Author: Tim

By Clifton Angel

Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mnourn, for they shall be
comforted” (Matt 5:4). The late V.P. Black organized mourning
into three categories: natural, unnatural, and godly.

Natural mourning is the result of suffering in this world of
decay: “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men” (Rom 5:12). Many may
assume Jesus is speaking of natural mourning at Matthew 5:4.

Truly God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:34) and He knows
and cares about our natural mourning (cf. 1 Cor 10:13; Rev 21:4):
however, at Matthew 5:4, Jesus is not speaking of natural
mourning.

Unnatural mourning includes worldly sorrow, ungodly fear,
and unnecessary guilt. Worldly sorrow is insincere and selfish. If
not repented of, it leads to spiritual death (2 Cor 7:10). It is the
person who is only sorry because he got caught. Ungodly fear is
deceptive, futile, and destructive (cf. Matt 6:25-34; Phil 4:4 9;2
Tim 1:7: Rev 21:8). Unnecessary guilt happens when we will not
forgíve ourselves for something for which we’ve already been
forgíven (cf. 1 John 1:7-9; 3:20). Certainly, it is not unnatural
mourning Jesus is speaking of at Matthew 5:4.

Godly mourning is the result of an honest heart recognizing sin
and the consequences of it (2 Cor. 7:10; Rom. 6:23). It is
connected to being “poor in spirit,” since the person who is poor
in spirit recognizes he is in need when he sins, and he is nothing
without God. King David’s godly mourning is evident in the
words of Psalm 51: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from
mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge
my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:1-3)

What does it mean to be among them that mourn? 
It is the grief felt and expressed over the acknowledgement of
one’s sin and its consequences. The blessing is that with
proper direction, this soul will be comforted. “Come unto me,
all ye that labour 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).

Joseph D.Chase by Via Bulletin Gold

It really is up to you! You can see the myriad of
problems that plague us in this world and worry about
them. You can complain about them, You could curse
them or many other actions. However, there is only one
way that we, God’s family, ought to respond to these
troubles…

God has given us the opportunity to shine our lights
before men and so glorify the God of heaven (Matthew
5:16). I can decide to work for the Lord and right
wrongs that I see, lift up the broken and hurting. I can
become a part of God’s solution for a lost and dying
world..”Go out and make disciples…”, visit the poor,
the widowed, the orphan (James 1:27), offer a simple
cup of cool water in the name of our Lord Jesus. When
we do the Lord’s work it makes the world a better place.
We bless and are blessed when we view problems as
opportunities.

It won’t be easy, but I assure you it will be worthwhile.

Joe Slater Via Bulletin Gold

The Lone Ranger Perry Mason – Superman. When you
watched those old black-and-white TV shows, you knew all
along that by the time the credits rolled the bad guys would be
defeated, the good guys would be vindicated, and justice would
prevail. No matter how hopeless it looked, the Lone Ranger and
Tonto would arrest the bandits, Perry Mason would prove his
client innocent, and Superman would confound the crooks.
Real life doesn’t quite match a thirty-minute drama, or even a
sixty-minute one, does it? Innocent people get railroaded!
Criminals remain free! Might makes right! Whatever shall we do
about life’s inequities?

First, make certain you aren’t the perpetrator of evil. “Let none
of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer:, or as a busybody
in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15).

Second, when you suffer despite being innocent, take it
patiently as a way to glorify God. That goes double if being a
Christian is the cause of the abuse (1 Peter 4:16). Jesus suffered
infinitely more than you ever will, and He was 100% innocent.
You shouldn’t expect to be treated better than He was.

Finally, rest assured that justice really will prevail in the final
analysis. It will take longer than thirty or sixty minutes. In fact,
it may not happen in your lifetime! But, as the old song says,
“There’s a great day coming by and by.” We might prefer to see
all the accounts settled now. Since God’s wisdom eclipses ours,
however, we will do well to “run with endurance the race that is
set before us” (Hebrews 12:10).

By Andrew Beasley Via Bulletin Gold

Leaving the past behind frequently is among the greatest
challenges a Christian may face. I imagine for the Apostle
Paul, leaving the memories of his former life behind were
a challenge as well. Think, for a moment, of what Saul of
Tarsus was guilty of. He is the authority figure
responsible for the murder of Stephen (Acts 8:1) as well
as for the persecution of countless other Christians (Acts
8:3). It would be no surprise if his past actions weighed
heavily on his soul. Yet as a Christian he recognized the
significance of leaving that all in the past.

In the same way, we cannot dwell on the former things
either. Sometimes Christians are guilty of romanticizing
the life that they used to live. Others are guilty of allowing
the disappointments of their past to become stumbling
blocks for their future. Paul seems to recognize the
significance in leaving the glorification of our past, or the
wallowing in sorrow over our past, behind and instead
focusing on what matters: Christ, and the prize that
accompanies following Him. Just a few verses earlier

Paul said he desired to know Christ, the power of His
resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering that he
might attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:10-
11).

One thing Paul did, and one thing we must do, is focus
on what lies ahead. Focus on the goal of going home to
heaven. In order to do so, we must leave the past in the
past.

By Clifton Angel Via Bulletin Gold

“Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!”

In 1847, Henry F. Lyte’s poetic words were published ín this
beautiful song. Singers of these words plead with God to abide
in their presence every day and in every way. What if God
wrote a song to us, pleading us to abide with Him? What would
He say? He did, essentially, at the test of Psalm 15. David
asked, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall
dwell in thy holy hill?” Psalm 15:1l). By God’s divine
revelation, David penned these characteristics:

1. One who walks uprightly (2a).

2. One who works righteousness (2b).

3. One who speaks truthfully (2c).

4. One who does not waste the reputation of another behind his back (3a).

5.One who does not do evil to his neighbor (3b).

6. One who has no reason to be ashamed in the presence of a neighbor (3c).

7. One who despises the evil actions of men (4a).

8. One who honors God-fearing men (4b).

9. One who keeps his word, even if it hurts (4c).

10. One who does not exact interest on gifts/loans (5a).

11. One who does not take a bribe against the innocent (5b).

What a list! In essence, God pleads with us, “Abide with
Me,” by showing us the type of person who can abide with Him
through His Wor. Truthfully, none of us are worthy to abide in
God’s presence; however, His Son Jesus has made it possible
for us to change (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:10), obey
(Hebrews 5:8-9; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 22; 16), be changed
(Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:47), and abide (Romans
6:4; Galatians 6:9-10; 1 John 1:7), Will you abide with Him?

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!

By Seth Myers Via Bulletin Gold

Without controversy, one can declare that God does not change (Mal.3:6).
But what many may not realize is that the same is true of God’s
spiritual principles. Among these is the exclusive nature of God’s
“positive” commands-that is, “When God says,’Do THIS, it means,
Don’t do THAT.”” Let us briefly consider the clearest possible example of this
spiritual truth.

Leviticus 10 opens with the account of the divine execution of two
men who were in charge of the incense-burning portion ofOT worship
(la), which, naturally, required fire. But the fire they offered on this
occasion is said to have been “strange” (1b | ASV) to God, or
unauthorized” (ESV) by God. That kind of statement naturally leads
the reader to ask this question: “Why was this fire ‘unauthorized’?
What was it that made this fire ‘strange” in God’s sight?” According to
the Holy Spirit, the reason it was “unauthorized” is because it was “fire
that [God] had never prescribed for them” (1SV)-fire “which he had not
commanded them [to make]” (lc).

When it comes to the manner in which we worship God: if it is not in
His word, it better not be in our worship.

This terminology is extremely significant for it was NOT that God
had said, You shall NOT make that kind of fire,” and that these two
men made that kind of fire anyway; rather, God had simply said, “You
shall make THIS kind of fire,” and, therefore, to make any other kind
of fire was sin. Unfortunately for these two men, they did just that: they
made “Fire B” when God had prescribed “Fire A,” and He repaid their
fire with a fire of His own (2). Not one Israelite would have failed to
get the point-you and I had better “get it,” as well! He didn’t have
to specifically condemn or prohibit every single particular thing of
which He disapproves. All He has to say is: *Do THIS,”and everything
which the mind of man could possibly imagine besides “THIS” is
direct rebellion against the word of God.

The spiritual principle that resulted in the death of Nadab & Abihu
has not changed. When it comes to the manner in which we worship
God: if it is not in His word, it better not be in our worship. For, if we
want our worship to be acceptable to God, we “must worship him in
example spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).