Yesterday about 30 – 40 people met at the building and worked on everything from spreading pine straw to cleaning chairs and tables; to cleaning the kitchen and spreading flyers and circulars about the upcoming Gospel Meeting. Over 450 flyers were passed out, and much needed work was done in preparation for the meeting.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:5-8, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” NKJV It is important for all of us to realize that all that we do for the Lord should be always and eternally for his glory and praise, and that we should never seek the glory here on earth for what little we do. It is also vitally important to realize that not everyone can do everything, and part of being the church means that we each find our place and niche where we can be used by God for the benefit of all (Ephesians 4:11-16). I was impressed because so many of you came out and helped out in such a positive way for the glory of the Lord.

I also saw many Christians working together for an important goal. The fellowship that comes from working together (not just eating together) is one that forges stronger ties between ourselves. Truly, we all benefitted from the time we spent together yesterday.

Let us realize that the work done was not just “busy work,” but necessary work. If we will be blessed with a building, then we must do what we can to take care of the same. Also, we must always remember that those who visit with us will be impressed either for good or ill by the way we take care of the things God has given us to use. We must be faithful in the little things for God to bless us in the bigger things.

So, again, let me thank all of you that contributed in one way or another this Saturday to help us get things ready for the meeting.

Remember this Friday evening, beginning at 6:00 PM, we will have a prayer service for the meeting, for Steve Blackmon, and to remember all of those who are in constant need of our prayers. Throughout Scripture we find that the New Testament church met together and prayed about everything that they faced and everything they did. The New Testament church did nothing without praying about it first – and so often today we work, and never ask for God’s blessings on the things we do. We are told to “Pray without ceasing” and that is something all of us can do – whether healthy and spritely, or a shut in and weary. WE NEED GOD’S HELP, and WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HELP BY PETITIONING GOD’S FAVOR IN ALL THAT WE DO! At the same time, we will find out how much God will bless us when we ask him.

Also, remember that next Saturday we will once again pass out some flyers to let people know about the meeting, and depending on what gets done this next week, we MAY need some to weed eat around the retention pond in the front and back yard of the offices. Please help us out in this matter if you can.

Finally, remember that the gospel meeting is an opportunity for us to invite our friends and loved ones to be introduced to Jesus. We must make sure that we put our best foot forward, and do things in such a way as to positively impress those who visit with us! Wouldn’t it be a shame and tragedy if someone visit with us this week or at any time, and we make a negative impression on them to the point they never come back and hear the gospel of Jesus? Will God hold us accountable for that? I am sure he will. The church’s mission is to spread the gospel, and we must make every effort, and use every means possible to tell others about Jesus. Hence, in our worship services, and in everything we do let us consider and keep in focus what we are doing and why we are here – not to play with babies, nor catch up on what has happened to us this week, nor be so busy that we fail to truly worship God and influence others in a positive way about Jesus! We can do no less!