They Got to Heaven the Old Fashioned Way
They Earned it!
Terry L. Bishop (adapted)

Have you ever heard this before? This is the way some people view heaven. They believe that if God is a just God, then those who do good works or live a good life will go to heaven regardless of whether they obey the gospel or not. After all, they have done the will of God or at least what they understood. They just didn't get around to being baptized. God just doesn't condemn good people.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23: "Not every one 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 they name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

These people were not those who merely lived a good life or performed good deeds. These people prophesied, cast out demons and performed miracles. The key lies in doing the will of the Father. Notice the scripture does not say some of the will of my Father or part of his will. It says those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Obedience to the will of the Father is what is counted. Here we see no conditions offered about how we understand or how much we do. It is not what others want or what we want. It is what the Lord wants that matters. The Lord will only accept unconditional obedience. You can't bargain with God.

We will get to heaven the old-fashioned way - that is by doing the will of God. There is no other way.

STEVENS, Tracy. . . . . . . . . .***-****
Britt
*** ****** **** - **********, ** *****

Baptized Into Christ
Our hearts are made to rejoice, along with the angels in Heaven, at the decision of Louie and Margaret Duh to be baptized for the remission of their sins this past Thursday morning (May 17). Keep our new brother and sister in your daily prayers that they might run with patience the race that is set before them. Jim and Janie Hall are to be commended for their efforts in studying with the Duhs.

Youth Devotional
Our teenage group (11-22) is scheduled to meet tonight in the annex, after the evening services, for a devotional. Any of this age group (or think they should be included) are encouraged to attend and participate.

Abraham Lincoln once said,
"most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Happiness is the man's inner self, not those things surrounding him.

Upcoming Events

May 20 - 3^rd Sunday Singing - TODAY
Eagle Lake

May 20-25 - VBS - IN PROGRESS
Different speaker each evening
BOB BAUER speaks on Tuesday eve
North Jackson Ave - Bartow

Gospel Meetings

May 27-31 - Preston St., Auburndale
Different speaker each night