Demonstrate Your Faith in 2008

As 2008 begins, God offers us yet another chance to demonstrate our faith and become better Christians. What are some ways we can do this?

Well we could:

Reorganize our Priorities

Have we allowed our work to come between us and God? What about our family, hobbies, or our own pride or selfishness? When’s the last time we did something for someone else without expecting them to reciprocate? Have we have allowed our priorities to shift? Maybe we’ve led ourselves to believe that family time is more important than worship. Maybe we have disposed of a spouse in search of a more accommodating one or changed churches in search of a more entertaining one or vice versa? Whatever we may have done or not done, isn’t it time to reorganize our priorities? In 2008, we could make God number one in our life.

Reexamine our Life

Like the Apostle Paul exhorts in 2 Corinthians 13:5, in 2008 we could examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Just as we may have a physical check up, we have an opportunity to have a spiritual one. Are we worshipping in spirit and truth? Are we seeking God’s approval or man’s? Are we seeking unity by ways of pride and arrogance? We have a responsibility to examine ourselves so that we can live more meaningful lives for Christ. Couldn't we do that today?

Refer to the Word

Just as the Bereans examined the Word daily (Acts 17:11) so could we. God’s Word will guide us, encourage us, and ultimately judge us. We have no excuse not to read and study it. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. How many Bibles do we have in our homes? Isn't it time we dust them off and learn the Word? How many hearts could be mended and how many souls could be saved if we referred to the Word in 2008?

Rely upon God

When is the best time to fully rely upon God? Is it at the highest point in our lives or the lowest? Is it when we are faced with great temptations or great joy? Could it be when we open our eyes at the start of the day and as we close them at the start of the night? We should always rely upon God no matter what we are faced with. 2008 could bring great trials, great sorrows, and great disappointments. It could bring great joys, great achievements, and wonderful firsts. Couldn't we get through all of these if we were leaning on the Lord during each?

As we go about our life in 2008, let us find ways to demonstrate our faith. Let us reorganize our priorities, reexamine our lives, daily refer to the Word, and always rely upon God. Only then will we be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year and find many ways to demonstrate your faith!

The Cross Before Me

To keep my mind on Jesus I have started looking for a cross everywhere I go. As I'm driving down the road I find it in a house frame, at the supermarket I see it on a shopping cart, and in my own home I'm amazed to find it in each room I find myself in. It's in my vehicle, my office, and even on my mailbox. It's everywhere I look.

Looking for the cross keeps our minds on Christ. Finding Jesus is always easy. He's always before us, beside us, and behind us. He leads us, comforts us, and encourages us, yet when we allow our lives to become entangled with worldly matters we lose sight of the cross. We search for happiness in an unhappy world. We search for peace in a world full of distress and we yearn for encouragement from friends who themselves are lost. The world can not offer us the things that the cross can. Only the cross can offer eternal hope, love, and peace. The only things that truly matter.

While you go about your busy life, always stop and search for the cross. And don't be surprised when you find it.

All it takes is looking and seeing!



Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...James 4:8

What's On Your Christmas List?

Roy and Kathi Merritt are doing the Lord's work in Zambia. Besides teaching the Word and living as Christian examples they also run homes for children, one for older children and one for babies. These children need sponsors and that's where we come in. We have a wonderful opportunity to help support these children...so how about ‘adopting’ a baby for Christmas?

A two-year commitment of $75 per month is requested. Some of these children are very sick and may not survive two years. If this happens, another baby will take their place. Babies come in faster than the Merritt's team can wean them and return them to their relatives.

If you or your Bible class would like to sponsor one of the following children then please make checks out to College Church of Christ and send them to (my sister in law's grandmother) Doris Garner at:

Doris Garner
801 South Benton Street APT 5300
Searcy AR 72143

For more information contact Roy Merritt at merritt@COPPERNET.ZM



These children need sponsors.



VANN




TAMARA





SHERI



LUKE



JEREMY




JACKSON




DAVID



CHRISTY





BENJAMIN



ALEX



CLIFTON





CATHY




CAROL



EMMA





NAWINA