Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters,
It is with a big smile in my heart I am writing today. Last week we had the privilege to be part of something wonderful that really touched my heart.
For five days we were at the LP Camp at Gullbranna, here in Sweden and between 500 and 600 people were there for one reason; to have a meeting with Jesus. The fellowship during these days was something I would call FELLOWSHIP written in big letters. Most of the people there have a past like mine and some were still living in that lifestyle with drugs and alcohol, but came there to search help from Jesus.
During five days there were seminars and meetings as well as food and fellowship and other cool happenings. I got to be part of the "houseband" and play my guitar and sing some of my songs. What a privilege.
Four nights of songs from the hearts of hundreds of people ministered to my heart and these words have been on my heart after these days:
"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosesn, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Basically, Paul is saying that God is using those who are nothing in the eyes of the world. When we look for jobs and we hire people we always look at the "paper work" and the degrees. We look at the wisdom of this world. It is totally the opposite way when God is calling His people to do His Kingdom work. He does not look at your degrees. He does not look at how many years you have been in bible school. He does not look at how many Sundays you faithfully has attended church. He does not look at how many times you have read your bible over and over again... He IS using what was nothing in the eyes of this world and this we can see when Jesus handpicked the first disciples. Who were they? They were ordinary people, a working class, people who were nothing in the eyes of the religious people at that time. Those are the ones that Jesus, Himself picked to take care of His Kingdom work.
It is the exact same thing today. During my days at the LP Camp I talked to so many people who had received a second chance in their lives. Most of them were labeled as "hopeless cases" by this world, but today they are doing God's Kingdom work. Yes, those who were nothing in the eyes of the world; alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals, murderers... We have an awesome God and just being there surrounded with these people for these days raised my faith and ministered to my heart big time.
During these days I did not see any single sign of condemnation or finger pointing. I did not see anyone point fingers at anyone. I did not see people complain about anyone. All I saw was the love of God through these "broken" people and it is when we are broken that God can move in and lift us up and restore us to be men and women after His heart. To me it is such a privilege and honor to be one of these people that God dragged up from the horrible pit of destruction. He gave me a second chance in life and I am living it right now and I feel more alive than ever. The best thing is that it has nothing at all to do about me, it is all about Him; Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
A very special night was Friday night when they had a late "blues night". Many different artists with the same past shared the stage and sang bluesy tones to glorify Jesus. It was a wonderful night and I know Jesus was there in the midst of us.
On Sunday after the final meeting we got to witness a baptism. It was not just one person who decided to get baptized, it was at least 22 people who walked down to the beach and out in the water and got baptized. Hundreds of people followed them down and all of a sudden it felt to me like I was back in "Jesus time". If felt like a picture from the Bible, may be from the book of Acts. Then it hit me; we ARE living in "Jesus time" today and we have a mission to fulfill;
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned," Mark 16:15-16
This is for all of us, to not only talk about but to practice. Everyone can share the Gospel to others and it is something we do together as the church. Yes, we ARE the church and therefore we have to get out there and reach these people, men and women that God is going to raise up to be HIS soldiers in these end times. I believe Jesus is coming back soon.
One more week in Sweden
Now we have one more week here in Sweden before it is time to return home to Finland and our family. Wednesday night, August 6th we are going to rock off with the band at a tent meeting in Säffle. Friday, August 8th we are ministering in the Baptist Church in Karlskoga and on Saturday, August 9th we are part of a Motor Rock event at Life Center in Västerås. I pray and hope that God sends those that He wants to reach to these places, those that needs a word of encouragement and hope for a second chance. We ARE Ambassadors For Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)
God Bless You All!
Pontus
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