Wednesday August 5, 2009

I came in this morning and Nicola, my T.A., said when you get back from bible study (our morning devotional) I want to talk about John 3. So afterwards she told me her favorite verse was verse 17 and she had memorized it: God didn't come to condemn the world, but to save the world. It has been amazing to see her faith and her seeking the Lord. I pray she knows how much she is loved and that she will seek the Lord as much as He chases after us!

Today I read the Easter story to my kids.I plan on reading it again Friday.We have been going over what the celebration of Easter really is.I pray that God will open the kid's minds and hearts to what they are hearing.We decorated eggs and they also colored pictures of Jesus on the Cross and crosses that said He is risen.We are cutting them out and hanging them around the room.It brings me so much joy when I see them coloring and writing about Christ's love for us!It has been a joy to share the story of Jesus' resurrection!It reminds me that we don't have to celebrate Jesus' resurrection just on Easter, but we should celebrate it daily.I thought it was neat that we had communion at Church this past Sunday.It really put our focus in check.What Jesus did for us still amazes me and that He loves us that much!What an amazing Savior we have!

Nicola and I went to dinner tonight just the two of us.I wanted to get to know her better and to share with her more about myself and my past.It went really well!I shared my testimony with her and also my teammate's that I shared with you on Monday.Nicola then really opened up to me about her background and family.It was a special time.After dinner we went to bible study and one of my teammates led it tonight.He had told me the night before what he was going to talk about and it was what I had been praying for Nicola specifically so I was excited to see her response.He went through the law of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20 and Matthew 5).Many of the T.A.s grew up with their family teaching them about Buddhism or just telling them they were born good and as long as you are a good person your life is fulfilled.My teammate shared that we all fall short (Romans 6:23) and because God's laws are held at such a high standard we all are guilty of almost all of them, if not all of them.I know I am guilty of the first commandment alone.We can't even come close to matching up with God's standard. He sent His Son to die for us because His Son was perfect.As believers since we have Jesus in our hearts when God looks at us, He doesn't see sin He sees His Son, therefore He sees perfection.My teammate then challenged us all including the T.A.s to fast tomorrow and though we usually fast in private, we were trying to show them how God is all we need and He alone satisfies way more than any food or drink could.

The study got Nicola really thinking.She asked questions again, but out of nowhere she said that following God is just not something she is ready to commit to and she feels obligated to taking care of her parents in return for them taking care of her when she was younger.She said if she can do that her life would be fulfilled.I tried to explain to her that following God is not a job it is a privilege.She said maybe one day she will turn to God, but basically right now she was content, which was hard to hear.She is still seeking and I have full faith that God will continue to reveal Himself to her.After I got back to my room I suddenly felt discouraged and I felt the enemy telling me I was a failure since my T.A. had not accepted Christ yet.As I prayed the Lord quickly encouraged me through His word, reminding me He is in control.The seed has been planted He will be working in her heart, and it has to be her choice whether or not she chooses salvation.The Lord reminded me also that it is not my responsibility to bring salvation to people nor could it ever be.The Holy Spirit is the only One who can bring Salvation.It is my responsibility to share His Word and love with them and if they choose not to accept it is not our burden to carry.The Lord willing takes that burden off of us, which can be hard too, but also comforting.What a comfort it is to know that God is always in control!

"Therefore we do not lose heart.Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18