The Daily Walk | 09.03.2026 | Pastor Mike Stevens | Matthew 28:18-20

Welcome to the Daily Walk.

This is Mike Stevens, and what a pivotal period we are in as we continue to gather in one service to hear about our mission, vision, and core values.

I am so thankful for the enthusiasm and energy that has been displayed each Sunday as we come together and hear Pastor Aaron lay out where we are going as a church.

I am sure that you have a clear understanding of our mission, which is the Great Commission as expressed by Jesus in Matthew 28, 18 through 20.

This is the heartbeat of our church, to go and make disciples of all nations.

And our vision is designed to help us stay on mission.

It is to magnify Christ and share the gospel in our homes, the Wimberley Valley, and beyond.

How do we magnify Christ?

Colossians 2.7 teaches us that we are to be rooted and built up in Christ.

And we do that when we implant God's Word into our heart and mind and we become transformed into the image of Christ.

Our identity is defined by our core values that are guided by the truth of God's Word.

They define our unique identity, guide decision making, and direct ministry actions.

The objective of these core values is to shape us, unite us, and prepare us as we magnify Christ and share the gospel.

This week we are focusing on our first set of core values, which is to glorify God.

Have you praised God this week?

Have you put your trust in Him?

Are you being obedient to His calling?

We glorify God when we stand on three pillars of faith.

First, trusting His Word.

God has given us His promises in the Bible.

Trusting means believing His truth is more real than our present circumstances, our feelings.

Second, worshiping in spirit and truth.

Worship is not just a song you sing on Sunday.

It is an attitude of praise that recognizes God's goodness even when we do not understand his timing.

And third, living surrendered lives.

True surrender means laying down our plans, our control, and our worries.

It is when we stop fighting for our own way and let God direct our steps.

We see these core values at work in the life of Abraham.

By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11, 8.

When we put our trust in his word with our worship and surrender all to him, we give God the ultimate glory.

Abraham did not know his final destination, but he knew the God who called him.

He accepted the call to go without hesitation.

He yielded because he knew God would guide him along the way.

I know surrender can feel uncomfortable because it requires letting go.

However, we are not surrendering to fate, we are surrendering to a loving Father.

When we lay down our life, we are free to pick up his peace.

Our surrender becomes our highest form of worship.

So let us be that church that glorifies God as we embrace the truth of his word, worship him in spirit and truth, and live a surrendered life, so that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, that we do it all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10 31.

Have a blessed and wonderful week, and may the peace of Christ rule richly in your heart.