World travel will change your life. If you enlarge your heart, you will also enlarge your world. 12 Compelling Reasons to Go! - Part II 4.Be a liberator and set the captives free. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). After I completed Bible School in 1994, I went to southeast Africa to minister. I worked among the people in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The level of fleshly discomfort and physical affliction I endured was the most thus far in my ministry. I was deep into the bush where there was no electricity, only water from a well, and thatch huts. I slept in my small tent beneath the stars at night for over two months while touring the bush in these nations. I bathed with a bucket and cup, as there was no running water. I ate with the locals and soon smelled like them too. My greatest joy was seeing the natives worship God with wholehearted devotion. Nobody can celebrate the Creator like the Africans. They may not have a whole lot as we know it, but what they possess in heart they outdo us all. I watched my African brothers worship God with dancing, shouting and jubilee for hours unashamedly. Our services were mostly outdoors in the dirt, but this didnt hinder anybody in the least from worshipping God. Small children would sing, dance and clap their hands triumphantly. One little boy with a bad leg often came outside his hut at night during my hour of prayer to pray with me. Though we didnt know each others language we could feel one anothers heart. The only time I really suffered food poisoning during those three months was when I ate dried fish in the bush in Malawi. I had not known the fish was dried in the sun. Thats a lesson for you in itself. Always ask. Never assume anything. My deadly assumption was like road runner (the chicken I most often ate) the fish was caught fresh, killed and cooked. I found out later when I was vomiting and had diarrhea that the fish was foul. I say that because as we rushed back into the city to get me medical treatment, we often stopped at the various markets to use whatever bathroom was available. En route to the washroom I often passed by fish drying in the sun, full of flies and most likely maggots too. I immediately asked my translator, Is that the kind of fish I ate last night? He gave a puzzled and semi-embarrassed look and said, Yes after which I adamantly replied, Well no wonder why Im sick! It was then I began asking more questions and was a bit more cautious to eat whatever was placed before me. I always make a point to get clean bottled water wherever I go now because being ill does not further the work of God in the least. Therefore by being precautious I both save myself and help them who are to hear me. As it pertains to liberating peoples, much of that comes when you earnestly contend for the faith and speak the truth in love. Sadly many nations and peoples are without the truth of Gods Word. It is not uncommon for African Pastors to be without Bibles. Yet this does not diminish their hunger for the Scriptures. I have heard stories of people dividing the Bible into books, each church member getting a book to read after which they pass it around to the next person to enjoy. The hunger for the Word of God abroad is inspiring. What we take for granted and dont appreciate people overseas will walk miles to hear and obtain. One bishop in Tanzania who had over 30 Pastors underneath his spiritual oversight once asked me if black people were cursed. God from the beginning has blessed man and woman (Genesis 1:26-28). The Creator made man in His image and gave Him dominion. Yet unless one knows they are blessed, how can they arise to take dominion? This was the case with the African bishop and no doubt some of his Pastors. I therefore wrote nearly one-hundred Scriptures on the board during my Bible school lesson for church leaders pertaining to blessings. Each Biblical reference clearly stated how Gods children are blessed, why they are blessed and for what purpose they are blessed. All because of Christ Jesus and His blood sacrifice are we set free. Whosoever will can taste and see the Lord is good. Upon entering His love, partaking of His life and being liberated yourself, you too can arise to liberate others. However you cannot give what you yourself do not have. Therefore it is paramount that the word of truth be established first in your own heart and practiced in your life. As I began to go through Scripture upon Scripture, verse after verse, line by line the many blessings of God upon His children; the bishop and Pastors all began shining with divine glory as their spirits were illuminated. As change occurred within, their countenances outwardly also changed for the better. Suddenly everyone lifted up their heads proudly and began to walk with dignity. This is the kind of liberation the world needs. It is time Gods people realized who they are in Him. It is time we discover we are who the Bible says we are. We can do what the Bible says we can do. Furthermore we can have what the Bible says we can have! No more cursing and crumbs! It is a time of liberation and promotion for Gods people. Our best days and our blessed days are ahead of us! As you arise to fight for your brothers, those less fortunate than yourself, God will empower you to be a deliverer and set the captives free. We must never forget about our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering elsewhere in the earth. God told Joshua that when he came into his personal inheritance he was to fight for his brethren that they too might enter their promised land and obtain their inheritance (Joshua 1:13-15). We must have a ready mind to help the weak, defend those deprived justice and battle for our brothers. Let us not become fat and happy. God help us to care for others, not remain silent and use our resources to liberate the captives. The burden of the Lord for humanity weighs heavily upon the heart of God. Embrace the burden of the Lord to be a deliverer and arise to liberate the captives. 5.Experience the power & authority of God. It is one thing to mentally think of God as powerful. It is far more inspiring however to experience His power personally for yourself. Gods power is readily flowing to you, in you and for you. Upon acknowledging the heart and power of God, His Spirit can also release this divine power through you as you yield yourself to be His vessel in the earth. Jesus taught His disciples to conclude their prayers by saying, For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13) The heavenly Father possesses all power in heaven and earth. God the Father chose to invest His power in His only begotten Son Jesus (Matthew 28:18). Jesus likewise gives His power to His servants to go in His Name and do His work (Mark 16:15-20). The signs of Gods power are healings, deliverance from demons, signs, wonders, manifestations of the Holy Spirit and miracles (1Corinthians 12; Hebrews 2:4). God confirms His Word with power to exalt His Name throughout the earth. Jesus freely shares His glory and power with His people (John 17:22). In fact Jesus said we would do greater things in His Name now that He has ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father (John 14:12). Few believers truly believe and dare to do greater things, but among those who do there are magnificent breakthroughs. Whosoever will can pay the price and take up their cross to believe the gospel and follow Christ. Some argue the power of the Holy Spirit was only for the twelve apostles. Paul and the seventy disciples werent numbered among the twelve, but manifested the supernatural power of God (Acts 19:11; Luke 10:17). The first time I prayed for the sick, I simply got on my knees and gently laid hands on the old lady. Her legs had been troubling her. I simply reminded God of His word that These signs would follow them that believe; they would lay hands on the sick and they would recover (Mark 16:17-18). Suddenly the woman jumped up off her chair, grabbed her tambourine and started dancing happily across her home. Though I felt nothing other than the inward abiding Spirit, when I prayed for her she felt a surge and release of Gods power that healed her instantly. The principle of praying the prayer of faith for the sick is one that can never be underestimated (James 5). All we simply need to do is uphold Gods Word and pray. The Father in heaven will honor His Word and confirm it with power. When and how quickly He does so is up to Him. Our obedience paves the way for Gods power to flow today. My experience has shown that some healings occur immediately while others happen progressively. As for me Ill take healing however I can get it when I am ill. Of course I prefer the instantaneous breakthrough, but progressive recovery is also worthy of thanks and praise unto God. While ministering throughout the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia I saw a tremendous display of Gods power. It was so mighty that even onlookers of the Muslim faith and animists who had no previous relationship with Christ marveled in amazement. As the sick were healed and the demon possessed delivered, Muslims and unbelievers of all sorts ran to the front to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Truly power from on high settles the debate as to who is God. The God of heaven is Almighty and always ready to reveal Himself in power. Never forget it! Only believe and you to will see the glorious power of God. 6.Give a gift that will last forever. Eternity is a long time. Nothing is more valuable than the gift of salvation. What good is it if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul? What can a person give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:26) Jesus told His disciples: I will make you fishers of men. (Mark 1:17) Christ Jesus is on a mission to plunder hell and populate heaven. No matter how undone and messed up a person may seem to be, Jesus can save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). I remember when I was in Burma an elderly woman who had been oppressed by demons for years came to me. This precious grandmother would have seizures when out in public with her family. She was a great embarrassment to her husband and children. Nobody could seem to help her. She had visited countless churches of all denominations. She had gone to Buddhist temples. Nothing seemed to work. When she approached me looking for help, I immediately checked in with the Holy Spirit to get the mind of God pertaining to her. The woman began by telling me she was cursed. I asked, Who told you that youre cursed? She made mention of a former friend who was very manipulative and had put a curse on her. I told the precious grandmother that if Jesus had forgiven and blessed her, there could be no curse whatsoever. I then proceeded to encourage the grandma to forgive the manipulative friend who was practicing witchcraft against her. Once these areas of the heart were cleansed and those doors to the soul shut, I could then deal with the demons harassing her. I boldly began to pray in Jesus Name addressing every tormenting spirit that had been troubling her. As I did, my translator and I heard a demon speak through the grandma in English saying, Im frightened. That undoubtedly was not the grandma, as she could not speak the English language. Within minutes the heaviness and oppression from the demons was gone. The woman happily left me that afternoon in her right mind. Her freedom was verified as she attended church that night and testified as to the wonderful works of God. Months later when I revisited Burma, she traveled over 40 kilometers to see me and bestow gifts of thanksgiving. She was still delivered and entirely whole. How marvelous it is to be a minister of the most-high God helping humanity. Salvation is Gods most precious gift to mankind. Salvation effects us wholly spirit, mind and body. This womans glorious freedom was evidence as to how great a salvation we do have in Christ. Truly Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. We His people are extensions of the ministry of Christ on earth today. Jesus still likes to preach, teach, heal and deliver. He now just does it through believing obedient servants such as you and me. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38). Many people throughout the world are oppressed and miserable. A good number of those who are self-absorbed are also very lonely and empty within. Nothing is always as it seems. People can wear many masks. Human beings often front when out in public socially. We all need to look deeply and intently into the mirror of the Word of God. When we do our own hearts will be fully revealed and shown as for what they are. As we humble ourselves and acknowledge our need of God, He will gently and graciously embrace and empower us to become all that He intended from the beginning. Upon being restored to right relationship with God, the foundation of our life is secure. From a firm foundation we can go on to build bigger and greater things with our life. Without a firm foundation we will eventually be tried, tested and shaken. Sometimes God Himself is doing the shaking to awaken us to our inability, self-sufficiency and necessity of Him. It is then that we should humbly draw near to God and let Him work within us. |
