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.

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

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.

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!

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

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