November 2022, Vol. 41, No. 11

Dinner Therapy

[400 words] So much of Jesus’s public ministry and so many of His conversations with people happened around the dinner table. In fact, most of Luke (1/5 of this gospel account) has to do with Jesus either going to a meal, sitting down and eating a meal, or getting up and leaving from a meal.…

Standing in the Path of Danger

[473 words] In 1969, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, a group of people were preparing to have a “hurricane party” in the face of a storm named Camille. Were they ignorant of the dangers? Could they have been overconfident? Did they let their egos and pride influence their decision? We’ll never know. What we do know…

Filled to Overflowing

[203 words] You have probably had the unfortunate experience of overfilling a glass or a cup. You got distracted and looked away only to realize in a moment that the glass you were filling had run over! It makes for an unpleasant clean up to be done. However, to be overflowing spiritually does not create…

Grand Theft Thunder

[248 words] We know what it means when we say someone “stole our thunder.” It is a euphemism for when someone takes your praise, credit, or attention before you have a chance to. But it doesn’t make a lot of literal sense. You don’t own any thunder for anybody to steal. Unless you are John…

Past, Present, Future

[303 words] I’m sure you’ve heard the old riddle about the polar bear when he looked forward was looking south, when he looked back was looking south, and when he looked all around was also looking south. Of course he was standing on the North Pole to make this accurate. We can make a similar…

Saul’s Obedient Conversion

[330 words] The conversion of Saul is told in Acts 9:1-19; 26:9-18; and here in 22:1-16. He gave us many details about what happened on his trip to Damascus to persecute Christians. We should study carefully what the Bible says about conversion and not be swayed by our preconceived ideas. Saul was wrong religiously, but…

It’s Just How You Look at It

[224 words] When I look at a cluster of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. Children see flowers for the elderly neighbor lady or little white balloons that float in the wind as you blow on them.  When I feel wind on my face, I brace…

Stick With It

[439 words] “Footprints in the sands of time are never made by sitting down.” Perseverance, endurance, and plain ole’ stubborn tenacity are needed to hold on to our hope in the midst of difficulty. If our life’s work will leave behind footprints in the sands of time, it will be because we have striven to…

A Great Weapon

[256 words] We all face temptation, Satan is going to make sure that none of us are exempt. We read in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that it is a common challenge for all people but those who are in God’s family will be provided ways to resist and eliminate temptation. One great weapon we can use…

What About Witnessing?

[326 words] We hear much about “witnessing for Christ” in our present day. Even some of our brethren are taking to using it. The denominational world uses this expression to refer to “a special working of grace.” A dictionary definition is in order. Webster’s Collegiate gives this: “Testimony, one who beholds or has personal knowledge…

Be of Good Cheer

[151 words] You cannot be sour and be a Christian! True Christianity chases gloom. Solomon said, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22), and again in chapter 15:13, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” More than once Jesus commanded his disciples to “Be of Good…

What Are You Masking?

[162 words] Seems like this time of year many are focused on people’s fears, scary movies, frightful decorations, and creepy whatever’s displayed along our streets. What is often overlooked—or maybe be masked—is the true fears we face: a broken relationship, a bad health diagnosis, or financial uncertainty. There are many fears that face us today, but…

Consider One Another

[442 words] At home, we recently took on the task of cleaning out our attic! Yes, I can hear you groaning as you think about how much fun we had. Well, it wasn’t all bad. In fact, when we take time to declutter any segment of our lives, we actually feel somewhat liberated because we…

God’s Mirror

[360 words] Chances are good that you have looked at yourself in a mirror today. Usually, viewing our physical appearance is one of the first things we do after getting out of bed in the morning. We do this because we know there are some changes which need to be made. We need to brush…

Bars of a Castle

[432 words] In ancient times many castles were built on a high place such as a hill. The castle would usually have very thick outer walls. The entrance would have a thick gate with bars to secure it in place. All of these made it difficult for enemies to enter a palace or fortress. They…

Don’t Get in the Trash Can

[315 words] One day a mother was scraping vegetables for a salad as her daughter came and asked permission to go to a R-rated movie. “But all the kids are going,” she said, “and their parents didn’t think it would hurt them.” As she talked, she saw her mother pick up a handful of scraps…

Does Prayer Really Work?

[392 words] One of the great privileges of the Christian life is the opportunity to approach the heavenly Father in prayer. God’s people are encouraged to draw near to the Father’s heavenly throne with boldness, seeking help in time of need. Sometimes, Christians get discouraged and may wonder if prayer really works. One might say,…

What is Sin?

[38 words] • Sin is a violation of the conscience (Romans 14:23).• Sin is knowing to do good, and not doing it (James 4:17).• Sin is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4).• Sin is unrighteousness (failing to keep God’s commands) (1 John 5:17). House to House, Heart to HeartVol. 26, No. 3… This content is…

History in Genesis

[39 words] Out of the 4,100 years of recorded history in the Bible, over one-half of it (2,286 years) is recorded in the book of Genesis. About 2,000 years of that is covered in the first 11 chapters of Genesis. BulletinDigest.com… This content is for Annual and Lifetime Members only! Please log in or register…

Teach Me to Obey

[48 words] I do not ask to understandThe way Thou leadest me,But this I ask: Teach me to doThe thing that pleases Thee.I want to know Thy guiding voice,To walk with Thee each day.Dear Master make me swift to hearAnd ready to obey…. This content is for Annual and Lifetime Members only! Please log in…

God Cares

[73 words] God cares!How sweet the strain!My aching heart and weary brainAre rested by the sweet refrain,—He cares, our Father cares! God cares!Oh, sing the songIn lonely spot, amid the throng;’Twill make the way less hard and long,—He cares, our Father cares! God cares!The words so sweetMy lips and life shall e’er repeat,My burdens all…

Not I

[36 words] Not I, but ChristBe honored, loved, exalted;Not I, but ChristBe seen, be known, be heard;Not I, but ChristIn every look and action;Not I, but ChristIn every thought and word. Anonymous… This content is for Annual and Lifetime Members only! Please log in or register to use our free church bulletin resources, or start…

A Family Is…

[107 words] A deeply rooted treewith branchesof different strengthsall receiving nourishment from our Father in heaven. Where character is formed, values are learned,and society is preserved. Where all members contribute a share, cooperate and work,and accept their responsibilities toward the good of the group. Where holidays are celebrated with feastingbirthdays are acknowledged with gifts,and thoughts…

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

[147 words] If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hillBe a scrub in the valley – but be The best little scrub by the side of the rill;Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,And some highway some happier make;If…

A Consistent Christian

[144 words] Could I be called a Christian ifeverybody knewMy secret thoughts and feelings,and everything I do?Oh, can they see the likenessof Christ in me each dayAnd do they hear Him speakingin every word I say?Could I be called a Christianif other folk would knowThat I am found in placeswhere Jesus would not go?Oh, do…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 15:1-4

[80 words] “Then I saw another __ in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the __ of God is complete.” John saw something like a sea of glass mingled with __. “They sing the song of __, the servant of God, and the song of the __…”…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 15:5-8

[67 words] “After these things I looked, and behold, the __ of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was __.” The seven angels had seven __. True or False: The angels wore dark sackcloth. “Then one of the four __ creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the __ of…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 16:1-7

[85 words] Where did the voice from the temple tell the angels to pour the bowls of the wrath of God? “…a foul and loathsome __ came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his __.” “Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the __ and…

Bible Quiz: Revelation 16:8-16

[89 words] “Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the __, and power was given to him to __ men with __. The men who were scorched __ God and would not __. “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the __, and his kingdom became full of…

Quotes and Sayings (November 2022)

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” — Marcus Tulles Cicero “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” — Henry Van Dyke “I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my…

On the Lighter Side (November 2022)

Fall Groaners Q: What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to? A: Plymouth Rock. Q: Why did the pumpkin lose the boxing match? A: He let his gourd down. Q: If the Pilgrims were still alive, what would they be most famous for? A: Their age. Q: Why do birds fly south for the…