This
is the year of the horse. Many Chinese New Year greetings
express celebration and good wishes for success, happiness,
and good luck in the New Year. In Christ, we can be joyfully
assured of more than just good wishes. We have the LORD's
grace and blessing. In Christ, we thank God for what He
will be doing for us, in us and through us in the coming
year. We are certain that He has many wonderful surprises
in store for all who fear Him and seek to serve Him faithfully.
Have
you read, "Run with the Horses" by Eugene H.
Peterson (Intervarsity Press), an inspiring translation
of the message from the book of Jeremiah? We need this
kind of encouragement today. Let us begin another year
with the same conviction and determination that He who
called Jeremiah also calls us to live at our best, to
pursue righteousness, and to sustain a drive towards excellence.
How can we keep ourselves from failing or quitting in
the face of hardship, opposition, rejection or ridicule?
How can we be sure that we will have adequate strength
to fulfill what the Lord has called us to be?
You
may
have read the New York Times best seller of 2001: The
Prayer of Jabez. The Lord was delighted in Jabez's prayer
and granted his request for blessing. If Jabez could cry
out to the Lord, so can we! And the Lord will answer.
Indeed
Lord, Bless Us
Our
daily prayer for 2002 is that at least one million Chinese
families will hear the gospel broadcast. We urge you to
join us in boldly asking for His blessing so that through
our lives, at home and at work, His name will be heard
and others blessed. There are over 37 billion out of 52
billion people in the world who have not heard the name
of Jesus. Out of those unbelievers, two third live in
Asia. A majority of these people are in China and can
understand the Mandarin broadcast.
We
specifically ask for at least 1000 supporters of $120
per year to sponsor the production of our "Light
of Life" audio magazine (a monthly collection of
an assortment of our radio programs for those who cannot
read well). Masters of the CD will be sent to our ministry
partners outside this country for distribution.
Extend
Our Service
We
ask God to extend our service. We turn to Him not only
for more program production, radio stations and higher
ratings, but also more importantly for manpower: more
committed brothers and sisters to come forth and share
the blessing.
We
thank God for modern communication technology, because
through it we can overcome many physical barriers. Sermons
can be instantly listened to, even from thousand miles
across the ocean. Many new opportunities have arisen despite
last year's tragedies and the cries of war. Man's extremity
is God's opportunity. He can supply all our needs; however,
he cannot supply OUR
commitment.
Our
prayer
is for more willing people to come with their weaknesses
to witness the amazing transforming power of our Almighty
God. He is delighted to use ordinary people to accomplish
His plan. Are you willing? We need YOU!
Do not consider what you can do. What we need is your
desire to fulfill His call and your passion to love Him.
Be
With Us Always
How
important! We thank God for what we learned from our first
production way back in 1979. After hours of struggle in
the attempt to make a perfect recording without editing,
we discovered the accent of the broadcaster was a bit
too unbearable. The embarrassment was immediately reversed
by an unexpected request. "Let me try again. Please
sustain me by your continuous prayer to eliminate the
accent." Indeed, God worked a miracle! When the team
resumed recording in the downstairs dining room, a mother
with her three year old and five year old daughters prayed.
Unbelievable! God gave the mother the wisdom to lead a
game of intercession with the little girls. They took
turns calling upon His name for His help so that the broadcaster
could overcome her shortcomings. The presence of the Lord
was so amazing; and, thus, this started the rule of simultaneous
prayer that has been set for any recording here at CGBC.
Nothing
is too hard for God. We only need to ask! Ask and it shall
be given! We asked that His presence be with us and with
the listeners. It is His touch that transforms lives and
glorifies Him-this is our ultimate request.
Save
Us from Defeat
We
know we tread on enemy ground. The roaring lions can be
heard loud and clear while we fight on the offensive.
Lord, grant us unity and understanding. It is in stillness
and meekness that we can meet program deadlines in the
cities and cope with the constant requests for more production
to supply our coworkers in Australia for the dial-a-message
telephone broadcast: 365 messages in both Mandarin and
Cantonese. Lord save us from falling behind or even quitting
due to fatigue. In spite of shortages at times in terms
of manpower and resources, we look unto you, our ultimate
provider.
By
thy grace, may you see us faithful, fighting the good
fight, and finishing the race. And like Jeremiah
May We Run with the Horse
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