Be Still

Let’s Read Psalm 37:3-7

I don’t know about you but the combination of this weather and normal routines and not being with my church family has really thrown me off.

The psalmist portrays God’s people in opposition to the wicked. Maybe we feel that way about the weather. But I think one of the things that has hit me hard these past two weeks is how when our normal routines, our expectations, even for the simple things get thrown off, it is easy to get mad, to get upset. It’s easy to lose sight of how things really are.

Seasonal depression, boredom, Groundhog Day syndrome, cabin fever, sickness, trials, you name it. None of us has escaped from one of these effecting us this past two weeks.

But…..

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

Have you taken time to be still this week?

I think God’s been giving me bright neon signs the past two weeks, but I haven’t been still like I should have been.

I’ve been still in front of my kids. It’s been wonderful to spend lots of time playing Uno and Candyland with them.

I’ve been still in front of my wife. We’ve had lots of good conversations.

I’ve been still in front of the tv. I’m caught up on a few good shows.

I’ve been still in front of my desk. I’ve gotten a lot of writing and planning done.

But have I stilled my heart in the quiet before my Lord?

I’ve not done that enough. Chances are you haven’t either. Well, God has given us another snow day. Another chance to take it slow. More time to be still before him in prayer.

Let’s give thanks to his provision.

Let’s praise him for his goodness to us.

Let’s trust that he is working out our good no matter our circumstance and no matter what we see around us.

I want to be still today. I pray that you will find some time to be still before the Lord and pray and give thanks.
Worship with your family or by yourself. Write a note or journal entry to thank the Lord for what he has done for you.

Take time to be still today.

Lord willing, God will bring us back together next Sunday. God bless. Stay warm and stay safe.

Some Announcements

Ephesians 3:17–19 (ESV)

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

At HBC we see a real need for men to have Christlike character and spiritual maturity. We also see a real need for men to have solid theological training. The goal of this program is to build men whose character more and more reflects our Savior while also increasing in their biblical knowledge and ability to lead and teach their families and their church.

We believe we can accomplish this goal through intentional discipleship through community, spiritual disciplines, and theological education.

We will commit to 4 - 16 week terms over two years where we will focus on:

Term 1 - Glorifying God Through the Discipline of Study - Biblical Overview

Term 2 - Interpreting and Teaching Scripture - Hermeneutics

Term 3 - Piecing the Puzzle Together - Systematic Theology

Term 4 - Tracing the Themes of Scripture - Biblical Theology

Throughout these studies we will commit to praying for one another and our church and growing in Christlike character.

The men who participate in the program commit to:

- Be at every meeting during the 16 week period unless there is an extreme reason that prevents them from coming

- Read all assignments before the scheduled meetings

- Come ready to discuss and pray with their brothers

- Complete the term assignment by the end of each term.

We will meet Fridays from 6am-7am.

Term 1 - February 13th-May 29th

Term 2 - August 7th-November 20th

Term 3 - TBD

Term 4 - TBD

Join us as we read through the Bible together!