"A New Generation of Christians Rising Up in Albania" & "Putting 'Stuff' in Perspective" ( Joyce Meyer - VIDEO )

A New Generation of Christians Rising Up in Albania

Albania is a nation full of oppressive political and religious history. In the same places where you can trace the steps of the apostle Paul, you can see the evidence of communism, forced atheism, the rise of Islam and underground bunkers built because of fear.

But you can also see a new movement beginning to break forth... the rise of young Christians, on fire for the Lord.

Small in number, they are slowly but surely reaching this nation for Christ. It's something you're helping them do through your support of Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World Missions.
Reaching First-Generation Christians

Albania was ruled as an atheist communist nation for nearly 50 years, so the country is experiencing a new beginning in their freedom of religion. Many of the Christians in Albania are first-generation Christians–they are young in their faith and in desperate need of spiritual growth and education.

That's why your support is so important in this country. You're providing Joyce's books and the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs in their native language–tools Hand of Hope is using to help reach the lost and encourage believers to grow and thrive in their young faith.

It's also why the work of Hervin and Sedika, pastors in the capital city of Tirane, is so vital. They are responsible for handling the translation of Joyce's books in Albania. Sedika personally translates the books and then the couple distributes them to Radio 7, a Christian radio station, as well as to numerous churches and groups throughout the nation.

When their church started eight years ago, there were just five people. Hervin and Sedika knew they needed to do something to help reach the people. That's when Sedika started offering free English classes.

Using the Bible as her text, they would study and then talk about what they had just read. They never finished a complete course because people would get converted and join the church. Today there are 120 members in their church.

It's those new converts who are most thankful for Joyce's books. With few spiritual leaders available to reach this new generation of Christians, her books are used as discipleship tools to take people to a deeper level in their relationship with the Lord and understanding of Christianity.
A Lack of Spiritual Leaders

Sedika herself knows how much these resources mean. She often finds herself studying and learning more about what it means to be a Christian woman.

"Joyce's books are successful because she's true. I now see that I don't have to hide everything in my life. I felt like I needed to be a model and

behave good all the time. Her teachings have shown me that you find strength when you admit it and you try to change it."

Many of these young Christians are like Sedika–women mostly from a Muslim background, who for years were taught to be silent and not speak out. Their culture dictates this view of women. And although many groups in Albania are trying to remove this stigma placed on women, it is still difficult for many.

Sedika says that's why Joyce's messages are so importa

nt for the people in their nation: "She is willing to come into our lives and say, "I've gone through things and it's painful, but you're going to make it."
Committed to Reaching Albania

Hervin and Sedika, along with the many other pastors in Albania, know they have a long way to go to reach their entire country with God's message of hope, but they are willing to keep going no matter how long it takes.

"Success is small, especially in a Muslim country. Sometimes I get tired, but when one person gets converted, it energizes me for a year," shares Sedika.

Hervin and Sedika say it's a sunny season for Albania. The people are optimistic about the future and the hope of things to come.

You can join us to reach others like Hervin and Sedika with the support needed to get the message of Christ out to those who have not yet heard it. Live to share–donate today and receive a special gift as our way of saying thanks.

Putting 'Stuff' in Perspective

Putting 'Stuff' in PerspectiveI have always said that God wants us to have His best. His Word says that if we put Him first in our thoughts and priorities, He will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out His blessings on us (Malachi 3:10 NIV). And Matthew 6:33 tells us if we seek God first, then He will provide everything we need. He wants us to have and enjoy nice things. But He doesn't want things to have us.We should never let material things get ahead of God or become so important in our lives that we can't walk away from them if He tells us to. Anything you own that has a hold on you is a problem.Too many of us are addicted to "stuff." How many people don't have time for God because they have to work two jobs to keep up the payments on their boats, cars and flat screen TVs? How many of us have purchased things we didn't need and couldn't afford just because everyone else was doing the same thing?Things in themselves have no life in them. A car can't comfort or encourage you. A house means nothing if there's no life and love inside. Things cannot keep you happy. You may get an emotional thrill when you first buy something, but emotions are fickle. You buy that one thing you think will complete your happiness, but after awhile the feeling goes away and you have to go to the next thing. You just keep going from purchase to purchase looking for the one thing that will finally satisfy. But stuff can't satisfy. Only God can.We must remind ourselves that we are stewards, not owners. Everything we "own" should be available to God to bless and minister to other people. I remember a time years ago when somebody gave me a rhinestone bracelet that I thought was really pretty. I just loved that bracelet. After I had it awhile, God started nudging me to give it to someone in particular. I made all kinds of excuses to myself for not giving it to her…her wrist is too thin…she wears gold not silver…and on and on. (It's so easy to defend our selfishness!)Finally, reluctantly, I gave it to her telling her how hard it was to give it up, but that God had told me to. Every time I'd see her wear it, I just had to say something about it. Anyway, a month went by and I think she got tired of hearing me talk about it and said, "I believe God wants me to give this back to you." I was so happy to get it back. But whenever I would start to put it on after that, it didn't appeal to me anymore. I just didn't like it. God taught me a powerful lesson through that experience. He told me, Once I tell you to give something away, it no longer belongs to you, and if you keep it after that, it will never give you joy.Giving away that bracelet was a test. There are two tests you have to pass concerning money and things: how you act when you don't have any, and how you act when you have a lot. He will place people in your path who have exactly what you want. Or He'll ask you to give away something you love-and maybe to someone you don't even like. God tests all of us from time to time because He knows that it will help us grow in our relationship with Him and be able to really enjoy the abundant life Jesus died to give us as we learn to do what He's asking us to do with a good attitude.If God is number one in your life, there will be evidence of it in how you use your time and your money. Keep things in their right place. Don't ever let them get ahead of God.Deuteronomy 8:6-9 (NIV) says, "Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land-a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills… a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing….God wants to bless us, and He will give us everything we need if we will just put Him first. We are nothing without Him, and nothing we have will bring us real joy without Him. The day that God led me to understand this, was one of the best days of my life.
Author/teacher Joyce Meyer has been helping people overcome life's problems through biblical keys to practical Christian living since 1976. Her radio and television programs are broadcast throughout the United States and much of the world.

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