🎯 Today’s Choice Determines Tomorrow’s Path (When God Whispers, But We Keep Walking…)

Welcome to This Week’s Mars Hill Anywhere Update!

Happy Tuesday Reader,

Have you ever felt that gentle nudge from God, pointing you in a direction different from your plans?

This week, we’re exploring something that touches our lives: the choice between following our path or trusting God’s guidance.

In my latest message, “When We Choose Not to See: God’s Path vs. Our Plans,” I explore why we sometimes miss the signs God provides in our lives.

Through compelling stories from the Bible, such as those of Samson and Jonah, I emphasize that while God’s path may be challenging at times, it ultimately leads us to where we need to be.

Think about it: How often have we faced crossroads where our plans pulled us one way while God quietly showed us another direction?

These moments aren’t just tests – they’re opportunities to grow closer to Him and discover His perfect timing in our lives.

This week, we invite you to join our community in reflecting on this important message. Whether you’re watching from home, on your lunch break, or during your evening quiet time, remember: you’re part of a family learning and growing together in faith.

🎯 This Week’s Focus:

• Recognizing God’s signs in our daily lives
• Understanding why His path is always the best choice
• Learning from biblical examples of choosing between our plans and God’s guidance.

Let’s walk this path together, supporting each other as we learn to see and follow God’s direction.

Daily Devotion: Opening Our Eyes to God’s Direction 👀

Seeing the Signs but Choosing to Ignore Them

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

• Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

A Moment of Truth

Have you ever driven past a “Road Closed” sign, thinking, “It probably isn’t that bad”? Sometimes, we do the same thing in life. We see God’s warning signs but keep going anyway, hoping everything will work out.

Learning from Bible Heroes

• Samson’s Story: He saw the warning signs with Delilah but ignored them because he thought he was strong enough.
• Jonah’s Journey: He tried to run from God’s plan and ended up in a whale! Taking the hard road sometimes teaches us why God’s way is better.

What This Means for Us Today

Think about areas where you might say, “I know, God, but…” Maybe it’s:

• A relationship that doesn’t feel right
• A decision you’re unsure about
• A path you’re taking even though your heart feels uneasy

Your Next Step

Take 5 minutes today to:

1. Sit quietly with God
2. Ask yourself: “What signs have I been ignoring?”
3. Write down any thoughts that come to mind
4. Pray for courage to follow God’s lead

Today’s Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You for caring enough to guide us, even when we’re stubborn. Give us brave hearts to see Your signs and follow Your path. Help us trust that Your way is always the best.

Amen 🙏

💭 Reflection Question of the Week:

“What gentle nudge from God have you felt lately?”

Share your thoughts in our online community group or reflect privately in your journal.

🎧 New on The Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast

Don’t miss this week’s episode: “Deep Dive: Why We Choose Not To See – Eyes Wide Shut.”

This powerful episode explores what happens when we recognize but ignore warning signs. Through the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, we examine how this plays out in our daily lives – from relationships to career decisions. Learn practical ways to align your choices with God’s guidance for a more fulfilling life.

​Listen now on your favorite platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and our website.

Perfect companion to this Sunday’s message!

Join Us This Week! 🗓️

Sunday Worship – November 3, 2024,

Two Ways to Connect:

🖥️ Online Service

• Time: 10:30 AM Central
• Platform: Mars Hill Anywhere (YouTube & Facebook Live)
• Perfect for our digital family joining from home

🏢 In-Person Gathering

• Time: 10:30 AM Central
• Location: 7941 47th St, McCook, IL 60525
• Join us for live worship and fellowship

Ways to Participate:

• Set a calendar reminder to join us online
• Share the service link with friends and family
• Connect with other members in the live chat
• Submit your prayer requests before the service
• Prepare your heart for worship with our weekly playlist

Quick Tips for the Best Online Experience:

• Log in a few minutes early to test your connection
• Have your Bible ready for note-taking
• Keep your device charged or plugged in
• Use headphones for better audio quality

Whether you join us online or in person, you’re essential to our Mars Hill family. We can’t wait to worship with you!

How to Support Mars Hill

Your support helps us spread hope and share God’s love with our community and beyond. Here are some ways you can get involved:

1. Give: Your financial gifts make a difference. You can give online through our secure website or use our mobile app.
2. Serve: We have many opportunities to serve, both in-person and virtually. Check out our website for current needs.
3. Pray: Please keep our church, leaders, and community in your prayers. Your prayers are powerful!
4. Invite: Do you know someone who might benefit from our message? Invite them to join us online or in person this Sunday.
5. Share: Help spread the word by sharing our social media posts or forwarding this email to a friend.

Your generosity keeps Mars Hill thriving and helps us reach more people with God’s love. If you feel led to contribute, here are some ways you can support our ministry:

1. ​Online Giving: Visit our website to set up one-time or recurring donations securely.
2. Text-to-Give: Text MHGIVE to 33777 and follow the prompts.
3. Sunday Offering: Drop your gift in the offering basket during our in-person services.
4. Mail: Send checks to:

Mars Hill Baptist Church
PO Box 6159
River Forest, IL 60305

Remember, every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Your support allows us to:

• Maintain our temporary church home
• Fund community outreach programs
• Provide resources for Life Groups
• Expand our online ministry
• Invest in equipment, tools, cameras, and software to grow our online campus.

We’re grateful for your partnership in spreading the Gospel and serving our community in person and online.

Please consider giving today and help us grow in faith and impact.

Thank You for Being Part of Mars Hill Anywhere

We are so blessed to have you in our Mars Hill Anywhere family! Whether you join us in person or connect online, your presence, prayers, and support strengthen this community. Together, we are building a place where everyone can grow in faith and experience God’s love, no matter where they are.

As we move forward, I encourage you to take action this week:

• Watch one of the powerful messages we’ve shared.
• Join us for our online stream on November 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM Central.
• Engage with our blog or podcast to dive deeper into what God speaks to us.
• ​Please support Mars Hill in any way you can, whether through giving, volunteering, or simply sharing our resources with someone who needs them.

Let’s continue to grow together in faith and love, supporting one another through every season. We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions, feedback, or prayer requests. Reply to this email or reach out directly—we’re here for you!

Have a blessed week, and we’ll see you soon.

See you Sunday!

Here to help you win,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰