😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

Pastor Blake here. I hope your Sunday reflection on Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath was meaningful. Today, we look back at an earlier biblical context where Sabbath was explicitly commanded among the Israelites. Far from being an arbitrary rule, God’s intention was to set His people free from the relentless cycle of labor that once defined their slavery in Egypt.

As we dive into Deuteronomy, let’s allow this call to Sabbath to remind us that we, too, need rhythms of rest and reflection. We pause not just to recharge physically but to remember the ways God has rescued us from the bondage of our past.

🙏 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: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (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 this passage, Moses instructs the Israelites to keep the Sabbath day holy. He points back to their liberation from slavery in Egypt, highlighting that rest is a divine gift rooted in God’s deliverance. By remembering God’s mighty acts, Israel’s Sabbath observance becomes more than just taking a break—it becomes a weekly celebration of God’s ongoing faithfulness.

This reflects a vital aspect of God’s character: He is a liberating God who cares about the well-being of His people. We see the same principle in our own lives. When we consistently carve out time to rest, worship, and reflect, we’re actively declaring our trust in God as Provider. Rather than scrambling to achieve and produce, we acknowledge that our security ultimately comes from Him.

Applying this might look like intentionally scheduling downtime, disconnecting from digital overload, or dedicating a block of time each week to prayer and gratitude. Such a practice can feel counterintuitive in our production-obsessed culture, yet it aligns our hearts with God’s gracious purposes. By choosing rest, we remember that He remains our Redeemer—both in ancient times and today.

💡 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!