CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH

YOUTH CLASS

Christian Triumph Church of God, Corpus Christi, Texas, is the basic foundation for the broad Christian Triumph Company literature ministry. This Spanish Church (with some English speakers) provides the non-profit status that allows greater service and financial accountability while also ministering to the local neighborhood and the city.

The newly formed Youth Class is now in English and is experiencing growth; in fact, an interesting study has emerged in the last few weeks – the amazing culture of a specific mission.

Although the story itself is older (1876), the substantiation of unbelievable events has definitely caught the attention of today’s youth.

The lessons are based on the life of Mary Slessor, a child of poverty, wounded in heart, (continued on pg. 2)

Everlasting Love Have you ever gazed across a great expanse of water, unable to see the other side? The distance seems endless. Yet not even that faintly portrays God’s – everlasting love.

God’s Word: “I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again.” Jer. 31 “Come, all you who are thirsty,

Come to the waters… Seek the Lord while He may be found;

Call on Him while He is near… turn…to our God, for He will freely

pardon.” Isa. 55 “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him

take the free gift of the water of life.” Rev. 22

Contents: Christian Triumph Youth Class………1

Everlasting Love. …………………….1

Say His Name, Say His Name …….....3

Facing Fear …………………………..5

Celebrate His Presence……………….6

Trusting God in Stressful Times..…….7

*Volume 76 *No. 08 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * OCT 2012

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Youth Cont. … yet put to work in factories six days a week, twelve hours a day. Such terrible hardship, however, prepared her for a work of God, as He later guided her to a destination unloved and uncared for by anyone else.

All the difficult years that Mary served in Nigeria were empowered by her Creator; in fact, few individuals came to help, even temporarily. Yes, the place on the Calabar River (the slave coast of Africa) was extremely dangerous.

As the Youth of Christian Triumph in 2012 read the stories each Sunday of cannibalism, fearsome animals, mud huts, dangerous jungles, and tropical diseases, they learned how the power of God protected Mary while changing hearts of the natives who worshipped skulls and evil spirits.

Often the Youth teacher would interject with a reminder that even now in 2012, Christian Triumph sends literature to Nigeria.

In reading this miraculous account of how a small,

Red-haired, Scottish woman stood firm in her Christian beliefs, including saving twins who traditionally had been killed within the tribes, the Youth class began working with clay to process any personal uneasiness as well as to create a scene of interest to share with the church.

The level poster board, decorated with a jungle scene, now holds sculptured animals, a canoe, mud huts, natives, twins, an older Mary in a wheel chair, etc.

On an October Sunday, the Youth will go before the congregation and read short, specific stories (in Spanish or English) about Mary and her life. A small projector will show her picture as well as words in Spanish and English, describing the story.

In finishing the chapters this September, I believe every heart was touched by the commitment of a dedicated missionary who continued her ministry, even in older years, as she was pulled from one village to another in a cart. God gave her “time” to work hard on completing her goals, and then her body was buried by the mission station in 1915.

I sincerely hope the Youth at Christian Triumph sensed the Everlasting Love of God for the Nigerians, Mary and, now, for themselves – the Youth, and perhaps, missionaries of Today and Tomorrow.

--Teacher and Editor of the Faith Messenger

For more, Google: Mary Slessor. Kindle

version of Mary Slessor of Calabar by W. P.

Livingston is free at Amazon.com.

Faith Messenger

Permit #695

Published monthly, except July and August.

POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES

TO: Christian Triumph Company

905 Bluntzer

P.O. Box 5187

Corpus Christi, Texas 78405

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.

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

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SAY HIS NAME, SAY HIS NAME

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

With all the wonderful promises in the Bible, it’s tempting to believe if we will only live in the center of God’s will, we can go through life unscathed. Yet it seems that there is a measure of trauma for every life – even the most brief. If we would examine the lives of the men who penned the divine promises, we’d see their lives were marked with adversity. Almost every great Bible story has a strong element of adversity. So, please, if you live under the delusion that you may be “charmed” because no one in your family has ever died and you’ve had it pretty easy thus far, begin now to prepare yourself mentally for the inevitable.

And here’s how: We must learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and call out His name in our times of trouble. If all we have is minor troubles now, we should use this strategy anyway so that it will be a familiar response for when the major ones come along.

In our darkest hour, we may feel alone for long stretches of time. Whatever the situation that puts us in that place, even if there is no element of evil, Satan will cause us to doubt our sanity, wonder if life is worth living, have auditory or visual hallucinations and use any number of guerilla tactics. When this happens, we’ve got to pull ourselves together in two steps. First, recognize this for what it is. Secondly, disarm it with the name of Jesus. In that name we will be safe – even if we are not actually physically safe.

Remember the story of the disciples struggling to keep control of their boat on the lake during a storm? They looked out into the wind and waves and saw what looked like a ghost walking on the water. It was Jesus and He called out, identifying Himself.

Peter said, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.”

That doesn’t sound to me like such a great way to confirm someone’s identity, but it was enough for Peter and he stepped out of the boat – with his eyes fixed on Jesus – and started walking on water, as Jesus was doing. Then, he looked down and around and remembered the wind and the waves and realized he was standing on water, which is a physical impossibility. He started to sink. Then he cried out again, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and pulled Peter up and they both got back in the boat. (Matthew 14:22-23)

I love that story because it is a great allegory for every trial in life. Even when we have the faith to enter the trial with our eyes on Jesus, it seems the storm distracts us; we can’t help but look around at the mess we’re in and start to panic. If we will then call on Jesus, He’s faithful to reach out His hand and see us through the trial, all the way until we’re back into the boat and the storm is over.

Notice in this story, it says that Jesus immediately reached out his hand. I believe it’s impossible to be focusing on Jesus with your full attention and be afraid at the same time. When we experience fear, whether from life’s trauma or because we just heard something go bump in the night and we can’t figure out what it might be, if we will focus our full attention of calling on the Lord, our fear will fade immediately – that’s how quick Jesus will reach out to us. Don’t be surprised to find that when we lose focus on Jesus, we start to feel fear again. So focus again on God – this takes some mental discipline. With enough focus, our adversary, who is not whatever real or imagined person or event precipitated the fear, but Satan himself, will go back to hell because we’re obviously not buying what he’s selling. (CONT. ON P.4)

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(CONT.) This works. I know it sounds crazy now, but it will look pretty appealing next time you have a good scare. Hold this thought: When I feel fear, I will call on Jesus

Excerpted from On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free by Donna Lee Schillinger . Donna is editor of the recent anthology Purity’s Big Payoff/Premarital Sex is a Big Rip-off, winner of the 2012 Christian Small Publisher’s Book of the Year. In 2008 she founded On My Own Now Ministries to encourage faith, wise life choices and Christ-likeness in young adults. On My Own Now publishes the free, monthly online magazines, Single! Young Christian Woman and Genuine Motivation: Young Christian Man.

Free Books!

We have four UPDATED books about

DeShazer, who was taken captive in WWII

and, later, became a great missionary to

Japan. Would you like one? Please send

your request. (Four books to give away.)

Byrum Lee has generously donated FROM

PREACHER TO POET and THE POET’S

PULPIT to be given as a blessing. We have

seven of those. With great joy, Byrum and

Christian Triumph wish to GIVE BACK.

ENGLISH BIBLE LESSONS

Christian Triumph just sent English Bible lessons to Nigeria, including requested Bibles. These English lessons are free and ready for mailing. There are two different groups of lessons: The first are Spirit-filled, basic, easy-to-do - five-lessons - which speak of God’s great love. They begin with a short essay of the Creation, based on scripture, inspiring the student to write his or her very own story describing “the Beginning.” The fifth lesson is based on one’s own unique, special person within – created for greatness and formed for eternal happiness with God. These lessons can be used in Sunday school classes or individually. The second set of lessons was written by George Bell for the purpose of helping anyone who is searching for guidance and understanding in studying the Word of God. They begin with the principles of the doctrine of Christ and proceed to a “Saint in Light.” There are ten lessons, neatly bound in a spiral. The first lesson ends with these

comments: The above scriptures will begin our Bible study and help us know our position with God as we participate in His Divine nature. The enemies of God will not and cannot defeat us. The last lesson

includes the scripture: “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12 Please send request by email (christiantriumph@yahoo.com) or regular mail.

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FACING FEAR

I ran to get the ringing phone and a

quick, edgy-sounding voice asked if the Pastor was there.

“No, he is not here; would you like to leave a message or is there something I can do?”

“I need prayer. Is there any other man there?”

“Not right now,” I answered with great concern. “Could I possibly pray with you?”

“No! When will the Pastor be back?” I had no answer. Because many of the men on a

nearby street ask for money and are alleged drug-users, I wondered if the person on the phone might also be needing money. I knew the large Church down the street sometimes provides diverse assistance and might help faster.

Cautiously, I delicately mentioned that our church does not give out money, but before I could explain, the man abruptly and very irately snapped back: “Did I ask you for money!!!”

Feeling very ashamed, I replied, “You did not. I was just trying to save you some time because I don’t know when the Pastor will come.”

Furiously, the man loudly retaliated, “You are judging me! That’s what people like you do, and you are going to Hell for it!” Then angrily he hung up!

As evening approached, I remembered that the caller knew the church’s address, and, like Peter on the sea, I looked down and around and imagined the worse.

This feeling of fear, however, was not unfamiliar because day or night, no one knows what will happen next, anywhere, but especially in an area filled with drugs and offenders.

And so this evening, like many others, I ended the day in God’s Presence: Stand quietly before God, repent, ask Jesus for protection, wait for His Spirit of Peaceful Assurance, Thank Him for answered prayer.

Trusting in God is the best way to “lie down in green pastures”…as “He leads beside the still waters.” (Writer: I did repent of my judgmental attitude and asked God to give me wisdom.)

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the

everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 34:8

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember Madonna’s relative

who has been in pain for quite a long

time. Family also needs to find a good

church.

Remember Anita and her husband as

they face health issues.

Christian Triumph workers having

health challenges – wreck residuals,

severely sprained ankle, and other illness.

THANKS FOR LETTERS FROM OUR

FRIENDS AND PRAYER PARTNERS IN:

Maryland, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio,

California, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas,

Mexico. Every letter is special, and we

thank you for writing.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT USED

LITERATURE from Georgia and Virginia

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Celebrate His Presence By Chaplain Ron

The September issue of the Faith Messenger included thoughts using

Psalms 2:8, “Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.”

These words are a promise from God stating that He will bless those who come to Him and ask!

Even so, in the following scriptures, Jesus clearly describes the many excuses that man gives for not even coming into the Presence of God, let alone, asking.

And when one of them that sat at meat with Him [Jesus] heard these things, he said unto Him,

Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then He [Jesus] said unto him, A certain man made a great supper and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him,

I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the Master of the house being angry said to his servant,

Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou has commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

I have thought about this

description for many days and in many ways.

First, God is never limited in any way. What He has promised in the past, He will honor in the present and future, including Psalms 2:8.

Second, God’s great banquet is not just about a meal; He makes available everything that is needed – clothes, food, and, yes, even health. Furthermore, He provided for our sins: He gave His Son to be our Sacrifice – The Lamb had to be perfect in every way, and only Jesus was without blemish. Thus, and most importantly, He paid the penalty for our sins. Although we are a broken and sinful people, God, in His mercy, still invites us to a life-changing banquet of blessings.

Three, God has room at His table! Of all the saddest gatherings I have attended are the funerals which have no one to give honor to the deceased. In those, I have had to serve as the singer, minister, pall bearer, and the driver of the pickup holding the wooden casket. God invites us to become a part of His family, and because of Him, we are never alone.

When God has offered us His Holy Presence, filled with great treasures, why are we living in spiritual poverty?

Reach out and accept what God has for us and celebrate His Presence!

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TRUSTING GOD IN STRESSFUL TIMES By Anita

There are many stories of God’s people who had to endure much. But, let us think of the encouraging results: (1) Abraham and Sarah - childless for many years until becoming older parents of Baby Isaac, resulting in Abraham, becoming the Father of a Great Nation. (2) Joseph – hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, innocent, yet thrown into prison for another person’s lies, resulting in Joseph becoming the Powerful Ruler who saved a nation (s) from starvation. (3) Moses – although royalty, discovering his true identity – a son of Hebrew slaves, becoming exiled for many years, living the life of a shepherd, resulting in Moses leading his people into freedom. (4) Other stories of God’s chosen individuals facing great apprehension - becoming liberators, heroes in the faith – include Esther, Daniel, and David. (5) Those of us today - enduring much – discouraged - wanting out of our stressful times, but, often, in trusting God, experiencing restoration, strength, and resulting freedom and dedication. 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. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. I

Peter 5:10 As we trust, think of I Peter 1:6-7. [We] may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (7) 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. (8) Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;

and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (9) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Working for the Lord is not always easy and trouble-free, but the rewards are “out of this world!” [We] can consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV

L E T T E R S

Thank you for the literature that was sent

to spreading the gospel in my city. I am

grateful to be able to help people in the

free distribution of literature in

Portuguese language. I hereby short

letter to reapply the mission a new

shipment of literature for further

missionary work in my country. God

continue to bless all the brothers who are

part of this mission in U.S.A.

Sincerely in Christ,

Missionary to BRASIL

Greetings….we have heard of the

tremendous work, time, and efforts you

have invested in helping others with the

work of the Lord Jesus Christ by

supplying them with gospel materials

such as: Holy Bibles, Books, Magazines,

tracts, etc. When we heard of this good

news, after much prayers and meditation,

felt led to write and let you know of our

needs for these materials.

Malawi

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Faith Messenger

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