Words of Hope Daily Devotional

START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE

Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.

START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE

Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.

THE DEVOTIONAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR EMAIL AND IN PRINT.

The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer.

DINNER WITH JESUS

Breakfast on the Beach

When Heaven Breaks Loose

Read: Acts 2:1-13

Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind. (v. 2)

I invite you to come with me to Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost—the ancient Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Law and the ingathering of the barley harvest. It could not be more festive nor could the streets of Jerusalem and the temple have been more crowded. Josephus, a noted ancient Jewish historian, says that during this annual event there were more than a million people in the holy city. Acts 2 records that people from every nation under heaven were there. This is not a block party for neighbors, it’s Times Square in New York City on New Year’s Eve!

It’s precisely then in the house where the disciples had gathered, waiting, that the wind began to whip violently and fire broke out and rested indiscriminately on them. They all began to speak in other languages so that the people all around them could hear the good news of Jesus in their heart language. This is the DNA of the church, and the DNA of every Christian. We’re not a social club called to merely enjoy one another, we’re a worldwide body whose sole purpose is to witness to the doing, dying, and rising of Jesus Christ until all may hear that Jesus is Lord.

Quoting Emil Brunner, Lesslie Newbigin the great missionary theologian, said, “The church exists by mission, just as a fire exists by burning.” He took his cue from this very passage, and we are called to do the same.

As you pray, ask God to send the Holy Spirit on us!

About the Author

Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. First Last

David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.

Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including Why Doesn’t God Act More Like God, Christ in the Psalms, and A Gospel for the World.

Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.

The Silence and Salvation of God

Read: Psalm 22 Remember and turn to the LORD. (v. 27) When I was seven years old, my father abandoned me after my parents divorced, but I couldn’t stop loving him or longing for him. Many of us feel similarly

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How Long, O Lord?

Read: Psalm 13 I have trusted in your steadfast love. (v. 5) There have been times in my life when I felt deep despair. It felt like the world was crushing me, like everything was more difficult than it should

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Joy to the World

Read: Psalm 98 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (v. 4) Every year at Christmas, we sing the lyrics “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Two

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Biblical not Textual

Read: Luke 24:13-35 Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (v. 27) A pastor in a rural village in India took the Word of God very seriously and

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Guilt to Gratitude

Read: Romans 8:27-39 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (v. 32) How do you respond to God’s gift of

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All Is Well

Read: John 14:18-31 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (v. 27) Do you ever

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