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!