Suffering for Hope

I recently started perusing through some old photos from my year in HPSM, and I came across photos from Gustav. Gustav was a devastating time for many; especially in the Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville areas. It was the hardest hit we had seen in years, but oddly the misery is not what I remember. The two weeks without electricity which meant no hot water, AC, etc... But, I remember the friendships that grew. The lives that were changed. The smiles seen with one free meal. The creative ways we came up with to eat spam and actually "enjoy" it! :)

I don't believe God CAUSES the hardships to happen in our lives, but He ALLOWS them because THROUGH them we gain so much more.

During one of our yard clean ups/tree removal I was able to hear about a man coming to Christ!!! He wasn't even the yard we were originally sent out to clean up, but when the tree on his roof was noticed our team went over and helped. It was an all around win!!! Our hearts were blessed!!!

Now, I know it is never easy to be so optimistic during a trial, time of distress, suffering, etc. But please find HOPE!!! God IS with you through the entire process, and what the enemy would use to destroy you God will use to BUILD you up!!! And maybe even others along the way! :)

Job 36:15 - "But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction."

Enjoy the pictures!!! :)

IT MIGHT OF BEEN A HURRICANE, BUT THAT DIDN'T MEAN SCHOOL WORK DISAPPEARED!!! STUDY TIME :)

JAY, KRYS, AND JORDAN: THREE PEOPLE THAT DEFINITELY MADE THE ADVENTURE FAR MORE ENJOYABLE!

GETTING FOOD/SUPPLIES READY TO GO OUT IN THE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS!!!!

Bible Study & Prayer

   To study the Bible is to study God's word, and God's word as a person is Jesus Christ who is the one person Christians are meant to model after.  The over forms of God's word are: 1) As already stated; the word as a person, Jesus Christ, 2) The word as a declaration or law, 3) The word as direct conversation, 4) The word as human speech, and 5) the word as writing, or the Bible.  Three characteristics of the scripture are: It is the authority over a believer's life, the Holy Spirit teaches Christians God's will, and it is historically accurate and completely errorless. The word is a source of power for the life of a Christian and because of this we should make it an everyday part of our lives. The Word is a source of encouragement, it is a source of wisdom, it is a weapon against evil persuasion, and it shows believers the nature of God, therefore helping them understand His movements in their lives.  God uses the scripture as one great source of communication for Christians, so they in return communicate to Him through prayer.

These topics are one of the greatest areas in my life that I "fail" in.  Our time spent in prayer and devotion with God impacts the amount of intimacy, faith, and strength we have with Him. God gave us His Word to study, not just to learn from. But, to also mimic or relive. Sometimes I feel as Christians, myself included, can forget that God is the same today as he was "yesterday" or in Biblical times. The authority and power He bestowed upon the apostles and prophets he longs to share with you and I, but we can not receive unless we study God's word. God wants to openly communicate with us through the Word, but He longs for that desire to communicate our love back to Him through prayer.

Bible Study and Prayer are foundational truths for the Christian Faith because they are both tools for Christians. Without God's Word, and the study there of, Christians would not receive the overall understanding that God longs for with us to have. The Bible is a reliable, tangible source for us to use as a major building block in our lives and help us to effect the lives of those around us. Prayer is important because it keeps the cycle of communication open. God speaks to man through His word, and then man speaks to God through prayer. Prayer is when Christians are face to face with god and are allowing themselves to be in open communication with their creator.

Who else can say that!?