Global Christian media ministry TWR received the International Strategic Partnership Award from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association at the 69th annual NRB Convention & Exposition in Nashville, Tenn. February 18-21. Three of TWR’s partner ministries or affiliated organizations were also presented awards.

“TWR is humbled and honored to receive such a distinguished award,” says TWR President/CEO Lauren Libby. “We thank NRB for recognizing our ministry’s role in partnering with other missions-minded agencies to reach the world for Jesus Christ.”

Other TWR-affiliated honorees include Dr. Stoyko Petkov of Studio 865 in Sofia, Bulgaria (Individual Achievement in International Broadcasting Award); ERF Germany (International Television Ministry Award); and online outreach Jesus.net (International Innovation Award).

Born in 1966 into a Christian family in Bulgaria, Dr. Petkov founded Studio 865 following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Studio 865, a TWR partner organization for Bulgaria, began producing radio programs and then in established a Christian newspaper. Ultimately, Roma (Gypsy) radio broadcasts were added and along with a weekly Christian television program. These days, Studio 865 utilizes television, radio, Internet and printed media to encourage the Christian community in Bulgaria and to address the needs of those yet to accept Christ.

Established in 1959 as Evangeliums-Rundfunk (“Evangelical Broadcasting”), ERF began airing Christian programming over radio two years later. Today, ERF has expanded into television and the Internet. ERF 1, the ministry’s 24/7 TV channel, is viewed across Europe by satellite. A wide range of Christian programming for believers and unbelievers alike includes talk shows, documentaries, music, magazine-style programs, teaching and drama. ERF’s ministry is financed exclusively through donations.

Jesus.net is known for Internet evangelism, striving to connect the spiritually curious individuals with Christians and to empower local churches and Christians to disciple them both online and offline. This is accomplished in conjunction with national partners, churches and individuals. The goal of Jesus.net involves a world in which every person has free access to God’s Word, knows him, grows in Jesus Christ and shares faith.

The NRB Media Awards are designed to encourage excellence in production, service to the community, faithfulness to the mission, commitment to the gospel and personal integrity. Discover more about NRB at www.nrb.org

Catch the video of TWR receiving the award!

(Reproduced from www.twr.org)

We would like to introduce the newest additions to the TWR-Asia family, Daryl and Gaynelle Renshaw!

Daryl and Gaynelle are TWR missionaries from Florida, USA, and Daryl is joining TWR-Asia as the new Director of the Asia Regional Support Services.

“Gaynelle and I are excited about the vision that God has given to the TWR team for Asia, and we are excited to be a part of that,” said Daryl. “We are looking forward to working with the other team members as they carry out their responsibilities, and building deeper relationships with the team both here in Singapore and the ministry teams in the other countries.”

Even though they have been here a couple of times during the last few months, the team made a little “banner” this morning to welcome them officially on their first day with us!

Join us in wishing Daryl and Gaynelle a warm welcome to Singapore (literally), and to TWR-Asia!
 

It also seeks to explain briefly, the background behind certain practices which we still observe in some churches.

There are also suggested study and reflection questions to help us apply the scripture passages to our lives.

Note: You may make copies for your personal use. If you know of people who may be blessed by this compilation, do feel free to share this reading plan with them. However, do not make changes to, or lift information from this compilation without consulting with Dr Koh.

I had just finished my 10th grade exams, and had not even gotten my results when my parents found a boy for me and made me marry him.

My husband was eight years older than me and had a drinking habit. My life became miserable because of it, and I prayed to the gods to deliver me from this unbearable situation but nothing seemed to change in my life.

My husband usually came home late at night. As I did not go out to work, I would listen to the radio to pass the time.

One night, while I was alone at home, I turned on the radio and happened to listen to a program in the Marathi language. Listening to it, I realized that the presenter was dealing with the subject of day to day problems. I also found out that the problem he was talking about, was the same one that I was facing.

After fifteen minutes, the preacher shared how the Lord Jesus could help to solve these problems. He shared the solutions step-by-step, and said that if we received the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, He would deal with the problem and give us victory over that problem.

I desperately wanted peace in my life. I was not happy. I had no future before me. But for the first time, I have hope because of this Jesus. I believed in Him and cast all my burdens upon Him.

The next day I eagerly waited to listen to the program again. When the time came, I tuned in. This time, I started listening to the program from the beginning.

The program that day really touched my heart and brought me closer to Jesus. I prayed in His name and opened my heart again before Him. I experienced the fatherly touch of the Lord and also experienced His presence.

I became a regular listener of this program and requested my husband to listen to it as well. God’s Word is living and active, and He changed my husband too!

My husband left all his bad habits, and got a good job. God also blessed me with three children. Jesus came into my life and changed my whole destiny. I praise God for all His blessings!

Help TWR share the true hope that can only be found in Jesus, to listeners in India.

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”" — Matthew 16:16

In one of the Bible study trips to Israel which I led, a mother joined us with her two young daughters. One of them tended to wander away as she liked to explore new places and see new things.

I offered to help keep an eye on the girl as it was crowded in certain places and she might lose her way. I joked that the best way to not lose each other was for us to be tied together. Literally.

The mother was game for it, so we tied our wrists together with a short cord for fun. But what do you know? It worked! Throughout the trip, I never lost the girl even once.

One day, during the trip, I was speaking with her when out of the blue, she suddenly said in half in jest, “If you lose me, you would wish you were never born.”

It was said in the context of the close relationship she had with her father, and how protective he was of his daughters. Later, when I got to know her dad, I understood the statement, and was amazed at how well his daughters knew him. As I was thinking about her spontaneous statement, it led me to a profound truth.

Nearing the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He led the disciples to a quiet place. In Caesarea Philippi, he asked them a profound question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples reported what others were saying about Him. But Jesus wanted to know “…who do YOU say that I am.”

Immediately, Peter said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What a profound answer! Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed One. He was prophesied in the Old Testament. But the emphasis was also placed on Jesus being “Son of the living God”.

The Jews often described their God as the living God in contrast to dead idols. By referring to God this way, Peter left no doubt about the God who is the Father of Jesus.

This spontaneous and truthful exclamation shows what a personal knowledge Peter had of Jesus. He had been with Jesus since the beginning of His ministry. This statement is a result of three years learning from Jesus.

The girl who was “tied” to me for six days in Israel knew her father well. Peter also knew Jesus well. What about you? How well do you know Jesus?

If someone were to ask you about Jesus and who he is, what would your answer be?

To really know someone, you must spend time together. Occasional brief encounters will not do. Also, you must have “quality time”. How much time do you spend with Him? How do you spend your time with Him?

God makes Himself known to us through His written Word. So, I trust that you will get to personally know Him, by reading, studying and responding to the Bible.
 

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In his first few text messages, he said that he had been struggling in his spiritual life. He admitted that he had been an active youth leader in his church, but for some reasons, he had lost his way. He was influenced by his friends and he became “one of them” in their vices. He had “gone wild” and thought that he had found the thrill of being young. He added that his church friends kept visiting him, but he had become cold towards them.

However, one day, while he was listening to the radio, he heard our program. He said that he felt something bringing him back to his senses, and started crying for no reason. This was when he sent his first SMS telling us to pray for him — for God to forgive him and bring him back to His side.

He said that since then, he has been following our program which has given him enlightenment and hope that all is not lost. He has continued to communicate with us via text messages asking for prayer and advice.

In his final text message, he finally revealed his identity. This is what he said:

“Good evening to you brother. I am John Mark, and I am 16-years-old. I am the one who has been texting you about my spiritual struggle. I had lost my faith, but now I am back on track. I thank you, because through your program, I have been awakened from my “deep sleep”. I have renewed my commitment to God, and I am encouraging other young people to attend our church and participate in our activities. May God continue to bless you and your program. Thank you again.”

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John Mark’s story does not end here. As with other young believers, there will be more struggles and challenges he will face. But as his request says, let’s continue praying that he continues to overcome these challenges, so that he can also reach others for Christ.

Consider giving to TWR-Philippines’ ministry so that many more people in the Philippines like John Mark may come to experience God’s love.

During that time, I noticed many women started coming to our house, and I heard my mother assuring them that they would be sent to the Middle East to get jobs. I learnt that she worked as an agent, and I was happy that things were getting better at home.

One day, everything changed suddenly. The police came to my house and arrested my mother for human trafficking. After a long process, she was put in prison for 10 years. I had to take care of my brother and there was no one to take care of us. People used to think badly of us and they hated us. Nobody wanted to have anything to do with us.

From time to time, my mother would call us on the phone. During one of these phone calls, she told us that she was happy in prison and that she had the opportunity to learn sewing from a class started by TWR-Nepal.

She also she shared that through the training, she learnt about Jesus Christ. She had accepted Jesus as her personal savior, and expressed that she wanted us to know Him as well.

She told me about this children’s program called Balfulbari. From that day on, I started listening to Balfulbari over the local FM station. From the program, I learnt many things.

I was most touched when I learned that we children are very precious in the sight of the Lord, and that he will never leave us even if other people hated us. Our names are written on his hands and he knows everything about us.

This program touched my heart and brought me comfort in difficult times. It is also very effective in sharing the gospel with children. I am telling my friends in school about this Nepali children’s program, and now, six of us gather to listen to Balfulbari regularly!

I do not know whether my mother is really a trafficker, but I thank God that she had the golden opportunity to know the Lord Jesus Christ in prison. Now, I am waiting for her release so that my mother and I can go to church together.

I would like to thank the entire Balfulbari team for producing this program which comforts and nourishes me in Christ. God bless you richly. Thank you!

“It doesn’t matter. I would rather they love and treat me nicely everyday of the year, not just take me for a dinner on my birthday.”

What was interesting was that these two friends of mine do not know each other. My friends desire affection that displays loyalty. They want something that is not fleeting, but permanent.

Scripture speaks of different kinds of love. Two Greek words are used frequently to express the thought of Christian love, “agape” and “phileo”. The former refers to God’s love for men. The latter represents tender affection one for another.

Two other Greek words, “eros” and “storge” are used in more secular ways.

“Eros” is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing.

“Storge” is used in two ways: a) as natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring; or b) to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in “loving” those who mistreat you.

Tomorrow the world will be celebrating Valentines’ Day. Thousands of dollars will be spent on showing some kind of affection, especially to the opposite gender. It originated with some Christian ideals, but over the years has devolved to a secular celebration.

The word love and its expressions have, unfortunately, become rather flippant. Even the love of a husband and wife is under threat. The Christian wedding vow which says “till death do us part” has, in some instances, been changed, to our horror, to read “so long as we both shall love”.

Paul in the great chapter of love, 1 Corinthians 13, spoke of love as the greatest of the Christian gifts. We are reminded that whatever we say or do, the effort is worthless if love is not present.

In life, people can be cruel but the passage reminds us that we are not to reciprocate. “Love does not
take into account a wrong suffered…” Positively, Paul taught that as a born again believer, we are to rise above all things with the kind of love that “…rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes the truth…endures all things.”

As Christians we are to “…love one another, for love is from God…” (1 John 4: 7), yet it is one of the hardest things to do. In school, the workplace and even at home there is frequently a breakdown of love. It’s not always easy to love. Yet, we are to love friends, colleagues, parents, siblings, and even enemies. And it is not just an expression of love shown on certain days, but every day.

That is why my two friends desire that their family love them daily and not only on their birthdays.

How do you love those around you? Lots of money spent on a person doesn’t always speak of one’s true love.

Love, as the Father loves us and has taught us to love. Think of appropriate and creative ways to show love to those around you — not just on Valentine’s day but everyday.
 

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” — John 14:3

I remember that, as a child, I would get rather upset when my parents went out without me. But each time, they reminded me that they would be gone only a little while, and would be back soon. But “soon” was sometimes not quick enough.

Whenever I heard a sound from outside, I would run to the window to see if they had returned. If I didn’t see them, I would go back to whatever I was doing. This scene would be repeated each time I heard a sound. I couldn’t wait to have them come home.

The anticipation of catching sight of them was exhilarating. But when would they arrive?

Now as an adult, I still dislike temporary separations from loved ones. I have that same anticipation when waiting for their return, especially from an overseas trip.

More than just waiting, I would be busy putting the house in order. I might even cook a special ‘welcome home’ meal. Once all that is done, I will go to the airport to meet them. At the airport, I will join the hundreds of people at the arrival hall who are watching and waiting for friends and family to arrive.

When there is an announcement of an arrival, there will be a buzz of excitement in the air. It seems I am not the only one who cannot wait to see the person I’ve been waiting for.

When Jesus told his disciples that he was going away, they were troubled. They had lived and traveled with Jesus for three years, and had learned lots from him. He was always there for them. Having been under the dictatorship of Rome, they had hoped for a new ruler. They had put their hope in Jesus. But this same Jesus was leaving them. Sensing their uneasy hearts, Jesus promised, “…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again…”

He is coming again! He has gone to prepare a place for us, and he will return to receive us. What a wonderful, comforting thought to know that Jesus is returning to take us home to Himself.

But when is he coming back for us?

Matthew 24:36 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels…nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

I can’t wait for Jesus to come back! Like in my childhood days, while waiting for my parents to return home, or as an adult getting ready for a loved one coming home, I am waiting for Christ’s return.

The word “waiting” is not a passive verb where one does nothing. It’s an active verb, suggesting that one is busy while anticipating His return. While “waiting”, I am busy going about my Father’s business.

Are you waiting for Him to come again? How are you living your life for Him? What are you doing while waiting? In what way are you going about the Father’s business?
 

My troubled mind not only had no peace, but had many unpleasant thoughts. And it kept going, until the Lord nipped the issue.

Scripture records the story two brothers who made offerings to God. But one brought a sacrifice, over and above the offering.

Cain and Abel had both made offerings to God, but Abel did what was instructed by God. He brought an animal sacrifice. We are told that “The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Genesis 4:4-5)

Jealousy set in. Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. His anger led to murder when he killed his brother Abel.

When Cain’s countenance fell, it was more than just a sad facial expression. What was in the heart made the difference. Jealousy led to anger. From being angry, he became very angry.

You know what it’s like when you are angry. You may show it on your face. You may think unkind thoughts. You may even plan and plot undesirable strategies. The problem can get deeper and darker. If not checked, you can be in the midst of a miry clay.

When Cain became angry God gave him a warning, “If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

God is always gracious. He never desires any of His children to fall into sin. As He spoke to Cain, He will speak to us through His Word. He will caution us.

But Cain did not heed God’s warning. He succumbed to sin.

What kind of situation are you facing that is causing you to be angry? You might excuse it as justifiable anger, but anger is sin against God.

Think of the words from this song:

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Thank God that when we sin, His mercy has given us an antidote in 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness.”

By our own strength we cannot master sin. But the Holy Spirit in us can remind and help us not to give in to sin.

Ask the Savior to help you
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you
He is willing to aid you
He will carry you through.