God took me on a journey this month through the Bible.
I knew coming into Africa that I was heading into lots of new things-
Intense things like witchcraft, demon possession, and idol worship.
Charismatic things like tongues, prophecy, and gifts of the spirit.
Fun things like dancing in church and going barefoot.
Challenging things like having to preach often and street evangelism.
Heartbreaking things like AIDS, extreme poverty, and starving children.
But you see, I’m a bit of a free spirit.
I like to dance to the beat of my own drum.
I don’t believe things just because that’s what I’m told to believe.
And I don’t do things just because everyone else is doing them.
I’m a seeker and I love asking questions.
And I was ready to walk into whatever new things the Lord had for me this month.
But I wanted to be sure what I was doing and saying and preaching was from Him.
So I started searching the Bible
to find what God had to say about some of my questions.
Turns out the Big Man we follow is crazy!
He says some pretty bold and radical things
and what I came to realize through all of this is that
I don’t live like I truly believe the things He says in the Bible.
It started with a kick in the butt from the beatitudes in Matthew 5.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
for they will be satisfied.
I’m hungry for a lot of things
but I can’t say that righteousness is very high up there.
And God you’re telling me
that if I seek after righteousness
I’ll just…get it?
I’ll be satisfied? Just like that?
If only it worked that way when I’m hungry for chocolate
or thirsty for coffee…
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
for they will be satisfied.
Then I spent a few days doing ministry in the bush
and I came out of there slamming God with questions.
God do you even see all these kids? Will you heal them?
Give them a home? Some food? What are you DOING?!
He gently turned my heart to Psalms.
“You hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart;
you will incline you ear to do justice
to the fatherless and the oppressed.” (10:17-18)
I realized I have a choice.
I can believe God and his promises to me
that he hears them and will bring justice,
or I can choose to believe only the small picture I see in front of me.
I have to believe Him.
You have to believe Him with me.
It’s the only hope for this world.
Then came the spiritual realm of things.
Where God says in Ephesians that
my battle isn’t against flesh and blood
but its against rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil. (6:12)
That means sickness is a spiritual battle.
Frustrations within my team…spiritual battle.
Can’t sleep at night…spiritual battle.
This concept is wrecking my life.
Because it knocks out all my excuses of the flesh.
If sickness is a spiritual battle
then how’s my faith in God’s ability to heal me?
Am I pressing in and asking for that or just laying around lazily till I’m better?
And in those nights I cant sleep
I usually just listen to rounds of songs and podcasts on my ipod.
But God says he’s given me every weapon I need to fight.
He’s not throwing me out there empty handed.
Through him I am more than a conqueror.
But in order to conquer I have to go to battle.
So instead of tuning out the devil with my ipod when I cant sleep,
or passing by the lady doing witchcraft in her house,
or doubting God’s power to heal someone with HIV,
I choose to fight. To pray. To declare.
Because word on the street is…
No weapon formed against me will remain.
My God is a God of big promises.
He’s not afraid to say the tough things
or offend people with his bold words.
And this month that kicked my butt.
But it was so good and so needed.
Because if I don’t really, truly believe
the words of the Bible then I’m wasting my time.
If his promises to me aren’t true
then really…I’m wasting my life.
BUT if his radical statements and bold claims
are truly accessible in my life
then I want to live in that reality!
There’s so much power and hope to be claimed.
But don’t take my word for it.
Go look for yourself.
He’ll show you.
“so it will be with my word that goes out from my mouth;
it will not return to me empty,
but it will accomplish the purpose what I purpose,
and will succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11
"All the promises of God find their YES in Him."
2 Corinthians 1:20
