When the Enemy Comes in Like a Flood...

Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
² They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

I've been pondering how to communicate my heart about justice and righteousness, as I've been learning SO MUCH over the past couple months. During my commute home tonight, an IHOP-KC Prayer Room clip began playing on my iPod that put words to these revelations of my heart. The song is spontaneous, and the singer begins with the above plight of Psalm 12. Where have all the righteous people gone? The ones that, when they see an injustice actually have zeal and authority to do something about it? 

There are millions of oppressed women and children in the world crying, "Help, oh God!". And who will answer them???
This battle is real, and we must all enlist.

So many Christians are powerless to spiritually fight for justice because they have a divided heart. According to Psalm 12, the fruit of a divided heart is powerless words (when they speak, nothing happens). Many believers lack authority to fight darkness because they themselves are still in agreement with immorality. The dangerous reality is that most in this place don't recognize the condition of their own heart. But good deeds and good intentions do not equate authority. 
When I was beginning prostitution ministry in South Africa two years ago, I didn't make it through one week of outreach before becoming so sick that I could no longer eat or get out of bed. After four days, I suddenly had a revelation that there were generational sins of immorality that I had not dealt with in my own life (I can explain this concept in more depth if necessary). I verbally renounced these sins, received the Lord's forgiveness, and was immediately healed. Within 24 hours I had all my strength and appetite back. You see, I had good intentions but no authority yet. 

What is the solution to a powerless church? WAKE UP!!! Put on your armor, raise the flag, and wage war against immorality, beginning with your own heart. Isaiah 59:19 says "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [a banner of war] against him." 
If we choose, we can partner with the Holy Spirit in this battle against darkness in the world. In place of exploitation, we can serve and honor. In place of the orphan spirit, we can adopt. We can look at a pile of ashes and declare beauty. We can speak hope into the disillusioned soul. 

Is She Worth It?

I was spending some time this afternoon at one of my favorite coffee shops (shout out to Anthem in downtown Puyallup!), working on my newsletter and other "catch up" tasks. As the shop got crowded during a busy time, 3 middle-aged folks came and joined me at my table. We started chatting, and they asked more about the work I do as a missionary and worker of justice. We talked about human trafficking, and they quickly resolved that there is simply no hope for the ending of the issue, nor for the restoration of survivors. I shared with them about the importance of involving God's heart through prayer, and that justice is possible through Him.
I then shared with them my philosophy on servanthood: a pastor of a South African church and leader of their weekly sex trafficking outreaches cast vision for the very first street outreach I had ever participated in. He told us that these women and children are God's treasure, and that these women are worth being rescued no matter the cost. I will always remember him saying, "If you get in a fight over her, get in a fight; If you lose an eye, lose an eye for her; If you get killed; let yourself be killed. And even if all our years of work is to change ONE LIFE, it's worth it."
(Now, before you fall off your chair in fear for me, let me explain a few things! While street prostitution ministry can be frightening & even dangerous at times, the "die to yourself" message should be considered in light of the "she's worth rescuing" truth. Use Jesus as your example, who "for the joy set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). He didn't have the happiest ending to his life, but Jesus chose the path that led to eternal life and eternal reward. So I had settled in my heart that night as I met and prayed with prostitutes for the first time, that these women truly are God's precious children and my beloved sisters. And if my sister needs help, I must help.)

My new friends in the coffee shop were appalled at what I had just said. The woman tried talking me out of making any sacrifices for their sake, reasoning that MY life is worth something too. I know she had good intentions, but her advice to me was misguided and frankly not biblical. My life is worth a great deal, and so I choose to offer it in this way.

I have counted the cost, and she is worth it.