How is it that God can work His wonders all around the world? Does God ever dazzle you? (Dazzle is such a strange word.) I mean really, truly and completely floored by God? Or do you just not think about Him enough to count? I am pondering this in my mind as I try and open up my recent memories of all that God has done in my life in the past few weeks. But, truly God amazes me. It is a wonder how He is able to be so personal with everyone at the same time. He is able to know all the struggles and joys of everyone’s journey. My sphere and little corner of the world hardly even shows the glamour of God and I have seen him do many amazing things right here in my local lifestyle. Yet, my God moves all around the world. I saw Him work his miracles all over the Philippines as I traveled there with Dr. Stan Fleming and the team.
Pastor Peter Mayam, an apostle over 20+ churches in the Philippines is my hero. I have never watched a man of God that carried himself with such peace. He trusts God, with everything, and despite the fact that he was orphaned as a child, despite that the fact that his brother is in critical condition in an American hospital, thousands of miles away, He still chooses to serve God. He still chooses to advance the kingdom and help other Pastor’s in their desperate need. After returning to the states I received an email that said this,
"Greetings and blessings to you and your family! In behalf of my family and the few pastors and churches of Lifeway Bible Church which the Lord has called me to oversee, please allow me to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING AND BRINGING THE TEAM FOR MINISTRY HERE IN OUR REGION AND TO THE PASTORS AND CHURCHES WE ARE MINISTERING TO. I personally had a fresh encounter with God and am encouraged with the little things we are doing to help build and extend the kingdom of God in our area of calling and ministry. My cellphone is overloaded with text messages of pastors from La Union and Solano and La Trinidad, expressing their deep appreciation and thanking me for bringing you and the team for the seminars…”
I am so grateful that God used me and the team to help encourage many churches and Pastors overseas. It is such a blessing. I was blessed to even know that I am serving alongside such great Christians.
While there I was also able to speak at a youth conference, “Encountering God” and I was so blessed to see many youth leaders touched and restored to the vision God had for them and their ministry.
But what did I learn over there?
Well one I am so grateful for my Pastors and Mentors. I had a small taste of their daily life. I am so amazed how they are able to keep themselves completely filed with the Spirit so they can lead others. Even after praying for few people I felt empty and tired. I am so grateful for Pastor Ken Wilde, Mark Francey, and Shane Grove. They do this on a daily basis and still must find time to fill themselves with the presence of Jesus. We should never doubt how hard these people work, and we should certainly be compelled to pray for them.
There is one thing that stuck out in my life that has forever changed my view of life. I know now that you can learn all you want, about anything, but until you go out and do it I think you don’t really believe it at all. In fact beliefs and ideas take action. If you have a vision you can’t just sit all day visualizing, no, you will never get there. All we do takes action. Jesus demands it. So many Christians sit around knowing that God will provide. And yes that is true. And yes we must have faith, but faith is useless if you are not stepping out of the boat, or casting your nets. We sometimes make the excuse of faith for our laziness, And that is just arrogance at its finest level. When you step out it puts a demand on the anointing. Really what it boils down to is a willing heart. When you are willing God is willing to pour out upon you. There are many willing people but there are few that ever step out and commit. And commitment is everything.
But I love how the demand for the anointing increases when we actually practice the word. I love it! I really do. And God is doing even greater things that go far beyond a trip overseas. If we could only see the spiritual world!
I also learned that I love the simplicity of toilet paper, and that even one ply, sand paper is a blessing from the Lord. I love the open market over there too. It was the coolest place I have ever been to; So loud, so full, so crazy, yet so orderly. Everyone seemed like they knew exactly what they were doing, and it was like that all over Baugio.
For more pictures & videos you can visit my facebook. Also feel free to check out www.gatebreakers.com for video and missions information.
