We are not afraid!

As you know by now, while I was in England (training and developing more than 75 delegates from 8 European countries who know their God and will do great exploits), Paris was brutally attacked, the equivalent to the America’s 9-11. Also, last night, there was a Jewish teacher attacked by IS sympathizers here in Marseille 15 minutes from our house. There is something brewing here in France. The world needs to pay attention and believers need to rise out of mediocrity to become prayer warriors like never before!
Our French delegation from Marseille and a young student from Paris were all together praying and interceding until well past midnight Friday after hearing the news. As we cried and wept for victims and their families, we also prayed for supernatural revelation to these IS members who are being controlled by demonic doctrine. They are deceived and don’t know it, like everyone in this world who doesn’t know Christ. It just so happens that their doctrine of lies leads them to suicide attacks and murdering innocent people. They need Jesus as much as the rest of the world, but sooner so that this madness ends now!
A passage that has always meant a lot to me in working full-time in ministry is:
 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” Eph. 6:10-12
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.“ Eph. 6:18-20
These are the truths that should guide the follower of Christ during these times. We, as followers of Christ, are blessed to know our future, our heavenly calling. Those who do not know the Father need His revelation. We are called not to fear, but to have faith in God, trusting in His eternal promises. Through prayer we wage the good war, not swords and hatred. Proverbs tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Although I am unsure how that applies in this moment, I know the answer as Christians is to pray more intimately, love more passionately, and preach more boldly. 
As the Parisians have stood up with the their signs, “Même Pas Peur” which means “Not Afraid”, how much more we as followers of Christ, knowing our eternal future, should not be afraid and step into this season, blessed as we are, to engage the world around us with grace, truth, and great sacrifice, even as Jesus our hero-Lord did. Jesus led by example, by living the life we should have lived, and dying the death we deserved. He showed us that though you may sow your life for the kingdom, God will also raise you up to glory in His presence forever. We are pilgrims passing through this world. We are first and foremost citizens of heaven, seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are grabbing as many souls with us as we go along the way through love and one of the greatest weapons of all time: forgiveness.
     As I both plead and thank you for your prayers and intercession for France, Europe, and the world at large in this hour, I ask you to remember what Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes:
     “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
Please pray we can be where the Lord wants us at the right time. We are considering a trip to Paris to help engage and love the people who are hurting, however there are lots of churches involved and the government (secular-humanist) has already dispatched many psychologists to work with people. If I take a team, we will need resources and a strategy from heaven. If I stay in Marseille, the same may apply as more muslims are being radicalized, and Marseille is 1/3 muslim.

Thanks for praying. We are so blessed you are in our lives, holding the ropes, getting our back!
Love,
Matt and Christy