This Sunday Is Online Only 🎥 Your Circle Is Keeping You Stuck

Happy Hump Day Reader,

We are three weeks into 2026, and if you are still feeling the weight of what you carried out of last year, I want you to know something: it might not be you. It might be your circle.

You have been praying for breakthrough. You have been asking God for wisdom.

But you keep walking with the same people who drain your peace, mock correction, and pull you back to old patterns.

This Sunday, we went after the hard truth nobody talks about: the people you walk closely with are either lifting your faith or lowering your standards.

There is no neutral.

Week 3 of THINK DIFFERENT, "Your Circle Is Keeping You Stuck," is one of the most important messages in this series.

Because you can think differently all you want, but if your circle thinks small, you will stay small.

Overview of Sunday's Message: Your Circle Is Keeping You Stuck

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) - "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble."

In this message, you will learn:

⓵ Why your future is shaped by your circle, not just your choices

⓶ How to identify draining relationships that weaken your faith

⓷ The biblical framework for choosing wise companions

⓸ Practical steps to create loving distance from toxic influence

⓹ How to intentionally build a circle that calls you higher

This Week's Practice

Identify one draining, unhealthy connection you need to create distance from, and one wise, faith-filled person you will intentionally move closer to this week through a call, text, or meeting.

Missed Last Week? Catch the Replay

If you missed Week 3 or want to watch it again, the sermon-only version is live now:

🎥 Watch the Replay: Your Circle Is Keeping You Stuck​

📖 5-Day Devotional: Deepen this message all week with the companion devotional. Get it here​

📲 Catch the Replay & Devotional

I strongly encourage you to spend time with this timely message this week! You can catch the full replay and continue studying this theme:

• Study Deeper: We made a special 5-Day Devotional based on this message. It is available now on our church app, our website, and our YouTube channel.

▶️ Missed it? You can watch it here​

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New Podcast Series Launched for 2026

I'm dropping a new episode every week on The Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast, and we're starting strong with a focus on self-leadership in the attention economy.

Already Live:

• ​Your Phone Is Not the Problem. Your Standards Are. (Jan 7) — The real issue isn't your device. It's the internal standards you've accepted for your attention.⁠⁠​
• ​Decision Fatigue Is Stealing Your Best Hours (Jan 13) — You're not tired because you worked hard. You're tired because you decided too much.⁠⁠​
• ​Your Attention Is Your Real Bank Account (Jan 20) — How you spend your minutes determines the quality of your life.⁠⁠​

Coming Soon:

• Focus Is Not a Mood. It's a System. (Jan 27) — Stop waiting to feel focused. Build the system that makes it automatic.⁠⁠​
• Stop Saying You're Busy. You're Overcommitted. (Feb. 3) - Busy isn't a badge; it's overcommitment, and one calendar cut this week proves you're not trapped.
• Why Your New Year Feels Like a Remix of the Last One (Feb. 10) - Your new year feels like a repeat because you changed the calendar but not your thinking. Name one pattern daily and replace it with new truth.

These are 15-minute episodes built for high-capacity people who need clarity without the fluff.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

New Substack Articles You Need to Read

I'm now writing weekly on Substack, diving deeper into the invisible decisions that shape how you work, lead, and live.

This week's articles expand on the podcast episodes:

• ​Decision Fatigue Is Stealing Your Best Hours. — Your brain has a daily decision budget, and recurring negotiations drain it before you get to work that matters.
• ​Your Phone Is Not the Problem. Your Standards Are. — Two people can have the same phone. One uses it as a tool. The other feels owned by it. The difference? Their standards.

Both articles include key takeaways and one clear practice you can implement this week. Read them on Substack.

Also Worth Noting: ✍🏽 Latest article on Substack: This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you. Stop Waiting to Feel Ready 🎥 Short on Time? I Got You ​Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life. Leaders Are Readers: My Fall Reading List 5 Reasons Helping The Wrong People Is Bad For You Stop Reopening a Door Life Already Closed 📲 Have You Heard About Our App? Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket. Download The App Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: 5-Day Devotional

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🗓️ Announcements

Year-End Giving

As we close out the year, please remember that your consistent generosity allows us to continue reaching families around the world. You can give securely through our app, website, or text platform at any time.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (Online Only)

When: Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

You’re Invited: In-Person Worship at Mars Hill Anywhere

Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026​
​Time: 10:30 AM Central
​Location: 7941 47th St., McCook, IL
​Online: Live on YouTube and Facebook

We’re gathering this Sunday, and you’ve got two ways to be part of it:

✅ Pull up and join us in person at our McCook campus

✅ Log on and worship with us live online from wherever you are

However you show up, don’t miss this moment. God is speaking, and faith is being rebuilt.

Bring your family. Invite a friend. Get in the room or tap in online.

Let’s go after God together.

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

Mars Hill Baptist Church
PO Box 6159
River Forest, IL 60305

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

🔥 Your Move This Week

⓵ Pick one podcast episode and listen during your commute or workout.

⓶ Read one Substack article and try the practice.

⓷ Write your one God-truth sentence and say it out loud every morning.

You cannot live a new life with the same old story running in your head. This week, we're rewriting it.

See you Sunday (online)!

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don't forget to "Log on” with us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰