Six times leading up to Easter, get your family together for a time of devotion and discussion. Each day, you’ll . . .
Read something out loud.
Look up and read a passage of Scripture.
Ask a few discussion questions.
Pray together.
Do a fun or meaningful activity together.
When you’ve finished your devotional, reply back to this email to let us know how it went!
10 Ways To Conquer Your Fear Of Sharing Your Faith
The most popular reason people give me for not sharing their faith is because they have fears about sharing their faith. Perhaps it is the fear of being rejected, or the fear of not knowing what to say, or simply lacking the courage. Here are ten ways you can conquer your fear of sharing your faith.
7 Ways to Pray for Your Friends
1) Pray that your friend’s faith will not fail.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31, 32
Principle: If their faith doesn’t fail, then they won’t fail.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
Christ’s mercy has already triumphed over judgment. But has it done so in our lives? Do we share that mercy forward and do we receive it from others? Are we shaped by it or by the desire to judge others in order to position ourselves as something we are not?
Family Discipleship
As apprentices to Jesus, we have a perfect model for discipleship – Jesus himself. We strive to become like Jesus, be with Jesus, and do what Jesus did. We are also called to multiply and lead others to those same things. However, unlike Jesus, we all fall short. We cannot become perfect models like Jesus is to us. So how do we multiply? How do we make more disciples if we’re not perfect models? Well, that’s a trick question. We’re not supposed make people be disciples of us or make disciples of certain leaders in our lives. Rather, we are disciples of Jesus. So in regards to modeling discipleship, we lead others to grow to be like Jesus – not be like us. Phew! That takes a burden off of me! That’s great news that I don’t have to be perfect! But burden is not the same as responsibility.
Practicing Sabbath Rest
We have lost the spiritual practice of Sabbath in our culture today. If you’re new to it, you’re going to have to learn about what it is first. Here is what Sabbath IS and ISN’T and how we should practice it as followers of Jesus.
Psalm 23 – 6 Gifts From God
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (NIV)
The Blessings of Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Psalm 84:1-4
Response to Sutherland Springs Tragedy
Words fall short in trying to come up with the why. Why would an individual so such a horrific crime? Why did innocent people die? Why didn’t God step in to intervene? Why is there so much evil in this world? Why?
Bless The Lord
Stewardship is about giving God the best of our time, our talents and our treasures.
It’s a matter of trust. Do I trust God enough to give Him the best of my time, the best of my talents and the best of my treasures?