My name is Jeremy MacDonald and I am currently on my School of Worship outreach with YWAM in Spain and Hungary. My heart is to serve the people of these countries by providing opportunities where they can be exposed to the life-giving power of the gospel. Through worship and prayer, our teams desire is to 'Declare His praise' as well as serve the church by teaching on the subject of Worship. Join me on my journey and follow what God is revealing to me along the way...

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A Purpose to Go



"For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." 1 Cor 9:16
"...but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts" 1 Thess 2:4

I heard a great message from the church I've been attending here in Montana about missions that I felt would be good to share with you all. The pastor submitted that missions is not some far off journey into a distant land but a responsibility of the local church, boldly stepping out into the community and beyond. It was good to be reminded that we are stewards of the gospel, we have the priceless privilege of bringing hope to peoples lives that they would never find in the world around them. We reach people because God has plan for their lives.

There is this cool story in the bible where Jesus feeds 5000 people with just 2 loaves of bread and two fish. This in itself is amazing but it is interesting to focus in on the small sacrifice of the boy who offered his lunch. This boy was willing to give all that he had to see what Jesus could do with it and was able to see it feed 5000 people! This causes me to look at what seems to be my small life and wonder, What could God do with my sacrifice? What do I have that I could give? We need to stop and remember that the mission is more important than we are. When Jesus uses people miracles happen. He creates opportunities but also creates the provision to meet our needs. He will use any willing vessel to accomplish his work. God has given us everything we need to get the job done.

This message got me excited for our upcoming outreach to Spain, France and Hungary. From the world's perspective this trip just seems foolish. Who are we to think we can bring change with the little bread and fish we have? After being reminded of God's ability to use willing people to accomplish his work I was filled with such an expectation to reach the lost in these countries. The truth is, once its all said and done it comes down to Heaven or Hell. Eternity with God or eternal damnation. I hope that this sobering truth will bring passionate urgency to our lives today.

And because I'm in a Worship school...I wrote a song about it!

A Purpose to Go

Spirit of God make your home in us

anoint us by your grace

give us a sense of purpose

that we may be one


We will go

And we will proclaim the good news

declaring liberty to the captives yeah

and the blind, they will see

not by strength but by your Spirit working in me


"I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" Romans 1:16

Living with purpose

-Jer

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Home in You






Home in You


Psalm 95 - let us worship and bow down..we’re the people of his pastures, the flock he feeds


Verse 1:

Searching in the garden of life for real fruit

caves of lies, dead and dry confuse the truth

for so long in the desert places

endless, lonely empty spaces


Bridge:

I turn around

there You are


Chorus:

I am home where I belong

You beckon me towards Your throne

Jesus I cant believe its true

all i need, true life is found in You


Verse 2:

I need a place where life is real

assurance of living water I can feel

where the road is marked with hope

and courage is abundant in this land


I wrote this song as a contrast from what my life was like when I wasn't walking with the Lord to how my life is now. I think God wanted to remind me how dark it was apart from him so that I might get a refreshed sense of gratitude for how he has transformed me into who I am today. Hoping this lyric will bring a renewed understanding of his goodness in your life today!


"I have been crucified with Christ, It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" Galatians 2:20


Outreach:

I hope everyone is doing well in whatever God has called you to. As you may have already known, my outreach for School of Worship will be spent in France and Hungary. We will be flying to Spain, getting on YWAM sailboat called "Next Wave Ministries" and then sailing on the Mediterranean Sea to the port city Montpelier France where we will be serving churches and teaching the Word of God. After this we will be spending one month in Budapest Hungary where we will be aiding the YWAM base in their various ministries. I am soooo excited for this trip!

I would just like to thank you once again for your prayers and support in allowing me to attend this school. I do have approximately $1200 left to pay in this school so I would just ask if you would pray about continuing partnership in this area of finances.

Please pray:

- intimacy with Jesus

- for focus in the lecture phase of this school

- upcoming outreaches to France and Hungary


Thanks again,

Praying that God will show himself more real in your day to day


'Apart from me you can do nothing' John 15:5


-Jer