Waco, TX

9/11

Friday, September 11, 2001 is the date known world-wide for the vicious and bold terrorist Attack on America.  Opening Just Give Me Jesus Waco on the eighth anniversary of that horrific day, Stephanie Seefeldt led in a soaring, prayerful rendition of God Bless America.  The audience spontaneously rose to its feet as those gathered joined her in song.  The notes had barely faded when Anne stepped to the platform and powerfully invoked God's blessing on our national, state, and civic leaders, as well as those gathered.  When she finished praying, she greeted those who had braved flash flooding and violent thunderstorms to come to the Ferrell Center.  Then she asked anyone who was in the military, or who had a loved one or family member serving in the armed forces, to stand.  Hundreds, if not thousands, did.  In the midst of thunderous applause she asked Stephanie to lead once more in singing the chorus of God Bless America, only this time she directed it to those standing, asking God to bless each of them, and their loved ones who were risking their lives to keep America safe.

The desire for a fresh touch from Heaven seemed intensified by the national remembrance of the trade towers imploding, the Pentagon engulfed in boiling black smoke, and the scattered debris over the grassy-green countryside of Pennsylvania. The news accounts on 9/11 focused on the memorials that have yet to be built.  USA Today gave tribute to the passengers of United Flight 93, describing the memorial planned that would be a symbol of courage and a symbol against evil. 

As Anne opened her first message, she directed the audience's attention to another memorial that is also a symbol of courage, and a symbol against evil.  But she emphasized that it is also God's symbol of victory.  It's the Cross.

THE CROSS:  GOD'S SYMBOL OF VICTORY

Anne reminded the thousands gathered that 9-11's chief perpetrator, Osama Bin Laden, though diabolical and cunning, is not the most formidable terrorist we face.  Since the beginning of history, Satan, whom Anne introduced as "The Terrorist of Our Soul," has been on a mission to attack and destroy human life.

While we are still waging the war against terrorism, hoping one day to defeat Osama Bin Laden, the war with The Terrorist of Our Soul has been won - by Jesus' death and resurrection.  With the simple wooden cross podium augustly standing at the center of the stage of the Ferrell Center, on the campus of beautiful Baylor University, Anne, Jill Briscoe, Fernando Ortega and Stephanie Seefeldt praised, prayed and preached so all present would fully experience, embrace and enjoy the victory they have in Jesus.

Experiencing the Victory

Oftentimes, inscriptions are used on memorials to help remind those assembled of what is being remembered. The Bible is God's Word, imparting truths He most wants us not just to remember - but to live by. Anne used each of her three teaching messages to underscore the "inscription" God has given that describes the victory we have through His Son. She showed us the victory that is ours to experience...

...Through Salvation

Following Anne's first message Friday evening proclaiming Jesus as Savior, people streamed to the platform, some falling to their knees on the concrete floor, some on their faces, others with arms embracing a loved one, and still others quietly standing... all at the foot of the Cross, asking Jesus to come into their lives, to give them victory through His blood over sin, self, and The Terrorist of Our Soul.  Praise God!  He did!

...Through Surrender

Jesus triumphed over The Terrorist of Our Soul through His resurrection, removing the sting from death and the victory from the grave, opening Heaven for all.  Thousands of people made the decision to surrender to Him, even when it includes submitting to the painful "nails" He has allowed, in order to experience the victory of the resurrected life.

 ...Through Service

With the threat of epidemics, pandemics, economic meltdowns, and even ongoing terrorist attacks, Anne reminded those in the arena that while no one knows what the future holds, either internationally, nationally, or personally, we do know Who holds the future! And His name is Jesus! The days of The Terrorist of Our Soul are numbered. He has been defeated and will soon be vanquished forever. The revival ended with the victory shout that God has just given us Jesus, and soon we will see Him face to face.  He is coming! Anne's final message on the end of God's story, from the first chapter of Revelation, replaced doubt, despair and defeat, with faith, hope and triumph! Thousands ended the two-day revival by standing in commitment to make their lives available for service to the One Who is our Savior, Lord, and King!

Embracing The Victory

In one of her references to the 9/11 heroes, Anne highlighted the actions of the passengers aboard Flight 93 who thwarted their hijackers' plans to kill others, even while sacrificing their own lives. To thwart the plans of The Terrorist of Our Soul, the Bible teaches us to take up our two offensive weapons of prayer and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

...Through Prayer

Jill Briscoe used her Saturday morning prayer session to inspire and instruct all present on how they can instill that line of offense into their spiritual lives. She taught about the power of prayer, and then released it in The Ferrell Center by inviting those present to focus on simply talking with the Father.  She instructed each one to begin praying by addressing God as "Father dear," then to intercede for personal and family needs, the needs of those around them and the needs of those around the world.

The most powerful moment came when she described "fourth-world" countries where people don't even have one bowl of rice a day.  Jill opened the eyes of the audience to the needs of believers world-wide as she spoke of two young women, whom she knew personally, who had been arrested because of their Christian faith, and were being tortured even as she spoke.  There was not a dry eye in the arena as everyone prayed for the persecuted church, and those two women in particular.  What a privilege to go "around the world" in prayer while remaining in the Ferrell Center! 

...Through Bible Study

In Just Give Me Jesus' signature workshop, Anne taught us not only to defend ourselves against The Terrorist of Our Soul, but to go on the offense by wielding our Sword effectively. Through daily Bible reading that draws out lessons and applies them personally, the truth of God's Word can be lived out.  To demonstrate how meaningful

Bible reading is when God speaks to us through it, Anne conducted an interactive session with the audience.  After assigning them a passage to study, instructing them on how to listen to 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!  We could almost see Swords flashing in the air!

Anne finished the Bible Study Workshop by inviting everyone to sign-up for one of the 60-plus Follow-Up Bible Studies that have been put in place throughout Central Texas. With facilitators trained, poised and ready for those who signed up, revival will continue as thousands enter into Anne's seven-week study of the book of Revelation, TheVision of His Glory. 

Enjoying the Victory

Some would say that classic hymns best remind Christians of the foundations of their faith. No one is better at offering traditional hymns with fresh arrangements than Fernando Ortega, who has led the worship at Just Give Me Jesus all over the world. He and his assembled musicians used hymns, including a stirring rendition of "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," and contemporary choruses, such as "The Lion and the Lamb," to erase feelings of defeat and lift spirits as all present were ushered into God's presence with their eyes fixed on Jesus. Especially poignant was the first-time addition of Anna Ruth Boyce, a violinist whose exquisite solo could be heard during Fernando's unforgettable arrangement of "Give Me Jesus."

Embarking on a Victorious Life

A severe, regional drought in Central Texas was broken on the Friday of our revival, September 11, 2009. At the exact time the doors for Just Give Me Jesus opened, the floodgates of heaven also opened in a torrential rain that brought flash-flooding, closing Interstate 35.  The rain continued steadily for days to follow. While some were prevented by the rain from coming to The Ferrell Center, one woman testified that she was prevented by the heavy rain from leaving after the first session on Saturday as she had planned.  She ended staying all day, and in the very final session gave her life to Jesus.

The Waco-area residents could be heard joyfully announcing, "Finally, our prayers for rain have been answered - our land could not stand to get much drier!"   While they were referring to the rain outside the arena, we couldn't help but think of the rain that had fallen inside the arena as God poured out His Spirit.  How we pray that Central Texas will be saturated in God's blessing, and that rivers of Living Water will flow, bringing genuine revival to the hearts of God's people.

On a momentous weekend, which is memorialized in our nation's collective heart, September 11 & 12, 2009 will be forever memorialized in the hearts of those whose lives were transformed in Waco as the day they looked to the Cross, God's Symbol of Victory, and to the One who died there.  BUT praise God!  Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, defeating The Terrorist of Our Soul, giving us the reality of Hope as we experience, embrace, enjoy, and embark on a life of Victory!