We had a great gospel meeting last week with Lonnie Jones. Not only did we learn much regarding family, marriage, and child rearing, but we also received some important lessons on Christian service and dealing with suffering. Many of you have signed up to receive copies of these lessons on CD. The signup sheet is still in the foyer for those who haven’t had a chance to make a request. Also, Lonnie’s lessons have been posted online in an audio format. Listen to them in streaming audio, or download them to your computer or portable device. Go to www.arcoc.com.
The gospel meeting is over. Now what? It is not time to rest on our laurels. There is much to do as fall approaches.
Let’s not waste the good messages we have heard during our gospel meeting. Have you struggled with your marriage? Are the kids about to get the best of you? Do you realize the need to be more involved at Ashville Road? Have you recently suffered a personal tragedy that has left you shell shocked? Go back to your notes. Listen to the CDs of Lonnie’s lessons. Use what you have learned so that you can grow spiritually. Our elders did not plan this meeting for a past time. They planned it with personal growth in mind. Don’t let our meeting go to waste!
In addition to making the most out of our gospel meeting, let’s not forget the work that we still need to do in 2008. The year is far from over. After an event like a gospel meeting, it is tempting to sit back and take a rest. That would be nice, but we just don’t have the time. There are souls out there that need the gospel, families who are in need, neighbors who are struggling to get by. We need to reach out to them. We need to continue contributing to the Lord’s work on Sundays, setting aside a portion of our earnings for the Lord. We must continue to support the worship services and Bible classes of this church. Look inside this bulletin. There are a number of devotional opportunities, classes, service opportunities, and needs that require our attention. Find something that compliments your interests and abilities, and get to work!
Over the first part of this year, Ashville Road has built an unprecedented momentum. We have had record attendance figures and record contributions. New families have been added, and several baptisms have taken place. It’s an exciting time. But momentum doesn’t run on its own. We must deliberately and actively do what’s necessary to keep it going. Together we can do it. Keep it up!