Oct 6, 2002   Vol 2 #8     

Editor's Remarks
----by Donna Richmond

Editor's comments
---Donna Richmond

Panning for more Gold:
---preacher's articles this issue

Quick Riches
---misc. goodies this issue

Hearts of Gold
---poetry this issue

Gold Mines
---quotes & sayings or yard signs
           *Archives

*Donna's tips Archives:
  ---grammar for writers

*Explorations Archives
---bulletin help resources online 

*Index to past issues

   Return Home

First, fall is here, and that means Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, October 27.  Most of need to "fall back" one hour before going to bed Saturday, October 26.

Second, I want to point your attention to this issue's "Ray of Hope." (not included in the archives)  If every Christian who reads this would ask the members of his congregation to help this family, they might see some light at the end of the tunnel.  Better yet, ask the elders of your congregation if they would consider making a monthly donation for this good cause.  I plan to ask the elders at Lincoln & Tunnell in
Santa Maria. 

Third, If you have visited the BulletinGold website during the past week or two, you may have noticed a big change - no more ads at the top!  There are no more ads because Ed Thomason, the editor of PreachToday.com who has so graciously done the BulletinGold website, has decided to provide church members and churches with website space (with no ads or bad stuff!!) for a small price.  He can also be your internet service provider for probably less than half the cost of your current ISP.  If you are interested in having a church website, personal website, or business website, take a look at  what he is offering at http://www.mydoghouse.com 

Needed:  Short original poems, quotes, short outlines, and very short articles (one or two short paragraphs) for BulletinGold.  Thanks to all our current contributors who do such a wonderful job.

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Panning for more Gold
---- preacher's articles this issue

Even Jesus experienced the sad condition of his own brothers (Joseph's and Mary's children, John 7:3-5) not believing in him. But the conquering of sin and death by Him in His crucifixion and resurrection led at last to the numbering of his family among the believers (Acts 1:14).

In an amazing revelation we're told that Jesus counts all who put their faith in Him as brothers (Hebrews 2:10-13). So even if family members turn against us because of Jesus (Matthew 10:36) we are all brothers in the family of God.

But the very relationship we enjoy in the family (church) of God gives us practical ways to have better families (Ephesians 5:21-6:4). Instead of being antagonists to each other, we instead submit to one another. We put our own selves in second place to the ever-present need to serve, love, respect and care for each other. Men are even told to die (to themselves and sometimes literally) for their wives. Women stop trying to control, but willing submit to the loving leadership of their husbands. Parents care for and train (by example and by teaching) their children to follow the Lord's way. If you haven't tried it, come join us as we learn how! It works!

Lawrence Barr preaches for the Indiana Church of Christ
 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

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In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in many various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1

The earliest manuscripts of the Hebrew letter are headed simply "To the Hebrews," setting the tone of this letter, rich in Old Testament symbolism and presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's purpose throughout the ages.

Imagine these Jewish brethren, raised on the stories of the prophets and their sometimes graphic preaching. Then there is the great pomp and circumstance of the temple and its ceremonies. 

Yet, the writer tells these brethren there is something even greater. In the past God used these miracles to reach us, but now He speaks through Jesus Christ.

We don't need burning bushes and dewy fleece to know the Lord is with us. We have something better, the completed work of God recorded in the scriptures.

Brethren, we not only need to understand that nothing remains to be done for our salvation, but that God has left a record, the Holy Scriptures, so that we might know what He has done for us and in us.

We do not need the latest in experiential worship to know that God is with us. We may instead read that we became, by our faith, the children of God at our baptism into the death of Jesus.

Were you baptized into His death? Do you have faith? Then you are a child of God, whether you "feel" like it or not.

You see, we can know, through Jesus and those He commissioned, that we are saved by the grace of God and we can know it objectively.

Don't let "experience" take that away.

A. Jay Kelley is the evangelist for the Church of Christ in Colby,
Kansas.  His e-mail is jkelley@nwkansas.com

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Quick Riches
----misc. goodies this issue

1. Knowing that God can deliver the godly from temptation - 2 Peter 2:9.
2. Knowing the Lord will come to the aid of those who are tempted - Hebrews 2:18.
3. God will not allow His child to be tempted beyond his capability to endure - 
    1 Cor.  10:13.
4. God strengthens in temptation - Psalm 37:23-24; 34:15-19.
5. Prayer is important - Matthew 6:13; Mark 14:38.
6. Offer resistance to the attacks - Ephesians 6:16; James 4:7.
7. Develop a stronger faith - Romans 10:17.
8. Do not flirt with, but flee from temptation - Proverbs 6:27-28.
9. Be determined to "stand firm" (Ephesians 6:13) and not consent to evil.
10. Self-control (discipline) must be practiced - 1 Corinthians 9:27.
11. We must be alert to the various approaches of the devil - 2 Peter 3:17.
12. In overcoming temptation, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  
     Paul tells us to "avoid all appearance (every form) of evil" (1Thessalonians 5:22).
13. In addition to this, he tells us something positive that we should be doing.     
    "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,  
    whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, .lovely.of good report; if 
    there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"
    (Philippians 4:8).
14. YIELD NOT!  "Each victory will help you some other to win.
15. Look to Jesus!"

Mel Martin preaches for the Lincoln & Tunnell Church of Christ in
Santa Maria, California.

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Have you seen the music albums, book collections that they are making now titled, "The Best of ." and then some artist is named. This is supposed to be an album or collection where they have compiled the best music, the best stories (or whatever) that this person has done. 

I was thinking about that concept the other night and wondering how that might apply to my own life (or maybe yours). What if we were asked to recount the "Best of our lives?" Now stop and think for a minute about that question. Just what would you list as the best things you have done in your life? For me I'm not sure just what that would be, but I know it would not be the times I lost my temper, the times I lost patience with someone. It would not be the times my faith was weak or my example even weaker. I like to think that "The best of my life" would be the times I was most like Christ (as few as they may be). Paul writes that we are to "have the mind of Christ," Philippians 2:5. Paul goes on to recount the unselfish nature of Christ's life here on earth, His willingness to give up everything so that mankind might be saved.

Let me encourage you this week, not to worry about doing some great deed, or what might have been the best of your life in the past, but what will be your best today, each day. Live one day at a time for Christ and your life will all be "The Best of."

Paul also said in Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

You see, you might be tempted to dwell on "The Worst of ." your life. But God doesn't want us to do that. The writer of Hebrews 12:2 gives us an idea of how refrain from doing this, when he talks of, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." So this week, look to Jesus and you will be the best you can be.

May God make all of your days, "The Best!"

Russ Lawson, Greenville Church of Christ, Greenville, OH
Email: rlawson@bright.net

Click here for life and health: http://www.integrisdream.com/rlawson

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Hearts of Gold
----poetry this issue

Last night I dreamed of that wonderful city
Prepared by the Savior for me,
I've never seen a more beautiful sight
As that beyond the Crystal Sea!
I saw the sainted faithful of all ages --
They were happy as they could be,
For they were dwelling in the blessed presence
Of the One Whose blood set them free.

There were no temptations up in that city,
And no one there turned from the Way;
There was a contentment like this world can't know
In that Land of eternal day.
On each face was a look of satisfaction
And no lives were in disarray;
For they at last reached that Wonderful City
Whence no one will e'er go astray.

I thought how different things were in glory
Than they are in this world of sin:
No tribulations, pain, trouble or sickness,
And no sinful, unholy men;
Indeed:  there were blessings on every hand,
And the peace of God dwelt within.
How happy was I as I stood there watching
But at last much to my chagrin

I felt myself slipping away from that place
For which my heart still aches and yearns;
The peaceful contentment I saw was soon gone,
My heart filled once more with concern,
It was quite enough to make me stop and think,
And from my sins it helped me turn;
I've been to that Wonderful City on high
And I plan, someday, to return.

May God Bless You as You Study and Obey His Word.  Tim Smith
Enon Church of Christ http://www.geocities.com/fp5699/
See The Humor Archive at Yahoo! Groups: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gradowithsdailyhumor/
See The Poem Archive at Yahoo! Groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gradowithspoems/
Gradowith's Homepage: 
http://www.geocities.com/gradowith/GradowithsHomepage.html



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Gold Mines
----quotes & sayings for bulletins and signs this issue

God works - in me, with me, through me, for me.

He who holds the stars in space will not let go of His promises to us.

When it comes to prayer, don't hang up -hang on!

Our greatest weakness may be our failure to ask for God's strength.

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