Voir Dire (Speak the Truth)

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Freedom In Venzeuela

In June, I had the wonderful privilege of leading 20 high school students on a mission trip to Venezuela. For most of these students this would be the first time they stepped out in faith to glorify God through the spreading of His glorious gospel, in a different culture than their own. I am happy to report that the trip was life changing for all of the students and ultimately God was glorified as he worked through us to accomplish His will.

I am always so encouraged, as mission trips provide a wonderful opportunity to see that we serve a mighty God who has people in every nation that he desires to bring home. Seeing that first hand produces a humble, God exalting attitude, where the privilege of being used drives you to your knees in worship. It was so cool to see the students get it and how passionate they were to continue the work here in the states. I am confident God will continue to produce fruit from the time we shared in Venezuela.

With each mission trip I have the pleasure of serving on, there is always one encounter that God blesses me with that gives me a fresh reminder of the power of His Gospel. Mercifully, he was faithful and allowed me to knock on the door of a woman named Johanna. After sharing the gospel with her, I asked her if she had heard this message before. Like many we met throughout the week, she had heard it before and claimed to be a Christian. Knowing Venezuela is plagued with a works based theology, I probed a little bit and asked where she thought she would spend eternity. Almost without hesitation she knew she was not going to heaven. As I am sure you would have done, I asked, “why not.” Her answer was just what I expected; she began to list all the things she fell short on, namely yelling at her kids. So, I began to unpack the heart of the Gospel to her, and explain that we are all sinners and that none of us deserve to go to heaven, but because God punished Christ instead of me, I can be assured that I would spend eternity with him, despite falling short. Johanna’s heart had been prepared and as God opened up her eyes to his gracious cross; her eyes welled up with tears. For the first time Johanna experienced the freedom that is only found in the cross; it was as if this was the news she was waiting for. The burden of her sins rolled away along with the tears that ran down her face. Oh what a Savior!!!!

It is encounters such as these that reminded me afresh of how often we take the gospel for granted and just how freeing it is. Unfortunately, there are so many just like Johanna who are burdened by the weight of sin because they are trying to please God with their works. May this spur us on to be faithful to the heart of the gospel so that people see the cross and there find their freedom.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Listening

That is the answer I would give to those asking, where have you been? Well, that is what I have been doing at least part of the time! The other reason I have not blogged if I was honest, is simply the busyness of life. However, one of the things I enjoy most is listening, I am sure growing up my parents would have begged to differ!!! But now as an adult I am enjoying learning from and at the feet of brilliant minds. God has truly gifted the reformed evangelical community with men who humbly expound on the word of God and apply it to the world in which we live.

The conversations that are taking place are both enlightening and encouraging and therefore I often get caught up and forget I too have something to add. Well, enough with the excuses, the fact is there is a lot to listen to, so I encourage you to be a fly on the wall. I hope to assist you in the process by providing links to the discussions.

be encouraged!