Let him follow Me

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 8

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Let him follow Me

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” – John 12:26 (NKJV)

Going through this passage of Scripture ripped open me pretty deep and reminds me of the burden that was laid on my heart before I came to IGNITE.  I had a heaviness and this sense that I was not truly walking out my faith.  Yes, I was what could probably be considered a strong believer, and I had faith, but I wasn’t being very consistent in my daily life.  I still would find myself being borderline mechanical in reading my bible, going to youth group, attending church, and even leading the worship service at church.  I still was learning things, but wasn’t really applying them, except for an occasional item here and there that stuck out to me.  Like I said before, I had a sort of heaviness, even before hearing about IGNITE.  Thinking about it now, here at IGNITE after I have found freedom from it, I believe I was still wrestling with the mindset that I had to “earn” my salvation…I knew in my head that I didn’t have to, but still was walking as if I had to make up for the things I messed up in by doing something better.  I was trying to take more than just responsibility – more like I was, in a sense, in the sacrifice mindset. This wore me out physically, mentally, and spiritually, mainly because I was, once again, trying to do it on my own strength.  And, because it wasn’t working, the realization hit me that I needed to re-evaluate my faith.  The entire passage of John 12:23-28 is very applicable here, as Jesus talks about someone truly committing to Him.  Starting in verse 23: ²³But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”  I wasn’t giving Christ the full glory in my life or letting Him have full control.  Continuing with 24, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”  I wasn’t dying to myself and was still trying to retain parts of other lifestyles that ended up hindering my spiritual productivity.  Onto 25… “²⁵He who loves his live will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”  This one went straight to my core when reading this…So often I cling to worldly material things, selfishly LOVING my life and having the mindset of “I.”  “²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”  This is what I was NOT doing.  My walk wasn’t lining up with my talk, I was acting like two people at times, and I realized that if I am serious about my faith, I will passionately seek after the Lord, following steadily.  A true disciple followed wherever his master went, leaving everything behind, giving full devotion.  The fisherman dropped their nets and followed Jesus.  Verse 27 switches gears a little bit, where Jesus is talking directly to His Father about the future crucifixion, asking that the burden may in any way be removed from Him. He says “²⁷Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?  But for this purpose I came to this hour.” Jesus finishes with the first part of verse 28, “²⁸Father, glorify Your name...” Jesus Christ, with all His power and glory, laid it aside and submitted to the will of His Father for the purpose to save a wretch like me, and give the ultimate glory to God.  This is the key… oh Lord God let this become my prayer – Father glorify Your name.  I want to hear the end of verse 28 – Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Application: Today I will help serve all the meals, and be one of the last people through the meal lines.

Not One Member but Many

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 7

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Not One Member but Many

“¹⁴For in fact the body is not one member but many.  ¹⁵If the foot should say, ‘“Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,”’ is it therefore not of the body?” – 1 Corinthians 12:14-15 (NKJV)

For the first eleven chapters in 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul’s writing is mainly focuses on instructing the church in Corinth in how abiding in the freedom of walking in the Holy Spirit.  This is a freedom from the law, which is the selfish flesh, and once free from the flesh, one can then live under Christ’s law and become an imitator of Him.  Upon reaching chapter 12, Paul begins discussing the topic of spiritual gifts and how through the baptism of the Holy Spirit there is large diversity in the gifts that can be received – each of equal importance in the Spirit.  Paul says this beginning in verses 4-7: “⁴There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  ⁶And there are diversities of activities, the it is the same God who works all in all.  ⁷But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”  Through salvation, I as a believer am now in the body of Christ and apart of His Spirit.  Coming to IGNITE has really given me an excellent physical example of operating in the body of Christ.  Throughout my class, there are many similarities and common threads amongst teammates, which is awesome, but at the same time, we are VERY different.  Each of us has a special skillset and gifting from the Lord.  It has been interesting to watch everyone learn to operate with their personal weaknesses and strengths, and then fit them with those around them.  This has been a huge blessing to me seeing how we are learning to build up and edify one another daily, as well as having people challenge me to use the set of gifts that I have been given to glorify God and esteem others above myself.

Application:  Today, I will write down at least two spiritual gifts and/or characteristics of each of my three roommates, and then discuss it with them this evening.

A Servant to All

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 7

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

A Servant to All

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.”

– 1 Corinthians 9:19

When reading the first part of this verse, the phrase “I am free from all men” stuck out to me, initially not making a lot of sense.  I had to do a fair amount of backtracking in 1 Corinthians to get the context and understand the reason for the Apostle Paul saying this.  My first impression of this was that Paul is talking about slavery, people over people - which in a sense he was, but not in the way I thought it was.  Chapter 8 in 1 Corinthians explains that the slavery in this case is slavery to the worship of idols, where this practice fell under the law, the law of the flesh.  In this setting, there was human slavery…for me it is slavery to my own self and all the fleshly desires that accompanied it.  However, through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, I am now free in Him and not under the rule of my flesh.  Romans 7:4-6 says, “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law though the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.  ⁶But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”  Now that I have freedom of the Lord, I am now to take the step and operate under the true law of love that was set in place with Jesus’s crucifixion.  Paul says this in Romans 7:25 “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”  I can have joy in serving the Lord, with no reservations, regret, or fear of shame in claiming the title “Bondservant of Christ,” and this is affirmed in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

From here I am to serve as Christ served – He is the greatest example of being a servant.  This is seen all throughout His ministry here on earth – even all the way to the cross.  One particular instance that comes to mind, is the night of the Passover meal where Jesus lowers Himself to a bondservant status and washes His disciples’ feet.  The lowest servants were the only people in that culture who washed feet.  If my Savior humbled Himself to that level, then who am I to do anything less than that?

Application: Today I will help the KP team with every meal.

Not Quickly Broken

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 7

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Not Quickly Broken

“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 4:12 is a very, very true verse.  It starts with “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him…” Now I grew up watching a lot of old western movies and TV series, and ironically enough, the series in particular really exemplified this…the main character always had a side-kick!  Roy Rogers had Gabby Hays, the Cisco Kid had Pancho, in Bonanza it was the Cartwright family, and shoot, even the “Lone Ranger” had Tonto!!  Without the side-kicks, (1) these shows wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining, but (2) the heroes wouldn’t be nearly as heroic, and for all we know, they may not be nearly successful.  Granted, the screenwriters could always plot it so they could win, but that’s beside the point.

Biblically speaking, God always works in twos and threes…He Himself is made up of three Persons.  He made Eve from Adam’s rib so she could come beside him, and he could have his arm around her.  The Lord may be working mainly in me, or someone else for that matter, but often He uses a second person to speak into my life, be it from a close friend or a perfect stranger.  “Two can withstand him…” The word ‘him’ can be referring to the devil himself; I believe this is one of the many reasons Jesus told His disciples to go out in twos in Mark 6:7 – “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by tow, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” Two people joined together can stand back to back, but three can operate in a triangle, where you have more sides of protection, but a triangle also has points that can pierce and counterattack.  This is why a “threefold chord is not quickly broken”; two knit souls with God at the head, who can stand against them?

Application:  Today, I will pray, asking Christ first for strength to fully serve Him as the One, true God, and secondly that in His timing He will provide me a true brother that I can be bound to in spirit and soul in Christ.

All Things to All Men

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 7

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

All Things to All Men

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV)

Weakness…that empty, gut feeling a man gets inside at the possibility he isn’t strong enough to do something…

Physically, I’ve always been strong; I’m not terribly buff or “ripped,” but for as long as I can remember I’ve always been accidentally breaking things, or over tightening lids or bolts, and often causing my mom and dad plenty of grief because I wound up doing more damage than improvement.  Mom was always reminding me that I didn’t know my own strength.  Even moving heavy or large objects around generally has come easy to me.  This is not to say that I am by any means the biggest and toughest hombre out there, because I know full well there are lots of other men bigger and stronger than me – I should know, I’ve tried tussling with them, getting hurt in the process!!  So many times though I get puffed up in my own capabilities.  I go through life interacting with people around me as though I am something special, thinking that I am invincible, and often acting that way – trying to be the best at everything.  This mentality is so dangerous, because I elevate myself above others.  Maybe it’s not necessarily elevating myself, but rather a desire to put on a “capable” front and veil my weaknesses.  In a sense, this is a fear of vulnerability.  Yes, I want to minister to people, I want to help them in there need, but I want to do it…me, me, me.  I don’t like being weak or incapable, it hurts my selfish esteem!  Yet what is Paul saying here?  “To the weak I became weak…” Basically, Paul is saying “get over yourself.”  In the fleshy mindset, I’m not all in for the Lord, in other words, because I’m still worrying about my image and what the world thinks of me, not Christ.  This signifies that I may not be completely giving my identity to Him.

Okay, so I give myself up Lord.  I want to win people for You.  How do I do it?  The answer: Become weak.

It is when I am at my weakest that God can manifest Himself the greatest.  My one and only task that Jesus has given me is to follow in everything, NOW!  By following the example of Jesus set during His time here on earth, “I will become all things to all men, so that I by all means save some.” Ultimately, Jesus is all things to all men.  He gave up His crown and glory, and made Himself weak by becoming human.  His time on earth was spent with those who were lost – not condoning the sin, but loving the sinner.  He became vulnerable to those who were vulnerable – all things to all men.  Yet what did I do?  I have laughed and mocked Him along with the rest.  Even back then they didn’t recognize this, and in Luke 7:34 it says “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”  Verse 36 says that He even went and had supper with a Pharisee.  We as humans can be so blind.   So as I follow the Lord, here is my standard, as laid out in Luke 9:23-25 – “²³Then He said to them all, ‘“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  ²⁴For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  ²⁵For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?”’”

Yes sir, Lord, I will take up my cross and follow You, even if it means becoming weak, because He is My Rock and my deliver.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Application:  Today, I will be the first to volunteer for a task during servant time – no matter the job.

Obey Your Parents

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Obey Your Parents

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” – Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20 (NKJV)

“Children, obey your parents…”  that infamous phrase that has come to incur resentment at some point from almost every person during their childhood.  Often times grumbles, growls, and even outright protests closely follow it, especially in this day and age.  We live in a society that constantly supports and even promotes individuality, which has led to a sad consequence of increasing number of people selfishly demanding more and more personal rights.  More specifically, in the home to be independent has become children and teens disregarding, disrespecting, and even full-blown rebellion from their parents.  That all being said, I write with the guilt that cannot say I am exempt from this.  Yes, some cases are more severe and drastic than others, and I fortunately haven’t gone to those measures with my parents, but none the less I still have been plenty disobedient.  I have vivid memories, especially when I was younger, of driving my mother up the wall with my belligerence and hot temper when things didn’t go how I wanted…Actually, come to think of it, I still drive my mother up the wall, but not as frequently or as drastically, and now it’s usually seasoned with a lot more humor!!  During my early teenage years, I didn’t necessarily rebel, but definitely resented my parents’ advice on certain things.  However, the older I get, the more and more I am appreciating the knowledge, advice, and wisdom Mom and Dad instilled in me from my youth.  At this time in my life, as I am beginning to be more on my own and I have more independence, the more crucial I have found it to ask questions and for advice of them in all aspects of life, both spiritual and physical.  Yes, they aren’t perfect, but they do everything possible to help me grow in faith, and they make tremendous sacrifices so that I can live a good life.  Thank you Mom and Dad for “training me up in the way I should go, that when I am old I will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Lately I have been asking myself the same question posed in Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word.”  Well God, You say to obey my parents, because it is pleasing to You.  If I am to worship, honor, and please You Lord it is by respecting, loving, and pleasing my parents with all that I am, as their love is an example of Yours, and through this physical example You have set before me, I can come to know You more.

Application:  The next time I am able to, I will call my parents to first apologize to them for my past misbehavior, and to thank them for bringing me up in the Lord.

Be Submissive

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Be Submissive

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account, let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” – Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)

God allows people to come in authority at specific times to for a reason.  Regardless of how those people use their positions, good or bad, nothing is so out of control that the Lord can’t work everything together for the good of those who love Him.  Often He uses these periods of poor leadership are used to teach believers patience, endurance, and trust in Christ, and history has shown that during greatest turmoil the most expansion of the faith occurs.  I think of the heated presidential campaigns in the U.S., and it is saddening that to see the turmoil our government is in right now.  We have digressed so far from the Biblical foundations our country that was birthed on, that society’s moral standard has become muddied to the point of legalizing the very corruptibility it strove to rid, and it has all been in the name of “freedom and equality.”  The thought that the next president could determine our country’s unity is a disquieting one.  The first segment of Hebrews 13:17 is especially hard to swallow at this time – “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive.”  I am to live in submission to those over me, even if it is against my beliefs and standards.  It is through this, though, by living my life like Christ that the most impact can be made.  The time has come more than ever, for we who are in Christ to rise up and spread the light of salvation, and leading the to the Lords truth!  For myself, I have to remember that as a child of God, my true citizenship is in Him, and I need to view this time as the harvest – and a very ripe one at that.  In Romans 8:37-39, Paul gives an excellent statement regarding this very thing, saying, “³⁷Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  ³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  On a non-political note, I’m very thankful for the leadership here at Ignite and Potter’s Field Ministries.  Hebrews 13:17 is a very accurate statement regarding any true leaders – they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account – and the staff here very much live “watching out” for my soul, of which I’m grateful.  Now I must do as the rest of the verse says by making it a joy for them to operate over me, and I not make any excess grief for them, as it most certainly wouldn’t be any profit to me! 

Application:  Today I will be punctual to all my classes.  Also, during the rest of my time in Ignite I will also do whatever I can to be as little burden possible to ease the load of whoever I’m serving under (currently Austin and the RA’s).

Slave to Obey

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Slave to Obey

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” – Romans 6:16 (NKJV)

I am stubborn…that’s no news flash for anyone who know me.  My flesh is something that, still to this day, does not yield easily to something that’s not its own want or desire.  Often times my selfish nature gets the best of me and I fail to walk according to God’s holy word.  However, I’m not the only one who has struggled with this.  Reading through the book of Exodus reveals this happening with the Israelites also, especially when under the leadership of Moses.  Chapters 19 through 20 in particular say that both because of this and God wanting to sanctify these people to Himself, He established the first written Law through Moses for the people to abide by.  These laws were holy because (obviously) they were from God, which also meant it was not humanly possible to completely obey every law.  No matter how many sacrifices or sin offerings or payments they made, there was no way that they could be fully reconciled to God through the physical realm.  Because of the Law, the people operated as if they couldn’t have direct interaction with God, and unfortunately it somewhat became a reality due to that mindset. Many times I operate in the same way, only in my physical works.  This is why the Gospels exist, because God wanted so much to have a personal relationship with us that He sent His Son, Jesus, down to earth in human form to live a perfect life, die as the sacrifice and payment for the sin of every human, then rise again and remove the barrier of the Law, so that someone like me can fully commune with Him.  But wait a minute, if my sin is all paid for, doesn’t mean I could do anything I want?  In verse 15 Paul poses this same question leading into verse 16: “¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law?  Certainly not!”  Verse 16 continues, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”  Now that I do have direct connection with the Trinity, I want to serve the Lord with everything that I am - to be slave for Him, and no longer to myself.  This is the freedom I now have in Christ under the law He fulfilled.  Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise the simple,” and John 1:17 says, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  Thank you Lord for you saving me from the fleshly law – law of sin!  Yes, I am still tempted, I still slip, and I still fall, but now I don’t have the desire to intentionally commit those sins, but my desire is for You.  Let my prayer be that of Romans 1:17-18, “¹⁷But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  ¹⁸And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Application:  Today I will find a verse that states one of the joys of following and being a slave of the Lord, and write it down and put it somewhere where I can see it every day.

“We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men…”

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

“We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men…”

“²⁹But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘“We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  ³¹Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  ³²And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” – Acts 5:21-32 (NKJV)

“We ought to obey God rather than men…” those are some powerful words!  I soooo wish I could have seen the faces of the of the chief priests and Pharisees who came to arrest Peter and the rest of the apostles, when Peter said that!  My guess is their (the Pharisees) jaws dropped; I know mine would have.  It is ironic, and kind of comical, that such an offense was taken at this statement, because in reality this is what the Pharisees and chief priests’ job description is – ministering, worshiping, and obeying the will of God through His Holy Spirit!  It’s saddening that these religious leaders were so spiritually blind and focused on the religious technicalities that they missed the point of this radical movement of the of God.  Heavenly Father, let Your testimony flow through me, that the people around me witness Your majesty, and that I can witness Your perfect work be manifested.  My citizenship is in heaven, my allegiance is to Christ, that He may fully control my life.  God let me “present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to You.  Let me not be conformed to this world, but that I would be transformed by renewing my mind, that I may prove what is Your good and acceptable and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Application:  Today I will write down in my journal at least five things that I have witnessed the Lord do in my life, past and present, and prayerfully thank Him for His tender mercies.

Learned Obedience

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Learned Obedience

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” – Hebrews 5:8 (NKJV)

To gain a better understanding of what was being discussed in Hebrews 5:8, I wound up working my way through the chapters 3 and 4, where learned obedience to the Lord continued to surface.  Examples of Moses and Joshua were given showing how they learned faithfulness in their walks with God through obedience.  Although the emphasis is on learned obedience, the author of Hebrews also revealed that immediate obedience was equally important and crucial to the Christian walk.  In Genesis 31:1-3, God instructed Jacob to leave for his homeland, which Jacob did, but he delayed his obedience and reaped some unforeseen and painful family consequences because of it.  Reading the author’s comparison of Jesus’s blameless and faithful walk to these examples of biblical Christian patriarchs gave me a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice He made for me.  this discussion and comparison is the base for which Jesus met all the credentials on earth, and the reason why He is called our High Priest.  He is not like any human priest from earth, but one that is blameless, and also one we can have a personal relationship with.  Hebrews 4:14-15 say, “¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold our confession.  ¹⁵For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  This what Hebrews 5:8 is saying– even with all that power, Christ laid it all aside, “Though He was a Son,” and He humbled and submitted Himself and “…learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”  I can’t even put to words what that means personally…Jesus Christ, THE SON OF GOD – Now MY High Priest, passed through the heavens – THE heavens, and came down to this earth in the flesh, so that HE could identify, love, and SYMPATHIZE with some wretch like me!!  My mind can’t fully comprehend that kind of compassion, nor am I supposed to.  If that doesn’t keep me in awe of my all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God, I don’t know what will!  Christ willingly and immediately obeyed, even unto death by a cross; I have no reason not to immediately obey Him with everything that I am. 

Application:  Today, I will ask Sean to keep me accountable that if I am given an extra or unexpected task by an instructor or RA, or if there is a schedule change, I will immediately obey what is asked.

In Your Likeness

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

In Your Likeness

“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”

– Psalm 17:15

In Psalm 17, David constantly praises the Lord’s awesome power along with recalling and reminding God of all the times He (God) has saved him from many perils over the years, all to the glory of the Lord.  Throughout the chapter David turns to the Lord asking, calling out, and even imploring God to continue bestowing His loving protection on him in the trials he was going through.  In verses 5 – 9, David says, “⁵Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.  ⁶I have called upon You, for You will hear me O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.  ⁷Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them.  ⁸Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, ⁹from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me.”  Constantly I need to be reminded of this reliance on the Lord, daily asking “⁵Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.”  This is humbling, admitting that I can’t do anything without Him, and that it’s on His paths that I’m walking, and not my own.  I can only ask that my footsteps won’t slip!!  Oh that I would have a faith and peace like that of David.  Of anyone to live on earth, he (and Job) had the right to be angry at God for the things he went through in his lifetime – being chased by King Saul and a hand selected elite army, running and hiding for his life through that, a son later on rebelling against him, and the list can go on!  He very easily could have just quit and denied his faith, and blamed everything on God.  Yet throughout all of this turmoil, David still is in awe of the Lord, finding comfort and peace in Him – an un-tainted view of God’s unwavering majesty and all of His creation, as seen in verse 15, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”  No matter what my situation, mood, or actions – good or bad – I have reason to be content and joyful, and to worship Christ: I’m created in His likeness!  David crafted these words in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”  What else needs to be said?

Application:  Today, I will remind and encourage at least two people that they are made in the likeness of God by listing three of their best character traits.

In the State I Am

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

In the State I Am

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

I love Paul’s writings, and how the Lord used him not just as a direct influence during that time period, but also today – to me!!  It is sad to see our world, particularly the United States, has come to live in a very discontent mindset – always having to have the newest, biggest, and baddest piece of technology, the best car, the biggest house, coolest clothing, and even popularity and social status.  Not that any of this is new, it is part of our sinful nature after the Fall, but it seems that in recent years it has become even more prevalent.  I will be the first to admit that I can get very caught up in material things – I’d love to have a big ¾ or 1-ton Dodge Ram pickup truck with a Cummins engine, or a really good roping horse, or a new pair of cowboy boots…any of those would be amazing, I’m not going to lie!  But the message that Paul is relaying is that those are not things I need; as much as my selfish nature hates to admit it, I can live without those things – they are wants.  Psalms 23:1 states very clearly the only thing I really need – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  Why do I need to worry, even about my basic bodily needs?  The Lord is everything!! 

As I initially read the Philippians 4:11, the phrase “in whatever state I am” caught my attention, and the first thing that came to mind was the United States.  I got to thinking about it, and with the recent commissioning of my IGNITE class, it hit me that I’m not only going back to the United States, but back to my very home state!!  Talk about a literal translation of the verse.  This is a huge lesson for me, because there was a time I was almost to the point of rejection at the thought of being stationed in Browning.  I wasn’t content with it, I wanted to get out and see the world!  Well the Lord sure changed that in a hurry.  He has really been challenging and convicting me in my commitment to IGNITE: He asked me, “When you said you were going to follow Me, did you really mean the ends of the earth?” Apparently I didn’t include Browning, Montana, when I said that.  I am at genuine piece now, and am getting really excited to see what the Lord has in store!  In the meantime, however, I need to not be so focused on getting ready for Browning that I miss out on my time here in Guatemala.  “In whatever state (or country) I am in, I am content” because the Jesus Christ is my All in All.

Application:  Today I will not wear my watch, so that I will not be rushing through the day and miss opportunities to continue building relationships with the people around me, and to help prevent me possibly quenching the Holy Spirit’s leading in a situation.

Be Content

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Be Content

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, ‘“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”’ – Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

“Let your conduct be without covetousness…” That by itself is a heavy topic, and just this section could be talked about for a week-long period!  First the conduct; I will be the first to admit that I don’t usually conduct myself very well in many various occasions.  Fortunately, our God provides the His standard via the apostle Paul, who lays this out very clearly in Ephesians 4:1-3 “I, therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  It doesn’t get much more clear than that, and as I mentioned before – it’s not an easy load!  But just as James 1:2&4 say, we are to “…count it all joy when we fall into various trials…that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  My walk with Christ is to be light!!  Now to tackle covetousness…this is a characteristic that has become part of the human nature since the fall of Adam and Eve, and it will continue to plague the us until Christ returns and bestows on us eternal bodies.  With it only being a day after the announcements of the teams and locations for our IGNITE field time, this is definitely a time that I could find myself walking in covetousness – envying others, be it location, teammates, or who knows what!  However, the verse continues and straightens that thought out right away – “be content with such things as you have!!”  And just to clarify, I can assure you I am not in the least bit disappointed in the decisions made – I’m enthralled to see what the Lord will do!  That being said though, what I have right now at this moment is the city of Antigua, Guatemala, and the Lord has placed me here to do His work and give to these people the gift He has given me – eternal life with Him.  Yes, this can be a difficult, and I often am scared of exposing my faith along with being nervous of embarrassing myself while crossing the language barrier.  But God.  That phrase…It always cuts me, because I forget God so easily; it also makes me chuckle at myself as I realize His power and ask – why am I afraid?  Of what am I scared of?  The end of the verse states it plainly, “For He Himself has said, ‘“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  I will be content in the Lord.  Joshua 1:9 and 1 Chronicles 28:10&20 come to mind where He reinforces this to me; all three verses say “Be Strong” and two of them also affirm that God will “never leave nor forsake” me.  And when it comes to being a witness, I can listen to David’s words to Solomon at the end of 1 Chronicles 28:10 “…be strong, and do it.”  It doesn’t get much more straight forward than that!

Application:  Today, I will set aside some time dedicated to learning and practicing Spanish (reading my notes and books, then ask to practice with Josh and/or Jack) so I’m better prepared the next time the Lord presents an opportunity to witness. 

A Soldier’s Wages

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

A Soldier’s Wages

“¹⁴Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”  So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” – Luke 3:14 (NKJV)

Luke chapter 3 ushers in the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry before Jesus really comes on the seen in the gospel.  The text leading up to verse 14 reveals that John had a powerful impact on people during his short period of ministry, and it was drawing in not only the common folk of the day, but also people like the tax collectors and soldiers.  I find it interesting that the Lord used John to speak to the soldiers in particular, because normally soldiers either wouldn’t really interact with the public like this, or they mostly wouldn’t be interested; they focused on doing their job.  The fact that the soldiers were curious and asking about the faith and what their actions should be, attests to the movement of the Holy Spirit.  John’s reply to them spoke to me from the perspective of being a soldier for Christ.  I can ask the same question as they did, “And what shall ‘I’ do?” and the answer can be the same.  The first one – do not intimidate anyone; I often get puffed up with pride that I’m a Christian, going around judging people for their sins.  I elevate myself above others, which intimidates and pushes them away from the faith…not a good thing!!  Jesus didn’t even do that when He was here on earth, but humbled Himself and met the people at their level, loving them for who they were (Philippians 2:7).  Secondly – not falsely accusing.  Oh boy…this is a tough one for me; so many times I am ready to jump to conclusions without first getting all the details, and I wind up blaming and judging someone for something they didn’t do.  God is the One Judge, and I am only to be a vessel for Him to use as He sees fit.  The last one – be content with your wages – is incredibly powerful.  The Lord never said that being His soldier would be easy, or that physical payment/wages were in the picture.  As His soldier, I am to be content and trust in His provision, and that the battles that I’m stationed in are ultimately for the betterment of God’s kingdom.

Application:  Today, I will be quick to listen and not to judge (or accuse) others of their thoughts or actions.  I will also be diligent with the tasks that are set before me now, and not back off until the job is finished.

Godliness with Contentment

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Godliness with Contentment

“⁶Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  ⁸And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”

– 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)

God brought me into this world in my nothings in, and I most certainly can’t take anything with me from this world, except my relationship with God.  The only difference between birth and death is that I have the choice to change where I’m going after death – heaven or hell.  I’m glad I can in boast in Jesus Christ, and that I have made the choice of eternal life.  Eternal life in itself is “great gain,” but it doesn’t just stop there.  I am to strive to attain that “godliness with contentment” by being content with where God has me and walking in His way and trusting His provision.  As it’s been said many times throughout this IGNITE training – the Lord doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.  He uses situations to tune me to His will.  It happened that as I was writing this IBS, the song Taking My Time, by Charlie Peacock, came on.  The Lord confirmed through this song is exactly what this verse is talking about.  The lyrics go something like this: 

The world is turning, telling me to hurry on, you gotta run to get ahead, and try to take the things you want; but when the sun begins to set, there’s so many things I haven’t done yet

Chorus – Oh but I won’t worry ‘cause there’s no hurry, the world’s not passing me by; because the Lord He knows just where each day goes, and I know He won’t leave me behind.  And I won’t be bringing a single thing that my heart can’t carry inside; ‘cause I’m going Home and I’m only taking my time

The weight of worry is never worth the price of a world of treasures that can never satisfy.  But I know heaven is up ahead, where the best is yet to come

Wow… “and I won’t be bringing a single thing that my heart can’t carry inside…” The things of this world are temporary, not eternal.  I don’t need to be chasing after more than what I need.  The disciples were a perfect example of that. Yes, there were several times they were hungry, but they were being fed by their relationship with the eternal bread of life – Jesus.  If that is the only thing I can carry in my heart from this life, then I better do everything I can to be eating on that Bread!  But Jesus didn’t just feed His disciples, He spread the food out among all that truly sought after Him, also commanding all His disciples to do the same.  If I am to be a disciple, I must eat, then pass it on.

Application: Today, I will talk to two of my class mates about the scripture I read in my devotions, and then ask them how the Lord spoke to them in theirs.

Faith and Patience Inherit the Promises

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 4

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Faith and Patience Inherit the Promises

“That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” – Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV)

I am lazy.  I’ll be flat out honest.  It seems like it doesn’t matter what it may be, I kind of like to go at my own pace – usually that of which is the most comfortable or convenient for me and where I’m not over-exerting myself.  It’s ironic that this particular verse comes up at this time, as it correlates with the topic of “comfort” in the Christian faith has been a main theme in studies lately.  Must mean the Holy Spirit is trying to tell me something!!  The author of Hebrews commends his readers starting in Hebrews 6:9, first praising their faithful walks in Christ and assuring that God will not abandon them in their committed ministry to needs of the people through Him.  However, verse 11 then warns and encourages them to not slack off in their work, but for each individual to continue to display “the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.”  Wow, how many times have I pushed through to the end??  Not enough times, I am ashamed to say.  Yes, I can be a hard worker, but that’s usually only in the physical realm where I’m operating in my own strength.  How often am I diligent in the spiritual realm?  Am I imitating “those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” such as Abraham (referred to in verse 13), Isaac, Jacob, Moses, or Joshua?  These men all had great faith, and each one in the end did inherit the eternal promise.

Application: Tonight I will read the faith profiles in Hebrews 11, and write down in my journal 3 common characteristics of these people, and then practice those characteristics tomorrow.

I Shall Not Be Moved

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 4

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

I Shall Not Be Moved

“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” – Psalm 16:8 (NKJV)

Last night was so hard God…Why were we separated and categorized in that game?  I feel like it introduced barriers that shouldn’t be there.  I’m find with where I was at, but I felt like we were being compared to on another based on our actions. I can’t be comparing people, and I now feel like I’m watching people!  God!  Why?  Why am I setting this before you, as more of a focus?  David says in Psalm 16:8, “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”  Lord Jesus, I’m not only being moved right now, I’M BEING SHAKEN!! I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it, when it’s all about You, Jesus.  For the thing I’ve made it…IBS…God this is only between You and me, I realize that now.  I thought I understood Lord, but I am a fool.  My fleshly wisdom is nothing.  I’m sorry for making this so mechanical God – I don’t know why I did!  Jesus, I feel so much like David right now – He has said word for word what I’m feeling!

Psalm 27:7-9, “⁷Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!  Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.  ⁸When You said, ‘“Seek My face,”’ my heart said to You, ‘“Your face, Lord, I will seek.”’  ⁹Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.”

Psalm 25: 16-18, “¹⁶Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.  ¹⁷The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses!  ¹⁸Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.”

Psalm 26:2, “²Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.”

Psalm 25:4-5, “⁴Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.  ⁵Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”

Thank you Lord for who You are! You reveal Yourself mysteriously! 

This Is My Commitment

Psalm 31:1 & 5, “¹IN You. O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed…⁵Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”

Psalm 18:1-3, “¹I WILL love You, O Lord, my strength. ² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  ³ I will call upon the Lord, who is worth to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 27:1-3, “¹The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? ² When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. ³ Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me in this I will be confident.”

Hallelujah!! God is so good to me!  My heart shall praise Him in the words of David and Paul on a personal level…

(Psalm) “⁵Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?  (Romans) “…in all these things ‘I’ am more than a conquerer through Him who loved ‘me.’  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate ‘me’ from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus ‘my’ Lord.”  (Psalms) “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” – Psalm 42:5, Romans 8:37-39)

The Lord is releasing me from my anxieties, worries, and self.  There has been a war – me against God – tearing me apart.  I surrender…I’m broken and tired…Here is what’s left of my life.  I am willing.  All I can say is Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”  Let this be my life.

Psalm 16:8, “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand

                                    I SHALL NOT BE MOVED.”

Application: I am going to fast, starting today, Thursday, February 4, 2016, and devote my meal times to prayer and time with the Lord until Sunday, February 7, 2016.  The Lord will feed me, He is my strength.

God, You are my axis which I pivot on, the ultimate reward that I am running towards, you are the armor of my life, the very breathe that is life. 

In all honesty I am scared of these IBS’s, and I don’t know why am I afraid of failing, when there is nothing to fail?  I always seek the approval of my actions and work from men instead of working for the God?  I just realized how stupid I have been. Yeah I knew the Lord was there but I never let Him have control.  2013 shooting sports, I came into the competition quite literally thinking I was the best in the project, thinking I was the initial When the Lord is my central focus, nothing can separate me from Him.

I am being moved in everything in my life right now, which to means I don’t have Him as the very core of my being…God is moving…God take these away from me, I can’t do it anymore.

“¹ I WILL love You, O Lord, my strength. ² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  ³ I will call upon the Lord, who is worth to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” – Psalm 18:1-3 (NKJV)

Strengthened With All Might

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 4

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Strengthened With All Might

“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;” – Colossians 1:11 (NKJV)

The apostle Paul and Timothy start off this letter to the church of Colossi with thankful praise to God after hearing a good report of the faith and love that was beginning to flourish from the Colossians, and also to encourage the church with their unceasing prayer (Colossians 1:3-4).  Paul continues this in verses 9 and 10, asking that the Lord that the church would be “filled with wisdom and spiritual understanding, walk worthy of the Lord, fruitful in every good work and increased in the knowledge of God,” which leads into verse 11, “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” What a powerful prayer!  This is incredibly encouraging to me because this prayer can not only be used as a prayer for others, but also as a personal prayer and as an excellent standard to base my walk with God in.  This is still a very needed prayer, perhaps even more so today, as church persecution, wars, terrorism, and political turmoil is running rampant across the world.  Verse 11 revealed that by being patient for God’s timing, with longsuffering throughout trials, He will give me joy in the current circumstance that glorifies to His power.  God never abandons me, just as Joshua told the Israelites in Joshua 1:9“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Only by falling back on Him can I draw strength and joy to endure.  And with that joy, I need to then spread it to others here on earth, and lift them up with the same diligence and encouragement of Paul and Timothy, praying without ceasing.

Application: Today, I will find a chapter in the Bible on joy and write it down in my journal.  Tonight, I will also pray for each one of my fellow interns the prayer in Colossians 1:9-12.

Patient Possession

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 4

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Patient Possession

 “By your patience possess your souls” - Luke 21:19 (NKJV)

Patience is by far not one of my strongest suites, and I’ve frequently gotten frustrated over the smallest of details and lost my temper for no valid reason.  Seems like it didn’t really matter what the situation was, be it interacting with my brothers, doing a school project, or working with my livestock at home, I was (and still am) always stressing about details.  I constantly forget to step back and look at the big picture and what really matters.  Reading Luke 21:19 truly puts it perspective – nothing in this life is worth getting so angry, frustrated, or even distracted with, that it effects my soul and relationship with God.  When I let anger consume me, I’m playing right into the devil’s hand, where I’m not bearing godly fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).  Basically, I can only possess my soul through patience.  When thinking about this, memories of riding my show horse come to mind. There were numerous times I got frustrated when my horse would fight me because she didn’t understand the cues I’d give.  This was one of the best ways I began to learn patience, because the more uptight I got, the more uptight my horse got.  However, by stopping and evaluating what the root of the problem was (often times it was me) and then practicing the correction, I was then able to better guide the horse, creating more patience and trust between us.  James 3:3 talks about this – “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.”  That being said, I need to learn to not resist the pressure of challenges (the bit) God allows me to go through because His hands are on the reins guiding my life.  James 1:2-4 sums this up very well: “²My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  So by prayerfully seeking God’s will and letting Him guide my life through all situations, He will bestow on me the patience to not make rash mistakes and jeopardize my walk with Him.

Application: Tonight in my journal, I will make a basic list of current struggles, and then make a second list of things I am joyful about in my life and thank God for those blessings.

Unceasing Prayer

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 4

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Unceasing Prayer

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” - Colossians 1:9

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you…” As Paul and Timothy were writing this to the fellow believers in Colossi, they were rejoicing that to hear that they continued in their faith and loved all the saints. (Colossians 1:4) Paul and Timothy also wanted to encourage them to continue in that as the true battle is not here on earth, as Paul say - “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Because the actual battle is out of our realm, the phrase in Colossians 1:9 “do not cease to pray…” took on a whole new depth of meaning to me as I realized that there is also a sense of earnesty in that statement when viewed with the Ephesians perspective.  The devil is always on the prowl to do damage in whatever way he can, and will stop at nothing to bring Christians down, be it mental, spiritual, or physical.  I had to ask myself how many times has someone asked me to pray for them, and I’ve maybe prayed once, but then ceased?  Unfortunately, I can’t even number them.  However, this made me appreciate even more that no matter how many times I have been unfaithful here on earth with those around me, God is still God and He is faithful in His mercy, grace, and love for me.  He is also “My lovingkindness, and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge…” (Psalm 144:2a) That being said, God is the only one who can fight my battles and those of others, but only if I allow and ask Him through prayer, believing with faith. (Matthew 21:21-22) Paul counted it a joy to pray for those walking in faith, and asked for God to fill each and every one of them “with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”  This is the challenge for me.

Application:  Today I will pray for each of my individual fellow interns – that God will fill them all “with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”