IBS john 12:26

“If anyone serves me,he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the father will honor him.”

I’ve been a missionary all of my life, but I haven’t followed Jesus to the field. I’ve always followed my parents. Only in recent years have I followed Jesus to where he called me. And that was back to the US ironically enough. But serving has always been interesting for me. I thought I was serving, I was a missionary. I thought I was doing the best I could. But God slowly showed me I was very wrong. I’m still not there yet. Whenever I think I am, I see someone do something I should have thought to do. But God is teaching patience and contentment in His timing

But now I’m being called on my own. And as I’m called to Uganda I know it will be tough. But I will be with Him, and He will be with me.

Application

Tonight I will pray that our team will be ready in His timing.

IBS Psalm 120

The Lord is so faithful and good, even when I get caught up in traps and snares. When it seems like I’m on way up, I get brought down by such small things, that wriggle and creep their way into my mind. But when I was in my dark place, seeking refuge from it, and the Lord shined through. He showed me I was lying to myself and everyone around me. I was trying to tell myself I was ok where I was at, but like the sun faithfully rises every day, the lord broke through the lies and showed me there was more, there was something missing. I wasn’t crying out to Him, and He showed me in time. I get so caught up in the things surrounding me that I lose sight of what’s important. But as I read this passage the lord really showed me where I was at, and that he is the only one who can remove me from the camp I made myself. Thank you, Lord, for your grace that always renews itself every morning. 

Application 

This week I will make my phone background a sunrise to remind me when I lose sight of Him, He doesn’t lose sight of me

IBS Psalm 119:46

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame.

This past week has been crazy. I didn’t know what to expect with my trip to visit refugee camps in northern Uganda. I thought it would be more shocking or something, but the lord truly showed me they were still just people in great need. It’s funny because this was only my second mission trip, and it is definitely one I will remember. As I was reading this verse It really struck me as a fitting verse for my experiences. Because the purpose of the trip was to glorify God, through my music, service, and love for His children. God gives us opportunities that we will never forget, radical life-changing blessings to serve others in any way. Whether it’s stacking chairs or giving out food, God was glorified and was with me on this trip. He taught me and equipped me for future service, and blessed me with the opportunity to serve with a great team I know blessed the people and pastors from South Sudan. He lets us on these trips to witness to anyone, from the lowest beggar to the highest ruler, of what the power of Gods love can do. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of serving you. 

Application 

Today I will draw out on a little note card the flag of South Sudan to remind me to pray for the people, and also pray that I may never fall back from testifying the work He is doing in my life and In the camps

IBS 1 Samuel 17: 46-47

This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.

As a human it’s easy to see the things of this world and be uneasy with hard situations. I have been given the opportunity to go minister in refugee camps in Northern Africa. I know God is sending me for a reason, and I’m excited, but I’m the enemy tries to discourage me telling me I can’t minister to these people. But it’s not about me, it’s about the lords work. When I let fear creak in I get crippled. Like the Israelites. Waiting, watching and rotting while their enemy laughs in their faces, shaming their people and their God. Their eyes only saw the man. But God, oh but God sees more. Like the heart of a young man after His own heart. A man who could not wait for the “men” to do something, so he let God use Him in one of the most amazing accounts in the Bible ever. “There is no fear in love, for perfect live drives out all fear” 1 John 4:18. David’s love for the Lord, and the lords love for him gave him the victory. And Gods glory was revealed to the whole land. This land that was in fear of a man, and like a good Sheppard, a boy to returned the people to the sheepfold. But most importantly David gave glory to the one that gave him the power the giant in the first place. Me I know God will give me his power an he will be glorified in His victory. Thank you lord for your encouraging words in times of need.

Application
Today I will memorize this passage

IBS PSALM 103

I know the Lord is trying to work in my life, but I keep getting in the way. I take my eyes off of Him and I get distracted with earthly things. The enemy throws my sin and my surroundings at me to distract me, but I’m distracted further still by the lord. He always brings my eyes back to Him. What the enemy throws at me the lord throws away further than my mind can comprehend. And He covers me with a love my heart can’t contain. In a time of need the lord has shown me I can’t do it on my own, and that when the eyes are not focused on being Christ like, tension and frustration arises that only creates division. Lord help me to see as you see and let your word solidify In my heart. 

Application 

This week I will make this passage my background on my phones to remind me of Gods promises

IBS PSALM 103

I know the Lord is trying to work in my life, but I keep getting in the way. I take my eyes off of Him and I get distracted with earthly things. The enemy throws my sin and my surroundings at me to distract me, but I’m distracted further still by the lord. He always brings my eyes back to Him. What the enemy throws at me the lord throws away further than my mind can comprehend. And He covers me with a love my heart can’t contain. In a time of need the lord has shown me I can’t do it on my own, and that when the eyes are not focused on being Christ like, tension and frustration arises that only creates division. Lord help me to see as you see and let your word solidify In my heart. 

Application 

This week I will make this passage my background on my phones to remind me of Gods promises

IBS Psalm 94: 17- 19

If the LORD had not been my help,

my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.

When I thought, “My foot slips,”

your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many,

your consolations cheer my soul.

Recently I had the opportunity to go on a missions outreach to a small island called Bussi island, in lake Victoria. There we got to evangelize to the people living on this rural island. At first I was apprehensive, because they told us there were “drunkards, fornicators and witch doctors”, but after some time in prayer and in the word, I felt like the lord had prepared me for this outreach. It turns out I had an amazing blessed time. On our first stop we talked to a young lady at her house, but as we were talking, a young man was walking up the road, so me and a local started to talk to him. He started to share how he was on the island looking for work to provide for his family( mind you he is 23 years old). He said he was born again but didn’t have a bible. He explained that he didn’t have enough resources to provide for his family, and wanted us to pray for him. Later on we would realize many people on this island were on the same boat. As I prayed for him I prayed that he would see God in a new way and trust in Him to be the provider for all our needs. As we finished I felt lead to give him my bible, and explained the significance behind why it was burned. I have been thinking about this encounter ever since,and as I read this psalm today It impacted me as a reminder of how faithful God is, and that he never lets us go and never lets us down. He is steadfast, and provides des what we need when we need it, and I think that he provide that outreach just in time for me. 

Application

Today I will write down on a notecard this passage and put in next to my bed, to remind me to pray for my faith and the faith of the souls on bussi.