Faith is More Than Believing: Take the Next Step
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.” (Mark 10:52 NASB)
I don’t know your next step, but I do know that you need to take it. For some, the next step is to accept Jesus Christ into your life. For others, it may be baptism or joining a church. Perhaps you need to get into a small group, tithe, find a ministry, go on a mission trip, or invite a friend to church. No matter where you are on your faith journey, you do have a next step. God will never be finished taking you deeper in faith. There is always a next step.
If you don’t take the next step, you’re going to get stuck in a rut. Without moving forward in faith, you'll die. Your heart will grow cold, and you will feel distant from God. He isn’t going to help you with step three, four, and five until you take step one. Maybe you've been aiming to do something. Stop aiming and pull the trigger; take that step.
Before Bartimaeus met Jesus, he was sitting beside the road. After receiving his sight from the Lord, he “began following Jesus on the road,” (Mark 10:52b NASB). Which of these describes your life: sitting beside the road or following Jesus on the road? Which lifestyle do you think is more fulfilling, offering more joy, meaning, and satisfaction? Which one do you want to represent your life?
There’s only one way to follow Jesus on the road: Take the next step.
Faith is more than believing or thinking, more than talking or having convictions about Jesus. Faith is movement; it is something you actively do. In fact, the Bible says in James 2:14, “If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing,” (NCV).
There’s only one source for faith that allows you a fresh start: Jesus Christ.
“Everything that we have — right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start — comes from God by way of Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 1:30 MSG). Bartimaeus had no idea that Jesus Christ was going to pass his way that day, but God gave him an unexpected opportunity that offered him a fresh start. God is giving you the same opportunity. Take your next step of faith before the opportunity passes you by.
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What are you waiting on in order to take the next step of faith in your life? What’s your excuse for procrastinating?
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What “next step” will you take today to move forward in faith?
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"Next Steps" in our faith journey.
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NEXT STEPS
BAPTISM STORIES
Olivia has been asking a lot of questions about what it means to follow Jesus. This past summer while at Camp she made the decision to follow Jesus.
Gracie and June are best friends. They both said "yes" to Jesus at Sports Camp and wanted to be baptized together.
Kathy first exchanged her life for Jesus' life when she was 24 but never took the "next step" with water baptism. Recently she felt God telling her she needed to go public with her faith. She couldn't resist Him anymore.
Parker and Sophie both said "yes" to being on Jesus' team at Sports Camp.