Foothills Church We exist to connect people to Jesus and help grow to love and serve Him. https://foothillscp.org Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:13:48 +0000 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:13:48 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com 5-Day Devo (Based on 5.31.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/28/5-day-devo-based-on-5-31-26-sermon Thu, 28 May 2026 15:15:39 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/28/5-day-devo-based-on-5-31-26-sermon
Here's a 5-Day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the May 31, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Rock That Never Shifts

Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-4

Devotional: In a world where everything changes—jobs, relationships, health, and circumstances—we desperately need something unchanging. Moses describes God as "the Rock" whose works are perfect and ways are just. Unlike the shifting sand of human reliability, God's character remains constant. When you look back at your life, you may see places that no longer exist, relationships that have ended, or dreams that have died. But through every season, God's faithfulness has carried you. Today, take inventory of the changes you're facing. Then remember: your circumstances may be unstable, but your God is not. Build your life on the Rock who never shifts, and you'll stand firm when everything else crumbles.

Reflection Question: What changes in your life are causing you anxiety? How can you anchor yourself to God's unchanging character today?

Day 2: The Danger of Spiritual Drift

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:11-18

Devotional: Spiritual drift doesn't announce itself with sirens and warnings. It happens gradually, almost imperceptibly, like a swimmer carried by an ocean current. Moses warned Israel that prosperity and comfort would tempt them to forget God—to believe their own strength produced their blessings. This remains our greatest danger today. When life is good, we slowly stop praying as urgently, worshiping as passionately, and depending as desperately. We replace God's voice with a thousand distracting voices. Take an honest assessment: Have you drifted from where you once were with God? The beautiful truth is that God hasn't moved—He's waiting for you to fight the current and return. Spiritual drift is reversed not by dramatic gestures but by daily decisions to remember, worship, and depend on Him.

Reflection Question: What voices have become louder than God's voice in your life? What one practice can you restore today to fight spiritual drift?

Day 3: Carried by Everlasting Arms

Reading: Isaiah 46:3-4; Philippians 1:6

Devotional: Your ultimate security doesn't come from your strength, wisdom, or consistency—it comes from the everlasting arms of God beneath you. Israel's story wasn't about their greatness but about God's relentless faithfulness in carrying, sustaining, correcting, and preserving them generation after generation. God reminds us through Isaiah that He has upheld us since birth and will carry us even to old age and gray hairs. Paul echoes this promise: the God who began a good work in you will complete it. You may feel weak, inconsistent, or inadequate, but God's grip on you is stronger than your grip on Him. Today, release the exhausting burden of trying to sustain yourself spiritually. Instead, rest in the One who carries you, knowing He will never let you fall.

Reflection Question: In what area of life are you trying to sustain yourself instead of trusting God to carry you?

Day 4: Passing the Baton of Faith

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 2 Timothy 1:5

Devotional: Faith cannot be inherited automatically—it must be intentionally passed down. Moses commanded Israel to teach God's Word diligently to their children, talking about it in everyday moments. The Christian life is a relay race, not a solo sprint. Faithful runners carry the baton for their season, then hand it off to the next generation. Moses carried it, then Joshua. Timothy received faith from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. What spiritual legacy are you creating? The next generation is watching not just what you say but how you live. They need to see authentic faith that genuinely walks with God through both blessings and trials. Your life is the most powerful sermon you'll ever preach. Make it count. Invest in someone younger in the faith today.

Reflection Question: Who has passed the baton of faith to you? Who are you intentionally discipling or influencing for Christ?

Day 5: Anchored in Christ Alone

Reading: Hebrews 3:1-6; John 1:14-18

Devotional: Deuteronomy ends with anticipation: "No prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses." But Moses himself pointed forward to someone greater. Centuries later, Jesus stood not on Mount Nebo but on Calvary. Unlike Moses, who only saw the promise from a distance, Jesus secured it forever through His death and resurrection. Moses was a faithful servant in God's house, but Jesus is the faithful Son over God's house. Your hope cannot rest in human leaders, personal performance, or religious activity—it must rest in Christ alone. He is the fulfillment of every promise, the answer to every longing, the foundation that cannot be shaken. When leaders fail and seasons change, Jesus remains. Don't merely admire Him from a distance. Trust Him completely. Follow Him daily. Build your entire life on Him.

Reflection Question: Is your hope truly anchored in Christ alone, or have you been trusting in something or someone else? What needs to change today?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's May 31, 2026 Sermon: God's Faithfulness Remains!
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/28/5-day-devo-based-on-5-31-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 05.24.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/21/5-day-devo-based-on-05-24-26-sermon Thu, 21 May 2026 15:50:50 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/21/5-day-devo-based-on-05-24-26-sermon
Here's a 5-Day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the May 24, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Heart of Obedience

Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Devotional: God's commands are not burdensome obligations designed to restrict our freedom, but loving invitations to experience the fullness of life He intends for us. Moses reminds us that obedience is not beyond our reach—it's as near as our own hearts and mouths. The difference between dutiful compliance and joyful obedience is love. When we truly know God's heart toward us, obedience flows naturally from gratitude and trust rather than fear or obligation. Today, ask yourself: Do I obey God out of duty or devotion? Spend time getting to know Him more deeply, for only in knowing His perfect love can we respond with wholehearted obedience that leads to abundant life.

Reflection: What area of obedience feels burdensome to you? How might knowing God's heart more deeply transform your perspective?

Day 2: Fixing Your Gaze

Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Devotional: "Look where you want to go or you'll go where you're looking." This simple truth holds profound spiritual weight. Our focus determines our direction. The culture around us constantly competes for our attention with bright, shiny distractions—money, status, comfort, entertainment. These false gods promise fulfillment but deliver emptiness. Moses warned Israel not to turn to the right or left, but to keep their eyes fixed on Yahweh. Similarly, we must cultivate the discipline of fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. This isn't passive wishful thinking; it's an active, daily choice to tune out competing voices and tune into His. Where your gaze rests, your heart will follow.

Reflection: What distractions most frequently pull your gaze away from Jesus? What practical step can you take today to refocus?

Day 3: The Source of All Blessing

Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Devotional: Six times in this passage we read "the Lord will..." emphasizing that Yahweh alone is the source of every blessing. The Israelites faced constant temptation to credit the fertility gods of Canaan for the abundance in the Promised Land. We face similar temptations today—attributing our provision to our work ethic, intelligence, or circumstances rather than recognizing God as our ultimate Provider. When we forget the Giver in pursuit of the gifts, we risk losing both. Every good thing in your life—relationships, health, provision, opportunities—flows from God's generous hand. Acknowledging this truth doesn't diminish your effort; it properly orients your heart in gratitude and dependence. Today, pause and thank God specifically for three blessings, recognizing Him as their source.

Reflection: What blessings have you unconsciously credited to yourself or circumstances rather than to God?

Day 4: Empowered to Live

Reading: Ezekiel 36:25-27; Romans 8:1-11

Devotional: The most revolutionary promise in Deuteronomy 30 is God's pledge to circumcise hearts—to do an internal work that enables His people to truly love and obey Him. This pointed forward to the new covenant in Christ. Through Jesus, God doesn't just command us to change; He transforms us from the inside out. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within believers, empowering us to live the life God desires. You don't have to muster up enough willpower to be faithful. God does the work; we simply cooperate by saying "yes" to Him daily. This is grace—not a license for passivity, but an invitation to partnership with the God who enables what He requires. You can live the life God wants for you because He provides the power.

Reflection: In what areas are you striving in your own strength rather than relying on the Spirit's power?

Day 5: Choose Life Today

Reading: Joshua 24:14-15; John 10:7-10

Devotional: Every morning presents the same fundamental choice: Will you choose life today? Moses laid it out starkly—life and good, or death and evil. This wasn't about a one-time decision but a daily orientation of the heart. Jesus echoed this invitation, promising abundant life to those who follow Him. Choosing life means more than acknowledging God's existence; it means actively trusting and following Him throughout your day. It means tuning your ear to His voice when decisions arise. It means fixing your eyes on Him when distractions beckon. It means loving Him with your whole heart, not just wanting what He can give you. The choice is yours, and it's renewed each dawn. Today, will you choose the God who is life itself? Will you trust Him wholeheartedly and experience the abundant life He offers?

Reflection: What does choosing life look like practically for you today? What specific "yes" is God asking of you?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Phil's May 24, 2026 Sermon: Choose Life!
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/21/5-day-devo-based-on-05-24-26-sermon#comments 0 Who Are You Listening To? https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/20/who-are-you-listening-to Wed, 20 May 2026 15:43:22 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/20/who-are-you-listening-to
In a World of Noise, Who Are You Listening To?
We live in an era of unprecedented access to voices. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, notifications ping, podcasts play, influencers influence, and experts expertly tell us what to think, feel, and do. Everyone has an urgent message. Everyone claims authority. Everyone promises the path to freedom, health, happiness, or truth.

But here's the uncomfortable question: In the midst of all this noise, whose voice is actually shaping your life?

When we forget God's faithfulness, something shifts inside us. We start doubting His goodness. We question His presence. We hesitate to obey His voice. And like water slowly dripping from a leaky bucket, memories of God's provision and power gradually seep away unless we intentionally revisit and remind ourselves of His track record.

The Ancient Warning That Feels Surprisingly Modern

Thousands of years ago, the people of Israel stood on the threshold of a new beginning. They had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, led through the Red Sea, and sustained through decades of desert wandering. Now they were about to enter the land God had promised them—a land flowing with milk and honey, but also filled with competing spiritual voices and detestable practices.

Before they crossed that threshold, Moses had to prepare them. The land of Canaan was saturated with false spirituality: child sacrifices, sorcery, divination, consulting the dead, and prophets who claimed divine authority but led people away from truth. The people of God faced a critical choice: Would they listen to the voice of the God who had delivered them, or would they be seduced by the loud, persuasive voices of the surrounding culture?

Sound familiar?

The Silent Treatment vs. The Speaking God

One of the most painful experiences in any relationship is the silent treatment. When communication disappears, confusion grows, insecurity rises, and distance develops. In the silence, we're left to build our own stories about what's happening—and we're terrible story builders.

Thank God that our Creator is not silent.

The entire narrative of Scripture reveals a God who speaks—through creation, through prophets, through His written Word, and ultimately through His Son. At Mount Sinai, when God descended to speak to His people, the experience was so intense—thunder shaking, fire burning, smoke filling the mountain—that the people were terrified. They asked for an intermediary, someone to stand between them and God's overwhelming presence.

God's response was remarkably gracious: "I will raise up for you a prophet like Moses from among your own people. You must listen to him."

God didn't get frustrated. He didn't abandon His people to figure things out on their own. He committed to continue speaking, to continue revealing Himself, to continue guiding His people. That's the heart of a loving Father.

What It Really Means to Listen

Here's where it gets challenging: Biblical listening is more than hearing words. It requires trust-filled obedience.

Imagine going to a doctor because you're seriously sick. The doctor examines you, runs tests, diagnoses the issue, and prescribes treatment. But instead of following the prescription, you say, "I appreciate your opinion, but I think I'll do what feels right to me."

Most of us would call that foolish. Ignoring trustworthy guidance has consequences.

Yet spiritually, we often do exactly this with God. We ask for His wisdom. We open His Word. But when His direction conflicts with our desires or cultural norms, we choose our own path instead.

The voice you trust most will shape the life you live.

Testing the Voices

Not every spiritual voice speaks truth. That's the sobering reality we must face.

False voices may use spiritual language, sound convincing, and appear confident. But they still lead people away from God. The false prophets of our day probably don't wear robes or claim mystical visions. More likely they sound like:

  • "Follow your truth."
  • "God just wants you to be happy."
  • "You can define your own identity."
  • "Sin isn't really that serious."
  • "Truth is relative—what's true for you might not be true for me."

Jesus warned, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The Apostle John echoed this: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

The goal isn't to become an expert in every false ideology. The goal is to know the voice of Jesus so well that competing voices are automatically recognized as counterfeit.

Think about being in a crowded stadium after an event. Thousands of people are talking, noise everywhere. But suddenly you hear one familiar voice—your spouse, your parent, your child—and instantly you recognize it. Not because it's louder than every other voice, but because you know it intimately.

That's how spiritual discernment works.

The Greater Prophet Has Come

Moses promised that God would raise up a prophet like him, but greater. That prophet is Jesus Christ.

In Acts 3, Peter explicitly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you."

Like Moses, Jesus speaks God's Word and mediates between God and people. But Jesus is infinitely greater:

  • Moses delivered Israel from Egypt; Jesus delivers us from sin and death.
  • Moses mediated the old covenant; Jesus establishes the new covenant.
  • Moses spoke God's words; Jesus IS the Word made flesh.

The Old Testament prophets were like moonlight—real light, helpful light, God-given light—but always reflecting something greater. Jesus is the sunrise. In Him, the full revelation of God arrives.

God's final word to humanity is not merely a message. It is a person: Jesus the Christ.

Listening to Him Leads to Life

In our culture, countless voices promise life through wealth, success, self-defined identity, personal fulfillment, or unrestricted freedom. The tragedy isn't that these voices promise too much—it's that they ultimately deliver too little.

Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.

So how do we train ourselves to listen to Him?

Read and listen to your Bible consistently. You won't learn to recognize God's voice if you rarely listen to Him speak through His Word.

Reduce competing noise. Most of us are overstimulated. It's hard to hear God when our lives are constantly flooded with sound. Practice regular moments of silence and solitude.

Walk with godly people. The voices closest to you will shape your spiritual direction. "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise" (Proverbs 13:20).

Obey what God has already said. Many people are waiting for new direction while ignoring old instruction. The best way to learn to listen to God is to obey what He's clearly said already.

The Voice That Matters Most

At the transfiguration, when Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, the Father spoke from heaven: "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

That remains God's message to us today.

In a noisy world full of competing voices—listen to Him.

What do you hear God saying to you today? What competing voices need to be turned down?

The choice before us is the same one that faced ancient Israel: Will we listen to the voice of the God who loves us, or will we be swept away by the noise?

Choose wisely. Your life depends on it.
This blog was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's sermon on May 17, 2026: Listen to Him.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/20/who-are-you-listening-to#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 5.17.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/14/5-day-devo-based-on-5-17-26-sermon Thu, 14 May 2026 16:33:32 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/14/5-day-devo-based-on-5-17-26-sermon
Here’s a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the May 17, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Foundation of Justice

Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4

Devotional: In a world drowning in noise, the most profound truth is this: God is not silent. Throughout history, He has spoken through prophets, creation, and Scripture. But His clearest word came through Jesus Christ, the radiance of His glory. Unlike the silent treatment that breeds confusion and insecurity, God graciously reveals Himself to us. He doesn't leave us guessing about His character, His will, or His love. Today, pause and consider: Are you listening? God has spoken definitively through His Son. The question isn't whether God is communicating, but whether we're tuning in. Take time today to thank God that He is a revealing, speaking God who desires relationship with you.

Day 2: True Listening Requires Obedience

Reading: James 1:22-25

Devotional: Biblical listening goes far beyond merely hearing words. It requires receiving truth, trusting that truth, and demonstrating that trust through obedience. James warns against being hearers only, deceiving ourselves. Like a patient who receives a diagnosis but ignores the prescription, we often ask for God's wisdom yet choose our own path when His direction conflicts with our desires. True spiritual health comes from looking intently into God's Word and doing what it says. What has God already clearly spoken to you that remains unobeyed? Perhaps it's forgiveness you need to extend, a relationship you need to restore, or a habit you need to break. Listening to God means trusting His wisdom enough to act on it, even when obedience is costly.

Day 3: Discerning False Voices

Reading: 1 John 4:1-6

Devotional: Not every spiritual voice speaks truth. Our culture offers countless messages that sound appealing: "Follow your truth," "God just wants you happy," or "You define yourself." These voices promise freedom but deliver emptiness. John urges us to test the spirits, to develop discernment. How do we recognize false teaching? By knowing the true voice intimately. Just as you recognize a loved one's voice in a crowded room, spiritual discernment comes from knowing Jesus so well that competing voices stand out immediately. The goal isn't becoming an expert in every false ideology but becoming so familiar with Scripture and the character of Christ that deception becomes obvious. What voices are currently shaping your thoughts? Test them against God's Word today.

Day 4: Jesus, the Greater Prophet

Reading: John 1:1-18; Acts 3:17-26

Devotional: Moses promised that God would raise up a prophet like him, but greater. That prophet is Jesus. Moses delivered Israel from Egypt; Jesus delivers us from sin and death. Moses mediated the old covenant; Jesus establishes the new. Moses spoke God's words; Jesus IS the Word made flesh. The Old Testament prophets were like moonlight—real, helpful, God-given light. But Jesus is the sunrise, the full revelation of God's glory. At the Transfiguration, when Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, the Father declared, "This is My beloved Son—listen to Him." God's final word to humanity isn't merely a message but a person. In Jesus, we find everything we need for life and godliness. Are you listening to Him above all other voices?

Day 5: Cultivating a Listening Life

Reading: Psalm 46:1-11; Mark 1:35-39

Devotional: "Be still, and know that I am God." In our overstimulated world, stillness feels almost impossible. Yet learning to listen to God requires intentional practices. Jesus Himself regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, demonstrating that even the Son of God needed solitude to hear the Father. To grow in listening to God, commit to these practices: Read Scripture consistently—you can't recognize God's voice if you rarely listen. Reduce competing noise—create regular moments of silence. Walk with godly people—the voices closest to you shape your direction. Obey what God has already said—many wait for new direction while ignoring old instruction. The voice you trust most will shape the life you live. What practical step will you take today to create space for listening to Jesus?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's May 17, 2026 Sermon: Listen to Him.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/14/5-day-devo-based-on-5-17-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 5.10.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/07/5-day-devo-based-on-5-10-26-sermon Thu, 07 May 2026 17:32:24 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/07/5-day-devo-based-on-5-10-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the May 10, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Foundation of Justice

Reading: Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Devotional: "Justice, and only justice, you shall follow." God's repetition reveals His intensity about righteousness. Unlike ancient cultures where justice favored the powerful, God established a different standard—one rooted in His own character. Today, consider where you hold influence: at home, work, or in relationships. Justice isn't merely about courtrooms; it begins in our hearts. When honesty costs you something, do you bend the truth? When fairness becomes inconvenient, do you compromise? God calls us to reflect His character in every decision, treating others with integrity regardless of personal cost. Your faithfulness in small moments of influence reveals what truly shapes your heart.

Reflection Question: Where am I tempted to "twist" justice when it benefits me personally?

Day 2: The Danger of Self-Rule

Reading: Deuteronomy 17:8-11; Proverbs 3:5-7

Devotional: Our culture celebrates autonomy—being your own final authority. But covenant life with God requires humility. Moses established a system where difficult cases were brought before those appointed by God, acknowledging that we aren't wise enough to build truth entirely from ourselves. Spiritual maturity isn't found in self-rule; it's found in surrender. We resist authority when it confronts us, yet embrace it when it confirms our instincts. Today, ask yourself: Am I willing to submit to God's wisdom even when it challenges my preferences? True freedom isn't doing whatever we want—it's trusting that God's ways lead to flourishing, even when obedience feels costly or countercultural.

Reflection Question: What area of my life am I resisting God's authority?

Day 3: Power's Revealing Nature

Reading: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; James 4:6-10

Devotional: Power reveals what's already inside us. God knew this when He established boundaries for Israel's future kings—no excessive wealth, horses, or wives. These weren't arbitrary rules; they addressed the heart's tendency toward self-exaltation. Solomon's life proves the point: his accumulation of what God warned against led to spiritual drift. You may never sit on a throne, but you hold influence somewhere. What surfaces when you're in charge? Humility or pride? Service or control? The king was commanded to read God's Word daily "that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers." Whatever shapes your heart in private will eventually surface through your leadership. Stay anchored in Scripture, allowing God's truth to continually reshape you.

Reflection Question: What happens inside me when I have the upper hand in a situation?

Day 4: The Better King

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11; Isaiah 9:6-7

Devotional: Israel's kings repeatedly failed. Even the good ones were flawed, creating anticipation throughout the Old Testament for a ruler who would finally lead with perfect righteousness. Jesus is that King. Though existing in the form of God, He humbled Himself, stepped into humanity, and laid down His life for people who deserved judgment. Unlike earthly leaders who use power for self-exaltation, Jesus used His authority to serve and save. He never manipulated, never distorted justice, never compromised truth for comfort. Through Him, God is forming a people whose lives reflect His character—not perfectly or instantly, but progressively. As you surrender to Jesus, He reshapes how you lead, treat people, and pursue righteousness.

Reflection Question: How does Jesus' example of servant-leadership challenge my approach to influence?

Day 5: Becoming People Who Reflect God

Reading: Micah 6:8; 1 John 4:7-12

Devotional: Deuteronomy wasn't merely about creating good systems; it was about forming a people who reflected God's heart. The law was rooted in theology—Israel's treatment of others was meant to flow from what they believed about God's character. God is just, therefore His people pursue justice. God is merciful, therefore they show mercy. This remains our calling today. We're not simply trying to follow rules; we're being transformed into people whose lives reveal what God is like. "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." When others observe your life—your decisions, relationships, and responses to power—what do they learn about God's character? Let His love so fill you that it naturally overflows to others.

Reflection Question: If someone observed my life this week, what would they learn about God's character?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Doug's May 10, 2026 Sermon: Justice & Righteousness.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/05/07/5-day-devo-based-on-5-10-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 5.3.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/29/5-day-devo-based-on-5-3-26-sermon Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:49:59 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/29/5-day-devo-based-on-5-3-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the May 3, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: Tearing Down to Build Up

Reading: Deuteronomy 12:1-4

Devotional: God's command to Israel seems harsh—destroy, tear down, burn. Yet this wasn't about destruction for its own sake; it was about protection. The worship practices of surrounding nations weren't neutral; they carried entire worldviews that would slowly reshape God's people from the inside out. Before something true can be built, what is false must be removed. What in your life masquerades as harmless but subtly pulls your heart away from God? Perhaps it's not blatant sin but competing allegiances—comfort, control, or approval. God's call to "tear down" is an invitation to freedom. He knows that half-hearted devotion leads to whole-hearted confusion. What needs to be removed so that your worship can be pure and your life truly centered on Him?

Day 2: The Place God Chooses

Reading: Deuteronomy 12:5-7; John 2:19-22

Devotional: Israel didn't get to choose where to worship; God did. This wasn't about control but about clarity. Scattered worship leads to scattered identity. When everyone does what seems right in their own eyes, the community loses its center and people lose their way. For us, that center is no longer a location—it's a person. Jesus declared Himself the true temple, the meeting place between God and humanity. Now, worship isn't about finding the right building; it's about centering our lives on Him. Is Jesus truly your center, or have you built a faith that orbits around your preferences and schedule? Centered worship means letting Him define the terms, set the rhythms, and shape everything else. When Christ is central, everything else finds its proper place.

Day 3: Formed Together, Not Alone

Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:24-25

Devotional: Following Jesus was never designed as a solo journey. God forms a people, not just individuals. The gathered church isn't an optional add-on to personal spirituality; it's central to how God shapes us. When we drift from consistent, engaged worship with God's people, we don't just miss an event—we miss formation. We lose the sharpening that comes from hearing God's Word together, singing truth in community, and bearing one another's burdens. Isolation makes us vulnerable; it allows our faith to be shaped by culture, circumstances, or our own preferences rather than by Christ. What keeps you from fully engaging with God's people? Busyness? Hurt? Independence? God invites you back to the community where His Spirit dwells, where you're known, challenged, and formed into His image alongside others.

Day 4: What Sits at the Center?

Reading: Matthew 6:19-24; Colossians 3:1-4

Devotional: Whatever sits at the center of your life is already forming you. The question isn't whether you're being shaped, but by what. For many of us, it's the pace of life—the relentless rhythm of productivity, achievement, and keeping up. We don't reject God; we just fit Him into the margins. But marginal faith produces marginal transformation. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. Not because He's demanding, but because divided attention produces divided hearts. What captures your first thoughts in the morning? What do you turn to when stressed? Where does your time actually go? These reveal your functional center. Re-centering isn't about adding more religious activity; it's about letting Christ reorganize everything else. When He's truly central, even ordinary moments become worship, and your entire life begins to reflect His priorities.

Day 5: Joyful Worship, Formed Identity

Reading: Deuteronomy 12:10-12; Psalm 16:11

Devotional: God's vision for worship isn't grim duty—it's joyful celebration. "You shall rejoice before the Lord your God." Structure and joy aren't opposites; true joy flows from being rightly aligned with God. When our lives are centered on Him, when worship shapes our rhythms rather than being squeezed into them, we discover what we were made for. This isn't about perfection but direction. God isn't asking you to try harder; He's inviting you to re-center. To let Him define what matters. To step into gathered worship ready and expectant. To build daily rhythms around His presence rather than trying to fit Him into yours. This is where joy is found—not in scattered, self-directed spirituality, but in a life anchored in God, shared with His people, and formed by His presence. What would it look like for you to move from fitting God in to building everything around Him?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Doug's May 3, 2026 Sermon: A Formed People.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/29/5-day-devo-based-on-5-3-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 4.26.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/23/5-day-devo-based-on-4-26-26-sermon Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:28:54 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/23/5-day-devo-based-on-4-26-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the April 26, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: God Humbles Us for Our Good

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-3; James 4:6-10

Devotional: Humility isn't weakness—it's recognizing that every strength, talent, and ability flows from God's hand. The wilderness seasons of life strip away our self-sufficiency and reveal our deep need for Him. When God allowed Israel to hunger before providing manna, He was teaching them dependence. Perhaps you're in a humbling season right now, where your plans have crumbled or your confidence has been shaken. Don't resist this process. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. These difficult moments aren't punishments; they're invitations to discover that His grace is truly sufficient. Embrace the humbling, knowing that God is preparing you for greater purpose.

Reflection: What area of pride is God currently addressing in your life? How can you surrender it to Him today?

Day 2: Tested to Know Our Hearts

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2; 1 Samuel 16:7; James 1:2-4

Devotional: God doesn't test us because He needs information—He already knows our hearts completely. He tests us so we can know ourselves and grow in faith. Every challenge is an opportunity to trust Him more deeply. When Israel faced the Red Sea, the giants in Canaan, or hunger in the desert, God was revealing what was truly in their hearts. Your current test isn't meant to break you but to build your confidence in God's faithfulness. Will you trust Him with your finances, relationships, health, or future? The test reveals whether faith is merely intellectual or deeply rooted in your soul. Pass or fail, God uses every test to refine and strengthen you.

Reflection: What faith-test are you facing right now? How is God inviting you to trust Him more?

Day 3: Sustained by More Than Bread

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:3-4; Matthew 4:4; Philippians 4:19

Devotional: There's something powerful about seasons when God gives us "just enough." The Israelites gathered manna daily—no stockpiling, no security except God's promise to provide again tomorrow. Many of us remember those tight seasons: the young marriage stretching every dollar, the health crisis requiring every ounce of strength, the demanding season when we collapsed into bed with nothing left. In those moments, we learned that physical provision matters, but spiritual sustenance matters more. God's Word feeds our souls in ways food never can. When we feast on Scripture, prayer, and His presence, we discover a satisfaction that transcends circumstances. God may give just enough materially to teach us He is more than enough spiritually.

Reflection: How is God currently sustaining you? Are you feeding on His Word as consistently as you eat physical food?

Day 4: Discipline Flows from Love

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:5; Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 3:11-12

Devotional: Sometimes our wilderness results from our own choices. We make mistakes, develop harmful habits, or ignore God's warnings, and consequences follow. In these moments, God's discipline feels heavy, but it proves His love. A father who doesn't correct his children doesn't truly care about their future. God's discipline isn't vindictive punishment—it's loving correction designed to produce righteousness and peace. When you find yourself experiencing consequences, don't harden your heart or grow bitter. Instead, receive His discipline with humility. Ask what He's teaching you. Allow the painful process to transform you. Later, you'll look back with gratitude for how God loved you enough to correct your course and draw you back to Himself.

Reflection: Is there an area where you're experiencing God's loving discipline? How will you respond with humility rather than resistance?

Day 5: Remember to Guard Against Forgetfulness

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Psalm 103:1-5

Devotional: Comfort is dangerous to faith. When life is good, when we have everything we need, we easily forget our dependence on God. We start believing our success came from our own strength and wisdom. Moses warned Israel: when you're satisfied and prosperous, take care not to forget the Lord. The antidote to spiritual amnesia is intentional remembering. Create reminders of God's faithfulness—journal His provisions, share testimonies, revisit old prayers He answered. Develop habits that keep you connected to Him regardless of circumstances. Thank Him daily for abilities, opportunities, and blessings. Pride whispers, "Look what I've accomplished." Humility responds, "Look what God has done." Choose humility. Choose remembrance. Choose gratitude. Your future faithfulness depends on remembering past provision.

Reflection: What practices will you implement to remember God's faithfulness during comfortable seasons? How will you guard your heart against pride?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Dillon's April 26, 2026 Sermon: Remembering the Wilderness.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/23/5-day-devo-based-on-4-26-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 4.19.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/16/5-day-devo-based-on-4-19-26-sermon Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:47:38 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/16/5-day-devo-based-on-4-19-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the April 19, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Call to Hear

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Devotional: "Hear, O Israel"—this ancient call echoes into our modern lives with urgent clarity. To truly hear God isn't passive listening; it's active response. When your doctor warns you about your health, hearing means changing your habits. When God speaks, hearing means reordering your life. Today, God isn't asking for acknowledgment but for transformation. The Shema declares that the Lord alone is God, which means your life cannot be divided between Him and everything else. What areas of your life have you compartmentalized away from God's influence? True hearing leads to wholehearted devotion. Let His Word penetrate beyond your mind into the depths of your heart, where real change begins.

Day 2: Undivided Love

Reading: Mark 12:28-34; Deuteronomy 6:5

Devotional: "All your heart, all your soul, all your might"—God doesn't settle for portions of our affection. He calls for totality. This isn't burdensome obligation but an invitation to experience life as it was meant to be lived. When Jesus affirmed this as the greatest commandment, He revealed that loving God completely is the foundation of everything else. Consider your daily priorities: do they reflect divided loyalties or wholehearted devotion? God isn't competing for space alongside your other commitments; He's calling you to reorder everything around Him. This love isn't something you muster through willpower alone—it flows from recognizing who He is and what He's done. Let gratitude fuel your devotion today.

Day 3: Rhythms of Remembrance

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 1:1-3

Devotional: Moses describes a faith woven into ordinary moments: sitting, walking, lying down, rising up. This isn't compartmentalized spirituality reserved for Sundays; it's God integrated into the fabric of daily life. The question isn't whether you have time for God, but whether you're aware of His presence throughout your existing rhythms. Talk about Him with your family over breakfast. Turn your commute into prayer time. Let Scripture shape your evening reflections. These aren't additional tasks burdening an already full schedule—they're perspective shifts that transform mundane moments into sacred encounters. Like a tree planted by streams of water, consistent connection to God's Word produces fruit in every season. What one rhythm could you establish today?

Day 4: The Danger of Forgetting

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:10-15; Psalm 103:1-5

Devotional: Prosperity poses a subtle spiritual danger. When life fills with blessings—comfortable homes, financial security, meaningful relationships—we risk forgetting the Giver in our enjoyment of the gifts. The Israelites stood on the brink of abundance they didn't earn, and Moses warned them: "Take care lest you forget." Forgetting isn't dramatic rejection; it's gradual drift. You don't wake up deciding to marginalize God; it happens slowly as other things crowd the center. Today, intentionally remember. Recall specific moments when God provided, rescued, or sustained you. Let gratitude guard your heart against forgetfulness. God's jealousy isn't insecurity—it's covenant love protecting you from the emptiness of misplaced devotion. What has God done that you need to remember today?

Day 5: Reclaiming the Center

Reading: Matthew 6:25-33; Colossians 3:1-4

Devotional: "Seek first the kingdom of God"—Jesus echoes the Deuteronomy 6 call to prioritize God above everything else. When God occupies the center, everything else finds its proper place. This doesn't mean neglecting responsibilities; it means approaching them from a God-centered foundation. Your work, relationships, ambitions, and struggles all look different when filtered through His kingdom priorities. Paul urges us to set our minds on things above, not as escapism but as reorientation. Today, take inventory: What actually sits at your center? Not what you claim in theory, but what your calendar, conversations, and concerns reveal in practice. The invitation remains open—come back, reorder, realign. God doesn't demand perfection but desires your wholehearted pursuit. Where will you begin today?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Doug's April 19, 2026 Sermon: At the Center.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/16/5-day-devo-based-on-4-19-26-sermon#comments 0 Standing on the Edge https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/15/standing-on-the-edge Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:36:48 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/15/standing-on-the-edge
Standing on the Edge
The Power of Remembering God's Faithfulness

Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there? That disorienting moment when you stand in the doorway, mentally retracing your steps, trying to remember what seemed so urgent just seconds ago? Scientists call it threshold syndrome—a harmless brain freeze that affects us all.

But there's another kind of forgetting that's far more dangerous. It's not about misplaced keys or forgotten errands. It's about forgetting what God has done for us.

When we forget God's faithfulness, something shifts inside us. We start doubting His goodness. We question His presence. We hesitate to obey His voice. And like water slowly dripping from a leaky bucket, memories of God's provision and power gradually seep away unless we intentionally revisit and remind ourselves of His track record.

The Danger of Spiritual Amnesia

The book of Deuteronomy captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history—a moment when an entire generation stood on the threshold of everything God had promised them. After forty years of wilderness wandering, they were finally positioned to enter the Promised Land. Yet the greatest danger they faced wasn't the fortified cities or powerful armies waiting on the other side of the Jordan River. It was the risk of forgetting the God who had brought them there.

To understand the weight of this moment, we need to remember the journey that led them here. God had called Abraham centuries earlier with an audacious promise: "I will make you into a great nation. I will give you a land. And through you, all nations will be blessed." That promise became the foundation of everything that followed.

Abraham's family grew into a nation, but instead of immediately inheriting their land, they found themselves enslaved in Egypt for four hundred years. Finally, God raised up Moses and orchestrated one of history's most dramatic rescues—plagues, the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea. The Exodus became the defining moment of God's character for Israel. He was the God who rescues, the God who delivers.

After their miraculous escape, God brought them to Mount Sinai and did something crucial. He didn't just save them; He began to shape them. He gave them His law, established His covenant, and said, "You are now my people, and I'm going to show you what it looks like to live distinctively under my care."

Then came their first opportunity to enter the Promised Land. But when they saw the size of the cities and the strength of the inhabitants, fear overwhelmed faith. Despite all they had witnessed—the plagues, the Red Sea, God's provision in the wilderness—they refused to go in. And here's what's heartbreaking: they actually said, "God hates us."

Think about that. The God who had just rescued them from slavery, sustained them in the desert, and guided them with a pillar of cloud and fire—they concluded He hated them.

What Fear Does to Our Theology

This is what fear does. Fear doesn't just affect our decisions; it distorts our theology. It warps our understanding of who God is.

The Israelites didn't lack evidence of God's faithfulness. They misjudged His heart. And before we judge them too harshly, we need to recognize how often we do the same thing. When life gets hard, we question God's goodness. When prayers go unanswered, we doubt His care. When the future feels uncertain, we assume the worst.

Fear whispers, "God isn't really for you." And when we believe that lie, disobedience inevitably follows.

The result of Israel's fear? An entire generation wandered in the wilderness for forty years, missing what God had prepared for them—not because God failed, but because they couldn't find it in themselves to trust Him one more day.

Here's the truth: The greatest barrier to obedience is not lack of ability; it's lack of trust.

The Cross Settles the Question

If there was ever a moment where God proved His heart toward us, it was at the cross. God did not spare His own Son. Jesus willingly went to Calvary, taking on our sin, absorbing God's wrath, defeating death itself.

So now, when fear whispers that God is against us, we can point to the cross and say, "That's not true." The cross settles the question of God's heart for us forever.

Learning When to Wait and When to Move

As the new generation stood ready to enter the Promised Land, God gave them specific instructions. Interestingly, He first told them where not to go—certain nations they were to pass through peacefully because God had given those lands to other people. This taught Israel something crucial: God is sovereign over all lands and all nations, not just theirs.

This required a different kind of obedience—not strength or victory, but restraint and careful listening. Then, when the time was right, God said, "Now go." And when they faced King Sihon and King Og, they experienced complete victory.

The lesson? When God says wait, wait. But when God says go, He provides the victory.

Obedience isn't just about action; it's about listening.

God's Delays Are Not His Absence

Many of us go through seasons that feel like detours—unexpected delays, frustrating setbacks, wilderness experiences where we wander in unfriendly spaces. We assume God must not be working, that He's forgotten us.

But Deuteronomy shows us something different: God's delays are not His absence. Sometimes they're His discipline. Sometimes they're His preparation. But they're never meaningless.

What if the season you're in right now—the one that feels slow, frustrating, and unclear—is actually God shaping your character, deepening your trust, and preparing you for what's ahead? The wilderness was not wasted for Israel, and your wilderness isn't either.

Moving Forward with Confidence

As Moses prepared Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land, he didn't point to their strength, their numbers, or their strategy. He said, "You have seen with your own eyes all the Lord your God has done. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms where you are going. Do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God himself will fight for you."

Their confidence wasn't built on their own abilities. It was built on remembering what God had already done.

When you face difficult decisions, challenging seasons, or uncertain futures, where does your confidence come from? For too many of us, it rests on our own abilities, experience, or resources. But those things are fragile. They change.

Forward movement without backward memory leads to spiritual instability.

Three Ways to Remember

First, be intentional about remembering God's work. Write down what God has done. Share testimonies. Rehearse His faithfulness through worship. We're forgetful people, which is why Scripture constantly calls us to remember.

Second, trust God's heart. When circumstances get hard, don't reinterpret God through your situation. Instead, interpret your situation through what you know to be true about God.

Third, follow God forward. God is calling each of us to obedience in some area. The question isn't whether you know enough. The question is whether you trust Him enough.
We stand in a similar place to ancient Israel. Not looking back to the Exodus, but to something even greater—to Jesus, to the cross, to the empty tomb. And because of that, we don't have to move forward wondering if God will be faithful.

We can move forward knowing He is.

When we rightly remember God's faithfulness, we will courageously obey His calling into what's next.
This blog was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's sermon on April 12, 2026: Look Back to Trust Forward.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/15/standing-on-the-edge#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 4.12.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/09/5-day-devo-based-on-4-12-26-sermon Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:25:30 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/09/5-day-devo-based-on-4-12-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the April 12, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The God Who Rescues

Reading: Exodus 14:10-31

Devotional: When the Israelites stood trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, they panicked. They forgot God's promises and assumed the worst about His intentions. Yet God parted the waters and delivered them completely. This defining moment became their anchor for every future challenge. What has God already done in your life? Perhaps He's brought you through addiction, restored a broken relationship, or sustained you through loss. These aren't random blessings—they're testimonies meant to fuel your faith today. When fear whispers that God has abandoned you, look back to your "Red Sea moment." Write down one specific way God has rescued you, and let that memory strengthen your trust for whatever you're facing now.

Day 2: When Fear Distorts Truth

Reading: Numbers 13:25-14:4

Devotional: "The LORD hates us." These shocking words reveal how deeply fear can warp our perception of God. The Israelites had witnessed miracle after miracle, yet one frightening report caused them to question God's very heart toward them. Fear doesn't just affect our decisions—it corrupts our theology. When life gets hard, we're tempted to reinterpret God through our circumstances rather than interpreting our circumstances through what we know about God. The antidote? Look to the cross. There, God proved His heart forever. He didn't spare His own Son but gave Him up for you. When anxiety makes you doubt God's goodness, return to Calvary. That bloody hill settles the question of God's love once and for all. What fear is currently distorting your view of God's character?

Day 3: Wilderness Isn't Wasted

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10

Devotional: Forty years in the wilderness wasn't Plan A, but God didn't waste a single day of it. He used those desert years to humble His people, test their hearts, and teach them dependence. Your current season might feel like a frustrating detour—a delay in answered prayer, a setback in your plans, a prolonged struggle. But God's delays are never His absence. Sometimes wilderness seasons are discipline; sometimes they're preparation. Always, they're purposeful. God was shaping Israel's character in the desert, deepening their trust, preparing them for battles ahead. What if your "wilderness" is doing the same for you? Instead of resenting the wait, ask God what He's developing in you during this season. The wilderness wasn't wasted for Israel, and yours won't be either.

Day 4: The God Who Fights for You

Reading: Deuteronomy 3:18-22; Psalm 20

Devotional: "The LORD your God himself will fight for you." These words to Joshua weren't based on Israel's military might or strategic brilliance. Their confidence rested entirely on God's character and past faithfulness. Where are you placing your trust today? In your abilities, resources, or experience? Those foundations shift and crumble. God calls us to something stronger: remembering what He has already done. Joshua could face the future fearlessly because he remembered how God had fought before. Your past victories weren't accidents—they were testimonies. That job you got, that healing you received, that relationship He restored—these are meant to anchor you now. Before rushing into tomorrow's battles, pause and remember yesterday's victories. List three ways God has fought for you before, then step forward knowing He hasn't changed.

Day 5: Obedience Flows from Trust

Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Devotional: God's commands aren't impossible burdens designed to frustrate us. They're invitations to abundant life, and they flow from relationship, not rule-keeping. The Israelites struggled with obedience not because God's standards were unclear, but because they didn't trust His heart. When we truly believe God is for us—when we remember His faithfulness and anchor ourselves in the cross—obedience becomes our natural response. You're not called to obey a distant deity who might abandon you. You're called to follow the God who proved His love at Calvary, who has sustained you through every wilderness, who fights your battles and keeps His promises. What area of disobedience in your life might actually be a trust issue? Ask God to help you see His good heart behind His commands. Then take one concrete step of obedience today—not from fear, but from faith.
Reflection Question for the Week: How does remembering God's past faithfulness change the way you approach your current challenges?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's April 12, 2026 Sermon: Look Back to Trust Forward.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/09/5-day-devo-based-on-4-12-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 4.5.26 Easter Message) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/02/5-day-devo-based-on-4-5-26-easter-message Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:23:16 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/02/5-day-devo-based-on-4-5-26-easter-message
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the April 5, 2026 Easter Message.

Day 1: The Invitation to the Feast

Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Devotional: God's invitation to His eternal feast isn't based on your worthiness—it's based on His grace. Isaiah paints a picture of abundance: the finest wines, the richest foods, a celebration without end. This isn't a reward for perfection; it's a gift for the willing. Today, consider what keeps you from fully accepting God's invitation. Is it shame? Fear? A sense of unworthiness? The resurrection of Jesus proves that God knows exactly who you are—your failures, your fears, your past—and He still calls you by name. The table is set. Your place is reserved. Will you take your seat at the feast God has prepared specifically for you?

Day 2: Victory Over Death

Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Devotional: Death is the universal enemy we all face, yet Easter declares its defeat. Paul writes, "Death has been swallowed up in victory"—echoing Isaiah's ancient promise. Jesus didn't merely survive death; He shattered its power. For those who trust in Christ, death becomes a doorway rather than a dead end. Today, reflect on your relationship with mortality. What fears surface when you think about death? Easter offers more than wishful thinking—it provides historical evidence that Jesus conquered the grave. This means your life has eternal significance, and your loved ones who died in Christ are not lost but waiting. Let this truth transform your fear into confident hope that anchors your soul.

Day 3: Comfort in the Midst of Tears

Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Devotional: The image of God wiping away every tear is profoundly intimate—a loving Father gently caring for His hurting child. This promise has both future and present dimensions. One day, all suffering will cease permanently. But even now, God meets you in your grief. He doesn't minimize your pain or rush your healing. Christianity gives full permission to mourn while assuring you that you don't mourn alone. What tears are you carrying today? The ones no one sees? The grief you've learned to hide? God sees them all. He sits close, offering His presence as comfort. Your sorrow is not forever, and your separation from loved ones is temporary. Let God's nearness strengthen you today, knowing ultimate restoration is coming.

Day 4: Shame Removed Forever

Reading: Romans 8:1-11

Devotional: Shame whispers lies: "You are what you did. You'll never be free. You're defined by your worst moment." But Easter shouts truth: "There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!" Shame keeps you hiding, isolated, stuck in destructive patterns. It attacks your identity at the core. But God's promise isn't just forgiveness—it's complete removal of disgrace. Jesus took your shame to the cross and left it in the tomb. Today, identify the shame you're carrying. Is it from your own sin or imposed by others? Either way, Jesus offers freedom. You are not your past. You are not your mistakes. In Christ, you are beloved, redeemed, and fully accepted. Let this truth silence shame's accusations and walk in the freedom Easter provides.

Day 5: Living in Celebration Now

Reading: Philippians 4:4-9

Devotional: Easter's promises aren't only future realities—they empower present living. Because death is defeated, comfort is coming, and shame is removed, we can "rejoice in the Lord always." This isn't fake happiness that ignores reality; it's deep joy rooted in unshakeable truth. God's Spirit lives in you now, providing peace despite circumstances, strength in weakness, and hope in hardship. The celebration has already begun! Today, practice gratitude for Easter's completed work. Thank God for specific ways His promises impact your daily life. Let joy become your default response, not because everything is perfect, but because your God has made promises—and kept them. Live today as someone invited to an eternal feast, experiencing foretastes of glory even now.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's April 5, 2026 Easter Message: Easter's Promise.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/04/02/5-day-devo-based-on-4-5-26-easter-message#comments 0 You Don't Have to Stay in the Tomb https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/30/you-don-t-have-to-stay-in-the-tomb Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:46:51 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/30/you-don-t-have-to-stay-in-the-tomb
from our 5-part mini Easter blog series: From Saturday to Sunday

Series Intro

There are seasons in life that feel heavy, silent, and endless — moments when it seems like nothing is changing, nothing is moving, and hope is hard to see. In the story of Easter, this is much like Saturday: the day between the cross and the resurrection, the day of grief before glory.

This series is for anyone carrying stones too heavy to move alone, for hearts waiting on answers, for scars that haven’t yet been healed. Across these posts, we’ll reflect on what it means to wait well, to grieve openly, and to step into the new life Jesus promises — because Sunday always comes.

Part 5: You Don’t Have to Stay in the Tomb

Tombs are meant to hold what is finished, forgotten, or broken. Yet Easter tells us that the tomb is empty. You do not have to live in the darkness of old labels, old shame, or past failures.

Whatever has kept you hidden—fear, regret, disappointment—Jesus invites you to step out. The tomb cannot hold what God has redeemed. Resurrection is not only about what Jesus did; it’s about what He continues to do in our lives.

Today, take one step out of the tomb. Let go of one weight you’ve been carrying. Breathe in the freedom of Sunday, knowing that God’s life is waiting for you.

It’s Sunday invitation.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/30/you-don-t-have-to-stay-in-the-tomb#comments 0 He Still Had The Scars https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/he-still-had-the-scars Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:37:45 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/he-still-had-the-scars
from our 5-part mini Easter blog series: From Saturday to Sunday

Series Intro

There are seasons in life that feel heavy, silent, and endless — moments when it seems like nothing is changing, nothing is moving, and hope is hard to see. In the story of Easter, this is much like Saturday: the day between the cross and the resurrection, the day of grief before glory.

This series is for anyone carrying stones too heavy to move alone, for hearts waiting on answers, for scars that haven’t yet been healed. Across these posts, we’ll reflect on what it means to wait well, to grieve openly, and to step into the new life Jesus promises — because Sunday always comes.

Part 4: He Still Had The Scars

Jesus rose from the dead, but He did not erase His scars. The marks of the cross remained — a visible reminder of what He endured for us.

Our scars, too, are part of our story. Divorce, disappointment, infertility, loss — they do not define our ending. They bear witness to the journey we have walked. Easter is God’s promise of healing, but it does not mean pretending the past never happened.

The scars are proof that we survived. The resurrection shows that God transforms survival into victory. And like Jesus, we can step into new life without erasing the story that brought us here.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/he-still-had-the-scars#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 3.29.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-29-26-sermon Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:29:43 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-29-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the March 29, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Unassuming God

Reading: Isaiah 53:1-3; Philippians 2:5-8

Devotional: God arrived not in splendor but in simplicity. Jesus had no beauty or majesty that would draw crowds, no social status that would command respect. He was despised, rejected, and familiar with suffering. This is the scandal of the gospel: God chose humility over power, weakness over strength. We often expect God to show up in impressive ways—through success, influence, or dramatic intervention. Yet Jesus reveals that God's greatest power is displayed in sacrificial love. Today, look for God not in the extraordinary but in the ordinary, humble moments of your life. Where might Jesus be present in ways you've overlooked because they seem too simple or unimpressive?

Day 2: The Great Exchange

Reading: Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Devotional: The heart of the gospel is substitution: Jesus took what was ours so we could receive what is His. He carried our pain, bore our suffering, was pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities. Every sin—past, present, and future—was transferred to Him. Think about the worst thing you've ever done. Now understand this: Jesus took that upon Himself. The punishment that brought us peace fell on Him. We deserved the judgment; He received it instead. This wasn't symbolic; it was real. His wounds purchased our healing. His death secured our life. Today, confess your sins honestly before God, and receive the freedom that comes from knowing they've been completely removed from you through Christ.

Day 3: Willing Submission

Reading: Isaiah 53:7-9; John 10:17-18

Devotional: Jesus was not a victim; He was a volunteer. "He submitted himself," Isaiah writes. His silence before accusers wasn't confusion or fear—it was determination and love. No one took His life from Him; He laid it down willingly. When Jesus saw the depth of your sin and brokenness, He didn't run. He said, "Bring it on!" This willing sacrifice reveals the magnitude of God's love for you. You are not an inconvenience to God or a burden He reluctantly bears. You are the treasure for whom He gladly gave everything. Today, respond to this extravagant love. What area of your life have you been withholding from God? Follow Jesus' example of willing submission and surrender it completely to Him.

Day 4: Mission Accomplished

Reading: Isaiah 53:10-12; John 19:28-30

Devotional: "It is finished," Jesus declared from the cross. The mission was complete. The condemned became the righteous. The helpless became the victor. Death could not hold Him. Isaiah prophesied that after suffering, the servant would see life and be satisfied. Jesus triumphed decisively over sin, death, and evil. Nothing was left undone. The work of salvation is complete—not partially finished, not dependent on your performance, but fully accomplished. You cannot add to what Jesus has done; you can only receive it. Today, rest in the finished work of Christ. Stop striving to earn God's approval. You are already accepted, already loved, already forgiven because of what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross.

Day 5: From Cheers to Jeers to Eternal Cheers

Reading: Mark 11:1-11; Revelation 5:11-14

Devotional: Palm Sunday's cheers became Good Friday's jeers, but Easter transformed everything into eternal celebration. The crowd's fickleness reveals human nature, but God's faithfulness reveals His character. Jesus knew the cheering crowd would soon demand His crucifixion, yet He rode into Jerusalem anyway. He endured the shame for the joy set before Him—the joy of bringing you into eternal relationship with God. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is whether you'll do so willingly now or reluctantly later. Today, join the eternal celebration. Worship Jesus not because of what He can do for you, but because of who He is—the suffering servant who became the conquering King.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's March 29, 2026 Sermon: The Suffering Servant.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-29-26-sermon#comments 0 When It’s Not Like You Expected https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/when-it-s-not-like-you-expected Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:23:49 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/when-it-s-not-like-you-expected
from our 5-part mini Easter blog series: From Saturday to Sunday

Series Intro

There are seasons in life that feel heavy, silent, and endless — moments when it seems like nothing is changing, nothing is moving, and hope is hard to see. In the story of Easter, this is much like Saturday: the day between the cross and the resurrection, the day of grief before glory.

This series is for anyone carrying stones too heavy to move alone, for hearts waiting on answers, for scars that haven’t yet been healed. Across these posts, we’ll reflect on what it means to wait well, to grieve openly, and to step into the new life Jesus promises — because Sunday always comes.

Part 3: When It’s Not Like You Expected

Sometimes the way God brings new life surprises us. The disciples expected a powerful, political savior. What they got was Jesus risen, teaching, and transforming hearts in ways they never imagined. Isaiah 25 reminds us that God’s plans are always greater than what we see.

Your resurrection might not look like you pictured. Healing may come slowly. Answers may arrive differently than you prayed. Joy may feel small at first. But the promise is the same: death will be swallowed up, every tear wiped away, and God’s glory revealed in ways beyond our imagination.

If you’re disappointed, confused, or waiting for your breakthrough, take heart. God is at work, even when it doesn’t look like the plan you drew. Sunday always comes, and He is faithful — even when it surprises you.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/when-it-s-not-like-you-expected#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 3.22.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/5-day-devo-based-on-3-22-26-sermon Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:01:48 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/5-day-devo-based-on-3-22-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the March 22, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: Here I Am

Reading: Isaiah 65:1-7

Devotional: God's persistent call echoes through history: "Here I am, here I am." Yet how often do we ignore His outstretched hands, pursuing our own plans instead? The Israelites treated worship as transaction rather than transformation, offering ritual without relationship. God desires more than religious performance—He wants your whole heart. Today, examine your spiritual life honestly. Are you going through the motions, treating God like a divine vending machine? Or are you genuinely seeking His presence? God is still calling out to you, ready to be found. The question isn't whether He's available, but whether you're truly listening and responding with wholehearted devotion.

Day 2: Ritual or Relationship

Reading: Isaiah 66:1-6

Devotional: God doesn't need your perfect attendance, generous giving, or impressive service—He wants you. A humble, contrite heart that trembles at His Word matters infinitely more than outward displays of piety. The danger of ritualism is subtle: we can read our Bibles, attend church, and serve faithfully while our hearts remain distant from God. These practices are beautiful expressions of faith, but they cannot replace authentic relationship with Jesus. Today, invite God to examine your heart. Are you trying to earn His favor through good works, or resting in His grace? Surrender control and let Him take full residence in your heart. True worship begins when ritual becomes relationship.

Day 3: New Creation Living

Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Devotional: God's power extends beyond temporary deliverance—He creates all things new. As believers, we're already experiencing this transformation. You are a new creation in Christ, being renewed daily by His Spirit. The future hope of new heavens and earth isn't just distant promise; it's present reality breaking into your life now. God rejoices over you like a groom over his bride, eager to eliminate every trace of sin and sorrow. Today, celebrate what God is doing in you. Let joy bubble over as you consider His faithfulness. The frustration and futility plaguing this world won't last forever. Start living like the new creation you are—flourishing, productive, and intimately connected to your Creator.

Day 4: Comfort and Care

Reading: Isaiah 66:7-14

Devotional: God compares His comfort to a mother tenderly caring for her infant child. This intimate imagery reveals His heart toward you—compassionate, attentive, and abundantly generous. Just as a nursing child rests in complete trust, knowing mother will provide, you can rest in God's faithful provision. He knows your needs before you ask. Under His care, your life will flourish like grass after spring rain, and joy will overflow from deep within. Today, bring your worries and fears to your heavenly Father. Stop striving and simply rest in His loving care. Let Him comfort you in ways only He can. His hand of blessing is upon His servants, and His indignation is reserved for His enemies—not His beloved children.

Day 5: Witnesses to the World

Reading: Isaiah 66:18-23; Matthew 28:18-20

Devotional: God's glory will be revealed to all nations through His faithful servants. From the beginning, His plan included gathering people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His family. You are part of this magnificent story. Your faithful obedience, authentic worship, and genuine love for Jesus draw others to Him. Someone came to faith because faithful followers lived out the Gospel before them—now you carry that same responsibility and privilege. Today, consider who is watching your life. How does your daily walk with Jesus point others toward Him? You don't need to be perfect, just authentic. Let your life declare God's glory among the nations. The hope and transformation you've experienced isn't meant to be kept secret—it's meant to be shared generously with a world desperate for good news.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Phil's March 22, 2026 Sermon: Hope & Judgment.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/19/5-day-devo-based-on-3-22-26-sermon#comments 0 Finding Security https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/18/finding-security Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:48:08 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/18/finding-security
Life has a way of pulling the rug out from under us. Leadership fails. Institutions we trusted crumble. Plans we carefully constructed collapse overnight. In those moments of instability, when everything we assumed was solid begins to tremble, a quiet question surfaces in our hearts: "Where are you, God?"

This is exactly where the people of Israel found themselves in Isaiah 43. Their city was threatened, their temple desecrated, their leadership exposed. Everything that once defined them as stable was collapsing. And into that instability, God spoke words that still echo with power today.

The Foundation That Cannot Shake

God doesn't begin His message with a political strategy or economic reform. He doesn't start with a list of corrections or demands for better performance. Instead, He opens with something far more profound:

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

Three simple words carry the weight of the entire message: You are mine.

This is covenant language—God binding Himself to His people with promises rooted not in their performance, but in His character. The One speaking is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. He speaks not as a distant deity, but as their covenant Lord.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you."

This isn't emotional pep talk. This is deliverance language. Ownership language. Purchase language. And if that weren't personal enough, He adds: "I have called you by name."

For anyone who has grown up feeling unseen, unprotected, or left behind, these words hit differently. They don't sound religious—they sound like rescue.

The Promise of Presence, Not Absence

What follows in verse 2 is one of the most powerful promises in all of Scripture:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Notice what God doesn't say. He doesn't promise the absence of hardship. He doesn't guarantee you'll avoid the waters or sidestep the fire. Instead, He promises something better: His presence in the hardship.

For Isaiah's original audience, this language immediately stirred memories. The Red Sea, where God separated the waters and made a way through on dry ground. The Jordan River at flood stage, where God caused the waters to stand still. These weren't poetic metaphors—they were historical realities.

God was reminding them: The same God who made a way through the Red Sea, who stopped the Jordan River, is still with you.

And the fire? In the ancient world, fire represented destruction, devastation, and judgment. Cities were burned. Nations were consumed. Isaiah was preparing them for the reality that Jerusalem itself would be burned. Yet God declares: "You shall not be consumed."

Why? Because they belonged to Him.

The Identity That Defines Everything

This is the thread holding the entire passage together: You are mine.

The waters can't change that. The fires can't change that. Exile can't change that.

The defining reality of life isn't the intensity of the waters or the presence of hardship—it's the identity given to us by God.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have been purchased by His blood. You are His. This is an identity transformation. You are no longer of this world—you belong to the kingdom of God. Which means the waters will not consume you. The fires will not consume you.

In verse 3-4, God explains why:

"For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you."

Not because you've gotten it right. Not because you're sinless or morally perfect. Not because of how much you give or serve. But simply because you are His.

This is covenant loyalty language. The God who knit every cell together in your body and this world describes those who belong to Him as precious, honored, and loved.

Cutting Off the Rival Saviors

God doesn't stop there. He systematically dismantles every alternative source of security:

"I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:11)

We don't bow before Babylonian statues today, but we're not immune to lesser saviors. We lean on careers for identity. We look to relationships for completion. We find security in money, reputation, health, or control.

None of these things are evil in themselves. The problem comes when they take priority—when they become functional saviors in our lives.

Consider the amount of time and energy invested in career compared to relationship with God. Look at how much thought goes into financial planning versus spiritual growth. It reveals who we actually think the real Savior is.

God exposes this with clarity: "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."

The God Who Does New Things

After reminding them of the Red Sea, God says something surprising:

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19)

He's not dismissing their history or minimizing what He's done before. He's saying: Don't limit me to yesterday's methods.

The God who split the sea is not confined to the past. He's still redeeming. He's still making ways where there are none.

Our best days aren't behind us. Our failures haven't limited what God can do. Our story isn't finished.

Grace Deeper Than Failure

Just when everything feels triumphant, God gets personal:

"Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!" (Isaiah 43:22)

He reminds them of their neglect, their burden of sins. And then comes the stunning declaration:

"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

Not because they improved. Not because they tried harder or prayed more. Simply for His sake.

Forgiveness flows from God's character, not our performance.

This is covenant mercy. This is grace. For those carrying shame or guilt, thinking "if I was just better, just holier"—stop. You're not qualified because of you. You're qualified because of Him.

Living in Dependence

Isaiah 43 isn't calling us to spiritual striving. It's calling us to spiritual dependency.

You belong to Him. There is no other savior. His grace runs deeper than your failures.

So don't live as though you've been abandoned. Don't lean on lesser saviors. Don't assume the story is finished.

Instead, recognize the reality of your identity. When fears rise and insecurities surface, don't rehearse what could go wrong or what you could do to fix it. Rehearse who He is and who you are in light of Him.

That's what leaning in looks like.

You are precious. You are honored. You are loved.

You are His.
This blog was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Doug's sermon on March 1, 2026: You Are Mine.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/18/finding-security#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 3.15.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/5-day-devo-based-on-3-15-26-sermon Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:18:00 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/5-day-devo-based-on-3-15-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the March 15, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: The Universal Invitation

Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3

Devotional: God's invitation is not selective or exclusive. He calls to "everyone who thirsts," which means every single person. Notice how the Lord says "Come" four times in verse one, emphasizing His earnest desire for relationship with you. This invitation requires no payment, no prerequisites, no spiritual résumé. Just as your body needs water to survive, your soul needs God to truly live. Today, reflect on this truth: God is actively inviting you to come to Him right now. He's not waiting for you to clean yourself up first. He's not checking your qualifications. He simply says, "Come." Will you accept His invitation today? Stop striving to earn what He freely offers and simply come.

Day 2: The Empty Cisterns

Reading: Isaiah 55:2; Jeremiah 2:13

Devotional: God asks a piercing question: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" We exhaust ourselves pursuing things that can never fill the void in our hearts. Career success, relationships, entertainment, possessions—these aren't necessarily bad, but they become broken cisterns when we expect them to satisfy our deepest longings. Only God can do that. Take inventory today of where you're investing your time, energy, and resources. What are you laboring for? Is it satisfying your soul? The tragedy isn't that we desire satisfaction; it's that we look everywhere except to the One who can truly provide it. Stop drinking from empty wells and return to the source of living water.

Day 3: Jesus, the Living Water

Reading: John 4:7-15; John 6:35-40

Devotional: Jesus identifies Himself as both the living water and the bread of life. He's not offering a temporary fix or a momentary relief from your spiritual thirst. He promises that whoever drinks from Him will never thirst again. The Samaritan woman at the well had tried five marriages and was in another relationship, searching for someone to fill her emptiness. Jesus offered her something far better than human love—divine love that satisfies completely. When you come to Jesus, you're not just getting forgiveness; you're receiving an endless supply of grace, mercy, love, and purpose. His well never runs dry. His bread never grows stale. Today, drink deeply from Christ. Spend time in His presence, not out of duty, but out of thirst.

Day 4: God's Higher Ways

Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

Devotional: God's thoughts and ways are as high above ours as the heavens are above the earth. This truth should humble us and give us hope. It means God can forgive what we cannot forgive. He can redeem what we consider irredeemable. He can love us in ways we cannot comprehend. When you struggle to believe that God could truly forgive your past or use your brokenness, remember: He doesn't think like you think. His capacity for mercy infinitely exceeds your capacity to sin. Seek Him while He may be found. Don't wait until you feel worthy—you never will. Call upon Him while He is near. His nearness is not based on your goodness but on His grace. Today, let go of your limited understanding and trust in God's higher ways.

Day 5: The Faithful Word

Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13

Devotional: Just as rain accomplishes its purpose of watering the earth and producing growth, God's Word always accomplishes what He intends. When God invites you to come, that invitation is backed by His faithful, unchanging character. When He promises forgiveness, you can trust it completely. When He declares you are a new creation, it is already done. God's Word doesn't return void. This means every promise in Scripture is trustworthy. Every invitation is sincere. Every declaration of love is true. Today, stand on the promises of God's Word. Whatever He has spoken over your life will come to pass. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Where there were thorns, He will plant cypress trees. His Word is working in you right now, producing fruit that will last forever.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor DIllon's March 15, 2026 Sermon: Invited to God's Table.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/5-day-devo-based-on-3-15-26-sermon#comments 0 Easter for the Brokenhearted https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/easter-for-the-brokenhearted Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:05:47 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/easter-for-the-brokenhearted
from our 5-part mini Easter blog series: From Saturday to Sunday

Series Intro

There are seasons in life that feel heavy, silent, and endless — moments when it seems like nothing is changing, nothing is moving, and hope is hard to see. In the story of Easter, this is much like Saturday: the day between the cross and the resurrection, the day of grief before glory.

This series is for anyone carrying stones too heavy to move alone, for hearts waiting on answers, for scars that haven’t yet been healed. Across these posts, we’ll reflect on what it means to wait well, to grieve openly, and to step into the new life Jesus promises — because Sunday always comes.

Part 2: Easter for the Brokenhearted

Not everyone feels joy at Easter. Some of us carry grief that sits quietly beneath the surface, or wears a smile to church each Sunday. Isaiah 25 reminds us that God sees every tear. He promises to wipe them away.

Easter is not just a celebration of what Jesus has done—it’s personal. It meets the hearts of those who are hurting, the hearts of those who feel unseen. Your grief is real, your waiting is real, and the resurrection reaches into that reality.

This year, let Easter be a reminder that God is near to the brokenhearted. He does not rush our mourning, and He does not minimize our pain. He enters it, and He brings hope. Even when it feels impossible, Sunday is coming.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/12/easter-for-the-brokenhearted#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 3.8.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/5-day-devo-based-on-3-8-26-sermon Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:57:27 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/5-day-devo-based-on-3-8-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the March 8, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: No Need to Fear

Reading: Isaiah 44:1-5; Romans 8:14-17

Devotional: God addresses His people as "Jeshurun"—the upright one—not because of their perfection, but because of His unwavering faithfulness. Despite our failures and wandering hearts, God never un-adopts us. His promise stands: "I will never leave you or forsake you." Today, consider the areas where fear has taken root in your heart. Are you afraid of abandonment, failure, or inadequacy? God's covenant love means you are permanently His. Like water poured on thirsty ground, His Spirit refreshes and sustains you. You don't earn this belonging; you receive it. Rest in the security that comes from being chosen, formed, and held by the God who calls you His own, no matter what.

Reflection Question: What fears am I holding onto that contradict God's promise to never leave me?

Day 2: The Only Rock

Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8; Psalm 18:1-6

Devotional: "Besides Me there is no God." In a world of shifting circumstances and unstable foundations, God declares Himself as the singular Rock upon which we can build our lives. Think about standing in surf—the sand constantly shifts beneath your feet, requiring exhausting effort to maintain balance. But standing on a rock changes everything. Stability. Security. Strength. When life's waves crash against you, where are you standing? God alone knows the future, controls history, and remains unchanging. He is "the First and the Last," meaning every moment of your life falls within His sovereign care. Today, consciously transfer your weight from the shifting sands of circumstances, opinions, and feelings onto the solid Rock of God's character and promises.

Reflection Question: What "shifting sand" am I currently standing on that I need to exchange for the solid Rock?

Day 3: The Absurdity of Idols

Reading: Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 2:9-13'

Devotional: Isaiah's satire cuts deep: a man uses half a log to cook dinner and carves the other half into a god. Absurd, right? Yet we do the same when we look to career success, romantic fulfillment, political outcomes, or self-actualization to give us what only God can provide. These modern idols promise satisfaction but deliver ashes. Jeremiah describes it as digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water while abandoning the spring of living water. What are you asking to save you? What defines your worth? What consumes your emotional energy? These diagnostic questions reveal our functional gods. The tragedy isn't just that idols fail us—it's that they blind us to the One who never will. Today, name your idols honestly before God, recognizing that only He satisfies the deepest thirst of your soul.

Reflection Question: What good thing have I turned into an ultimate thing, asking it to bear weight only God can carry?

Day 4: The Invitation to Return

Reading: Isaiah 44:21-22; Luke 15:11-24

Devotional: "Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." These words pulse with grace. God doesn't wait for you to clean yourself up before inviting you back. He sweeps away your sins like morning mist vaporized by the sun, then calls you home. Like a GPS that calmly says "rerouting" after a wrong turn, God's grace doesn't condemn your wandering—it redirects you. The prodigal son expected judgment but received a robe, a ring, and a feast. That's the heart of your Father. You don't return to earn acceptance; you return because you're already accepted. Repentance isn't groveling; it's coming home to the One who has been watching for you. What wrong turn have you taken? What idol has distracted you? Return quickly. Your Redeemer awaits with open arms and a clear path forward.

Reflection Question: What is keeping me from immediately returning to God right now?

Day 5: Living as the Lord's

Reading: Isaiah 44:5; Romans 12:1-2

Devotional: "One will say, 'I belong to the Lord.'" This is the confident declaration of those who know whose they are. Like a wedding ring that publicly signals belonging, our lives become visible testimonies to our covenant relationship with God. This isn't about performative religion but authentic identity. When you know you're redeemed, swept clean, and permanently His, it changes how you live. You stop performing for approval and start responding in gratitude. Your obedience flows from love, not duty. Your witness becomes natural, not forced. Today, consider: does your life declare your belonging to God? Not perfectly—but authentically? Let your identity in Christ shape your decisions, relationships, and priorities. You are the Lord's. Let that truth anchor you, free you, and compel you to live with bold confidence in His redeeming love.

Reflection Question: How can I more visibly and authentically live out my identity as one who belongs to the Lord?
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's March 8, 2026 Sermon: The Absurdity of Misplaced Trust.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/5-day-devo-based-on-3-8-26-sermon#comments 0 When Saturday Feels Endless https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/when-saturday-feels-endless Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/when-saturday-feels-endless
from our 5-part mini Easter blog series: From Saturday to Sunday

Series Intro

There are seasons in life that feel heavy, silent, and endless — moments when it seems like nothing is changing, nothing is moving, and hope is hard to see. In the story of Easter, this is much like Saturday: the day between the cross and the resurrection, the day of grief before glory.

This series is for anyone carrying stones too heavy to move alone, for hearts waiting on answers, for scars that haven’t yet been healed. Across these posts, we’ll reflect on what it means to wait well, to grieve openly, and to step into the new life Jesus promises — because Sunday always comes.

Part 1: When Saturday Feels Endless

Some chapters in life feel like they will never end. The waiting stretches on. The prayers seem unheard. The grief feels too heavy to bear. This is the silence of Saturday — the space between promise and fulfillment. Even the disciples didn’t understand what was coming. They saw the cross and felt defeat. They did not understand Sunday was on the way.

Isaiah 25 reminds us that God’s story doesn’t end in despair. He promises a feast, a celebration, a time when death is swallowed up and every tear is wiped away. The waiting is real, the pain is real—but it’s not the end of the story.

If you are in a season of silence or waiting today, remember: Saturday is not the final word. Sunday is coming. The resurrection is near. And the same God who conquered the tomb is faithful to meet you in the waiting.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/03/05/when-saturday-feels-endless#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 3.1.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-1-26-sermon Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:13:13 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-1-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the March 1, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: Covenant Identity

Reading: Isaiah 43:1-3

Devotional: Before God addresses your performance, He establishes your identity. "You are mine" isn't conditional—it's covenant. The God who created you has redeemed you and called you by name. This isn't sentimental; it's ownership language rooted in His character, not your consistency.

When instability surrounds you—when leadership fails or plans collapse—the first word into your chaos is belonging. You don't earn this identity; you receive it. Before you correct anything or prove anything, God says you are His.

Today, before rehearsing what could go wrong, rehearse who God says you are. Write down this truth: "I am redeemed. I am called by name. I am His." Let this covenant grounding steady your trembling soul.

Day 2: Presence in Hardship

Reading: Isaiah 43:2; Exodus 14:21-22

Devotional: God doesn't promise absence of hardship; He promises presence in hardship. "When you pass through the waters"—not if, but when. The same God who parted the Red Sea and stopped the Jordan River walks with you through overwhelming circumstances.

The waters may rise. The fire may burn. But neither has the final word over those who belong to Him. Your identity isn't defined by the intensity of your trial but by the faithfulness of your God.

What waters feel overwhelming today? What fire threatens to consume you? God isn't asking you to deny the reality of hardship. He's inviting you to recognize His presence within it. The defining reality of your life isn't your struggle—it's His promise: "I will be with you." Let that truth anchor you today.

Day 3: No Other Savior

Reading: Isaiah 43:10-13

Devotional: "Besides me there is no savior." This exclusive claim dismantles every alternative we construct. We don't bow to Babylonian statues, but we lean on financial security, political outcomes, relationships, and control. None are evil, but they're terrible saviors.

When the waters rise, what do you instinctively grab for? God gently exposes our lesser saviors—not to shame us, but to free us. He alone predicted history. He alone declares the future. No god was formed before Him; none will come after.

Today, name the alternative saviors you're tempted to trust. Write them down. Then cross each one out, acknowledging that only God holds the authority to save, redeem, and sustain. Refuse to give your worship to what cannot deliver. Return your dependence to the One who can.

Day 4: God Does New Things

Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Devotional: God reminds Israel of the Exodus, then says something surprising: "Remember not the former things." He's not erasing history; He's refusing to be confined by it. The God who split the sea isn't limited to yesterday's methods. "I am doing a new thing."

Some of us assume our best days are behind us—that our failures have written our final chapter. But God makes rivers in the desert and paths in the wilderness. Your story isn't finished. His redemption isn't exhausted.

Don't limit God to how He worked before. He is still writing, still redeeming, still creating ways where there seem to be none. What area of your life feels like barren wilderness? Ask God to open your eyes to the new thing He's doing. Expect Him to move in fresh ways.

Day 5: Grace Deeper Than Failure

Reading: Isaiah 43:22-25

Devotional: After promises of redemption, God confronts Israel's failure. "You did not call upon me...you have burdened me with your sins." Yet immediately follows the most breathtaking sentence: "I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake."

Not because you improved. Not because you tried harder. For His own sake. Forgiveness flows from God's character, not your performance. When you fail, return quickly instead of hiding—His mercy is grounded in His name, not your consistency.

Dependence isn't desperation; it's alignment with reality. Since He alone saves, lean into Him. Since He alone redeems, lean into Him. Since He alone blots out sin, lean into Him. Confess where you've leaned on yourself. Receive His covenant mercy. Your failures don't exhaust His grace.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Doug's March 1, 2026 Sermon: You Are Mine.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/26/5-day-devo-based-on-3-1-26-sermon#comments 0 5-Day Devo (Based on 2.22.26 Sermon) https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/19/5-day-devo-based-on-2-22-26-sermon Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:14:05 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/19/5-day-devo-based-on-2-22-26-sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the February 22, 2026 Sermon.

Day 1: When Discouragement Becomes Your Companion

Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5

Devotional: "Comfort, comfort my people," God declares with urgent repetition. Notice that comfort doesn't always mean the immediate removal of hardship, but rather God's presence within it. The Hebrew word for comfort means "to come alongside and help through suffering." Perhaps you've been carrying the same burden for so long that weariness has become your constant companion. Today, God speaks directly into your exhaustion: your discipline is over, your suffering has been enough. The voice crying in the wilderness prepared the way for Jesus, your ultimate Comforter. Whatever wilderness you're walking through, lift your head. God sees you, and He's preparing something redemptive in your story. Your discouragement has not disqualified you from His promises.

Reflection: What prolonged struggle has worn you down? Can you hear God's voice saying "enough" over your situation today?

Day 2: The Everlasting Word in a Withering World

Reading: Isaiah 40:6-8

Devotional: Life feels fragile because it is. We're like grass that greens briefly then withers, like flowers that bloom and fade. Our strength fails. Our faithfulness wavers. Our best efforts have finite limits. But here's the stunning contrast: "the word of our God endures forever." When everything else in your life feels unstable, God's promises remain unshakeable. His word isn't just information; it's His active work in the world. What He speaks, He accomplishes. The basis for your hope isn't positive thinking or human determination. It's the everlasting, unfailing character of God Himself. When you feel most frail, remember you're not trusting in your own strength but in His eternal word that never fails.

Reflection: What promise from God's Word do you need to anchor yourself to today?

Day 3: The Majestic Shepherd Who Knows Your Name

Reading: Isaiah 40:9-11; Matthew 10:29-31

Devotional: The God who measures oceans in the hollow of His hand also gathers lambs in His arms. This is the beautiful paradox of our faith: infinite power paired with intimate tenderness. The same God who commands galaxies knows the number of hairs on your head. He sees the sparrow fall and He certainly sees you. You're not lost in the crowd of His creation. He carries you close to His heart, leading you gently through whatever valley you're walking. This isn't a distant, disinterested deity. This is a Shepherd who knows His sheep by name, who notices when one goes missing, who binds up wounds and provides rest. Whatever has you feeling small or forgotten today, know this: you are seen, known, and tenderly loved.

Reflection: How does knowing God as both majestic and tender change how you approach Him with your struggles?

Day 4: Everything is Nothing Compared to Him

Reading: Isaiah 40:12-26

Devotional: When problems loom large, we need perspective. Isaiah provides it by showing us God's incomparable greatness. The nations are like a drop in a bucket. The rulers of earth are nothing before Him. Every star was named and positioned by His wisdom. This isn't meant to make you feel insignificant, but rather to remind you that the God who cares for you is absolutely capable of handling whatever you're facing. No problem is too complex for His wisdom. No enemy too powerful for His strength. No situation beyond His control. When anxiety whispers that your challenge is insurmountable, remember: the God who holds galaxies in place is holding you. What feels overwhelming to you is less than nothing to Him. You can rest in His capable hands.

Reflection: What situation feels bigger than God in your life right now? How does this passage reframe that perspective?

Day 5: Waiting on the Lord for Renewed Strength

Reading: Isaiah 40:27-31

Devotional: "God has forgotten me." That's the lie exhaustion whispers. But it's impossible. The everlasting God neither faints nor grows weary. His understanding is limitless, and His attention never wavers from you. The promise isn't that circumstances will immediately change, but that those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. Waiting isn't passive resignation; it's active dependence. It's choosing to connect with God rather than rely solely on yourself. Notice the progression: walk without fainting, run without weariness, soar like eagles. God meets you wherever you are. Maybe today you can only walk. That's enough. He gives strength in daily portions, not for the entire journey at once. Your next faithful step is all He's asking for. Take it, and watch Him provide strength you didn't know you had.

Reflection: What is the next small, faithful step God is asking you to take today? Will you trust Him for strength to take it?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You that my weariness qualifies me for Your promises, not disqualifies me from them. Help me remember who You are when circumstances feel overwhelming. Give me strength for today's journey, and teach me to wait on You with dependent faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This 5-Day Devotional was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Brian's February 22, 2026 Sermon: Good News for the Weary.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/19/5-day-devo-based-on-2-22-26-sermon#comments 0 When the Alarms Go Off https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/18/when-the-alarms-go-off Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:01:58 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/18/when-the-alarms-go-off
When the Alarms Go Off: Practicing Trust Before Crisis Hits

Think about the last time a fire alarm went off unexpectedly. Maybe it was at work, or perhaps your home security system malfunctioned at 3 a.m. Your heart races. Adrenaline surges. In those disorienting moments, clear thinking becomes nearly impossible.

But emergency responders don't panic when alarms blare. Firefighters don't freeze when smoke fills a building. Why? Because they've practiced. They've rehearsed their response so many times that when crisis actually strikes, their training takes over.

Even schoolchildren learn this principle through fire drills. The first alarm might terrify a kindergartener, but by high school, students calmly file out because the response has become second nature. They know where to go and what to do because they've practiced it dozens of times.

This same principle applies to our spiritual lives in profound ways: What we rehearse each day is what we'll repeat in crisis.

A King Under Siege

The story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 36-38 provides a masterclass in crisis response rooted in daily faithfulness. Hezekiah was one of the few genuinely good kings in Judah's history. Scripture says there was no king like him either before or after. He didn't just talk about trusting God—he actively demonstrated it through radical obedience.

When Hezekiah became king, he literally cleaned house. He removed pagan shrines, destroyed idols, and even broke apart the bronze serpent Moses had made because people had started worshiping it instead of God. He reopened the temple and restored proper worship. Every decision flowed from one question: What would please God?
This daily practice of trust and obedience prepared Hezekiah for what came next.

The Ultimate Intimidation Campaign

After fourteen years of Hezekiah's reign, the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, systematically conquering every city except Jerusalem. Then he sent his commander with an intimidating army to deliver a message designed to crush any remaining hope.

The Assyrian commander's speech was psychological warfare at its finest. He mocked Hezekiah's trust, ridiculed the idea that God would save them, and pointed out that no other nation's gods had been able to stand against Assyria's might. His message was clear: You're helpless, hopeless, and your God is powerless.

Notice how many times the commander used the word "trust." He understood that faith was the foundation of Judah's resistance, so he attacked it relentlessly. He even blasphemed by claiming God Himself had sent Assyria to destroy Jerusalem.

The threats escalated to graphic descriptions of the suffering Jerusalem would endure under siege. The commander shouted that conditions would become so desperate that people would eat their own waste and drink their own urine. He declared that the king of Assyria was stronger than God Himself.

The Practiced Response

Here's where Hezekiah's daily habit of trust became crucial. When his officials returned with this devastating news, their clothes torn in grief and distress, what was the king's first response?

He went to God.

Not to his military advisors. Not to seek political alliances. Not to strategize with his cabinet. He went straight to the house of the Lord.

This response wasn't manufactured in the moment—it was muscle memory from years of practice. Hezekiah had cultivated such a consistent pattern of going to God first that when crisis struck, he didn't have to think about it. His feet simply carried him to the place of prayer.

The Habit that Saves

This is the critical insight we cannot miss: When it's your habit to listen to the Lord when you're not in crisis, it's easier to discern His voice when you are in crisis.

Consider your own prayer life. When do you pray? Is it your practice to go to Jesus with all things throughout the day—touching base, checking in, listening and adjusting? Or is prayer primarily reserved for the big stuff you can't handle on your own?

The Bible instructs us to "pray without ceasing"—not just morning and evening prayers, but constant communication with God. This isn't about religious performance; it's about relationship. It's about remaining in such close contact that His voice becomes familiar above all the noise.

Sometimes we can better see where our trust truly rests by examining where we fail to be obedient. Perhaps you say you trust God as your healer but have never asked anyone to pray for healing. Maybe you claim to trust God as your provider but don't give generously because you're afraid you can't afford it. You might say God's leading your children, but you try to control their every move because you're terrified they'll fail.

Too often we live like we're in charge and God needs to run His plan past us. But genuine trust means following His plan, not asking Him to bless ours.

God's Response

Hezekiah sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah, asking him to pray for the remnant of Judah. But here's the beautiful part: we don't see Isaiah stopping to intercede because God was already on the move. He had already prepared Isaiah with the answer.

God's message was simple: "Do not be afraid. I will send Sennacherib home, and he will die by the sword in his own land."

When Sennacherib later sent a threatening letter, Hezekiah's response was identical to before. He went to the house of the Lord, spread the letter before God, and prayed. His prayer focused not on his own preservation but on God's glory—that all kingdoms would know that Yahweh alone is Lord.

God's response was decisive. He sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. Sennacherib returned home, where his own sons murdered him in the temple of his false god.

Personal Crisis

The story doesn't end there. Later, Hezekiah became deathly ill. Through Isaiah, God delivered the message: "You will not recover. You are going to die."

Imagine receiving that diagnosis. Yet even in this deeply personal crisis, Hezekiah's response remained consistent. Too sick to go to the temple, he simply turned his face to the wall and prayed. His words were simple: "Remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart."

Then he wept.

God's response? "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life."

The God of the universe hears your prayers and sees your tears. Let that truth sink deep into your soul.

The Invitation

What crisis are you facing today? What struggle threatens to overwhelm you? Whatever it is, it's not too big or too small for God.

If you've practiced being obedient and trusting Him each day, you can certainly trust Him in whatever storm you're weathering now. If it's not your habit to go to God first, let this be your invitation to start. Confess your resistance. Repent of your unwillingness to trust. Pour out your heart.

He knows what you need. He made you for Himself. He knows exactly where you are.
And He's trustworthy—not because you decided to trust Him, but because of who He is. It's about His character, His loving kindness, His grace and mercy, His strength and purpose and plan.

When we genuinely trust God, we can stand in quiet confidence no matter how desperate the circumstances may seem. As Romans 8 promises, nothing—no problem, no issue, no crisis—can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So practice trust today in the small things. Go to Him first with everything. Stay in constant communion with Him throughout your day. Because when the alarms inevitably sound, you'll know exactly where to run.
This blog was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Phil's sermon on February 1, 2026: Trust in Crisis.
]]> https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/18/when-the-alarms-go-off#comments 0 How to Love God https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/03/how-to-love-god Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:13:48 +0000 https://foothillscp.org/blog/2026/02/03/how-to-love-god
Written by Sherri Bergmann 

Valentine’s Day places the spotlight on showing our significant other how much they mean to us, even though we should demonstrate our love every day just as much. The same is with God, the most significant person in our life.

He’s a spirit, but he’s also a person. As the late Billy Graham put it, “God also is a Person. A person acts—and so does God. He feels, thinks, sympathizes, forgives, decides, acts, judges, and loves. God is not an impersonal force or power; He is a Person—the most perfect Person imaginable. There is, of course, a vast difference between God’s personality and ours: He is perfect, but we are not.”1 

God desires, and deserves, our attention and love above anyone else.

How should we love God?

“Jesus answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” —Mark 12:29-31

Loving Him with All Your Heart

 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” —Proverbs 4:23

While we look at others by their appearance, God looks at our hearts. Our heart is considered the base of our emotions, desires and will, from which our passions flow that affect our thoughts and actions. Our heart is the core of making a choice or decision – with the most important being to follow Christ or not.

Loving Him with All Your Soul

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” —Genesis 2:7

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26

Jesus emphasized that the soul is worth more than the whole world. Our soul is who we are as a whole person – our personality, mind, emotions, and will. Our soul connects our spirit with our body. Both the body and soul can die, but God is the only one who can preserve us or extinguish our self forever.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” —Matthew 10:28

Loving Him with All Your Mind

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” —2 Corinthians 10:5

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” —Romans 12:2

Don’t let your thoughts become negative or stray from the truth, actively replace them with God’s truth.

Loving Him with All Your Strength

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.” —Exodus 17:11-13

We give our all to accomplish His purpose.

1. Our obedience reveals the strength of our love.

“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” —1 John 14:23-24

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” —1 John 5:3. 

Different Bible versions use the word burdensome instead of grievous. Some people think it’s hard to follow God. Initially, that may seem to be true when the Father of Lies winks at us, but Hell makes us pay. Obeying God doesn’t add burdens to our life, nor cause us grief.

2. Our love towards others reveals the depth of our love for God.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” —1 John 13:34

“If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” —1 John 4:20

When we love others, we are loving God. The opposite is also true.

3. Words and actions count. 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” —Matt 25:37-40

How we love others is the reflection of how much we love God.

4. Build a relationship with God.

“Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God. Even though Daniel heard about the new law, he still went to his house to pray.” —Daniel 6:10

Relationship building with God was so important to Daniel he set aside regular times to pray every day, people knew His prayer schedule. Daniel’s enemies used this knowledge to set Daniel up to die and tricked the king to declaring a law that those who didn’t worship his majesty would be thrown into the lion’s den. Because Daniel had built a relationship with God over time, He knew God, and that loving God was a higher priority than obeying the king.

Daniel also knew and obeyed God’s commandments. The more we know what the Bible says, and pray to God, the more we will know Him.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” —James 4:8

The best way to build a relationship with someone is to spend time with them.

All of God’s commandments and the attitudes of those who followed God in the Bible are summed up in loving God and others. 

“Love is the greatest.” —1 Corinthians 13:13

Because God is love.
1 https://billygraham.org/answers/is-god-a-spirit-or-a-person
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