Every week I give you homework, steps you can take to bring this message to life in your daily life. In week one I suggested you take some time each day to thank God for three material possessions and three spiritual blessings and to make a list of your needs that you could bring to him each day in prayer.
The goal is to take steps toward developing an attitude of gratitude and to develop the habit of presenting all your needs to the Shepherd.
In week two I suggested you identify the "green pastures" and "still waters" in your life, and that you make it a point to let God lead into these special moments each day so that you can experience his peace.
I also suggested that you spend some time at the end of the day meditating on the good things that God has brought into your life. The goal is to experience, even in the midst of stressful times, the presence of Christ and his peace in your life.
Now, here's what I challenge you to do this week. First of all...
1. Memorize Psalm 23:3. When you wake and when you fall asleep, and as many times throughout the day as possible, repeat the first three verses of this psalm.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
2. Practice Spiritual Breathing. This week, I encourage you to practice what's been referred to as spiritual breathing. "Spiritual breathing, like physical breathing," said Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, "is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the the pure, an exercise in faith that enables you to experience God’s love and forgiveness and walk in the Spirit as a way of life."
If temptation creeps its way into your daily life, if it comes along and tries to knock you off your feet, don't stay down. Don’t be defeated. Instead, ask Jesus to guide you and show you the way and put you back on your feet. And he will. He will give you direction.
Jesus is as close as the mention of his name, when you need him you can reach out in prayer and he will hear you, rescue and deliver you. Throughout the day, every time you need him he will be there. You don't have to live in defeat. You can walk in victory. You can stand on your own feet. Jesus will pick you up when you fall. He will restore your soul, when you call on him.
3. Begin each day with a request for guidance. At the beginning of each day, ask God to reveal the "path of righteousness" he has prepared for you today. Many people begin the day by thinking about if and how they'll be able to avoid all the pending pitfalls of life.
I encourage you to begin each day by saying, "God, show me the good things you want me to do today. Lead me in the path of righteousness." This will help open your eyes to the needs of others around you, and the ways in which God can use you.
4. End each day with a moment of reflection. At the end of each day, before you sleep, take a moment to review the day ... not the failures, but instead, take a moment at the end of the day to review the day's successes. Review the right steps you were able to take throughout the day. And thank God for using you for his name's sake
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ZONE RALLY: There will be a Zone Rally for the Nashville North/South Zone this Sunday, August 15 at 6:00pm at Trevecca Community Church. This will be a great night of music and a message from our District Superintendent.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS!! Bring a friend and join us for fun, fellowship, and growing in Christ. Youth Group meets on Tuesdays from 6-8pm
. The first hour will be games and snacks and the second will be the Bible study with a dive into Romans. BRING A FRIEND AND JOIN US! Contact Brice for more information.
TAEKWONDO: Join Brice for free Taekwondo classes on Monday, August 23 and Monday, August 30 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Family Life Center. In September, classes will be held on Mondays and Fridays from 6:00-8:00pm. Please
email for more information.
WORKERS ARE NEEDED. Please let us know if you can help in the following areas...
- the Children's Department.
- to serve as ushers and greeters.
CHURCH CENTER: You are invited to join us on the Church Center app! Church Center is a place to connect with small groups and church events, send messages to your group, update your profile, and more! Download from the App Store and connect today. If you have trouble with setting up or updating your profile to keep your contact information up to date, see Jenn Houchin or Terri Ray.
FOOD PANTRY: The Old Hickory Nazarene location is open on Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 PM. Volunteers and donations are needed.
COFFEE SHOP: Uncommon Grounds is open every Monday-Saturday from 7:00 AM-2:00 PM. Invite a friend and use this great outreach to introduce the church to your friends.
CLASSES & STUDIES
SUNDAYS
Debbie Woodard leads the Young Adult class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom beside the new office.
Meeting ID: 868 1977 8952
Password: Bible101
Kenneth Ray & Gracie Smith lead the Friendship Class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom down the hall and to the right of the office.
Meeting ID: 846 6822 8046
Password: Bible101
Brice Rupert leads the teens class (6-12), Kelsey Quillen leads the kids class (k-5), both in person at 9:00am. We have kids classes for all ages.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP begins at 10:00am in the sanctuary. The services will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and our website home page for those unable to be with us in the church building.
OH|KIDS CHURCH for K-5th grade meets in the kids room downstairs during the worship hour at 10:00am.
TUESDAYS
Coffee & Community Bible Study every other Tuesday at 9:30am in the Coffee Shop. Next meeting is on August 17.
YOUTH GROUP meets on Tuesdays from 6-8pm. The first hour will be games and snacks and the second will be the Bible study.
WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Debbie Woodard is on Facebook Live (from Debbie's page) at 6:30pm.
THURSDAYS
Richard leads prayer and devotional on Thursdays at 7:00 PM via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join.
Meeting ID: 894 2501 3143
Password: Prayer605
