Come, Holy Spirit

       This morning on the news I saw last nights meeting of the public school board in a near by county.
Because of one parent's complaint, the ACLU was making moves to stop all prayer at board meetings, graduations, school functions, etc., even though only the name God was used, never the offensive name, Jesus.
This isn't really unusual news any more, sad to say. But there was something special that really gripped my heart. It was the high school students who testified that no one had forced them to attend after school Christian Fellowship classes, had forced them to pray, had forced them as a group to feed the homeless.....it was their choice!
Those young people stood tall. They stated that even if prayer was outlawed, they would continue to pray. And pray they did. They gathered in a circle, held hands and prayed after the close of the meeting. 800 people attended that meeting........ One parent opposed, interesting isn't it? Businesses and organizations have stepped up to offer financial assistance, a law firm has offered free representation to help fight the mighty ACLU.
My thought on this is....we pray for the suffering persecuted Christians, as we should. Sometimes I think we may subconsciously think that all the Christian young folk must be in Christian day schools. And yet my heart was moved as I watched these brave wholesome young people standing fearlessly for Christ! You know, the devil often plays the same trick on us that he did on Elijah when he told him that he was "the only one left" serving God. God had to remind Elijah that he had 7000 in Israel that had not bowed unto Baal(idol) and neither had they kissed him.
Later on this song came on BBN and I had to weep. Dark was the hour? THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH !
Just as this song talks about the early Christians' fearless witness, I saw these precious young people doing the same. Oh God, help me! Folks, we are not standing alone, the devil, the media may lie to us... But God still has a people! God is still on the throne! God help me to stand tall, stand true, stand fearless!
God bless our young folk!! This morning you have condemned me, you have inspired me, you have raised the name of Jesus high!!!!!

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost
He came in mighty fullness then
His witness thru believers won the lost
And multitudes were born again
The early Christians scattered o'er the world
They preached the gospel fearlessly
Tho' some were martyred and to lions hurled
They marched along in victory
Chorus
Come Holy Spirit dark is the hour
We need Your filling
Your love and Your mighty power
Move now among us stir us we pray
Come Holy Spirit revive the church today
Verse 2
Then in an age when darkness gripped the earth
The just shall live by faith was learned
The Holy Spirit gave the church new birth
As reformation fires burned
In later years the great revivals came
When saints would seek the Lord and pray
O once again we need that holy flame
To meet the challenge of today
Chorus
Come Holy Spirit dark is the hour
We need Your filling
Your love and Your mighty power
Move now among us stir us we pray
Come Holy Spirit revive the church today

Repeat Chorus
Revive the church today

Revive the church today

by John W. Peterson