Taking Your Next Step

So the last couple weeks at house church we've been discussing our next steps as a church. We've been challenged to dream big and become prepared for our official launch of OneSpring Church.

We watched two sermons from Craig Groeschel discussing the book Nehemiah, taking steps and facing opposition and what to do with both of them. The exciting thing, personally for me, is that the past few weeks has challenged me with my personal walk with Christ. Figuring out what my next steps are and how I need to handle the opposition that comes along with it. In order to make an impact in our church, I need to be taking steps in my own time with Jesus. That means prayer, reading God's Word, applying God's Word and what He tells me I need to do, as well as, talking with people about the things going on in my life. Yes, I'm talking about an accountability partner.

It is ESSENTIAL to have someone to talk to who is a believer about the personal and difficult things in your life. And you need to be honest and open with them as well, we need help from other believers in order to grow in our faith and continue our walk with Christ. God calls us to have those close friends. (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 19:27)

Swallow this one...you can't follow Christ and continue to be complacent. What if we became so overwhelmed with God's love that we became desperate to know Christ more and more every day? What if we stopped worrying about impressing people, our own ridiculous reputation, and lets face it, our reputation can't stand up with Christ's, so give it up. We should be more concerned about repentance than reputation. Stop pleasing others and lets just do what God wants us to do.

So, what's your next step? Is it to find an accountability partner? Maybe pick up your Bible and dig into some Scripture? Don't forget you need to apply what you read as well. What is it that you need to do to build your relationship with Christ? I can't stress it enough that your own personal walk with Christ will affect everything you do and everyone you interact with. Get pumped about Jesus saving you!!!

The Barone Family

We had the privilege of having missionaries join us after our service for lunch. Daniele and Adriana Barone, along with sweet Federico, shared with us their heart for the country of Italy. They met at Word of Life in Argentina, and God has given them a heart for the country of Italy. God has ordered their steps to work with Word of Life in Italy. They have learned to follow God's leading and that God can work through anyone, anywhere.

Please pray with us for the Barone family, as they continue to raise support and for their ministry to reach the country of Italy for Christ.

Food and Fellowship

This past Sunday we took the opportunity to sit back and fellowship with each other. We chatted a bit about where we are going as a church and the possibility of finding a new location to meet--conversation is always good over lunch! We have welcomed some new friends to worship with us which is very exciting to meet and get to know others stories. We are looking forward to see where God is taking us!

Join us this Sunday as we start a new series called Upgrade. We will be talking about taking our walk with Christ to the next level! This is a must for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Jesus! Hope to see you there!

Focus

About a year ago, I was listening to Pastor Perry. As he spoke, he posed two questions: Are you tired of the program? Are you caught up in the process? Those questions really stuck with me then and even now.

Many times, we put the program and process of doing church ahead of Jesus. We start to think that it is the program and process that changes lives, and our focus turns to details. The only way for lives to truly be changed is for them to meet Jesus. If the process gets in the way of people meeting Jesus, then there is something wrong with the process. When people meet Jesus--that's when real life change happens.

So I ask you this question: What are you focused on--the program, the process or introducing people to Jesus.

Life is Short

I just wanted to share something that God has been stirring in me this week.

Life is short!

Psalm 39:4-5; James 4:14

You and I have one shot at it. What are you and I going to make of it. Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, likens our lives to being an extra in a movie and we get only 2/5 of a second on screen. Our way of thinking should not be, "God can you please help me with my messed up life," but rather, "God, what do you have for me today?"

Weekly Update

Hey there, just wanted to update everyone on what God has been doing here the past two weeks.

First off, the series we going through in 1 Samuel entitled, Make War, has been a real eye opener. You may have heard the story of David and Goliath before but not the way it is being presented by Pastor P. Week One--we were asked which mountain we are on. The one with the Israelites (children of God) or the one with the Philistines (enemies of God). In the end, you are either on one mountain or the other, there is no middle ground.

This week, we talked about snapshots of our past and how those are the giants we continually face in our lives until we totally surrender them to God. If we don’t, they will continue show their ugly heads and come between us and God. That one really

hit home for me.

Lastly, I am so amazed by the people God continues to bring across our path. It is truly amazing when you are totally open to whatever God has how He will bless beyond all understanding. That’s all for now see you next time.

God Bless,

Tom

Vision Sunday

If nobody is laughing at your vision, you are nor dreaming big enough! ~Steven Furtick

Join us this Sunday for our service at 11:00 and then stay for a pizza lunch as we share our vision for OneSpring! Come laugh with us as we dream together of what God wants to do in our community!