As I read Mark 11: 22-24 the other morning (folks…Jesus said this…I am not commenting except to say that He is making some huge promises here!),

I really felt God telling me to challenge everyone at Dream City Church to STEP UP in such a way that it would make HUGE results for you throughout the rest of this year.

So, how can you and I Step Up? I think it could be different for all of us!

Over the next few days here on the blog, I'm going to post about three small ways I am challenging us all to STEP IT UP, so that we can make a BIG difference in our community and our lives. 

#1 - Get In The Room On Sundays.

Listen, I know it's been a BUSY summer! I get it, I really do!

One thing I always say is I'm NEVER going to complain when you miss a Sunday or two for vacation, BECAUSE I don't want you to complain when I do!

All of us need to take time to reset and rewind. Please take your vacation...

But THEN after vacation, it is important to GET THE FAMILY back into church on Sundays! 

FACT: We cannot do life alone, and WE NEED each other!

I absolutely believe this is true with 10,000% of my heart!

One way we can ALL step it up is by showing up (in the room) at Dream City Church service this Sunday, and making a commitment to SHOWING up every Sunday we possibly can!

Mark 3:13-14 tells us that Jesus called His disciples to be with Him before he ever started his earthly ministry...He called them to community FIRST before he sent them out to preach.

This highlights the importance of being in community and supporting one another in our faith journey.

Then again in Mark 6:7, Jesus sends out His disciples two by two, emphasizing the need for companionship and teamwork in ministry. 

Everything they did for Jesus, they did in community.

No one said, "I don't need anyone to go with me to be used by God. I can do it alone!"

NOPE, however this reminds me of when people say,

"I don't have to go to church to be a Christian."

The problem here is, number one, Jesus never taught this.

There are some who do teach this, and that’s a BIG problem because it's a false teaching.

There is NO SUCH thing as a lone-wolf when it comes to following Jesus.

The Bible IS clear that we should beware of these lone-wolves (SEE Matthew 7:15).

Also...it is NOT a coincidence that when wolves are hunting they isolate their prey first before their make their kill!

Watching online on our Facebook Live is great, but nothing can replace the importance of being plugged into the community, and showing up in the room. 

Sometimes you just need to show up because when we’re together, we discover the freedom that we can only find through community. 

Being in the room allows us to engage more deeply with one another, to support and encourage each other in ways that our digital connections can't fully replicate.

iPhone users do get close tho...

Sorry android users, y'all need Jesus :-) HAHA

It’s in the room where we experience the tangible presence of God, the power of collective worship, and the strength that comes from being part of a faith community.

Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

This verse underscores the importance of gathering together, encouraging one another, and being an active part of the body of Christ.

Would that be in the Bible if gathering together was not important?

One last thing...

Scripture also tells us that Jesus IS the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18-20; Ephesians 5:23-33).

Would Jesus be the Head of something that is unimportant?

Let’s commit to being in the room this Sunday and every Sunday we can. 

Let's STEP IT UP by SHOWING UP. Together, we can find strength, encouragement, and the freedom that comes from being part of a loving and supportive church family. 

See you at Dream City Church on Sundays!

See y'all tomorrow for PART-TWO of "What could you do to STEP-UP for God?" --PZ

TAP HERE TO Check out PART-TWO.