The most precious thing we can pass down to our children is our faith—the confident conviction that God is who He says He is and will do all He has promised. Timothy’s strong relationship with Christ didn’t materialize out of thin air; it grew because his mother and grandmother were godly examples.
Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation:
Teach practical biblical principles. Kids need to know God’s views on matters such as material wealth (Ps. 24:1), the way to meet needs (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6).
Model character through lifestyle. How we live—whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance—loudly communicates what we believe about our heavenly Father.
Serve God by serving others. Actions show our faith is real (James 2:26). If we want children not to develop a self-centered perspective, servanthood is key.
Intercede for them. Kids won’t forget hearing us pray regularly for them.
Communicate love to them. Young people need to know we love them the way that God loves us—unconditionally rather than based on what they do or don’t do. Spoken words of love breathe life into their heart. And as we affirm them for trusting God, they see that we value their spiritual growth.
As parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring our sons and daughters to follow Jesus Christ. But even people without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: Though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many. (See 1 Cor. 4:14-16.)
Dexter, Missouri - About 100 people gathered outside at Dexter City Administration Building for the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday, May 5, 2016.
Ken Biggs of First General Baptist Church called the group to order. The audience said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
David Fowler of Sadlers Chapel United Methodist Church played the guitar and led everyone with the singing of "America the Beautiful."
Prayer of Confession and Repentance was said by Mike Williams of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) .
Father David Donhogne of Sacred Heart Church said a prayer for Federal Officials.
Mike Kohlbaker of First Assembly of God led the prayer for State Officials.
Steven Tippen said a prayer for Local Officials.
Jeff Roth of Risen Church prayed for our Education System, which has especially hard this week with the loss of a middle school student.
Doug West from the First Church of Nazarene prayed for those who serve us and protect us, the Military Men and Women of the United States.
Justin Sponaugle from Faith Lutheran Church prayed for the Police Department and Fire Department and Lonnie Mittag from Friendship Baptist Church prayed for the Judicial System and Legislators.
David Fowler closed the National Day of Prayer with the singing of "Shout to the Lord".
When I talk about Christians serving the church with their God-given talents and gifts, people oftentimes think too small, perhaps picturing the choir singer or the Sunday school teacher. But if they themselves aren’t naturally adept at singing or teaching, they give up.
It’s time that we stop thinking in terms of a “Sunday only” establishment. The church is not simply a place or a time; it is a body of believers, each one uniquely gifted by God to guide, help, challenge, and support the rest. In fact, most service to the Lord doesn’t take place inside the church building. It happens out in the world, where we do all the things that Scripture commands.
The majority of believers aren’t in a position to influence a lot of people. When we act or speak, only those closest to us notice, but a chain reaction ripples outward to affect an entire community. Paul’s metaphor of body parts working together harmoniously is a helpful description of how one small action can have a widespread impact. Consider the way tensing your toes will keep your foot stable and thereby steady your whole body. In the same way, a gentle rebuke, a listening ear, or a loving deed benefits the church by strengthening one brother or sister, who then supports another.
We are on this earth to serve the kingdom of God and His church. And we do that by ministering to each other in small ways that steady the whole body as we give extra support to one member. In talking about such service, I challenge you to find a need that God can meet through you.
Do you realize that for believers, many types of needs should be met without going outside the church? We are meant to be a self-sustaining body. After several decades in ministry, I have seen only one way for the church to function as it should: Christians must commit to give of themselves on behalf of others.
For example, a man determines to pray and struggle alongside a hurting brother until a burdensome situation is resolved or peace returns. Or a woman makes herself available to answer a new Christian’s questions about the weekly sermon—the two ladies search the Bible and fill their minds with Scripture. And there are countless other ways to serve, such as driving an elderly member to the service, teaching a Sunday school class, or visiting a weary single mom and listening to her concerns.
Before you become overwhelmed by the variety of needs in your church, let me remind you that loving each other is meant to be a body-wide effort. One person cannot meet every need. But suppose you commit to serving a small group of folks whom God brings into your sphere of influence. If, in order to care for them, you surrender self-focused preferences about resources and time, the Lord will bless you with more joy and contentment than you’ve ever known.
To serve others before serving yourself is to practice authentic Christianity. I’m certain that if believers commit to meeting as many needs as the Lord brings to their attention, then a lethargic church can be transformed, becoming a true body of believers who function together for the glory of God.
A lot of negative emotions accompany hardship: frustration, despair, fear, and doubt. People ruled by these feelings will often make poor choices. This is why I recommend that you decide now to respond to troubled times the way the psalmist did: with a heart of praise. Even in the darkest hours, worshipping God fills the heart with joy and the mind with peace. A believer who is filled in this way can wisely keep a commitment to obey the Lord no matter what.
Worshipping the Lord enlarges our vision. By doing so, we begin to see how He is at work in the world, perhaps in ways and places we’ve never noticed before. More particularly, we see what God is doing in our situation and detect areas where He requires obedience from us.
Our human tendency is to plot a course through a situation toward the easiest solution. But believers who strike out on their own do not mature in their faith. Moreover, they miss out on the blessings of following the Lord’s plan. Stopping to praise can keep us from taking the easy way out and direct us to the right path—namely, the way of God’s will. Taking a step forward in faith can be frightening. However, we can confidently take a risk, knowing our omniscient, omnipotent God has His children’s best interest in mind (Isa. 64:4; Jer. 29:11).
It’s hard to despair while honoring the Lord for His love and strength. We can dispel doubt by recalling His past faithfulness to us—and ease frustration by committing our future plans to Him. Praise is not the obvious reaction to hardship, but it is the wisest response.
