March 18, 2021 – Click here to listen
A few years back some friends of mine from church and I went into a prison located about an hour and a half from my home and ministered to the inmates. We were welcomed by one and all, and the place was packed. Prison evangelist and musician Kenny Munds accompanied by Jack, (Murf the Surf) Murphy played some rousing and inspiring music and during their performance offered encouraging words from their life experience. I finished it up by giving my complete testimony. When finished all the inmates were seated and I asked Murf to come back up to the front and while Kenny played some soft music, he asked any inmate who wanted Jesus Christ in their life to stand up.
Immediately several inmates sprang to their feet, and as soon as they did, a few more stood up, and then inmate after inmate slowly began to rise, and soon every prisoner in attendance was standing. It was quite a sight to see and I envisioned the Holy Spirit going back and forth through the aisles urging these men to stand up for Jesus. Murf led them all in the Sinner’s Prayer and afterwards we all offered them encouragement one on one and in small groups.
As I was mulling this over in my mind this morning, I was struck by the fact that a few brave inmates ignored what others might think and immediately stood up when called by the Holy Spirit. Upon seeing them, more men made that decision. And as the holdouts saw everyone in the place rising to their feet, no matter how reluctant or playing the role of tough guy or whatever, they all stood to their feet.
I’ve seen this same phenomenon at speaking events all across the country. I’ve written many times about all of us taking a stand for Jesus. Just imagine if you immediately stood up for Christ and didn’t flinch in every situation. Would your family, friends, and even complete strangers be influenced to take a stand for Jesus as well? I don’t know about you, but I think they would!
Joshua tells us in 23:10: Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your God fights for you, just as he has promised. In Proverbs 28:1 it states: The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.
Just imagine what a difference it would make if just a handful of us were “as bold as lions” and had the courage to take a stand for Christ.
Why, we could change the world!
Lev. 26:8
Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand