!ndia

-We were welcomed by a few of the older kids from the orphanage at the airport when we arrived. They were so happy we were here and did not stop smiling.This was only the second time some one has visited them in 2 years. God instantly showed me my purpose for being there : show them His love.

-The low standard of living at the orphanage for the children is astonishing. The kids have nothing to their name except for a few pairs of clothes. They do not even have showers, just buckets of water [which is pretty scarce]. All the hardships that come with being without family and in poverty gives anyone room to complain and be bitter. Yet these kids LOVE the Lord their God and are all smiles.They truly understand what Christ did for them and how he chose to love them whether or not they are worth anything in the eyes of this world.

-read the story of a 15 yr old boy named Simon to grasp the trust they have in Christ that puts mine to shame.

–Simon was born into a family that practiced Hinduism. At the age of 5, a pastor visited his house and told him about Jesus Christ. Simon was intrigued and asked how He was different than the gods of his family. The pastor explained how Jesus is alive and is not dead like the other false gods. Simon was faced with the choice to follow the faith of his family or follow the one true God.

–He chose Jesus. Simon would sneak out of his house [despite the beatings that followed] to go to church in order to know more about Christ. When he turned 6, the pastor offered to take him to New Delhi, 2 day train ride, to live a life focused on learning more of God. His parents allowed him and Simon began to hunger and thirst for the Lord. He could not read or write so learning more about God while he was alone was near impossible.

–Simon told me that one night while he was in his room, he prayed and asked the Lord to give him the gift of reading so that he could learn more of God. The next Sunday at church, Simon was reading the Bible out loud to the entire congregation.

–His parents died from hunger when he was only 8 yrs old and Simon was transferred to the orphanage we are at right now. His older brother told him to come home, but knowing of the village’s Hindu faith, Simon rejected the command. Simon wants to become an engineer and his favorite thing to do besides play cricket, is to share the Good News. He gets it. Simon knows the Father’s love for us and does not hold back on sharing it to others.

-I am so encouraged by his faith and courageousness for the Lord. These children are comforted and energized by the truth of the Bible. They cling to the fact that God loves them and is faithful to them, no matter their situation.

-Their faith and joy is not circumstantial. It’s a perfect time to practice and learn this since I have literally just have a layer of sweat surrounding my body all the time.

–“The joy of the Lord is my strength”–

 

HK SWAG

–Well we are finally here getting our Hong Kong kick on–

-Highlights of the past few days:

–His voice has been so clear to me the past week and I have needed His encouragement to fulfill the plans He has given me so far. Understanding the religions of the Eastern World was a main desire of mine for this trip. Being a light in not only our countries but also planes and trains was a desire too. Turns out that was His desire as well.

 — On the 11hr flight from LA to Japan I sat next to a Harvard PHD Buddhist religious studies professor. Perfect. Religion quickly began the topic of the conversation. I was able to learn of the religion and the people who practice it. It was extremely clear to me that I was to minister to her and let her know He loves her. My flesh was very reluctant and I learned to rely on His power to follow through. He allowed me to pray for her and share my faith, she was shocked and greatly appreciated it. And so it begins.—

–The first morning in HK, we received over 10,000 lbs of ‘books’. The past few days we have transferred over 2 tons of books over to mainland. Due to the risks I have to hold back on the details, but basically the faith of the people here is revitalizing.

–It has been incredible to see how real the power of the His Spirit is. I have been so exhausted hauling the books over and had to truly rely on the supernatural strength to be able to finish the tasks. He is so big and in control. His will is going to be perfectly executed whether I am in or not. I have had to lean on His power to be on board.

–After being interrogated for about half an hour by the HK government, my eyes were opened to the risks and dangers these faithful people face. I’m all in. His blood overcomes all.

-that’s all for now folks. detes will follow my homecoming-

–Job 42:2 ‘ I know that You can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’–

4:30 (am)

welp, for some odd reason I cannot fall asleep tonight

-During my little episode of insomnia, my mind has been racing with the most random, yet specific thoughts about my life. from what clothes I will wear to my 7:45 am class tomorrow (it’s 4:30am right now), to what major I should choose, to how the Lord will use me on my trip this summer

-It’s weird times like these where the Lord tells me to just relax. even though I may not be sleeping, my soul finds rest in Him. He rejuvenated me with His unmistakable presence. His majesty fills my quiet (and sleepless) room. My body is fatigued, but my spirit is lively and eager.

-He has shown me that all of my raging thoughts are to be held captive and brought before Him. He is my caretaker, my Shepard. I am created to be dependent on Him, not myself. I cannot do much on my own. my depravity is evident and wicked without Him taking over. He has given me time I do not normally have to lift my thoughts, cares, and worries to Him.

God is caring enough to listen to me. God is strong enough to provide for me. God is wise enough to give to me when I need it.  -Ben Stuart-

-God wants all of me. He deserves every part of me and my life. He wants me to go to Him in every situation and about everything I am going through. and for that I pray to Him for so much knowing that He will take care of me in a way that is best for me (Ro. 8:28). it brings great comfort to know that the Creator of the Universe who has unlimited power cares for me and wants to use me. that is mind-blowing. let that truth resonate in your heart for a minute. let it bring you to a trust in Him that leaves no room for doubt. let that move you.

Ephesians 3:20

‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’

 

Doubt . Fear . Worries .

SLEEP .

FREEDOM

If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, watch from 3:50 on. I strongly encourage you to watch it all.

-satan is the deceiver. his lies are so conveniently believable. time and time again I fall for his tricks and his schemes.

-the most re occurring lie that I am fed is that I am still enslaved to my sin. that I must bear the burden that sin brings. that I must be in shackles and imprisoned by my shortcomings. believing this lie results in unfruitful destruction.

-when my focus is shifted from the cross to my performance, I forget the Gospel. I forget that sin was defeated on the cross. that Christ has the power to save. that I am already saved. the shackles are broken, the guilt is thrown away, the wages have been paid.

-I no longer am a slave. I no longer am bogged down by my follies. for the One who is in me is stronger than the one of this world.

-Galatians 5:1-

‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery’

-I no longer have to bear the burden of my sins. Christ took care of that on the cross and wants to continue to take it for me. ‘do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery’ you are free.

-Titus 3:3-8-

‘ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone’

-it is because of Christ we have been saved. use this knowledge to be eager to do works for the Kingdom of the Most High God. seek out the sheep without a Shepard. let His light shine through you. impact those around you because of what Christ has done for you.

-Galatians 5:16-

‘So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh’

—-Live in your freedom. you no longer have to sin. you belong to Christ. He is stronger. Let his death change you—-

YO

“You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo“

Marshall Mathers III (aka Eminem). World’s angriest (and my least favorite) rapper who bridged racial ties across the rappin’ globe probably never knew his rhymes would impact me the way they have.

-God has provided me with an insane opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime…’yo’.

-Summer 2012 I will be living the life of a nomad, visiting 5 different countries over the span of 2 months bringing the beautifully powerful Gospel to many.

-Unitl then, the Lord has graciously revealed to me how much I truly need Him. I have realized recently just how worthless my life is without Christ. He has shown me that He is worth it all and He alone satisfies. The deeper my relationship grows with the Lord, the more my weaknesses are brought to light.

-My top spiritual gift is most definitely humility (catch the irony?). Pride is my thorn. Pride is the evil that poisons my witness for the Gospel.

-God has shown me my weaknesses so that when I do anything that furthers the Kingdom, I know that it is truly Him who is doing it because I am inadequate. Because of my weaknesses He is the only one that can be glorified. No room for self-worship. No room for idolatry. Glory belongs to Him alone.

-Back to SlimShady. I realize this opportunity may never come again. The worst feeling in the world to me is leaving a mission trip knowing that you could have done more. Knowing that if you would have just yielded to the Spirit, so many more people could have been reached. Not heading to the advice in Col. 4 to ‘take advantage of every opportunity’ is something I never want to experience again.

-I want to do everything I can from now until this summer to be the best I can be for Christ. I want to be all He has for me. I do not want to go on this trip not ready for what He wants me to do. God has HUGE plans for every person. I firmly believe that. I am so pumped to see how I fit in to His plan this semester and this summer.

—-Do not miss your chance to blow—-

Risk It All To Gain It All

This clip is from a movie called “To Save a Life”. Now despite the mediocre (at best) acting, this film has a message that convicts me and shoves me into a passionate pursuit of a life totally dedicated to the Lord.

-Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who doesn’t believe in God. We got to talking about the existence of the Lord and the validity of His followers. He thinks christianity is annoying. Blame him? I couldn’t.

-This friend of mine is sick of people claiming Christ and living for themselves. He saw the people from Titus 1 that “Claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him”. Who would want to join that?

-As Jake said in the movie, what’s the point of all this (religion, christianity) if you aren’t going to let it change you.

-A life lived with reserves and hesitation is a wasted life. If  Christians are not sold out for Christ, then what He did on the cross doesn’t mean anything to them. How can we expect others to come to Christ if we don’t truly follow Him?

-The first disciples abandoned everything they knew. They experienced the satisfaction and freedom a life with Christ brings. They understood that one must die to truly live. –One must die to truly live–

-Heb. 12:2-“Fix your eyes on Christ”. Don’t lose sight on why you are here. Don’t let your fire be put out. Continue to allow the Lord to have all your life. Yield everything to Him.

-He has the best life planned for you. Don’t be fooled. He knows best. Such a simple truth, but do we truly believe that? Live your life in such a way that people know you believe that. Let the Lord shine through you so others will be attracted to the truth.

-Let go of all this world. Be totally committed to furthering the Gospel. No reserves. Don’t be a half-hearted follower of God. Either you go all out for Him or you do not go at all. (‘Go Big or Go Home’ kind of thing)

—-Let Him completely change you—-