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This Is Christmas

A brand new Christmas Music recording from Ian Peters/Citylights Global

I have always wanted to record some Christmas music – it’s my favorite time of the year. Finally, in 2020, with COVID lockdowns and restrictions, I found the time to get it done.

All PROFITS go to our Refuge Home for trafficked girls and other Citylights Global Missions Projects. The pricing is a “suggestion”. You may donate more if you wish.

credits

released December 3, 2020

All songs recorded and produced by Ian Peters except for Jingle Bell Rock where my 10 year old grand daughter – Evelyn Kate – did the lead vocal and my other grandkids – Emma Rose and Charlie Daniel (helped by my wife – Maree) did the backing vocals.
Special thanks to my son Dan for the cover design and artwork (the best Graphic Designer I know) and for Mastering the entire project.

Used by permission. All rights reserved

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Citylights Global October 2019 Update

Time, life and ministry continue to move at a hectic pace. With the exception of Sept 29th, we have been out ministering every weekend since August began. Grand Rapids, St Cloud, Bovey, Duluth, St Joseph, Ball Club, Ramsey and Clear Lake – all in MN and within a few minutes to about 3 hours from home. Being close to home has given us a good run at getting some practical projects done around the house as well as some much needed administrative work for CityLights and Omega Team.

But I’m itching to get back on the road. This week (Oct 16) we leave for Georgia to minister for a weekend. Then on to Destin Florida to attend a conference – it’s been a long time since I attended a conference at which I was not speaking. Then back to minister for the weekend in Georgia before heading home for ONE day. Long enough to do laundry and head to the airport for a 2 week trip to India. Your prayers for safety, impact and provision are appreciated.

Late November I will be ministering locally in a couple of churches, hosting our annual Omega Team gathering for 5 fold ministers . Then it’s back to the airport for ministry in Singapore and a couple pastors conferences in the Philippines.


2020
While we have not made any firm commitments at this point, we have solid contacts and requests to travel and minister in: Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, India, Belgium, France… We are also checking further into solid opportunities in Spain, Cambodia, Myanmar…plus a few more.  We are looking to combine some of these invitations by region and maximize our time and costs.

Because we have been so busy during the Summer and Fall, I have decided (with some sadness) to postpone the release of my daily devotional book till early next year. Meanwhile, you can read a sample entitled The Generous Soul here.

Financial Testimony
God has been good to see that out needs are met month to month. In September we needed a miracle to meet our needs by a certain date. While, seemingly impossible in the natural, a miracle gift came in at the last minute and we met ALL our commitments for September with $1.36 left in the account!

October was another “squeaker” and while it can be a nerve racking way to live sometimes, it is also a testimony of God’s goodness and His power to provide for our every need.

We are still in need of covering our ground costs for the trip to India in 2 weeks. If you would like to partner with us, please go to our website and make a one time or recurring donation here. Don’t forget to designate where you would like the funds to go – General, Missions, Shanti Nivas. You may also send a check to:

Citylights Global
PO Box 654
Big Lake, MN 55309

Thank you again for your continued prayers and support of this ministry. Follow us on social media:Facebook andInstagram

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Coming Through the Wilderness Sept 2019 News Update

In SE Asia through June, back in July, August was a blur and just like that, summer is over, and we are gearing up for the Fall. Plans for the Fall are moving just as fast (maybe even faster) than the passing of the summer!

DEVOTIONAL

I am still working on the first devotional book.  Here is an excerpt – Coming Through the Wilderness – complete with Prayer Points, Additional Scriptures and a Personal Challenge based on the passage.

Wilderness experiences are not a “nothing” time.  They should be likened to a pregnancy – a time of formation of something within you that has been conceived in the mind of God for you from before the foundations of the world!  Read more here

ITINERARY

I have just completed the latest additions to our itinerary to the end of November. Check it out here.  As you can see, there are just 3 weekends open for local (USA) ministry.  Please contact us if you would like us to come and minister in your area/church.

PRAYER

  • Provision and wisdom for 2020 schedule – I have plenty of opportunities but need to work through them.
  • Time and clarity to complete my daily devotional book.
  • A vehicle for our refuge.  This is a desperate need as the old vehicle died and it is costly to rent a vehicle. Public transport for the various appointments takes many hours!

THANK YOU

Once again, thanks to all our friends and supporters. Your selflessness is so appreciated.  For those in the Minneapolis area (and those willing to travel) we are looking at hosting a gathering simply to say Thank You for your friendship and faithfulness.  We will let you know as plans come together. We would love to hear what God is doing in your situation and how we can pray for you. Send us an email or drop us a line at:

Citylights Global

PO Box 654

Big Lake, MN 55309

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By My Spirit

Zechariah 4:6-7 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

Zerubbabel was concerned that he will not be able to finish the work the Lord had called him to do. The obstacles before him seemed like a mountain that had to be moved. There were political enemies, threats of physical violence, and the people who were doing the work had their own concerns for family and safety. Then the angel of the LORD conveyed a message from the LORD to Zerubbabel. It is not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD that things are accomplished.

The message went on to say that the mountain of obstacles would become level ground. He would bring out the final finishing stone while the people shout blessings on the finished Temple.

You probably can see a mountain that must be moved in your life and have asked many times how it can be removed. Man often intervenes with his power and might and ends up making a bigger mountain. It is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the LORD. Ask the LORD to do it by His Spirit. Act only at His leading.

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Keys to Restoration–Repentance

Jeremiah 15:19

Spiritual change implies a return to God. The term repent, signifies “to have another mind,” to change the opinion or purpose with regard to sin and set a right course.  Religion has presented grief over sin rather than abandonment of sin as the primary idea of New Testament repentance. The change wrought by Biblical repentance is so deep and radical that is has an effect on the whole spiritual nature and involves the entire personality.

The story of the prodigal son is a classic example of the process of repentance and the restoration it brings.  Instead of using his portion of the inheritance to prepare for his bride, the son went to a far distant country (as opposed to the closeness of a portion of his Fathers property) and wasted it. When hard times came – as they inevitably do – he was all alone.

Greek philosophy equated redemption with the concept of coming to senses – which is what he did –  but Biblical repentance takes it further.  It requires a response:

  1. Recognition of the condition or need
  2. Decision to make a change
  3. Action that “puts feet” to the decision
  4. Confession of the failure/sin and need for salvation/redemption/restoration

When he had done this, not only did he find the father waiting for him but he found forgiveness and complete restoration.  It is a sloppy, false gospel that promises salvation and restoration without repentance and confession.

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Counting the Cost

1 Chronicles 21:24 Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”

David wanted to purchase the ground upon which to build the altar and later the Temple. Ornan offered to give it to him. You might say he was generous, but remember that he was standing in the shadow of an angel with a sword (see vs 16, 20). David insisted on paying full price because it was his sin that brought this situation on his people and therefore his responsibility. Even though it was offered to Davis as a gift it would have still been Ornan’s sacrifice!

It’s very easy to start to claim something as our entitlement from the Lord because we heard some preacher mention it, read it in a book or even for ourselves in the Word. Often this comes from taking something out of context or not seeing that there may be a condition attached to the promise.

How often have we held back from doing or giving something to the Lord because we felt it would cost us too much?  Everything comes at a price.  Offerings cost. Our salvation came because Jesus paid the ultimate price on our behalf.

We live in a culture where more and more people claim rights but very few accept responsibility.  The idea of spiritual things coming at a cost is considered ridiculous. The concept of sacrifice is virtually forgotten.

What are you offering to the Lord?  Is it what is left over of your life or time when everything and everyone else has been done?  Or is there an understanding that we need to bring Him our best – even (or maybe especially) that which costs us something.

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A complete work

 1 Peter 2:24  He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed.  (NLT)

As we have already seen, Jesus sacrifice and death on the cross was more than just symbolic. i.e. He was not just the symbol of the necessary sacrifice, He WAS the sacrifice.  He took our sins, sorrow, and diseases on HIMSELF.  He did not send an animal as a substitution this time.  The blood of bulls and goats had to be offered each year because the shedding of their blood would NEVER completely satisfy the penalty for our sin!

A perfect sacrifice was needed to accomplish a complete work! There could be no other than the Son of God Himself – the spotless Lamb. In fact, so complete is the work that Jesus did on the cross, that the concept conveyed in the Greek literally means to be separated from our sin so that it no longer influences our standing with God.  Where once sin was our master, now we are to be ruled by righteousness because of what Jesus suffered on our behalf.

Healing is inherent in the finished work of Calvary! The phrase, “by His stripes we are healed” is a very graphic picture in the original language.  Peter was there when Jesus was scourged and he saw the welts came up and the skin break and bleed as the whip came down across His back.   The effects of sickness and disease would be reversed because of what He took on Himself that day.

Hebrews 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

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Keys to Restoration

Acts 3:21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.

The Greek word for restoration (a noun) in this verse occurs only in this one time in the New Testament.  It signifies a return to original condition as in a broken limb being restored to its right placement in full health and strength. The verb from which it is derived occurs eight times and refers to healing, setting things in order and completion.

Scripture promises restoration for the people of God.  Things that have been lost, stolen or as yet unfulfilled – everything God has promised for our lives – He has promised to restore.  But restoration takes time.  Life is not ½ hour sitcom; 1 hour drama; 2 hour movie.  Most of our issues don’t get resolved by some “romantic” fictional storyline or scriptwriter.

For the believer, though, the script has been written by the Perfect Writer – the One who knows the end from the beginning.  The promise is that all things that were spoken by the mouths of the holy (God inspired) prophets since the beginning of time, will be restored.

Pray that every encounter, every touch, every word and every action will bring and minister restoration of Gods promises to you and those around you.  Be an agent of restoration through the power of God.

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Citylights Global December 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Citylights Global,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your prayers and practical support through 2016.  It has been a spectacular year for Citylights Global.  There is too much to tell, so here are the statistics and highlights.  You can also link to a short video clip of the action from this year! https://www.facebook.com/ian.peters.583/videos/o.118688885133/10154836186631382/?type=2&theater

  • Over 260 meetings preached (I attended about 40 more).
  • 11 nations
  • 170,000+ miles flown
  • 178 nights away from home in 36 different hotel rooms/beds. (Maree could come with me for 41 of these; 23 nights were spent on planes)
  • Hundreds of pastors (19 different pastors’ conferences/seminars) and churches touched, people saved, healed, baptized in water and the Holy Spirit and delivered!

One of the highlights for me this year, was going back to places I have been and hearing testimonies of lives that had been touched on a previous visit.  Some were saved and now in leadership in a local church; others had been launched into ministry – pastoral and missionary work.  I lost track of the number that reported on prophetic words spoken to them that had come to pass.  It would be impossible to measure the “Kingdom” impact as it spread out from the meetings.

 

PLANS FOR 2017

So far, I have felt to make 5 solid commitments for the New Year.  It’s not a shortage of invitations.  In fact, I will need to put some off till 2018!  Prayerful decisions need to be made on the balance between continuing to work with established relationships and responding to NEW invitations to 6 new nations currently before me. Please pray along with us on this.

As these invitations are on “the mission field”, we also need the financial resources to make the commitment. (Refer to our previous newsletter in November).  A decision needs to be made in about 3 weeks.

 

SHANTI NIVAS

We have had the privilege of working with a “transition home for trafficked and “at risk” women in India. To date, you have helped us purchase bunk beds, a generator, a refrigerator and a brush cutter for the home.  They now have 6 residents – all with heart breaking stories – and as they get more resources and the right staff they will be able to take up to 16 young women and turn their lives around.  Go here to read their last newsletter. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CitylightsGlobal/permalink/10157893132275134/

 

END OF YEAR DONATIONS

As we come to the end of the year, many are considering a tax-deductible donation.  Would you prayerfully consider Citylights Global?  There is much work to be done and we ask for your partnership with us in the harvest.  In the USA, all donations marked by or before Dec 31st will be eligible to receive a tax deduction for the financial year 2016.

https://citylightsglobal.cloverdonations.com/citylights-global/

You can donate online before midnight on Dec 31st at or mail a check dated and postmarked on or before Dec 31st to:

Citylights Global

PO Box 654

Big Lake, MN 55309

 

We want to take this opportunity once more to thank you for your love, prayers and support this last year and wish you Gods best for 2017.

All For Jesus,

Ian & Maree Peters

Citylights Global

 

 

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Look Out, Look Up!

Psalm 102:1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.

Prayer meetings can get you down sometimes because, lets face it, the requests can be a litany of woes. A missionary is having health problems. A child is in hospital. A couple you have known for a long time is getting a divorce. The economy is in a bad way. And you have struggles of your own. The more requests you hear, the wearier you grow.

But then the prayer warriors get to praying. With confidence, they come before the Lord, knowing that He hears them. With tears, they intercede for the lives of those who are in need. With honesty, they acknowledge that we don’t always understand what God is doing. Like the psalmist, they turn a time of complaining over man’s problems into a time of praising God for His power to work miracles. Prayer turns to praise because one saint believes that the Lord hears “the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17).

Are you struggling with difficulties in your own life or the overwhelming problems of friends and loved ones? Learn to hand them over to our faithful, loving God.  That’s how prayer meetings become the most exciting meetings in the church!

Although the outlook may be bleak, the “uplook” is always bright. (Unknown)

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