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 Bob Spurlin via Bulletin Digest

Recently I enjoyed an interesting conversation with a brother and former elder in the church. We mutually agreed that our communities and society at large are becoming morally bankrupt. Many factors have contributed to such a coarsening of morals in our neighborhoods, not the least of which is a failure of Christians to reaffirm the basic principles of the Bible.

As a child of the 50s and 60s, I remember when the fundamentals of right and wrong were articulated with clarity. We see these basic truths slipping away when we fail to keep them displayed before the church, the family, and our communities. In far too many neighborhoods, and in the church, the absolute standards of right and wrong have been lowered before our very eyes.

Observe the following basic principles that need serious emphasis in our time:
(1) A belief in the existence of God;
(2) A belief in the inspiration of the Bible;
(3) A belief in the authority of the Scriptures;
(4) A revival of the home as God mandates it;
(5) A clear understanding of sin and its consequences;
(6) A belief in the undenominational nature of the church of Christ.

These are elementary, simple, and fundamental points that have been neglected far too long. We would not want to omit the fundamentals of mathematics, English, history, and science in the education of our children.

These subjects are basic and primary to the instruction of all students. Likewise, a return to the basics of the Bible will bring us to an understanding of God’s will. on inside back page…)
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These are elementary, simple, and fundamental points that have been neglected far too long. We would not want to omit the fundamentals of mathematics, English, history, and science in the education of our children.

These subjects are basic and primary to the instruction of all students. Likewise, a return to the basics of the Bible will bring us to an understanding of God’s will.

By Joe Slater via Bulletin Digest

“You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). That sounds perfectly reasonable and quite simple! In the interest of full disclosure, James pointed out other issues that complicated the matter. Church fights, greed, pride, and worldliness prevented favorable answers to their prayers. But the fact remains that in some cases they simply didn’t ask. Jesus Himself said, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Jesus also taught that we should ask more than once. His parable of the unjust judge pictured a widow asking for justice from a crooked judge. She finally prevailed, not because the judge cared about justice, but because she kept on asking! If that happens with an ungodly judge, how much more will our righteous God do right by us when we ask Him? (See Luke 18:1- 8.) Some think they should pray only for others, that it’s selfish to pray for yourself. Praying for others certainly is commendable, but Jesus didn’t agree that praying for yourself is selfish! In fact, the very first part of His prayer in John 17 was for Himself (vv. 1-5). Who would accuse Jesus of being selfish? We don’t have to choose between praying for others and praying for ourselves. It isn’t either/or, it’s both/and! James instructs us to ask God for wisdom with the faith that He will hear and answer us (1:5-6). The sick and suffering should pray, and the elders should pray for them (5:13-15). Pray for those who confess sins (5:16).

 You can extend the prayer list indefinitely! Just remember, “You do not have because you do not ask!” If you don’t ask, then the answer is, “No!”

By Joe Slater (via Bulletin Digest)

We, as Christians, are under divine mandate to tell the Good News to the world. Have you ever considered just what it is that we’re asking folks to believe?

First, we’re asking them to believe in a Supreme Being we can’t see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. We’re asking them to believe that this God created from nothing everything that exists in the universe.

Then we’re asking them to believe that God has revealed Himself to humankind, both in the written volume we call the Bible and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ. We’re asking them to believe that this Jesus was God in the flesh, that He lived an absolutely sinless life, that He bled and died on the cross of Calvary as the ultimate atonement offering for our sins, and that He came forth alive from the tomb on the third day.

We’re asking them to believe that Jesus ascended back to Heaven where He reigns on the throne of David at the right hand of the Father. We’re asking them to believe that He will return to raise the dead and to judge the world.

Do we have the right to ask people to believe these things? Emphatically Yes! God has given us abundant evidence. Our faith is not “blind faith,” but evidenced faith. The question is, “Are we, as Christians, informed and equipped to explain why people ought to believe things that seem at first glance to be not only unreasonable but outrageous?” In other words, “Can we defend our faith?”

By Glen Elliott

All movement with directed purpose follows a
predetermined path. Our blood travels through our bodies
through channels called veins and arteries. Misdirected or
interrupted blood flow can have serious consequences.
Similarly, as we travel, our efforts to reach a desired
destination is largely dependent upon our ability to navigate
our nation’s elaborate system of streets and highways.
Likewise, aircraft are required to file a flight plan and
strictly adhere to it once it has been approved. Otherwise,
there could be catastrophic results. The point it this: if we
want to get to our desired destination, we must follow the
right path.

There is only one path that leads to heaven. Jesus is “the
way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through [Him] (John 14:6). Other routes are offered by man;
but His is the only way to eternal glory. Jesus says, “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” (Matthew 7:13-
14). Sadly, many who feel they are on the right path will
discover all too late that they were mistaken. Jesus says,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21). Solomon says,
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is
the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12)

Because the danger of being misled is always present, we
must diligently study God’s word. It is the roadmap that
will lead us to heaven. But, we must trust its direction and
“walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Remember, “a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a
man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Walking in
the light of God’s word provides clear, unmistakable
direction (1 John 1:7). One step at a time, and His eternal
kingdom will be abundantly supplied to all who follow His
od ud over path to glory.

Kenny Westmoreland

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).

Have you ever noticed the clever slogans at fast food chains? The concept each restaurant seeks to portray is that the customer is in complete and total control. For example, Burger King invites customers to come and “have it your way.” Wendy’s encourages patrons to “do what tastes right,” while Taco Bell bids their clientele to “think outside the bun” and “live mas” (live more) by choosing a burrito or taco over a hamburger. Quite often, these catchphrases eventually become engrained in our culture.

Now, consider how frequently these “slogans” mirror everyday life. Regarding spiritual matters, many choose to “have it their way” by embracing lifestyles that contradict God’s will. Rather than “tasting and finding the Lord to be gracious” (1 Peter 2:3), others make the choice to “think beyond the things which are written” (1 Corinthians 4:6) and “live more” by “doing what feels right.” When all things are considered, being in complete and total control is not always a good thing.

How do we remedy this problem? We must reject conventional thinking and exercise the ultimate self-control by allowing God to take total control. Paul writes, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

By Burton Coffman

So manifold are the blessings God has poured out upon contemporary America that the average man has not merely one day, but two, out of every week in which he may seek Almighty God in worship. A tragic paradox is that the very abundance of contemporary blessings has become the occasion for increasing neglect of the day of worship.

What an oddity that man, finding himself with two or three days on his hands, promptly decides to make them all for pleasure and leave God out of his life altogether! The neglect of the day of worship is a basic wrong that shall cry to God until it is righted, or until the spiritual basis of society is removed altogether and man finds himself once more strapped to his plow or his machine, as presently is the case in godless slave states.

One sometimes hears the cry, “Sunday is the only day I have!” On the contrary, it is the only day one does not have; it is the Lord’s Day. Christ claimed the first day of the week through His resurrection on that day and the earliest Christians gave it to Him by fidelity of their pre-dawn devotions in the darkness of those ancient assemblies.

Their faithfulness won the day for all succeeding generations, a day primarily for rest and worship. God forbid that Sunday should be lightly thrown away by a godless, secular society which dares to seize it for lust or pleasure, forgetting its origin, and making its ultimate loss
a certainty.

By Jay Launius, via Bulletin Digest

When thinking about the earthly life of Jesus Christ, it is nothing short of extraordinary. From His humble birth in a manger, to His ministry to the multitudes, we are fascinated by His composure, compassion and character. He reached out to the rich and the poor, the popular and unpopular, without partiality. Having the full measure of the Holy Spirit, He performed amazing healing miracles including bringing the dead back to life. Yes, when we consider the life of Jesus, it is remarkable.

Thus, the perceived dilemma of 1 John 2:3-6. “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Walk (live) just as Jesus walked? How is that possible? Why would God ask us to do the impossible? The truth is, He never would.

Not only does this passage encourage us to be like Jesus, but there are others as well. Matthew 11:29, John 13:15, and 1 Peter 2:21 all tell us to exemplify the life of Christ.

We do this by being humble, compassionate, giving, sacrificial, and possessing the servant’s attitude. We may not be able to heal the sick, raise the dead, or walk on water, but we can take on the character of the Christ and thus be like Jesus!

With Whom Are You Walking? You cannot walk with Jesus and with the world at the same time. They are going two different directions. –Doug Smith

By Glen Elliott via Bulletin Digest

Friendship is one of our deepest needs. Yet so many have no idea about how to fulfill that longing. Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about the matter. Solomon wrote, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17). Later, he adds, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (18:24). Such friendship is a beautiful and treasured possession. A friend is one who loves at all times, even when our weaknesses become evident. An old proverb says, “He who seeks a friend without a fault remains without one.” A friend does not easily give up but seeks to encourage and strengthen. “A friend loves at all times.” In fact, “A brother is born for adversity” (17:17). If you cannot lean on a friend, who can you lean on? How does a friend get to be someone who sticks closer than a brother? The answer lies in the realm of adversity. A friend does not give up on us, even when we have given up on ourselves. A friend remains loyal when loyalty is not popular. A friend believes and expects the best of his friend and their friendship. How do we go about developing friendships? There are no short-cuts. Relationships require time and energy. In our madly-paced world, many are starving for friendship. Many of our “so-called” friendships are shallow and unfulfilling. The one who would have friends must show himself to be friendly (Prov. 18:24, KJV).

No one would argue that a person can seriously seek friendship without seeking to be a friend. In a practical sense, this means that we must develop those qualities which will make us a good friend to others. Loyalty, dependability, a sense of caring and an ability to overlook another’s weaknesses are a few of the essentials of friendship. It takes time to develop close friendships; but while we are waiting, we must seek to develop the qualities which will make a good friend.