Day 1 of Vision Trip

Day 1 (October 15, 2010)

I made it to Quito, Ecuador last night around 6:15pm. I had no trouble with my flights. The only problem happened when I couldn't find my luggage. But that was becuase someone had taken my baggage of the turning wheel. I eventually found it and was able to get through customs.

I am staying in a wonderful place called "The Guest House". I have my own room and bathroom. They serve a family style breakfast.

I toured the HCJB Global Headquarters. Its amazing the history to this place. I was able to see the radio broadcasting room where they produce radio programs that go out all over the world.

I also toured the hospital. The hospital is staffed by both Ecuadorian resident doctors  and nurses and missionary doctors and nurses with HCJB Global.

The school, Alliance Academy, was very impressive. They have over 500 students there. You almost foreget that you are in a foreign country when you are in that school. The building is wonderful and the students are not lacking in their education. They have home ec classes as well as art and music and sports.

Loving People vs. Being Nice

       While doing some reading for my Biblical Counseling class, I was confronted about how I do not show love to the people around me. I was reading from Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp. The chapter was really about Biblical rebuking of other Christains. However, I was truly convicted about how little I share the gospel with people who are under the wrath of God for their sins, and dying and going to hell.
       This is the statement in the book that truly summarizes the whole chapter. "The truth is that we fail to confront {share the gospel}, not becuase we love others too much, but becuase we love ourselves too much." Think about it. What do we usually think or even say about telling friends and family about the gospel? "I don't want a confrontation." "I don't want to ruin the friendship." "I don't want them to think I am being judgemental." What do all these statements reveal about our hearts. We love our relationship with this person more that we love God. We love peace, respect, and appreciation more than we love God.
       We should view our unwillingness to share the gospel with the people as an act of rebellion. God speciffically told us to "Go and Make Disciples." Today, God called me to look at how often I have chosen to be silent , when God was calling me to be a part of His gospel proclamation to the nations.
       "Love is doing what is best for someone... Not to show people the all-satisfying God is NOT to love them"--John Piper in Don't Waste Your Life.  I have always like this quote, but today, I realized the truth of this statement. I also realize the truth that God has  commanded us to love God and people. When we do not share the gospel with people, we act unloving to them. We are sinning against God, because He has commanded us to love people.

Who is this God we praise?

On Sunday at church, we sang this song written by Josh Poore, "The God We Praise". I felt that this song was fitting in light of last weeks blog.

The God We Praise
by Josh Poore

He made the sun to light the day, the moon and stars, the crashing waves
He heard the cries His people made. When hope had died His love remained.
This is the God we praise. Now we will remember the promise You made.
Faithful and gracious salvation You gave. Let every saint proclaim:
    "the Lord will reign forever and ever."
When we were dead in sin and death, His Son became our righteousness.
He is our strength now let us sing for Jesus Christ our risen King. Forever we will exalt You.
You have delivered us
You have delivered us
You are the God we praise

The whole song was fitting and wonderful. However this line really stuck out to me. Instead of being like the Israelites who became fearful and wanted to return to slavery, we should be like this song says. WE WILL REMEMBER THE PROMISE YOU MADE, FAITHFUL AND GRACIOUS SALVATION YOU GAVE. He has delivered us from bondage to sin . He is our strength. Jesus Christ is the risen King. We should exalt Him forever.