Resting through the Busyness

Resting through the Busyness

by | Jan 16, 2019 | Uncategorized

Rest. 

A word that means more to me now than I ever anticipated.

At the beginning of 2018, God gave me this word to hold onto. He told me it would be a word that would define my year and my relationship with Him. He said He would teach me more about it. 

I went through my year, as busy as ever. I had people who would come up to me, not knowing about this word, and tell me that the Lord was calling me into a season of rest. The Lord confirmed this word over and over. Every time He did, I would wait for this rest to come. I would expect to be less busy, less stressed. But month after month would pass by, and it never came.

It was September. I had just finished secondary school and was talking to a base elder about my next step. Just like many others, she said, “I think the Lord is saying you need a season of rest, and that the School of Biblical Studies will be the tool he uses to bring it.” I knew that it had to be the Lord, and so I signed up.

A week passed. Then three weeks, then six weeks. I was still tired and busy. Nothing had changed. In a cry of frustration, I prayed, “Lord, what is going on? Why do you keep talking to me about rest? This isn’t a season of rest. I am stressed, busy, and tired. The year is almost over and I haven’t learned anything about rest.”

 

I was learning a lot, but I felt drained.

I opened up my Bible to the book of Hebrews, and the verses leapt off the pages. 

“For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:16-19

The writer of Hebrews used the word “rest” to refer to the Promised Land.

I thought about the story of the Israelites, who time and time again struggled to keep their end of the covenant with God. They repeatedly gave sacrifices. Every time the high priest died, they had to appoint a new one. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years before inheriting the promised land- before entering the “rest”. They were afraid of the giants and they were disobedient.

The writer of Hebrews goes on to say,

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

God showed me that like Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan, Jesus came to lead us into the promised land of inheritance. Jesus became the great High Priest, not to sacrifice animals like every other priest. He brought a perfect sacrifice, himself, to complete what only He could complete.

 

Therefore, the promise of entering the rest still stands.

God initiated a better covenant- one that is one sided. Even though we did not choose him, he chose us. His Word is saturated in grace and filled with the gospel to come.

The Israelites weren’t focused on the the promise of rest, they were focused on the giants in the land. Therefore, they were disobedient and didn’t enter. I heard God say, “You are doing this right now. You are focusing on the giants: your workload, stressful situations, finances, and everything in your way. But all you need to do is focus on my promise. Focus on my Word. Focus on the inheritance I paid for.”

I realized that rest isn’t the absence of work or the absence of busyness. It is found in trusting God to take care of the giants.

 

Rest is confidence in his Promise.

In a moment, the Lord shifted my entire perspective. I had been waiting for God to move the giants so I could enter rest, but God was waiting on me to enter the rest so He could get rid of the giants. Entering rest isn’t done once the giants are gone; it is done despite them.

For a year, I wrestled with the Lord over this word, but God was faithful to bring revelation.

So I want to pray for you today, no matter what giant you are facing, whether it be finances, a relationship, fear, doubt, or health. Take a moment right where you are and close your eyes. Ask the Lord what giants are hindering you from fully trusting Him. As He reveals them to you, I invite you to lay down those fears at the feet of Jesus. 

Say, “Father, I repent from keeping my attention on this giant. Today I surrender that, and choose to trust you. I want to look to your promises and your truth.”

Then ask the Lord what He is saying to you. Ask Him what His promise is to you- the truth that you can hold to. 

Jesus sacrificed himself so that you could abide in Him no matter what is going on around you. Stand confident in that today: you can be at peace in the middle of the storm. Your job in the battle is only to trust in Him who can do all things.

Trusting in him brings obedience to Him, and the fruit of obedience is moving into rest. 

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How to Share Your Faith with: co-workers

How to Share Your Faith with: co-workers

by | Jan 10, 2019 | Uncategorized

We’ve been discussing what it looks like to share your faith openly in the various environments that we’re in on a daily basis. Here we wanted to talk about sharing faith coworkers–this can be tricky, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what role your faith should play at work. We all have the privilege to be a light in our workplaces, but it’s important to know how to utilize the opportunities we have.

No Fear

As we discussed in our last blog about sharing your faith, it’s important to not give into the fear that quiets us. There is always a fine balance, though. No one wants to be that obnoxious co-worker who is always making judgemental and legalistic side comments. We don’t want to force Jesus down the throats of those who we work with. The goal is always connection and friendship.

At the same time, it can be really intimidating when you feel alone if you don’t have any other believing co-workers or if you’re in an environment where you legally can’t share your faith. In situations like this reputation and integrity are everything. A bond of trust is formed when people see that who you are aligns with what you talk about or believe in.

When you’re working unto the Lord and showcasing good character in what you do– people will notice. Your refusal to gossip about others, positive attitudes in the midst of struggles, and honorable work ethic are all things people will notice. Walk out your faith in a real way, and your actions will give credibility to your faith.

On the Table

What we question the most sometimes is how to actually bring the subject of God, the gospel and our faith into the conversation. It’s important to learn how to put God on the table. It doesn’t have to be complicated, awkward, or pushy–speaking about Jesus should come naturally to us. Since He is the biggest, most important part of our lives bringing it up can come easily.

One important thing to consider is that your co-workers should really know from the beginning of where your faith stands. This will definitely make it less awkward than if they were to find out three months later when you offhandedly mention it. This plays a large part in them recognizing your integrity as an individual as well.

There are many ways to casually but confidently share your faith in Christ with your co-workers. When people ask you about your weekend, be honest–tell them about church, or the Bible study you attended. Don’t be afraid to identify publically with Jesus. Showing people how He’s a normal part of your life is a great way to get a conversation rolling.

Connection

As mentioned before, an intentional bond and connection is the goal. People need to see that you care about them. It can appear hard to break professional/personal barriers, but persistence is key. Work to establish a relationship beyond the office–try to grab coffee with someone after work or dinner on the weekend.

When people see that you care about them beyond what they do at work, it will automatically give you an opportunity to share openly with them. Creating a relationship where mutual openness is important–this will help you take your conversations beyond shallow topics.

Even in this place, consistency and living with integrity and openness are still essential. Perhaps when you invite co-workers to church they will refuse, but you still have the opportunities to invite them to a movie with your other believing friends or a BBQ with some of your church members. The outward influence that comes through good character and kindness.

Mindset

Your mindset when it comes to your work atmosphere is everything. Come into your day having prayed for God to increase your care and compassion towards your co-workers. Often it’s easy to think that we only need to seek God’s heart when it comes to mission trips or a specific nation–but our offices and business places are our mission field! Ask The Lord to break your heart for the lost who are closest to you.

Our jobs and career lines give us the opportunity to break into a subculture that other people may not relate to. This is just as important as overseas missions, or inner-city outreaches. You relate to your co-workers in a way that no one else can!

Raise your expectations for what God can do in your workplace! When you are seeking Him on a daily basis you allow Him room to move in every area of your life–including work. Jesus wants to impact people in the “ordinary” office spaces just as much as he does in foreign countries.

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How to Share Your Faith with: Your Family

How to Share Your Faith with: Your Family

by | Dec 17, 2018 | The Things We've Learned

Why is it that sharing your faith with your family, at times, feels so daunting? Sometimes it even feels easier to talk about it with strangers in a foreign country than with the people we know most intimately. Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe there are past hurts we have yet to overcome, or even the reality of our own darkness before we knew Jesus. Perhaps we have been shut down too many times before or are afraid we’ll somehow damage the relationship if offense is taken. Sometimes we just feel like we don’t know the right words to say. So how do we overcome the barriers? Remember, this isn’t about “proving” we’re right and they’re wrong, it’s about them encountering the love of the One who died to be their all.

My Family = My Responsibility

It’s important to remember that we have been given our families for a reason. This is an undeniable connection that needs to be stewarded unto the Lord. Family is built and designed so that we can show the love of God to one another. It can at times seem easy to step back and pray that someone else will share the Good News with them. Whether we like it or not, it is our responsibility to share Christ’s love with our families. So, where do we start?

Your Identity is a Testimony

Prayer is always the right place to start, but we will quickly see opportunities to move past this into practical action. As you allow the Lord to have His way in your life, your family will recognize the fruit produced. Often before you even have a chance to say much. Allow your Christ-like character to speak, then, use this as a segue. When people ask questions about your life, share about how The Lord has transformed you! Your own testimony is a powerful tool that is backed up by the obvious fruit of your life.

Allow your Christ-like character to speak.”

Don’t be intimidated by accusations or by fear of your past, nor the mistakes you may still make! As new creations in Christ we have the ability and authority to stand confidently in our identity in Jesus. When we share Jesus from a point of confidence in everything that He has done in our lives it is convincing, convicting, and thought-provoking to those around us, especially those who know us best.

It’s a Process

The pressure is off. Of course prayer for our families and actively living out our faith is important. However, sometimes we forget that it doesn’t all have to happen in an instant. The beautiful thing about family is that we see them more than most people. Ministering to our families can involve a lengthy process–and that’s okay. It’s important to not neglect the other aspects of life.

People want to be cared about, to know you love them unconditionally and are in their corner no matter what. Genuine love is often what opens the most doors. When your family sees that you care about their needs and desires–that you see them as a person and not a project–of course they will be more open to what you have to say about Jesus. Your life will be a testimony of Truth.

Hold on to Hope

Finally, know that even the smallest acts of love toward them, done in Jesus’ name, can have the greatest impact. Sometimes our family members won’t let us in to all that is happening in their hearts. We may not see the thoughts and feelings that are stirring. Remain faithfully loving toward them, continue to boldly share the good works God is doing in your life, and know that Jesus is pursuing them even more fiercely than you are.

Jesus is relentlessly and lovingly pursuing your family.”

The Lord will use you, that is certain, but ultimately He will be the one to win their heart. We know nothing but what is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, and He is forever on the move. He is moving toward your father, and mother, and siblings. Pray diligently that barriers to God’s love come down, and remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

A Challenge

As you spend time with your families, whether for holidays or reunions, or in the day-to-day, remember: It is always the time to contend for your family and to share the love of Jesus. God has placed you in your family for a special purpose. Hold onto the hope that Jesus’ victory gives us. He has paid the price for you, and you have experienced the glorious life only He brings. He has paid the same price for them, and His love is just as powerful for them as it has been for you.

Remember

Do

  • Pray for them
  • Shake off that awkward feeling
  • Let your life be an example
  • Stand confident in the Truth
  • Connect with them in love
  • Show that you care about THEM as a person
  • Pursue them
  • Be persistent
  • Remember that God is pursuing them

Don’t

  • Make them a project
  • Pressure them or get into arguments
  • Elevate yourself above them
  • Be intimidated
  • Lose hope
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Honoring the Man We Knew | What John Chau’s Life Teaches Us

Honoring the Man We Knew | What John Chau’s Life Teaches Us

by | Nov 30, 2018 | Uncategorized

In light of recent events and articles revolving around John Chau, we wanted to take a moment to honor the life of this remarkable young man. Many of us at YWAM Redding and in the city of Redding had the privilege of knowing John when his work brought him to the nearby Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. John was a friend, brother, and son, who was dearly loved by many.

We are thankful to have known John and for the impact that he had on our community. He inspired us (and continues to inspire us) to keep an intense focus on the eternal lives of people who have never heard the name of Jesus. As a missions group who are dedicated to the unreached, John felt like part of the family. His love for Jesus and for the lost spurred us again to hold eternity in much higher regard than our own comfort or the difficulties of this life.

Others who knew him here in Redding remarked of the light and energy that seemed to always emanate from him. He is known for having genuine care for people that made friends feel loved and pursued like Christ. His dedication to the call God placed on his life is an amazing example to all of us who profess to follow Jesus.

It was clear that the radiant joy and humility John carried was absolutely pure. He was vibrantly passionate to see the Sentinelese people come to know who God is. The love he so purely had for these people showed that nothing he did was out of selfish ambition. He had gained God’s heart for them and simply desired to worship God in obedience born of love.

No one has greater love than one who lays down his life for his friends. John was a true friend of Jesus.

John’s life challenges us to wrestle with what it means to be a friend of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus instructed us, “…love one another as I have loved you.” Then went on to say, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Just as Jesus showed us, sacrifice for the sake of another is a mark of true love and friendship. John Chau clearly was a friend of Jesus and of the Sentinelese.

Godly love calls us to consider the needs and desires of those we love as more important than our own. So then, if we profess to love Jesus, do we also know his desires?

The Desire Of Jesus

In John 17 we see Jesus with his disciples just before he is betrayed. In his last moments with those following him, Jesus prays, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you… I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world… and they have believed that you sent me.” v 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Verse 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

His desire was (and is) for us all to eternally know the love and glory of the Father; to be with him forever in heaven. For this reason he willingly became the sacrifice for all to enter into eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

This was the motivation and chief desire of Jesus; that the world would be reconciled to the Father, that they would know him and know the Father, and that they would be made one with Him and filled with His love.

So what are we willing to lay down to fulfill the desire of Jesus? What would you give to tell the world that they can have eternal life through Him? Many of the world is still unreconciled, and in fact have never even heard who the One true God is. If we confess to love and follow Jesus, this love should lead us to declare his name and reveal his love. To what end are we willing to do this? At what point do we do we decide that something we have is greater to us than the love we have for our Savior?

The fathers of the church, the apostles, knew the worth of Jesus and were willing to give everything for the one they loved. It was for this reason that they chose to lay down their lives to advance the kingdom of God. They gave up everything to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make him known and reveal his glory. This lead them away from their homes and families. It lead them to being hated and outcasted. It lead them to imprisonment and to persecution. Ultimately, for many of the apostles and early church, this love for Jesus lead them to death.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

We don’t need to go looking for persecution. But we should not be surprised when it comes, and we should not be surprised when obedience to God puts us in a position to endure it. Paul, friend of Jesus, even said in James 1, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” and later in verse 12, “blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.”

Extravagant offerings of love often don’t make sense to the world (Mark 14:3-9) but we are not of the world. In the end we know that every tribe, nation and tongue will surround the throne of God; and this is the inheritance of Jesus (Revelation 7:9). It is our privilege as friends of Jesus to take up our own cross and follow him. But take heart, for one day we will stand face to face with Love. In that day we will see His full glory revealed, and we will be with Him forever. We know that it says, “They [we] overcame [the evil one] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives, even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Biblical References

Love and Friendship

(Hover or tap the reference to read the verse)

John 15:12-17 (no greater love)

Philippians 2:1-11 (the example of Jesus)

Mark 14:3-9 (extravagant offerings of love)

The Desires of Jesus

(Hover or tap the reference to read the verse)

John 17 (Jesus’ prayer before being betrayed)

Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)

Persecution

(Hover or tap the reference to read the verse)

John 16:1-4,33 (take heart; I have overcome the world)

John 15:18-21 (the world hated me before they hated you)

Matthew 10:16-39 (whoever loses his life for my sake)

2 Thes 1:4-5 (worthy of the kingdom for which you suffer)

James 1:12 (remain steadfast under trial)

Hebrews 12:1-3 (running the race and the example of Jesus)

Acts 5:27-42 (continuing to spread the gospel in the face of harsh persecution)

Matthew 5:11-12 (blessed are the persecuted)

1 Peter 4:12-16 (rejoice in suffering)

The Outcome

(Hover or tap the reference to read the verse)

Revelation 7:9-10 (every tribe nation and tongue)

Revelation 12:11 (they loved not their lives)

Matthew 16:24-28

Luke 9:23-27

Mark 8:31-38

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What Happened When I Change the Way I Prayed

What Happened When I Change the Way I Prayed

by | Nov 20, 2018 | The Things We've Learned

He is Worthy of it All

A few weeks ago, The Lord started doing a work in my heart in regards to simple adoration. I’ve been wanting to truly feel connected with the lyrics that I was singing in worship. I remember praying for The Lord to give me a deeper revelation of the things I was singing. Those little-whispered prayers can turn into a revelation that leaves a long-lasting impact on your life. God is funny like that.

The Lord used this desire to connect with Him in a deeper way. He ended up filling me with a realization that left me standing in complete, speechless awe of Him. I started having such deep revelations of how worthy Christ is. I’ve always known how worth He is–obviously. However, I began to have a new understanding of the depths of His Holiness. He showed me how truly worthy He is. He’s worthy, not just because of everything that I’ve witnessed Him do in my life and the lives of those around me–but simply because He is God. He deserves my highest praise because He is the All-Knowing Creator of the Universe.

This seems like such a simple, obvious thing, but God floored me with the depths of revelation over who He is and how much honor He deserves. I’m here serving at a YWAM base because I know that He is worth everything that I am, even my very last breath. My highest form of worship and praise is to give Him my entire life–so here I am.

My Closest Friend

I’ve been walking through this season of new depths of love for Jesus for a while, but recently I listened to a podcast that shifted things even more for me. I listened to a short message from Bill Johnson where he was talking about coming to God with no agenda. There is something different that happens when we stop only coming to The Lord when we need something. Of course, He is our good Father, Abba. He loves to listen to us, and He’s always there in our times of need. He is our Comforter, Provider, and Healer; He will always play those roles. However, He is also a dear friend–and it should be our greatest joy to simply come to Him to spend time in His presence.

I felt The Lord challenging me to try something new. I felt that for two weeks I should not “ask” God for anything in my prayers. Unless I was praying for someone else, I would only lift up prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Not because it’s wrong to ask God for things, but because there was something I knew He wanted to teach me.  

New Perspectives

I honestly didn’t expect to have that many struggles when it came to only thanking God for two weeks. It took me a little by surprise because it made me realize how often I just spend time asking God for things. Not even necessarily in a needy way, I just talk about myself a lot with God–and you can’t really have a good relationship with anyone when you do that.

I started turning all of my requests and desires into praises. I saw Him provide for me in the sweetest way, even when I didn’t ask for it. I began to appreciate my time with Him more, and it left more space for me to just listen. I started to just simply say “God I just want to know You; to know who You are, what You like, what You want, and how You work.” That is what true intimacy with The Lord looks like, knowing God on a deeper level. Voiding yourself of your own intentions, thoughts, and desires by letting Jesus take over everything that you are will take you to new depths with Him. When you do this the only response you’re really capable of is one of thanksgiving. This taught me a deeper level of humility as well as vulnerability. God taught me a lot during these two weeks, and I think that the way I pray and spend time with The Lord will forever be impacted. 

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