This article discusses what is required to be all that God created us to be. It says that God made man in His image and gave them free will so they could choose to fulfill their potential. However, to do so requires putting God first in all aspects of life, from obedience to prioritizing Him over others. It also means accepting our abilities and relying on God's forgiveness, rather than expecting sinless perfection. If we realize our identity as God's creation and strive to use the talents He gave us faithfully, then we can become all He intended.

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Vol. 45 March 10, 2020 Number 10
“Am I All God Made Me to Be?”
Barry Kennedy
American artist James Whistler, who was never known to be bashful about
his talent, was once advised that a shipment of blank canvases he had ordered had
been lost in the mail. When asked if the canvases were of any great value, Whistler
remarked, "not yet, not yet."1
Whistler knew that he could have made those canvases
valuable, through the talent he possessed.
How valuable do we consider ourselves to be? It would not be out of place to
see our lives as the blank canvas. The choices we make in life paint the portrait that
is to be presented before God (2 Corinthians 5:10). In the beginning, God made man
in His likeness and after His own image (Genesis 1:26). One of the great blessings
man has received is the gift of free will. Choice is a blessing many fail to
understand. God wants, desires, and even expects His creation to be all that He
created us to be. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians
2:10). God has given the guide to help man become the workmanship He desires (2
Timothy 3:16, 17). Are we looking inward to see if we are all God made us to be?
One might ask, “What is involved in being all God expects?”
Realize God comes first. Man has a very difficult time committing to this. It
is not very difficult to see the need to put God first. Consider the words of Jesus,
“Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God. . .” (Matthew 6:33). Putting God first begins
with our obedience. Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts
5:29). Submission to God’s will is only going to take place when one realizes God is
to be first. Is God really holding first place in our homes, with our children, and with
our spouses? The answer would have to be no, if God is not first in our own lives.
If we are ever going to be all that God expects us to be, we must realize who
we are. Many times God’s people expect something that is impossible, sinless
perfection. We fail to remember who we are (Romans 3:23). It is true that God
wants us to live above sin (1 John 1:7). However, we need not forget that God is the
one who has made forgiveness possible (Colossians 1:13, 14). We need to be
reminded, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1
Corinthians 10:12).
God has never commanded sinless perfection; however, that does not mean
that He has given man a license to sin (Romans 6:1, 2). For man to be all that God
wants him to be he must be faithful. Remember the words of Jesus, “Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). God
knows our abilities far better than we do. Could it be possible that we fail to see the
--article continued page 2--
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 Classes............. 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.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
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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ability God has given to us? If so, we are not going
to be able to be all God made us to be.
A great example of this is seen in the
parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The
master (God) entrusted each one of his servants
with an amount of money, befitting their individual
ability (Matthew 25:15). This parable tells us that
God knows our ability. Why is that important? It is
important because we cannot say, when the Lord
returns, “I did not have the ability to do what God
asked.”
God has always planned to have His
crowning creation with Him for all eternity. When
He looks down upon us from Heaven, does He see
you and me becoming all he made us to be? Are we
striving to meet the potential God has instilled in
us? We must remember that God must be first in
our lives and let that cause us to remember who we
are. We are God’s creation made in His image
(Genesis 1:26, 27). When we realize these truths,
we will strive to be all God made us to be.
1
Today in the Word, December 3, 1992.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Gary Stanford in the
loss of his mother, Mary Sue Burch, on March 6.
Funeral services were held March 9 at Pegues in
Tupelo. Keep the family in your prayers.
Also, Steve Kelly’s sister’s brother-in-law, Gene
Turner passed away Monday at the hospital in
Memphis. Arrangements were incomplete at this time.
Monthly Ladies’
Fellowship
The monthly ladies’ fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Mar. 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the multipurpose
room. Lasagna. chicken spaghetti & salad will be
served at 5:30 p.m., if you would like to come a little
early and eat.
Jr. Youth/Early Seekers’
Devotional
The Jr. Youth & Early Seekers’ Devotional will
be held this Sunday, March 15 immediately
following worship services in the multipurpose
room. Parents, a food sign-up list is posted on the
bulletin board across from the library.
Nursing Home Singing
The monthly singing at the
Tupelo Nursing & Rehab
Facility on Briar Ridge Rd.
will be held this Sunday, Mar.
15 from 2-2:30 p.m. Please
bring a song book if you can
attend.
March Youth Calendars
The March youth
calendars are on the table
in the foyer. Please pick
up one today and don’t
miss out on anything!
Thank You Notes
To our East Main family,
Thank you so much for all the housewarming
gifts and the thoughtfulness you all are continuing
to show to us. We are so blessed to be at a place
where we feel so much at home. We love you all!
In Christian love,
Alex Blackwelder & Cassie Cummings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To East Main church,
Thank you for all the visits, cards, calls and
flowers since I’ve been at Traceway. I love you all!
Frankie Estes
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
March 11.............................................. Judges 13-16
March 12.............................................. Judges 17-19
March 13.............................................. Judges 20-21
March 14..................................................... Ruth 1-4
March 15.............................................. 1 Samuel 1-3
March 16.............................................. 1 Samuel 4-8
March 17............................................ 1 Samuel 9-12
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Scarlett Smith (Mar. 12), Kinsley
Floyd (Mar. 14), Perry Hand (Mar. 14), Madi
Harris (Mar. 14), Jennie Cox (Mar. 16),
Marlon Geno (Mar. 17). Anniversaries: None this
week.
Our Sick
Jean Mounce is home with a high fever. She’s to
undergo surgery at UAB March 18. Norma Deaton
fell Monday. She’s home recuperating. Katie Bates’
grandmother, Margaret Miller, has been move to
Pontotoc for therapy. Jennie Cox has completed
therapy and is home.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Pete Barber, Steve Kelly,
Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
Mary Jordan, James Goddard, Bill Goff, Leroy
Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch Maclean,
Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Homer Smith, Jill Rice,
Ann Letteri, Shirley Roberts, Brad Dillard, Merlene
Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona
Harris
Congratulations
Congratulations to Betty Beard
in the birth of her great-
granddaughter, Zoe Lynn Sadler, on
March 6. Jason & Desiree Sadler
are her proud parents.
Maywood Christian Camp
7th
Week Squad Retreat
The youth in grades 7-12 and college are invited
to Maywood Christian Camp March 27-29 for the
7th
Week Squad Retreat. The cost is $40. The
retreat will begin Friday at 7:00 p.m. and end
Sunday at 10:30 a.m., after a period of worship. A
sign-up sheet is posted on the youth bulletin board
on the east hallway if you plan to attend.
Upcoming Lectureships
The Cedar Grove congregation in
Rogersville, AL will host their Second
Annual Lectureship on Saturday, March
21 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A
schedule of speakers and times is posted
on the bulletin board across from the library.
Also, the Memphis School of Preaching will host
their 54th
Annual Lectureship March 29-April 2 on
the theme “Magnify His Name.” A schedule of
speakers and times is posted on the bulletin board
across from the library.
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful Rebellion group will meet next
Wednesday, Mar. 18 at the building at 6:00 p.m.
Kylee Steward will be delivering the devotional
thought for the month.
Give Away Day
Our next Give Away Day is
scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 21
beginning at 7:00 a.m. Please
do not bring any more clothing
to the building until after the
Give Away. Household items
may still be brought.
Outreach Item for March
Lotion

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Mar. 15, 2020 a.m.
Announcements................................. William Harris
Bible Reading.....................................Ricky Lindsey
Opening Prayer ..........................................Mark Hitt
Lord’s Supper
Wade Bryan & Chad Willis
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Ricky Johnson, David Bates, Jake Kennedy
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Shawn Mounce, Ben DuBois, Sam Hood
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer.............................. Rommie Dilworth
Ushers ..............................Will Davis & Lee DuBois
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Closing Prayer...................................Chase Stanford
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Prayer................................................ Stuart Childers
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Contact Michael Wilson (891-0891) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters .....................................Larry & Judy Bates
................................ Mike & Renee Childers
Prepare Lord’s Supper—March.......................Roger
& Lynn Sanderson
Nursery (1st
worship)...............Amy & Katy Beth Voyles
(2nd
worship).................... Amanda & Lexie Dickinson
Pantry.................................................................Jelly
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-4-20................................................139
Sunday 1st
Worship, 3-8-20 .................................168
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................181
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................178
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$9,141
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Ladies’ Day – April 25th
Personal Evangelism Workshop – May 29th-30th
Vacation Bible School – June 14th-17th
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Outward Camp – July 31st-August 1st
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th