Month: March 2025

Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold

Many people believe that all one has to do is claim Jesus as Lord
and they will automatically be placed in His kingdom. On the
other end of the spectrum are the folks who think they can earn
salvation through good works in His name. The debates and
arguments concerning this are endless.

Why not get the answer from the Savior Himself? He settles
the issue in Matthew 7:21-23, Not everyone who says to Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does
the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not..done many wonders in Your name?”
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from
Me, you who practice lawlessness!”” Let’s note a few important
matters from this.

* Just recognizing Jesus as Lord is not enough. Did you notice
that there were some who called Jesus “Lord”, but they were not
saved? God demands more than just mental acknowledgment.
The head is not enough.

* Just doing something in Jesus’ name is not enough. Did you
also notice that there were some who were doing wonderful
things to honor Jesus, but they too were not saved? Works alone
fall short of God’s formula for justification. The hands are not
enough.

* We become a part of the kingdom of heaven through obedience
to God. If one has such a respect for God and His wishes, there
will be no problem believing Him and doing His will exactly as
stated in His word.

Obviously this involves the heart. The heart that is right and set
on God’s ways will involve the head and the hands in obedience,
as well.

Have you obeyed God’s plan of salvation? Are you
truly doing the will of the Father in heaven? Are you intent on
living the way He has prescribed in the New Testament?
Remember, start with the heart, believe His word, and perform
the will of the Father. “But he who looks into the perfect law
of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer
but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
(James 1:25)

Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold

At worship, I am given the opportunity to..

…revere my Maker. “God is greatly to be feared in the
assembly of the
saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”
(Psalm 89:7)

…rejoice in my salvation. “And my soul shall be joyful in
the LORD; It
shall rejoice in His salvation.” (Psalm 35:9)

…refresh my spirit. “Revive me according to Your
lovingkindness, so
that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.” (Psalm
119:88)

I can’t wait to come and worship, praise and pay homage
to the One who created me, delivered me, and awakens me.
How about you?

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.”” (Psalm 100)

By Dale J. Babinsky

In many biblical passages, the contrast between light
and darkness is a powerful metaphor for the struggle of
good vs evil. Light often symbolizes knowledge,
goodness, and righteousness, while darkness represents
ignorance, evil, and the unknown. This spiritual
struggle is best seen in the writings of the Apostle John.

Light is often associated with positive qualities such
as wisdom, truth, and purity. In Christianity, Jesus is
referred to as the “Light of the World,” showing us the
path to salvation and righteousness (John 1:9; 3:19;
8:12; 9:5; 11:9; 12:46). John often contrasts the concept
of light, which is beneficial, with darkness. Darkness is
frequently linked to negative attributes such as fear,
ignorance, and evil. In the Bible, darkness is often
associated with sin and the absence of God’s presence.

The journey from darkness to light is what we should
all be working towards in our own spiritual growth. We
should want to move from ignorance and sin to
knowledge and spiritual maturity. This journey is often
depicted as a struggle, requiring courage, faith, and
perseverance. Our goal should always be to continue
our spiritual growth and to become closer to Christ.

Via Bulletin Gold

Ron Thomas Via Bulletin Gold

In the parable of the invitation, the king sent out his
invitations to his subjects, bidding them to come to the
wedding feast. Those special invitations were refused. The
king took great exception to this slight. It is a matter of good
judgment to accept the king’s invitation; when he is refused,
the effect of this is mockery, saying he is not worthy of the
invitee’s time. The response of the king was wrath.

This parable refers in application to Israel. They received
the Lord’s invitation (the King of kings), but they refused
His offer of salvation. They knew not they were lost, though
the King did. Instead, they were comfortable in their
environment, and they wanted no upheaval in their lives or
time, even for a few hours. The King deemed them
unworthy; thus, He sent His invitations to people the
originally invited guests disdained (cf. Acts 22:21-23).

Lesson: invitations from others are not to be summarily
dismissed as unworthy of your time, for the one who invites
will not forget. When an invitation comes from the King of
kings, and this invitation is rejected, He who invited will not
forget. It was Jesus who said, “Come unto me, all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, ASV).

We are all tired, and the Lord offers rest. The King is
inviting us to come to Him. Wisdom will take Him up on
the offer.