Truth Magazine

By Race Is Run

I received word on April 12, 1993 that brother David Joy passed from this life into eternity where he has gone to his reward. David married his wife Patty, the daughter of Paul Casebolt on August 11, 1973. To this union were born three children, Jeremy (18), Jennifer (15) and Micah (10). Nine years ago, brother Joy suffered a viral infection to the lining of his heart. He had to have a heart transplant to survive. For nine years, he has survived the heart transplant, at great medical expense and much suffering.

Brother Joy is one among several West Virginia preachers who have supported themselves in secular work and preached full-time as well. Brother Joy taught school at Paden City elementary and preached at Fly, Ohio (7 years) and Mellott Ridge (2).

David’s illness caused him to keep his priorities well-ordered. The burden of living for nine years with this disease has matured his children well beyond their years. Jeremy has been doing appointment preaching for four years. He is enrolled in West Virginia University in Morgantown where is studying to be a pharmacist.

The heavy burden of medical expense to the family was largely covered by David’s insurance company. Even what is left unpaid is beyond the family’s ability to pay. A later report will detail the expense and invite brethren to participate in relieving it. Too, we will give the details about his funeral, which are not available yet. However, if brethren would like to assist sister Joy or write her a note expressing their sympathies, they may contact her at the following address: Patty Joy, 313 S. 4th Ave., Paden City, WV 26159.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 11
May 6, 1993

By A Heartbroken Mother

Three months ago, I sat in a courtroom and heard a judge say, Twenty years! He was pronouncing sentence on my 2l -year-old son, a punishment for drinking, gambling and robbery, which ended in the shooting and near-death of a man. The sentence might have been less, but my son had a defiant attitude all through the trial, ridiculing every law officer who spoke to him. But the drowning, shocking climax came when the judge asked, “Young man, dont you believe in God?” My son Laughed aloud as he said, “God? Whos that?”

Every eye in the courtroom turned and looked at me, [went to Sunday school when [was small and had learned all about God. After I married, decided to go again and take the children, but could not persuade my husband to go; but the children and I went regularly for a year. Then I skipped two or three services and then went only on special times. Soon I joined a recreation team and competed on Sunday afternoons. I couldnt go to church and get ready in time to play and sports was so much fun. If only I had those years to live over!

Night after night since that court trial, I have walked the floor with the words, “God?, Whos that? in my ears. When I think of the wasted years of having fun instead of meeting God at his appointed place, Lam sick with shame, am trying to make restitution by urging other people to go. So many say they do not believe in making a child go to church if he doesnt want to go. But how many would go to school f they were not made to go Ask any child that question.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 11
May 6, 1993

By John Shadowens

On Thursday evening December 17, 1992, an interview was conducted on Prime Time Live with the Doctor Billy Graham. I have always admired this man for his ability to keep his audience’s attention. He is a powerful speaker with a great amount of influence. It was stated that he had preached to the largest audience on record at one time. I have marveled many times at the size of the audience, filling football stadiums upwards of 80,000. Isn’t this amazing? This man has rubbed elbows with several Presidents of the United States, praying with them, and probably advising them on certain things. Look at the influence that Dr. Graham has had on untold numbers of people.

Mr. Graham stated in the interview that he has felt like a failure in his ministry and his preaching. While I can appreciate his humility, I have to say unequivocally, that Mr. Graham is a false teacher. What is a false teacher? A false teacher is one who teaches something that is not true, whether deliberately or not. There are those today who say that a man is not a false teacher, if he doesn’t know he is teaching things not true. I disagree with this definition. Anyone can be a false teacher if he is teaching things untrue, especially when it comes to the word of God.

Mr. Graham stated that he only wanted to please one, that being Jesus Christ. Granted, he has preached Christ for a number of years; however, he has not declared the en-tire counsel of God. He has always stopped short of God’s plan of salvation. He has preached a faith only doctrine for years. I wonder if he had preached the entire counsel of God

“If we really want to

please God, we must keep his commandments.

The whole counsel of God must be declared.

Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ did not

keep back anything that was profitable to

them.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 13
May6,1993

By J. Wiley Adams

.

 . I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). “. and this the victory that overcometh the world,, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4).

Numerous were the times during the earthly ministry of Jesus when he called attention to outstanding faith in the lives of specific individuals. It is also true that he focused on cases of little faith, even among his closest disciples.

How important is Faith? We cannot please God without it (Heb. 11:6). It is predicated upon the word of God (Rom. 10:17). The just shall “walk by faith” (2 Cor. 5:7). This is to say that in order to please God we must trust him and do his will. This is faith in action. This is Bible faith.

Although Christians know all of this, still we are plagued in Christ’s church in that we are lacking in proper faith. We either have a lack of faith, our faith is small, or our faith is weak. Why is this so? It may be that the flesh is weak while the spirit is willing. It may be that we do not under-stand what it means to really turn ourselves over to God and truly trust him. It may be we allow fears and anxieties to over-rule the scene. It may mean that we need to study more in the Scriptures. Perhaps it means that we have not exercised our faith. It could mean any or all of this. Just what is our own problem on this score?

Why are ye fearful? Jesus asked his disciples this question on one occasion and then accused them of having “little faith” (Matt. 8:26). The word “fearful” as it is used at this place means “cowardly” or “timid.” It is not so much that we often tremble, as did they, but what we let fear and trembling do to us. It is what we do in spite of the fear that makes the difference.

Jesus, in anticipation of his impending suffering on the cross, was in agony of spirit and sweated profusely as he thought about it. However, he resigned himself to what must be and prayed more fervently (Lk. 22:4). In spite of his sorrow, his heaviness of spirit, his agony of soul, Jesus over-came. He left it in the hands of the Father. “Thy will be done,” he said.

We need to let our faith be stronger than our fears. Jesus did that. Surely, this should serve as an example to us. It demonstrates the power of faith. Preachers and elders and all of us are sometimes faced with weighty matters, decisions, and problems. The making of these decisions and the solving of these problems in favor of God’s truth could bring down the wrath of evil men upon us. It could arouse op-position from false brethren. The very thought of it all might make us quake all over, that is, if we just dwell on it and brood. We might need, as Jesus, to pray all night. The more intense the agony, the more intense and fervent the prayers must be. As Jesus emerged from the garden, his all night prayer vigil had calmed his spirit. Christ had put it into the hands of the Father. Now he was ready for whatever would happen.

Likewise, as we agonize with fears, anxieties, problems, nameless dreads, persecuting powers (both in and out of the church), sorrow, sickness, and many other matters that trouble us, we need to pray the more fervently and that very often. We, too, can emerge from our prayer closet with a calm spirit, resigned to whatever is to take place, fortified with that inner strength which can only come from really trusting in God and turning our problems over to him. Jesus did this. It sustained our Savior during one of the most trying moments of history.

Dear brother or sister in Christ, it will sustain you, too!

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 20
May 6, 1993