😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

I hope this Sunday finds you feeling rested and ready for a fresh start to the week. As we gather our thoughts and hearts, let’s turn to a moment from Jesus’ childhood that holds profound wisdom for us. In Luke 2, Mary and Joseph searched frantically for their son, only to find Him calmly in the temple, right where He was meant to be—in His Father’s house.

This story invites us to pause and ask: where do we truly belong? If Jesus found His identity and peace in the presence of the Father, so can we.

Before we dive into today’s reflection, I’d love for you to listen to this week’s True Hope Collective Podcast episode, where we explore this very story.

Now, let’s settle in and reflect together.

🙏 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 2:41-52

Today's Devotional:
Luke 2:41–52 paints a vivid picture of both human frailty and divine assurance. Mary and Joseph, like any parents, panicked when they couldn’t find Jesus. Their search highlights the human tendency to feel lost or distant from what truly matters. Yet Jesus, even at the age of 12, knew exactly where He belonged—in His Father’s house.

God’s character is beautifully revealed in this passage. He is a God of relationship, not distance. Jesus’ closeness to the Father shows us the heart of God—a Father who invites us into His presence, offering us security, peace, and purpose.

As people, we often find ourselves in Mary and Joseph’s shoes—searching, anxious, and unsure of where to turn. But Jesus wasn’t lost, and neither is God. His presence is constant, inviting us to stop striving and come home to Him.

This truth has practical implications for our daily lives. Being “at home” with God starts with intentionally prioritizing His presence. This might look like dedicating time each day to prayer, reflecting on Scripture, or worshiping with a community of believers. It’s about cultivating a heart that, like Jesus, is drawn to the Father.

If Jesus found His identity and belonging with the Father, that’s where we’ll find ours, too. Let this passage remind you that no matter how far you feel you’ve wandered, God is always near, ready to welcome you back to His presence.

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!