Back to the Basics of Faith: Rediscovering Joy in Your Walk with Jesus

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”

Acts 2:42-43

Dear Friends

If you know Jesus, do you remember how you felt when you first met Him? Maybe you felt relief that your sins were forgiven or joy that you now belonged to the family of God. Most likely, you were all in – excited about the new life you found in Christ. But how are you doing now?

Just like all new things, excitement can fade as life becomes busy or difficult. Even as believers, our initial joy can become clouded by misunderstandings, disappointments, or wrong expectations. God never promised an easy life. In fact, our spiritual enemy would love nothing more than to distract us and steal our joy.

When we begin to feel calloused, confused, or complacent in our relationship with the Lord, it’s time to reevaluate. It’s time to go back to the basics of faith.

The Devotion of the Early Church

These foundational basics were the heartbeat of the new believers who responded to Peter’s powerful sermon at Pentecost. Their lives changed dramatically, and they began to live differently.

First, they devoted themselves to learning the truth. God opened the minds of the apostles – those who had lived with Jesus and witnessed His miraculous life, death, and resurrection – to understand the Scriptures. And they faithfully taught these life-changing truths to the rest of the believers.

A Community That Reflected God’s Love

Second, the believers reveled in their new spiritual family. They formed a community of loving brothers and sisters who genuinely cared for one another. They spent time together, shared meals, and stepped in whenever there was a need. Many even sold personal belongings and pooled their resources so that no one lacked anything.

They met regularly to worship the Lord and obey His command to remember His death and resurrection through communion – the breaking of bread. They devoted themselves to prayer and were filled with awe at the wonders God performed through the apostles.

A Joy Others Couldn’t Ignore

What a joy-filled, vibrant community this was! They ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Their attitude overflowed to those around them as they praised God and enjoyed deep fellowship. The atmosphere was electric. Those who witnessed their love and heard their message wanted to be part of it, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

My Own Early Joy in Christ

I remember a time in my life when I felt this same joy in belonging to God’s family. I can still picture myself standing on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Grand Place in Kearny, NJ. As a twelve-year-old crossing guard waiting for younger children to cross the street, I thought about Jesus. I had accepted Him as my Savior at a young age, but now as a sixth grader I understood more. I knew I wanted to serve Him, and I felt like I could burst with the privilege and joy of that calling.

But then life got hard. Seventh grade in a new school was lonely, and I faced some health-related struggles. Yet in the middle of it all, I continually went back to the basics of faith. Those practices kept my joy alive as God met me again and again with grace and strength.

Back to the Basics of Faith

As the years pass, each of us must continually return to the practices of those early believers. These simple rhythms keep us grounded and rejoicing in the Lord.

• Saturate yourself with truth through Bible study.
• Find a group of like-minded believers and cultivate meaningful relationships.
• Regularly celebrate communion together to remember Jesus’ incredible sacrifice.
• Devote yourself to prayer, receiving the mercy and grace needed for each day.

How did you feel when you first met Jesus – and how do you feel now? Make it a practice to go back to the basics of faith. No matter what life brings, don’t let the enemy steal the joy of your salvation. That joy is what draws others to Jesus and fills your life with meaning. 

Love,

Mama

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