Transformation Church

12/10/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 9 – The Unexpected Ways God Provides

Scripture
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“The ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning…” (1 Kings 17:6)

Reflection
God rarely provides in the way we expect. If anything, Scripture teaches us that His provision often comes from unexpected directions.

Elijah certainly didn’t expect ravens to deliver breakfast. Israel didn’t expect manna to fall from the sky. Mary didn’t expect wise men from distant lands to walk into a barn with gold. Joseph didn’t expect God to speak to him more through dreams than through daytime conversations.

But God provided—precisely what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

The same is true for us.

As Transformation Church prepares for what’s ahead—new spaces, new ministry, new opportunities—we trust a God who knows how to provide in ways we would never script. Maybe the provision comes from someone we didn’t expect. Perhaps it comes across as last-minute timing. Maybe it comes through resources that seem unlikely. But it comes.

Provision is never about our cleverness. It’s always about God’s faithfulness.

Avery Dulles once said, “Faith is a way of seeing.” When God provides, faith helps us recognize His hand, even in unexpected packaging.

So if you’re waiting today—waiting for clarity, finances, strength, encouragement, or direction—remember this: God is not limited by what you see. His provision may already be on the way, carried by something as unlikely as a raven… or an open door you didn’t plan on.

Transformation Practice
Think of one place where you need God’s provision. Ask Him to open your eyes to the unexpected ways He may already be providing for you.

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being my provider. Open my eyes to the ways You are already at work, even when I do not recognize them at first. Strengthen my trust in Your timing and Your faithfulness. I place my needs before You with confidence in Your care, in Your holy name, Amen.

12/08/2025

We updated the latest news update, informing the world of our long-term goals for our new Insurgence into Eureka.

Latest News: The Long-Term Vision of Transformation Church Transformation Church was born from a simple but bold conviction: Jesus transforms everything—and transformed people transform communities.What began as a prayerful dream has now become a long-range vision that will unfold over years,...

12/08/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 8 – When God Uses Ordinary People

Scripture
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel…” (Micah 5:2)
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Reflection
If God were going to save the world, you’d think He would choose a major city, a political powerhouse, or at least somewhere with decent parking. But instead, He decided Bethlehem—a village so small that it often didn’t appear on maps.

And the people involved? Not celebrities, not royalty, not influencers—just ordinary men and women going about their ordinary lives.

This tells us something profound: God delights in using the unexpected.

Mary was a young woman from a humble family. Joseph was a carpenter trying to figure out how to handle the most confusing situation of his life. The shepherds were blue-collar workers doing a midnight shift. None of them was famous. None of them was polished. None of them had the résumé you’d expect.

But God chose them.

And He still chooses ordinary people today.

This is excellent news for Transformation Church, because most of us feel pretty ordinary. We’re not trying to impress anyone—we’re just trying to follow Jesus, love our city, and not burn the coffee at Grounds For Hope.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God intentionally chooses what seems weak, minor, or unlikely so He can display His strength through it. He loves using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” It is God’s presence—not our perfection—that makes us valuable.

If you ever feel too unqualified, too simple, or too ordinary to matter in God’s story, let Bethlehem remind you: God starts big things in small places.

Transformation Practice
Name one way God has used an ordinary moment or ability in your life. Thank Him for working through what seems small.

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for choosing ordinary people like me. Help me trust that nothing in my life is too small for You to use. Teach me to walk in humility and faith, knowing that Your strength shines through my weakness. I offer You my ordinary life today, in Your holy name, Amen.

12/07/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 7 – Learning to Listen Again

Scripture
"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

Reflection
Listening is more complicated than it sounds. We hear a lot—notifications, conversations, background noise, drive-thru orders, podcasts, and the occasional suspicious sound coming from your car—but listening is different.

Listening means tuning your heart to the voice that matters most.

When Samuel first heard God speak, he didn't recognize the voice. He thought it was Eli. It took time, guidance, and repeated calls before Samuel learned to say, "Speak, Lord."

Advent is a season that trains our ears again. Not because God hasn't been speaking, but because our world is loud. Our schedules are full. Our minds are crowded. And sometimes, without meaning to, we drift into survival mode instead of listening mode.

But Jesus assures us that His sheep hear His voice. Not perfect sheep. Not always-confident sheep. Just His sheep.

The more you lean toward Jesus, the more recognizable His voice becomes—steady, gentle, truthful, and never condemning. His voice guides rather than shames. It leads rather than pressures.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, "The first service we owe to others is the service of listening." If that's true with people, how much more true is it with God?

Listening is an act of love. It's an act of obedience. And it's an act of trust.

So today, slow down long enough to hear again. God is not silent. He is speaking—often more softly than the noise around you, but always with clarity for the heart that leans in.

Transformation Practice
Take five minutes today in complete silence. No agenda. No requests. Whisper, "Speak, Lord," and be present.

Prayer
Jesus, teach my heart to listen again. Quiet the noise within me so I can hear Your voice with clarity, peace, and trust. Help me recognize Your presence in the still moments of my day. I want to follow Your voice above every other, in Your holy name, Amen.

12/06/2025

Kevin Costner is set to host 'The First Christmas' - a special that will explore the birth of Jesus Christ.

Fans can tune in Tuesday at 8PM ET on ABC and stream it next day on Hulu and Disney+

12/06/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 6 – The God Who Draws Near

Scripture
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” (Psalm 145:18)

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

Reflection
One of the most staggering truths of Advent is this: God does not stay distant. He is not far away, watching from the heavens, waiting for you to get your act together or earn His attention. Advent proclaims the opposite—God moves toward us.

When John writes that the Word “made His dwelling among us,” he uses a word that means Jesus “pitched His tent” with humanity. He didn’t visit; He settled in.

That means God is not allergic to your struggles, unmoved by your fears, or intimidated by your weaknesses. He steps directly into them.

This is good news for real people with real lives—especially for a church plant filled with people who are juggling dreams, faith, responsibilities, emotions, late-night worries, and Amazon deliveries that may or may not be Christmas gifts.

If you’ve ever wondered whether God feels near, Advent answers with a resounding yes.

Gregory of Nyssa once wrote that in Christ, “God comes in a form that is familiar to us so that we might become familiar with Him.” Jesus comes close so that closeness becomes our normal, not the exception.

But sometimes the nearness of God is not a feeling—it’s a truth you lean on. Feelings fluctuate. Truth does not. And Scripture promises again and again that God draws near to those who call on Him.

So today, whether you feel full of faith or running on fumes, remember this: God hasn’t taken a step back. He is closer than you think.

Transformation Practice
Pause three times today—morning, afternoon, evening—and whisper: “Jesus, draw near.” Let the truth of His nearness settle over your mind and heart.

Prayer
Jesus, draw near to me today. Help me recognize Your presence in the middle of my ordinary moments, my questions, and my responsibilities. Fill me with the quiet confidence that You are closer than my breath. I rest in Your nearness, in Your holy name, Amen.

12/05/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 5 – Hope in the Delays

Scripture
“For the vision awaits an appointed time… though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

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

Reflection
Advent is full of delays. Israel waited centuries for a Messiah. Mary waited months for a birth no one fully understood. Joseph waited for an explanation that made sense. The shepherds waited for dawn. The Magi waited for the star to move again.

Waiting is not a punishment in Scripture. Waiting is preparation.

But waiting feels different when you’re the one living it. You pray, you plan, you prepare… and then something slows down. The timeline shifts—the progress stalls. The thing you were certain would happen suddenly takes longer.

If you’re part of a church plant, this probably feels familiar. Sometimes God moves fast. Sometimes, he takes the scenic route.

But Scripture reassures us: the vision is still coming. God has not abandoned it. He has not forgotten it. He is simply aligning it with the “appointed time”—the moment when all the pieces fit, even the ones that looked random.

Hebrews reminds us to hold onto hope because the One who promised is faithful. Not because the timing is predictable. Not because the path is straightforward. But because God does not break His word.

Athanasius once wrote, “He became what we are so He might make us what He is.” Jesus understands the waiting because He stepped into time Himself.

So when things feel delayed—your prayers, your dreams, your clarity, your next step—remember this simple truth: God is never late. He is simply preparing something you’re not ready to see yet.
Transformation Practice
Think of one delay in your life that frustrates you. Speak this aloud today: “Jesus, please help me trust Your timing more than my own.”

Prayer
Jesus, please give me hope in the delays. Please remind me that your timing is perfect even when mine is anxious. Help me wait with faith, peace, and expectation. In Your name, I pray these things, Amen.

12/04/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 4 – Strength for the Tired and Trying

Scripture
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Reflection
Some days, the most spiritual thing you can do is admit you’re tired.

Not the tired that goes away with a nap, but the kind that settles into your soul and whispers, “Are you sure you’re cut out for this?”

Suppose you’ve ever felt that way—emotionally, spiritually, or even physically—congratulations. You’re human. And you’re in good company.

Mary and Joseph were tired. The shepherds were tired (it was literally the middle of the night). The people of Israel were tired after centuries of waiting. Advent unfolds in a world full of exhausted people longing for renewal.

Isaiah tells us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Not the strength they pretend to have—the strength they actually need.

And Paul reminds us that God’s power shines brightest through weakness—not performance. Not perfection. Not pretending everything is fine.

This is good news for a launch team. Planting a church is beautiful, holy, and every once in a while… exhausting. You’re dreaming big, praying hard, rearranging schedules, prepping spaces, and stepping into unknowns. Of course, you’re tired.

But tired is not the enemy. Weary is the evidence that you’re pouring yourself out for something that matters.

John Wesley once wrote, “Give me one hundred people who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and they alone will shake the gates of hell.” He didn’t say they had to be well-rested.

Jesus meets tired people. He strengthens tired people. He renews tired people. And sometimes, He sits with tired people until strength returns.

If today feels heavy, you don’t have to push harder—lean longer. Jesus is not asking for your perfection. He’s offering His strength.

Transformation Practice
Identify one area where you feel worn down. Whisper a simple prayer: “Jesus, please renew my strength here.” Then rest for five minutes without multitasking.

Prayer
Jesus, please renew the strength I’ve lost. Please meet me in the places where I feel worn out. Please fill me with Your power and peace today.

12/03/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 3 – Joy That Doesn’t Wait for Perfect

Scripture
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Reflection
Advent joy has never waited for perfect circumstances. If it had, the shepherds would have shown up to padded pews, a color-coordinated nursery, and a worship band that had rehearsed more than once.

Instead, joy broke into the world in a barn—messy, loud, cramped, and smelling like the kind of place no one writes Christmas carols about.

Joy doesn’t wait for perfection. Joy chooses presence.

This is good news for anyone who feels like their life—or their church—is still under construction. Transformation Church doesn’t have its own building yet. The chairs don’t match the future sanctuary. The kids' space is currently whichever room contains the fewest breakable items. And yet—God is already here. Joy is already here. Jesus is already here.

Joy is not the result of everything going right. Joy is the fruit of Jesus being near.

Paul tells us to “rejoice always.” That sounds bold until you remember he wrote it from prison, not from a spa. Joy isn’t about having the right environment—it’s about knowing the right Savior.

Karl Barth once wrote, “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” Not gratitude for perfect days, but gratitude that Jesus meets us in imperfect ones.

So today, don’t wait for everything to feel finished, polished, or picture-perfect. Joy is already standing at the door.

Transformation Practice
Choose a straightforward moment today to pause and smile—without fixing anything first. Let joy come before everything is perfect.

Prayer
Jesus, please teach me to find joy before life is perfect. Please help me rejoice because You are near, not because everything is easy. Please fill my heart with Your joy today.

12/02/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 2 – Peace in Life’s Detours

Scripture
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” (Romans 8:28)

Reflection
No one likes a detour. Not on the road, not in life, and definitely not during an Advent devotional when you thought everything was going according to plan. Detours feel like delays, inconveniences, or even interruptions. But in Scripture, God has a habit of leading His people on routes that don’t look efficient but end up being essential.

Think about Mary and Joseph. They probably envisioned a simple birth at home surrounded by familiar faces. Instead, they found themselves traveling, tired, and trying to figure out if 'manger' counted as an approved birthing environment. It wasn’t their plan, but it was God’s path.

Detours aren’t evidence that God is absent—they’re often the clearest proof that He’s guiding. Proverbs tells us that we plan our course, but God establishes the steps. That means our well-organized, color‑coded plans aren’t always the ones Heaven signs off on.

In a church plant, detours come with the territory. The meeting space changes. The timeline shifts. The plan for the building includes surprises. The coffee shop equipment is backordered. Someone accidentally orders 500 more chairs than humans who currently attend. These things happen.

But Advent reminds us that every detour God allows is woven into something bigger than what we can see.

Thomas Aquinas once wrote, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Faith trusts that even the unexpected road leads exactly where God intends.

So if you find yourself on a path you wouldn’t have chosen—take a breath. You’re not lost. You’re being led.

Transformation Practice
Identify one unexpected detour in your life right now. Ask Jesus to show you one way He might already be working good through it.

Prayer
Jesus, please help me trust You on the roads I didn’t choose. Please calm my heart when life takes a turn. Please open my eyes to see the good You are already working in every detour.

12/01/2025

Hope Has a Key

December 1 – Worship in the Waiting

Scripture
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

Reflection
Advent begins with waiting—not passive waiting, but hopeful, expectant, intentional waiting. It’s the kind of waiting that knows something good is coming but doesn’t know exactly when it will arrive. A bit like knowing your building closes on December 15 and praying the contractor hasn’t been watching too many DIY shows.

Waiting is uncomfortable because it reminds us we are not in control. And honestly, many of us would rather do almost anything than sit still with our thoughts, our questions, or our uncertainty. But Advent invites us to a different posture: to worship while we wait.

The Psalmist compares waiting for God to guards waiting for morning. That’s not a bored waiting—it’s a confident one. A watchman never wonders if morning will come. He doesn’t know the exact minute. The same is true of God’s promises. He may not give the timeline, but He always gives the assurance.

As a launch team, you’re in that space right now—the space between promise and fulfillment. The church is coming. The space is coming. Grounds For Hope Coffee is coming. But today? Today still feels like the hallway.

But worship in the waiting shapes us. It prepares us. It forms the kind of people who don’t simply celebrate when God moves—but look for Him even when He seems quiet.

Augustine once said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Advent reminds us that rest comes not from arrival, but from presence.
Transformation Practice
Spend five quiet minutes in stillness today: no music, no noise, no rushing. Breathe and welcome Jesus into your waiting.

Prayer
Jesus, please help me worship while I wait. Please quiet my restlessness. Please teach me to trust Your timing more than my own.

11/30/2025

Hope Has a Key

November 30 – God Shows Up in Borrowed Spaces

Scripture
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

“She placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them.” (Luke 2:7)

Reflection
If God were going to make grand entrance, you’d think He’d at least book a room. Instead, Jesus arrived in a space that technically didn’t belong to Him—a borrowed manger in a borrowed room in a town that had no vacancy. This is how God likes to work: He steps right into the middle of unfinished, temporary, ordinary spaces and calls them holy.

Which makes Transformation Church feel very Advent-like right now. We're meeting in living rooms, temporary venues, and anywhere that can fit a handful of chairs and a good cup of coffee. We’re waiting for a building that’s coming, a space being prepared, a future that’s forming—just not fully here yet.

But Advent reminds us that God does some of His best work before anything looks ready. The manger wasn’t ready. The stable didn’t smell like Christmas candles. And Mary and Joseph were probably exhausted, stressed, and wondering why God hadn't cleared a path that felt a little easier.

And yet—Jesus arrived right on time.

Maybe you feel like parts of your life are in borrowed-space mode too. You’re not where you were, but you’re not fully where you’re going either. It’s the hallway season of faith. But Advent teaches us that Jesus is perfectly comfortable showing up in places that look unfinished, temporary, or mismatched with your expectations. If God could transform a manger into the epicenter of salvation, He can absolutely meet you in this season.

Gregory of Nazianzus once wrote that in Christ, “What is not assumed is not healed.” Jesus steps into every human condition—even the inconvenient ones—so He can bring healing, hope, and transformation.

So if your life feels like a construction zone or a waiting room, take heart: Jesus builds His best work there.
Transformation Practice
Identify one place in your life that feels “unfinished” and invite Jesus to dwell there today—even before it’s ready.

Prayer
Jesus, please show me that You dwell even in the places that feel temporary or unfinished. Please help me trust that You are already moving ahead of me. Please make room in my heart to receive You today. Amen.