Sermon Recap:

Date: July 11, 2021:
Title: The Battle is not Yours
Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Background:
2 Chron 17: 3-6; 2 Chron 18:28-34; 2 Chron 19:5-7
5 Keys to Winning the Battle
1. Start with Prayer
Verses: 2 Chron 20:1-12
Use TACS as a model (Thanksgiving, Adoration, Confession, Supplication)

2. Admit you are Powerless
Verses: 2 Chron 20:12; 1 Cor 10:12; Rom 7:18; 2 Cor 12:9; Heb 12:1-2
Join a group like Re:Generation

3. Trust in God’s Promises
Verses: 2 Chronicles 20:13-20; Ephesians 6:10-13; Romans 4:20-25

4. Lead with Praise
Verses: 2 Chron 20:21; Acts 16:24–25; Eph 5:15, 19; Heb 13:15–16; Psalm 5:11; Neh 8:10b; 1 Thess 5:16–18

5. Witness God’s Provision
Verses: 2 Chronicles 20:22-30; Romans 8:31-39

Conclusion: 1 Corinthians 15:57–58

Thoughts:
Mike probably doesn’t even know this, but here is the one question I missed on the written portion of the Nebraska Driver’s License exam back in 1989:
Question: When a car with bright headlights comes toward you at night you should:

•   A. Look toward the right edge of your lane
•   B. Move onto the shoulder
•   C. Look below the lights
•   D. Flash your bright lights at the oncoming car

(Side note: I remember this because I am a perfectionist and missing a question made me bitter.)

I chose option D—“Flash your bright lights at the oncoming car” probably because this is what I had watched my parents do hundreds of times growing up. The correct answer was A—for the reason Mike mentioned in his sermon: we are often led by our eyes.

What a great reminder this example is to lead with praise! When I try and face an oncoming “horde” by staring them down and flashing the bright lights of my own effort at them, I am doomed to fail. By leading with praise, I’m basically forcing my gaze on the One who is in control. Not only is God in control, He is good. We can trust Him. Sometimes it’s hard to step out in faith, but when our eyes are correctly focused on Jesus, right actions will follow.

So the next time you’re facing a “horde” that makes you feel overwhelmed, get your praise on and lead out with song! If it helps, you can even picture yourself singing along with Zeke as he busts out sic beats for the Lord.

Important Reminder!
Please take a minute to log into your Connect@MBC account to update your privacy settings! Our default setting was to make your information private. If you do not go in and change this setting, you are invisible to anyone other that church leaders and staff. If you would like to be included when people use Connect@MBC as a directory, you must agree to make your information more public. Quick instructions: log into your Connect@MBC account. Click on the button labelled ”Actions” and then on the drop down menu, select “Privacy.” From there, you can decide what level of privacy you would like for your personal information. Please note: children’s information will remain private.

Save the Dates!
We have so many announcements to get out to you, I thought I’d just list them bullet-style!

TOMORROW, Friday, July 16^th @ 6:30pm MBC Kids Parents’ Night Out (Must RSVP by tonight, July 15^th at midnight). Come drop your kiddos (ages 0-5^th grade) off at the church. They will enjoy a dinner of pizza and fun, Olympic-themed activities! Cost is only $7 per child and any proceeds will toward supporting Manna House’s Back-to-School supply drive. If you have a Connect@MBC account, you can click here to register.Sunday,

July 18^th—Baptism Sunday & Summer Identity Bible Study. The Summer Identity Bible Study meets in the Middle School room @ 6pm. Contact Jeff Thompson for more info (click here). Sunday, July 25^th from 6-8pm–Last meeting of the Summer Identity Bible Study in the Middle School room.

Wednesday, August 4^th, 6:30-8:30pm—MBC Kids Family Night: Back to School Splash Bash! Come for hot dogs and water activities. Sign up using your Connect@MBC account by clicking here. If you don’t have a Connect@MBC account, please reply to this email, and I’ll get you set up with one!

Friday, August 6^th-Saturday August 7^th—MBC Students High School “Movin’ On Up” lockin event. More details to come!

Sunday, August 8^thSay YES! Sunday and church picnic! This is when we invite you all to connect with the body here at MBC. Opportunities to serve include: working with our precious MBC Kids and Students, volunteering as a greeter, making coffee before the service, singing or playing an instrument on the worship team, mowing and/or helping us care for the church grounds, assisting with the maintenance of the church building, operating sound and video equipment as part of the AV team, taking part in local outreach opportunities and more! We’ll provide boxed lunches to all who attend, and we’ll have an indoor church picnic afterward.

Wednesday, August 11^th—MBC Students Middle School “Movin’ On Up” night at EPIC Waterpark in Grand Prairie.
More details to come.

Friday, August 13^th, 6:30-8:30pm MBC Kids Parents’ Night Out: Nerf Gun War!
Drop your kids off for a fun evening of pizza and Nerf activities! Cost is $7 per child. Any proceeds benefit Manna House. Must preregister by Thursday, August 12^th. Click here to register using your Connect@MBC account.

Saturday, August 14^th , from 9am-9:30pm The City of Midlothian Mayor’s “Back-to-School Bash” @ the Midlothian Multipurpose Stadium.
Our church will have a booth at the bash and we’d love to have you and your family volunteer to love on members of the community. Email me by clicking here, and I’ll get you signed up to help.

Sunday, August 15^th —Promotion Sunday for all kids and students, K-12^th grade.

Wednesday, August 25^th, 6:30-8pm—All Wednesday Night Ministries will kick off! Sign up now using your Connect@MBC account for Re:Generation and Re|Engage. Otherprograms do not require registration. Childcare provided through MBC Kids CrossKids ministry.

Friday, August 27^th from 12-6pm in the MBC sanctuary—Red Cross Blood DriveI heard we used to do these at the church more often. Emma Wabrowetz has stepped up to lead this one, but there really isn’t much we need other than you to come and donate blood. Please help us save physical lives, so that we can then, in turn, save more spiritual lives! (James 2:14-16) Click here to sign up for a spot to donate.

Wednesday, September 1^st —FUSE off-campus Student Community Worship night.
More details to come.

Thursday, September 9^th from 9:30-11:30am—North Texas Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry here at the church.
Sign up to volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank’s website by clicking here.

Wednesday, September 15^th from 5:30-6:30pm—Family Meal Nights return!
Have ideas for what to serve or want to help? Contact me in the office by clicking here.

Phew! That was a lot!!!  As always, please respond to this email or call the church office (972-723-0002) if you have any questions.

And don’t forget to lead with praise this next week! I’ll be listening for you!

In service to Him and to you!
Heather Hogue