IBS Philippians 2:8

IBS PHIL 2:8

"Obedient to death". 

Death was an order for Jesus. It was the will of the Father that he die not just any death on the cross, but a humble death, ad undeserved murder. 

Jesus' life was a rescue mission for the world, but it was also a suicide mission. He came to die. His purpose was death. 

Look at the life of Jesus. Every single day, He walks, talks, interacts, heals, teaches, all knowing He is God, and knowing His purpose is to die for the world, to be killed, to be murdered, to pour out His redeeming blood on every person this planet will ever know, including on the ones who drew it. 

The sinless God, not only battered and slain, but a perfect And spotless lamb willingly headed to be slaughtered. He ran to the cross, knowing what was on the other side of it. 

How could One love us so much? What?! How could this happen? 

My application is to further meditate on all of our IBS verses from this week's chunk in Philippians, with specific emphasis on verse 8, to allow my brain to soak it up. 

IBS Philippians 2:7

IBS PHIL 2:7

This emphasizes how insignificant we really are. The word literally says He made Himself NOTHING. NOTHING, referring to human LIKENESS. Not even human, but made in human LIKENESS. 

He was fully human and fully God, and because the human has tainted that, it made Him nothing. 

He humbled Himself to be a servant, to be the lowest of the low, and there is a title for that which we all hold, and it's called "human". 

We have no value, brought destruction and darkness into the world by sinning against God, but again, He still calls us worth it. 

It's an amazing reminder, Remembering what a gift it is to have God as our everything. 

Today, every time I look at my "awakened" tattoo, I will remember why I got it, and now have a new reminder of being awakened to the fact that He took my place. 

IBS Philippians 2:5-6

IBS PHIL 2:5-6

This is the picture of adaptability in humility. God came down into our form, knowing it was the only way to save us, and did not use it to assert the power He so much deserved. 

It says we should be like this..even knowing we are lifted up and covered by the blood of the lamb, keep the urgency to serve and bring others to the Lord. 

I also feel it works the same with salvation. Have you ever noticed that once you started living for Jesus, that whole spirit business started showing up conviction you way more than it used to? The closer you get to Christ, the more you realize how imperfect you are, even though He deems us worthy of Him. 

We need to remember to be like Christ,'knowing that God Himself came down to serve and die for the lost and plagued, and we need to follow suit, only magnified, as He is the King, and we belong to Him alone. 

In an effort to keep a servants attitude, I will do everything asked of me with a joyful heart, even if I don't feel like it at first. 

IBS Philippians 2:4

IBS PHIL 2:4

There's a very important way this verse is phrased, and it's using the structure of "Not only, but also". 

This is to emphasize How one is to care about their brothers and sisters. The preceding verse is saying to consider others better than yourself in humility, not out of self hatred or through the devalue of self, but because it's the structure God has laid out for us to follow. 

On the other hand, the verse says not ONLY to yourself, but ALSO to others. Also being IN ADDITION TO. You must care for yourself and look at who you are in truth through the eyes of God. Yes, we're all dirty sinners, but are covered by the blood of the lamb. 

My internship at home had a three step order we must keep for it: Personal, People, Program. Personal was first because if your life isn't in order or if your heart isn't right with God, it's very difficult, if not impossible, to lead others and minister to the standard God wants for you to. 

Saying this, there needs to be a balance with seeing your worth as according to the Lord, and with remaining humble, allowing you to love your brothers and sisters on a deeper level. Looking to each other's interests helps create a stronger bond between s all, so whether if that's sharing your last chiky or helping with homework, it's all down to loving and caring for each other. 

My application is to be more observant of my fellow intern's love languages, allowing me to better acknowledge their interests. 

IBS Philippians 2:2-3

IBS PHIL 2:2-3

My goodness, I absolutely adore how beautifully written this verse is. 

I do not believe Paul was only saying his joy would be complete if we are like-minded and bound in unity, but that joy will be ours as well. 

The preceding verse says if we get encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion from the Lord and being united in Him, then continue with that and strive for the one purpose of  being closer to Him. 

I don't know about you, but this sounds a lot like IGNITE class 5 to me.  

We've all come here for one purpose and God on our minds, and I genuinely believe this is the main reason we are able to connect so well. Not because of team building or being forced to live within 20 feet of each other, although these things help. But it's because Christ is our common ground and learning how to do His work is what were here for. 

You can tell we're united and like-minded in love and in spirit because there's compassion, tenderness, comfort, fellowship, and encouragement toward each other where there would be none elsewhere.

 There's  no selfish ambition or vain conceit, as there is no room for that here with each other. It's almost impossible to love with a Christly live while being selfish, as love is self giving and kills the desires of the flesh, which is so beautifully represented by the people here. 

I love it, and it allows me to see the true love of Christ shining through each one of these people every single day. 

My application is to by the end of this week, write letters of appreciation to each one of my fellow interns, including how they've impacted my time here and how much I love them. 

IBS Philippians 2:2-3

IBS PHIL 2:2-3

My goodness, I absolutely adore how beautifully written this verse is. 

I do not believe Paul was only saying his joy would be complete if we are like-minded and bound in unity, but that joy will be ours as well. 

The preceding verse says if we get encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion from the Lord and being united in Him, then continue with that and strive for the one purpose of  being closer to Him. 

I don't know about you, but this sounds a lot like IGNITE class 5 to me.  

We've all come here for one purpose and God on our minds, and I genuinely believe this is the main reason we are able to connect so well. Not because of team building or being forced to live within 20 feet of each other, although these things help. But it's because Christ is our common ground and learning how to do His work is what were here for. 

You can tell we're united and like-minded in love and in spirit because there's compassion, tenderness, comfort, fellowship, and encouragement toward each other where there would be none elsewhere.

 There's  no selfish ambition or vain conceit, as there is no room for that here with each other. It's almost impossible to love with a Christly live while being selfish, as love is self giving and kills the desires of the flesh, which is so beautifully represented by the people here. 

I love it, and it allows me to see the true love of Christ shining through each one of these people every single day. 

My application is to by the end of this week, write letters of appreciation to each one of my fellow interns, including how they've impacted my time here and how much I love them. 

IBS COLOSSIANS 3:20

(PREFACE: I had done an IBS on Ephesians 6:1, but I'm not posting that one)

So this pretty much contradicts everything I had said in the previous verse, because there it said "In the Lord", as here it said IN EVERYTHING. 

I still stand firm on my "heart of the Word" stance. God's heart isn't for us to be in sin, so here it's still to obey your parents. 

The end, though, says it'll please the Lord. The other verse ends with because this is right. How simple is it for us that obeying our parents is right and pleases the Lord! Like, what?! 

He's looking down on us pleased, not only because of this, but because we're obeying His word and are able to stand righteous in front of Him. 

I believe if we're able to follow this simple command, it will allow us to love more richly, and as we all know, that alone covers a multitude of sins. 

Application: I will right down a list of ways I KNOW I have purposely bent the rules here at IGNITE and go to the staff members here to apologize for the disrespect I've had for them and their authority. 

IBS - August 1 - COLOSSIANS 3:16

A dwelling is a home, and the Word should be dwelling in each one of us. Not simply a visitor that only comes in during our devotions or in a lecture, but comes into us and stays to bring us wisdom and gratitude toward the Lord. 
It also says it is to dwell RICHLY. An abundance of the Word should be inside us so we can pour into others, allowing us to teach about that same wisdom which can only come from the Word of God, bringing us the Spirit to dwell in us.

Application is to not become stagnant with Scripture. If you've read the Bible or memorized loads of verses, that doesn't mean you're done and don't need to continue; this couldn't be farther from the truth. I am going to dedicate myself to memorize the book of 1 Peter by the end of this IGNITE program. This will create a new challenge for me, as well as a reminder to meditate on the Word day and night, not letting it depart from my mouth. 
By doing this, I will be walking closer with the Lord and remember the importance of His Word and being filled with the Spirit, that I may pour into others for the sole purpose of His glory.

IBS - July 31 - PSALM 111:10

First thoughts were "If you love me, obey my commands."
You do this out of a holy fear and reverence for the Lord, knowing He is all powerful and in control.
Knowing this and utilizing it on a daily basis builds more wisdom in your heart as your understanding of God's power is built through His Spirit. 
In addition, the last line reminds me of what is another one of my tattoos, "His love endures forever." I believe our praise for Him should never and will never cease, as He is our everything.

Application is to make God my everything, pray constantly during the day when my eyes stray from Him. Whether it's in petty arguments or large and difficult trials, I will pray to have a focus on everything that is of Him and glorifies Him.

Inductive Bible Study - July 26 - PSALM 90:12

In the previous verse, it's talking about God's anger, and how we need to have a holy fear of our Lord. Verse 12 reminds me of how we've been talking about how tomorrow isn't promised to us, and that we should make every single day count as much as possible to serve our Lord and advance His kingdom with everything we have.
By understanding this, we can know God's heart and ministry of relationships.

My plan for each day is to ask God to equip me for His will to be done in my life, that I may bring glory to His name.

I got worms.

No really I did have worms. But praise Jesus they're easily taken care of.
We went out to the street today for a flash mon evangelism outreach and it was amazing! People got saved and lets hope we see their faces at church tomorrow? Keep these in your prayers that the seeds planted today take root and bear fruit!!

We're looking to take this program more seriously and be filled with the spirit so we can look more like Christ each day. We're doing a pretty good job at staying unified...these people are incredible.
Definite family status. Praise the Lord for a strong group of people who we can all lean on together.

We'll be finding out our field locations in the next few weeks.
But for now, we're focusing on being trained to be the best that we can be for God and His kingdom.

It's raining a lot.
I love it.

No mas Internet in un momento.

Please keep us in prayer!
Pray for this lost world and the love we all need to remember.

Amen.

Ways to know that these people here are my family:

• We pray together
• "The mirror is NOT your best friend today.."
• We steal each other's beanies
• Apparently no boundaries with bodily functions
• They bring me tea when I'm sick, leaving with "I love you."
• "If you die, can I have your Snickers?"
• "Yo, I'll tell you what I want what I really really want.." -"I WANT YOU TO SHUT UP THAT'S WHAT I WANT!"

I love these people. 

They're my family. 

We're bound and united by Christ. 

Forever, with God, amen. 

It's In God's Hands

We may or may not find out our outreach locations this week.
Trying not to be anxious but it is exciting!

It's in his hands!

Number One Lesson We've Learned

Number One lesson that I feel is most important:
Do NOT look obsess over the future and what's to come.
Tomorrow is NOT promised, and if we're focused on what's
To come, we'll miss what God has for us today.

We're learning so much, we're breaking, and there's
nothin more beautiful and promising than breaking in God's
arms, where we belong.


God's for us all.

So I got sick, and one of our interns had to go to the clinic today.
We were doing a team building activity, and halfway through it, we 
stopped to regroup and discuss. I started to throw up in the cup I was
holding while running to the trashcan, where I proceeded to empty the 
entire contents of my stomach. 
Embarrassing. 
But I'm feeling a lot better, and so is Ashton. (The clinic one)
Also Courtney (the one who got her appendix removed) is doing very
well and is healing up nice. Painfully, but healing. 
Praise Jesus for taking care of us. 

It's been a slow Saturday, mainly used to finish homework, or, in my case,
lay around trying to not throw up anymore. 

I'm teaching the girl's bible study tomorrow with a message of Peace. 
I'm sure I'll be better by then. 

God is so good, and He's been bringing us all together. 
This family is getting closer every day. Praise the Lord every day. 

We're learning to worship Him as soon as we wake up with wonder,
and it's so much easier to love Him. 

POST NUMERO UNO - Dropping Like Flies

 PRAYERS ARE NEEDED
We are officially dropping like flies.
The enemy is attacking with a lot right now.
In 2 days almost all of the 16 interns have gotten sick, 
as well as a lot of the staff members.
Vomiting, fevers, bum ankles, passing out, and today one
of our girls had to get her appendix taken out. She's still 
at the hospital and will be recovering for 2 weeks.

Here are the interns:
Kay
Kyle
Sam
Teal
GusGus
Tyler
Kelli
Ashton
Stephanie
Anna
Gabe
Izzy
Rachel
Courtney
Steven
Me

It's awesome, I love them all so much.
I feel like I've known these people my entire life. They're amazing!