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
Saturday, September 15, 2007
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
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