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.

By Larry Pasley Via Bulletin Gold

“Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping
trip. As they lay down for the night, Holmes said,
‘Watson, look up and tell me what you see.’ Watson
said, ‘I see millions and millions of stars.’
Holmes asked, ‘And what does that tell you?’
Watson replied, ‘Astronomically, it tells me that there
are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of
planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and
that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it
tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What does it tell you Holmes?’ Holmes answered
simply, ‘Somebody stole our tent.'””

People are bad about overlooking the obvious in
religion also. The religious world is full of people who
have studied the bible all their life and yet missed key
points in God’s teachings.

Almost every book of the New Testament has
statements that show that the doctrine of “Once Saved
Always Saved” is false and yet many in the religious
world have overlooked the obvious. Heb. 6:4-6

The necessity of baptism in becoming a Christian is
prevalent throughout the New Testament and yet many
still claim that it has nothing to do with salvation. They
are overlooking the obvious. Mk. 16:16


The connection of obedience to our salvation is also
dominant in the scriptures but many still hold to the
doctrine of “Faith Only”, overlooking the obvious. Jas.
2:24

Still others teach as doctrine the traditions and teachings
of men, never recognizing the difference. They overlook
the obvious. Mat. 15:8

May we not fall into the trap of overlooking the obvious
in our desire to live our lives pleasing to God.

Paul Meredith Via Bulletin Gold

Genuine friendship is one of the deepest hungers of
the human heart. We innately seek out friends who
have understanding, love and unwavering loyalty. True
friendship is too rare and too precious to neglect, too
infrequent to forget, and too sacred to carelessly cast
away.

Jeremy Taylor wrote, “By friendship you mean the
greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open
communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest
truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of
minds of which brave men and women are capable.”
The value of friendship is truly tremendous. Euripides
said, “Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, “Fame is the senseless
sunflower with gaudy crown of gold; but friendship is
the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.”

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and
a brother is born for adversity.” A little later in the book
of Proverbs we see a further parallel between a “friend”
and a “brother”: “There are friends who pretend to be
friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a
brother” (18:24). This dramatic kinship imagery is
employed in order to solicit a stirring of our emotions.
By comparing friendship to the powerful bond of blood
brothers, the intensity of its significance is emphasized.
In other words, God wants us to realize how
tremendously important friendship is in each of us.

Let’s be sure to value our friends and let them know how
much we appreciate them. Also, let’s be sure to be faithful
as friends and companions. John 15:13-15 says, “Greater
love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for
his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I
command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a
servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have
called you friends, for all things that I heard from My
Father I have made known to you.” Are you a friend to
Jesus?

By Dale J. Babinsky Via Bulletin Gold

In December 1799 George Washington passed from
this life. He had been out taking care of his property in
foul weather and had come down with what would
appear to be a cold (sore throat, congestion, etc.). In an
effort to save the former president, his doctors took to
opening veins and “bleeding” him, which was believed
at the time to be the way to get the illness out of his
system. What the doctors of the time failed to realize is
that life is in the blood.

Man cannot sustain his physical life without blood.
This was well known to the Israelites, or should have
been, since God forbade the eating of blood because
“life is in the blood. .” (Leviticus 17:11a NKJV).
Human medicine has come to realize the importance of
blood in sustaining life in the years following
Washington’s death. Now, much can be done with
transfusions to help stabilize patients who have sutured
a loss of blood.

In looking at man’s spiritual life, it can be seen that
our spiritual life is also in the blood. The Scriptures tell
us that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), and that the
wages, the anticipated payment, of sin is spiritual death
(Romans 6:23). We know that this is not in reference to
physical death, for we must all be subject to that unless
the Lord returns first (Hebrews 9:27). In order to have
spiritual life, an eternity in heaven, we must have our
sins covered by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7;
Revelation 1:5).

We make contact with the blood of Christ when we are
buried with Him in the act of baptism (Romans 6:3-4), In
obeying the command of Christ to be baptized (Mark
16:16), we can have our sins washed away (Acts 2:38;
22:16). It is in our obedience to the words of Scripture, that
the blood of Christ is applied to us and we are cleansed
from our sins. Thus, we are able to have spiritual life, Thus,
both our physical life and our spiritual life are in the blood!

Robert Oglesby Via Bulletin Gold

They are embedded in our language. We use these
expressions often. They are rich in meaning, but do you
know their source?

“The skin of my teeth”

I use this one as a test question on my teaching training
series. Did it come from the Bible or from somewhere else?
Most folks don’t know its origin, but it comes from Job
19:20. In Job’s suffering, he said, “I have escaped by the
skin of my teeth.”

That’s not a very wide margin unless you don’t brush
your teeth for weeks!

“Wolf in sheep’s clothing”

Jesus is our source on this one. The Lord was warning
his disciples not to believe false prophets. Then he said that
false prophets often “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matt. 7:15) Isn’t that a
vivid picture? Just imagine how a wolf would look if he had
a sheep skin wrapped around his body.

“Salt of the earth”

In our conversation we often refer to how good a man is.
We say he is really wonderful. Then when we want to put
the very best spin on his good qualities, we say, “He’s the
salt of the earth.” That’s what Jesus said to his disciples.
“You are the salt of the earth.”

“A drop in the bucket”

Isn’t that a strange expression? How would anyone ever
come up with that kind of language picture? Believe it or
not, we got it from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah compared
God’s power to the power of men. To illustrate it, the
prophet said the nations are only “a drop in the bucket.” (Isa.
40:15)

This means that people are influenced by the Bible even
though they haven’t read the Bible in years. The analogies
are buried deeply within our English language, and are
used by believers and unbelievers alike.

You might remember some of these the next time you
need an opening for a Bible conversation. If someone uses
one of these expressions, ask them, “Do you know where
that expression originated?” And with that question, you
are launched into a spiritual discussion.

Don Loflis Via Bulletin Gold

The media is filled with products which promise great
results for minimal efforts. We are told that we can lose
20 pounds without any exercise and can eat all the foods
we want, if we take one little “miracle pill” a day. We
can make $100,000 a year by working only 10 hours a
week, if we join a popular on-line business group.

A lot of folks must feel the same way about their
religious involvement. They desire all the spiritual
blessings (forgiveness, peace, fellowship, hope, etc.), as
long as they can drop in to worship once a month and
give their $50 a year. They want to be spiritual giants
tomorrow without giving up any of the pleasures of the
world today.

Jesus warned His listeners, “Enter through the
narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad
that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter
through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow
that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt.
7:13-14). Later He said, “If anyone wishes to come after
Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily
and follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23). Paul understood the true
price tag of loyalty to Jesus and passed that message
along to a young preacher named Timothy by stating,
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
be persecuted.” (II Tim. 3:12).

It is difficult to swim upstream, but Christians are called to
challenge and resist the evil within culture. The Lord
shapes our lives more through adversity and temptation
than prosperity (James 1:2-4). Bargain religion is destined
to fail, because Jesus demands more. Remember, we were
redeemed not with cheap grace but with the blood of the
Son of God.

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!”