😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

Hi there—Pastor Blake with you once more. Have you ever faced such tough obstacles that it felt like you were hitting a wall—or maybe even a roof? Some challenges can make us feel stuck or desperate. But sometimes, desperation can drive us closer to Jesus, where real freedom is found.

Today, we’ll see how one group’s creativity and faith led to both physical and spiritual restoration. Let’s observe how God meets us beyond the barriers we face.

🙏 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 Reading:
READ: Luke 5:17-26 (NLT)

Today's Devotional:
A paralyzed man’s friends are so determined to get him to Jesus that they lower him through a hole in the roof. This display of faith is remarkable. They believe that if they can just place their friend in front of Jesus, something miraculous can happen. Notice how Jesus first speaks to the man’s spiritual need, declaring his sins forgiven. This highlights God’s priorities—He cares for our eternal restoration even more deeply than our immediate issues.

The religious leaders watching are skeptical. Jesus confronts their doubts by not only forgiving but also healing the man physically. With that act, He demonstrates divine authority over sin and sickness. For us, it’s a picture of hope: no matter the barriers, Jesus has the power to restore every dimension of our lives.

God’s character shines through as both compassionate and authoritative—He meets our deepest needs and proves His power in ways that leave us amazed. Perhaps you’re carrying a burden that needs both spiritual freedom and practical healing. The good news is, Jesus is still inviting us to come to Him, no matter what obstacles stand in our way. He sees your faith, meets your need, and offers hope that goes beyond the present moment.

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!

Your impact is just beginning! Every share spreads hope and brings more people into this journey of encouragement. Keep sharing to unlock your next exclusive reward and help build a stronger, hope-filled community. Click below to keep the momentum going!

{{rp_personalized_text}}

Or copy and paste this link to share with others: {{rp_refer_url}}

💬 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!