Zechariah’s story reminds us that our God is faithful. The wait is finally over – we get to meet the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the only One who is able to save us from sin and satisfy our souls. Then let’s turn and place our hope in Him today.

You and I need the mercy of God because we are hopeless on our own. We will never be able to make it out of this pit of darkness – which is why someone much greater than Jonah coming is good news to us. Then let’s anchor ourselves to Jesus who alone is the Rescuer of our souls – the Hope of the world.

Our God is a relenting God which is why even the message of judgment can be a message of hope. Then run to the cross today because He will give you another chance. But let’s also run to the world with this life-giving truth so that they will find Christ and be saved.

Salvation comes from the Lord. He will save us not because we are good but because He is – which means that no matter where we are, we can always run back to God knowing that He will receive us with His arms wide open. Then let’s cry out to Him, trust Him, and surrender to Him knowing that He will answer.

Jonah’s story reveals how prone we are to wander but it also reminds us that God will never leave us abandoned – He will always seek us out, draw us back again and again and again because He loves us and is committed to us. Then let’s not run from God. Let’s not resist His will. Let’s choose to be with Him.

We are prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love – which is why we must remain in the gospel daily. And with this gospel in our hearts, God is now sending us out to rescue others who may have wandered from the truth. Then let us go humbly, deliberately, and earnestly knowing that life is found in Christ alone.

What will our church be known for? Let’s strive to become a church that imitates the gospel, spreads the gospel, and is transformed by the gospel. Let’s be a church that faithfully preaches Christ, humbly receives Christ, and passionately shares Christ so that in everything, Christ might have the supremacy.

We can give thanks for the past, celebrate in the present, and look to the future with hope because we are rooted in God. In love, He chose us even before there was time so that we would be called the children of God. Then may that love inspire and move us to labor for Him as we aim to bring Him glory.

The gospel reminds us that we have endless reasons to be thankful in all circumstances. Then no matter what kind of situation you may be in today, I invite you to fix your eyes on Christ so that you would learn to cultivate a heart of gratitude for your life. Do this knowing that the feeling of joy begins in our act of thanksgiving.

As we wait for the coming of the Lord, we are called to pray in all circumstances. We’re called to pray for each other when we’re physically sick or spiritually compromised. Then let’s pray with confidence and surrender knowing that we have a God who is powerful, wise, and gracious.

We are called to be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near. Then let’s not grumble or compromise in our words but let’s persevere in fighting the good fight knowing that God is using our sufferings and trials to grow and mature us to become more like Christ.

Jesus Christ made it possible for us to be in this world but not of this world. In fact, God has sovereignly placed us in certain positions and times so that His purpose would be fulfilled. Knowing this, let’s make every effort to bring glory to Him as we courageously echo the words of Esther who said, “If I perish, I perish.”

Money is a powerful thing – it can be a tool in the hands of our gracious God, or it can be a doorway to dangerous and evil things. Then may our hearts be captivated by the beauty of Christ today so that we would be made free to use money not for our own personal gains but for the glory of God and the blessings of others.

If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this and that. Then knowing that everything we have is a gift from God, let us live every moment of our lives for His glory – trusting that what He has willed for us is good.

We don’t have to be troubled in our hearts because Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Our destiny is secure because Jesus made a way where there was no way. Then let us faithfully continue the mission that He has given to the church with confidence and courage knowing that we are secure in His hands.

God alone is the Lawgiver and Judge over us – He alone is the One who is able to save and destroy. Then let’s stop slandering each other in light of who God is. Instead, let’s learn to speak the language of heaven – giving glory to the One who gave us mercy and giving grace to those around us.

There’s more grace in Christ than sin in us – and those who are humble in heart will receive this grace. Then let us humble ourselves before the Lord and submit to Him knowing that He will lift us up.

What ultimately causes us to fight and quarrel is not located outside but inside of us – we go to war with others because we don’t get what we want and because of our unsatisfied cravings. The only way to guard ourselves against this is to root ourselves in the gospel – we can love others because God first loved us.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace – the One who brings us shalom. Then knowing that our citizenship is secure with Him, let us live to bring peace and prosperity to the people around us. Let’s continue to immerse ourselves in the gospel truth so that we would have the power to live this way.

Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God sent from heaven to bring peace and reconciliation between God and us. Then as we cultivate and deepen our relationship with Him, may we live a life that honors the Lord and serves the people for this is how we grow in wisdom that comes from heaven.