The world is filled with things to be anxious and worried about. Is this just the way it goes? Or can something be different for God's children? Jesus commands us not to worry because the worries are not our Lord, he is! Jesus teaches us that we can live without anxiety because we're important to God and by seeking His kingdom first.

A key to spiritual maturity is to just stay faithful, trusting that over time even seemingly small changes make a big difference. As we seek God, gradual adjustments bring about powerful change and in the end we look more and more like Jesus Christ.

Matthew 14 records two amazing stories in the life of Jesus - the feeding of thousands and walking on the water. What do these two stories have in common? They teach us about Jesus and his relationship to his followers. In the big and small, the good and bad, Jesus is there.

Christian maturity is moving beyond what God gives you and what you can gain from God to an attitude of giving to God. It's time for us to level up beyond just the "minimum requirements" to a devotion and resolve that lives for God no matter what. Daniel 3 gives a great example of such maturity through the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

1 Samuel 14 tells the story of the power of a person stirred in their soul to live for God. Surrounded by their enemies, God's people were filled with fear and empty of hope. Yet the courage of one man changed everything. Jonathan made a decision to break free from the normal, status quo and go with God.

To know of the welfare of a village, African tribal warriors would ask "how are the children?" It is our responsibility to show and tell of the greatness of God to the next generation that is watching and listening. Each person in God's spiritual family has a part to play. Psalm 78 highlights 4 important steps in this process.

Have you ever felt numb, detached or "blah"? Do you wonder how you lost your fire or passion for God? Do troubles or worries about life keep you up at night? Psalm 77 models the prayer for these times and the remedy for the times of trouble - remembering the works of the LORD.

The condition of one's heart is going to directly affect one's life. Proverbs 4:20-27 calls us to guard our hearts with all diligence - giving heed to who we're with, where we go and what we do.

Proverbs 4 describes a father appealing to his son to hold fast to his instruction and not let go of the right ways of God. The father says that the righteous shine brighter and brighter as they walk on the LORD's path. With this in mind, we'll look at the life of King Asa, the great grandson of Solomon who sought the LORD as a young man, who trusted in the LORD in crisis and lived for Him when things were good, but who tragically slowly faded away from the LORD as his life went on.

Disciple isn't easy but it's important. God our Father repoves and corrects His children because He loves them. How will we respond to his correction? Turn our ears and hearts away or recognize that turning towards God's loving word, even when in reproof is where peace, holiness and righteousness are found.