Reach Magazine - April 2020

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

The Good of Friday

In the Waiting

Living in The Victory

Pain, Process and His Purposes

Living with Expectancy Before the Breakthrough

Freedom from a Place of Victory

CBNEUROPE.COM

ISSUE 47

CONTENT

04 The Ultimate Sacrifice Teaching

08 The Good of Friday Featured

13 Europe Ministry Update

15 In The Waiting Featured

20 Global Impact

23 Living in The Victory Featured

26 Australia & New Zealand News

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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 |

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” (John 10: 14-16 NLT) Welcome to the Spring edition of our REACH magazine! As we celebrate how Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the grave, we celebrate the new life we received when we invited Jesus into our heart.

I love this chapter in the Gospel of John where Jesus uses the illustration of the good shepherd and the sheep. I recently visited a remote rural area in Greece where we support a ministry that reaches out to persecuted Christians. We do this by providing safe houses and a place for prayer and worship.

Surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, we heard the sound of bells approaching. Suddenly, about 50 sheep ran around the corner, guided by the sheep dogs. We could not see a shepherd and wondered if the flock was lost. Then, the sheep turned around and seemed to respond to a call. We saw the shepherd who called the sheep, and the sheep listened to his voice and followed him.

Are you burdened and worried by all that is going on in the world at present? Jesus says ‘do not fear’ as He is with you. Read Psalm 23 aloud and repeat this until your heart is reassured of these promises to you. He is the Good Shepherd who wants to lead you beside peaceful streams. He is your comfort and protection.

As we celebrate Easter, let us walk in His victory daily. He wants to use you and me to bring other sheep into the fold so that they find the abundant life that Jesus speaks about.

Let hope arise as He walks with us, as we demonstrate a peace that goes beyond understanding that only Jesus can give.

In Him, Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

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THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE HIS LOVE FOR US

TEACHING | Gordon Robertson Chief Executive Officer

On a recent visit to Jerusalem, I had a beautiful view of the mountains of Moriah and the Temple Mount. How amazing to think of the sacrifices made on that mountain—where Abraham offered up Isaac, and Jesus offered up Himself.

three parts:

Abraham was well over the age of 100 when God told him, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there” (Genesis 22:2).

Some Bible scholars think Isaac may have been as old as 35. He did not have to submit— yet he did.

Now consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

What compels someone to say, “Yes, I will be that sacrifice?”

When Jesus foretold how Peter would die, Peter responded by asking about John. And Jesus replied, “What is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22). Many years later—after the other disciples had been martyred— John made this profound statement: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:16).

In our culture today, lust is almost glorified. Yet just as Solomon knew in Ecclesiastes, things never satisfy. The other temptation John included is the pride of life, which can be broken into

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Self-will: “Things would be better if I were in control!”

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Self-confidence: “I’ve got this! I know what I’m doing!”

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Self-glorification: “Didn’t I do well? And why aren’t you recognizing it?”

The key to each one is “self.” The more we value ourselves, the more we are prone to be tripped by these things—so let’s examine them one by one.

Self-will: What caused Satan to fall?

He admired how glorious he was and said, “I will ascend.” A warped sense of self gets us out of God’s will. We find the remedy in the words of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Similarly, Paul said, I die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). He explained in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” We must choose between selfwill and obedience. Are we saying, “It’s my way or the highway,” or “This is a more excellent way”? If we do whatever God commands—and do it in love—we are His friends. And we have His promise in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone

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| TEACHING is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Self-confidence: At the Last Supper, as Jesus prepared the disciples for His death, He said Peter would deny Him. Yet Peter was full of self-confidence and said: “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (Matthew 26:33). Jesus replied, “Assuredly”— meaning, you can count on it!—“you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34).

Peter then tells the Son of God He is wrong: “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples (Matthew 26:35). Yet nobody was willing to die with Jesus.

That is where self-confidence will get us.

Self-glorification: We should also guard against glorifying ourselves or accepting praise for what God has done. We are just His stewards, His agents, and His vessels. He enabled us. He rescued us out of a pit so we can serve Him. He took us from the ash heap and set us with princes. We don’t deserve any of it.

Keys to Overcoming: When John warned against the temptations of lust and pride, he said, “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Instead of loving things that are only temporary, we need to do God’s will and lead people to Jesus so that many others can enter His eternal kingdom.

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When

John

wrote

those

words, it was a time of terrible persecution—not too different from what some Christians face today when they are forced to choose between their faith and their lives.

Paul said in Romans 8:36-37: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We can never overcome evil with evil, but with good and with love. Revelation 12:11 declares, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers that want us to fall into the pride of life.

A spiritual enemy has no idea what to do with someone who is willing to say like Isaac, “Yes, Father,” and to say like Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours.”

When we get to that point of complete abandonment, the enemy has no ground in us and has nothing to accuse us of anymore. We have lost everything in the world, and all that is in us now is of the Father. We realise this world is not our home. Our destination is the New Jerusalem, that city whose builder and maker is God. So, let’s ask ourselves: Have we been crucified with Christ? Then the life we now live is by faith in the Son of God, who loved us so much that He willingly gave up His life for us. God bless you.

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

| FEATURED

The Good of Friday Charmain Hibberd Marketing Assistant (Writer)

One of the most popular questions posed to Christians about their faith is this: If there is a God, why is there so much suffering in the world? Now, I would be cautious about answering such a large and volatile question, but a question like this brings to mind some thoughts on the topic of pain, the process of endurance and the purposes of God in the hard times we face.

The Problem with Pain Suffering is a guaranteed part of the human spectrum of experience. As Christians, we are not exempt. In fact, we are called to rejoice when we find ourselves in the midst of trials and suffering (see Romans 5:3-4). We are encouraged that this suffering will produce enduring faith in us and that that endurance will create good character. These verses surely beg the question - how are we to rejoice in suffering? I wish I had a shiny, holy answer, but I am human like everyone else and sometimes struggle to see how any kind of pain or suffering could produce joy in me.

However, something basic I have learned in my faith so far is that my inability to understand how a biblical principle works does not invalidate it.

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Bad News I have received some sad news in my life so far, both personally and from friends, family and colleagues.

Miscarriage. Injury. Trauma. Loss. Life affects us all and no one is beyond or above experiencing the tougher times. But one thing that has stood out to me in my own struggles and in the struggles of others is that faith has not been lost. Yes, there has been deep hurt. Yes, there has been suffering. But faith in God has not been abandoned. Friends, I believe that this is where the ‘joy in afflictions’ is rooted and born. When you can receive a devastating blow from life and remain standing firm in faith, this, to me, is rejoicing in the midst of trials. If you can endure a crippling season of life and still manage to raise a hallelujah, declaring that your God is good, I believe you are onto something of the character-forming endurance that is written about in the book of Romans.

No Quick Fix There is no quick fix to pain, we all know this. We must go through the process of feeling it, letting it hurt and allowing it to heal. But every time you experience this process, you are growing as a person and learning

FEATURED | more about yourself and those around you, about God and the world we live in.

If I am truly honest with myself, the times that I have suffered the most are when the qualities of humility, patience and maturity have been developed deepest in me. There is no detour to developing these fruits, they thrive best when cultivated in the soil of suffering. Our scars tell a story of who we are and there is no shame in hardship for it visits us all.

Draw Close One thing I will say in favour of pain is that I personally have never been closer to God than when I am suffering. Consider this scenario...

A child is playing happily in the garden, jumping on the trampoline, building dens, hunting for insects.

All of a sudden, they take a nasty fall and cut their knee open. This causes great pain in the life of the little child.

How close do you think their parent held them as they cried? How quietly and intimately do you think they whispered in their ear that they were going to be okay and that the pain would soon pass?

I believe that this is the same with us in our relationship with God. When we are hurting, I believe that the love of God is so close and intimate that we hear only His whispers because He is so close.

These moments and memories cannot be fabricated in any other way, in any other season of life. Pain can draw us close.

The Ultimate Example Jesus set the ultimate example of endurance through His trials of deep pain. He also modelled to us that there is great purpose in our trials. It was ‘for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross, scorning its shame...’ (Hebrews 12:2) We know that it was for our salvation and eternity that Jesus endured all that He did on Good Friday. It is only because of the purposes of God, accomplished on the cross, that we would dare to call that fateful day ‘good’. If Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, could find joy in the brutal suffering that he faced, surely we can attempt to mine for gold in the troubling and confusing circumstances life may throw our way?

Pain, Process And His Purposes Pain is a part of life that many of us would choose to avoid, if given the option. However, the process of character refinement that it produces cannot be side-stepped nor should it.

If circumstances come our way that challenge and stretch us, there must be purpose in it – His purposes – and it may not ever be for us to fully understand this side of Heaven.

This Easter, as we contemplate pain and suffering in the light of the cross, I am grateful that there is so much good in Good Friday and that there is One who would consider it pure joy to suffer in the way that He did, so that we can spend eternity with Him.

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| PRAYER

Here at CBN Europe we are passionate about submitting and committing the work of our hands to God. As we have embarked upon a new year, please join us in prayer for the following ministry needs: FLOODS

With much of the UK having been battered recently by storms and severe flooding, we would ask that you continue to join with us in praying for those affected. As an organisation we have had amazing opportunities to get alongside our community. Through CBN’s Operation Blessing, and in unity with our partners, we have been able to meet the immediate needs of those around us. Please pray that we can continue to be active with the Gospel in practical ways.

FAVOUR Superbook continues to grow in Poland, seeing amazing engagement with the Gospel message and many lives changed.

Pray for continued favour with the broadcasters and for doors to continue to open as we take the truth of Jesus into homes across the nation.

FUTURE Please join us as we pray for clear strategies as we seek to increase the reach of our online content. We are passionate about bringing the Gospel to everyone with creativity and clarity.

Pray that we would have wisdom in how we do this, best serving the heart and vision of CBN; Showing the love of Jesus to the UK, Europe and Beyond.

Thank you so much for standing with us – we are so grateful for you!

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CONNECT WITH US @CBNEUROPE

| TESTIMONIES

There is such power in testimony, and it is always an honour to discover what God is doing in peoples’ lives through the work of our prayer centre. With every story of faith, we celebrate God at work and are so encouraged. We hope you will be too.

ANXIETY

After contacting the Prayer Team through our WhatsApp suffering with anxiety, we received this amazing testimony; ”today is the 1st day in a very long time that I’m not feeling anxious & have no panic attacks, I’m also able to do things which I usually struggle with.” Praise God.

CONNECTION A caller rang to thank our Prayer Center staff after we prayed that she would meet a Christian to pray with, have friendship and fun with. She went into town was led to go to Christian bookshop.

She picked up a Bible that she wanted but could not afford. She began speaking to a lady who turned out was very lonely and also looking for a Christian friend. This lady paid for the Bible as a gift and they are planning to meet soon. How amazing is our Lord!

SALVATION A caller rang to pray for her sick son who doesn’t know Jesus.

She was struggling to communicate through breathlessness, so she passed the phone to her daughter-in-law to finish the call.

She also didn’t know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Our team had the privilege of sharing the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus Christ with her and a few moments later, she acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We then prayed for her husband’s salvation and healing! God is so faithful!

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UPDATE |

Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

Thanks to your partnership with CBN, you are reaching the nations with the Good News of Jesus!

CBN Europe is the ‘umbrella’ for all the ministry activities that CBN is involved with across the European continent.

With a population of over 745 million people, 44 countries and 24 official languages in EU member states, Europe is one of the most diverse continents of the world - politically, culturally and linguistically.

Let me take you through Europe on this page and next, to give you a birds-eye overview of CBN’s ministry across the region.

CBN OFFICES CBN offices are located in the United Kingdom (which is the headquarters for CBN Europe), Germany (where our office in Hamburg is based) and in Zagreb, Croatia. In Germany, our CBN Deutschland office reaches out to the DACH countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) with a German language programme ‘Erlebt’. The name of this programme means ‘He Lives’ and also refers to their slogan “Menschen erleben Gott”, or “People encounter God”.

Our office in Croatia oversees CBN’s ministry over South East Europe, which includes the former Yugoslavian

Europe Ministry Update countries (Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro). Vanja Bule oversees our office and staff who make a great impact for the Gospel in the region. They do this predominantly through Superbook events and humanitarian projects.

They just launched a brand-new website for Superbook in Croatian language at www.superknjiga.com, reaching a new generation with the Bible stories.

CBN Moldova reaches out to people through media broadcasting, Superbook events and humanitarian projects. Doina, who oversees this outreach, has a real passion to see people walk in His plans and purposes and to reach a new generation with the truth of the Bible through Superbook events and summer camps.

CBN Netherlands recently launched broadcasts of The 700 Club and Superbook in Dutch language on the largest Christian channel (Family 7). We launched a new website at www.cbnnederland.nl to reach Dutch audiences with the Gospel.

This year, we are launching CBN Poland as one of our staff members returns to her home country to oversee CBN’s ministry to Poland.

Superbook is currently airing on the national channel ‘TVP’

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| UPDATE and we work in collaboration with other ministries to see Superbook impact a new generation. We also work extensively with other Christian broadcasters and ministries in countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, Portugal, Greece, France, Sweden and more in order to share the Gospel effectively through media, Superbook and humanitarian projects.

BROADCAST MINISTRY CBN programmes can be seen in 15 languages in Europe including English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Norwegian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Albanian, Croatian and Macedonian. Superbook has recently been translated into Greek, Italian and Portuguese; we are currently discussing broadcast opportunities for Superbook as well as the international version of The 700 Club.

CBN programmes are broadcast across the region on 33 TV stations, including The 700 Club, Christian World News, Turning Point International, Jerusalem Dateline, Studio 5, 700 Club Interactive, Superbook and CBN’s Israel documentaries as well as other special productions.

PRAYER MINISTRY On a daily basis we receive emails, calls and letters from viewers from across the European region. Our Prayer Centres in the United Kingdom and Germany receive hundreds of calls each day with requests for prayer and more information about the ministry of CBN. We have

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the opportunity to serve callers with the love and hope of Jesus Christ, to see their lives changed and impacted forever.

HUMANITARIAN MINISTRY Besides broadcasting the Good News of Jesus to the nations, we help meet practical needs through CBN’s humanitarian arm, “Operation Blessing”. We provide disaster relief, medical support, food, clean water to beneficiaries through multiple projects in Europe and around the world. Children are taken from at risk to thriving through CBN’s Orphan’s Promise projects, now impacting children in over 60 countries around the world.

In the United Kingdom we partnered with churches and local authorities to help flood victims who were affected by unprecedented floods. In Albania, we helped disaster relief victims who lost their homes in the November earthquakes. In Greece we support Christian refugees who flee from persecution, giving them a safe home and education. In the Netherlands we support an anti-trafficking ministry who rescue women from slavery. In Germany we support an outreach to vulnerable children by providing education, food and fun activities.

Together with our staff and volunteers across the region we are able to make a difference in so many lives each day. However, we could not do what we do without our faithful CBN partners who pray for us and help us financially. Thank you for being part of all that we do, here in Europe and around the world!

FEATURED |

In The Waiting Allen Carter Head of Development and Partner Relations

Living with Expectancy Before the Breakthrough I don’t know about you, but waiting isn’t one of my strongest attributes.

I don’t like to wait not even a day.

Recently I was travelling by car from Cornwall and what should have taken 3 hours took over 7 hours due to accidents and traffic jams on the motorway. It was not the most memorable experience until my GPS gave me the option to get off the motorway and take another route. What a surprise I was in for. I experienced beautiful countryside, forests, rivers and villages which I would not have seen unless my choices and my perspective changed.

In my life I would prefer that the prayers that I pray or the answers I desire would somehow manifest themselves quickly and instantaneously. However, I have learned that in the waiting, faith and patience are developed, and the promises of God are inherited. We may not fully understand or comprehend why we’re required to wait but I know that during the waiting, God is at work. He’s the one who is fashioning and forming. He’s the one who is who is committed to perfect the work and fulfil that which He has started. All

that we are required to do is to simply trust, obey and believe that what He has said will come to pass.

I can only imagine what it must have been like for the disciples who had turned their back on Jesus; for his mother and those few innocent bystanders the day after Jesus had died. It was such a cruel death. The pain, the agony, the suffering and now the heartache. For they had witnessed the spotless Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world crucified at the hands of Roman soldiers, who took great delight in his ridicule and humiliation.

1 Corinthians 2:8 says, “for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

(NKJV) The day between the death and the resurrection must have felt like eternity.

The memories, the unanswered questions, the uncertainty. However, the same can be true for you and me.

We can wait our whole lives longing for change or the next season, hoping for better things to come. We all want to live meaningful lives, to have stories to tell and

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| FEATURED legacies to leave to our grandchildren.

But many of us fail to realise that the best moments are the ones that are happening right now. Maybe the good stuff isn’t ahead of us or behind us.

Whilst waiting, be joyful Maybe it’s somewhere in between, whilst in the waiting.

The time between the promise and fulfilment can at times seem endless, so what lessons can be learned from God’s school of waiting?

The word of God gives us many great keys Whilst waiting, still your heart and be in awe of who God is.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (ESV) Whilst waiting learn to place your trust in the Lord and rely on Him completely to guide and lead you in every decision you make.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) Whilst waiting, be joyful and celebrate no matter what may come your way.

Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances. Notice it says in all circumstances and not for our circumstances there

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is a huge difference. No matter what, there is always something to give thanks for, it’s about perspective.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -17 (ESV) Whilst waiting we are exhorted to be brave and courageous, be strong and never lose hope. Keep on waiting for he will NEVER disappoint you.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” - Psalm 27:14 (ESV) Although waiting is not the most pleasant or exciting thing to do, know that God will never disappoint you. Let hope be the anchor that sustains you and when your faith is tested, count it all joy for the testing of your faith produces endurance, steadfastness and patience. Remember that it is whilst you are in the waiting room, the greatest victories are being developed and perfected in you.

NEVER STOP PRAYING

LET’S

Do You Need Prayer?

Call Us!

We have an incredible team waiting to pray with you and encourage you in your walk with Jesus at the other end of the phone!

0300 561 0700 (UK) 01513 3738 (ROI) +44 207 101 7045 (Int) 07833 993 924 (WhatsApp)

| DEVOTION

Leaving The Dead Things Behind Adam Howard Content Coordinator

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but is risen!”

- Luke 24:5-6 (NKJV)

reaping. The challenge often comes in the recognition of the season change.

As I read through the Easter account in Luke, this verse arrested my attention. I stopped and this question came into my head: How many times do we seek out life in those dead areas of our lives?

Here in the UK, it can be difficult to tell what season we are in as wet and windy weather can happen at any point! However, even if the rain still falls, the season shifts. Leaves begin to bud on the trees and the first signs of spring shoot up from the ground. In order to embrace what is ahead, we leave behind what was before.

Seasons are a part of life both naturally and within our faith. There are times of sowing and waiting, and times of flourishing and

I don’t know about you, but there have been seasons in my life that I have tried to hold on to. There have been times when things are going

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DEVOTION | great and it all seems ‘successful’, and then God speaks and begins to move.

Have you ever been in a situation where what worked for so long, suddenly starts to not work so well, and despite you not changing your approach or programme, the results begin to decline? We desperately try to get back on-track and regain the former glories, but it’s not working.

The difficulty comes when we want to persevere with something when the life has left.

Lean Upon Him Again Now there are times we must push through adverse conditions for the bigger picture, but there is a difference between perseverance and stubbornness. In my life, these times tend to happen when I stop listening to His voice. When what God has blessed in my life, becomes a testament to my ability rather than His glory, He gently reminds me to lean upon Him again.

In Luke 24 we see the disciples seeking out Jesus in the place they left him, but He had other plans. He had risen! The season had shifted.

They could have ignored the advice and continued searching the tombs for a body, but it would have been a fruitless exercise. They heeded the word and remembered, leaving behind the place of death and seeking life again.

As the seasons change and life moves, I pray that you might hear

His voice as He guides you through the next chapter of your life. I pray that you might put down the crinkled, brown leaves of the things of the past, so that you might embrace the fresh, green buds of all that God has for you in this next season.

EMBRACE WHAT’S AHEAD & LEAVE BEHIND WHAT WAS BEFORE To Navigate Through 2 Ways Changing Seasons Listen To His Voice

Lean on Him, allow His voice to be your guide and trust in His bigger picture.

Embrace A Fresh Season

Leave the dead things behind so that you can embrace the fresh, green buds of all that God has for you in the next season.

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| GLOBAL IMPACT

The Gift Of Sight “You treated her like she was your own daughter!”

OPERATION BLESSING

Eshwari held her schoolwork very close to her face as she tried to read the words.

“I can see things that are very close to me,” the little girl explained, “but far away things I am not able to see.” Eshwari’s mother took her to a clinic near their home in India where she was diagnosed with bilateral, degenerative cataracts. She could do little to help her daughter, since as a widow with two children, she could not afford the surgery Eshwari needed. But without it, she would eventually go blind. Then, thanks to you, CBN’s Operation Blessing intervened and covered the much-needed surgery. Today, she can see again, and is no longer at risk for blindness!

“Now I can see things that are close and far away too!” Eshwari gratefully expressed. She has much hope for the future and intends to complete her education so that she can help her family. “You gave my little girl hope,” said her mother. “I could not pay for her surgery, but you took my place and treated her like she was your own daughter!” Eshwari added, “I got my sight back only with CBN’s help. I give you my heartfelt thanks!” communities devastated

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IMPACT |

OPERATION BLESSING

You Were The Answer!

Villagers in Thailand now have hope and clean water

Their only source of water was a polluted pond. With crops to grow and mouths to feed. the Ban Salaosong villagers in Thailand needed an answer. They had to walk long distances to find water elsewhere, but their difficulties remained.

Thanks to your support CBN’s Operation Blessing built a new well, providing clean water for the community. One farmer, Prasong, explained, “I am thankful to you for coming to help us with our struggle for water.” A pastor also shared the Good News of Jesus Christ! The villagers can now embrace each day with joy rather than despair, because of you. Lampong, another farmer, said, “Having clean water has made our lives better. Thank you for drilling this well.”

SUPERBOOK

Replacing Fear With Faith Meeting Jesus through Superbook

Superbook Every Sunday, 10-year-old Ice watched a church bus pick up children in his neighbourhood in Thailand. He was too shy to attend. But one day, his sister persuaded him to go. At church, Ice watched a Superbook episode and was encouraged by Gideon’s boldness. “He didn’t have any confidence in himself,” said Ice, “but he had confidence in God, so he won the battle!” afterwards, Ice prayed to become a Christian and asked God for courage. He invited his friends to church. He said, “God used Superbook to change my life. Thank you to the people who gave us Superbook!”

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I AM PATRICK peels back centuries of legend and myth to tell the true story of Saint Patrick.

Watch On Netflix Now! www.iampatrick.com

FEATURED |

Living In The Victory Adam Howard Content Coordinator

Living a Life of Freedom from a Place of Victory Jesus is alive! What an incredible truth that we get to enjoy. From the desperation and despair of Friday to the glorious celebration of Sunday, where death has been defeated and sin forever conquered – He has risen!

The battle is done.

I wonder if we truly understand what that means for us? Do we really live in the light of the victory of the cross and resurrection?

It’s easy to slip into thinking that the battle is still going on; that like in some titanic boxing match, Jesus and the enemy are slugging it out ‘Rockystyle’ over humanity. The simple

truth is, the enemy was knocked out, finished and dealt with completely through the cross. Jesus himself said that “It is finished.” That seems pretty final, right? Moreover, He then proceeds to sit down at His Father’s side. I think you would agree that if there is still work to do, you don’t sit down and rest. So what does that mean?

It means that the battle is done. The striving to be ‘good’ and abide to the Mosaic law is no longer necessary.

It means that our beginning is rooted and established in victory. As believers in Christ, living on this side of the cross, we start building our new lives in Him from the position of and with the posture of a conqueror.

In fact, the bible calls us more than conquerors (Romans 8).

That doesn’t mean that we

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| FEATURED won’t face trials, difficulties or battles in our lives. On the contrary, we know they are coming, but our perspective in them changes when we understand that He has already won. Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NKJV) When we trust in what God has done for us, we can walk into any circumstance in our lives from a position of victory, worshipping and thanking Him for what lies ahead.

The victory was won When we begin to understand the position we have inherited through the death and resurrection of Jesus, that is a place of victory, we can start to walk in the spoils of that victory.

Read the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. The victory was won by God, with no intervention from the Israelite army (other than their obedience to the word of God), but they got to enjoy the win and share in the blessings that came afterwards (v.25) - including peace (v.30).

We get the opportunity to live in the peace and freedom that the cross has bought for us. Whether we choose to do that or not, is up to us. If we do not truly believe we are living in the finished work of Christ, then we won’t enjoy the

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freedom and peace that is available to us as the winning team.

Imagine this; You are a prisoner of war, held in a damp cold cell. The sounds of war raging outside. Your hands are bound, and you are held to the floor by a chain that cuts into your ankles.

You’ve spent so long in the cell that you have no recollection of living any other way. High up on the wall is a small window where a slither of light breaks through. In the distance you hear a great commotion, shouting and running and then a bright, blinding light fills the cell. As the light fades, you hear the sound of celebrating outside; music and dancing and the sound of battle has ceased. The door to the cell unlocks and is flung wide open and, in the doorway, stands a man with his hands outstretched towards you. He is calling you out of the prison and as he calls your name, the binds around your wrists loosen and the chains around your ankles fall to the ground. He says to you, ‘It’s over. We won. Come, let me show you.’

In that moment, you have a choice.

Stand up, shake off the constraints and step into the light or stay put in the familiar and comfortable place of the cell? Whatever you choose to do, the door remains open and the things that kept you in the damp, no longer hold you there. Peace reigns outside; the battle is done and there is victory beyond the walls, whether you walk out or not.

It seems crazy for you not to get up and walk out of the cell when the doors are flung wide. Yet so often we stay in the familiarity of our condition

FEATURED | or situation, afraid to see what is outside. It’s like buying a brand-new car, parking it on your driveway, but never leaving the house. As you step out, allowing your eyes to adjust to the light of freedom, that which was bought by His blood, He will take you to the wide-open spaces of His goodness and grace.

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide-open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 1:1-5 (MSG) Freedom isn’t doing what we like, but as we seek to discover more about Him, we discover a radical freedom in His purposes and plans for us – a true freedom in Christ. I pray that we might be able to live more freely in Him as

we realise the foundation that we live from. He has defeated sin and death and restored us to peace with God. He won and invites us to share in the victory party.

“Thine be the glory, Risen, conqu’ring Son; Endless is the victory, Thou o’er death hast won;” - G.F. Handel

DID YOU KNOW, YOU ARE INVITED TO THE VICTORY PARTY?!

To 2 Ways Live In Victory Remember The Cross

Remember the foundation that you live from. A foundation of peace with God.

Trust In God

He won the battle! Trust in what He has done for you. Walk into every situation from a position of victory and live in it everday!

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| NEWS

Reaching Australia and New Zealand with the Gospel!

Mark Dijkens CBN Europe Regional Director

Australia In Australia we have the privilege of partnering with two wonderful Christian broadcasters; the Australian Christian Channel and TBN Pacific. For many years now, CBN programmes have been aired on both stations including the 700 Club, Christian World News and Superbook.

Launched in 2002, the Australian Christian Channel continues to share the Good News of Jesus via satellite (Foxtel and Optus D2), Internet television (Fetch platform) and through their own ACCTV app which can be downloaded from the Appstore. With a wide range of family friendly programming, Christian teaching and children’s programmes, ACCTV is providing a voice of hope to thousands of viewers each day in Australia. For more information visit www.acc.tv.

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TBN Pacific is part of the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s global outreach to share the Good News of Jesus to the nations, reaching viewers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands. Programmes are free to watch via satellite (Optus D2), Cable and TV station affiliates, reaching the islands including Papa New Guinea, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. We are excited to announce that from May this year, many CBN programmes will be made available through TBN Pacific including the daily 700 Club, Christian World News, 700 Club Interactive, Jerusalem Dateline, the new Superbook series as well as CBN documentaries. For more information visit www.tbnpacific.org.au.

NEWS | Superbook! Through a unique partnership with Vision Christian Media, Superbook is touching the hearts and lives of children and families in many ways. Originally known as UCB Australia, Vision Christian Media has been sharing the Gospel to Australia for over 30 years through Christian radio and publications such as the wonderful Word for Today magazine.

Superbook Academy is available to churches in Australia and New Zealand, providing excellent resources to engage a new generation with the timeless Truth of God’s Word. For more information visit au.superbookacademy.com.

Families in Australia and New Zealand who would like to receive the latest episodes via DVD and online streaming are able to sign up for Superbook Club at www.vision.org. au/superbook.

Superbook DVD’s are available in Australia’s largest Christian bookstores (Koorong) and independent Christian bookstores.

DVD’s are also available at the Vision Christian Media bookstore at www. store.vision.org.au.

We are incredibly thankful to our ministry partners on the ground who are sharing hope in the midst of despair, particularly during the recent bush fires. It is because of the message of hope in Jesus that lives are impacted on a daily basis, giving God’s perspective on world events.

Together we can see lives changed and see fruit that lasts!

New Zealand In New Zealand we work closely together with Shine TV, who have been sharing the Gospel to viewers in New Zealand since 2002. Today, Shine TV is available to every television household in New Zealand, broadcasting Christian programming via Sky satellite TV, Freeview and Freeview HD. Shine TV is part of the Rhema Media group who operate nationwide radio networks including Rhema, Star and Life FM who also publish the Word for Today magazine.

CBN programming that airs on Shine TV includes the daily 700 Club, Christian World News, Studio 5 and Superbook. We are so thankful for our friends at Shine TV for helping us reach New Zealand with the Good News of Jesus, providing hope to the nation!

NEWS UPDATE We are excited to announce that from May 2020, CBN will provide follow up ministry for prayer by phone and website. All our programmes, including the daily 700 Club, will carry the new contact information, giving opportunity for viewers from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to contact us for prayer and information.

Find out more about this new initiative at www.cbnaustralia.org.

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| RESOURCE

Sarah Singleton

Sharing Faith At Easter

Prayer Centre & Customer Relations Administrator

Easter time is my favourite time of year! Not simply because of sunshine, chocolate eggs, or even because summer is fast approaching, but because it is a time when Christians come back to the heart of what we believe.

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

Easter is a great opportunity to share our faith with others. It is a big part of being a Christian and Jesus Himself gave us this mandate. If we are not sharing our faith, are we really being effective in walking out that command?

If we feel inadequate and ill equipped, Jesus promises “I am with you always”.

He is all we need; His life, His example and His guidance. The great thing is that when we are telling others about the good news, He is there with us; Jesus said “always” didn’t He?

Not every Christian is an outgoing evangelist, so it can be understandably daunting. However, that does not negate the fact that it is still a mandate for every Christian. I have often struggled being obedient in this area, but it is still something I’m called to do.

If we feel disempowered and unqualified, remember that we have been given this mandate by the One with “all authority”. There’s not much more empowerment that we need than that!

I often feel inadequate, unqualified, disempowered and ill-equipped in this area. If these are some of the emotions you also attach to the notion of sharing your faith, then may I encourage you with the very thing that encourages me.

In Matthew, Jesus shows exactly how adequate, empowered and equipped we are, He says; “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,

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We have been given all that we need to share our faith. Easter time should perhaps be the easiest time to share our stories and testimonies of His impact in our lives. We are reminded of the story of Jesus’ victory and that should therefore empower us to share.

May I encourage you this Easter to take hold of the power of the Gospel and share your faith; after all, you have been empowered, equipped, qualified to do so. As you step out, remember that you are not alone; He is always with you.

WAYS TO GIVE |

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Our Programmes Join Pat, Gordon, Terry and many others on your phone, computer or TV every day of the week!

For further listings go to cbneurope.com/tvguide

Missed it? Catch up online anytime at www.700club.tv

The 700 Club The show includes a lively mix of news, life-changing stories, health tips, and updates about our humanitarian outreach projects.

Revelation TV (Sky 581 or Freesat 692) Monday – Friday at 6pm and 11pm (next day repeat at 8am) TBN UK (Freeview 65 or Sky 582) Monday – Friday at 1:30pm

The 700 Club Interactive A TV show dedicated to prayer, uplifting stories, positive Christian news, encouragement and community.

Revelation TV (Sky 581 or Freesat 692) Monday – Friday at 6pm and 11pm (next day repeat at 8am) TBN UK (Freeview 65 or Sky 582) Monday – Friday at 2pm

Turning Point International An energetic programme that spotlights the voices of Africans and people of African descent around the world.

KICCTV (Sky 590) For broadcast times visit sky.com/tv-guide

Superbook Teaching timeless truths through the Bible-based adventures of two time-travelling children and their robot friend.

TBN UK (Freeview 65 or Sky 582) Friday at 4.30pm Saturday at 8am

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