From BGEA Regarding Myanmar

May 8, 2008

Dear Friend,

I am currently in Asia, and the news of Myanmar’s devastating Cyclone Nargis is on every TV and newspaper. As I write, the death toll is reported at nearly 23,000, but some believe it could be as high as 100,000. More than 42,000 people are reported missing, and up to 1 million may have lost their homes after a 12-foot storm surge swept away entire villages.

In this time of great suffering, will you please join us in praying for the thousands of victims?

Please pray:

· For the survivors who are without safe shelter, food, and clean water

· That the government will allow outside relief groups to bring much-needed aid

· That the people of Myanmar will turn to Jesus Christ for the hope and comfort only He can provide

Myanmar is bordered by China, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh, and more than 90 percent of the population does not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is our prayer that many would find new life in Him and be able to join with the psalmist in saying: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1–3, NIV).

Please visit billygraham.org in the coming days for updates on how you can pray for the devastated people in Myanmar. And please forward this to as many people as you can.

Thank you for your prayers. May God bless you.

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham
President

Kelsey Smith, 18-Year-Old Brutally Murdered

Amidst the overblown news about Paris Hilton and the underreported news about the G8 Summit and friction between President Bush and Russian President Putin was the sad story about an 18-year-old abducted and murdered in cold blood. Fortunately, the suspected perpetrator was caught and will face trial.

During this difficult period, the parents will be grieving and attempting to reassemble their lives while following the lengthy legal process.

The Smith family will require support... and if you would like to be an instrument of the compassion of Jesus Christ, then here are a couple ways that you can support this family:

First, lift them up before the Lord in prayer. That is, of course, the most logical thing a Christian can do.

Secondarily, reach out to touch them with financial support. There are two funds established... you may wish to support one or both.

Those who wish to make memorial contributions can send them to:

Kelsey Smith Fund
First State Bank
PO Box 5188
Kansas City, KS 66119

Another fund has been set up to help the Smith family. Contributions can be sent to:

Kelsey Smith Family Support
Metcalf Bank
PO Box 4249
Overland Park, KS 66204

Seek the Lord to see what He would have you do for this family in their time of tragedy and loss.

Pray for the People of Kansas

The video above is a close-up look at the tornado that wreaked so much havoc in Kansas. Remember to pray this week for those families who lost houses and possessions; including some priceless heirlooms and sentimental items that are irreplaceable. And especially, those who lost friends and loved ones.

Father in heaven, we pray Your peace and comfort over all those who have suffered loss from this devastating storm. We realize that Your word tells us that satan comes to steal, kill and to destroy... but You have sent Jesus that we might have life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows. May those who have suffered loss be comforted as they see Your hand move in restoring their possessions and their lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Study:
Psalm 86:17 | Psalm 91 | Numbers 6:24-26 | John 10:10

Five Minutes of Wisdom

Our latest podcast from The Powerhouse Ministry is embedded below for your listening pleasure:

You can hear more free audio... and get our teaching on CD, at The Powerhouse Ministry Web Site.

The Deadliest Shooting in U.S. History

We are sure none of the students in Blacksburg Virgnia realized on a Monday morning that a murderous rampage would leave 33 of their classmates dead and over 20 wounded. President Bush and members of Congress expressed their surprise and grief at a senseless tragedy.

The perpetrator of this crime killed himself as the police closed in on him. And the sad thought... where is this young man now? The Bible tells us, in Hebrews 9:27 [AMP]

And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment

That young man was deceived by satan into thinking he could murder dozens of innocent people and escape judgment by killing himself. What he failed to realize was that by killing himself he did not escape judgment. Rather, he walked right into judgment. While we are alive on this earth, we can confess our sins and repent to receive God’s forgiveness. God sent Jesus into the world to save the world (John 3:16-17).

You can accept Jesus and have eternal life, or reject Him and wind up in the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 [AMP] says:

But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.

Death is inevitable. Hell is not. God can and will forgive your sins if you come to Him and ask.

Give your life to Jesus... because life is short... and eternity is a long, long, long time!

Brotha DC