It’s been two weeks since we’ve arrived here in Kanchanaburi out in the country of Thailand to have “manistry month” and God has just been doing some incredible things. Here we are waking up every morning with mountains all arounds us wrapped with mist, enjoying the peacefulness of His creation throughout the hot day of work, ending most of the days with a refreshing rainshower with a constant rainbow to a beautiful sunset, and last a night where the stars become bigger and more vast anywhere. God is definitely at work here and how sad it is to see all of this and to go through life being “jaded” to the Creator of it all. When I thought I Thailand back at home, I only have thought of two things: humantrafficking in the city and the beautiful countryside of Thailand, which I’m thankful this month I’m in the latter with a other thirteen guys who are wanting to grow together in life. The people here are so beautiful and nice as we are getting to meet the countryside people of Thailand while our girls are working in other cities for churches and another few teams doing the humantrafficking ministry in Phucket that I know they need all our prayers.
Our work has consisted of helping our ministry couple Aroon and Pbang, along with other family, keep up a farm that they use to help the poor villagers of the area and construction as we are building a training center for future ministry teams and new believers here; and that’s all been going very well. It’s definitely a different kind of month as far as ministry goes for us guys, though God’s been giving us burdens of the gospel for those around here. This month has been a huge focus on the fourteen of us, becoming the “man of God” or “Warrior” that God has desired us to be for His kingdom in our lives.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual shooed restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:1-3
We’ve been listening to everyone’s life story which includes more than just becoming a Christian, but all of our past success, failings, struggles past and present, leaving nothing behind but being completely honest. This has created a community where we have received advice, love, encouragement, and a better understand of each other. The more we share our struggles the more we realize that we aren’t alone in our battles, that as true children of God there is no shame in our past even if we ourselves struggle personally, and that redemption or restoration is always a must. We’ve never looked at another man differently than before, but have loved him all the more; we are all unique. Throughout the long hot working days we have been able to have conversation about our lives, faith, being a man, and building deep relationships. Sometimes, we have to stop and just sit down, praying for each other and building each other up. We are truly understanding what Galatians 6:1-3 means as we are bringing things to light in order to be free and find restoration, to know that we can fall, and that we are to truly bear each others burdens; especially those of the church.
Our work has consisted of helping our ministry couple Aroon and Pbang, along with other family, keep up a farm that they use to help the poor villagers of the area and construction as we are building a training center for future ministry teams and new believers here; and that’s all been going very well. It’s definitely a different kind of month as far as ministry goes for us guys, though God’s been giving us burdens of the gospel for those around here. This month has been a huge focus on the fourteen of us, becoming the “man of God” or “Warrior” that God has desired us to be for His kingdom in our lives.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual shooed restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:1-3
We’ve been listening to everyone’s life story which includes more than just becoming a Christian, but all of our past success, failings, struggles past and present, leaving nothing behind but being completely honest. This has created a community where we have received advice, love, encouragement, and a better understand of each other. The more we share our struggles the more we realize that we aren’t alone in our battles, that as true children of God there is no shame in our past even if we ourselves struggle personally, and that redemption or restoration is always a must. We’ve never looked at another man differently than before, but have loved him all the more; we are all unique. Throughout the long hot working days we have been able to have conversation about our lives, faith, being a man, and building deep relationships. Sometimes, we have to stop and just sit down, praying for each other and building each other up. We are truly understanding what Galatians 6:1-3 means as we are bringing things to light in order to be free and find restoration, to know that we can fall, and that we are to truly bear each others burdens; especially those of the church.
I’m finding freedom from some things of my past; things I’ve been ashamed of and things that need a lot of reconciliation. Some of the guys have told me I’m on the verge of breaking into a whole lot more of what God has me to be, but to move through these things will catapult it. Yesterday I spent a lot of time with the Lord and truly forgave myself even though I know God forgave me a long time ago and I’m walking in that freedom. I can never be that man of God, husband, and father when you’re dragging some dead weight and it’s been awesome. Unfortunately many men of God have never been told by older generations that they are men, so they never walk in that. I’m realizing that we never let God down, because He’s the One whose always been holding us up.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10
This month as we’ve been learning what a man of God truly means and looks like, the theme “joy of the Lord being my strength” has a driving force for us. Whether in the rice fields planting banana trees, pouring rocks and mixing cement, cleaning bathrooms, or sitting down with another brother pouring out our heart, we are realizing that our complete joy in our Father triumphs over everything. If it has not been anymore, then the whole reason that we are on the race has ceased. We should be filled with joy, and that doesn’t mean smiling a lot, but it means that no matter what we are going through spiritually, emotionally, or physically, that God will always keep us focused on the task and be better than any “inconvenience” I think there is. This verse came to me before we arrived here and it has now become a constant theme for all of us, the joy of the Lord is your strength. As a man, it’s easy to think that I can do it, get through on my own, no help needed, but it is God who equips me, and it’s His joy that gets me through when I feel like giving up or settling for things that are not the best.
What is your cause in life? Is it for you or for the kingdom of God, and if so, then how is God doing that through you? Everyone dies, but not everyone lives; usually because they don’t know what cause to live for.
“Hearts of Servants” by Shane & Shane
Jesus you are, Jesus you were, Jesus you will always be;
A perfect servant to us, a perfect servant to death, even death on a cross.
Give us a picture of your faith, show us the measure of Your grace,
Reveal the love of the Father.
Put within us tenderness, release from us all selfishness,
That we’ll consider them better.
We are Yours, give us hearts of servants.
