"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Saturday night and Sunday night, Zoran Spasovski, one of the pastors at Christian Center 490 in Macedonia taught, preached, and ministered concerning the prophetic here in Thessaloniki. I believe it was a very encouraging time for the entire body.
I don't think I fully understand Revelation 19:10, but I saw at least one aspect of how the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The spirit of prophecy releases GRACE. Paul said the Lord had given him authority for building up and not for tearing down (2 Cor. 13:10), and that's exactly what I saw take place in our body these past few nights. As the spirit of prophecy was moving and ministering, people were lifted up to a level they couldn't attain on their own. And that's what Jesus came to do from the Father. He was full of grace and truth. He was always lifting people up, calling them to come up higher, to live at a higher level, above the world, in Him.
Words started to fail me, so I sketched the image I had in my mind. I felt like the Lord really lifted our body to another level through the spirit of prophecy this weekend. Hope was birthed also with the seeding of His promises.
Much love,
Ben
"He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' And I answered, 'O Lord GOD, You know.'
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army."
I wanted to add these photos of the university campus as a reference for prayer. Pray that we would have favor, open doors, and divine appointments in this place. Pray that the love, joy and presence of God would fill and surround us, attracting people to the abundant life found in Christ Jesus.
"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
"You shall also consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them shall be holy."
I've met a handful of guys here so far. Most of them I have met on my own, through tennis or basketball. Some of them want to bring me into their world. I want to bring them into mine.
In an effort to facilitate this, I wanted to gather some of our guys from church to go see a movie Monday night and invite my friend, Tasos. After talking with the guys at church, it looked like getting everyone together to see a movie that night wasn't going to happen (though there would be other opportunities for my new friends to get to know my brothers in the body in other ways). I let it go.
Our coffee outreach on the university campus went really well on Monday. At first, it seemed like we were going to be taking home 3 thermoses full of coffee. It didn't seem like anyone wanted free coffee! We were there at least an hour or more without having much conversation with anyone. We discussed giving the rest of it away to the homeless. Then all of a sudden we struck up a conversation with a group of students nearby and a bunch of people started coming. Coffee and conversation started flowing.
It was so awesome to see our crew interacting with their crew. I could see everyone's unique personalities and giftings flowing together in our group. I just stood there thinking, "I'm so glad Jen is here! And Amy! And Tiffany!" Jen was making everyone laugh. Tiffany was talking to some med students about doctors in Florida. It was so awesome. It felt so safe and it took such a burden off. We exchanged numbers and are looking forward to hanging out with these guys soon.
After seeing the Lord move so much in our corporate work together, I had thought perhaps that my solo efforts to meet guys may have been in vain, fleshly or illegitimate. That night I was feeling a little anxious so I sat down at the kitchen table, took a deep breath and said, 'Lord, what are You saying?' Within a few seconds, I get a text from Tasos: 'Hey! Do you like to watch movies? Would you like to go to cinema?' I hadn't said anything to him about my thoughts to go see a movie with him Monday night and here he is texting me!
I heard the Lord say, 'Don't forget about Tasos.'
Only Jesus. His timing is impeccable. He can redeem anything.
Please continue to pray for me. I can become easily distracted by the 'unknowns' of the future and lose focus of the call and purpose of this season and today. Pray that I would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Love you all.
Hello friends,
This past Tuesday we did our weekly coffee outreach on the university campus. It went really well. We talked for some time with a few girls that were part of the socialist club on campus.
First of all, I have learned so much about evangelism. The Lord really impressed upon me that love is 'no strings attached,' and I think that giving away free coffee really expresses this facet of love. You want free coffee? Take it. Enjoy it. Be loved. Love doesn't force itself on anyone. Jesus doesn't force His love on anyone. What good does it do me to try to force my beliefs on someone else? Not much, I don't think and that never feels too good on the receiving end. There is only one Author and Finisher of faith, and I just want to stick really close to that Man of love.
After telling one of the socialist girls that we were working with a church, she said that was good and all, but society is what can/should really help people. I felt the urge to challenge her statement begin to rise up in me, but I felt like I should just let it go. You can be "right," but quickly become "wrong," speaking the right thing in the wrong spirit. "Debating theology" for me has historically been a one-way ticket to the Division Station - especially here. Titus 3:5 is a good one to keep close: "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless."
I played tennis today with a group of 19 year-old guys from the military university. It was great tennis, especially with this guy, Bobis. He is a really fiesty little player. I really liked his intensity. I think the Lord likes it too. We exchanged numbers, so hopefully we will play again. I've thought a lot lately about the turning point in my life when I really began to follow Jesus after hearing a campus pastor speak back in '05. The Lord probably called that dude and I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but because he was obedient to the call, the course of my life was altered for Jesus forever. I'm not as fiesty as Bobis, but in a way, Bobis is like me, circa 2005. Being thankful for so many of the men and women of God who were faithful to their call and persevered in it, I'm encouraged to keep that in perspective myself. Perhaps Bobis is the next campus pastor or evangelist to the nations? Thank God for an abundance of grace and mercy.
Please continue to pray for our body, that we would put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Pray that we would clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, and that we would be merciful, just as our Father is merciful.
Please continue to pray for favor and open doors for all of us, as we seek to partner with the Lord in establishing kingdom relationships. Pray also for wisdom and discernment as we steward the relationships we have been entrusted with thus far.
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
Love you all.
Hello friends,
I apologize that it has been so long since I have written. The last week or so has been a battle, personally, and I had allowed that to prevent me from writing. Please forgive me!
I experienced breakthrough yesterday, just before we went on campus for an outreach. It's hard sometimes for me to put into words what it's like when God breaks in on your heart. I just remember in the midst of the heaviness saying, 'No, Jesus is alive,' and my heart began to believe in the Son again. It's amazing how God comes running with grace, mercy, and a love that brings freedom at even the slightest turn of our hearts towards Him.
It was then in prayer that morning that I felt the Father speaking over us that we were glorious. Our faith in His Son was so glorious in His eyes. Our little crew of young missionaries, our tiny body of believers here in Thessaloniki, the leadership and body of our church back home, along with many others that are believing in His Son, are so glorious in the eyes of the Father. I could feel His pleasure and delight.
Yesterday was the second time we had done a coffee outreach on campus. Basically, every Tuesday we set-up a table on the campus of the university and give out free coffee. People are intrigued by a handful of Americans giving away free Starbucks. I honestly don't know how to describe it because I think we are all learning how to be genuine, sincere, effective and loving evangelists.
I believe our heart is 2 Cor. 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
We have already started to develop a history of relationship among some students after only two weeks. I was talking with Amy about how there is such a unique mix of people that we meet. Some just want free coffee. Some are really inquisitive and perhaps, a little suspicious. Some are sarcastic. Some are genuinely interested in who we are and what we're doing. I believe the Lord is drawing people to Himself through us, and it's cool to see that already. I think even those that are at first suspicious, sarcastic, and just want free coffee, may begin to find themselves drawn aswell.
Thank you so much for praying for me. I cannot emphasize enough how much of an effect your prayers are having. Please continue to pray for our body here; that we would continually love one another and dwell together in unity. Please pray especially for the outreaches on campus. I really believe that the Lord is blessing and moving in the midst of our corporate work.
I have to get ready to leave for a short trip to Macedonia now (pray for that aswell). I'm looking forward to fellowshipping with our sister church there. They are a lot of fun! We hope to return around mid-day Friday.
I intend to take photos of the university campus when I return so that you have an idea of what it looks like there.
I love you all! Skype me!
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day."
Last Sunday I was praying about how to spend my day before service in the city at 7:30pm. It was one of those prayer times that feels like you're just talking to yourself. Feeling as though, 'I got nothin,' I decided to take my basketball and hit the courts in Kalmaria, one of the sea-side municipalities downtown.
To my surprise, there were quite a few people playing on the two, caged-in, full-courts. I walked in through the chain link gate and sat down on a bench as I watched a 2-on-2 game between a group of twenty to thirty-something guys.
I just sat there. I honestly wasn't sure what to do or say, so I just waited. After a minute or two they finished their game and one of them sat down beside me. I ask him if he spoke English. He did, so I introduced myself. He was a Serb. He asked me what I was doing here. I told him I was working with a church in the city. He said that he went to a Pentecostal church (which is pretty unusual) when he lived in Novi Sad. I asked him if he was attending a church in Thessaloniki. He wasn't and he asked me to text him the address of the Network Community, so that he could come check it out. We exchanged numbers. His buddies then beckoned him from the bench for another game, so we shook hands and parted ways.
That was easy. I didn't have to do... anything, really.
I was shooting around by myself on the far goal when a group of three college-aged guys and girls walked on to the adjacent court. I told them that if they needed a fourth man... hmm, fourth man (Dan. 3:25), to let me know. After they warmed up, another guy showed up, so they called me over for a game of 3-on-2. We played a pretty friendly, uneventful, fun game. I figured that was all it was purposed to be. After the game, we shook hands and three of the four departed. However, I noticed the fourth had a tennis racquet in his backpack. I asked him if he played (as if you would carry around a tennis racquet just for kicks...). Of course he did and asked me if I had someone to play with. I definitely don't and I love playing tennis. We exchanged numbers. He also inquired about my business in Thessaloniki, so I told him. He didn't quite understand my description of the church, so he thought he might check it out sometime. We exchanged numbers with a pending tennis engagement for next Sunday.
That was easy. Again, I didn't really have to do... anything; except perhaps, make myself available, be myself, and let the Holy Spirit do what He wants to do.
The Lord really reminded me that He is absolutely in love with the people of this city. He is really jealous for them and He is doing so much more work than I am likely aware of, drawing many of them unto Himself. I don't need to save them. I can't save them. They don't need Ben Bradford. They need Jesus, the only One who can Author and Perfect their faith.
"What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." - 1 Cor. 3:5-7
Please pray specifically:
- That Jesus would continue to have first place in everything (Col. 1:18).
- That I would be diligent to fulfill what I believe the Lord is calling me to do personally.
- That Amy, Jen, Kim, and I would be united in fulfilling our corporate call to reach young people.
- That our relationships within the body would be ordered and develop according to the will of God.
- That I would be effective in my communication to those interested in my life and work here.
With this in view:
I intend to update this blog on a weekly basis, at a minimum, for those interested in more frequent, detailed updates.
I intend to disseminate a newsletter via email on a monthly basis, for those that prefer a more concise, less-frequent update, in that medium.
Please send me your email if you would like to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. My email address is located in the About Me page.
Much love.
