The Holy Spirit is moving today in unprecedented ways, even in countries where the gospel is not welcome.
So many Christians I meet today worry that the sky is falling. They say: “The world is getting so dark. I just hope Jesus comes back soon.” They are afraid of foreign terrorists on our airplanes, anthrax in our mailboxes or snipers near our Home Depots. They want to evacuate the planet every time the stock market drops, gasoline prices rise or Osama bin Laden issues another one of his cowardly threats via videotape.
That’s sad–because God did not call us to walk in fear or to run from giants. His command to Joshua–“Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NASB)–is our mandate today. We are commanded to replace our fears with faith. We are called to invade darkness with the light of the gospel. No matter how formidable our enemies may be, and no matter how small or weak we feel when we face them, we should remember Joshua’s words: “For you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong” (Josh. 17:18).
Thankfully, Christians in other countries are displaying apostolic courage in the face of resistance. Risking jail, torture and martyrdom, they are proclaiming Christ, planting churches and overthrowing ancient demonic powers. Even in the Islamic world, where radical clerics and suicide bombers are warring for control, statistics show that more Muslims are coming to Christ today than in any other time in history.
This special Holy Spirit Around the World issue of Charisma will show you how God is working in the most oppressive spiritual environments. For example, you will discover that the gospel is spreading in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where religious police disrupt meetings and monitor Saudi citizens who visit Christian Internet sites. You’ll also learn how a North Korean evangelist put his life on the line last year (and is probably dead by now) so he could preach the gospel in the world’s only atheist state.
As you read these reports from North Korea, Saudi Arabia, France, Australia, Nepal, Thailand and the Dominican Republic, I hope you will see the world differently. Recognize that the giants aren’t as big as you have thought. Let faith arise, and then go out and invade the darkness around you.
J. Lee Grady is an author, award-winning journalist and ordained minister. He served as a news writer and magazine editor for many years before launching into full-time ministry.
Lee is the author of six books, including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, 10 Lies Men Believe and Fearless Daughters of the Bible. His years at Charisma magazine also gave him a unique perspective of the Spirit-filled church and led him to write The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale and Set My Heart on Fire, which is a Bible study on the work of the Holy Spirit.
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