As P4A develops and grows, I will be keeping you posted here on my blog! I will try to get on here as often as possible and give updates about our current activities and what not.
Stay updated, and keep reading The Word!
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Significance. We all want to feel productive, useful, or have an accomplishment of something worthy. But for what? For ourself? For another? For fame? For God? Today at church, we were encouraged by the words of Isaiah 55:8 that speaks about how God's ways are so higher than ours, and our thoughts don't even come close to what He thinks. We learned that God is so worthy, and that as we try to grasp this fact, it gives us an awe of humbling ourselves and puts our lives into perspective.
This week I have been puzzled with the ultimate question of my life, what are you doing? what are you suppose to be doing? What is my significance here, and am I fulfilling that. You see, each of us here is called to something. Now I am not the one to decide for you, or call you out, I can only speak from my personal feelings and convictions, and in due time, I will do just that. But please hear my burden and realization of the subject and take what is real and biblical and apply it to your life.
I must come to the realization that I will never earn the grace God has given me. I will never get it al figured out, I will never be perfect, but what I will be is a warrior that fights with all that I am to see myself become the closest to His perfect will and direction as I can.
I need to be doing His call, and I need to stop being complacent with tat fulfillment. I have everything coming at me, life, work, stress, finances, school, parents, family, friends, all telling me what I should do, and I must make it my goal to not let the things suggested that are not of God get in the way of doing what I'm suppose to do.
Significance means doing that thing that God has destined us to do. Remember, He is a powerful God who does not need us, but desires to use us. And the sin in our life needs to be addressed and taken care of, not slid under the rug and ignore its existence.
I need to stop sitting around doing nothing. I am given this one and only chance to do what He wants me to do, and NOTHING will get in that way. I need to stop making excuses with my own agenda. Because this life is all I get, things are not getting better with me going through the motions of life and feeling sorry for myself.
Significance. it's for those who know they don't have it all figured out. It's not for the prideful, nor those who claim they understand the ways of the land. It's for the servant, the one who comes to Christ by faith. Who knows and has heard the voice of God, and clearly lets the hand of God guide his steps.
I must get out of the rut I'm in and start being the man God has desired me to be. No slacking, no detours, no excuses. Me and God, and when I say that I mean me obeying God, putting Him in that high place and saying, "you are God, I am not, what you do, you do for my benefit so that I may do what it is you want me to do."
Now that I've spoken for myself, does any of this apply to you. Will you be stagnant and let life get to you, or will you rise up to the significance that God is placing in your life, and be willing to take the risk of maybe just once, hearing from God and doing it, without all the strings attached. Try it.
Dear God, please let me be significant, not for my sake, but for your glory. Let me not shake, nor go to my right or to my left off path. But realizing that I have not began to dig into the knowledge of you. That everything that I have learned and experienced does not even come close to that which is known by you. Teach me to always humble myself, to never get haughty, to never be big headed, but to be lowly, obedient, and daring to do what you have said this entire time I should do. I love you and trust it all into your hand, let others I know throw off the sin that so easily entangles them, and me, and run to your open arms, and put complete trust in you. Jesus. Amen.
Posted by Ben Regino on: June 27th, 2010 10:49 PM
It has truly been an awesome last week of ministry. We as a ministry and me personally have been able to accomplish alot which is amazing in itself! Last Tuesday I had the honor of speaking at a Christian Student Group of about 20 students, in Chanhassen, Minnesota. I based my speech off of Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. As Christians, if we want to shine God's love, we MUST be living out these nouns daily. It was an awesome time, and I believe the Holy Spirit fell, and students realized how much more we can be doing, I think it kicked us all in the butt.
One of the most amazing things that happened this week was being able to go with 5 other students from my local youth group, to promote Rock The River at the Aqua-Tennial Fireworks Saturday Night. We gave out nearly 3,000 fliers, and impacted countless families that were there! The response to the festival was great, people were acceptive and friendly. But what was most amazing about the night was the prayer that was put into this very night.
Our group met an hour and a half before we left for downtown, because the Lord really laid on my heart that He wanted this outreach covered in prayer. 7 of us met for prayer in the prayer room at church, which turned out to be an amazing time of connecting with God and being in his presence. What was even MORE amazing was that on Saturday Nights, there is a Latino service at my church, and 9 Latino's came in to pray before service. I had brought my laptop and speakers in for worship, and just assumed we would have the room to ourselves so the music was playing and we were praying. But then they walked in. So I decided that I would play my "Spanish Worship" playlist for them. Which even though none smiled they noticed that we did not want to disrupt them in prayer. With worship being sung in Spanish, these people showed us what it meant to truly worship God. They were kneeling, laying or standing with their hands in the air for a full 20 minutes without even moving. To stay in one position alone was amazing. On top of that, they were crying out to God, bawling, and praying in Spanish for God to move. These men and woman of God showed us in that time how we are suppose to worship!
It got me wondering. Now I know that we cannot do this 24/7, but why has the church in America not learned from other cultures how to worship God. Chinese worship in basements daily Jesus Christ, with the fear of being caught. Latino's are charismatic in their worship, not afraid to worship as they please. Africans dance and sing hymns to the Lord. But we in America go to church every Sunday in the same pew and worship by mouthing or maybe, if we are feeling happy today, a quick side prayer to finish it off. My friend and I were talking about this and she said, "It's because we don't have much to worship for. As Americans we are not very desperate people and don't seem to need God as much as others." BAM! it hit me, God show us how to worship and be thankful. We are a blessed nation because there are still people here who love God. But do we honestly think that our prosperity will last forever? Certainly not!
Lord, forgive us in being selfish in our worship. And for not stepping out to give you praise and lifting you up above anything else. God show us how to worship in everything, whether it be in the car, at church, at work, in the grocery store, or sitting on the couch. May we look forward to the times we have to spend with you, and anticipate what you have to tell us. Rise up our nation into a nation that glorifies you and not just a nation that lives for itself. We love you Lord. Amen
Today spend some time in the word, and see what God wants to speak to you about. Then spend some quality time in worship praising him and giving him honor, because He deserves it from us. You'll find it a joy to grow deeper in Him. I guarantee and dare you!
God Bless,
~Ben
Posted by Ben Regino on: July 26th, 2009 07:01 PM
This very thought has been something that has been on my mind constantly for several weeks. With graduating and moving into the real world, where I have to start paying bills, going to college, looking down the road and planning, it cause one to think, "Will God provide for me?" And this is what I felt the Lord telling me.
God really spoke this clearly to me the past few days, "My child, If I have called you into full time evangelism, which you know I have, why would you even question it. I will provide in every way needed, from finances to your spiritual growth, to your physical strength, if you promise to do exactly what I say." How comforting is that? Friends, this promise was not just for me, but to everyone. If you honestly place your life into his will, and seriously consider stepping outside that comfortable box we sit in for such a long time, think of what the Lord will do with you. I personally long for more of Christ. I can't even picture what he is going to do through my life. I spoke to several people today on this topic. Each one I told them, about how I have not been working very much, but yet I've been volunteering my time, to Rock the River, church, or my own ministry and seeing God glorified through it.
If I'm called to ministry, I must be willing to sacrifice my security blanket of work and a pay-check to advance his kingdom. With god stirring how can I afford not to!?!? This summer is the time to pick up that cross that is dusty in our closets and use them. We have been bestowed so many gifts and blessings, why are they sitting and not being used? We need to be a part of the revolution of the revival that is taking place inside the hearts of the church. Today, randomly, my friend Delana and me, were planning an outreach. First we just started talking, then we realized how much of the same passions we shared, and that we need to go along with what God was calling us to. With all the resources at our hands, no matter our financial situation, we MUST remember that God will call us and provide. Something is stirring. Maybe you didn't hear me? This generation is moving, and more than ever their is an outcry from the lost, who need answers, and we are there to show them God is reaching far down to grab them, and that his blood will never fail them.
I love having conversations with people, when Christians talk and unite, things start to happen, God starts to intervene and we see a fire rise up within each other to show the lost what it means to follow and accept Christ.
YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: Personally go out of your way, and see God move directly in you and through you. Ask him to give you a situation where you must rely on him, and do it. If Christians across the globe start to spontaneously and randomly do things for Christ, think of the HUGE impact we can make!! GO!!!
Love you all :)
~Ben
Posted by Ben Regino on: July 21st, 2009 12:25 AM
Take time right now to relax and think. how often do we do it? In our life, it's so easy to keep moving and going forward. But what if for 10 minutes we pondered on our Jesus. Maybe you haven't done this in awhile, MAYBE never in your lifetime have you considered this man. You think, "who needs him?" or "He's not real". Think about it. As Christians we believe in the Holy Spirit. We believe He talks to us. When i meet those who are skeptical about Jesus, I challenge them to honestly open themselves to Jesus. I dare them to give him a chance. Can we afford not to? His heart cries out to us. He made you. Believe it, the God of this universe MADE you, this thought alone brings me to tears....even this second. God pursues you. He cares so deeply for us, yet because of our free will, which we gladly love, we somehow just don't hear or see it. This late evening I was driving along the warehouse district in downtown Minneapolis, bringing a friend of mine, Bryan home. As I drove, I saw a desperation. People who were doing things they themselves probably never thought they would do. People who were so confused in life, people who regret what they were doing. You could see it glowing from their faces. It brook my heart. Now I have nothing against their choice, God gave us this, we can do what we want, and for that I do not judge or condemn. But I BREAK for them, because I could see many of them be delivered from things they thought they could never could get away from or forget about. The hurt they had, with no where to turn, RUINED me. Jesus, right now is Stretching his hand as far as He can on his own. To embrace us with everything he has, and to show his love and forgiveness on us. We as the light in the world, need to be there for the hurting. Some are ready to meet with Jesus now, and we should not be hiding in our pews, thinking we are okay, and condemning them. But we need to do the exact opposite. be out there for them, bring the Love christ gives to us, in human form. The Bible says that God has prepared in advance our good deeds, so that those who do not know them may see, and praise our Father in heaven. Notice how it doesnt say "your" father, Rather our father. The one who cares for them, all of them. We have an eternity to spend with or without Jesus, why do we worry about the little things, and not simply show that pursuing love that God gives us in every way we can each day. Pray and cry out to God with me, that He would BREAK our hearts for the lost, and literally come through us, to embrace this world. I love you.
~Ben
Posted by Ben Regino on: July 11th, 2009 01:53 AM
I can't believe it's been such a long time since I've posted a blog. Unfortunately this past half year we have not been able to do a lot of stuff. But these past few weeks me and my friends have been preparing to re-launch P4A for the summer, and a few nights ago we did just that. We were able to distribute the Gospel to around 240 homes that evening, and plant seeds. We spend quite some time previously to praying for that neighborhood, and we knew that Satan would try to battle that ground, and we did see that, but I always remember, that God has been victorious and He watches out for us. One person complained about us to the city, because we tossed a gospel onto his driveway, he called the city and said we were littering, and we did get a warning. But friends, even though we probably shouldn't have done that, and I apologized to the man that he felt that way, I see this as Satan just trying to tear us down. He knows that we are out to see people come to know Christ, and through our imperfections God will still be glorified. We pray that if that person was bitter towards the gospel, that Jesus would soften his heart and that he would know the joy it is to have Christ in his life.
Despite that we had tons of fun, and there has been a boost to the site in views because of it. Please pray with us, that God would continue planting those seeds, and that people will really realize how much Jesus cares for them.
Today, I was out and about all day helping promote for Rock the River, a large youth crusade coming up here in August. Zach and I traveled to 9 churches today, and I have 10 more on the list for Monday!!
As I was heading back from my last church of promotion, I saw a church that was having a Yard sale and car wash. I figure I would stop by and just look around, and tell them about Rock The River. Well, luckily they already knew about it! But didn't have any of the promotion supplies. So I was able to drop some off and make connections.
Well, before I left, I figured...what the hey, let them wash my car so I can donate some money. And that turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. For the next hour I was able to sit and talk to 2 of the youth, Matt and Christine, just about different topics. Matt was on fire for the Lord, and was called to be a pastor. It was so fun to sit and talk with them, and just unite as two christian's, because that is the true meaning of the church. I hope that those students there continue to press into God, and I would love to continue building friendships and see God use the gifts He's given them for his glory!
Lastly, we are in the process of becoming a non-profit, and after we make this large step, I have no doubt God will take this ministry EXACTLY where he wants it. I can't wait to start uniting with small town churches, and building relationships with Christian's across the state in seeing their community come to know Christ! Check back next week for another update! Be Blessed and be a Light!!
Posted by Ben Regino on: July 3rd, 2009 07:50 PM
What a great time of the year Minnesota is experiencing. It's melting season! Along with melting comes frozen ice at night, horrible roads (especially our street), and every other winter thing you can imagine. But yet this time of the year is my favorite because you never know what kind of weather you're gonna have from day to day.
I enjoy when God surprises us here in the Midwest, and I hope before the winter season is over, we can enjoy a few more snow falls. But as life gets busy and we start doing more outdoor activities, hanging with friends, shopping because of the great deals, I notice that this is probably one of the biggest times, where we start to fall away from our relationship with Christ. And as Spring rolls in, and eventually summer, I pray that we will all be able to stay strong in our faith, and really pursue good in 2009, more than any other year.
Friends, as I have always said, and will continue to say, God is stirring in our nation. He is bringing back Spirit led worship, he is rising up intercessors, prophets, evangelists, and teachers, and the most crazy thing of all, He is USING the current generation, which is you and me.
We get so caught up in things of this earth, like work, school, our relationships, our leisure activities, and seem to kinda just go for God maybe once a week, when we have that sudden "OOMPH" of passion. But now more than every we are seeing the impact the church can have on this nation. I was recently reading "The Next Wave" By David Wraight, president of Youth For Christ (YFC), and he was quoting "Barna Research" in saying, "there are nearly 20 million young students and adults of the current generation, who are living against the norms, seeking God daily, making it the CENTER of their life, and sharing the Gospel and making disciples." Can you believe it?! And that's just this generation.
What if you could gather all 20 million students together in prayer, worship, and evangelism, and just make our voices heard. Well you know what, WE CAN! Thanks to the internet, our world has shrunk, and we can connect with each other more than ever in our nations history. Guys, when the government and secular world lies and says that Christianity has no part in this nation, that we are a few people in some southern Bible belt state, they are completely wrong. Now these people are not lukewarm Christians, I'm not counting those ones who just go to church, say a few prayers, and go about THEIR business. These people are students, whom God is on their mind daily, and they SEEK to set out and share their testimony with those around them. The power of the secular/liberal media wants nothing to do with us, but how can they ignore the voices of 20 million people! We soon will have our voices heard, and it's taking place right now, with new people being added daily to that number, who are literally "denying" themselves, picking up their cross, and following Jesus Christ. It makes me so excited!
So friends in conclusion, let's commit to being part of this movement, of Biblical, Joel 2 believers, those whom war against darkness and evil, and let's set out to destroy those cultural things, our nation has deemed correct, and let's bring Christ back into the picture. We are winning, and we always will, because we are on the Lord's side. Remember, "He is is in me, is greater than He who is in the world." I'm so excited for the conversations I'm going to have with people, and I know, along with you, that when we humble ourselves and are obedient to his call, He will move in amazing, unthinkable ways.
Be a Light!!!
~Ben
Posted by Ben Regino on: February 17th, 2009 01:26 PM
WELCOME!! Thank you so much for taking the time to look over our Ministry! We believe that in this time, God is stirring a nation of believers to show Christ's unconditional love. God loves this world, wants a relationship with everyone, and wants to pour through us to help this world see Jesus!