love completely. “I’ve been hurt too badly and I just can’t go through that again.” What a sorrowful feeling!
*Volume 118 *No. 02 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *FEBRUARY 2010
Contents: Valentine’s Day/Love Feast Hurts Hurts and Poem by Byrum Lee Who Will Be Saved? Byrum Lee The Lord’s Prayer The Lord’s Prayer More News/ Anita’s letter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Happy Valentines Day!
Love Feast: All You Can Eat Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 Regardless of who we are, even if we try to avoid love by taking a vow to marry the church, like a nun does, or stay preoccupied from morning until night, we will be hurt by love at some point. Even the most faithful of husbands, wives or the sweetest child will say or do something at some point that will rip right into our heart. Some of us are hurt by love because it eludes us or our Dearest Love preceded us into eternity. The message in this proverb is that despite what love brings (or doesn’t bring), we should hold on to the hope of love. We all probably know someone who has had a bad relationship or an experience of grief and has sworn off of
God wants us to keep our hearts open to the possibilities of love – keep the faith that we can love again. A faith in love will make us a beautiful person – actually attractive to others and to the type of person or situation with which we can have great love. A longing in our heart for a great love is a good thing. It means we have hope. Waiting patiently on God’s perfect timing can be difficult. Here’s where the faith comes in. We must have faith that God is crafting just the right relationship or situation for us. Think of the love God is preparing as a feast. God is busy cooking right now. Sure, we feel the pain of that hunger. But God is in love’s kitchen slaving away, and something delicious is coming our way soon – we can be sure of it Just like snacking can spoil an appetite for a delicious dinner, getting into many errant relationships or situations can spoil our appetite for the love God intends for us. God may have several important relationships or situations for us – good relationships in which we learn valuable lessons that help to refine our personality or teach us how to trust and to give of ourselves. Even when our hearts get broken or it seems we will never find anyone else to love, we must embrace love all the same. We shouldn’t let the waiting make us jaded or bitter. Let’s have faith that God’s true loves for our lives are on their way and open our hearts to all the possibilities. God’s love for us could be waiting in the form of an orphaned child that needs a single parent or an elderly person that needs our care. If we wait in hope of love, full of faith, God will lay out a feast of love so satisfying that we will never be hungry again. (edited) Hold this thought: God is preparing the perfect love for me.
(Excerpt from book: On My Own Now by Donna Schillinger, great granddaughter of L.Y. Janes www.OnMyOwnNow.com)
of Rest, Jesus -just the same as said – He would reach right down and lift that little fella out. Then He added, (probably with a little smile on His face), “How much more valuable are you than a sheep!” (Matt. 12)
It’s possible that in hearing many times that Jesus loves us, we sometimes just tune this out. But it really is the Truth! He is our best Friend, our Defense, our Protector and Companion. …………Well, now that we’ve given those awful hurts to Jesus, knowing that He will take care of them and make things right, let’s celebrate the TIME we have..….. How can we best use it? Do you have dreams yet to be fulfilled? I mean, what would you like to do with all this extra time? Would you like to read more, take a walk, visit someone in the nursing home, pour over the Bible, just talk to God a while, get out in nature, get involved in missions or maybe just rest – sit back and listen to some good Gospel music. We all have our visions and dreams, but sometimes we have to dig deep to uncover them. And here’s the “Beef” as they used to say: Dig up those dreams because this is a more rational use of time than trying to change another person. Why it’s even difficult to change ourselves and, yet, that makes a whole lot more sense than hoping someone will become nicer, more loving, and less hurtful! (Unfortunately, that choice is up to them.)
HURTS by Editor
There’s an old adage that says “TIME heals a broken heart.” I wonder …… what would happen if I gave God my broken heart and seized that (healing) TIME for some other things – like making a forgotten dream come true. Let me quickly explain that I am not talking about deep grief or intense pain. Those feelings are powerful and need a lot of tender loving care. The (broken heart) or hurt I am speaking of is that which comes from pain caused by a thoughtless individual at work, church or even in the family. An insensitive person can almost break your heart with careless words or actions…and, for sure, can get on your one last nerve, especially when you’re trying to live a caring, Christian life. This new idea of seizing TIME is not meant to imply that hurts are easy to forgive or forget nor does it excuse another’s bad behavior. And it certainly does not mean that “others” go free in their acts of unkindness. But you see, this question is more about how I can help mend my pain with a new way of feeling and thinking. I remember reading in Hebrews that Jesus helps us in our time of need, and that He feels our hurts deeply. And just as importantly, He knows exactly what to do with the one who caused the pain. Let’s take a peek at what we might do to change to a new way of thinking: First - take control of our thoughts! Second - seize the time and start with telling the Good Lord about those hurt feelings. He wants to hear it all, and He cares! Hebrews 7 promises that Jesus not only saves us completely but He “always lives to intercede for us.” In fact, Jesus tells us to throw all our cares on Him…for He cares about us. (I Peter 5:7) Remember the story He told about a little sheep falling into a pit. Even though it was the Day
(Page 3)
Faith Messenger Permit #695 Periodical Paid at Corpus Christi, Texas Published monthly, except July and August. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 905-909 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, Texas 78405 L.Y. Janes, Founder (deceased); Israel Hernandez, President; William Anderson, Vice-President; Fred Pena, 2nd Vice-President; Diana Beletic, Secretary/Treasurer; Una Collins, Asst. Sec./Treas. This periodical is issued without charge in the name of the Lord Jesus to help inspire child-like faith and maintain Christ-like simplicity among the people of God. To send donations or for your FREE
2
SUBSCRIPTION, write to the address above or contact Christian Triumph Co. at christiantriumph@yahoo.com. Or see us on the web at christiantriumphcompany.com
teach a harsh person a lesson through love, and it was a beautiful thing. Some people are hurtful because they have never experienced the LOVE of God. Learning this new way of thinking took TIME but slowly, my skinny, thin skin began to thicken! Earlier in life, a great counselor taught me about “boundary lines.” You have them, and I have them. It’s up to me to respect your boundary lines and not stomp on them (and vice versa). Crossing a person’s God-given boundary line without thought, just to fling sarcastic remarks is definitely not following the will of God. If we keep our mind on the Word of God, give God the hurts, trusting Him to make things right, then 2010 will have a lot more TIME available to achieve our worthy goals. My prayer for you, dear reader, is that God will protect you, heal your hurts, empower your life, guide you in renewal and then bless, bless, bless as you enjoy 2010 in the Lord! Please remember that we at Christian Triumph spend TIME in praying for our readers. We are always concerned and always confident that God will hear and understand. Life isn’t easy; it takes courage, but God has promised to always be with you. (For immediate, serious matters, please consider
Just about everyone already knows anyway what God wants from His children. He reveals it all through the Bible: “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4) To tell the truth, before I spend any more time trying to change another person or even nurture my pain, I am going to give Hebrews, Ephesians, and Philippians 4 a chance! Phil. 4 promises that we can renew our mind by thinking on these things: “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy…” Now that’s a good use of TIME! Out goes the pain and in comes the gain! In doing all this, there is just no time to hurt; we just found something better to do! And there’s more: Without pain and anger, we could start living one of those God-given dreams – maybe go back to school, take some Bible courses, volunteer at a GED class, write an article for the Faith Messenger, share the story of your life, or just appreciate God’s beautiful world. For those who may write and ask me, what are your credentials for writing this article, let me just hurriedly say: Nothing but the grace of God and painful experiences. When I was born, I must have had really “thin skin” because I could be hurt in a moment. It’s been said that my Dad never had to spank me; all he had to do was give an angry look, and I would cry. All through life, it’s been a struggle to remain near people who lack kindness, as well as diplomacy. Sadly, some people believe they can say anything (any way) they want to, and it’s ok. That’s a big mistake! Our fellow being has feelings, and the sting of harsh words may create a chasm that can never be bridged. Well, in the last few years, my abyss just got deeper until finally God had mercy and showed me a new way of thinking about suffering from thoughtless actions and words. It was amazing! God gently invited me to lay before Him all that pain, being assured that He is deeply affected when we are hurt. And so I gave it to Him and watched God at work! Sometimes, the results of His work were measures of discipline but, one day – I saw Him
seeking good, professional counselors who can help with marriage, parental problems, and personal needs.)
MY TIME SPENT WITH THE LORD To become more like my Lord I need to spend time in the Word. For the time I spend in prayer Will bring the Spirit down in power. When I spend time with my Lord, My service He will undergird. Then my work won't be in vain, And His approval I'll obtain. When I look into His face, It's then I sense His wondrous grace. And the time I spend with Him Makes the lures of the world grow dim. The best way to start each day Is taking time to kneel and pray. For my time spent with the Lord 3
Surely brings its own reward.
altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.” So, from the earliest history there was the intuitive belief, or more probably, through divine revelation, that some sort of sacrificial offering must be made to God as atonement for sin. Even among primitive cultures (all of whom originated from the same ancestry), there is evidence of their making sacrifices to God; in some cultures, sacrificing their virgin daughters. Why was it their cherished virgin daughters who were offered? Probably because they represented the purest and most precious offering available. Which is the same reason that under the laws of Moses the animals offered for their sins must be without spot or defect. And yet, the offering of a spotless animal could in no way compare with the worth of man, so in effect, it was an inadequate substitute. Hebrews 10:1-18 gives a detailed discussion of the practice of sacrificial offerings as it relates to Jesus being the replacement for the sacrificing of animals. Excerpts are given here for your convenience: “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifice and offering you (God) did not desire . . . nor were you pleased with them' (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, 'Here I am; I have come to do your will.' . . . And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.” By way of summary, these references seem to indicate that until the perfect offering for sin was available by the death of Christ, who was without sin, God accepted those sacrifices as a symbolism or type of what would later be provided through the death of his Son. But no longer is it necessary, nor is it acceptable, to continue making sacrifices for sin, because Christ's death paid the price of redemption for all mankind — for all time.
Byrum C. Lee: 05/2009 WHO WILL BE SAVED? Byrum C. Lee A question sometimes arises regarding who will be saved? Phrasing the question a little differently, some of the news media recently asked a prominent Christian clergy person his opinion of whether only Christians would be in heaven. Without knowing the exact terminology of either the questioner or the clergyman, the reply was in the affirmative, presumably based on Jesus' own words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The popular assumption today is that such an answer indicates a narrow provincialism or arrogance on the part of Christians. With this in mind, for the better understanding of both Christians and non-Christians, an honest answer to this most important issue should be pursued. The first consideration in searching for an answer to the question of who will be saved is whether all those who preceded Christ's atoning death on the cross are thereby excluded from salvation. What about those who faithfully followed the requirements of the Laws as given to Moses? Were those sacrificial offerings sufficient to guarantee their salvation? God told Moses, “I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life that brings you atonement” (Leviticus 17:11 NLT). Following up on that, the author of the Book of Hebrews writes: “the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Based on these provisions is it then reasonable to conclude that these persons will be saved? But what about those who lived prior to the commandments which were given to Moses? Biblical history gives evidence that from earliest times there was belief in the necessity of making sacrificial offerings for sin. It is said that Abel “brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock (to the Lord)” (Genesis 4:4). When Noah emerged from the ark after the flood-waters subsided, according to Genesis 8:20, “(He) built an
A LOOK AT THE BOOK OF MATTHEW
4
8.
Reference for this study comes from the Holy Bible as well as the book, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 by William Barclay Matthew 6: 9-11 (See page 5) In this February issue of the Faith Messenger, we are privileged to receive and offer to our readers the continued insights and revelations from Dr. Gary Hill concerning the Lord’s Prayer
As we also have forgiven our debtors . . . "Yes, I absolutely refuse to hate any human
being, or be bitter towards anyone who has wronged me – in the past, present or future. I release any desire to vengefully punish anyone, for Jesus, sake."
Unforgiveness is a deeply serious matter,
Senior Editor, Dr. Gary Hill Gary Hill, cum laude (B.S.) in education from Chicago State University, pursued graduate theological studies at Trinity International University (1972-73). He was later awarded an honorary doctoral degree (Litt.D., 1990) in recognition of his work in biblical Hebrew and Greek embodied in the best-selling study Bible, The Discovery Bible New Testament, (Moody Press, 1987; consulting editor, Dr. Gleason L. Archer).
because by it we become guilty on two counts of nothing less than idolatry (putting someone else on the throne instead of God). Refusing to release the person we're bitter against, puts them on the throne. They, instead of God, become the object of our attention and focus. We become fixated on the person we are bitter toward – robbing us of the ability to put God first in our lives. By
THE LORD'S PRAYER
being unforgiving, we also put ourselves on the throne,
(The "Model Prayer" of Matthew 6:9-13)
usurping God's exclusive prerogative to execute
(Continued from the January issue of the Faith
vengeance (Ro 12:19).
Messenger. Number 7 of the Lord’s Prayer) 7.
Unforgiveness leads to an unfulfilled, empty,
And forgive us our debts . . .
and bitter life. It will also cut off the very grace of God
"Yes, I receive your cleansing this day by the
(Mt 6:14, 15). We must therefore be free of hatred,
blood of Jesus Christ. I ask Lord that there not be the
bitterness, and malice towards any human being, every
slightest separation between my soul and You, my
day of our life (Eph 4:31).
Savior. I humbly confess all my sins and receive Your cleansing forgiveness."
9.
And lead us not into temptation . . . "Yes, I affirm a holy fear of You. I will not try to
Every time we fail to live in faith, it leaves a
redefine You or reroute You. Lord, I want to live an
debt of sin (Ro 14:23). Thus we "owe God" each time
uncompromised life of faith so that You will not find it
we live according to our own plan. Every moral mistake
necessary to chasten or discipline me."
or shortcoming then is a debt or sin.
This includes
things we do wrong as well as things we don't do right.
"Lead us not . . ." refers to the Lord sending
Confessing specifically brings total forgiveness – for
negative (not positive) tests to discipline wayward
sins of commission and omission (1 Jn 1:9).
believers who otherwise would keep going astray to their
Tertullian (AD 200), "A petition for pardon is a
own destruction.
full confession; because he who begs for pardon fully
Only one Greek word (peirosmos) covers two
admits his guilt."
English words: "tempt" and "test." Since God tempts no one (Jas 1:13), this phrase is better translated, "Lead us
5
not into unnecessary, chastising tests" (see also Heb
naturally expresses a desperate sense of need, yet
12:4-11).
without ordering someone to act against their will. "Please (urgently) give to us our daily bread;
10.
But deliver us from evil . . .
Please (completely) forgive us our debts,
"Yes, I desire to live in Your maximum plan
as we have also forgiven our debtors; Please do not bring us (at all) into temptation
which brings deliverance from all bondage – physical,
(testing); and
psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual.
Please (entirely) deliver us from the principle of
Release me from all pain (evil) and the snare of the 'evil one' into Your health and wholeness. Yourself – for Yourself.
evil (fruitless pain)."
Bring me to
I know I am Your prized
possession. Deliver me into Your glorious liberty as
Concluding Doxology
your faithful bride and wife." The concluding doxology of the Lord's Prayer does not appear in the earliest manuscripts, and hence
Grammatical notes on the Lord's Prayer
seems to have been added for liturgical reasons. This The original text of the "Our Father" uses
closing doxology, however, is scriptural, as it is taken
several Greek imperatives which convey:
directly from 1 Chron 29:11-13, " '11Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the
"Our Father, the one in the heavens (plural),
power and the glory and the victory and the majesty,
Your name (Yahweh) must be made different;
indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth;
Must arrive (fully), Your kingdom;
Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself
Must emerge (from eternity), Your will, on the
as head over all.
physical earth as it is in heaven (singular)."
and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to
the Lord's Prayer are holistic aorists meaning: Must entirely be made different . . .
•
Must
•
entirely
arrive
(i.e.
nothing
Both riches and honor come from
You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power
Note: The Greek imperatives in the first half of
•
12
strengthen everyone.
13
Now therefore, our God, we
thank You, and praise Your glorious name' " (NASU).
less
suffices) . . .
Contact Information for Dr. Gary and Joan Hill:
Must entirely emerge . . .
Address: 29 W 518 Cerny Circle – Warrenville, IL – 60555 E-mail: jandghill@sbcglobal.net Phone: 865-356-1324 or 630-821-7721 --------------------------------------------------------------------
The second half of the Lord's Prayer emphasizes the "horizontal" (more than the "vertical") plane and conveys intense urgency by the use of aorist imperatives
PRAYER REQUEST
which focus on holistic (entire, complete) action, i.e.
(Forwarded by email) Husband, Gary, is serving in Iraq while his young wife is fighting cancer here. He requests by email that as many people are notified as
what must "entirely come to pass" without delay. This
6
not knowing about Gerald’s condition was very disturbing. Later, my friends who lived nearby invited me to their house. The Lord was supplying my need. Another offer came from a local family who paid for a room and meal tickets while another friend and then my foster daughter, Deloris, and her two daughters, came to spend nights with me. The comforting words of Psalm 91:1 were great promises of God’s loving care for me and Gerald, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Before it was over, Gerald’s condition became even worse, and the thoughts of the future were dark, but the faithfulness of the Lord, His comforting power, and His sustaining strength kept me going. Now several days later, Gerald is home and improving and truly I can say, “Thank the Lord for His healing power for Gerald…” Thanks for each of your prayers for us during this time of stress. WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE! Anita ---------------------------------------------------------------
possible in order to pray for his wife, “she is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 Cervical cancer.” Gary requests that we ask everyone …to pray for the healing of his wife. He adds, “The power of Prayer is unsurpassed.” CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH NEWS On the 20th of December, Jo, her daughter and a friend - all from Texas, visited the Christian Triumph Mission Church. They brought presents for ALL the children. As well, the adults received baskets filled with fruit, a turkey, and canned food. Diana, Secretary/Treasurer of Christian Triumph said, “What a blessing! We are thankful for their generosity to Christian Triumph and to the church. They are angels.” She added that it has been a couple of very busy months and the Church/Mission “can’t wait to see what February has in store for us.” God is so good! -------------------------------------------------PASTOR ISRAEL HERNANDEZ Even though Pastor Israel is up and about, even taking a trip to Mexico, the doctors still intend to do further surgery on his eye. They will attempt to correct the molecular hole as well as remove the oil. May God’s perfect will be done! --------------------------------------------------LETTER FROM ANITA (Writer for the Faith Messenger edited and condensed)
MARCH ISSUE OF THE FM: Articles by Maxine Trigleth, George Bell, Felicia Rose, Byrum Lee, Donna Schillinger, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------LETTERS THANKS to each one who wrote from: CA., ND., TX., IN., KS., MS., OH., OR., PA., VA. We appreciate all the support, strength, and help each one gives to this missionary ministry.
Sunday morning, my husband, Gerald, and I went to church; the Sunday school lesson was on “help in Time of Trouble.” Little did I realize that by evening, I would be facing the beginning of some very disturbing events. After a well spent day, Gerald complained of feeling cold and soon was experiencing chills, fever, chest pain and shortness of breath. He asked me to call the prayer line. I did and I also called 911. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with severe illness. I spent the nights in his room, but his condition worsened; he was transferred to another hospital. Because of the flu season, this hospital did not allow me to spend the night in ICU, but they had an Inn where I could stay. The loneliness and
From Idell: Hope this finds you well and enjoying life. God has been real good to me. He gives me safety in driving to church each Sunday and to the grocery store. He supplies every need….I do miss my Dear Husband very much. I look forward to the day when I can join him in that wonderful place God has prepared for those who love Him….. From Angela: I so look forward to receiving the Faith Messenger and read it from cover to cover, most interesting, inspiring and full of God’s word. Thank you & May God bless each & everyone who has a part in this great news letter. It has always been a blessing to me… From Doris: Hope everyone is well. I enjoy reading the Faith Messenger. God bless all. Pray He will 7
continue to provide…I would like to see Sister Evelyn. Love & prayers, Doris
2010
Many thanks for all the wonderful letters! God bless you each one!
Where Did January Go?
Faith Messenger A publication of Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, TX 78465
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Corpus Christi, Texas Permit # 695
Address Service Requested
“…The hour has come … to to wake up from … slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day 8
is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light‌� Romans 13:1113:11-12 NIV
9
10