Radical Love
Its crazy to think that everyone in this would has a longing to love and be loved. So much of my choices in life have come from trying to win others approval, acceptance, and appreciation. From a young age we long to be loved by our mothers and fathers. And that longing doesn’t stop when we get older, no in fact that longing to be loved only grows stronger. As we grow up into young men and woman we long to be loved in an intimate way, yet for many, hearts are broken and never truly find the love and belonging they are looking for.
For me, Jesus has truly become the source of love in my life. I have too many empty spaces that people, possessions, and quick fixes cannot fill. By allowing Jesus to come in and fill my empty spaces I am able to understand how much He loves me.
“…All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”
-1 Corinthians 13:12
God knows me completely and He was willing to give up everything including His own Son for me! He is the only one who truly knows everything about me, yet He still loves me. This is not only for me, but this is for everyone who trusts Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Wednesday, March 29, 2016
This was an amazing day. We had a specific service that was planned for months in advance and I had the privilege of sharing the gospel at the end. It was mostly a worship service with two testimonies form high school students who I have had the privilege of seeing them come to know and grow in Christ this year. When I went up to speak I had three scripture verses in my head, yet God gave me words that I never had. I remember looking into the crowd and seeing a blur and focusing on what God wanted me to say in the next sentence. Words and phrases rhymed and things I never thought I could say were coming out of my mouth.
As God was working in this service I had the privilege of giving an alter call for all those who wanted to come accept Christ into their life for the first time, or to reassure that they had Jesus in their life. After about 3 minutes of waiting I had one student step forward…
I remember praying a simple prayer from the heart,
“Dear Jesus, I know I have done wrong and I have messed up and I am sorry for my mistakes. I ask that you would forgive me for my sin. I accept you as my Lord as Savior. Please change me from the inside out. I want to I give You my life, because You first gave me Yours. Amen.”
After that I looked up and saw a line of those who wanted to pray to accept Jesus into their lives. I had a prayer team of five people including myself and at the end of it we had the privilege of leading over 40 people to come to know Christ. Some were families that came up together, but most were individuals.
What God did that night will be with me forever! Knowing that the eternal destiny of these students and families will be forever changed because they genuinely accepted Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. And not only that, but they experienced God’s love and acceptance through Jesus.
“God made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.”
-2 Corinthians 5:21
The grace of God seems so great to imagine that Jesus would take all the sin of the world, and then He would give us the privilege of allowing us to be with Him forever! And the extra cool part is, when we come to know Him, He doesn’t just leave us where we are at, but He continues to change us to be more like Him.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
-Philippians 1:6
God allows up to be radically changed by His love and as He changes our lives He gives us a heart for others.
Another awesome event that happened this month was the opportunity to go speak at a small church in Harvey, ND. It was amazing to see these believers faithfully meet every week in a church that was in the middle of a field with nothing for miles. These people continue to remain faithful where God has planted them and they are sending missionaries out into the world, so that everyone can know about Jesus! They have been so touched by God’s love that they want others to know too.
Now it is my hope that all who read this post have a relationship with Jesus, because there is nothing better than being radically loved by Him. He truly fills all the empty places within us (Ephesians 3:17-19). He changes us one day at a time and never gives up on us (Philippians 1:6). He comforts the broken hearted (Psalms 147:3). He is a father to the fatherless (Psalms 68:5) and a healer to the sick (Psalms 30:2). He gives us peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And He allows us to share all of it with those around us (John 13:34).
So many amazing stories have taken place this month doing ministry in Bismarck and I am so blessed to share some of them with you. As a body of Christ and as a team who is praying with me for the nations of the world to be reached I want to thank you again for your partnership. One day at a time God is changing lives and I’m blessed I get to be used by him.
Answers to Prayer Requests:
Prayer #1:
God would continue to change and transform the lives around me. Pray for the others who do not know Him, that they would accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
Specifically pray for…
-Kaden, Isaiah, Kaleb (9th graders who do not know Christ)
-Brett (Jayce’s-one I am discipling- friend who feels guilty and not worthy to come and to senior high or guys night)
-Alex & Ronic (Steven’s- one I am dicipling- friends on his “Go Get Um List***”)
-Carter (One who knows the truth, but isn’t as involved and may be going his own way)
-Caleb (Just went through a breakup and has a very hard life going up. Pray that I would be able to speak into his life and that he would come to know Christ.)
Answer To Prayer #1:
God allowed 40+ people to come to know Christ this month. This includes those from many different ages and nationalities. Being able to see it here gives me even more assurance God is going to do similar things overseas.
Specifically, Caleb sent me a message this week saying, “Hey Andrew. Thank you for everything. I’m sorry I’ve been busy with everything and I’m sorry about not talking to you a lot lately. I appreciate everything you’ve done and said to me and I couldn’t have done this whole break up thing with out you and I am extremely grateful for having your help and guidance.” This is a testament to your prayers and I’m so thankful for that.
And then I have been able to connect with Alex a little bit through basketball, and he is planning to come on our camping trip this summer, but there is still a disconnect as far as faith goes.
As far as those other specific people, God is still working on their hearts. I haven’t seen most of them, but that’s okay. I truly believe they will come around because they know where to run when trouble comes.
Prayer #2
Going skiing with my family this next week in Salt Lake City, Utah. It should be a blast, but pray for safety and for positive quality time with my brothers and dad.
Answer to Prayer #2
This was an amazing trip. We were all safe, no injuries (Praise God). And we had some quality conversations about life and future. I was so thankful for the time and thank you for blessing it with your prayers.
Prayer #3
Pray for continued financial support to come in. Today I am exactly 52.09% funded. So I am over half way! Pray that the LORD puts it on others hearts to give to help reach the nations with the Good News.
Answer To Prayer #3
I’m amazed at God’s provision and how He works as I ask them and ask others to pray with me for it. This month God has provided around $2,000 for my trip and I feel as if I am so close! Everyday God seems to be blessing me with someone asking how they can bless my trip.
Prayer #4
Lastly, that as I leave for the World Race that God would provide a mentor for these students I am working with. That they may grow even stronger in their relationship with Christ while I am gone. Pray that God would bring the right youth leader(s) to help these students know and grow in Christ while I am gone.
Answer to Prayer #4 This is an ongoing prayer request and I don’t know if it will get answered completely till this summer or when I leave. The search for mentors is still on. I believe that God will provide them and there are a few who are willing to do it right now. However, I feel the next step is to connect the right mentors with the right students.
New Prayer Requests for this month!!
Overall, God answered in big ways so I am going to continue to ask for BIG PRAYERS!
- I get to travel to Mayville, ND and speak about my trip to the CRU (formally Campus Crusade for Christ) as well as share for 5 minutes at Riverside E. Free Church in Mayville at the end of April. Please pray for hearts to be soften and drawn closer to God through what I have to share. Also, pray that they would have the same heart for the world and be inspired to invest into what God is doing overseas and in the 10/40 window.
- Our WOW-Worship on Wednesdays- at Charity in Bismarck is coming to an end this year at the end of April. I was asked to speak a little bit about the body of Christ and relate it to my trip (April 19th and 23rd). And then on Sunday during the morning service I have an opportunity to share with the congregation my calling and to invite them to fellowship and partner with me too in this ministry. Pray that these people would have hearts ready to give and be inspired to live a life using their gifts for his glory.
- 3. WARNING BIG REQUEST: Pray that my funds would come in by the end of April! I’m believing that He will do it, would be willing to pray with me for this to happen. It looks like it’s around $7,200 left and 20 days from right now.
- Continued ministry here in Bismarck. People would continue to know and grow in Him and that he would use my high school and young adult guys to be part of it.
Thank you for praying, giving and for playing a part in the transformation of lives for Christ. Please feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions, comments, or ides on how I could do a better job communicating what God is doing with you. Thank you!
