Devotions September 10, 2009

Psalm 78:36-37

Here is a general summary of these two verses... Verse 36 tells us that the children of Israel flattered the Lord with their words and they lied to Him. Verse 37 tells us that their heart wasn't right with God. They also weren't fully/truly committed to the promises that they had made with their God.

Now for me... In my life before Christ, after I would get into trouble I would always pray "God forgive me. I want to live for You. Help me to honor You and glorify Your name". But even after I would pray all that (flattering God), a week later I would go right back into doing the same thing. The Devil would tempt me and I would go running back to my sin. During those times I wasn't right with God- I wasn't a Christian. I told people I was and people also believed I was because of all the good things I did. Boy did I have myself and others fooled!! But, I never fooled God. He knew I wasn't saved. And whoever reads this let me tell you that you cannot fool God. He knows all things! If you aren't saved, get your heart right with God and become a Christian! If you are saved, quit flattering God with your prayers and remember the promise you made to Him.

I know in my own life, Satan knows the weak areas of my life. And he likes to attack those areas a lot. It is a daily struggle, but I am learning to put the Shield of Faith up with the Devil comes along and tempts me. If you are going through a similar situation, remember "I can do all things through Christ".

For in Christ you are a New Creature

Well, I am back in America and in Georgia! But, I do miss North Africa. Thank you so much for all the prayers while I was there and also while I was in the hospital as well. I know God answered all of them, because God did some awesome things in me. I had a different kind of experience while I was there. Most people would think that when you go on a Mission's Trip or Internship that you are there for the people (which you are, don't get me wrong), but for me God had me go there so I could get some things straightened out between me and my God.
While I was there God used some wrong decisions I had made to bring me to the realization that I was living like a Pharisee and that I was just going through the motions-even my salvation. I thought that I had gotten saved 10 years ago, but nothing really changed in my life. I didn't even want to tell people that I had gotten saved! Now, I know for sure that I am on my way to Heaven! Praise the Lord! God has changed my heart in many ways; I have a peace and a joy like I never had before!

The first week in Morocco I experienced a little culture shock. Not only was I the only student there, but being a female, I couldn’t really go out to a lot of places by myself. The first few nights I cried a lot, mainly because I missed my family and friends! I thank God that He gave me a heart that can adapt to culture quickly. And I also had some really great roommates while I was there, which helped a lot in times of loneliness.

Church was very different in the sense that we couldn’t just set up a church building and have a church service. We had to be very wise about it. Basically we had a house-church. We would have the service at the Moroccan believer’s apartment, the missionary’s house, and a few times we set up a tent in the forest outside of the city. I couldn’t understand most of it because of the language barrier, but I loved to hear them sing. For the first part of the service we would just sing songs - in Arabic. I loved it! It was just awesome to hear men who have only been saved for 2 or 3 years singing praises to the Lord. It was a beautiful time.

My favorite memory/experience while being there was when we took a trip to one of the believer's family's village. While we were there I guess the Lord just broke my heart for the people, not only North Africans, but the people who have never heard the Gospel one time. I would love to go back some day, but for now I am learning and serving here at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville, GA. Pray for me that I would grow in Christ and not be the same as I was.

The end of my summer is the beginning of a lifetime!

Well, this week has been our last week here in North Africa! It has been fun so far and there have been tears already shed. I know that I will miss this place so much! I have learned alot these 3 months!!!
God has taught me how to really trust Him for everything, even the small things. I have learned how to be confident in myself and how to truly love myself the way God has made me. I am learning complete contentment in Christ everyday. I am learning how to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people and also do things that I would never do in America. This trip has changed me thoroughly and I am so thankful I was able to come this summer!!

Do pray for Rebecca and I as we travel on Sunday (Rebecca) and Monday (me).

Breaks

Breaks are always nice; this week Rebecca and I are in another city with a couple learning from them. They have been married a year but God is working through both of them here in this city. One thing that I have learned is that alot of people here are night owls. For instance, it is midnight here and the wife is preparing dinner! I think we have been up each night until 2AM since monday when we got here!

We have had many opportunities to talk and the wife shared many things that I know I gleaned from. One thing that she said was "Wherever you go, make it home". That really helped me alot! I think in many cases I have made my home here for 3months. It helps me not miss my family and friends as much.

As I am here I feel like these past few weeks God has been teaching me more than the first few weeks. As I read this morning God showed me a few things. In 1Thessalonians 1:8,9, Paul describes where those who reject God will go after they die. They will be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord".
A prayer request for the nations here in North Africa would be that the Word of God would have free course. Pray that more people would be burdened to come and at least see the work that is already being done and the future plans of this work. Pray for the North African believers. There is persecution but God is more than able to overcome that persecution.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a quick update and challenge. Pray that my last week will be effective for the Lords sake!!

a Brief Summary

I am sorry for not writing in a while. Hopefully this will be a help to someone.

Things keep getting busier and busier, which for me, leads to me being more stressed and what not. My walk with God wasn't as it should have been. So, it is very easy to become discouraged and unmotivated when you don't pray and read your Bible. It is alot easier to make some dumb decisions as well. But, praise the Lord, God brings people into your life that tell you the way things are. Things are much better now; God is working in my heart so much! I am learning to put Him first for everything!

This past Sunday we had an awesome Sunday Morning Service. We had 2 people get baptized! We also did the Lord's Supper as well. It was just a sweet service to be a part of. We've also had a few men from the States visiting (they actually left this afternoon), which were a blessing to me. It was great to be able to talk to more than just 5people. But it also made me look forward to seeing people that I haven't seen in a while and telling them about the things God is doing in my life!

Susie Wachob
2Cor 12:15

The weekend in Review

Well, my fourth of July was very exciting! We actually know some other Americans here in North Africa, so we were able to go visit them and have a little party. It was fun and we got to meet some new friends. Afterwards, we went to another friend's house and were there until midnight. It was worth it though; we had a great time.

Sunday, the meeting was at our house, so we spent Sunday morning cleaning and getting it ready for everyone to be there. Also, I had to make the tea with one of the Nationals. I was scared to death!! And even after I made it, I had to pour it as well. I was so nervous that I spilled some on the table. (At least it wasn't someone's lap.)

I am learning that I cannot live for myself. I need to live for God and getting the Gospel out to others.

Paul and Silas 2009

A lot has happened this week in many different ways! This week Rebecca and I had Arabic every day. We also taught English a total of 16hours, separately. So, for those reasons we are very tired. We are also meeting with contacts as much as possible, trying to witness to them in due time.

I think the major thing that has happened this week was that God's name was glorified in prison. Tuesday morning an American student and a national believer left for a 2week trip to pass out cds, mp3s, and Bibles to people they came in contact with. Wednesday we receive a call saying that they had spent the night in jail! The story goes along that they were meeting a guy to give him a Bible, but when they got there the guy had brought the police along with him. So, the police took our friends to jail. They got questioned, they did get scuffed up some, but they were let go. While they were in jail they witnessed to people and were a testimony for the Lord. The police did take all the Bibles, mp3s, and cds that they had brought, but the guys are fine and they are continuing on their journey.

It was weird that that happened on Tuesday and Wednesday, because on Wednesday I read in 1 Corinthians about how we are called to preach the Gospel of Christ, whether we suffer for it or not. It is very easy for me to just walk past these people and not say anything about Christ, because I don't want to get hurt or put in jail. But, if I don't care enough for these people, then who's going to tell them?

I'm sure we all know people who we see every day that they are saved, but do we care enough to open our mouth? At least in America they speak English and we're not going to be thrown in jail for telling them! Just a challenge to love people you see every day and always be a testimony for Him!
Thank you for praying, and continue to pray for my friends as they will be returning in a few days!