First Things 1st

Close your eyes. Imagine it's early Christmas morning. You're 5 years old and your little body just can't wait to jump out of bed and see what's inside those wrapped packages. Do you remember that feeling? I do. That feeling comes quite often to me. Every time I get a new idea, it comes. Every time I get excited, it comes. God wants us to have all our desires and dreams, but He wants us to do things in the right order. 

"But seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Isn't that great? This verse is telling us that we can have everything! God doesn't want us to give up on our dreams and visions. He wants us to have every single part, lacking nothing! We're just instructed to look for Him first and THEN we'll also get those dreams, desires and visions.

The first time I traveled to Guatemala I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. When I got back I was ready to pack up and leave. I didn't want to wait or graduate from high school. I wanted to go back to Guatemala immediately. No wait necessary, right? Wrong. God wasn't finished with me and I had a lot of growing up to do. But if you haven't realized....I DID get to go to Guatemala. I didn't lack one single thing. But I did have to do first things 1st. 

And now, I have so many visions and dreams for my ministry in Guatemala. I want the plans to be finalized. I want the lives to start being changed. You want to know what I can do? I can start writing out my vision. I can start praying and believing for the finances and the lives that will be affected. And I can take a step of faith. That's what I can do right now. That's what I will do. I don't lose faith and I don't lose hope. I gain it knowing God is on my side and He joins my vision. He helps me finalize the plans and change lives. 

Do things in the right order. First things 1st. 

Then, it's a happy ending for all of us.

God Speaks.

God has a way of drawing us closer. He S.P.E.A.K.S.


God spoke these words and they touched the inner-most depths of my spirit. Let it be an encouragement for you.

"This life means so much more than what you think. You have plans and desires, but let me open your heart and mind to see the things the way I see them. Let me show you what I've seen. Let me show you where and how I've seen your future. Open your heart to my word. Open your mind to a higher reality, a realm that is accessible only through your spirit. A place where faith becomes reality and my dreams come true. Come and look! Take my eyes and see yourself as I do because once you see what I see nothing will be the same. You won't see your life in the same way, you won't see your family as you do now. Once you see my kingdom, you will do anything to bring it to Earth."

In Complete Surrender

I am a planner. I like to know what's going to happen and when it's going to happen. I don't like the unknown. I don't like the unexpected.

My mind has been a battlefield. My thoughts have been racing a hundred miles a minute. It's like I can't control them. I think about the future. I think about tomorrow. All of these things are causing me to worry. I am the middle of a war that can't be won.

Here's a little heads up about what's been going on in my life...
I'm in Guatemala. I have people that support me with the hope that I am going out there and changing lives.
And here's the reality of what my life is right now...
I look around and I don't see an impact anywhere. What have I done? What am I doing? Why am I here? My heart's desire is to go and tell people this amazing love story about how God loves them so much that He already paid the price to rescue them from all death and destruction. I'm not saying my time here has been a lost cause. I'm saying that I want more. I want to see more lives changed. I want to go into the city full force. I want to get my hands involved. THAT is the sole reason I moved out of my country, my comfort zone and the only place I've ever known. I didn't make such a sacrifice to come and fill up my time with jobs that I take just because they're there. Then, there's the question...well what do I do? People tell me to go out and find what's out there. But truth is, I don't even know where to look.

Tonight as I'm alone I look back. I look foward. I think about all these things. My mind is overwhelmed with thoughts of grief and doubt and worry. Then, out of the nothing comes this voice so soft and so still. It says, "Come to me." I start seeking God with all that I am. I pour out my heart and surrender all those thoughts. God has a plan. That's something I know to be certain. Then once again I look back. But this time God showed me something. I look back and see my life and everything that I've been through. He shows me how He's been there every hour of everyday. And He reminds me that He's not going to abandon me now.

It's hard for me to get past the unknown. It's hard for me to trust when I don't know what's going to happen. But what can worry do? Nothing. What can God do? Everything. It's as if I'm jumping off a cliff into the future. It's dark and I can't see anything. But there's God with me, beside me, holding my hand. Suddenly, I'm not alone. And I'm no longer doubtful or afraid.

Truth be told...I have no idea what's coming. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. But I give God control of everything. Absolutely everything. Why should I take or even want control when I have access to God's perfect plan? So here I am. God take my life. It's Yours. Fully and completely Yours. Use my hands, use my feet. I'm here. Let YOUR will be done.

Changing Lives

As a student in the Bible School, Instituto Biblico: Enseñanza de Agua Viva, I was given the chance to participate in the student campaign this past week. It's essentially the same as going on the summer youth campaigns that I've been going on the last 3 years. So, initially I wasn't super excited. But before I left someone told me, "Don't let your mindset be that it's just another campaign. Everyday think about what God is capable of doing. Look for the miracles!" This dramatically changed my thinking. I went on that campaign with faith expecting to see God move.

God certainly took control of everything during the week. We were able to present the drama 21 times in 3 days, and more than 1,500 people came to know Christ that week. I went on that campaign expecting to see God change lives, and He did. But what I didn't go expecting was that He would change mine too. Honestly, since I've moved to Guatemala God has opened my eyes and changed my heart and my thinking about many things. I didn’t think that He’d do it again, but He did. He used this campaign to shake up my world, again. He continually surprises me with His goodness.

The desires I have about changing the world are growing, and I never thought it was possible. But they’re growing in new ways. My mind is expanding and the dreams I have are getting bigger. Even though at the moment I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 2 years or even in 2 months, I’m not worried at all. God reminded me of how faithful He is. And how He loves a cheerful follower. So, I’ll be that. In the natural it looks irresponsible to not worry or be concerned. Even to some believers it looks wrong. But that’s not the case. I don’t need my 10 year plan ready at hand. I have it, and it’s God’s plan. What more do I need than to be so wrapped up in what God’s doing? Nothing. That’s it. God is good. That’s the plan I follow. That’s the story I’m telling.  

At the hospital in HueHue.

Giving my testimony & Leading the altar call prayer

At the orphanage in HueHue. These kiddos stole my heart!

 

Manuel

 

In March 2011 I was given the opportunity to go on one of Living Water Teaching's Medical Campaigns. It was very successful and we were able to treat over 3,000 people. There was this one guy in particular that I think changed us all. His name is Manuel. 

When we first arrived in the city we noticed this drunk always hanging around. He was continually walking up to us asking us for food and money. One night after a church service this same guy was layed out in the middle of the street, passed out. We went out there to check on him. When we noticed that he was still alert we started ministering to him. One of our members continued to pick him up by the collar of his shirt and began speaking God's promises over him. We just kept telling him that the devil has no authority. And eventually, in his drunken state, he agreed to accept Christ. Honestly I didn't think anything would happen. He was drunk and didn't know what he was doing. But I was wrong.

 The next day we saw this same guy showered with clean clothes and standing in the line of our medical clinic! He was treated and the gospel was presented to him again! THEN, the last night we were there we were walking back to our rooms and we saw all these kids standing around our door. It was Manuel, his wife, his mother-in-law, and all 6 of his children. They all had come to tell us how grateful they were that we had come. This man's life was radically changed in a matter of 3 days. 

Most of the time we don't see the harvest, we only know we're sowing good seeds. But don't get discouraged. This experience taught me that God is always moving, even when we don't see Him. Continue to sow into people's lives. Maybe you won't see the reaping of the harvest, but it's there. Have faith. 

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." 

Galatians 6:9

Faith & Sacrifice

Lately, God's been challenging me. This is His re-occuring question: "What are you willing to sacrifice for my sake?" 

Some may say that I've already given up a lot. I moved out of my country to an unknown land where anything can happen. But, when I examine myself and my faith...I am not satisfied. There is so much more that I could be doing. I'm in a 3rd world country where children are dying everyday. And just what am I doing to help? How safe is my lifestyle? Am I stepping out of my comfort zone? 

I want to take steps of faith. I took a step of faith in coming to Guatemala. Now that I'm here I know that God really wants to take my life and use it. Currently I work in a private school as a teacher. I love my job. I love those kids. But those kids were born into Christian families and are being brought up in the ways of the Lord. Those kids have clothes to wear and food to eat everyday. When my heart was introduced to missions those weren't the kids that immediately came to mind. If you take a drive around the city you'll see children on the streets everywhere you look. They beg for money and offer a pitiless job in return. They can't attend school because their families wouldn't make it without their little income. THOSE are the kids that I have in my heart so deeply. 

I want God's big dreams to turn into a reality in my life. But I have to analyze my faith and ask, "How much do I trust God? How much am I willing to lose?" I was listening to a lady speak once and she was reading Luke 14:26 which says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." Then God questioned her, "Are you willing to lay down your own life and the lives of your children for me?" I'm not a parent so I don't what it's like to love your own child. I don't know that type of love. But when I heard this it struck me. What am I willing to give?

So, today I ask you the same question. What are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus Christ? What are you willing to lose? Examine your life, your faith, and what's in your heart. Be honest and answer truthfully. Be prepared with what God's bringing in your direction. And be ready to accept the mission without fear. You will be amazed at what God can and will do with your life. Just be willing. Be willing to let go. It takes faith.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' 

-Matthew 25:23

"No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has arranged for those who love him." 

-1 Corinthians 2:9

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple."

-Luke 14:26

Francis Chan - I'm in Love

How much do we love God? From the inner-most depth of our hearts...how much do we love God?