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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-428 * 4 FEBRUARY 2003 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN428-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Beauty in the midst of suffering
JN428-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Christian marriages and covenant relationships
JN428-3. NEWS BRIEF: Outreach to the poor in Malawi
JN428-4. RESOURCE: Seek God for the City 2003
JN428-5. RESOURCE: Asian Summit on the 10/40 Window
JN428-6. RESOURCE: The roots of Vineyard worship

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QUOTE: "A church can be structured for growth or control, but not both." (Rick Warren)
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JN428-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Beauty in the midst of suffering

In Malawi and Mozambique, in the midst of poverty and suffering, an unprecedented revival is going on. Missionaries Heidi and Rolland Baker report in their recent newsletter:

"We visit a little orphanage miles out of town on a rough dirt road, far from everything. One hundred ten children are here, living in a simple brick building under a tin roof. Their parents have all died from AIDS, malaria and cholera. They are trying to make maize grow by irrigating a field from their hand pump, but they can't even afford a pipe to carry the water. So they lay plastic in troughs they form in the dirt with their hands and guide the water into one furrow at a time. It's sizzling hot here too, but the children are in high spirits. We gather to hear them sing and testify, and their pure joy and delight in Jesus are a gift to our hearts. We know that they are supernaturally sustained in this destitute, barren refuge. No one is begging or complaining. No, they just worship.

Now Malawi has at least one million orphans. AIDS and malnutrition are combining to produce a greatly accelerated death rate. But God has His saints. We drive down to Pastor Nsapi's house way out in the bush near Nsanji, a grueling hour over washboard dirt and gravel roads. He's the one who lost five of seven children to starvation and disease in one month, and in response took in a dozen orphans and started building a stick and mud house for them. Now the house is finished, just a couple of rooms with dirt floors under thatch. We have some support for him now, and so I asked him what he needed. A pump for his well? School clothes and materials for his children? Well, he doesn't really know how to relate to money, but all he wants is to be able to take in three more children from down the road whose parents just died of AIDS. We will get him what he needs and more. He and his weathered wife gather their household together before their lonely huts under the billowing clouds of an approaching storm to dance and sing. They are happy and grateful, simple and childlike. They can celebrate like this for hours. We pray for them one by one. Here in the wilderness of Africa, we have found beauty.

LINK: http://www.irismin.org

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JN428-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Christian marriages and covenant relationships

In July last year Canadian prophet Pat Cocking shared a vision of a council of high ranking demons meeting in what appeared to be the second heaven, that were discussing in detail how to sabotage and destroy marriages and covenant relationships in the earth, especially those within the Christian community. These relationships included marriages, family, friendships, ministry, and business. Special assignments were being launched against leaders. The overall strategy was planned to weaken the moral and relational fibre of God's Kingdom expression in the earth.

It is important to stand and fight in this battle. The Lord revealed that for many it will be easy to give in and let relationships fail and fall due to the pressures, but He is calling us to stand and resist through the power of His love and faith. It is also vital that we do not take a defensive stand. An aggressive and offensive posture is necessary. Fear is NOT to grip our hearts. Tenacious love and faith towards the victory will motivate a plunge forward into establishing even stronger relationships than before this planned assault.

1. Pray that believers have keen discernment in the midst of this battle and that we do not war in the flesh.
2. Pray for the establishment of the banner of love over all relationships in the Body of Christ.
3. Pray for the manifestation of the Lord's blessing on marriages and families. Secure a 'safety net' in the Spirit over marriages and families (Psalm 91 will be helpful for this).
4. Believe for a spirit of reconciliation to be released to believers and for healing to come to broken relationships in the Body of Christ.
5. Pray for the release of aggressive love in the Body of Christ.
6. Pray protection over leaders in the Body of Christ. Believe for purity, favour and protected relationships on leadership teams.
7. In Jesus' name resist spirits of darkness that come to steal, kill and destroy. Pray life and health into relationships (John 10:10).
8. Pray for government leaders, politicians and economic leaders who might compromise purity standards for relationships.
9. Pray for a spirit of unity in the churches.
10. Confess 1 Corinthians 13 over the Body of Christ.
11. Pray for a release of the fear of the Lord concerning relationships.
12. Exalt the rule of Christ over relationships.

Source: The War Room

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JN428-3. NEWS BRIEF: Outreach to the poor in Malawi

On March 1-12, 2003, Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries will host a mass miracle crusade in Malawi, where a food crisis sweeping through southern Africa is poised to reach famine proportions. Observers expect it to become the single biggest famine of the last 60 years unless relief agencies, churches and divine help intervene. Bentley says the Holy Spirit told him to not only preach the Gospel, but also to have faith for the feeding of 100 thousand starving people everyday on the crusade grounds during the event. More information: jmacgirvin@aol.com.

Source: Fresh Fire Ministries

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JN428-4. RESOURCE: Seek God for the City 2003

WayMakers has released Seek God for the City 2003, a prayer guide for spiritual awakening that has helped thousands of Christians learn to pray in biblical hope for the people in their communities. The prayer guide is dated to unite prayer among believers during each of the 40 days leading to Palm Sunday (Mar. 5-Apr. 13, 2003).

LINK: http://www.waymakers.org

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JN428-5. RESOURCE: Asian Summit on the 10/40 Window

An Asian Summit on the 10/40 Window is planned in Indonesia on May 15-22, 2003. Beverly Pegues writes: "This summit is an in-depth training meant to impact and transform the nations of the 10/40 Window with the Gospel. Two special conferences will be integrated in this year's summit: a 'Praying With Power Conference' for prayer leaders and intercessors, and a 'Women's Summit' for women called to minister in the 10/40 Window. More information: Cynthia Johnson <cjohnson@win1040.com>.

Source: NPPN

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JN428-6. RESOURCE: The roots of Vineyard worship

Vineyard has long been known for its worship. But what was it like in the early days, when John and Carol Wimber had first gotten saved in a small little Quaker church? Why did worship play such a central part of Vineyard from the beginning? What was it God was doing? An interview with Carol Wimber in Cutting Edge, Vineyard's magazine for churchplanters.

LINK: http://makeashorterlink.com/?T28012AE2

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COLOPHON

Joel News International is a leading special interest bulletin on prayer, church growth and revival. We offer a keen selection of the most encouraging news reports, the most challenging developments and the best resources from over 100 reliable sources in six continents. Joel News International is a great help and time-saver for thousands of Christian leaders and intercessors in over 120 nations.

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