Taking a look back...

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." --> Matthew 6:25-34

I've decided that this is my new life verse. I'm claiming it for myself, my ministry, my funding, my everything. I love it because it's Jesus talking about how much our Father in heaven will take care of us. As I read this verse, I'm completely humbled because I'm reminded of how much I worry and how much I take things into my own hands. Jesus is compelling us to look at the birds in the air and the grass in the field and observe how much they are taken care of. I'm more important than a bird, right? I'm cared for more than the grass of the fields. I have to know and must believe that if these things are taken care of, God WILL take care of me. I also love how Christ points out the fact that God know all that we need. He created the need and therefore has a way to provide for the need. How incredible is that??

As I look back on this semester, I think about all the times where I didn't think God would come through. I didn't believe that He had control of whatever situation and because of that, I let my faith waiver. As I look back, I can't help but give praise to God for how He has worked and how He completely blew me away.
*I had a bible study of girls who committed to meeting weekly and came prepared to talk about the study.
*I saw God call one of his daughters (from the bible study) back to Him and drastically change her life.
*I witnessed 150 college students and Nav staff come together to build 4 houses in 1.5 days.
*I saw 20 amazing college women come together and share the gospel in a language not their own.
*I and all of you who read this blog and support the ministry prayed for God to do big things in our lives and ministry here at ASU and He did just that.

Again, conclusions from this semester: Ask of Him what is needed and He provides. Sometimes He provides in ways I can't understand or don't think He will provide at all... God always has surprises for us.

Connection to God is KEY. If we are not connected to God we cannot say that He is not faithful. I've had plenty of conversations with people who have just decided that God is not real, or God does not provide for us, or that He simply does not care. I think that is just a projection of our fears and unbelief on Him. God cares so much He provided a way out of sin and darkness. He gave us a way for us to walk in the light, to walk in wealth, in richness, in full-life. I'm saddened to watch people dilberately choose things that do not give God glory and then blame Him when they perceive "His lack of provision." We must stay connected to God in order to grow. Of course this is not easy. I'll be the first to admit that. I've continually chosen other things over my Creator because they simply appealed more to me. I've walked through my share of hard things and dark times. I've even been one to claim that God is not there and does not care. But now I'm committed to being connected with God. I'm committed to helping others connect with God. Its amazing and I'm excited for next semester.