Morning Devotional
How do I serve people while they are serving me?
This trip was supposed to be me serving the Nicaraguans and I am not doing this. Its like I am on a vacation being entertained and taken on tours for tourists.
My prayer today:
Isaiah 48:17 Teach me and show me Your path for me.
Psalms 23:3 Make my path honor You.
God is definitely showing me that the people of Nicaragua are not to be looked at with critical eyes, for they are strong. They have blessed lives here though they are different than a blessed life that I am used to. Only after all fear and judgment are gone will my heart be open and free for God to use me.
Evening Journal
We walked around a neighboring village today. At the end of the road there was a truck filled with fruit and two men sitting in the cab. One of our hosts gave them pamphlets about Jesus. Then we walked to an elderly woman's home as she was sweeping her front porch made of dirt. She looks like a sweet, weathered grandma but is only 59 years old. There was a dog that was all bones, a big fat pig, and even a cat. That's when I noticed the needle stuck in the house. Odd I thought.
On our way back we noticed the men in the cab of the truck were reading the pamphlets. There was joy in our hosts' eyes. Later when we got back I was asked if I noticed that on the dash of that truck there were bags of cocaine. I hadn't. Should I be surprised that evil knows no boundaries of nations? Or sad that evil can creep into any community? Or comforted by the fact that sometimes we all face the same demons, no matter what sand we are walking on?
Then we had bible study with the people of Padre Ramos. The congregation that came, mostly children and women, walked to church knowing it was going to rain; knowing that they were going to get wet. What am I willing to sacrifice to share God or be in the will of God? And how many times have or better yet, how many excuses have I used to not go to church? This is what we discussed. Not only are they strong, they are also committed and passionate; And the power went out tonight during bible study. We were having church in the wall-less hut with a ceiling made of palm leaves. It was storming, raining, lightening, thundering and went black. Of course, I jumped but the Nicaraguans didn't even flinch. In that moment we sang with flash lights and no music. It was beautiful. God was there. No lights, pouring rain, crying babies because they were cold (it was only 80 degrees)...and it was perfect.
Evening Devotional
Galatians 2:20
I am righteous. Jesus gave me my righteousness. Am I living that way? Righteously? How does one live righteously anyway?
I can feel that I am being challenged to share my testimony. I haven't been asked yet but I can feel God tugging at my heart.
Then God answered (always there!)
Ephesians 2: 4-10
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
There was the layout of the perfect testimony.
I was dead; He raised me from the dead (just like Jesus); because of faith; but I cannot take the credit, all glory goes to God; Not about my works or pride; God's masterpiece at work, I am his canvas and he is shaping me into something beautiful!
Ephesians 3:12, 4: 1-6, 5: 17
Because of Christ, my faith in Him gives me an audience with God! Jesus and I are one through the Spirit, and I should live that way!
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