Finding Clarity and Direction

Starting Point – March 22, 2026

The Starting Point

Today is Starting Point—we pause to help you find clarity and take your next step.

At TC we believe: Following Jesus, Sent On A Mission. Jesus wants you to have clarity. The enemy wants you stalled. My prayer is for your spirit to hear what God’s already saying.

INFORMATION: Making Room Creates Clarity

Ezra led 5,200 people on a 900-mile journey through hostile territory—no military escort. He needed a specific strategy.

Ezra 8:21-23 (NLT) – “And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, ‘Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.’ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”

1. Making Room Positions You to Hear God’s Strategy

  • Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”
  • You’re positioning yourself to hear the strategy for the plan He’s already given you

2. Making Room Reveals What You’re Actually Trusting

  • Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) – “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed”
  • He reveals where your faith needs to shift—that’s clarity, not condemnation

3. Making Room Produces Confident Obedience

  • James 1:5 (NLT) – “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking”
  • When you make room for God’s direction, you leave with confidence

INSPIRATION: God Guides Those Who Position Themselves

Psalm 32:8 (NLT) – “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'”

God’s not withholding direction—you’re just not positioned to hear it. You can’t hear God’s voice clearly in the noise. Ezra stopped everything because if we don’t make room to hear God clearly, we’ll make decisions based on what sounds good instead of what God is saying. Clarity comes from aligning with the Father’s heart. It’s the natural result of alignment.

MOTIVATION: Position Yourself to Hear Clearly

Obstacle 1: “I don’t have time to wait for clarity”

  • Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) – “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint”
  • Sometimes the most strategic thing is to slow down long enough to hear clearly

Obstacle 2: “I don’t know where I fit”

  • Acts 13:2-3 (NLT) – “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way”
  • The Lord has a special work for you

TRANSFORMATION: Find Your Starting Point

Here are your starting points—find yours:

  • Giving your heart to Jesus—accepting his free gift of salvation
  • Taking a bold step and being baptized
  • Make a decision to join TC as family
  • Join a small group to grow in your faith and in community
    • Daniel Hooper – mid week small group
    • Cheryl Steinhour – women’s discipleship
    • Katie Ciccone – Mom’s discipleship group
    • Giuseppe Ciccone – Men’s discipleship group
    • Mick McIntier – Men’s bible study
  • Take a step into leading or serving in some area at TC
  • Join in a mission and walk alongside others
    • Isaiah 117 – Katie Ciccone
    • Coach’s Place – Giuseppe Ciccone
    • Dyersburg House of Prayer – Andrea Gatti
    • The 118 Coffeehouse – Michael Woodfield
      • Participate by:
        • Inviting Young Adults 18-35
        • Volunteering 1 Tuesday or 1 Sunday Each Month
        • Praying For All YAs in Dyersburg
  • CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO SERVE @The 118 Coffeehouse

Action Steps:

  1. Identify Your Starting Point – Visit www.tc.church/start
  2. Fast & Pray for Clarity (Daily) – Pick one day this week and fast from something—use that time to pray for direction
  3. Act on What You Hear – When Holy Spirit gives you clarity, don’t wait. Take the first step

Kingdom Alignment starts the moment you say yes. Not next week. Today.

Following Jesus, Sent On A Mission
The Community