|
Vol. 46, No.
35 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE November 14,
2003
Maintaining Our
Focus (3)
In Daily Living
The inspired writer was concerned about the
welfare of his readers. He wrote, “We must pay more careful attention,
therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews
2:1). He was concerned that they were losing their spiritual focus and
taken their eyes off Jesus.
Paul once told the Philippians, “For me to live
is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Living for Christ is not just what we do
when we assemble to worship. We all have multiple roles in life as family
members, employers, employees, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in
Christ. It isn’t so hard to maintain our focus in the company of those who
share our faith. It is when we function in other roles that we have our
problems. How do I deal with a critical boss? If other students cheat at
school, is it okay for me to do the same? How do I get along with a
difficult neighbor? How can I cope when my debts pile up? How do I focus
on Jesus when I hurt so much? There is no single answer to the problem of
spiritual distraction, but here are a few suggestions that may help:
Keep in touch with God. Too often we try
to cope without consulting God. The Christian who begins absenting himself
from congregational worship has probably already let his prayer life slip
and seldom reads the Bible. The failure to worship God is not just “getting
out of the habit,” but is a symptom of lost spiritual focus. God is not
being factored into daily problem solving.
Follow the example of Jesus. He has
taught us how to live. Equally important, he has shown us how to apply the
divine principles in dealing with human needs. What would Jesus do if he
were in my shoes?
Compromising convictions is not an option.
When we find ourselves in a bind, it is tempting to violate the
principles to which we have subscribed. Suppose you find $10,000 and know
you can locate the owner. You are covered up with debt and the money would
solve your problem. Would you think about keeping it? Now, debating what to
do is not wrong, but if we are focusing on Jesus we will not even entertain
the idea of keeping the money.
Seek the help of other Christians. Your
fellow believers are imperfect, but even if you think they will not
appreciate your dilemma, they love you and are there to encourage you. The
Hebrew writer admonished the brethren not to forsake their meeting together
so that they could encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25). But remember this:
if I want others to help me with my problems, I must first make an effort to
know them. END OF SERIES. __Monroe E.
Hawley
The Bulletin Board
Senior Dinner – The annual dinner
for our seniors sponsored by our youth group will be Saturday at noon.
Laurie Giombi is directing the program.
The Sick – Pearl Molla had open
heart surgery Thursday of last week and is recuperating at St. Luke’s
Hospital. She hopes to go home by the end of the week….Elizabeth Dickson’s
brother, Brian, was taken unconscious to a Terre Haute, IN hospital on
Monday. His condition is unknown as we go to press. Remember the sick in
your prayers.
The Christian Worker’s Meeting will be
Tuesday, November 19th, at 9:00 a.m. at Southside. Gary Cleveland and Mike
Casey will be the speakers as they address the theme of “The Psalms and
Ministry.” The meeting is open to everybody.
ATTENDANCE
RECORD
Two years ago Last year
Last week Goal
Bible
classes 118 119
147 170
Morning worship
217 205 *225 250
Evening worship
70 70 110 80
Contribution
$3779.11 $3134.08 $4439.40 $4200.00
If you plan to give in the blood drive on
January 17th, be sure and sign up on the bulletin board because a
minimum of thirty-five is needed if we are to have the blood drive.
“Do You Have
Bingo?”
It was a few years ago. The phone rang. “Do
you have bingo at your church?” a young feminine voice inquired. I
responded negatively, my caller thanked me and hung up.
It occurs to me that religious bodies are
identified by what they offer. Some churches are identified by bingo.
When I was a boy there was a church that was so noted for bingo that as we
passed the building we would say, “That’s the church that bingo built.”
I can’t imagine anyone inquiring of Peter or
Paul, “Do you have bingo at your church?” You see, the early church didn’t
offer material enticements to attract the world. Instead, they frankly told
their fellow men that as sinners they needed the salvation Christ had to
offer. And with that message they conquered the Roman Empire.
We live in an age of gimmicks. Let’s face it.
Bingo is a gimmick besides being a way to raise money. But the body of
Christ ought not to be known by its bingo, but by the service it renders,
the friendship it extends, the lives its members live, and the gospel it
preaches. Let’s attract the world by authentic Christianity rather than by
the popular devices of our day.
__Monroe E. Hawley
|
