IBS Proverbs 23:15- 17

My son, if your heart is wise,

my heart too will be glad.

My inmost being will exult

when your lips speak what is right.

Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

When I was younger tried too hard to rebel, to do what I wanted no matter what anyone says. But in retrospect in I should have listened. My parents were always there to guide and protect me, but instead, I decided to do whatever I could to make my own way. But I am so thankful for everything my parents did to raise me on the correct path because as much as I wanted to be rebellious, I still heeded the words of my parents. And I’m further still thankful that they answered the call to go out and be missionaries. Sometimes I think about what would have happened, how my life would have been so drastically different if we would have stayed. Even though the hard times, the lord was orchestrating the events of my life. And up to now, God has granted me the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and serve Gods children around the world. He has allowed me the chance to live out my own faith, but He reminds me of the way my parents faithfully brought up an unruly son, and I’m thankful they never gave up. 

Application 

Today I will call my parents and thank them for answering the call of the lord, and always guiding me in the ways of the lord

IBS Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Through the chaos, confusion, darkness, and sin the Lord always remains on the throne. Nothing can change that. Nothing I can do or anyone else can do. King Uzziah tried to make take advantage of the power and authority that the Lord had given him. He entered the temple of Lord, his heart filled with pride, and wanted to sacrifice to the Lord. Because of his foolish actions, he was struck with leprosy, condemned to die alone, with the “mark” of sin on his forehead. The people of Israel were in dire need of the lord. Sin had hardened their hearts, blinded their eyes, muffled their ears. But God still reigned. Above all other King’s and all other lords. 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!”

When God requires a message, he touches the heart of his messenger. He asks for a willing vessel. When Isaiah was called by the lord, he felt unworthy before the presence of the Lord. He felt unclean. But the lord has already cleansed us. He has burned away our sin. When we need direction, he guides us in what to do and what to say. And he provides the strength to reach the goal he has set before us. And through it all the lord is seated on the throne. 

“in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?” -psalm 56:11

Application 

Today I will make a notecard with this verse on it, so at the end of the day when I see it I’m reminded of his goodness. 

IBS 2 Corinthians 8:21

for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

Aim. Set your eyes on your target. Don’t look away. Focus and adjust. I’m always being brought back to a place of keeping my eyes on the lord. When time is short it’s easy to get distracted by the scoreboard. Looking away from the goal and looking at the remaining time thinking “ oh there’s so little time left. What am I going to do”. And that’s when the mistakes are made. But when I focus on God, and block everything else out, and make the play, or take the shot, then the lord moves. When I focus on the daily task and make it a mundane chore, then I feel like I’m under a microscope, worrying I’m going to mess something up in front of everyone. But my heart centered in the knowledge that the lord comes first before anything. Like a good soldier, my armor needs to be on, my full armor, and my weapon needs to stay ready for use. The lord is making it clear to me the dire need to stay ready in Him and Him alone. Not in my own strength, not in my own weapons. 

“Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.”

(Isaiah 1:13 a)

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High”

(Psalm 50:14)

To be ready in and out of season. To be faithful in the eyes of the lord, and ready to serve the needs of man. 

Application 

Today I will write out ways I see myself missing the target and pray everyday for change. 

IBS Job 11:13-18

“If you prepare your heart,

you will stretch out your hands toward him.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,

and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;

you will be secure and will not fear.

You will forget your misery;

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

And your life will be brighter than the noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.

And you will feel secure, because there is hope;

you will look around and take your rest in security.”

My heart needs to be prepared for his use. My time here in Uganda and what the lord is showing me here ultimately comes back to this, my heart set and prepared on Him and Him alone. The enemy is always trying to distract me from Gods plans and lure my eyes away from God and trap me in sneaky snares. Sometimes I can get so focused on staying above water then I lose focus on what God is trying to tell me for that day, that moment. But when I come before Him, heart ready and hands outstretched, withholding nothing, Hiding nothing, I see Him. In times of misery, the Lord is always there, and he’s the one who washes our worries away. When I have sin in my life and I’m confused about why I’m not shining, why I’m in fear, He won’t use me to my fullest. But no matter how dark it can seem, He shines through to my heart, and He allows me to lift my head blameless before Him, confident and secure in His forgiveness. And that’s the point in which He begins to use me. That’s when he makes me shine. This is the point to which God is driving me. To be confident the morning will come, and in the morning, find rest in His security. 

Application

this week I will memorize this passage

IBS Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity

Throughout my time in ignite, the lord has been working in my heart to be more open with my brothers. To come to some when I’m struggling, and not just keep it inside and in my own heart. And this verse has been coming up in my field time. This was a verse for the kids in the kids club, and the kids all learned it, and when this verse came back up in a bible study, I really felt the Lord speaking to me. Not too long ago the lord placed on my heart to even step out and talk more with the young men here, and share with what the lord he’s been doing in our lives. Because I can talk to the lord all day, and that’s great, but what if the Lord wants to use me to encourage someone who needs it? Because the lord has his plans and I’m not the center of it, but just a piece in a mosaic. And really I’m just being selfish keeping to myself because I’m not meeting the lord work in my life. The lord is also showing me that there are people who care for me, that my brothers are there, and they want to see me grow and not struggle with my the cares of this world alone. God placed my brothers in my life, at this time for a reason, and I need to get past my insecurities and trust in His promise of brotherly companionship. 

Application

Throughout this week I will go to one of my brothers every night and fellowship and pray with them. 

IBS Matthew 9:37-38

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Through my time in Uganda, I have seen much harvest. The Lord every day gives us, individually and as a team, opportunities for ministry with those around us. But even with everything we do, there is still more. There is still so much work. But the Lord knows what he is doing. My time here is sadly winding down, and there’s always more I’d like to do, but for this season in my life he has called me to six months in Uganda, and He wants me to be faithful in the little things, like serving the wonderful Ugandan people. With all the work and the little time left it could be discouraging, but I know God has called and equipped more faithful laborers to continue in the work He started. The Lord knows just when the crops are going to be ready and He calls the right laborers for that season, for the good of the harvest and the laborers themselves. And the laborers are not tasked with the whole field, but with a section that’s just there own, that they were assigned to for a specific reason. I am very thankful for this season of my life, but I’m still more thankful that the Lord will not forget His people, and that the helpless sheep will find their Shepherd 

Application

This week Put a note by my bed that says “Harvest”, to remind me to pray for the laborers, those here and on their way, and the great harvest that’s coming. 

Psalms 32:8-9

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

This last week has been very eventful, but I can see God through it all. Every day was had a challenge He set before us, as a team and individually. But for me personally, I can say God has just been drawing me closer. Even when I felt like I was doing great, I was shown my efforts weren’t growing and teaching me, and that only the lord can do that in my heart. All the great things I could do won’t draw me closer to knowing God more. God moves in the heart and molds the character of a man. And even “my best” isn’t His best, and and the opportunity to grow closer to this team He has put me on is still present. But God, He promises me He will instruct me. Sometimes I get distracted by all the promises He makes us, and I lose sight of everything He wants for me. And awhile back I was encouraged with this verse but now the Lord has presented it to me again, and now with fresh eyes, it means so much more. He won’t guide me if I’m not submitted and wanting to be in His presence if I’m not seeking Him constantly. He won’t force me either, it’s all a choice, my choice to be instructed by the Lord. 

Application

This week I will devote a time In the morning and evening to reading and praying for further fellowship and devotion to my savior