Reach Magazine - February 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

Love Out Of Faith

Love Hopes All Things

Love Never Fails

Building on a firm foundation

A fresh hope for 2021

The greatest commandments

CBNEUROPE.COM

ISSUE 52

CONTENT

03. Welcome to Issue 52 From The Director

04. The Infinite, Unchanging Love of God for You Teaching 06. Europe Update From The Office

09. CBN Israel How You Help

10. Love Out of Faith Featured 12. Stories Global Impact

16. Love Hopes All Things Featured 18. A New Level of Streaming!

CBN Family App 20. Children & Families Superbook 22. Love Never Fails Featured

25. Pat Answers Your Questions Bring it On 26. Does Fear Control Your Finances?

Finance

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

07833 993 924 CBNEUROPE.COM

@CBNEUROPE

28. Give For Lent Join The Challenge 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

YOU CANNOT LOCK DOWN LOVE; THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US IN 2021!

Dear friends, As I write this foreword for our February Reach Magazine, we have entered a new year - 2021. Nearly a year into this global pandemic, we have seen the tragic loss of life and the economical impact of this virus which has caused so much heartache for many. We cannot deny that these are indeed testing times for anyone, Christians not excluded.

The key difference is that we are called to be carriers of Hope and God’s love to this hurting world. As believers, we have a responsibility and opportunity to bring God’s Kingdom perspective into conversations, situations and the lives of those around us. How can we achieve this if we are in isolation from each other?

Sending a text message, connecting with someone over the phone or through video calls are just a few ways for us to keep in touch. Or perhaps helping vulnerable people with shopping, pharmacy collections and even walking the dog. These are things that most of us can do to make a real difference.

Yet, as believers in Jesus we are called to do more. The Bible says in James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Praying with and for your loved ones and friends, and even people we don’t even know is a wonderful gift that does not cost anything, apart from our time and intention!

In addition, through your partnership with CBN, you are actively bringing the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven to people here in the UK and around the world, in so many ways! Even lockdown restrictions do not keep you from sharing hope, life and peace to so many people who need it so much. THANK YOU for partnering with us and for helping us REACH further in 2021!

Every blessing in Jesus, Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

4 | TEACHING

Gordon Robertson Chief Executive Officer

The Infinite, Unchanging Love of God for You Have you ever felt your love for others growing thin during stressful times?

That’s when we need to remember that love is a decision, not a feeling, and we choose to love.

In Matthew 24:12-14, Jesus tells us to persevere in our love for God through difficult times: “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” He then says: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come”.

As believers, our goal is to see the Gospel preached to every nation, and our motivation is love. So why will the love of many grow cold?

During times of lawlessness and persecution, there’s a natural tendency to stop loving. However, that is precisely when God wants us to claim whole nations for His kingdom by sharing His love in word and deed. Galatians 6:9 promises, let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

We don’t want to lose a great harvest because we have grown weary. So how do we get love that perseveres? This can only come from God, who is love (see 1 John 4:8). And John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world”—that’s you! — “that He gave His only begotten Son.” Get rid of wrong thoughts so you don’t react based on old ways of thinking—out of fear, loneliness or lack. There is no limit

TEACHING | 5

to His love, grace and provision.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:4-5: God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. If you feel rejected or anxious, capture every negative thought and put it under the dominion of Jesus.

In Ephesians 3:17-19, Paul prays: that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Love is not just an attribute of God; it is His very essence, and He pours it into us.

His

love

is

infinite,

timeless

and

unchanging. It is so big; it includes all people for all time—even those you may be tempted to hate. He died for them.

And Ephesians 5:2 tells us, walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us. If we tap into this daily, the love of Christ will give us strength for the impossible. Our hearts will never grow cold or weary, and we’ll see the Gospel go into all the world.

God bless you.

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV. This teaching was given during a CBN staff chapel.

“Get rid of wrong thoughts so you don’t react based on old ways of thinking - out of fear, loneliness or lack.”

6 | FROM THE OFFICE

CBN UK & IRELAND Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAMS! CBN Europe is constantly expanding, with more teams building across Europe. Get to know our teams and what they are up to!

Welcome to 2021! The crossover between December and January were truly busy for our HQ team. December saw the launch of the CBN Family App bringing CBN shows nearer to you. As a media charity, we continue broadcasting the Good News of Jesus in 17 languages across Europe. We received many calls from viewers who watched our programmes. Some highlights here for you. This is all made possible by God’s provision and your continued support as a valued partner.

CBN Hope Line Ministry We officially gave our Prayer and Partner support line a name! THE HOPE LINE. In December we ministered to more than 1900 callers, speaking hope and encouragement into the lives of those we connected with on the Hope Line. We continue to battle the fear of Covid and declare God’s Word and promises over callers and their specific situations. It is such a privilege to see God at work in so many lives every month. God hears our prayers and demonstrates His mighty power as we declare His truth.

In 2020, 65 people committed their lives to Jesus through contact with the CBN Hope Team. We are so thankful for the fruit that lasts! We only see part of that fruit from CBN’s media ministry – imagine the many who are impacted that we do not even know about!

A partner called to say a huge thank you to God for healing their pastor. He

was hospitalised with Covid and was told he would not make it. Together, we prayed, and we received the great news that he is now out of the hospital and recovering at home. Thank you, Lord for Your intervention and restoration!

We prayed for baby Charlie who was born in December but had to be rushed to hospital and put on a ventilator. His grandmother called in for the Hope Team to stand in faith with her. Two weeks later we received the good news that Charlie had been released from intensive care and was feeding again. We say hallelujah, and praise God for looking after baby Charlie and answering his grandmother’s prayers!

Having witnessed first and the travails of God’s children through 2020, the Hope Team set out to reach out to see the year out. Operation Call Back was set in motion with

FROM THE OFFICE | 7 the aim to call CBN partners with a word of encouragement. One of our partners pleasantly surprised and greatly blessed by the timely call and overwhelmed by experiencing God’s love and attention when she needed it most.

If you need someone to pray with you and stand with you at this time, please call or text our CBN Hope Line today (refer to page 15 for our numbers) or send your email prayer request to prayer@cbneurope.com. Thank you CBN Partners for your faithful prayers and support, making this valuable outreach possible!

Operation Blessing Ministry With the onset of the pandemic, good insecurity has become a more apparent problem. Therefore, in December to today, through Operation Blessing we continue our Hope Box outreach to vulnerable families. In partnership with Putson Baptist Church and Liberty Church Wales, we reached out to distribute food and essential items to families struggling. This has become an invaluable outreach through the winter season.

CBN HOPE BOXES

Superbook Ministry We have had many enquiries from churches and families for more digital children’s resources. We provided specific online licences to churches, giving Sunday Schools access to Superbook content. We also improved Superbook Academy virtual resources by providing easily sharable links for videos, lessons and fun activities for children. Plus multiple access for each Church’s Sunday school!

Boldly Going Forth!

VIRTUAL LESSONS

Home-schooling led to the creation of one of our first virtual lessons for primary schools, released at Christmas and based on the Christmas story.

We will have more virtual lessons, for release throughout 2021. We will also be releasing Superbook comic books, as a fun gateway into the bible. We are also launching Europe – wide YouTube channels! Featuring 20 European languages of Superbook seasons 1 and 2. Through the Superbook project, we aim to fulfil one of our key objectives to share the Good News of Jesus to families in the UK, Europe and beyond.

We look forward to your support and partnership through this. Thank you for praying for this initiative!

8 | FROM THE OFFICE CBN SOUTH EAST EUROPE

CBN GERMANY

Vanja Bule

Andreas “Pitti” Heerwagen

Director, CBN South East Europe

Director, CBN Germany

CBN Croatia, in Zagreb, continues to take ground and make a difference in the lives of the community. During this pandemic and especially through the winter, we helped hundreds of families through the provision of Hope Boxes.

In Bosnia we provided food parcels to 750 refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Some refugees have resorted to in forests and squatting in places outside of the designated camps.

The refugee camps in Bosnia are all over capacity with some not living in camps as they are unregistered and have no access to food or shelter and being targeted by local communities.

Through your financial support, we were able to reach out and meet the needs of a vastly traumatised and neglected community.

Please pray for Croatia as a series of earthquakes hit the capital since December 29th. Our team is involved with reaching out to displaced families who lost their homes.

In the midst of all this, we launched our Macedonian YouTube channel, sharing The First Christmas and Superbook season 1! This is the start of our online outreach to the children and families in Macedonia with the truth of God’s Word. Thank you for helping make this possible!

The German office has continued to reach out through weekly broadcasts of the German version of the 700 Club (Erlebt TV) and ‘Superbuch’ – the German (dubbed) Bible animation that reaches children and families all across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Besides broadcasting the weekly CBN programming on Bible TV and other channels in the German speaking world, the CBN Germany office reaches out effectively through YouTube and social media.

The CBN German Prayer Line received more than 600 calls from viewers seeking someone to pray for and with them. One caller received renewed hope as they committed their life to Jesus!

Last December, we welcomed 128 new subscribers to our YouTube channel! To date, over 48,000 videos have been watched and impacted viewers with a message of hope and God’s truth! The top social media post reached more than 1000 people with a testimony about healing. This post was shared widely by a number of viewers, making the content we produce go even further!

CBN ISRAEL | 9

GOING WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go’” (Genesis 12:1 NASB). God didn’t tell Abram (Abraham) where he was going. He didn’t tell him the challenges, pitfalls, or blessings that awaited him along the way. God simply said, “Go,” and Abram went.

Throughout Abraham’s life, God made promises to him. His descendants would inherit the land. He would have progeny. His progeny would come through Isaac, the child of Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Some promises Abraham lived to see; others he did not. Yet no matter what, when God told him to “Go,” he went. God didn’t lay out the road map or blueprint for Abraham at the beginning.

In fact, if you read the story of Abraham, bit by bit He revealed His plan and promise to Abraham. As Abraham proved faithful through his obedience, God led him further down the path. Abraham stumbled at times, but when God said, “Go,” he went, not knowing where.

We often want God to reveal the path before we walk it. We want to understand His plan and where He’s leading us. However, God doesn’t work that way. He simply bids us “Go.” Will we? Do we trust Him enough to lead us? Do we trust His promises even when we will not see their fulfilment?

Abraham never experienced most of the promises God made to him. His descendants did. Still, Abraham went. Still, he remained faithful, even when he was not the recipient of the promise. Too often we look to God for what He can do for us. We seek His promises for us, in our lives, during our lifetimes.

The problem is that usually the really big things in life, those things that have long-lasting impact, do not materialize in one lifetime. They take years, decades and even centuries to come to fruition. Do we have that kind of faithfulness to see beyond ourselves? to look to God’s promises and what He can accomplish through us? even beyond our lifetime, if we will simply “Go?”.

Pray this prayer with us: Father, we hear Your call to “Go.” May we follow You, even when we do not know the way. May we trust You, even when the promise extends beyond our lifetimes. Amen.

As a CBN Partner, part of your support also benefits the ministry of CBN Israel, reaching out through media and humanitarian relief efforts. May you experience His perfect Shalom as we stand together to pray for and bless the nation of Israel.

10 | FEATURED

LOVE OUT OF FAITH

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused so much devastation everywhere we turn. From physical and mental health, to the economy and beyond. A heartbreaking number of lives have been lost, jobs taken away, many have struggled to feed their families and the loving touch of those we hold dear has not only been restricted - but become something the world fears.

because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

For the past year, Covid has got me thinking about a very well-known passage in the Bible that I’ve read over and over again my whole life.

However, sometimes it takes an event such as this to truly shake my spirit and realise the importance of what is written down right in front of me.

This passage has found a very real and new meaning in my life. I think you’d agree with me that Covid-19 is very much an unexpected event. Many of us did not expect a global pandemic to shake the very foundations our lives are built on, yet here we are almost a year on.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall,

What this passage has taught me is to make sure that every part of my being is grounded and built on a firm foundation. A foundation that can withstand any storm, any pandemic, any sickness, any job

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)

FEATURED | 11

What this passage has taught me is to make sure that every part of my being is grounded and built on a firm foundation. A foundation that can withstand any storm, any pandemic, any sickness, any job loss, any isolation, any grief and most importantly - at ANY time.

Laura Spratt Marketing Assistant

loss, any isolation, any grief and most importantly - at ANY time. We need our core to be built on faith in Jesus every second of the day. Faith that ‘He’s got us’, faith that He will provide for us, faith that His love is all we will ever need. When our minds go to a place of darkness and we don’t know if we can make it through, we need to go straight back to Jesus. My prayer for the nations is that faith arises in all of us, more than ever before.

loneliness, depression or sickness.

Something else that this pandemic is teaching me is the importance of love.

More than ever, people need love. A love that lasts and a love that has faith in them. We have the power to love at any time, but the most powerful love comes from a place of faith.

When our faith is on track, the love that comes from that place will burst with freedom, colour, light, laughter, joy and the Spirit of Jesus. That love is more than enough to conquer any trial, set free any captive of fear,

May your 2021 be a year of loving out of faith. God bless you!

Loving out of faith is something that I want to make a priority for 2021. I want to keep fuelling the fire of my faith so that I can love others deeper.

I want to be able to love others in a way that shows them my faith in Jesus is real. We have something so solid to cling to in a time when everything else seems to be so unreliable – let’s share that with others.

12 | GLOBAL IMPACT SUPERBOOK

3 Years Old & Spreading The Gospel

Meet Ellorie. She’s the pride and joy of her great grandmother, Vickie. One of their favourite things to do together is watch the latest Superbook. “We’re always challenged to try and find a new Superbook episode,” says Vickie. “That’s our big thing, because she’s fascinated. She wants more and more. It gives these kids a hunger.”

One of their favourite episodes is the story of Jonah. “Jonah didn’t go to Ninea (Nineveh) and then him got swallowed by a fish and it was a whale, and him was very bad,” Ellorie explains. Vickie loves that Superbook is teaching Ellorie the stories of the Bible in a fun, new way.

“And I make sure that she understands this is the Bible,” says Vickie. “These are real stories from the Bible, and they can learn the story exactly as the Bible tells it, and I think that’s what the most profound thing is about Superbook. You brought Joy and Chris and Gizmo in, which brings it down to their level where they know it pertains to their own life. I want to make sure at the end what the lesson was learned, whether it’s forgiveness or you know, that Goliath is bad; David is good. He was brave, so, you need to be brave. And she’s learned a lot.

And I’ve learned a lot; it’s not just for kids.”

Now, Ellorie is taking what she’s learned from Superbook and telling other children.

“It’s a wonderful thing; it’s definitely what you want for your kids and your grandkids,” Vickie declares. “It’s the legacy you want to leave because that’s their foundation. And then when you build on that, she’s literally, at three years old, spreading the gospel, by being able to share it, to share Superbook, and her friends learn, they can learn together. It’s really a beautiful thing.” Ellorie agrees, “I love Superbook!”

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 | 13 ORPHAN’S PROMISE

Free From Abuse South-East Asia

In Southeast Asia, 15-year-old Sue would be the victim of human trafficking were it not for CBN partners. Abandoned by her parents when they divorced, Sue was given to her aunt who ran an escort service. As time passed, this unscrupulous aunt continually tried to solicit her, but Sue kept managing to escape.

Eventually Sue found the courage to ask a teacher for help. She was then put in touch with a girls’ home supported by CBN’s Orphan’s Promise. The staff worked fast to help Sue move in quickly. Because of compassionate partners like you, Sue has hope for a better future, free from her aunt’s abuse.

“I am happy to be here. I feel much safer now,” said a grateful Sue. OPERATION BLESSING

6 Children & No Food Philippines

Alma looked at the faces of her six children, and wondered how to feed them.

Ever since the coronavirus lockdown in the Philippines, she and her husband had been unable to earn a living. “We lost our livelihood,” she explained. “I didn’t know how long we’d be able to last.”

But it wasn’t just bad for Alma and her family. Their next-door neighbour, Arlie, was also out of work. “I just hold on to God,” Arlie said. “It’s really tough, but I’m choosing to trust in Him.” Because of you, CBN’s Operation Blessing came to Alma and Arlie’s town to provide them and their neighbours with nutritious food and much-needed essentials - including cleaning supplies to help protect against the virus.

“We’re so happy - because we didn’t expect to get help from people who don’t even know us!” exclaimed Arlie. “God really answered our prayers.”

14 | PRAYER & TESTIMONIES We are so grateful to you for continuing to stand with us in prayer. The bible tells us that: ‘unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain’ (Psalm 127: 1). This is why your prayers are invaluable to us. 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

2

Wisdom – As a ministry, we are always asking the Lord to give us wisdom as to how best to drive His mission forward. We want to pave the way with a servant heart and be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us as a media ministry. We want to be continually leaning on and relying upon the Father. Please pray that God would grant us great humility, love and wisdom; each and every person at CBN. We want to be wholly dependent on God so that we can make wise choices as we pursue His mission.

Supporters – Without the continuous encouragement of our partners and supporters we simply would not be able to do all that we do as a Charity. Each partner and supporter of the ministry is so highly valued. Please join with us in prayer for our existing partners and supporters, as well as those who are considering partnering with us. Pray that they would be blessed and inspired to join hands with us so that we are able to do more.

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: Provision - Alina, who we prayed with back in June, specifically asked for prayer for her husband to find a new job and a new car. Recently, she testified that her husband has a new job and a brand-new company car. Praise God! Recommitment - Brenda rang in, ashamed and paralysed with fear, unable to tell anyone of some mistakes she has made. She took the courage to open up and recommitted her life to Jesus. We were able to point her in the direction of CAP for further help and support. Shortly after, she encountered hope in the hopelessness of suicide and brokenness. God is faithful!

Healing - Alice shared that as she was watching the 700 club, Terry gave a word about someone struggling with feelings of despair. As Terry prayed, Alice felt her anguish leave as it was replaced with the Lord’s peace. God is so good.

NEED PRAYER?

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

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! @CBNEUROPE

16 | FEATURED

LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS 2020 will go down in History. But I wonder, in 50 years, what will we say.

Will it be about how hard it was, how much it affected us for the worst. Or will we be talking about the hope that endured even through the days when all seemed lost.

I would like to think that the year will be noted as one that saw the world rally together, when churches stepped up to fill the gaps in the system – food banks, s c h o o l lunches, outdoor carol services. A year when we figured it out and found a way. This was only possible because we had hope. Hope that soon, things would be better. Hope that even when people were grieving and lonely, we could still reach them with the love of

God. Because God’s hope endures all things. Even when all seems lost, God’s light can still break through “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

(John 1:5) Hope is difficult to define because it is only ever concerned with the future.

And now that we are in 2021, we are in that future. So, what can we take from the last year and bring into the future that is ahead of us?

That we can do it. Whatever the “it” is. Maybe it is stepping into a new area of ministry that you have been thinking about for a while. Maybe it is seeking forgiveness or being the one that forgives. Or perhaps it is simply growing in faith and believing that this

With Jesus we can hope ALL things

FEATURED | 17

year, will be one filled with hope.

1 Corinthians 13 is the verse that is often referred to when we talk about the love that we should strive for in a marriage. It is the instruction manual for how we as Christians should love one another. But what if we were to look at it and remind ourselves that the ultimate “love” is Jesus. That this passage also talks to us about how God loves the world and all who are in it.

When we read the passage “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

(1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV) we get a fresh grasp on how Jesus may have interacted with the season we have been in and we can use it as our example. If we stop and think that God is the best example of love and even in the darkest of times, God bears all things, God believes all things, God hopes all things and endures all things. So, must we not

then bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things.

Now I am not saying that we cannot be in despair and pain, Jesus too experienced these emotions. But what I am hoping you get from this is the understanding that in this New Year, even though we are still unsure of what is to come, that with Jesus we can hope ALL things. We can hope for a breakthrough, we can hope that the church will continue to be a beacon of light. Through Jesus and with Jesus we can do anything.

So, in this 2021, Let us be standing in audacious prayer for all things. Even for the things that in this moment feel completely impossible because through God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

Jessica Forster Superbook Coordinator

18 | 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!

FAMILY APP | 19

20 |

NEW BOXSETS AVAILABLE! SEASONS 2, 3 & 4

SHOP.SUPERBOOK.ORG.UK

BIBLE APP Download The Free Bible App for Kids!

Available on: IOS 4.8/5 Android 4.8/5 Amazon Kindle 4.6/5

22 | FEATURED

LOVE NEVER FAILS “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) This is a famous passage of scripture that many of us will be familiar with. It is often heard at weddings and makes the congregation go ‘awwwww’. Nice and romantic isn’t it!

The thing is, this passage is so much more than just a romantic notion.

This is challenging, gritty and is at the core of who God calls us to be as Christians. Indeed, we are all striving to become a reflection of Jesus, that perfect embodiment of love.

Therefore, we need to pay attention to what the Bible says about love and build our lives on that foundation.

Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:37-40) and that all the 613 laws of the old testament could be summed up in those two simple statements.

So how does this apply to us? Let’s put our own names into this scripture for a moment: “Tim is patient, Tim is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud”. That is who God is calling you and me to be. Whilst my life may be a partial reflection, I certainly don’t live out this statement out to the full!

Indeed, when I apply these words to my life, I can see a sliding scale based on the significance of that person to me. I think with regard to my wife I do a reasonable job of being that reflection of love. Not perfect but doing okay. Similarly, with my friends, though maybe less consistently.

But, what about those I don’t know?

What about the unhelpful call centre assistant who despite a 50-minute call and who put you on hold 3 times

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Love is not a nice feeling, that makes you warm and fuzzy inside. It’s about being willing to lay yourself down, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

Timothy Wilson Marketing Manager

still can’t fix your broadband contract?

That’s where I see myself starting to fall down.

As John’s Gospel (John 13:34-35) says, it is our love for one another that sets us apart. That is how we show people Jesus. Through audacious, exceptional love. This is not limited to just Christians, Jesus says to love everyone. The full spectrum, from those who love you to those who hate you.

This is what it really means to love.

Love is not a nice feeling, that makes you warm and fuzzy inside. It’s about being willing to lay down yourself, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

So here, we could really expand on the Apostle Pauls words (insert your own name into the blanks): ____ is patient with those are frustrating. ____ is kind to those who are cruel.

____ doesn’t envy those who have what he wants. ____ does not boast to those he wants to impress. ____ protects those who are weak. ____ trusts those who are untrustworthy. ____ hopes for the hopeless. ____ perseveres for the faithless. ____ loves with a love that never fails.

Love comes first, everything else comes thereafter. As Paul goes on say in Corinthians, if we miss out on love, we are a clanging bell and our efforts count as nothing. When we put love first, everyone will know that we are his disciples.

24 | THE MINISTRY OF GIVING

THE MINISTRY OF GIVING A Biblical view on generosity

Throughout the Bible, God teaches us about the importance of giving. As we read stories of giving, generosity and the blessings that flow from it, both for the giver and the receiver. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 we read about Paul’s teachings on what he calls the ‘Ministry of Giving’ and how Titus, a preacher of the Good News, was also tasked with the collection for the believers in Jerusalem.

The believers in Corinth had a reputation of being generous and eager to help. Paul had been boasting to believers in Macedonia about this, which as a result stirred them up to begin giving. He then compares their giving with farming, with generous sowing resulting in a generous crop. He explains that God loves a cheerful giver and connects a promise to this principle that God will generously provide all that you need, increasing your resources and produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

In verse 12 Paul shares the 2 great benefits of this ‘Ministry of Giving’ as he calls it: i) the needs of the people will be met and ii) they will joyfully express their thanks to God. Your giving to CBN is not only meeting the needs of the people we serve. But it is also giving glory to God! THANK YOU for your generous gifts during our January Faith and Fundraising weeks, and for exercising this Ministry of Giving through your partnership!

BRING IT ON | 25

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

Q.

Why does God allow Satan to have so much evil power on earth when He could eliminate him completely?

God could just deal with Satan, but He doesn’t. Why? Because He is looking at billions of people in this world and God wants them to choose to love Him. God wants us all to love Him. Because of how gracious and wonderful He is, He gives us a choice.

A.

A person is free to follow Satan if he chooses. When you and I choose God and love God freely, we tell the devil that God is on the throne and the devil is defeated!

One day, He’s going to send His angels to lock up Satan for a thousand years, before casting him into the lake of fire, where he will be tortured day and night for eternity. But for now, God has allowed him to be here so that there is good and evil, and we are free to choose.

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26 | FINANCE

DOES FEAR CONTROL YOUR FINANCES? Fear and the Christian It could be said that we are living in the Age of Fear when it comes to our finances – it has been a human lifetime since we’ve had such an intense combination of negatives occurring at the same time.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NHEB) There are dozens of Bible verses dealing with fear and how the believer should react to it and most are a comfort, often containing the words “fear not”—as the believer is to adopt a spirit of peace even in the face of threatening circumstances.

But is that how we really feel? Do we banish fear from our lives the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour?

I somehow doubt it, and I know it isn’t always how I react. The human side of my character is very much intact when it comes to fear and I think that’s the case for most believers. Some people are more disposed toward fear than others, perhaps because of genetics, upbringing, personal experience, or a bit of all three. But don’t feel guilty about this. God knows that we have fears - He assured His disciples not to fear again and again, they had fears even though they walked with him daily!

We have put together some tips to help you battle the fear that may control your finances.

Constructive Responses to Fear

FINANCE | 27

Begin with - and STAY in - prayer.

When we worry and begin to fear, it’s time to get down on our knees. Scripture gives strong reassurance on this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Seek company & counsel of others We often like to think that our problems are unique to us, or that our fears make us appear weak in the eyes of others. But rest assured, there is no problem we face, no fear we harbour, that others have not also faced. Just talking about your fears can give you a perspective on them that can make them less scary.

Set up an action plan Often the source of our fears is the absence of a way to deal with them. Setting up an action plan can go a long way toward giving us the confidence we need to overcome our fears. Let’s consider a few typical financial fears and action plans that - along with prayer and the counsel of others—can help put the deepest concerns behind us…

Fear: I’ll lose my job and won’t be able to find another one. Action plan: • Work to be the best employee in your department or company • Take on additional responsibilities that will make you indispensable • Take courses or a part-time job that can train you for a career in a different field • Start a side business that you can eventually grow into a full-time venture Fear: I won’t have enough money to retire. Action plan: • Save as much as you can • Begin to lower your cost of living • Pay down and off your debts for more cash flow • Consider a move to an area where the cost of living is lower Fear: I have more debt than I can repay. Action plan: • Stop using credit • Make the minimum payments—if you stop adding new debt, the old ones will gradually disappear even if you do nothing more • Negotiate lower interest rates • Take a second job and build savings • Move to a cheaper home, take in a renter or sell a car with a large payment Prayer, counsel plus a workable action plan can minimize or eliminate any financial fears you have. You are doing all that you can, trusting the outcome to a loving God. You are creating forward motion and as you do, your options and your confidence will increase.

The fear you once had will turn out to be the force that moves you in a positive direction.

28 | GIVE FOR LENT

GIVE FOR LENT Give something up, give to someone!

This Lent, we want to challenge you to give something up and give to someone. Give something up and donate that cost to CBN Europe to help us share the good news of Jesus to the nations!

Lent continues from 17th February to 1st April 2021. In the past, Christians chose to fast or give up meat during Lent. Now, it has been adapted into giving something up for the 40 day period. Often, this is a food item like bread, chocolate or cake. It doesn’t have to be food, you may choose to give up buying new clothes or ordering takeaways.

Whatever you choose to give up, make it a challenge that requires commitment and makes you reflect on the sacrifices that Jesus made whilst He was on Earth.

Take this Lent to pray, fast or give up something and give to someone.

Share your challenge with friends & family! Keep them updated on your progress via social media and Invite them to support you by encouraging or even sponsoring you!

You are not in this alone – we are here to support you through your challenge and the fundraising journey. If you need ideas, do drop us an email at fundraising@cbneurope.com or ring us at 0300 561 0700 and ask for “give for lent.”

YOUR WAYS TO GIVE | 29

Put Your Hope Into Action Online Head on over to cbneurope.com/donate and you can use our safe and secure online form to give a one-off donation or to become a monthly partner.

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To find out more about Legacy Giving, please visit cbneurope.com/legacy.

Standing Order Giving to CBN Europe via standing order is so easy! Simply use the information below to let your bank know that you would like to give to CBN Europe. Then email us at partners@cbneurope.com letting us know your name, address and that you have set up a standing order. We’ll then be able to find your gift and can also send you CBN Europe resources!

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