C B N S O U T H E R N A F R I C A PA R T N E R M AGA Z I N E
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS S E P T E M B E R 2 016
INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Power of Forgiveness | 04 A New Dawn of Hope | 06 Celebration of Godʼs Faithfulness | 07 Messages & Testimonies | 08
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Unlocking Godʼs Miracle Power | 11
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OUR MESSAGE |
THE POWER OF WORDS Ian Walton Director, CBN Southern Africa
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Here we are in September already – and it looks to be a very full and exciting last few months of 2016! In the past 2 months I have so enjoyed the privilege and challenge of representing and leading CBN here in this beautiful, complex region which we call home. In this edition of Frontlines we bring you a great devotion by our CEO Gordon Robertson about forgiveness, an exciting announcement about Superbook in South Africa, news from some of our Humanitarian projects and a few testimonies we’ve been privileged to hear about in our region recently. As CBN Southern Africa signs new contracts with broadcasters, prays with people, gets involved in crucial humanitarian projects, brings Superbook into homes, churches and schools and reaches out to thousands of people across the sub-continent through online media... we are humbly aware that we should be constantly consecrating and submitting the words we use to Him. Please pray for us in this regard! As I write these words, I am thinking about the great power of words. Our Father used words to bring this world and its inhabitants into being. “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Our Saviour is called the Living Word: “...and the Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us.” And God’s Spirit uses the life-giving truth of the written Word to call us to faith and keep us. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word.” As a Dad of three kids under 5 I am also constantly reminded about the power of words. I can literally see the effect of the things I say in the faces of my children. It is daunting - and an amazing privilege. The words we choose to speak to those around us can be a matter of life and death. Especially when it comes to words of forgiveness. With words we can bring liberty and life, and with words we can bring destruction and death. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”. If you are able and happy to receive this publication online and help us save on printing and postage costs, please let us know, at info.cbnsa.org. Also, if you would like us to pray with you about anything, we would count it a great privilege! CBN AFRICA | 03
| TEACHING
FORGIVENESS
POURED OUT
By Gordon Robertson Our lives should overflow with the Holy Spirit so much that we are infectious spreading God’s presence wherever we go. Yet why is the Spirit’s flow hindered sometimes?
CBN AFRICA | 04
TEACHING |
One obvious blockage is sin. The good news is that we simply need to repent and turn to Jesus, and He will cleanse and restore us. Another major hindrance is unforgiveness. We may feel justifed in holding a grudge because someone hurt us, stole from us, mocked or betrayed us. Yet Jesus says, “If you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you” (Mark 11:25). While I was living in the Philippines, a man betrayed me in a big way. It was tempting to daydream about getting even. Fortunately, I had to leave for India, where I was supposed to minister with evangelist D.G.S. Dhinakaran. When he looked at my countenance, however, he said, “You are not ready to minister to anybody right now.”
the flow of the Spirit is to continue to forgive. Something amazing happens when you say, “I’m not going to hold that against them anymore,” and you release forgiveness toward those who hurt you. Once you get in the habit, you can quickly sense dislocation in your relationships and take steps to make things right. Pour unforgiveness out of your spirit and out of your heart—and if it ever comes back into your memory, pour it out again.
“The secret to staying in the flow of the Spirit is to continue to forgive.”
When you hold onto an offence, bitterness gets deep in your spirit. It affects what you say and do, and you can’t minister to anyone.
Offences will come into your life; yet Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
He gave me the verse, I pour out my complaint before Him (Psalm 142:2). He explained that this doesn’t mean you complain to God; rather, you pour out your complaint before Him—and as you do, forgive. Then he looked at me and said gently, “When Jesus was betrayed He said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’ (Luke 23:34)”. He added, “Jesus poured out his forgiveness for them, and at that point He entered into His greatest ministry.”
Ask the Lord to look into the secret places of your heart and reveal anything hidden or forgotten that is not pleasing to Him. Let nothing come between you and God. That’s when the refreshing oil of the Holy Spirit can be poured into you and overflow to others. God bless you.
Those words changed my life. I have learned that the secret to staying in CBN AFRICA | 05
| IMPACT
A NEW DAWN OF HOPE
Through your support many lives will be transformed.
Chibuluma Township has frequently been described as Copper Belt’s most dangerous place. It is often in the news for its notoriety in drugs, prostitution, rape, robberies, early marriages and all forms of abuse (even among young children). Due to the high rate of the HIV/AIDS infection, it has also spawned a community of orphaned, abandoned and neglected children on the breadline and having no means of support. The Bible describes a situation like Chibuluma township as “Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.” But for such a maxim to be true, there must be a reflection of God’s glory. CBN AFRICA | 06
With the recent construction of The T.D. Jakes Centre, the living conditions of the orphans and vulnerable children have been changed by providing holistic care that allows children to experience quality of life and reach their highest potential. This is done with the help of a team of dedicated people supported by our 700 club members. Through the combined Donor partnership support of CBN Orphans Promise and MegaCare, God’s glory will be revealed and many children’s lives will be transformed into a “New Dawn of Hope”.
IMPACT |
CELEBRATION OF GODʼS FAITHFULNESS Orphan’s Promise serves orphans and other vulnerable children around the world, taking them from at-risk to thriving, through the transforming power of God. In our vision to accomplish that, we have been supporting Life Child in their vision to reach orphans and vulnerable children and to restore communities for generations to come. On Wednesday 20th July Life Child Cape Town celebrated their 1st anniversary of the opening of the centre and pre-school. The house was bought and renovated by Orphan’s Promise. Today it is a proud facility where the orphaned and vulnerable children receive educational, health
and nutritional support. Their Spiritual development through the word of God, social development and recreational opportunities are provided for. Life Church and Life Child Staff together with all the children gave thanks to God for His faithfulness through worship, along with testimonies. They enjoyed singing Happy Birthday Life Child and giving glory to God for all He has done this past year! Together with Orphan’s Promise, the dream became a reality! Currently, Orphan’s Promise supports Life Child Cape Town to uplift 14 partner crèches, counting to approx. 780 children, with 4 safety children and staff. We also support Life Child in Mozambique and Malawi.
Join The Mission If you’d like to partner with Orphan’s Promise in changing lives and giving hope to children, connect with us via email at leonie.nortje@cbnsa.org. To find out more about our other projects, visit www.orphanspromise.org. CBN AFRICA | 07
| MESSAGES & TESTIMONIES
“Two years ago I completed my studies and prayed for a job. God blessed me with a permanent job. Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers.” Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A testimony from one of the mothers from JITAM (Jesus Is the Answer Ministries) – “My daughter has been unemployed for a long time and she almost fell into despair. I attend this church regularly and urged her to come visit this Sunday Service. She joined me, we prayed for her needs and I asked the Lord to show her His love, we asked Him for a job for her. When we arrived back home an old friend was waiting for her to tell her that her employer was back from overseas and wanted her to start working immediately! God is Jehovah Jireh our provider!” Soweto, South Africa.
“Your program “The Turning Point” really blesses me and the songs bless me too. I will continue to pray for you and may God Bless you richly.” Tokai, Cape Town.
“Thank you all for your wonderful programmes on TBN, we watch it daily and we thoroughly enjoy it.” Strand, South Africa. “It is with great pleasure to let you know that from the day I received your letter up to date, I have seen a great difference in my life. I no longer have sleepless nights and a stiff neck. It’s all praises unto the Lord and many thanks to you.” Gaborane, Botswana. A lady came to the ministry offices devastated by the fact that she could not afford to pay her hospital bill which had accumulated with interest to Z$million. This was after she had fallen sick and had been admitted in a hospital. Her salary was insufficient to cover this debt, she had approached her employers for help by asking for a loan that she would settle from her salary, but they refused to. She became desperate and had nobody to turn to except God. She then visited the prayer centre and brought with her a letter from a debt collector who was threatening to take her to court. The counsellor prayed that God would supernaturally provide the money or have the debt cancelled. Within a week she returned testifying that her sister who resides in America (who had not been in contact with her in a long time) gave her the money which paid for her debt and general check-ups. Praise Jesus for answered prayer! Zimbabwe, Counselling Centre. CBN AFRICA | 08
BIBLE VERSE |
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7
Superbook launches in September on eTV!
PATʼS MESSAGE |
UNLOCKING GODʼS MIRACLE POWER Lack of forgiveness blocks access to the kingdom and to miracle power. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). People must forgive all who need forgiveness. If the first person to forgive is yourself, you need to say, “God, before You, I forgive myself. Whatever I have done, I accept Your forgiveness, and I forgive me.” That’s a very simple but profound statement, because as long as we feel that we are under condemnation, we will never have faith to see miracles. The second person we have to “forgive,” if we have bitterness, is God Himself. There are people who blame God because a child died, because a husband ran away, because they have been sick, because they have not had enough money. Consciously or unconsciously they think all of these things are God’s fault. There is deep-seated resentment; yet you cannot be resentful toward God and experience miracles. You have to rid yourself of any bitterness toward God. That may take some soul-searching. You must ask yourself, Am I blaming God for my situation? Finally, there has to be forgiveness for anybody else who has ever done anything against you. It may be that your resentment is justified. The person may have done a very evil, terrible thing to you. You may have every legal and intellectual right to hold a grudge and to hate that person. But if you want to see miracles in your life, it is absolutely imperative that you forgive. Forgive them to the point where you actually feel yourself cleansed of resentment and bitterness and are actually praying for them. If you do not, the lack of forgiveness will make it impossible for God to forgive you. Every miracle depends 100 percent on your relationship to God the Father. That relationship is built strictly on the strength of His forgiveness of your sin. Forgiveness is the key. Other sins can be present, and if your heart condemns you for something else, then of course, you do not have confidence before God. But it is lack of forgiveness that most often comes between people and God. Excerpts taken from Answers To 200 Of Life’s Most Probing Questions, by Pat Robertson.
Pat Robertson
CBN AFRICA | 11
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