Galatians 5:16

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Galatians 5:16

Keep In Step

April 19, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Galatians 5:16

Every step we take requires us to make a decision. In the blink of an eye, our brain decides to continue walking and proceed down the same path we've been on, or we could decide to stop, turn around, turn right or left. But we cannot decide to go in two directions at the same time. We cannot turn left and right simultaneously. We have to choose which direction we will go. The actions in our lives reflect this same principle. We cannot walk by the Spirit and gratify the desires of the flesh at the same time. Either we are doing one or the other, but we cannot be walking in both directions. As long as we live in this world with sin present, we will continue to have up and down moments in our walk with Christ--times that we go the right direction, and times that we go astray. But how can we minimize the sin in our lives and stop gratifying the desires of the flesh? Keep in step with the Spirit! If we are walking in obedience to the Lord, we will deny the flesh. You cannot walk in both directions at the same time, so walk by the Spirit!

PASSAGE: Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

PAUSE: Our marching orders are clear. As Christ's followers, we are called to walk by the Spirit. Step by step, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to influence and empower our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The fruit (Galatians 5:22) of following in the Holy Spirit’s steps will be evident to all. Watch your step!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I rejoice in the Holy Spirit. Forgive for the times; I want to live life my way. Encourage me to keep in step with your Spirit today.

Proverbs 1:7

May 17, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Proverbs 1:7

PASSAGE: Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." PAUSE: The world is going to try and raise your child from a godless, secular worldview. They will try to provide answers to life's biggest questions, and they will try to tell them right from wrong without having a solid foundation to ground their morality. They will lean on whatever is culturally acceptable--whatever is right in their own eyes. Parents, we must show our children Jesus and then show them how Jesus changes everything! When we begin understand the character of God, we can begin to understand how he is good and loving, while at the same time, perfectly wise and just. This wisdom gives us a foundation to understand right from wrong. It gives us the moral framework to understand why instruction and proper obedience is a good thing. When we begin to see the world through the lenses of God's good and perfect character, we will no longer despise the correction we need from His wisdom and instruction, but instead, it will be life-giving! PRAYER: Lord, help me to live in AWE of You and to effectively pass this on to my children. Help me to raise them up with a God-saturated worldview, to see all of life through the reality of Your Presence and Your Purpose. Amen.

Proverbs 10:9

May 16, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Proverbs 10:9

PASSAGE: Proverbs 10:9 - "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." PAUSE: Establishing honesty in the character of your child is one of your most important jobs as a parent. It will save them from a life of trouble and prepare them to be a blessing to others. This is something I'm forever grateful that my parents instilled in me. Growing up, my brother and I would fight and argue as brothers do, but when one of us needed a straight answer from the other, we would ask "Do you promise?" This was the trump card, and we both knew it. We had an unbroken level of trust with each other, knowing that our promise meant truthfulness. No exceptions. This is the type of integrity and honesty we need to model for our children, grandchildren, and those we have an influence on. The impact of unwavering honesty will carry with them the rest of their lives. It may start as just a positive impact on a sibling relationship, but it will carry on to bring blessings in their lives and the lives of those they interact with. PRAYER: Lord, help me to model integrity to my children and then help me to help them become people of integrity. Amen.

Proverbs 22:15

May 15, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Proverbs 22:15

PASSAGE: Proverbs 22:15 - "Folly (lit. foolishness) is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline with drive it far from him." PAUSE: You do not have to teach your child to be sinful or foolish! They arrive with a selfish sinful nature that will be on display before you know it. The question is, what are you going to do about it? Now let me be clear as you consider this verse. I’m going to assume that all who read this have hearts full of love and kindness and goodness that they are ready to consistently pour into their children and grandchildren. Amen! But one key aspect of that love is the willingness to bring consistent discipline (correction) into their lives. To fail at this is to hate your children! (See Prov. 13:24). Foolish (selfish & unloving) behavior must be met with a corrective response that has teeth! The “rod” in Proverbs does not merely mean corporal punishment (spanking). It represents a corrective response from the one in authority. (That’s you parent). It should NEVER be done out of anger or in anger! (That leads to child abuse = EVIL). It is the parent, under self-control, bringing a corrective response to the child’s foolishness (lack of self-control) for the purpose teaching the child self-control. Which they will need, by the way, for the rest of their lives. PRAYER: Lord, help me to train foolish selfishness out of my child and wisdom and self-control into them. And help me to do it to myself first if I still need it. Amen.