Boldness and Compassion

It is hard to describe in words how I have been/am feeling about the trip to the Middle East. If I had to choose one word it would probably be anticipation! The journey God has brought me on from when I first felt called to go on a missions trip back in October until now has been absolutely incredible. God provided in every single area that I had been praying in regards to this trip and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for our team.

The past month I have been reading through Acts in my quiet times just to get a little insight on how God used the apostles to advance His gospel and build His church. My world has been absolutely rocked by this book. The boldness and compassion of the disciples and the working and leading of the Holy Spirit encouraged me so much. One verse that really stuck out to me is when Paul is about to leave for Jerusalem where he knows he will meet opposition: "But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace"-Acts 20:24. I have been praying for that attitude for both myself and my team. We have all been called to serve in the Middle East this summer and so received the ministry of building relationships and sharing the love and truth of Jesus Christ. I want so badly to finish that course with boldness and compassion as the Holy Spirit works and leads just as He did so long ago.

One other verse that really stuck out to me was in Acts 16. While in jail, Paul and Silas were rescued by God: "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains came loose" (Acts 16:26). Although, this is very literal I also thought about this in a metaphorical sense. I am praying that God would shake the foundation that those we meet are living their lives by so that the door to their hearts would be opened for God to come in and remove the chains weighing them down.

God is SO good and SO faithful and I know He is going to rock our world over there. Thank you so much for your support and prayers!

Justin