Reach Magazine - April 2021

I N S P I R E YO U R FA I T H | I M PA C T T H E W O R L D

My Redeemer Lives

Jesus paid the price

CBNEUROPE.COM

Beyond Bunnies & Eggs

A new innocence

The God Chase Love rooted in eternity

ISSUE 53

CONTENT

03. Welcome to Issue 53 From The Director

04. Waking up to new life in Christ Teaching 06. Europe Update From The Office

09. CBN Israel How You Help

10. My Redeemer Lives Featured 13. The Big CBN Tea Party Fundraising

14. Discover CBN’s Impact Global Impact 16. Introducing: CBN Hope Line!

CBN Australasia 18. Beyond Bunnies & Eggs Featured 20. Children & Families Superbook

24. The God Chase Featured 26. How Do I Forgive My Enemies?

Forgiveness

PO Box 700 Hereford, HR1 9EW, UK 0300 561 0700 (UK) 01513 3738 (ROI) 02 7908 0700 (AUS) 04 488 0700 (NZ) +44 207 101 7045 (International) WhatsApp

07833 993 924 CBNEUROPE.COM CBNAUSTRALASIA.ORG

@CBNEUROPE

28. Easter Resources CBN Shop 29. Put Your Hope Into Action Your Ways To Give

R E A C H is a free magazine produced and distributed by CBN Europe to inspire, inform and strengthen your relationship with God. We partner with individuals, churches and organisations in order to share the message of hope in Jesus Christ, provide humanitarian relief and reduce poverty. It is our vision to share the Gospel in a relevant way to all generations and see people walk in their true potential with God. Would you like to support our ministry? Contact us on the numbers provided or visit cbneurope.com/donate.

FROM THE DIRECTOR | 3 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT Dear friends, Welcome to the spring edition of REACH Magazine! With inspiring articles and uplifting updates of CBN’s ministry from Europe and around the globe, I hope that this issue will bless you, encourage you and give you a new perspective.

Gordon Robertson writes about ‘waking up to new life in Christ’, and the newness of life God has for us. As spring is bursting forth life in all its fullness, and nature itself declares the glory of God (Romans 1:20), we are reminded of the richness of life He wants us to experience every day.

I don’t know about you, but I am more of a spring and summer person than a winter person. The winter for me is a season where everything is a little harder and takes a little more effort. Perhaps because the days are short, and I miss the warmth of the sun. For someone like me, spring is the beginning of a new season, new life and leaving the old behind!

As we commemorate Easter, we celebrate how Jesus brought us new life and a new perspective. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life. We receive new life and a promise for tomorrow! We become a new man or woman, a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This is the Good News for you and me; and His name is Jesus! He came to give us life in all its fullness (read John 10:10), and He wants us to experience this life today! May this magazine help you draw closer to God and walk in the fullness of life He has for you. In the midst of the challenges you face, Jesus wants to help you and give you all you need for today!

Thank you CBN Partners for helping us share the Good News of Jesus to the nations. We love you and pray His richest blessings over you!

In Jesus, Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

4 | TEACHING

Waking up to new life in Christ Gordon Robertson Chief Executive Officer

The Jewish calendar has a period of time called Teshuvah , meaning “to turn,” in the last month of the year, Elul, which means “search.” The purpose is for people to turn to God and search their hearts in preparation for the Day of Atonement, when they ask themselves, “Am I ready to die?”

This is reflected in their clothing for the day. Every married Jewish male wears a kittel, a white linen robe that eventually serves as their burial shroud.

The robe has no pockets, symbolizing that nothing can be taken along on that journey. It’s a dress rehearsal for death.

Keep in mind that Jesus is Jewish, and He prepared Himself to die. The good news is that when Jesus wore His burial shroud, He left it in a tomb and is raised forevermore. And, because He lives, we have this wonderful promise in Colossians 2:12: You also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Are we ready to walk into the goodness

and provision of God? Sometimes it’s easy to allow bitterness, complaining and anxiety to build up, robbing us of our joy. The more we are asleep to our disobedience, the more we drift away from God without even realising it.

We need to wake up into the newness of life He has for us. That’s why it is important to examine ourselves to see where we fall short, to ask God to forgive us and set us free. He is merciful and gracious, and He wants to bring us into the Promised Land.

Start by remembering that He loves you. Song of Solomon 6:3 says, I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.

You don’t have to beg Him; He wants you to succeed, and He is in your corner. Meditate on God’s attributes in Exodus 34:6-7: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”

Then search your heart for anything that is keeping you from wholeheartedly

TEACHING | 5

HE IS MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS, AND HE WANTS TO BRING US INTO THE PROMISED LAND.

pursuing the promises God has for you. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. These sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17).

thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead (NLT). He expected to die—and as a result, he learned to rely on God, for He will raise us, too.

We need to guard against complacency by asking ourselves, “Am I right with God? Am I ready to meet Him? Am I fully appreciating the salvation that Jesus paid that price for?” This brings a whole new appreciation of what Jesus did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the cross, and in the resurrection.

When we go through hardships, our reaction should be, “this is great because it means God is going to be glorified. He will see me through this and I am going to learn how great He is.”

You get a different perspective on life when facing death. I experienced that firsthand when I nearly died of cerebral malaria in Manila. In that time, the things you used to think were important don’t matter at all. It’s just you and God. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul shared what he learned while facing death: We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we

Jesus came to give you abundant life.

In Him, we have new life. No matter what we go through, we can rely on Him. Our hope is in the One who raises the dead. God bless you.

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV except as noted

6 | FROM THE OFFICE

Mark Dijkens Regional Director

It is already April and 2021 is well on its way! We have some great updates to share with you as our valued partners and friends. It is because of your prayers and financial support that we are able to effectively share the Gospel through CBN’s ministry projects. We ultimately thank the Lord for the opportunities He gives each day. The privilege to share hope and life to the people we love and serve.

United Kingdom & Ireland CBN Hope Line. In June this year, CBN celebrates 19 years of ministry in the UK and Europe. CBN first registered in the United Kingdom in June 2002 with the aim to start broadcasting the Gospel message through programming on TV and offering follow up ministry through the 700 Club Prayer Line. Today, our CBN Hope Line is touching the lives of thousands of callers each month and remains one of our most effective tools to reach out to viewers with the love that Jesus deposited in our hearts for them. Each call is an opportunity to see the Holy Spirit move in someone’s life, and see desperate situations turned around for good.

precious man prayed a daring prayer: “God, if Jesus is real, show me and set me free from my doubts and fears.

Fill me with Your Spirit, cover me in the blood of Jesus and make me born again”. These were his very words.

God is faithful and Jesus came into his heart, that very moment. The Bible teaches us that the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10) and we know there was much joy in heaven, as well as on earth that day! This is just one story and we have so many more. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the best news ever to anyone who wants to hear it.

What an honour to see lives changed!

In recent months we have received more than 3500 inbound calls, and our team made more than 500 outbound calls. We have ministered to people in varied circumstances and from all walks of life. One memorable call was from a Muslim man who was searching and seeking for truth. A Hope Team member shared about Jesus and His love for us. During that call this

Operation Blessing. Besides sharing the Good News through media, CBN also shares the love of Jesus in practical ways. CBN’s Operation Blessing provides much needed relief and support to people all around the world by providing food, clean water, medical assistance and disaster relief.

In the United Kingdom, we are helping vulnerable families through our Hope

FROM THE OFFICE | 7 Boxes outreach. Food insecurity is a real concern to many families. Every Hope Box contains nutritious food and hygiene items to help families experiencing great hardship. We have received an additional grant from a major supermarket for further support for this outreach continue to the end of this financial year. We currently have two projects running in England and in Wales.

There is more we can do together!

Operation Blessing aims to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals and families, all year around. We are partnering with Victory Church in Cwmbran to set up the first Operation Blessing distribution centre in Europe.

We are in phase one of a longerterm project. This phase has included refurbishment of the warehouse and preparatory work in readiness for opening to the public in April.

This distribution centre will initially serve families and individuals in Wales in need of various forms of practical

support. Whilst providing food and household items, the team will engage in ‘friendship evangelism’. They will take opportunity to connect and stand with the people they serve. They will build further relationships with the local community.

Victory church also operates a rehabilitation centre for those battling with addictions. At CBN we pride ourselves in being “bridge builders”.

We aim to work with Victory Church to provide life-skills through media training and equipment to capture their life stories and share the impact of this outreach on their lives. We would like to take the beneficiaries of this outreach from addiction to integration.

This Operation Blessing Project seeks to give a life-line a second chance for the project beneficiaries to in turn help and reinvest in others. This project is a first of its kind for Operation Blessing UK, and we are excited to get this outreach started come along and be part of the change you wish to see!

Europe We have CBN offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Croatia, Moldova and The Netherlands. We work across Europe as a media charity and on humanitarian initiatives. Our focus this year is on reaching the new generation through CBN’s animated Bible series Superbook.

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We are launching 20 new Superbook YouTube channels in Europe in: English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Albanian, Hungarian,

8 | FROM THE OFFICE Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, Slovenian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Estonian, Greek and Portuguese. With 26 episodes per channel from Season 1 and season 2.

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CBN’s Superbook Academy resource for churches has been updated to help churches during lockdown restrictions to continue teaching children and families at home with easy to share links. We continue translating these resources for wider use.

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Kuriakos TV in Portugal has come on board as a broadcast partner with a number of programmes including the Superbook series, Flying House animated Bible stories, Studio 5 and CBN documentaries.

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In Malta, we signed a broadcast agreement with a Exodus TV. They will broadcast a wide range of programmes including the daily 700 Club, Christian World News and CBN’s classic Superbook and Flying House series.

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In Moldova we are looking to start broadcasting CBN programmes in Romanian and Russian on the regional TV NTS. Our team in Moldova is also working hard to prepare for a Superbook Easter holiday outreach. Please pray that Covid regulations allow for this event to take place.

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Viewers in The Netherlands continue to be blessed by broadcasts of The 700 Club and Superbook in Dutch. We just provided Season 2 to Family 7, which will bring new episodes to children and families from April. We receive regular testimonies from viewers who share stories of healing and provision.

One viewer had eye surgery scheduled. During one of the programmes, Pat Robertson prayed for this exact eye condition. The viewer wrote “I believed for God to heal my eye, and it was healed instantly.” The doctor confirmed his eye was healed and sight restored!

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CBN Balkans team in Croatia continue to work on a variety of ministry projects. These include Hope Boxes to vulnerable families, relief to Roma families and various Orphan’s Promise projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia.

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Our team in Germany continues to produce and broadcast their weekly TV programme ‘Erlebt’ airing on Bibel TV in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

We have an opportunity to start producing a ‘live’ programme in the future.

The Hamburg Prayer Line continues to serve callers responding to the ‘Erlebt’ programme.

CBN ISRAEL | 9

Where God Dwells “For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15 RSV).

The dissonance of this verse is astounding! The God who dwells in the highest heaven, who inhabits eternity, also resides with the contrite and humble of spirit. Why does He dwell there? To revive them. To lift them up. It seems impossible to imagine that the King of the universe dwells with the contrite and humble.

Within the ancient world, the gods were capricious, caring about their sacrifices and the mighty; human morality did not move the gods. Neither did human poverty. The God of the Bible is fundamentally different. People’s obedience and repentance moved Him. The suffering, the poor, those on the fringe of society— He identified with them. The mighty, He cast down; the proud, He resisted. The contrite, He revives their heart. The humble, He revives their spirit. The economy of God’s kingdom turns upside down the normal order of things. He often values what others overlook or despise, and He despises what we tend to value.

The Hebrew word translated as “contrite” literally means “crushed.” Those who are crushed. The God who inhabits eternity dwells among those who feel crushed. The structure of the verse indicates that the crushed and contrite are also the humble in spirit. The “humble in spirit” doesn’t merely mean those who are humble; it carries with it the sense of those whose spirits are low, depressed.

Have you been there? The God of the universe dwells with you. Our weakness does not hinder or prevent God’s presence. His greatness does not distance Him from our brokenness. Rather, He dwells with us there. He does not leave us there; His presence comes to revive us..

Prayer: Father, You dwell in eternity, yet You reside with us in our brokenness to revive us. How great are You, O Lord! Amen.

Your Support Blesses Israel!

When you partner with CBN, part of your support blesses Israel and our outreach to Holocaust survivors, victims of terrorism, immigrant families, single mums and other Israelis in need. Thank you for standing with Israel through your prayers and support!

10 | FEATURED

CBN READ

MY REDEEMER LIVES

For the disciples and those near and dear to Jesus, those last few days must have been a blur; the denial, betrayal, the gruesome death now etched upon their hearts and minds. The one who they loved was no longer with them, and now all hope seemed lost. The many unanswered questions, the why’s and if’s, the uncertainty. What would their future be like without Jesus?

I’m glad that the Easter story doesn’t end with hopelessness, with Jesus still on a cross or buried in a borrowed tomb. That first Easter morning hope was restored; Jesus is alive!

When He arose, every restriction and limitation was broken. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But

thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(ESV) Jesus broke the sting of sin and death; the grave could no longer contain the Saviour of the world. The Great I am, the one who was and is and is to come, was victorious. He took the keys of death and hell and rose triumphantly.

Today we can say like Job “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25 ESV).

hope was restored To redeem is not merely to set right. It is the act of buying back or paying the price to return and restore to its rightful place.

FEATURED | 11

HE TOOK THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL AND ROSE TRIUMPHANTLY. TODAY WE CAN SAY LIKE JOB “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES” Allen Carter Director of Planned Giving

Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem and purchase us from the sin that held us captive. The death sentence from the wages of sin weighed so heavily, but because of God’s great love, Jesus paid in full and forgave us for all of our sins and wrongdoing. We were the guilty ones, and yet we are the ones who go free.

Isaiah 43:1-2 says, “…. Don’t be afraid; I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Saviour.” (MSG) Let the truth of these words penetrate

the depths of your being. Don’t be afraid, you are redeemed. He has paid in full and bought you with His precious blood. He calls you by name, and you are His. He will be there with you; He will never let you down. He is your personal God. Today, that same power that conquered the grave lives within everyone who has acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Saviour. His life-giving spirit quickens and brings hope to every troubled heart. Allow His presence and peace to cascade over you, flooding every area of your life so that you would know and say, “my Redeemer lives!”

12 | FAMILY APP

NEW! CBN FAMILY Download the app to watch The 700 Club, 700 Club Interactive, CBN News, Superbook, seasonal content and more from The Christian Broadcasting Network.

Available On: Watch now on Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung TV (Tizen), Apple & Android mobile devices or head over to cbn.com/partners/video to watch online!

THE BIG CBN TEA PARTY

FUNDRAISING | 13

Calling all tea lovers and drinkers! Host a tea party with your friends and family and help raise £50 for people in need!

After water, tea is the world’s most popular drink! People have been drinking tea for thousands of years. The UN has designated 21st May as International Tea Day. Together with you, your friends & family, we will raise funds for CBN with The Big CBN Tea Party! Over that week, we will travel with Gizmo on an adventure to learn how people drink tea around the world.

For those who love a quiz at the Tea Party, we got you covered too! It’s time to bring out the tea set!

Share about your tea party with family, friends, neighbours, schools, colleagues, local community group.

How you can get involved:

Tied up on Friday 21st May, not a problem. We are stretching International Tea Day for the whole week, 17th to 23rd May 2021.

Host your very own fundraising tea party (virtual or in person – following Government guidelines).

Having an in-person event (in your garden or village hall)? Do add on a bake sale – no tea party is complete without yummy treats!

For more information and sign up, please visit: www.cbneurope.com/TeaParty #MAKEACUPPAMAKEADIFFERENCE

14 | GLOBAL IMPACT OPERATION BLESSING

When Losing Power Means Losing Life Burundi, East Africa

It was only a power outage, but that was all it took to end lives. At a little hospital in Burundi, East Africa, electricity was unstable and power outages were frequent.

Each loss of electricity meant incubators, oxygen machines and other lifesaving equipment would shut down.

Not only were the patients on life-support in danger, but the loss of light and anaesthesia meant that doctors were working in the dark without the proper equipment.

But thanks to generous partners, a solar-power system was sent to the hospital, and now they never need to worry about losing electricity again. Friends like you made it possible for a baby named Lathi to live a healthy life. This new power system ensured that she had access to oxygen as she recovered from a heart condition.

Malnutrition is a severe problem for children in Burundi, so with your help, CBN’s Operation Blessing worked with a local hospital and fed many children. Each week, the children receive multiple nourishing meals, and were given food to take home as well. Ndikumana didn’t know how to get enough food for her baby until she found the food program.

She began attending with her young child, who was sick and underweight. But soon, after the regular healthy meals, her child began to thrive!

In addition to food, you provided life-changing surgeries for those in desperate need. Young Willy fell off his bike and broke his leg severely. Because of faithful partners like you, he was able to receive the operation he needed. Thank you for having a heart for these hurting people. You are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Want To Read More Stories?

Visit cbneurope.com/impact to read more inspiring stories about how God has used CBN across the globe.

GLOBAL IMPACT | 15 ORPHAN’S PROMISE

Left in Dire Straits Ghana

“Food to eat and clothes to wear was a problem,” 12-year-old Mavis said as she recalled a painful time in her life when her family had been very poor. Growing up in Kasoa, a suburb in the Central Region of Ghana, her father died when she was only 5 years old, leaving the small family in dire straits. “Shelter became a big problem and was so unbearable,” Mavis explained.

But soon, she came to a nearby centre sponsored by CBN’s Orphan’s Promise, which is supported by partners like you. There, she now receives shelter, plenty of nutritious food - and an education. “I don’t lack anything,” Mavis said happily.

“I receive affection and care from my foster parents. I have been enrolled in a private school to pursue my education and to realise my goal of becoming a medical doctor.”

OPERATION BLESSING

Rescued From Abuse Thailand

Ten-year-old Rainy was born in a village in Thailand. When her father died, her mother rented a shack on a fruit orchard where she could work.

Near their home, an elderly man named Uncle Dtom opened a bar. He told her that if they ever had a need, he could give them money. Rainy trusted him, but instead of helping her, Uncle Dtom took advantage of her. He threatened that if she told anyone he would never help her family.

When a teacher at Rainy’s school found out, the abuse was reported and Rainy was referred to a home supported by CBN’s Operation Blessing for education and counselling for her trauma.

Today, thanks to CBN partners, Rainy is safe and thriving - and the sound of her laugh is a reminder of the power of a new start.

16 | CBN AUSTRALASIA

CBN Australasia Hope Line launched!

For many years CBN has broadcast the Good News of Jesus to Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding Islands (Australasia) through broadcasts of The 700 Club, Superbook and other CBN programmes on TBN Pacific and the Australian Christian Channel. We also work closely with Brisbane based UCB Australia (known in the region as Vision Christian Media). They distribute Superbook Academy to churches, Superbook Club for families and Superbook and CBN DVD’s through the Vision Store. In New Zealand we work together with our broadcast partners ‘Shine TV’ who also customise our shows for distribution across the region.

Viewers in Australasia were previously directed to our CBN USA. We have over the past few months, worked hard to prepare for this exciting development and on Monday 8 February 2021, we launched the Australasia CBN Hope Line and webpage!

Samuel Hunt Hope Line Coordinator CBN Australasia

The team based in our Manila office is led by the Australasia Hope Line Coordinator, Samuel Hunt who was born and raised in the Australian west-coast. He leads a team of dedicated and trained staff, ready to answer to provide prayer ministry and follow-on partner support from our programmes in the region. When talking to Samuel about coordinating this new project, he responded by saying: “It is so exciting and humbling to involved with God is doing across the world, especially in Australasia, which as my home, holds a special place in my heart. I anticipate seeing God move powerfully across the region and in so many individual hearts and am so excited to be part of this growth”.

As fellow Commonwealth countries, all CBN programmes that air in the UK and Europe are now available in Australasia! We are excited that You can now watch the same programmes with friends and family on the other side of the world and share precious moments together over the message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Will you join us in prayer for this new initiative? please pray for our CBN Australasia Hope Team and for the impact this outreach will have in the lives of our partners, viewers and callers. For more information please visit www.cbnaustralasia.org or call 02 7908 0700 (AUS), or 04 488 0700 (NZ).

PRAYER & TESTIMONIES | 17 We are so grateful to you for continuing to stand with us in prayer. To know that you are praying for us and the foundations of the ministry is such a blessing and encouragement as we co-labour in God’s harvest field. THANK YOU! Here are a couple of key prayer points for the ministry:

1

Partners - Please pray for our existing partners and supporters. In this current climate we may all be in the thrust of a storm but, some are in very different boats.

Please pray that God would meet the needs of all our beloved supporters and continue to provide for them as we navigate these challenging times. “They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they will have abundance.”

(Psalm 37:19)

2

Provision - Please pray for the day-to-day running of the CBN Europe ministry and continued provision for new and ongoing CBN projects this year. The more provision we have in our hands, the more we are able to do for others. Pray for more and more people to catch hold of the vision of CBN Europe and to choose to partner with us on this journey of sharing Jesus.

3

Vision - Please pray for a greater level of vision and wisdom particularly for our senior leadership as together with our team they seek to see God’s purpose fulfilled through this ministry. Vision is what drives the mission forward and we would ask that you pray for God-vision to be downloaded to our strategic teams so that we can move forward with purpose and passion.

We are blessed time and time again by callers who generously share with us how God has been moving in their lives. Please allow us to share with you, our precious readers, a few of these remarkable testimonies: JUSTICE: Sienna called to say thank you to God and CBN for all of our prayers and patience. Her long battle is over, the case is closed. She has been fully compensated for the devastation caused to the property and everything that was stolen.

HEALING: Patricia called to give a praise report. Since praying with us she has managed to come off of her medication and no longer suffers with anxiety. She has also stopped smoking and only uses nicotine gum now. She is so grateful for the team’s prayers and for our good, good God! PRAISE: Julie rang to say thank you. She rang us recently and her prayer had been answered within a day. She is having no trouble at work and her shifts have been given back to her!

CBN READ 18 | FEATURED

BEYOND BUNNIES & EGGS

I’ve always thought that there’s a certain innocence about Spring. New life is birthed all around us. The freshly bloomed Daffodils, the little bunnies and chicks that make every heart melt.

The Easter celebrations and egg hunts that take us back to those glorious childhood days. And last but not least, that long awaited feeling of Spring sun on our faces.

Although those things bring joy and innocence to our lives, they are temporary and barely scratch the surface of what Easter is truly about.

It’s a beautiful celebration of the new life and new innocence we have in Christ, because of what He did on the cross for us.

I don’t know if this relates to you but, in the past, I have struggled with feelings of having lost my innocence. The weight of the world, various situations, circumstances, growing up and guilt formed a dark and heavy cloud over my head that was really hard to shake off.

I wanted an innocence that went

beyond bunnies and eggs - which were only temporary. I was looking for something deeply rooted that lasts and sustains.

I remember the moment I found it, or rather the moment I realised that I had never lost it. I was praying and asking God to help me with these feelings of lost innocence. I wanted to be free of the weight. What God revealed to me was that it was never lost, but clouded by thoughts from the enemy. Thoughts that kept me in a cycle of looking for reasons why I’m not innocent, loved or enough rather than focusing on the one big reason why I am – Jesus. Once I recognised that these thoughts and lies were not from God, I started to declare God’s truth from His Word over myself. He confirmed His thoughts over me, confirming I am loved, whole and forgiven.

After the cloud was lifted, I could see clearly. I felt like a child again, I felt free. My innocence had been restored and I had been given a fresh start. The Bible says that He rejoices over me with singing, and He sees us in Jesus

FEATURED | 19

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT HE REJOICES OVER ME WITH SINGING, AND HE SEES US IN JESUS WITHOUT A SPOT OR WRINKLE. THAT IS THE TRUTH WE NEED TO DRESS OURSELVES WITH. Laura Spratt

Marketing Assistant

without a spot or wrinkle. That is the truth we need to dress ourselves with.

Jesus rose from the grave to give us a new life. He wiped the slate of sin clean. A beautiful picture of this is found in Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (NIV) For me, this verse completely captures what it means to be forgiven, washed clean and given a new innocence in Christ. He makes us pure as snow, and nothing can take that away from us so long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Something I once heard completely changed how I live out my faith. It was about how the enemy’s goal is not only to get us to sin, but to do everything in his power to turn our attention from God and from Jesus. His primary goal is to get us away from God. And so, in return, it should be our primary goal to

keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

We need to guard our hearts and minds 24/7 and make sure that we take every thought captive. This is something I wish my younger self could really grasp. The enemy likes to play games with our minds, so when those thoughts come rushing in telling us that we aren’t enough – we should pause. And we should take those thoughts captive, choosing not to entertain them because they are not from God. We remember the cross and what Jesus died for - He died for you so that you can live in freedom and innocence as a child of God. This Easter, take time to remember the cross. If you are facing a battle with your thoughts, whatever they may be, run to Jesus. Don’t let your mind spin so much that you lose sight of Him. He died for us so that we can live in freedom – and we need to choose to live in it.

God bless you!

20 | SUPERBOOK

NEW BOXSETS AVAILABLE! SEASONS 1, 2, 3 & 4

SHOP.SUPERBOOK.ORG.UK

SUPERBOOK | 21

SUPERBOOK SCHOOLS LESSONS FOR TEACHERS! FOR SCHOOL YEARS 2-6

If you are a teacher or schools worker then please visit superbookschools.org to make use of these resources!

We have created some brand-new Superbook Schools lessons for teachers to use when talking about Christianity within their schools.

These lessons have been recorded and the resources are also provided so everything that is needed to teach the lesson is there.

If you do take advantage of this free resource or would like some more information, then please contact us at: info@superbook.org.uk.

NEED PRAYER?

Call the CBN Hope Line CALL US! 0300 561 0700 (UK) 01513 3738 (ROI) 02 7908 0700 (AUS) 04 488 0700 (NZ) +44 207 101 7045 (Int) 07833 993 924 (WhatsApp)

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! @CBNEUROPE

BRING IT ON | 23

PAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS Join Pat Robertson, CBN founder, as he answers the tough questions in life with Biblical truth’s.

Q.

I have two adult children who have strayed from God. I pray for them every day, but I’m wondering if I’m praying correctly. How can I pray for them effectively?

A.

It’s important that you continuously praise God in advance and believe as a fact that they will come back to the faith. In the Old Testament, it was Samuel who said, “God forbid that I should sin by ceasing to pray for you.” In other words, you just keep on praying and keep on praising God even if you don’t see any changes. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Therefore, if you raised your two children according to what God says in the Bible, when they grow older, they’ll come back to the Lord—as you hold on and stay faithful with your prayers for them. Don’t give up on them and don’t ever stop praying.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR PAT? Log on to CBN.com/BringItOnline and follow the instructions.

24 | FEATURED

CBN READ THE GOD CHASE

There are some things that just stay with you, aren’t there? Maybe it’s a powerful film, or an insightful documentary or a moving song. For me, it’s a book.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is up there in my top 10 books of all time. I read it from cover to cover in a very short space of time and it has remained with me ever since. I won’t give too much away in case you decide to read it yourself, but let’s just say it is a fictional narrative based on the book of Hosea and it is one of my absolute favourites.

If you are not familiar with the book of Hosea, it follows Hosea’s relationship with Gomer, a promiscuous woman who God calls Hosea to marry. The book goes on to parallel God’s love for us and Hosea’s love for Gomer. Though we – and Gomer – are adulterous and

idolatrous, God graciously pursues us.

He gives us the eternal offering of His forgiveness and love.

What I love most about God is that He never gives up on us. Even when we become Christians and decide to follow Jesus all the days of our lives, we still slip up and make mistakes don’t we?

We are far from perfect and remain in need of His grace and forgiveness. Yet, every time we fail, God never stops loving us. He chases after us with His goodness and sets our lives back on solid ground. What more could we ask for? We get to live in freedom and forgiveness and the security of knowing that our God will never abandon or forsake us.

This, however, is not a license to

FEATURED | 25

THE GOD CHASE IS NOT SOME PLAYFUL, CHILDISH GAME OF KISS CHASE. IT IS A PASSIONATE AND DEEP PICTURE OF HOW GOD REFUSES TO GIVE UP ON HIS BELOVED

Charmain Hibberd Marketing Assistant

disobey or rebel. It surely should give us all the more passion to live a life free from the ties that bind and follow God’s ways.

Something that strikes me from the book of Hosea is how flagrant the sin of the people is, yet how God chooses to pursue our hearts and claim us back over and over again. The sheer number of times the people stray versus the number of times God chases after them is mind blowing. I don’t know anyone who has the capacity to forgive like God does.

The sin of our current times may look different to burnt offerings to idols and sacrificing to Baals but we can all be guilty of idolatry – putting things before God and His Kingship. Yet time and time again, God draws us with his unfailing love to a place of repentance,

then chooses to forgive us and wipe the slate clean. He chases after us, leaving the 99 for the 1, until He has rescued us from ourselves and brought us back into the flock.

My point I suppose is that the God chase is not some playful, childish game of kiss chase. It is a passionate and deep picture of how God refuses to give up on His beloved no matter how much we hurt His heart with our disloyalties. The God chase is one of a love rooted in eternity, one that will never let us go.

‘I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, For my anger will have turned from him.’

(Hosea 14:4 CSB)

26 | FORGIVENESS

HOW DO I FORGIVE MY ENEMIES? Recognising Resentment The first step in forgiveness is to recognise your resentment against an enemy. You must understand who the enemy is and what he has done to hurt you. Then you must consciously say, “I forgive that person for the following wrongs against me.” Then repent of your feelings against your enemy and ask God to forgive you, even as “we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4).

After that, begin to pray actively for your enemy’s good. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies and that doing this will help to fill us with love for them.

When you pray for your enemies, asking God to meet their needs and manifest Himself to them, you are overcoming evil with good. Instead of fighting negative thoughts in your mind, you are filling your mind with positive thoughts. You are now on the side of your enemy; you have a spiritual stake in his well-being. If God answers your prayer, which you want Him to do, the person prayed for will be blessed, and you will learn about redemption--the ultimate form of forgiveness.

Keep in mind that if you ask God to bless somebody, God will bring that person to a condition where blessing is possible. God will not bless an evildoer until he or she repents of sin, provides restitution where necessary, and gets right with God. So if you ask God to bless someone who has wronged you, the result may well be a repentant sinner and a new brother or sister in the Lord!

Excerpt taken from Answers to 200 of Life’s Most Probing Questions, Copyright 1984 by Pat Robertson.

Can We Pray For You? If you would like prayer, call us on 0300 561 0700.

Go to page 22 to see all of our contact numbers.

FORGIVENESS | 27

Bible Verses about Forgiveness & Forgiving Others Getting Even Instead of Forgiving • “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands” (Romans 12:19 TLB).

Forgiving Those Who Don’t Ask for Forgiveness • “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Mark 11:25 NIV).

• “The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9 NET).

Forgiving Others • “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6: 14-15 NLT).

• “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).

Asking for Forgiveness • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).

• “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.

First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:2324 NIV).

Asking for Forgiveness • “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NIV).

• “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9 NIV).

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YOUR WAYS TO GIVE | 29

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