For the fourth year in a row, the United Nations has named Norway the best place to live in the world. The reasons given for such stellar ranking are the security, prosperity and equality of the people, and the stunning natural beauty of the countryside. Yet Anne Graham Lotz gave a stark reminder to the thousands of Norwegians gathered at Oslo’s Spektrum Arena for Just Give Me Jesus that Norwegians share one critical trait with those who live in the war-torn country of Sierra Leone, named by the UN as the world’s worst place to live….residents of both countries will one day die.

So began Anne’s second message on what Norway’s largest newspaper marked as an “historic day.” Just Give Me Jesus drew Norway’s largest recorded gathering of Christian women…ever. Delivering three messages from God’s Word, and leading the entire arena in her signature Bible Study Workshop, Anne spent Saturday, May 12th, exalting Jesus. Thousands of women who came primarily from Norway, but also from Iceland, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom, and Europe were drawn closer to Jesus. They were challenged not to seek ultimate satisfaction from where they live –but from how they live…for Jesus.

Live Assured of Heaven
Women and children, young and old, families with mothers, young children and fathers--regardless of nationality, religious background or church affiliation …. streamed forward to the cross at the conclusion of Anne’s morning message. Each made the walk to the front of the arena to mark their decision to accept Jesus’ death on the cross as the only thing necessary to assure them of sins forgiven and eternal life that will one day be lived in the best place not just in the world, but in the Universe….Heaven, our Father’s House.

Live Rooted in God’s Word
Once again, the Lord graced the Bible Study Workshop session with the wonderful reminder that the Bible’s truths are personal and available to anyone in any language. Amidst the complex web of Anne teaching through her Norwegian translator, Jon Ultvedt, and the audience interacting back with her through reverse translation, the arena seemed electrified as thousands learned to hear God’s voice. By the end of the interactive session, those present discovered how personal and relevant God’s Word can be. One of the most frequent comments offered as ladies departed the arena was that of all the sessions offered that day, the workshop was the one they most appreciated. They put those sentiments into action, with hundreds leaving the arena with the leader materials for the Norwegian-translated version of Anne’s Vision of His Glory video-based Bible study. With each leader package (a 7-week DVD video series of Anne teaching from Revelation and workbooks for participants) went a commitment to facilitate the study in that woman’s home or local church. The hundreds of Leader Packages available at the arena sold out before the end of the afternoon, leading the organizers to take orders for sending out packages throughout Scandinavia in the following week – meaning hundreds more studies will be offered as follow-up, each beginning by month’s end!

Live Surrendered to Life’s Nails
Building on the reality that even those living in the world’s most livable country will one day suffer the pain of death, Anne used her afternoon teaching session to share the further reality that even those who are living as children of God – assured of eternal life – will likely face pain or suffering while on earth. The tears that flowed on women’s faces seemed evidence that even the world’s best place to live cannot shield its residents of personal pain. But, through the joyous reminder that the crucifixion of Christ led to His resurrection, the end of the session was met with a beautiful sea of white surrender flags as each woman embraced the “nails” in her life that can allow her to live closer to Jesus and the resurrected life He offers.

Live Committed To Serve
In a first-time-ever late Saturday night session, Anne rounded out the day at Spektrum Arena with her recount of John’s revelation from the Bible’s last book. After a full day of teaching, worshiping and learning to read God’s Word, the Arena was filled with the same thousands that began the day’s journey together --- those not wanting to miss one moment of what God had to offer. As if an army showing up for duty, the entire audience immediately stood to its feet as Anne ended her final message with the challenge for any to stand who would commit their service to the Lord – no matter what He asked them to do. Personal vows reverberated throughout the arena as everyone stood and repeated out loud Anne’s closing prayer of commitment. With tears flowing and the song of benediction led by Solveig Leithaug Henderson, all present knew they had experienced something they had never experienced in their own life….and, collectively, something that hadn’t happened for decades in their nation. They had received a fresh touch from heaven-God had indeed just given them Jesus.

Live Reminded of Jesus’ Worthiness
Though the message and focus of Just Give Me Jesus never change whether held in South America, Asia, Europe, North America or anywhere in the world, one special element that often distinctly sets each revival apart is the manner in which the congregation joins together in worship through music. Solveig Leithaug Henderson, a Dove-award winning Norwegian who is beloved by her entire nation, led the worship in the Spektrum Arena. As she weaved her selection of hymns and contemporary songs around Anne’s sessions, the participants lifted their voices in beautiful harmony that rivaled any well-rehearsed cathedral choir. Joined by local instrumentalists and bolstered by the rich heritage of hymn singing in Norway, Solveig led her fellow countrymen past the “outer courts” into the most holy place of God’s presence.

We thank the Lord for what took place Saturday, May 12th in Oslo’s Spektrum Arena. And, as we continue on in prayer for the hundreds of Bible studies getting underway across Norway, Scandinavia and into Europe, we once again thank the Lord for just giving us Jesus every day through His Word! To our Lord God goes all praise and glory for the great and glorious things we have witnessed in Norway!

"It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them." Psalm 44:3