*Volume 107 *No. 01 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *JANUARY 2009
Contents: Thank You Happy New Year What Are Your Wishes? Ole Fisherman 47 Year Old Poem Anita - Promises A Look at the Book of Matthew Letters
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H appy N ew Y ear!
THANK YOU! By the editor
THANK YOU for beginning a new year with Christian Triumph! Our appreciation is beyond measure. We always value each letter received and never take for granted the prayers and help provided by each one of you. This missionary work has continued - only because of cherished friends who help in sending the Gospel. Unlike some ministries, this is not and never has been just a family legacy. Instead, this mission was and is - founded on a sincere faith in God as well as on the sacrificial gifts of steadfast individuals. As such, each Christian Triumph employee or shareholder remains accountable -
To You - our missionary partners and Faith Messenger readers. In editing this January issue of the Faith Messenger, I am remembering two lovely sisters who remained devoted for years to this literature ministry. Recently, they both took their leave from this earth to reside with their Heavenly Father, and, once again, we thank them! Their dedication is outstanding and humbly appreciated. I remember - two compassionate gentlemen who were deeply concerned for the souls of others and along with their wives - helped to send the Gospel through literature. Of late, they have also gone Home to be with Jesus, as their loving wives carry on the Calling to “go and make disciples in all the nations.” I remember - precious friends who have faced grief and sorrow in this last year and yet still made the time to write and to help send the Word of God which offers Hope. I remember – special persons who have experienced illness personally or in their dearly loved families and, yet, even now continue to pray and encourage all of us. I think of a dear saint who began writing to Christian Triumph over 45 years ago. In difficult moments, sadness, and in joy, she continued corresponding, believing that telling others about Heaven is worth it all. She now resides in a nursing facility, still wishing she could help. There are others who take from their own busy time and finances to thrust The Word forward as it reaches out with a divine, eternal purpose. Together, we all simply hold up the precious Name of Jesus, for Jesus is the true light. (Continued – Pg.2)
Consequently, God is blessing Christian Triumph and continuing to grow eternal seeds – which in our combined effort are planted and cultivated through the power of the Holy Spirit. From far away lands, including Spain and Switzerland, requests for literature are coming. Brazil, Peru and other countries persevere in requesting more Spanish tracts; thus, approximately 1,000 pounds are mailed every two months. (2008) In 2008-2009, over 500 students enrolled in the Spanish Correspondence Bible Courses. In addition, the local Spanish Bible Institute is, once again, opening its doors to receive students this January. The new instructor, Brother Silva (who works as a public contractor), is himself a graduate from last year’s Bible Institute. At present he has, in fact, laid aside his own busy ministry to assist Pastor Israel as a teacher and as an assistant in the mission work.
family traveled to Corpus Christi to bring clothing, food, and presents to the children who attend the mission church. (Many children came but some were unable to walk to church, due to adverse weather.) Acts of kindness, such as these, plant those life-saving seeds of Jesus’ love. Bless you All for contributing to Christian Triumph in 2008. We value the encouraging letters, articles, poems, Sunday school literature, Bibles and books, clothes, items for the church children, monetary gifts, volunteer work, and other things. We greatly depend upon your prayers - for God is our Guide and remains in control of the New Year and the future of this missionary work. We simply and sincerely thank you and ask God to reward – you - His generous, loving children. Happy New Year!
Thankfully, the Christian Triumph mission church has been a strong foundation for the local outreach. The congregation’s personal offerings fund several undertakings such as the radio programs. Pastor Israel oversees 16 hours of radio time per month which includes two hours of children’s lessons on Saturday by Elena, Pastor Israel’s sister. In looking forward to 2009, another good friend, Fred, who is also a dedicated Child Evangelism leader is hoping to begin classes within the Christian Triumph neighborhood. His enthusiasm for sharing the stories of Jesus is remarkable! Another important service within the mission outreach is the prison ministry. A nearby Christian brother visits local prisons, sharing Bibles and tracts which he donates. Elena and her husband, Teo, dedicate their limited time to visiting nursing homes, encouraging and praying for the beloved elderly. As mentioned in the December Faith Messenger this Christmas, Jo, FM writer, and her
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); Steve Beletic, President; Israel Hernandez, Vice-President; William Anderson, 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 SUBSCRIPTION, write to the address above or contact Christian Triumph Co. at christiantriumph@yahoo.com. Or see us on the web at christiantriumphcompany.com
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Three New Year’s Wishes For Us All
Ole Fisherman Peter and Me! Ole Peter and me have some chapters in our lives that we wish we could delete. Could any good come out of all those mistakes? Well, Jesus must have thought so; in fact, He hung in there with Peter until this loud, impulsive fisherman became one of the most vigorous prayin’ – preachers in the history of the church. In his past, however, Peter was not only impulsive but fearful! One terrible day, he gave into these fears and made real the prophecy that Jesus forecast of the crucifixion. “You will disown me three times…” (Jesus’ words to Peter.) As the rooster crowed, Peter went out and wept bitterly. Yet, Jesus, his best friend, never gave up on him! Why? Because He knew Peter’s heart! Was it possible that Peter could love Jesus deeply and still deny Him? Evidently so, because in spite of his betrayal, Jesus proposed a piercing question about “love” which searched Peter’s heart: “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” When questioned again and again, Peter said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” And in affirmation, Jesus answered, “Feed my sheep.” Because of Jesus’ Amazing Grace, Ole Peter was restored! Then after Jesus’ ascension, he wrote two of the most compassionate, courageous letters in the New Testament – 1 and 2 Peter. And now there is Ole Me! I too was afraid, lacked faith and stumbled in my past, even though, formerly, in my teenage years was a loyal assistant to Rev. L. Y. Janes, the founder of Christian Triumph. Strange! Life just sometimes has a way of devastating one’s dreams, often making a mockery of heart-felt purposes. Tribulation and pain alters one’s personal universe as murky darkness seeks to extinguish the Light.
A wish for Peace. “The fruit of righteousness will be Peace.” A wish for Quietness. A wish for Confidence. “The effect of righteousness will be Quietness and Confidence Forever.” Isaiah 32
2009 What are your wishes and hopes for the New Year? We would like very much to hear from you in 2009. Please write us about your dreams or hopes for the New Year as well as for God’s will in this world today. Sharing ideas and personal stories are influential in revealing God’s power to help and to answer in difficult times. Please send to: Christian Triumph Co. PO BOX 5187 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, TX 78465-5187 (or email to christiantriumph@yahoo.com Attention: Faith Messenger) “For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.” Psa. 72:12 A Scripture for Renewed Energy Isaiah 43 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! …I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (God forgives! God forgets!) “I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no God.” Isaiah 44 3
Even more disturbing - desolate, chaotic clouds envelope the soul while the storm rages on. Faith becomes threatened by hopelessness and a desperate lack of trust. And yet, Jesus never gives up! Why? He knows the heart and remembers the love that is buried there. In fact, one wonderful night, Jesus asked me a similar, eternal question - such as the one that He asked Ole Peter: “Do you love me more than these?” And, just like Ole Peter, I cried, “O Lord, you know all things! You know that I love you.” … In this New Year of 2009, I lean heavily upon God’s Words in Isaiah 43: “Do not dwell on the past; See I am doing a new thing!” A new thing! Surprisingly, Anita Hennis, writer for the Faith Messenger, recently emailed me a poem that inspired these very thoughts that I have been sharing with you. In her email, she said: “This poem appeared a lot of years ago, but Thank the Lord, it is an encouragement today…the poem was in Triumph Missionary Tidings, Jan.Feb.March, 1962. To those who struggle over their life of turmoil, there is HOPE…there is our Redeemer who was given to us at Christmas time many years ago, and He still lives!” Anita continues – “back in 1962, I wished in my heart to know peace. I was truly stumbling toward my heavenly goal. I was trying to serve the Lord, but what I felt he was asking – seemed hard for me to become resigned to…His love and mercy followed me. And in time…I really worked at straightening out the struggles…our Redeemer forgives, cleanses, and keeps!” Now, you may think after those insightful, honest words that this specific poem Anita sent was written by her; instead, it was written by Ole Me before I lost faith; curiously,I was young, inexperienced in life, but just like Peter, vigorously enthusiastic for the Lord. Strange how things work out! Even with all that zeal while working at Christian
Triumph, there was a troubling thread within this poem which predicted some disappointing and discouraging years up ahead. And yet God never gave up! … If truth be told, Ole Peter and me fully understand “feeling hopeless and on the edge of despair,” but we also understand that Our Father God looks deeply within the heart. There He often finds remorse, sorrow and pain. And in His love, He recreates, restores, and forgives. Truly, a wiser, more experienced Peter summed it all up in his first letter, “…a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” ... Forty-seven years later: Here is the poem Written at Christian Triumph The Peace that Jesus Gives By Nancy Hunter I had a heavy burden Upon my weary soul, I could barely stumble Toward my heavenly Goal. Often I had turned And looked in sad despair At my many sins and sorrows And my heavy load of care. I felt so sad and helpless And had to have a friend So I turned and looked at Jesus Who would help me to the end. “O Lord! My God in Heaven,” I cried with all my heart, “Please give me strength and courage And let us never part.” (Cont. on Pg. 5)
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Then, Oh, what peace and joy Filled my aching soul. I cried with happy voice, “Thank God, I’m now made whole.”
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Oh, how I thank the Savior For all His wondrous love, And now I’m pressing upward Toward that heaven above.
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A Final Word from Peter
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“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
Be encouraged! Never give up!
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Rejoice! Our Redeemer Lives!
Put your trust in H im . Anita
Promises - continued From December Faith Messenger • •
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When we are burdened, weary or sad: “I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalm 118:5, 6 God gives strength in temptations: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10 God is with us in sickness: “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray…let him call for the elders of the church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5 We can safely abide under his wings: “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57 God blesses us: “…blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute (charge) sin.” Romans 4
-------------------------------------------------------------A Christmas Healing On Christmas Day, several of us gathered at the little country church, determining to pray on this very special occasion. Left behind were the presents, Christmas trees, food, family and friends. Before us – waited the One whose birthday we celebrated. Joining our prayers around the altar, I had the privilege of being anointed with oil, for my Aunt in Michigan; she had experienced acute pain for two days and called to ask us to pray for her. Remembering and restating the verses in James 5, we simply followed instructions, asking God to relieve her pain, believing that He would answer. A day or two later, my Aunt called with the good news: God took away my pain!
God will not desert us: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 God offers rest when we are weary: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28 God offers courage: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 27, Psalm 31 He uplifts and makes glad: “When I said, My foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94 5
painful is hardly the way to “train a child” to become an honest, open person. Religious parents can sometimes be perfectionists, choosing to ignore those “logs in their own eyes” while quickly spotting a small splinter in a child’s eye. Hypocrisy is the early death of a desire to create a genuine, straightforward Christian family, endowed with God-given principles. In a perfect world with perfect persons, no oath would ever be necessary. In fact, to require oaths merely demonstrates not only the brokenness of crushed hearts but also the evilness of human nature, including those who lack mercy. The Oath: An oath is a vow or an assumed promise - under God - and interestingly, Exodus 20:7 forbids a person to take an oath or make a vow dishonestly (under God). If this happens, then one is guilty of “taking the Lord’s name in vain.” Furthermore, choosing to be deceitful while using a more evasive oath such as, “I swear on my grave,” without using the Name of God, is no different! This seemingly inconsequential oath could never prevent God from being aware or witnessing any vow, especially a dishonest one. Do we “honestly” think we can divide our lives into compartments – some sections with God and some without Him? Is He not the God of heaven and earth? Moreover, there is nothing in this world which does not belong to Him. God sees All and knows All! We cannot hide from Him! He looks deeply within our hearts and views our behavior and is not fooled if - or - as we act one way at Church and another at home. There should not be a standard of moral conduct in religious settings that conflicts with another (immoral) standard at the office. God is everywhere – in every aspect of life. He hears the words of our hearts even before they are spoken. All vows and oaths are made before God, and if we are dishonest or cannot keep them, then we are not to make them. If they are evasive and untrue (even while holding up one’s right hand) God is still aware and consequences will follow! Jesus said, “When you say, YES, let it be yes; and when you say, NO, let it be no.” (Although oaths are required by law at times and punishable if untrue, only God knows the heart.) Feb. issue of A Look at the Book: Matt. 5:38-42
A LOOK AT THE BOOK OF MATTHEW SERMON ON THE MOUNT Chapter 5 (Reference for this study comes from the Holy Bible as well as the book, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 By William Barclay) Matthew 5: 33-37 “You have heard that it was said by the people of the old days: You shall not take an oath falsely, but you shall pay your oath in full to the Lord. But I say to you: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King, nor by your head, for you cannot make one hair black or white. When you say, Yes, let it be yes; and when you say, No, let it be no. Anything which goes beyond that has its source in evil.” In studying these words of Jesus, we are reminded of all the recent scandals or crimes in which several of those involved insisted they were innocent. No matter the charges, their refusal of “personal responsibility” seemed an easier choice. An old expression of the past has been: A man is as good as his word. Sadly, one doesn’t hear that phrase much, anymore. Furthermore, advice or guidance to “tell the truth” does not seem quite as important as it used to be. Simply put, Jesus was saying in the above scriptures, the truly honest person does not even need to take an oath (a vow) or swear on the Bible, when he or she says something. An honorable individual can be trusted in both words and actions. The need for using an oath comes from the fact that there are those who lack the courage to face reality or those whose hearts have been stained by a sinful world. However, in stating this, it needs to be explained that telling little fibs or lies can also be a learned self-protective behavior created in childhood. If truth be known, living with overbearing, unforgiving, hardhearted parents could make any little child “stretch the truth.” In fact, physical punishment such as whipping a small child’s legs until the welts become swollen and 6
A word about Vesta: She talks of your mission work with fondness. Her visit with you some years ago continues to bring a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Her prayer is continued blessings on you as you serve Him….. (from her daughter)
In A ppreciation Thank you, Ruth, for sending the article about prayer. It was interesting to read once again how different persons in the Bible – when praying reminded God of His promises and actions in the past. Our spirits were enlightened as we earnestly prayed for the future ministries of Christian Triumph. God bless you.
From Deniece: I have received and read the book, Walking Man. It was very humbling, interesting and eye opening. I enjoyed it very much; it encouraged me also…I believe in the work you are doing. Praise God for your faithfulness. In His Great Love.
Letters
From Doris: Warm greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hope all is well and that God continues to bless you and provide your needs…I enjoy your papers and pass them along to others. God bless you.
From Maxine: Thank you so much for the missionary books which you sent to me. I have shared them with others and received a good response. (Maxine allows the Faith Messenger to print her beautiful poems and we value this gift. Please urgently pray for Maxine’s daughter as she is not well.)
From Mr. and Mrs. Moore: We always look forward to receiving our monthly paper. We read every part of it and enjoy the testimonies. It is all so very good. In fact it seems to be getting better. We like the pictures and information. Love
From John and Bea, Dear Ones …our daughter and husband are with us for Thanksgiving, then returning to Romania as missionaries. They have a thriving congregation there and starting another in a nearby town. They have been there 19 years. They thank God for your mission and literature ministry. We so appreciated Evelyn and her sisters and their continued ministry of their parents. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry and outreach, Love and prayers Pastor Israel and Evelyn
From Beverly: …I hope this coming year will be the most productive of all. I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and a new year that will be better for all. As I read my Bible each day, I can’t help but think how long it will be before we see our Lord coming for us. But I have too many souls I am praying for to hope for His coming. Love From Daisy: …I received the book Walking Man and have read part of it so far. My daughter…read it all. That man is really something else and dedicated to start all those churches and converting people to Christianity like he has, walking most all the way, too. I really like the Faith Messenger. Thanks for sending it to me. My daughter likes them too and reads them when she is here. Thanks
How can we thank you for such supportive, sweet letters! Our hearts are encouraged! It is our great privilege to serve God with you this year. 7
Faith Messenger A publication of Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, TX 78465
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Turn to Me And be saved, All you ends of the earth; For I am God, And there is no other. Isaiah 45:22
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