IT’S HERE

The New Year is here and all of God’s people can join with the inspired Paul and say, “And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salva-tion nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). Every business takes inventory at least one time a year. This gives insight to what they have and what they have done and what they may need to do. As individuals, we can learn a good lesson from this practice. The Bible says that we are to examine ourselves. When it comes to the physical, most of us go to the doctor as needed but is seems to me that often we can be slow and/or indifferent to-ward our spiritual well being. Listen to me. You have only one soul and if you lose it then you have lost everything. Don’t be careless with your life.

THREE

As I think about and write about the Central church, I am reminded of at least three matters. One, some need to be saved. Many people have passed from this world without making a public commitment to the Lord. Don’t let that happen to you. Two, some need to be re-stored. I am confident that all of us know someone who needs to be back in the assembly of the church. A few years ago a church did a survey and found about 200 families who at one time attended the church of Christ but for some reason they stopped attending. Members can be lost. Three, perhaps every Christian at the beginning of a new year feels the need to be revived and drawn a little closer to the Lord. In the Book of James we find these words, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8).

CHURCH SANG

I would like for all of us to think about a few of the words that used to be sung about a care-less soul. They are as follows:

Careless soul, why will you linger, Wondering from the fold of God?
Hear you not the invitation? O Prepare to meet your God.
Careless soul, O heed the warning, For your life will soon be gone;
O how sad to face the judgment, Unprepared to meet your God.

CHALLENGE

A few weeks ago one of the sisters said, “I wish you would challenge us to pray more and read the Bible more and also challenge us to do other good things.” That is a wonderful idea. Preachers ought to challenge others in good works. Why not make a list of things you can do. Recently Bob Spencer said, “I can visit the sick and needy.” Without plans and goals, few ever accomplish much. According to the Book of Ecclesiastes, it seems that one way you can tell that you are getting old is that your vision, goals and plans are fading away. Be like Caleb (age 85) and say, “Give me this mountain.” There are still mountains to be conquered and possessed. Do something.

52

Fifty-two days make up the total number of Sundays in 2011. Think about it, only fifty-two. In Ephesians 5:16 Scriptures tell us to redeem the time or make the most of every op-portunity and therefore, here is a great opportunity for all of us. Every First Day of the Week is time for a “spiritual feast” of good things. God wants you in the worship assembly and you need to be here. Come with a Bible in your hand and a smile on your face and a spring in your step. I’ll look for you in your place.