Category: Bulletin Articles

Welcome to the Groveland Church of Christ.

In this section, you will find announcements of upcoming congregation events and fellowship activities as well as articles of spiritual interest and encouragement.

David Bragg  Via Bulletin Gold


Psalm 42:11:
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Witty headlines never fail to entertain:

• Uber’s Search for a Female CEO Has Been Narrowed Down to
3 Men (Denver Post)

• New Hampshire Hospital Evacuated After Several People Report
Feeling Sick (WHDH Boston, Mass.)

• Sacramento Event to Curb Gun Violence Ends with Gun Violence
(KXTV Sacramento, Calif.)

• Fire Truck Catches Fire While Battling a Fire and Then Explodes,
Adding More Fire to the Fire That the Firetruck Was Firefighting
(Global News Canada)
 
Much like those beleaguered firefighters, we all face
challenges that seem insurmountable, times when
everything goes awry, and it feels like the world is against
us. In a downcast time Psalm 42 was written. We don’t
know the specifics, but we can see his tears are evident (v.
3), and his anguish, pouring out his soul (v. 4). Yet, even
in his despair, he knew where to seek solace and strength:
in God (v. 6) who was his Rock (v. 9).

A headline from the Arizona Republic reads, “Arizona
Psychic Hit by Car Says He Never Saw it Coming.” No
matter the challenges that come your way, “hope in God”
(v. 11), and He will be your refuge.
 

By Chuck Marshall Via Bulletin Gold

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”
(Mt. 4:20). Simon and Andrew immediately left their
nets and followed Him. Having been fishermen since
childhood they knew much about catching fish, but
probably little about catching souls. By examining
biblical principles, you and I can also learn to be fishers
of men.

First, “fish” Fervently. Those who are enthusiastic
about fishing spend their time and their money on the
sport, or the business as it may be. They don’t give up
quickly, and even when the fish are not biting they will
fish all night. They also enjoy talking about fishing.
Likewise when fishing for men, Jesus teaches us to be
fervent enthusiastic, devoted, and joyful.

Next, “fish” Intelligently. Understand that everyone
is not reached in the same manner. Knowing people and
how to respond to different kinds of personalities,
knowing the person’s social, religious and biblical
background, and knowing when to press and when to
“ease up” are all keys to effective soul-fishing. We need
wisdom in what we say and how we say it (Col. 4:5-6).

Then, “fish” Steadily. Keep at it. Sporadic fishing
doesn’t get the job done. Sometimes the fish aren’t
biting – there is no interest in the bait. But if you stop
because of that you may miss out when they become
interested again.

Finally, “fish” Hopefully. Discouragement can end a
fisherman’s career. You are going to hit slumps if you fish
long enough. The prospect of catching a fish keeps a
fisherman going. No one gets up at 4 AM, loads up the
gear, buys, the tackle and bait, and travels for hours who
does not expect to catch something that day. So it should
be as we fish for men. It is the joyful anticipation of
winning a person to Christ that compels us to keep fishing
for men (Luke 15:7).

John B. Tracey Via Bulletin Gold
 
In the Los Angeles Coliseum some years ago, more
than 100,000 spectators were present for an event
honoring the city’s war heroes. The master of
ceremonies sad, “Perhaps you sometimes say to
yourself, ‘My job isn’t important because it is such a
little job!” But you are wrong. The most obscure person
can be very important. Let me show you what I mean.”
Suddenly, on cue, the great transformers which
provided the stadium lighting were shut down leaving
the coliseum in total darkness.
 
Then the speaker struck a match, and in the
blackness the tiny flame could be seen by all. “Now you
can see the importance of one little light.,?” asked the
master of ceremonies. “Suppose we all strike a light.”
Instantly matches were struck all over the stadium and
everyone gasped with surprise. Quickly and effectively
they understood that it is within the power of each
individual to “light a candle” instead of “curse the
darkness.”
 
Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world..Let your
light so shine before men that they see your good works
and glorify your father which is in Heaven” (Matthew
5:14-16). The apostle Paul adds this admonition: “Do
all things without murmuring and disputing, that you
may become blameless and harmless, children of God
without fault in the midst ofa crooked and perverse
generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world” (Philippians 2: 14-15). 
 
It is true our match-lighting influence can make a
difference in a world darkened by sin. It is also the case
that our collective lights can come together to shine a great
beam
 
collectively. God expects us to bum brightly where we are
to make a positive difference in our sphere of influence.
of soul-saving illumination. Individually or
 
Remember: *You are the light of the world!”

Travis L. Ouertermous Via Bulletin Gold
 
The wise king Solomon once wrote, “And further, my
son, be admonished by these. Of making many books
there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the
flesh” (Eccl. 12:12). Every high school and college
student can certainly amen that statement! And yet, as
wearisome as study can be sometimes, it is necessary to
our continued intellectual and professional growth. I
recently learned that a doctorate degree is out-of-date in
seven years; so even those with PH.D.’s must continue
to study if they are to keep up in their profession.
 
The same thing is true with our spiritual growth. The
only way this can happen is if we study God’s Word, the
Bible, every day. The Apostle Peter taught, “as newborn
babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may
grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Just as babes crave their
bottles, so Christians should have an instinctive desire
to study their Bibles. This is the nourishment our souls
need if we are to become mature children of God.
 
The Berean Jews were called noble by God because
“they searched the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). What
would He call you based on your Bible study habits?
Are you feeding yourself spiritually everyday on the
word of God? Or are you stunting your spiritual
growth?

Andrew Beaseley Via Bulletin Gold

Being a know-it-all is not something we usually
consider a good thing. In school if someone calls you a
know-it-all there is implication of smug assurance.
Sometimes, it is said that individuals are just too smart
for their own good. Yet we value knowledge. You
would not want to go to a doctor who was not well
versed in biology. You would not want to get on an
airplane with a pilot who was not knowledgeable of the
controls. Most people spend their lives gaining
knowledge in one field or another, and the more
knowledge that is gained the more we hope (and
sometimes expect) to be trusted in the field with which
we have expertise.

Yet, possessing knowledge of all things is something
beyond human ability. I might know myself very well,
and yet I can never know the number of hairs that are
on my head. I might gaze up into the night sky and count
the stars for hours, but I will never be able to count them
all. I may spend a lifetime getting to know you on a
close, personal level but I can never truly know your
heart.

All these pieces of knowledge are at our God’s
fingertips. We get a glimpse at the breadth of God’s
knowledge in his confrontation with Job, at the end of
his book, where God tells him to prepare to answer the
questions that were coming (Job 38:3-7).

Take a few moments each day to consider the all-
encompassing nature of God’s omniscience and behold
Him. Appreciate Him. Adore Him

Andrew Beaseley Via Bulletin Gold
 
There have been times in my life where I have felt
hopeless. When one thinks of biblical hope one may
think of confident expectation. That helps to illustrate
what hopelessness truly is. An absence of confident
expectation of good things to come. In the long term one
might think of salvation, but in the short term it is
applicable to good things in life. For those who have not
experienced hopelessness to an extreme degree it is
hard to comprehend why someone might hurt
themselves or go to even greater, more devastating
lengths.
 
In moments of hopelessness the words of the 23 rd
psalm may come to mind. Tho I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are
with me. While we may not fear evil, and while the Lord
certainly is with us, there are times when evil still wins.
There are times when doubts creep in and cause our
confident expectation to falter. I hope that if you are
reading this, and the hope you have within you is
faltering, you know that you are not alone. I have been
there. Others have been there. And most importantly,
even though you have faltered, the Lord has not.
 
Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there.
Just as He remained steadfast when Peter started to sink
after walking on the water out to Him (Matt. 14:22-33),
He remains steadfast for you. And our hope is built on
nothing less than His blood and righteousness.

Alan Smith Via Bulletin Gold
 
The story is told of a man in a fancy restaurant who
started to choke on a bone. A doctor rushed over.
identified himself as a doctor, and reassured the man
that he was going to be all right. He performed the
Heimlich maneuver and the bone popped out.
 
As the man’s breath and voice returned he said, “I’m
ever so grateful, doctor, how can I ever repay you?”
 
The doctor smiled and said, “Ill settle for one-tenth
of what you were willing to pay while you were
choking.”
 
It’s true, isn’t it, that when you’re facing a crisis
(especially a life-threatening crisis), you would give
everything you have to get through it. Money is no
object!
 
We do the same thing on a spiritual level. How
many times have you faced hardship and prayed, “Lord,
if you’ll just see me through this, I’ll serve you faithfully
the rest of my life!” or something similar? But what
happens when the crisis passes? Those feelings of
urgency about serving God pass as well. If we could
commit ourselves to doing one-tenth of what we’re
willing to do in those moments, most of us would
ascend to a new level of commitment. 
 
Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
 
Father, there are moments in my life when I am reminded
of how much I need you and how urgent it is that I commit
my life to you. All too often, though, those feelings
disappear, and I quickly revert back to a less-than-
satisfactory level of commitment. Please forgive me and
strengthen me in my resolve to reach the point where I can
say with the apostle Paul,”To me, to live is Christ.” In
Jesus’ name, amen.
 
Have a great day!

Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold

Nestled in the little New Testament book of Philemon
is a wonderful jewel of example and instruction.
First, let’s look at a little background. A Christian in
Colossae by the name of Philemon owned a slave that
had run away from him. Ending up in Rome, the slave,
Onesimus, had become converted to Christ by the great
apostle Paul (v.10). Paul wrote to his friend Philemon
encouraging him to now take Onesimus back.

And now the jewel. Paul writes to Philemon of
Onesimus that he was once was unprofitable to you,
but now is profitable to you and to me” (v.11). The
jewel is learned when we understand what the name
“Onesimus “means. In the Greek it literally means
“profitable” or “useful.” If I may paraphrase Paul, he
was saying, “Onesimus is now living up to his name.”
Onesimus had become a Christian and was now useful
to God and to the church.

Christian, are you living up to your name? The word
“Christian” literally means belongs to Christ.” In
everything that you do, every decision you make, every
word that you speak, and every place that you are seen,
are you living up to that holy name that bears the
identity of Christ? Do you show the dark world the light
of Christ in your conduct, character, and conversation?
The reputation we gain calls attention to the name we
profess.

Do all know that you belong to Jesus Christ?

.A good name is to be chosen rather than riches”
(Pro. 22:1)

• And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus..” (Col. 3:17)

. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
(1 Pet. 4:16)

•”Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you
are called?” (Jas.2:7)