Many are actively praying for Leading The Way's revival event in Jakarta, Indonesia next week. The planning committee and intercessors joined together in Jakarta this week to pray over the event. 

As we unite with them in prayers, they have asked for us to pray this revival meeting is not an isolated event in Jakarta, but a spark of the Lord to ignite countless other revival meetings and gatherings throughout Indonesia. Pray revival will spread like wildfire throughout the nation, leading to lasting spiritual change. 

May the Lord draw all hearts in the nation of Indonesia to Himself as the Son of Man is lifted up in the nation's capital city and broadcast live throughout the nation on the LIFE channel!

You may also watch the event live from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on May 23rd - May 25th on www.LeadingTheWay.org.

On May 1, 2013, THE KINGDOM SAT began to broadcast on the popular Palapa D satellite, which reaches all of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation of 240 million people. Now, for the first time in history, the Indonesian people have free-to-air Television access via satellite to over 50 evangelical preachers, all handpicked by Leading The Way for their commitment to sound biblical teaching.

Leading The Way has been actively broadcasting in Indonesia for years through radio, television and a large Navigator distribution project. The latest expansion of THE KINGDOM SAT will contribute significantly to the mission of Leading The Way to Revival throughout Indonesia. 

Would you join us in praying for our ministry outreach in Indonesia, including our upcoming revival in Jakarta?  May the Lord be glorified in our work together in Indonesia and around the world.

“… and you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1:8-9.

On May 9th, Indonesian Christians joined others around the world to celebrate Ascension Day. Before ascending to heaven, the Lord Jesus’ last call to His followers is a commission to bear the Good News to the world. One way to be His witness “to the ends of the earth” is to partner with Leading The Way.

PRAYING FOR INDONESIA REVIVAL

In just two weeks, Leading The Way to Revival begins in Jakarta!

Preparations are well under way. Intercessory teams are praying all over the world, in Indonesia, Australia, America, and even in the Middle East.

In Jakarta, the organizing team representing many different denominations is working together, mobilizing 300 prayer intercessors, 100 ushers, 300 counselors, 150 security guards, dozens of singers, musicians and many others working behind the scenes to get the Istora stadium ready for the 3 big nights.

The 3 night event will be 6:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Jakarta time and will be telecast live throughout Indonesia via LIFE Channel by Indovision, worldwide via THE KINGDOM SAT, and through the Internet via www.leadingtheway.org

It is still not too late to participate in this historic outreach event in Indonesia. Even if you can’t go, you can still make a difference by praying for and supporting Leading The Way to Revival 2013.

Have you ever suffered from a bad attitude—not just a short-term bad mood, but an all-encompassing negative view on life? When we neglect our relationship with Christ, our thoughts become influenced by our sinful human nature instead of being guided by the Holy Spirit. When we forget to draw on God’s power to lead our hearts, we quickly succumb to bad attitudes. We become impatient and selfish. We whine when things do not go our way. We become dissatisfied with where God has placed us. We grumble against God’s will for our lives. We complain about our families, friends, other believers and our spiritual leaders.

How quickly we forget the joy of our salvation. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit gave us overwhelming joy. Do you remember how you felt on the day you became a Christian? Were you so overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s love and mercy that you wanted to shout to the world what God had done for you? That bliss was never meant to be a one-time gift. God wants us to experience His joy every day for the rest of our lives. We must work to keep it strong.

At the core of our joy is our relationship with Christ and our obedience to Him. When our joy begins slipping and we begin to grumble against God, it is a sure sign we are trying to do things our own way. We are no longer drawing on God’s power, but are trying to rely on our own strength. As we drift further from Christ, joy decreases and misery increases.

A bad attitude is a significant enough problem when it affects our personal walk with Christ and steals our joy. But a far greater consequence of our grumbling is the effect it has on others in our lives, including the nonbeliever. When we allow our bad attitudes to eclipse our joy, we not only hurt ourselves, it hurts our testimony for Christ. Who would be attracted to the Christian faith when Christians are miserable, complaining, and bitter? Why would someone want to come to a church when its members bicker, gossip, and backbite against each other?

As Christians, we have a serious responsibility to witness for Christ. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may think we are containing our grumbling and murmuring to ourselves, but the attitude of our hearts will show in how we treat others, the things we say, and in our actions. When we forget our joy, our testimony is no longer about the glory of God but about our own misery.

How do we live as positive testimonies for Christ? We show our faith through our conduct, the way we live, our obedience to Christ and in the joy that our relationship with our Creator brings us. As we follow Christ each day, we manifest the fruit of the Spirit and radiate our eternal joy. When we are walking in obedience to Him, He will continuously pour His power into our lives. The world will see the power of the Resurrection in us as we are transformed more and more each day in Christ-likeness. When His power is fully at work in us, our joy will be infectious, and others will want to know Jesus.

Michael Youssef was recently invited to appear on The Sean Hannity Show to discuss the rise of radical Islam in America. In this interview, Dr. Youssef shares background information on the topic from two of his recent works—When the Crosses Are Gone and Blindsided: The Radical Islamic Conquest.

We recently received a request from an intercessory prayer group. They have been praying fervently for the Leading The Way to Revival in Indonesia. They asked us to outline specific prayer requests. We shared them with the group and we also want to share these with you, our supporters, to unite our prayers:

1. Pray For Receptivity to Christ and Against Spiritual Strongholds. Spiritually, Indonesia has been filled with various religions over the past 2,000 years all that have resisted the entry of Christianity. Historically, nationalistic aspirations and resistance to the Dutch Colonial powers, who ruled Indonesia for 330 years, fueled the opposition to Christianity as a Colonial and "Western" religion. Many of these religious strongholds and paradigms continue to resist the Gospel today, but we know the Holy Spirit of God is more powerful than any stronghold and we ask Him to tear them down in Jesus' name.

2. Pray for God's Protection and Against Threats of Violence and Persecution. In recent years, as the Gospel has advanced by God's grace and power, and many have converted to Christianity, there has been an inevitable reaction. At times, the opposition has been hostile and very violent. This has resulted in attacks against churches, bombings of public places, killing of Christians and other violent opposition. 

Ask the Lord to protect the organizers, the speakers, the singers and musicians, the production team, the participants, the ushers, the security guards, the intercessory prayer group, the attendees -- and the stadium venue and the communication lines for live broadcast from any dangerous or hostile opposition during the days leading up to and during the revival meeting dates. 

3. Pray For Clear Paths and Against Obstacles. On a practical level, there are many obstacles that could prevent people from getting to the stadium for the revival meetings. Jakarta is a huge city of 12 million people notorious for its nasty traffic jams, inadequate public transportation, and torrential rains. All can easily bring the city to a standstill. Heavy rain or road blockages can triple or quadruple the travel time for many people to two to three hours, making it hard for them to attend. May the Lord bless us with passable roads and favorable weather.

4. Pray For a Mighty Move of the Spirit and Against the Powers of Darkness.  We pray for the teaching each night to touch the hearts of those who attend and others who will be watching the live TV broadcasts. Pray that there will be a bountiful harvest of souls each night to the glory of Christ Jesus.  

Thank you for joining us in Spirit-led prayer for this vital Gospel outreach!

On the National Day of Prayer, I would like to share something I wrote during our God Save America campaign. I pray it is an encouragement to you both today and into the future as you pray for our nation.

There are hurting people all around us who are constantly searching for fulfillment and satisfaction. They are firmly convinced that the next relationship, financial windfall or personal achievement will provide the elusive fulfillment and satisfaction they are seeking.

If you listen to the media today, you would think this is a new phenomenon that has happened as a result of our fast-moving technological society. Not true. The desperation for fulfillment is as old as the Garden of Eden.

Hurting people are living next door to us. They are in the office down the hall. They are at the gym. They are in our schools and universities. On the outside, they may look like they have it together and are having a great time, but deep down they have an inner longing for fulfillment and the peace of mind that only Jesus can offer.

Jesus reaches out to these people through us. As the church, we are His body and we should be actively sharing the hope we have in Christ with those He has entrusted to us. Not only has He given us the honor of sharing with those next door, He has blessed us abundantly in this country to reach those around the world—some who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ.

The answer to our national crisis and the crises we see around the world is not political. It is spiritual. People need the Savior and they need to hear about Him from His people. When hearts are changed, nations will follow.

I would like you to continue to pray with me that our churches will be lights for Christ to their communities and the nations. We have been entrusted with a great treasure and we must share it.

Thank you for continuing to pray with me for God to save America. You are truly a blessing to many.

In Him,

Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Our advance team recently returned from a planning trip in Jakarta for our upcoming revival in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim majority nation. Although most Muslim majority nations are closed to the Gospel, God has kept a door open in Indonesia. As a result, Leading The Way has been actively broadcasting there for years through radio, television and a large Navigator distribution project.

While in Jakarta, our team met an Indonesian couple who were burdened to see their country healed from a tumultuous past. Indonesia, a nation with a long history of political turmoil, has experienced untold tragedy in the Bali Bombings, Jakarta hotel bombings, and the 2004 tsunami. The couple is determined to seek the Lord for a godly future for their unique nation.  They are one couple of hundreds of thousands of Christ followers seeking the same thing –many of whom began praying corporately for Indonesia in May 2012. 

Next month, their prayers for the healing of their nation will continue to be answered as Istora Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia fills for three nights with 15,000 people hungry for the Truth of Christ. There, Dr. Michael Youssef will meet them with powerful Biblical Truth and will answer a vital spiritual question, “What is the value of your soul?” The event will also be streamed and broadcast live across Indonesia on LIFE Channel TV and around the Arab world through THE KINGDOM SAT.

These days, when success is measured by money, you can buy almost anything in the world, except salvation. Jesus said in Mark 8:36-37: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” True revival begins when people discover the eternal value of their soul and acknowledge that Christ Jesus alone can save a soul and ignite a heart.

At the invitation of prominent Indonesian Church leaders, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef is hosting LEADING THE WAY to REVIVAL from May 23rd to May 25th in Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia.

These church leaders are passionate to fan the flames of revival in Indonesia. Church growth statistics point to the possibility that the current generation could see the world’s largest Muslim nation become 50 percent Christian.  Imagine that! In fact, last year a Christian governor was elected in Jakarta where there are great efforts to stop corruption, leading to the development of much needed business and civic infrastructure.

There is no doubt; Indonesia is experiencing a transformation of lives, society, government, family and businesses.  Before our very eyes, we are witnessing the healing of a nation—true healing only available through Christ Jesus.  The time is now to lead the way in Indonesia—to share Christ boldly and clearly to a nation desperate for Truth and love. 

Please join with us in praying for this incredible opportunity for Dr. Youssef to touch lives in Indonesia. And, consider giving a gift now to help transform and heal a nation by the power of Christ.

Are your circumstances weighing you down? Do you feel trapped in your present situation? If so, you may be searching for a way out of your suffering. You may be vainly trying to find relief and solace in the flawed solutions of this world. Yet, as we learn from the apostle Paul, God is the only solution to our struggles.

For years, Paul struggled with what he called “a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Scholars have theorized about what this might have been, but no one knows for sure what Paul faced. We do, however, know that it was mentally and physically exhausting for Paul. Perhaps because we aren’t certain what it was, we can relate more to Paul’s struggle as we compare it to our own.

In the midst of his pain and suffering, Jesus spoke directly to Paul, reassuring him of His watchcare. “Three times,” says Paul, “I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

Few of us like to think of ourselves as being weak. We like to think of ourselves as self-sufficient, even in our spirituality. We think we need to be strong in our Christian walk, so when sorrow comes, we strike out against it. When faced with discouragement, we draw back in fear. In the face of disappointments, we become angry, wondering if God has forgotten us. But He hasn’t, and He won’t.

God didn’t forget nor dismiss Paul’s thorn, and He won’t overlook ours. He uses life’s stresses—physical and emotional—to draw us closer to Him. He can speak to us and show us how and where His grace is most efficient.

God could have eliminated Paul’s struggle in a moment. But He knew that Paul would receive the greater blessing and the greater lesson by learning to rely on God’s perfect strength through his difficulties. God knew that His grace would not manifest nor shine in a strong and self-sufficient person like it would in a man who suffered in weakness.

Rather than removing Paul’s distress, God used it to strengthen His servant and teach him about His faithfulness in all circumstances. By trusting the Savior, Paul learned so much about mercy and grace. He discovered that no matter what he faced, God’s power and grace were available to him.

Paul wrote, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Do you find yourself stretched to the breaking point today? Even if you believe “I can’t take another day of this. I just need to leave, to escape, to begin again,”—you can’t outrun God. When you are faced with hardship, you need to run toward Him, not away from His love.

No matter what you face, God’s grace is sufficient. His power is revealed and made perfect through your weakness. Never be ashamed to cry out to the Lord. He listens for you and will come to you, fulfilling the promise of His matchless, perfect grace.

Michael Youssef returns to preach the Word of God in Kuwait 30 years after his last visit and reflects on the spiritual growth he was excited to see in Kuwait.

At Leading The Way, we receive encouraging testimonies from viewers, listeners and readers from around the world.  We hope that their words will be an encouragement to you and an answer to your prayers for Leading The Way.

Indonesia:

The preaching truly blesses us and we never miss it. Every time we listen to Leading The Way,  our tears flow down as we remember God’s goodness to us. 

United Kingdom:

Thanks be to God and Leading The Way, we now know the Truth and the Truth has set us free .We are being fed daily with your messages on lap top and DVD. Your love of the Lord and your integrity stands out. We are trying to say thank you to you and to the Lord for the blessings and the encouragement.
 

Illinois:

Thank you so much for the daily devotions.  They are always a blessing and speak to me where I am in my spiritual journey.  My prayers are always with this ministry.  

United Kingdom:

I am a new listener to Leading The Way. I am from England where God seems to be being cast out from society. Leading The Way has really helped me to keep my faith and to be strong! I thank God for Michael Youssef and his ministry! Please keep doing what you are doing. It helps!

New York:

I have been listening to your show for almost a year.  You teach Biblical Truth and we all need to hear the Truth.  It is the most important thing. I became born again last year. I was going through a situation with my husband that was to me was very painful and devastating and that pain led me to Christ. I was raised by my mother who was also born again and she was the one who witnessed to me and started me on the path toward Christ. I have a true relationship with him now and a deep love for him.

I still have much to learn and much to overcome. My Lord gives me strength every day and I am at peace now knowing that I am his daughter and that he loves me and forgave me. I just want to say that your show gives me a better understanding of the Word.  I am thankful for you and many other ministers who preach the Word of God. I pray every day for the strength to be a better witness. . . and I pray to be put in the right place at the right time so I can witness for Jesus.

Indonesia:

Leading The Way teaches us about how to know Lord Jesus in a true and in-depth way. Thank you. Please pray for me; that I may love the Lord more and more and please pray for the salvation of my family. Thank you. God bless you.

Michael Youssef recorded the following invitation for the Indonesia Revival.  It is being distributed on television stations across Indonesia.  Please continue praying for God to draw many to this exciting outreach event in Jakarta.

Promotional posters, like below, are being shared throughout Indonesia to promote the three-day revival event. 

If you or someone you know would like to attend the event in Indonesia, please visit www.indonesiarevival.org or email us for more information. 

Recently, 25 members of the Leading The Way to Revival organizing committee led by Nus Reimas and Robinson Nainggolan attended a half day meeting to report on and discuss preparations for the May event.

The meeting began and ended with prayer, joining with over 300 fervent prayer intercessors who have been praying daily for the event in eight different locations in Jakarata, including the venue. 

Pastor Reimas began with a time of devotion during which he reminded everyone that this is the Lord's revival and we, as His children, rely on His grace, guidance and providence to set the tone for the revival. The Lord will grant the courage to organize, publicize and host this event.

We thank the Lord the Jakarta police permit has been received and we continue to pray the final step in the permission process will be completed soon when the Ministry of Religion gives their approval for Dr. Youssef to speak.

The committee discussed many things including promotion, program, logistics, multimedia and stage logistics, hospitality, security, displays, prayers, and more.

To date over 500 churches have been contacted and the local team has another 2,000 to contact. Over 50,000 flyers have been distributed. Several churches have already committed to sending their people and their choirs to sing at the event and the committee plans to run 40 buses from different points in Jakarta to the event site. Please pray churches would reach out beyond their church walls to invite their neighbors, co-workers and friends who are not Christians to the event.

Many have watched the TV advertisements and there has been good print media coverage. Many are asking about Dr. Youssef and his ministry and excitement growing. This is encouraging for the team.

As a fun side note, 70 shofar blowers will announce the opening of the revival meetings.

There is still so much to do, and many loose ends to be tied up. Please pray for the organizing team and all of the faithful volunteers who are helping us to host this large outreach event. We thank God so many are working hard to get the job done, for His glory.

The Leading The Way to Revival event is being actively promoted across Indonesia.  Below are recent articles and advertisements printed in Indonesian Christian publications during the past few weeks to promote the upcoming event.  Please pray many will be moved to attend the events and for the courage to invite their non-Christian neighbors.

Indonesia is a 17,000 island nation where Leading The Way (Dia Buka Jalan) programs are broadcast through two television channels, one satellite and one cable, and over 40 FM and AM radio stations. 

When THE KINGDOM SAT is launched in this area within the next month, by God's grace, it will reach an even wider audience in Indonesia--the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

If you would like to help us support this outreach effort, your gifts to our international fund will help us to passionately proclaim the uncompromising Truth of Christ through vital international outreach efforts. 

The organizing committee for Leading The Way to Revival in Indonesia hosted a press conference recently to promote the event through Indonesian media sources.  Organizing chair, Nus Reimas, answered questions from the media on the event.

When asked why the event would be unique and why now was the time, Dr. Reimas answered, "Dr. Youssef's Middle Eastern background and the Arabic flavor of the event will challenge Indonesian thinking. In Indonesia, Arabic tends to only be associated with one religion, not Christianity. Also, Dr. Youssef's messages will be cumulative--a three-day event, not three one-day events. Finally, we waited until now to do it because we waited for the Lord's timing. The door opened in Indonesia and the Lord has prepared us to walk through the open door."

Please join us in prayer for this event and for the organizing committee as they continue to step through open doors of opportunity for the Gospel.

If you would like to help us support this outreach effort, your gifts to our international fund will help us to passionately proclaim the uncompromising Truth of Christ through the Indonesia revival and other vital international outreach efforts. 

THE KINGDOM SAT, a 24/7 satellite television channel, was launched in 2009 to reach the lost and equip the saints with sound Biblical teaching in English, Arabic and French to the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe. Today, four years later, THE KINGDOM SAT has expanded to reach five regions of the world with Biblical encouragement from 50 ministries through five satellite platforms.

Each broadcast provides viewers with contact information for our in-country follow-up teams, an integral part of our ministry.  Through these dedicated teams, our ministry evangelizes and disciples those who reach out to us through Skype, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, SMS (texts), phone/fax numbers and our Global Response Management System.

In spite of the dangerous and unstable situation in the Middle East, there are still many who have turned to Jesus Christ, their only stronghold in these difficult times. Daily, we receive amazing testimonies of God’s work through THE KINGDOM SAT in the Middle East and North African region and around the world. 

In March, in honor of the channel’s fourth anniversary, we want to share notes from THE KINGDOM SAT inbox. Please join us in giving praise and thanks to God for them.

Iraq:

I accepted Jesus as my Savior after a year of studying Him in which I was convinced of His Lordship. This was the most beautiful and valuable decision I have made in my life. After a while, my parents discovered my new belief and threatened to kill me, so I fled. It was then that I began watching your channel. Not only do you have great speakers on your channel, but you also have great field workers that are valuable brothers.

Yemen:

I live in a very immoral place and the people here are against God. Thank you for being my way out of it.

Jordan:

I like THE KINGDOM SAT because it chooses the important subjects that we need as Christians and helps us to handle the problems which we face in our Christian life. In addition, THE KINGDOM SAT channel avoids the programs that ignite the conflict and feed the hostility between Christians and Muslims. I personally turned from Islam and the channel has been helping me since then.

Algeria:

I accepted the Lord as my Savior due to your programs. Thanks for the clear and solid teaching about the identity of Christ.

United Arab Emirates:

You’ve helped me in my spiritual growth and now I know a lot in the Bible and about our Lord.

Iraq:                                                                                                                  

I feel that I’m very far away from God, but I want to get closer to Him. Please help me.

Saudi Arabia:

I am searching for the Truth and requesting a Bible so that I can read it and unearth it’s mysteries to discover the way of salvation. Please reply quickly, for I hope to find rest.

Sudan:

I want to know Jesus more.

Gambia:

I love your programs and your teachings because I learn a lot from them. I want you to help me build up my faith in Christ with books, prayer, etc.

Egypt:                                                                                                                               

I get very encouraged when I watch your program. I feel like the message is coming directly from God.

Istora Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta

For three nights, May 23-25, Istora Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta will fill with 15,000 people hungry for the Truth of Christ. Dr. Michael Youssef will meet them there with powerful Biblical Truth to answer the question, “What is the value of your soul?”

These days when many things are measured by money, you can buy almost everything in the world, but no one can buy salvation. Jesus said in Mark 8:36-37, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

True revival begins when people discover the eternal value of a soul and acknowledge that Christ Jesus alone can save a soul and ignite a heart.

Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef is the host for this revival meeting in Indonesia—the world’s fourth largest country with the largest Muslim population in the world.  There, the Gospel is advancing powerfully. God is moving in Indonesia and churches are growing rapidly. Church leaders are working together with a sense of mission and in unparalleled unity. Revival is in the air.

Although most Muslim majority nations are closed to the Gospel, God has kept a door open for the Gospel in Indonesia. Leading The Way is actively broadcasting there through radio, television and a large Navigator distribution project. 

Our local ministry partners are passionate about the Truth of Christ and are excited to join us as an active part of the Christian revival movement in Indonesia. In May, we will partner together to offer three days of solid Biblical teaching from Dr. Michael Youssef—influencing leaders in the nation for Christ and challenging all to know, believe and act upon the Truth of Christ.

You, as a supporter of Leading The Way, have an opportunity to play a significant role in what God is doing in an important part of the world. Your gifts to our international fund will help us to passionately proclaim the uncompromising Truth of Christ through the Indonesia revival and other vital international outreach efforts.

Please be in prayer for this massive mission in Indonesia, your partnership with us, and check back for more details as they unfold.

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

All around us we see the work of Satan. He tempts us to sin. He plants seeds of bitterness, hate, and envy in hearts. He deceives us with his subtle lies and half-truths.

We only have to look as far as the news to see the results on a global scale: Hatred and anger inciting countless skirmishes around the world. Greed and selfishness are fueling corruption. Extremists are persecuting Christians for their faith in Jesus Christ, even in democratic nations founded upon Christianity. Satan's campaigns are weakening our religious freedoms.

While we must take responsibility for our own actions, we can trace much of our contention to the plans of Satan. As long as we live in this world, the devil can and will try to pull us down.

The good news is that we can learn to fight him and not give in to temptation. It is a growth process as we learn how to overcome him. I want to share seven main points today to help you in your spiritual battles:

1. Remember the victory is ours.
2. Lay down your life.
3. Lock the doors each morning.
4. Put on your battle gear.
5. Praise the Lord.
6. Pray for the other person.
7. Start thinking of heaven.

Walking in each of these areas will bring peace and joy into our lives, knowing that the devil cannot bring us down. The first point, remember the victory is ours, points to Jesus' victory on the cross when He declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). He secured our salvation and has provided everything we need to live victorious lives.  

The second, lay down your life, can be summed up by James' words: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

In the third area, we need to lock the doors each morning by closing any doors in our hearts that are susceptible to sin and by humbling ourselves before God — for without Him, we can do nothing. In our own strength, we are no match for Satan. "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16).

The fourth point, put on your battle gear, refers to the armor of God — both the uniform and the weapons. Read Ephesians 6:10-17 and be intentional about putting on the full armor of God.

Fifth, praise the Lord. It is easy to do when things are great. However, when we are struggling and need to put Satan in his place, praise is a sure way to defeat him.

The sixth step is prayer. The most difficult thing to do is to pray for others who have wronged us. Yet the words of Jesus instruct us, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

The seventh step is to start thinking of heaven. When we do, we will have the right perspective filled with hope of eternal victory.

We can have victory over Satan if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord and allow Him to show us the things we need to learn. He has provided everything for us — we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. Let us go forth rejoicing in all we have in Him.

In this book, Dr. Michael Youssef uses Paul’s letters to the people of Ephesus to reveal the spiritual treasures that we have in Christ. Learn how to endure trials and sufferings, prepare for spiritual warfare, and live out the gospel in your everyday life. Let Leading The Way Through Ephesians show you the way to a more dynamic, active, and stronger faith.

Through your generous gifts, we have raised the funds necessary to continue the Arabic-English radio broadcasts in Richmond, Virginia.  Thank you!

Shortly after notifying you of this need, we received the following testimonies from friends of the ministry in Richmond:

Reaching a Taxi Driver from Morocco

A Richmond church member had a discussion with a Muslim taxi driver from Morocco. At the end of the conversation, he gave him a card with the Arabic-English radio program information. The taxi driver exclaimed, “I listen to this every week; the first time I found this station I couldn’t believe that I was hearing something in my own language, in Arabic in America. I like the messages I hear and I have even told my friends about it.”

Comforting a New Believer in Prison

Ibi is a Muslim immigrant from Palestine who committed a crime and ended up in jail. There, he gave his life to the Lord through the prison ministry. After he was released, he contacted us to tell us he listened to the program every week in prison and couldn’t wait for the next week’s message because it was the only source of comfort in his mother tongue during this hard time.

Creating a Bridge for an Inmate and Her Son

Roda is a member of a church in Richmond. She could not get her teenage son to read the bible or listen to any Christian media. She said language was a barrier; she speaks Arabic and understands very little English, while her son speaks English and understands very little Arabic. One day, she tuned into the program in her car while her son was with her. Michael Youssef was teaching the Bible in English and Arabic. Through the dual-language messages, they have been able to connect spiritually. She said, “My son has fallen in love with Dr. Youssef’s biblical teaching and has downloaded several podcasts to listen to later on his iPod. Thank you!”

Answering a Heartfelt Prayer

Fotna was a Muslim from Egypt and she gave her life to Jesus Christ after seeing Christ in a vision. Her husband always argued with her about her faith and accused her of worshipping three gods. Finally, she told him, “Just pray to God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.” The next day, her husband used her car and the radio was tuned into the program. He listened to Dr. Youssef teach about the Lord’s Prayer and how we can relate to God as a loving father. He felt like God was talking to him through Dr. Youssef. He kept listening to the program and he accepted Christ and both were baptized in Christ!

OM from Iraq listens to the Navigation

OM, a Muslim refugee from Iraq, who lives in Richmond, met with the pastor at a recent wedding she attended. During the reception, she approached the pastor and said, "I want to talk with you about something. I keep seeing Jesus Christ in my dreams. He told me He loves me.” The pastor shared the Good News about God’s love and Christ sacrifice for all human kind and asked her if she would like to know more about Jesus Christ. She did and so he suggested she read the bible. She looked at the pastor, smiled and said, "I don't know how to read." The pastor invited her to attend his church and there gave her information about Leading The Way's Navigator and information about the weekly radio program. She came back to the church several times until her husband told her to stop. However, she shared with a church friend she met at the Mall that she listens to the Navigator all of the time because it is the only way for her to know more about the God who loves her.

We are excited to be able to continue this vital and fruitful outreach in Christ.   Please join with us in praying for all who hear the broadcasts and for those who follow-up with our listeners.

May you be blessed today as you have been a blessing to so many.

We all experience failure, discouragement, and spiritual stagnation at some point in our lives. We may feel shame or embarrassment over our weaknesses, but we must remember the Bible does not hide the failures of the faithful. It retells their great acts of faith and their failures.

There is great encouragement knowing that the spiritual giants of the Bible were humans with faults, sins and disappointments. What set them apart was how they turned from their failures to God—continuing to follow Him in faith. Whatever setbacks we encounter on our faith walk, we can take heart that it is never too late to trust and obey God.

Abraham is a man known for his faith and his friendship with God. Abraham sacrificed much in his obedience to God; yet the Scriptures also reveal his many missteps and detours along the way. The greatest lesson to be learned from Abraham is that our faith is a journey. Great faith requires time as we develop trust in God and a willingness to serve Him wholeheartedly.

In Abraham’s story, we see a slow progression of faith with many setbacks. In Genesis 12, God called Abraham out of his pagan lifestyle and told him to move to Canaan. Abraham started the journey, but before he reached Canaan, Abraham settled along the way in Haran. He eventually arrived in Canaan, but left for Egypt as soon as things got tough. Twice, he lied to save himself while putting his wife, Sarah, in harm’s way. In Genesis 16 and 17, Abraham followed his wife’s scheme to conceive a child instead of waiting upon God’s promised time. 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, God calls us out of whatever pagan and sinful place we are living in and leads us on a journey with Him. Ideally, our journey to become more like Christ will remain straight and focused. However, for most of us, our journey will look more like Abraham’s. We will stagnate in our spiritual growth and stop our journey at places that are comfortable and easy. We will run when God’s calling becomes too difficult. We will compromise our beliefs and hurt people we love in order to save ourselves. We will face many opportunities to give in to temptation, pride, indifference, and stubbornness.

However, we must remember that Abraham did not wallow in his failures or give up on his relationship with God—he always returned to the right path. As God continued to show Himself faithful, Abraham’s trust in God grew. Abraham’s faith was strengthened and he learned to trust God more and more. During the early years of his journey of faith, Abraham did not trust God for his daily bread during the famine. Yet years later, after learning lesson after lesson of how to trust in God, Abraham was willing to trust God with the life of his precious and beloved son.

Each one of us will experience failure and setbacks in life. We should never allow our failures to become excuses for giving up on God’s plans or running from our relationship with God. Has your spiritual journey come to a halt? If so, seek God’s forgiveness for the doubt, indifference or fear keeping you from following His plan for your life. Identify the obstacles that keep you from fully developing your faith and pray for God’s strength to help you overcome those hurdles so you can continue your faith journey in Him.

At Leading The Way, we receive encouraging testimonies from viewers, listeners and readers from around the world.  We hope that their words will be an encouragement to you and an answer to your prayers for Leading The Way.

Iraq:

I admire this program very much and I am a regular follower of it. I admire the way the Bible is explained. I wish you much success in communicating the Word to our hearts that are thirsty and in need for someone to explain it to help us to understand it.

Fiji:

Thank you so much for the opportunity to access your ministry. God is great! I was in Australia for a few months where I saw your preaching on TV.  It really touched my heart and I asked the Lord to send your programs to Fiji.  I have been through so many difficult times.  I lost my husband at 37. I lost my 15 year old daughter this year. I am still struggling with the loss. If I did not know Jesus, I would be lost in this world. The Lord has told me that I will work for Him and that is the hope I am living on in this world. 

Please pray for me, my Dad, my brother and two sisters. I spent much time watching your preaching on YouTube.  God Bless You All!

Iraq:

I did not know God before you. Life and its problems keep me from church, but you have become my church. Your program has led me to pray and to know my God. I thank you for THE KINGDOM SAT and especially for the Leading The Way program which is very unique. It enriches my knowledge of the Bible day after day and leads and guides me to read the Bible daily.

California:

Words can never express how much I am blessed by this ministry.  It has literally kept me alive both spiritually and physically.

After the death of my parents I felt alone and in despair. I listened to your program as I do daily and found that from to time that God was speaking to me directly.  Many other tragedies have occurred in my life, but God has used the Leading The Way broadcast and devotionals to keep my soul alive in famine.

I know that you are a praying man.  There is no way that the Word could be bulls eye every time for me unless it was because you spent that time with God to ask what the people need.

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Have your thoughts lately been focused on what you lack? Are you concerned about the lack of a strong economy, the lack of godliness in America, or even your own lack of ability to walk out your faith in a difficult world? Read John 6:1-15 and discover what happens when we place everything of concern into the Master’s hands and refuse to dwell on what we lack.

After an intense day of preaching to crowds of people, Jesus realized that the crowd was hungry and had made no provision for their next meal. Instead of expecting them to be self-reliant, Jesus felt deep compassion on them. The word used to describe Jesus’ compassion communicates that he had a physical, visceral feeling—much like pain—for them.

Jesus used the problem of feeding the hungry crowd to grow the faith of three people who were present that day. First, He asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do” (John 6:5b-6).

Jesus knew that Philip was thoughtful, analytical and cautious. True to his nature, Philip offered the analytical answer that it would take eight months of wages to feed the crowd, and the lack of this sum was very clear.

Andrew offered a half-hearted suggestion but with no expectation that all the needs would be met. He did mention that there was a young boy with five loaves the size of silver dollar pancakes and two sardine-sized fish. He suggested this as if the offering were just a way to put a minor patch on an overwhelming problem.

The only person who wholeheartedly gave his all to Jesus with faith and expectation was the boy. He did not operate out of his lack, his hunger, his rights to the lunch he had brought for himself, or an expectation of receiving anything in return. Instead, he turned his entire lunch over to Jesus to see what He would do, and he was not disappointed.

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish” (John 6:11).

Not only were the boy’s needs met, he had the joy of seeing his lunch feed over 5,000 people. Then, he watched as another 12 basketfuls of food were collected. Jesus could have fed the crowd without anyone’s help, but the young boy received an exciting and unforgettable blessing as he became part of the miracle.

What do you have that you can give to Jesus? Are you holding back because you believe your gift is too small or won’t make a difference? Lately, have you focused on your lack instead of seeing what God will do with what you have to offer? You may be missing an exciting blessing when you hold back even part of what God wants you to yield to him, whether your talents, your time, your testimony, or your money.  The same mercy He had for the hungry crowd, He will show you.

He gave you all you have. He is the manufacturer of your resources, you are only the distributor. Offer up the resources he has given you and see what He will do with you, for you, and through you. Pray today about what gifts you have and what He wants you to do with them. Little becomes much in the Master’s hands.

We pray this year will be filled with joy for you in both knowing and sharing Jesus Christ. The world needs good news and we have Good News to share! The world needs the Truth and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So let’s enter this year with confident expectation, knowing that we serve and share the One and only Savior.

Although sharing Christ should be the desire of every Christian heart, many people find it difficult to do. Evangelism quickly becomes a burden. When sharing Christ becomes complicated, sometimes people give up sharing altogether.

Here at Leading The Way, we share Biblical Truth in simple, relatable terms. We invite people to meet Jesus and then He draws people to Himself - like He has with this gentleman in Algeria:

“I do not know anything about the Jesus that you talk about, but I have come to love Him because of your program. May I ask you to help me know more about Him? My own religion is not fulfilling and I need to find the Truth.”

What a joy it is to follow up on these letters – helping people to know more about Christ and then watching them share Christ with others! Imagine the thrill we will experience as we enter heaven and see the fruit of our labor in Christ. The results are going to astound us.

God wants to use you in far greater ways than you even thought possible. Jesus sought you out. To Him, you are not invisible, you are of immense importance and He knows nothing will bring you more joy than experiencing His life giving power by sharing Him with others.

At Leading The Way, we are making it our life’s work to reach out in sharing Christ - impacting lives for eternity. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Leading The Way is encouraging people here at home and around world to come and see Jesus. 

We do not offer the Good News of Jesus Christ out of obligation. No and a thousand nos. We are not obligated. We are compelled by love. We are propelled by a desire to see people eternally saved - sharing the greatest treasure because we want every person to be spared the alternative.

Thank you for the part you play in this great work of the Gospel. We want this year to be the year when so many more people are won for Christ, and I know you do, too. 

Every day we receive good news of the work God is doing in lives—at home and around the world—through Leading The Way.  While it is a blessing to read all of the notes we receive, there are some that contain within them cries for help from those being persecuted for their faith in Christ.  Thankfully, we are able to respond to these cries through our on-the-ground follow-up teams and Help The Persecuted.

Your prayers and financial support of Leading The Way help us to respond quickly and with the tangible help they need. Thank you for being a part of this vital ministry of the Gospel.

Egypt:

I was honored when Jesus came into my life four years ago, but I cannot join any of the churches around me. I’ve been persecuted since I became a Christian. Can someone befriend me and guide me for I’m under Satan’s attacks?

Jordan:

My husband and I are converts from Islam. Our families want to kill us. We have two children. Please help us.

Algeria:

May the peace of Jesus be with you. I’m ready to answer the call.

Morocco:

Thank you for your programs. I have accepted the Lord. Now, I need information on how to raise my children to love Jesus Christ. Please help!

Palestine:

I watched THE KINGDOM SAT and felt led to reach out to you on Skype. Thank you for letting me bring all of my concerns and questions about Christianity to you. As you know, I was afraid of my family killing me for accepting Christ, but I cannot deny Christ.  Thank you for continuing to help me as I get connected with bold believers in my country.

Saudi Arabia:

Would you please send me a Bible? I want to explore its secrets and the salvation you share about. I hope to find the truth in it. Please send it as soon as possible.

Israel:

Thank you for the quality programming you offer on THE KINGDOM SAT.  So many people are watching the broadcast here in Israel. 

Egypt:

I started watching THE KINGDOM SAT and I had questions. I took them to my religious leaders who told me not to question God.  Then, I called you.  With the help of your counselors and time in the Word, I have confessed faith in Jesus Christ—He is my Savoir now. Thank you for the discipleship training you are now providing for me.

We are, by nature, creatures of habit, easily lulled into complacency.  However, God wants more from us so He nudges us forward, compelling us to see new opportunities to grow in Jesus Christ and to share His Good News with others.  He daily brings people and situations to our awareness, opening doors for the ministry of the Gospel. 

In the first three chapters of Revelation, Jesus, speaking through the Apostle John, exhorts and rebukes the seven churches in Asia.  Of these, the church in Philadelphia receives a commendation: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).

Jesus knew that this church was weakened by continual attacks from unbelieving and hostile people. Even so, they were faithful to God. Jesus could have said, “Take a breather. Strengthen yourselves for the fight.”  Instead, He pointed them to an open door of opportunity that only He could open and shut. He challenged them to stand firm and to seize opportunities provided by the open door. 

Today, Jesus presents open doors of opportunity for His faithful saints to walk through. No matter how tired, weak, or overwhelmed we may be, we must walk through them and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  He could have said that the sufferings of this church were enough. Instead, He indicated that His grace was sufficient to meet the opportunity He had given to them.

Each of us has been given an open door. How faithful are we to do the work that God has entrusted to us? God has given us many points of contact with others—through our jobs, our family, in our community, our neighborhood, or even our church—to make Him known. We each have special talents and experiences that God has allowed us to have—so that we can reach those people He intends us to influence for the good.

Everyone of us were made for a purpose in God’s kingdom. If this purpose does not come immediately to your mind, begin by looking at the spiritual gifts described in Romans 12:6-8. These gifts are listed as prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, and showing mercy.

God will give us opportunities to serve Him through the spiritual gift or gifts He has given us. Respond first to general opportunities that are in keeping with your gift, and God will soon reveal specific situations for your involvement.

No matter what you do, don’t ignore your open door of opportunity. Don’t let procrastination or indifference steal your time. Instead, seek God’s strength as you step forward. When you embrace your God-given opportunities in obedience, you will see God’s glory in your life—and in the lives of others this New Year. 

Add a Christmas illustration to your Facebook profile.  Click here to download the image.  Here are the instruction on how to change your Facebook cover photo.

We are leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness, at home and around the world, to discover the light of Christ, as we passionately proclaim the uncompromising Truth of the Gospel.  Daily, we share sound Biblical teaching and encouragement with people in 190 countries in 21 languages through radio, television, the Internet, THE KINGDOM SAT, Leading The Way Navigators, print resources, Help The Persecuted and on-the-ground follow-up teams.  

We receive testimonies of God’s faithfulness to His people through Leading The Way daily through email, text message, phone, letters and face-to-face conversations. As we come to the end of the year, we wanted to share some of our most recent testimonies and to thank you for your prayers and financial support of this timely Gospel mission.

Albania:

I became a Christian one year ago at the age of 19, but I could never take my Bible home. I have faced harsh abuse from members of my family. As Muslims, it is a huge shame that I have become a Christian. They locked me in the house for months, so I could not meet anyone. I was suffering because I could not read the Bible or Christian books or meet with other believers for over a year. Leading The Way’s Navigator filled with Dr.Youssef’s messages from the Bible were my only way of knowing God. I received strength from the programs and great encouragement to endure in the difficult circumstances. The radio programs have been enlarging my view of the world and the great plan God has for us all. Thank you. In a moment when I lost my family because I became a Christian, I found another great family in Christ.

Indonesia:

I am a soldier and I found Leading The Way through Heartline radio. I listen to your program at work and have learned so much about God’s Word.  I have been a Christian since childhood, but do not know the Word of God. All of this time, I thought I had no need of it.  However, now I know I do need to know it because I want to know the Truth and I want peace in my heart. I cannot go to church because I work on Sundays, but I continue to listen to your program and will use the Bible that the radio team gave me to learn more about the Lord so that I might experience His power in my life. Thank you for your help.

Saudi Arabia:

Praise God! Thank you for being here for us. I'm working in Saudi Arabia where there is no church or anything about Christianity. I saw your channel and I was happy and very blessed. May God continue using you to bless others by spreading His Word in the Middle East, my home country Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. Thank you very much and be blessed all of you.

Kuwait:

I have come to know Jesus through your program and your help. I really need to stay in touch with you because life without fellow Christians around is difficult especially that I cannot declare my faith in my country or I would be killed! Stay with me through this journey till I am standing still on the rock Jesus Christ the Lord.

Iraq:

I really need your help to learn more about Jesus and who He really is. I am a son of the Lord and all that is because of your program! I need your support in prayers and in having materials to read to help me grow in my faith.                                                                                                                   

Syria:

I just rededicated my life to the Lord. I love the programs of THE KINGDOM SAT very much. It encourages me. All of your programs and preachers are amazing!

Turkey:

Hello, thanks so much for your programs! Through you and your programs I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior! Could you please tell me if there is a church which I can attend? And if possible, could you send me a Bible? Thanks so much for what you have done in my life.

Sudan:

Your wonderful programs are helping me and others to know more about God, thank you and I pray you continue this great work.

Cuba:

I am writing you for the first time even though I have been listening to you for years. I thank God for this program as it has been a blessing to me, it is really an encouragement and of great benefit to my life. May God bless you and may you continue in this work, since the Lord speaks to us through every message. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for this program to reach all the way to our homes. May God continue blessing you!

There is a story about a wealthy man and his only son who travelled the world together collecting priceless paintings by Van Gogh, Monet and many other masters. Tragically, the son died at war while rescuing others. Distraught and lonely, the old man dreaded the upcoming Christmas day.

Christmas morning, a young soldier knocked on his door and said, “I’m a friend of your son. I’m one of the ones he rescued.”  Then the soldier presented a picture he had painted of the son. Though the picture lacked genius, the brokenhearted father saw the features of his precious son and immediately valued this painting above all the masterpieces in his home. Every day, the father gazed at the portrait and told his housekeeper of his great love for it.

When the father died, the art world buzzed with excitement over the sale of his extraordinary art collection on Christmas day.

The first item offered was the painting of the son, but no one in the self-important crowd would bid on the amateurish portrait. The auctioneer insisted that the terms of the will required the portrait must be sold before any other paintings could be offered.  Finally, the housekeeper, tears streaming down her cheeks, said to the auctioneer, “May I pay ten dollars for it? That is all the money I have. I knew the son, and I knew how much the father treasured that portrait.” The auctioneer said, “The bid is ten dollars. Going once, going twice, gone,” and the gavel fell.

The auctioneer then announced that the auction was over.  “What do you mean?” said the stunned audience. “There must be hundreds of millions of dollars of art here.” The auctioneer replied, “It is very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son gets it all.”

Like the art collectors, not everyone can see the real value of a relationship with Jesus.  John 1:11 tells us that Jesus came to His own but His own received Him not. They did not accept the precious gift of God’s Son, a gift that brings with it all the blessings and love of God.

If you are not intentional about recognizing and receiving Jesus Christ, you will have nothing in the end, and there will be no negotiation of God’s terms. God’s Son may have been born in the most humble of circumstances in a manger in Bethlehem, but He is coming back in power and glory. The next time we see Jesus, things will be very different from His first coming. Not only will He be the King of kings but He will be a judge and we will be held accountable for our lives.

Read John 3:18-36 and Revelations 3:16. Clearly, there are two categories of people: those who fully accept the Son as the only means to the Father and those who don’t.  People who are indifferent or neutral about the Son will miss the opportunity to live eternally with the Father in Heaven. It is not enough to believe Jesus was a good man or a prophet; James 2:19 says that even the devil believes and “trembles.” 

Have you said “Yes” to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?  Luke 15:7 says there will be joy in Heaven when you do. Tell the Father today about your love for His Son. Ask God to protect your heart from being neutral or complacent about your devotion to Jesus. Is there someone you know who needs to acknowledge Jesus as Savior? Pray about being intentional about introducing them to the Son.

Have you ever given an expensive present to someone who never thanked you for it? Most of us are guilty of the same indifference toward our gifts from God. God blesses His children in many ways—from our talents and resources to the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Yet how often do we half-heartedly acknowledge our gifts, then quickly forget the Giver?

In Luke 17, we read a story of Jesus’ interaction with ten lepers. In this passage, we have the opportunity to watch as one of the lepers fully realizes what Jesus had done for him, and we witness the exuberant thanksgiving that resulted.

To be sure, lepers were the outcasts of all outcasts. They were considered so detestable and contagious, they were prohibited from even approaching people for conversation, resorting instead to covering their mouths and yelling “Unclean!” so people would be aware of their presence.

Leprosy was not only a terrible physical disease, it also prevented people from social interaction.  They were excluded from Temple worship and were separated from their families and communities. Leprosy left its victims utterly alone and without remedy for their disease.

Leprosy is not unlike a condition that is afflicting us, though ours is much graver. While the lepers were separated from Temple worship and the presence of God by their fleshly disease, we are eternally separated from God by our sinfulness. The commonality does not stop there. For both the lepers and us, our separateness finds healing exclusively through the power of Jesus.

When Jesus came to the lepers’ village, they kept their distance and shouted to Jesus at the top of their voices, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13). When Jesus saw them, He instantly knew of their plight, misery, and isolation. Jesus also knew that the only way they could return to their homes and families, according to the Law, was to be declared clean by the priests. “Go and show yourselves to the priests,” Jesus told them, and the lepers went immediately (see Luke 17:14).

As the lepers traveled to the priests, they noticed that they were being healed! The wonder that came over them in the midst of their deliverance must have been tremendous. Perhaps they began to run even faster, anticipating their reinstatement into community, into family, into life! While the ten lepers celebrated, one was so overcome by the completeness of his healing, he turned and immediately rushed back to Jesus, before he even reached the priests. While returning to Jesus, the leper began praising God in a loud voice, without inhibition or restraint. When he finally reached Jesus, the leper fell down at His feet, continuing to offer praise and thanksgiving to Him.

When this Samaritan leper returned, Jesus was struck by the fact that none of the Jewish lepers did likewise. “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Jesus queried (Luke 17:17, 18). Only one out of the ten lepers showed Jesus the gratitude He deserved. How often do we, too, fail to give Jesus heartfelt praise for our blessings?

How can we live a life that is truly thankful? First, we must consider the depth of our greatest blessing. The leper’s story of miraculous healing is remarkable—to see such a disease immediately eradicated in someone’s life is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Yet when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are healed even more completely! We were eternally separated from God by our sins, but Jesus has made forgiveness possible through His obedient sacrifice on the Cross.

Second, we need to make thanksgiving a priority. The leper didn’t wait to return to Jesus until it was convenient or until after he visited the priests. He went immediately to Jesus. The priests did not heal the leper, and he knew it. He returned to the only One worthy of his worship and thanksgiving.

Third, thanksgiving should be offered from the outpouring of our hearts. There was intensity in the leper’s worship because he was aware of his inefficacy to provide the healing he needed. How much more wonderful is the eternal healing for those who follow Christ? Let our thanksgiving be an enthusiastic celebration of Christ, who healed our direst need when we could not.

Finally, we must be consistent in our thanksgiving. The more intentional we are about offering thanks to God, the easier it becomes to see His blessings in our lives. That is why we are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to be thankful in all things. No one can bless us like our Heavenly Father. Let us be diligent in thanking Him for His grace and goodness.

God’s mission will always be the world and his tool always the Gospel. By utilizing radio, television, satellite broadcasts, podcasts, internet, and print media, Leading The Way employs every possible avenue to spread the Gospel around the world. Through God’s grace and support of fellow believers, the ministry’s reach will continue to expand into the darkest corners of the globe.

I have received messages of concern for our nation’s future.  As you know, we have been diligent in praying for God’s will to be done and the decision has been made. That does not mean we stop praying. No matter how you feel about the leadership of our country, they are our leaders and we must pray for them.  We must continue to be diligent in praying for a spiritual revival in our nation—truly our greatest need.

One thing I sense in the messages I am receiving is fear. We must guard against this fear because we know “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Still, the storm is very real and the waves are imposing. Jesus has not left us guessing about what we should do in the face of rough weather. In fact, the disciples encountered a treacherous sea storm detailed for us in Matthew 8. Even though they physically had Jesus with them, they let their circumstances drive them to fear.

The storm set in suddenly. Not only did the disciples face the dangers of the rough waters, but they were surrounded by darkness as well. There were no life jackets. There were no life boats. They felt they were at the mercy of the great storm.

In a panic, they called for Jesus crying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25). As Jesus woke from His sleep, He did not instantly calm the storm. Instead, He asked the disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26). Only after His rebuke did He calm the wind and waves.

Many times, we want God to fix our problems instantly. We want the raging waters around us to cease immediately. Yet, sometimes in the middle of the crashing waves, God has a word for us. He wants to deepen our faith and to encourage growth in Him before He intervenes. He wants us to follow in faith—no matter how dark our circumstances seem.

When Jesus spoke to the disciples, He acknowledged that their fears were great and their faith was little. The relationship between faith and fear is like a seesaw. When one is up, the other is down. So when we allow fear to rise, our faith will decline. But the opposite is true as well. When we increase our faith, our fear will fall.

Jesus wasn’t talking about our saving faith, but our daily living faith. Our saving faith remains constant, but our daily living faith rises and falls according to the strength of our relationship with God. When we are not in constant intimacy with God, the first storm that hits will create fear and panic. When we give God the crumbs of our time and attention, our faith and understanding in Him will weaken.

Faith that conquers fear depends on absolute trust in God. It is the kind of faith that has an open heart to whatever God provides for us. It is a faith that is manifested as an utter dependence on the sovereignty of God. When we live by faith, we know that even when the storm is at its worst, we can trust that God is working out His purposes for us.

When Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, He was referring to their failure to trust Him in this practical situation. How often do we trust God with our eternal souls, yet not our daily needs? God wants us to trust Him not only with our salvation, but also with our relationships, our resources, and our futures. He wants to see our professed faith in action. He wants us to put our complete trust in Him for every detail of our lives.

When we walk closely with God and trust Him daily, our faith in Christ will conquer our fears. When we focus on God, fear fades into the background. At the first sign of fear, our plan of action should be seeking God in prayer.

No matter what we face, I will continue to put my full faith and trust in Jesus Christ and will continue to proclaim His Truth here at home and around the world.  He is my salvation and my hope—as He is yours.

[God is in Control Transcript]

Daniel chapter 2, verses 20, 21 and 22, "Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."

When you think about this teenager who was grabbed from his home, from his family, and was taken hostage from Israel to Babylon, he became a hostage to a brutal dictator by the name of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon.

This tyrant threatened to kill everyone who would not tell him what the interpretation of the dream was and God supernaturally revealed it to Daniel. And the first thing Daniel does is remember who God is. He was not intimidated by a tyrant dictator. He was not intimidated by a powerful King of Babylon who went into Israel and grabbed young people out of their homes, as he and his four friends were, and took them into the palace of the king. He was not intimidated by any of that. He just said, "I know who God is."

That is something we need to remember tonight. Remember who God is. Not who the president is. Not who the Congress is. Not who the Supreme Court is. But who God is. Our God is a sovereign God. God is the only one who is in control. Some people think they are in control, but they are not, and nothing happens that is surprising to God. Everything works according to His plan. He is the one in charge of the weather; He is the one in charge of the seasons; He is the one in charge of who rules and where. He sets them up and He takes them down.

Now many of us are concerned—and rightly so. I'm not going to minimize that because that would not be truth. Many of us are concerned. Will we have more executive orders to force chaplains in the military not to pray in Jesus' name? Maybe. Will we have more executive orders that force chaplains, against their own conscience, to perform same-sex marriage? Possibly. Will we have more anti-Christian and anti-biblical morality? Probably. Will we continue to see Islam elevated and Christianity put down? Most likely. Will we continue to see God and His blessed Son ridiculed, pushed out of public life? It's not beyond the realm of possibility.

Will we continue to see committed Bible believers ridiculed and ostracized—and maybe even worse? Will we continue to see Israel isolated, pressed and forsaken by the only friends they have? I don't know. I pray not.

But Daniel said, in the midst of his turmoil, "Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them." So no matter what we'll face, we know one thing: We are not going to be alone.

Even if we are taken hostage by Nebuchadnezzar, I pray that we would have Daniel's courage not to be intimidated, not to be afraid. God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of love and self-control. And I believe now more than ever that for those who believe, there is power in the name of the Lord.

You see one of the things, and some of you who know me well enough, and I've shared this with you before, that used to kind of tear my heart is when people get all great prayer warriors around election time and then suddenly everybody goes back to life as normal. We cease to be prayer warriors. Why? Do you think God sees this and is not taking notice of it? He does.

He actually saw that in the days of Isaiah and He said, "You know actually you just weary me when you come to me just when you want something."

It is my prayer—has been for a long time—that whatever circumstances, the tougher the better, because the darker it gets outside, the brighter our light is going to shine, because that is the will of God. He wants us to shine as stars, holding the word of life. And if tonight does not encourage you watching these precious people, I don't know what will, because that is what we're all about; that's what the Church is all about. The reason we exist. The reason we have this building. The reason we have this light. The reason we have a staff. The reason the church existed is for something like tonight.

And therefore, I am going to challenge you to consecrate yourselves afresh, that we would consecrate ourselves to the glory of God alone. That will make His glory to be paramount in our life, in our calendar, in our social life, in our money, in our resources. Our praising of God in the times of difficulties elevate Him to His rightful place.

There is no use singing in the sunshine. Anybody can do that, but singing in the rain, especially in the storm. Our praise of our sovereign God also reminds us that we are mere travelers in the world; we are sojourners. We sometimes think this is it, this is our world, this is our utopia, this is our heaven. It is not, and no matter what we say that we believe, we act as if we are going to be here forever.

I have a number of dear friends, older people; they don't know the Lord and they are grabbing for every day. They want just to live long.

They say to me, "How are you?"

I say, "I'm rejoicing."

"Why are you rejoicing?"

"Because I'm one day closer to heaven."

I know some of them think I'm nuts, but that's all right.

Psalm 81:1 says, "Sing for joy to the God of our strength. Shout aloud to the God of Jacob." Amen? Let's go to the Lord in prayer.

[Praying] Father, what an honor and privilege to be in your presence, to know that even if the whole world falls apart, we will not because we are upheld by your right hand. We thank you, Father that you promised never to leave us nor forsake us. We thank you that our future is not dependent on politicians. We thank you that our welfare is in your hands. And your servant David said, "I was young and now I am old. I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his children begging for bread. And Lord, we rejoice you are the God, the same yesterday who was true to David, is true to us today and will be true forever.

Bless our night tonight. Let this time of prayer and re-consecration of ourselves be a serious-minded time so that heaven would rejoice and heaven would witness that we are serious about your business. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have you ever given an expensive present to someone who never thanked you for it? Most of us are guilty of the same indifference toward our gifts from God. God blesses His children in many ways—from our talents and resources to the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Yet how often do we half-heartedly acknowledge our gifts, then quickly forget the Giver?

In Luke 17, we read a story of Jesus' interaction with ten lepers. In this passage, we have the opportunity to watch as one of the lepers fully realizes what Jesus had done for him, and we witness the exuberant thanksgiving that resulted.

To be sure, lepers were the outcasts of all outcasts. They were considered so detestable and contagious, they were prohibited from even approaching people for conversation, resorting instead to covering their mouths and yelling "Unclean!" so people would be aware of their presence.

Leprosy was not only a terrible physical disease, it also prevented people from social interaction. They were excluded from Temple worship and were separated from their families and communities. Leprosy left its victims utterly alone and without remedy for their disease.

Leprosy is not unlike a condition that is afflicting us, though ours is much graver. While the lepers were separated from Temple worship and the presence of God by their fleshly disease, we are eternally separated from God by our sinfulness. The commonality does not stop there. For both the lepers and us, our separateness finds healing exclusively through the power of Jesus.

When Jesus came to the lepers' village, they kept their distance and shouted to Jesus at the top of their voices, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Luke 17:13). When Jesus saw them, He instantly knew of their plight, misery, and isolation. Jesus also knew that the only way they could return to their homes and families, according to the Law, was to be declared clean by the priests. "Go and show yourselves to the priests," Jesus told them, and the lepers went immediately (see Luke 17:14).

As the lepers traveled to the priests, they noticed that they were being healed! The wonder that came over them in the midst of their deliverance must have been tremendous. Perhaps they began to run even faster, anticipating their reinstatement into community, into family, into life! While the ten lepers celebrated, one was so overcome by the completeness of his healing, he turned and immediately rushed back to Jesus, before he even reached the priests. While returning to Jesus, the leper began praising God in a loud voice, without inhibition or restraint. When he finally reached Jesus, the leper fell down at His feet, continuing to offer praise and thanksgiving to Him.

When this Samaritan leper returned, Jesus was struck by the fact that none of the Jewish lepers did likewise. "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Jesus queried (Luke 17:17, 18). Only one out of the ten lepers showed Jesus the gratitude He deserved. How often do we, too, fail to give Jesus heartfelt praise for our blessings?

How can we live a life that is truly thankful? First, we must consider the depth of our greatest blessing. The leper's story of miraculous healing is remarkable—to see such a disease immediately eradicated in someone's life is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Yet when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are healed even more completely! We were eternally separated from God by our sins, but Jesus has made forgiveness possible through His obedient sacrifice on the Cross.

Second, we need to make thanksgiving a priority. The leper didn't wait to return to Jesus until it was convenient or until after he visited the priests. He went immediately to Jesus. The priests did not heal the leper, and he knew it. He returned to the only One worthy of his worship and thanksgiving.

Third, thanksgiving should be offered from the outpouring of our hearts. There was intensity in the leper's worship because he was aware of his inefficacy to provide the healing he needed. How much more wonderful is the eternal healing for those who follow Christ? Let our thanksgiving be an enthusiastic celebration of Christ, who healed our direst need when we could not.

Finally, we must be consistent in our thanksgiving. The more intentional we are about offering thanks to God, the easier it becomes to see His blessings in our lives. That is why we are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to be thankful in all things. No one can bless us like our Heavenly Father. Let us be diligent in thanking Him for His grace and goodness.

At Leading The Way, we receive encouraging testimonies from viewers, listeners and readers from around the world.  We hope that their words will be an encouragement to you and an answer to your prayers for Leading The Way.

Pakistan:

I have been listening to your messages for the last six months and I am inspired by your teachings. I have been walking with Jesus for ten years, but there has been a question that has always tested me. What is my vision? Why am I saved and what is the purpose of God in my life?

I am thankful to God that He answered my prayer through you and your message about vision.

I knelt down and cried out to God and He gave me a vision to work in youth. Please pray for me as I fulfill God’s vision for my life.

Massachusetts:

Every time I read one of your messages, the words "Praise God" come to my mind and heart.  May God continue to bless you in your ministry and may He have mercy on us as we struggle to elect our next President.                                                                                                     

South Carolina:

I am praying for this ministry, and am so encouraged that you are boldly taking a stand on Christian issues that must be addressed for the continuation of this great country.  Thank you for boldly standing up for the cause of Christ when so many other churches are trying to be "politically correct."                  

Zambia:                                                                                                                       

I most sincerely thank you for the gift of  the audio player (Leading The Way’s Navigator). The topic, The Awesomeness of God’s Grace, has been very helpful and inspiring to me.  I was dead to sin, but the grace of God has brought life to me.  I am no longer enslaved to sin, I am free!  My time in prison is not the end of my life, but rather a new beginning in Christ.  God’s grace is sufficient for me, and I pray His grace will help me not to fall into sin, again. 

Indonesia:

I heard about Leading The Way from my friends. They told me that it shared the Truth of the Word of God. At first, I wasn’t interested. I pastor a church and need Biblical materials to lead my congregation, but most teaching programs focus on God’s blessings.  One day, I “accidentally” heard Dr. Michael’s program.  I decided to give it a chance and I started to enjoy it. I now listen to it every week.

The teaching given by Dr. Michael has increased my insight into and knowledge of God’s Word. It has strengthened my faith and my preaching is improving. Thank you! I hope you will send me the book, “I Long For You, O God.”