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Dear Friends & Family,Greetings from Eastern Europe! I don't know exactly which city to claim I ‘ve been in, because I've been in many in the past two weeks! Last week's production in Moldova was wonderful, and I'm blessed for all that the Lord did, but I suppose my biggest excitement was just simply GETTNG OUT of Moldova! Production UpdateIt's hard to believe, but this is my FIFTH show in Moldova for 2005! We have been to Nisporeni, Cojusna, Ungheni, and Kishenau, and now we had the privilege of helping a young pastor, Vitaly, "populate" his church with new believers in the city of Orhei. We traveled there last Friday, and we transported the sets, put everything up, and opened the shows. We had to bus in the people from the different villages, but they filled the hall, and ultimately, we saw 250 people give their heart to the Lord this weekend! Hallelujah! A very special thanks to Pastor Victor Antoci from Nisporeni, and to his members who make up the cast.  This past weekend, we had a chance to lead 250 precious souls to Jesus Christ through a production of "The Judgment Seat" in the city of Orhei. Mid Year ReportThe most exciting thing that we can ever experience is to see "fruit" come from the work that we do. So, this is a short report on what we have accomplished together for 2005. So far, we have seen 250 this weekend in Moldova, a total of 1300 in Moldova for the year, and 3050 altogether around the world for this year. My prayer is to see at least 7, 500 come to Jesus Christ for 2005. Please pray with me that we'll be able to bring in God's Harvest together. You're such a vital part of this. A City of DayThe past 3 weeks have been filled with travel, LOTS of travel! Here's the proof:
 After the final performance, my Moldovan cast and I pose for the camera. Our fifth production in the fifth city together! Praise the Lord! Travel ReportTravelling to these cities has a reason. In Kiev, for example, I met with Pastor Henry Madava of 10,000 member Victory Church. He's a dear friend, and we discussed setting a production/outreach for next year. Then, I was on to Rzeszow to apologize to the congregation on Wednesday night's service for having to cancel our outreach for February because of my situation in Moldova. Friend and Pastor Marek Skrzypchk was gracious, and has invited me back for exactly the same time in 2006. Then in Warsaw I'm working with good friends and Pastors Andrzei and Maya Stepanov about a production in 2007. Finally, in Romania, I've been working with Bible School president and great friend, Ovidiu Tanase about a production in Timesoara next summer. So, not only was it harvest-time in Moldova, but the "seeds" have planted for next year's harvest! Disciplined DisciplesLast week, this message became so involved, that I had to divide it into sections, so I continue the second part this week. In my walk with the Lord, especially as a missionary, I have found that the challenge in living a Christian life is to let Jesus be Lord. I have seen when I have lived my life without asking for God's help. Everything turns out to be such a mess. I have found that without God's help, it's impossible to live a life that is pleasing to God.  In Ukraine, the Orthodox churches are bejeweled in 24 carat gold and precious gems. Each wall is chocked full of beautiful artwork as seen here. God's wonderful plan of salvation wasn't just for Jesus to die on the cross for us, but also to give us a power to live as victorious Christians. He gives us the power to love others, to forgive, and to accomplish His will and purpose for us. We don't have that power on our own. Yet, how do we get it that power? It comes through Discipline. The objective to spiritual discipline is actually simple. Keep your soul, like your body, fit and well fed, if you want to accomplish great things. 1. Read God's Word This was covered last week. 2. Pray Working in Korea now, I've heard Dr. David Yonggi Cho share this, "The three most important things a Christian can do is 1. To pray, 2. To pray, and finally 3. To pray". George Mueller gave himself up to God in prayer and in faith (in fact, he's my inspiration) , and he raised around $7.5 million for orphanages and missions. There are hosts of other stories, all worth telling, but my space here (and your time) is limited. You ask, "What is prayer?" Very simply put, it's speaking to God. It's thanking Him, worshiping Him, honoring Him, confessing, asking forgiveness for sin, asking or petitioning, supplication (pleading) in times of desperation, and intercession (asking for help on someone else's behalf) . Like George Mueller, I have found that one of the great keys to prayer is faith. I have written other articles on faith, and on prayer. A few months ago I wrote that the most effective prayer is one that starts in heaven. When you learn to hear God's heart for this earth, for your life, and then begin to pray according to His will, you'll find your prayers are answered a lot faster.  In Poland, the quaint cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture give the streets a rustic charm. The final ingredient is to pray in Jesus' name. This is a promise from God's Word, Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." John 16:23. It's a good discipline to learn to go before the Father daily. I have a daily quiet time, and I have found this formula works for me (and I suggest it, but it's simply what works for me. There is no "formula" to finding the Lord) : I spend 5 minutes in praise and worship, 5 minutes in requests, and 5 minutes listening. Combine that with reading God's Word daily, and you'll find yourself in more focused communication with the Lord. Once again, I'm out of room, and out of time! I will continue this next week. We'll discuss "Taming Your Tongue". It's one of the toughest disciplines to follow! God bless you, and see you here next week. Do Zobaczenia w Mexicii!!That's Polish for "See you in Mexico!" What a wonderful time I've had here in Eastern Europe. I've hit 5 countries in 3 weeks, and the "fun's just beginning". However, the LITMUS TEST is "Is it fruitbearing?" I'm being straight with you: I won't take a trip anywhere without having God's smile upon it. I'm finding my life is ZOOMING past me, and the more I do, the more I realize how pathetically little I'm accomplishing. Please pray that I'll be able to be more effective, that MORE souls will come to Christ, that more disciples will fill the church, and that I can inspire and encourage more workers to go out into the field and bring in the harvest, "for truly the fields are white unto harvest". God bless you.
For the Kingdom, |
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