Good morning to you! I hope you're doing well today! I really enjoyed studying with you the difference in the disciples as they were plunged into a new chapter in their ministry and relationship with Jesus.

Today, let's talk about [forward motion]... shall we?

The disciples did not know the time or dates on which things were to happen, nor were their actions allowed to determine a time line (Acts 1:7).

Yesterday we talked about the change in the disciples, and as I read through the beginning of Acts and your comments, I realized that there wasn't necessarily a radical moment in which the disciples were transformed, at all. There was most certainly a radical power from the Holy Spirit that entered them... but it was a power that they had to consciously decide to invest. They needed to leave that room, and follow their Savior.

And so do we.

We have the same Holy Spirit in our bodies. We serve the same Jesus who rose from the dead! We follow the same Savior who promises to lead and guide every step.

[So we need to move our feet.]

Over the last few weeks and throughout my time introducing and sharing The 5.2 Project, I've been struck at how often we hear the word of God, agree with the word of God, have emotional reactions to the word of God...... without every changing. I realized with sudden discomfort, the awesome sermons that I have heard over the years and thought of fondly that I have yet to apply to my life in real and tangible ways. That's not good.

Please read James 1:22.

As this study draws to a close in the next two weeks, I am increasingly burdened that we continue to follow. I pray that we'll have taken hold of the word of God, not of any study or opinion, but of our ability to follow the footsteps of Christ and lead others to Him... and be DIFFERENT. We can all... always take steps forward, and we must. We need to be resolved. When I refer to taking steps to follow Christ, I hope that we realize that one decision at a time we need to put one foot in front of the other and follow Christ.

Today I'm going to ask you to read through quite a portion of Scripture. As you do so, please notice that we are watching the disciples walk from one event to the next, and each event is incredible.

That must have been exhausting.

It must have been hard not to be so excited by the miracles.... to remember to focus on the Savior.

It must have been a lot of pressure to hear people calling out your name for healing.

It must have been unsettling to have your life threatened so often.

And it must have been wonderful.

It must have been amazing to KNOW that Jesus is willing to do miracles through you.

It must have been thrilling to realize that when you're willing to walk on the water, to face Jerusalem, to even suffer.... that AFTER that obedience... you would see miracles and victories that would turn the head of even the greatest scoffer.

It must have been overwhelming to see others realize their need for Jesus and begin to follow Him as well.

It must have been hard to miss seeing Jesus as they had seen Him before and to be so far out of their comfort zone... without physical refuge.

It must have been incredible to walk through such difficult circumstances and feel perfect peace, freedom, victory, and power in knowing that they were even still... walking right behind their Jesus, every step of the way.

You see... even if they were afraid to go forward, surely by now they knew to much to go back.

They knew that standing still would be crippling.

They knew that trying to walk on the water and look at anyone or anything besides Jesus... would sink them straight to the bottom of the lake.

Today please take a few minutes and read through Acts 2:42-5:42... (OH MY GOODNESS I wish we had more time to go through each passage!) and especially notice the last verse: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Day after day... house to house... they never stopped.

Not because they were stronger than us, not because they knew more of a plan than we do, not because they weren't tired.... but because they knew the Savior who was leading them... and they knew that they needed to follow.

And they were resolved.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.' Acts 4:13

If the crowds had noticed great things about Peter and John... they might have noticed less of Jesus.... and do you know what? People being noticed often provokes very little change in others. It was the power of Christ in Peter and John... the undeniable reality of a risen Savior that was allowed to pervade every thought, word, and deed by these friends... and the confidence of what they knew of Him that caused others to stop and take notice. It is Christ that changes the heart of men.

So lead them to Him. [Forward Action.]

There is always more of our Jesus to be seen. There is always more of His power to be known. There is always more of His extravagant love to be experienced. There is always more of His saving hand to correct, guide, and mold us out of the sin that holds us captive. So... move forward. One step at a time. Every day. [Starting... today.]

For Discussion: What happens within a persons mind and body when they add action to word? What happens among family and friends when they rally to move forward together? What does Jesus say about “two or three gathered...” Are there steps you have been taking forward that have led you further with Christ that you are willing to be a witness to with others?