A New Legacy Starts Today

We are affected by the sins of our grandparents, parents, and our own lives, but Christ can turn any pain around for generations to come.

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
(Exodus 20:5–6)

My parents both came to Christ at the same youth event when they were just 18 years old. They each came from rough, broken backgrounds, but that night marked a turning point in their lives. Their decision to follow Jesus began a lifetime of ministry together that had a profound impact on how I was raised and the direction of my life today. It’s a powerful reminder that one moment of surrender can change the course of an entire family.

All of us are shaped positively or negatively by the choices and patterns of our past. Where you are right now is influenced by the decisions you’ve made and the environment you’ve come from. As Scripture shows us, your past may explain your struggle, but it does not have to determine your future. In Exodus 20, God warns his people that sin can carry through generations, but He also promises mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments. This means that a new direction is not only possible but available to anyone who turns to God.

It begins by repenting of your sin, turning away from it, and embracing God’s way for your life. The next step is to renounce old patterns in your life by boldly declaring, “This is no longer who I am.” Finally, we must choose to turn around and begin moving with purpose in a new direction. When you take bold steps of obedience, you do more than change your own story; you begin to shape a new legacy for those who follow you.

Whatever you’ve inherited—addiction, fear, dysfunction, or spiritual apathy—you don’t have to carry it forward. Through Christ, your weakness can become the strength of a new legacy.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You that my past doesn’t define my future. Help me to repent of anything in my life or family that has held me back from fully walking in Your ways. Give me the courage to break old patterns and start new ones through obedience to You. Use my life to create a legacy that points others to Jesus. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Listen to the sermon: Moving Beyond Your Past

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

Over the summer, nearly 450 youth and leaders gathered for our church’s New Life Youth Retreat—and what an incredible, Spirit-filled time it was. Through powerful worship, biblical teaching, deep community, and real encounters with God, students were challenged and changed. The theme of the retreat was “Wrestling with God”—a bold invitation for students to bring their honest questions, doubts, and struggles before the Lord with open hearts and hungry spirits.

As a pastor, I’ve seen firsthand that spiritual breakthrough like this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s fueled by prayer—your prayer. Even if you don’t know these students by name, would you join me in praying that the seeds planted at this retreat would take root in their hearts? That each one would walk away with a fresh awareness of God’s love and a deep desire to follow Him?

Thank you for standing with this generation. I truly believe God is stirring something powerful in their hearts—and your prayers are part of that story.