Humility and What I Have Been Receiving

Last week’s lecture had everyone asking questions as we explored the topic of spiritual warfare. I knew come basic concepts of spiritual warfare but did not know many details. Our speakers had colorful personalities that made them easy to pay attention to. They were part of the group from Newcastle, Australia that helped to found YWAM Mazatlan in 2004. Since then, they have moved on to other adventures and now live in Colorado with their children. 

What do you think when you hear spiritual warfare? Some of us may think of the Tom Hanks movie Angels and Demons or maybe another thriller. For me, the idea of spiritual warfare triggers my imagination because the battle between good and evil is not always visible. Satan himself was called the father of lies. Jesus is in opposition to him and said that if we know the truth, truth will set us free. Sometimes, we are persuaded to believe things that aren’t necessarily true about ourselves, society, and God. Not knowing the truth can keep us from experiencing freedom and joy in life. Believing truth and destroying these lies is to know Jesus more and experience life more abundantly. 

One way I have been experiencing spiritual warfare this week is by becoming more aware of my own actions and thoughts. I believe one of the ways lies can hold us down is through not knowing who we truly are. One thing I became aware of in particular is that I often don’t think of others. Naturally, I tend to focus on myself instead of others. Jesus made quite the statement when He said in Matthew 20:28 that  He “came to serve and not to be served.”  In Philippians 2, the Bible even says to value others more than ourselves, look to others interests, and take on the same attitude Jesus had. The Bible also says in this same passage that Jesus took on the very nature of a servant even though He was God. Jesus didn’t take people for granted as we sometimes do. For me it starts with being self-aware of my ways and thoughts. This feels impossible, but I know that with God’s help all things are possible and I can grow in this area of my life. Please pray that I will be guided and become more self-aware so I can better love those around me.

 Our  team is leaving September 17th for outreach. We are going to Mexico City for a week before continuing on to the Dominican Republic. I am very excited to go to Mexico City as it is one of the biggest cities in the world and is full of culture. Mexico City also has very low air quality so please be praying that our lungs and respiratory systems will be protected during this time. We will fly out to the Dominican on the 24th and will be there for roughly a month before leaving for Haiti in late October. Our leaders are reaching out to their contacts in the Dominican and Haiti to see how we can make an impact. I am ecstatic for outreach and the opportunities that God will present there. I will keep open ears and an open heart to what is He saying to me while I am there. I am also so thankful to say that my outreach is fully funded. Thank you so much for supporting me financially and in prayer. It has been a true blessing to see how God provides through His people to fulfill His purposes. I trust that God will continue to teach me as I prepare of outreach and as I go into outreach. Please be praying for our team as some of our members are not yet financially provided for. If you would like to help one of my team members please email me at mcdowellisaac2021@gmail.com and I will make sure the money gets to them. Thank you for your prayers and support. 

Love and faith,

Isaac

Birds of the Sky and Lilies of the Field

 Our topic this past week was fear of the Lord. Our speakers were very straightforward and insisted that we take a look at our own shortcomings. Jesus came to earth and set the perfect example of how to live our lives. His humility, character, words, and actions were inspiring and full of love. I enjoy reading about Jesus’ life in the Bible because many times he spoke in a way that left his audience reflecting on his words.  In John 4, while Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman, his disciples went to town for food. When they rejoined Him they urged him to eat because they knew he had been without food. Jesus responds to them by saying “I have food you know nothing about”. They asked each other “could someone else have brought him food”? He overhears them and responds by saying “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to finish His work”. 

This makes me smile a bit because I’m sure the disciples were dumbfounded as to why Jesus was making such a big deal about lunch. Jesus didn’t mean that He literally ingested the will of His father  but that obeying God satisfied him. Jesus listened and obeyed God in every aspect of his life.

Throughout the week I find myself falling short of Jesus’ example quite often as I tend to react in frustration, anger and impatience to those around me and with myself. Life here can be stressful because we have so much to do with what feels like not a lot of time. We are in class almost all day followed by work duties and nightly activities. In the past few weeks we have also been assigned two books read, not including the Bible. This can be overwhelming when trying to maintain relationships with family and friends at home, cultivate relationships with people here and fundraise money. Not to mention eating and getting rest. I am not asking you to feel bad for me but this just context for the rest of the story. Jesus wasn’t anxious for any of these things. He was perfectly calm and present in all situations and was always outsmarting those who questioned his authority. Jesus’ words pertaining to this area of our life were to be like the birds of the sky and lilies of the field. It seems that Jesus wants us to live a carefree life. By carefree I mean free from worldly worries. This does not mean to neglect cultivating and maintaining relationships with the people you love.  Jesus wants us to be free from anxiety and worry so that we can enjoy our lives and be in harmony with those around us. We don’t want to hurt those closest to us but we often do because we don’t know where the negative feelings are coming from. I like that Jesus didn’t respond in emotion but always out of truth and love. I am also so thankful that Jesus came to set an example. 

Jesus’ didn’t respond out of emotion to those who criticized him or attempted to undermine his authority either. He was always calm and able answer them clearly. He didn’t respond in extreme ways but always firmly with grace. When asked about paying taxes He asked whose inscription was on the coin and then said “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s”. Jesus outwitted His opponents with His words and always spoke in truth. The Pharisees couldn’t find evidence to accuse him but hated him nonetheless. They hated him because his message broke their traditions and called for intimate relationship with God. We don’t have to try to interpret the Bible for his words to speak to our heart. We only have to listen. I love reading the gospels and picturing the small details like Jesus and His disciples walking everywhere they went. I like to imagine the different towns they traveled to and how each one was different. I don’t know what Jesus looked like but He had a kind and gentle soul that cared for the lowly and needy. He tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. What I think Jesus was trying to say is that life in Him is the best life anyone can wish for. I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog and will update you with more details later. Thank you for reading and may the God of peace be with you. 

Isaac  

Here are some pictures of the view from the Mazatlan lighthouse