EDITORIAL
Did you ever see a miracle? I have. Just the other day. Let me explain.
As I sat with nothing much to do I had my wife bring me the first five copies of our TRIUMPH paper. We have on file a copy of each issue from the first. I perused those 1957 numbers for awhile and then closed them and let them lie on my little desk in front of me.
As I sat thinking of those early days of this ministry I realized again that here lying before my eyes was the physical evidence of a definite miracle of God. The way God has led from the beginning has been nothing less than miraculous.
This whole venture has been of God. HE has given the needed strength, finances, help, tools, articles, and even readers. Nearly all the names on our mailing list, since the original 800, have come in one by one at the request of other readers. Most are shut-in or afflicted. We feel God has given us each one. And for a purpose.
Let me state again our purpose. This paper is dedicated to the proclamation of our Lord Jesus Christ. If after reading our paper you do not know a little more about Christ or appreciate Him more, then we have failed in our purpose.
God our Father is well pleased with His only begotten, beloved Son. He must also be well pleased with the periodical, as with the pulpit, that proclaims His Son. When God speaks He speaks of His Son. If our publication is to continue to be God's message to you, it must always be about Jesus.
This is our determination. I hope I do not hear among our readership a murmuring, as with Israel in the wilderness, "There is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes!" I trust you never grow tired of reading about Jesus. HE is "the true bread from heaven . . . the bread of God . . . the bread of life."
To Him give all the Prophets witness, likewise the Law of Moses and the Psalms, with the Gospels and Epistles. They are they which testify of Him. "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me," said Jesus. With God's help and power we shall witness to this blessed Son of God our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through the pages of this paper.
If you, my reader, should desire something more or something else, then you must look elsewhere. God has given this Manna. We can do naught else but offer Him to all who will read as God's provision for life and eternity. "He that cometh to me shall never hunger," said Jesus, "and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."
So until He comes, or until we sleep in Jesus, we shall not cease "to teach and preach Jesus Christ." With this, God is well pleased. Because of this, God has been pleased to miraculously maintain this witness. We give Him the glory and praise. May this Bread of God be pleasing to your taste. "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
-- The Editor
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"Jesus said . . . I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:12
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OUR FATHER . . .
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation . . . ; " . . . but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:9-13a).
Do you need deliverance? Does an evil habit have its strong tenacles about your life? Have you a besetting sin which will not give you a moments rest? Are you shackled by something you would like to be rid of once and for all, some soul-condemning thing?
Then know that deliverance comes from God!
You may fight the thing in your own strength, and may in some degree be successful, but though you virtually lick the outward performance, that old desire lurks still in the dark recesses of the heart. If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches that the evil desire in the heart is equally wrong as the overt act. So for complete deliverance and for sure deliverance we need something more than our own will-power. We need God. God will deliver the one who is sincerely tired of his bondage to sin, and who looks to Him for deliverance.
Another translation of our text reads: " . . . deliver us from the evil one." We should recognize from whence come evil desires and actions and accompanying bondage. Evil comes from the evil one. It originated with him. Satan sinned and caused the human race to sin. He would keep us imprisoned by sin. He is going to hell and would take us with him. All mankind is in his kingdom and under his dominion until released by God. All need deliverance. You do. I do. God will deliver all who call upon Him. "For the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
It was in January 1945 when I first called upon the Lord for deliverance. I was a GI aboard a Liberty Ship on the Atlantic Ocean, lying on my hammock in the crowded hold, thoroughly sea-sick and soul-sick. I knew my life till that moment had been a hollow mockery and pretense of religion and goodness. I was a slave of the world, the flesh, and the devil. I called upon the Lord. My prayer went something like this -- "Oh, Lord, I've played into the hands of the Devil long enough. . . . deliver me from Satan!"
I reached for my New Testament, flipped it open. The first words my eyes fell upon were these: "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Romans 16:20). The Lord could not have more certainly spoken to me if He had spoken in an audible voice. I knew He heard my prayer and that this was His answer.
Peace flooded my heart. The Bible and prayer became precious. Christ became, not just THE Saviour, but, MY OWN personal Saviour. My life did an "about face" (2 Corinthians 5:17). I experienced deliverance. Deliverance by God from Satan's evil designs on my life. Deliverance through the Lord Jesus Christ who wrought effectually upon the cross of Calvary to obtain it. Deliverance once and for all in answer to prayer.
Is this your need? Deliverance from Satan's kingdom and power? Then pray to the Deliverer, "Father, through Jesus, and for His sake, deliver me from the evil one." You may be sure He will.
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THE BEST HEALING
By Alice Cornish
I graduated from a teacher's college and took a position teaching third grade and art in a friendly town in Rhode Island. I have never forgotten the motto of my college, "Not to be ministered unto but to minister" (Matthew 20:28). I am still ministering but not by teaching school, as I did for five years.
I met my husband during those years. We met in church. What better place to meet your husband -- especially since religion has played such an important part in our lives.
We had just been married one week (after 2 1/2 years engaged) when my husband had to go overseas with the infantry for 14 months during World War II. He was wounded but recovered eventually, thank God. I thought I had a "cross" to bear then!
Later we were blessed with two precious children, a girl and a boy (now 15 and 13 respectively).
Nine years ago doctors discovered that I was a victim of the mysterious crippling disease multiple sclerosis. It grows progressively worse and there is no known cure. The shock of finding that I had such a dreadful illness caused me to give up wanting to live. I thought then I wouldn't be of any use to anyone, so I tried to take my own life and had to spend months in a mental hospital.
After a long period of treatment I was able to come home and be with my family, but I was still very depressed and wouldn't take any interest in anything -- brooding about my own troubles, bitter and cynical. Meanwhile I got so I couldn't walk alone at all. Many tried to help (even our minister) but they couldn't reach me. My twin sister sent me religious literature but I would just throw it away.
Four years ago a friend started to come each week to read her Bible and pray with me. She also brought borrowed books and finally I read them. In time she got me to reading the Bible and praying, which I am ashamed to say I didn't do much before. Then I realized I hadn't even been asking God's help for my spirits. I learned to pray from my heart.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
In John 9:1-3 I discovered what was God's will for my life -- "to manifest the works of God." From then on I thought only of others. "No Christian lives in vain."
I have been healed spiritually in the last two years and that is by far the most important way to be healed. Even though I can't walk alone now, I walk with God with Christ in my heart. I do all I possibly can for my wonderful family and others. God is using me "mightily" to inspire and challenge others to believe that God is good no matter what happens.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
"Our greatest need can be our greatest asset, for need is the golden door through which HE comes close to His loved ones." -- Rosalind Rinker.
I strive to follow Matthew 5:16 and be a light to many.
My story is -- "Let light shine out of darkness" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
The depth of my gratitude to God and His dear Son for healing me spiritually is endless.
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I NEEDED THE QUIET
I needed the quiet, so He took me aside
Into the shadows where we could confide;
Away from the bustle, where all the day long,
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet, though at first I rebelled,
But gently, so gently, the cross He upheld,
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.
Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.
I needed the quiet, no prison, my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessing instead,
A place to grow richer, in Jesus to hide --
I needed the quiet, so He took me aside.
-- Author Unknown
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NEVER MAN SPAKE LIKE THIS MAN
Jesus was unique in His birth, in His life, in His speech, in His death, and in His resurrection. Never was there a man like this Man. Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Life wholly untainted by sin, pure and dedicated to doing the Father's will. It follows that His speech must also be different from other men.
"Never man spake like this man." (John 7:46).
Not that His voice or articulation were different, but what He said was unique. His message was different from any that had previously fallen upon human ear. Specifically, what He said about Himself.
What have you to say concerning yourself, Jesus of Nazareth? Let us hear your testimony. What say ye?
To the woman at the well who spoke of coming Messiah, Jesus said,
"I that speak unto thee am he."
Concerning the well which Jacob had given his descendants, Jesus said,
"Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
To the worshippers at the last great day of the feast, Jesus
" . . . stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
To the Pharisees who accused Him of bearing false record of Himself, Jesus answered,
"Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true . . . for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."
Who are you? they asked. And Jesus said to them,
"Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
To those who claimed to be Abraham's descendants, Jesus said,
"If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth -- which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham . . . Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM."
To those professing to be children of God, Jesus said,
"If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."
Who makest thou thyself? What sayest thou?
"I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life; I am that bread from heaven . . . I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
What sayest thou more?
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and he shall go in and out, and find pasture . . . I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep . . . I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine . . . I lay down my life for the sheep . . . I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
One final word.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Indeed, the report of the arresting officers was true, "Never man spake like this man." Either Jesus was the biggest liar in all the world or He was the most deceived person who ever lived, or on the other hand was really what He claimed to be and spoke truthfully. If the latter is true, and I am convinced it is, then His words deserve an honest hearing and a responsive obedience.
However many will not believe. To them He says,
"Ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life."
But,
"Ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not . . . ye shall die in your sins."
After many had turned away from following Him, Jesus said unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
Does the Son of God find such faith on the earth today? To all such,
"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
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THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST
By W. Fraser Naismith
"Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?"
-- John 8:53
In the earlier part of John 8 the Lord Jesus Christ is seen exhibiting grace and truth in one holy harmony. The woman taken in sin is accused before Him: not that the scribes and Pharisees had much of a conscience about the guilt of the poor sinner whom they brought, but they desired to catch our Lord in His speech so that they might have a reason to accuse Him. They insisted on the execution of the law which meant that if the sin could be proved then this woman was worthy of death by stoning. Christ stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. The rulers persisted in claiming that the law's demands should be met but Christ raised Himself and said "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
Without waiting for reply from the accusers Christ again stooped down and wrote on the ground. Why did He write twice? It was surely a forcible reminder to the religious zealots that the law was written twice by the finger of God. Consequently upon the first writing Moses smashed the tables at the foot of Mount Sinai. God then asked Moses to "hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words which were in the first tables, which thou brakest" (Exodus 34:1).
In the first giving of the law there was no indication of divine grace or mercy, and had Israel been under pure law they should not have survived for five minutes. At the giving of the law the second time the Lord proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6).
What an effect had the silent acts of our Lord on the scribes and Pharisees! They, "being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest" (verse 9).
The gracious remark of the Saviour must have touched that woman's heart -- "hath no man condemned thee?" Her reply is unique -- "No man, Lord." To this the Lord replied, "Neither do I condemn thee." Oh! the matchless grace of the Saviour! Then He added, "Go, and sin no more" -- now all the demands of truth have been satisfied and the words from the lips of Jesus left her without any doubt as to the perfect blend of grace and truth -- see John 1:17. The Lord did not condone the guilt of that woman, but His remarks proved the veracity of the observation found in John 3:17, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." Christ was not here as a judge but as a Saviour.
The Lord now indicates that He is the light of the world, and to follow Him is to be in the enjoyment of the light of life. This statement produced protest from the Pharisees, for they accused Him of bearing record of Himself, and they attributed to the flawless Son of God the art of deceit. Christ indicated that He and His Father bare witness of Him. The guilt of the leaders of the people was in the fact that they rejected the words and works of the Lord, and then they crucified Him. He had brought every possible evidence to prove His identity, yet they rejected Him. They accused Him in John 5:18 saying He made Himself equal with God. Though the rulers testified that He did many miracles yet they persisted in their refusal of Him and His testimony. They denied all their national hopes and expectations when they declared "We have no king but Caesar." Pilate would have let Christ go, but in passing judgment on Him he yielded to the passionate demands of the Jews.
Christ reveals that the Jews would crucify Him: "When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself."
THE SUBJECT CHANGES at verse 33 of John 8 by the claim on the part of the Jews -- "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man." Christ did not let this observation go unchallenged for He said, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." Abraham was the father of the faithful. Faith was the main characteristic in that man's life.
This discussion as to the patriarch Abraham produced the challenge of John 8:53, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?" In the question which they ask there is the proof of the superiority of the Christ of God. Abraham is dead! Christ is the One who states in Revelation 1:18, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold I am alive for evermore."
The most outstanding feature in the life of Abraham was faith. This blessed theme is treated of in Hebrews 10 where the principle of faith is emphasized. In verse 19 the Ground of Faith by which means we approach God is "the blood of Jesus," and through that we have communion with God. The Gateway to the knowledge of God is found in the verse which follows -- "through the veil, that is to say, His flesh." The Guarantee of an audience with God is emphasized in the verse which follows -- "having a High Priest over the house of God."
Faith was the dominating factor in the life of Abraham -- faith evidenced in obeying God, in honoring God, in the friendship of God. While all these are blessedly true and can be experienced by men and women of faith today, there is One whose faith shone out supremely like a sparkling gem in His words and acts. Hebrews 12:2 affirms that Christ is "the author and finisher of our faith." Often throughout that perfect life was this great principle brought into relief. The dependent Man sought only the honour of His Father whom He glorified on the earth. The principle of faith may be seen in the prophetic expression of Christ in the opening words of Psalm 16 -- "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust."
The first man was wholly independent; he defied the authority of God and brought disappointment and death into God's fair creation. The Second Man, the Lord out of heaven, was ever the dependent One. They cast this in His teeth, "He trusted in the Lord . . . " Faith ever shone through the gloom and shadow of this world's obstinacy and rebellion and it was the only bright light in the darkness of human insubordination. The Lord tarried two days in the place where He was when the news of the sickness of Lazarus reached Him. The glory of God was the paramount factor with Christ, and faith will never move before the time: moreover, faith will never be behind time.
Faith, in Abraham, rejoiced to see Christ's day: he saw it, and was glad. This blessed preview of the perfections of faith which were demonstrated in the supremacy of Christ brought gladness to the heart of the patriarch. Should a consideration of such faith not bring profound delight to us as men and women of faith today?
Christ consummated this talk on Abraham, in which He declared the fortitude of faith which He Himself personally revealed, by saying, "Before Abraham was, I am." The eternity of His being is attested in this observation. He could affirm, "Thou wilt show me the path of life." The path of life to Christ lay through death, and now on high He lives in the power of an indissoluble life. That path of life has far reaching ramifications; for to the believer the path of life is experimentally owned, and it has opened the vista of eternal delights on the principle of hope.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST has left us an example and we should follow His steps. He was governed by the fortitude of faith: how about ourselves? He could say prophetically, "Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts" (Psalm 22:9). In Christ there was that unique blend of faith, hope, and love -- a threefold cord which is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The writer to Hebrews says, " . . . looking unto Jesus " -- that is, gaze upon Him with undivided attention Who is the beginner and completer of faith. His counsel and command ring down the ages afresh as He says, "Follow Me!" Follow men and you will be a failure. Follow Christ and you will have a life of faith, hope, and love in which He will be glorified. May the reader allow faith to have its true place in the life that he or she may grow into the likeness of the One who is the beginner and completer of faith!
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