September 2024 Archives - Bulletin Digest

I Know It’s Not Dead

[350 words] One of the marks of New Testament Christianity is that on the first day of the week, we give of our means, (our money) to help with the work of the church. Several passages of scripture teach us this (Acts 2:45, 1 Cor. 16:2). We are also taught the attitude in which we are…

That Is Not Helping

[186 words] In July of 1993 an offshore oil rig northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland had a catastrophic failure. The entire rig caught fire and eventually exploded. The cause was attributed to a safety valve that had been removed and not replaced. Why would anyone do that? It was part of a safety inspection to see…

Jumping to Conclusions

[140 words] An irate woman burst into the baker’s shop and said, “I sent my son in for two pounds of cookies this morning, but when I weighed them there was only one pound. I want a refund, and I suggest that you check your scales!” The baker looked at her calmly for a moment…

Danger of Drowsiness

[280 words] Being sleepy at the wrong time and in the wrong place can be very dangerous. Drowsy driving can slow down thinking and reaction times—affecting our judgment and vision. Not to mention we could outright fall asleep and wreck, injuring ourselves and/or others. An estimated 1 in 25 drivers report having fallen asleep while…

The Real Influencers

[320 words] You know what people who are really popular on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok are called? Influencers. I guess because so many people follow them and are influenced by them. Well, let me tell you who the real influencers are supposed to be: Christians – you and me – and we don’t need to…

Five Questions about Inner Space

[474 words] You may have heard of a couple of astronauts who are stuck in outer space and can’t return to earth until someone picks them up in February. That is a long time to wait for a ride home! Man has always been interested in the place we call “outer space,” but for all…

Don’t Blow It

[351 words] In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul reminded Timothy (and through inference, us) that he was a worker for the Lord. But also in that verse are great bits of advice of how we are to perform our work. If you’ll forgive my cheesy rhyming to help with remembering the points, allow me to make…

Can We Really Be Like Jesus?

[274 words] When thinking about the earthy 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…

I Think You Can

[338 words] Robert Rosenthal came to teachers with a new test called the Harvard Test of Inflected Acquisition. This test, he informed the instructors, could accurately predict kids that would excel in the coming year. The test was administered and the teachers were given the names of potentially high-achieving students. Rosenthal expressed to them that…

Cheers to the Devil

[472 words] Drinking is becoming more accepted in society and in the church. This week within a 24-hour period a deacon in one state and a preacher in another shared their experiences with me. The deacon said they are having trouble reaching young people. Why? His answer: “They want to party.” The preacher related a…

Successful Visitation

[177 words] When we go to visit someone, there’s always a reason. Maybe we’ve been invited or those we’re visiting need our help. Perhaps a visit is just to give someone a little company for a while. Whatever the case may be, Christian folks should visit others, especially the sick and needy (James 1:27; Matthew…

The Best Possible Exercise

[406 words] We live in an age of health-conscious people. Many people are concerned about their health. Many of you are either on a diet or exercise program. I want to share with you the best exercise program. It’s not a new program. People have used it for thousands of years. What is this exercise…

Gracious Faithfulness

[377 words] “Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given…

He Shall Be Like a Tree

[181 words] Man is said to be several things in the Bible: builders, sheep, branches, salt, light, withering grass, and fading flowers. Psalm 1:1-3 speaks of a righteous man being like a tree “planted by the rivers of water.” Christians have also been “planted” (Romans 6:3-5). Here are some other ways Christians are like trees.…

Surviving the Shock

[252 words] Last year, a Summersville, West Virginia, school principal got quite a surprise as he prepared to begin the new day. It was 7 a.m. and teachers and staff were getting ready for the students to arrive. The Zela Elementary School custodian had a problem. He couldn’t get the lid to unlock on the…

A Traveler’s Guide to Heaven

[228 words] ACCOMMODATIONS: Arrangements for accommodation must be made in advance (John 14:2). PASSPORTS: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority (Revelation 21:27). DEPARTURE TIME: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be…

There Must Be Conversion

[143 words] If we are to become like Jesus, there must be conversion. We must preach the gospel and people must obey our Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. “And Jesus said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation. He who believes and is baptized will…

The Lesson of The Ants

[155 words] Several missionaries were having tea one afternoon when an ant appeared on the white tablecloth, made its way to a tea cake, walked around it, and finding nothing to eat, made straight for the sugar bowl. After eating several bits, it walked off with a small piece. They watched it disappear underneath the…

Don’t Let Sin In

[49 words] Don’t get used to sin. Just because we are bombarded with worldliness and sin day and night does not give us the excuse to become apathetic toward such things. God still expects His children to talk, dress, act and think differently than the world. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18…. We are sorry, but this…

Don’t Tie Me Down!

[64 words] A preacher was trying to persuade a capable man to teach a Bible class. The man responded, “I just don’t want to be tied down at this time!” With kind firmness the preacher looked him right straight in the eyes and said, “You know, we serve a Master who was willing to be…

Old Age

[131 words] A little boy asked his grandpa, “Grandad, were you in the ark?” “No, I wasn’t Billy.” The perplexed little boy replied, “Then, why weren’t you drowned?” Regardless of modern views, old age is not a disease! In fact, the Bible represents old age as an asset, in many respects. The faithful aged person…

Genesis Account of Creation a Myth?

[96 words] There are some in the religious world who try to teach that it is, but Jesus did not treat any of Genesis as if it were a myth. For instance, Matthew 19:4-6 (Adam and Eve); 24:37-39 (Noah); Luke 17:32 (Lot and his wife); John 8:56 (Abraham); Matthew 8:11 (Isaac and Jacob); and on…

God’s Love

[70 words] “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). We can only see a little of the ocean,A few miles distant from the rocky shore;But out there—beyond, beyond our eyes’ horizon,There’s more—there’s more. We can only see a little of God’s loving—A few rich treasures from His mighty store;But out there—beyond,…

The Love of the Father

[105 words] It comes to me more and more,Each day as I pass along,The love of the Father eternalIs over us tender and strong. ’Tis not alone in the sunshineOur lives grow pure and true;There is growth as well in the shadow,And pain has a work to do. A message comes in the heartache,A whisper…

Service

[109 words] O Master, let me walk with theeIn lowly paths of service free;Tell me thy secret; help me bearThe strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to moveBy some clear, winning word of love;Teach me the wayward feet to stay,And guide them in the homeward way. Teach me…

Moment by Moment

[91 words] Never a trial that He is not there:Never a burden that He doth not bear;Never a sorrow that He doth not share,Moment by moment I’m under His care. Never a heartache, and never a groan,Never a tear-drop, and never a moan,Never a danger but there, on the throne,Moment by moment, He thinks of…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:23-27

[47 words] What kind of vehicle did Jesus get into? “And suddenly a great __ arose on the __…” “Then His disciples came to Him and __ Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are __!’” “Why are you __, O you of little __?” “Who can this be, that even the __ and the __…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 8:28-34

[78 words] In the country of the __, Jesus was met by two __-possessed men coming out of the __. “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You __ of __? Have You come here to __ us before the time?” What sort of animal herd was grazing nearby? The demons __ Jesus to…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 9:1-8

[76 words] “Then behold, they brought to Him a __ lying on a __.” “Son, be of good __; your sins are __ you.” Because Jesus forgave the man’s sins, the __ said within themselves, “This Man __!” “‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has __ on earth to forgive sins’—then…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 9:9-13

[70 words] Who did Jesus see sitting at the tax office? “And He said to him, ‘__ Me.’ So he __ and followed Him.” “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the __ in the house, that behold, many __ collectors and __ came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” What group of…

Quotes and Sayings (September 2024)

“Grant me the courage not to give up, even though I think it is hopeless.” — Admiral Chester W. Nimitz “Pray not for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.” — Theodore Roosevelt “Pray devoutly, but hammer stoutly.” — Sir William Gurney Benham “Nothing is easier than self-deceit.” — Demosthenes “One may understand the cosmos, but…

On the Lighter Side (September 2024)

Boss: “I can’t believe you’re just standing there leaning against that crate. How much are you getting a week?” Young man: “Me? Ah, about $150.” Boss: “Here’s your $150. Now get out! You’re through!” As the young man hurried out, the boss turned to a worker and said, “How long has that fellow been with…