Blessings Go Both Ways

It's been a week since my last update. God has been working in my life in more ways than I realize. He has been introducing me to people that have similar connections and experiences with people I have met. He is showing me how one person can make an impact on multiple peoples lives leaving a lasting legacy. I have been blessed far more than I could ever imagine and this is just the end of the beginning. God has a plan for me and all people. As I've been preparing to travel to France on a mission trip this summer, God has been growing me. He has been disciplining my heart and showing me His love and forgiveness that I need to reflect onto others. I have been greatly blessed with the support that has come in to fund my missions trip. Less than a week ago I was a little over 1/2 way from reaching the total needed to fund the mission trip costs. As of yesterday, God has blessed me with over 80% of the funds raised because of generous ministry partners listening to His call. Also this last Wednesday I was on an overnight trip for my internship. I was riding with one of my co-workers down to Burlington and God blessed the ride with a spiritual conversation. My co-worker asked me what I was doing this summer and I had the opportunity to inform him of the missions trip to France. As the conversation went along I was able to ask him about his religious beliefs and I learned about how he was saved as a child and how he came to know Christ as his savior and Lord. It's been a blessing to see how God is working in my life. I think I just need to take the time each day and look for His fingerprints in my life. If I actually did, I would be forever thankful and conscious of God's never ceasing love and mercy. I encourage you to stop now and think of how God is working in your life. I guarantee He is blessing you to be a blessing to others.

Here is a song that sums up what I want to live out, however my sin and flesh keeps feeding me lies. Every time I hear this song on the radio I think of how I've neglected the opportunities God has given me to do His work. How I have punked out and haven't listened to the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart to move. I want to be a positive influence to those around me. I want to be a reflection of Christ to those who need hope, love, a friend, security, truth, forgiveness. I want to be able to share with them how Christ has worked in my life and how He loves them as His children. That they are a chosen people. Adopted through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection victory over death. Thank you Jesus.

1 Month Until France

It is currently one month out until I travel to Minneapolis to fly out of the country. Here is a photo of me and my passport (my first every) ready to go! I am super blessed and excited to see how God will work in France. According to His will, He will impact the men and women greatly. I'm excited to see how God will work with my team and how He will impact my life. Please join me in praying that God would empower me through this process with His Holy Spirit. Pray that God's will would be done and that He would work through me and give me boldness and determination to answer His call. The call to love Jesus with all my heart, mind, and strength so I can help in furthering His Kingdom on this side of Heaven. It's such a privilege to be Christ's hands and feet, loving on His people wherever He sends me.  

Blessed More Than I WIll Understand

Psalm 118

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 
   his love endures forever.

 ² Let Israel say:
   “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
   “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the LORD say:
   “His love endures forever.”

 ⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
   he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
   I look in triumph on my enemies.

 ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
   but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
   but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
   but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
   but the LORD helped me.
¹⁴ The LORD is my strength and my defense^[a];
   he has become my salvation.

 ¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
   resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
 ¹⁶ The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
   the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
   and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me severely,
   but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
   I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD
   through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
   you have become my salvation.

 ²² The stone the builders rejected
   has become the cornerstone;
²³ the LORD has done this,
   and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The LORD has done it this very day;
   let us rejoice today and be glad.

 ²⁵ LORD, save us!
   LORD, grant us success!

 ²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
   From the house of the LORD we bless you.^[b]
27 The LORD is God,
   and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
   up^[c] to the horns of the altar.

 ²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
   you are my God, and I will exalt you.

 ²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.

Praise be to Jesus. No love is greater. No love is purer. The giver of love. The lover of the downtrodden; the restless; the hopeless; the broken; the lost; the poor; the weak; the lame; the blind; those in need; the afflicted; those in pain; the guilty; the sinner; the rejected, the foolish. Nothing is too big for Jesus to carry. No sin is too great. Praise be to the lamb that was slain for the sins of all people. The gate has been opened for all to pass through. Are you longing for significance? Are you lost trying to find your way? Are you looking for someone to trust? 

You were created to be in a relationship with God, but because of you sin and rebellious will you went your own way. You were separated. However, God had a plan. He sent His Son to earth as a living sacrifice. 

John 3:16- For God so love the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Romans 10:9 Confess Believe & Be Saved.  

What is holding you back from surrendering your pain, suffering, insecurities, fear, addiction, guilt to Christ? 

Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

I have to confess that I am not perfect. I worry. I don't trust in God at time. I think I can live life on my own with no help. I try to be my own but I was bought at a price. Jesus blood was shed at my expense. The pure lamb was slain on my behalf. I don't deserve it. I didn't earn it. If anything I owe Jesus everything. But He all he asks for is praise. That He would consume our life. That we would live each day in light of what He has done for us. That we would be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled in all that we are. 

Lord God. This is the cry of my heart.  That I would not live for myself, but live each day in tune with your will. That I would remember each day what You have done for me on the cross. That you died and rose on the third day victorious over death and sin. And you ascended into heaven to reign on high. 

You called me to be a disciple of all nations. To reach every tribe, tongue, and nation. To live life as a fool. To live out of my comfort, outside the status-quo. To be courageous, strong, firm in the faith, grounded in Your word, blameless, and without fault. 

However sin still lives in me. I am still tempted daily and often. Please empower me with your Spirit. Guide me in your ways. Lead me down the path of righteousness. Give me courage to live a life of love and compassion for all. To be overflowing with your presence. To share the blessings you have given me with those around me. 

Lord I lift up my support raising for the missions trip to France to you. I can't control whether people become financial partners in Your plan. I cannot sweet talk anyone to give. Only you can move a person to give to You missions. Only you can work on a person's heart. Only you can intercede. I ask that your will be done and not mine. Amen!