Day One

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” - Psalm 102:18

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God’s Word and deeds outlast generations! We can see in Scripture and throughout history how His movements have transformed lives. Under Roman occupation, Christians resisted the norms of the day to help establish a better tomorrow for those yet to be born. These believers affirmed the equal value of every person, confronting common practices in Roman culture with the truth of God’s love. One generation fought for mutual fidelity in marriage and elevated the status of women. They organized care for the poor, widows, orphans, and the sick, creating a welfare network that impacted the entire empire. All of this contributed to Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire. God continued fulfilling His Word, and a people not yet born rose up to praise the Lord.

We see another transformation in America during the First and Second Great Awakenings when religious life, as well as social structures, political consciousness, and cultural identity were re-evaluated according to God’s Word and the nation was spiritually renewed. Nearly half of all colleges and universities founded before 1860 were established by Christians marked by revival and the love of Christ.  Many other positives changes have impacted our nation for centuries because of this spiritual shift.

Over the next 28 days, we will journey through the pages of Scripture to see how God has always worked in one generation, for His glory, to be made known in the next. God revealed Himself through the Tabernacle, the Temple, Jesus, our Messiah, the New Covenant, and now in what we are experiencing today—the Church age. In each movement, the heritage of faith has been passed from generation to generation. As a church body, we are preparing for what God wants to do next in the historic legacy of Champion Forest. We believe God is calling us to be a church “from Northwest Houston to the world,” and this will only happen as each of us moves forward in unity and joy. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.” Today we begin by preparing our hearts in prayer for what God desires to do in us and through us.

Ask God to prepare your heart and listen for ways He is leading you to advance His Kingdom through the Next Initiative.

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Thanks for being part of our NEXT Devotional journey. If this resource has encouraged you, help us share it. Others can join the journey by texting DEVO to 77069 to receive the daily devotionals throughout the month of February.

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