“When I learned the difference between a carnal and a spiritual man last night, I wanted to cry,” explained Mod who was baptized a year and a half ago. “I was horrified to realize that I was carnal and lost, worse than someone who had never known about Christ. I felt like giving up until I remembered that Jesus said, “Whoever comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Tonight, I want to thank God that I have a second chance. I want to daily ask for and receive the Holy Spirit so that I can truly be a spiritual person—not just in name, but living a life connected to Jesus.”

As we shared around the large circle of church elders and their wives, it thrilled me to see the Holy Spirit at work, removing the scales from our eyes, helping us see our true condition and the cause of the deep lethargy that seemed to grip our churches. As we studied more and more throughout the weekend, I could sense the changes.

At one point in our study earlier in the day, the subject of obedience and sacrifice came up. One of the instructors was suggesting that one of the ways the Holy Spirit works is by pointing out things we need to give up. “For example, perhaps the Holy Spirit might tell you that you should no longer kill birds and animals.”

“Are you trying to change all of Kemantian?” asked one incredulous elder. “Even the young students take their blowguns to school and go hunting after class. This is our culture!”
With a knowing grin, the instructor said, “I’m not trying to change anything. Ask what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do, and then do it. The point is that we often resist what the Holy Spirit tells us. But if we want to be daily filled by His power, we must listen and do what He says; we must be obedient.”

Between sessions, as the three instructors shared notes and made plans for the following session, they worried that the work of the Spirit in our midst would be limited if the group persisted in clinging to their cultural rights rather than obedience to God. But as the sessions continued, and at intervals we separated into small groups to pray for each other, it seemed that the blockages were breaking up. During the final session, I suggested that in the ensuing 40 days of prayer, perhaps it would be beneficial not to eat flesh foods. There was immediate nodding of heads in agreement. I was amazed. I had just suggested that they set aside a closely held piece of their culture—their meats—for 40 days! But when the Holy Spirit is allowed to work fully in our lives, we become more willing for Him to do a thorough work in us, changing our culture into Christ’s culture.

Please pray for us as five teams of elders and their families prepare for five successive weeks of revival in five of our churches. Pray for the continued dedication of the elders, that they will pray daily for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that He will speak through them to the churches and that revival will break out.

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