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The Power of 4

I referenced a research study in the sermon yesterday about the incredible change that happens in a persons life when they read their bible at least 4 times per week. There are some fascinting findings in this study! Here's one more snippet before you go Check it out HERE.

"Bible engagement also produces more peace and joy in a person’s life by reducing the frequency of various emotional struggles. Receiving, reflecting on, and responding to God’s Word four or more times a week decreases a person’s odds of struggling with these issues:

  • Feeling bitter -40%

  • Thinking destructively about self or others -32%

  • Feeling like they have to hide what they do or feel -32%

  • Having difficulty forgiving others -31%

  • Feeling discouraged – 31%

  • Experiencing loneliness – 30%

  • Overeating or mishandling food – 20%

  • Having difficulty forgiving oneself -26%

  • Thinking unkindly about others – 18%

  • Experiencing fear or anxiety -14%

1 Fear in Sharing our Faith & 1 Tool to Help

We are His Messengers. Many of us feel uneasy or afraid about sharing the good news with people. One of the fears most cited as a reason for not sharing our faith is not knowing what to say or saying the wrong thing.

Did you know that every Love Shelbyville day we have a group that teaches personal evangelism?

Maybe yesterday - or this week as someone prays for you - you were convincted that you need to share your faith. If fear creeps up at that thought, make it a priority to attend that group one Love Shelbyville day!

A video that has always reminded us of what it means to "Go be the church"

Since the beginning we've shown this video - and we still do in many of our membership classes! It came to mind several times as I studied and prepared last week. It's worth 2 minutes if you've never seen it!

The connection between honor & rest

It's President's Day! Can I be honest? It's one of those holidays that I always end up researching the history of because I don't remember the why.

It started as a day to honor our first president, George Washington.

In 1971, there was an act that moved a couple of holidays to Monday's to create the long weekends.

Today, it's largely viewed as a long weekend to rest, travel, etc.

It made me think about the connection between honor and rest. There's only 2 of the 10 commandments that don't begin with "Do not." One is honor your parents and the other is remember the Sabbath. Rest. Honor and rest.

When we honor someone it seems that rest is somewhere near by. By honoring others, we recognize that they've done something that allows us to "rest" as we remember what they've done.

Romans 12:10 encourages us to "Take the lead in honoring one another." 

What if the key to leading and living lives that are less hurried and more rested was to take seriously that command? To take the lead in honoring one another.

Be on the lookout for ways you can honor someone today.

Honoring those who serve INCREDIBLY faithfully

You might feel like we're constantly asking for people to serve in the various ministries of Christ Community - especially our children and student ministries! 

One, it takes a ton of people to lead those ministries intentionally.

But two, there are many of you who have and are serving incredibly faithfully in those ministries - including Jennifer Seaton who shared how God is using her to invest in young musicians in our community.

To Jennifer - and so many others who are being snotted on by toddlers, and punked by elementary kids, and laughed at by too-cool teenagers - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

You are the church. We all are. Together.