“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35
Even as I type out this verse, I am convicted of how I don’t love my brothers and sisters the way that I was commanded. It seems impossible to love people the way Christ loved me. He gave up everything in heaven, took on flesh, and was murdered for me, and I can’t even selflessly love others by washing the dishes for them. That kind of love takes a work of the Holy Spirit. I cannot get there on my own. I must surrender to Him. One of my prayers for this summer has been for people to look at our group and see that we truly do love one another and see Christ through us.
The Lord continues to work here at project, even though we are in the last stretch. It was such a blessing to go out sharing with my roommate, Courtney last week. We met a worker, Stephanie, at a kiosk in the mall and started talking with her about her moving here to Fort Walton Beach. She was pregnant and we chatted about her daughter who has special needs. After learning more about her life, Courtney asked her about church. Stephanie was open to talk about how she had been burned in the past by churches. We kept pointing her toward grace. It was such an encouraging conversation and the Lord was definitely the one to open up the door with that. We came back from sharing encouraged and excited to see what the Lord does next. I also got to speak with a Honduran man in Spanish the other day at our worship planning meeting. His family was at the pavilion we usually meet at and I was a blessing to find out that he had come to Christ 7 months ago. My Spanish was pretty rough, but it was a blessing to get to talk with him.
Another thing that the Lord's been doing is moving through the girls working at McDonalds. I was invited to join them the other night at the Asians' house for a traditional Chinese dinner. It was so much fun to be there with people from China, Vietnam, Russia, and Turkey. God has brought the nations to us! I enjoyed sharing about my love for Jesus with my new friend Yutong. She had never understood what the symbol of the cross meant and I had the privilege of explaining it to her. The Lord is so good to move and work here. We had a prayer vigil on the beach Tuesday night for the nations and my heart was so broken for the world. Many of the students were humbled by the persecution of believers in other nations. It was encouraging to see the Lord soften our hearts for them.
I have been learning so much about suffering and how the Lord uses it in our lives to draw us to himself. We love this world too much! I can't say that I have suffered in this lifetime, but I know since I am a follower of Christ, my time will come. I pray that right now in the mountaintop, I will be able to praise him and love him more so that when the valleys come, I will continue to praise Him.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Steadfast in Prayer
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:3
This summer the Lord continues to grow my faith by Him answering prayers. I can’t even list everything that He has done for us, but some include rooms at beach project becoming united, students having chances to share with their co-workers about Christ, students at beach project surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus, and even my roommate passing her nursing exam. The other day my friend Brooke and I were praying for her co-worker Colby, and the next day one of the campus outreach students got to share the Gospel with him! Lucy Walker texted me the other day while I was praying for her and she said that she got to share the Gospel with a Chinese co-worker.
Our God is so good and so faithful! Why don’t we ask for Him to move? If nothing else, this summer has taught me to humble myself and pray for God to move. He wants me to be totally dependent on Him to work mightily in people’s lives.
One prayer that He’s answered is through one of reasons I came to project. My heart is for the nations, so when I was asked to be a team leader this summer it was hard to think about staying here above going overseas. However, a guy on staff told me that I could go overseas this summer, or I could invest into a group of girls and help them catch the vision for the nations. That’s exactly what the Lord has been doing. I lead a team of girls that have been working at McDonald’s this summer. Each of them works with people from all over the world, including Romania, China, Vietnam, Ghana, and Turkey. Many of the girls on my team have shared with me that they are burdened for the lost all overt the world from working with these people. One girl even got to share Christ with a Chinese co-worker who had never even heard of Jesus! I praise God for His faithfulness to fulfilling His ultimate plan in our lives. Continue to pray that He would move and work in the hearts of the people that we meet here.
This summer the Lord continues to grow my faith by Him answering prayers. I can’t even list everything that He has done for us, but some include rooms at beach project becoming united, students having chances to share with their co-workers about Christ, students at beach project surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus, and even my roommate passing her nursing exam. The other day my friend Brooke and I were praying for her co-worker Colby, and the next day one of the campus outreach students got to share the Gospel with him! Lucy Walker texted me the other day while I was praying for her and she said that she got to share the Gospel with a Chinese co-worker.
Our God is so good and so faithful! Why don’t we ask for Him to move? If nothing else, this summer has taught me to humble myself and pray for God to move. He wants me to be totally dependent on Him to work mightily in people’s lives.
One prayer that He’s answered is through one of reasons I came to project. My heart is for the nations, so when I was asked to be a team leader this summer it was hard to think about staying here above going overseas. However, a guy on staff told me that I could go overseas this summer, or I could invest into a group of girls and help them catch the vision for the nations. That’s exactly what the Lord has been doing. I lead a team of girls that have been working at McDonald’s this summer. Each of them works with people from all over the world, including Romania, China, Vietnam, Ghana, and Turkey. Many of the girls on my team have shared with me that they are burdened for the lost all overt the world from working with these people. One girl even got to share Christ with a Chinese co-worker who had never even heard of Jesus! I praise God for His faithfulness to fulfilling His ultimate plan in our lives. Continue to pray that He would move and work in the hearts of the people that we meet here.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Undivided Heart
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
Where do I begin? I have been at Beach Project for about three weeks, and God continues to move in my heart and the hearts of others. This verse has spoken so much wonderful truth in my life over the course of my journey here. It is so easy for me to be distracted by people and my own plans for my life, yet all Jesus wants me to do is have an undivided heart for Him. Once I do that, then I will be able to fear His name. His name is holy and He is above all other gods. He is the one to be feared. My we live a life that we stand in awe of our awesome God. So often I fall into the trap of fearing the approval of men and what they think of me. How freeing it is to have one Audience, one Lord, and one King over my life!
Besides what the Lord has been teaching me in my life, God has been moving in the lives of other students here at beach project. So far about eight students have fully surrendered their lives to Christ! Jesus is in the process of restoring and saving lives. May His name be praised and we pray for Him to continue to move us to a heart of repentance. I’m so humbled as to why he would chose to give us grace and use us for His Kingdom.
We have been able to have opportunities to go out and share the Gospel, which has been so encouraging for my faith. I still am a little nervous before each time, but God has shown me that it is not my mere words that can save someone, but the Spirit working in their lives. This takes the pressure off me to present a perfect Gospel presentation, and I can find joy in sharing Christ with others.
The other day we were at the snow cone place, and my friend and I were approached by some guys. We started talking about what we’re doing with Summer Beach Project, and I was able to share my testimony with Him. It was such a God ordained appointment that it would even happen that way, and the fact that God was speaking through me was evident. It was not my words but His! Please pray that God continues to move through us and change lives.
Where do I begin? I have been at Beach Project for about three weeks, and God continues to move in my heart and the hearts of others. This verse has spoken so much wonderful truth in my life over the course of my journey here. It is so easy for me to be distracted by people and my own plans for my life, yet all Jesus wants me to do is have an undivided heart for Him. Once I do that, then I will be able to fear His name. His name is holy and He is above all other gods. He is the one to be feared. My we live a life that we stand in awe of our awesome God. So often I fall into the trap of fearing the approval of men and what they think of me. How freeing it is to have one Audience, one Lord, and one King over my life!
Besides what the Lord has been teaching me in my life, God has been moving in the lives of other students here at beach project. So far about eight students have fully surrendered their lives to Christ! Jesus is in the process of restoring and saving lives. May His name be praised and we pray for Him to continue to move us to a heart of repentance. I’m so humbled as to why he would chose to give us grace and use us for His Kingdom.
We have been able to have opportunities to go out and share the Gospel, which has been so encouraging for my faith. I still am a little nervous before each time, but God has shown me that it is not my mere words that can save someone, but the Spirit working in their lives. This takes the pressure off me to present a perfect Gospel presentation, and I can find joy in sharing Christ with others.
The other day we were at the snow cone place, and my friend and I were approached by some guys. We started talking about what we’re doing with Summer Beach Project, and I was able to share my testimony with Him. It was such a God ordained appointment that it would even happen that way, and the fact that God was speaking through me was evident. It was not my words but His! Please pray that God continues to move through us and change lives.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Restored Joy
“Restore in me the joy of your salvation.” Psalms 51:12
Here I am in Fort Walton, Florida, a week into Beach Project. There is much to say, but the main thing that sticks out in my mind is when my friend Lucy Walker and I shared Christ with Ed from the candle shop. We had been walking around the stores for a while trying to talk with people, and had gotten a little discouraged. Yet with 20 minutes to go until we were supposed to leave, we met Ed. He is a middle-aged man who’s lived in Florida all his life. He noticed from the beginning that we were kind and viewed him as a person, not the way the tourists would go into the shop and not even look at him.
Lucy Walker and I talked with him for a good while about why we were here and the Grace that God has given to us. He just seemed very lonely and sad. When we were explaining about how Christ has not only saved us from our sin, but also from our failed attempts to do good, he said, “yall are too hard on yourselves.” But at that moment God gave me so much joy.
I’m not hard on myself, it’s the truth that without Christ, I’m doomed, deserving Hell, yet he made a way for me to get to Him through the blood of His son. What joyous love and salvation that we can partake in! If only Ed and so many others could experience the love and joy of Christ! I pray that God continues to open the doors for us to share of the joy of our salvation.
Here I am in Fort Walton, Florida, a week into Beach Project. There is much to say, but the main thing that sticks out in my mind is when my friend Lucy Walker and I shared Christ with Ed from the candle shop. We had been walking around the stores for a while trying to talk with people, and had gotten a little discouraged. Yet with 20 minutes to go until we were supposed to leave, we met Ed. He is a middle-aged man who’s lived in Florida all his life. He noticed from the beginning that we were kind and viewed him as a person, not the way the tourists would go into the shop and not even look at him.
Lucy Walker and I talked with him for a good while about why we were here and the Grace that God has given to us. He just seemed very lonely and sad. When we were explaining about how Christ has not only saved us from our sin, but also from our failed attempts to do good, he said, “yall are too hard on yourselves.” But at that moment God gave me so much joy.
I’m not hard on myself, it’s the truth that without Christ, I’m doomed, deserving Hell, yet he made a way for me to get to Him through the blood of His son. What joyous love and salvation that we can partake in! If only Ed and so many others could experience the love and joy of Christ! I pray that God continues to open the doors for us to share of the joy of our salvation.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Unclean Made Holy
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Isaiah 6:3-5
I have been reading the book The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges and this past chapter describes the Transcendent Majesty of our Lord. In ancient Bible times, the lepers (sick people who were contagious) would have to stand at a distance from civilization and scream, “Unclean! Unclean!” in order for them to keep the people from being contaminated. Bridges says, “Isaiah uses [the words unclean] of himself. If leprosy typified sin, then Isaiah saw his sinfulness as moral leprosy.”
I went to a wedding last weekend, and I was amazed by the beauty of the bride. It made me think of my state before Christ. I was ugly and contagious in my sin. I can only imagine my pride which is viewed as leprous boils on me. My self-righteousness that is soiled rags attempting to cover my body. Every sin that I have and will commit is caked on me like mud.
Yet Christ, the Holy of Holies, chose me. He laid down His life for His bride. I can come to Him in white, radiant before the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. When I walk down to commit my life to Him, to love and cherish, honor and be faithful to Him, I can be pure and holy at His expense. I don’t have to wear rags any more. I don’t have to scream “Unclean!” before a Holy God. He makes me pure so that I can approach Him. What glorious love He has for us!
We are all sinful and have gone our own ways. We fall short of a holy and righteous God. We cannot approach Him, without the help of some outside force.
There is good news! Our savior has chosen to take upon our sin and shame. He made himself nothing taking upon not only our sickness and sin, but our death.
And there’s even better news! God not only became man to die the death we deserved, but he gives us life, righteousness, purity, cleanliness, holiness. He makes us a new creation. Glory to Him!
I have been reading the book The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges and this past chapter describes the Transcendent Majesty of our Lord. In ancient Bible times, the lepers (sick people who were contagious) would have to stand at a distance from civilization and scream, “Unclean! Unclean!” in order for them to keep the people from being contaminated. Bridges says, “Isaiah uses [the words unclean] of himself. If leprosy typified sin, then Isaiah saw his sinfulness as moral leprosy.”
I went to a wedding last weekend, and I was amazed by the beauty of the bride. It made me think of my state before Christ. I was ugly and contagious in my sin. I can only imagine my pride which is viewed as leprous boils on me. My self-righteousness that is soiled rags attempting to cover my body. Every sin that I have and will commit is caked on me like mud.
Yet Christ, the Holy of Holies, chose me. He laid down His life for His bride. I can come to Him in white, radiant before the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. When I walk down to commit my life to Him, to love and cherish, honor and be faithful to Him, I can be pure and holy at His expense. I don’t have to wear rags any more. I don’t have to scream “Unclean!” before a Holy God. He makes me pure so that I can approach Him. What glorious love He has for us!
We are all sinful and have gone our own ways. We fall short of a holy and righteous God. We cannot approach Him, without the help of some outside force.
There is good news! Our savior has chosen to take upon our sin and shame. He made himself nothing taking upon not only our sickness and sin, but our death.
And there’s even better news! God not only became man to die the death we deserved, but he gives us life, righteousness, purity, cleanliness, holiness. He makes us a new creation. Glory to Him!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Same Power
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
The power of the Spirit of Christ lives in me.
The same power that used a foster child to lead the entire nation of Israel out of slavery.
The same power that used a little boy to kill a giant.
The same power that kept three men from being incinerated in the fiery furnace.
The same power that consumed a soaking wet bull on an altar.
The same power that placed a baby in a virgin’s womb.
The same power that healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and loosened the tongue of the mute.
The same power that calmed the storm and fed 5,000 men from 2 fish and 5 loaves.
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me.
Glory to God!
The power of the Spirit of Christ lives in me.
The same power that used a foster child to lead the entire nation of Israel out of slavery.
The same power that used a little boy to kill a giant.
The same power that kept three men from being incinerated in the fiery furnace.
The same power that consumed a soaking wet bull on an altar.
The same power that placed a baby in a virgin’s womb.
The same power that healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and loosened the tongue of the mute.
The same power that calmed the storm and fed 5,000 men from 2 fish and 5 loaves.
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me.
Glory to God!
The Same Power
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
The power of the Spirit of Christ lives in me.
The same power that used a foster child to lead the entire nation of Israel out of slavery.
The same power that used a little boy to kill a giant.
The same power that kept three men from being incinerated in the fiery furnace.
The same power that consumed a soaking wet bull on an altar.
The same power that placed a baby in a virgin’s womb.
The same power that healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and loosened the tongue of the mute.
The same power that calmed the storm and fed 5,000 men from 2 fish and 5 loaves.
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me.
Glory to God!
The power of the Spirit of Christ lives in me.
The same power that used a foster child to lead the entire nation of Israel out of slavery.
The same power that used a little boy to kill a giant.
The same power that kept three men from being incinerated in the fiery furnace.
The same power that consumed a soaking wet bull on an altar.
The same power that placed a baby in a virgin’s womb.
The same power that healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and loosened the tongue of the mute.
The same power that calmed the storm and fed 5,000 men from 2 fish and 5 loaves.
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me.
Glory to God!
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