Spiritual Tragedy

By Bill Hall

Melvin Gordon is dead. He loved his family, and was especially concerned for his sister who suffered from a serious kidney ailment. "I would do almost anything to restore my sister's health," he told his wife. So he drove to a local hospital, put a rifle muzzle to his head, and fired one shot. Pinned to his shirt was a note, "Get my kidney within one hour." A kidney, however, to be used for a transplant, must be taken at the moment of death and kept filled with flowing blood to avoid tissue deterioration. They found him too late. His kidneys could not be used. Melvin Gordon died in vain.

What a tragic story! And the story becomes doubly tragic in the realization that had Melvin Gordon taken the time to learn the facts, he could have helped his sister while continuing to live a normal life himself ! But, he acted according to his feelings, on impulse, and as a result he is dead and his sister continues to suffer from her kidney ailment. He died in vain ... because he didn't take the time to learn the truth.

The tragic story of Melvin Gordon is being spiritually re-enacted in the lives of millions of people throughout the world--people who are religious; who are zealous in their religion; who are giving liberally of their time, money, and talents; who would gladly die for the cause they have espoused; who both expect and desire to go to heaven; but people who have really given little consideration to what God has said concerning that which pleases Him. In fact, while many of them read the Bible every day, they frankly admit that they have little knowledge as to what the Bible teaches. They have plunged headlong into some cause without demanding book, chapter, and verse to show God's authority behind that cause.

These people vary widely in what they are doing. One person may have done one thing "to be saved," while another may have done something entirely different. One person may be caring for the day nursery for the church while another is playing on the church softball team. But the one thing they have in Common is that they are all "doing" without having taken the time to investigate what they ought to be doing.

Such action leads to spiritual tragedy.

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23).

In the judgment, the question will not be, "Were you religious?" but, "Did you do the will of the Father in heaven?" Only those who are diligently studying God's will and are doing it can face that judgment with confidence. Don't give your life in vain. (Via Gospel Power, October 2012) &

Two Men Disagree

With the Preacher

By Bill Hall

Two men disagree with the preacher. They have both been taught that they are not just to "swallow" everything the preacher says; that they are to think for themselves. They are to be commended, therefore, for their careful evaluation of what is taught.

The key words with the first man, however, are, "It seems to me." All teaching is judged according to his own thinking, as to whether or not it makes sense to him.

The key words with the second man are, "What does God say about it?" He desires truth and knows that truth can only be found in God's word (John 17:17). If he disagrees with the preacher, he does so because he is convinced the preacher has misused a passage of scripture or has failed to consider a scripture that might affect his conclusion. He comes with an open Bible and an open mind, prepared to defend his position or to yield if he sees that it is indefensible.

The first man exalts self. He places too much confidence in his own thinking. He may do so unconsciously, but in reality he makes his own intellect and experience his god. His thinking is reflected in the words of Naaman, "Behold, I thought," words that would have taken Naaman to a leper's grave had it not been for the admonition of his servants (2 Kings 5:1-14).

The second man exalts God. His confidence is in what God says in the scriptures. He recognizes that his own intellect and experience fade into nothingness when placed in the brightness of the light of truth. A "thus saith the Lord" ends all controversy with him. His thinking is reflected in that of the Bereans who "were more fairminded than those in Thessalonica, in that they...searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Unless the first man changes his attitude he is hopeless.

He is susceptible to all manner of false ideas. He cannot come to know God and His truth through his own wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21). He must throw his own wisdom, intellect, and experience aside; he must become poor in spirit, meek before Go d, mourning, hungering and thirsting for righteousness; he must bow in submission to the Lord and to His word. He must say with Paul, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?'" (Romans 11:33-34).

The second man is a blessed and fortunate man indeed, for he will learn the truth that will make him free (John 8:32). Unfortunately, he is a rare man in the twentieth century. But he does exist—and he can exist even in the man who is presently reading this article. What a challenge to each of us! After all, it is one thing to disagree with a preacher, but quite another thing to disagree with Almighty God! (Via Gospel Power, November 2012) &

David: A Man after God’s Own Heart

(Acts 13:22)

By Bob Myhan

In this verse, David received one of the greatest commendations any man ever received from God. David was not only “a man after God's own heart;” he was also a hero of all the people of Israel. What made David so great?

David remembered God in his youth. If we remember God in our youth, we will be more likely to remember Him in our old age (Eccl. 12:1, 2). His father obviously taught him about God (Eph. 6:4). David was anointed King while still a young man (1 Sam. 16:12, 13). Rather than sowing their "wild oats," the young should flee "youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22).

David had great faith and trust in Yahweh to physically deliver him in battle against Goliath (1 Sam. 17:37) and to provide his spiritual needs (Psalm 23). He refused to kill Saul, though he had means, motive and opportunity to do so (1 Sam. 24:10); rather, he waited on the Lord.

David was spiritually minded. He prayed often. He praised God often. He sacrificed willingly unto the Lord (2 Samuel 24:24). He was truly penitent when he realized the enormity of his sin (2 Sam. 12:1-14).

It may be too late for some to remember your Creator in the days of your youth because your youth is gone. Nevertheless, you can still remember Him in the days of your old age. You can have faith in Him and trust Him to do as He has said. You can also be spiritually minded, if you desire. You too can be a person “after God’s own heart.” &

Where Are The Children?

By Tom Leavins

The real Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Benjamin, and Allison went back to God who gave them life. – Ecclesiastes 12:7

That very morning they were carried by angels to a place Jesus called Paradise without any strife. – Luke 16:22; 23:43

They are comforted in Heaven with an existence greater by far (Philippians 1:20-23),

Standing innocent in the presence of God without one scar. – Matthew 19:14

These children of Newtown are now with their angels that on earth had so much concern. – Matthew 18:10

And one day with the Lord and His angels they shall return. – 1 Thessalonians 4:14

They left their friends on earth, but of children Heaven is full.

To praise God and Christ in Their presence does have its pull. – 2 Corinthians 5:6-9; Revelation 4:9-11; 5:5-14

They walk with Jesus in white for they are not defiled (Revelation 3:4), and He shall wipe away all their tears. – Revelation 7:17

And we will joy in all the wonderful memories of them through the years.

But what good for us that they leave us now?

The Word of God so motivates us to live in Christ so we will live with them forever in Heaven and even shows us how. – 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words” every day.

For safe in the arms of Jesus they will ever stay.

God, our Father, please bless the families of the little children that leave this world too soon. (From Tom Leavins via email) & (Preaching for the Tri-City Church of Christ in Longwood, Florida 407-920-1757)