It was an exciting day at church today, the 6th anniversary of our church's first service, and we got to celebrate with people getting baptised, and those making a commitment to partnership with the church, to saying, "I belong here, and I'm going to do whatever I can to make this church the best it can be."
Pastor Kip's message today, from 1 Samuel 14, was about Jonathan and his armor-bearer trusting that God could help them defeat the Philistines and then going ahead and doing what was needed because it was right. Sometimes we need to step up and do what's in front of us rather than waiting for God to give a sign of what we're supposed to do. It certainly requires faith, but Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please God...." God is pleased when we do the right thing because it's the right thing, and to count on Him to step in as He sees fit, to work things out for His glory.
Speaking of stepping up, I spent the day yesterday at a video event for men at my church, entitled, "Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood". I learned a few things about myself, recognized some things that God has been showing me, and working on with me, and others where I need to improve. As we went through the workbook, we had to make our own Stepping Up Creed, based on what we personally learned in the different segments. What I ended up writing down was not what I expected for any of the portions, but when I looked at the finished product, it made sense. I'm not saying that these are the only things I need to work on, but for now these are some areas where I think God is asking me to step up to become a more godly man. With that in mind, here is what I wrote as my Stepping Up Creed:
I will be a man who takes on challenges courageously.
I will display courage by trusting God to provide and affirm my identity.
I will pursue godliness by practicing a disciplined life.
I will make a difference by sharing God's hope with people who are hurting.
I will step up and be the man God has called me to be.
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