Strength in Weakness

Today my mind is a little uneasy. I left the team meeting for our trip to the Philippines feeling really heavy. I think the reality of the fact that I am going to the Philippines this summer is setting in and I am excited but at the same time kind of unnerved. You never really understand the amount of spiritual preparation it takes to go on a missions trip until you are in the midst of the planning and training. I now the the Lord is good and He is ultimately in control over all aspects of this trip, but I feel for some reason inadequate (Not that I don't think God can use me because I know He can). It is more of a submitting to God's will and being humbled that is happening. I am completely inadequate and unworthy of what He has entrusted me with and that is the ability to be a vessel and messenger of His truth. I know that it is by His grace and mercy alone that I am able to go with boldness and confidence and show His love to those I may come in contact with. I want to be intentional in my time over in the Philippines with Christ as my sole focus and desire. I want to have His plan and purpose of salvation in mind ; at the same time it is easy to become complacent and not really be intentional in what I do . Why is this? Ok so I think that is enough rambling for the night. I hope that those who read this would keep me in their prayers over the next few months as I prepare to go over and work with Kids International Ministry in the Philippines this summer.
Here are some things you can pray for:

• Financial Plans and fund raising
  

• That I would be spending time daily in prayer and the word intentionally preparing for this trip

• That I would budget my time wisely as to best serve and be a part of the team that is going

• That I would begin to grow a deep and lasting affection for the Filipino People

• Mental , physical and spiritual strength now and during the trip

I would covet any and all prayers. This is a verse my friend gave me when I was telling her how insufficient I felt for this task and it brought me great comfort

2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. "

God's grace is the only thing that makes me sufficient to do the work of the kingdom. I take great pleasure in knowing that in my weakness Christ's power is set on display and all the glory to Him belong because of nothing I did but His power in me.

Thoughts

I have decided that I need to start blogging again. I think it is something that will help keep me accountable to learn and hash out the things I am learning in God's word. For now I am just going to share a few verses that impacted me today

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand"

We can get so wrapped up in making plans for the future and even just planning what the next step we need to take in our lives is that we forget the one whose sovereign purpose for our life stands eternally. We are so fickle and scatter brained that we can change our minds as often as we change our clothes. It is so refreshing to know that our God is not like us in that way. God's counsel and purpose are steadfast and unchanging.

Proverbs 19:27
"cease to hear instruction, my son, and YOU WILL STRAY from the words of knowledge

My pastor kind of touched on this topic a while back but it has really stuck with me. Just the fact that when you stop listening to and seeking after wisdom you by default are following folly and foolishness. You are either moving forward and seeking the things of God (wise and righteous things) or you are in reverse seeking and following foolishness. There is no neutral position to take when seeking after the things of God and when you don't seek wisdom YOU WILL STRAY. Such a powerful and convicting message from the word. I know I don't always seek wisdom and to realize that means I am pursuing foolishness over wisdom at that time is very convicting

Any thoughts?