"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
Matthew 17:20
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Romans 12:2
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
I think everyone struggles with courage when doing something that may be awkward, scary, or threatening in some way. In preparing for this mission trip to Italy, sometimes it can be a little nerve-racking to think about trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you do. In my case, I don't speak very good Italian! So, I have to trust that God will intervene and help me communicate, even when I may feel as though nothing is getting across or understood. [Non capisco?]
It's also a little scary thinking about flying over the ocean for many hours.. I must say, it makes me a little nervous. But, I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life, and I believe that going to Italy for a short time this next week is a part of that plan, whether I'm supposed to meet one person to share my story & the Gospel, or several students. I trust God with my safety, my life, and every piece of this mission trip because ultimately, He knows exactly what I'm supposed to do and who I'm supposed to encounter in Italy.
I think a lot of people struggle with the thought of God having this perfect plan for our life, especially in the midst of a trying time. Sometimes, bad things happen and it's easy to doubt God and to blame God for those circumstances. But, it's important to trust God and pray about everything.
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
Philippians 4:6
We all worry a lot, about different things. Stop worrying and start praying! God is always there, whether you're worried about a test, a flight, an illness, a friend, an enemy, money, or anything else - give it to God, and thank Him for all He has done, and all He will do.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Louie Giglio - Laminin
This, my friends, is amazing. Be sure & watch the rest of Louie Giglio's videos on YouTube. The How Great is Our God series is nothing short of awesome. Enjoy! :)
The Hands & Feet of Jesus
We are called to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ himself. Please be praying for our team as we prepare for and set out on our journey, and as we ready ourselves for the calling to Bolonga, Italy. Our mission is to grow deeper in our faith, to become a disciple and missionary in our everyday living, and to teach others.
My challenge to you is this: practice being a disciple and missionary in your everyday living. Reach out to coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, classmates, a waiter/waitress, cashier, homeless person.. You don't have to leave the country to be a light. Ask God to cross your path with someone in need of His love, someone who may need a friend, and to use you and speak through you to reach that person. It probably won't be a person you expect it to be, but it will be the person God has chosen for you.
I also challenge you to get in contact with someone who does mission work in foreign countries. PRAY about an opportunity to serve God and to reach people, even if it's something you're completely uncomfortable with. I really don't love to fly over the ocean for 10 hours, but I know God will keep me safe. It's not going to be about comfort or fun or what you want to do. God will put you in some pretty uncomfortable situations, but these situations and experiences will cause your faith to grow in unimaginable ways.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 25:19-20
My challenge to you is this: practice being a disciple and missionary in your everyday living. Reach out to coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, classmates, a waiter/waitress, cashier, homeless person.. You don't have to leave the country to be a light. Ask God to cross your path with someone in need of His love, someone who may need a friend, and to use you and speak through you to reach that person. It probably won't be a person you expect it to be, but it will be the person God has chosen for you.
I also challenge you to get in contact with someone who does mission work in foreign countries. PRAY about an opportunity to serve God and to reach people, even if it's something you're completely uncomfortable with. I really don't love to fly over the ocean for 10 hours, but I know God will keep me safe. It's not going to be about comfort or fun or what you want to do. God will put you in some pretty uncomfortable situations, but these situations and experiences will cause your faith to grow in unimaginable ways.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 25:19-20
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Who You love, I'll love. How You serve, I'll serve. If this life I lose, I will follow You.
Matthew
9: 35-38
35 Jesus went through all the
towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of
the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the
crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Two years ago, I was blessed to join a group of TCU
students on a mission trip to Bologna, Italy to minister to college students at
the University of Bologna. The above verse is a perfect picture of what life is
like in Bologna, Italy. Bologna is home to the oldest and one of the largest
universities in the world, with over 100,000 students. On my previous trip, I
learned just how hard the soil is in Bologna. There are very few Christians,
many atheists and followers of other religions. It is very common for people to
suppose that Italy is predominantly Catholic, which it is, but less than 10% of
the population attends mass each month. Many students we talked to considered
themselves Catholic in a more “traditional” sense, rather than a personal
choice or relationship with Jesus Christ.
After
much prayer, I feel led to go back to Bologna from January 9 – 15, 2012 to
continue ministering to college students and Italians alongside a small team of
full time missionaries and nine other TCU and Tarleton students and graduates.
To
make this possible, I need to raise $1,500 by January 6, 2012. Would you
prayerfully consider supporting me? Any amount is appreciated. If you are
unable to contribute monetarily, please pray for this opportunity, our team,
safety, and for God to move through us and within us during this short trip.
Please email me about contributing at c.a.nauert@tcu.edu. I can provide my mailing address and other information that way.
I
plan to blog about the trip when I get access to Internet, as well as, when I
get home. I will soon be updating it with my testimony, some videos of conversations
with students, pictures, and devotionals.
Thank
you so much for your support, your friendship, and love.
God
Bless,
Cameron
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