Hey guys, Pastor Brad here, I'm stoked about partnering with Johannes and metalforjesus.org to exalt Christ and encourage you in your walk with Him! I'm going to be sharing a Metal Devotional with you each month right here at MfJ. I'll be sharing personal stories and lots of stories from rock fans and artists all over the world-about times that God used rock music to touch their lives and draw them closer to Himself. If you have a story you'd like to share - I WOULD LOVE TO USE IT! Write it down in half a page and send it to me @ pastorbrad@aol.com. This first story comes from my own life. Enjoy…


GOD  CAN  USE  ANYTHING!

It was the Holy Diver tour, Oct. 24, 1985 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN. I was seated about 45 feet from the stage... up on the left just a bit... really good seats. By the way--just as an aside--I was 18. I had been raised in Church, but I was in no way living for Jesus at this time. I was HUGELY into the whole metal scene--partying, etc...

Okay, back to the story... I had really enjoyed the show up to this point. Ronnie and the band broke into Heaven and Hell... and in the middle of the tune they sort of broke things down to a cool bass and drum groove thing. Ronnie talked over it... he told a story... it was all about the classic angel on one shoulder and demon on the other -- tugging at your heart.

It went something like this... He kind of talk-sang it... "There's a little black ship down below me... and it said, 'Come with me and I will give you desire.'" The crowd cheered and the mood of the music shifted - it became celestial and heavenly sounding… Ronnie continued, "There's a little white ship up above me, and it said, 'Come with me, cause I know just what to do.' But I said, 'Go away! Cause I'm gonna burn in hell with all of you! And you! And you!" (as he pointed at various sections of the arena)! AND THE CROWD WENT WILD!

I just sat there. I was stunned... it really jarred me! All I could think was, "Unt uh buddy! Not me man! You can go there if you want to--but I'm not going with you!"

I didn't commit my life to Christ right then an there... but God definitely used that moment to get my attention and set some things in motion in my heart. That moment woke me up to some very important spiritual realities and forced me to deal with them--and the end result, about 18 months later, was that I totally surrendered my heart to Jesus and never looked back!

Pastor Brad


THE  WORD:

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff.

28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" 29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
(Num. 22:21-31, For the entire context read Numbers 22:1-35)


THE  CHALLENGE:

God can speak to us through ANYTHING-whatever it takes to get our attention---a Dio concert, a donkey, or _____ you fill in the blank.

What's going on in your life right now? What circumstances are you facing? Do they have you soul searching? Are you seeking God through them? Has anyone shared words of encouragement, challenge, or insight with you lately? Did those words have an impact on your heart? How might God be reaching out to you today? I promise, if you give Him your attention-you'll be blessed by what you hear Him say.


Metal Blessings,
Pastor Brad Windlan
The Guitarshredding Pastor
www.guitarjams.net



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© Johannes Jonsson 2010  e-mail: johannes@metalforjesus.org