Guatemala…
“For our battle is not against flesh and blood…”
This was the underlying theme for our time in Guatemala. It was challenging in every way…physically, emotionally and spiritually- definitely spiritually
We received many many teachings from Ben- the Pastor there in Panajachel. The teachings were mainly on spiritual warfare. Ben , in his past, has had first-hand experience with demons and spiritual stuff in that sense because he is an ex-Satanist who is now a Hard-Core Christian and he is full-on living for the Lord.. AMAZING!!!
I was extremely challenged on how much of myself I am willing to give to the cause of Christ. Living a lifestyle of missions sounds very glamorous and so on, but actually your flesh keeps getting in the way, making everything 50 times more difficult. You are constantly aware of how ‘you’ are feeling and that ‘you’ are hungry and how tired ‘you’ are and the list goes on..All these things sound very silly, but it really hinder how much Jesus can do through you..
Here in Guatemala it was all about contiunually crucifying the flesh and walking in the victory that is already ours, because Jesus conquered death to bring us victory! The truth of the matter is that we have been set free, but we always somehow fall slave to the things that we know we actually have overcome.. Paul in Galatians 5:1 says ,” It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” So it was here that I decided that once and for all I am done with this yoke of slavery that I keep putting on my shoulders. I am dead to sin and now alive with Christ with the Holy Spirit speaking to me and leading my on level ground.. So here, in Guatemala, in Lake Atitlan surrounded by five volcanoes…I got baptized!!! The old is gone the new has come!!!!
As I was standing in the lake ( the wind stars blowing in Panajachel at about 4 o’clock p.m. and then the calm and peaceful lake turn rough and there are waves). As the waves move me and I am unable to resist the waves swaying my body, God gives me a picture. The way that I cannot resist those waves is the way that my relationship with God is going to be. When HE moves, I will know and I will not be able to resist as He leads me gently and in His Grace to make His praise known among the nations!!! Wow!!!
I am a new creation. What a privilege to be made brand new by the Lord God Almighty!!!
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