Friday, January 30, 2015

Week 16 IBS Exodus 33:14 & 2 Timothy 2:13 ~Be Satisfied In His Presence~


January 31st, 2015

Exodus 33:14 “And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

            This week has been one of the most profound weeks ever. At one point, I dedicated a time to pray for my future. And that could be an endless list of things. I just desired a word, a vision, something from God, but God revealed to me something else. These verses are quite different, yet God pieced them together.

One morning after spending time with Him and in His word, Exodus 33:14 stood out to me. “It is quite the comfort, but not any vision” was my thought. Getting ready for each day, Kaylee and I sit right by each other, so she looked at me without any pre-knowledge of what I’ve been praying for, and said, “God is going to have great plans for you, Brittani. Whatever they may be, they are going to be great. God just wanted me to tell you that.” I was just awestruck. In that moment, God spoke to me that He is my comfort. It’s like He was saying, “Brittani, it’s okay, I’ve got it, just look to me, be satisfied in My presence.” I was so wrapped up in the thought of wanting a vision, that I was missing just sitting in His presence right then. I was in a way, losing faith in Him because He hasn’t given me a vision yet. And that’s where 2 Timothy 2:13 comes in. He is still faithful, even when I am not…now that is a comfort, but no excuse for me to be faithless.

What peace God has flooded me with in this time. I don’t need any answer right now of what my steps after IGNITE will be, because He’s got it. I just desire His will to be done. He’s given me today, which His will is in today, may I take what He’s given me and run with it. Just being in His presence is enough for me. I need to seek Him out and trust that He’s got my future in His hands. And He does, He is above all, He is in control!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Week 15 IBS Exodus 17:12, 18:9 & Mark 6:34


January 24th, 2015

Exodus 17:12 “But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Exodus 18:9 “Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.”

Mark 6:34 “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.”

            I read these three chapters on the 21st, but the night before we had a crazy experience. It was something that required these three specific verses and it was cool to read them the next day and see it played out. We grew a lot closer together not only as a team, but with the people. We have grown to love the people here so much and that night we saw that they loved us right back. They came to our side and made sure we were okay and taken care of.  That incident was unexpected, but before going to sleep we just had a time of prayer and worship. We were just glorifying God for the blessing of having such a wonderful family that loves us and that we were okay. We not only had the care from those who came to help us, but from our Lord. We have such a wonderful God who was, and still is, looking out for us.

            Reading these three chapters the next morning was perfect, and God used these specific verses to speak to me. Exodus 17:12 speaks of support. Exodus 18:9 speaks of rejoicing. Mark 6:34 speaks of compassion and our Great Shepherd. God just pieced these together, revealing to me what had happened the night before. Something crazy occurred, yet we had the support and care of not only each other, but our family here. We came together, as a team, and just worshipped Him, we rejoiced for the good that had happened. And just knowing that we have Jesus, who is our Great Shepherd, is a comfort. He cares for us and He was watching out for us that night, as He is now.

            I’m really glad and thankful that this happened. God grew me a lot and showed me that we did the right thing. It’s important to remember Him and that He cares for us. It’s important to rejoice always, for all things. It’s not joy for the situation, but through the situation. And it’s important to support each other and come together as one in Him. God is good.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Week 14 IBS Genesis 50:20


Friday January 16th, 2015

Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

            The story of Joseph is a great one. It’s been coming up quite a bit these past few months just in the readings I’ve been doing and now actually reading the story itself in the Bible. What an ultimate example of forgiveness and hope. From a young age Joseph’s brothers didn’t like him and once they decided to sell him to the Ishmaelites, it was all downhill from there for him. Yet, Joseph held on to the dream God had given him. He held on to the promise. He trusted and clung to the Lord. And Joseph came out as the Prime Minister of Egypt.

In this time I’m not experiencing trials or hardship, but I am having to trust in the Lord. Starting the work here in Cambodia has been growing me a lot in patience and it is difficult, but God is faithful…BUT GOD. Those are the two words in this verse that stand out to me so much. So many things are happening around me that I don’t understand, “but God” is ultimately what it comes down to. Faith and trust in Him. He works all things together for good, as Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

I may not be experiencing trials or hardship as I said, but I was able to share this verse to someone who I know is and asked me for prayer. It’s a perfect reminder of how sovereign, loving, and wonderful God is and how we should see every situation as a gift. I love how God does that; He spoke to me about this verse in a different way, but I was also able to use it to share with this person the reminder of hope and the good in all.

Application: I’m just in awe of how God works. Remember to cling on to the hope and know that God works all things together for good. I will memorize Genesis 50:20, so I can remind myself of the example of Joseph’s life and clinging on to the hope, knowing God is good.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Week 13 IBS Matthew 17:20 ~Something Unexpected~


Wednesday January 7th, 2015

Matthew 17:20 “So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

            A few days ago I read Matthew 17 and this verse stuck out to me. It’s always an awesome verse but it was a good reminder to just keep the faith, even faith so tiny, nothing is impossible with God. The day before we were blessed to attend and greet the guests at our friends’ wedding, so the couple wanted to have a family dinner to come together and celebrate since the wedding had just occurred. So a bunch of the youth/young adults were down in the courtyard and I decided I wanted to talk to them, so I went downstairs. The whole walk over there I kept thinking how awkward it was going to be, simply because it’s always a bit awkward walking up to a group of people already talking…and not to mention the Khmer part. But I moved passed myself and kept walking towards them. When I got there, a beautiful young lady was sitting on one of the benches alone. It was a perfect opportunity to say hello and see how she’s been doing. It turned out she was in need of somebody to talk to. She ended up sharing things that have been troubling her and asking me questions. She basically poured her heart out to me and shared her feelings. God had given me such a beautiful opening to encourage this girl and to pray with her and to disciple her. I was able to share this verse of Matthew 17:20 with her and just reassure her that she needs to have faith and God will provide. She had said, “I think God allowed you to come over and talk to me right now.” And I said, “I think so too.” And I just smiled at her and gave her the biggest hug.

            That night I walked away so encouraged by the Lord. I had stepped down the stairs not expecting much to happen but for me to dilly-dally around and talk to my Khmer friends as best as possible, but God provided something much greater. The lesson I learned in that was always do things with full confidence. Never doubt because God is ALWAYS with me and He provides forms of ministries and ways for me to shine His light. Be expecting things to happen and God to be working.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Week 12 IBS- Galatians 5:1 and Matthew 6:33


Thursday January 1st, 2015

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made is free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

            New Year’s Eve is always a fun celebration…all over the world. Here in Cambodia we had a party at the church and celebrated by playing games, sharing food, dancing, and worshipping. I seriously can’t get over the worship here, there are times when I love it so much more than in America. It’s so genuine. One song that they love to sing here is “I Am Free”. A song with the lyrics of “I am free to run (I am free to run). I am free to dance (I am free to dance). I am free to live for You (I am free to live for you). I am free…!” A song most of us know, a song that I don’t see people singing in America anymore. If I were to sing that song in America it would not be the same. Like I’ve mentioned before, the Khmer people like to dance and jump for the Lord, so seeing them genuinely worshipping our King and declaring that we are free is beautiful. And in the times we’ve sang it here I have overlooked the lyrics in the past. We are FREE, free to worship Him. Yes persecution may come, but we are free. Oh how blessed I am!

            But something that was even more beautiful last night was the countdown to the New Year. It was very peaceful and celebratory. Instead of cheering so loud right at the strike of twelve, we did something that I have never quite thought of before. They lit a big 2015 sign on fire and we all went into a time of lifting our prayers for the year of 2015 to our Lord. I was so convicted that I’ve never done that before. It’s God who allowed us to go into the New Year, we need to be starting the year with Him. It was so amazing! And after our prayers we cheered. Yes, it was five minutes after the New Year, but it was after we put God first! To start I was upset I had never done that before, but then I realized it’s in the past, I’ve given it to God and now I can start this year right with Him and for the years to come, Lord willing. My prayer is to wake up each day different than I was the day before, grown in the Lord.

Application: Prayer is always the main application, but today I will write refresh on my hand to remind myself to refresh myself in the Lord each day.