Week of April 19th, 2026
This week Pastor Matt continued in our series, "Loving Your Neighbor."
This week was entitled, "Faith Like A Breath Mint"
Below is a devotional guide for the week.
This week was entitled, "Faith Like A Breath Mint"
Below is a devotional guide for the week.
Day 1: The Natural Instinct to Share
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how naturally we share things we love? When we discover a great restaurant, we tell our friends. When we find a helpful app, we recommend it. This instinct to share good things is wired into us by God himself. Yet when it comes to the greatest gift we've ever received - our faith in Jesus Christ - we sometimes hesitate. We make excuses, overthink the moment, or let fear hold us back. But here's the beautiful truth: sharing our faith should feel as natural as offering a breath mint to a friend. When we truly understand what Christ has done for us, the joy and gratitude overflow naturally. The question isn't whether we have something worth sharing - we absolutely do. The question is whether we're allowing that natural instinct to flourish or letting doubt and fear suppress it. Today, consider the incredible gift you've received in Jesus. Let that reality refresh your perspective and ignite your natural desire to share this good news with others.
Bible Verse
Have you ever noticed how naturally we share things we love? When we discover a great restaurant, we tell our friends. When we find a helpful app, we recommend it. This instinct to share good things is wired into us by God himself. Yet when it comes to the greatest gift we've ever received - our faith in Jesus Christ - we sometimes hesitate. We make excuses, overthink the moment, or let fear hold us back. But here's the beautiful truth: sharing our faith should feel as natural as offering a breath mint to a friend. When we truly understand what Christ has done for us, the joy and gratitude overflow naturally. The question isn't whether we have something worth sharing - we absolutely do. The question is whether we're allowing that natural instinct to flourish or letting doubt and fear suppress it. Today, consider the incredible gift you've received in Jesus. Let that reality refresh your perspective and ignite your natural desire to share this good news with others.
Bible Verse
'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."' - Matthew 28:18-20
Reflection Question
What good things do you naturally share with others, and how can that same enthusiasm apply to sharing your faith?
Quote
What good things do you naturally share with others, and how can that same enthusiasm apply to sharing your faith?
Quote
When we have something that we know is good, we have a natural inclination to want to share.
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize the incredible gift I have in You. Give me the same natural enthusiasm for sharing my faith that I have for sharing other good things in my life.
Lord, help me recognize the incredible gift I have in You. Give me the same natural enthusiasm for sharing my faith that I have for sharing other good things in my life.
Day 2: Refreshing Your Faith
Devotional
We live in a world obsessed with refreshing. We refresh our phones, our social media feeds, our browsers - constantly seeking the latest updates. Yet how often do we refresh our faith? Many of us can go weeks, even months, without truly experiencing the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We attend church, go through the motions, but miss the life-giving renewal that comes from genuine connection with God. True spiritual refreshment isn't about checking a box or maintaining a routine. It's about experiencing the joy of salvation, feeling the presence of God, and allowing His love to fill us anew each day. When our faith feels stale or routine, it's often because we've stopped refreshing our hearts with God's goodness. Take time today to pause, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to refresh your spirit. Remember what Christ has done for you. Let that remembrance breathe new life into your faith and restore the joy that makes sharing Him feel natural and exciting.
Bible Verse
We live in a world obsessed with refreshing. We refresh our phones, our social media feeds, our browsers - constantly seeking the latest updates. Yet how often do we refresh our faith? Many of us can go weeks, even months, without truly experiencing the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We attend church, go through the motions, but miss the life-giving renewal that comes from genuine connection with God. True spiritual refreshment isn't about checking a box or maintaining a routine. It's about experiencing the joy of salvation, feeling the presence of God, and allowing His love to fill us anew each day. When our faith feels stale or routine, it's often because we've stopped refreshing our hearts with God's goodness. Take time today to pause, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to refresh your spirit. Remember what Christ has done for you. Let that remembrance breathe new life into your faith and restore the joy that makes sharing Him feel natural and exciting.
Bible Verse
'Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.' - Acts 3:1-2
Reflection Question
When was the last time you felt truly refreshed in your faith, and what steps can you take today to experience that renewal again?
Quote
When was the last time you felt truly refreshed in your faith, and what steps can you take today to experience that renewal again?
Quote
We live in a world where we refresh everything. We refresh our apps, we refresh our social media feeds. But we too often neglect to refresh our faith.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, refresh my heart and renew my joy in You. Help me experience Your presence in fresh ways that overflow into my daily life.
Holy Spirit, refresh my heart and renew my joy in You. Help me experience Your presence in fresh ways that overflow into my daily life.
Day 3: Breaking Out of Routine
Devotional
Peter and John were heading to the temple for their regular prayer time when they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. Hundreds of people passed by this beggar daily, but Peter and John did something different - they stopped. They broke out of their normal routine to help pull someone else out of his. Peter got uncomfortable so that a stranger could experience ultimate comfort. This is what authentic faith looks like in action. It's not just about maintaining our spiritual routines or staying comfortable in our Christian circles. It's about being willing to step outside our normal patterns when God places someone in our path who needs His love. Peter's faith had become so integrated into his life that sharing Christ was his everyday normal. He didn't overthink it or make excuses - he simply acted on what he knew to be true. Sometimes God calls us to break our routines, to get a little uncomfortable, so that others can experience the ultimate comfort found in Jesus Christ.
Bible Verse
Peter and John were heading to the temple for their regular prayer time when they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. Hundreds of people passed by this beggar daily, but Peter and John did something different - they stopped. They broke out of their normal routine to help pull someone else out of his. Peter got uncomfortable so that a stranger could experience ultimate comfort. This is what authentic faith looks like in action. It's not just about maintaining our spiritual routines or staying comfortable in our Christian circles. It's about being willing to step outside our normal patterns when God places someone in our path who needs His love. Peter's faith had become so integrated into his life that sharing Christ was his everyday normal. He didn't overthink it or make excuses - he simply acted on what he knew to be true. Sometimes God calls us to break our routines, to get a little uncomfortable, so that others can experience the ultimate comfort found in Jesus Christ.
Bible Verse
'When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.' - Acts 3:3-5
Reflection Question
What routines or comfort zones might God be calling you to step out of in order to reach someone who needs His love?
Quote
What routines or comfort zones might God be calling you to step out of in order to reach someone who needs His love?
Quote
Peter broke out of his normal routine to pull this man out of his. He got uncomfortable with him so that this stranger could experience ultimate comfort.
Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to break out of my comfortable routines when You place someone in my path who needs to experience Your love through me.
Lord, give me the courage to break out of my comfortable routines when You place someone in my path who needs to experience Your love through me.
Day 4: Sharing What You Have
Devotional
Peter's response to the beggar was both honest and powerful: "Silver and gold I do not have. But what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Walk." Peter didn't pretend to have what he didn't possess, but he freely gave what he did have - the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Many of us feel inadequate when it comes to sharing our faith. We think we need more knowledge, more experience, or more resources. But God doesn't call us to give what we don't have - He calls us to share what we do have. You may not have all the answers, but you have a testimony. You may not be a theologian, but you know what Christ has done in your life. You may not have material wealth, but you have spiritual riches that can transform lives. The key is being authentic about both our limitations and our gifts. When we share genuinely from what we've experienced with Christ, people are drawn to that authenticity. Your story, your faith, your love - these are powerful gifts that can change someone's eternity.
Bible Verse
Peter's response to the beggar was both honest and powerful: "Silver and gold I do not have. But what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Walk." Peter didn't pretend to have what he didn't possess, but he freely gave what he did have - the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Many of us feel inadequate when it comes to sharing our faith. We think we need more knowledge, more experience, or more resources. But God doesn't call us to give what we don't have - He calls us to share what we do have. You may not have all the answers, but you have a testimony. You may not be a theologian, but you know what Christ has done in your life. You may not have material wealth, but you have spiritual riches that can transform lives. The key is being authentic about both our limitations and our gifts. When we share genuinely from what we've experienced with Christ, people are drawn to that authenticity. Your story, your faith, your love - these are powerful gifts that can change someone's eternity.
Bible Verse
'Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."' - Acts 3:6
Reflection Question
What do you have in Christ that you can authentically share with others, even if you feel you lack other qualifications?
Quote
What do you have in Christ that you can authentically share with others, even if you feel you lack other qualifications?
Quote
Silver and gold I do not have. But what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Walk.
Prayer
God, help me see the value of what You've given me in Christ. Give me confidence to share authentically from my own experience with You.
God, help me see the value of what You've given me in Christ. Give me confidence to share authentically from my own experience with You.
Day 5: Go Make A Difference
Devotional
Around you every day are people like dry sponges - desperate for hope, love, and meaning. They may not look desperate on the outside, but inside they're thirsting for something real, something that can satisfy their deepest longings. You are an ambassador for Christ, called to be the Jesus that people get to experience on a regular basis. This isn't about having perfect theology or being a professional evangelist. It's about living authentically and sharing the hope you've found in Christ. When people see something different about you - a peace that doesn't make sense, a joy that persists through trials, a love that extends beyond your comfort zone - they notice. They want to know what makes you different. The remembrance of what Christ has done for us becomes our breath mint, refreshing when we speak it. There is someone in your path today who needs to see Jesus in you. You can't fix their problems, but you can point them to the One who can. Don't overthink it, don't wait for the perfect moment - just go, share your faith, and make a difference in someone's life.
Bible Verse
Around you every day are people like dry sponges - desperate for hope, love, and meaning. They may not look desperate on the outside, but inside they're thirsting for something real, something that can satisfy their deepest longings. You are an ambassador for Christ, called to be the Jesus that people get to experience on a regular basis. This isn't about having perfect theology or being a professional evangelist. It's about living authentically and sharing the hope you've found in Christ. When people see something different about you - a peace that doesn't make sense, a joy that persists through trials, a love that extends beyond your comfort zone - they notice. They want to know what makes you different. The remembrance of what Christ has done for us becomes our breath mint, refreshing when we speak it. There is someone in your path today who needs to see Jesus in you. You can't fix their problems, but you can point them to the One who can. Don't overthink it, don't wait for the perfect moment - just go, share your faith, and make a difference in someone's life.
Bible Verse
'Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.' - Acts 3:7-8
Reflection Question
Who in your life might be like a "dry sponge," desperately needing the hope and love that only Christ can provide?
Quote
Who in your life might be like a "dry sponge," desperately needing the hope and love that only Christ can provide?
Quote
There are people who are desperate, dry sponges, as I like to call them, that are so desperate for a drink.
Prayer
Father, open my eyes to see the people around me who need Your love. Give me boldness to step out and make a difference in someone's life today.
Father, open my eyes to see the people around me who need Your love. Give me boldness to step out and make a difference in someone's life today.