*Please note, we apologize for any previous reference to Sean Feucht’s outdoor revivals and have since removed said reference, having done further research and realized the controversial nature of his efforts
Dear North American Church — The Cries of the Walking Dead
By Mommy Emily
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ~ Psalm 42:1-3
We made the mistake of showing our kids the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie too soon. We shut it off after the scene in which the moonlight reveals the pirates’ true identity — walking skeletons. Earlier on in that same scene, the captain of the ship had watched in awe as the heroine of the movie shoved food into her mouth, for he’d stopped being able to taste food after stealing cursed treasure, and forever wondered what it would be like to taste again.
Even though my oldest (a sensitive soul) struggled to fall asleep afterwards, it made for a meaningful discussion. My husband pointed out that those around us who don’t know Jesus are actually like the walking skeletons — dead inside. Their true identities are exposed in the light of the Lord.
“As when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still; as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking, but awakens faint and thirsty still. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.” ~ Isaiah 29:8
In contrast, Psalm 34:8 urges, “Taste, and see that the Lord is good!”
The other day my colleague, board member Tricia Simmons, wrote, “I saw a young woman today holding the strap of a duffle bag in the middle of a three-lane road. As I drove by I saw such emptiness. I saw her stumble as a police officer walked her towards his vehicle. My heart broke for her and so many like her.”
When she told her daughter, a nurse, about this young girl, she too said she’d seen a similar girl that weekend who had the look of the “walking dead.”
Friends. Our world is hungry. Thirsty. They’re dying for lack of Living Bread and Living Water. The food of this world is tasteless to them. And what is the church doing about it? We’re scared. We’re afraid we won’t have the answers so we don’t even try. Meanwhile, The Answer lives within us! He is everything anyone needs. Jesus Christ, whose life was poured out and broken for the ones stumbling across the road, gripping a duffle bag, begging someone to help them.
Another colleague of mine, Lulu’s Treasurer Joanne Viola, told me this past Sunday she couldn’t sleep. She spent the entire night crying out to the Lord for the world and for the church. “The Church is not the Church right now,” she wrote. “People are not filled with and praying in the Spirit. They are not believing God is a God who works on behalf of His people.” She referenced a verse that has been burning in my heart, too.
“When the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8, NLT)
Ezekiel 37 is a picture of what God wants to do right now in our midst. When God sees dead bones, He doesn’t give up. He doesn’t get discouraged. He says, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
Ezekiel responds with great reverence and fear: “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
This is faith enough. This is acknowledgement of the Giver of Life.
“Then He said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life… Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
Oh friends. Do you still have faith? I’m praying you do. Do you still believe our God is a God who answers prayers? Oh that you might! For He does. The greatest number of Muslims are coming to the Lord RIGHT NOW. A massive spiritual harvest is happening amongst the poor around the world. We just don’t get to hear about it! Even in California, hundreds have been baptized this summer on Huffington Beach!
Sadly, I looked at our Lulu Tree Prayer Wall the other day, and saw that the last prayer posted for our Lulu families in Africa was in March. When COVID hit. I know life has been so hard for all of us — but oh, that our intercession might still increase for those less fortunate than us. Oh, that we might not grow hardened or inward.
Friends, Satan has used COVID to close our churches, but don’t let your hearts close, too. Our God is alive and active, and He is bringing forth treasures out of darkness. (Isaiah 45:3) He is saying TODAY is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2) Behold, the harvest is white (John 4:35) — see all those walking dead? They are desperate for Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life!
The other day my daughter and I felt compelled to take a Bible to the man at the recycling depot. So after he finished sorting the bottles, and gave us our money, we told him, “God loves you,” and handed him the Bible. He looked through it, looked up at us with gratitude and said, “I’ll read it.”
Later Aria, my five-year-old, turned to me and said, “Mommy, sometimes it feels like we’re the only ones who love God anymore.” Which is really sad, considering she is generally surrounded by Christians.
Our Lord is going to return soon, friends. Will you be ready? Will you have oil in your lamps? Fan into flame the Holy Spirit. Trim your wicks. Fall on your knees and pray with us and with Daniel,
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” ~ Daniel 9:17-19 NIV
