Journey 1
Daily Devotion
Dive Into Today's Devotion
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Where Do You Stand?
01/06/2025
Every journey begins with knowing where you are. Just as a GPS needs your current location before providing directions, understanding your spiritual position is crucial for growth. Some of us are taking our first steps toward faith, while others have walked with Christ for years. Regardless of where you are, God meets you there with perfect love and purpose. He doesn't expect you to be perfect; He simply invites you to take the next step with Him. Your current position isn't as important as your willingness to move forward in faith. Like Mary in the Gospel of Luke, we're each called to respond to God's invitation with trust and openness.
Bible Verse
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. - Luke 1:26-27
Quote of the day
If I can identify where I am, I can set the course and the road for the journey that's ahead.
Reflection Question
If you were to honestly assess your spiritual journey today, where would you say you stand in your relationship with Christ, and what might be your next step forward?
Aligning Our Will with God's
01/07/2025
Often, we approach God with our plans already made, asking Him to bless what we've decided. But true discipleship involves aligning our will with God's, not the other way around. This requires both humility and trust - humility to admit our ways might not be best, and trust that God's plans for us are good. When we surrender our will to His, we open ourselves to possibilities far greater than we could imagine. This surrender isn't a sign of weakness; it's a position of strength that acknowledges God's wisdom and love for us.
Bible Verse
Then Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:38
Quote of the day
My desire is that our will would align with God's will rather than seeking to bend God's will to align with ours.
Reflection Question
What areas of your life are you trying to bend God's will to match yours, rather than seeking to align your will with His?
The Power of Yes
01/08/2025
Every significant movement in God's kingdom began with someone saying 'yes' to His call. These weren't always grand gestures or dramatic moments - often they were simple acts of obedience that God used in remarkable ways. Your 'yes' matters more than you know. Whether it's serving in a ministry, sharing your faith with a neighbor, or joining a Bible study, each step of obedience builds God's kingdom. Don't underestimate how God can use your willingness to serve Him.
Bible Verse
Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.' - Matthew 28:18
Quote of the day
Never underestimate the value of your yes to the king and to the advancement of his kingdom.
Reflection Question
What is God asking you to say 'yes' to today, and what's holding you back from responding?
Growing Through Community
01/09/2025
Spiritual growth isn't meant to be a solo journey. God designed us to grow in community with others who can encourage, challenge, and support us. When we gather together to study His Word, pray, and serve, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work powerfully. Like kindling stacked together creates a stronger fire, our faith grows stronger when we join with others in pursuing Christ. This is why being part of a faith community is so vital to our spiritual development.
Bible Verse
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. - Matthew 28:19
Quote of the day
What we're trying to do as a church is something that's illustrated in this book. We're just trying to stack kindling around your heart, around the family's heart. We're trying to stack as much kindling as we can so when the Holy Spirit comes in and lights the flame, it's fully ablaze.
Reflection Question
How are you currently connected to Christian community, and what step could you take to deepen these relationships?
Taking the Next Step
01/10/2025
Growth in faith happens one step at a time. Each step forward, no matter how small it might seem, is significant in God's eyes. He doesn't expect us to have everything figured out or to take giant leaps of faith every day. Instead, He invites us to simply take the next step He's showing us. This might mean starting a daily prayer practice, joining a ministry team, or sharing your faith story with someone. The key is being willing to move when God prompts, trusting that He will guide and provide for each step of the journey.
Bible Verse
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:20
Quote of the day
You will never know what is possible in your life or in the life of the church until you take a next step.
Reflection Question
What is the next step God is showing you in your spiritual journey, and what's one practical way you can take that step this week?
Quote of the Day
If I can identify where I am, I can set the course and the road for the journey that's ahead.
The Sermon
Taking Your Next Step in Faith: A Guide to Spiritual Growth in 2025
The start of a new year brings opportunities for spiritual growth and renewed commitment to our faith journey. Understanding where we are in our walk with Christ is essential for determining our next steps forward.
Where Are You in Your Discipleship Journey?
There are two main categories of people when it comes to faith:
- Those in need of Christ (who haven't yet accepted Jesus as Savior)
- Those in Christ (believers at different stages of growth)
For those in Christ, there are three stages of discipleship:
- Initially in Christ - New believers or those not actively growing
- Intentionally growing in Christ - Taking deliberate steps to deepen faith
- Investing Christ in others - Discipling and mentoring others while continuing to grow
What Makes Spiritual Growth Possible?
Three key elements work together to enable spiritual growth:
- The Gospel - Understanding and sharing the good news of Jesus
- Practices - Regular habits like Bible reading, prayer, and worship
- Advancement - Taking action to serve others and spread God's kingdom
New Initiatives for 2025
Several focused initiatives are launching to help facilitate growth:
- Operation 469: Reaching every person in Mansfield with the gospel
- HEAR Nights: Monthly gatherings to study Scripture together
- Special Needs Ministry: Serving families affected by special needs
- Family Ministry: Resources and events to strengthen family discipleship
The Power of Saying Yes to God
Looking at Mary's response to Gabriel in Luke 1:38 - "I am the Lord's servant. May it be done to me according to your word" - we see a powerful example of surrendering to God's will. When we align our will with God's, seemingly impossible things become possible through His power.
Life Application
As you consider your spiritual journey in 2025, ask yourself:
- Where am I currently in my discipleship journey?
- What next step is God calling me to take?
- What areas of my life need to be surrendered more fully to God's will?
- How can I be more intentional about spiritual growth this year?
Challenge for the week: Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal your next step of faith. Then commit to taking that step, whether it's joining a Bible study, serving in ministry, or sharing your faith with others.
Remember: Nothing is impossible with God when we surrender to His will and take steps of obedience in faith.
