Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, January 25, 2026:
Day 1: God's Pursuing Love
Reading: Hosea 3:1-5; Deuteronomy 7:7-8
Devotional: God's love for us isn't based on our worthiness or performance—it flows from His sovereign choice. Just as He loved Israel not because they were the greatest nation, but simply because He chose to love them, so He loves you today. This is staggering: the Creator of the universe pursues a relationship with you, not because of what you bring to the table, but because of who He is. His love is relentless, even when we wander. Like Hosea pursuing his unfaithful wife, God pursues us in our brokenness. Today, stop trying to earn God's love. Instead, rest in the truth that you are loved unconditionally by the God who knows you completely yet chooses you completely.
Reflection: When have you felt unworthy of God's love? How does understanding His sovereign choice to love you change your perspective?
Day 2: Purchased and Set Free
Reading: 1 Peter 1:18-19; Colossians 2:13-14; John 8:34
Devotional: Slavery to sin is real, though we often don't recognize our chains. Like Gomer in the slave market, we find ourselves bound by choices that promised freedom but delivered captivity. But here's the gospel: Jesus entered the marketplace of humanity and paid an incomprehensible price—His own blood—to purchase our freedom. He didn't redeem us with silver or gold, but with something infinitely more valuable. The debt we accumulated against a holy God has been nailed to the cross, erased completely. You are no longer a slave to sin's power or penalty. You've been bought with a price to serve righteousness. True freedom isn't doing whatever you want; it's being liberated to become who God created you to be.
Reflection: What areas of "slavery" do you still struggle with? How can you live today in the freedom Christ purchased for you?
Day 3: Exclusive Devotion
Reading: Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 42:8; Matthew 6:24
Devotional: God's jealousy isn't petty—it's protective. He knows that anything we place above Him will ultimately destroy us. Modern idols rarely look like golden calves; they appear as careers, relationships, comfort, control, or entertainment. Whenever someone or something becomes more important than God, we've committed idolatry. God demands exclusive worship not because He's insecure, but because He alone is worthy and because divided devotion leads to spiritual adultery. He will not share His glory with another because nothing else deserves it. Today, examine your heart honestly. What occupies your thoughts, time, and affection most? God invites you to a relationship where He holds first place—not out of tyranny, but out of love for your ultimate good.
Reflection: What competes for God's place in your life? What practical step can you take today to prioritize Him above all else?
Day 4: The Call to Return
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Devotional: Repentance is more than feeling sorry—it's a complete turnaround. The biblical pattern is clear: turn TO God FROM idols, not the other way around. True repentance involves changing our mind about God (recognizing we need Him), changing our mind about sin (acknowledging it's not okay), and changing our direction (turning toward Jesus). This isn't a one-time event but a lifestyle of continually returning to God when we stray. The beautiful promise of Hosea 3:5 is that when God's people return and seek Him, they will experience unhindered fellowship with Him. God doesn't just forgive and forget—He fully restores. Whatever you've done, wherever you've wandered, God stands ready to receive you when you're ready to turn back to Him.
Reflection: Is there an area where God is calling you to repent and return? What's keeping you from turning fully toward Him today?
Day 5: The Promise of Full Restoration
Reading: Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:33-36; Revelation 21:3-4
Devotional: God's story doesn't end with judgment—it culminates in restoration. The "last days" Hosea prophesied about point to a future where God's people will enjoy complete, uninterrupted fellowship with Him through Jesus, David's descendant and our eternal King. This is our destiny as believers: freedom from sin, intimacy with God, worship without distraction, and blessing in His presence forever. Until that day, we live between the "already" and the "not yet"—already redeemed but not yet fully restored. This hope should transform how we live today. Our present struggles are temporary; our future glory is eternal. The same God who pursued Israel, who sent Hosea to redeem Gomer, who sent Jesus to redeem humanity, will complete the work He's begun in you.
Reflection: How does the promise of full restoration give you hope in your current circumstances? How can you live today in light of your eternal future?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your relentless, pursuing love. Thank You for purchasing my freedom through Jesus' blood and for calling me into exclusive devotion to You. Help me turn from every idol and return to You daily. Give me grace to live in the freedom You've provided and hope in the full restoration You've promised. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 1: God's Pursuing Love
Reading: Hosea 3:1-5; Deuteronomy 7:7-8
Devotional: God's love for us isn't based on our worthiness or performance—it flows from His sovereign choice. Just as He loved Israel not because they were the greatest nation, but simply because He chose to love them, so He loves you today. This is staggering: the Creator of the universe pursues a relationship with you, not because of what you bring to the table, but because of who He is. His love is relentless, even when we wander. Like Hosea pursuing his unfaithful wife, God pursues us in our brokenness. Today, stop trying to earn God's love. Instead, rest in the truth that you are loved unconditionally by the God who knows you completely yet chooses you completely.
Reflection: When have you felt unworthy of God's love? How does understanding His sovereign choice to love you change your perspective?
Day 2: Purchased and Set Free
Reading: 1 Peter 1:18-19; Colossians 2:13-14; John 8:34
Devotional: Slavery to sin is real, though we often don't recognize our chains. Like Gomer in the slave market, we find ourselves bound by choices that promised freedom but delivered captivity. But here's the gospel: Jesus entered the marketplace of humanity and paid an incomprehensible price—His own blood—to purchase our freedom. He didn't redeem us with silver or gold, but with something infinitely more valuable. The debt we accumulated against a holy God has been nailed to the cross, erased completely. You are no longer a slave to sin's power or penalty. You've been bought with a price to serve righteousness. True freedom isn't doing whatever you want; it's being liberated to become who God created you to be.
Reflection: What areas of "slavery" do you still struggle with? How can you live today in the freedom Christ purchased for you?
Day 3: Exclusive Devotion
Reading: Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 42:8; Matthew 6:24
Devotional: God's jealousy isn't petty—it's protective. He knows that anything we place above Him will ultimately destroy us. Modern idols rarely look like golden calves; they appear as careers, relationships, comfort, control, or entertainment. Whenever someone or something becomes more important than God, we've committed idolatry. God demands exclusive worship not because He's insecure, but because He alone is worthy and because divided devotion leads to spiritual adultery. He will not share His glory with another because nothing else deserves it. Today, examine your heart honestly. What occupies your thoughts, time, and affection most? God invites you to a relationship where He holds first place—not out of tyranny, but out of love for your ultimate good.
Reflection: What competes for God's place in your life? What practical step can you take today to prioritize Him above all else?
Day 4: The Call to Return
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Devotional: Repentance is more than feeling sorry—it's a complete turnaround. The biblical pattern is clear: turn TO God FROM idols, not the other way around. True repentance involves changing our mind about God (recognizing we need Him), changing our mind about sin (acknowledging it's not okay), and changing our direction (turning toward Jesus). This isn't a one-time event but a lifestyle of continually returning to God when we stray. The beautiful promise of Hosea 3:5 is that when God's people return and seek Him, they will experience unhindered fellowship with Him. God doesn't just forgive and forget—He fully restores. Whatever you've done, wherever you've wandered, God stands ready to receive you when you're ready to turn back to Him.
Reflection: Is there an area where God is calling you to repent and return? What's keeping you from turning fully toward Him today?
Day 5: The Promise of Full Restoration
Reading: Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:33-36; Revelation 21:3-4
Devotional: God's story doesn't end with judgment—it culminates in restoration. The "last days" Hosea prophesied about point to a future where God's people will enjoy complete, uninterrupted fellowship with Him through Jesus, David's descendant and our eternal King. This is our destiny as believers: freedom from sin, intimacy with God, worship without distraction, and blessing in His presence forever. Until that day, we live between the "already" and the "not yet"—already redeemed but not yet fully restored. This hope should transform how we live today. Our present struggles are temporary; our future glory is eternal. The same God who pursued Israel, who sent Hosea to redeem Gomer, who sent Jesus to redeem humanity, will complete the work He's begun in you.
Reflection: How does the promise of full restoration give you hope in your current circumstances? How can you live today in light of your eternal future?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your relentless, pursuing love. Thank You for purchasing my freedom through Jesus' blood and for calling me into exclusive devotion to You. Help me turn from every idol and return to You daily. Give me grace to live in the freedom You've provided and hope in the full restoration You've promised. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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