This week’s devotions are based on Week 2: Grateful Hearts GROW Together (WATCH HERE)
Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
Have you ever stopped to think about how you came to know Jesus? Perhaps it was a parent who brought you to the waters of baptism, or read devotions to you at bedtime. Maybe you had a grandparent who faithfully took you to church, a Sunday school teacher who patiently taught you Bible stories, or a pastor who shared God’s Word at just the right time. For some of you it was a friend who invited you to church or someone who took the time to listen when life was difficult. However it happened, God used someone to plant the seeds of faith in your life.
Faith is a gift worth passing along. Every generation who has been touched by the power of the Gospel and the wonderful grace of God wants the next generation to know. How many generations have passed since Psalm 78 was written, I don’t know, but what I do know is that each generation took the time, invested the energy, and ensured the grace of God was communicated to the next generation.
What does your “faith family tree” look like? It may be your biological family tree, but it may be very different. The reality is God used people in your life to pass along the good news of what God has done for us. We tell them about Jesus, who came to rescue sinners, carried our guilt to the cross, and rose again so that we might have forgiveness and eternal life. Seeds were planted and faith grows where that good news is heard.
The people who planted Gospel seeds in your life maymay never know the full impact of their words, prayers, invitations, or encouragement. They probably didn’t see all the ways God would use their faithfulness. But God did. He used ordinary people and ordinary moments to bring his extraordinary promises into your life.
Now consider the people God has placed in your life. Children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and even people you haven’t met yet. What seeds are you planting? You don’t have to have all the answers or be an expert in Scripture. You simply have the privilege of sharing what God has done for you. A conversation, an invitation, a prayer, or a simple word of encouragement can become an opportunity for someone to hear about Jesus.
Collectively, the history of Crosspoint is filled with people who planted seeds before us. We give thanks for their faithfulness and trust that what they planted God would cause to grow. But we also recognize that the story isn’t finished. The same Gospel that brought us to faith is the Gospel we want future generations to hear. It’s why we exist: to bring the Gospel to the next generation.
May God use us to plant seeds for tomorrow!
Reflect: Who planted seeds of faith in your life, and how did God use that person to bring you closer to Jesus? Who has God placed in your life today with whom you could share the good news of Jesus?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the people you placed in my life who shared your Word, encouraged my faith, and helped me grow in your grace. Thank you especially for Jesus, whose death and resurrection have given me forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. Give me courage to speak, patience to encourage, and faithfulness to plant seeds of your Word. Bless the generations who will come after us, and use us to pass along the wonderful story of your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.