George and Jo's Revival Update: 8 More Beheadings & The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

8 More Beheadings & The gifts of the Holy Spirit & Church Planting - Feb 2013

Far to the north west of us another mini war has erupted between two armed Muslim factions. Apparently one general of the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) went with a small force to take possession of three hostages already held by an Al Qaeda terrorist faction; the three are a journalist, camera man and a sound engineer. They foolishly went to film an interview with the Al Qaeda group and were immediately told “we are holding you captive”.

The body count as a result of this impromptu conflict is at present 40 dead, eight of which are beheaded. Quite unheard of for Muslims to behead Muslims, that could have far reaching consequences! Many evacuated so as to escape possible injury from the bullets & grenades that are randomly flying about. Interestingly, the Al Qaeda terrorists released the film & sound man but held the journalist, along with an Australian and a Japanese who are still assumed held somewhere in their forest hideouts.

For us outreach and edifying of the body continues as usual. We are honoured to attend numerous, daily and sometimes twice daily family, farm, business gatherings where we are invited to preach the gospel. We see many, many come to Christ through this small group outreach when we are not up the mountains or in forests reaching the unreached.

It’s very encouraging in that we usually witness Christ heal the sick at these smaller group meetings just as we would in the more rural areas. Strangely the miracles are not always so big but evident none the less.

Last night, we were invited to share the gospel with the family of a close friend. She was the secretary for Manny Pacquiao for five years. Last week she had a dream indicating that not all her family were ready for eternity. The dream broke her heart but as a response, rather than do nothing she boldly arranged a family meal and invited us to come and share the gospel. Perhaps 15-20 were there and it seemed the Lord did a deep work in the lives of many. Several requested prayer and council at the end. They all committed as an extended family to hold a regular home bible study together every Wednesday evening. Quite amazing, I wish that every believer could call their family together like that. It would soon change the nation.

Tonight (Thursday) we have two further such gatherings. First a large local hardware firm opens its doors for a weekly bible study for staff and anyone else that cares to attend. That meeting is attended by business owners, doctors, bank managers etc. All are wonderful people and very open to the things of God.

We will immediately follow that with a short journey to the next venue and share with another group. The aim is to encouraging them all to love Jesus Christ more and become more involved with the things of the kingdom. Usually that will occur by sharing the word and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We truly thank the Lord for the power of the Holy Ghost. Life and ministry is so much easier and exciting when He is in control of the gathering. We have again and again seen some lives just light up and become on fire as the gift of discernment, word of knowledge or prophecy accurately reveals, sometimes exposes the hidden things of their lives and gifting. It’s very encouraging to see the power of the gifts of the Holy Ghost radically change a person and turn them right around for an ineffective lifestyle to highly proactive one for the kingdom and Gods glory.

Two nights ago we learned of a dean of a local college, who wanted to meet us. Dunkin Donuts was arranged as the venue for 6pm that evening. My word, I have successfully avoided that place for the near eighteen months I’ve been here but we are visiting it for our second time today already! I wasn’t the one to schedule the appointments there by the way.

So, we met this fine brother, his 20 year old son and his wife. Each received clear words of discernment and prophecy. The wife had only been in the door 10 seconds when I spoke with her. She seemed quite amazed and wondered how anyone could possibly know so much about her since we had never met before – ah! The Holy Spirit! Beginning a relationship through the blood of Jesus and confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit always lays a good foundation. The outcome is positive kingdom progress and usually accelerated and bold development of their own ministries.

This brother shared that this coming weekend he is holding a three day spiritual retreat for every one of his 4^th year students (20-21 yrs old) at a country retreat should they choose to attend.

Surprisingly, a real mix of almost ninety Christians, Catholics, Muslims & secularists have so far committed to going and we have been given the entire Sunday morning session to share and minister as we are led. Prayers appreciated as who knows what the lord will do?

Next Tuesday (Feb 12^th 2013) by God’s grace we will return to the “goddess of evil mountain” for a week long this time. Our goal on this trip, apart from further outreach, is to begin establishing house churches in all of the 36 separate communities. It seems like a giant task but if we do not begin this, and feel grace that we should, we do not see any one else that will go there at present. For so many years no outreach has taken place up that mountain yet we have never witnessed anywhere that the fields are so white to harvest and the fruit, so far easy to reap as that place. Further prayers greatly appreciate please.

What is the value of a soul? Does the Lord value a western, materialistic soul greater than a third world peasant who barely makes a meagre living from the usually unforgiving soil? Frequently not even earning enough for his family to eat a good meal a day? Is Christ’s cross of lesser value to them than to us westerners? We know that answer to that already – He so loves us all.

THE LOCAL TRANSPORT