JD Russell - Walking the World

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September 2010 World Race

11 Countries, 11 Months

Abandoning a traditional lifestyle in exchange for a dramatic paradigm shift through

Adventure, Ministry, Community, Self-Discovery, and Spiritual Growth.

India
With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Moreover, it has a diverse array of religious beliefs from Hinduism, to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths. While the country is on the edge of full economic development, it's still stricken with poverty and privy to the crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. So what will you do in India? Change it from the inside out.

Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you will also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge your in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.

Pioneer Central Asia
Ask God where to go and do what He tells you. It'll be one of the most adventurous and memorable months of ministry that you'll have on the Race. Thailand or Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or Malaysia? God could lead you anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you willing to abandon this month on the Race to Him?

Thailand
With nearly two million people estimated to be trapped in prostitution, Thailand has become one of the most popular places for what is called "sex tourism." Men and women from all over the world travel to this southeastern Asian country to violate young girls for the price of a few dollars. In the midst of so much despair, there is such an opportunity for hope and redemption. It won't be easy work, but Thailand is sure to capture (and break) your heart.

Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides known to humanity, in which over one-third of the country's population was slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia are thirsty for hope and yearning for a message of forgiveness and reconciliation. Part of your ministry here will be to act as a living example of the freedom Christ can bring.

Kenya
The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums all make up a country that is culturally diverse, yet historically unified. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and in the city, the World Race participants are producing fruit and long-lasting ministries to carry on even after they leave.

Uganda
From the Ugandan islands in Lake Victoria to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the African people share a common bond: the need for hope. Home to Africa's "Big Five" animals, Uganda is full of wildlife, people, and history, most notably of which is the recent explosion of news about the Lord's Resistance Army and child soldiers. Through relational evangelism, church-planting and discipleship, you will be a part of a movement to further the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.

Pioneer Africa
Three times during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and following him with true abandon.

Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more.

Ukraine
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in power? We think so.

Pioneer Eastern Europe
Another month to ask God where He might send you. By this time in your journey on the World Race, you should be well seasoned in hearing the Lord's voice. Moldova? Montenegro? Greece? Where will you spend your last month on the Race?

Let's be the hands and feet of Christ who advance the Kingdom of Heaven

and proclaim the Gospel of Grace.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1)

Devotional - Genesis 28:16-17

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.' And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.'"

Lord, You have truly sent me to a place where a ladder is set upon the earth and it reaches heaven. It is Bethel, a house of God, where angels ascend and descend. Surely the Lord is here, for I feel Your presence all around and know the wonders You have done. You have established this place as a house of prayer, intercession, and worship. It is consecrated to be set apart and holy, where men come to tremble and be held in aww. For how awesome is Your righteous name and mighty hand! We are at the gate of heaven, where you hear our cries O Lord to intervene. We are asking You to rend the heavens and come down. Be gracious, slow to anger, rich in love, and good to us. For this is Your character and how You treat Your elect. You love mercy and righteousness, pouring out justice where You will. So bless these people of Your tabernacle, for You say You are with us and will keep us wherever we go. For surely this is none other than the house of the Lord, the governmental center, where we shake the heavens and thus shake the earth and where we stand in the gap to usher in the coming of the Bridegroom.

Devotional - Genesis 27:19

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Jacob said to his father, I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.'"

We often times try to treat God like Jacob treated his father Isaac. We try coming before Him by disguising ourselves from who we really are, searching for a blessing that we do not deserve. We think if we present ourselves with the right garments, the correct tone, and the perfect offering, then God the Father will bless us with whatever we desire. We are searching for a long, healthy, and happy life where every want is met, and we go to great lengths to push the right buttons of God to receive what we crave. In trying to deceive God, we essentially deceive ourselves. We think if we give our presentation to God of false humility and false righteousness then God will be pleased. We believe God will for some reason bless us because of our self-dignified standing. Well, God is not like Isaac in that He is not blind and He has perfect vision and clarity for who we truly are. He knows every thought, act, and motive that we approach Him with. However, the difference is that we are not completely like Jacob either, for Christ's death on the cross has put us in right standing with God. We are his first-born heirs and He desires to bless us with every blessing that He gives His Son Jesus. We do not need to try and deceive God the Father for He already sees us like Jesus the first-born Son. He has given us the dew of heaven, the fatness of earth, and plenty of grain and wine.

Devotional - Genesis 22:8

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.'"

The Lord told Abraham to take his only son Isaac, whom he loved and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that the Lord would specify. And as both father and son approached the mountain with fire, wood, and knife in hand, Isaac asked his father, "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham responded by saying that God would provide the lamb. They then came to the place, which God had told him, and built the altar, laid the wood in order, and Abraham bound Isaac his son on top of it. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son, but the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And then Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket by his horns and he took it to offer up as a burnt offering instead of his son, declaring that place, "The Lord will provide." Two thousand years later God the Father did the same thing by providing for those He loved, but this time He provided His one and only Son. Rather than father Abraham providing his son Isaac as the sacrifice for himself, Abba God provided His Son Jesus Christ as the redemption for all mankind. God provided for Himself and His creation, the Eternal and Spotless Lamb, who came to take away the sins of the world. The Lord foreshadowed it in the days of Abraham by finding a substitute for our debt and transgressions. Instead of sacrificing all of creation He sacrificed His Son who was before creation. He took our place on that altar of wood and shed His blood as an offering of atonement for the creation that He so desperately loves.

Kansas City Fall 2009 - One Thing Have I Desired - Part 1

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Being marked and sealed during my time with the One Thing Internship at the International House of Prayer.

Kansas City Fall 2009 - One Thing Have I Desired - Part 2

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Being marked and sealed during my time with the One Thing Internship at the International House of Prayer.

Kansas City Fall 2009 - One Thing Have I Desired - Part 3

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Being marked and sealed during my time with the One Thing Internship at the International House of Prayer.

Devotional - Genesis 20:2

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"So keep courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

If Abraham knew the promise and covenant that God would make him a great nation through him and his wife then why did Abraham not trust that it would come to pass? This is also the second time that he manipulates a king by telling them Sarah is his sister and leaving out the huge detail that she is also his wife. He fears the thoughts of man and that God cannot live up to His side of the bargain. He cowers at those he thinks are not fearful of God and he is rather fearful for his own life. We judge and criticize the sins and faults of those from the past, but how quick we are to forget the things of history. We say, "How could they do such a thing?" and "What were they thinking?" However, we are just as susceptible and prone to the flaws of our ancestors. How often do we tell half-truths and straight lies after we have been given a promise from God? He tells us something about our future and we try to maneuver our way to make it come to pass more quickly. Or we resort to sin to try and justify a good outcome, neglecting God's will or His sovereign hand. Lord, may I trust you all of my days and not try to manipulate others to bring about the promises You have for my life. Let me work in accordance to Your way, Your timing, and Your will.

Devotional - Genesis 19:17

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"And as they brought them out, one said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away."

Lord, do not let me be like Lot's wife, turning back to see what's been left behind. Let me look ahead to what You have for me in the future and not at what I've done for myself in the past. I ant to run to the hills and not stay in the valley. I do not want to become frozen in the midst of me fleeing from wickedness and pursuing righteousness. For at that moment I will stumble and fall, being tempted by what's been left behind. I do not want to have staggering thoughts that reflect on my past and on my sin. For all that it produces is idleness and a lack of productivity. Rather let me press on ahead for what God has ordained for my life. His ways are righteous, His path is purposeful, and His steps are filled with blessing. Following the Holy Spirit's guidance leads to life, not just life, but a bountiful life. Let us rise out of darkness and into the light, looking to what Christ has ahead; a life where we will reign in holiness and truth.

Devotional - Genesis 12:1-2

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'"

What a promise and a test of faith that the Lord gave Abram. He called him to leave everything he had ever known, but still gave him a promise of great abundance and blessing. Father, You assured Abram that if he left it all behind that You would provide for him and bless him beyond measure. You promised him that You would make his name great and make him a great nation, raising him up as a blessing to all the families of the earth. Lord, I desire the promise of provision and blessing that You gave Abram. Allow me to go from my country and show me the land that You have for me. I am willing, I am eager, and I will go. Let me give extravagantly of all that You have blessed me with, for I can never out give You. Convict me to give more and live on less because when I have You nothing else has significance or worth. My value is found in You, for You are my portion and my blessing. And when I am blessed by You may it be an opportunity to bless others. The name and the nation I do not care, but the blessing is what I desire.

Devotional - Genesis 4:3-4

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering."

Lord, what labor is it that you are calling me to and what first fruits do you desire? What is the sacrifice that you require? Is it more than just to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly? What do you seek from my hands, my sweat, and my mind? How am I to bless You in my seep and in my wake? Don't let me be satisfied by just giving you a portion of my labor and my tithe, but make me eager to go over and beyond my normal tendencies. I want to give you my finest portions and my first fruits. Lord, take regard for my offering and convict me on what I still haven't given up. And always cause me to do well, so that I will be accepted and sin will not be crouching at my door. Cause Your desire for me to overshadow and obliterate sin's desire for me. Create opportunities to give extravagantly to those in need and open doors to be able to invest into Your kingdom. I want to give You not only all my mind, strength, and heart, but also my time, resources, and finances. May I find delight in giving back to You what You have already given me.

Devotional - Genesis 3:7

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths."

When Adam and Eve took of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil their eyes were opened, but because of their sin they also became aware of their nakedness and hid themselves. Likewise, when we fall into temptation we become conscious of our sin and become ashamed of our failure, fleeing away into our own depravity and hiding ourselves from God. Then God comes searching for us and we hide ourselves in the midst of His garden in fear and timidity. We then try to cover up our sin and our shame so others won't notice, but God can see right through our deceptive antics. He looks at the heart of our wickedness, for which no garment can clothe nor conceal. We also try to shift the burden of responsibility upon someone or something else. Like Adam placing the blame on Eve and her diverting it to the serpent; we are no different and tend to redirect the blame to our upbringing, circumstances, or feelings. We very rarely admit our sin and come before God with a heart of repentance. Nonetheless, that is all that He is seeking from us. When we sin we should run to God with our nakedness and shame because He is the only One who can forgive us. He is searching for us, so let us search for Him. However, we must also be reminded that when sin is committed bloodshed must follow. God killing the animal to make garments of skin foreshadowed how His Son would cover our sin by His flesh and blood. Just like the garments of skin clothing the nakedness of Adam and Eve, Christ's forgiveness robes our shame, so that we can walk in freedom and right standing with God.

Devotional - Genesis 2:7

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."

Lord, thank you for forming and fashioning my very being. You made me from the very dust, but gave me a high and lofty status. I was nothing but red clay, and You shaped and molded me like a potter, giving me every unique feature that You desired me to have. Then You breathed eternal life into these temporal lungs and gave me a spirit that is everlasting. You gave me function, ability, knowledge, and purpose. You placed me with special honor above all creation and set me apart to have a unique relationship with You. Let me never forget my humble beginnings and my glorious purpose in You. Continue to fix my steps, gird my eyes, work my hands, and draw my breath. For without You, I am dead as I came. My life can only be found when You breathe within me. Make me a creature that reigns and honors You with everything that You have given me. You presented me with freedom and choice, so that I could voluntarily love You with my inmost being.

Devotional - Romans 10:10-11

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

Belief from the heart that Jesus is Lord gives us justification, and confession from the mouth and repentance from the past grants us salvation. All elements are crucial in order to bring us in right standing with God and give us eternal life. God makes no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, and when we place faith in Him and call on His name He will bestow His riches on us. So how then are those who do not believe going to hear the wonderful gospel of redemption? It must be preached and proclaimed to all the nations. For how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! So let us be sent in boldness and filled with the Holy Spirit to do the works that God has predestined us towards. Let the ears of the lost be open and attentive, so that faith may pierce their hearts and convict their conscience. And let the Word of Christ spring forth to pluck those from the fie. And let those who believe never be put to shame, but allow them to boast in the Lord for the new found life they have in Christ.

Devotional - Romans 1:16-17

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"...We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you."

Father, I never want to be ashamed of the wonderful gospel you have given me. It is what has given me salvation and what I put my confidence in. It is the only hope and blessed assurance that we as believers, whether Greek or Jew, can find our rest. It is where God's justice and mercy can be found, and for us to have hope in it we must live by a measure of faith. For faith produces faith. Through His Word, God has revealed His plan for redemption and His purpose for us. Lord, may every other statement or truth be weighted against the truth of the gospel, then may I throw away the fallacy of this world. May the gospel be a testament of my faith and allegiance; and when persecution, imprisonment, or even death come, may I stand on the side of the ultimate life and truth, the firm foundation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May I always wear it as a seal and crest, boldly proclaiming it wherever I go.

Devotional - Song of Solomon 8:6

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord."

Lord, I can't believe that you are jealous for me. You crave me, You desire me, and You seek me. Lord, set me as a seal, mark me upon Your heart, write me upon Your arm, and call me out with Your words. Speak to me the phrases upon Your heart into mine. I want to encounter You like I've never known. I want to know You like I've never comprehended. Lord, what do I have to do to search You out and meet You in the secret place? Purge me Lord, flash upon me with an intense flame. I want to encounter the fire of the Lord. Your love is stronger than death, mightier than the grave. No water can quench Your love and no flood can drown Your flame. Burn upon my lips with a coal of knowledge, revelation, and love. I am a man that desires compassion and wisdom. So let me stop resisting what Your doing in me and simply fall upon You. Do Your work, say Your words, and let me stop struggling and simply accept. Posture my heart to Your will and tenderize my emotions to Your desire.

Devotional - Song of Solomon 1:4

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"...We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you."

Lord, let me rejoice and not envy in the love of family, friends, or strangers. Allow me to celebrate what you have given them and not become jealous for my lack of intimacy with another. May I be like the daughters of Jerusalem, who take joy and satisfaction that their friend has found her beloved. In this moment in time, may I take joy and pleasure in my Beloved. For He has chosen me, even though I am dark and sinful He has still chosen to love me. He has set His gaze upon me and He desires me not for what I've done, but for who I am. You have called me beautiful and have given me dove's eyes. You have made me from the dust and have made me in Your splendid image. You have made me delightful in Your eyes and pleasurable in Your presence. Let me become drunk in Your love and intoxicated by Your desire. Call me into Your kingdom to reign with You despite my past or my background. I am drawn by You and captivated by Your love. I am Yours!

A New Season of Transformation

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well as many of you know, I am currently doing a 6 month internship with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I can't begin to express how God has been impacting me here over the past month since I've started. I have been blessed by an intimate community, challenging teaching, powerful intercession, and radical encounter. God is revealing Himself in so many new and unique ways that I didn't even know existed before. It has been quite a shift from the mission field of Nicaragua to the holy sanctuary in Kansas City, MO, but God is doing a work in me to focus on the First Commandment before I can make any significant impact on the Second Commandment. I am realizing that for most of my life I have had these two commandments out of alignment and instead I put others before God. Thus causing me to fail at both and not be able to fully pursue either commandment.

Another aspect that God is teaching me is the power and effectiveness of prayer. Before this internship I only considered my prayers to have the purpose of bringing my heart into more alignment with God's hearts; my desires thus slowly becoming more and more His desires. However, looking through Scripture and witnessing the power of prayer firsthand, I am discovering that there is so much more that prayer does than just transforming your wants and desires. Just reading the stories of Abraham and Moses intervening before God on the behalf of entire nations to spare them from God's just wrath. After petitioning before the Lord it says the God relented from the harm that He had intended to inflict upon the Israelites. It shows that we have the power to intercede for others. Then I am reminded of the passages in the Gospels where Jesus declares, "Ask,and it will be given to you;seek, and you will find;knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened...And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith" (Matthew 7:7-8 & 21:22).

The Lord is seeking to give good and precious gifts to those who ask. All He requires is faith and a willingness to ask. So if anyone has any prayer requests please send them to me. I would be honored and excited to pray and intercede for you. My role for these next 6 months is an intercessory missionary, and I would love to pray for all of you who have supported me over the years. I want to see God come transform our thinking, shake up our lives, and renew our hearts.

Devotional - Matthew 23:38-39

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

O Israel, line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! Why have you blinded yourself to Yeshua, the Messiah and the Christ? Why do you ignore your ancestors and your prophets? Those who came before to proclaim that the Second Adam and the Son of Man was coming. The signs were written, the miracles were performed, and the sacrifice was made. Lord, open their eyes, tear the veil, and reveal Yourself to them. They are desperate, lonely, and hopeless without You. They need the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. They need the slain Lamb and the returning Lion of Judah. They need their spiritual Savior and their physical King. So come sweet Jesus, restore all things, establish Your kingdom, and bring us back to Eden. Israel has been left spiritually barren long enough! Humble yourselves, O Israel, and look to Jesus, Yahweh in the flesh, and proudly declare, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

Devotional - Matthew 22:14

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

Lord, thank You for calling me to the feast, seating me at the banqueting table, and inviting me to the wedding. I am a filthy servant who has no right to be called a guest or even more, a friend of the bridegroom, but by Your grace and by Your wishes You have invited me. And more than that You have chosen me specifically. You have predestined me into Your kingdom and into Your likeness. Why me? Why have You placed me in this region and era? Why have You chosen to adorn me with a wedding garment and priestly attire? Whatever the reason I thank You for saving me from the grip of the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thank You for calling me out of the darkness and into the light. You have called me as a disciple, as one of the few, and as part of the elect. Thank You for not merely calling me, but for choosing me - marking my life, sealing my heart, and setting my steps to embark on this grand adventure You have placed before me.

Devotional - Matthew 15:10-11

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"And he called the people to him and said to them, Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.'"

The Pharisees and scribes approached Jesus, questioning why His disciples did not wash their hands when they ate. He answered them by declaring that what goes into a person's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth defiles him. Whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is then expelled, but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. Our heart produces evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander, and etc. Our heart is the root system of the mouth and whatever nutrients we put into our soil determines the quality of the root system. Our life is a tree that stems from the roots and it will produce either good fruit or bad fruit. So what are we going to water and feed our life and heart with? Are we going to digest things that are righteous, pure, and profitable, or are we going to consume things that are wicked, vile, and degrading? We must look to the roots to determine what fruit we will ultimately bear. If our heart is holy, then our speech will follow in the same conduct.

Devotional - Matthew 7:13-14

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, only a few find it."

Lord, I want to take the road less traveled; the long, windy, and treacherous path that leads to the narrow gate. I want to avoid the easy, the tempting, and the sinfully delectable. I want to be unorthodox, radical, revolutionary, and authentic. Everyday may I check my normalcy, and see where I fall in line and compromise with the world. Be my guide and my rudder, directing my path and altering my course. Flee me from the clutches of the enemy and into the arms of my Heavenly Father. Run after me Father as I run after You. I don't want to turn back, veer off, or stop what You are calling me to pursue. Let me run hard, fast, and with endurance, never looking back at what I've left behind. I want to cultivate trees along the way that produce abundant fruit. May I be a mustard seed that spreads rapidly and ferociously, which leaves its mark on everything that it goes through. I want to be recognized by my fruit!

Devotional - Matthew 6:33-34

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Father, may I seek Your kingdom and Your will and Your righteousness above all else. Do not let me be consumed or even slightly fazed by the worries of this life; whether food or drink, clothing or shelter, or anything else that distracts in this little riddled world. More so, free me from the sins of the past and the doubts of the future. Fill me completely with You, so that nothing else can even take its place to consume my thoughts. You provide for the lilies and the birds - why should I not think that You will provide for me? I want to run after the things of You and not the things of pagans. Never let me cry out, "What shall I eat, drink, or wear?" You are my Great Provider and Sovereign Sustainer. Let me live this out even in my uncertain future and not be consumed by the knowing where I will serve or where I will be in 6 months. It honestly doesn't matter because I will still be found in Your favor, overwhelmed by Your love, drenched by Your blessing, and obsessed by Your romance. Let tomorrow come when it's ready and let today be enjoyed.

Devotional - Matthew 1:22-23

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us.""

It amazes me how God was orchestrating this event since the beginning of time. God came to the earth through the flesh of Jesus and through a Jewish line of patriarchs, kings, an incestuous daughter-in-law, a prostitute, a foreigner, and a virgin. It took 14 generations from Abraham to David and 14 more from David to the exile to Babylon and 14 more from the exile to Jesus. And this event was even prophesied hundreds of years in advance by the prophet Isaiah, claiming that the Christ would be of a virgin and called Immanuel, "God with us." And that is exactly who Jesus Christ was; God in the flesh, God dwelling among man. The story of an infinite and infallible Creator, humbling Himself to live amongst His finite and fallible creation. He stepped off His high and lofty throne to live as a lowly carpenter and servant. And that virgin-born carpenter came into crux of history to where it would spread the gospel message rapidly throughout the known world and forever change the course of human existence. A divine man, a depraved humanity, and a providential hour all collided to make way for a splintered cross, an incomprehensible sacrifice, and a glorious salvation.

Devotional - Psalm 18:19

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

Thank You Abba for Your comfort, for Your love, for Your great wisdom, for Your abundant grace, and for Your relentless pursuit of me. Thank You for bringing me to this sacred and consecrated space that is set aside for fervent and ceaseless praise of You. Thank You for taking delight in me, for fashioning me in Your image, and for every gift You have bestowed me with. May these 6 months be a season of holy living and vibrant community, where I encounter You in my meekness and brokenness. Shatter my expectations, tear apart my flesh, and wreak havoc upon my life to where nothing else can satisfy me, but being wrapped in Your presence. I want everything You have to offer and want to walk away from this experience not being able to recognize who I used to be. Thank You for the continuous saving grace that I cling to; for nothing else could mark me as Your lover, Your servant, and Your friend. May this continuous dialogue between You and I grow in its intimacy, depth, and authenticity. Thank You for this romance between the Redeemer and the redeemed, and thank You for delighting in me first so that I could delight in You. Let this 6 month transformation be engrained by a tender heart, pure thoughts, humble actions, and an affectionate spirit. Find enjoyment in me and let me abide in You forevermore!

Devotional - 2 Corinthians 9:6

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

Lord, let me give of myself in all things and all circumstances. Allow me to give of my time, my money, my energy, my compassion, my knowledge, and my love. I don't want to hold anything back, and whatever comes first, my death or Your return, allow me to be satisfied in what You've accomplished through me. Make me confident, willing, organized, zealous, diligent, persistent, and ambitious. You be the sower and the reaper and make me the simple servant that you utilize. Make me cheerful in whatever I give, and I pray that I won't be burdened by it. Thank You for Your amazing grace and that in its abundance all good works abound. Thank You for the investments You have made in me and for the responsibilities that You've given me. How can I express my gratitude except by serving others in love. In everything that I do, let me be the most generous in my proclamation of the Gospel. Let me confess it before men and praise it before God. And in the end when I see You face to face, all I want to hear is; "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Devotional - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God"

We are disciples and ambassadors of Christ who live by faith and not by sight, always eager to please our Heavenly Father. We are to have a reverence and fear of Him, seeking to persuade others of what He has to offer. Christ's love compels us to live sacrificially, submitting to God and serving others. Christ's death on a lowly cross was so that we would no longer live for ourselves, but rather live for Him. We are now found to be a new creation that has done away with the old. It is a precious gift from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and thus giving us the ministry of reconciliation as well. Through this atonement and forgiveness we have once again been united with our Abba. His great Love and Mercy put Him who had no sin to be sin on our behalf, granting us righteousness. Paul's pronouncement of the Gospel continues to astound and amaze me. Why this God of mine chose to reconcile me to Himself; I shall never know. Love has captured my heart and may everything I give to Him be the first of my fruits. Your my joy, my hope, my life, my salvation, my everything - may all I be in return is pleasing and delightful in Your eyes.

Australia Summer 2009 - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What happens in Australia, stays with you forever!

Devotional - Proverbs 7:1-3

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart."

Lord, purge my heart with Your commands and let me be obedient to them. Let it be second nature to follow and allow the Holy Spirit to influence all my actions. I do not desire to live, but I desire life. I want everything that You have to offer in this amazing relationship. Print every word of the Scriptures on my mind; allow me to not only be a student, but also a teacher. When the seductress comes to cause me to fall into sin, let Your commands and my convictions be an impenetrable fortress against the enemy. The enemy comes from all directions and I always need to be on my guard. Do not let me turn to her ways or stray into her path. Death stay away from me and life come embrace me.

New Zealand Summer 2009 - Sightseeing and Thrill-seeking

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Seeing the sights and living the life.