“Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so.” – Judges 2:17

It’s an unfortunate reality that faith simply isn’t inherited automatically by the next generation. Every person in every generation must choose the Lord for themselves. Or not. They must choose between obedience to God’s ways or walking in the world’s ways. That choice won’t be made just because their parents follow God, though that can certainly be a positive influence. Children won’t believe just because their parents believe, though they may choose unbelief because of their parents’ failure to live by what they believe.

Each generation must be intentionally evangelized. They must be taught about God and His ways, Jesus and His salvation, the Holy Spirit and His power. They must be taught it and they must be shown it through lives of humble obedience to King Jesus. They must also be taught that obedience to God is the most important priority in life, not merely one good thing among many. They must be invited into the faith and prayed for with diligence. And yet, still, it’s up to them to choose their path. Many will choose the wrong path before choosing the right path. Others may never get off the wrong path.

Followers of Christ must do everything possible to help the rising generations choose the right path, but the choice is still theirs. Be faithful in teaching the young. Be faithful in praying for them and talking to them about God, Jesus, and their need for a Savior. Demonstrate what a life of faith looks like, not merely words of faith. Make following Jesus the top priority in your life. Then pray some more and keep praying. #FollowJesus

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

We all serve something or someone. All of us. What dominates your thoughts, energy, emotions, and excitement? What is it that you spend your days thinking about, dreaming about, or wishing for? Where do you spend your precious time and money? That’s what you serve!

Many in the prosperous West today imagine they’re uniquely free and serve no one. Not so! Everyone has values, priorities, or purposes that animate, define, and drive their lives. For you, is it the Lord? Is it Christ and His Kingdom? If not, you’re serving a false god, even if you’re a faithful, church-attending Christian. We may not realize these things are gods, we may not call them gods, we certainly don’t make statues of them, but they still act like gods, ruling our hearts, minds, and lives. Whom will you serve today?

Will you serve God, the Living Creator of the universe? Will you make Him the center of your life, your heart, your mind, and your soul? Will you worship at the popular American altars of sex or self? Will you build your life around the pursuit of comfort, convenience, health, wealth, influence, power, fame, status, entertainment, sports, beauty, or pleasure? Make no mistake, these things, many of which can be good in moderation, easily become gods today! When they change from being blessings to be enjoyed to the absolute must-haves of your life that make it worth living, they have become gods to you. Realize that and deal with it rather than deny it.

Think carefully. Whom does your calendar say you serve? Whom does your bank account say you serve? Whom does your phone say you serve? Choose this day whom you will serve. #FollowJesus

“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” – Joshua 21:45

God is completely trustworthy. What He promises, He does. His timing might not always be what we expect, especially when we fail to follow His will and plan, but God is completely faithful to His Word and promises. The people of Israel saw this firsthand. Though they had to wait an extra generation because of their disobedience, what God promised, He did. The blessings promised for obedience were received. Unfortunately, the curses promised for disobedience were also experienced (over and over again).

While God’s promises to Israel centered on a particular place and their material situation, please realize that God is just as trustworthy when it comes to the promises He’s made to you through Jesus Christ. If Jesus is your Lord, then the promise of forgiveness for your sins is completely true. Once you confess your sins to God, He forgives them forever. The promise of eternal life is completely true. You’ve been sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that you belong to God now and will enjoy His presence forever. The promise of being united with Christ is completely true. Christ is in you and you are in Him.

The promise of blessings and eternal rewards for obedience to Christ’s commands is completely true. Regardless of your situation on earth, in heaven, eternal rewards await everyone who is faithful to King Jesus. The promise of Christ’s presence as we go, make disciples, baptize, and teach is completely true. As you do the work of Jesus, He’s always with you and will never leave you or forsake you. You’re never alone when you’re in Christ. You’re never without love when you’re in Christ. The promise of God listening to your prayers and replacing your fears and anxieties with peace as you turn matters over to Him in prayer is completely true. The promise of a transformed life as you walk in step with the Holy Spirit is completely true. The list goes on and on!

God is faithful in all ways. Trust God completely, because He’s completely trustworthy. Serve God faithfully and follow Jesus daily for all His promises are yes and amen! #FollowJesus

“Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.” – Acts 27:34-35

The ship Paul was sailing on was in a desperate situation. They’d been caught up in a terrible storm for two weeks, driven far off course. They were constantly in danger of shipwreck. The movement of the ship was so violent and the efforts to save her so desperate that the crew hadn’t eaten anything that entire time. Paul however was perfectly calm. He’d already been told there was nothing fear and that no one would be lost.

Paul knew his purpose in making the journey: to testify about Jesus Christ in Rome. He knew God’s power to overcome all things, so he knew that God’s purpose in sending him to Rome would be fulfilled. He knew the promise he had received that everyone would be safe. So, no matter how awful the situation was physically, he remained calm spiritually.

Through that calm assurance, the prisoner essentially became the leader on that ship. Though he’d boarded in chains, it was now Paul giving the instructions and advice that the sailors and soldiers obeyed. Amidst the misery of the raging storm, Paul fed the unbelieving crew in manner that is powerfully reminiscent of the Lord’s Supper and the feeding of the 5000. Like Jesus, Paul took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. This simple act of provision amidst disaster was a powerful testimony to God’s power. He is greater than any storm! He is the great provider and Jesus is the Bread of Life. This simple meal became a spiritually significant act in the midst of a physical disaster.

We can only speculate how many among that terrified crew were touched spiritually by that meal, but it probably quite a few. If any became believers, their experience of the Lord’s Supper would be forever more vivid for having experienced their first spiritual meal in the midst of terror. Whenever you gather at the Lord’s table for the Lord’s Supper, may it be a powerful testimony to the peace of Christ regardless of any storm that may be raging in your life. #FollowJesus

“But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.” – Acts 25:25-26

Isn’t it amazing how God can use an obvious miscarriage of justice to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul had been attacked by a mob in Jerusalem when he’d done nothing they accused him of. He was arrested by Roman soldiers who had no idea what he did or didn’t do. The threats of the mob forced him to be moved, under military guard, to Caesarea. This gave him the opportunity to share the truth about Jesus Christ with governors, kings, their families, and their staffs. When the unjust persecution of the local leaders continued, this opened the door for Paul to exercise his rights and appeal to Caesar. That appeal let him preach Christ not only to Caesar but to many people of influence in Rome.

Paul never could have planned or arranged a mission trip that would let him share Christ with soldiers, officers, bureaucrats, governors, kings, and the emperor of Rome. However, God could! God’s means of arranging that trip was through the persecution of those most opposed to Christ. May this be a reminder to all of us who follow Jesus! Don’t get discouraged if you’re opposed by those who don’t yet know Jesus. Don’t get discouraged if they’re angry or resort to legal threats. Their opposition may be used by God to introduce many others to Jesus. Don’t get discouraged! Share Jesus and use the new and unexpected opportunities to share Christ boldly like Paul.

Look for the hidden hand of God at work in even the darkest of situations. Be encouraged that He can use trials and tribulations for His glory. Don’t worry about what the world will say or do, simply be faithful to the commands of Christ. Make disciples. Baptize and teach believers. Do this while going, even if you’re going against your will! #FollowJesus