The Power of Prayer

It is time to honor the Lord by recognizing some answers to prayer. Here we go.

1. Protection in Italy. Lisa and I spent two weeks there on a research "vacation." We did rest, not much, but some. But I drove nearly 1,000 miles in a little car in Italy! That means narrow highways, dangerous drivers, mountain roads, etc. We did have a couple of scratches which, amazingly, didn't seem to bother the car rental. One of the highlights was visiting the Waldensian valleys where so long ago faithful, Bible-loving people gave their all for Jesus. God was good to us.
   
2. Book Publishing on Time. Yesterday, I got a note from Pacific Press saying they won't be sending the blue line for the author's read for Decoding Bible Prophecy because they have to print the book over this weekend, in order to make it! Well, I trust there won't be too many mistakes, and I'm very grateful we'll have this book in time for the NET meetings, and for churches to use. God answered our prayers. Just over three weeks ago it seemed impossible to pull this off!
   
3. The Madison Campus Leadership. Putting on something like NET 11 in one's church is enough to cause a revolution, or a revolt, whichever may be the case. With so many training events, and changes needed at the live site, it takes great patience and grace to accommodate for the sake of a national audience. The pastors at Madison Campus and a number of the lay leaders have been very gracious working with us. May the Lord repay their sacrifice with many new souls for the kingdom!
   
4. Russell Burrill. Russell has been our NET manager since nearly the start, and he has been a God-sent to me. NET management involves a myriad of details, contacts, phone calls, and follow-throughs. It was a God-inspired thought to ask him to help us. Thank you Russ.
   
5. NET on Direct-TV. Yes, this was confirmed a few days ago. As you know, Hope TV had decided months ago to forgo showing the NET meetings on its premier channel because of plans for different programing, now that Direct TV is involved. The entire series would only be shown on the Hope Church Channel instead. I was disappointed, but we accepted it. In addition, we weren't able to convince 3ABN to carry the NET this year. It's a complex issue. Anyway, we kept praying. God seems to have bigger plans than originally imagined because the NET on Hope TV (Direct TV) will have a potential viewership of millions! We praise God for this development.

So, two major items for prayer now.

1. THE ARCHAEOLOGY MEETINGS. They start this Wednesday, for the next five nights. I believe there is a high level of expectancy for these meetings. The handbills went out two days ago. Please pray that many of those getting the handbills will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to attend. Pray that the 625 or so churches showing it will have a wonderful experience getting to know their guests. Pray for Michael Hasel and I as we present, and for the media people and the equipment so things will go without a hitch. My sincere hope is that 25 to 33% of the guests coming to these meetings will transfer to the prophecy series two weeks later. This is a great series to bring people to your church. May God's people be mobilized for outreach!
   
2. THE NATIONWIDE STRATEGY. Due to this new development of having NET on Hope TV/Direct TV, we decided we needed a nationwide strategy, even if that was not in the budget. Somehow, we need to give the thousands that may be watching totally disconnected from a local church the opportunity to respond to what is being said, or to what the Holy Spirit is prompting them to do. We're creating a nationwide registration process which should really benefit the churches. Through an AIM 800 number, we'll give people the chance to call in and talk with a counselor that will help them spiritually, pray with them, and steer them to a local SDA church. We'll be making three book offers at different times during the series. This is the first time in SDA history that we have such large viewership potential for a NET series. Pray that Jesus may be in total control of me as the speaker, of the musicians, of the MCs, and any other person who comes before those cameras.

And even though I'm not adding it in the list, oh, how I wished a few more churches would choose to air these meetings and take advantage of all these resources! May God's loving will be done in all of our lives!

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save;

nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear."

Isaiah 59:1