For years, I believed that society's perspective was the normal one. But as Kris Vallotton preached at the 6:00 service last night, we have the keys to shifting cultures. If we agree that the recession is only going to get worse, instead of pulling from Heaven's unlimited resources, we will watch it get worse! If we only believe that there will be disaster rather than a "future and a hope" as Jeremiah 29 states, we will be right! We have to act as powerful ambassadors to the Kingdom where nothing is impossible, the supernatural is natural, and God's redemption is for every man. Daniel was a Babylonian prisoner of war but a Jewish prince of God. During his lifetimes, he radically influenced kings of empires to worship the One True Living God. When they tried to kill Him, God kept him alive. Isaiah 60 describes a glorified Zion in the last days in which we live. Will we take ownership of a glorified Redding/Anaheim/Rennes, etc?
Last night, I went to "La Premiere Rencontre" among the Bethel/BSSM French-speaking community. We shared our stories, prophetic words, and prayers. I was inspired to see Agnes from Montpelier passionately moved as we concerted that little wells springing up in different parts of France. The natural qualities The Father admires most are the following: France fights for justice. France cultivates a culture of honor. After Joyce prayed over France, she could not stop laughing. I could not get the lyrics, "Hallelujuh, you have won the victory/death couldn't hold you back/you are the risen Lord" out of my head. Victory has come to France and will continue to pour in.
After the soiree, I was invited to an open-house hosted by Kelly, a woman who owns a dance studio and is helping start an arts-based church in Paris with a group of people including a Moroccan woman. She has contacts with everyone! I arrived there at around 12:15 and spent the next three hours talking to several people in both French and English! Barbara end Nicolas, for example, are from the South of France. We discussed my time in France, my heart for France, and my level of fluency in French. "You speak very well, and you have a very good accent!" she told me. "Come to France! We need you! It's inspiring being here and seeing all these young people coming to our country to ignite revival. You are welcome to stay at our home whenever you visit." Additionally, I talked with Michelle and Marla, the two leaders of the missions trip to Paris. They are devoting so much thought and prayer into this trip that is four and a half months away. It is inspiring! "She's gonna be a great resource!" Pam told them, nodding towards me. That made me feel like a leader. Marla approached Chuck Parry ("Chuckles" according to his name tag) to set up a meeting where she could ask his advice for the trip. He had just been discussing the several countries in France he had been to. I then introduced myself to Lori Byrnes. She and her husband are going to host a Love After Marriage conference in Alsace and a Single Life Workshop in Paris or Toulouse. Fiona, a second-year student, is from the former city, but has lived in South Africa and speaks English with a South African accent! Jean-Philippe, Ketty's father, is a pastor in the South of France. I overheard him speaking with someone who sounded completely French. I later introduced myself in French. Wasn't I surprised when I found out that he was actually the pastor of God Adventure in South Africa! Wasn't I surprised when I realized I had stumbled upon his blog and commented on one about Paris. (He was very excited about this. We both agreed that getting blog comments is so encouraging.) Interestingly enough, Nigel had spent a year in France as an exchange student. Years later, God told him that he would return and preach the gospel in France, which he did in 2010! His church even hosted a conference in French for French people in South Africa! As we were talking, he asked if he could pray for me. He laid his hands on mine and began to pour out God's love over me. Something he said hit home: that the nations were my destiny, but His love was my identity. As I was talking towards the middle of the afternoon, I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be--among a group of people who have traveled a lot and see it as normal part of life; who have a heart for the nations and specifically France; and who are ministry leaders! He also blessed me by bringing me people with whom I have other random connections: a former MK from Japan who doesn't know where to tell people she is from because she has lived so many places (welcome to my world); a couple from Poland who invited me to stay with them when I come over (I have Polish roots and have always wanted to go!); two South African pastors who prayed over me (I have been interested in this country since I was 14 and read Cry, the Beloved Country.) Isn't He good?! After the open house, Pam dropped me off at church, where Kris preached on the four keys to changing nations: believing in a future and hope, believing that nothing is impossible with God, believing that we have supernatural keys, and believing in the redemptive nature of the gospel! This weekend was an answered prayer to some questions I had asked God about my future. As I live life, he is bringing these opportunities into my life, being pulled into an atmosphere of leaders and travelers. Et ca, ce n'est qu'un debut. |
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