For Whom Do You Live?
One of the hardest things for us human beings to do is to give something that we can cherish greatly to someone else. It's not as difficult to go out and buy something in a store with the intention of giving it away than it is to give away something that has been a part of your life for years. For example, it would be much easier to buy someone a watch from the store than to give them your grandfather's timepiece that he gave to you.
Not only is that principle true regarding material things, it is also true of things spiritual. Through the Bible, God has called upon his human creation to give up their most prized possession to him - their lives. Because our lives (our wills, our ability to do as we please) are dear to us, it becomes difficult to turn them over to another. But, turn them over we must! The apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Concerning Jesus, the same writer said, "and He died for all, the those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15).
One of the greatest temptations we face is the temptation to just live for ourselves. We tend to not want to be under the authority of others. We want to be our own boss. But, following Jesus precludes that. One cannot be a disciple of Christ and still be his own boss. When one becomes a Christian, he turns over everything (including his own will) to God. " Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Cor. 6:19-20)."Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23).
For whom do you live? If you are only living for yourself, you are dead while you live (1 Tim. 5:6). If you live for Christ, then you can enjoy earthly life to its fullest and heaven will be your eternal home ((1Pet. 3:10; John 10:10; Phil. 1:21). You make the choice.
-Eddie Parrish
God's Precious Promises
What a blessing it is to contemplate the precious promises that God has given us in His word. The next time we feel like
nothing is going right and our world is caving in around us, remember the following:
"His dive power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us
by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through the lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4
"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that
Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8
"...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie promised before time began." Titus 1:2
"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." Hebrews 4:15
"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never
leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
1 John 5:14
Sympathy
We express our sympathy to the family of Darwin Carroll, John Carroll's dad. He passed away on Monday, March 12th.
Current Concerns
Jewell Dennard fell on Thursday, March 8th. She had no broken bones. She does have some pain and bruises.
Charles Wood is still feeling under the weather. He is feeling dizzy and weak.
Charles Chism, father-in-law of LaDonna Chism, has pancreatitis and is in the hospital.
Thelma Henry, sister of Jurlean Warren, had a heart attack and angioplasty about two weeks ago. She also has an aneurysm.
Prayer List
Mark Brewer; Fannie Copeland; Doug Duncan; Harvey Garvin; Burt Groves; Mildred Heslip; Marion Lee; Justine
McCollum; JoAnna Minter; Wilma Mitchell; Ruth Norman; Jim Reyna; Patsy Sanchez; Janelle Shirley; Jim Weaver;
Nell O' Beth Willoughby; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; 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. This week's
topic will be titled, "Shall We Continue In Sin?."
Jim Nash from Highland, TX will be here to on Sunday, March 18th, so please mark your calendars so that you won't
miss out on hearing God's word proclaimed. We will have a potluck luncheon immediately after the Sunday morning
services to welcome Jim and his family.
The Granbury Church of Christ will be hosting a Singing School on March 25th through March 30th. More information
is posted on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
The Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting their annual grocery drive on May 26th. They have requested the
following items: laundry stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, (no aerosol cans).
FYI
Odessa Christian School is now accepting 3 year olds through 6th grade and 7th through 12th grade College Preparatory
applications.
Stacey Ruckman is in need of a babysitter. She has a 1 year old and a 5 year old. If you are interested please contact
Stacey at 238-6572 or Patsy Mitchell at 631-6328.
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of March are Devida Montgomery and Glenda Hillis .
We have printed more directories and placed on them the table in the east foyer. If you did not get one already,
you may pick one up. We hope these are error free.
| March 18, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Song Leader | John Carroll | Steve Horton |
| Sermon | Jim Nash | Jim Nash |
| Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Scripture | Alex Martinez | Frank Vargas |
| Second Prayer | Johnny Warren | John Wood |
| Closing Prayer | Rudy Ochoa | Tom Sorenson |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Butler Bill Tolbert Bill Brown Jesus Herrera |
Ezekiel Martinez Jeff Wood |
| East | George Warren John Carroll Don Easlon Juan Morolez |
Alex Martinez |
Other Responsibilities:Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Jeff Wesson --
Pulpit: Scot Straw ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM ~To Be Announced
Sunday PM ~ To Be Announced
Our Records
Bible Class...81
Morning Worship...147
Evening Worship...86
Wednesday...118
Contribution... $4.158.00