Thanks so much for those of you praying for me and my family in our transition. The time in Austin was tremendous, renewing friendships and hearing more of what the Spirit is saying to the Church in this hour. In the next several days I will be working to articulate a fuller picture of what is ahead, a blueprint as I can best articulate what I am seeing and hearing. It is a higher level view than I have anticipated, to be honest. People thought I was high minded when, in the early 90s, I believed we would begin to see whole cities reached with the gospel. But we made a tremendous and sincere effort in that regard in our 'Pray Yuba-Sutter' outreach in northern California in 1995, (at least 70% of Yuba City and Marysville reached intentionally with the gospel in the context of neighborhood prayer cells interceding for the power of the gospel and an openness to God's word). And some thought I was pure zeal without knowledge when I said in 2002 the Lord was about to build 24 hour prayer in Charlotte... and He raised up ZHOP which was continual worship and prayer from January 2, 2006 until June 7, 2009 (and continued on further beyond until this past October with daily prayer). My point here is not to emphasize my rightness and others' wrongness, but to say: "Heads up, the Lord is speaking further." Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. - Habakkuk 1:5
Uzbekistan’s government continues to fine members of the Baptist Union and harass Protestant Christians, according to Forum 18 News. “Valery Konovalov has been forced to pay a fine, after he was forced to appear as a witness in the trial of three leaders of the Baptist Union,” Forum 18 reported. “The three have themselves been forced to pay what the same court claimed was unpaid taxes, and two were removed from their posts.” In addition, the parents of children who attend Protestant schools in Uzbekistan have been warned to stop attending church. “The children were made to write statements promising that they would stop attending churches,” a Christian told Forum 18. “People are afraid to talk to us when they find out we are Christians.” These incidents are the latest in the Uzbek government’s ongoing persecution of believers. VOM stands with Christians in Uzbekistan and encourages you to pray that charges against believers will be dropped. Ask God to encourage and protect believers and their families. Pray that their testimony of faithfulness will draw the authorities into fellowship with Christ.
IRAN — House Church Leaders Arrested — Farsi Christian News Network
On Feb. 28, Hamid and Reyhaneh, a former-Muslim couple who led a house church, were arrested by secret police in Isfahan, Iran, according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Twenty secret police officers arrested and assaulted Reyhaneh when she resisted. “Hamid was arrested when he returned home an hour later,” FCNN reported. “Other believers present at the time were threatened but not detained, though one was also assaulted when he protested [the arrests].” Police confiscated computers, telephones and literature, including many Bibles. On March 1, Hamid and Reyhaneh’s family contacted the authorities and were told their case would be referred to the Revolutionary Court once charges were finalized. The couple’s two teenage sons are being cared for by Reyhaneh’s sister. Pray that Hamid and Reyhaneh will be released and reunited with their sons. Pray that their sons will be comforted by the presence and peace of Jesus, and pray that Iranian believers will be encouraged. Pray that officials involved will act justly and that they might come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
IRAQ — Three Christians Murdered in Mosul — Middle East Concern
On Feb. 23, three men were shot and killed in their home by unknown assailants, according to Middle East Concern. The men, Aishwa Maroki (59) and his two sons, Mokhlas (31) and Bassim (25), were relatives of Father Mzen Ishoa, a Syro-Catholic priest who in 2007 was abducted and later released. Aishwa’s wife and daughter were also in the home but were not harmed. Pray that those in mourning will trust God as the defender of widows and a Father to the fatherless. Pray that authorities will do all they can to improve security for all citizens of Mosul. Pray that the results of recent parliamentary elections will lead to greater stability and a reduction of violence in Iraq.
This morning its coffee at the Texas French Bread cafe at 2900 Rio Grande Street here in Austin. Its where, circa 1993-4 after coming out of YWAM and in transition to California, I first read Rick Joyner's The Harvest. It was riveting, and helpful on many levels. I have personally witnessed a number of those things either starting or even entering a state beyond embryonic vision or the Holy Spirit's stirring, (cf. Argentina). This week is proving to be a profound revisiting of personal wells and touchstones of spiritual significance. Today, for the 3rd time in my life, the Lord is speaking Isa. 40:5 over me again. Overflow Your banks into my life, O God. I am poor and needy;
Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. - Psalm 40:17
I flew into Austin Saturday, went to the Austin House of Prayer fundraiser that night. The next couple of days will also involve some meetings with them and Fr. Peter Hocken which I am very much looking forward to.
I'd guesstimate its been at least 5 years since I've been here... maybe more. Its a city of tremendous light and darkness. I literally believe this city is one of the frontlines for the fight for our culture against spiritual darkness. In that regard, the HOP is a critical expression of grace and truth both to the Church at large as well as to those outside of communion with Christ.
The commitments we are to make as we finish the closing months of our transition which began something like a year ago (including the closing of ZHOP) are getting clearer. Its been significant to come here and honor our relationships within the HOP especially while we are in transition.
I'm acutely aware of my inadequacy of what the Lord is putting before me. Its my version of Jesus telling me 'You give them something to eat' (cf. Matthew chapter 14). I'm not intimidated by my shortcomings nor am I intoxicated by 'big vision' (which so plagues American Christianity in particular). What I will do is get as close to Jesus as I can and wait for Him to "bless the bread" and break it with His peerlessly capable hands.
Let it be, according to everything You have told Your servant. Amen
Image via Wikipedia
