This morning I planned to go to the office to work on the teaching lesson for tomorrow. My mind was not fully on the lesson though, as Danielle was home with the boys, trying to teach school and chase after an 18 month old and she was not feeling well. As I sat down to concentrate on the lesson, Tobias walked into my office. I soon found out that God had other plans for my morning. I was not to wear my Bible teacher hat this morning; instead I was going to wear the hat of discipler.
Yesterday, after a three-week break from teaching, we started again. Our lesson was simply a review of God’s creation, focusing on the fact that God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were present and active in the creation. I put that into the perspective of what that means for us as believers? The Holy Spirit that is with us is the same God who created the world and put it in its place. God the Son is the same Jesus who died on the cross for sins. God is with us today. Everything belongs to Him. He is above all things. He knows everything. He is everywhere. We do not have to fear or worry. We can rest in our God and rejoice in our God.
Several people were really convicted by the lesson including Tobias, who was still marveling over one of the illustrations that I used to show God’s power. During the lesson I held up an inflatable globe that my boys use for school. I told the Siawis that this represented the world that God created. If I wanted the globe to stay in the air, I would have to tie it up with a string, but God didn’t do that he placed this world in the black sky (space) and it hung there by his strength. We can rejoice as believers because that God is our God. When Tobias came to me this morning, he was still stewing on the fact that this huge earth that we live on is hanging in the sky not attached to anything.
Yesterday when we talked about God’s power, I told them that we had much to rejoice about. Among the Siawis, there is much confusion about rejoicing, praising God and worship. Tobias asked me, “What does it mean to rejoice? When do we rejoice? How do we rejoice? Does that mean that the Holy Spirit causes us to sing and dance? What about those people who say the Holy Spirit makes them spin around and faint?” The Lord gave me a wide open door to share truth from God’s Word about worship and God being a God of order. I also reminded him of yesterdays lesson and that the Holy Spirit who is with us today is that same God of order.
When Tobias left the office, Mesiau was waiting to ask questions. “What happens to a person who sins after he has believed.”
Praise the Lord that the Siawi believers seem hungry to know the truth.
Pray for me as I teach and as I disciple and answer questions about spiritual matters.
Yesterday morning as I prepared to go to the village, I watched, a little disappointed, as a group of young men walked down the airstrip away from the village. It was no secret that we were going to begin the teaching. Noa, Yakou, Woboe and a few others are the same group of young men who have been very vocal about accusing some of not following God’s Word, while at the same time causing trouble, spreading rumors and causing division and who knows what else. They were very happy to have us return. They felt that we would validate their sinful behavior because they believe since Jesus died to pay for their sin, then they are free to do whatever they want. As I have been teaching the truth of God’s Word, they have been disappointed to realize that, yes, Jesus did die to pay for their sin, but they are not free to do whatever they desire.
Please pray that these young men will be convicted of their pride and rebellion.
Pray that they will not cause problems for those attending the teaching.
One other item of prayer is the health of the village. Right now there is a lot of sickness especially among the children. We have had several cases of whooping cough which has led to secondary infections. There are a couple of children who are struggling for their lives.
Pray that the children in the village will get well.
Thank you for being a part of our team. We need you! Keep praying.
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