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The 700 Club: August 28, 2009

CBN News visits Yellowstone National Park. A woman survives spiritual abuse from a cult leader. Also, a marine is saved by the prayers of his mother.

Transcript

________________________________________ The 700 Club Daily Broadcast Friday, August 28, 2009 GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, welcome to The 700 Club. Recent polls show most Americans have turned against the President’s health care bill, and one group is being especially vocal. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That’s right. Senior citizens are speaking out against the bill, and they may make their voices heard in next year’s midterm elections. Jennifer Wishon has that story from Washington. CARE JENNIFER WISHON: Take a close look at the audiences at health care town hall meetings across the country. America's seniors make up a good portion of the crowds. It's a debate they can relate to, and they're making their voices heard. Man: You should put it on the national ballot. If the American people want health care reform, they vote for it. JENNIFER WISHON: Some seniors say if you like Medicare, which covers 38 million people, you'll like a public option. Woman: Real people end up dying every single day, because they don't get care need, and we need to have a strong public option. JENNIFER WISHON: A recent Rasmussen poll found that 67 percent of those under 30 favor the health care bill, but 56 percent of those over 65 oppose it. For some, the fear lies in too much government control. Man: We are afraid we're going to lose some of what we fought for all those years in this new health care bill. JENNIFER WISHON: For others, the legislation is just too complex. Woman: Why on earth are you producing a health care bill that has so many pages in it and such complex wording that we can't understand it? JENNIFER WISHON: But analysts say what's really driving concerns is a still sluggish economy and a growing national debt. Man: My one word to these guys is simple: stop. Stop spending money. Stop playing this game. Stop trying to change a system that may not be perfect, but certainly could be better, but what they’re doing isn’t changing it for the better. JENNIFER WISHON: Some political analysts believe it’s good news for Republicans. Seniors are a large voting block, and they’re making the case against the bill more effectively than lawmakers ever could. Larry Sabato (Director, UVA Center for Politics): Most people know when politicians speak they're being sold a bill of goods. They're more inclined to listen to citizens they personally identify with. JENNIFER WISHON: Playing to the concerns of seniors, Republicans this week produced a “Seniors Health Care Bill of Rights,” promising to support reforms that do no harm to seniors. Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Washington. GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, it has become a very hot political issue. If it wasn’t already, it’s going to get even hotter. And then we’ll see the results from this are going to come up in these off-year elections that are currently going on in New Jersey and Virginia with the governors’ races, the statewide races. And then can they recover in the midterm? We’ll see. This is going to be something I think that we’re going to be debating for some time. And the President has already come out and said, “This is one of my top issues.” He wants to see some kind of health care legislation pass this year. And so please be participating. And if you have a chance to read this thing, boy, the current draft, you talk about legalese and complexity, it’s got a lot of it. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Is that done on purpose? GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, I was a lawyer for ten years. Well, I’m still a lawyer. And we used to joke that every time Congress did something, it was a lawyer and accountant relief act that just gave us more business. And I just see that coming here. For whatever reason, the wording of bills tends to be incredibly complex. And if you’re having trouble sleeping, just try reading the IRS code. It will put you out in ten minutes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: I’m sure that’s true. GORDON ROBERTSON: And the average American, and I’m a lawyer, I can’t read the IRS code anymore. And I’ve determined I need an expert to help me file my tax returns every year. We as a culture have intentionally made it very complex. And there was a move 20 years ago, “can we simplify? Can we simplify?,” and that seemed to go away. We need to simplify. Well, Lee Webb has the rest of our top stories from the CBN Newsroom. Lee. SEX ED LEE WEBB: Gordon, the United Nations is advising governments all over the world to give explicit sexual information to children as young as five. The UN Economic, Social and Cultural Organization issued its recommended sex education curriculum for kids up to the age of 18. And Lorie Johnson has the story. LORIE JOHNSON: The UN insists their international guidelines for sexuality education are age-appropriate, but some mental health experts say the recommendations target children who are too young. For instance, the UN recommends five to eight-year-olds learn about self-gratification and gender violence. Dr. Linda Mintle (Family Therapist): They wouldn't understand what you're talking about. They have no interest in those issues at that age, and I think all it would do would be to confuse them. And it's just utter lunacy in my opinion to be even talking about that at that age. LORIE JOHNSON: The guidelines recommend teaching nine-year-olds the “safety of abortion, the positive and negative effects of aphrodisiacs, and about homophobia, transphobia and abuse of power.” Fifteen-year-olds would learn their right to and access to safe abortion. Dr. Linda Mintle: And what really is behind this in my opinion is it's not so much to educate the children on sexual issues. It's really a political ideology that is being forced onto these kids without parents understanding what is happening and in the guise of sex education. And I think that's very harmful to kids. LORIE JOHNSON: The UN defends the age appropriateness of the sex ed recommendations by saying, “In a world affected by HIV and AIDS, there is an imperative to give children the knowledge, skills and values to understand and make informed decisions.” Lorie Johnson, CBN News. HOME-SCHOOL RULING LEE WEBB: A New Hampshire court has ruled that a ten-year-old Christian girl can no longer be homeschooled by her mother. The girl’s parents are divorced, and the court cites the father’s concerns about the child’s strong religious beliefs. The court says public school would expose her to other points of view. But the Alliance Defense Fund is asking the court to reconsider the ruling. GRAPHIC: ON THE PHONE Mike Johnson (Alliance Defense Fund): The US Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed, and this is quoting the court, that the rights of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody and control of their children are fundamental rights. And what that means is the government cannot intervene. It cannot usurp the authority and decisions of parents in sensitive matters like the education of their children. LEE WEBB: The court acknowledges, though, that the girl’s mother has more than kept up with the public schools in teaching her daughter. SOUTHERN BAPTIST FUTURE LEE WEBB: A leader in the Southern Baptist Convention is worried about an exodus of young people from the church. Dr. Albert Mohler says about two-thirds of young American evangelicals are leaving the church between adolescence and adulthood. And he says in most churches, young people have only received what he calls a “vaccination” or a “low dose” of Christianity, and it hasn’t transformed their lives. And he says many of those churches are treating doctrine and theology as dirty words. GRAPHIC: ON THE PHONE Albert Mohler (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary): If you’re really looking for authentic Christianity, if you’re swimming like a tadpole against the strain of a secular society, you don’t want a little dab of doctrine. You don’t want a little bit of theology. You need the whole thing to give you the resources necessary for you to live a faithful Christian life, to be able to defend the Christian Gospel on the university campus, to be able to explain, even connecting the dots in your own mind and heart as to how biblical truths are related together. LEE WEBB: Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He also believes the churches need to stop segregating young people from the rest of the congregation, especially during worship. GENE THERAPY FOR UNBORN LEE WEBB: Scientists are one step closer to weeding out inherited diseases from babies. The London Independent reports researchers are working on a new technique that would swap genes in unfertilized eggs. Once fertilized, the embryos would be implanted in women through in vitro fertilization. Scientists have had success testing this procedure in monkeys. Now they want to conduct clinical trials on people. And they may be able to do that through a provision in the law. The gene therapy is banned in Britain due to safety concerns and ethical issues. British officials are worried that the therapy might one day lead to designer babies. Gordon. GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, I think the therapy will lead to designer babies, and I think we’re closer to that than we really think. And regardless of where the United States or Great Britain tries to ban this research, you’ll be able to find a laboratory somewhere in the world that will take this on and say, “We can produce better human beings, and we can select for intelligence, and we can select for strength and speed, and we can select for beauty. We can create a master race.” That I think is much closer than any of us think. And as much you’ll want to try to legislate and try to prohibit that kind of thing, because it does mean different classes of people at that point in time, I see it coming. TERRY MEEUWSEN: The truth of the matter is, the genie is out of the bottle already in this one. And you know what’s always behind it is money. Somebody is going to make a lot of money on this. So don’t expect people’s ethics to rule. GORDON ROBERTSON: I think there may be an idealism behind it as well, that if we can do this, if we can somehow make ourselves better, then the world would be better. A utopian dream could be unleashed with this. Stuff we used to read about in fiction books is on its way. TERRY MEEUWSEN: The problem is, it remains to be seen what else will be unleashed with this. GORDON ROBERTSON: Right. And with that, are you going to unleash genetically designed diseases along with it? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Watch it. Watch it. It’s coming. GORDON ROBERTSON: Right. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Well, up next, take a tour of the world’s largest mega volcano. Man: That’s 6,000 times larger than Mount Saint Helens. TERRY MEEUWSEN: We’ll show you where it is and why its next eruption could be one the planet will never forget. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GRAPHIC: SOLDIER SON GORDON ROBERTSON: Coming up later, when her son went to war, she was ready for anything. Woman: No matter what happened, he would be okay. GORDON ROBERTSON: Except this: Woman: He had been shot through the head by a sniper. The bullet went in here and out the back of his head. And I am freaking out. GORDON ROBERTSON: How this mom battled back . . . . Woman: I don’t even know how we made it through the night. GORDON ROBERTSON: . . . . and saved her son. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 1: SYNVISC Announcer: If you have osteoarthritis knee pain, Synvisc One treats it right at the source and helps you get back to doing the things you love. Synvisc One is the only treatment that can give you up to six months of pain relief with just one injection. It’s a natural substance similar to healthy joint fluid that lubricates and cushions your joint and relieves pain without the serious side effects that pain pills can have. For your free information kit, call 1-800-211-9223. Synvisc One may not work for everyone. Before beginning treatment, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds, such as feathers, eggs or poultry, or if your leg is swollen or infected. The most common side effects are temporary pain, stiffness, swelling and fluid buildup in and around the knee. Synvisc One has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. To learn more, call this number, go online or ask your doctor about Synvisc One. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEXT DAY PROMO GRAPHIC: LEX LUGER GORDON ROBERTSON: Monday. Announcer: Lex Luger is the heavyweight champion of the world! GORDON ROBERTSON: Former pro wrestler Lex Luger talks about life as champ. Lex Luger: There’s like almost literally a party every night. GORDON ROBERTSON: The price of fame . . . . Lex Luger: I wanted to come home and just be Lawrence Pfohl with my family, and then I’d go back out and put my costume on and go out and be Lex Luger. GORDON ROBERTSON: . . . . and the time he met his match. Lex Luger: A person I was friends with had just died in my arms. GORDON ROBERTSON: Next week on The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s most fascinating places to visit. Not many people know it’s also a mega volcano, one that may kill as many as a billion people over the earth. Well, thankfully, as Paul Strand reports, that may not happen for thousands of years. FOCUS: YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO PAUL STRAND: Millions of people come to Yellowstone every year, looking in wonder at grizzlies and geysers, majestic wildlife poised like living sculptures on hillsides, giant soaring birds that might swoop above or below you in this mountainous terrain. The thing is, it all rests on what you could call a slowly ticking time bomb, one that might take hundreds of thousands of years to blow. But blow it will, because Yellowstone is the world's largest mega volcano, 53 miles across, and it has produced the planet's most monstrous eruptions. Here is some of Yellowstone’s lava up close. But now looking into the distance, imagine the awesome and horrifying sight as that massive caldera that stretches out for dozens of miles erupted in the largest explosion in all of earth's history. It left a crater, also known as a caldera, so many miles across you could drop Tokyo in the middle and have room left over. Yellowstone geologist Hank Heasler says that mega explosion blasted 600 cubic miles of molten rock out of this ground and shot up enough volcanic ash to bury all New York City under a mile of the sandy stuff. Hank Heasler (Yellowstone N.P. Geologist): That's 6,000 times larger than Mount Saint Helens. PAUL STRAND: Documentaries from Discovery to History Channel to BBC have all imagined what it would look like if it happened again. All of Yellowstone's natural beauty, any wildlife that hadn't fled, any humans unfortunate enough to be within dozens of miles would be annihilated. Ash clouds would spread across much of the US. A Geological Society of London report states so much sulphuric acid would be created in the atmosphere, it would block sunlight and plunge earth's temperature anywhere from nine to 15 degrees for years. As the report puts it, “Such events could result in the ruin of world agriculture, severe disruption of food supplies and mass starvation. The effects could be sufficiently severe to threaten the fabric of civilization.” And that’s what could lead to possibly a billion casualties. And if all of this sounds like science fiction, the same report predicts the effects of another super-eruption would be like an asteroid half a mile wide hitting the earth. But will it happen here in Yellowstone again? Heasler says since the mega eruptions, the caldera has been filled in by some 80 smaller eruptions that spewed up lava. It's inevitable more will come. Hank Heasler: We know those are in Yellowstone's future. But the big, super volcanoes, we do not know. PAUL STRAND: Half of the world’s geysers are right here, the result of water superheated by a huge magma chamber four to six miles below the surface, America’s hottest hot spot. It’s what would cause the next mega explosion. And that threat is what keeps scientists locking GPS monitors on the park’s surface 24 hours a day and why they know the center of Yellowstone is rising about two inches every year. Hank Heasler: If we were getting about a yard per year, we would get real excited. PAUL STRAND: But most scientists say don’t worry about visiting Yellowstone, because signs of a coming catastrophic eruption would be clear weeks, maybe even decades or centuries, before the big blow. Until then, those millions of visitors can relax in a place where the buffalo truly do roam, unless they’re refusing to roam as they hang out in the middle of the road. These visitors bask their senses in the world’s first national park and one of the largest, as big as Delaware and Rhode Island combined, big enough to make you feel like you might be the only person around, big enough to dazzle the eye with thousands of stunning landscapes. But even without a mega eruption, there's still deadly danger around. The docile looking bison hurt more people every year than the bears do. And those beautiful, some would say inviting, pools of bubbling water and sprightly geysers? Cheryl Jaworowski: Some of them are very acidic like battery acid, and it can be hot battery acid. PAUL STRAND: Geologist Cheryl Jaworowski says there is a dangerous beauty to the park’s geothermal features, even more dangerous than those bears. Cheryl Jaworowski (Yellowstone N.P. Geologist): There have been five times as many people that have died from interacting with the thermal features than bears and about ten times as many people that have been injured. PAUL STRAND: So with no mega eruptions signally they’re on the way, all visitors need to worry about is respecting the dangers that are here. And as long as they do that, then Yellowstone is a wonder to behold, not a threat to fear. Paul Strand, CBN News, reporting from Yellowstone National Park. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: America is beautiful. I don’t know if you had a chance this summer to go out to one of the national parks, but I would encourage you to. You get out of cities and start looking at what God created, but then you start to appreciate as well just how fragile things are. We’re spinning on a water ball at the edge of the Milky Way, and it’s absolutely miraculous that life is here, that we are here. But it’s incredible. Let the heavens declare the glory of God for you and just go out and spend some time. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. It really is breathtaking, isn’t it? GORDON ROBERTSON: Yes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, coming up, a mother raises an e-mail army to pray for her wounded son. Woman: The response that I was getting from people, they just were so uplifted and encouraged by what was going on, knowing that we sent out this prayer, and we got the answer to it. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Watch as this mom’s prayer sets off a chain of miracles, when we come back. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GRAPHIC: ESCAPING THE CULT GORDON ROBERTSON: Still ahead . . . . Woman: He promised all these grand, wonderful things, and I believed him. GORDON ROBERTSON: How this woman left a cult and lived to tell about it. Woman: I had a broken rib, black and blue eyes, a broken arm. GORDON ROBERTSON: Later on The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 2A: AMMED DIRECT Nicole Johnson: Hi, I’m Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999. I’ve had diabetes since 1993, and I hate boring food. Don’t you? Well, I got these three free cookbooks with fantastic tasting recipes for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and have Medicare or qualified insurance, you can get these cookbooks free. Announcer: Call now to qualify for not one, not two, but three free cookbooks. Call 1-800-746-6449. Nicole Johnson: You’ll love this rich, chocolate cake. It makes my mouth water. Plus, oven fried chicken and nachos. Yum! You’ll also get this free meal planning guide and this free diabetes magazine. So call now for your free Better Care kit with three free cookbooks. Announcer: To qualify, call 1-800-746-6449. That’s 1-800-746-6449. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 2B: EPIDUO Announcer: Day 87 and Tyler B. is still in that aisle, determined to find the answer for his acne. Man: Kid, get a life. Tyler: I’m trying. Man: The truth is acne, even when it’s mild, is a medical condition. Tyler: Huh? Man: Medical, as in doctor. Tyler: Oh. Announcer: And that’s how Tyler came to his senses, sort of, and learned about once a day prescription Epiduo gel. If you’re not getting the results you want, ask your doctor about Epiduo, two of the most doctor prescribed acne fighting ingredients in one gel medication, a product you can’t get in the acne aisle. Dryness, redness, peeling, stinging, burning or itching may occur. Don’t use irritating products when using Epiduo. Overexposure to sun, sunlamps, extreme wind or cold may increase the risk for irritation. Use of sunscreen and protective clothing is advised. Go to epiduo.com and learn how to pay no more than 20 dollars for your Epiduo prescription. To learn more about Epiduo gel, talk to your doctor, call or go to epiduo.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, as a soldier, John McClellan was wounded three times. The third time, doctors didn’t expect him to survive. But they didn’t know that John had a secret weapon: a mother with an army of her own. CONNIE MCCLELLAN Connie McClellan: It was mixed emotions. It was intense pride, but also some trepidation. However, again, I had that comfort that no matter what happened, he would be okay. GORMAN WOODFIN: Like so many mothers before her, Connie McClellan faced the uncertainty of war when her son John signed up to serve in the United States Marine Corps. Connie McClellan: When he left on that bus from the recruiter’s office, on that day when he went off to boot camp, that was tough. GORMAN WOODFIN: Since then, the 23-year-old lance corporal has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he has the medals to prove it. Since going to war, he’s received not one, but three purple hearts. The first came while he served in Afghanistan. Connie remembers it well. Connie McClellan: Our communication of choice was instant messaging, and so we were on the computer. And he was like, “Hi, Mom.” “Hi, John. How’s it going?” “Oh, it’s going good. How’s it going with you?” “Oh, it’s good.” And then he types, “Now don’t freak out, but I got my first purple heart today.” I’m like, “Whoa!” And the fingers are flying. I’m like, “Oh, my gosh! Are you okay?” He’s like, “Yes, yes, I’m okay. It’s okay. It’s okay.” I’m like, “Well, what happened?” “Well, a bullet ricocheted off the turret, and it grazed my wrist.” I’m like, “Oh, it just grazed your wrist?” “Yes, it just grazed my wrist.” I’m like, “Okay. Well, you’re okay? Okay.” “Yes.” Well, a couple days later I got another e-mail from him and come to find out it had imbedded in his wrist. So they had to do surgery to take that out. GORMAN WOODFIN: John soon returned to duty. Three days later he was shot again. Connie McClellan: “Well, we were in a firefight again, and this time the bullet went in my right arm and out the back.” And I am freaking out. I’m like, “Tell me about your arm. What’s going on? Tell me about your arm.” He’s like, “I’m fine. I’m fine, Mom, I’m fine.” And at this point, I don’t think he’s being truthful with me. I think he’s just trying to downplay it. But it did. It went in and out of his arm and didn’t hit, didn’t hurt anything. GORMAN WOODFIN: Fellow soldiers nicknamed him “Lucky.” Within two weeks, John was back in the turret, this time in Iraq. Connie McClellan: We got a phone call at 12:15 at night. And at that point, I’m thinking it’s John. Very quickly into the conversation I realized that it was not John. It was a doctor in the hospital in Balad, informing us that John had just sustained an extremely grave injury. He had just endured five hours of surgery. He had been shot through the head by a sniper. The bullet went in here and out the back of his head. At this point, he just said it was just a very grave injury, and he would have the doctor give us a call back in an hour. And the doctor did. He called us back in an hour. And his words to us were, “If he survives the brain swelling, which is our first immediate concern, he will not be the same and will more than likely be in a vegetative state.” GORMAN WOODFIN: The doctor told Connie her son had a 95 percent chance he wouldn’t make it. Connie McClellan: We were really in a state of shock. And in retrospect, I don’t even know how we made it through the night. GORMAN WOODFIN: She started e-mailing everyone she knew, asking them to pray for her son. Connie McClellan: I sent out the e-mail to them, told them what had happened, led them in prayer that God would heal John. And first that He would allow him to live, and then that He would heal him. GORMAN WOODFIN: People all over the world prayed, and the next day Connie received amazing news. Connie McClellan: Twenty-four hours to the minute after the first phone call, the doctor called back. And he indicated that John had done a 180 and that his condition was amazing. He was still unconscious, but they had given him all these tests, and he was testing positively. GORMAN WOODFIN: Even though John beat the odds, he still faced an uphill battle. He had lost the ability to control most of his bodily functions. He was transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Connie filled her e-mail prayer chain daily with very specific requests. Connie McClellan: When they took out that breathing tube, he could only speak with one vocal cord. So that was another prayer that we sent out asking God to heal that. And 45 days later it was healed. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t use his left arm. And there were so many really, really critical needs that he had. And we would send out those prayer requests for those needs, and either that day or that week or that month, and sometimes even that next year, we would get the answers to those prayers. GORMAN WOODFIN: Connie’s small e-mail prayer army grew from 80 people to 350. And over the course of the coming months, she sent out hundreds of e-mails. Connie McClellan: The doctors would come in, and this would be the report, and it would just be like, “Oh, praise the Lord!” And I’d have to share with everybody. And, oh my goodness, the response I was getting from people. They just were so uplifted and encouraged by what was going on, knowing that we sent out this prayer, and we got the answer to it. It just was such an encouragement to everybody who was plugged into this story. John McClellan: Well, I like to do all that physical kind of stuff. That’s what I used to like to do before. And when I first woke up in the hospital, that was my biggest fear. It was that I wasn’t going to be able to do any of that kind of stuff anymore. And so now that I can do it, I just do it as often as I can. GORMAN WOODFIN: John’s goal is clear. John McClellan: I want to try and go to college. My brain is still recovering, so I’ve got memory issues that I’m dealing with. But I think going to school is going to help me out. And having a degree wouldn’t hurt either. GORMAN WOODFIN: Connie has even developed a web site, so people can see a detailed account of her son’s incredible healing. John says the prayers of the people have affected his life. John McClellan: It makes me feel loved, one. And two, the prayers definitely paid off. I don’t think I would have made it this far if all those prayers didn’t work. Connie McClellan: It was prayer, in my opinion, that saved him the first injury, saved him the second injury, and it certainly saved him the third injury. But it also enabled him to recover to the extent that he has from that injury. And it was all one prayer at a time. We sent out one prayer at a time, and one answer at a time would come through. I look at him. I talk to him. I listen to him. And I just am so in awe of what God has done for this young man. Considering what the injury was, every day I’m in awe. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON TEACHES ON INTERCESSION GORDON ROBERTSON: It is awesome what God can do. Jesus tell us we ought to pray, and we ought to pray constantly. Men ought to pray and faint not. So often we don’t get results from prayer because we give up. We’re not looking at the long term, and we take the initial response or lack of response and say, “Well, okay, maybe it’s not God’s will for this to happen or we didn’t have enough faith.” We try to make excuses for it, and instead of praying on and praying through, we stop. I like to ask churches that I preach at, how many of you are intercessors? And it’s always amazing to see a scattering of hands that go up. Usually it’s from the women. And then I say, “Well, aren’t we supposed to be like Jesus? And wasn’t Jesus an intercessor? And therefore, aren’t all of us intercessors?” And once you get that message across, then every hand is raised. We need to increase our prayer life and specifically our concept of intercessory prayer. And what are the ingredients of it, how do you get there, what enables us to intercede? Here it is from Hebrews 7:25, . . . . GRAPHIC: Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV) Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. . . . . “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Get that picture in your head. Whenever you pray, get the picture in your head that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, and He is making intercession for you. You’re actually joining in with His prayers, and you are coming to the Father through Him. Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost. So what is your need? Have you been shot in the head? What is your need? He is able to save to the uttermost, because He always lives to make intercession. Now, what’s the kind of prayer that Jesus is making? Is it one of those nice prayers? Is it one of those easy prayers? No. He’s making intercessory prayer. And here is a picture of it. It’s from Luke 22, . . . . GRAPHIC: Luke 22:43-44 (NKJV) Then an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more ear- nestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. . . . . “Then an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” That’s the kind of prayer that Jesus is giving for you, giving for us. He always lives to make intercession. It’s that kind of agony prayer, that He is pleading. You saw the pleading in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Lord, if it be Thy will to take this cup away.” He asks it three times. Then an angel comes and strengthens Him, and He still prays all the more. Why? Because He is looking at the joy set before Him. And that is what is making Him endure the cross. If you’re engaged in ministry, if you’re a pastor, leader, if you’re engaged in ministry, the amount of effect of your ministry is dependent on the amount of your prayer. When Jesus entered His greatest ministry on the cross, He spent the night in prayer in Gethsemane. How many times in the Gospels do we see Him get away to be alone with the Father? How many times does He pray all night? How many times is He disappearing to go pray? He’s leaving the crowd behind. He’s leaving the busyness of ministry behind so that He can intercede, so He can be with the Father. And it’s from those times that ministry gets birthed. Otherwise, it’s based on human effort. It’s based on the flesh. It becomes our ministry and not God’s ministry. And when God energizes and when God strengthens, I don’t care what the obstacles are, you will see a resurrection. That’s what happened to Jesus Christ. He is our example for ministry. He is our example for prayer. And I love what the disciples asked Him. They didn’t ask Him, “How do you do miracles? How did you change the water to wine? How did you multiply the loaves and fishes? How did you walk on the water?” They didn’t ask Him that. They asked Him, “Teach us how to pray,” because they realized the source of His strength. Now, who help us pray? The Holy Spirit. Here it is from Romans 8:26-27. Memorize these, . . . . GRAPHIC: Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. . . . . “Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” It’s that kind of birthing prayer, groanings, that cannot be uttered. GRAPHIC: Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. . . . . “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Now, if the Holy Spirit is helping your weaknesses, if the Holy Spirit is enabling you, if He is energizing your prayer, if He is making intercession through you, and then you’re joining in with the prayers of Jesus at the right hand of the Father, and you’re entering into the Father’s presence, will your prayer get answered? Yes, it will. Yes, it will. It’s that kind of prayer that gets the breakthrough. It’s that kind of prayer that gets the answer. And when you join together, when you get two or three agreeing together in that kind of prayer, then it will be done. Now, here at CBN, we’re asking for people to pray. We’re asking for people to join with us in prayer. GRAPHIC: Pray for CBN GO TO CBN.COM/PRAYFORCBN I just feel this incredible need now to gather intercessors to pray for the ministry of CBN, to pray for my father, to pray for me, to pray for Terry, to pray for Kristi, to pray for Lee. We need prayer. To pray for CBN WorldReach as we preach the Gospel around the world in other languages, in Hindi, in Bahasa Indonesia and Mandarin and Cantonese. We need prayer covering for all of this. We need prayer for the ministry of Operation Blessing. We need prayer for our ministry over the Internet. We need prayer. So we’re asking you to join with us. There is a special place on the web site. It’s called CBN.com/PrayForCBN. And you can go there. You can log in. And we’re asking you to sign up to say, “Yes, I’ll agree with you in prayer.” You can go there now. We’ve got some people already praying, and they’re posting their prayer requests. They’re posting their prayers for CBN. There is another place within My.CBN.com where you can post your prayer request and get intercessors to join with you in prayer. We want this to be a two-way street, that we want to join with you in prayer for what your needs are. But we’re especially asking now that you pray for CBN. And we’re going to have a whole season going into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where we want to gather and pray for breakthroughs, pray for God’s blessing, pray for God’s ministry to be evidenced in CBN. So join with us. Log on. Go to CBN.com. Pray for CBN. Terry, over to you. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Still ahead, they wanted her possessions, and then they wanted her life. Woman: They told me to sell everything that I had, to sell my house, to sell all my clothing, all my furniture, everything, and to then move to a different town. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Why she joined a cult and how she escaped, after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 3: PCC SPOT Son: Daddy? Father: Yeah, buddy? Son: How many nickels are in a dollar? Father: There are 20 nickels in a dollar. Son: How do birds fly? Does milk really make my bones stronger? Father: Yeah. Yep. Son: Daddy, when we die, will we go to Heaven? Announcer: Do you have the answer to life’s biggest question? Call The 700 Club. We’ll help you find answers to the important questions life brings your way. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * OHIO TEACHER CASE LEE WEBB: Welcome back to The 700 Club. An Ohio school district has reached a settlement with the family of a student who says a teacher burned the image of a cross on his arm. Mt. Vernon fired eighth grade teacher John Freshwater last year after the school board said he preached Christianity in class. The student’s family still has a similar suit pending against the teacher. Freshwater has denied ever burning or branding anyone. He has filed a one-million-dollar lawsuit saying his free speech and civil rights were violated and that he was harassed because of his Christian faith. OB HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK LEE WEBB: People in China and Taiwan are still trying to pull their lives back together after a deadly typhoon earlier this month. Morakot was the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years. Flash floods and mudslides killed nearly 700 people, and it destroyed tens of thousands of homes and flooded more than a million acres of cropland. CBN's Operation Blessing is in the region helping families who lost everything. The aid organization is distributing hundreds of boxes of food, along with stoves and electric rice cookers. Operation Blessing is also partnering with several other organizations, including the Hong Kong Red Cross, to hand out coats and clothes to several families. You can find out more by about what’s going on with Operation Blessing by going to their web site at OB.org. GRAPHIC: FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO OB.ORG LEE WEBB: Gordon and Terry will be back with more of The 700 Club after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4A: ENCORE Spokeswoman: We’re downtown today, campaigning to save America’s teeth, because good dental health is about more than just brushing. Announcer: If you’re one of the millions of Americans without dental insurance, call Encore Dental for affordable, quality dental coverage. Spokeswoman: When was the last time you went to the dentist? Man: Uh . . . . Woman: Like, probably three years ago. Man: Probably back in college. Announcer: Poor oral health can lead to serious illnesses, like heart disease and stroke. Spokeswoman: What’s your excuse? Woman: It’s just too expensive. Woman: I’m self-employed. Spokeswoman: No dental insurance. Woman: None. Announcer: With Encore Dental, you can receive up to 100 percent coverage for preventative care and up to 50 percent on basic and major procedures. Woman: George retired a year ago. George: And when I did, I lost my dental coverage. Announcer: There are no claim forms and no waiting for reimbursement. Call now for a 30-day money back trial period. Announcer #2: Call 1-800-757-4903 now for a 30-day money back trial period. Announcer: Call now, and get an additional ten percent off when you pay by credit card. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4B: BOSLEY Announcer: When it comes to going bald, you now have a choice. Advances in medical science have resulted in the world’s first and only permanent solution to hair loss. Man #1: It is your real hair. It’s your natural hair. You wash it; you cut it; you swim with it. Announcer: Bosley is the world’s most experienced hair restoration expert, having pioneered virtually every major advancement in the art and science of hair restoration. Man #2: I’m very satisfied, very happy with what I’ve done. This has got to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, I’ll tell you that. Announcer: Bosley Hair Restoration is a relatively simple outpatient procedure. The results look completely natural, and it’s affordable on nearly any budget. Call the toll-free number now to receive your free no-obligation information kit that will help you decide if hair restoration at Bosley is right for you. You don’t have to accept going bald. Do something about it right now. Announcer #2: Call 1-800-982-2983. That’s 1-800-982-2983. Call now. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MEEUWSEN: Jennifer Redcay joined a cult to grow closer to God. Instead, they threatened her, stole from her, and they abused her. Jennifer was trapped. But thanks to a woman at a restaurant, Jennifer found a way to break free. JENNIFER REDCAY MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Amish buggies, grain silos and lush cornfields make the hills of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, an idyllic place. But in this peaceful environment, Jennifer Redcay joined a bizarre Christian cult. Jennifer Redcay: Someone in my family was involved with them first. She met them at the Christian bookstore and started talking to them. They really seemed to really be on fire for God. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Jennifer was raised in a Christian family, but didn’t take her walk with God seriously. After high school, she wanted to grow in her faith. Then she and her mother, Marian, met a man who told them he could help them through his deliverance ministry. Jennifer Redcay: The main thing that got me involved was he told me that the Lord gave him a word that I had an idol up in my life, and would I pray to tear down that idol with him. And reluctantly I agreed, because I did not want to have anything between me and God. He prophesied over me and said that God was going to use me mightily. He promised all these grand, wonderful things, and I believed him. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Little by little, Jennifer and Marian were drawn deeper into the group, despite several warning signs. Jennifer Redcay: They told me that God wanted me to sell everything that I had, to sell my house, to sell my clothing, all my furniture, everything, and to then move to a different town. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Jennifer and her mother did as they were directed. They moved to another location 40 miles away and took jobs at a local restaurant. The leader of the cult controlled every aspect of their lives. He told them if they talked with anyone about the ministry, they would go to Hell. He forced them to cut ties with family, and Jennifer’s husband left her because of the cult. The leader confiscated their money and later began abusing them. Jennifer Redcay: He abused us in several ways. We were abused spiritually, physically, and all of us were. He beat me regularly. I had a broken rib, black and blue eyes, a broken arm. He threw me out of a vehicle at one point. He actually got me pregnant and told me that I had to have an abortion. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: The cult leader used sleep deprivation, rebuking and fear of damnation to keep the women in bondage to him. All the while, Jennifer and Marian continued working at this restaurant. Then one day, two regular customers, Ira and Grace Weaver, began asking the women about their relationship with God. Jennifer Redcay: They came into the restaurant faithfully every Sunday for like five years. We just kept talking to them. At first I talked to them about the Lord, and then the leader of the cult told me I couldn’t talk to them anymore. So I had to be very cold and very curt with them. I could still wait on them, but I had to be careful with what I said, nothing personal. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: After a time, Grace says she sensed that something was wrong. Then one day she noticed a cast on Jennifer’s wrist. Grace Weaver: I said to her, “Jennifer, what happened to your hand?” And she said, “Oh, I slid and fell up against a cabinet, and I broke two bones in my hand.” But when she walked away, it was just something clicked in my mind, “This isn’t quite right.” MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Grace began praying for Jennifer and Marian and says God gave her a vision of what the cult was doing to them. The next time she came into the restaurant, Grace told Marian about the vision in detail. Marian immediately ran and grabbed her daughter. Grace Weaver: The Lord just revealed to me everything that was going on. He just shared to me that she had been beaten and that he was controlling their money. He was telling her what kind of cars to drive, what color clothes to wear. And I was amazed myself what I was saying, but I know it was the Lord revealing. And they were saying, “Yes, that’s the truth. That’s the truth.” And Jennifer came over and she said, “Are you sure I’m not going to go to Hell?” And I kept repeating over and over, “Jennifer, you’re not going to go to Hell.” Jennifer Redcay: It was so specific. It had to be God. There was no way that any of the things that she knew could not have been from the Lord. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: The Weavers told them they needed to leave the cult. Although the women feared retribution from the leader, they made the break. Several Christian families in the area offered assistance in the form of financial help, a new place to stay and counseling. Jennifer and Marian knew they had made the right decision. Later, Jennifer found a book on spiritual abuse. Jennifer Redcay: In the book, it specifically said that there were certain things that God abhorred that can happen in ministries when people get too prideful, and they start taking advantage of the people that are under them. It mentioned everything that was happening to my mother and I, including the sexual abuse. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Today, Jennifer is happily married. She and her mother are both active members of their new church. She says with God’s help, she has forgiven the people who abused her. Jennifer Redcay: I don’t hold any bitterness toward them at all. I pray for them. I want them to see the truth, because I know if they knew the God that I know that they would not be doing what they are doing. God is too awesome. MIA EVANS-SARACUAL: Jennifer says everything she went through was worth it, because her search finally led her to a true knowledge of God. Jennifer Redcay: I understood intellectually that God loves us, and God would do anything for us. He sent Jesus for us to die for us. I understood it intellectually, but I didn’t have any type of revelation of it, as far as heart revelation. But now I can tell you that God has showered His love on me. He has done so many things for my mother and I, just giving us new homes, a new life, a new start, has restored friendships and family. I’m reconnected again with my father again. I would go through everything again just to come to the point where I know and I have this peace and joy, and I know God loves me. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MINISTERS TERRY MEEUWSEN: And God wants you to know that. Jennifer and her mom were well intentioned. They wanted to go to Heaven. They had head knowledge about God, head knowledge about Jesus, but no revelation, she said, no one on one. And that’s exactly why Jesus came, so we could be one on one with the Father. It used to be years ago in Jewish culture that only the head priest had that, only the one who could go into the holy of holies. But when Jesus came, all of that changed. That’s why the temple curtain was rent from top to bottom. It was a symbolic sign that you and I could now go into the holy of holies ourselves. I don’t know that any of you have been duped into a cult as Jennifer and her mother were, but maybe you’ve simply never had that revelation relationship come to your heart, come to your life, come into your own relationship with God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. And no one comes to the Father except by Me.” It wasn’t because He was trying to be so exclusive. It was because He is truth personified. He was the door opener that made the path between us and God available. Maybe you are someone who has been raised in the church or in some kind of religious background from your family, but you’ve never, ever had that relationship with God become real for you. It can. It’s supposed to. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. This is not about church. It’s not about any particular denomination. It’s not about attending something. It’s about knowing someone and allowing Him to know you. God wants that. You were created for that. So if you feel empty inside, if you feel frustrated because in church, per se, you haven’t found that, you can know it today. I’m not putting down church, because church is an important place where we go to have fellowship with each other, where we join together corporately to worship the Lord, where we can find teaching about what God’s Word has to say from people who have studied that. But it begins outside of church with a one-on-one relationship between you and God. Here is the great thing. You don’t have strive for it. You don’t have to get good enough for it. It’s available. What you need to know is the truth, which is that you can simply ask Him to come into your heart and your life. There is also some surrender involved. It means that now He is going to lead the way, not someone from a pulpit telling you what to do. It’s your heart, God’s truth, the Word of God, your relationship with Him. Enter into that today. Begin that journey. Begin that walk. Just pray with me. Surrender your heart and your life so that you can have all that He is and all that He wants to be and all that He wants to give you. Let’s pray together. “Father, I want to know you in my own heart and life. I’ve walked away from you. I’ve sort of searched in a surface way. I haven’t known how to get there from here. But today I’m coming to you desiring to surrender my life for your life. And so Jesus, would you forgive my sins? I know you died for them. I know all the facts about your life and how you came. But I want more than just forgiveness. I want relationship. So will you come into the center of my being and be the Lord of my life? Teach me your ways. Show me how to live for you. Help me to know truth when I hear it, and when I read your Word, open it up to my understanding. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to say yes to your way versus my way. Thank you for opening the door to a relationship with God, my Father. Thank you for opening the door to healing, to opening the door to a hope and a future beyond anything I’ve ever known before. I willingly embark on the journey with you. Teach me your ways, Lord. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” If you’ve started this relationship, then grow in it. GRAPHIC: 1-800-759-0-700 CBN.COM Get into the Word of God. Get into it. Begin with the book of John in the New Testament. It’s called God’s love letter. Begin to read the promises of God for you and then go to church, a church that preaches the Word of God. Have fellowship with other believers. And if you’ve got a specific need in your life right now, something that you’re contending with, some issue in your life, some wound, some hurt, call the number that’s on your screen. There is someone at the other end who is waiting to pray with you today, someone who has prayed the same prayer you just prayed. Our number is toll free. It’s 1-800-759-0700. So please, call now. We’re going to be back with more of The 700 Club, right after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 5: 7 DAYS ABLAZE TERRY MEEUWSEN: During the autumn each year, the entire staff of CBN sets aside a special week of prayer. Each day we pray for you and your family. We care about you and the things you need in your life right now. Whether it’s large or small, we want to pray with you. We believe in a miracle-working God who answers prayer, and we want to see the Lord accomplish miracles in your life. Please call us or mail your prayer request today. It’s our privilege to pray for you. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Most kids can’t wait for the school year to end. But bus driver Art Davis didn’t want it to, because when it did, he would be out of a job. ART DAVIS ANDREW KNOX: Art Davis was a single dad with a teenage daughter still at home. When he was laid off from his job as a computer technician, he took a huge hit in pay. His part time job as a school bus driver made it virtually impossible for him to make ends meet. Art Davis: I was bringing home about 130 dollars a week and trying to pay the mortgage, put food on the table and pay the utilities, whatever needed to be done, with that amount of money. So it was not easy. ANDREW KNOX: Art knew he needed a financial breakthrough. Art Davis: School was going to be getting out about mid June. I was going to be out of work. My income would stop. ANDREW KNOX: Art sent out numerous resumes, but had very few job interviews. Still, he remained hopeful that God would provide a job opportunity. One of Art’s favorite things to do when he came home from his morning bus route was to have lunch and watch The 700 Club. Art Davis: And I’m watching and eating my lunch, and I’m feeling the Lord behind me going, “Join. Support The 700 Club.” I’m thinking, “Okay, how am I going to do this? And is this me thinking about this or am I really hearing the Lord?” ANDREW KNOX: Art barely had enough money to live on, but he trusted that God would take care of him. Art Davis: I said, “All right. I’ll do it, Lord, but you’re going to have to provide for me. I can’t do it. I’m going to be out of work in a few weeks, and you’re just going to have to provide.” ANDREW KNOX: Art sent a check off to join The 700 Club. Two weeks later, he got a call from the company that laid him off. They were rehiring technicians. With one week left before school was out, Art was back to work. Art Davis: I was back with an increase in salary and my 401K back. God just gave it all back to me, and then some. And He’s so good. You cannot out give the Lord. ANDREW KNOX: Art credits God with turning his finances around just in time. Art Davis: And God’s timing is always on time. But it may not be our time. ANDREW KNOX: His kids are grown, and Art is retired. He married Barbara in 1996. She was a 700 Club partner herself, and the two now give together to CBN. Art Davis: I know it’s hard to do. We just have to trust in the Lord. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Trust in the Lord. It’s the one time we get to test Him is in our tithes and offerings. GRAPHIC: 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM If you want to start giving, just call us: 1-800-759-0700. And say, “I want to join The 700 Club.” How much is that? Twenty dollars a month. It’s just 65 cents a day. And you join with other people that want to make a difference in the world today. If that’s you, call us right now: 1-800-759-0700. When you call, ask for Pledge Express. GRAPHIC: FREE WITH PLEDGE EXPRESS 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM It’s electronic monthly giving. It’s automatic. We save so much we’re able to send as our gift back to you “Power for Life” monthly teaching CDs. If you want that, call us right now: 1-800-759-0700. Or you can log on to CBN.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BRING IT ON GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, it’s time for Bring It On. We’ve got some e-mail questions. TERRY MEEUWSEN: We do have some e-mail questions. This first one is from Chrissy, and she says, “My husband is always telling me that the Bible says that women should submit to their husbands. Well, I would like to know what the Bible says about how men should treat their wives.” GORDON ROBERTSON: Chrissy, I don’t get away with that in my own home. Anyway, the Bible says, and it’s real specific, husbands are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the church. That means husbands are supposed to die for their wives. And that’s the lead. You’re supposed to do that first. The obligation of the wife is to respect the husband. And sometimes that’s hard to do. Sometimes it’s hard to die for the wife, too. But when I do marriage counseling, I always look at the husband first. “Are you dying for her right now? Do you love her so much you’re willing to die to whatever this is that has come between you?” And I found when husbands do that and take the lead in that, the respect that then comes from the wife, that they’ve laid it down, is absolutely incredible. Have we got time for one more? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Good word. Ikenna says . . . . GORDON ROBERTSON: I get an “amen?” TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Amen! “The Bible says not to grieve the Holy Spirit. How do we grieve Him? And I also want to know if He will leave us when He’s grieved, and will He forgive us when He’s grieved?” GORDON ROBERTSON: He will forgive. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. And realize the prayer of David, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me.” And this is after he committed adultery and murder. You grieve Him through sin, but you especially grieve Him through hardness of heart and unbelief, when you don’t trust Him and you don’t trust in His unfailing love and you don’t trust in His ability to deliver you from whatever you’re in. We leave you with these words from Psalm 146, . . . . GRAPHIC: Psalm 146:9 “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (NKJV) . . . . “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” God bless you. GRAPHIC: COPYRIGHT 2009 CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * END SPOT: YOU WERE THERE TERRY MEEUWSEN: I have the privilege of traveling all over the world and seeing firsthand the life changing things you make possible through your partnership. Thank you for joining The 700 Club. Here in India, you’re demonstrating the love of God to such wonderful people, most of who are in great need, both physically and spiritually. You’re bringing hope and joy to millions around the world, just like you did for the Chens. Their home was destroyed in an earthquake, leaving them with nothing but heartache. You rebuilt their entire village and restored their dreams as well. Your monthly gift makes it possible to heal the sick, feed the hungry and preach the Gospel, both at home in America and throughout the world. So please watch for this mailing and send in your pledge. Imagine lifting someone’s life out of despair and filling it with hope instead. That’s what you make possible every day, and it only happens because you were there.

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