MARCHMARCHMARCHMARCH

A month of Rushing wind, Cleansing Rain, and Sunshine. A time of Rebirth, Restoration, Change and Dedication.

A story: God’s people were saddened that they had disappointed the Lord. It seemed as though He had abandoned them.

The Prophet, Samuel, looked them right in the eyes and said, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods…and determine to obey only the Lord, then he will rescue you…” The people believed in what he said and destroyed their idols and worshipped only the Lord. In a great observance, they fasted all day as a sign of their regret. But, alas, their enemies were watching, mobilizing their forces. Soon, they advanced upon God’s people. Quickly, Samuel sacrificed a burnt offering to God and began to plead with Him for help. “…the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder,” and the enemies were terrified, becoming completely disoriented; thus, they were overcome and subdued by God’s people. Samuel found a stone and named it “the Stone of Help” placing it as a reminder. He said, “The Lord has certainly helped us.” And there was peace in those days.

Story based on 1 Samuel 7 (the Living Bible)

Contents: A Story of Re-dedication. . . . . . Home Page Mercy and Pardon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Mercy and Pardon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Jesus, the Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Temptations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Temptations; poem by Byrum Lee . . . . 6

Christian Triumph news . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

*Volume 129 *No. 03 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 * MARCH 2011

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MERCY AND PARDON

A Story: She was anything but pardoned; she knew no freedom! And, above all, no one had mercy on her or even valued who she was. And any “help” that she needed was bought with a price; the cost was her soul and body. Lately, she had heard of a Prophet in her city, whispered as possibly being the long awaited Messiah. He was said to befriend persons like her. In fact, she had just overheard one of the religious rulers condemning Him, even calling Him a “glutton” and a “lush” because He mixed with the lowest sort of sinners. This was the kind of person she sought, One who could pardon and offer hope - without blame. Watching from the corner, she was hoping to see Him as He came by. Waiting patiently, she caught a glimpse of a man following a religious ruler right into his house. Yes, that must be Him. Her heart knew it; she

desperately reached out, longing for compassion, for she needed His help more than anything. He could give her a new beginning, heal her heart, and take away the shame – so she could be at peace - to seek a new way – that is all that she would ask. Just for a second, she forgot that people labeled her as the “town harlot” and she quickly entered the door of the house, peeking timidly at the One they called, “Jesus.” Running to him, she fell to her knees, weeping from the depth of her Being; she bowed humbly before His feet, kissing them – mourning - with a plea for mercy. Here was the One who could truly recognize her self worth, buried deep within. (Continued on Page 3)

Faith Messenger

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Vice-President; Diana Beletic,

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A quick glance revealed that His feet were soaked from her tears; swiftly, she grasped her long hair and wiped each foot clean from the dust and the wetness. At once, from her pocket, she pulled an expensive bottle of perfume, one that would have kept her stable and - free - to rest - for a few weeks. But in her desperation, her hope was not in a few days of leisure, it was in this Man of God who identified with the lowly and suffering, who offered a new life for those saturated with hopelessness. As she gently anointed the feet of Jesus, her soul sought release, and slowly, very slowly, a lightness and an expectation embraced her heart. Something was happening-something amazing. All at once, the religious man, the host, began to squirm and mutter to himself; then she heard Jesus speak, as though answering the man’s thoughts. Listening carefully, she heard Him tell a story about an individual who loaned money to two people - $500 to one and $5,000 to the other. Jesus said that neither could pay back their lender; yet, he kindly forgave them, granting them freedom from their obligations. Then Jesus asked of His host, “Which do you suppose loved him most after that?” She knew the answer; she knew it from the depth of her soul, while hearing the host’s response, “…the one who owed him the $5,000.”

Bowing her head, she listened, once again, as Jesus spoke directly to His host. “Look! See this woman kneeling here! When I entered your home, you didn’t bother to offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You refused me the customary kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the usual courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has covered my feet with rare perfume. Therefore, her sins-and they are many-are forgiven, for she loved me much; but one who is forgiven little, shows little love.” Listening with all her heart and soul, she felt Jesus turn towards her, and He spoke the sweetest words she had ever heard: “Your sins are forgiven…your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Not one word of shame! No reminders of her wrong decisions

and past mistakes… Just - LOVE!

Mercy! Pardon! Freedom!

A new beginning!

“For it is my Father’s will that everyone who sees his Son and believes on him should have eternal life…” John 6:40 � FM Editor (The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission

of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.)

(The Message by Eugene H. Peterson)

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JESUS! THE MAN! Article III

One of us! Jesus faithfully cared for His Mother and home, waiting for God’s time to begin His journey to the cruel Cross. Waiting! Patiently waiting! And then John began baptizing, reminding mankind of repentance - turning from the wrong way and taking the right way towards God. At last, the time had come for Jesus to identify with His creation, allowing them to see Immanuel “God in the flesh.” Jesus knew no sin, but His baptism confirmed that He was the chosen One: “After Jesus had been baptized He came up immediately from the water and, lo, the heavens were opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and coming upon Him. And, lo, there came a voice from Heaven, saying, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved One, in whom I am well pleased.’” His baptism did not take place in warm, clean water, assisted by a caring Pastor. In fact, a sun-browned man named John, with the clothes of the

desert and the heart of a Lion (unwillingly, at first) baptized Him. Immediately, after His glorious moment of baptism, the Spirit “urged Jesus into the desert.” During that time, He was alone for weeks, experiencing intense isolation in severe heat. As well, he was subjected to testing and temptation - after deliberately going without food for forty days and forty nights. In this state of exhausted starvation, a struggle began in his mind, soul, and heart. The lure of turning stones into bread to a famished Jesus was, no doubt, compelling, but to use His “powers” to do so, selfishly, was unacceptable. Jesus’ need for food had to be unbearable; yet, in His spirit He knew that the hunger of a person’s soul is the most desperate and eternal need of all: “…the scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.” His other temptations were invitations to amaze men by sensational feats. They indeed would have been a short-cut to fame, but Jesus never compromised, “Worship only the Lord God…” was His response. His Gift of Eternal Life to each of us meant His suffering; He does understand our trials and pain. Matthew 3 (Living Bible) William Barclay (The Gospel of Luke) (The Gospel of Matthew) Thanks to Anita Hennis. ����

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TEMPTATIONS In 2011 By Editor

In 2010, we all had temptations; some we overcame and in one or two - we may have yielded. Temptations - often described as human weaknesses - but often experienced – as promises of pleasure - come easily to almost everyone. And the only place one will never find a temptation is in Heaven, as we worship God in our Heavenly bodies.

Temptations Come in All Forms! In remembering various enticements of defeat, we tend to focus on the big failures of others, but, in truth, each of us, has given in to the more acceptable “challenges of human nature.” When writing to the Corinthians, even the Apostle Paul, in a challenging moment, boasted about himself: “Such bragging isn’t something the Lord commanded me to do, for I am acting like a brainless fool. Yet those other men keep telling you how wonderful they are, so here I go…” Then shortly afterwards, Paul said to his friends to whom he wrote: “... You have made me act like a fool- boasting like this – for you people ought to be writing about me and not making me write about myself.” Finally, Paul added that he was afraid when he came to visit, he would not like what he found in these same friends: “quarreling, and envying each other, and being angry with each other, and acting big, and saying wicked things

about each other and whispering behind each other’s backs, filled with conceit and disunity.” (II Corinthians 11, 12 The Living Bible) Human nature is unquestionably unpredictable and easily tempted! As well, we are tested and tried daily by conflicting motives and incentives to compromise our beliefs. Furthermore, there are specific things that we each must work out in our own lives, especially when we need answers for aching hearts and personal unhappiness. The temptation may be to “take the easy way” but, unfortunately, there is no “easy way.” However, the Good News is - there is help! There is One Who understands: “… Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 The Living Bible) Possible causes for temptations: Being neglected as a spouse, disrespected in childhood, being under-appreciated by other adults, being overwhelmed with financial troubles,; attitudes of others such as inflexibility, harshness, condemnation, spirits of criticism, envy, greed, arrogance; feelings of hopelessness, depression, fatigue, boredom, or just being fed up with life. All these can provide a foundation for

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intense temptations. The evil forces of this world will grasp at all reasons and methods to defeat God’s beautiful people. Overcoming temptations is possible, and it happens because of spiritual and personality changes - seeking the will of God with all one’s heart and soul as well as seeking professional help, if needed, to rebuild a different and stronger foundation. Words of advice in the book of James may be helpful when facing a temptation to do things the wrong way:

“Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.

Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.

Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.

Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out…” (James 4)

THE MESSAGE Eugene H. Peterson

Overcoming Temptations There is a word used in the New Testament that is very helpful in overcoming temptations: FLEE! Only God is stronger than Satan. In dealing with temptations, get up and get out! Flee! Get away! Change locations – change thoughts – change actions– change your mind – and, thereby, change your future! The Heavenly Father will take you by the hand and lead you into greener pastures. (You will not find those “over the fence.”)

Flee! Then - REPLACE

Choose different ways of helping “your precious self!” Refuse to wait for “someone-somewhere” to rescue you. Be your own life-coach. Bookstores are full of new, positive books, written by caring authors. Choose a spirit-filled, joyful body of believers with whom to worship! Study the Love of God! Replace emptiness with a plan to follow your God-inspired dreams! You are significant! You are valuable! If needed, find a good counselor to assist, and, above all, cry out to your Heavenly Father, and give Him a chance to answer you! God has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…” Jeremiah 29:11

2011 is not just about resolutions, it is about being transformed by the power of God into spiritual-filled achievers. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”– Romans 8:37 (Consider personal counseling for addictive or compulsive behavior. A person of wisdom is willing to seek a new beginning.)

A NEW CREATION

I’m a new creation in Christ; And since old things are passed away,

Today’s a brand new day. For I’m a new creation in Christ.

I’m a new creation in Christ.

Once paralyzed with fear and dread, I now can look ahead,

Since I’m a new creation in Christ. Byrum C. Lee:

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CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH NEWS Donna Schillinger will have more news of South America in the April Faith Messenger. She and her family are traveling in Bolivia and will soon return to Brazil. Bolivia has between six or seven major cities with paved roads; otherwise, there are many gravel roads for travel. The country has low lands, rain forests, desert, high mountains, and salt flats as well as other interesting sights. ___________________________________ The picture of the local Spanish Bible course graduates will be in the April issue of the Faith Messenger. We apologize for the delay. ___________________________________ The local mission church has been praying for a children’s Sunday school teacher who could speak English and Spanish fluently. This New Year, they received their miracle. Already, the attendance has improved, and the children are forming a new choir. For Christmas, the teachers and workers in the church bought presents for children and adults as well as prepared a delicious dinner for them. – News provided by Diana ____________________________________ “And any of you who welcomes a little child like this because you are mine, is welcoming me and caring for me.” - Jesus -Matthew 18:5 (The Living Bible)

GOSPEL LITERATURE

Books and lessons are being sent to the Spanish Bible Correspondence students at the rate of two M Bags per month. (Approximately 400 pounds). Two hundred pounds of tracts are mailed to South America every two months. At present, Spanish literature is still going t0 various countries such as Switzerland and Spain. – News from Diana,Secretary-Treasurer-Office Manager of Christian Triumph ____________________________________ Thank you for reading the Faith Messenger and for your good letters. We appreciate each of them. Letters from – Texas, Kansas, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Missouri. ____________________________________ The proof reading of the Faith Messenger is still being delayed due to the printer. ____________________________________

May God bless you! “Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.” Psalms 121: 5-8 God is with us in all things; even with our last breath, we will find eternal life.

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Faith Messenger

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James 1:12

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