Mixtape Vol. 3 | Psalm 5: Good Grief- A Walk into the Darkness by Pastor Cory Ishida (July 19, 2026)

Mixtape Vol. 3 | Psalm 5: Good Grief- A Walk into the Darkness by Pastor Cory Ishida (July 19, 2026)

Psalm 5 reminds us that there are seasons when life feels like a walk into the darkness. David begins the psalm weighed down by grief, opposition, and uncertainty, honestly pouring out his pain before God rather than hiding it. Expressing our emotions can feel like stepping into the unknown. Exposing our vulnerability to others can feel like walking deeper into the darkness. Even entrusting our grief to God may seem like a difficult journey when we cannot yet see His answers. And allowing ourselves the time to heal can feel like an endless path with no sunrise. Yet David shows that faith is choosing to keep walking toward God in the darkness, trusting that He hears every cry, leads with unfailing love, and will ultimately surround those who trust in Him with His favor and protection.

Mixtape Vol. 3 | Psalm 63: I Cling to You by Brandon Chai (July 12, 2026)

I started with sharing this beautiful wedding invitation from our friends. And I said that the quality and beauty of an invitation tells you a lot about who is inviting you, what you are being invited to, and how much that person values you. Jesus being sent from heaven to earth is the greatest invitation I can think of. All people are invited by the God of the universe to be in a marriage relationship with Him, and Jesus showed how much God values us by paying the eternal cost for sin with His body on the cross. The invitation of the gospel is not just to go to heaven one day in the future, but it is also to enjoy a personal relationship with God now. If it sounds too good to be true, you’re starting to get it. And if the Christian life is about relationship and not our performance, then we can freely cling to Him with everything we are and everything we have. We can trust that the same hands that once held nails in them are the same hands that are strong enough to hold us forever.

Mixtape Vol. 3 | Psalm 27: Worth the Wait by Pastor James O (July 5, 2026)

David's hope did not come because his circumstances suddenly improved or because his prayers had already been answered. Instead, his confidence was anchored in the unchanging character of God. Even when David felt abandoned, surrounded by enemies, and overwhelmed by hopelessness, he chose to believe that God is good. Remembering God's faithfulness gave him the strength to declare, "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). David wasn't telling us to wait for a breakthrough, healing, promotion, or even answers, he was calling us to wait for the Lord Himself. The Hebrew word qavah describes this kind of waiting as an expectant trust, like strands of rope woven tightly together, illustrating an active, intimate dependence on God rather than passive endurance. Throughout Psalm 27, David demonstrates that true waiting is not simply hoping circumstances will change, but remaining closely connected to God, remembering who He is, and allowing confidence to rest in His goodness rather than in what He may do.

Mixtape Vol. 3 | Psalm 86: How to Pray in Times of Trouble by Pastor Todd Hoshiko (June 28, 2026)

David teaches us that in times of trouble, we should pray for an undivided heart that is anchored in the Lord's steadfast love. Rather than simply asking God to meet our needs, our prayers should ultimately seek His glory. David prayed that God would help and comfort him so that those who opposed him would see the Lord's faithfulness, mercy, and unfailing love on display. When God answers, others become witnesses to His hesed, His gracious, covenant-keeping love and He is glorified. Our prayers in difficult seasons reveal where our hearts are fixed, responding to God's steadfast love with trust, dependence, and a desire to make Him known.

1 Corinthians 16 | Becoming a People of Practical Love by Cory Hamada (June 21, 2026)

Paul closes 1 Corinthians with a powerful reminder that our Christian life begins, continues, and matures only by the grace of Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace, sustained by grace, and transformed by grace. His final prayer, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you,” points believers back to their continual need for Christ’s grace every day. Paul also ends with, “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.” Though much of the letter contained correction and rebuke, it was ultimately written out of deep love for the church. His desire was not merely to correct behavior, but to help believers know the risen Christ and live lives that reflect His love. Because Christ is risen and will come again, the church is called to be a people of practical love, a love that gives generously, honors others selflessly, and stands firm in truth and faithfulness. Grace fuels this kind of love, and through it, God shapes His people into the likeness of Christ.