THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
Speaker: Dan Baumann (USA)
To some up this week in one word: MOTIVATING! Dan is full of stories: he was imprisoned in Iran for 9 weeks for being a missionary & a spy, has lived in war zones in Afghanistan, but most importantly, he has lived his life in full obedience to God, relying on Him for anything and everything. His journey with God is truly inspiring, but what's even more amazing is Dan's genuine love for God. Stories upon stories, God's love for Dan was so evident, and admist all the difficulties Dan faced, including being brutally beaten each day while he was in prison, Dan's love for God grew so much more each day. He is on fire for God, and I want Dan's passion!!
His simple message each day was this: The Christian life is about discovering who God is and how much he loves you. That's it!! Dan spoke through his personal experiences, and with that, he has lots of GREAT one liners. Here are just a few that I absolutely love (it was hard for me to narrow this down!):
*Everything you do FOR God will come from your intimacy WITH God.
*God is more committed to fulfill His will for our lives than we are committed to find it.
*I would rather live my life doing what i think God is telling me to do, than to give into my fear.
*There is no heart too hard for Jesus!
*Readiness does NOT define your obedience! God will give you the special grace and power to do exactly what he tells you to do at that exact moment.
*The "cost" of discipleship dwindles away the more you discover how incredibly deep God's love is for you.
*Priorities are soooooooo wrong. There is no such thing as a list!! 1-God, 2-Family, 3-Friends, 4-Sports, etc. It's God FIRST and God ONLY! GOD IS A PART OF EVERYTHING! Therefore, going for a run with Jesus is just as "spiritual" as going to youth group Wednesday night!
*More passion comes by having a deep intimate relationship with the most passionate being in the whole universe, GOD!
*Don't focus on sin or anything relating to sin, even how to get out of sin, but rather, focus on Jesus and the beauty of Him!!
*Our fears are pushed away the more we love & obey God.
*Circumstances & feelings will not run my life, but the character of God will run my life!
*Greatest gift: the constant awareness of my need for God!
*RELAX. Spend more time loving God than worrying about our decisions. It's not irresponsible, but SO responsible!
*When making decisions, if you don't know what to do, just do SOMETHING! Don't make a "god" out of waiting to hear the specific will for your life... God's "general" will for our lives is to love Him and love others (greatest commandment). Focus on that.
*Set yourself on fire for Jesus and go outside and let people watch you burn!
God wants to give each one of us our own stories.. the questions is, how willing are we to obey Him, even if other people are telling us we're crazy? Ah, all I can say is I'm SO excited for my future & I can't wait to see where God takes me!!
Blessings to all!
Aslyn <3
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Week 5
THIS WEEK WAS TRULY AMAZING!
Topic: HOLY SPIRIT! Speaker: Richard Lowe (UK)
HIGHLIGHTS:
*Jesus gave up his rights (all powerful, all knowning, and everywhere) to be a human being just like you and me! (Phil 2:5-11). The only reason he could heal & perform miracles is because He was FILLED, EMPOWERED, & LED by the Holy Spirit!
*The SAME HOLY SPIRIT that was in Jesus, IS IN YOU AND ME! (assuming you've accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior). The disciples, humans EXACTLY like me and you, some were murderers, some tax collectors, had the Holy Spirit in them (Luke 9:1), giving them the power to perform miracles just like Jesus! Do you realize how incredible this is!?
*John 14:12 - (Jesus speaking) "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do THE SAME WORKS I have done, and even GREATER WORKS, because I am going to be with the Father." Mind blowing right?!
*The Holy Spirit is with us at all times, because we honestly need Him at all times! He is our teacher, our advocate, our counselor, our guide, our encourager, our comforter, our strength, our joy, our redeemer. (John 14:17, 14:26, 15:26-27, 16:13-15)
*So, God gave us the Holy Spirit without limit (John 3:34)!!! But because we have a free will, we have a limiter switch, which means we can control how much of the Holy Spirit we let in our lives. For example, by allowing our fears, anxieties, doubts, lack of trust, misbelief to control us, we limit the power of the Holy Spirit's ability to work in our lives. So, going back to John 3:34, we CAN have the Spirit WITHOUT LIMIT, but it's up to us.. So, how much do you want Him??
What the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart:
God loves me FOR ME! He created me exactly how He wanted me, and I don't need to try to be someone I'm not. I have an identity, I have qualities about me that make me me and I need to learn to love myself for these things!Because in His eyes, I'm perfect!
This week I have never been so purely happy and joyful. I have a freedom like never before. Thursday night I was able to worship God with an unforced, uncontainable smile on my face. I truly believe & have now experienced for myself, that God is soooo good!
Please pray for an ongoing revelation of who God is and how deep His love is for me!
Blessings to all!
-Aslyn
Topic: HOLY SPIRIT! Speaker: Richard Lowe (UK)
HIGHLIGHTS:
*Jesus gave up his rights (all powerful, all knowning, and everywhere) to be a human being just like you and me! (Phil 2:5-11). The only reason he could heal & perform miracles is because He was FILLED, EMPOWERED, & LED by the Holy Spirit!
*The SAME HOLY SPIRIT that was in Jesus, IS IN YOU AND ME! (assuming you've accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior). The disciples, humans EXACTLY like me and you, some were murderers, some tax collectors, had the Holy Spirit in them (Luke 9:1), giving them the power to perform miracles just like Jesus! Do you realize how incredible this is!?
*John 14:12 - (Jesus speaking) "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do THE SAME WORKS I have done, and even GREATER WORKS, because I am going to be with the Father." Mind blowing right?!
*The Holy Spirit is with us at all times, because we honestly need Him at all times! He is our teacher, our advocate, our counselor, our guide, our encourager, our comforter, our strength, our joy, our redeemer. (John 14:17, 14:26, 15:26-27, 16:13-15)
*So, God gave us the Holy Spirit without limit (John 3:34)!!! But because we have a free will, we have a limiter switch, which means we can control how much of the Holy Spirit we let in our lives. For example, by allowing our fears, anxieties, doubts, lack of trust, misbelief to control us, we limit the power of the Holy Spirit's ability to work in our lives. So, going back to John 3:34, we CAN have the Spirit WITHOUT LIMIT, but it's up to us.. So, how much do you want Him??
What the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart:
God loves me FOR ME! He created me exactly how He wanted me, and I don't need to try to be someone I'm not. I have an identity, I have qualities about me that make me me and I need to learn to love myself for these things!Because in His eyes, I'm perfect!
This week I have never been so purely happy and joyful. I have a freedom like never before. Thursday night I was able to worship God with an unforced, uncontainable smile on my face. I truly believe & have now experienced for myself, that God is soooo good!
Please pray for an ongoing revelation of who God is and how deep His love is for me!
Blessings to all!
-Aslyn
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Week 4
This week's topic: Identity in Christ & Authority of the Believer. It was CRAZY GOOD! But, crazy hard as well. Some people were getting sick, others, like myself, were just simply unmotivated and missing home. There was definitely some spiritual warfare going on this week.. which makes sense because the devil is getting scared! We are learning about our AUTHORITY we have OVER him! So no wonder he's freaking out and stirring these emotions inside of us! But, its amazing because this past weekend was probably the happiest I've been so far, and I had SO much fun! God keeps working in my life and revealing things to me which continues to blow me away.. So, this week was tough, but I'm so happy to say, the devil made no ground :) I'm so stoked for this coming up week and I can't wait to learn more about God!!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Identity in Christ:
*Getting saved and accepting God's gift of salvation is the FIRST STEP in fulfilling your purpose, the vision God gives you!
*CHRISTian - Christ, the anointed one, lives IN ME! I now have the capacity & ability of God to fulfill my dreams & visions (which are obviously of God).
* Identity in Christ = Heavenly Calling
*I am BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
Authority of the Believer:
*Authority = delegated power, power that comes from above/a higher power.
*Jesus GAVE us authority over the devil when He died on the cross and rose again.
*Answer the devil by SPEAKING SCRIPTURE! Use that sword (referring to the Armor of God)! You don't go to war without weapons right? So read and know the Bible!
*Authority is not our own, but in the NAME OF JESUS.
What God has been speaking to me this week:
*God does not work like "To Do Lists". He works on His own timing, so I can't tell Him, "Okay, today you will reveal my identity in you, and tomorrow you will reveal my purpose in life.." Walking and growing with God is a PROCESS! (& I hate that word!) It might not be months till I can "check something off" but I need to learn to accept that, not get frustrated, and trust that God WILL bring me revelations!!
*God gave me a specific purpose on this Earth that only I can fulfill! How awesome!
*Mark 4:40 Jesus asks His disciples why they STILL have no faith, even after seeing Him perform so many miracles and healings? That really challenged me! How many times am I asking God to prove Himself that he is God, or worthy for me to praise, or that He can actually speak to me, or whatever!?? I need to stop doubting and believe because I HAVE seen Him speak to me and work in my life, so why am I waiting for Him to prove Himself yet again when He already has! One time should be enough!
*Rebecca, Philippe's wife, shared with us girls one night about "guy things", and this really stuck out: I need to fall completely in love with God and expect HIM to fulfill all my needs, not my boyfriend/husband. Putting that expectation on a guy is so unfair because no guy will ever meet all my needs, he WILL fail because he is human. God is the only "guy" that will meet all my needs and fulfill all his promises!
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS:
*Girls night with Rebecca (speakers wife)
*Dinner with Chris & Lindsey Lautsbaugh!!
*Rugby game Saturday night! Very different from Football, but a great experience :)
God bless!!!!
-Aslyn
HIGHLIGHTS:
Identity in Christ:
*Getting saved and accepting God's gift of salvation is the FIRST STEP in fulfilling your purpose, the vision God gives you!
*CHRISTian - Christ, the anointed one, lives IN ME! I now have the capacity & ability of God to fulfill my dreams & visions (which are obviously of God).
* Identity in Christ = Heavenly Calling
*I am BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
Authority of the Believer:
*Authority = delegated power, power that comes from above/a higher power.
*Jesus GAVE us authority over the devil when He died on the cross and rose again.
*Answer the devil by SPEAKING SCRIPTURE! Use that sword (referring to the Armor of God)! You don't go to war without weapons right? So read and know the Bible!
*Authority is not our own, but in the NAME OF JESUS.
What God has been speaking to me this week:
*God does not work like "To Do Lists". He works on His own timing, so I can't tell Him, "Okay, today you will reveal my identity in you, and tomorrow you will reveal my purpose in life.." Walking and growing with God is a PROCESS! (& I hate that word!) It might not be months till I can "check something off" but I need to learn to accept that, not get frustrated, and trust that God WILL bring me revelations!!
*God gave me a specific purpose on this Earth that only I can fulfill! How awesome!
*Mark 4:40 Jesus asks His disciples why they STILL have no faith, even after seeing Him perform so many miracles and healings? That really challenged me! How many times am I asking God to prove Himself that he is God, or worthy for me to praise, or that He can actually speak to me, or whatever!?? I need to stop doubting and believe because I HAVE seen Him speak to me and work in my life, so why am I waiting for Him to prove Himself yet again when He already has! One time should be enough!
*Rebecca, Philippe's wife, shared with us girls one night about "guy things", and this really stuck out: I need to fall completely in love with God and expect HIM to fulfill all my needs, not my boyfriend/husband. Putting that expectation on a guy is so unfair because no guy will ever meet all my needs, he WILL fail because he is human. God is the only "guy" that will meet all my needs and fulfill all his promises!
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS:
*Girls night with Rebecca (speakers wife)
*Dinner with Chris & Lindsey Lautsbaugh!!
*Rugby game Saturday night! Very different from Football, but a great experience :)
God bless!!!!
-Aslyn
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