Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:12 NIV)
Lord Jesus, I pray continually you help my heart hold on to the joy of your salvation. For in you and your salvation is my hope and my life. I pray that this would be the mark of my life
- the joy of your salvation
because of what you have done and will do Christ.
I often lose sight and the feeling of this joy as I let myself get busy or i let myself get down when things are hard.
But your promise is not dependent on anything I can do or anything in this world. When ministry struggles you do not fail or become weak God. You are sovereign. For in Christ you are victorious over sin and death and you will make all things new.
Lord grant and build a willing spirit within me to live by day to day and moment to moment in the joy of your salvation. I pray you would do this for you glory and that I might be a light for you.
Amen
Sunday, May 26, 2013
1 Timothy: The Greeting from Paul
To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
(1 Timothy 1:2 NIV)
I am excited to start this study through 1 Timothy with my good friend Jonathan. Even just hear in this second verse there is so much to learn and seek to apply to transform my life.
The partnership in the gospel of Paul and Timothy is a great example of the depth of relationship and partnership we can have as Christians united in Christ to follow him in our life and his mission. Paul calls Timothy his true son in the faith. That is really significant. I just am trying to imagine what it would look like in my church and InterVarsity to have such discipleship of older and younger believers that they would consider themselves son and father in the faith all under our Heavenly Father.
Also I have been thinking for a while of a good way to close emails and letters in a way that is a blessing from God upon the people I communicate with. Though this is part of a greeting I like the idea of a closing blessing like this:
Grace and Peace
From Christ and the Father
Daniel
I am excited to see what more God has for us in our study. I pray it would be fruitful in my life, my doctrine and leadership! I pray Lord you convict me if sin and call me to walk in your righteousness.
Amen
(1 Timothy 1:2 NIV)
I am excited to start this study through 1 Timothy with my good friend Jonathan. Even just hear in this second verse there is so much to learn and seek to apply to transform my life.
The partnership in the gospel of Paul and Timothy is a great example of the depth of relationship and partnership we can have as Christians united in Christ to follow him in our life and his mission. Paul calls Timothy his true son in the faith. That is really significant. I just am trying to imagine what it would look like in my church and InterVarsity to have such discipleship of older and younger believers that they would consider themselves son and father in the faith all under our Heavenly Father.
Also I have been thinking for a while of a good way to close emails and letters in a way that is a blessing from God upon the people I communicate with. Though this is part of a greeting I like the idea of a closing blessing like this:
Grace and Peace
From Christ and the Father
Daniel
I am excited to see what more God has for us in our study. I pray it would be fruitful in my life, my doctrine and leadership! I pray Lord you convict me if sin and call me to walk in your righteousness.
Amen
Thursday, May 23, 2013
God's provision for Elijah
The story of Elijah's first recorded step in ministry is one of great boldness and dependence on God. Elijah challenges the King of Israel who is leading the whole nation in sin. As a result Elijah faces persecution and God guides him to a place of utter dependence on God and his provision.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him:3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1 Kings 17: 1-6
God you have called me into this ministry with InterVarsity. As you have called you will provide even if it is in unexpected ways like from ravens. Lord I want to trust in you to provide and take bold steps of faith in my fundraising as I work to invite people into partnership in my ministry. God help me to be faithful and make bold asks inviting others to partner in your work.
Amen
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him:3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1 Kings 17: 1-6
God you have called me into this ministry with InterVarsity. As you have called you will provide even if it is in unexpected ways like from ravens. Lord I want to trust in you to provide and take bold steps of faith in my fundraising as I work to invite people into partnership in my ministry. God help me to be faithful and make bold asks inviting others to partner in your work.
Amen
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Ecclesiastes: what about pleasure and work?
I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:1 NIV)
The world chases after pleasure thinking there is meaning or hope in it. But is there anything real and significant that comes from chasing pleasure?
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man's heart. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:8, 10, 11 NIV)
Solomon had it all and yet he knew it would not last and that in the end it was not worth living for. It is good that our hope is not in wealth and pleasure because billions do not have even basic necessities.
Pleasure is fleeting.
Work is fulfilling for a time but it does not last.
So what next?
The world chases after pleasure thinking there is meaning or hope in it. But is there anything real and significant that comes from chasing pleasure?
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man's heart. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:8, 10, 11 NIV)
Solomon had it all and yet he knew it would not last and that in the end it was not worth living for. It is good that our hope is not in wealth and pleasure because billions do not have even basic necessities.
Pleasure is fleeting.
Work is fulfilling for a time but it does not last.
So what next?
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Ecclesiastes: Everything is meaningless?
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: "Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2 NIV)
This is an interesting book digging into what our purpose is and whether life has any meaning. Above is the classic verse repeated again and again in this book- everything is meaningless.
Why does the author claim that everything is meaningless?
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say,
"Look! This is something new"?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations,
and even those yet to come
will not be remembered
by those who follow them. (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2, 9-11 NIV)
What is crooked cannot be straightened;
what is lacking cannot be counted.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief. (Ecclesiastes 1:15, 18 NIV)
All of this points to the need of a savior of Christ who is God, who redeems the broken and crooked, who makes abundance out of need, who gives hope now and eternally. Jesus has come and will come again and make all things new! Ecclesiastes makes a good point that this world is fleeting and will pass away. But their is a future hope of something new an eternal home and hope!
Thank you God for your Son!
Thank you Christ for being our savior!
Amen
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2 NIV)
This is an interesting book digging into what our purpose is and whether life has any meaning. Above is the classic verse repeated again and again in this book- everything is meaningless.
Why does the author claim that everything is meaningless?
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say,
"Look! This is something new"?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations,
and even those yet to come
will not be remembered
by those who follow them. (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2, 9-11 NIV)
What is crooked cannot be straightened;
what is lacking cannot be counted.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief. (Ecclesiastes 1:15, 18 NIV)
All of this points to the need of a savior of Christ who is God, who redeems the broken and crooked, who makes abundance out of need, who gives hope now and eternally. Jesus has come and will come again and make all things new! Ecclesiastes makes a good point that this world is fleeting and will pass away. But their is a future hope of something new an eternal home and hope!
Thank you God for your Son!
Thank you Christ for being our savior!
Amen
A Biblical View on Fundraising for Ministry
I felt called to look at a biblical view of fundraising and share this with you.
What is Fundraising and what does the bible have to say about it in regards to ministry for the gospel?
We also call it Ministry Partner Development because we believe this is a partnership of giving and receiving that advances the gospel. When I ask for supporters to give financially I am not begging or asking anyone to be an ATM. This type of partnership in financial giving is biblical and a blessing for those who give and those who receive.
Both Jesus and Paul are excellent examples of ministries that relied on partnership of others in both giving and receiving.
Jesus: In Luke chapter 8 we read how Jesus’ ministry was supported by a group of women.
“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
Jesus sends us as he sent the 72 in Luke 10 to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and calling all to repent and believe. As Jesus sends them he tells them to take nothing but to depend on the generosity of others for the worker is worth his wages. (Luke 10:1,7) As staff for InterVarsity my full time work is the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom.
Paul: Paul’s ministry was supported by the people in the church of Philippi and Paul writes this to the Philippians in chapter 4 of his letter as part of prayer letter of thanks. As Paul did before me I send out my regular prayer newsletter to my partners in the gospel to encourage, update and ask for continued prayer.
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." (Philippians 4:15)
Remember that this is a partnership of giving and receiving. As I receive your gifts of prayer and fincancial giving I am equipped to work full time on the college campus. Through my ministry I also hope to give back to you in stories, fruit in the kingdom, encouragement and prayer.
We are all called into partnership in ministry of the gospel to advance the kingdom. But we each have different callings, gifts and resources. Some are called to preach and some are called to encourage and support but all are important. God has called me to this work as a minister of his gospel to college students through my work with InterVarsity to college students at CU Boulder. That is why I have and will continue to invite you and others into partnership with me in giving and receiving for my InterVarsity ministry.
See more about my ministry through InterVarsity on my other blog ivmission.blogspot.com
Both Jesus and Paul are excellent examples of ministries that relied on partnership of others in both giving and receiving.
Jesus: In Luke chapter 8 we read how Jesus’ ministry was supported by a group of women.
“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
Jesus sends us as he sent the 72 in Luke 10 to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and calling all to repent and believe. As Jesus sends them he tells them to take nothing but to depend on the generosity of others for the worker is worth his wages. (Luke 10:1,7) As staff for InterVarsity my full time work is the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom.
Paul: Paul’s ministry was supported by the people in the church of Philippi and Paul writes this to the Philippians in chapter 4 of his letter as part of prayer letter of thanks. As Paul did before me I send out my regular prayer newsletter to my partners in the gospel to encourage, update and ask for continued prayer.
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." (Philippians 4:15)
Remember that this is a partnership of giving and receiving. As I receive your gifts of prayer and fincancial giving I am equipped to work full time on the college campus. Through my ministry I also hope to give back to you in stories, fruit in the kingdom, encouragement and prayer.
We are all called into partnership in ministry of the gospel to advance the kingdom. But we each have different callings, gifts and resources. Some are called to preach and some are called to encourage and support but all are important. God has called me to this work as a minister of his gospel to college students through my work with InterVarsity to college students at CU Boulder. That is why I have and will continue to invite you and others into partnership with me in giving and receiving for my InterVarsity ministry.
See more about my ministry through InterVarsity on my other blog ivmission.blogspot.com
I trust God will provide for me and my ministry as he also provides for you. For God is the only provider and we are all dependent on him whether we work as engineers, moms, or ministers of the gospel.
Thank you and as Paul said to the Philippians (ch 4) "May God supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
-Daniel
Real discipleship -the way of the Cross
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
(Mark 8:34-38 NIV)
God has been bringing up the gospel recorder by Mark all around me, my parents and I have studied it for months over beer and pizza, I studied it on my own, I led a camp through mark 1-8 for InterVarsity, mark came up at church and we just started a series on mark at my young adults group. I think God is saying something haha.
This is real discipleship, this is what it really means to follow Jesus - to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Jesus daily.
How? Lets go back to Mark 1.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14, 15 NIV)
Repentance is the way of the cross and is a continual lifestyle we are called to. Yet it starts by repenting of being in control and letting Jesus be king in our life believing he is good and real and sovereign.
So many of us come to Jesus wanting both our eternal soul to be saved and yet to also gain the things of this world. We want both. Yet Jesus' invitation is to leave everything and follow him. The first disciples leave their nets and their families. I have left some things like my career yet I often hold on chasing after other things of this world such as relationships and identity in success.
God I pray for understanding of what it means to deny myself daily. God convict me by your Holy Spirit of sin and idols in my life. I thank you for the ways you smashed many of the idols in my life, yet I am afraid some are still hiding in my heart looking innocent. Yet when trouble comes I want to lean on you Lord not for things but for your hope and comfort.
Let my life be all and only for you and the gospel Lord!
Amen
(Mark 8:34-38 NIV)
God has been bringing up the gospel recorder by Mark all around me, my parents and I have studied it for months over beer and pizza, I studied it on my own, I led a camp through mark 1-8 for InterVarsity, mark came up at church and we just started a series on mark at my young adults group. I think God is saying something haha.
This is real discipleship, this is what it really means to follow Jesus - to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Jesus daily.
How? Lets go back to Mark 1.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14, 15 NIV)
Repentance is the way of the cross and is a continual lifestyle we are called to. Yet it starts by repenting of being in control and letting Jesus be king in our life believing he is good and real and sovereign.
So many of us come to Jesus wanting both our eternal soul to be saved and yet to also gain the things of this world. We want both. Yet Jesus' invitation is to leave everything and follow him. The first disciples leave their nets and their families. I have left some things like my career yet I often hold on chasing after other things of this world such as relationships and identity in success.
God I pray for understanding of what it means to deny myself daily. God convict me by your Holy Spirit of sin and idols in my life. I thank you for the ways you smashed many of the idols in my life, yet I am afraid some are still hiding in my heart looking innocent. Yet when trouble comes I want to lean on you Lord not for things but for your hope and comfort.
Let my life be all and only for you and the gospel Lord!
Amen
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