The Joy That Comes with a Soft Heart
By Dr. Jeff Webb
Hebrews 3:7–19
There’s a special kind of joy that only a tender heart can feel — a joy that comes not from circumstances, but from closeness. It’s the quiet delight of being teachable before God, open to His correction, and eager to follow wherever He leads. It’s the opposite of the hardness the writer of Hebrews warns against when he says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
The older I get, the more I realize that joy and hardness cannot live in the same heart. One will eventually push the other out.
The late Dr. Howard Hendricks was my favorite professor from Dallas Theological Seminary. I was never able to attend there as I would have liked, but I have studied many of the great professor’s works from there. One statement attributed to Dr. Hendricks, and that remains in high use in discipleship teaching today, says that until a person becomes a FAT Christian, they will not be easily mentored. A FAT Christian possesses these three characteristics: they are Faithful, Available, and Teachable. These characteristics also describe a person with a soft heart toward God. (See As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship, by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks (Moody Publishers, 1995)). If a disciple of Christ is ever missing one of these characteristics throughout their life, they invite a hardness of heart to grow in them.
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
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Designed for a Purpose: Discovering Your S.H.A.P.E. in God’s Plan
Have you ever stopped to consider that God designed you on purpose, for a purpose? Long before you took your first breath, God wired your personality, passions, abilities, and experiences to fit perfectly into His plan for your life. You are not an accident—you are an intentional creation of the Master Designer.
The Body Needs Every Part
The apostle Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). The Church is not a building—it’s a living body made up of many parts. Each part is unique, necessary, and divinely equipped to serve. When one part fails to function, the whole body feels the loss. But when every believer understands and uses their God-given shape, the body becomes strong, healthy, and effective in fulfilling Christ’s mission.
Discovering Your S.H.A.P.E.
At Grace Bible Church, we encourage every member to discover how God has uniquely formed them through the S.H.A.P.E. process:
TO READ MORE CLICK HERE:
TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE S.H.A.P.E. TEST CLICK HERE.
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This week the Mission 3G Committee is headed to My Sister's House to meet with the October families. Please pray for the committee as they endeavor to find out what the needs are. Praise the Lord that committee members, Ray & LeeAnne Cheek, touched base with the director of My Sister's House at the pancake and sausage dinner last Saturday.
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Speaking of the My Sister's House Pancake and Sausage Dinner...it was last Saturday. You may have noticed it in the bulletin for this Saturday at 4:30 PM, but it actually happened last Saturday. If you missed it and want to imagine how good the pancakes and sausage were, be sure to touch base with Ray & LeeAnne Cheek on Sunday. They were there and they can fill you in!
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Kids Quest-Tell Your Friends
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Part 3 of “What Happened in the Beginning?” is coming November 12 — we’ll dive even deeper into the incredible story of creation from Genesis 1. If you have (or know) children in Pre-K through 5th grade, we’d love for you to bring them or invite their parents to check out Kids Quest. They’ll hear the Good News and have an unforgettable, totally awesome time!
To RSVP for your children (and their friends), CLICK HERE.
Kids Quest is for kids from Pre-K to 5th Grade and meets once a month on the second Wednesday through April 2026. We’d love for you to be part of it! If you’d like to join the fun and help make a difference in kids’ lives, SIGN UP HERE or chat with Maureen Isenberg. A Ministry to Children class and a background check are required to work with children at GBC.
Through engaging Bible teaching, building strong friendships, and sharing the good news of Jesus, Kids Quest helps kids grow in faith and love for God. Let’s also be praying together—that each child who comes will see God’s goodness and experience His love in a personal way.
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Let's go! Mind, body, and spirit for the Lord!
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We are preparing to send in our ultimate shirt order to benefit those suffering from Trauma in Tanzania. Our contact in Tanzania is GBC supported missionary, Bethany Jeffers, and all the proceeds from the shirts will go through her.
We had a great turn out of support for Bethany Jeffers ministry and bought 24 shirts!. Thank-you, Lord!
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Sunday, October 19, at 9:00 AM
Week 5: Peace with God and Assurance
Romans 5:1-21
Key Doctrines: Peace with God, original sin, federal headship
Christianity 102 takes us deeper into our faith and doctrine. Using the Apostle Paul and his Letter to the Romans, we are delving into topics that you might have always wondered about, but were timid to ask about. Don't miss this chance to hear from the Apostle Paul at his BEST!
There are Twelve Sessions and you can see a list of them HERE . All the sessions are highly regarded, but please feel free to pop in any time.
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Join us for a special evening of worship and fellowship! On Sunday, October 19, from 7:00–8:30 PM, GBC will host a Hymn Sing in the sanctuary. Together we’ll lift our voices in timeless hymns of praise, enjoy the richness of our musical heritage, and encourage one another through song.
Whether you’re a long-time hymn lover or simply want to experience the joy of singing with the church family, this evening is for you. Bring your friends, neighbors, and family members—everyone is welcome.
Come ready to request your favorite hymns, celebrate God’s goodness, and be refreshed by the power of worship together!
There will be light refreshments.
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On Saturday, October 25, from 8:30 AM to Noon, GBC is having a follow-up work day. The trustees would like to complete the installation of the new LED lightbulbs and finish repairing the deepening crack between the parking lot and the wall of the church. All are welcome, men and women alike.
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 🎉 October is Pastor Appreciation Month! 🎉
This year we get to celebrate Pastor Jeff—our faithful shepherd who has poured his time, energy, and heart into leading us.
We are so grateful for the care, support, and wise counsel he gives—both in the church and in his home life. Let’s shower him with encouragement this month!
Let’s make sure Pastor Jeff knows just how much we appreciate him! 💛
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Quiet Actions of Faith Impact the World Around Us
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Join us each week as Eric leads us in a time of prayer and worship.
We gather every Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Timothy classroom.
If you haven't been a part of our time together, perhaps the Lord will make a way for you next week. Remember, prayer is the foundation, the backbone, and the mark of a spiritually healthy church and Christian.
Come with open hearts and a spirit of expectation—all are welcome.
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The Children's Ministry Leadership Team has been notified that our background checks should have included state-mandated training. We kindly request that anyone who underwent a background check in 2024 or 2025 complete this training and provide the church with a completion certificate. (If you completed this process in 2024 or 2025, you will be receiving an email in the next week.) We have included this link to the free 60-minute training, which includes videos and questions with short tests. Please register, take the training at your leisure (PLEASE complete this by November 15, 2025), and print it out and give it, or email the certificate to Maureen Isenberg. If you need any assistance with this process or have questions, feel free to contact Lynnette Goebel, Jenny Lehman, or Maureen Isenberg. Thank you for being so cooperative with this training.
The Children's Ministry Leadership Team (Rebekah Clark, Lynnette Goebel & Maureen Isenberg)
https://mr.dcfstraining.org/Home.action
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 The holiday season can be one of the most difficult times of the year for those who are grieving the loss of a relationship or a loved one. On Wednesday, November 12, from 6:00–8:30 PM, Grace Bible Church will be hosting “Surviving the Holidays”—a special evening designed to encourage and equip individuals who are walking through the pain and challenges of divorce. Whether you’ve already completed our DivorceCare class or you’re currently experiencing separation or divorce, this session will offer practical tools, spiritual support, and a caring environment to help you navigate the holidays with hope and healing. A light meal will be served at 6:00 PM before this two-hour session begins.
In addition, we’re also planning a separate “Surviving the Holidays” event specifically for those who have lost a loved one. This will be held on Wednesday, December 17, from 6:00–8:30 PM. This evening will provide comfort, understanding, and guidance for coping with grief during the holiday season, as well as a safe place to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. A light meal will be served at 6:00 PM for this session as well.
Both evenings are open to anyone in our community who may benefit, and we warmly invite you to join us. Our heart is to come alongside you, offering encouragement and practical help so that you can experience peace, hope, and even moments of joy during the holiday season.
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Sharing your image as a participant in one of GBCs services or events is a great way to share the love of Christ, and your commitment to his church. While we would love for everyone to share their image while being a part of a GBC event, we recognize that some may not wish for this to happen. In that case, we want to be sensitive to your wishes. Please let Lisa Collins know if that is the case.
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Calling All Prayer Warriors
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The GBC elders are asking you to join them in praying for our pastor. Pastor Jeff sends out a brief summary of his day's prayer needs throughout the week. If you are willing to commit to praying for him, email Lisa at gbc@wordsofgrace.org and let her know to put you on the email list. Thank you in advance for your sacrifice.
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How would you like to read scripture for the congregation on Sunday morning? It is a small service with great empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 says," For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword."
The reader is supplied with the scripture in ESV. Please let Pastor Jeff or Lisa Collins know if you are interested, or CLICK HERE to sign your name and suggest a few dates you are currently available. |
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One of the great joys, being a child of God, is we get to manage his money. Whether you are tithing or offering, Grace Bible Church online giving is now available multiple ways.
- Through the Church website under the "GIVE" TAB (drop down menu) on the HOME page.
- By simply CLICKING HERE and then choosing the fund you would l like to give to.
- By activating the GBC QR code (below) by using your camera.
As always, you can give cash or check by placing it into the offering plates in the back of the sanctuary; or, by mailing it to: Grace Bible Church Attn: Treasurer, 1109 S. Main Street, Washington, IL. 61571.
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Author's Contributions Welcome
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Everyone is welcome to contribute church sanctioned announcements in the bulletin and the GBC Connected. If you would like to contribute, please take note that the deadline for submissions is at 4:30 pm, Tuesday evening before it is to appear publicly.
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