Faith: Complete trust. Confidence. Hope. Heb. 11:1

“For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” ((Proverbs 8:35-36)) So glad I serve a God who loves to be found, who doesn’t hide Himself from us but always extends a hand. I am in awe of His grace & mercy that never runs out on me. I love that it’s our choice to find Him, that He doesn’t push Himself on us, but allows us to choose. No matter where we are in life, on the highest mountain top, or the deepest valley, His love never changes. It never fades away. Whenever I am with Him I realize that I am always in desperate need of Him. Where would I be without Jesus? Without His death on a cross? Without His presence always surrounding me? I consider myself the way Paul did in Ephesians 3:8, I am the least, but in Gods greatness He has equipped me to preach to those who need Him.

Everytime I begin to make an excuse for why “I don’t have time” or I’m “Too tired” to spend time with Jesus, I remind myself, He made no excuses on the cross.

Just because we say we’re fearless doesn’t mean we don’t struggle with fear, or that it doesn’t rear it’s ugly head on a daily basis. Instead, we’ve turned our fears into a desperate cry for God to reveal Himself to us, in return we have the product of faith. Faith that doesn’t give us the confidence to simply “believe” He will see us through this new adventure, but have an assurance and understanding that if His Word says we don’t need to fear, He’s not only with us, but is our Guide, Provider, Provision, our source of confidence, and He is where our help comes from, then our fears become less of the battle and more of our reward. We no longer see our obstacles as hinderances but as a way to see God move miraculously than if it were handed to us. Beginning a new journey doesn’t mean that I, or we have a better call or stronger anointing, but that our paths look different in the same race towards the ultimate prize.
However, It would be silly of me to say that I have it all together and never worry about the future, how my bills will get paid, or even if the God given dreams inside of me will unfold like He’s promised. It’s something I think and pray about daily. I have to cast my daily cares onto the feet of Jesus. Although knowing all of the things I’ve said above are true, it’s a reminder I must renew every morning.
The grip of fear can persuade me to stay stagnant, hinder the pace in which God has prepared for me to excel, and discredit who I am in return leaving me trapped in insecurity. But I will go boldly, each step in humility, knowing that on my own, what I can do out of my will, doesn’t compare to His will, at the cost of surrendering everything.
In the end the steps I’ve taken are not in vain, but are propelling me towards the future, always keeping me conscious that His plans are perfect and unfailing, and no matter what, I am child of God, being called is a gift I receive for knowing that He loves me. The things I do are only to bring the love, joy, and hope that I have to a world that is blinded to what’s right in front of them. So it’s not about the amount in dollar signs I have in my bank account, the number of people who “like” me or call me friend, what I’ve done with what I’ve been given, or the places I’ve traveled. Genuinely, it’s the eternal prize of knowing I am accepted and loved by my Father and the crown of jewels for all those things that I will effortlessly lay at His feet.
You are Fearless, I am Fearless, let’s go boldly into the land that He’s given us. #fearless

All are called, few choose the journey. He knows the way, yet I take the reigns. When I knew I was called I had the choice to walk it His way, or figure it out my way. You have the same choice. Jeremiah 29:11 #hiswaysarehigher

At times like these where all of us must face hardship, I realize more and more how thankful and vital a relationship with God is. I didn’t say a religion with God, or a few short conversations with God, or even just my requests every time I need something, I purposely said a relationship. If you don’t know what I mean, keep reading..

As some may know, and some may not, this will be applicable for anyone going through a hard time, or know what it’s like. In the last few weeks my faith has been tested to the extreme and in ways I never thought possible. Through it all I’ve realized this, that at any moment, whether you feel content and comfortable, or vulnerable, tests and trials come without our permission. More than anything the one thing that I can take away from what I would call “the lowest of my lows” and most definitely my “darkest hour” would be this, I am so grateful for the time that I’ve spent with God. In my alone time, the time specifically set apart every day for more of Him, for the days that I’ve spent hours just in His presence, in His Word, and listening to His soft whisper, because it is in those times, and only in those times where I’ve learned the character of who MY God is. He’s not small, limited, distant, or angry, but He’s BIG, LIMITLESS, NEAR TO ME, and IN LOVE WITH ME, despite all that I’ve done, thought, and even didn’t do.

If it weren’t for those times when I got to know His character then it would be easy for me to blame God because He’s “supposed to be able to” do all things, know all things, and could change anything. And although all those things are true about Him, I also know that He doesn’t set us up for failure, make our lives miserable, and let’s us go through what we go through because He knows the outcome, the circumstance, and product of our trials. [Romans 8:28] I would be unable to KNOW without a doubt that God is faithful if it weren’t for an established relationship. Not a relationship consisting of “I have to’s” a few short coffee dates to “catch up” or a “hey can you do me a favor” and never return it. It isn’t a result of how many rules did I follow or break, it’s the result of a small knowledge of who God is and everyday exploration of what more I can learn. 

Now I wouldn’t say that I enjoy what I’m going through, I completely hate it and wish it away everyday, but I’ve learned to face my reality and learn as I go. With that mindset, I’ve learned more about God, leaned upon His shoulder, cried tears of heartache, and experienced pain I’ve never felt. I’ve been angry, upset, frustrated, and bitter, and I’ve let God know every emotion. As I let it out, He changes my heart. I can wholeheartedly say that I’ve gone through hatred into feeling love and compassion, being angry to blessing and not cursing, being upset and letting it all go. I’ve learned to live out one of my favorite verses, James 1:2-3 I consider it pure joy that the trials I have faced have tested my faith and developed perseverance I never knew I had. I have an established trust in God, a trust that can’t be shaken, a knew revelation of what it means to have faith, even if it doesn’t go my way, and not only to rely on what I understand but accept those things that I’ll never understand. 

I firmly believe that God is in everything, working in everything, and restoring as He goes. He is a good God, and nothing evil or treacherous can come from Him. It’s not always easy, but something I’ve always clung to is that it will be worth it. 

His love is unfailing, it chases after you, no matter how far lost you think you are, or even how close you think you are, His love will always show you your next step. It’s in His love and grace that I’ve found myself hiding, because outside of it I’m a mess. A worrier, someone who is bitter and unforgiving, angry and downright heartless, but I find in Him that I’m none of those things, because when I get next to Him, I become more like Him. Worry turns into faith, bitterness begins to fade, unforgiveness reminds me of what I deserve, anger turns into joy, and my heartlessness teaches me how to love that much more. It’s a choice every person must make and my prayer is you don’t choose the wrong one. I couldn’t imagine my life without my Saviour. You don’t need to be alone, feel alone, or stay alone.. He’s always with you, call upon Him.

In this time if I’ve learned nothing else, which I assure you isn’t the case, as you’ve read, but it’s that the power of prayer carries such a heavy weight. What has gotten me through is prayer, and I would love nothing more than to pray for and with anyone in need of anything. Please don’t hesitate to message me, facebook me, email me (vickinyberg@gmail.com) or text me. I will stand by you through your situation, and when I can’t, HE WILL.

"The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession."

Psalm 2:7-8

Looking back at this past week, I couldn’t tell you in the right words, or express my true feelings and emotions to let you all in on how I’m doing, or how it was being able to minister to the people of Haiti. One of the hardest questions I’ve faced is the one question most asked, “How was it?!” It’s the truth when I say that it was good, God did amazing things. Lives were changed, saved, and rededicated to the Lord. People were healed left and right, miracles were poured out on these people. Demons fled and were casted out, people were baptized with the Holy Spirit, and worship was set on fire. It was amazing. The Holy Spirit unleashed His anointing, power, and love to the point were mere words couldn’t express all that went on. But even with all that said, it wouldn’t suffice for what really happened, and you wouldn’t believe me unless you were there.

Never in my life have I ever felt the way I did when I was sitting on the bus in downtown Port eu Prince, snapping pictures of the devastation, while it poured down rivers of rain, and suddenly breaking out into tears. I was overwhelmed with grief and compassion. They were angry, depressed, and had given up hope. And yet, there I was snapping pictures of their lives. I couldn’t do it. I put down my camera and just cried. I didn’t want to take home memories of what I saw because it made my skin crawl, it made my stomach sick, and every time those sights play back in my mind, I can’t help but cry. It felt as though I was on the set of the next big movie, it didn’t seem real. I began to see their world as they saw it and it weighed heavily on my heart. The more and more I looked around the less hope I saw in peoples eyes. They were crushed, broken, and living in despair. I would look to my left and see tent camps that stretched out for miles, but had the most amazing backdrop I’ve ever witnessed. Mountains that were lush and green, clouds that filled the sky, and lightning storms that put ours to shame. Then, to my right, homes that had been destroyed, jobs that were ruined by rubble, umbrellas that protected all of these peoples possessions and livelihoods, and people standing in the pouring rain because they had no shelter. It broke me, it messed me up.

The more I saw, all that much more compassion filled my heart, and I started to believe for them. My faith was stretched, pushed, and challenged, but out of those it grew. Not just in the things I could find and offer to them, but for those things that were written in Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” For those who were crushed I remembered, Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” And those who were desperate for hope, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

These people were beautiful people, from the outside in. The had captured my heart in ways I never expected. Everyday I miss them, each day I think and pray for them, and I will forever have a special place in my heart for the Haitians. They are natural born worshipers. They go beyond themselves and seek the presence of God without ceasing. I thought our youth services were insane until I met 80 years olds that would jump higher, sing louder, and dance crazier than junior highers. They sing with such passion, dance with endless amounts of joy, and praise God with their entire heart. It was beautiful. They were hungry for more of God, and it was obvious. It must have been our third day into the festival when we found out that ever since the earthquake, when these 47,000 people were moved out of their homes and into refugee camps, hadn’t had a church service. 10 months has gone by without a single service taking place. Thinking about it in terms that I could relate to, if every church in America decided to shut down for that period of time, how many “Christians” would still be active in their faith. Not to my surprise, I thought to myself, not too many. So it was no wonder why these people would withstand the pouring rain, far walks, and late nights, They were desperate for God. And when there is a desperate cry for help, God shows up.

So to get back to the original question, “How was it?!” It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. To watch God in action was a privileged that I’m not worthy of, but blessed enough to have been a part of. But now to be honest, I don’t know how to cope. I don’t feel like I’m back yet. Physically I’m home, but I left a part of me there and when I woke up this morning I couldn’t believe I was home. My heart aches to be back with them, not out of pity for what they’ve gone through, but because they are my family now. I feel like its where I belong. So for me it’s weird because I can’t go back to the way things were and used to be.. I just can’t. So I’m sorry to those who expect me to be the same, but I’ve been changed, I can’t erase from my memory what I saw God do in peoples lives, and the impact it had on me. So this is my apology for those people whom I might offend because I’m tired of living  an “average” lifestyle.

“And His Name will be the hope of all the world.” -Matthew 12:21

Nothing and no one can ever stop you from doing His will. So when they told me that my plane would leave 5 hours after my entire team left, He made a way. The manager of MIA (Miami International Airport) just so happened to be standing a few feet away while I was discussing my current dilemma with the flight attendant. He carries on to tell me that he’s never done this for anyone in the past, but he felt like he should. Right on the spot he changed my flight and gave me a new plane ticket within moments. Upon arrival my bags weren’t able to make the plane and neither did Sean’s peddles, which happen to be very expensive and necessary in order to carry out the worship set. After waiting two hours in the scorching sun, both bags arrived, after being delayed. He is faithful. Already He’s done so many miracles and healings to people all around the city, and seeing over 60 people saved, and we’ve only just begun. I can’t wait to update and let everyone else know what God’s doing in a country where hopelessness is prevalent and depression reads on everyone’s face. We’re bringin hope and love to a country who needs it most. 

October 4th-October 11th.

If you would like to get involved in donating, let me know, ANYTHING will help! Pray for our team, for the people, and the lives that will be changed by the gospel.

Be still and know that He is God. -Psalm 46:10