Hope Church (Dubuque)

What do you reach for when life feels dry?

In Psalm 63, David finds himself stranded in the wilderness—thirsty, hunted and far from the sanctuary. Yet he declares that God’s steadfast love is better than life. His circumstances had not changed, but his thirsty soul found satisfaction by remembering God, clinging to Him and trusting that God’s right hand would uphold him.

Ultimately, Jesus entered the deepest wilderness for us. He thirsted on the cross, gave His life in our place and proved that God’s covenant love truly is better than life.

Because God’s love is better than life, followers of Jesus can be fully satisfied in Him through every season

When the wicked seem to prosper, it can cause our faith to slip. In Psalm 73, Asaph discovers that his security is not in his grip on God, but in God’s grip on him.

Through Jesus, we can trust that we are forgiven, held, and guided forever.

“God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:26

What voices are shaping your life?

In Psalm 19, David reminds us that God is speaking—and He is speaking clearly. Creation declares His glory, His Word revives the soul, and His Son reveals the fullness of His love and redemption.

This message challenges us to slow down, listen, and respond to God’s voice with faith, repentance, surrender, and worship. From the heavens above to the Scriptures before us, God is revealing who He is and inviting us to draw near through Jesus Christ.

Are you listening?

In this final message from Psalm 46, we look at one of the most familiar commands in Scripture: “Be still, and know that I am God.” But Psalm 46:10 is not simply an invitation to slow down or relax—it is a command to let go, surrender control, and look up to the God who is exalted over all the earth.

Psalm 46 invites us to “come and see what the Lord has done.” In this message, Ross continues our Summer in the Psalms series by looking at Psalm 46:8–9 and the mighty invitation to behold God’s works—not with a quick glance, but with a fixed gaze.

When the world feels chaotic, God calls His people to remember His faithfulness, see His power, and trust the One who makes wars cease. Ultimately, Psalm 46 points us to the cross, where Jesus disarmed sin, death, and every power that held us.

In this sermon, Mark explores Psalm 46 by highlighting three powerful contrasts that reveal the comfort found in God's presence. While nations rage and kingdoms fall, God's people stand secure because the Lord is with them. While earthly cities crumble, the City of God remains unshaken because God dwells within her, giving His children confidence to call Him Father. And while chaotic waters symbolize disorder and destruction, the River of God brings life, peace, and restoration through Christ. Throughout the message, Mark emphasizes that God's presence makes all the difference—bringing power, confidence, and eternal life to His people amid a world of uncertainty and turmoil.

The world feels unstable. Circumstances change, fears rise, and the things we trust can disappear in an instant. Yet Psalm 46 reminds us that when everything around us shakes, God remains steadfast. In this message, we begin our Summer in the Psalms series by exploring how God is our refuge and strength—an ever-present help in trouble. Discover how we can face fear with confidence, not because life is easy, but because our hope is anchored in the unshakable presence of God.

Many people use the phrase, “God just wants me to be happy,” to justify whatever choices seem best in the moment. While God does delight in our joy and has filled creation with good gifts for us to enjoy, true happiness is never found apart from Him or by making happiness itself our highest pursuit. Instead, happiness is a byproduct of something greater. God calls us into a relationship with Him through Jesus, transforms us to reflect His character, and empowers us to love and serve others. As we represent His presence, pursue holiness, and reveal His love to the world, we discover the deep joy and satisfaction that only He can provide. God’s goal is not merely our comfort—it is our Christlikeness, and in becoming more like Him, we find the happiness we were created for.

Caleb reminds us that God’s will is not a hidden blueprint we have to decode, but a faithful path we are invited to walk. When we believe “God has a specific plan for my life” means there is only one perfect choice for every decision, it can lead us into pressure, paralysis, and a distorted view of God’s character. But Scripture shows us that God has already made His will clear: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly, love God, and love people. As we walk with Jesus, use wisdom, and trust His Word, we are free to make decisions without fear—because our hope is not in getting everything right, but in Christ, who is faithful even when we stumble.

Mark reminds us that one of the most misunderstood phrases in culture is, “Christians shouldn’t judge.” Looking at Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, we see that Jesus isn’t forbidding discernment or correction — He is confronting hypocritical, self-righteous condemnation. Because God’s Word is absolute truth, Christians are called to judge appropriately: first examining our own hearts, then lovingly helping others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mark challenges us to stop “stone throwing” and instead pursue restoration, remembering that the gospel is not only true news, but good news for sinners saved by grace.