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BulletinGold
#115
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July
2010
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Vol.
10
Num.
5
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Editors:
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David Bragg
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Edward
Thomason
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| BulletinGold |
BulletinGold
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Sunday
of
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In
This
Issue:
|
Articles
|
Nuggets
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Poems
|
Quotes
|
- For Your Soul, by
Paul McElroy
- What’s
So
Amazing
About
Grace? By Johnny Hester
- Stay
In
The
Boat
--- And Trust, by Jim Faughn
- Who
Sets Your
Standards? By Ken Chumbley
- Doing
an
A+
Job,
by Stephen R. Bradd
- What
it
Means
to
"Wait" For His Son From Heaven, by Larry Miles
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- Don't Bury Your Talent,
by
Edd
Sterchi
- "Faithfulness"
- Christ Has a Job for You!
- What is a Saint? by Travis Quertermous
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- Brave Hearts Dare to Climb
- The
Joyful
Things, by Joyce Mary Ecochard
- True
Greatness
- Peacemaker,
by
Debbie
Preuss
|
quotes & sayings
for
bulletins and signs
|
| Editorial by David Bragg |
This
month's issue of BulletinGold focuses on the need for, and the
blessings of salvation through Christ. This involves much more than the
amazing grace extended by God, perfect sacrifice found in Christ, and
the guidance of the Spirit inspired Word. We must obey to get into
Christ, and remain faithful to remain in Him. Our prayer is that your
bulletins, and those who
read your bulletins, will be impressed with these wonderful blessings
that you enjoy.
David
Bragg
http://www.davidbragg.org/
|
| Panning
for Gold Feature Articles: |
|
What’s So Amazing About Grace?
By Johnny Hester
Amazing
grace
how
sweet the
sound
That saved a
wretch like me.
I once was lost,
but now am found,
Was blind, but
now I see.
We’ve sung these words many times, but does
God’s grace truly amaze us? It should. The word “amazing”
implies “that which causes a strong emotional reaction; causing
astonishment, that which enthralls.” (Merriam-Webster’s Online
Dictionary/Thesaurus). What is it about grace that should cause
astonishment that enthralls the emotions? What is so amazing
about grace?
Consider the inspired statement from Paul
found in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Grace
is a gift. When it comes to your soul’s salvation, you have no
purchase power. Salvation is a “gift,” paid for in full by the
blood of Jesus and freely given to those who through faith accept it in
obedience. What an astonishing truth!
Grace becomes even more amazing when one
considers the spiritual security it provides. There are few
things in this life upon which one can safely rely, but God’s gift of
grace brings the assurance that eternity in heaven can be ours.
When
we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
What a splendid thought! Will I be
employed next year? Will gasoline be as affordable as it is
today? Will the homeowner mortgage crisis pass, or will it
worsen? Much about the future is unknown. God’s promises,
however, are sure. As people who have accepted the will of the
Father in obedience to the gospel, we are able to live “in hope of
eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began”
(Titus 1:2).
Amazing grace! God’s grace fills life
with sweetness and brings joy beyond what the world can provide.
Praise to God will echo in eternity because He, astonishing as it is,
provided for our salvation at the cost of His own Son. “For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John
3:16). Amazing!
- Johnny Hester preaches for the Shady Acres church of Christ, in
Sikeston, MO. He may be contacted through the church's website at
http://www.shadyacreschurch.com
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Stay In The Boat --- And Trust
By Jim Faughn
One of our teachers was telling me (and I’ve
been telling a lot of other people) about an incident that occurred
during her Bible class when our family was here for the funeral for
Donna’s mother. The teacher was telling her class about the time when
Jesus calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee (cf. Matt. 8:23-27;
Luke 8:22-25). She had not yet reached that point in her telling of the
account.
She was telling how the disciples feared for
their lives because of the violent winds and the waves. She must have
done an outstanding job of describing how the boat was being tossed
about in the waves and how fearful the disciples were, because it was
at this point in the lesson that she asked the students a question and
received an unexpected response.
The question she asked was, “What would you
do?” Our oldest granddaughter, who was in the class, replied
immediately, “I’d get out of that boat!”
I’ve chuckled a lot and others have chuckled
with me about her answer. (I’m sure that they were just being nice to
another guy telling another grandchild story). After doing some
thinking about this, though, it occurs to me that there may be an
important lesson here.
If the disciples had left the boat, would they
have been better off? Would they not still have been in the violent
storm without any protection at all and without the Lord? Sometimes
(maybe many times), our solutions to the storms in our own lives make
just about as much sense as a three-year-old’s “solution” to the
disciples’ dilemma. What seems to be an easy way out just makes matters
worse.
When the waves are crashing and the wind is
howling, we would be well advised to stay in the boat with the Lord and
to trust Him. He will get us safely to the other side. Trust in the
Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path
(Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV).
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm
56:3, ESV)
- Jim Faughn serves as an elder and preacher for the Central church of
Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the
congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org
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Who Sets Your Standards?
By Ken Chumbley
A
student
at a private school has been suspended for attending the Prom
at a public high school. Some are outraged by the decision of the
Heritage
Christian School in Findlay, Ohio, a fundamental Baptist school. Being
ignored in all of this is the fact that the school has a contract that
the students and parents sign that forbids such activities. Further,
the school, being aware that the student planned to attend, advised him
ahead of time that he would be suspended for attending and further, he
was advised that if he engaged in other activities that they specified,
he would be expelled. In expressing opposition to the action of the
school, it has been expressed that such action shows how “out of touch
Christianity is with modern realities” and this is the reason why
Christianity is losing ground. It was further suggested that Christians
need to get a “P.R.” person to promote Christianity.
Today, we find that with political parties,
when one party loses support that the opposing party is free with
advice telling the loosing party that if they are ever going to win,
they need to become more like them. How could that be a winning
strategy, except for the one giving the advice? Then there are ones
within the losing party that echo the same strategy. How can they think
it will win them elections?
With the situation that has arisen over this
prom we see, from what we stated earlier, there are those in the world
who are seeking to tell Christians how they need to change to be “in
touch with modern realities.” Being interpreted, that means that
Christians should loosen up their standards to attract more people.
However, even worse, there are “quislings” in the church who have
espoused the same philosophy and seek to work from within to loosen up
not only moral but doctrinal standards in order to attract people from
the world and from denominationalism. We see examples of this when
biblical standards of morality are discarded because the world does not
follow these standards and we see it in changes to the worship (adding
instrumental music, drama, etc.) and opening the doors of fellowship to
those who are not in fellowship with God.
Christians are commanded: “And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God” (Romans 12:2). One paraphrase reads, “don’t let the world
squeeze you into its own mould.” When we allow the world, or worldly
Christians, to entice us to change or drop biblical standards, we are
allowing them to squeeze us into their own mould, to conform to worldly
standards and not biblical ones.
Christians are also taught: “Wherefore come
out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (II Corinthians 6:17) and
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (II Peter 2:9).
How can Christians be separate from the world when they follow worldly
standards? How can Christians be a “peculiar people” (or special people
for that is the meaning of the word) when they allow worldly standards
to be those they use to justify their words and actions?
Let us not be fooled, let us never allow the
world or worldly Christians define the standard of morality that we
follow, but let us follow biblical standards. Let us not be fooled, let
us never allow the world or compromising brethren to define the
standards of doctrine relative to worship, fellowship or in any other
way but to stand firm for the doctrine of Christ and “contend earnestly
for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
- Ken Chumbley preaches for the Belvedere church of Christ, Belvedere,
SC. He may be contacted at their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org
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Doing an A+
Job
By Stephen R. Bradd
What kind of grades did you earn in the
classroom? Did you just pass with a lot of C's? Or, were you an honor
student earning mostly A's and B's? I was for-tunate enough to always
be in the latter group. As I've shared before, the class I loved was
mathemat-ics. I tried to be perfect in math class. It never hap-pened,
but that didn't stop me from trying to earn an A+ on every assignment,
quiz, or test. I didn't just want an A, I wanted the A+ (or 100%). I
always put forth my absolute best effort in math class, and friends,
this is the sort of effort that God requires of His faithful children
in everyday life. He wants us to do an A+ job for Him in all the things
we say and do (regardless of where we're at or who is watching)!
And, while we're talking about
mathematics, let me introduce three "A+ equations" that are powerful
and worth pondering. Special thanks goes to my friend and fellow gospel
preacher, Edd Sterchi, for these "A+ equations."
My Ability +
My Attitude
+ My Aim = My Area of Service
Isn't that true? Everyone has various
abilities, but they will be wasted if the individual doesn't determine
to have a proper attitude. Additionally, without a proper focus (or
aim) upon that which is spiritual, attitude and ability will fail you.
All three of these ele-ments are needed, and they will define one's
area of service in God's kingdom.
My Aspiration + My Actions + My Abiding
= My Achievement in Service
This equation is also true. We must
aspire in our minds to serve God and then actually follow through with
our actions. However, desire and implementa-tion are not enough. We
must abide or continue to aspire and act for the Lord and His church.
All three of these elements are needed, and they will deter-mine our
level of achievement in service in God's kingdom.
This equation is more complex, but it
too is cor-rect. To truly reach our fullest potential as Chris-tians,
we must analyze where we are spiritually, evaluating our strengths and
weaknesses, and then ascertain where we'd like to be in the future. If
we carefully reflect upon our desire and potential, and are sincere
(i.e., authentic) about doing our best for the Lord, we will then work
diligently--doing whatever is necessary--to acquire new skills and
talents. All three of these elements are needed, and they will dictate
our level of advancement for future service in God's kingdom.
As we begin a new week, think on these things, and let us endeavor to
achieve an A+ in all that we do! "And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not men" (Col. 3:23).
- Stephen R. Bradd; via
the
Lake
Hills
Letter, weekly bulletin of the Lake Hills church of
Christ in Chattanooga, TN. Shane Robinson, preaches for the
congregation, and he may be contacted through their website at http://www.lakehillschurchofchrist.org/
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What it Means to "Wait" For His Son From
Heaven
By Larry Miles
The Apostle Paul commends the Christians in
Thessalonica for their faithfulness. He tells them that the news of
their faith has spread beyond their home. Other Christians have heard
of their commitment to the Lord Jesus. (I Thes. 1:6-8). In I Thes. 1:6
we
are told that they were imitators of the Lord. It was not a “bed of
roses” for them when they accepted the Lord Jesus and began to follow
Him. They became an example to others-Oh that it could be said of us
today that we live lives so close to Jesus that others will want to
“conform to the image of the Son of God.” They left a life of idol
worship with no hope of salvation and no hope of an eternity outside of
the “Lake of Fire.” We are told in I Thes. 1:9 that they made a
complete
turn around in their lives and identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. I
Thes. 1:10 gives us the words in our title. Jesus is coming again!
That is not just a pipe dream, it is a reality! We don’t know when He
will come; it may be today. We are told here to be “waiting” for His
return. What does that entail? Waiting for the Lord Jesus in the
Scripture means that while we are waiting we are “watching,” and
working for Him. We sing a song written by Fanny Crosby,
“Blessèd are those whom the Lord finds watching, In His glory
they shall share; If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will He
find us watching there?” True waiting involves working for the Lord
Jesus; not a working to be saved but a working because you are saved.
We are saved by grace through faith, in baptism unto good works. Let’s
be like the Thessalonians and be a people who live our lives for the
Lord so that others see us and glorify God. (Matthew 5:14-16).
- Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY and publishes "Larry's Lines"
several times a week. Copyright 2009. Visit his website:
http://larryslines.com/
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| Nuggets
& Quick Riches - misc. goodies |
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Don't Bury Your Talent
By Edd Sterchi
We all know well the parable of the talents
that Jesus told in Matt. 25:14-30. We know that the servant given
five talents earned five more, and the one given two talents earned two
more. We know that the master was very pleased with them. And we
know the servant given one talent went and buried it. We also
know that the master was displeased with this one and called him
wicked. But do we know why the master called him wicked?
- Did he embezzle the talent?
-
Did he
squander the talent?
-
Did he lose
the talent?
-
Was he
dishonest with the talent?
The
answer
to
all
these
questions is "no." He was able to give
back the very talent the master gave him. Then why was he called
wicked? He was called wicked for what he did not do. He did
not put the talent given him to work for the master. Do you have
any talents given to you by the Master? Then use them for His
glory (read James 4:17).
- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Jackson church of Christ in Jackson,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.com
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"Faithfulness"
(Sometimes the best examples of desirable traits are given by members
of the animal kingdom. For instance, what is more faithful than a
faithful dog? The following is from Cybersalt Digest.)
The front door was accidentally left open and our dog was
gone. After unsuccessfully whistling and calling, my husband got in the
car and went looking for him.
He drove around the neighborhood for some time with no
luck.
Finally he stopped beside a couple out for a walk and
asked if they had seen our dog.
"You mean the one following your car?" they asked.
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur church of Christ,
Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be
contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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Christ Has a Job for You!
If you are not working in the church because
no one has given you a job, wait no longer - Christ has a job for you...
...feed the hungry, give a drink to the
thirsty, help strangers, clothe the naked, visit the
sick..............................................................................Matt.
25:34-40
...bear one another’s
burdens................................................Gal. 6:2
...comfort those in
trouble................................................2 Cor. 1:3-4
...admonish the
disorderly.............................................1 Thess. 5:14
...study the
Scriptures.........................................................John
5:39
...exhort one
another..............................................Phil. 1:11; 4:15-17
...do good deeds to
all.......................................Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:16
...teach.............................................................................2
Tim.
2:2-4
...give..................................................................................Matt.
5:42
...pray................................................................................Matt.
6:9-15
...increase your
faith............................................................John
6:29
...bear
fruit........................................................Gal.
5:22-23; Phil. 1:11
Yes, Christ does have a job for you. It
is time to stop complaining that we haven’t anything to do and make do
with the tasks the Lord has given us.
- Copied; via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church of Christ in
Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org
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What is a Saint?
By
Travis
Quertermous
Yesterday, February 14, was St. Valentine’s
Day. In light of this holiday, let me ask, “Are you a
saint?” Many people would humbly answer, “No, I try to be the
best person I can be, but I don’t think I’m good enough to be called a
saint.” Sadly, such an answer reflects a popular, but unbiblical,
use of the word “saint.”
In the New Testament, the word “saint” simply
refers to a faithful Christian, not to a super-Christian of some
sort. For example, the apostle Paul wrote, “To the church of God
which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Nor is a “Saint” a
religious title as Jesus Christ forbade His disciples from using such
in Matthew 23:6-11. That is why in the New Testament you never
read of Saint Paul or Saint Peter. You don’t have to be canonized
by some church official and you don’t have to be dead to qualify for
sainthood (per denominational dogma). You just need to sincerely
obey the gospel of Christ and live faithfully in His service as set
forth in passages like Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38. Can we help you
become a saint of God today?
- Travis L. Quertermous preaches for the church of Christ in Dexter,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.dexterchurchofchrist.com/
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| Hearts
of Gold - poetry |
Brave Hearts
Dare to Climb
For every hill I’ve had to climb,
For every stone that bruised my feet,
For all the blood and sweat and grime,
For blinding storms and burning heat,
My heart sings with a grateful song ---
These were the things that made me strong!
For all the heartaches and the tears,
For all he anguish and the pain,
For gloomy days and fruitful years,
And for the hopes that live in vain,
I do give thanks, for now I know
These were the things that helped me grow!
‘Tis not the softer things of life
Which stimulate man’s will to strive,
But bleak adversity and strife
Do most to keep man’s will alive.
O’er rose-strewn paths the weaklings creep,
But brave hearts dare to climb the steep!
- Anon.; via the weekly bulletin of the Lebanon Road church of Christ
in Nashville, TN. Adam Faughn serves as the pulpit minister for the
congregation, and he may be contacted through the congregation’s
website at: http://www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org
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The
Joyful Things
By Joyce
Mary
Ecochard
At times I'm so discouraged
With problems of the day,
I fail to see the joyful things
That are along the way.
When troubles overwhelm me,
It's then my nerves may fray,
That's when I need to take the time
To simply sit and pray.
Reflecting on God's many gifts
Does make me so aware
Of all the joy in little things
Around me, everywhere!
I must try to remember
Though problems come my way,
Not to miss the joyful things
And the beauty of the day.
- Submitted by Mark McWhorter. Mark may be contacted at mtmcvb@concentric.net
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True
Greatness
A man is as great as the dreams he dreams,
As great as the love he bears;
As great as the values he redeems,
And the happiness he shares.
A man is as great as the thoughts he thinks,
As the worth he has attained;
As the fountains at which the spirit drinks
And the insight he has gained.
A man is as great as the truth he speaks,
As great as the help he gives,
As great as the destiny he seeks,
As great as the life he lives.
- Selected
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Peacemaker
By
Debbie
Preuss
Lord, help me be a peacemaker, putting forward what is true
May You use me to show the hurting, how to come to You
May I not be vain, wanting glory for myself
Help me be an example, of Your true spiritual health
Help me not to judge, but listen to both sides
Let me bring them to You, to be their own true guide
Lord, I want to show Your love, as shelter from the storm
Knit together the separate, to friendship that is warm
May I be a part, of the work you want to do
Bringing the wiser in, to help the journey through
Lord, I'm willing to be a peacemaker, whenever You do call
Against the roots of bitterness, Lord erect a wall
Help me to be truthful, righteous and moral too
May I be an example, of just what You can do
For You are the Prince of Peace, peacemaker extraordinaire
I praise You for Your workings, and the ways You show You care
So help me be Your peacemaker, putting forward what is true
May You use me to help the hurting, and bring them unto You.
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| Gold
Mines ---- quotes, sayings & sign messages |
To be innocent is to be not
guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.
A PRAYER TO BE PRAYED MORE OFTEN: "Dear Lord, please keep your arm
around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth."
"LORD, thank you for this beautiful day! Please help me to see the
beauty in every day, and help others to see the beauty in your wonders.
Guide me through perils toward your brilliant light. Amen." - Kate E. Ritger, Prayer in
All Things
BEING "QUICK TO HEAR": Always listen to the opinions of others.
It probably won't do you any good, but it will them.
"An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a
calamity in every opportunity." - Winston Churchill
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT Assistance administration spent $27,000 to find out
why inmates want to escape from prison. (Trib-Bits, Decatur Tribune,
9-5-'04)
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of
the Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as
minister and editor, may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
A person may make many mistakes in working for the Lord, but he makes a
much greater mistake in not working for Him.
- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin
for the Dongola church of Christ, Dongola, IL. Gerald Cowan
serves the congregation as minister. He may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells
us the truth about its author. G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)
An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has
come."- Victor Hugo
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| BulletinGold
Extra ---- recent postings on
our Blogsite |
|
- Pushing the Lord
Aside?
- I’ll Put Jesus
FIRST in My Life! By Larry Miles
- Behold the Lamb of
God (Read John 1:29-36), by Jimmy Cox
- My King
- Names of Christ,
by Gerald Cowan
- Messiah, by Mike
Benson
- Expectations of
Jesus, by Alan Smith
- The Living Word, by
Raleigh Batty
- Benefits of the
Resurrection of Christ, by Kevin Williams
- What are You Losing
While Trying to Find Yourself? By Jim Faughn
- The Comforter
- Take
Responsibility
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