“King Jesus”

Hello from Jeffery’s bay, South Africa!

If we attempt to do the things of Jesus, live like Jesus, or even walk with Jesus, but we’re NOT entirely and utterly in love with him… we have nothing but merely a religious pursuit of sacrifice and a self sustainment within the bounds of righteousness. Which can look good and feel good, but our core longing will never be met. Yet, when we choose daily to surrender our hearts before the king of all creation and choose to be in love with him earnestly, then doing the things of Jesus, living like Jesus, or even walking with Jesus becomes the involuntary out pour of being in love with the man named Jesus. King Jesus. What if we lived our whole lives attempting to walk with, be like, and sit at the table with Jesus, but we never actually chose to love him, to truly know him?

Well, I believe it would cost us our life.

Now, choosing to be in love with King Jesus, a simple statement, but a statement that if lived out, not in perfection, but in daily devotion…could drastically and most certainly change every part of your life. To be in love with King Jesus, the reward of our life. To lose my life, to love him with my entire life… that becomes my reward.

These are just a few thoughts that the Holy Spirit has been stirring inside of me during my time in Africa. While in Jeffery’s Bay, the Lord days have been long, but the weeks go by fast. Our typical day Monday – Friday looks like manual labor from 8-3:30 (building projects, building furniture for schools and homes, gardening, building compost heaps, and chopping wood; all things necessary for the lives of the people we are serving). After serving through labor, me and two other guys on my team run to the nearby shops, a mall, a gas station, and a McDonald’s to evangelize. The evenings are filled with dinner, worship, fun team time, and rest! Saturdays are our sabbath, and Sundays are our adventure days to explore more of the city and partake in evangelism and fun activities. It’s a packed week, full of adventure, hard work, joy, and inviting the Lords presence always!

There have been many incredible moments thus far with the people of South Africa so far. The lord has been kind and calling me to spend all my extra time during the day to evangelize, to go be with his people, and share his love. Firstly, me and two of my brothers in Christ were drawn to a local shell gas station and met three incredible women who knew God but had many current struggles and were walking through life with weary hearts. All of them being single mothers with kiddos, we were able to buy some girls clothes and using the soccer jerseys I had brought from my childhood, bless them with gifts for their children. But, more importantly, we had sweet discussion with them about the character of God, the HOPE he restores, the LOVE he pours out abundantly, and the Redemption he brings when you seek him. As we return to this store every few days, seeing the love of the Lord that He lavishes upon them as He meets them where they are at is one of the sweetest gifts. Praying with them countless times and forming relationship with Gods people on another continent is truly something special. Secondly, another story that happened in the last few weeks is I was able to encounter a man who had never heard the name Jesus. He didn’t know who Jesus was. Being able to converse with him and explain the truth of the gospel was a truly humbling moment for many reason. For example, how sweet it is that someone is hearing about the God who created them and loves them for the first time, but in another way, how much more are we sitting comfortable on our couches at home in our knowledge of salvation when there are people who don’t know they can have perfect love and total freedom from this world.

Another sweet story came from meeting some friends from a local restaurant. I was able to chat with the owners by the grace of God and talk about our shared savior, Jesus. After discussion and giving their kids some Jesus bracelets, I had asked if I could pray for their family and business. As God often does, he moved, and the family invited the whole waiting, kitchen, and hostess staff to the prayer. We began to pray over a whole RESTAURANTS STAFF… like what??? come on Jesus! Now every week I return to this restaurant and get to stop in and have a Jesus discussion with each and every staff member. From discussions of faith, to being able to pray with multiple individuals, to being pray for Gods healing of cancer, sickness, and addiction in some of the staff members, God is alive and hungry to reveal his kingdom to his sheep he so desires to Shepard and lead to safe keeping. Praise God he is alive on this earth and is hungry to love.

I can’t wait to tell you all of the stories to come, but until then, I pray these blogs encourage you and the Holy Spirit falls upon you as you are met with the fierce love of King Jesus. He is humbling me, teaching me, and loving me more everyday… he wants the same for you too! Much love to you all, and Gods speed!

Ways you can pray.

Pray for safety and protection.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move more as we increase our boldness in faith as his vessels.
Pray that King Jesus would remain our first love always. That we would choose to be in love with him daily.