Author: Tim

By Rob Albright Via Bulletin Gold (4-17-22)

When the women came to the tomb of Jesus, an angel met them and said “He is not here” (Mt. 28:6). Jesus was not in the tomb. It was empty. Even though a large stone was blocking the entrance and even though the tomb was guarded, the fact is, the tomb was empty. So, what happened? Luke states the truth in Acts 2:24 when he said, God raised Him. That message of Jesus resurrection must be preached. The resurrection verifies Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. This truth was confirmed when Jesus appeared to His disciples (John 20). Paul said that Jesus even appeared to over 500 people and most were alive in 56 AD (1 Cor. 15:6) The resurrection benefits us. It gives us a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) and if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, burial, and resurrections, we shall be in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:1-5).

 

By Ron Bartanen Via Bulletin Gold (4-10-22)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The name referred to by which we are saved is “the name of Jesus Christ” (4:12). His is “the name which is above every name…the name before which every knee shall bow” (Philippians 2:8-10. The name signifies one’s power and authority. Jesus commissioned His apostles to preach “repentance and remission of sins…in His name…” (Luke 24:47). The power to become sons of God is given “to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). The convicted multitude at Pentecost were commanded to “Repent and be baptized.. in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Christians are admonished, *Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). Faith, repentance, baptism and Christian worship and service are all in the name of Jesus Christ, not in the name of religious leaders or churches. Why, then, do some wear human names in religion? To paraphrase Paul, who opposed the wearing of his name: “Is Christ divided? Was (your denomination or preacher) crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of (your denomination or preacher)?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). Human, denominational names give honor to others than to Christ, and divide those who claim faith in Christ. We urge all to honor Christ alone in faith and obedience.

By Ed Wittlif Via Bulletin Gold (4-3-22)

“She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 ESV). caps I didn’t grow up in a family that was godly. What I knew about Jesus I learned by watching Christmas specials on TV. I grew up a spoiled rotten” kid, who always got what he wanted. As a result, I was very self-centered, and everything was for my wants and pleasures. I had done a lot of stuff by age twenty that I knew was wrong. I was looking forward to the freedom that came with reaching twenty-one. At the same time, I was beginning to realize that there might be more to life. Just what that was, I didn’t know. When two of my good friends got married, I started talking with the minister, which led to a series of studies. He introduced me to Jesus, and I discovered what was missing in life. I learned that I was a sinner and what that meant, and that Jesus took my punishment for me. I gratefully accepted His gift when I believed and rose from my baptism into a new life. By God’s grace, I am saved from the eternal consequences of my sins. Paul said, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself up for me” ( Galatians 2:20). Like Paul, I have striven to live for Christ and to serve Him in His mission of reconciliation. Knowing what I was before, I am grateful and blessed to be His. I encourage you to do the same and remember what you were before you were redeemed. Never forget the cost paid for your salvation.

Joe Slater

A city slicker bought a farm and moved into the farmhouse. He went to his new neighbor and asked if he might purchase a milk cow. The neighbor sold him his prize milk cow, and the city slicker happily took the cow to the barn on his farm.

Within three weeks the cow went dry. The city slicker returned to his neighbor and complained: “That milk cow you sold me is no good!” The astonished neighbor replied, What do you mean?” The city slicker explained: «She has gone dry! I can’t understand it, either. If ever a person was kind and considerate to an animal, I was to that cow.
If I didn’t need any milk, I didn’t milk her. If I needed only a quart, I took only a quart.” The neighbor then explained that the way to keep milk flowing wasn’t to take as little as possible from the cow, but to take as much as possible.

Isn’t that true of the life of a Christian? Like milk cows, we must keep giving on order to keep the flow of Christianity alive. We are to give of our time, our talent, and our treasure. If we give of these things only when an extraordinary need arises, we miss the opportunities and joys of day-to-day service.

In the case of the milk cow, there is always a need for more milk. Not everyone has a full stomach. All over the world there are hungry people. Besides, the “use it or lose it” factor is obvious. Likewise, there is always more to do in the Lord’s kingdom. There are classes to be taught, discouraged people to be encouraged, sick and homebound people to be visited or called or written to, missionaries to be supported and encouraged, lost friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors to be contacted, and a world full of people to be prayed for. If we are content to do only a tiny bit., we may end up doing nothing at all. On the other hand, if we will give and give of our time, talent, and treasure, God will supply every need and give us additional opportunities to glorify Him and bless other people’s lives.

Joe Slater

How could a Christian possibly oppose equal rights? Gód doesn’t show favoritism (partiality, “respect of persons'”) and neither should His children.

That being said, corrupt people have redefined “rights” to suit their own purposes. When Christians reject those new definitions, we are tarred as bigots who supposedly support inequality. This holds true in both spiritual and earthly concerns. In religion, many have equated equal rights with identical functions. Thus, Christian women supposedly have the “right” to be elders in the church. Biblical teaching that an elder must be “the husband of one wife” is written off as a mere vestige of an outmoded patriarchal society. Redefined “equality” surpasses plain Scripture.

Now, what about secular issues? Fifty years ago Americans were debating the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution (ERA). It reads: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Though the time for it to be adopted has long since expired, the President is pressuring Congress to adopt it since more states have subsequently ratified it.

The amendment sounds simple enough. However, even half a century ago we knew that politicians, judges, and lawyers would “spin” it to mandate abortion on demand and who knows what else, despite the fact that an average person wouldn’t make such absurd applications. Today the secular progressives would see special accommodations for so-called transgender persons being not only legal but mandated by the Constitution! Biblical equal rights” ought to be recognized and respect by all. But what the world means by equal rights'” and what God means are two different things!

Joe Slater

How would you like to be remembered only for the worst things you ever did? It doesn’t matter that you changed your mind and your behavior later. Who cares if you did good things too? We’ll just bypass all that and erase you from existence! The current “Cancel Culture” craze has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. From Elmer Fudd to famous historical figures, vilification and removal from public view have become the order of the day. Is this really the way to deal with things we find offensive? I’m thankful God doesn’t subscribe to Cancel Culture. If He did, we would know nothing of people like Noah (remember, he got drunk and exposed himself shamefully). Abraham would be written off as nothing but a deceiver (Pharaoh didn’t appreciate it when Abraham said Sarah was his sister). Who can forget David’s adultery and murder? Should we remove his psalms from our Bible? And then there’s Peter, who denied three times that he even knew Jesus! One of many great things about the Bible is that it portrays its heroes “warts and all.” We ought to understand Noah’s drunkenness, Abraham’s deceit, David’s adultery and murder, and Peter’s panic. We ought to learn from these things, as well as from those men’s great demonstrations of faith. Wisdom would dictate the same course for historical figures with less than stellar behaviors. I hope you never find out about the evil things I’ve done and said. You might want to cancel me! As to hitting the panic button over Elmer Fudd’s use of a gun to hunt that wascally wabbit, Ill leave you to use your boundless wisdom to work that out!

Eddie Lewis

“Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with mny whole heart” (Psalm 119:34, ESV). A Bible class teacher told his class the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-3 1 ). He highlighted the plight ofLazarus and the blatant neglect of the rich man. One was privileged in this world while the other found peace in Heaven. After sharing these truths, the teacher posed this question to his class: “Which would you rather be – the rich man or Lazarus?” One boy raised his hand and replied, Id like to be the rich man while I’m living and Lazarus when I die.” The young boy expressed what many feel about this life and eternal life. We have to decide in which kingdom we will serve because God has not given us the option of serving in both kingdoms simultaneously. Commitment involves choosing to be faithful to one while forsaking the other. The Psalmist encourages us to choose the path of light.

He cries out, Teach me, O Lord Give me understanding. .. Turn my eyes . Establish Your word to Your servant.” We must long for the teachings of God. They are the path that leads to His eternal blessings.

via Power for Today

David Bragg

February fourteenth is one of American’s favorite holidays as they spend about twenty billion dollars as an expression of love towards “that special someone.” According to IBISWorld, $866 million will be spent on cards, $2.9 billion on candy, S1.8 billion on flowers and nearly $10 billion on romantic dinners. But what is so special about Valentine’s Day?

Like many modern holidays, Valentine’s Day has deep roots in religious and secular history. Many secular scholars trace it back to pagan religious observances called Lupercalia. Among Roman Catholic scholars the roots of Valentine’s Day are often traced to religious leaders martyred in the third Christian century (498 A.D.).

According to History.com, while imprisoned just for being a Christian, Valentine is said to have fallen in love with a young maiden (some accounts identify her as the jailer’s daughter). Just prior to his death on February fourteenth, Valentine sent a letter to his beloved confirming his affection for her. The note concluded with the words, “From your Valentine. 9In reality, there is much confusion about the specific identification of this man named Valentine, with many opposing and contradictory legends surrounding his imprisonment and death. Once recognized as the patron saint of love and marriagen February fourteenth began to flourish as St. Valentine’s Day. Today Valentine’s Day is a completely secular holiday observed with long standing traditions. Its history reveals roots in religion, but not in the Bible, which is sad, because our modern world REALLY needs to understand true Biblical love.

Via Bulletin Gold

Edd Sterchi

Have you ever had anyone sarcastically say those words to you? Usually you are trying to pass on some information to them or are asking them to respond to a question, and they sharply retort, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Sad to say, but this is what many people do concerning their religion. They may be in a religious organization that is not truly or totally following God’s will. By serving and worshiping at such a place, they are proclaiming concerming the truth of God’s Word, “I don’t know it and/or I don’t care what it says.” They are either ignorant of the Bible’s teachings (and don’t care to learn it) or they know what it says, but choose to ignore it or simply explain it away.

Many are like the ones Paul lamented for in Rom. 10:2-3, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”. As a result of this type of thinking and practice, they are lost (see Rom. 10:1). Many others know what the Scriptures teach, they simply choose not to follow them. They, as Peter describes in his second epistle, “willingly are ignorant” (2 Pet. 3:5, KJV). Or they twist” the teachings of the Bible to fit their own desires, but it is “to their destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16).

Pertaining to religious matters, how arrogant (and foolish) is the phrase I don’t know and I don’t care!” How tragic it is to see so many who will be destroyed for their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). How sad it is to see so many thumb their nose at God’s plan of salvation, pattern for worship, purpose of church work, etc. How “excuseless” will those be who knew God’s will and chose to disregard it. (Continued on inside) (Continued from back cover) Let each of us endeavor to be people who want to know and always care about what the Bible says! “This I say, therefore, and testifjy in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles ualle in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them…” (Eph. 4:17-18)

Via Bulletin Gold

Ron Batanen

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups-porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

After all the former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each other’s cups.” Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Enjoy your coffee.

Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Via Bulletin Gold