7:28 p.m.
Monday
15th December 2014
In many countries all around the world especially here in the Bahamas people are busy shopping and preparing to celebrate the festive season of Christmas. Vehicular traffic can be seen lined up for miles and in the malls windows of shops are dressed so elegantly as if to say, “Come in here and sample my wares!” Children are looking with great anticipation for their gifts and of course all of this with much more is good in its place but I heard these words as they rang out so urgently, “Use the secret weapon!” Immediately the Word spoke from the book of 1 Kings chapter 17 from verse (1)” And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” Can you imagine Elijah being so bold and having so much confidence in Abba Father? Now read the instructions that were given to Elijah after such a daring declaration in (2)”Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying,” (3)”Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.” (4)”And it shall be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
Truth be known all around the Globe while hundreds if not thousands are able to celebrate and shop generously, there are far more others who are not in a position to do this and sadly they may not even have enough food to eat for there seems to be a drought in the land. Many men and women are not employed, much more are uncertain about their future. Young people are frustrated and are beginning to lose hope. Far too many people are being displaced, the electricity has been turned off and the water is about to be disconnected! I hear it again, “Use the secret weapon,” do what Elijah did. Elijah prayed that it would no rain except at his word.
What about you where ever you are on your journey, it’s time to use the secret weapon of prayer. I challenge you (me too) in these trying and difficult times to not only continue to pray persistently and consistently but to also seek to make a difference in each life you cross paths with. Speak a kind word to every angry face you encounter, you do not know the pain and suffering angry people are going through. As you prepare this Christmas dinner reach out and share with those around you. This winter is colder and the nights are increasingly draffy if you have extra warm clothes and blankets please, seek out those who have need of them. Call a friend and your relatives whom you have not talked to for the entire year and speak a word of encouragement to them, keep hope alive.
It is time for the Church to be the Church not only at Christmas time but during each day of the year, the Word is speaking again this time from the book of Joel 2: (15)”Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly;” (16)”Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room.”(17)”Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the alter; let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?” The Church (me too) must live a consecrated life in Christ to be empowered effectively to use the secret weapon of prayer to not only call down fire from heaven but to purge the land from crime and every sin of omission and commission; Do you not know the power lies within you?
I hear it resounding even though you may be very busy with your preparations for the Christmas Holidays but it is now speaking louder from the book of Joel 2:15-16, (15)”Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly;” (16)”Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room.” Pause right where you are……..quiet; Can you hear it? Hear what you may ask……..Listen, “Use the secret weapon of prayer to effect a change right where you are!” Do not procrastinate your prayer is needed and who knows it will cause the land to be revived. The Word is speaking from verses eighteen and nineteen of Joel chapter two. (18)”Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, and pity His people. (19)”The LORD will answer and say to His people, ‘Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.” But there is something you and I have got to do; we must USE THE SECRET WEAPON OF PRAYER!