Wherefore He saith “AWAKE” Thou that sleepest, and arise from THE DEAD, and Christ
shall give the Light
Greetings to all of you in Christ Jesus,
As I prayerfully ponder the new year as well as key events like “Galveston Mardi Gras Outreach” I can’t help but think of this scripture as the theme. I think this scripture is also appropriate for the body of Christ at large, as well as those that are perishing in their sins. Just think of the conditions under which the apostle Paul wrote this letter. While he is in prison the churches that he had ministered to were in a spiritual upheaval with infighting over key doctrinal issues and the nation was in deep spiritual darkness almost unimaginable. But in the midst of it all the Holy Spirit was still shinning the light of God’s grace both inside and out. Now here we are in 2007 with our nation being rocked from political tug of wars between the democrats and republicans. And the church of Jesus Christ is being caught up in “trivial pursuit” while our country slides deeper and deeper into chaos and confusion. Millions of lives are still untouched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our nation has become preoccupied with what “Brittany” is wearing and which sports stars have gotten another million dollar contract. Prayer meetings are becoming a thing of the past and “evangelism” is almost nonexistent. So here we are just a few weeks away from another Galveston Mardi Gras Outreach and most of us are asking, “what do you want us to do Lord”? What kind of reason would I need for not going to the front lines of the battle? The only thing I can think of would be if the Lord put a “red light” in my face and said “no”. The fields are whiter than ever before for the harvest. But if we are being lead by the spirit in this Kingdom endeavor we had better take it seriously. Going into the “devils camp” (a.k.a Galveston Mardi Gras) will not be a task we would enter into “lightly” not because of fear but because of effectiveness. Jesus said to HIS defeated disciples that found themselves with their backs up against unprecedented spiritual darkness, “THIS KIND COMMETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING”.In other words there are degrees of wickedness that can only be conquered by the “FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST”. I have been asked over the years what will we do if we encounter a demon possessed person? First know that Christ Jesus has sent you. If you have been sent then you will be “empowered by God” to get the job done. Always enter into the battle with a broken and contrite heart in a spirit of humility that is what attracts the grace and the power of God. In other words allow the Holy Spirit to purge you of sin and “personal agendas” that hinder the effective work of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the lives of those to which you minister. Then “go in the power of the Holy Spirit ” trusting God to do what HE does best “seek and save that which is lost”. My brothers and sisters in Christ please don’t allow the “spirit of fear” to hold you back from fighting the good fight of faith for the souls of men and the soul of this nation. With Islam in “revival” and covering the globe with death and darkness, how can we sit back in a spiritual slumber in such a grave hour? When Israel was faced with the “Goliaths” of their day, God raised up young David full of the Holy Ghost and power to defeat the enemies of God. Prayerfully consider joining us for this key weekend!
