July 2016

In 1 Kings 19, we read of Elijah run-ning from blood-thirsty Jezebel. The text says he “ran for his life” to the point of physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion (1 Kings 19:3). He was in utter despair as he collapsed under a bush and prayed that he might die. But God sent an angel, not once, but twice to bring sustenance to Elijah. The text tells us that “strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights” (1 Kings 19:8).

This is a powerful story of how the Lord provides for us in moments of desperation. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, the Apostle Paul says, “We despaired of life itself . . . But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” In times of great need and difficulty, the Lord sustains His children. He uses our circumstances to teach us how to rely on Him more fully. 

As a ministry, we have certainly experienced God’s provision and sustaining power during difficult times. And we see it in dark parts of the globe where there is immense suffering. One convert in Iraq told us a story that we hear often: “My family knew about my

conversion and verbally abused me, threatened to kill me, and kicked me out of the house. . . . God’s grace and wisdom walked me through those hard days and kept me in the faith.”

In the midst of great suffering, we can know deep peace and joy as we learn to trust our Father. Whatever hardship you might be facing, I pray God draws you closer to Him and blesses you through this month’s journal.

In Christ,

Joshua YoussefExecutive Vice PresidentLeading The Way

For more information, contact us at: myjournal@ltw.org orLeading The Way | PO Box 20100 | Atlanta, GA 30325 USA | 1.877.251.8294

Sustained By His Hand

At some point, every great man and woman of God faces discouragement as he or she seeks to ful-fill God’s call. We see this in Scripture, too. Moses

was overwhelmed (Numbers 11:10-15). Joshua felt defeated ( Joshua 7:6-9). Job even despaired of life itself ( Job 3:1).

Yet in these troubling times and moments of weak-ness, God loves to surprise His children with grace. Perhaps one of the greatest stories of the surprising grace of God through pain and suffering is that of the Apostle Paul. In this month’s journal, I want to share with you how God encouraged His faithful servant Paul in the midst of hardship—and how He continues to encourage you and me today.

As you embark on the great faith adventure God has for you, you will experience incredible mountaintop moments and deep valleys. But I have good news to share with you: No matter the season, the Lord does not abandon you. Even in times of despair, God has a very special way of revealing Himself to you. In all these things, surrender to Him unconditionally—and expect Him to surprise you with His grace.

In Christ,

Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

A Publication of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.President/Publisher

Autumn ThomasonSenior Editor

Laura SchultzWriter/Editor

David GrahamDesigner MY JOURNAL July, © 2016All rights reserved, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.Content may not be reproduced without written permission from Leading The Way.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. © Used by permission. All rights reserved. PO Box 20100Atlanta, GA 30325 USA877.251.8294LTW.org PO Box 142Maple Ridg e, BCV2X 7E9

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FEATURE

In dark times, how do we call upon the Lord in faith, confidence, and trust? The trusting prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 121 shows us how.

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We live in desperate times. Daily we hear of the bloodshed of terrorism and persecution. The economic world is on the razor’s edge. Families are broken. Right is called wrong and wrong is called right. As we look at our world today, it’s times like these when we need to learn afresh how to cry out to God. We must come back to God, trusting Him, taking hold of Him, believing Him, and trusting that He will do the impossible.

How do we call upon the Lord in times of trouble? Psalm 121 is a brief yet powerful and instructive psalm that teaches us how to cry out to God, all while trusting Him completely. Devout Jews who traveled from all over the country, climbing the well-trodden paths up to the temple of God in Jerusalem, would use this psalm in their journey. As they mounted the hill to reach the temple to worship God, they would sing Psalm 121. And so it is called “A Song of Ascent.”

Imagine these pilgrims—their tired bodies, sore feet, and aching muscles. As they got closer to Jerusalem, they would look up and behold the temple of God sitting on the hill, the end of their pilgrimage. Right at that moment, they would sing this song:

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

In times of trouble, we must remember where our help comes from. The Canaanites of the time worshiped their false gods on the hills—the “high places” as mentioned in Scripture. The psalmist was saying that when he looks up and sees the hills where the Canaanites worship their false gods, he remembers that his help doesn’t come from a false god, but from Yahweh, the God of power and might.

Today, many of us look up and see all the false gods that have failed us. Money, power, and relationships have failed to satisfy. Governments and modern medicine haven’t provided the solutions we were hoping for. So where do we go from here? We look up to the heavens. We look up to the one from whom our help comes—the one who flung the sun, moon, earth, and stars into orbit.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

In times of trouble, we must not give up—for God is always at work. People supposed that the pagan gods of the day would go off-duty for weeks and months at a time, allowing crops to dry up. But our true God never sleeps. In fact, He is always at work.

You may be suffering physically and

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FEATURE

need the healing touch of God. You may be anxious about the future and desperately need God’s assurance. You may be experiencing grief and need God’s divine comfort. You may have a torn home or marriage and need God’s power and sovereign intervention. Don’t give up praying and trusting God, for He is always watching out for His children and working on their behalf.

The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

In times of trouble, we must trust in the Lord’s watchful care and protection. In the Middle East, where desert temperatures can run between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, a shade can be the difference between life and death. Our Lord is a wonderful shade from the scorching sun, our greatest protection against the heat of difficulties and trials.

God did not keep Daniel from going into the den of lions, but He went ahead of Daniel and zipped their mouths. He did not stop Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego from going through the fiery furnace, but He walked with them in the midst of the flames. And that is why a true child of the living God is neither blind to troubles nor fearful of them: Our very breath is in His hand, and He has promised never to leave or forsake us.

Have you experienced intimacy with Jesus that leads to absolute confidence and trust, regardless of the circumstances? Those of us who put our faith in Jesus are pilgrims on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem. On the journey, we face treacherous roads. Some of us are exhausted along the way. Only God our Maker can really help us. Only He can intervene in our lives and meet our desperate needs. For that reason, we can look up—for we know that God will take us safely all the way home.

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Many Christians live a defeated life because they never ask, “Who are You, Lord?” in the midst of the storm. Yet, in trying times, God wants to reveal Himself to us. In difficult moments, God wants to surprise us with an all-sufficient grace that sustains us in weakness.

Through the Apostle Paul, God imparts powerful truths we can cling to through hardship: Though we are hard pressed, we are not crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8). Though we are weak, He is strong in us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). And no matter what circumstance we face, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:31-39).

Because of God’s sovereignty and love, we can face our trials and sufferings with praise and confidence instead of giving in to despair. In this month’s devotionals, as we see this scenario play out in Paul’s life, we should be encouraged. For God is faithful to strengthen and provide for His children, that we might persevere in hope and finish the race well.

The Surprise of GraceTrusting God in Difficult Times

JOURNAL CONTENTS

Week 1: Praising God in the Prison

Week 2: The Antidote to Fear

Week 3: A Blessed Thorn

Week 4: Whatever the Circumstance

Week 5: Finishing Well

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J o u r n a l w e e k1Praising God in the Prison

Being in prison for something you did not do is not an ideal situation, but Paul found a way to make it a place of praise. Most people would have been questioning why they were there, wondering if living for Christ was really the right decision. Who would want this type of abuse?

However, Paul understood the power of the God he served. He knew that despite the gravity of his circumstances, God could change everything in a moment. And he knew that God’s will was perfect, whatever the cost to his comfort.

Read Acts 16:16-34. Paul was having “one of those days.” On the way to the house of prayer, a young slave woman began following him and Silas. Her shouts were meant to draw unwanted attention to the apostle. In reality, the enemy was seeking to run Paul and his evangelistic team out of town. But Paul commanded the harassing spirit to leave this young woman (Acts 16:18).

Her owners, who made money through her fortune-telling, were not happy. Frustrations grew until the entire city of Philippi was in an uproar: “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison” (Acts 16:22-23).

If anyone had a reason to be depressed, it was Paul and Silas. Yet, they did not allow their circumstances to cause them to question the providence of God. Instead of seeing a desperate situation, they trusted in God’s purposes. Beaten and bleeding, they sang praises and hymns to God. These grateful hearts prepared the way for God to do something incredible in that Philippian jail (Acts 16:25-26).

At midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing to the Lord and while the other prisoners listened, a tremendous earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. The door to their jail cell opened, and they were free

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:18MY JOURNAL | 6

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men—but they did not leave because they knew it would mean death for the jailer who had been given the charge to watch over them. The jailer was amazed by their commitment to God and accepted Christ as his Savior. Not only that, but the jailer’s entire family was saved and then baptized, and the next morning Paul and Silas were freed.

Had they been murmuring and grumbling about how a loving God could let them land in such a place, they would have missed an opportunity to lead a man and his entire family to the Lord. But because of the way they perceived God, they were joyful in the midst of devastating circumstances.

How you see God will directly affect whether you are a praising or a complaining person. If you see God as the all-powerful, wholly sovereign Lord who loves you dearly—if you see God as the one who saved you, called you, and knew you before the foundation of the earth—you will be an overcomer. There is far greater power available to you when you bless the name of the Lord in the midst of confusing circumstances and glory in the Lord when everything is blowing up in your face.

As we seek God more and more, we discover that for every temptation the enemy presents to despair or complain, there is a greater blessing God wants to give. We must remain faithful to the Lord in those trying moments, pressing ahead with the knowledge that God will not withhold His best plan for our lives as long as we are following and trusting Him.

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“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7

2The Antidote to Fear

Fear hinders your potential for God and robs your joy. It can ruin your family, friendships, and relationship with God. It always masquerades as something else—as extreme caution, timidity, insecurity, a lack of confidence, or procrastination. Do you live in fear? Do you feel like your life is an emotional prison? If you are constantly afraid, then you may be living behind bars more powerful than steel.

Paul—along with many other Biblical heroes—discovered the antidote to fear: faith in Christ! In other words, when you realize that God is in total control of your life, fear will be banished, for “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). In Acts 18, we see how God strengthened Paul at a time when discouragement could have defeated him.

Read Acts 18:1-17. In these verses we see God encourage His faithful servant Paul in the work He had given him to do. Firstly, God provided Paul with godly friends. Aquila and Priscilla came to Corinth from Rome because the Emperor Claudius made a declaration that all Jews, whether they were Christian Jews or not, must leave the city of Rome. By God’s providence, they ended up in Corinth—at the same time as Paul, practicing the same trade Paul grew up learning as a boy: tent-making. Just coincidence, right?

Secondly, God blessed his faithfulness. We see in verses 5-8, following violent opposition from the Jewish community in Corinth, that God encouraged Paul with the conversion of the leader of the synagogue and many more Corinthians. Despite the havoc that ensued following Paul’s uncompromised preaching of the Gospel and the hard hearts of the Corinthian crowd, God sustained Paul and blessed his faithfulness as this Jewish leader and his family came to Christ.

Thirdly, God fellowshipped with Paul personally in a very special way, speaking to him in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because

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I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). God made it clear that Paul would fulfill His purpose in Corinth and that there were many people to be won to Christ in this city.

And fourthly, God frustrated the enemy’s plan to thwart the spread of the Gospel (verses 12-17). The Jews took Paul before the proconsul to have him decree it unlawful for Paul to proclaim the Gospel. But instead of having a landmark decision to stop the Great Commission throughout the Roman Empire, what did the proconsul do? Gallio, who was known for his acute sense of justice, dismissed the case.

In times of fear and discouragement, the faithful child of God is never alone. Just as He ministered to Paul in Corinth, God will minister to you in your trials as you are faithful to Him. When you desire to honor and serve God, He will provide for your every need. When your life’s goal is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, God will always minister to you.

God is more concerned about His minister than the ministry because there can be no faithful ministry without a faithful minister. He is concerned about your life, your walk, and your righteousness. So when your vision becomes cloudy, when the way is hard and dark, ask God to help you see your situation from His perspective. Ask Him to show you His love and sovereignty. In every trial, God is with you; He will encourage you as you set your gaze on His eternal goal.

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J o u r n a l w e e k3A Blessed Thorn

Have you ever felt so weak that you could not take another step? Have you ever felt so inadequate for a task that you almost quit before you began? In times of weakness, Paul discovered the secret of power through the Holy Spirit: openly confessing his insufficiency instead of relying on his own strengths.

Read Acts 20:18-27. Paul had been a Pharisee—a man of social influence and position. He had been trained by one of the most eminent scholars of his day. But none of this mattered to Paul. He had formed a strong conviction: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:8).

However, Paul also had a thorn—a burdensome pain from which he prayed to God for relief three times (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). We don’t know what Paul’s thorn was. He never called his beatings and imprisonments a thorn; he considered them willing sacrifices for God’s Kingdom. His thorn was something completely different—and ultimately, a great blessing from God.

God could have eliminated Paul’s struggle in a moment, but He knew that Paul would receive a greater blessing by learning to rely on His perfect strength in all circumstances. God knew that His grace would neither manifest nor shine in a strong and self-sufficient person like it would in a man who suffered in weakness.

Paul recognized that his thorn kept him humble and focused on the Lord. His weaknesses resulted in a life so devoted to Christ that it served as a model for all Christians and made his teaching authentic to bear up under scrutiny. In Acts 20:18-21, Paul spoke to church leaders from Ephesus, saying, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.” This is significant. Paul was reminding the leaders that they heard him talk and saw him walk so that they could testify that there was no discrepancy between what he said and how he lived.

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

– 2 Corinthians 12:9MY JOURNAL | 10

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Additionally, in the midst of the pain of the thorn in Paul’s life, his obedience to the Lord was unconditional. In Acts 20:22-27, Paul revealed that he was fully aware of the suffering that awaited him as he followed God’s call. Once he knew where God was calling him to go, that was the end of the matter; he went.

Paul said, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus Christ has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). Compared to the task of making Jesus known, Paul’s personal ambitions meant nothing. His desires were not at the forefront; his comfort was not the priority. Why? Because his life was not his own (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

God did not forget or dismiss Paul’s thorn, and He won’t overlook ours. He uses life’s stresses—physical and emotional—to draw us closer to Him and prepare us for the good work He has given us to do.

Paul felt pain, sorrow, and need, yet when the power of the Holy Spirit flowed through him, he experienced joy, contentment, and peace. It certainly takes time and maturity to, like Paul, praise and thank God for our weaknesses. Yet, when we are willing to humble ourselves before God, He will exalt us (see James 4:10).

In the midst of the trials you may be facing today, cry out to the Lord. Although it may be difficult, thank Him for what He will accomplish through your weaknesses. You may be surprised by the result!

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J o u r n a l w e e k4Whatever the Circumstance

Sometimes we shy away from growing spiritually because we know that growth is often accompanied by pain. We want to run from our troubles rather than press forward. But the Bible tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” ( James 1:2-4).

Joy does not mean that we will not experience pain, sadness, or frustration when everything seems to go wrong. But unlike happiness, we can find joy in the midst of our suffering.

Read Acts 21:10-14, 30-33; 23:9-12. Paul was no stranger to experiencing hardships. He endured harsh criticism, prison, and near-death situations. He was not always happy, but he found the secret to maintaining his joy: He remained focused on Christ instead of his circumstances. After speaking in Jerusalem and causing so much chaos that the Roman commander had to house him in the barracks for his protection, the Lord personally came and stood by Paul and said to him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

If you’re going through a hard time, if you are tempted to give up on God, if you are wondering if your rope is about to break, if you are questioning whether God has forgotten you, remember that God’s words to Paul are meant for you, too.

Even when it seems God is silent, He is yet working things out for your good and His glory. God is the master of your circumstances, and He’s using all of them to weave His purpose in your life, even now.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

– Philippians 4:12-13MY JOURNAL | 12

J o u r n a l w e e k4 When Paul trusted the sovereign hand of God, he learned to be content in the ups and downs, in the abundance and the lack, in sickness and in health, in the courts of kings and in the dungeons and prisons. In all things, Paul recognized God as the source of his strength: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Whatever God called Paul to do—whether speaking with the powerful or the poor, whether preaching to thousands in a coliseum or to a lone Philippian jailer, whether speaking to King Agrippa or to a lowly soldier in Rome—Paul knew that God would equip him for his tasks. And his Christ-centered focus brought joy and contentment to his life.

As believers determined to honor Christ with every portion of our lives, our lips should come into harmony with our actions as we praise God at every opportunity and in every circumstance. This is how we live with a heavenly perspective—one that is set on the one who transforms our darkest situation into one of hope and light.

What hardship are you enduring right now? Look up; the God of all creation loves you and is working all things for your good and His glory. Let the joy of that knowledge fill your heart with praise and peace.

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J o u r n a l w e e k5Finishing Well

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples spent a substantial amount of time waiting patiently for prayers to be answered and expecting God to rescue them from dire situations. We, too, must be willing disciples, waiting patiently for God to work in the midst of difficult situations and trusting that His purposes will not be frustrated whatever the circumstances. This is the key to finishing well.

Read Acts 28:17-31. If you visit Rome, you can see the dungeon that once housed the Apostle Paul. You can stand within the same four solid walls that once formed his cell. There are no windows, no doors, no way of escape; and yet, for Paul, it was not a place of defeat or fear. It was a place of both victory and hope. Although Paul was confined physically, he was free spiritually.

When Paul got to Rome, the first thing he did was share with his fellow Jews the Truth about Jesus. The Bible says they objected. But Paul knew that objections and objectors could not halt the work of God. He knew that what Satan employs as obstacles, God uses as instruments to sanctify His servants and fulfill His purpose.

Paul’s obedience led him to three years in a Caesarean prison and two years under house arrest in Rome. But in these seemingly inconvenient situations, Paul was able to preach to kings and governors. Under house arrest in Rome, Paul wrote some of the most joyful, peaceful, and exciting epistles that we read, learn from, and rejoice in today: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 2 Timothy.

We don’t know how long Paul was in this environment in Rome, but we do know that from here he was led to his execution. Yet, even in death, Paul did not face defeat. The moment after he drew his last earthly breath, he was embraced

“He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness

and without hindrance!”– Acts 28:31

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J o u r n a l w e e k5 by the Lord. Note that Luke, the author of Acts, didn’t end the book with more information about Paul’s life or his execution. From God’s perspective, the details of Paul’s death were not important. What is important is that he finished well.

Today, the worldwide growth of the church testifies to God’s foundational work through those who remained faithful to God’s call even when their faith was tested. After years of imprisonment, hundreds of lashes at the hands of Jewish officials, abandonment by close friends in ministry, shipwreck, and persecution by the very people he was trying to reach, Paul had every reason to throw in the towel. But instead of hardening his heart toward God and forfeiting the mission, he pressed on. It was Paul who wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). The disciples’ attitude in difficult times should not only challenge us, but encourage us that we can have the same perspective in our own trials, suffering, and even persecution.

Shortly before he met Jesus face to face, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Are you ready to say the same? May the example of Paul and others inspire you in the strength of the Holy Spirit to run the race set before you, that you may finish well and get the prize.

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REPORT

Thank you for your ministry and for all th

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Each month Leading The Way receives encouraging testimonies from all over the world. Just as they are a tremendous encouragement to our team, we hope that their words will be an inspiration to you and an answer to your prayers for Leading The Way.

“I have been watching your satellite TV channel for the past two years. My eyes were opened to see truth like never be-fore. I realized that I was blind for 69 years, and I have wasted my whole life. I want to praise and serve the Lord for the rest of my life. Thank you for opening my eyes and helping me to realize that Jesus is the King.” ~ Algeria

“I have seen Jesus in my dreams, and He talked to me. Would you please help me to know more about Him? How can I worship and honor Him?” ~ Iraq

“Your satellite TV channel THE KING-DOM SAT is one of the richest spiritual resources and the most blessed channels. I pray that you will reach more people with your amazing teaching.” ~ Belgium

“I have learned much about Jesus from you. As I continue watching your channel, my faith continues grow-ing from one level to another. I found answers for many questions I could not answer before.” ~ South Sudan

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Leading The Way partners frequently ask us how they can be praying for our on-the-ground teams who are ministering to Muslim audiences. We are so thankful for your support and invite you to consider the following as you partner with us in prayer.

There is a spiritual battle going on for lost souls. It’s very hard for a Muslim to take a step, however small, toward becoming a Christian—even to pick up the phone and call us after they’ve seen our program. They might want to contact us, but they are fearful. They worry about how their family might react. One of the most intense moments in the life of a lost person is when he or she realizes, “I need Christ in my life.” That’s the moment Satan realizes he is losing this person.

There’s one Saudi Arabian woman who watched our programs, and God was really speaking to her. But after she began to seek Christ and talk with me about Christianity, she went through a divorce, she got fired from her job, and then her nephew died. She told me, “I

think Allah is punishing me for trying to follow Christ.” Pray for God’s Truth to extinguish the lies of the enemy and for the seeds we plant in discipleship to take root.

Our teams are facing their own personal challenges. Some of our team are dealing with sickness in the family. Others carry the weight of knowing that their family disapproves of what they are doing as ministers of the Gospel. As we minister to others, we need God to minister to us. Pray for God to calm our minds and help us focus on the work He has given us.

Although we plant the seed, only the Holy Spirit can transform lives. Pray for our audience—that they will not just watch our programs, but hear the Word of God directly in their hearts, touching their souls, and will take the bold step of contacting us to learn more.

It’s amazing how God prepares hearts to receive the Truth—and how He prepares us to minister to them. Thank you for your prayers and partnership.

F R O M T H E F R O N T L I N E S

From North America to North Africa, Leading The Way employs on-the-ground teams to follow up with our listeners and viewers by phone, email, social media, video calls, and in-person meetings and assess the needs of persecuted believers. From the Frontlines shares a behind-the-scenes look at what these teams are doing every day.

NEW COLUMN

WE CHERISH YOUR PRAYERSBy Ash, Leading The Way’s North American Arabic Follow-up Coordinator

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As we age, the end goal of life inevitably comes into focus. We consider what kind of legacy we want to leave. We think strategically about how we might steward our God-given resources both for the next generation and for the Gospel.

If you are in or approaching the retirement stage of life, you may be seeking an income source that can answer “yes” to the following questions:

Is the investment secure?Is the income stream guaranteed?Does it have a good rate of return?Will this investment help me to advance the Kingdom of God?

One investment vehicle answering “yes” to these questions is the Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). Leading The Way offers these through its partnership with Fulcrum Philanthropy Services. For example, a 75-year-old funding a CGA with $25,000 receives an immediate tax deduction for a portion of that gift, and then receives fixed periodic payments of approximately $1,375 per year for life (5.5% of the $25,000). About 80% of each payment is tax-free. The income percentage varies by age, with older folks enjoying higher rates.

Every CGA processed through Leading The Way helps fund our mission to proclaim the Good News, disciple new believers around the world, and help persecuted Christians in need.

Contact Leading The Way’s Ministry Engagement Coordinator Michelle Austin at 800-538-7677 today for more information on CGAs and other tax-smart giving opportunities.

F R A N K LY S P E A K I N G

CONSIDER YOUR LEGACY Frank Patterson

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LEADING THE WAY MEDIA SCHEDULE: July

TO PLACE AN ORDER, USE THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR CALL 1.877.251.8294 (US and Canada), 1300 133 589 (Australia), OR 0800 432 0419 (UK). OR ORDER ONLINE AT LTW.org.

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For a complete listing of radioand television stations airingLeading The Way in your area,visit www.LTWBroadcasts.com.

Watch Leading The Way (All times Eastern unless noted.)

Angel One: Sunday 8:00 am; Tuesday 12 noonCornerstone: Sunday 8:30 amDaystar: Sunday 9:30 pmTrinity Broadcasting Network: Sunday 7:00 pmION Network: Sunday 7:30 am (check local listings)NRB Network: Sunday 11:30 amUPtv: Sunday 8:30 am

In Canada:Vision: Sunday 8:30 am

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Monday 11:30 am (AEST); Tuesday 10:00 pm (AEST)West Television: Saturday 8:30 am (WA only)7TWO: Sunday 7:30 am (National)Channel Nine: Sunday 5:00 am (National)

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DR. YOUSSEF IS COMING TO THE UK!

Join us for a powerful night ofpreaching and worship at the London Palladium.

October 24, 2016 at 7:30 PMTickets on sale nowLTW.org/London0800 432 0419

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LEADING THE WAY RESOURCES

LOOKING UP WHEN LIFE’S GOT YOU DOWN AUDIO SERIESHave you ever caught yourself wondering how you will make it through another day? In his series Looking Up When Life’s Got You Down, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that there is hope. We do not have to become disillusioned with life because God has a tremendous plan in mind for our lives—and He can turn even the most difficult circumstances into places of blessing. Using the life of the Apostle Paul as a framework for the series, Dr. Youssef reminds us that the God of all comfort will meet every need we have.

13 Messages on CD: Order AL0067C $45 (US) | $45 (CAN) | $45 (AUD) | £30 (UK)

MOSES: PORTRAIT OF A HERO AUDIO SERIESA hero isn’t necessarily someone of great strength or skill. What makes someone a hero is the size of their heart and the depth of their character. Though he revealed human frailties, Moses is a powerful example of obedience to God—a willful surrender that can make anyone a hero. In this 16-part series, you will see the dramatic ways God used Moses and learn what these events reveal for your faith.

16 Messages on CD: Order AL0051C $51 (US) | $51 (CAN) | $51 (AUD) | £25 (UK)

SEEK THE PEACE OF THE CITY SINGLE CD MESSAGEAmerica is dangerously adrift—moving farther away from her Biblical roots. In Seek the Peace of the City, Dr. Michael Youssef shares the responsibility of every Christian citizen to diligently pray for and seek the peace of their cities, states, and nations.

Single Message on CD: Order T070112C $7 (US) | $7 (CAN) | $7 (AUD) | £7 (UK)

UNDERSTANDING & RESPONDING TO ISLAM SINGLE MESSAGEIn a compelling address, Dr. Michael Youssef shares the surprising connection between the expansion of Islam and the departure of the church from Biblical authority—a wake-up call for Christians everywhere to articulate the Truth of Christ lovingly and without compromise.

Single Audio Message on CD: Order T070916C $7 (US) | $7 (CAN) | $7 (AUD) | £7 (UK) Single Audio Message on DVD: Order DV071016 $10 (US) | $10 (CAN) | $10 (AUD) | £10 (UK)

A captain and his wife were on board a ship when the vessel ran into a fierce storm. The wife was absolutely terrified of the storm, while her husband was peaceful and calm.

The captain’s wife couldn’t understand why he was so composed and seemingly unconcerned, so finally she blurted out: “I don’t understand how you can be so calm when I am totally terrified of this storm!”

Her husband did not answer in words. He got up, retrieved his sword, and pointed that sharp sword right at her chest. But all she did was smile.

Her husband asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of this sword?” She replied, “Oh, I am not afraid of a sword that is wielded in the hand of

my husband.”And the captain said, “Neither am I afraid of a storm in the hand of my Father.”Are you ever fearful or troubled as you face life’s circumstances? Even in tumultuous

times, our Heavenly Father is working all things for the good of those who love Him. Even the dis-ciples were discouraged and afraid at times as they sought to do God’s work—but they knew where to look when times got tough. They looked up.

Fearless in the Storm

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