Not surprisingly, the Jewish leaders are offended by his directness and they get really worked up when he looks up at heaven and declares that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Keep in mind, this would have been blasphemy to the strict Jews who sat on the council. There was no real trial, no real discussion. They simply drag Stephen out and start throwing stones.

Stephen was the first Christian martyr. This was, of course, a sign of what was to come. But Stephen also offers all Christians a beautiful model of how to live and die, trusting fully and completely in Jesus Christ.

This seems pretty foreign to us and for that, we should be thankful. But this is truth: Christians around the world deal with this kind of persecution every single day.

We don't think about it much but over 360 million Christians around the world suffer persecution or discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ. Roughly 5,600 Christians were murdered in 2022, more than 6,000 were detained or imprisoned, and another 4,000-plus were kidnapped. In addition, more than 5,000 churches and other religious facilities were destroyed. Most of us have seen the horrors that Christians in Nigeria are currently experiencing. For other Christians, it means being denied economic opportunities or simply living under the threat of violence. American Christians talk of persecution, but that is what real persecution looks like. It's not being made fun of or worrying about offending someone, it's risking all for Jesus.

Every year Open Doors USA releases its World Watch report of the 50 states most likely to punish Christians for their faith. Last year 11 nations were guilty of "extreme persecution." Afghanistan took the top spot this year. It is impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan. Leaving Islam is considered shameful, and Christian converts face dire consequences if their new faith is discovered. Either they have to flee the country or they will be killed. North Korea is next, as Kim Jung-un wages a war against any foreign influences. Then, we have countries like Somalia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let's give thanks for our ability to worship freely without fear of persecution. But let' also give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are staying faithful no matter what. We pray for their safety, but also their perseverance, resilience, and faithfulness. May we have even but a small amount of their courage and strength.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. Please know, I am grateful for everyone of you and count you all among my blessings.

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

November 26, 2025

Scripture - Acts 6

Prayer: Almighty God, As we move into our Wednesday, 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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. We are currently walking through the book of Acts. Today, we working through all of chapter 6.

In Acts 6, we see the choosing of the first deacons to serve the widows from both the Greek and Jewish communities. The apostles felt strongly they needed to keep preaching and teaching but they knew someone needed to be in charge of serving those in need. There was a conflict that had to be dealt with – the Greek Jews felt that their widows weren't being cared for in the same way as the Hebrew Jews when it came to food distribution. It wasn't insurmountable issue at all, but it could certainly create battle lines if not addressed promptly. Stephen is chosen to lead the group who would ensure all of the early believers are fed fairly. This is such a great model for solving a problem in the church. They had an issue, they came together and discussed it civilly, and a solution is chosen. No drama.

I should also note this is the first time we see a differentiation in the roles in the church. Deacons are caring for the physical needs of the people. The apostles, serving more like elders, are preaching and teaching. There are many people in one body with many different gifts. It takes all of us for Jesus' church to be effective and fruitful. This will get clearer as the church develops.

Later in the chapter, things take a turn for the worse. Stephen is being targeted by the Sanhedrin. They don't like how the Gospel is spreading. I wonder if the Jewish leaders are beginning to feel like things are getting out of control. They see the church growing and they don't have a way to stop it. Stephen is exhibiting extraordinary wisdom. How do you fight against that? Well, you cheat and lie. And that's exactly what they did. They have people say that he is speaking blasphemy against Moses. They are willing to do whatever they need to do to slander Stephen. They are abandoning Torah in favor of keeping political control.

More tomorrow.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

November 25, 2025

Scripture - Acts 5:17-42

Prayer: Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day during this Thanksgiving week. We are so very grateful that your mercies are new every morning. We are thankful for your mercy, grace, and patience with us. Help us, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word. In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. We are currently walking through the book of Acts. Today, we are finishing Acts 5.

The apostles are witnessing and people are coming to faith in Jesus. They are seeing signs and wonders. Even Peter's shadow falling on people is leading to healing. The Holy Spirit is working in powerful ways to demonstrate God's glory and grow the young church. Healing and deliverance are the norm, not the exception.

This really makes the Jewish leaders jealous and worried. Afterall, they want to control their perceived grip on religious power. The apostles are thrown in jail but freed by an angel. They go right back to the Temple courts and witness to the Gospel. When the Jewish leaders question and threaten the apostles, the believers are clear that they are going to follow God over man. Their boldness is amazing. It's clear the Spirit is in them in a powerful way. But what I am always alarmed by is their joy at being suffering disgrace for the Gospel. I mean they are flogged! That's extremely painful. And they praise God for this.

This leads to some pretty difficult questions for us.

First, when have you suffered disgrace for the Gospel?

Second, when have we experienced discomfort for the Gospel? Seriously, what is the worst we have experienced for the Gospel?

And finally, if you have experienced disgrace or discomfort, were you filled with joy?

I think we tend to go to great lengths to avoid disgrace and discomfort. Why?

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki