The Light is Shining

One of the main changes that has occurred in my thinking since attending the school here is how to reach the lost. Actually it is not being changed, but formed for the first time in me. How did I used to think we should win the lost? I dunno…bring more doughnuts to Sunday school and hope they smell the aroma? I realized that I didn’t have any plan to reach the lost. Sure, I went to church faithfully and served in ministry. I also went to work all week with the same people, some of whom are lost, and tried to live an exemplary life in front of them hoping they would be interested and ask me about the Lord. I was faithful as I knew how, but honestly I had never led anyone to the Lord before. And that’s pretty sad considering that Jesus left us with the thing called the ‘Great Commission’ in which he instructed us to be about the business of winning the lost until he returns. Winning the lost and discipling them IS the business of the Kingdom of God.

I’m beginning to understand a little more about process of evangelism, and I’m really excited about it. Basically, if you don’t go where there are lost people, you can’t win anyone to the Lord. So simple yet so profound. How can we win the lost unless we go to where they are? The call of God isn’t to stay in the comfort of the church building as I have done all these years, but to go out into the dark places of society and share the love of God where hurting people dwell. This is the reality of light shining in the darkness. Funny thing, if you turn a flashlight on in a well-lit room, you will not even notice that the bulb is burning. But, if you turn off all the lights, then that same flashlight becomes a beacon to all those stranded in the darkness. Even so, all my shining in church will catch little attention, but shining out in the world makes tidal waves of change! I have just the story to illustrate:

MSM (Morningstar School of Ministry) got an invitation to bring some students down to Orlando last weekend to pray for people and give them messages from God. In Christian lingo, we call this ‘Prophetic Ministry’. But this wasn’t a church that they were invited to. It was a business conference with business leaders from around the country paying $500 per person for 3 days of business development instruction. The leader of this conference loves prophetic ministry, and put her reputation on the line as a level-headed business person to have our students show up and provide prophetic ministry. The teams have been returning to class this week and sharing the amazing experiences they had. They led tons of people to the Lord! Initial reports were that about 100 people made decisions to invite the Lord to come into their lives. There were a total of about 800 people present, and many were already saved. Those who made decisions for the Lord this week were from many different backgrounds: Atheist, Catholic, Muslim, New Age, Agnostic, etc. They had one thing in common. Our teams heard God’s message to each individual and shared what He was saying. The atheist who had come to mock the Christians gave his life to the Lord because he couldn’t deny that the Lord had told our teams the secrets of his life. A flashlight had come into the dark place these people were living in and began shining God's light. It was amazing to have this opportunity to go into a secular place and bless the people who were attending. What was more amazing is that several of those salvations also occurred at the gas station and hanging out in the hotel between meetings. Lost people are in the world living their lives. They are not in church hearing about God. If we are going to have an impact at winning souls, we must go find them. This is something the Lord is awakening within my heart. How many more friends might he have if I only choose to go out into the darkness?

What Do You Want?

This has been a question posed to me in surround sound.

What do I want?

I want to be as close to God as He will let me everyday.

I want to love Him more.

I want the Bible to be alive IN me and TO me.

I want the enemy to run when they see the Light that is in me.

I want to use all the talents God's given me well.

I want to hear God's voice clearly.

I want to be an intercessor.

I want to be known in heaven.

I want to see myself completely the way Jesus sees me.

I want to write, sing, and dance all the serious and silly things He puts in my head-without fear.

I want to pray and see healing.

I want to minister to my husband.

I want to raise the next generation of lovers and warriors for God.

I want everything He has planned for me and MORE.

I don't even know why I am posting these. Maybe it's a subconscious cry for accountability. If I put out there what I really want, YOU'LL know and I'LL know and GOD will know. And I'll have to do something about it. It's scary, yet exhilarating.

What am I doing about it?

Something they've taught here in the simplest terms: What do you want and what are you doing about it? What is the plan of action you are taking to reach your goals? Simple, yet profound.

I used to think I was too busy, but instead I was avoiding growing up, what you might call maturing. Well, God pushed me this far (into Pineville, NC) out of the nest to see how I would fly. Oh, I've flopped and tumbled a lot. But I feel the wind lifting me...it's His mercy and grace to me...it's taking me up to see the world as a true eagle sees it. And I am.

Your hearts are as hard as a field
that has not been plowed.
If you change your ways,
you will produce good crops.
So plant the seeds of doing what is right.
Then you will harvest the fruit of your faithful love.
It is time to turn to me.
When you do, I will come
and shower my blessings on you.

HOSEA 10:12 New International Reader's Version

Reach Out!

A short while ago, Karen and I went across town to find a park and attend a tree lighting ceremony. It was cold and wet, so we opted for the comfort of a nearby mall. As we walked in Macy's I knew the Lord was playing a song just for me in the overhead speakers. We've had some dark times in Charlotte, although we both know that the Lord wants us here for this training. I found some great encouragement from these lyrics:

"Reach Out I'll Be There" by The Four Tops, 1966

Now if you feel that you can't go on
Because all your hope is gone
And your life is filled with confusion
And happiness is just an illusion
And your world around is tumblin' down
Darling, reach out
Reach out, for me.

I'll be there to love and comfort you...(tell me baby)
I'll be there with the love I'll see you through

Now when you're lost and about to give up
'cause your best just ain't good enough
and you feel the world has grown cold
and you're driftin' on your own
when you need a hand to hold
darling, reach out
reach out, for me.

I'll be there to love and comfort you
I'll be there with the love I'll see you through

I'll be there to love and comfort you
I'll be there to with the love I'll see you through

I can tell you the way I hang your head
Now with out of love , now you're afraid
And through your tears you look around
But there's no peace of mind to be found

I know what you're thinking
Witout love, now you're alone
Baby, reach out
Reach out for me

I'll be there to love and comfort you
I'll be there with the Love I'll see you through

I'll be there to love and comfort you
Tell me baby
I'll be there to always see you through
I'll be there

I'll be there to love and comfort you
I'll be there with the love I'll see you through.