The Land Down Under.  Kangaroos, boomerangs, and Steve Irwin.  These are the things we think of when envisioning the Outback.  My wife and I have been in Australia for more than a week now, and this is the first official blog about Australia.  We have been involved in a flurry of activities interspaced with moments of rest.  Things with us are busy and yet chill as the culture here denotes.

We are ministering in a small town called Byron Bay.  This area is known for a lot of things… none of which are listed above.  There are beautiful beaches here, lots of surfing, a lighthouse, and cults.  That’s right.  Maybe the Lord prepared us for the culture here by having us visit a cult our last Sunday in Cambodia.  It seems that there is a longing for the spiritual things here that exhibits itself in many ways.

New Age is rampant as well as many other cults that deceive people from the Truth.  Maybe this is because Byron Bay is the most Easterly point in Australia.  It is called the Eastgate, and because of this the enemy wants to take this city as his own.

As strong as the darkness is here, the bright light of the Son is all around.  We have visited two churches here that are solid and on fire, walking in the salvation, healing, and deliverance that Jesus called His people to.  The YWAM community has been here for more than 10 years and God is placing them in the perfect position to destroy the influence of the enemy in this place. Even as we visited the Lighthouse on the cliffs at Eastgate, God spoke to me about the spiritual lighthouses that are here.  There is so much light here that the darkness will not last for long. The gates of the enemy will not be able to stand against the Kingdom of God that is rolling forward here.  It is interesting that the people here, even the ones that are so involved in the dark things, are open to talk and share, and that is what we have been doing.  We listen to their deception and pray, then they sit and listen to the Truth that we have to give.  When the darkness is placed next to the light of the Truth, it becomes clear which one is the light.  There is no denying the light and the darkness.

We got to talk with three surfer-hippie types.  One from Australia, one from Germany, and one from Norway that were all living in a camper van by the beach talked with us about the Truth. In the end, they did not miraculously choose to follow Christ, but the Truth was spoken clearly and seeds were planted.  We did not beat them over the head with the Truth so they would be defensive and not listen to anything we said.  We listened to them and then spoke the Truth without compromise.

It is Holy Spirit’s job to give us the words to say and do the working their hearts.  Nothing I say or do can change a person.  I speak and act in obedience, and God will use me to plant, water, and sometimes harvest.  It is much more fun to harvest and bring a soul into the Kingdom… but it is always a result of Holy Spirit!!!

God has made you to be a light no matter where you may be!!!  The darkness may be dark, but the light is always brighter!!!

Pray and ask Holy Spirit how you can be a light and speak the Truth.  Then, be the Light of the World that Jesus calls you to be (Matthew 5:14-16).

Jeremiah, Man on Fire!!!