FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Last week, while in Mexico, our students posted things that they were experiencing on this blog. For the students, they had an opportunity to share what God was doing. For the Parents, they were able to read and see what God was doing. It was awesome to see how many people were reading their post each day!
Since the trip, some of our students have started their own blogs. It leads me to this question, do you have a blog? If so, send me your link!
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!’
Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’
‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” v. 27-31
Probably one of my favorite lessons/miracles Jesus performed because I relate so much to Peter. Peter’s a guy that is willing to try anything Jesus asks of him. In the midst of a storm, Jesus ask him to get out of the boat and walk to Him on the water through the waves and the wind and he does! Peter takes a couple of steps on the water!!! How awesome is that? Taking his eyes off of Jesus, he realizes what he is doing and starts to focus on the fact that he is walking on water. He feels the strong wind and looks at how big the waves are and begins to panic. He starts to sink and cries out for help. Jesus is right there and tells Peter, “You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?”
I see myself in this story. I have read and even experienced the power of Christ to do things that I think are impossible. However, sadly there are many times that
I know it may be hard to believe that I struggle with these since I am a pastor that works with teenagers. But it’s the truth; some things come easy while other things are harder to do.
Today may we be people that keep our eyes on Jesus, growing in faith, knowledge, and love for Him!
“Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, ‘This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.’ Others said, ‘He’s the prophet Elijah.’ Still others said, ‘He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.’” v. 14-15
People were talking about Jesus. They had heard what He said but still wanted to say he was someone else. Sounds like our world today. People hear about Jesus, but want to say something different about Him so they don’t have to deal with the reality He is who He says He IS! I love what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says about these 2 verses. Check it out:
Herod, along with many others, wondered who Jesus really was. Unable to accept Jesus’ claim to be God’s Son, many people made up their own explanations for his power and authority. Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, while those who were familiar with the Old Testament thought he was Elijah. Still others believed that Jesus was a teaching prophet in the tradition of Moses, Isaiah, or Jeremiah. Today people still have to make up there minds about Jesus. Some think that if they can name what he is – prophet, teacher, good man – they can weaken the power of his claim on their lives. BUT . . . what people think does not change who HE IS!
Who do you say Jesus is?
Today we baptized more students after church. It was an awesome time to celebrate what God is doing. Baptism is simply an outward expression of an inward commitment! It was awesome seeing two dads baptize their teenagers!!! Powerful! Here are some pics!
It’s been just over 24 hours since we left Faith Mission in Del Rio Texas. This trip has got to be one of if not the best trip I have had the privilege of working with students on. There are a lot of things that stand out to me as I look back on them here were some of the special/inspirational moments for me in the order that they happened.
“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14
It truly was an awesome trip! We are going back next year and would love for you to join us!! It is life changing when you see how Big our God is!!!!
The challenge for all of us is this . . . Will you SEE PEOPLE?
“’Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.’” v32-33
In this passage Jesus is teaching His disciples about the persecution that was going to be coming their way because of their dedication to Him. Because they followed Him and would be telling others about Him, they were going to experience difficult times that would include bodily harm and even death. He encouraged them not to give up our to turn away under persecution. He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Today in America, we don’t understand persecution like Jesus is describing. We get made fun of and once and think we have experienced hard persecution. Yes, it is a form of being persecuted for Christ, but there are people dying everyday for His Names sake. They aren’t afraid to say that they love Jesus even if it does cost them everything.
How about you? Will you be a person that will stand for Christ in ALL circumstances, or will you be a person that is quiet and doesn’t let anyone know about your relationship with Jesus?
“’If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.’” v. 37-39
Well, I just got home after a great time with our students. I am so proud of each of them. I am really tiered and will write some reflections about the trip later this week! God is so Good!!!!
Today was the last day to work in Mexico. This week has been so life changing for all that are involved. We finished our VBS by showing parents what we had taught their kids all week long. There were a lot of tears as we said good bye. Following the VBS we ate PollosDon Triny where we had the best Mexican food I have ever eaten. Then, we hit the shops for some Mexican souvenirs. I bought Joe a little guitar for $10.00, he is going to love it.
Tonight we ended a great week with a great church service. It was amazing to to see all of us worship even with the language barrier. God spoke to one of our students who was really questioning the existence of God this week in a real way in the service. You can read his perspective below with some of the others students thoughts also. Here are the pictures I took today!
It really stinks that today is the last day. I’m REALLY upset. This has been quite an experience. I came here thinking the wrong thoughts like, whats gonna happen with my tan line? or which friends i am gonna become closer to and i was looking forward to helping the kids, but it was sort of for my own experience.
I am really glad i got a chance to come on this trip. It really has impacted me greatly, and i won’t ever be the same again. I now have a new perspective on life. I really encourage any other person that gets offered a chance like this to go for it. I will never forget these kids, the sermons, and the adults that still had so much faith in God, even with what little they had, and they thought they were so blessed.
I’m not sure how to describe this experience, but it was definitely amazing. –Alyssa
This has been an experience like no other to me. I hope i have touched the lives of other and i feel i have progressed in my faith. My feeling are indescribable. We joke about the kids in Africa that are missing out on the food you waste or the things you throw in the closet. Well i have seen the kids in Mexico and i truly have no right to ever complain for what i have again. I live in an ornery generation and i have taken part in it every day. It makes me sick to my stomach of how selfish i have lived and i strongly intend to change that. I have complained about not having the latest technology and i have met a man who praises god for the blessing of his cardboard house and refrigerator. We are ignorant. Ignorant of what it could be and ignorant of how blessed we are for the things we find as common necessity. These people live with hardly anything and they are happier than I. I envy them and am happy for them because they have joy in poverty. I dont know what else to say… ~James
This week has been the best week of my year. Mexico was so fun. Meeting the kids telling them about our wonderful GOD. They have nothing but they are still muy, muy, bueno. The kids are fun to play soccer with. They are the best soccer players. At the beginning of the week i was scared because what I heard. But everything was good God was watching over us to keep us safe. It was so fun!!! I am so glad my parents let me go and i am glad they went with me. it has changed every ones life. God is the best thing that can happened in your life!!! -Justin
This week was the most amazing week i have ever had in my life. I had so much fun this week. I loved being able to interact with all the little kids and of course the bigger kids and parents. This week has changed my life this week so much. I will never, ever, ever complain again. I could not stop crying today. I dont want to leave all of these kids. I have gotten to know them so much. I am extremely sad to be leaving them. This trip has showed me how good we have it in Plano and in the united states. This has showed me how good God is and how awesome he is. I can not wait until next year when i go. God is absolutely amazing and can change your life for the good. –Kelly
hey everyone, Mexico has been great and i am so glad i got to experience with the people that i love at my church. This trip has taught me that i cant be selfish with what i have and i have to appreciate the blessings that i have. People in Mexico have absolutely nothing but they are so happy, just because they have God in there lives. I will be so sad when we leave, because i have gotten so close to some of these kids. -Kassidy
My second entry today for my first entry with god. Tonight was amazing. Those wonderful people who praise the lord with such passion had brought him to that church that i went to tonight, expecting it to be just another night on the trip. Without thinking I danced with everyone during worship. It started with the music. This music ignited every ones hearts which brought forth the presence of god. I danced and again asked god to help me connect , I cried out for the last time. The tears started coming as i began to think about what we had taught to the children this week and what my pastor had said to me. As the song ended I announced what i had started to feel. I admitted that “god has penetrated my heart”. That’s when i felt it. I felt as if my heart was charged and my hands felt as if they had lit on fire. I could not stop shaking as was bawling. Its an unbelievable feeling that you can only experience for yourself. I’m glad that the door is open for me to feel that as i wish, all the time. ~James
This has been an amazing experience. The people here are so friendly, always shaking your hand or hugging you. The children are adorable and so loving. But what has really struck me is their spirit. Most people would pity them, seeing only what they have financially or materially. But they have exceedingly more than us spiritually. They have so much faith, and are always content and grateful for what they have. They are a prime example that God is truly all we need. We have so much, and all we want is more and more. They have so little, and all they want is God. I envy that. ~Jonathan
“Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” v. 6-7
Jesus not only spent time with his disciples, he also sent them out to do ministry. My NLT Study Bible had this to say in the study notes,
The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ’s plan. The advantages in going out twos include:
- They could strengthen and encourage each other.
- They could provide comfort in rejection.
- They could stir each other to action as a counter to idleness or indifference.
Our strength comes from God, but he meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don’t try to do it alone.
The students presented the salvation story during VBS today and had about 25 kids accept Jesus as forever friend. Then we were able to give each child a Children’s Spanish New Testament. Each New Testament was in color with cartoons. Awesome.
It also rained today! They say it only rains here a few times a year. However, when it does rain it brings all the putrid smells out, that wasn’t very pleasant.
Our group did tours today. It’s always humbling to look and see how some of these families live. We have so much in the States and when you come here, you see how they have so little. It is truly amazing how they still are some of the happiest people you will ever meet. On the tour, Cesar, who has been our translator and translated for me on Tuesday Night, showed us his house! We were able to meet his wife and step son. He was so humble and shared his story. Very powerful!!! While we were there we prayed for him and his family. What a great opportunity!
Very powerful day today. Here are some pictures from today:
Yesterday was an amazing day, i felt like i really connected to god! it was a great felling that i felt so close to god. We looked at the worse part of Acuna, Mexico. We got to see the cardboard houses, it was so sad but we prayed for the families, and i felt so bad that they barely have anything and i have so much and they felt so grateful for everything they have. but i hope that god blesses them, and blesses the rest of the week –Brianne 🙂
I have never realized how much everyone in America is spoiled! All of these kids are soooooooo thankful for everything they have. I feel like i am changing lives just by walking the front doorway. I see a smile on all their faces at all times! I feel so blessed just to live in a house that can keep the rain out. I just pray that God keeps them safe and i hope that God blesses them!!! –Andrew
We really have the good-life and so do some of the people in Mexico. But a lot of people live of the scraps of and cable-jacking. We visited a family today and there house was made of rotten 2 x 4 and clothe roofs. Mexico has been a new start for ex gang members and deportees. But I thank god for the security food and water!!!!!!!!!!!! –Jacob
