"Open our eyes Lord"

Church Without Walls 3-2-13

OPEN OUR EYES LORD

‘A Church Without Walls’ Ministry was started as a result of prayer, and we continue to see God working powerfully as we continue to press into our relationship with Christ Jesus in times of prayer.

Our prayer meetings are usually held at my house on Sunday mornings leaving plenty of time for everyone to attend their churches. This Sunday the Lord met us in a particularly powerful way. It was encouraging and motivating to our hearts.

A pastor friend met with me recently to share a word about the Lord giving me the ability to reach into His storehouse, the very storehouse of the Lord, and take from the ‘shelves’ and apply it to the needs that the Lord revealed to me. I have taken that word very seriously and look to our Father in faith that it will be done even as we ask of Him.

At the prayer meeting it was noted how many of the people we serve on the streets have no vision for their lives. One man in particular’s sole desire was for a place to stay and cable TV. Jeremy encouraged the brother that God has so much more for him than just cable TV. It was a pitiful vision so we began to pray for him and the others on the streets that God would increase their vision for His purpose in their lives.

As we prayed I reached into the storehouse of heaven and took from the shelf the very spiritual balm that dropped the scales from Saul’s eyes and by faith applied it to our friends on the streets, that they might see the Lord and His goodness clearly.

Then the Lord had us apply the balm to our own eyes. We were convicted that we too had much too small a vision for what the Lord wants to do in our own lives and with this ministry. We were settling for spiritual cable TV when the Lord has so much more for those who ask. The word came forth to ask big things because our God is much bigger than we have allowed ourselves to understand. By faith I applied the balm to my own eyes and the eyes of those who were praying.

It was a powerful time before the Lord. We prayed for the folks on the streets by name. We asked for healing, we asked for vision, we asked for hope, and jobs, and for the grace of God to be upon us all.

I do not want to forget to tell you about Saturday night on the streets as well. Despite the ‘reasonable temperatures,’ it was another evening that was biting cold. I don’t know how these people survive on the streets on nights like this.

On the way there Jimmy had a discussion with his seven year old son, Noah, who was discouraged because he didn’t have a job to do since it was too cold to pass out sodas. They asked the Lord to give Noah a job tonight as he served on the streets with us. Before the night was over Noah had given his knit cap to a woman who was cold. The Lord gave him opportunity to serve Him sacrificially tonight and Noah stepped in and did so without having to be prodded or told what to do. At seven years old Noah is already producing fruit in keeping with his faith. Glory to God.

Jeremy preached a powerful word on forgiveness and I could see in the eyes of the people that surrounded him that this was a massive ball and chain around the ankles of so many on the streets. He shared the story about one of the men on the streets that he disciples and how he had forgiven a person in his life. This man’s testimony reminded me of the Pilgrim’s Progress as he described the burden that was lifted from his back the moment he had extended forgiveness.

One man, who had been drinking, cried before the Lord and thanked us for the encouragement saying through tears that sometimes he just needs an encouraging word to get him through the week. We gathered around him and declared by faith his power over his addictions in the name of Jesus and the freedom that awaited him in Christ.

I’ve come to realize that the Lord always moves in power, whether subtle or overt, but always in power. He moves in the lives of the children, the stricken, the faithful, and even in the hearts of those who oppose Him.

Finally, just a reminder that all are welcome to serve, or to come to our prayer meetings. God will work powerfully through you as you serve others in His name. You will be surprised at the amount of fruit you will produce as you remain in Him.

Blessings,

Steve Zollos