Next

We have arrived! Yesterday we enjoyed some DELICIOUS pizza and fireworks from downtown Wythville Virginia.  The kids (and big kid Mark) went swimming to burn off some energy too!  Sunday morning we talked about working together as one body and focused on scripture from 1 Corinthians 12:12-22.  We each wrote affirmations for each other on a paper to show the many different attributes in our group.  Working together doesn't require everyone to have the same skills, way of doing things, or the same mindset.  Not being able to do something that someone else is able to do doesn't mean you aren't as good as them.  Diversity with unity is possible, in fact - it's how the church was designed.    The turning point in the scripture is v. 18 - "But God..." after that phrase everything changes.  If we don't work together we are like a body with a broken arm or leg or head injury.

We found out that we will all be doing roofing this year. The total number of people here this week is much smaller than in years previous, we have 8 crews and 12 roofs to get done - but we will do it with teamwork and God's help!  Sarah is a construction captain/squad leader of crew Charlie and working with Rich, Kacey, and Clarissa.  Mark is the construction captain of Delta with Andrew and Colton.  Abby is the construction captain of Bravo with Isaiah, Autumn, and Catie.  It will be a hot, dirty, long, but rewarding week.

Tonight during service our speaker, Justin, introduced our theme of the week - NEXT.  What do you need to do to take the next step in your faith journey.  Many of us hesitate or don't take the next step because we fear the unknown.  What does the next step entail?  What do we have to do?  How will it affect us and those around us?  We are called to be willing to trust him.  Justin broke down the scripture in Luke 5:1-11:

v. 1 - Jesus was a teacher

v. 2-3 - during that time they fished at night, they were done and cleaning up.  Jesus stopped Simon while he was working.

v. 4 - Simon was asked to do what he had just finished doing after he spent all his time cleaning up.  Jesus was asking Simon do do what he had always done, but a little bit different.

v. 5 - "But because you say so..."

v. 6- "When they had done so..."  (not when they had thought so, or intended so).  Application is when God's word begins to make a difference.

v. 8 - Simon Peter realized who Jesus was and who he was as a person - a scary thing

v. 10 - "Don't be afraid..." Really?!?  This was the moment when Jesus called them to a purpose, to a future

God is calling us to a future and a purpose.  Are you willing to follow and trust him?  He has created you for a purpose.  Being willing to trust Jesus and follow Him is a decision you will never regret.  

In devotion we talked about a few ways we may be able to take some Next Steps this week:

-Apply what we learn this week to our non-believer friends when we get home.

-Get our crew involved and excited to be here

-Never regret any decisions of following Him or doing His work

-Getting out of our comfort zone

-Building relationships with our homeowners, crew, and you have group.

What next steps are you being called to take?