I Came With My Answer

Over the past 3 months I have built a relationship with Joeli.  He's a young Tanzanian who works as a guard at the house where I currently live here in Dar. 

  Several years ago he represented Tanzania in the East African Power Lifting championship in Nairobi.  It's the only time he's ever been out of the country.  As you can imagine, he's rip- real rip!   I would almost go so far as to say that he's as rip as me- but it's good to remain modest about things like this :-) he he he....  

 He grew up Catholic, but hadn't attended church in years.  And had no intentions of changing. We have  had several conversations about God since I first met him. Each time,  I came away thinking that he was totally not interested.   About a month ago he suddenly asked me for a Bible.  He's been reading it on and off for several weeks.  One week ago we talked.  

"If you left work today where would you go?" I asked.  "Oh that's simple- I would head home."  

We chatted about his home for several minutes- the area of town he lives in, the part of the country he comes from etc... 

"What if you were to leave this life today Joeli, where would you go?" I continued.   "Err...I don't know...."   "but I think that's a very important question" he replied.  

As we talked I felt to challenge him.  "Jesus can give you assurance in your heart that you will go to heaven to be with him- are you ready to take that step?"  

"Hmmm....no. Not yet"  came his response.  "Give me one week to think about it and I will come with my answer next weekend when I'm back on duty". 

I thought he was just putting me off. 

This past weekend the rains came very heavy.  For four some hours it poured.  I didn't get outside to go to talk to Joeli during the rain.  And when I finally emerged I missed him- he had gone home. 

  The following day we met after a full week.   We chatted about the rain and the need for more.  Suddenly, he cut me short:  "I came with my answer Steve but you weren't around." The look in his eyes told me that he was hurt.    I apologized.  He continued: "I still have the same answer today though."   

I could see the hunger in his eyes.  "My answer, " said the former Tanzanian power-lifter "is that I want to give my life to Jesus".    We prayed together.    Jesus touched him as He always does anyone anywhere who comes with such a heart-felt answer.   

I learned a lesson:  often it's not asking the right questions as much as it is coming with the right answer.  "I want Jesus to do something for me!" What about you? 

It's who you know

The power went out late Friday afternoon.  Power rationing has started all over Dar so this was  somewhat expected.  After 12 hours, however, the normal time for power cuts the electricity did not come back on.  A full day went by.  Then 36 hours.  As I talked with people in the neighborhood, I heard the full story. 

 Thieves came to steal the oil inside the transformer supplying power to our area during the scheduled power rationing time.  They drilled a hole inside the side of the steel transformer 10 feet off the ground without anyone hearing anything despite the fact that the transformer is only 15 feet away from the neighbor's front gate.  

TANESCO, the Tanzanian power company came to investigate the problem.  Maximizing their service ethic to the fullest, they promptly refused to repair the problem and drove off.   The next day they returned to collect money from the inhabitants in our area to hire a night watchman to "protect" the transformer- 10 feet off the ground with visibility from any direction.   The whole situation seemed very fishy.  

We were told or maybe threatened would be a more adequate description of the communication that without money for a watchman and money for a new transformer there would be no more power. 

The house I currently rent belongs to a certain businessman known even to the president of Tanzania.  I called him on the phone.  "What do you think?" I asked him.  "Oh...this is a common scam that the TANESCO people try to earn some extra money" he replied.  "I will call the top manager and take care of it".  

3 hours later a TANESCO truck appeared with a brand new transformer.  After 80 some hours without power it was restored! Thank you to those who prayed.  God gave me great favor with this business man. He was able to accomplish in a few minutes what I couldn't get done in days. 

 It seems that the old saying is true: it's really who you know.  This businessman goes right to the top. He knows the most influential people in all of Tanzania.  He's on a first name basis with the power-brokers of Dar.  Yet, in Christ we have access to ONE way more influential and much more powerful than anyone in Dar or even in all of Tanzania for that matter! We know the Most High God.  

Tears in the Baptismal Pool

It was one of those special moments in life.  Hard to describe in mere words.  Jacob Winston, the former alcoholic stood in the swimming pool next to myself and Charles Porter. 

 "Jacob do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God who is the only hope of salvation?"  "Yes. I do" came his soft voice.  "Do you renounce all allegiance to your past life as well as all satanic influence in your life?"  "Yes I do" he reiterated.  

"Upon confession of your faith we baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit".  We gently guided him backwards as he went under the water.  

Just 2 months ago Jacob was a violent, angry, argumentative man by his own admission.  He couldn't hold down a job because of his alcohol addiction.  He has gone through two wives.  He was living in a one bedroom flat with four other people.  He finally landed a job at the local theater as the inside sweeper.  

For several months he watched as every Sunday morning people came at the crack of dawn to set up the equipment for church.  A few conversations here and there, but mostly just watching. One Sunday in July he decided to participate in the service.  As God's Presence came down, so did his pride.   Jacob repented of his sin that morning and asked Jesus to restore a life in shambles.  And Jesus is the master restorer.  

In the swimming pool a few minutes away from the theater where he first encountered Christ, he was being baptized.   As he came up out of the water, the Lord had another encounter in store for this young man.  The Presence of God fell in a very tangible way.  I looked at Jacob and tears were streaming down his face.  My heart melted as waves of Christ's love swept over him.  I was riveted by God's goodness and nearness.  

Yes, the eyes of many are watching.  Some for months.  Some for years.  They are looking to see if there is something different.  Something real.  Something genuine.  They've heard our words.  They want to see our lives. The really just want to know if this Jesus we serve is alive in our lives.   

The Unknown Evangelist

A young man- we'll call him Mutungi-  stood in line at the ATM to get some much needed cash from his account.  A stranger approached him.  In good Tanzanian fashion they exchanged a few words. The conversation shifted directions.    The stranger talked about the church that meets in the cinema located on the same property with the ATM.  "Your should really go over there!  God would change your life"  the stranger insisted.   "Maybe, one of these days I will" replied Mutungi.  

A couple of weeks passed. 

8AM on Sunday morning several people gathered together in the cinema to pray prior to the 9.30 gathering.  Several needs were shared including the desire to see people give their lives to Christ.  Prayer began to rise before the Lord. "Lord bring people to know you!" "Father draw lost people to yourself".   As the pray-ers continued seeking God no one noticed Mutungi slip into the back watching and listening to what was happening. At the close of the prayer time the young man came to talk to me.  "I want to give my life to Christ" he said.  God had answered prayer in a matter of minutes.  

Since then we have talked many times.  He is a member of the special forces of the Tanzanian military.  He has had a very turbulent past, but God is doing something really powerful in His life!  Last week when we talked he said: "it's interesting I have come to church many times now, but I've never seen the man who talked to me at the ATM".  (We only have 100 people in the church).  It's a classic case of an unknown evangelist.  

Would you please continue to pray that God would raise up more unknown evangelists here in Dar Es Salaam?  People with a very simple message- "God can change your life!"  And please pray that many more like Mutungi  would be touched by the Spirit to surrender their lives to Christ! Finally, can I challenge you to be an unknown evangelist to people around you? 

The Battle Belongs to the Lord III

King J finishes his prayer.  All is still.  A nation stands before the Lord in holy reverence.  How will God respond? A prophetic word thunders forth from the Spirit of God- "The Battle Belongs to the LORD!"  Early the next morning King J's army sets out for the battle front.   

If it were me, I would have called the strongest soldiers to be on the front line. I would have included my top generals.  I would have searched for the strongest and most powerful weapons of war.  I would have passed out shields, bows, arrows, swords to the men.  I would have a carefully developed battle strategy.  I would teach the troops a battle cry.  

BUT King J does the most astonishing thing.  Instead of strong soldiers he orders sweet songs.  Instead of pulverizing power he commands passionate praise.  Instead of wicked weapons of warfare he stations worshippers on the front line.  

Can you imagine what the attacking army saw that morning? Instead of shimmering swords and shields they saw levites with musical instruments marching towards them.  This has to be the most bizarre battle scene ever recorded anywhere in the world.  

What does this teach us?  PRAISE IS STILL OUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON DURING THE BATTLE!  King J tells his men to sing a simple song: "give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever!"  He is basing his praise on the fact that God is a God full of love for His people.  

In fact, this word love is "hesed" in Hebrew which means "mercy, kindness, long-suffering".   The message here is powerful.  This man messed up royally in his other battle recorded in scripture (see part I);  however, he is now celebrating the fact that God is a God of rich mercy.  A God who forgives.  A God who doesn't hold our failures against us.  King J didn't deserve a victory that day.  He had failed miserably in the past.  However, God doesn't hold our past against us.  He is a God whose mercies are new everyday! King J is grateful that this kind of love is available forever! 

And God responds to such praise by setting ambushes against the enemy.  The word ambush means an "unexpected attack" or an "unanticipated assault".   When we praise God the Lord sets ambushes against the enemy's plans.  Joshua 8 tells the story of Ai.  It records the word "ambush" at least 10 different times.  Joshua held up a javelin in his hand and an ambush of soldiers hidden in the fields fell upon the Aites during the fiercest part of the battle. A great victory was gained!  Likewise, our great Joshua, the Lord Jesus Christ,  holds up his hands during our fiercest battles and releases heavens ambush in response to our praise at just the right moment! 

The Battle is not ours, but God's. 

The Battle Belongs to the Lord II

King J closes his marvelous God-centered prayer in verse 12 with one of my favorite statements in the Word: "for we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us, we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you."  Interestingly, the circumstances haven't changed- a massive army is still advancing against him.  In fact, it's only some 15 kms away.  However, King J doesn't see the army.  Instead of panic he has peace.  Instead of fear he has faith.  Instead of doubt he has determination.  All he sees is God.  

Several years ago I was looking through my great grandfather's Bible from the late 1800's.  I was reading the story of David and Goliath.  In the margin, he wrote the following: "to be miserable look within, to be distracted look around, but to be happy look UP."  Good advice from a man mightily used of God 100 years ago.  Hebrews picks up this theme: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith" (12:2).  David used this analogy in Psalms 25: 15 "my eyes are ever on the Lord for only he will release my feet from the snare".   

Where are your eyes today?  The problem or the person of Christ?  The financial crisis or the faithfulness of God?  Overwhelming obstacles or God's greatness and glory?  

Apparently, God loves it when His people pray like this.  Suddenly, the Holy Spirit comes on a Jahaziel with a word from heaven.  Up to this point, King J is operating in faith.  He has prayed a pretty radical prayer.  Now the question is how will God respond.  Verse 15 is an incredible verse.  God makes His position clear.   "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's".   

The Holy Spirit exposes the enemy's two favorite tricks: fear and discouragement.  Fear paralyzes us so we take matters into our own hands.   Discouragement steals our courage to continue fighting.  Either way we end up loosing the battle.  The word is clear to King J and it is clear to you and me also: God already knows the enemy's tactics.  Furthermore, we don't have to try and win the battles of life through our cleverness, our talents, our natural abilities, or clever planning.  Rather, we have a sure word that God will fight our battles for us!   

When the enemy messes with God's people, the Lord takes it as a personal offense.  He comes to the aid of His people! He engages the enemy on our behalf.  He releases His power and His authority into the situation.  He shows us the battle plan for securing victory.   Paul said it so eloquently: "If God be for us, WHO can be against us?"  (Part III to follow). 

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

(Especially for Serkaddis.  God answered your prayers).  

2 Chron. 20:15. "Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle belongs to the Lord".  

Jehoshaphat's life is a fascinating read.  He became king at 35 and ruled until he was 60.  The Bible reduces his 25 years as king down to 4 chapters (17,18,19,20).  Two of these chapters deal with battles.   King J fought some royal battles in his lifetime.  He fought against Moabites, Ammonites, Meunites, and Arameans. There were many battles in his days, but the Bible records two.  

Like King J all of us fight battles.  It's not a matter of 'if' we will face battles, but 'when' (Eph. 6.13).  There are financial battles, physical battles, emotional battles, relational battles, spiritual battles, and family battles.   One person said: "life, itself, is a battle".  

The Bible gives two approaches to what to do when battles occur in our lives. 

 The first one is found in chapter 18: 

It is the perfect plan and blue-print for making sure that you totally and completely FAIL to win your battle.  If you want to 100% guarantee that you fall flat on your face just put into practice King J's approach.   He allies himself with a wicked man who the Lord detested.   He went into discussions without seeking God.  When he finally did seek God, he ignored the clear word that the Lord gave him.  He cooperated with the seducing spirit sent to deceive King Ahab.  He listened to ungodly advice and dressed up like King Ahab.  He came within an inch of loosing his life.  Yes, this is the perfect game plane for making sure you loose your battle miserably: 1) disobey God 2) don't seek the Lord 3) ignore His voice 4) cooperate with satanic influences 5) follow godless advice, and 6) go where you aren't supposed to be-  I promise you this is the best possible way to make sure that you mess your life up! 

Fortunately, there is another battle recorded in scripture in chapter 20 that turns out much differently. 

 This time around King J. is being attacked by 3 different armies that are intent on destroying him.  He is alarmed.   Who wouldn't be? There is a vast army coming his way.  He's outnumbered and knows it.  This time around he starts off by making a decision to begin the battle by seeking the Lord.  He makes prayer his priority. 

 Some people say that prayer is just emotional therapy for believers.  These people have never really prayed.  I love what Dr. Jack Hayford says about prayer in his book: "prayer is invading the impossible with the possible of what God can do".  

But notice what kind of prayer he prays- verses 5-7.  This is not the kind of worry filled, fear inspired, anxiety driven prayer that characterizes so many of God's people.  He doesn't magnify the problem in front Him.  King J isn't going to exalt the terrible situation in front of him.  Rather, instead of problem-centered praying he opts for God-centered praying.  His words are full of faith and full of confidence.  He knows his time is short so he must lift up God.  He starts with God's supremacy- are you not the God who is in heaven?   Then he moves to God's authority-you rule over all the kingdoms.  Finally he sees God's capacity- Power and might are in your hand.  He has a HUGE vision of who God is and what God can do.   In comparison the problem in front of him is small.   

This is the secret of Great Praying- we must include God's Greatness in our Prayers! It was what Nehemiah did (Neh. 1). It's what Daniel did (Dan. 9.4).  It's how Jesus taught us how to pray: "Our Father who is in heaven.  May your Name be great and glorified.  May your Kingdom come and your will be done!"  

Friends let me ask: "How big is your God?"  The story is told of the tribe in Africa that was afraid of letting a certain tree in their village be cut down.  The reason was because their 'god' lived in the tree and they were afraid that he wouldn't have a place to live.  I'm so glad we don't serve some tribal deity with no authority outside of a small group of huts.  We serve the Lord the great and awesome covenant seeking God!  We serve the mighty one clothed in light.  We serve the holy one whose very presence is glorious.    (Part 2 to follow soon).