Telling The TRUTH
122411 Telling The Truth 28 Minute Program
[music] You're listening to "Telling the Truth" from Triple T. Christian Youth Ministries, "Telling the Truth to and Through Teenagers." Here is Triple T. Founder and President George Dumes. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the world was in darkness." This was the story in Hebrews 1136, New King James Version. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. That was the devastation and situation of God's people. And in that dark night Jesus came. Christ came to save sinners. And the reason we have joy at Christmas is because Jesus loves you. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves everyone everywhere and He will give His gift of eternal life to all those who will turn to Him from sin. Have you done this? During this Christmas weekend are you really sure you are headed for heaven? You can be. Admit you of sinned. Believe on Christ and confess Him publicly. The Christ of the cradle became the Christ of the cross and was raised from the dead and now intercedes for you and me at the right hand of God the Father if we truly trust Him. Have you believed? If you haven't, make today your day of salvation. Tell God you're sorry you've sinned. Receive His gift of eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. Heroes of the faith paved the way for the coming of the Son of God. God the Son. Listen to what happened to those followers of the Lord before Jesus came. Hebrews 1137, who King James says. They were stoned. They were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins. Being destitute, afflicted, tormented. In this kind of a devastating scene, God sent His Son. Mary, the virgin mother, was giving birth to Jesus God's Son. Christmas is because of Christ. As a believer, we need to not only keep Christ in Christmas, but also present the Christ of Christmas to those who do not yet believe. Are you willing today to share your faith with those who need to know who Jesus really is, why He came, what He wants to do for them? The baby grew up, never sinned, was tempted, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again to present and to provide the gift of God eternal life. Tell that story. The real Christmas story. Christ came to save sinners. He will save anyone who will trust Him. Followers of God were having difficulties. They were not aware that Jesus had been born, that the Son of God was lying in a manger in Bethlehem. Hebrews 1138, New King James Version, tells us their story, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. But soon everything would change. When Jesus began His ministry just some thirty years after His birth, people everywhere would begin to hear Him, and hear of Him, and respond to His message. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That eternal life is available to anyone today who will turn to Jesus from sin, believing and trusting and being willing to share their faith in Christ with a world in desperate need. Will you tell someone today how they can know Jesus personally and be forgiven and given the gift of God eternal life through Him? I hope you will. There is someone waiting to hear the story, the real Christmas story. Would you be the one to tell them? I hope you will. You can, you know, so do it. There was a long gap in time before the followers of God would have their faith factor understood. Listen to Hebrews 1139, New King James. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. No, Jesus came later, but when He came He changed everything, past, present and future. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus wants to live in the heart of every sinner who will turn to Him from sin. Jesus wants to make sinners saints. Jesus is waiting to come where you are. His birth was just the beginning of His life and His life was to go and say and be. All God would have Him to be without once ever yielding to the temptations that Satan threw his way. And because Christ was triumphant over temptation and never yielded, He became sin for you and for me by trusting Him the Christ of Christmas. He can live in your heart and in mind. There's somebody waiting for you to tell them the truth. Who will you go to? Who are you praying for? What would you do about Jesus today? Will you tell someone now? Have you ever thought about how different it would have been for you? Had you not been born in this era? What if you had been born way, way, centuries ago? Have you thought about timing? God's perfect timing for you? Listen to Hebrews 1140, New King James Version. God, having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. That's talking about those followers of God before Jesus came. And when Christ came, everything changed. And now you and I have the opportunity of not only responding to God's marvelous, wonderful love, but of sharing it, of telling His story to people anywhere and everywhere who need to hear the truth. God has called you into being for such a time as this. What are you doing about the opportunities that are before you? Are you reading God's Word? Are you heeding God's Word? Are you praying diligently? Are you fellowshipping with other believers? Are you strategizing ways to share God's wonderful story, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the risen Lord Jesus, in a world that is dying desperately in need of Him? Go. Go now. Go today. Jesus has been born. He has lived. He has died. He has come out of the tomb and He has seated at the right hand of God the Father, and now it becomes our opportunity and responsibility to get ready to go with the Gospel. Listen to Hebrews 12-1, New King James Version. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Put on your Gospel shoes. Put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil and then keep going. Run. Move forward. Wrap up an old year and begin a new year with a commitment to communicate Christianity as effectively and as often as you can to as many persons as you can possibly reach with God's glorious Gospel. If you are a believer, you have this day and tomorrow perhaps to share the good news, pray, read God's Word, yet with other Christians and work out ways to wonderfully share the marvelous message that Jesus saves. Will you? I hope you will, because you have this moment to go with the Gospel. What happened to that baby in the manger, that Christ of Christmas? Listen to Hebrews 12-2, New King James Version. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Today, Jesus Christ is seated at the Father's right hand and intercedes for you and for me if we have trusted Him. That's why we pray in Jesus' name, so the Father knows that the blood of Jesus Christ has been spread across our sins shed for us because we have trusted Him. We now have the possibility of praying as Jesus taught, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be open to you. Ask, seek, knock today, ask God to show you His will, put into effect by consistently praying and seeking every moment of your life, and God will reveal His will for you. As well as that no one should perish, but that all should come through repentance, please share this good news. Share it today. Every Saturday at 7.27 p.m., you are invited to attend a live youth event at Triple T, 13,000 US-41 North at Boone Building Harmony Road, midway between I-64 and Evansville Regional Airport. Every first Saturday, a good news club for those in 1st through 5th grades is available in a separate area. For more information, call 812-867-2418 or visit www.tripletchristianyouth.org. [music] Tonight, Christmas Eve, teenagers and some preteens and some adults are going to gather at Triple T, and then they're going to walk up to our house, meet in the living room around our Christmas tree, where Triple T began nearly 46 years ago. What a blessing it is to share God's great news and to give gifts that are Christian gifts, gifts that will reflect God's love and the gift of eternal life that we've been able to offer because Jesus paid the price for it, and so many have received it already this year. And we're trusting that these next two Saturdays, that this next little bit of time will give us the opportunity of sharing the Gospel with more people who will respond and join those over 450 who have already said yes to Jesus through Triple T Christian Youth Ministry so far this year. We have today, tomorrow and eternity. God's intention for us is that our experience on earth will bring us through a necessary process of development into Christian maturity. That is, we enter heaven, having been made like God, that we will share the same eternal inheritance as Jesus Christ. We've been given a destiny by God. Listen to Romans 8, 28 through 32, New King James, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he predestined, these he also called, whom he called, these he also justified, and whom he justified, these he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son, but delivered him up for us all. How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Once we've accepted the gift of God through Christ, God promises that we will never be without his powerful and persistent help. Listen to Philippians 1, 6. Being confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. We can be confident that 1. God will ultimately triumph in His universe. 2. Because God is God, only truth and righteousness will ultimately win. 3. We are given the privilege of sharing in the triumph of God and of goodness. That is so impressive, so exciting, so wonderful. A long time ago, a guy and his brother were invited to my fourth birthday party in Mount Carmel, Illinois, my hometown. And when that happened, their friendship began, and it began really to develop when my parents moved very close to the Petersons. And we grew up together. Ivan Peterson, one year older than me, we did all kinds of things, had all kinds of exciting times in our playtimes together, in our being classmates. And going to and from Mount Carmel High School and all kinds of other things that took place. And then Pete drifted away from the Lord. And I had a burden for him and began to pray earnestly and diligently for him. And then it happened. And God used the prayers and the efforts and the reaching out for Pete to come to the Lord. Full circle, back to him, only maybe more so than most. Pete was privileged to go to a Bible college in St. Louis. He graduated. He, during the summer time, went to Tennessee, met a young lady from Michigan. And they later were married and went to Africa as missionaries. Then when the uprisings came and they were forced out of the Congo, they came back to America, but were very disappointed in the lack of response from the people here. And during their language school in Belgium, Pete said if I had two lives to live, I would give one to Africa and one to Europe. Well, it didn't happen to be two lives, but it did happen to be two ministries. And so Pete and De Nelde went to France and they served the Lord there for a long, long time. Now they are back in the United States and they have a traveling ministry, but devastation came. And if you happen to know Ivan Peterson, this is a letter that he has written to people who know him and who pray for them, for he and De Nelde. It's called Cancer Verdict. Listen. Greetings to our prayer warriors. May the Lord bless this Christmas season with His joy and peace beyond measure. Thanks to all of you for your faithful love and support. The year of 2011 has been a fruitful and blessed year in ministry. We do pray that 2012 will be filled with His power in order to face difficult days ahead. And we rejoice in what He has in store for each one. On December 12, Pete underwent an intervention into the bladder. The surgeon removed two stones and discovered that a tumor was blocking the left kidney that scarcely worked. He discovered a tumor blocking the kidney access. On December 16, 2011, a biopsy revealed that Pete has a cancerous tumor inside the bladder. Medication will be given to reduce the size of the tumor before possibly operating at a later date. Chemotherapy will begin December 28. It's on the Lord's hands. Pete is not hurting and is very much alive. The three days spent at the hospital was a great time to testify of his grace. He brought laughter to the staff members and gave a solid witness for our Savior. Pete gave our life story, tears and triumphs to his nurse and surgeon. Pray. Our Jesus heals. We're at peace and thank you for your prayers. God is still in the throne, and He can do anything according to His will. We trust Him for whatever lies ahead. He is our shield and strength. Signed, saved to serve Pete and Anilda Peterson. Then I put this addition to this letter that is going out to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people all across America and beyond that our prayer partners were Pete and Anilda. This is what I've said. When Pete and Anilda were again our guest at Triple T. Christian Youth Ministries early in 2011, we would not have guessed that cancer would crowd into Pete's body before this year ended. As Pete called with news of his cancer verdict, I immediately prayed with him. Pete and Anilda have ministered at Triple T many times since our beginning days in 1966. We need them back again soon, and we ask for your continuing prayers and support for their ministry. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. It's James 516, the King James Version. Will you please join with the Triple T team and pray diligently for Pete today? Thank you, and may God bless you during this Christmas time and into 2012, and I've signed at George Dooms, President Triple T. Christian Youth Ministries. And so we ask you, if you do know the Lord, whether you know Pete or not, to pray for him, that God will give him as much more time as possible to continue a ministry that has been so effective across so many years. Again, Pete and I have been friends in all kinds of ways, in all kinds of circumstances, but now we are friends in Christ in evangelism in sharing God's great, good, wonderful news with people who need the Lord. I hope that you'll be praying with us at Triple T. I hope that some of you will be coming, because we are having great things happening, and tonight, as I've said, is Christmas Eve, and we're going to have a wonderful time around our Christmas tree after the people come to the building and then walk on up to the house. We're excited because of what God has already done, and just a week from today, we'll have a thing here at Triple T called "Light the Night." It begins at 7.27 p.m., Saturday night, December 31. And it goes all night through 7.27 a.m., Sunday, January 1. It ends with a pancake breakfast, and at 7.27 everybody is dismissed to go and get ready to attend their favorite Bible-believing church in Sunday school to start the year with God's people in a fellowship factor in a local Bible-believing church. And we hope that you will avail yourself of opportunities like this. There's only room for a few more. But if you do want to come, and you're at least 10 years old, between 10 and 19, you need to get a parental permission signature on the application or a guardian's signature, and we have to have that in advance of your coming. They're available at Triple T, or you can even write for yours, and we'll get it to you immediately if you want to come and join us. For "Light the Night," it's going to be an exciting time, and we're excited about who all is already determining to come. We're going to have all kinds of food and all kinds of things happening, and it's going to be a night of experiences that will be long, long, long remembered. So stay tuned as we give you more details about what's happening in the days ahead at Triple T Christian Youth Ministries. We want you to be a vital part of what's happening. It's been a real privilege this year to work with congregations of churches of various denominations across the tri-state, and it's always great to go back to my hometown in Mount Carmel, Illinois, where they're every year for ag days and many times in between, and again, it's been delightful to have fellowship with people who love the Lord and who are partners with this ministry. If you're not yet, we invite you to be what we call a "Tiger Teammate." Every person that gives at least $20 becomes a "Tiger Teammate" encourager. Every person that gives between $20 a month and up to $200 and something a year becomes a "Tiger Teammate" enlarger. And then those who give $100 or more a month become "Tiger Teammate" and we're expanding the ministry God willing next year, going to more counties. We were privileged to minister in 17 tri-state counties this year and beyond. And now there are year-end opportunities, giving opportunities for you. You have this opportunity of making a year in contribution and to help Triple T Christian Youth Ministries reach more than the 19-year-olds for Christ in 2012 and beyond. Tax-deductible contributions to Triple T can now be made in-person by mail or even online at tttchristianyouth.org. That's www.tttchristianyouth.org. And just make your contribution that way if you'd like to. And remember to comply with all of the IRS requirements. The 2011 contributions must be received or postmarked on or before December 31, 2011. Our Triple T staff will be here next Saturday preparing for and leading the Triple T Saturday Night Rally called "Light the Night." And it's an all-nighter and available to receive any last minute to 2011 gifts will be here. In addition to gifts by cash or check or debit credit card, some may wish to contribute items such as stocks, bonds, tangible items of property, vehicles, computer office equipment. I remember, well, the New Year's Eve a few years ago when I got a call saying, "George, I've been praying about the need for a minivan for Triple T, and I want to put mine into the ministry, so I'm giving my van to the Lord." Within an hour, I got another telephone call, a very similar thing, and this was from a pastor who said, "I have a van that we're not using now, but I want to give it to Triple T as a year in contribution." And so when things like this happen, it really, really enhances the ministry and helps us move forward. So pray about all of these opportunities, and there are plan-giving opportunities such as wills and charitable trusts that are means of supporting Triple T. The IRS also has extended through 2011 a provision that allows IRA owners ages 70 and a half are over to directly transfer amounts from their IRA accounts tax-free to organizations such as Triple T as qualified charitable organizations. And we have received two of these first time ever this year, and so we would invite you to prayerfully consider doing a very similar thing. So thank you and God bless you for your prayers and your considerations about making a special gift between now and year in 2011. Just a week to go, but we hope that you'll be praying with us and for us and sending something. We believe that God would be pleased for us to at least double and maybe even triple the number of counties that we're going to, the number of people that we can reach. We've set a goal, it's a huge goal, to try to touch the lives of at least 25,000 10 to 19 year olds in the year of 2012. We believe that God's going to help us accomplish this, but it takes a lot of people praying and giving, investing time and talent and treasure for it all to transpire. Now, I would be amiss if I didn't tell you that God loves you and Jesus died for you. Yes, He was born at Christmas. He lived perfectly, but He died for your sins and mine. If you would admit that you have sinned, if you will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, if you are willing to confess Him publicly, God will give you the gift of God eternal life. So confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, believing in your heart that God did raise Him from the dead. You will be safe with the heart when believes to righteousness and with the mouth. Confession is made to salvation. If you have made this determination, this decision, please call us or write us and we'd be glad to send you something special. It's called life at its very best and we give these to every person who says yes to Jesus. So I hope that you will pray and get involved. Christ through you can change the world. Every Saturday at 7.27 p.m. you are invited to attend a live youth event at Triple T. 13,000 US-41 North at Booneville and Harmony Road, midway between I-64 and Evansville Regional Airport. Every first Saturday a good news club for those in first through fifth grades is available in a separate area. For more information call 812-867-2418 or visit www.tripletchristianyouth.org For your free copy of The Telling the Truth newsletter call 812-867-2418 812-867-2418 or write Triple T, 13,000 US-41 North, Evansville, Indiana 477-25 Tune in to Telling the Truth next week at the same time on this same station. [Music] (dramatic music)