If you are still alive on this planet, it's because He has something for you to do.
He placed us on this earth for purposes that
He orchestrated long before we were born (Eph. 2:8-10).
Do you believe you exist not for your own pleasure but to help people know the love of Jesus and to come fully alive in Him?
If so, then that will shape how you live your life in the place where you are.
-Forgotten God, Francis Chan
Oh wow okay so, coming on the Race you think you know who God is! You think you know what grace, mercy, love, your wants, your life, your ideas, everything is all about! But you don't! The race is incredible. Through the Race, God opens your eyes to who He really is and who you really are in Him. So prepare yourself now!
Pray the prayer that right now God will start opening your eyes to His amazing glory! That He starts now to give you a heart for your squad and the people of His world! You probably have some kind of perspective of what the Race is like…ha, but we don't at all. Even if you have been on a mission trip before, you don't really know what to expect! The places you think you'll love could very well be the ones you never want to return to.
God moves on the Race more then we can understand. It has been amazing to see my old teammates grow into the Spirit more, to see relationships build and grow stronger each day. God grows you in all the areas you don't think you need to be grown in. Ha ha, I laugh when I think of this…it is insane. These 11 months will be some of the hardest times growing with God if you let it, but please let it, because if it is hard you're probably doing something right. Rid yourself of yourself, die to yourself; please I beg you (Luke 9:23-24)
God wants all of you, He demands all of you, and nothing less; unfortunately you can't feed both worlds, I'm sorry!
As we're in this season and as more squads enter and leave,
God always wants all of us!
The Spirit is very real, beyond anything you can imagine! Jesus Himself said, "It is better that I go so that He (the Spirit) can come." Wow that is strong! Christ said it is better that the Spirit is here with us than Him. Take ahold of the Spirit and pray that your eyes are so open to Him. If you struggle with that idea and you really want to know the Lord ask Him to soften your heart to it so that your eyes may be open to Him! Speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy, and other gifts of the Spirit are things you will see if you haven't already!
So no matter where you are, not just on the Race, prepare your heart. All Christians have the Spirit inside of them. Take ahold of Him and don't let go! Live in the Joy of the Lord!
Being on the Race has opened my eyes up to so much! To what the world made me, and I didn't even realize that it did because that way of life is so normal at home. I tell you though, its not easy growing with the Lord, it was never meant to be. Its a very hard thing to do! Because you are leaving the world you grew up in that has told you that you are a certain way. But these things are of the world; when you're walking with the Lord, it is the opposite of the world. You are forced to cut off the things that you thought were okay. But living in a community of feed back where people love you and want you to grow with the Lord, the things of the world are brought to the light. And freedom starts to set in; it is incredible!
The phrase crucifying the Flesh is not exactly a friendly, appealing group of words. I think this is because God wants us to be clear on what we are getting into.
He wants us to know that his gift of the
Holy Spirit is really not for our own pleasure or purposes. The Spirit is meant to lead us towards holiness.
The Spirit is here with us to accomplish God's purposes not ours.
-Forgotten God, by Francis Chan
Please continue to keep my team and me in your prayers. I currently need at least $4,000 by July 1st to continue on, otherwise I will have to return home early. This is the last of the funds needed for the trip. I’m confident God will provide. Please pray with me about it.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!
