Life's difficulties can create a fog that obscures our view of God's promises, much like swimmer Florence Chadwick who gave up just one mile from shore because she couldn't see through the thick fog. Biblical hope differs from wishful thinking—it's a confident expectation based on God's character and promises. When Christ came as a baby to Bethlehem, He brought hope to a world that had experienced 400 years of divine silence. As believers, we're called to be hope reservoirs for others through simple actions: stopping to see people with compassion, being ready to share our story, showing joy, taking time for divine moments, loving generously, and offering to pray with those in need. The shore of God's promises is closer than we think, even when life's circumstances make it hard to see.

5 Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/With-Us_-Week-1_-5-Day-Devotional.pdf

Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/With-Us_-Week-1_-Discussion-Guide.pdf

Believers today face a critical choice between comfortable cultural Christianity and authentic faith that may lead us outside societal acceptance. Drawing from Hebrews 13:13, this message explores what it means to go outside the camp with Jesus, bearing the disgrace He bore. Cultural Christianity keeps us safe within acceptable boundaries, but true discipleship requires standing firm on biblical truth even when it conflicts with popular ideologies. We must strengthen our hearts through grace rather than cultural conformity, knowing Scripture well enough to discern strange teachings. While following Jesus authentically may bring suffering or social rejection, we live with eternal perspective, offering ourselves as living sacrifices and proclaiming His praise through our words and actions.

5 Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Consider-Jesus_-Week-10_-Outside-The-Camp-5-day-devotional.pdf

Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Consider-Jesus_-Week-10_-Outside-The-Camp-Discussion-Guide.pdf

For more from Jennifer Hayes Yates: https://jenniferhyates.com/

The book of Hebrews reveals that God's discipline isn't punishment but loving training, like a coach developing an athlete. When we face difficulties, we often forget this truth and respond with either sinful justification or bitterness. God allows struggles to develop holiness, righteousness, and peace in our lives. Unlike Mount Sinai where people feared God's wrath, believers live on Mount Zion where we can approach God as beloved children. The key is remembering that divine discipline comes from love, not anger, and submitting to God's purposes rather than using pain as an excuse for sin.

Download 5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Consider-Jesus-Week-9-Do-You-Remember-5-day-devotional.pdf

Download Discusion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Consider-Jesus-Week-9-Do-You-Remember-Discussion-Guide.pdf

This is a replay of this past Sunday night's episode of Shaking The Gates, if you'd like to join us live, tune in on Facebook or our website at chapinccc.org/shaking-the-gates

5 Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Day-Devotional_-Consider-Jesus_-Week-8_-Somebodys-Watching-Me.pdf

Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Discussion-Guide_-Consider-Jesus_-Week-8_-Somebodys-Watching-Me.pdf

Life often feels overwhelming, but the book of Hebrews presents the Christian life as a race requiring endurance and proper motivation. Faith means having confidence in God's promises even when we cannot see the outcome. We are surrounded by heroes of faith who persevered through incredible trials, providing examples to follow. When we feel like giving up, we can find motivation by looking back to these witnesses, looking up to Jesus as our pioneer and perfecter of faith, and looking forward to the eternal joy that awaits us. The key is running the right race with a sustainable pace, listening to God's voice, and throwing off the sins that entangle us.