Month: February 2024

By Andrew Beasley Via Bulletin Gold

To this day I can still remember the anxiety and the fear
that would overcome me when my mother instructed
me to go and “pick a switch.” Being on the end of the
wrath of an authority figure because of our wrongdoing
is not a pleasant feeling. 

Yet, at the same time, when people break the law or
cause us offense we desire retribution, justice, and
vengeance. As Christians., we can be certain that our
God will avenge the wrongs we are subjected to by
Satan and his forces. The book of Revelation, in part, is
a reminder that God will avenge His people.

However, we should remember what the wrath of
God unleashed upon man looks like. One might think
of the flood, or the Amalekite people, or perhaps even
the people of Nineveh (Nah. 1:2) who were spared for
a time by the preaching of Jonah. Paul describes the
wrath of God as being terrible (2 Cor. 5:11) and points
to it as a reason we persuade others to follow Jesus.

Yes, God is an avenger and yes, He will avenge His
people, But that does not mean we should hope for this.
Instead, we should desire that everyone we meet in our
lives avoids our avenging God.

By Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what
fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ
with Belial? Or what part hasa believer with an unbeliever? And
what agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16a, NKJV)

Even though written in the negative, I believe we can examine
this text and extrapolate many positive aspects of true fellowship
which come forth clearly in the words used. So here’s what true
fellowship

* Yoked together – True fellowship involves being linked
together for the purpose ofbeing productive. Fellowship operates
best when people work closely together for a common cause.

* Fellowship – True fellowship involves companionship and
comradery (which is the definition of the Greek word translated
“fellowship”). Fellowship is formed when people are truly
together.

* Communion- True fellowship involves close, personal
association with one another. Fellowship is strengthened when
personal connections are made.

* Accord (harmony, NAS) – True fellowship involves unity.
harmony, and peace. Fellowship grows when people get along.

* Part (share, ESV) – True fellowship involves sharing and
partaking together. Fellowship blossoms most beautifully when
everyone does their .

* Agreement – True fellowship involves being one in thought,
belief, expression, effort, and outlook. Fellowship moves
forward when there is common ground.

Truly, true fellowship is wonderful. Take a look at the above
list again and note all the benefits of true fellowship. Resolve to
do your part to be in true and total fellowship with Christ and His
church.

By Joe Slater Via Bulletin Gold

Sometimes I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. So many “friends”
on social media keep falling for the same hoaxes that were debunked
years ago. “Oh no! Facebook is going to start charging us for having
an account!” Um, no, they aren’t. They couldn’t even if they wanted
to, because you haven’t given them your credit card number or your
bank information. Somebody started the hoax, it went viral, and
gullible people keep passing it on. (sigh)

The same thing happens in spiritual matters. Jesus warned that false
christs would arise. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ! or There!’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:23-24). His words
came true in the first century AD and many were led astray. It still
happens today, though less frequently.

John cautioned us to “test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John
4:1). Just because someone says something with an air of authority
doesn’t make it true! Remember the noble Bereans who received the
word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out
whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). 

It has been accurately stated that a lie, repeated often enough,
becomes accepted as truth. Countless falsehoods are routinely treated
as true today. For instance:

        “The Catholic Church gave us the Bible.”

        “All you need to do to be saved is believe in Jesus.”

       “The denominations are branches on Jesus, the vine.”

       “We’re all going to the same place but taking different roads.”

Don’t fall for it! Search the Scriptures! Know the truth!

By Joe Slater Via Bulletin Gold

God has never required trusting obedience without evidence. Biblical
faith is not blind faith. Throughout the ages He has shown Himself to
be infinitely worthy of our confidence.

In ancient times He used signs (miracles) to confirm His word. Jesus
utilized abundant signs during His ministry. Despite such clear proof,
His enemies taunted, “We want to see a sign from You” (Matthew
12:38). But Jesus, knowing their corrupt hearts, rejected their ploy. He
would give them no sign except His resurrection!

God has blessed us today with His completely revealed, confirmed,
and recorded word. His inspired apostles worked innumerable signs to
verify it. That task being complete, no further proof is needed.

Supernatural gifts, therefore, have ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Nevertheless, many even today clamor for a sign! A difficult
decision confronts us -“Give me a sign, Lord!” We want to know what
the future holds – “Lord, send me a sign!”

More often than not, modern sign-seekers assume their subjective
feelings are signs from God. “This decision gives me peace, so it must
be God’s will.” Such reasoning is backward! We ought to be at peace
because we know our decision is according to God’s written will, not
just assume it is God’s will because we feel at peace.

It all goes back to “facts, faith, and feelings.” God’s word establishes
the facts. Upon God’s word we base our faith. Knowing that we have
trusted and obeyed God’s word should make us feel good. Many,
however, have reversed this order: I feel like this is right; therefore,
that’s what I believe; therefore, it must be God’s will.”

We have God’s confirmed will. We need no signs!