Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Additional Scripture References: Isaiah 43:1-2
It can be tempting to discount old in search of something new. We live in a world that doesn't value old. We constantly strive for new things. New job, new car, new relationship. By definition, new means unused. We constantly search for something new because we start to feel used. Just because we’re used doesn’t mean we’re not useful. Take the Bible for example — though it may not be new, it’s fresh. Though it may be old, it’s not stale. As we reflect on 8 years of VOUS, we might not be new anymore, but we are fresh. By the grace of God, we have been used in mighty ways. We are getting older, but we are not stale. God is doing a FRESH thing!
Let the Word become the lens that you experience life
Throughout our lives, we will experience breakdowns and breakthroughs. It’s easy to reminisce on the good old days when we’re feeling discouraged. When we feel like things aren’t going our way, we tend to forsake God’s plan for our preferences, leading us to miss what God wants to do in our present moment. The good news is that it’s never too late to look ahead, forgetting the former things and establishing in our mind, heart, and spirit that with God, the best is truly yet to come.
Perception is a game-changer. Shifting our mindset is one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal. We find whatever we focus on; if we look for problems, we find them. If we look for provision, we find it. Sometimes we simply need to open our eyes and acknowledge that the sovereign hand of God is moving in our midst. Our problems are a platform for him to perform miracles in the middle of our circumstances — we just need eyes to see our problems through his perspective.
As we look towards the future and shift our perspective, our eyes are opened to see everything God is doing. Instead of fearing the future, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is always doing a new thing — whether He’s working in our circumstances or reframing our perspective in the waiting, He is always moving.
This week, take time to reflect on Isaiah 43. Write down one area you are asking God to give you a fresh start in? Until the next Crew Week, journal and reflect on what God is showing you! Be prepared to come back and share.
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.
Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.
We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
This Sunday, September 28th, VOUS is celebrating its 10 year anniversary!! Anniversary Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness over the last 10 years of VOUS. Come and celebrate at any of our locations and services happening all day Sunday!
Step into the VOUS College experience for a day designed just for you. This is a moment for you to get a firsthand look at what it’s like to be a VOUS College student. Meet our staff, connect with current students, explore ministry tracks, and discover how VOUS College can be the place where you grow in your calling and step into your future.
To register for Preview Day, click here
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 12:00PM-3:00PM
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack