"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God"
Man, what can I say? Seeing people being pursued and touched by the living God, Himself is breathtaking. To be a conduit for someone to know and be transformed by God is such an indescribable privilege. What honor He has bestowed upon us. What manner of love this is.
I met a guy playing basketball a couple of weeks ago. He came to church. Then he wanted to come to Tuesday night prayer. He came. We prayed for Him. The next day he texts me and wants to hang out and pray. I invited him to Thursday night homegroup. He came and he's coming to the Friday night group in Michaniona. He's hungry for God and he needs Him - like we all do. He wants me to bring him back a Bible and some Christian books from Serbia (where I will be visiting in a little over a week).
God certainly gives such beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Tommie, the pastor here, was a self-proclaimed blasphemer before he met the Lord, some 30+ years ago. Now he has worked throughout Europe, planting churches in the Balkans, fathering men and women in the Lord. Zoran was once a heavy-drinker with a propensity for fighting. Now he is pastoring a growing church in Macedonia and ministers to the body of Christ around the world, serving with a strong prophetic gifting.
God takes blasphemers and violent aggressors, and transforms them into beautiful reflections of Himself (1 Tim. 1:13). And it is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:6). So, continue to pray for us and for the people of this city. The Father always hears us (John 11:42). The bowls of incense in heaven are the prayers of the saints and they will be poured out upon the earth (Rev. 5:8, Matt. 6:10).
Pray that we would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:9-10).
The pastors, teachers, prophets, apostles, and evangelists of the next generation are in this city. The Balkans are pregnant with the children of God. The whole of creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. It longs anxiously, eagerly awaiting the revealing of the sons of God (Rom 8:19-22). Pray that God's will would be done in our lives; that His plans and purposes would be established, and that we would partner together with Him, fulfilling the works that He has prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Please also pray for an abundance of financial provision for all the He desires to do!
God bless - Love you all!
Ben
Thanks Ben, you have in inspired me to continue to fast and pray. Its hard for me as the comforts, safety and conveniences we have in America tends to the temptation of complacency. To whom much has been given much will be required, perhaps even as a nation as well as individually. Thanks for challenging me in my temptation to be complacent by not sacraficing my time, thoughts, physical needs and desires for others.
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