Scriptures: Matthew 3:3, 1 Chronicles 16:8, Psalms 108:3-4, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8

Telling the Truth 

“In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’” 

Matthew 3:3b (CEV) 

Every day we face a war on truth in our culture. Everyone makes up their own rules. Many believe that each person has their own truth. 

But that’s not what God says. With God, there is one truth—his truth, as recorded in the Bible. During Bible times, God sent a man to proclaim the truth and tell people to get right before Jesus came. His name was John. 

You could say John was a peculiar guy—living alone in the desert, wearing camel’s hair clothing, eating bugs and honey. But people saw he was a prophet, and they paid attention. John boldly called people to repent—to turn away from sin and rebellious attitudes, to straighten up their lives. To show their change of heart, John would baptize them in the Jordan River—earning him the name “John the Baptist.”

John’s entire life was dedicated to proclaiming God’s truth. He was bold about it, and ultimately, he died for it. He called out even the most powerful people on their sin. 

While God might not be asking us to live in the wild in isolation, he is calling us to be different. We need to speak his truth with our words … and live out his truth through our actions. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

What might these words from today’s key verse mean for your life? What is God asking you to do? 

• desert 
• someone 
• shouting 
• road 
• ready 
• Lord 
• straight path 

INSPIRATION 

“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” 

—D. T. Niles, Ceylonese pastor and evangelist in the 1900s 

Scriptures: Acts 17:22, Acts 17:27-28, Psalms 19:1, Acts 14:17, Romans 1:20, Ephesians 3:7-9

I Am a Messenger 

So Paul stood up in front of the council and said: People of Athens, I see that you are very religious… God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn’t far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. “We are his children,” just as some of your poets have said. 

Acts 17:22, 27-28 (CEV) 

The epitome of art, intellect, science, culture—the city of Athens, Greece, was the glistening jewel city of the time. Leaders of the world bustled through the city streets, passing sculptures and architecture admired for centuries. People gathered to hear deep ideas that influence our society even now. 

God sent a Christian named Paul into all of this. Having been persecuted and on the run for his life, he probably wasn’t very impressive looking. As a stranger from far away, he probably wasn’t very impressive sounding either. Still, he shared God’s message with others. “I see you worship an unknown god,” he said. “I’m here to tell you about the one true God—the creator of all” (paraphrased). 

Some people ignored Paul. Some mocked him and laughed at him. But some listened… and came to faith in Jesus Christ. This made Paul’s mission to that city worth it. 

How about you? Have you stood up to tell others the good news of Jesus’ love and grace? Are you afraid they might ignore you, mock you, or laugh at you? Some might. But your words are planting seeds in their hearts that can grow over time. And if even one listens and comes to faith in Jesus, your mission is worth it. 

Will you be bold like Paul? Ask God for bravery to tell others about him! 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

In today’s world, it’s hard to be different. But God calls us to be different and stand up for the truth. How can you start sharing about your faith with others? Brainstorm some ideas. Ask other Christians in your life for ideas, too. And then pray for boldness to follow through! 

INSPIRATION 

“Believing in God is as much like falling in love as it is making a decision. Love is both something that happens to you and something you decide upon.” 

—Donald Miller, American author of Blue Like Jazz 

Scriptures: John 4:14, Psalms 51:1-2, Isaiah 43:25, John 3:17, Romans 6:1-2

Forgiveness in a Cancel Culture 

“But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give will become in that person a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.” 

John 4:14 (CEV) 

She was cut off. Alone. She’d only go out to the community water well when no one else would be there. She had made bad choices in her life, and they shunned her for it. 

Been there? Have you been or felt “cancelled” by people because of something you did? We all need mercy sometimes. Gut-wrenching forgiveness. And we often forget others need it, too. 

In this Bible story, Jesus chose the right time to be at the well so he could talk to this woman. She started arguing with him immediately, wondering why he would even bother. But he patiently broke down all her walls. And he offered her a new life. 

In this new life, he could forgive her. His granting of grace could make her innocent before God so she could live eternally with him. It could also give her life back in the here and now. Encountering Jesus and his love could free her from isolation and release her from the grip of sin. She could have hope for a better future—eternal life with God. And she shared the chance for a new life with others. Many of the people who heard her testimony believed in Jesus. 

That’s the forgiveness we desperately need. People might cancel us. But Jesus offers life to all who truly repent. He can give eternal life, and he can turn things around for us today. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

In what ways do your peers judge each other? Is it fair? How can Jesus’ perspective change the cancel culture? Look back through your social media feed to find judgmental statements. Make up a comment that Jesus might reply. 

INSPIRATION 

“When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons.” 

—John Newton, English slave trader who became an abolitionist and a pastor in the 1700s, writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace” 

Scriptures: Acts 7:55-56, Psalms 23:4, Psalms 31:14-15, Romans 14:7-8, Philippians 1:20-21

Fearless Faith 

But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side. Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!” 

Acts 7:55–56 (CEV) 

Stephen stood out in the early church. He had been assigned to care for the widows. God was using him to tell people about Jesus and perform miracles. And when people argued with him, God gave him the wisdom to win every discussion. 

So, his enemies hauled him into court. Stephen was able to deliver a long speech in his defense. He showed how the Jewish Scriptures pointed to Jesus. Listening, the religious authorities got more and more upset. At the end of his speech, God gave Stephen a gift: he was allowed to see into Heaven, and he saw Jesus standing next to God. Excitedly, he shouted for everyone to look and see it, too. That was it. The whole court rushed him outside and killed him by throwing rocks at him. 

Stephen was unconcerned about what happened to him. Why? If he lived, he would find joy in serving God. If he died, he would be with Jesus Christ. This hope made him fearless. It didn’t matter what people did: he would keep serving Jesus. So even as he died, Stephen called out to his Lord, and he asked Jesus to forgive his murderers. 

Stephen was faithful to God and gave forgiveness to others, even when facing injustice. He stood strong and obedient to the end. Isn’t that amazing? God can give you that fearless faith, too! Ask him to give you unshakeable faith today! 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. We will have no room for the Spirit if we are full of selfish desires, busy agendas, or the world’s thoughts and priorities. How can you push back some of this world’s influence today and tune in to the Spirit? 

INSPIRATION 

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” 

—Jim Elliot, missionary in the 1900s who was killed for his faith in Jesus