In church this morning, Pastor Carlos spoke to us from 1Chronicles 4:9-10. He talked to us about making a decision to live our lives differently from the rest of the world. Jabez's mother gave him that name because of the pain she endured when giving birth. She labeled him based on her experience. In that time, maybe it was a curse of sorts. God tells us that we have the power to make a decision NOT to conform to what the world expects from us and to decide to live as chosen children of God. We must break free from the labels placed on us by the world and reveal to the world the people that God has made us into. Show the world that we cannot be defined, should not be defined by our parents, brothers, sisters, or our circumstances. We are individuals, we are unique children of God almighty.
Although I don't understand Spanish very well, and our translator had a time keeping up, the word of God is clear. Jeremiah 31:29 says, "When that time comes, people will no longer say, 'The parents have eaten sour grapes, but the children's teeth have grown numb." Although you may have had difficulties growing up, or maybe you are currently going through difficulties, you have a choice to change your circumstances, break the chain, not to perpetuate the cycle. We are not to judge the children by the sins of the father. The children, however, must be strong and make the decision to change circumstances for future generations. This is not necessarily a literal translation, although the inference is clear. Believe me when I say, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve the kingdom of God...neither do you....it is a gift given to us by the sacrifice of Christ. But, while we are here on this earth, it is up to is to show the world the life that The Lord wants for us. Break the chain, change your circumstances, ask and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. No sin is too severe to keep God from guiding you. Break the chains of abuse, sin, and ungodliness. Make the decision to be a new child of God. With God, we have the power to make that decision. Glory to God!! Remember and know it is not a sin to ask God to bless you.....will you call out to Him today? No one has enough sin in their lives to keep God away. God made us a promise! "People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me," says the Lord . "For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done." -Jeremiah 31:34
Our team from left to right:
Bottom row - Reid Hildreth, Dennis Coggins, Jason Vinson, George Beck
Top row - Terri Griffin, Kay Coggins, Ashley Vinson, Dawn Allen
This is where we ate our last lunch here in Costa Rica
But this is where we spent our last afternoon
Infinity pool
And the sunset
Adios Costa Rica..... until next year!
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