Vol. 74 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” No. 8

Is Your Life Full of Stress? August See "The Problem of Anxiety" Page 13 2016 Also, "The Value of Time" Page 16 say, of the importunity and supplication of one woman. Editorial Previous to that time Moody was a hard-working young minister in America. He delved into gospel work as if S O U L B U R D E N his life depended upon his success. He had gained enough prominence so that this English woman had IRST, I will say I am writing in this editorial about read of his success as a young minister. She became something I do not know as much about as I feel very eager to have him come to England and start a F I need to know, and that I do not have as great a revival such as she had read of his conducting in soul burden as I feel that I need to have. Many times America. She began praying to that end; and for many we have revivals and conventions with very little salva- months her daily supplication to the Lord was, “Send tion work being done. That is said not to fault anyone Moody to England.” or any congregation, but it is a reality. Moody, broken down in health, was advised to take I have a little book called Scripture Readings and a trip to Europe. His friends in America insisted that Sermon Outlines, compiled and edited by the late Rus- he should not assume any ministerial duties until he sell R. Byrum, copyright 1922. In it, under PASTORAL, was fully recuperated in body. Soon after landing in is an outline on “Soul Burden,” by E. A. Reardon. I England, he attended a Sunday morning service. The would like to share with you some of the thoughts found minister in charge of the service noticed a brother in it. minister in the audience, and, inviting him to the pul- First, the text given is Isaiah 66:8, “Who hath heard pit, requested him to address the congregation for a such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the short time. Before the meeting closed, Moody was earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a requested to preach that night. Remembering his weak- nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, ness and the admonition of his friends in America, he she brought forth her children.” accepted the invitation with considerable reluctance. I. What is soul burden? Deep concern for the welfare The woman who had been praying for him to come of others, God’s cause, or oneself; deep solicitude. to England was not present at the service that morning; Examples: Jeremiah 9:1, “Oh that my head were but as members of the family who had been at the waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might morning service sat at the table for the noonday meal, weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my one of them remarked that a young American minister people!” Jesus said in Luke 13:34, “O Jerusalem, Jeru- was present at the morning service and would preach salem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them for the congregation that night. She felt that her prayer that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered was answered, and when she was told that the preach- thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood er’s name was Moody, she praised God aloud, saying under her wings, and ye would not!” In Luke 19: 41, that the time had come for the revival. She excused we read, “When he was come near, he beheld the city, herself from the table, told the family she did not care and wept over it.” Paul, Romans 9:2, 3: “I have great to partake of the meal, retired to her room, and spent heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could the afternoon in fervent prayer. She believed not only wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my that God had sent this man in answer to her prayer, brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” but that He would also send a revival in their midst. II. What produces it? The Holy Spirit. Knowledge That night Moody arose with considerable fear and of others’ danger. Love for the lost. trembling, and at the close of his remarks felt that he III. The object of it. To make us conscious of God’s had made a failure. After a song he requested those working. To help us work and pray successfully. who desired to become Christians to arise to their feet. IV. How it operates. Brings the soul in solemn touch Almost the entire congregation stood up. He then had with God. Puts us in fellowship with the sinner’s condi- them sit down, and told them that they surely had not tion. Leads us to prayer and intercession. Brings a understood his words, and explained to them that he weight and sometimes depression. meant that those who did not feel right in their souls V. Who have it? Those in vital touch with God. Young and desired to become Christians should arise. Again converts, who often mistake it for condemnation. Not almost the entire congregation rose to their feet. He the careless, prayerless, and ease-loving. turned to the pastor and asked what they meant by VI. Signs of it. More prevailing, heart-felt prayer. such an expression in com- Stronger and more definite conviction of duty. Great pliance with his request. ABOUT THE COVER desire to lead others to Christ. Thinking that surely they Time seems to be pressing VII. How to act under it. Pray till the cause of the must have misunderstood against all of us causing burden is clear. Work under it according to the Spirit’s him, he asked that those anxiety and stress. We live guidance. Beware of quenching the Spirit. who desired to give their in a stressful world. So we VIII. The results of it. Souls are born into the king- hearts to the Lord, retire as Christians need to know dom. The spiritual atmosphere clears up. Those who with him to the inquiry- how to deal with the prob- have travailed rejoice. room at the close of the lem of anxiety. Managing In his book, Startling Incidents and Experiences in service. Nearly the entire our time is part of the for- the Christian Life, E. E. Byrum relates this answer to congregation made an effort mula. Therefore, we share prayer: to crowd into the room. Then thoughts on the subject in The great revival work of D. L. Moody in England he became awakened to the this issue. was the result of earnest, fervent prayer, and we might fact that through his ser- OUR SERVICES ON CD’S THE WAY OF TRUTH (Registered Trademark) CD’s of our services are available for purchase. These Vol. 74 August 2016 No. 8 are $3.00 each; however, orders of 10 or more are only Devoted to the gospel of our loving Savior, the Lord $2.50 each, postage paid. Please write in the blank how Jesus Christ, who gave freely His life-blood, to save us many you would like to receive. Send check or money from our many sins, to sanctify our fallen nature and to order to: The Way of Truth CD Ministry, P. O. Box 88, bring into one body all true believers, by whose stripes we Hagerstown, MD 21741-0088 U.S.A. are healed. Published the fifteenth of the month prior to the date of issue by the Church of God which assembles at 12819 Point ___ CD #637 Mama’s Tears G. E. Tyler Salem Road in Hagerstown, Maryland. Publishing office: ___ CD #638 Blessed Be the Name of the Lord Rebecca Bland 12811 Point Salem Road, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.A. ___ CD #639 What Must I Do to Be Saved? G. E. Tyler The Way of Truth is published without any given sub- ___ CD #640 Hearing the Voice of God Doug Shenberger scription price, and is supported by freewill offerings from ___ CD #641 Getting to Know the Unknown God A. Craig our readers and funds supplied by the local congregation. It is sent out free to anyone who is interested enough to ask ___ CD #642 Upon This Rock I Will Build G. E. Tyler for it. We shall continue this policy as long as God sees fit ___ CD #643 What Is Your Choice? A. A. Craig to make it possible. FOREIGN READERS are requested to ___ CD #644 The Church of God Thomas Harris write us at least once a year if they wish to continue receiv- ing the paper the following year. Address all correspondence ___ CD #645 The Problem of Anxiety A. A. Craig to: The Way of Truth, P. O. Box 88, Hagerstown, Maryland ___ CD #646 God Has His Hand on It All Paul Wilson 21741, U.S.A. Always when writing, give your name and ___ CD #647 Children’s Day Program address clearly, please. —Alvin A. Craig, Editor ___ CD #648 God Understands and Cares Mick Akers Our telephone number is 301-739-2980 ___ CD #649 Father’s Day Service Our fax number is 301-739-7173 ___ CD #650 Turning the Heart of the Father D. Shenberger Our e-mail address is [email protected] Visit our website at www.wayoftruth.org IN THIS ISSUE: The Question Box Page 2 mon the Spirit of the Lord had really started a great Our monthly feature revival. This proved to be, not only the beginning of a great soul-stirring time in England—one of the great- Bible Lesson of the Month Page 3 est revivals that England has ever witnessed—but also “Circumcision of the Heart” the beginning of Moody’s worldwide success as an evangelist. These great events, it is said, can be traced Young People’s Page Page 5 back to the fervent prayers of that one woman.  Considering stress The Church of God Page 6 A SOLDIER LEAVES THE FIELD OF ACTION Full-length sermon by Thomas Harris The Ministry of Clement Ransford Reid Reconciliation Page 9 March 30, 1934-June 16, 2016 Radio message by G. E. Tyler The Poetry Page Page 12 Bro. Ransford Reid, longtime pastor of the congregation of the Church of God at Truth in rhythmic form East End, Grand Cayman, went on to The Problem of Anxiety Page 13 receive his reward on June 16 after Full-length sermon by A. A. Craig an extended illness. Our longtime readers might be familiar with his The Children’s Corner Page 15 name because of his many messages “Letting Go” and radio sermons which have been The Value of Time Page 16 printed in this magazine through the Article by the late J. Grant Anderson years. Our prayers go out to his grieving family and the saints in Grand Cayman. If God Be for Us Page 18 Radio message by James Arch “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto Accusations Page 20 me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Article by the late D. O. Teasley Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that Radio Log Page 21 they may rest from their labours; and their works Stations airing The Way of Truth Broadcast do follow them.”—Revelation 14:13.

August 2016 Page 1 “Their members are forbidden to marry. They reject THE Jesus Christ as creator of heaven and earth. They reject the commandments of Jesus. They reject Jesus as Lord and God. They must obey their overseers. They are QUESTION against buildings in which to worship on Sunday morn- ings. They rent a place to meet at night—if the mem- BOX bers pay the bill. They believe in the eternal condem- nation of people who know of them but will not join them.” That is only a little that is on the Internet about them. Answered by the Editor QUESTION: Is surrogacy (an agreement where UESTION: Do you know whether the New King another married woman carries and gives birth to a James Version of the Bible is equal to the original baby for intended parents who want to have a child) a Q King James Version in its teachings? sin?—E-mail —M. P., Minnesota ANSWER: No way do I believe God would approve ANSWER: I don’t think I would say any translation of that. If God would have a married woman to have a is equal to the King James Version, but that is not to baby, He can enable her to do so. say there are no mistakes in translations of the King Some years ago a young lady that had been married James Version. After all, it is a translation itself. for seven years, as I recall, asked us to pray for her to In II Corinthians 5:21, we read, “For he hath made have a child. Bro. Raib Arch and I laid hands on her him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might and prayed for her. In a little less than one year she be made the righteousness of God in him.” From this gave birth to her first child. She had more through the verse some well-known preachers teach that Jesus years. actually became a sinner. They teach that Jesus died We read in the Bible about Hannah, the wife of spiritually and physically. They teach that His physical Elkanah, who was unable to have children, and how death was not enough to save us from our sins, that it she earnestly sought the Lord, promising that if the took spiritual death as well. Further, they teach that Lord would give her a son she would give him to the Jesus went to hell for three days and that He was “born Lord all his life. In less than a year she had a son and again” while there. named him Samuel. In all, Hannah had six children: What Paul was teaching in II Corinthians 5:21 was four sons and two daughters. not that Jesus became a sinner for us, but that Jesus became an offering for our sins! No sinner could be a QUESTION: Does the Old Testament speak of a savior for the family of man. Just as the lamb slain in comb not being used?—E-mail Egypt and its blood put on the door post to save the ANSWER: As far as I know the word “comb” is not firstborn, had to be a spotless lamb—not sickly, no in the Bible—Old Testament or New. The Bible teaches broken bones, perfect in every respect—so the Lamb of it is a glory to a woman to have long hair and a shame God had to be a spotless person, a sinless person, to be for a man to have long hair. You say you consider your- the Savior of all mankind. The lamb in Egypt was a self a Rastafarian. From what I have seen in Jamaica, type of the Lamb of God. The Bible clearly teaches that I would say you need to use a comb. Jesus did no sin. The translators of the King James Bible could have translated this verse so it would have QUESTION: Is it inappropriate to pray saying a been better understood. I am not saying they are to be person or thing is covered by the blood of Jesus? blamed for the false doctrine these preachers are put- —O. O., e-mail ting out, but it is one of the verses they use to support their teachings. ANSWER: I would not say it is inappropriate or As to the New King James Version, I will give a that it is wrong, but I do not see the need of it. It is a short quote I copied off the Internet: “The NKJV is not little unusual! We are instructed to pray to the Father a King James Bible. It changed thousands of words, in the name of Jesus Christ. ruined valuable verses, and when not agreeing with the KJ Bible, it has instead copied the perverted, NIV, QUESTION: In the pictures of the 2015 Philippine NASV, or RSV. Convention, I saw women worshiping without head ties to cover their heads. Why weren’t their heads QUESTION: There’s a group who called themselves covered?—J. N., e-mail (Africa) “2x2” which meet at various homes. They travel in two’s, either two women or two men. They have no buildings ANSWER: Cloth head covering was a custom that in which they have services. Do you have any insight Paul instructed the women at Corinth to observe, but of this group?—M. P., Minnesota he said, “We have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”—I Corinthians 11:16. God gave the woman her ANSWER: I have not heard of them before! So I got long hair for a head covering—11:15—that is why we on the Internet and found a good deal of information teach she should not cut her hair. To do so, she uncov- about them. I will give you a little of what I found. ers her head. Page 2 The Way of Truth QUESTION: Also, women were found teaching or ANSWER: In the beginning God gave Adam one preaching to the congregation. Are these acts bibli- wife. In Genesis 2:24 we read, “Therefore shall a man cal?—J. N., e-mail (Africa) leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” I do not find ANSWER: According to Acts 18:24-26, Aquila and anywhere in the Bible where God took three and made Priscilla taught Apollos more about the gospel. Philip them one flesh. had four daughters that were preachers. “And the same It is true under the Old Covenant some men had man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy” more than one wife, but I do not believe God willed it (Acts 21:9). Phoebe was “a servant of the church” to be so. Under the New Covenant, we have a higher (Romans 16:1). And finally, Joel said God would pour standard than the Old Covenant, and anyone who knows out His Spirit “upon all flesh; and your sons and your the truth must live it. No one can die in sin and go to daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28). In Acts 2, Peter heaven.  quotes Joel, and the marginal reading in my Bible has “preach” (Acts 2:17). QUESTION: Is it fair in the sight of God for women to put on trousers to attend church services, or any BIBLE LESSON OF THE MONTH other place? ANSWER: We understand the Scriptures to teach GEMS FROM THE BOOK OF ROMANS that women are not to wear clothes that pertain to a man, neither shall a man put on women’s garments CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART (Deuteronomy 22:5). You ask “is it fair in the sight of God”? The scripture just referred to says, “for all that Scriptures: Romans 2:28, 29; Ezekiel 36:26, 27; Gala- do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” tians 3:28, 29; Romans 9:3-8; I Corinthians 7:19; Romans QUESTION: Please explain Philippians 2:12. 10:12, 13. —Nigeria Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither ANSWER: Go on walking by the same rule, minding is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: the same things. It is not enough to just get saved, but 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that we must grow in our Christian experience. Some people of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of seem to think once they are saved that is all that is men, but of God. required, but that is only the starting point. A new Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit convert needs to go on and be sanctified, study the will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your Scriptures, have a prayer life. flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. QUESTION: Please explain Isaiah 45:7.—Nigeria 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. ANSWER: We are not to understand that God cre- Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither ates moral evil, for that cannot be! We are to understand bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Isaiah is speaking of some kind of destruction in the Christ Jesus. natural world. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. QUESTION: How did Satan know God had told Adam not to eat of the tree in the garden?—Nigeria Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ANSWER: As far as I can understand the Scrip- 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the tures, Satan is second only to God in power and knowl- glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of edge. Satan twisted what God said, as Eve pointed out God, and the promises; to him that they could eat the fruit of all the trees, 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh except one. However, Satan accomplished what he Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. wanted by his statement. He got Eve to talk to him, 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they which was a mistake. Never reason with the devil. Use are not all Israel, which are of Israel: the Word as Jesus did. 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all QUESTION: What does John mean by Jesus will children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire? What does 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the fire signify?—P. I., Nigeria the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. ANSWER: Fire is used in different ways in the I Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is Scriptures: to purify, to be very zealous—on fire for God. nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Adam Clarke says the fire “was to illuminate and Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and invigorate the soul, penetrate every part, and assimi- the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon late the whole to the image of the God of glory.” him. QUESTION: Would a man or woman miss eternity 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be with God for being a polygamist?—O. O., Nigeria saved. August 2016 Page 3 Memory Verse: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; MY SPIRIT—Ezekiel 36:27—The Holy Spirit— and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and After a person has had the sinful heart removed and a not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Christian heart put in its place, he needs to be filled God.—Romans 2:29. by God’s Holy Spirit. This is done in sanctification. Then he has added power which will enable him to walk in Aim: To show that natural Jews are not God’s people God’s statutes, and keep His judgments. today, but born-again Christians are. THERE IS—Galatians 3:28—No difference—It INTRODUCTION is no wonder the apostle Paul was persecuted, beaten, and put in prison! His preaching, on some points, was IRCUMCISION among the Hebrews started with quite contrary to what other religions were teaching. Abraham: “This is my covenant, which ye shall He was telling the people that all stood equal in God’s c keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; sight. The Greeks were just as valuable to Him as the Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And Jews. Most startling of all, the slave and the free were ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it the same in His sight. “Neither male nor female: for ye shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. are all one in Christ Jesus.” And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among IF YE BE CHRIST’S—Galatians 3:29—New you, every man child in your generations, he that is creatures—To be in Christ, one must be born again; born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, to be in Christ is to be a new creation. The sinful life which is not thy seed” (Genesis 17:10-12). is gone and we have a new heart. We are also the seed Circumcising caused quite a problem in the early of Abraham. We are spiritual Hebrews and heirs to the morning church. Paul was preaching that it was no promises that God made to Abraham. I do not speak of longer required for salvation, but there were those who the literal land of Canaan, but the spiritual blessings disagreed and taught, in effect, that Paul was wrong. the Lord promised Abraham. “Certain men which came down from Judaea taught A GREAT SOUL BURDEN—Romans 9:3— the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after Accursed—Paul was a Hebrew, even though he was the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When there- called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, and he had a fore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and great burden for his people. If there was a synagogue disputation with them, they determined that Paul and in a city where he went, he usually went there first to Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to give them the gospel. It was not possible for Paul to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this ques- give his life as a savior, or be lost for their salvation, tion” (Acts 15:1, 2), which they did, and there they but that was the burden he expressed in this verse. He agreed that Paul was right. did give his life as a sacrifice to the Lord, and he did In this lesson we want to show what circumcision win many to Christ. was a type of and the circumcision that is required to WHO ARE ISRAELITES?—Romans 9: 4, 7— be a “spiritual Jew” today. Adoption—Jacob, the son of Isaac, whose name meant MEDITATIONS supplanter, was chosen by God, and after he wrestled with the angel, his name was changed to Israel, for as FOR HE IS NOT A JEW—Romans 2:28—Out- a prince he had prevailed. After that, his seed were ward in the flesh—This message was rather new to called Israelites, and they were “adopted” sons and the people, and of course not accepted by many Jews. daughters. “Thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Paul had a clear vision that the covenant God entered the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Exodus into with Abraham, and later became a part of the Old 4:22). Verse 5—The fathers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Covenant God gave Israel was no longer in effect. Joseph; the patriarchs: Joshua, Samuel, David, and TRUE CIRCUMCISION—Romans 2:29—But he finally Christ. Verse 6—Under the New Covenant Paul IS a Jew—Circumcision of the heart is what makes let them know that it takes more than being a literal one a child of God. Jesus taught, “A good man out of Israelite to be a spiritual Israelite. As pertaining to the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good being the literal seed of Abraham, the promise came things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth down through Isaac, not Ishmael or any of the other forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35). Literal circumcision sons of Abraham. did nothing for the heart. THEY WHICH ARE THE SEED—Romans A NEW HEART—Ezekiel 36:26—I will give 9:8—Children of God—Paul again points out that it you—Some years ago a doctor in South Africa performed is not the literal seed of Abraham that are children of what was called “the first heart transplant,” but accord- God, but those who are the spiritual seed—the Chris- ing to God’s promise to the prophet Ezekiel, He was the tians. In fact, even under the Old Covenant not all One who performed the first heart transplant, and this served God! How many times did they turn to idols and one did for the people that which no literal heart trans- commit all kinds of sins, so much so that God allowed plant could do. We understand the stony heart to be a them to be carried away into bondage—the northern sinful heart, and sin has made many hearts hard. There kingdom, Israel, by Assyria and Judah by Babylon! is no other way to explain the evil that is done in our KEEPING GOD’S WORD IS WHAT COUNTS— world. We understand a heart of flesh to represent a I Corinthians 7:19—Literal circumcision meant heart that is pure, tender, and loving. The Lord also nothing—Although the Jews put so much stress on it said He would put a new spirit within—a meek and Paul lets the Corinthians know there was no spiritual quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is of great price. value in it. But what really counts, and still does today, Page 4 The Way of Truth was the circumcision of the heart which one shows by Dear Young People, keeping the commandments of God. We live in a stressful WHOSOEVER—Romans 10:12, 13—Shall call— world. Our days are filled God is no respecter of persons! God loved all the people with stressful moments. of the world so much that He gave His only begotten How do we as Christians Son that all could be saved. Jesus tasted death for every cope in this stressful gen- person; therefore, whosoever will may come. eration? As I see it we must early on learn how CONCLUSION to take our burdens to Down through the ages God has desired to have a the Lord and leave them people for His name’s sake. He called Abraham from there! If we fail to do so, the city of Ur of the Chaldees. This first call was with we are apt to melt under his father Terah and others of the family. They first the stress. As the scrip- came to the place the Bible calls Haran, and there ture says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth Abraham and his wife Sarah lived a number of years. for you” (I Peter 5:7). His father died there at the age of 205. Some time after I came across this a while back: his death, the Lord said to Abraham, “Get thee out of A young lady confidently walked around the room thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s with a raised glass of water while leading a seminar house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will and explaining stress management to her audience. make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate ques- make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” tion, “Half empty or half full?” (Genesis 12:1, 2). She fooled them all. “How heavy is this glass of Abraham was around 100 years old and Sarah was water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers called out 90 when the child God promised them was born. Isaac ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. was the one the covenant and promise came through. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. God was still working to have a separate people for His It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a min- name’s sake. As already mentioned, Jacob was the one ute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll of the two children that Isaac and Rebecca had that have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, God chose to continue to fulfill the promise made to you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the Abraham. same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it We see throughout the Old Testament how God becomes.” continued to work to have a people for His name’s sake. She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. He chose Moses to lead them out of Egyptian bondage. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as He chose Joshua to lead them into the land of promise. the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be He chose the young virgin called Mary to be the mother able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have of the physical child, Jesus. Jesus ministered three and to put it down for a while and rest before holding it one-half years to gather out a people who would make again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the up spiritual Israel. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built burden-holding stress longer and better each time up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up practiced. spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” “So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your (I Peter 2:5). “Who gave himself for us, that he might burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a and into the night. Pick them up again tomorrow if you peculiar [separate] people, zealous of good works” (Titus must.” 2:14). But why pick it back up? Jesus compels us to allow FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION him to carry the heavy end of our burdens. Matthew 1. Who was the first person God entered into a 11:28-30 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and covenant with? are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke 2. What was the sign God gave him? upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my 3. What did circumcision mean to Old Testament yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Israel? So take Him at His Word, share your burdens with 4. What is required to be a child of God? Him, take His yoke upon you and you will find your 5. Is literal Israel still God’s covenant people  life will be a lot easier and much less stressful. today? On page 6 you will find an inspiring message by SUNDAY SCHOOL LITERATURE Bro. Tommy Harris of our local congregation. He is a college student who has taken his stand for God. We have a six-year series of lessons. Each quarter we I will leave you with this sentence sermon: “Always print quarterlies for Adults and Young People, Intermedi- keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have ates and Juniors. We also print leaflets for Primary and to eat them.” Nursery-Beginner children. Yours in His service, The fourth quarter of 2016 begins October 2 and is entitled, “Practical Christian Living.” Bro. Greg Tyler

August 2016 Page 5 THE CHURCH OF GOD Sunday Evening Message by Bro. Thomas Harris Delivered 05/29/16

WOULD like to entitle my thoughts, “The Church I saw a post on Facebook that of God.” I have a few questions that I’d like for us made me cringe. It made me sad, I to think about this evening relating to the Church because of the truth that was in it. of God. I don’t have a specific text, but I’ll be using a One of my friends posted a saying, and lot of verses. I quote: “There’s a gang in my area, and The first question I’d like for us to think about is: they recruit members by threatening them with all What is the Church of God? Before we can answer that kinds of punishments if they don’t join, but enough question, I think it will be good to consider first what about that church.” That is so true, because there are the Church of God is not. Now, the Church of God is congregations which claim to be Church of God that not Bro. Alvin’s church; the Church of God is not Bro. simply go around threatening and scaring people into Greg’s church, and it is not Bro. Harley’s church in West serving the Lord. That is not a true Church of God Virginia. It is not Bro. Shippy’s church in Jamaica. The congregation. As I said, the Church of God acts in love, Church of God is not ruled by any one man. The Church acts out of care and compassion. It doesn’t have to of God is not even a building; the Church of God is not threaten. Jesus truly set that example. Jesus came to simply a title. Earth. Did He threaten any? He showed that true spirit If you will, turn with me to Ephesians 1:22, 23. of love and compassion. The Church of God is mani- Speaking of Jesus: “And hath put all things under his fested by the love and care and kindness that its mem- feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the bers show. church, which is his body.” So the Church of God is the CHRIST PLACES THE MEMBERS body of Christ. It’s not a building. It’s a group of people. In thinking about what the Church of God is, we The Church of God is comprised of every person on this know that it is comprised of all the members of the body earth who is saved, every person who is living to the of Christ, but also each member in the body of Christ best of their knowledge, and serving God to all that is important. Each member is significant. In I Corin- they know to be true. The Church of God is made up thians 12:20, 21, we read: “But now are they many of all those members who have been born again and members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto given new life. the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to CHURCH OF GOD CHARACTERISTICS the feet, I have no need of you.” There are no low class In studying for this message, I thought about members in the Church of God. Every single member what characterizes the Church of God? I came across in the Church of God is important. Every single one of these verses that were a real blessing. I Corinthians you is important in the Church of God. 12:25, 26: “But that the members should have the There is no standing on a rank; there is no standing same care one for another. And whether one member on a ceremony. We even see Jesus who set that example. suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member In Hebrews, chapter 2, we read: “For both he that be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” I sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: believe the true Church of God is characterized by for which cause he is not ashamed to call them breth- that verse which speaks about the care, the love, ren.” Jesus said that He is not ashamed to call us and the compassion that the members have for one brethren, but we do know from the Scriptures that another. Jesus, while He may have that humbleness in that When Bro. Dean had his accident, it became a bur- relationship with us to call us brethren, is the Head of den for Sis. Danielle, but it was a burden each one of the Church of God. He was the One who purchased it, us felt. When she suffered, we all suffered. That’s a and He is the One who therefore has the right of own- burden that she herself is not carrying, but it is a bur- ership of it. Acts 20:28: “Feed the church of God, which den that we, the members of the body of Christ, are he hath purchased with his own blood.” By giving His still carrying ourselves. life, Jesus made the Church of God possible. He set it When Sis. Dena got saved, we rejoiced with her. into existence. He made salvation possible so that we We’ve been praying for her for a long time, and when all could be members of the body of Christ, which is the she was saved, I know it made her happy and us as Church of God. well. We rejoiced with her, and that characterizes the Since it is Jesus who enables us to become members Church of God. There’s a level of love, compassion, and of the Church of God, it is He who places us in the body care that no other organization on the face of this earth as He sees fit. We read in I Corinthians 12:18, “But can match. That is a distinguishing characteristic that now hath God set the members every one of them in we have. the body, as it hath pleased him.” Unfortunately, not all churches which claim to be I have always thought it rather interesting when- of God are this way. ever I heard of people going to college with the specific Page 6 The Way of Truth intent of studying to become preachers. I’m not saying Being a member of the Church of God also entails that it is wrong in every scenario, but I believe that it a friendship. It entails a beautiful friendship, a power- is very easy to go wrong here, because those who come ful friendship. A good friend is one who will listen, give out of college think they are qualified then to become advice when it’s needed, and one who will tell you to ministers. But we read in I Corinthians, chapter 2, of “grow up and get over it.” A friend is one who will pro- Paul saying, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came tect you if needed. As I thought about the protection of not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring Christ, I thought about the verse in Proverbs 18 which unto you the testimony of God. And my speech and my speaks of Christ: “There is a friend that sticketh closer preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, than a brother.” As I thought of that verse, I thought but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That about little Kristen with three big brothers: Alan, your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but Andrew, and Kyle. You know, in about 17 or 18 years in the power of God.” when boys come calling on Kristen, they better be care- Ministering is a calling rather than obtaining a ful, because she has three older brothers’ approval to college degree to become one, because words mean obtain first, let alone Mom and Dad. But as close as nothing if the Spirit of God isn’t backing them up. The our family may be and much protection they may offer, Spirit of God is not something which is taught any- or as good a friend a brother may be, Jesus is closer where. It is something that is given; it is a gift. The still. Closer even than a brother. Everything that a positions in the church are not appointed by men but friend could possibly be is covered in Jesus. This is one by God. They are placed as He see fit. So the Church of the biggest advantages we have as Christians. The of God is the body of Christ which is comprised of all friendship of Jesus Christ is invaluable. A numeric the saved people on this earth. It is composed of many value can’t simply be placed on it. It is intangible. members—all with different jobs—all which are WHO CAN ENTER THE CHURCH? assigned by God. The next question I’d like for us to consider now WHAT BEING IN THE CHURCH ENTAILS is: Who can enter the Church of God? This question Now that we’ve considered what the church actually isn’t going to take long to answer. In Hebrews, chap- is, I would like us to think about what being in the ter 2, verse 9, we read: “But we see Jesus, who was Church of God entails. What does being in the Church made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of God entail? This is a very, very broad question. Being of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by saved, a member of the Church of God, has numerous the grace of God should taste death for every man.” advantages. In our last Young People’s Service on Also in II Peter 3:9, speaking of God: “not willing that Wednesday night, we spoke of the resources that a any should perish, but that all should come to repen- Christian has. One of the most powerful and broad tance.” So we see that it was the purpose of Jesus to resources we talked about was the promises of God. die for all with the intent that no one on this whole The promises of God never cease to amaze me, because earth should miss out on the gift of salvation that He there are so many, and each one of them can be a per- made possible. Salvation was made available for me. sonal one that we can take hold of. Sis. Amanda gave If you’re saved, salvation was made available for you. us a personal promise that she relies on. Sis. Charnita If you’re unsaved, salvation is available for you. talked to us about the one she relies on. The promises There are those who would say that salvation is are so numerous and all-encompassing. There are only for a predestined few, but that is not logical. I promises for every situation and circumstance of life. believe that most of that belief stems from the fact that I myself have claimed so many promises over the there are those who just want to justify themselves of course of the years. The one I’m claiming as my favor- living whatever way they wish to live. If you believe ite at the moment is in II Timothy 1:7: “For God hath that there are only a predestined few who are going to not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, heaven, you can say, “Well, it doesn’t matter. I can live and of a sound mind.” It is in this promise that I have any way I want to.” It’s just not logical. Jesus has never personally found so much motivation, encouragement, turned anyone away. During the time He was here on confidence, and strength. So many things can be found this earth, He never turned anyone away. The verses in the promises of God. It is being in the Church of God, I read previously assuredly state that salvation is for being saved, a member of the body of Christ that all, for each one. So how does one enter the Church of entitles us to the numerous promises that God has for God? Again, membership is not granted by Bro. Alvin, us. because it is not Bro. Alvin’s church. Membership is not Being a member of the Church of God also implies granted by Sis. Meldy in the Philippines; it is not granted that we are the children of God. We read in Romans by Bro. Garry in Honduras; it is not granted by the 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, church in Grand Cayman. that we are the children of God.” If this be the case, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: then we are also heirs of Christ. As heirs of Christ, we no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We also have the promise of heaven, the promise of eternal life. read in I Timothy 2:5, “There is one God, and one We are entitled to exactly the same privileges as one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” of God’s children. I don’t say entitled to mean that it’s It is only through Jesus Christ that we become saved anything we are worthy of, or anything we are deserv- and enter the Church of God. There is no signing of a ing of, but it is because God opened a way for us that decision card. There is no membership fee that we pay we have the entitlement to those privileges and prom- anyone. The pope doesn’t give us membership in the ises. Church of God. It is only through Jesus. August 2016 Page 7 The first step on entering the Church of God obvi- the young man was fine. He said, “All of these things ously is belief. It takes belief that God sent His Son I’ve done since I was a boy.” Then he asked a simple into the world to make salvation possible, but it doesn’t question: “What lack I yet?” If only more on this earth simply just require belief. There are many people who today will ask themselves that question! I believe will say that they believe in God, but they are not saved. people know whenever they’re lacking something as We read in II Peter that Jesus is not willing that any this young man did. When he asked Jesus that ques- should perish, but that all should come to repentance. tion, Jesus told him essentially that his riches meant It takes repentance to be saved. It takes acknowledg- too much to him. “You need to put your riches at My ment of the fact that you’re not living a life pleasing to feet.” This young man was rich, and when he realized God and not living a life according to the standard that he had to give up his riches that meant so much to him, He has set. the Bible says he went away sorrowful. He was sorrow- Entrance into the Church of God also requires sub- ful but unsaved. mission. That is a difficult concept for a lot of people. We cannot let one thing stand between us and God. So many people associate submission with weakness, It is sad, because I believe people realize that they’re but that is not the case. I remember myself struggling lacking something. When they ask God what they’re with the concept of submission, the concept of trust, lacking and find the answer, it is too much for them. because I knew that there were things in life that could What do they do? They ignore it. They allow their con- very easily happen to me that I had absolutely no con- sciences to become hardened, but they knew they were trol over. I knew that I didn’t have any control over lacking. They forget. They continue living a good life, those things, and I knew that I needed to put my trust but they’re unsaved, because they rejected what they in God, but I still found it so difficult. Submission is knew they lacked. It is a sad thing. This young man not always easy, because in general, I’m not the most went away unsaved, not willing to submit his all to trusting person. I suppose some people are more trust- God. Again, it only takes one thing to stand between ing. But if I’m tasked with doing a job, I am more us and God. inclined to just do it myself, because I trust myself to CONCLUSION do it. I think there are those who feel the same way. Because of that, submission is hard, especially submis- Saints, we need to be careful. We need to keep our sion of your life. eyes on Jesus. We have a story of Peter as he went on the water to walk out to Jesus. He got distracted. When Submitting my life to God was the best choice I ever he looked away, he started to sink. That is what can made in life. Those who are saved will tell you that happen to us if we’re not careful. I would encourage us submission to God is the best choice they’ve ever made. as saints that we be careful to keep our eyes on So again, a Christian is not a weak person. A Christian Jesus. is a strong person. Where does our strength come from? Our strength comes from God. “If God be for us, who In summary this evening: the Church of God is not can be against us?” Again, my favorite verse: “God hath simply this building; it is not simply a title. The Church not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, of God is the body of Christ. All who are saved, all who and of a sound mind.” are living and serving God to all that they know to be true, these are the members of the body of Christ. This MORE THAN “A GOOD PERSON” membership in the body of Christ is not granted by one The last point I want to mention before I close is person or by any human being, but it is granted by God. this: In entering the Church of God, being saved, It is open for anyone who wants in, but it takes repen- requires more than being a good person. Turn with me tance, it takes submission, it takes trust. It takes to Matthew, chapter 19. This is one of my favorite sto- submitting your life fully and completely to God. ries that we read of Jesus, because I believe it bears The Lord bless each one.  out the fact that it requires more than a good life. It requires complete submission to God. Beginning with REMINDER TO OUR READERS verse 16: “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may We DO NOT publish, produce nor send out the follow- have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest ing: thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: The Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments) but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Bible concordances, dictionaries, atlases, commentaries, He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do pictures, calendars etc., nor offer correspondence courses no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt Hymnals nor other religious songs not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour Names of persons for pen pal correspondence thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy Cassettes or CD’s unless paid for in advance in US neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, currency All these things have I kept from my youth up: what Videos, cassette tape and video recorders lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and Scholarships for the training of students in the United thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow States or any other country me. But when the young man heard that saying, he Financial support for individuals went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Tracts to foreign countries due to high postage rates This young man in the Bible led a good life. When We want to hear from you but keep this in mind. Jesus listed the commandments that he should follow, Page 8 The Way of Truth from God. Every soul needs to be reconciled to God. We were once aliens of the commonwealth of God, of the THE MINISTRY OF family of God. Paul said to the Colossian church in chapter 1, verses 19-21, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace RECONCILIATION through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were Radio Message sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” There is only one by Bro. Greg Tyler way to be reconciled to God, and that is through the Man, Jesus Christ. Mohammed cannot reconcile you to God, Buddha cannot reconcile you to God, no man or no religion on Earth can reconcile you to God; but I am here to say on the authority of God’s Word, and through the Spirit of God, that there is One who has the power and the ability to reconcile men back into acceptance with God, and that is Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:17-19 says this: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, CONSIDER it a privilege to be a spokesman for because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past almighty God on this radio program today. It is our feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, I prayer that the message will reach the hearts of to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Then in the those who are listening. 2nd chapter of Ephesians, Paul says this: “That at that We’ll call your attention to II Corinthians, chapter time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the 5, beginning with verse 17: “Therefore if any man be commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the cov- in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed enants of promise, having no hope, and without God in away; behold, all things are become new. And all things the world.” Oh, Beloved One, if you’re without God and are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus living in sin, you have no hope of eternity. You have no Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconcili- hope to make it to heaven. You are without God in the ation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world, but Christ came to reconcile you with your heav- world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto enly Father. Although being in sin, you are actually at them; and hath committed unto us the word of recon- war with God, but He still loves you. “For God so loved ciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath everlasting life.” made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we Christ Jesus came into the world to reconcile fallen might be made the righteousness of God in him.” In the man with God. Hebrews, chapter 2, verse 17: “Where- 18th verse, I was impressed with the phrase, “The Min- fore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto istry of Reconciliation,” and that is what I would like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful to speak to you about on this radio program. high priest in things pertaining to God, to make rec- To reconcile, which comes from the Latin word, onciliation for the sins of the people.” Yes, those sins reconcilare, means, “to bring together again; to bring separate from God. Your sins can be forgiven, and you into agreement or harmony; make compatible or con- can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Romans, sistent.” chapter 5, verse 10, says: “For if, when we were enemies, There is so much enmity, hatred, and variance among we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, the family of man today. God would have man to be much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his reconciled with each other, and man to be reconciled life.” with God Himself, for sin causes a separation between Then Paul said to the Ephesian church in chapter the soul of man and God. Sin causes spiritual death. It 2, verses 14-16, “For he is our peace, who hath made causes mankind to be separated from his Creator; but both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of God wants that separation to disappear and mankind partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the to be reconciled to Him. enmity, even the law of commandments contained in The prophet Isaiah said, “But your iniquities have ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new separated between you and your God, and your sins man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the The Bible tells us that all have sinned and come enmity thereby.” Praise God today, Jesus has slain the short of the glory of God. So every human being on the enmity between man and God through His death and face of the earth, at some point in their lives, walks the resurrection so long ago. That event which happened downward road, or follows the pathway that leads away nearly 2,000 years ago is still vital to the human race August 2016 Page 9 today, and it still has power to reconcile fallen man in said, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all the sight of God. that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether Now, we are called to be a part of the ministry of such as I am, except these bonds.” Paul had a burden reconciliation. Again, our text from II Corinthians, for people to be reconciled with God. So does every chapter 5: “All things are of God, who hath reconciled God-called minister today. It is our calling to point us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the people to the Lamb of God who is able to bring recon- ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, ciliation between the soul of man and his heavenly reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their Father. But our message in calling is not only to have trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the people to be reconciled with God, but to be reconciled word of reconciliation.” I think it’s a wonderful thing with each other. to be a part of the ministry of the Church of God. We God wants people to love one another with a pure are endeavoring to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the heart fervently. He doesn’t want hatred and variance apostle Paul, and others who have led the way in the and malice to be in the hearts of men. Notice what ministry of reconciliation. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:23, Jesus showed in His ministry that He was willing 24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and to reconcile fallen man with God. One time a woman there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against who was caught in the act of adultery was brought to thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy Jesus by some wicked men who were trying to trip Him way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come up in His words, but instead of condemning the woman, and offer thy gift.” You can see very clearly that Jesus Jesus exposed the men’s sins to themselves, and they desired that people be reconciled with their brother. left one by one. Jesus said to the woman, “Woman, Someone said— where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned Reconciliation is not weakness or cowardice. It thee?” She said, “No man, Lord.” Jesus said to her, demands courage, nobility, generosity, sometimes hero- “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” So ism, an overcoming of oneself rather than of one’s He reconciled that fallen woman with her God through adversary. the ministry of reconciliation. God does not want the family of man to be squab- Jesus was traveling through Jericho, and a short bling, quarreling, and fighting. He does not want wars, man named Zacchaeus wanted to see Him so he could hatred, variance, and malice between people. He wants learn more about eternal life. Zacchaeus climbed up us to be reconciled with each other, but forgiveness is into a sycamore tree so that he could get a view of Jesus. necessary for reconciliation. We have to be willing to Jesus called him down from the tree and forgave him forgive one another for reconciliation to happen. Paul of his sins. Zacchaeus was a changed man. He gave up said to the Ephesians, “Be ye kind one to another, ten- his love for riches and became a child of God. Zacchaeus derhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for was reconciled to his heavenly Father through Jesus’ Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Forgiveness is not ministry of reconciliation. optional. You have no right to hide hatred or malice in As Jesus was hanging on the cross at the end of His your heart against someone. God wants that to be life, He was still expounding the ministry of reconcili- eradicated. It can be through the Lord Jesus Christ. ation by showing mercy to one thief who was by His Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if side. One thief was railing against Him while the other ye have ought against any: that your Father also which thief said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” He also thy kingdom,” and there on the cross Jesus said to him, said, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” So he was not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye reconciled to his heavenly Father before he left this shall be forgiven.” My Beloved One, if you’re not willing time world. What a wonderful ministry Jesus had of to forgive another, you cannot be forgiven of God. You reconciling men with God! have to let it go. Don’t cleave to malice; don’t cleave to The apostle Paul also had a ministry of reconcilia- hatred. Don’t let there be a root of bitterness in your tion. Wherever he went he was endeavoring to reconcile heart, but be reconciled with your fellow man. people among themselves and with God. Even one time Let me read this— when he and Silas were thrown into the Philippian jail, Years after her concentration camp experiences in put in stocks and beaten, they began at the midnight Nazi, Germany, Corrie ten Boom met face-to-face one of hour to sing and praise God. God sent an earthquake, the most cruel and heartless German guards that she and the jailer who was responsible for Paul and Silas’ had ever contacted. He had humiliated and degraded safety was afraid they were going to leave. He was going her and her sister. He had jeered and visually raped to kill himself, but Paul said, “Do thyself no harm: for them as they stood in the delousing shower. Now he we are all here.” The jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I stood before her with hand outstretched and said, “Will do to be saved?” Paul led him to a place where he could you forgive me?” She writes: “I stood there with coldness receive salvation, and he and all his family were saved clutching at my heart, but I know that the will can and baptized. They were reconciled with God. function regardless of the temperature of the heart. I Paul was brought before kings—King Felix and King prayed, Jesus, help me! Woodenly, mechanically I thrust Agrippa. He reasoned with them of righteousness, my hand into the one stretched out to me and I experi- temperance, and judgment to come. King Agrippa cried enced an incredible thing. The current started in my out, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” shoulder, raced down into my arms and sprang into our Paul was trying to reconcile King Agrippa to God. He clutched hands. Then this warm reconciliation seemed Page 10 The Way of Truth to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.‘I ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you forgive you, brother,’ I cried with my whole heart. For a by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former to God.” God is willing to forgive, just as the father of guard, the former prisoner. I have never known the love the prodigal son, but you must be the one to repent. of God so intensely as I did in that moment!” To forgive You must be the one to return to Him. is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was Someone wrote— you. The Bible is actually a beautiful “love letter” from If you have hatred and variance in your heart, you’re God, and the writer of Psalm 119 admonishes us to a prisoner to that heart feeling, but if Corrie ten Boom delight in its message and to meditate upon its contents. could forgive that German guard and all he did against How sad that many Christians neglect it! Sadder still her, certainly you can let go of anything that anyone that countless lost souls have never opened the Book at has done against you. You can let it go through Jesus all. Christ our Lord. He will help you to let it go and be When Elizabeth Barrett became the wife of Robert reconciled to your fellow man. Browning, her parents disowned her because they disap- I know that in our day and age that we’re living in, proved of the marriage. The daughter, however, wrote there are problems in the home. The home should be almost every week, telling them that she loved them and an anchor for our nation. Our homes are collapsing. longed for a reconciliation. After 10 years she received There is hatred and malice within the home, between a huge box in the mail that contained all the notes she parents, between children, and husbands and wives. had sent. Not one had been opened! Although these “love God never willed that to be so. The home should be a letters” have become an invaluable part of classical place of peace. If there is something separating parents English literature, it’s really pathetic to think that they from their children it needs to be reconciled by the were never read by Elizabeth Barrett’s parents. Had Lord. they looked at just one, the broken relationship with In St. Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells us about a their daughter might have been healed. prodigal son who went far away from his home. He left We are alienated from God because of sin. But He his father and mother and his family. He wasted his has provided a way of reconciliation. In the Bible He substance in riotous living. We use that parable to show tells about it, and also expresses His earnest longing for the return of the prodigal back home (sinners coming fellowship with us. back to God) and God’s willingness to forgive the fam- If you are a born-again child of God, how precious ily of man. I would like to use that parable in a little His love message from heaven ought to be to you! If you different way today as the proper attitude that a father are not a believer and pay no attention to the Bible, should have, and that a son should have, who have you’re no different from Elizabeth Barrett’s parents. been alienated through the problems of life. Hatred or You’re cheating yourself, and someday you’ll stand malice might spring up because of things that have before God condemned and lost forever. Then you’ll wish happened between father and son, mother and daugh- you had opened and read His “love letter” to you. ter, but there’s a proper attitude to have. That father How is it with your soul today? Is all well between had the proper attitude. He was willing to forgive his your soul and the Savior? Are you reconciled to God? son. He was watching and waiting for his son to return Is all well between you and your brother, your father home. and mother? God wants you to be reconciled today.  If your wayward son returns home, Father, don’t kick him out. Don’t slap him. Don’t add to the malice. Literature Available Forgive him of his trespasses and be reconciled with Cut out this order blank: Qty. Each Total your son. The son in that parable had the proper atti- tude. He didn’t come back boastful or bragging. He came Messages From Revelation . . . . X $4.00 . . . . . back a broken man. He came back humbly. He came By Alvin A. Craig; 312 pages back with repentance and was really sorry for what he had done. Because he was sorry and came back to his Messages From Daniel . . . . X $3.00 . . . . . father’s home, his father accepted him. They began to By Alvin A. Craig; 128 pages be merry and all was well between father and son. Oh, may all be well with your home today—mother, father, Look Into Sermon on the Mount . . . . X $2.00 . . . . . brother, sister, aunts, uncles, and other relatives— By Gregory E. Tyler; 136 pages loving and supporting one another, and being what God Look Into the Parables of Jesus . . . . X $2.00 . . . . . would have them to be! Be ye reconciled through Jesus By Gregory E. Tyler; 104 pages Christ to your family members. Someone wrote— Bound Volumes of The Way of Truth Like the father of the Prodigal Son, God can see (Circle the years) . . . . X $3.00 . . . . . repentance coming a great way off and is there to meet 2001, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 it, the repentance is the reconciliation. Subtotal: ...... Repentance and forgiveness is needed among the POSTAGE: family of man, but reconciliation can only be had through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Add 30% to subtotal; $3.00 minimum) + ...... Now, the main message that we have on our heart Submit with order: Total $ ...... today is, be ye reconciled to God. “Now then we are August 2016 Page 11 Fear not, my soul, for all is well THE And shall be well for aye; POETRY PAGE No matter if the tempests swell, Night must give place to day. The swift and overflowing tides JUST A PRAYER AWAY Shall surely on their crest Anonymous But pilot me where faith abides If your heart is heavy and filled with despair, In calm and peaceful rest. And you think there is no one around to care, If your faith is weak and you’ve lost all hope, THE FIELDS ARE WHITE Your burden so heavy you just can’t cope— Julia Ann Janney There can be a better, far brighter day, For God is just a prayer away. Harvest now is ready, Fields lie glistening white; Reach out to Him through earnest prayer, Let us work for Jesus He’ll hear, for He is everywhere! With all our strength and might. He’ll strengthen your faith and bring you hope, Work while yet time lingers; And lift your burden when you can’t cope, The evening light’s still bright, And through it all—He’ll make it known But soon will come the shadows That you are never ever alone! And then the darkening night.

UNDERSTANDING Ganelle Boger I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED IN JESUS Ina Jarvis Kellogg If we only knew the heartaches Those around us bear, I am not disappointed in Jesus, Then would we not, and gladly, This wonderful Savior of mine, Their distresses share? Who loved me enough to redeem me— My Lord, and my Savior, divine! Then when someone we encounter Seems to act in greed, I am not disappointed; His Spirit Let us understand that something Gives me peace and joy in my soul, This, our friend, must need. For He came to dwell in my being When I yielded Him full control. He may not tell what troubles him And we may never know, I am not disappointed; the Father But let us smile and help him on Is love beyond man’s greatest thought, While the storm winds blow. Who was willing to give up this Jesus That our own redemption be bought!

I DO NOT KNOW I am not disappointed, forever, I’ll sing of this wonderful One, Lucena C. Byrum Of His love, His mercy, compassion— I do not know the future score The Father, the Spirit, the Son!  Nor what my lot may be, But this I know that heretofore VISIT OUR WEBSITE! God’s hand has guided me. Log in and browse our website and let us know I do not know why tempest’s blast what you think at Should whip the angry waves, www.wayoftruth.org. But in the present and the past Our general services are broadcast live on this site. I know my Jesus saves. Sundays 10:40 A.M. & 6:00 P.M.; Wed. 7:00 P.M.

Page 12 The Way of Truth THE PROBLEM OF ANXIETY Full-length Message by Bro. Alvin A. Craig Delivered 06/05/16

E JOIN with Bro. Doug in expressing our appre- Anxiety has at least three main ciation for the presence of each one who is with elements that I want to refer to this W us this morning, and listening on the Internet morning. Insecurity—something as well. We certainly are thankful for the Lord being bad is going to happen. Helpless- with us, as He has promised that where two or three ness—there is nothing I can do about are gathered together in His name, He would be there it. Isolation—there is no one to help in our midst. So we are thankful that the Lord is here, me. Emotionally, they cause as much and we want to do our very best to make Him welcome anxiety if they were imagined, as if and obey Him. they were real, because a lot of us have Our thoughts are “The Problem of Anxiety.” I real- a good or a bad imagination, whichever you prefer to ize that there are physical conditions that some people call it. Sometimes we can imagine things and they’re have that cause anxiety. I do not expect to speak from just as real to us as they can be, only they’re not. the standpoint of criticism, but I trust that I’ll be able Overcoming the problems: First of all, and most to bring you some thoughts that will be a help to you. important of all I would say is, trust God. A good rem- That is our desire. As I’ve said numbers of times, I don’t edy is to deal with the problems, causes, and not just believe in preaching at people, but I do believe in preach- the symptoms. ing to people. We certainly desire that what we endeavor What is the truth about insecurity? helplessness to bring to you will be a blessing and a help. and isolation. While Christians may feel insecure, they Our text of scripture is taken out of the little book really are not. We have God. Oh, we may feel insecure, of Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6: “Be careful for noth- but we really are not helpless! In Romans, chapter 8, ing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with verse 31, we have, “What shall we then say to these thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” We God.” Now, I don’t think Paul is telling us to be careful also have in Psalm 27:5, these words: “For in the time for nothing in the sense we might use that term today. of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret What he is telling us is that we are not to be worrying of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up and fretting, “but in every thing by prayer and sup- upon a rock.” The truth of the matter is, we are not plication with thanksgiving let your requests be made helpless at all, for we have God as our helper. Proverbs known unto God.” 3:21-25: “Keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall I dare say that most everyone is familiar with they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then anxiety. It is a problem for many, maybe most. This is shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall a quote someone has said about anxiety: “It is like a not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be gets you anywhere.” That is pretty much true. sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear.” So Christians do not need to feel helpless. We have a present help in our WHAT IS ANXIETY? God. First of all, what is anxiety? What are we talking We do not need to feel isolated, for the Lord has about? A dictionary says, “a state of being uneasy, appre- promised to be with us. He said that He would never hensive, or worried about a possible future event.” It leave us, nor forsake us. Do you remember the fourth primarily has to do with what may happen in the future, verse of that beautiful Psalm, Psalm 23? “Yea, though either near or distant. Many times it is about something I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will that never happens. What causes anxiety? Anxiety is fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff caused by real or imagined threats to our well-being. they comfort me.” Hebrews 13:5, 6, “I will never leave We feel vulnerable. We feel inadequate and lacking thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The protection against these threats; threats such as: Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall physical injury, disease, fear of the night, fear of losing do unto me.” We have no reason to fear, no reason to your job, and other things that could be mentioned. feel helpless, and no reason to feel isolated. What we I remember when I was a sinner boy. I’d go to the really need to do is to take God at His Word and let it movies. Some of those movies were of the scary type. operate in our lives. We lived at a place about a mile and a half or so from Now, I want to give you some practical steps. These the main highway, and I’d take the bus out there and points are good for me as they are for you: get off. I had dark places to go through in walking to READ THE BIBLE our home. I’d pick up rocks in each hand, and I would go along singing in the dark like I was some big brave Number 1: Read the Bible and meditate on God’s boy, when I was the very opposite. So anxiety comes promises. Every one of them is true. Someone has said: from different sources. “There are 32,000 promises in this Book.” I don’t know August 2016 Page 13 whether he knows what he’s talking about or not, but ONE DAY AT A TIME I do know this: Every promise is true. God always backs Number 5: Learn to live one day at a time. James up His promises, but we need to remember this: Most, said, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the mor- if not all, of God’s promises are conditional. We must row.” James also said, “Don’t go into a given city, and meet those conditions to get those promises to work in continue there a year, and buy and sell.” He said, “What our behalf. I’ve said numbers of times that there’s a we should say is, if the Lord wills, I shall live, and do difference between just reading the Bible and studying this, and do that.” So let us learn to live one day at a the Bible. Let the promises of God become a real part time. A dear sister I knew was one of those worrying of you. types. She had a son who lived in Ohio. He came to BE REALISTIC visit her and she thought he had time to get back home. He hadn’t called her to tell her that he had gotten home Number 2: Be realistic. That may not always be so safely, so she called me and asked me to pray. He made easy to do. Peace of mind does not depend upon know- it home safely, and her worrying didn’t help any at all. ing the answer to every problem. Who does know the So let us learn to live one day at a time. Don’t borrow answer to every problem? So peace of mind does not from tomorrow’s problems. We have enough today. Many depend upon knowing the answer to every problem, or of our fears will turn out to be unfounded. getting everything we want. Be realistic. We’re not always going to get everything we want. Most of us have heard about Winston Churchill. He was prime minister of England during World War II. Another thing in regard to being realistic: realistic Winston Churchill is quoted as saying on his deathbed knowledge of our own limitations. You know, we do have that he had a lot of trouble in his life, and he said that limitations. Remember to have knowledge of our own most of them never happened. I think that was not only limitations. This ought to help us in not worrying and Winston Churchill’s state, but a lot of people’s state. fretting. Again our text says: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with STAY BUSY thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Number 6: Stay busy. Someone has said, and I quote: God.” “Anxiety and idleness often go hand-in-hand.” Years Another thing in regard to being realistic is: don’t ago, Wanda and I and the children used to visit my dad get yourself involved in something that’s none of your and mother. When we got there, we would greet one business. People can involve themselves with things another and express our appreciation and love for one that’s not their business and get anxious about it, but another. I wasn’t there very long till I was walking back we are to mind our own business. I’m not criticizing and forth through the house. Nothing to do. Spending anyone. I’m bringing you some thoughts that I trust time with nothing to do is harder than work. Stay busy. will be a help to you. We must learn to let go of some It will be a help to avoid anxiousness if we do. problems and allow the Lord to work them out for us. Much good can be accomplished, even in adverse Is that not what the Bible tells us to do? “Be careful for circumstances, if we will quit concentrating on what nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication cannot be done and do what can be done. There’s no sin with thanksgiving let your requests be made known in saying, “I can’t do something if you can’t do it,” but unto God.” We also read in the Scriptures: “Casting all if you have a talent and God wants you to use it, and your care upon him; for he careth for you.” You’re not you say, “I can’t do it,” then you’re in trouble. Thomas isolated. God cares for you. He is interested in you. God Carlyle said, “Our great business in life is not to see is a present help in every time of need. what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly BE FLEXIBLE at hand.” LEARN CONTENTMENT Number 3: Be flexible. Change is inevitable. Every- thing isn’t going to remain the same, so we need to be The last point I have is Number 7: Learn content- flexible about it. If something needs to be changed, ment. That’s not always easy to do. Well, I don’t know change it; but there is one thing, Congregation, you that any of these suggestions are always easy to do, should never be flexible about or change, and that is but they’ll be a help to us if we’ll do them. the truth of the gospel. Never compromise the gospel. The great apostle Paul had to learn contentment. Stand firm, stand steadfast, have your loins girt about If a man as great and powerful as he was had to learn with truth, have on the breastplate of righteousness, contentment, then Lord, help us. The apostle Paul said, and fight the good fight of faith. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I FOCUS ON GOOD THINGS know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: Number 4: Focus on the good things and minimize every where and in all things I am instructed both to the unimportant. We have here in this same chapter be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer that I have taken my text from, a very good passage of need. I can do all things through Christ which strength- scripture. Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatso- eneth me.” That’s taken from the same chapter that ever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, my text is taken from—Philippians, chapter 4. Those whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, are verses 11-13. whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of We all know, if we’ve read the Bible, that Paul suf- good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any fered many things: shipwreck, imprisonment, beaten praise, think on these things.” So focus on the good with rods, hunger, without proper clothing at times. He things of life and minimize the unimportant. himself tells us in another passage of scripture of a lot Page 14 The Way of Truth of what he suffered. Finally, according to tradition, he “Do you want to keep the bird, Aunt Becky?” Andrew was beheaded in Rome. He gave his life for his Savior. asked me. He said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, I looked at the little blue jay which was once again therewith to be content.” Contentment is part of being cowering in the corner of its cardboard prison. Suddenly, godly, and God’s grace will help us in every situation the years faded and I saw myself as a young girl about of life. Andrew’s age. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself holding Again, I realize there are physical conditions that a small box lined with scraps of cloth from my mother’s cause some people maybe, to be more anxious than sewing basket. Nestled in the cloth was a tiny bird that others, but I think all of us can profit from these points had just taken its last breath. “Why couldn’t I save it?” that I have brought to you this morning. I heard myself saying to my mother. The Christian is given the means to deal with “Wild baby birds aren’t meant to be raised by people,” anxiety. We have in Christ one who has promised us my mother had answered. “They need to be with their never to leave us, nor forsake us, never to let us be own kind.” tempted above that which we are able to bear, but will “But he fell out of his nest,” I cried, tears rolling with every temptation make a way of escape. So the down my cheeks. “I wanted to rescue him!” Christian is given means whereby he can face anxi- My mother had shaken her head. “Some things just ety. can’t be helped,” she answered. “Nature has its own I trust that these thoughts will be received without rules.” you thinking that I’m picking or criticizing anyone, for And so my sisters and I had gotten a shovel from I dare say that most all of us face anxiety from time to the shed and dug a little hole under our favorite tree. time. But the more we learn to trust in God, the more We buried the little bird and placed flowers over its  victorious we will be over anxiousness. grave. All these things I remembered now as I stood look- ing down into my nephew’s earnest young face. “No,” I said slowly, “I don’t want to keep the bird. I have nowhere THE to put him.” Andrew picked up the bird again. There was love in his hands as he cradled the warm, blue-feathered CHILDREN’S body with its fast-beating heart. There was a new resolve in his face as a dream was born. I can take this little bird home and raise it, I could tell he was thinking to CORNER himself. I can research to find out what kind of food it eats. I can build a cage for it to live in until it learns to LETTING GO fly well. This little bird is going to love me. It will come to me and eat from my hand. No other blue jay in our A Bible Lesson by Sis. Rebecca Bland yard has ever done that, but this one will. It will be my very own special pet. “Aunt Becky, do you want to see what I found?” my I am afraid that my next words shattered Andrew’s nephew, Andrew, asked me. He was holding a large dream. “You should take the bird back down to the cardboard box. I shaded my eyes as I gripped one side woods and let him go,” I said. “He is strong enough to of the box. Although the sun shone brightly, strong survive on his own if you put him back where you found gusts of wind had been blowing all afternoon, whipping him. If you were to let him go here in the yard, he would through the yard where we had tried to have a picnic be visible to all kinds of predators. In the woods, he can lunch. hide in the bushes while he strengthens his flying skills. “What did you find?” I asked him. His parents might even watch over him, because that “It’s a bird,” he answered, reaching into the box and is what they often do, even after their fledglings leave picking up a young blue jay. The little bird looked the nest.” around with its bright eyes and struggled to release Andrew’s face clouded as he struggled to let go of itself from Andrew’s cupped hands. his dream of raising the blue jay as his very own. “Even “Where did you find it?” I asked him. if it were legal to keep wild birds,” I continued, “you “It was down there,” Andrew said, pointing to the would wear yourself out trying to raise this little one. woods. “It must have been blown out of its nest by the He would need to be fed every twenty minutes—all day wind.” long. Would you want to stop your play that often to “Or maybe the bird tried to fly and didn’t quite make feed him? What if you wanted to go somewhere? Who it,” I said. “It looks old enough to be a fledgling, and it would feed the little bird for you? And what if you for- has its flight feathers.” got a couple of feedings now and then? He would starve Andrew’s fingers relaxed, and the jay fluttered its to death. The blue jay parents will never forget to feed wings. A sudden gust of wind carried the little bird out him and look after him. God created them to take care of my nephew’s hands and into the air. The young blue of their own. jay landed on the grass and began to cross the lawn in “That reminds me of another reason it would not long, half-flying hops. Andrew and his little sister, be a good idea to keep the bird. If you were successful Kristen, chased after the bird and caught it, returning in keeping it alive, you would ‘imprint’ yourself upon it to the box. the blue jay. It would begin to perceive you as its par- August 2016 Page 15 ent. It would become dependent upon you for the rest of its life. Some blue jays live for more than fifteen THE VALUE OF years. You’re already ten years old. Would you want to be this blue jay’s parent even after you were grown up to be an adult?” TIME Andrew held the bird a few moments more, and then slowly placed him in the box. Kristen reached By the late J. Grant Anderson down to pick up the blue jay, but Andrew stopped her. “No, Kristen,” he said. I could hear the sorrow in his voice. “Don’t touch him anymore. We have to put him back where he belongs.” AYS, weeks, months, and years constitute these Andrew’s sadness touched my heart, but I knew I D divisions of duration by which we measure the had been right to tell him the truth about the blue jay. length of natural life. Time indeed is valuable, From my own knowledge and experience, I had given because during the span of human existence is sealed him counsel and instruction so that he could make a the destiny of all mankind. Recently a large moving wise decision. van backed up to our neighbor’s house, and I asked our In Proverbs 19:20 we read, “Hear counsel, and receive neighbor what he intended to do. He informed me that instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” he was moving to a certain city where he expected to None of us knows everything. We are dependent upon make his future home. He further stated that opportu- the good advice of others who care about us and want nities were greater in that place, and that in a few years to help us avoid making mistakes that we will regret. he would be independently rich. That very night a Boys and girls, heed the advice that your parents swiftly running passenger train struck the moving van, and church leaders give you. Sometimes their advice and the poor man who a few hours before was bubbling may be to let go of something you really want to have over with enthusiasm was hurled to his death. Then I or do. But remember that good advice often comes from remembered the words of James 4:13-15, which seemed those who have learned by sad experience. Our verse to me at that hour as the greatest warning in the Word in Proverbs reminds us that we will become wise if we of God. James says: “Go to now, ye that say, Today or listen to the instruction and counsel of those who care tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there about our well-being. a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? Activity It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and The Bible is full of wise counsel and instruction that then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the is invaluable to us all, regardless of our age. See if you Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” can complete the following pieces of advice that are found in the Bible. After each item, there is a scripture MEN APPEAR TO HAVE PLENTY OF TIME location you can use to check your answers. When the springtime rains have covered the low- lands with water, until one can hardly get about, water “Lay up for yourselves ______” (Matthew 6:20). is but little appreciated; but along in August, when, for “Remember now thy Creator in the days ______lack of rain, the landscape is brown and vegetation is _____” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). dying, oh, how we long for and appreciate a few hours “Fear God and ______” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). of refreshing rain. Thus it is in life. When young and “A good name is rather to be chosen ______happy and nature’s reservoir of vital forces is overflow- _____” (Proverbs 22:1). ing, when life seems to be one endless song of delight, “If thine enemy be hungry, ______time seems to be but little appreciated; but later on, _____” (Proverbs 25:21). upon that sad day when the attending doctor walks away from your bed and says, “I can do no more for Answer to Last Month’s Activity you,” when the patient nurse informs the family that “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel it is a matter of only a few moments, when earthly of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor scenes and faces are slowly—and forever—fading from sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”—Psalm 1:1.  view, then if not before, a proper value will be placed upon time. A man who had allowed time to pass by Stories from “The Children’s Corner” unheeded, when told that he must die, exclaimed, “The world would I give if I only had yesterday back again.” By the late Wanda Craig But yesterday was forever gone. Sis. Wanda Craig passed into glory in December THE WORLD A STAGE 2007. Her first story for children was printed in the April There was a time in my younger days when I thought 2000 issue of The Way of Truth. Her last one was printed that this great world was a platform upon which life in April 2011. We have compiled them all in a new 216 acted out its part alone. Everyone about me was busy and seemed to be full of activity. On the way to school page book which is spiral bound. This new book is avail- with my brother and sister I could see the wild flowers able for US$10 plus $3 postage. Send your order today! growing, and the fields of waving grain appeared like No international orders, please. animated beings, as the wild winds swayed the tender stalks; the old tree in front of the schoolhouse appeared Page 16 The Way of Truth to me like a mighty giant that had defied a thousand both a physical and moral nature, are behind us, forever storms. About that time some event occurred that pushing us out into the future, where all must go, but changed the course of my reasoning, for a dark shadow from whence none return. suddenly crossed the pathway of my life. First, a little If one had ten miles to go to catch a train and had boy with whom I had played for years died suddenly, only sufficient time at his disposal, and if by missing which, to me, was a terrible shock. Next I witnessed the train he would be left behind forever, he certainly the death of an uncle, and soon my grandfather passed would improve every moment, and allow no time to be away. I remember hearing the minister say at one of misspent. Suppose he should be misdirected and lose the funerals that everything which lives must die; so ten minutes upon a wrong road, what then? He had the next day, on my way to school, I said to the wild only time enough to make the journey before he lost flowers, “You, too, must die,” and instinctively I knew those valuable ten minutes. If he succeeds now, he must that soon the reaper would cut down the fields of wav- also make up lost time, and so he quickens his pace ing grain. I said to the big tree, among whose branches and hurries on. It is the same upon the journey of life. the birds were singing, “You, too, will feel the sting of Beginning upon the day that we cross over that invis- death.” I also marked the sparrow’s fall. ible line from childish innocency to moral accountabil- As I grew older, I became more and more familiar ity to God, we only time enough to gain the celestial with the laws of life and death. Stars die. It is said that city, if we improve every hour, day, and year of our lives. conflagrations have been seen far away in the distant Many (all of us adults), sad to say, have been misdirected ether, so that astronomers have marked the funerals of by the enemy of our souls, and have lost much valuable worlds—the consuming of those mighty orbs—which we time upon the wrong road. If the reader is yet unsaved, had imagined as set forever in sockets of silver to glisten he must hasten to God while the doors of mercy are as the lamps of eternity—they pass away, and are no still open; the backslider must arise and quickly return more. “The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, unto his Father’s house; and the neglectful Christian but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, must hurry and complete the task given him to do, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth,” and the before the night comes when no man can work. inspired writer, James, continues, that the same laws of TIME FLEETING dissolution are applicable to the human race. Broken columns stud the ages, telling the sad story of unfinished A friend met me at the depot in a certain city and work of man. He began, but was overtaken by death, invited me to spend the night at his home. I gladly and the work was never completed. Man is running a accepted the invitation and spent a pleasant evening race with death. He may seek a higher altitude, a bal- with the family. A few weeks later I was met at the anced ration, and perfect sanitation, but he can escape same depot by the same person, and upon this occasion death only temporarily. The old must die, but death may he said, “Will you come up to the house?” I noticed the be as near the young as he is the old; so all should be peculiar phraseology of his invitation, and when we fully prepared—prepared to meet their God. arrived at the house, with salty tears running down over his cheeks he told me the details of the sudden TIME A GIFT FROM GOD death of his companion, who had so kindly entertained Time is valuable because it is lengthened out to us me a few weeks before. What stirred the deeper feelings one hour at a time by a loving Creator. Time is not on of my heart were his words of bitter regret. “Oh, if I the market, and cannot be bought or sold. The great only had her back,” he cried, “I would treat her with issue before us, however, is not how long we shall live, more consideration. The girl whom I took from her but how well. It is not the quantity of time, reckoned parental home, who gave her best to me, now lies cold by months and years, but the quality of our acts, deter- in her dusty bed.” He took me out to the cemetery, and mined by the motives that prompted us to do and say. I saw the new-made mound all covered with beautiful The story of that queen who, it is alleged, offered the flowers. Nothing in particular was said; but I thought wealth of her kingdom for a moment of time is worthy of that oft-quoted phrase, “A rose to the living is more of earnest consideration, because those sixty seconds than garlands of flowers to the dead.” for which she offered millions, but could not buy, were THE BREVITY OF LIFE the same measurements of duration which she allowed to pass idly by, in her former days. I visited the studio The fathers of old all but exhausted their vocabulary of a sculptor who had just completed a figure of a in describing the brevity of human existence. They woman, whose hair was hanging over her face, and who compared the brief period that we call life to a shadow, had wings under her arms. Astonished at her strange which now may be seen, and in a moment is gone. One appearance, I inquired the meaning, and was told that writer likens life unto an eagle that hovers over the the statue represented Opportunity, which is seldom hilltops, watching the unsuspecting quarry, when, sud- recognized, and when passed has gone forever. denly without warning, she darts as swiftly as the lightning’s flash, catches, and soars aloft with the life- A FORCED JOURNEY less prey. They illustrated its brevity by a hand’s We had no choice in the selection of our parents nor breadth, a swiftly moving messenger, and Moses, when of the beginning of our existence. We find ourselves reviewing the past, declared that we spend our years today created intelligences, beings possessed with rea- as a “tale that is told.” soning faculties, traveling upon a pathway over which A babe was born into our family some time ago, but we cannot return. We must go on. We pass this way but he lived upon earth only one short day. The sun rose once; we cannot retrace our steps. Immutable laws, of and set but once in his short life. Verily, to him life was August 2016 Page 17 but a step from the cradle to the grave. The sacred writer in speaking of a long lifetime declared: “The days IF of our years are three score years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their Radio strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we Message by fly away, ... so teach us to number our days, that we GOD may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:10-12). Bro. THE END OF TIME BE James Arch It is appointed unto man to die, and upon that day of physical dissolution, the period of duration we call time comes to an end. With the passing of time, the FOR door of opportunity also closes forever. Who would dare dispute the words of the Master, who declared, “Ye ... shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” US (John 8:21)? Death is not an accident of nature, but comes by WILL BE reading from the 5th chapter of the book intelligent appointment, as a penalty for sin, and for of Matthew. In fact, I will be taking most of my the inner man is only a change of location, and not of I thoughts from the Beatitudes, but I’ll also read condition. At physical death, the dust returns to dust, from Romans, chapter 8. Matthew 5:11, 12: “Blessed and the spirit returns to God who gave it. The natural are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, body is dissolved and returns to its former conditions, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for and may assume other forms in vegetable, animal, or my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is mineral; but the spirit, or soul, of man being immortal your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the (see II Corinthians 4:16, 18), will exist on and on while prophets which were before you.” Romans 8:24-26, 31, ceaseless ages roll. The Bible speaks clearly upon the 32: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is subject, that there is no power in death or the grave to not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope absolve from guilt, for it states emphatically, “He that for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with is unjust [in life], let him be unjust still [beyond death]: patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth ... he that is holy [in life], let him be holy still [beyond our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray death]” (Revelation 22:11). Time, then, is man’s proba- for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh interces- tionary period, and to neglect its opportunities of mercy sion for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” will result in eternal loss. Verses 31, 32: “What shall we then say to these things? Reader, your future destiny depends upon the use  If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared you make of time, so improve it well. not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how —From the book, Problems of Eternal Moment, shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” 1921. What I want to emphasize today are the words taken from the 31st verse of Romans 8: “If God be for us, who EXCERPTS FROM THE 1957 WAY OF TRUTH can be against us?” SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON The purpose of this message is not to focus on ridi- “God will not always put up with America’s wicked- cule or persecution or anything else Christians may be ness. Unless this nation of ours turns from her wicked experiencing, but to focus on the positive side; that is: ways, God will pour out His wrath and we may be visited wherever we may find ourselves, or in whatever we with the ravages of war. We who know the Lord in the may find ourselves, God is with us, and His comforting forgiveness of sins need to pray earnestly for our nation promises continue to give us the courage to go on. If that we might have a godly president who would do as you read the Bible, you will find where God’s people King Josiah did, and use his every influence to stop us in went through a lot of problems, trials, and afflictions. th our mad rush to destruction (II Kings 22 and 23). This is If you read the 11 chapter of Hebrews, you will see what is called, “The Heroes of Faith.” You will catch a a far more serious matter than we think. God will not much glimpse of what some of those went through as well, longer withhold His wrath.” and what they accomplished by faith in God. Seeing this was the condition of our nation 59 years When Moses, who was a great leader, was leading ago, how much worse is its condition now! How shall we the children of Israel toward the promised land, he escape (as a nation) if we neglect so great a salvation? didn’t have a small task; but when Moses needed some- I hope you will publish this and preach it and use it as one to help him, he depended on the One he had honored, God will direct. Awake, America! and God honored Moses. Let me tell you, God came to —Submitted by Sis. Rachel Slate, Decatur, Alabama his rescue, and God delivered the children of Israel through a number of things. God delivered them through the Red Sea. “If God be for us, who can be P.S. Should we be taken over by ISIS or other terrorists, against us?” do we have the needed grace to choose the Lord even if it In the midst of the severest of opposition, Nehemiah cost us our lives? A song says: “What would you give in proved God was with him, and he rebuilt the wall in a exchange for your soul?” very short time. He had four or five opponents who Page 18 The Way of Truth opposed his work and the rebuilding of the wall. They after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Whatever laughed at him and scoffed in fact, but Nehemiah kept you want, you have to go after it. If you want anything on going. He kept on rebuilding the old wall, and he from God, you have to go after it, too. I am amazed and did the task that he was set out to do. appalled at what I see in the world today, and the When Daniel decided to stand true to God, God stood decrease in spiritual hunger and thirst. I’m sorry, but with him. The song says: “Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to that’s a fact. There seems to be a decline in reaching stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make out for that which is spiritual. You see, there’s a differ- it known.” ence between being religious and being a Christian. Paul and Silas were in prison, but God shook the There’s a difference between just being religious and old prison door open, and the keeper of the prison called being a Christian who is living a deep, solid, sound out, “What must I do to be saved?” Let me tell you Christian life for the Lord. something, Friends, God does things that other people We will reap what we sow. “Blessed are the merciful: cannot do. for they shall obtain mercy.” It’s good to be good, loving, When all forsook Paul, the Lord stood by him. If and kind. You’ll reap the same things. you read the last chapter of II Timothy, you will find Only the sincere and clean will see the Lord. Don’t where Paul said, “At my first answer no man stood with let anyone tell you otherwise. Verse 8 of Matthew 5: me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see be laid to their charge.” The Lord saw him through. God.” The Bible tells us that Christians have more things Those who put forth the effort to live in peace would going for them than they might think. The text that I be called Christians. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for read here from Matthew 5 is, of course, a part of the they shall be called the children of God.” Do you know Sermon on the Mount. We speak about the Beatitudes the Bible says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in here. It uses the word blessed in all of the verses. you, live peaceably with all men”? There are some Beatitude means, “supreme blessedness or happiness.” people you cannot reason with nor bargain with. You Underneath all that you are going through as a Chris- have to turn your back and leave the company, otherwise tian, you can have a happiness, a blessedness, and a you might get into trouble; but the Bible does say, “As peace that no one can rob you of and take from you. So much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” So not everything is against Christians. There is more there are times that we have to exercise some extra going for us sometimes than we might imagine. There patience and grace and the love of God in our hearts. might be more going for Christians than against them. Christians are different. Christians must show a dif- Jesus always knows what we need and when it is best ferent attitude in problems. for us. He never makes a mistake. The two verses that I read as a text came from verses Jesus had something to say at this time. The fifth 11 and 12 of Matthew 5: “Blessed are ye, when men chapter of Matthew has what is commonly known as shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all “The Sermon on the Mount,” and it is one of the most manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, beautiful sermons you can read. “And seeing the mul- and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in titudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his before you.” So this is not nothing new. Very few of us mouth, and taught them.” We find that humility would these days, in this part of the world at least, go through help us to stay in the kingdom. “Blessed are the poor much persecution, but we go through criticism and in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The ridicule. What people say about Christians that is true Christian life is based on humility, and it will finish is not persecution. The Bible is speaking about that with humility. which is falsely talked about Christians. Whatever we are troubled with, or disappointed Persecution could be depriving people of their rights. about, Jesus will bring comfort. “Blessed are they that A lot of people are suffering that kind of persecution in mourn: for they shall be comforted.” There is more to the world today. It can be in the form of some kind of mourning than the passing of a loved one or friend. You gossip or tongue-lashing, too, that people give Chris- have a lot of people in the world who are hurting. A lot tians; but whatever it is, Jesus said, “Rejoice.” I don’t of people are disappointed with life. Things didn’t work suppose it is so easy to rejoice under those conditions, out the way they thought they would. Oh, all kinds of but that is what Jesus said, not Bro. James. Those are things come upon us! Life can deal some hard blows on the words of Jesus. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for the human family. All of a sudden we’re going so hap- great is your reward in heaven.” pily, and then something obstructs our path on our To rejoice, and be exceeding glad means that a wonderful life and the scene changes. We become sad, Christian is pleased that either he or she was able to downhearted, and we begin to mourn. suffer these things for Christ and endured and tri- There are parents today who are crying for their umphed over them. It means more to being a Christian children. They are wondering where their children are. than a lot of people think. It means more than just There’s a song which says, “Oh, where is my wandering going to services on Sunday or any other day. Christian- boy tonight?” I wonder where some of them are tonight. ity is a life. It is a walk with God. It is a beautiful Where are our girls? Whatever we are troubled with, life! or disappointed about, He will comfort us. What do we have going for us? Is everything nega- Those who show interest in spiritual health will be tive? Is everything against Christians? No! One thing rewarded. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst we can be assured of: Jesus will never leave us, nor August 2016 Page 19 forsake us. Yes, that’s one thing we can look forward to attempts to accuse, as they already belong to him. He and believe. He will never, never leave us. Do you want accuses the innocent and excuses the guilty. a good Companion? You can look to Him. When you get The accusing spirit is generally so well disguised lonely, you have a good Companion. Jesus cares and that persons unaccustomed to his wily tricks are easily understands. When other people don’t care and under- deceived by him. Accusations often seem so real that it stand, He understands and cares all about us. “What is hard for the over-conscientious soul to discriminate a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to between accusations and real conviction. Satan will bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in come with a load of accusations and without asking prayer!” permission will unload them at the door of some con- Jesus is One who will stand by you through thick scientious child of God whom he thinks too feeble to and thin. When you’re down in the valley, He will be remove them; and if he meets with any resistance, he with you. When you’re up on the mountain, He will be will at once transform himself into an angel of light with you. Thank God! “If God be for us, who can be and strike his victim with the fear that he may grieve against us?” Do you know what Jesus said? “I will build the Lord. Satan will cast an accusation at a soul, and my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail if inquiry is made as to where it comes from, he will against it.” “Greater is he that is in you, than he that reply at once that it comes from God. He often contin- is in the world.” There is power in the blood of Jesus, ues this deception for many days and weeks, and not only to save a soul, but to keep one. sometimes for years, before he is detected. Jesus is Someone we can trust in. His ways are Under the awful accusing powers of the devil, souls higher than our ways. Thank God, He is not like man. often hope for death to relieve them of their anguish. He is God. We could never be Him; but think about it, But even here Satan appears and says, “You cannot us, just puny human beings can gain audience from die, and you will never be free from these awful feelings, this great God. He can listen to the cries of His children and even if you were to die, you are unprepared.” Under like He did along the road when blind Bartimaeus called such torment the nerves are often wrecked and the out to Him, “Lord, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped reason almost dethroned, and still Satan is not satis- and listened to the cries of that lone soul. fied. Accusing spirits can never be satisfied. If you are At the well of Samaria, where Jesus was weary and accused of committing sin and you undertake to repent, foot sore, He stopped and listened to the story of a the devil will then say that you are not repenting right, woman. He will do the same thing today if you will cry that your heart is not in it, or you are just going through out to Him. The same God I’m talking about will be a form. If Satan can get you to give up and try to repent, with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. he will then say, “You had a much better experience Thank God for those precious promises that we can before than you now have, and it would have been much  stand on today. better if you had not given it up.” Accusations very often get people into the most rigorous bondage. For instance, Satan will impress you to do some certain thing—possibly to speak to someone concerning salvation—and say, “If you do not obey, you ACCUSATIONS will lose your soul.” Such suggestions are usually made when it would be unreasonable or impossible to obey them, then Satan will say, “You have grieved the By the late D. O. Teasley Lord.” It is almost enough to drive insane anyone who will HAT I am about to write has a very dark appear- listen to the repeated accusations of the devil. The past ance, and lest the reader might conclude that experience abandoned, the present one unsatisfactory, W such an experience is the unavoidable lot of every and but little hope for the future, the soul sighs and Christian, I must say that it is not. No one who will reels the load, supposing that God is grieved away when begin right, and begin in time, to cast aside the sug- it is only Satan’s lie. gestions of Satan need not suffer such things. Life is Satan is very cautious in his approaches. He will largely made up of habits, and only those who get into not present too much at once, lest he should be detected; the habit of listening to impressions and ignoring rea- and yet when the proper time comes, he will present son and their better judgment are likely to fall into the the most unreasonable things possible. He generally ditch of accusations about to be described. begins by suggesting that you are not sanctified. If he To those who are in this dark pit there seems no can get you to believe this, he will begin to argue as way of escape, and of all persons in this world who need follows: “Now, you know you could not lose sanctifica- the encouragement and the prayers of God’s people, tion without losing all, so you are unsaved and will those who are tormented with accusations need them have to repent.” On this you give up and begin to try most. I say tormented, because to be accused by Satan to repent; but as you cannot think of anything of which is the purest type of torment and is akin to the torment to repent, you will possibly conclude that you are all of hell. None but those who have felt the living torture right after all. At this juncture Satan again appears on of accusation can realize the depth of suffering inflicted the scene and suggests that even if you were all right thereby. And what is more cruel, the devil invariably in the first place, you are now backslidden, as you have imposes accusations on the most conscientious persons. doubted the Lord. After you have struggled on under Those who are hardhearted and stiffnecked he never these false impressions for a while, Satan will then Page 20 The Way of Truth advance far enough to tell you that you have committed Pennsylvania, Altoona, WFBG 1290, 9:00 A.M. the unpardonable sin and grieved the Holy Spirit 5,000 Watts—Heard in part of PA and MD entirely away. This lie is self-evident to all who are Pennsylvania, Martinsburg, WJSM 1110, 11:03 A.M. acquainted with the wiles of the devil, from the fact 1,000 Watts—Heard in part of PA Listen live—Go to www.wjsm.com that the one who has committed the unpardonable sin Pennsylvania, Martinsburg, WJSM-FM 92.7, 11:03 A.M. & 7:30 P.M. does not feel convicted. But many poor souls have 1,460 Watts—Heard in part of PA Listen live—Go to www.wjsm.com believed this falsehood and on account of it have been Tennessee, Chattanooga, WJOC 1490, 9:00 A.M. Sun. & 5:00 P.M. Sat. driven to the utmost bounds of human anguish. Mortal 1,000 Watts—Heard in part of TN, GA and AL Listen live—Go to www.wjoc.com tongue cannot frame words to describe the suffering of a soul thus accused of the devil. The imagination of Virginia, Blacksburg, WKNV 890, 8:00 A.M. Dante could not dream of a darker scene than this nor 10,000 Watts—Heard in part of VA, WV and NC could the brush of the most skilled artist paint a picture Virginia, Lynchburg, WKPA 1390, 1:30 P.M. Fri., 5:30 P.M. Sat. & 6:00 A.M. Sun. as dismal. 4,700 Watts—Heard in part of VA Probably the next bold step Satan will take is to Virginia, Lynchburg, WKPA-FM 106.7, 1:30 P.M. Fri., 5:30 P.M. Sat. & 6:00 A.M. Sun. suggest self-destruction, or suicide. And souls in this 250 Watts—Heard in part of VA awful state of mental anguish have been known to take Virginia, Roanoke, WKBA 1550,1:30 P.M. Fri., 5:30 P.M. Sat. & 6:00 A.M. Sun. their own lives, and so perish soul and body, when mercy 10,000 Watts—Heard in part of VA and WV was freely offered. Listen live—Go to www.wkbaradio.com The same vile spirit of the devil that will accuse you Virginia, Smithfield, WKGM 940, 6:30 A.M. about your own experience will, in order to cut off any 10,000 Watts—Heard in part of VA and NC possible help he may see coming your way, accuse oth- West Virginia, Summersville, WCWV 92.9, 8:30 A.M. ers to you and cause you to lose confidence in them, 50,000 Watts—Heard in part of VA and WV thus causing still greater discouragement.  —Reprinted from Rays of Hope, 1909. INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, Malaybalay, Valencia, Bukidnon, Mindanao Editor’s Note: Any unsaved soul that feels convicted DXWS-105.3 FM, Saturdays at 1:30 P.M. & Sundays at 2:30 P.M. for his sins, can rest assured he has not committed an unpardonable sin, for the Spirit would not convict him PHILIPPINES, Baguio, Luzon, DZBS-1368 AM, Saturday 7:30 A.M. if he could not be saved. Conviction is proof he can be. Heard throughout central Luzon PHILIPPINES, Sariaya, Quezon DZNG 107.7-FM 3:00 P.M. Sunday Listen live—Go to www.radyokaisahanary.ustream.tv Radio Log JAMAICA, MELLO-FM, 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 7:00 A.M. Sundays Heard throughout Jamaica; Listen live—Go to www.mellofmjamaica.com The Way of Truth Broadcast SHORTWAVE WWCR, Nashville, Tennessee 4.840 on SW band Alvin A. Craig, Radio Minister Sunday, 7:30 A.M. Eastern Time—12:30 G.M.T. Listen live—Go to www.wwcr.com Check the following listing to find a station near you that airs the truth and then tune in! WINB, Red Lion, Pennsylvania 9.320 on SW band Friday, 9:30 P.M. Eastern Time, Saturday, 9:30 P.M. Eastern Time—2:30 G.M.T. (Aired on Sundays unless otherwise noted.) Listen live—Go to www.winb.com Alabama, Mobile, WIJD 1270, AM & 95.7 FM 6:00 A.M. 5,000 Watts—Heard in part of AL, and MS Listen to The Way of Truth Broadcast at any Arkansas, No. Little Rock, KMTL 760, 10:30 A.M. time on the world-wide web at 10,000 Watts—Heard in part of AR, MO, TN, MS and LA Listen live—Go to www.kmtl760am.com www.wayoftruth.org Georgia, Augusta, WFAM 1050, 8:00 P.M. Wednesday &11:30 A.M. Sun. 5,000 Watts—Heard in part of GA and SC THE BIBLE STANDARD BROADCAST Illinois, Carmi, WROY 1460, 9:00 A.M. Church of God (Universal) James Arch, Pastor 1,000 Watts—Heard in part of IL and IN Radio Cayman 1:30 P.M. Sun. Grand Cayman Kentucky, Prestonsburg, WDOC 1310, 7:30 A.M. Listen live—Go to www.radiocayman.gov.ky 5,000 Watts—Heard in part of KY, WV and VA Louisiana, Ball, KWDF 840, 9:00 A.M. OUT OF BOX 88 10,000 Watts—Heard in part of TX, AR, MS and LA Sending a check for the Lord’s work. The Way of Truth North Carolina, Mooresville, WHIP 1350, 6:30 A.M. Sat. magazine is a blessing to us. May God bless you all and the 1,000 Watts—Heard in part of NC work there. Listen live—tunein.com/radio/whip-1350-s29320/ —J. & H. G., Missouri Oklahoma, Marlow, KFXI-FM 92.1, 7:00 A.M. Dear Brethren, 100,000 Watts—Heard in part of OK and TX Thank you for the wonderful holiness message. God bless Oklahoma, Sulphur, KFXT-FM 90.7, 8:30 A.M. your endeavors. 7,000 Watts—Heard in part of OK —D. M., Pennsylvania

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THE CHURCH OF GOD COMING MEETINGS STANDS FOR 2016 CAYMAN CONVENTION An eternal God Psalm 90:2 83A Walkers Rd. A divine Christ John 1:1, 14 George Town, Grand Cayman An infallibly inspired Bible II Timothy 3:16 Salvation from sin Matthew 1:21 November 22-27, 2016, Lord willing The new birth John 3:1-7 Bro. James Arch, Host Pastor Entire Sanctification Ephesians 5:25, 26  A holy life Titus 2:11, 12 Hebrews 12:10-14 2016 PHILIPPINE CONVENTION Unity of God’s people John 17:21 I Corinthians 12:13 Lacayanga, Paniqui, Tarlac Divine Healing James 5:14, 15 December 26-30, 2016, Lord willing The ordinances Matthew 28:19, 20 Bro. Rey Fabian, Host Pastor Eternal life Matthew 25:46 John 3:15; 6:54; 10:28  Eternal punishment Mark 9:43-46 Revelation 20:15 REPUBLIC OF BENIN CONVENTION Hego-Tamme Congregation YOU SHOULD KNOW MORE November 30-December 4, 2016, Lord willing ABOUT THE CHURCH OF GOD, Bro. Hessou H. Jean, Host Pastor THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Jesus bought it with His own blood Acts 20:28 ADD A NAME TO OUR MAILING LIST It has a good foundation Ephesians 2:20 If you know of someone you feel would appre- I Corinthians 3:11 ciate this magazine, feel free to send us the name. Christ is the Head Ephesians 1:22; 5:23 Please make sure he/she wants it and it won’t be Isaiah 9:6 refused. Christ is the Door John 10:9 NAME ______John 10:1 Acts 2:47 ADDRESS ______Only the saved are members John 15:2-6 I John 3:8, 9 ______Membership is offered to all II Peter 3:9 CITY ______Revelation 22:17 Membership is rewarded John 14:2, 3 STATE ______ZIP ______