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| NOVEMBER 29, 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 Sunday worship services only at 10:00 a.m., until further notice. Amen “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 NOVEMBER 2nd Eathel Jean Higgins; 3rd Sandra Drake; 6th Roy Higgins; 13th Jessica Anthony; 28th James Fillyaw; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR NOVEMBER 21st Roy & Suzie Higgins; 24th James & Karen Fillyaw; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ READING THE NEW TESTAMENT: HEBREWS Chapter 7:1-22: Melchizedek’s Priesthood Like Christ’s: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law, to collect a tenth form the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. In this case mortal me receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 110:4). For on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”); so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (More Next Week! Stay Tuned!) Blessed Are They Who Die In The Lord: Part Two To review from last week. Huntington (Texas) Church of Christ Bulletin The Book of Revelation, having been written around 95-96 AD, as is usually (and I believe correctly) surmised, it falls in the second period of intense Roman suppression of the Christians, and thus in the reign of the cruel Domitian. Many Christians lost their lives at the hands of this vicious tyrant, but the Revelation impresses us with the notion that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to us: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth:”’ “Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them” (Rev. 14:13). Like so many other areas of life, death takes on a different aspect, when viewed from the Christian perspective: 1.Blessed are the dead - This is not a statement which may be viewed as universally true. All the dead are not blessed. 2.Who die in the Lord – The voice from heaven qualifies the proposition under scrutiny here with the certification that those who die “in the Lord” are the dead who are blessed. 3.Yea, saith the Spirit – On this important subject of life beyond death we are not left with the speculations or opinions of mere men to guide us. 4.That they may rest from their labors – In the previous verse John had spoken of the labor of the people of God: “Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus: (Rev. 14:12). The passage presents the notion that God’s people ought to be busy about keeping the commandments of God and “the faith of Jesus.” The faith of Jesus is not just something we merely believe, but something we believe, and therefore, keep and do. This explains why there is something to “rest from” at the end of our course. Will we have anything to “rest from” at the end of our earthly pilgrimage? If we are busy working out our salvation in fear and trembling, then, assuredly, we shall: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12, 13). 5.And their works do follow them. What follows us to the grave and beyond is not what we have, not what we have accumulated in life, but who and what we are and what we have done. To the selfish rich man in torment, spoken of by Jesus in Luke 16, Abraham said, “Son remember that thou in thy lifetime . . .” (V. 25). And when the final day comes, and we all appear before the judgment seat of God, it is the works (deeds) of our lives which will follow us to the throne room of the Almighty, and help to determine the destiny of our souls throughout the endless ages of Eternity: “For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2nd Cor. 5:10); and, again: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is” ATTENTION: Let’s not forget to restock the pantry. As a reminder, the pantry is ‘always’ open. If you know of any that have a need that can be supplied by the pantry items, you can get access to the pantry at any time with a phone call. May God bless the volunteers in their effort to help others in need. Amen. NOTICE: The program, ‘In Search of the Lord’s Way’, airs on Sunday mornings. Check your network provider for time and channel. 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 N.T.): 1.Be faithful until death, to receive this great reward; Though symbolic in meaning, tis a goal all should strive toward. 2.No food for the hungry Master, this unfruitful tree did provide; “Let no fruit grow on you ever,” Jesus said and the tree died. 3.On what Jewish feast day did Jesus a memorial begin, To commemorate His sacrifice for the salvation of all men? Answers to Last Week’s ‘Bible Riddles’: 1. Hebrew, Greek & Latin (John 19:19-20); 2. Titus (Titus 1:5); 3. Roman Centurion (Mk. 15:39). <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Our memory verse for November comes from the New Testament book of John. Only one verse. Easy and familiar. Repeat it over and over. You can do it. “Jesus said to him (Thomas), ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’” (John 20:29). REPEAT IT AGAIN; THEN AGAIN; TEN TIMES TEN SOME TRUTHS TO PONDER: If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . . you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . . . you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you can attend a religious meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death . . . you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep . . . you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace . . . you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you can read this message . . . you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world that cannot read at all. If you can hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful . . . you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If your parents are still alive and still married . . . you are very rare indeed. 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 & Sande Endy; Amelia Williamson; Rebecca Stone; Faye Stephens; Billie Nelson; Henderson family; Ethel & Hubert Crowson; Don Blackwell; Maya Briggs; J. O’Brien; Donne, Ina & Henry family; SPECIAL PRAYERS TODAY FOR…. Sis. Burns’ dtg. Xavier, to have tests for frequent shortness of breath. Remember her & family in prayers. Sis. Ethel Crowson is at the home nursing facility, 830 Hodgkins, Hou., TX, 77032. Still having medical problems. Remember her & family in prayers. Donnie & Ina Henry doing well. Remember the family in your prayers. Jim & Sande Endy doing well. Remember the family in 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. Rebecca (Becky) Stone needs our prayers. Remember Ken, Beverly, and Kamryn Fillyaw in your prayers. Remember Bro. Cotton Weaver in your prayers. Bro. Kenneth Bone doing well and still needs our prayers. Ronnie Weaver still needs our prayers. Ed Walker still needs our prayers. you. 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). |