take the next step

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

This Sunday at The Community Fellowship we will experience one of the greatest things that a church family will experience. We will have baptism. As we have prepared for this Sunday I have talked to several people and heard their stories. They are awesome.

Some of these people have only followed Jesus for a short time. Others have been a Christian for a long time. Each of their experiences are unique. Some have seen many miracles and even led others to know God. What I know for sure is that each one is excited about their faith. Each person is excited to take part in baptism. I pray that as they take the next step that those who look on will be encouraged to do the same.

What is the next step in your life? Maybe God is calling you to start a new church in another city. It could be that God is calling your family to go to the mission field on another continent. Maybe God is pressing you to take the next step of beginning spiritual steps every day like reading the Scripture. Prayer is an important part of every God followers life. One of the step God called me to this year is to take the next step making my prayer life stronger, longer and deeper.

The verse above puts it very simple for us. We must be willing to take the step. It is much like the step of being baptized. It could be that you have been saved and never baptized. God may be leading you to take the next step of following Him through being baptized. It is an important step.

Are you willing to take the next step? It could be one of many different steps. Be ready and take it.

1 Peter 2:21 NLT

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Philippians 2:12 NLT

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

Proverbs 20:7 NLT

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

What is the next step that God is leading you to take?

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

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"Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson (a review)

Hitting the book shelves of the bookstores and the market place on the Internet is Mark Batterson's book Wild Goose Chase . This is an awesome book to follow In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day , Mark's first book. You can follow Wild Goose Chase and also see Mark's "10 Steps to Setting Life Goals" at www.chasethegoose.com . BOOK REVIEW (of sorts) I really enjoy Mark Batterson's style and find him easy to read and understand. At the same time I find myself challenged as a Christ follower and as a church leader. The reader is reminded that life is intended, from God, to be an adventure and not boring. Mark talks about six cages that hold Christians back from being who God intends for us to be. They are: the cage of responsibility , the cage of routine , the cage of assumptions , the cage of guilt , the cage of failure , and the cage of fear . Each one opens up some pretty deep questions for ...

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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