Thursday, January 27, 2011

SPIRITUAL GETAWAY

My training is coming along great.  I've been able to make several new Christian mentors and friends during my studies.  I am able to continually grow in the Lord's guidance through these classes/seminars.

Example today I did what they call a spiritual journey, taking time away from your regular schedule and planning a chunk of time whither it be as long as a day or two or a few hours.  The point is to just break away from the normal routine and have some personal quite time with the Lord, taking time to either read the Bible, another book, worship hymns/songs, ect.  Whatever or however you would like to spend that time.  Maybe you spend it in prayer doesn't matter; as long as you are Christ centered and not worrying about the daily bustle.

I spent my time listing what the things are I am struggling with, what I'm thankful for, and why I love God.  Then I wrote out the 1st verse in the hymnal, "Trust and Obey"

Try it and see what you think.  You have to make it a priority or it will never get done so plan it into your weekly schedule.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Discipline

Here is what God's word says about discipline.


(Show me Deuteronomy 8)
Deuteronomy 8: 5, "Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.


A parent discipling their child is what we normally think of when we hear this word.  What does discipline mean when you grow out of your parents supervision to have discipline.


(Show me Proverbs 12)
Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."  



Discipline takes a great deal of restraint.  Those who have good discipline will most likely learn more.


Here in Hebrews 12:11, "The moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."


Here we see how discipline can provide great rewards for those with patience and self-control.



Saturday, January 15, 2011

Saturday January 15, 2011

I Chronicles 16:10-12, "Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.  Look to the LORD and HIS Strength; seek his face always.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced."


This is a great verse that filled me with joy when I read through it.  We will be surprised how much joy, knowledge, ect. we can find if we just dig in and look around a little bit.  

I have spent the weekend with friends, family, and other Christians.  Today, I spent my morning working with a couple handfuls of men from First Baptist Church of Matthews at the Car Care Ministry.  There we complete simple fixes on auto mobiles. Specifically on lights, fluid levels, brakes, filters, and any other simple tasks that take just need some attention from an knowledgeable expert.  We work out of a shop that is primarily used for fabricating hot rod parts, Fat Mans Fabrication.  (I worked there shortly over the summer.)  The owner started the ministry several months ago to help single moms, battered women, and others in tight situation to be able to get quick repairs at no cost.  This is a great ministry that I support and encourage other too as well.  

I took the rest of the day help my grandpa.  We had a good time working on a couple of his many computers and running errands.  I also took some time to get rid of some pesky ice that was lingering around his house.  

Now I'm getting ready to visit a friend's home church.  I know the Lord is sufficient in all things. He alone is capable of seeing that I am able to accomplish my goals.  I have to pray for His spiritual guidance to direct me to obtaining the budget set for me and glorying to Him at the same instance.  

Friday, January 14, 2011

Another Memerable Weekend is on the Horizon

As we all break away from the daily grind let us remember why we are here.  Through all the distraction and busiest of our lives we're here to mentor others spiritual and build up their own personal relationship with the Prince of Peace and glorify our Wonderous Savior in all thing. 

During this weekend I would like to chanlenge everyone of you to share something spiritual with a complete stranger.  It could be a verse, your testimony would be great, the "Romans Road" to salvation (verses from Romans that speak on salvation), or a simple invitation to a service this weekend. 

Thank you for reading

David

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Verses January 12, 2011

I Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This is a great set of verses easy to understand for any believer.  If you do what these three verses say you can easily live a life that is gloifying to God.

Recap
verse 16, Rejoice Always
verse 17, Pray without ceasing
verse 18, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This is why we have been put here.  To pick up our cross and use our God given gifts to glorify Him.  Jesus came to this Earth and died for us and by grace so we would be free from eternal damnation.  We should be willing to die for His cause, His glory no matter the cost.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Verses

I Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.

Another simple verse to grasp.  Prayer is very powerful tool.  I'm am very thankful to have people willing to pray for my ministry.  I had a great time alone with the Lord yesterday.  I prayed like I've never prayed before.  I can tell I growing more as I dig deeper into His love letter for us.
I've been studying Ezekiel.  A very difficult book to grasp.  I have been looking at commentaries and other resources to help explain the text there in this very confusing book of the Old Testament.

Fun In the Snow

Today I hung out with my friendly neighbor's, the Paynes.  They are friendly Christians that have welcomed me to come into there home and eat and fellowship with them.  Their kid are all around high school age.  Any how the kids and I had lots of fun in the snow today. We played for hours sledding on the huge hills they have on their property.  We went side by side down two on each sled, backwards and forwards with all four on two combined sleds, raced, and slid down the hill in the fresh white powder.

The most interesting thing was the conversation at the end of dinner.  The parents told me details of their own personal missionary journey to Cameron with JAARS and others who have gone and come back from PNG.  It was nothing new, but it was great insight and a good refresher of what to be expecting in the future.

After dinner we watch my new movie, Despicable Me.  Very funny animation.  Can't go wrong with any regular cartoon movie.

Now the Devin and Daniel are here sleeping over.  Devin, Jenny's boy friend got stuck here because of the ice.  He thought he would show me how much of a man he is by sleeping out side in the hammock.  He going to wake up sick as can be.  I strongly recommended he come in but somethings are better understood by stubborn people especially to just go ahead and find out the hard way for themselves on their own.

New Devotional

I've started this blog awhile back, but I lost interest as my time seem to vanish.  That seems to happen to everyone I know, haha.  Over the course of the last week I've relized I need to slow down my life to better serve and glorify God.  My plan over the next months before I go overseas is to share with you all on a regular basis a verse(s) of scripture that has been spoken to me.

Todays scripture is very simple.  I love simple things in life so I thought this would be a Great way to start it off.

I Thessalonias 5:16, Rejoice always.

Thoughts: We should always give praises to the Lord constantly exulting Him and glorifying HIM!


The Weekend to Remember

I felt the need to go do something for others this weekend. Let me tell you how it went down.
Friday Night I went out with parents to spend some time with them as I don't see them as often anymore. Then I went to my Grand Father Tucker's house to wake up early and do some work in the yard. 

I bundled up and took off early Saturday morning working all day in the elements. It started snowing on me for a little while. Then, went out to a friend's house to watch a great movie.

Sunday I was asked to visit my neighbor's church. I had a great time there; I was able to talk with the pastor for a moment and share my ministry with him and others. When I took off from there I meet up with another group at a church in Charlotte. From there we went to the Winter Jam, (Largest Christian Music Tour) to volunteer. It was a great night full of awesome entertainment. I was able to hang out with some of the band's, meet the guys, and get loads of autographs. The Best Concert Experience ever! Looking forward to doing it again soon.

Thank you Natie and the rest of the group for getting me connected!

I'm so exhausted now! (lets see what my new espresso machine has to say about that) but it was well worth all of it!

Glory to God!