Progressive growth towards Christ

Here am I just one week back from SR10! It was a great time away from the normal distractions of this life to just spend 5 days focusing on spiritual matters. Mainly the Pilgrim's progress and living on unseen things. It was my families first time going.

The Lord used the SR10 to stretch me and grow me in my leadership ability and also for the work of gospel ministry. I was REAL nervous. I mean, working with my co-leader AB was not a problem for me. I love working with him with our JH small group, and have been together for just over a year. The fact that I had to work with HS students I didn't know was why I was nervous. I am sure the root of that is fear of man. Even in that mind set the Lord was gracious to give me strength for the week.

It was encouraging to see God soften hearts and open them up to talk about sin in our lives and how to get progress in our journey towards heaven. For once I just started with where they were at. Instead of thinking they were not saved, the Lord put in on my heart to just talk about the sin issues and work through them together. If I am going to let the Lord work in gospel ministry then I just need to start with were the individual I am talking with is at, and not were I think they might be. I don't know hearts. All I can do is trust that God knows the heart, will work in the heart and will transform the heart through the power of His gospel and His written Word.

Over all there were 6 sessions. The teaching was SOLID and our youth pastor Sean Higgins brought it every session. My favorite day would have to have been Thursday.
It was session 5 with teaching on "All Loves Excelling - The Knowledge of a Pilgrim" & session 6 with teaching on "Seasonable Counsel - The Suffering of a Pilgrim".

I can't tell you how awesome it was being taught on Christ's love (session 5) for His people and how incalculable it is. Pilgrims will never be able to get to the bottom of His love, they will never be able to fly to the height of His love, and they will never be able to cover the span of His love. I learned how Christ's love is eternal, covers our sins, and protects us from the evil one. May a bigger knowledge of Christ's love help me be more risky in my pursuit of obedience and trust in Christ!

I really enjoyed what the Lord taught my heart about suffering (session 6) in the life of a pilgrim. To learn the benefits of suffering was good for my soul. I learned that suffering humbles, it purifies, it prepares, it proclaims. Sean asked does our response in our suffering and trials show off our hope in God? Because God gives us trials to show off Christ! And in our suffering do we proclaim thanksgiving and hope? or do we question and grumble against what God is doing?

I was very convicted in this session, and asked myself at the end why do I fear suffering and trials? I believe that God is sovereign in all my suffering and trials. He has a purpose in it for me, and it is for my good. I have that promise in Romans 8:28. The truth from that session is transforming my heart to take on suffering and trails in a different light. I want those around me to see Christ in and through it. God is in control and because of that I don't ever have to fear anything. God is doing all for my good. How awesome to think that He loves me and gives me precious opportunity to show off Christ! So no matter what, I am praying that when God does bring the rain my heart would be full of grace and thanksgiving for any circumstance He might ordain for my good.

I have already seen things change in my heart and life because of living on unseen things. The Lord has given me a new understanding in His love for me and the suffering He would have for me in this life on earth. I choose to only go harder in Christ and live my life for Him. He has done so much for me, and I really have done nothing for Him. Anything that I am in Christ is only because of what He is doing in me. Why I don't get what I deserve....I will never know. I am amazed at the beauty I see in Jesus Christ. I only want more of Him, and way more less of me. May the dear Lord help me in soul with more gospel growth!