The Christian Life - The Only Way to Live

     Hot, hot, hot!  Have you had a good week?  I hope so.  We’re doing well up in the country, and I’m not just saying that.  We really are.  Today (Friday, June 28), we had a great “Young at Heart” meeting at the Enola Church of Christ annex building.  For some reason today was “bring your grandchild to the young at heart meeting” day.  We had a great time visiting, sharing memories of our salvation in Christ, eating lunch, and playing games.  It was a joy to hear each person share the memory of their baptism into Christ.  I found it very interesting that out of the 15 adults who shared their experience, nine made their decision to become a Christian during a “Gospel Meeting.”  One of our three elders at Enola, Brother Larry Arnett was present to hear this statistic.  I looked at him and said, “Well, when is the last time we hosted a “gospel meeting” at the Enola Church of Christ?”  His statement was refreshing and exciting.  We will be planning a Gospel Meeting in the near future.  Amen to that!  After lunch I had the privilege of sitting at the table with six of the group’s grandchildren; teaching them to play dominoes.  Just think about it.  In the same room, at the same time, in the same decade there were people over the age of 65 and people under the age of 10 playing the same games having a great time and without cell phones, Ipads, Iphones, tv, or video games.  God is good.  Life is good too.  I’m glad.  Oh, and the big winner at our table was Abby Ingram, age 3.  By the way, just before we played games, Abby stood up and with very little help said the books of the Old Testament.  Can you see why I said above that we are doing well up in the country?  Thank you, Callie for coordinating our “Young at Heart” program this summer.  And “Thank you” Larry Newland (last Friday) and Kim Mooningham (this week) for providing the delicious lunch for the group.

 

     Our Sunday morning sermon series “Putting God FIRST” continues this Lord’s Day.  Last week we looked at the “F” in FIRST.  Are we putting God first in our finances?  This Sunday morning we will look at the letter “I.”  Are we putting God first in our INTERESTS?  Just what am I interested in?  Making money? Having fun? Moving up to the next rung in the ladder?  Pleasure?  Entertainment?  The kingdom of God and His righteousness?  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness FIRST and our needs will be met.  How about it?  Let us put God first in our interests.

     Our Sunday evening series “The Old Rugged Cross” comes to a close this week as we talk about the salvation we will finally inherit at the end of the way.  Remember?  There are requirements in the way of the cross – Courage, Reason, Obedience, Sacrifices, and Sincerity.  There are experiences on the way of the cross – Challenges, Responsibilities, Opportunities, Successes, and Sorrows.  At the end of the way of the cross we will have Christ Jesus, Riches beyond our imagination, our One and Only Father, Security, and finally most importantly Salvation.  Salvation is a beautiful thing.  We have been saved.  We are being saved.  We will be saved.  It would be worth it if you could be here with the church this Sunday evening to hear this message.

     There are a couple of events coming up that you need to be a part of.  The 4^th Annual Faulkner County Gospel Crusade is scheduled for July 14^th through the 19^th at the Reynold’s Performance Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.  Each session begins at 7:00 p.m. and concludes at 8:00.  I will be speaking on Wednesday evening, July 17^th.  Our theme is “The Home as God Would Have It.”  My topic is “For Better or Worse.”  It is such a privilege to be asked to preach at the county-wide event.

     It’s VBS time!  The Enola Church of Christ will host an INCREDIBLY AWESOME VBS on Sunday evening, July 21^st at 5:00 p.m. and on Monday through Wednesday, July 22^nd through 24^th at 7:00 p.m.  Our theme this year is “It’s a Blue Ribbon Life” and we will be studying the Fruits of the Spirit.  Adults:  we will have a class for you too.  I hope you can come and be a part of this year’s VBS.