Happy New Year!

Dear Family Shield Friend,

Happy New Year! We want to encourage Family Shield readers to consider some New Year resolutions that can help us grow spiritually. God's Word encourages us to grow and learn more about the Lord and His Word.

The following are some New Testament Bibles verses that talk about spiritual growth. But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 9:22). But, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (Hebrews 6:1). As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:13-15). For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10).

Here are some suggestions: 

1. Read a daily or weekly devotion. There are many available. Let us know if you would like suggestions.
2. Read a Chrisitan book. Check out the Family Shield "Recommended Books" here: All these books are from our radio/podcast guests. You can also check out FSM books and resources here
3. Read a chapter of a New Testament book each day for at least a month. Consider beginning with one of the gospels, Romans or 1 John.
4. Join a new Bible study at your congregation or in the community.
5. Listen to a Family Shield podcast each week. We can email you a document that has various categories or you can check out all our podcasts since 2017 here.
6. I also want to encourage you to watch a video on The Dual Nature of Christ.
7. Read: Equipping the Saints to Grow into Maturity.

Service Projects and Prayer
Maybe you're thinking, "I already do all these things." Good for you! Then consider doing a service project to help someone in need in your community or begin praying for someone who doesn't know Christ. If you don't know someone to pray for, we can send the name of someone to you. Contact us at witnesstofamily@gmail.com. We will email you a name to pray for.

Why pray? Because the Lord answers prayers. The following is a story from my book, Witnessing-A Lifestyle.

Sometimes prayer is the only way we can reach unchurched or fallen-away Christians. A Christian grandmother shared, "My son was raised in a Christian home, but now he never attends church. He seems angry at God and has no interest in God's Word. Worst of all, he doesn't allow our two grandchildren to attend Sunday school or church. It grieves Bill and me so! We try to witness to him, but when we talk to him about his relationship with the Lord, he just gets angry. What should we do?"

We prayed together for her son. I encouraged this friend of the ministry to not only ask, but to begin seeking and knocking on God's door for her son and grandchildren. Although she and her husband had been praying privately about this situation, they had not shared their concerns with other Christians. They are now requesting prayers for Bill, his wife, and their two children. Would you pray that God will bring someone into his life who will witness to him? And pray that he will allow his children to learn about Jesus.

An update since my book was written: Bill was invited to attend a church in his community by a friend he liked and trusted. He said "yes." This was an answer to our prayers. Today he is active in his congregation. His wife and children also attend with him. Remember God answers prayers!

Would you also pray for Family Shield Ministries as we equip and transform Christians to share their faith with family and friends in 2023? Thank you!

Blessings and Joy,