1/3/2025 0 Comments In His HandsKing David spent many of the years of his reign fighting against King Saul, fighting foreign enemies, fighting against his own family. He also made many mistakes. And yet there is something about the way he trusted in God that has inspired believers for millennia. This king acknowledged over and over that it was only God who kept him and protected him.
Questions for further thought: 1. How much do you really, truly rely on God? 2. If God is for us, who can be against us? Challenge: Pray that in the coming year, you will rest in the everlasting arms in ways that you haven’t before. Tell God that you recognize His faithfulness and ask Him to strengthen your perception of His strength, His faithfulness and His direction for your life.
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1/2/2025 0 Comments A Hope and a FutureThe people exiled from Israel were undergoing the worst kind of turmoil imaginable, and they had just been told it would be decades before they could return to their homeland. In the midst of this, God told them He had plans for them. More than that, He even said He will restore their own faithfulness, that they will seek Him again.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you think Jeremiah 29:11 applies to you, too? 2. What does it change about your life if God has plans for you? Challenge: Very few people in this world know exactly what God created them to do. If you struggle to see God’s plan in your life, maybe it’s time to look at it differently. What are the small right things that you have done in your everyday life? Think about how your faithfulness has helped create a person God can call on when something larger is required. 1/1/2025 0 Comments His FaithfulnessLamentations is a book full of sorrow at the exile of the Jews from Jerusalem. And yet it contains some of the most beautiful words that inspired a favorite hymn. The most difficult circumstances on Earth are not proof that God is not faithful. Because of his love, we are not consumed. He never changes.
Questions for further thought: 1. When you are in pain, whether mental or physical, do you ever say to God, “I don’t even want to ask You for help right now”? 2. On the other hand, has God shown his faithfulness to you in unmistakable ways? Challenge: Think of a story or a real-life event that shows the greatest faithfulness you’ve ever heard or witnessed from another human being: spouses supporting a loved one through sickness, friends staying true under terrible circumstances. Now reflect on how much greater God’s faithfulness must be! 12/31/2024 0 Comments A New Creation“Out with the old, and in with the new!” It’s fitting that New Year’s falls so close after Christmas. Before Jesus, the old way of reaching God was in our own strength, which never could be sufficient. In the person of Jesus, God reached down to us. Jesus saved us, thank God – but he was also the first example of the new creation that we can take part in.
Questions for further thought: 1. How often do you still try to do things on your strength? 2. How does it make a difference for you when you ask for God’s help first? Challenge: Think about the ways you ask God for help. Sometimes it’s just a desperate plea, and you’ve got nothing more than the cry of your heart. God hears and answers. But more often our requests are quick or perfunctory, or we think whatever we’re asking for is too unimportant. Challenge yourself to dwell in your prayer and give God time to answer. 12/30/2024 0 Comments The Narrow Gate“Which way do I go?” That’s probably the most common prayer, in one form or another. Show me what’s right! When we hear that the road to life is narrow, it’s discouraging. It would be daunting if we had to find the way on our own, maybe even impossible. But our God doesn’t leave us wandering in the wilderness. He is faithful if we keep on asking.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you feel like there were times this year when you didn’t get direction and needed it? 2. Were there times in 2024 when you simply forgot to ask for guidance? Challenge: Take a moment to think about the ways God led you this past year. Maybe you didn’t hear audible words but instead a gentle nudge. Or maybe circumstances, even difficult circumstances, pushed you in a direction that in hindsight brought blessings. Thank Him for His faithfulness. 12/27/2024 0 Comments His DirectionDavid relied on and had faith in God’s plan for his life. Like David, God wants us to rely on and have faith in His plan for our lives. He does not promise there will not be trials. We will have valleys to traverse but He promises to walk with us and guide our steps. As we prepare for a new year to start, ask God to direct your path and then, trust in Him and take the first step onto that path.
Questions for further thought: 1. What might God be calling you to do? 2. What might need to change for you to take the path God is calling you to? Challenge: Pray for God’s direction and then, take the first step on the path He wants you to follow. 12/26/2024 0 Comments Jesus' PromisesThis passage in John is a promise from our Savior and provides all of us hope. Then in Philippians, Paul reminds us to press forward toward this prize and to keep the faith. So, when the troubles of this world get us down, remember Jesus’ promises and Paul’s instruction. Jesus prepares a place for you; He will come back and until He does, we are to be His hands and feet in the world. Shine and share His Light in everything you do.
Questions for further thought: 1. When has Jesus kept His promises? 2. What might be different in your life if you relied and focused on His promises? Challenge: Knowing Jesus is faithful to keep His promises, take time to thank Him for the blessings in your life and ask Him who you should share His promises with today. Then, take action and share Jesus’s love and promises with the one He revealed to you. 12/25/2024 0 Comments Shepherds and Angels Spread HopeWe need to be like the shepherds even more in today’s world. We live in a divisive culture where many suffer from addiction, depression, anxiety and hopelessness. Many of those around us need the hope and love of Jesus and as the hands and feet of Jesus, we are the means of sharing this message with the world. We cannot assume they know; we must love and share without hesitation like the shepherds.
Questions for further thought: 1. Who in your life needs to hear or feel the love of Jesus today? 2. Who have you shared Jesus’ love or message with lately? Challenge: Take time this holiday season to share Jesus’ love and hope with at least one of the individuals you identified in question #1. This could be something as simple as inviting them to church or taking them a meal. 12/24/2024 0 Comments Zechariah’s DisbeliefI must admit I would say the same thing to Gabriel if he visited me today with the same message. It is our first response to the miracles of God—How can this be? It is not possible. Our finite minds cannot comprehend the possibilities of an infinite God. Nothing is impossible for Him. He has given children to couples who are barren, parted water with a wooden staff providing safety, knocked down the walls with trumpets, cured lifelong diseases, and brought the dead to life. He is still working miracles today. We need to be unlike Zechariah and put our faith and hope in the impossible.
Questions for further thought: 1. When has God done the impossible in your life? 2. What in your life looks to be impossible? Challenge: Take the impossible to God in prayer and as we did on Monday, leave it with God and believe and trust in our infinite God 12/23/2024 0 Comments Mary's FaithMary’s faith is amazing to me. Here you have a young girl who is being told that she will deliver the Son of God, and she replies, “let it be as you have said.” I must admit I do not always have this level of faith as I struggle with worrying about things I do not have any control over. You do not see Mary worrying about the effects this could have on her relationship with Joseph, or how society might see her. No. She simply accepts God’s will and path for her life. May we all strive to put our hope and faith in our God and His promises like Mary.
Questions for further thought: 1. What areas in your life do you need to have more hope and faith in God? 2. Think back over the past year, how has God helped and blessed you this year? Challenge: Write a letter to God giving one of your areas of concern over to Him. Then, seal the letter in an envelope or put in a prayer box (whichever you have) and let God work. When you find yourself worrying about it, remind yourself that you have given this to God and rely on His past, present and future faithfulness to take care of the concern for you. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
January 2025
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