I wish I could tell you that I lived every second in Vietnam with boldness and courage. But there were moments when fear would hit me like an unexpected wave and pull me under. Only Gods hands would reach out to be my escape. His love always comes to rescue us. I no longer want to get pulled under by any attack of doubt or fear. I want the current of the Lords love to be the only thing that takes me under. In Vietnam, the book of Acts came alive. This month I experienced what the church should look like. It should be filled with passionate hearts. Hearts that have been set free and who rejoice in that freedom.
During a service with an underground church, my eyes were awakened to who our God is. God is who He says He is. My faith was steadfast some moments and washed over with fear in others. That is not our God. His is unchanging. He is faithful even when we are not. When we welcome the presence of the Lord in we are ushering in who He is. As we were passionately worshipping in this small underground church, the presence of the Lord was felt there. We spent that time praising the God who is above all other gods. We spend time ministering to Him, not asking for anything other than His presence.
What God did in that time was amazing! We heard testimony after testimony of people getting healed in that time. People who had their hands lifted high were healed of their body aches that had lasted for years. One woman said she hasn’t been able to get down on her knees in 5 years, was now kneeling on both knees, praising God. Healings happened because that is who our God is. He is the great healer. When God is present He is just going to be God.
Other hearts spoke of their depression because of the Christian persecutions in Vietnam. One woman shared that she had been severely depressed for the past 5 years because of those persecutions. But she felt God calling her to come to worship that morning so she walked 2 hours to arrive at a place to worship God. During worship God gave her a vision of Vietnam. She saw a map outline of Vietnam with wings, fire and hands praying. All of these things filled the entire country. She spoke that those wings and fire were the Holy Spirit covering the land. She spoke in confidence that this nation was the Lords and that it will be a nation that knows the one true God. She gleamed with a renewed hope. The Lord is our encourager. He is our comfort. This woman didn’t ask the Lord for anything. I am not even sure she knew what her heart needed but the Lord swept in with His presence and did the very thing He is.
Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
If they persecute me, they will persecute you also – Jesus
– John 15:20
