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.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
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
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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.
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