fm mar 2009
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THE CHURCH Christian Triumph Mission Church *Volume 109 *No. 03 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *MARCH 2009 By Jo (edited)TRANSCRIPT
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
in the Lord our God! ���� (edited)
Contents:
The Church by Jo 1
New Leader 2
Testimony 3
Be Strong in the Lord 4
Chorus 4
A Story 5
A Look at the Book of Matthew 6
Poem, Letters 7
*Volume 109 *No. 03 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *MARCH 2009
2
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
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. (edited)
(Page 3 – Fred’s testimony)
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William Anderson, 2nd
Vice-President; Diana Beletic,
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3
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
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! By Fred Pena (edited)
“…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.”
4
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 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:
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.”
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. 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
5
S T O R Y ���� (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.
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.’”
6
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.
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. * 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
7
� 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)
====================================
((((TeachableTeachableTeachableTeachable))))
A NEW MEA NEW MEA NEW MEA 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,
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.
--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!
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Psalm 51
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