Spiritual Warfare is REAL

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9

"And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

     The Bible says again and again that we are at war with the world and with false teachers, preachers, and people who hide who they are. We need to be on guard and prepared to face the fight and discern those around us who might be feeding us lies and false truth. We need to surround ourselves with strong believers who will pour truth into our lives and we need to wage war on the world. But how do we do that? Its had to be in the world but not of it.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

     What are the weapons that we fight with then? The Truth of God's Word. We need to be filling our minds the Bible so we can be on guard and defend ourselves against the false teachers and against the attacks of the devil. It is our only weapon of attach against the lies of the devil.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:16-17
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

     We face spiritual warfare every.single.day. What are you doing to combat that? Are you constantly meditating on the Word of God? Guard your heart and mind with the Truth of God's Word. Be in the Word. Learn the Word; memorize it; mediate on it; defend yourself with it. Take up the armor of God. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 4:10-20 

- Amanda

Jesus say, "Follow Me... and make disciples"

     Today I met with a girl I am going to be discipling this coming semester. God placed this relationship on my heart at the end of last school year and then used the summer to really so me the importance of investing in other people through one-on-one discipleship.  I've never done this before so everything is new to me. Today was only the second time we met and already we are facing opposition. A girl sitting near us in Bentley interrupted us and made a mean, hurtful, and untrue statement about what we had been discussing and then left before I could even respond. 

"Being a disciple of Jesus means that we are being transformed into His image. God wants to change us so much that it intrigues others. This gives us the opportunity to tell them about the God who is transforming us. Teaching others about Christ is essential to being on of Jesus's disciples." -Multiply by Francis Chan

     And so it begins... People are getting intrigued; people are getting angry. The Bible says I will be hated for the work I do in Christ's name, but that isn't going to stop me from spreading His Word across campus or from loving on those who hate me. 

"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

      This summer changed my life. My eyes have been opened to the fact that I hadn't been obeying the command to make disciples very well. I was only half living my life for Christ because I wanted people to know who Christ was but I did not actively seek to share the gospel with anyone. This summer my eyes were opened to the urgency of the gospel and the command to make disciples. As I draw closer to Christ and my desires match up more and more with His commands people will start hating me, but I will stand firm on the promises of Christ. I will be obedient. 

     Im thankful to this stranger who interrupted today. I'm thankful for the reminder that the world hated Christ first and that when I am truly following Christ then the world will also hate me. As I sat in shock after this girl walked off I didn't know how to react. Then I remembered Romans 12:14 says to, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" So I stopped and prayed for this girl who is clearly lost in the world of darkness. I do not know her name but God knows. I pray He will be working on her heart, and that doors will be opened for me to have the opportunity to share the gospel of God's grace with her. I am blessed to suffer for Christ's sake.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me." - John 15:18-21

- Amanda 

     

My prayer- peace, hope, and joy.

     I've been trying to write this blog post for a while. At least a week but I still can't seem to find the words to describe what I'm thinking and feeling. All I can say is that God is my fortress and my strength. I may feel as though I am drowning in trying to adapt back into the United States and back into classes here at Lock Haven or overwhelmed by the lengths at which God is stretching me this semester but all of that is a good thing, right? Im going to look back on this and be thankful, right? Its the most difficult times in our lives that we look back and are thankful for the work God did and the ways in which He provided. My God provides so why am I worrying? Even when I stray off the given path He calls me back to him. Hosea talks about Israel's wandering from the Lord and how He called them back. Chapter 2 verse 14 says, "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyard and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.". I love the picture that this gives. If you read the whole chapter you see how God will intentionally break us down only to rebuild us stronger than before.

     Short, simple, sweet, and right to the point. God is working in amazing ways in my life right now. It may be the most unfamiliar and uncomfortable time in my life and I may feel completely alone because no one can possible understand what Im going through but in Christ alone my hope is found. He is my strength and because of Him I will make it through all of life's storms and come out the other side praising His great name.

     If I walk through the semester completely friendless and alone but proclaiming the name of Christ I will be satisfied. I will have been obedient to Christ's call to follow Him. That is what I want to accomplish this semester. That is what I pray Christ will accomplish through me this semester. I want more people to know of the great, great love of Christ. I want Christ to be glorified in everything that I do. 
   
     Im standing at a crossroads. I could go back to the person I was before this summer or I can pick up my cross daily and really, truly follow Christ and rest assured in His promises. In Him alone I find my hope and joy.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Romans 15:13

- Amanda 

Being "home"

     Its a strange feeling, being back in the United States and away from my family in Zimbabwe. I feel as though I am being pulled in two different directions at the same time. I am longing to be back in Zim... with the friends I made, with the church family that opened their homes to me, and the ability to seemingly put all of my plans, my selfish, unimportant plans, on hold to carry out the mission God had given me and to wholeheartedly follow Him (this last part seems much harder to do here in the States when I am surrounded by so many distractions), but God has told me clearly that now is not the time. Right now He has other things planned; I am right where He designed me to be and it is H.A.R.D. 

"He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

     It is hard to be obedient, to stay, when I feel so strongly called to GO. But God keeps whispering in my ear "Not right now. Wait. Be still." As I meditate on Psalm 46:10 God is reminding me that He has a plan, the story of Christ will reach all the nations and God will be exalted in to the end of the earth "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." - Matthew 24:14 God doesn't need me to complete this mission but He has placed me right where He wants me so that He can teach me, train me, and use me where I am at to share the gospel and advance His kingdom. When the time comes and He calls me to go to the nations I will be ready because I have been resting and waiting in Him.

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to Him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:27-31

     God used this summer to teach me so much about myself, and Himself, and about who I am in Him. I know that His work in me is not complete and that He still has so much to teach me while I am home. But I'm not home- this place no longer feels like home to me. I feel like an outsider looking in, like nothing is the same anymore. I left my heart in Zim but I brought back with me a renewed desire to seek God with my whole heart and with my eye cast upward, my focus on an eternal purpose. This world is not my home. God is preparing a place for me to live with Him for all of eternity and He wants all people, tribes, tongues, and nations to know of Him. While I am here on this earth I will not stop testifying to the gospel of God's grace; I will not stop proclaiming the name of Jesus; I will go to the ends of the earth if that is where God leads me. I cannot wait to see where God takes me over this next year, and I cannot wait to see what He teaches me and how he challenges me to live my life completely for Him. 

"All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong" 

- Amanda 

Put on Hold

     The past week has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, weeks here in Zim. Difficult because we have not been able to do much ministry; rewarding because God has shown us that in His perfect timing and according to His perfect plan He is using us even in our "down" time to advance His Kingdom and bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

     We came to Zim with a plan- to do ministry and share the gospel- and right now we cannot go out and do what is on our schedule. We can still go to church, we can still go to a local orphanage every now and then, and we can go to the babies home one or two more times but everything else has been put on hold and for the past several days I have felt ineffective in completing the ministry we came here to do.But God has showed up in BIG ways.

     In something as simple as going to the internet cafe or riding in our kombi to and from church the gospel has been spread, and Christ's Kingdom has multiplied. In the process of feeling ineffective and useless God used me to share the gospel and as I shared the Bible- from Creation to Christ- with Request and Elvis (our kombi drives) the Lord was at work in their hearts and Request believed what God had me share with him. In the middle of my feeling useless God used me. Ephesians 3: says, " Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

     I am not called to sit in silence. Every minute of my day should be centered on advancing the Kingdom of Christ. I need to be ready at any time to share the gospel and I need to be willing to step back and let God lead me to the places He has prepared for me to be effective. Yes our ministry is on hold but that does not mean we cannot minister to the people we meet on the streets, or in the grocery store. Prayer is a powerful thing. God has taught me that. And in these past few days at thirteen of us have prayed for a way to keep ministering, and a way to share the gospel with non-believers God has answered in a big way- a way far beyond anything we ever expected. Through God's strength I am able to be bold in my faith. I thank God for that and pray He continues to work in me and through me.

"Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel" - Ephesians 6:19

-Amanda

Party Vibes... Celebrating Zim Style

Everything fun in Africa is considered party vibes. First ever lock in for the youth-- Gonna be party vibes. Intense game of Ultimate Frisbee-- PARTY VIBES. Star gazing on a big rock overlooking all of Bulawayo-- definite party vibes!
Can I be honest with you guys? I was absolutely dreading my birthday overseas.

I cannot really explain why except I guess I was missing out on not being able to celebrate in the "American" way. I knew it would make me miss my family and my friends among other things. I had pretty much told my team to not even mention my birthday and that I didn't want to celebrate.

I did NOT want to be blessed, but God blessed me anyway. There is something so so peaceful about falling asleep under the stars singing praises to Jesus and waking up having complete peace praying "Lord use me to bring glory to Your name today." And God allowed exactly that to happen because not even two hours later over twenty children arrived for the school day.

What a blessing it was to sing, and dance, and play with them. To help them learn their colors, number, and days of the week. To cuddle with them and take pictures with them. God showed me that it is way better to give than to receive. It was the best birthday that I can ever remember and hardly anyone even know it was my birthday. The day was not focused on me. I didn't even get to talk to my family, and I was okay. I was beyond okay. I was blessed. Acts 20:35 says, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." God showed me that in a great way.

The highlight of the night was getting to spend it with the girls from Sandra Jones Center. One of the girls lead them all in a loud, boisterous round of Happy Birthday and I got to end the evening studying God's Word, praying, and praising God. My attitude about the day was negative but God turned it upside down.

"The sun comes up; it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes"

-Amanda

What are you going to do about it?

     Last night I got the opportunity to sit in on a Bible study one of the Journeymen here in Zimbabwe hosts for some of the young women. They have just begun a study about owning their faith and not just following in the footsteps of their parents. Many of these girls will be starting University soon and I remember how important it was to have a solid ground and really know what I believe as I stepped foot on my college campus that first semester. These girls are so full of questions and the discussion last night was very rich.

     One of the girls asked a question Im sure many people have struggled with at some point. "What if we are wrong about Christianity and everyone else is right." I know its something I wondered in high school before God reminded me of His truth in Scripture. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." We cannot know, with concrete evidence to literally put in someones hand, that what we believe is real. But the Bible tells us to have faith and I know I have put my faith in the One who offers redemption and grace. I loved the saying one person shared:

"Here's the thing. If I'm wrong and everyone else is right than I have NOTHING to lose, but if they're wrong and I'm right than they have EVERYTHING to lose."

     Eternity in hell.That is what is at stake for everyone who doesn't know Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. But what are we doing about that to change the fact that millions upon millions of people headed down a path of destruction. Are we going to them? Are we sharing God's Word with them?

     In my head it never really seemed urgent because I knew Scripture said Christ would not come back a second time until every tribe, tongue, and nation had, had a chance to hear the Gospel. I always thought everyone will get a chance to hear before Christ comes back so I don't need to worry right now. God convicted me last night and showed me how wrong this thought process was. Last night it struck me- there are people dying yesterday, today, and tomorrow without ever hearing about who Jesus is. God called me to go, to share, and to spread the Good News to ALL nations. I need to be obedient today because tomorrow isn't promised and for someone tomorrow will be too late. Eternity in hell is at stake- we all deserve that but I have received God's saving grace and everyone should have the opportunity to hear about it. I am going to obey God in that call to reach the people who would not otherwise hear the Gospel. What will you do?

"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.” - Romans 15:20-21

-Amanda

Streams of Living Water

     Water is a precious commodity here in Zim. You must boil it to drink it, to cook with it, and even to brush your teeth. Some days there is no running water and you cannot shower or flush the toilets. Water here is one of the most important commodities. I am reminded of this as I mentally kick myself for only bringing one bottle of water on our overnight trip out of Bulawayo. Most places here don't have clean water to drink and many are lucky just to have running water all of the time.
   
    As I sat sick from dehydration I was reminded of an even greater need here in Zimbabwe- the need of the people to hear the Good News. In the cities of Zim, Harare and Bulawayo, the Gospel is easily accessible and opportunity to hear about Jesus is great. But in rural Zimbabwe people walk for over five miles to get to the closest church. Many times there is only one church among several villages. The surrounding areas are full of witch doctors and straight up witches. So many people live in fear of these evils, and they are thirsty for the love of Christ.

     So many of people here are fixated on getting to America. They belieive America holds the solution to all their problems. If they could just have their needs meet - food, water, shelter, cloths, health, etc- then they will be happy. They think all of these things come with one trip to the States. What they are really missing is the love of Christ and the Truth of the Gospel. Soon they will realize that having their physical needs meet will only bring them temporary happiness. They are missing the hope of Christ.

"If a man thirsdy let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water flow from within him." John 7:37-38

-Amanda

Comfort VS Christ

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing"Philippians 2:14
    
    This verse keep running through my head Tuesday morning as fifteen of us piled into a twelve passenger kombi on our way to Phakamani, a village three hours outside of Bulawayo. We were leaving at 6:45 in the morning and no one was happy to be awake. No one was comfortable in the kombi because everyone was squashed into the seats. People moved from seat to seat trying complaining saying something was wrong with each seat and they could not get comfortable. They complained it was hot, they complained there wasn't enough room, or they complained they were so uncomfortable. At one point I broke down saying: "If our driver keeps swerving like this we are going to have problems." or " If I have to get out of this kombi one more time Im going to flip out". For the most part I tried to keep quite, talking to myself and to God.

    Four hours into what was supposed to be a three hour drive (and turned out to take close to six hours)- after many annoyed comments and a lot of complaining remarks- God reminded me of this:

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing"Philippians 2:14

    I did not come to Africa this summer to be comfortable. God did not call me to live in luxury while people came to me to hear the Gospel. He called me to GO and share the Gospel with ALL nations. No where in the Bible does it say "be comfortable".

• When its so hot I think Im going to die:

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing"Philippians 2:14

• When Im sleeping in the cold on the hard ground:

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing"Philippians 2:14

• when Im eating sadza for the second meal in a row:

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing"Philippians 2:14
    
     I did not come to Africa to be comfortable. I did not choose to follow Christ to be comfortable. Christ never promised a life of comfort to those who follow Him. He does say that the Christian walk will be full of trials, tribulations, and persecution. But I will choose to follow Him anyway with a joyful heart. Scripture says that we are to rejoice always (Phil 4:4 and 1 Thes 5:16 are a few of my favorites).

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? - Matthew 16:24-26

-Amanda

Worthy is the Lamb

     I am constantly being reminded to do everything for God's glory. When its been a long day and Im tired of being around my team or I just don't want to go back out for that last few hours of ministry I remember that it is all for God's glory. That Im not doing this so that my name can be known but so that others may come to know Christ. To God be the glory. On the days when I wonder if "giving up" my summer was worth it I remember that God is using me to reach people regarding eternity. If there are people around me who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life and I sit back and do nothing I am basically saying it is okay for them to spend eternity in hell.

     God spoke to me through Revelation 5:11-13:

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
          “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
          to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
          and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
          “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
          be praise and honor and glory and power,
          for ever and ever!”

     God reminded me that it is worth it because He is WORTHY! At the end of every long day (and boy oh boy have we had some long days) I take some time to myself to talk with God. I pray over and over again that my actions and attitudes would glorify His name. Im reminded again and again that even if I only impact the life of one person for Chirst this summer that is one more soul saved from an eternity in Hell. That is one more soul singing God's praise around the throne in Heaven.

       Over and over again I tell myself God's glory, God's glory, God's glory. The time I spending here sharing love and Christ with men, women, and children is worth it because Christ loved me enough to die for me and because I am saved by God's grace I am called so share that Good News with everyone.

     It is worth it because He is WORTHY! I will do everything to the best of my ability to bring the most glory to God.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." - 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

-Amanda

Will you remember us?

     When I first met Cosie she was shy, but happy to have people to play with. The next time we went to visit her orphanage, I sat with her while she colored and did her school work. She sang, laughed, and smiled because she loved having her picture taken. She had so much fun jumping and spinning in my arms. Her eyes sparkled with joy and happiness.
     Then she fell and as quick as her eyes were to initially sparkle with joy, they drained- she looked completely hopeless. I sat and rocked her, cuddling her, singing songs to her, and telling her over and over again that Jesus loved her. While I was sitting with Cosie a boy walked up and we started talking. He asked me, "will you remember us when you leave?"

     My heart hurts for these children. People come and go but no one stays- no one remembers them. There is no hope in that orphanage. Nigel is 17 but he knows that despite his situation, he has hope. He believes in Jesus with his whole heart and as he shared the Gospel with me, I realized most of these children have never known love. Until they know the love of another individual, they won't understand the love of God because they don't know what love is. God has called me here to love on these children; to sing to them, cuddle with them when they are sad, and play with them. I'm here for them. Jesus loves these children and is using me to show them His great love.

 

     My response to Nigel was, "I will definitely remember you because God has used you to teach me." Although he is in a home that offers him no hope, Nigel knows that he has hope in Christ. I pray that one day Cosie can understand this love too. I pray that one day the sparkle in her eye is permanent. I pray that one day Cosie will understand who Christ is and that His love will shine through her.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." - Matthew 18:3-6

-Amanda