Leading The Way

Many Praying for Revival in Indonesia

2013-05-16T19:59:12Z

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.

THE KINDOM SAT Reaches Indonesia

2013-05-14T17:08:50Z

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.

Ascension Day - A Reminder to Witness

2013-05-16T19:56:48Z

“… 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.

Why Our Attitude Matters

2013-05-08T13:52:19Z

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 on Sean Hannity

2013-05-08T13:53:21Z

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.

United Prayers for Indonesia

2013-05-08T18:26:46Z

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!

National Day of Prayer

2013-05-02T13:58:00Z

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.

The Healing of a Nation

2013-05-01T17:46:45Z

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.

God's Amazing Grace

2013-04-30T15:58:36Z

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.

Sharing the Light of Christ in Kuwait

2013-05-08T13:51:31Z

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.

April Notes From Our Inbox

2013-04-16T20:49:15Z

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 Invites Indonesians to the May Revival

2013-04-16T20:56:53Z

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.

Leading The Way to Revival in Indonesia Posters

2013-04-16T20:48:24Z

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.

Many at Work in Indonesia to Bring God Glory

2013-04-16T20:47:58Z

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.

Leading The Way to Revival Promotion

2013-04-10T18:02:17Z

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.

Our Coverage Map in Indonesia

2013-04-16T20:47:36Z

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.

Press Conference for Indonesia Revival

2013-04-03T19:37:03Z

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: Proclaiming the Power of God's Kingdom

2013-04-29T14:32:49Z

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.

Three Nights of Revival in Indonesia

2013-04-03T19:38:36Z

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.

Live a Victorious Life in Christ

2013-03-20T15:27:53Z

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:

Remember the victory is ours.
Lay down your life.
Lock the doors each morning.
Put on your battle gear.
Praise the Lord.
Pray for the other person.
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.