Our Home Team semester is 2 weeks old, and REVERB is rocking right along.  At some point this week, all the home teams had to come face to face with the impossible.  Everyone was asked for 1 thing that was SO IMPOSSIBLE, only God could do it.  And people were asked to share their 1 impossible prayer.  Which brought up the question about how to pray.

John Donahue, our Connections Pastor, has a post in his site about Praying Through ACTS.  It is worth the time to read it.  Click HERE.

One thing to keep in mind is this, Matthew 6:33 tells us that if we pray to God and do what God wants us to do, God will supply all our needs. And as we continue to follow God, and do what he asks of us, we will beginto change.  We will start asking God to bless other and provide for THEIR needs.

As we pray how God wants us to pray, God changes what we pray for.  God turns our focus from ourselves to others.  And when we turn the focus of our prayers and our lives OFF of us and put it ON to others, we begin to impact our community for God.  And we ful fill God’s vision for each of us, to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Have you ever thought about how God makes you better?

We all WANT to be better: a better spouse, a better parent, a better Christian, but what is the process that God uses?  Often times, we selfishly pray that God will miraculously change us into the people that He wants us to be.  God CAN do that, but will we really LEARN the lessons we need to truly reflect God?

Too often, we overlook the trials that we face each day.  Those trials are what changes us.  It’s the HARD DECISIONS, the DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, and the TOUGH CHOICES that we have to make every day, that  God uses to refine us into perfect reflections of Himself.

James talks about this in James 1:4 when he wrote, “But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.”  The Apostle Paul also wrote in Romans 5:3-5 when he says, “…because we know that suffering helps us to endure.  And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us.”  James even encourages us to be HAPPY when we go through tough times.  In James 1:2-3, he says, “My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.”

To reflect God, and make a REAL impact in Newnan, we HAVE to go through tough times, we HAVE to endure the hardships, we HAVE to make hard decisions.  It’s NEVER easy, but nothing that is as valuable as reflecting God, ever is.

When you find yourself in the middle of a difficult time/decision/choice, KNOW that God is using that time/decision/choice to break you, so that He can rebuild you.  And when that hard time/decision/choice has passed, you will be able to look backwards on it, and see how you have grown.  You will see how God is refining you, so that you can shine, as you reflect God.

REVERB Continues THIS Sunday

Sunday, August 31 - Reflecting COMMUNITY

Sunday Saptember 7 - Reflecting IMPACT

 WEBSTERS defines REVERB as “something being reflected many times, as sound waves from the walls of a confined space, or to echo back or reecho.”  And that is what WE are called, by God, to do…REVERB Him.  We are told, in the Bible, to reflect Jesus Christ in everything that we do.  In every situation, with every person, we are to REVERB JESUS, to reflect Jesus Christ.

What is the REVERB of your life? What influences, values and impact are you having on the relationships in your life? You probably don’t realize it, but you’re having a greater REVERB than you can possibly imagine.

Over the next 3 weeks, we’ll unpack what it means to REVERB God, REVERB Community, and REVERB Impact.  We’ll see how God provides all that we need to reflect Him in our public lives and in our private lives.  You do not want to miss thwese 3 weeks at StonePoint.  Invite your friends to come and feel the REVERB!

August 24 - REFLECTING GOD

August 31 - REFLECTING COMMUNITY

September 7 - REFLECTING IMPACT

As StonePoint launches into it’s 3rd year, there is an amazing amount of excitement for what God is going to do here in Newnan!

Kick-Off of our Fall Semester of Home Teams.  Our Home Teams have begun meeting all throughout this week and it’s not too late to get into a Home Team!  For more information click HERE.  Home Teams are groups of 15-20 people, discussing the weekend message, and getting to know each other.

Here is what is on tap for this coming weekend (August 24):

(Click Image for More Information)

Links of Interest

God of this City Video

StonePoint Connections Pastor’s Blog

5 Reasons Why StonePoint Exists