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Celebration

The Hope Of Christmas

by Corine Channell December 25, 2021

You would think with the holiday season upon us that it would make people feel better, feel happy, and that Christmas celebrations would make any bad situation seem a little brighter. Some wounds are just not healed by Buddy The Elf , and not everyone thinks It’s A Wonderful Life, and even if it’s A White Christmas there may still be no Miracle On 34th Street.

In this real world we live in, sadness at the holidays may be inescapable for some people. I wish there was a magic wand with real glittery fairy dust to sprinkle over someone to make everything okay. I myself have had a few Christmases that were more of a battle and challenge to get through, than joyful.

Sadness makes a heart heavy, and a broken heart is a pain no one can understand unless they too have had one. I have written all that to say: if you find yourself feeling this way maybe you can’t change your current situation, but you could lift up your head, take a deep breath, and go do something for someone else. I promise you, this WILL help how you feel. My mother always told me if I was sad, doing something for someone else would ease my own sadness. We, by nature, are nurturers and want to help others. It’s what makes us human. Hopefully, we haven’t totally lost that.

I don’t want anyone to miss a moment of this 2021 Christmas season. When hope shines a little brighter, the unexpected could show up. We may need a miracle, or we may be able to BE a miracle for someone else.

At its core the holiday season stirs up so many memories for people; old movies, old songs, old pictures, tried and true recipes, and so much more. It’s ironic that a lot of the meaning behind Christmas is at the root of the things we remember, the days already gone by. Cherishing yesterday, its memories, and traditions is a major element in our celebration, but don’t lose sight that THIS “right-now time” is the only moment where you can still redirect the course.

This Christmas season 2021, enjoy being in the here and now, before it becomes a distant memory. Don’t get caught up in trying to make it some Martha Stewart style holiday. There is still a lot of time to make this season “joyful and triumphant.” Offer forgiveness, help the poor, open a door, buy a stranger a cup of hot coffee, reconnect with a dear friend.

“These days peace on Earth is hard to find
And I need you to remind me one more time
You’re still the hope of Christmas
You’re still the light when the world looks dark
You’re still the hope of Christmas
And You’re still the hope of my heart.” (“The Hope Of Christmas” by Matthew West)

The hope of Christmas came to us through a baby. Nothing could be more simple, or joyful than that. If we all work together and care about each other – friend and stranger alike – maybe the world would be a little less dark. Light will shine a little brighter. Your own heart may start to heal.

At the heart of Christmas is a baby who came to save us all.
Merry Christmas 2021.

______

GOD TV’s 25th Anniversary: The Global Media Mission Extends To Even the Most Remote Island

by Al Gibson September 30, 2020

written by Al Gibson

October 1st, 2020 marks GOD TV’s 25th Anniversary. This was the historic date in 1995 when the UK and Europe’s first daily Christian Channel was born. Then known as the Christian Channel Europe, it would soon become GOD TV. And, it would grow over the years into the vast media missionary outreach we know today, headed by Ward Simpson, and with a global vision for Souls, Israel and Revival.

Looking back two and a half decades, there was no Christian television in Europe. Only hundreds of believers faithfully trusting God to start taking back the airwaves. It seemed impossible, but this was a sovereign work of God. It was going to be miraculous. Of course, the national media saw things differently. They didn’t think the channel would last a month let alone celebrate its 25th Anniversary!

However, God had heard the intercession of His people, the cries of visionary leaders like Jean Darnall who led intercessory groups to pray for Christian media. She prophesied pockets of fire across the UK and Europe. The result of God bringing talented communicators together from different nations. Two of these communicators were Rory Alec Stephen and Wendy Alec.

A dream to reach the lost and equip the Church

Rory was a musician and advertising executive from South Africa with a call to media. He had reached number one in the music charts with a hit single and had run a TV production company in Johannesburg. With an apostolic anointing to break new ground for the Kingdom, he would secure a much-sought-after broadcast license and negotiate with the SKY satellite platform to get the new channel on-air.

Wendy (nee Kauffman) was born in London to British parents but grew up in South Africa where she gave her life to God in a nightclub where she was singing. Following this powerful encounter, Wendy developed a passion for creative evangelism. These two gifted communicators, along with many others, would inspire thousands of people across the globe to become media missionaries and take the Good News of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

GOD TV started small in the sense that it was only on-air two hours a day. However, it got off to a big start in other ways with a press conference in London and a dedication service at Central Hall Westminster. A major branding campaign followed. It invited people to “Switch on to GOD!” This was emblazoned on London’s iconic red buses and the message soon spread across the capital and overflowed to the nation.

The GOD TV founders had a massive dream to reach the lost and equip the Church. This was a vision that grew into a quest to win ONE BILLION SOULS. Yes, it started around a kitchen table with very limited resources as the “Against All Odds” story goes. However, God would make GOD TV grow exponentially into a global outreach. 2002 was a pivotal year for the ministry as this is when it began to broadcast from Israel. The move facilitated a new satellite network that allowed for international expansion. “From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth” stirred the hearts of believers worldwide as they began to see media as a way of fulfilling the Great Commission.

GOD TV was already reaching the UK & Europe and Scandinavia. Now GOD TV Africa and GOD TV Asia took to the air with offices on the ground in South Africa and India. GOD TV Australasia soon followed with a presence in Melbourne, Australia Then in 2006, GOD TV USA went LIVE with studios in Washington, DC just around the corner from the White House. God soon added many other communicators like Simon Jacobsen, Fergus Scarfe, Chris Cole, Marcél Oliver, Thomas Robinson, David Nicolle, and Wayne Knapman who became GOD TV Regional Directors. This was something that set GOD TV apart from other international networks – local representation to serve its viewers in each region.

GOD TV 25th Anniversary, looking back

The connection with the Land of the Bible enthralled believers and GOD TV also started to take tours to Israel. Looking back as GOD TV celebrates its 25th Anniversary one remembers those amazing pilgrimages, the boat rides on the Sea of Galilee and communion at the Garden Tomb and the many LIVE broadcasts from David’s Citadel. One cannot forget the late Kim Clement’s concerts at Mount Carmel and the Sea of Galilee and Sunday Night Live from Jerusalem.

Starting a new network was always going to be a huge spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. What came to be known as “B4B” echoed this – the Battle for Britain. This was one of England’s largest evangelistic campaigns. GOD TV was “the airforce”; viewers and churches were the “ground force” and Suzette Hattingh led a group of intercessors as “the Prayerforce”! GOD TV viewers received bundles of leaflets to distribute to homes in their vicinity that had a satellite dish. These contained a teaser inviting recipients to watch special broadcasts on the meaning of life. Converts were then referred to the 2000 participating churches. Many of these churches put up large screens and invited their congregations to bring the unsaved which was a new and innovative way of reaching people.

B4B shared many outstanding testimonies of people who had come to know Jesus as Lord. Evangelists like Steve Hill passionately challenged viewers to get their lives right with God. It was bold campaigns like these that made GOD TV a forerunner for others to follow. GOD TV also had a mass appeal to young people with series like Dream on TV hosted by Chris Cole and Emma Owen. Other original programming included Friday Night Live, Behind The Screens and The Rory & Wendy Show, but it was for its missionary outreach that GOD TV would become most well known.

Right from the outset, GOD TV had a huge heart for mission. Missionaries of yesteryear were celebrated like David Livingstone for his journeys through Africa. Others included Hudson Taylor, who took the Gospel to China; Amy Carmichael to India, and Mary Slessor to West Africa. The message to viewers was clear, “You may not be able to ‘go into all the world’ physically, but you can send GOD TV!” As a result, many LIVE Missions Week broadcasts followed which inspired viewers across the nations to become media missionaries.

What God accomplished through GOD TV could never have been done through any one person. It was going to take the partnership of hundreds of thousands of believers. It would require sacrifice and there would be spiritual battles. What started in London would go to the North East of England and then the South West; it would overflow to Europe, Scandinavia, and beyond and have a massive global impact.

Unfortunately, the pressure of 20 years of ministry and being responsible for an ever-increasing budget took its toll on Rory Alec and he resigned in 2014. He is now living in Austria where he has remarried. He hasn’t given up on God though and has a new media outreach. “I am now more in love with Jesus than ever,” he says.

Wendy continued to lead GOD TV until 2016 when she appointed Ward Simpson as CEO. She is now pursuing her passion for creative evangelism through her Chronicles of Brothers novels which introduce readers to God in a non-religious way. She continues to be on GOD TV with series like Visions From Heaven.

GOD TV 25 Years On – Looking ahead

The GOD TV story over the past 25 years has clearly shown God at work. There have been many testimonies, many miracles, despite human failure. The wonderful thing is that the Lord did not let the ministry flounder or fade away. His grace has kept GOD TV afloat through thick and thin. Plus, He has sent many new communicators to reignite the vision. Ward Simpson was God’s gift to GOD TV and the Simpson family are to be commended for all they have done to extend the Kingdom through media.

Though Ward lives in America with his wife Lydia, he is actually from the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. Only God could handpick a new leader for a global ministry from an island in the middle of the ocean. This is because He is concerned with the salvation of every person, even on the most far-flung island. He wants every nation, tribe, and tongue to be part of the multitude of believers worshipping in Heaven. GOD TV has already seen the Gospel go out via GOD TV on terrestrial transmitters on remote islands. These include Vanuatu and Papa New Guinea. Following GOD TV’s 25th Anniversary who knows where the network will launch next.

Ward’s link to Barbados represents God’s heart to take the Gospel through media to every corner of the globe. His heart is for “Souls, Israel, and Revival”. This 25th Anniversary, GOD TV continues with a new song as it continues to reach the world for Jesus. In conclusion, the last 25 years have seen the building of a firm foundation. Now let us look ahead to see what God does through the ministry in the next 25 years. We wait expectantly for revival across the earth.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.” (Isaiah 42:10)

September 30, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Jack Van Impe: Celebrating A Surrendered Life

by GOD TV January 21, 2020

written by GOD TV

Dr. Jack Van Impe, founder of Jack Van Impe Ministries International, was promoted to Heaven on January 18, 2020. He was 88 years old. Dr. Jack Van Impe was a popular television evangelist and was well known for his knowledge of the Word of God and End Times teaching.

Over the course of his lifetime Dr. Van Impe ministered across the globe. As a result, over 8 million people to Christ. Additionally, he ministered at large crusades with other well-known evangelist such as Billy Graham and Charles Stanley. Dr. Van Impe hosted a weekly television show called “Jack Van Impe Presents” that was broadcast to over 200 nations across the globe. Furthermore, He also created a End Time teaching series called “The Final 7 Signs” that paint a prophetic picture using the signs of the times.

Celebrating His Life And Ministry

Watch as the world pays tribute to Dr. Jack Van Impe:

Dr. Jack Van Impe

Statement from Jack Van Impe Ministries International

In a post entitled “Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant”Jack Van Impe Ministries International has released the following statement to announce his passing…

The beloved Dr. Jack Van Impe was welcomed into Heaven by His blessed Savior and Lord who he had so faithfully served in ministry for over 70 years.

Please pray for his beloved wife and lifelong ministry partner Rexella and their families as they grieve this immense loss. Pray for wisdom as she and the Board lead the ministry in the days ahead.

Further details about Dr. Van Impe’s homecoming celebration will be published later.

For more information visit Jack Van Impe Ministries International.

—

January 21, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith

Repentance, What Does It Really Mean?

by Henrietta Decruz September 4, 2019

written by Henrietta Decruz

Repentance is more than simply saying “Sorry”.

‘Sorry’ is most abused word in the English dictionary. Have you experienced someone treat you very badly and then say, ‘Sorry!’ You hope they feel remorse for what they did and will make amends but they just go on with their obnoxious behavior till you run out of patience and say ‘Enough is enough!’ Repentance is more than that.

If we get exasperated by someone abusing our goodness and causing us to suffer repeatedly, imagine how God feels seeing the wickedness in the world? How often we have said, ‘God I’m sorry I will not do it again! Just give me one more chance… get me out of this mess and I promise I will change.’ God steps in and saves us out of that situation. But in hardly any time we forget what we promised and do the same thing.

We need to understand what Biblical repentance is much more than just saying, “Sorry” and going back to one’s old ways.

Godly repentance involves:

Thinking differently,
Changing our mind for the better,
Regretting our sins,
Changing our conduct,
Heartily amending our ways,
Feeling abhorrence of our past sins,
Regretting our past sins and
Changing our conduct for the better.

Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” NIV There isn’t a single person on earth who has not sinned. Of those born the only sinless human being was Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus His Son to make a way for us sinners to escape destruction due to our sins. We all need repentance.

Jesus Himself said, ” I came not to call the righteous ones to repentance, but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin).” Mark 2:17 AMP

A celebration in heaven!

Did you know that for every single sinner who returns to God, there is a great celebration in heaven? In Luke 15:7 Jesus says, “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one [especially] wicked person who repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.” AMP

That is how God is. Like the father of the prodigal son, He waits for us to turn from our evil and wicked ways. He wants us to turn away from our wrongdoing, every evil we did in the past and change by living a life pleasing to Him.

Sin causes us great suffering. The only way to overcome this suffering is by repenting. Acts 3:19 instructs us, to “repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.”

When we sincerely repent God erases and blots out our wrongs and refreshes us! It is simple and straightforward. It doesn’t matter what you have done, if we sincerely repent, God will surely forgive.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

God wants us to trust Him, love Him and repent for the sins that grieved Him. The sad truth is that His love doesn’t always receive a positive response from some people.

Jeremiah 5:3 says, “O Lord, do not your eyes look on the truth? [They have meant to please You outwardly, but You look on their hearts.] You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to take correction or instruction. They have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to repent and return to You.” AMP

In Luke 16 verses 19 -31 Jesus shared the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The rich man lived his life as he pleased and found himself in hell after his death. He saw the beggar Lazarus sitting beside Abraham and begged that he be sent to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, as he was suffering in the fire of hell. Abraham said, “Between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” NIV

The rich man told Abraham, “I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” Abraham answered saying, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” The rich man said, “If someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” Abraham replied, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

We are given the chance to repent for our sins only while we live. Those who die have no chance to repent, make amends and get in right standing with God. God holds our very breath in His hands. If He wants He can put an end to a person’s life in one moment by just speaking one word. In the world, we give a lot of respect to human leaders with authority, doesn’t God who gave us life deserve much more respect, reverence and worship from us?

Sin tarnishes us

Imagine you had a bath and put on beautiful brand new clothes that cost you a fortune. You dress up to attend a wedding. As you walk someone splashes mucky sewage water from the gutter on to you, what would you do? Would carry on the same way, smelling awful and feeling dirty? No! you would rush back, wash and wear clean clothes! Wouldn’t you?

God expects us to do the same with sin too. Whenever we slip and fall, God wants us to run to Him and get cleaned up again. Just as parents help their children clean up after they get dirty in the playground, God is a loving Father who cares for His children. He sacrificed His only Son Jesus to save us from our sins!

John 3:16 says it clearly, “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”

Jesus died on the cross for us

God’s love and forgiveness

Our wonderful God who loves us abundantly is willing to overlook every sin for our sake. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

No matter what you have done wrong, don’t hide it. Take it up to Jesus, repent and He will surely forgive you. Remember the criminal who was crucified next to Jesus? This criminal repented for his sins and said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 NIV

God is so wonderful! We don’t have to stand upside down or go on many pilgrimages to receive forgiveness for our sins. He doesn’t ask us for money or ask us to make animal sacrifices to give us His acceptance and love. Instead, HE PAID THE PRICE, HE PROVED HIS LOVE FOR US by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins!

This why Ephesians 2:8 says, “You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.” CEV

Jesus left heaven for us

Our Lord Jesus could have easily reigned over mankind in heaven. He chose instead to leave that throne and be born as a lowly human being, to die on the cross and become the sacrifice for our sins. Do you know anyone who could make such a great sacrifice – give up His throne, give up His life, take on the punishment for all humanity’s sins just for the sake of LOVE?

The love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus reminds us to live a good life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He cleanses us from all our sins. We have no more guilt to worry about, no more fear of perdition and the fire of hell. After being cleansed of all sin, who would want to go and fall into the same pit of destruction?

In Philippians 2:12, Paul reminds his disciples to “Work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).” AMPC

God loves us!

God wants you to be His forever!

Our God, our Creator doesn’t want any of us to perish. He calls us to repentance so we can live not just on this earth for eternity. Today, Jesus is asking you if you want to spend eternity with Him in heaven. What is your answer to Him?

Are you ready to choose repentance for all your sins? If you want to do so, say this prayer, “Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Savior. Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross to save me from the consequences of sin. I am sorry for the sins I have committed (name them_____) I repent for grieving Your heart. Please help me to overcome temptations. Teach me how to live a life that is pleasing to You, Amen!

The Gift of Salvation

If you are someone who would like to know more about Jesus and is eager to receive forgiveness for your sins by accepting Him as your Savior, you can say a simple prayer and ask Him to be your Savior.

Say, “Jesus, please come into my heart. I accept You as my personal Savior. You died on the cross to set me free from all my sins. I receive forgiveness for my sins through Your sacrifice. Thank You for the gift of eternal life and Your everlasting love! Teach me how to live a good life from now on, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!”

September 4, 2019 0 comment

Articles

Joyce Meyer Ministries Celebrates 25 Years of Television

by GOD TV October 12, 2018

written by GOD TV

Joyce Meyer Ministries is celebrating 25 years of TV ministry this year and we congratulate Joyce and her team on this media milestone. Her long-running series, Enjoying Everyday Life is one of GOD TV’s most watched broadcasts and we often receive testimonies of lives that have been transformed as viewers tune in each week day for a message of hope.

Joyce’s TV ministry began in 1993, when her husband Dave pitched the idea. It started on WGN-TV in Chicago and Black Entertainment Television, and was soon syndicated worldwide. It has aired on GOD TV pretty much from the beginning (we started in 1995) as well as many of Joyce’s conferences some of which we have televised LIVE.

“We thank God for all the souls saved watching Enjoying Everyday Life, people set free and relationships restored,” said GOD TV CEO, Ward Simpson. “We count it a privilege to continue to partner with Joyce Meyer Ministries to extend God’s Kingdom through media.”

Originally named, Life in the Word, the show now airs as Enjoying Everyday Life. “It’s been amazing to see all that the Lord has done in 25 years and the many lives that have been changed because of the Gospel message,” Joyce Meyer Ministries posted on Facebook on October 4th. Over 1.6 people responded to this single post, testifying to the impact of Joyce’s show!

The post asked, “When did you start watching Joyce’s show and how has it impacted your life?” Here are just some of the replies.

‘Her teaching has impacted my whole life’

Valda posted, “I started watching Joyce around 2005. Her teaching on TV has impacted my whole life. I used to hate myself, blame myself and others for the way I was. I have learned about love and forgiveness. And now I make it my life to love others and let them see Jesus in me.”

Ellen was saying, “Her advice helped me years ago when I was hurting badly from a breakup. I was very sad and depressed all the time. I read everything I could get my hands on from her and over time I was healed.”

Liliana stated, “I started watching Joyce about 5 years ago. My marriage was a disaster and I came across her on TV and was amazed at the honesty and the reality of the things she preached…Joyce has had a tremendous influence in my marriage and family…We have grown a lot and I’m grateful to Joyce and her ministry and our Lord for the impact that Joyce is making on our lives.”

Kayla posted, “Wow. Thank you God for Joyce. You have helped me heal through God’s Word. I was a heroin addict, fearful of almost everything. Ashamed, wounded and my mind was out of control…I love how God has used you in my life and am so grateful for the wisdom you have shared with me.”

Joyce’s Ministry Focus

Joyce Meyer Ministries and its TV programming’s focus is to reach the lost with the salvation message of the Gospel, and equipping believers to do the same. You can watch her show on GOD TV each weeknight at 20.30 / 8.30 pm or online by clicking: Enjoying Everyday Life.

This article was written by Jared Laskey.

October 12, 2018 0 comment