I finished reading "Radical" by David Platt last night on my plane ride back to Minnesota. I wanted to point out some really great quotes from the book. If you haven't read it yet, you should. I think this is a must read for every believer!
The message of biblical Christianity is not "God loves me, period," as if we were the object of our own faith. The message of biblical Christianity is "God loves me so that I might make him--his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness--known among all nations.
Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell. We owe Christ to the world--to the least person and to the greatest person, to the richest person and to the poorest person, to the best person and to the worst person. We are in debt to the nations.
The question, therefore, is not "Can we find God's will?" The question is "Will we obey God's will?" Will we risk everything--our comfort, our possessions, our saftey, our security, our very lives--to make the gospel known among unreached peoples?
God sends his servants --> His servants preach --> People hear --> Hearers believe --> Believers call --> Everyone who calls is saved. There is only one potential breakdown in this progression--when servants of God do not preach the gospel to all peoples. We are the plan of God, and there is no plan B.
Life is radical when death is a reward!
Jesus was telling his disciples who would face uncertain persecution and suffering, "Don't be afraid of people. The worst they can do is kill you."
What kind of encouragement is that?
We say, "Well, if I go to this place, I could be killed."
Jesus replies, "That's all?"
We don't need to be afraid to go anywhere in this world, because the worst that could happen is that we might be killed. And this is supposed to comfort us....In the words of Paul, "To live is Christ and to die is gain."
"This, we remember, is the great reward of the gospel: God himself. When we risk our lives to run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in his sovereignty, the security that is found only in his love, and the satisfaction that is found only in his presence. This is the eternaly great reward, and we would be foolish to settle for anything less."
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A Great Weekend
This weekend I was in Philadelphia for my Intern Training Weekend with World Harvest Mission. Not only was it great to meet my teammates and all the other interns, but I learned a lot about the Lord.
This is 4/5 girls on the Vienna team. From left to right: Amanda, Allie (aka Big Al), Brie, and Alli. Missing: Eva
These girls are so great and I'm so excited to serve the Lord with them this summer. During the course of the weekend, we discovered our shared love for the TV show Friends, shopping, people, food, music and Jesus.
We talked a lot this weekend about our brokenness as human beings and our need to come to the Father. So often times we perform to appear holy and pretend to not be as sinful as we actually are. We see this displayed in Luke 18:9-14 in the story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. The Pharisee was saying "Thank God that I am not like this tax-collector" proclaiming to be more righteous than this man. The tax-collector heard this and could not even look up to heaven and said "God, have mercy on me a sinner." How often do we come that broken to the Father? The great thing is that despite our sin, we are loved by the Father the same as how He loves Jesus because He sees Jesus in us. God wants to start a revolution in me though my brokenness!
To go along with this story, we talked about the lost son. Jeff (our speaker for the weekend) talked about his experiences overseas and how there were times when he was absolutely in love with where he was and other times he hated it and was questioning why God ever brought him there. I'm sure that I will have these same feelings too. Thankfully, even in my darkest places, my Heavenly Father is always there and He never changes. I'm rejoicing in the fact that God chooses to use us as instruments of His peace and righteousness in spite of our sin. He is so good!
It was so refreshing to get away from Northwestern for a few days. The Lord is going to do some awesome things in and through all the interns at World Harvest Mission this summer. Keep looking on my blog and Facebook page for updates!
These girls are so great and I'm so excited to serve the Lord with them this summer. During the course of the weekend, we discovered our shared love for the TV show Friends, shopping, people, food, music and Jesus.
We talked a lot this weekend about our brokenness as human beings and our need to come to the Father. So often times we perform to appear holy and pretend to not be as sinful as we actually are. We see this displayed in Luke 18:9-14 in the story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. The Pharisee was saying "Thank God that I am not like this tax-collector" proclaiming to be more righteous than this man. The tax-collector heard this and could not even look up to heaven and said "God, have mercy on me a sinner." How often do we come that broken to the Father? The great thing is that despite our sin, we are loved by the Father the same as how He loves Jesus because He sees Jesus in us. God wants to start a revolution in me though my brokenness!
To go along with this story, we talked about the lost son. Jeff (our speaker for the weekend) talked about his experiences overseas and how there were times when he was absolutely in love with where he was and other times he hated it and was questioning why God ever brought him there. I'm sure that I will have these same feelings too. Thankfully, even in my darkest places, my Heavenly Father is always there and He never changes. I'm rejoicing in the fact that God chooses to use us as instruments of His peace and righteousness in spite of our sin. He is so good!
It was so refreshing to get away from Northwestern for a few days. The Lord is going to do some awesome things in and through all the interns at World Harvest Mission this summer. Keep looking on my blog and Facebook page for updates!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Transformation--
There is no such thing as a watered-down Gospel. The whole Bible is very straight forward. It all points to our sin, our evil desires, and our need for a Savior--a need for transformation. The Gospel should be like doing a Jillian Michaels work out everyday--it should kick our butts into gear! Reading the Word should not only show us what we need to work on in our lives, but show us that we can't do it on our own. We need God's help to meet these standards of holy living that are laid out. We need a Savior, protector, guide, and Father. Thankfully, we have access to that and He never fails.
Last night in Bible study we read through the book of James. This is some heavy stuff. Between perservering through trails, taming the tongue, and submitting to God, a lot of this stuff seems too difficult. It is hard, but if we realize that it is too hard, that we can't do it on our own and decide to humbly come to God, He will come to us! He's always waiting to give us a hand. We cannot find a place where God is not. Take His hand and let him transform your life.
So as we humbly seek God, it is natural that we become like Him. That is the transforming power of God.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15
Therefore, since we are surronded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Last night in Bible study we read through the book of James. This is some heavy stuff. Between perservering through trails, taming the tongue, and submitting to God, a lot of this stuff seems too difficult. It is hard, but if we realize that it is too hard, that we can't do it on our own and decide to humbly come to God, He will come to us! He's always waiting to give us a hand. We cannot find a place where God is not. Take His hand and let him transform your life.
So as we humbly seek God, it is natural that we become like Him. That is the transforming power of God.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15
Therefore, since we are surronded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Monday, February 14, 2011
Things have to change...
I'm discouraged. Discouraged with what materialism has done to American culture. Discouraged with what American culture has done to the face of missions. Discouraged that there are still 2.8 billion unreached people in the world. Will I be able to go reach them? Will people be willing to give their money, resources, time, or even their prayers to help?
I started reading "Radical" by David Platt. In the book, he discusses how the American dream has changed Christianity in America. Jesus NEVER said that following him would be easy and comfortable, but yet, as Americans we let comfort take over our thinking. We think that we need multi-million dollar buildings, theater style seats, and advanced technology to go to church. What ever happened to being in God's presence? Now, I'm not saying that these churches are bad, but what are their priorities? When there are thousands of people dying everyday without hearing the name of Jesus and we spend the majority of our money on comfort, that just seems wrong. Most churches across the globe do not get to worship in comfort--they just worship. Many have to risk their lives to worship. These churches are growing rapidly, but the American church is becoming like the European church--dead, post modern, etc.
I want to go into the world and reach the lost, but if my fellow Americans aren't willing to obey, get their priorities in line with God's priorities, and have the same heart for the lost, that makes things very difficult and it is unlikely that I can go and serve. It says in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commands." Jesus said to go! He said to give cheerfully! He said to pray without ceasing! When are we going to start listening?
I started reading "Radical" by David Platt. In the book, he discusses how the American dream has changed Christianity in America. Jesus NEVER said that following him would be easy and comfortable, but yet, as Americans we let comfort take over our thinking. We think that we need multi-million dollar buildings, theater style seats, and advanced technology to go to church. What ever happened to being in God's presence? Now, I'm not saying that these churches are bad, but what are their priorities? When there are thousands of people dying everyday without hearing the name of Jesus and we spend the majority of our money on comfort, that just seems wrong. Most churches across the globe do not get to worship in comfort--they just worship. Many have to risk their lives to worship. These churches are growing rapidly, but the American church is becoming like the European church--dead, post modern, etc.
I want to go into the world and reach the lost, but if my fellow Americans aren't willing to obey, get their priorities in line with God's priorities, and have the same heart for the lost, that makes things very difficult and it is unlikely that I can go and serve. It says in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commands." Jesus said to go! He said to give cheerfully! He said to pray without ceasing! When are we going to start listening?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Knitted Together
"You knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
Think on those words. You were knitted together. You aren't an accident. You weren't mass-produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman.
In a society that has little room for second fiddles, that's good news. In a culture where the door of opportunity opens only once and then slams shut, that is a revelation. In a system that ranks the value of a human by the figures of his salary or the shape of her legs...let me tell you something: this is a reason for joy! --Max Lucado
Celebrate the majesty of God today and thank Him that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. His love for you is never ending, never failing, never changing. Thank you Jesus for this truth.
Think on those words. You were knitted together. You aren't an accident. You weren't mass-produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman.
In a society that has little room for second fiddles, that's good news. In a culture where the door of opportunity opens only once and then slams shut, that is a revelation. In a system that ranks the value of a human by the figures of his salary or the shape of her legs...let me tell you something: this is a reason for joy! --Max Lucado
Celebrate the majesty of God today and thank Him that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. His love for you is never ending, never failing, never changing. Thank you Jesus for this truth.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Following Jesus
Just some thoughts...
I can't say that it's easy to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. It's far from it, but I'm working on it. There are several scriptures that have stuck out to me recently and inspire me to keep seeking Jesus and making him my everything. I have also been wrestling with humbling myself and giving God the credit for what He has been doing in my life, realizing it is nothing of my own doing.
Matthew 10:38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Ephesians 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 119: 33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a] 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b] 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
I'm trying to figure out how I fit into God's plan and what He wants me to do to further the kingdom. Where am I supposed to go? Who do I work best with? All I know for sure is that I owe it to Him to do whatever I can do!
I can't say that it's easy to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. It's far from it, but I'm working on it. There are several scriptures that have stuck out to me recently and inspire me to keep seeking Jesus and making him my everything. I have also been wrestling with humbling myself and giving God the credit for what He has been doing in my life, realizing it is nothing of my own doing.
Matthew 10:38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Ephesians 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 119: 33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a] 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b] 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
I'm trying to figure out how I fit into God's plan and what He wants me to do to further the kingdom. Where am I supposed to go? Who do I work best with? All I know for sure is that I owe it to Him to do whatever I can do!
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