It's who You are.

You're a good, good Father. It's who You are. And I am loved by You. It's who I am. 

These words have echoed the minds and hearts of the team this week. Our third week in Indianapolis has proven to be our hardest week yet. With home sickness, physical illness, and spiritual warfare coming into play all at once, we have been weighed down by this world. The battle for the throne of our hearts is raging. The Enemy is feeding lies into our hearts- purposeless, insecurity, guilt, and fear to just name a few. These things are not of God. This week we have been pushed to breaking points and more tears than I can count have been shed. We are under attack. The Enemy is throwing heavy stones, each blow is aimed at our weaknesses in attempt to break our spirits and take our focus off of the calling we have received. Battles that have already been won are rekindling in our hearts. Our failures, our mistakes, our friends, our families, our struggles, and our pride have stabbed like knives this week- each cut seeks to weaken the unbreakable bond between our good, good Father and his children. Everything this week has tried to cause division in our faith family; this week has tried to damaged the body of Christ. 

Thank God we have read the Book and we know we are named victorious by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

We know the Enemy has come to kill, steal and destroy; but Jesus came so we may have life and have it to the full. This morning at church, this verse was referenced and it was said, "Jesus brings life to the full. Not just full of happiness, but full of sorrow." I have never thought of the verse that way even though I have heard it countless times. 

The word "full" is defined two ways; 1) containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space and 2) not lacking or omitting anything; complete. Fullness in Christ is joy in salvation; it is also suffering in this world. Fullness in Christ is love from the Father; it is also love for our enemies. Fullness of Christ is restoration through blood; it is also brokenness by sin. There can be no white without black, no day without night, and no good without bad. 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." -James 1:2-4

Without trials, we cannot and will not be complete. Without tests, we will be lacking. After perseverance through the storms, perfectly we will stand in the Light.

Even though this week has been a constant fight, our team is closer. I give thanks to God for His grace and mercies given abundantly to His children. Our team is learning to carry each other's burdens and patiently love one another. We are learning how to suffer like Christ and extend grace because much grace has been extended to us. And through the rain, both spiritual and physical, we have learned to sing praises to the author and perfecter of our faith. 

Thank God our victory in Christ trumps the schemes of Hell. 

We still have three weeks here in Indianapolis. Honestly, time is passing too quickly. We want to see this city redeemed for Jesus Christ. We also realize we are on a schedule- thank God for being timeless. He was here before us, He is here with us, and He will be here after us. His kingdom work did not start and will not end with us. Thank you Jesus for that! Our team and this city need your prayers. Pray that we may endure trails like Christ and with a child-like faith. Pray for strength when we're weak and opportunities to share Christ. Pray for safety as we travel. Pray for the Enemy to back off. Pray for Jesus Christ to save souls, even if we have nothing to do with it. But most importantly, pray God's will be done in this city. 

With love,
Kelly