One Thing

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[219 words] There are many voices competing for our attention. There are many destinations pleading for our arrival. There are many products and companies begging for our money. Yet only one voice matters. Only one destination is of any consequence. Only one being can inform us as what to do with / how to look at our money. Our lives hinge on one thing: our relationship with God. Do we humbly stand in His presence? Are we hanging on His every word, awaiting His guidance and direction? (1 John 1:7) “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that I...

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Breaking Down The Barriers To Biblical Fellowship

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[206 words] There is no greater relationship on earth than the relationship that exists as a result of being in Christ. Fellowship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all who are in Christ, is limited by culture, by color, or by country. Unfortunately, the barriers to fellowship that were torn down by the cross (Eph. 2:12-16) are often barriers that some attempt to erect, not realizing that doing such not only is a barrier to their fellowship with God’s people, it is a barrier to their fellowship with God. Why? Because to withhold fellowship from those who, being in...

When God Leads A Nation, Mercy Triumphs

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[229 words] “May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth” (Psalms 67:4). Today, many people throughout the world are seeking justice. Many more cry out for mercy. In the United States, right now, minority groups are asking for racial justice. Some are demanding it while rioting and looting and injuring others. A bigger issue world-wide exists as people are being denied fairness and are being punished because of their faith. Christians are being martyred because they show their loyalty to God and Jesus. But we...

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[248 words] Life is filled with choices. We chose what we do for a living, what we eat, where we live, etc. One of the most challenging is the choice of friends. Solomon the wise prophet told us: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26). Too bad Solomon didn’t listen to his own advice. 1 Kings 11:3 tells us as Solomon grew older, he had 1000 wives and slave wives. That verse concludes with this statement: “And his wives turned away his heart.” One of the great examples of a...

Christ Over Conspiracy

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[267 words] When tragedies and disasters occur—like our present pandemic—conspiracies abound. The temptation to believe them is strong because they make sense of an otherwise senseless event. They grant us the power to place blame at the feet of someone, rather than remain a victim of confusion. They provide comfort in the calamity by legitimizing themselves with partial truths and creating a common enemy (usually a corporation or government). Our present culture is rife with false news stories which appear legitimate. We cling to them because, often, they solidify our prior suspicions and make us feel superior to others who...

David’s Prayer in the Cave

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[264 words] It was in one of the lowest points in his life that David finds himself hiding in a cave praying to God. He says, “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord” (Psa. 142:1). David describes the circumstances that have caused him to feel discouraged. He says in verse 4, “Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.” How often do we find ourselves feeling this same way? It could...

The Ocean Waves of Life!

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[273 words] Have you ever stood in the ocean when the waves are rolling in? If you are not prepared and standing with your feet firmly set, the waves can easily knock you down. The Bible uses this idea of “standing firm” and “holding fast” when describing how we need to be living our lives. The term “hold fast” is defined as “to continue to believe in or adhere to an idea or principle.” The closely related word “steadfast” is defined as “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” We are to hold fast to God and be obedient to Him....

Words Matter

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[299 words] We have so many ways in which we use our words. We have the spoken word. We have the written word. We have the texted word. We have the emailed word. We have the posted word. Thank-fully, we have the Inspired Word! James 1:19-20 is clear when it comes to how we are to respond to anyone in any given situation. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Communication can be difficult at times. Let...

The Christian’s Advantage

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[257 words] There is not a person in the world who can live totally above sin. Paul told us in Romans 3:23 that “All have sinned” and in John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Everyone makes mistakes and fails a little short of what he would like to be! This is why we have Jesus. When we sin and fall down He is there to help. If we could live perfect lives, there would be no need for Christ. In First John 1:7 we find...

‘Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock’

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[209 words] In Luke 12, we read how Jesus told his followers “do not worry.” He said, don’t worry about getting the necessities of life or even how long you will live. He then pointed to world of unbelievers and said: “they worry about these things.” But you should seek God’s kingdom and He’ll take care of you. Then, Jesus, finished his statement with these words: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Then, Jesus taught them about charity and watching for the second coming of the Lord (Luke 12:22-48)....

Keep Praying

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[273 words] If there is one aspect that Jesus seems to emphasize in his teaching about prayer, it is that it is not a “one-and-done” thing (Luke 18:1-8, Luke 11:5-13). Prayer takes constancy to work. If I ask and don’t receive, it shouldn’t be taken as a reason to not pray anymore. Take the example of Elijah: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the...

God’s Promise

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[284 words] Over the centuries, the enemies of God’s people have sought to harm the Lord’s family. Today, we are fighting a virus instead of soldiers. Our weapons are good sanitation and medical practices. But our greatest munition is our faith in God. Jesus Christ is the Great Physician (Luke 5:17-32). The most dreaded disease of Jesus’ day was leprosy. With just a word of command, Jesus healed those with this disease instantly (Luke 5:12-13). Another man was stricken by an ailment for 38 years. Again, with a word of command, Jesus instantly healed this fellow when no medical doctor...

Bless You!

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[271 words] Blessed are you when you come to worship, even when you are not feeling the best in the world – your dedication is helping to inspire many in this congregation. Blessed are you when you leave your contribution, even when you cannot physically be here – you have helped this church to meet its financial obligations and branch out in new endeavors in the name of the Lord. Blessed are you when you smile and greet others and sing from the heart, even when you’ve had a bad week – you help to spark the enthusiasm and zeal...

What the Bible Says About Lent

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[249 words] “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6). Do not add or subtract commands to the Bible! This teaching is found throughout the Old and New Testaments (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18, etc.). God takes a dim view to folks who insist on adding commands to the scriptures. One such addition is “Lent.” If you look up Lent in an English Dictionary, you will find a definition like...

How To Make Sermons Last

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[272 words] A preacher posted recently that someone had commented to him, “sermons are ineffective because they are forgotten by the time people get to the restaurant after church.” This statement concerned me because I feel the person who suggested this idea to the preacher put preachers in a negative light (probably not intentionally). I, like you, have heard someone complain from time to time about the preaching, the message, or the presentation. As I have tried to grow spiritually, I’ve learned the hearer has as much of a responsibility to the sermon as the speaker. If the hearer has...

How a Christian Should Walk

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[221 words] • “Walk while you have the light” (John 12:35) • “Walk in the steps of faith” (Rom. 4:12) • “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) • “walk…according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1) • “walk properly” (Rom. 13:13) • “as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk” (1 Cor. 7:17) • “walk by faith” (2 Cor. 5:7) • “Walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16) • “good works…that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10) • “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph. 4:1) • “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2) • “Walk...

Masquerade

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[268 words] Some years ago, the singer George Benson had a hit song called “This Masquerade” (1976). I always thought the song was okay, but never smitten by it. The other day I heard it again for the first time. “Are we really happy here with this lonely game we play?” These are the words that open the song. It’s about a love-relationship empty of substance, but can’t it apply in other areas of life also? Surely it can. There are many Christians around you with a masquerade, presenting themselves in one way, but hoping even their best friends don’t...

Were You Praying for Us?

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[255 words] It has always been difficult for this writer to understand why half the membership of the body of Christ finds no Christian joy or spiritual satisfaction in mid-week Bible Study. During this period, we sing, pray, and study the Lord’s Book. We enjoy the spiritual presence of our heavenly Master and add another link to the beautiful chain of Christian fellowship. Wednesday Bible study is a vital ingredient in our Christianity. At a recent service in which this writer was present, the person leading the prayer prayed not only for those who were present, but also for those...

Fill the Year with the Fruits of Righteousness

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[207 words] In Philippians 1:11 Paul records that Christians are to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness.” Of course the fruit of the Spirit come to mind with a statement like that. The fruit of the Spirit are mentioned in two passages in the New Testament: Galatians 5:22-23, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Ephesians 5:9-10, “(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” We can find 12 fruit of the Spirit from these two passages and,...

You’re Going To Fake It After All

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[239 words] In his youth, the grandson of John Philip Sousa made large sums of money as a guest bandleader. He knew it wasn’t because of his talent. Since he shared the same name as the great American composer and conductor, he knew that is what impressed the crowds. His invites were about his name not his abilities. He knew these because he could not read a single note of sheet music. He wasn’t the first of the last person to lean on their heritage rather than their abilities. Just because you carry a name, however, doesn’t mean you are...

Will You Withstand God’s Refining?

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[205 words] “And the people of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until the evening. And they inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?’ And the Lord said, ‘Go up against them’” (Judges 20:23). It had come to this. When God’s people had first entered the Promised Land with Joshua so many years before, they were God’s instrument for justice against the pagan nations about whom His longsuffering had run out. The Israelites shrank back from obeying God and eventually blended in with the cultures around them...

What Would You Be Remembered For?

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[222 words] “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). God would be a terrible obituary writer. You know, no matter how the person lived his or her life, the blurb in the newspaper always says glowing things about the person … but God tells it how it is! They were a chosen race, but they had chosen sin. They were a royal priesthood, but they had bowed down to idols of their own making. They were a holy nation, but they had fashioned the Creator in their...

Perseverance and Hope for the Future

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Bulletin Digest

[234 words] “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). In so many ways, the very end of the Bible is a mirror-image of its beginning. Because of sin, man in Genesis is separated from God’s presence and is kept from reaching out to eat of the Tree of Life; in Revelation, that access is restored and intimate fellowship with God along with it. The account of the church, then, is really about man walking with God. It took a perfect God taking...