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Thursday nite praise
Jul 12, 2007
Greetings to all and grateful thanks to those who prayed for our outreach tonight.
Three of us went out onto Ben Yehuda, but only after we spent an hour in the Prayer Tower. God always meets us in this set aside time of prayer.
Admittedly tonight it took me a while to find that "secret place" under the shelter of His wings. I've been working overtime on a special project (facilitating a concert tour of the Watoto Chidren's Choir). The project has drained me of time and energy and I was even beginning to want to cancel these late night outreaches. Life was going by at too fast a clip. Tonight God re-ordered my life.
"You have done all that I've required of you" God spoke to my spirit. "Leave Watoto to me and you do what I've called and equipped you to do."
"FREEDOM" is what I wrote in my journal. "I feel like dancing and twirling in praise."
With that admonition we headed for the streets, not knowing where God would lead us.
The first few attempts at conversations were lame - to say the least.
Then we passed a band playing 60's music and a crowd was gathering. "These are believers" I sensed correctly. When I heard the words, "Where is Messiah?" I turned to some young girls enjoying the music. "What do you think they mean by those words?" I began.
That led to a very lively debate as they are religious and well trained in the Talmud. They insisted that God was too high for us to know Him and that only as we study the wise men can we begin to know. This is a typical lie. I challenged them to read some of the prophecies. One said, "I know what I believe and I'm not interested." The other seemed really to be challenged enough to go home to read and prove that I am wrong.
While I don't know the fruit of that conversation, it sure did get my juices stimulated.
With that I felt the Lord send us down the street. We'd only walked a few steps when I was arrested by a man standing with his friend. I turned to the team and said, "Wow is the Lord's hand upon him." Because he was rather nice looking I was concerned that it was my flesh talking rather than God. But I stepped out and said, "Sir, I believe the Lord is wanting your heart."
His friend burst out laughing until I began to talk to him...."And God wants to use you to bring comfort to other people. You are very familiar with pain." With that, tears filled his eyes and he listened carefully not only to what God was telling him, but then to his friend.
That done, we went on our way. Passing a restaurant I noticed a man with glasses. Again the Lord wanted to speak. This time however God was talking to me in English, but the diner only spoke Italian. The guard to the restaurant asked, "Can I help you?" "Only if you speak Italian."
I explained to the guard that God wanted the man to know something...and then turned back to the diner and gave him God's word. Our little team turned to walk away but the guard stopped me.
"Please, does God want to say something to me?" He did and I shared God's word. Then I asked, "Do read the Bible?" "Sure I"m religious." "Does God talk to you the way He does to me?" "No."
So I quoted Isaiah 5:1-2 about our sins separating us from God. Jesse asked, "So what do I do about my sin?"
He took my phone number for further discussion. He was concerned that his boss would get mad if he kept talking to us so the team and I decided to stop there for something to eat to help the boss not get angry. When we walked out of the cafe, Jesse stopped me. "Wait, the cook wants to talk to you."
Out came the cook asking for a word from God. He got it. His response was, "Please come back again."
Sure will. Next time I expect there will be a line to hear a word from God. These kids are so hungry for the supernatural power of God.
We then called Saif and met him for a cup of coffee! (this is getting spendy)...He's agreed to come to a young people's meeting either Monday or Thursday...maybe both.
Haven't heard from Mohammed in a week - not a good sign.
So at the end of the day (it's 1:10 AM) God has confirmed His promise....blessings follow obedience.
In obedience, I'm going to set aside all the details about the Watoto tour and clean my house today. Then Saturday I'm going to work on the Holiday book. God will take care of Watoto and I will be about the rest of His business.
Thank you for your prayers. With love, j
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