Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, January 18, 2026:
Day 1: God Pursues the Wandering Heart
Reading: Genesis 3:1-13; John 10:11-18
Devotional: From the moment sin entered the world, God has been pursuing His people. When Adam and Eve hid in shame, God called out, "Where are you?" He knew their location, but He wanted their confession and restoration. This same God pursues you today. You cannot hide from His love, nor should you try. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine to find the one. No matter how far you've wandered, God is calling your name. He doesn't pursue you because you're worthy, but because He is love. Today, stop running and turn toward the voice that has been calling you home all along.
Reflection Question: Where have you been hiding from God, and what would it look like to step into His presence today?
Day 2: The Cost of Unfaithfulness
Reading: Hosea 2:1-13; Romans 6:20-23
Devotional: Israel's unfaithfulness to God mirrored Gomer's betrayal of Hosea. They chased after other gods, seeking prosperity and pleasure, forgetting the One who truly provided for them. We face the same temptation—pursuing careers, relationships, possessions, or pleasures as if they were our source of life. But the wages of sin is death. When we place anything above God, we commit spiritual adultery. God's judgment on sin is real and just, yet even in His warnings, we see His desire for restoration. He blocks our wayward paths not to punish, but to redirect us back to Himself. What "lovers" are you chasing instead of the Lover of your soul?
Reflection Question: What has taken God's rightful place in your heart, and what needs to change today?
Day 3: Grace in the Courtroom
Reading: Hosea 2:14-23; Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional: Just when we expect the gavel to fall with final judgment, God speaks tenderly. "I will allure her and speak kindly to her." This is the shocking twist of grace—we deserve condemnation, but God offers covenant renewal. You were dead in trespasses and sins, but God made you alive in Christ. This wasn't because of your goodness, but because of His great love. The cross is where justice and mercy kiss, where God's wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus so that grace could be poured out on you. You didn't find Jesus; He found you. Salvation is God's relentless pursuit of undeserving sinners, offering what we could never earn.
Reflection Question: How does understanding grace as undeserved favor change the way you approach God today?
Day 4: The Danger of Spiritual Materialism
Reading: Matthew 6:19-34; Philippians 4:10-20
Devotional: Gomer returned to Hosea not out of love, but because she had more material comfort with him. How often do we approach God the same way—serving Him for blessings rather than for relationship? Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth and serving two masters. God Himself is the treasure, not the benefits He provides. He promises to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory, but He calls you to seek first His kingdom. Examine your heart: Are you pursuing God or His gifts? Do you worship on Sundays hoping to manipulate divine favor, or do you genuinely hunger for His presence? God is not a cosmic vending machine; He is your loving Father who deserves wholehearted devotion.
Reflection Question: What would your relationship with God look like if He never gave you another blessing?
Day 5: The Promise of Complete Restoration
Reading: Hosea 2:14-23; Revelation 21:1-7
Devotional: God's plan has always been restoration, not destruction. He promises a day when He will betroth His people to Himself in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and mercy. War will cease, creation will be renewed, and intimate fellowship will be restored. This is the hope of the gospel—that what sin has broken, grace will restore. Through Christ, you are being made new. One day, there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more separation from God. Until then, turn to Him from your sin. Don't wait until you've cleaned yourself up; come to Him now, and He will complete the work He's begun in you. The same God who pursued Israel pursues you with relentless, covenant love.
Reflection Question: What area of brokenness in your life needs God's restorative touch today, and will you surrender it to Him?
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Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for pursuing me when I was running from You. Forgive me for the times I've loved Your gifts more than Your presence, for the idols I've placed on Your throne. Help me to turn to You from my sin and experience the restoration only You can bring. You are worthy of my whole heart. In Your precious name, Amen.
Day 1: God Pursues the Wandering Heart
Reading: Genesis 3:1-13; John 10:11-18
Devotional: From the moment sin entered the world, God has been pursuing His people. When Adam and Eve hid in shame, God called out, "Where are you?" He knew their location, but He wanted their confession and restoration. This same God pursues you today. You cannot hide from His love, nor should you try. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine to find the one. No matter how far you've wandered, God is calling your name. He doesn't pursue you because you're worthy, but because He is love. Today, stop running and turn toward the voice that has been calling you home all along.
Reflection Question: Where have you been hiding from God, and what would it look like to step into His presence today?
Day 2: The Cost of Unfaithfulness
Reading: Hosea 2:1-13; Romans 6:20-23
Devotional: Israel's unfaithfulness to God mirrored Gomer's betrayal of Hosea. They chased after other gods, seeking prosperity and pleasure, forgetting the One who truly provided for them. We face the same temptation—pursuing careers, relationships, possessions, or pleasures as if they were our source of life. But the wages of sin is death. When we place anything above God, we commit spiritual adultery. God's judgment on sin is real and just, yet even in His warnings, we see His desire for restoration. He blocks our wayward paths not to punish, but to redirect us back to Himself. What "lovers" are you chasing instead of the Lover of your soul?
Reflection Question: What has taken God's rightful place in your heart, and what needs to change today?
Day 3: Grace in the Courtroom
Reading: Hosea 2:14-23; Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional: Just when we expect the gavel to fall with final judgment, God speaks tenderly. "I will allure her and speak kindly to her." This is the shocking twist of grace—we deserve condemnation, but God offers covenant renewal. You were dead in trespasses and sins, but God made you alive in Christ. This wasn't because of your goodness, but because of His great love. The cross is where justice and mercy kiss, where God's wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus so that grace could be poured out on you. You didn't find Jesus; He found you. Salvation is God's relentless pursuit of undeserving sinners, offering what we could never earn.
Reflection Question: How does understanding grace as undeserved favor change the way you approach God today?
Day 4: The Danger of Spiritual Materialism
Reading: Matthew 6:19-34; Philippians 4:10-20
Devotional: Gomer returned to Hosea not out of love, but because she had more material comfort with him. How often do we approach God the same way—serving Him for blessings rather than for relationship? Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth and serving two masters. God Himself is the treasure, not the benefits He provides. He promises to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory, but He calls you to seek first His kingdom. Examine your heart: Are you pursuing God or His gifts? Do you worship on Sundays hoping to manipulate divine favor, or do you genuinely hunger for His presence? God is not a cosmic vending machine; He is your loving Father who deserves wholehearted devotion.
Reflection Question: What would your relationship with God look like if He never gave you another blessing?
Day 5: The Promise of Complete Restoration
Reading: Hosea 2:14-23; Revelation 21:1-7
Devotional: God's plan has always been restoration, not destruction. He promises a day when He will betroth His people to Himself in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and mercy. War will cease, creation will be renewed, and intimate fellowship will be restored. This is the hope of the gospel—that what sin has broken, grace will restore. Through Christ, you are being made new. One day, there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more separation from God. Until then, turn to Him from your sin. Don't wait until you've cleaned yourself up; come to Him now, and He will complete the work He's begun in you. The same God who pursued Israel pursues you with relentless, covenant love.
Reflection Question: What area of brokenness in your life needs God's restorative touch today, and will you surrender it to Him?
----
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for pursuing me when I was running from You. Forgive me for the times I've loved Your gifts more than Your presence, for the idols I've placed on Your throne. Help me to turn to You from my sin and experience the restoration only You can bring. You are worthy of my whole heart. In Your precious name, Amen.
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