TRIUMPH -- October 1958
The address above is no longer valid
"What Can I Do To Have Eternal Life," is the title of my latest tract. The Lord has been continually supplying our needs with TRIUMPH. When the number of copies became too much of a burden upon our hand-operated mimeograph machine the Lord saw to our need with a beautiful new electric model. The list has continued to grow and the problem of addressing has too. For this, God has supplied us with a Master Addresser which has taken over a big job manfully. Our thanks go to the ladies who have been addressing. When we started this project these problems never occurred to us. Had they been visible, our faith no doubt would have been too small to launch out. But, to our joy, as each problem has arisen so has the solution. We must give God all the praise.
Your servant in bonds, yet free,
Art Gordon
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Dear Shut-In
LIVE ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
God made you as you are! He placed you where you are! So you can best serve and glorify Him just as you are, where you are. Some people are always looking on the other side of the fence because they think the grass is greener. They spend so much time wishing things were different, and thinking up alibis for why they are not, that they overlook all the advantages and opportunities that are open to them right where they are.
Be as the Apostle Paul when he said, "But none of these things move me" (Acts 20:24). Paul said he had learned how to abound and how to be abased. He had learned to be every inch a Christian even in prison. Don't let your circumstances get you down. Learn to live comfortably and graciously within them.
--From PEACE WITH GOD by Billy Graham. Copyright 1953 by Billy Graham. Re-printed by permission of Doubleday & Co., Inc.
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From the Pastor's Pen
by:
Homer Miller, Pastor
First Brethren Church
Ankenytown, Ohio
The Foolish Farmer
Luke 12:16-21
A study of the life of Saul of the Old Testament reveals a man who had great possibility. Both in physical stature and in mental qualities he was an excellent specimen of manhood. But somehow he became so self-centered that God could not use him and he took his own life. At the end of his career he confessed, "I have played the fool."
By way of introducing this man, we find that he was a farmer and his ground was bearing good crops. Notice how the Lord takes as His illustration a man who makes his living in a customary, hard-working manner . . . There is nothing wrong with being a farmer. But even in the midst of his wealth, this farmer was not content. "What shall I do?" he asked. He was anxious and concerned about how he would manage with all his goods. Contentment with riches is as hard to get as contentment with nothing. We see the results of this in the world today, with all the suicides and crime among the rich. Why wasn't this rich farmer happy? Note FIRST of all:
I. He forgot the GIVER, thinking only of the GIFTS.
Here we see both his ingratitude and his selfishness. By calling these things, "my fruits," he was taking credit to himself for the crops bearing well. Of course it took some hard work on his part but he failed to realize that God gives the increase. The rain, sunshine and the minerals from the soil which gave the nourishment had come from the Lord, and he should have been thankful.
By calling these things, "my goods," he shows his selfishness. Surely he should have thought enough of the Lord to consider the tithe that belonged to Him. But he was so concerned about what he had, he failed to think from where it had come.
What of our possessions today? Do we recognize them as from the Lord and do we give Him His rightful share? "Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men" (Psalm 107:8). In the SECOND place:
II. He forgot his NEIGHBOR, thinking only of HIMSELF.
Look at the number of times he refers to himself--13 times in all. Increased prosperity gave this man an opportunity to help the poor, but this idea never came to his mind. His only thought was to build bigger barns. He will hoard these things up and enjoy life. But hoarding is not wise, for things do spoil in time, and also, the more a man has, the more liable he is to be attacked by a thief. This man did not know that it is more blessed to give than to receive. THIRDLY:
III. He forgot his SOUL, thinking only of his BODY.
He mentions his soul, but actually he had only made provision for his physical enjoyment. He had forgotten God, and the soul is not satisfied without God! Eating, drinking and being merry was all that this man looked for--which things never bring true happiness. This man ALSO:
IV. Forgot DEATH, thinking only of this LIFE.
He did not realize that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. He did not consider that death might come at any moment. It is strange that men are so careful about insuring their property against the forces of nature; they insure against physical loss and injury yet many make no provision for eternity.
What did God say? "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee" (v.20). And He asked, "Then whose shall those things be?"
And to all, He says, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God" (v.21). What does it mean to be rich toward God? In Matthew 6:20 it is called, "laying up treasures in heaven"--knowing that eternal life and an incorruptible inheritance are awaiting us there. The man who denies the grace of God through Christ is refusing the gift of God's love. His soul may be required of him at any time and then it will be forever too late to accept that gift.
Are you rich toward God or are you too concerned about your body and this life to be thinking about your soul and eternal life with Christ? WILL YOU NOT RECEIVE CHRIST TODAY?
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Your faith is only as strong as
THE OBJECT
in which it is placed. May that
OBJECT be CHRIST!
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WOULD YOU BE HAPPY IN HEAVEN????
I have on several occasions asked individuals, "Do you expect to go to heaven someday?" Invariably, they would give me answer, "Why, I hope so." But, do they, really? Would they be happy in heaven? Of more importance, would YOU be happy in heaven?
Before you can answer, you must know something of heaven. There will be no cursing nor lying; no adultery, double standard nor false weight. There will be no gambling, drinking intoxicants, nor fighting. Not one trace of pride nor self exaltation will be present. No one who defiles will be there, nor any type of defilement.
What will be there? Christ and all those of His Church will be there. Holiness, righteousness--all that is good and right will be present. There will be songs of praise to the Redeemer. There will be eternal worship to Him who is Lord. There will be continuous light. There, the saints will cast their crowns at the feet of Christ. All will give willing service to God and His Anointed. Joy there, will be found in exalting the Lamb who was slain.
Would you be happy there? If you have never yielded to Christ here, what makes you think you would be happy in heaven? There, all of the things you now enjoy will be absent and all of the things you now dislike will be present. The order of the day, up yonder, will be the rejoicing of the saints in their wonderful Lord.
THERE ARE many people who will be happy in heaven--but what about YOU?
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Jesus Christ--
the same
YESTERDAY and TODAY and FOREVER!
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THE WORLD'S COMMAND AND THE BELIEVER'S CONSCIENCE
(Read Daniel 3; Revelation 13)
The World says:
Bend or burn, ye Hebrew children,
bend ye to my God of gold!
See my empire bowed in Dura,
Prince and peasant, young and old;
From your foolish ways return:
You shall bend, or you shall burn.
The Believer says:
Life is precious, King of Babel,
Honour due to such as thee.
We will serve when we are able,
Servant of thy servants be;
But we cannot, dare not bend,
Though the furnace be our end.
The World says:
Flee from me, defiant wretches,
Scornful, impudent and poor;
Will you dare defy your Monarch?
That, I never will endure;
Traitors! shirkers! rebels; Turn!
You shall bend or you shall burn.
The Believer says:
God is able to deliver, from thy
Cruelty and ire. And He will,
This day will prove Him Mightier
Than the hottest fire;
If His aid He does not send,
Though we burn, we will not bend.
The Test:
In the furnace of affliction,
Bonds were burned, and freedom found,
For the Angel of His Presence,
Kept the martyrs safe and sound;
Fierce the flames at every turn,
But they did not bend nor burn.
--J. E.
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Prayer Of The Sinner:
NOT -- "Thank you Lord for sending Jesus to compliment my efforts to save myself."
BUT -- "Thank you Lord for sending Jesus to save me; I am totally unable to save myself."
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A L M O S T F O R G O T T E N
(fiction)
Mr. Elderly was well up in years. His health was gradually and noticeably failing. He lived by himself in one room of an apartment building in the city of No-Brotherly-Love. His wife had long since passed away and his one remaining son made no effort to see to his welfare.
Mr. Elderly occupied his time in the park watching the world rush by--the world of which only a few years ago he himself had been an active part. Now it seemed that he was being left behind as so much excess baggage.
The days dragged endlessly by as they did when he was a boy anxious to grow up. It seemed only yesterday, though, that the days of manhood with his family and job had fled by so fast he wondered where they had gone. But now they had slowed to a snails pace again as he had nothing to do but await their passing.
Mr. Elderly had only the past to think about. His waking hours were spent reliving the days of his youth. Often he thought of the wonderful woman who had shared almost fifty years with him as a devoted wife and mother. Tears filled his eyes as he remembered the long days and nights of constant vigil at the bedside of his youngest son and then the day they laid his body to rest in the family plot at the cemetery. Some of the old scenes were as vivid to his mind as a picture on the wall; others were hazy and seemed almost like a fantastic dream.
The thing that troubled Mr. Elderly most in his role as an old man was the feeling that he was unwanted, practically unknown, and worse--almost forgotten. Friends of the past were for the most part deceased and others scattered to places he knew not where. The few remaining relatives were busy with their own interests; they didn't realize they were neglecting him. The pigeons and squirrels in the park seemed to be the only ones interested in him, and they, only because he saw to it they had a daily portion of nuts and popcorn.
But then one day as Mr. Elderly sat alone in the park rethinking the past, a piece of paper flitted against his foot. This little pamphlet, unknown to him, was to change his whole outlook on life. The title, in clear, large print read: "ARE YOU ALMOST FORGOTTEN?" Mr. Elderly hesitated a moment, then gingerly picked up the little messenger to read more. Although the pages were smudged with the dirt of the streets the printing was still legible. As the old man held the pamphlet he reflected how much it resembled his own experience. No doubt when first printed, when still clean and new, it had been accepted. But now, it was just a piece of refuse blowing about the streets wherever the wind blew it. Mankind had heedlessly walked on it and kicked it aside until it was dirty and battered. The old man felt a kinship as he tenderly fondled the paper.
Mr. Elderly held in his hand a better friend then he might at first have imagined. For this was no ordinary piece of paper. It was a Gospel Tract, containing precious and eternal truths from God's own Book--the Bible. The first paragraph aroused his interest as he read: "Are you lonely? Have you been virtually forgotten? Do you think no one cares? TAKE HEART, weary soul, the Bible has a message for you."
Mention of the Bible brought back scattered memories which had lain dormant for many years. Putting the paper in an inner pocket, for it was by this time too dark to read, Mr. Elderly made his way back to his room to think further on this new suggestion made by his little printed friend.
Having finished dinner and now reclining on his bed Mr. Elderly had a chance for some serious thought. The Bible; it had been many a day since he last thought of it. In fact, not since childhood had he given it any thought--serious thought, that is.
He recalled the days when his father read the Bible at the breakfast table daily to the family. There were five boys; he was the youngest and least concerned with this habit. It seemed to him such a waste of valuable time. He also remembered the times his Sunday school teacher embarrassed him by asking the memory verses he never bothered to learn. Vivid to his mind were the long sermons by the pastor, but for his life he couldn't remember what he had said. Yet, the Bible was always revered by him even though he never used it for anything but to press flowers and record important dates. But now, somehow, he felt strangely drawn to it--almost like meeting an old friend. It was the little printed messenger that had recalled those days. Now, he must read the rest of it. Taking the tract from his pocket he began to consume its contents.
"You may think you are forgotten," it read. "And maybe you are by friends and relatives, but NOT BY GOD. Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, well or ill, God loves you; He is interested in your soul. He wants you to love Him and His Son, Christ. Here is what God says in His Word to you if you are lonely and virtually forgotten: "'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give . . . rest . . . unto your soul.' 'He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'
"Luke records, '(that) even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.' And the Psalmist adds, 'I have been young and now am old: Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken.'
"You have waited a long time as did the thief who hung on a cross beside Jesus, but will you not with him cry out, 'Lord, remember me!'?"
Mr. Elderly stopped reading at this point. He laid the pamphlet on the stand beside his bed. Tears filled his eyes. Lifting his gaze toward the ceiling and in little more than a whisper, he said: "What a selfish fool I've been. This is what I have needed all these years. God, can you ever forgive me for waiting so long? Please, Lord, receive this old man. I gladly take Christ as my Savior."
With this, he remained quiet for several minutes; a peace came into his heart he had never before experienced. Out went the feeling of loneliness. At last, he not only had a Friend but also a Savior.
Though the flower of his youth was long past, Mr. Elderly vowed to God that eventful night that his remaining days would be spent as a living example of another verse he had read in the tract: "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age."
Almost forgotten?
Mr. Elderly answers, "but not by God!"
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S E R M O N S E R I E S -- XV
The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians - (continued)
Chapter 3, verses 1-5
"Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain."
DECISION TO RENEW ACQUAINTANCE
Paul, in last month's study, ENDEAVORED TO RENEW ACQUAINTANCE with the Thessalonian Christians but was hindered by Satan. The present study will reveal his decision to renew acquaintance but by different means than before.
COULD NO LONGER FORBEAR (1)
Paul stood this separation as long as he could. Finally, he decided to do the next best thing. If he could not go, he would send his faithful and trusted fellow-worker, Timothy.
Do we not see here a little of the unselfishness of the great apostle? Timothy was his right-hand man. Timothy helped him bear much of the burden of the work. Timothy was almost indispensable to Paul. Yet, Paul was willing "to be left alone," and send Timothy to see them. He was willing to work a hardship upon himself for the sake of his converts.
TIMOTHY, OUR BROTHER
When speaking of Timothy, Paul used an endearing term. Timothy, no doubt, was a convert of Paul. Yet, here we have the elderly man calling the young preacher his brother. The term indicates that there was a common bond between them. "Brother," is used even today in other organizations but it has an eternal significance with the Christian. When a person comes to Christ he becomes a child of God. And he becomes a brother (or sister) to all others who have also come to Christ. This bond lasts throughout eternity. Oh, blessed bond! The ones bound may be yellow, black, or white, but they are one in Christ.
The story is told by a sailor of his first night on a South Pacific Island. Wishing fervently for Christian fellowship he followed three Bible-carrying servicemen to a hut where nightly Bible study and hymn sings were being carried on. Of his experience at these get-togethers he says, "There were soldiers . . . as well as sailors, and in that little room it was not 'GI Joe' or 'Matey,' but 'brother.' I don't believe anyone can truly appreciate that word as much as a man who is in a strange land thousands of miles from home, when he walks up to a total stranger and is met with a smile, an outstretched hand, and 'Welcome, brother!' and knows that he is a Brother in Christ."
TIMOTHY . . . MINISTER OF GOD (2)
First he recognized their bond in Christ, now he recognizes Timothy's official position. The one Paul was sending was himself chosen and called of God into the ministry. If there should be any hesitancy on the part of the converts to receive Timothy without Paul, Paul reminds them that he also is a "minister of God."
TIMOTHY . . . FELLOW-LABOURER (2)
Not only was he a brother beloved, not only had he been called of God into the ministry, but he had been labouring with Paul in spreading the "gospel of Christ." He, too, had been on the front lines in the battle for truth. Timothy also knew hard work and long hours for Christ and His Kingdom. He knew what the rod and the stones of the persecutors felt like. He knew what it meant to travail in body and soul for the souls of lost men. Timothy, Paul reminds them, was no young, untried soldier, but one who had proven himself valiant on numerous occasions. He was a "fellow-labourer."
TO ESTABLISH . . . and . . . COMFORT (2)
Paul sent Timothy to help the converts at Thessalonica in their faith. They needed to grow and mature in faith. They needed to be comforted because of the intense persecution. Paul recognized his continued responsibility to those who had made a start with Christ. He knew well the truth: ". . . that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) But, he also recognized that the preacher is one of the means to that end. Thus, he sends his faithful co-worker to establish and comfort them.
Our Lord, in giving the marching orders to His Church in Matthew 28:19, 20, tells us this very thing. "Go ye therefore, said Jesus, "and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you . . . ." (ASV). Our ministry is not done when we have led a person to Christ. In every way possible we must help that newborn babe to come to maturity. If we fail in this are we any less guilty than the mother who deserts her new-born infant and leaves it unattended in a cold apartment, to be found and cared for by strangers?--OR not found! God will see to the converts welfare, but He will hold us guilty.
AFFLICTIONS . . . TRIBULATION . . . TEMPTED . . . (3-5)
Paul and party left Thessalonica because of the persecution. The converts stayed on. The mob took their vengeance out on the converts. And here, we have the specific reason Paul wanted to renew acquaintance. He was concerned for them--concerned lest through these hard times and with their immature faith, they should be "moved" or shaken or disheartened.
He reminds them, however, that the Christian is appointed unto afflictions and tribulation. They had never been taught that the Christian life was a "flowery bed of ease." They knew by word, and surely by experience, the words of the Lord: "In the world ye shall have tribulation."
We must never let the prospective convert think that to become a Christian automatically immunizes him from all trouble. For, "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." But be assured, enter, we SHALL! "O Happy Day!"
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THE LORD ACCEPT THY BURNT SACRIFICE
(Psalm 20:1-3)
We offer Thee, O Lord, our hearts entire;
We would not, could not give Thee less than all.
Laid on Thine altar, we await the fire
That shall consume our sacrifice--too small.
But we forget that flames are meant to burn,
And there can be no burning without pain.
The usefulness for which our souls so yearn
Will come when we're consumed. Then, why complain?
Jehovah, as our Carmel, send Thy flame
Upon our Whole Burnt Offering; 'tis Thine own.
Let not the smallest fragment then remain.
Heed not a cry of anguish nor a groan.
Then, o'er the ashes breathe Thy breath Divine,
And we shall live, not as ourselves, but Thine
-- Cosa Elizabeth Reynolds
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O the bitter pain and sorrow,
That the time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
All of Self and none of Thee.
But He sought me, I beheld Him,
Dying on the accursed tree,
And my feeble heart said faintly,
Some of self and some of Thee.
Higher than the highest mountain,
Deeper that the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered,
None of self and ALL OF THEE.
-- Anonymous
