Sojourner

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12.2

How often this verse is thrown out yet how little it is actually lived out. To actually tear oneself away from culture and patterns of society in order that God's will may be known is a lot harder than what modern Christianity is. Would the disciples of Jesus actually recognize the Church today as ones who follow the Way? Even as one who strains to pull away from culture and into the wounds of Christ I find my nose being rubbed in the dirt of the spirit of this age, once again overcome by the quick, self- pleasing pleasures of the world.

We may say over and over again, do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6.19) yet look at our houses, look at our cars, look at our iPhones, look at our computers and programs, look at our clothes, look at our extravagant Caribbean vacations twice a year. Now turn your gaze to Jesus. Where was His vacation when for three years straight He travelled the Judean countryside and ministered? Why did He travel on foot instead of acquiring a shining chariot? Why didn't He live in a two thousand square foot home to entertain and teach those who came to Him, but instead He declared that, the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. (Luke 9:58)

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. 1 Peter 2.11 And I beg you, fellow lovers of Jesus, those who desire to experience the fullness of His love and delight over you. I beg you, I ask you to abstain from fleshly lusts. The gospel is offensive, it is not culturally relevant. The greatest marketing team consists of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If a place where the glory of God dwells and love of Christ abounds in the lives of those who serve the house of the Lord then certainly the lost, broken and outcast will find themselves at your doorstep. They will not come to a familiar place that smells, looks, and sounds just like every other trendy showcase out there. They will come where they can find acceptance no matter if extra grace is required. The hurting will come to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge and understanding, where humility abounds and self-preservation and humanistic religion is cast out.

I pray that the Holy Spirit may open up our eyes, that we may see wondrous things from Your law, for we are strangers in the earth. Let us put on Christ and make no provision for our flesh. May we find the narrow path where the poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers not peacekeepers and pure in heart once found their way.

Hidden

As I sit here eating peanut butter soup reminiscing of the times I've had in the Onething Internship, I can't help but feel a desire for hiddeness. A longing to only be seen by the eyes of the Lord. I want to be veiled from man's eyes, opinions, thoughts, judgments and requirements beating down on my soul. Fitly set eyes like doves, pure, unadulterated, affectionate, jealous are the ones of God.

The glorious truth is that He never stops gazing on me. This may be a terrible, exposing reality for some yet for the vulnerable and aching heart this is life. The lovesick ones cry out from the wound of love requesting more, more, more. My Beloved, the One I love, Jesus, King of righteousness is who I fully give myself to. All of my actions, words, thoughts and motives are unto intimacy.

I don't love You nearly to the depth that I want. Come and set Your seal of love upon my heart, God. You hold all my affection. Be the flame inside me, awaken love. Keep me hidden in the shadow of Your wings.

Words Have Substance

Speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3.2

Not just the ones I like, enjoy or agree with. For words form life. . . or earth. There is an inherent capacity for words to actually depict and prophesy things that aren't as through they were. Sure, man cannot say, 'light' and instantly brightens surrounds (save for the last days when great power will come upon those who believe). Yet being made in the image of the eternal, immortal, invisible God we possess His qualities on a small scale. For example, a boy who is constantly told from his father that he is stupid will actually begin to believe it. His father has the authority to bless or curse him.

Blessing is not just for Isaac. Cursing is not just for demonized witches and warlocks. Humans are spirit in nature. Christians are you listening? The ones caught in evil actually have an understanding of power and authority that clings to words, although twisted in its function. Words can breathe life, vigor and encourage or they can demean, cast down and bring death.Even if I'm not directly cursing someone to their face I am provoking their spirit to be disquieted.

In essence, Matthew 5 is filtering itself in here, For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Bringing it back to Titus, this act of love, this reality of loving your brother as yourself manifest as speaking evil of no one. For without love I'm just a clanging gong, nothing but air occupied, no real death, no real message, no real Christian.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age. I've got to continue in the spirit what started in the spirit. If I attempt to reign myself in I will fall miserably. To call on the grace of God, to hide in the wounds of Christ recognizing that my life is not my own can only suffice.

Submit to the Holy Spirit. Wash, regenerate and transform the workings of my mind by the washing of the water of the Word. Releasing mercy is my only option. To not let pride sneak its slippery and sly ways into my Christian life. Jesus is coming back, I've got to partner with Hi in seeing millions of souls saved before His judgments on the wicked pour out. I do this by speaking evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle and showing humility to all men.

Oh, When I Meet Him in the Clouds

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. . .” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

It sounds like a rather loud event. Jesus, the one who’s head and hair are white like wool and eyes like a flame of fire with a sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth shall be shouting (Rev 1:15,16). Also the voice of an archangel, not just an ordinary minister of God, but a chief or principal angel that constantly ministers in His counsel. Lastly, a trumpet, an alarm, a loud brass instrument resounding. Coincidentally in Revelation 11 at the seventh and last trumpet the Faithful Witness, Jesus, returns and avenges His bride from the wicked hands of the Anti-Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:52 declares, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed."

All Christians vanishing mysteriously with no sign or warning and all those who are left behind are simply those who do not have a relationship with Jesus and alone they must endure the rise of the Anti-christ feels incredibly disheartening and not at all like the merciful God I know.The notion of only unbelievers suffering through the most concentrated amount of wickedness and immorality is sad. How ever will a harvest be reaped? How can "every eye see Him, even they who pierced Him" if no one notices that all Christ followers are gone? (Rev. 1:17) Jude 14 claims, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints." If Jude could number it, I'm sure we will see it.

I'm excited!

Jesus, I will see You coming with the cloud! I can't wait to be surrounded with such a great cloud of witnesses on that Day. That Day when You'll come back for me and every wrong will be made right and You will establish righteousness on the earth as it is in heaven. I will know in assurance that this life is not in vain. No longer peering through a dim mirror trying to get a glimpse of You. Oh, what a glorious day! Every eye will see You and all will know that You are indeed alive and have risen for the sake of Love. You shall not let Your bride wander away from You any longer. Thank you Jesus for being Faithful and True.

Partnering With Me

I’ve decided to continue my stay at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and be trained in the love of Christ at Forerunner School of Ministry (FSM) for at least six more months. My heart has come alive as I’ve read, sang and prayed the Word in the Global Prayer Room. The One Thing Internship that I will complete in December has laid a foundation of prayer, fasted lifestyle and what wholehearted love for Jesus looks like in my life. I miss San Diego and Newbreak Church incredibly yet I cannot help but feel the tug of the Lord asking me to wait before I enter into ministry and to cultivate intimacy with Him.

So here I am, an intercessory missionary! I never knew what intercession meant or was let alone the acute importance of daily, sustained prayer coupled with fasting. Everyone here is not perfect in their living of a Christian life, sin is called sin and when confessed and repented it is forgiven and covered in love. Don’t worry it’s also not a cult, I promise! It’s definitely a lot different than church in California but that doesn’t mitigate the genuine and authentic fruit of the Spirit displayed at IHOP.

The last thing I want is to sound elitist, like I have it all figured out or slightly less than a Pharisee, I feel like I’m now more in touch with the lies that I live with and sin patterns in my life that with the grace of God is slowly ebbing off. I don’t feel like I’m called to Kansas City forever, in fact, I know that California is where God wants me, but the prayer movement isn’t going anywhere and as YWAM and IHOP converge the missions and prayer movements there will be a fulfilling of the Great Commission in the next five years. Can you believe it?! It’s so exciting almost every tribe, tongue, people and nation will have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I will be taking two classes every week which changes monthly as well as a practicum, 24 hours in the week in the GPR and service hours. The school is $1500 a semester and housing is $283 a month (I’m living with two of my roommates from the internship in a small house next to IHOPU) not including groceries, gas and giving. I would love to be fully funded in this next season of my life to be focused on learning the mysteries of Christ and developing a deep love for Him. Even Jesus had women who ministered to Him as He traveled to all the cities.

Please pray about partnering with me for the next six months with either a onetime or monthly gift. I genuinely appreciate all of the prayer that you have labored for me in the last six months and hopefully will for the next.