Reasons for the cancellation of our summer mission trips.
It is June 2020 and our world has been turned upside down due to the cornona virus and, on top of that, we have had an event that has sparked outrage over the killing of a black man by a white cop. This message is not about those important issues but just referring to them to present the context for what I’m about to talk about.
Every summer for 14 straight summers I have lead a team to New orleans to conduct an outreach in a neighborhood by the french quarter. Over the years we have seen the Lord do amazing things. Working with a local church and being supported by YWAM new orleans we were still planning to go back this summer.
As the time came closer it became evident we were not supposed to go. I do not like retreating and giving into the the enemy so I was resisting this decision. As I was praying about the trip, God spoke to me that I was not ready for what’s coming. This startled me and I began to wonder why He would say that. In prayer, I felt that the Lord began to show me that what we have seen with the virus and riots were just the beginning of the chaos that was coming to America and I needed to begin to spend more time in prayer and His word. So that’s why we cancelled our summer trip and I began to spend more time entering the presence of God.
To further compound my frustrations I began to realize that I would also need to cancel taking a team to the republican and democratic conventions. I was extremely concerned because I felt like He told me to go to both of them this summer. Again, I heard him continue to tell me that I was not ready for what’s coming. Now I was really upset as I could of sworn He told me to go. In prayer I began to realize He never told me to go but rather I just made the decision because when we went the the Trump convention is 2016 it was one of the most powerful and effective mission trips I have ever experienced.
So that leads me to this very urgent call to the body of Christ. Due to how our nation has turned its back on God, I believe we are headed into some very hard and troubling times and we all need to press into His presence and become equipped to deal with what is headed our way.
This is an urgent call for the church to repent and turn from our wicked ways. Yes our wicked ways, not the country or non believers wicked ways, our wicked ways.
We have loved to to quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 for over 20 years now with regard to what needs to happen for God to save America. The church has done some of what is said, but not all.
” And my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
My thoughts briefly on this prayer. The church has done some of this prayer but not all. I do not see any evidence the the church has done two important elements in this prayer.
- We have not humbled ourselves. I see too much arrogance and pointing of fingers on the wickedness of others. We need to repent. Too many are acting so sure they know what’s going on and I just think it comes from a proud and arrogant attitude that needs to be broken.
- We have not turned from our wicked ways. Besides arrogance, I see to many leaders in the church who are caught up in sin. Whether its pride, greed, building their own kingdom, lust and porography, we have got to get our own house in order. I am not just pointing fingers as I am also working on many issues in my own life as well.
I believe that He has began to plant within me the need to fear Him and realize the need to do things His way. Got to stop bad behavior and quit spending time watching tv or the news, etc. Get control of our time.
If we do this, I believe He will watch over us and we will be prepared for what’s coming, even if God does not save our land. We cannot count on that. We know He loves America but if we do not do what He says, we may lose America. That does not mean we will need to experience His wrath if we, as individuals are fully committed to Him.
It’s time to pray and do what He says.