Month: December 2020

By Bill Brandstatter

The Christmas season is here. The excitement in the eyes of children during this time of year is always wonderful. The young children at Christmas time have enthusiasm from which many Christians could learn.

Children are innocent and pure. They are not born with inherited sin. Jesus used the example of a little child to show how we should be in the kingdom. Jesus stated; “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3 NKJV) If children were sinful creatures, Christ would not have used in not them illustration.

Isn’t it interesting that young children have no bias, hard feelings or hatred? In Christ, we too, should have that attitude. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). We shouldn’t be either.

What children learn is also important. Children can learn a great deal. In order to be saved, a person must learn something (John 6:44, 45). We too should desire to learn God’s will like children.

May we have the desire and enthusiasm of little children when we look at the Word of God. Let us study with a hunger and listen with attentive ears. May we be recipients of Jesus’ statement; “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6 NKJV)

May we become like little children not just during this time of year but all year long as we rely on our Father and diligently desire the milk of HIS Word.

Marion (IL) Church of Christ Via Bulletin Gold

By John K. Wills

On his second missionary journey, Paul came to the city of
Philippi. There, while worshiping by the river, he met and
baptized Lydia. But not all in Philippi listened to Paul and
he was falsely accused of “troubling the city” (Acts 16:20).
Beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas did not let
persecution stop their preaching. Instead they sang hymns
to God. An earthquake gave Paul the opportunity to tell the
jailor about the hope of eternal life through Jesus. The jailor
gathered his family and they heard the precious message
of Jesus Christ. He and all in his household were
immediately baptized-the same hour of the night!

Paul could have griped and moped about his problems.
Instead, he was devoted to serving God. He had come to a
city where he knew no one. On the day of worship he went
where others were worshiping God. An obstacle became an
opportunity to tell others about Jesus. Falsely imprisoned,
he preached Christ to the keeper of the jail.

How important is Christ to us today? Are we going where
we can worship with others? Can we overcome the fear of
persecution, or rejection by telling others the good nevws of
Jesus? When our soul’s salvation becomes more important,
then we like Paul, will be “ready in season and out of
season” to spread the gospel to our world.

By David Bragg

 

Almost 400 years ago much of Europe, Asia and Africa were devastated by the bubonic plague. When the outbreak erupted among the villagers of Oberammergau, Germany, according to tradition, they made a vow that if God spared them from this terrible disease, they would stage a portrayal of the death of Christ on the cross. The plague passed and they kept their vow. Starting in 1634 the citizens have staged their Passion Play every ten years. It was delayed in WWI, cancelled in WWII, and rescheduled in 2020, because of COVID-19, until 2022. The story is told of an American tourist attending the play. He really wanted his picture made holding the cross used by the actor portraying Jesus. But when he tried to lift the wooden cross to his shoulders the man was surprised at its weight. He asked “Why heavy?” the actor, is it so The actor’s reply: “f I did not feel the weight of it I could not play the part” (Don Cox, Jackson, MO Church of Christ). When contemplating the cross of Jesus, we need to feel the weight of it. The burden of sin carried on His innocent shoulders. The weight of MY sins that, if just for a moment, separated Him from His Father, our God. That is no superficial love. It is the real thing.

Via Bulletin Gold.

Florence Ave church of Christ

God said in the long ago, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22).

The changing seasons are proof of God’s faithfulness to His Word. Even in the bleak deadness of winter, we can be sure that the spring will blossom with life. God keeps His promises!

That is why it is not difficult for us to believe what he has said about life beyond the grave, the future resurrection from the dead, and the glorious consummation of our hope in heaven. God is utterly dependable!

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Via Bulletin Digest