Greetings from Poland!  While I'm based in Pasadena, California, I
have the opportunity to travel quite a bit while connecting with what
God's doing among the students and young adults of this generation.

This week I am in Poland spending time with a team of people that have
decided to come and bear the Message of Jesus Christ among the Polish
people.  You see, less than 1% of this country of 40 million are
evangelical believers.  This team has come here and is trusting God
for great things among this generation of Poles.  While they're
working hard to overcome some of the usual hurdles that always come
with cross-cultural ministry (learning the language and learning to be
an effective servant, friend and worshiper in the host culture),
perhaps the most overwhelming hurdle to overcome is unbelief.

That is, it is sometimes difficult to look around at a place that is
so spiritually sterile and believe that not only does God desire to do
something different in this generation, but that he actually CAN (and
WILL!) do something different in this generation.  If we don't BELIEVE
that God can and will do something radically transformational in our
day, then we won't act on it.

Maybe you can identify.  Do you ever have a hard time believing that
God could do something really incredible on your campus?  Do your
actions and your prayers reflect a strong belief that God desires to
redeem the ugliest and most painful and hopeless parts of
relationships, places and situations in your campus and city?  So
often we settle and lower our expectations.

Fortunately there are several examples of young men and women who
simply believed what the scriptures said about God, and took action.
David is one of them.  In I Samuel 17, we find the amazing account of
David battling, and defeating, the giant Goliath.  Goliath was
standing in contempt of all that God had promised.  In fear and lack
of faith and action, the Israelites accepted their situation, and were
content to just hold the line and wait.

David, however, had a faith that resulted in action and in victory.
He trusted God to overcome this enemy, no matter how unbeatable the
enemy seemed, and no matter how small and unworthy those around him
thought he was.

That is what's happening here in Poland.  Hopefully, that is what's
happening on your campus, in your city and in your world.  May we be
ones that trust God to do great things, and trust him enough to
attempt those great things, in full faith that HE is able and that HE
will do what he wills in and through us, if only we will trust him and
obey.

Please pray with me:  Lord, may we trust you.  May we not settle for
the status quo.  May we not be sucked into believing that we should
love small, normal lives.  May you use us, yes even US, to be your
hands, feet and voice to stand against evil, injustice and deception
on our campuses, in our families and in all of our relationships.  May
you empower us.  We ask you to build our faith, and show us where to
act.  May you give us the perseverance we need to stand for what's
right and for what your will is in the world that you have put us.
Amen

There are many things that are not right in this world.  There is
sickness, death, unbelief, hatred and injustice.  In each of these
things, we need to rise up, speak up and stand and fight for what is
good and just, and we must be a light that will bring hope and Life
into a lost and dying world.

As a Message Bearer, you are standing with hundreds of others in your
generation who believe with you that God is able to do what he
promises, and that the whole of our lives needs to be seen as being a
part of his purpose on this earth.  I am honored to stand with you
all.

Please pray in faith for Poland with me, that many leaders and workers
will be sent out, and that the body of Christ would fill this country. 
And let us all pray and act in faith on our campuses and in our
relationships this week.  Expect more this week.  God is even bigger
than all that we can expect.  And as you begin to realize that, your
fear will seem small in comparison, and you will no longer be
paralyzed or in a holding pattern.

Abandoned to His global purpose,

Paul

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