Betrayed
(by D.J. Higgins)

Friend, I stand in judgment now

And feel that you’re to blame somehow.

On earth, I waited with you day by day,

And never did you point the way.

 

You knew the Lord in truth and glory

But never did you tell His story,

My knowledge then was very dim,

You could have led me safe to Him.

 

Yes, I knew He’d made the earth,

But knew not of that second birth.

And now I stand this day condemned,

Because you failed to mention Him.

 

You taught me many things that’s true.

I called you “friend” and trusted you.

I learn, now that it’s too late,

You could have kept me from this fate.

 

We walked by day and talked by night,

And yet you showed me not the Light.

You let me live, and love, and die,

And knew I’d never live on high.

 

Yes, I called you “friend” in life,

And trusted you in joy and strife.

And yet, on coming to this end,

I cannot, now call you “my friend.”

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Brethren, are we truly being a “friend” to those who do not know the Lord?

[See: II Timothy 2:2; I Timothy 4:6; I Peter 4:11]

 

“Why I Am A Member Of The church Of Christ”

A.C. Grider (1912-1990)

 I didn’t join the church of Christ. I didn’t select the church of Christ as “my choice” from among many churches. It never occurred to me that I had a choice nor that I desired to make a choice of churches.

I started thinking about my spiritual condition down in Tennessee some years ago — several years ago and made up my mind that I should do something about it. I began to consider what the Lord wanted me to do. I started to study my Bible.

I found that I was a sinner and that Christ was THE savior. I found that if I were ever saved it would only be by Christ. I considered His word relative to what to do to be saved. He said I should repent, Luke 13:3, I did. He said I should confess Him, Matthew 10:32. I did. He said I should be baptized, Mark 16:16. I did. He said if I would do these things I would BE SAVED. I was. But the BIBLE taught that when I was saved the Lord added me to the church, Acts 2:47. He did.

Now, WHICH CHURCH did he add me to? HIS, Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:16. Thus I am a member of the church of Christ because I had NO CHOICE and wanted none. I just wanted to be saved. And I was!

Some people wish to teach us that faith and works are mutually exclusive. Not so! Faith and works are joined together, as we see in the book of Hebrews 11. Please read this chart below and see the connection between faith and works. -- Jarrod

 

                         Faith                                                          Works

Abel (v. 4)	Offered a more excellent sacrifice
Enoch (v. 5)	Pleased God
Noah (v. 7)	Moved with fear … Prepared An Ark
Abraham (v. 8-9)	Obeyed … Sojourned
Sarah (v. 11)	Conceived … delivered a child
Abraham (v. 17)	Offered up Isaac
Isaac (v. 20)	Blessed Jacob and Esau
Jacob (v. 21)	Blessed his sons … worshiped
Joseph (v. 22)	Gave commandment concerning his bones
Moses’ parents (v. 23)	Hid Moses as an infant … were not afraid of the king’s commandment
Moses (v. 24-28)	Refused Egypt … Choosing to suffer … Forsook Egypt … Kept the Passover
Israelite nation (v. 29-30)	Crossed the Red Sea … Compassed the walls of Jericho
Rahab (v. 31)	Received the spies
Numerous faith heroes (v. 32-38)	Subdued kingdoms … obtained promises … escaped the edge of the sword … many died for their faith!

The Founders And Early Leaders Of This Country Knew God ....
 

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

• “He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.”
• “God governs in the affairs of men; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, neither can a kingdom rise without his aid.” (See: Daniel 4:32, 5:21; Matt. 10:29, JJ)
• “If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world?” (See: Matt. 6:19-21, JJ)

George Washington (1732-1799)

• “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” (See: I Cor. 15:33, JJ)
• “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.”
   

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

• “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

• “All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible.”
• “I am not concerned whether God is on my side or not, but I am concerned whether I am on God’s side.”

 

.... Our Country’s Leaders Need To Know Him Today!

            When reading the Bible, we understand that the coming of Christ and our redemption from sin is the theme of the book. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me to see how this simple theme and a coming Savior can be so misunderstood by people not only in “Bible days,” but also today! Take note of the following.

In The First Century:

• Some expected Christ to be a military leader to overthrow Rome and rule in Jerusalem (Matt. 20:21; Jn. 6:15; Lk. 24:21; Acts 1:6).

• Some looked upon Christ as merely another prophet from God (Matt. 16:13-14; Jn. 4:19).

• Still others saw Christ as an imposter and rebellious to Abraham and the law of Moses (Jn. 5:45-47, 8:38-40, 53-58; Matt. 27:63).

• There were a few, though, who understood He is the Christ. (Jn. 3:2, 4:25-29, 42, 9:33-38)

Today:

• Christ is looked upon as merely a prophet by the Jews and Muslims.

• The millenialists still expect Christ to be an earthly ruler with a military campaign to defeat Satan and rule in Jerusalem.

• Others see Christ as their personal “genie,” granting wishes and providing earthly treasures. Such is the “gospel of health-and-wealth” taught by many today.

• There are also those who look upon Christ as the author and sustainer of the many varied and conflicting churches we see in the world.

            How many see Christ as He really is? He is our Savior (Lk. 19:10), and redeemer (Titus 2:14). He built only one church (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16). He has only one plan of salvation (Acts 2:38) which produces Christians only (Acts 11:26). He is a spiritual king concerned with our spiritual welfare. He wants us in Heaven with Him one day (II Pet. 3:9; Rom. 2:7-11).