Where?

Where should we go?

That question has been on my mind and heart since returning from my trip. Aimee and I are praying and seeking that answer. I've had the privilege to share with some what amazing things God did on this trip. But, I think one of the most amazing things for me is that God began to show me what Jesus meant in Luke 11:9-10.

"So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9, 10 HCSB)

I know that the answer is always to do and be in God's will, so I am earnestly seeking that. Jesus spoke in Luke 11 about asking, searching, and knocking. He said it takes persistence. God wants to give us good gifts. He wants to answer our questions. He wants to reveal His will. But are we really seeking it out? Do we out any effort into knowing and finding out where God is at work?

Is our search like the term paper in college that we put off until the last moment? We frantically try and find all the references and then fill in the pages with drivel (striving for a passing grade but with no real learning). I have to be honest. I didn't prepare for this trip as deeply as I wanted to. The cares of this world often got in the way so that I didn't take the time. Paise God that he was still faithful to answer my small prayers with big blessings.

Or is our search like falling in love with the spouse God gifted to you? You can't spend enough time with them as you get to know each aspect of their life and history. You ask questions to see the other person's character and how they respond. You seek to understand their love language. You pursue passionately.

How is my love for God acting out lately? I will pursue with passion and fervor these answers and treasures until they are mine to share with a dying world.

Instead of asking where should we go, maybe the question is where will God take us? And will we say yes to wherever He leads?

Chris

Headed Back

Headed home today! There hasn't been time to blog this trip. Each day contained many meetings for planning this year.

One thing I am praying for everyone I know: submit to God's will. I hope you will prayerfully consider where you might join with us this year on mission with God. It will change your life when you taste this fruit!

I will post more thoughts and prayers when I return. Please pray for safe travel and good connections.

Chris

Trust God

Trusting God is a difficult thing to do. Why? We see the evidence again and again that His blessings, mercy, and power follow our obedience and faith. We see that His purpose in our lives is fulfilled for His glory when we follow His perfect will. Even if the step doesn't bring us an easy life here on earth we know that following Him will bring true riches. I long to build up treasure in heaven!

Today I had the privilege to share from John 4 with several Armenian people in Leusden. I shared that salvation is for all people, that we can worship and have access to God through Jesus and God's Spirit no matter where we are, and that faith is more than just believing in what you cannot see.

I'm learning through the storms of my own life just how much God wants me to trust in Him. I must trust in His timing and answers. How can I share with a dying world that I know where there is living water if I am not drinking it in myself?

Will you trust Him completely today? What is He asking you to release to Him? What step has been lit for you to follow? You can now that if it is from God it is good.

Please pray for the next few days. Tonight Kevin, Armand, and I are on a train from Rotterdam to Paris right now. Pray for our meetings the next couple days. We need wisdom to ask the right questions and discernment to hear God's will from the answers.

Until next time... Blessings!
Chris

Deny Yourself

Pray for us today as we seek to bring God's Word and comfort to the people we meet today. Pray for strength. Pray for Kevin as he brings a message and as I share my story.

God is already speaking to me about complete surrender to His plan. So many times we do things for Christ not because he asks us to or because we love him. We do them for selfish reasons. We want others to say, "what a good Christian" or "praise God". Really, we are often seeking to glorify ourselves.

In Matthew 16:24 Jesus says, "if anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." Henry Blackaby says of the deny part of this verse that, "when we are successful in the world's eyes, we seek to bring God into our world by honoring Him with our success." I want to be successful in God's eyes. That should be our standard!

Father, may we be about your work as you will, not for our glory or plans.

Chris

In Amsterdam!

Kevin and I made it safely and on time! Praise God for no delays or lost luggage.

Pray for this city. This is not where we are doing the work the next few days, but I already feel a burden for this area. In just walking to eat dinner we evidence of darkness around every corner. Only God through his Spirit and son Jesus can make a difference.

I didn't mean to make it sound as though Aimee and I were both going. She's staying home this time. She's taking care of our kids (2 dogs, 1 cat). :-)

Time to get some rest from the jet lag. The rest of the trip is going to be a whirlwind!

Until next time,
Chris

Leaving Today

Today we leave for the Netherlands and France. This will be a new experience for me. I am excited to be used by God however He sees fit to use me. I am His servant.

We will get to witness to and share the gospel with the Armenians while we are in the Netherlands. I'm not sure how much I can share so I'll wait. Just be praying for my testimony to be the truth of how God changed my life for His glory.

Pray that God has already been moving and that we will just let His Spirit speak through us. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Pray for safety and strength.

Chris