We are filling in for a chaplain at the prison two Sundays this month. We normally go just two Saturdays, but he had to be out of town, so last night we met with 31 inmates for the meeting. It was a great meeting with testimonies and words being shared freely. The band leader used to lead a band out in the world. Since his incarceration, he has committed his life to the Lord and is doing a great job leading the band in the prison. Barb joins in on the keyboard, playing by ear, and that little six-piece band can rattle the rafters in praise to God. The Bible says God inhabits the praises of His people. God does not inhabit just performances. God inhabits heart praises to Him. Between songs, I would give a little bit of my message. I introduced it giving its title with commentary—How to Go from Information to Revelation to Demonstration. They sang a song. While they were getting ready for the next song, I gave some more of my message. When I got that out in just a couple of minutes or so, I turned it to them, and they rocked out with another song. This went on for an hour and a half. The presence of God increased. I jumped up on the altar bench and asked, “Do you believe God’s Word enough to take action on the Word? If you do, then stand up and raise your hands and give God praise and worship (some were already doing this).” They all did except one man. He just stood there. I briskly walked over to him and looked him right in the eyes and asked, “Do you believe God enough to act on His Word?” He just looked at me, and with my eyes still fastened on him, I shot my hands straight up in the air, then waved my hands and arms up and down indicating for him to do the same. He put his arms and hands up in the air. Every person in the room, together in one accord, praising and worshipping God. Chains of pride, fear and unbelief were broken. Men came to the altar under God’s dealings. Praise continued. The presence of God was strong. It was hard to stand up. To the floor I went. Not normal for me. Praise, worship, and God’s dealing with hearts continued. Toward the end of the meeting, one man testified that weeks earlier he received prayer for a knee condition. Afterward, he was taken to the prison hospital to have his leg amputated from the knee down. The doctors were very confused. They could find nothing wrong. He walked down the isle to give that testimony. What happens when “we” get out of the way, and let God have His way? We go from mere information, to the revelation of who Christ is and what He has accomplished, to a demonstration of God’s love, power, and goodness to all.
Information, Revelation, Demonstration
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