How Are We Doing?

Paul admonished those in Corinth to "Examine yourselves ..." (2 Cor. 13:5)
He wanted them to look at their own selves and compare themselves to the
Gospel. He wanted them to be sure they knew where they were going, and that
they were following the teaching of Jesus Christ so they could be saved.

Each of us, as individuals and as a congregation, need to regularly examine
ourselves. We need to be sure we are doing the will of Jesus Christ.

What have we done at Barberton in the last year? Well, we have done quite
a bit. We have been regularly Teaching the Gospel. Both publicly and in
private. One way is by our daily message. We have had hundreds of calls
this year. Of those calls, 26 people requested the correspondence course.
Another was by regular teaching among our own. We have born fruit of that
teaching through those who were converted. Those who obeyed the Gospel and
those who helped them by teaching it are to be commended. However, this is
just the beginning. We must realize that there is more work to be done in
edifying those saved and in reaching out to the lost.

We have been practicing Benevolence. Several from among our number have
been in need and those needs have been attended to. Sometimes it has been
by the congregation, other times it has been by individuals. As we have
learned of these needs we have sought to fulfill them.

We have been providing Support to men going into the Lord's vineyard. We
have helped send men to South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, among
other places. We have helped 12 men this year with regular or one-time
support. We presently support 4 other evangelists besides the local one.

All of this is not to get us puffed up, but it is to recognize that we are
doing what the Lord would have us to do. We are following the scriptures and
in so doing, we are trying to please Him.

We must continue what we have started. We must all be about our "Father's
business" in the saving of souls. We are thankful for the past year and we
look forward to the opportunity of the new year. May the Lord bless us as
we continue to seek to serve Him. [JW]

 "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
   persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:28)