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Lighthouses in the Dark

9/27/2017

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Never give up on someone whose heart appears to be hardened to the Gospel.
 
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it,”
John 1:5 (NLT)
 
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all,” 1 John 1:5 (NLT).
 
It’s no secret that we live in a dark and troubled world. As the light of Jesus’ love shines into that world, the desire for that light increases. One of the most encouraging truths in these challenging times is the fact that, as Scripture says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it,” John 1:5 (NLT). Friend, there is nothing—no tragedy, trial or disappointment—that could ever cause the Light of the Lord to waiver.
 
One of our ministry friends shared the following story with us about one international student who served as a guiding light for another student after they became roommates here in the United States. Our friend writes,
 
“I was blessed to be invited to the baptism of a Chinese student, Julie. I thought about how God had orchestrated her life to bring her to this point. Julie had gone on some trips and met Mary. When Julie moved out of her place, Mary was looking for a roommate. Julie moved in with Mary, and they were able to help each other out. Julie was an atheist, but Mary was a believer who read her Bible and prayed every night. Julie was having difficulties in her life, but she could see that when Mary prayed for her, God guided the results. So, soon Julie joined Mary in her prayers and Bible reading. Julie shared that when she was a child, she’d go to the Buddhist Temple with her grandmother, but she did not feel that she was worshipping the true God. ‘I never saw love on those faces,’ she said. ‘I had some problems, and when my roommate prayed to God, I knew He was watching over me. Even when I applied to graduate school, I encountered difficulties, but once again, when my roommate prayed, I felt peace and the difficulties were resolved. I realized only Jesus, and praying to Him, could release my sins. So, I wanted to become a child of God.’ Julie shared her news with her parents and found them to be supportive. She even found that her mother wanted to learn more about the Christian faith. And so, God’s saving grace will continue to multiply!”
 
Never give up on someone whose heart appears to be hardened or cold to the message of salvation. Keep on praying and living out God’s love and grace. Be a lighthouse and show the way for those who are lost in the darkness! Days, months or years may go by, but God sees and hears. You may, one day, witness the fruits of your labor!
 
For More Information
Learn how to be a light in the life of an international student.
http://www.isionline.org/GetInvolved.aspx


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A Call to Pray in the Storm

9/21/2017

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Let us serve as the Lord’s ambassadors of prayer as we lift up those recently affected by hurricanes, fires and earthquakes.
 
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world,” Psalm 46:10 (NLT).
 
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT).
 
As the severe devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria leave people homeless, the spread of fires along the West Coast grows, and the damage of 8.1 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes in Mexico are assessed—all including the loss of precious lives—many of us are left feeling helpless. Whether watching from afar, or experiencing record-breaking flooding up-close and personal, or blazing flames in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and California, I pray for peace of mind for all those affected by these massive calamities. It’s more than heartbreaking to know that many of our brothers and sisters in these areas are facing incredible loss and hardship.
 
Let us all remember, though, that God is a God of comfort and restoration. Scripture tells us to give “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT). Friend, would you kindly take a moment out of your day today to pray for those affected directly and indirectly by these deadly hurricanes, raging fires and massive earthquake? Let us pray for comfort, strength and the power of the Lord to stir within the hearts of those affected.
 
I am reminded of a testimony one of our ministry friends shared with us a few years ago when she was experiencing a dark and uncertain time. Our friend, who happens to be from Texas, writes:
 
“I remember clearly a time when I found myself in a situation that, at the time, felt ‘hopeless.’ Circumstances did not seem like they could get any worse. I did not even know how to pray about it because it seemed so hopeless. Glumly, I went to my concordance and did a word-search for ‘hope.’ As it turns out, the Bible has a lot of hope in it! As I let the Spirit of God minister to my spirit, I began to get a glimpse of God’s perspective. It helped me to see how I could pray about the circumstances going on and the people involved. When I prayed—with that clear and recent awareness of the Lord’s promises in mind—I slowly began to understand that He might actually be using these circumstances for His good purposes. Just knowing this began to give me hope about the possible outcomes. Even though I did not know how the Lord would work things out, I could pray about it and make myself available as the Lord’s ambassador in the midst of some very dark days.”
 
Friend, we don’t know how the Lord will be revealed in the coming days, but, here’s what we do know: He is the ultimate comfort in times of tragedy and loss. I pray that, wherever you are and whatever you are facing, the Lord will work through you as an ambassador of hope and encouragement! 
 
For More Information
If you would like to support ISI staff, volunteers and students affected by the recent hurricanes, we have set up a special “Disaster Relief Fund” to help. Click here to go to our donation page, select “National Ministry Projects,” in the drop down, and then “Disaster Relief Fund” (Fund 5060) to support. Thank you!
 
Learn more about International Students, Inc. here.



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The Power of Witness

9/11/2017

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God is moving everywhere, in mighty and mysterious ways!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT).
 
Recently, the person who oversees our ministry’s online footprint showed me a real-time Google-link of Internet ministries, where many ministries, including International Students, Inc., is listed. The combination of these ministries is recording 700 decisions for Jesus Christ––every hour. By mid-morning that day, 7,000 souls had already been saved! That, my friend, is the fruit of God’s power and leadership success!
 
This summer in Singapore, I was able to meet with 47 key returnees at all levels of power and influence. One key dinner meeting was even addressed by a Defense Advisor to the President of Singapore––formerly an international student ministered to and discipled through International Students, Inc.
 
Other leaders included speakers from diverse parts of the Body––one mainstream evangelical, one United Methodist and one from the Assemblies of God––each being dynamically used to reach people for Christ. I was impressed to uphold Christian unity after hearing genocide survivors tell the Summit for Persecuted Christians that ISIS asks its victims a single question: “Are you a follower of Jesus?” When it matters most, denominational labels matter least.
 
But strong leadership also involves mobilizing others. Jesus asked us to pray for laborers in the harvest, and we’re mobilizing church leaders who will in-turn develop student leaders to return home and change the world for Christ. After I spoke at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Annual Conference recently, with over 2,700 of that denomination’s leaders present, its president publicly affirmed the significance of our ministry and encouraged all its churches to consider coming alongside us. We had 150-200 churches immediately respond with a pledge to help reach international students and request international student ministry or M28 Global Discipleship training.
 
While I was there, a couple video-taped me as I spoke to workshops filled with believers wanting to know more about international students. Eventually, they told me that they volunteer with our ministry! When I asked how they became involved, a remarkable story emerged. This husband-and-wife team had befriended a female Muslim student, hosting and staying in touch with her. Eventually, the student told the couple: “You two are such wonderful people that I want to introduce you to another group that’s meant a lot to me.” She introduced them to International Students, Inc.! The husband-and-wife team came to us from an international student who’d experienced first-hand the power of their witness.
 
God is moving everywhere, in mighty and mysterious ways. And you are a vital part of that! Your faithful support travels to the farthest nations and the highest pinnacles of power to share the Good News of Jesus.
 
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT).
 
For More Information
An ISI Ministry Representative is a person who may be both a volunteer and a Friendship Partner®, but who works directly under the supervision of local ISI staff. Their work ranges from direct ministry and evangelism to roles which assist ISI’s efforts to mobilize and train Americans in local churches. Learn more here.




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