A New Boldness

Pray Haiti is a good name for this mission's trip. I know that the team, John and I, and those whom we encounter have been bathed in prayers. More than this, prayers that have been sparked by the Holy Spirit and breathed by God's people have ignited a new boldness. Time, space, and people have been redeemed already. Our call is to walk in the fullness of that redemption and bring with us,as we walk, a portal of praise to a Mighty God.

For me, Pray Haiti really began during our prayer watch last night when our speaker, Pastor James, challenged us with 2 Timothy 3:12. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted." The Holy Spirit brought to mind so many times that I have compromised the Gospel by watering down the message as to not offend. I repented and asked the Lord for a new boldness that would not flinch. As we were flying to Miami, I thought surely more boldness would open up my heart to a new level of practicing the presence of God.

This does not mean that I would act foolishly; rather it means I would simply act in a moment's notice and be willing to be construed as a fool for the sake of Christ. Loren Cunningham, in his book, Is That Really You, God, says, "Hearing God is not all that difficult. If we know the Lord, we have already heard his voice. After all, it was His voice that brought us to Him in the first place."

The Holy Spirit of God teaches me; He counsels me. He bears witness to me. I hear from God on a daily basis. I don't need to question that. The question which demands an answer in my life is will I obey.

After our flight landed on Miami, we waited for the hotel shuttle to pick us up. After the shuttle arrived, I expected a helpful and happy driver, but instead, I felt the driver was rude, and I determined rashly that this man would not get a tip, and I tucked my little $3.00 offering back into my purse. Immediately, the Holy Spirit said, "You have no idea what this man is going through. Take out $10.00 and tell Him to take his burdens to the Lord." I agreed. When he finished unloading I stuck the ten in his hand as I shook it and said, that as I prayed for Him, the Lord told me to tell him to give his burdens to the Lord. He smiled and thanked me and that was it. A job well done? Well, not exactly. I added a few of my own words. I only needed to say what thd Lord told me. Well, a step closer to living the new boldness is encouraging. I thank God that He considers each step.

Prayer: Lord, I want to live in the moment with you. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I lived in the body, I live by faith in thd Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal.2:30). Show me your way.