So here are some thoughts from the message this morning:
1) We really need to challenge ourselves - our minds, specifically - to think about the "unseen" realm. As I stated in my message this morning, Paul wrote to the Corinthians and the church at Ephesus about the unseen realm. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Ephesians 6:12)
2) It's challenging for us to think about the unseen realm because our "material/physical" world is constantly distracting us with material things which consume our mind. However, God is not only active in the immaterial/unseen realm, but He longs for us to be engaged an working in it. In short - we must think with "eternal minds" and see with "eternal lenses," not to be worried or concerned about things that have no eternal value. This was really hard for me to do this week. I wanted to spend 1 hour a day in prayer preparing for the message today. Although I was able to increase my time spent in prayer I didn't hit my goal. It seemed like every time I tried to engage in the immaterial world, something in the material world was pulling at me.
3) Remember the story I shared at the end of the message about the Oklahoma City bombing? That father put his life on the line to save his child. Jesus did the same for us. When I think of it that way it helps me better appreciate the fact "that He came for me."
4) Whenever I go to some sort of cross-cultural experience, children are always so happy to see me. Often they ask me questions like, "Why would you spend all this money on coming over to see us?" Or, "why would you be interested in coming to see us when you live in the U.S.?" Or, "why would you put your life at risk to travel to see us?" Or, "why would you leave your comfort in the U.S. to come see us?" The response is always, "the same reason why Jesus came to earth for me." Because He cares for me. And I care for you, that's why! Furthermore, this helps some understand the value in short-term missions and spending money on flying cross country instead of just sending the money over there - it's an act of love and sacrifice. For most people I know, it's much more of a sacrifice to actually go cross-culturally then to just send some money.
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