This month at South Side we have enjoyed a series entitled “Predicting The Future” where we have looked at specific biblical principles that greatly impact our personal future. In week 1 we talked about how everything starts with a thought. We learned that we must test each thought against the word of God to be sure that each thought is a God directed thought. In that week we also talked about the importance of taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ as the Apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 10:5.

In our second week, we unpacked that after we have the right thought we need to have the wisdom to make the right choices. It’s estimated that the average adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious choices each day. Each choice, of course, carries certain consequences with it that are both good and bad. We can have the right information or the right thought and not use them in a righteous way. For example, we can share the good news of Christ in love, or we can share it in a Bible thumping bad news way. The wisdom to know how to make the right choice is important. We talked about how we can gain wisdom through prayer, through counsel, and through experience.

In our third week we talked about ways we all make choices, and how we need to be able to take action. I believe when we fail to plan we plan to fail. Many of us know the right thought and the right choice, but often fail to take the right action. Behavioral specialists have found that we need to be intentional in order to take the right actions habitually. John Maxwell, in his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, states that the Law of Diminishing Intent implies, “The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it.” We need a plan of action if we are going to take action.

In our fourth week, we talked about the fact that we all need certain “support systems’ in our journey to develop new habits. I believe for us spiritually one of those support systems is the body of Christ, or often called “the church.” Years ago a person wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.” This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!” If you think the false political propaganda out there is bad you ought to take a look at the false propaganda Satan has put out to people about the church!

This final week of our series at South Side we will unpack how we can “Know Your Future” not just here, but in the hereafter! Worship begins at 10:15, and our Children’s Ministry offers children’s classes for all ages. We are continuing to practice social distancing at our services. If you are unable to attend our online services will be available at 3 on Facebook and our website. If you would like to give generously text: 84321 then the word “help” and follow the simple instructions. We would love to have your family worship with us! For more information visit us on our website at: www.southsidewch.com or on Facebook.

In Christ,

Barry Pettit

Lead Pastor

South Side Church of Christ

www.southsidewch.com