{Philippians 4:4-13} 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Maybe you never have felt this way but last week I did. I knew some of the things weighing on me was guilt from past sins, unconfessed sin, etc. But even after confessing to God and others there was that weight. Weight from being a leader for others, knowing how to best love them, weight from having the responsibility AND privilege to speak into their lives. Someone once told me that if your first priority for going to the mission field is because of your love for the people there and not out of WORSHIP for Christ you will leave that mission field quickly. Why? Because your human love for other people will run out. It's not sufficient to endure and persevere in hard, difficult situations. But Christ's love is. When discipling others you can't just treat it like a math equation. If you do this + this = you get this result. Why? Because the work of discipleship is God's work. Yes. He chooses to use us in it but He is the one changing and shaping hearts. He's the one that opens eyes and breaks down walls. For me it's so easy to want easy. It's so easy for me to focus on what other people want from me instead of what GOD want's for them. It's easy to compromise truth when I know I can be viewed in a negative light. How do I overcome this? How will I become more bold and brave for the sake of the Gospel? I will lift my eyes to the Maker and pray He changes this heart to love people so much I am willing to speak TRUTH. I would love if you could join in prayer with me as well. You can pray that as I and other's around me plan for the future God would be the one establishing our steps. That we would be willing to have "our plans" change for His. That in this last month before Christmas break we can love each other well as brothers and sisters in Christ. That Christ would be our strength and in everything He would be more glorified. By His grace, Kale.
Morning run with one of our Bible teachers from the states, Brian Boycan.
Weekend ministry in Los Angeles, CR teaching ESL. Our prayer is that these jóvenes {youth kids} will not only learn the English language but that they will hear/see the gospel and be changed by it.
Coffee date with Bethany and Hunter (two of the students in the GAP Program) 💕