So here's are a couple of scattered thoughts.
There's not too much to update you on in terms of ministry. We're digging holes, planting trees and flowers at a camp site in Sistoravat, Romania aka the middle of nowhere, where the population of chickens and sheep seem to be more than the population of people. The weather has often been rainy or snowy, hindering our work outside, so we've had a lot of time in our hands. In that time, I've chosen to be in the word. I've been doing an in depth study on Matthew, listen to a couple of sermons of Matt Chandler and Paul Washer, memorize scripture, as well as do some topical research of my choosing.
In doing this, I am cultivating a deeper passion for Scripture. This book is anything but boring — and if you live it out…your life is without a doubt anything BUT boring. The gospel is scandalous, unthinkable and out right offendable! Why would anyone want to be a Christian?
One reoccurring theme that keeps coming up is preaching the gospel to myself. I'm reminded that it's not just a one time deal and now I can live the way that I want when I want, but it is a continual life process to repent, recognize that God has called me holy, called me blameless, that I am his, that he delights in me, that he is proud of me, loves me and that I am his co-heir to all that he has, despite my short comings and failures which are covered by GRACE (*these are notes I took in listening to Matt Chandler sermon called Motivations – fear or love*). I can now continue to move on despite my failure because He became failure for me so that I can live free. That is, free to have a faith motivated by love that gives pleasure and joy and not the kind of motivation that is driven by fear of judgement by the Lord. I enjoy His presence. I even enjoy his correction because it brings life. I am constantly being renewed and transformed.
As l go deeper in his word, I am going deeper into the presence of God, and being filled with the things of God rather than the desires of my flesh. I am not a good person. I am not someone to be praised for anything I do. If anything, I deserve death and punishment. Nothing I do on my own can ever be good enough for God. That is why it is Jesus that I look to. I can only be called good by the man whose blood was shed on the cross on my behalf, who died and came back to conquer sin and death. I don't deserve any praise. All praise goes to God – the author and perfecter of our faith.
