Mt Hebron Baptist Church

09/07/2026

HEARTS BURNING WITHIN US - SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

Scripture Reading — Luke 24:13-35

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us . . . ?” — Luke 24:32

One of the ways we can speak of “resonance” is in terms of human connection. When a person says something that connects with us deeply, we might say, “Yes, that resonates with me,” or maybe, “I feel the same way. I’m totally in sync with you on that.”

We can find resonance in spiritual experiences as well. This happens with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they walk along, a stranger joins them and engages with them in a long and meaningful conversation about Jesus, his death, and what the Scriptures taught about the promised Messiah.

Yet only after the stranger breaks bread with them and then disappears do the disciples realize that they were walking and talking with Jesus. They didn’t realize he had risen from the dead! Notice what they say to each other: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” That description of burning hearts is a powerful description of resonance.

When we encounter Jesus in a true and meaningful way, we may sense that something is shifting within us. We are in the presence of life-changing truth.

Like those disciples, may we encounter the living Jesus as he breaks into our lives.

Jesus, may our hearts burn within us in response to your work in our lives. May your Word and Spirit enliven us today and make us more like you. Amen.

09/05/2026

Please come tomorrow and partake of the Lord’s table ❤️

09/05/2026

MOVING IN FAITH - SEPTEMBER 5, 2026

Is God asking you to step toward something not yet won? He told Israel to claim the land by faith before it was theirs—and He calls you forward the same way.

“Inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you” (Joshua 13:6).

The Israelites had entered the Promised Land, but many areas were not yet conquered. Their leader, Joshua, was “old and advanced in years” (v. 1). Something needed to be done.

Though Israel had failed to conquer these peoples, God said that He would take action and “drive them out.” The task of the Israelites was simply to occupy the territory — confidently moving forward into areas God would conquer for them. He would give them victory.

This assignment required faith. Acting on the Lord’s promise as if it were fact, they were to divide the land according to His directions and prepare for occupation.

This is a picture of the life of faith every believer is called to. God’s Word has given us amazing promises of power and abundance, resources and blessings. Yet to receive the fulfillment of these promises, we must act in faith.

“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). God looks for people who believe that His promises are true and that all things are possible. With this kind of faith, we can boldly move forward to occupy the land He’s promised us.

Don’t allow doubt or fear to rob you of the inheritance God has promised. Seize the moment! Move forward in faith—confidently trusting in Him.

Prayer
Dear Lord God, I believe that Your promises are true. By Your Spirit, help me to be bold and move forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/04/2026

GIANTS - SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

What do you do when the thing in front of you looks like a giant? Israel faced literal giants in the Promised Land and learned that faith, not fear, wins the day.

“Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated … [including] Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim” (Joshua 12:1, 4).

When the 12 spies scouted out the Promised Land, their dominant discovery wasn’t its abundance or potential but the presence of giants! They were terrified by these giants. When they reported back to the rest of the Israelites, the whole nation was filled with fear. As a result, God wouldn’t allow them to move into the land.

When it finally did come time to enter the Promised Land, the Israelites knew what they faced. God told them that “only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim.” He was so famed that they even knew his bedstead was made of iron (Deuteronomy 3:11).

Og was a giant. He was intimidating, and the Israelites had good reason to be afraid. Armed with faith, they were able to defeat this mighty foe, and the territory over which Og ruled was given to them for their possession.

Who are the giants we face today? Mighty armies equipped with terrifying weapons. Powerful media companies that fill the airwaves with propaganda. Zealots from other religions who vow to annihilate God’s people.

When we see giants like these, do we assume that defeat is inevitable and victory is impossible?

Again and again, God brings His people victory … if they trust Him, act in faith, and believe that, with Him on their side, they can be victorious over foes or problems of any size.

Prayer
God, I commit the giants I face to You. Give me Your strategies for overcoming the challenges I face. Thank You for victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/03/2026

THE WORLD RESONATES WITH JESUS! - SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

“My word . . . will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
— Isaiah 55:11

The gospel account of John opens with an astonishing declaration: the Word, who is Jesus, the Son of God, has broken into our world. As verse 14 beautifully proclaims, the Word “made his dwelling among us.” If ever there was a moment when the earth could resound with joy and song, it was when the Son of God took on flesh and entered our human story. No wonder the skies were filled with the sound of a heavenly choir: “Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King!’” (see Luke 2:13-14).

John 1:1-14 reveals the fulfillment of Isaiah 55:11—the Word went out and did not return empty. Jesus accomplished his mission as the Father had intended. He took on the debt of our sin and rebellion in this world and paid its terrible price through his death on the cross.

He was buried in a tomb, and then he rose from the grave as the Lord of life and salvation. Later, he also returned in victory by ascending to his rightful place in heaven. Isaiah had prophesied truly about the Word of God, Jesus, who achieved all that God had sent him to do.

Across the centuries, the power of Christ’s work has echoed to every corner of the earth. Salvation is here. Forgiveness is possible. There is a God who loves you, and in Christ you have an eternal future.

Jesus, thank you for bringing salvation and new life into our broken lives and our broken world. May your good news echo everywhere. We surrender our hearts to you again today. Amen.

09/02/2026

CREATION RESONATES WITH PRAISE - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

“The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
— Isaiah 55:12

Isaiah 55 captures the deep, joyful relationship between God and the world he has made. This chapter overflows with delight in the connection between Creator and creation. What Isaiah describes is resonance— the voice of God and the voice of the world echoing back and forth in harmony.

Isaiah points to the remarkable life cycle of the earth: the seasons for planting and harvesting, and the gifts of rain and snow that water the ground. We may not see the immediate effects of a rainfall; seeds planted in the soil respond to the moisture and begin to sprout. Those sprouts grow into crops, and the crops provide food. What begins quietly ends in abundance.

This imagery carried deep meaning for God’s people. Even if they had a river or a spring for water, they knew they could not survive without the gift of rain or snow. In periods of drought, some of the people turned to worship the gods of other nations, as if maybe those gods could bring rain for their crops. But those ideas yielded only false hope. Through Isaiah, God called the people back to trust and celebrate the only One who truly rules the world and everything in it.

Take some time today to reflect on the beauty of creation and hear the invitation to seek and trust in the one, true, faithful God, who provides for all our needs. Hallelujah!

Lord, we honor you as the King of creation. Help us to see that you always provide for us, and may we deepen our trust in you alone. In Jesus, Amen.

09/02/2026

Join us in corporate prayer

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

THE HOLY SPIRIT - SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

What did Jesus promise His followers the night before the cross? Not to leave them alone—but to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper who would live in them forever.

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever; even the Spirit of truth … You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17).

At the time, the disciples understood little about what Jesus taught them the night He was betrayed. But Jesus recognized that they needed to know about the Holy Spirit. He was about to return to Heaven, and they needed to know that the Spirit would be with them “forever.”

The Spirit truly would be God with them, and He would live in them. In fact, they would be filled with the Holy Spirit! Since He’s a person, they could know and have a relationship with Him.

We understand that the Spirit is a teacher who can teach all things (v. 26). He reminds us of the words of the Bible and of what Jesus said. But in addition, He can explain any subject! He is “the Spirit of truth,” so everything He says and does is true.

Jesus also said that even though people in the world may know about God and the Bible, they cannot know the Spirit. They can’t grasp His existence or understand what He does. But for those who believe, the Holy Spirit changes everything. He empowers us and gives us wisdom.

Seek to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit in your life. Listen to His voice. Let Him guide you, give you His peace, and fill you with His power. Remember, if you’re a believer, the Holy Spirit has been sent to be with you and in you!

Prayer
Holy Spirit, speak to me. Guide me. Help me hear Your voice more clearly. Use me to impact more lives for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

08/31/2026

TRUST AND OBEY - AUGUST 31, 2026

Scripture Reading — John 14:15-21

“If you love me, keep my commands.”
— John 14:15

While reflecting on the Ten Commandments, an old gospel song keeps coming to mind: “Trust and Obey.” This simple hymn expresses the bedrock faith and action of seeking to live for the Lord. By trusting God and, through his strength, turning to him for support each day, we find joy in the new life we are promised forever in Christ.

The Ten Commandments reveal to us and convict us of our sin, our deeply ingrained failure and inability to love God and our neighbors as we are called to do. But through the gracious cleansing and renewing of our hearts, the Holy Spirit sets us on a new path of obedience. And on this new path, God’s commands become a guide for gratefully living in obedience to God.

Though we continue to struggle with sin in this life, God still calls us daily to trust him and obey him. The Ten Commandments and other helpful summaries of God’s law—Micah 6:8; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:8-10; and more—are faithful guides along the way.

When we trust and obey the Lord, as the song puts it, we can expect to be “happy in Jesus.” Actually, a clearer description is that we can be joyful through the inner contentment and wonder grounded in God’s amazing grace and love for us in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In what ways can you share the joy of new life in Christ with others today?

Help us, Lord God, to walk in the light of your Word, trusting and obeying you in all things, so that our lives overflow with your joy. Amen.