😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

Pastor Blake here, and I’m thrilled to begin a new week of Daily Devotions with you. Sunday is often considered a day of rest, but sometimes our hearts remain weighed down by stress. Whether it’s work responsibilities, family commitments, or spiritual concerns, it can feel like we’re never truly “off.”

Today’s reading paints a picture of Jesus redefining the Sabbath—not by abolishing the concept of rest, but by restoring its true purpose. As we reflect on these verses, we’ll see how God’s loving character always prioritizes wholeness and compassion over mere rule-keeping. Let’s lean into His invitation to find deep, soul-refreshing rest in Him.

🙏 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 6:1-16 (NLT)

Reflection Questions:

1. What stood out to you most from this passage?

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

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

Today's Devotional:
In Luke 6:1-16, some Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for picking heads of grain on the Sabbath. By focusing solely on maintaining tradition, they miss the heart of the law—God’s desire to care for and restore His people. Jesus asserts His authority, proclaiming that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. Even more strikingly, He heals a man with a deformed hand on this holy day, emphasizing God’s compassion and power at work.

This passage shows us a God who values mercy over ritual. Rather than allowing religious demands to overshadow human need, Jesus demonstrates that He came to bring wholeness and life. Where we often tire ourselves out by trying to be “good enough,” Christ reminds us that He alone is our source of true rest. Acknowledging His lordship sets us free from striving to prove ourselves.

In practical terms, this might mean rethinking how we spend our Sundays or rest days. It could involve intentionally setting aside time for worship, fellowship, or personal reflection. When our minds and hearts focus on Jesus’ presence, we discover a rest that transcends physical downtime. As we trust Him with our time and priorities, we align our rhythms with His generous heart—and that’s where real freedom begins.

💡 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 time to pray through what God has revealed to you today:

• Thank Him for His blessings and faithfulness.

• Surrender your stresses, burdens, fears, and sins, trusting Him to carry them.

• Pray through what He taught you in today’s passage, including your #HopeDeclaration, asking for His Spirit to empower you to live it out.

• Ask for boldness to share today’s story and invite others to follow Him, praying that God would use your obedience to multiply disciples.

Let this time align your heart with His and empower you for His mission.

✨ 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!

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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!

⛪️ 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!