*Volume 75 *No. 08 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * OCTOBER 2005
Contents: Beautiful Bride Beautiful Bride Our Mission Working Together
1 2 3 3
A …Soldier A…Soldier WWII Minister
5 6 7
BEAUTIFUL BRIDE The Church described in the Bible as the Bride has joined together in demonstrating the Love of Jesus (the Groom) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Church is continuing to unify in purpose, serving others without reference to any denominational titles. The Beautiful Bride of Christ is making herself ready. “‘For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice…for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear,’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints).” (Revelation 19:6-8) Interestingly but, yet, in contrast, a recent news item mentions a well-known church losing membership while struggling with divisive problems. Disunity in local churches appears to be occurring quite often. The challenges of hurting churches (persons) may involve financial concerns, unresolved opinions among leadership, pastoral troubles, diminishing membership, and others. Differences that separate persons of faith can be very costly, financially and spiritually. Missions can fail because of inner strife.
Throughout the New Testament, we find instructions in how to maintain personal peace and resolve disruptive issues. Guidance can be found in Matthew 5:21-24. (If we are offering our gift to God and remember that a brother is upset with us, we are to leave that gift and be reconciled to our brother.) Additionally, Titus 3 talks about a divisive person who refuses to listen. The words of Jesus are filled with advice on redeeming repentance and forgiveness. We are even commanded to love our enemies and pray for them; surely, that includes our Christian brothers and sisters. Verse 9 of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) encourages resolution combining it with a blessing, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” There are, of course, other reasons for division besides those mentioned above. Discovering the causes may require a serious reality check and then courage to face those difficult issues. (Perhaps persons find it less troublesome to just build another little church on the next corner.) Right down the road from me is a tiny municipality of 150 persons. In that small community are four distinctive churches; yet, the whole town could easily fit in one big building. I often wonder what differences could be separating those wonderful people. Did they organize these little churches because of some doctrinal issues, family traditions, a warmer comfort zone, like or dislike of a preacher, or musical preferences? Were there unresolved issues, misunderstandings requiring repentance or forgiveness? Even so, remarkably, the Bible insists that the Church or the “Body of Christ” is ONE UNIT. Accepting that Godly Truth while observing all the many houses of worship is even more confusing. However, the One-ness described in the Bible must
surely be perceived as a spiritual principle rather than in the physical merging of parishioners. We Americans have just seen the positive effects of many churches joining together to make a beneficial difference in the lives of persons in distress. Unity is possible when we surrender ourselves for the greater good of mankind. As we follow the golden rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) and then value the two greatest commandments (love God and love your neighbor), our mission on Earth will be realized. The Church (Beautiful Bride) remains unified, in this existing Dimension, for helping others while preparing individuals for an eternal life in Heaven. In John 17, Jesus prays to God, the Father, “I pray also for those who will believe in Me… that all of them may be One, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You… so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You…have loved them even as You have loved me.” Loving others is, perhaps, the most significant gift of the unified Church/Bride. Spreading this love through words and actions accomplishes the mission of the combined Saints. Reading then sending the Word of God to others, especially John 3:16, is an undenominational opportunity. (“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”) In 1 Corinthians 13, we read that LOVE summarizes all things - LOVE begins within the heart of God, and no walls of any (individual) denomination may keep in or keep out the powerful, life-changing LOVE of Jesus. Although it appears The Bride of Christ (the Church) may be threatened by division, the Bride’s eternal and collective purpose will be achieved. LOVE reaches to all persons and beckons them to join together as worshippers of “…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” “The Body of Christ (the Church) is a unit, though it is made up of many parts and though all its parts are many, they form One Body.” (1 Cor. 12). The scripture continues to state that all “born again Believers” of any race, culture, or
circumstance create the beautiful Body of the Bride of Christ. The “parts” spoken of are the gifts these individual Believers are given to bring others to God. Yes, there is diversity, but there is not division. The gifts are given for one ultimate purpose: spreading the Good News as One Unit. Therefore, our human attempts to build more buildings or increase membership by promoting a better church are in vain. Perhaps, our competitive goals might need reconsideration. Possibly, the question could be - how can we join together in reaching persons with the GOOD NEWS of God’s free gift of love. In summary, I am still wondering - is it possible those four different faiths (churches) in that little town of 150 people could all be spiritually One (and not even know it)? As important, how can we find unity on this Earth, as it is in Heaven? What difficult issues could be resolved or laid to rest in view of the critical needs of helping others? While providing a variety of worship experiences may be significant to a community, the message of the “Bride” remains singular – John3:16. This message unites Believers into One Bride as Jesus’ Words transcends individual differences. (Continued on 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); 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
2
Plead with them earnestly, Plead with them gently, He will forgive, If they only believe.
(Beautiful Bride - Continued from Page 2) “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness or compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being One in spirit and purpose.” (Philippians 2:1- 2)
Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried That grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, Wakened by kindness, Chords that are broken Will vibrate once more. Rescue the perishing, Duty demands it, Strength for thy labor The Lord will provide; Back to the narrow way Patiently win them, Tell the poor wand’rer A Savior has died.
-N. Hunter (Editor’s note: We welcome any comments or articles regarding the unity of God’s people – or other articles of interest. Please send to N. Hunter, 10819 CR 9470, West Plains, Mo. 65775)
Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. +
+
(Music written by Howard Doane) +
OUR MISSION Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer, wrote many inspiring songs. After sharing thoughts with a group of people one evening, she was guided by the Spirit of God to ask if there was a young man who might have strayed from his mother’s teachings. As the service closed, an eighteen year old youth approached Fanny explaining that his promise to meet his mother in Heaven was in serious danger because of his lifestyle. As Fanny prayed with him, she found great joy in leading the young man back to a relationship with God. Later that night, Fanny Crosby passionately wrote the song, Rescue the Perishing. The words impress upon us the need to kindly share with others the beautiful gift of Jesus love. Many years later, this same young man (now older) told Fanny that he had stayed true to his promise and was living a Christian life.
WORKING TOGETHER (A short Bible Story) In the Old Testament we read about a 25 year old king, Hezekiah, in Judah who unified the people and accomplished a great mission. In the very first month of his reign, Hezekiah reopened the doors of the neglected Temple, summoned the priests and Levites and said, “Listen to me…sanctify yourselves, the Temple,…and clean all the debris from the holy place…Our fathers have committed a deep sin…they abandoned the Lord…and the wrath of the Lord has been upon Judah and Jerusalem…” “Then the Levites went into action…they summoned their fellow Levites, sanctified themselves, and began to clean up and sanctify the Temple.” Sin offerings were made for the nation and for the Temple. After the consecration ceremony, “people from every part of the nation brought their sacrifices and their thank offerings…” Working together, “the Temple was restored to service and all the people were very happy because of what God had accomplished so quickly.” (Read 2 Chronicles 29)
RESCUE THE PERISHING Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying, Snatch them in pity From sin and the grave; Weep o’er the erring one, Lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus, The mighty to save. Tho’ they are slighting Him, Still He is waiting, Waiting the penitent Child to receive; 3
about what is on my heart. For I think that I will be going to the battlefields within a few days, and I want to have everything right between me and God before I go. Preacher, I have never seen you and do not know you personally, but I wish you would write me and tell me exactly what to do to be saved and ready to meet the Lord if this should be my time to go. Also, if you wish to read this letter over the air, you may do so, for it may help some mother or father to wake up to what is going on. Perhaps it may reach my own mother and help her to see what she should do. Now, here is the story: When I went home the other week, I went with a feeling of joy, and yet there was a burden on my heart. I knew that perhaps it would be my last furlough home, and that maybe I would never see my folks again. For I know that not all of us are coming back and as yet I am not ready to die. So as I went home, I went hoping that mother and dad would help me to get right with the Lord. I knew that they had never been very religious, but they belonged to the Church and claimed to be Christians. They never had family prayers and did not seem to care much about the real spiritual work of the church. But I had the idea that that would all be changed now. Somehow, preacher, I felt that surely this war with all that it is bringing would make mother and dad really live for the Lord. So I went home hoping that they would talk to me about being a Christian, and that they would try to help me to get saved and ready to meet the Lord. I went home thinking that surely my mother was interested in the spiritual condition of her son. I have always thought that my mother was the finest woman in the world and have been very proud of her. So I told myself that mother was praying for me and that she was interested in seeing her boy saved, whether anyone else was or not. But things at home were not what I had expected to find them. I think I came back to camp the most discouraged boy that there has ever been. For when I got home everything
LONGING FOR GOD “Lord, if you keep in mind our sins, then who can ever get an answer to his prayers? But you forgive! What an awesome thing this is! This is why I wait expectantly, Trusting God to help, For He has promised! I long for him more than sentinels long for the dawn.� (Psalms 130:3-6)
MILITARY PRAYER CORNER Please remember our friends and loved ones in the Military, those who guard us, stand firm for the cause of freedom, and sacrifice for the Peace of our nation and others: Sgt. Nathaniel Clum, Army National Guard Spc. Eric Ea., Army National Guard Raymond Hanks, Army National Guard Gary Miller, Army National Guard Kevin Edgemon Jake Gobin (Please send names of military personnel for prayer. SEND TO: N. Hunter 10819 CR 9470 West Plains, Missouri 65775) + A DISAPPOINTED SOLDIER (His letter to a Radio Minister About Home Conditions) Dear Preacher: I was at home a few days ago on furlough and happened to hear you preach on the radio, and I feel that I should write you 4
seemed to be just about as usual. About the only difference that I could see was they fussed a lot about having to put up with rationing, and because they could not buy just anything they wanted to have. As far as their religious life is concerned I think they must be farther from God than they have ever been. Preacher, they seem to be asleep to what this war is doing, and instead of waking up and getting right with God, they seem to be getting deeper in sin. The mother that I thought would pray with me and help me to be saved never once mentioned religion to me. She has even quit going to church with the excuse that they do have enough gas to drive to church. I noticed that they could take a drive and go visiting in the afternoons on Sunday. Anyway the church is not very far and anyone who was really interested could walk. Dad is all wrapped up in his job. Of course, it is a defense job but he does not seem to care much about the defense end of it. All he could talk about was the big salary he was getting, and the fact that their local union was pressing for more money. One day when I said something about it being the biggest salary he had ever gotten, he said, “Oh, well, I just might as well get my part out of this war.” Preacher, I believe that he is actually glad that the war is going on. He did not seem a bit interested in the fact that the longer the war goes on, the more people will lose their lives. All he seemed to care about was his pay. So I spent my entire furlough at home. Time and again I would bring up the subject of religion hoping that mother or dad would talk to me about my soul. Oh, how I wanted mother to pray for me and how I wanted dad to talk to me. Of course, I had never heard mother pray, and dad had never said a word to me in all my life about my soul, but I thought that surely this war would make people turn to God. But the full time of my furlough passed and they had not said one word.
Then came the day when I had to leave. Preacher, I could not stand it any longer. I know you may think I am a fool, but I broke down and cried like a baby. I just could not help it. It was not because I was having to leave. I did not mind that so bad. I knew that I might never see them again. But that was not what worried me. I just had to cry to think that my own mother and dad were not in the least interested in my salvation. Preacher, I came back to camp determined by the help of God to get saved. But I also came back wondering what would happen to mother and dad if God should call them to judgment. I am not very proud of mother now. I see that she is more interested in her clubs and visits and clothes than she is in the salvation of her own. Now, I know that dad isn’t interested in his son’s salvation. Oh, he got a kick out of taking me around and showing the men of the community what a fine looking boy he had, and all of that. But, preacher, dad does not care about my salvation. He is too much interested in making a dollar. I know this is a long letter and will take some of your precious time, but I write it in the hope that you may be able to say or do something that will wake the Godless fathers and mothers of America up to see that they have boys and girls who need to be saved and that they should help them. Tell the mothers wherever you can that for God’s sake and for the sake of their boys, they should get right with God and quit this foolish sinful way in which they are going, and get down to business in praying for the boys and girls of this nation. Tell the fathers that they should quit their drinking and gambling and get interested in their children and in God’s work MORE than they are interested in making money. Tell the young girls (and I have some sisters) to quit their smoking and dancing and petting, and to be clean Christians so that they will be fit to marry a decent man some day and raise a family. 5
A (WWII) MINISTER WITH A MISSION
Preacher, keep telling them the truth, over and over and over again and please pray for my lost mother and father and sisters, and write just what I must do to be saved. FOR I WANT TO BE A REAL CHRISTIAN AND READY TO MEET JESUS EVEN IF I HAVE TO DIE ON THE BATTLEFIELD. Signed by a Soldier.
(Summer of 2005) After two or three tries at retirement, a well respected minister is choosing to follow his vision and establish a “visitation ministry” outside the walls of any denomination. His dream originated from the very heart of God and was not initiated or organized by church leaders. This Soldier of the Cross explains that there are many persons physically unable to make the trip to any church and sit for an hour or more. Rev. W. G., a WWII Veteran (Minister) is giving his time and LOVE to many such wonderful persons. When he visits, he asks them if they need help with anything and then blesses their lives with kindness He is making a difference in our world. Just as Jesus told us to spread the Gospel, Rev. W.G. also plans to visit those who never darken a church door. He will be bringing God’s love and Presence into their personal space. This self-sacrificing minister struggles with his own health problems but chooses to give of his energy to bring SON-shine to others. We commend him for following his Godgiven dream!
SPECIAL NOTE – The above letter was a personal message sent by one of our Soldier Boys to us after he had heard our Broadcast, (The Truth for Today, Station WOPI, Bristol, Tennessee.) There was more to the original letter, but we have printed the main parts of it, leaving out anything that might reveal this boy’s identity. By this time he is probably on the battlefields or may even have lost his life, but we have reason to believe that he went trusting in Jesus as His own personal Savior. May God help the mothers and fathers of America to take warning and to get right with God, for “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” We would be glad for the preachers and publishers to use this for the glory of God and ask only that they give proper credit for its source. This letter was received by us in MARCH 1943. David P. Denton, Minister Church Hill, Tennessee
“…but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
(This is a tract printed by Christian Triumph Company. These tracts are free and will be sent to you upon request.)
(Editor’s note: If you know someone just quietly going about his/her work for the Lord, please share this with our Readers. We would love to honor them. Send to N. Hunter, 10819 CR 9470 West Plains, Mo. 65775) 6
7