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As I battled the forces of darkness, the worst flood in years was unleashed. Over fifty people have died. Thousands have lost their homes. Debt raced out of control. What Satan intended to harm and destroy, the Majesty on High has sent me to use to awaken this slumbering people. This wake-up call has been a severe mercy—while painful and horrible, some are actually waking-up! Unfortunately many have been hardened by Satan’s scheme—their slumber deeper than ever. Of all things, many are even rejecting aid. What a prideful nation!
Since time is running out and this nation is about to sleep the sleep of death (Psalm 13:3), I am writing this most unusual appeal for help.
Would those of you who are alive in Christ please help those who are slumbering?
It is time for the people of God to enter the battle as never before—not with weapons of your world but by the divine power that can destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). We will do your bidding but you must stand up to fight—but on your knees in prayer. Your prayers empower our work. Your prayers limit the powers of evil. Like Daniel, would you please stand in the gap for your family, your nation, and even for this small country of the Czech Republic. The Master is calling! We need your help and power!
I leave you with these words written by the hand of God’s great servant Paul:
“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Romans 13.11-14)
Special Note by Phil Ware: There has been much more interest in angels in recent years. Some of this is misguided and wrong—when it becomes easier to talk about angels than Jesus we have reached a dangerous crossroads. But there is much in Scripture about God’s angels doing battle against evil and bringing aide to his servants (e.g., Hebrews 1:14). As the Book of Daniel implies (esp. chapters 7-12) and the Letter of Revelation assumes (2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14), certain angels are assigned to work with God’s people in specific areas, cities, or nations. Their work is apparently aided by the spiritual warfare of believers who commit themselves to the battle Paul speaks about in Ephesians 6:10-12:
“Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.”The apostle Paul recognized that his call to share Jesus was basically a battle against the dark world of evil in spiritual realms (Galatians 1:4; Acts 26:18).
While “Wake-up Call!” is an article written by a precious warrior of Jesus in the Czech Republic, don’t take it as merely fiction. His family, his mission team and his heavenly helpers need our support as they seek to join in the same battle Paul faced when he shared the gospel in places where Satan's lullabies had put the hearts of the people to sleep. We want to encourage you to join us in using every Monday to be a day to focus in prayer on mission efforts world wide and pray especially that God’s power will be released, his servants protected, and that the events of our world and our time be used to turn people’s hearts from evil back toward God.
TOPHEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine is a ministry of loving Christians and the Westover Hills church of Christ.
Edited by Phil Ware and Paul Lee.
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Article copyright © 1997, Scott Owings. Used by permission.
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