TRIUMPH -- January 1958
I was pastor of the Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Ohio when stricken with polio in August, 1955. Paralyzed from the shoulders down I began to search for other avenues of service for Christ. The idea of a devotional paper was conceived in my mind and "TRIUMPH" is the result. The original copy of each issue is typed with a stick held between my teeth If I have had even a little victory in my affliction, all praise must go to God, "who always causeth us to triumph in Christ."
Editorial
We at the Gordon home are overwhelmed by the many wonderful gifts that have been given us this past year. For the personal gifts and for the gifts to help with our paper, TRIUMPH, we say a hearty: THANK YOU! I dare not single out any particular gift as being more worthy of thanks, for I realize the "widow's mite" is as precious in our Master's sight as the larger gift. You know what you have given, the Lord knows what you have given, and we know what you have given and we are indeed grateful.
Hoping you enjoy this edition, I remain
Your servant for Jesus' sake
Art Gordon
Dear Shut-In
This month I am dedicating this column to my wife and all the other "unsung heroes" of the sick room. Their task is tremendous yet always faithfully performed. Very often their work is done without any encouragement or even any appreciation. Visitors often commend the one who is ill for his faith through sufferings; they are quick to offer him encouragement, but what of the one standing by his side? Far too often I have not appreciated, as I should, the help-meet God has given me. When "blue" days come along--as they always do--our faithful sick room partner usually bears the brunt of our irritability.
My wife has not only voiced but also demonstrated the vows at our wedding, "in sickness and in health , , , till death us do part." The Bible was not wrong when it said of the virtuous woman, "her price is far above rubies." But, whether it be a wife or husband, parent or child, a relative or friend, my hat goes off to these dedicated individuals.
Of course the load is not the same in every case but you can be sure it is heavy in every case. My wife must continue in her role as homemaker, caring for the house and the three children. Beside this she has had to take on the added duties of: nurse, chauffeur, mechanic, file clerk, stenographer, proof reader, mimeograph operator and a multitude of other things. She also finds time to teach a Sunday school class in our local church. A less sturdy soul would have quit long ago under only half this load. She has become my hands and feet. She bathes, dresses, and shaves me. Her meal usually gets cold while feeding me. I could go on but I am sure you realize by now something of the job my wife and many others in like circumstance are doing.
This would not be complete without adding one more thing--I know my wife agrees--our God giveth the victory. He "always causeth us to triumph in Christ." Whether you are lying on the flat of your back or attending one who is, God is your only hope and help.
One word to you, dear afflicted friend: show forth a little of the love of Christ to that one who is ministering to your body.
Testimony Time
The following letter tells of the greatest day in the life of your editor. I was 19 at the time and was on my way as an infantryman to the front lines in Germany. You are reading it exactly as it was written except for a few minor changes in spelling and arrangement.
18 January 1945
Dear Mom and Dad:
Well, I have a little time to write, finally. I can't tell you where I am, only that I am somewhere in France.
When we got off of the boat we had a long train ride which was very bad. We rode in boxcars, ones only capable of holding about 15 comfortably and there were 32 of us in it. And was it ever cold? We tried to build fires but this didn't work because the smoke nearly smothered us so we just had to stand the cold. We have seen many French towns and people which are very interesting. I am getting pretty good at some words in French. One of my pals took French in school so we get along pretty good.
We had some French bread. The loaf was as long and as thick as your arm, "Nearly." But it was good. The light is very poor for writing. Don't expect too many letters. I'm still not settled with any army yet so I still don't have a permanent address.
This place in which we are sleeping looks more like a barn than anything else and is it cold, but we have 4 blankets to cover up with, so don't worry. Our mattress covers are filled with straw, very comfortable. Ha, Ha.
I have some good news for you, I know you will be very glad to hear it. While I was on the boat, I debated over and over what to do. I had just come from the movies they had on the boat and it didn't, as usual, ease my mind any. I knew I couldn't live half for the Devil and the world, and also the Lord. I started to pray and told God I wouldn't stop praying 'till he completely entered my heart and drove our the evil that was in there. Finally, after much prayer I felt very much at ease in my mind. I knew he had finally come in the whole way. I commenced to read my Testament and the first verse that I read was Romans 16:20, "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
This was His answer because I had asked Him in my prayer to give me an answer and the first page I opened I came across this verse. I have talked to several boys about my Lord. I am praying for Him to continually give me strength to live and speak for Him. If nothing happens I am going to Bible School when I come back, and dedicate my life to winning souls to Christ.
Thanks, I know you were praying also. And keep it up.
It is very cold where I am and there is going to be very rough traveling ahead, but I am praying and I know you are. God will bring me back.
I have read Psalms through and it really helps me. I am trying to read those special Psalms on those special days you said to.
Keep looking up.
With all my love, Art
Psalms 84:10 - "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
Sermon Series - VI
The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians - (Continued)
Chapter 1, verse 6
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost."
The gospel exploded with power upon the Thessalonians, says verse five. It came--as many distraught pastors today wish it would come to their church--"in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." One contributing factor for such a demonstration is found in the words in the last phrase of verse five: "even as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." What kind of men were these preachers? Reading through chapter two, I find they were bold yet meek, they worked night and day--nights of tentmaking, days of preaching the gospel--they behaved themselves in a Christlike manner. It might be concluded that their whole demeaner was that of dedicated servants of Christ. Did their testimony bear fruit? It surely did; "and ye became followers of us."
A PARADOX
Verse 6 presents a paradox. The paradox is seen in the words "affliction with joy." Here the apostle is narrowing down his previous statement, ("what manner of men we were among you"), to a specific instance.
FOLLOWERS
In the Revised Version of 1901, the word "followers" is changed to "imitators." "And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord." Is not this a rather bold thing for a man to say? Can a man live so exemplary a life that he can without reservation say: follow me? Paul does qualify his statement by adding, "and the Lord." In another place he makes it absolutely clear just what he means: "Be ye followers (imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1). The trouble is that people want to imitate the preacher when he is not imitating Christ. Preachers are human (believe it or not) and are subject to all kinds of temptations as you are, and once in awhile they say something or do something that is not just right. He can live clean and pure for a long period and no one will pay too much attention but let him lose his temper just once and Deacon Jones says, "Why can't I get angry, the preacher did."
We should also remember, that Paul was the only Bible these people had. He brought them the "glad tidings," and lived what he preached. If they were to experience the gospel it had to be through this man. Maybe you are the only Bible someone has. You say, "Oh but they can purchase a Bible in any five and dime store and read it." They won't do that however; they would rather read you. Can you say, "imitate me as I imitate Christ?" What does your family see as they look to you? How about your neighbors? Whether you like it or not you are being closely observed by someone. If your life is honoring Christ the results will be as in the case of Paul, fruitful. If you are denying Christ with your life--no matter how loud you talk--some soul is being damaged, maybe your dearest loved one.
AFFLICTION WITH JOY
This brings us to the paradox: "affliction with joy." These two experiences seem contradictory. With the world affliction means sadness. How can anyone be joyful in the midst of affliction? Only the one who has been personally introduced to Jesus Christ can reconcile these two experiences. When the people of Thessalonica received the gospel, they were immediately subjected to affliction by their own countrymen. In fact, it started even while Paul and his co-workers were preaching in their city. Apparently it continued unabated after they moved on. But, as true Christians, they remained joyful through it all.
Such a thing is not possible to the natural man. However, these people had become spiritually awakened. When it speaks of "joy," it goes on to say, "of the Holy Ghost." The one who worked the miracle of the new birth in their lives was now dwelling in them to produce fruit unto God's glory. The fruit of the Spirit is: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc." Even though hard times were coming their way their eyes were fixed on something far greater than the comparatively short and slight suffering they were going through because of their new-found faith.
For illustration of this paradox Paul uses his own life and that of the Lord Jesus. Of Jesus, the Scriptures declare: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Again, we read: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Paul, referring to himself, says, "Who now rejoice in my sufferings . . . " (Colossians 1:24). When writing the church at Corinth, Paul sums up this truth thus: "For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory."
If you are a child of the King, you too can look past your afflictions unto a brighter day. The glory that awaits you is far greater than the afflictions that now plague you. Begin to rejoice in your Lord and Savior. Permit the Holy Spirit to produce this precious cluster of fruit in your life.
(Continued next month)
SHOULD HE COME THIS YEAR . . .
Should He come this year would you be ready?
I fully realize that you must make provision for your family if Christ doesn't come back this year. By this I mean, you can't quit your job and go out on a hill, dressed in a white robe, and await His return. But, if He should come this year have you made provision?
The witness of Scripture is specific when it says: " . . . and two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven" (Acts 1:10-11 ARV.). Again, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" (I Thessalonians 4:16 ARV). The last recorded statement of our Lord declares the same truth, " . . . I come quickly . . . ."
You no doubt have heard children yell, when playing "hide and seek," here I come--ready or not. Some of these days Christ will return whether you are ready or not. If it seems Christ is delaying His coming, remember, it is only that He is not willing that any should perish. However, He will not tarry long. Soon, the last precious brick will be fitted into place in the Church which Christ is building; then He will appear to transport that sanctified building to its heavenly location.
"While the last Prince of Wales was on a visit to the Midlands, he went into a certain workingman's home. Next day--the workingman told his mates sadly: 'I never expected him, nor did my wife. The house was untidy, and I hadn't washed. We shall never forgive ourselves. If we had known he was coming we should have been ready for him.'" The Prince of Peace is coming again, in power, to this earth of ours, and we know not the day or the hour. The one question for all is, 'Are we ready to meet Him?'
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-- Mabel Johnston Camp
Life on the Mission Field
THE GREATEST NEED OF THE MISSIONARY
by Fred & Sue Crozier, missionaries to Alaska.
Alaska's great need is revival. The great need in your life and mine is revival, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God. In Ephesians 5:18 the Lord tells us to be filled with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 tells us to "Walk by means of the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." If you want to move out for God in a life of service you must have a real moving of the Holy Spirit in His quickening and transforming power. This will be revival.
God found a man with a burden: Jonathan Goforth of China. He read all he could about revivals and the conviction of sin and confession on the part of Christians. The Spirit of God searched his heart 'till he had victory; then he went out and revival came. We cannot have revival without prayer, however, sacrificial prayer. We cannot see results without prayer, believing prayer.
As I walk the village paths of Karluk, or the paved walks of the city of Kodiak, all about me are people who are hungry for the "Bread of Life." I look at myself and say, What am I--among so many? I am nothing, and I can do nothing, but I know God has what these people desperately need. God will give me everything that is needed to feed them. Mark 11:24 declares, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." As we pray, God is looking for our faith, for "without faith it is impossible to please him."
Many missionaries are in great need of support and must seek employment on the field for mere existence. Material needs are many and prices are very high. Difficulties and discouragements are as numerous on the mission field as at home. Oh, that Christians today would not get so busy doing God's work that they cannot pray and let God work. I know Praying Hyde must have been criticized for not preaching and doing more. But when revival came because this one man gave himself wholly to prayer, people realized the results would not have been the same without him. God answers the heart-cry of His own. Our life should be one of prayer and waiting upon God for results. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," says James. (James 5:16)
Many missionaries in the past years have left missionary work in Alaska for various reasons. Has this happened because Christians at home have failed God in prayer and support? There is a desperate need for more workers and our Lord has said, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:38). The most important thing you can do is pray. We want God to work. Let us ask Him in faith believing.
Our greatest need is your prayer support.
"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Luke 11:10).
