| MAY 17, 2020 WESTFIELD CHURCH OF CHRIST 1610 WESTFIELD LOOP, HOUSTON, TX 77073 ELDERS: James Fillyaw: 713-560-5104; Hubert Crowson: 281-732-9606; Jerry Loyd: 713-775-5377; Church Office: 281-821-8531 CHURCH SERVICES NOTICE: Church services have been put on hold for a period of time. We will still put out a bulletin and plan to send it to all members that have access to e-mail or other means. Stay in touch with the elders and other members as we struggle with you. May God bless this effort. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MAY 2nd Steven Middleton; 3rd Marshall Briggs; 8th Charles Melvin; 24th Cotton Weaver; 27th Blake Henderson; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR MAY 19th Thomas & Angie Lee; <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> READING THE NEW TESTAMENT: FIRST THESSALONIANS: Chapter 2:16-20: Paul’s Ministry: hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while--- in person, not in spirit---were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you--- I, Paul, more than once---and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. Chapter 3:1-13: Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit: Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. (More Next Week! Stay Tuned!) Is God The Author Of Confusion? By Jason Trick, Herty Church of Christ Bulletin, Lufkin, Texas The Bible is the only book in the entire world that can tell us for certain what to do to be saved. One might read all the books ever written about history, science and poetry, and still find not one word on what to do to be saved. Does the Bible tell us plainly enough what to do, so that any ordinary man can understand His message? Paul says, “How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ…” (Eph. 3:3-4). Some think that no man can understand a “mystery”. That is not so. The mind of man is capable of grasping the mystery of Christ. Contrary to the assertions of many religious people today, we can understand the Scriptures. Can we all see the Bible alike? Why is it that some people read and study the Bible for a lifetime and still know very little about it? The explanation is simple. They read the same passages over a hundred times and get the same wrong or inadequate picture each time. Unless we can break out of our misunderstandings and get into the original meaning of these key words and concepts, we may never understand the Bible. God has given us a book full of rich meanings. I believe He expects every serious child of His to try to get the true picture of what He has revealed. We need to remember that for a thousand years of church history, the Bible was not allowed to speak. Men read the Scriptures in search of texts to prove and support the authoritative teachings of the Catholic Church. They resorted to methods of interpretation that would make the Bible say what fit their theological, social, and political systems. Their minds were closed to the plain meaning of the Bible, and its words of truth were not allowed to judge and reform a corrupt church and social order. The very key to Bible interpretation was lost. While the Protestant Reformation led to a rediscovery of the Word of God, a tragic and familiar pattern soon developed among the non-Catholics which was just as bad as what the Catholics were doing. Hundreds of competing denominations and sects read the same Bible and agreed that it was the one sure rule of faith and order. But each of them claimed to be the true expression of the faith revealed in the Scriptures and condemned others as heretics. As one theologian sadly commented, “The Bible is the book in which everyone seeks and promptly finds his own dogmas.” Look at the confusion, strife, and division in the religious world today. We disagree, come to different conclusions, and think we are both right. The problem is with man, not God. God has given us a book that we can understand. The Bible was written for this purpose (2nd Peter 1:3; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17). If we are able to understand the Bible at all, we will understand it alike. There will not be the 350 or more denominations with varied teachings. If we do not understand alike, we misunderstand. One of us, or both of us, will have to admit error. We cannot have different answers and both be right. Disagreement is evidence of misunderstanding. What is the conclusion to the matter? To say we cannot understand alike is to charge God of being the author of confusion. The Bible says, “God is not the author of confusion” (1st Corinthians 14:33). We can see the Bible alike! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ When I was hospitalized with chronic headaches, the doctor scheduled a spinal tap. Our son, Douglas, eleven, wanted to offer a prayer for me. He prayed: “Dear Lord, help the doctor so that when he examines Daddy’s head, he’ll find nothing in it. “I am resolved to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin; Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, Still will I enter in. I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free, (Hasten glad and free,) Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.” <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ATTENTION: Our next open-pantry day has been put on hold for a few months. Let’s not forget to restock the pantry. NOTICE: The program, ‘In Search of the Lord’s Way’, airs on Sunday mornings: On DISH Network, 7 to 7:30 a.m., local TV channel 57. On Uverse, 6:00 a.m., Sunday, ch. 1180. Check your provider if different. ATTENTION: The worship service at Village on the Park, on Sundays, has been put on hold for an unspecified time. It shall return soon. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TEST YOUR BIBLE KNOWLEDGE! ‘Bible Riddles’ You Should Know (Easy From the O.T.): 1.Out of Bethlehem so small, shall come the Ruler, I cried; From everlasting to everlasting, with His flock He will abide. 2.Known for my great patience, I was tormented by Satan’s prod; My friends accused me of evil, but I remained faithful to God. 3.Touch not the ark, God had said, but it rocked from side to side; Who reached out his hand to steady it, and immediately died? Answers to Last Week’s ‘Bible Riddles’: 1. Micah (Micah 5:2); 2. Job (Book of Job); 3. Uzzah or Uzza (2nd Sam. 6:6-7; 1st Chron. 13:9-10). <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Our memory verse for MAY comes from the New Testament book of Romans. Only one verse. Easy and familiar. Repeat it over and over, ten times ten. You can do it. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). REPEAT IT AGAIN; THEN AGAIN; TEN TIMES TEN REMEMBER IN PRAYERS…. Norma Hicks; Sharon (Norma’s dtg.in-law); Violet Kendrick & family; Jean Williams; Kenneth Bone; ‘Ro’ Higgins (Roy Higgins son); Selena Baker; Louise Drake; Ramona Jackson; Ed Walker; Ken, Beverly, Kamryn Fillyaw; Ronnie Weaver; Suzie Stephens; ‘Cotton’ Weaver; Evalette Dunbar; Jim Endy; Amelia Williamson; Rebecca Stone; Faye Stephens; Billie Nelson; Henderson family; Ethel & Hubert Crowson; Charles Melvin; Don Blackwell; Mildred Edmonds; Maya Briggs; Jonathan O’Brien; Era Smith; SPECIAL PRAYERS TODAY FOR…. Bro. Jerry Loyd’s sister, Era Smith, has been struggling with medical issues. Remember her and her family in your prayers. Note: Please Pray for Brother Loyd and family, as of yesterday, May 14, Brother Loyd’s sister was on life support. Bro. Jonathan O’Brien doing well. Remember him and family in prayers. Bro. Jim Endy doing better at home. Remember the family in prayers. The Crowson’s are doing well at home. Remember them in your prayers. Sis. Evalette Dunbar having some tests. Remember her in your prayers. Baby Maya Briggs doing better. Remember her and family in your prayers. Sis. Mildred Edmonds is fighting cancer. Remember her in your prayers. Sis. Rebecca (Becky) Stone needs our prayers. Sis. Billie Nelson needs our prayers. Remember Ken, Beverly, and Kamryn Fillyaw in your prayers. Remember Bro. Cotton Weaver in your prayers. Sis Amelia Williamson doing better. Remember her in prayers. Bro. Kenneth Bone doing well and still needs our prayers. Ronnie Weaver still needs our prayers. Ed Walker still needs our prayers. Bro. Shawn Henderson & family needs our prayers as they deal with illnesses. “. . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16b). |
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