It Is Your Time To Step Up

God is calling each of us to step up in faith, embrace our purpose, and take action in His kingdom. While stepping up isn't easy and often comes with trials, God specializes in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.

What Does It Mean to Step Up in Faith?

Stepping up requires:

• Complete commitment and surrender to God
• Embracing your unique calling
• Unity with other believers
• Courage to face challenges
• Trust in God's power rather than your own
• Pushing through difficult circumstances

How Does God Use Ordinary People?
Throughout Scripture, particularly in the Book of Judges, we see God raising up ordinary men and women for extraordinary purposes. These leaders weren't perfect - many had weaknesses and doubts. But their stories remind us that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

What Happens When We Step Up?

When we step up in faith:

• God provides the strength and ability we need
• Our simple acts of obedience can have significant impact
• We grow stronger through trials
• God uses us despite our limitations
• We become part of His greater purpose

Why Do We Need to Step Up Now?
We're living in critical times that require faithful leadership:

• There's spiritual and moral decline in society
• People need to see examples of faithful service
• God is looking for those willing to be used
• The needs are great but workers are few
• Every contribution matters, whether large or small

Life Application
This week, consider:

• What areas is God calling you to step up in?
• What cycles or patterns in your life need to be broken?
• How can you use your ordinary gifts to serve God's extraordinary purposes?
• Are you waiting for someone else to do what God has called you to do?

• Take action by:
  Identifying one way you can serve others this week
• Stepping out in faith despite feeling inadequate
• Encouraging others who are stepping up
• Remaining faithful in both small and large tasks

Remember: God doesn't need you to be perfect - He just needs you to be willing. When you step up in faith, He will provide everything you need to fulfill His calling on your life.

It is your time to step up
God calls ordinary people to step up in faith and embrace extraordinary purposes despite their limitations or doubts. This divine invitation requires complete commitment, courage to face challenges and trust in God's power rather than our own abilities. In critical times of spiritual and moral decline, faithful leadership and service become essential. Through stepping up in faith, God provides the necessary strength, uses our simple acts of obedience for significant impact, and incorporates us into His greater purpose.

Day 1: The Power of Simple Beginnings
Devotional
Have you ever felt too ordinary or unqualified to make a difference? You're in good company. Throughout history, God has consistently chosen to work through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. He doesn't require us to have impressive credentials or remarkable talents. Instead, He looks for willing hearts ready to trust Him. What matters most isn't our initial capability, but our availability to be used by Him. When we surrender our limitations to God, He transforms them into opportunities for His power to shine through.
Bible Verse
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets." - Hebrews 11:32
Reflection Question
What simple abilities or resources has God given you that you might be overlooking as potential tools for His kingdom?
Quote
God specializes in using simple. The preacher said yesterday, God took unformed clay and made you and I. It had no form, it had no reference, it had no life in it. It was just simply dust. And Bible says God bent down and he made man out of the dust of the ground.
Prayer
Lord, help me see that my ordinary life can be extraordinary in Your hands. Give me the courage to offer whatever I have to You, trusting that You can use it for Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Prompts:
1. Reverence – Lord, You are the God who brings greatness out of small beginnings. I worship You for using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things (1 Corinthians 1:27).
2. Response – Father, I surrender my doubts and limitations to You. Help me to see the potential in what You have given me and trust in Your power.
3. Requests – Equip me, Lord, to use the simple abilities and resources I have for Your kingdom. Open my eyes to opportunities to serve.
4. Readiness – Strengthen my faith so I can step forward in confidence, knowing that You are working through my life.


Day 2: Embracing the Call
Devotional
God's kingdom operates differently from the world's systems. While the world often demands impressive resumes and extensive experience, God simply looks for willing hearts. He's not searching for perfect people, but for those ready to say 'yes' to His calling. When He calls us to step up, He's already factored in our weaknesses and limitations. Our role is simply to trust and obey, allowing Him to work through us in ways we never thought possible.
Bible Verse
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word." - John 17:20
Reflection Question
What fears or perceived inadequacies have been holding you back from stepping into God's calling for your life?
Quote
Many had weaknesses and doubts, but their stories remind us that God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the call.
Prayer
Father, give me the courage to say 'yes' to Your calling, even when I feel inadequate. Help me trust that You will equip me for whatever You've called me to do. Amen.
Prayer Prompts:
1. Reverence – Lord, I praise You for calling imperfect people to fulfill Your perfect plan. Thank You for choosing me despite my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).
2. Response – Help me, Father, to say ‘yes’ to Your calling without hesitation. Remove any fear that holds me back from obedience.
3. Requests – Grant me wisdom and boldness to embrace the opportunities You place before me, even when I feel unqualified.
4. Readiness – Prepare my heart to walk in faith and obedience, knowing that You will equip me for every good work (Ephesians 2:10).


Day 3: Leading Through Trials
Devotional
Leadership isn't about having everything figured out; it's about being willing to face challenges head-on with God's help. True leadership often emerges in the midst of difficulties, when others might be tempted to step back. These moments of trial aren't obstacles to our calling - they're often the very means God uses to develop our character and strengthen our dependence on Him. Remember, every great leader in Scripture faced significant challenges, but these challenges became platforms for God's power to be displayed.
Bible Verse
"I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." - John 17:15
Reflection Question
How have past challenges in your life prepared you for current or future leadership opportunities?
Quote
Leaders are not born. Leaders are made. Situations make you a leader.
Prayer
Lord, help me embrace the challenges that come with stepping up to serve You. Transform my trials into testimonies of Your faithfulness. Amen.
Prayer Prompts:
1. Reverence – Lord, You are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). I trust in Your guidance through every trial.
2. Response – Help me to see challenges as opportunities to grow and serve You faithfully. Strengthen my character through adversity.
3. Requests – Lord, give me wisdom, patience, and endurance as I lead. Help me to rely on Your power and not my own understanding.
4. Readiness – Make me resilient in my faith so that I can stand firm and be a light to others even in difficult times.


Day 4: The Power of Obedience
Devotional
Sometimes we wait for perfect conditions or complete clarity before stepping out in faith. However, God often reveals His plan one step at a time, requiring our obedience before showing us the next step. What matters isn't the size of our role but our faithfulness in fulfilling it. Every act of obedience, no matter how small it might seem, carries significant weight in God's kingdom. He can take our simple acts of obedience and multiply their impact beyond our imagination.
Bible Verse
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - John 17:17
Reflection Question
What step of obedience might God be asking you to take today, even if you can't see the entire path ahead?
Quote
Whether our role seems minor or major, our obedience to God is what matters.
Prayer
Dear God, give me the courage to take steps of obedience, even when I can't see the full picture. Help me trust Your leading one step at a time. Amen.
Prayer Prompts:
1. Reverence – Father, You are the sovereign Lord whose ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9). I honor Your wisdom and trust in Your leading.
2. Response – Forgive me when I hesitate to obey. Help me to trust You completely and follow Your will without reservation.
3. Requests – Strengthen my faith so that I can step out in obedience, even when I do not see the full picture.
4. Readiness – Prepare my heart to listen and respond quickly to Your voice, knowing that every act of obedience brings glory to You.


Day 5: Sharing Your Story
Devotional
Every believer has a unique story of God's work in their life. These stories, when shared, become powerful testimonies that can encourage others and glorify God. You don't need to have a dramatic testimony or be an eloquent speaker to make an impact. Sometimes the most powerful influence comes through simply sharing how God has worked in your ordinary life. Your story matters because it's a testament to God's faithfulness and can help others see His work in their own lives.
Bible Verse
"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." - John 17:18
Reflection Question
How has God worked in your life in ways that might encourage others if you shared your story?
Quote
You might not be a teacher, but you can add some commentary to the process. You can share your story.
Prayer
Father, give me opportunities and courage to share my story with others. Use my experiences to encourage others and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Prayer Prompts:
1. Reverence – Lord, You have been faithful in my life, and I give You praise for every testimony of Your goodness (Psalm 71:15-16).
2. Response – Give me boldness to share my testimony with others, trusting that my story can encourage and lead people to You.
3. Requests – Open doors for me to speak about Your faithfulness. Give me wisdom to share in a way that points others to Christ.
4. Readiness – Prepare my heart to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within me (1 Peter 3:15).

Summary
This sermon focuses on the theme 'It's Your Time to Step Up' and draws primarily from the Book of Judges. The pastor emphasizes that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, even when they feel unqualified. He explains that stepping up isn't easy and requires courage, obedience, and trust in God rather than our own strength. The message encourages believers that God doesn't call the qualified, but rather qualifies those He calls.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss and reflect on Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to be receptive to Your calling and give us the courage to step up when You call us. Guide our discussion and help us to apply these truths to our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What was the last time someone asked you to help with something, and what was your immediate reaction?
Key Verses
Judges 2:16
Hebrews 11:32
Matthew 11:29-30
Philippians 4:13

Questions
1. What does it mean to you personally to 'step up' in your faith?
2. What fears or doubts hold you back from stepping up when God calls?
3. How has God used ordinary circumstances in your life to do extraordinary things?
4. What cycles in your life do you feel need to be broken?
5. How do you distinguish between God's calling and your own desires?
6. What role does community play in helping us step up in faith?
7. How can we maintain our commitment to serve even when we don't feel like it?
8. What practical steps can you take this week to step up in your area of calling?

Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life or church where you've been hesitant to step up and take action. Make a commitment to take one specific step forward in that area, even if it feels small or insignificant. Remember that God doesn't require perfection, just willingness.
Key Takeaways
1. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things
2. Stepping up requires courage, obedience, and trust in God
3. God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called
4. Your role may seem minor, but your obedience to God is what matters
5. Breaking negative cycles requires stepping up in faith

Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing us through Your Word that You can use anyone who is willing to step up in faith. Give us the courage to say yes when You call, even when we feel inadequate. Help us to trust not in our own strength but in Your power working through us. Guide us as we step out in faith this week, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.