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

Israel Unveils New Unmanned Fighting Boat To Patrol Israel’s Shores

John and Pat discuss Israel’s latest weaponry in protecting Israel’s shore. They discuss what is called a USV, Unmanned Surveillance Vehicle also known as “Katana” according to the Jerusalem Post. It functions a lot like an unmanned drone airplane with the difference it’s a boat. According to the “Jerusalem Post”, “IAI’s, Israel’s Aerospace Industries Katana is a multifunctional vessel and “marine system” that provides various capabilities such as advanced communications, weapons systems and varied payloads.” They continue to discuss that Israel will do what it has to do to defend itself and no one should underestimate the willingness and capability to do so. They encourage us to continue to pray for Israel and not to dismiss the eerie silence that is coming from the Middle East at the moment. They remind us to stay alert and to watch and pray.

Living a Surrendered Life

John and Pat discuss the importance of living a surrendered life. They continue to discuss how many people today are focusing much of their attention on what others say about the Bible instead of reading the Bible. They further discuss how there has never been a time like we are living in now where there has been more Christian literature in the forms of books, media, internet, audio and video and yet they are not many signs in which we can see how this has deepened the walk of most believers and to spur them on to live more surrendered lives to Jesus. They encourage us to take time to read the letters in red in our Bible, the words of Jesus. They further discuss how as they look at the landscape of our culture and the church they notice how the world has infiltrated the church rather than the church infiltrating the culture. They discuss how the more they read the words of Jesus and compare His words to what we see in the church at large they see much contrast. Jesus didn’t come to earth to give us a “cute” religion or a way of life but instead to give us true life since we are walking dead men and women who were walking in our sins. They continue to discuss how Jesus was extremely popular and large crowds came to see him and be ministered to. They enjoyed the miracles, acts of power, seeing the demon possessed delivered and in their right mind but when it came to those who would go deeper, those who would become a follower and disciple of Jesus HE gave them very important instructions.

Matthew 16: 24-26

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul.”

God has called us to live a surrendered life. We are not able to follow Jesus if we have not laid down our lives before the Lord. Giving our lives to Jesus is not about saying a nice prayer but giving him our entire life, following Him, and loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. The truth is that we are doing people an injustice when we are not sharing with them the truth regarding Jesus’ expectation. This is why we have so much of what some are calling the gospel when in reality they have watered the gospel down and diluted that it is no gospel at all. They continue to discuss the sold out commitments of many of our Chinese Christian brothers and sisters that live their life only to honor God and at a personal cost to themselves. To this we were called to forever be grateful and totally aware and appreciative of the saving grace that has been given to us by Jesus when he died on the cross for our sins. May we live our lives in such a way before the Lord that it shows our great gratitude and love for all that He has done for us.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

President Obama Calls for the Release of Imprisoned Pastor Saeed in Iran

John and Pat discuss how President Obama’s recent call for Pastor Saeed to be released from an Iranian prison at the National Prayer Breakfast. The president’s remarks came at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. which was attended by 3,000 Americans from across the country. CBN reports the President Obama said the following “"We pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini," the President said. “He’s been held in Iran for more than 18 months, sentenced to eight years in prison on charges related to his Christian beliefs. And as we continue to work for his freedom, again we call on the Iranian government to release Pastor Abedini so he can return to the loving arms of his wife and children in Idaho." They continued to share how this can be a significant turning point in the campaign to see Pastor Saeed released since he has been imprisoned for nearly a year and half. They continue to encourage us to pray and to stand for persecuted Christians all over the world. We must not forget them. They further discuss how we can remain informed regarding Pastor Saeed at ACLJ.

Inching Closer to the “Beast Economy” with a Chip and Pin for Future Credit Cards

John and Pat discuss how we are inching closer to the “beast economy” with a chip and pin for future credit cards as a proposed way for making credit card transactions more secure. According to Fox News, “A series of hacks at two major retailers over the Christmas shopping season has so startled the U.S. retail sector that it is rushing to catch up, technologically, with Kenya in terms of security.” It has been said that because of security concerns this new chip and pin technology to be placed in credit cards will not only do away with the black strip on the back of the credit cards resulting in the chip encrypting data differently for each transaction. They further discuss how with every new scare it seems that many people in today’s society are willing to give up more of their rights and privacy even if under the guise of safety. They encourage us to seek the wisdom and direction of God always as we are inching closer to a beast economy that is mentioned in Revelation 13. They encourage us to watch, pray and seek the Lord by placing our hope only and fully upon Him. When we enter into an abiding relationship with the Lord He begins to unveil and unfold to us what we need to know and what to do with what He tells us.

Israel Unveils New Unmanned Fighting Boat To Patrol Israel’s Shores

John and Pat discuss Israel’s latest weaponry in protecting Israel’s shore. They discuss what is called a USV, Unmanned Surveillance Vehicle also known as “Katana” according to the Jerusalem Post. It functions a lot like an unmanned drone airplane with the difference it’s a boat. According to the “Jerusalem Post”, “IAI’s, Israel’s Aerospace Industries Katana is a multifunctional vessel and “marine system” that provides various capabilities such as advanced communications, weapons systems and varied payloads.” They continue to discuss that Israel will do what it has to do to defend itself and no one should underestimate the willingness and capability to do so. They encourage us to continue to pray for Israel and not to dismiss the eerie silence that is coming from the Middle East at the moment. They remind us to stay alert and to watch and pray.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

John and Pat discuss how the importance of the most precious commodity we have, time. They continued to discuss how fast time has been going by. They further discussed how God entrusts us with time. God knows the day we will be born and the day we will die and what lies between those two dates are seconds, minutes, hours, and days. Like time in an hour glass we all start with a certain amount of time and when our time runs out it is out. In light of our limited amount of time the average American allegedly spends 37 minutes a day on social media when calculated it is the equivalent to 17 hours. They continued to discuss how important it is to be a good manager of our time. They continued to discuss how we are either investing time or wasting time with people and things. They further discuss what we would do if we were given just a few months to live. What kind of choices would we make? Who would we spend time with and what we would we do? They continue to discuss that a proper understanding of time enables us to truly seize the moment and would help us to prioritize our life and values. When it is all said and done what always matters in the end is what will we have to show for our time in relation to God and in relation to others? We would be wise to give thought to our ways and make adjustments with what we do with our time to eliminate tomorrows regret today.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

Answer to Prayer: Sex Trafficking Ring Busted – 16 children and 50 Woman Rescued!

John and Pat discuss an answer to prayer as they share how God rescued 16 children and 50 women from sex trafficking rings. According to Charisma News 45 people were arrested and 16 juveniles rescued in a two-week crackdown on prostitution in the New York-New Jersey area leading up to last Sunday's Super Bowl, the Federal Bureau of Investigation officials said on Tuesday. The rescued children ages ranged from 13 to 17. They continue to share how their rescue was an answer to their prayers. They have been praying for several years this prayer.

"Father we call upon You for You are our help in times of trouble, our deliver, our rescuer and we ask that You send Your light in the midst of darkness and set the women and children FREE who are being sold and traded as sex slaves throughout the world. Send your guardian angels to fight the battle of darkness to set your children free! Let your judgment come to those who are capturing women and children making them slaves to be used to fulfill sexual needs of those who are evil. Expose those who are involved and destroy the sexual slave human trafficking trade rings throughout the world. We cry out for justice for those who have been forced to be sexual slaves asking for their freedom and that they come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ making Your Son Jesus the Lord and Savior of their lives. Restore hope and purity and heal the emotions of all those who have been used against their will. Pour out your love over each woman and child who has been used as a sex slave and let them be a light and testimony of what our God can do!"

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

Celebrating Black History Month: William Seymour Man of Prayer and Power

John and Pat discuss the celebration of Black History month as they discuss a man of prayer and of power. They continue to discuss how God used William Seymour a humble one eye black man who in the natural seemed to have so very little and yet was used so powerfully. Seymour was born to free slaves during a time where there was much segregation. Seymour was continually rejected by the church and eventually settled in Los Angeles and was locked out of the church building when he preached about speaking in tongues. He ended up in a little home having a prayer meeting and the power of God came down so powerfully that the revival meetings took a life of their own forcing them to meet in a location on Azusa Street where at least 1, 000 people gathered nightly for three years from all over the world. It is said that nearly 600 million people have been impacted in the world as a result of William Seymour’s ministry during the Azusa Street Revival. Although it appeared that Seymour did not have much what he did have proved to be the only thing he needed was an experiential knowledge of God. He knew God and God knew him.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

It’s not about Just One Gift but the Family of God working Together

John and Pat discuss how it’s not about just one gift but instead about the family of God working together. They continue to discuss the stunning Super Bowl defeat the Seattle Seahawks dealt the Denver Broncos when they beat them with a score 43-8. They continued to discuss how this was a particularly stunning defeat for the Broncos not just because they were favored to win but also because the night before the Super Bowl Peyton Manning , their quarterback, won the MVP, Most Valuable Player award. They further discussed how insignificant this award was compared to the coveted prize of the Super Bowl Championship. When a team wins the Super Bowl championship the entire team is recognized for their achievement. In fact the entire organization is recognized as champions because every single player, coach, assistants, equipment managers, office personnel and stadium usher had a role to play. They continue to draw comparisons between how there is a tendency to focus all the attention on a single key position in football and how many do the same when lifting up one gift above the entire church. The church is not about any human individual but rather is more about the family working together to honor God and the advancement of his kingdom. When we focus on just one gift we fail to fulfill the destiny the church has to bring all of God’s gifts together for the advancement of his kingdom. The day of the lone ranger is over it’s time for every believer to get ready and play together as a family. Each one reaching one, each person being one as we come together as the family of God.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

Time: Like a Sand in an Hour Glass

John and Pat discuss how the importance of the most precious commodity we have, time. They continued to discuss how fast time has been going by. They further discussed how God entrusts us with time. God knows the day we will be born and the day we will die and what lies between those two dates are seconds, minutes, hours, and days. Like time in an hour glass we all start with a certain amount of time and when our time runs out it is out. In light of our limited amount of time the average American allegedly spends 37 minutes a day on social media when calculated it is the equivalent to 17 hours. They continued to discuss how important it is to be a good manager of our time. They continued to discuss how we are either investing time or wasting time with people and things. They further discuss what we would do if we were given just a few months to live. What kind of choices would we make? Who would we spend time with and what we would we do? They continue to discuss that a proper understanding of time enables us to truly seize the moment and would help us to prioritize our life and values. When it is all said and done what always matters in the end is what will we have to show for our time in relation to God and in relation to others? We would be wise to give thought to our ways and make adjustments with what we do with our time to eliminate tomorrows regret today.

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

It’s not about Just One Gift but the Family of God working Together

John and Pat discuss how it’s not about just one gift but instead about the family of God working together. They continue to discuss the stunning Super Bowl defeat the Seattle Seahawks dealt the Denver Broncos when they beat them with a score 43-8. They continued to discuss how this was a particularly stunning defeat for the Broncos not just because they were favored to win but also because the night before the Super Bowl Peyton Manning , their quarterback, won the MVP, Most Valuable Player award. They further discussed how insignificant this award was compared to the coveted prize of the Super Bowl Championship. When a team wins the Super Bowl championship the entire team is recognized for their achievement. In fact the entire organization is recognized as champions because every single player, coach, assistants, equipment managers, office personnel and stadium usher had a role to play. They continue to draw comparisons between how there is a tendency to focus all the attention on a single key position in football and how many do the same when lifting up one gift above the entire church. The church is not about any human individual but rather is more about the family working together to honor God and the advancement of his kingdom. When we focus on just one gift we fail to fulfill the destiny the church has to bring all of God’s gifts together for the advancement of his kingdom. The day of the lone ranger is over it’s time for every believer to get ready and play together as a family. Each one reaching one, each person being one as we come together as the family of God.

Celebrating Black History Month: William Seymour Man of Prayer and Power

John and Pat discuss the celebration of Black History month as they discuss a man of prayer and of power. They continue to discuss how God used William Seymour a humble one eye black man who in the natural seemed to have so very little and yet was used so powerfully. Seymour was born to free slaves during a time where there was much segregation. Seymour was continually rejected by the church and eventually settled in Los Angeles and was locked out of the church building when he preached about speaking in tongues. He ended up in a little home having a prayer meeting and the power of God came down so powerfully that the revival meetings took a life of their own forcing them to meet in a location on Azusa Street where at least 1, 000 people gathered nightly for three years from all over the world. It is said that nearly 600 million people have been impacted in the world as a result of William Seymour’s ministry during the Azusa Street Revival. Although it appeared that Seymour did not have much what he did have proved to be the only thing he needed was an experiential knowledge of God. He knew God and God knew him.

Answer to Prayer: Sex Trafficking Ring Busted – 16 children and 50 Woman Rescued!

John and Pat discuss an answer to prayer as they share how God rescued 16 children and 50 women from sex trafficking rings. According to Charisma News 45 people were arrested and 16 juveniles rescued in a two-week crackdown on prostitution in the New York-New Jersey area leading up to last Sunday's Super Bowl, the Federal Bureau of Investigation officials said on Tuesday. The rescued children ages ranged from 13 to 17. They continue to share how their rescue was an answer to their prayers. They have been praying for several years this prayer.

"Father we call upon You for You are our help in times of trouble, our deliver, our rescuer and we ask that You send Your light in the midst of darkness and set the women and children FREE who are being sold and traded as sex slaves throughout the world. Send your guardian angels to fight the battle of darkness to set your children free! Let your judgment come to those who are capturing women and children making them slaves to be used to fulfill sexual needs of those who are evil. Expose those who are involved and destroy the sexual slave human trafficking trade rings throughout the world. We cry out for justice for those who have been forced to be sexual slaves asking for their freedom and that they come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ making Your Son Jesus the Lord and Savior of their lives. Restore hope and purity and heal the emotions of all those who have been used against their will. Pour out your love over each woman and child who has been used as a sex slave and let them be a light and testimony of what our God can do!"

Find out more on the VFN Torch at VFNtv.com

The Heart of Nehemiah: The Secret to Rebuilding the Church in America- Part 13

Greg, John, and Pat continue their discussion of the importance of having the heart of Nehemiah which they believe is the secret to rebuilding the church in America. They continue their discussion with Nehemiah 9:34.

“Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep.”

They did not pay attention. They ignored God. They continue to discuss the dangers of not warning God’s people even if God’s people will not respond. They continue to discuss how you can’t judge your ministry by how people respond. Your ministry is before the Lord and people just get the opportunity to benefit from it. Of those who claim to know God 97% are robbing God in their tithes according to George Barna. It is possible for a person and or complete nation to ignore God.

You are held accountable before God if you don’t warn them. You want to be one of God’s people who respond. A lot of people have a closet relationship with God while they are publicly rejecting God and what He is doing. Hardships come when we don’t do what God Says to do. Nehemiah 9:35 “Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.”

This is much of the American church today. God has so blessed us that our poorest citizen is richer than most in the world. America has been called the bread basket of the world. Yet in the midst of this we don’t credit God and take him out of our schools and bring down his commandments. Nehemiah 9:36-37 “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.”

Don’t think for a moment America that although the country stays in place that we can be in slavery. Nehemiah is not blaming their captivity for no other reason but for their own sin. He realized that their abundant harvest went to the kings. The direction we are going in is high taxation. Slavery is 100% taxation. When Israel was rejecting God and wanted a king, He told them what the consequences would be. They would be taxed heavily and the king would make demands on them.

The Rule over Our Bodies

Even today laws are coming out regarding what you can eat and how you should raise your children. Nehemiah knew they were in slavery because they left God. They continue to discuss how Nineveh had a set date for disaster but when they responded to God he changed his plans toward them. Will God’s people do what Nehemiah did? There are always contingencies but the good news is that they did respond. If you get serious with God He will get serious with you. Nehemiah 9:38

“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”

They responded publicly and even made a binding agreement. It takes this kind of commitment. You can make a pact with a party, or leader or you can make a pact with God. If we will do this, call out to God, humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways then he will return back to us. We have to own this and quit blaming everybody. We have to own our sins and the sins of our fathers if we do maybe the Lord will grace us with a third great awakening

Greg, John, and Pat continue their discussion of the importance of having the heart of Nehemiah which they believe is the secret to rebuilding the church in America. They continue to discuss how going through public repentance is very important. The word of God convicts us, affirms us, challenges us, and brings us into alignment with God and how we can worship Him. Nehemiah 9: 28

“But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.”

The last time God handed them over to their enemies this time God abandoned them to their enemies. It’s a very dangerous time being on liberty. Sailors would get in trouble on liberty, however when they were manning there position they were focused. Giftings can take you where your character can’t keep you. Character is perfected when you are brought close in relationship.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

Idleness produces idolatry

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”

What is the pattern to building or even rebuilding the church to the way God wants it to be? We don’t have a lot of time to respond. There have been plenty of times in history of those who have gathered themselves around what God is doing. God is a faithful deliverer who has been faithful to deliver us time after time after time. God longs to be sympathetic, merciful, and have compassion towards you if you confess your sins to him. If we confess openly and honestly before God truly seeking to acknowledge being right with him He will respond to us.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

We become deceived when we blame the world for our problems. What is happening is because we have sinned. Nehemiah understood that God warned them about what was going. God warned them to turn them back to their law. Even in the midst of darkness people have a tendency to go deeper. When you are in God’s word you are listening to his heart and what God has to say so you can follow and obey him.

Nehemiah 9:29-31

“You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.”

Nehemiah understood the depth and the severity of their bondage and how it was their fault not God’s fault for them being under oppression. How hard is it for a prideful man to take ownership for his own sin? The question for the church is can she repent from her sin?

Luke 7:23

“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Nehemiah was not offended with God. He realized who God was and how he could handle it. He just needed to figure out how they got there and how they can get out. Matthew 21:44 “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed Nehemiah understanding Israel’s history saw how their government, their priest, their leaders, nor their fathers did not follow God’s commands.”