India and Israel trip this Spring!

As I (Brandon) look at my passport I can only dream of the adventure that lies ahead. Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Calcutta are a few of the cities we will be traveling to. For years I have anticipated this moment. This Spring this dream is coming true! From May 7th through the 16th I will turn away the riches of America, embarking on a journey into the slums of India. This may sound bizarre but I’ve always wanted to immerse myself in a culture of widespread poverty and famine. Lately there has been an increasing measure of discontentment within my heart. I can't explain why I occasionally feel remarkably dissatisfied while living in one of the World’s wealthiest nations. We have access to an IPOD, ITOUCH, IPAD, or an IPHONE. But in a culture driven with “I” “I” “I” we may have acquired nothing more than being ISAD, IMAD, IBAD, and I-solated.

I’m reminded of the passage of scripture when Jesus gathered His disciples and said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36) Historically the United States of America, and to some extent, presently, is the wealthiest nation in the world. It’s been said statistically, “if an individual grosses $32,000 a year they are in the top 5% of the World’s most wealthy. If their gross income is above $54,000 a year they are within the top 1%. When taking this knowledge into consideration, being an American citizen, I can’t help but hold myself accountable. I may not be living in the top 1-5% bracket but I know among the human race I’m in the top 10% richest in the world. As I travel to India I anticipate areas of my own selfishness to be confronted with the world’s poorest. My prayer has now become, “Search me O’God and know my heart, try me and know my ways, see if there be any wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139)

While our feet trek across the land of India I’m excited to minister to the poor, broken and hungry. However, to be honest and transparent, my true desire is to become more broken while I’m there. A broken and contrite spirit my heart desires. I don’t want to walk through life numb and desensitized to the needs of men. I don’t ever want to eat a meal unappreciative, nor take for granted a closet full of clothes and a house full of belongings. I’ll be the first to confess I have many possessions and could give more than I do. The Word says we will be held accountable to every idol word we speak. Do you think God will hold us accountable to every idol dollar spent?

I don’t say this to shame us, but I say this to FREE us! Because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. I want to be free from the cares of non-eternal possessions! I believe God is sending me to India because He is circumcising my heart. I’m holding back tears writing this because I’ve entered into the reality that the gospel will cost me everything. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

Would you partner with me in raising $3,400 to go to India? This may seem like a large amount but it’s so small to the Lord. Think of it in these terms: If 16 people simply invest $200 dollars then we will be at our goal. If 32 people generously sow $100 or even 64 people cheerfully give $50 dollars, our goal will be achieved. Or come along side us and partner monthly with Burn 24-7! Regardless of the amount there is no small offering in the eyes of our LORD. Together let’s give with a cheerful heart and together we will reap a harvest!  

Endless Love,  

Brandon and Crystal

If you want your gift to be tax-deductible you can make checks payable to: Elim Fellowship with Brandon Jackel/India in the memo. Please mail to Elim Fellowship, 1703 Dalton Rd., Lima, NY 14485 Thank You! Or give right Elim ONLINE: make sure you put under directions/other contributions who its going to. ;-) Donating through Elim allows us to be tax-exempt. Otherwise you can also give here.

P.S. As the Lord leads, I (Brandon) will also be going to Israel directly after India for about a week. The price was really good going from India to Israel, so my plan is to sync up with Living Bread Ministries while in Israel and serve along side them during the week of Pentecost. 

Join the movement: www.citytocityrevival.com; www.burn24-7.com

what is love?

What is 1 Corinthians 13 really saying?!

1 Corinthians 13 is the most commonly known verse about love, and is the most popular verse chosen at wedding ceremonies. And though the Church as a whole as seen this love chapter through the lens of marriage, it wasn't written with that being the only regard. Paul originally wrote them to address a specific situation which many of us today miss.  Paul was addressing the appropriate use of spiritual gifts to a body of believers that was divided on many issues. Above all, love was what Paul was compelling the Church to do. It wasn't only something married couples were called to, but we as a Church whole are called to walk....above everything.

Here are some of Peterson's (author of The MESSAGE translation) thoughts and my own together. Its piercing to read this in context, and absolutely life changing to read it as one who is called to walk in love (equivalent to walking by the Spirit).

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power and authority, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain and simple, and if I have faith that moves mountains, but have not love I am of no value. (Not your worth value, but what you so has no value.)  If I give everything I own to the poor and die as a martyr, but I die without loving, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. It will not fail you ever! It supersedes all things, in every situation, in every circumstance.

Love cares more for others than for self. It chooses to be selfless even when you feel taken advantage of.Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut; its not out to prove something. It is not competitive, but allows others to rise above themselves.Doesn’t have a swelled head and is not arrogant or haughty. It doesn't pretend to always have all the answers.Doesn’t force itself on others, it is sincere, considerate, and slow to  accuse.Love isn’t always “me first,”and it doesn’t fly off the handle. Love learns self-control and knows when to ask for forgiveness. Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, or measure one's sin to another.Love doesn’t revel when others grovel, or say "I told you so" in someone's mistake. It doesn't condemn, but brings life.Love takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, and makes it ok to make mistakes, learn and then grow.Love puts up with anything, even when you may be hurting. It pursues even when you feel betrayed.Love doesn't put trust in man, but trusts God always,Always looking for the best,Never looking back,But continues to go to the end. Love is the eternal treasure that cannot be taken from you and continues to grow into all eternity. 

Love never dies. Self-help and motivational speeches will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes (the unknown) will be canceled. And what will be left is love.

And isn't this what Christ did for us? When you examine the life of Jesus, He fulfilled all these things! He was the beautiful example of Love. If we need someone to lead by example, He is it! And its because of His grace that we can love the way He did. And He still loves this way, but now its through us. Let's be compelled to love today.