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Brag on God Friday becoming Faith Filled Friday

3/1/2012

23 Comments

 
I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I pray that God refreshes you and gives you readiness to persevere in what He has for you today.  

My desire is to be a blessing to you in helping you know God more and make Him known so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional Living blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. Currently I am writing my way through Judges sharing glimpses of God's heart and character for a weekday devotional. To check out the entire series so far head on over the the Judges Devotional.  
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I got to speak tonight at a church in town about our ministry and our trip to Cambodia last summer. I feel so honored whenever I get to talk about how incredible God is. Seriously, how amazing that the God of the universe shows us what He is like, and amazing that He uses us to be proclaim-ers of His glory. He doesn't need us, yet He chooses to use us. Wow! 

So I'm not sure if you know about Cambodia, but I believe it is the most evil place on earth. Parents sell their daughters for sex to foreign men every night. Svay Pak is where we took students for a missions trip. It is the most notorious city for the youngest girls. Even as young as 3 years old are being sold by their parents. Awful. 

But God...
God is there. All of Him, His grace, hope, love, He is there. He is rescuing, redeeming and restoring. Here's stories of me being surprised by hope in this devastating place. 

Tonight I met a lady who lived in Cambodia for 3 months 20 years ago. She said the evil that exists today didn't exist then. Does that shock you? It does me. 2 years ago in Svay Pak, 90 % of the girls were being sold to foriegn men for sex. Agape International Missions went into this village and the Lord used them to bring radical change. Now 50% of parents sell their children. Still a ways to go, but a ton better than 90%. But to think that 20 years ago it didn't exist at all. 

How can a country, a culture, get to there in just 20 years?! (The history of Cambodia is sad. Dictator after oppressor taking over. The Khmer Rouge came in and killed everyone having kids kill their parents and now those kids are the parents of today.) 

But really it's just is a little wake up call for how far we can get from what God desires for us in so little time. There is a downward spiral effect to sin. James explains sin well, it starts as just a little flame but becomes a raging fire. And all sin begins with temptation. In Judges 14 we see Samson dive right in.

"Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife." His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me." (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)" Judges 14:1-4

Samson went 4 miles into enemy territory. Why!? 


But really, why would any of us willfully enter temptation? 

Marrying a Philistine lady was contrary to God's law (Ex.34:12-16, Dt 7:1-3 and 2 Cor. 6:14-18). But he was head over heels for this girl and apparently feelings trump God's Word in his life. He wouldn't listen to godly advice and apparently was at the point that he didn't care what God thought. Have you been there? I have. Samson was living by sight not faith, or should I say living by his emotions, controlled by the lust of the eyes, concerned only with getting what he wanted when he wanted it.

But God...
Samson's sin doesn't mess up God's whole plan, he just doesn't get to have a fun role in all of it. "When God isn't permitted to rule in our lives, He overrules and works out HIs will in spite of our decisions. Of course, we're the losers for rebelling against Him, but God will accomplish His purposes either with us or in spite of us. Samson should have been going to a war instead of to a wedding, but God used this event to give Samson occasion to attack the enemy. Because of this event, Samson killed thirty men, burned up the enemy crops and slaughtered a great number of Philistines, and slew 1,000 men."  (Warren Wiersbe)

So where are you today? Is there something you should be running from? Is there a place you shouldn't go? It will take you somewhere you wont want to go and make you someone you wont want to be.  Run to Jesus instead. 
Sorry to be a bit on the depressing side today. But over on the Missional Living tab there are some awesome stories of how God is changing lives. A bit more inspiring.  :)


Brag on God Friday becoming Faith Filled Friday

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We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. I have this friend who loves to cook and God has built her to see Him and serve Him through that lens. (Wanna see what I mean? Check out Just Another Baking Blog) Or my friend Sara who thinks through her faith with you (and she is super funny, wanna see? Check out mcNutt House).

So every Friday I want to give you an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, devotionals and ministry thoughts but also art, baking, photography, parenting or marriage thoughts and more if they tie into the Lord somehow. 

So I didn't think the title Brag on God Friday quite fit this slight shift, that is why I am changing names. I will really try not to make many changes in the future... well, at least anytime soon.  :) Thanks for your willingness to flex with me. I'm still learning and clinging to the Lord as I do. And, I'm just so grateful for you guys!

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. I just humbly ask that you please let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Brag on God Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community. Thanks!  
Beholding Glory
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.BeholdingGlory.com" title="Beholding Glory" target="_blank"><img src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/laurakrokos/fff1.jpg" alt="Beholding Glory" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
I'm linking up with Spiritual Sundays
23 Comments
peggy aplSEEDS link
3/1/2012 01:07:54 pm

i have been to Cambodia and i didn't know the situation was that bad! i'm so glad that at least there is change for the better. indeed God is even in the most terrible places.

Reply
Laura link
3/1/2012 02:24:49 pm

Wow. That is so neat you've been there! I miss it, as wired as that is. Emotionally exhausting but worth it. Austin takes a team of 10 back there in 2 weeks.

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Rhoda link
3/1/2012 03:45:08 pm

That's great you got to go to Cambodia. We have friends who are missionaries there so we have had reports of some of the bad stuff going on. I also read a couple of books about the killing fields which apalled me - it is so sad. I think your new name is a great idea!

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:11:23 am

Thanks Rhoda.
That is awesome you have missionary friends there. Such a huge need. Less than 1% know Jesus. AIM has seen 22 brothel owners come to know Christ. God is working. :)

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Angi link
3/1/2012 04:04:35 pm

Oh how I miss Cambodia!

Love Faith-Filled Fridays! I'm a sucker for alliterations.

Reply
Laura link
3/2/2012 01:12:23 am

Thanks Angi, you're always such an encouragement. :)

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Joe Pote link
3/1/2012 05:43:32 pm

A few years ago, while reading Hebrews, I realized Samson is listed in the Hebrews Hall of Faith. "What's Samson doing in this list?" I wondered. I tend to think of Samson as a weak-willed man, rather than a man of faith.

Then I saw the passage you noted, "His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel."

I now see the story of Samson as an amazing story of God's grace. Samson did have strong faith when in battle, and did not fear the Philistines, and the Spirit of the Lord did come upon Samson in times of need.

God, in His grace, used not only Samson's faith, but even Samson's weaknesses to work His will and purpose in Samson's life!

What an amazing God!

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:16:57 am

I know! So crazy he is listed there. Really makes me cling to the good bad split. Realizing that not everyone is all good and not everyone is all bad. Warren Wiersbe helped me through that same issue saying, "According to Heb. 11:32, Samson was a man of faith, but he certainly wasn't a faithful man. He wasn't faithful to his parents teachings, his Nazarite bow, or the laws of the lord. It didn't take long for Samson to lose almost everything the Lord had given him, except his great strength, and he finally lost that as well."

Just a reminder of how much we need to cling to Jesus. Not for His sake, but for ours.

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Laura Rath link
3/1/2012 07:25:31 pm

"God will accomplish His purposes either with us or in spite of us." Oh, so true! I'd rather be a part of His work than God having to work around me. Enjoyed your post today!

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:19:14 am

Thanks Laura, yours too.

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JoAnne Potter link
3/1/2012 09:40:15 pm

When God isn't permitted to rule, He overrules. Liking that.

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:20:54 am

His ability sure is comforting. :) Thanks for linking up Joanne.

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Tracy link
3/1/2012 10:02:35 pm

Hi Laura - I love the new friday link up. I've updated my blog with it already. Hope you have an awesome weekend
God bless
Tracy

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:21:28 am

Yay! Thanks Tracy!

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Cherry link
3/1/2012 11:41:49 pm

Laura, I like the new name for your Friday Link-Up, and for it's focus. Thanks for always lifting up Jesus!

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:22:29 am

Thanks Cherry. I know change can be hard sometimes, so I'm grateful for all the encouragement. :) And it's an honor to life up Jesus... glad to be along side you sister.

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Abby link
3/2/2012 12:17:07 am

I love the change to 'faith filled' and hearing about your time in Cambodia. I absolutely agree at how amazing it is to share with others the work of God in the world...amazing and humbling. I am thankful that some radical change has come to Svay Pak but plead with Heaven for more too that His Justice would roll down as mighty waters...love to you, friend!

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Laura link
3/2/2012 01:24:13 am

Yay! I am so encouraged! And I am so excited for your upcoming move. I seriously can not wait to hear how it goes. Austin and I plan on going overseas in 5 years or so. 10/40 somewhere but not sure where yet. So I can't wait to hear about the transition for your family. :)

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Laurie Collett link
3/2/2012 01:53:00 am

Excellent post! If we don't flee temptation and run to God's Word, we will be unable to resist the devil. Praying for your speaking engagement -- I'm sure the Holy Spirit will use you mightily!
Love in Him,
Laurie

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Bryan link
3/2/2012 02:03:28 am

Wow. Thanks for this information on Cambodia and for sharing that God is at work there to bring healing to that country.

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Rina Peru link
3/3/2012 04:52:24 pm

Shunning temptation with all our might and running to Jesus instead are really the best things we can do. Temptations come in many forms and disguises. It could be the temptation to gossip, to entertain ill thoughts, to lose one's temper, etc. When we are weak against feelings of envy and covetousness, for example, shall we feast our eyes upon the things of our neighbors', or focus our eyes, minds and hearts upon Jesus?

Thanks for weekly hosting and for this refreshing discussion, Laura!
Rina

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Sadee Schilling link
3/4/2012 05:10:17 am

Laura, I'm so glad I linked up this week! Your post really spoke to me--that part about Samson being "at the point that he didn't care what God thought" struck me as quite a warning. I get so close to that same place sometimes that it scares me.

I'm looking forward to visiting you again and reading more! Thank you for being a blessing,

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Charlotte link
3/4/2012 05:36:02 am

We had a lot of refugees from Cambodia in our last church in California. It was over 20 years ago that we left there. As bad as it was when they left it evidently got much worse. The story of Samson is a wonderful example of how God can use people even when they rebel and go against God's wishes. He (God) will always win in the end. We may not see the end, but He knows exactly when everything will end.
Blessings,
Charlotte

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