Covenant Church

I am captured by the happenings in Libya. I ask myself: "If I were Libyan, what would I be doing?"

Would I continue to serve Quadaffi? Or would I be part of what has been referred to by some as a "rag-tag" army of volunteers? Would I serve for money and promises of being in favor with a dictator? Or would I be willing to wear civilian clothes and risk my life in battle?

In global travels it has been remarkable to me that no matter what country, hardship, or persecution, people love their native land. Russia during communism...and they sang songs of the fatherland with emotion. Romania under Cescescu. Cuba under Castro. People may hate their leader, but they love their country.

My hunch is that Libyans from all over the world are sending money and "stuff" to help Libyan rebels break the yoke of a cruel dictator. My hunch is that Quadaffi best be thinking about his future. It is difficult to stop the momentum of a people weary of the yoke of bondage. My hunch is that there is also a God factor involved which fits perfectly in prophecy.

No hunch, fact: About 6% of Libya is Christian. I care about my brothers and sisters. And all the people, every soul, belongs to God.

While I have an interest in world events and my life is impacted by world events, my primary purpose in life is to invite people to choose the Christ life.

This drives me to a pointed question for you: How are you doing in terms of making choices? Have you inventoried lately and considered that we can only serve one of two masters? Either we serve Jesus Christ, or we serve the Evil One. We choose the way of the Cross. Or we choose the broad way that leads to destruction. We choose to deny ourselves. Or we choose to follow our own lust to perdition. We choose to squeeze momentary pleasure out of life. Or we choose to deny ourselves temporary pleasures to inherit eternal rewards (Moses in Egypt).

I am of the strong conviction that God is reaching for His people. The Holy Spirit is working to reveal our need for total dependence upon the Lord. The Holy Spirit is seeking to clarify the role of the Church in world affairs. The Holy Spirit is purging the church---making clear the distance between congregations that are compromising the gospel and congregations that are prayerfully digging in with purpose to be Word-centered, Spirit-filled, and mission-driven.

My hunch is that the Holy Spirit is knocking on doors of individual homes. He is tapping folks on the shoulders in the middle of the night. He is distrubing relationships to shake them into reality of these prophetical times. I believe there are tens of thousands of precious souls who have wandered along, being slaves to the system of this world, being ruled by cruel dictators of habits and lust. The Holy Spirit is calling wandering souls HOME. The Holy Spirit is on a search and rescue mission for prodigals who have left the Father's house.

When I see scenes of citizens in Libya dressed in ordinary clothes, carrying a rifle and facing a tank or airplane, I am moved to pray: "Oh, God, give us men and women who will wake up, look to God, and decide that they will have the courage to break bondages, resist hell, go to Calvary, and march to victory!

We march together. This week is our world mission conference. We will make our own lives available in service for Our Lord and His Church. We will hear stories of and from others who have done so. I look forward to seeing you there!

Pastor Bare