I hate packing. It always seems so daunting, and I spend about a week worrying about what I may forget.

But when it comes to actually doing the task, it’s no problem since I have everything at my disposal…and I wonder why I worried about it in the first place.

10 days worth of clothes? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Bible? Check. Underwear? Double check.

That’s my list of things I’m taking to New Delhi for our mission trip in a few hours. I’m actually pretty excited about this trip just to see what God is going to do. But this has literally been a year long process for me to get to this point.

I started off 2011 by going on my first missions trip ever to Orissa. I went by myself, but before I left I was completely discouraged, confused, unsure, and….worried. 2010 was quite possibly the worst year of my life with so many question marks involving work, school, family, and ministry. There was not one area of my life that wasn’t in utter confusion. All of that culminated into one giant, random (so it seemed), decision to go on a missions trip to Orissa in January.

Determined to make 2011 different, I went. I came back excited about preaching the Gospel, but little did I know that God was prepping me, and my friends, to grow closer to Him through a series of events through the next 12 months. The discouragement turned into encouragement. The troubles of the prior year served as lessons and guardrails for this year. Every so-called trial of the past revealed itself as having a purpose to make us stronger as a unit.

You may have seen our “Give Thanks” video on YouTube that we put up on Thanksgiving Day. We really meant it. This year, and seeing God literally revealing Himself to me through my job, family, friends, and ministry, I can honestly say 2011 has been completely amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. The lesson I learned can be quickly summed up by James 1:2-4 (NASB):

²Â Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

What is this perfect result? I can’t describe it. Am I there yet? No way. But to give you a glimpse, I’d like to share a picture from my trip to India back in January. I went on that trip in an utter state of confusion. But during my time there, I had the chance to go on a “houseboat”.

A houseboat is the Indian version of a…umm…boat with a house attached to it. But this was my view. The moment I sat on that boat, put my feet up on the deck, and stared out into the never ending river, I experienced a peace I’ve never felt before. It was pretty surreal on how I could feel so at home during a time in my life where everything was supposed to be confusing.

That’s God working through your trials. If you approach trials with the faith that He is perfecting a good work in you, it will give you a whole new outlook when challenges come your way.

Are there obstacles in the path of this upcoming trip? Sure. Have I seen discouragement come my way mere days before we leave? Of course. But this time, I expect it. Because I know better. This time, I know there is a reason for the trials. And to be honest, I’m ready to confront them head on because they are going to make us even stronger.

Yeah, I still have to pack. But I’m not worried. I’m actually pretty excited for what’s in store.

‎”Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want, it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life.”- Sadhu Sundar Singh

Sadhu Sundar Singh was a great missionary from India. I really admire this great Man of God! He was a man full of humility and wisdom. This quote really touched my heart..and honestly called me out! We as Christians get caught up in asking God for THINGS..that we forget to give him Glory!..We go to God when we need him..and expect him to help us when we are in trouble…What kind of relationship is that??

Where is the fear of GOD?

When we pray..we shouldn’t just ask God for blessings…but in that special time..between you and God…we must ADMIRE who he is! He is ALPHA & OMEGA!  We need to lift him up..Remind ourselves all of the great things he has done for us..Prayer is a time of not only asking God for things…but admiring him, crying to him, loving him…..

I encourage you all..to set time..to just give him Glory..nothing else…admire who he is…pour your heart to him…Lift his mighty name up…My brothers and sisters..if you do this simple thing..I guarantee you..there will be changes in your life… Your chains will be broken… your walls will be removed…your sickness will be healed…

I can guarantee this…because I have experienced it!

To God be All the Glory, Honor, & Praise 

Joel Varghese