Truth Magazine

By Paul K. Williams

It is no wonder so little personal work is being done. Just mention the subject, then stand back while the negative statements assail you from all directions. “No one will listen.” “They will think we are Jehovahs Witnesses… They will think we are Mormons.” “They are all Catholics… They are all Methodists.” “Nobody believes the Bible any more.” No doubt you have heard many others.

All our excuses are taken away when we listen to Jesus. He said, “Preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). He did not say, “Preach to them if they are not Catholics.” He did not say, “Preach if you are sure they wont think you are Jehovahs Witnesses.” He said, “Preach to every creature.”

God sent Ezekiel to Israel in captivity. God said, “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children; and you shall say to them, Thus says the Lord God. As for them, whether they listen or not-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 2:4-5).

We, too, must speak whether men listen or not. They must know that a prophet (true teacher of the Bible) has been among them. No excuse will do. The command is plain. We either preach to every creature or we disobey God.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 9, p. 2
January 4, 1973

By William R. John

As I sit here in my study at 3:35 A.M. on November 5, 1972, I have mixed emotions about what I am going to write. A few short hours ago, I was called to the home of Burl E. Russell by his son-in-law after Brother Russell had breathed his last breath of life apparently having experienced a heart attack.

I mention having mixed emotions because I have a desire to tell others (who may not know) that a child of God is free from the burdens of this world having had complete hope in life eternal; but all the while hesitating to write because I am limited to the information pertaining to his life which many people may wish to know.

While I am able to tell you his age (65 years old at death), I am unable to mention very many things, which are specific in nature. I do not know his date of birth or for that matter the exact time of death. While I know that he wrote numerous religious articles for publication, I cannot name every periodical, which may have published his articles; nor can I quote from or make comment about his writings. Of course, the funeral arrangements are still pending and while I know the name of the mortuary; the name would probably be unimportant to those who read this article. I have only known Burl for the past 12 years so I cannot convey to you anything regarding his earlier life, There are so many specifies which I do not know concerning his life that they are too numerous to mention. I realize that by waiting to a later date to write this article much of the missing details could be supplied by the proper research. However, the things which I know about the life of Burl E. Russell have benefited me and I believe are more important than anything mentioned above. The things I mention do not have to be researched but are quite vivid to those that knew him.

The greatest fact about the life of Burt Russell was the fact that he lived his life as a Christian. Burls interest was always in Christ and the church. He served in the kingdom of God as an elder and teacher while on occasion “doing the work of an evangelist. ” To those who are young in the faith (myself included), he was an example in practically every aspect of the Lords work. The words of Paul as expressed in Romans 1: 16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: . . .” were manifested by Burl in his deeds, in this thinking, in the words he spoke, and most certainly in the words he wrote.

Another important aspect of Burls life is that he was a good husband. Although his wife preceded him in death by some 9 months, I am convinced that his deep love for her lingered in his life. Burls wife was for several years an invalid having been weakened in mind and body by numerous strokes. This is where many have admired Burl the most. Although his wife surely was burdensome to his life, it was with love, compassion, patience, and understanding that he cared for her, never complaining about his plight in life. Brother Russell understood more than most men the words of the apostle in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

Burls life was also significant as a father and grandfather. He raised a daughter and a son who have recognized Christ as their Savior and have obeyed the gospel. In this point alone, so many fathers, even in the church, are disappointed. At every service, Burl would wait with open arms for his grandchildren. When they would come in the front door of the church building, he would greet them, hold them, and in his own way, love them. He enjoyed them immensely and they felt his love.

While Burls mortal remains are yet with us a few more days, his soul has taken leave on the journey back to the Father. We who knew him are somewhat stunned, but fully impressed with the brevity of our lives. The words of a song seem more and more important with each passing day. “Oh! for a home with God, a place in His courts to rest, sure in a safe abode with Jesus and the blest; Rest for a weary soul once redeemed by the Saviors love, where Ill be pure and whole and live with my God above!”

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 8, pp. 12-13
December 21, 1972

By Guthrie Dean

I. The Lord Is Unchangeable.

1. Christ is a Friend who never fails. The Son of man was called “a friend of publicans and sinners.” “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born of adversity.” “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Matt. 11:19; Prov. 17:17; 18:24).

2. His own affirmations. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “For I am the Lord, I change not.” (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5; Mal. 3:6).

3. What others have testified. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread… For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness.” (Psa. 37:25; Rom. 11:29; Num. 23: 19; 2 Pet. 3:9).

II. The Word Of The Lord Is Unchangeable.

1. The promise of a new covenant that would be everlasting. “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Ezek. 37:26-27; 2 Cor. 6:16).

2. This everlasting covenant is the gospel of Christ. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” “He that rejecteth me, and receivetb not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (Matt. 24:35; John 12:48; 1 Pet. 1:24-25).

III. The Kingdom Of The Lord Is Unchangeable.

1. The kingdom in prophecy and promise. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” “His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation… And the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” “Of the increase of his house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Dan. 2:44; 4:3; Micah 4:7; Dan. 7:14; Isa. 9:7; Lk. 1:32-33).

2. The kingdom in preparation and perfection. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” “Unto him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever… Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Matt. 16:18, Eph. 3:21; Heb. 2:28)

Conclusion: Directed by the unchanging word; governed and redeemed by the unchanging King; and as citizens of an indestructible kingdom; we have every reason to be optimistic in the midst of a world of turmoil, upheaval and confusion. We can truthfully say, with our beloved brother Paul: “None of these things move me.”

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 7, pp. 11-1
December 14, 1973

By Ronny Milliner

How often do you leave the church building with very little idea of what was said? When the preacher gives a series of sermons, do you find it hard recalling what was said the previous Sunday? If you have these and similar problems, the cause is probably poor listening on your part.

While looking through some old Readers Digests, I came upon an article in the April 1969 issue, which I believe, would be of great value to members of the church. This article was written by Donald E. Smith, the Director of the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry. In it he gave four steps to becoming a better listener.

Because of our constantly listening to lectures, sermons, and other types of speeches, I thought it would be good to present these helps for the readers consideration.

Learn to listen deeply. Many times during worship services we will be listening halfheartedly. When someone drops something, a baby cries, or the people in front of us begin to whisper, we quickly devote our attention to these things and lose what the speaker is saying. However if we strive to tune in only the speakers voice, then these distractions will not be as noticeable.

Teach your ego to hold its breath. How often have you found yourself thinking of what you plan to do after the services instead of thinking with the speaker on the things he is putting before you? We must give up our self-centeredness if we are going to become good listeners.

Be concerned. Certainly if we are not listening to what is being said, then our minds will begin to wander to some other area of thought. We all should be craving to study and learn more about the Word of God.

Practice patience. A person does not become a good listener overnight. It will take time and hard, patient work to improve and overcome badly developed habits.

It is hoped that each one will review his listening and comprehension ability, and try to improve them so as to gain more knowledge about religious matters.

“He that hath an ear let him hear.”

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 7, pp. 10-11
December 14, 1973