HOW ARE YOU DOING? ...HOLDING TO HOPE

There are seasons in life when these three commands feel impossible.

How do you rejoice when you're still waiting? How do you remain patient when the pain seems unending? How do you keep praying when heaven feels silent?

SONG: DeWayne Woods; Let Go

When do you lose your Joy?

Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that we should have joy. That there are moments when we don't have to grieve but rather let the emotion be to celebrate and have joy.

Get your joy back, it is our strength.

Song: The Joy of the Lord is my Strength by Douglas Miller

Song: Already Here by Brian Courtney Wilson

A God Who Keeps His Word 2 Samuel 7:27-29

"For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house'; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you." (v. 27)

There are moments in life when prayer feels difficult. The weight of disappointment, unanswered questions, and uncertain circumstances can leave us wondering whether God is still listening. Yet in this passage, David teaches us something profound: the courage to pray is often born from the promises of God.

David is not praying from a place of wishful thinking. He is praying because God has spoken. God had made a promise concerning David's future, and that promise gave David confidence to come before the Lord. David understood that prayer is not convincing God to do something God has not already desired to do. Prayer is responding to what God has already revealed.

Prayer

Faithful God, thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases and your mercies that never come to an end. Thank you for sustaining me through every season of my life. When I am tempted to focus on what is missing, remind me of all the ways you have carried me. Help me to greet each day with confidence, knowing that your mercy is new every morning and your faithfulness never fails. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

"When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." — Matthew 28:17

One of the most comforting verses in all of Scripture is tucked into the middle of the Great Commission. Matthew tells us that when the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus, they worshiped Him—but some doubted. Let me read this again…But some doubted.

What would you do differently today if you believed that God's presence was more important than having all the answers?

We live in a world that celebrates the solo story. The self-made person. The need for individualism. We have been quietly taught that needing other people is a weakness and that the strongest faith is the one that stands completely alone. Because all we need is us and God, right?

But when the Holy Spirit showed up on Pentecost, God didn't send a memo to one person. God filled a space. The detail that anchors everything in Acts 2 is easy to overlook: they were all together. Before there was wind and fire. Before anyone spoke in a language they hadn't learned, they were there in community. Laughing, smiling, telling stories, greeting one another and just waiting.

Scripture: "And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge... but have not love, I am nothing." — 1 Corinthians 13:2

Beloved, can I sit with you for a minute?

I need us to talk about something we don't say out loud, especially not in church. Because we have a habit, and most of us have been on both sides of it at some point. We have learned how to say something that cuts a person deep, wrap it up in a smile and a scripture, and call it kindness.

It is not kindness. That's nice-nasty. And it's time we learned the difference.

Remember Jesus will Stay with you.

"As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him." — Luke 24:28–31 (NIV)

Song: Jordan G. Welch How Much More- Live

It is Wednesday of Holy Week and one of the hardest question to ask yourself. during Holy Week is what did you sell out Jesus for? When were the times that you consciously and unconsciously chose to go another way?

Song: Pray & Quiet Time by DappyT Keys

How do you handle your dead end situations? Paul shows us that people are always watching how we handle our delays, detours, and dead ends. They are consistently looking to see if we move in hope or hopelessness. Paul shows us even when you no longer have words...Have a song.

Song: Watch Ye Saints: By C. Anthony Bryant