Walk Toward the Light

Some time ago my granddaughters, Madison and Gracie, were visiting me.  While they were upstairs playing, I took the opportunity to complete a few tasks. Occasionally, I would hear in the distance the tinkling of a decorative little servant’s bell I had placed in that particular room.

Thinking it was part of their play, I did not give heed.

Soon I heard Madison’s pristine, young voice calling out to me, “GJ, I’m not practicing!”  Apparently, the sound of the bell was to notify me that there was a matter requiring my immediate attention. Thankfully, it ended up being more a part of their play time and less of a serious matter needing tending to.

However, there are more serious “world alarms” sounding forth in the earth today as the earth groans in preparation of the Lord’s return.

In my 2003 Worldwide Conference message, I spoke on the birth pangs occurring throughout the earth. What seemed overwhelming then hardly holds a candle to what is taking place today.  There is increasing unrest in the Middle East leading to the overthrow of long time government leaders; bizarre weather patterns bringing floods and unusual snow fall; serious earthquakes in Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan; the dismantling of governmental powers; and threats of nuclear attacks.  As God’s people, we believe that all of these events can be an opportunity for revival to come to the peoples of the earth as they reach out to Him.

Just two weeks ago, Japan suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters on record.  With the ongoing Fukushima nuclear crisis, the end is not yet in sight.  However, the people of Japan are not alone.  God has stirred intercession around the world for these dear people.

Let me repeat some thoughts shared with us by our Aglow Japan National President, Noriko Ishikura:

The worst disaster we had never experienced before WWII hit Japan. Though the Lord warned us so many times sending His prophets and prophetesses to our nation, we are experiencing pains and sorrows. And we are facing severe problems of nuclear reactors and aftershocks.

But, we are confident that God loves Japan and He is working upon our nation so that our country can enter into the new dimension of His plan. Yes, we are in the birth pangs which are clearly written in the book “Master Plan”. The labor pain has begun. I believe this will transform Japan. Please pray for Aglow Japan so that we can faithfully follow Him and that the destiny of Japan will come forth as He plans.

In another communication, Noriko sent a testimony of God’s keeping power during their ongoing emergency:

Days passed since the major earthquake occurred in Tohoku and Kanto. We were able to contact our Aglow sisters in the devastated areas. None live along the Pacific Ocean; so while the damages are serious, no one was harmed by the tsunami.

One of our advisors in Sendai was on a train which ran by the waters when the earthquake occurred. He was evacuated safely and was able to have a Sunday service at his own church. Praise God. We hear many testimonies that though the devastation is extremely serious, everyone experienced God’s protection and His mercy.

And another of our leaders in Japan, Brenda Takano, sent this to us just yesterday:

It is such a privilege, encouragement and a joy to be a part of the Aglow family in the Body of Christ especially at such a time as this.  How often Japanese Christians have said, “but we’re only one percent of the population…”  Through this three-fold disaster, God’s love and mercy is so great toward Japan that He has moved the global Body of Christ to pray for Japan!  What awesome power has been generated to help give birth to the things the Lord is planning to do in and through this nation!  The shaking has loosed the chains and prayer will bring forth the work of the Holy Spirit.

We, as Aglow women and men, are standing for the nation of Japan. Japan has a kingdom destiny. God is asking us to call it forth.

Remember, it is the believers in a nation that hold the true identity of that nation, even though the unbelieving population may be greater in number.

Pray that the believing community throughout Japan will rise up with mighty testimonies of God’s glorious majesty and care.  This is a mighty opportunity for them to speak forth their faith in a faithful God.

The enemy would like to thwart God’s amazing purposes for these wonderful people, but we speak the truth of His word over Japan, as stated in Psalm 24:7-9 NKJV:

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of Glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

I believe that the gates are being lifted over Japan and the King of Glory is coming in as a response to the faithful prayers of many over the years.

Continue to stand for the Kingdom destiny of Japan!

Statement from Jane Hansen Hoyt
President/CEO, Aglow International

Unrest and volatility in the Middle East has always been cause for concern, but particularly in these past several years with the increased threat of terrorism and anti Semitism around the world.

The current protests in Egypt, due to 30 years of oppressive government, must not be viewed as merely a local or national problem.  The ramifications of this unrest, while justified by the needs of their people, could have international effects, particularly as related to Israel.

The governments of Egypt and Jordan in the Middle East have both honored past peace agreements with Israel. With these two nations now in political turmoil what began as demonstrations of the people because of unemployment and lack of provision has turned into a crisis.

Street riots have never led to the establishment of democratic government in the Middle East. They have led either to new dictatorship or to radical Islamist tyranny.

The Muslim Brotherhood began in Egypt in 1928. Their stated creed:

God is our purpose, the prophet our leader, the Qur’an our constitution, Jihad our way, and dying for Allah our supreme objective.

They have been responsible for great turmoil in Egypt in the past. In the present situation It seems there is no apparent evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood instigated the beginning of these massive demonstrations, but it is becoming increasingly evident that they are now positioning themselves to fill a leadership void in these two nations.

If a Muslim Brotherhood-oriented state is established in Egypt, this could lead to major military tensions between Egypt and Israel and further implications to the USA and the democratic world.

We ask you to seek the Lord on behalf of these nations:

• Ask God for intercessory strategies concerning the present trembling in Egypt. Pray for His mercy on the nation that He calls “Egypt My people” (Isaiah 19:25a), especially as they recognize and bless “Israel My inheritance” (Isaiah 19:25b).
• Pray for the country of Egypt – that the Muslim Brotherhood will not rise to power through this present anarchy; that God would establish peace and righteousness in that country with a minimum of bloodshed (1 Timothy 2:1-4); and that Egypt would not become an adversary and a curse to the Jewish state of Israel (Genesis 12:3).
• Pray for Israeli prime Minister Netanyahu, his cabinet and his military advisors- that they will have godly wisdom and wise counsel to know how to respond in the midst of this crisis (Is. 11:2)