Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, June 11, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 22 DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BIBLE The Bible is one of God’s greatest gifts to man. A simple study of it’s pages will answer the three greatest questions man has ever asked; "From whence did I come? ", Why am I here?", and "Where am I going?" This wonderful book describes itself in many ways. Following are some of the descriptions of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is God’s MIRROR. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholding himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." (James 1:22-23) The Bible is God’s SEED. "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." (Luke 8:11) The Bible is God’s HAMMER. "Is not my word like as a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces." (Jeremiah 23:29) The Bible is God’s SWORD. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) The Bible is God’s LAMP. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) Let us never forget to thank God for his written word which is able to convict, convert and keep an open-hearted student. Holy Book divine! See you in Bible Class,
JOIN US FOR A WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUMMER SERIES THE PARABLES OF JESUS Week #1 - June 14th "The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant" (See The Bulletin Board For More Details)
Guess Who’s Back? Back again. Ross is back. Tell a friend. Well a year has passed since the last time we have seen an article of this magnitude, and this can only mean one thing. Ross is this year’s summer intern. I’m sure many hours of sleep have been lost due to the concern wether or not Ross Rhapsody would ever return, I am here to tell you that no more sleep will be lost on my behalf any longer. But before the congratulatory letters start rolling in let me tell you a little bit about what has been happening in the life of Ross. First off I have completed a another year of college, one semester at Freed-Hardeman University, and this means I’m one year closer to my goal of graduating college in 12 years. I’m half way there. I’m on my way to having a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and God willing will someday become a successful youth minister. Also I’m bringing back my "Ross Rhapsody" column along with the weekly Vego’s Verse. Again this summer I am going to try to introduce a portion of the youth to you the readers of the bulletin, thanks to the positive feedback I received from the congregation last summer. Also I need to mention here how cool Katie Hillis has been throughout this last year without me and that she has nice teeth. She will be the first youth spotlighted in Ross Rhapsody this summer. Vego’s Verse: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS SERVICE GROUPS Service Group #1, please turn in your assignments from last week. Service Group #3 will enjoy a meal together Sunday, June 18, before the evening service at 5:00. Please bring food and drink for yourself and your own family. SYMPATHY THANK YOU To Woodland Hills, BABY BOY SHOWER SPRING TEA CANCELLED FIRST WEDNESDAY SERIES We encourage everyone to make plans to be here. Invite a friend to come with you. OUR RECORD
A QUALIFIED MEDIATOR The Bible teaches that Christ is now acting as a mediator for Christians. I Timothy 2:5 informs us, "for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." The word mediator has the idea of one who stands between two parties. Therefore, Jesus is the one who stands between God and the Christian, proving Himself to be a true friend. Notice now three of the things which qualify Christ to be a mediator. First, Jesus is a qualified mediator because of His HUMANITY. "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted." (Heb. 2:17-18) The word succour in verse 18 has the meaning of running to the side of another. Jesus is qualified because He lived as a man, and knows it can be hard at times. How comforting to know that the best friend we could ever want is in heaven helping us. (I Pet. 3:22) Second, Jesus is a qualified mediator because of His EMPATHY. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:15-16) Because of Jesus’ empathy we can have "boldness," "grace," "mercy" and "help in time of need." We can be at ease as Christians because Jesus as our mediator, has been where we are - he empathizes with us. Third, Jesus is a qualified mediator because of His INTIMACY. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." (Heb. 9:24) No man has ever seen the Father (Jn 1:18), but thankfully our mediator is on His right hand. The intimate relationship Christ has with the Father qualifies Him to serve as the Christian’s mediator. See you in Bible Class, Bobby O.
EDIFICATION This particular article takes its lead from the 18th chapter of Luke where our Lord said that we should persistently pray and not give up. Well, this article is not about being persistent; but rather, in a similar way, it is about being positive. Once upon a time, there was a lady who looked into the mirror one morning to discover that she only had three hairs on the top of her head. Three hairs! Only three. What to do? She thought for a few moments and said to herself, "Well, I belive that I am going to braid my hair today." Therefore, she braided her hair, went out into the world, and she had a wonderful day. The next morning, she woke up, looked into the mirror to discover that she only had two hairs on the top of her head. Only two! What to do? She thought for a while and said to herself, "Well, I believe that I will wear my hair in dog-ears today." Therefore, she put her hair up in dog-ears, went out into the world, and she had a wonderful day. The next morning she woke up, looked into the mirror to discover that she had only one hair on the top of her head. Only one! What to do? Once again she thought for a few moments and said to herself, "Well, I believe that I will wear my hair in a ponytail today." Therefore, she put her hair into a ponytail, went out into the world, and she had a wonderful day. As you have probably supposed, the next morning she woke up to discover that she had absolutely no hair on the top of her head. Not a trace! Slick! Bald! Nothing! Well, what to do? She thought for a few moments, lifted up her eyes toward heaven, and declared, "Glory be! What a blessing! I don’t have to fool with all that hair anymore!" And with that, she went out into the world, and she had a wonderful day. Wow! Is that a positive attitude or what? In our adult class on Monday evening, our VBS teacher said that we should turn things over to the Lord. Let Him deal with them, because He delights in us, and He wants to do it. Whether the problems or issues that disturb us are large or small-it does not matter-let Him have them. May our Father forever help us to be more positive in life-perhaps even as much as the lady in the story. May we develop the faith, the ability, the patience and the attitude to depend upon Him more and more as we continue through life and through these days of suffering (Phil. 1:29) and tribulation (Rev. 1:9). For the Elders, Dick Holt
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