What Do You Want To Be Remembered For?
By: Brian A. Yeager

    When someone dies they typically leave behind some sort of memories to those who knew and loved them.   When families gather together and talk about lost loved ones they typically have some memories they especially like to share.  I have often wondered what I would be remembered for.  I hope that my children and grandchildren will remember me as a faithful servant of the Lord.  I pray that they will say that I fulfilled the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  I am living my life so that I will be remembered as a faithful gospel preacher, that the faithful in this life will see on the other side of eternity.

    The Bible reveals to us great truths about men and women of courage.  In Hebrews chapter eleven the Bible records for us a record of some in the Old Testament era that had great faith in God.  Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than did Cain (Hebrews 11:4).  Enoch was translated from this life and did not see death and was known as a pleaser of God (Hebrews 11:5).  Noah and how he moved with fear, built an ark, and saved his family (Hebrews 11:7).  The great chapter of faith goes on to tell of Abraham and his wife Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his parents, Joshua, Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and of the prophets.  These people were known because of their faith in God.

    The great faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews  chapter 11, concludes with verses thirty-three through forty which state about the above individuals this: “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”  The above individuals were listed in the word of God because of their faith.  The lessons from their lives will ever be taught in our classes and pulpits.  What do you want to be remembered for?  When you leave this life what will your family remember most about you?

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Words of Warning From Beyond This Life
By: Brian A. Yeager

    Many times in studies with new Christians we come upon the subject of the disobedient.  Then these babes in Christ often ask about lost loved ones who have died, but did not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They ask if there is hope.  I always state that I am not God and I do not determine whether or not someone is lost or saved.  However, these babes in Christ if taught well will realize that Christ commanded obedience to the Gospel and without such obedience you will be lost (Matthew 7:21, II Thessalonians 1:8-9, and John 3:3-5).  They also realize that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).  An honest Bible student would realize that God’s law applies to all mankind equally.  Therefore, the conclusion of the honest Bible student would lead him or her to realize that the disobedient are forever lost.

    I then like to point out the story of a rich man who was not obedient but was a self-serving person (Luke 16:19-31).  I point out his attitude while being in torment and one of the requests he had while conversing with Abraham.  His request was this: (Luke 16:27-28) “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

    If you have loved ones who have not entered into Heaven because of their disobedience to God then hear those words from beyond this life.  They would tell you “don’t come here.”  Yet, we cannot converse with our lost loved ones.  We can only know how this one man felt in torment.  We should all agree that if someone loved us, they would not want us to be in torment.  Hell is no place for a family reunion.  You cannot check in and out, hell is eternal (Matthew 25:46).

    Hear Abraham’s answer and apply it to your life.  (Luke 16:29) “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”  You have the word of God readily available to you, study and obey it today!