Jesus didn't die for you...

Jesus didn't Die for you...

I'm sure you have heard before, whether you believe or not, that "Jesus died for you."  

I'm writing this to those of you who have the same reaction I once did to that statement...

When I would hear this proclaimed I could not connect with the "big deal" it was made out to be.  Because to me, what is the big deal about dying if you know you're coming back to life? Anyone who would make this statement also believed that He had indeed rose again, and had not remained in death.  

For me, believing He died and rose again wasn't a difficult concept, it was understanding why His death was made out to be such a sacrifice; after all, He came back to life...

But, there is more...

Jesus did not just die... 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Jesus did not "die peacefully in His sleep." Jesus "death" lasted for days.  He was slowly mocked, shamed, beaten, and crucified.

A definition of crucify: to treat with gross injustice; persecute; torment; torture.  

Jesus received the worst torture one could have.  And to know he did it willingly...

 If anyone had the "power" to escape this treatment and ultimately that death, it was Jesus, but instead, He said "whatever your will is father."

He took it on, refusing anything to dull the pain, suffering until the final moment when he gave up his last breath.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" 1 Pet 3:18

Jesus was laughed at...

Mocked...

Spit on...

Bruised...

Stabbed...

Beaten...

Tortured...

He bled...

Cried...

And Died FOR YOU and Me

And I choose to Live for Him.

Forever.

Eternally.

The girl you knew is Dying...

Dear Friends, 

Old and New, 

I have wondered at times, what you think when you see glimpses of my life today. 

Quite likely, it appears to be different then "when you knew me."

Truth is, it IS DIFFERENT.

Not because I am DIFFERENT, but because I am NEW.  

If you are thinking that I am unqualified, insufficient, undeserving, or unworthy of who I am today...YOU ARE RIGHT!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer

, a persecutor, and an insolent being; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.

It is only because of Christ, and In Christ that I am who I am...

Getting a little closer everyday, to who I was meant to be...

The person you knew is dying a little everyday, and I could not be more ALIVE!

---1 Timothy 1:12-17--- 

 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Gal 2:20

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." -  Mark 8:35

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor 5:17

little Dreams

In my last post I referred to the quote that

"If what you're dreaming is possible even if God doesn't show up, then you are not dreaming big enough"

Well I after I wrote that I had a realization that what I was planning, wasn't big enough! 

My husband has wanted to host a concert as a fundraiser for a couple years.  Last spring I got on board and told him that we would do it for our developing non-profit (see previous post.)

But to be honest, I really didn't think it would be possible.  We didn't have so many of the necessary resources to put on an event such as this.

But I'm here to admit I did not consider the number one, and ONLY Source that we ever really need!

I was not dreaming big enough.

But thankfully Brett was!

And God did show up and the concert is going to happen!!!

March 13, 2015 in Melbourne, AR at the John E Miller Auditorium! 

The Start a Fire tour featuring 

UNSPOKEN

JONNY DIAZ & 

JJ WEEKS BAND

Purchase Tickets HERE

He doesn't need me.

When God asks you to do something, you can bet there will be work involved.  If it were something easy then we would have no need to ask for his help.

I'm also discovering, that a lot of things he asks of me, seem to be far from my wheel house.  Tasks I am clearly unqualified and seemingly incapable of.  But if He only asked the possible of us, then where would His glory come from?  Why would we need him? 

I read something..somewhere... Once that said if what you're dreaming is possible even if God does not show up, then your not dreaming big enough.

As God laid it on our hearts to start this missions organization, it was exciting. 

 But to be honest it has become extremely taxing.  I have read more legal words I don't understand than ones I do. In all my ignorance I didn't realize exactly what all it would involve to complete this process.

Daily I am reminded just how unqualified we are to do this.  

But we are not meant to do any task on our own. 

Through this process I am learning to be led by the One who chose us.

The One who leads us.

The One who is only asking us to obey.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE:    
-We have filed our Articles of Incorporation with the state.  This means we are officially a corporation called "We Arise Missions." 
-We have applied for and received our EIN.  Which is basically a number we need that identifies us with the IRS; the EIN is neccessary for the application to be a 501(c)3 organization. 
-Recently we have started filling out the 30+ page application for the IRS.  We are going to finish it to the best of our abilities and then find a CPA to go over it with us and finalize any changes needed before we submit it to the IRS.

Please pray for this process, some days I feel like we are in way over our head, but we just keep praying that God stays in control and leads and guides every step!

Also, we are nearing our first big financial deadline for the Costa Rica mission trip, we are all very excited!


“I am blown away that my God, who could do this all by Himself, would choose to let me be a little part of it.” - Katie Davis, Kisses from Katie

Costa Rica Mission Trip

 

I love when we get to see God's will play out in our lives.  The Lord began a work in Brett and I before we ever even knew each other, and now, many years later; so many things are making sense!

We desire to see followers of Christ live out the great commission.  Through many prayers we have started the process to start a non-profit that will give us a platform to give those seeking to serve, an opportunity to do so in capacities that may not otherwise be available to them!

One way we are doing that is through low-cost mission trips.  In May 2015 we are leading a group of 14 (children, teens, & adults) to San Jose, Costa Rica for a week long mission trip.

Please pray for our team, Mission of Hope Ministries, and most of all, the people who we will come in contact with!

A more specific way to pray for us, is financial provisions. 

 If you want to support us financially; for a $20 donation we will send you the T-shirt shown above!  I can ship the shirt anywhere in the United States.  Donations can be made by check or paypal!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!!!

Country Spotlight: Pray for Costa Rica

 

Costa Rica : Rich Coast

- The "riches" of Costa Rica attract many to the country in hopes of escaping poverty and making a better life for themselves, only to sink even further into poverty

-Pray for the ministries of Costa Rica, both domestic and foreign, that their work continues to impact the country in the name of Jesus

-Pray for the people we will come in contact with May 2015 when we lead a group of 14 on a mission trip to San Jose.  Lift our team up in prayer, for most of our group, this will be their very first mission trip!  Pray for Mission of Hope ministries, the group we will be serving with while in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida en Cristo: Because true "pure life" can come only through Christ!

Restore My Soul

Recently Brett challenged his teen class to memorize Psalm 23.  On New Years Eve, he asked them to remember and share something God did for them in 2014.  Before each one shared he had them read the 23 Psalm aloud, since they were all suppose to be studying and memorizing the passage.  

 

As I sat there and listened to 15 teenagers read aloud the very powerful passage I became more and more emotional!  My heart and mind broke down each verse and what it meant to me, especially over this last year...

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 

The end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 was a hard lesson on letting go and allowing the Lord to truly be my shepherd.  I could go on for days about how lost I am without Him and how going my own way always ends in Him finding me and bringing back to a place of "safety" under His rod and staff.  There is nothing I need or want outside of the goodness and mercy of the Lord.

 

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

 

Despite where I may want to wander or stray off to, He is so good to bring me to a place of rest and peace, the beginning of 2014 was just that as he took me from all distractions and into a place of truly being still in His presence.

 

He leads me beside still waters.

 

Daily I thirst for something more than this world; the hectic, crazy, evil, torturous world.  The Lord has taught me to listen and seek out His voice, and He will give me the purest, living water; Himself.  Jesus is the still, peaceful, quenching, living water our souls long for.

  

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

 

 Restoration means to return something back to its original state/design.  I have never been perfect, but that is what God created me to be, and sin took that away.  Everyday God is repairing a piece of my soul and bringing me one step closer to, not my own, but His righteousness.  Not that I may boast, but that I may do my part to spread His name and cause to every soul in need.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

 

 This year definitely had its challenges.  Through them all God has not changed, He has kept every promise.  His deity, omnipresence, and Word are my backbone.  I shall not fear!

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

 

The Lord's power prevails and His anointing prevents the enemy from disturbing His perfect hospitality, that I may enjoy the goodness of my Lord.

 

my cup overflows.

 

2014 was most definitely a year of blessings.  The desires of my heart have been abundantly given and I pray that they only increase my service to the Lord.  That they may aid as facilitators to what He asks of me!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

 

Through it all, I long for forever, the emotions of home overwhelm me.  His grace is sufficient for me.  His unending love is my cornerstone. In Christ alone, I have hope for 2015!!!