reach
CBN EUROPE Partner Magazine
RIVERS OF LIVING WATER True life should be springing up continually within us.
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU www.cbneurope.com | 0800 432 0700 | May 2015
Inside this issue 14
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8 Anchor of Hope | Page 04 Broadcast Schedule and Updates | Page 06 Fellowship with God | Page 08 Global Impact | Page 10 Bringing Bread and Bibles to War Zones | Page 10 Praying for a Miracle | Page 11 Miracles Across the Miles | Page 12 Rivers of Living Water | Page 14 Draw Me Close To You | Page 18 Bring It On! | Page 19
Connect with us PO Box 700, Hereford, HR1 9EW, UK 01 513 3738 (ROI) 0800 432 0700 (UK) +44 207 101 7045 (Europe)
www.cbneurope.com facebook.com/700clubeurope twitter.com/700clubeurope youtube.com/The700ClubEurope
Our vision
The Christian Broadcasting Network (UK) is a registered charity (110 1659) and is the European HQ for all CBN broadcasting and CBN International humanitarian activities. CBN is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and in active partnership with key partners in the UK and Europe with the purpose of sharing the message of hope in Jesus Christ, providing humanitarian relief and alleviate poverty. It is our vision to share the Gospel in a relevant way to all generations and see people walk in their true potential in Jesus Christ.
Broadcasting
Practical Relief
Prayer Ministry
CBN’s broadcasting ministry reaches out daily to millions of viewers across Europe through multi-language broadcasts of The 700 Club, Turning Point, Christian World News, 700 Club Interactive and more.
CBN’s Orphan’s Promise and CBN International humanitarian relief teams are providing short and long term relief to vulnerable children, families and communities around the world.
CBN’s UK based Prayer Line is providing a vital life-line to thousands of callers each month. We listen to and pray with callers while providing free materials to build and strengthen faith.
“Christian Broadcasting Network is a family of ministries, working in countries all over the World.”
Anchor of hope
WE RECOMMEND
“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].“ James 5:16 AMP Welcome to the latest Reach magazine. This month we are focusing on the importance of prayer. James 5:16 says that our prayers are powerful, dynamic and affective. When we pray something extraordinary happens, especially when we pray in faith, believing that our prayers are answered. How often can we become distracted by the overwhelming situations and circumstances of life which come against us, however when we fix our eyes on Jesus our focus changes and He is able to bring about a fresh perspective within our world. Even though the answers to our prayers may not materialise instantly or as we planned, we have the ability to stand in faith knowing that He who is promised is faithful. God will bring His word to pass, as He is the anchor of hope, which we hold onto.
CBN STORIES
Sandra was born with several physical deformities but her parents have never stopped praying and they saw the healing power of God. Watch Christian testimonies of miracles, healings and other inspirational stories like Sandras’, of God answering prayer and transforming people’s lives. Visit cbneurope.com/stories
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes. Luke 18:1 TLB You will notice that with your magazine we have included a prayer poster and some cards to hand out, in order for you to help promote the prayer ministry of CBN. Every month we have the opportunity to pray with thousands of callers to our prayer line and lives are being changed, so your help and support to enable our ministry to impact others would be appreciated.
Allen Carter, CBN UK Prayer Centre & Office Coordinator
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FOLLOWING GOD Terry Meeuwsen, issues in her book ‘The God Adventure’ a challenge to believers everywhere to exchange their safe, status quo existence for the eternal impact of a lifelong “God adventure.” Visit cbneurope.com/shop
Last year more than 362,000 wells were provided to those in need. Thank you CBN partners!
www.cbneurope.com/donate
Broadcast
Schedule and Updates
The 700 Club
The 700 Club Interactive
Turning Point International
On the air continuously since 1961, it is one of the longest-running programmes in broadcast history with Pat, Gordon, Terry and the CBN News team.
Hosted by Gordon and Terry, 700 Club Interactive is designed with you in mind; your voice, your requests, your community.
Hosted by Muyiwa Olarewaju, Turning Point offers a mix of insightful features, interviews and inspirational music.
Revelation TV (Sky Ch. 581 / Freesat Ch. 692) Mon-Thurs at 3pm.
KICC TV (Sky Ch. 591) Sat 8am and Sun 9am.
Revelation TV (Sky channel 581 / Freesat Ch. 692 / Freeview HD Ch. 241) Mon-Fri at 6pm + 11pm with next day repeat at 7.00am NEW!
TBN UK (Freeview Ch. 65) Mon-Fri at 1.30 pm. NEW!
Christian World News
Gospel Channel (Sky Ch. 587) Mon-Fri at 6pm.
TBN Europe (Sky Ch. 583) Mon-Fri at 11 am.
OHTV (Sky Ch. 199) Sun 3:30pm, Wed 4pm and Fri at 4pm. LOVEWORLD (Sky Ch.586) Tue and Wed 8am, 11am and 4.30 pm, Fri 11am, Sat 12am and 2pm.
Loveworld TV (Sky Ch. 586) Mon-Fri at 8.30am with various repeats throughout the week. TBN UK (Freeview Ch. 65) Mon-Fri at 1.00 pm. NEW!
BELIEVE TV (Sky Ch. 596) Mon to Fri 4:30pm, Sun 10:30am, Sat 1.30pm.
Revelation TV (Sky Ch. 581 / Freesat Ch. 692) Wed 3am. KICC TV (Sky Ch. 591) Mon at 3pm, Tue and Thurs at 11pm, Sat at 9am.
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ABN TV (Sky Ch. 235) Sun 7:30pm.
Roku TV Watch our free 700 Club Continental TV channel
Superbook Superbook teaches children the Bible in a way they understand and enjoy. UCB TV (Sky Ch. 584), TBN UK (Freeview Ch. 65), LOVEWORLD (Sky Ch.586) and ABN TV (Sky Ch. 235). For more information visit sky.com/tv-guide
CBN Earns Seven Top Media Awards The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) presented CBN with seven “Best of” Awards at their 2015 NRB Media Awards held in Nashville. The 700 Club received the award for Best Television Talk Show, and 700 Club Interactive claimed top honours as Best Television Teaching Program. CBN’s groundbreaking documentary series, Made in Israel, was recognised as Best Special Program, and CBN News Middle East won the award for Best Creative Television Programming for Jerusalem Dateline. CBN Indonesia received the International Innovation Award, and CBN International received the International Strategic Partnership Award. CBN also won Best Television Public Service Announcement for its spot on R.A. Dickey.
TESTIMONIES “I believe God, in his mercy and grace, has chosen to heal me of a condition I wasn’t even aware I had, but had been suffering from it’s effects in just the past week. The 700 Club word of knowledge was that someone had a jaw misalignment and God was going to realign it now, and that it would never trouble them again. As the word was spoken, I felt a click in my jaw, a burning sensation and a small amount of fluid released. I realised I had been healed from the cause of my headache behind my left eye down my left temple to my jaw. When I try to click my jaws as I used to be able to do, nothing will happen. God has released me and lifted my burdens!” “Thanks for praying for my sister. She is much better and her recovery is going fast. This happened just with your prayers, my God is really great!” Send your testimony to us: PO Box 700, Hereford, HR1 9EW, UK or email to testimony@700club.tv
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Fellowship with God
Prayer is communion with God. It is the closest, most intimate relationship with the Creator we can have. Prayer is not playing magic games, spinning prayer wheels, reading off a list, or asking for things to be done. It is a communion. “Deep calls unto deep,” the Bible says (Psalm 42:7). In prayer the depths of your spirit are in communion with the depths of the Spirit of God. Out of this can come instruction, guidance, or a burden to pray for certain things. The apostle Paul said, “For we do not know what we should pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). There are times when we can emit only wordless groanings because we don’t know how to pray about a specific situation. We can learn much from the Lord’s Prayer, the model prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13). The first is that if we are to structure prayer, we should begin with an acknowledgment of the One we are talking to -- God, our Father. We should also include adoration, “Hallowed be Your name.” We are to glorify and worship His name, His very Being. Next, we must be concerned about the extension of His kingdom. We ask that men should come to know Him and submit to Him. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Next to the name and the person of God Himself, the most important thing in prayer is the extension of God’s kingdom. After that, we ask God for our daily bread -- whatever we need to carry out His work. It may be money, a car, food, clothing, a house, or a £20 million budget for a Christian organisation. It may be money to feed the poor. It may be a lot of things. We ask Him to give us, day by day, bread that is sufficient for us. That is the petition part of prayer. The first part of prayer is praise, the second is intercession for others, and the third is petition, when we ask for our needs to be met. Finally, we seek God’s protection that we might not be led into temptation and that God will keep us from evil. We ask Him to keep us walking in His way, so that we might be covered by
His power and anointing and not be susceptible to Satan’s influences. We must remember that prayer is rooted in forgiveness. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The relationship of God’s people to Him comes about because of continuous forgiveness. If we are going to see miracles in our lives, we have to be willing to forgive other people, even as God is willing to forgive us.
“We can learn much from the Lord’s Prayer, the model prayer” Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance (see Psalm 4:4, 5:3, Daniel 6:10, Acts 21:5, I Thessalonians 5:17). In my life, as events pass by, I may find myself talking to Him, wanting to know something, asking for advice and counsel, or for favour and blessing. The Christian’s life should be filled with prayer. In addition, we should set aside specific times, at least once a day, for prayer and for reading the Bible. As we read the Bible, we should pray, worship God, speak to Him about our needs, and listen to His answers. This should be a time of communication between two spirits that sets the order of events for each day. Pat Robertson is the founder and chairman of CBN and hosts CBN’s The 700 Club show.
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Global impact LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE DOING AROUND THE WORLD During a recent month: THAILAND
“I heard that a medical team was coming to my village. I have had abdominal pain and severe headaches for quite some time. The doctor gave me medicine and I also received eyeglasses. I am so impressed by the services offered and thankful to the doctors and the whole team for helping me and other villagers.” –Kloede, a patient helped at a CBN medical outreach. PERU
Six water wells were completed in different communities in Iquitos, providing 2,400 people access to clean water.
Bringing Bread And Bibles to War Zones When pro-Russian rebels took over their Ukraine hometown, Elena’s husband Vladimir told her to flee with their eight children. Their goodbye kiss at the train station would be her last memory of him. Within days, Vladimir was abducted, tortured, and shot by rebels after a church service. They shut down the churches, forcing pastors to leave or face arrest. And the rampant persecution of believers spread to other cities. That’s why CBN’s Orphan’s Promise is working to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of Ukrainian victims like Elena. An aid worker with CBN for 23 years named Galina said, “This is by far the biggest challenge I’ve had to face.” She adds, “Some people we’ve evacuated from the war zone were in such a shock, they were close to a nervous breakdown.”
PHILIPPINES
The prayer center handled 14,612 calls, 122,319 text messages, and 4,108 letters, emails, and online chats, resulting in 18,472 decisions for Christ. Over 1,075 new believers were referred to local church partners for discipleship. Also, as a part of CBN’s feeding program, 93,000 hot meals were served to 5,849 students in different elementary schools in Leyte and Samar. One of the many children affected by the war.
As they continue to hand out bread and critical supplies to hundreds of families, her team also shares the Gospel and prays with them. She sees
their hunger for God’s Word, saying, “They grab Bibles from our hands. People are open.”
Praying for a Miracle Ten-year-old battles Leukemia
Kai is cancer-free thanks to you.
The stabbing pains, headaches, constant nosebleeds. She had seen children with these symptoms die in her Chinese village. Now Mrs. Lu saw them in her 10-year-old son, Kai. Doctors confirmed her worst fears: Kai had Leukemia. The Lu’s own a noodle shop, and when they heard the bad news they started working 18 hours a day. Still, they only made $166 a week. Sadly, the Lu’s couldn’t afford chemotherapy. Mr. Lu shares, “All I wanted to do was save my son’s life.” As Kai grew more ill, he had nightmares of lying in a coffin. He said, “I did not want to die. I wanted to live!” Even
though Kai’s condition rapidly got worse, and the Lu’s didn’t have money for chemotherapy, they refused to give up hope. So the Lu’s prayed intensely for a miracle. “We knew He was the one in charge,” Mr. Lu adds, “and knew that He would do an amazing thing in Kai’s life.” When CBN learned about Kai, we helped pay for his chemotherapy. After a year, he was leukemia-free! Today, Kai is thriving, and Mrs. Lu says, “We wanted everyone to know about God’s faithfulness and CBN’s kindness!”
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Miracles
Across the Miles
Every day, CBN’s Prayer Centre experiences the fulfillment of the verse, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8 esv). Through CBN broadcasts, websites, phone calls, and social media portals, believers draw near to the Lord every day. And the Prayer Centre responds with specific digital CBN resources, delivered to individual email addresses. For instance, during a phone call from one of our staff, a CBN partner named Rita confided her cancer diagnosis, and then received prayer for healing. When Rita called back, it wasn’t with news of a painful surgery, but a praise report. The esteemed Mayo Clinic reversed the pathologist’s initial findings to “no cancer.” Her surgeon said, “Apparently, prayer has worked!” He had no other explanation. Your gifts and prayers allow us to be there for people here and worldwide, at their deepest point of need and see God do amazing things. Thank you for partnering with us! By Rev. Joel Palser, Ph.D. Vice President, CBN Chaplaincy & Telephone Ministry
CBN Broadcasting
Facts
Did you know that Operation Blessing began in the 70s? Inspired by Isaiah 58, Pat Robertson established Operation Blessing in 1978.
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The 700 Club has been on-air since 1961 and is reaching a global audience with the Gospel. Tune in daily on Revelation TV (Sky Ch.581), TBN UK (Freeview Ch.65) and the Gospel Channel (Sky Ch.587)Â for news from a Christian perspective, Life stories, testimonies, ministry and prayer. Find out when the show is airing on page 6.
Watch online and support our ministry at www.cbneurope.com
Rivers of Living Water Spiritual thirst is all around us
During the long journey through Samaria, Jesus rested by a well while His disciples went into a city to buy food. He asked a Samaritan woman for water, then told her: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). The Greek word for “drinks” does not mean a one-time cupful, but to drink and keep on drinking, similar to “ask and keep on asking” (see Matthew 7:7). When the woman asked for that water, Jesus told her to get her husband— revealing that He knew about her sinful past. Yet Jesus didn’t condemn her; He came into the world to save people. And when she mentioned the coming Messiah, Jesus openly declared, “I who speak to you am He” (John 4:26). She received the living water and immediately shared it, going into the city and inviting people to meet Jesus. As a result, many Samaritans believed in Him, saying, “We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (v. 42). How interesting to think that the disciples had just been in that very same city, yet did they tell anyone about Him? Perhaps they only focused on their mission to buy food. It’s easy to forget about the living water
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that should be springing up continually within us. We can get so caught up in the cares of life that we are no longer witnesses, and we miss seeing the spiritually thirsty people around us.
“We can get so caught up in the cares of life that we miss seeing the spiritually thirsty people around us.” At the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). When we hear the words of Jesus, we get the living water. The amazing thing is that we can drink anytime, for He is constantly speaking, revealing Himself, and desiring to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. We are the ones who stop the flow by becoming distracted by other things. We simply need to be thirsty and believe in Him, and rivers of living water will flow out from us into the world. God bless you.
Gordon Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of CBN.
“We can drink anytime, for He is constantly speaking, revealing Himself, and desiring to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.�
CBN PRAYER God’s heart is to restore, heal and renew. CALL US 0800 432 0700 (UK) 1 513 3738 (ROI) +44 207 101 7045
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The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
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Teaching Sheets CBN Europe Bible-based teachings help people understand God and the purpose of life. Read at cbneurope.com/prayer
Psalm 145:18
Pray for us Here at the CBN UK Prayer Centre, we pray daily for the needs of our partners and ask our Heavenly Father to pour out His blessings upon their lives. God is calling us to be a people of prayer and “through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God” according to Philippians 4:6. As CBN is daily on the front lines of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world, we really need your prayers, too! Below are some current topics you could join with us in prayer for. Thank you for standing with us!
For continued impact of Superbook within the lives of children and that new doors of opportunity would open to air the programs on National TV.
Pray for Andreas Waldmann (CBN Germany director and host of the German 700 Club ) and our german office, that they would be filled with Godly wisdom in the daily decisions that they are making.
Protection for our brothers and sisters in the Nigerian 700 club office, that they would know peace in the midst of difficult and challenging times in the nation.
For persecuted Christians in Syria and Iraq who have been displaced from their homes and communities, that they would stand firm in their faith.
Orphan’s Promise and CBN International humanitarian projects in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Pray for continued impact for those affected by poverty.
Pray for our continued partnership with Safe From Slavery. That the staff would know the heart of God for the women who have been victims of sex trafficking.
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Draw Me Close To You ‘Draw me close to you, never let me go...’ by Michael W Smith is one of my favourite songs.
In Acts 6, Stephen was chosen to lead a group responsible for prayer and ministering the word. Stephen was chosen because he was full of God’s grace, power, and the Holy Spirit.
for us to come and sit at His feet, to lay our head on his knees, enjoying his company, His presence, His love and His acceptance, receiving from Him to overflowing.
Stephen performed great wonders among the people. However, opposition came, people rose up and argued with Stephen. They were unable to stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave to him. Eventually, Stephen was seized and brought him before the Sanhedrin who saw his face was like that of an angel. He spoke truths to the Sanhedrin who were enraged by what he had said. He remained full of the Holy Spirit.
Sitting at Jesus’ feet! This does not come naturally in the busy, 24/7, 21st century. We are driven by so many expectations, desires, commitments, should’s and oughts. Even our ‘quiet times’ or fellowship meetings are full, busy, loud, often moving on without real contemplation or time given. There is a lot of activity, speaking, requesting, doing. Jesus said the best thing was ‘to sit, listening to Him’.
As he was being stoned he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them. With that he fell asleep. ‘He fell asleep.’ speaks to me that he was spared, taken to be with Jesus forever. As I think about the above I am drawn into wanting to sit at Jesus’ feet. Actually, as I listen, read and pray I see myself sitting with Him as a child does with their father or mother, enjoying their embrace. This is our Father’s desire. He wants to embrace each one of us, He longs
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Why does He want us to do this? Job 22 v 21 says ‘Let my light soak into your mind and heart until you are aglow with my very being.’ Once we’ve sat quietly receiving from Jesus we can quite literally go out full of confidence, faith, maturity, unity, peace, love and the Holy Spirit. Like Stephen, aglow with His very being. Linda Bramble is married to Colin and has two children, she is part of the Prayer Team at CBN.
Bring It On!
ELECTIONS
PAT ROBERTSON’S PRACTICAL, BIBLICALLY GROUNDED ANSWERS TO TODAY’S MAIN CHRISTIAN ISSUES
“Is there a right or wrong way to pray? I try to stay positive and trust in the Lord, but it seems to be very difficult. Is it possible that my prayers are not worthy of being fulfilled?” All prayers are worthy. God loves you. But start by reading Mark 11 carefully. That speaks about how to receive miracles through your prayers. And the book of James says, “You ask, but you don’t receive because you want to consume it on your lusts” (see 4:3). Sometimes people are praying for their own selfish gain. And that’s not the right kind of prayer. We must first of all recognise that communing with God is where we start. We commune with God through the Holy Spirit. And then having been touched by the Holy Spirit of God, you speak forth His Word. The Holy Spirit joins with your spirit, you agree together with the Lord, and then you speak into the situation around you. You speak to the disease, speak to the money problem, and speak to the circumstances. Instead of saying, “Oh God, bless me,” we say, “Lord, show me what’s to be done.” Get in touch with the Lord first. Commune with Him first. That’s where you start.
Praying For Our Nation As the political parties launch their manifestos, the government and the country is preparing for what is being called the most important election in this generation. As followers of Christ, how can we be praying for this? It’s time for us to see beyond the hype of Election Day, and pray for God’s will to be done in this country. Let’s pray for our own MP’s and those standing for election in our local constituencies: for protection, for the whole election process, for truth to be shared, for balanced media coverage and for the highlighting of the real issues in need of debate in the coming weeks. As we pray, believe that apathy will be replaced by a real desire by everyone to take part.
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CBN Partners You Make a Dierence
As a CBN partner you help provide medical care, clean water, humanitarian aid and a message of hope to those who need it most.
Become a world changer. Join CBN partners and bring the love of God to millions of hurting people every day. Call 0800 432 0700 (UK) / 1 513 3738 (ROI) /+44 207 101 7045 (outside UK) or visit www.cbneurope.com/donate or fill in the enclosed form and return to us.