As we begin 2019, welcome to the first Sunday of the year. The rest of the year lies before us with many spiritual opportunities. As we consider the year and we being the people of God, I offer the following for your consideration. (these are for personal reflection and not intended to be submitted to anyone)
How many Sundays will I attend the worship services of the church in 2019? Your answer: _______________
There will be 52 Sundays in 2019. Since the congregation at Flatwoods meets twice on the Lord’s Day, that means there will be 104 opportunities in 2019 to worship God “in spirit and in truth”, John 4:24. As you are here today there remains 103 services left in the year. Keep up the good attendance.
How many Bible Studies will I be present at to increase my knowledge of the Word of God in 2019? Your answer: _______________
There will be 52 Wednesday Bible Study nights (7pm) in 2019. Add to this the fact that Bible Study is conducted each Lord’s Day morning at 9:45am (52 Sundays) so again, there will 104 opportunities to be edified by God’s Word, also through Devotionals and Singing, with God’s people in 2019. Again, 103 opportunities remain. If you were not here this morning, there are plenty of opportunities to correct that in the coming year.
How many hours will I spend in personal study of God’s Word, and prayer in 2019? Your answer: _______________
For a calendar year, 365 days; 24 hours per day, there are 8,760 hours. Of that, about 2,920 hours will be spent in sleep (assuming 8 hours sleep per night). Now, let’s assume 2,080 hours per year, 8 hours per day/5 days per week, for one’s vocation (even retired people often wonder when they found time for a career since they still stay busy). That leaves 3,760 hours per year or about 72 hours per week left for “other pursuits”. How much of that will we spend in personal Bible study and prayer each day?
How many Biblical sound publications will I read in 2019? Your answer: _______________
The Flatwoods church has a library filled with study material (books, videos, audio cd’s, etc.) that can be used for personal study, research, or just fun reading, on a given topic. There are also monthly and quarterly magazines available for your reading. Do we take advantage of these wonderful resources? Do we subscribe to sound Biblical journals and magazines to be delivered to our homes to read? Did you know the congregation pays for the publication “Gospel Minutes” to be delivered to your home? If you wish to receive this, let the church secretary know and you will be added to the mailing list.
How many Gospel Meetings, Seminars, Lectureships, Vacation Bible Schools, etc. will I attend in 2019? Your answer: _______________
Congregations of the Lord’s church will be having Revivals (I still like that term) this Spring which are within a short drive. Will you and I attend? Will you attend our Spring Gospel Meeting, April 14-18, 2019 and “Is The Bible Reliable” Seminar, September 13-15, 2019? While Lectureships are a bit more of a drive, these are outstanding occasions of Bible study, encouragement, and exhortation. Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) are opportunities for the study of the Gospel for all ages. In fact, does your answer above include the Flatwoods VBS, July 22-26, 2019?
How many souls will I seek to bring to Christ in 2019? Your answer: _______________
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20a, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Who will we teach the message of the Gospel? The message of Christ coming and dying for mankind, the soul damning effect of sin, and the remedy through obedience to God in belief, repentance, confession, and baptism. As of January 2019, there are 7.7 billion people on planet earth and vast multitudes of these are going into eternity unprepared to meet God.
As we consider the above questions, answer this, How will I serve the Lord in the kingdom in 2019? Your answer: ____________________________________________________.
-Jerry D. Sturgill
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