"And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed (Acts 19:17-20)."
Typically, when the saints of God come together for a national event God works through the obedience of His people. We were not disappointed in that regard. God watched over His word to perform it with mighty signs and wonders following. For more details and reports concerning our national event in Charlotte, NC visit www.operationsaveamerica.org. I believe you will enjoy the exploits of God's people as they stormed the gates of hell in the name of Jesus. The surprising element, however, that was so evident in this year's event is what God did in us. We were challenged to go further up and further into God's Kingdom. There was a call given by faithful men of God, such as Doc Johnson and Ante Pavkovic to commit to a deeper consecration unto the Lord. We spent many of the evening rallies on our faces before God repenting of our personal sins and the part that we have played in the breakdown of the family, the compromise of the Church, the corruption of the culture and the tyranny of our civil government. The Lord placed his heavy finger of conviction upon our individual lives and challenged us to set aside the besetting sins that hinder His power and glory from manifesting in and through our lives. We were taken to the woodshed over family issues, our addictions to entertainment, and other distractions of this world that impede our full devotion to the Lord and His purposes in our day. Previously, I sent out an email alert that stated:
It is time to clean house, cast off the lovers of this world, become separate, in order for God's glory and power to visit our nation once again.
The Lord cleaned our clocks in Charlotte, NC. In fact, I believe He did more in us than through us in Charlotte, NC. We sense that He is demanding more holiness, righteousness, and consecration in order for us to go further up and in to His Kingdom. He desires us to be vessels of honor that are fit for His use and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). Let us meet His righteous condition by His grace and convicting Spirit to spread His Kingdom and His great salvation amongst men and nations.
Personally, I have a lot of house cleaning to do when I get back to Waco. I encourage all who read this to do the same. Get rid of every stumbling block in your home that offends God, undermines your family, weakens your moral authority, and destroys your Christian witness. Come on Church! Judgment begins in God's house. It is time to examine ourselves and seek God for deep cleansing. He is ready to move mightily in the land, if we, the Church will cast out our idols. Now, let us do it in Jesus' name!
True to our promise, upon our return the Thomas Nation went through all of our DVDs, and VCRs and every one that dishonored God and was not family friendly, we burned in a fire in our back yard. As the flames and smoke rose, we repented of wasting God's money by funding Hollywood's corrupt agenda. We then made a major commitment as a family. We will watch just one God honoring, family friendly film a week. Kendra and I further pledged that we would not view any film that we could not view with our children present.We have been doing this for the past month and it is amazing the change that has taken place in our lives. Our expectations and anticipation in the Lord has increased mani-fold. We are believing God will entrust more of His power and glory to our family as we seek to consecrate ourselves more fully unto His holiness. I would be amiss, if I didn't challenge every single person who reads this email alert to be as King David in this desperate hour in our nation's history, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23, 24)." If we want God to answer our prayers, heal our marriages, bring our wayward children back home, purify His Church, rescue our beleagured nation, and secure a future and a hope, we must commit to a deeper consecration. Let us according to the Scripture, "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1)." Trusting as we do, instead of Ichabod, "God's glory has departed" from His people, we will experience times of refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).
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