This article discusses how Christians should conduct themselves, especially in victory or defeat. It emphasizes maintaining good character regardless of outcomes. A sore loser or winner loses their character, but God's people are to be examples of Christ. The early church faced opposition but added members daily through living godly lives. Ultimately, victory over the world comes through faith in Christ. The choice is ours to be headed for victory in Heaven or defeat in Hell based on our response to God's salvation.

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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 January 18, 2022 Number 3
VICTORY AND DEFEAT
Barry Kennedy
Victory and defeat are facts of life. It has been said that for every
winner there must be a loser. How one “deals” with victory or loss can
change his or her status from a winner to a loser and vice versa.
Undoubtedly, we all have heard of, or seen the evidence of a sore loser.
A sore loser is in essence a double loser. Not only did this person lose
the competition, but he also lost his character as well. Having said that,
there are also those who can be classified as sore winners. These are the
gloaters, proud, and arrogant people. They may win the competition,
but let’s face it, no one would ever want to compete with them again!
They, like the sore losers, lose their character.
God’s people are to be of the utmost character. Character is
defined as: “the set of qualities that make somebody or something
distinctive, especially somebody's qualities of mind and feeling”
(Encarta). Jesus said, “ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
Jesus was pointing out the fact that His people are to help point the way
to Heaven (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16). The apostle Paul
encouraged the young preacher Timothy to “. . . be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Clearly, every facet of the Christian’s life is to
be an example of Christ to the world. After all, the word “Christian”
carries the idea of being “Christ-Like.”
The Lord’s church in the first century was very well known
throughout the world. “Praising God, and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved” (Acts 2:47). What a compliment this was to those newly made
disciples of Jesus Christ. Even if the world does not accept the doctrine
of Christ, Christians are to be considerate of others. “If it be possible, as
much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). One
might say that this was a victory. On the other hand, some said, “These
that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;” (Acts
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ELDERS
Mike Childers ............. 397-6453
Dennis Hallmark......... 255-5557
Mark Hitt .................... 322-0917
Bobby Lindley ............ 260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan ................ 419-5552
William Harris ............ 416-8149
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder (731)879-9196
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office.......................... 842-6116
Fax .............................. 842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship........................9:00 a.m.
Bible class..................10:15 a.m.
Worship......................11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes......7:00 p.m.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

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17:6b). The church met much opposition then
and the Holy Spirit affirms that it always will.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Does this mean that Satan is victorious, and
Christians are defeated? Of course not, as long
as we maintain our character.
Victory and defeat will always be a part
of this life. However, the Christian has an
advantage in the “game of life.” “For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the
world: and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). What is
our status in the game of life? Are we headed
for victory (i.e., Heaven) or defeat (i.e., Hell)?
The choice is ours (Deuteronomy 30:15;
Matthew 7:13, 14; Revelation 22:17).
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Gospel Meeting
A Gospel Meeting will be held at the Verona
congregation January 21-23 with Jeffery King
speaking Friday and Saturday at 6:30 pm and
Sunday at 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 am.
Friends & Family Day
The Amory congregation is hosting a Friends
and Family Day on Sunday, Jan. 30 with Chuck
Morris speaking. Worship at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm.
Bible class at 10:45 am. A fellowship meal will be
held at noon.
Thank You Note
East Main Brethren,
Thank you so much for the beautiful wreath for
Rhonda. Thank you for your love, prayers, support
and comforting words. We gratefully appreciate
your kind and generous expressions of sympathy
during this difficult time. In Christian love,
Jason, Clint & Cass Kelly,
and family
Neglected Opportunities
Felix’s problem was sin; thus, his greatest need
was the forgiveness of sin. Yet he neglected the
remedy. Notice the many opportunities Felix was
given to be saved, yet he neglected them all.
Felix had to neglect all the following
opportunities to remain lost:
Felix was in the right place at the right time
(24:24a). The right place is here, and the right time
is now (2 Corinthians 6:2). The gospel invitation is
always open; it must not be neglected.
Felix heard the apostle Paul preach (24:24b).
Paul was a powerful preacher; however, the power
is not in the man; it is in the message—the gospel
message (Romans 1:16). Felix heard the glorious
gospel of Jesus Christ from a dedicated servant of
the Lord!
Felix heard a sermon adapted specifically to him
(24:25). Paul preached about three of the most
important things in the world: righteousness, self-
control, and coming judgment. Paul preached
exactly what Felix and Drucilla needed to hear.
Felix had an emotional response to the gospel
(24:25). Change is, to a certain degree, emotional;
however, emotion is too unbalanced to use as a
spiritual foundation. Faith is the rock upon which
salvation is built. The rock is Jesus (cf. Matthew
16:13-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11).
Felix had a second chance (24:26). Jonah (3:1),
Simon (Acts 8:20-24) and David (2 Samuel 12:1-
13) were given opportunities to change and get right
in God’s sight. Felix called for Paul often, giving
him many opportunities to change; however, there
is no indication that he ever took advantage of the
wonderful gospel opportunities.
Felix neglected wonderful opportunities to be
saved; he neglected them to remain lost. Let that
never be said of us! “How shall we escape if we
neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).
–Mark N. Posey
--via House to House Heart to Heart
(Archive 6844)

3. Daily Bible Reading
January 19............................................... Exodus 4-6
January 20............................................... Exodus 7-9
January 21........................................... Exodus 10-12
January 22........................................... Exodus 13-15
January 23........................................... Exodus 16-18
January 24........................................... Exodus 19-21
January 25........................................... Exodus 22-24
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Ashton Smith (Jan. 20), Sarah Minor
(Jan. 22),JordanLaney(Jan.24). Anniversaries:
Joyce & James Burney (Jan. 22).
Our Sick
Raleigh Bass, Grady & Debbie Vines, Alicia
Smith, Hannon Sky & Jennifer Ray, Stella Pittman,
Berta & Brittney Kennedy, and Jean Mounce are
home with Covid. Ronnie Cartwright, Star Ray &
Barbara Wright’s cousin, is on a vent at UAB with
Covid following a stem cell transplant. Wade Bryan’s
mother, Linda, is home from the hospital. Twinette
Wallace’s brother, Donny Dulaney, is undergoing
chemo. Robert Parker, Steve Kelly and Heather
DuBois have been home sick.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons,
Barbara Bishop, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill
Goff, Adam McCurley, Mitch Maclean, Sheba
Tuggers, Stella Pittman, Larry Kennedy, Brian
Carver, Marvin Chamblee, Lacy Plaxico
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
New Movers’ Baskets
There are a few new movers’ baskets in the foyer
that need delivering. This is a great way to introduce
East Main to those who have recently moved into the
area. Please take one and deliver if you are able.
EMYG News
When a child is hurt, most grownups are too,
It hurts most of us when they are blue.
We seem to have a special place deep down
inside
That really goes out to them when they’ve been
hurt and cried.
God is our Father through thin and through
thick
But sometimes we wonder if he cares when
we’re sick.
Sometimes we wonder if he’s even aware
That our life has become burdened with this
huge load of care.
We pray and we pray and we believe that he
hears
And then we say, “Father, don’t you see all my
tears?
Why do I deserve to suffer like this?
Haven’t I been good? Don’t I deserve bliss?”
Yes, God knows what happens to us every
single day,
But beyond knowing he loves us in an
unfathomable way.
For us, his children, he wants only good,
But lives don’t always go as he wishes they
would.
Life will definitely bring you good times and
bad,
When you are hurting your Father is sad.
Don’t look for answers that aren’t there to be
found,
Trust God completely, you’ll be safe and be
sound.
–Author Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--We will be having in the Multipurpose Room KIA
(Kids In Action) this Sunday, Jan. 23 for anyone
from 6th
grade down. Bring potluck dishes and lets
enjoy a time of sweet fellowship!
--The fifth Sunday, our young men will conduct the
second service. If you would like to help, let Alex
know!
--Don’t forget those going to CYC need to pay Alex
their $50 by Feb. 1.
--Alex has medical release forms for 2022/2023. If
your child participates in youth activities, please get
one of these forms from him.

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading...........................................Will Davis
Opening Prayer ............................ Rommie Dilworth
Lord’s Supper
Chad Willis
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer....................................... Wade Bryan
Ushers ................................................Security Team
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ................................Michael Wilson
Closing Prayer................................... Stuart Childers
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Opening Prayer ..........................................Mark Hitt
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Wade Bryan (419-5552) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 1-12-22 .................................................... 107
Sunday 1st
Worship, 1-16-22 .................................... 101*
Sunday Bible Class....................................................... 81
Sunday 2nd
Worship...................................................... 52
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $6,555
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter