Sabbath Thought:

    This week’s Sabbath Thought is from Dan Dowd. I found it very interesting and I thought you all would as well. It’s titled, “The State of Your Flocks”.

     This is a common time of the year when people look back over the last calendar year and consider what they want to do differently in the coming year.  For Christians, our examination should not be relegated to one time of the year, but rather a regular part of our walk before God.  “How am I doing? -What is the state of my flocks?”

     This question comes from a reminder found in Proverbs 27:23 Proverbs 27:23Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
American King James Version×(“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;”, NKJV).  Here the reader is encouraged to engage in the harvest of the crops so there is room for the next crop to grow, to tend the sheep to have wool for clothing, and to take care of the goats so there is milk and food for the household.

     A principle of this verse is for us to consider the state of our spiritual life as well – so what is the state of our “flocks”? We are familiar with the concept of spiritual self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5 2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?
American King James Version×), but Proverbs 27:23 Proverbs 27:23Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
American King James Version×is also a reminder that we are to be regularly assessing whether we are taking care of the important aspects of our spiritual calling.  The Young’s Literal Translation has Proverbs 27:23 Proverbs 27:23Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
American King James Version×translated this way: “Know well the face of thy flock….”  The expression “the face” in the Hebrew has a number of meanings but the concept is to face or to be in front of, or to look at, what we are to be taking care of.

     What, then, are the important “aspects” of our calling?  They run from the basic to the more involved.  Some of the basics are things like obeying the commandments (keeping the Sabbath/Holy Days etc., and the 10 Commandments), regular contact with God (prayer and Bible study) and regular fasting (to stay humble before God and to remember to trust in Him to direct our life).  The deeper aspects of “know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds” are the “softer” items like overcoming (Revelation 2-3 – growing in character [2 Peter 3:18 2 Peter 3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
American King James Version×]), living up to the responsibilities in marriage (Ephesians 5), and expressing God’s truth through love (Ephesians 4:15 Ephesians 4:15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
American King James Version×).

     Along this line, Proverbs 24:27 Proverbs 24:27Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
American King James Version×reminds us to “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house,” (NIV).  Before we can effectively do a work, we must first be a work.  This verse reminds us that we also need to prioritize, and take care of, the more important aspects of our calling to put them first.  This involves things like obedience to God’s instruction (John 14:15 John 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments.
American King James Version×), applying, and living in, His love (1 John 4:8 1 John 4:8He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.
American King James Version×), serving one another (Galatians 5:13 Galatians 5:13For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
American King James Version×) and forbearing with one another (Colossians 3:13 Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.
American King James Version×.  Prioritizing the things of God also includes doing the things of God before we “build our house” – before we take care of, and do, the physical things of this life.

     This Sabbath day is the appropriate time for us to consider the state of our flocks in order to build the house God wants to see in each of us.  What is the state of your flocks?

For the Youth - Bible Trivia:

1. When Jesus returns as the conquering King, where is this special title of "King of Kings and Lords of Lords" written?
*Hint: Revelation 19:11-16 Revelation 19:11-16 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a clothing dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he has on his clothing and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
American King James Version×

2. Besides the Holy bread (Showbread), what unique item was also given to David by the Priest Ahimelech, in the city of Nob?
*Hint: 1 Samuel 21:1-10 1 Samuel 21:1-10 [1] Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said to him, Why are you alone, and no man with you? [2] And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. [3] Now therefore what is under your hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or what there is present. [4] And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. [5] And David answered the priest, and said to him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yes, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. [6] So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the show bread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. [7] Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the most chief of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul. [8] And David said to Ahimelech, And is there not here under your hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. [9] And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you slew in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if you will take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. [10] And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
American King James Version×

3. What was the name of Moses' first born son by Zapporah?
* Hint: Exodus 2:15-22 Exodus 2:15-22 [15] Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelled in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. [16] Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. [17] And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. [18] And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you are come so soon to day? [19] And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. [20] And he said to his daughters, And where is he? why is it that you have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. [21] And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. [22] And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
American King James Version×

North Canton Announcements:

1. Sabbath Service Time (December 31st): 11:00 AM - Our normal meeting hall will not be available so the location and service time has been changed. Services will be located at the Holiday Inn - 898 Arlington Ridge E Akron OH 44312

**Please note: No snacks allowed tomorrow. Coffee will be provided.

2. Next Sabbath – (January 1st): 2:00 PM
3. Book Discussion Group: Due to the change in location and time of church services this week, the book discussion group will not be meeting tomorrow. Instead we’ll meet next week, January 7th at noon! We will read chapters 9-10 of Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. If you haven't come before and would like to join, all are still welcome to join!
4. Zoom Bible Study: The next scheduled Bible study will take place January 19, 2023 at 7:30 PM
5. Kitchen Volunteer Meeting: There will be a meeting on January 14, 2023 for all kitchen crew members.
6. Chili Potluck: Sense we will not be able to have our regular scheduled Potluck on the 28th due to the Marriage Seminar. We will be having a special themed potluck on January 14th. Chili will be provided, please bring sides, salads, drinks, desserts. For more information contact Etta Murry or Sherry Thouvenin.
7. Brethren Helping Brethren: We are all facing some very difficult times and things seem to be getting worse. The young and elderly may be struggling or may struggle moving forward.  We would like to reach out to our N Canton Brethren by setting up a table in the back of our fellowship hall for donated non-perishable items. (paper products, cleaning supplies, canned goods etc.) If you would like to participate please bring in your items on January 14th. Depending on items donated and need we will update with the next donation date whether it be monthly or bi-monthly. Please contact Debbie Kuhns with ideas or questions.
8. Marriage Seminar Weekend: Why settle for a good marriage when God gives us the tools to have a great marriage. Marriage is under attack and it’s never a waste of time to invest in strengthening this special relationship between a husband and wife. This special weekend will provide the opportunity for our married couples to come together as a family to learn how to protect and develop even more what God has blessed us with. The seminar/activity will take place from Friday evening January 27 to Sunday afternoon January 29th. Location will be the Holiday Inn Boardman, OH. * Please Register for the event.
9. Growing in Faith Weekend: All UCG young adults are invited to join us at the 2023 Growing in the Faith weekend from January 13- 16, 2023 in Stewartville, Minnesota, to discuss how to prepare for a godly marriage. While single, it is the perfect time to learn and grow into the person God wants us to be, even if we haven’t met that perfect person yet. Now is the time to be developing the characteristics that will help us have the successful, happy marriages that God wants us to have when that time comes.

In addition to several seminars given by David Schreiber, Ed Dowd and Brian Shaw, we will have plenty of time for fellowship, sledding, games and dancing. This will be a great chance to spend quality time with fellow brothers and sisters in the faith in a positive, uplifting atmosphere. Please register now at growinginthefaith.com! Special pricing of $170 includes all food, lodging, and activities for the weekend. Don't miss out on this special opportunity!

10. Young Adult Winter/Ski Retreat: We are excited to announce a Young Adult winter/ski retreat, President's Day Weekend February 17th-20th, 2023! We are hoping to forge new and deeper relationships with people of like mind. We will be eating and staying together for the whole weekend. We welcome all young adults ages 18–29, single or married.

We will be staying in cabins at Pipestem State Park in Pipestem, West Virginia. Activities will include skiing/snowboarding, sledding, hiking, swimming, bonfire, sports, and lots and lots of hanging out. More information about the activities can be found on the website. We will also have several interactive discussions and Bible studies. The theme of this weekend will be focused on "how can young adults contribute to the future of the Church of God?"

Registration is open, so go ahead and register on the registration tab at ucgyawinterretreat.org, and we will see you there!

11. Seasons of a Women’s Life: The women of the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne congregations invite you to a Women’s Enrichment Weekend April 21-23, 2023. We will discuss and learn about the “Seasons of a Woman’s Life”. Rooms have been reserved at a local hotel and we will host a welcome reception there on Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday, ladies will meet at the Indianapolis church building for a fun weekend of learning, fellowship, and music. Prices and registration information will be coming out in January. You may contact Lizzy Creech at liz.creech06@yahoo.com with any questions.

If I’ve overlooked anything, Please let me know ASAP.