What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 6 / No. 1”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. VI - No. 1 / May 21, 2023
WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BULLETIN?
If your normal custom has been to cast this bulletin aside without giving it a reading, maybe the above title has aroused your curiosity to see what this particular article has to say. Please read on.
This bulletin is produced and E-mailed to you every two weeks in hopes of sparking your interest in knowing the Bible. Much of what we hear in the name of religion is not true. The only rule by which we can distinguish a truth from a lie is by God's word, the Bible. Only by knowing the Bible and being familiar with what it teaches can we be selective in what we hear and believe. We must be selective "because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1 ).
This bulletin professes to teach only things that are in HARMONY with God's word. Because this is what we profess, we invite you to examine and investigate everything that is written in this bulletin. If you disagree, let us know. We would not be humiliated, embarrassed, nor offended if you were to call anything into question that we write about. If the things we teach do not harmonize with God's word, we will print a retraction and make an apology in this bulletin. We are not above making mistakes nor are we too proud to apologize for them. It is very important to us to be able to give book, chapter, and verse for everything we believe and practice. We expect the same of other individuals and religious groups. We require no more of them than we do ourselves. There can be no double standards. If God's word is that which will judge us (John 12:48), then we must also live by it (Galatians 3:11; Romans 10:17).
We hope that you will take the time to read this bulletin. It won't take much of your time and it may be of eternal importance.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
INITIALISM
Initialism is defined as a series of letters usually in caps stated separately. This is a common practice in language and has proven extremely useful at times. It has a close kinship to acronym and abbreviation. An acronym is pronounced as a single word, while an Initialism is stated as separate letters.
One such success story began in 1839 when the printed page was our main way to communicate and stay in touch at a distance. It started as a joke between persons at competing newspapers. Abbreviations were widely used, even when space was not in question. It was a fad to purposefully misspell these abbreviations. So born out of this fad came O.K., which is a misspelled abbreviation for “all correct”.
OK continued to be used for all correct, and finally achieved status as a word in 1888, reportedly spelled okeh. It now is said to be the most widely used word in the English language, being a cross over word. It is used all over the world, and stated verbally and spelled the same everywhere it is used, even in different languages. It is truly universal and started as a misspelled abbreviation among newspaper rivals.
Whether used in war, commerce, medicine, language, teaching, travel, entertainment, it always has the same meaning. Everything is O.K. is always stated and understood the same way.
So, the usefulness being known and understood, there are dangers in this practice. The practice of taking that which is Holy and making it common or everyday is dangerous and not acceptable to God. Psa. 111:9 declares that…”Holy and awesome is His name.” Isa. 57:15, Luke 1:49 and other verses would teach that his name is Holy, and he is to be revered. 1 Chron. 16:25 states that “for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; he is also to be feared above all gods.” Heb. 12:28-29 describes the God of heaven as a consuming fire, stating that is the reason he should be served with reverence and godly fear.
There are dangers everywhere for God’s children, and language and speech are no different. OMG is widely used among professed Christians. I’ve seen JC used as an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. There are bumper stickers, wrist bands, t-shirts, hats, necklaces – a whole industry built around God and His name. Commercialization of both the spoken and written expression regarding God and what is Holy, are areas where Satan is actively working. He is relentless, walking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, as 1 Pet. 5:8 states. Resisting Satan will require sobriety and vigilance on our part.
In Lev. 10:8-11, the Lord spoke directly to Aaron a warning regarding intoxication. He declared that intoxicating drink would cause him not to be able to discern properly between the Holy and unholy, and between the clean and the unclean. He was instructed also to teach this to his children.
Something intoxicating can be exciting and fun, and it would seem almost always have the potential to be disorienting. I would encourage all not to become disoriented regarding what is Holy, don’t become intoxicated with this OMG trend. Revere God's name and every other Holy thing, resist this fad and other malpractices. Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop Resisting……
—Blind Bartimaeus 23
PROTECTING
Do you lock your home when you are not there? Do you lock your home at night while you sleep? Do you lock your car? Do you have a safe to secure important documents and personal items? I would say most do. Why? To protect themselves, their families, and their property.
Sadly, crime and violence will never cease. Video games and social media contribute to this and have taken over many homes. Not only do the games promote violence, but this also leads to seclusion which can lead to depression. Then the only social life is through social media. So, parents, grandparents, we have a very serious job in raising and protecting our children. Just as we protect our homes, cars, and valuables.
The scriptures tell us of ways which He commands us to protect ourselves:
• That we guard and protect our hearts
(2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 119:9; Proverbs 4:23).
• We must protect our hearts against immorality
(Matthew 5:27-28; Colossians 3:5).
• We must protect the hearts of our children
(Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 22:6).
• We must protect our hearts against hypocrisy
(Matthew 5:8; Matthew 6:5; Matthew 7:5).
• We must protect our hearts against false teaching
(2 Timothy 4:1-4; Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1-6; Ephesians 5:11).
—Gary Chumley
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
