Wow! Our Lord never fails. His never late but seldomly early, it seems like He does the most work at the 11th hour...trying to teach me something I suppose?
Giving up control. stepping out in faith and coming to do DTS. I had to quit both my jobs and settle with not having a job or way to acquire money while here. I had to become independent very young and live on my own and pay for everything on my own. I grew up and learned responsibility fast and I never relied on God. I always thought I had to deal with things by myself and never thanked God for what He was providing for my life. Coming to Australia I gave up those worldly rights and really had to listen and trust God. I learned that I am never in control of my path but that He is and through Him all my questions will be answered and my worries will be taken away. I gave up my $1200 savings and got most of my outreach paid for in return. I listened to God telling me to give up control of finances and worldly standards of responsibilty and He reminded me that He called me here for a purpose and that was to fall more in love with Him and realize He is the only one who can satisfy me.
I can not wait to see what lessons He brings my way on this mission, and I know that through His holy spirit I can do anything.
Thank you to all my supporters and keep me and my team in your prayers. This is going to be a tough and heartbreaking trip but we know God is going to move more than we imagine and His love will spread across this nation like wildfire.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Calling and Vision
Our number one calling is to follow Jesus.
-What do we put our trust in?
-Where do we attach our hope?
Knowing what to do is not hard, living life with Christ is the challenge.
I recently read an article out of relevant magazine. It talked about how we can have spiritual adventures without going across seas and continents. How we can transform people's lives by being accountants or teachers or caregivers. Our 8 to 5 job can be our mission field if we allow it. Most people classify that as "boring christianity" but it is still radical in many different ways.
We just need to adopt God's heart for nations and people groups across the world as well as in our backyard.
Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.
1. We need to agree with God and reconcile ourselves
2. Call others to reconcile
Psalm 45:10-11
"Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."
This verse speaks to me in so many ways. It is telling us to leave all our comforts of what we know or think we know how our lives should work and go be with our Lord and Savior. Praise Him, worship Him and live life completely in love with Him.
You were saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved on the day He comes.
The most I got out of this week is that I need to start setting goals only Christ can achieve. I need to forget my past mistakes and let go of control I thought I had on my life and let God steer me. If I give up my worldly rights God will open up doors for His glory in ways I would not have imagined..
As I get prepared to leave for outreach tomorrow, the most I am worried about is keeping my heart and mind open. Each step praising the Lord, even if I feel like ministries are disorginized I know my God has a plan. No matter where I am or who I am with there is always a way for God to be glorified and always a way to show His love to others. I want to commit to that life and if God sends me to timbuktu, I will go without a second thought because I know His way is never hindering and my burden shall always be light.
-What do we put our trust in?
-Where do we attach our hope?
Knowing what to do is not hard, living life with Christ is the challenge.
I recently read an article out of relevant magazine. It talked about how we can have spiritual adventures without going across seas and continents. How we can transform people's lives by being accountants or teachers or caregivers. Our 8 to 5 job can be our mission field if we allow it. Most people classify that as "boring christianity" but it is still radical in many different ways.
We just need to adopt God's heart for nations and people groups across the world as well as in our backyard.
Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.
1. We need to agree with God and reconcile ourselves
2. Call others to reconcile
Psalm 45:10-11
"Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."
This verse speaks to me in so many ways. It is telling us to leave all our comforts of what we know or think we know how our lives should work and go be with our Lord and Savior. Praise Him, worship Him and live life completely in love with Him.
You were saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved on the day He comes.
The most I got out of this week is that I need to start setting goals only Christ can achieve. I need to forget my past mistakes and let go of control I thought I had on my life and let God steer me. If I give up my worldly rights God will open up doors for His glory in ways I would not have imagined..
As I get prepared to leave for outreach tomorrow, the most I am worried about is keeping my heart and mind open. Each step praising the Lord, even if I feel like ministries are disorginized I know my God has a plan. No matter where I am or who I am with there is always a way for God to be glorified and always a way to show His love to others. I want to commit to that life and if God sends me to timbuktu, I will go without a second thought because I know His way is never hindering and my burden shall always be light.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Community
Our ministry can become like an idol.
We need to grow through love with our local church families.
I had a one on one with Kel Steiner and he gave me the analogy of our lives and soul is like a burning fire.
I need to keep my fire burning because it tends to burn out once we are home. Most christians have ashes with one little flame left burning and the Holy Spirit must come work hard and ignite it again. If my flame is constantly burning and bright it will push others to ignite their's.
3% of church tithe goes to missions
1 cent of that goes to world missions
1/10th of 1 cent goes to unreached people
He got a picture of a descending star from heaven lighting a torch. We are to keep the fire lit, especially going into outreach.
So I brought up this topic to our speaker. Asking what is the one thing that we should hold onto when we get home to make sure we do not fall back into our old rountines.
1. Seek out older christians that can be our mentors
2. Have a friend you can be open with and confess sins to
3. Think actively how you spend your time with your christian friends. Pray more. Bring God and praise God in conversations.
4. Take communion more often.
- focus on what Jesus did on the cross
- Remember His death
5. Read auto biographies
-great men and women of God
-Use your free time to get inspired
Add wood to your fire!
Always remember if your emotions are not being touched by God then we need to take a second look.
We need to start making habits, strengths and lifestyles RIGHT NOW!
-We should proclaim that we're different and that God has changed us.
We will make community where we are and build a church OF small groups, not just a church WITH small groups.
When the Holy Spirit is truely living within you than you should have no problem worshipping God ALL the time! No problem living a life that is full on for Him ALL the time! There is no point when you get "too full" with God. He is constantly pouring into us, He is constantly teaching us new things and we should be constantly learning new things. Let us never act as if we are full up and do not need God for every situation, let us realize when our relationship has become lukewarm and when we need our fire re-lit. And go pursue it!! Never settle for a flatline faith, always strive for a beating bond with Jesus.
We need to grow through love with our local church families.
I had a one on one with Kel Steiner and he gave me the analogy of our lives and soul is like a burning fire.
I need to keep my fire burning because it tends to burn out once we are home. Most christians have ashes with one little flame left burning and the Holy Spirit must come work hard and ignite it again. If my flame is constantly burning and bright it will push others to ignite their's.
3% of church tithe goes to missions
1 cent of that goes to world missions
1/10th of 1 cent goes to unreached people
He got a picture of a descending star from heaven lighting a torch. We are to keep the fire lit, especially going into outreach.
So I brought up this topic to our speaker. Asking what is the one thing that we should hold onto when we get home to make sure we do not fall back into our old rountines.
1. Seek out older christians that can be our mentors
2. Have a friend you can be open with and confess sins to
3. Think actively how you spend your time with your christian friends. Pray more. Bring God and praise God in conversations.
4. Take communion more often.
- focus on what Jesus did on the cross
- Remember His death
5. Read auto biographies
-great men and women of God
-Use your free time to get inspired
Add wood to your fire!
Always remember if your emotions are not being touched by God then we need to take a second look.
We need to start making habits, strengths and lifestyles RIGHT NOW!
-We should proclaim that we're different and that God has changed us.
We will make community where we are and build a church OF small groups, not just a church WITH small groups.
When the Holy Spirit is truely living within you than you should have no problem worshipping God ALL the time! No problem living a life that is full on for Him ALL the time! There is no point when you get "too full" with God. He is constantly pouring into us, He is constantly teaching us new things and we should be constantly learning new things. Let us never act as if we are full up and do not need God for every situation, let us realize when our relationship has become lukewarm and when we need our fire re-lit. And go pursue it!! Never settle for a flatline faith, always strive for a beating bond with Jesus.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Lordship
Mark Parker (legend)
Com=with passion=suffering
The season for our generation is one of the most lost. The world is waiting for a generation like our's to take back what the enemy has stolen. We need self-control. Even satan believes in Jesus but that doesn't mean he's "in Christ" It seems like we have alot of people who call thaselves christian but don't walk the walk because it's un-cool. Ya people can know you believe but if you actually view the bible as black and white and don't engage with the sin of the world people classify you as a bible thumper. We need to show them a transfomational meeting with Jesus.
God will show His power if we wake up. Love the Lord, shut up and get going.
We should be seeing a difference in christians vs. non-christians
Have you ever thought about how an enemy can reveal your true heart? You can be in a room with people you like and be kind and content but once an enemy walks into your presence or even someone who is socially awkward or a bit "weird" how then do you act? Still out of kindness and love or do you just ignore them and make them feel ten times smaller than they already do?
We were made as image bearers of Christ and rulers in His name.
The more cracked and broken you are the more you are open to Jesus. Ezekial 36
Lord of Glory, make us worthy to possess your name.
If you are not willing to die, you will never rise
Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"
Be humble, real and open. The shield of faith is in place.
Lordship of Christ= knowing Jesus, have a heart like His and follow Him
We are a product of decisions we make.
-Who is your mastor?
-What is your mission?
-Who will be your mate?
-What is a disciple?
OBEY- John 8:31
LOVE- John 13:35
PRODUCE FRUIT- John 15:8
When need to stop complaining when we're living through the story. Which means when we're going through trials, temptaions, hardships or missions that seem to be difficult and out of our comfort zones, we should stop complaining and start proclaiming for God because usually the best stories about God's glory comes from these situations.
Turning Point- John 7:37-39
"On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
People think God is close when we are good and He falls away when we sin. But He only gets closer when we sin because He wants us to fight that much harder for Him and He will forgive if we just ask and repent but it is our human nature that pushes Him away out of fear.
Where are you living and moving?
Where do you desire to live?
Where do you have the faith to be living?
What do you want? What do you need?
Judgement becomes like cancer on your face. It is ugly and disturbing and only makes you more sick.
Spirit (knowing)- identity, value, significance/destiny, intuition, communion, conscience
Soul (understand)- personhood, ability to relate, mind, will, emotions
Body (seeing)- visible of the invisible, ability to love
True Salvation- Repentance, hatred of sin, baptism, following Him
Getting saved doesn't change our circumstances, it just changes the way we view our circumstances.
Justification:
Grace (power of the Holy Spirit) -James 4:6
Faith (hear and obey) -Hebrews 11:6
The cross (reconciliation) -Romans 5:10-11, 6:6-7
Sanctification (I am being saved)
Philippians 2:12-13
Kingdom of self-wilderness-Kingdom of God-Kingdom of heaven
We should put ourselves on the alter as a living sacrifice.
Wilderness
1. Testing and trials (deutronomy 8:2-3)
2. Will you be willing and obedient when times are difficult, or will you murmur and complain?
(Luke 4:1-14)
3. Will you learn to overcome temptation? (1 corinthians 10:13)
4. Will you learn to walk by faith? (1 Peter 1:6-9)
5. Will you learn to stand, persevere (Ephesians 6:13)
CHANGE- expose weak and sinful things. Bring healing. He wants to teach us about His character and ways.
We will never know our trust in the Lord until we have nothing else.
Responsibilities before God
1. Thought (2 Corinthians 10:5)
2. Word (Matthew 12:36)
3. Actions (2 Corinthians 5:10)
4. Attitude (1 Peter 3:10)
5. Motives (Jeremiah 17:10)
Principles
-humility -repentance -forgiveness -give -submission -serve -faith -thanksgiving
1. Death to flesh
2. Commissioning (Acts 17:28)
Examples are the lives of Jeremiah and Isaiah
Thanksgiving
1. Fruits of the Spirit (1 Corinthains 12)
2. Prepare heart for faith (Philippians 4:4-7)
3. Activate miracles (John 6)
4. Prepare heart for salvation (Luke 17)
5. Enter into His presence (Psalm 100:4)
6. Brings protection (Romans 1:21)
(1 Chronicles 16:7-26)
The cross:
Blood= brings forgiveness (Exodus 12:12-13)
Atonement (Leviticus 17:11)
So on the last day of lectures Mark Parker had all of us gathered and we were going to put Lordship into action through 10 different steps taken from the old testament and turned into meanings in the new testament.
1. OT: gate NT: Jesus-thanksgiving
2. OT: outer courts NT: praise
3.OT: brazen alter NT: cross
4. OT: brazen laver NT: word
5. OT: candlestick NT: Holy Spirit
6. OT: table of showbread NT: communion
7. OT: alter of incense NT: prayer/ intercession
8. OT: veil NT: disobedience
9. OT: ark of covenant NT: Holy Spirit
10. OT: cloud NT: Holy Spirit
Com=with passion=suffering
The season for our generation is one of the most lost. The world is waiting for a generation like our's to take back what the enemy has stolen. We need self-control. Even satan believes in Jesus but that doesn't mean he's "in Christ" It seems like we have alot of people who call thaselves christian but don't walk the walk because it's un-cool. Ya people can know you believe but if you actually view the bible as black and white and don't engage with the sin of the world people classify you as a bible thumper. We need to show them a transfomational meeting with Jesus.
God will show His power if we wake up. Love the Lord, shut up and get going.
We should be seeing a difference in christians vs. non-christians
Have you ever thought about how an enemy can reveal your true heart? You can be in a room with people you like and be kind and content but once an enemy walks into your presence or even someone who is socially awkward or a bit "weird" how then do you act? Still out of kindness and love or do you just ignore them and make them feel ten times smaller than they already do?
We were made as image bearers of Christ and rulers in His name.
The more cracked and broken you are the more you are open to Jesus. Ezekial 36
Lord of Glory, make us worthy to possess your name.
If you are not willing to die, you will never rise
Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"
Be humble, real and open. The shield of faith is in place.
Lordship of Christ= knowing Jesus, have a heart like His and follow Him
We are a product of decisions we make.
-Who is your mastor?
-What is your mission?
-Who will be your mate?
-What is a disciple?
OBEY- John 8:31
LOVE- John 13:35
PRODUCE FRUIT- John 15:8
When need to stop complaining when we're living through the story. Which means when we're going through trials, temptaions, hardships or missions that seem to be difficult and out of our comfort zones, we should stop complaining and start proclaiming for God because usually the best stories about God's glory comes from these situations.
Turning Point- John 7:37-39
"On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
People think God is close when we are good and He falls away when we sin. But He only gets closer when we sin because He wants us to fight that much harder for Him and He will forgive if we just ask and repent but it is our human nature that pushes Him away out of fear.
Where are you living and moving?
Where do you desire to live?
Where do you have the faith to be living?
What do you want? What do you need?
Judgement becomes like cancer on your face. It is ugly and disturbing and only makes you more sick.
Spirit (knowing)- identity, value, significance/destiny, intuition, communion, conscience
Soul (understand)- personhood, ability to relate, mind, will, emotions
Body (seeing)- visible of the invisible, ability to love
True Salvation- Repentance, hatred of sin, baptism, following Him
Getting saved doesn't change our circumstances, it just changes the way we view our circumstances.
Justification:
Grace (power of the Holy Spirit) -James 4:6
Faith (hear and obey) -Hebrews 11:6
The cross (reconciliation) -Romans 5:10-11, 6:6-7
Sanctification (I am being saved)
Philippians 2:12-13
Kingdom of self-wilderness-Kingdom of God-Kingdom of heaven
We should put ourselves on the alter as a living sacrifice.
Wilderness
1. Testing and trials (deutronomy 8:2-3)
2. Will you be willing and obedient when times are difficult, or will you murmur and complain?
(Luke 4:1-14)
3. Will you learn to overcome temptation? (1 corinthians 10:13)
4. Will you learn to walk by faith? (1 Peter 1:6-9)
5. Will you learn to stand, persevere (Ephesians 6:13)
CHANGE- expose weak and sinful things. Bring healing. He wants to teach us about His character and ways.
We will never know our trust in the Lord until we have nothing else.
Responsibilities before God
1. Thought (2 Corinthians 10:5)
2. Word (Matthew 12:36)
3. Actions (2 Corinthians 5:10)
4. Attitude (1 Peter 3:10)
5. Motives (Jeremiah 17:10)
Principles
-humility -repentance -forgiveness -give -submission -serve -faith -thanksgiving
1. Death to flesh
2. Commissioning (Acts 17:28)
Examples are the lives of Jeremiah and Isaiah
Thanksgiving
1. Fruits of the Spirit (1 Corinthains 12)
2. Prepare heart for faith (Philippians 4:4-7)
3. Activate miracles (John 6)
4. Prepare heart for salvation (Luke 17)
5. Enter into His presence (Psalm 100:4)
6. Brings protection (Romans 1:21)
(1 Chronicles 16:7-26)
The cross:
Blood= brings forgiveness (Exodus 12:12-13)
Atonement (Leviticus 17:11)
So on the last day of lectures Mark Parker had all of us gathered and we were going to put Lordship into action through 10 different steps taken from the old testament and turned into meanings in the new testament.
1. OT: gate NT: Jesus-thanksgiving
2. OT: outer courts NT: praise
3.OT: brazen alter NT: cross
4. OT: brazen laver NT: word
5. OT: candlestick NT: Holy Spirit
6. OT: table of showbread NT: communion
7. OT: alter of incense NT: prayer/ intercession
8. OT: veil NT: disobedience
9. OT: ark of covenant NT: Holy Spirit
10. OT: cloud NT: Holy Spirit
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