Here it is September already! Since time gets away from us so quickly, we thought you’d like to know this month’s package of articles is ready and waiting for you on your membership page!
This month we have a few articles that directly address social unrest in our country, along with a well-rounded set of writings on encouragement and growth.
Thank you for being a Bulletin Digest member!… Read the rest
[211 words] Current events cause us to consider the idea of justice, and why some people seem to “get away” with hurting other people. This is not a new question, of course. David wrote about such things many times in the scriptures. In Psalm 10, David voices the temptation to feel that God is “afar off” and hidden during times of trouble (v.1), while the wicked man persecutes the poor (v.2). The evil person lurks and hides in the villages waiting to catch and even kill the helpless (v.8-11), figuring that God will never catch him. … Read the rest
[414 words] Nations reap what they sow just as individuals do. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:17). This happens partly because rebellion against God is by nature self-destructive and partly because God providentially intervenes to chastise evil societies. In terms of the latter, one of the most common forms of divine punishment is war. The Lord unleashed the Assyrians on Israel, the Babylonians on Judah, and then the Medes on Babylon.… Read the rest
[150 words] Everyone loves a hero! We marvel at the mighty deeds of brave folks around us, and we wonder what it would take to be just like them. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “A man is a hero, not because he is braver than anyone else, but because he is brave for ten minutes longer.” How applicable this quote is to so many situations in life, especially the life of a Christian. James tells us that patience (perseverance) comes from enduring tests of our faith, which in turn leads to a complete faith (James 1:3-4).… Read the rest
[144 words] A city dweller was being driven by a rancher over a blistering and almost barren stretch of desert when a large brightly-colored bird scurried across the road in front of them. The visitor asked what it was. “That’s a bird of paradise,” said the rancher. “Pretty long way from home, isn’t he!” remarked the visitor. This story reminds us of what it’s like being a Christian. We are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20), and when people see us they ought to see a contrast with the world around us.… Read the rest
[338 words] “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life” (Proverbs 4:13). I won’t forget that day on the mountain. It was our first time for snow skiing, so lessons were suggested. Not me, I had been on water skis many times. I could do this. We got skis and boots, and we were ready for the mountain. Everything started off fine. I moved around a little bit then got on the lift.… Read the rest
[323 words] Charles and his wife were devastated. Their little girl, Annie, had died. Charles blamed himself and his wife because they were first cousins. While such inbreeding can cause birth defects, this was not the cause of Annie’s death. She, most likely, died of tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In other words, Annie died because she came into contact with a microbe – a contagious disease. Charles incorrectly blamed himself and his wife for the loss of his beloved daughter.… Read the rest
[185 words] If a Christian were a tree, what should it look like? It would have roots that grow downward. Roots help with strength and stability. Roots also bring nutrients to the tree. Deeply rooted in the Scriptures the Christian can stand strong. It would be healthy inward. A tree must be healthy from the inside out. Spiritual health for the Christian begins with the heart. It would stretch up ever upward. A tree is always growing, stretching its leafy branches toward the sky.… Read the rest
[322 words] “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4). We live in a fearful age: Covid-19, quarantines, economic uncertainty, riots, and Chinese communist belligerence. Many are incapacitated with uncertainty and fear. But Paul declares: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind! (2 Timothy 1:7). The word for “fear” here basically means “cowardice.”… Read the rest
[318 words] On the evening of September 13, 1814 an American diplomat found himself stuck on a British vessel watching a fierce bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. The state of affairs looked grim. As he spent the night detained by the enemy, Francis Scott Key looked out across the waters towards the American fort. But with the dawn of a new day the American cause found strength. The flag still waved above the fort. That morning, on the back of a letter he happened to find in his pocket, Key began to compose a poem that would be finalized within…
[366 words] The history of Gideon is fascinating. There is a reason why his story is so commonly shared with young people at Vacation Bible School, etc. But before he was smashing jars and blowing trumpets (Judges 7:19-21), he was wrestling with difficult questions. And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where a re all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’… Read the rest
[472 words] We often rehearse what God has done for us in centuries now past, and such is proper. God created the world, made man, provided our salvation though Christ, and established the church. We are thankful for these mighty works of the past. Yet, we must not ignore the fact that God is still very much active in human affairs. “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:17).… Read the rest
[433 words] A couple of weeks ago I shared some observations from the book Point Man by Steve Farrar. The specific observation was dealing with Christians who are starving (anorexic) due to a lack of time spent in reading God’s Word and in prayer. Mr. Farrar also observes that there are Christians battling spiritual bulimia. Spiritually speaking, bulimia is the inconsistent reading or hearing of the Word without personal application. He goes on to explain that spiritual bulimia is an aversion to applying the Scripture to our personal life.… Read the rest
[309 words] I have given a lot of thought on how to describe God’s grace, and I have come up with the following: Grace is like a tree. Now, stay with me on this: Only God can make a tree. As we know from the famous poem, only God can make a tree and only God can give His grace – we cannot make or earn it for ourselves. Trees are very beautiful. God’s grace is a most beautiful concept.… Read the rest
[377 words] Everyone who has ever spent any time hiking or hunting in the forests of our land, knows of the possibility of getting lost. Some time ago, a teenager hunting in the Rocky Mountains with his father, discovered firsthand what it means to be lost. The young man did not see game in his usual hunting area so he tried a new trail and forgot how to make his way back. After a while, he was lost.… Read the rest
[470 words] These words spoken by Jesus memorialize the actions of a woman who anointed his head with a very valuable ointment. Several denounced the apparent waste of this expensive item, saying that it should have been sold to help the poor. Jesus defended her with the words used in the title above, found in Mark 14:8. Many lessons can be drawn from this passage, but the words of Jesus call attention to an important lesson that is often overlooked.… Read the rest
[344 words] Parents are rightly concerned about the physical development of their children. They will keep a close check on the height and weight of growing children. They will encourage them to eat food that will be healthy and will help them to grow stronger. Christians of all ages need to be concerned about our spiritual development. There is inspired exhortation for us to grow. In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle writes, “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…” Then, at the end of his second letter, Peter exhorts, “…but grow in…
[283 words] Conversion of the Members. The new birth consists of more than baptism. One has to be born of the Spirit and of the water. Those of us who have been baptized must have been led to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Lord of life. Conversion is in reality a matter of surrender of one’ life and commitment to Jesus as the Lord of ourselves. Regular Attendance. Yes, it takes more than attendance to be a Christian, but there is no way one can be a Christian and develop the Christ-like life without worship…
[236 words] Providence is one of the hardest concepts to understand in the Bible, yet it is taught, without any doubt. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they did not have anything in mind other than ridding themselves of a “nuisance” and making a little extra money. Though Joseph handled the situation very well, working in Potiphar’s house, rising to importance in prison, and eventually coming to be second in the kingdom, he did not—at the moment his brothers sold him—have a grand plan for saving his brothers from a future famine.… Read the rest
[335 words] Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen” (2 Cor. 4:18). Poor eyesight has plagued me for the most part of my life. After more than ten surgeries, I still have poor eyesight. My physical problems were considered a legal handicap, but to me they were just a minor annoyance. This is what I was given; I did not have a choice in how I see the world.… Read the rest
[129 words] If people are to become like Jesus there must be heart changes. The result of these changes of heart will be changes in our behavior. The heart change is what gives room for God to work in our life. Realizing certain truths helps us to change our heart. We must learn from our Bible study that we are redeemed from sin; we belong to God; our salvation is by, in and though Jesus; He loves us infinitely and wants us to go to heaven.… Read the rest
[43 words] “And the __ is a fire, a world of __.”True or False: James says the tongue defiles the whole body.“But no man can __ the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly __.”What does “similitude” mean?“Thus no spring yields both __ __ and __.” Solution: tongue, iniquity; true; tame, poison; likeness; salt water, fresh. BulletinDigest.com…
[56 words] If you are wise and understanding, you will show it by __ __.“But if you have __ __ and __ in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.”True or False: Self-seeking is demonic wisdom.Name some characteristics of wisdom that is from above.“Now the fruit of __ is sown in __ by those who make peace.” Solution: good conduct; bitter envy, self-seeking; true; pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, mercy, good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy; righteousness, peace.… Read the rest
[45 words] James says wars and fights among Christians come from __ for __.“Yet you do not __ because you do not __.”Some were asking amiss because they wanted to spend it on their __.“Do you not know that __ with the world is __ with God?”Who does God resist? Solution: desires, pleasure; have, ask; pleasures; friendship, enmity; the proud. BulletinDigest.com…
[50 words] “Therefore submit to __. Resist the __ and he will flee from you.”What should you do if you want God to draw near to you?“Cleanse your __, you sinners;”“Let your __ be turned to __ and your joy to gloom.”“__ yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will __ you up.” Solution: God, devil; draw near to God; hands; laughter, mourning; humble, lift. BulletinDigest.com…
[266 words] “A man is a hero, not because he is braver than anyone else, but because he is brave for ten minutes longer.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson “As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” — Vincent Van Gogh “I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”… Read the rest
Things Are Tough All OverMy wife and I went out for a leisurely drive to see the autumn leaves, when we noticed that one of the tires seemed to be getting low… She was a bit taken aback when I asked her for some change and asked, “Why in the world did they start charging for AIR?!” I looked at her and winked, “Inflation.” Unfortunate NamesMr. and Mrs. Brown had two sons. One was named Mind Your Own Business & the other was named Trouble.… Read the rest
In an effort to cut down on some of the third-party software we use to run BulletinDigest.com, we have made some changes to the site you need to be aware of.
Previously after log in, members could click on the Bulletin Digest logo at the top and be returned to the Member Homepage. In place of this, there is a link in the main menu that reads “My Membership.” This will return you to your membership homepage no matter where you are on the site. … Read the rest
[271 words] Ever say something you wish you hadn’t? Henry Ford did. In a 1916 interview with the Chicago Tribune, the American motor vehicle pioneer said, “What do we care about what they did 500 or 1,000 years ago? I don’t know whether Napoleon did or did not try to get across and I don’t care. It means nothing to me. History is more or less bunk.” Though Ford was mostly trying to say that what matters most to him is what he accomplishes in the present, many a media source ran with the thought that Henry Ford says “history…
[117 words] It’s a real danger for Christians to become so desensitized by the entertainment we consume or the causes we support that we revert back to talking as if we never were born again. Maybe some rationalize their crude language, saying, “I only say these words when I’m really upset;” “But the cause is too great to ignore it just because there’s a little language.” And just like that, they’ve subscribed to situational ethics. Yet, the Bible still says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths” (Eph.… Read the rest
[225 words] Growing older brings emotions closer to the surface, for some of us anyway. Using a sentimental illustration in a sermon or singing a song that touches our hearts becomes difficult. While I do not fear death, I dread the prolonged pain or loss of mental faculties that often precede death. A frequent prayer leader at Memphis’ Union Avenue church, when I was a kid, often led us to pray, “And when our time comes to cross the chilly waters of Jordan, give us a peaceful hour in which to cross and a home safe on the other side.”…… Read the rest
[438 words] In the 1100s, in an effort to protect travelers going from northern Spain over the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Dogs of God, Reston, 50), a military force known as the hermandads (“the brotherhood”) was organized. Soon, these vigilantes spread across Spain and offered themselves as protectors of roads and merchants. Eventually appointed as a national police force who could collect taxes and prevent insurrection in every municipality, they would go on to exterminate untold numbers of Muslims, Jews, and other “enemies of the state” during the Middle Ages.… Read the rest
[371 words] In recent days I have seen some concerning trends. With the increase in mask wearing and the need for social distancing, people are becoming more isolated than ever before in our society. People are not talking to each other in public places like they once did. We have real challenges when it comes to showing the love of Christ during this time. We also face the very real danger of illness when it comes to reaching out to others and helping those in need.… Read the rest
[419 words] Talk about going to extremes! A man in Maine took a Sawzall and cut his neighbor’s garage in half. Since part of the structure was on his property, Gabriel Brawn had a legal right to do it. The overlapping garage hadn’t been a problem for years, as his relationship with the previous neighbor was amiable. After the neighbor died, and the new residents moved in, the conflicts began over a boundary dispute, and the animosity between the two parties escalated.… Read the rest
[362 words] “One university after another is bowing before the violent demands of a small minority of radicals who intend to overthrow the existing government…The radicals fully intend to overthrow the national government and replace it according to their own fuzzy, undefined lines which they cannot explain. They have decided to seek as many confrontations with the police and university officials as they possibly can. They are using terror tactics in some parts of the country now.”… Read the rest
[229 words] Do you have one experience in life that you can’t shake from your memory? Try as you might to put it behind you, it won’t go! Perhaps you have more than one. In the long ago, there was a man name Esau who thought so little of his “birthright” that for an occasion of food he gave it up. The Scripture says he “despised it”, that is, he held what was sacred as not worthy of him holding on to it at all.… Read the rest
[444 words] “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). I was reading this passage the other day, and a word struck me that I had rarely paid attention to before. Did you notice in the text that we are called into God’s marvelous light? Why didn’t it just say light?… Read the rest
[96 words] We often sing about “the golden streets” in heaven, but the Bible only mentions one street, “The street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass” (Rev. 21:21). The last book of the Bible is not “Revelations.” There is one “Revelation,” “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22- 23). All nine named character traits together are “the fruit of the Spirit.”… Read the rest
[145 words] At the time of the hottest, most humid part of the summer months, the ancient Greeks and Romans saw the appearance of the “Dog Star” Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Thus, they called them the “Dog Days of Summer” and knew that summer’s time was limited and soon it would be cooling off. It is wonderful that we serve a God that has purposed different times, seasons, and occasions in our lives.… Read the rest
[52 words] • Hate evil (Rom. 12:9) • Pray that evil not overtake you (Matt. 6:13) • Keep your heart from evil (Heb. 3:12) • Resist evil (1 Thess. 5:22) • Do not walk in the way of evil (Pro . 4:14) • Depart from evil (Psa. 34:14) • Overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21) Edd SterchiBroadway church of ChristCampbellsville, KY…
[280 words] A few months ago, I began working with a cousin of mine in the area of genealogy. I have always enjoyed studying history, but I have never spent a lot of time documenting my family’s history. My cousin’s grandfather was a brother to my grandfather. As we began our journey last spring, we have worked to do online research but also made an effort to reach out to some family members who are still living in an effort gather information.… Read the rest
[136 words] God dwells in eternity and time means nothing to Him (2 Peter 3:8). However, His word and His promises mean everything to Him. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The Lord promised that there is coming at time when this earth and everything in it will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10).… Read the rest
[286 words] How often do you read the Bible? A survey by the American Bible Association found that 57 percent of the people read their Bible four times or less per year. Another survey found that only 19 percent of the people read the Bible on a daily basis. The ABA survey also showed that people between the ages of 18-28 read the Bible even less that older adults. In the ABA survey, 61 percent wish they would read the Bible more often.… Read the rest
[322 words] In chapter seven of his book Balance: A Tried and Tested Formula for Church Growth, Ira North points us to the importance of helping the poor, the downtrodden, and the “lowly.” Brother North quotes Romans 12:16 (KJV) which says, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Wayne Jackson comments on this verse by saying, “Cease pursuing grandiose ambitions; instead, descend to humility and the assistance of others.”… Read the rest
[553 words] Building a better world begins with me. I must be willing to give my time, talents, money and energies to make the world in which I live a better place. I truly believe that the only real way to make this world better is for me to be a faithful and dedicated child of God. A faithful and dedicated child of God will proclaim the good news of salvation. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).… Read the rest
[209 words] According to Webster’s dictionary a steward is “one who manages another’s property, finances, or other affairs.” Many parables of Jesus relate to stewardship (Luke 12:42-46; 16:1-13; 19:12-27; etc.). The idea of stewardship carries with it the idea of accountability. If I am your steward you will expect me to handle your affairs, your property, and your money properly and you will hold me accountable for the misuse of those things. In truth, we are all stewards of God.… Read the rest
[330 words] Saul, later known as Paul, and John Mark were well-known in the early church. But they might not have achieved their positions of leadership if it had not been for the unique ministry of a lesser known personality, Barnabas. Almost every time Barnabas is mentioned in the Bible he is encouraging someone. This seems to have been his principle contribution to the growth of the church. After Paul’s conversion, Christians were afraid to accept him because of his previous anti-Christian persecutions.… Read the rest
[220 words] What was it the angel said when he announced the birth of our Lord? “I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). So why is it that so many Christians—including some preachers—live and worship as if they were baptized in jalapeno juice? Have we forgotten the words of the Apostle Paul? “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Joy is a deep and abiding inner rejoicing which was promised to those who live in Christ and obey His commandments (cf.… Read the rest
[253 words] Most of us have prayed and asked God for help with some burden or problem, but it seemed there was no answer. Have you ever wondered if God really hears your prayers? Does an unanswered prayer mean that God doesn’t listen to us? God’s word assures us that He does hear the prayers of those who obey Him. Solomon wrote, “The Lord is far from the wicked: but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).… Read the rest
[427 words] The past two months have drastically changed our thinking. If you don’t think so, go into a public place and start coughing and see the reactions (on second thought, don’t do that). There will always be a “BC” (before COVID) means of thinking, and there will now be an “AD” (after distancing) thinking. However, this new way of thinking causes me to think of the parallels between the mindset of a disciple of Jesus.… Read the rest