Every Nation

Jesus and the witch...

As I came near to Blanca’s shop it was clear that something was wrong. Truth be told there is always something wrong at her shop, because she is a witch who sells all kind of things for demonic rites and spirit worshiping. There are two large altars in her shop, one to various saints and the other to death itself. As I walked in, the whole place was full of smoke and there were large jars with water and limes all around the room. Blanca was sitting in her chair as usual, but today instead of asking how she could help me practice my Spanish, she said, “I can't talk to you today, I’m sick.” I said OK and then asked her helper about all the smoke and water. She explained that it was to ward off evil spirits that they believed were causing this sickness.

I can tell you one thing, it sure wasn't working because that shop felt more evil than ever, and it always had a dark and oppressive feel to it. On my way out I asked Blanca if I could pray for her in the name of Jesus for healing. To my surprise she said yes! As I walked down the street praying for her I felt like Jesus was telling me to go back and pray for her in person. “But Lord, do you know how dark and hard it is in there? I mean you can hear my prayers right here on the streets can't you?”  A minute later I turned around to head back, half hoping that she would say no I couldn't pray in her shop. When I got back I quietly asked if I could pray right then. Again she agreed. In my best Spanish, which is not so good, I prayed for her to be healed and proclaimed the Authority of Jesus over all other gods and spirits. I quickly left and continued to pray as I walked back down the street thanking Jesus for His love and asking him to do something great in that little witch's shop.

I must admit I was thinking God had asked me to pray for her more to see if I would obey than anything else. So you can imagine my surprise and excitement when I came back to see her and the first thing she said to me was,  "Amigo, I want you to pray for me again because last time you prayed God healed me!” I was so amazed at His love for us people.  I mean this woman calls on demons everyday and when they turn on her Jesus is still willing to touch her and show His love and power in her life. He is so unlike us. We would say you made your bed now lay in it and other things like that. More than seeing the power of Jesus to heal, which was awesome, it was the love of the Father that was so clear to me that day. Blanca is still not following Jesus. But do know that He has made an inroad into her life and her whole family. Please go to Him and ask for this family of witches to come into His Kingdom and lead others out of darkness into the glorious light.

Well, I know that story is a little long but it is also the very thing that Father is showing me. He is in love with us! No matter if we are near or far from Him. He is looking for ways to draw us in and speak love to our wounded hearts and make us whole. Brothers and sisters we can trust Him. No matter what He is telling you or leading you to do His heart is for you.

I’m so glad this is true as I get ready to move to Asia in a few months. I can trust Him. My Father loves me and is not leading me out there to die in the wilderness. But rather, to meet with Him in that place and extend this great and awesome invitation to the people of the Himalayas, that the Living God loves them and His Kingdom is as at hand and they are welcome in it.

To the Living God,

m

May our voice be added...

September 12, 2007

Today in class (HGM bootcamp) we watched a video about a tribal group in Indonesia that had never heard about Jesus or the gospel. Over the years I have seen many such videos and it seems a daily thing for me to talk with people about others in the same situation throughout the earth. Today, however, something was different; this video showed that these people have always, as far as any one could remember, been looking for the path to eternal life. It was a constant topic of conversation and something these people put a lot of work into. At one point they even built a boat, filled it with all kinds of fruits, vegetables and gifts. They sent the boat down the river hoping that the spirits of their ancestors, those who knew the way to life, would find this boat causing them to remember the ones who sent it and come back to teach them the way.

It was 30 years later that the first followers of Jesus came to this people. God heard their cry and responded by sending His children to show them the path to life.

As I watched this video my heart broke as I thought of all those who died waiting for these messengers of the cross to come. As I cried I felt pain that is in the heart of the Lord Jesus over the billions of souls that today are searching and asking with no one to tell them the way. I went out to the prayer chapel here and wept with Jesus as He brought pictures of many old men and women who I have met or seen on my travels. I know that most if not all of them will die and that Jesus will never receive the worship He deserves from them.

Brothers and sisters, tomorrow begins the Holy month of Ramadan.  For one month 1,000,000,000 Muslims throughout the earth will fast from food and water from sun up to sun down and pray more regularly than at any other time of year. Many of them are excited for this time of spiritual focus and hope to somehow encounter the One True God. Five times a day they will pray, the end of their prayer is asking God to lead them on the straight path not the way of unrighteous but of the pure. 

 Why has He chosen me, saved me, shown me His grace and love? Am I better than these? Did I seek harder? Or want Him more? I think not. Never did I make a boat, sacrifice food, fast, pray, give, ask, search, cry out, bow down for years on end or give up anything of real worth in hopes of finding truth. Still Jesus came to me and showed me the straight path. Will we allow the humility that this kind of truth demands into our hearts and from a place of submission tell Him, “Father, whatever you have for me. I will obey! You have freely given me so much. Teach me to freely give.”

God said He hears those who call upon Him and His ear is attentive to their prayer. May our voice be added to the billion Muslim voices that are crying out for Mercy. Saints, we can go into the Holy of Holies, stand before the throne of Grace by the blood of the Lamb and ask for mercy in our time of need. Let us take up this most awesome and holy gift and duty of being priests. Let us plead for God to have mercy on them.

In the Name of Jesus the only name by which men can be saved,

m