Zion Podcast

For many of us, we would like to become the people we admire, be we all can't be Michael Jordan. What if someone told you that there is a way to be like Jesus? That you could bring with you the same signs, wonders, and miracles that Jesus performed in the Gospels?
 
In John 14:12 it says, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
 
At Zion, we believe that the Bible speaks the truth, its contents are real, and that we can apply it to our lives today. In this week's episode, Brandon talks about the discrepancy that lies between ourselves and becoming like Jesus. This discrepancy is whether or not we carry the Holy Spirit.
 
Our prayer for you this week is that while you are listening, you would be filled through the baptism o the Holy Spirit, empowering you to be more like Jesus than you ever dreamed possible.
Source:
“Bible Gateway Passage: John 14:12 - New International Version.” Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A12&version=NIV. 

"In order for you to edify yourself and do what I have for you, you are going to need to speak in tongues. It is what edifies you" - Brandon Block

In this episode we learn from Pastor Brandon Block that praying in the Spirit isn't what the world has made it out to be. It was never meant to be weird, gaudy, or fanciful. Our prayer language is a tool God has given us to speak directly to Him, no matter what it sounds like. It also isn't something that God possesses us to do, but it is something we act upon in obedience. Through a prayer life of speaking in tongues on a regular basis, we become edified or built up in our everyday lives. Tune in to this episode to find out more about how you can use this gift to strengthen your intimacy with God and pray in accord with His will.

The definition for "edify" The Merriam Dictionary is: "to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : UPLIFT also  : ENLIGHTEN, INFORM" (Merriam-Webster, 2023).

To bring Encounter Week of 2023 to a close,  let's look back at the things God has done at Zion. In our prayer journals, we wrote down the people we have a burden for and the things we were expecting God to do in our lives as the past few weeks have taught us to develop a rhythm of prayer and intercession for others. And through our prayers, God has become more real and active in our lives than we have ever seen before.

In this week's podcast, Pastor Brandon emphasizes the power of testimony as our faith is built through sharing our testimonies. Our stories become the foundation for not just what God has done, but what he will continue to do this year as we pray and ask God to do it again! This week we've not just discovered that prayer is effective, but that it's where the action is. And the best part is that we're just getting started.

Tune in to this week's episode and join us as we step into a launching pad of power for where God is taking us next...

"The word testimony means 'Do It Again'! But it does not stop their Zion Church, it says, do it again with the same POWER and AUTHORITY!" - Benjamin Houpe

The testimonies we carry are valuable for many reasons, but they aren't just something we stick in our back pocket. The testimonies are food for the soul which become the strength that we need to overcome our next battle. In 1 Samuel, David brings his testimonies to battle knowing that he can conquer giants because of his ability to defeat lions and bears. What if you knew that God could give you this same power and authority in your life?

This Encounter Week at Zion, Pastor Benjamin Houpe gives us the opportunity to see the power of testimony through his eyes so that we would be equipped to defeat the giants in our own lives.

Instagram: @benjaminhoupe

From the words of John Wesley-
 “It seems as though God does nothing except in response to believing in prayer”.

This week at Zion, Pastor Brandon Block unpacks the burden of prayer and how God places specific needs in our hearts so that we can respond in obedience through prayer. “Praying” is not just our response in a group chat when the people around us our seeking an answer to a situation; it goes deeper as we partner with God to seek spiritual solutions to natural concerns.

Tune into this episode as Pastor Brandon gives us direction for growing deeper in our prayer life. The challenge in front of us isn’t “What will God do if I pray?”. But the question we should be asking is, “If we do not pray, how will the answer come?”

Prayer is the foundation for every expectation. As we look to God through prayer and fasting this new year, we hear God's call to build a strong foundation of prayer for the desires He's placed in our heart.

On January 15th at sundown, the people of Zion are embarking on a 21 day journey together of fasting and prayer. We're setting aside choice foods and creating intentional time to spend in the presence of God. If you're new to Zion or aren't sure what a spiritual fast entails, listen in as pastor Brandon explains the nuts and bolts of the 21 day fast. 

The roots of the Daniel fast and the spiritual power that it holds. A practical look at the process of prayer and intercession. 

As God gives us direction for 2023 Pastor Brandon gives a sermon about expectation and the Dilemma of losing hope when facing the gap between expectation and reality. 

Jesus didn’t die so that we could all just be waiting to get to  Heaven. God’s design is for us to experience the Kingdom of Heaven here and now - on this earth. What does that mean for you? Tune in to find out.