| MAY 24, 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 4:1-18: Sanctification and Love: Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us fpr the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. Those Who Died in Christ: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (Next Week, Chapter Five; Stay Tuned.) The Christian’s Duty To His Brethren! By Jason Trick, Herty Church of Christ, Lufkin, Texas “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (First Thessalonians 5:11). The brethren at Thessalonica excelled in showing real love and active concern for one another (1st Thess. 4:9-10). We need in our own way to place a higher premium on the simple and even feeble efforts to express love for those with whom we share a common faith. We must go out of our way to compliment those who have made a genuine effort to express that faith in either a public or private way; and we can show hospitality or be a source of strength to those who undergo trials of the faith. We need to realize how important the Word of God is in building up others within the body of Christ. Christians are to familiarize themselves with scripture and then take it to others whether publicly or privately, formally, or informally. Teaching is one means of encouraging. Paul dealt with grief over deceased brethren by teaching the bereaved just what will happen when Jesus returns (1st Thess. 4:13-18), and concluded with these words: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” The words of Acts 20:32 are also appropriate: “And now I comment you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Just as we gather a list of scriptures on such themes as the plan of salvation and the New Testament church, why not make a list of passages that will comfort the bereaved, strengthen the sick, give heart and hope to the discouraged, and give relief to the worried? We all need for our brethren to express confidence in us. One of the greatest ways you can help others is with a word of cheer and hope. The writer of the book of Hebrews paints a bleak picture of the possible apostasy of the Jewish Christians, and is painfully blunt regarding their failures (Heb. 5:11-14). It also warns of the consequences (Heb. 6:7-8). However, he follows with a powerful expression of hope and confidence. “But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way” (Heb. 6:9). Each of us needs someone from whom we’re reminded, “I can do it.” Husbands and wives need each other’s trust; assurance that their companion believes in them. Parents tend to cause their children to fail by their low expectations of them, and their hypercritical and negative attitude of distrust. It is so important that we maintain our positive outlook and believe in the potential that is in every child of God. Our love for one another truly demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ.Cont. From Page Two.) “A new commandment I give to you, that you also love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you hqve love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Basic to our meaningful relationship with each other is love. Paul said it is the “more excellent way” (1st Cor. 12:31; 13:13). I think an important statement is found in Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” We can identify with being a part of a family. Paul’s point is very clear! We are to be just as devoted to each other as are the members of a close-knit family. That kind of care and concern for others who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ will do so much to encourage all who come under its influence, whether weak or strong. Are you considered an encourager or a discourager? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> “I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to Thee. Draw me near – er, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord. To Thy precious, bleeding side.” 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.As proof, Lord, you have chosen to save Israel by my hand; Make the dew soak the fleece, but let no dew be on the land. 2.Who posed a riddle to the Philistines, from his own experience so neat? “Out of the eater came something to eat, And out of the strong came something sweet.” The Philistines found the answer, thru his wife they did cheat! 3.To the Lord I poured out my soul, a son I need to make me well; Eli the prophet said, “Go in peace”, and the Lord blessed me with ___. Answers to Last Week’s ‘Bible Riddles’: I hope you are following these riddles; because I used the wrong page last week. Answers for today’s riddles will be here next week, Lord willing. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 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. 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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