Case Studies Easter
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The Powerful Hand of God
By Colleen Slee (Sent to us 3/23/00)

Hi There,

I thought I would share with you, what happened to us last week Friday.

My Husband (Gordon) and myself (Colleen), run the youth program at our church (Kings Church - Springs, South Africa) along with another couple - Trevor & Tammy. Last week Friday, was the last youth evening for the term (like your semester) before the school holidays. We opted to let our youth leader Titus, practice his drama & organizing skills. He and his team, present a few skits, and then divided the group into smaller groups. Each group received a topic, and we had 15 minutes to prepare a little drama - with a Christian context. Time was just about up for the rehearsals, when an older (between 22 and 25 years) guy opened up the door. As I was standing by the door, I was about to confront him and let him know that he was to old for the youth group. Two younger guys behind him, lifted guns above their heads, cocked them, and pushed their way into the room. All three now had guns, and were instructing everyone to get onto the floor. They went to everyone, searched them for money and jewelry, and searched the main hall of the church.

The oldest one was intimidating the youngsters to find out who had the keys for our Volkswagen microbus. Gordon got to his feet and presented them with the keys, and they took him outside to the vehicle. All the while, I'm praying in tongues, making an urgent appeal to Jesus that He intercedes and doesn't allow any harm to come to ANYONE. I was told to keep quiet, so I lowered my voice. The oldest one came back into the youth room, and carried on trying to intimidate the youngsters into fear, or provoke him to shoot someone as he had been threatening to do. The guys kept calm, no hysterics. After emptying my bag, the oldest one leaned over my son who was sitting on a bean bag by the door, waved the gun in his face and threatened to shoot him. After a very heated debate between the one who had started the vehicle and the oldest one ( I sensed that the oldest guy wanted to take Gordon in the vehicle with them) they allowed Gordon to come back inside.

After they left, we got everyone into a Sunday school room, switched off all of the main lights, locked which doors we could, and got into serious,, heavy, LOUD intercessory prayer. A phone call to the police, and one to a parent, got people to the church. But in that moment of being alone with 23 youth, I knew that without Jesus, we would have seen the normal circumstance of such an attack. You see, in this country, there is a "war" going on in our black community. The youth (between sometimes as young as 10years to 22years) dominate and terrorize the home life. Their cultural beliefs, ancestral worship, and sangomas (witch doctors) support this kind of behaviour. The new generation of parents, want a different upbringing and lifestyle for their children. They are trying to bring in family morals, love and commitment to one another. The youngsters that rebel, running in gangs, stealing, killing and terrorizing, normally complete each act by raping all of the woman and girls (no matter what age!).

To witness the hand of Jesus that night was awesome! We all discovered in TRUTH and REALITY that He is a God of His word. He meets our every need. (We got the vehicle back!) He brings peace to our mind and souls. He comforts us, and in His Glory, draws us closer to one another. Our black girls testified what He had saved them from, because they knew what these guys do when they come in to attack. The parents have rallied around us. A unity has come out of this situation, that together, we can march forward and claim the ground that Christ has prepared for us. The greatest thing, is that these youngsters witnessed that they are special to Jesus, He does and will continue to save them in every situation. They do deserve His love, and they are able to approach His throne with their prayers and petitions AND
EXPECT AN ANSWER!

I know that there is an attack on Christians right around the globe, and for me, it shows that the devil knows he's running out of time!

I ask that you will pray for the people in South Africa, that Gods workers will open themselves to Him and His teachings, and be willing to go where He sends them to preach HIS GOOD NEWS. Pray for the people in this country, that the seed of His word will fall into their hearts and take root. Prayer for the existing Christians that they will not grow weary and fall from His way.

Thank you for the encouragement you send out. Keep up the good work, faithful servant of Christ!

Your sister in His Grip,
Colleen Slee

When I Say I'm a Christian...
Submitted by Sarah Atkins

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I get lost."
That is why I chose this way.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek HIS name.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.

A Prayer for You
Submitted by Sarah Atkins

Prayer is one of the best gifts we can give or receive... and it is totally FREE! There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's be faithful in praying for one another.

Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. Lord, show them a new revelation of your love and power.

Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy.

Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence in your ability to work through them.

Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask you to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask you to renew them by revealing your nearness and by drawing them into greater intimacy with you.

Where there is fear, reveal your love, and release to them your courage.

Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it and break its hold over my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support, and encourage them.

Give each of them discernnment to recognize the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in you to defeat all evil.

I ask you to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen

10 Great Suggestions
Taken from "The Word for Today"

1. Hate your sin, but never hate yourself.

2. Be quick to repent.

3. When God gives you light, walk in it.

4. Stop saying negative things about yourself. God loves you and it's wrong to hate what He loves. He has great plans for you, so you're in conflict with Him when you speak negatively concerning your future.

5. Never be afraid to admit that you've made a mistake and don't always assume that when things go wrong, 'it must be my fault'.

6. Don't meditate excessively on what you've done, right or wrong; both of these activities keep your mind on YOU! Centre your thoughts on Christ. Listen, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on you". (Isa 26:3 AMP).

7. Take good care of yourself physically. Make the best of what God gave you to work with, but don't be obsessed with your appearance.

8. Never stop learning but don't allow your education to become a point of pride. God doesn't use you because of what's in your head: He uses you because of what's in your heart.

9. Realise that your talents are a GIFT, not something you have manufactured yourself; never look down on people who can't do what you do.

10. Don't despise your weaknesses - they keep you dependent on God."

You Are Blessed
Many thanks to all those who sent this in!

1. If you own a Bible, you are abundantly blessed - about 1/3 of the world do not have access to one.

2. If you wake up each morning with more health than illness, you are blessed to rise and shine, to live and to serve in a new day.

3. If you have anyone on the planet, just one person that loves you and listens to you; count this a blessing.

4. If you can freely attend a church meeting without fear, then you are more blessed than over 1/3 of the world.

5. If you have a yearning in your heart to parent a child, you are blessed because you still desire what you cannot see.

6. If you pray today or any day, you are blessed because you believe in God's willingness to hear your prayer.

7. If you pray for someone else, you are blessed because you want to help others also.

8. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep; all at the same time; you are rich in this world;

9. If you have a brother or sister in Christ that will pray with you and for you, you benefit from a spiritual unity, bond, and agreement, which the gates of hell cannot stand against.

10. If you have any earthly family that even halfway love you and support you, you are blessed beyond measure.

11. If you attend a church with a church family that offers you one word of encouragement, you are blessed with some form of fellowship.

12. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or some spare change in a dish someplace you are among the world's wealthy.

13. If you can go to bed each night, knowing that God loves you, you are blessed beyond measure.

14. If you try each day to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ for even a minute, you are blessed because you show a willingness to grow up in Him.

15. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than about 1/3 of the world who cannot read at all.

16. If you have never had to endure the hardship and agony of battle, imprisonment, or torture, you are blessed in indescribable measure.

17. If you have a voice to sing His praises, a voice to witness God's love, and a voice to share the gospel, you are blessed. About 1/3 of the world do not even know who the one true God is.

18. If you can hold someone's hand, hug another person, touch someone on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

19. If you can share a word of encouragement with someone else, and do it with His love in your heart, you are blessed because you have learned how to give.

20. If you have the conviction to stand fast upon His Word and His promises, no matter what, you are blessed because you are learning patience, endurance, and tenacity.

21. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because most people can, but many will not.

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