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

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.

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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.

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In this moment of Wisdom Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” they continue to discuss the importance of taking care of the poor amongst us. Knowledge is on the increase however as knowledge increases we have a great need for wisdom which is the proper application of knowledge. Today in our present culture, no one has righteous care for the poor, in fact, they don’t even think about the poor. The Bible tells us that he who lends to the poor lends to God. Today only 3% of church even honors God with tithes, if we are not honoring God for sure we are not honoring the poor. God is about justice. How we feel about justice says a lot about who we are as a people. Having no compassion for the poor is simply wicked. Compassion is not just feeling bad it involves feeling bad and doing something about what we feel so bad about. When we see injustices we should pray and do something about it. When we are moved with compassion we will see to it that people get the care they need. We will build hospitals, hire doctors and treat those right who are poor among us. We must move immediately to help because if we wait we will only help people because in the end we are just trying to save ourselves. You become concerned about injustice when it is happening to you.

Greg, John, and Pat discuss Resurrection Sunday and the glorious fact that our wonderful Savior has risen indeed. They continue to share how this is a day that sets us apart. God loves you so much that He sent his only Son to pay the ultimate price for our sins. They continued to share how there were two gates and two destinations for all mankind. The question is are we going to make the right choice? Heaven is real. The first gate was closed because of sin and in the New Testament we find Jesus to be the Gate. The Lord has prepared a place for you. Jesus alone is the gate to heaven ; there is no other way. We accept Him in our hearts that we may make him the master of our hearts with the glorious expectation of going to heaven and experiencing everything Colton Burpo experience in the true story “Heaven is Real” and so much more.

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John, Greg, and Pat discuss how the United States is considering ceding internet oversight to other countries and possibly the United Nations. They continue to explore what would happen if countries and China were to take oversight of the Internet. At the present moment China censors the internet in their own country. They further discuss how the United Nations does not have a bill of rights that protects individuals. CBN reports that “In the late 1990s, the Commerce Department formed a nonprofit agency called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, which governs the system that assigns website addresses and directs Internet traffic. "We're talking about every email, every search, something on Google, I mean, we're talking about every transaction," Sekulow explained.” If the United States doesn’t have oversight of the Internet then who will China or Russia? This can lead to a total suppression of free speech. The idea that Congress is even considering this is actually damning because in reality they should be saying NO, Stop right now. What we are possibly seeing is the set up for the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation 13:15-18. They continue to share how there was a time in America were there was such a thing as non- negotiable. However, it appears everything is negotiable; the present administration has already transferred the Arab league to Russia. Is the Internet next? Dear God, end abortion; send Revival.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

Steve, Greg, and Pat encourage us in a discussion about increasing our hunger for God as they dive deeper into the reality of what transpired through the lives of the Apostle Paul and the disciple Peter. Their journeys enabled them to be used mightily for the Kingdom of God. Steve shares how the Holy Spirit has been leading him to change the perspective of what it means when he would ask God to see what Paul saw. Through Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus the light and glory of Jesus shined so brightly upon Paul, that it caused him to be blind for 3 days. Paul may have been blinded to the world, but God was showing Paul his own heart. What a revelation this must have been for Paul to encounter. Of all the persecution he had done to the church, to Jesus, yet Jesus still loved him! This revelation and perspective of who Paul was and the truth that Jesus Christ still loved him is what gave him such a powerful perspective of who Jesus Christ is. This revelation of Jesus allowed Paul to advance the Kingdom unwaveringly amidst persecution and hardship that he wrote the majority of the New Testament in the Bible from a prison cell. Amidst all the great exploits that God used Paul to do, in a letter written from prison, Paul shares his perspective :“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst”.

Steve continues to share about the disciple Peter and his journey of encountering his own heart as well. In his zeal, Peter told Jesus what he would do for Jesus. Jesus spoke the true reality to Peter that Peter would deny him. Steve shares how he has been soaking on that reality of what it must have been like for Peter for those 3 days after Jesus was crucified. He had denied Jesus 3 times. He wept bitterly. It was all over. Jesus was crucified. Now what? He knew nothing else than to go back to fishing and then 3 days later, Jesus returns on the shore calling out to the disciples. Peter had such an encounter with Jesus that he leaped from the boat and swam to Jesus while the other disciples remained in the boat paddling behind him. He was sold out. He pursued Jesus like no one else did. Peter had been to the depths of his own heart. He knew who he was; and Jesus still called out to him. Because of this, Peter was able to be used boldly declaring the gospel at Pentecost when 3,000 people said yes to Jesus.

We are no different from Paul who persecuted the church if we try to live life apart from Jesus proclaiming our good works. Steve and Greg remind us that we are Paul. If we allow God to show us the depths of our own heart; that is where great encounters with Jesus are, in our holy desperation for him. Will you go there?

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

In this moment of Wisdom Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” they continue to discuss the importance of taking care of the poor amongst us. Knowledge is on the increase however as knowledge increases we have a great need for wisdom which is the proper application of knowledge. Today in our present culture, no one has righteous care for the poor, in fact, they don’t even think about the poor. The Bible tells us that he who lends to the poor lends to God. Today only 3% of church even honors God with tithes, if we are not honoring God for sure we are not honoring the poor. God is about justice. How we feel about justice says a lot about who we are as a people. Having no compassion for the poor is simply wicked. Compassion is not just feeling bad it involves feeling bad and doing something about what we feel so bad about. When we see injustices we should pray and do something about it. When we are moved with compassion we will see to it that people get the care they need. We will build hospitals, hire doctors and treat those right who are poor among us. We must move immediately to help because if we wait we will only help people because in the end we are just trying to save ourselves. You become concerned about injustice when it is happening to you.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

John, Greg, and Pat discuss how England’s Prime Minister Cameron, according to CBN is encouraging his country to stand up for Christianity. They continue to discuss the persecution that is happening all around the world to Christians and Jews. They found the Prime Minister’s remarks encouraging especially from the leader of a country who has had sections taken over by Islam. It’s all about politics. The way Islam is growing in Europe is through migration. If enough Muslims move into a certain region and insist upon sharia law they have the potential to influence their local elected representative. Politics is never the answer. They further discuss the dangers of Christian Americans falling asleep because of the very real threat of losing the nation. Many have been tempted to overlook the persecution of the Jews and Christians in other countries because they feel like it won’t happen to them. The truth is this is the exact thing many Christians did in America during the Holocaust. There was a period in time when the Jews were seeking refuge and boarded ships and many countries refused to allow them to come ashore except the Dominican Republic. It is important to understand that evil truly exists and the importance of Christians standing with their brothers and sisters. If we put God back in the center of our nation we may be able to keep hold of it. If we don’t wake up our future is one of tyrannical leadership. There is no hope outside of Jesus.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

News Happening Israel and Jews: Mobster Shot and Killed in Bibi's home; Gaza shots fired; Jews Registered

Greg, John, and Pat discuss recent things that have transpired in Israel with the Jews of Ukraine. They discuss how yet once again rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. They also discuss how a mobster was killed in Israel’s Prime Benjamin Netanyahu’s home neither of these events are related to each other but point to the volatile nature of what could happen at any moment in Israel. They further discuss how the cover of USA Today had an article that reported that the Jews in Ukraine were being made to register. According to USA Today, “World leaders and Jewish groups condemned a leaflet handed out in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk in which Jews were told to "register" with the pro-Russian militants who have taken over a government office in an attempt to make Ukraine part of Russia, according to Ukrainian and Israeli media.” In a leaflet that was circulated amongst Jews they were being ordered to provide information regarding their property, id’s, passports, family members and vehicles as well as pay a $50 registration fee or else have their citizenship revoked. To say nothing at all is evil. God has set the Jews apart from the very beginning they remind us that it doesn’t end well for the Jews and Christian as they are highly persecuted around the world. They continue to discuss how there is some parallel between what is happening with the Jews in Ukraine and the registering of the Affordable Health Care Act in the United States. It is a law Americans have to register. It’s virtually the same thing and underscores our need to turn to God. The only way America will stand is if we go back to the original intent and allow God to have His way.

Find out more on the VFN TORCH at VFNtv.com

Getting Hungry for More of God: A look at the Journeys of Peter and Paul

Steve, Greg, and Pat encourage us in a discussion about increasing our hunger for God as they dive deeper into the reality of what transpired through the lives of the Apostle Paul and the disciple Peter. Their journeys enabled them to be used mightily for the Kingdom of God. Steve shares how the Holy Spirit has been leading him to change the perspective of what it means when he would ask God to see what Paul saw. Through Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus the light and glory of Jesus shined so brightly upon Paul, that it caused him to be blind for 3 days. Paul may have been blinded to the world, but God was showing Paul his own heart. What a revelation this must have been for Paul to encounter. Of all the persecution he had done to the church, to Jesus, yet Jesus still loved him! This revelation and perspective of who Paul was and the truth that Jesus Christ still loved him is what gave him such a powerful perspective of who Jesus Christ is. This revelation of Jesus allowed Paul to advance the Kingdom unwaveringly amidst persecution and hardship that he wrote the majority of the New Testament in the Bible from a prison cell. Amidst all the great exploits that God used Paul to do, in a letter written from prison, Paul shares his perspective :“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst”.

Steve continues to share about the disciple Peter and his journey of encountering his own heart as well. In his zeal, Peter told Jesus what he would do for Jesus. Jesus spoke the true reality to Peter that Peter would deny him. Steve shares how he has been soaking on that reality of what it must have been like for Peter for those 3 days after Jesus was crucified. He had denied Jesus 3 times. He wept bitterly. It was all over. Jesus was crucified. Now what? He knew nothing else than to go back to fishing and then 3 days later, Jesus returns on the shore calling out to the disciples. Peter had such an encounter with Jesus that he leaped from the boat and swam to Jesus while the other disciples remained in the boat paddling behind him. He was sold out. He pursued Jesus like no one else did. Peter had been to the depths of his own heart. He knew who he was; and Jesus still called out to him. Because of this, Peter was able to be used boldly declaring the gospel at Pentecost when 3,000 people said yes to Jesus.

We are no different from Paul who persecuted the church if we try to live life apart from Jesus proclaiming our good works. Steve and Greg remind us that we are Paul. If we allow God to show us the depths of our own heart; that is where great encounters with Jesus are, in our holy desperation for him. Will you go there?

US Considers Ceding Internet Oversight

LISTEN NOW! John, Greg, and Pat discuss how the United States is considering ceding internet oversight to other countries and possibly the United Nations. They continue to explore what would happen if countries and China were to take oversight of the Internet. At the present moment China censors the internet in their own country. They further discuss how the United Nations does not have a bill of rights that protects individuals. CBN reports that “In the late 1990s, the Commerce Department formed a nonprofit agency called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, which governs the system that assigns website addresses and directs Internet traffic. "We're talking about every email, every search, something on Google, I mean, we're talking about every transaction," Sekulow explained.” If the United States doesn’t have oversight of the Internet then who will China or Russia? This can lead to a total suppression of free speech. The idea that Congress is even considering this is actually damning because in reality they should be saying NO, Stop right now. What we are possibly seeing is the set up for the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation 13:15-18. They continue to share how there was a time in America were there was such a thing as non- negotiable. However, it appears everything is negotiable; the present administration has already transferred the Arab league to Russia. Is the Internet next? Dear God, end abortion; send Revival.