There is so much space out here, the mountains are huge, and the wildlife is amazing. Before I left Richmond, I was in prayer for the for the Holy Spirit to awaken the body of believers set apart for the gospel in the area of Kalispell, Mt. The name of the church is New Covenant Fellowship, its non-denominational and a part of the MFI ministries. God has placed Craig Dyson and his awesome wife Cara in Kalispell to take over the position of Youth Pastors in this church. As a lot of doubts may occur, their attitudes are complete trust in the Father to where they have been assigned. Speaking here and there with the couple, the vision they have, is to blow up this area and raise a youth so large that the fire of God rests here and moves in a incredible way. The youth is just short of one hundred people, He sees close to one thousand in his prayers.
Prior to this conversation we had, My prayer for revival in their region is very serious. During prayer, for the leadership in the church, and the full measure of grace to be attained by the body, I felt a fire in my heart stirring. I see so much hope for this young couple here in Montana, and I feel this is exactly where they are supposed to be. As i continued to pray for the youth, and for the holy spirit to give me words for young leaders, the name Ryan kept surfacing in my heart. After my flight and arrival in Kalispell, I went out with Craig to get dinner, and we talked about the church, his vision, and what he wants to accomplish with the youth by the end of this year. He mentioned to me one of his leaders in the youth, and how he had been struggling with depression, and other things spiritually in his walk with the Lord, his name just happened to be Ryan. I feel sent here by the Holy Spirit, and I pray that God speaks through me to encourage and help the young men press forward in their calling.
One thing God has been dealing with me is life and death. When I became a christian, I had to give up everything I knew and crucify my sinful nature, that is who I was trying to be without God. He calls us to lose our lives to follow him. Without killing your old man, without giving up your pursuit to gratify yourself by what this world offers, you cannot obtain Life with Christ or any blessings that come with it. The light cannot be in the darkness, they are forever separated. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful nature"(Gal5:24)
If you want to grow in God, and experience the full measure of Grace that has already been given, you need to stop trying to do it on your own and say, "God, its not about me, its about you. I thank you for this life, and i ask that you would take all things from me, so I can see who you are in my life. Take my reactions, my thoughts, the words that come from my mouth and tear what i have created on my own, I ask for your direction, your perspective and your thoughts. Help me put myself down to experience your glory in my life. Its not about my emotions, or the way I feel, its about your son Jesus Christ who has completely offered himself in every way to see me live in freedom. Thank you Father. I love you."
I hope you gain complete wisdom and understanding that he has lavished on you.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Trip to Montana.
Out of work date: March 27th
This time out of work has been refreshing and as another seasons starts, I'm growing more into the identity of Christ. I'm leaving on the 23rd for a 5 day trip to montana to see an awesome man of God and his family, and to spend time seeking the Lord. I want to blog daily and describe to you what the Lord is doing, through prayer and reading the word, until then, God bless and have a great week.
This time out of work has been refreshing and as another seasons starts, I'm growing more into the identity of Christ. I'm leaving on the 23rd for a 5 day trip to montana to see an awesome man of God and his family, and to spend time seeking the Lord. I want to blog daily and describe to you what the Lord is doing, through prayer and reading the word, until then, God bless and have a great week.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Heaven or Hell
So the question has been brought up. And is mentioned once in the New Testament.
If you commit suicide, do you go to heaven or hell?
I understand sin is sin, but the bible says God weighs the heart. Of course its not comparable to stealing, or murder. These acts are to benefit yourself, and protect yourself, only to your gain. Which is selfish. You could also say these acts are out of greed, jealousy, anger, hatred, selfish ambition, and envy.
Suicide is losing hope, giving up, being convinced that your life that was given to you by God is nothing to be lived out. Circumstance might arise, but it tells me in the bible to overcome. Greater is He who is in me, then he who is in this world. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. The story of the bible is God constantly saving his people, over and over again.
If we are circumsied into Christ, "made ONE with Christ", the act of suicide would be killing both, which is clearly not an option. If you are a christian and live by faith, and denying yourself daily asking God to raise you with him being raised with Christ. Then thats as close as dying to self as we get. Suicide however, is holding on to yourself, not trusting God with the issues, and putting back on the yoke of slavery. I don't think after reading Psamls 139, that my purpose is to take my life, after God says that He has
"laid his hands upon me, created my inmost being, knitting me together in my mothers womb, all days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be".
If you commit suicide, do you go to heaven or hell?
I understand sin is sin, but the bible says God weighs the heart. Of course its not comparable to stealing, or murder. These acts are to benefit yourself, and protect yourself, only to your gain. Which is selfish. You could also say these acts are out of greed, jealousy, anger, hatred, selfish ambition, and envy.
Suicide is losing hope, giving up, being convinced that your life that was given to you by God is nothing to be lived out. Circumstance might arise, but it tells me in the bible to overcome. Greater is He who is in me, then he who is in this world. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. The story of the bible is God constantly saving his people, over and over again.
If we are circumsied into Christ, "made ONE with Christ", the act of suicide would be killing both, which is clearly not an option. If you are a christian and live by faith, and denying yourself daily asking God to raise you with him being raised with Christ. Then thats as close as dying to self as we get. Suicide however, is holding on to yourself, not trusting God with the issues, and putting back on the yoke of slavery. I don't think after reading Psamls 139, that my purpose is to take my life, after God says that He has
"laid his hands upon me, created my inmost being, knitting me together in my mothers womb, all days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be".
Friday, December 12, 2008
This is our God
Freely, He gave His son for us...we didnt ask for this to happen, but we needed it to live. All God is asking for in return is for you to see him, to acknowledge him. I mean for goodness sake, its only the creator of all that exist, and our excuse is that we're too busy? That is...too busy dying. If satan's plan is to get peoples eyes off of God, then he wins. And if our eyes are not on God, then our worship isnt either. And if our worship isnt on God, then its directed on one other...thats right, satan. So, if he can convince you(satan that is) that there is too much time on your hands to be serving God, then his job is complete. This is where Jesus comes in.
If you can bare with me, and just picture this for a moment. Your standing in an open field, a grazing land, with plenty of water and vegetation, meant for roaming beasts, and wild animals for you to rule over. Don't ask how you got here, you just end up arriving here lost, on this path to which you took on your journey. You get caught up in this deadly battle, a battle which you cannot fight yourself. There is no escaping, no where to run. You have to live this out, you have to move foward. You have to try to fight this on your own. As the beast is coming toward you, you cringe with fear and anguish, knowing your time has come. Suddenly, out of the midst of where you came from, a boy walks toward you. He comes to you and says, "my father has told me you are in trouble, he has sent me to save your life. Go now, this battle is with me. My father is waiting for you." You, overwhlemed with what has taken place, finally awake from the dream. You relize that your own path has gotten you lost, afraid, and in a battle that you cannot fight. The boy that came to your aid is your saviour, and he telling you that his father is waiting for you. Then you turn and walk towards the father. He lifts you up and says, "I have been trying to get your attention, I love you."
Would you acknowledge him then?
Sometimes it takes getting lost, being caught up in so much junk that is uncontrollable. In a battle that you lose everyday, trying to win on your own. I know for me, I failed misreably on my own, I ran from all that was good, to try and make my life work out. I hurt myself worse by ignoring God, and running from the truth. Until one day, he lifted me up. I have never been the same since. I have so much purpose and calling in my life now then i ever did. The weight has fallen off, and the chains that once enslaved my soul, have been broken by the freedom in Jesus Christ. I pray that your hearts stay open to what God has for you.
If you can bare with me, and just picture this for a moment. Your standing in an open field, a grazing land, with plenty of water and vegetation, meant for roaming beasts, and wild animals for you to rule over. Don't ask how you got here, you just end up arriving here lost, on this path to which you took on your journey. You get caught up in this deadly battle, a battle which you cannot fight yourself. There is no escaping, no where to run. You have to live this out, you have to move foward. You have to try to fight this on your own. As the beast is coming toward you, you cringe with fear and anguish, knowing your time has come. Suddenly, out of the midst of where you came from, a boy walks toward you. He comes to you and says, "my father has told me you are in trouble, he has sent me to save your life. Go now, this battle is with me. My father is waiting for you." You, overwhlemed with what has taken place, finally awake from the dream. You relize that your own path has gotten you lost, afraid, and in a battle that you cannot fight. The boy that came to your aid is your saviour, and he telling you that his father is waiting for you. Then you turn and walk towards the father. He lifts you up and says, "I have been trying to get your attention, I love you."
Would you acknowledge him then?
Sometimes it takes getting lost, being caught up in so much junk that is uncontrollable. In a battle that you lose everyday, trying to win on your own. I know for me, I failed misreably on my own, I ran from all that was good, to try and make my life work out. I hurt myself worse by ignoring God, and running from the truth. Until one day, he lifted me up. I have never been the same since. I have so much purpose and calling in my life now then i ever did. The weight has fallen off, and the chains that once enslaved my soul, have been broken by the freedom in Jesus Christ. I pray that your hearts stay open to what God has for you.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Last years paperwork
October18,07
So this is my first blog, I have so much to write. This is from a year ago, i found it while going through my journal.
1st John 2:15 "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you"
Searching. Searching for who we are, searching for what we like, and searching for what makes us come alive.
We constantly go through trial and error to excite our flesh, with short, exhausting tribulations that weaken us, mind, body, and soul. The friends we have seem to be cool, and untouchable to us in their enviorment. In church its weird and uncomfortable, because our flesh is disagreeing completely. Our spirit is dying to be involved with Christ, but were unsure. So we hop back on our trial that seems to be working out for us in our world, for right now.
It cannot be done, circumstance will deprive us from our goal.
Focused on God, Eyes on the prize.
December10,08
People that dont know God, most of what they fill themselves with, are things they can identify with.
Being created to worship God, who created all that we know and much more, sounds a bit unordinary, when surrounded by the culture of this world.
Living in such a vast, busy world is such rollercoaster ride. In and out of things you go, things that you would never consider. However, there are always indefinite thoughts, always a "void", always something missing. Something so strong, that the flesh has to find its validity in a numerous amount of objects or persons to stay secure, to feel alive. On its own, the flesh cannot handle good behaviour, or being morally right. Without God, the flesh needs something to depend on. So as a side effect, a curse more or less, the flesh depends on things that are intended for death, to remain in peace.
If believing in God is so crazy, and the thought of everlasting life is rediculous, why choose to kill yourself faster? The flesh is so scared that there is life, that there is a way to live thats good, that there is a God. A God that can deliver and save us from this death, this curse. So many times were afraid to let go. We know there is truth, something so much better, pulling us in so many directions, but were convinced otherwise(by the sinful nature). The one thing that holds us back from being everything were called to be is ourselves. We dont trust who we are apart from God, so we fill ourselves with liquids, that only help momentarily. Placing sex, as the highest pinacle point of our life. In relation to sex, putting completley all we are into another human being, hoping we have found what we have been looking for. But we dont. It turns out to be one vicious cycle, a process that repeats itself over, and over again. Never willing to change, and never gaining satisfaction out of the same old thing. Never obtaining what you truly desire.
My question is, if you knew there were something better, would you try it if it wasnt labled as "church"?
If you were willing to give up all that you knew and serve a God that could radically change your life, would you do it?
Please can we just hurry up, and die to sin, and defeat this curse. This curse that holds on to us with so much influence, and gain Life.
For those of you who have chosen God, why do you choose play with death so much, the sinful nature that is. I thought you ran to God, because the other lifestyle clearly wasnt working?
Remain alive to Christ, and dont allow death to grab ahold of you and chain you down to somebody that your not.
So this is my first blog, I have so much to write. This is from a year ago, i found it while going through my journal.
1st John 2:15 "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you"
Searching. Searching for who we are, searching for what we like, and searching for what makes us come alive.
We constantly go through trial and error to excite our flesh, with short, exhausting tribulations that weaken us, mind, body, and soul. The friends we have seem to be cool, and untouchable to us in their enviorment. In church its weird and uncomfortable, because our flesh is disagreeing completely. Our spirit is dying to be involved with Christ, but were unsure. So we hop back on our trial that seems to be working out for us in our world, for right now.
It cannot be done, circumstance will deprive us from our goal.
Focused on God, Eyes on the prize.
December10,08
People that dont know God, most of what they fill themselves with, are things they can identify with.
Being created to worship God, who created all that we know and much more, sounds a bit unordinary, when surrounded by the culture of this world.
Living in such a vast, busy world is such rollercoaster ride. In and out of things you go, things that you would never consider. However, there are always indefinite thoughts, always a "void", always something missing. Something so strong, that the flesh has to find its validity in a numerous amount of objects or persons to stay secure, to feel alive. On its own, the flesh cannot handle good behaviour, or being morally right. Without God, the flesh needs something to depend on. So as a side effect, a curse more or less, the flesh depends on things that are intended for death, to remain in peace.
If believing in God is so crazy, and the thought of everlasting life is rediculous, why choose to kill yourself faster? The flesh is so scared that there is life, that there is a way to live thats good, that there is a God. A God that can deliver and save us from this death, this curse. So many times were afraid to let go. We know there is truth, something so much better, pulling us in so many directions, but were convinced otherwise(by the sinful nature). The one thing that holds us back from being everything were called to be is ourselves. We dont trust who we are apart from God, so we fill ourselves with liquids, that only help momentarily. Placing sex, as the highest pinacle point of our life. In relation to sex, putting completley all we are into another human being, hoping we have found what we have been looking for. But we dont. It turns out to be one vicious cycle, a process that repeats itself over, and over again. Never willing to change, and never gaining satisfaction out of the same old thing. Never obtaining what you truly desire.
My question is, if you knew there were something better, would you try it if it wasnt labled as "church"?
If you were willing to give up all that you knew and serve a God that could radically change your life, would you do it?
Please can we just hurry up, and die to sin, and defeat this curse. This curse that holds on to us with so much influence, and gain Life.
For those of you who have chosen God, why do you choose play with death so much, the sinful nature that is. I thought you ran to God, because the other lifestyle clearly wasnt working?
Remain alive to Christ, and dont allow death to grab ahold of you and chain you down to somebody that your not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)