Goodbye 2007...Hello 2008

As I reflect back on the happenings of the past year (2007) I am constantly reminded of God's grace in countless ways. It is HE who has sustained me, HE who has stretched and challenged me, HE who has graciously provided for me, HE who has refined and continued to mold me, HE who has grown me, HE who has sharpened me, and He who has blessed me far beyond anything I could have planned or imagined. When I think about the things that He has led me in over the past year I am ashamed at my lack of trust and dependence in His sovereign plan and will for my life. It is in these moments that I am humbled before my Maker as I realize the finiteness of my own mind and the pride in my own heart. I so often fail to refocus my mind during moments of distrust on the God who knows no limits, who knows the beginning from the end and who is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

Thinking back over the past year there have been some painful challenges that I have endured as well as plenty of blessings. I am amazed at how God graciously and divinely appoints experiences within our lives at the point of perfection that we might trust Him more fully and bring more glory to His name. There are countless things that happened this year, but I will talk about three specific things that show the hand of God working in my life. I pray that these things will only draw your hearts and minds back to the Lord and ascribe glory to His HOLY name.

Mexico Missions Trip
In early July I had the privilege of spending a week in Mexico with a small team of high schoolers and a few leaders from Compass and Reverence Bible Churches. Going into the trip I had many hesitations as I noticed a lack of planning. However God wanted us there and there was nothing that was going to stop that from happening. During that trip the students were able to not only grow through the preaching of the Truth but were also stretched and challenged as they learned to humble themselves and serve others as Christ demonstrated throughout Scripture. It was in those moments of service that I saw God's grace manifested. There was one specific example within the trip that stands out to me (some of you may remember it from an older blog).

This particular instance
really magnified His greatness to me was at the local outreach we had. On our way to the location we lost half of the drinks we had needed (we had brought just enough for 150 people and that is one drink each), so one of the Pastors on the trip headed back to pick up some water. I had instructed the students helping me that we should only give ONE drink to each person, after thinking for about two seconds Matthew 10:42 came to mind, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward". It was at that moment that I realized what a small view of God I had! I needed to trust that the Lord would provide and prove Himself faithful, as He ALWAYS has. And He did. About thirty minutes prior to the end of the outreach, one of the students explained concern for lack of water. My response was, "We won't run out!". He looked at me like I was crazy, and again repeated His question, and I again repeated my response. It was at that moment that He too had realized that God provides for His people and that He did! We had plenty of water, the spout seemed to never dry up, it was incredible.

REVIVAL '07
When I was asked to serve as the assistant to the administrative assistant for youth ministries this summer I was so excited and thought "what a blessing". However I soon realized that what the staff was planning for summer camp seemed like an impossible feat. In my prideful and controlling heart there were countless times I wondered in my mind how this event was going to be pulled off. I was often encouraged however by the passionate desire both Pastor Bobby and Lucas shared in making this revival a reality.

Needless to say I was put to shame when the camp exceeded everyone's expectations. That week was life changing for every person involved. Not only were we challenged by the Word of God to re-examine our hearts to see where we truly stand in the Lord's eyes but we were constantly encouraged and spurred on by one another as we sought to bring glory to His name in everything we did. More than a third of the students were saved during that week and even some of the staff!! It truly was a revival, a revival for Jesus Christ and the passionate pursuit of the Lord still continues on in the lives of many of those who attended.

Master's College
After skipping around from Biola to Saddleback and having made a decision to attend CalState Fullerton it was only by God's sovereign control that I ended up at the Master's College this fall. From the moment that the desire was put on my heart doors began swinging open and in a leap of faith I trusted God's faithful character and went and what an experience it has been thus far. I have been amazed at the Christ-focused staff, classes, chapels, and students. I have been challenged, encouraged, and refined by so many. It is so evident that God is working actively at the Master's College for His good pleasure and His glory. It has been a HUGE blessing as I have met some of the most amazing people in my life...ones who are passionately in love with and pursuing Christ with their whole lives and who spur me on to do the same. I am forever grateful for this huge blessing in my life this year.

I could go on for hours and hours with so many more examples of God's working in order to give Him all the credit. He truly deserves it all. I am who I am only by His grace. Where would I be without Him? He truly is an amazing Father, a faithful friend, a Sovereign Lord, and a trustworthy God. Apart from Him I am nothing but with Him I can do all things. Everything good comes from him...Matthew 7:11 says "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" What a privilege it has been this year to serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, to be used by the Creator of the Universe for HIS glory.

2008 will bring its challenges and blessings but through it all God will be glorified and accomplish His purposes. I pray that this year I will be used fully for Christ, that He will be magnified through me and that He will enable me to follow hard after Him as I continue on running the race. Some of Jonathan Edward's resolutions are some of my prayers for 2008:

"Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can."
"Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good."
"Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance"
"Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever."
"Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life."