I will say though that this Habitat trip has been my favorite. Even though our living space was tight and my group never got to do actual construction on a house, I still loved every moment of this trip.
After our day at Clearwater beach. We didn't get back to the house until after midnight!
From staying up late after a work day to play Fish-bowl, catch a mouse, star tripping, to having a "family reunion" cook-out, playing Cornhole and tailgate in the yard, playing volleyball over the fence with the Washington College team, playing ultimate football and sand volleyball at the park, going to the beach, and enjoying a magical day at Disney World on our last day were all moments that forced me to be in the moment this week.
Those weren't the only things that bonded us, although they do help. But the unity, love, and acceptance we have in Christ is what bonded us closer together.
Sharing testimonies, devotionals, long car rides, and early morning work-outs were other moments I would have missed if I was worried about documenting it or if I kept to myself when I didn't feel like socializing. God stretched me this week to have conversations with people, to try something new, to trust Him with whatever we did that day, to listen, and to love, encourage and to be encouraged by people.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10 NIV)
After our last 6AM workout Thursday morning.
First work day: Monday afternoon. Isn't that the cleanest RV you've ever seen?! :)
After being separated all week on the work sites we finally got to be together on Thursday to work on a 6 bedroom house together. This house was for a mom with 5 kids who had disabilities (one was blind I believe). When painting for God and to love people in need is our goal, straining my neck from painting the ceiling twice, was worth it knowing that they couldn't do it themselves, and loving the abandoned, the orphaned, and the widow just as Jesus commanded us to. And in the process I got to spend time with two of my sisters in Christ and share my testimony with them. God always finds a way to encourage and stretch me when I'm not expecting it. I just have to be open to His work to move in and around me. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!
The house we were all together on Thursday.
Riding on the Disney Tram from Simba's parking lot!
Group Foreigners at Magic Kingdom!
Had to see the disney show at the castle for the full Disney experience! :)
Tomorrowland
One of my favorite rides was Space Mountain. It's a fast roller coaster in the dark. Normally I would choose to NOT ride in the front because the front is scary. But this time I wanted to conquer my fear and sit in the front. I didn't know what Space Mountain was like but I chose the front anyway. The roller coaster train was one person per seat, so I was the only one in the front. As the ride began it was complete darkness. I couldn't see what was in front of me. It could have been a drop off and I wouldn't have known until it was too late. Instead of letting my fear ruin the fun I said a simple prayer to God that I trust Him in this dark room. Every turn, every drop, I trusted God. And you know what? I had a BLAST! The unknown of the ride wasn't scary anymore, instead I anticipated for the next thrill in my stomach! My fear completely was forgotten and joy was in its place.
That reminded me of something God always teaches me. How many times do I fear the future because of the unknown, the impossible outcome, or simply because it's outside my comfort zone? Too many to count. But EVERY time God is there with me. EVERY time. And then I look back and realize His faithfulness and the joy He gave me and I can't help but sing thankfulness and praises to Him! God is so good and loving to show me that in a silly ROLLER COASTER RIDE! I can face my roller coaster fears, worries, and fears of life with that same boldness and joy in Christ!
I pray that we will go home with that boldness in our lives. I pray we will not forget that God is on our side and has our future in His hands, starting with the day in front of us. There will be lots of scary unknowns, drops, and turns in our lives, but God will be there always as the light in our darkness, the joy in our sorrow, and the peace in our troubles. Trust God. Let go and let God have control.
Thank you for everyone back home who prayerfully and financially supported me on this trip. Thank you God for allowing me to be part of this trip. Our labor would be meaningless without God giving us purpose and joy. God is good, all the time!
In Christ,
Molly Rae
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:1-6 NIV)
CAN PURPOSE OF FAITH DENIERS BE SAVED? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to have faith in Jesus but deny the purpose of faith and still be saved?
John 8:22-24.....24 'Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Jesus told certain Jews that unless they believed that He was the Son of God that they would die in their sins. The question remains, if the Jews said "We believe you are the Son of God, however, that is not essential to the forgiveness of sins;" would their sins still be forgiven? CAN YOU DENY THE PURPOSE OF FAITH AND STILL HAVE YOUR SINS FORGIVEN?
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall perish, but have eternal life.
Is it reasonable to assume that men can say, "We believe that Jesus is God's Son and the Savior of the world, however, that has nothing to do with us receiving eternal life," and that they will still be saved? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF FAITH AND STILL RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE?
Acts 16:29-31 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and said "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
If the Jailer had told Paul and Silas that he would believe as an act of obedience and a testimony of his faith, but that believing had nothing to do with his salvation; would the jailer have been saved? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF BELIEVING IN THE LORD JESUS AND STILL BE SAVED?
CAN THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM DENIERS BE SAVED?
Is logical to assume you can be baptized in water, but deny its purpose and still be saved?
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What are the probabilities that if the three thousand on the Day of Pentecost had told Peter, "We will be baptized, however, it is not in order to have our sins forgiven," would their sins still be forgiven? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM AND STILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN.
Acts 22:12-16....16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name!
What if Saul had told Ananias, "I had my sins washed away on the road to Damascus, but I will be baptized as an act of obedience and as a testimony of my faith," would Saul's sins have been washed away? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM AND STILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN?
Ephesians 5:25-27... just as Christ loved the church gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
What if men were to say that Christ washed the church with water, however, it had nothing to do with, sanctifying her, cleansing her, making her spotless, or rendering her holy and blameless? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM AND STILL RECEIVED ITS BENEFITS?
1 Peter 3:20-21 ....safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you....
Is it plausible for men to proclaim that they were baptized in water, but it played no part in their salvation?Can they still be saved? CAN MEN DENY THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM AND STILL BE SAVED?
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MEN TO DENY THE PURPOSE OF FAITH AND WATER BAPTISM AND STILL BE SAVED?
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved..... CAN YOU DENY THAT AND STILL BE SAVED?????
(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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