Kingdom Comes in the Mountain Kingdom

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Greetings from Lesotho Africa! 

I want to share with you a blog written by a Junior at Holland Christian named Hannah Brashears. This past week she and the team have worked with orphaned children at Beautiful Gate Care Center, had a pizza party with teen mom’s, hung out with homeless street children after church as well as countless other activities which has exposed them to the heart of the Father.  Be blessed as you hear from the soul of a young lady “ruined” by the Father’s Kingdom breaking into her heart.

My absolute favorite part about today was our chapel. Beautiful Gate has a chapel for the house mothers, other staff, and older children on Wednesdays instead of afternoon Playgroup. Our team decided that we wanted to lead a chapel for everyone at Beautiful Gate. To shake some nerves, some prayers were said and we did a run through of our two songs, Oceans and Days of Elijah, before everyone came into The River chapel, which is in the center of the campus. All nerves were washed away when the kids and staff came in, and looked so excited to see what we had prepared for them. We started with Oceans, which went quite beautifully, and relates to Mr. Verkaik and Mr. Spykstra’s new ministry, which is coincidentally called Oceans Ministries.

The lyric from the song, which states, “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders” stuck out to me more than ever while singing this song. It took so much trust to put my faith into God about this trip to apply, and then again to actually come here. With God, no boarder is too far and too hard to cross, because he is with me every step of the way.

We then transitioned into Days of Elijah. We chose the song because it is upbeat, has motions… Seeing everyone join in with us, let their guards down, and just be silly while praising the Lord was really heartwarming, and I think that it especially helped Claire be able to let her guard down as well when she spoke. Her message was about faith after loss, and honestly I couldn’t give a description that would give it justice. After the school year where we have had experienced so many tragic deaths, leaving to come here was a little hard for many, but coming to a community that can relate in so many ways, and really appreciate her message meant the world.

One of the volunteers, Loreto, was so moved by her message because it related so much to him, and he actually felt God’s spirit so much in that moment that he too went up on to the front to share. So many times people feel alone in loss and hard times, so it is so important to not only know that others can relate to you, but also that God never leaves you, and he will forever be faithful. This is so evident in my life, not only after this past school year, but also through the passing of my mother as a child, and that made Claire’s message so special.

My favorite part of the chapel immediately followed, when the house mothers sang for us. The room lit up with joy, and everyone broke out into laughter and dance. They too did a song with motions, and helped us dance right along with them. Before leaving, Pastor Tim closed us with prayer, and had everyone put their arms onto the people next to them. We became one just as we are all God’s children. Before leaving to go into our service assignments once again, so many of the house mothers hugged us all, and it made so many people’s days that they loved our chapel as much as they did.

Sala Hantle!

Hannah

When God is Silent

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In the questionnaire that was sent out for Climbing Prayer Mountain someone asked, “How do you pray when God seems silent?” Can you relate to this question? I know I can. There have been seasons in my life where constant knocking on heaven’s door seems futile as the door seems to remain shut. When discouragement floods in and a voice speaks from deep within saying, “Give up, He is not listening, you are not even on heaven’s radar!”

As I write this blog I’m in Lesotho Africa where this past Pentecost Sunday millions of people from South Africa and Lesotho ended a 40 day season of fasting and prayer for their countries. They have been asking God to intervene in a political system that has become corrupt, asking Him to heal racial tensions and violence that have plagued their land for generations, and begging for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to awaken the church.

Overwhelming pain has gripped this beautiful land of Southern Africa for decades, and it would be easy to give up hope thinking heaven has been slow in responding to the cries of his children. Yet whenever I come here, I see passionate Christians who continue to pound persistently on heaven’s door in spite of the extreme battles they daily fight. For many, the tough times have forged them into a people that are strong in faith, rich in prayer, and holding on to the promises of God even when there seems to be years of silence.

There are so many examples from the Scriptures where God is apparently silent, but it is during these times that His children overcome the greatest of obstacles for His glory. God uses such time to teach His children to trust Him. Pick up your Bible and read Hebrews 11, which introduces us to the Hall of Faith of faithful followers. Each of those listed in this chapter knows what it is like to go through season of silence. Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David and a host of others experienced difficult trials when God seemed absent. Yet, the struggle resulted in wrestling prayers that continued to knock on heaven’s door until the glory came down and heaven answered their persistent prayers. They were people who were “Sure of what they hoped for and certain of what they did not see (Hebrews 11:1).

So take heart when heaven seems silent and your prayers seem ignored. He is preparing you for His Hall of Faith, where your life can testify to His great faithfulness and glorious works in your life.

Oceans Israel Trip June 2018

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If God is Sovereign-Why Pray?

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While working on the upcoming book and study guide for Climbing Prayer Mountain, a survey was sent out. I was grateful not only for the responses, but also to the variety of questions on prayer. So for the next several weeks I thought I would address a few of those questions. Some will be covered in Climbing Prayer Mountain and others will not.

I thought it would best to address the “big one” right away:

Why pray when the answer has already been decided, we can’t change God’s mind, right?

There are many ways to try to answer this question but I will give you the one I think answers it best, JESUS! Isn’t He always the best answer? Seriously, if you study the gospels you will notice Jesus is always praying. He prays at the beginning of His public ministry, before several miracles, and his prayers intensify at the end of His ministry. Jesus, who is perfect theology, prayed! He knew the Father better than anyone before or after Him, and yet He prayed. He knew the Father was in complete control over every detail in the world, and He still prayed fervently.

If you study the Lord’s Prayer, or more appropriately called the “Disciples’ Prayer” (Matthew 6:5-15 and Luke 11:1-13), Jesus teaches us that our prayers matter and we help bring His Kingdom to earth through prayer. In Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” (John 17), He pleads with His Father to work in the hearts of His followers to live out the Father’s desires pertaining to unity, love, and victory over the enemy. These desires for His followers are still being prayed-for, and answered, in our daily lives.

By studying the life of Jesus, the Son of God who believed in the Sovereign control of His Father, we realize prayer is part of His sovereign plan. Prayer unleashes God’s purposes in our lives. Our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16), and are used to do the miraculous in our world for the Father’s glory. It is hard for our finite minds to fully embrace how God’s Sovereign control works with human prayers to fulfill His purposes, but somehow in heaven these two seemingly contradictory things become one beautiful plan in the heart of Father God. This mind-blowing truth always leads me to want to shout out praise to a Mighty Father God who is beyond my imagination and comprehension.

So Keep Praying! It is part of His Sovereign plan to change you and the world you live in for His glory!

A quick note, Climbing Prayer Mountain is almost ready for publication, so be looking for it in the next few weeks! Thank you to so many of you for your help in this project. Please join me in praying that the Father will use the daily devotionals in the lives of many to heighten their desire to seek His presence.

 

 

Sin, Nails, and a Consuming Fire

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Before the first session of the Souly Business retreat officially started I was introduced to a man I’ll call Joel. It was one of those awkward moments where we are all waiting for whatever was up next on the schedule and essentially making small talk. I asked Joel how he ended up here at the Souly retreat and he said his AA sponsor invited him. Joel’s refreshing honesty took me by surprise as told how he had fought to be sober for 9 months. I shared how my dad faithfully attended AA and has been sober for 29 years. As the conversation stalled the bell beckoning us to the opening meeting saved us, we shook hands and bid farewell.

But in God’s good providence Joel and I were assigned to the same table and sat beside each other over the next 3 days. Early on it was apparent that Joel was extremely uncomfortable in this type of retreat setting. I came to find out he had never stepped foot in a church, and singing worship songs with a bunch of strangers was more than frightening. Later on, Joel shared with me that if there was a way he could have snuck-out, he certainly would have. However, since his truck was blocked in, it was just not going to happen.

Yet, in the midst of the battle going on inside of Joel, the Holy Spirit was at work. After a time of individual mediation each of us returned to our table of eight and Joel blurted out, “I don’t know how to be a loving husband or a father to my kids.” We all nodded our heads in agreement and stated that this was an impossible task for each one of us. My heart started to race as I sensed the Holy Spirit prompt me to ask Joel about the 3rd Step in AA? He hesitantly responded, “To surrender your will over to God as you understand Him.” I reiterated what the group had just said with, “That is exactly how to start loving your wife and kids because we can’t do it on our own; we need supernatural help.” Again moved by the Spirit I asked him, “Would you be ready to put Step 3 into practice? Surrender your life to Jesus Christ, and ask Him to take over as your Savior and Lord?” He responded, “YES!” And right then and there Joel prayed the sinner’s prayer and asked Jesus into his life!

You could tell Joel was overwhelmed by what had just happened and after hugs by the guys in the group he sat back exhausted. Our assignment that evening was to write down a list of specific sins that stood in the way of our relationship with Father God. After a good length of time, the lights were turned off and we sat in the chapel reflecting on the words we had just written. The only light emitted was from a roaring fire at the front of the room, reflecting the outline of a wooden cross nearby. In the midst of the silence, men made their way to the cross and nailed those pieces of paper into the wood. This tangible act of repentance was a powerful moment for all. I followed right behind Joel as we each pounded our list of sins with the blow of the hammer-the echo reverberated throughout the room. As we walked back to our table, I gave Joel a hug, and watched him keep walking past his seat. A few minutes later one of the leaders ripped off all the pieces of paper nailed to the cross and threw them into the blazing fire. It was a wondrous sight to see all “our sins consumed” by the glowing flames of red and orange.

The next morning Joel wasn’t seated next to me as the session was starting. I glanced around the room and began to wonder if all the events of the day before were just too much for him and he found away to maneuver his truck and drive off. But a few minutes later he entered the room and I saw him hugging his AA sponsor. He eventually made his way to our table with tears and smiles and greeted each of us with a hug. He proceeded to tell us that he just couldn’t sleep last night as he prayed for God to make Himself real to him. Joel went on to say that in the middle of his restless night a fire burned down deep in his soul and ignited a powerful love that he had never felt before. It was a combination of both joy and freedom and he just couldn’t find the words to describe it. Later that day Joel found himself standing in front of 140 plus men and sharing his newfound relationship with Jesus Christ. All those present that weekend shared what Joel was talking about, the promises found in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves  and pray, seek My face, turn from their wicked ways. I will hear  from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.

Not only did Joel experience the promises of 2 Chronicles 7:14 at Souly, but most of us there that weekend felt the fire rage anew in our hearts. I’m holding onto these promises believing that Abba is getting ready to release them in a powerful revival that will bring down the fire all over the earth. Please continue to pray into and practice these truths with me until the Father sends the fire of His Holy Spirit to our needy hearts.