Bulletin Articles

A Picture that Speaks

"A Picture that Speaks"


Art galleries have one thing in common; they all have different types of art that express many different ideas. A picture hanging in these galleries will have one interpretation to one person then someone else will come along and have another interpretation of the same painting. Thus we have the statement that we may have heard in the past, "A picture paints many different words."

When we all go on family vacations or attend special family functions we may take pictures of these events so that we can look back on them with fond memories. In this day of instant pictures we can see our pictures immediately after we take them. We may download them to our computers, or save them in our blackberry or I-phones. Then many times we may share them with those who are not with us using the worldwide web. Immediately, we can post picture of all the fun that we are having while we are on vacation.

Our life also paints a picture for all to interpret. I am speaking about how we act for others to see. It also encompasses how we react to situations that we find ourselves in. Our life should paint a picture that we are followers of Christ.

Those individuals that are members of the Lord's church are "Spiritual Beings". They were added to the Lord's church not voted into a church (Acts 2:47). Each one of us will attain the attitude that we are and will continue to be committed to living the Spiritual Life that is described for us in the scriptures. We will seek certain things, like good spiritual exercise (Titus 3:14, 1Cor 15:58). We will together press on toward our heavenly home. But there is one item that often times we fail to "paint" into our lives. It's called "Fellowship with God's People".

What does this term Fellowship entail? As John reminded us, it is the joy that we are living in the truth of the scriptures and God's love; `I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3John 4). Living in this truth means that I will TREASURE my friendship with fellow Christians. I will respect them and love them. It is sad when there is controversy in the Lord's church. But there will be times when this occurs. But if I am the Christian that I am to be, I will have a forgiving heart, I will go to those that have hurt me (Matt 18:15-20) and out of love work out the problem that I have with them (John 13:34-35). If I cannot have fellowship with my family of God, how can I expect God to have fellowship with me?

Just as art will have many different interpretations, our life as a Christian should not. It should only define who we are, Christians. It should describe what we are, Followers of God. It should also describe how we feel for one another, Love of the brethren.

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart"

(1 Peter 1:22)


Think about it!
Jeff

Looking Back

"Looking Back"


There may be times in our life when we may "look back" or remember some things from our past.These memories can be pleasant memories and then there may be some that are not so pleasant. Christ said that, "...No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62) when he was speaking of the cost of being His disciple. So there are times when it is best not to look back at the past.

Yet I do believe that there are times when looking back, reflecting on the past is good for us. Such as when we think back to when we once were in sin and outside of Christ. This should make us thankful for what Jesus did. But it should also help us to resolve not to fall back in a sinful life.

Another thing that would be good for us to look back on is our Gospel Meeting that ended this past Friday. We heard several great lessons based upon what God has instructed us. Let's review what was taught. On Sunday, brother Roy Williams reminded us about the "cup of suffering" that Christ was going to bear for all mankind during the Bible Class hour. At our worship services, we were reminded of how much Satan wants each one of us. But we need to remain steadfast and faithful to God. Sunday evening we were reminded to count the cost of our soul and what many are willing to sell their soul for, especially if we are lost on the Day of Judgment.

Monday evening brother Artie Collins spoke to us about the need to evangelize the world. Reasons to do this are because (1) God commands it, (2) because we love Christ & His commands, (3) It has been done once and we can do it again. All it takes is faith, resources and motivation. We were also reminded that we as Christians have all of these things. On Tuesday evening brother Collins reminded us about the "Distinctive Nature of the Church". In this lesson we studied the one church, the one truth and how it was purchased by one man, Christ.

Wednesday evening I tried to remind us about the cross of Christ

and the messages from the cross. Christ went to the cross for all mankind. He did this because He submitted to God, because of His great love for us and because He IS the Son of God.

Thursday & Friday we heard two great lessons from brother BJ Clarke. On

Thursday night, we were reminded about the reasons we can have joy in our life. Even though there may be tears and troubles, a Christian can rejoice and have joy all because their name is written in the Book of Life. Then on Friday, we were reminded about many great days found in the scriptures, but the greatest day is when we go home to be with our Savior forever.

Looking back we saw some good results from our meeting. It was well attended. We had visitors in attendance hearing God's Word. We even had 13 precious souls respond to the saving gospel.

Also looking back at our meeting, one can say that we fulfilled what we are commanded to do; "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, Jam with you always, even to the end of the age... "(Matthew 28:19-20).

Looking back we can see that our meeting was a great success. It was a success in so many ways. But mainly it was a success because the Word of God was proclaimed





Think about it!
Jeff

How Busy is to Busy?

How Busy is To Busy


There is a word that will describe just about everyone who will read this article. That word is "BUSY". One of the definitions that The American Century Dictionary uses to define this word is a life that is "full of activity" when used to describe a lifestyle. Yes, we are a busy bunch of folks. And
even in the business world, this word has been adapted to fit this lifestyle. It's called "Fast Food Restaurants." You see, now I can eat on the go. If I'm too busy to stop and eat, I can just get something in the drive through and keep on being busy in my busy life.
I have heard statements from time to time that if I only had more time in the day, then I could get this and that done. That statement really does not make much sense to me. Are these individuals saying if they had more time they could complete what they would like? The more time we have, the busier we will be and more than likely want more time only to become busier.
Families have adapted their lifestyle to this concept too. Instead of having family meals around the dinner table where there is communication, laughter and a prayer to God thanking Him for the blessing of our meal, families will many times opt to go and stop at our favorite fast-food drive through for the family meal. This may happen while we are in the midst of our busy and hectic lives. What has happened to our families & quality family time? But more importantly, what could we be teaching our children?
It is sad to say but the concept of being "too busy" has crept into the Lord's Church too. Nancy and I recently talked about how busy and hectic our life has become. Because of this, there have been things that were planned by this congregation that we wanted to do, but for one reason or another, we just could not. This has made us both reflect on our time and where we need to focus our time on. This may describe some of your lives too.
But then there may be some that may be busy by choice. Their lives have become filled to capacity having no room for God or the local congregation. You see when events and works of the church are planned there are some that may not attend. Sometimes because of the hectic lifestyle that they live, there just isn't enough time to fellowship with other Christians. Somehow in the life that they live, they become so busy that they leave out God and the church. It may be also that they may feel that God is OK with left over time. But is He?
The fact is God is not happy when we give Him our leftovers. This includes our left over time (Matthew 6:33), left over money (l Corithians 16:1-2) and even our left over talents (Matthew 25:15-28). Friends, what if God was too busy to bless us with certain blessings? What if God was too busy to hear and answer our prayers? We know that this is not the case. But did these questions make us stop and think?
What about our personal prayer life? Have we become so busy that we forget to pray to God? Here's another thought, what if God only blesses us today with the things that we thanked Him for yesterday? How many blessing would we get?
What about worship? Have we become so busy that we fail to see the importance of obeying God's command about worshiping Him (Hebrews 10:25)?
Satan is a wise deceiver. He will do things to deceive us. He will use the time that we have against us. Let's not fall into this trap that Satan has set. Let's use our time wisely. Let's make sure that God is placed first in our list of things to do. Let's make sure that we have quality family time. Let's make sure that we teach our children that we control our time and not our time controlling us.


Think about it!
Jeff

Reflections

"Reflections"


Last weekend, I was able to do something that I have not done in quite some time. I was able to go fishing. Because I had not been fishing in some time, I did have to spend some time getting my gear ready. However, as my son-in-law and I drove to the lake, I was admiring how beautiful that the day was. Then once we got to the boat ramp, I began unlatching the boat so that the trailer could be backed into the water to launch the boat. The lake was calm and as I walked to the water's edge, I notice my reflection in the water. But as the trailer was backed into the water, ripples of water began to roll and the water was no longer calm to where I could see my reflection.
If we think about it, our lives are a reflection on what we focus on each day. Many times while watching the news, I have noticed where young people have made bad choices and have broken the law. When their parents or a family member is interviewed by the media, I often times hear statements like, "He's not a bad kid" or "He is a good person overall". If this is true, what would have caused them to take the wrong road in life? What was it that caused them to make the decision to do what they were being arrested for? Could it be that in their formative years that they did not focus or pay attention to the things that are pure and could help them through this life (2Timothy 2:22)?
Friends, if I always focus on bad, evil and hateful things, my life may be a reflection of these very things. But if I focus on what is good and proper, then my life will reflect these things. Notice what Christ said about this, "... What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. Forfrom within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man " (Mark 7:20-23).
Also, if I decided to focus on only negative things, then there is a good chance that I will always be negative about my life and things in this life. However if I choose to be positive and focus on the positive of things, my life will be sweeter and happier than if I only look negatively on things.What about us being a Christian? Does our life reflect the Word of God in it? Can it be said that we are only a hearer of the word and not a doer of the word (James 1:23)? As I walked into the water's edge last weekend it caused my reflection in the water to diminish, so can the world diminish my reflection of being a Christian when I allow the world to dictate to me so that I follow the world instead of God.
Think About It!
Jeff


Why We Are Called Church Of Christ

1.Christ Built It. Matt. 16:18

2. Christ Called It “HIS”, Matt. 16:18

3. It Is “HIS” Body, Eph. 1:22-23

4. Christ Is The Chief Cornerstone, Eph. 2:20

5. It Is “HIS” Own House, Heb. 3:6

6. He Gave Himself For It, Eph. 5:25

7. Christ Purchased It With “HIS” Blood, Acts 20:28

8. It is “HIS” Bride, II COR. 11:2; REV. 19:9; ROM.7:4

9. He is the savior of the body, EPH. 5:23

10. He is the head of all things to the church, Eph. 1:22

11. The Lord added to it ” all that should be saved “ Acts 2:47

12. We Are All Baptized Into One Body, I Cor. 12:13

13. The One Body Is The Church,Eph.1:22 ,23

14. We Find The Name ” CHURCH OF CHRIST ” In The Bible, Rom. 16:16 ;Eph . 3:21; Gal. 1:22

Note: If you are ashamed of the name of Christ, Read Mk. 8:38

(Mar 8:38 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.


How To Become A Christian

1) Hear the Gospel.

(Rom.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.).

2) Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

(John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.).

3) Repent of all of his past sins.

(Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.).

4) Confess Christ before witnesses.

(Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said , I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.).

5) Be baptized for the remission of sins.

(Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.).

6) Remain faithful.

(Rev. 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.).

All scriptures from KJV.

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