Back in June of 2012, Nik Wallenda made his historic tightrope walk across Niagara Falls. It took him “twenty six minutes, 550 metres, and not a single false step” the Toronto Star announced in its Saturday edition. Interestingly, it also showed a picture of his family standing in a circle praying together before he began walking through the mist, with winds gusting in swirls and water dripping from the wire. 

Throughout the entire time he did his walk, Nik could be heard praying and praising God. The reporter for ABC network which sponsored the event kept asking him, “Why were you praying?” He did not understand that Nik Wallenda is a born again and baptized with the Holy Spirit Christian who knows that “we walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).  

I remember interviewing his father on the 100 Huntley Street TV Ministry years ago. He too is baptized with the Holy Spirit. He said that without Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit, Nik couldn’t have walked the tightrope with confidence. During his walk, He coached his son saying, “You’re walking fine… Looking good, just remember to change your rhythm... Thank you Lord God,” he said. “Praise you, Jesus.” There Wallenda, you let the secret out! 

Rosie DiManno, the Toronto Star columnist caught it. She wrote, somewhat sarcastically, “Playing along, one of the (Border Patrol) officers inquired: ‘What is the purpose of your trip?’ Wallenda said, ‘To inspire people around the world...” She further wrote “and mildly proselytizing whilst at it – Jesus - jiving all the way across… Christian commentary picked up on microphones.”  

Nik’s whole tightrope walk was all about witnessing for Jesus! What the Wallenda family had learned many years ago, was what Paul wrote, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philip. 4:13). Their profession, tightrope walking, dangerous as it is… is their ministry. There is something here for all of us Christians to learn.  

Listen to what Jesus told his first disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). When we have received the authentic Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the “signs following”, then just like the Wallendas, we too can make our professions and our work our ministry. We can be effective, non-apologizing Christians who can witness anywhere to anyone we meet. We can have the same results as on that first Day of Pentecost when 3,000 people were saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

I challenge you this summer, at the risk of your life or reputation, to be a witness for Jesus where ever you go - as you go to work each day; as you travel on your vacation; as you visit family and friends. Be edified in Holy Spirit power (1 Cor. 14:4) and preach the Gospel with “signs following”. 

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If you, and/or a family member, friend, co-worker, acquaintance, etc. want to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to come to one of our weekly "Holy Spirit" Zoom Meetings or contact me. With the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can be successful and succeed in doing everything that Jesus has planned for us. 

 

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