Thank you for joining Dr. Michael Youssef for a very special episode of Leading the Way. Providing truth and personal insight into winning the invisible war. And get ready to hear testimonies about the impact of Navigators, little MP3 players distributed in hard-to-reach places with biblical teaching and the audio Bible. And the kingdom sat.
a satellite channel broadcasting sound biblical content worldwide. and connecting people with leading the way to learn more about the gospel. Hello, my friends. Today I want to talk to you. Just heart to heart, of something that is so dear to me, that I preached about, that I talked about, and I wrote about for the last few years.
50 years of preaching ministry. And that is the spiritual war, the invisible war. The warfare that so many people either misunderstand. Don't want to acknowledge or are ignorant of it altogether. And yet, It's real.
This is as a real war as the wars that we hear about all over the world that is physical. But this is spiritual. because it is spiritual, therefore We find ourselves kind of Not understanding it, or not comprehending it, or not knowing how. To fight it and win, knowing that we've already been promised the victory. in that invisible war.
Now I want you to get ready. To see An amazing story from a partner of the ministry in one of the remotest and yet the most militant villages. in the world. And when you see this, you will understand what a blessing it is for you and me together joining with this partner in ministry. and winning the war.
I was born raised as a Muslim person in Bangladesh. 2011 I accepted Lord. I became a full-time missionary 2019. I go everywhere, I start sharing gospel. One day I found doctor Michael used to preaching when I started listening.
That's leading the way, you know? I'm This is definitely from God. 100% I know. He learned from the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit gave him that teaching.
But that's supernatural. Uh boldness. It's so powerful. When I met one of his people, I tell him that I'm a missionary, I go to Bangladesh. And then he talked about The navigator.
And I said, I need this. Each location we go, we have minimum one thousand navigator in my minivan because village people in our country mostly illiterate. They don't know how to read and write. One beautiful thing about the navigator, they have the word of God, and at the same time, there's a teaching of Michael Yusuf. in the device So I alre always show the people how to listen.
Hello, listening friends. We are delighted that you tuned in. Every village I tell my team to go. And pray. the pair like uh fighting the devil.
It's a big battle with the dark world. Those villages very, very dangerous. Gospel never ever enter. Our country has two hundred people group. They never heard the gospel.
So, one of the villages we enter, they are not peaceful Muslim, they are like a radical, they are like kind of jihad. ISIS kind of people, demonic. One of the houses there is a lady, she invite 15-16 people in that room, and all the women.
So I tell my brothers stay outside, si standing.
So I go inside, share the gospel. While I'm sharing, one of the lady got up, very angry. And she said, What? I don't wanna hear this. You guys here.
I am leaving. She left. That moment when the lady left, The Holy Spirit give me the prompt. Or don't spend more time. As soon as you finish you leave.
So I finished. Then the lady said, No, no, no, don't leave. I'm preparing some food. You know, I said, no, we're gonna come back later, but today we have to go. Usually we walk to the car, but that day I tell my brother, we are not gonna walk.
You go. Bring the car here. While he's walking, he found. people in the neighbor talking about. there is a people, missionary came into one house.
and they are getting ready to come to the house and attacking us. Then he go the car, get the car, And we started driving and he heard the Holy Spirit. He gives the direction to him: don't go left. Go right. And I said Why are you going right?
Left is more shorter way. Then he said no, I cannot go left. because I'm hearing the voice of the Lord said Go right. We come to a safe location and later on. After a few days we found from the local people telling us That Lord Almighty saving you.
If you make the left turn, there is a huge mosque people are gathering like more than hundred people. to attacking you.
So those are the threat. My team have it. I ask them, are you afraid? They said, No, we are not scared. They have their mindset.
that if you die The enemy can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Jesus is our protector. doesn't matter how radical. And I give Thanks to Jesus, and I give thanks to the leading the way that they put that teaching. of Dr.
Michael Yusuf, non-the navigator. And God gave us the word of God, the sword of the Spirit, to fight. that invisible realm. Oh my. I cannot tell you.
How many times? I've encountered even in person. individuals around the world who literally put the laugh on the line and they say we're not afraid of death. Because death is the doorway to heaven. And we will be with Jesus.
My goodness, and I'm absolutely moved to the depth of my heart about this. And you know, the truth is I can't do this alone. Even Moses, the great man of God, When he was interceding, for Joshua in the battle against Amalek, He kept his hands up in the air, but then his hands got tired. Uh Erin and her held his arms up. And then much greater way you.
Our partners are really the ones who are holding our arms up. and so that when we go into the battlefield, Presenting Christ with our teams all over the world. We know that you're standing with us in prayer, in intercession, and against the enemy of our soul. But I also know That So many people in our churches today. They either want to say Oh, the devil doesn't exist.
Or they say, this spiritual warfare thing, well, it is just an invention of the church. Or They literally terrified of the devil. None of these are accurate. We know he's real. We know the scripture makes it very clear, the Lord Jesus makes it very clear that He is.
Out. to destroy and to kill. The Apostle Peter said is like a roaring lion. He's going around Looking For some periods. Gray to devour.
But we are not ignorant of his devices. All you need to do is read the scripture. And The scripture says that Jesus already won the battle on the cross. He already gave us a victory. The skirmishes that we go through And the temptations and the oppression and all the things that Satan stirred up against the believers.
We know that ultimately we can have the victory because Jesus is the one who gave us the victory. Because he had the victory. And therefore, this is why we are in a war that is not only winnable, but it's already been won. Growing up, I was raised up by my grandparents. Because my mother and father was addicted to drugs, they couldn't really raise me.
So, my grandparents did the best they could, which. Included teaching me about Jesus. Once I got into high school, my grandma passed away. which was the turning point in my life and everything started spiraling. I started looking for any kind of emotional support through drugs or through friends.
And then I got into heroin. made me lose every sense of self I had. I had a daughter. She wanted me so bad, but it was more like a burden. I pushed her off to my mamma.
I left her there and just took off one day. And I was more worried about the drugs than I was more in love with the drugs than I was my own daughter at the time.
Sorry. Look him back. When I dropped her off that day, I didn't feel guilt or shame. And that moment. In my mind, I told myself I was doing the right thing.
I was in the bathroom and I prayed. I said, Lord God. Please, I know I'm not done right, but I need your help. I don't want to be this way. After I cried out with my whole heart to the Lord, He answered it.
in a way at the time I thought was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. Ended up in jail for a little bit of time, but in reality. is where I found freedom. During this time in jail, a friend introduced me to leading the way. It was through a tablet and a Lean the Way app.
And I heard Dr. Michael Youssef. Perhaps you feel the chains of addictions taking hold of you. Do you want to be made whole? It is to people like this, Jesus Christ draws near.
Every day I listened to his sermons, read his daily devotionals, and he really helped me understand the word of God and how God wanted me to live. And as I started getting closer to the Lord, He blessed me even more. I got baptized. and ever since then have no addiction, none. Then While I was incarcerated, I found Shiner, which is Part of a jail ministry, women's jail ministry.
and luckily she took me in. When Candace first started coming to the women's jail ministry, she was still very broken and she was still very hurt and so much shame in her life. And as the months progressed before she was released, I just watched this light grow brighter and brighter and brighter in her. She truly has become a born-again believer.
Now, being a new believer in Christ, I see the war, the spiritual warfare going on. I see that if you don't realize it's going on, how you can fall into Satan's traps. And the Word of God is the most powerful tool we have. I still watch Dr. Michael Yousup every day.
I read his devotionals. And that really helped me build a relationship with Christ. and Dr. Michael Youssef. speaks of truth and speaks Out of the Bible, and he relates those things to everyday life to make you understand him.
And I wanted the lead in the way team to know that they are doing. things for people like me. People that Never thought they'd be nothing more but a drug addict. I always thought I'd be addicted to something. And Dr.
Michael Youssef. just touches hearts and and giving that free app to people is Such a big deal when they're in their lowest low to feel encouraging words. Since Candace has been now released from jail, I've had the opportunity to be around her and her daughter and to see them have such a close bond. Does she even see the difference in me?
So happy, and even a five-year-old telling you that you've changed and that they're proud of you. In credit, that's God. I was a lamb lost. Far wandering So far away. The Lord came.
left the ninety nine to come rescue me. the one sheep that was lost and here he carried me on his shoulders all the way home. For the first time ever, I'm hopeful for my future because his blessings have overcome me so much that I can't even fathom what he has in store for me. If you look at the scripture closely, you find. That Satan has a An opportune time in which he attacks.
And You look at the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. he comes to him after forty days of fasting, and in the presence of his Father. You see, he chooses his time. And I found from reading the scripture that Satan comes and really attacks heavily Either before a great victory is about to happen, or right after a victory that has been won. And in those times, you need to be very careful, you need to watch out, because those are the times when we are vulnerable to the enemy's attack.
In the common era, it's very easy for us Especially in this part of the world, in the West. to ignore the reality of the devil, of the enemy, to ignore the work that he does In a lot of ways, I think some of the the enemy's greatest weapons against us have been our weaknesses. Prior to committing my life to Christ, I lived as an adulterous drunkard. But as a Christian I study law at a secular Canadian university. The atmosphere, as you might imagine, it was worldly, defiant, and sometimes militantly profane.
Given my past, and the propensity to sin that it scarred me with, it takes great effort to live in that world without being of it. As a Christian, I don't get a pass from temptation. I don't get a pass from my flesh. I don't get a pass from the enemy. I don't get a pass from the world.
There have been times where I've been tempted. to go beyond a Christian life. Especially with the rugby team, because you know, they're my friends, they're good guys, you know, they're not Christians, though, they don't understand the way I live. I got dressed up and headed downtown to join some of my rugby teammates at an event hosted by the women's team. It was held at a bar.
Sensing danger, and unable to deny my history, I prayed a brief prayer in my kitchen before leaving. As I drove to the event, I was listening to the local Christian radio station. I was wrestling with myself all the way. even deluding myself with thoughts of missionary work at the event. Though all the while planning to have a beer too.
Just then, leading the way was beginning. this episode being about Genesis and the city of man. The very stories you commented on were already floating in my mind. Lot, being caught up in the city, and its depravity. The longer I listened, the more I was able to recognize my self-deception.
It became clear to me that nothing good could come from my attendance there. I looked at myself. I looked at my clothes. and the scene I was about to enter. wondering if I was about to join them in that depravity.
I finished listening to the program as I drove home, praising our living God for watching over me, for saving me from myself. And the city. Dr. Yusuf with me as the angels that came to Lot and rescued him from the Lord's wrath on Sodom and Gomorrah. I was experiencing a lot of joy when I When I drove home, uh It was a victory, and a victory.
Over since You know, relying on God, relying on Christ. And there's no feeling quite like that. I'm grateful that I did pray before I left that night and I'm I'm grateful that that program was on the radio right when I needed it. I'm most grateful that I didn't flounder in front of those guys and diminish the opportunity to speak to them later on. when the leadership in a church or a pastor, when they fall, then people are free to believe that it's all a lie.
That Christ doesn't save, you know, and It gives a platform for those sorts of messages. To be able to rely on other Christians and to rely on the strength that comes from a strong prayer life. From getting into the word and from studying the word through radio programs, television programs that are biblically Founded conveyors of sound doctrine. Those are the things that we, as Christians, need to fortify ourselves with. Dr.
Yusuf's message was. pointed exactly where I needed it to be. It couldn't have been any more perfect. the work that you guys are doing is reaching people or reach me. A dear old lady many years ago went to be in heaven and she said, You know, every morning I wake up, I put on the whole armor of God, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness and so on.
But you know, so many of these equipment that the Lord gives us In Ephesians particularly, Paul describes them piece by piece. Thus our equipment to be worn permanently And not just one day and may you forget to put them on the next day, but The helmet of salvation, that is your permanent defensive weapon. When you know you're saved by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and you know that absolute assuredly, and you have that helmet on all the time, when you know that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is what really saves you and takes you all the way to heaven, and therefore the breastplate of righteousness, you're wearing it all the time, even when you're asleep and you wake up, you have it on. And so, know the difference between the equipment that you need to pick up, like the sword of the Spirit when you are in a defensive posture, or the permanent pieces of equipment that you must put on, the whole armor of God. And now, Get ready.
For An amazing testimony From the Muslim world. No hard grew up In a most restrictive environment, And yet the The Spirit of God found her. And even though She faced even death itself. She continued to walk with Christ. and in the power of his strength.
I'm from an Islamic background. My father passed away when I was seven years old. I used to read the Quran. I would get tired, I would cry, and I didn't know why. I, as an Islamic person, I hated visiting the holy sites.
I feel like I'm visiting stones. I feel disgusted. But I didn't know what the reason was. When I feel upset, I would go up to the rooftop at my place. I look up at the sky.
And I scream, God help me. God help me, I'm so tired and I cry a lot. I've always felt like someone is watching me, living in fear. always afraid that someone is going to follow me home. I couldn't take it any more.
I felt lost and all over the place. In Islam, if you are going through difficulties, they go to a shaykh. I went to see a shaykh and he gave me an amulet, an object to keep the bad luck away. The minute I carried the amulet, the world started to torture me. I felt that I am completely disconnected, with no sleep.
No food. And no drink. I went to my cousin's house crying. She asked me, What's going on? she said to me, I will connect you with a lady who will pray for you and you will feel better.
She prayed for me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she knew exactly what I am going through, like she was living with me. When I go to visit her, I will We did the Bible. and I watch clips on television. We are not supposed to read the Bible. My family knew.
and they became concerned. They noticed I don't read the Quran, and they told me to read it, but I said no I couldn't accept it. My family started to fight with me. And saying that's wrong, and I would be punished. My mother even hit me more than once.
My brother came to me and questioned me. I said to my brother, I don't care what people say. He said to me, you have the nerve to tell me that, and started hitting me. He hit me with all his strength, and I was at that moment thanking the Lord for his power and protection. as my brother was hitting me harder.
His children and wife tried to stop him, but they couldn't. They were saying How can you leave Islam and go to Christianity? You are an apostate, and we will expel you. Many nights I cried myself to sleep. I used to hide under the blanket to read the Bible with a tiny flashlight.
My cousin's friend encouraged me and said, Don't worry, things like this will happen. That's what they did to Jesus. But in the end, He is glorified. despite all that has happened to me, I felt that God was getting into my life. In all peace the Lord gave it to me.
I was on Facebook. and I found the kingdom sat channing. I contacted the Facebook page.
Someone from the kingdom sat responded. I told him I wanted Jesus to fill my life and I wanted to be filled with the light of Jesus. I want to leave this sick environment to live with the Lord.
So every week I was discipled and taught about Jesus. With him I've understood a lot of the Lord's words by following the sermons taught on the kingdom Sachana. Doctor Michael Youssef, I am very, very grateful to you. Thank you for this channel. For these sermons, for these wonderful words.
Thank you for the great work you are doing that manifests. God is present through your words. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I thank you, brother Michael. And may your work be greater and stronger. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to encourage you. There is a cost to discipleship. There is a cost to having the victory in the In Jesus' name. There is a cost to winning. The invisible war.
But it It is worth it. It is worth it. I've been walking with the Lord now for over sixty years. And I've been lived in different parts of the world, different challenges, different circumstances, different temptations and different difficulties. And yet I can testify that my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, has been faithful all the way.
You're listening to Leading the Way. Have you ever looked at the chaos in the world and confusion in our culture? Why are my loved ones struggling? Why am I facing the same battles again and again? There is a real enemy, and that is why I wrote this book, Winning the Invisible War.
This is not just a book, it is a guide to winning these spiritual battles. And these principles come straight from the Word of God. My new book, Winning the invisible war will help you do just that and give you biblical keys to walking in victory. For your gift of any amount, you can receive your copy of Dr. Yusuf's newest book from Leading the Way.
Visit ltw.org to get your copy today. Speak with a ministry representative at the call center about how to get your copy of Winning the Invisible War at 866-626-4356. or online. We're at ltw.org. This program is brought to you by Leading the Way with Dr.
Michael Yousap. Mm-hmm.
