Steadfast, Beloved

Week 24 Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have toward you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Looking back over the past six months has been nothing short of the Lord’s plan all along. In the midst of trouble it’s hard to see the light at the end, but He’s always been there. I see His faithfulness in every good or hard day. During the presentation of the Potter, Pastor Michael mentions that every piece of clay has a specific purpose. Whether that clay is used immediately or in years, it never goes to waste. I can look back on my own life and think of every time I believed that this or that could never bring glory to my Creator. But once again, He has never failed me. He doesn’t just have one plan for us although we’re still headed towards one destination. There are many plans He has set in motion for us. In another version of this verse it substitutes “plans” with “thoughts”. It constantly blows my mind how He thinks of me dail...

Week 23 Luke 5:24 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”- He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house.” When Jesus cleansed those who asked to be cleansed, we see that He always did so with greater purpose in mind. To cleanse the heart and to give hope to the lost. Often times i find myself paralyzed by fear, allusions, circumstances, whatever it may be. But God. He has transferred His power to overcome whatever obstacles I face. Here Jesus gives three commands. First, arise. A call to stand firm. Secondly, take up your bed. Forget the things of the past failures, habits or misconceptions that no longer confine you. Third, go to your house. Trust; Christ has empowered you and He will be your witness. I’m reminded that when Jesus called those to rise, be cleansed, to leave burdened lives behind, each one acted in faith. I want my life to be an example of faith because of my actions.

Week 22 Hosea 2:14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her.” My grandmother always told me that everything is only for a season. We go through seasons of mountain-tops, valleys, deep waters, and even wilderness. Reading through Exodus we can see how God took His people out of bondage and drew them to Himself. Although they frequently disobeyed, He was still with them, always guiding. Every year we take a camping trip and my favorite part of nature is to sit by the river and listen. So many times we can debate, fight and reason in our minds that it all becomes to loud to hear God’s still voice whispering to us. He is taking us out of that place that is distant from God and drawing us near to Him. It’s in the wilderness that I can be still and listen. Everything becomes clear. This is probably one of the most challenging aspect of my generation, with many different voices, technology and social media feeding us with opinions and false trut...

Week 21 1 Kings 2:12 “Then Solomon sat on the throne of this father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.” We look at David’s life and with confidence can say he lived his life after the Lord. No man is ever perfect, but it was his willingness to return to God when he messed up that deeply encourages me. But we know that 10/10 people die and life goes on. As we are approaching some of the final weeks in Guatemala, I am determined to leave this place better than when I first came. I am determined to set a higher standard for the incoming class, just like the class before me. During this time I feel called to pray for the next generation in Guatemala, in the next class, and in my home. When we follow by example, we can see clearly what is good and what is great.  We become greater decision makers, and by the grace of grow in wisdom. May we all feel the weight to lay a firm foundation with whatever God has given us.

Week 20 Psalm 46:5 “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” In context it sounds like the world is raging against itself. The earth is literally falling apart. Sometimes it can feel the same in our lives; like everything is slipping out of our hands and causing worry. But my mind always brings me back to the sovereign will of God. “He is in the midst.” Of what? His church, in us, in plans, in the future, the past. I think about all the things that move me and it’s usually when I’m full of self that I become moved. But if I claim that God is in me, why should I be moved? I can’t stop the earth from shaking, I can’t make plans come back together. He is faithfully breaking my desires in preparation for His will towards my salvation. When it seems like nothing is going in the way I think it should, I truly just remember that it is for His goodness. He won’t leave us deserted with no direction; He is clearly leading us using ...

Week 19 Psalm 27:13-14: “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. For each heart that loves, God has set a purpose. I’ve heard a lot that our culture is one of the most impatient and there is good reason for that. We have everything we want almost instantly; no need to wait anymore. But I think one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned to let got year down my pride. I always thought I obtained godly characteristics, but I know I always fall short of those expectations. God has always had a plan and when I can’t see the blueprint clearly I freak and complain. It’s always refreshing to have vulnerable time with the Lord and say, “Lord I want to trust you, but I don’t. Help me to surrender my doubt.” Just by being honest with ourselves befo...

Week 18 Psalm 107:33;35 “He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground.” “He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into water springs.” Every believer has come to a time in their lives where they can say they’ve gone through what we call a “dry season”. From the world’s point of view, it would be hard to understand why we have peace in this time. Even though it may be a time of loss, frustration, tears, exhaustion; whatever it may be, we rest in the promises of our Lord. I think many times I forget that I have seen God work miracles in my life. God is like the sun that shines on creation. He is there to strengthen and grow us. He may send the wind, snow, floods, but we are not shaken by this. Suddenly, a cloud covers the sun and I can’t see clearly anymore. It’s not until I remember that the sun is still shining, even when I cannot see it, that God is still sovereign even in the harder seasons of life. He is still in control of our live...

Week 17 Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,” There comes a time when you look at your life and see the things around you and it makes you ask yourself a few things. “Am I where the Lord wants me to be?”, “Why isn’t this or that happening?”. A lot of these questions have been aroused in my head. To be honest, life doesn’t look the way I want it to. And it’s just that; my wants. Me, me, me. It’s not until I remember that I live a life surrendered that I will be content in all aspects of life. “I am crucified with Christ”. What a statement Paul makes here, one that continues to challenge me daily. When I chose Jesus, I chose Him for the best of my days and the worst. I asked to be lead where I have never been before, and boy, will God sure answer those prayers. Reality is, when we become Christians we are not immune to bad days, weeks, or months. But we do have a hope and a promise that we have Christ’s spirit dwel...

Week 16 2 Samuel 15:22 “So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.”” I find it hard to obey someone when I have not developed a sense of trust. Instead I will follow in my actions but disobey in my heart. “Do you trust God” should seem like an easy and simple question. “Of course I trust God”. Obedience is more than just the service, but the condition of the heart. I’ve fooled myself for too long. I’ve put in the mask of someone who doesn’t fear, when in reality the unknown quite terrifies me. God isn’t surprised by this. He knows every fiber of my being. Certainly He knows I wasn’t putting 110% of my trust in Him. Recently life has seemed pretty mundane and uncertain. Even in these times, I have seen God faithful to minister to my heart. It was never in the service that I would have realized where my trust was, but in the mundane and uncertainty. I could never...

Week 15 Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates,Waiting at the posts of my doors. As we begin to listen to one another, I can’t help but feel like there is a challenge behind every fault. We want to be more like Christ, but how? God has given each believer the authority to speak into each man’s life in His perfect circumstances. How then, do believers still feel condemned and fearful? Perhaps we make up our god and believe he is unattainable by trying too hard. We serve this god with our works and not with our hearts. Both of these attributes are good, but one without the other leads us to failure. Then we let this god of ours down and into bondage of never being “good-enough”. What we do not realize through all of this is that, our true God is simply accessible through the perfect blood that was shed on the cross. We need to see God on street level to believe that He will accept us as we are. Imperfect and full of flaws. Only then can we...

Week 14 2 Corinthians 10:5 “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Each student has been placed into a team for a specific purpose. There was not one who is out of place. Our purpose is to challenge, encourage and build each other up. Until now, it seems we have been comfortable to do so. Often times I find myself shying away from what the Lord has placed on my heart. If I know God’s promises to be true in my life, I can trust that He will give me the words to deliver. As a young person, I found myself afraid to speak my mind as usually no one was interested in what I had to say. My confidence shrunk and so did the words to express myself. As my relationship grows in Christ, so does my confidence. It was just a matter of God’s perfect timing. My speech should not come as a hinderance or offense to another because I am not intentional with my words. When conf...

Week 13 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men Colossians 3:23 When the new year comes, many decide in the their hearts to set goals for themselves. A lot of times, these goals are out of reach and are only diligent for a a few weeks. I am learning that each year God has breathed His goals in my heart. Last year, was a life learning of pray and redemption. The year before that, obedience. This year, intentional. I have found in my life, that I am very much a person to “go with the flow”. I let days, even weeks go by without having a purpose for day by day. No longer will submission be an excuse for laziness. Time is short, but redemption is near. I need to be constantly reminded of the people and place I am in for this time. I know that even the smallest conversation or challenge may just set up a place for the Lord to work in their lives. That’s what my heart’s desire has revealed. To allow the Lord’s boldness in my life to challenge and encourage. Th...

Week 12 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 When we read about the Children of Israel, we sometimes laugh to ourselves their unfaithfulness and doubt, as if we have never reacted in fear. There will be seasons of walking through the wilderness it seems like. From the outside we can see His love and mercy upon them, but putting yourself in their shoes is uncertainty. All along God was taking them on a journey through righteousness, but the process doesn’t have to take fourth years. When we call upon His name, He will be near to us. In His presence is perfect peace and understanding and trust. Why do Christians find themselves in seasons of wilderness? We have all devised a plan in our own hearts. It’s in our fleshly nature to rebel, to leave our first love. His only desire is for us to return to Him. He did not die in vain, but to restore fellowship. I need to repent daily for...

Week 11 “So rend your heart and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; An He relents from doing harm.” Joel 2:13 God is great in power and strength, but He is also good. In our language there seems to be a contrast between the two words great and good. That one is better than the other. If God is never changing and He is both of these, then there can be no fault in His character. A God like this is only worthy of all our praise and adoration. Why then, do I still find myself only giving God half of my heart, half of my praise, and half expectant prayers. My desire is for more of His heart, but my unwillingness to give mine has come between fully receiving what God has for me. Many times I find myself in frustration because of this pattern of wanting change and it not coming to pass. If all I can see in my life right now is God’s heart, then I must learn to be content in His timing.  Applica...

Week 10 Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it. There have been many conversations about if the Word of God still speaks. Many are skeptical and believe what they want to hear. Some will claim that God’s audible voice is not true, or that the Bible doesn’t apply to us today. I can proclaim that the voice of God still speaks, and speaks to every believer individually. Some hear through music, prayer, or the word. The voice of the Lord is powerful and when He speaks we almost can’t hold it in. We are meant to be proclaimers of truth and testimony. I know in my life that, when God speaks, He can use that word to impact another’s life as well. But often times I find myself falling into complacency and not impacted by the word of God. I can just read and really understand what I just read. But then ther...

Week 9 Psalm 145:19 “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.“ In the wilderness, we hear many times when the children of Israel cried out to God and He heard them and He remembered them. This has caused me to rethink my prayer think. When I pray, what am I praying for and how will it further the kingdom of God? This is an area of my life I have tried to bring down to a science that it has often taken the feeling and compassion out of prayer. If only I could say the right thing then surely God will answer my prayers! There is no right or wrong way when speaking to Lord. Jesus was a simple and humble man and made connection to the common man. I don’t have to pretend to be more experienced to ask for God’s presence in my life and the life of others. He will do that anyways. He has placed eternity in our hearts; naturally we long for another world. So my desire is to see His kingdom continue building in our hearts and His s...

Week 8 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. As I woke up, one of my first thoughts was of complaining and pleading to the Lord. In my doubt I expected another day of frustration in class. For my students to mock me and not listen or desire to be there. I have a student very precious to my heart. She comes in everyday 30 minutes early to help set up the class and play. Normally every conversation starts with ‘good morning’ and ‘how are you’? Most times I just expect “good” as an answer. How broken I am when I hear that the morning was not good. That they had to come to class with a busted lip. Floored. I can recall my young years in going through that hardship. It effects much more than the physical but scars the heart. In these times it’s hard to see how God actually cares and loves for us. But I remember specific times when God was made real to me. In was in the moments I felt held. When someone showed they lo...

Week 7 2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. From a young age, I would have considered myself independent. I knew how to care for myself and my young brother. In class I taught myself and was the most excelled. This continued as I grew older. I saw myself as someone who was capable of doing whatever it was that I wanted. I always got what I wanted because there was no one in my life to tell me ‘no’. As I’ve grown, I have understood that sometimes no is it’s what’s best. But what I am currently learning is that only God can say no. I have a hard time accepting blessing from others especially when I know that I don’t deserve it. They say it is much easier to give than to receive and that is the truth! I would much rather give up my own to bless another. Lately I have been finding that it’s okay to let to tables turn. I still struggle with accepting God’s b...

Week 6 John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This week I had my wisdom teeth removed. As I sat in bed most days I was left to thinking about the past month I’ve had in Guatemala. I began to reason with God why I was born into a free country, and why I had the opportunities in which I posses. So many days can go by just living a comfortable life before I realize where I’m actually living. Antigua, as many know is a very beautiful, tourist town. But if you take a closer look, you begin to see the people. The eyes who go unnoticed by hard labor and fear. How many times I let them go by without giving Jesus an opportunity to speak to them. Many will ask for material items such as money or clothes, but we know that the everlasting is salvation. I could never continue to reach the people here if I don’t live a life fully surrendered. And the only effective way to destroy the flesh is to die by the cross. My hope is that I never take the people here and this opportunity ...

Week 5 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 How do we as humans, decide what path to follow in life? There is sewn into every individual heart a desire to worship God. Some are in tune with this deep calling and others go through out life never knowing. I want to walk according to what God has ordained for my life. Looking back in life, I can recall times when it seems like it wasn’t God’s plan for me to walk through certain areas of life. In fact, it was all apart of His plan for redemption. So how do we live a life in touch with the Spirit when things seem to be flipped upside down? I’m constantly reminded of His faithfulness. A year ago I never thought my life would look the way it does now. I did not know, but here I am. It is only by grace that I have today. Another aspect that is coming to life for me is obedience. Being close to God is not living by emotion, but by obeying. I have no idea what next year will even look like,...