Hope in Scripture is based in God’s character rather than our circumstances More often than I’d like to admit, I discover that I’ve put my hope in something can’t sustain it.  A few years ago, I was looking for a new job, and, during my search, a job that seemed tailor-made for me popped to the top of my LinkedIn search. I was excited and quickly pulled together a customized cover letter and resume that highlighted my most pertinent experience and applied. In a couple of week

Today, take a few moments to ponder the truths you’ve encountered or phrases you’ve meditated on throughout this Advent reading plan. Journal your prayerful response, reflecting on what God has revealed to you through his Word during this Advent season.   Before the world began, God was already unfolding his plan of salvation.  To recognize the power of light, we have to first acknowledge the reality of darkness.  To experience true freedom, we must first acknowledge we’re en

Read Revelation 21:1-4  and 22:1-5 .  Ponder Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:1-5 Jesus didn’t just come to save us for the here and now. He came to save us for eternity and today’s readings help us to look forward to what eternity will be like.  As you read today’s verses, how do they help you to better understand the idea of being found and what it means for us in eternity?  Because of what Jesus has done, we have an eternal home with God. We are no longer aimlessly wandering throu

Read Galatians 4:4-7 .   Ponder Galatians 4:4-7 One of the primary analogies of salvation in Scripture is the idea of lost and found. How do these verses help you better understand that analogy?  The lost son of Luke 15 wanted to come back to his father as a slave, but he was restored as a son. How is that truth echoed in today’s passage?  Jesus didn’t just come into the world to tell us that we were hopeless sinners. He came so that we could live as children of the One True

Read Luke 2:1-38 .  Ponder Luke 2:1-38 What do you think this passage about Jesus’ birth has to do with the idea of being lost and found?  In Luke 2, God’s rescue plan took on flesh and entered into the story of the world. How is this also an example of God entering into your story of salvation?  Look at the angels message to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-12. How is Jesus’ birth good news to the whole world? Why is it good news to you?  Consider Simeon’s response to seeing Jesus

Read Luke 15:11-32 .   Ponder Luke 15:11-32 What imagery or situations in this parable help you better understand what it means to be lost?  Skim over verses 11-16. When in your life have you lived like the lost son, looking for fulfillment, worth and meaning in the wrong things?  Have you ever experienced a “come-to-your-senses” moment like the lost son in verse 17 when you recognized how much you needed Jesus? What was that like? What did it teach you about yourself? About

Read Luke 15:1-10 .   Ponder Luke 15:1-10 Where do you see imagery of lost and found in this passage?  Look over verses 1-7, which depict a shepherd seeking out one lost sheep. What does that reveal about God’s attitude toward the lost?  Reflect on your own story of salvation. When you look back now, what are some of the ways you can see God was seeking you and drawing you to Himself by his Spirit?  Consider verses 8-10. What does this passage teach you about your value to Go

Before we even recognized we were lost, God was enacting his rescue plan. One time many years ago, I traveled to New Mexico for work. I was staying at a conference center right outside of Santa Fe — and just outside my backdoor was a walking trail into the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Wanting to see a little of the countryside, I set off on the trail — by myself, wearing sandals and entirely unprepared for more than a leisurely walk.  I wasn’t long into my hik

Today, ponder the following phrases from the meditations you’ve read this week. Journal your prayerful response, reflecting on what God has revealed to you through his Word during this first week of Advent.  The reality is that sin enslaves, and there’s no way we can rescue ourselves from its chains on our own. True freedom only comes from the One True God, and he is still releasing captives today. Chains can be broken, and slaves to sin can be set free. And the Savior of Isa

Read Romans 8:1-11 .  Ponder Romans 8:1-11 What does this passage teach you about slavery or freedom? Jot down a few ideas.  As you read these verses, what do they say frees us from sin? What doesn’t?  Why is it important to recognize that only Jesus can set us free from sin?  Note verse 4, which reads “God did what the law could not do” in the New Living Translation. What does that help you understand about earning God’s favor or salvation through your own strength, power or

Read John 8:31-59 .  Ponder John 8:31-59 Skim over the passage with this week’s theme in mind. Where do you see examples or imagery of slavery? Of freedom?  If you were summarizing the conversation Jesus had with the Jewish teachers, how would you describe it?  What did Jesus say enslaved the people, spiritually speaking? What did he say set them free spiritually?  What did the Jewish teachers think set them apart or gave them status before God?  How did Jesus show them they

Read Luke 4:16-30 .  Ponder Luke 4:16-30 What examples or imagery of slavery and freedom did you notice in today’s passage?  In verses 18-19, Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 and said he had fulfilled the prophecy. Why is that important?  How does Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy? What did it mean for him to proclaim that he brings good news, comforts the brokenhearted and sets the captives free?  Why do you think the people reacted so angrily to Jesus’ proclamation? What is your init

Read Exodus 1:1-14  and Exodus 14 . Ponder Exodus 1:1-14 and Exodus 14 A lot happens between today’s two Scripture passages. In your journal, jot down what you learn about the Israelites’ situation in Exodus 1. In your own words, describe what happened in Exodus 14.  What examples of slavery do you see in today’s passage? Of freedom?  How did God free the Israelites from the Egyptians?  God rescued his people in an amazing, supernatural way, but he’s still rescuing people tod

To experience true freedom, we must first acknowledge we’re enslaved. I grew up on the Mississippi River flood plain. Now that I live in the rolling hills of Tennessee, I’m always struck by the flatness of my birthplace every time I visit. I can stand on my parents’ front porch and see for miles, watch traffic coursing north on Highway 25 from the back deck. The land just rolls out in front of you, one field fading into the next, no boundaries. But if you’ve ever flown over s

Today, ponder the following phrases from the meditations you’ve read this week. Journal your prayerful response, reflecting on what God has revealed to you through his Word during the second week of Advent.  He will bring light where there has only been darkness.  We live in a dark world where sin is often celebrated and many hearts are darkened to the truth. He is still the light of the world—and the hope he promises is real and true.  The reason we can celebrate the Christm

Read Revelation 21 .  Ponder Revelation 21 While Genesis recounted God’s perfect creation and how sin marred and destroyed it, Revelation 21 describes the new heaven and new earth. In today’s passage, how do you see the dark effects of sin reversed in the New Jerusalem?  What examples of light do you see in these verses?  Turn your attention to verses 22-23. How is this city different from the ones we live in or those described in Scripture?  Why is it important that there’s

Read 1 Peter 2:4-9 . Ponder 1 Peter 2:4-9 How is life with Christ described in this passage?  What imagery or ideas are used to describe life without Christ?  Consider the list of who believers are in verse 9. Which of those descriptors resounds most with you? Why? Peter describes Christians using Old Testament imagery: chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people set aside for his possession. Why was it important that Peter would use imagery usually reserve

Read Luke 23:44-49 . Ponder Luke 23:44-49 Where do you see the imagery of light and darkness in today’s passage?  Darkness can symbolize a lot of things in Scripture: God’s judgment, sin and sorrow to name a few. Why do you think it’s important that the day grew dark leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross?  Mull over verse 45. What is symbolic about the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies (where only the high priest could go) from the rest of the temple being torn?  Ho

Read John 8:12-20 . Ponder John 8:12-20 Note any references to light and darkness in today’s passage. What do these verses reveal about light?  What do they teach you about darkness?  Understanding the light and darkness is one of the primary metaphors of salvation used throughout Scripture, what does this passage teach you about sin and salvation?  Meditate on Jesus’ declaration that he is the light of the world. What does that mean in your own words?  Meditate on John 8:12-

Read Isaiah 9:1-7. Ponder Isaiah 9:1-7 How do you see the ideas of light and darkness at work in this passage?  How does the metaphor of light symbolize hope in these verses?  The opening verses of this passage predict that the northernmost section of Israel, the most oppressed and the most influenced by pagan religion, would be honored by God when he sends new light in the future. Think about the original audience, oppressed by foreign governments and looking for God’s promi