😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

I hope this message finds you well today. Life has its way of presenting challenges, and at times, it can feel like we’re navigating through a wilderness, surrounded by temptations and struggles. Today, we’re looking at Jesus’ time in the wilderness and how His example can give us strength and guidance in our own battles. Let’s dive in and see how He stood firm.

🙏 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: Luke 4:1-13

Today's Devotional:
Jesus’ journey into the wilderness was no accident. The passage tells us He was “full of the Holy Spirit” and “led by the Spirit” into that desolate place. This wasn’t a random moment of hardship—it was intentional. God was preparing Him for the ministry ahead, and this time of testing would reveal the depth of His trust and dependence on the Father.

The temptations Jesus faced were real and relatable. Satan targeted His hunger by suggesting He turn stones into bread. But Jesus responded with Scripture, pointing to the deeper truth that “People do not live by bread alone.” It’s a reminder that God’s Word sustains us even more than physical nourishment.

Next, Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. This shortcut to power and glory would have bypassed the suffering of the cross, but Jesus didn’t waver. He declared, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

Finally, Satan twisted Scripture to tempt Jesus into testing God’s protection by jumping from the Temple. But Jesus countered with a firm truth: “You must not test the Lord your God.”

Each temptation tried to exploit human vulnerabilities: physical needs, power, and doubt. But Jesus relied not on His own strength but on God’s Word. He modeled how we can stand firm against the enemy’s schemes by trusting in the truth of Scripture and the power of the Spirit.

This story reminds us of God’s character. He doesn’t abandon us in our wilderness moments. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, but He also sustained Him through it. In the same way, God is present with us in every trial, providing the strength we need to endure.

It also teaches us something about ourselves. When we’re weak—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—that’s often when temptation strikes hardest. But Jesus shows us that victory doesn’t come from our own willpower; it comes from clinging to God’s promises.

So, what can we take away from this? First, immerse yourself in God’s Word. When you know His truth, you’re better equipped to resist the lies of the enemy. Second, trust in the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain you. And finally, remember that the wilderness is not the end of the story. Just as Jesus emerged from His testing stronger and ready for His mission, God can use your wilderness season to refine and prepare you for what’s ahead.

Let this encourage you today: You are never alone in the wilderness. God is with you, leading you, and strengthening you every step of the way.

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 True Hope Collective 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!