The Vineyard - picking grapes
Last month I went picking grapes. Grapes are a big deal in Slovenia. In Maribor we have the world’s oldest fruit bearing grapevine. It has been recorded as giving fruit for the past 400+ years. It is in the Guiness Book of Records! The city celebrates the Festival of the Old Vine. They will have another festival to celebrate when the grape juice turns to wine. When people go out to pick the grapes often family and friends are invited to help. One couple was telling us of their first experience. Before they even started picking the grapes there was a huge meal and wine and drink and dessert. My experience was a little different. We went and picked grapes until lunch. Then they fed us to bursting with a wonderful meal and dessert. After that we continued to pick joking that we could walk up the hill and roll back down. It was a fun experience and there was much joy in the harvest.
This experience of picking grapes reminded me of the many references in the Bible to harvest, grapes, the vine and so on. It was interesting the way the grapes grow. Some of the clusters were quite large and it made me wonder what the one the spies brought back from the land of Canaan must have been like. Then some grapes were so full and rich and sweet and others were smaller and less wonderful. Often they were only one or two rows away or even just a couple of vines apart. Some vines were full. Others were empty. Some definitely represented 30, 60 and 100 times fruitfulness. Others seemed barely fruitful and on some there was nothing at all. I found out that some of reasons might be a variation in the amount of sun or the quality of the soil. Some of the vines had some disease or blight and so the grapes were also smaller or hadn’t grown. There were also some clusters of grapes that had gone right to raisins right on the vine, but you wouldn’t want to eat those. They were dry and useless.
Whatever the case it got me thinking about reasons for fruitfulness or the lack thereof. It was amazing how important the vine and its location was to the outcome of the harvest. The amount of sun, the quality of the soil, the nutrients in the earth. It made a big difference in the harvest. It just punctuates what John said about abiding in the vine. If the vine from which we get our strength is anchored in the world then the fruit will be like the fruit of the world...tainted by sin, passing away, bitter, dry and without purpose. However, if we are anchored in Jesus..in heaven then the fruit of our lives should also be lasting, full, abundant, bringing a joyful harvest. That is what it means to abide in the vine, that we draw our strength, our purpose, our values and decisions from Him who is eternal wisdom and love rather than from that which is finite and passing away. That which is finite and passing still has some of what it good in it but the results will be infinitely less satisfying and will soon pass away.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Hardest Place
The Hardest Place
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Elijah had just faced the prophets of Baal and Ashteroth on Mt Carmel. Fire has fallen from heaven. Rain has come after 3 1/2 years only at his word. The king has been seeking his life and now the queen, too is after him to kill him. He is alone. He is spent. He has been fighting a battle against godlessness for a long time. He is in a hard place.
Being missionaries sometimes we have people telling us that they could never do what we do. Sometimes we get placed on a bit of a pedestal ... an example of spiritual living. Then on the other side of things missionaries can wear, almost as a badge of honor, the mantle of serving the most unreached, hardest to reach people. It might be jungle obstacles. It might be an environment and culture hostile to any kind of proselytizing. Or, it might be hearts hardened with years of rejection or traditional acceptance of religion and religious ideas. I have heard people talk about what makes their part of the world get attention as an unreached place and I often find myself thinking: “well that is not that much different from where we are”, or “that is not so different from some parts of America”. Whatever the reason, it starts to seem that the area “I” work in is the hardest.
Actually the other day I was listening to a sermon that confirmed that this is pretty much true. The area that you serve in is the hardest area in the world ... that is, provided that you have been called there. There is something almost liberating about this if you think about it. Where it is that God has called you to serve Him will be the hardest place because the enemy also knows that this is exactly where God has called you to serve. The enemy knows that if God has put you there then it must be a place that God desires to work and do something. That is exactly what the enemy doesn’t want and so the fight begins.
Where is it that God has called you? What? You say you’re not in “full-time Christian service”. I beg to differ. Maybe you are not a pastor, teacher, missionary, or some other person that receives their paycheck through the Church or some kind of “faith support” but that doesn’t mean that God hasn’t called you and placed you exactly where He wants you. What would happen if every Christian sought God for that place that they have been called to and then served in that place faithfully day after day? What would that look like? What if that teacher going to school, that mechanic fixing cars, that secretary in their office, that factory worker working their shift, that average (or not so average) work-a-day employer or employee knew that God had called them to the place in which they now live and work and worked to please God rather than man? What would happen?
We as believers are in a hard place, a hostile environment. It is called the world and it is not friendly to us or to the message that we carry as ambassadors of God. But God has called us and committed us with a message. He makes his appeal through us.
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Our message ... “be reconciled to God” is exactly what the enemy is trying to keep from those around us and he will do anything to stop us from being effective. He is happy to use a variety of means to keep us from the task to be sure. In some areas it is visible and felt. The spiritual forces of evil do not hide there, but there is also no doubt about the nature of the battle. On the other hand, in some areas it is simply about apathy. Rather than risk waking the Church to battle that he is sure to lose, the enemy is happy to lull them into a stupor of the everyday monotonous. There is the lie that “this is not where God has placed me for service”. If that is the case we need to seriously reconsider our place, because while the job might meet the daily needs, it is not the center of where God wants us. Being in the center of where God wants us does not mean that it will be easy or that we will even always particularly enjoy it. It does mean, however, that God will resource and supply in that place. As we are available, yielded and faithful God will accomplish His purpose. It may be the salvation of souls. It may be the building up and encouraging of the saints. It may be provoking one another to faith and good works. It may be meeting needs. It may be wrestling in prayer. it may be “iron sharpening iron”. It may mean being an example or just doing our best not to please men but God.
Sometimes we just want to give up. It is too hostile to keep on trying. Sometimes we don’t realize what we have been called to. Yet God has called us to a place and He is faithful to supply the strength to do His work, even in the hardest place.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Elijah had just faced the prophets of Baal and Ashteroth on Mt Carmel. Fire has fallen from heaven. Rain has come after 3 1/2 years only at his word. The king has been seeking his life and now the queen, too is after him to kill him. He is alone. He is spent. He has been fighting a battle against godlessness for a long time. He is in a hard place.
Being missionaries sometimes we have people telling us that they could never do what we do. Sometimes we get placed on a bit of a pedestal ... an example of spiritual living. Then on the other side of things missionaries can wear, almost as a badge of honor, the mantle of serving the most unreached, hardest to reach people. It might be jungle obstacles. It might be an environment and culture hostile to any kind of proselytizing. Or, it might be hearts hardened with years of rejection or traditional acceptance of religion and religious ideas. I have heard people talk about what makes their part of the world get attention as an unreached place and I often find myself thinking: “well that is not that much different from where we are”, or “that is not so different from some parts of America”. Whatever the reason, it starts to seem that the area “I” work in is the hardest.
Actually the other day I was listening to a sermon that confirmed that this is pretty much true. The area that you serve in is the hardest area in the world ... that is, provided that you have been called there. There is something almost liberating about this if you think about it. Where it is that God has called you to serve Him will be the hardest place because the enemy also knows that this is exactly where God has called you to serve. The enemy knows that if God has put you there then it must be a place that God desires to work and do something. That is exactly what the enemy doesn’t want and so the fight begins.
Where is it that God has called you? What? You say you’re not in “full-time Christian service”. I beg to differ. Maybe you are not a pastor, teacher, missionary, or some other person that receives their paycheck through the Church or some kind of “faith support” but that doesn’t mean that God hasn’t called you and placed you exactly where He wants you. What would happen if every Christian sought God for that place that they have been called to and then served in that place faithfully day after day? What would that look like? What if that teacher going to school, that mechanic fixing cars, that secretary in their office, that factory worker working their shift, that average (or not so average) work-a-day employer or employee knew that God had called them to the place in which they now live and work and worked to please God rather than man? What would happen?
We as believers are in a hard place, a hostile environment. It is called the world and it is not friendly to us or to the message that we carry as ambassadors of God. But God has called us and committed us with a message. He makes his appeal through us.
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Our message ... “be reconciled to God” is exactly what the enemy is trying to keep from those around us and he will do anything to stop us from being effective. He is happy to use a variety of means to keep us from the task to be sure. In some areas it is visible and felt. The spiritual forces of evil do not hide there, but there is also no doubt about the nature of the battle. On the other hand, in some areas it is simply about apathy. Rather than risk waking the Church to battle that he is sure to lose, the enemy is happy to lull them into a stupor of the everyday monotonous. There is the lie that “this is not where God has placed me for service”. If that is the case we need to seriously reconsider our place, because while the job might meet the daily needs, it is not the center of where God wants us. Being in the center of where God wants us does not mean that it will be easy or that we will even always particularly enjoy it. It does mean, however, that God will resource and supply in that place. As we are available, yielded and faithful God will accomplish His purpose. It may be the salvation of souls. It may be the building up and encouraging of the saints. It may be provoking one another to faith and good works. It may be meeting needs. It may be wrestling in prayer. it may be “iron sharpening iron”. It may mean being an example or just doing our best not to please men but God.
Sometimes we just want to give up. It is too hostile to keep on trying. Sometimes we don’t realize what we have been called to. Yet God has called us to a place and He is faithful to supply the strength to do His work, even in the hardest place.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Spiritual Strongholds
Romans 1:19-23
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...
I went walking today. I do that often. It is a chance to get out and pray for the city and the different areas that God lays on the heart. It is a good reminder of the things that need to be prayed for, and often gives food for thought. It is nice to walk and converse with God asking Him to share His heart and also to move with His power.
Today it seems that everywhere I went there was another reminder that what we do is not about what so much is seen as it is about what is unseen. Though I have seen these sights before today was somehow different, more intense, more disturbing. What did I see? I walked up a hill and saw two older women praying ... to Mary. I passed them on the way up the hill, I saw the rosaries and heard some of the words. They arrived sometime after I did. they rang the bell of the shrine and the began to pray again to Mary. I had seen them once before. They had also prayed to Mary then but they had also prayed much more to Son and Father that time.
Last night on the playground we met a girl. She was happy and pleasant. She heard us speaking English and had been to visit the US... even our home state. So we chatted. As we told a little about us and what we do she revealed that she attended Kingdom Hall and wanted to help people study the Bible. Her religion made her very happy.
As I continued my walk today I went into the heart of the city. Again it is a sight that I have seen before on a number of occasions but coupled with the others it affected my heart and spirit. It was a Hare Krishna. He was setting up his music box, all his materials neatly arranged around him. Before long he would start to play the box and chant his mantra for the people passing by ... looking for inner peace and consciousness. Most people will probably give him a wider berth. But some, some might just wonder if there isn’t something to it.
I was grieved in spirit. I was bothered. All these people believing in some kind of higher power but exchanging God’s grace for man’s lie. One elevates Mary above her place and prays to her, exchanging the greatness of Christ for the frailty of mankind. One demotes Immanuel to an uncommon man (but a man all the same) denying His precious blood that saves us. One exchanges God for some higher power, seeking peace, but not the Prince of Peace. Begging enlightenment but walking in darkness.
We truly do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We see that so many people here are so reserved to spiritual things in general and then that is contrasted with people lead astray by the enemy of their souls after things that cannot save or give peace. It saddens the heart and moves the soul. And we pray for the spiritual strongholds to be torn down. We pray for the blinders to be ripped away. We pray for a door to be opened to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus, so that people walking in darkness might see a great light. That they might not be lead astray but come to knowledge of the truth.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:3-6
Please continue to pray with us as we seek to preach Jesus Christ.
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...
I went walking today. I do that often. It is a chance to get out and pray for the city and the different areas that God lays on the heart. It is a good reminder of the things that need to be prayed for, and often gives food for thought. It is nice to walk and converse with God asking Him to share His heart and also to move with His power.
Today it seems that everywhere I went there was another reminder that what we do is not about what so much is seen as it is about what is unseen. Though I have seen these sights before today was somehow different, more intense, more disturbing. What did I see? I walked up a hill and saw two older women praying ... to Mary. I passed them on the way up the hill, I saw the rosaries and heard some of the words. They arrived sometime after I did. they rang the bell of the shrine and the began to pray again to Mary. I had seen them once before. They had also prayed to Mary then but they had also prayed much more to Son and Father that time.
Last night on the playground we met a girl. She was happy and pleasant. She heard us speaking English and had been to visit the US... even our home state. So we chatted. As we told a little about us and what we do she revealed that she attended Kingdom Hall and wanted to help people study the Bible. Her religion made her very happy.
As I continued my walk today I went into the heart of the city. Again it is a sight that I have seen before on a number of occasions but coupled with the others it affected my heart and spirit. It was a Hare Krishna. He was setting up his music box, all his materials neatly arranged around him. Before long he would start to play the box and chant his mantra for the people passing by ... looking for inner peace and consciousness. Most people will probably give him a wider berth. But some, some might just wonder if there isn’t something to it.
I was grieved in spirit. I was bothered. All these people believing in some kind of higher power but exchanging God’s grace for man’s lie. One elevates Mary above her place and prays to her, exchanging the greatness of Christ for the frailty of mankind. One demotes Immanuel to an uncommon man (but a man all the same) denying His precious blood that saves us. One exchanges God for some higher power, seeking peace, but not the Prince of Peace. Begging enlightenment but walking in darkness.
We truly do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We see that so many people here are so reserved to spiritual things in general and then that is contrasted with people lead astray by the enemy of their souls after things that cannot save or give peace. It saddens the heart and moves the soul. And we pray for the spiritual strongholds to be torn down. We pray for the blinders to be ripped away. We pray for a door to be opened to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus, so that people walking in darkness might see a great light. That they might not be lead astray but come to knowledge of the truth.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:3-6
Please continue to pray with us as we seek to preach Jesus Christ.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Continuing Prayer Request
*Continuing Requests*
* The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
- hard rocky soil
* Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
* Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing, Open doors to continue to reach out to neighbors and acquaintances and also to meet new people
-we continue to grow our relationships with friends - slow process
* Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing in Maribor - for God to continue to establish ministry through us that will be meaningful, relevant and effective.
* Open doors to teach God's word and preach the gospel (especially University and young families)
* Student Bible Study - Meeting Students open to studying the Bible 3. Student outreach - meeting new people. that people be able to attend regularly.
* Language - continued progress in language - speech and understanding - wisdom on best ways to continue study and learning
-this one will probably never end
* Division - tool of the enemy to divide and conquer - used against believers and unbelievers, missionaries and leaders - makes it difficult to work either together or separately (ie together - no forgiveness; separately - not accepted as a brother or sister in Christ)
* Personal and corporate walk with the Lord - growth, praise and worship, guidance. Strength and wisdom for each day, faithfulness to do all that God asks, boldness, understanding, compassion and love
* Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
* Jim, Olya and Family - the organization of our time (family, ministry, friends etc), continuing language growth, building relationships with others, rearing Christian and Julia in the Lord, provision for needs, health and protection. Health and safety for our family and team
* The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
- hard rocky soil
* Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
* Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing, Open doors to continue to reach out to neighbors and acquaintances and also to meet new people
-we continue to grow our relationships with friends - slow process
* Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing in Maribor - for God to continue to establish ministry through us that will be meaningful, relevant and effective.
* Open doors to teach God's word and preach the gospel (especially University and young families)
* Student Bible Study - Meeting Students open to studying the Bible 3. Student outreach - meeting new people. that people be able to attend regularly.
* Language - continued progress in language - speech and understanding - wisdom on best ways to continue study and learning
-this one will probably never end
* Division - tool of the enemy to divide and conquer - used against believers and unbelievers, missionaries and leaders - makes it difficult to work either together or separately (ie together - no forgiveness; separately - not accepted as a brother or sister in Christ)
* Personal and corporate walk with the Lord - growth, praise and worship, guidance. Strength and wisdom for each day, faithfulness to do all that God asks, boldness, understanding, compassion and love
* Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
* Jim, Olya and Family - the organization of our time (family, ministry, friends etc), continuing language growth, building relationships with others, rearing Christian and Julia in the Lord, provision for needs, health and protection. Health and safety for our family and team
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
30 Day Results
30 Days Results
These past 30 days have been an encouragement in many ways. We have appreciated having many stand with us daily, specifically praying for us and the requests we listed. We know that others prayed as they were able. Some promised to pray but told us that they would not be able to visit the blog. We had one person join us by asking for the blog post to be sent by e-mail daily. We have enjoyed daily times in God’s Word together as well as we journeyed through the prayers of Acts. I personally enjoyed the study and others have also found encouragement and challenge throughout the month. Thank you to all who prayed and participated in these 30 days. We appreciate so much your intercession for us Maribor and Slovenia. We can’t express enough how much it means and how important it is for us to be supported and lead in prayer.
Participation Report
So here are the results of how many people visited our site over the past month. We have the total number, the average number of people per day that visited and the number of visits for this past week.
On our prayer update list there are more than 120 names/e-mail addresses that we send out to on a regular basis. Prior to beginning 30 days we had approximately 6-7 responses from people saying that they would be joining us as much as possible each day and praying. Basically we had an average of 8 people visiting per day, which means that we had as many as 14 -15 people on some days and as few as 4-5 on others. We know there were others praying that didn’t and weren’t able to come to the blog and so were not recorded. We were very much encouraged by those who prayed and yet we also wonder how much more might have been accomplished if more people had committed to joining and praying with us daily. The following are the totals for the past 30 days.
VISITS
Total 345
Average Per Day 7
This Week 51
Perhaps, some thought “lots of other people will be praying, I’m not that important”, perhaps the technology frightened some away, perhaps there just seemed to be no time available, perhaps there was some other reason not to participate. Perhaps this is a time when we can all search our hearts and ask God how we value and believe in the importance and necessity of prayer.
Blog Report
The blog will remain here in cyberspace. You can still visit, read through the posts at your leisure, study through the prayers of Acts, see and pray for the ongoing prayer request, leave comments and your own prayer requests etc. We would love to have people continue to come by and check it out. We will probably be using it in the future as well and hope that it will be a tool to encourage the church and encourage prayer both for us and Maribor as well as for others.
These past 30 days have been an encouragement in many ways. We have appreciated having many stand with us daily, specifically praying for us and the requests we listed. We know that others prayed as they were able. Some promised to pray but told us that they would not be able to visit the blog. We had one person join us by asking for the blog post to be sent by e-mail daily. We have enjoyed daily times in God’s Word together as well as we journeyed through the prayers of Acts. I personally enjoyed the study and others have also found encouragement and challenge throughout the month. Thank you to all who prayed and participated in these 30 days. We appreciate so much your intercession for us Maribor and Slovenia. We can’t express enough how much it means and how important it is for us to be supported and lead in prayer.
Participation Report
So here are the results of how many people visited our site over the past month. We have the total number, the average number of people per day that visited and the number of visits for this past week.
On our prayer update list there are more than 120 names/e-mail addresses that we send out to on a regular basis. Prior to beginning 30 days we had approximately 6-7 responses from people saying that they would be joining us as much as possible each day and praying. Basically we had an average of 8 people visiting per day, which means that we had as many as 14 -15 people on some days and as few as 4-5 on others. We know there were others praying that didn’t and weren’t able to come to the blog and so were not recorded. We were very much encouraged by those who prayed and yet we also wonder how much more might have been accomplished if more people had committed to joining and praying with us daily. The following are the totals for the past 30 days.
VISITS
Total 345
Average Per Day 7
This Week 51
Perhaps, some thought “lots of other people will be praying, I’m not that important”, perhaps the technology frightened some away, perhaps there just seemed to be no time available, perhaps there was some other reason not to participate. Perhaps this is a time when we can all search our hearts and ask God how we value and believe in the importance and necessity of prayer.
Blog Report
The blog will remain here in cyberspace. You can still visit, read through the posts at your leisure, study through the prayers of Acts, see and pray for the ongoing prayer request, leave comments and your own prayer requests etc. We would love to have people continue to come by and check it out. We will probably be using it in the future as well and hope that it will be a tool to encourage the church and encourage prayer both for us and Maribor as well as for others.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
30 Days - Day 30
Day 30
Acts 28:8-9
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
As we finish up our 30 days together we also practically finish our look through Acts as well. Thank you so much for joining us through these days. These studies will remain on this page and be available should you want to look through them/pray through them again. We also do not think that this will be the end of this prayer blog. Some of you have commented on how you have enjoyed our month of study, and a couple have even said that they might like to continue on for a longer time. We would be happy to serve in this way as the Lord leads. As He directs we will let you know what is happening and any plans for the future use of this blog space.
I would also encourage you to check back over the next couple of days as there may be some small posts, information and prayer requests or other things that God may lay on our hearts.
Paul and all aboard the ship have now been shipwrecked. The wash up on the shore and just as God has promised to Paul, all of them have come safely to dry ground. They have survived the storm. They have survived the surf. Now they set about just trying to manage the tasks of their situation. There is fire for warmth. There is preparation of food. There is establishing of relations with the locals. Perhaps there was also salvage of what little might have been left from the ship. Their minds were on survival and the tasks of living.
So often it is easy to get caught up in the tasks of the mundane. There are things to be done. We have lists of things to do ... for work, for family, for others, for self etc. Sometimes we feel like we are just trying to keep our heads above water. Sometimes we are just trying to survive the day to day. There are things that must be done for us to survive ... to live ... to be ... to exist.
However, in the everyday mundane there are bound to be opportunities for the supernatural ... for the eternal. Even here as a shipwrecked castaway as he and all those from the ship work for survival we see the eternal coming through in all that Paul does. As he is collecting firewood it becomes opportunity to give glory to God. As they meet the local leader it is an opportunity not just to be served and helped but to serve, help and be a witness to the grace and power of God. Not only that but in that finding of the spiritual in the mundane there is also the provision for the mundane because of the attention to the spiritual. We see that as Paul moved to pray and serve that it became the impetus for all their needs being met and provided for.
We have spent the last 30 days in prayer. We have gone about the business of life. We have been occupied by the mundane. But it is our prayer that each of you realize that as we have spent time in God’s Word, in the study of it and in prayer that our lives have also touched the spiritual, the mysterious, the eternal ... the heart of God. We have seen numerous aspects of prayer and answers to prayer, and we hope that each of you have been challenged and encouraged in prayer ... not just for us or for Slovenia but in your own personal lives as well.
And now we want to give you a glimpse into ways that your prayers on behalf of the kingdom have been answered either directly, in part or in process. We don't’ know all that has been accomplished. This is only what we can see. May all praise and glory be given to God for all His wondrous acts and works.
Praise for answered prayer!
1) During the last 30 days we have made a couple of new contacts with people
---- Barbara - for English but may also be interested in attending Bible study
---- Parents of a little girl they wish to expose to English
2) Growth in our personal walk with God - this time has been a big encouragement to us and we feel that in some small ways we have grown closer to God
3) Have seen progress toward a Fall English Camp taking place - in progress
4)Phil & Yvonne’s health - Yvonne feeling better from sugar allergy. Phil made progress in reasons for some of his aches and pains ... some reasons discovered
5)The continued support and growth of friendship between us and Calvary Chapel in Celje
6) Sandra and Ales - gave birth to a baby girl. Mommy and baby are healthy and doing well after early delivery by c-section
7) We have had some good relationship building times with some friends and acquaintances - in process
8) Safe travel to and from Vienna, Austria. We were able to get Julia’s paperwork and registration all taken care of.
9) Darja - just got word that she passed the written part of an important exam ... just needs to complete the oral part Wednesday (please continue in prayer for that)
10) Olya will have opportunities to teach both English and Russian this Fall at a local language school as a guest to various classes.
11) Jim taught at Calvary Chapel - have heard people were encouraged and challenged
12) We have been for the most part safe and healthy and have not missed any opportunities because our kids have been sick - currently Christian has a slight cold and Julia had a fever but recovered quickly.
13) The steering committee meeting for the Crisis Pregnancy Center was well attended and some good progress has been made. Many people gave some kind of response to questions about what they might be willing to do...this info has not been fully processed yet. - the projector arrived safely and was a big asset to the meeting as well.
14) Opportunities are opening up for Jim’s parents to share about puppet and children’s ministry in several places here in Slovenia
15) As you have prayed we have sensed an increase in spiritual opposition so we can certainly say that your prayers have been “making waves” and affecting the spiritual climate here.
16) Yvonne gave her testimony and was able to share something even with the restricted amount of time allotted.
17) We see the way Christian and Julia are developing and are pleased with many things we see forming in their lives ... of course this is a prayer in process
Many of these requests were made on multiple days and on a continuing basis. There are also things that we haven’t heard back about yet. Beyond that there are things that we cannot see that have happened on an emotional or spiritual plane and that will only be revealed in time and with continued prayer. We hope that seeing these answers to prayer will also encourage you with how much your prayers affect you lives and the lives of others and encourage you to continue lifting up these requests for Maribor and us to the Father.
May God richly bless you!
Acts 28:8-9
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
As we finish up our 30 days together we also practically finish our look through Acts as well. Thank you so much for joining us through these days. These studies will remain on this page and be available should you want to look through them/pray through them again. We also do not think that this will be the end of this prayer blog. Some of you have commented on how you have enjoyed our month of study, and a couple have even said that they might like to continue on for a longer time. We would be happy to serve in this way as the Lord leads. As He directs we will let you know what is happening and any plans for the future use of this blog space.
I would also encourage you to check back over the next couple of days as there may be some small posts, information and prayer requests or other things that God may lay on our hearts.
Paul and all aboard the ship have now been shipwrecked. The wash up on the shore and just as God has promised to Paul, all of them have come safely to dry ground. They have survived the storm. They have survived the surf. Now they set about just trying to manage the tasks of their situation. There is fire for warmth. There is preparation of food. There is establishing of relations with the locals. Perhaps there was also salvage of what little might have been left from the ship. Their minds were on survival and the tasks of living.
So often it is easy to get caught up in the tasks of the mundane. There are things to be done. We have lists of things to do ... for work, for family, for others, for self etc. Sometimes we feel like we are just trying to keep our heads above water. Sometimes we are just trying to survive the day to day. There are things that must be done for us to survive ... to live ... to be ... to exist.
However, in the everyday mundane there are bound to be opportunities for the supernatural ... for the eternal. Even here as a shipwrecked castaway as he and all those from the ship work for survival we see the eternal coming through in all that Paul does. As he is collecting firewood it becomes opportunity to give glory to God. As they meet the local leader it is an opportunity not just to be served and helped but to serve, help and be a witness to the grace and power of God. Not only that but in that finding of the spiritual in the mundane there is also the provision for the mundane because of the attention to the spiritual. We see that as Paul moved to pray and serve that it became the impetus for all their needs being met and provided for.
We have spent the last 30 days in prayer. We have gone about the business of life. We have been occupied by the mundane. But it is our prayer that each of you realize that as we have spent time in God’s Word, in the study of it and in prayer that our lives have also touched the spiritual, the mysterious, the eternal ... the heart of God. We have seen numerous aspects of prayer and answers to prayer, and we hope that each of you have been challenged and encouraged in prayer ... not just for us or for Slovenia but in your own personal lives as well.
And now we want to give you a glimpse into ways that your prayers on behalf of the kingdom have been answered either directly, in part or in process. We don't’ know all that has been accomplished. This is only what we can see. May all praise and glory be given to God for all His wondrous acts and works.
Praise for answered prayer!
1) During the last 30 days we have made a couple of new contacts with people
---- Barbara - for English but may also be interested in attending Bible study
---- Parents of a little girl they wish to expose to English
2) Growth in our personal walk with God - this time has been a big encouragement to us and we feel that in some small ways we have grown closer to God
3) Have seen progress toward a Fall English Camp taking place - in progress
4)Phil & Yvonne’s health - Yvonne feeling better from sugar allergy. Phil made progress in reasons for some of his aches and pains ... some reasons discovered
5)The continued support and growth of friendship between us and Calvary Chapel in Celje
6) Sandra and Ales - gave birth to a baby girl. Mommy and baby are healthy and doing well after early delivery by c-section
7) We have had some good relationship building times with some friends and acquaintances - in process
8) Safe travel to and from Vienna, Austria. We were able to get Julia’s paperwork and registration all taken care of.
9) Darja - just got word that she passed the written part of an important exam ... just needs to complete the oral part Wednesday (please continue in prayer for that)
10) Olya will have opportunities to teach both English and Russian this Fall at a local language school as a guest to various classes.
11) Jim taught at Calvary Chapel - have heard people were encouraged and challenged
12) We have been for the most part safe and healthy and have not missed any opportunities because our kids have been sick - currently Christian has a slight cold and Julia had a fever but recovered quickly.
13) The steering committee meeting for the Crisis Pregnancy Center was well attended and some good progress has been made. Many people gave some kind of response to questions about what they might be willing to do...this info has not been fully processed yet. - the projector arrived safely and was a big asset to the meeting as well.
14) Opportunities are opening up for Jim’s parents to share about puppet and children’s ministry in several places here in Slovenia
15) As you have prayed we have sensed an increase in spiritual opposition so we can certainly say that your prayers have been “making waves” and affecting the spiritual climate here.
16) Yvonne gave her testimony and was able to share something even with the restricted amount of time allotted.
17) We see the way Christian and Julia are developing and are pleased with many things we see forming in their lives ... of course this is a prayer in process
Many of these requests were made on multiple days and on a continuing basis. There are also things that we haven’t heard back about yet. Beyond that there are things that we cannot see that have happened on an emotional or spiritual plane and that will only be revealed in time and with continued prayer. We hope that seeing these answers to prayer will also encourage you with how much your prayers affect you lives and the lives of others and encourage you to continue lifting up these requests for Maribor and us to the Father.
May God richly bless you!
Monday, September 17, 2007
30 Days - Day 29
Day 29
Acts 22:17-21
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 27:21-25
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Two passages. Two prayers. One answer hard to take, one request hard to pray.
These passages take place at two very different times in the ministry of Paul. One takes place at the very beginning of his ministry. The other much closer to the end. One shows the zeal of a heart to witness. The other shows maturity with a heart of understanding and care.
How many of us have prayed prayers only to have God sometimes say “no”. How many of us have had a desire only to have God say “now hear My heart”. Those are not answers that we like to get. If I can gauge how much we like to hear “no” by my son’s reaction to my “no” then I can guess that hearing that little word can be tantamount to heartbreak. Perhaps it is the death of a dream. Perhaps it is God taking us from what is good to what is best (though we may not realize it at the time). As Paul looked to begin his ministry we see that among God’s answers to his first ministry plans is a big “no”. Paul was a Jew. A man of status among the Jews. He had been very zealous even beyond the normal zeal of the Pharisees. He must have looked like the perfect fit to take the gospel to the nation of Israel. He knew the law. He knew the customs. He understood the history and tradition. He had an incredible testimony to share, yet here is God telling him “they will not receive your testimony concerning Me” and “depart for I will send you...to the Gentiles”. He had an incredible passion and desire for his countrymen. Yet God said “no” and Paul wanted to argue. He wanted to tell God all about his credentials to the Jewish people, yet God still said “depart”, and Paul went. God had something better in mind, but I am sure it was a hard “no” to take. In fact years later we still see Paul setting his face toward Jerusalem and the nation of Israel to go to them and witness of Christ. No is hard for us to take and yet when we hear it from God we need to realize that He says it with purpose. He says it with our and the kingdom’s best interest at heart.
The second prayer came much later in life. Paul has been in ministry for a long time. He has seen many churches planted. He has witnessed in prison and in the courts of kings. He has a lot of experience in both life and ministry. Now, he is once again a prisoner on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Paul has been on a lot of boats during his life of ministry, and as this one sails into winter he warns the crew and passengers not to be so hasty to set sail. Nobody listens to Paul. As the passage continues we find the boat in a hurricane force storm and nothing looks very promising for a happy ending. Yet after 14 days Paul stands to encourage all who are on board.
I don’t know about you or Paul, but the temptation for me to say “I told you so” and “your getting what you asked for” might have been pretty strong. I know I am going to make it... I have a court date in Rome set by God... but I can’t be too sure about the rest of you. But Paul in the midst of all this had his first concern for the passengers and crew on board, whatever their actions and respect had been toward him. Acts records for us that there were 276 people on board and Paul was concerned for every one of them. He wasn’t satisfied in prayer until he had been assured that God had granted his request for each of them. His heart beat with the passion of God’s love for people, even these people who have refused to listen to him. Sometimes that is the hardest love to give. You feel like saying “fine, don’t listen to me ... you’ll see!” Our hearts tend to harden and our offense tends to show. Our pride at being right gets in the way of helping people through a hard time of their own making. We don’t feel like praying for them or helping them, yet maturity in Christ demands just that.
We see this example in Samuel as well. The people asked for a king and Samuel and God both see that Israel’s demand is not a good one. Samuel tells the people that this is a great sin, yet at God’s allowance grants them their request. They have refused his council to their own hurt. Samuel could have been bitter after a life of faithful service to God and Israel but instead we see a servant heart. He had to pray for them. He had to continue to bring them the council of God.
Some requests are easy to make but the answers are hard to take. Other requests are hard to make but the answers are easy to accept. But easy or hard God wants us to seek Him all the same. Whatever the case we see that relationship with God in prayer is the way to see His heart and express His passion to the world around us.
Prayer Request Day 29
1) Nada, Zoran and Indi - Indi still doesn't sleep well (1 1/2 years old), they are in a process of buying land to build a house - has been a long process for them, salvation
2) Miro, Mateja and their girls Leah and Enya - Miro seeking new position at work, Leah, Enya & Christian enjoy playing together, Mateja back to teaching after summer off, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - recovering from C-section, adjusting to life with a newborn, soon to be married, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Ursala & Henrik - Ursala beginning high school, Jadranka has been our language tutor, salvation
5) Also for acquaintances - Michael & Katerina, Kirsten & her husband, Marija & Vladko, Anya
6) English students - Ana and Barbara
7) Others with whom we have occasional contact, new contacts, and that God would bring people across our path that are seeking and prepared for the message of the gospel
Acts 22:17-21
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 27:21-25
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Two passages. Two prayers. One answer hard to take, one request hard to pray.
These passages take place at two very different times in the ministry of Paul. One takes place at the very beginning of his ministry. The other much closer to the end. One shows the zeal of a heart to witness. The other shows maturity with a heart of understanding and care.
How many of us have prayed prayers only to have God sometimes say “no”. How many of us have had a desire only to have God say “now hear My heart”. Those are not answers that we like to get. If I can gauge how much we like to hear “no” by my son’s reaction to my “no” then I can guess that hearing that little word can be tantamount to heartbreak. Perhaps it is the death of a dream. Perhaps it is God taking us from what is good to what is best (though we may not realize it at the time). As Paul looked to begin his ministry we see that among God’s answers to his first ministry plans is a big “no”. Paul was a Jew. A man of status among the Jews. He had been very zealous even beyond the normal zeal of the Pharisees. He must have looked like the perfect fit to take the gospel to the nation of Israel. He knew the law. He knew the customs. He understood the history and tradition. He had an incredible testimony to share, yet here is God telling him “they will not receive your testimony concerning Me” and “depart for I will send you...to the Gentiles”. He had an incredible passion and desire for his countrymen. Yet God said “no” and Paul wanted to argue. He wanted to tell God all about his credentials to the Jewish people, yet God still said “depart”, and Paul went. God had something better in mind, but I am sure it was a hard “no” to take. In fact years later we still see Paul setting his face toward Jerusalem and the nation of Israel to go to them and witness of Christ. No is hard for us to take and yet when we hear it from God we need to realize that He says it with purpose. He says it with our and the kingdom’s best interest at heart.
The second prayer came much later in life. Paul has been in ministry for a long time. He has seen many churches planted. He has witnessed in prison and in the courts of kings. He has a lot of experience in both life and ministry. Now, he is once again a prisoner on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Paul has been on a lot of boats during his life of ministry, and as this one sails into winter he warns the crew and passengers not to be so hasty to set sail. Nobody listens to Paul. As the passage continues we find the boat in a hurricane force storm and nothing looks very promising for a happy ending. Yet after 14 days Paul stands to encourage all who are on board.
I don’t know about you or Paul, but the temptation for me to say “I told you so” and “your getting what you asked for” might have been pretty strong. I know I am going to make it... I have a court date in Rome set by God... but I can’t be too sure about the rest of you. But Paul in the midst of all this had his first concern for the passengers and crew on board, whatever their actions and respect had been toward him. Acts records for us that there were 276 people on board and Paul was concerned for every one of them. He wasn’t satisfied in prayer until he had been assured that God had granted his request for each of them. His heart beat with the passion of God’s love for people, even these people who have refused to listen to him. Sometimes that is the hardest love to give. You feel like saying “fine, don’t listen to me ... you’ll see!” Our hearts tend to harden and our offense tends to show. Our pride at being right gets in the way of helping people through a hard time of their own making. We don’t feel like praying for them or helping them, yet maturity in Christ demands just that.
We see this example in Samuel as well. The people asked for a king and Samuel and God both see that Israel’s demand is not a good one. Samuel tells the people that this is a great sin, yet at God’s allowance grants them their request. They have refused his council to their own hurt. Samuel could have been bitter after a life of faithful service to God and Israel but instead we see a servant heart. He had to pray for them. He had to continue to bring them the council of God.
Some requests are easy to make but the answers are hard to take. Other requests are hard to make but the answers are easy to accept. But easy or hard God wants us to seek Him all the same. Whatever the case we see that relationship with God in prayer is the way to see His heart and express His passion to the world around us.
Prayer Request Day 29
1) Nada, Zoran and Indi - Indi still doesn't sleep well (1 1/2 years old), they are in a process of buying land to build a house - has been a long process for them, salvation
2) Miro, Mateja and their girls Leah and Enya - Miro seeking new position at work, Leah, Enya & Christian enjoy playing together, Mateja back to teaching after summer off, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - recovering from C-section, adjusting to life with a newborn, soon to be married, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Ursala & Henrik - Ursala beginning high school, Jadranka has been our language tutor, salvation
5) Also for acquaintances - Michael & Katerina, Kirsten & her husband, Marija & Vladko, Anya
6) English students - Ana and Barbara
7) Others with whom we have occasional contact, new contacts, and that God would bring people across our path that are seeking and prepared for the message of the gospel
Sunday, September 16, 2007
30 Days - Day 28
Day 28
Acts 20:36-38; 21:5
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
Much time has passed now since Paul set out into the area of Macedonia. In fact, he has been through many of these areas twice and has spent a good bit of time in Corinth and Ephesus. Paul has now set his face toward Jerusalem and he is convinced that whatever happens that his work among the believers of this region is over. In a manner of speaking this is his farewell tour as he passes through this area. He is like a parent giving last minute instructions, encouragement and reminders to a child that is striking off on its own. He will not “be there” for them as he has able to be these past years and he is concerned that they live worthy of their calling. There is also a great love shared by these people for Paul and wherever he goes they are most distressed that this side of heaven they will not see him again.
He meets with groups of believers as he travels along the way to Jerusalem and spends time with them not only in instruction and reminder, but also in prayer. They kneel down together at the place of departure and pray together for each other. As we look at the context of these special prayer meetings we get perhaps a hint into what they prayed.
As Paul prayed for these dear sons and daughters in Christ we see a great and fervent desire for them to be faithful. He wants them to understand what types of struggles are coming, what kinds of things could damage or weaken their faith, the attacks from without, the betrayals coming from within and the need to stand firm. Paul has served and poured himself out for these people these last years and they are so very dear to him. Now he is to be separated from them and they from him. God is dividing the paths on which they have been walking and the divergence from one another is a source of sorrow that must be, for a time, as each of them follows God’s leading on their life. They will not see one another again in this life. So Paul desires to impart to them encouragement and strength to be faithful in his absence.
The brothers and sisters also had much to pray about concerning Paul. He has been their teacher and their friend. He has been the apostle provided by God, sent specifically to them. He is their spiritual father and they have found comfort in his example and under his guidance in the Lord. But now that it changing. They have grown up and now must also carry a larger measure of responsibility in the church and in the kingdom. Not only that but God has given these bodies of believers a glimpse into what awaits Paul. In every city there have been warnings that without a doubt the things that wait Paul at Jerusalem are things that most people would run away from rather than toward. As a result their care for him is heightened and their prayers for him all the more fervent that grace may be extended.
We can’t always be with those that mean so much to us. Following the path that God has set before us sometimes means moving on and being separated from those we love. However, that doesn’t mean that we are without ability to show care for one another. These believers come together to pray. They will not leave one another without comfort. They will not leave one another without committing their ways to God. They have seen what awaits each other, a glimpse of the path ahead. Not only is this a chance to encourage, strengthen and commit each other to God’s care but it is also a chance to stand together in fellowship with each other even at this point of separation. They have the opportunity to commit to continued intercession. That care, concern and knowledge comes together to bind them together in such a way that though absent from one another in body they are bound by a spirit of prayer. Such is the bond that we as believers should have for one another....to pray and intercede for one another. Sometimes out of sight means out of mind. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in everyday life and our own concerns that we forget to lift up our brothers and sisters. But even as we pray for one another as we are present with one another we need to remember to lift each other up to the throne of grace even more when we are apart that we might stand firm in the grace and truth of God.
Prayer Request Day 28
1) Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Upcoming New Hope outreach, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
2) Salem Bible Church, Faith Evangelical Free, Davidsville Community Church, Mt. Aetna Bible Church, Morning Star Fellowship, New Passions, Roxbury United Methodist, Calvary Bible Church - continued faithful preaching of the word and outreach in their communities (and extended around the world)
3) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth, open doors to reach out to people and share the gospel, beginning of Bible studies in Maribor
Acts 20:36-38; 21:5
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
Much time has passed now since Paul set out into the area of Macedonia. In fact, he has been through many of these areas twice and has spent a good bit of time in Corinth and Ephesus. Paul has now set his face toward Jerusalem and he is convinced that whatever happens that his work among the believers of this region is over. In a manner of speaking this is his farewell tour as he passes through this area. He is like a parent giving last minute instructions, encouragement and reminders to a child that is striking off on its own. He will not “be there” for them as he has able to be these past years and he is concerned that they live worthy of their calling. There is also a great love shared by these people for Paul and wherever he goes they are most distressed that this side of heaven they will not see him again.
He meets with groups of believers as he travels along the way to Jerusalem and spends time with them not only in instruction and reminder, but also in prayer. They kneel down together at the place of departure and pray together for each other. As we look at the context of these special prayer meetings we get perhaps a hint into what they prayed.
As Paul prayed for these dear sons and daughters in Christ we see a great and fervent desire for them to be faithful. He wants them to understand what types of struggles are coming, what kinds of things could damage or weaken their faith, the attacks from without, the betrayals coming from within and the need to stand firm. Paul has served and poured himself out for these people these last years and they are so very dear to him. Now he is to be separated from them and they from him. God is dividing the paths on which they have been walking and the divergence from one another is a source of sorrow that must be, for a time, as each of them follows God’s leading on their life. They will not see one another again in this life. So Paul desires to impart to them encouragement and strength to be faithful in his absence.
The brothers and sisters also had much to pray about concerning Paul. He has been their teacher and their friend. He has been the apostle provided by God, sent specifically to them. He is their spiritual father and they have found comfort in his example and under his guidance in the Lord. But now that it changing. They have grown up and now must also carry a larger measure of responsibility in the church and in the kingdom. Not only that but God has given these bodies of believers a glimpse into what awaits Paul. In every city there have been warnings that without a doubt the things that wait Paul at Jerusalem are things that most people would run away from rather than toward. As a result their care for him is heightened and their prayers for him all the more fervent that grace may be extended.
We can’t always be with those that mean so much to us. Following the path that God has set before us sometimes means moving on and being separated from those we love. However, that doesn’t mean that we are without ability to show care for one another. These believers come together to pray. They will not leave one another without comfort. They will not leave one another without committing their ways to God. They have seen what awaits each other, a glimpse of the path ahead. Not only is this a chance to encourage, strengthen and commit each other to God’s care but it is also a chance to stand together in fellowship with each other even at this point of separation. They have the opportunity to commit to continued intercession. That care, concern and knowledge comes together to bind them together in such a way that though absent from one another in body they are bound by a spirit of prayer. Such is the bond that we as believers should have for one another....to pray and intercede for one another. Sometimes out of sight means out of mind. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in everyday life and our own concerns that we forget to lift up our brothers and sisters. But even as we pray for one another as we are present with one another we need to remember to lift each other up to the throne of grace even more when we are apart that we might stand firm in the grace and truth of God.
Prayer Request Day 28
1) Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Upcoming New Hope outreach, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
2) Salem Bible Church, Faith Evangelical Free, Davidsville Community Church, Mt. Aetna Bible Church, Morning Star Fellowship, New Passions, Roxbury United Methodist, Calvary Bible Church - continued faithful preaching of the word and outreach in their communities (and extended around the world)
3) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth, open doors to reach out to people and share the gospel, beginning of Bible studies in Maribor
Saturday, September 15, 2007
30 Days - Day 27
Day 27
Acts 16:25-31
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Paul and Silas have come to Macedonia in response for a vision. After a number of days they go to a place of prayer and God opens the door for them to witness. Lydia responds to the gospel along with her whole household. But as we saw yesterday that where doors are open to the gospel there is sure to be opposition from the enemy. Lydia opens her heart to believe but there is a possessed slave girl that opens her mouth to bring confusion and inappropriate witness to the gospel message. Paul is grieved by this constant opposition and casts the spirit out of the girl. This causes an even bigger uproar and Paul and Silas find themselves in prison even though they have done nothing wrong.
It seems that the enemy’s ploy has worked. The preaching of the gospel has been shut down. Paul and Silas are now common criminals, rabble-rousers, troublemakers and lawbreakers. They have been beaten. They have been relegated to the deepest darkest part of the jail and locked up in stocks. The injustice of it all must have stung. Yet, while they are bound the gospel is not. The enemy seems to have been successful but only in appearance.
Paul and Silas hold a midnight prayer and worship service for themselves in the belly of the prison. They truly were bound but because of their prayer and worship the gospel was not. The prisoners are listening to them. The are held captive by the truth of God lived out in Paul and Silas. So while the gospel appears to have been successfully opposed it really is not. God has turned opposition into opportunity once again. The gospel is being preached to the prison population but God has even more in mind. He adds his power to prayer and the prison is shaken, the doors are opened and the chains fall off. Not only are the prisoners moved but the jailer and his household believe and are baptized as well.
The gospel cannot be bound. No matter what the opposition might be, God is able to make more grace abound. The enemy cannot prevail against God and the good news. The problem is that we can be prevailed against. We can falter in our faith and prayer. We need to be careful not to give up but instead to keep seeking God. Even in the face of injustice. Even in situations where it seems that the opposition is too strong. There is nothing like a time of prayer and worship ... intercession and proclamation to bring things into perspective. Instead of disgrace God builds a group of believers in this city and Paul and Silas find themselves exonerated. They have been faithful and done what is right. More than that they have all the more reason to give glory to God, because He has won a great victory both in their lives and in the lives of those being saved. In their weakness He has been strong. Surely this new group of believers was also encouraged that when they would face opposition in the future that they already had an example to bolster their obedience and strengthen their faith. The ultimate outcome is joy and encouragement for the believers and glory to God.
Prayer Request Day 27
1) Zoran, Nada & Indi - That Indi would sleep well, for wisdom as they seek to purchase land, for salvation
2) Miro, Mateja, Leah & Enya - Mateja back to teaching, Miro seeking new position at work, Leah & Enya health and growth, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - adjustment to and health for new baby, completing renovations on their house, plan to be married soon, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Usula & Henrik - all back to teaching or school, Ursula begins high school, salvation
5) Kirsten & Friedrick - teaching at the University, raising two little ones, salvation
6) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
Acts 16:25-31
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Paul and Silas have come to Macedonia in response for a vision. After a number of days they go to a place of prayer and God opens the door for them to witness. Lydia responds to the gospel along with her whole household. But as we saw yesterday that where doors are open to the gospel there is sure to be opposition from the enemy. Lydia opens her heart to believe but there is a possessed slave girl that opens her mouth to bring confusion and inappropriate witness to the gospel message. Paul is grieved by this constant opposition and casts the spirit out of the girl. This causes an even bigger uproar and Paul and Silas find themselves in prison even though they have done nothing wrong.
It seems that the enemy’s ploy has worked. The preaching of the gospel has been shut down. Paul and Silas are now common criminals, rabble-rousers, troublemakers and lawbreakers. They have been beaten. They have been relegated to the deepest darkest part of the jail and locked up in stocks. The injustice of it all must have stung. Yet, while they are bound the gospel is not. The enemy seems to have been successful but only in appearance.
Paul and Silas hold a midnight prayer and worship service for themselves in the belly of the prison. They truly were bound but because of their prayer and worship the gospel was not. The prisoners are listening to them. The are held captive by the truth of God lived out in Paul and Silas. So while the gospel appears to have been successfully opposed it really is not. God has turned opposition into opportunity once again. The gospel is being preached to the prison population but God has even more in mind. He adds his power to prayer and the prison is shaken, the doors are opened and the chains fall off. Not only are the prisoners moved but the jailer and his household believe and are baptized as well.
The gospel cannot be bound. No matter what the opposition might be, God is able to make more grace abound. The enemy cannot prevail against God and the good news. The problem is that we can be prevailed against. We can falter in our faith and prayer. We need to be careful not to give up but instead to keep seeking God. Even in the face of injustice. Even in situations where it seems that the opposition is too strong. There is nothing like a time of prayer and worship ... intercession and proclamation to bring things into perspective. Instead of disgrace God builds a group of believers in this city and Paul and Silas find themselves exonerated. They have been faithful and done what is right. More than that they have all the more reason to give glory to God, because He has won a great victory both in their lives and in the lives of those being saved. In their weakness He has been strong. Surely this new group of believers was also encouraged that when they would face opposition in the future that they already had an example to bolster their obedience and strengthen their faith. The ultimate outcome is joy and encouragement for the believers and glory to God.
Prayer Request Day 27
1) Zoran, Nada & Indi - That Indi would sleep well, for wisdom as they seek to purchase land, for salvation
2) Miro, Mateja, Leah & Enya - Mateja back to teaching, Miro seeking new position at work, Leah & Enya health and growth, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - adjustment to and health for new baby, completing renovations on their house, plan to be married soon, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Usula & Henrik - all back to teaching or school, Ursula begins high school, salvation
5) Kirsten & Friedrick - teaching at the University, raising two little ones, salvation
6) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
Friday, September 14, 2007
30 Days - Day 26
Day 26
Acts 16:13-19
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
Two times of prayer. Two women. Two very different stories.
Paul and Silas have, in answer to a vision, traveled to the Macedonian city of Philipi. After being there a number of days they go out of the city to the riverside. It is the Sabbath and this is a customary place of prayer for this city. As they go there they meet people including a woman named Lydia whose heart is opened by the Lord and she and her family believe.
Paul and Silas continue in this city and continue to go to this riverside place of prayer. One such time as they went out to prayer they meet another girl. This one is a slave in more ways than one. She has a spirit that allows her to tell people’s fortunes. As she sees Paul and Silas she takes to following them and shouting their reason for being there. This last several days until Paul finally casts out the spirit. This, of course, leads to Paul and Silas’ well known imprisonment.
What we see here is a comparison and contrast in what can (and often does) happen as we pray. In the first example we see a woman prepared by prayer and in answer to prayer to open her heart to the message preached by Paul. She becomes a believer, she takes a public stand in baptism along with her whole household and she begins to serve and minister to needs. She is a classic example of God working in a life to justify sinners and sanctify them to Himself.
The the second example we see another woman. She is also spiritually affected. She has been moved in answer to prayer, but it is not to open her heart. Instead of opening her heart she opens her mouth because she is enslaved to a spirit, but it is not the spirit of God that moves her. The spirit that moves her is one of opposition and confusion. One that while speaking some truth is a bad witness to the gospel message that the apostle desires to bring. We remember that Jesus would not accept the testimony of spirits about His divinity and neither should be think that this girl gave any good witness to the gospel. In fact it seems that the enemy had stirred her up to be an opposition and stumbling block to the gospel.
Wherever people are praying and wherever the gospel is being preached we can be sure that there will also be spiritual opposition. As people are challenged with the truth, the enemy of their souls is also at work to keep them confused, lost and in darkness. In the time that we have been praying this summer and through these 30 days there is no doubt that as the heavens have been stirred by prayer,but so too has the opposition, which has no desire to lose its strangle hold on those that don’t believe. We have seen and felt some of the results of this battle that is taking place and so we ask you to pray all the more for Maribor and for us. You can see here a see a glimpse into the spiritual fight for the city of Philipi and that fight takes place wherever and whenever God’s people stand up in prayer.
We ask you to remember this aspect as you pray for us and for Maribor. Your prayers are stirring heaven but they are also annoying an enemy that knows how much effect they can have. Opposition will come so we must be steadfast in prayer and reliant on God’s power that cannot be stopped even when it looks like the enemy’s opposition strategy has been successful.
Prayer Request Day 26
1) Pray for Indi, Leah and Enya - these children of our friends have colds, coughs, runny noses and fever.
2) Olya's friend Sandra gave birth yesterday at 36 weeks. She delivered by C-section. Both mommy and baby are healthy and doing well but will be in the hospital for a little while. Pray for them for adjustment, they are still in the middle of remodeling, for quick healing from the C-section and continued health for the baby ... Yulia
3) For Maribor and for the tearing down of enemy strongholds in people's lives and in the culture... that God would establish Bible studies, open doors for outreach and open hearts to the message of the gospel - that He would build His kingdom and the enemy would not be able to stand against it
4) For our family and team - for protection, wisdom, guidance, provision,health and safety
Acts 16:13-19
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
Two times of prayer. Two women. Two very different stories.
Paul and Silas have, in answer to a vision, traveled to the Macedonian city of Philipi. After being there a number of days they go out of the city to the riverside. It is the Sabbath and this is a customary place of prayer for this city. As they go there they meet people including a woman named Lydia whose heart is opened by the Lord and she and her family believe.
Paul and Silas continue in this city and continue to go to this riverside place of prayer. One such time as they went out to prayer they meet another girl. This one is a slave in more ways than one. She has a spirit that allows her to tell people’s fortunes. As she sees Paul and Silas she takes to following them and shouting their reason for being there. This last several days until Paul finally casts out the spirit. This, of course, leads to Paul and Silas’ well known imprisonment.
What we see here is a comparison and contrast in what can (and often does) happen as we pray. In the first example we see a woman prepared by prayer and in answer to prayer to open her heart to the message preached by Paul. She becomes a believer, she takes a public stand in baptism along with her whole household and she begins to serve and minister to needs. She is a classic example of God working in a life to justify sinners and sanctify them to Himself.
The the second example we see another woman. She is also spiritually affected. She has been moved in answer to prayer, but it is not to open her heart. Instead of opening her heart she opens her mouth because she is enslaved to a spirit, but it is not the spirit of God that moves her. The spirit that moves her is one of opposition and confusion. One that while speaking some truth is a bad witness to the gospel message that the apostle desires to bring. We remember that Jesus would not accept the testimony of spirits about His divinity and neither should be think that this girl gave any good witness to the gospel. In fact it seems that the enemy had stirred her up to be an opposition and stumbling block to the gospel.
Wherever people are praying and wherever the gospel is being preached we can be sure that there will also be spiritual opposition. As people are challenged with the truth, the enemy of their souls is also at work to keep them confused, lost and in darkness. In the time that we have been praying this summer and through these 30 days there is no doubt that as the heavens have been stirred by prayer,but so too has the opposition, which has no desire to lose its strangle hold on those that don’t believe. We have seen and felt some of the results of this battle that is taking place and so we ask you to pray all the more for Maribor and for us. You can see here a see a glimpse into the spiritual fight for the city of Philipi and that fight takes place wherever and whenever God’s people stand up in prayer.
We ask you to remember this aspect as you pray for us and for Maribor. Your prayers are stirring heaven but they are also annoying an enemy that knows how much effect they can have. Opposition will come so we must be steadfast in prayer and reliant on God’s power that cannot be stopped even when it looks like the enemy’s opposition strategy has been successful.
Prayer Request Day 26
1) Pray for Indi, Leah and Enya - these children of our friends have colds, coughs, runny noses and fever.
2) Olya's friend Sandra gave birth yesterday at 36 weeks. She delivered by C-section. Both mommy and baby are healthy and doing well but will be in the hospital for a little while. Pray for them for adjustment, they are still in the middle of remodeling, for quick healing from the C-section and continued health for the baby ... Yulia
3) For Maribor and for the tearing down of enemy strongholds in people's lives and in the culture... that God would establish Bible studies, open doors for outreach and open hearts to the message of the gospel - that He would build His kingdom and the enemy would not be able to stand against it
4) For our family and team - for protection, wisdom, guidance, provision,health and safety
Thursday, September 13, 2007
30 Days - Day 25
Day 25
Acts 13:1-3; 14:23
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
A number of years ago now a Christian musician named Geoff Moore wrote a song called “A Friend Like You” in which he listed some of the great teams ... things that just go together in our minds. The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Robin, Snoopy and Charlie but besides those we might also mention chocolate and peanut butter, coffee and donuts (hey come back and finish the blog first), cookies and milk, a bat and ball, nuts and bolts, bees and honey, smoke and fire and of course prayer and fasting.
Often in scripture we find these two things closely following one another. They just seem to go together. It is not that they are always together but often we find them connected. It is interesting to note though that while one of them is commanded of the other it is only assumed it will be practiced. Prayer was something that we have been called to, but fasting is something that was required only one place in scripture ... at the Day of Atonement from sunset to sunset, on that one day, once each year.
However, the Bible places a certain importance and emphasis on fasting. We see throughout scripture that it was a normal part of Jewish life and the early Church. Both of these groups set aside regular days for fasting and praying. It also appears that fasting was a regular way of setting the heart to seek God’s will and show sincerity whether for guidance, in sorrow, repentance, protection, healing, obedience etc. Unfortunately, fasting was, and is, also sometimes used badly. Some used it to look spiritual or thinking that they might somehow manipulate God to some action or answer.
The point is that we see these two disciplines here, and often, listed together. God has called us to prayer but also encourages us to fast. It is not done so that we can look spiritual or get something that we want but as a way of disciplining ourselves to seek God. It is not done by command but willful surrender of self. By it, we might be showing (more than likely to ourselves because God knows our hearts) that we place God and His will and wisdom above our own. Just as sackcloth and ashes were an outward sign of inward attitudes and emotions fasting also expressed (though much more privately) attitudes and interests of the heart. Fasting can be a living sacrifice in which we are seeking to renew our minds by not being conformed but rather transformed ... that we might know what is the good acceptable and perfect will of God. I have to admit even as I write this that it has been a while since I have fasted. I am not writing this to put pressure on anyone to do so. This is what the Bible says and this is what God laid on my heart as I prepared topics for our 30 days. However, I also think that we as God’s people should consider these things that go together and consider if God might be moving and calling us to fast as we pray and seek Him. We simply need to be ready to follow Him as He moves our hearts.
Prayer Requests Day 25
1) The breaking down of spiritual strongholds that keep people blinded and apathetic to the gospel, hearts prepared for gospel, guidance for daily life & ministry, open doors and opportunities
2) Deepening of relationships we have with people here and opportunities to witness and disciple
3) Continue to pray for Brewers visas to get processed, for Phil's health - some progress but still waiting for some tests
4) Christian and Julia - continued growth, health and protection, the process of their growing, development and learning, wisdom for us to rear them in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord"
5) Strength and wisdom for each day, faithfulness to do all that God asks, boldness, understanding, compassion and love
Acts 13:1-3; 14:23
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
A number of years ago now a Christian musician named Geoff Moore wrote a song called “A Friend Like You” in which he listed some of the great teams ... things that just go together in our minds. The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Robin, Snoopy and Charlie but besides those we might also mention chocolate and peanut butter, coffee and donuts (hey come back and finish the blog first), cookies and milk, a bat and ball, nuts and bolts, bees and honey, smoke and fire and of course prayer and fasting.
Often in scripture we find these two things closely following one another. They just seem to go together. It is not that they are always together but often we find them connected. It is interesting to note though that while one of them is commanded of the other it is only assumed it will be practiced. Prayer was something that we have been called to, but fasting is something that was required only one place in scripture ... at the Day of Atonement from sunset to sunset, on that one day, once each year.
However, the Bible places a certain importance and emphasis on fasting. We see throughout scripture that it was a normal part of Jewish life and the early Church. Both of these groups set aside regular days for fasting and praying. It also appears that fasting was a regular way of setting the heart to seek God’s will and show sincerity whether for guidance, in sorrow, repentance, protection, healing, obedience etc. Unfortunately, fasting was, and is, also sometimes used badly. Some used it to look spiritual or thinking that they might somehow manipulate God to some action or answer.
The point is that we see these two disciplines here, and often, listed together. God has called us to prayer but also encourages us to fast. It is not done so that we can look spiritual or get something that we want but as a way of disciplining ourselves to seek God. It is not done by command but willful surrender of self. By it, we might be showing (more than likely to ourselves because God knows our hearts) that we place God and His will and wisdom above our own. Just as sackcloth and ashes were an outward sign of inward attitudes and emotions fasting also expressed (though much more privately) attitudes and interests of the heart. Fasting can be a living sacrifice in which we are seeking to renew our minds by not being conformed but rather transformed ... that we might know what is the good acceptable and perfect will of God. I have to admit even as I write this that it has been a while since I have fasted. I am not writing this to put pressure on anyone to do so. This is what the Bible says and this is what God laid on my heart as I prepared topics for our 30 days. However, I also think that we as God’s people should consider these things that go together and consider if God might be moving and calling us to fast as we pray and seek Him. We simply need to be ready to follow Him as He moves our hearts.
Prayer Requests Day 25
1) The breaking down of spiritual strongholds that keep people blinded and apathetic to the gospel, hearts prepared for gospel, guidance for daily life & ministry, open doors and opportunities
2) Deepening of relationships we have with people here and opportunities to witness and disciple
3) Continue to pray for Brewers visas to get processed, for Phil's health - some progress but still waiting for some tests
4) Christian and Julia - continued growth, health and protection, the process of their growing, development and learning, wisdom for us to rear them in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord"
5) Strength and wisdom for each day, faithfulness to do all that God asks, boldness, understanding, compassion and love
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
30 Days - Day 24
Day 24
Acts 12:12-17
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
Peter has been in prison and the church has been praying for him constantly. In the morning he is expected to die. But, God hears the prayers of His people and sends His angel to bring Peter safely out of prison. Finding himself beyond the prison walls Peter realizes that he has been freed and after taking a moment to consider, he goes to a place where believers are gathered to pray for him. A place likely well known to Peter and the early believers in Jerusalem.
Coming to the house he knocks at the gate. A young girl comes to the gate and realizes that it is Peter! What they have been praying about has happened! God has answered their prayer, perhaps beyond hope. It is time to rejoice. Their prayer has been answered. God has heard. Start the worship service! But Rhoda is so excited that she, in her thankfulness, forgets to open the door for Peter to let him into the house.
Rhoda runs and tells all the others that are gathered there. Peter is here ... he is at the gate! Our prayers have been answered. She receives a most interesting response. No way! We are praying here for Peters release. No visions have come. No angels. We have no answer yet. We must continue to pray for Peter. The hours are ebbing away. Perhaps they thought she was tired and seeing dreams. Perhaps they thought the grief and fervency of the prayers had finally gotten to her.
How strange that they should be so earnest in their prayers and yet not believe that they have been answered. How strange that one coming and telling them that Peter was at the gate couldn’t stir them. How strange that they would even make up an explanation for the girls strange insistence that Peter had been freed. They had been praying so earnestly and so faithfully, yet they lacked faith that their prayers had really been answered. However, this is was exactly what Jesus warned the disciples about in Luke 18:1-6. It is possible to get so caught up in our pleas that when the answer comes we are amazed. That is exactly what happened here. They had been praying, asking and interceding, but now that the answer had been given they are “astonished”. Peter is actually kept knocking at the door. He is shut out. Open to the danger of discovery that he has escaped, exposed on the street. He is unable to encourage, until finally they open up. Even then they are almost too full of words for Peter to tell them how their prayers have been answered. He actually has to signal them for silence so that he can speak.
It seems so incredible and yet I wonder how often it happens. Are their times that God answers and it seems too amazing to believe ... it seems too good to be true. We have been earnest and persevered, but lacked faith. What if Peter had gotten tired of waiting and went to another place before they opened the gate to him? They might have missed the blessing and encouragement of seeing their prayers answered. They might have missed the opportunity to turn their prayers to praise. How good to know that even such prayers, prayers that lack it faith but persist in perseverance, are heard by a loving Father. He asks us to pray. He exhorts us to faith. He answers our prayers.
Prayer Requests Day 24
1) Our walk and personal relationship/time with God - continued growth, worship, prayer, time in the Word
2) Language - continued progress in language - speech and understanding - wisdom on best ways to continue study and learning
3) Organization and wise use of time and energy. Finding a balance between ministry and family. Wisdom as we rear and care for Christian and Julia. Reaching out to others as a family and being a good family witness
4) For a new family that wants to expose their daughter (2yrs) to English - that they would follow though and we would be able to build a good relationship with them
5) For upcoming trip of Jim's parent's to Slovenia - opportunities with puppets and teaching people to use puppet ministry
Acts 12:12-17
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
Peter has been in prison and the church has been praying for him constantly. In the morning he is expected to die. But, God hears the prayers of His people and sends His angel to bring Peter safely out of prison. Finding himself beyond the prison walls Peter realizes that he has been freed and after taking a moment to consider, he goes to a place where believers are gathered to pray for him. A place likely well known to Peter and the early believers in Jerusalem.
Coming to the house he knocks at the gate. A young girl comes to the gate and realizes that it is Peter! What they have been praying about has happened! God has answered their prayer, perhaps beyond hope. It is time to rejoice. Their prayer has been answered. God has heard. Start the worship service! But Rhoda is so excited that she, in her thankfulness, forgets to open the door for Peter to let him into the house.
Rhoda runs and tells all the others that are gathered there. Peter is here ... he is at the gate! Our prayers have been answered. She receives a most interesting response. No way! We are praying here for Peters release. No visions have come. No angels. We have no answer yet. We must continue to pray for Peter. The hours are ebbing away. Perhaps they thought she was tired and seeing dreams. Perhaps they thought the grief and fervency of the prayers had finally gotten to her.
How strange that they should be so earnest in their prayers and yet not believe that they have been answered. How strange that one coming and telling them that Peter was at the gate couldn’t stir them. How strange that they would even make up an explanation for the girls strange insistence that Peter had been freed. They had been praying so earnestly and so faithfully, yet they lacked faith that their prayers had really been answered. However, this is was exactly what Jesus warned the disciples about in Luke 18:1-6. It is possible to get so caught up in our pleas that when the answer comes we are amazed. That is exactly what happened here. They had been praying, asking and interceding, but now that the answer had been given they are “astonished”. Peter is actually kept knocking at the door. He is shut out. Open to the danger of discovery that he has escaped, exposed on the street. He is unable to encourage, until finally they open up. Even then they are almost too full of words for Peter to tell them how their prayers have been answered. He actually has to signal them for silence so that he can speak.
It seems so incredible and yet I wonder how often it happens. Are their times that God answers and it seems too amazing to believe ... it seems too good to be true. We have been earnest and persevered, but lacked faith. What if Peter had gotten tired of waiting and went to another place before they opened the gate to him? They might have missed the blessing and encouragement of seeing their prayers answered. They might have missed the opportunity to turn their prayers to praise. How good to know that even such prayers, prayers that lack it faith but persist in perseverance, are heard by a loving Father. He asks us to pray. He exhorts us to faith. He answers our prayers.
Prayer Requests Day 24
1) Our walk and personal relationship/time with God - continued growth, worship, prayer, time in the Word
2) Language - continued progress in language - speech and understanding - wisdom on best ways to continue study and learning
3) Organization and wise use of time and energy. Finding a balance between ministry and family. Wisdom as we rear and care for Christian and Julia. Reaching out to others as a family and being a good family witness
4) For a new family that wants to expose their daughter (2yrs) to English - that they would follow though and we would be able to build a good relationship with them
5) For upcoming trip of Jim's parent's to Slovenia - opportunities with puppets and teaching people to use puppet ministry
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
30 Days - Day 23
Day 23
Acts 12:5
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
The church has just suffered a blow humanly speaking. One of the pillars of the early church, one that was in Jesus’ inner circle, one of the apostles has been martyred. Seeing that politically this was a popular move, Herod moved to take Peter as well. Now, faced with the prospect of losing another apostle the church does all it knows to do ... all it can do.
We know that the early church practiced prayer! They prayed regularly, they prayed habitually but now we see that they also prayed continually. It seems that faced with this situation they organized prayer specifically for Peter, perhaps around the clock. They had seen God do amazing things over and over again. They knew that prayer is the tool that moves the heart of God. So, they organize and pray and seek for God to do what seems impossible once again.
A couple of years ago Jim Cymbala from Brooklyn Tabernacle wrote the book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”. In it he details God’s call in his life and in the Church to constant prayer. He details how over the years they developed a regular, habitual and constant prayer life. This was something that God had called them to and they have seen miracle after miracle as they have followed His leading. Now the church has prayer going on in its building 24/7. People crying out and interceding. They earnestly seek God in prayer.
This is not so much, though, about the need to have a church program that makes sure that there is prayer going on in the building 24/7, as wonderful as that may be. It is not about doing something just because it is the “right thing to do”. Instead it is about a heart that seeks God. About hearts that are stayed on Him and faithful. It is more about perseverance than program.
We see in the passage that from the time that Peter was taken that constant prayer was offered by the church to God. He was taken prisoner during the feast of unleavened bread and would be brought out once those days were completed. So Peter was in jail at the most 7 days. It was during this time that the church persevered in prayer. However, as we look at the story then we see that God waits to answer their prayers. He waited till the last moment. He waited until the very night before Peter was to be brought out and killed.
Jesus had exhorted the disciples on numerous occasions to preserver in prayer. A number of his parables and sayings were aimed at this and God was not beyond encouraging it in the early Church as well. God is not interested in many repetitions or lots of beautiful and flowery words but in an earnestness that seeks Him and doesn’t give up. He looks to His people to earnestly seek Him and call out to Him, and sometimes He waits to answer to have us seek and depend on Him all the more.
Prayer Requests Day 23
1) Please continue to pray for those people with whom we have closest relationships here. Miro & Mateja, Zoran & Nada, Sandra, Marko & Jadranka. Pray that God would bless their lives and open their hearts to the gospel
2) Olya has an open door this fall in helping groups learning Russian and English. Pray that these opportunities would lead to relationships and opportunities to share the gospel
3) Pray for open doors at the University and among students to meet and build relationships and see a Bible study form this October.
4) Pray for other acquaintances - Michael & Katerina, Kirsten & her husband, Marija & Vladko, Anya - build relationships and opportunities to share Christ
Acts 12:5
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
The church has just suffered a blow humanly speaking. One of the pillars of the early church, one that was in Jesus’ inner circle, one of the apostles has been martyred. Seeing that politically this was a popular move, Herod moved to take Peter as well. Now, faced with the prospect of losing another apostle the church does all it knows to do ... all it can do.
We know that the early church practiced prayer! They prayed regularly, they prayed habitually but now we see that they also prayed continually. It seems that faced with this situation they organized prayer specifically for Peter, perhaps around the clock. They had seen God do amazing things over and over again. They knew that prayer is the tool that moves the heart of God. So, they organize and pray and seek for God to do what seems impossible once again.
A couple of years ago Jim Cymbala from Brooklyn Tabernacle wrote the book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”. In it he details God’s call in his life and in the Church to constant prayer. He details how over the years they developed a regular, habitual and constant prayer life. This was something that God had called them to and they have seen miracle after miracle as they have followed His leading. Now the church has prayer going on in its building 24/7. People crying out and interceding. They earnestly seek God in prayer.
This is not so much, though, about the need to have a church program that makes sure that there is prayer going on in the building 24/7, as wonderful as that may be. It is not about doing something just because it is the “right thing to do”. Instead it is about a heart that seeks God. About hearts that are stayed on Him and faithful. It is more about perseverance than program.
We see in the passage that from the time that Peter was taken that constant prayer was offered by the church to God. He was taken prisoner during the feast of unleavened bread and would be brought out once those days were completed. So Peter was in jail at the most 7 days. It was during this time that the church persevered in prayer. However, as we look at the story then we see that God waits to answer their prayers. He waited till the last moment. He waited until the very night before Peter was to be brought out and killed.
Jesus had exhorted the disciples on numerous occasions to preserver in prayer. A number of his parables and sayings were aimed at this and God was not beyond encouraging it in the early Church as well. God is not interested in many repetitions or lots of beautiful and flowery words but in an earnestness that seeks Him and doesn’t give up. He looks to His people to earnestly seek Him and call out to Him, and sometimes He waits to answer to have us seek and depend on Him all the more.
Prayer Requests Day 23
1) Please continue to pray for those people with whom we have closest relationships here. Miro & Mateja, Zoran & Nada, Sandra, Marko & Jadranka. Pray that God would bless their lives and open their hearts to the gospel
2) Olya has an open door this fall in helping groups learning Russian and English. Pray that these opportunities would lead to relationships and opportunities to share the gospel
3) Pray for open doors at the University and among students to meet and build relationships and see a Bible study form this October.
4) Pray for other acquaintances - Michael & Katerina, Kirsten & her husband, Marija & Vladko, Anya - build relationships and opportunities to share Christ
Monday, September 10, 2007
30 Days - Day 22
Day 22
Acts 10:30-33 & 44-48
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
This chapter is one of those times that we get an extra view into the way that God is orchestrating His will and purpose. We get to see people praying and God’s direct and careful answer to those prayers. We see Cornelius praying and being heard. He is given a command and he obeys. While already in the act of obedience then God visits Peter and prepares him for his next step just before it is needed. God removes any opposition or objection Peter might have to what He is about to ask of him. God has His “fingerprints” all over this situation.
What is so interesting about this is that both sides have been in prayer, they have both been spoken to by God, they have both been prepared for what is about to happen and yet neither side really knows why. Peter has come. He has had his objections removed, but now that he is there he asks of Cornelius “for what reason have you sent for me?” Cornelius on the other hand is in anticipation of God speaking to him. He is waiting to hear the things commanded of God through Peter. He doesn’t know what is coming though. I wonder what might have been going on in his mind. Perhaps he thought he would be asked to do some good work for Israel. Perhaps he thought he would be given some mission. Whatever the case he knew that there was a message coming from the Lord and he had in anticipation gathered his whole house to hear what God would say.
Still both were ready. Both had been brought to this place and now understanding dawns on Peter about the vision he has seen. It was not just a tool to get Peter there ... to overcome his objections. It was also the message Peter was to proclaim to these people. What God makes clean is clean! Peter knows that God cleanses through faith in Jesus and so he preaches the gospel to them. Even as Peter speaks understanding dawns in the minds and hearts of the hearers. Prepared to hear great things from God they hear the greatest thing they have ever heard. They hear that they can have their sins forgiven. The burden that has weighed them down, the understanding of what has been missing and realization of forgiveness rolls across their hearts and they believe.
What better answer to prayer could have been effected as these people prayed and listened to God? Hearts were prepared, the gospel was preached, the Spirit empowered and the people were moved to obedience and baptized. Behind it all we see God at work answering and orchestrating through prayer. We also see people acting in response to what God has revealed, taking the next step of obedience as God gives light and leading. They are not given all the answers at once but as we look at the whole we see God’s faithful and careful direction through the process to accomplish His will in their lives.
Prayer Requests Day 22
As we start another new week we ask for wisdom for the coming days, that God would order those days, and we would be obedient to His leading and make the most of opportunities in the power of His Spirit.
1) The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
2) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
3) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
4) Formation of Bible study groups 1. with students 2. with young families
5) Steering Meeting for Crisis Pregnancy Center & and planning meeting about possible English Camp in early November (Tuesday, 9/11)
Acts 10:30-33 & 44-48
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
This chapter is one of those times that we get an extra view into the way that God is orchestrating His will and purpose. We get to see people praying and God’s direct and careful answer to those prayers. We see Cornelius praying and being heard. He is given a command and he obeys. While already in the act of obedience then God visits Peter and prepares him for his next step just before it is needed. God removes any opposition or objection Peter might have to what He is about to ask of him. God has His “fingerprints” all over this situation.
What is so interesting about this is that both sides have been in prayer, they have both been spoken to by God, they have both been prepared for what is about to happen and yet neither side really knows why. Peter has come. He has had his objections removed, but now that he is there he asks of Cornelius “for what reason have you sent for me?” Cornelius on the other hand is in anticipation of God speaking to him. He is waiting to hear the things commanded of God through Peter. He doesn’t know what is coming though. I wonder what might have been going on in his mind. Perhaps he thought he would be asked to do some good work for Israel. Perhaps he thought he would be given some mission. Whatever the case he knew that there was a message coming from the Lord and he had in anticipation gathered his whole house to hear what God would say.
Still both were ready. Both had been brought to this place and now understanding dawns on Peter about the vision he has seen. It was not just a tool to get Peter there ... to overcome his objections. It was also the message Peter was to proclaim to these people. What God makes clean is clean! Peter knows that God cleanses through faith in Jesus and so he preaches the gospel to them. Even as Peter speaks understanding dawns in the minds and hearts of the hearers. Prepared to hear great things from God they hear the greatest thing they have ever heard. They hear that they can have their sins forgiven. The burden that has weighed them down, the understanding of what has been missing and realization of forgiveness rolls across their hearts and they believe.
What better answer to prayer could have been effected as these people prayed and listened to God? Hearts were prepared, the gospel was preached, the Spirit empowered and the people were moved to obedience and baptized. Behind it all we see God at work answering and orchestrating through prayer. We also see people acting in response to what God has revealed, taking the next step of obedience as God gives light and leading. They are not given all the answers at once but as we look at the whole we see God’s faithful and careful direction through the process to accomplish His will in their lives.
Prayer Requests Day 22
As we start another new week we ask for wisdom for the coming days, that God would order those days, and we would be obedient to His leading and make the most of opportunities in the power of His Spirit.
1) The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
2) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
3) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
4) Formation of Bible study groups 1. with students 2. with young families
5) Steering Meeting for Crisis Pregnancy Center & and planning meeting about possible English Camp in early November (Tuesday, 9/11)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
30 Days - Day 21
Day 21
Acts 10:9-15
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Just as Cornelius yesterday, today Peter also goes to prayer. Peter has been traveling through all parts of the country preaching and has stopped in Joppa. He finds himself in Joppa because of an untimely death that God uses for His purpose. Peter goes up on the roof top to pray. We are told that it is the sixth hour. This was around noon and also a traditional time of prayer. It is during this time that Peter also sees a vision. It is a vision that he doesn’t immediately understand though God will quickly reveal its meaning and purpose.
It is interesting to note that in both of these cases, Peter and Cornelius are going to prayer at regular times. It was their practice to devote themselves to these hours of prayer and seek God’s face. I am sure that they both had many things on their minds and many things to pray about. No doubt there was much business of the kingdom that needed to be discussed, yet as we look at these two times of prayer it is interesting to note that it is God that seems to do all the talking. God comes to these two men with messages important to them and to His will concerning them and the kingdom. God speaks and they listen.
How often is it that we go to prayer with our own list of items to pray about. We know it is and should be so much more than that. But, so often prayer becomes a time of requests and concerns, and often those requests and concerns are more ours than God’s. Don’t get me wrong. God is interested in all the details of our lives and wants to hear about the things dear to our hearts, but He also has things that are the passion of His heart. The question then becomes “how ready are we to listen to His heart?” How concerned are we with the things that that God is concerned about? How ready are we to break off our asking and give God opportunity to speak and direct?
Even Peter here shows some resistance. It is not that He doesn’t want God to speak. It is simply that what he is seeing doesn’t match with what his learning, tradition and experience. Perhaps he thinks it is a test of his devotion. Perhaps he thinks that he must misunderstand something God is saying. Perhaps he is testing the spirits to see if they come from God. Perhaps he is resistant to what he doesn’t understand. In fact, during the prayer her never actually does what it is that God commands. Still just after prayer we see that it did not take him a long time to accept what it was that God had shown him and be faithful to obey.
As we enter into a conversation with God in prayer we must be careful to be ready to listen as well as speak. Ecclesiastes 5 warns us:
1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
God speaks, and He wants to speak to us. Are we ready to listen to Him?
Prayer Requests Day 21
1) Opportunities & Open Doors to proclaim the gospel - open hearts, willing & interested listeners, prepared people
2) Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Upcoming New Hope outreach, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
3) Yvonne - giving 5 min testimony in another Church today - wisdom & words
Acts 10:9-15
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Just as Cornelius yesterday, today Peter also goes to prayer. Peter has been traveling through all parts of the country preaching and has stopped in Joppa. He finds himself in Joppa because of an untimely death that God uses for His purpose. Peter goes up on the roof top to pray. We are told that it is the sixth hour. This was around noon and also a traditional time of prayer. It is during this time that Peter also sees a vision. It is a vision that he doesn’t immediately understand though God will quickly reveal its meaning and purpose.
It is interesting to note that in both of these cases, Peter and Cornelius are going to prayer at regular times. It was their practice to devote themselves to these hours of prayer and seek God’s face. I am sure that they both had many things on their minds and many things to pray about. No doubt there was much business of the kingdom that needed to be discussed, yet as we look at these two times of prayer it is interesting to note that it is God that seems to do all the talking. God comes to these two men with messages important to them and to His will concerning them and the kingdom. God speaks and they listen.
How often is it that we go to prayer with our own list of items to pray about. We know it is and should be so much more than that. But, so often prayer becomes a time of requests and concerns, and often those requests and concerns are more ours than God’s. Don’t get me wrong. God is interested in all the details of our lives and wants to hear about the things dear to our hearts, but He also has things that are the passion of His heart. The question then becomes “how ready are we to listen to His heart?” How concerned are we with the things that that God is concerned about? How ready are we to break off our asking and give God opportunity to speak and direct?
Even Peter here shows some resistance. It is not that He doesn’t want God to speak. It is simply that what he is seeing doesn’t match with what his learning, tradition and experience. Perhaps he thinks it is a test of his devotion. Perhaps he thinks that he must misunderstand something God is saying. Perhaps he is testing the spirits to see if they come from God. Perhaps he is resistant to what he doesn’t understand. In fact, during the prayer her never actually does what it is that God commands. Still just after prayer we see that it did not take him a long time to accept what it was that God had shown him and be faithful to obey.
As we enter into a conversation with God in prayer we must be careful to be ready to listen as well as speak. Ecclesiastes 5 warns us:
1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
God speaks, and He wants to speak to us. Are we ready to listen to Him?
Prayer Requests Day 21
1) Opportunities & Open Doors to proclaim the gospel - open hearts, willing & interested listeners, prepared people
2) Calvary Chapel Celje - for all aspects of their worship & service - leaders, worship service, preaching of the Word, children's ministry, fellowship, men and women's mid-week Bible studies, Retirement Home ministry, Upcoming New Hope outreach, Summer English camps, direction in seeking a new meeting place
3) Yvonne - giving 5 min testimony in another Church today - wisdom & words
Saturday, September 8, 2007
30 Days - Day 20
Day 20
Acts 10:1-4
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Once again we switch scenes and this time end up in the house of a pagan, at least what the Jews would have called a pagan. He was a nice pagan. He was a good pagan. He was the kind of man that even the Jews would admire, for a pagan. He respected God. He gave alms. He prayed. And, he was also a man of authority who used his position in such a way that we see that he had a good reputation throughout the nation of Israel.
The man was a man of prayer. We are told that he prayed always, but we are also told that at this particular time he was praying was the ninth hour. If we remember back several chapters we also remember that it was the ninth hour that Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was an hour of prayer. So this man was truly devout and adhered to the Jewish traditions and customs of prayer respected by the most zealous.
It was at this time that Cornelius had a vision. As he prayed he saw an angel. An angel that was sent specifically to him and called him by name. He told him that “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.”
It is not unusual to hear people talk about feeling like their prayers just don’t get through. That they feel as if they are bouncing off the ceiling or as if they had hit a glass ceiling. Perhaps there are times that it feel like nothing gets through. Perhaps that efforts in prayer, service and desire for closeness with God somehow goes ignored or unnoticed. Yet we have encouragement from God’s word that this is not so.
Here is a man suddenly and supernaturally visited by and angel and told that his prayers have been heard. In fact, they are said to have come up for a memorial before God. They have not gone unnoticed. They have not been ignored. They have been saved and remembered as a memorial. As something special and good set up to carefully record, preserve and enshrine.
This is not the only place in scripture that we see this. In Revelation 5, we see the souls under the altar crying for justice from God, yet God tells them wait till the number of martyrs is complete. God has not forgotten. He waits the right time. We also see in Revelation that there are censers to be offered up. They are the prayers of the saints offered to God saved for this time and season. And again in Psalms, the psalmist records that God collects his tears in a bottle and records them in His book.
God has heard. He has remembered. Even this pagan that serves God but has not yet believed in Jesus... his prayers are a memorial before God. He hears the heart of a devout unbeliever. He will certainly hear and remember the prayers of His children. He waits for just the right time. He know just what we need and when we need it. He stores up our prayers for His time, season and glory. We should never be discouraged but pray always knowing that He will remember and answer just as He has promised.
Prayer Requests Day 20
1) Bible Study for Young Families - That we would also see a Bible study start among young families. 1. For at least one person to begin the study with 2. For others then to join to that study 3. For friends, acquaintances and others to be open to attending 4. For wisdom as (hopefully) many of these will have small children
2) Phil & Yvonne - hope to see a Fall Bible Study in Mokronog. There are people that have shown interest but during the summer there have been obstacles to beginning the study. They have already completed a post-abortion study in this town and this study is the outgrowth of that.
3) Nathan and Dawn Detweiler - provision and preparation during their deputation time, timely arrival in Slovenia (planned for early 2009), integration into team, language study, cultural adaptation, grace for life "on field"
4) Jim preaching tomorrow.
Acts 10:1-4
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Once again we switch scenes and this time end up in the house of a pagan, at least what the Jews would have called a pagan. He was a nice pagan. He was a good pagan. He was the kind of man that even the Jews would admire, for a pagan. He respected God. He gave alms. He prayed. And, he was also a man of authority who used his position in such a way that we see that he had a good reputation throughout the nation of Israel.
The man was a man of prayer. We are told that he prayed always, but we are also told that at this particular time he was praying was the ninth hour. If we remember back several chapters we also remember that it was the ninth hour that Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was an hour of prayer. So this man was truly devout and adhered to the Jewish traditions and customs of prayer respected by the most zealous.
It was at this time that Cornelius had a vision. As he prayed he saw an angel. An angel that was sent specifically to him and called him by name. He told him that “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.”
It is not unusual to hear people talk about feeling like their prayers just don’t get through. That they feel as if they are bouncing off the ceiling or as if they had hit a glass ceiling. Perhaps there are times that it feel like nothing gets through. Perhaps that efforts in prayer, service and desire for closeness with God somehow goes ignored or unnoticed. Yet we have encouragement from God’s word that this is not so.
Here is a man suddenly and supernaturally visited by and angel and told that his prayers have been heard. In fact, they are said to have come up for a memorial before God. They have not gone unnoticed. They have not been ignored. They have been saved and remembered as a memorial. As something special and good set up to carefully record, preserve and enshrine.
This is not the only place in scripture that we see this. In Revelation 5, we see the souls under the altar crying for justice from God, yet God tells them wait till the number of martyrs is complete. God has not forgotten. He waits the right time. We also see in Revelation that there are censers to be offered up. They are the prayers of the saints offered to God saved for this time and season. And again in Psalms, the psalmist records that God collects his tears in a bottle and records them in His book.
God has heard. He has remembered. Even this pagan that serves God but has not yet believed in Jesus... his prayers are a memorial before God. He hears the heart of a devout unbeliever. He will certainly hear and remember the prayers of His children. He waits for just the right time. He know just what we need and when we need it. He stores up our prayers for His time, season and glory. We should never be discouraged but pray always knowing that He will remember and answer just as He has promised.
Prayer Requests Day 20
1) Bible Study for Young Families - That we would also see a Bible study start among young families. 1. For at least one person to begin the study with 2. For others then to join to that study 3. For friends, acquaintances and others to be open to attending 4. For wisdom as (hopefully) many of these will have small children
2) Phil & Yvonne - hope to see a Fall Bible Study in Mokronog. There are people that have shown interest but during the summer there have been obstacles to beginning the study. They have already completed a post-abortion study in this town and this study is the outgrowth of that.
3) Nathan and Dawn Detweiler - provision and preparation during their deputation time, timely arrival in Slovenia (planned for early 2009), integration into team, language study, cultural adaptation, grace for life "on field"
4) Jim preaching tomorrow.
Friday, September 7, 2007
30 Days Day 19
Day 19
Acts 9:36-42
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
As chapter 9 continues we leave Saul’s story for a time and once more meet Peter in his travels. Peter has been traveling through the country, visiting areas and preaching the gospel. He comes to a town and there performs a miracle of healing, the people see it and turn to Jesus.
On hearing that Peter is in the area there are believers in a nearby town that call for him. A woman that had been full of good works and charity has suddenly died. They are heart broken at their loss, but having heard of the mighty miracles that God has done through Peter they hope beyond hope that something might be done.
Peter arrives and is met by the testimony of many as to what a blessing and help Dorcas had been in many lives. Perhaps they are pleading that if anyone would be worthy of such a miracle, surely it would be one like this woman. But Peter puts them out of the room and then he prays. He seeks God’s will ... what would God have him do? He relies not on the recommendations of people but on God.
I wonder what Peter thought at this point. I wonder also what the disciples that had sent for him were thinking. Jesus had risen from the dead. Lazarus had certainly been raised by Jesus. There were others that had been brought back from death to life. However, what could they expect here. Would God raise this dead woman?
How often are we faced with something that is too big for us? How often do we find ourselves in a situation where we see the seemingly impossible? Do we just give up? Do we just given into the natural...the inevitable? That is certainly the temptation. I would certainly have been tempted, in Peter’s shoes, to hold a nice funeral. I might have been tempted to proclaim God’s grace even in the early death of one so dear and such a good witness. She was saved! She is absent from the body but present with the Lord. This is far better for her. Peter prayed. And then having prayed, he called her to rise.
How big is our God? How powerful is He? Is His arm to short to save? Is anything too hard for Him? It is so wonderful for us to know that there is no request that we can bring before God that is too big for Him. There is nothing that is beyond Him. Nothing is too hard for Him! As we come before Him in prayer the power that raises the dead, heals the sick, created the universe and saves the soul also becomes available to us as God directs. We are foolish only if we will not seek Him..will not ask of Him. Nothing is too hard for Him!
Prayer Requests Day 19
1) Yvonne - invited to give 5 min testimony in a Church this Sunday - wisdom what to say in time given
2) Phil - continue to pray for his health. Making some progress on what might be causing the back ache, fell from his bike the other day and is a bit bruised - quick recovery
3) Crisis Pregnancy steering meeting Tuesday 9/11 - pray for more Slovene representatives, community study, wisdom in preparation for the meeting, good progress toward the organization and foundation of the center
4) Possible Fall English Camp - still many questions and details to work out but we hope to see a 2 day Youth English camp in early November - meeting more about this on Tuesday 9/11
5) Student Bible Study - We are praying for a student Bible study to begin this Fall as students return to University. Pray that God would bring all the pieces together 1. Darja - helping us make contacts with students; also pray for her studies at the University 2. Meeting Students open to studying the Bible 3. Student outreach - getting into student dorms for Bible study 4. Finding a regular night mid-week to meet that will be suitable for the most people to attend regularly.
Acts 9:36-42
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
As chapter 9 continues we leave Saul’s story for a time and once more meet Peter in his travels. Peter has been traveling through the country, visiting areas and preaching the gospel. He comes to a town and there performs a miracle of healing, the people see it and turn to Jesus.
On hearing that Peter is in the area there are believers in a nearby town that call for him. A woman that had been full of good works and charity has suddenly died. They are heart broken at their loss, but having heard of the mighty miracles that God has done through Peter they hope beyond hope that something might be done.
Peter arrives and is met by the testimony of many as to what a blessing and help Dorcas had been in many lives. Perhaps they are pleading that if anyone would be worthy of such a miracle, surely it would be one like this woman. But Peter puts them out of the room and then he prays. He seeks God’s will ... what would God have him do? He relies not on the recommendations of people but on God.
I wonder what Peter thought at this point. I wonder also what the disciples that had sent for him were thinking. Jesus had risen from the dead. Lazarus had certainly been raised by Jesus. There were others that had been brought back from death to life. However, what could they expect here. Would God raise this dead woman?
How often are we faced with something that is too big for us? How often do we find ourselves in a situation where we see the seemingly impossible? Do we just give up? Do we just given into the natural...the inevitable? That is certainly the temptation. I would certainly have been tempted, in Peter’s shoes, to hold a nice funeral. I might have been tempted to proclaim God’s grace even in the early death of one so dear and such a good witness. She was saved! She is absent from the body but present with the Lord. This is far better for her. Peter prayed. And then having prayed, he called her to rise.
How big is our God? How powerful is He? Is His arm to short to save? Is anything too hard for Him? It is so wonderful for us to know that there is no request that we can bring before God that is too big for Him. There is nothing that is beyond Him. Nothing is too hard for Him! As we come before Him in prayer the power that raises the dead, heals the sick, created the universe and saves the soul also becomes available to us as God directs. We are foolish only if we will not seek Him..will not ask of Him. Nothing is too hard for Him!
Prayer Requests Day 19
1) Yvonne - invited to give 5 min testimony in a Church this Sunday - wisdom what to say in time given
2) Phil - continue to pray for his health. Making some progress on what might be causing the back ache, fell from his bike the other day and is a bit bruised - quick recovery
3) Crisis Pregnancy steering meeting Tuesday 9/11 - pray for more Slovene representatives, community study, wisdom in preparation for the meeting, good progress toward the organization and foundation of the center
4) Possible Fall English Camp - still many questions and details to work out but we hope to see a 2 day Youth English camp in early November - meeting more about this on Tuesday 9/11
5) Student Bible Study - We are praying for a student Bible study to begin this Fall as students return to University. Pray that God would bring all the pieces together 1. Darja - helping us make contacts with students; also pray for her studies at the University 2. Meeting Students open to studying the Bible 3. Student outreach - getting into student dorms for Bible study 4. Finding a regular night mid-week to meet that will be suitable for the most people to attend regularly.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
30 Days - Day 18
Day 18
Acts 9:10-18
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
One of the best known stories in Acts has just taken place. An angry Saul on the road to Damascus meets the risen Christ. He is shown how he has been persecuting Jesus. He realizes how wrong he has been even in all his zeal toward the law and his pursuit of religion. Now he is blind and in solitude. He is left to his thoughts and realizations about himself, his life and his relationship to God. He is praying! Perhaps he is praying that so much of his wasted life might be redeemed. He is perhaps praying that he might undo some of the damage he had done to the church through his persecutions of it. He has realized grace and its importance and meaning has not been lost on him. And so he prays and waits for God. He waits for what God has begun to show him awaits him in the coming days and years. He waits for the answers to his prayers and God’s promises.
Across town there is another man. God is speaking to him. He is telling him that he has something for him to do. He wants him to go to a man called Saul. He wants him to lay hands on Saul and heal him. God tells him that Saul is praying! He tells him that Saul has seen a vision of him coming to heal him. Basically, God is telling him that he is an answer to prayer.
What an amazing thing. To be used by God to be an answer to someone’s prayer. Perhaps you have experienced this or heard stories about it. The missionary that arrives in some isolated village or town only to find that he has been long expected and waited for. The person that hears God tell them to take a gallon of milk to a certainly family only to find that they were praying for provision.
Yet often being the answer to someone’s prayer is not an easy thing. Pride, fear or disbelief must often first be overcome. In this passage we see nothing different. Ananias has heard of Saul. Actually he has heard a good bit about Saul and to walk into the house in which he is staying and proclaim that he, as a follower of “the Way”, is here to heal Saul. If he is mistaken, if he has misheard, he will have just earned a one way trip to jail, the whipping post or worse. And so he lays his concerns before the Lord, but God says “go”. Being obedient Ananias goes. In going he becomes an answer to prayer, an encouragement to Saul and an example of obedience. This is an example, which is not lost on Saul. For we see that immediately following Ananias’ act of obedience that Saul also follows with an act of obedience... he is baptized.
We don’t just have the opportunity to pray. We also have the opportunity to be answers to prayer as God directs. However, this often means for us some kind of sacrifice. It might be time. It might be resources. It might be giving up something we want for something far greater (though unseen). It might mean dying to self. It might mean dying to fear and doubt so that we will be obedient. But, in obedience we might just find that we will be an encouragement and example to others as well as a blessing and the answer to someone’s prayer.
Day 18 Prayer Requests
1) Julia - came down with a fever and congestion last night, perhaps a reaction to vaccinations or a virus
2) For Jim as he prepares to preach this Sunday
3) For physical and spiritual protection, health and strength for our family - this week has been more difficult in many ways and we value your prayers on our behalf - that God might be glorified in our weakness
4) For Barbara - Olya helped her with English, student who may be interested in being part of the student Bible study we plan to start in October (may study in Ljubljana or Maribor doesn't know yet).
5) For Darja - will be helping us with the student study - also has a difficult & important exam this coming Monday
Acts 9:10-18
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
One of the best known stories in Acts has just taken place. An angry Saul on the road to Damascus meets the risen Christ. He is shown how he has been persecuting Jesus. He realizes how wrong he has been even in all his zeal toward the law and his pursuit of religion. Now he is blind and in solitude. He is left to his thoughts and realizations about himself, his life and his relationship to God. He is praying! Perhaps he is praying that so much of his wasted life might be redeemed. He is perhaps praying that he might undo some of the damage he had done to the church through his persecutions of it. He has realized grace and its importance and meaning has not been lost on him. And so he prays and waits for God. He waits for what God has begun to show him awaits him in the coming days and years. He waits for the answers to his prayers and God’s promises.
Across town there is another man. God is speaking to him. He is telling him that he has something for him to do. He wants him to go to a man called Saul. He wants him to lay hands on Saul and heal him. God tells him that Saul is praying! He tells him that Saul has seen a vision of him coming to heal him. Basically, God is telling him that he is an answer to prayer.
What an amazing thing. To be used by God to be an answer to someone’s prayer. Perhaps you have experienced this or heard stories about it. The missionary that arrives in some isolated village or town only to find that he has been long expected and waited for. The person that hears God tell them to take a gallon of milk to a certainly family only to find that they were praying for provision.
Yet often being the answer to someone’s prayer is not an easy thing. Pride, fear or disbelief must often first be overcome. In this passage we see nothing different. Ananias has heard of Saul. Actually he has heard a good bit about Saul and to walk into the house in which he is staying and proclaim that he, as a follower of “the Way”, is here to heal Saul. If he is mistaken, if he has misheard, he will have just earned a one way trip to jail, the whipping post or worse. And so he lays his concerns before the Lord, but God says “go”. Being obedient Ananias goes. In going he becomes an answer to prayer, an encouragement to Saul and an example of obedience. This is an example, which is not lost on Saul. For we see that immediately following Ananias’ act of obedience that Saul also follows with an act of obedience... he is baptized.
We don’t just have the opportunity to pray. We also have the opportunity to be answers to prayer as God directs. However, this often means for us some kind of sacrifice. It might be time. It might be resources. It might be giving up something we want for something far greater (though unseen). It might mean dying to self. It might mean dying to fear and doubt so that we will be obedient. But, in obedience we might just find that we will be an encouragement and example to others as well as a blessing and the answer to someone’s prayer.
Day 18 Prayer Requests
1) Julia - came down with a fever and congestion last night, perhaps a reaction to vaccinations or a virus
2) For Jim as he prepares to preach this Sunday
3) For physical and spiritual protection, health and strength for our family - this week has been more difficult in many ways and we value your prayers on our behalf - that God might be glorified in our weakness
4) For Barbara - Olya helped her with English, student who may be interested in being part of the student Bible study we plan to start in October (may study in Ljubljana or Maribor doesn't know yet).
5) For Darja - will be helping us with the student study - also has a difficult & important exam this coming Monday
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
30 Days - Day 17
Day 17
Acts 8:14-24
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
As the apostles have been in Samaria they have prayed for the new believers there to be empowered just as they had been at Pentecost. They pray that they would receive power and be witnesses just as they had received power and become witnesses. God answers. But, as has happened before, some only see in this power and the word of God the opportunity for personal recognition and gain for themselves rather than the glory for God.
In this passage we see that in this case it was a man that had long enjoyed the spotlight. He enjoyed the respect and perhaps even fear of the people because of his own abilities, talents and power. But, now he has come to Christ. He has seen a power that, despite all his abilities and prowess, he himself has never known. He is convinced and also believes! However, the pull of his old position and need to be respected still have hold over him. He sees the apostles with an ability he has never had and desires to “be “somebody” again. He offers them money. Seeing his heart, Peter confronts the man and tells him to repent and pray.
As he is harshly rebuked, this former sorcerer begins to fear. He fears judgment. He fears God’s retribution and a power that he cannot stand before. Perhaps he even fears his own heart and the attitudes he sees there. He is totally without confidence before God... if he prays, will God hear him?... will it be of any effect? So he asks, begs, Peter to pray for him.
As we look at this episode we see something of human nature. The difficulty that we can experience in prayer because of sin and failure. It is not that this man could not have approached God and asked for forgiveness. The problem was in his confidence and feeling of failure. His heart had failed him and he was afraid. I find it hard to believe that seeing the fear in this man’s heart that Peter would not have changed his tone and prayed for this man. Justice mixed with and tempered by mercy is a common theme throughout scripture. It is not just this passage but also the story of Job that points to the importance that we have in helping one another to pray in the face of sin and failure.
Job experienced something similar. His friends had hurt him, they had failed him, they had spoken presumptuously about God and so God rebuked them and then sent them to Job to have him pray for them. Job helped them at a point when they were at a low...rebuked by God. It might have been hard for them to pray. THey had thought that they knew God. They had presumed to speak for Him and been rebuffed. However, having someone come alongside of them to help them would have been a great encouragement. It might have helped them not to fall into despair and spiritual morass. It may have encouraged them to live up to the position that they had been given by faith. That kind of love surely would help to cover a multitude of sin.
It also does something else. There has been conflict between brothers. There has been disagreement, there has been confrontation, there has been a rise in emotion and tension and so there were also have been an atmosphere conducive to division and unforgiveness. However, when we pray for and with one another there is also an easing of conflict and there is no question left of whether or not there has been forgiveness. It frees both parties to begin to return to normal relationships with one another as well as encouraging the brother who has failed back to peace with himself and others before God. In praying on another's behalf we just might help a troubled brother or sister in Christ more than we know.
Prayer Requests Day 17
1) The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
2) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
3) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
4) Maribor - for God to continue to establish ministry through us that will be meaningful, relevant and effective in seeing Bible Studies and eventually a new Churches here
5) Personal and corporate walk with the Lord - growth, praise and worship, guidance
Acts 8:14-24
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
As the apostles have been in Samaria they have prayed for the new believers there to be empowered just as they had been at Pentecost. They pray that they would receive power and be witnesses just as they had received power and become witnesses. God answers. But, as has happened before, some only see in this power and the word of God the opportunity for personal recognition and gain for themselves rather than the glory for God.
In this passage we see that in this case it was a man that had long enjoyed the spotlight. He enjoyed the respect and perhaps even fear of the people because of his own abilities, talents and power. But, now he has come to Christ. He has seen a power that, despite all his abilities and prowess, he himself has never known. He is convinced and also believes! However, the pull of his old position and need to be respected still have hold over him. He sees the apostles with an ability he has never had and desires to “be “somebody” again. He offers them money. Seeing his heart, Peter confronts the man and tells him to repent and pray.
As he is harshly rebuked, this former sorcerer begins to fear. He fears judgment. He fears God’s retribution and a power that he cannot stand before. Perhaps he even fears his own heart and the attitudes he sees there. He is totally without confidence before God... if he prays, will God hear him?... will it be of any effect? So he asks, begs, Peter to pray for him.
As we look at this episode we see something of human nature. The difficulty that we can experience in prayer because of sin and failure. It is not that this man could not have approached God and asked for forgiveness. The problem was in his confidence and feeling of failure. His heart had failed him and he was afraid. I find it hard to believe that seeing the fear in this man’s heart that Peter would not have changed his tone and prayed for this man. Justice mixed with and tempered by mercy is a common theme throughout scripture. It is not just this passage but also the story of Job that points to the importance that we have in helping one another to pray in the face of sin and failure.
Job experienced something similar. His friends had hurt him, they had failed him, they had spoken presumptuously about God and so God rebuked them and then sent them to Job to have him pray for them. Job helped them at a point when they were at a low...rebuked by God. It might have been hard for them to pray. THey had thought that they knew God. They had presumed to speak for Him and been rebuffed. However, having someone come alongside of them to help them would have been a great encouragement. It might have helped them not to fall into despair and spiritual morass. It may have encouraged them to live up to the position that they had been given by faith. That kind of love surely would help to cover a multitude of sin.
It also does something else. There has been conflict between brothers. There has been disagreement, there has been confrontation, there has been a rise in emotion and tension and so there were also have been an atmosphere conducive to division and unforgiveness. However, when we pray for and with one another there is also an easing of conflict and there is no question left of whether or not there has been forgiveness. It frees both parties to begin to return to normal relationships with one another as well as encouraging the brother who has failed back to peace with himself and others before God. In praying on another's behalf we just might help a troubled brother or sister in Christ more than we know.
Prayer Requests Day 17
1) The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
2) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
3) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
4) Maribor - for God to continue to establish ministry through us that will be meaningful, relevant and effective in seeing Bible Studies and eventually a new Churches here
5) Personal and corporate walk with the Lord - growth, praise and worship, guidance
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
30 Days - Day 16
Day 16
Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Just a couple of days ago we were reminded of the importance of praying for one another. The work that God has given us to do must be begun, done and continued in God’s power. Just as the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit in chapter 1 & 2, just as they prayed for the men chosen by the Church in chapter 6, now again in Chapter 8 they come to Samaria to pray for the new believers there.
These people who have become believers heard the truth because of the witness of those from the Church in Jerusalem. Even in the face of the outbreak of persecution these people have been baptized into Christ. The apostles realize that these new disciples need prayer. To ask them to continue in their new faith without the support of prayer and the power of God would have been extremely unfaithful.
When Jesus had come through Samaria on at least one occasion there had also been a great response to the message of Jesus. As the people had come out of the town because of the witness of the woman at the well, Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them to “lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” There are at least two other places in the gospels that Jesus spoke of looking at a harvest, and when He did he told His disciples to pray. He told them to pray that workers be sent into the fields. That the harvest was plentiful but the laborers few. Many were coming, but all the more pray. Here in Samaria many have been added to the faith and the disciples know that it is only right that they come and pray for these people. Laborers have been added to the harvest and they required prayer, support, encouragement and confirmation in their faith.
There is also another element to be considered here as well. These people were Samaritans. The Jews and Samaritans were brothers and yet they had little love for one another. There was a lot of bad blood between them, literally. The Jews considered them less than pure, and therefore disdained them - wanted minimum contact with them. For the Church leaders to come down and confirm these brothers in the faith, to fellowship with and pray for them might have been a rather unpopular move. Yet, the disciples had seen our Lord’s acceptance of these people and knew that they must come to them and pray for them.
As we pray for people to come to Christ we must be equally concerned about them as they enter into and continue to walk with Christ. This prayer and care for them will require time, effort and involvement on our part. We must also realize then that they join us in the work that Christ has given to us as the Church. We need them and they need us. We are the Body of Christ and we look to Him as the head to guide and empower that His work and will may be done.
Prayer Request Day 16
1) Zoran, Nada & Indi - That Indi would sleep well, for wisdom as they seek to purchase land, for salvation
2) Miro, Mateja, Leah & Enya - Mateja back to teaching, Miro seeking new position at work, Leah & Enya health and growth, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - expecting first baby in Oct, preparing their home for the new arrival, plan to be married soon, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Usula & Henrik - all back to teaching or school, Ursula begins high school, salvation
5) Kirsten & Friedrick - teaching at the University, raising two little ones, salvation
6) Open doors to reach out to people and share the gospel, prepared and ready hearts, beginning of Bible studies in Maribor
Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Just a couple of days ago we were reminded of the importance of praying for one another. The work that God has given us to do must be begun, done and continued in God’s power. Just as the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit in chapter 1 & 2, just as they prayed for the men chosen by the Church in chapter 6, now again in Chapter 8 they come to Samaria to pray for the new believers there.
These people who have become believers heard the truth because of the witness of those from the Church in Jerusalem. Even in the face of the outbreak of persecution these people have been baptized into Christ. The apostles realize that these new disciples need prayer. To ask them to continue in their new faith without the support of prayer and the power of God would have been extremely unfaithful.
When Jesus had come through Samaria on at least one occasion there had also been a great response to the message of Jesus. As the people had come out of the town because of the witness of the woman at the well, Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them to “lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” There are at least two other places in the gospels that Jesus spoke of looking at a harvest, and when He did he told His disciples to pray. He told them to pray that workers be sent into the fields. That the harvest was plentiful but the laborers few. Many were coming, but all the more pray. Here in Samaria many have been added to the faith and the disciples know that it is only right that they come and pray for these people. Laborers have been added to the harvest and they required prayer, support, encouragement and confirmation in their faith.
There is also another element to be considered here as well. These people were Samaritans. The Jews and Samaritans were brothers and yet they had little love for one another. There was a lot of bad blood between them, literally. The Jews considered them less than pure, and therefore disdained them - wanted minimum contact with them. For the Church leaders to come down and confirm these brothers in the faith, to fellowship with and pray for them might have been a rather unpopular move. Yet, the disciples had seen our Lord’s acceptance of these people and knew that they must come to them and pray for them.
As we pray for people to come to Christ we must be equally concerned about them as they enter into and continue to walk with Christ. This prayer and care for them will require time, effort and involvement on our part. We must also realize then that they join us in the work that Christ has given to us as the Church. We need them and they need us. We are the Body of Christ and we look to Him as the head to guide and empower that His work and will may be done.
Prayer Request Day 16
1) Zoran, Nada & Indi - That Indi would sleep well, for wisdom as they seek to purchase land, for salvation
2) Miro, Mateja, Leah & Enya - Mateja back to teaching, Miro seeking new position at work, Leah & Enya health and growth, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - expecting first baby in Oct, preparing their home for the new arrival, plan to be married soon, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Usula & Henrik - all back to teaching or school, Ursula begins high school, salvation
5) Kirsten & Friedrick - teaching at the University, raising two little ones, salvation
6) Open doors to reach out to people and share the gospel, prepared and ready hearts, beginning of Bible studies in Maribor
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