HOW TO H-A-V-E GOD'S BEST
We often remark about wanting what's best for others or for ourselves. But as frail, finite creatures, we often do not know what is best. And sometimes, we don't do what is best either. What we should really desire is that all might have God's best. Here are four principles to apply in order to really h-a-v-e what is best from God's point of view.
Hope for God's Best.
God's word says, "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise You more and more" (Psalm 71:14). Do hope for the best. We become cynical, negative, and bitter over life. But "now" abides "faith, hope, and love" (1 Cor. 13:13). That means we are to be faithful, hopeful and full of love right now! Our hope is described in Scripture as "living" (1Pet. 1:3), "blessed" (Tit. 2:13), "good" (2 Thess. 2:16), "better" (Heb. 7:19), "sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:18-19), and "saving" (Rom. 8:24). How right the Psalmist was to declare, "Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You" (Psalm 32:22). As Christians, we have great reason to hope for the best.
Aim for God's Best.
Many people have no goals, low goals, or "so-so" goals rather that truly aiming for God's best. Perhaps the lingering effects of the past or the threat of failure keeps us from aiming at the bull's eye of what God wants us to have (cf. Phil. 3:12-14). Some even view any form of ambition or goal setting as being unbecoming to Christians. But this is simply not so, provided that we are aiming for God's best. Paul said, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to him" (2 Cor. 5:9). As 2008 almost is upon us, we need to resolve to aim for God's best.
Visualize God's Best.
Do we "see" God's best? Are we like Barnabas who, when he had seen the grace of God, was made glad? (Acts 11:23-24). Many of us are simply too near-sighted spiritually (2 Pet. 1:5-11). How we need to soak in God's word as it speaks of those who won great victories due to their faith. How we need to pray for an attitude that will cause us to better "see life" through the eyes of confident, victorious faith (1 John 5:4, 13-15). God's grace can be "seen" everywhere; our attitude says a lot about our vision.
Expect God's Best.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). As Christians, we believe "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord" (Rom . 8:28). "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11; Rom. 8:32). We have every reason for optimism because of the greatness of the God we are privileged to partner with. By hoping, aiming, visualizing and expecting as we ought, we really can h-a-v-e God's best!
Mike Vestal
This article was reprinted from the December 14, 2007 issue of The Westside Reminder
Current Concerns
Sharon Fisher remains in room 852 at Medical Center Hospital.
Mable Riggs is in CCU at Medical Center Hospital. No visitors at the time.
Prayer List
Bill Arbuckle; LeeRoy Bell; Mildred Bell; Heather Combs; Hattie Mae Gilmore; Larry Granat; Mildred Heslip; Danny McCright; Davian Ramos; Leon Sledge; Nick Smith; Buddy Sutherland; DeLora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles 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 entitled, "What Must I Do to be Saved?"
The Andrews Church of Christ will be hosting a Marriage and Family Seminar on May 11th –14th with Dr. Alan Martin. There is a flyer
posted on the bulletin board on the east foyer. If you have any further questions you may contact them at andrewschurchofchrist@valornet.com.
FYI
The Wednesday morning Bible Class subject will be the book of Revelation. Don't forget that every last Wednesday of the month, we will have a potluck after the class.
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be here on Monday, June 2nd. They have suggested the following items: BBQ Sauce, sweetened cereals, and lotion. If you prefer to a monetary donation, you may leave it with the office clearly marked.
Don't forget about our upcoming Ladies' Night to be held on May 12th at 7:00 p.m. Bring finger foods.
Youth
We are needing hosts for the monthly youth devotionals. Please sign up to host one or more on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
Attention graduates: If you have not turned in your information sheet or graduation picture please do so immediately. We need this for the graduation edition of the edifier.
There will be a graduation shower on Sunday, May 4th for Alyssa Lane in the annex from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Devida Montgomery and Linda Tate will be hosting this event.
Anniversary Announcements
You are cordially invited by the family of Sharon and Lee Roy Bell to attend a 50th Anniversary party. Come join us on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the annex of Eisenhower Church of Christ, located at 807 E. 21st Street, Odessa, TX. Please let us know if you will be able to attend. We will be serving cake and punch, so throw on your bobby sox and poodle skirt and help us celebrate Nana and Honey's milestone. And they lived Happily Ever After, The End.
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Paul and Heather Mapes on the birth of their son Dillon Tate Mapes. Dillon weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces. He was 18 inches long.
Thank You
Thank you for all the cards and especially the prayers while Lee Roy was at Baylor and since he has been at home recuperating.
In Christian love, Lee Roy & Sharon
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of May are Estella Morolez and Carolyn Siler.
We are trying to fill our pantry. Every two weeks we will have new suggested items. This week's suggestion is canned or powdered milk
| May 4, 2008 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Song Leader | Steve Horton | Rudy Ochoa |
Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Scripture | John Carroll | Billy Carson |
Second Prayer | Don Easlon | John Bethune |
Closing Prayer | Burt Groves | Harmon Rex |
|
||
West |
Jordan Horton |
Trini Wood |
East |
Ben Ellison |
Jeff Wood |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Richard Siler ~ Pulpit: George Warren ~ Table: Frank Vargas ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Preparing to Serve"
(Mark 10:45)
Sunday PM
"Respecting Joseph"
(Ephesians 6:1-3)
Our Records
Bible Class... 90
Morning Worship... 152
Evening Worship... 104
Wednesday... 119
Contribution $5,000.02