Topic: Take the Next Step of Faith [RICK WARREN Devotional 12 September   2023]

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Take the Next Step of Faith

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
FROM 50 DAYS OF FAITH

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”

10:52 (NASB)

I don’t know what step you need to take next, but I do know that you need to take it.

Your next step may be to accept Jesus Christ into your life or to be baptized. Maybe you need to join a church, show more gratitude, go on a mission trip, be generous with someone in need, take time to rest, or choose to rely on God instead of yourself.

I don’t know what your next step is, but I do know this: You have one. 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. And the only difference between a grave and a rut is the length. If you don’t move forward in faith, your heart will grow cold, and you grow more distant from God. He isn’t going to help you with steps two, three, four, or five until you take step one.

If you’re asking God to help you with something, he may be asking you, “Why haven’t you done what I’ve already told you to do?” You may have been planning to do something. Stop planning and just do it.

Bartimaeus was a blind man who called out to Jesus in faith, believing that Jesus could heal him. Before Bartimaeus met Jesus, he was sitting beside the road. After he received his sight from the Lord, he “began following Him on the road” (Mark 10:52 NASB). 

Which of those two phrases describes your life: sitting beside the road or following Jesus on the road? Which of those two lifestyles do you think is more fulfilling? Which do you think offers more joy, more meaning, and more 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. Faith is more than thinking, talking, or having convictions about Jesus. Faith is action. It is movement; it is activity. Faith is something you 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).  

Where do you get the faith to make a fresh start? There’s only one source: 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. To him, it was just another day. But God gave him an unexpected opportunity that offered him a fresh start.

God is giving you the same opportunity. Don’t delay. Take your next step of faith before the opportunity passes you by.

Talk It Over

• Are you sitting beside the road or following Jesus on the road today?
• What are you waiting on in order to take the next step of faith in your life? What excuse have you been using to procrastinate?
• What “next step” will you take today to move forward in faith and follow Jesus?

Take the Next Step of Salvation

Is the next step for you to accept Jesus into your life? No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family, ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to take the step of turning away from my sins and toward you.

Also Read: Open Heaven 12 September  2023 – THE WORKS OF GRACE VII

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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