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Intention

To be assured that even when we don’t know what’s going on in the unseen world, God has power to intervene for the sake of one soul.

Scripture

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

– Ephesians 2:1–10

Reflection

As believers, we have a mandate to save souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity by whatever godly means necessary.

Little did I know that God was going to use me to touch the heart of a very needy, broken woman.

It was Good Friday. Worship and the preaching of the Word led into the altar call — but there was no response. Surely someone could sense the stirring of the Holy Spirit? As the congregation sang the words “Move Holy Spirit, move in my heart”, I prayed quietly: “Lord, how do you want me to help the people to come to the altar today?”

God spoke instantly: “Simply say, ‘Somebody just said no to God and you need to come to the altar while we sing the song again.’”

Then came another voice, my mother’s. “When I was young, a visiting evangelist asked our pastor, ‘How many unsaved people are here tonight?’ The pastor replied, ‘Ten’. The evangelist then said, ‘The Holy Spirit just told me that ten people need to be saved tonight. Come forward now.’”

The next words threw me into panic: “If you say that, your mother will hear about it and label you a hypocrite, no better than that manipulative evangelist.”

The music stopped, and to my horror I heard myself saying, “Someone has just said no to God, but you need to come forward while we sing the song again.” The music started immediately, leaving no opportunity to take back my words.

One woman came forward. I sighed with relief, completely unaware of what had just taken place in the unseen realms. Only one thought flashed through my mind: “I’m glad that worked!”

I had no idea of the struggle going on inside the mind of this precious seeker. She didn’t believe God could talk — let alone speak to her. As she sat in her seat, she challenged God: “If you can really speak, then talk to me now!”

God: “I want you to go to the altar — NOW!”

Woman: “There’s no way I’m going out there, God!”

Then came the audible voice from the platform — “Somebody just said no to God, but you need to come to the altar while we sing the song again.”

That was the day a broken soul was born again. The battle for her soul — and even her life — was real, intense, and very brief. God touched two souls that day, and I will never be the same. As for that other soul: over four decades she has become a transformed woman of God — a masterpiece doing good works that God prepared for her before time began.

God is still winning battles over Satan, and he is still creating masterpieces from broken clay.

Video

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing how to speak the language of our hearts. From where I sit, I think you take great risks when you entrust souls to our obedience. 

But Lord, you have raised us up to sit with you in heavenly places in Christ. It is the place from which we win the battle against our enemy. It is the place from which you choose to speak through us, using the language of the heart for every individual to whom you lead us.

Thank you for trusting us enough to use us.

Thank you for your powerful work in us, creating masterpieces out of broken clay, and leading us into good works that you have prepared for us before time began.

Thank you, Lord!

Author Bio

Kevin has been married to Valmae since January 8, 1972. Together they have two daughters who have blessed them by marrying men of God and producing four amazing grandchildren — a boy and a girl each.

Kevin and Valmae are living in retirement at the Gold Coast, having served as officers in The Salvation Army from 1970 to 2016. They worship at The Salvation Army Gold Coast and are actively involved in many aspects of the life of the congregation.

They have a passion for the health of the Church, saving souls, for ministering healing to the sick and for walking alongside marginalised people.

Prayer Points for Five4Five 2026

1. Five people to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

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