Jacksonville, FL

RESCUED FROM THE PIRATE OF OUR SOULS

Jacksonville, located on Florida's "First Coast," is home to some of our nation's largest Naval installations.

When the captain of the American ship, Maersk Alabama, was captured by pirates off the Horn of Africa, the entire city took notice.  For five days everyone, along with the rest of our nation, was riveted by the standoff as the small lifeboat holding Captain Phillips and four pirates bobbed in the Indian Ocean.  They were thrilled with his rescue, and felt a particular pride since it was conducted by a team of heroic Navy Seals on Easter Sunday.

Anne's Friday night message at Just Give Me Jesus opened referencing the story of the dramatic rescue.  When she asked those in the audience to raise their hands if they had a friend, family member, or loved one in the military, it seemed as though half the audience responded.  The arena erupted in applause of appreciation for the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make in order to keep us safe.

But Anne went on to share that as dramatic as that rescue was, it is only a small shadow of a greater rescue.  Because, she said, there is a pirate more dangerous, more cunning, more powerful than any that come from Somalia or anywhere else.  He is the Pirate of our souls. The Devil, who holds us captive in our sin and selfishness and separation from God.  Our capture is not only binding and destructive of our freedom; it will end in tragedy and death unless we are rescued.

Then Anne clearly and powerfully explained this is why God has just given us Jesus!  Jesus is the Rescuer, the Redeemer, Who came from heaven and went to the Cross to lay down His own life to set us free from the Pirate of our souls:

The Pirate Is Overcome through Praise

Authentic worship takes us into the safest of places, the presence of Jesus. And the presence of Jesus filled the arena in Jacksonville when Fernando Ortega led the times of praise throughout the day.  While he led worship from the piano, he was accompanied by perhaps the best group of musicians he has assembled so far:  Dave on the percussion, Trinidad on the base, Tim on the acoustic guitar, and Cameron on the cello.  The times of worship were a rich and meaningful mix of contemporary choruses and familiar, traditional hymns.  Hearts were lifted and spirits soared, overcoming the discouragement, depression, burdens, worries, and fears that are the Pirate's calling cards as everyone united in praise of Jesus.

The Pirate Is Overcome through Prayer

Open, direct and ongoing communication with our "Rescuer" is one of the greatest comforts and defenses we have when the "Pirate" surfaces in our daily lives. Jill Briscoe, accompanied in music by Stephanie Seefeldt, taught all present how they can open those lines of communication.  She then turned the teaching into action by leading all those gathered in an hour of prayer based on a pattern of thanksgiving, confession and intercession for needs both in their own lives and in the lives of others.  The Pirate could almost be seen to tremble as the Veterans Memorial Arena echoed with the sound of prayers being offered up by the women who learned to overcome the Devil by developing their personal relationship with God through healthy communication.

The Pirate Is Overcome through the Proclamation of Jesus

The foundation of the entire revival weekend was Anne's Biblical explanation of why Jesus is the ultimate Rescuer:

He paid our ransom at the cross - He is our Redeemer

Many people streamed to the platform at the time of invitation after this first message, asking Jesus to rescue them from the Pirate by claiming His death as their own ransom.

He is alive!  He is our Risen Lord

Jesus triumphed over the Pirate through His resurrection, removing the sting from death and the victory from the grave, opening Heaven for all.  Hundreds of people made the decision to surrender to Him, submit to the "nails" He has allowed, and then follow Him in lives of authentic discipleship.

God has given Him all power and authority- He is our Reigning King

We may not know what the future of the world holds, either internationally, nationally, or personally, but we do know Who holds the future! And His name is Jesus! The Pirate's days are numbered. The revival ended with a thrilling message on the end of God's story from the book of Revelation that filled each heart with hope and comfort, as well as the challenge to go out from the arena and serve Him.

The Pirate Is Overcome by the Study of God's Word

Anne ensured that all present received the tools they would need each day to remain safely in the protection of their Rescuer. In Just Give Me Jesus' signature session, she told how we can not only defend against the enemy each day, but offensively ward him off through daily immersing ourselves in the consistent study of God's Word.  To demonstrate that God speaks to us through His Word, she conducted an interactive session with the audience.  After assigning them a passage to study, instructing them to follow her instructions on how to listen for God's voice, she then sent microphones into the stands to see what those gathered had heard Him say. The answers shared by members of the audience were insightful and meaningful, as well as proof that God's Word is alive, relevant, personal, and practical.  His voice was heard by thousands!

Anne finished the Bible Study Workshop session by directing the attention of the audience to the "safety net" that had been strategically placed to follow the revival weekend. Dozens of Follow-Up Bible Studies had been pre-arranged, with facilitators trained, poised and ready for the hundreds of people who then signed up.  As a result, within the next few weeks throughout the First Coast region, revival will continue as hundreds, and possibly thousands, will enter into Anne's seven-week study of the book of Revelation, The  Vision of His Glory.

By the revival's close, everyone present was filled with an overwhelming gratitude and renewed bonding to their Rescuer, much like that which Captain Phillips must have felt for the Navy Seals.  Praise God! We've been redeemed!  We've been saved! We have been rescued from that old Pirate!

Yet as Fernando's final benediction song was sung, the thousands of empty seats in the arena gave all of us a sober reminder that the Pirate of our souls is not to be taken lightly.  He is cunning, powerful, and roams the earth, including the beautiful city of Jacksonville, seeking whom he can devour and destroy.  For the thousands of people who did come to Just Give Me Jesus and who received a fresh touch from heaven, there were even more who did not come and were therefore robbed of the blessing that God had for them in the Veterans Memorial Arena.  In our spirits we left on our knees, grateful for our own rescue, yet heartbroken as we earnestly continue to intercede for the rescue of others. 

Fernando Ortega's haunting song of benediction sent us out secure in our knowledge that we are safe!  And we are revived in our love for our dear Rescuer, Jesus, and are more committed then ever to live for Him for the rest of our days!

Jesus, King of Angels - Fernando Ortega

Jesus, King of angels, heaven's light,
Shine Your face upon this house tonight.
Let no evil come into my dreams;
Light of heaven, keep me in Your peace.

Remind me how You made dark spirits flee,

And spoke Your power to the raging sea.
And spoke Your mercy to a sinful man;
Remind me, Jesus, this is what I am.

The universe is vast beyond the stars,
But You are mindful when the sparrow falls,

And mindful of the anxious thoughts

That find me, surround me, and bind me . . . .

With all my heart I love You, Sovereign Lord.
Tomorrow, let me love You even more.
And rise to speak the goodness of Your name,

Until I close my eyes and sleep again.

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