Shock Wave, Madagascar

Mark 11:17
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

The night kicked off at 8:00p.m with mission videos attracting the attention of the crowd. Malagasy worship set the mood for the rest of the evening.  It was great to be amongst this nation worshiping and praising God.  It’s alive!  It’s electrifying!  It’s moving!  You can’t listen to their music and stand still, you move to the rhythm with ease.
Sharing my story was a beautiful moment.  My translator was amazing and she spoke with such outstanding character, stressing the words I stressed and using the same tone as I did.
I engaged with the crowd a few times, it was either through applause, a sound of sadness or a gasp of shock. 

It was incredible seeing the Malagasy cry out for the persecuted.  Standing there witnessing hundreds of prayers going up to Heaven, I knew deep within that something was shifting in the spiritual realm.
To see the youth and adults crying out before God to forgive persecutors and strengthened the persecuted was so encouraging.  The Kingdom of God was being shaken with prayers, globally.

The youth were such a blessing because they presented 4 nations that we were focusing on apart from the 10/40 window, Thailand, Nigeria, North Korea and Madagascar.   It was great to see God give them a heart for these nations as they performed their skits and shared information on the countries.
You could tell that minds were being broadened by the knowledge shared.
A young man went up on stage 3 hours into the prayer night and asked the crowd, “Why is it that the Christians are being persecuted to such an extent?”  His voice was emotional and my heart rejoiced because my prayer for the night was that no person will leave this event the same way they entered.
James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

As the night went on a scripture stayed in my mind, “No one can deliver out of my hand.  When I act, who can reverse it?”  Hearing stories of how the persecuted feel our prayers, it strengthened me to know that God’s hand is upon our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Living in freedom, I would encourage you to be thankful for it.  Having a bible to read at any time, confirming coffee dates for bible studies, praying for friends in public and sharing God so openly is something we all take for granted. 
When all you have is a concentration cell, constant beatings, death threats, emotional abuse, family members dying, your children being sent off and no Bible, you just have prayer and you are trusting that God is hearing you because it’s a dark, lonely and tough road.  Psalm 18:18 “but the Lord was my support.”  May they know, may they feel, may they be encouraged to hold onto Jesus’ hand.
This earthly life will soon pass away but the faint reality of eternity is our focal point.
It could be hazy and forgotten but that’s what separates us from every other religion.  We have freedom in God because He chose us to share an everlasting, covenant relationship with Him.  We have an open relationship with Him and we can connect with Him via His Holy Spirit, accepting Him fully.

You Are His

God won't fill you halfway-up with the Holy Spirit.  The blood of Jesus doesn't just cleanse a certain percentage of your sins.  God doesn't just allow some of His grace to abound toward you.

When God sanctifies you, it means that He completely sets you aside for Himself.  He lays claim to every part of you.  Your life is His, your plans are His, your times are His.  He separates you from everything that defiles, to bring you into everything that is holy.

" I have summonded you by name;  you are Mine. " Isaiah 43:1
The light of Jesus shines upon you with favor, kindness, mercy and love.
The light of Jesus shines within you with truth, hope, goodness and righteousness.
The light of Jesus shines through you with comfort, encouragement, compassion and tender-care.
The light of Jesus shines upon your pathway, keeps you from falling, moves you in the right direction and guides you safely home.

We have the light of life shining in, through and upon us.  No longer do we walk in darkness.  Jesus doesn't just have light, He is the light.  What splendor, glory and beauty fills our lives as we hold onto this valuable truth.

Wherever you, whichever season you are facing, know that you are His and His light is upon you because you follow Him.
" Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.' "  John 8:12