Stop Circling the Mountains
Having spent forty years wandering in a barren desert, God's special people were almost ready to enter the Promised Land. Read Moses' account of what happened:
"Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days. And the Lord spoke to me, saying: "You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward." (Deut. 2:1-3).
God had blessings for them to enjoy in Canaan, but they would never receive them as long as they kept circling Mount Seir. They had to travel northward where the blessings were located. Similarly, God has blessings that he desires us to have. But too many Christians today are so busy circling mountains, they can't enjoy them. I speak of Mount Carnal Pleasure, Mount Occupation, Mount I haven't-the-Time, Mount I-Don't Want-To, and other hills of the same range. What are some of the blessings God wants to give us?
Deeper Understanding
One of God's desires for his people is that we mature in the faith so that we can grasp some of the deeper
concepts and teachings of his word. This is aptly illustrated in Hebrews chapters five and six. Though the writer wanted
to delve into a deep discussion of the similarities between the priesthood offices of Melchizadek and Christ, he could not
because his readers were "slow to learn" (5:11). There had been enough time since their conversion for them to have been
able to understand such concepts, but due to mental laziness, they were still unable to handle "solid food" (5:12-14).
His admonition to them was to go beyond "the elementary principles of Christ" and "go on to perfection"
(maturity) -beyond such concepts as repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection and judgment
to come. While we should never forget those principles (2 Pet. 1:12-15), many of us are cheating ourselves by circling
the mountain of shallow study when we ought to be turning northward toward the land of solid food.
Peace and Happiness
These are treasures that everyone seeks, and that God wants everyone to have, but are found by few. Why is that? Most are trying to find them while circling one of the aforementioned mountains. True peace and happiness can only be found in turning to God in fervent prayer (Phil 4:7), living out the principles taught in the beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12), totally committing ourselves to Christ (Acts 16:34), and turning away from all that is evil. As the great apostle Peter wrote, "For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it" (I Pet. 3:10-11). If happiness and peace are somehow eluding you, maybe you're circling some useless mountain and need to turn northward toward these lofty principles that will bring you the blessing you desire.
Eternal Life God "desires all men to be save" (I Tim 2:4) and is "not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet. 3:9). Why, then, will most people be lost (Matt. 7:13-14)? Because they are so enamored with circling their favorite mountains that they give little or no attention to making the necessary preparations. Like Peter, they "are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men" (Matt. 16:23). But eternal life is found only when we stop circling our mountains and come to Christ (I John 5:11).
Where are you? God has much for you to enjoy, but you must turn northward - and do it while there is still time.
Eddie Parrish
Prayer List
Epimenia Armendariz; Betty Branson; Mark Brewer; Darwin Carroll; Ireba & Troy Chaffin; Toni DeCristofaro;
RuLonna Edwards; Harvey Garvin; Burt Groves; Marion Lee; ; Justine McCollum; JoAnna Minter; Wilma Mitchell;
Ruth Norman; Bessie Peevy; Jim Reyna; Janelle Shirley; Nell O'Beth Willoughby, Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Ruby Brown; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo
McElroy; Virgie Price; Charles and Pearl Tucker
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7.
On Sunday, February 4.
The Somebody Loves You Banquet and the Progressive Dinner will be combined along with a talent show
this year on February 16th at the Slater Park Community Building. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. If you have
any questions regarding this upcoming event please contact Lana Howard or Sonia Wood. They are asking
that if you are planning on attending that you respond by Friday, February 9th. We will post new information
for this event as it comes available.
The Odessa Christian School will be having a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, February 9th,
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Adults $6.00 - Children $3.00. Carry outs are available.
FYI
We, at Eisenhower, have an opportunity to help those in need at the local hospitals. We will be providing snack
baskets to the relatives of hospitalized patients as they patiently wait during their loved one's surgery or ICU confinement.
There are many individuals who do not have opportunity to leave or choose not to leave that will greatly benefit from
this work. If you would like to help provide snacks or baskets that we can use for this purpose, please sign up
(in the east foyer) and bring them to the church building. There will be a box provided in the foyer to collect these items.
Thank you in advance for your help.
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be here on March 5th. Some of the items they have requested are canned meats, tea bags, and Chap Stick. Monetary donations are also accepted and appreciated.
Thank You
Thank you for the cards, calls, visits, and prayers. Please continue to pray that Devin will have a speedy recovery.
What a blessing it is to belong to such a loving congregation.
Linda Tate
Thank you for the get well card I received from the members of the Eisenhower Church of Christ.
It was so sweet for you to remember me in your prayers while I am undergoing treatment for colon cancer.
Glenda Crutchfield, Dayton, Ohio. (Devida's cousin)
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of February are Robbie Butler and Nancy Easlon.
If you have picked up tape orders that have not been paid for, we ask you to take care of this as soon as possible.
Our pantry is empty. We are asking for canned goods and any nonperishable items.
| February 4, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | Ronnie Lane | Cameron May |
| Sermon | Roelf Ruffner | Roelf Ruffner |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | John Bethune | Bill Brown |
| Second Prayer | Bill Butler | John Carroll |
| Closing Prayer | Don Easlon | Frank Vargas |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Charles Wood Richard Siler Alex Martinez Kirk McFarland |
Jeff Wesson Cody Wesson |
| East | Jimmy Nunley C.M. Riggs Scot Straw Bill Tolbert |
Craig Wesson |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Charles Watson ~ Tony Marrs
Pulpit - Bill Brown ~ Table - Bill Butler ~ Song Leaders - Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM ~ The Three Crosses (Part I) ~Luke (23:33-39)
Sunday PM ~The Three Crosses (Part II) ~Luke (23:40-47)
Our Records
Bible Class...110
Morning Worship...177
Evening Worship...117
Wednesday...Cancelled
Contribution... $4,777.50