A list of lessons learned so far while serving in Uruguay….(uncompleted)
1. GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL. If He calls, He will provide everything ; even the necessary hardships to help us grow. Even when we are not faithful.
2. Prayer is the most humble and honest act of ministry before God anyone can do. Prayer is literally giving up control of a situation and giving God the glory no matter what the outcome. It is sometimes difficult and sweaty, and if it’s done right it is thankless.
3. Confrontation is a necessary element to real unity.
4. Honesty before preservation will always reap a harvest of trust and confidence.
5. People, no matter what the culture or language barriers, will always respond to a genuine act of love. Love has no equal.
6. My family is the most important ministry I have next to my worship and obedience to God. And more often then not ministry to my family is worship and obedience to God.
7. Success is not determined by numbers but by obedience.
8. An unexpected gift is unbelievably comforting and lifts my spirits.
9.Ministry can be done when you have children- yes its messy, but that’s the way it should be.
10. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is under constant attack. First by me (my carnal way of thinking), the world, my culture, government, religions, Satan. It is most important to maintain a pure and true view of the Gospel. ”Grace and Peace to you from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ who GAVE HIMSELF for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. According to the will of our God and Father.” -from Galatians 1. It is completely free to me and it cost Jesus everything to get it for me.
11. Jesus has unlimited patience. 1 Timothy 1:16
12. God loves me and his heart is good toward me. ”There is no shadow of turning with thee”
13. The enemy is like a nipping annoying animal trying to trip me up from the path God has me on. He is out to Destroy me, He is out to snuff me out. And if he can’t destroy me then discourage me and make me feel helpless. He is a liar and the only accuser of God and God’s children. And if we are not careful we will often agree with him about God, ourselves, or our brothers in sisters in the Lord. i.e. sentences that start like this…”I am always…” or “they are always ….”
14. Stepping out in faith is stepping out in obedience. God calls then I follow. I ONLY follow after I know he has called. Stepping out to “try” and see if it is God’s will would be testing Him. Jesus didn’t jump off the temple to prove He was Gods son we shouldn’t jump off the cliff to see if God has called us.
15. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
16. Jesus is serious about a relationship with me, a daily commune with Him.
17. Kingdom work is always about the King- ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ – Luke 17
18. There are no lone rangers in the kingdom of God. We need community.
19.When true Kingdom work is being done, denominational boundaries simply disappear.
20.My wife is not my enemy, and I am not hers. ”Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12
21. There is no substitute for good homemade american brownies.
To be continued…eventually.
