Guatemala 2010- We made it!

We made it safe and sound to Guatemala yesterday. It was a long day of traveling but well worth it! Once we arrived in Panajachel, we settled into our quaint little hotel and then went to dinner. We enjoyed an authentic Guatemalan meal with live entertainment. View our video below to see the details!

Today, we are headed to Casa De Sion to help out with a medical clinic for pregnant women. We will be playing with their other children and helping out in any way possible. We're so excited to see the Lord work this week. Continue to keep us in your prayers!

Matthew 28:16-20, The Great Commission

The Great Commission... It is one of the most important things you can do to
enhance the kingdom of heaven. To make disciples (simply to share about who
Jesus is and what He has done for you) in the world around you. You can
draw from people in your small, medium or large circles. Your small circle
is those around you on a daily basis, your closest friends or family
members. You medium circle are your peers at school that you see often but
seldomly interact with. And your large circle is the general public, the
bank teller, the cash register at the grocery store, the mail man etc. So
find someone in any of those circles and make a disciple. This is a
commandment of Jesus' not a suggestion. It is one of the very last things
He said before leaving this earth and it is how you and I know about the
gospel of salvation today, because those men Jesus gave the GREAT COMMISSION
too that day shared about HIM and spread it to us! Go therefore and make
disciples!

Luke 24:13-53, The Road to Emmaus

Jesus is walking right next to you

Luke 24:13-53 describes Jesus appearing to two men on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus after His resurrection. The men don’t realize that it is Jesus walking with them on the seven mile trip as they are focused on trying to figure out their disappointments.

This story causes me to ask the question, What are the “things” in our lives that distract us from realizing that Jesus is walking right next to us through life?
Even in our hardest, lowest times in life Jesus is right beside us the whole way. But many times, because of our focus on our disappointments, frustrations, challenges, distractions etc., we forget that Jesus is right there with us. Jesus desires to guide us through life especially through our hard times. So my challenge to you is to evaluate your life and ask God to show you the areas of your life that are causing you to forget that Jesus is our focus. Hebrews 12:2 says; Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith.

Let’s take our focus off the “things” of our life and set them on Jesus!

-joey

John 20:24-31, Jesus appears to a doubting Thomas

It wasn't till after Jesus' resurrection that pieces started to come together for the disciples. Jesus is going to appear suddenly to Thomas who is still unconvinced that his master is alive. His picture of Jesus is about to change dramatically.

Luke 22:39-46, Jesus in the Garden

Jesus wrestled in anguish with what was soon to become of him. It was thursday night as he prayed to God a prayer that went unanswered. "If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." But God's plan was to push through the pain for a far greater purpose that would be accomplished. Sometimes we forget that Jesus was 100% human. That he felt the depths of pain just as we do. We talk so much about Jesus being God that we often forget he was also human JUST LIKE US. yes, just like us. In perhaps his weakest hour, Jesus was all alone. His closest friends couldn't even stay awake with him that night. His prayer to God did not come true. And the next thing he knew, he was betrayed with a kiss, arrested, and saw his disciples run away scared.

But Jesus knew the pains of Friday would be worth the purposes that were accomplished on Sunday! And so it is the same in our own lives. Jesus knows your pain better than you think he does. But what is amazing is that just as jesus walked through the pain for a greater purpose, so it must happen in our own lives. God could have chosen not to put Jesus through the pain of the cross. God can also choose to remove pain from our lives if he so desires. But often times it is through great pain that great purposes are accomplished.

Jesus prepares to leave, John 13-17

No one saw it coming. His disciples had not picked up on the hints. Jesus was preparing to go away. The cross was before him but no one but him anticipated it. If you keep your mind in the first century you would have never anticipated it either. What is Jesus supposed to say? what are the right words when you are preparing to leave quite unexpectedly?

Immediatley following the washing of the disciples feet, Jesus begins to explain his departure. He encourages the disciples to love each other, to know that he is going off to prepare a place for them and will return, and that he is going to send another Counselor in his absence. Yet, the disciples are numb. They cannot understand what this all means. Where could Jesus possibly be going where they could not follow?

Slip on the sandals of the disciples this week and wrestle with this question, "why did Jesus have to leave?". Read these 5 chapters in John over the course of the week and consider how you would've felt. It simply doesn't make sense that Jesus is going to leave. And it will soon take the disciples by surprise.

John 13, The Greatest Extent of His Love

The tides are about to change. Jesus' ministry is quickly building towards something very unprecedented. Join us this week as we journey into the life of Jesus as he prepares to give his life in a way that none of his disciples would have ever imagined.

the little boy who gave

The Greatest Commandment, Matthew 22:37-38

If you summed it all up, pressed it all down, simplified it at best, and put it into the tightest package possible....there are 2 Great things to get right...

Jesus Calms the Storm, Matthew 8:23

Do you have faith in the storms of your life?

Mathew 8:23-27 tells of the time when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat
in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and a huge storm erupts. The disciples
thought they were going to die so they woke up Jesus calmed the wind and
waves, but before he calmed the storm Jesus called out the disciples on
their little faith.

When storms erupt in your life do you run straight to Jesus? Or do you try
and fix/stop the storm by your own strength?

This story in Mathew shows us that when are life feels like its been rocked
by a storm that God will take care of everything if we lean on Him.

-joey

Eating With the Tax Collectors, Matthew 9:9-13

Would you dine with the dishonest?

Luke 10, The Good Samaritan

An expert in the law asks Jesus, "How do I inherit eternal life?" Jesus then responds by asking him how he would answer the question. He says, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus sees this as a great response....

But the man had something else he was itching to ask. "Who is really my neighbor?" he asks.

And so Jesus tells a story. (Read Lk 10:30-35)

One thing we have learned about Jesus is that he always gets to the heart of the matter. The man probably wasn't a fan of Jesus making a Samaritan the hero of a story. In fact, he couldn't even bring himself to say..the samaritan. he simply said, "the one who had mercy on him". You can feel the tension in his own heart. The one...that one man...is the one he hoped he didn't have to include as his neighbor.

The story of the Good Samaritan needs to be retitled. Because it's a story about loving people you hate. We don't have any Samaritans around us today. In fact, the title "Good Samaritan" is a very pleasant thought in our society today. if jesus were telling the story today i imagine he would replace the Samaritan with an illegal immigrant. or perhaps an Arab Muslim. or maybe your brother or your parents. maybe even a friend that has stabbed you in the back. Why would it be titled that way?

Because the point of the story is to point out the hatred in our own hearts. So retitle the story in your own mind.

The Good _______________

the birth of jesus, Luke 1,2 and Matthew 1,2

Jesus worked in unexpected ways. it was the same way at his birth. from an outsiders view, it's a story of a pregnant teen, a fiance that considers divorce, a birth in a dark cave to an illegitmate child, laying him in a dirty trough, fleeing the country to escape a murderous king who massacres a small town. could this really be the backdrop for some one we would call more than a mere man?

The Cost of Following Jesus, Matthew 8:18-22

is there something that we risk when we choose to follow the way of Jesus?

Woman Anoints Jesus, Luke 7:36-50

When we look at the story of the Canaanite Woman we see Jesus for the first time doing something that we are unable to do. He forgives sins!!! This really shows that Jesus is not just a man but also God. He is God in flesh. After forgiving this woman many people begin to ask this question; “Who is he who can forgive sins?”

Romans 5:8 says that “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” If we were living in the 1st century and we read this verse the word that shock us it the word “Christ”. They were eagerly waiting for “Christ” to come but didn’t know what it looked like. This title given to Jesus is recognizing that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecy of the Old Testament in order to save us from our sins.

It was not an accident or a mistake. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Why?

Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We deserve nothing but death, but God is giving His Son as a gift. What are we going to do now?

Are we going to respond like Simon who was distant and ignored Jesus’ gift of forgiveness? Or are we going to respond like the Canaanite woman, who loved much because she was forgiven much?

Accept God’s gift of forgiveness. He sent His one and only Son that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Do you believe?

Conflict and Forgiveness, Matthew 18:15-35

Hear from Lisa this week about how Jesus instructs us to resolve conflicts!

If we love people (namely our brothers and sisters in Christ) then we will
confront them when we are hurt by them. Too often we let things harbor when
we shouldn't. The bible is very clear on this approach. We are
supposed to first talk to them one on one and if they don't listen then we
are to bring another with us and if they still don't listen then we are
supposed to remove ourselves from fellowship with them until they make
things right. If at any point they ask forgiveness then we are to forgive
them and not hold it over their head again.

If we truly grasp God's grace and forgiveness in our own lives-- that once we were wretched and
we are only good because of HIM-- then we can freely give grace and forgiveness to
others. Amazing Grace! Read through Matthew 18:15-to the end.

Who is the Greatest?, Matthew 18

The disciples are traveling back to their hometown with Jesus. As they walk along the road some of them fall back behind Jesus and start talking, debating, questioning, arguing, and ultimately fighting about one thing...WHO IS THE GREATEST? You see, by this time Jesus was very popular. He was attracting large crowds everywhere he went and the disciples were his right hand guys. They began to wonder of their own fame that might grow as Jesus gets more popular. So they began to dispute which of them was the greatest of Jesus' guys.

Uon arriving back in Capernum, Jesus asks them what they were arguing about on the road. And so they ask, "Jesus, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus responds (as he always seems to do) with an answer that goes straight to the heart. He brought a little child to his side and told them to become like this child! "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

What is it about a child that is so admirable? they have no status. they are completely dependent. they are willing to say what is on their heart. they are completely honest. they are so innocent.

As we grow up, we start to become more independent. we don't need others help and we don't depend on God for things. But Jesus drives us back to the heart of a child. it's not about who is #1. it's not about who is at the top of the charts. What matters is that our hearts are child like as we daily depend on God.

So who is the greatest? it's certainly not determined by your ability or position or what you possess. it's about where your heart is. Become the least and serve those around you. then you will find what is great.

"Come to me all who are weary", Matthew 11:28-30

it's a simple message. Not too complicated. Easy to understand. Speaking straight to the heart.

Jesus wants those who are weary and burdened to come to him. We don't quite identify with the term yoke these days. it was something that was placed on the back or head of an animal to help pull a heavy load. it was for bearing weight. Probably the closest thing we can identify with today is a backpack.

You know when you come home from school and you throw that backpack into a corner of the room? Your shoulders are tired and you want that weight off your back. That's what Jesus is talking about here. We all carry burdens. things that weigh us down. Maybe today you find yourself worn out and burdened. Perhaps things in the family are rough. Maybe school work is getting overwhelming. Sports and other activities are keeping you way too busy, always on the go. There is no time for rest.

Jesus says 'Come to Me'. His backpack is easy, his burden is light.

There is something about the way of Jesus that isn't as burdensome as the way of the world. it's definitely not easier. it's definitely not without trouble. But for some reason, it is lighter. things become bareable when you let Jesus help carry the load.

Jesus says Learn from me. As we learn to 'walk it out' in his way, we will see this truth come alive. His Yoke is easy. His burden is light.

In Jesus you find rest for your weary soul. Slow down and consider the way you are walking in. Listen as Jesus speaks these simple words, "Come to me"

The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus has something to say that may put a damper on the American Dream. As the crowds gather around him, he begins to talk about the people who are lucky in this world. the people that have it good. Were he to stand before us today, we might expect him to tell us of the Hollywood stars, the professional athletes, lottery winners, and Bill Gates. Because those are who we think have it good.

But Jesus speaks of a different dream. And it is not American. It is out of this world. It is another Kingdom. The kingdom of heaven. This dream says that lucky are those who are poor, who mourn, the humble, the hungry and thirsty people for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted. These are the lucky people in his world.

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES A POOR PERSON HAVE IT BETTER THAN ME?

think about it. a poor person is in the ideal position to be open to receiving fully what God has to offer.
We are proud. Poor people are humble
We are independent. The poor are dependent
We need no one. The poor need any and everyone to reach out and help.
We think we are important. The poor understand they are just a man.
We can take care of ourselves. The poor need someone to open their door.

It's a condition of the heart. Jesus sees their heart and says that is more desirable than the pride of the rich. Following Jesus is not the same as following the American Dream where you have whatever you want whenever you want it. It's not about climbing the ladder of success. it's not a race to the top. it's a race to the bottom.

it's okay to become successful. there is not anything wrong with being rich. The bible is full of the richest people that ever walked the face of this earth. It's not about your bank account. it's about your heart.

So, who is lucky? who has it good in this life? The person whose heart is positioned best to receive what our great God has to offer. Those who are poor.

We have a lot to learn from our poor neighbors.

the parable of the sower, Matthew 13

Why does Jesus speak in parables?

Matthew 13 begins with Jesus speaking in a parable that seems to confuse everyone.
Even his disciples asked, "Why do you speak in parables?"
His answer was basically that it reveals the heart.

Jesus desires to be desired. He longs to be longed for. He speaks in
parables so that others will search for the answer if they so desire.

But in Matthew 13 Jesus actually explains what his Parable of the Sower
means. He shows that there are 4 different soils which reflects 4 different
hearts: The seed that falls along the path, the seed that falls on rocky
soil, the seed that falls amongst thorns, and the seed that fall on fertile
soil.

The seed that falls along the path exemplifies a hard heart. This person's
heart is just as hard as the path that the seed falls on. Repetitive
sinning or continually saying no to God creates a hard heart in which has no
room for God and so therefore is more vulnerable to Satan's attack.

The seed that falls on rocky soil represents a shallow heart. This person
loves God in good times but turns from God in bad times. He springs up fast
because of emotional experiences but falls easily when temptation comes.
Their roots just aren't deep enough.

The seed that fall amongst thorns illustrates a crowded heart. This person
grows to be fine but the worries of life and the deceitfulness of money
slowly choke him out. The began to believe in the lie that having more is
better and slowly began to loose cite of God.

The seed that falls among the fertile soil is the seed that God desires us
to be. These people understand that significance matters more than success
and that for every seed you receive from God you give sow on other people.

Which seed are you?

If Jesus is the Gardener (John 17), what would you ask God to do with his
soil? Does he need to take a pick ax to break up the soil because it's too
hard? Or multiplying what you have and producing fruit?

If we are not producing fruit then we are moreso like the first 3 seeds.
Let's make sure that God is doing what He wants with his soil.