I will openly admit that I am not as mature as I should be. I often get carried away, go too far, and end up not only embarrassing myself, but even worse, I tarnish God’s name. I don’t bring God any glory at all when I act like a child. When I was a child, I spake as a child…but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Far, far, far too often in my life, I don’t put away those things. I keep playing a game too far, and go too long. I still think like a child, act like a child, and understand like a child.
If it’s fun, I do it. If I want to do it, I do it. If I like it, I do it.
If it’s boring, I don’t do it. If I don’t want to I don’t. If I don’t like it, I don’t do it.
However, in the verses leading up to this verse (I Corinthians 13:11) Paul is strictly talking about love, and we know “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
See, a MAN has no greater love than to give his life, his desires, and his will up for others.
A MAN loves other more than self.
A CHILD does what the CHILD needs to do. It eats when hungry. Sleeps when tired. Goes to the bathroom when it has to go to the bathroom. Vulgar? Sure. True? Yes sir.
I am constantly embarrassing myself in public, and it’s very obvious that I follow myself and my desires much, much more often than I follow God’s will.
A MAN lays down his life. A CHILD lives to follow its own will.
God has been kicking my butt with this verse for a long time now. I realize I’m not near as much a man as I should be, and it hinders my ability to properly glorify God, and get the gospel to a lost and dying world.
When I was a child, I spake as a child…but when I became a man, I put away childish things. If I truly love God like I say I do, I would lay my commandments down, and the truth, from the bible is this:
If you love God, you’ll keep His commandments. You’ll lay down your life, and you’ll put away childish things.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
This post has been three years in the making.
NOTICE:
This is something I’ve been running through my mind since about 11th grade. That’s about 3 year’s time. I can honestly say that I’m not satisfied with it right now, because there’s so much more that I want to put into it, but don’t know how to do it. Maybe in the future I’ll be able to put together the version I have in my head. For the moment, however, this is what I have for right now…
Running is one of the greatest metaphors for the Christian life. The two are so alike that it cannot be a coincidence that the word run appears in the Bible 65 times. Both running and the Christian life require dedication, devotion, character, determination, preparation, assistance from others, and lots and lots of training. LOTS of training.
The greatest similarity between running and the Christian life is that they are both open to everyone. Some sports require equipment, pads, score sheets, officials, and specialized playing areas, but running requires nothing. No equipment, uniforms, playing fields, rulebooks or anything of the sort are need for running. Simply put, running requires nothing more than a desire and a will to run. Much by the same token is salvation, the entrance into the Christian life, available freely to all who seek it. The Bible says (Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Whosoever literally means just that: anyone. In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
In this aspect, as in all others, the Christian life is superior to running. Not quite everyone can run. Those who are physically too weak cannot run, but even the feeblest and most tender soul can be freely saved by Christ!
The Christian life requires no preset standard, no qualification, no application is needed. Just like running, it (Christian life) can be practiced anywhere, in a field, on a track, at home, or even in a busy city.
At first, a runner will start with easy, basic training until he or she is able to handle more intense training. I Corinthians 3:2 says, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it….” Much like a new runner, a newly saved Christian will start with small training and learning until he or she is ready to step up to bigger things. A new runner could not be expected to run a marathon, and a newly saved Christian could not be expected to pastor a church!
However, as a runner trains more and more, he/she will become a stronger runner, and will be able to train harder, with more intensity, and for longer periods of time; much like a growing Christian will move from feeding on milk to feeding on meat.
The runner who trains once a week will always, always, always be beaten by the runner who trains daily. No matter what one’s base talent is, hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard. In the Christian life, the same concept applies. No matter how gifted one may be in an area, he or she will accomplish nothing without studying God’s word and spending time in prayer each and every day. II Timothy 2:15 tells us to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” In the same book of the Bible, in chapter 3, we read that, ” All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” These are the things that will properly train a Christian to reach his or her full potential in Christ. Just as long hours spent on the track, or in the weight room will toughen and improve a runner, so will hours spent in God’s word and prayer bring a Christian to his/her full potential.
(In high school/ college, teammates and I spent up to 4 hours a day, five days a week making ourselves ready for a race that would last less than 60 seconds.)
Once a runner is trained and ready to race, he or she will enter into a contest. The 400 meter hurdle race is probably the greatest representation of the Christian life in all of track and field. Not only is it a grueling race, but it is the hardest race in track and field, bar none. It requires flawless technique, dedication, speed, blood, sweat, heart, endurance, guts and grit, and most importantly, a will made of iron sinews.
The Christian life is the same as this race in many, many ways. You only have one chance at life, one shot to do things right and after that, it’s over. James 4:14 says that ”…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Much like life appears for only a little time, the 400m hurdle race is over in less than a minute, which is not a very long time. The race only takes one lap around the track to complete, and we only get one chance at life!
From experience with the 400 meter hurdles, I personally know the agony and pain the race can cause. The last 100 meters of the race can be tormenting beyond belief; every fiber in your body wants to quit, wants to stop, to give up, and is burning with pain. Where a mediocre runner would be content with a second or third place finish, a truly dedicated runner is always looking to win, no matter what the pain or agony. The Bible says in I Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” We, as Christians are not commanded to be satisfied with second place, but rather to lead a victorious life full of God’s grace and glory. To win a race takes total sacrifice of one’s personal will. Christ Himself personally sacrificed His will for us, by dying on the cross to cover our sins. Through His sacrifice, we are able to be saved, totally and completely from our sins! Christ could have sacrificed less than his life, but no victory would have been obtained; it took Christ giving up His ENTIRE life for our sins to be forgiven.
After a race is finished and over, there is a victor, even if by the smallest of margins. Just as our lives will all eventually end. The difference between winning a race and coming in second can be less than .000001 seconds, but second place, no matter how close to first place, is still second place. In the same regard, the soul that almost trusted Christ as savior, though not fully, will still spend an eternity in hell. Races have been won by a period of time so short that the bare human eye cannot notice it. Even if only by a millionth of a second, the runner who finishes in first is the victor.
And so is the soul that fully trusts in Christ for salvation a winner. There is no “tie for first place” in life; a soul will either spend an eternity in heaven or hell; there is no middle ground!
After a race is over, there is always a victor: one runner who triumphs above all others. The victor will feel no pain, no agony, no burning, only an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, joy, and a surge of energy. This is why a runner can finish a race, and will have no energy left, having left everything on the track, yet are still able to take a victory lap, screaming in happiness and emotion.
Much like a Christian life might seem difficult and too much to handle at times, there is a reward at the end far beyond the glory of a single track race. The prize is so great that no human mind can truly fathom how amazing and beautiful it is. What reward could ever be this good? What reward could be worth all the trials Job suffered? What could make up for being thrown into a den with lions, or going to battle with a giant as an opponent? The answer is twofold, really. Not only will a soul which has accepted Christ as savior escape an eternity of torment in an eternally burning hell, but will also be able to spend an eternity with the Lord God. The same God who created the earth, the Christ who died on the cross for all the sins of the entire world are waiting for you in a place called Heaven, an eternal paradise void of sin and evils.
Logic would state that to obtain such a glorious prize as an eternal spot in heaven would require an extreme dedication and devotion to the things of God, and the things of a spiritual life. That only the most dignified and pious souls would be able to enter into heaven, and escape the eternal flames of hell.
However, on the contrary, anyone can enter into heaven. John 3:16 tells us that “…God so loved the WORLD.” He didn’t send His Son to die for just the USA, or just Asia, but the whole world. And herein is the most visible contrast between running and Christianity: Only a select few ever get a chance to be an elite runner, but the door to be a powerful Christian is open to all.
This is something I’ve been running through my mind since about 11th grade. That’s about 3 year’s time. I can honestly say that I’m not satisfied with it right now, because there’s so much more that I want to put into it, but don’t know how to do it. Maybe in the future I’ll be able to put together the version I have in my head. For the moment, however, this is what I have for right now…
Running is one of the greatest metaphors for the Christian life. The two are so alike that it cannot be a coincidence that the word run appears in the Bible 65 times. Both running and the Christian life require dedication, devotion, character, determination, preparation, assistance from others, and lots and lots of training. LOTS of training.
The greatest similarity between running and the Christian life is that they are both open to everyone. Some sports require equipment, pads, score sheets, officials, and specialized playing areas, but running requires nothing. No equipment, uniforms, playing fields, rulebooks or anything of the sort are need for running. Simply put, running requires nothing more than a desire and a will to run. Much by the same token is salvation, the entrance into the Christian life, available freely to all who seek it. The Bible says (Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Whosoever literally means just that: anyone. In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
In this aspect, as in all others, the Christian life is superior to running. Not quite everyone can run. Those who are physically too weak cannot run, but even the feeblest and most tender soul can be freely saved by Christ!
The Christian life requires no preset standard, no qualification, no application is needed. Just like running, it (Christian life) can be practiced anywhere, in a field, on a track, at home, or even in a busy city.
At first, a runner will start with easy, basic training until he or she is able to handle more intense training. I Corinthians 3:2 says, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it….” Much like a new runner, a newly saved Christian will start with small training and learning until he or she is ready to step up to bigger things. A new runner could not be expected to run a marathon, and a newly saved Christian could not be expected to pastor a church!
However, as a runner trains more and more, he/she will become a stronger runner, and will be able to train harder, with more intensity, and for longer periods of time; much like a growing Christian will move from feeding on milk to feeding on meat.
The runner who trains once a week will always, always, always be beaten by the runner who trains daily. No matter what one’s base talent is, hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard. In the Christian life, the same concept applies. No matter how gifted one may be in an area, he or she will accomplish nothing without studying God’s word and spending time in prayer each and every day. II Timothy 2:15 tells us to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” In the same book of the Bible, in chapter 3, we read that, ” All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” These are the things that will properly train a Christian to reach his or her full potential in Christ. Just as long hours spent on the track, or in the weight room will toughen and improve a runner, so will hours spent in God’s word and prayer bring a Christian to his/her full potential.
(In high school/ college, teammates and I spent up to 4 hours a day, five days a week making ourselves ready for a race that would last less than 60 seconds.)
Once a runner is trained and ready to race, he or she will enter into a contest. The 400 meter hurdle race is probably the greatest representation of the Christian life in all of track and field. Not only is it a grueling race, but it is the hardest race in track and field, bar none. It requires flawless technique, dedication, speed, blood, sweat, heart, endurance, guts and grit, and most importantly, a will made of iron sinews.
The Christian life is the same as this race in many, many ways. You only have one chance at life, one shot to do things right and after that, it’s over. James 4:14 says that ”…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Much like life appears for only a little time, the 400m hurdle race is over in less than a minute, which is not a very long time. The race only takes one lap around the track to complete, and we only get one chance at life!
From experience with the 400 meter hurdles, I personally know the agony and pain the race can cause. The last 100 meters of the race can be tormenting beyond belief; every fiber in your body wants to quit, wants to stop, to give up, and is burning with pain. Where a mediocre runner would be content with a second or third place finish, a truly dedicated runner is always looking to win, no matter what the pain or agony. The Bible says in I Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” We, as Christians are not commanded to be satisfied with second place, but rather to lead a victorious life full of God’s grace and glory. To win a race takes total sacrifice of one’s personal will. Christ Himself personally sacrificed His will for us, by dying on the cross to cover our sins. Through His sacrifice, we are able to be saved, totally and completely from our sins! Christ could have sacrificed less than his life, but no victory would have been obtained; it took Christ giving up His ENTIRE life for our sins to be forgiven.
After a race is finished and over, there is a victor, even if by the smallest of margins. Just as our lives will all eventually end. The difference between winning a race and coming in second can be less than .000001 seconds, but second place, no matter how close to first place, is still second place. In the same regard, the soul that almost trusted Christ as savior, though not fully, will still spend an eternity in hell. Races have been won by a period of time so short that the bare human eye cannot notice it. Even if only by a millionth of a second, the runner who finishes in first is the victor.
And so is the soul that fully trusts in Christ for salvation a winner. There is no “tie for first place” in life; a soul will either spend an eternity in heaven or hell; there is no middle ground!
After a race is over, there is always a victor: one runner who triumphs above all others. The victor will feel no pain, no agony, no burning, only an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, joy, and a surge of energy. This is why a runner can finish a race, and will have no energy left, having left everything on the track, yet are still able to take a victory lap, screaming in happiness and emotion.
Much like a Christian life might seem difficult and too much to handle at times, there is a reward at the end far beyond the glory of a single track race. The prize is so great that no human mind can truly fathom how amazing and beautiful it is. What reward could ever be this good? What reward could be worth all the trials Job suffered? What could make up for being thrown into a den with lions, or going to battle with a giant as an opponent? The answer is twofold, really. Not only will a soul which has accepted Christ as savior escape an eternity of torment in an eternally burning hell, but will also be able to spend an eternity with the Lord God. The same God who created the earth, the Christ who died on the cross for all the sins of the entire world are waiting for you in a place called Heaven, an eternal paradise void of sin and evils.
Logic would state that to obtain such a glorious prize as an eternal spot in heaven would require an extreme dedication and devotion to the things of God, and the things of a spiritual life. That only the most dignified and pious souls would be able to enter into heaven, and escape the eternal flames of hell.
However, on the contrary, anyone can enter into heaven. John 3:16 tells us that “…God so loved the WORLD.” He didn’t send His Son to die for just the USA, or just Asia, but the whole world. And herein is the most visible contrast between running and Christianity: Only a select few ever get a chance to be an elite runner, but the door to be a powerful Christian is open to all.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It is not yet complete.
So the Missions Conference was amazing. God was moving like I've never ever experienced before in my life. Praise Him for that amazing time. You aren't getting any details, by the way. If you want to know what happened, you should have been there.
Anyway.
I was studying the history of Christianity in Spain the other day. It wasn't ever a pretty picture. It's always been Catholic, or, during the Moor's reign, Muslim, for the most part.
I read about how there's never been anything resembling a strong, Bible preaching movement, and how converts to true Christianity are few and far between. None of this is news to me, but I still love reading about this kind of thing. (Spain’s history. Not the other stuff.)
But then I learned something new. Something amazing, something that gave me hope. Something no one had ever mentioned on any webpage, or on any book.
On the last page of the “Spain's religious history” page, after all the depressing, and painful facts, there were six words:
"Spain's history is not yet complete."
Everyone had always talked about the past. We can't change the past. But the future, that is untouched.
There is still time for us to take the Gospel to Spain, and for lost, unsaved, sinners to be able to turn from an eternity in hell, and to know the love the Jesus has for them.
Spain's history is not yet complete.
Anyway.
I was studying the history of Christianity in Spain the other day. It wasn't ever a pretty picture. It's always been Catholic, or, during the Moor's reign, Muslim, for the most part.
I read about how there's never been anything resembling a strong, Bible preaching movement, and how converts to true Christianity are few and far between. None of this is news to me, but I still love reading about this kind of thing. (Spain’s history. Not the other stuff.)
But then I learned something new. Something amazing, something that gave me hope. Something no one had ever mentioned on any webpage, or on any book.
On the last page of the “Spain's religious history” page, after all the depressing, and painful facts, there were six words:
"Spain's history is not yet complete."
Everyone had always talked about the past. We can't change the past. But the future, that is untouched.
There is still time for us to take the Gospel to Spain, and for lost, unsaved, sinners to be able to turn from an eternity in hell, and to know the love the Jesus has for them.
Spain's history is not yet complete.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Regreso en seguida
Basically, the Missions Conference starts tomorrow.
Don't expect to see another post from me until at least Monday.
Don't expect to see another post from me until at least Monday.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The little foxes.
One of the most unread books of the Bible would have to be, at least from my experience in my own reading and hearing sermons preached, Song of Solomon.
In S.O.S, chapter two, verse fifteen, we read, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." At first, this just seems like good gardening advice, but after closer review, study, and meditation, one will see that this verse means far more than that.
I once read a book called, "The Deputation Manual for Missionaries," by Austin Gardner and Tony Howeth. In the very beginning of that book, it talks about the little foxes. It says that we need to get those little foxes out of our lives before, slowly but surely, they ruin us.
(I'll admit, I too wouldn't have come across the verse about the little foxes had I not read that book, so you can thank Pastor Gardner and Brother Howeth for this blog, because it is based off of their ideas and writing.)
Even after reading their book, I still had a few foxes left in my life: music, TV, friends (because friends can pull you away from God, yes.) language, and on and on.
However, as God has been working in me, and changing me to fit His plan for my life, those little foxes are slowly, but surely, dropping out of my life.
I'm not saying I no longer sin, because I do. All I'm saying is that the things I used to enjoy, even though I knew they were wrong, no longer seem to be as fun. I don't want to listen to my old music. I don't want to watch the same TV shows as I used to. I don't want to say those words, or think the same thoughts. There are people who I once called a friend that now think I'm an idiot, bigot, loser, or some other name because I moved to Atlanta. Or because I'm concerned that the world's Muslim population is growing at a rapacious rate.
But the funny thing is this: I'm ok with it. I'm not worried about those people, because the Bible says that people will revile and mock you when you follow God. Just dust your booths off and keep going.
God is taking the worldly things I used to love and changing my heart so that I hate them. Things I'll see someone doing something I used to do, and think, "Man, I hate that." Now, I'm not saying I hate people, because I don't. I just hate sin.
I dunno, I always get excited to write a blog, and by the end, I'm afraid I haven't properly illustrated my point, or didn't write what I wanted to write.
All I'm saying is this: God has changed me into someone I never thought I could be. Even though I always said I've been called to be a missionary, which I am, I never really thought I'd end up being one, but not anymore. At this point, I don’t really want to do anything but glorify God, and get the gospel of Jesus to lost and dying souls.
In S.O.S, chapter two, verse fifteen, we read, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." At first, this just seems like good gardening advice, but after closer review, study, and meditation, one will see that this verse means far more than that.
I once read a book called, "The Deputation Manual for Missionaries," by Austin Gardner and Tony Howeth. In the very beginning of that book, it talks about the little foxes. It says that we need to get those little foxes out of our lives before, slowly but surely, they ruin us.
(I'll admit, I too wouldn't have come across the verse about the little foxes had I not read that book, so you can thank Pastor Gardner and Brother Howeth for this blog, because it is based off of their ideas and writing.)
Even after reading their book, I still had a few foxes left in my life: music, TV, friends (because friends can pull you away from God, yes.) language, and on and on.
However, as God has been working in me, and changing me to fit His plan for my life, those little foxes are slowly, but surely, dropping out of my life.
I'm not saying I no longer sin, because I do. All I'm saying is that the things I used to enjoy, even though I knew they were wrong, no longer seem to be as fun. I don't want to listen to my old music. I don't want to watch the same TV shows as I used to. I don't want to say those words, or think the same thoughts. There are people who I once called a friend that now think I'm an idiot, bigot, loser, or some other name because I moved to Atlanta. Or because I'm concerned that the world's Muslim population is growing at a rapacious rate.
But the funny thing is this: I'm ok with it. I'm not worried about those people, because the Bible says that people will revile and mock you when you follow God. Just dust your booths off and keep going.
God is taking the worldly things I used to love and changing my heart so that I hate them. Things I'll see someone doing something I used to do, and think, "Man, I hate that." Now, I'm not saying I hate people, because I don't. I just hate sin.
I dunno, I always get excited to write a blog, and by the end, I'm afraid I haven't properly illustrated my point, or didn't write what I wanted to write.
All I'm saying is this: God has changed me into someone I never thought I could be. Even though I always said I've been called to be a missionary, which I am, I never really thought I'd end up being one, but not anymore. At this point, I don’t really want to do anything but glorify God, and get the gospel of Jesus to lost and dying souls.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
It's really simple.
I've been living in Georgia for just over a month or so. In that short time, God has done a mighty, mighty work in my life.
I'm not going into the details about it, because I don't think I can explain them without coming across as arrogant, even though I haven't done anything. God's been the one Who has been changing me.
But seriously. If anyone has any doubt about God's power...just try it. For one month, and I guarranteeeeee that, at the end of the month, there will be no doubt. It's insane how much God has grown me.
Glory to God, for salvation, His truth, His faithfulness and all that He does.
I wish I were a little better educated so I could express myself as much as I wanted to, but I'm not. Oh, wait, God is so good that not even the man with the golden tongue, or the most profound writer could describe His awesomeness. Amen.
I'm not going into the details about it, because I don't think I can explain them without coming across as arrogant, even though I haven't done anything. God's been the one Who has been changing me.
But seriously. If anyone has any doubt about God's power...just try it. For one month, and I guarranteeeeee that, at the end of the month, there will be no doubt. It's insane how much God has grown me.
Glory to God, for salvation, His truth, His faithfulness and all that He does.
I wish I were a little better educated so I could express myself as much as I wanted to, but I'm not. Oh, wait, God is so good that not even the man with the golden tongue, or the most profound writer could describe His awesomeness. Amen.
Friday, September 11, 2009
What scares me...
To be quite honest with you, I’m not really scared of that many things. When you boil it down to the very crux of it all, I really only fear (other than the Lord, but that’s another blog for another day) one thing.
Are there times that I get scared of something, or have fear in me? Yes. However, I’m talking about a fear that is there day in and day out, one that never ceases to be in me.
I am scared, above all other things, that my ministry for God won’t be as good, or as great as I want it to be. I’m scared I’ll get to Spain, and have no converts. That I’ll only start one church, and be there forever because no one will grow enough to take my place so I can go start another one. I’m scared that I’ll be a lazy missionary, and that I won’t do enough work for God here on earth. I’m scared I won’t ever start a lot of Bible preaching churches, or spread God’s word to one of the most un-evangelized countries in all the world (That’s Spain, in case you didn’t know).
I look at the things people around me have done, and I really stand in awe of what they’ve done. So and so was a missionary to this place for 30 years. This guy led 500 men to Christ through his ministry. This guy has preached in over 50 different countries.
But, like someone said, it wasn’t that person who did it. It was God who did it through that person.
My whole problem is my pride. Well, not my whole problem, but a large part of it is pride and arrogance. I want a big ministry, lots of converts and all that because I want to look good. I putt glorifying God as my number two objective, and my own glory first.
Also, I rely too much on myself, and not enough on God. Nehemiah 6:16 says, “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God”
It was God who did the work in those people I look up to. It was God who
Nehemiah also writes, “And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.”
It wasn’t like Nehemiah said, “Hey, guys, get your weapons together, and we’re gonna go destroy the enemy! US! WE! NOSOTROS! NOUS! YOU AND I!” (And that’s what I often do: rely on my own strength)
Right now, I’m working on trusting God, and leaving the result to Him. I like to think I’m helping by doing something I shouldn’t (in an attempt to help God…like He needs it) and really just worry and stress myself out.
Additionally, I’m working on glorifying God my number one priority, and putting it above my own glory, because the Bible makes it pretty simple in Matthew 6:1-6how we should do things (as far as seeking glory)
AndIalsogotaskedtogobackhometomyoldchurchandpreach, whichIreallywantedtodo, soI’mreallyexcitedaboutthat.
Are there times that I get scared of something, or have fear in me? Yes. However, I’m talking about a fear that is there day in and day out, one that never ceases to be in me.
I am scared, above all other things, that my ministry for God won’t be as good, or as great as I want it to be. I’m scared I’ll get to Spain, and have no converts. That I’ll only start one church, and be there forever because no one will grow enough to take my place so I can go start another one. I’m scared that I’ll be a lazy missionary, and that I won’t do enough work for God here on earth. I’m scared I won’t ever start a lot of Bible preaching churches, or spread God’s word to one of the most un-evangelized countries in all the world (That’s Spain, in case you didn’t know).
I look at the things people around me have done, and I really stand in awe of what they’ve done. So and so was a missionary to this place for 30 years. This guy led 500 men to Christ through his ministry. This guy has preached in over 50 different countries.
But, like someone said, it wasn’t that person who did it. It was God who did it through that person.
My whole problem is my pride. Well, not my whole problem, but a large part of it is pride and arrogance. I want a big ministry, lots of converts and all that because I want to look good. I putt glorifying God as my number two objective, and my own glory first.
Also, I rely too much on myself, and not enough on God. Nehemiah 6:16 says, “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God”
It was God who did the work in those people I look up to. It was God who
Nehemiah also writes, “And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.”
It wasn’t like Nehemiah said, “Hey, guys, get your weapons together, and we’re gonna go destroy the enemy! US! WE! NOSOTROS! NOUS! YOU AND I!” (And that’s what I often do: rely on my own strength)
Right now, I’m working on trusting God, and leaving the result to Him. I like to think I’m helping by doing something I shouldn’t (in an attempt to help God…like He needs it) and really just worry and stress myself out.
Additionally, I’m working on glorifying God my number one priority, and putting it above my own glory, because the Bible makes it pretty simple in Matthew 6:1-6how we should do things (as far as seeking glory)
AndIalsogotaskedtogobackhometomyoldchurchandpreach, whichIreallywantedtodo, soI’mreallyexcitedaboutthat.
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