"Every Journey begins with a STEP!"
I'd like to challenge you to GIVE GREATER through this 3-step devotional that further examines week four’s message! God has created each of us with a purpose, gifting us with time, talents, and treasures. These aren't just for our own benefit, but to serve others and glorify Him. Jesus set the ultimate example of servanthood, coming not to be served but to serve. As we mature in our faith, God calls us to shift from a mindset of being served to one of serving others. As you read through this devotional, prayerfully consider what areas in your life you can adopt a more Christ-like attitude of generosity.

Step 1: The Value of Time - Reading: Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:15-17
Our time on earth is limited and precious. The psalmist prayed for wisdom to number our days, recognizing the brevity of life. In a world full of distractions, it's easy to waste time on things that don't matter eternally. Have you ever considered the stewardship principle of “budgeting time?” Without budgeting, we will often “run out of time” when it comes to areas of spiritual/eternal value.

Today, evaluate how you're spending your time. What areas demand the most time and what areas are neglected the most? Ask God to help you prioritize your time, focusing on what's truly important in light of eternity. Consider creating a time budget, intentionally allocating time for spiritual growth, relationships, and service to others.

Step 2: Building God's Church - Reading: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Everyone is “gifted” at something, meaning you typically accomplish whatever that is fairly well. Some excel with mechanical matters, and some are technology driven. Some are business-minded, and some are great at hospitality. Some love to use their hands to build, while others use them to make music. The categories of “talents” are far too numerous to list. As believers, we're all part of the body of Christ, each with a unique role to play. God has gifted every Christian to contribute to the building up of His church.

Today, consider your place in the 5-Stone Community. Are you actively using your gifts to serve? If not, what's holding you back? Pray for God to reveal how you can get involved to help build His Church. Remember, the Church needs you – your participation matters! Ask God for the courage to step out in faith and serve, trusting that He will equip you for every good work.

Step 3: Generosity and Stewardship - Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Matthew 6:19-21
God loves a cheerful giver, and our generosity is a reflection of His character. But sadly, His Church is often in serious lack financially. There is a real need for better financial stewardship in the Body of Christ. Just like “time,” if we do not budget our “treasures” intentionally in a Godly manner, we will allocate/spend all we have, and neglect spiritual matters. Remember, Stewardship isn't just about money, but about recognizing that everything we have comes from God.

Today, reflect on your attitude towards giving. Do you give grudgingly or joyfully? How can you cultivate a more generous spirit? Remember, our treasure reveals where our heart truly lies. Ask God to help you hold loosely to material possessions and find joy in giving sacrificially to His work and to those in need.

"Every Journey begins with a STEP!"
I'd like to challenge you to STEP STRONGER into God’s Plan for your life through this 3-step devotional that further examines week three's message! I can promise you this, God’s plan is for you to experience Victory! I can also promise you, God’s very nature and His plans never forsake “Community.”

Step 1: The Power of Community - Reading: Acts 2:42-47
The early church exemplified the beauty of authentic community. They devoted themselves to fellowship, breaking bread together, and sharing everything they had. This wasn't just about socializing; it was about creating a space where God's presence could dwell powerfully among His people.

Reflect on your own involvement in your church community. Are you merely attending, or are you truly contributing and caring? Consider how you can take a step towards deeper engagement this week, whether it's through serving, encouraging others, or simply being more present. Remember, it's in community that we often experience God's anointing and blessing in profound ways.

Step 2: Embracing God's Anointing - Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
The concept of God's anointing can seem abstract, but it's a powerful reality for believers. It's not just for special people or specific roles; it's for every Christian. This anointing sets us apart for God's purposes and empowers us to live for Him in comm-unity.

Reflect on areas of your life where you need God's power and guidance. Are there situations where you've been relying on your own strength instead of God's anointing? Surrender these areas to God today, asking Him to fill you afresh with His Spirit. Connect Stronger with your church community and trust that under His anointing, you can face any challenge and fulfill His calling on your life.

Step 3: Finding Refreshment in God's Presence - Reading: Psalm 23
Life can leave us feeling dry and depleted, but God promises refreshment for our souls. Last Sunday’s sermon used the imagery of dew on Mount Hermon, bringing life to dry places. In the same way, God's presence in our lives brings renewal and vitality. Where do you need God's refreshing touch today? It might be in your relationships, your work, or your inner emotional life.

Spend some time in quiet reflection, allowing God's presence to wash over you. Remember that this refreshment often comes through community, so don't isolate yourself. Reach out to a fellow believer for prayer or encouragement. Trust that as you seek God's presence, He will bring new life to even the driest parts of your soul.

"Every Journey begins with a STEP!"
I'd like to challenge you to STEP UP your spiritual life through this 3-step devotional that further examines week two's message! Again, I make you this promise... TIME INVESTED in God's Word and prayer (conversation with God) will ALWAYS "unlock" a Spiritual Transformation!

Step 1: Growing in God's Presence - Reading: Psalm 1:1-3, Colossians 2:6-7
Just as trees grow continuously until they die, our spiritual lives should be in a constant state of growth. The Psalmist paints a beautiful picture of a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. This imagery reminds us that when we root ourselves deeply in God's word and presence, we flourish. Colossians echoes this, encouraging us to walk in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him.

Today, reflect on your spiritual roots. Are you planted firmly in God's truth? Are you drawing nourishment from His presence daily? Consider how you can deepen your roots through consistent Bible study, prayer, and worship. Remember, spiritual growth isn't about perfection, but about progress. Take a step today to grow closer to God, whether it's committing to daily Bible reading or setting aside intentional prayer time.

Step 2: Transformed by Renewing Your Mind - Reading: Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8
Transformation begins in the mind. As we learned from week two's sermon, our thought life matters immensely. Romans 12 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, not conforming to the patterns of this world. This transformation isn't just about positive thinking; it's about aligning our thoughts with God's truth.

Philippians 4:8 gives us a practical filter for our thoughts. Today, challenge yourself to be mindful of your thought patterns. When negative or worldly thoughts creep in, consciously redirect your mind to things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. Start by writing down one negative thought pattern you struggle with and counter it with a truth from Scripture. Let this be the beginning of a transformed mind that bears the fruit of Christlikeness in your life.

Step 3: Bearing Fruit Through Connection - Reading: John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus uses the powerful metaphor of a vine and branches to illustrate our need for constant connection with Him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, we cannot produce spiritual fruit apart from Christ. This fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – is the evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Today, examine your connection to the True Vine. Are there areas of your life where you're trying to produce fruit on your own strength? Surrender those areas to God. Spend time in prayer, visualizing yourself as a branch connected to Christ, drawing life and nourishment from Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life, and look for opportunities to express that fruit in your interactions with others today.

"Every Journey begins with a STEP!"

I'd like to challenge you to STEP DEEPER into week one's message by diving into to this 3-step devotional challenge! I make you this promise... TIME INVESTED in God's Word and prayer (conversation with God) will ALWAYS "unlock" a deeper relationship with Him!

Step 1: Worshiping Deeper Reading: Psalm 95:1-7 Devotional: Today's passage calls us to come before God with joyful songs, thanksgiving, and worship. Week one's sermon emphasized that worship is not just an event or a feeling, but a lifestyle and a response to God's goodness. As you read these verses, reflect on how you can deepen your worship. Are there areas of your life where you've been holding back from fully surrendering to God? Consider ways you can incorporate worship into your daily routine, not just on Sundays. Remember, true worship involves your heart, mind, and actions. Challenge yourself to express your gratitude to God throughout the day, acknowledging His presence in every aspect of your life.

Step 2: Embracing God's Presence Reading: Acts 2:42-47 Devotional: The early church, as described in Acts, was devoted to fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They experienced a deep sense of awe as they witnessed God's power. Week one's sermon highlighted how lives flourish in God's presence. As you read this passage, consider how you can create more space for God's presence in your life. Are you fully engaged in your 5-Stone community? How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence throughout your week? Reflect on ways you can foster a sense of awe and wonder at God's work in your life and in the lives of those around you. Remember, God desires to do miraculous things among His people when they are united in worship and devotion to Him.

Step 3: All-In Commitment Reading: Romans 12:1-2 Devotional: Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as our spiritual act of worship. Week one's sermon emphasized the importance of being "all in" rather than giving God just 99%. As you meditate on these verses, examine your level of commitment to God. Are there areas of your life you've been reluctant to surrender? Consider what it means to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. How can you align your thoughts and actions more closely with God's will? Challenge yourself to identify one area where you can demonstrate a more complete commitment to God today, remembering that true worship involves every aspect of your life.

HAPPY MIDWEEK!
I hope this "week one" follow-up content will help to rekindle Sunday's Sermon and possibly inspire you to dig a little deeper into what God wants to speak to you personally! Praying for you this week and looking forward to week two this coming Sunday!  
-Pastor Jeff

Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus intentionally chose a place of spiritual darkness (Caesarea Philippi) to reveal His identity and mission.
2. Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God was a pivotal moment in establishing the Church.
3. God still gives "revelations' to believers, just as He did to Peter.
4. Jesus gives believers the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven," representing authority and access.
5. The Church is built on the foundation of Faith in Christ and has POWER over the gates of hell.

Follow-Up Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus chose Caesarea Philippi, a place associated with pagan worship, to reveal His identity? What does this teach us about God's approach to darkness and evil?

2. Reflect on Peter's game-changing confession: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." What kind of powerful "faith confession" are you making with your life currently?

3. Sunday we mentioned that God still gives revelations to believers. Can you share a time when you felt God revealed something important to you? How did it affect your life or faith?

4. Pastor Cameron demonstrated the importance of having the right key. In what areas of your life do you feel like you're trying to use the wrong "keys"? How might a revelation of God's way change your approach?

5. With "keys" (authority & access) to the kingdom of heaven, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church. How does this truth encourage you in your personal struggles?

What Now?
1. Identify one area in your life where you've been struggling to make progress. Commit to praying for God's "revelation" on how to approach it differently this week.

2. Practice making a bold confession of faith like Peter's. Write down your own statement of who Jesus is to you and share it with a trusted friend.

3. Choose one "locked door" in your life (e.g., a relationship issue, personal growth area, or ministry opportunity). Spend time in prayer asking God to show you the right "key" to unlock it.

4. Reflect on ways you can be part of the Church's mission to advance against the gates of hell. Identify one specific action you can take this week to make a difference.

5. Closing Prayer: Pray to receive fresh revelations from God and to walk in the authority given by Christ. Ask for courage to use the keys of the kingdom effectively in daily life.

Tammy and I, our Family1.0, and the Leadership of 5-Stone Church would like to wish you a safe and Happy New Year! We are also praying, believing, and speaking over our entire 5-Stone Family2.0 to experience a next level Amos 9:13 favored season of “sowing and reaping” as we move forward in faith in 2025!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: We are SO EXCITED to offer TWO awesome opportunities to WORSHIP  GOD TOGETHER this Sunday! In addition to our first 5-Stone service of 2025 at 10am, we are also hitting the road after church and preparing to lead worship at the Amelia Church of God revival service this Sunday Evening at 7pm, with special guest speaker Travis Gore from our Virginia State Office! Come help us bless our sister church in Amelia by “sowing” our time and talents into this gathering, and believing together for God to give a spiritual harvest in people’s lives!

Again, Happy New Year! We love you!

5-Stone Family - By now everyone has seen the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The damage is absolutely incomprehensible and leaves many people wanting to help but not knowing how to begin. The blessing of having an ongoing partnership with an organization like God's Pit Crew means we have a clear path to helping in multiple ways.

First - I would like to challenge each household to participate in an offering tomorrow toward the ongoing relief God's Pit Crew is providing. Watch the video below to see how $35 could provide immediate help for a displaced family with a Blessing Bucket. *Additional giving options will be shared tomorrow.

Second - If you have interest in volunteering in-person to assist with relief efforts for Hurricane Helene victims, several Gods Pit Crew opportunities need your urgent help in the Southside VA and Piedmont-Triad NC regions.

• Help is needed in our Danville, VA, warehouse to intake and process donated items (Oct. 7 – Oct. 10).
• Help is needed at Tri-County Speedway (Oct. 12) and North Wilkesboro Speedway (Oct. 19) to collect donated supplies from race teams and fans.

Register for volunteer opportunities regarding our Disaster Relief efforts here: https://godspitcrew.org/events/

Finally - With devastation on this scale, sometimes it's too much to process emotionally and we can disconnect or de-humanize it. But I would like to call us to pray intentionally everyday for the victims, as if they were members of your own family. Sometimes prayer is under-rated, but the bible tells us to pray without ceasing. (1 Thes 5:16) Your prayers, combined with others in our church can literally pierce the darkness that hovers over these regions. If you can, take a minute right now and join me in prayer for the victims.

Stay tuned for more information about some tactical prayer opportunities that will be coming this month. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning!

-Pastor Jeff 

Important Family2.0 thoughts from a Pastor’s Heart...

1. I cannot say it enough, THANK YOU for making LOVE WEEK 2024 the best-ever! Lives were not only touched and changed immediately, but so many seeds were planted into the heart of our community, that I just know - more change is coming!

2. In the craziness of FAMILY SUNDAY, we simply forgot to Worship in GIVING! My apologies, but if you could take a moment right now to Worship in Giving using either the church app or website, I’d like to bring a couple things to your attention...

• Honoring God and generously supporting HIS church is fundamental in the faith. As PASTOR TOMMY shared yesterday, “You (the church) are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 5:14, 16) Your “tithe & general fund” giving literally gives light to our church... and it shows God our love and commitment toward ministry. He will always bless those who are generous to His cause.
• While LOVE WEEK 2024 was the best-ever, it did come at a cost. All our efforts last week totally depleted our Outreach Fund. It’s time to start rebuilding that fund now. In addition to your regular giving, I’d like to extend the invitation to give a special offering toward future outreach efforts by selecting the “outreach” option in the giving portal.
• Today is the LAST CHANCE to give and help us stay in a good place financially for September. From my heart, thank you for GIVING GREATER and making a difference!

3. Reminders – There are no Men’s or Women’s meetings this week. The next MAN-UP is scheduled for October 7th and the next REAL-TALK for women is scheduled for October 8th.

4. Union Student Ministries will be back in full-swing THIS WEDNESDAY on the church campus with doors opening at 6:15pm! (Praise Break – What a blessing to see Union Students worshipping with us on Sundays now AND getting baptized yesterday!) GOD IS GOOD!

5. See you this coming Sunday for an awesome Worship Experience with NEW MUSIC, NEW SERMON SERIES, & NEW KID’S THEME!!!

I pray you will join us tonight as we launch into our community to show the LOVE OF GOD through random acts of kindness! All ages are welcome to be apart of a Serve Team.
Schedule:
Gather in sanctuary at 6:15pm and divide into Serve Teams
Pray together at 6:30pm
Roll out at 6:40pm SHARP!