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Are You Billed, Worried, and Bored to Death?

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Are You Billed, Worried, and Bored to Death? Are You Billed, Worried, and Bored To Death? Johnie Edwards Winston Churchill was quoted in the Is not the life more than meat, and the April 29, 2002 Time Magazine as once body than raiment?” (Matt. 6:25). Jesus proclaiming, “Human beings are divided referred to one’s stature, the lilies of the “And ye shall into three categories: those who are field, the fowls of the air, and the grass billed to death, those who are worried to of the field to show there are some things know the truth, death and those who are bored to death.” we cannot change and there are those Let’s take a look at these who are not worried, yet three divisions. are taken care of. Then and the truth Jesus said, “Take there- Billed To Death fore no thought for the shall make There are those who morrow: for the morrow have so obligated them- shall take thought for you free” selves financially that the things of itself. Suf- they are truly “billed to ficient unto the day is death.” Do you know the evil thereof” (Matt. (John 8:32). anyone who has to have 6:34). Instead of being every thing he sees? Of- worried about things, ten times stuff is easier to we need to “seek ye first buy than to pay for. We the kingdom of God, live in the “plastic age” and his righteousness: where many can buy and all these things shall about anything they de- be added unto you” sire. The problem comes when the bills (Matt. 6:33). Worried to death? It can start rolling in. Paul taught the Roman kill you! Christians, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another” (Rom. 13:8). Bored To Death There is too much for Christians to Vol. XLVI We must not overspend and not be do to be bored. If you are among those able to pay lest we be “billed to death.” “bored to death,” let me suggest some No. 20 things you can do to keep busy and not October 17, 2002 Worried To Death be bored. First, “search the scriptures Then there are those who are “worried daily” (Acts 17:11) that you might be to death.” Some seem to worry about ev- noble minded and know if the things erything. Jesus addressed this group say- you hear taught are so. Jesus said, ing, “Take no thought for your life, what “Search the scriptures: for in them ye ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink: nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. see “Billed . to Death” on p. 633 Vol. XLVI October 17, 2002 No. 20 Editor: Mike Willis How to Overcome Associate Editor: Connie W. Adams Staff Writers Temptation J. Wiley Adams Olen Holderby Donald P. Ames Jarrod Jacobs O.C. Birdwell, Jr. Daniel H. King Dick Blackford Mark Mayberry Kevin Maxey Edward Bragwell Aude McKee Bill Cavender Harry Osborne Stan Cox Joe R. Price We have all been faced with and fallen to the temptation of sin. Is it pos- Bob Dickey Donnie V. Rader sible for you to defeat the tantalizing and persistent lure of the devil? Can Johnie Edwards Chris Reeves Harold Fite Tom Roberts you victoriously triumph over sin? God confidently affirms that you can. Marc W. Gibson Weldon E. Warnock “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but Larry Hafley Lewis Willis God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are Ron Halbrook Bobby Witherington able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may Irvin Himmel Steve Wolfgang be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). You know what your strongest temptation Guardian of Truth Foundation is. Apply the following exhortations from Scripture to help you overcome BOARD OF DIRECTORS your temptation. Connie W. Adams Ron Halbrook Alan Birdwell Fred Pollock Go to God’s Word O.C. Birdwell, Jr. Weldon E. Warnock God’s word has the answer. “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in Dickey Cooper Mike Willis Steve Wolfgang himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). — Subscription Rates — God will guide you in your temptation. “How can a young man cleanse $22.00 Per Year his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Ps. 119:9). Overcome Single Copies — $2.00 each temptation by going to the word. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that Foreign Subscriptions — $24.00 I might not sin against You!” (Ps. 119:11). God’s word will keep you from — Bulk Rates — sin. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). $1.50 per subscription per month Jesus used the Scriptures to overcome temptation. “It is written” (Matt. 4:1- Manuscripts should be sent to Mike Willis, 11). Memorize Bible verses that will help you defeat the specific sins you 6567 Kings Ct., Avon, Indiana 46123, (317) 272-6520. E-mail: mikewillis001@cs. com. are struggling with. All business matters should be addressed to O.C. Birdwell, Jr. who serves as Executive Serve God Now Vice-President for the Guardian of Truth Remember God in your youth. “Remember now your Creator in the days Foundation. He is available by phone at 1-800- of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when 633-3216 or by mail at P.O. Box 858, Athens, you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Eccl. 12:1). One statistic says that AL 35611. 95 out of 100 people who are converted are converted by the age of 25. It Subscriptions, renewals and other correspon- is foolish to delay and to develop stubborn habits. Satan wants you to “wait dence should be sent to Truth Magazine, P.O. Box 9670, Bowling Green, KY 42102. until you have sown your wild oats.” This is a lie of the devil. “Be sober, be Book orders should be sent to Truth Book- vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, store, P.O. Box 9670, Bowling Green, KY 42102. seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). “Do not be deceived, God is not Phone: 1-800-428-0121. mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows Web Address: www.truthmagazine.com to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit Postmaster: Send change of address to P.O. Box will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-8). 9670, Bowling Green, KY 42102. Truth Magazine (ISSN 1538-0793) is published twice a month by We have many examples of those who were righteous in their youth. Guardian of Truth Foundation, P.O. Box 9670, Bowling Green, KY 42102. Postage paid at Bowling Green, KY and additional mailing Joseph was young when he was in Potiphar’s house (Gen. 39). David was offices. a growing lad when he killed Goliath (1 Sam. 17). Daniel was a teenager see “Temptation” on p. 633 (610) Truth Magazine — October 17, 2002 2 Brother Caldwell’s Are You Billed, Worried, and Bored To Death? Footnote Johnie Edwards ...................front page How to Overcome Temptation Kevin Maxey ....................................2 Connie W. Adams Brother Caldwell’s Footnote Connie W. Adams .............................3 In the June 20, 2002 issue of Truth Magazine, I published, in my column, a letter which James R. Cope wrote to Yater Tant, along with an editorial note The Chronology of the Bible (3) from brother Tant, which outlined his hopes and plans for Florida Christian Mike Willis .......................................6 College under his leadership. I was a student, entering my second year, at the time brother Cope came to begin his presidency of the school. It was a “G” Rated — Not What It Used To good statement. It reflected clearly the principles on which the school stood Be! and purposed to proceed. On July 2, 2002 brother Colly Caldwell, president Curtis Ray Hafley .............................9 of Florida College, sent me a copy of this “Footnote” which he had sent to Mike Willis in reaction to my publishing the letter. Here is what he said: Where “We” Are Going Jere E. Frost ....................................10 Footnote to brother Adams’ editorial Solving Church Problems The letter from brother Cope to brother Tant which brother Adams published Bobby L. Graham ...........................12 in the June 20, 2002 issue of Truth Magazine (3-4) was truly significant. Things That Will Not Wash Away I had the great privilege of talking by phone to brother Tant on Friday, just three days before he died on Monday, March 3, 1997. The morning he died, I Sin received that very letter in the mail from brother Tant’s son, David, who had David Dann .....................................17 found it among brother Tant’s papers while moving his dad from Birmingham to Atlanta. The next afternoon, March 4, I read the letter to our faculty and “Dearest Young Christians” administration in a regular meeting, told them that I intended to republish Carla Shipley ..................................18 it, and stated that I hoped all would support that decision. A faculty member moved to adopt a resolution of present support for the principles stated in the Choices! letter. The motion was approved unanimously and the letter was published in Lewis Willis ....................................20 the next official college publication and sent to all our constituents. I expect many readers of Truth Magazine received a copy. Preaching in Meetings in the Early Years — 1948-1960 (13) Most of us who were present in that meeting are here now.
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