Good morning class. Welcome again to Re-evaluate Your Spiritual Life course 101.

Today we’re going to do a little evaluation test.

First, raise your hand if you believe your trying to follow God with your whole heart?
Marlee, yes, I see your hand.
Raise your hand if you thought that coming on a six month mission trip would change everything about your life? Spiritually, mentally, and physically?
Ok… thank you Marlee, you may put your hand down.
Now raise your hand if, right before you reach the four month marker of that six month feat, you discover that your in a spiritual rut. You’re completely amazed at yourself because all of the sudden you start looking like one of those imprudent Israelites who never, ever, get it. Of all places or stages in your life, the period of time that you have set aside, devoted solely to serving the Lord on the "mission field" should be the once place and time that you get everything that was mediocre in your life straightened out and become a much better Christian.
Wow, Marlee I really appreciate your enthusiastic participation today…

BLAH!

Two things:
1. I am not perfect.
2. There is hope!!! I serve a God who is perfect. And He will one day completely transform me and conform me to the image of His son. (check Hagg. 2:23, II Corinthians 3:18)
Have you ever had a really good light bulb moment? When things that you have been taught over and over for a split second make really good sense? When God opens your eyes so that you can finally FINALLY see?
All I can do is be thankful that God enables His servants to speak truth and allows me to hear it! The majority of the time, my accountability comes from Teej or Mac; several times since living in Africa it has been our friend Isaac. And I am extremely grateful for them because they remind me, help me, to stick with the race, to get back on the right track when I am struggling. But this time it was my youth pastor, Paige Findley, via podcast.
All day I had been devouring scripture trying to find something that would just jump out at me and grab my attention. I wanted to find the one story which would totally parallel with my “predicament”. But despite my oh-so-grievous search, I felt like I hadn’t really found what I was looking for. That night I couldn't go to bed. I wasn't especially tired and plus I was frustrated with trying to figure out how to keep our ministry fresh. While I waited on my body to wind down, I decided to listen to some YBS pod casts we happened to have. The two that we have are titled “ A Seriously Happy ‘How To’ ©” and “Life, Death, and Happiness”. (Super anointed messages, and if they’re still on the website I suggest that you download them.) That’s when it all began to sink in....
Both the best thing and the most challenging thing about a long term mission trip is that eventually you get settled. Eventually you get into a groove. You form a schedule. You develop habits. As sick as this may sound, for about a month I’ve been pulling my hair trying to figure out how to make the best use of my time. My time… funny right? Meanwhile, I’m cooped up in the house busy with my thoughts and idly going about my petty chores or whatnot. 'How do I really pin down this missionary thing?' 'What do good missionaries spend their time doing?' 'What new program could we start?' 'If only I was creative enough to start something that would entice everyone to come and realize that Jesus is awesome and then they would be healed and this village would be changed forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
*Uh-oh…red flags all over the place. Can anyone say Satan’s best strategy???
Taking the load off of God and hopelessly trying to carry it all myself.
Driver swap, much?
Yikes! NO, THANK YOU!
Wow, it’s so easy for me to complicate sharing the gospel.
That is what I was doing.
Here is what the Lord spoke to me through pastor P.:

I was sent to Uganda to testify through my actions and through my words that I value the living God. That I believe the King of Kings is worth all of my adoration. Thus, I glorify the only One worthy of glory. I love my Creator.
In reality, the world doesn’t need a new program. It needs to hear the ageless word of truth spoken over it. It needs people to genuinely display their love for God by living a life that clearly communicates (through their actions and through their words) that they are deeply and truly joyful, dancing in the overflow of God’s love.

That’s it! And the crux of that message really freed me. He has given me the gift of His spirit. Those who seek after Him will be greatly satisfied with this gift. And they will start to seek after Him when they see us enjoying Him to the fullest. For some reason those girls are happy, and it’s not because they are white and rich. If people see that I believe with my whole heart that God really is more precious than silver, more costly than gold, then will they start desiring Him for themselves.

Another thing-
Two weeks ago a young brother in the church named Billy preached a slick little sermon from Revelation ch. 2. vs. 2-5. He was pleading with the church to return to their first love. This is how it reads:

“2. I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them who are evil; and you have tried them who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
3. And have endured, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have labored, and have not fainted.
4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against you. Because you have left your first love.
5. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your lamp stand out of this place, except you repent.”

What’s the point?
So many times I go through life trying to behave correctly. As I should. But if the focus has shifted from the original reason I changed and started leading a more “well behaved” lifestyle in the first place, then I am laboring in vain. Don’t go astray from your first love. This idea goes hand in hand with seeking the Spirit itself, rather than the fruits of the spirit. If you want your ministry to be fruitful, live in the Spirit. Love and feast from the Spirit.
How do we do this?
God suggests we repent. Attack and confess the sin. As much of it as you can think of.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8)
Psalm 51
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)
So for now that’s all I’ve got.
Pray for us as we expressively enjoy our King throughout Kisoga. : ) After all, the more we delight in the Hero, the harder our enemy has to work. I invite you to be apart of this movement. Suit up soldiers. Psalm 18. Ephs. 6:11-18. HOO HAH!
We love you all so so much. Know that we miss you a lot and continue to lift you up in our prayers.
Love,
Marlee