IBS 1 Corinthians 12: 14-15

“For the body does not consist of one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.’”

In this beautiful body, I have a purpose. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’m still developing. I’m still being formed into the vessel he has had planned out for me since forever ago. But a body has many members. In team Uganda, there are eight of us, and I’ve already seen that we can look like an eight headed freak at times. We need a leader. A head that knows what it’s doing and how to do it correctly and efficiently. Now naturally we would appoint one, but one of us leading would fall far short of the things He can do. We can do good, but He can do the Greatest. One mind. One body. Moved by Him. And that’s just a team of eight! In this ministry alone there are so many different body parts. Flip them around and put the appointed parts in different areas and nothing could function. Everyone is where they are at for a reason. He knows what’s best, He sees past skin and bone. He has the eternal in view. Thank you, God for the body, this strange body that seems Frankensteined together at times, but in reality is a perfect organism. Help me to put that in perspective Lord

Application

Today I will write unity on my arm, and when I see it I will pray for team Uganda( and the others ), for last few weeks and our field time.

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:22

“ To the weak, I became week, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people. that by all means, I might save some”

When I think of growth I think of getting stronger. But as the Lord showed me through this passage, sometimes growing is becoming weaker. Lowering myself as to not seem like such a high and mighty Christian. A Christian who is perfect in every way and can’t fail. But even Paul. The greatest of heavyweight missionary’s, humble himself for the lost. But it’s all for the gospel. Out of humility not out of pride but out of love for a brother in need. As I look back I’m thankful for the men in my life that spent that time, those late nights talking about life. Living in a basement with nothing but each other. I’m thankful that these men had their positions in leadership yet came down to my level to help me through my hard times. Even though they didn’t have to they did out of a passion and calling to disciple and be there as an older brother. And as they were challenged to live like this I was too. So as I grow with the lord and in years I pray for opportunity to speak through me for the one

Application

Today I will pray for these influential men In my life and next time I see them I will thank them for spending those late nights someone who really needed it

IBS HEBREWS 5:8

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered”

When I think about Jesus I think of my perfect savior. But not as someone who needed to learn anything, especially obedience. For He is all knowing and all powerful. He sits at the right hand of the father and reigns over his enemies. He does all the commanding, why should He need to obey anyone. But He is the son, and as the son, He set the ultimate example. Offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for His creations. He served the Low and he redeemed the broken. Through obedience, the Lord was glorified. The son was taken out of the depths and exalted upon high. He took my lashes and forgot my sins. Now how can I not obey the request of sweeping the crumbs and the fallen dust? For that’s what I am without His sacrifice. A pile of ashes. The perfect son took the perfect place for a disgraced son, me not Him. Lord help me to obey thy commandments even when I don’t see the outcome.

Application

Today I will memorize this verse as a reminder of the depths he will go for His lost sons.

IBS ROMANS 15:1

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak. “

I have never been the strong one. It’s always someone else talking about what God is doing, and I left wanting something like that. I’ve always been the baby Christian, feeding on milk, and wanting to move on to the meat. But I know he’s growing me. Even if I can’t see it. He’s not growing me in my timing. But my timing is not perfect, but he is. He will make me strong to help those who are weak. He has put people in my life to help me when I was weak. And those people told me I would do the same for some else one day. I’m not there yet, but I pray to God I will be.

Application

I will take time out of my mornings to read over this verse and pray for opportunity and strength

IBS HEBREWS 13:17

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. “

Obedience has always been hard for me. Although most of the time on the outside I might seem like I’m complying, but in my heart, I would grumble. Growing up we had three dogs, and I was volunteered for pooper-scooper duty. And that was gross. I didn’t like it and I complained about the poop that would sometimes get on me. But that was my parents. I always thought it was easier to obey a request from someone in authority. But once I started working at MM and got orders from anyone, I realized it was much harder for me to comply. But now I’m called to ignite. And I’m called to obey without complaining anything my leaders ask me. For they are above me, and they are under God. I’m called to respect them because they know what’s best because God knows what’s best. I’ve personally seen everything a leader is called to do. To drop anything for the need of someone else. They want what’s best for us, and they strive for our success

APPLICATION

Tonight I will pray for all of the leaders on the field that I personally know, and pray for these next 6 months.

IBS Ephesians 6:1

“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”

Colossians 3:20

“Children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the lord”

I’ve always struggled with obedience. I’ve always been rebellious. Usually in “small” ways to most, but in ways that sent me spiraling. Growing up as a missionary has me the typecast that I was a goody two shoe kid. I always hated being called sheltered, so much so that I would do whatever I could to not be that. I struggled most with obeying my parents. Anyone else that was in authority I usually would have gladly done what they asked. But I never really liked listening to mom and dad. But now I wish I listened to them and took heed of their warnings. They looked out for me, saw in me themselves and wanted to stop me from making the same mistakes they did. Although I love them I saw their flaws but never gave them the grace they would give me after I lied time after time straight to their face. I wish I could go back and tell myself to listen to them because it saddens me how much stress I caused their already stressful lives. But now all I can do respect them for all the hard work and sacrifices they made for me. And appreciate all the things I took for granted growing up.

Application

The next time I see my parents I will apologize for making their lives unnecessarily difficult and thank them for leading me in the right direction

IBS ROMANS 6:16

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or obedience which leads to righteousness?”

I have been set free from sin and bought by God my new master. A master who is good and gives me everything I need when I need it. So why is it so hard to follow his simple commandments. One master, the old one, deceives me. But the other, my new one, redeemed me. I know he can change me, but I’m too impatient to wait. I want to be better now. a slave can’t serve two masters, it must choose one or the other. Sometimes I like to think of my self as a bondservant. Willfully obeying menial tasks anything and everything without question. But I’m still a slave. Of righteousness nonetheless but a slave. I need to go through the 7 year time of trial, to be able to return to my master freely. Will it be easy, no. But I know he will grow. Will it be easier after, no? But I want to strive to get there one day. Later on in this passage it talks about fruit. The fruit I do longingly want, but don’t want to wait for. But for it grow I need to be obedient in righteousness.

APPLICATION

Over this next week, I will take time out of my morning to read this passage and pray for a more obedient heart