Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, December 14, 2025:
5-Day Advent Devotional: The Gift of Surrender
Day 1: Recognizing the Gift
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Devotional: The Magi traveled hundreds of miles, not for a casual visit, but because they recognized something extraordinary. They saw a star announcing a King unlike any other. Their recognition led to radical action—months of travel, significant expense, personal sacrifice. Today, ask yourself: Do I truly recognize who Jesus is? Recognition without response is incomplete. The Magi didn't just acknowledge Jesus intellectually; they reoriented their entire lives around Him. What does your daily calendar reveal about what you treasure most? Does your bank account reflect Jesus' worth? When we genuinely recognize Jesus as our greatest treasure, it transforms how we invest our time, resources, and energy. Recognition should always lead to action.
Day 2: Worship That Costs Something
Reading: Psalm 96:7-9; Romans 12:1
Devotional: The Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh—gifts that reflected Jesus' true worth as King, Priest, and Sacrifice. Their worship was costly and intentional, not leftover or convenient. We live in an age of convenient Christianity, where commitment depends on ease. But genuine worship matches the worth of the One being worshiped. Is your worship costly, or is it composed of leftovers from other priorities? Worship isn't primarily about our feelings; it's about God's worth. It might cost you sleep to wake early for prayer, convenience to prioritize gathering with believers, resources to support God's work, or pride to admit you desperately need Him. When God has your heart, obedience flows from love, not obligation.
Day 3: Giving Your Heart
Reading: Proverbs 23:26; Matthew 22:37-40
Devotional: "My son, give me your heart." Of everything God could demand, He asks for our hearts. Not perfection, not performance, not religious achievements—just our hearts. In Hebrew culture, the heart represented the control center of life: thoughts, desires, decisions, loyalties, values. The religious leaders of Jesus' day excelled at external rituals but completely missed heart worship. God wants obedience that flows from a heart that loves Him, not from trying to earn something from Him. When God has your heart, you obey even when no one's watching, serve because you see others as God does, give generously because you know He owns it all, and forgive because you've been forgiven. What areas of your life haven't you fully surrendered to Him?
Day 4: The Indescribable Gift
Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:15; John 3:16
Devotional: Paul called Jesus the "indescribable gift"—a gift so magnificent that words fail to capture its worth. God gave His absolute best. Jesus left heaven's glory, took on human form, became a servant, and died on a cross for us. When we truly understand this gift—His forgiveness, love, acceptance, and purpose—it produces overwhelming gratitude that overflows in serving and giving. We don't give to get God's approval; we give because He already loves us. We don't serve to merit His favor; we serve because we're overwhelmed by the favor already received. This Christmas, are you giving God your leftovers or your first and best? The most responsible thing to do with a life-changing gift is tell others about it. Who needs to hear about the gift that changed your life?
Day 5: Returning Home Different
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:2
Devotional: Matthew 2:12 says the Magi returned home by another route. Yes, they took a different path to avoid Herod, but they also returned home markedly different than when they left. When you encounter Jesus, you cannot remain the same. He's in the life-changing business. Christians should live differently because of God's grace, give differently because He owns everything, love differently because we've been unconditionally loved, and serve differently out of gratitude rather than obligation. Have you been going through the motions this Christmas without engaging your heart? The Magi remind us the journey to Jesus is worth whatever it costs. This Advent season, don't just bring your wallet or calendar—bring Jesus your heart, dreams, plans, and disappointments. Bring Him your whole life. Surrender is not scary; it's the pathway to true freedom and joy.
5-Day Advent Devotional: The Gift of Surrender
Day 1: Recognizing the Gift
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Devotional: The Magi traveled hundreds of miles, not for a casual visit, but because they recognized something extraordinary. They saw a star announcing a King unlike any other. Their recognition led to radical action—months of travel, significant expense, personal sacrifice. Today, ask yourself: Do I truly recognize who Jesus is? Recognition without response is incomplete. The Magi didn't just acknowledge Jesus intellectually; they reoriented their entire lives around Him. What does your daily calendar reveal about what you treasure most? Does your bank account reflect Jesus' worth? When we genuinely recognize Jesus as our greatest treasure, it transforms how we invest our time, resources, and energy. Recognition should always lead to action.
Day 2: Worship That Costs Something
Reading: Psalm 96:7-9; Romans 12:1
Devotional: The Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh—gifts that reflected Jesus' true worth as King, Priest, and Sacrifice. Their worship was costly and intentional, not leftover or convenient. We live in an age of convenient Christianity, where commitment depends on ease. But genuine worship matches the worth of the One being worshiped. Is your worship costly, or is it composed of leftovers from other priorities? Worship isn't primarily about our feelings; it's about God's worth. It might cost you sleep to wake early for prayer, convenience to prioritize gathering with believers, resources to support God's work, or pride to admit you desperately need Him. When God has your heart, obedience flows from love, not obligation.
Day 3: Giving Your Heart
Reading: Proverbs 23:26; Matthew 22:37-40
Devotional: "My son, give me your heart." Of everything God could demand, He asks for our hearts. Not perfection, not performance, not religious achievements—just our hearts. In Hebrew culture, the heart represented the control center of life: thoughts, desires, decisions, loyalties, values. The religious leaders of Jesus' day excelled at external rituals but completely missed heart worship. God wants obedience that flows from a heart that loves Him, not from trying to earn something from Him. When God has your heart, you obey even when no one's watching, serve because you see others as God does, give generously because you know He owns it all, and forgive because you've been forgiven. What areas of your life haven't you fully surrendered to Him?
Day 4: The Indescribable Gift
Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:15; John 3:16
Devotional: Paul called Jesus the "indescribable gift"—a gift so magnificent that words fail to capture its worth. God gave His absolute best. Jesus left heaven's glory, took on human form, became a servant, and died on a cross for us. When we truly understand this gift—His forgiveness, love, acceptance, and purpose—it produces overwhelming gratitude that overflows in serving and giving. We don't give to get God's approval; we give because He already loves us. We don't serve to merit His favor; we serve because we're overwhelmed by the favor already received. This Christmas, are you giving God your leftovers or your first and best? The most responsible thing to do with a life-changing gift is tell others about it. Who needs to hear about the gift that changed your life?
Day 5: Returning Home Different
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:2
Devotional: Matthew 2:12 says the Magi returned home by another route. Yes, they took a different path to avoid Herod, but they also returned home markedly different than when they left. When you encounter Jesus, you cannot remain the same. He's in the life-changing business. Christians should live differently because of God's grace, give differently because He owns everything, love differently because we've been unconditionally loved, and serve differently out of gratitude rather than obligation. Have you been going through the motions this Christmas without engaging your heart? The Magi remind us the journey to Jesus is worth whatever it costs. This Advent season, don't just bring your wallet or calendar—bring Jesus your heart, dreams, plans, and disappointments. Bring Him your whole life. Surrender is not scary; it's the pathway to true freedom and joy.
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