*Volume 109 *No. 03 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *MARCH 2009
Contents: The Church by Jo New Leader Testimony Be Strong in the Lord Chorus A Story A Look at the Book of Matthew Poem, Letters
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Christian Triumph Mission Church THE CHURCH By Jo
It is my understanding and belief, that the Church is the conscience of our society. As Children of God and part of His Church, we are subject to and responsible for upholding His Word regardless of what we “think.”
We are to stand against those who would go against God’s Word, especially those who have the authority to create laws for mankind. As Children of the Kingdom, we are not to even support or promote anyone who is acting in opposition to God’s teachings. If we do so, we are in direct disobedience to God. Our trust is not in man but in Almighty God, and we are “not to lean on our own understanding” but instead “to hold fast our profession of faith without wavering.” When we fail to uphold God’s principles, we cause the Church to become weak, less productive, and even lose respect in our society. This occurs when we “teach one thing” and then support another. The Governor, Pilate, in the New Testament is a good example of holding double standards to achieve a purpose. “But they (the people) shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify Him!’ “When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’” Pilate’s weakness involved him in the very action he wished to avoid! His lack of resolution did not work for him, and it will not work for us. We cannot excuse ourselves when we make choices in direct opposition to God’s Word. It is our duty as God’s Church to stand for the truth without wavering. Let us be strong (edited) in the Lord our God!
to the Building Inspection Department, the vision came together and was presented to them. However, soon after this presentation, my computer crashed with all the digital work that had been produced and only hard copies remained. Approximately one year later, the plans surfaced again, and I was called to meet with contractors and new volunteers. As well, I was asked to fill the vacancy of Second Vice President for Christian Triumph. Through continued prayer, I have realized that God prepared me for this very purpose. Please pray with me that I will listen as God leads in our efforts to serve Him in this ministry. I believe, that past experiences are not coincidences but instead open an opportunity of service for our Lord.
NEW LEADER CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH
Fred Pena My association with Christian Triumph began one evening, after my wife came home from a Women’s Bible Study. She told me that after the prayer in their meeting, the Lord impressed her to volunteer “me” to help a friend with a need. The friend’s burden was to reach out to the community; however, she had no clue where to begin and needed some guidance. My wife’s friend was Diana Beletic, Secretary-Treasurer of Christian Triumph Company. Having a degree in Architecture and Engineering as well as working for the City of Corpus Christi, I was impressed by God to meet with Diana in an attempt to answer some of her questions. In a meeting with her and her husband, Steve, I soon realized that they needed someone to do preliminary ground work into putting the vision on paper. A few meetings later, I was able to establish the role of the ministry and what the needs were to construct and operate a facility for the community. After many visits
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(Page 3 – Fred’s testimony)
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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through the building of a practical, safe community center. There we hope to minister to children who may never have heard the Gospel. Through this outreach, spiritual eyes will be opened, missionaries will be sent, and blessings will be given to all who take part in this eternal effort. God’s picture is much larger than we can imagine. I believe He is calling me to step into the battlefield - the West Side of Corpus Christi - and enter a battle for the souls of children in a field that is “white unto harvest.” As our culture slips deeper into sin, it becomes more urgent. If we do not reach individuals while they are younger, their hearts will harden, and it may become almost impossible to reach them later in life. Christian Triumph can become the “Beacon of Light” that the little children run to for HOPE!
I was raised the son of a Mennonite Brethren preacher and exposed to the Gospel at a very early age in life. A missionary came to my home town, and during an old fashioned tent revival service, at the age of three, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Since then, I have discovered an interesting fact: Of the Christians who are actively serving God at present, over 85% of them received Christ before the age of 15. Just as significant, I realized that God gives us the “Good News” which can be understood by anyone-any age. This truth has led me to become an active member in Child Evangelism Fellowship. This organization was established in 1937 and has the largest children’s ministry institute in the nation, devoted solely to children. The hearts of little children are tender, and they can be reached for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” As I serve the Lord at Christian Triumph, I would like to give all that I have to see what the Lord will do
By Fred Pena
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“…be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deut. 4 “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” 3
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” This prayer is followed by verses 14 & 15: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
By Anita
BE STRONG IN THE LORD When we began the New Year, 2009, it was like gazing at a piece of blank paper beautifully clean and free of smudges with the hint of numerous possibilities. What a challenge for us as Christian people! Although we recognize our limitations, we also recognize that our future is in God’s perfect Hands – Blemish free! Our ability to live without “falling away” or failing comes through a Savior who never leaves us alone to face life’s New Year surprises. Instead, Jesus “sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24b The World should never give up on Christians because God doesn’t! In fact, their strength comes from the Lord! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 In determining that Christian beliefs are of the utmost importance and holding on to them, we will take a stand for the truth and the right. We will stand “together” for we join in with all true believers in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In times of need, God will help us. He will forgive and restore just as He teaches us to forgive one another. The Lord’s Prayer
First John 1:7 promises strength in fellowship with other Christians. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” KEEP THE FAITH! BE STRONG IN THE LORD! As you write upon your blank paper in 2009, be encouraged! God is with you! Steps toward being successful as a Christian in this New Year are: Bible reading, prayer, fellowship with other Christians, attending church and Christian witnessing. Anita (edited)
Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me All His wonderful passion and purity! O Thou Spirit divine, All my nature refine, Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Matthew 6:9-13
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be 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:
Albert W.T. Orsborn
Tom Jones
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious. Slow to anger, abounding in love…He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him…” Psa. 103 4
Finally he turned to leave but something stopped him. He went back to the door and knocked loudly and rang the doorbell one more time. He waited just a moment before leaving. Slowly, the door opened and there stood a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, “What can I do for you?” The boy smiled and with radiant eyes said, “Ma’am, I am sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that ‘Jesus really does love you.’ I came to give you my last tract which tells you all about Jesus and His love.” With that, he handed her the tract and turned to leave. She called out to him as he ran down the street, “Thank you, son! And God bless you.” The following Sunday morning, an elderly lady came into the church service and when the Pastor asked, “Does anybody have a testimony or want to say anything,” the lady stood to her feet. She began to speak, “No one in this church knows me. I have never been here before, and I have not been a Christian. But my husband passed away, leaving me alone and last Sunday, it was a cold and rainy day. My heart hurt so badly that I came to the end of the line where I no longer wanted to even live myself. I had no hope or will - left.” I was about to take my own life when suddenly my doorbell rang. I waited for it to stop, but it rang again, and then someone began knocking. I wondered who it could be so I went to open the door. There stood a little boy, and, oh, his smile was so wonderful! He handed me a tract and said, ‘Jesus really does love you.’ I am even now holding that tract in my hand. When the little boy ran up the street in the cold rain, I closed my door and read every single word of the Gospel tract. And then I decided there was no reason for me to quit on life and give up. Jesus loves me! You see – now I am also a Child of the King. I saw your church’s address on the tract and have come to say, ‘Thank you.’”
STORY (A word by the editor) Although we cannot verify the accuracy of this story sent to us, it is still a wonderful reminder of God’s love. Story edited.
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, “Ok, Dad, I am ready.” His Pastor Dad asked, “Ready for what?” The son answered, “It’s time we gather our tracts and go out.” The Dad responded by exclaiming, “It is very cold outside and is pouring rain!” The boy gave his dad a surprised look and asked, “But, Dad, don’t people still need God, even though it is raining?” The Dad answered, “Son, I am not going out in this weather!” Despondently, the boy asked, “Dad, can I go? Please?” His Dad hesitated for a few moments and then said, “Son, you can go, but be careful. Here are the tracts. Get back soon!” And with that, the son was out of the house and passing out tracts door to door as well as handing anybody one that he met on the street. Down to his last tract, the boy stopped on a corner and looked around; he saw one more house and ran to ring the doorbell. No one answered. He rang it again and again. 5
Love for enemies is unnatural. It comes from a submission to the Spirit of God and is empowered through the saving grace of Jesus. This love turns away from bitterness and turns to a Heavenly Father Who promises, “I, even I, am He who comforts you…” (Isaiah 51). “I will contend with those who contend with you…” (Isaiah 51). God promises in His Word to never leave us alone to face difficulties without His Holy Spirit! In reality, loving the unjust does not mean leaving their behavior unchecked. Sometimes, an enemy’s behavior must be stopped, disciplined or punished but not for the purpose of fulfilling our need for revenge; it must be done as a safety or corrective measure - through wise principles. In truth, God does not want us enslaved to anger because of someone else’s harmful behavior. Instead, God wants us to be free, filled with love. And He, as our Role Model, offers salvation to every enemy of the Cross. Even when we ourselves have broken His law and heart, He did not withhold His forgiveness and love. Jesus further states in Matthew that we “must be perfect” even as our Heavenly Father. This word has nothing to do with * abstract or metaphysical perfection; instead it speaks of one who realizes his purpose for which he was made. “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) The Story of the Creation. In being “perfect”- like God, we seek the good of individuals, realizing that their behavior is not the same as who they were created to be. Example: Abusive adults can take an innocent child and create a person with cruel behavior, and yet, this is not the original “authentic person.” The thing that makes us like God is allowing God to give us His unconditional love, creating within us a desire to pray for such troubled, injured individuals. Although we may need to take measures to protect ourselves from destructive behaviors, we will *enter upon Christian perfection when we learn to forgive as God forgives and to love as God loves.
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 Matt. 5: 43-48 “You have heard that it has been said: You shall love your neighbour, and you shall hate your enemy; but I say to you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward can you expect? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? If you greet only your brothers, where is there any extra about that? Do not even the Gentiles do that? So then, you must be perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We will begin with a question: Is there anyone so perfect that he or she could live accordingly to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount without the help of Jesus Christ? Surely in keeping the above passages, one could only do so through the grace of Jesus, our Savior Who enables individuals to experience good will towards those who persecute them. Jesus tells us to be like God, to “love our enemies.” Who could easily do that? In searching for the answer, we must remember there are four different words for “love” in the Greek language. 1. a word meaning love of family 2. the love of a man for a women 3. a word describing a warm, deep affection 4. *the word meaning unconquerable benevolence, invincible goodwill It appears that Jesus never asked us to love our enemies the same way we love our family and close friends for these forms of love come naturally from the heart.
* The Gospel of Matthew, Page 172 * The Gospel of Matthew, Page 175 * The Gospel of Matthew, Page 177
APRIL FAITH MESSENGER: Matthew 6:1-18 6
Which isn’t by a simple resolution.
If I call on the Savior, and make Him my Lord; Put my trust in Him, and obey His Word; Forgiving my past, He gives me a new heart. I’m now a brand-new me, and have a fresh start.
In studying the book of Matthew, we are constantly reminded of our own inabilities and imperfections; and yet we humbly face those personal areas which need cleansed by the grace of God and empowered through the Holy Spirit. Being genuine means being meek and then teachable. Sometimes we acquaint “perfect” Christians with the word “Saint.” Thankfully, the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit interceding for the Saints, those who have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Paul writes in Romans 8 that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 are given to encourage our growth and submission to the will of God. In opening our hearts to His teachings, we will learn that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes…He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?...in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us…” (Romans 8) ====================================
--Byrum C. Lee 10/2006
From Las Vegas: Christian Triumph, What a friend we have in Jesus! Thank you for all your prayers. God is so good. Love in Jesus Name, Lyn From Los Angeles: Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus Name, hoping all is well. Also wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It’s getting like most people don’t want to say Merry Christmas. anymore. Anything related to Christ they are out-lawing it. School plays can’t carry a cross or mention Jesus. But you can have plays about gangs and loose girls. They are trying to take (In God We Trust) out of our currency…our Enemy is getting stronger while as a nation, we’re getting weaker….they say we are dishonoring other religions. We must use our thoughts and songs and anything dealing with Christ only in our own place of worship. But they are in for a great surprise for our Bible says, “Every knee shall bow…” and that means theirs too… Pray for my family…Say hello to all and May God Bless, Eldred THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERS! MORE COMING IN THE APRIL ISSUE!
(Teachable Teachable)) A NEW ME I looked at myself, and what did I see? It was somebody I didn’t want to be. I tried as best I could to improve on me, But gave up at last and just tried to flee. I learned that from me I couldn’t get away, And found with myself I’d just have to stay. But now I think I’ve found the solution,
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“Wash away All my iniquity And cleanse me From my sin. Wash me, And I Will be Whiter than Snow.” Psalm 51 8
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