This issue marks the launch of the new CHARISMA CARES program, created to give Charisma readers more opportunities to engage with the amazing ministries we feature in each issue. And honestly, we can’t think of a more worthwhile ministry to start with than Calcutta Mercy Ministries, now celebrating 60 years of showing God’s love to India’s poorest by providing hands-on care.

For more than 38 years, Charisma readers have consistently changed lives around the world with their generous giving. Here’s how you can help now in one of India’s poorest areas:

$35 impacts the life of a child by providing meals, education and medical care.

$60 a month supports children at the ministry’s blind school.

$250 a month employs three rescued sex workers or supports a student at the School of Nursing.

$500 pays for a child with a cleft lip or palate to receive surgery, orthodontics and speech therapy.

$2,200 a month funds operations at one of the hospital’s Mercy Clinics.

$3,000 a month funds the operation of a red-light clinic that provides therapy, medication and ministry to women sex workers and their children.

$10,000 a week provides 150,000 meals through the ministry’s successful food program.

$28,000 pays for an Adopt-a-Village project. Calcutta Mercy Ministries plans to build at least 40 additional clinics throughout rural communities in India while providing education and the sharing of the gospel to those who have yet to hear about the love of Christ.

Thanks to Charisma Cares, Charisma’s nonprofit partner, 100 percent of all donations will go directly to Calcutta Mercy Ministries.

Visit to donate online, or mail your payment to Christian Life Missions, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746.  

No gift is too small to make a difference!

Chris Franz was created to go where others won’t. Though the German-born evangelist has spent years serving the church in Europe and the United States, his burning desire continues to take the gospel into uncharted territory—particularly tribes and people groups known for killing those who follow Jesus.

Since forming CITA (Christ Is the Answer) Ministries in 1998, Franz has led almost 100 crusades and seen hundreds of thousands come to Christ—as well as countless signs and miracles—as he’s gone to some of the world’s most dangerous places for believers.

While his ministry equips and supports a network of ministries and indigenous missionaries for church planting, several of the latter have become martyrs.

“It’s a price we must pay,” Franz says. “We live in a time where we can no longer allow anything—even death—to keep us from the harvest fields of God. We’re on the last stretch of fulfilling the Great Commission, and I believe these regions of the world are the last stand. This generation must be saved!”

Christians May have a reputation for being lousy tippers, but an emerging movement of anonymous yet ultra-generous givers is turning that stereotype on its head.

It began last September when the Instagram account for @tipsforjesus posted its first evidence of a large tip with a photo of a receipt for an $ bill at Bar Louie in Ann Arbor, Mich. The tip was $3,000, and the receipt was simply signed “@tipsforjesus.”

The next day another image appeared on the account, this time of a waiter holding evidence of a $2,000 tip. Since then, more photos have followed of extravagant tips at restaurants in San Francisco, Chicago and Hollywood in amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000. The description on the Instagram profile, which has more than 70,000 followers, says, “Doing the Lord’s work, one tip at a time.”

Little was known about the identity of the anonymous tipper, though it was rumored to be former PayPal Vice President Jack Selby. But in February, San Francisco magazine ran an exclusive interview on the condition of maintaining the tipper’s anonymity that stated the Tips for Jesus movement includes about 10 tippers. And though the magazine said the interviewee described the movement as “agnostic” and with the intent of spreading “the gospel of extravagant giving,” it’s tough to distance the actions of those involved or inspired by @tipsforjesus from, well, Jesus.

An unaffiliated patron in an Illinois restaurant, for example, recently handed three waitresses a $5,000 check each and said, “God sent me here to help you.” A family dining in Tennessee left $1,075 for another waitress with a note that read, “Jesus blessed us and we were led to give it to you. God bless!”

To date, @tipsforjesus has left more than $130,000 in gratuities, while stories of other unrelated yet overtly Christian tippers continue to unfold.

John Eckhardt (Charisma House)

God’s plan for you includes an everlasting covenant of peace and protection over you. Do you live within that divine promise? Apostle John Eckhardt shows you how.

Kay Robertson, Korie Robertson, Missy Robertson, Jessica Robertson and Lisa Robertson (Howard Books)

The women of Duck Dynasty offer provocative insights into their reality TV family, including Kay Robertson’s story of overcoming Phil’s unfaithfulness and how she learned to forgive him and sustain their 48-year marriage.

Bethel Women’s Conference (Tone Tree)

You Make Me Brave, releasing on CD and DVD, was recorded live at Bethel Church’s popular women’s conference. Showcasing original songs and revamped classics, the album features worship leaders Kari Jobe, Jenn Johnson and others.

MercyMe  (Fair Trade Services)

Grammy-nominated group MercyMe releases its eighth studio album Welcome to the New this month. Despite their longevity, the seasoned musical veterans—with 6 million albums sold—say this new release marks a new season for the band.

A few years ago, while stepping down off the back patio at a friend’s house, I lost my footing, twisted my ankle and fell. As a result, I found myself face down on a brick walkway, grateful that I had hurt only my ankle.

Although the area began to swell, I didn’t think the injury would be much of a deterrent to my activities. After all, it was only a simple sprain, and I expected my ankle to continue to function as usual.

However, what I thought was a simple sprain proved to be not only painful but also very inconvenient. The ankle affected the foot, and the foot affected my entire body. Since I could place no weight on it, the rest of my body had to make up for what the right foot could no longer do.

I was never really aware of this foot until it could no longer function without pain. I had taken walking pain-free for granted. Even after I injured it, I thought, “This isn’t going to hinder me. I’m going about my business as usual.”

I thought wrong!

Whereas previously I could walk from one place to another independently, I now had to lean on something or someone else and hobble to my destination. In addition, when I wasn’t hobbling, I had to elevate the foot to keep the swelling down. I was out of balance and my mobility was greatly curtailed.

It’s funny that I was never conscious of the foot until it demanded attention. Now even simple activities were tedious. It took the strength of a gymnast just to perform routine tasks in the bathroom!

I had not realized how much I depended on that foot until it was out of commission. Then what I had never taken notice of before became my focus.

I am not by nature a patient person. So when an obstacle over which I had no control came into my path, I didn’t react well. I wasn’t happy to discover my limitations!

But I knew there must be a lesson in it somewhere. So I prayed, “OK. What is it, Lord?”

After reflecting, I realized that what had happened to me is a natural picture of a spiritual truth. When we are focused on something in the distance, we can become careless. We think we are standing on solid ground, but unless we are conscious of where we step, we can fall.

Also, when part of the body is hurt and cannot function, as it should, we are no longer able to ignore that part; we must tend to it. In addition, the other parts must compensate for the lack. This is difficult because they are unaccustomed to the strain. All of them must learn to adjust.

The body of Christ functions the same way. As believers, we can be intensely focused on something “out there” and lose sight of whether we are standing on solid ground and our steps are ordered by the Lord (see ).

Although the apostle Peter warns us to be vigilant and watchful of the danger the enemy can put in our way (see 1 Pet. 5:8), we sometimes ignore the admonition if things are going well, and we tend to focus on the bigger picture while overlooking little things.

When we focus on the wrong things, we lose our balance, fall, get injured, and need help and time to heal. The other members must not only come to our rescue but also take up the slack for the vacuum we leave, adding to the weight the whole body must carry.

The wrong focus is the crux of the problem. When we focus on something in the distance—such as ministry, career, future plans—and lose sight of our immediate surroundings—family, finances, relationships—we may not see the danger close at hand, and we can fall. Paul the apostle warns: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

We need to be vigilant and careful about how we walk this life of faith. Let’s stay close to the Lord and allow Him to order our steps!

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 02/24/2014

This week ask the Lord to direct your focus so that you are aware of the little things that may cause you to trip in your spiritual walk. As you pray for the nations remember to include your own nation and community. Pray for the local authorities and educators in your area. Pray that God would raise up godly leaders in each of these areas. Continue to pray for the president’s protection and that he have godly wisdom in all his dealings. Pray for our governmental, national, local and spiritual leaders. Remember Israel, the Middle East, our military and the persecuted church around the world. Ask God for more laborers for His already ripe harvest field. 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet.5:8; Ps. 37:23.

Chris Gore (Destiny Image)

Get a foundation for true healing—and be trained, equipped and released into a lifestyle of healing and miracles—by understanding the character of God and discovering how God’s miraculous healing power has been demonstrated in the lives of others.

Kari Jobe (Capitol CMG)

Grammy-nominated singer Kari Jobe releases Majestic, which includes a new album and live DVD recorded in her hometown of Dallas. This is Jobe’s first live concert DVD and features the new single “Forever.”