Ignite IBS
Psalm 13:6
I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Here lately I've been in just kind of a bad mood. I haven't been thankful for what God's given me. And when I say "What God's given me", I don't just mean Ignite. It's the 29th of December of 2017. Christmas just came and passed, I just had my 19th birthday on the 11th, and I just got my package from my family. So what I mean by "What God's given me" is the people that God's put in my life. My dad, mom, brothers, grandparents, friends, and everyone else. God has given me SO MUCH MORE than I could ask for! So the reason I chose this verse is because it says, "He has dealt bountifully with me". Bountifully means large in quantity or abundant. God has dealt so abundantly with me! This bitterness and uncomfort in my heart has been blocking my joy out. Even today, bitterness caught up to me and honestly I dwelled on it for a bit. The moral of all this is I'm growing. I get lost sometimes but I'm learning to run to God with the bitterness that I get. God always finds me. So it goes back to the beginning of the verse, I will sing to the Lord. I will worship the Lord because He has dealt abundantly with me.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Luke 7:37-38. Humble Servant Am I.
Ignite IBS
Luke 7:37-38
37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisees's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
Oh God! I can't believe all the places that I've been and all of those I've come to meet. Blessings of faith, when I have only a mustard seed. For every hardship in my life, I'll hold Your name, I'll do just fine. All praise are Yours and none are mine. Instruments played by hands that cannot read or recollect one solitary note or line, yet play in perfect harmony. God whispers into some mens ears, well He screams into mine. Speaking, endlessly, all my hopes and fears. Nay, simply I'll reply. Blessings so sweet and divine. None of which I do deserve, for only a humble servant am I. Am I. Lowly, I'll wash Your feet with the tears I've cried. Each joy in my life and each breath in my lungs attests to Your overwhelming grace. Show us Your love. You see my tattered shoes, my broken spirit. Unequipped to finish the race that I could have never won. So you snatched me up into Your strong arms and over Your shoulders, I was slung. Lord, You've given me the tools to live as Your own. Talent, drive, and the willingness to run. All praise are Yours, and none are mine, for only a humble servant am I. Am I. Hope my humility can outlast my pride.
Luke 7:37-38
37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisees's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
Oh God! I can't believe all the places that I've been and all of those I've come to meet. Blessings of faith, when I have only a mustard seed. For every hardship in my life, I'll hold Your name, I'll do just fine. All praise are Yours and none are mine. Instruments played by hands that cannot read or recollect one solitary note or line, yet play in perfect harmony. God whispers into some mens ears, well He screams into mine. Speaking, endlessly, all my hopes and fears. Nay, simply I'll reply. Blessings so sweet and divine. None of which I do deserve, for only a humble servant am I. Am I. Lowly, I'll wash Your feet with the tears I've cried. Each joy in my life and each breath in my lungs attests to Your overwhelming grace. Show us Your love. You see my tattered shoes, my broken spirit. Unequipped to finish the race that I could have never won. So you snatched me up into Your strong arms and over Your shoulders, I was slung. Lord, You've given me the tools to live as Your own. Talent, drive, and the willingness to run. All praise are Yours, and none are mine, for only a humble servant am I. Am I. Hope my humility can outlast my pride.
Matthew 14:29
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Matthew 14:29
And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
I read this and it makes me think. Attempting the impossible to get to Jesus. Jesus told Peter "Come!", and Peter came. Peter walked on the water. Peter did the impossible with Jesus. So how can I pull anything out of this? Well the main part that hits me in this is the one word that Jesus says, "Come!". When Jesus said to me "Come!", I thought to get there was impossible. I thought, "10 months out of my life, away from home, family, and friends? Haha. HECK NO!" I think the thing scared me the most was just the thought of two words, "Being away". I'm away. Simple as that. I'm away from my family, my friends, my oklaHOMEa. But Jesus saw me and said, "Come!". It goes back to that everytime. He said, "Come!". So I pushed past the fear of being away. I pushed past the guilt of feeling like I'm leaving my family. And I came! And has it been life changing? Yes. Has it been all unicorns and rainbows? No. But when it comes to my Jesus, I'll attempt the impossible to get to Him.
Matthew 14:29
And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
I read this and it makes me think. Attempting the impossible to get to Jesus. Jesus told Peter "Come!", and Peter came. Peter walked on the water. Peter did the impossible with Jesus. So how can I pull anything out of this? Well the main part that hits me in this is the one word that Jesus says, "Come!". When Jesus said to me "Come!", I thought to get there was impossible. I thought, "10 months out of my life, away from home, family, and friends? Haha. HECK NO!" I think the thing scared me the most was just the thought of two words, "Being away". I'm away. Simple as that. I'm away from my family, my friends, my oklaHOMEa. But Jesus saw me and said, "Come!". It goes back to that everytime. He said, "Come!". So I pushed past the fear of being away. I pushed past the guilt of feeling like I'm leaving my family. And I came! And has it been life changing? Yes. Has it been all unicorns and rainbows? No. But when it comes to my Jesus, I'll attempt the impossible to get to Him.
Exodus 10:21
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Exodus 10:21
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt."
A darkness which may be felt. I first read that in Guat when I went through Exodus. When I read it, it caught me and hung on to me. I've thought about it alot, wondering if God is saying just physical darkness that is so dark that you can feel it, or spiritual darkness that your soul can feel. Lately, I've been thinking alot just about my life. What I've been through. The pain that I've come out of. The loves that I've lost. Thinking about that goes in turn with this verse for me. I've had a darkness that I coud feel. I think that's why the verse has hung on to me for months, I've been their and there's no real way to explain that feeling, just to say that it really is a darkness that you can feel. As I write this, I'm listening to a song called "Dissolve" by Being As An Ocean. There's a lyric in the song that says, "Anxious for loving embrace to dissolve this ache I felt". That explains everything for me. I was so anxious for the loving embrace to dissolve the ache I felt. I remember literally screaming at God to help me and drive out this darkness that I felt. Looking back, I know that God used that darkness and that pain to put me right where He wants me. My Father showed me the loving embrace that I needed and could only get from Him. You see, God never left me. God is omnipresent. God heard every prayer, every scream, every cuss word, and every cry that I poured out to Him. He used His perfect timing to show me why I needed that ache and why I needed Him more. Because as He speaks, the ache I feel, it dissolves.
Exodus 10:21
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt."
A darkness which may be felt. I first read that in Guat when I went through Exodus. When I read it, it caught me and hung on to me. I've thought about it alot, wondering if God is saying just physical darkness that is so dark that you can feel it, or spiritual darkness that your soul can feel. Lately, I've been thinking alot just about my life. What I've been through. The pain that I've come out of. The loves that I've lost. Thinking about that goes in turn with this verse for me. I've had a darkness that I coud feel. I think that's why the verse has hung on to me for months, I've been their and there's no real way to explain that feeling, just to say that it really is a darkness that you can feel. As I write this, I'm listening to a song called "Dissolve" by Being As An Ocean. There's a lyric in the song that says, "Anxious for loving embrace to dissolve this ache I felt". That explains everything for me. I was so anxious for the loving embrace to dissolve the ache I felt. I remember literally screaming at God to help me and drive out this darkness that I felt. Looking back, I know that God used that darkness and that pain to put me right where He wants me. My Father showed me the loving embrace that I needed and could only get from Him. You see, God never left me. God is omnipresent. God heard every prayer, every scream, every cuss word, and every cry that I poured out to Him. He used His perfect timing to show me why I needed that ache and why I needed Him more. Because as He speaks, the ache I feel, it dissolves.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Psalm 5:3
Ignite IBS
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
So this is the first IBS that I've done in Uganda. I've been here 6 days and it's been busy but relaxing at the same time. Busy in the since of adapting to a new culture and relaxing in the sense of the first week being more of a settle in and adjust week. So now to get down to business. Why I picked this verse. The reason I picked this verse is because I've been slacking on my relationship with God. I haven't been doing my devotions alot of the time and when I do, it's like my hearts not in it. And when I pray, I get side-tracked so easily and lose my focus on what I'm doing. I think the reason for all of this ties back in to the first part of this paragraph. I've been adjusting to these new rules and new people. In Guatemala, things were so strict and structured, but Uganda's just not like that. Here in Uganda, they treat us like men. There's no curfew, no specific wake up time, and no baby-sitting eachother. It's pretty much, as long as you do what you're supposed to do than there's no problems. So what I'm saying is I love it here!! But at the same time, I have to be honest with myself by saying I'm takking too much advantage of it by slacking on my relationship with God which is nobody fault but mine. Which leads to my application.
Application.
Tomorrow is our day off and the day we all sleep in but I'm going to get up at the butt-crack of dawn, climb our water tower (calm down, it's only like 40 feet tall), and read my Bible, pray, and watch the African sunrise and just spend time with my Father.
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
So this is the first IBS that I've done in Uganda. I've been here 6 days and it's been busy but relaxing at the same time. Busy in the since of adapting to a new culture and relaxing in the sense of the first week being more of a settle in and adjust week. So now to get down to business. Why I picked this verse. The reason I picked this verse is because I've been slacking on my relationship with God. I haven't been doing my devotions alot of the time and when I do, it's like my hearts not in it. And when I pray, I get side-tracked so easily and lose my focus on what I'm doing. I think the reason for all of this ties back in to the first part of this paragraph. I've been adjusting to these new rules and new people. In Guatemala, things were so strict and structured, but Uganda's just not like that. Here in Uganda, they treat us like men. There's no curfew, no specific wake up time, and no baby-sitting eachother. It's pretty much, as long as you do what you're supposed to do than there's no problems. So what I'm saying is I love it here!! But at the same time, I have to be honest with myself by saying I'm takking too much advantage of it by slacking on my relationship with God which is nobody fault but mine. Which leads to my application.
Application.
Tomorrow is our day off and the day we all sleep in but I'm going to get up at the butt-crack of dawn, climb our water tower (calm down, it's only like 40 feet tall), and read my Bible, pray, and watch the African sunrise and just spend time with my Father.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Mark 1:35
Ignite IBS
Mark 1:35
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
What can I pull out of this verse? The theme this week is discipline. So what we can pull out is even Jesus had to have discipline. Even though Jesus never sinned or did anything wrong, He still disciplined Himself. This reminds me of my fellow Ignite intern, Ali. She felt like God was telling her to get up at 4:30 in the morning to read the Bible. She kept putting it off and off until one day she decided to Nike motto. She said that since she did, God really just blessed her day so much and rewarded it.
Application.
Tomorrow, I am going to get up at 4:30 to read my Bible and prepare for my morning devotion. :)
Mark 1:35
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
What can I pull out of this verse? The theme this week is discipline. So what we can pull out is even Jesus had to have discipline. Even though Jesus never sinned or did anything wrong, He still disciplined Himself. This reminds me of my fellow Ignite intern, Ali. She felt like God was telling her to get up at 4:30 in the morning to read the Bible. She kept putting it off and off until one day she decided to Nike motto. She said that since she did, God really just blessed her day so much and rewarded it.
Application.
Tomorrow, I am going to get up at 4:30 to read my Bible and prepare for my morning devotion. :)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Ignite IBS
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games excersises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
When I read this, I ask myself, "What have I disciplined myself in?" One thing I know I've disciplined myself in is my drums. Honestly, I don't really even look at it as "discipline". I look at it as my passion. I love it. It's something that God has given me to pour out and give back to Him. I've put countless hours with the sticks in my hands. Blood, sweat, and tears have been shed on those heads. Listening to the same song over and over just to be able to play it. Why? Because it's my passion. It's a gift that God's given me. It's my way of worship to my Father. Like the verse says, "as not beating the air", I don't beat those heads for nothing, I don't do it for any human. I do it for God and I's relationship. Because in the end, the prize will be far greater than I can imagine. Thank You Father.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games excersises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
When I read this, I ask myself, "What have I disciplined myself in?" One thing I know I've disciplined myself in is my drums. Honestly, I don't really even look at it as "discipline". I look at it as my passion. I love it. It's something that God has given me to pour out and give back to Him. I've put countless hours with the sticks in my hands. Blood, sweat, and tears have been shed on those heads. Listening to the same song over and over just to be able to play it. Why? Because it's my passion. It's a gift that God's given me. It's my way of worship to my Father. Like the verse says, "as not beating the air", I don't beat those heads for nothing, I don't do it for any human. I do it for God and I's relationship. Because in the end, the prize will be far greater than I can imagine. Thank You Father.
Philippians 3:9
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Philippians 3:9
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
I love how it says, "not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law". So many christians think that just because they know so much about the Bible that they are a higher christian than those who don't know as much or any of it. The man next to Jesus on the cross didn't know much, if any, of the Bible, he just surrendered to Jesus in his last breaths and ascended up to heaven. All children of Christ are equal. Just a few words later in the verse it nails it on the head and shows the alternative. "The righeousness which comes from God on the basis of faith". This reminds me of my sister. She is 22 years old and has special needs. She is mentally about the age of a 5 year old. She has such an amazing relationship with Jesus! She prays all the time, and constantly just talks to God. The funny thing is she has never read a page of the Bible. At church, she doesn't stand and lift her hands or pay attention during the sermon. She sits quiet in her seat and colors one of her million coloring books. She has just such the simple mind set of, "Well, I love Jesus". Now you can and I have had people argue with me about her relationship with God is because she was raised in a christian home. I can promise you that that's not true. I've known her for 18 years. I say that's not true because her brain isn't intelligent enough to put a mask on like that. She doesn't just do it because it's "the right thing to do". She does it because she loves Jesus and will tell it straight to anyones face.
Application.
Pray that God will help me have the child-like faith that my sister has.
Philippians 3:9
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
I love how it says, "not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law". So many christians think that just because they know so much about the Bible that they are a higher christian than those who don't know as much or any of it. The man next to Jesus on the cross didn't know much, if any, of the Bible, he just surrendered to Jesus in his last breaths and ascended up to heaven. All children of Christ are equal. Just a few words later in the verse it nails it on the head and shows the alternative. "The righeousness which comes from God on the basis of faith". This reminds me of my sister. She is 22 years old and has special needs. She is mentally about the age of a 5 year old. She has such an amazing relationship with Jesus! She prays all the time, and constantly just talks to God. The funny thing is she has never read a page of the Bible. At church, she doesn't stand and lift her hands or pay attention during the sermon. She sits quiet in her seat and colors one of her million coloring books. She has just such the simple mind set of, "Well, I love Jesus". Now you can and I have had people argue with me about her relationship with God is because she was raised in a christian home. I can promise you that that's not true. I've known her for 18 years. I say that's not true because her brain isn't intelligent enough to put a mask on like that. She doesn't just do it because it's "the right thing to do". She does it because she loves Jesus and will tell it straight to anyones face.
Application.
Pray that God will help me have the child-like faith that my sister has.
Philippians 3:8
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Phillipians 3:8
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
This world we live in is so materialistic. Everybody wants everything. I remember before I came to Ignite, I had alot of stuff. I had everyTHING I wanted and I had to leave it all behind to come here. I had to sell my sportbike and my truck to get the money to come. I had to make a decision to put Christ before those things. I'm not saying that having stuff is bad, I'm saying it is bad when you put that stuff before God. Just like the verse says, "I count all things to be loss". The USA is the most materialistic place that I can think of. Everybody wants that American dream, the house, the car, the job, the self and all for self and image. The only thing wrong with the American dream that most people crave is the self. It's not wrong to have the house, the car, the job as long as they don't consciously or unconsciously become your god. Change it from the American dream to The Jesus Dream.
Phillipians 3:8
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
This world we live in is so materialistic. Everybody wants everything. I remember before I came to Ignite, I had alot of stuff. I had everyTHING I wanted and I had to leave it all behind to come here. I had to sell my sportbike and my truck to get the money to come. I had to make a decision to put Christ before those things. I'm not saying that having stuff is bad, I'm saying it is bad when you put that stuff before God. Just like the verse says, "I count all things to be loss". The USA is the most materialistic place that I can think of. Everybody wants that American dream, the house, the car, the job, the self and all for self and image. The only thing wrong with the American dream that most people crave is the self. It's not wrong to have the house, the car, the job as long as they don't consciously or unconsciously become your god. Change it from the American dream to The Jesus Dream.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Matthew 20:26-28
Ignite IBS
Matthew 20:26-28
26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
If you want to be a good leader, you have to be a better follower. I heard that like a month and a half ago and it just stuck with me. When I first heard it, I didn't like it. But I started thinking about it and it's so true! We have to be a better follower, not of man but of Jesus. Thats's how we become the best leaders we can possibly be. When we become a leader that follows Jesus, serving one another will be second nature. This world is not good at appointing leaders. Yes, we make leaders out of followers, but the so called "leaders" we have put on pedestals are followers of man, of drugs, of money, of lust, and everything else of this world. They're everywhere. Music, government, movies, and tv shows, and sadly even in the churches. The only way we can serve them is to pray for them. The verse says, "whoever whishes to become great among you shall be your servant" Know this, these people that are appointed as leaders are not great, they are lost. They don't even know where they're going. Money and fame bring a man to shame, ain't no doubt about it.
Matthew 20:26-28
26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
If you want to be a good leader, you have to be a better follower. I heard that like a month and a half ago and it just stuck with me. When I first heard it, I didn't like it. But I started thinking about it and it's so true! We have to be a better follower, not of man but of Jesus. Thats's how we become the best leaders we can possibly be. When we become a leader that follows Jesus, serving one another will be second nature. This world is not good at appointing leaders. Yes, we make leaders out of followers, but the so called "leaders" we have put on pedestals are followers of man, of drugs, of money, of lust, and everything else of this world. They're everywhere. Music, government, movies, and tv shows, and sadly even in the churches. The only way we can serve them is to pray for them. The verse says, "whoever whishes to become great among you shall be your servant" Know this, these people that are appointed as leaders are not great, they are lost. They don't even know where they're going. Money and fame bring a man to shame, ain't no doubt about it.
John 12:26
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John 12:26
If anyone who serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there my servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
I love how it says, "he must follow Me". We have to follow Jesus to serve Him. Look at it as, "Anyone who serves Me must follow Me." Where God sends us, we need to respond. Being in Ignite has deffinitely assured me that I'm right where He wants me to be. I was pushed by God to come here. It wasn't an easy decision. It wasn't just a random, "oh yea, sure, I'll go". It was a difficult goodbye. I left my home, my family, my stuff, I pretty much left everything except my clothes, my headphones, and my Bible. I had to get nitty gritty with myself. I had made the decision not to come, and honestly, I was at peace with it but God just put it on my heart again and I knew I needed to. You see, God doesn't need me, I need God. I can humbly say God is pulling me closer to Him. I'm choosing to follow Him and to serve Him. Anyone who's reading this back at home that had the oppurtunity to come and didn't, this next thing is for you. You dont have to come to Guatemala to find God. God is omnipresent. Just because God called me here, doesn't mean he called you. We are equal at the cross. I'm not perfect in any way. One thing I fear is getting back home and my family and friends expecting me to be some super religious, structured guy. I'm still Roaren. Yes, I'm changing but I'm still me. I'm still just a man and I don't look down on anyone who made the decision to stay.
John 12:26
If anyone who serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there my servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
I love how it says, "he must follow Me". We have to follow Jesus to serve Him. Look at it as, "Anyone who serves Me must follow Me." Where God sends us, we need to respond. Being in Ignite has deffinitely assured me that I'm right where He wants me to be. I was pushed by God to come here. It wasn't an easy decision. It wasn't just a random, "oh yea, sure, I'll go". It was a difficult goodbye. I left my home, my family, my stuff, I pretty much left everything except my clothes, my headphones, and my Bible. I had to get nitty gritty with myself. I had made the decision not to come, and honestly, I was at peace with it but God just put it on my heart again and I knew I needed to. You see, God doesn't need me, I need God. I can humbly say God is pulling me closer to Him. I'm choosing to follow Him and to serve Him. Anyone who's reading this back at home that had the oppurtunity to come and didn't, this next thing is for you. You dont have to come to Guatemala to find God. God is omnipresent. Just because God called me here, doesn't mean he called you. We are equal at the cross. I'm not perfect in any way. One thing I fear is getting back home and my family and friends expecting me to be some super religious, structured guy. I'm still Roaren. Yes, I'm changing but I'm still me. I'm still just a man and I don't look down on anyone who made the decision to stay.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Galatians 5:13
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Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an oppurtunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
I think alot of people view christians as hypocrits because they dont understand what we mean when we say we have freedom through surrendering. And really, how do you expect them to understand something that they don't live. As christians, we have freedom. Not for our selfishness but for serving others. Freedom from the hell of our own minds. When I was younger, my dad said something that will forever stick with me. He said, "Yea we're free to sin, but we're also free not to sin."
Application.
I will serve others by making sure the court yard is put back togethor after wifi time, since everyobody moves the furniture around.
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an oppurtunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
I think alot of people view christians as hypocrits because they dont understand what we mean when we say we have freedom through surrendering. And really, how do you expect them to understand something that they don't live. As christians, we have freedom. Not for our selfishness but for serving others. Freedom from the hell of our own minds. When I was younger, my dad said something that will forever stick with me. He said, "Yea we're free to sin, but we're also free not to sin."
Application.
I will serve others by making sure the court yard is put back togethor after wifi time, since everyobody moves the furniture around.
1 Corinthians 9:22
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1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
This is a pretty interesting verse. "I became weak". We can't just walk up to a homless guy and start giving him a huge sermon and lecture on post-trib or pre-trib. He wouldn't understand any of it. We have to start at the basics when it comes to people that don't know about our Father. We have to do it with love! We have to! If we don't do it with love, then we could push them even further away from christianity. After all, you might be the only Bible someone ever reads. I heard that quote the first week of Ignite. It hit me. Don't be an idiot and let your pride or frustration push someone away. Be patient, be kind, be loving, do it with a happy heart.
Application.
I'm going to pray with a beggar on the streets.
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
This is a pretty interesting verse. "I became weak". We can't just walk up to a homless guy and start giving him a huge sermon and lecture on post-trib or pre-trib. He wouldn't understand any of it. We have to start at the basics when it comes to people that don't know about our Father. We have to do it with love! We have to! If we don't do it with love, then we could push them even further away from christianity. After all, you might be the only Bible someone ever reads. I heard that quote the first week of Ignite. It hit me. Don't be an idiot and let your pride or frustration push someone away. Be patient, be kind, be loving, do it with a happy heart.
Application.
I'm going to pray with a beggar on the streets.
Ephesians 5:21
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Ephesians 5:21
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
This verse is short and simple but it still speaks alot. I looked up the deffinition of Subject. It means to be open or exposed, or to be dependant on. So the verse is saying we should depend on, be open, and be exposed to one another in the fear of Christ. When I read this, it make me think of everyone being equal because we are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." We are all one. So why do we look at eachother as less or as inferior? It's human nature to compare but it is not Gods nature. Comparison does 1 of 2 things; makes one feel inferior or superior and neither honors God. That's where prayer kicks in. We just have to pray that God would give us a heart for people, no matter their social status.
Application.
I'm applying this by looking in the Bible where it talks about comparison.
Ephesians 5:21
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
This verse is short and simple but it still speaks alot. I looked up the deffinition of Subject. It means to be open or exposed, or to be dependant on. So the verse is saying we should depend on, be open, and be exposed to one another in the fear of Christ. When I read this, it make me think of everyone being equal because we are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." We are all one. So why do we look at eachother as less or as inferior? It's human nature to compare but it is not Gods nature. Comparison does 1 of 2 things; makes one feel inferior or superior and neither honors God. That's where prayer kicks in. We just have to pray that God would give us a heart for people, no matter their social status.
Application.
I'm applying this by looking in the Bible where it talks about comparison.
Hebrews 13:17
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Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Obey and submit. Those are the things that stuck out to me. God calls us to obey and submit to our leaders. What exactly does that mean? To obey means, "to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of". Submit is literally a synonym of obey in the thesaurus. So why are they in there together? Well to submit means, "to give over or yield to the power or authority of another". You see, God doesn't just call us to follow commands and instruction, He also calls us yield to the power of our leaders. Now not just any man is a leader that we should obey and submit to, we have to pray that God will show us and give us a good leader to follow. Don't get mixed up between following man and following God. I think so many times christians just pick someone to follow and treat them and listen to them like they're god. Your earthly leaders are still human. They're not always going to get it right. But think of it this way, if God gave us the leaders we obey then it's not in our hands. It's in Gods hands.
Application.
I'm applying this by writing down 5 people in my life that God has put in my life for me to follow.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Obey and submit. Those are the things that stuck out to me. God calls us to obey and submit to our leaders. What exactly does that mean? To obey means, "to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of". Submit is literally a synonym of obey in the thesaurus. So why are they in there together? Well to submit means, "to give over or yield to the power or authority of another". You see, God doesn't just call us to follow commands and instruction, He also calls us yield to the power of our leaders. Now not just any man is a leader that we should obey and submit to, we have to pray that God will show us and give us a good leader to follow. Don't get mixed up between following man and following God. I think so many times christians just pick someone to follow and treat them and listen to them like they're god. Your earthly leaders are still human. They're not always going to get it right. But think of it this way, if God gave us the leaders we obey then it's not in our hands. It's in Gods hands.
Application.
I'm applying this by writing down 5 people in my life that God has put in my life for me to follow.
Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20
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(1) Ephesians 6:1, (2) Colossians 3:20
(1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
(2) Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Pretty much everyone has heard this. It's one of the ten commandments and it's said all the time but it's not really used these days. I was always raised that if I didn't listen to my parents, I paid the consequences, everything from swats to running down our long driveway to a bunch of push-ups. It sucked at the time, but looking back, it's exactly what I needed most of the time. My dad has always said this thing since I was a little kid, "Kids need constant praise, constant discipline, and constant praise." Kids need the discipline. Honestly, I think they crave it. At my home back in Oklahoma, my little cousins have been staying at our house alot. They didn't grow up with a dad, every father figure they've had is just which ever guy was with their mom at the time. They're 13 year old twins and they're really smart kids, they just really dont know it because no ones ever told them. They've never had to obey their parents. My dad saw that they needed a father figure made the plan for them to come stay with us. When they're at our house they work, they listen and obey or pay the consequences. The reason I say that kids crave discipline is because they want structure. I can see it in my cousins that they love being in a home with rules and structure better than doing whatever they want. I know that sounds weird and even though they won't admit it, I still believe it.
Application.
(1) Ephesians 6:1, (2) Colossians 3:20
(1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
(2) Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Pretty much everyone has heard this. It's one of the ten commandments and it's said all the time but it's not really used these days. I was always raised that if I didn't listen to my parents, I paid the consequences, everything from swats to running down our long driveway to a bunch of push-ups. It sucked at the time, but looking back, it's exactly what I needed most of the time. My dad has always said this thing since I was a little kid, "Kids need constant praise, constant discipline, and constant praise." Kids need the discipline. Honestly, I think they crave it. At my home back in Oklahoma, my little cousins have been staying at our house alot. They didn't grow up with a dad, every father figure they've had is just which ever guy was with their mom at the time. They're 13 year old twins and they're really smart kids, they just really dont know it because no ones ever told them. They've never had to obey their parents. My dad saw that they needed a father figure made the plan for them to come stay with us. When they're at our house they work, they listen and obey or pay the consequences. The reason I say that kids crave discipline is because they want structure. I can see it in my cousins that they love being in a home with rules and structure better than doing whatever they want. I know that sounds weird and even though they won't admit it, I still believe it.
Application.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Romans 6:16
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Romans 6:16
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
What are we slaves to? That's a question that no one wants to be asked. It's also a subject that people (including myself) hate to even think about. We are slaves to the things we obey. Pornography, alchohol, drugs, ciggaretes; all of those things are so easy to become slaves to. Being a slave to those just results in death. But if we turn our eyes to God, giving those things to Him, because we can't take those on by ourselves, that's when we truly become free. It's cool to me that to become truly free, you have to fully surrender to the One who made you.
Application.
I'm going to look at the places in the Bible where it talks about obeying God.
Romans 6:16
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
What are we slaves to? That's a question that no one wants to be asked. It's also a subject that people (including myself) hate to even think about. We are slaves to the things we obey. Pornography, alchohol, drugs, ciggaretes; all of those things are so easy to become slaves to. Being a slave to those just results in death. But if we turn our eyes to God, giving those things to Him, because we can't take those on by ourselves, that's when we truly become free. It's cool to me that to become truly free, you have to fully surrender to the One who made you.
Application.
I'm going to look at the places in the Bible where it talks about obeying God.
2 Corinthians 10:5
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2 Corinthians 10:5
We are detroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
One thing I've really been working on is taking every thought captive. I've really never even considered it. It's kinda weird saying it but we have think about our thoughts. We have to pray that our thoughts are honoring our Father and when one creeps in that is not of God, we have to literally take it captive and ask God to get rid of it. We can not shoot those thoughts down on our own. Here lately, I've been being tempted alot by my flesh. Being tempted about everything it seems like but when I have a thought or temptation that is not of my Father, I have to rebuke it, sometimes outloud, in the name of Jesus. When I was a kid, my grandma (MeeMee) told me that you can use the name of Jesus like a weapon against evil. I was riding in her car and she said, "Like this!" and she started swinging an imaginary sword around yelling, "JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS!!!!!". Me and my brothers always kinda made fun of it, like yelling it in the intense part of a horror movie while flinging our arms around. But I am forever grateful she taught us that because I'll tell you this, it works! There have been several times that I could just feel dark spirits around me and I would think back to my MeeMee, so I would try it and immediately start feeling the darkness go away. Evil has no power against my Father! Evil has no fight against my Jesus! Just like Keith Wheeler said, everybody says that darkness is spreading across the world, but darkness doesnt spread, darkness is just light fading, the absence of light. So call evil out in the name of JESUS! There is power in the name of Jesus!
Application.
My application for this is to call my MeeMee and just thank her for teaching me how to call on the name of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We are detroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
One thing I've really been working on is taking every thought captive. I've really never even considered it. It's kinda weird saying it but we have think about our thoughts. We have to pray that our thoughts are honoring our Father and when one creeps in that is not of God, we have to literally take it captive and ask God to get rid of it. We can not shoot those thoughts down on our own. Here lately, I've been being tempted alot by my flesh. Being tempted about everything it seems like but when I have a thought or temptation that is not of my Father, I have to rebuke it, sometimes outloud, in the name of Jesus. When I was a kid, my grandma (MeeMee) told me that you can use the name of Jesus like a weapon against evil. I was riding in her car and she said, "Like this!" and she started swinging an imaginary sword around yelling, "JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS!!!!!". Me and my brothers always kinda made fun of it, like yelling it in the intense part of a horror movie while flinging our arms around. But I am forever grateful she taught us that because I'll tell you this, it works! There have been several times that I could just feel dark spirits around me and I would think back to my MeeMee, so I would try it and immediately start feeling the darkness go away. Evil has no power against my Father! Evil has no fight against my Jesus! Just like Keith Wheeler said, everybody says that darkness is spreading across the world, but darkness doesnt spread, darkness is just light fading, the absence of light. So call evil out in the name of JESUS! There is power in the name of Jesus!
Application.
My application for this is to call my MeeMee and just thank her for teaching me how to call on the name of Jesus.
Hebrews 5:8
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Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
It's easy to say, "I'll be obedient". It's not just saying it that matters. You have to act on it. Actions speak louder than words. It says, "from the things which He suffered." Jesus suffered far more than we can imagine, but what's so impactful to me is He didn't have to suffer to know obedience. He chose to. He is fully human and fully God. He already understood obedience. He humbled Himself to learn it because He loves us. We are humans, we learn obedience from things which we suffer. But the difference between Him and us is He didn't have to suffer to learn it. Remember, He chose to.
Application.
I'm going to be more aware of things around me. Doing the things that need to be done without being told
Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
It's easy to say, "I'll be obedient". It's not just saying it that matters. You have to act on it. Actions speak louder than words. It says, "from the things which He suffered." Jesus suffered far more than we can imagine, but what's so impactful to me is He didn't have to suffer to know obedience. He chose to. He is fully human and fully God. He already understood obedience. He humbled Himself to learn it because He loves us. We are humans, we learn obedience from things which we suffer. But the difference between Him and us is He didn't have to suffer to learn it. Remember, He chose to.
Application.
I'm going to be more aware of things around me. Doing the things that need to be done without being told
Psalms 17:15
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Psalm 17:15
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I wake.
I love how it says, "As for me". You can't choose God for other people. You can't force God on someone. When I think about this, I think about my future children. Yea they will be raised in church but that doesn't make them followers of Jesus. It's their choice to follow Him, and oh how I will pray that they will. What's really cool about this is the other part of the verse. "I will be satisfied with Your likeness" When people see that you are satisfied with God alone, they will want that, and that's where you get your chance to minister to them.
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I wake.
I love how it says, "As for me". You can't choose God for other people. You can't force God on someone. When I think about this, I think about my future children. Yea they will be raised in church but that doesn't make them followers of Jesus. It's their choice to follow Him, and oh how I will pray that they will. What's really cool about this is the other part of the verse. "I will be satisfied with Your likeness" When people see that you are satisfied with God alone, they will want that, and that's where you get your chance to minister to them.
Philippians 4:11
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Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
What does the word "content" mean? The word "content" means to be self sufficient and un-moved by external circumstances. I crave to be like Paul and be content no matter what comes my way. Last night before comissioning, I went and got by myself and just knelt down before God and prayed that I would be content no matter what I was told. I prayed that God would send me wherever He wants me. I'm confident God did just that.
Application.
Today I will pray for somebody that I feel is not content with where they're going.
Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
What does the word "content" mean? The word "content" means to be self sufficient and un-moved by external circumstances. I crave to be like Paul and be content no matter what comes my way. Last night before comissioning, I went and got by myself and just knelt down before God and prayed that I would be content no matter what I was told. I prayed that God would send me wherever He wants me. I'm confident God did just that.
Application.
Today I will pray for somebody that I feel is not content with where they're going.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Hebrews 13:5
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Hebrews 13:5
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,"
God said, "I will never desert you". Not your bestfriend, not your parents, not your brothers, God! Everything else in this world will fail us at one point. Money will fail us, family will fail us, friends will fail us, our spouses will even fail us at one point and we will fail them too. But God will NEVER FAIL YOU. To desert means to abandon. God will never abandon you. The verse says, "Being content with what you have". I think contentment is a choice but also more than a choice. You have to choose to pray about it and then ask God to apply it.
Application.
Write a prayer about contentment.
Hebrews 13:5
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,"
God said, "I will never desert you". Not your bestfriend, not your parents, not your brothers, God! Everything else in this world will fail us at one point. Money will fail us, family will fail us, friends will fail us, our spouses will even fail us at one point and we will fail them too. But God will NEVER FAIL YOU. To desert means to abandon. God will never abandon you. The verse says, "Being content with what you have". I think contentment is a choice but also more than a choice. You have to choose to pray about it and then ask God to apply it.
Application.
Write a prayer about contentment.
Luke 3:14
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Luke 3:14
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."
This one is pretty simple. Be content. That's the message here. It's so simple but hardly anyone actually applies and uses it. I know that I'm not always content with my life. Being in Guatemala is really opening my eyes to how real the world is and how much of a Gringo I really am. I get in a tiff with myself over stuff that is so stupid and then I look around at the people here. For instance, Roxanne, one of the cooks, walks here every morning and walks home up hill at night. She's a 41 year old short Guatemalan lady and has a daughter that's 7. She is the coolest, sweetest lady. She really likes me and I give her a hug every morning. The other day I was talking to her and I asked her "Do you know Jesus?" and she said with a spanish accent "Yes. God is good with us but we no good with God." It was just really cool to hear her say that. I can tell God is working on my contentment and I know it's just started. Which leads to my application.
Application.
I'm going to give (or sneak) Roxy 200 Q (Guatemalan money).
Luke 3:14
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."
This one is pretty simple. Be content. That's the message here. It's so simple but hardly anyone actually applies and uses it. I know that I'm not always content with my life. Being in Guatemala is really opening my eyes to how real the world is and how much of a Gringo I really am. I get in a tiff with myself over stuff that is so stupid and then I look around at the people here. For instance, Roxanne, one of the cooks, walks here every morning and walks home up hill at night. She's a 41 year old short Guatemalan lady and has a daughter that's 7. She is the coolest, sweetest lady. She really likes me and I give her a hug every morning. The other day I was talking to her and I asked her "Do you know Jesus?" and she said with a spanish accent "Yes. God is good with us but we no good with God." It was just really cool to hear her say that. I can tell God is working on my contentment and I know it's just started. Which leads to my application.
Application.
I'm going to give (or sneak) Roxy 200 Q (Guatemalan money).
1 Timothy 6:6-8
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1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
So when I read this, what popped in my mind is all of the stuff that I have. I have everything I need. I have a great family, a roof over my head, food on the table, shoes on my feet, a job, a car, a dirtbike, a sportbike, shoot man I'm in Guatemala right now serving the Lord. And yet I still get ungreatful! How can I be ungreatful?! I get ungreatful about the stuff that I don't have rather than be greatful for the stuff that I do have. Everything in this world is just temporary. I know you've probably heard that like a thousand times, but just think about it. "We cannot take anything out of it" When I go to heaven, I don't get to take my car, I don't get to take my money, I don't get to take my dirtbike, I get to take nothing. I'm sitting here typing this with my headphones on and the song "Who I Am" by Frank Foster just came on. There's a part in the song where it says "they brought me up right, taught me love and when to fight, and how to tough out" It just makes me think about my parents. That is how they raised me. It makes me thankful for my family but more than that, it amazes me that God has blessed me with such people that helped shaped me into Who I Am. And with that, I am content.
Application.
Write down 3 things that I'm conent with.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
So when I read this, what popped in my mind is all of the stuff that I have. I have everything I need. I have a great family, a roof over my head, food on the table, shoes on my feet, a job, a car, a dirtbike, a sportbike, shoot man I'm in Guatemala right now serving the Lord. And yet I still get ungreatful! How can I be ungreatful?! I get ungreatful about the stuff that I don't have rather than be greatful for the stuff that I do have. Everything in this world is just temporary. I know you've probably heard that like a thousand times, but just think about it. "We cannot take anything out of it" When I go to heaven, I don't get to take my car, I don't get to take my money, I don't get to take my dirtbike, I get to take nothing. I'm sitting here typing this with my headphones on and the song "Who I Am" by Frank Foster just came on. There's a part in the song where it says "they brought me up right, taught me love and when to fight, and how to tough out" It just makes me think about my parents. That is how they raised me. It makes me thankful for my family but more than that, it amazes me that God has blessed me with such people that helped shaped me into Who I Am. And with that, I am content.
Application.
Write down 3 things that I'm conent with.
Hebrews 6:12
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Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
One thing I've come to know about myself is I love to look at deffinitions of words, even if I know what the words mean. So I looked up the word "patient". Patient: The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. Thats a big deffinition but it gives a good picture of what we will go through in life. We should look up to those who have been through those things and are still strong in faith and patience. My dad and grandpa are two of the people that I really look up to in this area. They both have had pretty hard times in the past but they are both still strong men in their Father. I strive to imitate both of them.
Application.
I'm going to pray with the mens Bible study for my dad and my grandpa. Praying for them and their struggles and just thanking my Father for putting those strong men in my life.
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
One thing I've come to know about myself is I love to look at deffinitions of words, even if I know what the words mean. So I looked up the word "patient". Patient: The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. Thats a big deffinition but it gives a good picture of what we will go through in life. We should look up to those who have been through those things and are still strong in faith and patience. My dad and grandpa are two of the people that I really look up to in this area. They both have had pretty hard times in the past but they are both still strong men in their Father. I strive to imitate both of them.
Application.
I'm going to pray with the mens Bible study for my dad and my grandpa. Praying for them and their struggles and just thanking my Father for putting those strong men in my life.
Revelations 1:9
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Revelations 1:9
I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
The first twenty-something times I read this, I didn't really understand why John was on Patmos. Patmos is a rocky, barren, prison island. I just kept reading it as John chose to be there. Then it dawned on me. John is there BECAUSE of the word of God! He's there because he was exiled there. No matter what we may face, wether it be prison, beating, or even death, we shall never deny that we are followers of Jesus. That Jesus is our king. I think it's really cool that it says "partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance". Tribulation is what we face here on earth, the kingdom is Heaven, and perseverance in Jesus is how we get there.
Application.
I talked to my dad last night and I can just tell that he is struggling with me being gone. So I'm applying this by having perseverance through the uncomfort and praying that God will bring peace to my dad.
Revelations 1:9
I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
The first twenty-something times I read this, I didn't really understand why John was on Patmos. Patmos is a rocky, barren, prison island. I just kept reading it as John chose to be there. Then it dawned on me. John is there BECAUSE of the word of God! He's there because he was exiled there. No matter what we may face, wether it be prison, beating, or even death, we shall never deny that we are followers of Jesus. That Jesus is our king. I think it's really cool that it says "partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance". Tribulation is what we face here on earth, the kingdom is Heaven, and perseverance in Jesus is how we get there.
Application.
I talked to my dad last night and I can just tell that he is struggling with me being gone. So I'm applying this by having perseverance through the uncomfort and praying that God will bring peace to my dad.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Luke 21:19
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Luke 21:19
By your endurance you will gain your lives
Short and simple right? Yea it's only 8 words and doesn't take long to read but this verse actually has alot to say. The verse is under the title of "Signs of Christ's Coming" If you read just a few verses before 19, you'll find where it talks about being betrayed by brothers, parents, relatives, and friends. And where it talks about some of us dying. And where it talks about being hated by all because of His name. But this is where the main verse comes in. "By your endurance you will gain your lives" By enduring the hate, betrayel, loneliness, and even death, we gain our lives. We gain our lives by living with and through Jesus. This life is temporary but Heaven is eternal. Get right or get left.
Application.
This is a hard thing to apply because I'm not put in this situation. So I've decided to just try and pray with someone that I haven't prayed with yet. Tommorow I will try to pray with the cooks, Sonya and Roxy. They are really special ladies and I would love to see God bless them.
Luke 21:19
By your endurance you will gain your lives
Short and simple right? Yea it's only 8 words and doesn't take long to read but this verse actually has alot to say. The verse is under the title of "Signs of Christ's Coming" If you read just a few verses before 19, you'll find where it talks about being betrayed by brothers, parents, relatives, and friends. And where it talks about some of us dying. And where it talks about being hated by all because of His name. But this is where the main verse comes in. "By your endurance you will gain your lives" By enduring the hate, betrayel, loneliness, and even death, we gain our lives. We gain our lives by living with and through Jesus. This life is temporary but Heaven is eternal. Get right or get left.
Application.
This is a hard thing to apply because I'm not put in this situation. So I've decided to just try and pray with someone that I haven't prayed with yet. Tommorow I will try to pray with the cooks, Sonya and Roxy. They are really special ladies and I would love to see God bless them.
Luke 8:11-15
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Luke 8:11-15
11 Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, recieve the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time for temptation fall away. 14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
When I read these verses, they all paint a picture in my head. Now I could sit here and type on them all day, but if you read them, I'm sure you can paint your own picture. What I'm gonna focus on is verse 14. "The seed which fell among the thorns" That really caught my attention. I think there's so many times that we fall into the wrong crowd or start hanging out with the wrong friends. Just think of a seed landing in the thorns. Yea it might get a little sunlight, some dirt under it, and an occasional rain. But it will only grow so much. The thorns will constrict its growth. Now put that into a human perspective. We have the seed (God) planted in our heart and it's starting to grow, and then we fall among the thorns (bad influences wether it be people, music, pornography, you fill in the blank.) The thorns in our life constrict our growth closer to God. So the question is this: What are your thorns? What's restricting your growth towards God? Don't expect to have an answer right away. It took me a few days to realise that music was becoming my thorn. Pray about it, talk to God, and find your thorn. After all they bring no maturity.
Application.
Tonight I'm going to talk to Chris about thorns that he has removed from his life to get here.
Luke 8:11-15
11 Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, recieve the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time for temptation fall away. 14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
When I read these verses, they all paint a picture in my head. Now I could sit here and type on them all day, but if you read them, I'm sure you can paint your own picture. What I'm gonna focus on is verse 14. "The seed which fell among the thorns" That really caught my attention. I think there's so many times that we fall into the wrong crowd or start hanging out with the wrong friends. Just think of a seed landing in the thorns. Yea it might get a little sunlight, some dirt under it, and an occasional rain. But it will only grow so much. The thorns will constrict its growth. Now put that into a human perspective. We have the seed (God) planted in our heart and it's starting to grow, and then we fall among the thorns (bad influences wether it be people, music, pornography, you fill in the blank.) The thorns in our life constrict our growth closer to God. So the question is this: What are your thorns? What's restricting your growth towards God? Don't expect to have an answer right away. It took me a few days to realise that music was becoming my thorn. Pray about it, talk to God, and find your thorn. After all they bring no maturity.
Application.
Tonight I'm going to talk to Chris about thorns that he has removed from his life to get here.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Ignite IBS
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What stuck out to me in these verses is the "making the most of your time" part. I think there's so many times that we just sit around and wait on God, when really God wants us to get up and live our life. When we just sit around all-day every-day, we're so much more vulnerable to sin. After all, the days are evil. Another part that caught me is where it says "be careful HOW you walk." Yes we should be careful where we walk, but I think more importantly, how we walk. If God is for us, who can be against us? If we have our firm foundation in Christ, then what place can throw us? I'm not saying put your Jesus head on and walk into satanic temple. What I'm saying is that when we have Jesus deep in our hearts and minds, then when we come across worldly things in our everyday life, we won't be shaken.
Application.
Im going on another music fast for a week and a half. When I first got here, we started a music fast for 2 weeks. But I just did it because I was told to. As soon as I got my music back, I noticed I started worshipping the music instead of God. Even in Christian music. So I've decided to not waste my time with the music and just let it be quiet and focus on the Lord.
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What stuck out to me in these verses is the "making the most of your time" part. I think there's so many times that we just sit around and wait on God, when really God wants us to get up and live our life. When we just sit around all-day every-day, we're so much more vulnerable to sin. After all, the days are evil. Another part that caught me is where it says "be careful HOW you walk." Yes we should be careful where we walk, but I think more importantly, how we walk. If God is for us, who can be against us? If we have our firm foundation in Christ, then what place can throw us? I'm not saying put your Jesus head on and walk into satanic temple. What I'm saying is that when we have Jesus deep in our hearts and minds, then when we come across worldly things in our everyday life, we won't be shaken.
Application.
Im going on another music fast for a week and a half. When I first got here, we started a music fast for 2 weeks. But I just did it because I was told to. As soon as I got my music back, I noticed I started worshipping the music instead of God. Even in Christian music. So I've decided to not waste my time with the music and just let it be quiet and focus on the Lord.
Collosians 1:11
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Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all His power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
I love how it says "according to His glorious might". I think alot of times people people pray for stuff like strength, peace, happiness, and love but don't take Gods plan into consideration. Humans forget that there is a time where your life is not going to be peaceful, or not going to be happy, or not going to be full of strength, or not full of love. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says "A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance." I know that verse is over-used, but for me it's one of those verses that reaches out and grabs me and proves itself to me. I really try to be conscious of just praying for the Lords will over me. Because in the end, it's all according to His glorious might.
Application.
I will pray with Kenny about God just having His will over us.
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all His power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
I love how it says "according to His glorious might". I think alot of times people people pray for stuff like strength, peace, happiness, and love but don't take Gods plan into consideration. Humans forget that there is a time where your life is not going to be peaceful, or not going to be happy, or not going to be full of strength, or not full of love. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says "A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance." I know that verse is over-used, but for me it's one of those verses that reaches out and grabs me and proves itself to me. I really try to be conscious of just praying for the Lords will over me. Because in the end, it's all according to His glorious might.
Application.
I will pray with Kenny about God just having His will over us.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
2nd Corinthians 1:12
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2nd Corinthians 1:12
For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially towards you.
I love how it says "our proud confidence". We have a proud confidence in God. The theme for this week is Wisdom, but we should have a proud confidence in more than just His wisdom. We should have a proud confidence in Him. Period. I know that's easier said than done. I really struggle with God and faith when I don't feel Him. I know I've touched base on this before but I still have a hard time with it. That's something I have to be honest with myself about. I'm working on it and praying about it everyday. I know what it's like to not have the proud confidence that God is noticing you. But through my few weeks of being here in Guat, I've seen God move alot! Ignite is teaching me how to open my eyes and ears to what God is doing. Being patient when I don't get the goosebumps. I'm just learning how to have the "proud confidence".
Applications.
Ask one of the RA's to pray with me about being patient with The Lord
2nd Corinthians 1:12
For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially towards you.
I love how it says "our proud confidence". We have a proud confidence in God. The theme for this week is Wisdom, but we should have a proud confidence in more than just His wisdom. We should have a proud confidence in Him. Period. I know that's easier said than done. I really struggle with God and faith when I don't feel Him. I know I've touched base on this before but I still have a hard time with it. That's something I have to be honest with myself about. I'm working on it and praying about it everyday. I know what it's like to not have the proud confidence that God is noticing you. But through my few weeks of being here in Guat, I've seen God move alot! Ignite is teaching me how to open my eyes and ears to what God is doing. Being patient when I don't get the goosebumps. I'm just learning how to have the "proud confidence".
Applications.
Ask one of the RA's to pray with me about being patient with The Lord
James 1:5
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James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I think there's times when we have trouble asking God for things. It's like we think we're setting ourselves up for disapointment because we might not get what we want. Or maybe we think the things we're asking for are unjust. As humans, there's gonna be alot of things that we lack, and alot of things that we pray for, but at the same time there's gonna be unanswered prayers. But this verse says that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God and it will be given. I think it's wise to ask God for wisdom. Tonight I witnessed a great thing on wisdom. Me, some fellow interns, and some PFA staff went on an outreach to the emergency room here in Guatemala. Before we left I prayed that God would give me wisdom on this outreach. We were handing out bread with beans, coffee, and some church invtes to the people in the waiting room and we would also ask the people if they wanted us to pray with them. There was this old man with a cowboy hat in the waiting room. Matt walked up and gave him some bread and moved on. At first I passed on because he looked kind of intimidating. When I passed him, Matt looked at me and said "Are you gonna pray with him?" I looked back at him and was still scared to pray with him but I shot a quick prayer up to my Father and just prayed for the right words to say to this Guatemalan man that I could barely speak with because I barely speak any spanish. I walked up and said "Puedo orar por ti?" (Can I pray with you?) and he took his hat off and said "Si senor". I told the man that I speak "Poquito" (small amount) spanish and that I would pray in english. He looked at me and said "Dios no espanol, Dios no ingles." (God's not spanish, God's not english.) Just saying to me that God has no language barrier, that God understands every language so it didn't matter what language I prayed in. I got a staff member to interprate some of what he was saying and why he was there. He was there beause his wife having some sort of blood clot in her arm. We bowwed our heads to pray and I was about to start but he cut me off and just started balling and crying out to God in spanish. He opened his prayer with "Padre Dios". I've heard alot of spanish prayers in the almost three weeks that I've been here but nobody has opened it with the words "Father God" like this man did. He was passionate about it. After he finished, I prayed for him and his wife and stood up and told him "Dios La bendiga" (God Bless) and went on my way. I was walking around thinking about that man and what had just happened. What would have happened if I had not prayed for him because he was "intimidating". The blessing would of been missed on his and my part. I have no doubt God set that up. God gave me the wisdom I asked for and put me to the test.
Application.
I'm going to get on my knees and pray for the people I met at the outreach and ask God for wisdom every night this week.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I think there's times when we have trouble asking God for things. It's like we think we're setting ourselves up for disapointment because we might not get what we want. Or maybe we think the things we're asking for are unjust. As humans, there's gonna be alot of things that we lack, and alot of things that we pray for, but at the same time there's gonna be unanswered prayers. But this verse says that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God and it will be given. I think it's wise to ask God for wisdom. Tonight I witnessed a great thing on wisdom. Me, some fellow interns, and some PFA staff went on an outreach to the emergency room here in Guatemala. Before we left I prayed that God would give me wisdom on this outreach. We were handing out bread with beans, coffee, and some church invtes to the people in the waiting room and we would also ask the people if they wanted us to pray with them. There was this old man with a cowboy hat in the waiting room. Matt walked up and gave him some bread and moved on. At first I passed on because he looked kind of intimidating. When I passed him, Matt looked at me and said "Are you gonna pray with him?" I looked back at him and was still scared to pray with him but I shot a quick prayer up to my Father and just prayed for the right words to say to this Guatemalan man that I could barely speak with because I barely speak any spanish. I walked up and said "Puedo orar por ti?" (Can I pray with you?) and he took his hat off and said "Si senor". I told the man that I speak "Poquito" (small amount) spanish and that I would pray in english. He looked at me and said "Dios no espanol, Dios no ingles." (God's not spanish, God's not english.) Just saying to me that God has no language barrier, that God understands every language so it didn't matter what language I prayed in. I got a staff member to interprate some of what he was saying and why he was there. He was there beause his wife having some sort of blood clot in her arm. We bowwed our heads to pray and I was about to start but he cut me off and just started balling and crying out to God in spanish. He opened his prayer with "Padre Dios". I've heard alot of spanish prayers in the almost three weeks that I've been here but nobody has opened it with the words "Father God" like this man did. He was passionate about it. After he finished, I prayed for him and his wife and stood up and told him "Dios La bendiga" (God Bless) and went on my way. I was walking around thinking about that man and what had just happened. What would have happened if I had not prayed for him because he was "intimidating". The blessing would of been missed on his and my part. I have no doubt God set that up. God gave me the wisdom I asked for and put me to the test.
Application.
I'm going to get on my knees and pray for the people I met at the outreach and ask God for wisdom every night this week.
Psalms 111:10
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Psalms 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
What do you think of when you hear the word "fear"? I think of words like afraid, scared, and panic. I think alot of people misunderstand the term "fear the Lord". I used to not understand it. I used to always think of it like this, how can you love cliff diving if you have a fear of heights? How can you love your dad if he abuses you? It just never made since to me. How can I love God and fear God? But The Bible isn't talking about a fear that is deadening, but talking about a healthy fear. A clean fear. A respect. Like the verse says "A good understanding". Psalms 19:9 says "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgements of the Lord are true; They are righteous all togethor."
Application.
I'm going to ask Collin to pray for me to have and keep a healthy fear of God.
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
What do you think of when you hear the word "fear"? I think of words like afraid, scared, and panic. I think alot of people misunderstand the term "fear the Lord". I used to not understand it. I used to always think of it like this, how can you love cliff diving if you have a fear of heights? How can you love your dad if he abuses you? It just never made since to me. How can I love God and fear God? But The Bible isn't talking about a fear that is deadening, but talking about a healthy fear. A clean fear. A respect. Like the verse says "A good understanding". Psalms 19:9 says "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgements of the Lord are true; They are righteous all togethor."
Application.
I'm going to ask Collin to pray for me to have and keep a healthy fear of God.
James 3:13-17
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James 3:13-17
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show you by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogent and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrasy.
"Do not be arrogent and so lie against the truth." That part was the part that stuck out to me. Saying be honest with others, be honest with God, be honest with yourself. I've known Matt for about 8 years and one thing that we are really good about is not just sharing with eachother but being 100% honest about the stuff that we're going through wether it be good or bad. I dont know how wise we are but I know we're both pretty understanding. If he doesn't feel like I'm being 100% honest, then he will call me on it, and he expects me to do the same for him. We help eachother be honest with ourselves. Even during these two weeks that we've been here we've talked alot about stuff that's just on our mind and struggles that we're having. We're human, we're gonna get jealous and we're gonna have selfish ambition at some point. The best thing to do about it is share it with somebody but more importantly share it with God and pray about it.
Application.
Ask a fellow intern what they're struggling with and pray with them about it.
James 3:13-17
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show you by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogent and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrasy.
"Do not be arrogent and so lie against the truth." That part was the part that stuck out to me. Saying be honest with others, be honest with God, be honest with yourself. I've known Matt for about 8 years and one thing that we are really good about is not just sharing with eachother but being 100% honest about the stuff that we're going through wether it be good or bad. I dont know how wise we are but I know we're both pretty understanding. If he doesn't feel like I'm being 100% honest, then he will call me on it, and he expects me to do the same for him. We help eachother be honest with ourselves. Even during these two weeks that we've been here we've talked alot about stuff that's just on our mind and struggles that we're having. We're human, we're gonna get jealous and we're gonna have selfish ambition at some point. The best thing to do about it is share it with somebody but more importantly share it with God and pray about it.
Application.
Ask a fellow intern what they're struggling with and pray with them about it.
Mark 10:47-49
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Mark 10:47-49
47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you."
What I really liked about this is where it says, "But he kept crying out all the more." That's just the best part for me. That he was getting shouted at to shut up, but he knew that Jesus could heal him so he kept on hollaring! It's just like that today. People tell you that what you're doing is hypocritical and full of hate. But in all reality we are trying to spread love. As Christians, no matter what, we're always gonna get hate from the world but that shouldn't stop us from reaching out and crying out all the more. You're gonna be looked down at, you're gonna get looks, you're gonna run into tough conversations, and you're gonna be sternly told to be quiet. But look at what happened to the blind man, he got his sight back for crying out to Jesus!
Application.
On Saturday at the Arch Outreach with cardboard testimonies, I'm going to pray outloud with atleast 3 people. No matter the language barrier.
Mark 10:47-49
47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you."
What I really liked about this is where it says, "But he kept crying out all the more." That's just the best part for me. That he was getting shouted at to shut up, but he knew that Jesus could heal him so he kept on hollaring! It's just like that today. People tell you that what you're doing is hypocritical and full of hate. But in all reality we are trying to spread love. As Christians, no matter what, we're always gonna get hate from the world but that shouldn't stop us from reaching out and crying out all the more. You're gonna be looked down at, you're gonna get looks, you're gonna run into tough conversations, and you're gonna be sternly told to be quiet. But look at what happened to the blind man, he got his sight back for crying out to Jesus!
Application.
On Saturday at the Arch Outreach with cardboard testimonies, I'm going to pray outloud with atleast 3 people. No matter the language barrier.
Matthew 8:9-10
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Matthew 8:9-10
"For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this!' and he does it." 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Isreal."
What really stuck out to me in this verse was the first part. "For I also am a man under authority". That was good for me to hear. It was humbling. It took me more than a few "read and re-reads" to get the verse. As soon as I started to understand it, my dad popped into my mind. As the son of a business owner, I see my dad work and be in authority of his men, telling them where to go and what to do. The main thing I see about my dad in that sense is that he has someone in authority over him, Jesus. I work for my dads company, so not only am I his son, I'm also one of his men. Just like I have faith that my dad will point me in the right direction as I drive off from the shop in the service truck, my dad has faith that God will point him in the right direction for his family, business, finances, and so much more. God has been working on my heart with 0obeying His authority and having faith that He will shape me into the leader He wants me to be. Because to be the best leader, you must first be the best follower.
Application.
I'm going to apply this to my life by consciously following God and have my room mate (Sam) to keep me accountable by telling him how I did for 5 days.
Matthew 8:9-10
"For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this!' and he does it." 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Isreal."
What really stuck out to me in this verse was the first part. "For I also am a man under authority". That was good for me to hear. It was humbling. It took me more than a few "read and re-reads" to get the verse. As soon as I started to understand it, my dad popped into my mind. As the son of a business owner, I see my dad work and be in authority of his men, telling them where to go and what to do. The main thing I see about my dad in that sense is that he has someone in authority over him, Jesus. I work for my dads company, so not only am I his son, I'm also one of his men. Just like I have faith that my dad will point me in the right direction as I drive off from the shop in the service truck, my dad has faith that God will point him in the right direction for his family, business, finances, and so much more. God has been working on my heart with 0obeying His authority and having faith that He will shape me into the leader He wants me to be. Because to be the best leader, you must first be the best follower.
Application.
I'm going to apply this to my life by consciously following God and have my room mate (Sam) to keep me accountable by telling him how I did for 5 days.
Luke 8:22-25
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Luke 8:22-25
22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out. 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a feirce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and be in danger. 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves and they stopped, and it became calm. 25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?
"Where is your faith?" That was the part that caught me. Put yourself in the disciples shoes for a sec. Jesus is on your boat in the middle of a storm...sleeping. That would deffinitely be a test of faith for me. Jesus was on the boat but wasnt doing a huge miraculous thing, and the disciples freaked out. Jesus was present but silent. Jesus knew what was going on but chose to be still. It really just goes to show that God is on His timing, not ours. I know I struggle with faith when I don't see God doing a huge miraculous thing in my life or in the people around me, when He is present but silent, when Jesus knows whats going on but chooses to be still. I need to focus more on what God DOES and HAS DONE rather than what He ISNT DOING or DIDN'T DO. Theres an older country song that says "Thank God for unanswered prayers." That has stuck with me for a while. I feel people pray for the things THEY want over the things that God wants for them. Think about it, if we got everything we ever asked for, we would be miserable. I'm not saying it's wrong to want something, I'm saying it's wrong to put your wants over Gods plan for you. We need to pray out of faith, pray out of trust, and pray for what the capital "G" GOD has for us.
Application.
I'm going to apply this to my life by praying outloud with one of the guys today about living through faith.
Luke 8:22-25
22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out. 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a feirce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and be in danger. 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves and they stopped, and it became calm. 25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?
"Where is your faith?" That was the part that caught me. Put yourself in the disciples shoes for a sec. Jesus is on your boat in the middle of a storm...sleeping. That would deffinitely be a test of faith for me. Jesus was on the boat but wasnt doing a huge miraculous thing, and the disciples freaked out. Jesus was present but silent. Jesus knew what was going on but chose to be still. It really just goes to show that God is on His timing, not ours. I know I struggle with faith when I don't see God doing a huge miraculous thing in my life or in the people around me, when He is present but silent, when Jesus knows whats going on but chooses to be still. I need to focus more on what God DOES and HAS DONE rather than what He ISNT DOING or DIDN'T DO. Theres an older country song that says "Thank God for unanswered prayers." That has stuck with me for a while. I feel people pray for the things THEY want over the things that God wants for them. Think about it, if we got everything we ever asked for, we would be miserable. I'm not saying it's wrong to want something, I'm saying it's wrong to put your wants over Gods plan for you. We need to pray out of faith, pray out of trust, and pray for what the capital "G" GOD has for us.
Application.
I'm going to apply this to my life by praying outloud with one of the guys today about living through faith.
Hebrews 11:6
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Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
When I read this, what do I think? I think about the word "impossible". The verse says it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith. When people tell me something is impossible, I have a hard time grasping what they mean. People (including myself) use the word so much in a illiteral sense that I have become numb to its actual meaning. Everybody knows what "impossible" means but I wanted to go deeper. So I looked it up in the dictionary. Impossible: not able to occur, exist, or be done. Therefore without faith, the pleasing of God will not exist. Period. Lets go further in to the verse. It says "he who comes to God must believe that He is". This part stumbled me a bit. That He is what?? The answer to this lies in the verse. It's simple. He Is! He exists, He is possible! Not only is He possible, he has already proved Himself time and time again!
Application.
I have 2 applications for this. First, I'm going to watch the way I use words, so that when The Bible uses them I can soak it in better, fully understanding it! Second, to go to God with whatever I have and accept His rewards He has for me.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
When I read this, what do I think? I think about the word "impossible". The verse says it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith. When people tell me something is impossible, I have a hard time grasping what they mean. People (including myself) use the word so much in a illiteral sense that I have become numb to its actual meaning. Everybody knows what "impossible" means but I wanted to go deeper. So I looked it up in the dictionary. Impossible: not able to occur, exist, or be done. Therefore without faith, the pleasing of God will not exist. Period. Lets go further in to the verse. It says "he who comes to God must believe that He is". This part stumbled me a bit. That He is what?? The answer to this lies in the verse. It's simple. He Is! He exists, He is possible! Not only is He possible, he has already proved Himself time and time again!
Application.
I have 2 applications for this. First, I'm going to watch the way I use words, so that when The Bible uses them I can soak it in better, fully understanding it! Second, to go to God with whatever I have and accept His rewards He has for me.
Hebrews 11:1
Ignite IBS
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
So here's the question. What is faith? It is the subject of the whole verse. The core. We know that it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. But how do we understand that? I looked up the deffinition of faith in the dictionary and found this. The deffinition of faith is "Confidence or trust, Religous belief, loyalty". Faith to me is more than just a deffinition though. As humans, to understand faith, we have to live with and through it. Practicing it everyday and not putting it off. Just like the first word says. "Now". It's the timeline. The base. The "When". Let your mind grasp the time of "Now". Not tomorrow. Not 2 thousand years ago. NOW!
Application.
I know it was a test of faith for me to come to Ignite, but that's not the end. I still struggle with faith. I mainly struggle with faith when I don't hear God or see Him, when He is silent. So today I'm working on putting feet with my faith. Being ok when I feel God is silent. Not getting down or doubtful when I don't get the goosebump feeling I want. After all, faith is the conviction of things NOT seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
So here's the question. What is faith? It is the subject of the whole verse. The core. We know that it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. But how do we understand that? I looked up the deffinition of faith in the dictionary and found this. The deffinition of faith is "Confidence or trust, Religous belief, loyalty". Faith to me is more than just a deffinition though. As humans, to understand faith, we have to live with and through it. Practicing it everyday and not putting it off. Just like the first word says. "Now". It's the timeline. The base. The "When". Let your mind grasp the time of "Now". Not tomorrow. Not 2 thousand years ago. NOW!
Application.
I know it was a test of faith for me to come to Ignite, but that's not the end. I still struggle with faith. I mainly struggle with faith when I don't hear God or see Him, when He is silent. So today I'm working on putting feet with my faith. Being ok when I feel God is silent. Not getting down or doubtful when I don't get the goosebump feeling I want. After all, faith is the conviction of things NOT seen.
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