It is the time of year when we usually commit ourselves to several worthy goals. We do this because we want to make our lives and faith better. We want to improve and that is a worthy goal. I have noticed that most of our resolutions revolve around money, health, and family.
While these are worthy goals, what would it look like if we could set the resolutions for the church or our family? I would venture to say that we would set a much more rounded, holistic set of resolutions. As I reflected on this question, I came up with a list that I think is a good start. It is not perfect by any means but these are the things I would like to see myself and others focus on.
• Pray more – 1 Thessalonians 5:17. • Invest in our God-given talents – 1 Timothy 4:14-15; Matthew 25:14-30. • Get more intentional about evangelism – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. • Care for ourselves spiritually – Philippians 3:12-16; Mark 6:31; Exodus 20:8-11. • Be willing to make the tough decisions – Acts 20:22-24. • Confront the sin in our life – Heb. 12:1-2. • Be forgiving of others and self – Matthew 6:14-15. • Love people without boundaries – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. • Quit comparing ourselves to others – John 21:20-23; 2 Corinthians 10:12. • Read more – 2 Timothy 4:9,13. • Make family a priority – Colossians 3:18-21. • Stay focused on the Lord and His church – Acts 2:42-47. • Continue to grow – Ephesians 4:15-16; 2 Peter 3:17-17 • Treat others like we would like to be treated – Matthew 7:12; Isaiah 1:16-17. • Seek heavenly things above all else – Colossians 3:1-2.
This is a difficult list that could take a lifetime to master, and yet we are called to be Christ-like in every aspect of our life. Let’s use our resolutions to ensure that we become the best Christian possible. – Jeff Arnette, Clyde, NC
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
But that is not all: What has really blown me away, is the number of Church Plantings we have been part of. 33 churches have been started this year with brethren using the Gospel Chariots. That is fantastic as brethren use the chariots for this. Statistically, they say, the most effective way to reach the world is PLANT A CHURCH.
The end of July-early August we were blessed to join the Asian Mission Forum (AMF) held in Bangkok, Thailand. This annual conference/workshop has missionaries joining specifically from Asia as well as other nations. This years theme, “The City” consisted of three keywords 1) Gather 2) Pray and 3) Reach. We were all blessed by the facilitators, the keynote speakers who fed us from God’s Word, and by the common bond of love, unity, prayer and encouragement.
You have heard or seen how our Lord is working in Cambodia and in the hearts of the people here. We beg you to please remember to pray for healing for Chai-aeng (a young girl suffering with an illness for a long time). Also pray for various witch doctors, and for other forms of spiritual darkness and warfare that plague the people and country of Cambodia.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). If we imagine a strong tower, what do we see? A fortified stronghold adjoining a castle? An impenetrable fortress built to withstand all attacks of the enemy? Or perhaps a place of refuge? A tower generally allowed a view of the surrounding area from which enemy activity could be observed and monitored. It was secure and safe.
Other news and highlights…
A giant sinkhole opened up in Schmalkalden, Germany, about 98 feet across and about 65 feet deep that swallowed a car, part of a garage and house. Yet, it was small compared to the sinkhole that opened up in Guatemala City in 2007. Reportedly, residents heard rumblings for weeks but no one knew why. In one day, almost instantly, a perfectly round plot of earth disappeared and left a hole more than thirty stories deep!
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
This is so exciting, but as I sit here I could tell you of some amazing developments taking place in other parts of Africa where we are making amazing breakthroughs in spreading the Wonderful Name of Jesus and one area is the DRC, that is Congo, where we have struggled to get into for years and are now busy sending a Congolese brother back to Congo, fully trained and ready to work out of Goma, a town ideally situated. Also have another brother leaving for Namibia to help us in our Bible School there and also trying to get him a work visa to help oversee the school. Also some amazing developments in South Africa as we are making plans of moving our ministry out of the inner city and more out of town to the west, where communities are popping up all over the place. That said, we will be leaving behind a thriving Downtown Pretoria Church of Christ.
PS, Brethren it is soooooo hard to fundraise and find funds and we really, really need to say how amazing this is and how God has been so good through you all…….Below shows some updates reported by the team in West Africa.
Highland Lakes church of Christ 