Day 4 (July 14) – Casa Abba

 

Romans 12:9–13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor...

Today’s devotional reminded us that we are designed to love. We’re called to love others as God has loved us (1 John 4:7)—unconditionally and generously. While the default mindset of many religions is to earn God’s love through good deeds, the Gospel flips that idea upside down. God’s kingdom is not built on merit, but on mercy. He loves the sinner, the broken, the lost—and not from afar. He acted on our behalf by sending Jesus to redeem us through the cross (Romans 5:8).

As I reflected on God’s love today, I couldn’t help but think of Veda’s affection for dogs. I’ve told her a hundred times not to pet the street dogs, but she just can’t help herself—she sees them and shows them love. Where others see a dirty stray, she sees a soul worth loving. That’s how Jesus loves us. He doesn’t see us as the world does—He sees who we truly are. He cleanses us from sin, clothes us in His righteousness, and promises us a home with Him forever. That’s real love.

This morning’s devotion time was especially meaningful. Damaris shared her testimony. Many of you know she and her sister, Simey, were adopted by Jocsan and Kayla. Damaris explained how their normal family life in Mexico City was shattered when their mother passed away and their father abandoned them. She was just 15. Thankfully, Gabby stepped in and brought them to Puerto Escondido to live with extended family, and eventually, with Jocsan and Kayla, who finished a room in their house to give the girls a permanent home.

 

Adjusting to this new life wasn’t easy. After finishing high school last year, her plan to attend university didn’t work out, so she enrolled in a one-year Bible school instead. She just graduated on Friday—congrats, Damaris!

Gaby asked when she gave her life to Jesus. She said it happened at Gabby’s kitchen table, shortly after arriving in Puerto. He told her about the love of Christ. She struggled to believe it could be true, but she wanted it to be. That night, she confessed her sin and placed her faith in Jesus. Life is still challenging, but she wants to serve Him.

And now, an amazing opportunity has opened up. A nearby orphanage, where she once did a short-term mission, has offered her an internship where she can teach and earn her degree over the next five years! She didn’t know how she’d afford school, or what came next—but God knew. Kayla once told her God would use her to encourage orphans. Now it’s happening. God is good! We gathered around her and prayed as she prepares to move next month.

After devotions, we loaded up and headed to Casa Abba. Much of the crew resumed work on the concrete slab, only this time with three more local workers joining us. With the added help, several of our team members shifted to painting the maintenance shed. Emma was tasked with painting the gate and adding a mural. It was a hot day, but everyone worked with determination and great attitudes.

The concrete crew—mostly the guys and Kate—mixed 46 bags today (compared to 30 on Saturday)! Our job was to mix the sand, gravel, cement, and water while the local workers poured. These guys are machines—they hardly slow down. They appreciate our help but stay laser-focused on finishing the job.

 

Meanwhile, the rest of us worked on painting the bathroom area and the addition Mr. Juan began last year. A lot of progress was made, with just touch-ups left for tomorrow.

 

Emma truly made the entrance shine. Casa Abba was recently connected to the power grid (huge blessing!) and had to install a meter box by the street. Emma painted both sides bright yellow. On the back, she added a mural of a radiant sun with colorful rays. Tomorrow, she’ll add words to it. When I asked how she felt about the project, she lit up and said, “YES!” She admitted that during work projects she didn’t always feel like she was doing much—but painting gave her the chance to use her gifts to bless others. For the record, Emma also crushed it on concrete duty. She’s a hard worker and a real team player—but her art will now be a beacon of the hope we have in the light of Jesus Christ for every person who walks through that gate.

This trip is special for many reasons, but one is that I get to serve alongside Kayla—a former youth group student of mine. Because she and I are coordinating so many things, we’ve had time to run errands together (with baby Zeke in tow). These car rides, though filled with supply runs and stops, have been such a gift. We’ve been able to catch up, talk about ministry and life, and just enjoy time together. I’m thankful the Lord knit our lives together years ago and continues to use that connection today.

After a long, productive day, we treated the team to a quick beach stop. While there, we ran into Oscar again! He was working—running drinks up and down the beach for a restaurant. When he saw us, he brought drinks over for Kayla, Will, and me—free of charge, as a gift. That’s just who he is. We offered to pay for additional drinks, and he gladly obliged. As we left the beach, it was sweet to say goodbye to our new brother again. Lord willing, we’ll see him once more before we leave. If not, there’s always next year. 

After Mama Vero’s delicious dinner, some of the guys helped Jocsan pick up a generator. While they were out, I sat down to write this blog but got caught up in conversation with several team members. I’m glad I did—it was good to simply be present with them. It was great to hear them share about their experiences and lessons they are learning. Oscar’s testimony came up. David observed how different life is here then back home. Simeon brought up the Mexican workers and the struggle to understand how they work so hard for so little, but the little they get paid is more than they would make back home. As Anna said, it was good and helpful to have this time together and hear how each other are processing. It helps! That time together was rich.

Please keep praying for our team’s health. Some are dealing with minor rashes from the cement or digestive issues. One teammate thought he might have a fever, but he mostly just needed rest. I’ll check on him in the morning.

Even with the heat and distractions, this team is amazing. Today’s devotional asked, “Who do you need God to help you love today?” Honestly, I wrote: “I thank God for this team—because I don’t need help loving them.” This group is a blessing, and I’m grateful for every single one of them.

Thanks for reading this far! Tomorrow—we return to Casa Abba.

 

Day 3 - Church

 

Day 3: Designed for Generosity

1 Timothy 6:17–19
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share... so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Today’s devotional reminded us that we were designed to live generously. When God gives in abundance, it's not just for our enjoyment but so we can bless others. I’m so thankful for our team, a group of people rich in gifts and talents, who are using them joyfully to bless others. Today, they gave of themselves—singing, playing instruments, sharing the Gospel, greeting warmly, serving humbly… even moving logs (more on that soon).

Since our team was scheduled to lead worship and serve at Casa Ebenezer this morning, we had an early start. We left shortly after 8 AM, aiming to arrive by 8:30. Casa Ebenezer is in a beautiful rural community, and usually, the trip there is uneventful aside from the usual road issues. But this morning, as we turned down the dirt road, we were met by an unexpected sight—men lining the road with machetes and chainsaws. Don’t worry, it wasn’t a mob—it was a community clean-up day, and their task was to cut down trees along the road to prepare for the installation of electric poles.

The work crew happened to be stationed right outside the gates of Casa Ebenezer, and they continued working throughout the service. Undeterred, we pressed on with the plan. Our team opened by leading two worship songs in Spanish, boldly singing over the noise of chainsaws and falling trees. They did a phenomenal job.

 

Next, Oscar, a current resident of Casa Ebenezer, was invited to share his testimony. Though some of it was difficult to hear over the background noise, what I did catch was powerful—a story of redemption and grace. Two years ago, Oscar was working at the hotel we stayed at during our first trip to Puerto Escondido. Just two weeks ago, God moved in Jocsan’s heart to introduce him to his father, Gabby. When Gabby met Oscar, he recognized the signs of addiction and brokenness—and invited him to come live at Ebenezer.

 

As they drove, Gabby shared his vision for Casa Ebenezer and the hope of Jesus Christ. Oscar was overwhelmed by the weight of his sin, and for the first time in years, he wept—crying out for God’s forgiveness. Peace flooded his heart. He asked Gabby to turn around and take him back to his apartment so he could pack and leave it all behind.

When they arrived, the room was filled with evidence of his past—needles, pipes, drugs, alcohol, and books on other religions and even witchcraft. Searching for peace, Oscar had tried everything. That day, he bagged it all up and gave it to Gabby to discard. “I don’t need that stuff anymore,” he said. “I have Jesus.”

In just two weeks, Oscar’s life has been radically transformed. His joy is contagious. His hunger for God is evident. It was one of the most moving testimonies I’ve ever heard. Honestly, we could’ve ended the service right there and walked away full of worship.

But we had more to share. We were asked to present the Gospel using the Wordless Book colors (the Gospel Beads). Several team members stepped up and clearly shared the Good News. As they spoke, I noticed Oscar feverishly taking notes—soaking in everything he could.

Once again, it felt like the service was complete. Worship, testimony, Gospel… But I had been asked to preach. I had prepared a message from Psalm 80, and to my amazement, the themes of the Psalm were already reflected in Oscar’s story: God as the Shepherd, the plea for restoration, the cry for light in the darkness.

 

Psalm 80 opens with a cry to the Shepherd of Israel and repeats the refrain: “Restore us, O God… let your face shine, that we may be saved” (vv. 3, 7, 19). It’s a Psalm of longing—a cry for light to break into the darkness. And that’s exactly what Oscar had experienced. What a joy to preach from that Psalm, seeing how Christ fulfills its hope, and how He’s still working that restoration today.

After the sermon, the team led one more song—Way Maker in Spanish. Then Kayla asked if I’d be willing to pray for Oscar and Daniel, the two men currently living at Casa Ebenezer. Daniel, or “Danny,” is a neighbor who has joined the program and serves as the on-site security guard.

As I stepped forward, Oscar put his arm around me. Danny was visibly moved. The rest of the team gathered around, laying hands on them and praying over their lives. Please continue to pray for both of these men—God is doing a beautiful work in them.

 

After the service, it was time to move some of the logs that had been cut during church. Though it was a bit of a distraction, it’s actually a sign of progress: electricity is coming to the community. What a blessing that will be for Ebenezer.

The rest of the day was restful and joyful. We enjoyed a traditional Mexican chicken lunch back at the house, then spent the afternoon at a new beach, riding the waves and making memories. On the way home, we stopped for some delicious tacos. It was a full and blessed Sunday—one we won’t soon forget.

 

 

 
 

Day 2 - Casa Abba

 

Day 2

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

 

Today’s devotional reminded us about the importance of giving of ourselves to serve others as an example of Christ. In giving of yourself, time, strength, and energy to benefit others, you will receive joy! Today is a great example of that!

 

The morning started with devotions and a testimony of how God called Jocsan and Kayla to establish Casa Abba. God was working in each of their lives individually in different countries, but brought them together with a common vision for reaching orphans and communities for Christ.

 

While Jocsan was sharing how God called them to a vision bigger than they imagined, he said they were “empty-handed, with a vision, and prayer,” but God proved faithful and is proving himself faithful by providing and directing their steps to see the vision happen. God brought donors, sponsors, and teams to help get the property and begin the building (You can join too by donating HERE – put Morales in the search bar).

 

It is a joy to hear their testimonies and see how God is using them. At the end of devotions, I had each member of our team do an exercise (you can do it right now too), I had them put everything down, open their empty hands, and think about what God is calling them to do or pursue, and commit it to prayer. Kayla and Jocsan have Casa Abba, and God is moving here! Where does God want to move in your life?

 

Some people get a specific vision of a place and a ministry, like the apostle Paul. However, others are led to join the one who has the vision, like Luke and Silas joining Paul’s journey. The point is to come before God and invite him to direct your steps in faith for his glory.

 

After devotions, we loaded up and headed to Casa Abba! Well, the team went straight there, but Kayla and I went to pick up supplies and paint for the property. Running errands can take longer than you think, but it was a great time for Kayla, Zeke, and me to catch up on life and ministries. We picked up lunch and paint supplies. As we rolled into Casa Abba, the team had already been working hard!

 

Our goal today was to make progress on the foundation for the main building of the orphanage by mixing and pouring 30 bags of concrete! It was a blessing hearing Kayla tell us about how cool it is that Lakeside gets to help lay the foundation of the building, as Lakeside has been a big support to their ministry. Thank you, Lakeside, for your continued support of Casa Abba!

 

Today was hot! Rocks, sand, and concrete are heavy. Add a little water and it’s even heavier! Our team was like a well-oiled machine, each having their assigned tasks, and all partnering together to get the task done. By lunchtime time the team had 11 bags mixed and poured! We were doubtful that we would reach the goal of 30 bags by 4 pm. But after a well-deserved lunch break, the team was refreshed and got back to it. They went through the next batch quicker than expected and brought hope that we would meet the goal. I was so proud of how hard they worked and how they stayed positive and encouraging, even though it was exhausting and hot.

 

Shortly after 3 pm, Kayla and I ran to the store to get more water, ice, and PowerAde to help refresh the team. When we got back, we found that the team had already finished the 30 bags! And I think they did a couple more to finish off one section. In all, the team mixed and poured approximately 4.5 metric tons (or 9,920 lbs) of concrete mix! That’s a lot of concrete!

 

If the link doesn't play, click HERE.

After such a long day of hard work, we opted to take the evening off back at the house. We were fed an amazing meal of spaghetti and salad.

 

Pray for us tomorrow as our Praise Team will be leading worship in Spanish, team members will be sharing the Gospel Beads bracelets, and I will be preaching at the church meeting at Casa Ebenezer.

Day 1 @ Casa Ebenezer (July 11)

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

Today’s devotional book guided us to this passage in Acts 20, Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan), and a quote by Martin Luther King, “The first question which the preist and the Levite asked was: “if I stop to help this ma, what will happen to me?” But the good Samaritan reversed the question: “if I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

 

As I reflected on this passage in my quiet time, I thought about how the Samaritan saw, felt, and acted. He saw the man in need, an image bearer of God who was in a bad place. He felt compassion toward this man and, in some way, identified with his pain. He then acted on his behalf, tending his wounds and providing a place for him to stay. In doing so, he reflects the loving kindness of God, who pours out his mercy toward us in Jesus Christ. It is because of Christ’s work that we want to see, feel, and act in a way that serves others and leads them to Christ.

 

We had an amazing breakfast prepared for us by Momma Vero! Brother Gabby shared his testimony with us in morning devotions. I love hearing Gabby share his testimony and hearing about the work God has done in his life. It brings me great joy to bring others here to Mexico to hear from Gabby, Kayla, and Jocsan. Gabby experienced the struggles and brokenness of this life early in his childhood and made decisions that led him to live on the streets and seek happiness in drugs and alcohol. But God intervened in his life, called him unto himself, and provided a way for him to walk away from his addiction into a transformed life (You can read his testimony HERE). As he shared, I was amazed to hear how Gabby’s story lined up with the Good Samaritan story, as a man saw Gabby’s need, acted on his behalf, and cared for his soul.

 

Gabby walked away from the streets and addiction through intentional discipleship. God has called Gabby to start an addiction recovery ministry that follows a similar plan that worked in his own life. That is what Casa Ebenezer is preparing to do. It is a place where men who want to overcome addiction can come and live on the property and be discipled by Gabby so they can reclaim victory in their lives and restore their families. Although the property is not finished, Gabby already has a few men living there and going through his program. One young man, Oscar, has recently given up drugs, moved to Ebenezer, and is pursuing Jesus. Oscar was working at the hotel we stayed at on our first trip. Today, he was working with us at Ebenezer!

 

Today, Kayla and Jocsan had graduations to attend, which provided us the opportunity to work with Gabby at Ebenezer to repair and grade the driveway. It is amazing to see what God is doing at Casa Ebenezer. Two years ago we painted the only building on the property. Today we see how much they have expanded and see Gabby's dream coming to fruition. 

 

Our team moved a mountain! They worked hard and endured high heat and humidity. Pictures will do a better job of describing it than my words:

 

 

David Keiper used his GoPro and edited this video for you to enjoy! If the link doesn't work you can watch the video on YouTube (HERE).

We also went to town this evening and bought a bunch of supplies to put together grocery bags for the locals. Tomorrow we will put the care packages together and deliver them. I will talk more about them tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will head to Casa Abba and do some concrete work!

Travel Day (July 10)

My apologies to expectant readers, yesterday was a long day of travel, and I opted to get some sleep, and so I did not get our travel day blogged and posted. I was able to keep the families of the travelers up to date on each leg of our journey. Thanks for your readership and your prayers for our team. Many of you have been praying, encouraging, and giving to this trip, and we appreciate your love and support!

We had an early 6:00 AM meet-up time at Cleveland Airport for an 8:05 AM flight. That would give us the recommended 2 hours before the flight cushion. It is always good to have a little wiggle room. My buddy, Ben, was driving me up to the airport when I received a text, “Hey Brad, I forgot my passport. I’m going to be late. Sorry.” Thankfully, it was still pretty early, and I guessed they would still arrive at 6:15 AM. I responded, acknowledging how these things happen. Last year, I had to turn around to get my passport. We had a 2-hour cushion.

 

While we were waiting, we started getting the rest of the team checked in and dropping off the luggage. A couple of travelers with new passports did not sign them, but that was a quick fix. My group and Simeon’s group were able to get checked in, David’s group had some problems, but it looked like he had it under control. Just as we finished, the late traveler arrived at the perfect timing. We could just use the kiosk, and then all of us could depart together. ERROR! Something was wrong with the passport and ticket.

 

How many years have I been leading trips, buying plane tickets, and planning travel experiences? Guess what? I failed to check with the traveler about the way her name was spelled on her passport. International travel requires the name on the ticket to match the exact name on the passport. Good thing we were still in Cleveland and America. The Delta representative, Teresa, was working on it, but it was taking a while. I instructed the rest of the team to go through security, and we would meet them at the gate. This meant that we did not get a pre-trip group picture before our first flight.  

 

Some time had passed. I checked the Delta app and saw that her name had been updated! I shared the good news with Teresa, and she quickly told me to exit the app. If I accessed the itinerary in the app, I could mess up the transfer of information for the name correction. However, I thought we must be almost done. I turned around and saw our team marching behind us. The TSA security line they went to had been at a standstill the entire time we were waiting for the name change.

 

I try not to let my anxieties get the best of me, but now it is 7:15 AM, and we are still at the counter, and I have no idea if the other security gate will be faster or not. Boarding was going to start at 7:35 AM, and we had no idea how long it would be. I was trying to stay positive and encouraging, while also apologizing for not double-checking the name before purchasing the tickets. I cannot tell you how many little prayers I prayed and asked God to move mountains for us during the waiting time. He answered! We got the all clear and confirmation that the round trip itinerary was completely updated, and we shouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. Praise God!

 

The two of us hustled to the security gate and found it almost empty. We basically walked up and right through without any problems. We were so fast that we caught up to a few of our teammates who had paused for a bathroom break after getting through security. We arrived, finally altogether, at the gate with time to spare. God is good!

 

Our flight from Cleveland to Atlanta went smoothly. However, as we gathered just off the plane, Simeon realized he forgot his phone on the plane. He tried to go back down but was told he could not go back on the plane without an escort. Thankfully, the cleaning crew had found it and walked out with it. No problem at all.

 

We had a nice 3-hour layover in Atlanta. It was a good time to regather, get a meal, and get to our gate. I was hoping for smooth sailing the rest of the way. However, our flight to Mexico City was delayed, which cut into our 2-hour layover. We were about 45 minutes late getting into Mexico City, and I had no idea how we were going to make our next flight. As we were walking into customs, David suggested we skip the bathroom break and go through while there was no line. I looked up and customs was pretty much empty, Praise God! We were able to walk right up and get through with no problems (always a praise in a foreign country). We had one more security check before getting to our gate. 

I am so grateful for David Keiper and his knowledge of Spanish. He helped us navigate the way through and up to security. The Mexican security guards were super nice and helpful. They gathered our group up, waiting until all of us were together, and guided us through security. David identified our gate, and we walked over with 25 minutes to spare! Praise the Lord! Most were able to go grab some food and/or water bottles (you cannot drink the tap water here). That’s when we saw the gate was “closed”! Now we were concerned that our flight was canceled. David found out that they were waiting for the flight attendants. This delayed our boarding time by about 15 minutes. Once they arrived and we boarded the plane, the pilot notified us that another plane broke down behind our plane and had to wait to get towed so we could depart, he said, probably 5-10 minutes. An hour later, they began taxing our plane toward the runway. However, it was another 30 minutes before taking off. We sat on the plane for 1.5 hours for a 1.5-hour flight. Thankfully, I was able to inform Jocsan that we were going to be late.

 

We arrived at Huatulco airport safely. It was so good to see Jocsan and his father, Gabby, again! After loading up, we had an hour drive to the Airbnb house we were staying at. Kayla and baby Zeke greeted us with tacos and pizza! It was a long and hectic day, but our team did great! Everybody kept good attitudes, and we were all so thankful to be here safe and together with our Mexican family!

Set a Goal to Be like Jesus

Jesus modeled for us what it means to be in an intimate relationship with the Father. He demonstrated how to love and care for others, even at the expense of his own life. Jesus, during his earthly ministry and his sending the apostles, demonstrated the importance of sharing the Good News with everyone. Jesus is the model, the pattern, and the example of Love.Care.Communicate. Therefore, in 2025, I want to challenge you to be more like Jesus. That is a tall task and can seem overwhelming, however, if we break it down into baby steps and strive for it each day, week, month, year, and lifetime, we will see growth and progress.

 

1 Peter 1:16

It is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

 

God’s demand to be holy as he is holy is an impossible task on our own. It is not something we will experience by flipping a switch, rather it is through an intentional decision to follow Christ daily. I am going to challenge you to think through some practical steps to apply each day as you seek to be more like Jesus. I find the pattern that Jesus set in his childhood, very little is known other than this verse, is a helpful guide for setting goals for the year.

 

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

 

There are four areas that Jesus “increased” or “grew” in: wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with man. What I find so profound in these four areas is how these four areas demonstrate the humanity of Jesus. He took on flesh and needed to grow and mature, just like you and me. How are you planning on growing intellectually, physically, spiritually, and relationally this year?

 

 

I am going to ask you to set at least 4 goals for this coming year based on these areas. I want you to make these SMART goals. SMART is a goal-setting framework that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. SMART goals are carefully planned out, executable, and trackable.

 

Jesus’ example is also summarized in his teachings in Mark 12:30:

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

 

As we will look at each of these four areas we will see how our growth and development is also a fulfillment of the great commandment Jesus gave his followers.

 

Wisdom/Intellect

Mark 12:30 “with all your mind”

 

God has gifted you with an amazing mind that is capable of unbelievable creativity, comprehension, and ingenuity if it is cultivated and developed. The question is “how are you cultivating your mind?” What are you doing to grow in wisdom? How are you being intentional to increase intellectually? One way we demonstrate our love for God is by utilizing our mind for his glory. This does mean changing the way we think about ourselves and the world around us to conform to his revealed word.

 

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

This is a command but it is also a promise. When you seek to renew your mind according to God’s Word, you will be able to test and discern what God’s will is. More and more you will see how God’s Word is informing your decisions and providing wisdom for each day. But you must be intentional about growing.

 

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

Any plan takes preparation and then must be executed. Peter says to prepare your mind for action, think clearly, and hope in Christ. How will you prepare you mind this year?

 

Setting a goal for growing intellectually can be simply being intentional about your current role. For instance, if you are a student, how can you prepare to make the most of your studies? Is there a subject that you need to improve on? Is there a grade you want to achieve?

 

If you are a worker, is there something you could learn to benefit your workplace? Is there some area of growth that would help you be better at your job?

 

Is there a book you want to read? Or how many books do you want to read this year? Is there a class you want to take?

 

God has given you a mind! Don’t waste it!

 

Speaking of wasting the mind, studies continue to come out showing how Social Media and smartphones are often hindering healthy development. Social Media, such as Instagram, Snap Chat, Facebook, have been linked to increased anxiety and depression levels. Setting goals for how you want to use Social Media can be beneficial to your growth in wisdom and intellect. Here are some positive steps you can take to navigate the online world in a healthier way (borrowed from PROFILETREE:

·      Curate Your Feed – follow inspiring accounts, unfollow negative influences, prioritize real life interaction.

·      Focus on the Real – be mindful of comparisons, recognize that social media is filled with others best moments, best pictures (and filters), and do not represent the real-life experiences. Celebrate your wins. Practice gratitude.

·      Disconnect to Reconnect – schedule breaks from social media to detox. Be present in the moment by putting your phone away during meals and conversations. Enjoy the moment without having to document everything. Prioritize sleep.

 

Social media is a tool; like any tool, it’s up to us to use it responsibly and prioritize our mental well-being. Let’s strive to create a more balanced online experience that empowers and uplifts us rather than leaving us feeling like losers in a never-ending game of comparison.

 

 

Stature/Physical

Mark 12:30 – “with all your strength”

 

The second area that Jesus increased in was “stature” or physically. I used to always joke about the reason I was not into running by quoting Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues.” However, that is completely out of context and not referring to physical exercise. Paul does encourage Timothy with “bodily training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). We will revisit this verse in greater context when we talk about Spiritual growth. But Paul’s point was that the flesh is temporary and there are eternal goals that we should be pursuing, however there is benefit to taking care of our physical bodies.

 

God demonstrates this in his treatment of Elijah after the Mt. Carmel experience in 1 Kings 19. Elijah sees God have a great victory over the prophets of Baal, however, evil queen Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah. This frightens Elijah and he runs from Mt. Carmel in the north into the wilderness at the far south of Israel…that’s scared! God’s response to Elijah is for him to take a nap, drink some water, and eat some food. Take care of your body so you are ready to receive what God has for you.

 

Jim Elliot, an American Missionary, understood this while in college. He wrote a note to his mother, “I wrestle solely for the strength and co-ordination of muscle tone that the body receives while working out, with the ultimate end that of presenting a more useful body as a living sacrifice” (Through Gates of Splendor, pg. 16). How can I pursue physical health in preparation for God’s use? I am challenged by Jim’s quote.

 

Paul also used athletic training as a parable for the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Lessons learned from physical exercise and athletic pursuits can give us a picture of the struggle to grow as a Christian. Physical exercise, sports, and body image should not become a god to us, but we should view these activities in a healthy way and recognize that our body is a gift from God that we should care for.

 

What physical goal do you have for this year? How can you pursue health? Think of a SMART goal to set, such as, “I want to hike Hampton Hills Trail without stopping,” or “I would like to run a 5K by June,” or “I would like to be active 3 times a week.” It could also be improving on a personal performance or making a team. It can be avoiding sugar after 8pm. I would encourage you to think of some activity you can shoot for that will help you feel healthier, more alert, and have more energy for whatever God calls you to this year.

 

Personal story: last summer in Mexico I felt lightheaded after doing some manual labor. I realized I need to take better care of myself if I want to be useful. I have set a goal to be in the gym Mon, Wed, and Fri for strength training, and Tues, Thurs, and Sat for cardio. I set a specific amount of weight that I want to lose before going on the Mexico trip this year. My hope is that through discipline and consistency I can, as Jim Elliot said, “present a more useful body as a living sacrifice.”

 

The next area that Jesus grew in was “Favor with God.”

 

Favor with God/Spiritual

Mark 12:30 – “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

 

This area is really priority number one; however, it is list third in Luke’s account. The Bible is clear that we cannot earn God’s favor by doing good deeds because we are sinners (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8-9). We do not want to understand “favor” as earning “grace” but, rather, as growing in intimacy and familiarity relationally. We could just say growing spiritually. Your relationship with God is the single most important thing about you. Every other aspect of life is temporary, but your relation to God is eternal. Your body will break down, your mind may fail, your friendships may dissolve, but Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). Jesus promises to never leave or forsake his followers (Heb 13:5-6). He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov 18:24).

 

The greatest goal you could set is to strengthen your relationship with Jesus this year! Jesus promises, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Pause for a second, hear that the correct way. If A, then B will follow. If A) you love Jesus, then B) you will keep his commandments. Wait, I still feel like you may be reading this from a guilt/shame perspective. Do you have an image of Jesus shaking his finger at you saying, “prove your love to me by keeping my commandments”? That is the normal posture people read this from. Like Jesus is putting a guilt trip on you. But that is not Jesus. Jesus is saying that your focus should be on loving him (Mark 12:30) not on a checklist of commandments. If you love Jesus with all your heart, the natural outflow of your life will be obedience. Obedience becomes the fruit of love, so focus on loving Jesus (John 15:5).

 

Just like any aspect of life, loving Jesus takes training and discipline. Let’s revisit Paul’s words to Timothy, remember we quoted the part about bodily training earlier… “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7–8). Do you see that? Train yourself for godliness by avoiding distractions and holding onto God’s promises. It’s been said that the only two things in this life that are eternal are the Word of God and the human souls. We should be growing in our knowledge of God’s Word and sharing the faith with others.

 

What are your spiritual goals this year? How do you want to deepen your relationship with God?

 

Will you commit to a Bible reading plan? Read through the Bible in a year? Read through the New Testament in a year?

 

Here are a few statistics to fuel your goals for Bible reading: Reading the Bible four or more times a week can have many benefits, including:

• Spiritual health: A healthier spiritual life, with a 60% lower chance of feeling spiritually stagnant 
• Sharing faith: A 228% higher chance of sharing faith with others 
• Memorizing scripture: A 407% higher chance of memorizing scripture 
• Reduced loneliness: A 30% lower chance of struggling with loneliness 
• Reduced pornography: A 59% lower chance of viewing pornography 
• Reduced anger: A 32% lower chance of experiencing anger issues 
• Reduced alcoholism: A 57% lower chance of experiencing alcoholism 
• Reduced emotional struggles: A reduced chance of feeling bitter, thinking destructively, feeling discouraged, and more 
• Increased peace and joy: Increased peace and joy in life 

 

Some say that the most important thing is to be in the Word daily, and that there's no minimum or maximum amount to read (from Faith Alone and Center for Bible Engagement).

 

Are you willing to commit to reading the Bible at least four times a week? Why or why not?

 

Who do you want to share your faith with this year? What missionary do you want to support? What missions trip to you want to attend? What Bible verses do you want to memorize? What sin do you need to repent of?

 

Growing in your relationship with Jesus this year begins with a desire to love Jesus more. It can seem overwhelming to try to do all of this, but start with one or two commitments and follow through with them. Add more next year, but be intentional in what you commit to.

 

The last area Luke mentions is that Jesus grew in favor “with man.”  

 

Favor with Man/Relational

Mark 12:30 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart”

 

Favor with man is a way of saying Jesus grew relationally. He developed friendships and learned how to interact with others in a positive and healthy way. From Jesus’ words in Mark 12:30, I highlighted the “heart” as the focus for growing relationally. The heart is the seat of desires, love, and affections. Learning to love others from a pure heart is essential to developing healthy relationships with others. I think it is appropriate that this goal comes last and builds upon the success of the previous goals. When you train yourself to think right, seek health, and love Jesus more, you become a healthier person. Developing friendships and relationships from a healthy position promotes strong and healthy friendships.

 

The Apostle Peter expresses this, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). When you see people the way God sees them, your desire should be to love them as God loves them and seek healthy connections. We are prone to sin and selfishness and often seek relationships that benefit our own sinful desires. The desire for power, prestige, or lust can become the reason we seek certain friendships or romantic interests. However, we are not to fall into those trappings but seek to put God first in all of our relationships.

 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35). Jesus tells us that our love for fellow believers should be a picture of God’s love for us. As we love our fellow Christians well, the world will see there is something different and know that we belong to Jesus. This is what the Church should look like, a community that loves each other despite ethic, social, financial, or educational background. A new community that God has created. This is why you should commit to a local church and be consistent in your attendance.

 

Paul encourages us to a servant’s heart when it comes to relationships, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Are you seeking relationships to serve yourself or asking how you can serve others? Jesus gave us the pattern from his own life, that he came to serve others (Mark 10:45).

 

 

What relationship/friendship do you need to develop or change? How are you growing in your people skills? Who do you need to serve? How can you serve others?

 

Think through your daily life and see what relationships need to be strengthened. What do you need to forgive? What do you need to seek forgiveness about? What conversation do you need to have?

 

Sometimes relational growth means beginning a new friendship or romantic interest. God designed us to be in relationships with others. Friendships are important, but our friends should be helping us be more like Christ. Romance and dating are important too, as God designed us as relational beings. In both friendships and romantic interests, it is important to start with a pure heart surrendered to God and develop a servants heart not a selfish heart. How do your friendships or romantic interests align with this? What conversations do you need to have?

 

When a friendship or a romantic relationship become destructive or toxic major changes need to happen. These can be difficult situations to navigate and you may need to talk with a counselor or pastor to determine the next steps. But there does come a time when we need to give up on a friendship or relationship because it is toxic and destructive. Please talk to me or to a counselor if you feel like this is an area that needs attention this year.

 

Jesus’ example to grow intellectually, physically, spiritually, and relationally is an excellent pattern for us to follow in our goal setting. I wrote a lot, but I don’t want you to feel you have to do everything on here. This post is to help inform you of the various types of goals and how to think through SMART goals in these categories. I would encourage you to think of 1 SMART goal for each of the four categories. Start there and see what God does in your life this year. There is always time to add more later.

 

I also want you to think through these goals in two more categories: public and private. Some goals are easy to tell others about and are public goals, i.e. “I want to read Bonhoffer’s biography this year.” However, some goals are private, such as a sin that needs to be confessed and repented of. Prepare the 4 goals mentioned above as public goals, but consider the private ones too. Accountability is important for keeping goals, so I would encourage you to find a trusted accountability partner to share your private goals (if any) with. If you do not have a trusted accountability partner, make that your relational goal for this year.

 

Thanks for reading and following along. I pray that this is helpful to you and encourages you toward whole life discipleship that Love’s God, Cares for others, and Communicates God’s message to the world.