I have just finished a tour of all the University campuses in South Africa. God stirred it on our hearts and the hearts of many students, particularly a group of young men headed up by Sias le Roux, who wants to reach students with hope in Jesus.
In the word of God in John 16:33 (NKJV), "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will [a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
One thing I have realized is that perception is not the truth. It is something that you think, but is not necessarily accurate. We have done most of the major campuses in South Africa and we heard that one of the halls at the University of Johannesburg has been burnt down by protesters and of course it is all over the newspapers, because bad news seems to sell newspapers much better than the Good News. I was personally preaching in that very hall and the student waited patiently for me to attend, because the aeroplane that was supposed to take me to Johannesburg, broke down and they had to send another aeroplane. The students waited from 12h15 (midday meeting) until 13h30. They are hungry for the truth and for the peace that Jesus Christ offers.
I want to tell you that most of the students have one objective, that is to go to university, to pass their degree, and then to get on and live constructive lives, worthwhile lives and Christian ethos bringing it to the world, but unfortunately the picture is always painted differently.
There is not one campus that I have been on that we have not had a 100% response to the gospel of Christ when I have made the altar call.We saw over 5000 students crammed into a 4000 seat hall at the Stellenbosch Campus and I have never heard singing, and worshipping of God better than that evening.
At Kovsies (University of Bloemfontein) we experienced a move of the Holy Spirit that I can only say was of the same impact that I experienced when I was holding a meeting at the Dead Sea at Ein Gedi, in Israel when a rushing mighty wind came through that meeting. We had an encounter with God, which I will never forget as long as I live. I preached for over two hours and it seemed like it was only twenty minutes. Not one of the students left and even when we closed the meeting they remain seated, they wanted to know Him more. I think of that scripture in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead."
We come back to the Scripture which God has laid upon our hearts. He said in Matthew 16:33 (NKJV), "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." While I was speaking at the University of Cape Town, in the middle of the sermon there were protesters outside. The organizers went out and invited the protestors into the meeting, but they blatantly refused. God showed me something very clearly through that experience and that is that the devil is a coward.
When he is confronted with The Word of God he always backs off and do not give him any place in your life.He is a true example of a bully, because a bully will continue to try and dominate you until you to stand up against him. Once you stand against him, he will run off like a scalded cat. I really want to encourage you to stand with the young students of our Nation and indeed the world. I told them at almost every campus meeting that in ten years’ time, they will be running the country. They gave us an amazing ovation of hand clapping and shouting,"Amen".
We need to love them and we need to stand with them, because they are more concerned about the future of this country, because they have to live here when we are no longer here. So we thank God for our young folk and we pray for those who have been misled, and who have one objective that is to cause as much strife as possible.
May God bless you in the corner of your vineyard where you are shining for Jesus.
Yours in Christ service
