Faith Messenger May 2014

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*Volume 78 *No. 5 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * MAY 2014

Contents: Christian Triumph..………..………….2 Royal Position…...……………………3 Hold Fast..……,………………………4 Post Easter.…….…………………..….5 Fellowship of the Unashamed......…….6

A CHILD'S PRAYER ANSWERED

Rainstorms can be very scary even to adults, especially when living in the mountains where dangerous flood waters rush off the hill sides! The true story of this little child began during one such event. Her Mother alerted her that they would have to quickly seek shelter because the storm was a threat to their home, and they were in great danger! Although the little girl was much too young to comprehend all the frightening details involved with a storm of this magnitude, one thing she did understand was how to pray. And pray she did! She loved her mom, valued her toys and appreciated her bed; this was reason enough to pray for their safety and the

security of their home. The storm raged on! Suddenly, a crashing bang brought the shocking realization that something drastic was taking place outside. Waiting to see what happened was very unsettling! Finally, when weather and time allowed, they discovered that a massive boulder had rolled against their house. Miraculously, this huge stone was so large and so heavy that it diverted the swift, flood waters which, as a result, protected their home. God answered this little girl's prayer! Teaching our children to pray can make all the difference in their lives! Luke 18:16-17: “Jesus called the little children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” NIV From Anita: My cousin told me about this experience. The little girl was her relative.

Happy Mothers’ Day!


Christian Triumph News

Bibles. God will supply this need. We need your prayers.

From Elena, Christian Triumph Missionary

We pray for you, our readers and friends, and ask God to help things to go well in your lives. – Elena

Zacharias’ Song In Luke 1, we read that Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. Soon the dreams of His coming would be realized, and Zacharias praised God with joy.

Editor: Elena also travels into Mexico to take the Gospel where she visits churches. Along with friends, she visits in nursing homes and in the hospital locally. Her service at Christian Triumph, working in the mail room and sending the tracts, Bibles, and books is of great importance. Vitalina, her sister-in-law, folds and packages the tracts. She too is faithful and hard-working.

So we too prepare for Jesus’ coming, every moment, every day, with joy because that day is arriving more rapidly.

Along with Pastor Israel Hernandez, her brother, Elena supervises the Spanish Bible Correspondence courses, and in the local church, teaches the children and helps with the music at times, playing the guitar and leading singing. Her special songs are inspiring and uplifting. God has blessed Elena with many abilities and she is using them to the fullest.

Courageous people, in the Lord, continue preparing by taking the Gospel to the needy, at home and abroad. Locally, our dream is to open the Bible school soon in Corpus Christi and the new church. In order to do that, God will supply our needs according to His will.

Faith Messenger Permit #695

In other countries, Cuba is one of the priority areas for receiving the literature. Several young students and adults are studying the Bible. Please remember this place in your prayers for the people have waited a long time to hear the Gospel. Thank God for the freedom we now have to send the Bibles and for them to read the Word of God. And thank you, our friends, for all your help.

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.

We have just received a very encouraging letter from a Pastor, reporting that 200 persons received Christ, in their hearts, in Cuba. They are willing to read the Bible and that is something which motivates us to help them. Although the postage is costly, we want to send this literature and

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

Published monthly, except July and August. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 Corpus Christi, Texas 78405

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took the string and the clasp in His own hands. He did a marvelous work in Esther’s life to make it a necklace of beauty, perfectly designed to suit His purposes and reflect His glory.”

Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? - Mordecai

Charles Swindoll - The Living Insights Study Bible NIV

NIV

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Are you in a place of great challenge these days and maybe a little confused – so was Esther in her world of luxury, filled with protocol (codes of behavior) but also deceit and selfish motives. In this story found in the Bible with her name, Esther discovers a different world when kidnapped and taken to the king’s palace. Here, there was little if any mention of God; instead individuals focused on power, riches, and politics. In any civilization, human beings struggle with behavior and purpose. Yet, in every society, God remains the same! He stands firm, like an unmovable Rock. If, therefore, you find yourself “between ‘The Rock’ and a hard place,” hold tightly to His unchanging hand. God will empower you with courage to maintain your belief in His holiness, love, and in His forgiveness. As well, if family and friends compromise their principles, just move closer to the One who loves you the most…for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Zephaniah 3:17

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A [woman] of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 NIV

A Treasured Letter Dear Friends in Christ, I want to thank you for the Faith Messenger you send to me. I enjoy it so much. I give it to other friends to read also. I am 92…I have been blessed to stay well this cold winter. I read, crochet, put puzzles together and still able to play the gospel songs. I have a gospel sing and prayer in my home every Sunday night for those who want to come. God has blessed and had couple of healings. Everyone, even the children, enjoy the little choruses we play and sing and we read scriptures. I love you all, pray and remember with joy the times my husband and I got to visit with Brother and Sister Janes, sweet dedicated people. Praise the Lord! Love and prayers, Norma (Oklahoma)

Proverbs. 3:26 NIV

And, like Queen Esther - who knows if God has led “the unique you” to this moment for a special purpose? “Who would have thought that God would place His hand on a humble orphan girl and her faithful relative? The events of Esther’s life were like a pile of pearls – beautiful, but seemingly disconnected and disjointed. Then God

Last names are generally not used in the Faith Messenger to protect identities.

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Post Easter

The Assurance of the Resurrection HOLD FAST! “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” Hebrews 10:23 KJV

The true account of Jesus’ time on earth has been documented for every person in every nation. As promised in John 3:16-17 RSV, every human being is offered the immeasurable Gift of God’s Mercy - through the death and resurrection of Jesus: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. And with this promise, we too are assured of our very own triumphant resurrection. There is life after life! After his death on the cross, Jesus appeared to the disciples. They confirmed and verified the terrible nail prints and the piercing wound in His side. They touched Him, talked with Him, and ate fish and bread together. And in those final moments, as he was blessing them, they witnessed him being carried up into heaven. John the disciple then wrote: And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book… John 20:30

We may be tempted to become fearful as we come in contact with so much that is contrary to our belief, but our admonition is to Hold Fast! In times like these, we may hear and see a different message from God’s Word - on the TV, the computer, smartphone, radio and other personal devices. Some individuals may hold up for those who have failed to be a true example of Christian living and offer them as a reason for their own failure to “hold fast.” However, the persons who fail are not the ones we are to be following. Jesus was not a failure! He is the one who promised to keep us from falling. Jude 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” KJV

Authorized KJV (Placed by the Gideons)

Jesus never failed! And today in 2014, he has “power, both now and ever.”

However, one sign which was recorded in God’s Word is found in John 21:3-12 RSV. It occurred one evening by the sea of Tiberias. A few of the disciples were together when Peter suddenly said, I am

Let us Hold Fast to our trust and obedience to God, our Only Lord and Saviour. Anita

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The Future with Jesus And then there remains the promise of the future!

going fishing. And the others agreed, we will go with you. But, just like a night once before, they caught nothing. In the early dawn, they returned, nearing the shore and a man called out to them, Children, have you any fish? They answered him, No. He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. Incredibly, the number of fish caught was so large that Peter and his friends could not pull the net in. And then Peter heard these thrilling words from John, It is the Lord. Hurriedly, Peter … sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish… When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish you have just caught. So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, Come and have breakfast... They knew it was the Lord. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

This promise is described in Revelation 21 RSV: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. And he who sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. The Assurance of the Resurrection The Good News of Easter doesn’t end with Jesus’ crucifixion. Instead it marches on with the shout of his resurrection, an assurance of life everlasting for those who accept God’s Amazing Grace: Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life.

William Barclay writes in the Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John: “Whatever we know of Christ, we have only grasped a fragment of Him. Whatever the wonders we have experienced, they are as nothing to the wonders which we will yet experience. Human categories are powerless to describe Christ, and human books are inadequate to hold Him.”

Revelation 22:14 NIV

JESUS: I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 RSV (And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20) …………

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up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He returns, give till I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me... my colors will be clear. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking , chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!

The Author? These words (with multiple variations) have been quoted and adapted many times by various preachers, teachers, authors and websites. They serve as the motto or mission statement for several ministries. The words have been attributed to many people in many countries, but the original author seems to remain unknown. It is believed by many sources that these words are the last words of a young pastor in Zimbabwe who was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ and that these words were found in his study.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by His presence, learn by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe ?name=thedailyencourager

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

I won't give up, back up, let up, slow up or shut up until I've preached up, prayed

Ephesians 6 NIV 6


The Supremacy of Christ JESUS He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

FOUR MEN—THREE CROSSES There were three men on three crosses that day. Of the man in the middle, we have much good to say; For His death was that of a totally innocent man. The thief on Jesus' left, cursed Him to the bitter end;

NIV

JESUS LOVES YOU! The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61 NIV

The one to Jesus' right, his guilt confessing, was wise; For, upon his repentance, he was promised Paradise. And although his death was deserved, he died in peace. Because of Jesus' death, from sin, man was given release.

THANK YOU! Christian Triumph is privileged to share the above words of Jesus with our readers. God bless you, each one. Editor

One was freed; one went to Paradise, and one died in sin.

A fourth man, Barabbas, was guilty of insurrection And murder, but Pilate gave Barabbas a full pardon. That day, three guilty men met totally different ends—

Byrum C. Lee: 02/014

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Faith Messenger A publication of Christian Triumph Company PO BOX 5187 Corpus Christi, TX 78465

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Corpus Christi, Texas Permit # 695

Address Service Requested

Happy Mothers’ Day

She opens her arms to the poor And extends her hands to the needy. Her children arise and call her blessed‌ A woman who pleases the Lord is to be praised! Proverbs 31

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