"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

The implication from the text is that there is a time for everything. The list the author provided was not intended to be exhaustive, but representative. There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven; birth and death, planting and harvesting, war and peace, all have their appointed time.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Perhaps it is time for us to take personal inventory. Are we in the faith? How do we know? What standard do we use?

Some answer these questions with: "I feel it in my heart!" But, can we trust our feelings? Didn't Saul feel he was doing God's bidding when he persecuted the church? He said, "Indeed, I myself thought 1, must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 26:9). He was wrong!

Others seek to determine whether or not they are "in the faith" by comparing themselves with other Christians. That won't work either, because the standard is flawed. We are all imperfect. Again, Paul warned: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10-12).

Only one reliable standard exists for determining whether or not we are in the faith. That standard is the word of God. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Where do we stand in respect to the commands of the Almighty? How do we compare with the perfect standard—Jesus Christ? Where do we need to do better? Remember Jesus’ warning: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Now you know why we place so much emphasis upon the Scriptures.

Regular self-examination is for our own spiritual good. If I don't quite measure up to what the Lord expects of me, I need to know about it First, take the time to read Heb. 10:25; 3:13 Matt. 6:33; 5: 16; 22:37; Gal 6: 1; 2:20, then take the following test.

‚ Do I ever deliberately miss a service on Sunday or Wednesday?
‚ Do I visit and show concern for the sick?
‚ Do I call or visit and encourage a weak brother or sister?
‚ Do I make an effort to check on brothers or sisters who were absent?
‚ Do I skip a Sunday night or Wednesday service while on vacation?
‚ Do I allow my children to dress immodestly?
‚ Do I check my children's Bible lessons to make sure they are done?
‚ Do I miss church services with a physical ailment and then go to work on Monday or engage in some other activity with that same ailment?
‚ Do I find myself regularly complaining about what is wrong with the congregation, instead of looking for a way to improve the situation?
‚ Do I speak words of encouragement and appreciation to the elders?
‚ Am I regularly looking for ways to serve God and others?
‚ Do I study God's Word and pray daily?'

How do you measure up?
What do you need to change?
Remember, the Lord knows!

Ladies’ Luncheon
The regular monthly Ladies’ Devo & Luncheon is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) at 11:30 am in the annex. Note that there will be no luncheon in the month of December and tomorrow’s meeting will be the last one until January 12th, 2004.

Home Devo
The regular monthly Home Devo & Bible Study will be hosted this coming Saturday evening (Nov. 15th) at the home of Eddie and Renee Hurn. There is a sign-up sheet and map on the bulletin board for those who plan to attend.

The word courage has really fallen upon hard times! Being a daredevil is not necessarily being courageous. Changing times have almost eliminated a coveting for courage. Yet, courage is a key to happiness. You cannot be happy while running away! You cannot be happy hiding behind a mask! Courage tackles problems and handles them.