Out Of The Wilderness

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:26 This speaks of abandon. Forsaking it all and counting the cost to serve and follow after Christ. To serve Christ we must follow, and wherever He be there must we be also. To forsake our desire and just be there where He calls. I’ve found myself wanting to serve but not wanting to follow. Saying “ Lord give me something here. “ When He’s calling me out further and deeper because He has a bigger plan, but me in my stubbornness. I want to stay put. Yet I know when I go where He’s leading it’s better than what I have. It’s been a long process that still isn’t over. He’s begun the work and I trust He will finish it. But I get comfortable. I follow Him into a new season, then when I get my bearings I fix my eyes back on myself or the new things I enjoy. When really I still should be fixed on Him. So again I must be broken and learn to follo

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 1 Corinthians 12:14-15   We are a part of the body of Christ, as believers. And we’re all used, as much as we’re not needed but God by His grace chooses to use us. We all matter as a part of the body.  No one is higher or lower. Just because someone is for example a worship leader and the other part of the cleaning ministry doesn’t make anyone lower or higher. We can so easily get caught up in our humanness  and start making these comparisons even though the Lord doesn’t. We start to compare where God has us and where He has others. We can have self pity and wish He had us else where. Or find ourselves being lifted up and by our pride because of where He has us. The body is not one member but many and the body couldn’t function without the hands and only with feet. We need each othe

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 I don’t always find it easy to bear burdens. I find it to be quite difficult at times actually. Especially when they don’t necessarily want that. I like to please people. I struggle with making expectations for myself that I think others will or do have on me. To bear each others burdens is Love. It’s not about me. It’s not about my need to please but for my brothers and sisters to be set free. So often we walk in strength and don’t look out for the interests of our brothers and sisters...  but shouldn’t we? Shouldn’t we be aiding in the edification? Sharpening iron with iron and building each other up? If I see a lack in my brother or sister why would I continue and ignore the weakness? Is anything, I should bear the burden by praying and interceding for them. Being able to bear each others burdens is one of the most important and beneficial things we can do.  Ap

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 Right after I got saved I dumped all my music. I literally had hundreds of songs I just had to let go of. It was hard. I LOVE music. Music is a very big part of my normal day. So it was hard to not have it. But I had to let God strip it away. Because it was all part of the old man. As I got further in my walk with the Lord I started thinking about whether or not I could listen to some of it again. I knew 100% that some were never to be listened to again. So those that I thought were okayish made there way back onto my playlist. Quickly the change was seen in my sister. My sister and I were together for the majority of the day so basically anything I listened to she listened to. When I started again I realized how much my decisions affected her. Just because I could didn’t mean that I should. Honestly it was an easy choice the

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 Christ meets us where we are. We are called to do the same. Not that by doing that all will be saved. But some will. It’s not falling into the sin or accepting sin but being able to meet them there because we understand their struggle. To be all things to all people. I believe you must be filled with the Spirit. Because it’s so easy to do any of that in your own strength. But I know I can’t be all things to all people. I haven’t experienced all things. But in the Spirit there is a sensitivity to others and where they are. Though I may not have experienced or lived through everything that others have I can meet them where they are because I struggle too. Sin is sin. It has different consequences for different people but in the end it’s death for all. And Jesus is life for all who receive. So inasmuch as I can’t He most definitely c

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 I find this hard. I find myself wanting to, even if not out loud, be the one that’s heard. I have a hard time submitting in my heart. I seem to want to have the last word and have it my way. But to work as a team, as a unit, as a body. It doesn’t work that way. As much as leadership is necessary, submission is necessary. To be able to meet each other in our weaknesses is what i believe to be one of our biggest strengths. To be able to relate to one another and help each other up is huge. Today we went snow shoeing. I’ve never gone before and I was really excited to go. It was a lot harder for me than I expected. I kept sinking. And my pride was deeply hurt. I was ashamed, I felt embarrassed and I wanted to give up. Yet every time I was done my family was there to help me up. I wasn’t left, they didn’t push me deeper into the snow. They helped me back up, they put my feet on solid ground and helped me go deeper.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 I have been blessed. Before coming to Ignite I had amazing leadership. They were constantly and consistently pouring into my life. Not only with encouragement but correction in love reminding me of what we’re pressing onto. Now looking back I realize the places I had a hard time submitting. In my heart. It was easier for me to submit in action but continue in my heart. That is something God has really been refining in me. Being here at Ignite has been amazing. But I didn’t realize how much I just submit in my actions verses my heart. I don’t recall reading this verse before. But it’s say “ they are keeping watch over your souls “ which is crazy. But it shows even in the leadership here at Ignite. Their diligence and desire to pour into us. Their desire

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20   Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1  Obeying parents. My parents are the most influential people in my life. You have to understand. My parents are my best friends. I grew up like that. Now when I say that I don’t mean they didn’t discipline me, and we’re all buddy buddy. My parents most definitely disciplined me, up until the day I left home. But they never lacked the understanding of my humanness. My parents both come from very extreme sides of the parenting scale, and when they came together I would say they did a pretty good job. Now it wasn’t always easy. If I do say so myself I was very rebellious. As much as there was a soaking to be involved, there was to be a word or encouragement and a reminder of love after. My das always made sure to get explain to me what I did, why it was wrong, and that I needed to understand why it wasn’t allowed.

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16   We are always slaves to something. Before coming to Christ I was a slave to shame, to pride, to envy, to bitterness. And so many old masters that made my life unbearable. I didn’t realize I was a slave to all of these, I just new I was angry and bitter and sad. Yet in all of it, I obeyed. When shame would come and take over, I obeyed. There was no fight. I was dying. The slowest most painful death. And when I became a bondservant of Christ, there was life in death. It was no longer a loss of my life, but I gained it all. I was dead to this world and alive in Christ. Yet there was that struggle of not going back. It was habitual. When emotions came it seemed easier to go back to the old masters, but I was no longer comfortable. When we taste and see that He is good h

But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 How often do I obey men instead of God? I seem to be at times easily swayed by those that are right in front of me. Those who I can see and touch, instead of God. It’s like I forget that I am no longer to please man because I am a bondservant of Christ. I have willingly, but yet in obedience given myself over to Him. I’ve chosen the better thing and given up my life for the sake of His gospel. And I have truly gained life. So why is it so easy to obey man instead of God? I mean I seem to find myself obeying rules placed before me. But when I am confronted with obedience to God I find myself struggling. Coming to ignite was a step of obedience for me. I had other plans. I had other ideas. This isn’t what I “ wanted “. But this is exactly where I knew God was leading. Yet I did everything I could to not come. But I knew very well, that if I didn’t I would be walking in disobedience. And hones

though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:8 Obedience seems hard. It seems hard to lay down what I want and do what someone else is telling me to do. It’s hard to trust that they are right, or even that they have my best interest in mind. It’s hard to not make the choice to rebel and do what I want even after knowing what has been asked of me. So for me, obedience can be hard. Even if not in my actions, I can be disobedient in my heart. Christ’ life is and was a beautiful thing. I wonder how Mary felt in watching Jesus’ obedience. Not only was He 100% man but 100% God. He was in total and complete surrender to the Fathers will, and lived a sin less life. I’m sure that made being a parent tons easier, but I wonder the astonishing way it made her see her own life. As she was still sinful, still struggled in her own life obeying the Lord. Jesus, was obedient to the point of death. He hung on a cross for me, beaten, battered, and bruis

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. Psalms 17:15   The definition of righteousness is being in accordance with what is just or moral. So what David is saying is He will see His face in accordance with what is just. And that he will be satisfied to awake in His likeness. We were made in His image, but sin just messed it all up. The beauty of who He made us to be was covered up. So His Son, came to die and set us free from that bondage. That freedom came with a price. And He has to take away all that comes from that sin and from the flesh. So we go through different stages of being put through the fire to burn away all that isn’t from Him. He walks with us through the process, and stands with us. He meets us in all of it. Even as it burns hotter and hotter. He holds us as we falter. Because He knows our satisfaction is in Him. Even when we doubt, even when we fail, even when we let go, even when we try to walk away

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: Philippians 4:11   Let your actions or life be without desiring what the other one has. But be content with what you have. Because He will never leave you nor forsake you. - that’s how I read this verse for it to makes sense to me. To be pure in our motives with one another is hard. We are fickle and human and so many times mess up things with our own human intentions. We do things to gain. We serve others in hope that they will “ return the favor. “ We shower others with praise hoping they’ll do the same. We try to encourage and speak powerful words into other peoples lives hoping someone will notice our “ godliness “. We desire to have what our brothers and sisters have. We see genuine faith in them and instead of praying for faith as well, we try and muster up our one hoping to one up them in whatever we’re doing. But we’re called to be content with what we have. Not that He won’t g

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5   Let your actions or life be without desiring what the other one has. But be content with what you have. Because He will never leave you nor forsake you. - that’s how I read this verse for it to makes sense to me. To be pure in our motives with one another is hard. We are fickle and human and so many times mess up things with our own human intentions. We do things to gain. We serve others in hope that they will “ return the favor. “ We shower others with praise hoping they’ll do the same. We try to encourage and speak powerful words into other peoples lives hoping someone will notice our “ godliness “. We desire to have what our brothers and sisters have. We see genuine faith in them and instead of praying for faith as well, we try and muster up our one hoping to one up them in whatever we’re doing. But we’re called

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14   John told them to not do something they were probably used to doing. They were probably used to extorting money from people and telling lies to gain more. But John tells them what Jesus said to the adulterous woman, go and sin no more. Go and be content with what you have. Don’t continue in sin and try to gain more. You’re losing your soul. In the same way that you can find satisfaction in people or things, greed and wanting money to satisfy will never work. As much as money is useful and God has called us to be good stewards of it, we are not to have it lord over our lives. Greed tears us apart. We think we will be satisfied and feel better or fulfilled if we just get to x amount of money. But He satisfies now. I don’t need money to make me whole or to buy things with money to make me whole. He bought me with a price. Whi

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 To be content in Christ is major. It’s key. And it’s important to living a life surrendered to Christ. It’s so easy to live self focused, and focused on our own gain. It’s easy to focus on what we don’t have. What we still want, and what we still covet that others have. We notice everything we feel entitled too, and everything we feel we’re missing out on. It’s easy to make money, or material things the goal in our lives. It’s easy to see what we have as all we “need”. When really we know, we are found in Christ. I tend to find myself worried about what I will wear, what I will eat, if I’ll have enough money. I find myself being discontent because I’m worried about everything I don’t “have”. I forget to walk in Trust. God provides for the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, eve

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12 That you do not become sluggish, lazy, slothful. But we’re called to imitate those who have inherited the promise through their faith and patience. In other words through perseverance they’ve inherited the promises. The thing that first hit me was that they also were imitating someone. Christ. First we are called to not be lazy. I believe we’re called to work hard at whatever it is we are doing. Whether cleaning, leading in ministry, or just living life working at a profession. Not in a way of earning anything, but we represent the Lord. They way we live represents Him. So doing all things unto Him, I believe a strong work ethic is also something we should have. Knowing whatever we are doing is to glorify our Father in Heaven. And in that imitating those who have inherited the promises. So many have come before us in the Faith. We have so many examples in our

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9   John was exiled to Patmos. But he doesn’t even start with that or say that. He says that he’s on the island for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Which is true, but I know if I’d been exiled and was writing a letter I would’ve said a lot more. John went through a lot as a follower of Jesus. Yet he endured and counted all of it a joy for Christ’s kingdom. So many times in my pursuit of God I lose focus. I begin to try and follow others or myself. I can at times easily be led by my emotions. I stop counting the cost, and start counting what I’ve lost. I start to look at everything I’ve had to lay down and get sad, upset or angry. I begin to ask why, why couldn’t I hold on to this, or to that, or the other thing. As soon as I take the focus off of Hi

strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:11   He strengthens us with all might in relation to His glorious power, so that all long suffering and patience will be with joy. We are able to do that by increasing in our knowledge of God. To count it all joy. To see all our trials and circumstances as something He is using to further my faith. It teaches me more patience and  long suffering, or perseverance. He is encouraging those in Colosse because he heard of their faith in Jesus Christ, their love for the saints, and that they are bearing fruit. It also encouraged me. He is saying press on. The testing of your faith is producing patience and perseverance. He is reminding us of the hope we have and encouraging us to press on and keep seeking Him. To seek His face and seek to know Him more. Because He has qualified us and as it says in verse 12, we can now take part in the inheritance of the saints in t

By your endurance you will gain your lives. Luke 21:19 The gaining of our lives will be through enduring. In the verses before it’s talking about end times, and what will be happening. The way mother and father and sister and brother will all turn against us. That we as Christians will be persecuted, for His name sake. But we are called to endure and press on. All over the New Testament it talks about the hardships we will face while here on this world. But Christ also encourages us to press on. For me to live is Christ to die is gain. When we count the cost. Counting our lives. Saying I will lay it all down. As much as it will hurt. Even so. I desire to seek You. When I say I give you my life, I want to mean it. Letting it not just be flippant words that come because “ it’s what you say “ but letting it be a way of life. Letting my sacrifice be unto Him. Knowing when I lose my life I will gain if. Because the riches of this world compare not to the glory of who He is. Not only

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:11-15   I have heard of this parable many times. I don’t ever actually remember ever sitting and looking at it. But it has been so eye opening.  The seed is the Word.  Those by the wayside hear it but don’t ever act on it. It seems to be one of these, in one ear out t

See then that you walk carefully, diligently, perfectly, maturely.  Wow. This is one of my favorites. The days are evil and we’re called to redeem the times. So many are walking, as Paul puts it, like fools. Fulfilling any desire they have. Looking left and right at what others have, complaining and walking not in wisdom but foolishness. “ Therefore do not be unwise but understand the will of the Lord. “ In verse 15 it tells us His will. He desires for us to walk carefully, diligently, perfectly, maturely. We represent Christ. We are who people see. He chooses to use earthen broken vessels for heavenly things. He calls us to walk as He walked. Not in our own strength as He knows we will fail, but we have His spirit. None of it has to be done on our own. He desires for us to come close and see Him. There is a song that goes “ where You go I’ll go, what You say I’ll say, what You pray I’ll pray “ and this is what i believe He is calling us to do. He wants us to understand that, to f

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12   We are saved by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We live in this world even if we are not to be of it. The ways we live says a lot about it. If we say something and live differently to what we say we are hypocrites. Something my dad told me when I first joined ministry was that people are always watching, and that I needed to live as if I was always speaking into a microphone. Honestly as worldly as that winsome could’ve been, hearing that sparked something in me. I began to seek the Lord in my ways of speaking, acting, leading. I honestly experienced a freedom unlike anything I’d ever known. In His will, I was free. But it was in the moments that i tried to do it on my own that the weigh became to much to carry. Because I was trying to fit an

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 God is faithful. He faithfully gives, and He faithfully answers. He doesn’t leave us guessing. He in His perfect will and plan guides and gives. When we ask, in faith knowing He will answer, He gives. In learning IBS God has been faithful to provide wisdom. So many times I haven’t known how to even begin to understand what the word says. The words confuse me or the sentence structure throws me off. I start to over analyze and completely misunderstand what He’s really saying. His word is sharper than any two edged sword and it separates bone and marrow. It’s living and active and gives Hope. So I have to remember to ask Him, for wisdom and discernment. He wants to lead us through His word so we can know Him better. He wants to show us how much He has done to bring us to redemption. How He has written this love letter where every book and word has a threa

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalms 111:10   The question I asked myself was what is fear of the Lord? As much as it’s where  wisdom begins, what does that look like? I’ve always heard this. Fear God, fear the Lord your God. But I don’t think I really fully ever understood it. I now somewhat understand that fearing the Lord isn’t bad. It’s standing in awe of His majesty. HE IS GOD. He reigns sovereign over creation and is the head over all. To fear Him is to acknowledge His majesty, He is my Creator. He is what was before anything was. He has no beginning and no end. To fear Him, is so much more than being afraid. It’s to be in awe because how can you not? For me there is a moment I think of when I think of fearing Him. I had just gotten home from a week long summer youth camp, right after I got saved. I had been being wrecked all week. God had been showing me His love for me in

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13-17   “ But if you harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. “ I keep thinking about the world. The world is full of bitter envy and selfish ambition. And even people who profess as Christians deal with it. It’s wisdom of this world. And from myself. I very easily think of answers or try and find solutions to my “problems”. I think I fool myself into

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:47-52 I want to be this man. I want to have this faith. He calls out to Jesus even after they quiet him. He calls and Jesus answers and his sight is restored and he follows Him. I WANT THIS FAITH. So many times I find myself blind, and instead of crying out I say nothing. It’s almost