Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, June 24, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 24 Mark Your Calendars V B S Summer is almost here, and that means it's
time for June 24th - 27th
VICTORY FROM GOD God's people must believe, as we have never believed before, that there is victory in Jesus. Our battle cry should be "Victory in Jesus!" "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) God always gives victory to people who dedicate themselves to His cause. About 500 years B.C. God gave victory to Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and his people when Moab, Ammon and others invaded them. (2 Chronicles 20) The reaction leading to victory: At that time sin could be seen everywhere. Obstacles seemed insurmountable. The only hope was God. "Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord." It is time to say, "let's seek the Lord." (2 Chronicles 20:3-5) The reaffirmation of who we are: God really is! God really does rule in the kingdoms of the earth. He will never let us down. When God's people know who they are they will reach forth to victory. (2 Chronicles 20:6-13) The rededication of life: Jehoshaphat rededicated himself to doing right. (2 Chronicles 20:18-19) He just wanted to be doing God's will. Jehoshaphat knew that he and God's leaders must act like people of God. The response that claimed victory: The people rose up early to do God's will. They were taught to believe God and His prophets. (2 Chronicles 20:20) They praised God for the victory He would soon give. (2 Chronicles 20:21) God promised the victory so it was a foregone conclusion that it would come. (2 Chronicles 20:22) We can and we should claim victory in Jesus. Isn't it time to be a Christian? To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (Acts 22:16). After baptism commit yourself to God. Allow God to use you in His cause.
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND St. Francis: Margaret Riley 431 (rehab.) WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS OUR RECORD SERVICE GROUPS RECYCLING NEW MEMBER THANK YOU MARK YOUR CALENDARS Please bring cookies for VBS on Sunday.
SING WITH UNDERSTANDING During my teen years, I was fortunate to attend a high school that was supported by faithful churches of Christ. vividly remember that the singing in our chapel services contained both "old" and "youth" songs. I remember that there were some "youth" songs that we were asked not to sing, and for some time, I did not realize why we were not to sing these songs. Upon reaching college (also a private school, but not necessarily backed by faithful churches), I realized that no songs were off limits. In fact, they rarely ever sang any of the "old" songs. It was not long thereafter that I became serious about Bible study and the worship that I was offering to the Lord, and I realized that many of these "youth" songs, and even some of the "old" songs, were unscriptural. "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also" (1 Cor. 14:15). The context of 1 Corinthian 14 deals with the misuse of spiritual gifts, but therein, we also may make the application that we are to understand the words which we sing.
Why is it important that we understand the words which we sing? It is important for the same reason we all expect the preacher to understand and accurately teach the Scriptures: because we teach and admonish one another in our singing. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16). It is also important that we understand what we are singing because we are commanded to sing "spiritual songs." Unscriptural songs equal unspiritual songs. All who truly love the Lord will desire for their worship to be acceptable to the Lord, for that is what He commands. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). So what can we do in order to assure that our singing it acceptable to God? 1) Read the word of God daily, in addition to your nightly family devotional. By doing so, you will know what the word of God teaches, and in turn, you will discern between scriptural and unscriptural songs. 2) Read the words of the song before you lead it. In preaching, the Gospel preacher must be assured that the words proceeding from his lips are in accordance with the word of God and pleasing to the Lord. The brother leading the congregation in singing must realize that he is leading the congregation in worshiping the Lord, and must be assured that the words are in accordance with the word of God. The song leader who leads God’s people to sing error finds himself in the same sinful situation as the man who teaches error concerning the purpose of baptism. 3) Read the words of the song before you sing it. On the Judgement Day, those who reject baptism for the remission of sins will not have their case thrown out due to the fact that they blame their error on the preacher, and neither will one be able to blame erroneous teaching in song on the song leader. Each individual is accountable. Let us all recognize the importance of having all aspects of our worship in accordance with the word of God. Let us all devote ourselves to faithful worship of our Lord. Let us choose our songs not on account of catchy tunes, but on account of words that will bring glory to the Lord. "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Heb. 12:28). Jonathan Winchester
I'VE BEEN REDEEMED The heart of the Bible message is redemption by the blood of Jesus. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19) REDEMPTION IS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) Redemption involves the idea of deliverance and salvation. It is by the blood of Jesus that our shortcomings and trespasses are forgiven. REDEMPTION IS FROM ALL INIQUITY. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14) Christ purchased our freedom from iniquity or lawless deeds. Through this redemption He produced a people eager about living a life filled with good. REDEMPTION IS TO A LIFE THAT IS HOLY & BLAMELESS. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." (Colossians 1:21-22) Christians live lives that are holy and faultless before the Father. Nothing shows redemption more than a godly life. Can you honestly say, "I've been redeemed"? Eternal redemption is by the precious blood of Jesus. "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12) Only those "in Christ" can claim redemption. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
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