Yesterday, Today, and Forever!

Fear gripped my heart, but reached its fingers much deeper in the very essence of who I am… I could smell the sulfur and feel the heat from the evil on my face as I heard the boy’s uncontrollable shrieks. Was this how the disciples felt the first time they had encountered an evil spirit after Jesus had told them they had authority over every evil? I had spent the entire week learning about the Power of the Holy Spirit and how he is alive today, just as he was in the book of Acts. We had been challenged to set Acts as the standard for our lives and our relationship with the Spirit of God who was within us. I had prayed that I would expect to do things like the apostles did… now it was real.

I waited and watched Kate walk to the back corner of the Ferry. Everyone who had been in that area were on their way out because of the repulsion that the boy brought to their comfortable ride. Sarah Jo and I soon followed and came upon a gipsy boy of about 12 writhing in the carpeted isle. Kate had received very broken English that the boy was starving, but his body wouldn’t let him eat. I sat with Kate at the boys head and Sarah was at his feet. We asked if we could pray for the boy, but as soon as we did the boy started getting violent, throwing shoes and eventually hitting himself in the face with his fists. We instantly laid our hands on him and commanded the evil spirit to leave his body in the name of Jesus. We did so for a few minutes, but then prayed the peace of Christ would overflow in his spirit. Others from the track had come over at this point when all of the sudden, he stopped screaming. He opened his eyes and they were bloodshot and glazed, but as we were watching because white and clear. I caressed his dirty head and hair with my hands repeating the name of Jesus over his life. Finally we sat him up and he was finally able to eat.

The girl that Kate had been speaking to about the boy and his family grabbed her violin and had taken off as soon as the evil spirit had left the boy. Kate ran after her and looked for her literally everywhere (but the men’s restroom) to at least get her name, but she couldn’t find her.

After a little amount of time, a group of people came to us and asked us to leave because we were at our destination (the boat was still taking passengers to another island). We quickly shared as best as we could about Jesus and his love that set the boy free, but the language barrier was difficult to get past and we had to leave. Those of us who were there know that the Kingdom was present on that day and now we have confidence that He wants to move today, just like he did in Acts.

Will we continue to be used? God wants to use those who are willing to walk in obedience to his leadings, so the question is; will be obedient? I also want to encourage you to be obedient to where the Spirit is leading you. Are you ready to be used by him? It will take some sacrifice of comfort and pride, but it is well worth it when you see with your own eyes the physical and spiritual freedom that is found in Christ. I challenge you to ask God how he wants to use you every day, but to be confident that he will use you. Walk with open eyes to what he wants you to do and expect him to bring people your way who need a revelation of Christ.

- Oh yeah… I am in Turkey; after visit to Corinth, the island of Chios, and a short drive through Izmir to Selcuk. We were even able to visit ancient Ephesus on Wednesday. It is beautiful here; the people are warm, but the weather isn’t. Pray that we will be open for being used to do even more by God in proclaiming the name of Jesus here. Turkey is 99% Muslim, but like I said, the people here are very courteous and hospitable.

[Columns of an ancient temple in Corinth]

[The last remaining pillars in the temple of Apollos, Corinth]

[The entrance to the Celsus Library in Ephesus]

[Carla and Tim reading an Epistle of Paul close to where it was read for the first time]

That about does it for this week. I want to say thank you for those who are sending encouragement and words that you get from the Holy Spirit. Its great to see what God is saying to you.
in Service to Christ
John Paul