😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

It’s Pastor Blake here, and I hope this devotional finds you well. Can I just be honest with you for a moment? Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, can’t it? The world around us feels chaotic, and it’s easy to wonder if peace is even possible. But this morning, I want to encourage you with something powerful.

The Bible paints a picture of a kingdom so different from what we experience—a kingdom filled with peace, hope, and restoration. It’s not just wishful thinking. It’s God’s promise, and it’s made possible through Jesus.

Today, as we look at Isaiah’s vision of a peaceful kingdom, I want to remind you that this isn’t just a future hope. It’s something we can begin to experience right here and now as God transforms our hearts and lives. Let’s dig into the Word together and see how we can prepare for this peace today.

🙏 HUMBLE

Begin this time pondering the following questions:

1. What are you thankful for today?

2. What burdens, fears, or areas of sin do you need to release to God today?

Now, let’s ask God to help us find HOPE in Him today:

“Lord, open my heart and mind to Your Word today. Help me to see the hope You have for me in these pages. Shine Your light on every truth, and guide me to understand, trust, and apply what You reveal. May Your presence transform my heart and fill me with the hope only You can give. Amen.”

📖 OBSERVE

Now, let’s observe what God has to say in His Word:

Today's Readings:
READ: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17

Today's Devotional:
Isaiah 11 paints a vivid picture of the Messiah’s reign—a world where justice flows, righteousness prevails, and even natural enemies live in harmony. The wolf and the lamb lie together, and a little child leads them. This kingdom is ushered in by the “shoot from the stump of Jesse,” a prophetic reference to Jesus, who fulfills every promise of redemption.

But this peaceful kingdom isn’t just a future hope. Through Christ, we are called to reflect His kingdom here and now. Hebrews 13 reminds us to follow the example of faithful leaders, live sacrificially, and offer continual praise to God, even when life feels anything but peaceful.

Numbers 16 is a sobering contrast—it reminds us of what happens when we resist God’s authority. Korah’s rebellion shows the devastating consequences of pride and self-centeredness. It’s a sharp reminder that submission to God’s leadership brings life and peace, not destruction.

Here’s the practical challenge for today: where can you make room for God’s peace in your heart and actions? Isaiah’s vision isn’t meant to stay in the pages of Scripture. It’s a call to be peacemakers, to trust in God’s ultimate plan, and to live as citizens of His kingdom—starting now.

Let’s commit to reflecting His peace and hope today, trusting that His kingdom is closer than we think.

Reflection Questions:

1. What stood out to you from these passages?

2. What does this teach us about God, His character, and what He does?

3. What does this teach us about people, including yourself?

💡 PERSONALIZE

Now to make this personal in your life, consider this question:

What is one area where God is encouraging you to grow or change?

📢 MY #HOPEDECLARATION

Create your own declaration of hope today!

“Today I will _______________________ because of Jesus Christ!”

Snap a pic of your #HopeDeclaration and share it on Social Media!

❤️ ENGAGE

1. Who in your life would benefit from hearing what you’ve learned today?

2. What practical way can you use what you’ve learned today to bless or serve someone?

🙏 STOP AND PRAY: 

Take a moment to pray through everything God has revealed and done in your heart today:

1. Thank God for His blessings.

   • Praise Him for what you were thankful for earlier. Reflect on His faithfulness, provision, and the ways He’s been present in your life.

2. Surrender your burdens, fears, and sins to Him.

   • Lay down the stresses or struggles weighing on your heart today. Trust Him to carry what you cannot.

   • Confess any sins, and receive His forgiveness and grace to walk in His ways.

3. Thank Him for what He has revealed today.

   • Praise Him for what you’ve learned about His character and work.

   • Acknowledge what He has shown you about yourself—whether it’s encouragement, conviction, or an area where He’s calling you to grow.

4. Ask for strength and guidance to obey.

   • Pray for His power to live out what He’s taught you today.

   • Surrender your #HopeDeclaration, asking for His Spirit to enable you to live it out in a way that brings Him glory.

5. Pray for boldness to share God’s Word.

   • Ask God to open doors for you to share today’s passage or truth with someone.

   • Pray for courage to engage someone in conversation about God, asking if they are interested in the things of God.

   • If they are, pray for boldness to invite them to study the Bible with you.

   • Ask God for a vision to multiply disciples and for His Spirit to guide you in this mission.

Take your time, and let this be a moment of deep connection with God. Trust Him to fill you with His peace, empower you to obey, and give you boldness to share His truth with others today.

✨ READY TO GO DEEPER?

Take a few moments to reflect on today’s insights and how they apply to your journey. Use your Daily HOPE Journal to capture your thoughts, prayers, and commitments, and watch your relationship with God grow deeper each day.

Don’t have a journal yet? Grab yours here and start your journey.

❤️ SPREAD THE HOPE, GET A DIGITAL JOURNAL!

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💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: 

We’d love to hear from you! To stay committed, reply to this email or head over to the comments section on today’s post to share your #HopeDeclaration. Let’s encourage each other in this journey!

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 

Want to go deeper? Listen to this week’s Hope for the Mountainside podcast episode.

⛪️ WHY NOT VISIT US IN PERSON?

We’d love to see you at Mountainside Community Bible Church! Join us for worship and a welcoming community every Sunday at 10 AM. Plan your visit below—we can’t wait to meet you!