Tom Bean Church of Christ

December 26, 2021

209 South Brown Street

Tom Bean, Tx 75489

Phone: (903) 546-6620

Email: tombeancoc@gmail.com

Website: tombeancoc.com

MONTH

December

ANOUNCEMENTS

Kerry King

SERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Greg Counts Jerry Harris

PRAYERS TODAY

MORNING EVENING

Walter McMillen Kerry Kin g

Jerry Harris Greg Counts

SCRIPTURE READING

Kerry King

PRAYER LIST

Don Baker – is recovering from heart surgery at home. He is doing better is having some trouble with his right knee.

Charlie Counts had a checkup on his incision. He will have to keep the drain for a little while longer.

Frank is having more problems with his bladder and is scheduled to have a procedure Monday.

Brenda Williams (AC’s daughter) will be treated with heart medication and possibly have to have a pacemaker.

James Campbell (Frank’s son-in-law) is having severe back problems. He is still waiting for a treatment plan.

Don Hickerson had a stress test last Thursday, still waiting on results.

Barry Petrie (Linda’s sone) has kidney cancer and is scheduled for surgery Jan 17^th.

AC Quinn will have a nuclear stress test on Jan 6^th.

Jerry Harris is having a hard time with arthritis.

Remember in Daily Prayer:

Cancer: Frank Roden, Betty Clark, Ruth Stone (Greg’s boss’ wife), Debbie Brown (Jan’s cousin), Sue (Charlie & Helen’s friend).

Macular Degeneration: AC Quinn, Beryl Miller

Others: Florene Griffin (back & hip), Beverly Roberts (MS), Dannie Baker (severe allergies), Steve Dupuis (heart, AC’s son in law), Jennifer Campbell (Frank’s daughter - MS), Anna Lois Farris (heart), Lisa Courtney (hole in her lung), Steven Wilkerson (Lexy’s great grandfather) is on Liver Transplant list, Carol Moore, Billy Clinton, Daniel White (Jan’s nephew – seizures).

Sympathy For Lost Loved Ones:

Butch’s father, Archie, passed away on Dec 18^th.

Pat Lovera passed away last week.

Serving Our Country:

Cody Blomstedt (Korea), Kirklynn Hance, Tyler Davies, Jesse Thetford

Police & First Responders, Medical Staff & Doctors:

Travis Counts, Dalton Griffin, Chelsie Serrano, Kim Counts

Pantry Item: Canned Vegetables

Men Serving Next Month - January

Announcements & Scripture Reading – Kerry King

Lord’s Supper – Kerry King & Greg Counts

Men Serving Next Week Jan 2, 2022

Prayers:

Morning: AC Quinn – Jerry Harris

Evening: Walter McMillen – Charlie Counts

Eagerly Awaiting

Of all the circumstances which vex the soul, delay may be the most difficult to endure. From our earliest days as children we heard our parents say, “Wait a minute!” or “Hold your potatoes!” (What does “holding your potatoes” have to do with anything?). Waiting begins at childhood and continues throughout life. Sometimes waiting can be the most difficult part of our earthly struggle. This is why we need to remember that there is strength to be found and help to be sought in any situation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Our Christian hope involves waiting. However, some grow tired of waiting and give preference to the enticing pleasures of the world, falling away from the faith and piercing themselves with sorrow and disappointment. The Hebrew writer says, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men once to die and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:27-28). Christians must wait for Christ’s coming. This involves a great deal of patience and endurance. Peter mentions some who grew impatient and mocked God by saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). But, we must be faithful, knowing that God is always true to His promises. If we are faithful, we will receive the crown of life (Revelations 2:10).

What shall we do while we are waiting? Shall we lie with our hands folded in peaceful slumber? Shall we dream away the hours in quiet solitude? Shall we pace the floor like an anxious father expecting the arrival of his firstborn child? For many, this is the picture envisioned as they wait for the return of the Lord. However, nothing could be farther from the truth! If this were the case, Christianity would be a lifeless drudgery. But, the Christian’s anticipation of the second coming involves also a joyful and active participation. Our anticipation is much like that of a young lady awaiting her wedding day—she joyfully and actively prepares for the day.

The church is the bride of Christ and awaits His coming with earnest preparation. We must be found faithfully preparing at His return or we will be left outside standing in the darkness (Matthew 25:1-13). Are you eagerly awaiting Christ’s return? Or, better yet, are you earnestly making the needed preparations in your life?

–Glen Elliott–

December 19, 2021

209 South Brown Street

Tom Bean, Tx 75489

Phone: (903) 546-6620

Email: tombeancoc@gmail.com

Website: tombeancoc.com

MONTH

December

ANOUNCEMENTS

Kerry King

SERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Greg Counts Jerry Harris

PRAYERS TODAY

MORNING EVENING

AC Quinn Jerry Harris

Walter McMillen Charlie Counts

SCRIPTURE READING

Kerry King

PRAYER LIST

Don Baker – is recovering from heart surgery at home. He is doing better is having some trouble with his right knee.

Charlie Counts had a checkup on his incision. He will have to keep the drain for a little while longer.

Frank is having more problems with his bladder and also is having back pain.

Charlie & Helen’s friend, Sue, has been diagnosed with cancer

Brenda Williams (AC’s daughter) will be treated with heart medication and possibly have to have a pacemaker.

James Campbell (Frank’s son-in-law) is having severe back problems. He is still waiting for a treatment plan.

Don Hickerson was scheduled to have a stress test Thursday.

Jerry Harris is having arthritis pain in his hands.

Ruby Slone and her friends Linda and Doris have all been sick.

Remember in Daily Prayer:

Cancer: Frank Roden, Betty Clark, Ruth Stone (Greg’s boss’ wife), Debbie Brown (Jan’s cousin).

Macular Degeneration: AC Quinn, Beryl Miller

Serving Our Country:

Cody Blomstedt (Korea), Kirklynn Hance, Tyler Davies, Jesse Thetford

Police & First Responders, Medical Staff & Doctors:

Travis Counts, Dalton Griffin, Chelsie Serrano, Kim Counts

Pantry Item: Dish Washing Liquid

Men Serving Next Week Dec 26, 2021

Prayers:

Morning: Walter McMillen – Jerry Harris

Evening: Kerry King – Greg Counts

“Are You Faithful?”

As Wendell Winkler described it, “Faithfulness is a ‘mind-set’, not a Sunday habit.” When we refer to a particular brother or sister in Christ as “faithful”, we often have reference to their habit of consistent attendance to the worship assemblies of the church. While regular attendance is important, it is not the only measurement of faithfulness. Our loyalty and trustworthiness must be expressed in all aspects of Christian living.

Paul spoke to the need for faithful stewardship among those who preach and teach God’s word. Then, he adds: “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). While we cannot be stewards of the mysteries of God in the same way as the inspired apostles and prophets, we should hold preaching and teaching opportunities as a sacred responsibility. Many years ago, H.A. Ironside commented on this passage, saying, “The business of a steward is not to electrify people by his eloquent sermons, not to dazzle them by his wonderful ability, not to please them by flowers of rhetoric, not to so speak that he will simply be to them as a ‘lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument’…but the business of a servant of Christ is to open up the truth of God, to unfold, to expound, to make known these mysteries in order that the people of God may appreciate the heritage that He has given them in the Word.”

In a similar respect, we are all stewards of the things given to us by God. Peter emphasizes our need for faithfulness in using such blessings, saying, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:10-11). Being faithful involves all aspects of life. Enoch was faithful in life. Job was faithful in trial. Joseph was faithful in temptation. Paul was faithful as he faced death. The point is this: We must be faithful in whatever circumstances we find ourselves by using the gifts and opportunities God has placed at our disposal.

–Glen Elliott–

December 12, 2021

209 South Brown Street

Tom Bean, Tx 75489

Phone: (903) 546-6620

Email: tombeancoc@gmail.com

Website: tombeancoc.com

MONTH

December

ANOUNCEMENTS

Kerry King

SERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Greg Counts Jerry Harris

PRAYERS TODAY

MORNING EVENING

Charlie Counts Greg Counts

Walter McMillen Don Hickerson

SCRIPTURE READING

Kerry King

PRAYER LIST

Don Baker – is recovering from heart surgery at home. He is doing better is having some trouble with his right knee.

Charlie Counts was able to come home last Monday. He is doing somewhat better.

Charlie & Helen’s friend, Sue, has been diagnosed with cancer

Kerry’s surgery was December 7^th. All went well

Brenda Williams (AC’s daughter) will be treated with heart medication and possibly have to have a pacemaker.

James Campbell (Frank’s son-in-law) is having severe back problems.

Remember in Daily Prayer:

Cancer: Frank Roden, Betty Clark, Ruth Stone (Greg’s boss’ wife), Debbie Brown (Jan’s cousin).

Macular Degeneration: AC Quinn, Beryl Miller

Serving Our Country:

Cody Blomstedt (Korea), Kirklynn Hance, Tyler Davies, Jesse Thetford

Police & First Responders, Medical Staff & Doctors:

Travis Counts, Dalton Griffin, Chelsie Serrano, Kim Counts

Pantry Item: Paper Towels

Men’s Business Meeting Dec 12, 2021

Men Serving Next Week Dec 19, 2021

Prayers:

Morning: AC Quinn – Jerry Harris

Evening: Walter McMillen – Charlie Counts

Do Not Harden Your Heart

By Josh Blackmer

The Bible is full of examples, both good and bad. The New Testament writers were inspired to use those examples for our learning (Rom. 15:4). There is a section of Scripture in Hebrews chapter three that highlights an attitude that would keep us out of heaven.

“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). The writer of Hebrews uses the examples of the children of Israel wondering in the desert as an example of what it means to fall away from God. There were three things mentioned that they did. They hardened their hearts, they went astray in their hearts, and they didn’t know God’s ways (3:8, 10). These are not hard to find in the people of today. Even in Jesus’ day people had the same problem. Quoting from Isaiah He said, “For the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them” (Matt. 13:15). It is clear that this is a human problem. From the beginning, people have struggled with this. The writer of Hebrews shares with us how this hardening happens—“you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (3:13b).

The reason why this is a human condition is because sin is a problem we all have to face. Choosing to follow and believe in God is not because there is a lack of evidence. Those that spoke directly with God and saw His wonderous works didn’t always obey. Those in the wilderness believed that God existed, that He was a real entity. However, they did not obey. Belief alone is not enough to get us into heaven. Every time we choose sin over obedience, we have hardened our hearts a little more toward God. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:26). You can harden your heart to the point that you would never return to the sacrifice for you sins.

What can we do to keep our hearts from hardening? Stay away from sin as much as possible. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12b). We also have this encouragement, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end” (Heb. 3:13-14). There is a sense in that we need to help one another not get to the point of having a hardened heart toward God. In doing so we “hold down” or “seize onto,” as this word suggests, the assurance we had at the beginning of our faith in God.

December 5, 2021

209 South Brown Street

Tom Bean, Tx 75489

Phone: (903) 546-6620

Email: tombeancoc@gmail.com

Website: tombeancoc.com

MONTH

December

ANOUNCEMENTS

Kerry King

SERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Greg Counts Jerry Harris

PRAYERS TODAY

MORNING EVENING

Jerry Harris Kerry King

Walter McMillen AC Quinn

SCRIPTURE READING

Kerry King

PRAYER LIST

Don Baker – is recovering from heart surgery at home. He is doing better and will then start rehab in Sherman on December 7^th.

Charlie Counts was taken to a hospital in Dallas Wednesday with bleeding in the incision of his recent procedure. He was hoping to come home Friday.

Charlie & Helen’s friend, Sue, has been diagnosed with cancer

Kerry’s surgery scheduled for December 7^th.

Brenda Williams (AC’s daughter) is being evaluated for a pacemaker.

James Campbell (Frank’s son-in-law) is having severe back problems.

Bill & Anna Lois Farris have both been ill.

Sympathy for lost loved ones:

Lavona Clinton passed away Tuesday afternoon. Services were Saturday.

Robert Harris (Jerry Harris’ nephew) passed away Nov 27^th.

Wally Scales (Jerry Harris’ brother-in-law) passed away Nov 28^th.

Remember in Daily Prayer:

Cancer: Frank Roden, Betty Clark, Ruth Stone (Greg’s boss’ wife), Debbie Brown (Jan’s cousin).

Macular Degeneration: AC Quinn, Beryl Miller

Serving Our Country:

Cody Blomstedt (Korea), Kirklynn Hance, Tyler Davies, Jesse Thetford

Police & First Responders, Medical Staff & Doctors:

Travis Counts, Dalton Griffin, Chelsie Serrano, Kim Counts

Pantry Item: Canned Soup

Men’s Business Meeting Dec 12^th After Evening Services

Men Serving Next Week Dec 12, 2021

Prayers:

Morning: Charlie Counts – Walter McMillen

Evening: Greg Counts – Don Hickerson

Doctrine, It Means Something

By Josh Blackmer

Why do so many people have different teachings concerning the Bible? Not just in the areas of opinion but often many groups have different teachings that are directly at odds of one another. One might read a passage and say that God’s authoritative word teaches their doctrine. Another might read the same passage and say that it teaches their doctrine that contradicts the aforementioned group. If anything, this highlights the need to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). We should not surrender our judgement and reasoning to others. It also should give us pause to think about the nature of doctrine.

The New Testament talks about two types of doctrines. There is doctrine that is deceitful or different. “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14). There is doctrine that is different. “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). These are doctrines or teachings that are contrary to what has been taught. If the Bible mentions that such doctrines existed, then we must understand that there is a doctrine that we should teach.

The second form of doctrine is sound doctrine. Literally translated it means healthy teaching. We are commanded to “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1). Also, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Tit. 1:9). It is plain to see that doctrine matters and one can’t teach anything they want. It also means that the Bible was written to teach something specific.

So why are there so many doctrines? Paul told Timothy this was the reason: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). We need to make sure that we are “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Tim. 4:6b).

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