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🔮 THE BREAKDOWN of You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far 🔄 🎙️

🔮 THE BREAKDOWN of You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far 🔄 🎙️

by | Jan 2, 2024 | Mars Hill Baptist Church

Introducing The BREAKDOWN
Message Rewind

The Breakdown of
You Didn’t Come This Far
To Only Come This Far

Happy Tuesday Reader,

🛡️Welcome to The Breakdown of You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far.

🎉 Dive into the magic of “The Breakdown | Sermon Rewind” with me! 🚀📖

Have you ever had that Sunday sermon touch your soul, only to feel its essence fade away by mid-week? 🌅 We’re about to change that!

Introducing… 🥁 The Breakdown | Sermon Rewind! It is a unique way to keep the Sunday spirit alive and kicking all week. 🌟

Imagine this: That powerful sermon? It’s now your daily compass, guiding you through life’s highs and lows. 🧭✨

🎥 Watch the Replay of You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far (Check out the clever fix of my frozen screen)

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Sermon Overview

I am excited to recap last Sunday’s sermon.

In my sermon “You Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far,” I discuss the idea that we, as a congregation, should always aspire to progress further in our spiritual journey and not settle for our present state. I use the metaphor of packing for a trip to elucidate my point, encouraging us to ditch unnecessary burdens such as past regrets, anxieties, and bad habits.

These burdens, I suggest, weigh us down and hinder our progression. Quoting Isaiah 43:18-19, I underscore the importance of transformation and embracing change, saying that it’s time to focus on the blessings God has in store for the future.

I further draw from scripture to drive my point home, quoting Hebrews 12:1. I explain that past burdens can obstruct the path toward a fruitful future, stressing the need to let go. I also suggest that we metaphorically pack purpose, patience, courage, kindness, and hope in our suitcases for the journey into the new year.

I conclude with Romans 8:18, asserting that present sufferings will be overshadowed by future glory. I thus encourage us to keep moving forward with faith and anticipation, reminding everyone of the potential we hold for a year of transformation, growth, and blessings.

Key takeaways (with YouTube Time Stamps)

  1. Transformation in Christ involves a conscious decision to let go of past burdens and sins, creating space for new growth. This decision is a pivotal moment that allows us to hear God’s voice more clearly and align our lives with His purpose. It is a process of shedding the old and embracing the new, which requires both faith and action from believers. [19:01]​
  2. The qualities we choose to “pack” in our spiritual journey—purpose, patience, courage, kindness, and hope—are essential markers of a life led by the Holy Spirit. These are not mere attributes but are the very essence of our walk with Christ, guiding us towards the glory that awaits us. Each step taken in faith is a step closer to becoming the person God intends us to be. [37:03]​
  3. The concept of a new beginning is likened to a blank canvas provided by God, where forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead is crucial. Purpose is defined as aligning daily actions with God’s grand narrative in our lives, and patience is seen as active trust in God’s timing and plan. This perspective encourages believers to trust in God’s sovereignty over time and in their lives. [30:54]​
  4. The power of the word of the Lord is a source of inspiration and guidance. While the pastor can provide information, explanation, and education, the responsibility for inspiration and implementation rests with the individual. This emphasizes the personal role each believer has in finding inspiration and taking action based on the teachings they receive. [03:30]​
  5. Letting go of worry, anxiety, disappointment, regret, and bad habits is likened to clearing the fog that obscures our path. These negative elements act as chains that weigh us down, and breaking free from them is necessary to move forward and reach our full potential. This act of liberation allows us to embrace the extraordinary opportunities that God has in store for us in the new year. [23:46]​

Daily Devotional

Day 1: Shed the Old, Embrace the Echo of God’s Voice!

Letting go of past burdens is essential for spiritual renewal and growth. Deciding to shed the old self enables clearer communication with God and alignment with His divine purpose. This transformative moment is an act of faith leading to a fresh start in Christ.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT) – “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Reflection: What past burden or sin are you clinging to that’s obstructing your spiritual growth? How can you actively release it today?

Day 2: Pack Your Spirit with Purpose and Patience!

The spiritual journey involves adopting qualities like purpose, patience, courage, kindness, and hope. These aren’t merely virtues but the core of a life led by the Holy Spirit, indicating alignment with God’s will and progression toward the promised glory.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) – “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… Forgive one another if you are holding a grudge against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Reflection: Which spiritual quality do you feel you’re lacking? What’s one practical step you can take today to cultivate it in your life?

Day 3: Your Life, God’s Canvas—Trust the Divine Brushstrokes!

A fresh start with God resembles a blank canvas. Forgetting the past and focusing on the future is crucial. Daily actions aligned with God’s narrative and trust in His timing and plan embody purpose and patience, helping believers rely on God’s sovereignty over their lives.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Reflection: How can you more closely align your daily actions with God’s purpose for you? What can you do today to trust His timing actively?

Day 4: Be a Doer, Not Just a Dreamer, in the Word’s Walk!

The word of the Lord offers inspiration and guidance. Individuals are responsible for seeking inspiration and applying the Lord’s teachings. This personal commitment is vital in the faith journey, entailing both the reception and implementation of divine guidance.

James 1:22-25 (NLT) – “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves… if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to implement the Lord’s teachings in your life?

Day 5: Break the Chains, Claim Your God-Given Gains!

Releasing worry, anxiety, disappointment, regret, and bad habits is crucial for progress and realizing our full potential. These negative aspects are shackles, and breaking free enables us to embrace the exceptional opportunities God has set for us.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) – “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Reflection: Which negative aspect in your life is a chain holding you back? What steps can you initiate today to start breaking free from it?

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[FIRST NAME GOES HERE], You Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far

[FIRST NAME GOES HERE], You Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far

by | Jan 1, 2024 | Mars Hill Baptist Church

Happy New Year Reader,

I trust your new year is off to a fulfilling start.

As we enter 2024 with dreams and goals before us, I’m pondering one question:

How can we ensure this year holds genuine growth and momentum rather than just more busyness?

Part of the answer lies in evaluating what we need to leave behind from 2023 before rushing ahead.

Every disappointment last year added extra weight to the backpack we’re carrying into the future. Every worry built a fog that obscures where God is leading.

But here’s the exciting part: Scripture promises God is doing something new! He specializes in giving fresh starts and transformation.

So, how do we position ourselves to receive that?

I just published a new blog post exploring this topic that I think you’ll find helpful and hopeful. Click here to read the full post and find out:

  • What specific weights should you consider dropping
  • Five essentials to Carry with you for a Transformative Year
  • How embracing the journey itself positions you for blessings

I hope this post sparks some “aha” moments and renews your expectations for all God has in store in 2024. Because, friend, you didn’t come this far to stay where you are!

Here’s to your success,

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
​See All of my Links @ Linktree​

You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far

You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far

by | Jan 1, 2024 | Encouragement, Goals

Once, a traveler decided to pack for every possibility on their first trip abroad. They started with essentials but soon added items for unforeseen circumstances.

As they journeyed, the burden of their heavy luggage became apparent, hindering their movement and enjoyment. Eventually, they realized that by trying to prepare for everything, they were actually enjoying less.

The lesson was clear: simplicity often leads to a richer experience.

As we transition into today's blog post, let's consider how this applies to our lives. Much like the traveler, we often encumber ourselves with worries and material burdens. This story isn't just about travel; it's a metaphor for life, urging us to focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest. 

As we stand at the beginning of 2024, it’s time for transformation. Last year likely held disappointments and setbacks, but you didn’t come this far to only come this far. 

The question is, are you ready to step into it?

 Last year likely held disappointments and setbacks, but you didn’t come this far to only come this far.

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Taking Stock: What to Leave Behind from 2023

I get it—the weights of the past year are heavy. Every letdown added a stone to the backpack you’re carrying. Anxiety about the future built a fog obscuring where God wants to lead you. Bad habits and false narratives locked you into ruts that feel inescapable.

As you reflect, what specifically do you need to leave behind in 2023? Here are some ideas:

  • Regrets and disappointments that hold you in the past instead of moving you into the future. Every perceived failure feels like a brick weighing down your backpack. But God sees them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
  • Worries and anxiety that obscure where God is leading rather than trusting His perfect timing. The fog of uncertainty tempts us to stand still rather than take steps of faith.
  • Destructive habits and narratives that chain you in place rather than freeing you to grow. Comparison, scarcity mindsets, compromise – these shackles often deceive us into thinking we can’t change.

Naming these weights provides freedom to drop them so you can travel light into the year ahead. Ask God to highlight what you need to leave behind right now. Journal it, pray over it, and then picture placing it at the foot of the cross.

As you reflect, what specifically do you need to leave behind in 2023?

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Charting the Course: What to Carry with You into 2024

While reflection helps us let go of the past, we also need vision for the future. In God’s Word we find the map to move forward even while we leave weights behind.

Isaiah 43 says not to dwell on the past or what was. God is doing a new thing! So what should you carry with you into the new year?

Purpose

Disappointment morphs into purpose when we grasp God’s forward-looking plans for our lives. Orient your daily actions around contributing to God’s larger story in 2024. Begin and end each day asking, “How can I join what God is doing around me today?”

Patience

Worry shifts into patience and trust in God’s timing, which is always perfect. Move from passive waiting into active trust that God sees the full picture. When anxious thoughts arise, replace them with promises of God’s sovereignty from Scripture.

Courage

Destructive patterns transform into courage when we walk in step with the Spirit. Keep taking risks to grow in 2024, even if you have to whisper “try again” to yourself at the end of hard days. Write down 2-3 courage goals for the year related to relationships, work, fitness, etc.

Kindness

Weed out harmful words and sow the language of love through little acts of service. Fill your heart and calendar with kindness. Perform one loving act daily for a week. Then make it a habit all year long.

Hope

Cling to the anchor for your soul—the promise that with Christ, your best is yet to come in the year ahead. Memorize motivational verses to renew your hope when doubts creep in.

These signposts show we’re on the road of transformation with Jesus. Let them guide you into breakthroughs in the coming year.

Isaiah 43 says not to dwell on the past or what was. God is doing a new thing! So what should you carry with you into the new year?

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Embracing The Journey

Our God specializes in making all things new. He has a blank canvas waiting for you in 2024! Will it take work to realize God's vision? Absolutely.

Changing deep-rooted habits requires discipline, courage, and perseverance. But we don't labor alone. God paves the path through Scripture, mentors, and the everyday nudging of the Holy Spirit if we listen.

While I don’t know all that’s ahead for you, I know this, friend: the God who began a good work in you is faithful to carry it on to completion. This year holds something new - a chapter filled with blessings and divine appointments.

Step into it with courage and expectation, trusting the Author to guide your steps. God is already crafting the story.

Say yes to the journey!

This post was inspired by last Sunday's message "You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far," which explores how we can leave behind weights and walk in renewal during this season of new beginnings. If you missed it, you can catch the full sermon here on YouTube.

Watch on YouTube

Changing deep-rooted habits requires discipline, courage, and perseverance.

Click to Post

Stepping into the Unknown: How Waiting Can Lead to Life’s Greatest Adventures

Stepping into the Unknown: How Waiting Can Lead to Life’s Greatest Adventures

by | Dec 27, 2023 | Mars Hill Baptist Church

Happy Wednesday Reader,

Imagine being on the brink of a decision that could change everything. That’s where Marcus and Tanya found themselves in Atlanta, pondering a leap into the unknown. Like many of us, they were caught between the comfort of what they knew and the thrill of what could be.

This isn’t just their story, though. It’s a tale of waiting, of quiet moments before giant leaps, much like Mary and Joseph’s journey long ago.

I know waiting can be challenging, filled with uncertainty, and many “what ifs.” But what if waiting is more than just sitting around? What if it’s a time brimming with anticipation and preparation?

​During a sermon, I recently delved into this, exploring how those silent moments can be the most powerful. Like sensing rain before it falls, waiting can be a time of feeling God’s promises before they unfold.

But let’s get real – waiting can feel like a breakdown before the breakthrough. I’ve been there, feeling every bump and setback. Yet, in these moments, our faith is refined, and we learn to lean not on our own strength but on God’s.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Waiting isn’t about passing time; it’s about preparing, expecting, and growing.

It’s about trusting that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels slow. It’s a season to engage in, not just endure actively.

​Are you curious to hear more about Marcus and Tanya’s leap into the unknown and how their story might mirror your journey?

Or maybe you’re seeking a fresh perspective on waiting with purpose? I invite you to join me as we explore the unexpected joys and challenges of waiting.

​Dive into the full discussion and discover how your waiting season can lead to life’s most incredible adventures.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this!

Here’s to your success,

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
​See All of my Links @ Linktree​

P.S. Ready to embrace the pause before the promise? Click here to watch the full sermon and embark on a journey of discovery and growth. Let’s wait actively together!

Stepping into the Unknown: How Waiting Can Lead to Life’s Greatest Adventures

Stepping into the Unknown: How Waiting Can Lead to Life’s Greatest Adventures

by | Dec 27, 2023 | Communication, Decisions, Empowerment, Goals, Leadership

In Atlanta, in the present day, Marcus and Tanya, a professional couple, found themselves at a crossroads. They had to decide whether to leave their stable jobs and pursue a venture they were genuinely passionate about. At this moment, they experienced a mixture of uncertainty and excitement for the possibilities ahead.

They spent long nights discussing, planning, and sometimes doubting. This period of contemplation was their stable in Bethlehem, a seemingly ordinary moment that held the promise of a transformative future.

As they decided to leap, they embraced the unknown with faith and hope that this was the path meant for them.

From Marcus and Tanya’s journey, we learn that, much like Mary and Joseph, our most significant leaps forward often come after periods of quiet reflection and anticipation.

Their leap into the unknown is a testament to the most profound changes in our lives, often beginning with a pause, a moment of quiet determination before the promise of a new and transformative path unfolds.

Waiting with Active Anticipation

Have you ever found yourself in a period of waiting? I know I have. It’s a time of uncertainty and anticipation for something significant to happen. And let me tell you, it can be quite a challenging season filled with doubts and questions. But what if I told you that waiting is not a passive state but an active opportunity for preparation and expectation? Let me share the powerful insights I recently gained from my sermon on this topic.

The Pause Before the Promise

During my sermon last Sunday, I discussed the significance of pausing before making a promise. I drew connections between the Bible's stories of Marcus and Tanya and Mary and Joseph.

Like the latter couple, Mary and Joseph experienced moments of doubt and uncertainty but also found solace in periods of quiet reflection and anticipation. This led me to the realization that significant breakthroughs frequently occur after moments of silence and contemplation.

So, what does that mean for us?

The waiting period should not be seen as a delay but as a time of preparation. During these moments of silence, we can find strength for the next step. Just like the grandmother I mentioned in my message who could smell the rain before it arrived (anticipation), the promises of God may not always appear or feel obvious, but they will be fulfilled in due time. We need to hold onto that hope and trust in God’s timing.

Significant breakthroughs frequently occur after moments of silence and contemplation.



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The Breakdown Before the Breakthrough

Another important lesson from the sermon is that before experiencing a breakthrough, there is often a breakdown.

I highlighted the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, where they encountered numerous challenges and setbacks. It would have been easy for them to give up or take matters into their own hands, but they persevered through the breakdown.

I can relate to this on a personal level. In my own life, I have encountered insurmountable breakdowns and difficulties. These moments led to frustration, doubt, and sometimes even anger towards God.

Before experiencing a breakthrough, there is often a breakdown.



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However, I encourage everyone to shift their perspective and see these breakdowns as opportunities for growth. Through the process of being broken down, our faith is refined, and we learn to rely on God’s strength rather than our own.

When brought to a place of brokenness, we can genuinely appreciate the breakthrough that comes from God’s hands. In times of struggle, we develop a deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness and learn to praise Him in all circumstances. It’s a humbling but necessary journey.

When brought to a place of brokenness, we can genuinely appreciate the breakthrough that comes from God’s hands.



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God’s Perfect Timing

Reflecting on last Sunday’s message, I am reminded that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painfully slow.

There was a 400-year period of silence between the last book of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus. People may have given up hope during that time, but God was working behind the scenes, preparing for the perfect moment to send His Son into the world.

Reflecting on my life, I realize how often I desire immediate results and become impatient when my prayers seem unanswered. However, I must trust the clockmaker, who sits above time and sees the bigger picture. God knows the perfect timing for each of His promises in my life. It’s a reminder to surrender control and have faith in His plans.

God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painfully slow.



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Wait Actively, Not Passively

I have concluded that waiting is not a passive state. We are called to engage actively in our waiting period. Instead of complaining or becoming bitter, we should use this time to prepare ourselves and expect what God will do.

I took this message to heart. While waiting, I have committed to sharpening my skills, deepening my faith, fortifying my spirit, and praying new prayers. Waiting has become an opportunity for personal growth and development. Rather than being idle, I actively engage and prepare myself for the breakthrough that is coming.

I recognize that patience isn’t just about waiting; it’s also about maintaining the right attitude. Complaining and becoming bitter will not bring about the desired outcome. Instead, I strive to maintain a positive mindset and trust that God’s plans are excellent and perfect.

We are called to engage actively in our waiting period. Instead of complaining or becoming bitter, we should use this time to prepare ourselves and expect what God will do.



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Conclusion

As I navigate through seasons of waiting, I am learning to embrace the pause before the promise. I am reminded that breakdowns are a natural part of the journey toward breakthroughs, and they serve to deepen my faith and reliance on God. Moreover, I hold onto the truth that God’s timing is perfect, and my waiting is not in vain.

Waiting with active anticipation means persevering, maintaining the right attitude, and trusting God’s faithfulness. It is an opportunity for personal growth, deepening faith, and preparation for the blessings yet to come. So, let us embrace the waiting periods in our lives and actively engage in the process, knowing that God is faithful and His promises will surely come to pass.

If you want to watch “The Pause Before The Promise” in its entirety, you can watch it here.