FRONTLINES Partners Sharing the Love of Christ
NOVEMBER 2023 / CBN.com
Your love is feeding the hungry across America! More
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CBN ANIMATION’S SUPERBOOK
YOUR GLOBAL IMPACT LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE DOING AROUND THE WORLD!
SOUTH AFRICA • A woman named Nosajini received a free cataract surgery through CBN’s Operation Blessing. She said: “I don’t know what I would have done without you, because there’s no way I would have been able to afford this surgery. I never thought I would see again. When my kids leave for school, I wave goodbye. When they come home, the food is ready because I cooked it. I am just so happy.” UNITED STATES • The GizmoGO! YouTube channel continues to grow. In May 2023, there were 13,119 views. The views progressively increased in June and July. In August, there were 1.06 million views. THAILAND • One Sunday school teacher loves to use the Superbook Academy curriculum in her class. She said: “I just started to be a Sunday school teacher and never used the Superbook curriculum before. There are a variety of activities to help with learning the Bible through animation and user-friendly media to draw children’s attention with colors. As a teacher, we always have challenges. … The Superbook curriculum has it all!” 2 frontlines
BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND TO CHRIST Your partnership offers hope for a better future Watch
Her mother abandoned the family. Alice only had her father, and she longed to spend time with him. “I started going to church with my cousin,” Alice recalled. “Every Sunday … I invited my father to attend church with me, … but he never did.” Joseph spent his free time partying with friends. “I wasn’t ready to let go,” he said. At church, Alice joined a Superbook club in Kenya. She and other children watched Superbook episodes that explored the Bible. “Superbook taught me to embrace the fruit of the Holy Spirit,” Alice shared. “I prayed for
my father.” One Sunday, Alice invited Joseph to church. He turned her down but couldn’t help thinking about seeing his daughter cry. The following week, Joseph accepted her invitation—and both of them gave their lives to Christ! “Every Sunday, we go to church and spend the entire day together,” said Joseph. “I’m grateful for the transformation I can see in her and myself.” Alice added, “Superbook changed my life.”
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CBN’S OPERATION BLESSING: DISASTER RELIEF
CBN’S ORPHAN’S PROMISE
YOUR HEARTFELT COMPASSION BROUGHT AID TO
THE GIFT OF A BETTER FUTURE
WILDFIRE VICTIMS IN MAUI Caring partners offer essentials to survivors More
When wildfires ripped through Lahaina—a historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui—the disaster caused widespread destruction. Warner, who lives in Lahaina, said that 95 percent of the houses in his neighborhood were completely gone, including his. “Whatever I left behind in my house is ash,” he said. CBN’s Operation Blessing partnered with Youth With a Mission to meet the needs of devastated survivors. With the help of compassionate friends like you, water filtration units were delivered to a community center in Lahaina that has become a lifeline for these fire victims. Warner lost his dive-fishing gear but, thanks to our faithful donors, he received the supplies he needed to restore his livelihood. Grateful, he shared, “To have dive gear donated so I can feed my family and do the things that I still love means so much!”
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Your love offered hope to a boy named Wisdom
Ten-year-old Wisdom endured turmoil while growing up in Southern Nigeria. His father was brutally murdered by terrorists who relentlessly besieged their village. As a result, paralyzing fear traumatized the young boy’s thoughts and emotions, and severe malnutrition short-circuited his ability to learn. To escape the horror, Wisdom and his mother, Dorcas, went to live with his grandfather. After Wisdom’s grandfather died, he and Dorcas were now unprotected from the ruthless raids. But thanks to the support of faithful partners like you, the two of them were brought to safety at a local children’s home sponsored by CBN’s Orphan’s Promise. There, hundreds of children experience healing through loving care, Christian education, nutritious meals, and free medical attention. Thank you for offering a lifeline to precious children worldwide through your partnership.
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Giving Food, Faith, and Love Your love is feeding the hungry across America!
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hen it’s time for a meal, the kitchen or closest restaurant is easily within reach. Yet all around us, desperate families cannot afford enough groceries to fill their stomachs. That’s why we give thanks to our wonderful CBN partners for extending help and hope to people in desperate need. After a heartbreaking divorce, Kayla in West Virginia struggled to provide the best for her four children. Without a breadwinner, she now had to find a job that would pay the bills and feed her family. Although she was excited to fill a position at a local daycare center, money was still a major concern. But caring friends like you knew exactly how to help. Kayla was grateful to receive groceries and spiritual encouragement from a food program—through a local ministry that partners with CBN’s
Operation Blessing! “People legitimately cared. It gave me confidence that God was providing through them,” Kayla shared. “The quality of the food was really good. There are several things in there I wouldn’t have expected … which we can freeze and use throughout the month and save. That’s been a huge help.” Eventually, Kayla landed a position with better pay. But she knows that she could not have survived this financial storm without the help of compassionate friends like you. “Providing food does make a difference,” she said. “I’d like to encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing—not only providing the food for people in need, but to keep God in it.” Kayla was not the only one to receive a miracle. Even though Stacey and his
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wife, Deidra, both worked, their paychecks did not cover basic expenses—including feeding their three children. Worry became a daily way of life. Then, they discovered a nearby food outreach that collaborates with Operation Blessing. There, Stacey and Deidra received love and acceptance. “You all have been vessels from God,” Stacey said. “Thank you all for being a blessing to our family.” Deidra added, “I’m so grateful that there is always hope, no matter the situation.” Stacey later found a new job as a private contractor and, because of faithful friends like you, the quality of life has improved for his family.
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I felt grateful because I was able to feed my kids. Your incredible kindness also reached Stephanie in Texas. When this single mother was laid off from her job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she constantly worried about how she would feed her three children. Six months later, she was thankful to find other work. Yet bills kept piling up, and there was not enough food
to fill her fridge. That’s why she was thrilled that a food bank in the area also joins forces with Operation Blessing to fight hunger. “I felt grateful because I was able to feed my kids,” she said. “It wasn’t just a few things. They filled the whole car up.” Volunteers at the food bank were so welcoming that she decided to visit their associated church. She recalled, “I was going for the food, and I ended up getting blessed spiritually in a way that I needed.” Families in America and across the globe are experiencing a brighter future because of your overwhelming generosity. Feeding the hungry is just one of the ways you are blessing others in dire need—this Thanksgiving and beyond. You are also rescuing vulnerable children, installing clean water systems, sending disaster relief, providing medical care, offering 24/7 prayer, broadcasting the love of Christ through our family of ministries, and much more. Thank you for being a blessing to so many men, women, and children this giving season.
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CBN NEWS: HEALTHY LIVING
SMART IDEAS FOR YOUR YEAR-END BENEFIT S
WITH THE END OF THE YEAR APPROACHING, HERE ARE SOME TAX-WISE YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIFT IDEAS AND POSSIBLE BENEFITS FOR YOU. DONATE SHARES OF STOCK OR OTHER SECURITIES • Charitable deduction for the fair market value • Eliminate capital gains tax on the appreciation
GET FIT GOD’S WAY Shift your focus to get the best results! Watch
Are you having trouble sticking with an exercise regimen? Kim Dolan Leto, winner of ESPN’s Fitness America competition when she was 33 years old, says the secret to reaching your health goals is to make sure God comes first. In her book Fit God’s Way: Your Bible-Based Guide to Food, Fitness, & Wholeness, she presents a unique and welcome view: “We need to seek God first in our fitness … to be fit for our calling.” But Leto did not always live with Him in mind regarding taking care of her body. As a young girl, she plastered Sports Illustrated and Glamour magazine covers on her bedroom walls for inspiration. But those images of who she wanted to look like led her to develop a poor self-image by the age of 13. Desperate to lose weight, Kim tried
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many unhealthy diets, but it wasn’t until her father suffered a stroke that she became serious about her health. At 30, she trained, entered competitions, and eventually made it onto many magazine covers. But something was missing. Still, she went back to extreme dieting and based her value on her image. “There is a tendency to make your body an idol,” she says. Today, though, she walks with God and wants her message to honor Him. And her book does that by placing the emphasis on Jesus. “This is the answer to losing weight and keeping it off,” she says. To learn more—and download her free fitness guide featuring the “7 W’s” to fitness—visit FitGodsWay.com. Please consult your physician before changing your diet or exercise routine.
FUND A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
• Receive income stream for the rest of your life • Potential for a portion of income to be tax-free • Immediate (partial) tax deduction
MAKE A QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION (QCD) • If you are 70 ½ or older, give “tax-free” directly from your IRA • A QCD will satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution, if applicable
To learn more about year-end giving strategies, please contact us at 1-800-333-2373 or email PlannedGiving@cbn.org
QA &
with Gordon Robertson Is prosperity a free gift from God? Do I have to work for it?
The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Those unwilling to work will not get to eat (nlt). When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, one consequence was that man had to toil by the sweat of his brow and work to make it in this world. Now, if you think you can be lazy and not work and expect that things are going to come to you, you need to think again. You can plant and water, but who gives the increase? God. Therefore, prosperity and blessings come from Him. If you look at Him as the source for everything, material things will fade from your mind. Then the most important thing in your life becomes His presence, His mercy, His love, His forgiveness, His healing, His righteousness. And when you seek these things, all that He wants to give you will be added. Do you have a question for Gordon? Log on to CBN.com/AskAQuestion and follow the instructions. NEED PRAYER? Call 800-700-7000 or go to CBN.com/Prayer anytime day or night.
REAL PEOPLE. AMAZING STORIES. FOR MORE INSPIRING TESTIMONIES TO LIFT YOUR SPIRIT VISIT: CBN.COM/FRONTLINES
A SONG OF THANKSGIVING By Gordon Robertson President and CEO
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FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR
FORGIVENESS RESTORES MARRIAGE
THE PHONE CALL
As a bodybuilder, Whitney’s strength is part of her job. When her ex-boyfriend tried to kill her with his car, she was badly injured. Would she be able to walk, train, and compete again? Discover how this story unfolded.
Their irreconcilable differences escalated, and Josh and Emily were headed for divorce. Then one day, an honest conversation brought hope to their dim situation. Tune in for the heartwarming conclusion.
When Rosalie and her husband purchased a building, their hopes were dashed after uncovering major issues. The investment drained their finances, as it sat unoccupied for years. Then, Rosalie received a call. Find out what happened
13-year-old Brenda loves the Superbook Kids Bible App! She told us: “I love this app so much! The games are impeccable. Because of this app, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. You guys really made a difference in my life. Thank you!” More
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When David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem, he wrote a special psalm for the celebration. Amazingly, we know the words, as they’re recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:836. This was sung as David danced before the Lord with all his might—and it gives us the steps to finding true joy. His song begins, Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Sometimes that’s hard, as it’s easier to complain. During my many challenges in the Philippines, I came up with the saying, “Without any struggles, there wouldn’t be any victories.” Instead of looking at the obstacles, focus on the good things He planned for us and how He is working all things together for our good. David continues, Call upon His name. God’s name has many meanings. The more we meditate on the names of God, the more we glimpse His glory. He is our provider, healer, and savior. For every problem we have, He has a name to meet our need. Then David says, Make known His deeds among the peoples! … Proclaim
the good news of His salvation from day to day. People everywhere need to know what the Lord has done to save us. Next, David tells us, Sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! God has given us the psalms and all of His Word for a purpose, drawing us to Him. When we sing and declare His wonderful works, our problems start getting smaller. With that comes joy—and as the next verse says, Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! I’ve spent much time trying to think of solutions to my problems, but the solution to every problem is God. As His children, we have the incredible privilege of knowing Him and calling Him “Abba, Father”—Daddy. We can seek His face and hear His voice. The Bible tells us that at the end of David’s song, All the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. So fill your heart with thanks and praise today, and may God bless you! Excerpted from a CBN staff chapel teaching. Scripture is quoted from the NKJV.
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A FINANCIAL LEAP OF FAITH THAT PAID OFF!
Frontlines is published monthly by The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463, 757-226-7000. Copyright © 2023 by The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. Frontlines may also be viewed online at www.CBN.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Due to Revenue Canada regulations, not all premiums are available in Canada. Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.