Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

So it has been 9 and a half months since I left my home back in Pennsylvania. 9 1/2 months since I ate a true American meal and seen and hugged my family.
 
 
 
 9 1/2 months since my life has begun to change, since my faith began a growth spurt that I could not have imagined, since I began to become part of something more than myself and have gained an entire new family in the process.
 
 

 9 1/2 months since my eyes have been truly opened to God’s amazing creation in this world, His goodness and mercy, His sovereignty, to the true power of God and the faith of His people around the world.

This year I have experienced seeing children who are considered outcasts and untouchables by the world, through the eyes of God and loving them with His love.

I have also experienced the pain of leaving those same children that I fell in love with.
 

I have experienced the healing power of God through His spirit.

I have experienced the complete peace that comes when God’s hand of protection is around me.

I have experienced the power of the Devil through the possession of a young girl.

I have also experienced the overwhelming power of God cleansing that girl of the impure spirit inside her.

I have experienced what worship looks like when people are actually thirsting for the presence of God and not doing it to just fill a quota in their weekly schedule.

I have experienced the absolute joy that comes from loving the Lord and not from circumstance or wealth.
 
 

I have realized how many distractions we have in the United States and how we hold onto the things of this world so dearly, when it is exactly that hold and those things that take us farther from the presence of God.

I have learned that that need for things and comforts while not being inherently evil of themselves are a tool the evil uses to keep our focus off the Lord.

I have learned that it is not about right and wrong…..it is about life and death. Not, am I right or wrong, or is this decision right or wrong, but does this decision bring life or does it bring death.

I have learned(and am still learning) that I need to give up my right to be right and let my actions speak life in all I do.
 
I have learned the necessity of spending time with the Lord each day…. praying, reading his word and just having a conversation with Him; Both speaking to Him and listening for His reply.
 
 

I have learned that something I want more than anything is to let the Lord lead my life and it scares me more than anything to take my life into my own hands and do what it is that I think is right for me.

I have realized that I would love to do ministry somewhere in the world with my wife and family one day. However that is contingent on the Lord leading me to the right woman for me in my life to start a family with. J

I have learned that there is such a thirst for the Lord and His word and His presence around the world that just does not seem to be true in the States. I believe this is because of our society and it’s need for ‘stuff,’ and its reliance on people and money and not on God. Most of us in the States do not know what it’s like to not know where our next meal comes from or to have to walk miles just to get clean water for our family.

I have learned that the devil is at work in this world.

That he sends his impure spirits to influence and possess people.

That spiritual warfare is a real thing and is not something to just brush aside.

That even we as Christians can be influenced by the devil and his spirits.

That the powers of the devil are just as real as the power of our Father in heaven….. but that our Father has beaten sin and death and is much more powerful that the enemy and that we as Christians have been given authority over the devil and all his powers.

                Luke 10:19 – ” I have given you authority to….overcome all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.”

I have learned the importance of knowing scripture and writing it on my heart.
 
I have learned that the Lord has a plan for my life and that I need to stop trying to live my life the way I think it should be lived and to give my life over to God and let Him direct my steps daily.

I have learned that true love comes from the Lord.

….and I have learned that my work is not complete after this race. That the Lord has plans for me and for my life. I don’t know what those plans are yet, or where He is going to lead me, but I trust in Him to guide my path and to use me as He sees fit in this world. So while I this World Race may be coming to an end soon, I know another adventure and season in my life is about to begin.