Sick...

I remember when I was a kid sick days were fun. I think that was because the majority of the time I wasn't sick or I had my grandma to take care of me. Well, today was not very fun, but it was overall a good day. I don't like being sick, but I did get to spend my time with the Lord. For some reason, when I got sick this morning I thought, "God please don't let me sin in my pain". I thought of Job and his pain, and I wanted to cling to the Lord. I still wanted to praise God even though every muscle in my stomach ached from pain.

I got a few nice surprises today. My book "Crazy Love" arrived today (my mother mailed it to me over a month and a half ago, but God's timing is perfect). I have enjoyed reading through the first couple chapters today, but then I had to stop, because even though I read this book before I still want to be in awe of God and meditate on what I am reading. I also received a roll of toilet paper and two powerades from my big sister, Kelly. Those were such a blessing to have. Even though, today in the eyes of many could have been seen as a bad day, in reality it was pretty good. Mamí also made me the Costa Rican equivalent to chicken noodle soup, it was delicious.

One of my favorite quotes from "Crazy Love" by: Francis Chan from today's reading, "if life were stable, I'd never need God's help. Since it's not, I reach out for him regularly. I am thankful for the unknowns and that I don't have control, because it makes me run to God" (p. 45). This section was titled, "Thank God we are weak".

What love really means...

What love really means - JJ Heller

God has been teaching me so much about His love and His love for others. I think many of us, at one point in time or another, have struggled with "owning" our identity in Christ. Reading "Who I am in Christ" (which is posted in another blog of mine) is making me ponder my indetity in Christ and others identity in Him.

In John 1:12-13, it says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God". I read these verses and thought, "wow, how amazing is that"! These verses are powerful and packed full of hope. The Creator of the universe claims you as His own child.

After I read those verses, my mind also went immediately to all of the children I have worked with and do work with. Many of them grow up with low self-images and come from broken homes. I thought, "wow, I hope they all know how much God loves them". No child is ever a mistake. Every child is precious. I hope that all of the children I have ever known know how much God loves them. Even if their mother abandoned them or their earthly father betrays their trust, there is hope in the Lord. When you believe in the Lord and accept Him, your identity is found in Him. He claims you as His own child. Earthly parents don't always live up to their responsibilities and are far from perfect, but your Heavenly Father is perfect and He loves you for you. God did not make a mistake when He made you. Your frame was not hidden from Him.

We are the children of God. He formed us in our mother's womb and He loves you. He loves you not because of the works you do or because you go to church every Sunday. He loves you for just being you. For some of us, this is hard to grasp. You don't earn God's love. He gives His love freely by His grace and mercy. Jesus took on all of the things that separated us from God and through Him and because of Him, we can be joined with Him. We can be called children of God, "born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God". Do you believe this? Have you fully accepted your identity in Christ? Do you know how much God loves you?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have enternal life". John 3:16 (NIV) 

Our Freedom and Skills

Exodus 35-40

As I was continuing my study on Moses, I came to the building of the tabernacle. I was tempted at first to skip over this section, but then I thought, "no I can't, everything in Scripture is there for a reason. God did not put anything in there without a purpose". So my word after reading the verses on the building of the tabernacle, "wow"! I am so happy I didn't skip over this section. All of the detail and craftsmanship that went into the construction of the tabernacle is amazing. God knew exactly how He wanted it to be and the Israelites made it exactly "as the Lord had commanded".

God brought together the people He needed to construct the tabernacle and the people because they were willing came and helped. I think that is so key, "who was willing to come and do the work". Those are the ones God used to build the tabernacle. God gives every person different skills, but He doesn't force you to use them to glorify Him, even though that is what He wants our desire to be. Out of His love, He allows us to decide how to use our skills. So what are you doing with the skills the Lord has given you? Are you willing to come and do the work for the Lord? Are you glorifying God through the use of your skills? I think this is important to think about.

Then look what happens when those who were willing came, Moses had to ask them to stop making/bringing things for the tabernacle. "Because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work" (Exodus 36:6-7). What would that be like for church leaders or missionaries to tell people, "please stop giving we already have more than enough to do all the work the Lord has commanded of us". That would be crazy awesome! If we all came together out of our own free will and gave so much to the work of the Lord that we had to stop, because what we had was more than enough to finish the work that the Lord had commanded us to do. What a day that would be!

Thank you Lord for today...

Today, has been a wonderful day. Thank you to all of those who have been praying for me. The fog is starting to lift. This doesn't mean that hardships or trials don't come cause they do, but my attitude and mindset towards them is changing. It wasn't even those trials that got me into the fog, but it was the lies that Satan had started deceiving me to be true.

It helps to be able to talk to someone who is older, wiser, and more mature in the Lord about my confusions and heartaches. I am grateful to have those kids of friends here in Costa Rica.

Today, I have rested. I noticed this past week that I have been busy for a few weeks now and I was in need of rest. It is so important to take time to rest and relax. It is when you are well rested that you are able to think clearly. Also, it is great to just rest in the Lord and allow Him to renew your mind through His word. Rest for me is not optional it is an essential. Jesus took time to rest because he knew it was important. Remember when the storm came over the sea and everyone on the boat was freaking out, and what was Jesus doing? He was sleeping then they woke him up and he calmed the sea. Take time to let Jesus calm your heart and your mind, each week.

Who I am in Christ...

For the past couple days, this is what I have been pondering. For some reason or another at times I can lose sight of who I am in Christ and who He has made me to be, as a believer and follower of Him. It took a friend this past week to help me realize the confidence and strength that I need to have in God. He did not create me to take on the guilt of others' sins or to feel guilty for past sins, which I have offered up to Him in confession. When the Bible talks about being made new this is what it means... 

Who I am in Christ

I am accepted...
I am God's child. John 1:12
I am Christ's friend. John 15:15
I have been justified. Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit in Him. 1 Cor. 6:17
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. 1 Cor. 6:19-20
I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Cor. 12:27
I am a saint. Eph. 1:1
I have been adopted as God's child. Eph. 1:5
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:18
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Col. 1:14
I am complete in Christ. Col. 2:10

I am secure...
I am free forever from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that all things work together for good. Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemning charges against me. Romans 8:31-34
I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. 2 Cor. 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected. Phil. 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven. Phil. 3:20
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7
I can find grace and mercy in time of need. Heb. 4:16
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18

I am significant...
I am the salt and light of the earth. Matt. 5:13-14
I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. John 15:1,5
I have been choosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16
I am a personal witness of Christ's. Acts 1:8
I am God's temple. 1 Cor. 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Cor. 5:17-21
I am God's co-worker. 2 Cor. 6:1
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Eph. 2:6
I am God's workmanship. Eph. 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph. 3:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13


(Who I am in Christ was compiled by Freedom in Christ ministries.)

Update

This past week has been good. I am learning a lot about God, myself, life, ministry, and serving others. I am sorry I could not write yesterday. I spent my afternoon watching two little boys so that my missionary friends, Liz and Noah, could go out and celebrate Noah´s birthday. It was such a joy to be able to watch their two little boys and we had a ton of fun, which is why I was exhausted by the time I got home at 6:30pm.

I love being able to spend time with the families and children here at ILE, because it makes me feel like I am back at home with my family. My idea of family is constantly changing since I have been here. My idea of family has never been based solely on blood relation. Sometimes those closest to me are actually not blood related. I have a huge family here in Costa Rica and I love it. God has made me more vulnerable here and in return I am getting to know those around me on a deeper level, much faster than I normally would. You can´t hide your feelings for long when you are put into stressful situations with others or even when you are left with no one to talk to except the person sitting next to you, which by the way is the same person you have to see everyday. It is such a blessing to have these relationships and to have this family. I know many people would classify this as a family of God, but to me this is just family. This feels like what it is suppose to be like and what it will be like in Heaven. People from different nations, languages, and with different personalities all joined together as family, united in Christ.

Prayer Request:
  Speaking of being vulnerable I want to share with you all that I have been having some hardships since my arrival in Costa Rica so I could use your prayers. My attitude and strength has been affected greatly these past few weeks. I am not sure if it is my anxiety or what is causing this change but I would really like it to go away. It is almost like having a fog in front of you constantly and I am trying to break through that fog. I share this personal prayer request because I believe in the power of prayer and in God. God has been so good to me and I want to continue glorifying Him through my life.

Search me, O God

Search me, o God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is an offensive way in me, lead me in the way of everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

I would encourage you to read all of Psalm 139. I know this is a popular Pslam but just read it slowly and be amazed by God and His love.