unity

November 24, 2011

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

     This section of scripture has been talking about what it takes to have good unity. I believe as the body of Christ we all individually need to constantly be soaking up His word, which means we need to read and study the Bible. People say wisdom comes with age, but that isn’t entirely true. Wisdom is God-given. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:5). “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1^st Peter 4:12). Also, in the book of Job is a good example of young people being wise, as Elihu corrected Job for his wrong attitude towards the Lord (chapter 32). I believe how wise you are is a reflection of life experience and diligence in staying in the Word of God. As the body of Christ, we should always be there for each other, and call each other out when someone is living in sin. This is all necessary for better unity.

Application:

     I will be a true friend to those of who I am close to, and call them out in love if I see them doing something they shouldn’t. And I hope my true friends would do the same for me.

peace/thanksgiving

November 23, 2011

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

     This is a very crucial area of life for me. I often worry about things that aren’t even a big deal. I’ve learned that God works everything out for my good (Romans 8:28) and even the bad things happen for a reason. Since we have no control over what happens to us, we’re best off to approach it as best we can and stay positive, because we are in control of how we react to hard times. “In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid” (Psalm 56:11). And thankfulness, something that is lost in our society, is important in all of our lives. So many people don’t realize how good we (who live in America) have it. We couldn’t be more blessed to live in a free country, have three meals a day, a roof over our heads etc. Thanksgiving for example: even though it is a day where we need to give thanks, it should not be just one day a year, but a lifestyle.

Application:

     I will not look at thanksgiving as one day to be thankful, but will make it my goal to thank the Lord for something every day.

November 22, 2011

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

Colossians 3:14

     There are different kinds of love and different ways in which we express our love. In this verse, I believe its talking about agape love, which is other’s centered love, completely selfless. When we love in a way that puts others first, unity is inevitable. The hard part is finding that love for others, especially people that we don’t particularly get along with or even respect. We must remember that God has those individuals in our lives for a reason, and it is not to blow them off, but to love them unconditionally just as God loves us. If we don’t have love, we dont have unity, but even worst, we don’t have God. Again, I bring this back to Jesus and remember how His love for us never runs empty, so who are we to stop loving others?

Application:

     I will read over 1^st Corinthians 13 to remind myself of the standards that agape love holds to us believers.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who as given to us.” Romans 5:5

forgiveness

November 21, 2011

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also you should.”

Colossians 3:13

     We often get so frustrated with the weaknesses and wrongdoings of other people that we want to fix them. But the fact of the matter is, we can’t. We can’t control others any more than we can control when the sun comes up. All we can do is what the scripture tells us, and in this case, we must forgive them when they wrong us. When I personally remind myself that God not only died for our sins, but that He forgives us daily, it makes it much easier for me to forgive other people. Who am I to judge? And who am I to try and fix someone else’s weakness? That’s God’s job. The verse also doesn’t say “forgive them if they apologize.” We are told to forgive regardless of repentance on their part. This has been an issue for me in the past and I am constantly working on forgiving others (not an easy thing).

Application:

     I have to keep in mind that my God is sovereign and all-knowing. In that, I need to find satisfaction in forgiving others when I am wronged.

fill me up

November 18, 2011

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

     Before you go driving or use a power tool of some sort, you must first make sure it has enough gas in it. If its empty, than the smartest thing to do is always to fill it up as much as possible so it will last as long as possible. In the same way, before we go out into the field (wherever it may be) I believe it’s important to be filled with the Holy Spirit first. Right now I am being poured into, and soon I will be pouring myself out to the needs in Uganda.

Application:

     I will continually ask the Lord to be filling me up with the power of His Holy Spirit and to prepare my heart for my six months in the field.

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” Mark 11:24

    

end times

November 17, 2011

“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”

Acts 1:7

     If God wanted us to have the ability to know when the end times are, then He would give us that ability. But He didn’t, so therefore we have no possible way of figuring it out through any estimates and calculations. This makes me think of all the people who are lost and are going to hell today if they die. I’m bothered by the fact that as of right now, many people that I know and am even close to, will not be in heaven. Because we do not know when the end times will be, I believe Christians must do everything within us to let God use us to expand the kingdom while we still can. Another thing I get out of this is that we are not to worry about when the end times are, because we (Christians) know where we are going when we die. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.” Matthew 6:33

Application:

     In applying this I will keep in mind the very important fact that the end times are near, as the Bible says so (Revelation 22:20), and work on being more aware of opportunities to talk to someone about Jesus.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angles of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36

special day

November 16, 2011 

“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’”

Acts 1:6

     This is probably one of the many questions that were going through the disciples’ minds at the time. I’m sure it was very difficult and confusing for them. I know that I can personally relate to the disciples when it comes to not understanding what the Lord wants from me. This verse brings me back to three hundred and sixty-five days ago at my high school when Mike Rozell spoke and did his presentation. On this day a year ago I knew God had called me to come here. Of course I had to research a lot and asked a lot of questions to people   who had been to the program, but I knew eventually, even though I didn’t know when, that I would come here. One thing led after another and here I am. I had to wait quite a long time for this and it was always on my mind. But just like the Disciples, I had heard the calling, but I couldn’t go yet because it wasn’t time. This verse is about trusting God.

Application:

     When I KNOW that God has called me to go somewhere or do something, I will look back on this and remember that God was in control the whole time. I will look back to this for encouragement and reassurance of His sovereignty.

“Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” 2^nd Corinthians 1:9

Power of the Holy Spirit

November 16, 2011

“For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:5

     Being baptized with water is an outward symbol and an inward commitment of our renewed relationship with the Lord. I think of it as becoming more serious with our relationship with God, and that every believer should do it. Then there is being baptized with the Holy Spirit. This I have not experienced for myself, but my understanding of it is what Margaret told me. She said, “When we are saved we have an internal understanding and relationship with the Lord, but receiving power from the Holy Spirit has an outward result, meaning God has anointed us to be able to do new things such as speaking in tongues for example.” Some Christians receive the power of the Holy Spirit right when they become saved, and some a few years down the road of their walk with God. It’s not a one-time deal; we progressively need to ask for God to empower us with His Spirit.

Application:

     I’m going to talk to Pastor Gennarino and Margaret to gain a better understanding of this doctrine, and then I’m going to start continually praying for the Lord to fill me up with the power of the Holy Spirit.

wait

November 14, 2011

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me.’”

Acts 1:4

     When I first read this verse I didn’t understand what it was talking about. But after reading it some more and looking up other verses, I came across Luke 24:49 which says “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” I believe he is talking about the power of the Holy Spirit. This put the disciples in a situation in which they had to trust in Him and wait. Before they could go out and fulfill the Great Commission, they had to wait and be filled with the Holy Spirit first. In relating this to my situation, I am here at Potter’s Field Ranch preparing for battle, being poured into by the pastors and staff, and being vulnerable unto the Lord, letting him shape and mold me. Even though I am anxious, I am not ready to go out on the field yet, God still has me here to keep growing and learning more.

Application:

     I have less then a month left up here. I’m going to get up at 615 during the week to get more time with the Lord in the morning. I will also stay patient and remain open to what the Lord wants to do in me in these last few weeks.

“So with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

confusion

November 11, 2011

“Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.”

Proverbs 31:7

     If you read this verse without knowing the real truth of alcohol, then it sounds like a dream come true. I cannot say that I know how it feels to wake up from a hangover because I have not experienced it and will not. From the people that I have talked to about it I know that you do forget about all your troubles for a period of time, everything seems perfect, and then you wake up the next morning. With an intense migraine and constant throwing up, and probably a lot more than that, I think it’s safe to say that not only are you resumed into your misery, but you have even more pain than before. Never have I met someone who doesn’t regret having a hangover. Other than the fact that Lemuel is not supposed to drink at all, I don’t understand why his mother is saying this because it doesn’t make much sense to me.     

Application:

     I will listen intently to what other people have to say about this verse and hope that God will show me what it is saying.

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your life.” Proverbs 19:20

Cant control others

November 10, 2011

“Give strong drink to him who is perishing and wine to him whose life is bitter.”

Proverbs 31:6

     We all know that an overuse of alcohol ruins lives. Nobody is supposed to ever get drunk, that’s a given. It says give it to those who are perishing. Perish is another word for destroy. I personally don’t understand why we should give alcohol to someone already on the verge of death. But I think Lemuel’s mother is just trying to make the point that he is a king, he must not drink alcohol, and let someone else drink if they want to. I believe it’s the same for us. We can’t control other people; we can only control ourselves and make our own decisions. We should never hand a bitter person a bottle of vodka, but we have to be ok with letting them have it if they choose, and make sure we don’t make the same mistake.

Application:

     I know people who are close to me that waste their lives with alcohol, and they know in their hearts that it’s wrong. I will never encourage it, nor judge them for it. I will only speak into their lives about it when God provides an opportunity.

November 9, 2011

“For they will drink and forget what is decreed and pervert the rights of the afflicted.”

Proverbs 31:5

     This verse seems like a warning for those under the authority of someone who drinks. The word decreed means decided, or determined. People get drunk, but don’t realize what the result of it is. It gives me a picture that looks like this: A pastor, or someone in leadership, is at a get together with some people and decides to have a few beers. As he gets a little drunk, he forgets that what he is doing is wrong and is causing other people to stumble. If they see their leader doing it, then they’ll get the impression that it’s ok. Getting wasted can cause people to do really stupid things that can get themselves or even someone else killed. This causes me to be more aware that things like this can and do happen, even to those who are higher in position. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1)

Application  

In applying this I will be more observant of people who have spiritual authority over me, and I will also keep this in mind for myself and know that when I have a position of leadership, people will be watching me. Therefore I will do my best to set a good example in everything I do.

alcohol

                       November 8, 2011  

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.”

Proverbs 31:4

     When I was a lot younger I always got super hyper and excited whenever we went out to eat and my parents would have wine, because it meant that I could have a sip. I remember everybody jokingly said I would become the drinker of the family. I just had a desire to have alcohol; it was out of pure innocence from a child who didn’t know any better. Now that I’ve grown up, I know how dangerous it can be when overused, and I’ve seen with my own eyes what it does to someone, especially those who I am close to. However, I personally believe that having a drink every now and then is ok if the person can be mature about it and not get drunk. If it’s even a temptation to get drunk, then it would probably be wise to not even have any in the house. Even though I find no hard having some every once in a while; I would never have any in front of someone else if it caused them to stumble in any way.  “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18).

Application:

     I promise to never get drunk, nor cause anyone else to get drunk, even if it means me not having any.

Send me, I'll go

November 4, 2011

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:7

     I have been here for two months now and it feels like I just got here last week. Time goes by so fast! Well, todays the day that I find out where I’m going to spend six long crucial months of my life. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time with great anticipation and it’s finally here. In relating that to this verse, I see that it says “love believes all things.” That part catches my eye. The reason is because for a while I had a preference of where I wanted to go, and I have had to give that up to the Lord through this process, which is not an easy thing to do. But I didn’t sign up for easy. “And again, I have put my trust in Him.” (Hebrews 2:13).

Application:

     I trusted God to get me here, and He did. I will also trust God with this and know that wherever I go is the right place.

“O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1

Truth

November 3, 2011

“Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:6

     Sometimes, the truth hurts, in can be very painful. Sometimes, it can be refreshing and a relief. We often don’t want to admit to things that are true, because it brings about in us a deep conviction that we don’t want to reveal. I personally can find it difficult to speak the truth to people around me especially when they are talking falsely about Jesus. I’m not a person who likes conflict. But it says “rejoice” in truth. I think of Jesus and how He always stood up for what was right, what was true. Even though the Pharisees and everyone else hated his guts for it, He rejoiced in it. “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” (Galatians 2:5)

Application:

     I’m going to pray for the Lord to give me boldness and strength to stand firm in His word, because it also took Jesus boldness and strength to endure all that He went through, from the beginning of His ministry to the end.

Do your best

November 2, 2011

“Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.”

1 Corinthians 13:5

     These verses are very humbling, especially when I ask the question “Do I not do these things also?” There is one area of this verse where God has been really working on my heart; which is taking into account a wrong suffered. As you all know I used to be a grudge holder and would never forget anything bad that someone did to. This was a very week area of my life and I am thankful that God pointed it out to me. That being said, there is much more. “Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek is own, and is not provoked.” I read this and get kind of overwhelmed because I feel like I have such high expectations to reach. But in reality what I’m doing is trying my best to be like Christ. There’s no reason to feel pressure about this.

Application:

This verse contains a lot. So I’m going to spend my alone time breaking it down word by word, and thinking about how I can improve in these areas.

I want to say thanks to everyone who has been praying for me throughout every week. God is showing me so much about myself that I never even realized. This experience has been life changing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, they mean more than you know. These are my prayer requests:

1.  That God will continue to mold my heart and change me according to His will and purpose. (Phillipians 2:13)

2.  For my friends who have already deployed into the field, that they will be safe and God will use them mightily.

3.  That I will poor myself out to the Lord even more in this last month that I am here.

Is there anything that you need prayer for?

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.” Psalm 55:1

patience

October 31, 2011

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant.”

1 Corinthians 13:4

     After reading this I immediately think of 1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” When we’re talking about the love that is mentioned in this verse, we’re talking about God. I’m not very good at being patient. I’m always in a rush for something that I want, which is very selfish. It’s probably one of my major weaknesses. When we took the personality tests I read about my results, it said I get annoyed with the inconsistencies of other people. And Part of being patient is tolerance of other people. I need to be better about accepting people for who they are and meeting them where they are at, because God made them that way for a reason.

Application:

     The next time somebody does something that makes me mad, I’m going to just pray for them right then and there, and work on making that a habit of mine.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9