Stay Encouraged
()
About this ebook
How are you doing? Discouragement can sneak in quickly and subtly, through even the smallest things. Learn how to stay encouraged in every season of life, no matter what the circumstances may be.
K.P. Yohannan
Dr. K.P. Yohannan (or KP Yohannan) has been crisscrossing the globe for the past 40 years, challenging the Body of Christ to discipleship. His call to a radical lifestyle—with an all-out commitment to Jesus—has left its impact on nearly every continent. To the Church caught up by the tidal waves of compromise and self-preservation, Yohannan’s life message is a fresh word to this generation and yet as timeless as the scriptural mandate itself.Yohannan is the founder and director of GFA World (formerly Gospel for Asia aka GFA), a Christian mission organization deeply committed to seeing communities transformed through the love of Christ demonstrated in word and deed. He is also the metropolitan bishop of Believers Church , an indigenous church in South Asia.Born in South India in 1950, Yohannan is the youngest of six sons. His mother dedicated each of her children to the Lord and longed to see one of them commit their lives to ministry. She secretly fasted each Friday for three-and-a-half years, praying, “Oh God, let just one of my boys preach!” Even as she prayed, her children were growing up, seeming destined for secular work. Finally, only the youngest, little “Yohannachan,” was left. Seeing how shy and insecure he was, his mother thought there was little chance that he would preach.However, after Yohannan finished his schooling, he heard stories about North India from a visiting mission team, and his heart was gripped. His mother’s faithful prayers were answered as he immediately decided to join the mission movement and go to faraway North India to help bring the Good News to the multitude of villages that had never heard of Christ. While preparing to go with this radical mission team from Europe, the timid 16-year-old was challenged by a call to radical discipleship from missionary statesman George Verwer. That night, Yohannan couldn’t sleep. What if God asked him to preach publicly in the streets? What if he was stoned and beaten?Suddenly, God’s presence filled the room, and he knew he was not alone. “Lord God,” he prayed in surrender, “I’ll give myself to speak for You—but help me to know that You’re with me.”The next morning, he awoke with a supernatural love and burden for the people around him. The Lord gave him courage to speak to the crowds he saw that day, and he continued to preach for the next seven years in North India. As a field evangelist and regional coordinator, he was responsible for the members of his teams and the planning of each day. His future wife, Gisela, was also serving with the mission movement at the same time, and Yohannan felt through their brief encounters that he had found someone who shared his same vision and calling.In 1971, Yohannan was invited to spend a month in Singapore at a new institute that had been started by John Haggai. Here, he was challenged by Haggai to do something significant with his life for God’s glory. His time at the institute produced a restlessness that eventually led him to leave India to search abroad for God’s ultimate will in his life. In 1974, he came to the United States, where he received his theological training at Criswell College. He and Gisela were married after his first term.As a theology student, Yohannan was ordained and began pastoring a local church in Dallas, where he served for four years. While God blessed his pastoral ministry, Yohannan couldn’t forget the burden God had given him for those who had never once heard the name of Jesus.Remembering the Millions in AsiaAs the Lord reminded Yohannan of the millions in Asia still waiting to learn of His love for them, he resigned his pastorate, and he and Gisela began taking steps to start an organization to support national missionaries, which eventually became known as GFA. They began meeting together each Tuesday night with a small, faithful group of believers to pray over world maps. The Lord soon guided them to start a program through which people could regularly support the work of national missionaries by laying aside one dollar a day. As the Lord opened doors to share this opportunity with churches and individuals, the ministry began to grow.Today, GFA World comes alongside thousands of national workers and supports them through prayer and assistance as they bring hope to the most needy in South Asia. GFA World is engaged in dozens of projects, such as caring for poor children, slum dwellers and widows and orphans; providing clean water by funding wells; supporting medical missions; and meeting the needs of those in leprosy colonies. Through GFA’s Child Sponsorship Program (formerly Bridge of Hope), tens of thousands of children are being rescued from the generational curses of poverty and hopelessness. In honor of Yohannan’s decades of demonstrating the heart of a father to the fatherless, the members of the Christian Men’s Network’s Global Fatherhood Initiative awarded him the Reggie White Fatherhood Award in 2016. In 2003, he was awarded Alumnus of the Year from Criswell College for his influence in the work of God.A Ministry of DiscipleshipOne of Yohannan’s deep desires is to see a new generation catch sight of the Lord’s burden for the hopeless in their generation and to give themselves, no-holds-barred, to His work. GFA World’s School of Discipleship, a one-year program for young adults, is helping fulfill this dream. Through this life-changing year at GFA World’s headquarters in East Texas, dozens of young people have deepened their relationship with Christ and grown in their desire to follow in His footsteps. Many of them are now serving the Lord full-time in different capacities across the globe.Ministering hope and practical help to the people of South Asia, Dr. Yohannan’s radio program, Spiritual Journey, reaches more than 1 billion people in 110 languages. His Road to Reality radio program airs weekly on more than 200 radio stations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, viewers in 100 nations can watch him daily on AYTV. He served on the executive committee of World by Radio from 2004–2012 and as a board member with the National Religious Broadcasters Association (NRB) from 2013–2015. In recognition of his service, NRB presented Yohannan with its Individual Achievement in International Broadcasting award in 2003.Dr. Yohannan is a prolific writer with more than 200 books published in Asia and 11 in the United States. With more than 3.9 million copies in print, Yohannan’s landmark book, Revolution in World Missions, is an international bestseller that has literally changed the course of mission history in our generation. For his faithful service to the Body of Christ, Yohannan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hindustan Bible College in Chennai, India.
Read more from K.P. Yohannan
Learning to Pray Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living in the Light of Eternity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Living by Faith, Not by Sight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Beauty of Christ through Brokenness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Life of Balance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDependence upon the Lord Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen We Have Failed-What Next? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeeing Him Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscouragement: Reasons and Answers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrinciples in Maintaining a Godly Organization Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThat They All May Be One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourney with Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Stay Encouraged
Related ebooks
A Life of Balance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLoving God with All Your Heart: Keeping the Greatest Commandment in Everyday Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Well Woman: Become a Daughter of Destiny, made whole by the power of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christian Character: Understanding the Ways of the Master Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRenewing Your Mind: Transformation Is a Life Long Process Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRise Up! Be the man God seeks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Way of Wisdom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThat They All May Be One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Furnace of Affliction: How God Uses Our Pain and Suffering for His Purpose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBorn Again: What Does It Really Mean? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrowing In Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Has God Ever Done For Me: God has done exactly what you and I could never do! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOvercoming Emotional Burps: Finding Inner Peace Through Principles Found in Isaiah 58 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Know it's Her, How to Know it's Him Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTranscending Mindsets: Think Like Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Truths About Peace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Heart to Know Him: When All You Know to Be True Moves from Your Head to Your Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Reasons to Live in Hope Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Call of God: Selected Sermons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStrong Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Power of His Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Capture Your Thought Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Substance of Faith: Faith Is the Means of Transferring the Promises of God Into Your Heart. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Trust God Even in the Fiery Furnace: Reflective Essays Revealing Why We Should Trust God Always Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSTAND Secure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrossroads of Life: Making Tough Decisions Using Biblical Principles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTheology of Abundance: How to Create a Spiritual Cash Machine: (Spiritual Economics - Vol. 4) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Benefit of Serving God: Ps 103:2 Do Not Forget His Benefit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEternal Love Means God Is for Us Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChampions of Faith: Building Faith Within You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Magnolia Story (with Bonus Content) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Stay Encouraged
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Stay Encouraged - K.P. Yohannan
STAY
ENCOURAGED
By K.P. Yohannan
Published by GFA Books at Smashwords
Copyright © 2014 K.P. Yohannan
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:1–2, NIV
Table of Contents
EK8%20glyph.pngFree Resources
Introduction
1. It’s Not Unusual
2. Divine Instrument
3. Take Heart
4. Be an Encourager
Concluding Remarks
About the Author
Excerpt from Revolution in World Missions
About Gospel for Asia
Notes
Copyright
Step into the world of
FREE!
gfa.org/resource/signup
Discover exciting resources by Dr. K.P. Yohannan to help you grow spiritually. Ebooks, videos, mp3s and photos—all free for download.
resource-ad-smaller.jpgIntroduction
EK8%20glyph.pngEvery time I ran into him, I found him to be optimistic, smiling and full of enthusiasm. But a few months ago, I found him kind of down and out, his eyes no longer bright, the smile missing.
Over a cup of tea, we began to talk about the struggles he had been going through. During this conversation, he looked up with tired eyes and simply said, I just need some encouragement.
I was surprised and thought it odd to hear these words from his mouth. He is a Christian leader, responsible for hundreds of pastors and workers under his leadership, and here he was being so vulnerable, admitting his need for someone to come alongside him and lift him up.
You may be in that same place today. You may not have said out loud, I just need some encouragement,
yet in a thousand other ways you have said
it—that look of despair and sadness, the sighing, the questions asked, the frowned face, drooping shoulders, pleading eyes.
If truth were known, you are craving some kind of encouragement ... looking for it, longing for it and grieving because you have not found it.
Where are you? Hibernating? In the valley of discouragement? Is a heavy, dark cloud covering you? Do you wish to quit and run away from life itself?
I have been there.
The painful shadows of hopelessness and discouragement have often stretched across my path. There are times I have wished to get off from this fast-moving train of life. Many times I have said, This is enough. I can’t handle it anymore.
I have shouted in silence, alone in the crowd.
But I want to assure you; you are not alone in the struggle. Jesus understands.
He experienced the awful, bitter waters of being tempted to remain discouraged. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all