My open response to Ben's email regarding Luke 9 and 10

Hello Ben!

It makes my heart sing to hear from you. Hope being married has exceeded your expectations! I miss you gobs and think of you often.

My take on Luke 9 is as follows: I believe it to be a blueprint for the advancing of the Body of Christ at the end of the age. I believe it gives the roadmap of the necessary preparation for us to go from "the 12" to "the 70". In other words, to really enter in to the day of the saints and not simply the day of the few on their platforms.

Look at the amazing preparation and progression that goes on here. The 12 disciples finally become apostles in Luke 9. They are truly "sent ones" by Jesus, (Luke 9:1). They have been marinating in the message of the Kingdom for some time, since their "Intro to the Kingdom" class at the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6). They've been watching Jesus for many weeks, maybe months (cf. Luke 8:1 "... He went through every city and village preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom..." "...and the twelve were with Him...") and now they take their ministry out for a test drive (so to speak): "...they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere," (Luke 9:6).

When they come back Jesus takes them aside for further teaching, a small private conference with just He and them (verse 10). It gets blown up by the hunger of the other people following Jesus as they press in as well; He does not turn them away but uses this as a context to show His disciples that God is able to feed those that come to Him. I think it was getting deeply ingrained in them to become people of prayer and dependence upon Him as He lets them feel their lack ("You give them something to eat") and shows them the means by which God will provide ("... looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them..."). This is what I believe He was doing with the 12 just like he did with that bread, so that the "day of the saints" would come about (in a small way for them, in a larger way for us now at the end of the age): 1) He prays for them and asks that their destiny in God be accomplished, 2) He blesses them with anointing for multiplication, 3) He breaks them so they can be given away and poured out.

The preparation for the remarkable release of the 70 in Luke 10 (Satan being cast down) requires several things being touched upon and broken in these burgeoning leaders. You will see more than I'll note here but here are among the highlights:
1) there is revelation of Jesus' nature,
2) there is confirmation of their basic message to come: Jesus MUST die
3) He emphasizes the price is high, costing everything
4) their personal ambition is addressed and corrected (note: after their "solo flight" they were comparing stories and arguing who was the greatest among them, (vv. 46ff).

He then releases the 70 as strongholds have at that point been both torn down or added to them for the way ahead. And so when they return, Jesus is ecstatic at the impact it had on the region: Satan fell like lightning from heaven! Brother, this was BEFORE THE CROSS! This was while they were yet unable to appropriate HIS BLOOD! We have great challenges and breakthroughs ahead for us as the people of God. The day of the saints is at hand! Who will deal with these strongholds and come out meek on the far side of them? The Lord is preparing a great and mighty army, He is not slack to prepare His church for the day ahead and it will be with leaders such as these. Amen? Amen!

24 hour prayer and worship very much becomes the hub of the Christian community in days to come. The harvest is connected to it, but thats another emphasis for another letter.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Jude 1:24-25

Grace to you. I love you.
GregB

Worship team info: taking care of your voice

Came across an article on how to take care of your voice, good counsel if you're on a worship team somewhere (especially those who may do 3+ worship sets a week that are 2 hours each). Here is the article link: http://biblicalworship.com/?p=350

Time changes at ZHOP, ZSM is coming

Image via WikipediaLast night Jake Ferrell's message was the last of the old ZHOP format. Next Thursday, the Zadok School of Ministry (ZSM) begins: worship at 6, teaching for an hour at 7. The first series will be Kirk Bennett teaching on a biblical insights into the end times. Also, a week from tomorrow the Saturday Encountering God Service (EGS) will also start worship at 6 and teaching at 7!

Here is something you need to do:

Image via WikipediaVisit this site and initiate your response to stop the oil speculation that is deeply troubling our economy: http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/

Their position: Twenty years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were purchased by speculators who trade oil on paper with no intention of ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators purchase 66 percent of all oil futures contracts, and that reflects just the transactions that are known.

Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab. Some market experts estimate that current prices reflect as much as $30 to $60 per barrel in unnecessary speculative costs.

VOM News and Prayer Update: July 7th, 2008

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;" (1 Corinthians 4:12)

INDIA

Pastors Attacked, Accused of Forcible Conversion - VOM Sources

On June 24, Pastor Murugan was beaten by Hindu militants who ambushed him and two other believers while returning home from a prayer meeting in Moodalpalya, Karnataka, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "The other two managed to flee and escape any harm. The militants accused the pastor of forcibly converting people and 'spoiling the minds of the children' and took him to the local police station where he was detained." In an unrelated incident on June 26, Hindu militants barged into the home of a local believer in Hubli, Karnataka; shouted curses at the Christians gathered for a prayer meeting and beat Pastor Vinod Talakere. VOM sources added, "They dragged the pastor and another believer to the local police station where the men were detained on accusations of forcibly converting people, kidnapping local girls and enrolling them in Bible college." Pray for the release of these pastors. Ask God to bless their ministry and the work of other Christians spreading the gospel in India. Philippians 4:13

UZBEKISTAN

Christian Detained on Terrorism Charges - Forum 18 News

On June 14, eight police officers claiming to be conducting an identity check, raided the home of Jandos Kuandikov in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region of Uzbekistan, where several Christians were gathered to prepare for a wedding. According to Forum18 News, "Kuandikov was not home at the time, but when he returned he asked the police for a warrant authorizing their action. None was provided. Police demanded statements [proving] that a religious meeting was not being conducted but the family refused. Police then accused Kuandikov of being a terrorist and [a] Wahhabi (a form of Islam found predominantly in Saudi Arabia). The police continued their search and interrogation throughout the day and then took several of those present to the police station. All but [a Christian named] Aimurat Khayburahmanov, were eventually released. At last report, Khayburahmanov remained in detention on false charges of terrorism." Pray Uzbek Christians will be able to bless and pray for those who falsely accuse them. Pray for Aimurat Khayburahmanov to be released. Luke 6:27-28

IRAN

Christian Detained on Terrorism Charges - Forum 18 News

On June 3, a newly converted Christian couple in Iran was arrested by police for holding Bible studies with Muslims in their home, and attending a house church. According to Compass Direct News, “Makan Arya and Tina Rad were seized from their home in east Tehran after one of Makan's relatives informed security police of the couple's Christian activities. Their 4-year-old daughter was left behind, ill and unattended. The couple was taken to an unknown jail where they were severely beaten and interrogated for four days.” Compass reported, “Makan was accused of ‘activities against national security’ and Tina of ‘activities against the holy religion of Islam.’ The authorities threatened to take their daughter away to a religious institution and warned they could be imprisoned on charges of apostasy or fabricated drug charges if they didn't stop their Christian work.” The report added that eventually the couple was pressured into signing a statement claiming they had not changed their religion from Islam and promising that they would stay away from their house church and other Christians. “After a court hearing, Makan was freed on bail charges of US $19,634 and Tina upon payment of US $29,451. The couple returned home to find that the window of their shop had been smashed by local Muslims. On June 23, Makan received a letter threatening him with continued attacks if he did not put up evidence of his Islamic faith on the front of his shop, to which he responded by hanging pictures of Muslim leaders on his window,” Compass added. Ask God to strengthen the hearts of these believers to proclaim His Name without hesitation or fear. Pray for healing, especially for Tina who currently cannot walk as a result of her mistreatment in detention. Luke 6:27-28

CHINA

Christian Couple Arrested, Tortured and Threatened - Compass Direct News

On July 2, Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers evicted prominent house church leader, Pastor Hua Huiqi and his family from their home in Beijing, China. According to China Aid Association (CAA), “Hua and his family were resting in their rental apartment when PSB officials led by Officer Yang Jian, used a 10-pound hammer to break down the doors and locks of the apartment. Hua’s brother was beaten by police officers and suffered severe damage to his eye. Hua and his family, including his 90-year-old father, were forced onto the street with their furniture. They are currently in search of a new home and are being hosted by a Christian family in Beijing.” According to CAA, “The Chinese government has expressed its intentions to either detain Hua until September 30, a date well after the Olympics, or to remove Hua and his family completely out of Beijing during the Games. The Chinese government had branded Hua and other human rights and religious activists as ‘troublemakers’ and is adamant about keeping such people from attending the Games in August.” Praise God for Pastor Hua and his family’s faithfulness. Ask God to watch over his family, especially his elderly parents who are great examples of faith and courage. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict the persecutors and draw them into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:29-31

Related articles by Zemanta

• Pope and Saudi king to hold talks
• Cardinal urges Muslim leaders to oppose violent jihad

I'm in a blue chair...

OK, so you tell me: Greg, I'd like to hear your word from Saturday's EGS but doggone it I can't sit there and stream the thing for an hour.

OK, OK.

I admit, the MP3 player on this page is a little clunky. You can't even fast forward through the track if you started the player previously (or go back to hear one part of it again). I'll try to find a different player, one with more capability; I'll work with you on this. In the meanwhile here is the file available for download. Its a rather big chunk (over 20MB) but it is an hour long message. Raw, unedited. Just like being at ZHOP's EGS except that you are not in one of our cushy blue seats nor do you get the benefit of hearing Ryan Internicola's incredible worship set that paved the way for the word that night. (You should know, of all of the excellent worship leaders we have at ZHOP, he definitely is in my top 8 or 9. He's just that gifted and given to God.)

So before you cue it up, imagine yourself in Fort Mill, South Carolina on an early July evening: Imagine the end of a summer day, shadows getting long. Errands have been run, maybe you just grilled hotdogs for the kids and they were gobbled down with chunks of watermelon on the side. Then you will jump in the car and head over to ZHOP for EGS. You're eager cause the Saturday night worship there just rocks your world. Who is teaching tonight? Is Kirk in town? I dunno, lets check it out. As you get everyone headed towards the car you pause for a moment. You just walk out back and enjoy what it is: your favorite time of day of your favorite time of the year. You stop and pause and breathe deeply. Like holding up a jewel to admire it, maybe like tasting apple cider you know its wisdom to savor whats before you. Here the shadows are like drapery streaming from every tree and there's a peace of sorts. A glimpse into the world to come when Jesus subdues His enemies: both the sinfulness of the human heart and the demons polluting this fallen world. The colors are brilliant, the sky is a seamless blue ocean and hope burns like the hanging summer sun to have Him on His world again, leading it in brilliance and flawless competence.

OK, I'm ready. Lets go to ZHOP, lets worship God. Kids, comeon now. Your heart is fixed, You've set God before You. Come Holy Spirit! Cause my heart/mind/strength to rise in adoration of God! Jesus is the best thing you know, the best thing God could ever give to us. Oh it is wisdom to taste and see the Lord is good.

OK. Now cue up the MP3. You're there with us in the prayer room. Don't let the small children and their parents in the back distract you with their side adventures. Its important they be there also, part of the family of God coming to love on Him together.

Download of MP3.

New widget here: audio streaming

Image via WikipediaOK, so I've added a widget over here to your right ---> that will play the audio of my message at ZHOP's EGS a couple of nights ago. The message is called "Entering God's Rest". The word began to come to me while Corey Russell was with us at ZHOP a couple of weeks back. As I mentioned in a post last week, I am endeavoring to become a better communicator. Its not easy, I've got some pretty bad habits. I wince frequently when I hear myself on a recording. But I'm not aiming for the moon, just to not get in the way of the message. So feel free to click on the "play" arrow, its about an hour for the whole playback. God definitely helped me as I spoke. Feel free to comment, as per usual. And thanks for listening. I do hope its an encouragement to you as you carry on and follow Christ.

Austin House of Prayer article

Image via WikipediaA terrific article was just published in the Austin American-Statesman about the Austin House of Prayer that God is building in that city. Our dear friends Thomas and Amy Cogdell are overseeing the work there, here is part of the article:

"We all need the life of God," said Amy Cogdell, 39. "And it's something that must be flowing continually."

Initially, the Cogdells, who have four children, were stumped about how to raise enough money to support their enterprise long term. Thomas is a software consultant; Amy teaches in a home-school co-operative. They collected donations from friends in the Christian community but still needed an "economic engine," Thomas Cogdell said.

Then he dreamed about a pool of crystal clear water. From the dream sprang an idea: Austin House of Prayer would sell its own bottled water. The Cogdells said they took out a home equity line of credit to fund the venture and found an existing bottler to produce water under their label.

The first of the now popular blue bottles with yellow labels — the product is called Cielo, Spanish for "heaven" — went on sale at Whole Foods in October 2004 for $1.09 each and later expanded to other stores, yoga studios and churches.

Read the whole article here. +++ Lord, bless the Cogdells, the Owenses and the saints gathering at the AHOP to minister to You! Be the delight of their hearts, affirm them mightily in the wisdom of prayer! Amen! +++

Sabbath (picture)