Padded pews, central heat and air, indirect lighting, high-tech PA systems, high-ceilinged auditoriums, modem classrooms, offices, telephones, furniture, copiers, computers, heated baptisteries, youth rallies, Bible camps, gospel meetings... the list seems almost endless ... but what's 's the point of it all?

The church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ must never forget why it exists today. Our one and only responsibility is the salvation of souls. There is not another reason for the church's existence!

Everything we do - every bill we pay - every contribution we make - every song we sing - every sermon we preach - every class we teach.. Everything we do must have, as its motivation, the salvation of souls! "Now all [these] things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18).

We are in the "people business" and we must never forget that fact! God's word is our survival kit and as long as we go, grow, and glow, the church will thrive and survive. As long as we strive to teach the truth, preach the word, and seek the lost, the church our Lord died to purchase with His own blood will be alive!

Feelings of well-being, Christian joy, serenity, and security are the just rewards for living the Christian life and let us ever be mindful that the church —you and me— exists today, for the single minded purpose of seeking and saving the lost and keeping the saved saved! Nothing more - nothing less! ❦

It's Better to Know
Tim Forlines

When awaiting medical test results, people often say that, whatever the outcome, it has to be better than not knowing. Sometimes relatives of an abducted or missing person have said that learning of that person's death would be better than not knowing of his or her whereabouts at all. Other examples could be cited. In so many of life's situations, it is better to know.

In spiritual matters, it is better to know, and thankfully, we can know:

1. That God exists (Psa. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18ff)
2. Who God is; what He expects of man (Psalm 19:7-11)
3. Our personal standing with Him (1 John 5:13)

Still, some live in spiritual ignorance, and hope to be saved, not only in their ignorance, but because of it! Amazingly, it is often in this area of life alone that people follow such a foolish perspective.

Of course, the Bible never encourages or extols ignorance. The Bible's emphasis is upon knowing (John 4:32; 2 Pet. 13; 3:18; 1 John 2:3; 3: 1b; 3:19; 4:6; 4:13; 5:13).

So, what do you know? ❦

Johnye Sim's Uncle, Lucian Cox, passed away this past Tuesday morning (8/1) in Decatur, AL. No other information was known at this printing. Please keep Johnye and the family members in your prayers.

Youth Devo
The regular monthly Youth Fellowship and Devo is scheduled for this evening after the PM services. See Matt Faneuf for more details.

Game Night
The second Friday evening “Game Night” is scheduled for this coming Friday evening at 6:30 (or so) in the annex. Come as you are for a couple of hours of casual fun and games.

As we enumerate our blessings each day help us to obey daily your command to rejoice regardless of conditions about us. Help us to launch out into the deep and let down our nets as your word directs. Help us to stretch out our stride on the Highway of Holiness with a greater desire to reach that home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.