| MAY 31 BULLETIN 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 5:1-28: The Day of the Lord: Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. Christian Conduct: But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us! Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. WASH AND BE CLEAN! By Jason Trick, Herty Church of Christ, Lufkin, Texas Refusal to let water play its commanded role in salvation is not a new problem. As well, convincing man to allow water to do its God-designed role can be a frustrating endeavor. In 2nd Kings 5:1-14, we read of Naaman, a Syrian commander who is plagued with the disease of leprosy. Leprosy was incurable, progressive, and ultimately a death sentence. The simple instructions given to Naaman by Elisha were “wash and be clean.” Despite his negative attitude toward the command, Naaman was cleansed when he went to the water exactly as God commanded. It wasn’t enough for him to get wet; God had a specific plan in mind for Naaman’s salvation from leprosy. This was a simple instruction for Naaman, who was powerless to stop the devastating disease. If Naaman had refused to wash, in the way God had specified, there would have been no hope for improvement, only continual pain and discomfort. How sad it would be to lose such an opportunity simply because of refusing to “wash and be clean.” Following God’s simple instructions in faith, Naaman could be cleansed. Naaman submitted his will to God’s and agreed to go wash. This resulted in his being pure and clean again. Have you considered the fact that sin is also incurable, progressive, and deadly without God’s intervention? Have you, like Naaman, tried to find a way around the role of water in order to rid yourself of your sin? Truly Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun . . .” (Ecc. 1:9-10). Men today will make the same mistakes as Naaman, by refusing to be cleansed in water. He became angry when he was told to go to the water to be cleansed (2nd Kings 5:11). Some become angry when shown from the Bible that water baptism is necessary in order to have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5). Naaman tried to think of alternate plans involving water, but they would have all been in vain (2nd Kings 5:12). The word “baptism” literally means immersion, and in the Bible is commanded “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Therefore pouring and sprinkling are symbols of baptism, but they will be no more effective in cleansing our sin than would have the Abanah, Pharpar, or the rivers of Damascus in cleansing Naaman’s leprosy (2nd Kings 5:12). While it is true that the water had no power to heal leprosy, the water was the means by which God had commanded him to be healed of his disease. God’s grace and mercy was extended to Naaman as he went by faith, was washed and made clean (2nd Kings 5:14). It is sad that men, out of ignorance or sinful rebellion, have changed God’s intended purpose for baptism. If a Prophet told you to go do something great, would you have done it? How much more should one obey Christ when He says, “whosoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.”? When one refuses water baptism, they are refusing to be cleansed of their sins. “Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in Thine. 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.Naomi’s sons died in Moab, her daughters-in-law did grieve; Which one went back to her own people? And who refused to leave? 2.With 32,000, I was determined the Medianite camp to entrap; The Lord said take only the 300 who drink as a dog does lap. 3.In the desert of Median, I wandered, tending sheep that were in the fold; Little realizing how soon I would stand before Egypt’s Pharaoh so bold. Answers to Last Week’s ‘Bible Riddles’: 1. Gideon (Jud. 6:36-40); 2. Sampson (Jud. 14: 12-18); 3. Samuel (1st Sam. 1:8-20). <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 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 “Do not let your heart envy sinners but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18) Solomon warned that we are not to envy sinners. There is a temptation to envy those who appear to have it easier or better than us. Sinners have this appearance because they are not walking in the fear of the Lord. That is, they have dismissed the idea that they are accountable to God and thus live without any moral restraints. They appear to have fun in this life while we do our best to deny ourselves and abstain from sin. The Bible warns us not to envy such people. If we envy sinners, we will likewise lose sight of eternity. Wise Christians understand they are in a marathon, not a forty- yard dash. They understand they are strangers and pilgrims in this life. They would never trade their eternal birthright to satisfy their immediate and temporal hunger (Hebrews 12:16). 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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