God's wonderful protection

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and

the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his
direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw
close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to
forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most
surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.

The Power of Holy Spirit (Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009)

Dwight L. Moody’s Experience

One day in New York—what a day! I can’t describe it! I seldom refer to it! It is almost too sacred to name! I can only say God revealed Himself to me! I had such an experience of love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand! I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different. I did not present any new truth. Yet hundreds were converted. I would not be back where I was before that blessed experience.

—Dwight L. Moody

Greatest Unused Power

An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids, when he said to his friend: “Come, and I’ll show you the greatest unused power in the world.” And taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, “there,” he said, “is the greatest unused power in the world!” “Ah, no my brother, not so!” was the reply. “The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God.

—A. J. Gordon

Filling Is Answer

Paul tells us to live victoriously and to avoid excesses of the flesh. Moody once illustrated this truth as follows: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” After many impossible suggestions, Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to show that victory in the Christian life is not by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but rather by being filled with the Spirit.

—Mrs. Ruby Miller

BCANA 2007 at Chicago (Flashback)

BCANA Biennial meeting and Burmese Christian Youth and Young Adult Conference

(Click on the image for larger view)

Burmese Christian Association of North America (BCANA) planned to hold Biennial meeting and Youth & Young Adult Conference as following schedules:

Theme for the events:

“The Lord God is My Strength”

(Habakkuk 3:19; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 28:7)

Youth & Young Adult Conference

Date: June 26-28, 2009

(Starts June 26, 12:00 pm and ends June 28, 2:00 pm)

BCANA Biennial Meeting

Date: June 26-29, 2009

(Starts June 26, 5:00 pm – ends June 29, 12:00 pm)

Place: Adoniram Judson Memorial Baptist Church

1272 N. Glendora Ave. Covina, CA 91724

http://www.ajmbc.org/

Registration: $ 25.00 (T-shirt Included)

Conference Speakers:

Bible Study Leader: Rev. U Myo Maw

Devotion Leaders: Saya San Lwin, Rev. Lone-Wah Lazum,

Rev. King Mang, Sayama Aye Aye Thaw

Theme Presentation: Rev. Dr. Biak Hlei Mang, Sayama Hsi Mu Shein

Worship Preachers: Rev. Dr. Yawba Lasaw, Rev. Henry Ang,

Rev. Zauya Lahpai,

Revival Service: Rev. Dr. Latt Yishey

Youth Program: There will be special speakers invited by youth.

Special Programs:

Sightseeing trip on June 27, - 1-5 pm

Talent Show on June 27, 7:00-9:30 pm

Dinner meeting with Burmese Pastors June 28, 5:00-6:30 pm (Facilitator: Rev. Samuel Saw)

Recommended Hotel:

Hampton Inn West Covina (626) 967-5800

BCANA Secretary William Min Sein said, “motel rooms (2 double bed/4 persons) close to the events have been reserved at group rate $89.00 par night. Please book in to get this rate no later than June 3, 2009 under BCANA or William Sein.”

Recommended Airports:

Ontario and LAX Airports are recommended for the easiest

pick-ups for the hosts. For pick-up from airports, please contact Rev. Than Oo (626) 915-7001 and Rev. Livingstone Zan (909) 816-0822.

Please contact William Min Sein at (646) 761-2698 or williamminsein@yahoo.com for information regarding this special event.

In Christ,

Pastor Latt Yishey

President, BCANA

I have been so cruel to you and you were so kind

Lenten Devotional- Day 40

God’s Word: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:8-10)

Story: We had practiced long and hard for this Annual Easter Musical. Over 200 people were involved in the production. More than a thousand would be coming to each of the four presentations. Orchestra, choir, actors and soloists were involved. A cross stood to the side of the stage. At the final rehearsal, a movie critic and a journalist both said they would score us 9.5 out of 10. However, we did not know that this musical would have a profound effect on one of the main characters in the presentation.

Jay, an amateur actor and a bit arrogant, was asked to be the Roman Centurion who would flog Jesus. Of course, he did not mind. He loved acting. He bragged to friends that he would do a good job beating Jesus. The first presentation went well for Jay. He could distance himself from Jesus on the cross. That night, however, he could not sleep. Memories of the flogging he delivered rushed through his dreams.

The next presentation was not easy for Jay to handle. It was hard to beat a man like Jesus in front of thousands of people. Guilt overcame him. The third presentation was more difficult yet. The audience, still thinking he was a professional actor, were shaken as he whipped Jesus. This time, however, as the blood dripped down from the cross, he suddenly realized that this blood was shed for him. Jay realized that this Jesus was dying on the cross for all the cruel acts he was doing. And Jesus was doing it out of love for His people. As He heard Jesus cry, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" Jay almost broke down in front of the audience. It was hard for him to contain himself and after the drama, he collapsed in anguish.

As Jesus was dragged by his fellow soldiers, the audience detected Jay's voice crackle as he yelled, "Crucify him, hang the man!" He dabbed a tear from his eye. "Jesus" cried out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" Then, "It is finished!" The lights cut, the roll of thunder could be heard and it grew very still. All could hear the sobs of the disciples and Mary, kneeling by the cross. Jay, too, was quietly crying out, "Jesus, you did this for me? You died on this old cross so I can have new life? I have been so cruel to you and you were so kind. The blood on my hands was a sacrifice for ME! I'm sorry for what I've done. Forgive me, please! I give you my heart and life. I am finished with my own struggles. I want you as my Savior and Lord!"

It was like the lights went back on for Jay. He could scarcely believe it. He felt like a new man! God had heard his prayer. He had come to know Jesus, at the foot of the cross, in front of a 1,000 people or more. Jesus' blood was meant for him. He wiped another tear and felt joy come over him. As the choir sang the last selection, "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" by Ray Boltz, he knew he had to go tell the pastor, friends and family.- Shared by George Prins

Pray: Today in prayer, give thanks to God for His love and grace which changed your life. Give thanks also for forty days of journey with Jesus by readings of the word of God, prayer and meditation along with other devotional readers.

My Sacrifice Was So Small Compared to His

Lenten Devotional- Day 39

God’s Word: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you," is God's great promise to us”. (Hebrews 13:5)

Story: "I'm a surgeon in the Gold Coast, Australia," said the voice at the other end of the phone. "Your son is just being wheeled into surgery for a major abdominal operation following a surfing accident. I think it best that you and your wife come immediately."

Such words spoken in the middle of the night would be terrifying to any parent. It was 5:40 a.m., Good Friday. Our son, Josh, had been surfing with three friends in Australia for the preceding two months. Earlier that day, toward the end of a ride, the pointed end of the board had stuck into the sand and the blunt end dug into his stomach region, with all the force of the wave behind him. In great agony, he'd managed to crawl back on his board and swim to the lifeguards for help.

The hospital had diagnosed severe abdominal injury, along with the possibility of a broken back. With the likelihood of a ruptured intestine and the resulting leak of toxins into the body, surgery wasn't an option. What can parents do upon receiving such news on the other side of the world, but to get on their knees? I thought of God's love and never-failing presence, especially comforting when feeling helpless. Paul's encouragement to the people of the church at Rome came to mind:

Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When Josh learned of his parents' pending arrival, he was amazed at our dedication to him, that we would fly halfway around the world to be at his bedside.

On that Easter day, as I flew over the Pacific on the way to my son, I thought of our heavenly Father and the great lengths that He would go to, to be with us, holding back nothing, not even His only Son. My "sacrifice" was so small compared to His.

Just as I didn't question my trip to Australia to bring my son home, so too, does the Father not question what it takes to bring each of us home, into an everlasting relationship with Him.

Prayer: Loving God, You reach out to us with open arms, with a love that we so often fail to see. Help us to remember that You are always there for us, and just a prayer away.

Your problem isn't dying; you're already dead

Lenten Devotional- Day 38

God’s Word: "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3).

Story: A pastor visited me a few years ago, and he was in real turmoil. "I've been struggling to live a victorious Christian life for 20 years. I know what my problem is. Colossians 3:3 says: "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I've been struggling all these years because I haven't died like this verse says. How do I die, Neil?"

"Dying is not your problem," I said. "Read the verse again, just a little slower."

"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I know, Neil. That's my problem. I haven't died."

"Read it once again," I pressed, "just a little bit slower."

"For you have died--" and suddenly a light switched on in his understanding. "Hey, that's past tense, isn't it?"

"Absolutely! Your problem isn't dying; you're already dead. You died at salvation. No wonder you've been struggling as a Christian. You've been trying to do something that's already been done, and that's impossible. The death Paul talks about in Colossians 3:3 isn't something God expects you to do; it's something He expects you to know, accept and believe. You can't do anything to become what you already are."

Meditation: Thanks to the incredible redemptive work of Christ in your life, your old self has been replaced by a new self, governed by a new nature, which was not there before (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your old self was destroyed in the death of Christ and your new self sprang to life in the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). The new life which characterizes your new self is nothing less than the life of Jesus Christ implanted in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4). - Dr. Anderson, Freedom

Pray: Today in prayer, thanks Jesus for what He has done for you and me. Meditate upon the journey of Jesus to Calvary, and thanks again for how He suffered there for you and me.