Every transition in life, whether marked by birthdays, anniversaries, or new seasons, is a reminder that we are not where we used to be—God has been at work, moving us forward even through battles, grief, and unexpected blessings. These milestones are not just about the passage of time but about the movement and transformation God brings, inviting us to reflect on His faithfulness and to look ahead with expectation. As we step into new seasons, we are called to celebrate what God has done and to ask Him what He wants to do in and through us next, trusting that He is not finished with us yet. [02:02]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Reflection: As you reflect on the past year, what is one specific way you have seen God move you forward—even if it was through a difficult or unexpected transition?
Standing at the edge of something new can feel daunting, especially when the way forward is uncharted and the challenges seem insurmountable. Like the Israelites at the Jordan River, we often face moments where the only way to move ahead is to trust God’s promises and step out in faith, even when we have never been this way before. These seasons test our faith and demand our obedience, calling us to believe God enough to take the next step, even if it feels impossible or unfamiliar. [07:40]
Joshua 3:1-4 (ESV)
Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life right now where you sense God calling you to step out in faith, even though the way forward feels unfamiliar or uncertain?
In times of transition, it is vital to fix our eyes on God’s presence, seeking His guidance above our own plans or understanding. The Israelites were instructed to move only when the ark of the covenant—the visible sign of God’s presence—moved, reminding them that their timing and direction were to be set by God, not themselves. This posture of waiting, reverence, and attentiveness ensures that we do not run ahead or lag behind, but instead walk in step with God, trusting that He alone knows the way we should go. [13:43]
Joshua 3:3-4 (ESV)
...“As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine this week to pause, seek God’s presence, and wait for His direction before making decisions?
Before God does something new and miraculous, He calls His people to consecrate themselves—to set themselves apart, purify their hearts, and align their lives with His will. This act of consecration is a deliberate choice to remove distractions, renew devotion, and prepare ourselves for what God wants to do, both individually and as a community. When we consecrate ourselves, we are saying “yes” to God’s purposes, making room for Him to move in powerful and tangible ways. [16:43]
Joshua 3:5 (ESV)
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Reflection: What is one distraction or habit you can set aside this week to more fully dedicate yourself to God and prepare your heart for what He wants to do?
God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. Setting aside intentional time for prayer and fasting is a way to draw near to God, purify our hearts, and create space for His presence to move in our lives and community. As we step into new seasons, let us pursue God passionately, believing that He desires to do amazing things—not just in theory, but in real and tangible ways—when we seek Him together with undivided hearts. [16:28]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Reflection: What specific step can you take this week to seek God more wholeheartedly—perhaps through joining a prayer gathering, fasting from something, or dedicating focused time to listen for His voice?
As we stand at the threshold of a new season, it’s important to pause and recognize the spiritual significance of transitions in our lives. Just as birthdays and anniversaries mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, so too do these moments remind us that we are not where we used to be. Each year, each milestone, is evidence of God’s faithfulness—of battles fought, prayers answered, and unexpected blessings received. Even when we don’t feel it, every transition is movement, a sign that God is still at work in us and through us.
This year, our church is not only celebrating another year of ministry, but we are also entering a season called “Restore,” as we prepare a new home for our community. This is more than a physical move; it’s a spiritual invitation to make room for God to move, to heal, to restore, and to awaken faith in our city and beyond. Our prayer is that this new space will be a place where heaven touches earth, where lives are transformed, and where the love of Christ radiates into every neighborhood.
Transitions, however, are never easy. They pull us from the comfort of the familiar into the uncertainty of the new. Like the Israelites standing at the edge of the Jordan River, we are called to trust God in uncharted territory. The path to God’s promises will test our faith and demand our obedience. The familiar gives us a sense of control, but God often calls us to step out, to follow His presence even when the way forward seems impossible.
The Israelites were instructed to keep their eyes on the Ark of the Covenant—the visible sign of God’s presence—and to move only when it moved. In the same way, we are called to pursue God’s presence through His Word, through worship, and through prayer and fasting. As we set aside this coming week for prayer and fasting, we consecrate ourselves, setting our hearts apart for God, preparing for the amazing things He desires to do among us. Consecration is an act of faith, a declaration that we are ready and willing for God to move.
Let us step into this new season with hearts aligned to God, seeking Him passionately, and trusting that He will lead us into His promises.
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Joshua 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp
3 and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.
4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV) — You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
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