Justin's Devotions

Devo #1

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

[10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

We observe from this verse in 1 Peter that God has designed us specifically and uniquely so that we may go out into the world and each make our own unique impact on Gods kingdom. It says we need to use these gifts that were given to us to serve others. We need to use our gifts the right way and not take advantage of them to please ourselves or others in this temporary, self fulfilling world. We need to be faithful and use these gifts to glorify the Lord and build others up.

This verse is applicable to me especially this week as the main idea of this trip is to SERVE. Looking over my spiritual gifts test, I need to recognize my strengths, weaknesses, and my design in which God has made me to be. That way I can begin to more effectively develop these gifts and strengthen my strengths so that I can make my own unique impact on Gods kingdom. 

Please help us all to develop our hearts for serving others and help us to all be disciplined this week as we begin this experience together. Let us draw closer to each other and through this time let us draw closer to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Devo #2

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

These two verses are talking about serving the Lord because he made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We owe it to him to do our bests to glorify his name and this trip is the perfect opportunity to do so. We must be open to let Jesus enter our hearts and be willing to sacrifice the pleasures of this world in order to fulfill his good purpose. We shouldn't be prideful or arrogant, but we need to have the fear of the lord that will keep us humbled, grateful, and inspired to serve. 

I can apply this to my life by just serving the lord with a mindset that this is not for me, but this is for you, God. Through all the fatigue and aches and pains, we need to push through because Jesus went through so much more in order for us to get to where we are today. 

Devo #3

Philippians 3:8NIV

[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. 

Paul says As we become closer and closer to Jesus, we must realize that we must become less in order for him to become greater. This happens when we begin to cultivate our relationships with the Lord on a deeper, personal level, which is much more than just knowing who Jesus is. Jesus must be put on the forefront of our minds, and in this way we can "gain Christ" and grow in our relationships with him.

This is applicable to this trip. As we serve everyday, we get a taste of what it's like to give away and lose things for the Lord. We've given up our vacation, time, bed, shower, good food, etc in order to serve. But we are still no where close to the level of ultimate sacrifice that we need to be in order to fully "gain Christ." This verse also speaks to me because we are giving out these HE>i wristbands that represent the verse John 3:30. It says that we must DECREASE, in order for Him to INCREASE. Jesus help me with this and help me to consistently have you on the forefront of my mind in everything I do!

Finally In-N-Out. Pretty busy for Burger Place. Why is this place so popular?

Recognized at Angelus Temple

Thurs - prayed over the seats at Angeles Temple. Prayed for Carters gramma and our parents. Powerful testimony at food truck in the afternoon. We have midweek tonight... Ready to worship!

Food truck and construction taught us about serving!

We stripped and mopped floors for days.. Nah seemed like days. Proud of these Iolani going men.

Someone say All You Can Eat Korean BBQ. Hae Jang Chon. We came to serve and eat. #hanahou #gomakana

El FlaminTaco. 2xscheehoo. Late night reward. #meandoots #beanfarts #dcbonding

Pastor Tacos

DC Food Truck - blessed to be a part of this blessing to others.

Settling in to our home for the week

We are at the DreamCenter

Prophetic word from Keane - I keep hearing the memories and the relationships that you build on this trip are more meaningful than the tasks the you will accomplish.  God will do a divine work in binding these young men together to stand apart from the world and to sharpen each other for His kingdom purposes.  

More food :)

Pit stop for dessert at California Donuts

All you can eat Korean. Brenner and leb are hangry

Road to Seoul Restaurant.  I got sick watching them eat.  

On our way! Imua Jesus

Dream Team

We arrived home safely tonight from a week at the LA Dream Center, a week that will be etched on our hearts forever! I know I speak for everyone that we were so humbled to be able to serve in such a small way and were transformed by every waking moment there. There were hundreds and hundreds of faces and eyes that we looked into this week- from the countless homeless men and women we encountered on Skid Row, to the fatherless children left to fend for themselves, to those that did time in jail for the wrong choices they made, to gang bangers roaming the streets looking for acceptance, to the prostitiues that didn't know any other way to make a living, to the heroin addicts living a life spun out of control and the list goes on and on...and what we saw is that at the core they were no different than us, all longing to be loved. It was never about the works we did this week because that isn't what will get us into heaven. What counted this week was Jesus and bringing God's power and light into a dark world, offering hope & seeing communities touched by God and using the Dream Center to become a Holy Spirit center of divine activity. I believe that we saw God do miracles just as He did before, since He has never changed. The only changing that occurred was within us and we are eternally grateful! 

To this Dream Team, no words can truly capture what we all experienced this week and the forever bond that we now share. We went from the WATER to the WILDERNESS to the WATER and now may enter the WILDERNESS like Pastor Brett said...but remember who you are to the core: YOU are loved, YOU are a child of God and He is pleased with Y❤U!!(Robert Madu) You each were courageous enough to go on a spiritual journey that probably shattered every idea you had of this short term mission trip, but you were mighty men and women of prayer and faith, and there was and is no limit to what God will accomplish through you going forward. I'm excited to see the fruit of our labor someday and maybe we never will until we get to heaven but all I know is that I am so proud to have been a part of HIStory and each of your lives that impacted so many. To God be all the glory! 

To the Home Dream Team, we truly believe that we couldn't have done it without you! You may not have been with us physically but we felt your prayers and know that it was the lever that unleashed the power from heaven! Your prayers moved the mountains of fear, shame, offense and every attack that the enemy tried to throw at us but we were not shaken. Instead we experienced love, joy, peace and all the fruits of the Spirit. There was a newfound freedom as we ministered knowing we were covered in prayer, love and support back home. Thank you again from our hearts to yours! 
To our fearless leader Pastor Brett! Wow, wow, wow, I cannot say enough about your leadership on this mission. We couldn't have been blessed with someone more suited than you for THIS exact mission trip and this team. The mantle of leading us was on you and you stepped into that role wholeheartedly, coupled with a lot of love and grace! We 'failed forward' at times but you had us look at it not as a 'failure' but as a stepping stone for success the next time around. You recognized and responded to allow God to shape you into an amazing leader whose faith we desired  to imitate as you answered the call. Thank you Brett for investing in all of our lives and we know that this is just the beginning! 

❤Love all of you, Aunty Di
"For I was hungry and you gave me something eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
~Matthew 25:35
www.dreamcenter.org
#LADreamCenter#wegettoserve