by Clarence E. Stowers | Jun 27, 2008 | Bible Journey, Christian, Christianity, Preaching
I would like for you all to say hello to my guest blogger Veronica Lewis.
Last Sunday she (and many others) took the challenge and decided join the team to help me
respond to over 25 text messages from the congregation. She hit the nail on the head and I could not have said it better myself. I’m so proud to have members who step up and knock the ball out of the park. She is the first of many who will be featured on this blog.
Check outs Veronica’s response:
Regarding Revenge:
1. What if its family that keeps hurting you?
The Bible says that through love and kindness have i drawn thee. We must show love especially to our love ones. No matter how much they hurt us revenge is never the answer. Jesus told his disciple after they ask him a question about forgiveness that they should forgive their brother 70 times 7 meaning as many times as it take in one day. I remember a friend telling me about his brother treating him so bad he felt like hurting him but because he was a Christian he would always tell himself God would take care of this situation. So he just kept praying for his brother that God would touch his heart and God did just that his and his brother got saved.
2. How do you get rid of the evil that has taken over you?
Prayer is the key to this situation you have to believe that God can and will deliver you from your present evil. A Christian brother of mine had an anger problem so bad that he always got upset over small things. He told me that in his mind he wanted to get revenge on the people that upset him, but, in his spirit he knew it wasn’t right. So he pray every time he felt the presence of evil in him and eventually God delivered him.
3. What should you do when your friends continue to “pull the scab” off a hurt that you have forgiven?
Let your friends know that you have forgiven them and that God has forgiven you and that’s all that matters. A friend and his wife were on the verge of a divorce and her friends told her “child you should take him for every dime he has because of the hurt that he had cause her and their family.” My friend’s wife forgave him and they got back together, but, all her friends kept telling her she was crazy for taking him back and every chance they got they reminded her. She told them that she had forgiving her husband and that’s all that matters!
Again, way to go Veronica – I’m proud of you!!!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 4, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Family, Race, Religion, Vision, Worship
Next week I’m starting a new blog series entitled: "Ten Challenges Facing African Americans & What You Can Do." Trust me, I will hold no punches and exercise my 1st Amendment right.
Will I offend some, YES…
Will I spark debate…YES
Will you disagree…MAYBE
Will you engage…I HOPE SO
Will I cuss…STAY TUNED 😀
Will you comment…I PRAY THAT YOU DO
Stay tuned…Spread the word…Can’t wait till Monday…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 24, 2008 | Christianity, Preaching, Religion, Worship
All I can say about this weekend is "OH MY GOD." This weekend we made history @ Mars Hill by offering a Saturday worship option and two Sunday options @ 8AM & 10AM. Seeing over 3,000 people at church this weekend pumped me up as well…who would
have thought that something like this could ever happen in Austin on the Westside of Chicago…OTHER THAN GOD! 🙂 In addition to thousands in attendance, I’m told our overflows were filled to capacity as well (God, we really need a larger space).
The Worship & Fine Arts Ministry BLEW my mind…
First, the children’s choir stole the show and ministered during our 10AM service. Thanks 1st Lady, Ella, & Philip for preparing our children to minister in excellence! Next, the choir/praise team/praise ensemble performed ”Before The Throne” which rocked the congregation by incorporating praise dancers, video, and still photos which told the resurrection story. I must say it was pure poetry in motion. Honestly, I believe God took the ministry to the next level musically, spiritually, and artistically. Yea God!!! I tip my hat to our staff, Michelle, Mark, Chuck, Carlos, Angelique, Tiaka, Chandra, The disciples, A/V, and my man Cody for the "Jesus" video remix. I’m still feeling that beat…
Regarding the message "Three Nails," it was a narrative sermon that included scenes from the Last Supper and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I must say the men really played their part and took the audience there. Thanks Ruby & Bert for making this dramatic presentation a reality. If you would like to order a CD or DVD of this service, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
As I told the story, the crowd was truly engaged in message. I shared with the congregation, in addition to the three "physical" nails that held Jesus to the cross, there were three "theoretical" nails that held Jesus to the cross. If you want to know what they were, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
Personally, I’m excited about what God’s doing @ Mars Hill. As we continue to seek God’s guidance, we’re trusting that He’ll continue to "make our paths straight."
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 17, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Music, Worship
Yesterday I ended the series "Gametime" with the message, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" (Nehemiah 6:1-5). I confess, this is now my favorite message so far. Personally, I believe this series was more than just a teaching series where I speak and the audience takes notes, no – it was more "prophetic."
By "prophetic" two elements must be involved: truth spoken with power. A word becomes "prophetic" when becomes so powerful that it it’s hearers are compelled to prompt action. A prophetic word is like a proverbial rock in your shoe, it bothers you and you can’t ignore it. A prophetic word "stays" with you until you decide to do something about. I’ve heard sermons that left me feeling good, but, didn’t prompt me to action. I’ve heard so-called "deep" sermons that left me saying, "huh." However, I’ve heard very few sermons that bothered me so much that I had to do something about it. That’s a prophetic word!
When a prophetic word is spoken listeners receive a "Rhema Word." When
a person receives a "Rhema" word, the Holy Spirit gives special
illumination to the hearer with specific application. This begins a person’s transformation.
"Gametime" was all about discovering God’s Will and getting involved in it! I taught on:
1. God’s Providential Will (things He’s going to do regardless of us – like sending Jesus)
2. God’s Moral Will (things He clearly told us "to-do" & "not-to-do"
THINK OF THESE TWO AS HIS DIVINE GUARDRAILS
3. Within His Providential & Moral Will, you’ll find His personal will for your life.
Last Sunday I gave a biblical shortcut for those who need to know God’s will in a hurry. Click here if you want to know too!
That’s all for now…stay tuned more to come later today!!!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 4, 2008 | Christian, Christianity
At Mars Hill, I often brag on our members because we have some of the most sincere people on this side of heaven. Additionally, they are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met. Often, I receive emails on various topics that get my attention. This week I received an email from a member who asked, "Can the people in heaven see us?" Man, what a profound question!
Hebrews 12:1 states, "Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…
"Some understand the
"cloud of witnesses" as being people looking down on us from Heaven.
That is not the correct interpretation. Hebrews chapter 11 records many people
whom God commended for their faith. It is these people who are the "cloud
of witnesses." They are "witnesses" not in that they are
watching us, but rather in that they have set an example for us…they are
witnesses for Christ, and God, and truth.
Hebrews 12:1 continues, "…let
us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
The Bible does not specifically say whether people can look down on us who are
still on the earth. It is highly likely that they cannot. Why?
1) They would
sometimes witness us sinning.
2) They would sometimes see things that would
cause them grief.
3) People in heaven are so occupied with worshipping God
and enjoying the glories of Heaven that they truly have no interest in what is
happening here on earth.
The very fact that they are free from sin, in heaven,
and in God’s presence is enough for them to be happy. While it is possible that
God allows people in heaven to look down upon their loved ones, the Bible gives
us no reason to believe this actually occurs.
