...what is the Gospel...

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

What is the Gospel

For it is written, not to be ashamed of the Gospel,1 even though it is foolishness to those who are perishing,2 but God gives a yes through the preaching of the Gospel which brings glory to Him,3 because the Gospel is not of man,4 but it is the message of truth, in which we are sealed by the Holy Spirit,5 resulting in conducting ourselves in a manner only worthy of that truth,6 because it is working in us and helping us understand the grace of God,7 only because the Gospel is not of word only, but by the Holy Spirit which brings conviction,8 but also a vengeance from God to those who do not believe its truth,9 even though the Law is for the sinner to show sin, and makes the truth "good news",10 because God saves us, calls us according to His own purpose by the light of the Gospel which abolishes death,11 and brings eternal life,12 even though we will face suffering, pain, and trials for its truth,13 but by the power of Christ, it purifies us from our sin.14

1. Romans 1:16; 2. 1 Corinthians 1:18; 3. 2 Corinthians 1:19-22; 4. Galatians 1:11; 5. Ephesians 1:13; 6. Philippians 1:27; 7. Colossians 1:5-6; 8. 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 9. 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 10. 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 11. 2 Timothy 1:8-11; 12. Titus 1:1-3; 13. Philemon 1:13; 14. Hebrews 1:3

...missionaries...

We here at GFA do a lot of work...outside of the country. As you know, our focus is Asia. But a problem has flooded my thinking. What about my own country? Some of the things I'm going to say in this blog may shock some of you, so be warned.

I'm reading a book now called Persecution. It is talking about how the modern American socieity has pushed Christianity aside. More or less, True Believers are the minority. We have some many differents things here to catch our attention. Even inside the church. I went a church...well i guess you could call it that. They taught out of the bible, but everthing else was all worldly, and carnal. From the music....100s in the choir, trumpets, timpini, strings...and the big dramatic, over emotion, song leaders. My first thought.....door to door sells men and women. Then comes the video bragging about the pastor and his ministry....they mention the name of our Savior twice. Then the message...."weak gospel, who wants to accept Jesus into their hearts, well if so say this prayer." Then everyone left this monster of a building. Where is the humility??

What would Luther, Spurgeon, Wesley, Calvin, Edwards think about this form of "christianity"? Guys that spent their lives fighting for Christ....Better yet....what would Christ think? What is that verse....Rev 3:15-16? Enough said

What are our motives? I or Christ?

Let's just make everyone feel good, while their dying in their sins....no big deal. Tell them God loves you, when the cross is foolishness to them. It is this "pop christianity" focus and what God can do for us. Or like John Macarthur called it the Madison Ave Jesus. The Gospel is about freedom from sin, hell, and the wrath of God....not getting me a fluffy feeling, or a buzz off of Jesus. Like america is preahing. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions about america....i'm not anti american. i'm thankful God out of His grace let me be born here. i'm not proud to be an american. that is pride...which is sin. i will not place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegiance to a flag. My allegiance is to God and God alone! In Christ alone! God has commanded us to submit to the government....as i do. That is my conviction. america needs it's own missionaries.

Just like Tozer along with Ravenhill

" One man who isn't afraid to be called a hertic and a fool " why....for the True Gospel of Christ.

...humility..

" That of His great goodness He would make known to you, and take from your heart, every kind and form and degree of pride, whether it be from evil spirits, or your own corrupt nature; and that He would awaken in you the deepest depth and truth of that Humility, which can make you capable of His and Holy Spirit."
- Andrew Murray

I've been studing a lot, thinking, and praying over books i'm reading, sermons i'm listening to and stories that impact my heart. This one subject has shown up everywhere i've turned.

Humility is the hardest, without a doubt, the hardest thing a human could become. I say become, in the sense that Christ Himself was Humility. So many times, i want to throw out my own tasks and say " look what i'm doing" or not even that, just say "i'm going to do this". how selfish of me. that is just mere flesh. True humility is from God. Murray says that humility brings on death. death to ones self.

some many times in Christianity we see the big names, hot shots, the ones that know it all. the ones that prance around the stage, pulling out knowledge, impressing everyone with their big theological views. Is God moved by that?

or would He take pleasure in one man preaching the simple Gospel, then being martyred?

...what's important..

When you're sharing the Gospel with someone, what is the most important thing?

It is taking time out of your busy day to mention Christ? Showing someone love by hugging on them? Shoving hell, sin, and judgement down someones throut? Making someone feel comfortable in their own flith or darkness? Is it speaking in big words trying to blow peoples minds?

These are some questions that have been running around in my ignorance lil mind.

As I have been reading about some old guys ( Spurgeon, Whitefield, the Wesley boys, Edwards, etc ) they preached a very simple message.

God Himself became flesh and was named Jesus, who was Gods Son..born of a virgin. This man lived a sinless life, unlike us. This man Jesus was without blemish or spot, perfect. He suffered death, death upon a cross. On the third day after that death, God raised His Son from the dead. This Man Jesus, died for the sins of the world. He died because we are all condemned and going to hell because of our sins. Therefore, place your faith in this Man, and you have to forsake the things your once knew. Once you do that, live like this Man.

Why is it so hard today to get that across. Why??

No one wants to worship a Man who died upon a tree. This message is foolishness to the world!

When Edwards preached "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" he didn't preach in this loud booming voice.....he was monotone. It doesn't matter how big you can get the Gospel to be, God can use it!!

The most important thing is that God loved us while we were dead in sin. He sent His Son to die because God hates sin. He put His full wrath upon His Son, the wrath we deserve.

the Gospel is easy, Christ made it easy, preach it easy. God convicts, be a tool He can use.... Forsake your sin, and believe. Follow after the Lamb.....and live.

..remembering 9/11..

6th years after 9/11 I still remember that day. I was sitting in Texas History in the 7th grade with my eyes glued to the TV. Really didn't know what was going on, but knew my world was about to turn upside down. From that day we still see the images of our planes rip apart lives on the day in New York. Sitting here yesterday at work I read report after report of events, prayer services, and other speaking and mourning memorials that went on. Remembering the feeling I felt. I remember wanting to join the Navy to go over there and get even with those terrorist. Watching news reports of and video of us going into Iraq and our boys and girls risking their lives to enter war. But I've grown up since then.

I'm not out to the get them, I can't do that anymore. No...I can't even think about taking ones life. they need Jesus. I feel a burden for the terrorist. The radicals that want to kill us. I can't join the army or anything but I have some thing bigger then the army. My Father in Heaven.

Not to be the super American but we better drop our heads before the Lord and worship Him because He betowed His grace upon us, letting us be born here. He didn't have to. I know that American Christianity has its downfalls and the Church has problems. That doesn't mean we should just give up on our nation. America has been blessed, but we have to remember that we aren't God's chosen nation either.

I live in a world that scares me. Watching the news gets me depressed. War, terrorism, murder, porn, and other evil acts. Lord Jesus come quick!!

But I can't run and I. I must embrace the battle. I can't do anything on my own. I must have the Lord. Pray for America, and for those who shattered our lives.

282,338,631 Americans

2,976 lives lost

19 hijackers

4 planes

2 buildings

1 True God

pray they'll experence the Lamb of God.

....standing in AWE...

Well this weekend it was the intern camping trip!! We left Saturday and didn't get back until Monday at around 2 or so. It was some much fun, but....

When you really meet with God, He wont let you go.

The place was Witchita Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Mountain, hills, wildlife, heat, and sleeping on the ground. But it was amazing to go up to the top of a mountian at sunset . The first night I sat down on a rock along with Nathan ( Intern leader, and one of the only other Texans at GFA) and watched the clouds roll over head. We sat there and didn't saw a word for at least 15 mins until I said " And people believe this happened by chance." ( talking about creation )

But it wasn't until the last night that God spoke to me. A group of us were on the same mountain watching the sunset and I saw the beauty that our Father had laied before us. God painted a picture right before our eyes. The colors, clouds, and the sight of Lords hand at work. As we sat there, we exchanged stories of the sunsets we've seen at home. The ones that I can remember are the ones driving back from Mels house to my house. On the bridge to the left, over the lake, there....God was painting before me a picture of His mercy, excellence, love, power.....

i am so little....and praise God i am.

...values...

Gospel for Asia

"Our mission in life is to be devout followers of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission among the unreached in Asia through training, sending out and assisting qualified laborers in partnership with the body of Christ"

10 Core Values

1. Knowing the Lord Jesus more fully and intimately
2. Being a people of integrity and excellence
3. Living in submission to God's Word
4. Being a people of faith
5. Being a people committed to prayer and worship
6. Having a servant lifestyle
7. Being a people of grace and love
8. Serving sacrificially
9. Being a people sold out to win the lost at any cost
10. Being a people who work together with the Body of Christ

The first 5 address your private life
the last 5 address your outer life

If these 10 values were to be preached in america today, human nature would reject it just at the 1st value. But that's the only way for God to work through us.

I've been reading this book called The Calvary Road and i want to share a quote

"Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts"

People ( some believers ) read Revolution in World Missions and get this total misconception about GFA. Kinda to the point of were we have to sell everything, life in our cars, use half a stick of DO and only have one pair of shoes. ( and Buddy I'm not talking about you lol ) It's not that at all!! It's about being like Christ in every way possible. If that involves selling everything, then yes! But it doesn't matter about that at all, the only thing is that you reflect Christ, and you pray that God will save Asia.