righteousness.

“Know this, my beloved brothers; let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Living in a house with eight other people, this is an extremely applicable verse. There is always someone who has something to say, someone who isn't listening, and, often, someone who is angry. I have found all three to be true at times on my part, as well as in those around me during the three weeks we've been here in El Salvador.

It is very difficult to live with a group of people when you are not heard, and tiring to be around someone who constantly speaks but will not listen. It is also almost impossible to live together if someone is very quick to become angry, and these things do not achieve the righteousness of God.
How can we be effective missionaries and servants to the people of this country if we cannot even produce righteousness in our own household?
Today, I will seek to listen intently and speak sparingly, while believing the best in those around me instead of assuming the worst, so that I may be slow to become angry.

“If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and his shame.” Proverbs 18:13

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1

burn.

“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:7-8

This verse about the doubting man reminds me of the situation in Acts 12. Peter was imprisoned, and the church was earnestly praying to God on his behalf. Peter was miraculously freed from prison by an angel in the night. When he realized that he was no longer in chains (for he previously thought that he was merely seeing a vision), Peter went to a house where many people had gathered and were praying. Rhonda, a servant girl, came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” Yet instead of being overjoyed as well, the people who were praying told Rhonda that she was out of her mind. Finally, she convinced them to look themselves, and the Bible says that those who were praying were “astonished” to see Peter at their door.
How often do we same the same mindset? We'll ask the Lord for something, and then be “astonished” when he actually gives it to us. I believe this is what James was talking about when he wrote these two verses. The man that doubts God when he asks for wisdom is double-minded and unstable, for he does not have faith that His Father will answer his prayer.
Throughout Ignite, I have been constantly praying that God would change me, stretch me, mold me, and shape me into who He wants me to be. I have prayed for Him to further break my heart for what breaks His, and make me more like His Son. Overall, my prayer has been that He would set me on fire so that the world may catch the flame, be set ablaze, and glorify our Father who is in Heaven.
Why then, did I not expect to be burned? Did I not think that He would actually answer my prayer and fan the flame in my heart? I do not want to be “unstable in all my ways”. I need to constantly remember that in order to be on fire, it is going to hurt. I will be scorched and burned as a living sacrifice on the altar of my God. However, I will rejoice in His faithfulness to hear my cry, and take courage. For among the flames is a heart that is being further transformed into one like His.

2 Timothy 4:5

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

wisdom&faith.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

This verse speaks of two things that I deeply desire: wisdom and faith. It is vitally important to have both if I am going to accomplish anything with my Jesus for our Father's purposes. God promises to give us wisdom when we ask, but He also says that a man without faith can be easily shaken.
Sometimes I find myself becoming content with the amount of wisdom or faith that I already have, and I stop asking God for more. Yet this state of mind is a dangerous one to be in. If I am content or even complacent with the place that I'm at, I will stop growing and being effective for the Kingdom.
I do not want to waste my life, nor my time here in El Salvador. Therefore, I will daily ask the Lord for more wisdom. I will also continually cry out, as a father did in Mark 9, “I believe; help my unbelief!” For without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Philippians 3:12

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

endurance.

“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4

The Greek word telios is translated as “perfect” when related to a sacrificial animal, meaning that it was fit to be offered as a sacrifice to God. Now, in James, the same word is used to describe us when we “let endurance have its perfect result.” I desire nothing less for my life than for it to be a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord. I am no longer my own, for I have been bought by the precious blood of the only perfect Lamb. I want to be more like my Savior in this, and lay down my own life, as He did, for the purposes of our Father. However, in order to be an offering that is fit for the Lord, I need to have endurance. As seen in the previous two verses, this only comes from hardships and trials. Therefore, I need to persevere through the difficulties so that I may continue to bless my Father's heart.

Here in El Salvador, I will be nothing but ineffective if I am not constantly a blazing sacrifice on the altar of my God. How can I expect to be a blessing to the people of El Salvador if I cannot even bless my own Savior by enduring the most trivial difficulties? Therefore, I will take heart, and look to Him alone for the strength to persevere.

1 Peter 5:10

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

gozo.

“My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3

"Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials."

"Faith that cannot be shaken is a faith that has been shaken.”

I saw these quotes on facebook today, and they both reminded me of these two verses in James. I've been thinking a lot about the testing and hardships I've previously endured that have prepared me for what I am doing now in El Salvador. God truly does see the whole picture, from beginning to end, and graciously prepares me for the road ahead. I also know that I will face many trials while I'm here, but I know my God is just as faithful now as He has been my whole life. The reason I can rejoice in hard times is because they have, and always will, result in great victories and stronger faith for the future. I need to constantly remember this, and rejoice all the more when it gets difficult.

Isaiah 41:10

 "Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your
God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my
victorious right hand."

siervo.

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.” James 1:1

Scholars agree that the same James who wrote this book was also the half-brother of Jesus, which sheds a powerful light on this first verse. James called his own brother Lord, and deemed himself His bond-servant. Who would do that? In the eyes of the world, this makes absolutely no sense. However, James did so because he had a different perspective: he knew he was not only serving man, but God.          
Today, some of the team and I were at La Capilla (church) organizing and cleaning different rooms. A lot of the ways in which we were doing things simply didn't make sense to us. I know that this will happen a lot during the next six months, and I need to have the same mindset as James did. Even though some of what I will be doing will not make sense, I need to keep in mind that I am ultimately serving God. It is His work that I am called here to do. Therefore, I will do all things without grumbling or questioning, that I may be blameless and innocent, a child of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom I shine as a light in the world (Philippians 2:14-15). He is my Lord and I am forever His bond-servant.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

the first day.

El Salvador.
I'm here. Great team. Beautiful house. Pouring Rain. AMAZING GOD.

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15

Today was the first full day, and we had orientation with Trevor, Erika, and Violeta, three overseers of our team. We also went to a few stores.
Tomorrow we will go to El Centro for the first time, which is the main church.
This is the beginning of my life for the next six months. I do not know what my God will do, but it will be far beyond what I can imagine.