The end of the year is generally the time that most companies and businesses devote to doing the often dreaded, but greatly needed, task of taking inventory. Inventory allows you to determine what you have, what you are lacking, what you have accomplished, what you failed to do and the areas that need attention for the coming year. It would be a foolish and risky decision to neglect such a helpful and informative introspection.

The end of the year is also an opportune time to take a spiritual inventory. A self examination of this nature is even prescribed by the Word of God. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). When was the last time you took inventory of your life, the direction you are going and what you hope to accomplish? For most it may have been this time last year, in which case you are in desperate need of, and are long overdue for, a spiritual inventory.

Take an inventory of your prayer life. Much can be learned about your level of spirituality by examining your prayer life. Did you do much praying this year? If you did, when was it? Did you pray fervently when there was a sickness, financial problem, death or other difficulty? These are certainly times when we NEED prayer. In times of difficulty and hardship we need the help of our Father. The best part is, He desires for us to come to Him with our weaknesses, illnesses, heartaches and troubles (1 Peter 5:7). But if this is the ONLY time we utter a prayer there are changes that need to be made. Perhaps you pray more often than that, but it is only a few half-hearted words muttered out of guilt or obligation. If so, there are changes that need to be made. If your inventory reveals a frequent, fervent and heartfelt prayer life, keep it up next year (James 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Take an inventory of your study habits. How much time did you spend this year in Bible study? You cannot count the time spent studying in Sunday morning or Wednesday night Bible classes because this is the bare minimum that anyone who wears the name of Christ should study (Psalm 1:2; 119:97). How much did you study on your own? Did you spend more time reading the paper this year than the Bible? If so, changes need to be made.

Take inventory of the spirituality of your family. During the past twelve months did you make the church the center of your family (Matthew 6:33)? Did you put spiritual things first or were they occasionally neglected due to other things? Did sports, trips or friends come before spiritual things or worship services and Bible classes?

Take inventory of your place in this congregation. This year did you help or hurt the work of the Lord here at the Orange Street church of Christ? Did you get on board and work to accomplish the goals set by our overseers, or did you stand on the sideline criticizing and complaining? Each member is a vital part of the body, but those members must be working together (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

January Calendars
The January 2004 edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Duty Schedule is available today in the foyer. Be sure to get a copy and be aware of the coming month's activities and assignments.

For The Pantry
We are still in need of several items in order to get our pantry back to a well stocked level. This week's Pantry Item is canned meat. 

We Still Need Volunteers!
There were several openings left blank on the sign-up sheets for the 2004 Duty Schedules. We are still in need of men to make opening remarks in February and August as well as men to close the building in May, July and December. We also need hosts for the monthly home devotionals for the months of July through November. Please help us fill these spots so that we can publish the schedules for the coming year. See Carl Chambers, as soon as possible, if you are willing to help out in these areas.

Remember...
We will have a devotional service this Wednesday evening (New Year’s Eve) instead of our regular classes.

New Student
We have a new Florida School of Preaching student moving into one of the student houses this coming semester. We are putting together a box of goodies in the foyer for a housewarming gift to help him get off to a good start. There is a list of wanted items posted. Try to have anything you can provide here by Wednesday night.

Notice!!
The elders request that you please inform either, Frank Nabors or Wanda Greene (the church secretary) if you borrow any tables, chairs or the like - so that we can keep track of their whereabouts. Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Man's journey through life is dramatically pictured by Divine Inspiration in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. The story of man's journey from the cradle to the grave is the most interesting story ever told. If you find death hard to face, set your hearts on your heavenly home and not on this earthly house.