Devotional Content

Scripture:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
God’s promises transcend time and cultural boundaries that easily divide. The Promised Savior unites those who trust Him to a loving relationship with the Father and to community. At In Focus Church, we see the beauty of a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community reflecting His kingdom. The birth of Christ is not just a fulfillment of a promise for Israel, but one fulfilled for all humanity, bringing peace to our personal lives and unity to our church family.

Questions:

1. What does this passage reveal about God’s character and promises?

2. How does knowing Jesus as the Prince of Peace impact your personal peace?

3. How can you bring peace to a situation in your community this week?

Prayer: 

“Lord, help me to realize and hold to the hope of Christ made available to me personally and to Your people as a community. Help me meditate on Your goodness that it may satisfy my heart and that I may share it with others. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

Scripture: “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” – Galatians 4:4-5 (NLT)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus’ birth wasn’t random—it was perfectly timed. As the author of time itself, God directs the seasons of our lives by His sovereign power, He stewards every moment for His glory according to His wisdom, while promising to work all things for our good from the abundance of His love (see Romans 8:28).

Therefore, as His sons and daughters can be encouraged that God is working in our lives, circumstances, and community, even when the timing feels uncertain or perhaps unfavorable.

Questions:

1. Why is the timing of Jesus’ arrival significant?

2. What does it look like to actively trust God’s timing in your own life?

3. Identify one area of your life where you will practice patience and trust God this week.

Prayer: 

“Lord, Your Word says that You are the same yesterday, today and forever; You do not change. Help me to trust in Your love, goodness, wisdom, and sovereign power as You change my seasons and as You use my seasons to change me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

Scripture:“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” – Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus is "God with us" in every circumstance. Colossians 1:15 says He is the “image of the invisible God,” meaning He shares the nature, character, and essence of God.

God’s plan was for Jesus to become man and share in humanity’s joy and sorrow, experiencing community, temptation, pain and betrayal. 

But He also gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us always, reminding us of the love, power, and presence of God. This name - Immanuel - showed God’s tangible presence as Jesus walked the earth; but it also expresses the nature of God’s nearness and presence.

Whether you’re navigating a season of joy or suffering, He is with you. 

Questions:

1. What does "Immanuel" mean for how you view God’s presence?

2. When you face challenges, how does knowing God is with you affect your heart’s tendency to worry? 

3. God can use you to demonstrate to others that He is with them. Reach out to someone who feels lonely or forgotten and do what you can to serve them.

Prayer:

Lord, as of lately my life has felt (_______ insert your honest expression of how life has been). According to Your Word, Your name, and Your nature; You are with me in every moment. Help me to know that and to be near to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture:“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:4-5 (ESV)

Devotional Thought:
In a world filled with brokenness, Jesus shines as the unquenchable light. First, followers of Jesus should surrender themselves to let the light of Christ continue to invade dark areas that He needs to reign in. This comes through our individual time in God's presence as well as our intentional invitation of others to shine His light in our 'blindspots'. 

But also, God’s Church is to be a people who carry His light into dark places by representing Him well in how we speak, act, and treat others. This should occur in every area of life including family and work, as well as across the cultural boundaries that easily divide, like race and politics. 

At In Focus, we want to trust Jesus by carrying His light into the CSRA, sharing hope with others who need the joy that Christ brings.

Questions:

1. How does Jesus being the light of the world shape your understanding of Him?

2. In what areas of your life do you need the light of Christ to shine?

3. Share a word of encouragement with someone struggling with darkness.

Prayer:

God, thank You for being the light of the world. Help me to see the areas of my life of which Your light needs to invade. Help me to recognize and grow with the followers of Jesus that You have provided to help me embrace Your light. Help us to carry Your light into the darkness. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Scripture: “I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.” – Isaiah 42:6-7 (CSB)

Devotional Thought:
Jesus is the hope for all nations. At In Focus, our diversity is a glimpse of this global mission. We celebrate that Christ came for all people; His Gospel is truly Good News for every nation, tribe, and tongue (Revelation 7:9). 

This encourages us to embrace 'the mission field' as the places where we find ourselves; not just an occasional mission trip to a different city. 

Since Jesus is our hope AND the hope of the world, He is worthy of our intentional efforts to share and show the hope He has brought us personally, starting with where you are now, and wherever else God leads you.

Questions:

1. What does this passage say about God’s care and attentiveness toward people who are often overlooked & underserved?

2. How does your experience of Christ’s care, attentiveness, and service affect your heart for people of different cultures & backgrounds than you?

3. Prayerfully ask God to help you recognize & respond to opportunities to share the hope of Christ with someone that you overlook & who may be underserved.

Prayer: 

God, You pay attention to, love, and care for those who are overlooked and underserved. I pray that You give me Your heart for people; help me to see them the way that You do – with dignity, honor, and compassion. Help me recognize opportunities to love and serve them, and to respond faithfully in those opportunities. In Jesus’s name, Amen.