Category: Bulletin Articles

By Rob Albright

 

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).

Via Bulletin Gold

By Bill Brandstatter

Via Bulletin Gold

My birthday is March 2nd. You may be reading this before or
after that day. It causes mne to think about life and mny status with
God. The reflections cause me to look backward and forward. I
have realized daily the expression “time flies.” The writer James
told of life and stated, “It is even a vapor that appears for a little
time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NKJV) Reflection is
good for the soul. It causes us to look at where we are and where
we ought to be. The Psalmist stated regarding life, “For it is soon
cut off, and we fly away.” (Psa. 90:10)

Where have I been? My past life is gone. The present is now.
Whatever mistakes I made in the past I need to forget and move
on. The apostle Paul had to remind himself to do that. He stated
he was forgetting those things which were behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil.3:13). I can’t
change the past. I can make the present better.

Where am I now? God is concerned about where we are now.
The urgency of the moment is expressed in several Bible
passages. Paul wrote, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is
the day of salvation”(2 Cor. 6:2). We should be redeeming the
time” (Eph. 5:16).

Where will I be in the future? I don’t know what the future
holds, but I know who holds the future. The best way to prepare
for the future is to prepare now. The future happens with the
dawn of every new day. As one person stated, “Today is the start
of the rest of your life.” My entrance into heaven depends on
what I do while here on earth. I have the chance now to do what
I must to enter heaven one day. What a difference a day can
make. We must obey Jesus today, so that we can see Him
tomorrow. (Mark 16:16; Heb. 5:8,9)

By Joe Slater

“Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it” (Matthew 7: 14, KJV).

The expression “strait and narrow” has become proverbial in
reference to careful compliance with the rules given by parents or by
God. However, most mistakenly understand it as straight and narrow.”
The spelling difference is subtle, but the change in meaning is radical!

A “strait” (without the g-h) is seldom straight. Look at the Strait of
Magellan or the Strait of Hormuz on a map. They’re anything but
straight! Guiding a ship through those straits takes plenty of zigzagging
along a difficult and narrow route! They’re called “straits” because
they’re difficult, not because they go from point “a” to point “b”
without deviation.

Many other Scriptures teach us not to deviate from God’s word, but
“strait” in Matthew 7:14 isn’t making that point. The path to eternal
life is narrow and difficult! By contrast, the way to destruction is wide
and easy (7:13). Most people find wide and easy to be appealing.
Comparatively few put forth the effort to travel the narrow, difficult
path.

But wait! Doesn’t the majority rule? That sounds very American!
How can the majority of people be wrong? Isn’t it arrogant to say that?

Well, we didn’t say it – Jesus did. A majority of Jesus’ own people
(the Jews) rejected Him. Despite the thousands who became Christians
in Acts, vastly more rejected the gospel. This is nothing new; God has
always operated with a remnant.

Are you on that narrow way? It’s difficult, but the destination
makes it more than worth the effort!

Via Bulletin Gold

By Joe Slater

Businesses may take inventory at the first of the year for tax purposes
or to see if the company was profitable last year. What about you and
me? How did we do last year? What adjustments do we need to make?
Several matters call for an inventory:

1. Bible study (not just reading, but study). Both public and private
study instill God’s word into our hearts. We ought to be known as
walking Bibles! It can be so, but not without serious Bible study.

2. Prayer. You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:3).
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Need we say more?

3. Attendance. Satan has used the pandemic to condition us into
thinking in-person attendance is a mere option. For the truly ill,
watching the service on an electronic device is helpful. I know that by
experience! Nevertheless, when healthy, active people simply choose
not to show up, Scripture calls it sin (Hebrews 10:26). Lame excuses,
justifications, and rationalizations will never solve this!

4. Giving. God doesn’t “need” anything from us (Acts 17:25).
Giving has always been an indication of love for God. The poorest Jew
under the Law gave ten percent of his gross income (not what was left
after paying the bills). Most Jews gave a good deal more. Under the
New Covenant we are to give as God has prospered us (1 Corinthians
16:2). How would your income be affected if God prospered you in
proportion to the generosity of your giving?

5. Good works. You can name dozens of bad things you haven’t
done. That’s great? Now, what good works have you done? That’s one
purpose God has for you in Christ (Ephesians 2:10).

It’s time to take inventory!

Via Bulletin Gold

By Edd Sterchi – Via Bulletin Gold

 

In Acts 18:24-28, we are introduced to a Christian
named Apollos. He was a great example in spreading
the word of God.

We can certainly learn from His ways. Notice for
example:

* He was mighty in the Scriptures (v.24). He knew the
Word of God, but it is also important to note that he
was always willing to learn them more accurately
(v.26).

* He was eloquent (v.24). He spoke in a manner that
people wanted to hear what he had to say.

* He was fervent in spirit (v.25). He was always
excited about telling God’s truths.

* He spoke boldly (v.26). He was courageous in
presenting the Word of God. He never backed down
from the truth.

* He always proved his point (v.28). He used the
Scriptures to establish that what he was speaking was
from God.

By Joe Slater

 

Hosea wrote during a low point in Israel’s history. While the
nation prospered materially, the people’s spiritual condition was
deplorable. Hmmm. .. sound familiar?

Despite everything the Lord had done for Israel for centuries,
the unthankful nation was “bent on backsliding from Me” (Hosea
11:7). They actually believed their prosperity came not from the
Lord, but from their alliances with pagan trading partners. “For
she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and
multiplied her silver and gold – which they prepared for Baal”
(2:8).

God repeatedly warned His wayward people that He would
take away their blessings and they would suffer (2:9-13).
Because of their false swearing, lying, killing, and adultery,
therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells there
will waste away” (4:2-3). In addition, Israel’s idolatry (spiritual
harlotry against God) would result in severe punishment:
“Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled”
(4:14).

In loving mercy, the Lord pleaded with Israel to return to Him.
“Come, and let us return to the Lord (6:1). “O Israel, return to
the Lord your God” (14:1). *But they do not return to the Lord
their God, nor seek Him for all of this” (7:10). “They return, but
not to the Most High” (7:16).

Does this sound like horrible news? Only for those unwilling
to repent and returm to God! “I will heal their backsliding and
love them freely” (14:4). Jesus cures us from the fatal disease of
sin: “(He) bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose
stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Via Bulletin Gold

By Joe Slater

 

Not even the Roman Catholic Church can decide with certainty
which (if any) of three candidates is the real “Saint” Valentine.
One popular view is that he was a “bishop” who kept on
solemnizing marriages despite Roman emperor Claudius II
supposedly banning marriage of soldiers in his army. This
Valentine, so the story goes, was arrested and eventually
martyred. Historical evidence is lacking; even referring to this as
“legend” might be a stretch.

More likely, “Saint Valentine’s Day is yet another attempt to
“Christianize” a pagan holiday. In this case, it’s the feast of
Lupercalia, a fertility festival honoring Faunus, the Roman god
of agriculture. It was celebrated on February 15. Our calendar
puts Valentine’s Day on February 14. Oh well, close enough!

As with Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, celebrating
Valentine’s Day doesn’t make you a pagan. Go ahead, give your
sweetheart a box of chocolates! When people’s minds are
focused on the birth of Christ, it’s a great opportunity to teach t
truth about it. Ditto with the Resurrection. So let’s use this
holiday to teach the truth about marriage!

In American Society Biblical marriage has fallen on hard
times. Currently, 60% of all marriages are preceded by
cohabitation” (foryourmarriage.org/cohabitation/). Hebrews
13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed
undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Folks,
we have much teaching to do! Let us have the backbone to reject
political correctness, “speaking the truth in love (Ephesiar
4:15).

Via Bulletin Gold

By Joe Slater

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to
Abram and said to him, T am Almighty God; walk before Me
and be blameless'” (Genesis 17:1). God had great plans for
Abram. He would make a great nation of his descendants and
give them the promised land of milk and honey. Eventually the
Savior of mankind would appear through the lineage of Abram.

With such great promises came great expectations. The Lord
wanted Abram’s faithful, obedient behavior. Since Christ is the
fulfillment of the promise, and Christians are heirs of the promise
(Hebrews 6:17), God also expects us to walk before Him and be
blameless. The Lord sees all that we do and knows all we say or
think. Knowledge of His presence should encourage us to be
confident and motivate us to refrain from sin, knowing we cannot
hide from Him.

Walking “after God emphasizes faithful obedience a bit
differently. God, through Moses, told Israel: *You shall walk
after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His
commandments, and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and
hold fast to Him” (Deuteronomy 13:4). They were to follow
God’s leading, not that of the false prophets in the previous verse.
Likewise, we must walk after God, rejecting the false ideas of
men. None of this is new! People who love God have always
endeavored to do His will. Scripture gives credit to two men who
“walked with God” – Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Noah (Genesis
6:9). They lived in harmony with God’s will and enjoyed close
fellowship with Him.

Walk before God! Let the knowledge of His presence
courage and motivate you. Walk after God! Follow the leading
of His word. Walk with God! Live in harmony with His will and
enjoy His fellowship!

By Joseph D. Chase

 

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.

Via Bulletin Gold

By Brian Mitchell – Via Bulletin Gold

Prayer is something that develops within each of us as we grow in our faith
and understanding. The stronger our belief in God and the more we come to
understand Him and His Word the more prayerful we will become. There are
some childlike elements to prayer that we must never lose, and yet there are
some childish and immature aspects of prayer that we certainly want to
outgrow.

Listen to some of these prayers of children and see what insights you can
gain from them. Debbie, age 7 writes: Dear God: Please send a new baby for
mommy. The new baby you sent last week cries too much. Dear God: Who
did you make smarter? Boys or girls? My sister and I want to know. Jimmy,
age 6. Dear God: How many angels are there in heaven? I would like to be the
first kid in my class to know the answer. Norma, age 8.

Dear God: Thank you for the nice day today. You even fooled the weatherg
man. Hank, age 7. Lois, age 9: Dear God: Please help me in school. I need
help in spelling, adding, writing, history, and geography. I don’t need help inE
anything else. Natalie, age 7: Dear God: Do you have any helpers in heaven?
I would like to be one of your helpers in heaven when I have summer vacation.
Diane, age 8: Dear God: I am saying my prayers for me and my brother, Billy,
because Billy is six months old and he can’t do anything but sleep and wet hist
diapers.

There is a childish misunderstanding of prayer represented here but they get
so much right about God that we sometimes forget about. So much could be
said and should be said about prayer, but for our purposes today I want to say
three things: Prayer is EXPECTED, should not be EXHAUSTED because it
is EFFECTIVE.

If you are like me, then you don’t need to be convinced of the place and
power of prayer. But what I do need to be reminded of often is to make prayer
a priority. I need to be careful to carve out time for prayer and to guard that
time for all of its worth. In order to be more faithful in prayer, I want to suggest
three things to do. First, set a time and a place for prayer. Prayer must be
intentional. Second, remove the things that interfere with prayer. Third, pray
with faith, persistence, and the right motive. And then see what happens!!!