Strength...

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

It kind of describes my summer. Days packed full of experiences that stretched and pulled me out of my comfort zone. Some made me think about whether I was serious about my commitment. I am. But I've seen a lot more of my self. I've seen a lot more of how much I need Him. But what does not kill me makes me stronger. And He promised that His strength is made perfect in weakness. I held onto that promise many numerous times this summer. Sometimes with the last quaking ounce of faith I had in me. If anything, this summer taught me I'm capable of more than I thought. But only if He is sustaining me. It's not easy. But it is incredibly fulfilling.

...out of weakness were made strong.. Heb 11:34

...Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'" Joel 3:10

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Cor 12:9, 10

To Mexico...

My brother John and I leave for Chiapas, Mexico tomorrow morning. I haven't caught up from my summer adventures, but I'm trusting that God will supply the strength I need.

I'm really excited about this trip. Our first ever mission trip and first time out of the country as well. It promises to be an unforgettable experience. God has supplied above and beyond all our needs. Mom and I did shopping for the trip yesterday...getting VBS supplies, hard hats, safety glasses, and work gloves. Maranatha gave us a list of things we could bring for the people and children in Mexico...toothbrushes, toothpaste, little bars of soap, etc. So  I went into a Comfort Inn and told them I was going on a mission trip to Mexico and asked if they would like to donate a hand full of toiletries. They gave me a bag of soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, toothbrushes & toothpaste, travel sewing kits, and deodorant. I'm going to take them a Thank You card. :)

Now to pack to day in a couple of hours so that we can leave for town in time to get a couple last minute things, see my nieces and nephew and get up to Omaha. Our flight leaves at 6:36am so we are going to stay in a Hotel just down the road from the airport since we have to be there at 4:30am.

Keep the trip, the Maranatha group, the church, and the people we will be meeting in your prayers. Thank you!!

Isaiah 8:11-14

The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, "Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them. Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe." NLT

For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; KJV

I'm sure all of you at one time or another have heard the conspiracy theories about 9/11 and other things going on in America. (NOTE: Whether or not you believe in them is totally up to you. But please don't start telling me about your latest findings. Thank you! :) I have heard my share of theories. They sound very plausible at times. I will keep my opinion about them to myself for the time being however.

This morning I was listening to my audio Bible while making my lunch and these verses from Isaiah stood out to me. The only thing conspiracy theories succeed in doing most often is taking our eyes off of Christ and His soon coming. They leave us with suspicions about everyone who passes us, and a fear of what my be coming in the future.

When I heard these words from Isaiah this morning it almost made my mouth drop open. It was like God knew what I'd been thinking lately. Not that CT have been keeping me awake at night or sent me under cover, but I have wondered about them. Here God is telling us, "Don't pass these things along. Don't give them your attention. Instead fear Me. Look to me and I will be your sanctuary in time of trouble." What a comforting thought. I do not need to fret and worry about what may happen tomorrow. I do not need to fear as those of this world do who have no refuge.

We serve an Almighty God! I will not fear...though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

He is my sanctuary!

Walking west...

Gal 5:16,18, 22, 23 | This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ...if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Rom 8:1, 2, 4 | There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Thoughts: My focus should be to walk after, follow, pursue the Spirit. For if I do that I will not be walking after, following, pursuing the flesh. Trying to chase down my sinful habits and weaknesses, to bring them under submission, will never bring me success. Only as I pursue Christ Jesus, forsaking my flesh entirely and walk after, follow, pursue the Spirit, will I be changed, not by my efforts, working, striving, but by natural consequence. Just as, if I am walking west, I can no longer be walking east. Trying to chase east and make it go west will never work. Just go west, and east will be left behind.

Ask!

Jeremiah 33:3 | Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Thoughts: Why do I not see great and mighty things happening in my life? I always seem to be getting myself in more trouble… fretting about decisions, burdened by deadlines, failing my trials.

John 16:24 | Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Thoughts: The condition of the promise is that I must ask. I must call upon Him and He will show; I must ask and I will receive. You can hear the tender urgency and excitement He has for us to ask so that our “joy might be full”. It is a reoccurring theme in Jesus words to His disciples. Over and over He urged them to ask in His name that they may receive. (Mat 7:7,11; Mat 21:22; John 14:13,14; John 15:7; John 16:23,24). He waits and longs for the chance to wrap His arms around us and pour out upon us a blessing so prodigious that we will not have room enough to receive (Malachi 3:10).

    The disciples eventually got the picture because we see this theme surfacing in some of their writings. It is said in as plain and simple a way as Jesus told it to them…ask! (1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14,15; James 1:5,6; James 4:2).

    It is not a hard thing He asks me to do. But it is vital that I fulfill the simple condition upon which the promise is given. It is the key that unlocks the treasure chest. It is the scissors that cut the ribbon from around the package. It is like removing the cap so that the sweet perfume of God’s love is free to anoint my life.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”