by George | Jul 16, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
Speak Life
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Psalms 43:5
Do you ever talk to yourself? I always heard “It’s ok to talk to yourself, but if you start answering yourself, you’re in trouble!”
I think we all talk to ourselves at times. This is also known as self-talk.
Healthline.com defines it this way:
“Self-talk is your internal dialogue. It’s influenced by your subconscious mind, and it reveals your thoughts, beliefs, questions, and ideas.”
The psalmist was talking to himself. He was asking himself why he was feeling down, feeling depressed.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?”
He felt miserable and was “disquieted” within. Clearly, he lacked peace in his soul.
Instead of staying there, wallowing in self-pity, he decides to trust God, to “place his hope in God.”
Then, he decides to speak positively, to praise God.
“…For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
When you feel down, you can either speak negatively, or you can speak positively, praising the Lord.
Like the psalmist, we have a choice.
Toby Mack, in the song “Speak Life” says:
“So speak life, speak life
To the deadest, darkest night
Speak life, speak life
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted
Watch ’em come alive as soon as you speak hope
You speak love, you speak
You speak life…”
Your words not only affect you, they affect others.
So “speak life” to all you come in contact with.
Praise the Lord!!!
by George | Jul 14, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
Running With Purpose
“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Many years, and many pounds ago, I ran cross country in high school.
My first coach was Mr. Johnson. He was a good coach, very knowledgeable, and fair.
One of the duties of a coach is to try and correct flaws in an athlete’s performance. I had a flaw that I wasn’t aware of. As I ran, my arms were spread out. In other words, they were not in alignment, closer to my body. This caused wasted energy that could have been used to help me move forward.
One day at practice, he gave me his stopwatch, which had a long cord. The idea was to hold on to the cord with both hands while running, thus keeping the arms closer to the body.
I remember feeling quite embarrassed and even crying. But, I never forgot that lesson, which helped me to run more efficiently and more disciplined.
Paul uses the analogy of a runner in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.
Paul says “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim. I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
He ran with a purpose. He ran a disciplined race.
What is your purpose or aim as you run the race today? What is the “why” in what you do?
Perhaps like me, your arms are not in alignment, and you are wasting energy on things that keep you from running efficiently or disciplined.
Run with purpose, run with discipline, asking God to help you move forward towards the finish line.
by George | Jul 13, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
July Community Church Ministry Newsletter
“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Have you noticed all the “Help Wanted” signs all over town? It seems that most businesses are struggling to find enough help.
I hope you haven’t experienced the same thing at your church, or your job.
Community Church Ministry is staffed by a small group of volunteers.
We are having a busy July as we are doing a basic school supply giveaway with our dinners.
There have been a few times recently when we felt a little short handed, but God always supplies.
Christ encourages us to “… pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.”
So, let’s agree in prayer for the Lord to provide workers!
Additionally, please pray with us about these things too:
Please help us pray about several things:
- Good weather and receptive audiences at our community events.
- Funds to pay for the hoodies which we are giving away in December.
- Churches, groups and individuals to catch the vision of reaching their neighborhood. Our desire is to expand into many other communities.
May God bless you richly!–
Blessings!Pastor George Nix
