{Go}

I have been thinking about missions a lot lately...mainly on the impact of missions trips in the lives of individuals. 

I've been on 3 missions trips and have learned,enjoyed,grown,and changed because of them. I have seen God work in amazing ways on various missions trips. I believe each mission trip that I can take is a privilege from the Lord. I am excited to see where else around the world I can serve my Saviour-whether it be short-term or perhaps if the Lord leads this way...permanently!?!?

I actually studied why we should go on missions trips this morning in my devotions. 

There are several reasons...I won't go into them all.

But what is the point of missions trips?

If you asked most people what the point of missions trips was,you would most likely get an answer something similar to this:

"The point of missions trips is to tell people about Jesus and win them to Christ." 

Sounds like a good thing,right? 

But does it just stop there? 

Or are there really more reasons? 

I believe it goes beyond just reaching souls for Christ.

Believe me reaching souls for Christ is extremely important and should be a priority in every Christian's life,but I think there is something more.

Read your Bible- I think it gives another clear reason.

You see my good 'ole King James Version of the Bible,which is the Word of God, tells me that ...

Mine eye affecteth mine heart...

Lamentations 3:51

I'm speaking from experience,so just hear me out for a minute. 

I believe every Christian ought to be going on missions trips...

because once you go,

you realize that...

...your eye really does effect your heart.

{What is the Difference?}

What is the difference between a youth group that is on fire for the Lord and one that is not? It's not their youth pastor,it's not their church,it's not their pastor. Let me tell you what it is. It's their relationship to the Holy Spirit of God and to the Word of God while it is being preached. 

Jerry Ross 

{Strangely Dim...}

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

look full in His wonderful face

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

in the light of His glory and grace. 

taken from the hymn {Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus}

It's kinda crazy to me,to think that some Christians will go to church and sing hymns,week in and week out,for years,and yet never once think about the words.

The song above has become very realistic to me.

I find that the more time I spend with Jesus...

...the less and less I want to spend my time entertaining myself with things that aren't bad,

but just aren't profitable.

Believe me,I am not saying I come home from work and go straight to my Bible and stay there until I go to bed. 

That's not what I do.

But it's like the desire has changed as I grow in Him.

The more time I spend with Him-

talking to Him,

learning of Him,

meditating on Him,

loving Him,

the earthy things are becoming...

well...

{strangely dim} .

My brother...

...acting like a nerd??? 

Let Your Light So Shine

My pastor recently started preaching a series on Sunday mornings called "For God's Glory,By God's Grace."

 The messages have been really good. One of the verses that he used has been continually brought back to my mind. 

Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works,and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

One of the points in the first sermon in this series was this:

The Glory of God Includes Perception 

What kind of perception are you giving people of God? Is it drawing others to Him? Is it turning others away? 

This really challenged me...my response to circumstances can affect people's view of my God. Like at work. Sometimes there are problems that come up at work that I have to deal with. it would be extremely easy for me to just get frustrated and complain about it,but lately I have been watching how I respond to situations like these. I am constantly reminded of Matthew 5:16. Would I be setting an example that would draw others to Christ if I got upset just like the rest of them? 

During his second message in this series he made this point :

Your Righteous Fruit Will Plant the Gospel Seed 

He said that your life should be lived in such a way that others see it and want the same thing!! So again I am challenged this week to always be consciously aware of what kind of representation of my God I am making. I must be glorifying God even when the less-than-perfect circumstances come up. 

There is a quote and it goes like this:

Be careful how you live,you will be the only Bible some people will ever read. 

How are you representing your Saviour? 

Can others see Jesus in you?