Podcast - The Greg Lancaster Show, Live from the Glory Zone.

The Power of what God can do Through an Abiding and Obedient Lifestyle

The Power of Abiding and Obeying God and the Miracles that Happen when We Spend Time with Jesus

Steve, John, and Pat share an encouraging perspective of spending time abiding with Jesus. In the Bible, God used men and women mightily who wanted to be with Jesus. Ananias and Philip were just two of the many spoken about in the Bible who abided and obeyed God. Steve shares an exciting perspective regarding how the conversion of Saul was a pivotal moment in church history. Saul had no idea that his life was going to take a vital turn when he woke up that morning. Neither did Ananias, who God used to minister to Saul. Ananias had developed a relationship with the Lord. When God called his name, “Ananias!” he not only recognized God’s voice but he also obeyed. Ananias was an abider. Little did he know that this time of seeking God and spending time with the Lord would affect the generations to come 2,000 years later. Philip was another man who spent time with the Lord. The Lord called Philip to take a walk, a long walk along the desert road. He was willing to go and he responded. While on the way he encountered an Ethiopian man. Because of this encounter, the Ethiopian man ended up giving his life to Jesus and being baptized. Philip had no idea that this man was an important official who worked alongside the Queen of the Ethiopians. Philip’s abiding time and obedience with the Lord resulted in him affecting an entire nation of people, the Ethiopians. Steve continues to share the stories of those who followed the Lord in making disciples. Some of those are nameless and faceless only known in the heart of God. What we do know is the outcomes of their ministry. Billy Graham touched generations; a powerful man of God who ministered to many American Presidents and leaders worldwide. What most do not know is the man God used to minister to Billy Graham: Mordecai Hamm. Mordecai knew Jesus and he was willing to go where Jesus called him. Mordecai had no idea that one morning as he was seeking God’s face for a message to share to others, would be the day that he would minister to generations. Steve Hill was another powerful General in God’s army that not only shared the gospel, but preached to the nations. Again, what many don’t know is the young minister who responded to a mother’s beckoning call for someone to witness to her drug addict son who was overdosing on drugs and lying on his bed. This young minister followed Jesus and responded to the need of this mother and witnessed to her son. Her son was revivalist Steve Hill. This young minister had no idea what would happen one specific morning. Generations are deeply indebted to these mighty Generals in God’s army as well as to those who spent time abiding with God and obeying what He told them to do.

God has an awesome and powerful plan for your life. Will you go? Will you follow Jesus even if you are called to take the desert road? Because of those that were willing to go, countless stories and testimonies of the Brownsville Revival and many others are still being shared to this day. Steve and John continue to encourage us with the reality that if a Christian is bored today, something is wrong. Begin to abide with Jesus. We can do nothing apart from Jesus. If what Jesus Christ has done in our lives has not touched the lives of others then it hasn’t touched ours. What fills our conversations? What are we telling others about? Many are quick to tell their friends about their sports team, a great restaurant, or a new pair of shoes. If Jesus Christ has changed your life, who are you telling? Everyone knows when a woman gets married. Many can recount that conversation that started with her showing everyone her left hand. She wants everyone to see her new wedding ring. She is getting married. She wants everyone to know about her bridegroom and the wonderful plans they have together. Jesus has a plan for mankind. Are you telling them?

John continues to share the important reality that the time that we have to tell others about Jesus is a short one, limited only to this life. During a season in John’s life he was able to minister at the Louisiana State University Medical Center. John recounts a story of a family that had experienced a traumatic car accident that resulted in every family member being admitted to the hospital. John was willing to go; he was able to minister to each and every member that was in a different room and on different floors. He was simply there for that family during their traumatic time. This resulted in John being invited to their home when all of them were released. John was then able to share the gospel with them. We must seize the opportunity of a lifetime during the lifetime of the opportunity. If you died today, standing before Jesus, would you be happy? Nobody is getting younger. We are all getting older. The time is now. Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Go and tell others the good news of Jesus.

Prayer Has No Limitations

John, Steve and Pat discuss the remarkable nature of prayer in that has no limitations. If I wanted to go across the world to England or Uganda and have Godly impact in that part of the world for Jesus I would have some unique things to consider. The amount of time it would take to travel, the expense, one’s energy and the limitation as to how many people one can reach within a given space and time. Yet prayer has no such limitations and if you wanted to touch the nation of Uganda and England and anywhere in the world you can do so simply by prayer. Since prayer travels unhindered, unrestricted, and can go through walls and roofs affecting the targeted area. They continue to discuss how we are made in the image of God although man tends to give God human characteristics that lend you to believe that God was created in the image of man. Of course this is not true. The best way to know who we are is to first know who God is. God is a Spirit and there are some things that are important to know regarding his nature. God is a spirit, He is invisible and He is immortal. Our flesh is just the tent that houses our spirit and soul. When we pray it is like our prayers are joined with our spirit and we can be in any given place affecting the spiritual environment. They encourage us to engage God and communicate with Him through prayer and perseverance for His will to come to pass in the world in which we live.

John, Steve and Pat discuss the remarkable nature of prayer in that has no limitations. If I wanted to go across the world to England or Uganda and have Godly impact in that part of the world for Jesus I would have some unique things to consider. The amount of time it would take to travel, the expense, one’s energy and the limitation as to how many people one can reach within a given space and time. Yet prayer has no such limitations and if you wanted to touch the nation of Uganda and England and anywhere in the world you can do so simply by prayer. Since prayer travels unhindered, unrestricted, and can go through walls and roofs affecting the targeted area. They continue to discuss how we are made in the image of God although man tends to give God human characteristics that lend you to believe that God was created in the image of man. Of course this is not true. The best way to know who we are is to first know who God is. God is a Spirit and there are some things that are important to know regarding his nature. God is a spirit, He is invisible and He is immortal. Our flesh is just the tent that houses our spirit and soul. When we pray it is like our prayers are joined with our spirit and we can be in any given place affecting the spiritual environment. They encourage us to engage God and communicate with Him through prayer and perseverance for His will to come to pass in the world in which we live.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

10 Year Old Boy Does an Incredible thing Causes Kidnapper to Release Him Unharmed

John, Steve and Pat discuss the incredible thing a ten year old boy in Atlanta, GA did when he was kidnapped. The young boy, Willie Myrick, was reportedly abducted from his driveway and was then dropped off some three hours later unharmed. The reason he was dropped off is because he would not stop singing the song “Every Praise” written by Hezekiah Walker. They continue to express their gratitude to the Lord that the young boy was not harmed as well as encouraged by how this young boy continued to sing in his captivity. They remind us of the importance of protecting the entrustment God has given us with our children. Willie could have been singing any song in his heart but instead that bleak day he sang the song in his heart that he had learned in church. Thank you Lord that we can worship you and be released from anything that threatens to detain, capture and hold us in captivity

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

Looking For a Job? Learn the Latest Tech Tools Recruiters Are using for Hiring

John, Steve, and Pat discuss how today’s recruiters are using technology in unprecedented ways for hiring. If you are looking for work or know someone who is looking for work you will be very interested in hearing this segment. John, Steve and Pat continue to share many statistics shared by a recruiter box that gives insight as to how the internet is transforming the way hiring is being done. They continue to discuss how many people are still having difficulties finding employment and one of the reasons this may be happening is because they are using antiquated methods for their career search. Today’s job market is not the only thing that has changed; the way applicants and employers interact regarding applying and hiring has also changed as well. Today 92% of employers are using or planning to use social networks for recruiting this year. 73% of recruiters check their candidates’ social media profile which is not too surprising when one considers that 70% of job seekers use their mobile device when job searching. They continue to share some tips and strategies for landing a job as well as praying that God would bless Christians with a good job with more money for less hours for more work in the Kingdom of God.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

John, Steve, and Pat discuss how they are so filled with awe regarding Jesus’ life and how and why He did what he did during His earthly ministry. God the Father had a role for His son, Jesus. If we look at Jesus’ ministry on earth we may be tempted to think that Jesus had a well thought out plan but they continue to discuss that Jesus did not have his own agenda in fact, His desire was to only do the will of the Father. The secret to his success if there was a secret was his reverent and submitted life to the Father. Jesus only did what he saw and heard his father doing. The Father’s plan was unfolded as Jesus followed the Father’s instruction, leading, and guidance. God always had a plan to deal with sin. In the Old Testament we find that the priest would sacrifice a sin offering but the sacrifice never did away with the sin but instead covered it. They continued to share what the Bible describes are the credentials of a high priest in Hebrew 5:1-2 “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness”. Jesus was called by His Father to be a High Priest however he was not just called to be the High Priest but to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins to do away with them once and for all. Jesus was not just the payment for sin but He was the only one worthy enough to handle the transaction. This just didn’t happen Jesus had process in His life. He learned obedience from what he suffered and once he was made perfect according to verse 8; He became the source of eternal salvation. Jesus is a perfect example for us all and it would do us good to follow His example. God heard his prayers because of his reverent and holy submission to the Father. Many today are trying many things to gain success when in fact success in life is not as elusive as some may suggest when in reality success is simply doing what God wants

you to do.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

The Power of what God can do Through an Abiding and Obedient Lifestyle

The Power of Abiding and Obeying God and the Miracles that Happen when We Spend Time with Jesus

Steve, John, and Pat share an encouraging perspective of spending time abiding with Jesus. In the Bible, God used men and women mightily who wanted to be with Jesus. Ananias and Philip were just two of the many spoken about in the Bible who abided and obeyed God. Steve shares an exciting perspective regarding how the conversion of Saul was a pivotal moment in church history. Saul had no idea that his life was going to take a vital turn when he woke up that morning. Neither did Ananias, who God used to minister to Saul. Ananias had developed a relationship with the Lord. When God called his name, “Ananias!” he not only recognized God’s voice but he also obeyed. Ananias was an abider. Little did he know that this time of seeking God and spending time with the Lord would affect the generations to come 2,000 years later. Philip was another man who spent time with the Lord. The Lord called Philip to take a walk, a long walk along the desert road. He was willing to go and he responded. While on the way he encountered an Ethiopian man. Because of this encounter, the Ethiopian man ended up giving his life to Jesus and being baptized. Philip had no idea that this man was an important official who worked alongside the Queen of the Ethiopians. Philip’s abiding time and obedience with the Lord resulted in him affecting an entire nation of people, the Ethiopians. Steve continues to share the stories of those who followed the Lord in making disciples. Some of those are nameless and faceless only known in the heart of God. What we do know is the outcomes of their ministry. Billy Graham touched generations; a powerful man of God who ministered to many American Presidents and leaders worldwide. What most do not know is the man God used to minister to Billy Graham: Mordecai Hamm. Mordecai knew Jesus and he was willing to go where Jesus called him. Mordecai had no idea that one morning as he was seeking God’s face for a message to share to others, would be the day that he would minister to generations. Steve Hill was another powerful General in God’s army that not only shared the gospel, but preached to the nations. Again, what many don’t know is the young minister who responded to a mother’s beckoning call for someone to witness to her drug addict son who was overdosing on drugs and lying on his bed. This young minister followed Jesus and responded to the need of this mother and witnessed to her son. Her son was revivalist Steve Hill. This young minister had no idea what would happen one specific morning. Generations are deeply indebted to these mighty Generals in God’s army as well as to those who spent time abiding with God and obeying what He told them to do.

God has an awesome and powerful plan for your life. Will you go? Will you follow Jesus even if you are called to take the desert road? Because of those that were willing to go, countless stories and testimonies of the Brownsville Revival and many others are still being shared to this day. Steve and John continue to encourage us with the reality that if a Christian is bored today, something is wrong. Begin to abide with Jesus. We can do nothing apart from Jesus. If what Jesus Christ has done in our lives has not touched the lives of others then it hasn’t touched ours. What fills our conversations? What are we telling others about? Many are quick to tell their friends about their sports team, a great restaurant, or a new pair of shoes. If Jesus Christ has changed your life, who are you telling? Everyone knows when a woman gets married. Many can recount that conversation that started with her showing everyone her left hand. She wants everyone to see her new wedding ring. She is getting married. She wants everyone to know about her bridegroom and the wonderful plans they have together. Jesus has a plan for mankind. Are you telling them?

John continues to share the important reality that the time that we have to tell others about Jesus is a short one, limited only to this life. During a season in John’s life he was able to minister at the Louisiana State University Medical Center. John recounts a story of a family that had experienced a traumatic car accident that resulted in every family member being admitted to the hospital. John was willing to go; he was able to minister to each and every member that was in a different room and on different floors. He was simply there for that family during their traumatic time. This resulted in John being invited to their home when all of them were released. John was then able to share the gospel with them. We must seize the opportunity of a lifetime during the lifetime of the opportunity. If you died today, standing before Jesus, would you be happy? Nobody is getting younger. We are all getting older. The time is now. Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Go and tell others the good news of Jesus.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

The Tremendous Blessing of Having God’s Wisdom in Your Life

John, Steve and Pat discuss the tremendous blessing of having God’s wisdom in our life. They continue to remind us how many are seeking knowledge and although knowledge has its place it is important for us to have wisdom. Knowledge alone is information but when Godly wisdom accompanies knowledge then we know how to apply the knowledge we have received. In this moment of wisdom Proverbs 8 speaks of wisdom as a woman crying out in the streets for the simple to listen. Proverbs 8:6-11 says “Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Like Solomon we have a great need for wisdom. It is important to abide and to seek the Lord for wisdom and allow the word of God to go through you as opposed to you going through the word. God will reveal himself and his ways to you. Jesus said in Matthew 11:25 “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” They continue to share how so much is shared in the Bible regarding children mainly that we must become like them to inherit the kingdom. Children just believe and trust God and his wisdom. Often times the more one knows the more they defend what they know instead of resting on the wisdom of the Lord. We are tremendously blessed when we follow the wisdom of God.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

God is Writing a Story; When you cooperate with God the Story has a Good Ending- Don’t Give Up

John, Steve and Pat discuss how God is writing a story and how the story ends well when we cooperate with the author of life- God. They discuss how from a young age we are trained and educated as children for years to get a good job. Many times people put themselves under a great amount of stress and pressure to figure out their whole life and what their profession is going to be. God has called us to be human beings not human doings. One of the best things we can tell someone is that God is writing a story and the part that includes earth has spanned over 6,000 years and he has allowed you to come up on the screen for a very limited time period. Instead trying to dictate what you are going to do rest fully in God and trusting that He knows what He is doing. He is working on the development of your character and throughout your life you will have several roles and interact with other figures as well. Throughout your life you will experience tremendous highs and as well as some extreme lows understanding that they are all “Father Filtered.” They continue to discuss the life of David and how his story unfolded and what God was able to do with him and through him. Often times people are tempted to give up and take over God’s pen and write themselves into a story line that was not meant for them or they are inserting themselves before their time. They encourage us to remember that if we cooperate with the author of life the story ends well. They also encourage us to live in the moment and be content to doing what is before us at any given time totally living in the moment entrusting ourselves to God. Remember no matter how bad it gets there is another scene coming. Don’t give in or give up. David remained faithful to God’s script and because he did there was a coronation day awaiting him. Imagine what awaits you.

The Tremendous Blessing of Having God’s Wisdom in our Life

John, Steve and Pat discuss the tremendous blessing of having God’s wisdom in our life. They continue to remind us how many are seeking knowledge and although knowledge has its place it is important for us to have wisdom. Knowledge alone is information but when Godly wisdom accompanies knowledge then we know how to apply the knowledge we have received. In this moment of wisdom Proverbs 8 speaks of wisdom as a woman crying out in the streets for the simple to listen. Proverbs 8:6-11 says “Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Like Solomon we have a great need for wisdom. It is important to abide and to seek the Lord for wisdom and allow the word of God to go through you as opposed to you going through the word. God will reveal himself and his ways to you. Jesus said in Matthew 11:25 “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” They continue to share how so much is shared in the Bible regarding children mainly that we must become like them to inherit the kingdom. Children just believe and trust God and his wisdom. Often times the more one knows the more they defend what they know instead of resting on the wisdom of the Lord. We are tremendously blessed when we follow the wisdom of God.

Guarding our Hunger for God from the Hindrances That Can Get in the Way

Steve, John and Pat have an encouraging conversation stirring up a greater hunger for God. They share that there are things in our lives that may be hindering us, not necessarily sinful, but distractions that are keeping us from going deeper in God; encountering more of Jesus. We can all relate to the many different activities that can fill up our daily lives: social media, entertainment, sports, our job, etc. When a vacation comes up, significant changes are made in how the day is spent. There is packing to be done. What is the weather going to be like where we are going? There is so much to do in so little time. Steve shares how he saw the change in someone’s life, and the things someone no longer did when they were getting prepared for a vacation. They understood they could no longer do what they were presently doing in order to get done what was needed. It is the same in our walk with the Lord. This life is only for a season. We are going somewhere after this life. What are we doing with the time that we are given? Are we spending it on the distractions, the job, the entertainment, and the hindrances? Or are we focused on where we are going and living every day that we are giving for Jesus? When we say yes to spend time with Jesus, with our families, we are saying no to everything else. We can only say yes to one thing at a time. Are the hindrances in life getting in the way of our hunger for God? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

LOVE FIRST- Work Second

John, Steve, and Pat discuss how our love for God is foundational before our work for Him. They continue to discuss how Jesus’ revelation to the churches in Revelation. They discuss how there seems to be a pattern. Jesus first declares who He is, what he has observed them doing, what the church needs to fix or address and offers a reward to each church that overcomes. When Jesus addresses the church of Ephesus He informs them that He is the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and that He is the one who walks among the lampstands. He begins to share with them what He knows. We must always know that we live under God’s all Seeing Eye and that nothing escapes Him ever. Revelations 2:2 tells us what Jesus knew about them. “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” He was familiar with their deeds and their good works yet he still had something against them. They had forsaken or abandoned their first love. They continue to discuss the importance of working for God from a position of love. God is not impressed by what we can do for Him if we don’t even love Him. “Passion to do the work of the Lord can never become greater than passion for the Lord of the work” says Ryan Bruss. Your work for God should never increase while your love and passion for God is decreasing. You can look at two people working for God and on the surface it looks the same but one may be a lover and the other just a worker. A lover of God works out of the overflow of love for God and the worker just works and maybe even thinks he is earning love. They continue to underscore the importance of abiding and spending time with Jesus. Jesus himself instructed them and us today to repent, remember the heights of which you have fallen and do the things you did at first. God gives a promise to those who overcome and that is the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Guarding our Hunger for God from the Hindrances That Can Get in the Way

Steve, John and Pat have an encouraging conversation stirring up a greater hunger for God. They share that there are things in our lives that may be hindering us, not necessarily sinful, but distractions that are keeping us from going deeper in God; encountering more of Jesus. We can all relate to the many different activities that can fill up our daily lives: social media, entertainment, sports, our job, etc. When a vacation comes up, significant changes are made in how the day is spent. There is packing to be done. What is the weather going to be like where we are going? There is so much to do in so little time. Steve shares how he saw the change in someone’s life, and the things someone no longer did when they were getting prepared for a vacation. They understood they could no longer do what they were presently doing in order to get done what was needed. It is the same in our walk with the Lord. This life is only for a season. We are going somewhere after this life. What are we doing with the time that we are given? Are we spending it on the distractions, the job, the entertainment, and the hindrances? Or are we focused on where we are going and living every day that we are given for Jesus? When we say yes to spend time with Jesus, with our families, we are saying no to everything else. We can only say yes to one thing at a time. Are the hindrances in life getting in the way of our hunger for God? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com