The Sling Stone

The intercessors are usually ahead of the times. Those who “stand in the gap” dedicate a place filled with pictures, and maps, and prayer letters, and a time; more often than not, in the early morning. They sit in their prayer chair and ask great things of God. As part of their time with Him, they dream dreams. They think thoughts of how the nations, or families, or their local church, or the United States or other lands would look if Christ was on the throne of the hearts of the people involved.

Jesus’ promise is, “He will do exceeding abundantly beyond all we can ask or think” Ephesians 3:20. The scripture goes on to say, “according to the power that works in us.”

How great is the power of faith when released through the function of prayer. When the anointing of the Holy Spirit ignites the fire of faith in our hearts, we see beyond the current situation and reach through the veil of the flesh to grasp the promise of God and draw it into our present reality. We call things that are not seen as though they were.

God sees the extension of our faith and says, “Here, my little child, let me reach that for you.”

For those of us who travel, we are the bead of whetting on the harvest blade. We travel behind curtains, iron and bamboo, and confess Christ until the curtain falls and the walls tumble. We walk in city and village. We travel by any means, eat any food, go to mountain height or valley deep to see the hand of God reach through governments and ideologies to bring freedom to the oppressed. We believe in the face of arrest and persecution, “that this present suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” From hungering and fasting, from persecution and financial need, from pressures among the heathen and compromised Christians, we emerge as more than conquerors, eager and hungry for the next battle.

What force of man or spirit can raise its banner against the Most High God? What force of man or spirit can long endure when a worshipping warrior picks up a stone made smooth by the currents endured and fitting it to a simple sling proven in battle and runs to the fracas declaring “I come to you in the Name of the Lord Almighty?”

Nothing shall stand before the armies of God.

Oh yes, I am excited.

It is once again time to pack up and go get the giants. A month in the United States has called me to a Daniel fast for 120 days. I cannot believe that the church has gone gay and the Moslems are going to put a training center in the midst of the globe’s biggest market place. Forget the one room that is a Mosque, it is the other 13 floors of training that poses the threat. I have been in Islamic Centers throughout Indonesia, and Malaysia, and on campuses in the United States. All Islam believes that this is the time for the world to become an Islamic Global Community.  And the Islamic Center is the place for training and preparation for this event.

I have been told this by Imams and businessmen, radicals and moderates, school children and senior citizens. Islam around the world is united in this quest. Women have a baby every year. Polygamy pushes the birth rates to levels that will tip populations  so that  democratic representation propor-tionate to population redefines fledgling democracies.

This is a spiritual battle, one to be won in the prayer closet and through strategic prayer journeys. Instead of running from the fracas, we must run toward it with the high praises of the Almighty God in our mouths and the Word of God on our lips. We must declare faith in the face of the creeping darkness.

The same way that Daniel and Nehemiah found the power to change nations, we must call upon the Lord with prayer and fasting. I tell you, something really has to touch my heart to get me to fast. But I am far enough into this to feel the conversion of my body to the will of God and I call you, as well, to join in a united effort to see the power of the living Christ manifest through the anointing of His Holy Spirit.

Although I pray for him every day, I do not expect President Obama to deliver us.  Although I enjoy her drama and theater, and her stories are very motivational to me, I do not expect Sister Sarah to deliver me. Although I do appreciate his testimony and can relate as a former addict, I do not look to Glen Beck as the One who will deliver us from this darkness.

Someone on a street corner, or prayer closet somewhere is going to get hold of a True and Living God — the One who has a Son ­— and that God is going to answer believing prayer and another Goliath is going to fall.

Pray as though your nation depended on it. Pray as though your children depended on it. Pray as though your life depends upon it; because it does.

One of the men who deeply impacted my life for prayer was Russ Bixler. He and his wife, Norma, are the founders of Cornerstone Television Network in Wall, Pa. They embraced me and taught me how to host a TV program, how to interview some of the great leaders of the Charismatic and Evangelical Church, and how to pray in faith for the healing of those who called in to the program. Russ and Norma would hear from the Lord and call out what God was doing and then pray. The phone center would burst into activity with people calling in to report their healing.

Russ has gone to be with the Lord, but Norma is still “on air” and seeing healings every program. We welcome, this month, their son, Paul, to be the new Chief of Operations at CTVN and encourage you to pray for this great ministry, as together we “Lift High the Signal.”

In the air, on the ground, and in the GAP, we will cry out, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Mark

September Letter from Mark

Dear Donor,

Praise the Lord for His great goodness. Your gift is very much appreciated as we have hundreds of kids going back to school next month. Every home feels it, the increased costs when school begins. With more than 350 children and 30 in college you can imagine the pressures on the SEAPC Global Community. Thank you for sharing the laod.

The more I see the nations we serve, the more I am compelled to “do something about it.” James teaches that pure religion and undefiled is to care for the widow and the orphan and to stay unaffected by the world system. Your gifts make it possible for us to do these three things and I appreciate it.

God Bless You as you continue to serve Him.

Mark

中文 The Kingdom Key

The Kingdom Key

OK, I have figured it out. I am coming to 62. I have been married to my first love for 40 years and have two sons who have completed their college educations and are doing well in their professions. My grandson owns whatever was left of my heart. My daughters-in-law are fantastic. I am the most thankful man you will ever meet and I have figured out the combination to success in life.

This is a key often overlooked in the business of everyday living. Life comes at you fast these days. There are challenges on every side. Technology has made us a society of trivia addicts whose computers, Blackberries, and iPhones tell us all we need to know on every subject in four lines of near microscopic text which, if followed carefully, will allow us entrance into the rat race. Just remember the words of the sage, “Even if you win the Rat Race, you are still a rat.”

But, I have boiled it all down to one question. If you can answer this question properly, you will advance to the next board without penalty. Once you have this key, you will never need another. When the light dawned on me, I thought, “Man that is so obvious I am sure I need to share it with others.”

This could be a cure for both domestic and foreign policy for nations. This could save billions in defense spending and pork-barrel local projects. If we can just get this key distributed to neighbors and nations, we will be able to usher in a new era of abundance for all.

I have just finished a five-week, seven nations trip. I told myself at the beginning of the year that I would travel less. Forget that. That is part of the key.

Right after I wrote about having no more funds, a couple in Singapore offered $100,000 to buy two homes in Lawrenceville to rent out, creating some cash flow for SEAPC. An old friend in the same city donated $100,000 for completion of the Hope Garden in Laos and a major Singapore church contacted us about the University and Siem Reap Children’s home. Total gifts offered $370,000. But, none of it helps our payroll cash flow situations.

The Lord touched the hearts and made it possible for some of our longest-standing donors to remember us with offerings and special gifts, and here we are in August. I thank God for each person who decided to help. That is another part of the key.

While in Tibet, I was invited to a very important meeting. It was very tense because the Beijing leadership has sent a new administrator to the region to be sure there is no uprising as they install a new Head Lama at the Potala Palace on the 75th birthday of the Dali Lama. Talk about a rat race. There were tanks in the streets and columns of trucks miles long. The atmosphere was very tense and our friends at the hospital were taking a lot of heat because of the Touching Hearts project and the way we are meeting and networking so many Tibetans. Because we bring life, we can mobilize a very loyal following.

I could sense the tension and, during my morning devotions, my heart was quickened when I read:

Psalm 112:6 “Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.” That is another part of the key.

The meeting started “hot” but cooler heads prevailed and I heard their plea for control while this man is in town. No problem. Our teams were headed to very remote areas to do prayer strategies. There were no conflicts or problems. The papers were in order and we celebrated the Fourth of July at the world’s highest lake and then came down 4,000 feet to Lhasa for the Celebration of Life – a wonderful worship time led by the 611 churches from Hong Kong and Malaysia. I was in a meeting in Laos where a special assistant to the government explained to me that, as she prayed, the Lord had opened a way into the very heart of that nation’s communist party. On the same stop, a Christian brother explained to me how we need specific prayer as he is counseling the government on the establishment of their central bank. These two are turning the key.

I stopped in Cambodia for a few days to announce the opening of our Institute of Technology at Rongko and to take questions from parents of our freshman class. These farmers make $200 a year and the school fees are $350 so the question was obvious. “How are we going to pay?” I wish you could have been there to see their faces as I explained that the church in Singapore was going to give 200 scholarships so their kids start with the bill paid, but have to maintain levels academically and socially to keep the scholarship. Our school Superintendant declared that Jesus had answered their prayers. He is a really good key turner.

So, without further delay, let me give you the key: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

“Many thanks” to all of you who have redoubled your efforts in prayer and giving, and who believe, with us, that Jesus will make a way. God is on the throne, the devil is a liar, and faith is the victory.

Mark

天國鑰匙

OK，行， 我終於明白了。我快滿 62 歲，跟我的初戀情人結婚 40 年，兩個兒子都大學畢業， 事業有成。 我孫子是我的心肝寶貝，我的媳婦們都很棒。我會是你所遇見最感恩的人，而且我明白了生活成功的解鎖密碼。

在今日忙碌的生活中，我們常常會忽略到這一個關鍵點。現代生活步調快速，每天要面對無數的挑戰。電腦、黑莓（Blackberry) 、iPhone 這些高科技的產物，可以用短短數行的文字告訴我們所需要知道的任何一件事，這樣的結果讓人們對瑣事上癮。如此下來，我們會進入那種像“老鼠賽跑”(Rat Race) 一樣激烈但是毫無意義的競爭。 只是你要記得智者的話：“ 就算你贏了老鼠賽跑, 你還是一隻老鼠”。

我把這一切總歸成一個問題。 如果你答對了, 你就晉級到下一輪，不用受罰。一但你有了這個答案，你就什麼都不缺。當初我一想到這點，我馬上的反應是 “ 哇，這太明顯了， 我想我需要和大家分享”。

這個答案可以幫助國家解決內政外交的問題，這個答案可以節省花在國防以及地方政府公共方案上億的金錢。如果我們將這個答案傳播及萬邦萬國，我們就可以進入一個萬民都富足的新紀元。

我剛剛花了五個禮拜的時間去了七個國家。今年年初時我告訴自己我要少花一些時間旅行，算了吧，不過這也是答案的一部份。

在我告訴大家我們經費短缺沒多久之後，有一對住在新加坡的夫婦捐了十萬美元買兩棟在 Lawrenceville 的房子，所以 SEPAC 可以把它們租出去，增加我們的現金流動。另外住在同一個城市的老朋友也奉獻了十萬美元來完成建造在寮國的希望之園 (Hope Garden)。還有一個新加坡大教會願意贊助大學和 Siem Reap 兒童之家。我們總共收到奉獻三十七萬美元。  可是，這些錢沒有解決我們薪資短缺的困境。

主感動人心，所以有些長期捐贈者以奉獻和特別禮物來支持我們的事工。這就是我們在八月的近況。我為每一位幫助我們的朋友感謝神。這是答案的另一部份。

當我在西藏時，有人邀請我去參加一個很重要的會議。當時的局勢很緊張，因為布達拉宮 (Potala Palace) 要在達賴喇嘛75 歲生日時設立一個新的喇嘛首領，所以北京當局派來一位官員來確保當地不會發生任何暴動。馬路上到處都是坦克車，軍用卡車排得好幾里長。 氣氛相當緊張，我們在醫院的朋友們也因為“動心事工”、 聚會方式、 以及我們在很多藏民之間建立關係網的緣故受到很大的逼迫。因為我們為人帶來生命，所以可以動員一群忠心跟隨者。

我可以感覺到那種緊張。當我在靈修讀到詩篇 112篇6至8節 時，我的心跳加快了：

他永不動搖，義人被記念直到永遠。

他必不怕兇惡的信息 。他心堅定，倚靠耶和華。

他心確 定 ，總不懼怕，直到他看見敵人遭報。

這也是答案的另外一部份。

會議開始時大家都很激動，不過很快就冷靜下來了。他們懇求當那個官員還停留在當地時，我們可以節制我們的活動。沒問題。我們的同工去偏遠地區進行禱告策略，沒有衝突也沒有任何問題發生。文件都處理就緒，我們就在全球最高的湖旁慶祝美國國慶，然後爬下4000 英尺到拉薩參加從香港和馬來西亞來的 GA611教會帶領的 Celebration of Life 敬拜讚美特會。 我在寮國的一個會議中，有一個政府的特助告訴我，當她在禱告時， 神就在共產黨官員的心中動工開路。當地還有一個基督徒弟兄解釋給我聽，因為他正在做政府建立中央銀行的顧問工作，我們如何需要為他特別禱告。這兩件事都在啟動答案之鑰。

我停留在柬埔寨的幾天裡，宣佈了我們位於 Rongko 的科技學院開幕，也回答新生父母們的問題。 這些農民父母一年收入兩百元，可是學費要三百五十元，所以他們的問題很明顯： 我們怎麼付得起？”我告訴他們：新加坡的一所教會願意提供 200 名獎學金來幫助支付帳單， 只要這些孩子們在學業及社交方面都能維持水準上的表現 －－ 哦，我真希望你們能看到他們聽到這個回答時臉上的表情！我們的校長當眾宣佈耶穌應允了他們的禱告。他是一個重要的關鍵者。

好了， 我也不要再弔胃口，現在我就給你這個關鍵答案：

你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明。

在你一切所行的事上，都要認定他，他必指引你的路。（箴言三章5、6節）

非常感謝所有為我們加倍代禱及奉獻的弟兄姊妹， 也謝謝那些與我們一起相信耶穌會為我們開路的朋友。  神在寶座上掌王權，  魔鬼是大說謊家， 信心必定得勝。

Mark

August Letter from Mark

Dear Donor,

Praise the Lord for His great love and thank you for yours. Thank you for your gift.

I pray that the Lord will bless you abundantly as you have blessed SEAPC and our heart concerns.

I am spending more and more time in Cambodia. HIV/Aids gives us children like Jonathan. A little boy at the Kampong Cham home, Jonathan tested HIV positive when he was dropped off at our door. Today, one year later, there is no trace of the disease in his blood. Only Jesus can make this happen.

It is testimonies like this that compel me to continue with a sense of urgency for I know that there are many Jonathans waiting for us to complete the new facilities in Battam Bong and Siem Riep. This urgency is a trait common the SEAPC Global Community.

Thank you for changing lives through giving.

Mark

中文 Mark Geppert, 07-10

Here’s the Story

OK, here is the story. We have come to mid-year 2010. That in itself is a miracle. The Lord has done miracles in Tibet, the EPIC Ministry team is ready to launch, the Latino Training Center in Arkansas is rolling daily, and The Attack Lambs is in bookshops in Thailand and India.

After the great snowfall in Pennsylvania, Matt, Ellie and I hit the Asian road and have not looked back. We have logged more miles and spoken to more people than ever before. The prayer walk in Taiwan was wonderful and the blisters had healed by the time we climbed to the roof of the 118-story International Commerce Center in Hong Kong to pray a shield of protection over that great city.

We launched the Super Chicken Company in Cambodia and received a miracle funding for 40 children. Now we have 290 orphaned or abandoned kids and 30 in college. Can you imagine having 30 in college at the same time?

On our way toward the goal of one million people praying daily for their city, we have been able to stop at some very exotic locations, eat some of the best tasting grubs, see some amazing sights, and we can tell you that Jesus is the Lord of the mountain and the valley, the desert and the islands, and the people who live in them.

We have mobilized short-term mission teams from Hong Kong, Kuala Lampur, Taiwan, Singapore and the United States. Our last medical team brought together cardiologists from India and China to serve children in Tibet. Jesus touched seven children and their hearts were healed without procedures.

And now, we are out of funds.
Yep, we have spent all you gave. We have no savings, no slush fund, no retirement program, no family trust fund. We spent it all. And boy does it feel great.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, encourages them with these words, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (not having the strength to achieve), in reproaches (being called crazy by others), in needs (no cash), in persecutions (Matt got arrested in Tibet), in distresses (when life is pressing in on you) for Christ’s sake.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

And then the clincher:  “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

So, what to do? Learn how to “take pleasure” in this situation. We are learning to find fullness in His presence without material support. We had better learn fast because I am not too certain that the light and phone companies are going to share the excitement of deep spiritual growth through “needs.”

As this situation materialized, I asked my wife what she thought about it. Ellie and I are completing our fortieth year of marriage in Christ and our thirty-fifth year of missions. “We have been here before” was her comment. So, having confessed every sin ever committed by a Geppert, and having repented of every evil deed ever done, we now wait upon the Lord.

When the Apostle Paul learned this great joy, the Lord spoke to him and said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

I had arrived here in Singapore around midnight Thursday, knowing that Charles Ng was having a meeting on Friday morning. This is one very Pentecostal/Charismatic/Signs and Wonders/Anointed meeting.

Of course, I went.

Charles is one of my longest-term friends in Singapore. I used to stay at their house. He, his wife and three daughters have been friends and family to us. Entering the room filled with people praising God, I gathered new strength.

As we worshipped, the phrase came to my mind, “You almost had it.”

“Hey,” I wondered, “Who is talking to me?”

“The Ministry almost became ‘Yours’” the voice continued. “But it has slipped away, because you cannot hold it. You are not yet weak enough to hold it.”

Pastor Charles crossed the room quickly and, putting his hand on my head, said, “When you give this ministry back to the Lord, He will build it stronger and bigger than even you can think.”

So, there you have it. The demands are great and we do not have the strength to accomplish all that is before us. We have no cash. Persecution has shown its head in Tibet and Laos. I have been corrected by two donors for lack of faith. And it is beginning to press in on me.

What is the solution?

Pray as never before. Ask the Lord for Workers, Doors, Fruit and Finances. Ask Him to manifest His grace by pouring out a blessing too great to contain.

故事是這樣

故事是這樣。我們已經來到二○一○年的一半，這本身就是個奇蹟。主在西藏行了許多神蹟，EPIC 事工團隊將要展開，阿肯薩斯州的 Latino 訓練中心每日都在運作，〈羔羊戰士〉在泰國和印度的書店銷售。

賓州那場大雪之後，Matt、Ellie 和我踏上亞洲之路，義無反顧。此行路程之遠，傳講信息的對象之多，都是前所未及的。在台灣的行走禱告十分美好，腳上的水泡才剛好，我們又爬上樓高一百一十八層的香港國際商業中心樓頂，求主保護遮蓋這座大城。

我們在柬埔寨開設了超級養雞公司，並且收到一筆奇蹟式的奉獻，可以支持四十個孩子。現在我們有二百九十名無父母或被遺棄的孩子，三十名在大學就讀的孩子。你可以想像自己同時有三十個孩子在上大學嗎？

為要呼籲、動員一百萬人每天為他們的城巿禱告，我們造訪了一些非常特別的地方，品嚐最美味的蛆蟲，看見一些令人驚嘆的景象。我可以告訴你，耶穌是高山與低谷、沙漠與海島的主，更是居住其中者的主。

我們動員了許多來自香港、Kuala Lampur、台灣、新加坡和美國的短宣隊。上一支醫療團隊集結了來自印度和中國的心臟科醫師，服事西藏的孩子。耶穌觸摸了七名孩童，他們用不著手術，心臟就復原了。

如今，我們的經費用盡了。

是的，我們把你們的捐獻花完了。我們沒有結餘，沒有保留款項，沒有退休計劃，沒有家庭信託基金。我們把錢花完了。哇，這種感覺真好。

使徒保羅寫信給哥林多教會，鼓勵他們：「我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱（沒有能力完成）、凌辱（被人說是瘋子）、逼迫（Matt 在西藏被捕）、困苦（生活的重擔壓在身上）為可喜樂的。」（哥林多後書十二章10節）

接下來的結論是：「我什麼時候軟弱，就什麼時候剛強。」
所以，該怎麼辦？學習在這種情況下“喜樂”。我們正學習不靠物質上的支持，在祂的同在中得到滿足。我們最好學快一點，因為我不知道供應電力和電話通訊的公司是不是能認同我們，受到在「需要」中經歷深度屬靈成長的鼓舞。
在此情況下，我問我的妻子如何作想。Ellie 和我共同走過了四十年的婚姻，宣教三十五年。她的回答是：「這我們曾經歷過。」所以，我們就承認吉伯特家每一個人所犯的每一項罪，為每一件惡行悔改，現在能做的就是等候主

當使徒保羅學習此一大喜樂時，主對他說：「我的恩典夠你用，因我的能力是在軟弱上顯得完全。」

我在週四半夜來到新加坡，知道 Charles Ng 在週五上午有一個聚會，是一個五旬節／靈恩／有神蹟奇事／恩膏的聚會。當然，我去了。

Charles 是我在新加坡認識最久的朋友之一，我以前會去住他們家。他和他的妻子以及三個女兒一直都是我們的朋友與家人。會場滿滿的都是敬拜讚美神的人，我一進去就得到新的力量。

在我們敬拜時，有一句話進入我的意念：「你差一點就拿到了。」

「嘿，」我很好奇，「誰在對我說話？」

「這事工差一點就成為“你的”，」這聲音繼續說，「但卻滑走了，因為你抓不住，你還沒有軟弱到可以抓住它。」

Charles 牧師很快地從穿越會場，把他的手按在我頭上，說“「當你把這個事工交回給主，祂會把這事工建立得又強又大，超過你所能想像。」

就是這樣。需求是那麼地大，我們沒有能力完成擺在我們面前的一切。逼迫臨到西藏和寮國。曾有兩位資助者糾正我，說我缺乏信心，現在這軟弱又開始壓在我身上。

如何解決呢？

迫切禱告，向主求工人、敞開的門、果子和財務援助，求祂施恩典，傾倒下祝福，多到容納不下的祝福。

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