Scripture has many admonitions to parents about passing along God’s Word to the next generation. We are to teach our children to seek the Lord through Bible reading and prayer. We are to tell them about what God has done in past generations. We are to tell them how God has brought us through trying times and how He has blessed our families. Spiritual formation is not a responsibility that we can assign solely to our churches. Bible classes and other activities there have an important place, but they are not a substitute for parents and grandparents telling their children and grandchildren what God has meant to them as individuals and in the life of their family.

When difficult times come to your children—and they will—these are the things they will remember. They will know that God helped them in the past, and He will help again.

18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

When King Jehoshaphat learned that an army was headed his way, he had the wisdom to go to the Lord for help. He called for everyone in the nation to fast, and the people were so unified in heart, mind, and purpose that they came to Jerusalem to seek help from the Lord. I don’t imagine that every person participated. But by the end of this chapter, we’ll see that they’ve come to Jerusalem from towns and villages across the land. We’ve almost lost the notion that the Lord is willing to act on our behalf. We would rather have a seminar and talk about the power of prayer than fall on our knees and pray. It’s time for us—as individuals and churches—to believe that He is able, then humble ourselves and ask for His help.

When facing overwhelming challenges, practicing humility and remembering your dependence on God can change your perspective. Then, you can more effectively encourage others to turn to God in times of crisis.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom,[a] from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:2-4

There is much discussion today about how we “identify.” When providing information about ourselves, we’re often asked to state our gender and the pronouns we wish to be called—and the possibilities are endless. We’ve arrived at this bizarre place not because the ungodly have discovered something new, but because God’s people have forgotten the significance of their identity in Christ. Your identity as a child of God through faith in Jesus is more important than your biological sex or anything else about you. I understand there are forms to be completed and boxes to be checked. But the next time you are asked about your identity, begin by stating your identity in Christ. That will open doors to conversations with the power to transform lives and change the world.

Identifying with Jesus provides a spiritual freedom no other identity can offer. Understanding that will give you a desire to honor Him, follow His Word, and accept the identities He's given you instead of the labels the world tries to affix to you.

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-28

Maturing spiritually is a growth process, much like maturing physically. Young children are extremely self-centered. Their lives are completely focused on their needs and wants. That is a normal attitude for their stage of development, and we bear with them and help them until they grow out of it. But that kind of attitude is not healthy as we grow older, especially for an adult. As Christ-followers, we begin as spiritual infants who need the help of other people. But we must grow up and put that total dependence and childish thinking behind us. We will always benefit from the help of Christian friends, but at some point, we should be doing more giving than taking. Let’s chart a course for spiritual maturity and begin to make our way there through Bible reading, prayer, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Then we will be able to help those who are not as far along in the process.

What characteristics do people who are mature in their faith display? It will appear in how they spend their time, where they invest their energy, and what they avoid. How would you describe your current level of spiritual maturity?

Our prayer for today
Heavenly Father, I ask You to help me grow spiritually and to become more like You each day. Deepen my understanding of Your Word, and give me a hunger for Your presence. As I grow, give me opportunities and the willingness to share Your truth and love with those around me and to be an encouragement to them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." 1 Cor. 13:11

Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalms 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalms 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Most of the voices outside the Church and even many voices inside the Church tell us that God’s rules and guidelines are out of date. They say that a biblical perspective on the world and how to live in it is hopelessly archaic—like something in a museum. “Times have changed,” they say. “People are more educated, enlightened, and open-minded.” They say the most important thing is to be “tolerant” and “inclusive.” But I’m certain that God has not changed. Neither have His rules and His guidelines. Good is still good. Evil is still evil. Worshiping God is right. Worshiping idols is wrong. A man is a man. A woman is a woman. God’s intent for His people has never changed, and His Word is just as true and valid as it was when its first word was recorded. Don’t allow the world to tell you differently, for the Lord promises great rewards to those who obey.

There are multiple Bible stories in which God hands people over to destructive consequences after they tried to obtain blessings on their own terms. When we cooperate with the Lord, we welcome His abundance.

Maybe you’re afraid to share your faith because you don’t know what to say. Or maybe you’re sharing the Gospel but nothing is happening; people aren’t committing their lives to Christ. Are you doing something wrong?

You can’t open someone’s heart to the truth of the Gospel—but God can, by His Spirit. The Apostle Paul wasn’t eloquent, but God used him because he depended on the Holy Spirit to guide him (see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). God guided many others in the Bible as well—like Moses, who at first asked God to get someone else to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, or Jonah, who didn’t think the wicked Ninevites deserved God’s mercy and tried to run the other way.

Remember that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called—and as Christians, we are all called to share what Christ has done. Some of Christ’s last words on earth were, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Sharing our faith isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command. And God is with us when we obey Him.

What Do I Do?

One of the best ways to share your faith is to live a godly life. Non-Christians often look at Christians as hypocritical because we say one thing but do another. Show those close to you that you care—spend time with them, help meet their needs and offer to listen when they have problems. You might not be able to answer all of their questions, but they can’t deny the reality of what Christ has done in your life. If you find this is hard to do, perhaps God is speaking to you about your own need to walk more closely with Him every day.

Another important part of sharing your faith is to pray for those you interact with. If you can’t think of anyone who isn’t a Christian, pray for God to place someone in your life who needs Him.

Also make a habit of reading the Bible, praying and going to church. These things shouldn’t be done for attention or for the sake of doing them, but to help you grow in your own faith. Being passionate about Christ will help others see that there’s something different about you, and they will want to know what it is. You can also reflect Christ through kind words, patience, a gentle temperament, choosing to love even difficult people, carefully monitoring what you watch or listen to, and treating others with respect.

At the same time, we must do more than live godly lives. People need to hear the Gospel—to hear that God loves them, Christ died for them and that they can have eternal life. Romans 10:13-14 says, “‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

4 Simple Steps

To share the Gospel, you can follow these 4 simple steps:

1. Tell them about God’s plan—peace and life. God loves you and wants you to experience the peace and life He offers. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He has a plan for you.

2. Share our problem—separation from God. Being at peace with God is not automatic. By nature, we are all separated from Him. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God is holy, but we are human and don’t measure up to His perfect standard. We are sinful, and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

3. Talk about God’s remedy—the cross. God’s love bridges the gap of separation between you and Him. When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave, He paid the penalty for your sins. The Bible says, “‘He Himself bore our sins’ in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by His wounds you have been healed’” (1 Peter 2:24).

4. Our response—receive Christ. You cross the bridge into God’s family when you accept Christ’s free gift of salvation. The Bible says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

To receive Christ, a person needs to do 4 things:

Admit you’re a sinner.
Ask forgiveness and be willing to turn away from your sins.
Believe that Christ died for you on the cross.
Receive Christ into your heart and life.

Pastor Chet’s Common Cense

The Text -   John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Thought -
This is one of the most basic and important passages in Scripture. How can we know the way to God? Only through Jesus. Jesus is the way because he is both God and man. By uniting our lives with his, we are united with God. Trust Jesus to take you to the Father, and all the benefits of being God's child will be yours.

The Takeaway -
An explorer became lost in a dangerous part of an African jungle. His compass was of no use to him because he did not know where he was or which direction to travel. He became desperate and was filled with fear when a native appeared and offered to take him to his camp.
Hesitatingly, with no options, but hopeful, he asked, “Do you know the way?”
Confidently the native replied, “I am the way.”

Jesus says he is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, "Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!"
As the way, Jesus is our path to the Father. As the truth, he is the reality of all God's promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally. Jesus is, in truth, the only living way to the Father.

The Text -   Acts 9:6
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

The Thought -
At the light and voice, and appearance of Christ, and especially at the words last spoken; he was now overwhelmed to the heart, and filled with a sense of sin,  loaded with guilt, and had dreadful apprehensions of his state and condition.   Paul’s past wickedness, and the present course of sin he was in, made him react like most people…. people under first convictions "tremble" at the sight of their sins.
Paul was willing to do any thing the Lord wanted him to do, hoping he might make up for the pain and sorrow he had caused, and by which he might be saved; for he was still upon the covenant of works, as persons under first convictions commonly are.

The Takeaway -
Little Nathan’s parents were shocked when they heard him saying his morning prayers one day when it included: “Good morning, God. What can I do for You today?
Often our prayers are focused on what we want God to do for us rather than us asking God what He wants us to do for Him.
Could it be that we have shaped God into the image of a bellhop that we would find in a hotel? We dial a number, place an order, and then wait at the door for someone to appear with our requests on a tray. Do we see prayer as the ultimate in heavenly room service?
One day Paul heard a voice saying, “Get up and go…and you will be told what to do!”
Our Lord sees a world full of people who need His love and salvation, grace and hope. And He has given us, His disciples, the responsibility to bring those who need Him, to Him. When we pray, we must first be willing to “get up and go” to serve Him before we “dial and want” for what we want. Remember: God’s needs come before our wants..

The Text -  
Hebrews 11:6   But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Thought -
Unlike In fact, it is impossible to please God without faith. This would have functioned as a warning to those Hebrew Christians whose faith was wavering. No one (not Abel, Enoch, or anyone else) can please God without faith. It is an absolute requirement. All the rituals mean nothing without faith.
To come to God has two presuppositions here: (1) The person must believe that there is a God and then (2) believe that God rewards those who sincerely seek him. Believing that God exists is only the beginning; even the demons believe in God’s existence (Jas 2:19-20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of his existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Whenever God reveals something, He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly. What does this mean? It means we trust Him implicitly for all of our needs because He says He will provide (Phil. 4:19). It means we approach crises with the assurance that God will bring good from them (Rom. 8:28). It means we overcome anxiety during stressful situations because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him (Phil. 4:6). It means that we never worry that we are alone because God said He would never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). It means that, despite what happens in our lives, we will never doubt God’s love because He has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

The Takeaway -
At times we try to justify our lack of faith! We know what God has promised, but we doubt that He will make a practical difference in our life. We are filled with anxiety and excuse ourselves by saying: “I am just a worrier!” We become bitter during a crisis and reason that “God could not possibly bring anything good out of this pain!” We appeal for help from everyone around us when we have a need; then we explain: “I know God can provide for my needs, but I think I should do everything I can, just in case.” God calls this faithlessness. Faithlessness is sin. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

^{Using our gifts and talents}

The Text -
 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.


The Thought -
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, different kinds of service in the church, and different ways God works in our lives. God’s people receive many kinds of gifts, and no one gift is better than another. All the gifts come from one source and are to be used for one purpose—the building up of the body of Christ.

The Takeaway -
God has given us all different gifts and talents to use. It is also vital to note that we will receive different results, but what is most important is that we volunteer and serve.
Many churches lack people who are willing to get involved in carrying out God’s redemptive work. Our communities are crying out for Christians to go and share the gospel with those who’ve never received it.
When Christians today are asked what aspects of the Christian life are most important to them, missions is not usually ranked as a priority. This is because we have lost track of why God called us in the first place. We were not saved from our sin simply so that we would qualify for heaven. God delivered us so we would have a relationship with Him through which He could carry out His mission to redeem a lost world.
The bible is filled with great verses about volunteering and serving others.  It’s an inspirational read, for certain, and goes back as far as time… before any of us walked this earth. The bible can help you realize just how small you are… while also giving you the belief and faith you need to accomplish big things.We honor God when we serve others. His desire was for us to use our diverse types of gifts from Him to benefit those around us.