Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Have you ever noticed how sensitive kids are these days? I mean, super sensitive. To the point that if everything is not rainbows and unicorns, it must mean death. This is a concept that is very difficult for me to relate to … on many different levels. One of which is my overall personality and mentality of ‘get er done’ and then the faith that I have that is so strong. This ideology of golden or gone just does not make any sense to me.

However, because I know it exists, I have made it my absolute goal to ensure that my grandchildren always know that they are loved … unconditionally and forever … no matter what. From the time they were born, I have repeated this statement each time that I had them, they had a sleepover, or we were out on a walk. When they have been away for a good amount of time and they return for a visit, they must repeat it back to me. I want them to know that there is nothing that will make me not love them.

I express that I will not always agree with them or their ideas. I let them know that they will disappoint me and that I will get angry with them for their choices that I feel are wrong. I do not hide my frustration or desire for them to excel … but no matter what … my heart belongs to them forever. It is one way that I know to make sure that this particular thing in society does not consume them. Make it abundantly clear that the love is real and unconditional.

What is so frustrating is that, with all my acknowledgment and displays of consistent, repetitive, honest engagement and respect that I openly give, their first thought when they get into trouble is that I don’t love them anymore or worse … the enemy plants thoughts of self-harm.

The dark in this world is so thick, so embedded, so involved in the vulnerability of our youth that the ‘perfect’ life must exist to fight against it. The perfect life does not exist in human form, and he uses that against us. I don’t know exactly when the shift in the universe happened to create such a calamity, but I am a soldier, and I have been called to battle. The battle is for our youth, for our returning soldiers of war, our elderly, and our fellow neighbor who is going through a trial. In what feels like an overnight win for the enemy will be the miracle testimony for the Father as we all stand together as one body and pray for the lost.

Will you stand with me in prayer over our communities, our children, our grandchildren, our parents, our soldiers, our law enforcement, our neighbors … will you stand and proclaim God’s promises to never leave us … will you stand on His promise that where two or more are gathered He is there … will you stand with me seeking His face and His guidance first?

Father, we come to you as a community of soldiers proclaiming your promises that where two or more are gathered, You are there. This page has over 200 dedicated soldiers of prayer. We stand in unison and in intercession, filling the gap between the lost and weary to you. We bind the evil mindsets, the minions of destruction and mayhem, the thoughts of self-harm, and cast them to the driest of dry places, Lord. We declare in Your name that those voids be filled with Your love, Your peace, Your joy, Your calm, Your overall presence. Our hands are linked, and the circle of Your grace and mercy is established. Create in this darkness, Lord, Your unmistakable presence and may the brilliance of Your presence fill those who are struggling. We claim Your victory in Jesus' name. Amen.

Be blessed.

**Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. –Philippians 4:6-7

The First 15.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Creator God in his infinite wisdom and love chose to create mankind knowing full well that we would choose our ways over his. We’re made with a terrible capacity to live out of our own strength. As a result, we see in both Scripture and our own lives incredible failures—examples of our collective weakness played out before our very eyes. We see it in the declining morality of society. We see it in the very lives of those around us that just can’t seem to get it together. Weakness seems to be threaded into the very fabric of our world. The world is plagued by the weakness of those who inhabit it.

But, the Bible also contains incredible stories of the victories of God’s people. The list goes on and on: Moses and the Egyptians, David and Goliath, Samson and the Philistines, and the early church spreading the gospel across the world despite insurmountable odds. And along with all the stories of victory, Scripture also contains many stories of failure. So, what made the difference? What separates the stories of success from the stories of failure? The difference is found in the people of God allowing God to be their strength. Success in Scripture came solely when God was made strong in man’s weakness.

Psalm 103:13-14 says, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” God created us. He knows our weakness. He knows that apart from him we can do nothing. But the beauty of the gospel is that as believers we are no longer apart from him. Through the death of Jesus, we are now one with Christ, wrapped up in his story of redemption. We have been saved from having to do life on our own, in our own strength.

Your heavenly Father says to you today, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Your God is the same God of David, Samson, Paul, and John. The success that they had was the direct result of their choosing God’s strength over their own. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul chose to boast of his weakness because he knew of the steadfast strength of God in his own life. He knew that his success was solely by the strength of his God.

Your heavenly Father promises his strength to you today. Just as he worked to help Paul spread the gospel, just as he helped David slay the giant Goliath, he desires to help you today in whatever lies ahead. Acknowledge your weakness but at the same time, hold fast to the the knowledge of the incredible strength of your heavenly Father. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “He will not leave you or forsake you.” The strength of God is always with you. All you have to do is choose his ways over your own. Live in light of the revelation of your own weakness and God’s strength, and you will experience the power of the Creator of the universe working directly in your own life.

Where do you need God’s strength? What area of your life seems to be plagued by weakness? Ask God to work in your life, and experience the fruit of co-laboring with your heavenly Father today.

1. Reflect on your own weakness. What situations in your life seem to be without the strength of God?

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14

2. Now meditate on God’s desire to be strong in your weakness. Think about stories of people in the Bible who did incredible things solely by the strength of God.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

3. Ask God to be strong in your weakness today. Ask the Spirit to guide you and work in any and every situation you find yourself in. Ask him to guide your words, actions, mindsets and emotions that you might live entirely in his strength.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Power Made Perfect | Covenant Worship feat. Nikki Moltz

How incredible is the heart of God that he would choose to share with us his own strength! Your God cares for you so deeply that he desires to work closely and effectively in your life. The very strength that formed the mountains, parted the seas and sustains every living thing is available to you today. Rest in God’s promise that he is not distant. You have a strong God who loves you and is for you. Live today experiencing the peace and power of God’s strength made strong in your weakness.

Extended Reading: Psalm 103

THE ONE WITH POWER AND AUTHORITY
What kind of Jesus do you worship? That might sound like a strange question, but it’s essential, especially in today’s culture. 
Many people like the sound of Jesus and would even say they believe in Jesus—but do they believe in the Jesus of the Bible or a man-made version of Him? 
The Enlightenment thinkers would tell us to reject any authority unless it aligns with our personal reason. This subjective reasoning has led people to reject God's supernatural miracles and question anything outside of reason. Skepticism replaced faith.
Mark 1:23-27, we see Jesus operating in His full authority over the demonic. We read that, while Jesus was teaching, a demon-possessed man shouted, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24 NLT).
Imagine if this happened in one of our churches today while the pastor was preaching. In many cases, the person would simply be removed for causing a disturbance, but Jesus wasn’t fazed or uncomfortable. He didn’t try to explain it away or dismiss it.
He did what the Son of Man would do. He took authority over it and told it to be quiet.  But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him (Mark 1:25-26).
The demons knew who Jesus was. They knew His authority and that He had come to expose them. They were, and are, afraid of Jesus’ power. Demons will try to deceive people into thinking they have more authority than Jesus. 
This is why many people in our culture are fascinated with the spiritual realm. But are they more powerful? No! Demons recognize the power and authority of Jesus more than people. 
They try to keep us blind to it and to worship a Jesus that is good but not powerful. Like the people in the crowd that day, we, too, need to be reminded of the authority and power of Jesus.
 Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It’s easy to look at these verses and get so focused on the unclean spirit that we miss the man whom he inhabited. What happened to him? He was healed. He was set free.
We need to break out of our skeptical mindsets and recognize that many people today, both inside and outside of the church, are controlled or under a high degree of influence from the demonic. Jesus’ power to deliver and heal is available today.
Jesus wants to set people free. The amazing thing about how He accomplishes this is that He chooses to use us!
In Luke 10:19, Jesus gave authority to the His disciples over the demonic when He said, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”
Jesus' last words to His disciples before leaving this earth were a reminder that He has authority over everything and that they are to go in that same authority (Matthew 28:18).
So, what kind of Jesus do you worship? What kind of Jesus do you serve? Is He King of Kings and Lord of Lords with authority and power over every demon? If so, are you living your life in light of this truth that He has given you His authority? 
This is why you can live without fear of Satan and His schemes and participate with God in bringing His kingdom here on earth.
One of the greatest acts of compassion is to deliver a suffering person from the torment of the demonic. 
This is the will and desire of God to set captives free (Luke 4:18). Let’s walk in the authority that Jesus gave us as His disciples and pray for the oppressed, commanding the demonic to leave in the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
This is the Jesus we worship and serve. 
 God bless you! 

STOP CALLING YOURSELF SINFUL.


one of the most damaging assumptions in modern Christianity in this conversation: that believers still carry a sinful nature they have to manage, suppress, and apologize for.
It isn't true. Yes, the flesh (that “stinking thinking” of the world) wars against us, but we’re not fighting against ourselves. We’re not our own worst enemy!
And the freedom on the other side of that lie is something I think we all need to hear.
Rejoice that your new heart and new desires are already right in line with God's.
Some say that sin is simply making a decision based upon my desires and not God’s. But the opposite is true. That assumes your desires are sinful. In fact, it assumes that our desires are always sinful. The scriptures say the opposite. Romans 6:17 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,” It says we have become obedient from the heart. The heart represents our desires. You’re now good, not bad.

Yes there is the flesh. The Greek word for flesh is sarx. The definition of flesh is trying to make life work apart from Christ–its attitudes, perspectives, philosophies, coping mechanisms–the way of the world. But you are not the flesh, you are a child of God. God gave you a new heart and a new spirit. Ezekiel 36:26: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." He made you obedient from the heart. Romans 6.

God is at work in you to want and to do his good pleasure. “If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. God has written his desires on your heart and on your mind. That’s Hebrews 8. You have a new set of desires. That definition of sin is going to hide the truth from you if you continue to believe that sin is anything you desire you will have a miserable life. The real definition of sin is not trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Anything that is not of faith is sin. Everything you truly desire is his righteousness because you are your new self, a new creation. You have a new heart and new desires.
You are a slave of righteousness. You can’t get away from it. God is working in you so you want what he wants. So don’t be afraid of your desires. Hate the desires of sin. Hate the desires of the flesh. Hate the desires of the world. You are a child of God not the world. You are a child of God not sin. That is not our identity. Our identity is in Christ. Your old self was crucified and buried and your new self was resurrected with him. You are the new self.

You have a new obedient heart. Learn who you are in Christ and be your self–the new self. We can be ourselves and express Jesus at the same time because you are not an obstacle to him but an instrument. Romans 6:13 & 12:1 (ESV): Urge believers to present their bodies and members to God as "instruments for righteousness" and a "living sacrifice" rather than to sin.

What about your true nature? You don’t have true nature. That’s part of the flesh. There’s no Bible verse that says that. The word nature rarely comes up but here it is. Peter the apostle in his second epistle writes “so that through [the promises of his salvation] you [have become] partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”Peter tells us we are partakers of the divine nature. We do not have a “sinful nature.” That phrase was perpetrated by the NIV for about 40years. The term “sinful nature" is not really Biblical. The word is “flesh.” The word nature is not in it. The Greek word is sarx. So the flesh is not your nature. You have a new spiritual nature. It is called the new man, the new nature, the new creation. Take that term “sinful nature” and throw it out. It is not who you are. You had the flesh, you had the sinful nature, you had the worldly desires. You were rotten to the core. You were worldly. You were in Adam. How could you be born of the spirit and not be new?

Yes we still struggle with the flesh. What is the flesh? It’s unrenewed mindsets, old attitudes, stinking thinking. Think of it as software glitches that need an update but you have new hardware–that is your new heart, a new spirit that lives in you. A new nature. You are in a vine-branches relationship. Your new identity in Christ is the only identity you have. You are not two people. You do not have two natures. You are a new creature.

AF/PC

A WORD FOR YOU.
(Insights For Life)


And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. Genesis 39:5 KJV


YOUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ARE CRUCIAL TO YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS.
Your business associates, partners and workers matter to the progress and success of your business. Every business has a life of its own. Same way, Every man has a distinctive spirit, an aura, a certain atmospheric force that follows him or her. Some are positive while many are negative. This spirit or aura, is based on their family ties, their root, their relationship, a pronouncements or mindsets.

One man, one individual can destroy the business you have built for years. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU HIRE. Be careful who handles or runs your ideas, visions, missions and businesses. Don't just look at the experience and competence, also check the spirit, aura they carry. Don't judge by their looks, check their root. Same thing goes with relationship. He might be a good man but carries a bad aura. What they carry might be fighting your business and good ideas. Don't partner with or higher those whose spirit is inimical to your future. NEVER HIRE WHO YOU CAN'T FIRE. Be blessed. Stay refreshed!


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TODAY'S MESSAGE


YOUR BACKGROUND IS ALWAYS FIGHTING YOU — BE CAREFUL

The Battle Many People Ignore
There are people who love God, pray sincerely, and work hard, yet they keep struggling with the same battles.
Why? Because sometimes, your greatest fight is not only from outside enemies — it is from the background you came from.
Many people escaped from poverty physically, but poverty never left their mindset.
Some left sinful environments, but the environment still lives inside their habits.
Others gave their lives to Christ, but they still carry inherited fears, anger, addictions, bitterness, and ungodly patterns.

Your background can become a silent voice that keeps pulling you backward while God is trying to move you forward.
The enemy knows this truth:
If he cannot stop your future, he will use your past to fight your destiny.
That is why you must be spiritually alert.

Key Bible Texts

1. Judges 6:12–15
Gideon was called “a mighty man of valor,” yet he saw himself as weak because of his background.
> “My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

Gideon’s environment had reduced his mentality. Heaven saw a warrior, but his background made him feel small.

Lesson:

Sometimes your background speaks louder than God’s promises in your mind.
2. Genesis 19:26
Lot’s wife left Sodom physically, but her heart remained there.

> “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

Lesson:

You cannot move into God’s future while emotionally tied to your old life.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17
> “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”
Your biological background may be real, but your spiritual identity in Christ is greater.

Lesson:

Salvation gives you a new identity, but transformation requires renewing your mind daily.
POINT 1 — SOME BACKGROUNDS CREATE LIMITING MINDSETS
A person raised around failure may unconsciously fear success.
Someone raised in constant rejection may struggle to believe they are loved.
A person from a violent environment may normalize anger and chaos.

The danger is this:
What you constantly saw growing up can become what you unconsciously reproduce.
The Israelites left Egypt, but Egypt never fully left them. Even after seeing miracles, they still thought like slaves.
Numbers 14:2–4
They wanted to return to bondage because slavery had become familiar.

Spiritual Insight:

Deliverance is not complete until your mind changes.
POINT 2 — EVIL PATTERNS CAN TRAVEL THROUGH GENERATIONS
Not every repeated family pattern is ordinary.
In some families:
Nobody stays married
Nobody succeeds financially
Addiction repeats itself
Premature death is common
Immorality becomes normal
Spiritual coldness continues generation after generation
This is why believers must pray seriously and live intentionally.
Lamentations 5:7
> “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.”
This does not mean believers are cursed helplessly, but it reveals that family patterns can influence lives if not confronted spiritually.

Spiritual Insight:

What you refuse to confront may continue through you.
POINT 3 — YOUR ENVIRONMENT CAN FEED YOUR OLD NATURE
Some people truly love God, but they keep surrounding themselves with voices, friendships, and habits connected to their old life.
You cannot constantly feed on corruption and expect spiritual purity.
1 Corinthians 15:33
> “Evil communications corrupt good manners.”
There are friendships that keep resurrecting the old version of you.
Be Careful:
Wrong relationships can reopen old wounds
Wrong environments can revive old addictions
Wrong conversations can weaken your convictions
Not everybody from your past can follow you into your future.
POINT 4 — CHRIST CAN BREAK EVERY NEGATIVE BACKGROUND
Rahab came from a shameful background, yet God placed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Joseph came from rejection, yet became a ruler.
Jabez was born in sorrow, yet his story changed through prayer.
Your background may explain your struggles, but it does not have permission to define your destiny.
1 Samuel 2:8
> “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust…”
God specializes in rewriting impossible stories.
Deep Spiritual Truth:
Grace is stronger than history.

Biblical Case Study — Jephthah (Judges 11)

Jephthah was rejected because of his background.
He was called the son of a strange woman and was driven away by his brothers.
Yet when Israel needed deliverance, the same rejected man became their leader.

Lesson:

People may use your background to disqualify you, but God can use the same background to reveal His glory.
Your pain can become preparation.
Practical Action Steps

1. Identify harmful patterns honestly
Stop pretending certain struggles are normal.
Ask yourself:
What negative cycles keep repeating in my life?
What mindset did I inherit?
What habits are damaging my spiritual growth?
Honesty is the beginning of freedom.
2. Renew your mind daily with Scripture
Your mind cannot change without God’s Word.
Romans 12:2
> “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Spend time daily:
Reading Scripture
Listening to sound teaching
Praying consistently
3. Change unhealthy associations
Some relationships are spiritual traps.
Not every familiar person is beneficial for your future.
Protect your spiritual atmosphere.
4. Pray aggressively against negative cycles
Certain battles require persistent spiritual warfare.
Do not normalize what God wants to destroy.
5. Build a new godly legacy
Your children should inherit faith, wisdom, discipline, and prayer — not confusion and destruction.
Be the person that changes the story of your family.

Questions For Reflection

1. What negative pattern have I accepted as “normal” because of my background?
2. Are there relationships pulling me backward spiritually?
3. What mindset must I surrender to God?
4. Am I building a godly legacy or repeating unhealthy cycles?
5. Do I truly believe God can change my story?

Powerful Prayer Points

1. Father, expose every negative pattern fighting my destiny in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, deliver me from every mindset limiting my growth and progress.
3. Every inherited struggle assigned against my life, break by the power of Jesus Christ.
4. Father, disconnect me from relationships and environments destroying my spiritual life.
5. Lord, make me a generational blessing and not a continuation of bondage.
6. Every voice from my past speaking against my future, be silenced in Jesus’ name.
7. Father, rewrite my story for Your glory.

Call To Action

Child of God, hear this clearly:
Your background may explain where you started, but it does not control where God can take you.
Do not allow your past to become your prison.
Do not excuse destructive patterns because “that is how my family is.”
Do not let yesterday cancel your tomorrow.
Jesus did not die only to forgive you — He died to transform you.
Stand up spiritually.
Pray seriously.
Renew your mind.
Guard your environment.
Walk with God intentionally.
You are not called to repeat darkness.
You are called to reveal the glory of God.
And by the power of Christ, your story will change.

If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church.
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Editor’s note: Just like others in their city, Christians in Zhengzhou struggle to balance work, family, children’s education, and struggles between traditional mindsets and the modern world. Believers face another challenge, too: continuing to follow Jesus in a society that alienates or even persecutes them for their faith.

Zhengzhou: Challenges
China Partnership: What are some common challenges, fears, and struggles that you and your church encounter as you minister to people in your city? How can we pray for you?

Challenge: Evangelism and Shepherding
Pastor Cui: We face two main challenges: outreach, and shepherding the church.

Evangelism is a big challenge. Although traditional churches like ours emphasize building up life and missions, gospel understanding isn’t a full part of life. We often try to rely on law, merit, and moralism for sanctification. When someone’s spiritual life doesn’t have the vitality it needs, it’s even harder to evangelize.

Outside the church, as cities develop, you see something that probably happens all over the world: people are colder to each other, it’s hard to build trust, and strangers hardly speak. Believers are also consumed with the pressures of city life. Just staying above water and steadily participating in the church’s teaching, worship, life, and service is already a lot. So, people don’t have much motivation to evangelize.

On top of that, because this is China and religious policies are what they are, people can pay a price for sharing the gospel. A lot of people feel a kind of shame about the gospel. It’s fine for them personally to believe, but it becomes very hard if they’re going to pay a cost, or face persecution, or get called in and questioned by officials and have their family and co-workers see them differently. Evangelism has always been tough.

Believers are consumed with the pressures of city life. Just staying above water… is already a lot. So, people don’t have much motivation to evangelize. On top of that, because this is China and religious policies are what they are, people can pay a price for sharing the gospel.

Right now, motivation is weak, and fear keeps us from being bold. But in the church, we’re always re-thinking this. Everyone wants to share the gospel – but it’s hard to break through these weaknesses.

The other challenge is shepherding. I come from a traditional house church background. We were mainly trained as evangelists, not shepherds. So, once we started church planting and pastoral ministry, I’ve been challenged to grow in my shepherding capacity: preaching consistently week after week; giving counsel in life, family, work, and raising children. All of that is shepherding. You also need to build the church into a healthier community.

Pray for us. We need the Holy Spirit, through worship and preaching, to revive his church and the spiritual lives of believers. May Christians willingly put down roots for God, so they will again be ignited by the gospel and respond to God’s love with power. May they not be fearful, but join in the Great Commission.

Pray for each pastor. May they be given vision and strength in service. Amidst all kinds of challenges, may they be made resilient in the gospel and be faithful to the ministry God has given them.

Challenge: “The Loneliness of City Life”
Pastor Wu: We are trying to plant a church, and our church is pretty young. The upside is they’re full of energy, but our weakness is our faith isn’t yet stable and mature. That feels like a big challenge.

On one hand, we have job pressure. On the other, everyone has a deep relationship hunger. The loneliness of city life makes us long even more for connection. On top of all that, Henan is an inland province where the underlying culture is heavy on human relationships. So, in the church, it’s a big challenge to handle interpersonal dynamics, to respond to the different expectations people have of their pastors, and to help brothers and sisters well.

With employment pressure and relational expectations, brothers and sisters have shaky commitment.

On top of all that, with employment pressure and relational expectations, brothers and sisters have shaky commitment. Layer together education and employment pressures, finances, pastoral expectations, plus the fact that in the city it’s really hard to plant your feet anywhere, and it’s very hard to stabilize numbers as the church grows. Spiritually, believers are also going through real struggles, both in the workplace and in general.

As we serve the city, my wife and I are prepared to say to do our best to shepherd this church, but we don’t know how long the church will last. At some point, our church might fail. Of course God gives us hope, but sometimes we still feel anxious. Brothers and sisters move around all the time, and we’re never sure who will stay. People come and go. That’s just how it is.

Challenge: “Internal Friction”
Pastor Lu: Zhengzhou is highly mobile, and that creates a big challenge for pastoral ministry. Because this city is shaped by railroads, people constantly move in and out. Another issue is the exhausting internal friction [内耗 nèihào, “internal friction”] in Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou has “996” work rhythms [working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week], and this province is also known for intense gaokao [China’s college entrance exam] pressure, much heavier than many others places. So, the pressure of work and anxiety surrounding children’s education leave many believers worn out.

The same things are true inside the church. Under the weight of competition and a depleted culture, many people serving in ministry are close to empty. As faith presses against so much pressure, faith can easily get pushed to the margins. That creates real difficulty in shepherding.

Because people are mobile, it is especially important – and especially tough – to build relationships. We often feel we can’t keep people with us. The continuity of long-term ministry is constantly interrupted, and that easily produces fatigue. This is a major challenge.

At an even deeper level, there’s also tension between traditional assumptions and the city’s pluralistic culture. People come to Zhengzhou from every direction, but most have the traditional family culture of Henan and the Central Plains. That creates shepherding tension. You have to navigate the influence of secularism and the traditional thinking of the older generation.

Because people are mobile, it is especially important – and especially tough – to build relationships. We often feel we can’t keep people with us.

So, how can a pastor be balanced? How can we care well for the older generation? They’ve already done their part, and now they need us to care for them. At the same time, how do we shepherd the younger generation amid the pressures of secular emptiness and nihilism? How do we keep older and younger generations from living in tension? How do we bring them into a healthy balance? These are great challenges, and pastors feel a lot of pressure.

Add to this the uncertainty of the broader environment. There is another layer besides just church life. As space keeps shrinking, we never know when our meeting place or even our ministry pattern may need to change. We may have to relocate or shift course at any time. We simply have to watch where the Lord places us. That uncertainty puts real pressure on the heart – especially for people who are more sensitive to the broader environment.

When I think about prayer, I think of praying honestly into these things. I also think of John 8. We long for brothers and sisters to be set free in the truth, not drained dry by the pressures of survival and education. We want them to see that God called them to this city, and their being here is not in vain. How do we help them know this?

I want to pray for Zhengzhou in the spirit of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17: may he give us “the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation.” Then, in the face of pluralism, in spite of the powerful pull of a secular, nihilistic culture and the pattern of exhausting internal competition, may we build up the church and serve this city well.

Pastor Cui, Pastor Wu, and Pastor Lu are pseudonyms for house church leaders in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

When the Holy Spirit moves, His presence is always marked by His power. Here are 7 things that happen when the Holy Spirit moves.

#1 - The lost are saved.

The Holy Spirit is the one Who convicts the world of sin and draws people to the Lord. So when the Holy Spirit moves, the lost are saved.

“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” - John 16:8 (NLT)

Sinners being saved - that’s a hallmark of any true move of the Holy Spirit.

#2 - The sick are healed.

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. One result of that was the healing of the sick.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” - Acts 10:38 (KJV)

Nowhere in Scripture do we see that the Holy Spirit has lost the power to bring forth miracle healings. When the Holy Spirit moves, the sick are healed.

#3 - The demon-possessed are set free.

It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus drove out demonic beings.
“But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.” - Matthew 12:28 (NLT)

Demons are real. Demon-possession is real. And the demonized long for freedom. When the Holy Spirit truly moves, the forces of darkness are instantly dissolved.

#4 - Jesus is glorified.

A true move of the Holy Spirit won’t glorify anyone or anything besides Jesus, the Son of God. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, period.

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” - John 16:14 (KJV)

The Holy Spirit will only demonstrate His power to point to Jesus.

#5 - Holiness is increased.

No believer is perfect. When the Holy Spirit moves, God’s children are called to higher levels of consecration. Secret sin, unforgiveness, worldly mindsets - all of that is challenged in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, ‘This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’” - Hebrews 10:15-16 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit testifies to us. In doing so, He calls us to greater levels of holiness.

#6 - The gifts of the Holy Spirit are stirred.

“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” - 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit is the one Who distributes the spiritual gifts - gifts like healing, prophecy, and discernment. In a move of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts are distributed and activated.

#7 - Evangelism becomes a priority.

When you truly encounter Jesus, you want others to encounter Him too.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 (KJV)

Notice that it was after the Holy Spirit came upon the early church that they became witnesses. True revivals always become, or at least empower, great waves of evangelism. In this way, a move of the Holy Spirit plants the seeds for more moves of the Holy Spirit.

Those are 7 marks of a true move of the Holy Spirit.