I know I'm filled to be emptied again. No one said it would be easy, actually most everyone said it would be hard, but I knew it would be worth it. I wouldn't say that the last three weeks have been easy, but they surely weren't a hardship either.
I thought July was going to be a month filled with lots of revalation about my own self, and lots of tears, and too many goodbyes, and confrontations of all kinds, and also worry. But it was not like that. The explination of why these past few weeks were not hard, is God. In the past few months I began to get prepared to go on these mission trips. I started to read my Bible better and to pray more and to worship wholly. I let God fill me up, because I knew that I'm filled to be emptied again.
I am sure now that I could have let God move even more in my life, but in the month of June, I started to listen and do what He asked me to do and let Him move me into action.
I realize now that everywhere I went in June, had a reason -to grow me up spiritually and get me closer to God. I was on the look-out, waiting for a chance to hear from God, and God always came through. Also, sharpening my Sword helped a ton. Letting go and letting God handle things was hard all the time, but practice makes it easier and I got lots of that.
So this is my challenge to you. (And to me!) Study Up. I knew that I couldn't go into the battle unprepared, so I trained harder, but the truth is -We are in a battle every day. We have got to be studied and know our Word. We need to pray powerful prayers to our powerful God. I need to let God move me into action more, because I am a lazy girl. I have to let God have control and not worry or be anxious. I need to remember that I am filled. And I need to get out there and empty out into other lives. Pour into other people.
I heard this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9ntcIvD0s while in the Dominican, and it totally lifted me up and pushed me forward. I hope it does the same for you.
"I will bring praise. I will bring praise! No weapon formed against me shall remain.
God is my victory and He is here.
All of my life, in every season, You are still God.
I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship."
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Servants of God
When I was in the Dominican Republic this last week, the ladies over there taught me quite a few things. On my trip to minister to them, they ministered to me.
They are so welcoming, they greet you with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. They are your sisters and friends already. They are so grateful that we are there to help them and they thanked us a lot. Their gratefulness at anything big or small made me feel glad to be there -needed and wanted.
Most of the Christian ladies don't speak English and don't know what we say when we pray but they bow their heads in reverence and respect to God. Their love for God shines from their eyes and smiles. The love of the Lord radiates from their entire being. They are committed to the Lord and the jobs that He has given them and they do it all with a smile.
The ladies loved to feed us there, I guess because that's all they can give back to us. It's so sweet of them. And it also challenged me to be very giving of everything and anything I have. They give more than they can, yet I have so much and I keep what I need and want. They give their all in everything they do and every way they can.
At our first location, the pastors house was right beside his church and also right beside where our house was. The pastors wife had people coming in and out of her house every minute of every day and she greeted them all and was glad they were there, ready to give them what they needed as best as she could. She had projects all around, a sewing machine here to make things for the women, and a rocking chair and blanket in case a baby needed to be rocked, and an office and phone for the missionaries to call home, and someone cooking in the kitchen, and extra cloths over there as need for everyone, and a quiet room in case someone needed to talk -so many ways that she ministered!! Her home was not perfect but to me it was absolutely beautiful! Anyone and everyone was welcome in her home at any time. She was a true servant and showed me how it needs to be.
At our second location we were painting a school room. The first thing one of the ladies does is cook us some food and bring us drinks and jello. She was so happy to have us there and kept thanking us over and over again. She didn't speak English but that did not stop her from coming out to greet us. She didn't hide in the kitchen like I might have, and she didn't stand in the doorway to the school room like I might have, but she came in and welcomed us and brought us food. I wouldn't have had courage to do that unless I was told to, but she did it on her own and she showed me that that's how it needs to be.
All of these ladies are truly servants of God. They give their all, even when it might seem they have nothing to give, because they do have God's love to give. They don't hold back. And through this, they showed me how my life needs to change.
They are so welcoming, they greet you with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. They are your sisters and friends already. They are so grateful that we are there to help them and they thanked us a lot. Their gratefulness at anything big or small made me feel glad to be there -needed and wanted.
Most of the Christian ladies don't speak English and don't know what we say when we pray but they bow their heads in reverence and respect to God. Their love for God shines from their eyes and smiles. The love of the Lord radiates from their entire being. They are committed to the Lord and the jobs that He has given them and they do it all with a smile.
The ladies loved to feed us there, I guess because that's all they can give back to us. It's so sweet of them. And it also challenged me to be very giving of everything and anything I have. They give more than they can, yet I have so much and I keep what I need and want. They give their all in everything they do and every way they can.
At our first location, the pastors house was right beside his church and also right beside where our house was. The pastors wife had people coming in and out of her house every minute of every day and she greeted them all and was glad they were there, ready to give them what they needed as best as she could. She had projects all around, a sewing machine here to make things for the women, and a rocking chair and blanket in case a baby needed to be rocked, and an office and phone for the missionaries to call home, and someone cooking in the kitchen, and extra cloths over there as need for everyone, and a quiet room in case someone needed to talk -so many ways that she ministered!! Her home was not perfect but to me it was absolutely beautiful! Anyone and everyone was welcome in her home at any time. She was a true servant and showed me how it needs to be.
At our second location we were painting a school room. The first thing one of the ladies does is cook us some food and bring us drinks and jello. She was so happy to have us there and kept thanking us over and over again. She didn't speak English but that did not stop her from coming out to greet us. She didn't hide in the kitchen like I might have, and she didn't stand in the doorway to the school room like I might have, but she came in and welcomed us and brought us food. I wouldn't have had courage to do that unless I was told to, but she did it on her own and she showed me that that's how it needs to be.
All of these ladies are truly servants of God. They give their all, even when it might seem they have nothing to give, because they do have God's love to give. They don't hold back. And through this, they showed me how my life needs to change.
Friday, August 3, 2012
God's Word
7-28-12
In group Devotional this morning Zephaniah 3:17 was the scripture. Last Wednesday it was also the scripture. In the 'Trip Guide' book, for Day Two it is there again!
Surely this is God speaking!
Zephaniah 3:17 "For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a might Savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exhult over you by singing a happy song."
This is everything I needed to hear. Thank you God.
8-3-12
The Bible is a living book that applies to us still today. God spoke this verse into my life last year and I memorized it, and now as He whispers it to me again and again it reaches to the core of my being. He has arrived to live among me and with me, no matter where I live for however long. He is mighty! His Words of rejoicing and delighting in me bring me peace -the power of His love brings me a peace that passes all understanding. As He sings a happy song over me, it calls to me to sing back to Him. I'm filled with His word to be emptied again then He fills me and I give and over and over.
Are you listening for His words of love? Are you letting His love calm all your fears? He is rejoicing over you. Listen. He is loving you. Listen. He is singing to you. Listen to His singing.
In group Devotional this morning Zephaniah 3:17 was the scripture. Last Wednesday it was also the scripture. In the 'Trip Guide' book, for Day Two it is there again!
Surely this is God speaking!
Zephaniah 3:17 "For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a might Savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exhult over you by singing a happy song."
This is everything I needed to hear. Thank you God.
8-3-12
The Bible is a living book that applies to us still today. God spoke this verse into my life last year and I memorized it, and now as He whispers it to me again and again it reaches to the core of my being. He has arrived to live among me and with me, no matter where I live for however long. He is mighty! His Words of rejoicing and delighting in me bring me peace -the power of His love brings me a peace that passes all understanding. As He sings a happy song over me, it calls to me to sing back to Him. I'm filled with His word to be emptied again then He fills me and I give and over and over.
Are you listening for His words of love? Are you letting His love calm all your fears? He is rejoicing over you. Listen. He is loving you. Listen. He is singing to you. Listen to His singing.
Beauty
I didn't know. I should have known. I didn't know you could fall in love with a child so easily -so quickly without even speaking a word.
We had just arrived in the Dominican Republic and were driving down the paved, two-lane road. I sat in the passenger seat of the fifteen passenger bus. A mini-van with a little brown face smiling out the window pulled up beside us at a red light. She looks straight at me and I grin at her. At my smile, she lights up, waving back to me and showing off her white teeth with a big smile.
She's beautiful.
We play peek-a-boo for a little, with her coming in view and disappearing behind the window. She giggles the entire time and I can't help but feel joy at her delight.
The light turns green and we pull away and she's gone.
I don't know her name, or how old she is, or where she was going, or if she knew Jesus. But she was beautiful.
We had just arrived in the Dominican Republic and were driving down the paved, two-lane road. I sat in the passenger seat of the fifteen passenger bus. A mini-van with a little brown face smiling out the window pulled up beside us at a red light. She looks straight at me and I grin at her. At my smile, she lights up, waving back to me and showing off her white teeth with a big smile.
She's beautiful.
We play peek-a-boo for a little, with her coming in view and disappearing behind the window. She giggles the entire time and I can't help but feel joy at her delight.
The light turns green and we pull away and she's gone.
I don't know her name, or how old she is, or where she was going, or if she knew Jesus. But she was beautiful.
7-26-12 DAY ONE
I did not want to go overseas on a mission trip, with just me and God and a team of strangers. I wanted to say "no" and stay home where I am comfortable, and know what my job is, and have easy access to everything.
All (Thursday) morning I was nervous. My parents getting to go through security and waiting with me helped, but ultimately it was when I left them, got into the plane and sat down that the peace of God washed over my heart. No longer am I shaky. No longer am I worried. God is with me -I said "Yes" when He asked me to go and I claim His promises that He will lead and guide me and give me courage.
I might not have easy access to phone or Internet. I might not have my best friends beside me. But I know God is with me. And I do know my job. My job is to spread the love and hope of Jesus. God has never failed to take care of me in every way, and He will not forget me now. All this time He has been whispering words of love and peace.
"Just trust me, daughter."
So I look down from the sky and literally say goodbye to everyone and everything I love and tell God that I will trust Him.
If this brings one person to know the power of God, then it is worth it. And if this brings me just a inch closer to God, then it is worth it.
God is worth it. Saying "Yes" is worth it.
Matthew 10:38-39 "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
All (Thursday) morning I was nervous. My parents getting to go through security and waiting with me helped, but ultimately it was when I left them, got into the plane and sat down that the peace of God washed over my heart. No longer am I shaky. No longer am I worried. God is with me -I said "Yes" when He asked me to go and I claim His promises that He will lead and guide me and give me courage.
I might not have easy access to phone or Internet. I might not have my best friends beside me. But I know God is with me. And I do know my job. My job is to spread the love and hope of Jesus. God has never failed to take care of me in every way, and He will not forget me now. All this time He has been whispering words of love and peace.
"Just trust me, daughter."
So I look down from the sky and literally say goodbye to everyone and everything I love and tell God that I will trust Him.
If this brings one person to know the power of God, then it is worth it. And if this brings me just a inch closer to God, then it is worth it.
God is worth it. Saying "Yes" is worth it.
Matthew 10:38-39 "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
Prayer
May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness f the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
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