I saw this on the web and thought you may like to read this thought provoking paradigm…

The study on my heart at the moment is the mystery of what happens when we arise and go! I know now that there is something to that concept, something that has taken me years to discover. Looking at my life, I see that I have roosted on both extremes of the spectrum between abandoned risk and fear-induced paralysis. Lately, I have constructed a memory collage of unrelated events in which I now see a common thread: something needed to be done; I arose and went. And in the going, I ran right into my miracle.

The footprints of those who understood go are all over the Bible. Their stories seem to have common elements: a difficult situation, the character's own inability to meet the problem, the character's resolve to rise up and do something, God's miraculous intervention.

One of my favorites of these characters is Jonathan, King Saul's son. I Samuel 14 Chronicles Jonathan's exploits when the Philistines were encamped around Israel, whose king, a fearful man, himself, failed to inspire courage in those around him. Instead of supporting their king, the warriors of Israel were scattered and trembling. It looked bad for the good guys. In spite of his circumstances, however, Jonathan had an idea. He said to his armor bearer, "Let us go…."

"It may be that the Lord will work for us," he continued. Jonathan did not know that God would give him the victory until he stepped out and took the risk. God had not told him to do it. Jonathan just knew God's ways. He wasn't being doubtful or arrogant or presumptuous. It mattered to him that something needed to be done, and the faith rose up in his heart to do it.

His declaration of faith expressed his understanding of God: "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord to save by many or by few" (I Sam. 14:6). Maybe the words he uttered show the progression of his decision, "Let's go. Maybe God is in it. Hey, He is God; He can do it! Whether we have the whole army or just ourselves, we need Him to win, anyway."

His faithful armor bearer responded, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart" (I Sam. 14:7 NKJV). I'm impressed that Jonathan said the word "go," not God. This type of go that I am exploring seems to be initiated by us, yet, God-inspired, always produces miraculous results.

Opportunity

In the year 1265, Kubla Kahn ruled China, most of India and the greater portion of the Asian continent.  He was one of
the most powerful men on the face of the earth.  In that same year, two Italian men named Nicolo and Matio Polo, the
father and uncle of Marco Polo (yes he was a real person, not just a pool game) took a journey to China.  They traveled
that great distance to Eastern Europe, through Asia and into China where they met the great Khan.  They told Kubla
Kahn about Jesus Christ.  They told him about the death of Christ.  They told him about the crucifixion of Christ, His
sacrifice for our sin, His offer of forgiveness.  They told Kahn about how Jesus Christ is the hope of the world, how He
offers eternal life to all who believe.  The Holy Spirit was working in the heart and mind of Kubla Kahn in what we call
prevenient grace.  In that moment he was ready to become a Christian.

   Kubla Kahn thought, I would like all of my leaders, all of my officials, all of my officers to become Christians.  I want my
people to be Christians.  I want you two men to go back to Italy and bring 100 missionaries here.  I want then to tell all of
my people about Jesus Christ.  So Nicolo and Matio returned to Italy in 1269.  They talked to the church leaders, who were
not very impressed.  They were not willing to send 100 missionaries, but agreed to send two.  So, in the year 1271, Nicolo
and Matio Polo, with the 17-year-old Marco Polo, left for China again and they took two missionaries with them.  When
they were halfway there, the two missionaries were so wearied of the journey, they turned around and went back to Italy.  
It was 30 years later when missionaries finally arrived in China.  By that time, Kubla Kahn was dead.  It was too little.  It
was too late.  The door was closed.  The opportunity would never come again.

   How can we possibly know what would have happened if the church of Jesus Christ had been faithful in that moment?



Is there something God is calling you to do?

Piggy Back Ride

I head out for the window in less than three weeks. PLEASE PRAY! The steps of the righteous are ordered by the LORD!

Sri Lanka – Arriving into Sri Lanka will again be another time into this country of civil war. ALL who live here now are under extreme strain as bloodshed is everywhere. People are getting desperate as inflation has driven bread and rice cost to all time highs… Pray for the believers in Sri Lanka to remain faithful. We will minister for 5 days then "GO" to the continent of Africa.

Swaziland - After many times of invitation to "GO" to minister with Children's Cup, the Lord finally released me to "GO". After Sri we will be with Ben & Susan Rodgers to get a 1^st hand look @ the AIDS epidemic in Africa and how the "Cup" is ministering to families and children affected by the disease. Dave & Jean Ohlerking have been ministering here for years and it will be an honor to get some African dirt on my feet again for Jesus.

Mozambique – From Swaziland the road will be a fun drive… to minister Easter celebration at Healing Place Church – Mozambique. This is going to be awesome to spend with Pastor Isaac and this new church plant in this nation. I am looking forward to taking communion with these believers…

Kenya – Kenya has erupted in political war this year with as many have died in Nairobi. Pastor Don Matheny and Nairobi Lighthouse Church are standing in the midst of great struggles. Thousands of new refugees have sprung up as the fighting and chaos is wracking this nation.

North India Evangelism Project

We will go specifically again to Chandigarh to work with Pastor Norman Gray. We met Norman during the Tsunami in Sri Lanka and went last year to be part of his new church plant. This year the church will be two years old as we lead a team Rusty Domingue is bringing from Celebration Church from Georgetown, TX. Chandigarh is located north of New Delhi about a three hour train ride. The Punjab people live here in this city and work primarily in the government of India. Most of the people commute to Delhi weekly on the three hour train ride to the nation's capitol. Chandigarh is one of the two "planned" cities in India with a sewer system and roads designed by the French pre British colony days. Please pray for us and help us with this church plant. We are going by Faith… our budget to do the meetings and travel is $10,000US. We ask you to pray… Jesus loves Faith and signs follow those who believe. Believe with us for many to come into the kingdom this month.

Reports from the 1040 window

Wow I have gotten a lot of tough emails as of late from people I know in dire strait situations in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. I thought I would pass on a few excerpts for your information and your prayers!

Sri Lanka - Pastor shot dead in Ampara District (Eastern coast)
Pastor Neil Edirisinghe of Ampara was shot dead last night (17th
February 2008). He was shot in the chest and his wife was shot in the
stomach. She has been admitted to hospital in a serious condition. It is
reported that their child too has sustained injuries.

Please pray for this family and the Church.

India – Orissa State

Almost 25,000 Christians left homeless. More than 1000 churches attacked. 730 Christian houses burned to the ground; thousands of Christian homes looted and emptied of everything. 126 Christian businesses destroyed. Thousands of the Christians beaten; some had heads shaved to humiliate them; Christian women raped. Over 4000 Hindu militants are roaming around looking to persecute Christians. Their only crime – they refuse to bow down and worship Hindu idols.

Pakistan - Dear brother, PLEEAASSEE do not look at me as a liability, but things here are really getting BAAADDD for us with the present turn of events.

My older son yesterday was severely harassed by some individuals who actually managed to obtain his office telephone number and this is an International group. Today I have arranged protection for him through the Police. I may regret this action later though.

Today he was coming home from a Football game the other day when he was held up at the Traffic lights for his Mobile, fortunately he is sharp enough and floored the car + we always travel with a Weapon in the vehicle. But you see this is how things are worsening on a daily basis. The school received a Bomb threat before the Elections; they were shut down for a week. We have an Armed Guard at the Gate this is in spite of the fact that we live in a most secure Army housing society.

Please tell your friends we need to get out while we can, even though right now we are financially all the way down but we will sell all we have and leave and then look at making our way to Canada from there, but please dear brother, ask them to at least communicate with me and let me know what, if anything at all, is happening.

IHOP - The Prayer Room

The Lord has led me to IHOP! International House of Prayer… not Pancakes. All this year I have felt a stirring to seek God for an encounter with his power. This kind of movement takes concentrated seeking through prayer and fastings. My sister has been in this prayer movement for three years and the affects of her intercession has moved me to check out IHOP. Wow they are shaking heaven with all the young people seeking an out pouring of God's spirit. Check it out… www.theprayerroom.tv on the web and on God TV late nights.