Hope@Home – April 17, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: John 20:24-29 from Brandon

Today let's listen to a new devotional from one of our Children's Interns, Brandon McAlister.

Brandon - John 20:24-29 from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER:

Pray for those who have not yet given their lives to Christ. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work within their hearts and to fill them with the hope that only comes through the Lord. In a time when uncertainty is at an all-time high, the confidence found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ transcends all worldly anxiety. So pray for the Lord to move in unbelievers’ hearts so they would receive His Holy Spirit and be filled with His immeasurable peace.

“to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Acts 26:18

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'”
Matthew 9:37-38

FAMILY RESOURCES: Outreach Challenge

As the body of Christ, in times of struggle we shouldn’t retreat into our own worlds. As Kelly Kapic from the Gospel Coalition so eloquently states, “We must courageously resist this isolation. Not by violating the government’s sober instructions, but by learning afresh to cultivate communion with God and neighbor in this surreal season.” Of course it’s crucial to look out for our own needs, however it’s equally critical to “love your neighbor as yourself”. This looks different within the realms of social distancing but we need to be the light of Christ to our community now more than ever. Here are some ways in which you can still be neighborly in this time.

1. Reach out to people

Ask the Holy Spirit to put people on your heart, and as they come to mind make contact with them. It may be a close friend, a neighbor, or someone you haven't talked to in quite some time. Give them a call, text, FaceTime, Zoom or whatever else and just see where they’re at. Let them know that you are thinking about them. Just telling someone that they are appreciated and loved can go a long way.

2. Check in on where people are at

Elaborating on reaching out, be aware of keeping conversations intentional when you can. More than ever, people are willing to be vulnerable with their emotions. This may be an opportunity to perform a “spiritual check-up.” You can ask them how they’re truly doing and the condition of their heart during the quarantine. For those who don’t believe in Jesus, you may want to ask them “What do you believe?”, with a follow up, “What led you to that belief?”, then make sure to listen to what they’re saying. Opening up the conversation on belief can often be a great way to introduce the hope of the gospel when many unbelievers currently have no hope.  

3. Offer prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool we have that we should utilize as often as we can. Ask people, "How can I pray for you". If you want to take it a step further, offer to pray with them at that moment. Even just taking the time to visit our online prayer wall and letting others know that you prayed for them can be encouraging. Through prayer, we can intercede for others and see the way that God moves.

4. Ask how you can help

See what ways you can bring aid to your community. Maybe that means picking up groceries for a neighbor who is at risk for leaving their home. Perhaps for you, it means volunteering in outreach programs in the community. If you have the funds, you could even see if families need financial support through these hard times. The opportunities are plenty, so we should be aware of the ways we can step up to help others around us.

5. Be creative

Brainstorm creative ways that you can spread the light of Jesus in your community. The sky's the limit to the variety of things you can do! People have decorated their sidewalks, had outdoor worship on their street, written letters, dropped off cookies at people's front doors and so much more! Think out-of-the-box for ways that you can bring a smile to those around you and proclaim the good news of Jesus!

-Brandon McAlister, Hope Chapel Children's Intern

PRAYER & FASTING:

Here is a prayer to meditate on today as we fast & pray together on Fridays:

Fasting is Feasting Prayer
By the mercy of Christ
I shall not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.[i]
The Word of God
Is alive and active;
The Lord is right now speaking
His life into my soul.[ii]
The Spirit of God
That raised Christ from the dead
Lives and prays in my body
And reminds me of Jesus’ words.[iii]
So as I fast from food I feast with joy
On the manna from heaven,
The bread of angels,
The Bread of Life, who is Jesus.[iv]
My food is to be one with Jesus:
To do the will of the Father,
To finish his works of love,
To share my food with the hungry.[v]
In the name of the Father, The Son, And the Spirit.
Amen.

[i] Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4
[ii] Hebrews 4:7, 12
[iii] Romans 8:11, John 14:26
[iv] Matthew 6:16-18, Psalm 78:24-25, John 6:35, 48
[v] John 17:21, 4:34, Isaiah 58:5-7

Source: https://www.soulshepherding.org/fasting-is-feasting-prayer/

Hope@Home – April 16, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONALS - JEREMY

We're excited for you to hear this devotional today from Jeremy Napier! Jeremy is the guy behind the scenes of much our weekend livestream and also one of our worship leaders- if you want to send him a note of encouragement you can reach him here.

Devos with Napier from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER: Our missionaries around the world. 

Let's pray today for our long-term missionaries at Hope Chapel! We support missionaries all over the world, and many have grown up at Hope or have been partners in ministry for many years. Pray that they would be filled with peace in this time, that they would have all of the resources that they need for their families, and that God would bless & multiply their missions work even as the whole world takes a pause.

FAMILY RESOURCES -Processing Grief and Loss

Contributed Article from guest writer Val McArthur
While our experiences through this time vary incredibly from one another- from first responders working 13 hour shifts to families with young kids stuck at home- we’re all experiencing some sort of loss or change. 

Events have been cancelled. School looks different. Grocery shopping might suddenly feel stressful or scary. Daily we’re being asked to do life differently. It can be easy to fall into the mindset that we have to be ok at all times. However, it’s ok to acknowledge the losses that we’ve had, big and small- this is the biblical process of grieving, or mourning. If you’re feeling sad, that’s ok. If you’ve been struggling with anxiety or depression, that’s ok. If you’re not being super productive while you’re stuck at home, that’s ok too. 

God doesn’t ask us not to mourn. In fact, He blesses and comforts those who mourn (Matthew 5:4).  

Start with this: we are called as believers to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus. As co-heirs to the throne, He invites us to approach Him with confidence and fix our eyes on things above.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Now that your hearts and minds are guarded- remember who God is, and what He has done- and therefore what we should do:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9

--
So, whether you’re a single young adult on Maui, or a parent trying to lead your kids through this tough time, here are some things to help you process through your emotions and keep your eyes on Him who is in control.

1. Acknowledge The Losses

This past Easter weekend I found myself vacillating between feeling hopeful for the new opportunities and ways to experience and celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, and feeling sad and down without understanding why. I ended up making a list of all the things I was going to miss about a normal Easter (Sunrise service, being able to make plans with friends, getting dressed up for church, getting a hug from my church Aunties, etc.). Only once I had done that was I able to look forward to the rest of the day and plan quarantine-appropriate ways to celebrate by myself. 

While I had the chance to speak my list verbally to a friend, feel free to journal, draw, or express what you're feeling in creative ways. Have grace and compassion with yourself while you do this. There is nothing too silly or thing too small to write down or say.

2. Limit Time on Social Media and the News

I found myself almost obsessively checking the news, waiting for updates, anticipating worst case scenarios and wondering what the next big life-changing policy was going to be. Now, I try to stay in the habit of only checking the news once a day, it helps to ease fear and to truly focus on the peace of God!

I’ve also taken a break from social media entirely. Seeing other people’s situations can sometimes cause us to feel more fear and anxiety or highlight isolation and loneliness. If you find Instagram or Facebook is affecting you or your family, try to limit your usage to a certain amount of time each day, or allot a scheduled time for you to scroll.

3. Take Advantage of What We Are Allowed to Do

While it may be tempting to just stay inside and watch Netflix all day, sometimes it's helpful to disconnect and be just be present. Start by writing out a list of things that give you life. For me, connecting with others, getting outside, having new experiences and learning something new all give me life. What are yours?

Since we’re still allowed to go out on walks, to swim and to surf, I’ve been trying to do something active every single day. Some days that’s just a ten minute bike ride around my neighborhood, others it’s long walks on South Kihei while I talk to a friend on the phone. 

If I'm feeling sluggish in the afternoon, pursuing artistic expression through writing, painting, macrame and cooking and writing letters to friends has given me great joy!

What do you enjoy doing that is quarantine-friendly? Write out a list, and choose just one to do today.  And remember to pray. Pray for others. Praise God for who He is. Focus on praiseworthy things. Practice these things, and God's peace will come. God be with all of us during this time.

For those with children at home- here's a way to engage with them and process grief and loss:
https://www.illustratedministry.com/2017/helping-children-through-grief/

HOW-TO: Fasting and Praying

Church, as we continue to fast and pray on Fridays, here's a great article on how to approach your time of fasting: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-secret-benefit-of-fasting

Hope@Home – April 15, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: BEN

Check out today’s devotional from our Lead Pastor Ben Prangnell!

Ben's Devotional - Generosity from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER: COVID-19

Let’s pray for those who have been affected because of COVID-19. Let’s ask God to comfort each of these and to use this as a chance so that they might come to know him; that they’ll turn to Christ in the midst of their suffering rather than rely on their own strength. 

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."
Psalm 145:18-19 NIV

FAMILY RESOURCES:

By this time you may be running out of things to do during the quarantine. However, there’s always an endless amount of fun to be had playing cards, you just need to know the right games! Here's are two fun card games that you can learn how to play with your family during the quarantine. 

Double – two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively. Ex: 5, 5

Sandwich – two cards of equivalent value are laid down consecutively, but with one card of different value between them. Ex: 5, 7, 5

Top Bottom – the same card as the first card of the set is laid down.

Tens – two cards played consecutively (or with a letter card in between) add up to 10. For this rule, an ace counts as one. Ex: 3, 7 or A, K, 9

Jokers – jokers are used in the game (which should be determined before game play begins), anytime someone lays down a joker, the pile can be slapped.

Four in a row – four cards with values in consistent ascending or descending order is placed. Ex: 5, 6, 7, 8 or Queen, King, Ace, 2

Marriage – a queen is placed over or under a king. Ex: Queen and King or King and Queen. 

Note: You must add one or two cards to the bottom of the pile if you slap the pile when it was not slappable.

Continue playing even if you have run out of cards. As long as you don't slap at the wrong time, you are still allowed to "slap in" and get cards! Everyone should try to stay in the game until you have a single winner who obtains all the cards

SCORING

Egyptian War: (Ages 6+) 

  1. Start by dealing out the entire deck to each individual player.

  2. Beginning to the left of the dealer, players pull the top card off their pile and place it face-up in the middle. If the card played is a number card, the next player puts down a card, too. This continues around the table until somebody puts down a face card or an Ace (Jack, Queen, King, or Ace).

  3. When a face card or an ace is played, the next person in the sequence must play another face card or an ace in order for play to continue.

  4. If the next person in the sequence does not play a face card or an ace within their allotted chance, the person who played the last face card or an ace wins the round and the whole pile goes to them. The winner begins the next round of play.

  5. The only thing that overrides the face card or an ace rule is the slap rule. The first person to slap the pile of cards when the slap rule is put into effect is the winner of that round. If it cannot be determined who was the first to slap the pile, the person with the most fingers on top wins.

SLAP WHEN:

The player, who has all of the cards at the end of the game, wins.

GOPS: (Ages 8+) 

The basic game is for two players, using three suits from a standard 52-card pack. Cards rank Ace (low), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King (high). As a prize, the Ace is worth 1 point, cards 2-10, face value, Jack 11, Queen 12 and King 13.

SETUP

The cards are sorted into suits. One suit (traditionally diamonds) is shuffled and stacked face down as a prize pile. Each of the other players takes one complete suit. In the two player game the players fight with spades and clubs and the heart suit is not used.

PLAY

The top card of the prize pile is turned face up. Then each player selects a card from their hand with which to bid for it and places it face down. When both players are ready, the bid cards are revealed simultaneously, and the higher bid wins the prize card. The bid cards are then discarded and the prize card is placed beside the player who won it. The next card of the prize pile is turned face up and players bid for it in the same way.

If the bids of the two players are equal, the bid cards are discarded but the prize card remains on offer. A new prize card is turned face up and the next bid is for the two prize cards together, then for three prize cards if there is another tie, and so on. If the player's last bid cards are equal, the last prize card (and any others remaining from immediately preceding tied bids) are not won by either player.

SCORING

When both players run out of bid cards the play ends. Each player totals the value of the diamonds they have won in bids (ace=1, 2-10 face value, Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13) and the greater total wins the game.

SEND US YOUR STORY OF HOPE

We've heard so many stories of God's faithfulness, big and small, over the past few weeks. Now we want to share them with each other! If you've have a story that would encourage someone, can you send it to us? Email us here or shoot a quick selfie video and send it in. We need to encourage one another - share that story with us right now! Love being together even as we're apart, church.

Hope@Home – April 14, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: MILA

Hope Chapel Family, check out this devotional from our ‘Ohana Groups & Missions intern Mila Espinosa.

Devotional - Mila April 14th from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER: FOR THOSE WITH ANXIETY

Pray for those experiencing fear and anxiety in this time. Let's pray that instead it would be replaced by joy and peace that comes from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51:10-12

FAMILY RESOURCES: COOKING TOGETHER

Over the past couple of weeks staying at home, one thing that keeps coming to mind consistently is cooking! For today's Family Resource, we want to challenge you to gather your family and get everyone involved in preparing a meal together or making a dessert. This is such a fun opportunity to learn new skills and laugh together along the way. You will have accomplished two things at once: building family memories, as well as taking steps towards preparing each person to cook for themselves with confidence in the future. Along the way try to find ways to choose joy and thank the Lord during this exercise, and simply just have fun! Here’s a link to 28 suggestions for kid friendly recipes. You can pick one that will be best suited for you and your family. Post your meals on Instagram and tag @hopechapelmaui and @hopechapelkids. We look forward to seeing what you and your little chefs make!

-Austin Hughes, Hope Chapel Children's Intern

https://www.merakilane.com/cooking-with-kids-28-meals-kids-can-make-themselves/ 

HOW-TO: OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RIGHTNOW MEDIA

As all of our 'Ohana Groups meet by Zoom and continue to check in with each other, we want to continue to encourage staying in the Word with fresh new studies. One of our favorite resources is RightNow Media- did you know you have a free account there through Hope? They have hundreds of curated Bible studies, engaging content for any stage of life, and their Kids section has programs that will bring life and joy to the hearts of your little ones. If you haven't signed up for your free account yet, go here now to get it.

We've compiled some of our favorite studies in a list below, for fresh biblical encouragement right from home. These are perfect for anyone! Get some family devos going around the dinner table, start an in-depth study during your personal devotional time, or invite your 'Ohana Group via Zoom for a virtual watch party and get deep with discussion afterwards. 

The Gospel of Mark - Francis Chan

Psalm 119 - Matt Chandler

Can These Bones Live? - Louie Giglio

The Parable of the Builders - Jonathan Evans

Hope@Home – April 13, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: WES

Thanks for tuning in for our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services this weekend! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. If you missed them, you can catch them on-demand on Facebook or our Care page (link). We’re taking a quick break today from the usual content on our Hope@Home blog, but to give you some quick encouragement we have a new devotional below from our Tweens Director Wes Thomasson. Check back tomorrow for a brand new blog post!

UNITED PRAYER:

Let’s pray for those who gave their lives to the Lord over Easter weekend. What an exciting time to become a brand new believer! If this was you and you haven't shared it with anyone yet- we want to chat with you! Email us at hope@hopechapelmaui.com, we have a Bible for you and a free gift to get started in your new walk with the Lord.

Now more than ever, we must put our hope and trust fully in the Lord. Let's pray that those who committed their lives to the Lord this weekend would know Him & love Him with all of their hearts and that they would be able to find opportunities to get connected with their new church family.

Hope@Home – Good Friday: April 10, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: BEN'S GOOD FRIDAY MESSAGE

Check out today's devotional from our Lead Pastor Ben Prangnell! A timely message as Easter weekend begins.

Ben's Devotional - Good Friday from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER: FOR THOSE WHO ARE JOINING US THIS EASTER WEEKED

Let’s pray for all of those who would join our online services this Easter Weekend. Pray that those who are hearing this message of hope for the first time would hear the truth of the gospel that they would truly sense God’s love for them. 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

FAMILY RESOURCE: EASTER CRAFTS

This weekend we’re remembering our Lord and Savior’s death and celebrating His resurrection! This year we have the opportunity to be more intentional as we contemplate what Jesus did for us and all of the implications it has on our lives. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up with Easter festivities, like the Easter bunny & egg hunts, however we can't forget what we are all truly celebrating as a church body. For some creative ways to explore more of the gospel story this weekend, follow the links below. 

Resurrection Rolls: 

This is a hands-on way to let your kids experience the miracle of Jesus' resurrection and disappearance from the tomb. As you bake these rolls, take time to read through the Easter story with your kids, using the different ingredients, and the subsequent melting of the marshmallow as illustrations to help them connect with the story. 
https://teachmama.com/how-to-teach-the-easter-story-to-kids-resurrection-rolls/#_a5y_p=1533164

Nailing Sin to the Cross:

Physically nailing our sins to the cross is a powerful way to remember what Jesus did for us. You can modify the activity based on the ages of your children, but encouraging them to write specific, personal sins down on the paper that they nail to the cross helps each and every one of us to remember what Jesus did. Jesus died because of my greed, my pride, my anger, etc… 
https://kristiclover.com/good-friday-family-activity/

Where is Jesus Magic Watercolor Art:

If you and your kids love coloring, this is the art project for you! Print out the free coloring sheet and use a white crayon to write the truth that He is Risen in the tomb! Then have fun adding life and color to the picture until the hidden message is revealed. 
https://www.icanteachmychild.com/where-is-jesus-magic-watercolor-art/

WE FAST AND PRAY ON FRIDAYS

As we fast and pray on Fridays as a church family, let's remember today, Good Friday, the significance of Jesus' eternal exchange: while you were an enemy of God, He died for you.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"
Romans 5:8-10

Hope@Home – April 9, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

click here to go to past Hope@Home blogs

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL: PART TWO

Thanks for joining us again to hear part 2 of 'Ohana Groups Pastor Kyle Knight's devotional! If you missed part 1, check out our blog post from yesterday.

Kyle Devo Part 2 from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER: THOSE WHO ARE BATTLING THE EXPOSURE

Let’s pray for vulnerable communities around the world that are battling exposure to the virus, those who are less likely to receive healthcare when in need, and those who are affected by economic loss (unable to pay bills, loss of jobs, unable to provide for their family, etc.). Pray for the Lord’s provision over the downtrodden and overlooked during this time of crisis as well as opportunities for the church to rise and take care of those in need.

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"
Matthew 25:44-45

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2

FAMILY RESOURCES: GODLY MINDFULNESS EXERCISE

In a time where it is so easy to focus on these hard times in the world, it is crucial to slow down to be able to see how God is working in our lives. When our minds are busy, rushing a million miles an hour, it is certainly difficult to identify the blessings right in front of us. It’s imperative to exercise our spiritual awareness to truly find rest in the presence of the Lord amidst the chaos. Here are some “best practices” to have spiritual clarity in our lives. Even the smallest of exercise can make a difference in order for us to become mindful of God’s continuous grace in every given circumstance.

Disconnect from the media

The thought can be daunting at first to unplug. Fears of “boredom” or “not being in the know” immediately come to mind for some of us. However, taking away certain distractions can lead to lower anxiety and greater mental clarity. Devoting a significant amount of time to this can be beneficial, however we understand everyone’s schedules/work looks different. Evaluate the need for this in your own life, and try to make a decision based on what you or your family needs. This practice can apply to any movies, TV, social media, video games, etc. This may look like disconnecting one day a week, or not using media in the mornings, or perhaps cutting it out altogether. Use your best judgment for how this best works for your own life.

Pay attention to all of your senses

Pay attention to all five of your senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch). Slowing down to notice your senses allows you to be more present in the moment. You’re much more likely to remember special moments whenever they’re associated with your senses. It’s easy to sometimes run on autopilot, however acknowledging the gifts that God has given you to experience life helps us to be thankful.

List some ways God has provided for you in the past.

What ways has God provided for you? Has He kept you safe by giving you a home? Has He given your family food to eat? Has He graced you with comforts, such as a warm blanket and a good book? The little things are sometimes the things that we are most appreciative of. Whether it be big or small, when we recount all of the ways God has taken care of us, we begin to understand that he is sovereign over every facet of our lives and that we are in His hands. Take some time to list off His provisions in your life. This can be in a journal, in prayer, or sharing it with the rest of your family over a meal.

Pray throughout the day

...not just when you wake up and go to bed - Maybe you’ve fallen into the ritual of only praying before you go to sleep or before a meal. It’s not that you shouldn’t pray then, but we would encourage you to pause and come to the Lord as often as you can. 1 Thessalonians tells us “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The more we lean on His understanding and rest in His presence, the more we will be able to truly see Him in everything we do! Seek Him through all things as He wants every hour of your day.

HOW-TO: Fast & Pray

As we prepare to fast & pray on Fridays, here's some practical tips to help you get started.

Fasting can be daunting, especially if you’re new to this spiritual practice. Our flesh loathes the idea of abstaining from food (or really anything we want to indulge in) which is exactly why it is called a “discipline”. Jesus does not say “if you fast”, but rather “when you fast” in Matthew 6:16. This implies that fasting for the believer in Christ is not just optional but imperative. It is our constant reminder of our hunger for Jesus, much more than for the physical needs of this world. We instead long for Christ and the promises He lays before us, knowing His eternal life & His springs of living water are more satisfying than anything this world can offer. If you are unsure where to even begin, here are some tips to help you hone in this spiritual practice.

  1. Start small- Don’t push yourself past your own limits. Understand what your body can handle before jumping headfirst into a day long or even week long fast.

  2. Plan what you’ll do instead of eating- Create a purpose and a plan for why you are fasting. Dedicate the time you would normally spend eating to prayer and meditation on scripture.

  3. Consider how it will affect others- A change in your diet can oftentimes affect your moods. Even if there might be times you are more prone to take it out on others, be considerate and turn to God in moments of hardship & hunger.

  4. Try different kinds of fasting- Fast with your family, your 'ohana groups, your church, by yourself, privately, regularly, occasionally, there are so many ways! Seeking God under different circumstances may call for you to seek His wisdom in different ways.

  5. Fast from something other than food- Health conditions may step in the way of you being able to fast food. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.” Consider fasting from some other regular enjoyment that would bend your heart toward greater enjoyment of Jesus.

  6. Don’t just focus on your hunger- Acknowledge your denial, it’s okay to feel it but don’t let that rule over you. Our minds should be fixed on Jesus and long for Him even more than our desire to be fed. We take the pains of hunger and transpose them into our longing for the eternal.

For more, here’s Desiring God’s article on fasting for beginners: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/fasting-for-beginners

Hope@Home – April 8, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

click here to go to past Hope@Home blogs

EASTER UPDATE

Hope Chapel Family, we're excited to offer all of our Easter Weekend services online this year! Join us for Good Friday at 7pm, and two Easter services on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:30am. We'll be taking communion together on Good Friday, make sure to check care.hopechapelmaui.com for instructions on how to prepare for that as a family at home. Invite a friend or watch with your 'Ohana Group-watch on our Care page or join the conversation on Facebook Live. Looking forward to seeing you there!

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: KYLE

Check out Kyle's devotional part one! Come back tomorrow to hear the second part.

UNITED PRAYER: FOR OUR YOUTH

Let's pray for our youth right now during this quarantine. Without the distractions that pervaded life just a few short weeks ago, now is a great time for families to come together and grow closer with intentional time together. But, the stress of constantly being together can strain relationships within families as well. Be on the lookout for unresolved conflict, and keep accounts short with one another. Take time to listen and understand. Be prayerful as you listen, and ask the Holy Spirit in the moment for how you can minister, care, and love the one in front of you. Let’s pray that our youth will realize the gift that this time with their family is, and not be distracted by isolating themselves online, or in other forms. And for parents as well- that they would see this as a time to invest in their children and take relationships to a deeper level. We need to pray, church!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7

FAMILY RESOURCE: FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS

Check out these articles from Focus on the Family’s site, pluggedin.com, that share some amazing family friendly movies and shows on various different streaming services. We hope that these can be a source of encouragement, and that they may even open up deeper conversations about who God is! These suggestions all include ratings, so make sure to use your best discernment as a family- not all of them are G or PG on this list.

https://pluggedin.focusonthefamily.com/10-great-christian-movies-streaming-right-now/

https://pluggedin.focusonthefamily.com/whats-new-and-streaming-for-families-for-april-2020/

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Hope@Home – April 7, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL - LILLY

Hear from Lilly Van Sickle, our worship intern, as she shares about how to follow the Great Commission and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection, even amid this season.

UNITED PRAYER: Those who are going through medical treatments.

United Prayer - Let's pray for those who are going through medical treatment amidst the coronavirus.  Many people who are battling cancer, awaiting surgeries and have health care needs not related to the corona virus are facing added difficulty receiving the help and care they need.
 
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

Family Resources: Reflecting on God's Faithfulness

The faithfulness of God is foundational to our faith. In this current time it’s important to reflect on how we have seen His faithfulness throughout our lives. God does not forget His promises and He keeps His word. 

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV

Practicing remembrance of God’s faithfulness as a family unit can help us to have peace, stability, and confidence in our day to day lives. Here are some activities that you can do together today!

1) Pick a family memory verse to practice together this week

As a family, pick a passage or verse from scripture that reminds you of God’s faithfulness. Spend some time together memorizing the verse and reciting it aloud. Talk with your family about how memorizing scripture on faithfulness can help us to have peace in this time.

2) Go outside for some exercise during a sunrise or sunset

Everyone needs some time outside right now! Time your daily exercise to be while the sun is rising or setting. This is a great time to talk with your family about how the sun rises and sets every day. God has faithfully set this in motion! Ask your kids what other things they have seen that God has faithfully done in their lives.

3) Look through a photo album or old pictures as a family

This is a great way to practice remembering God’s faithfulness together. Thank God for everyone that He has put in your life, your family, friends, and others. Talk about your favorite memories as a family and remember together times where God showed us His faithfulness. Here are some questions you can ask as well:

• How has God been faithful to you? 
• Who have you told about His faithfulness? 
• How might your faithfulness to a friend show that person God’s faithfulness?

How To: Communion at Home

Right now millions of believers across the world are experiencing Holy Week in a different way than ever before. Instead of gathering together in church buildings, we are at home taking part in church services online, fellowshipping over FaceTime, and finding a new rhythm in our day to day lives. 

This coming weekend for Good Friday & Easter we’ll be taking communion together as a church body during our online services. This may feel different for many of us, however in the early church, believers regularly practiced taking communion in their homes, breaking bread in remembrance of their Savior. While we may be socially distanced from one another right now, we are still able to come together as believers in Christ by taking communion as a Hope Chapel family.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Luke 22:19-20

Our Guide to Communion at Home:

1) Put aside distractions

    • To best prepare our hearts to take communion as a church body, set aside anything that may be a distraction during the service: Phones, pets, meals, etc.

2) Have your Communion elements ready 

    • This can be as simple as just using what you have available! Remember, our heart posture is the most important thing about taking communion.

Some things that may already be in your pantry:

-Bread or crackers/wafers (to represent Christ’s body)
-Any type of juice or tea (to represent Christ’s blood)

If you don’t have these items at home to use and find yourself on a trip to the grocery store this week, you can pick up a loaf of bread or oyster crackers and some grape juice. Reach out to us if you may not have these things available and our pastors can help guide you with some more suggestions on what to use!

3) Participate & Pray

    • Join us for our online services this weekend! Good Friday, 7pm & Easter Sunday, 8:30am & 10:30am. This may be the first time many of you are experiencing an Easter service online, it’s important for us to remember that the church is an extension of God’s family not just a building, we are a group of people who love and trust in Jesus! Gather your family or grab a few friends virtually, tune into the service, and let’s worship & pray together!

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Hope@Home – April 6, 2020

AnnaUncategorized

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL - JEREMY

Devos with Napier from Hope Chapel Maui on Vimeo.

UNITED PRAYER

Let's pray for divine appointments and doors of opportunity for each of our Hope Chapel family members to serve and minister with the love of Jesus to others in this time of need.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
 
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

FAMILY RESOURCES: Three Practical Ways to Pray More

We’re all spending a lot of time in the same spaces right now. Our homes, kitchens, bedrooms, lanai’s, yards, and neighborhood streets are becoming ever more familiar to us as we try our best to practice social distancing and keep others safe. 

Whether you live on your own, have just a roommate or two, or have a full house of five kids and three dogs, you can cultivate a culture of prayer.

1. Sticky Notes
Take fifteen minutes to an hour to write down different people and needs that come to mind on sticky notes. As you walk around your home, find places that you frequent often and place the sticky notes on the wall or doors. Above the sink in the bathroom is a great place, next to your mirror, on your closet door and by light switches are all areas we look at multiple times a day without thinking! Then, spend some time walking through your house praying for the specific needs and people that you’ve written down.

If you’d like, leave the sticky notes up so that you can continue to pray in the days ahead as you see the notes during your day. 

2. Prayer Walks
Daily walks are also a good opportunity to connect with the Lord. As you walk use your surroundings as prompts for prayer. 

Are you passing the home of someone you know? Do the plumeria flowers remind you of a friend who moved back to the mainland? Pray for those people! 

It can be encouraging to know that someone is praying for you, so don’t be shy about texting your friends and family letting them know that they’re in your thoughts. You could even text them the prayer itself so that they can read your words of intercession for them, or call them and pray in person.

3. Use Cues to Pray

What tasks are already a part of your daily life? We all have rhythms and routines to our days, and the simplest activity can be used as a cue for prayer. It doesn’t have to be right before the evening meal! You could start small and decide to pray for your family while you’re brushing your teeth, or for our government and the many decisions they have to make while you’re in the shower.

What are some ways you integrate prayer into your daily life?

HOW-TO: Get Your ‘Ohana Group Online

Here’s encouragement from our ‘Ohana Groups team, Kyle Knight and Mila Espinosa!

As we settle into this new normal for a while, one of the most important things you can do is to "not give up meeting together" (Heb 10:25).  We are built for community, and designed for interaction- and times like this make connecting not just a good idea, but vital for good self care and loving one another well. We’re commanded to do it!
 
As we continue on as the church distributed in homes across Maui, we are calling all of us to get together online in small groups and do just 3 things:

  1. Worship with us for 1 weekend service

  2. Meet online with your ‘Ohana Group (don’t have one? Grab a few friends!) and walk through the Message Application Questions together. Pray and encourage one another as you check in- how can you help one another?

  3. Go and make a difference: Pray for someone or submit a request, serve a friend or neighbor in need. (Have an encouraging story come from this? Share it with us here!)

Thankfully, technology has made it possible to continue meeting together, even now.  If you're connecting with a friend or two, FaceTime or just a conference call works great!  But to get bigger groups together we're using a free platform called Zoom.  Here's how to use it.

OPENING AND RUNNING ZOOM:
Zoom can be used on your phone, a tablet or iPad, or your computer (if it has a camera).

1. Download Zoom: Go to your app store, and download it on your laptop, phone or iPad (it is a blue app with a white camera in the middle). If you're on a computer, go to https://zoom.us and install the application.
 
2. Create a free account (note that free accounts are limited to 40 mins, but you can jump right on another call if you want to go longer!). It'll warn you as you get close to the time limit.
 
3 . Have each of your 'Ohana Group members download the app and create accounts as well.
 
4. Start a new meeting and invite your friends:

  • From your phone or iPad: Open Zoom and start a new meeting. Tap the screen and touch "Participants" at the bottom of the screen. Then, again at the bottom of the screen, tap "Invite"- then choose to send an email or text to invite people to your meeting.  On their end- they simply click the link that is sent to them, and they will join your screen!

  • From your computer: Open Zoom, and start a new meeting.  Mouse over the Zoom screen and click "Invite," which will pop up a new screen.  Click "Copy URL" or "Copy Invitation", and email or text this to your group members.  When they click the link, they’ll join your screen. *If for some reason the software requests a Meeting ID or Password for your attendees, it’s found in the “Copy Invitation,” copy and paste this into an email.

There are some advanced features like setting meetings in advance- if you’d like to know more about that, here’s an in-depth tutorial:
https://vimeo.com/400310934

OTHER WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

Phone Calls: 
Although seeing each others’ faces is nice, phone calls are always a great way to connect. You can pray together over the phone, stay updated on each others’ lives, and study God's Word together. You can read it out loud, and have them follow along or simply listen and engage afterwards. 
 
Email & Text:
There is always email and text as well, where you can send encouragements, songs, verses, videos and share prayer requests with one another as the week goes on. This is a great way to care for your group from a distance in an ongoing way. 
 
We pray that you find yourselves encouraged by this time, and that the Lord continues using you mightily!

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