100-199 words | Bulletin Digest

21 ‘Steps’ to Salvation?

[130 words] This list may surprise many people, especially those who believe we are saved only by faith. The Bible specifically states that there are 21 parts to our salvation from sin. Here is the list, along with the passages that prove the statements. (These are in no particular order.) 1. God (1 Timothy…

The Hardest Words to Say

[179 words] I must have been sick on the day they taught phonics in school. If I don’t recognize a word by sight, I can find some amazing ways to mispronounce it. I cringe when I have to use certain words because no matter how much I practice, I’m not sure how it will…

Preparing for Prayer

[187 words] Talking to the Creator is beyond human comprehension. We’re lifted up when we humble ourselves before him (James 4:10), because our sins can close the ears of God (Luke 18:9-14; Isaiah 59:1-2). Prayer requires preparation because approaching God isn’t a casual affair. The solemnity and reverence in the Father’s throne room in…

Hand in Hand, a Child and I

[127 words] Dear Lord, I do not ask that thou shouldst give Me some high work of thine, Some noble calling or some wondrous task. Give me a little hand to hold in mine; Give me a little child to point the way over the strange, sweet path that leads to thee; Give me…

You Scrumptious Beast

[183 words] There are so many ways we can find ourselves vulnerable to Satan’s schemes. He is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. And he does not starve. There is always someone. There are always Christians who are having the off-days–and Satan knows how to make a bad day much worse.…

Freedom from Sin: Before or After?

[105 words] Read Exodus 14:9-31 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. Now, when did Egypt lose their power over Israel? Before or after Israel was baptized into Moses? When did Israel find their freedom from bondage? Before or after they were baptized into Moses? How did Israel end up receiving their God-given freedom from slavery? By…

Anger and Grief

[176 words] The Bible has much to say in regard to anger and the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph. 4:26, 31; Prov. 14:17; 15:18; James 1:19-20; Gal. 5:20; Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:2-3; et. al.). And yet, with all of the Biblical evidence and information, most of us seem to…

Why the Planes Crashed

[166 words] On August 16, 2015, near San Diego’s Brown Airfield, two airplanes crashed in mid-air. The two planes — a Cessna 172M, piloted by Michael Copeland, crashed head-long into a Sabreliner, piloted by Jeffrey Percy. The pilots and the others on the planes were all killed. Five people lost their lives that day.…

Psalm 119:1

[142 words] “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Some folks have been known to lament that there is little enjoyment in a life lived under the restrictions of biblical morality and teaching. The most enjoyable life, we’re told, is in a life without moral…

Psalm 119:37

[110 words] “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your ways.” So much of what we choose to look at day after day is worthless when viewed from eternity’s perspective. When all has been said and done and we stand before the judgment bar of Christ, how much…

What If…

[163 words] “I can’t.” “I won’t.” “I don’t.” These are the words that keep people from reaching their potential. There’s no telling how different this world would be if people throughout the ages would not have lived up to their fullest potential. Consider this: What if…Michelangelo said, “I don’t do ceilings.” David said, “I…

On the Lighter Side (July 2018)

[191 words] Forgiveness There was a man standing before a judge in California for shooting a Condor. This a protected bird and people who kill them must pay the consequences. The man pleaded with the judge by saying, “I just arrived in this state and I have never seen a bird that large before.…

True Value

[156 words] There are some things you can’t buy on eBay! Some things even Amazon doesn’t stock. One of the proverbs says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches and respect is better than silver or gold.” When is the last time you thought about your honor? There was a time when people…

‘Get a Ph.D. in Knowing Me’

[124 words] It’s hard to believe, but there was a time other than today when higher education abounded yet so many remained ignorant of the simple principles of life – to be brutally honest, many such times have existed throughout history. Such a time even existed during the days of Jeremiah the prophet. Jeremiah preached…

What If’s

[155 words] Ever had one of those “what if l’d” moments? We can fantasize on those “what if’s” if we want to, but the time wasted on those fantasies could have been used more wisely so we won’t need to “what if” about that wasted fantasy time later. I would imagine all of us have…

Weakest Link

[107 words] There is an old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. How true it is. And how true also is the saying when it is applied to the Lord’s church. The church is just as strong as its Weakest members. It’s as Well attended as the most unfaithful.…

The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend

[146 words] This peculiar proverbial statement is something the Bible also implicitly teaches. It informs us that the Devil is our enemy. “Your adversary the Devil” (1 Peter 5:8). It tells us the enemy of the Devil is the Lord. “For the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over Me” (John…

Fill the Void

[135 words] We fall into sin because there is a void in our life. We look for anything to fill it, and since nothing ever fills that void for long, it doesn’t take long before we’re back at it again. What about a love from the One… …who died for us (John 3:16)? …who calls…

Grudges

[172 words] One day a visitor leaned on the fence around the farm while he watched an old farmer plowing with a mule. After a while the visitor said, “I don’t like to tell people how to run their business, but you could save yourself a lot of work by saying ‘Gee’ and ‘Haw” to…

Changing My Life Into The Likeness of Christ

[174 words] “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christ was and I must be: Humble (Phil 2:3-11; James 4:6)Forgiving (Luke 23:24; Mark 11:25)Zealous (John…

Winner Or Loser?

[110 words] When a loser makes a mistake, he says, “It wasn’t my fault.”When a winner makes a mistake, he says, “I was wrong.” A loser says, “I’m not as bad as a lot of other people.”A winner says, “I’m not as good as I ought to be.” A loser says, “It may be possible,…

Humility

[197 words] Many years ago it was not uncommon for individuals to close letters and correspondence with “very humbly yours,” or “Your humble servant,” or some other such phrasing which emphasized the humility of the writer. In today’s world, however, such wording is scarcely seen. Humility has become an unpopular virtue with most individuals. We…

It’s Best Said In What You Do

[190 words] There are times when we find those around us suffering. When a friend gets the call no one ever wants to get, the diagnosis comes back worse than expected, when tragedy strikes those around us. It can be a very helpless feeling to try and provide comfort to those is the midst of…

The Value of Tears

[182 words] How much value do you place on tears? That question may seem odd, but it is something you should think about! Some tears may fall insincerely, but other tears come when words fail to express an emotion we cannot control. God places a high value on our tears. He knows that some tears…

A Pool of Sin

[152 words] Getting into sin is a little like getting into a swimming pool. When you first get into a pool, it feels cold and uncomfortable. However, after just a few minutes, you get used to the water temperature and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore. In fact, if you stay in the pool for very…

The Legend of the ‘Taste Berry’

[188 words] In Africa it is said that there is a certain fruit called the “taste berry.” This berry supposedly can affect one’s taste for several hours. Not only is the berry itself sweet, it makes other things seem sweeter when eaten. What a wonderful fruit this must be if it really exists and works…

Man’s Greatest Journey

[191 words] Man loves to travel. The journeys of man have taken him from pole to pole, and from ocean’s bottom to the top of the skies…and beyond! Wherever man goes (and for whatever the reason) man cannot escape what he is. Our character sticks closer than a shadow. Spiritually, man is a traveler also.…

Unseen Dirt

[116 words] Lord, it’s not the dirt and clutter in plain sight that nags at me. It’s the hidden dirt, you know, behind the refrigerator, in the closets, under the beds–dirt that no one sees or knows about but me. It’s the same way with my life, God, as it’s those hidden sins that I…

What Gossip Says About You

[160 words] Many people think gossip is a harmless diversion. However, a study on gossip found out that it indeed hurts someone, one you might not expect. Researchers set up a test where subject watched a video were actor talked about a third party. In the videos, the actor would either say something very negative…

The True Tragedy

[184 words] A USA Today article about former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez that he “had played in a Super Bowl and signed a $40 million contract extension before his 24th birthday. His future was one of endless possibilities.” The article went on to say, “the tight end sits in jail, now a convicted murderer;…

‘Because of His Reverence’

[154 words] Throughout the Gospels it is amazing to read about the prayer life of Jesus. It seems as though He was continually longing to be with the Father in prayer. What a great example for us. The Hebrew writer has something interesting to tell us about Jesus’ prayers. Hebrews 5:7 tells us that even…

The Time is Now

[105 words] If you are ever going to love me, Love me now, while I can know The sweet and tender feelings Which from true affection flow. Love me now While I am living. Do not wait until I’m gone And then have it chiseled in marble, Sweet words on ice-cold stone. If you have…

The Day Jesus Lost His Disciples

[175 words] “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). With one lesson, Jesus lost many of His followers. At what could be considered one of the lowest points in the ministry of Jesus, He fearlessly risked even His own closest followers with one simple and…

Are You Sick Enough to Be Saved?

[147 words] “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). Jesus did not mean there were people in the world so righteous they would not need Him. Rather, only those who realize how sick they are will…

You’re Crazy

[130 words] This is the phrase that is directed toward someone that is acting (or speaking) in a way that does not make much sense. We have all been called (or called someone else) crazy at least once. As Christians, we are called to be just that. No, not “crazy” in the literal sense. Crazy…

All the Ways

[195 words] Some have referred to the “God of the Old Testament” as a God of anger and the “God of the New Testament” as a God of love, as if there are (or have been) two Gods. If we have read through the Old Testament without getting any glimpses of God’s great patience, love,…

To What Length Would You Go?

[130 words] “This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the resign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery. They had got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under…

If You Wake Up in the Morning

[112 words] A life insurance salesman was unable to persuade a couple to purchase a policy. “I certainly don’t want to frighten you into a decision,” he said as he got up to leave. “Please sleep on it tonight, and if you wake up in the morning, let me know what you think.” Is this…

Got Faith?

[192 words] “This righteousness from God comes through faith inJesus Christ to all who believe … ” Romans 3:22. Having already established that there is an obedience that comes faith, that faith is something we do, and that we must not rest in what we’ve done or who we think we are in God’s sight,…

Every Spiritual Blessing

[155 words] It’s very common for people to ask this question: “Why do good people suffer?” Why do good people get sick, have money problems, and simply struggle with difficult times? The basic answer to these questions is that we live in a physical world and along with being physical beings we both enjoy physical…

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