Hello Friend,
I am not exactly sure how you ended up at my blog, but I am thankful you are here and I appreciate that you have taken the time to read this.
For most of my life, I have not been very vocal about what I believe – at least not with others who I assume have different beliefs than me. So I can understand that to some, my decision to go on this mission trip may seem like it is out of the blue. I have believed in Christ for many years but it has not been until recently that I have felt convicted to step out in faith and live out my convictions.
I also understand that not everyone who reads this will share my beliefs, so I wanted to outline the foundation of what I believe so you can understand where I am coming from and so we can be on the same page – at least so you can understand the basic assumptions from which the rest of my blog will flow.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 20:31, 1John 4:15,John 1:1, John 1:14, John 10:30-33, John 20:28, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 1:8)
I believe in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 2:32-33, John 10:30,17:11, 21; 1 Peter 1:2)
I believe that God the Father is Creator of Heaven and Earth (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 44:24)
I believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:34-35)
I believe that Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man (Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
I believe that Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15)
but that all people have sinned and that sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2)
I believe that Jesus suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried (Matthew 27:32-61)
I believe that Jesus descended into Hell but rose again on the third day (Matthew 12:40, Matthew 28:1-10, John 2:19-21, Acts 2:24, Ephesians 4:7-10).
I believe that God the Father sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth as a sacrifice for mankind in order to reunite mankind to Himself, and that Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 3:16, John 14:6; Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22)
I believe the resurrection is real and that Jesus conquered death through His resurrection (I Corinthians 15:14-15,1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)
I believe that Jesus ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father where He is waiting to return to this earth for his second coming (Acts 1:11)
I believe that the devil is real (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13)
I believe that hell is real, eternal, and a place of punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 19:20, Matthew 25:46)
I believe that those who reject Christ, after they die, will go to hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8)
I believe that those who accept Jesus Christ, after they die, will live for eternity with Him in Heaven (John 11:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 5:6)
I believe that the Bible is the “inspired” or “God-breathed,” Word of God and that it is true (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
Matthew 25:31-46 has played a large role in my interest in ministry:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
I want to spend time with “the least of these” and I feel this World Race will give me that opportunity. I know there are “least of these” in my own city and that I do not have to go across the world in order to fulfill this calling. I currently work mentally ill, substance addicted individuals. I also volunteer with the elderly once a week. However, I feel like I will have the opportunity to work with these individuals in the future (God willing). I also feel convicted by Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I feel this is an opportunity to live out this calling and I am taking a step of faith and believe that God will be glorified through this.
I hope this clears some things up for you. If you have any questions of concerns please feel free to address them with me.
Thank you for reading this, have a blessed day!
