Steppin Out and Stepping Up

My cry is to change me from the inside out ...

Hebrews 6:1 says, Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...

I know the basics, the essentials, the importance of faith, that you are not saved by good deeds or works. I know the meaning of baptism and spiritual gifts. I know about the resurrection - the facts. Now it is time to move on, move forward.

My cry is to change me from the inside out ...

I am ready to take my elementary teachings and move forward fully for you Lord to fulfill your purpose.

Acts 2:42-47 describes our church (Gateway Church of Blue Springs) to a tee - it is what we strive for, work towards. Vs. 47 (b) says, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I am way to comfortable - it is time to be like Peter and get out of the boat - get out of my comfort zone - to keep my eyes on Jesus even during the uncomfortable situations - I need to stop running back to the boat and jumping in - I need to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

We studied Matthew 9:35-38 yesterday in Church.
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field".

Several things have stuck out to me - first we are to look like Jesus, act like Jesus - what was Jesus doing? He was teaching and preaching, He was full of compassion on the people. When I read sheep without a shepherd I had to do some digging. In Ezekiel 34 the leaders (shepherds) are criticized for taking care of themselves (they became to comfortable) and not the people (sheep). In vs 4 it says: You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. Further on in 34 it tells of Jesus the Messiah coming and taking care of his people.

Jesus tells us to feed His sheep. Don't become so comfortable in your walk in your relationship that you are not tending his sheep. Is their someone at your work that you could take to lunch and share your story with? Can you make a meal for a family? Get on your knees in prayer for someone? Give a mom and dad a date night by watching their kids? Sit with the elderly? My personal favorite give someone your shoes?

As it says in Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest...

As the Lord to show you who you need to speak to or to place people in your life who need him. Know that where God guides he provides.

As Scott Phillips said the worse thing someone could say is, "No".
But knowing that someone does not know Jesus and could be going to Hell if they don't come to know Him is worth stepping out of the boat - for the no you think you may get could turn into a yes - so plant seeds, water the fields - love on people and by all means get out of the boat and share what Jesus is doing and has done in your life with others.