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Kids Giving To Kids

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“This is my bicycle. I want to give it to the little kids in Talamanca so they can be happy and enjoy this Christmas” …… (Doesn’t get much better than this!)

The donations have been pouring in for the children and families of the indigenous “Hidden People” of Costa Rica, The Bri Bri tribe, for the Talamanca Project 2016.  Local families, businesses and even children are eagerly giving of their own special items so that they can be a blessing to the over 7000 children living in extreme poverty in the Talamanca area.  The best part was getting this video at the donation collection site.  To see the precious heart of a child wanting others to be happy/blessed as well by giving of the little that he has is a huge message to all of us.  It is so easy to give out of our abundance, but are we willing to give out of our ‘lack’ like the widow who gave all that she had (Mark 12:41-44)?  Some of the best lessons in life come from the heart of a child!

 

“This is my bicycle. I want to give it to the little kids in Talamanca so they can be happy and enjoy this Christmas” …… (Doesn’t get much better than this!)

 

 

Talamanca Project 2016

Talamanca Project 2016

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We are thrilled to have the privilege of collecting for and participating in the Talamanca project this Christmas. On Christmas day a group will be traveling with trucks loaded to the indigenous region of Talamanca. Talamanca is home to the Hidden People of Costa Rica, the BriBri tribe, as well as to the surrounding peoples who have a total of more than 7000 children. The Talamanca project is in its second year of spending a week in that area for the purpose of delivering CHRISTmas and the hope that it brings, visiting the homes in the surrounding tribal villages (many unreachable by vehicles) and bringing necessities along with a little bit of fun. Food is also brought for the purpose of cooking meals for the people while spending time with them there.

If you would like to participate with us, you can sponsor Christmas to one child for just $10. For every $10 donated, you can help to provide a Christmas gift, clothing, shoes, bedding and food for the child. Donations can be made through paypal at [email protected] and will go directly to provisions for the indigenous children of Talamanca, Costa Rica.

Watch the video below to learn more about the area and the BriBri tribe of Costa Rica:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oujuJIWjUGg

 

About Us

Mission Statement

Relentless Ministries exists to raise up mature followers of Jesus Christ who seek to relentlessly pursue him in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Statement of Belief

The Word of God –

We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God. We believe that the 66 books that make up the Canon of Scripture is in fact the Word of God and it is useful for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. The Word of God is also made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ. We stand firm upon the infallible truth that, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, John 1, Matthew 5:18 )

The Trinity

We believe there is one God who was, is and is to come. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and these three are one. The Godhead is perfect and absolute.

Jesus Christ

We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe he is the manifest Word of God by whom all things were created and have their being. We believe He was born of a virgin, that He lived a sinless life and therefore conquering sin for all eternity. We accept as absolute truth His miracles, His perfect and final sacrifice through his death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His future return to the earth to rule over the nations in the fullness of His power and glory..

The Fall and Condition of Man

We believe man was created good, but through disobedience in the Garden of Eden, fell from that place of perfection into a condition of spiritual wickedness, thusly, man stands condemned in the light of God’s righteousness.

The Way of Salvation

We believe the only way to justified and cleansed from our sin is through repentance and through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Life in the Spirit

We believe the Scriptures teach a life of holiness. Sanctification is a separation from that which is evil and a dedication unto God. We believe all believers should earnestly pursue sanctification by walking in obedience to God’s Word. The Christian is empowered to live a godly life by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Day of the Lord

We believe that Jesus will one day return to this earth to judge all that which has disobeyed Him, to claim that which was purchased by His blood, and to rule and reign over all things for eternity.

 

Who We Are

**Tim and Rachelle

…have been ministering to youth and young adults for more than 25 years having their door always open and welcoming them in as their own. Called out of their comfort zone in a radical way, God moved them and their family to Costa Rica in 2010 on an adventure they could have never imagined for themselves.  As the Lord directed and opened this door for Relentless Ministries they are so grateful to be able to serve Christ where God has placed them. They consider it a joy and a privilege to walk side by side with their children as they live out the calling of Christ on their lives to go into all the world and make disciples.   Both Tim and Rachelle are humbled by their new experiences and this adventure, and have radically changed while immersing themselves into this culture and most importantly cultivating their faith in Christ.

 

 

**Lindsey

 

…has had her life radically transformed by God’s call on her and her family to live here and be an integral part of Relentless Ministries!  She has embraced the preparation that God has been doing in her life to get her ready for this place, time and ministry.  A gifted dancer, with a passion for cooking (much to the joy of her family and friends!), she has a local baking business and is excited to expand her cooking abilities by keeping the interns and staff well fed!  Lindsey is excited to be a part of the intern’s experience here and can’t wait to meet each one that God has ordained to be a part of ministry in Costa Rica!

**Tyler and Marjorie 

…have been serving the Lord in multiple capacities with a special place in their heart for training disciples.  Sharing the gospel in a tangible, real-life way that inspires, encourages, challenges and calls people out to what God has intended for them is their passion.  Tyler has been a worship leader for 11 years, and in a missionary capacity for 7 of those years, developing the Relentless Ministries discipleship program.  Marjorie serves as a missionary to her own people in Costa Rica with a heart for discipleship, primarily in the realm of biblical counseling.  They are a great team as they serve together, provide the perfect translation duo, and continue to grow in their discipleship ministry and their walk with the Lord.

 

We are all very grateful for your continued support, prayer, encouragement and love.  Thank you for partnering with us in what God has called us to do!

 

Everything Has Changed

Everything Has Changed

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Posted by: | on July 30, 2014

Everything Has Changed – Landon Bourland

I arrived in Costa Rica July 1st. From there, Tyler picked me up from the airport, and my journey began. I should say that there are two other God loving interns staying here with me and I have already made connections and I can safely say, friends with them.

Anyway, we wake up at like 8:00 am and go out to the front patio for worship and immediately after, go into our alone time to read that day’s chapters from the Bible and pray for EVERYTHING! I love it here. I can easily say that I will have a lot of fun here, while also doing what the Lord has called not only me to do, but called everyone to do! At first, I was thinking that I wanted to go help in a mission and help people in need, which don’t get me wrong, I definitely do, but I also realized how little I know about Jesus Christ and the Bible. This discipleship program is really urging me to grow closer to God and learn his ways and what he really wants me to do for Him in my own life.

My eyes have been opened and I can’t thank the people I am surrounded with enough for helping me realize how as Christians we need to get back to God’s Word as the ultimate authority in our lives.

When I first got here, I went through an introduction into this way of life, and the first thing Tyler asked me was “who is Jesus to you and how well do you know him?” and I answered him, and then he asked me, “now, we know that the Word Of God made flesh is Jesus Christ, so how well do you know His Word?” This turned my way of thinking in a total 180 degrees. Reading the Bible is the only way to learn more about God and who He is. Anyone can tell you who He is, but until you open the Bible and learn for yourself, you will not know Him like He wants you to know him.

Prayer.

I have learned that prayer is extremely powerful. Before coming here, I had absolutely no faith in prayer. Now, I have seen what it can do and it is amazing! The idea that prayer can accomplish awesome things is not only in the Bible, these things can happen in today’s world with faith. I encourage you to read this article if you are having any doubts about doing missionary work. This is something that you should not be scared of because it is amazing and is needed. The point is, don’t sit back and wait for other people to do something or make up excuses for why you can’t, and just go and do it. Make God happy! As Disciples of Christ we have to be willing to go anywhere and do anything God asks of us. God gave His life for us. We must be willing to give anything and everything up for Him, even if it costs us our lives. Nothing else matters but God’s will and His plan for your life. Jesus tells us that He has chosen us we have not chosen Him.

I still have a lot more to learn and experience over the next week. I can say right now that over the three weeks I have been here, my life has totally changed, like a full on 360°, and I hope it will keep changing into my God’s favor.

– Landon Bourland

ARTICLE YOU MUST READ: http://www.lastdaysministries.org/Articles/1000008651/Last_Days_Ministries/LDM/Discipleship_Teachings/Keith_Green/Why_YOU_Should.aspx

Wrecked

Wrecked

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Posted by: | on July 18, 2014

Wrecked – David Wilson

“Likewise today, some Christians are content to merely exist until they die. They don’t want to risk anything, to believe God, to grow or mature. They refuse to believe his Word, and have become hardened in their unbelief. Now they’re living just to die.” David Wilkerson

Two months ago I was asked to be a part of Relentless Ministries for the purpose of creating video and media outreach. I had no plan for this trip, no money, and no idea of what God had in store for me. I had been coasting in what I knew was a dry, if you would like to call it that, season in my life. The final year of my high school career was a little different than I had imagined it. I met two of my new best friends whom I will have for the rest of my life, but my walk with God was dwindling. History and cause is too deep to consider getting in to, but if you ask me, I was not in the will of God. My words, actions, and motives had taken a negative precedence over my life. My parents trusted me with my time and resources because I had proven my worthiness to them over the past 12 years. I know that I have disappointed them, and that I have taken their trust for a return investment of dirt. To my all loving Mother and Father is this writing dedicated to. 

The Word of God is pure.

The Word was with God, and the Word is God. We all know this. Many of you if I were to ask “Do you know Jesus?” would undoubtedly reply, ‘yes’. Consider this easy point with me for a second, I will talk in a way that assumes we know the same things. The Trinity contains God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. If the Word IS and was WITH God (Meaning Jesus) in the beginning, and you do not read the Word as you should, how well do you really know Jesus? Are you following His Word and teachings or are you following the idea, religion, and comfort that comes with that “Sinner’s Prayer” you said a while back? I said “the prayer” in my early years and have grown up in the church, loved the idea of God, but never really knew Him. I picked and chose which things I liked out of the Bible to apply to my perfect American life. Got up early every Sunday morning for a show of my participation in religion. To prove I was different. Better. But I was no different, and I was fake. There comes a point in which the life you fake so much becomes your new reality. I didn’t know God or follow Jesus because I didn’t read His perfect Word and apply it to my life! I coasted for a sad part of my final moments with my high school peers. I didn’t have anything to offer them because I was empty.

It was time that God pulled me out and shaped me up.

Glory to God for His faithfulness and endurance.

The beginning of May is when Tyler contacted me about coming down to help him with this mission’s work. That was 30 days before he wanted me to fly down. Little did I know that he had been praying and God had already been preparing the way for me to come and join. I really didn’t even think that I was coming here for a discipleship myself; my focus was on the task I was asked to do. (Queue laughter of God here). I had a month to gather financial support and parental approval for this trip, which will be lasting until September 12th, three months. I truly did give my efforts and trust to God to make this happen if it was His will. (It was). I graciously received the money I needed for my plane flight, and the continuous support during my time here. Family members, friends, winning $400 at my school’s senior all-nighter… it really all just came together. 

Glory to the Lord for His pure and everlasting Word.

When I got here, I was met by my best friend in the whole world, and taken in by what I consider to be my best “whole family” friend. Orientation threw me for a loop. Tyler shared his heart for ministry, his purpose here, my purpose here should I chose to accept it, and the vision that God has for all of us. Jesus states how we are to make disciples of all nations, having been forgiven and bought with a price. Not to hold Salvation in our hands, but to GO out and preach the Word of God to all the peoples of the earth. If we truly believe in Jesus and are actually willing to follow Him, then the Word of the Lord must be held above everything else we would like to follow or believe on this earth. To die to the world and become alive in Him. Not many of us are disciples. We are church goers who like to hear that we are saved. I will write another blog explaining my heart for you all in that regard, and for the purposes of this one I will wait.

What does discipleship look like?

Well. Good question. Simple answer, difficult execution. Follow the Word of God. He has put it here for us and for a reason. The reason of his grace and our salvation, to follow His design and plan for our lives. To realize what the real meaning of it all is. Start over from scratch, and remove all of our previous thoughts and ideas about the narrow way we call faith in Christ. Growing up in church has a lot of us believing a lesser truth. If I want to truly become a disciple, a follower of Christ, a slave to His word, then I must dump everything I once thought to be truth and start over. When Jesus was recruiting His disciples, they came out of their structured life and followed the Word of God, who is Jesus, who was walking and living among them. The Word is still living and active today. I believe that we must first go through a process similar to the walk that the disciples had: Witnessing Jesus’ works and miracles, understanding His death and resurrection, committing ourselves to prayer, and fulfilling His calling for our lives through the power we are given by the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Jesus for Your plan, Your purpose and Your Grace.

Prayer is a powerful tool and an important part of our walk with our Savior. Every morning we who dwell in this house get up and pray. Outside, inside, on our knees, sitting, with raised hands, crying out, worshiping… just praying. Good morning God :) Our days here are rarely structured, and I absolutely love that. Most mornings we will join in an acoustic led worship session. The rest of the day is up for grabs. We are taking classes with focuses on Bible Prophecy, prayer, and the validity and purity of God’s Word. All relevant material that we are able to compare to scripture and grow in. The day is just full of hanging out in God’s word and His comfort. Some days we will drive 15 minutes into San Ramon to hang out with the Interns at Pura Vida Missions. They are great fun and inspiring to be around. Everyone there loves to be in the Word and talk about what it has for us. It is super nice being around other believers – knowing and fulfilling each of our own callings. Two girls in particular are models of faithfulness to me. One was diagnosed with Diabetes one month before she left, and the other is processing the loss of her father, three weeks before she arrived in Costa Rica. Perseverance and faithfulness has shown so prevalent in their lives.

Praise to the Lord in all things.

     Letting God wreck us has been a theme the past couple weeks. Wrecking our ideas and plans. Filling us with what He has for us. A guy that visited us felt that God had told Him to quit his job as a teacher. He is listening and walking in God’s will today; not knowing what tomorrow holds but solely trusting in God to guide him.

My final update. I love Costa Rica. I have no idea what I am going to be doing with my life. The Word of God is better than anything else. I am shaping my life around how God would have me live and basing every decision on what His Word has to say.

 

My home is not on earth, nor is my residency in any country that it has to offer. I belong to Christ. People are not the enemy. Prayer is powerful. God is good. The Word of God is true. I operate not in my own understanding. Jesus is coming again. I love you.

 

Walk humbly and faithfully with God.

 

David Wilson

Life Changing

Life Changing

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Posted by: | on July 9, 2014

Life Changing – Michael Diane Wood

Hello Everyone,

Being asked to sum an experience like this up in one blog post is probably one of the most difficult assignments that’s been asked of me. I think this was an eye opening, mind blowing, life changing, extraordinary experience that I couldn’t have asked more from. I have read more of the bible in the past 37 days of being here than I have in the entire 18 years of my life before this experience. I think that is part of what has made this experience so great, because before I would say that I knew God and I had a relationship with him, but it wasn’t until I got here and the truth was really laid out for me.

I came to the realization, through the help of scripture, that God is 100% his scripture and if I didn’t know that I didn’t know him. That’s what rocked my mind more than anything, the fact that I didn’t actually know God. But just being here taught me so much and taught me how to develop a relationship with him that I wouldn’t have known how to establish before. Being here taught me how to pray and the power of our words and it taught me to check scripture and that it is the final say in the end and nothing can compete.

Costa Rica itself has taught me so much too. It opened my eyes to how privileged I am just to be an American citizen. It showed me that I had so much and I didn’t need everything that I had. From a new point of view, I now see that unknowingly the American culture has developed into one that is constantly trying to gain more, but in places like Costa Rica, and so many more they are just living day by day and they’re happy that way. I want so much more out of life than to fall into the cycle of constantly wanting more and more material goods. The only thing I want to be constantly craving more of is God and his word and Relentless Ministries has showed me that.

Relentless has also helped show me what my call in Christ is. I don’t know what would have happened if I wouldn’t have decided to embark on this adventure, but I do know that learning what God has planned for me and the purpose he has placed into my life would not have been a likely thing to happen without it. Through this experience God has changed everything I had previously planned for my life. He has taught me that it’s not always what I want that needs to happen, but what he has called me to do. And that’s a terrifying thought, it’s the thought of complete change. I went from knowing what I want and having a laid out plan to only knowing that God has put me in ministry for a reason and that I’m being called to be a missionary. Now I know that that’s what I have to do because it’s what God wants me to do, but the fact that God has a plan for my life and a specific calling for me makes me love the idea of giving up my own life and culture to reach out to other people’s.

I have learned to lean not on my own understanding and what I thought was my own strength because in the end I am so incredibly weak. But what I am learning is that in my weakness I will be made strong in him. (2 Cor. 12:10) If I can wholly give myself up to him than that’s when he can fully use me. And that is one of the biggest things that I have learned through this amazing journey. I can do nothing through my own will, but I can do so much through his will. Being here has allowed me the away time and the thinking time to shut out my desires and let God take the wheel and point me in the direction he wants me to go in.

I learned something that has struck me as one of the most important things I’ve learned here, and that is there is not enough room in a person’s heart to be fearful and completely faithful. I was taught that by a pastor at a small church here in our neighborhood. He was speaking Spanish, but Tyler was sitting behind me and the other two interns translating for us. I can still remember the conviction I felt when Tyler whispered those words behind me. I think it was something that affected me so much because I was so afraid to give full faith to God, even though that’s exactly what I’m called to do. But me being fearful is a ridiculous thing because back home I won’t lose my family because of my faith and I’ll still have a big group of Christian friends. Back in America I won’t be facing death because of my faith, yet I still find myself so scared to be completely committed to God and the life he has called me too. I now know that what I want is to put myself in a place I’m not comfortable with, a place that the only way I’ll make it through is to lean on God and God alone.

As I’m sitting here I have it in the back of my mind that I only have 2 days left before I get on a plane and fly back to Tallahassee. I only have two more days to soak up the country that I have grown to love more than my own and I only have two more days to say goodbye to all of the amazing people I have met and will miss with such a big part of my heart. What I’m comforted with is that this learning experience that I have had here doesn’t end here, but that I’ll be taking it back home with me because I will never stop learning about God and all of his glory. I’m consoled that by the blessings of Christ I now have a family in Costa Rica that will be here to support and love me. I have made friends with great people and developed a burning desire for Christ and I can’t find the words to describe how much I’m going to miss this place.

If you’re reading this to find out if Relentless is something you want to do, if it’s a leap you want to take, then I suggest it. I suggest coming here and finding a whole new meaning to knowing and loving Christ. The only thing I regret about this experience is that I didn’t stay longer, but I know I’ll be back and I’ll be even more ready to go out and be used by Christ to change lives. I’m ecstatic that I’ve had this experience, that I’ve found a new home that will always have a large piece of my heart, and that I have ignited a love affair with my Lord and savior that will always keep me satisfied.

Pura Vida,

Michael Diane

“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matt. 9:37-38)

“And thus I aspired to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; but as it is written, ‘They that had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand.’” (Rom. 15:20-21)

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

Letters of Paul #Let’s Go

Letters of Paul #Let’s Go

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Letters of Paul #LetsGo – Tyler Gay

Posted by: | on December 5, 2013

Hello Everybody!

Last week and this week have been crazy! I been in and out of the doctor’s office and we finally figured out that I have a pinched nerve. Wednesday was Tim’s (Tyler’s Dad) birthday, Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Friday was Amber B-day.

Well this week I started to read the letters of Paul in the New Testament. One of my favorite verses is

1 Corinthians 1:17

  • For Christ sent me not to baptize, BUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL: not with wisdom of words, last the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Then Paul tell us that God is wiser and stronger then any man. I like how Paul puts it:

1 Corinthians 1:25

  • Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

I also really like 1 Corinthians 2:1

  • And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

I love these verses because growing up I always thought you had to be super wise, a good reader, writer and speaker to be a pastor. I like how Paul tells the church of God in Corinth and us also that you don’t need to be wise all you need is God’s Spirit in you and He will teach you all things by His Word. He will teach us something new on every page from Genesis 1:1 though Revelation 22:21!

I got 13 days :( but I have had a lot of fun here and I can’t wait to do it again!

Love You,

Tyler Gay yea that’s me

The Potter And The Clay

The Potter And The Clay

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The Potter and The Clay – Amber Dillman

Posted by: | on December 5, 2013

These past few days I feel like God has really been showing me something and allowing my trust to continue in Him.

To start you should know that I have been reading “Erasing Hell” by Francis Chan. This book talks about the idea of hell and if it is real or not and the different comments, thoughts and opinions people have on the subject. In the book, Francis talks about a few of these opinions, but goes on to focus on the things scripture says about hell. I was amazed to see that there are so many passages that speak of the eternal torture unbelievers will go through if the do not trust in Christ and receive His free gift of grace in His mercy. Now most people would say, “why would a loving God do such a thing?”

But some people forget to remember the start of it all.

  • We have all sinned against God and have spit in his face. We chose Satan’s fruit in place of God’s garden (Genesis 3)
  • You see scripture tells that nobody is righteous, not one single person. Not one does any good (Romans 3:10-12)
  • All of us have sin in our life and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
  • But we are forgiven, made clean and justified freely by his grace only through the redeemer, Christ Jesus can we be saved (Roman 3:24)
  • Yet while we were sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US (Romans 5:8)
  • Now being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:9)
  • For through the offense (sin) of one (Adam) many are dead by sin, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many (Romans 5:15)
  • So what shall we do then? Shall we continue in our sin and continue spitting in Gods face, that grace may abound? God FORBID. How shall we that are dead in sin live any more in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
  • For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)

The Old Testament says in Ezekiel:

“Behold all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also of the soul is mine: that soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)

Well dang it says the soul that sin shall die…well that’s a scary thought cause I don’t know about you but I sin all the time being human and all. But the good news is the paragraph I wrote before, Jesus already paid the price for us all we need to do is repent from our ways and live for Him and we will be saved by his blood. But there is good news later in the chapter:

But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:21-23)

He is The Potter and We Are The Clay

“ 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Romans 9: 16-18)

Then the question arises does God decided who he gives mercy on? Then further down in the chapter Paul writes,

“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

(Romans 9:20-21)

Yes God does whatever He pleases, HE IS GOD. And when people ask wow, yeah that sure does sound like a loving God and you find yourself kinda embaressed or speechless, almost agreeing with them.

But this is what we tend to forget, God is perfect and is right in ALL he does.

I have been reading through Isaiah and he writes saying that, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

(Isaiah 55:9-8)

He says it perfectly, who do we think we are that we can make BETTER decisions than the man who created this earth and all the living things in it.

We look at all the evil in the world and blame God all the time and always apologizing for God or wanting an apology from Him, but I think its time as Christians that we start to apologize to God for our little faith and start repenting and actually realizing who God is and that he does everything for His Glory and then for the good of those who LOVE Him.

Francis Chan later writes in his book all the things, that if he were God, he wouldn’t have done. Then Francis writes:

“The fact is, Scripture is filled with divine actions that don’t fit our human standards of logic or morality. But they don’t need to, because we are the clay and He is the potter. We need to stop trying to domesticate God or confine Him to tidy categories and compartments that reflect our human sentiments rather than His inexplicable ways. We serve a God whose ways are incomprehensible, whose thoughts are not like our thoughts. Ultimately, thoughts of God should lead to joy, because those same thoughts designed the cross– the place where righteousness and wrath kiss. Would you have thought to rescue sinful people from their sins by sending your Son to take on human flesh? Would you have thought to enter creation through the woman of a young Jewish woman and be born in a feeding trough? Would you have thought to allow your created beings to torture your Son, lacerate His flesh with whips, and then drive nails through His hands and feet? Parents, imagine it.”

Anyway my point in all this is that God’s thoughts are ultimately for a greater purpose whether you can comprehend it or not. He has every situation under control and we absolutely need to learn to trust in Him with everything and realize that we aren’t the smart ones here.

– Amber

Abide

Abide

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Abide – Amber Dillman

Posted by: | on December 1, 2013

Hola my amigos, sorry its taken me two weeks to write another blog I have been having computer troubles and been super busy these past two weeks!!

Last week Tyler gave Tyler Gay and I a topic that we had to give a little sermon on. I had the topic of “False Teachers”. For me this was a really new experience to find all verses and put a sermon together then actually “preach”. But I did survive, kinda. So here it is:

False Teachers

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1

John warns us here that there WILL be false prophets in the world, so we need to be testing to see if they are true prophets. So how do you do that? Some big warning signs will be:

  • If they confesses Jesus isn’t come in the flesh (Spirit of Antichrist)
  • He will deny God and Jesus
  • Shall bring many heresies ( like saying Jesus is not God)
  • Many people will LOVE them and follow them

How these guys work is that they claim to “know” God but there actions and fruits will deny him.

Matthew 7:15 says, “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening WOLVES.” So these guys are trying to deceive us and kill us. For the enemy comes to STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY.”

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 1 Corinthians 11: 13-14

These guys know just how stretch the truth just a little bit enough so it looks good and sounds good and helps you out even though every bit of it is un-biblical. 

Another way to identify these lovely people is by their fruits.

“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7: 17-20

Examples of some bad fruits are:

  • Vain talkers
  • Lovers of themselves
  • Prideful
  • High-minded
  • Despisers of those who do good

Examples of good fruits:

  • Sober
  • Joyful
  • Loving
  • Peace
  • Faithful
  • Longsuffering
  • Meekness/ Gentleness
  • Will deny himself for God

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”  John 15: 4-10

So Jesus says if we love him we will keep his commandments and if these guys aren’t abiding in the love of Christ Jesus why do we listen to them?

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  2 Corinthians 13:5

“if my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

So if we aren’t bearing good fruit ourselves how are we ever going to know if the pastor we listen to every Sunday morning or at youth is teaching the truth? We need to abiding in Christ and looking at ourselves and know what it looks like to follow Christ and you will be able to see when someone else may be that sheep in wolves clothing.

But I end this with a promise that John gives, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

So there is my little sermon. This week we have been studying Revelation which is super cool. Its cool in chapter one of Revelation we get a description of what Christ looks like:

  • He is clothed with a garment down to the floor with a golden girdle
  • His hair was white like snow
  • His eyes were as a flame of fire
  • His feet like unto fine brass
  • His voice was as the sound of many waters
  • His right hand holds seven stars
  • Out of his mouth comes a two-edged sword (The Word of God)

Then Sunday Tyler Gay and I helped lead the English bible study on Sunday as we studied through 1 John 3, 4.

God really has been teaching me and showing me a lot through His Word and He is pruning me and taking out all of my worldly desires and showing me how wonderful it is to love Him. I am so lucky to be serving and to be a daughter of such a wonderful King. I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful week :)

Love,

Amber

The Half Way Point

The Half Way Point

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The Half Way Point – TyGuy

Posted by: | on November 12, 2013

This is my half way point here in Costa Rica. I been having so much fun with Tyler and Amber and I still don’t know how they can put up with me LOL. Last Sunday Amber and I preached on 1 John 1&2. Tomorrow I will be giving a message about Jesus, His birth, life, death, resurrection and second coming……using only the Old Testament! I thought it was going to be really hard, but after prayer and studying some, it just began to pop right out of the Bible. This one verse I would have thought it was from the New Testament, I know it is talking about Jesus, this is Psalm 22:16:

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

This is crazy because if you know world history outside of the Bible we learn that the Persian most likely started using crucifixion as a form of punishment…..which is hundreds of years after this Psalm was written! So this was written before Babylon ruled, which was followed by Persia, Greece and then finally Rome took over.

Another thing that we are doing is learning to use Matthew 6:9-13 as our model for prayer.

“9. after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10. They kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11. Give us this day our daily bread.

12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

We take one verse at a time and each of us take a turn praying.

Here is an example:

  1. First, we praise and thank Him for everything, for who He is and what He has done.
  2. Then we pray that His Will would be accomplished in our lives, in the Church and in the world
  3. Followed by our requests and needs as well as others; friends, family, etc.
  4. Next we repent and ask forgiveness for our sins and forgive people who have sinned against us
  5. Finally we pray for His protection over us, ask for His wisdom and guidance throughout the day and we finish with praising and thanking Him.

So my test to you is to try it, just open the Bible up to Matthew 6:9-13 and pray. This is helping me so much and will teach you how to pray and to pray longer.

Stay in the word, pray, and love you all,

– TyGuy #aboutthatlife

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