*Volume 79 *No. 05 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * MAY 2015
Contents: In His Own Time…………....…......2 Don’t Waste the Blessings ..……… 3 Poem by Byrum…………….....…...4 When Time A Ends..…………......5,6,7 SONG OF LOVE I Love My Family…………………7 Psalm 92
The Lily of the Valley
In Gratitude, Honor and Memory Of Mothers And All Women, Women, Uniquely designed by God! +++
The Best of Greetings! At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went
to look at the tomb. But instead of grieving for Jesus, they became participants in an amazing, life-changing event! There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. God’s angel calmed the women’s fears and assured them of Jesus resurrection…I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you. God entrusted this incomparable announcement to Mary and Mary Magdalene - a message which not only changed their lives, but the eternal existence of millions of other individuals throughout the centuries! As they happily ran to tell the disciples the angel’s words, suddenly Jesus met them with this welcome: GREETINGS!
Continued from Page 1: THE BEST OF GREETINGS!
The terrifying nights were over! The beautiful morning had come! And Jesus was alive! [Mary and Mary Magdalene] came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me. It was God’s point in time – then as it is TODAY, to spread the Good News of His Amazing Grace: therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NIV) Every unique woman, child, teen or man is immeasurably precious to God and is invited into His Presence. – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him – (Romans 10:12)
The bulbs may be unattractive, and with first planting, half of the bulbs must show above the soil, but given a little time, the tiny blade-like leaf begins to emerge and more appear as time goes by, becoming very long, even reaching over 2 feet. Another stub that emerges is somewhat thicker, and as it grows, it has a more round-like portion upon which the flower pod forms; then a small bulge begins to form on the end – a slight crack appears on the pod, eventually opening with bits of the flower showing. A little more time and the bloom is in full view! What an enjoyable experience to watch the changes as the unattractive bulb eventually sends up beautiful long stems, then adds to this the stalk that holds the adorable flower. How we can liken our lives to this growth pattern! Though unlike the flower that fades, every human being can choose to go to God’s Heavenly Home where eternal existence will be enjoyed forever by those who accept God’s plan of salvation. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 Faith Messenger Permit #695
Editor: This above article was inspired by a late night call from a young woman to whom God had revealed His Presence, His message and His Peace.
Published monthly, except July and August. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Christian Triumph Company
Other translations read: Good Morning! (TLB) Rejoice! (NKJV) Greetings! (NCV)
(Scriptures from Matthew 28 are found in NIV The Living Insights Study Bible Charles R. Swindoll General Editor)
P.O. Box 5187 Corpus Christi, Texas 78405
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IN HIS OWN TIME
Amaryllis
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.
By Anita We have some Amaryllis bulbs that we enjoy; most are red, but one was red and white striped. The House Plant book warns that parts of the Amaryllis plant are poisonous. The bulbs require a very bright, warm place to grow. With patience, care and time, clusters of glorious huge trumpet-shaped flowers in warm colors make a dramatic sight.
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 SUBSCRIPTION, write to the address above or contact Christian Triumph Co. at christiantriumph@yahoo.com. Or see us on the web at ChristianTriumph.org 2
Don’t Waste the Blessings
new Christian Triumph church building in Corpus Christi, scheduled for the July 4th weekend. We ask that you pray for Able and Elena Hernandez. Seeing their situation makes me really want to take advantage of my time, money and my youth—although I am already up in years. I can say that God has taken care of me until now—I was saved at age 16, and I gave my youth to God and to my family. Not everything in Mexico was sadness though. I also met a young couple with a little boy and a little girl, a pastor of the Congregational Church where I attended for some years. This couple wants to plant a church from ground zero, and they have the call and desire to work for God. They are helping the pastors who are ill in Zacapu, but their desire is to plant new churches in Michoacán. A family has placed in my hands a property in another city and plans to build a church with a parsonage; and with the help of this family, the project will advance. We are just praying for God to supply the materials and we will begin after the inauguration of the church in Corpus Christi. Please pray for us, for God to give us strength and supply our needs. Dear readers, I leave you with these words: Don’t waste your time, your youth or your money. +++
By Pastor Israel Hernandez
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV) Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Hebrews 2:3 (ESV) How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard. On February 8th, my wife and I traveled to the town of Zacapu in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, with the goal of attending the graduation of 27 students of Christian Triumph’s correspondence Bible course. But I was saddened to see the pastors of a church where I once was pastor for two months. Pastor Abel and his wife Elena were bed ridden. A sudden sickness had left Abel without use of his left leg and arm, and without the ability to speak. He was able to communicate with me in writing. One month after Abel’s illness, Elena was struck by the same illness. Her right side is paralyzed, but thank God, she is able to speak. They are just 56 and 62 years old—which seems young to me. They have been taking medicines and undergoing therapy for six months, but they are still not well. Seeing this need, I want to return and help to organize their church, the Church of Sharon. They have suspended Sunday school and other activities, including for a time, the graduation of those correspondence course students. If God permits, we hope to return to Michoacán after the inauguration of the
Editor: Deciding how to live one’s life is a challenge. How do I make good decisions is a question asked by many throughout the centuries. Thankfully, in 2015, there continues to be an interest in personal identity, purpose and self-worth. P4 3
Who Am I?
The Spirit of God assures us of guidance for answers needed. In fact, a sincere heart which communicates often with The Creator opens wide the door to His supreme wisdom based on His Word. And yet, there are adults - who as children and teens - grew up, abused and disrespected, even by religious persons. How difficult it would be to then trust anyone! Consequently, making wise choices, even though hearing about God’s love, often requires professional or Christian counseling, learning from one’s mistakes or, at times, God’s direct intervention. Communication with God is offered to each of us because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross for our sins. The following scripture describes the Glory of that gift, through the New Covenant in 2 Corinthians 3: Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…. God’s desire is to “free us” while blessing us with a unique relationship, created in love as He heals and restores us: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s Glory, are being transformed into his likeness…2 Cor.3 God knows every single thing about us, and He longs to help us discover our God-given identity. He wants to help us make the best decisions which will then empower our wonderful purpose on this earth.
YOU CAN'T BE SOMEBODY ELSE There's nobody else who is quite like you, So to your own self you need to be true. You have no need to be somebody else— Don't put yourself aside on a dusty shelf. If there's somebody else whom you admire, And by whom you may have been inspired, Tho' some of his traits, you could acquire, To be exactly like that person, don't aspire. No two people are ever exactly the same— Even if they’re twins or have the same name. You must live your life within your own skin, Even if you have developed a double chin. Your real self you might prefer to smother, And some things you wish you could cover; But all such efforts, in the end, are in vain— And from trying to do so, you should refrain. You must live your life one day at a time, Realizing you can’t always stay at your prime. The years that are gone you can never recover, But that, for yourself, you’ll one day discover.
Editor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Psalm 118:1-4, Thank GOD because he’s good, because his love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.”
Some things I've learned in ninety-six years, Byrum C. Lee, Sr., 02/19/2015
The MESSAGE
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an unfailing inspiration to all who knew her. She had known for nearly six years that the disease which ravaged her body was life-threatening, yet she never gave up hope. Life was precious to her. While she knew that God could heal, if it was within His plan for her and us, she knew also that He doesn’t always choose to heal. She often spoke of others whom she considered more useful than herself who were not healed, and she did not expect any special privileges for herself. For the last several months, she was concerned about being a burden to those who cared for her and felt that her life was of small benefit, afflicted as she was. She never quite realized just how much she helped others throughout her lifetime, and even during her illness and death. Although she was genuinely concerned about becoming a burden, let me assure you that it is no burden to care for someone you love. And God undoubtedly provides special strength to those who serve them who cannot help themselves. Because, God only knows why, her life was spared for as long as it was, even to the continual amazement of the medical profession who unhesitatingly called it a miracle, she bore a beautiful witness to scores of people which, I pray, will bring forth fruit for eternity. Many of us can never be same again. This is particularly true for those of us who were privileged to be near her during her last twenty-four hours. For the presence of Jesus was so close and precious to her, as she talked with Him more than to us, that it made Him more real to us also. She wanted someone to hold her hand, and most of the time, two of us were sitting beside her, holding her hands. A few hours before her death, as I sat with her
Editor’s note: The accompanying article, “When Time Ends and Eternity Begins,” is a reprint of a manuscript of the personal experiences of Pastor Byrum Lee, delivered to his church following the death of his wife, Genevieve, in June of 1977. It was made available at that time, to his congregation, family and friends, and was recently sent to Christian Triumph by Judy Chesnut, with the belief that its publication would be beneficial to the readers of the Faith Messenger. It is reprinted here, with the consent of Pastor Lee. Not yet established at the time of this message, a memorial school in honor of Genevieve Lee was constructed in Managua, Nicaragua in January of 1978. WHEN TIME ENDS AND ETERNITY BEGINS (A message delivered by Pastor Byrum C. Lee to the Midwest City Church of God Sunday morning, July 10, 1977, copies of which are provided to the church and to friends across the country.) This is my first message to the church since the death of my dear wife, Genevieve, on June 24, and my first communication with many others by mail, some of you learning for the first time of her death. You, and hundreds of others, have been so kind to my family and to me since her death, even as you were to her during her many months of suffering, which is over now. For, she is in the presence of her beloved Jesus, and is, as she said, “free.” Although Genevieve endured much pain, she did so with dignity and patience. Her spirit throughout her long illness was 5
hand in mine, she said, “Jesus, I’m ready to go with you. Take my hand and lead me… and take care of my family.” On another occasion as death seemed near, our daughter Barbara, and nurse Wylodean Kimsey both witnessed to hearing what could only be described as heavenly music. Wylodean heard it first as she bent down to check her vital signs with her stethoscope. What she heard startled her. Then, as she rose up, the sound began to come through to Barbara who was holding her mother’s hand. It was like an ensemble of trumpets, at times, growing stronger, and then fading as she seemed to hover between life and death. It was during this time that they heard her say clearly, “I just died; I’m free!” after which she was completely relaxed. Although she lived a few hours longer, it seemed that the spirit was ready to depart but the body wouldn’t give up. But for those last hours she was as much a part of eternity as she was of time. Never one to seek the easy way, many times during her illness she commented about how she didn’t want to cop out if God had a further purpose for her here. And she had so hoped to live to see Byrum, Jr. and Lynn’s baby, a little girl, whom they named Brenan, born July 3, just a few days after Genevieve’s death. The fear of copping out must have been on her mind during those last hours when she was heard to say, “Jesus, forgive me for ending time.” Although time continues for you and me, for her it was being swallowed up in eternity. As I have mused on her mention of “ending time” these words come to mind: “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal
bright and fair…” I think the song writer was anticipating the same transition from time to eternity which Genevieve experienced, with the angelic trumpets heralding her entrance to the heavenly portals where night is swallowed up into eternal day. Were the experiences which accompanied Genevieve’s death unique? Probably, only to the extent that rather than dying at the hospital, she was at home among those she loved, and who were united with her in spirit. And because she was without medication, her mind was clear. She always had a fear of taking so much medication for pain that it would cloud her mind, and chose to bear pain as much as possible rather than to have her mind confused. But of even greater significance, Christ was with her to the end. We rejoice in her victorious death. And though she is no longer with us in the flesh, her spirit remains with us, and we are not left without her sweet and gentle influence. Someone once said, “So live that when the time comes for you to die, all you have to do is die.” It would be impossible for me to overemphasize the importance of this admonition. For the way each of us dies is no accident. Not that the immediate cause of death is necessarily providential. But it ought not to be expected that those who have lived like the devil will die like saints. By our own choices, usually made early in life, we determine what our reception into eternity will be. Not to make early preparation to die in the Lord is the greatest folly any man will ever make. Those who take Christ as their Savior and Lord have the assurance that when time 6
ends for them, they will have a Friend to welcome them home. Whether time for any one of us will be short or long, time is surely passing away for us all. Let me call to your attention the words of St. Paul in II Corinthians 4:16-18, 5:1, “But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” For the Apostle, for Genevieve, and for myriads of others in between, their afflictions, whether heavy or light, are past. And even though while going through them it may have seemed they would never end, now it seems they were for just a moment as “death is swallowed up in victory.” Hallelujah! Of greater importance now is the continuance of time for us, accompanied as it is by sorrows and joys, trials, afflictions, defeats and victories. Time didn’t end for us when it did for Genevieve. But time for each of us is swiftly passing, and the manner in which we face life day by day will pretty much determine our own destiny when time ends and eternity begins. If you trust Jesus as your Savior and serve Him faithfully, you too can be assured of a royal welcome into eternity. Yes, the pearly gates will open wide for you as they did for her. By God’s grace, I
expect to join her some day. And I pray that you will make whatever decisions may be necessary in your life to do the same. ------------------------------I LOVE MY FAMILY By Donna
When I was in my early teens, one Sunday after dinner at the grandparents’ house, I was a little sore about not being able to spend that day with my friends. I told my grandmother in a very sincere, inoffensive manner, “I love my friends more than my family.” I really felt that way and for some years, I believed it. I think it is normal for a young person to prefer to be with people her own age over spending time with her parents and siblings. But those words haunt me now and I hope never to hear them from my own daughter. A few decades later, friends have come and gone but who is still in my life? Who is there for me in the worst of times? My family. I have two wonderful friendships outside my family that have lasted about 20 years. I know what a true friend is and the unique and essential role they play as well. Lucky for us, we don’t have to choose between friends or family. We can have and love them both. There may be more times now that we prefer friends over family, but a time for appreciating family is coming around some day soon. Grab the opportunity to spend quality time with both. Hold this thought: I love my family! By author, Donna Schillinger: ON MY OWN NOW Straight talk from the Proverbs for young Christian Women. (Page 14)
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I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother‌and in your mother‌ and I am persuaded now lives in you. (2nd Timothy 1:5 NIV)
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