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Cornerstone Communications
Peru
January 19, 2009

Newsletter Contents

1. Greetings
2. VIDEO
3. Teaching for January.....Satan is a Fisher of Men, Too
4. Text from the Video (for those who’d rather read)
5. Closing

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Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Lima, Peru! It is hard to believe, but I begin my 17th Annual World Tour. It has been an amazing journey. 2008 was very productive and fruitful. How fruitful? We saw over 7,200 souls come into the Kingdom of God around the world! I want to use this report to show you all that the Lord did for 2008. Watch the 5 minute Video Report.

VIDEO MESSAGE

JANUARY TEACHING

Satan is a Fisher of Men Too

2008 has been a harvest year. I praise the Lord for all the souls that came into the Kingdom in 2008 through Cornerstone: over 7,200 souls. Glory to You, Lord! As we strive to be fishers of men in 2009, we ask for the Lords help to make us fruitful. However, there are some things we must be very careful to watch for to keep the enemy out of our camp. This is no time to be lazy in our spiritual lives.

You see, the devil knows his time is limited, and so he is seeking those whom he may devour. You see, he desires to be a fisher of men, too. I have heard people say (when I witness to them) I am not going to ever serve the devil, but I just do not believe in God. That is the enemys whole purpose! He does not care whether you worship him or not, as long as you do not worship God!

Mark 4:14-20 is the story of the sower who sowed the Word. We see also what the devil did, and how he tries to thwart God’s work. What is the bait that the enemy uses? When the Word of God is sown:

1. Mark 4:15 Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

2. Mark 4:17 affliction or persecution arises for the Words sake, and immediately they are offended.

3. Mark 4:19 The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

• Affliction
• Persecution
• Cares of this world
• Deceitfulness of riches
• Lusts of the flesh

Let us look at them individually. Affliction means suffering due to the stress in your life from situations at work, or family, or even church. Do not allow your circumstances to become your focus, and thus take your eyes off of the Lord. That is BAIT! Do not bite! Return to Gods Word, and believe only what He says about this.

Persecution is like afflictions, but it is external. It causes suffering from what others say or do to you. This can lead to misunderstandings, and thus offense. Sometimes, the enemy makes you think you are being persecuted by those who actually want to help, and uses your confusion against you. He makes you think they are bad, and are persecuting you, and makes you drive them away due to offense. The offense is BAIT! Do not bite! Return to Gods Word, and believe only what He says about this.

The Cares of this world come from paying too much attention to BAD NEWS. We focus our time too much on the daily news, on problems, on bad reports, on disasters, but not on God’s Word. We allow those things to overtake our thinking, which can destroy your faith. If you allow yourself to listen too much, they will choke you. That is BAIT! Do not bite! Return to Gods Word, and believe only what He says about this.

The Deceitfulness of riches is what happens when we get too focused on what money can do for us. Even in todays financial crisis, you think of ways to expand your personal kingdom of clothes, cars, houses, jewels, electronic gadgets, etc. and neglect Gods Kingdom. You begin to trust money and what it can do for you. You stop tithing and giving to God. That is BAIT! Do not bite! Return to Gods Word, and believe only what He says about this.

The Lusts of the flesh are anything that causes an insatiable desire to obtain. You cannot rest until you have it, and so you think on, ponder, and dream of getting this desire. It can be sexual, of course. But more than that, it can also be money, or power, or something someone else owns, or the desire to be cool and fit in, and do whatever is necessary to achieve that position. That is BAIT! Do not bite! Return to God’s Word, and believe only what He says about this.

You must get into Gods Word. Have you? It is not too late (it never is!) . If any of these baits have made you bite, then repent today, and turn loose. It might be hard, but Jesus can help you to be set free. Do not let yourself become prey to one of the enemies many traps for you. Stay in Gods Word, and He will deliver you from any bondage the enemy might have planned for you!

VIDEO TEXT

I started 2008 with a whirlwind tour of Eastern Europe. The 1st week of January was in Kiev, Ukraine ushering in the new year. The 2nd week I visited friends in Bucharest, Romania for their Orthodox Christmas in January. The 3rd week I flew to Croatia for a meeting with pastors. I then went to Rome, Italy for a short sightseeing excursion before going home to Dallas, Texas for Covenant Churchs missions conference.

In February, I went on to Recife, Brazil, where I would work with local churches to present The Judgment Seat. We spent the time in rehearsals, and coming up with ways of building. We moved into a beautiful theatre, and had great crowds nightly, and best of all, we saw several hundred give their hearts to Jesus.

In March, Seoul, Korea had invited me to do a show, but the day before I arrive there, they e-mail me to tell me the show was cancelled! I had to go, since I have no where else to go. I walked in faith, and met several pastors for future productions.

I flew to Dallas for auditions for the military show later this year, then flew to Croatia for a reherasal. I then flew on to Kirov, Russia in April and May to present The Hiding Place. The show went well, as Kirov is filled with talented actors. We had a wonderful response from the audience, and over 500 came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! I was back in Croatia for the performance in Zapresisc.

In June I was in Sofia, Bulgaria, and worked with the Bible League there for a theatrical production in the Bulgarian National Theatre. I worked with the local actors to present The Promise, a huge, beautiful musical that, although was successful, almost did me in stress-wise! In July I flew to Astana, Kazakhstan to work with the precious Christians there. The churches were small and poor, but eager to work for the Lord. We presented The Judgment Seat in the predominately Muslim country, and I was almost arrested several times, but the Lord helped me and many were saved.

August found me back in Seoul, but this time to work with the American Military. I was excited to work with them, but was surprised to find that little to nothing had been done. Still, my wonderful singers/dancers from the U.S. came and together we presented a beautiful show.

September I was in Cakovec, Croatia for a new musical. They have come a long way, and now they were ready for a musical! We presented the life of Joseph, and we had a wonderful time singing and dancing, but best of all, telling the community about Jesus.

In October I went to Wrocslaw, Poland to meet with local pastors about a future show. I then went home for another missions conference at our church, plus an annual production called The View, which was a huge success.

November I flew back east to Armyansk, Crimea to present The Judgment Seat and saw hundreds saved. We saw even more saved when we took the cast to nearby Krasnoperekopsk for an encore performance and saw even more saved. We had a wonderful time there, and I hope to return soon.

December I was supposed to be in Mexico, but due to some church internal problems, I was postponed for a later show, so I went back to faithful Croatia, and we presented Two from Galilee. The production was stunning, and the actors were great. I finished off the year and my 16th World Tour by flying home visit family for the holidays.

Gracias, Senor!

That is Spanish for Thank You, Lord! What an amazing year 2008 was! I am so grateful to the Lord, but I am also grateful to all of you who supported Cornerstone with your prayers and with your gifts. And now, we begin a new year. I am believing for even more souls to come into the Kingdom of God. Please join us in prayer for the Lord to do something amazing this year with Cornerstone, amen? I promise to do the same for you! God bless you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez