We may be outnumbered, BUT…
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 | Tony Nolan
I have often been warned that because of what I do, I am a “target of the devil.” Those who say this to me mean that because I am a preacher of the Gospel, the devil has it in for me. The truth is, I think he has it in for all of us.
Today I had a run in with him. Like a bully taunting classmates at school, Satan has been picking a fight with me for a while. I’ve been able to resist him for a long time, turning to the Lord in prayer and turning the other cheek, but today I took a swing at him. That jab started some serious heavyweight spiritual warfare that’s lasted almost all day.
Satan is a powerful foe. Ephesians 2:2 says he is the prince and power of the Air. 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil is a “Lion seeking whom he may devour.” He is a raging predator and his choice battlefield is the mind. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reveals that He puts up “strongholds” in our hearts and “casts arguments against the knowledge of God” making each “thought” question our obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4 gives clear evidence that the devil often throws mind-blinding head shots! And today I found myself against the ropes as the devil went hard after my mind!
Remember when Satan took Jesus to a Mountain and showed Him the Kingdoms of this world in Matthew chapter 4? Well today in my mind, he took me to a Valley and showed me the spiritual Collapse of the World, particularly America and its youth. My mind raced back into time when America feared God and most people had a sense of decency and respected the Church and its Ministers. Then my mind started flashing to news reports I have viewed in the span of my life time that clearly depict how our culture has become so wicked and evil and against God. My mind also saw images of preachers who have traded in their faith for their flesh, causing distrust in the Church and Christianity to be mocked.
Then Satan laughed at me, and snarled that I should give up, let it go, and stop fighting the good fight, because the little difference that I might be making wasn’t a drop in the bucket compared to the great gains he is making in stealing, killing, and destroying Souls.
Right after that, He threw a body shot: “I’ll prove you should quit. Preachers have lost their ability to influence. They can’t even get people to respond to a simple request. However, like a master pied piper, I can run souls off a cliff by the thousands and make them enjoy it while they do it.”
Then came the challenge. I could not get this the thought out of my head. “Tony, you serve in the music industry.” (I serve as a tour pastor and preacher for Christian Music artists.) “So do I. You do it for Christ, I do it for my purposes. You preach the truth at the concerts and win souls. I spread lies at mine and damn souls. Twitter is the fastest and most powerful networking influence tool in the world today. Watch how many people sign up today to follow these bands whose music is often called wicked, and then you try to summon some Jesus followers against darkness on your twitter. I will just keep doing what I have been doing for years with no extra effort, no mass call out. You do all you can, and let’s see who can get the most people to follow who.”
That’s when I took my swing. Like a boxer with his eyes swollen shut from a serious beating, I went for the kill! From my phone I sent out a message on my facebook and asked everybody I knew to help me with this challenge. Then I watched and waited. I tracked with several twitter pages of some bands that pride themselves on being sick, twisted, and perverted. All the while, I kept looking at my twitter following.
My twitter is no rock star tweet. I’m just a gospel preacher and today I felt like a very weak one at that, succumbing to Satan’s harassment. Boy, Jesus must have been strong that day in the dessert when the Devil tempted him. How did He resist that bread? Here I was, crumbling like dried bread. As I watched the numbers, my heart began to sink. Was it true that even ministers who try their best to live right have lost their influence to get people to respond to even a “simple request”?
It hasn’t been a full 24 hours yet, but the results are in and overwhelming. I lost. The other guys grew by the thousands but right now at 11:09 p.m. on August the 17th, 2009, I am at 1,251. I was at 970 something when I started. So that’s about 280 plus new followers. We fell way short in comparison.
However, I must say that in all the posts I have written about artists or concerts or any other really cool thing, none of them got the response that I got today. So in my eyes, you guys did rise to the call. No matter what Satan says, I am encouraged and you can be too! You may be asking, “How can we, when the fight was a slaughter?” Well I thought that too, ‘til something else amazing happened to me.
While I was at dinner telling my wife about the day’s events, confessing my stupidity and weak faith, she reminded me of something I said before. It was something God spoke to me during another frail moment I was experiencing. When she spoke, it was as if God yelled above the devil’s maddening verbal assault. After all, he had been mocking me all day. She said, “Gods says His people will always be out numbered,(There is a broad road that leads to destruction and many are on it, there is a narrow way that leads to life and few will be on it, Matthew 7:13-14) but they will never be out powered!’” (We can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, Philippians 4:13). Thats so true, we may be outnumbered but we will never be out powered!
God has a way of giving water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, strength to the weary and sight to the blind. I’m rejoicing that He opened my eyes today. I clearly see that God is still on His throne! And with 20/20 vision, I also saw that although we are out-numbered, His people will rise up against darkness. This gives me great hope for those who are on that road to destruction. In God’s strength let’s keep sharing the gospel no matter what until the whole world hears. And who knows, maybe you guys will be as crazy as I can be at times and you will keep telling people to follow my twitter anyways!
I have a feeling there are some Davids out there and some Joshuas, some Ruths, and Rahabs who will dare to risk being misunderstood, mistreated and failure, all in an effort to fight the good fight of faith. Wouldn’t it be kind of ironic if this thing goes viral and we get millions of Christians following my twitter? Ha! Imagine CNN and Fox hearing about the numbers of people joining and they end up doing a story about a goober preacher doing battle with the devil and God’s people rising to the call to fight darkness because the church still cares for the souls of every human being. I promise, if they interview me, I will share the gospel! But who cares if anything viral happens, VICTORY happened today, and in the end, GOD wins! His Kingdom will come, His will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven!
It’s been quite a day. I’m off to sleep now, so if you want to check out details of the events of the day and the comments and conversations everybody had along the journey (there were many and I answered most all of them), then check it out at facebook.com/tonynolan and of course, if you are led, follow me at twitter.com/tonynolanlive. If you do or don’t, would you please keep me in your prayers? I’ll pray for you. Remember, Satan has it out for all of us.
Enjoying Jesus!
Tony Nolan
Comments (23)
Aug 18, 2009
That was really encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
Aug 18, 2009
I have images of Braveheart battle scenes running through my mind....the mud-blood-spattered warriors....hearts pounding....spirits falling....fear surmounting....they suddenly hear a voice. The voice of their leader....Wallace....cry out to pick themselves up....to stand tall....to pick up their sword and shield....because the battlecry is this.....
FREEEEEEEDOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!
Let’s keep preaching Jesus...sharing the Gospel....pullling the souls out of the raging river headed for a catastrophic fall, one at a time. Rescue the perishing doesn’t have a whole lot to do with racking up the numbers or even “followers”. Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to follow Me....pick up the Cross and follow”.....Let us grow not weary in well-doing for in due time we shall reap our rewards. Love how you love Jesus, Brother Tony. keep on keepin’ on!
Aug 18, 2009
Don’t be discouraged! That’s 300+ more hearing the message. Jesus has the victory! Sure, those other bands have huge followings, but people are waking up all the time. They will find you & through you they will find Christ. I started teaching 7th grade girls @ ELFBC this year. Several got saved @ D-Now when u were here.Thx 4 going in2 battle 4 us!!
Aug 18, 2009
People must realize that we are in a spiritual battle every day. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world!
Aug 18, 2009
You know, last night I asked myself who this dark and famous person was at the foundation of this challenge. It was pretty obvious when I gave it a minute. I couldn’t imagine that the moral of the story would have anything to do with the number of twitter followers. Satan was after your attention. If he could distract you, he thought, he might could win. The problem is, he’s not after you. He’s after the Creator of you, and all his effort is vain. You have a wonderful new gift from God. He tried to take some of that joy away. He also tries to take the joy of the Lord away by distracting and harvesting God’s children and his creation.
I’ve read the end of the story, and Satan doesn’t win. But he does win some battles at the cost of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for fighting the good fight and reminding us that to not fight is to give in. The Lord rejoices with each new soul that returns to Him, not with the count at the end of the day.
Aug 18, 2009
Tony,
Love the fighting/boxing analogies. I’ve been training Muay Thai for a few yrs now, cause I guess I like getting hit in the head??? But you have to remember, a fighter doesn’t train in the months leading up to a fight for a 30 second knockout. He trains to go the distance (3 or 5 rounds, 5 minutes per round in MMA). If a knockout or submission happens, then great, but he’s prepared to go the full length of the fight. This fight that you’re finding yourself in isn’t over. Yesterday was just round 1. And from what I saw/read, you took some shots, and delivered some shots as well. In between rounds, you get together with your corner man (God). I know he’ll have some advice for you, a gameplan if you will, that will keep you on your feet, and allow you to at the very least to win this fight by decision. Who knows? Maybe you’ll win by KO, TKO, or my favorite finishing move, a rear-naked choke! But ultimately, you have an advantage. Your corner man is also the judging panel!
Aug 18, 2009
I almost forgot…
Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the Lord my Strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”
Keep your hands up, and your chin down. It’ll keep you from getting knocked out in the ring/cage and in life.
Love u bro!
Aug 18, 2009
Thanks Tony for stepping in the ring to fight the bully…
We’re outnumbered by not out powered. I likeit - have to remember to remember that…
Aug 18, 2009
Tony! I think you put some scripture in perspective for many of us with this blog! Praying for you! Keep on Keepin’ on! Wish you were doing SEW at LU this year!
Aug 18, 2009
You totally rocked this.. Good word my brotha from anotha motha.
Aug 18, 2009
Hey Tony, thanks for the encouragement. I needed it today in a huge way. Satan has been jumping up and down on my back for the last couple of days and trying his best to deter me from doing what God has called me to do. I was on the road for the last 50 days and just got home a couple of days ago. I saw alot of awesome stuff happen and Satan is doing his best to make me question my calling and telling me the same thing - you can’t make a difference. I travel, sing and speak full-time as well, not on the scale you do, but God has used me to reach out to many lost people over the last few years at ministry and secular events. Satan is attacking ministers left and right and many are falling like dominoes. Thank you for fighting the good fight and for encouraging me and others today with your words and insight. God bless you and your family! “For The Glory of Christ”
Aug 18, 2009
This is just another example how God is so great!!!! REally encouraging Brother Tony!!!! WAy to Fight For The Name Of JESUS!!!!!!!
Aug 18, 2009
What a good word! Thanks for all you do and for sharing your heart with us. I’ve read the Book and know “the rest of the story”. I feel all believers are being called to more kneemail as the prince of this world grows stronger! Romans 8:28-39
Aug 18, 2009
Tony,
As always the lord continues to use you. I think back 13 years to the good ole days at the Big house at FBCW. You helped the fellow get back on track. Continued blessing.
Aug 18, 2009
Tony,
I am just glad you shared this so I could be encouraged. The battle of who am I hearing, satan or God, has been raging in my mind for the past 2 years. The more I try to step out and be an “out loud” Christian, the more I fall on my face in humiliation and the devil yells, “Get back in your hole and SHUT UP!” I whimper my way back into my prayer closet, begging God to reveal to me what I am doing wrong...and He does, thankfully! It usually starts something like this: “Not ABIDING IN ME and listening to that fool! Not just doing what you KNOW is my Word and resting my MY power. Not trusting that ALL THINGS (even disappoinment in people and failures of others) are filtered through my perfect and Sovereign hands to bring about GOOD for ALL WHO LOVE ME...even the ones who fail!” Oh, Tony, God is SOOOOOO GOOD AND MERCIFUL that it really is overwhelming! We just can’t ever forget that! Twitter, FB, blogs, whatever...I mean satan probably thought all of them would be GREAT DISTRACTIONS for people from the Word of God, great ways to get us away from our spouses and families, great ways to get us from the church, and in a lot of ways...he was right! But I GUARANTEE he never figured that I would get to reconect with a cousin who is an athiest and lovingly share the gospel with him for over a week, see two child hood friends encouraged and start seeking to follow the Lord more closely, etc. etc. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 18, 2009
It’s a blessing just to know that you are passionate about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! So many preachers lack passion any more. They just do it because. You draw people to Jesus because of that passion. I was so blessed when I got to hear you at WinterJam this year. A friend of mine made a new commitment because of God’s work through you.
I’m proud to be fighting these battles with you on our side. God is using you everyday. We are all just blessed that you let Him.
Do not be discouraged because you didn’t get more followers than they did. You got more followers than you had. Share the Good News with them.
You have beat Satan on a smaller scale… There’s 280+ souls that aren’t on his path… They are now on God’s path!! That rocks in a very big way!!!
Looking forward to reading many more of your tweets!!
Keep fighting and making a difference for Jesus Christ!
My prayers and thanks to you Tony!
With the love of Jesus Christ, Amanda.
Aug 18, 2009
Amen...Amen..and Amen Tony..You Rock! Thanks for the encouraging words. Yes we are all attacked and you have shown me how to be a better fighter.
Aug 18, 2009
We’ll never be truly outnumbered because Satan only has 1/3 of the angels on his side. We’ve got Satan outnumbered 2 to 1!
Aug 19, 2009
Tony,
Just like Gideon of old, we are small, but mighty with God. Satan and his crowd is large, but we have an eternal victory in Jesus Christ! What a Mighty God we serve! I thought of that verse; James 4:3 that says (NASB) “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures”. You asked believers to respond to this with the right motives so God is fulfilling your request by getting believers to respond. God Bless Your Ministry!
Aug 19, 2009
that was really encouraging… I often feel overwhelmed by all the evil in the world… It is hard to stand up and be different. But, God is in control and he has already won. We just need to live for Him and follow His will for us
Aug 21, 2009
Tony, God has used you to make a difference in my life and Meredith’s life. Now we are able to pass that along to our children. We are serving and passing along that difference to others as an 8th grade Sunday School teacher and as care group leaders in a our Sunday School. You are working on an eternal scale. The wicked have their shock value and draw. But does it last? How many “followers” will this person/group have long term. They are here then gone. But the seed your sowing is eternal being sown again and fruit remains. The message you spoke at FBCW this past summer was a great blessing to me. This struggle you have gone though reminds me of the picture you painted in my mind regarding your mother and the trash heap lot. However the following week seeing you live your love out as you held your son and played him like a guitar worshiping spoke magnitudes without words. Praise God that HE is that kind of father. God bless you, your family and your ministry.
Dec 04, 2009
Wow Tony… what an incredible journey. Although here I am reading this message almost 4 months after you wrote it I am touched and blessed by the message. I had been meditating on what my message to the youth be today and kept coming back to Mathew 7 13-14 and the Lord has confirmed my doubts in this message. May the Lord keep blessing your ministry always. Lastly… never give up the fight… I accepted Jesus as my saviour this past January at the winter jam concert in Chattanooga Tn after you asked that who ever wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and saviour to get up and pray with you. So I pray blessings over your life and your family. God bless!
Jan 10, 2010
Keep fighting there people out here who needs preachers as great as you never give up cause me and chrst are with you all the all thanks brother much love
god bless you and your family!